Faith Seeking Understanding

Introduction

Ready, Set, Receive!

Return to Me

Stories of Encounter

Christ in You

Nourishment

A Treasure Beyond Compare

Seek Ye First

Come and See

The Living Word

Introduction

Let’s not limit what God can do in us! As we begin a new year, and as we contemplate our resolutions, let’s take a look at a few predictions from the past.

• In 1876, American president Rutherford B. Hayes told Alexander Graham Bell: The telephone is an amazing invention, but who would ever want to use one?

• In 1895, Albert Einstein’s high school teacher said: It doesn’t matter what he does; he will never amount to anything.

• In 1939, the New York Times proclaimed: The problem with television is that the people must sit and keep their eyes glued on a screen; the average American family hasn’t time for it.

• In 1949, mathematician John von Neumann said: It would appear that we have reached the limits of what it is possible to achieve with computer technology.

• In 1873, Sir John Eric Ericksen, the Surgeon-Extraordinary to Queen Victoria, said: The abdomen, the chest, and the brain will forever be shut from the intrusion of the wise and humane surgeon.

Fortunately for all of us, projects like the computer, the telephone, and modern surgery had champions as well as naysayers. These great ideas came into reality because of people who were able to dream about what might be rather than hold fast to what everyone else said could not be.

A God of Limitless Power

Now it’s one thing to question the value of the computer or the telephone, but it’s another thing altogether to question the power of God to work in our lives. So as we begin this new year, let’s put aside any doubts we may have about the Lord. Let’s believe that he does want to do a great work in our lives and that he really does want to open our eyes to the spiritual realities all around us.

Of course, like any other New Year’s resolution, our desire to have the Lord open our eyes will be fulfilled only if we do our part. If we had resolved to lose twenty pounds this year, we would have to make sure we are eating less and exercising more. If our resolution is to read six good novels this year, we would have to be sure to set aside the time to make sure we complete one book every two months. Likewise, if we want our eyes opened to the work of the Lord, we have to be willing to do the necessary work. So let’s begin.

The first thing we should do is ask ourselves two important questions: Do I believe that God has a plan for my life? and Do I believe that at the heart of this plan is his desire to lead me and teach me through his Holy Spirit? Next come two related questions: Do I believe that there is a devil, who wants nothing more than to see me turn away from the Lord? and Do I believe that the devil has his own plans in trying to spoil my faith and keep me in darkness? If we can say yes to these four questions, we are in a good position to start looking at our lives to discern where the Holy Spirit is influencing us and where the devil is influencing us.

Devilish Purposes

To help us get clearer on the question of the devil’s influence, let’s look at a few Scripture passages. In his Letter to the Ephesians, Paul warns: Put on the armor of God so that you may be able to stand firm against the tactics of the devil (Ephesians 6:11). He likewise warned the Corinthians against being taken advantage of by Satan, because Paul was not unaware of his purposes. Later in that same letter, Paul cautioned them again about how shrewd the devil is: Even Satan masquerades as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 2:11; 11:14).

What are the devil’s purposes? More than anything else, Satan wants to keep us from enjoying God’s love. He wants to thwart our desire to have a relationship with the Lord. To that end, he and his demons try to discredit God. They suggest thoughts to us that are full of deception. They try to convince us that God isn’t real, or that he isn’t really on our side, or that the world can give us everything we need.

Sometimes, the devil’s tactics are more obvious as he tempts us into sins of lust, gluttony, or greed. But other times, they are not so obvious. Pretending to be an angel of light, the devil will suggest something to us that sounds good and acceptable, but that only leads to confusion and isolation in the end. Perhaps he will suggest that a man spend all his waking hours working so that he can provide more money for his family. At first glance, it sounds good. But in the end, that man will have spent no time with his family, and the stress of all the work will have taken a devastating toll.

Get Thee behind Me!

Hearing the voice of the Spirit—and distinguishing his voice from the voices of our fallen nature, the devil, or the world—is something we need to learn over time. The apostle Peter gives us a good example of this. He started out following Jesus full of enthusiasm and wanting to please the Lord in everything he did. At one point, Jesus asked: Who do you say that I am? You are the Messiah, Peter replied, the son of the living God. It was a spiritual breakthrough for Peter, and Jesus even said so: Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father (Matthew 16:15-17).

