“And whatever you do, do it from the heart, as if for the Lord, not for people!” — Colossians 3:23
Rebecca Lee Crumpler was the first black American woman to receive a doctorate in medicine. However, according to Rebecca herself, during her life (1831–1895) she was “ignored, despised and considered worthless.” Still, she remained faithful to her calling. Many treated her badly because of race and gender, but she was always full of “determination and courage to go where duty calls.” She believed that caring for women and children, as well as providing medical care to freed slaves, was a way to serve God. Unfortunately, Rebekah did not receive recognition for her achievements during her lifetime. It came to her only a century later.
There are times when people around us do not notice and do not appreciate us. But the Holy Scriptures remind us that when God has called us to do something, we should not seek earthly glory, but do everything “from the heart, as for the Lord, and not for men” (Col. 3:23). By focusing on serving God, we can do even the most difficult work with diligence and joy because of His strength and guidance. In addition, we will think less about recognition from people and wait for the reward that only the Lord can give (v. 24).
How often have people overlooked the good you have done? How can you focus on God while doing your work?
Heavenly Father, thank You for the call to do good for Your sake. Help me to be faithful in what You have called me to do.
“I have indeed seen the trouble of My people who are in Egypt… and I have come down to deliver them.” — Exodus 3:7-8
It seemed that the Christmas tree was engulfed in fire. Not artificial, made of electric garlands, but real! Friends invited our family to a traditional German holiday, “like in the good old days”, with a national treat and real candles on the Christmas tree (for safety reasons, candles were lit on a freshly cut Christmas tree and only once).
Looking at the “burning Christmas tree”, I remembered how God appeared to Moses in the thorn bush. He was herding sheep in the desert when he saw a bush that was on fire and for some reason did not burn. Moses went to look, and then God spoke to him. Although the fire in the Bible is a symbol of God’s anger, the message of salvation for the people of Israel was not heard from the flames of the bush. The Lord saw the suffering and humiliation of His people in Egyptian slavery and decided to “liberate them” (Ex. 3:8).
God brought the Israelites out of Egypt, but all the people of the earth needed salvation – and not only salvation from physical suffering, but also from the influence of evil and death on the whole world. Many centuries later, God sent the Light into the world – His Son Jesus Christ (Jn. 1:9-10). The Lord did not send Him “so that He might condemn the world, but that the world might be saved through Him” (Jn. 3:17).
How can you rejoice in salvation in Jesus Christ? What Christmas traditions point to Him?
Heavenly Father, thank You for Jesus Christ, the Light of the world.
“Be an example for the faithful in word, in life, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity!” — 1 Timothy 4:12
In 2011, after ten years of childlessness, my wife and I decided to move to another country. Although it was exciting to move, I had to leave the radio job I loved. Feeling devastated, I asked my friend Liam for advice.
“I don’t know what my calling is anymore,” I told him sadly.
– There are no options here on the radio? he asked. I said no.
– And how is the family?
Surprised by such a change of subject, I replied that Merin and I were fine. We struggled with the absence of children, but we became closer to each other.
“Consecration is the core of the Gospel,” Liam replied with a smile. “The world needs to see marriages like yours! You may not realize it, but you make more of an impact by who you are than by what you do.”
When Timothy also began to feel sad because of difficulties in the ministry, the apostle Paul did not set high goals for him in terms of career growth. Instead, he urged him to live a life pleasing to God and set an example for people with his words, behavior, love, faith and purity (1 Tim. 4:12-13, 15). Timothy could best influence others by his faithfulness.
People tend to measure the significance of their lives by success at work, while the most important thing is character. I forgot about it. But a word of truth, a good deed, and faithfulness in marriage can do a great deal. Through them God’s grace touches this world.
Who has influenced your life? What qualities did these people have? How can you set an example of faithfulness?
God, help me to remember that my work is not as important as my character. Please make me more like You.
“But encourage one another every day as long as it’s called ‘Today’.” — Hebrews 3:13
After another week of exhausting health problems, I collapsed on the couch. I didn’t want to think about anything. I didn’t want to talk to anyone. I couldn’t even pray. Disappointment and doubts were a heavy burden on the soul. I turned on the TV and started watching a commercial where a girl told her younger brother: “You’re a champion!” She tried to cheer him up. The more she spoke, the wider the baby’s smile became. And mine too.
God’s people have always struggled with discouragement and doubt. Citing Psalm 94, the author of Hebrews urged believers to avoid the mistakes of the Israelites during their journey through the desert (Heb. 3:7-11). “Beware, brothers, lest any of you have an evil heart of unbelief, which would depart from the Living God! But encourage one another every day,” he wrote (vv. 12-13).
Putting our hope in Christ, let’s not neglect another effective means that is given to us to maintain faithfulness – mutual encouragement in communication with other Christians (v. 13). If one believer begins to be overcome by doubts, another can support him with a kind word and help him. God gives strength to his people, and we can pass that strength on to each other through mutual encouragement.
How has God supported and comforted you in a difficult hour through your brothers and sisters in the faith? How can you personally encourage others today?
Loving God, help me to live for You and support others with my words and deeds.
