Archive of previous devotions

No more or less (Wednesday, November 30)

You and I are who God made us to be. We are his children and we each have a separate place in his heart. One of us is not closer to him or more dearly loved than the other. He treats each of us with the same care and concern. All of us matter to him, but in different ways.

We know this fact to be true. Still, we have the notion that God prefers one person or group of persons over another. Like us, Peter had to be taught he was wrong. The Lord gave him a vision of all kinds of food, but Peter declared some of it unclean and not fit to be eaten. “Do not call anything I have made unacceptable,” God said. Later, while preaching to the Gentiles at Cornelius’ house, Peter understood the dream. "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism” (Acts 10:34).

All of the time the Lord is showing us the same things. He does not favor us or favor others more than another. As his creations, we are all equal. We are the same, with distinct purposes, no matter our status in the world.

Our income, class, occupation and social standing are all meaningful in an earthly system. They have little to do, however, with our importance in God’s kingdom. He values each one of us. We are more alike than we realize. Therefore, Paul said, “do not think of yourself more highly than you ought” (Romans 12:3). On the other hand, do not think of yourself any less either.

Learning like children (Tuesday, November 29)

Throughout the summer, in almost every city and town across America, there are churches that sponsor a Vacation Bible School program. It is a chance for children throughout the community to learn more about God in exciting new ways. For a few hours each day, they have the opportunity to experience the wonder and fun of what it means to live for Jesus.

Perhaps as adults you and I have lost that feeling of happiness and joy in serving our Lord. Maybe we have become caught up in the activities of the world and we have forgotten the delight of heaven. It could be that the thrill of being a Christian has worn off. If so, think about how you felt when you first accepted Jesus. Remember the ecstasy of being given an entirely new life that lasts forever.

As you live today, recall all you have been given. “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8). We have the greatest gift of all from the Creator of the universe himself. He loved us enough to send his only Son to save us from everything in this life and the next. We have much to celebrate, much like the children in Vacation Bible School who can teach us how to be glad and cheerful.

Pushing away problems (Monday, November 28)

The essential thing in life is to separate ourselves from our problems. We can ill afford to become entangled and enmeshed in our own web of difficulty. Our lives as Christians are one matter. The trials we meet are quite another. The first is spiritual; the latter, physical.

If you and I suddenly shift from the spiritual to the physical, we are bound to become confused and anxious. Living in the flesh is much harder than we realize. We get caught up in our emotions. Our personal feelings and thoughts take over. We lose our right perspective on life. Rather than living as children of God, we live as adults in ourselves.

We were never created to handle the sorts of hardships that assault us in this life. We have neither the stamina nor the wisdom. But God possesses both. When he said to Paul “my grace is sufficient for you,” he meant it. God says the same to us as well. He intends for us to go to him for whatever we need – patience, persistence, understanding – and he will bless us in a way that we cannot possibly bless ourselves, no matter how much we think we know.

When we start living our lives in God’s way, then we will not be taken in by everyday problems. We will see setbacks and troubles as nothing more than a minor inconvenience; certainly, nothing to get upset or mad about. We should have enough sense to realize that our lives depend on God, not on what happens to us in the world.

Help wanted (Sunday, November 27)

The sign outside of a local church reads: “Help Wanted. Apply Within. Kingdom Builders.” I wonder if anyone has filled out an application except those who are already employed in constructing God’s empire here on earth.

Thousands of drivers must go by the notice each day. Some may even see it several times on their way to and from the store or work. Though no one may stop and actually knock on the door of the church, perhaps the words stop them (figuratively) to think about what they are doing with their lives.

There is something that each one of us can do for the kingdom. All of us are useful in one way or another, whether we are old, young, small, big, skilled or unskilled. God knows what we are equipped to do, and he already has a job set aside especially for us.

“For I know the plans I have for you," says the Lord. “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). The greatest thing about working for God is that he rewards us for merely following his directions.

No greater glory anywhere (Saturday, November 26)

The inspired thoughts of Jude, the brother of James, place the whole matter of Jesus’ forgiveness squarely in front of us. In his one and only letter, written between 70 and 80 A.D., Jude concludes his message by saying, “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy – to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore” (Jude 1:24-25).

Look closely at all that Christ does for us! He keeps us from stumbling so that he can present us, without fault and with great joy, before his own glorious presence. Jesus keeps us from falling down in order that we can one day stand up before him without sin or blemish.

How can we not be filled with overwhelming joy knowing the fullness of Christ’s love and compassion? He keeps us in his protection all through our lives on earth to make sure we will live with him forever in paradise. What more can we add but what Jude has already said: “To the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority.” Amen.

Do all things well (Friday, November 25)

Trying to live like Christ each day is like anything else. Sometimes we say the right things but act the wrong way. Or we say the wrong things and act the right way. We can even do both things poorly. Rarely do we ever get it all right.

The challenge for us is somewhat like golfing. On occasion we are fine on the fairway but pathetic in our putting. Or the other way around. If I ever had a good game in both driving and putting, I could compete with the pros. They are consistent in what they do every day. The same holds true with my running. On certain days, my legs hurt but my lungs are okay. The very next day it can be just the opposite. Then, every now and again, my entire body is strong yet I don’t feel like getting up from the couch.

The closer we get to God, the more difficult it is to line up everything. The reason is because the more we improve, the more we know we can do better. As we become more like Christ, the greater we see how far we are from his perfection.

We should not be discouraged, though. Instead, we should be encouraged because He is helping us to grow stronger and better each moment. He is bringing us nearer to completion in Him and helping us to do all things well in His name. Remember Philippians 4:13: “I can do everything through him who gives me strength.”

Thankful or not? (Thursday, November 24)

The plight of one homeless person was the focus of a news report. A middle-age man said he arrived in the city about five years earlier and that he had not seen “even a dime” from donation meters set up throughout the area. The city was using old parking meters to collect money for the homeless rather than to have people panhandling on the streets. The man said he has not seen anything from the meters and was still living out in the cold.

His attitude was disturbing to me; he sounded as if it was the city’s responsibility to take care of him and to provide for him. He did not have to work. He could just sit back and let others pay for his food and shelter along with other needs. After a few minutes, though, I realized that we sometimes have the same mindset toward God. We think we can just ask him for anything and we will receive it without any effort at all.

There have been occasions in my life when I had the identical perspective, whether toward God or another person. When I had to have an operation on my back, I wondered why God would not just heal me. When I lost my job, I wanted God to find me another one right away. Of course, I blamed him for the problem in the first place. When I didn’t receive a certain honor, I felt I deserved it more than the other person. And when I couldn’t afford a certain car or house, I thought I should be paid considerably more money for the kind of work I do.

It is easy for us to forget that no one owes us anything, especially God. But look around at all of the things he does give us daily. Let us thank him, rather than complain, for all we have. Yes, we always want more – of everything. Remember, though, what Jesus said: "Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much” (Luke 16:10). May we show God how thankful we are with what we have now and let him decide whether he can trust us with more.

The journey home (Wednesday, November 23)

Millions of people are traveling today. Some by plane and car, others by train and bus. No matter the destination, everyone shares one common goal: to be with family and friends for the holiday.

Many, however, will not experience the full excitement of Thanksgiving. They will be among loved ones, but they not be with the Savior of the world. They may know about him, but they do not have a personal relationship with him.

We can be grateful and thankful for what we have through him, and our prayer should be that others one day will share the same joy: being at home with Jesus.

The mystery of how (Tuesday, November 22)

I honestly do not know where all of the words and thoughts come from. As I think and write about God, I realize the sentences are his. But how he uses my mind to speak his will and wisdom is a total mystery. I suspect it is the same for many people who serve the Lord. We do what we do almost instinctively, intuitively, as if we were born for a certain vocation and service. We would find it hard for us to be doing something different.

