2 Timothy 3:16 (ESV)

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

Explanation:

Have you ever wondered what God would say to you when you’ve had a difficult decision placed in front of you? Have you sought advice or wisdom from someone because you valued their opinion? Well, you’re in luck, because the Creator of all things is available to everyone, at any time.

When we pick up the Bible or pull out our Bible app and begin reading passages, we are engaging with Yahweh, our eternal God. The scriptures that we read was given and inspired by God through different writers, who recorded what His Holy Spirit told them. The same Spirit that breathed life into our bodies gave us God’s Word. For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21, ESV). Everything included in our Bibles is there because God chose for it to be there. Scripture is complete in the sense that no new information will be found in the future that will contradict God’s Word. Scripture can be trusted to guide our lives by the lessons and stories we read in the Bible.

In the above verse, the Apostle Paul is speaking to his young protege Timothy about leading/pastoring a church. Paul is reminding him that “all scripture” is useful for instruction, and he specifically tells Timothy four things it can be helpful with: teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness. Let’s take a quick look at what scripture can do in each one.

Teaching: can instruct us on the right way to live, and shows us what is true.

When we seek Jesus, He will always direct us toward the truth in all situations.

Reproof: can rebuke us by pointing out our sin, and exposes where we fall short.

Jesus will show us our sin so we can recognize our error and our need for Him.

Correction: can be helpful for correcting ourselves and the mistakes of others.

The Bible gives us the morally correct way to live and receive grace through faith.

Training in Righteousness: helping us to do what is right and live by God’s standard.

God uses scripture to prepare and equip His people to carry out His will here on earth.

When we read the Bible, God speaks to us, and we are shown His true character and wisdom. We learn who God is and how much He loves us. We discover how much He desires a close relationship with us, and how we are to imitate Him by making disciples.

Application:

1. Paul stresses the divine origin and authority of all scripture. Knowing this truth, how can seeking God in His word give you wisdom and clarity in difficult situations?

2. God has given us scripture for us to constantly be growing and maturing in our faith. How has your understanding of scripture changed, and what else would you like to know or learn from the Bible?

3. We believe in an awesome God who has the power to change our situations (and also bring clarity/understanding). What can you ask God to reveal to you through His word?

4. Paul tells us that we are “equipped for every good work” when we read and study the Bible. How can this encourage you to talk to people and tell them how Jesus changed your life?

Devo Plus:

For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago. Ephesians 2:10 (NLT)

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, You are the ultimate authority in my life that I live by. Help me to see Your truth when I’m struggling and seeking answers. I ask You to forgive me of my mistakes and failures in my life, the times that I did not represent You well to others. Renew my desire to know Your word well, so when difficult times come, I can always refer back to the truth. Thank You for Your Son, Jesus! Amen.

Psalm 37:1-7 (NIRV)

Don’t be upset because of sinful people. Don’t be jealous of those who do wrong. Like grass, they will soon dry up. Like green plants, they will soon die. Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live in the land and enjoy its food. Find your delight in the Lord. Then he will give you everything your heart really wants. Commit your life to the Lord. Here is what he will do if you trust in him. He will make the reward for your godly life shine like the dawn. He will make the proof of your honest life shine like the sun at noon. Be still and wait patiently for the Lord to act. Don’t be upset when other people succeed. Don’t be upset when they carry out their evil plans.

Explanation:

Have you ever been in a situation where someone easily gets what you have been desiring? This was true for me: all I wanted was to be a mom when my husband and I got married. Sounds simple, right? In our case, however, it wasn’t, and everyone around us was getting pregnant. I remember with each friend’s pregnancy, I was getting more and more jealous and longing for what they had. I kept thinking God had forgotten about us, when in reality He had an amazing plan in the works.

Throughout this time, frustration distracted me from all the blessings around me. God knew the plan, and He wasn’t surprised or mad. He just wanted me to trust Him. Eight years ago we were picked by our birth mom to adopt her baby. It was the most amazing plan that only God could orchestrate.

God’s ways are not like the world’s. We can’t compare our situation to others’ and think God is going to do it exactly like theirs. Just like the scripture, be still and let God fight your battles, fears, and worries. When sin like jealousy, bitterness, anger, and worry begin to stir up inside, instead of giving into those sins, go to God with them and ask Him to help you.

