1 Corinthians 1:22-31 (NIV)

Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

Brothers and sisters, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things-and the things that are not-to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God-that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let the one who boasts boast in the LORD."

Explanation:

When Paul wrote his letter to Corinth, it was the commercial center of Greece and four times the size of Athens. It was the richest city in the Roman Empire, with a population of approximately 400,000 people. It was also riddled with immorality, division, and dysfunction. It was nicknamed Sin City, Carnal Corinth, and Vanity Fair. To be “corinthianized” was to be corrupted, as a rite of passage or badge of honor of sorts. Sound familiar? What happens in Corinth stays in Corinth? Sounds like an amusement park of sin and seduction. Paul wanted to provide Corinthians with guidance toward truth, and for new Christians to shine light into the cyst they were trapped in.

There were two very different cultural and moral mindsets of that time. The Jews were well-trained in living a moral and religious life. The Greeks were trained in philosophy and lived an immoral lifestyle. They were religious versus intellectual points of view. Jews wanted evidence of a Messiah. They wanted a colossal miracle, a sign like manna falling from the sky. They didn’t trust. The Greeks wanted a philosophical explanation for the mysteries explained in human terms. The Jews were not content to hear prophesy fulfilled, even though they were familiar with the Scriptures. Jesus fulfilled the prophesies day after day, but they wanted an outrageous sign. On the other hand, Greeks studied the great philosophers. They believed God was unknowing and not a personal God. Paul said Jesus is the only hope. There is only one truth.

Imagine how difficult it must have been for the Corinthians to understand. Why is Jesus the only hope? The death of a poor carpenter, executed as a criminal, is supposed to be what saves us? God’s ways seemed foolish to the human understanding. Paul reminded people that God showed them the message of the cross, and God’s perceived nonsense is wiser than any man’s wisdom. His perceived weakness is mightier than any man’s might.

It helps to remember that in our weakness, God’s power is magnified. God deliberately chose the weak and embraced the broken, and His ways seem upside down. Humans have never been able to provide hope or peace of mind. Think of death. Death and life after are mysteries. No scholar or philosopher can explain them. We don’t have the understanding, and we have no business boasting in ourselves. We are broken and undeserving. If we must boast, let it be in Him. Let us boast in our weaknesses instead of fronting our self-righteousness like roosters before a fight. God works through us. We are merely vessels, and we must continue to walk a life in faith.

Application:

1. It is important to think of salvation as an ongoing process of habits. The Gospel is not only useful to us when we die. We need an ongoing walk in faith.

2. Think of some examples of how God has worked through you. Share those examples with a friend this week.

3. Talk to a neighbor about belief in the unseen.

4. Demonstrate obedience to your children and family members by walking in faith.

Devo Plus:

Perfect Peace // Morning EP // Fresh Life Worship - YouTube

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, remind us of Your power. Remind us that faith, belief, and obedience come before understanding and reward. At times, Your ways may seem foolish, but give us strength to continue to walk in faith, remembering human wisdom does not bring people to You. Help us have a Christ mindset rather than worldly mindset.

2 Corinthians 6:4-10 (NLT)

In everything we do, we show that we are true ministers of God. We patiently endure troubles and hardships and calamities of every kind. We have been beaten, been put in prison, faced angry mobs, worked to exhaustion, endured sleepless nights, and gone without food. We prove ourselves by our purity, our understanding, our patience, our kindness, by the Holy Spirit within us, and by our sincere love. We faithfully preach the truth. God’s power is working in us. We use the weapons of righteousness in the right hand for attack and the left hand for defense. We serve God whether people honor us or despise us, whether they slander us or praise us. We are honest, but they call us impostors. We are ignored, even though we are well known. We live close to death, but we are still alive. We have been beaten, but we have not been killed. Our hearts ache, but we always have joy. We are poor, but we give spiritual riches to others. We own nothing, and yet we have everything.