God actually created each one of us for a specific reason and for a particular purpose. There is simply no other explanation for the talents and gifts we possess. Who can describe the ordinary, let alone the extraordinary? Look at great individuals such as C.S. Lewis who was once an atheist, Mother Theresa who was a poor nun in Calcutta and is now beatified, and Dwight Moody who was a shoe salesman turned evangelist.

What about you? What do you do and how far has the Lord brought you? Dare we try to understand how we got this far in life and how we landed in certain places and positions. God has been guiding us each day, slowly developing us to perform the work we were made to accomplish for his glory.

I can barely comprehend that I am here at this point in time. I see why it has happened but I do not grasp the details of how. All we can do is praise God “from whom all blessings flow” and thank him for being completely in control during all of our time on earth.

God's “thanksgiving” gift (Monday, November 21)

We have much for which to be thankful. We have more than any other people in the world, past and present. We have nice houses, good cars, all kinds of appliances and plenty of money. We also have more than enough food, water, heat and air conditioning, clothing, and medicine. Whatever our hearts desire, we can buy.

But the one thing that should make us most thankful, along with what Jesus did for us on the cross, is one another – the true sisters and brothers who care for us, pray for us, help us and listen to us. There are wonderful people all around us. It might be someone who is a constant source of encouragement, one who goes out of her way to write an email, or a person we rarely see but who is always interceding for us. Perhaps we are thankful for a neighbor, a doctor, a cashier or server, a teacher, a pastor or a mechanic.

Think of what our lives would be like without these persons in our lives. Our real Thanksgiving Day is every day of the year, not just one particular day in November. The friends God has made for us are with us throughout the weeks and months. They are there when we hurt, when we are happy, when we are disappointed and when we are celebrating. May we always be thankful for their constant presence and think of them as a precious present from the Lord.

Living with joy (Sunday, November 20)

The way God wants us to trust him is just like the way we trusted our parents when we were small. Most of us did not worry about anything as we went happily through our days. We spent our time playing, not worrying. We did not worry about being fed, where we would sleep, what we would wear or what we would do. We certainly did not worry about money. We lived freely and joyfully, with not a care in the world.

Now that we are older, our lives are much different. As adults, we know the realities of life. We have responsibilities and obligations. All of these things, though, should not keep us from trusting God. We should still believe in him to provide our every need. We should be free of stress, nervousness, concern and fear because we know God watches over us. “For it is written: 'He will command his angels concerning you to guard you carefully’” (Luke 4:10).

What more can we desire than for the Lord’s constant care? Let us live this day, enjoying the life we have been given. The more we trust God, the less we have to worry about.

Life is about life (Saturday, November 19) 

One of the hardest things in life is dealing with problems. They seem to be everywhere: problems with cars, computers, appliances, home repairs, etc. The list of difficulties is long and endless. Each day brings another challenge – something else to overcome.

The major obstacle in every situation is how we react. We can become tired and worn out having to deal with the same troubles over and over again. At times, we may become so distracted by these little irritations that we forget about the true meaning of life. In short, life is about life. It is not about trying to make sure is running perfectly. That will never happen because we live in an imperfect world.

Machines break down, houses require repair, yards need maintenance and appliances break. We need to take care of these things as we can and move on. People are what matter most of all. There are individuals, maybe in our own family and church community, who have real problems: heart disease, cancer, failing eyesight and hearing, an upcoming operation.

Jesus ministered to people and what they needed for eternal salvation. He dealt with the soul. We need to do the same. We have to devote more time to serving those around us than dealing with objects that need to be fixed. Let’s not spend our days trying to make our lives perfect. Better to invest our lives in someone than in something.

Maybe today? (Friday, November 18) 

You could be driving to the store when it happens. You might be on the phone when it happens. You could be shopping, playing, working or even arguing with someone when Jesus returns. Perhaps we are even praying or worshipping at the very moment Christ comes back to earth. Whatever we are doing, we will not have time to change. It will be too late.

"No one knows about that day or hour,” Jesus said. “Not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). He warned us so we could be ready. We are able to prepare by thinking about everything we do. We cannot afford to take life for granted. We must be vigilant and watchful every second of the day. But what we must watch for is not so much his second coming, but what we are doing when he appears. The focus is on you and me, not him.

Let us concentrate completely on everything we do at all times, especially if we are mad, upset or in the middle of a disagreement with another person. What one of us would want Jesus to suddenly appear in the middle of the argument? How would we feel, too, if our minds are in turmoil and confusion when he shows up?

We can change what we do and how we feel. We do it all of the time. Think of the last time you were deeply upset, whether because of a person or a situation. All at once, the phone rings and your anger disappears – it is completely gone. The person on the other end of the line has no clue what you were doing or saying just a moment earlier. We need to keep three words constantly in our mind: "Therefore keep watch,” Jesus said. He meant for us to watch what we do, say and think rather than simply looking for him to come back.

Get rid of it (Thursday, November 17)

Two things that can really test our faith are hate and anger. A man I worked with many years ago offended me time after time. I cringed even thinking of him. Just hearing the person’s name made me wild. The things he did came to my mind often and, all of a sudden without any warning, my attitude would change. I would go from being peaceful and content to being contentious and combative. This person disturbed me so much that I made it a point not to pray for him.

We have all had similar experiences. Some of us may be going through such a trial right now. There always seems to be someone somewhere who spoils our joy in some way. We do not even have to see or interact with the person. All we need to do is to start remembering the past – the multiple times when we have become upset with what this particular individual did or said. Before we know it, we have turned an ordinarily good day into a battleground.

Why do we let people bother us to the point where we are consumed with anger? Better to turn our passion into something positive, like prayer. There is no easy method for adjusting our attitude. We have to attack the issue head on. The best solution is the quickest solution. St. Paul said, “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:31-32). Paul could have held onto his hatred toward dozens of people, especially those who tried to kill him. Jesus certainly could have condemned both the Jews and Romans for his death. Instead, he prayed for their forgiveness.

Whatever is holding you back from loving and forgiving someone, get rid of it. Throw it away. Destroy it. Forget it. We reap what we sow, and bitterness will make us more resentful. Let us thank God, maybe even praise him, for putting “special” persons in our lives because they give us a chance to learn true compassion. They also give us a chance to remember what God does for us.

Wrong words (Wednesday, November 16)

We can never take it back. We need to remember this important fact every day and in everything we do. The things we say, in particular, can never be recalled. I have an especially hard time because of who I am and how I was raised. I tend to say the first thing that comes into my head and then regret it later – when it is too late.

I like to say that I am a work in progress and that God is still working on me. That is no excuse, however. I know God will always forgive me, and so will others (especially my wife), but the problem is in forgiving myself. I do not forgive and forget the things I say at times. I am not alone. Down through the ages, countless people have had the same difficulty. There are many scriptures in the Old Testament that speak to the power of the tongue. The two that I need to remember most are these: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24); and, “Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3).

Not only do I need to commit these verses to memory. I also need to practice them, over and over and over again. Rather than being my own worst enemy, I must guard my thoughts carefully so the wrong words are never spoken in the first place.

Living in today (Tuesday, November 15) 

God is omniscient. He knows tomorrow, next week and next year. In fact, he tells us that he sees our entire life even before we are born. He understands each incident, each disease, each hardship, each experience we will ever face while we are still in the womb. As we go through our days on this earth, however, God rarely tells us what lies ahead or when we will encounter difficulty.

We might wonder why God does not reveal at least some of the future to us. It would be helpful to know, for example, when our car is going to break down, when we will have problems dealing with other people, when we are going to get sick, even when we are going to lose our job and have to look for another one. We think we might avoid or prevent these situations if we knew about them in advance. We will never know the answer to such a philosophical contemplation. One thing is certain: we would become more concerned about the future than about today. All that we think and do would revolve around some event looming in the future. Hence, we would miss what is important right now.