Something was happening in Peter that allowed him to see Jesus in a new way. He saw Jesus as God’s chosen Messiah. And Jesus congratulated him and rewarded him for his insight.

But not long afterward, Peter showed how far he still had to go. For Jesus began telling his disciples that he was headed for Jerusalem, where he would be captured by the authorities, put to death, and then rise again on the third day. Hearing this news, Peter—probably still excited about his insights—tried to tell Jesus what to do. God forbid, Lord! he cried. No such thing shall ever happen to you (Matthew 16:22). Peter could not handle the idea of a suffering Messiah. He couldn’t imagine that Jesus would allow himself to be mistreated and even put to death.

Jesus’ response was swift and direct: Get behind me, Satan! he said. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do (Matthew 16:23). Peter must have been shocked. In both cases, it was his own voice speaking and his own mind at work. Yet Jesus said that his first response came from God, while the second one came from Satan.

The Trap of Good Intentions

Peter’s story shows us that even with the best of intentions, we can still be influenced by the lies and schemes of the devil. His story also shows us how important it is that we learn how to identify the voices in our minds. This can sound like quite a daunting task, but God wants us to know that it really is possible. Look at Peter as an example. In time he came to understand why one thought had a godly origin and the other came from the devil. He eventually understood that Jesus had to die—in fact, that Jesus wanted to die—for our sake. He understood that Jesus rebuked him because humanity needed to be saved, and the cross was an integral part of God’s plan of salvation.

So that we don’t dismiss Peter’s experience as just another Bible story, we should recognize that the same kinds of things happen today. It is all too easy for us to fall into the trap of thinking that Jesus didn’t have to die for us, or to think that we don’t have to deal with the ways in us that are opposed to Jesus. Often enough, the devil tries to convince us that it is enough for us to try to be good on our own. He takes our good intentions—like Peter’s—and magnifies them to the point where we think that all we need is to try hard if we want to go to heaven. He takes our acts of service and convinces us that we have a right to receive recognition for them. Or, if someone disagrees with us or appears to disregard our work, he urges us to get upset.

Take Just One Step.

We really can learn how to distinguish the Holy Spirit from the devil. We may not become spiritual experts overnight, but we can all make progress this year—and that progress will show itself to the glory of God. Even if we take just one step by deciding to examine our consciences every evening or by reviewing our highs and lows each week, we will make significant headway.

So let’s begin this year by removing the limitations we place on God. Let’s give up every doubt, every thought in us that says we can’t know his voice. Let’s dream about what the church might look like if more and more people learned how to hear the Spirit—and how to stand up against the devil!

CHAPTER ONE

Ready, Set, Receive!

Have you made any New Year's resolutions yet? If you have, did you formulate a plan that will help you stick with them as the weeks and months pass by? Sociologists and psychologists agree that those who make plans and set realistic goals are far more likely to succeed than those who just go through life relying only on good fortune and hoping for the best.

A number of gospel stories highlight people who saw marvelous things happen because they had plans and goals. The woman who pressed through the crowd to touch the hem of Jesus’ garment clearly had a goal and would not rest until she had accomplished it. And she was healed (Mark 5:25-34)! The Canaanite woman whose daughter was being harassed by a demon had a goal, too. Quick-witted and determined, she kept pressing Jesus to deliver her daughter. And it worked (Matthew 15:21-28)!

The Pharisee Nicodemus needed a plan. Aware of the opposition Jesus was stirring up among some religious leaders, he took precautions. He didn’t want to be caught asking Jesus about his teachings. So he planned a secret nighttime meeting with him. And he was rewarded for his efforts with new insights into God’s desire for all of us to be born from above (John 3:1-17).

Over and over again, we see people planning, persevering, even pushing forward, just so that they could meet Jesus. And in every instance, their encounter led to a new outpouring of grace: deeper faith, a powerful healing, or the forgiveness of their sins. His grace built them up.

A Deliberate Savior

At the same time, Jesus had his own plans. He didn’t just wander here and there, hoping that people would follow him. He knew he was destined to go to Jerusalem, and so he resolutely determined to make his way there, preparing himself for the conflicts that would follow (Luke 9:51-52). He sent messengers ahead of himself to tell people in the various towns and villages that he would be passing through. He planned out how he would enter the holy city—in a manner that would fulfill the Old Testament promise of a king coming to rule over his people (Matthew 21:1-10). He even had a plan for where and how his disciples could celebrate their final Passover meal together (26:17-19).

