Prayer and Praise

Throughout our lives, we will all experience both suffering and joy. We'll have times of great grief and times of overwhelming happiness. Sometimes, these experiences will happen in separate seasons. But at other times, they will merge at the same time.

In either case, James expected Christians to come to God. If someone was suffering, prayer was the call to action. If someone was cheerful, praise was the clear next step.

This might seem obvious, but when suffering clouds our thinking, we can sometimes forget to prioritize prayer. And when things are going well and life is good at the moment, it’s easy to just enjoy the season and not stop to praise God. But every season of life is an opportunity to put into practice what James wrote about… 

When we are suffering, let us pray. When those around us are suffering, let us pray. When we are feeling blessed or cheerful, let us thank God. When others are happy, let us praise God and celebrate with them.

In every circumstance or situation, let’s remember to take both our prayer and praise to God. When we do that, we keep our eyes on Jesus, and He helps us endure every situation we face.

So what are you facing right now? Take a moment to pray to God and tell Him all you’re going through. Then, reflect on the good things happening in your life, and praise Him for who He is!

The Way Back to God

It’s common in today’s culture for people to believe that all roads—various religions or belief systems—lead to God.

While this way of thinking is widely accepted, it does not agree with what Jesus says in John 14:6. Jesus says that He is the only way to God, and no one can come to the Father unless they come through Him. 

Jesus also says that He is the Truth, which means that all other truths must be measured against Him. He is objective truth. In other words: Jesus is the standard by which we can judge the rest of the world’s truth claims.

Lastly, Jesus says He is the Life. This means that it’s only through Jesus that we find true and eternal life. True life comes from following Jesus’ words and His path for our life.

A true and meaningful life begins with knowing Jesus. He alone has access to the good life that God intended us to live, as well as eternity with Him in heaven.

Spend a moment thanking Jesus for revealing the true path to life and salvation, and for making it possible to have a relationship with Him. Continue to learn from Jesus through His Word, and share the hope He offers with others in your life.

The Lord is my rock.

He holds my future.‍

Cultivate Healthy Relationships

Imagine planting a flower seed...

If you want the seed to grow into a healthy flower, you have to care for it properly by giving it enough of what it needs to live—good soil, water, sunshine, attention and care.

Now think of the people who are there for you during hard times. The ones who love and encourage you, the people you enjoy experiencing life with. These relationships are much like seeds—we need to care for them properly if we want them to not only grow, but thrive. 

"I thank my God every time I remember you." 
Philippians 1:3 NIV

In the Bible, we learn that Paul started a church in Philippi. While he lived there, the people were generous and kind to him—partnering with Paul to share the Gospel. But even when Paul eventually continued on with his travels, the Philippian church continued to support him. 

And so, after he was put in prison, Paul wrote them a letter. He could have chosen to write about his troubles, but instead, Paul prayed for his friends and encouraged them to continue to live God-honoring lives in the face of hardships and persecution. Paul recognized the sacrifices they were making, and chose to appreciate and encourage them. 

In a similar way, we can help our relationships grow by expressing gratitude and appreciation for the people who impact us. 

This could look like praying for them, giving them a word of encouragement, or going out of our way to serve them. It could mean slowing down to truly listen to them, or expressing thanks for something that might otherwise go unnoticed.

God gave us the desire to pursue relationships with the people around us. This means that, like Paul and the Philippians, we have an opportunity to encourage one another and pursue God together.

But in order to do this, we have to be willing to care for our relationships and be intentional about helping them grow and remain healthy. One of the best ways we can do this is by pausing to appreciate the people who support and encourage us.

So today, take some time to thank God for the people who’ve poured into you and, if you're able, let them know how they've impacted your life.

The battle is the Lord’s, not yours.

A Light for All Nations

Have you ever seen a lighthouse up close?

For those who find themselves stuck out at sea—while winds are howling, waves are crashing, and darkness is blacker than black—a lighthouse can mean the difference between life and death. They aren’t just cute landmarks, but important navigational guides and essential beacons of hope.

In Isaiah 60, the prophet describes a vision that portrays a lighthouse of sorts: God's glory shining bright for all the world to see...

“All nations will come to your light; mighty kings will come to see your radiance.”
Isaiah‬ ‭60:3‬ ‭(NLT‬‬)

Without the light of God, we are all blind and hopeless. But because He made us and loves us, He has revealed the brightest light of all...

