.....unity

Unity in the church is never achieved by human effort alone. It is the fruit of hearts surrendered to Christ and resting in His righteousness. Paul appeals to believers to be “of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind” Philippians 2:2. Such unity flows naturally when believers cease striving to establish their own righteousness and instead stand together on the merits of Christ.

Righteousness by faith humbles the soul. When we recognize that we are saved not by works, status, or spiritual achievement, but solely by grace, pride loses its power. Paul reminds us, “Where is boasting then? It is excluded” Romans 3:27. Pride breeds division, but humility nurtures unity. “Nothing so needs reforming as the habits of thought. The spirit of Christ must be cherished” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 236. When Christ’s spirit governs the heart, believers learn to value others above themselves.

Unity also rests on a shared dependence on Christ. Jesus prayed that His followers would be one “that the world may believe” John 17:21. The gospel we proclaim is inseparable from the spirit in which we proclaim it. When righteousness by faith is rightly understood, it produces patience, gentleness, and love—qualities essential for unity. “The strongest argument in favor of the gospel is a loving and lovable Christian” The Ministry of Healing, p. 470.

What is it that causes dissension and discord? It is the result of walking apart from Christ. At a distance from Him, we lose our love for Him, and grow cold toward His followers. The farther the beams of light recede from their center, the wider separated they become. Each believer is as a beam of light from Christ the Sun of righteousness. The more closely we walk with Christ, the center of all love and light, the greater will be our affection for His light-bearers. When the saints are drawn close to Christ, they must of necessity be drawn close to each other, for the sanctifying grace of Christ will bind their hearts together. You cannot love God and yet fail to love your ­brethren. Ye Shall Receive Power, p. 87.

In a world marked by competition and self-promotion, the church is called to model a different way of living. Paul urges, “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” Philippians 2:3. Such counsel is not theoretical; it is practical Christianity lived out in homes, churches, and communities.

Righteousness by faith does not weaken commitment to truth; it strengthens it by grounding unity in Christ rather than in opinion or personality. As believers look to Jesus together, differences are softened and hearts are drawn closer.  “As we behold Christ, we become changed into the same image” The Great Controversy, p. 555.

True unity is the result of faith resting in Christ alone. When He is our righteousness, unity becomes not a burden to maintain, but a blessing to experience.

.....fearless

Fear is one of the enemy’s most effective tools. Fear of rejection, failure, suffering, or death can quietly shape our choices and silence our witness. Yet Scripture presents a different picture of the believer’s life “The righteous are bold as a lion” Proverbs 28:1. This boldness does not come from self-assurance, but from a settled trust in Christ.

Apostle Paul lived with this fearless confidence, from prison, he could declare, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ” Romans 1:16, his courage flowed from knowing that his life was secure in Christ, regardless of circumstances. Whether he faced freedom or chains, life or death, his confidence remained unshaken.

Fearlessness also grows from peace with God “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31. When the heart rests in Christ’s acceptance, the threats of this world lose their power. “He who is clothed with the righteousness of Christ need not fear the assaults of Satan.” Christ’s Object Lessons*, p. 316. Assurance in Christ produces spiritual courage.

Jesus Himself acknowledged that His followers would face hardship “In the world you will have tribulation” John 16:33, He encourages us to be of good cheer. Fearlessness is not the absence of danger, but the presence of trust. The believer stands firm, not because the path is easy, but because Christ has already won the victory.

This fearless faith is especially vital in a time when truth is unpopular and loyalty to Christ invites opposition. *“The greatest want of the world is the want of men… who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.” Education*, p. 57.  Such courage is born of a living connection with Christ.

In a fearful world, God calls His people to live with quiet confidence, steadfast hope, and unwavering trust. When Christ is our assurance, fear loses its hold. Clothed in Him, we can stand fearless—faithful in trial, bold in witness, and at peace in every circumstance.

.....stand

Stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel Philippians 1:27. 