Application:

Take some time to talk to God through these questions:

1. What desires have you not received yet?

2. What person are you jealous of?

3. What are you not trusting God in?

Devo Plus:

Turn your worries over to the Lord. He will keep you going. He will never let godly people be shaken (Psalms 55:22 NIRV).

Prayer:

Father,

You are so good. Help me today to see the things that You’ve blessed me with while I wait on You. Forgive for my sins (jealousy, anger, frustration, or fill in the blank). Remind me how much You love me and want to be in relationship with me.

Love You, Father!

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

1 Corinthians 10:12-13 (ESV)

Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but within the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

Explanation:

Have you ever had someone tell you that God won’t give you more than you can handle? Those words are extremely comforting when you are struggling, but there’s a problem… the Bible doesn’t say that. Today’s passage is often taken out of context. Let’s dig in and see what Paul was trying to relay to the people of Corinth and to believers today.

Paul spent the first part of this chapter encouraging the believers in Corinth to be prepared to be tempted, and to resist it through spiritual self-discipline. He speaks about the temptation of the Israelites in the wilderness who ultimately disobeyed God and never made it to the promised land. He provides us with a “tool kit” that tells us what to do when we are tempted instead of just giving in and making a

bad decision:

1. Keep your guard up. No one is too strong to fall into sin and temptation, and we are all vulnerable.

2. Understand that your temptation is not unique—there’s no temptation that will come your way that hasn’t been experienced in some way by other humans throughout history.

3. Look for God’s escape plan. He has promised that He will always be faithful to us if we put our trust in him. He won’t allow any temptation that is too great for us to resist. He’ll provide a way out if

we look to Him.

Now let’s recall that adage that you’ve heard when you’re struggling and put it into the appropriate context: God will never allow us to be tempted to sin beyond what we can resist. Take comfort in the fact that when we are unable to deliver ourselves, God is able. When we can’t take the heat, God will provide the strength for us.

Application:

1. Think of a time you were tempted and succumbed to sin. How did you feel afterwards?

2. Using that same example, imagine that during your time of temptation, you called on God to deliver

you and put your trust in Him to bring you out of that situation. What do you think the outcome would have looked like?

3. How can you take Paul’s “temptation tool kit” and put it into practice in your life?

Devo Plus:

Listen to the song “Lord I Need You” by Matt Maher. The lyrics are printed below so that you can reflect on them as you listen.

Lord I come, I confess

Bowing here, I find my rest

Without You, I fall apart

You're the one that guides my heart

Lord, I need You, oh I need You

Every hour, I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

Where sin runs deep, Your grace is more

Where grace is found is where You are

And where You are, Lord I am free

Holiness is Christ in me

Lord, I need You, oh I need You

Every hour, I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

So teach my song to rise to You

When temptation comes my way

And when I cannot stand, I'll fall on You

Jesus, You're my hope and stay

Lord, I need You, oh I need You

Every hour, I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

You're my one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

My one defense, my righteousness

Oh God, how I need You

Prayer:

God, I come to You today knowing that Your promises are true. I know that there are many times that I have failed You by giving in to temptation and not trusting You as I should. Help me to use the tools that Paul teaches us in today’s Scripture to lean on You when things get hard and temptations arise. Help me to remember that especially when I can’t handle a situation, You are the ultimate Deliverer. Thank You for Your promises, and for loving me and delivering me from the evils of this world. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Proverbs 18:1-3 (NSAB 1995)

He who separates himself seeks his own desire,

He quarrels against all sound wisdom.

A fool does not delight in understanding,

But only in revealing his own mind.

When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes,

And with dishonor comes scorn.

Explanation:

In this Proverb, the writer warns against ignoring wisdom by separating oneself. He does so using a Hebrew word that can mean someone who is both “reclusive” or “divisive.” It is interesting that the same word can have such a passive and an active meaning. Here, the writer is not simply talking about someone who is shy or introverted, but instead one who willfully separates themselves to pursue their own ends, a self-professed “loner”.

The problem is that the Bible gives no examples of a loner Christian. In fact, the Bible tells us the opposite, that we were created to be a part of God’s larger community of believers. He has placed people in our lives specifically to be the voice of reason at any place or time. That voice can be His own, or the appointed voice of any one of His people. We have seen over and over in the Bible and our own lives that He can use ANYONE to accomplish His purposes, but we MUST be willing to listen!