“A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” — Proverbs 15:1
Have you ever met a rattlesnake? If so, then you probably noticed that the closer you got to her, the louder she made the sound. A study in the scientific journal Current Biology shows that when a threat approaches, snakes increase their warning sounds. This “high frequency sound” tricks us into thinking that the snakes are closer than they really are. One researcher noted, “The listener’s misinterpretation of distance … creates a safe distance between him and the snake.”
People also sometimes raise their voices by saying harsh words, which prompts others to distance themselves from them during conflict. They express their anger and turn to shouting. The author of the Book of Proverbs gives wise advice: “A gentle answer turns away anger, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (Prov. 15:1). He further says that “gentle” and wise words can be a “tree of life” and a source of “knowledge” (vv. 4, 7).
The Lord Jesus gave the most important reasons for being gentle with those with whom we have a conflict: the manifestation of love that shows that we are His children (Mt. 5:43-45), and the search for reconciliation that helps us to “gain a brother” (Mt. 18:15). Instead of raising our voice or using unkind words during conflicts, let us, with God’s help, show wisdom and love to others.
Why is it difficult to be gentle and loving during conflict? How can the Holy Spirit help you be more careful with your words and actions?
Heavenly Father, help me to lovingly speak my mind to someone with whom I disagree.
“Whatever you did to one of the least of these My brothers, you did to Me.” — Matthew 25:40
Fried chicken, green beans, spaghetti, rolls. On a chilly October day, at least fifty-four homeless women received this hot meal from a woman celebrating her fifty-fourth birthday. The birthday girl and her friends refused the usual celebration in a restaurant, deciding instead to prepare food and serve people on the streets of Chicago. Through social media, the woman urged others to also show kindness as a birthday present.
This story reminds me of the words of Jesus: “Truly I say to you, whatever you did for one of the least of these My brothers, you did it for Me” (Mt. 25:40). He spoke these words after saying that His sheep would be invited to receive an inheritance in His eternal Kingdom (v. 33). Then He said that they were those who fed and clothed Him because of their sincere faith in Him (as opposed to the arrogant religious people who did not believe in Him, see Matt. 26:3-5).
Although the “righteous” will ask when they fed and clothed Jesus (Matt. 25:37), He will assure them that what they did for others was also done for Him (v. 40).
Feeding the hungry is just one of the ways God helps us care for His people by showing our love for Him and our relationship with Him. May He help us today to meet the needs of other people.
How can you show kindness today to show God’s love to other people? How do you “care” about Him by helping to meet the needs of other people?
Good God, please help me to show Your love through my actions.
“For God’s grace has appeared, which saves all people.” — Titus 2:11
A few years ago, a popular song rose to the top of the music charts, in which the choir sings the chorus: “Jesus is coming with me.” Behind these words lies an impressive story.
The choir was created by jazz musician Curtis Lundy when he began treatment for cocaine addiction. Gathering friends who also suffered from this addiction and finding inspiration in old hymns, Curtis wrote the chorus as an anthem of hope for those in treatment. One of the choristers said this about the song: “We sang for our lives. We asked Jesus to save us, to help us get rid of drug addiction.” Another chorister said that while singing, she felt her chronic pain subside. This choir didn’t just sing words, it prayed for salvation.
Today’s Bible text perfectly reflects their experience. In Christ, God offers salvation to all people (Titus 2:11). Part of this gift is eternal life (v. 13), but God works in us even now, helping us to regain self-control and say “no” to the passions of the world, and freeing us to live with Him (vv. 12, 14). The choristers were convinced by their own experience that Jesus not only forgives our sins. He frees us from a harmful way of life.
Jesus walks with me. And with you. And with everyone who turns to Him for help. He is with us. He offers hope for the future and salvation now.
What do you need Jesus to change in you? How sincerely do you ask Him for this?
Lord Jesus, I need You. Forgive my sins, free me from bad habits and change me from the inside.
“We are His creation, created in Christ Jesus for good works.” — Ephesians 2:10
I saw a newborn baby for the first time when I was a child myself. Because of my ignorance, I looked in horror at the tiny and shriveled child with a bald cone-shaped head. The child’s mother was standing next to us and for some reason kept asking everyone: “Isn’t it wonderful?” I remembered the moment when I saw a video of a young father gently singing a song to his newborn daughter: “You are so beautiful!” To her doting father, this little girl was the most beautiful creature in the world.
Does God look at us the same way? In the Epistle to the Ephesians it is said that we are His “handiwork”, His masterpiece (Eph. 2:10). Aware of our own shortcomings, it can be difficult for us to accept His infinite love or to believe that we are very valuable to Him. However, God loves us not because we deserve His love (vv. 3-4); God loves us because He is love (1 John 4:8). God’s love is the love of grace, and He showed its depth when through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ He made us alive in Him who were dead in sins (Eph. 2:5, 8).
God’s love is constant. He loves the imperfect, the broken, the weak and the messy. If we fall, He is there to pick us up. We are His treasure, and very beautiful to Him.
What does it mean to know that “God is love”? How can you accept the truth about God’s infinite love for you if you don’t feel worthy of it?