This counsel is especially urgent n a world fractured by pride, self-interest, and confusion, Christian unity is not optional—it is essential to our witness and our survival.

Standing fast does not mean stubbornness or uniformity of personality; it means shared loyalty to Christ and His truth. Jesus prayed, “That they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You” John 17:21. Such unity is not manufactured by policy or pressure, but produced by the Spirit as believers submit their hearts to God’s sanctifying truth, when Christ is central, unity follows.

The early church understood this reality. Surrounded by hostility and persecution, they were “of one heart and one soul” Acts 4:32. Their unity did not shield them from suffering, but it empowered them to endure it with courage. “The strength of God’s people lies in their union with Him through His only-begotten Son, and their union with one another” Testimonies for the Church, vol. 8, p. 240. Disunity weakens the church’s testimony and more often than not gives advantage to the enemy.

In an age that celebrates independence and self-expression above all else, humility becomes the glue of unity, we are exhorted by the Apostle “In lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself” Philippians 2:3. Pride fractures fellowship, Christlike meekness heals it, as pride and self-sufficiency are cherished, the spirit of Christ departs.

.

Standing fast together implies standing firm against error while maintaining love. Unity is never achieved by sacrificing truth, it is preserved by living the truth in love Ephesians 4:15. In a deceptive world, believers must cling to Scripture while extending grace to one another.

God calls His people to shine “as lights in the world” Philippians 2:15. When Christians stand fast in unity—humble, faithful, and loving—they reveal Christ’s character to a watching world. By His grace such unity testifies that the gospel is real, powerful, and transformative.

.....live

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21, these words capture the heart of authentic Christian discipleship. For the believer, life and death are both surrendered to Christ, governed not by fear or self-preservation, but by faith in God’s eternal purposes. This perspective lies at the center of the great controversy between Christ and Satan—a conflict over loyalty, trust, and love.

To **live for Christ** means that every aspect of life is brought under His lordship. Paul testified, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me”Galatians 2:20. Such a life reflects Christ’s character—self-sacrificing love, obedience, and unwavering trust in the Father. When Christ lives within us, our daily choices, trials, and service become a witness to the gospel.

Paul also speaks of *dying for Chri—not as an escape from life, but as a faithful resting place when life’s work is done. Scripture is clear that death is a sleep until the resurrection: “The dead know nothing” Ecclesiastes 9:5, and “the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice” John 5:28. For the Christian, death holds no terror, because it is not the end. Ellen G. White assures us, “To the believer, death is but a small matter… Christ speaks of it as if it were of little moment” The Desire of Ages, p. 787

Paul understood that whether he lived or died, Christ would be glorified. Living meant continued labor for the church; dying meant resting in Christ until the resurrection morning Philippians 1:22–24. This confidence did not rest in human strength, but in Christ’s victory at the cross. “O death, where is your sting?” 1 Corinthians 15:55

In a world that clings desperately to life or fears death deeply, the Christian stands as a quiet testimony. To live is Christ—faithfully, obediently, lovingly. To die is gain—not because of immediate reward, but because the next moment of awareness will be seeing Jesus face to face. 

Such hope empowers believers to live courageously now, and to rest peacefully when their work is done.

.....anchored

When Paul wrote, “For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain” Philippians 1:21, he was not speaking from comfort or safety. He was imprisoned, uncertain of his future, and fully aware that faithfulness to Christ could cost him his life. Yet he viewed death not as defeat, but as gain—because his life was already completely anchored in Christ.

Biblically, death is not glorified, nor is it minimized. Scripture calls it an enemy 1 Corinthians 15:26. Yet for the believer, death has been disarmed by the cross. Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live” John 11:25. Because Christ conquered the grave, death no longer has the final word. It becomes a sleep from which God will awaken His faithful at the resurrection 1 Thessalonians 4:13–16.

Illustration in the life of a terminally ill Christian who, near the end of life, chose not to focus on fear but on faith. Though medical treatments had ended, hope had not. Surrounded by family, this believer spoke often of the resurrection morning and the joy of seeing Jesus face to face. There was sorrow in the room, but also peace. Death had lost its terror, because Christ had already secured the victory.

