Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
Micah 6:8
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.
Ephesians 4:31 – 32 (The Message)
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.
Matthew 7:1 – 5 (The Message)
7 1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
7 1-5 “Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. Do you have the nerve to say, ‘Let me wash your face for you,’ when your own face is distorted by contempt? It’s this whole traveling road-show mentality all over again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your part. Wipe that ugly sneer off your own face, and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor.
Colossians 4:2
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Recognizing God’s Answers
How often have you prayed to God for help or direction? We do this all the time, and we know that God answers our prayers—not always in the way we would like or at the time we desire. In fact, many times when we think God has not been there for us, it is probably because He has answered our prayers in one of these two ways.
It is easy to become wrapped up in our own worldview and desires. When God’s answer does not meet our personal expectations, we may miss recognizing it as an answer at all. Our understanding of what we need does not always align with what God knows is best for us.
Let us thank God today and every day for answering our prayers, even when God’s answers are not to our liking. We should have absolute faith in our loving God, who will always place our ultimate needs ahead of our immature wants.
For this, we should give thanks to our loving God daily, never losing faith in God’s love, grace, and desire for each of us to know the joy for which we were created.
Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.
Recognizing God’s Answers
How often have you prayed to God for help or direction? We do this all the time, and we know that God answers our prayers—not always in the way we would like or at the time we desire. In fact, many times when we think God has not been there for us, it is probably because He has answered our prayers in one of these two ways.
It is easy to become wrapped up in our own worldview and desires. When God’s answer does not meet our personal expectations, we may miss recognizing it as an answer at all. Our understanding of what we need does not always align with what God knows is best for us.
Let us thank God today and every day for answering our prayers, even when God’s answers are not to our liking. We should have absolute faith in our loving God, who will always place our ultimate needs ahead of our immature wants.
For this, we should give thanks to our loving God daily, never losing faith in God’s love, grace, and desire for each of us to know the joy for which we were created.
Ephesians 5:15-16
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Trusting God When Life Feels Overwhelming
Have you ever been so busy that you wondered how you would ever get everything done? We have all experienced moments like this. When our responsibilities seem to pile up, we must make value judgments about what needs to be done immediately and what can wait. Unfortunately, too often, our time with God is the first thing we allow to suffer. I find myself in that situation even now.
Yet we should remember that God is the One who sees us through everything. I recall one morning when I had so much to do that I believed I would never accomplish it all. Instead of trying to manage everything on my own, I took time to pray and ask God for help.
As I worked through the morning, I lost all track of time. When I had finished everything I needed to accomplish, I finally looked at the clock, worried about how late it might be. To my amazement, it was shortly after noon. I sat there wondering whether I had worked at an incredible speed or whether time had somehow slowed down. Then I realized that God had answered my prayer for help.
I am not suggesting that we should procrastinate and expect God to complete what we have neglected. Rather, I hope we recognize that God is truly there for us at all times. When we feel overwhelmed by life and find ourselves ready to pull out our hair because there seems to be no way to get everything done, we should not skip prayer in an attempt to save time.
Instead, we should lean into God and pray for His guidance. When we bring our concerns to Him, God can amaze us with the results.
“Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil.”
Trusting God When Life Feels Overwhelming
Have you ever been so busy that you wondered how you would ever get everything done? We have all experienced moments like this. When our responsibilities seem to pile up, we must make value judgments about what needs to be done immediately and what can wait. Unfortunately, too often, our time with God is the first thing we allow to suffer. I find myself in that situation even now.
Yet we should remember that God is the One who sees us through everything. I recall one morning when I had so much to do that I believed I would never accomplish it all. Instead of trying to manage everything on my own, I took time to pray and ask God for help.
As I worked through the morning, I lost all track of time. When I had finished everything I needed to accomplish, I finally looked at the clock, worried about how late it might be. To my amazement, it was shortly after noon. I sat there wondering whether I had worked at an incredible speed or whether time had somehow slowed down. Then I realized that God had answered my prayer for help.
I am not suggesting that we should procrastinate and expect God to complete what we have neglected. Rather, I hope we recognize that God is truly there for us at all times. When we feel overwhelmed by life and find ourselves ready to pull out our hair because there seems to be no way to get everything done, we should not skip prayer in an attempt to save time.
Instead, we should lean into God and pray for His guidance. When we bring our concerns to Him, God can amaze us with the results.
James 1:16 – 18 (NIV)
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Recognizing the Source of Our Blessings
Today’s devotional serves as an important reminder for our daily lives: all good gifts come from God. It is essential to remember that everything we receive, every blessing and every joy, originates from the divine. This truth encourages us to maintain a heart of gratitude and awareness of God’s presence in our everyday experiences.
God blesses us each day in countless ways. Yet, amid the rush and busyness of our lives, we often fail to notice these blessings or do not recognize them when they come. Despite this, God’s greatest blessing to us is the gift of love—our ability to love others and, in turn, to be loved.
Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of all he created.
Recognizing the Source of Our Blessings
Today’s devotional serves as an important reminder for our daily lives: all good gifts come from God. It is essential to remember that everything we receive, every blessing and every joy, originates from the divine. This truth encourages us to maintain a heart of gratitude and awareness of God’s presence in our everyday experiences.
God blesses us each day in countless ways. Yet, amid the rush and busyness of our lives, we often fail to notice these blessings or do not recognize them when they come. Despite this, God’s greatest blessing to us is the gift of love—our ability to love others and, in turn, to be loved.
Romans 16:17 – 18
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.
When considering whom to trust and follow as leaders, it is important to reflect on the model of leadership that Jesus exemplified. Jesus sought to draw all people toward the love of God. In his first sermon, he highlighted the qualities of those blessed by God—specifically the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers. These attributes are essential in identifying the kind of leader we should follow. Unfortunately, there are times when the forces of evil in this world use individuals who act in opposition to these principles, leading us away from the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
It is necessary for each of us to pause and consider whether the people we follow are bringing us closer to God. We must ask ourselves: Are those we celebrate guiding us to love our neighbors as ourselves, as Jesus taught? Do they uphold the Wesley Principle of “first, do no harm”? If they do, we should follow their lead. However, if leaders promote division, fear, hatred, or malice toward others, we must examine whether they are leading us away from the Spirit of God. The will of God is to bring love and peace into this world and anything that works contrary to that is not of God.
I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery, they deceive the minds of naive people.
When considering whom to trust and follow as leaders, it is important to reflect on the model of leadership that Jesus exemplified. Jesus sought to draw all people toward the love of God. In his first sermon, he highlighted the qualities of those blessed by God—specifically the meek, the merciful, and the peacemakers. These attributes are essential in identifying the kind of leader we should follow. Unfortunately, there are times when the forces of evil in this world use individuals who act in opposition to these principles, leading us away from the teachings of our Lord and Savior, Jesus.
It is necessary for each of us to pause and consider whether the people we follow are bringing us closer to God. We must ask ourselves: Are those we celebrate guiding us to love our neighbors as ourselves, as Jesus taught? Do they uphold the Wesley Principle of “first, do no harm”? If they do, we should follow their lead. However, if leaders promote division, fear, hatred, or malice toward others, we must examine whether they are leading us away from the Spirit of God. The will of God is to bring love and peace into this world and anything that works contrary to that is not of God.