Explanation:

A few years ago, I walked through what was probably one of the most difficult seasons of my life. A major curveball was thrown my way that left me with a choice on how everything would play out. I remember so clearly at the beginning of that season telling a friend, “I want to do all I can to walk through this season with integrity, but also to where God gets the glory.” I knew the season would be hard. I knew the season would bring about a want to give up, throw in the towel, or to even act out in my anger and pain. But every step of the way I had that focus in mind, the desire for God to get the glory. Don’t get me wrong, there were days I wanted to give up, but I kept enduring; I kept going because I was confident God was moving and working. I truly think it set the course for all God would be able to do and accomplish because of my faith and trust that His way was better. I could make a really long list of all the things God was able to accomplish and do because of the choice I made to endure through the hardships.

This is what Paul is reminding and encouraging us to remember in this passage. We will face trouble, turmoil, hardships and difficult seasons, but God can and will do amazing things in those seasons if we choose to have faith, be a person of integrity, and walk the path that leads toward righteousness. Just like Paul, as difficult as that season was in my life, I look back…and my faith is stronger, my character developed and grew, my life is better, and God continues to be glorified because of it.

Don’t give up! Keep on going! Make the choice today to endure through the hardship, to live through it as a person with character, so at the end of it, God can be glorified and others might come to know Him.

Application:

1. What hardship are you facing right now?

2. Why is it so much easier to throw in the towel instead of persevering?

3. One of the best ways to endure through hardships is to remember times when God has been faithful before. Make a list of five ways you have seen God’s faithfulness come through in difficult seasons.

4. How does this list of God’s faithfulness encourage you to keep going?

Devo Plus:

I know when I’m struggling, listening to worship music is what helps me to focus on Jesus and to keep enduring. I have made a list of some songs I hope will encourage you as you walk through the pain, the struggle, and the hardships you are facing.

“You’re Gonna Be Okay” by Brian and Jenn Johnson

“King of my Heart” (The version done by Bethel Music is my personal favorite.)

“Promises” by Maverick City Music

“It is Well” by Bethel Music

“Surrounded (Fight My Battles)” by UPPERROOM

Prayer:

God, today we are asking You to meet us in the middle of the hardships we face. We know it is only through Your supernatural presence and help that we can endure the struggles we face. Help us to keep our eyes focused on You, focused on eternity, focused on enduring and running our race well. We want to walk through our difficulties with character, so You will receive all of the honor and glory. We know this is only possible with You, so we are asking that You meet us today with Your strength, Your guidance, and Your help. We are so thankful for all You are going to accomplish and do. Amen.

Matthew 5:1-12 (ESV)

1 Seeing the crowds, he went up on the mountain, and when he sat down, his disciples came to him. 2 And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

11 Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. 12 Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Explanation:

This passage comes from Jesus’s Sermon on the Mount, and this particular group of verses is known as “The Beatitudes,” from the Latin word beatus, which means “blessed, happy.” This “happy” describes more than a temporary emotion; it describes a constant state of well-being that can only come from a relationship with God. Jesus is speaking to His disciples, who have already made a commitment to Him as the Messiah, as distinguished from the crowds, who were merely curious about this teacher whose ideas turned the teachings of Jewish leaders upside down. They believed that lineage, power, and ritual set them apart, but Jesus tells them here that it is their need for God, their vulnerability, that does so.

Jesus’s purpose was to impress upon His disciples the tension of knowing the power and presence of God, and living in our everyday lives. Each verse is an example of trading something in the here and now for something better in eternity. He points every one of the above people groups back to their need for God. The “poor in spirit” are simply those who recognize they need God’s help, “spiritual beggars” as one source put it. “Mourners” are those who suffer spiritual, emotional, or financial loss from their own sin, but then recognize the need for God’s forgiveness and healing. The “meek” are the gentle souls who humbly trust in God to direct all of their outcomes, instead of forcing their own. Those who “hunger and thirst for righteousness” acknowledge that God is the ONLY source of justice; they are satisfied with this relationship and trust God will handle everything perfectly as only He can. He reminds us that “mercy” goes both ways, and that the “pure in heart” pursue uprightness in every aspect of their lives. “Peacemakers” promote God’s shalom peace, which is total well-being personally and communally. God is pleased when the “persecuted” put Him above all else; this takes courage and commitment amid opposition, but God WILL remain faithful to His promises. Jesus Himself was no stranger to persecution, and He warns His disciples (and us) that we can expect the same. But instead of “bearing down” or “getting through” these life situations, He tells us instead to “Rejoice!” Our reward in heaven will come, and it’s going to be beyond anything we could ever imagine. That is a trade I am willing to make every time.