“To the believer, Christ is the resurrection and the life. In our Saviour the life that was lost through sin is restored.” The Desire of Ages, p. 786 Paul also recognized that while life meant fruitful labor for others, death meant rest and reward in Christ’s keeping Philippians 1:22–23. His confidence did not rest in martyrdom itself, but in the certainty that nothing—not even death—could separate him from Christ Romans 8:38–39.

... “to die is gain” because death ends suffering, silences the accusations of the enemy, and places the believer securely in Christ’s care until the resurrection. For those who live in Christ, death is not loss—it is a pause before eternal gain.

 

.....witness

Jesus’ final commission still echoes with urgency today: “You are the light of the world Matthew 5:14. Christ’s witnesses are not defined merely by what they say, but by how faithfully they reveal Him in a world that is constantly watching.

In a digital age filled with anger, fear, and division, authentic Christian witness is more powerful than ever. Peter reminds us, “Always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you” 1 Peter 3:15. Hope becomes visible when it is lived consistently under pressure.

A  young Christian business owner navigating today’s competitive marketplace where supply chains failed and profits declined, refused to compromise integrity by exploiting customers or cutting ethical corners. He paid employees fairly even when it cost him personally. Over time, clients began asking why he operated differently from others. His answer was simple: “My faith in Christ guides every decision I make.” His business became a platform for witness, not through advertising religion, but through reflecting Christ’s principles.

“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good.” The Ministry of Healing, p. 143

Witnessing today requires more than words; it demands Christlike consistency. In a world suspicious of religion, genuine character disarms skepticism. Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” John 13:35.

We are not left to represent Christ in our own strength. The promise of Acts 1:8 assures us that the Holy Spirit empowers every believer. “The life of Christ in the soul is a vital, energizing power.” Steps to Christ, p. 77

Whether in business, online spaces, homes, or communities, every believer is called to bear witness. When Christ lives within us, our lives become living sermons—silent, yet powerful.

....glory

But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory 2 Corinthians 3:18

From the beginning, God created humanity with purpose—not merely to exist, but to reflect His glory. Though sin marred that image, redemption restores it. In Christ, we are not only forgiven; we are being recreated *for glory*, shaped daily to reflect His character more clearly.

A stained-glass window is a fitting illustration here. From the outside, it looks dull and dark. But when light shines through it, the colors come alive in breathtaking beauty. The glass does not produce the light—it simply allows it to pass through. In the same way, our lives may seem ordinary or even broken, but when Christ’s light shines through us, God’s glory is revealed.

The Bible reminds us, “For it is God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” 2 Corinthians 4:6. Transformation happens not by striving, but by beholding—by spending time with Christ and allowing His Spirit to work within us.

“By beholding Christ, we become changed.” The Great Controversy, p. 555

The change is progressive—*from glory to glory*. Each victory over self, each act of love, each moment of trust reflects more of Jesus. God is not waiting for us to be perfect before He uses us; He works through us as He transforms us.

We were created to glorify God—not only in heaven someday, but here and now. When we surrender daily, our lives become living testimonies that point others to Him.

 

.....gain

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain Philippians 1:21

Paul’s words  are both profound and challenging. They reveal a life so fully surrendered to Christ that every breath has purpose, and even death holds no fear. To Paul, life was not about personal comfort, ambition, or survival—it was about Christ living through him.

Consider the story of a Christian nurse who worked long hours in a crowded hospital. Her job was demanding, the pay modest, and recognition rare. Yet she treated every patient with compassion, prayed silently as she worked, and spoke hope when fear filled the room. When asked why she remained so joyful under pressure, she simply said, “Jesus gave His life for me. Serving others is how I live for Him.” Her life reflected Paul’s testimony: Christ was not just part of her life—He was her life.