Isaiah 46:6 spoke of a coming Messiah that would be “a light to the Gentiles." And that prophecy—along with hundreds of others—was fulfilled in the person of Jesus Christ.

Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). His light shines into the darkness, and darkness cannot overcome it (John 1:5). Isaiah 60:19-20 goes on to say that the Lord will actually be an everlasting light, one that needs no source and will never grow dim.

Jesus explained that His people would receive power from the Holy Spirit to tell the world about Him—beginning in Jerusalem and spreading to the ends of the earth. So, if you're follower of Christ, be confident that you have been empowered to share and shine His light!

The Way You Live, The Way You Think

"Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads."
Deuteronomy 11:18 NIV

When Moses speaks these words in Deuteronomy 11, he’s not talking about just any words—he’s talking about God’s commands, which he had just finished restating to the people of Israel. These were the foundational truths of how God called His people to live: to love Him, obey Him, and walk in His ways.

Earlier in the chapter, Moses reminds the people of God's power—the way He rescued them from Egypt, led them through the wilderness, and promised them a land of blessing. But along with the blessings came a choice: to remain faithful to God or to turn away. That’s why Moses urges them so passionately to “fix these words” in their hearts and minds.

Why the hands and the forehead? It’s a vivid picture. The hands represent what we do, and the forehead represents what we think. In other words, Moses is saying: let God’s Word guide both your thoughts and your actions. Let it shape the way you live and the way you see the world.

For the Israelites, this even took a physical form—many wore small scrolls of Scripture (phylacteries) as a literal expression of this command. But whether literal or symbolic, the call remains the same: Keep God’s Word close. Let it saturate your life. Let it lead your heart, direct your mind, and shape your everyday choices.

How will you fix God's words in your heart and mind today?

Unshakeable

Isaiah 40 is a chapter of comfort and hope. It was written for a people living in the shadow of exile, weighed down by the consequences of sin and the fear of what lay ahead. But right from the beginning, in verse 1, God speaks words of reassurance: “Comfort, comfort my people.”

As the chapter unfolds, we see a beautiful tension. On one hand, we are reminded of the frailty of human life: “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field” (verse 6). Life is fragile. Our efforts fade. Seasons change. The things we build, rely on, or admire can crumble in an instant.

But then we read Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.” This is the turning point. While everything around us is temporary, God’s Word is unshakable and eternal. His promises never expire. His truth never becomes outdated. His voice still speaks comfort and strength today, just as it did then.

The chapter goes on to describe the greatness of God—the One who holds the oceans in His hand, who calls the stars by name, and who gives strength to the weary. And yet, this all-powerful God chooses to speak tenderly to His people, assuring them of His enduring presence and faithfulness.

So when life feels unstable, remember this: God’s Word is not like grass that fades. It’s like a rock that never moves. And it will carry you through whatever season you face.

Live Prepared

Pause and think of the people who, at a moment’s notice, have to be ready for anything. Maybe your list includes first responders, the military, athletes, teachers, parents, pilots, surgeons, or pastors. 

But does your list include you? 

As followers of Jesus, we are called to…

“…Be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”
‭‭1 Peter‬ ‭3:15‬ ‭NIV‬‬

We can’t expect people to observe what Jesus has commanded unless we are also observing His commands ourselves.

Do we want people to learn about God’s love? Then we need to show God’s love to people. Do we want people to learn about Jesus’ compassion? Then we need to be compassionate. Do we want people to give generously? Then we need to be good stewards of our own money. Do we want people to study God’s Word? Then we need to study it for ourselves.

When you give Jesus control over your life, you allow His love, joy, and hope to transform you. As this happens, your life becomes an act of worship that reveals His hope within you.

When you live like Jesus, people are drawn to Jesus in you. 

As you worship Jesus with your life, you will be able to honestly say that Christ in you is your hope and glory—and people will believe it because they see the evidence. 

They might not like who you are or agree with what you believe, but they won’t be able to find a logical reason to hate you when your life is centered around loving people the way Jesus loved you.

So as you go about each day, aim to live with gentleness and respect toward everyone. And let Jesus’ joy, love, and hope permeate your heart, mind, and relationships.

Look Up

It’s normal—and even understandable—to spend our time, energy, and attention focusing on the here and now. We’re busy, after all. We're preoccupied. And when we stop to really think about it, it’s difficult to perceive something that's beyond our five senses.