Of course, all of these episodes fit inside of God’s overarching plan to redeem us from our sins. Everything that Jesus said and did was part of this grand design. From the moment of his baptism in the Jordan River to the day when he returned to heaven in triumph, Jesus’ primary concern was to do the will of his Father (John 6:38). Every healing, every sermon, every act of mercy, every confrontation with his enemies—each of them advanced God’s plan a little more, until its climax in Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Even better, God is still unfolding his plans. From the day of Pentecost until today, God has been at work, deliberately, carefully, and strategically moving history toward that day when Jesus will return to usher in his eternal kingdom. He is also at work in all people’s lives, offering them the grace they need to embrace his plan for them, a plan to give them a future of hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

What’s Your Plan?

So if God has plans and strategies, and if all these New Testament heroes and heroines had their plans, maybe it’s a good idea for us to come up with our own plans.

Every time we participate in the Lord’s Supper it enlarges our heart by remembering and receiving. The table meal helps us focus on what God has done for us in the death and resurrection of Jesus. We remember his saving action. Sharing the meal together each week opens us up to receive God’s blessing of mercy and grace. So let’s make it a point this year to plan to give the Holy Spirit opportunity to work his will in us—a plan that will allow God’s grace to build us up and enlarge our gifts and talents for kingdom good.

To help you devise a plan for worship, we want to focus on two important ways that God pours out his grace at the Lord’s Supper. Of course, we could list many, many more, but these two encompass so much of the table service, so looking at them can help us. The first is the grace to see Jesus’ love more clearly. And the second is the grace to find greater freedom from sin and guilt.

The Grace to Love

From start to finish, worship is a celebration of God’s love. The entire service is meant to focus our hearts on the Father who loved us so much that he sent his Son into the world. It focuses our hearts on Jesus, the Son of God, who loved us so much that he gave himself for us. And it focuses our hearts on the Holy Spirit, who speaks to us in every Scripture reading and sermon.

Considering how sharp this focus is, you’d think it would be easy to see this grace every time we come to service. But we can become so familiar with the words and gestures of the Lord’s Supper that we forget about how powerful and grace filled it is. That’s why we need to come with a plan, with a deliberate decision to remember, seek and find the grace for us.

Every time you enter the church building, after greetings others, take a few moments to fix your mind on the purpose of the worship service. Then, as the worship progresses, let the thought of Jesus sacrificing himself for you and the church be the focal point of your thinking. Repeat these words to yourself: God loves me. God loves all of us.

When we fix our attention on what Jesus has done for us on the cross, we open ourselves up to his grace. Remembering God’s love softens our hearts. It enlarges our hearts. It empowers us to treat the people around us with greater love, mercy, and compassion.

So come to worship services with a plan. Expect God’s love to enlarge your heart. Ask yourself, How can I be open to this love today so that his grace will make me more loving? Then, after services, ask yourself, What did God show me today? What did I feel him doing in me? There is no end to the love he wants to pour out on us!

The Grace of Mercy

Have you ever noticed how many opportunities for repentance there are? First, there is private prayer time, when we confess to almighty God that we have sinned. There are songs we sing when we cry out to God, You take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. In the Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to forgive us our trespasses."

There are many opportunities to tell God we are sorry for our sins and commit to changing our hearts, minds and actions! Each opportunity opens us up to receiving his mercy and healing power. Each opportunity puts us in touch with a Father who is always ready to run and embrace us, a Father who loves to throw a banquet for us. It offers us the chance to be forgiven of all our sins.

But mercy isn’t the whole picture. During worship, we also receive the grace to stay strong in the face of temptation. Every time you pray, read scripture and sing, you are receiving Holy Spirit strength, grace, and help for every troubling situation you face. You are receiving divine help, with all of the Lord’s holiness, purity, and power. So when you pray, speak from your heart. Know that at that moment, you are being forgiven, and your faith is being built up and strengthened.

Come Prepared

It’s too easy to come to worship service without a plan, to go through the service without expecting anything significant to happen. This year, don’t let that happen! Every time you come to service, come with a plan. Come looking for the grace of his love and the grace of his mercy. Come expecting to find the grace to stand firm against temptation. Set these as your goals for this year, and then watch as your life changes. To the glory of God. Amen.