To live is Christ means that Jesus shapes our decisions, attitudes, and priorities. Our work becomes ministry. Our trials become testimonies. Our relationships become opportunities to reflect His character. And when Christ is truly our life, death is not a loss but a gain—because it brings us face to face at resurrection with the One we have loved and served.

“When Christ dwells in the heart, the soul will be so filled with His love, with the joy of communion with Him, that it will cleave to Him.”  Steps to Christ, page 77

We are called us to examine our own lives. Is Christ the center of our living, or merely a part of it? When we fully surrender, we discover that a life hidden in Christ is the only life that truly satisfies and the only one that truly matters..

.....pilgrim

Many people struggle with uncertainty about the future. Plans feel fragile, outcomes unclear, and anxiety often fills the heart. Scripture reminds us, that this restlessness comes from trying to control what God never intended us to manage alone. *“Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things”* Matthew 6:34.. The Christian life is not meant to be a carefully engineered roadmap but a journey of trust.

The Bible describes God’s children as **pilgrims and strangers** on the earth 1 Peter 2:11. Pilgrims travel with purpose but without permanent attachment to the road. Abraham lived this way, *“looking for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God”* Hebrews 11:10. His security was not in knowing every step ahead, but in knowing the One who led him.

We often assume peace will come once our future is clear. Yet Scripture teaches the opposite: peace comes when we surrender the future to God. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding” Proverbs 3:5. God does not promise to reveal every detail, but He does promise His presence in every step.

“We have nothing to fear for the future, except as we shall forget the way the Lord has led us.” Life Sketches, p. 196

God’s guidance is usually progressive, not predictive. He gives light enough for today, strength enough for the present duty, and grace enough for the moment. When we accept that our lives are in His hands, anxiety gives way to confidence—not in circumstances, but in God Himself.

The settled life is not one with all the answers, but one anchored in trust. As pilgrims, we walk forward not by sight, but by faith, knowing that the One who leads us also prepares the way.

.....alive

Leonard Ravenhill once said, “Jesus did not come into the world to make bad men good. He came into the world to make dead men live,” this captures the heart of the gospel. The problem we face is not merely bad behavior but spiritual death. Scripture is clear: *“You He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins”* Ephesians 2:1, sin does more than stain us—it kills us spiritually, separating us from God, the source of life.

Jesus did not come simply to reform our habits or polish our morality. He came to resurrect the soul. When Jesus declared, “I am the resurrection and the life” John 11:25, He was speaking not only of the future resurrection but of present spiritual reality. Through Christ, those who were dead to God can live again—alive to righteousness, alive to love, alive to hope.

This new life is not achieved by human effort. We are reminded, “By grace you have been saved through faith… not of works, lest anyone should boast” Ephesians 2:8–9. Moral improvement without regeneration still leaves a person spiritually dead. Only the life of Christ within us can produce true transformation.

“The change in the human heart… can be brought about only by the working of the Holy Spirit.” Steps to Christ  p. 18

The Christian life, is not about trying harder but about living surrendered—daily allowing Christ’s life to flow through us. When we truly understand this, gratitude replaces pride, humility replaces self-reliance, and obedience flows naturally from love.

Jesus came to make the dead live. The question for each of us in this New Year is simple yet profound: *Are we merely trying to be good, or are we truly alive in Christ?*

May we walk in the light of His truth!

.....unopened

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord  Romans 6:23

The gift of God. Why do so many people miss His gift? One reason might be the rather ordinary wrapping; "He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him" Isaiah 53:2. And you can't get less majestic than the way He was born; "He made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness" Philippians 2:7. Such a great gift in such common wrapping could easily be missed. But perhaps there is something else, something in the very makeup of our nature which keeps us from opening His gift.

A prince does not have a problem accepting a gift meant for a prince. And a common person does not have a problem accepting a gift which is common. But a common person can be quite uncomfortable accepting a gift meant for a prince. We know what’s inside the gift - eternal life! 

