Today many of us will go to church to worship God our Savior, Jesus. Some people cannot go to church for various reasons but worship Him in their hearts.
Others choose not to worship God at all but follow after pleasure and things that are unimportant.
Someday, the Bible tells us that every knee will bow to Jesus. Which do you choose? Worship Him today or be forced to bow your knee to Him at the judgement seat?
Jesus spoke to the multitudes in parables. He knew that although many would hear His words, not everyone would receive them. In the parable of the sower, He described how the same seed—the Word of God—fell on different kinds of soil.
We see these same responses as we witness today. Some people listen but walk away without accepting God’s Word. Others receive the message with joy, but they never take root. Still others allow the cares of this world to crowd out what they have heard, and they do not grow.
Then there are those who receive God’s Word, trust Jesus as their Savior, and go away rejoicing. They grow in their faith and share the good news with others, bringing forth more fruit.
“But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
Matthew 13:23, KJV
As we witness, we must faithfully keep sowing the seed and praying for those who hear. We cannot see every heart, but God can.
Each of us must also examine our own heart. Are we allowing the cares of life to crowd out God’s Word, or are we receiving it, growing, and bearing fruit?
Which one are you?
This is a great verse for today. When we go to church to worship, or are having our daily devotions, we are not concentrating on the message or what God is trying to tell us.
Instead, we are thinking about our problems, what needs to be done, or maybe about our plans for vacation, family fun or other activities that have nothing to do with Heavenly thoughts.
All of us have done this many times but we need to ask God to forgive us and help us to keep our thoughts centered on what God is telling us.
Set you affection (love) on things above, not on worldly things
“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps:” — 1 Peter 2:21 KJV
Years ago there was a popular Christian book called In His Steps. It challenged Christians to look at the life of Jesus and ask themselves if they were truly following His example.
That challenge is just as important today.
First Peter 2 tells us that Jesus left us an example, that we should follow His steps. When we read the verses that follow, we see what those steps looked like. Jesus did no sin. He did not answer evil with evil. When He suffered, He trusted Himself to God. He willingly bore our sins on the cross so that we could be saved and live for Him.
Then the chapter closes with this beautiful reminder:
“For ye were as sheep going astray; but are now returned unto the Shepherd and Bishop of your souls.” — 1 Peter 2:25 KJV
Following in His steps does not mean we walk alone. Jesus is our Shepherd. He goes before us, cares for us, leads us and guides us as we walk with Him.
Today, may we ask ourselves: Am I walking in His steps?
When people look at you and the way you live, can they tell that you are a Christian?
Being a Christian is more than going to church, reading our Bible, or telling someone that we believe in Jesus. Our faith should be seen in the way we live every day.
Our family sees us when no one else is watching. Our friends see how we respond when things do not go our way. Our neighbors notice how we treat others. Even strangers may see something different in our kindness, patience, honesty, and love.
We will never be perfect, but our desire should be to live in such a way that others can see Jesus in us.
Matthew 5:16 KJV
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.”
Today, ask yourself: When people look at my life, do they see Jesus?
Let your light shine!
These words from James are simple to read, but they are often difficult to live. In our conversations with family, friends, coworkers, and even fellow believers, we are often quick to speak and slow to listen. We may react before we understand, and we may allow our emotions to control our words. God reminds us that a Christlike spirit begins with listening.
Being swift to hear means more than simply hearing another person’s words. It means listening with compassion, patience, and a desire to understand. Many misunderstandings could be avoided if we took the time to truly listen before responding.
Being slow to speak reminds us that our words have great power. A few careless words can wound a heart, while a few gracious words can encourage a weary soul. Before we speak, we should ask ourselves, “Will these words honor the Lord?”
Being slow to wrath is perhaps the greatest challenge of all. Anger can cloud our judgment and damage relationships. James reminds us that “the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.” When we surrender our emotions to the Lord, His peace replaces our frustration, and His wisdom guides our response.
This truth also applies to our relationship with God. We need to be swift to hear His voice through His Word, slow to tell Him how we think things should be done, and slow to become discouraged or frustrated when His answers do not come as quickly as we desire. God is always working, even when we cannot see it.