The Lord bless you and keep you! (Numbers 6:24)

A young boy returning to school after the holidays was asked if he liked his new class. No, he answered. There must be something you like, his parents prodded. Nothing. Can’t you think of one good thing? Leaving at the end of the day was all he could muster.

Sometimes we are like that young boy; we’d rather stay in the past than move forward to an unknown future, even if that future is full of potential. The Israelites acted no differently during their journey to the Promised Land. Scripture tells us that they complained often, even wanting to return to slavery in Egypt. So God sought to encourage them, as we see in this beautiful prayer of blessing.

What did this blessing mean for God’s people? Well, it wasn’t a guarantee of automatic victory over all their enemies—but neither did it require them to be perfect. No, it was an indiscriminate blessing, meant to tell the people that God would be with them no matter what they faced.

We too are on a journey, and as this new year unfolds, we will undoubtedly meet with good fortune as well as challenging obstacles. But no matter what comes our way, one thing will be constant: God’s blessing. In victory or defeat, in confidence or instability, we can still know our Father’s presence, his wisdom, and his guidance.

Mary is a perfect example of one who relied on God’s blessing. When a sword pierced her soul at Calvary, when her Son was ridiculed and beaten, and even when he ascended to heaven and left her alone, I’m certain Mary remained faithful to God because she continued to trust in God’s providence. So as this year opens, choose to be like Mary and other faithful servants of God, and surrender yourself to the Lord. If you look closely enough, you will find God’s blessings wherever you go!

Father, I dedicate this year to you. I trust in all the blessings you have in store for me.

Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8; Galatians 4:4-7; Luke 2:16-21

Who are you? (John 1:19)

The priests and Pharisees almost had it right—almost. They recognized in John an otherness that connected with what they knew about God. He was living an extreme lifestyle, in an extreme situation, and preaching an extreme message. John suggested something of God to them. They were even open to the possibility that he was the Messiah, a new Elijah, or another long-awaited Prophet (John 1:21).

But John denied it all. Evidently, these Jewish leaders’ ideas about the Messiah didn’t align with God’s intentions. Their thoughts were based on the prevailing wisdom of the day, along with their own experiences, desires, and biases. They weren’t being bad guys here, just human guys, like the rest of us. We all have ideas about who God is, how he works, and what he wants—ideas that are based on our own prevailing wisdom.

God understands. After all, he made us. He knows us better than we know ourselves. That’s why he asks us to come to him, with all of our preconceived ideas, and let him teach us about the desires, plans, and intentions that are on his heart. He asks us to let his thoughts become our thoughts, even if it means putting aside some of our old thoughts.

Here are a few examples of thoughts we need to reject. We may think that we’re too unimportant for God to bother with. We may think that we’re unlovable and not worthy of his attention. Or we may think that we’re smart enough and that we don’t need God to teach us. Or perhaps, when we think of our heavenly Father, we are hindered by the memory of a neglectful, absent, or abusive parent. But God is so much bigger. He’s also much more generous and kind!

So take a little time today to examine some of your thoughts about yourself. Sit quietly with the Lord, and let him show you what he thinks about you. Turn to your favorite Scripture passage and ask him to speak to you through it in a new way. Let him show you how deeply he values you, how much he loves you. Then let him gently and happily rearrange some of your ideas!

Father, I want to hear from you today. I lay down my own ideas about you. Come, Lord, lead me in your truth and teach me.

1 John 2:22-28; Psalm 98:1-4

The one who sent me … told me… (John 1:33)

John the Baptist recognized Jesus immediately as the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world. He had not known Jesus in this way previously, but God told him what to look for: On whomever you see the Spirit come down and remain, he is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit (John 1:33). John faced the same perplexity any of us might: did that thought really come from God? Was that dove really the Holy Spirit? And he used the same means to answer his questions that we can use as well: he spoke to God, and listened for him to answer.

Probably, John told God what was on his heart, and listened for God to share what was on his. And he did this not once, not only in a moment of need, but regularly. John also was careful to test those words he heard from God—the senses he got in his heart as he prayed and listened. He tried responding to these words, which is one of the best ways to distinguish between what comes from God and what comes from ourselves. There were probably times when he went for it, even when it seemed ridiculous or foolish or incomprehensible. And sometimes, he might have ended up looking silly or impossible to understand. But through his successes, and especially his failures, John learned how to recognize God’s voice.