But in his letter to the Colossians, Paul encourages his fellow believers to look up:

“Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭1‬ ‭NLT‬‬

So, as you think about Paul’s words and the realities of heaven, here are four things to consider:

- First, heaven isn’t some vague, dream-like state. It’s a real place, with real people, where God is the true King.

- Second, there will come a day when we will all meet God face to face. We will no longer need faith or hope, because that which we’ve hoped for will finally be revealed.

- Third, our troubles and our heartbreaks (and even death itself) are temporary! Scripture tells us that, eventually, God will do away with pain and death and sickness and suffering—forever.

- Lastly (and most importantly), God is still on His throne, with Jesus beside Him in the place of honor. No matter how crazy, senseless, or heartbreaking the world can seem, we can have confidence knowing that nothing is outside of God’s sovereign plan.

So when you’re tempted to look around at others or look inward at yourself, look up instead. Heaven is wherever God is, and that’s the truest reality of all.

What Does God Want?

“What is God’s will for my life?”
“What is my purpose and calling?”
“What can I do to please God?”

In the New Testament, Jesus provides the answer to those questions by telling His followers to love God and love people. In the Old Testament, the prophet Micah—empowered by the Holy Spirit—summarized God’s will for Israel by saying: 

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?”
‭‭Micah‬ ‭6:8‬ ‭ESV‬‬ 

These words were penned during a time when God’s people were trying to please Him with sacrifices, offerings, and going through religious motions—while living lives of deception, violence, and pride. But as the prophet Hosea writes, “I Bwambale Gilbert desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.” (Hosea‬ ‭6:6‬ ‭NIV‬‬)

God is after our heart motives, not our outward religious activity or begrudging obedience. 

Let’s break down what God desires of us:

- DO JUSTICE. Doing justice requires faith and actions working together: helping the hurting, defending the weak, dealing fairly with the people we encounter, and speaking for those who cannot speak for themselves. In other words, to do justice we must love others as we love ourselves.

- LOVE KINDNESS. The mercy of God is an extreme kindness. And because we’ve been shown undeserved kindness by Him, we can show undeserved kindness to others. God desires these things more than endless “I’m sorry” speeches. God is kind to the grateful and the wicked (Luke 6:35), so we should be, too.

- WALK HUMBLY. Be teachable. Be moldable. Remember: You’re not God. You have limitations. You need a Creator and Savior. You’re only here because God spoke you into existence. So confidently embrace who you are, and who you are not, because it’s when we live fully surrendered to God that He does incredible things through us. 

Seeking justice, loving kindness, and walking humbly—that is what God wants from us. So in a world that’s saturated with injustice, hatred, and arrogance, let’s be people marked by these three things.

There's No Peace Without His Presence

Moses was standing in the middle of a desert—both literally and spiritually. The people had just rebelled against God by building an idol of a golden calf, and now their future felt uncertain.

Yet in this moment of deep tension, Moses makes a bold request: If God’s presence won’t go with them to their destination, Moses says, he’d rather not go at all.

It’s not that Moses didn’t want the promised land. But more than the land, more than progress, more than answers, Moses wanted God Himself. He knew that no amount of success, comfort, or direction could ever replace the nearness of the Lord.

There are seasons in life when we find ourselves in our own wilderness: confused, dried up, uncertain of the next step. In those moments, it’s easy to crave clarity. But what we truly need is God's presence, not just answers.

Peace doesn’t come from knowing the plan. It comes from knowing He is with us in it.

God's presence is our distinguishing mark. It's what makes the wilderness bearable, and even holy. So if you’re in a place where your soul feels tired or directionless, let this be your prayer: "Don’t send me unless You’re going with me."

Because where His presence goes, there’s always life, purpose, and peace—even in the desert.

Ask God Honestly

Everything begins with our relationship with God.

Jesus made it possible for us to have a restored relationship with God. We can talk with God, spend time in His presence, and ask Him to help us—because, as believers, we are called His sons and daughters.

Because of our relationship with God, He listens to us. Much like a child talking to their parents, God wants us to speak to and connect with Him. When we pray, we have the opportunity to tell God our needs, our concerns, and the desires of our heart.

Jesus tells us that if we seek a relationship with God, we will find it. God gives Himself freely to all who are looking to Him. God isn’t hiding in heaven, hoping that we will someday find Him. He is readily available to engage with His people.

This means we should be persistent in our relationship with Him. We have access to the Creator of the world! Everything comes from Him and has life because of Him. He has the ability to give us the things we need, and even the things we desire with pure motives.

