Today Daily Devotional

By grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God. . . . — Ephesians 2:8 The Bible teaches that when Adam and Eve—the parents of all humankind—sinned against God, their human nature became corrupt. And this corruption has been passed along to every generation. This means that we all have a sinful nature and that we all sin. But Jesus Christ, God's Son, became human and provided us the remedy for sin, and the Bible states clearly that the remedy must be received through faith. As Paul says, “It is by grace [we] have been saved, through faith”! Believing that we are sinners and that only Jesus can save us is the faith that brings salvation. And we are responsible to live wholeheartedly for the Lord, doing the good that he has prepared for us to do. In fact, we are eager to do that out of gratitude for all that God has done for us in Christ. We can be tempted, however, to get lazy in our life of faith, so we do well to test whether our faith remains true. One way to do that is to examine our relationship with God. Throughout the Bible God uses a picture of marriage, in which he is the husband and his people are the bride. When the people's affections shift from God to other things, God compares that to adultery. So, to test if our faith is genuine, we can ask ourselves if we are faithful in our relationship with God, if God is our deepest joy, and if our deepest love is for the Lord rather than for anyone or anything else. God, grant us the wisdom and the will to test our faith regularly. May we truly love and be faithful to you in all that we think, say, and do. Amen.

Those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness [will] reign in life through . . . Jesus Christ! — Romans 5:17 Sin will be punished. God is a God of justice. Does this mean there is no hope for all of us who sin? No. Two thousand years ago, God the Son took on human flesh and was born to Mary. He lived in perfect obedience and then gave up his own perfect life for us to pay for the sin of all who would repent and believe in him. God is just, and sin is punished. Salvation is freely available for all! It is fashionable today to say that Jesus is the way of salvation for Christians while other religions offer other ways to God. It is also common to hear that Christianity is a white, European religion. Both assertions are false. Christianity did not originate in Europe, and Christian communities were established throughout the Middle East, India, and Africa before the faith spread to Europe. Believers from many tribes and nations are present on the college campus where I serve. In 1 Timothy 2:5 we read that there is one mediator between God and humankind—and that is Christ Jesus. And “there is no other name under heaven” by which we may be saved (Acts 4:12). God is just, and sin has been punished and paid for by Jesus, who was fully human, God in the flesh! Hallelujah, what a Savior! Jesus, thank you for becoming human, for living and dying in the flesh in order to pay for our sin. Thank you for becoming the way to eternal joy for all who trust in you! Amen.

You are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. — Psalm 5:4-5 Imagine that you have purchased a new car. Then one day you find deep gouges in the fender and scratches in the paint. You are upset, but fortunately your doorbell camera has caught it all. The perpetrator is a neighbor. He appears before the judge, who also happens to be a neighbor. The judge says to him, “It is clear that you are guilty, but I remember that last winter you shoveled the snow from my sidewalk, so on the whole I think you are a pretty good person. Case dismissed.” You return home, and you see the judge and the other neighbor having a good laugh. What are you thinking? Most of us would say, “This is not right; this judge is corrupt!” Today there are many people who think, “If God was truly kind and loving, he would just forgive everyone.” But if we think that through for a moment, a God who dismissed lying, stealing, rape, murder, genocide, and other sins as nothing serious would be horrible! A God who brushed evil away would not be good; he would be like a devil. Sin must be punished. And God is a God of justice. Knowing that sin is serious and that it is impossible for any of us to live sinless lives, we know deep down that our sin has to be punished. And thankfully God has also taken care of that for us—through Jesus. Lord, we confess that we are sinful, and we thank you for not tolerating evil. Thank you for the cross of Christ, where justice and mercy meet. Amen.

The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. — Romans 6:23 Sin is a topic that many people tend to avoid. Others make light of it. Las Vegas, for example, is sometimes called “Sin City,” and foods that are tasty but not healthy are often called sinfully delicious or decadent. Sadly, a world that chooses not to reflect seriously on sin does so at its own peril. But what is sin? Sin can be described as having two sides, like a coin. One side of sin involves breaking the commands of God. God's commands are in the Bible—for example, the Ten Commandments and various other passages. The other side of sin involves not living up to God's good purpose for our lives. Jesus summarized our purpose when he said, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength, and you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (see Mark 12:30-31). Acting contrary to God's commands and failing to love God and others are the two sides of sin. Sometimes these are called sins of commission and sins of omission. But is sin really that serious? After all, we are only human, some would say. But the Bible is clear. “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and “the wages of sin is death.” But the Bible brings good news as well! While “the wages of sin is death,” “the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”! Lord God, we confess that every day we sin against you in the things we do, and in the things we fail to do. Please forgive us, for Jesus' sake. Amen.

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. — 1 John 1:8-9 According to psychologists, we all live in denial at some point in our lives. Denial is a coping mechanism that can help us come to terms with difficult situations. It allows us time to adjust to new realities. But denial can also be deadly. Denying medical symptoms, for example, is not wise. An even more serious form of denial is quite common in our world today. Many people deny that there is an almighty, all-knowing God who is holy and just and to whom we are all accountable. Countless people live their lives denying that God exists, that God sees and knows all things, and that they will meet God face to face after their earthly life is finished. Romans 1:18-21 tells us that God reveals himself clearly to us through creation. God's power and divinity are on display for all to see, but people ignore and suppress these things and go their own way. Nonetheless, God makes himself known to us even more clearly in the Bible. The Bible reveals God in great detail and teaches us about our broken relationship with him. It teaches that death—physical and eternal spiritual death—is the result of sin, but also that there is a remedy for sin: Jesus! Lord God, thank you for making yourself known to us through the beauty of all that you have created. Thank you also that we may enjoy your beauty for all eternity through your Son, our Lord and Savior! Amen.

Your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you . . . . You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. — 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 We live in a world obsessed with comfort. The number of air conditioning units in the world is expected to triple by 2050. Tens of billions of dollars are spent on pain medication every year, and the market is forecast to increase 50 percent by 2032. Myriads of other products offer comforts we “can't live without.” And yet nearly every day in my work as a college chaplain I meet and pray with people who are anxious and stressed out! We all need comfort, and we all have important needs, especially for our physical, emotional, and spiritual health. But too often we look for comfort in the wrong places. Being part of a community and having a sense of belonging is part of the answer to finding comfort for daily living, but the best way to find comfort is in a right relationship with God, who provides the true and lasting comfort of full life forever. The apostle Paul reminds us that we do not belong to ourselves but have been bought at a price—through the blood of Jesus, God's Son—who came to offer us new life through the gift of his own life. Belonging to Jesus, we are connected to each other as well. This world provides only limited, temporary comforts. But belonging to God through Jesus offers true and lasting comfort for both body and soul, during life and in the face of death. God, thank you that we are not our own but belong, “in life and in death,” to you. Amen.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. — Psalm 96:3 As we wrap up our month together, let's return to our theme passage, Psalm 96. As I read this psalm, I notice something remarkable. It assumes that God is at work at all times in creation and among all the peoples and nations of the world. Sometimes it can be tempting for us to believe that we are responsible to bring God into places where he is not. But the truth is that God is already present wherever we may go. Our call is to bear witness to him and to his work in our midst. I recently spent a couple of days with a small group of church leaders and members from across my denomination. I heard story after story about God at work in their church communities. It didn't matter if their church was urban, suburban, thriving, or struggling—every person had stories to tell about God changing lives and communities. There were stories of discipleship, mission, service, worship, and sacrifice. We began as strangers around the table, and soon we embraced each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. We clearly saw the presence of Jesus in one another. We were all different, but we each had similar stories of the faithful God working through the small and loving actions of his people. May God use you and me to “declare his glory . . . among all peoples.” God, guide us to declare your glory and to point out your amazing work that is all around us in every part of the world. May your kingdom come and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. In Jesus' name, Amen.

