ARTICLES

“Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to Him” (Psalm 128:1).

The phrase “fear of the Lord” can sound strange to our modern ears. We often speak of God’s love and His invitation to draw near but not of fear. Yet in Scripture, the fear of the Lord is not a cringing terror. It is deep and profound reverence, an awe-filled respect for God’s holiness and greatness.

This reverence naturally leads to action. The psalmist tells us that those who fear the Lord are the ones who walk in His ways. To fear God is not merely to feel something; it is to live in faithful obedience to Him. Our obedience becomes the visible proof of our reverence.

Moses gave similar instructions to Israel: “Fear the Lord your God, serve Him only” (Deuteronomy 6:13). To fear God was to serve Him. And within the language of the Old Testament, fear and love were often two sides of the same coin. Deuteronomy commands, “Love the Lord your God and keep His requirements” (Deuteronomy 11:1). To love Him is to obey Him. To fear Him is to walk in His ways.

True blessedness flows from this posture of love and reverence. When we align our lives with God’s commands, we experience the security and joy that come from living under His care. The blessing is not merely material; it is the peace of knowing we are walking in the will of the One who holds all things together.

The world often equates blessing with success or comfort, but Scripture reminds us that the deepest blessing is found in a life surrendered to God. To fear the Lord is to recognize His greatness. To obey Him is to trust His wisdom. Together they lead us into lasting joy.

Where is God calling you to deeper obedience today? What step of trust would show your reverence and love for Him in a tangible way?

PRAYER

Father, teach me to walk in Your ways with a heart that loves and reveres You. Help me to obey Your Word in all I do, so that my life may reflect the blessing of knowing You. Amen.

“For My people have committed two evils: They have forsaken Me, the fountain of living waters, and hewn themselves cisterns—broken cisterns that can hold no water” (Jeremiah 2:12-13).

In the dry land of ancient Israel, water was the difference between life and death. From November through April, rains nourished the land, but for the rest of the year people depended on springs, rivers, wells, or cisterns.

Springs and rivers offered fresh, flowing water that renewed life wherever it went. Cisterns, on the other hand, were pits dug into rock to collect runoff. They required plaster to keep the water from seeping out. The water inside was stagnant, often filled with sediment, sometimes even spoiled or poisoned. And when cracks formed, the water disappeared altogether.

Through Jeremiah, God compared the people of Judah to those who chose broken cisterns over fresh springs. Instead of trusting Him, the source of living water, they turned to false gods and empty substitutes that could never sustain them. They abandoned the fountain of life for pits that held nothing.

The prophet understood this image personally. His hometown of Anathoth had no natural spring, so the villagers relied on cisterns. He knew the taste of stagnant water, the disappointment of an empty reservoir, and the precious value of a fresh, flowing spring. His metaphor struck at the heart of Judah’s sin: rejecting God for lifeless idols.

The same temptation confronts us today. We are surrounded by cisterns that promise fulfillment such as success, wealth, relationships, and self-reliance. Yet they inevitably crack and fail. They cannot hold water. They cannot give life. Only God can. Jesus echoed Jeremiah’s message when He declared, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).

Where do you turn when your soul is dry? Are you sipping from cracked cisterns, or are you drinking deeply from the fountain of living water? Substitutes will always leave us empty, but the life that flows from God never runs dry.

What cisterns have you been tempted to dig for yourself? How might you turn instead to the One who is the true source of living water?

PRAYER

Father, forgive me for the times I have turned to empty substitutes instead of You. Refresh my heart with Your living water, and let Your Spirit flow through every dry place in my life. Amen.

“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).

What does it mean to truly follow Jesus? Paul’s answer in Galatians is both simple and profound: we fulfill the law of Christ by carrying one another’s burdens. This is not an optional suggestion but a central mark of discipleship.

Jesus Himself said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Love is the evidence of true discipleship. But this love is not abstract. It takes the shape of action. To love in this way means entering into another person’s struggle, offering support, encouragement, and compassion when life feels too heavy for them to carry alone.

Such love requires more than polite words or surface-level relationships. It calls for proximity and presence. It means choosing to walk alongside others, listening to their pain, sharing in their struggles, and letting them know they are not forgotten. This kind of burden-bearing only happens when we slow down, notice those around us, and allow our lives to intersect in genuine care.

The law of Christ stands in stark contrast to the values of our self-centered, fast-paced culture. Yet if we are not daily seeking to love one another as Jesus commanded, can we honestly call ourselves His disciples? Loving others is not about comfort or convenience. Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan reminds us that being a neighbor means showing mercy, even to those who are different from us or difficult to love (Luke 10:29-37).