This new year, decide to spend time every day listening to what God wants to say. Become familiar with how he speaks to you: in thoughts or pictures that come to your mind; in a Scripture passage or a homily; in a stirring, pounding, or yearning of your heart; in tears or a sense of joy. Write it down in a journal. At the end of each week, review what you have written. Revisit the senses and impressions you felt in prayer. Over time, you may find yourself learning more about his goodness, his mercy, or his plans for you. Make this a year of listening and testing out what you hear.

Father, I want to know you more. Teach me to recognize your voice as I go through my day.

1 John 2:29–3:6; Psalm 98:1, 3-6

They opened their treasures and offered him gifts. (Matthew 2:11)

Without a doubt, the Magi were big spenders. The gifts they gave to Jesus were about the costliest items you could find in the ancient world. Not only that, they were exactly suited to their recipient: gold, a precious metal that was meant for royalty; frankincense, an oil used for worship; and myrrh, a perfume used in anointing the departed, pointing toward Jesus’ passion and death.

But what about us? Can we even pretend to match these extravagant offerings? Yes, we can! In fact, we can offer Jesus something much more valuable: ourselves! Imagine how valuable we are to the Lord. He became a man for us. He devoted his life to spreading the good news for us. He died on the cross for us. Jesus did everything for us because he sees us as the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:46).

Unfortunately, many of us have a hard time seeing how valuable we are. Instead of a shiny, gift-wrapped present, we see ourselves as a dull, brown-paper package of weakness and sin. That’s not how the Lord sees you! Yes, he sees the flaws and failings, but he sees so much more. He sees the love in our hearts, even if it’s somewhat buried by selfish thoughts. He sees the noble desires, even if we don’t always follow them. He sees the sacrifices we are making for our loved ones. He sees our longing for peace, even if we are sometimes agitated—or agitators. He sees us and tells us we are very good (Genesis 1:31).

So don’t discount the treasure you have in these earthen vessels. Go ahead and offer the Lord the gold of your talents and gifts, the frankincense of your prayer and worship, and the myrrh of your sufferings and heartaches. As you do, your heart will change. You will become a gift to your brothers and sisters, and you’ll change their lives!

Lord, let this coming year be my gift to you. Take everything I have, and use it to build your kingdom!

Isaiah 60:1-6; Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13; Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6

When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he withdrew to Galilee. (Matthew 4:12)

It must have been unsettling for Jesus to hear that John—a humble man whom Jesus called more than a prophet—had been imprisoned for his message of repentance. But rather than letting fear paralyze him, Jesus stepped into action, picking up where his forerunner left off: From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand’ (Matthew 4:17).

Jesus’ determination tells us that God is never confounded or frustrated in his plans. As soon as one servant is arrested, another takes his place. As soon as one obstacle shows up, a way through appears. This pattern, which repeats itself through all of history, reveals a God who is always at work, bringing his plan to fulfillment. We see it in the succession of the Old Testament prophets as well as in the stories about Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph. We see it in the New Testament, in the birth of the church at Pentecost and the Acts of the Apostles.

Nothing gets in God’s way. He is always moving forward, always inviting us to keep moving forward with him. It may be unsettling when we are able to see only pieces of his plan as it unfolds. Even John, as he sat in prison, was unsure. He sent his disciples to ask Jesus, Are you the one who is to come, or should we look for another? (Matthew 11:3). And Jesus did for John what he wants to do for us: he pointed to all that he had done so far as proof of God’s handiwork.

A look back at your life probably demonstrates signs of a God at work. Are you anxious about tomorrow? Take a deep breath, and remember that God is hidden around every corner. He sees the future and is already at work there. Do you feel stuck right now? Don’t worry. God is working a way out for you. Keep believing and trusting in him. Focus on preparing your heart through prayer to hear and respond to him. In his own time and in his own way, he will release you so that you can take the next step in following him. And the next. And the next.

Lord, my future is in your hands. Lead me forward, step-by-step, as your plan for me unfolds.

1 John 3:22–4:6; Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12

We love because God first loved us. (1 John 4:19)

A farmer goes into the field at planting time. He tills the soil, then carefully works the seed into the ground and waters it, hoping for a bumper crop. In a similar way, our heavenly Father has planted the seed of his divine love into each of us. As he waters and nurtures this seed, he rejoices at the crop it produces—a harvest of love for one another.