The seventy-two returned with joy and said, “Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name.” — Luke 10:17 Wally was a church member who had a big heart for mission. He and I led a course for several years about the basics of Christian faith, and we saw a lot of good change in people's lives during that time. I remember thinking sometimes as I drove home, “It doesn't get any better than this!” It seems that Jesus' disciples sensed something like that in their own context when he sent them out in pairs. Jesus celebrated their success by declaring that through their work, Satan himself was being defeated. What a statement! It truly doesn't get better than that! This month we have focused on some big mission words: gospel, witness, holistic, and intercultural. These are important words and concepts. But they don't mean a thing if they remain just ideas. They come alive and truly mean something when they describe how we join Jesus in the work of changing lives and renewing communities. As Wally interacted with the people he met, whether it was in his greenhouse operation, talking to a visitor at church, striking up a conversation at the coffee shop, or hosting our course, he wasn't thinking about those big words. He just wanted to make sure that every person knew they were loved with an everlasting love and that they would meet Jesus. Jesus commissions us, his disciples, with the same call. Jesus, help me to be available to you. In my interactions with others, may I bring your message of life, healing, and hope. Equip me with your Spirit, Lord. Amen.

“. . . the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.” — Numbers 6:26 Last year, my wife and I completed a 900-kilometer (560-mile) hiking trail that stretches from Niagara Falls to Lake Huron in Canada. It took us about 60 hikes over five summers to finish it. One of the things we noticed whenever we would start a new hike was the immediate sense of peace and calm we felt as we followed a path into the woods. We were soon immersed in the beauty of nature. It was our happy place. Some of the greatest gifts of God are moments when we can catch a glimpse of God's peace. Where and when have you experienced that gift? Sabbath is designed to be a day of peace for us—a day when we interrupt our regular routines to focus on God through worship, play, and rest. Thankfully we do not have to be in our “happy place” to receive that peace. The blessing of Aaron in Numbers 6 is God's promise to turn his face toward us wherever we are and to bring us peace. We see the same in the ministry of Jesus. After his resurrection, Jesus greeted his grieving disciples with a beautiful message: “Peace be with you!” (John 20:21, 26). On this Sabbath day, may you experience the gift of God's eternal peace in Jesus for whatever burden you may be carrying. Jesus, my life longs for the peace that transcends all understanding. Grant me your blessing of peace today as I give up my worries and anxieties to rest in you. Amen.

Before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. — Revelation 7:9 This passage is one of the most powerful pictures of heaven in the Bible. John sees a vast crowd of people from every nation and language, and all are celebrating and worshiping Jesus with all their heart. Everyone is dressed in white robes, waving palm branches, and praising God. What a vision! It seems that John himself is so astonished that one of the elders by the throne comes to him and asks, in effect, “Who do you think these people are?” John is unsure, so he replies: “Sir, you know.” It turns out that every person in the crowd has experienced the forgiveness of Jesus and received new life. The white robes, ironically, are white because they have been washed in Jesus' blood (v. 14). This week we have been focusing on the intercultural mission of God, and Revelation 7 is a clear picture of the impact of that work. A few months ago I met with about 50 church planters and their spouses who represented 15 different countries. We learned together and enjoyed beautiful moments of worship in several languages. I looked around the room at these gifted and faithful leaders, and it seemed like a taste of what John describes here. May it be so in every one of our churches! Lord, we long for the day when we will join in with the vast multitude around your throne. May your church increasingly reflect the intercultural beauty of the world you have created and redeemed. Amen.

I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved. — 1 Corinthians 10:33 About 15 years ago my wife and I spent time with a small team in a West African country. One day we enjoyed a meal of rice and chicken served on a large platter. We gathered around the food, and each person took a portion with their hand. I did the same, but then I heard a shout and saw fingers pointing at me! I jumped back in shock, wondering what I had done wrong. Then my hosts burst out laughing. I am left-handed, and, without thinking, I had used my left hand to scoop food from the communal platter—and that was a no-no in that culture. We had a good laugh together over my mistake. To engage with people of other cultures means that sometimes we are going to make mistakes. That's a part of learning in contexts that we are not familiar with. But when we take on a posture of vulnerability and humility, we also find our lives deeply enriched through our friendship with people whose background is different from ours. In our passage from 1 Corinthians today, we see the example of Paul adjusting his behavior to the culture of others wherever possible, in order to honor them and to glorify God. We represent God faithfully when we respect other cultures and are willing to learn. Jesus, help me to grow in curiosity and openness to coworkers and neighbors whose cultural backgrounds may be different from mine. May your love shine through me as I seek to bring your goodness to others. Amen.

This service that you perform is not only supplying the needs of the Lord's people but is also overflowing in many expressions of thanks to God. — 2 Corinthians 9:12 The countries of Sudan and South Sudan are among the world's most difficult places to live in today. Millions of people in these countries have been displaced by civil war, political unrest, and disasters. Yet Jesus continues to be at work. The mission agency I serve provides a training program for pastors and church leaders called Timothy Leadership Training (TLT). Reverend Patrick, a church leader in South Sudan, recently reported that 43 pastors and ministry leaders completed the TLT program and are making a difference in their communities. Though non-Sudanese people cannot generally enter these countries right now, we can still bless and encourage churches and believers there through programs like TLT. This reflects the joy that flows through 2 Corinthians 9. Here Paul celebrates the generosity of the church in Corinth as it gives to bless churches in other lands. And their investment in God's kingdom will result in blessings multiplied for both the giver and the receivers. Most significantly, this work honors Jesus. As we consider our place in God's worldwide mission, we cannot underestimate how our partnership with other ministries can benefit people in places we cannot go. Wherever we are, our generosity can bless Christian brothers and sisters around the world in extraordinary ways. God, help us to grow in the grace of giving. May our generosity minister to others around the world and honor you. Amen.

After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia. . . . — Acts 16:10 Looking back on my life's journey, I see a series of doors that God opened and closed to bring me where I am today. Along the way, I experienced not only disappointments but also some great surprises. Though I didn't always see it at the time, I can see more clearly now how God was guiding me. As you reflect on your life, I wonder if you can see God's direction in similar ways? We can see God's direction at work in the episode that Paul and his companions experienced in our reading for today. Paul and his team were on a significant intercultural missionary journey, bringing the gospel to strategic countries and regions in the Roman Empire. He and his companions had tried to go to the province of Asia (part of present-day Turkey), but the Holy Spirit stopped them, and they changed course. Then, at the border leading into Bithynia, the same thing happened. That night, Paul had a vision in which he saw a man begging him to come to Macedonia. So the missionaries went there, and God opened a remarkable door for them in Philippi. I find myself challenged by this passage to pay close attention to God's leading. What neighbor or coworker or friend is God calling me to love more intentionally? Can I sense that the Spirit is beckoning me to cross the street or a cultural boundary or an ocean to follow and trust his leading? Dear God, I long to have the clarity that you gave to Paul in this episode. Help me to trust that you are urging me to follow you into places and relationships where I can bring your love. Amen.

“Surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” — Matthew 28:20 Many years ago on a mission trip to Central America, I experienced for the first time a culture that was very different from my own. Our team landed at the airport, went through customs, and discovered that our host had not yet arrived to pick us up. In the unfamiliar surroundings we felt alone and anxious. None of us spoke Spanish or knew where we were supposed to go. I remember pacing back and forth in the airport with one of our team members, praying and talking out what we should do if no one came to meet us. Eventually Steve, our missionary host, showed up—to our great relief! That experience reminds me that there is always a measure of anxiety and uncertainty when we step across cultural and ethnic boundaries, whether it's in our neighborhood or in a neighboring country or overseas. We become vulnerable—and for many of us that can feel uncomfortable. Yet, as I also learned on that first mission trip, when we take that step, we open ourselves to new relationships, learning opportunities, and experiences that can change our lives for good in many ways. Most of all, we discover that when we embrace Jesus' Great Commission to us in Matthew 28, his words also become more real to us than we might imagine: “Surely I am with you always. . . .” Lord, Jesus, help me to discern how I can support your mission to all nations. What next step are you inviting me into? Thank you for your promise to be with me always. Amen.

All except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. — Acts 8:1 This week let's focus on another important mission word: intercultural. To be intercultural followers of Jesus means that we engage with people from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds to join in God's mission to the whole world. If we look closely at the early church in the book of Acts, we can see this principle in action. Jesus spent most of his teaching ministry among his own (Jewish) people, but he gave many hints that the good news of the kingdom is intended for all nations. The focus of missions started in Jerusalem. And when believers in Christ were scattered because of persecution, they “preached the word wherever they went.” Jesus had promised that his followers would witness in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). And in our passage today we see an example of how the preaching of the gospel spread from Jerusalem into Judea and Samaria. As the good news of Jesus spread, it crossed ethnic boundaries. And within a few years missionaries like the apostle Paul and others spread the word of God's salvation in Christ throughout the Roman Empire and beyond. Today the fastest growing parts of the church are in places like Africa, Asia, and Central America. Jesus' promise is still unfolding today! Jesus, thank you that your good news is for everyone from every culture and nation. We pray for your worldwide church and for missionaries serving in cross-cultural contexts. Amen.

Hear, O Israel: the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God. . . . — Deuteronomy 6:4-5 I worked in a grocery store when I was in high school. Back then, the prices of products were on stickers, and a cashier had to key the numbers in. Sometimes the sticker would be missing, and the cashier would call for a price check. It was part of my job to run to the shelf where the product came from and find the price. On busy Saturdays with lots of customers and cashiers, it often happened that a cashier would call my name several times before I would hear it. I thought something was wrong with my hearing. So I went to an ear doctor and discovered that my hearing was fine. The problem was not with my ears; it was me. That experience showed me how easily I could tune out important messages. Today is the day for Sabbath rest and worship. It is a day to pause, quiet ourselves, and listen for God's gentle, life-giving voice. Today's passage from Deuteronomy 6, called the “Shema” in Hebrew, was often recited by God's people several times a day. Notice how it begins: “Hear, O Israel. . . .” This can be a helpful reminder to pay attention to what we may have tuned out. Let's open our ears today to the message that God is our God, the one true God, who loves us. And may we hear the invitation again to love God with our whole being. Lord, God, it's easy for me to grow inattentive to your voice. Tune my entire life to your voice of love and speak to me today, I pray. Amen.

The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood. (The Message) — John 1:14 On a cool but beautiful fall day, several colleagues and I gathered with Mark, one of our missionaries, in a small house in a struggling neighborhood in Detroit, Michigan. This neighborhood has a history of being overlooked, and signs of decay are all around. Every third property is a vacant lot, and many of the remaining houses are in poor condition. For all of the external signs of stress, though, the atmosphere inside this small home overflowed with joy and gratitude. Mark introduced us to some of his neighborhood friends who were now involved in the ministry work there. These friends told us how Mark had bought this house to serve as a ministry center in the neighborhood—but that it took seven years before the neighbors actually trusted that this mission effort was genuine. Now the ministry runs a number of support centers in the community. One offers a ministry for men living on the streets, providing showers, food, and other basic needs. Another provides similar services for women. The centers also offer Bible studies and practical support ministries. What a beautiful picture of holistic mission, when Jesus moves into a neighborhood and the values of his kingdom begin to transform hearts, lives, and communities. May our lives and churches reflect the same missional heart. Jesus, help us to see the many ways you are at work in the neighborhoods and communities where we live. May we live faithfully as your hands and feet in the places we call home. Amen.

“Love the Lord your God with all your . . . strength.” — Mark 12:30 In many Christian traditions like my own, the Sunday worship service is the high point of the week. We gather to bring God our praise, offer our prayers, engage with God's Word, be nourished by the sacraments, and find renewal in our walk with Jesus. A few years ago a diaconal leader challenged our congregation to think about our Sunday gathering from a different point of view. What if, instead of thinking about our Sunday experience as a worship service, we flipped that around and thought about it as “service worship”? What if we considered that acts of service can be just as worshipful as the other activities of traditional worship? That started a beautiful new tradition in our church. Several times a year on a Sunday morning, we now gather for a short time of singing, prayer, and reflection, and then we disperse in teams throughout our city. Our teams volunteer at local schools, women's shelters, food banks, and more. What we have discovered in this simple change is that worship is so much more than what happens in a typical worship service. To love God not just with our heart, soul, and mind but also to love God and our neighbor with all our strength is a beautiful expression of worship. This is also a powerful expression of holistic mission. God, may my life be an offering of worship to you, not just through my words but also through my acts of kindness and generosity. I commit my whole self to you today. Amen.

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. — 2 Corinthians 5:18 My wife and I stood silently together, staring up at a small window in the top corner of a large and ominous residential school building. For 140 years this building housed about 150 Indigenous children from a nearby reserve. We had just heard some of the heart-wrenching stories of the children who were forced to live in that school. When they arrived, their hair was cut, and their clothes were taken away and replaced with uniforms. Names were replaced with numbers. Many children suffered abuse and neglect. One man told us that this small window was where he would regularly escape from when he was a boy living at the school. Sadly, for most of its history this was a church-run school. As you can imagine, many of the children who lived at the school have a very complicated and hostile view of the Christian faith today. Thankfully, some churches and Christians in Canada are beginning to reckon with this shameful past and have taken steps toward reconciliation. This work is a part of our holistic mission. As Christians, we have been reconciled to God through Christ. And we are called to the ongoing ministry of reconciliation, bringing the hope and healing of Christ into the deeply broken places of our world. It begins by listening and, where necessary, repenting. Dear God, we confess that your church has at times been a poor reflection of your heart. Forgive us and help us to live as agents of reconciliation in this broken world. Amen.

Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. — Hebrews 13:2 Krystal entered our lives many years ago when her life was at rock bottom. With nowhere else to turn, she came to our church, hoping to reconnect with Jesus, who had been a big part of her life when she was younger. As I and a few others began to learn her story, we discovered many layers of brokenness. I was amazed as members of our church embraced Krystal and provided for her needs. She was supported with a steady supply of healthy food. Someone gave her their older car, and a mechanic fixed it up free of charge. One night, when my daughter and I stopped by Krystal's place to drop off some groceries, she burst into tears at yet another expression of care. Then a few months later, when her life stabilized, Krystal moved on, and none of us heard from her again. Despite that disappointment, I do not regret the experience of connecting with Krystal. We aimed to be faithful in caring for her needs, and we do not know everything she was dealing with. She is in God's care. I also can't help wondering if, through Krystal, we served an angel without knowing it. As we live out the good news of Jesus in our neighborhoods, workplaces, and other communities, we never know how the story will twist and turn, but we do know that God calls us to show his love. God, help us to let go of our expectations and to serve whoever you may bring into our lives. Thank you for always loving us fully. Amen.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve. . . .” — Mark 10:45 Last year I took a course with mission leaders from around the world. On the first day, we were asked this question: How would you describe the central, gospel message of the Bible? I spoke up with an answer that reflects my church tradition. A few others chimed in with their answers. After several people had spoken, a classmate from Ethiopia gave an answer that many of us did not expect. She said, “I think the story of the Bible centers on the story of God as a servant.” That got our attention. She went on to explain, “The Bible opens with God creating the world and caring for Adam and Eve. The rest of the Bible is the story of how God put into place a plan to serve the world through his Son, Jesus.” And then she pointed out this beautiful detail: “The Bible ends with a picture of the new Jerusalem, which we are told will not need the sun or moon because God provides the light” (Revelation 21:23). From the beginning into eternity, God serves the world and all who are in it. I had never heard the good news framed in that way, reflecting a different perspective and cultural context. If Jesus came not to be served but to serve, how does that affect the way we live each day? How should it affect the way we live? Servant God, I am humbled by your willingness to do whatever was necessary to rescue me. Help me in my life to be a reflection of your self-giving heart. Amen.

Jesus went throughout Galilee . . . healing every disease and sickness among the people. — Matthew 4:23 This week let's reflect on a word we might not hear very often: holistic. In mission work we generally define holistic in terms of people's whole lives. We minister with our whole lives, and we care about the whole lives of the people we minister with. It's one thing to think about a definition. It's a whole other thing to see it in action. That's what we read about as Matthew 4 describes the ministry of Jesus. Imagine what it would have been like to experience Jesus' work for yourself. No wonder the good news of Jesus spread everywhere! All of the mission concepts we have been reflecting on this month show up in this passage: gospel (good news), witness, and holistic. Jesus proclaims the good news of the kingdom of God. People who experience Jesus witness to his goodness and bring others to meet him. And we see the holistic ministry of Jesus “healing every disease and sickness.” People are set free in every part of their lives. Our theme verse for this month says: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples” (Psalm 96:3). This is what holistic mission is all about. What does it look like to introduce hurting people to Jesus and his marvelous deeds? We live in a world that desperately needs to experience the loving and healing touch of Jesus. Jesus, thank you for caring about every part of our lives. Please bring healing to the broken areas of my life, and help me to be a channel of your healing presence to others. Amen.

Like a weaned child I am content. — Psalm 131:2 The actor Jim Carrey once introduced himself at a Golden Globe awards show as a two-time winner of the award. Half-joking, he made a big deal of winning the award twice. Then he said, with a big smile, “When I go to sleep at night . . . I don't just dream any old dream. No, sir. I dream about being three-time Golden Globe-winning actor Jim Carrey.” Then he paused, looking at the audience of famous actors and celebrities, and declared, “Because then I would be enough. . . . And I could stop this terrible search.” The audience laughed uncomfortably. The video clip of that speech went viral because it touches on a vulnerability within many of us. In a society built around consumerism and prestige, our discontentment is easily stirred up. We are told again and again through all kinds of media that we are just one purchase or one achievement away from having complete satisfaction and happiness. Then we will have enough. And we will be enough. Today, however, we celebrate God's gift that reminds us that we already have everything we need in Christ. In Christ I am secure. In Christ my hope is found. In Christ I find my deepest contentment, like a weaned child with its loving mother. May we seek and find that contentment in Christ today. Lord Jesus, I confess my own issues of discontentment. Forgive me for not trusting that I already have everything I need from you to enjoy the fullness of life. Amen.

My mouth will tell of your righteous deeds, of your saving acts all day long. — Psalm 71:15 This week we have reflected on what it means to be a witness to God's saving work. To be a witness is to simply tell about what you have seen and heard. As Christians, we believe that God is always at work around us, so our role is to bear witness to his presence and goodness. I have an older soccer friend who grew up with a negative view of religion and has often sparred with me about my faith. Several years ago his wife developed dementia, and he spent years caring for her at their home until she recently passed away. In her final months he barely left the house; he was a constant presence at her side. He told me once that as hard as that was, he wouldn't have wanted to do anything differently. As I thought about his deep faithfulness to his wife, it prompted me to say, “Rick, I know you may not agree with this, but your care for your wife makes me think about how much God cares for us.” He brushed me away. But he didn't argue. That interaction reminds me of how we can see God at work—if we pay attention. In addition, if we ask God to help us pay more attention to his work all around us, I wonder how much easier it might become to witness about God's righteous deeds in our lives and in the lives of others. God, you call me to declare your power and glory to others. May I see your hand at work in my daily life and in the lives of the people around me. Help me to notice and to bear witness to your greatness. Amen.

“At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you.” — Matthew 10:19-20 Someone told me recently about an illustration that I used in a sermon several years ago. They said it made a helpful point that they have often shared with their kids through the years. It had to do with the consequences of our actions—if you pick up one end of a stick, you also pick up the other. They said I also used an actual stick to help make the point. But I don't remember using that illustration. I don't even remember using the stick. But I expressed my gratitude that the illustration was helpful, even though I didn't remember it. Our passage today talks about the Lord's promise that the Holy Spirit will give us the words to say when we need them the most. I believe this is true, even in situations when we are not being persecuted. If we lean on the Holy Spirit, God can use our words to breathe life, encouragement, and conviction into the hearts of others. God can use our words to bring exactly what someone needs in that moment—even if we don't remember everything we have said. Let's pray that God will give us his words if we are ever being persecuted. And in our everyday conversations, let's practice witnessing about his goodness so that we are ready. Jesus, we pray for believers who are being persecuted for their faith in you. Give them strength and your words to say. Please also guide us all as we witness about your goodness. Amen.

“The master told his servant, ‘Go out to the roads and country lanes and compel them to come in, so that my house will be full.'” — Luke 14:23 Let's return to a parable we looked at last week (Sept. 6). We can reflect on this story through the lens of our call to witness. We are reminded in Jesus' parable that one of the most compelling pictures of the kingdom of God is that of a great feast. In fact, the Bible closes with a picture of a wedding feast. Jesus will return one day, and everything that is wrong will be made right. In Revelation 19:9 we read, “The angel said to me, ‘Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'” The Lamb is Jesus. And the guests are all who have said yes to his invitation. Here in Luke, Jesus tells us that as we wait for that great feast, our call is to invite everyone who will come. This is the heart of Jesus' parable. He deeply longs for every seat to be filled. “Go,” he tells his servants, in effect, “and bring in everyone you can find.” And when the servants do that and there is still room, he sends them out again. Think of the people you know who need to be encouraged by the beautiful news that God has a place for them at his table. The Lord has invited everyone—won't you pass the word along? And how can you share the generosity that flows from all the goodness God has given you? Lord Jesus, fill me with so much gratitude and joy for being invited to your feast that I cannot help inviting others to come as well. Amen.

