There are many things that change as we grow up. One thing that can never seem to leave us is this sense of getting even. We watch kids and hear about them and think it’s childish that because so-and-so called me a name, I can punch them. But as we grow up, does that really change? The circumstances do, for sure, but our flesh doesn’t.

We are told if there is evil done to you, don’t repay them with the same! In fact, we are called to not only love them still and bless them, but to have an outstanding reputation of only good things before everyone. We represent the Lord and in all things, we want to do our best to be His ambassadors. As such, we want to display the same love in repaying evil with good as the Lord did for us at the cross. We were in great evil towards God, yet He gave us Christ and died for us. When in this tough situation, take a second and reflect on what Christ did for you and let the peace of God overwhelm you with the hope of winning over a soul for Christ.

Blessings,

Pastor Sean Boehm

I think far too often we forget that, “He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world” (1 John 4:4). Joel here reminds us that the Lord’s roar and voice is so powerful that it causes both the heavens and the earth to shake. Then we get that reassuring phrase, “But the Lord…” That mighty sovereign roar that unnerves the world is a comfort, a shelter, and strength to us, His people. So when the enemy comes in like a flood, remember God is roaring and like a lion cub, we can have peace and confidence in our Father knowing that He is greater and on our side.

Snuggled in His strength,

Pastor Gerard Deleeuw

Have you ever compiled a list of things for which to be thankful? You can start with being saved and having eternal life and go from there. The list is different for all of us but we all should be thanking the Lord. This verse says to come before Him with thanksgiving and shout joyfully to Him with psalms.

If God is truly working in our lives, we should have a song in our hearts. Read the Psalms often and just use them to praise God. Sing worship songs from your church. And do it with a spirit of thankfulness. Thank you, Lord, for saving me and guiding me!

Shout to the Lord,

Pastor Ron Kitchell

I am always fascinated by cures or possible solutions for unsolvable dilemmas or illnesses or problems. I usually doubt when advertisers use words like: 100 percent guaranteed to work on everything, cure all, sure bet, and so forth. Yet I have one for you today that you can bank your life on and it is found in our verses above.

God’s word never fails and when shared will always accomplish what He intends. If you have ever felt like you were wasting your time doing something, here is a suggestion for you: go share God’s word with as many people as you can. You will be doing God’s work. Have a great day!

Wanting to do something with eternal results,

Pastor Jack Abeelen

Paul and Silas had just been unjustly beaten with rods and thrown into a Philippian prison. Their feet were secured in stocks, forcing them to remain in an upright position because if they laid back, they would feel more pain. If I were to be found in such a dilemma, I would be praying constantly and fervently for deliverance while at the same time feeling fearful, bitter, and resentful.

However, this is not how Paul and Silas responded. The prayers that they prayed were worshipful which complemented the hymns of praise that they sang to God. What a powerful witness this was, because their fellow prisoners did not flee when their chains were miraculously loosed in the next verse. The world watches us Christians as we go through life’s ups and downs. May we be overwhelmed by Jesus’ love in our lives to the point that we praise and worship Him in all things.

Jeff Mericle

There is no better way to submit to the Lord than through worship. Many believers equate worship as instrumentation or singing songs of praise, and it certainly is. However, did you know that anything that is done in reverent devotion and allegiance pledged to God is worship?

The English word “worship” comes from the Old English word “worthship,” a word that denotes the worthiness of the one receiving the special honor or devotion. Therefore, the time we spend in prayer, reading and studying His Word, or serving in ministry, as well as singing songs of praise are all forms of worship to our risen King. Love is also worship. The love we have for Jesus and even each other is worship in the sight of God. In that sense, genuine worship won’t be silent. It will be the cry of your heart! To cry out to the Lord is perfected praise. So today, may His praise ever be on our lips with a heart that is truly in tune with His. Please join me, as we worship the Lord together…in harmony and in love!

Praising Him,

Tom Moore

This verse is from a parable Jesus shared about several people receiving the same days’ wage despite a few of them not working nearly the same length as others. This is Jesus’ response to the folks that felt they got cheated because of the others who worked less but got the same pay. What Jesus is doing in this parable is addressing the heart of the natural man. The natural man is many times referred to as the flesh or the old man for those that have been saved.

When left to our natural selves, we determine what is right and wrong and what is fair or unfair. The funny thing about these determinations we make in the flesh is that they are full of double standards. What I mean by this is, the guy that only worked an hour or two, versus the guy that worked the full day had no problem receiving a full day’s wage. But had that guy worked a full day and the other guy only an hour or so, he wouldn’t think it fair that they received the same pay.

That’s how our flesh works, it looks out for number one, always! It’s highly judgmental towards others but extremely forgiving to ourselves. It’s opinionated and very inconsistent depending on the people involved. In short, we are very wicked people, especially on the inside. Thankfully we have a Savior who is GOOD, and conquered the binding power of this old man inside of us so that we can show mercy, grace, and love from a pure heart and rejoice in the blessing of others.

Pastor Jason Witt

As Jesus was having supper here with His friends, the Jews heard that Jesus was there with Lazarus. They wanted to come and see for themselves the one whom Jesus raised from the dead. In the chapter before, we learn about Jesus raising Lazarus from the dead. We find here that they not only want to see Jesus, they also want to see Lazarus. They want to see for themselves the stories that they have been hearing. Not only that, the Jews or religious leaders, are also plotting how to put Lazarus to death all because he’s the reason many are believing in Jesus.

When we read in chapter 11 about the raising of Lazarus, we can conclude this was an amazing testimony of who Jesus is. I can imagine all the questions that might be asked of Him. I often think about my testimony and all that the Lord has done in my life. And like John 21:25, there are so many other things that Jesus did that if they written we’d run out of room. Each of us has a testimony that speaks the truth about Jesus. That speaks about where we were, that speaks about where we are at, and that speaks about where we are going.

Be encouraged to share your testimony and show how the Gospel of Jesus Christ saved you and all that He has done for you. “Be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…”(1 Peter 3:15).

Joshua Navarro

Before I received the Lord Jesus into my life, I was motivated to live my life as I saw fit. I thought I had everything under control, but I couldn’t even control myself! And then I met Jesus. The light of His truth revealed the reality of my true self to me, and it was a sobering experience for sure. Mercy from God was what I desperately needed, and mercy is what I was lavishly given. His Spirit took up residence in my heart.

As Paul reminds us, we have a choice when it comes to living our lives. Our flesh and bones yearn for unhindered self-satisfaction. Our born-again souls seek the Lord and long to be in tune with Him. Though the battle rages, winning it begins with putting one foot in front of the other.

You and I have a choice to make. This day, let’s choose to walk in the Spirit. He’ll see to it that we are not taken out by dead-end desires. Victory begins with the first step.

Jeff Deal

Here in Matthew 4, John the Baptist was now imprisoned and we see Jesus pick up his message and continue to proclaim it, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” calling men to turn away from their sin and turn to God, for the kingdom of heaven is near.

Some would say it’s a harsh message to preach, to go out and tell people that they are sinners walking in darkness, and that their only hope of escaping judgment and going to heaven is to repent and turn to Jesus. But it is not just the truth, it’s the truth that saves! It’s the truth that brought us out of darkness into the light, it’s the message that saved us, that led us to repentance.

Now it surely can seem harsh to some who hear it, but that harshness shouldn’t come from us and the way we share it, but when the truth is spoken in love with compassion, it can change hearts.

That’s how Jesus shared it, with great love and compassion. We would do well to go out and do the same.

Pastor Doug Hardin