Listening leads to the next part of the Proverb when active, compassionate listening and understanding are contrasted with simply biding time until the next permissible opportunity to express one’s opinion. This “fool” confuses his patience in not interrupting another with “listening,” but in reality has no intention of keeping an open mind to any position other than his own. This refusal to listen is supported by one-sided arguments with no room for discussion or discourse, and the Proverb is clear that this position is unwise at best and evil at worst.

Once wicked intentions do rear their head, this fool does not take it as a sign of destruction and immediately change course; instead, he lets wickedness fester until it breeds full blown contempt. The same is true for a singular act of dishonor: when ruminated upon, it leads a person to label an entire life shameful. These adjectives of finality are NEVER from God; they are instead warnings showing us that we always have a choice. We can either heed these loving warnings and wisely follow the examples Jesus so beautifully gave us: of grace, peace, and forgiveness, or go the way of the loner, who is always right and justified in their own mind and position. Again, there is no such thing as a Christian loner and therefore, no such thing as a Christian loner’s ways!

Application:

1. The King James Version of this passage even goes so far as to say that an isolated person only revels in their own “heart”, showing that God considers our hearts and minds connected. This means whatever is going on in our hearts will eventually spill over into our minds (and words and actions, but that is a Proverb for another day.) Take time to ask God to show you any patterns of thinking in your own life that have the potential to lead to purposeful defiance of wisdom and common sense.

2. Next, ask God to help you change these patterns with specific steps toward others, whether they be recognition, repentance, or forgiveness… He knows your life and your struggles, so let Him lead the way!

3. The writer makes clear that it is foolishly prideful to discount the dangers of isolation. Have you thought about intentional separation this way before? Can you see what a slippery slope this thinking can lead to?

Devo Plus:

- In case you are not convinced, go all the way back to the beginning of the Bible to when God Himself spoke these words: “It is not good that the man should be alone.” (Genesis 2:18)

- Even if you realize you’ve separated yourself from God and/or others, remember that NOTHING “will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord!” (Romans 8:39)

- Listen to “No Weapon” by Pat Barrett to put down your weapon of separation and surrender to God’s Love instead… nothing will serve you more in your walk with Him!

Prayer:

Father God, I thank You for creating me with community in mind. When I have a desire to think only one way or express my thinking without concern or compassion for others, hem me in and gently remind me that is unwise. Humble my heart and let me see and hear others as Your children, all working toward the same goal of learning to live life in You. Surround me with encouragement and let me do the same for others. Thank You for Your Word, and for loving us enough to guide our ways. In Your Precious Son’s Name, Amen.

1 Kings 12:1-19 (MSG)

Rehoboam traveled to Shechem where all Israel had gathered to inaugurate him as king. Jeroboam had been in Egypt, where he had taken asylum from King Solomon; when he got the report of Solomon’s death he had come back.

Rehoboam assembled Jeroboam and all the people. They said to Rehoboam, “Your father made life hard for us—worked our fingers to the bone. Give us a break; lighten up on us and we’ll willingly serve you.”

“Give me three days to think it over, then come back,” Rehoboam said.

King Rehoboam talked it over with the elders who had advised his father when he was alive: “What’s your counsel? How do you suggest that I answer the people?”

They said, “If you will be a servant to this people, be considerate of their needs and respond with compassion, work things out with them, they’ll end up doing anything for you.”

But he rejected the counsel of the elders and asked the young men he’d grown up with who were now currying his favor, “What do you think? What should I say to these people who are saying, ‘Give us a break from your father’s harsh ways—lighten up on us’?”

The young turks he’d grown up with said, “These people who complain, ‘Your father was too hard on us; lighten up’—well, tell them this: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist. If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!’”

Three days later Jeroboam and the people showed up, just as Rehoboam had directed when he said, “Give me three days to think it over, then come back.” The king’s answer was harsh and rude. He spurned the counsel of the elders and went with the advice of the younger set, “If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!”

Rehoboam turned a deaf ear to the people. God was behind all this, confirming the message that he had given to Jeroboam son of Nebat through Ahijah of Shiloh.