It’s funny that, as deep as the gospel message is, it can still be expressed in three simple words: God is love. We can live in love because he has loved us first and planted the seed of his love into our hearts.

But how does this seed grow? John is very clear about this in today’s first reading. Love comes from God, and if we know God and are open to his love, then the seed sprouts, and we are able to love. If we turn away from God’s love, we find it a lot harder to love the people around us. Anyone who has been in love knows that love isn’t something we generate on our own power. It rises up within us, a wonderful gift from God and a taste of his divine love. It only stands to reason that the more we come into contact with his love for us, the more we will be able to love everyone else—even when we don’t feel like it!

God longs to see us love one another. We may struggle with hurts from the past, but we can lay these issues at the feet of Jesus and come to know his peace over time. We may not know how to show our love, but the Holy Spirit can teach us and show us the way.

Your heavenly Father is speaking to you right now. He is asking you to open your heart to his love, which is endless and strong. Let it wash over you now. Release everything to him, and let him fill you!

Father, I know you have placed the seed of your love and your life in my heart. I trust in the power of that love to shape me and lift me up. May this same love also flow out of me to my brothers and sisters.

Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8; Mark 6:34-44

Perfect love drives out fear. (1 John 4:18)

Recently, an episode of a children’s television show was banned from Australian television. It wasn’t because of any scandalous content, it was just common sense. The episode taught children not to be scared of spiders, which was fine for the country the show was made in. But in countries like Australia, where there are many poisonous spiders, children need to learn to be frightened of them!

It can be right and proper to experience fear where there is a good chance of something bad happening—whether it’s a spider bite, some other kind of negative consequence, or even a punishment, as John puts it in today’s reading. Fear is a natural, healthy response to a perceived threat.

But fear can get uncaged and start attaching itself to other areas of our lives. If not kept in its proper perspective, it can infect areas where God wants us to have joy and excitement: thoughts about the future, the question of our relationship with God, or our relationships with people who genuinely do love us.

These fears don’t have the last word; God does! Though you may feel fear hiding in your heart, waiting for just the right moment to derail your hopes or ideas, this isn’t God’s plan for you. He wants to give you a deep sense of security in his love. He wants to shine his light on the hidden places within you and drive out fear from where it lurks. You don’t have to be afraid. Your heavenly Father’s love and protection reach into all the days, weeks, and years that lie ahead. Remember that all fear is based on some kind of punishment or negative consequence. But for the one who embraces the Lord there is no punishment. No threat, no evil, can overcome that love.

So when danger and uncertainty rear their heads, lean into the love God has for you. As you dwell on that love, the fear will decrease. And even when you’re not afraid, focus on his love. Enjoy it, revel in it, and mirror it to the world. Fear will lose its foothold, and you’ll feel more and more of God’s freedom!

Lord, remind me always of your steadfast love. Come and reassure me, driving out my fears.

Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13; Mark 6:45-52

… the gracious words that came from his mouth. (Luke 4:22)

Words are often downplayed next to actions. Actions speak louder, as the saying goes. Even great believers are quoted as saying that words should only be a supplement to how we live our lives.

This may be true, but it doesn’t mean that we should discount words entirely. In Luke 4, Jesus shows the value and importance of words in his ministry. Even as he was loving people, healing them, and caring for them, he was speaking to them, proclaiming the good news to them.

Did Jesus speak words of bitterness or complaint? Can you imagine him angrily yelling at someone who cut him off with a donkey cart in Jerusalem traffic? No, his words were gracious! They were warm and inviting. Even when he spoke to his enemies, his voice probably cracked with emotions like sadness and frustration rather than fury and hatred. And because of the words he used and the way he spoke them, people flocked to his side.

If you ever doubt that your words—even your smallest comments—have great power, think about the effects that negative words have. Were you ever made fun of as a child? Did anyone ever make an offhand remark that still stings? How long have they stuck with you? These negative comments can fall so carelessly from our lips. We might be quick to criticize or judge, without remembering how deeply words can hurt and limit a person’s potential. If negative speech can have such a profound impact, imagine how much more power your words of encouragement, appreciation, and affirmation can have!

