Verse for Today

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Verse for Today

April 18th, 2024

April 18, 2024 • Acts 20:35

Give

‭Acts 20:35 ESV‬

[35] In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

https://bible.com/bible/59/act.20.35.ESV

Created to Love Others

When we believe in Jesus and live our lives following after Him, we get to experience His grace and mercy every day! We get to walk in new life and new ways of thinking about God's creation and our place in it. Not to mention, we can rest knowing we are God's own children!

But it can be just as easy to live life thinking only of ourselves and the good things we have received. Jesus spent most of His ministry helping and assisting others, but if we're being honest—and Jesus was always honest, too—most of us have a tendency to be selfish with God's gifts, or ignore opportunities to serve the weak or needy in our everyday lives.

As Paul was speaking to the leaders at the church in Ephesus in Acts 20:35, he made sure to remind them that his life has not been about himself, but about helping others. Paul says that everything he has done has been about helping those who are weak and in need. Paul didn't say these things to boast about himself, he said them to point back to Jesus as the truest example of love.

While the Christian faith is certainly about loving God, it is also about loving others as well. It is about using our new life in Christ to bring positive change to the lives of others—the same positive change Christ brought about in us.

Jesus said that when we use our life to help others, we end up even more blessed. It is always more blessed to give to others than to receive for ourselves.

Take some time to consider the way your own life has been blessed by others. Then, write down a few ways that you can begin to help others who are in need.

What practical ways can you bless those in your neighborhood, work, or school? Begin to build a habit of being a blessing to others.

Verse for Today

May 17, 2024 • Matthew 28:19

‭Matthew 28:19 ESV‬ [19] Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them inthe name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, https://bible.com/bible/59/mat.28.19.esv The Mission of the Church After Jesus’ death and resurrection, he spent 40 days on earth ministering to people and preparing His disciples for life without Him. Jesus planned on leaving earth and ascending to heaven, but before doing so, He gave His disciples a mission found in Matthew 28:19-20. We often call this mission The Great Commission. The Great Commission begins with getting up and going to places where people need to hear about the good news of Jesus. This doesn’t mean you have to leave your country—there are people in your own neighborhood and workplace that need to hear the hope of Jesus. The ultimate goal of the Great Commission is to make followers of Jesus. So as we go about sharing the good news of Jesus with people, we're to show people how Jesus has changed our lives, and invite them to discover Jesus for themselves. Jesus also instructs us to baptize new believers. Baptism is a symbol of someone’s incorporation into the family of God. It is their public display of their new faith in Jesus. Baptism is such an important part of the Christian life that Jesus made sure to include it in our mission. It can be easy to think that making disciples and baptizing believers is the responsibility of our church pastors and ministry leaders. While those things certainly are part of every church’s mission, Jesus intended for every believer to be making disciples. So take a moment to think about someone in your own life who helped you grow spiritually. Ask God to bring to mind someone you can help and disciple. Then, allow God to give you the courage to share the hope of Jesus with those around you.

Verse for Today

May 16, 2024 • Proverbs 11:24

‭Proverbs 11:24 CSB‬ [24] One person gives freely, yet gains more; another withholds what is right, only to become poor. https://bible.com/bible/1713/pro.11.24.csb What Does It Mean to Be Generous? The word “generous” is often defined as: - Open in giving or sharing - Willing to give help or support - Unselfish Generous living is not a concept limited to the wealthy, the gifted, or the lucky. Generosity is a lifestyle that stems from a desire to worship God in every area of life. The principle of generosity is laced all throughout Scripture, and we have the best model and mentor when it comes to seeing it in action—God. He sent His Son, Jesus, as a sacrifice for our mistakes so that way we could spend eternity with Him. That is generosity in action. Psalm 24:1 says that “the earth is the LORD’s and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it…” Everything we have belongs to God and is given to us by Him. He is the owner, and we are His managers. And the people who manage well are often entrusted with more to manage. It doesn’t matter how much we have—it matters what we do with what we’re given. We will live generously when we view everything we have as a gift from God. And when we do that, our mindsets switch from “This is mine?” to “How can I share?” So right now, think about how you view the things God has given you. Do you see them as gifts from God to be shared, or as accomplishments and possessions you’ve earned? What is one thing you can start doing today to become more generous?

Verse for Today

May 14, 2024 • Romans 10:14

‭Romans 10:14 CSB‬ [14] How, then, can they call on him they have not believed in? And how can they believe without hearing about him? And how can they hear without a preacher? https://bible.com/bible/1713/rom.10.14.csb The Messengers of Good News Pause for a moment and reflect on your role as a bearer of the good news. Are you actively sharing the love of Christ with those around you? Are you seeking to be a living testimony of His grace? You might read Paul’s call to "preach" in Romans 10:14 and think this call is reserved for a pastor, priest, or teacher. But our homes, workplaces, and communities can serve as pulpits of influence when we live surrendered to Him. In these seemingly ordinary spaces, we can share the love of Christ through a listening ear that brings peace to a troubled mind, a helping hand that lifts burdens, or a word of encouragement that rekindles hope. As a follower of Christ, you are qualified to share this hope and encourage others! What God desires is obedience and willingness to be a vessel of His Word. In the simplicity of everyday interactions, we become vessels of His love and messengers of the gospel. As believers, we have an integral role in sharing the gospel message of Jesus Christ. The Holy Spirit equips you. God chooses and empowers you. And the seeds you sow, even the tiniest ones, have the power to take root and spread the message of salvation.