When all Israel realized that the king hadn’t listened to a word they’d said, they stood up to him and said,

Get lost, David!

We’ve had it with you, son of Jesse!

Let’s get out of here, Israel, and fast!

From now on, David, mind your own business.

And with that, they left. But Rehoboam continued to rule those who lived in the towns of Judah.

When King Rehoboam next sent out Adoniram, head of the workforce, the Israelites ganged up on him, pelted him with stones, and killed him. King Rehoboam jumped in his chariot and fled to Jerusalem as fast as he could. Israel has been in rebellion against the Davidic regime ever since.

Explanation:

Many of us anguish over moments of our lives when we were at a juncture but made the wrong decision. We emotionally cringe over some, and bear the consequences of others. We would give anything for a “do over” but there is no moment in the past that we can bring back by longing for it. We only have the present to build and create, as we learn wisdom and the past withdraws.

The great news is wisdom can be learned. Our reactions can be modified. Our impulses can dissipate. Our thought processes can mature. Our track record can improve. And our ability to listen to wise counsel can happen!

We can’t rewrite the past, but we can rewrite the future based on what we learn and begin to practice.

Eight characteristics of a good decision:

Good decisions acknowledge history…

Good decisions positively impact others. ...

Good decisions foster opportunity. ...

Good decisions include others. ...

Good decisions are executable. ...

Good decisions are accountable. ...

Good decisions are pragmatic.

Rehoboam’s decision was not good:

It ignored the history of his father.

It hurt others.

It destroyed his opportunity to lead well.

It ignored wise counsel.

It was executed at the expense of lives.

It flaunted unaccountability.

It was stupid because it was unsustainable and fostered rebellion.

The thing that stands out is he didn’t learn from the history of his father, and he ignored the profound truth and sure way of success the people and elders laid out for him. They hadn’t played some guessing game with him. They had clearly communicated their need and assured him of their response. It was a win/win that arrogance caused him to annihilate.

“They said to Rehoboam, “Your father made life hard for us—worked our fingers to the bone. Give us a break; lighten up on us and we’ll willingly serve you.”

One of the traits of a good boss is their ability to lead with kindness while securing loyalty. It was a nugget of wisdom laid right out before Rehoboam that he was too power-hungry to absorb, causing those under him to despise him. He had no grasp on how to handle power or listen to wise counsel. Consequently, he lost everything.

With wisdom, his story could have had such a different outcome.

While Rehoboam threw his life away, you can learn from him and take a different approach. Allow God to teach you new ways.

Application:

1. Why do you think Rehoboam ignored the plea of the people and the advice of the elders? How does a person become that blind to wisdom?

2. Have you ever blatantly ignored sound counsel and paid a high price? Consequences are a big deal. What did you learn that you will never do again?

3. What could possibly numb someone so deeply from the feelings of others?

Devo Plus:

This summation is from Andy Stanley's book Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets;

5 Questions to Help You Determine Your Next Move

“Five Questions:

1. The Integrity Question. Am I being honest with myself, really?

Decision #1: I will not lie to myself even if the truth makes me feel bad about myself.

2. The Legacy Question. What story do I want to tell?

Decision #2: I will write a story I’m proud to tell one decision at a time.

3. The Conscience Question. Is there a tension that needs my attention?

Decision #3: I will explore rather than ignore my conscience.

4. The Maturity Question. What is the wise thing to do?

Decision #4: I will take the past, present, and future into consideration

5. The Relationship Question. What does love require of me?

Decision #5: I will decide with the interests of others in mind.”

Prayer:

God, it is so easy to feel defined by my mistakes and their consequences. Help me start writing new chapters in the story of my life as I learn to stop, look, and listen for Your leading and listen to wise counsel. Help me catch my spiritual breath, and may your Holy Spirit flood my being with hope as I trust in You. Amen.

Proverbs 12:15 (ESV)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,

but a wise man listens to advice.

Explanation:

Although my daughter is only six years old, we are in a season where she thinks she is always right, and we are wrong. In her six years of being alive, she thinks she knows all, and way more than her parents do. If you are a parent, you know the struggle. As we try to train her and guide her, I realized this is not just a normal thing for children, but it is ingrained in all of us. Due to sin and the fall, we are all born with this desire to be right and not listen to the council of others.