However, while we can ask for whatever we want, it doesn’t mean He will give us everything we ask for. Just like an earthly father won’t give his child something harmful, God also won’t give us something we do not need (Matthew 7:10-11).

Sometimes, we don't ask God for things because we may feel guilty for doing so. But God actually desires for us to go to Him—even with the smallest of requests.

So take some time today and tell God how you honestly feel. Ask Him for the things you truly need in life—the ways you're counting on Him to show up. Continue each day building a relationship with Him through Scripture reading and prayer.

Turn to Him

Around 957 B.C., after King Solomon spent years planning, building, and finally dedicating the temple that his father, King David, had longed for—God made Himself known by sending fire down from heaven and filling the temple with His presence.

Then the Lord appeared to Solomon at night, explaining how He’d heard his prayer and chosen his temple—reminding Solomon how the Israelites should respond when they encounter hard things. He said:

“Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.”
‭‭2 Chronicles‬ ‭7:14‬ ‭NLT‬‬

Though this specific message was given to a specific people at a specific time in history—humbling ourselves, seeking God, and turning from our sins are timeless actions that we should continue to live out.

True humility, honest prayer, and genuine repentance are the keys to intimacy with God.

And we can’t fake it. We can’t just go through the motions. We can’t merely pretend to “look” humble and repentant. And we can’t do these things on our own.

We need to come to God in order to receive His help. We need Him in order to maintain a posture of humility, prayer, and repentance.

So if you’ve found yourself feeling distant from God, trying to do things your own way, or intentionally running in the opposite direction of your Creator—it’s not too late to turn around. 

You can still come to God, admit that you can’t go through life alone, and seek His help. He’s a loving, forgiving, and healing Father who specializes in making all things new. He never stops inviting us to turn to Him.

Verse of the day!

First Things First

There are plenty of things in life that beg for our attention. Our days are filled with relationships and responsibilities, all of which take time.

In Jesus’ famous sermon in Matthew 6, He spends some time talking about the various things we give our attention to. He explains that instead of spending all of our time and energy worrying about our basic need and desires in life, we should first seek His kingdom and His righteousness. If we do that, everything else will fall into place.

So, what does it mean to seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness? 

God’s kingdom is about God’s rule and reign over all of creation. His kingdom was unleashed during Jesus’ ministry on earth, and is now growing and expanding throughout the global Church. The work of the kingdom is to continue to tell others about the hope of Jesus, and to teach everything that Jesus has commanded.

To seek God’s righteousness is to desire to live the way God intended. It's to live according to God’s commands, which requires that we make decisions that align with God’s Word.

Jesus says that if we do these two things—seek God’s kingdom and His righteousness—then He will provide us with everything we need. When we don’t prioritize God’s desires first, then we'll end up worrying about things that are temporary; the things that won't last.

Living a life according to God’s Word should be our greatest concern—because God’s Kingdom will last forever.

Think about how you spend your time. Do you constantly worry about things that are outside of your control? Consider how you can live for God’s kingdom rather than the things of earth. In what ways can you reprioritize your life in order to seek righteousness? Rather than worrying about things you can’t control, pray for God to be present and to meet your everyday needs.

An Illuminating Light

Imagine trekking through the woods on a pitch-black night with only a lantern or flashlight to guide you. How would you stay on the trail? How would you know where to go? How would you keep from getting lost?

The author of Psalm 119 shares some insight:

“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭119‬:‭105‬ ‭NIV‬‬

God's Word refers to the written or spoken message of God, as well as the message of God revealed in the person of Jesus Christ, often called the Word.

God is real. He created you on purpose, and He designed this world with you in mind. So, how can you know who He is, what He’s like, and what He desires from and for you?

You can know God, better understand who He’s created you to be, and navigate this increasingly dark world by the light of His Word.

The Word of God is like a light in your hand, illuminating truths about the story of God, the character of God, and the ways of God. It helps us understand His creation and answer difficult questions or make hard choices.

The guidance found in God’s Word is perfect. His story is true. His instructions are trustworthy. His promises will stand. His commands are like beams of light pointing us back to Himself.

Now, notice what this verse doesn’t say. It doesn’t say that God’s
Word is a spotlight, exposing every single thing about your past, present, or future.

No, God’s Word is a lamp for your feet and a light on your path. And as you walk with Him, step by step, He will lead you to life.‍

Who Are You?

“I’m not good enough.”