[John] himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light. — John 1:8 When we think about sharing our faith, we are often nervous about having the right words to say. What if I say something wrong? What if someone asks me a question I don't know how to answer? What kind of witness would that be? I love how the gospel of John describes the work of John the Baptist. It is a reassuring description of what it means to be an evangelist (a messenger) for Jesus. We are told that John came as a witness, to testify concerning the light of Christ. We get this important clarification: “He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.” Wherever you may be right now, take a look at the closest light near you. Doing so might not be very comfortable for your eyes, though. In general, lights are not designed to be looked at. The purpose of a light is to reveal the things around it. For example, you can read a book and see other things around you because some kind of light is helping you to see those things. The role of John the Baptist, “who came as a witness to testify” about Jesus, was to help people understand about the light. John was not the light. But he helped people to understand that the One who is the light makes it possible to see what life is all about. In the same way, our witness about Jesus is not about ourselves—it points people to the One who is the light of the world. Jesus, light of the world, shine in our hearts today. Help us to witness faithfully about you in a world that longs for your light of love and hope. Amen.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” — John 4:7 Many Christians are uneasy about sharing the gospel message. We don't want to say the wrong thing or offend people or push them away. I remember how scared I was the one time I did door-to-door evangelism. As a teenager I volunteered in the summer with a group of young people in a neighborhood church. We led vacation Bible school for kids living nearby, and when we followed up to visit with the kids' families, we were so nervous that sometimes we forgot the name of the church we were serving—let alone how to share our faith! That model of evangelism tends not to be effective today. Many people have found that building relationships with people and witnessing as friends is more fruitful. John 4 shows us how Jesus struck up a conversation with a woman at a well. It was culturally unusual for him to speak with a woman he did not know, but she sensed his care for her and her life. He was bold but also highly relational and kind. As she talked with him, she showed that she was a thoughtful but wounded person with broken relationships in her past. Most situations of sharing the good news do not bring about such a quick turnaround. But we can follow Jesus' compassionate approach, listening to people's stories, entering their pain, and speaking with gentleness and respect about the God who loves them. Jesus, equip me with your Holy Spirit to become increasingly attentive to my connections with others. Help me respond with your compassion. Amen.

“As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.” — Acts 4:20 When we see or experience something extraordinary, usually we can't help telling people about it. Whether it is an encounter with a celebrity or a wonderful vacation or a life-changing event, we want to share it. As a young teen, I witnessed the launch of one of the first space shuttles. You can be sure I told all my friends about it when I got back home! This week, as we think about God's big mission, let's focus on our second word, witness. We give witness, or testimony, about God's work of salvation because God calls us to do so, and the Holy Spirit has come to help us (Acts 1:8). But we are also motivated internally. If we have experienced the saving love and power of God, and it has completely changed who we are and how we live, how can we not talk about it? In our passage today, we read that the apostles Peter and John caused a stir among the religious leaders in Jerusalem by healing a lame man. Those leaders wanted to know by what power or authority they had done this work. Peter, bold as ever, declared that they served Jesus and Jesus alone. And as for their work of speaking about Jesus and ministering in his name, how could they keep from sharing about all they had learned from the Savior? Likewise, may our lives spill over with the joy of our salvation! Dear Jesus, as this passage reminds us, “salvation is found in no one else” but you. May my life overflow with excitement and joy that because of your great love, I belong to you. Amen.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” — Matthew 11:28 Today is Sunday, so let's pause our focus on mission themes and take some time out for worship and rest. This is important, because missions can easily focus on all the things we are called to do. And, at times, talking about God's mission can leave us feeling guilty about things we are not doing. So today we remember that we do not carry the world on our shoulders. We take a day to worship, meditate on Scripture, play, and rest. This past week we have been thinking about the gospel as good news. In our passage today we hear the most beautiful good news from Jesus: “Come to me and rest.” Notice that he is talking not only about physical rest but also about rest for our souls. Jesus promises eternal rest for us all. The other day I was reading some bedtime stories to my grandsons—and as we did that together, I could feel them relax into my arms. Secure in a trusted relationship, they were able to let go and fall into a state of peaceful rest. Jesus invites us to see himself that way. Secure in Jesus, we can release our cares, our burdens, and our problems to him. On this day of rest, may you be reminded and find that the Lord holds you and the whole world in his hands. Dear Jesus, I surrender all the places in my life where I feel tired and worn out. May I find true and eternal rest in you today on this day of Sabbath. Amen.

Jesus replied, “A certain man was preparing a great banquet and invited many guests.” — Luke 14:16 Thinking about the gospel reminds us that at the heart of the Christian faith is a life- changing message of joy. That's why I like this parable so much. Jesus uses a powerful metaphor to describe life with him in the kingdom of God: a great banquet. In Jesus' day, banquets often celebrated important events in the community. In fact, Jesus' first miracle took place at a wedding banquet. To spare the family from social embarrassment when their wine had run out early, Jesus turned several jugs of water into wine (John 2:1-11). In Luke 14, Jesus tells a story about a wealthy man who hosts a banquet for his friends. They all accept the initial invitation, but when the day of the banquet comes and they are told that the food is ready, they make ridiculous excuses and reject the host's generosity. So the angry and frustrated host opens his table to whoever wants to come. This becomes a picture of the kingdom we are invited to enjoy. Sometimes this parable is summed up in a way like this: “God is throwing a party. Are you coming?” I love that! This sounds like good news to me! Am I willing to see that life in Jesus is better and more delightful than anything this world offers? Am I ready to drop everything and run to the feast? Jesus, help me to see that life in your kingdom is a great celebration that we can enjoy forever. May I not be distracted by other things in my life and say yes to your invitation today. Amen.

Now if we died with Christ, we believe that we will also live with him. — Romans 6:8 As we think about the Lord's good news, the gospel, it is important to be aware of the radical change it brings to our lives. A few years ago, I had the privilege of baptizing Ava, a recent immigrant from Iran. Her journey began when she found out that her neighbor, a woman from our church, was a Christian. Ava had lots of questions, and that led to many months of one-on-one Bible study, in which Ava felt safe to ask whatever was on her mind. Later she joined a women's Bible study, and eventually Ava received Jesus as her Savior and committed her life to following him. To mark this moment, Ava wanted to be baptized. She wanted to be immersed in the waters of baptism as described in Romans 6, and she requested that it be a small affair because of her fear of crowds. So on a beautiful Wednesday morning, with about 15 women gathered at a neighboring Baptist church, we celebrated Ava's baptism—her participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus. What a day! Whatever your faith journey, this is the heart of the gospel: by putting our faith and trust in Jesus, we die to our old self and we are raised to new life in him—starting now and going into all eternity. May you count yourself alive to Jesus Christ today! Lord Jesus, thank you that because of your death and resurrection, we too can be raised to new life. Help me to put my trust in you today for every situation in my life. Amen.