Just as I am trying to teach my daughter, this is not the way God calls us to live. Yes, we want to be right, but often someone else knows more and is wiser. When I tell my daughter she can’t have candy all day every day, it is because I know it is not healthy for her in the long run. The same is true when others give us godly wisdom and counsel for our life. They know that God’s way is better. They have experience and are doing all they can to help us live life to the fullest, and how best we can serve God. When we choose not to listen to the godly advice of others, we choose to be a fool and live life only for ourselves. But when we allow others to speak truth, wisdom, and love into our lives, it is so much better. As Solomon states in today’s passage, a wise person will seek out advice from godly counsel, but a fool will continue to do what they feel is right. Pride says “I’m right and I will do what I want.” Humility and wisdom instead says, “I will seek out godly help and advice so that I can become more like Christ.” Which one do you choose today?

Application:

1. Why do we always have this desire to be right?

2. Why is it often hard to swallow our pride and allow others to speak truth and wisdom into our lives?

3. How would your life, the church, your job, etc. look different if you chose to seek godly wisdom and advice from others instead of always trying to be right?

4. What do you need to do to live out a life that is more humble and to accept the wisdom of others?

Devo Plus:

The book of Proverbs is full of so many simple truths. I encourage you to read all of Proverbs 12 to gain more insight on what it means to be wise instead of foolish.

Prayer:

God, we know that so many times in our lives we allow pride and our need to be right to get in the way of truly experiencing life. We do not want to live in a foolish manner, but instead to be full of wisdom. Will You please help us to put on humility, to seek the counsel of others, and listen to their advice? We know that often others are wiser and have more experience that can help us to continue to live a life worthy of Your calling. We long to be wise. Help us each day to do this so we can be more and more like Jesus. Amen.

Proverbs 15:21-22 (ESV)

Folly is a joy to him who lacks sense, but a man of understanding walks straight ahead. Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Explanation:

There is a mentality that we can slip into at times that tells us that independence is the ultimate goal. If one can somehow manage to muster up enough will power to accomplish a task, then they are considered successful by others or in their own eyes. It could be a product of our culture, our upbringing, our own insecurities, or any number of things that contributes to us striving for this.

This is, however, far from what we see encouraged in scripture. When we claim to be “wise in our own eyes”, to borrow a phrase from another passage in Proverbs, we can set ourselves up for some major trouble. Independence can be very detrimental to the life of a Christ follower. It is foolish for us to operate apart from the leading of Christ, and apart from the trusted guidance of those you know to be pursuing Christ as well.

As our reading points out today, “folly” seems like a good thing to those who lack understanding. True understanding. Folly in these verses refer to sin, and sin can seem very wonderful when we fail to see how damaging it is to our lives. True understanding can only be found in and through Christ and those who also genuinely follow Christ. It is in these, and only these relationships, where one can see the error of their sin and gain counsel to succeed in the way that Christ wants them to succeed.

What we gain in these relationships are perspectives and wisdom we most likely don’t have on our own. My friends, if you find yourself in life operating in large part on your own, it is time to press pause, seek God, and let Him guide you in your next steps.

Application:

1. How often do you find yourself operating in life apart from Christ?

2. Why would God want us to seek Him in our decisions?

3. How has your quest for independence in the past gotten you into some trouble in life?

4. Describe a time when God or a faithful person of God has helped you navigate a season when you were walking in sin/folly?

5. In what areas could you use some wise counsel from Christ and other followers?

Devo Plus:

Read Proverbs 3:7. What does it mean to be wise in your own eyes?

Prayer:

Jesus, help me in my arrogance and ignorance. Whenever I find myself in a position where I try to do things on my own, may Your Holy Spirit guide me in the right direction. Amen.

Proverbs 7:1-27 (ESV)

My son, keep my words

and treasure up my commandments with you;

keep my commandments and live;

keep my teaching as the apple of your eye;

bind them on your fingers;

write them on the tablet of your heart.

Say to wisdom, “You are my sister,”

and call insight your intimate friend,

to keep you from the forbidden woman,

from the adulteress with her smooth words.

For at the window of my house

I have looked out through my lattice,

and I have seen among the simple,

I have perceived among the youths,

a young man lacking sense,

passing along the street near her corner,

taking the road to her house

in the twilight, in the evening,

at the time of night and darkness.

