GDLC Audio

Our Be The Change reminder for today is completely counter-cultural in 2024.  Our world is filled with what could be called “consumers” and lacks what we’re called to be, and that’s “contributors.”  Through the Holy Spirit’s power in our lives, we can live not only lives filled with “Being a Contributor” but, as we’re encouraged in our 2Corinthians reading today, to be “generous” contributors of all that we’ve been given as well!  

This reflection on John 20 explores the transformation of the disciples’ understanding of the resurrection, Mary Magdalene’s devotion, and Thomas’s journey from doubt to faith. This passage reminds us of the power of Jesus’ resurrection to bring clarity, peace, and faith, transforming doubt into unwavering belief.

Our Be The Change reminder for today can often be difficult to maintain in a sin-darkened world!  What we encounter day after day can, in fact, rob us of our joy and leave us anxious and depressed.  So, what to do?  We remember today that the hope we have in the Second Coming of Jesus and our eternal home with Him gives us joy every day, and that joy can greatly bless others. It is easy to be cynical, frustrated, irritated, or negative, but the change Jesus calls us to is to rest in His promises and invite others into our “Hope-Filled Joy”!

Our Be The Change reminder for today can often be difficult to maintain in a sin-darkened world!  What we encounter day after day can, in fact, rob us of our joy and leave us anxious and depressed.  So, what to do?  We remember today that the hope we have in the Second Coming of Jesus and our eternal home with Him gives us joy every day, and that joy can greatly bless others. It is easy to be cynical, frustrated, irritated, or negative, but the change Jesus calls us to is to rest in His promises and invite others into our “Hope-Filled Joy”!

The introduction to God’s Heart for the Refugee emphasizes Jesus’ perfect obedience to God’s will and how His example serves as the model for Christian discipleship. It highlights the sanctification process, where believers are transformed by the Holy Spirit to align their lives with God’s will, reflecting His love and grace in the world. Drawing on key scriptures like John 6:38, Philippians 2:5-8, and Galatians 2:20, the introduction stresses the call for Christians to faithfully embody God’s heart, particularly toward marginalized groups, including refugees.

This study explores the biblical call for Christians to embody God’s love and justice, especially toward vulnerable groups like refugees, widows, and orphans. It emphasizes that love for God and others is central to the Christian faith, as outlined in Matthew 22:37-40. God’s character, which is love, leads His people toward justice and compassion for the marginalized, exemplified in passages like Deuteronomy 27:19 and Psalm 146:9.

The study critiques harmful rhetoric against refugees, asserting that such language contradicts God’s heart. Instead, Christians are called to show practical love, reflecting God’s protection and provision, as seen in Deuteronomy 10:18, where God provides food and clothing for sojourners. This love transcends political debates, focusing on the spiritual mandate to treat all people with dignity and care.

Drawing on passages like Micah 6:8 and Philippians 3:20, the document challenges readers to actively "do justice" and live as citizens of God’s kingdom. It concludes with reflective questions and a call to prayer, encouraging readers to apply these principles in their lives and communities.

Part Two emphasizes the concept of compassion as the combination of empathy and action. It explores how Christians are called to embody God’s compassionate heart by caring for refugees, orphans, and widows, drawing from biblical examples and commands, such as Deuteronomy 10:19 and Leviticus 19:34. These passages remind God’s people to treat strangers with love and fairness, remembering their own history as refugees.

Part 3: God’s Heart of Grace explores the concept of grace as God’s undeserved favor and love, often expressed through the Hebrew word "hesed." This divine grace is characterized by loyal, sacrificial love that surpasses human standards and expectations. It emphasizes that God’s grace is unearned and reflects His generous heart, exemplified through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross.

Key biblical passages such as Ezekiel 47:22 and Romans 5:8 illustrate how God’s grace calls for equality, justice, and love toward others, including refugees, widows, and the vulnerable. Christians are reminded that their identity as a chosen people, saved by grace, obliges them to embody God’s grace in their relationships and communities.

The conclusion of the study examines God’s heart of radical identification, highlighting how God calls His people to identify with and care for the marginalized. Leviticus 23:22 exemplifies this by instructing the Israelites to leave a portion of their harvest for the poor and refugees, encouraging a lifestyle of generosity and margin to bless others. This principle remains relevant, urging believers today to set aside resources and time to serve those in need.

The ultimate expression of God’s identification is seen in Jesus, who entered the world in poverty, lived as a refugee, and continually associated with the marginalized. His life and teachings, such as in Matthew 25:35-40, emphasize that serving the least among us is akin to serving Christ Himself. The study challenges Christians to view and treat all people, including refugees, as beloved creations of God, transcending political debates with spiritual compassion and love.