God demands our full attention each day. He wants us to trust him and look to him for guidance. Why would we need him if we are able to take care of everything ourselves? God does not show us tomorrow for several, more important, reasons. First, he knows we have enough cares for today. Second, he wants us to learn how to rely on his strength. Third, he desires to guide our lives. Fourth, he wants our hearts and minds to be centered on this day, not wandering into the weeks and months ahead.

When we are tempted by what may or may not happen tomorrow, we need to remember one phrase from The Lord’s Prayer: “Give us this day, our daily bread.” God will take care of tomorrow after he takes care of today.

He is our hope (Monday, November 14)

How incredible that the hope of the universe was given to the world in the form of a child born in Bethlehem. God chose the sublime rather than the obvious to announce the birth of a savior.

In this single act, we see the gentleness and compassion of our father. Jesus became flesh so that we might see both the beauty and the frailty of our very lives. We can only imagine the wonder and awe felt by the shepherds and, months later, the three wise men who had traveled hundreds of miles. What must they have thought as they beheld this tiny child?

As we reflect on their experience, we need think about how we might have reacted. We must ponder the meaning of what we see in front of us. The image is much more than a baby in a manger. In this small child, we must recognize our own salvation and be willing to praise God for what we do not totally understand.

Being great stewards (Sunday, November 13)

Many churches set aside a special day of worship known as Stewardship Sunday, a time when people recommitment themselves to the Lord for the following new year. The most important part of the process is not what we do during the service that day, but what we do before we come to church.

In our church we are asked to fill in a form that lists our tithe, service and time in prayer each day. My wife and I always struggle with how much to give. We have no trouble donating our service or time. When it comes to money, however, we always come up short like most families these days.

We know that the more we give to the Lord, the more he blesses us. There have been occasions when we have tithed a full 10 percent and the Lord has proven his promise. But then something happens – a car breaks down, we have a major medical expense, our children need help – and the tithe becomes less than it should be.

Other families face the same dilemma. Everything costs more these days, including the expense of maintaining a church. As we support the Lord’s work here and abroad, let us rely on his strength and power to show us how to give more to his kingdom each day. May we dedicate everything we are to doing his work. And, most of all, let us be proud that even the least of us are doing the very best for him. Each Sunday, at the start of each week, we need to set aside (and plan) the many ways in which we can serve – with our money, time and prayers.

Learn to focus (Saturday, November 12)

Events of the past can haunt us, but what is going on today can have the same impact. Maybe we are not getting along with a family member. Perhaps we are struggling with someone at work. We might not agree with a person or group at church. Maybe we are having difficulty understanding what God is doing, or not doing, in our lives.

Whatever the reason or the situation, we can find peace and calm. We do not have to be anxious and upset. What we need to do is to look to God. We have to look at him and nowhere else. Focusing all of our attention on him is similar to looking through a telescope. Scientists use telescopes so they can peer deeper in space and not be distracted by everything else in the sky.

Concentrating solely on God is hard at first, much like looking through a telescope. As we learn to close the other eye, though, we will see him come into view. When his image is all we see, then everything else will fade away. “Look to the Lord and his strength; seek his face always” (1 Chronicles 16:11). His face is all that matters.

Give in, not give up (Friday, November 11)

Giving in to difficult situations in our lives is not the same as giving up. Accepting pain and suffering, realizing that there is little we can do to change our circumstances, allows God to take over and to help us. He can do nothing in our lives as long as we feel we possess the power and ability to affect change. However, when we confess that there is nothing more we can do, we take the first critical step toward renewing our strength and hope.

The apostle Paul never gave up as he spent his life traveling and preaching the gospel. But there were many times when he had to give in to adversity and suffering. He had to accept that he was hated so much that people tried to stone him to death. He had to accept imprisonment not once, but several times. He also had to accept his “thorn in the flesh,” which many believe was his poor eyesight. Despite his situation and condition, Paul knew he alone was powerless against the many forces that threatened to destroy him. What he could do, though, was to accept his circumstances and allow God to fight the battle.

“When I am weak, then I am strong,” Paul wrote. Because of his human weakness to overcome adversity, Paul allowed the divine power of God to make him strong. Paul was willing to accept whatever came his way. He was not giving up on life; rather, he was giving in so that God could live in and through him.

God’s will is always to help us, but our will is always to help ourselves. In each trial, we need to reach the point where we are able to give in to life and allow God to take over. We must never give up, except to give up control to him.

The wonder of heaven (Thursday, November 10)

There must be, in each one of us, a certain amount of excitement and anticipation for heaven. That is not to say we wish to die anytime soon, but we have to think about what it will be like in eternity. If not, what hope can we have in our future?

We are able to imagine a variety of scenes and places in our minds. Suppose we are planning a cruise to Alaska next year. We can envision ourselves peering at snow-capped mountains, narrow fjords, the Northern Lights, enormous glaciers, and quaint fishing villages. Over and over, we would dream of what awaits us even though we have not been there. We are excited thinking about it.

There is not the same eagerness about heaven, though, probably because we realize all we will leave behind. But we will see our family and friends again when we are reunited – this time in the heavenly home of our Lord and Savior! Never mind the streets of gold and walls of clear jasper, we will dwell in the presence of the God of the universe! We will see him face to face, along with his Son and all the others we have read and heard about through the centuries. How wonderful we will be as one family in one place for all time.

Picture yourself meeting Moses, Elijah, David, Paul, Solomon, John, Peter, Abraham and Joseph. You will be among them, known for what you have done on earth as you know them for what they have done. As saints and children in God’s kingdom, we will enjoy the glory of our Father together. An amazing world awaits us. If we could only see a tiny glimpse of our future we would have much more delight in what we call heaven.

Christ is gain (Wednesday, November 9)

Saul had it all. Long before he gave his life to the Lord, he was a man above men. As a child of God’s chosen people, he was raised in a proper religious home. He was circumcised on the eighth day according to custom. He was a member of the distinguished tribe of Benjamin. He zealously persecuted those who were followers of the new faith – the believers of Jesus. In his own words, Saul said he was “a Hebrew of Hebrews” and, “as for righteousness based on the law, faultless” (Philippians 3:5-6).

Then, on the long road to Damascus, he lost his sight. For three days, he could not see. Neither did he eat nor drink. Over and over, he must have thought about the voice he heard: “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me? I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

Years later, bearing the new re-born name of Paul, he wrote that the person he was before his conversion meant nothing. “I once thought [all] these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ” (Philippians 3:7-8 NLT).

Our constant prayer should be for the Lord to help us get rid of our garbage. Garbage is worthless and useless by itself, let alone comparing it with the worth of knowing Jesus. Make it your utmost priority today to discard “everything else” as Paul did. Nothing in this life is more important than to “gain Christ.”

Free time (Tuesday, November 8)

Once a year we not only make time stop, but we push it backward exactly one hour. When we move from Daylight Savings Time to regular Eastern Standard Time we gain an extra 60 minutes in our day. Isn’t it interesting that the change occurs on a Sunday? A more important point to ponder, though, is what we do with this extra time.

Many people probably sleep in. Others might watch television or read more of the newspaper. Some individuals might go shopping or stay outside longer and rake the leaves. We could always give the time back to God, the one who gave us all of our time in the first place. We could spend 20 minutes reading devotions, 20 minutes studying scripture and 20 minutes in prayer. In no time at all, with the hour that is free anyway, we would feel much different about everything. We would be more relaxed, more patient, more prepared. People will be able to see and know where we have been.

To us, time is a precious commodity, something to use in the ways we desire. But to God, time has no such value or worth. We count the seconds while God counts the service. Each fall season when we get an hour of free time, let us use it wisely. There is no better way than to spend it with God. May we be like Jesus in the garden, just hours before he was crucified. He was running out of time, yet he chose to spend the remaining minutes with the Father. He knew what we have yet to learn.