Application:

1. Which of the Beatitudes do you most identify with? Which do you struggle to relate to? Think about why that is (pride, misunderstanding, ignorance), and ask God to help you see these verses His way. Then ask Him for renewed courage and confidence to rely on Him in every life situation.

2. How does the eternal perspective Jesus speaks of in these verses make you feel about your present troubles? Does it help that no matter how difficult your situation, Jesus has spoken that “You are blessed”?

3. Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? If so, Jesus tells us to “Rejoice!” If you aren’t sure you handled the opposition the way He would want you to, ask Him for help the next time. If you’ve never been persecuted for your faith, ask the Holy Spirit to prepare your heart, mind, and response in the event that you are.

Devo Plus:

Verse one tells us that “he sat down,” which was a common posture of Jewish teachers in Jesus’s day. But I also think He takes this posture with us because He really wants us to get this. Parenting coaches often suggest getting down to a child’s level before disciplining them so as not to appear condescending or demeaning; Jesus does the same here. Even though heaven is our ultimate goal, He knows we have to live here now, and He wants us to do it well.

For a beautiful rendition of the above verses in song, listen to Jon Guerra’s song “Kingdom of God.”

For more verses on:

Mourning and godly grief: 2 Corinthians 7:10

Meekness and peace: Psalm 37:11

Persecution: Any of Paul’s letters

Prayer:

Lord Jesus, thank You so much for being patient while we understand our need for You. This is never an easy realization for us, but we pray that the deeper we grow in our relationship with You, the more we can learn how much we need You. You are our perfect example of how to live, and we humbly ask for Your help in becoming more like You every day. Help us to always keep You and Your teachings at the forefront of our minds. Thank You most of all for loving us so; we are truly blessed to be called Your children. Amen.

Philippians 4:10-13 (NLT)

How I praise the Lord that you are concerned about me again. I know you have always been concerned for me, but you didn’t have the chance to help me. Not that I was ever in need, for I have learned how to be content with whatever I have. I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Explanation:

Have you ever known someone who, regardless of what’s thrown at them, still have a smile on their face in the midst of it all? I’m talking about the folks who are really in the thick of it all. They are the making of a bad country music song; they lost their job, broke their leg, their house was condemned, the spouse ran away with the mail carrier, their truck broke down, and even the dog doesn’t like them anymore. Still, through all of that, they are smiling.

That example is extreme, but I think you see its intent. Our friend Paul was experiencing similar circumstances. He was in prison, had been beaten, spat upon, and stripped of all of his earthly possessions. In this letter, written from prison, he calls out that he has learned to be content. What’s his secret? He had confidence in God, regardless of the circumstances. It wasn’t about “inner strength” or “will power.” Nothing Paul could do could give him this contentment.

Paul knew that his source of strength and contentment, regardless of the circumstance, was in the Lord. He knew that without Jesus, he could do nothing. In fact, he reiterates that truth when he tells the Philippians that through Christ he can endure anything this world throws his way, and so can we!

Application:

1. Philippians 4:13 is often quoted as a “perseverance” scripture that people use when they are struggling to “get to the other side” of the storm. For a moment, put on the lens of contentment that Paul had in his situation. He wasn’t trying to escape the storm, rather he was content with the season he was in. Does that give you a different perspective about this verse and what it means in situations when you are struggling?

2. What is an area of your life where you struggle with contentment?

Devo Plus

Reflect on this quote by Jeremiah Burroughs and what it means in your current season:

“Our contentment does not consist in getting the thing we desire, but in God’s fashioning our spirits to our conditions.”

Prayer

God, I come to You today with a heart of humility. Help me to understand that regardless of my season, You’ve called me to be content. Help me to place the struggle in Your hands, understanding that You are the keeper of eternity, and through You, I can be content with all things. Give me the strength I need to see past the storms of life, and the endurance to dance in the rain while the storm is raging. I thank You for giving us this comfort and for giving us a savior, that through His love and sacrifice, we can have this peace and contentment.

