Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of … Read More
Today's Devotional
No Thanks? No, Thanks!
In everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. — 1 THESSALONIANS 5:18 — Bruce Alvord: Grace Bible Seminary | Ukraine This verse doesn’t say to give thanks for everything but to give thanks in everything. How far we are from this! We often feel that we deserve better. But, as … Read More
Commanded to Forgive
And if he sins against you seven times a day, and returns to you seven times, saying, “I repent,” forgive him. — LUKE 17:4 — Israel Corral Lopez: Berea Seminary | Spain We live in a society where we are encouraged from an early age to fight back if someone hits us. This absurd advice is … Read More
Don’t Trust Your Heart
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight. — PROVERBS 3:5-6 — E. A. | Middle East Our hearts are often the reason our Christian lives become tiresome and ineffective, why our marital … Read More
Living for Christ, Dying for Christ
For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. — PHILIPPIANS 1:21 — Marco Bartholomae: European Bible Training Center | Germany This verse explains everything that Paul was living for and was willing to die for. He was completely convinced that his future was secure in Christ. Nothing was able to separate him from … Read More
Canceled Debt
When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it … Read More
Don’t Hold Back!
… speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord. — EPHESIANS 5:19 — Abraham Ramos: The Expositor’s Academy | Philippines Congregational singing is one of my favorite parts during a Sunday worship service, second only to the preaching of God’s word. Oftentimes, I … Read More
Motivations to Christlikeness
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. — PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 — … Read More
The Union of Love and Obedience
If you love Me, you will keep My commandments — JOHN 14:15 — Astrit A. | Albania This verse is short but contains a massive truth. Jesus presents it as a condition. If the first part of the sentence is true, then the second part will also be true. If we love Him, we will keep … Read More
Declare His Glory
Tell of His glory among the nations, His wonderful deeds among all the peoples. — PSALM 96:3 — Gideon Manda: Central African Preaching Academy | Malawi Psalm 96 is a call to praise Yahweh as Savior and Creator. Verse 3 is part of the community’s response to God for giving His people salvation and … Read More
Don’t Let Sin Fester
He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion. — PROVERBS 28:13 — Santiago Armel: Instituto de Expositores | USA In recent studies, 33 percent of surveyed pastors admitted to viewing pornography on a regular basis. Only four percent, however, sought help or confessed their sin to … Read More
Unity: A Present Hope
Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity! — PSALM 133:1 — Israel Villanueva Castillo: Word of Grace Biblical Seminary | Mexico Every nation has a national anthem that calls it to unity. Hatikva (Hebrew: “The Hope”) is Israel’s national anthem. The lyrics were written in 1878 by Naftali … Read More
The Future in the Present
Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him — JAMES 1:12 — Dmitry S. | Russia The past influences the present. Few would argue with this statement. Lay a good foundation in the … Read More
Reflecting on God through Joy and Unity
Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. — PHILIPPIANS 2:1–2 — Carlos Aguilar: Evangelical Ministries … Read More
The Pinnacle of Prayer
Be exalted, O God, above the heavens, and Your glory above all the earth. — PSALM 108:5 — Marcus Denny: Czech Bible Institute | Czech Republic What is the greatest thing you have ever prayed for, could ever pray for, and should be praying for? What comes to mind? Consider the answer that lies in this … Read More
Christian Love in the Face of Death
But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you. — MATTHEW 5:44 — Jose Carlos Angeles Fernandez: Word of Grace Biblical Seminary | Mexico In 1952, Jim Elliot, with great expectations, set out as a missionary to the Indians in Ecuador. A year and a half later he married his … Read More
Let All Nations Call Him Blessed
May his name endure forever; may his name increase as long as the sun shines; and let men bless themselves by him; let all nations call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who alone works wonders. And blessed be His glorious name forever; and may the whole earth be filled … Read More
The Sorrow That Leads to Happiness
For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death. — 2 CORINTHIANS 7:10 — Igor Bodun: Grace Bible Seminary | Ukraine Russia is engaged in an “unofficial” military conflict with Ukraine. Over the last four years, over 10,000 … Read More