As we follow him, we lead others (Monday, November 7)

We are all called to be leaders. Our actions and words either lead people to Christ or drive them away. How we conduct ourselves as we go through the day matters, especially in the lives of those who are watching.

Jesus was gentle when people opposed him. He was patient when his followers did not understand. He showed mercy to those who were full of sin. He was compassionate when he met people in need. Everything that he did showed the Father’s love.

We can do no less as his disciples. As we follow him, we lead others along the way. We become leaders to those around us who look up to us to see Jesus in our lives. How well we lead is determined by how closely we watch Jesus. All that we do needs to reflect his leadership in our lives so others will know how to live.

Being a Barnabas (Sunday, November 6)

Children need encouragement as they encounter the little difficulties in life. Teenagers need encouragement as they struggle through awkward years. Young adults need encouragement as they start a family. Older adults need encouragement as the years begin to wear them down.

St. Paul realized the critical importance of giving support to others – letting people know their troubles and trials do not go unnoticed. There is someone who cares. There is a friend nearby who will bear them up. Encourage one another daily, Paul told the Hebrews, as long as it is called today. People everywhere in every age are hungry for encouragement, both from those around them and from God. Encouragement gives us hope to continue the journey, even through the most trying circumstances.

In his travels throughout the world, Paul learned how much he himself needed encouragement. From the very beginning, Paul was encouraged and supported by Barnabas, whose name literally means son of encouragement. Barnabas helped Paul see what Jesus had done for all mankind. Barnabas also convinced the other disciples of Paul’s sincerity in the faith and his commitment to the Lord. Barnabas testified about Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus and how, in the same city, Paul preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus.

In all that he did, Barnabas was an encourager. His given name was Joseph but the disciples called him Barnabas because of who he was and what he did. Everyone needs a Barnabas, a son of encouragement, and everyone can be a Barnabas. Encourage one another daily, wrote the very one who knew how much he needed constant encouragement in his life and work.

Preparing to praise (Saturday, November 5)

How much better we would be if we used Saturday to prepare for what we will do tomorrow. Suddenly, the Sabbath would take on new importance. Our time of worship would not be just another hour out of our day; rather, it would become the most meaningful 60 minutes in our entire week.

We need to make ourselves ready for Sunday: to quiet our active minds, still our restless hearts, forget the problems of the previous week, even to forgive people for what they have done or said in haste. We also need to come ready to worship God – to praise him, to thank him and to allow him to renew our hearts for the coming week. In short, we must give ourselves totally to him for a fleeting time on Sunday morning. It may be the only opportunity all week when we are able to forget about ourselves and our busy schedules.

With our hearts, minds, hands and voices all set on thanking God, we recognize his greatness. In one accord we join with others in the body of Christ to give our souls to him, completely. We commit ourselves to his will and his service, no matter what he asks.

Turning our lives over to him, each breath and every second, is the only way to worship. The praise we express with our lips means little if it merely fills the sanctuary with beautiful sounds. A joyful noise before the Lord arises only when the notes and prayers come from our soul. When we prepare ourselves to worship in this manner, we can be sure we will hear him speak to us because we are listening with our hearts more than our ears.

Seeing through our hearts (Friday, November 4)

The silent beauty in the world can be seen only with the heart. We observe most when we see by using our compassion for others. Offering help when there is no request, praying for the persons we pass on the street, thanking those who serve others, encouraging a child who is lonely – these are the things that allow us insight into the real world that God created.

Much of what we see with our eyes each day is not of God’s design. He did not build the sprawling cities that are overcome with people and traffic, he did not develop the governments of continents, nor did he create the technology that drives our economy. God never intended for us to be consumed by work, our jobs and our own needs.

He tells us, simply and directly, to love one another. There is nothing mysterious about his words. Yet we fail to recognize those who desperately need our love and care. Physical sight gives us only a temporary glimpse. Our eyes do not let us see beyond the present moment. But when we look at the world by the divine love implanted in our heart, we perceive with our whole being.

All around us, we have a chance to discover the indescribable beauty and wonder that can come only through love. We must learn to follow what we witness with our heart rather than what our eyes show us.

Seeking the best (Thursday, November 3)

God gives us so much in our lives and yet we always want more, don’t we? It seems as though this desire is part of our human nature. The problem comes in that we often misuse the passion we have for wanting more. We instinctively crave the wrong things – worldly objects that are not always good or right for us – rather than spiritual gifts that will make us better servants.

We may want a new car even though the one we have is fine. The question is, can we afford the monthly payments for the next six or seven years? We tend to want more food than we need; then we put on weight and stop exercising. We also want to spend more time at our job than we should. We forget about the balance we need to maintain so we have time for our family and, above all, with the one who created us.

What if we earnestly sought the skills of service, faith and helps as much as we coveted objects such as new furniture, high-definition televisions and more clothes? The irony is that we are willing to work for what we have in life (those material goods), but we are not very enthusiastic about working toward what we need for our soul.

Paul told the people of Philippi about the importance of toiling toward the kingdom. “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). The fear and trembling he alludes to is not about what God will do to us on judgment day. Instead, it is the terror and trepidation of failing to please him with our lives. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness,” Jesus said, “and all these things will be given to you as well” (Matthew 6:33).

Whatever you want today, give it the 633 test (Matthew 6:33). See if you want what is best for the Lord and not for yourself.

The faithful fight (Wednesday, November 2)

The more faithful we try to be to God, the more trials we will face. It has always been this way, ever since the beginning of the world. From the time of Adam and Eve, Satan has tried over and over again to pull us away and to separate us from our Father. He will do everything within his power, limited though it might be, to come between us and God.

His most effective weapon is our own mind. He fills our heads with doubt about God’s goodness. At every opportunity, he preys on our pain and weakness. “If God truly loves you,” he asks, “where is he right now? How can he let you suffer this way? There must be a reason why he isn’t helping you.”

And that reason is the key to remaining faithful to God, in spite of intense distress and misery. Remembering that there is indeed a purpose why God is not removing the hurt, at least not right away. God is always working for our greater good – to turn our pain into prosperity and our suffering into success. The change will come and it will come in a divine and prophetic time.

All Satan needs to win the battle is for us to give up. He counts on our impatience, our frustration, our emotions. We should not be defeated so easily. There may be times in our lives when all we can do is to stand, as St. Paul writes. But that is enough for God. He will hold us up until he is ready to help us forward. The worst thing we can do is to listen to Satan and go it alone. God is by our side no matter what the enemy claims.

No comparison (Tuesday, November 1)

As we strive to become better each day, we are sometimes tempted to compare ourselves with others. We look at all of the good we are doing, from our many acts of kindness to our generous dedication of service, to see our progress. In a way, we are much like the apostle Peter. We weigh our life against those around us, even people we love.

When Peter learned of God’s plan for his life, he quickly asked about John. “Lord, what about him,” Peter inquired. No doubt Peter wanted to hear he would be blessed more than his dear friend. “If I want him to remain alive until I return,” Jesus said sharply, “what is that to you?”

Too often, as we measure our life against others, we cry out to the Lord in desperation. “Look at all we are doing and yet we suffer. What about that person who never has difficulties?” Jesus’ words to Peter are the same to us today: “You must follow me.”

We miss the point of being a Christian when we judge ourselves by what is going on around us. The essence of our faith demands that we look upward, toward God’s individual will for each one of us. We can only follow Christ if we are looking at his plan, rather than at what he is doing in the lives of everyone else.

Desiring his gifts (Monday, October 31)

The Lord blesses us each day in his way, regardless of what we are experiencing. He protects us from evil we cannot see; he guides us on a path that is not always clear; he gives us opportunities we may not discern; and he loves us no matter what we do or say. Any of these gifts alone would be sufficient for our daily sustenance, but God showers us every second with all of his divine grace and mercy.