2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NLT)

This boasting will do no good, but I must go on. I will reluctantly tell you about visions and revelations from the Lord. I was caught up to the third heaven fourteen years ago. Whether I was in my body or out of my body, I don’t know—only God knows. Yes, only God knows whether I was in my body or outside my body. But I do know that I was caught up to paradise and heard things so astounding that they cannot be expressed in words, things no human is allowed to tell.

That experience is worth boasting about, but I’m not going to do it. I will boast only about my weaknesses. If I wanted to boast, I would be no fool in doing so, because I would be telling the truth. But I won’t do it, because I don’t want anyone to give me credit beyond what they can see in my life or hear in my message, even though I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud.

Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Explanation:

Suffering is an amazing gift, for those who are in Christ.

It offers layers of intimacy with God.

I am drawn to the suffering that inspired some of my favorite hymns, none more famous than “It Is Well With My Soul.” When “peace like a river, attendeth my way” flows out of you when looking at the very spot where your four daughters drowned, that clearly is intimacy with God.

Olympian means very powerful, large or impressive.

Paul was an Olympian sufferer.

He was superbly weak.

If the clouds are the first heaven, the stars the second, and the place where God dwells is the third…Paul had been caught up there. Because it references a time 14 years before, when Paul was stoned and left for dead (Acts 14:19), even Paul isn’t clear how he ended up in the very presence of God, but he remembers it vividly. What he experienced was real and tangible, so much so that it became his power source in comprehending the potential of suffering, and accepting that God's grace was going to be his bedrock while enduring the thorn in his flesh. The beauty of what he learned was releasing himself into the grace of God so as not to strive against the painful situation and lose spiritual stamina. Instead, the Holy Spirit helped Paul to reframe weakness as power, and we have been trying to grasp the same since he wrote this.

Actually, it will be hard for us to get it because we are living with first world problems. It is hard for us to totally lean into and upon Jesus because we can solve so many of our problems ourselves. But when you are gifted with an “unsolvable” …you may just come to know it as one of the best gifts of your life.

One profound moment in my life was at a red light in Detroit, in 2004, when absolutely every prop I had used to define my life was gone and I had no resources. After singing and believing that Jesus was all I needed most of my life, I asked out loud to myself, “Is Jesus all I need?” He heard that question, and even though I didn’t end up in the third heaven, I came to know to my bones that when I am weak, totally dependent, fragile, and debilitated…He is all I need to be strong.

Application:

1. When Paul begged God three times for relief from his present suffering, Jesus clearly answered him no. Was God still good? Why?

2. There is a price to pay to have the power of God work through you. Only you can decide whether to endure the process or skip the reward.

3. Just as a drowning person must relax to allow the lifeguard to save them, you must relax into God's grace to overcome. Why?

Devo Plus:

My very favorite hymn is “Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus.” It was written by Louisa Stead after she witnessed the death of her husband as he tried to save a drowning boy in the sea. From the beach, Louisa and her four-year-old daughter watched both their husband/father and the boy drown.

Left destitute and consumed with grief, she penned these words. What amazing strength in the weakest moment as she accepts God’s will.

’Tis so sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just to take Him at His Word;

Just to rest upon His promise,

And to know, “Thus saith the Lord!”

Refrain:

Jesus, Jesus, how I trust Him!

How I’ve proved Him o’er and o’er;

Jesus, Jesus, precious Jesus!

Oh, for grace to trust Him more!

Yes, ’tis sweet to trust in Jesus,

Just from sin and self to cease;

Just from Jesus simply taking

Life and rest, and joy and peace.

I’m so glad I learned to trust Him,

Precious Jesus, Savior, Friend;

And I know that Thou art with me,

Wilt be with me to the end.

Prayer:

Lord, it is so easy to read others’ stories and be moved. I want to transverse beyond reading to knowing. I ask for the power to release myself into Your grace and to trust You more. Help me surrender to Your strength. Amen

Job 2:1-10 (NLT)

One day the members of the heavenly court came again to present themselves before the Lord, and the Accuser, Satan, came with them. 2 “Where have you come from?” the Lord asked Satan.

