“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?
“Forgive us all our faults, and accept well.” — Hosea 14:3
The word “BROKEN”, which proudly appeared on Grady’s license plates, fully corresponded to his life. A gambler, adulterer, and deceiver, he became broke, bankrupt, and far from God. However, everything changed one evening when he felt the call of God’s Spirit in his hotel room. Grady told his wife, “I think I’m saved!” That evening he confessed his sins and came to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness. For the next thirty years, a man who did not think that he would live to be forty lived and served God, becoming a believer in Jesus Christ. His number plates also changed – from “BROKEN” to “REPENTENT”.
Repentance. This is exactly what Grady did, and God called Israel to this in the Book of the prophet Hosea 14:2-3: “Return, Israel, to the Lord your God… Take the words with you, and turn to the Lord, say to Him: “Forgive us all our guilt, and accept us well”. Big or small, few or many, our sins separate us from God. This gap can be closed by turning away from sin and turning to God and receiving the forgiveness He graciously provided through the death of Jesus Christ. Whoever you are, your forgiveness is just a prayer away.
What sins separate you from God? Are you ready to admit your need for Him and accept the forgiveness He has provided through His Son Jesus Christ?
Heavenly Father, search my heart to see if there is anything in me that could contribute to my downfall and distance me from You. Cleanse me, forgive me and use me for Your glory.
“God will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death. There will be no more sorrow, no crying, no more pain.” — Revelation 21:4
Doctors diagnosed four-year-old Solomon with progressive Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A year later, doctors discussed with the family the necessity of using a wheelchair. However, Solomon protested and did not want to use a wheelchair. Family and friends prayed for him and raised funds to purchase a professionally trained service dog to help Solomon stay out of a wheelchair for as long as possible. Tails for Life, the organization that trained my service dog Kelly, is currently training Waffles to help Solomon.
Solomon eventually agreed to treatment. He often glorifies God, but sometimes it becomes more difficult for him. On one of those difficult days, Solomon hugged his mother and said: “I’m glad there’s no Duchenne disease in heaven.”
Degenerative processes affect all people this side of eternity. However, we, like Solomon, have an eternal hope that sustains us in difficult days. God promises us “a new heaven and a new earth” (Revelation 21:1). Our Creator and Giver of Life will “dwell” among us, making His home with us (v. 3). He will “wipe away every tear” from our eyes. “And there will be no more death. Neither sorrow, nor crying, nor pain will be anymore” (v. 4). If the wait seems “too hard” or “too long,” we can feel peace because God’s promise will surely come true.
How does knowing God’s promise of a new heaven and a new earth comfort you? How can you encourage your friend with eternal hope in God’s promises?
Loving God, thank you for strengthening my resolve with the certainty of eternal hope.
“Hope for too long is an ailment for the heart, and a wish that is fulfilled is a tree of life.” — Proverbs 13:12
When I moved to England, my usual American Thanksgiving turned into just another Thursday in November. Although I had a holiday next weekend, I wanted to be with my family and friends. However, these desires were not unique to me. We all want to be with our loved ones on special occasions and holidays. And even if we celebrate something, we may still miss someone, or we may pray for reconciliation in the family.
During this period, I was helped by prayers and meditation on biblical wisdom, including one of King Solomon’s proverbs: “Hope too long is a disease of the heart, but a desire that is fulfilled is a tree of life” (Prov. 13:12). In this parable, through which Solomon expressed his wisdom, he pointed to the effect of “long hope.” Delaying something much desired can lead to anger and pain. If the wish is fulfilled, it is like a tree of life that allows us to feel renewed.
Some of our wishes and hopes may come true and come true some time later, and some only in eternity. Whatever our desire is, we can entrust it to God, knowing that He loves us. And one day we will be reunited with our loved ones in a joint celebration and in joint thanksgiving to the Lord (see Rev. 19:6-9).
When have you felt exhausted because of not fulfilling a desire? How has God helped you in your time of need?
God, You fulfill my deepest desires. I surrender my desires and hopes to You, and I ask You to realize them in Your wisdom and love.
“A person does not know what will happen.” — Ecclesiastes 10:14
In 2010, Laszlo Haniec made his first purchase with bitcoins (an electronic currency then worth less than one penny per bitcoin), paying 10,000 bitcoins for two pizzas ($25). In 2021, the value of these bitcoins would reach more than $500 million. Even before the value of bitcoins skyrocketed, Haniec continued to pay for pizza with electronic currency, spending 100,000 bitcoins. If he had kept them, he would have become a billionaire, and Forbes magazine would have included him in the list of the “richest people in the world.” If only he knew.
Of course, Khaniets did not know. None of us would know. No matter how much we try to grasp and control the future, the book of Ecclesiastes clearly says: “Man does not know what will happen” (Eccl. 10:14). Some of us resort to self-deception, believing that we have some special knowledge about another person’s life or the future. However, in the book of Ecclesiastes the question sounds: “What will happen to him, who will tell him?” (v. 14). No one.
Scripture contrasts the wise with the foolish, and one of the many differences between the two is humility about the future (Prov. 27:1). A wise person, when making a decision, recognizes that only God knows what lies ahead. A foolish person, on the contrary, believes that he possesses some supernatural knowledge. So, let’s trust our future only to Him Who truly knows it.
Why do you see the temptation to try to control the future? How can you trust God more?