In their training, new teachers are taught that for each criticism or correction they give, they should also give at least three positive comments. So try to put this into practice today. For every complaint that slips out, be sure to say three positive things. Encourage your spouse and children and co-workers and neighbors. Thank the cashier at the grocery store. Bless the person who cuts you off in traffic. Try to make all of your words gracious. You never know—you may give the only encouragement that someone receives all day!

Lord, let my words be gracious like yours.

1 John 4:19–5:4; Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17

He would withdraw to deserted places to pray. (Luke 5:16)

Whenever world renown celebrities visit foreign lands, multitudes throng the site for hours, even days before they arrive. Thousands line the streets and swarm their vehicle to get a glimpse of them. So when we read in Scripture that great crowds gathered to hear Jesus preach and to be healed (Luke 5:15), we have some idea of how hard it was for him to move about, let alone continue to hear clearly from his Father in heaven! So how did Jesus remain peaceful, calm, and assured of God’s will among the teeming throng?

The answer is prayer. When word spread that Jesus had healed a man with leprosy, and the crowds swarmed him, he withdrew to deserted places to pray (Luke 5:16). Prayer—intimate, refreshing, reassuring prayer—was the foundation to all he did. It enabled him to know when to minister and when to withdraw, when to rebuke and when to comfort. Prayer renewed Jesus’ strength, soothed and refreshed his spirit, and imbued his heart with confidence. Above all, it kept him in touch with his Father’s unshakable love.

Here is what is so encouraging about Christianity: the close, personal, life-giving prayer that Jesus experienced is possible for all of us! What’s more, God is eager for it. He loves it when we go to him with our needs. He delights in speaking to us personally, whether he is giving us guidance, teaching us about himself, or moving us into new ways of serving him. In grief or rejoicing, fear or thanksgiving, guilt or uncertainty, we are always welcome to turn to our Father.

Prayer is meant to be as easy as speaking to our best friend. Whenever we speak to God, he is ready to respond to us. Perhaps a line from Scripture will come to mind, or we will see a recent situation in a new light or feel a sense of peace in the silence of our hearts. As we rest with the Lord in prayer, his grace fills us, energizing us to follow him. Whatever our situation, we can expect to be filled and made new, just as Jesus was, when we withdraw in prayer.

Holy Spirit, take me deeper into Jesus’ life and love. I want to know the Father’s heart and ways and to experience his life as I pray today.

1 John 5:5-13; Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20

The best man … rejoices greatly at the bridegroom’s voice. (John 3:29)

In many parts of the world, wedding receptions require the best man to offer a toast in honor of the groom. Though sometimes a mere formality, this short speech is often a moving witness of brotherly love, as one friend rejoices at another friend’s happiness. You might call it a John the Baptist moment, for in John 3, we see John delighting in his supporting role as Jesus’ best man."

In first-century Palestine, though, the best man was responsible for far more than a toast. It was his job to oversee the whole wedding and to ensure that the bride was properly escorted to the groom. John remarked that the best man stands and listens for the bridegroom (John 3:29). Is the best man keeping watch at the bride’s house, alert for the sound of the groom approaching in a wedding procession? Is he standing guard at the groom’s house - perhaps even outside the nuptial bedroom - after escorting the couple there?

Interpretations differ, but the point is clear enough: John is rejoicing at having contributed to a happy union. His baptism has prepared a people that Jesus the Bridegroom has come to claim.

God isn’t calling most of us to go out into the wilderness like John the Baptist. But he does invite us to prepare the way for other people to come to Jesus. Of course, this will happen only if we are friends with Jesus and love him ourselves. Friendship with God - who could have imagined such a privilege? Yet the Father sent his Son for nothing less than this. And Jesus himself issued the invitation and showed us the way. You are my friends if you do what I command (John 15:14).

Today, then, let’s deepen our friendship with Jesus by trying our best to follow him. Let’s seek to widen his circle of friends by witnessing to the people around us. What joy will be ours - and theirs - both in this life and at the great wedding feast of the Lamb (Revelation 19:7)!

Holy Spirit, you filled John the Baptist with your love and empowered him to prepare the way of the Lord. Help me to follow his example of joyful, faithful service. Draw me closer to Jesus so that I can draw others to him, too.

1 John 5:14-21; Psalm 149:1-6, 9

You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased. (Mark 1:11)

He wants to be the bride at every wedding, the corpse at every funeral, and the baby at every christening. Ironically, the subject of this cynical remark was a world leader. Even though he often commanded center stage, he still craved attention. Deep down, most people do. To varying degrees, we’re like those little kids who want someone to notice and affirm us: Watch me jump! Look at this trick! See what I can do!