A gift meant for a prince. And deep down we know we are so very common, so unworthy! This gift is too great, too much above what we feel we deserve. This gift makes us feel uncomfortable: "If we accept the gift, will we then feel a debt? How could we ever repay such a debt? Maybe it's best to ignore it and just leave it wrapped under the tree."

I suppose we shouldn't be too hard on ourselves. This is a natural reaction to such a gift. Ever since the gift was first made available, people have felt unworthy and refused to open or even give it much notice. They would rather try to somehow work and feel deserving; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast" Ephesians 2:8-9. The gift cannot be earned, and working does not make us more deserving.

Jesus Christ came in ordinary wrapping. He died for the forgiveness of our sin. Why? So we could be given the greatest gift of all, the gift of eternal life! Let's not let another day go by without receiving His gift. Sure we might feel uncomfortable. Sure we might feel a debt we can never repay. But His gift is given in love and is worth it all. Let's honestly examine what is keeping us away. Let's humbly recognize our need; and in the quiet of our heart, let's be sure to receive the last unopened gift.

- adapted from steve troxel

.....remembrance

Why is December 25th so special? What really is this day we call Christmas?

The early church did not give much thought to the birth of Jesus. Of the four Gospels, only Matthew and Luke even mention His birth, and these accounts are relatively brief. Certainly, the emphasis of the Gospels was on Jesus' ministry, death, and resurrection. And after Jesus ascended to Heaven, the focus of the church was on living for Him, sending out His message, and waiting for His return.

No one is really sure when Jesus was born. The first recorded celebration didn't occur until 200 years after His birth, and it wasn't until the year 330 that the birth of Christ was assigned to December 25th. Some say Jesus was actually born in September or October and others are sure He was born in March or April; in fact, a case has been made for His birth in each of the twelve months! But it’s generally agreed that, due to the relatively colder weather, December was an unlikely time for the birth of our Savior, as it is recorded in the Bible. 

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us John 1:1,14

The very Word of God became flesh!  came to live among us, beginning life as a little baby. He "made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant" Philippians 2:7. Representing a whole lot of love!

Christmas is a day to remember the most profound event in the history of the world. On that first Christmas, God came to earth to live among us! He was born into the most humble circumstances, grew and taught us His truths, died on a cross for our sin, and was raised, all so we might live with Him for eternity.

December 25th is a day to celebrate with quiet reflection, also a day to celebrate with great rejoicing.. The world has tried to remove Christ and insert many activities into this season which do not glorify God, but this need not hinder our worship. We have the ability to turn away the evil and embrace that which is honoring and good.

We should glorify God and celebrate the gift of our Savior every day throughout the year. 

.....He

In the book of Job, we read of a man who came under severe attack by Satan. Within a short amount of time, Job went from a man of wealth, health, and large family, to a man who lost all his possessions, was near death, and childless.

Job demonstrated a deep commitment to God's sovereignty; "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; may the name of the Lord be praised" (Job 1:20-21). Then, when his wife told him to curse God and die, Job responded with, "Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" Job 2:10.

Job seemed to have a deep understanding of what we often quote in times of trial; "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him" Romans 8:28. But at the same time, Job struggled with understanding why God would allow these things to happen. 

If only I knew where to find Him; if only I could go to His dwelling! I would state my case before Him and fill my mouth with arguments. I would find out what He would answer me, and consider what He would say Job 23:3-5

Our trials often cause similar concerns. We find ourselves asking where God has gone and why He is allowing such hardship. Even though we may believe God is "working all things for our good," we often search in vain to find something positive in our situation. And when we fail to see any possible good, we become frustrated and assume God has forgotten us, abandoned us in our time of need.

God responded to Job's cry for answers: 

Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation? Tell me, if you understand. 

Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know! Job 38:4-5 

Who has a claim against Me that I must repay? Everything under heaven belongs to Me Job 41:11. 

The Creator of the Universe - the One who formed every intricate detail of what we see and cannot see - the One who lifted us out of the slimy pit and set our feet on solid ground, spoke to Job and simply said, "I am God!"