God exalted him to the highest place . . . that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow . . . and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord. . . . — Philippians 2:9-11 When I was a pastor, one of the churches I served celebrated Ascension Day with a midweek worship service. That meant extra preparation work for me, and I admit that sometimes I resented having to do that extra work. One year, in front of a small crowd on a Thursday evening, I delivered a hastily produced sermon. And after the worship service, a young man who had been visiting our church asked if he could meet with me. So we did. He told me that in that service, he had encountered God like never before. In an instant, the Christian story had made sense to him. He was now a believer in Christ! Through that simple, unassuming worship service and my unimpressive words, the Holy Spirit brought him to a deep awareness of what it means to be in relationship with Jesus, the Servant-King. I was deeply humbled, knowing that my attitude had not been the best going into that service. This experience gave me new insight into the message of Philippians 2. I am often humbled because of my failures and shortcomings. But Jesus, who intentionally humbled himself for the sake of the world, continues to work among us despite ourselves. He will keep changing lives until that day when every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord. Jesus, thank you for always working through us, despite our failures and weaknesses. We worship you as our Savior and exalt you as our ascended Lord. Amen.

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. — 1 John 4:10 My wife, Jacquie, is a teacher in a Christian elementary school. One day she asked her students to complete this sentence: “Jesus loves me because . . .” Almost every student answered with phrases like “Because I am sometimes kind to my sister” or “Because I try to do my best in school.” It was interesting to hear that almost all of the students connected Jesus' love with their efforts to earn it. Where did that idea come from? It is not the message of the Bible, and it is not the gospel. The true heart of the gospel is captured in the powerful words of 1 John 4:10: “This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” The gospel message is that there is nothing we can do to make Jesus love us. Our salvation is offered as a completely free, undeserved gift: we simply receive it. Our passage sums it all up in one word: love. Receive the good news for you today: This is love: not that you loved God (or did anything else to earn God's favor), but that he loves you and sent his Son as a saving sacrifice for your sins. You are loved—just because you are you and God is love. Dear God, as I am reminded that your love is the starting point of everything, help me to embrace Jesus as your greatest gift of love to me. Help me to love you in return. Amen.

Jesus went through all the towns and villages . . . proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. — Matthew 9:35 The first word we want to focus on as we think about God's big mission is gospel. Here is a definition of the gospel that I think captures just how big and amazing this good news is: “The gospel is the good news of God's reign, grace, and love in and through Christ for the redemption and renewal of all things.” This definition shapes everything we do in the mission agency that I serve. Take a moment and read it again if that helps. We see this definition at work here in Matthew 9. Jesus announces and proclaims the good news that God's kingdom has arrived—our God reigns! This good news is not just an announcement; it comes with a powerful demonstration of this life-changing message. Filled with compassion and love, Jesus heals people of “every disease and sickness.” What's more, Jesus longs to see his team multiply and bring this good news to a world that is desperate for hope and love. How is God inviting you to respond to this message of good news in a fresh way and to join in his mission? There is no better news than the good news of Jesus. There is no better calling than to share this good news with others. “The harvest is plentiful” (Matthew 9:37). Lord, I pray that my life will ring out with your good news. Continue to raise up people around the world to bring your message of life to the ends of the earth. Amen.

Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples. — Psalm 96:3 Recently our young grandson was lying quietly in his bed. Suddenly he piped up with a question: “Mommy, if God made everything, then who made God?” What a good question! And just how big is God? Psalm 96 reminds us that we serve the God of the universe. As followers of Christ, we are brought into a life-giving relationship with our big and marvelous God who not only rules the heavens and the earth but also knows every detail of our lives. This makes us part of a story that is much bigger than we are. We are part of a global church living out God's mission in every corner of the world. That big mission is beautifully captured in Psalm 96:3: “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.” This month we are going to explore what it means to be part of this bigger story. And we will use four key words to get at what it means to declare with our lives the greatness of God's marvelous deeds: gospel, witness, holistic, and intercultural. These words capture the biblically shaped passion that is at the heart of the global mission agency I am privileged to serve. As we reflect on these key words together this month, may God form us into people who increasingly declare his glory through our lives. God, we praise you as Lord over all, and we thank you for your amazing, worldwide mission. May our hearts be open as we learn what it means to reflect you in every part of our lives. Amen.

“When you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” — John 21:18 When Peter questioned Jesus' prediction about his death on the cross, the Lord strongly rebuked him (Matthew 16:21-23). Later, on the lakeshore where Jesus restored Peter, directing him to feed his sheep (John 21:15-17), Jesus predicted Peter's death. Though the details are unclear, Christian tradition has taught that the apostle Peter, while serving as a church leader in Rome, died in A.D. 64. That year a catastrophic fire had destroyed the imperial city. Scheming to shirk his own responsibility for the disaster, the emperor Nero blamed the fire on Christians. As the church's leader, Peter would have been an obvious target for revenge. When the Roman soldiers led him away to be hanged on a cross, the tradition goes, Peter pleaded to be crucified upside down, since he didn't feel worthy to die in the same way as his Lord, who had saved him. So the soldiers crucified him upside down. Though we can't be sure about the details of Peter's death, we can be certain that when Peter was reunited with Jesus in heaven, the Lord said to him, “Well done, good and faithful servant!” (see Matthew 25:23). Despite any of his glaring failures, Peter's service revealed the virtues of faith, courage, patience, and perseverance. In our own service to Jesus, may we also look forward to the Savior's words of praise. Help us, Lord Jesus, to live each day as your faithful servants. Amen.

Do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. — 2 Peter 3:8 A line in a popular song says, “The waiting is the hardest part.” Why is waiting so hard? Waiting can bring anxiety and a feeling of helplessness. Today, nearly 2,000 years after the apostle Peter wrote about this, we're still waiting for Jesus' return, when the Lord will make all things new. Peter's readers, Christian exiles suffering hardship, are asking, “How long, Lord, until you come again to make the world right?” And Peter, echoing Jesus' teachings about his coming judgment (Matthew 24:39, 43), adds an insight about Jesus' return. Instead of seeing the Lord's delay as “slowness,” we should see his patience—or, in other words, his grace—for Jesus wants everyone to repent and believe in him. In the meantime, while we continue to wait for our Lord's return, we don't need to live with anxiety or helplessness. Peter encourages us from a posture of eternal security to live holy and godly lives as we look forward to Jesus making all things right. In the last words we hear from Peter in the Bible, he sums up what it means to wait for Jesus: “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen” (2 Peter 3:18). Jesus, Lord and Savior, fill us with a deep longing to grow in your grace and in knowing you. To you be all glory now and forever. Amen.

His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. — 2 Peter 1:3 Have you ever received gifts that you opened but never used? Sometimes the gifts we receive don't have any practical use. God has given us the greatest gift of all that we can use every day. Are we using it? In his second letter to Christians scattered across Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), the apostle Peter reminds his readers that the faith that God has given them in Jesus Christ is their most precious gift of all. Moreover, to all who have been called by God's goodness for his glory, we have been given everything we need to live godly lives. The gift of faith has been given to us, and we are called to use it in living to please God. How do we grow in pleasing God in our lives? Just as our bodies become fit through exercise, so our righteousness grows through practical use and exertion. In our reading for today, Peter outlines a practical approach to growing in godliness (2 Peter 1:5-7). Without a doubt, Peter's spiritual-fitness program can look daunting. But the good news, once again, is that the gift of faith for spiritual growth has already been given to us. We just need to exercise it. Moreover, Peter notes, the reward for living godly lives includes the promise of abundantly fruitful service for Jesus Christ. Our faith in you, Jesus, has come as a gift through the Holy Spirit. Help us to exercise our faith by growing in righteousness, for your sake. Amen.