He is generous beyond measure. Yet how many times today will I take him for granted? Will I suddenly forget his love for me when I am asked to help another person? Perhaps I will look the other way when I face a difficult situation. I might even become aggressive or hostile toward others in order to receive the attention I think I deserve. Whenever I act according to my own human nature, I can be sure I am ignoring God’s desire as well as his blessings.

Too often we overlook both the meaning and the purpose of our lives. We cannot expect to serve God and, at the same time, find satisfaction in the world. It does not work that way. Our way is always contrary to God’s will. Only when we truly desire the gifts of God can we begin to appreciate everything he does for us all of the time.

Unspoken signs of love (Sunday, October 30)

Divine love transcends culture, race, gender and age. There is no one anywhere who does not respond to the kind of love that Jesus tried to show the world: a warm smile, a gentle touch, a helpful hand, something to eat or drink, a word of comfort, a simple prayer. All of these display the holy and godly love of the heart.

Too often we communicate with others using our lips and hands. We say how we feel or we stand by as someone struggles. We fail to let our heart speak. We do not offer understanding, kindness, support and encouragement.

Our days are a journey of becoming more Christ-like, to love as he loved and to live as he lived. We cannot learn how to be compassionate toward others all at once. Love develops slowly and deliberately. Over time, we begin to realize the potential of what we can do through God.

We discover we can love in greater ways when we are guided by the heart, for that is where God speaks to us.

Telling our testimony (Saturday, October 29)

There is always enormous joy and rejoicing whenever people talk of God’s greatness. For who can remain still or quiet when there is good news to share? Come and hear, says the psalmist, and I will tell what God has done for me.

Proclaiming what God has done for us is what demonstrates his love and grace. Our witness and our words convince others that God is real, alive – that he can instill hope even in the hopeless. All the proof we need is in our own lives. Consider all we have seen. Our experiences through the years, through the tears and through the trials confirm our belief in him. We are here today because God alone has protected and sustained us, not because of anything we have done for ourselves.

Everywhere we look we can see our past in the people we encounter. We, too, wandered from day to day without much purpose until someone told us the good news of God. Now that we know him, we need to tell others what he has done. They need to know that knowing him can make a difference in their lives as well.

Our testimony can be the testament that just one person needs to accept him.

Testing what is right (Friday, October 28)

One of the most important responsibilities we have as Christians is to test all we confront, to see whether something is good and acceptable to God or not. We take much for granted, though, from how to respond to angry words to how we use the talents God has given us. What we do and say – even what we think – must stand his test of righteousness, not ours.

Test everything, Paul wrote to the Thessalonians, and hold on to the good; avoid every kind of evil. Often, we do the opposite. We test something by our standards. We hold on to the evil and reject the good. Instead of loving those who have hurt us, we try to hurt them. Rather than working harder to please a difficult boss, we work less. As a substitute for apologizing to someone, we avoid the person. In place of being courteous and gracious, we become cold and inconsiderate.

Actions and feelings of prejudice, contempt, pride, hatred, vengeance, conceit, arrogance and superiority are unacceptable to God. These will never pass his divine test for what is right, even though they pass ours all of the time.

Discerning what is good or evil is never easy. It requires time, patience, perseverance and tolerance. We need time to see what God has already said through scripture; patience to keep ourselves from overreacting; perseverance to seek his direction; and tolerance to accept his will over ours. God’s test will always reveal the right and proper thing to do. Our test will always fall short because both our methodology and sampling are faulty from the very beginning.

Unique but one (Thursday, October 27)

As we lift our different voices in song, praise and worship to God, we join the heavenly chorus of past, present and future. From out of our mouths, each with a diverse pitch and tone, come unique reverberations that blend together in a divine harmony unlike any other in the universe.

God made us for one another, but he created us for himself. He desires that we come together, from all walks of life, to serve and please him. The sounds of our daily lives echo throughout the cosmos for all ages as a testament to his greatness.

We may not hear this marvelous melody of the spheres. It is there, nonetheless, high above the din of earthly noise, unaffected by the forces of evil or darkness. Our voices and our many acts of goodness reflect the holy life we breathe. Together, we are evidence of God’s beauty, love and grace.

Each word is a step forward (Wednesday, October 26)

We receive a new word from God each day. Today he may give us patience, peace, understanding, gentleness or persistence. Whatever he has for us is planned for this particular moment and these circumstances. It is easy to miss his word, though, if we are not listening.

Our tendency is to seek everything all at once – to reach the end of our trial without having to experience more frustration or anxiety. Rarely will God lift us completely out of a struggle. He wants us to realize, and learn, that we can trust in him each step of the way. All the while, he is developing our faith so that he can do greater things through us.

People like Moses, Abraham, Habakkuk, Barnabas, Stephen and Paul did not gain their great belief in God all at once. Their trust in him grew gradually through each encounter and each day, with every new word from God. At first, Moses was little more than a shepherd in exile; years later he had the faith to part the Red Sea. Once Paul persecuted Christians, yet he eventually traveled the world on three separate journeys to spread the good news of the gospel.

The word we have from the Lord today will take us ever closer to the place where he will accomplish miraculous things through us as well. He has to know, however, that we can be trusted with the small tasks first. Gradually, as we learn more, we will arrive at the point where we will do anything for him. With each new word we draw closer to God and farther away from our will. What God says to us today matters in what we are able to do tomorrow.

Finding peace his way (Tuesday, October 25)

Being a disciple means being a follower, going where God leads. He will not always choose the easiest way for us, but he will take the straightest and shortest path. Sometimes the road is dark and lonely; other times it is full of excitement and hope. Either way, God leads the way.

He takes us places we would never see, asks us to endure more than we think possible and shows us things that seem impossible. Most of all, he demonstrates all that he is and what he can do. His presence alone can make the evil flee with fear and the wicked to bow down. To us, though, he is kind, gentle, loving and compassionate. He carries us when we are weak, holds us when we are afraid and reassures us when we feel lost. We are following him and he will care for us.

Through three long journeys, God cared for Paul. During agony and suffering, God cared for Job. For decades in the desert, God cared for his chosen ones. Despite our circumstances, God cares for us.

Our trials and difficulties do not diminish God’s love for us. In fact, they magnify it. He draws ever closer as we continue to follow him, no matter how painful each step becomes for us. God sees our commitment to him, our persistence to his way and our hope in his word. He will not let us down. He will stay with us all along the journey. He knows we are his disciples and that we are depending on him to lead the way.

Going out (Monday, October 24)

Going on a trip requires physical and mental preparation. There are items to pack and there are many miles to travel. Being ready means accepting what must be done before leaving home.

Living each day for God is similar. Preparing to serve him involves thinking ahead – not only for what is immediate but also for what is far off in the distance. The events of one day are another step toward heaven. The finite actions of these hours right now will eventually become the infinite life of eternity.

The physical and the spiritual coexist at the same time and often blend together. As a person packs for a week at the beach, for example, she is thinking about everything that is needed.

Opportunities to help others are everywhere: at the store, the mall, the neighborhood, the gas station. Being mindful of what should be done for the Lord is being aware of where all of these things are leading. The ephemeral acts today will end up in the everlasting reality of tomorrow.

Learning to grow up (Sunday, October 23)

Every child in Sunday School learns the story of the Israelites in the desert: God guided them and protected them day after day for 40 years, they received manna from heaven when they were hungry and drank water from a rock when they were thirsty. But the story is about more than God’s goodness and miracles. As adults, we need to see the underlying plot of these events.

In spite of all God had already done for the Israelites – setting them free from bondage in Egypt – the people complained and questioned whether God was truly watching over them. They grumbled about being thirsty, being hungry, being weary of wandering. At one point, the people even accused Moses of trying to kill them: “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt to make us and our children and livestock die of thirst?” What had happened to these people, God’s chosen, who once were overjoyed with gratitude and praise to the Lord?