Our Heavenly Father loves us so very much! He truly desires for us to know Him better and walk by His side with complete trust. But there are times, often in the middle of our trials, when our trust is challenged. 

Though we may not understand, we must desperately cling to His promises and KNOW He will never leave us nor forsake us! Let's be at total peace and restore our hope by always remembering that He is there, and He is God.

- adapated from steve troxel

.....prosperous

In the middle of a very long list of genealogies, recorded in the book of 1 Chronicles, there are a few short verses about a man named Jabez who was a descendant of Judah. We never read about him again, but it appears Jabez was included in this list because of his bold request...and God's gracious response.

Jabez cried out to the God of Israel, 'Oh, that You would bless me and enlarge my territory! Let Your hand be with me, and keep me from harm so that I will be free from pain.' And God granted his request 1 Chronicles 4:10

Passages on asking and receiving can be confusing. For example: "How much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11, while these passages are full of truth, those who preach a message of assured prosperity for Christians have abused the scriptures to say God wants everyone to be financially rich and all we must do is ask or repeat a special prayer. Although this type of prosperity teaching receives a wide following, it is far from God's truth.

Yet God DOES want us to prosper: "'For I know the plans I have for you,' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future'" Jeremiah 29:11. And He teaches us to ask! "You do not have, because you do not ask God. When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives" James 4:2-3. God has a plan to prosper us, but we do not receive His blessings because of our desire to satisfy our own selfish desires or cover worldly fears. We ask with the wrong motives!

We fail to prosper because we don't understand God's definition of prosperity. A Godly prosperity has little to do with finances or possessions, and a great deal to do with peace and contentment. A prosperous life is also one which bears much fruit and completes the work God has asked us to accomplish; "I have brought You glory on earth by completing the work You gave Me to do" John 17:4. How petty to believe that God's prosperity only involves the riches of this world which rust and fade away.

A truly prosperous life begins by drawing and remaining near to the presence of God. Without first abiding in His presence, we won't even know what will allow us to prosper; "Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart" Psalm 37:4. As we draw near to God, He places the desires on our heart which lead to true prosperity - then we must ask. It's in the asking, in the expectation of the answer, and in the process of waiting, that we exercise our faith and prove it to be real.

Let's ask God to increase our territory - to increase our realm of influence in His Kingdom. Let's ask Him to keep us in His protective arms, give us His abundance of peace, and accomplish great things in and through our lives, by His grace. Let's draw near to God 

.....continually

Jesus desires us to mature in our love for our Heavenly Father and for others. But as we continue our walk, we soon discover many decision points where we must choose between two paths...with only one being the path of God. At these critical moments, we must be able to recognize His leading; and if we have not spent time worshiping at His feet and communicating in prayer, we cannot expect to understand or even hear His guidance in our time of greatest need.

Communication is essential for maturing in any relationship. A marriage which lacks communication will slowly begin to drift apart. It's not uncommon for married couples to live together for the majority of their lives and yet feel like strangers because they have failed to spend the time required to really know and understand one another.

Our relationship with God is much the same. When we receive the gift of Salvation through faith in Jesus, we begin a lifelong relationship of love - a relationship which must be nurtured through fellowship and prayer.

Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to You I pray. In the morning, O Lord, You hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before You and wait in expectation Psalm 5:1-3

David states that the morning is his dedicated time for prayer, his time to be alone with God, to share his heart and expectantly await God's direction. But God has not specified a preferred time. Paul encourages us to maintain a constant state of communion with God when he says to "pray continuously" 1 Thessalonians 5:17. We ought to strive for communication which is regular and frequent; any time is the right time for prayer; any time is the right time to commune with the one you love!

Prayer must originate from a sincere heart. We should be motivated by a desire to strengthen our relationship, to praise Him for His blessings and earnestly ask for His guidance, and to deepen the commitment of our love. We ought to value our time with God above anything else this world has to offer; "One thing I ask of the Lord, this is what I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life" Psalm 27:4.