“I’m not smart enough.”

“I’m not strong enough.”

“I’m not enough.”

Every day, we are bombarded with lies that try to convince us that we don’t have what it takes to follow Jesus.

Every time we mess up, our insecurities reach out and tell us that we’ll always be weak—we’ll never experience the freedom Jesus says we can have. But Scripture reminds us that it’s Jesus’ divine power that gives us everything we need to live a godly life. With His strength, when we fall down—we can still get back up.

It’s in our weakness that God’s power is made perfect within us (2 Corinthians 12:9). By the power of Christ, nothing can keep its grip on us. Not fear, worry, doubt, defeat, discouragement, loneliness, hardship, or pain.

Through Jesus, we have everything we need to combat anything that attempts to seize our rightful identity.

God’s Word is living, active, and sharper than any two-edged sword. It discerns the thoughts and intentions of our hearts. It was breathed out by God. It corrects, teaches, and encourages us. God’s Word lights up our paths.

God’s Word is filled with reminders of our true identity. It can remind you that…

You are enough because you are a child of God. (John 1:12, 1 John 3:1)

You can rejoice in suffering because Christ suffered for you. (1 Peter 4:12-19, James 1:2-4)

You are greatly loved, and you can love others like you have been loved. (John 15:9-14)

Nothing can separate you from God’s love. (Romans 8:37-39)

When you understand who you are, that is when you will truly be able to do all things through Christ’s strength.

So let’s start applying the life-giving truth we find in the Bible so that we move from victimhood to victory. Embrace who you are in Christ.

And the next time a daunting situation comes up or a threatening thought comes to mind, remember that you can overcome it by Jesus’ divine power working in and through you. You don’t have to go through life on your own—and you weren’t meant to.‍

Created to Love Others

When we believe in Jesus and live our lives following after Him, we get to experience His grace and mercy every day! We get to walk in new life and new ways of thinking about God's creation and our place in it. Not to mention, we can rest knowing we are God's own children!

But it can be just as easy to live life thinking only of ourselves and the good things we have received. Jesus spent most of His ministry helping and assisting others, but if we're being honest—and Jesus was always honest, too—most of us have a tendency to be selfish with God's gifts, or ignore opportunities to serve the weak or needy in our everyday lives.

As Paul was speaking to the leaders at the church in Ephesus in Acts 20:35, he made sure to remind them that his life has not been about himself, but about helping others. Paul says that everything he has done has been about helping those who are weak and in need. Paul didn't say these things to boast about himself, he said them to point back to Jesus as the truest example of love.

While the Christian faith is certainly about loving God, it is also about loving others as well. It is about using our new life in Christ to bring positive change to the lives of others—the same positive change Christ brought about in us.

Jesus said that when we use our life to help others, we end up even more blessed. It is always more blessed to give to others than to receive for ourselves.

Take some time to consider the way your own life has been blessed by others. Then, write down a few ways that you can begin to help others who are in need. What practical ways can you bless those in your neighborhood, work, or school? Begin to build a habit of being a blessing to others.

Release what no longer serves your purpose. God has something better prepared for you.

True Beauty

In God’s infinite wisdom and creativity, He has crafted magnificent things: watercolor sunsets, awe-inspiring mountains, turquoise oceans, and beautiful people.

Proverbs 31 is a well-known chapter in the Bible about a God-fearing, hard-working, generosity-driven woman.

Interestingly, Proverbs 31 was written by a man—specifically, King Lemuel, although it’s technically advice from his mother that he shared when he was king.

Something that’s not obvious in non-Hebrew languages is that verses 10-31 actually make up an acrostic poem—each verse beginning with one of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, successively working their way from aleph to tau (from beginning to end).

Toward the climax of the poem, the author writes:

“Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”
‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭31:30‬ ‭NIV‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

Deep down we know this to be true, don’t we?

No matter how charming or beautiful someone is, we know that beauty is fleeting. We know that charm will not last. We know that the aging process will eventually run its course.

But there’s barely any mention of this woman’s physical beauty, instead, the focus is on her character—on this woman who fears the Lord.

An earlier Proverb explains that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 9:10)—the humble realization that anything good and wise and pure and true must have come from Him.

So if you know a woman like that—one who loves and respects God, one who honors and cares for people, one who invests wisely and lives purposefully—you might take a moment to thank God for her life. You might even consider how you can be more like her … as she aims to be more like Him.