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. — 1 Peter 5:8 Appreciation for cats is not universal. Kittycats, like lions, evoke a mixed response. In the Bible a lion can represent the sovereign strength of God—as in “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” (Revelation 5:5). Or think of Aslan, who represents Jesus in the Chronicles of Narnia. Peter mentions a different sort of lion, though, at the end of his first letter to early Christians in the New Testament. And he warns that this lion is hunting for believers in Christ. What's going on? Though many years had passed since the dramatic events of Jesus' death and resurrection, Peter continued to reflect on those early days of the church, knowing that Christians in later years would face opposition because of their faith in Christ. The same is true for many Christians throughout the world today. As he wrote from Rome to Christians who faced persecution in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Peter warned his readers, “Be alert and of sober mind.” Peter knew that he had failed in the past, and now he better understood why. So he warned Christians to be wary of their great enemy, the evil one, who, like a roaring lion, wanted to devour them. Knowing his own experience, Peter also offered a promise. God cares for us and will help us resist and stand firm. But when we fail, God will also restore us, as he did with Peter. Jesus, thank you for standing firm for us. Please help us to stand firm for you. Amen.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. — 1 Peter 4:8 I've heard it said that grudges are like “ugly pets.” And if we let them, those ugly pets will sit on our shoulders while we feed and pamper them. Actually, grudges will weigh us down, and eventually they can consume us. So how do we get rid of a grudge? The apostle Peter offers just the right formula for killing pet grudges. Throughout his letter to Christians who are facing hardship and persecution in Asia Minor, Peter often refers back to ground zero, his main point of reference: Jesus Christ. As Jesus has forgiven us, we too must forgive people who have offended or hurt us. So instead of nursing grudges against others, we must nurture those people with love. How do we do that? Reflecting on Jesus' words to put no limits on forgiveness (Matthew 5:43-45; 18:21-22), Peter writes, “Above all love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” Peter then lays out intentional steps for putting love into play: offering generous hospitality and using the gifts that God has given us to bless and serve others. As Peter learned from Jesus himself, when we forgive others, we demonstrate that we have been forgiven and are loved by God. As you have forgiven us, Lord Jesus, help us to forgive and love others. Amen.

In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. — 1 Peter 1:6 During the 19 years that our family lived in China, we were “resident aliens.” We were living in one country, but we had citizenship in another. Writing to Christians who were scattered throughout Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Peter reminds them that they are like resident aliens, citizens of two worlds. When he wrote his first letter, Peter was likely in his mid-sixties and writing from Rome. According to some Bible scholars, his readers may have been former residents of Rome who were forced to relocate (see Acts 18:2). Drawing from his decades of following Jesus, Peter urges these scattered believers to keep two things in mind. First, they should live with great joy. Through Jesus' death and resurrection, they have been given a hope that absolutely nothing could spoil. Second, though they are facing difficulties—even persecution—they should keep trusting in Jesus and living as respectful and faithful residents of their present land. In a sense, wherever we live, we followers of Jesus are “resident aliens.” In this life our hope is in Jesus while we await our promised eternal life with him in his kingdom, which will culminate in the new heaven and earth. So we too should live with joy, keeping our eyes on Jesus. And although we may face difficulties in our present circumstances, we can live as faithful citizens of his kingdom wherever we are. Lord Jesus, help us to focus on our citizenship with you while we seek to follow wherever you lead us. Amen.

When Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned. — Galatians 2:11 After his formative, life-changing encounter with Cornelius the centurion, Peter and others led the early church in understanding God's grace for all people (see Acts 10-11, 15). Later, however, Peter tended to favor Jesus' Jewish followers, while Paul continued working for the Lord as a missionary to Gentiles (Acts 9, 13-14, 16-28). Though Peter believed that Jesus' love was for all people, he sometimes slipped back into ethnic prejudices, avoiding eating with Gentiles for fear of offending Jewish believers. In Antioch, Paul confronted Peter (Cephas) as a hypocrite for separating himself from Gentiles. Though Paul's response may have been excessive, we can thank God that Paul did not go along with twisting Jesus' gospel of love and unity. And, sadly, again we see Peter, “a pillar” of the early church, showing weakness in the face of peer pressure from Jewish hardliners. Yet Peter didn't completely collapse here. From his later teaching we can tell that he accepted Paul's reprimand and moved on without holding a grudge. In a letter to Christians in Galatia and other parts of Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), Peter describes Paul as “our dear brother,” who had also written to them “with the wisdom that God gave him” (2 Peter 3:15). Like Peter, we can expect to fail at times. As we grow in becoming disciples, though, we can also, like Peter, humbly accept correction and continue to follow Jesus. Lord, by your grace, may we continue to follow and serve you. Amen.

“Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” — Acts 10:47 Have you heard the saying “The more things change, the more they stay the same”? Though Jesus had come to change the spiritual lives of all who would believe in him as Savior, some things in the lives of Peter and others remained the same. But a divine appointment changed everything. As a leader in the early church, Peter set an example for the Jewish followers of Jesus. He kept the Sabbath with prayer and rest. He kept kosher, carefully minding the strict Jewish dietary rules. What's more, he shunned contact with Gentiles (non-Jews), and, like all Jews, he hated the Romans. But that wasn't how the Lord wanted the church to be. So the Lord sent Peter a troubling vision and put him on a mission to visit a Roman centurion (Acts 10:1-23). And Peter learned that he needed to change his mind. And when he saw that the Holy Spirit came on all the Gentiles who had heard the good news of salvation, Peter began to understand the wideness of God's love for all people. So he called for these Gentiles be baptized in Jesus' name. Here God used Peter's standing in the church to begin a crucial turning point in the history of the church. If you love Jesus, God loves you. It doesn't matter if you're Jewish or not. Jesus calls us to love and serve all of God's children. Lord, thank you for your love for people of every language and nation. Help us to love as you have loved us. Amen.

Peter said to her, “How could you conspire to test the Spirit of the Lord?” — Acts 5:9 “Kill the chicken to scare the monkey,” says a Chinese proverb. In other words, put the fear of punishment into people, and they will not break the rules. Is that what Peter does in this unnerving story about Ananias and Sapphira? In the early chapters of Acts, the writer Luke includes progress reports on the growth and character of the early church. At the end of Acts 4 we read that the believers were “one in heart and mind” and “shared everything they had.” We also read of a generous donation by Barnabas, who sold some land and gave all the money to the church. The story of Ananias and Sapphira, however, reveals a web of deceit. The couple sold some land and kept some money for themselves while pretending to give all the proceeds to the church. Peter harshly condemned them—not for keeping some of the profit but for lying and thinking they could deceive the Holy Spirit. What should we make of this story? Is Peter making an example of this deceitful couple? Well, this story isn't mainly about Peter. The Holy Spirit, who lives and moves within us and the church, is carrying out Jesus' plans for redemption. Ananias and Sapphira's story reminds us that we should rely only on the Spirit for growth and blessing—and we should never forget that the Spirit is the Lord Almighty. Lord Jesus, thank you for the promise and presence of the Holy Spirit, our comforter. Help us to trust and honor the Spirit in all things. Amen.