Satan answered the Lord, “I have been patrolling the earth, watching everything that’s going on.”

3 Then the Lord asked Satan, “Have you noticed my servant Job? He is the finest man in all the earth. He is blameless—a man of complete integrity. He fears God and stays away from evil. And he has maintained his integrity, even though you urged me to harm him without cause.”

4 Satan replied to the Lord, “Skin for skin! A man will give up everything he has to save his life. 5 But reach out and take away his health, and he will surely curse you to your face!”

6 “All right, do with him as you please,” the Lord said to Satan. “But spare his life.” 7 So Satan left the Lord’s presence, and he struck Job with terrible boils from head to foot.

8 Job scraped his skin with a piece of broken pottery as he sat among the ashes. 9 His wife said to him, “Are you still trying to maintain your integrity? Curse God and die.”

10 But Job replied, “You talk like a foolish woman. Should we accept only good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?” So in all this, Job said nothing wrong.

Explanation:

After we are born again, we like to think that nothing bad will happen to us now because we belong to God, and the Bible promises He will protect us from all harm (Psalm 121:7). Today’s passage is proof that bad things happen to good people. The same God who protects us under the shadow of His wings also allows us to experience enough affliction and heartache to crush our spirits.

Notice in verse three, it is God who points out Job and offers him up for the enemy’s attacks. It may take years of faithfulness to Christ before we understand that God’s plan for our lives is not to continually bless us with comfort and security, but to bring glory to Himself. And if taking us through some grief-stricken events will magnify His name, we have to trust that He knows what is best for our lives, even when we can’t comprehend it.

The story of Job underscores the fact that nothing comes our way—whether blessings or calamity—without God’s approval. If you’ve ever heard someone say that God will never allow us to suffer more than we can handle, here is the reality we must come to terms with: our capacity for suffering does not depend on how much we can bear, it depends on God’s infinite supply of grace to walk us through it, so that our response glorifies His name (v.10). In other words, God will not allow us to suffer more than He can handle.

Application:

1. Think back to when you accepted Christ as your Savior. What was your understanding of God’s protection over your life?

2. How has your understanding changed as you’ve matured in your faith?

3. In verses four and five, how does Satan’s response to God reflect the attitude of some Christ followers?

4. Where do you think people got the idea that God will never allow us to suffer more than we can bear? The Bible doesn’t say that. Do you think Job would agree with that statement? Do you agree with it?

Devo Plus:

Read Job 1 and 42. How do the events in both chapters glorify God?

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, I lift up everyone who is going through a season of suffering and ask that You surround them with Your comfort on every side. Give them a measure of grace above and beyond what they need to persevere faithfully in their afflictions. In Jesus’s name. Amen.

Matthew 18: 21-35 (ESV)

Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy-seven times. “Therefore the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his servants. When he began to settle, one was brought to him who owed him ten thousand talents. And since he could not pay, his master ordered him to be sold, with his wife and children and all that he had, and payment to be made. So the servant fell on his knees, imploring him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you everything.’ And out of pity for him, the master of that servant released him and forgave him the debt. But when that same servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii, and seizing him, he began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay what you owe.’ So his fellow servant fell down and pleaded with him, ‘Have patience with me, and I will pay you.’ He refused and went and put him in prison until he should pay the debt. When his fellow servants saw what had taken place, they were greatly distressed, and they went and reported to their master all that had taken place. Then his master summoned him and said to him, ‘You wicked servant! I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. And should not you have had mercy on your fellow servant, as I had mercy on you?’ And in anger his master delivered him to the jailers,] until he should pay all his debt. So also my heavenly Father will do to every one of you, if you do not forgive your brother from your heart.”

Explanation:

I remember this scripture from when I was a child. For so long, I thought this passage gave me permission to keep a tally of how many times I had to forgive that annoying kid on the school bus who called me “shrimp” and pulled my hair. Oh how I dreaded the morning bus ride! I knew every day a boy named Jared was going to be there, calling me names and pulling my hair. To add insult to injury, our bus driver assigned seats alphabetically. My last name was “Johnson” and his was “Michel”. We lived in a rural area of southeastern Ohio, so there were no other names between us. For six long years, Jared sat behind me on the bus, tormenting me.