The Cost of Following Jesus

We know from Scripture that salvation is a free gift that Jesus offers to those who trust and believe in Him. But just because our salvation is free—doesn’t mean the rest of our lives with Jesus will cost us nothing as well.

Jesus says that following Him will cost us everything. This doesn’t mean we have to earn our salvation or work for acceptance, but it does mean that following Jesus requires everything that we have.

When we become disciples of Jesus, we follow in His footsteps. We let Jesus teach and guide us. If we are serious about this, then our lives will become patterned after His life. This means that just as Jesus took up a cross and gave up everything He had, we also must be ready to carry our own cross.

So what does it mean to take up a cross and follow Jesus? It means that we should be ready to give up everything for the sake of Jesus. It means denying ourselves by surrendering our own desires and plans for God’s desires and plans. Rather than focusing on ourselves, we center our lives around God’s mission in the world: loving Him and loving others as we make disciples.

Taking up one’s cross isn’t easy, but there is nothing in this life that is better than following Jesus. While immediate pleasure often feels more desirable in the moment, it quickly fades and leaves us searching for more. No possession or position can lead to true satisfaction in life—that is found only in Jesus.

Take a moment to think about your life. Are there things that you’re holding onto that you would be hesitant to surrender to Jesus? Are there relationships that serve your own desires rather than God’s? Commit to following Jesus regardless of how difficult or challenging life might become. The cross, while painful, is temporary—abundant life with Jesus is eternal.

Keep it Up

Do you remember the last time you were completely exhausted? Maybe you spent tons of time and energy working on a difficult project. Maybe you felt depleted after helping everyone else around you—physically or emotionally. Maybe hard situations and complex circumstances made you feel like giving up.

All of us grow tired at some point.

Paul, the writer of Galatians, knew that the people he was writing to would also become tired of the work they were doing. During Paul’s time, there was a lot of persecution and hurting people, and Paul was writing to encourage them in the work they were doing.

Inside Paul’s encouragement to the Galatians is this truth:

Even godly people will tire of doing good things.

That’s why Paul encourages everyone to continue to push forward in doing good. We should continue to help people. We should continue to share the hope of Jesus with others. We should continue to live as God would want us to—especially when things get hard.

God knows that we’ll eventually grow weary. And when we grow tired and frustrated, we’ll probably begin to question why we’re doing any of this to begin with. (Maybe you’ve already asked yourself this.)

But Galatians 6:9 encourages us to persevere in doing good things. Similar to how a farmer must work diligently to plant his crops and wait months before the actual harvest, Paul says there will be a harvest for those who do not give up.

Just like the Christians in Galatia, we also need to persevere in living godly lives and helping those around us. If we do not give up, Scripture says there will be a reward for us. We may receive that reward during our time on earth, or in heaven—but regardless of when we receive it, we should persevere in doing good.

That means that your work matters! There is value to how you live and love others. So, keep it up. Keep doing good.

Spend some time today considering the good that you have done and can continue to do for others. Who can you help? Who can you share the hope of Jesus with? How can you continue to persevere in living a godly life?

If you’ve grown weary or defeated, make a commitment today to never give up. Choose to persevere through whatever season of life you’re in, knowing that there will be a harvest for those who finish well.

Holding the Door Open

In 2 Peter 3:9, Peter writes to encourage his friends…

“The Lord isn’t really being slow about his promise, as some people think. No, he is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to be destroyed, but wants everyone to repent."

Peter is reminding them that the world in its present state won’t last forever. We look forward to the day when the new heavens and new earth will arrive and all evil, suffering, and death will pass away.

But our time holds a special characteristic: it’s a chance for people to repent and find salvation.

Jesus, in His kindness, is holding the door open—giving time for more people to turn away from destructive living and come to Him.

This is our golden opportunity to share the Good News of Jesus. Through His followers, He is actively extending His offer of new, eternal life to the world.

And those who respond to that invitation will find the peace of God’s presence. They’ll have access to joy that can’t be taken away by circumstances. They can develop a relationship with the living God, who loves them without reservation.

He wants EVERYONE—all of humanity—invited to the party. Invited to turn away from their old life of destruction. To come to Him and know Him, experiencing His life-changing love. To be with Him, and follow Him today and into eternal life.

What an amazing chance we have been given! And you get to participate! You can help spread the word, making God’s offer of life known:

Jesus came to offer redemption to all who would come. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is Good News for ALL PEOPLE, and the time to share it is now. Will you do it?