They did not remember God’s goodness. Even though they were now free, they forgot what God had done and the promises he made to them. How many times were they hungry, thirsty and tired when they were slaves? Now, suddenly, they thought God was going to let me die in the desert. We easily see their foolishness and lack of faith. But how often do we act and think the same way? Time after time, through all of our years, God is there helping us. Yet, when we face another difficult situation, we think God has unexpectedly abandoned us.

It is time that we grow up. We are no longer children. As adults, let us remember the real message of this story. The theme is about more than God performing miracles. Rather, it is about God being true to his word and people who lost faith.

Listening to hear (Saturday, October 22)

In a world constantly blaring with the raucous sounds of daily life, it is difficult to hear God. Everywhere we go we encounter noise from traffic, cell phones, computers, airplanes, television, ipods, radio and even people talking or yelling. Our society seems almost obsessed with sound, as if there is something distasteful about silence.

We often think we are wasting time when we sit quietly in a room. We feel like we should always be busy, running from one place to another. Periods of silence, though, can be some of the most productive times in our lives. When we are quiet, we refresh our mind, body and spirit. By relaxing, we have a chance to renew our perspective and remind ourselves what life is all about. We can focus on the true essence and meaning of being alive: God.

Psalm 46:10 tells us to, “Be still, and know that I am God.” Only in the stillness can we come to know our Creator. Only through our silence can we develop a deeper relationship with him. We want his ways to become our ways, his will to become our will and his purpose to become our purpose. These qualities take time and must be nurtured over hours, weeks, months and years. We are building an everlasting relationship – a bond that transcends anything and everything we have ever experienced.

Like our ties between family and friends, quiet time together strengthens our love and affection for one another. It would be impossible to really know others if we never spent time with them or we never listened to their thoughts, feelings and ideas. When we are still, we listen and come to know. God wants us to know him intimately, but we have to be willing to be quiet and hear what he has to say.

The cross (Friday, October 21)

Even before Jesus was taken to Pontius Pilate, he was beaten in the temple courtyard. The chief priests stood by as an angry mob seized Jesus. “Some began to spit at him,” writes Mark. “They blindfolded him, struck him with their fists, and said, ‘Prophesy!’ And the guards took him and beat him.”

Still, the worst was yet to come. Jesus realized it was now his time and he understood what he would endure. The pain and suffering of being crucified – the complete decay and destruction of his physical body – would have to occur before his soul could be raised triumphantly in eternity. He knew it all, yet he was willing to give up his life for ours.

The question we should ponder today is whether we are willing to sacrifice our lives for him.

A new self (Thursday, October 20)

When we accepted the gift and grace of salvation, we became new creatures in Christ. We rejoiced that the old person was dead. Our past was swept clean. We received a new life, one which will last into eternity. But what about our lives right now? We still make mistakes, become angry or frustrated at times, lose our temper, say the wrong things and, frequently, we do the wrong things.

So much for the “new person” that we are supposed to be. Many Christians think because we are born again that we are completely changed in an instant – that our old nature disappears forever. Suddenly, like walking through a spiritual threshold, we put on a heavenly attitude of love and peace. It is not so simple. Our new character needs time to evolve over many weeks, months and years as it is carefully nurtured by the Lord. We become the person God wants us to be based on his schedule and plan, not ours.

As we go through this refining process, God is gently guiding and molding us. His touch is tender as he removes the anger or hate in us. He delicately takes away our judgmental attitude, replacing it with tolerance and love. He eliminates our regrets and sorrow over the past, and gives us new hope for the future. All the while, he is making us a “new person” for life eternal.

God is using the time now to prepare us for heaven. He does not expect us to be perfect while we are still on earth. He does expect, however, for us to let him do the things he needs to do to get us ready for eternity. Some of what needs to be done will be painful, both to God and to us, but it must happen. Otherwise, we will never become the new creature who is fit for heaven.

Uncovering our beauty (Wednesday, October 19)

The great Renaissance artist Michelangelo was known to be quite modest about his numerous accomplishments as a painter, sculptor, architect and even poet. Despite the breadth and diversity of his skills, though, Michelangelo always considered himself first and foremost to be a sculptor. On numerous occasions, he said the marvelous works he created out of marble were there in the rock; he could see them. He explained he was merely uncovering the figures, removing fragments and pieces of the white stone so that the rest of the world could see them, too.

As we go through life, God sees in us the person he created. He is constantly at work chipping away, removing those pieces of our attitude and personality that hide our true beauty. God wants the rest of the world to see what he sees in us.

Like the hardness of the cold marble, we also resist the change. We want to stay the way we are, in our natural state. We do not want to lose the part of us that dislikes those who have hurt us; we do not want to give up the shards of anger that we have toward an oppressive boss or co-worker; we do not want the pieces of a bitter past to be taken away. But in the end, it should not matter what we want. God is the creator, the artist, of our lives. He is trying to show the world our magnificence and radiance; he can only do so if we are willing to let him be the sculptor. We need to remember that God’s sole purpose is to let the world see his glory in us.

Be prepared (Tuesday, October 18)

Prepare is a short word that is long on meaning. Preparation is the key to everything in the world, whether we are preparing for a simple trip to the beach or a complex five-course meal. We also prepare for other activities: going to school or work; shopping at the store; traveling on vacation; planning a party; attending church; and going to bed each night. There is probably not a single thing we do without preparing in some way.

There are more than 150 references to the act of preparing throughout scripture. Various verses talk about preparing the right food, preparing the house for guests, preparing to meet someone, preparing a sacrifice, preparing for battle, preparing an altar, preparing a table, preparing a feast, preparing a wedding banquet, preparing for Passover, preparing Jesus’ body for burial, and preparing to do good works.

The most important preparation of all, however, was preparing the way for the Lord Jesus. Prophesying eight centuries before the birth of Jesus, Isaiah spoke about “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God’”(Isaiah 40:3). John the Baptist was sent in advance to baptize and announce the coming of the Son. His job was to make the people ready.

Are you ready for this day? Make sure you take the time to prepare your heart and mind for what you will face in the hours ahead. Prepare so you are not caught unaware. We never know what lies ahead. God does and he always wants to prepare us in advance.

What are you looking for? (Monday, October 17)

The genuine motivation for seeking Jesus should be to fill our hearts, not our desires. His direction and guidance must always be first and foremost; we should long for his will more than our own. It is easy to forget that Jesus came so we might have a more abundant life, both now and in heaven. He yearns to give us a life that is full and meaningful – one grounded in the spiritual world of eternity and not just in the physical reality of the present moment.

Jesus wants us to look beyond the here and now – to see that there is more going on than what we see or feel. Mark tells the amazing story of Jesus feeding the 5,000. The next day, Mark says, the people searched desperately for Jesus but could not find him. Finally, they traveled across the Sea of Galilee, where they discovered Jesus in Capernaum. “Rabbi, when did you get here,” they asked anxiously. The master knew why the people had come; they were looking for one thing only. Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, you are looking for me, not because you saw miraculous signs but because you ate the loaves and had your fill. Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”

What people seek is not always what they need. Jesus calls us to look not just for bread, but for the bread of life. In the same way, he tells us to seek not just water to quench our thirst, but for the living water that will satisfy our souls. “He who comes to me,” Jesus said, “will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” His life is there for us to live; he gives himself freely and openly to all who are willing to believe in him.

The right thing (Sunday, October 16)

People notice you even when you do not notice them. A case in point: a woman who lives several doors down, on the other side of the street, said to my wife, “Isn’t that nice; your husband starts the car for you every morning.” I did not realize our neighbor could see the driveway from her house, let alone know that I do clean the windows and start my wife’s car each day.

The point is not about what I do. The meaning is in what others observe when you think you are alone. As the idiom says, the walls have ears. The walls have eyes, too. Through the years, I have developed the habit of doing things that no one sees. I will cut someone’s grass when he is at work; I will pick up a discarded wrapper on a lawn; I will send a random note of encouragement to a person; I will wave to those driving by when I am out walking.

