If you were asked to name influential people, strong individuals with impressive credentials might come to mind. But today’s passage tells us that God has chosen the weak, the base, and the foolish things of the world to shame the things that are strong and wise (1 Cor. 1:27-28).
This principle is woven throughout the fabric of biblical history: A prostitute named Rahab made a right choice and became the ancestor of the Messiah. A widow named Ruth chose the God of Israel and became the great-grandmother of King David. An infertile wife named Hannah poured out her soul to God and gave birth to Samuel the prophet. A man called Abram responded to God, left his relatives behind, and became the father of all who believe. A woman named Mary poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ head, and she’s still memorialized by her lavish, loving act more than 2,000 years later.
Those with great influence are the ones who follow the Lord and have proven themselves to be “blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom [they] appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:15). You may not think your light is very bright by this world’s standards, but the opinion that matters belongs to God—the one who is Himself light (1 John 1:5).
What happens immediately after a believer’s death? Does the soul enter heaven right away, go to sleep until the resurrection, or suffer for certain sins before coming into the presence of God?
In writing to the Thessalonians, the apostle Paul referred to the dead as being asleep (1 Thessalonians 4:14), which some interpret as a state of “suspended animation” until the resurrection. However, Jesus told the thief on the cross that they would be together in paradise that very day (Luke 23:43).
Others think that before we go to heaven, additional cleansing through punishment is required. But Scripture is clear: Jesus paid the price for all sins. His work of atonement was finished on the cross (1 Peter 3:18). Those who have received Jesus as Savior move immediately from life on earth to life in heaven.
Unfortunately, people who die without Jesus suffer until they face judgment (Luke 16:22-23). Since belief in Christ is the only way to heaven, the lake of fire will be their final destination (Revelation 20:11-15). This is a hard truth, but the good news is that knowing our ultimate destiny encourages us to face our unbelieving loved ones—and empowers us to pray for and witness to them.
Once, when someone once asked if I’d ever heard myself pray, I decided to record my voice as I prayed about a matter of deep concern. After listening to the recording, I realized it was filled with negative descriptions of how bad the situation was and how discouraged I felt. My focus was all wrong.
On encountering a fearful situation, Jehoshaphat chose a different approach: God-centered prayer. Instead of coming to the Lord with a “woe is me” attitude, Jehoshaphat began by focusing on God’s power and sovereignty (2 Chron. 20:6), His past faithfulness to Judah (2 Chron. 20:7-8), and His promise to hear and deliver His people (2 Chron. 20:9). Only after strengthening his faith through these reminders of God’s adequacy did the king make his petitions (2 Chron. 20:10-12).
In prayer, we can choose to magnify either the Lord or our difficulty. Are you concentrating on the faithfulness of almighty God or your overwhelming problem and negative feelings? Let’s keep our eyes on Him and wait with complete confidence until we see the great things He’ll do for His glory and our good.
To get the most out of this devotion, set aside time to read the scriptures referenced throughout.
It’s often at this time of year that church members gather to tend to their buildings and grounds, preparing for winter and giving everything a thorough cleaning. There are many tasks to accomplish, and no one person is meant to do them all.
The strongest workers tackle the heavy jobs like moving furniture or hefty tree limbs, while those with nimble fingers clean the dust from tiny spaces. Energetic little ones run supplies, while others can prepare refreshments for all to enjoy. When the congregation labors as a team, all the tasks are completed, and everyone benefits.
The key is mutuality. In mutual relationships, we aren’t always equally equipped, but we should be equally committed to helping as best we can with the skills and talents God has given us. As the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 12:14-18, “The body is not one part, but many,” and “God has arranged the parts, each one of them in the body, just as He desired.”
Think about it
- Are you fulfilling your role in the body? If not, how can you begin to do so in a more robust and fulfilling way?
How many true friends do you have? At first, a lot of names may come to mind, but the longer you consider the question, the more likely it is that the number will dwindle. The reality is that we do not have many genuine friends—in other words, the ones who remain loyal no matter what circumstances arise.
Most people long for intimate friendships. In fact, God created us to need relationships with one another. Without them, we can easily suffer from loneliness and depression. Yet healthy friendships don’t just happen. They require intentional effort.
For Christians, the goal is to choose godly friends who share our faith and seek to walk obediently with the Lord. Our closest companions need to be people we can depend upon for good advice, support, and encouragement. Another important component is mutual commitment. As today’s verse says, we need “a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This dependable, intimate closeness is what the Lord wants for us, but it’s a rare treasure. If you have such friends, express to them your appreciation and admiration. And thank God for giving you such a valuable gift.
