Written by Chuck Swindoll, these encouraging devotional thoughts are published seven days per week.
If someone has enough money to live well and sees a brother or sister in need but shows no compassion—how can God’s love be in that person?(1 John 3:17)
Going to the statement found in Hebrews 10:24, we are to “consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds.” In other words, we are to give thought to specific ways we can lift up, affirm, and help others. God’s commands are not theoretical—especially those that relate to people in need.
And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.(Hebrews 10:25)
Certainly there is more to encouragement than a smile and a quick pat on the back. We need to realize just how valuable it really is.
Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honouring each other.(Romans 12:9–10)
As I search God’s Word for reasons to break with the isolationism of this age, I find two inescapable facts: God commands it and the body, the church, needs it.
We read in Romans 12:9–16 a series of commands:
“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”(John 13:34–35)
We reject all shameful deeds and underhanded methods. We don’t try to trick anyone or distort the word of God. We tell the truth before God, and all who are honest know this.(2 Corinthians 4:2)
You know how badly we had been treated at Philippi just before we came to you and how much we suffered there. Yet our God gave us the courage to declare his Good News to you boldly, in spite of great opposition. So you can see we were not preaching with any deceit or impure motives or trickery. For we speak as messengers approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people. He alone examines the motives of our hearts.(1 Thessalonians 2:2–4)
God often delivers His best gifts to us in unexpected ways...with surprises inside the wrappings. Through apparent contradictions.
So much of what results in a fulfilled life is really the product of a contradiction. Those who wish to be the best leaders must demonstrate true servanthood.
The wealthy John D. Rockefeller was once asked, “How much does it take to satisfy a man?” With rare wisdom he answered, “A little bit more than he has.”
Dissatisfaction. It creates (if we let it) a restless drive for more...or better...or bigger.
Sign up to receive Chuck Swindoll’s Daily Devotional in your inbox seven days per week.
Insight for Living is committed to excellence in communicating the truths of Scripture and the Person of Jesus Christ in an accurate, clear, and practical manner so that people will come to an understanding of God’s plan for their lives, as well as their significant role as authentic Christians in a needy, hostile, and desperate world.
1-30445 Progressive Way • Abbotsford, BC • V2T 6W3
info@insightforliving.ca
1.800.663.7639