Matthew 6:6 reminds us that whatever we do in secret for the Lord will be rewarded openly by him. We should not seek reward or recognition, some prize, for all of our good works. Our recompense is in the act itself – in the knowledge and sureness of performing what is right and good.

“Learn to do good,” says Isaiah 1:17. Most of the time, we know the correct thing to do. The trouble is that we don’t want to be bothered; we have our own chores and errands. Plus, we are always short on time. We need to make doing good a custom. Let’s get in the daily habit of doing what is right simply because it is the right thing to do.

Staying the course (Saturday, October 15)

Change is stressful. All types of change – good and bad, large and small – are truly difficult on us. The reason is because we find comfort in being on a daily schedule. When events in life disrupt our normal patterns, we become anxious.

Sometimes the alterations are so sudden and radical that we have difficulty adjusting. It is as if the rug has been pulled out from beneath our lives, leaving us lost and confused. Suddenly, we become disoriented, mentally and spiritually. We want to hold on to something stable, such as a familiar daily routine, but our days are no longer the same. In a moment, we are thrust into a new life.

We need to remind ourselves each day that while a new course in life is different for us, it is familiar ground to God. There is no place that is strange to God. He made this earth, he made us and he made our lives. God is not surprised by the twists and turns we experience.

The next time we go through a change, whether it is something that has already happened or an event that is about to occur, we need to remember two important facts. First, God has made this journey before, when he first created us. Second, God can be the stability we need when we feel bewildered and unsettled. Even though we do not know what lies ahead, we do know God. That knowledge should be sufficient to carry us through any change.

Living for God (Friday, October 14)

Acts of kindness and goodness mean little if they are not done for the right reasons. Helping a brother or sister in need, donating money to a charity, giving clothing to the poor, telling someone about the gospel, even working in the mission field – all of these actions either glorify God or ourselves. When we seek to tell others about our many deeds, or if we boast about our accomplishments, we are taking credit for what God has done through us. We are bringing praise to ourselves, not to God.

Jesus tells us to “be careful not to do your act of righteousness before men, to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:1). He says when we give to the needy we should not announce it with trumpets. For if we do, we are no better than the hypocrites. The admiration and adulation we receive from those around us will be our only reward. God withholds his blessings because we are not recognizing him as we should.

We need to reach the point in our lives where we act completely out of love and appreciation for God. All that we do needs to be done for him, not for others or for our own aggrandizement. The rewards of this world are short-lived, indeed. But the rewards of the Father are eternal and forever. Let us do God’s work quietly and without fanfare, knowing that our acts are pleasing to God. After all, we are living for him, not for ourselves.

He provides (Thursday, October 13)

Giving each one of his disciples the power over evil spirits, Jesus sent the Twelve throughout the land. In groups of two – carrying no bread, bags or money – they went from village to village to preach the gospel. With little more than the clothes on their back, they did exactly as the Lord had commanded. “They drove out many demons and anointed many sick people with oil and healed them” (Mark 6:13). God granted them special favor in spreading the message of repentance; he was the one who provided them with food, water, lodging and open hearts.

The Bible is full of examples that demonstrate God’s protection and help. We need look no further than our Sunday School stories about Noah, Moses, Jonah, David and Daniel for proof. Time and time again, we see that God looks after his children. He shelters them, feeds them and blesses them in ways we cannot explain. Nonetheless, we know we are sustained by his great love.

God continues to send us out into the towns and villages of our part of the world. He wants to use us to reach the lost, the dying, the homeless and the hopeless. He also wants to show us what he can do through us when we allow him to lead the way. Not only will he heal others, and bring them to salvation, but he also will grant us the joy of sharing with him in the process.

Cause and effect (Wednesday, October 12)

Today is preparation for tomorrow. What we do today sets the stage for what will happen tomorrow or the next day. Unfortunately, too many times we focus only on what we are doing right at this moment. We fail to stop long enough to ponder the effects of our actions, words or thoughts.

Over time, even a small matter can become a major obstacle if we are not careful. A misguided step or two today can lead us off in the wrong direction tomorrow. A thoughtless phrase said in haste one day may separate us from a loved one in the future. A responsibility put off for today will mean more work tomorrow. A negative thought one moment will most likely determine our thinking and outlook next week.

God does not want us to worry about the future. He does, however, want us to realize the importance of each event in our lives. Instead of always looking at the cause of our problems, we need to concentrate on the effect of our reaction. When we truly understand the consequences of what we are doing right now, then we are preparing ourselves for the way we need to live tomorrow.

Waiting on God (Tuesday, October 11)

We often spend a great deal of our time waiting on God. We wait for him to answer our prayers, to give us direction, to fill us with peace and to comfort us with his very presence. While we may think we are simply wasting time because we are not moving forward, God is doing an important work in us.

There always is a purpose and a reason for waiting. During this difficult time, God is teaching us many things. He is helping us learn the act of patience. He also is showing us how to be persistent at the same time we are waiting.

When Jesus left the apostles for the final time, he told them to wait before going out into the world. They were not to do anything until they were filled with the power of the Holy Spirit. What thoughts and emotions must have gone through them as they anticipated the time to move out into the world. Surely, they wondered why God was holding them back from doing their work.

God was preparing their hearts and minds during this period of waiting. He was preparing them spiritually for the journey ahead. We need to remember their example and experience as we wait for God. Though we may think nothing is going on during this critical period, God is using the time to make us ready for what lies ahead.

We are not alone (Monday, October 10)

Jesus is one with us in our alienation from the rest of the world. He understands our separation and estrangement because he, too, was human. Sometimes we fail to remember that Jesus came from heaven to live on the earth. He gave up the perfect for the imperfect so that all could know eternal joy. How must he have felt at times, especially as he looked around at all of the pain, injustice and hypocrisy?

When we are troubled by what is going on, or even how others treat us, we need to remember that Jesus was affected in exactly the same way. He was criticized and persecuted. His flesh suffered as well from the weight of rejection. Yet, Jesus was able to endure it all because his true strength came from heaven.

Our help also comes from the Father. We do not go through life alone, unless we choose to do so. Jesus is always with us, offering authority from above, to allow us to endure anything. When our strength comes from heaven, we have the power and ability we need to go on. Jesus showed us how to look up for all our needs. His example points the way both for our lives here on earth as well as for our salvation.

A special day (Sunday, October 9)

Sunday is a day of rest, a break from the other six days of the week. This day gives us a chance to focus completely on God. It is a time when we do not have to be distracted by the demands of the world. We can put aside our work and our busy schedules, and take the opportunity to renew ourselves.

Too often, though, we use Sunday as a day to catch up or a day to get ahead. We do those things that we think need to be done. Many times, Sunday turns out to be the busiest day of the week for us. If we are not careful, we can suddenly become too busy for church and Sunday School. We tell ourselves that God won’t mind if we take this Sunday off in order to do something else.

What we fail to understand is that Sunday is for us more than for God. He knows we need this time so we are ready for another week. We need to prepare ourselves – mentally, physically and spiritually – for what we will face in the next six days. In many ways, Sunday is the most important day of the week. What we do on this one day will determine, in large part, what happens Monday through Saturday.

We need to use Sunday wisely, remembering that God set aside this time for our benefit. We also need to realize what we are giving up if we give away this day.

Turning away (Saturday, October 8)

How often have we repeated the words of Peter: “Lord, I will never forsake you nor leave you.” We are sincere, but in our nature we are quick to abandon our Lord when challenged by people, circumstances and events. We pretend not to hear when there are cries for food or clothing. We remain silent when people condemn one another. We glance away when we notice injustice and inequality. Perhaps we fail to stand up out of fear or retribution.

But Jesus is never afraid to stand by us. He loves us even when we fail. As he did many times with Peter, he forgives us. Jesus is always eager to welcome us back into his life and to offer us another chance. No matter what the world says, we do not have to live with our mistakes. The good news is we are forgiven; we are pardoned by and through Jesus. Because he lives, we can live also – even in spite of our sin.