Do you have any idea how disappointed I was when I learned at youth group that this passage wasn’t about keeping a tally, and that when I got to the magical number 78 I couldn’t put Jared in the category of “unforgiven”? That was a tough lesson. Jesus wasn’t trying to set a limit on forgiveness: He was telling us that we have to forgive until we lose count of how many times we’ve forgiven.

The parable of the talents reinforces the definition of forgiveness. Forgiveness in this passage isn’t about collecting what’s owed or punishing someone even when they deserve it. Forgiving someone also doesn’t mean that everything is healed and we have a clean start. Forgiveness means beginning on the path to healing, and learning from the experience. It means that we are humble, remembering the grace that has been given to us each and every time we sin.

Application:

1. When you read this passage, how do you define a “working definition” of forgiveness?

2. What would it be like if God kept a tally of each time He’s forgiven our sins? Are there more than 78 on your list? I know my list is much longer.

3. Is there someone that you are withholding forgiveness to that God is calling you to extend grace toward?

Devo Plus:

Christian singer and songwriter Matthew West has a song entitled “Forgiveness.” Give it a listen today. I’ve copied the lyrics below for you to read and reflect on.

It's the hardest thing to give away

And the last thing on your mind today

It always goes to those who don't deserve

It's the opposite of how you feel

When they pain they caused is just too real

Takes everything you have to say the word

Forgiveness, forgiveness

It flies in the face of all your pride

It moves away the mad inside

It's always anger's own worst enemy

Even when the jury and the judge

Say you've got a right to hold a grudge

It's the whisper in your ear saying set it free

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Show me how to love the unlovable

Show me how to reach the unreachable

Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Help me now to do the impossible

Forgiveness

It'll clear the bitterness away

It can even set a prisoner free

There is no end to what its power can do

So let it go and be amazed by what you see through eyes of grace

The prisoner that it really frees is you

I want finally set it free

Show me how to see what your mercy sees

Help me now to give what You gave to me

Forgiveness, forgiveness

Prayer:

Lord, Thank You for not keeping track of my sins. Thank You for sending Jesus to model what forgiveness is supposed to look like. Help me to not fall into arrogance like the man with the talents did in today’s passage. Teach me to have grace in the moment and to forgive endlessly like You have taught me. Thank You for your grace and patience with me as I navigate these tough situations. Give me the perseverance to stay the course and live the way You would have me to live. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Romans 12:9-18 ESV

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be wise in your own sight. Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.

Explanation:

In the first half of these verses, we are faced with 13 ways we are to live. Paul is using this to verbalize the way love is supposed to look. He starts by saying love should be genuine. Turn away from evil, staying true to what is good. Live a life of love for one another and have a servant's heart, striving to serve the Lord. The purpose is not only to live a life dependent on hope and trust in the Lord, but also to love and serve in ways He did.

The second half of these verses continues to tell us how we should live. They focus on the relational side of how we should act toward others…how we should love those around us, and live in unity.

It is so important to think of each of these expectations, and to form our lives around them. We must remember it is not to lift up ourselves, but to bring glory to the Father. The more we allow these mindsets to be our norm, the more it becomes our way of life, and allows us to show people the very love and grace we have been shown.

Application:

1. Why is it important to see each of these things as a mandatory part of our lives?

2. How will living this way show Jesus?

3. What are some areas in your life where you struggle to live in these ways?

4. What are some practical ways you can show love?

Devo Plus:

Read 2 Corinthians 8:8, 1 Peter 3:10-11, and James 2:15-16 to get more insight into this passage.

Prayer:

Lord, we take this time to thank You for the love and mercy You continually show us. We thank You for giving us Your word and for showing us the way to live. God, we ask that You would empower us to love in a way that, without question, shows You to people and leads them to eternal life. Give us the opportunity to be Your hands and feet, Lord, and help us to see it and act upon it. Lord, we love You and thank You for all You are. In Your Name we pray. Amen.