And behold, the woman meets him,

dressed as a prostitute, wily of heart.

She is loud and wayward;

her feet do not stay at home;

now in the street, now in the market,

and at every corner she lies in wait.

She seizes him and kisses him,

and with bold face she says to him,

“I had to offer sacrifices,

and today I have paid my vows;

so now I have come out to meet you,

to seek you eagerly, and I have found you.

I have spread my couch with coverings,

colored linens from Egyptian linen;

I have perfumed my bed with myrrh,

aloes, and cinnamon.

Come, let us take our fill of love till morning;

let us delight ourselves with love.

For my husband is not at home

he has gone on a long journey;

he took a bag of money with him;

at full moon he will come home.”

With much seductive speech she persuades him;

with her smooth talk she compels him.

All at once he follows her,

as an ox goes to the slaughter,

or as a stag is caught fast

till an arrow pierces its liver;

as a bird rushes into a snare;

he does not know that it will cost him his life

And now, O sons, listen to me,

and be attentive to the words of my mouth.

Let not your heart turn aside to her ways;

do not stray into her paths,

for many a victim has she laid low,

and all her slain are a mighty throng.

Her house is the way to Sheol,

going down to the chambers of death.

Explanation:

Much of the book of Proverbs deals with two contrasting characters: personifications of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly. The writers of Proverbs cast Lady Wisdom as the woman worth pursuing. Seeking her leads to a path of life, joy, and peace. On the flipside is Lady Folly. She is a seducer who tempts others to embrace her and her path with the illusions of a full life, pleasure, and ease. Both characters stand as a metaphor for the choices that we face.

In today’s passage we see the Teacher observing how many walk by Lady Folly and fall for her temptations. The greatest web that she weaves comes in verses 19-20: the temptation that you can get away with giving in to her ways. Sometimes our greatest temptation is to not avoid the things we should avoid because we think there will not be any consequences for our actions. We are unhealthy because we think our bodies can sustain it, or that we can work it off later. We choose not to take a sabbath because we think we are tough and do not need a rest. We think we can give into lust and that it will not hurt anyone.

The Teacher reminds his audience that only one path awaits those who keep giving into Lady Folly’s temptations: her way leads to the “chambers of death” (Proverbs 7:27).

Application:

1. Is there something you know is the good and right thing to do but you keep putting it off because you think it’s not hurting anything?

2. What are the fears that hold you back from following Lady Wisdom?

3. What are the temptations that are pulling you towards Lady Folly?

4. How do you think you can fight the temptations of Lady Folly?

Devo Plus:

Read Proverbs 1-6.

Prayer:

Heavenly Father, will You please help us to trust that Your path is the way to life. Remind us that wisdom sets the guard rails for that path. Help us to fight off temptation as we encounter it, and help us to remember that there is no action hidden from Your sight. Help us to trust Your loving kindness and walk in Your ways… even when it’s hard.

1 Peter 4:7-11 (ESV)

The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers. Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Explanation:

Recently, I’ve been having conversations with different groups of friends about a variety of subject matters (parenting, loving others well, marriage, exercising), and a common theme is to “keep at it.” While all of these things I listed are wonderful, it takes perseverance and the commitment to stay focused on goal in order to succeed. To me, this passage of scripture is such a great reminder to do this exact thing: keep at it! Keep loving others well, keep showing hospitality, keep stewarding our gifts and abilities well, keep serving others. Do all of these things for God’s glory!

Paul is telling the Romans (and us) to keep loving people well. I appreciate how he tells us that love covers a multitude of sins. That is a simple phrase, but oh so true. When we choose to love others, even when they may give us reason to be upset or frustrated, that brings glory to God.

Paul tells us to keep showing hospitality. Making time for people and showing them hospitality sometimes is outside our comfort zone, but it’s something that God calls us to do. It may mean a little gift or note to encourage someone. It may mean making time for a phone call, lunch, or having a person over to your house for a meal. These things go a long way in showing God’s love to others.

Paul tells us to use our giftings and abilities to bring God glory. Each one of us has specific abilities given from God. Sometimes those abilities are more in the spotlight, and other times they are serving behind the scenes. All abilities are significant, and we are all responsible for stewarding them well. Don’t let comparison steal your ability to be used by God. We all matter!