The power in the Word (Friday, October 7)

Prayer is essential to us. It is the spiritual heart of our faith; it connects us intimately with the Father; it lifts us from earthly struggles; it fills our soul with unfathomable love; it cleanses us with forgiveness; it transforms our thinking; it calms our restless feelings; it heals our wounds; it sets us free from oppression; it releases our fears; and it prepares us for eternity.

Nothing in all the universe is greater than prayer. As we speak to God, we need to recall how his power was released by the spoken word. Genesis tells us that God spoke the world into existence, and the Gospel of John explains that Jesus was the word in flesh.

Though we may not fully understand how prayer works, or even the force that is unleashed by our words, we do know what can happen. We can even speak to the mountain and it will be moved, Jesus says. We need to honor and trust his word.

The Holy Spirit (Thursday, October 6)

Nothing is more reassuring and yet so confusing than the Holy Spirit. Described as our Advocate, Comforter and Guide, the paraclete is the most mysterious part of the whole Trinity. No matter what we call it, we will never completely understand its power or workings.

Just yesterday, I felt the need to pray for a precious couple. They are in their 80s now and I have not seen them in six years, since they moved from the neighborhood where I grew up. For more than a decade, I saw them nearly every day. Sadly, I learned today that the husband was suffering from pneumonia and had to be taken to the hospital yesterday. How is it that the Holy Spirit would put him on my mind at the same time he needed prayer?

I can comprehend the efficacy of prayer. What escapes my imagination is how the Holy Spirit can prompt me to pray for something or someone of which I am not even aware. What happened in this case affirms my belief in prayer, for why would we be prompted to pray for no reason at all? What I do not grasp is how all of this occurs. The world cannot explain it. Still, the proof is there. Without my awareness or knowledge, I prayed for the right person at the right time.

We should regard Paul’s words with greater consequence when he says, “If we live by the Spirit, let us also be guided by the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). When we allow God’s Spirit to dwell within us, we need to put our logic aside and do what we are told. Otherwise, we are trying to live by the Spirit and being driven only by what makes sense to us. 

Revising ourselves (Wednesday, October 5)

If given the chance, how would we write the story of our life? Would we, for example, make ourselves a hero when we were actually a failure? Maybe we would have victory instead of defeat in each difficult circumstance. Perhaps we would tell about an easier, more successful life than one marked by pain, hardship and scars. We might even describe a journey of constant joy and bliss.

But the account of our life is real; it is nonfiction, not fiction. We go through ordeals and obstacles which are not pretty. We experience regrets, fears, anger, hatred and hopelessness. Our lives are a tangled mass of emotions and feelings. As the apostle Paul reflected about himself: we often do the things we don’t want to do, and we fail to do the things we ought to do.

It would be an understatement to say that our lives are not perfect. Far from it. Yet, that should not prevent or stop us from striving for wholeness. Jesus told us to be perfect, just as our Father in heaven is perfect. We must keep on trying, fighting, wrestling and struggling with ourselves in order to become more like Jesus and our Father.

As much as we might like, we cannot change the situations that come against us. But we can change our reaction to them. This part of our story we are able to rewrite. The revisions we make will show the world a completely different picture of who and what we are.

Eternal hope (Tuesday, October 4)

In the midst of deadly shootings, starving nations, abused children, fierce fighting and incurable disease, there remains hope. We can go to God each day with confidence, knowing that he has control over each and every situation. He alone rules the world and all that occurs every second, from the motion of the planets to the movement of our very lives.

As human beings, we cannot help but wonder what is going on when death and tragedy occur. We try to make sense out of what we see and hear. But our minds remain empty. There seems to be no logic or reason for the death of a child or the devastation of cancer.

We do not understand. Yet, we cannot lose hope because of our own confusion. Our words, thoughts and hearts must echo the plaintive song in Psalm 71: “For you have been my hope, O Sovereign Lord, my confidence since my youth. From birth I have relied on you; you brought me forth from my mother's womb. I will ever praise you.”

Even with a heavy and sad heart we can still praise God. We worship him through our tears, believing in his power and might to overcome the wickedness that seems to triumph all around us. When all is finally said and done, God will have the everlasting word. Therein lies our eternal hope.

False fear (Monday, October 3)

Fear is a natural human emotion. Trying to conquer our fear is not so natural. Whether we experience the fear of being alone or of doing something new, we can make the obstacle seem almost overwhelming. Before we realize it, we are paralyzed by worry and anxiety.

The Lord knows there are times in life when fear will come against us. “So do not fear,” God says, “for I am with you” (Isaiah 41:10). Realizing that God is with us should make us feel less afraid. But it is not as simple as merely reading a verse of scripture. We have to convince ourselves God truly is with us. We need to know, without any doubt, that God is larger, more powerful, than any fear we face.

We must shift our focus and change our perspective. Instead of wasting time thinking about some fear – which actually reinforces our feelings – we need to look at God. Contemplate his power, his love, his miracles rather than dwelling on the imaginary situation that is prompting our fear. Once we compare the size, greatness and truth of God to our fear, we will understand how irrational it is to be afraid.

Fear is actually an emotion that tries to manifest itself in reality. But God is reality.

Free blessings (Sunday, October 2)

Some of the most wonderful and beautiful things in our lives do not cost us anything. The satisfaction of watching a child at play, the magnificent color of a sunrise, the joy of hearing the birds sing, feeling a gentle wind on our face – all of these can make us happy and grateful. Yet, most people have trouble appreciating these simple pleasures. Instead, they find joy in a new car, a bigger house, a high-speed boat, modern leather furniture, a luxury cruise, even a complete home theater system.

There is nothing inherently wrong with any of these, unless we have to pay a higher price than the actual cost. What will we have to sacrifice to afford a new car, for example? Will we have to give up our peace of mind, worrying about whether we will have enough money each paycheck? Do we have to cut back on our tithe? Most important, why are we buying this item? Do we really need it or do we just want it?

Our society tries to convince us each day through the media and advertising that what we bought a year or two ago is no longer stylish or useful; we have to remain current (and young) by letting go of the past and getting what is fresh, new and novel. In our rush to keep up to date, however, we may have to surrender the peace and serenity that God wants us to experience. There is a cost to pay whenever we buy into the world’s system of daily living. But God gives us things that are more precious and beautiful, and it costs us nothing except a few moments out of our day to appreciate them.

Through Jesus Christ (Saturday, October 1)

Until we are able to express sorrow and regret for a wrong attitude or action, we will never enjoy the fullness of being forgiven. It is in our humanness that we discover our weaknesses as well as our imperfections. Without this knowledge of ourselves and our sinful nature, the beauty of God’s unconditional love and forgiveness remain little more than a notion. We will never grasp the reality of what God offers us through salvation because we cannot confess our imperfections.

Paul realized the importance of declaring his sinful state. Often in his epistles he professes his flaws and failures. At one point in his letter to the Romans (7:24), Paul cries out, “O wretched man that I am! Who shall deliver me from the body of this death?” Like Paul, we need to realize our inadequacies and be willing to express them openly and honestly. Not only do we need to tell our sisters and brothers in Christ, but we have to remind ourselves we are far from perfect. In fact, as Paul exclaims, we can never understand perfection while we are in our mortal bodies.

As we humble ourselves before God and man, we reach the realization that we can do nothing without God. Even our vain attempts to worship and praise God are meaningless unless we comprehend the great gulf, the vast chasm, between our fallen flesh and the perfection of eternity. Learning to say we are sorry and to express our mistakes, openly and without hesitation, is the only way to receive the forgiveness we need. For in our forgiveness we come to know the indescribable power of God’s love for each one of us. Then, like Paul, we can turn our regret into rejoicing as we proclaim, “Thanks be to God – through Jesus Christ our Lord!”