Come near to God and he will come near to you. — James 4:8 Intimacy with God is a precious invitation that is extended to each one of us. Our relationship with God is not distant but brings us in close communion with the Creator of the universe, who desires to reveal his love and purposes to us. To experience intimacy with God, we must prioritize our relationship with him. We set aside dedicated time for prayer, for studying his Word, and for worship. We cultivate a heart of surrender,...

Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. — Ephesians 6:11 In our journey of faith we are engaged in spiritual battle. The enemy seeks to distract, discourage, and deceive us. But there is no need to fear because in Christ we are equipped for victory. God has provided us with spiritual armor to stand against the schemes of the devil. We are called to put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of the gospel of peace,...

I wish that all of you were [unmarried] as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God; one has this gift, another has that. — 1 Corinthians 7:7 Singleness is not a season to be endured but a gift to be embraced. People who are single have a unique opportunity to focus wholeheartedly on their relationship with God and his purposes for their lives. A single person can serve the Lord with undivided devotion, exploring their passions, and using their time and resources to serve for the...

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. — Proverbs 3:5-6 God invites us to trust in him, to surrender our worries, doubts, and fears into his capable hands. This involves a conscious choice to rely on God’s wisdom and guidance rather than leaning on our own limited understanding. In a world filled with uncertainty, we can find solace in the unchanging character of God. The Lord is...

“The Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” — Matthew 20:28 In a world that often values power and authority, servant leadership stands as a powerful model for those who seek to make a lasting impact. Jesus, our ultimate example of servant leadership, has shown us that greatness is found in humble service and selfless sacrifice. Servant leaders place the needs of others before their own. They lead with compassion, empathy, and a...

“Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant.” — Mark 10:43 Leadership is not about exerting power and control but about serving others with humility and love. Jesus, our ultimate example of leadership, taught us that true greatness lies in sacrificial servanthood and selfless influence. In a world that often values ambition and self-promotion, leadership that is rooted in humility and compassion stands out. A servant leader seeks the well-being and development of the...

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 Thessalonians 5:18 Gratitude is a transformative attitude. It helps us to shift from looking at what we don’t have to seeing the abundance of blessings around us. In our gratitude we choose to recognize and appreciate the goodness and faithfulness of God in every aspect of our lives. Gratitude opens our eyes to the wonders of creation, the kindness of others, and the countless gifts bestowed on us by our...

If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. — Romans 10:9 Salvation is a precious gift offered to everyone, and all who believe in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior receive salvation. Through Jesus’ death and resurrection we are reconciled with God, forgiven of all our sins, and granted eternal life. This salvation is based not on anything we have done but on God’s grace alone. Our salvation depends not on...

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 Unconditional love is a gift from God that surpasses our understanding. It is a love that knows no bounds, that remains steadfast through every season of life. With unconditional love our heavenly Father lavishes us with his grace and mercy. Human love...

“Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” — Isaiah 41:10 Fear has a way of paralyzing us, hindering our progress, and robbing us of peace. Yet, as children of God, we are called to overcome fear and walk in the confidence of his presence and power. When fear tries to grip our hearts, we can find strength in God’s promises. The Lord assures us that he is with us, holding us in...

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. — Psalm 42:11 In our lives we can often face times of discouragement. Our spirits can feel heavy and our hearts burdened. When that happens, however, we can turn to God and lean on him, finding hope in his promises and unfailing love. Discouragement can come from various sources—disappointments, failures, prolonged challenges. Yet even in the midst of such...

“True worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth. . . . God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.” — John 4:23-24 Jesus shares this important teaching while he is talking one day with a Samaritan woman (John 4:1-26). Worship is a sacred act that connects us intimately with God. It goes beyond rituals and outward expressions. It is a heartfelt response to God’s majesty and goodness. In worship, we surrender our hearts and minds to God,...

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her. — Ephesians 5:25 Marriage is a sacred union designed by God, a reflection of his love and commitment to his people. It is a covenant relationship that calls us to sacrificial love, selflessness, and mutual support. In a world that often prioritizes self-gratification, marriage is meant to show the beauty of sacrificial love. As husbands and wives, we are called to follow the example of Christ’s love for...

As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear him. — Psalm 103:13 Fatherhood is a sacred role for dads, an opportunity to reflect the heart of our heavenly Father in the lives of children. This is a responsibility that carries great significance and impact, as fathers have the privilege of nurturing, guiding, and loving their children. In a world longing for strong and loving father figures, we are called to show the compassion, grace, and wisdom...

I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. — Revelation 7:9 In his grand design God calls us to embrace cross-cultural connections and celebrate the diversity among us. The vision in Revelation reveals a glimpse of the eternal kingdom, where people from every nation, tribe, and language will stand united before the throne, worshiping our Lord and...

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said. . . . At once they left their nets and followed him. — Matthew 4:19-20 When Jesus called his disciples, he issued an invitation that went beyond mere companionship. He called for a radical commitment to follow him completely. This call echoes through time, extending to us as his followers today, urging us to embrace the path of discipleship. Discipleship is more than attending church or learning about Jesus. It is a transformative journey of surrender,...

Moses said to the Lord, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent. . . . I am slow of speech and tongue.” — Exodus 4:10 In our life of faith, there are times when God calls us to tasks that can seem beyond our abilities. Like Moses, we might think we lack the skills or eloquence to do what God has asked. Doubts and insecurities can grip our hearts, causing us to question whether we can truly serve God’s purpose. When God called Moses to go before Pharaoh and lead the Israelites...

Now [God] has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation. — Colossians 1:22 I have friends and family who have been estranged from one another. It is, at best, unpleasant. At worst, it is horrible and painful. Spouses despise each other; children and parents don’t speak to each other for years; business partners want to be rid of each other. Things can get ugly in this old world. This is why the news of...

I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit. . . . — John 15:5 Are we really united to Jesus like branches to a vine? Yes, and amen! And does that mean we are also united with other people who are Christians? Yes, it does. If we are united with Christ, we are like a branch of the holy vine of God. Yet there are other branches too, and the people represented by all those branches are loved by God just as we are—even if we might disagree...

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die.” — John 11:25 This quotation is a brief summary of the good news of Jesus. He says that anyone who believes in him will live, even after death. He says that life comes only through him. And he does not merely say that he knows how to find the resurrection and the life; he says, “I am the resurrection and the life.” This occurs amid the dramatic story of the raising of Lazarus,...

This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life. . . . — Deuteronomy 30:19 In Deuteronomy, Moses is giving his farewell speech to God’s people Israel. So he tells the Israelites straight up: “You can go one of two ways—the way of blessings and life, or the way of curses and death. Choose life!” The choice seems rather simple and obvious, right? I can’t imagine people saying, “Well, I’ll...

God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. — John 3:16 Notice that God loves this whole, great big world. He doesn’t just love only a few people—or even all people—but the whole world. That includes all creation. Wow, that’s a big love! All of nature is God’s, and God loves all of it. True, we humans are the capstone of creation, but we are still very much a part of it. All of us, and all of creation, can and should...

Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers . . . nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 8:38-39 Most of the conquerors in history have been egotistical thugs. They established kingdoms by their own power and for their own glory, often killing many thousands of people to do so. But what we learn from Scripture is that Jesus, the King of kings and...

The creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. — Romans 8:21 Did you know that God’s plan of salvation includes more than the saving of human souls? For many Christians “Jesus saves” means that Jesus saves us from our sins, and that is true—but there is also much more. Jesus came to save the whole world, all of creation. So, when Jesus comes again, the world will not be obliterated—it will be renewed. The...