Let's set aside time each day to be alone with God, quiet time where we can hear His voice and begin to understand His character. Let's continue to commune and fellowship with Him throughout our times of busyness. 

.....doing

Jesus desires our love much more than any of our works and how we must continue in prayer for our love to grow. ALL we do ought to be driven by love! When we study God's Word, we do so to understand His character, seek His direction, and then to obediently follow where His Word leads; "If you love Me, you will obey what I command" John 14:15. True love will always express itself in action.

As we continue to study God's Word, we must never stop with the simple accumulation of knowledge. We must never equate an increase of knowledge with an increased closeness to God; "The man who thinks he knows something does not yet know as he ought to know" 1 Corinthians 8:2. Knowing ABOUT God is only the beginning of the journey toward a closer relationship with Him. .

Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the Word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in the mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it - he will be blessed in what he does James 1:22-25

We will never know the true meaning of faith until we step out and put our faith into practice. We cannot possibly know the peace of trusting God to work for the good in all things Romans 8:28 until we love Him with all our heart, surrender our life, and allow Him to actually begin His work. Without allowing His words to cause action in our life, we become as the godless who are "always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth" 2 Timothy 3:7. Do we really believe His Word is true? True enough to trust and follow?

God has a message for each of us today, a specific truth He wants us to understand and apply. His message may be delivered through something we hear or something we read, but His words will never change our life and draw us closer until we put them into practice. We will never see the wonder of His truth until we apply His truth in our everyday life!

God is calling us today 

.....perseverance

Our life can be a long and difficult race. We often grow weary and are in great need of rest. But this race is not like any we have ever run. We do not compete against the other runners, nor do we all even run the same course. We run the race marked out by our Heavenly Father; and yet, we ALL must strive toward the same finish line.

Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith Hebrews 12:1-2

Perseverance means "to persist in spite of opposition or discouragement." We are therefore being told to patiently run the race, and to keep on running with determination and endurance, in spite of opposition or discouragement. What a wonderful picture!

Hindrances to our race can be represented by weeds which try to wrap around our legs and slow us down. This "sin that so easily entangles" can often be difficult to even recognize. We may be running a clear path without a hint of weeds; everything has been going well and we feel immune to the temptations of this world. But without our eyes fixed on Jesus - without our heart fully trusting Him for every step - our path can become covered before we even realize there is a problem.

Our race is a long marathon, not a quick sprint. In order to persevere, we must prepare for many hills and valleys along the way. We must develop a burning desire to one day boldly say; "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7. And if we will keep our eyes on Jesus as our eternal joy, we "will not grow weary and lose heart" Hebrews 12:3.

No matter what this day may bring, we must persist with our eyes firmly fixed on Jesus until we hear Him say: "Well done, good and faithful servant....Come and share your Master's happiness!" Matthew 25:23. Some days we may only be able to take small baby steps, but still we must continue and run with the sole purpose of bringing Him glory and honor in ALL we do. 

.....known

The Church in Ephesus was established by the Apostle Paul and became one of the most prominent churches in the early days of Christianity. Paul ministered in Ephesus for three years Acts 19:1-20, and a few years later wrote the church a special letter of encouragement and instruction (the book of Ephesians); "Ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers" Ephesians 1:15.

The Ephesians were doing most things "right." They had strong programs, an acute awareness of sin, and a work ethic which should characterize any thriving church: "I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for My name, and have not grown weary" Revelation 2:2-3.

The hard work of the Ephesian church was readily acknowledged; and yet, they had forgotten that "only one thing is needed" Luke 10:42. Though they maintained an outward appearance of devotion and may have actually accomplished many "Kingdom-driven" goals, the once burning love in their heart had begun to fade.

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love Revelation 2:4

When we first understand the ugliness of our sin, the death our sin deserves, and how Jesus died to make us clean, we cannot help but be filled with thankfulness...and love. But sadly, in our attempt to "mature," we often shift our focus to the "doing" of outward activities and forget the love which once consumed our heart. We may study more, attend more, and serve more, but we have forgotten how to simply be still and worship at His feet.