“When they arrest you, do not worry about what to say or how to say it. At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be you speaking, but the Spirit. . . .” — Matthew 10:19 Are you ever at a loss for words? I am, at times, in difficult or sensitive situations, where the cost might be high. In our reading for today, we see Peter and John living out a promise that Jesus had given them—that the Holy Spirit would provide them with words in difficult situations. Jesus had commissioned his disciples to continue his ministry (Matthew 28:18-20), and now they were doing as he had taught them. They were healing people and proclaiming his forgiveness of sins and his resurrection from the dead. But Peter and John were arrested and brought before the religious authorities in Jerusalem, and those leaders wanted to know how the disciples had the authority to heal a lame man. The critical moment had come, and Peter, “filled with the Holy Spirit,” proclaimed boldly that they had healed the man in the name of Jesus Christ, who had risen from the dead, and that salvation is found only in him. Unlike Christians in parts of the world that are hostile to the church today, most of us have not been called to account for our belief in Jesus. We can be grateful, though, for the faithful witness of Jesus' followers. And we can trust that the Spirit will give us what we need when we too may be called on to share the truth about our Lord and Savior. Jesus, help us to trust you and the Spirit to help us speak with love and boldness when are called to do so in your name. Amen.

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” — Acts 2:38 How many keys do you have? I have several keys that I use often, and we have lots of old or unused keys at home. Jesus gave Peter the most important keys in the world. When Jesus asked, “Who do you say I am?” Peter declared, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:15-16). Jesus affirmed Peter's declaration, saying it was revealed to him by his Father in heaven, and then Jesus promised to give Peter the “keys of the kingdom of heaven” (16:19). What are those keys? Speaking to a flash mob on Pentecost morning, Peter used the keys of the kingdom. In a ringing speech citing Old Testament proofs that Jesus is the Son of God, Peter proclaimed that Jesus came to save sinners. He died to pay the price of our sin, and he rose from death so that we could have new life in him, through the power of the Holy Spirit. Peter's listeners were cut to the heart and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter responded by offering the keys of the kingdom of heaven: “Repent and be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” In addition to your house keys and car keys, do you have the keys of the kingdom? If not, ask Jesus to reveal himself to you and to forgive your sins. And as a forgiven sinner, thank Jesus and ask him to use you to share those keys with the people around you who don't know him. Help us, Lord Jesus, to share the keys of your kingdom with all who need you. Amen.

In those days Peter stood up among the believers (a group numbering about a hundred and twenty). . . . — Acts 1:15 Have you heard of the “Peter Principle”? It's a management theory by Laurence J. Peter suggesting that employees will rise to the level of their incompetence. In other words, people can be promoted into roles for which they don't even have the necessary skills. And people at the top are often not the best suited to fill those top positions. What about Peter in the Bible? Was he suited for his position at the head of the early church? Though Peter's heart was often in the right place, he was prone to extreme ups and downs, from boldly proclaiming Jesus as the “Son of God” to denying that he even knew his Lord. But before Jesus ascended to heaven, Jesus gave Peter the charge to take care of his sheep. So in the opening chapter of Acts, we see Peter speaking as the leader of the disciples and Jesus' other followers in Jerusalem. He leads the process of selecting Matthias to replace Judas, who had betrayed Jesus to the religious leaders. From this time on, Peter stands at the head of the founding and growth of the church in its early days. Was Peter suited for this role? In truth, no. Nevertheless, Jesus chose him, despite his flaws and failings, for a pivotal role in nurturing the early church. Are we suited for serving Jesus? In truth, no—but he will use us, if we listen to him. Before you, Jesus, we all fall short. Thank you for loving us and calling us to enjoy life in you. Help us to honor and serve you faithfully. Amen.

Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” — John 21:17 This passage echoes a couple of earlier scenes in the story of Jesus and his disciples. On the night Jesus was arrested, while Peter crouched for warmth by a fire in the high priest's courtyard, he was asked three times by some of the people there if he was one of Jesus' disciples. And he denied Jesus each time (John 18:15-27). In our reading today we find another fire—this one for cooking a breakfast of fresh fish. And here, as Jesus had done when he had first met Peter and the others fishing (Luke 5:4-7), he has just directed the disciples to catch a boatload of fish. Like bookends, these two catches of fish and two fires highlight Peter's calling and his being forgiven. And the story doesn't end with forgiveness. After breakfast, Jesus challenges Peter with a razor-sharp question: “Peter, do you love me more than these [other disciples]?” “Lord, you know I do,” Peter insists. Jesus asks and Peter answers three times. Three affirmations for three denials. And with each one Jesus tells Peter to care for his sheep. As it was with Peter, our being made right with God is not our happy ending. It's our new beginning. Do you love Jesus with all your heart? If you do, Jesus calls you to feed his lambs and take care of his sheep. Wherever we live, we can help with tending God's flock, his people bought with the precious blood of Jesus. Jesus, our good shepherd, you have provided all that we need. Lead us to love and serve everyone around us. Amen.

Peter and the other disciple started for the tomb. Both were running, but the other disciple outran Peter. . . . — John 20:3 I'm not much of a runner. I prefer walking. In an urgent situation, though, I would run if I had to. When Peter and John heard that Jesus' tomb had been opened, they raced there urgently to see for themselves. Significantly, Jesus' first post-resurrection appearance was to Mary Magdalene and several other women who had come to his tomb. But the disciples did not believe them at first, dismissing their account as “nonsense” (Luke 24:10). Yet despite their doubts, John writes that he and Peter ran to the tomb. John, the younger man, got there first and peeked in, but Peter was the first to go into the empty tomb. Later, Peter is reportedly the first of the disciples to see Jesus risen from the dead (Luke 24:34). Though Mary Magdalene is the first person to see Jesus alive (John 20:14-15), why is Peter the first among the disciples? Maybe this distinction shows that Jesus has forgiven Peter's denial. In addition, this could point to Peter's central role as a leader among the apostles, who established the church, Christ's body on earth. Broken and flawed, yet willing and eager to serve, Peter and Mary and all of Jesus' other disciples are chosen to spread the good news of his salvation to others—and eventually to the world. Though we, too, are broken and flawed, Jesus can use us as we join the urgent race to share in his mission. Lord, you have set the race before us. Give us the strength and courage to endure till we meet you face to face. Amen.

Jesus commanded Peter, “Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?” — John 18:11 I sometimes carry a small pocket knife—not for protection, but for small tasks like slicing apples to eat. Peter, however, carried a sword for protection on the night that Jesus was arrested. Anticipating a deadly trap, Peter concealed a sword in his cloak. And when some soldiers came along with several religious leaders to arrest Jesus, Peter drew out his sword and cut off the ear of the high priest's servant. When Jesus saw Peter's violent act, he rebuked him, healed the servant's ear (Luke 22:51), and challenged Peter, saying, in effect, “Shall I not do what the Father has given me to do?” Strangely, in an earlier passage in Luke, Jesus seems to advise his disciples to carry swords (Luke 22:36-38). Was Jesus speaking figuratively there about swords for spiritual warfare, as Paul does in Ephesians 6:10-18? Though that passage in Luke is a bit unclear, we can be certain of one thing: Jesus never condones physical violence in order to spread the good news of his salvation. Submitting to God's will, Jesus gave himself as a humble sacrifice to demonstrate his love for us all. And he invites us to do the same for others. Jesus, Prince of Peace, help us to submit our will to you, and with acts of humble obedience may we love and serve you in the world. Amen.