“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?
On the evening of June 2021, a tornado swept over the village, destroying the family barn. It was a painful loss, as it had been in the family since the late 1800s. As John and Barbara drove to church the next morning, they saw the devastation and began to wonder what they could do to help. So, they stopped and learned that the family needed help clearing the debris. John and Barbara quickly turned the car around and drove home. After changing their clothes at home, they returned to spend the whole day with their family, helping to clear debris caused by strong winds. By serving the family, they showed faith in action.
Apostle James said that “faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). He gives the example of Abraham, who in humility followed God, not knowing where he was going (v. 23; see Genesis 12:1-4; 15:6; Heb. 11:8). Jacob also mentions Rahab, who showed her faith in the God of Israel by hiding the spies who came to inspect the city of Jericho (James 2:25; see Ezekiel 2; 6:17).
“When someone says he has faith, but does not have works” (James 2:14), there is no benefit from this. Matthew Henry said: “Faith is the root, good works are the fruit, and we must know that we have both.” God does not need our good works, but our faith is confirmed by our works.
Why do you think it is important to do good deeds? What can you do because of your love for God?
Dear God, help me to serve You through my faith in You and through my love for You.
“When He rose from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this.” —John 2:22
Starting a fantasy novel with the last chapter is a bad idea for those who like a good story to unfold gradually. However, some people enjoy reading a book more if they know the ending.
In the book Reading from the End, author Richard Hayes shows how important this method is to understanding the Bible. Illustrating how the words and events of Scripture foretell, echo, and shed light on each other, Professor Hayes explains why it is important to read the Bible from beginning to end.
Hayes reminds readers that it was not until after Jesus’ resurrection that the disciples understood His statement about rebuilding the destroyed temple in three days. Apostle John says: “And He spoke of the temple of His body” (John 2:21). Only then did the disciples understand the meaning of the Passover celebration, which they did not understand before (see Mt. 26:17-29). Only in retrospect could they grasp the full meaning of the ancient king’s zeal for God’s house, which Jesus spoke about (Ps. 68:10; Jn. 2:16-17). Only by rereading the Scriptures in the light of God’s true temple (Jesus Himself) could the disciples understand how the religion of Israel and the Messiah shed light on each other.
Only by reading the Scriptures from end to end can we see in Jesus everything that each of us has always needed and longed for.
What worries you about your future? As you reflect on your life, how do you learn to grasp God’s story, which is best understood when read in the context of eternity?
Heavenly Father, thank you for allowing me to live long enough to see Your ability to show and manifest the wonder of Your presence in many ways I could never have imagined.
“Always be ready to give an answer to anyone who asks you about the hope you have.” — 1 Peter 3:15
In 1941, the “Socrates Club” was founded at Oxford University in England. It was created to encourage discussions between believers in Jesus and atheists or agnostics.
Religious debate in a secular university is not unusual, but it is interesting that for fifteen years this club was chaired by the famous Christian theologian Clive Lewis. Willing to put his views to the test, Lewis believed that faith in Christ could withstand scrutiny. He knew that there was a reliable and reasonable evidence for faith in Jesus.
Lewis followed Peter’s advice, which he gave to believers scattered by persecution: “Sanctify the Lord Christ in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you about the hope you have, with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15). The Apostle Peter speaks of two important aspects: we have proper grounds for hope in Christ, and we must speak about these grounds “with meekness and with fear.”
Faith in Christ is not religious escapism or wishful thinking. Our faith is based on historical facts, including the resurrection of Jesus and the evidence of creation that bears witness to its Creator. Relying on God’s wisdom and the power of the Spirit, let us be ready to state our reasons for our faith in the great God.
How can you share your faith? What evidence of Jesus’ resurrection makes it historically valid, even though it is a true miracle?
Almighty God, thank you for giving me solid evidence to support my faith in you. Author: Bill Crowder
It seems my mother can sense trouble a mile away. One day, after a hard day at school, I tried to hide my bad mood, hoping no one would notice. However, the mother asked, “What happened?” Then she added, “Before you say nothing happened, remember that I am your mother. I gave birth to you and I know you better than you know yourself.” My mother constantly reminded me that her deep awareness of me helps her be with me in the moments when I need her most.
We, believers in the Lord Jesus, feel the care of God, who knows us perfectly. The psalmist David praised the Creator for his attentiveness to the lives of His children, saying: “Lord, You have tried me and known me, You know my sitting and my rising, You understand my thoughts from afar” (Ps. 138:1-2). Since God knows us perfectly, knows our every thought, desire and action, there is no place where we are outside of His great love and care (vv. 7-12). David wrote: “If I rest at the end of the sea, Your hand will lead me there” (vv. 9-10). No matter what life circumstances we are in, if we call out to God in prayer, He will give us His love, wisdom, and guidance that we need.
When did you feel like no one really understood your feelings? How has being aware of God’s presence helped you during such times?
Loving God, I often feel misunderstood and alone. Thank you for reminding me of Your presence in my life. I know that You see me, hear me and love me, even if it seems that no one sees, hears and loves me.
“So, Peter was guarded in prison, and the Church zealously prayed to God for him.” — Acts 12:5
“You will be in my thoughts and prayers.” If you heard these words, you probably wondered about the sincerity of this person. However, you would never doubt it if Edna Davis told you these words. In the small town, everyone knew about “Miss Edna’s” yellow notebook, in which every line on every page was filled with different names. Every morning, an elderly woman prayed aloud to God for everyone who was written in her notebook. Not everyone on her list received the answers to their prayers that they would have liked, but some of these people testified at her funeral that they felt God’s work in their lives and attributed it to Miss Edna’s sincere prayers.
During Peter’s imprisonment, God showed the power of prayer. After the apostle was captured by Herod’s soldiers and thrown into prison (Acts 12:4), Peter’s future seemed bleak. However, “the Church earnestly prayed to God for him” (v. 5). Apostle Peter was in the thoughts and prayers of believers. And God performed a real miracle! An angel appeared to Peter in prison, freed him from his chains and led him safely through the prison gates (vv. 7-10).
Yes, people can talk about someone being in “their thoughts and prayers,” but not literally. However, our Father knows our thoughts, hears our prayers and acts for us according to His perfect will.
When was the last time you heard someone remember you and pray for you? Who can you pray for today?
Lord Jesus, thank you that I can bring my every concern to You and that You will listen to me. Amen.