As we mature in Christ, we must never outgrow our ability to love. There will always be opportunities to express our faith in good works and service to God, in the end He will look deep within and He will know us by our love.

.....hunger

The days are coming,' declares the Sovereign Lord, 'when I will send a famine through the land - not a famine of food or a thirst for water, but a famine of hearing the words of the Lord. Men will stagger from sea to sea and wander from north to east, searching for the word of the Lord, but they will not find it  Amos 8:11-12

When we hear the Word of God, the door is open and we are in the middle of a God-directed opportunity. At that moment we have the opportunity to respond to the truth and draw closer to our Heavenly Father. But when we reject His Word, we begin to close the door and harden our heart - the opportunity begins to fade: "So, as the Holy Spirit says: 'Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart'" Hebrews 3:7-8.

We have been blessed to live during this time in history. We face the unrelenting pressures of an over-indulgent, self-consumed society, but we have also been blessed with a wonderful abundance of the Word of God. In most parts of the world we have freedom to worship with other believers and full access to truth-filled teaching. In fact, God's Word has become so readily available that many of us take it for granted.

In the midst of our overflowing blessings, we are becoming complacent and no longer treasure His precious gift. But what would happen if His Word was taken away? What would the world be like if no one was allowed to speak or hear the Word of God? What if we searched for His Word and it could not be found?

Our Heavenly Father loves us dearly. He "wants ALL men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth" 1 Timothy 2:4. Our Father continues to call us to know Him with a greater and more intimate love. 

Let's make the most of this awesome opportunity by receiving the Word of God, in all its forms, with a hungry anticipation, and then by obediently responding to His call. Let's shake off ALL forms of complacency and rejoice that we do not yet live during a famine of hearing His word.

.....light

In the physical world, there is no measurable quantity which defines darkness; dark is simply the absence of light. Therefore, the measure of darkness can only be in reference to the measure of light - less darkness is only achieved through more light.

In the spiritual world, darkness represents the evil of the enemy and light represents the holiness of God. Though neither can be truly measured, the concept is the same: the darkness of evil only exists when there is an absence of the light of holiness. Dark and light cannot exist at the same time; when light is increased, darkness must fade.

This is the message we have heard from Him and declare to you: God is light; in Him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with Him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth 1 John 1:5-6

Salvation is by the grace of God through faith in Jesus and not through anything we do Ephesians 2:8-9. But the purpose of Salvation is to bring glory to God as we walk in intimate fellowship with Jesus, the true and eternal Light. It is not possible to have fellowship with the Light of Christ and still live a life filled with the darkness of sin. Jesus purifies us from all sin in the sense of judgment before the Father, but He also illuminates the dark sin in our life and gives us the strength to gradually push it aside.

A life without the Light is in darkness and cannot even recognize true sin. If we attempt to remove sin without first shining the Light, we are simply pushing around the darkness; we clean the outside but leave a heart which is dark and dead. Some outsides are dirtier than others, but no matter how filthy an outside may appear, we ALL need the Light of Christ in our heart before we can be clean; "First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean" Matthew 23:26. In an instant, the grace of His Light is able to cleanse what no amount of self-effort can ever accomplish.

When our own spiritual life becomes "dim," it usually means our time with the Light has begun to suffer - our discipline of worship, prayer, and reading His Word has been replaced with competing distractions. Where we once walked with clear vision, we now bump into walls and continually stub our toes. But God desires to light our path once again. He has "saved us and called us to a holy life" 2 Timothy 1:9, to a life filled with Light, a life of bold clarity in Him.

Let's share the true and eternal Light of Jesus Christ at every opportunity and refocus our priorities on the only sure way to restore our vision. Let's commune with Him in prayer and immerse ourselves in His Word. His path will once again be made clear and darkness will surely fade as we increase the Light.

- adapted from steve troxell