Search Results

Herod’s fear drove him to oppose God’s will and inflict immense pain on others. As 1 John tells us, however, “perfect love drives out fear” (1 John 4:18). Do you harbor fears that are leading you to resist God or hurt others? Pray that God would help to drive out your fears so that you might love God and others more perfectly.

Reflecting upon your own experience, what predecessors helped lay a foundation for you to accept or grow in the Christian faith? Give God thanks for their contributions to you and to the work of God. Who might one day take your place? How might you support them and their faith? Pray that God would give you the grace to do so.

Are there portions of Jesus’ teachings that you have difficulty understanding, accepting, or living by? For instance, do you find it difficult to love your neighbors, to forgive those who have trespassed against you, or to accept that God’s grace is offered even to you? Ask God to help you allow these truths to shape your life.

Jesus’ teachings in this section are exceptionally rigorous. Many Christians have wondered whether it would be possible for anyone to fulfill them completely. If you feel despair at your inability to measure up, remember that Jesus teaches not only that God calls us to a high standard of living but also forgives us when we fall short.

Jesus tells us that “a tree is recognized by its fruit” (v. 33). Consider your actions, the fruit of your life. Where have you fallen into sin? What does that suggest about the evils that might be stored within you? Pray that Jesus, the great lover of our souls, would heal you and commit to working with the grace He offers to become more holy.

Citizenship in the kingdom of heaven is the greatest treasure we can possess. But it is something that we can possess only if we are willing to invest our all in it, even if it means giving up things we regard as having great value. What are the things that you most value? How might you invest them in the kingdom of heaven?

Jesus’ disciples needed both the determination to ascend to the mountaintop, where they encountered God, and the willingness to return to the world to love and serve others. Are you incorporating both in your life? Are you determined in seeking God? And do you love and serve others to witness about God’s kingdom in the world?

Many parts of our lives depend on the service of people we routinely overlook. In the days ahead, try to be more aware of such persons. Give God thanks for their service. As you do so, try also to look for ways in which you might serve them and others, such as by praying for them, lending a hand, or offering an encouraging word.

If you’ve never trusted in Jesus as your Savior from the power and penalty of sin and death, there is no better time than today. None of our good works, no matter how much they impress other people, will secure our salvation. Our only hope is to offer our lives to Christ and believe that He can and will redeem us. Accept His gift of love and...

A Taste for Worldliness The word worldly is often used today to describe a person who is sophisticated or refined in their tastes. But the biblical meaning of this word is something quite different. Worldly in Scripture is synonymous with “ungodly.” Hebrews 12:16 characterizes Jacob’s brother, Esau, as a worldly or profane person because...