Philippians 2:1-4 (NLT)

Is there any encouragement from belonging to Christ? Any comfort from his love? Any fellowship together in the Spirit? Are your hearts tender and compassionate? Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose.

Don’t be selfish; don’t try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves. 4 Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, too.

Explanation:

Christ will provide us:

✔️Comfort from His love

✔️Fellowship in the Holy Spirit

✔️Tender hearts full of compassion

What Christ asks in return is that we respond to his work in our hearts by learning to prevent friction, turn offenses around, and generate cooperation. Paul is teaching “people skills” with the added infusion of the Holy Spirit.

Knowledge isn’t power until it is applied, and Christ knows the secret to our success: humility.

Paul isn’t saying we should consider everyone to be more gifted or capable than we are. It is a false humility that depreciates any knowledge of your gifts. True humility is evident when you do or create something amazing but would be just as pleased if an acquaintance had done the same. To pretend not to have abilities we know we have is not humility but hypocrisy. To esteem others is to want everyone else to have preferential treatment.

Paul asked the Philippians to learn to agree wholeheartedly, which means to be of one thought. That is impossible without a divine heart change and feelings of love and regard for each other. If you don’t believe me, gather 25 people and ask for opinions on a topic… something as simple as what color should we paint this room.

As a culture we have seen selfish people who live to impress end up with lonely, dead-end lives.

I worked in Adult Protective Services for a few years. Part of my job was the initial interview with the person to ascertain needs. I witnessed lives that had not served others and now were self-focused and alone. It was so sobering to try to help someone that never had it occur to them that THEY were responsible for the fabric of their lives. In their younger years they had not started building layers of relationships by loving and serving and looking out for the needs of others to have that tapestry of life that holds strong to the end.

I’ve never known a person who was truly humble, that was always thinking of others and looking out for the interests of others that was not living a relationally rich life, loved, and cared for. Seriously.

Love begets love and if you don’t give it…you certainly will face emptiness.

2 Corinthians 9:6 (NET) says “Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.”

Application:

1. How does looking out for the interests of others require you to approach this day, this week, this month? Who needs you?

2. There are two kinds of people. One who walks into a room and says, “Here I am” and the other who says, “There you are.” Which one represents the heart God wants?

3. Why do you think looking out for the needs of others would be the perfect antidote for loneliness? Remember, it must be sincere to bear fruit.

Devo Plus:

“You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get people interested in you.”

Dale Carnegie

“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do.

But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.”

Dale Carnegie

Dale Carnegie made his fortune in the 1930’s teaching interpersonal skills and promoting kindness to help his readers relate to people in a way that makes them feel valued and respected, even in – or especially in – difficult circumstances and situations.

Prayer:

Lord, help all the things from Your heart that my brain grasps to lodge, plant, and grow in my heart. Help me make spiritual eye contact with someone who needs my help today. Amen.

1 Peter 5:1-5 (ESV)

So I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: shepherd the flock of God that is among you, exercising oversight, not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”

Explanation:

The ability to follow instructions is vital to everyday life. We are constantly bombarded with directions on how to do most everything. Some directions are easy to follow, and you can quickly achieve success within a matter of minutes. Other directions take time, suffering, thought, and perseverance that may last an entire lifetime.

The apostle Peter composed a letter to be circulated to church leaders in Asia Minor. In this message, he explains the role of the elders, who are entrusted with the spiritual health of the community. Peter was a fellow elder, but his witness to Christ made him an authoritative advisor. The directions were quite simple:

Shepherd willingly.

Do the work without personal gain in mind.

Serve as a humble example to the congregation.

Application:

1. Do you take shortcuts while following directions?

2. Do you get the same result if you cheat the guide?

Devo Plus:

Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood. Acts 20:28 (ESV)

From the book, “The Carpenter”, by Jon Gordon

“Always remember that your greatness as a leader will not be determined by how much power you accumulate. It will be determined by how much you serve and sacrifice for others to help them become great. Great leaders don’t succeed because they are great. They succeed because they bring out the greatness in others.”

Prayer:

Dear God, give us patience and wisdom to carefully follow Your manual for our life. Keep our hearts humble, and our eyes open to Your glory. Amen.