Let’s keep at it and work to be faithful stewards of what God has given us!

Application:

1. Think about each one of the points that Paul encourages us to do in this passage. Which one do you need to “keep at it” the most?

2. What is an action step you can take this week to work toward the area you thought of for question number 1?

3. Make a list of traits that describe the person you desire to be in life. Does it line up with the passage above? Look at that list. What areas do you need to change in order to become that person?

Devo Plus:

Read Galatians 5:22-23 where the fruit of the Spirit is listed. Choose one of them, as well as one practical way that you can live it out today.

Prayer:

God, we thank You for today’s reminder of the type of person you desire for us to be and the type of character traits you desire for us to possess. Help us to live this out in our lives. It is not always easy to be this type of person, and we need Your strength. We remember that You are with us and walking through life with us, and we are so grateful for that truth. We love you.

III John 1, 3-8 (NLT)

This letter is from John, the elder, to Gaius, his dear friend, whom I love in the truth.

Some of the traveling teachers recently returned and made me very happy by telling me about your faithfulness and that you are living according to the truth. I could have no greater joy than to hear that my children are following the truth.

Dear friend, you are being faithful to God when you care for the traveling teachers who pass through, even though they are strangers to you. They have told the church here of your loving friendship. Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God. For they are traveling for the Lord, and they accept nothing from people who are not believers. So we ourselves should support them so that we can be their partners as they teach the truth.

Explanation:

I was raised by two parents whose names could have replaced Gaius in this passage, and I am positive John the Apostle would have felt the same way about mom and dad as he did his friend Gaius. Dad was a pastor who absolutely loved missionaries. He was known among missionaries as a missionary friend, and they loved him. Consequently, some of my favorite memories are sitting around the dinner table with missionaries. I loved their stories and warm personalities. My dad also taught me to give generously to missionaries. A family treasure is a grainy home movie of me, as my big four-year-old self, walking up the aisle of our church to give my Boys Girls Missionary Crusade offering that I had saved months for. I loved knowing my dimes would make it possible for other kids to hear about Jesus.

Our family value was giving sacrificially to help missionaries. We wholeheartedly embraced verse 6: “Please continue providing for such teachers in a manner that pleases God.”

When they came, they got the best bed in our home, we used our best dishes and tablecloths, we served our best food, and we did without so that we could give them a great offering. I came to view missionaries as royalty.

I still do. I love missionary biographies, documentaries, and newsletters. They are very important people. It is as simple as this: without missionaries and traveling ministers, the Gospel would not spread.

In the 1980’s and early ‘90’s, before the internet, I made and sold wreaths and jewelry to fund buying books for missionary wives who had no access to books in their respective countries. Few feelings gave me more goosebumps than being able to go to the post office and mail a box of books to someone who was doing the Lord’s work where I couldn’t.

Why, you ask?

When you help someone who is spreading the gospel, you are actively partnering with them to ensure the Gospel continues to be shared.

You and I must care for the Lord's workers!

You can easily do something to help a missionary or pastor, or Paul would never have given it such emphasis. We are commanded to help!

Application:

1. He called us to participate in making disciples of all nations, baptizing them, and teaching them to keep His commandments (Matthew 28: 18-20). There are many ways to be involved with this effort. What is your way?

2. How else will they hear?

3. Mercy has been extended to us, and mercy is required of us. In Romans 10:14-15 the Apostle Paul says, “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?” We must be involved in this effort.

4. John reminds Gaius to send them in a manner worthy of God. This isn’t just a friendly farewell, but a high standard of us sharing our material things with those who preach and teach. What will you share?

Devo Plus:

Paul thanked the Philippian church for their contribution to his care (Philippians 4:10-18). Full time missionaries and ministers depend on prayer, encouragement, and financial support to meet spiritual, emotional, and physical needs, so that they can give themselves fully to the work of spreading the gospel.

We have been blessed for a reason.

“To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). We have been given so much – freedom to study the Word of God, and many of us have health and enjoy a level of prosperity not seen in other parts of the world. Are you fulfilling your responsibility as good stewards of all that God has given you?

Prayer:

Jesus said, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore, pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (Matthew 9:37-38).