Today’s theme conveys a message about this human craving. In fact, you might call the baptism of the Lord an occasion of full attention. The spotlight is on Jesus, who comes to John as just another penitent in the crowd. Then suddenly, he is singled out as uniquely cherished: the heavens are torn apart, the Spirit descends, and the Father’s voice declares him my beloved Son. What a stunning affirmation of Jesus’ importance!

But here’s something just as stunning: baptism brings us right into Jesus’ own relationship with the Father! You don’t have to strive for attention, wonder who you are, or question whether your life matters. If you’ve been baptized into Christ, what the Father spoke to Jesus, he speaks to you: You are my beloved son. You are my beloved daughter. Yes, you need to be transformed into the likeness of Christ. And yes, that takes time. But as you make that journey, you can rest secure that you are already God’s beloved child. Everything flows from that.

Today, as the Christmas season fades in our memory, why not give one last gift? Offer God your full attention, as you reflect on your baptism. Let him reveal you to yourself and show you how greatly you are loved. As you give God your full attention, you will discover how much you have his.

Abba! Father! Thank you that I am your beloved child.

Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7; Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10; Acts 10:34-38

In these last days, he spoke to us through a son. (Hebrews 1:2)

There is so much we don’t know about the Letter to the Hebrews. Scholars today tend to agree it wasn’t written by Paul, as was previously thought, but they don’t know who did write it. We aren’t sure when it was written, but we think it was around 90 CE. It may be a letter or it may be a sermon. It might have been written to Jewish Christians—but maybe not.

But for all that we don’t know, there is one thing where there is no argument: its message. Even a light reading of Hebrews reveals a powerful word of encouragement.

The language of Hebrews is fresh and novel, echoing in every verse the promise of a new covenant in Christ. God has spoken to the world through his Son, and in doing so he has turned the traditional understanding of Judaism on its head. Hebrews stresses, however, that this is not a different direction but a surprising fulfillment of God’s plan for his people.

Hebrews makes clear the divine parallels that exist between the covenant with Moses and the new covenant with Christ. Jesus himself has assumed the role of high priest, mediating between us and God. With one single sacrifice he refines the countless thousands made by human priests up to this point. He has made perfect forever those who are being consecrated (Hebrews 10:14). The author enumerates the great milestones and heroes of Scripture—Adam, Abraham, David and Samuel—and tells how they, though their faith was strong, did not yet receive what had been promised. But now is the time for the fulfillment of that assurance!

As we journey toward the climax of God’s grand plan, Hebrews tells us to take heart. A new kind of grace is available, allowing us to enter into God’s kingdom, which is his rest (Hebrews 4:11).

Of course, this doesn’t mean that every passing dream of ours will come true. It means that the deepest longing of our hearts—a hole that can be filled only by a relationship with God—is satisfied in him, at last.

Thank you, Lord, for the new covenant in your blood. I praise you for setting me free from sin and death and raising me up as your heir.

Psalm 97:1-2, 6-9; Mark 1:14-20

He taught them as one having authority. (Mark 1:22)

Mark tells us that Jesus’ authority astonished those who heard him. It amazed those who witnessed what he did. Even though they didn’t understand where the authority came from or how Jesus got it, they couldn’t deny it. Were they awed by his command over the unclean spirit? Probably. But the people were also surprised. Jesus taught in a way that produced something new in them. Perhaps it was hope or reassurance, release from guilt or eagerness to know God more.

We tend to think of authority as the right and ability to enforce rules. What is remarkable is that the things Jesus speaks with authority about are things he wants to create and build up in us. Not mere lofty goals we reach for endlessly but qualities, characteristics, and desires that he himself will help us adopt.

Consider what the bible says you are …

… Safe—I give you eternal life, and no one can take you out of my hand. (John 10:28)

… Known intimately—Before you were born, my eyes gazed on your unformed substance. I know you inside and out, exactly how you are made. (Psalm 139:12-16)

… Chosen—I chose you before the foundation of the world to be with me forever. (Ephesians 1:4)

… Treasured—Even if a mother should forget her child, I will never forget you. (Isaiah 49:15)

… Empowered —"You can do all things, for I will strengthen