None of us can live this way in our own strength. It is only through daily time in God’s Word and the power of the Holy Spirit that we can become better listeners, wiser speakers, and calmer servants of Christ.
Today, let’s ask the Lord to help us listen more carefully, speak more graciously, and respond more like Jesus. As we yield ourselves to Him, our relationships with others—and with God—will grow stronger each day.
Peace does not always come naturally. Differences of opinion, misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and even busy schedules can slowly build walls between people. Yet God’s Word does not tell us to wait for peace to come to us—it tells us to seek it and pursue it.
As Christians, we should make every effort to live in peace with one another. That means choosing forgiveness over bitterness, kindness over harsh words, and humility over pride. Sometimes we have to be the first to make a phone call, send a note, or simply say, “I’m sorry.” Peace is worth pursuing because it reflects the love of Christ.
This is especially important within our families. Home should be a place where grace is freely given and love is constantly shown. No family is perfect, but when we allow the Lord to guide our hearts, He can restore broken relationships and strengthen the bonds we share.
The same is true with our friends and fellow believers. The world is watching how Christians treat one another. When we walk in love, extend forgiveness, and strive for unity, we become a powerful testimony of God’s transforming grace.
Today, ask the Lord to search your heart. Is there someone with whom you need to make peace? Don’t wait. Pray for wisdom, take the first step, and trust God with the results.
May we be known as people who not only love the Lord but also seek peace and pursue it every day.
Wish You Were Here!
Have you ever been on a wonderful vacation or visited a breathtaking place and found yourself saying, “I wish you were here!” There is something about experiencing joy that makes us want to share it with the people we love.
As Christians, there is an even greater place awaiting us. Jesus has promised to prepare a home for everyone who has trusted Him as Savior. Heaven will be more beautiful than anything we have ever seen on earth. There will be no sorrow, no pain, no tears—only the joy of being in the presence of our Lord forever.
As I think about Heaven, my heart echoes those familiar words: “I wish you were here.” I want every member of my family, every friend, every neighbor, and every person I meet to know the Lord Jesus Christ so they can spend eternity in Heaven. There is no greater invitation we can extend than to share the Gospel and tell others about God’s amazing gift of salvation.
Today, take a moment to pray for someone you love who does not yet know Christ. Then ask God to give you an opportunity to lovingly share the hope that is found in Jesus. One day, what a joy it will be to look around Heaven and see those we prayed for and witnessed to standing there with us.
Most of us know that exercise isn’t always easy. Some days we don’t feel like walking, stretching, or doing the things that help keep our bodies healthy. It takes discipline and perseverance. Yet when we begin to see the results—greater strength, better health, and more energy—we’re thankful we didn’t give up.
Our spiritual life is much the same. Growing in our walk with the Lord doesn’t happen overnight. It requires spending time in God’s Word, talking with Him in prayer, and faithfully obeying what He teaches us. Some days it may seem difficult or routine, but every day we spend with the Lord strengthens our faith.
Just as physical exercise strengthens our muscles, daily time in the Bible strengthens our hearts. It prepares us for life’s challenges, helps us resist temptation, and draws us closer to the Savior. The greatest results are often seen over time as God molds us into the image of His Son.
Today, make time to exercise both your body and your faith. A healthy body is a blessing, but a heart that is growing stronger in Christ is a blessing that lasts for eternity.
When we clean our homes, we often find ourselves getting rid of things we have accumulated over the years. Sometimes that can be difficult because those items hold sentimental value. Yet we realize that keeping them means one more thing to dust, store, or take care of.
Spiritually, the same thing can happen in our hearts. We may hold on to attitudes, habits, hurts, grudges, fears, or sins that are not pleasing to the Lord. We become accustomed to carrying them, even though they weigh us down and hinder our fellowship with God.
A clean house can make us feel refreshed, but a clean heart is far more important. David understood this when he prayed, “Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10 KJV)
Today, let us ask the Lord to search our hearts and help us remove anything that does not honor Him. As we surrender those things to Him, He can renew our spirit and restore the joy of walking closely with Him.
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