To be a disciple is to imitate the heart of Jesus, who bore the greatest burden of all on the cross. As His followers, we are called to bear the burdens of others, whether they are friends, neighbors, or even enemies. This is what sets His people apart. This is the mark of true discipleship.

Who around you is weighed down today? Are there practical steps you can take to help carry their burden, even if only for a moment? Loving well may be the clearest testimony of your faith.

PRAYER

Father, open my eyes to the needs of those around me. Fill my heart with compassion so I may share in their burdens and reflect the love of Christ. Teach me to walk in Your way of love each day. Amen.

When the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness, God provided for their daily needs in a miraculous way. He told Moses, “I am going to rain bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day” (Exodus 16:4).

The manna came with a test. They could only gather enough for one day, except on the sixth day when they collected a double portion so they could rest on the Sabbath. God was teaching His people to depend on Him one day at a time.

Years later, before Israel entered the Promised Land, Moses reminded them of what those years in the wilderness had taught: “So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord” (Deuteronomy 8:3).

The hardships of the wilderness revealed Israel’s need for obedience and trust, yet God faithfully provided. His gifts were never excessive, never lacking, but always exactly enough for each day.

Our world often celebrates the “self-made” person. We pride ourselves on independence, self-sufficiency, and planning for every contingency. But Scripture reminds us that life is not sustained by our own hands. God is the giver of every breath and the provider of our daily bread.

If we let it, the constant pressure of our busy lives can crowd God out. Anxiety about tomorrow convinces us that everything depends on us. The lesson of the manna speaks across the centuries: God is your source. He provides for today. He is the sustainer of life. Our part is simple—trust Him and follow His instructions.

Do you only turn to God when you are desperate, or do you recognize Him as your daily provider? Each morning, we are invited to remember: He gives us what we need, and He calls us to walk in obedience.

Where do you feel the pull to rely on yourself instead of trusting God? How can you remind yourself each day that He is your true source of life and provision?

PRAYER

Father, thank You for being the giver of life and the provider of daily bread. Help me to trust You with today’s needs and to walk in obedience to Your Word. Teach me to rest in Your faithfulness. Amen.

Have you ever opened your Bible and felt overwhelmed by all its instructions? Have you asked, “How can I possibly live this way and truly please God each day?” If so, you are not alone. God’s people have wrestled with that same difficult question throughout history.

The prophet Micah gives us one of the clearest answers in Scripture: “He has shown you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8).

Micah does not give us a list of rituals to complete or rules to check. Instead, he points to a way of life that pleases God. Do what is right. Show mercy. Live humbly before God. These are not abstract concepts. They are seen daily in how we treat others and how we walk with the Lord.

This is the heart of biblical faith. It is not simply agreeing with the right ideas or reciting words. Faith is expressed in obedience to God, and obedience is most visible in our love for others. James reminds us that faith without works is dead. Micah reminds us that God is looking for a life that reflects His character.

Jesus made the same point when asked about the greatest commandment. He replied, “You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength,” and added, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Both commands go hand in hand. Love God and love people. That is the life that pleases Him.

We often complicate things by chasing after new insights or spiritual goals. Yet God’s Word makes His will plain. If you want to honor Him, live in love, justice, mercy, and humility. This is what the Lord requires.

Where can you begin to simplify your faith today? How might you clearly show your love for God in the way you treat others?

PRAYER

Father, keep me from being distracted by many lesser things. Teach me to walk humbly with You, to live with mercy toward others, and to honor You always by doing what is right. Amen.

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence” (Proverbs 10:11).

Our words are powerful. They can build up or tear down, heal or wound, bring hope or cause despair. Proverbs tells us that the mouth of the righteous is like a fountain of life. That is more than a beautiful image. It is a spiritual standard for every follower of Christ.

Jesus explained why our words matter so much. They flow from the heart: “For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks” (Matthew 12:34).

The psalmist understood this connection too, which is why he prayed, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

In biblical thought, the “heart” was not simply the seat of emotions but the center of reason, thought, and will. What fills our hearts shapes our thoughts, and what fills our thoughts shapes our words. If we meditate on God’s truth, our speech will reflect His love and righteousness. If we fill our minds with bitterness, pride, or fear, that will come out too.

In our world today, words are more public than ever. Social media has given nearly everyone a platform to speak instantly and globally. We can use that voice to encourage, inspire, and speak truth in love, or we can use it to vent, attack, and stir division. The choice is ours.

Some even justify harsh and unkind speech in the name of defending God or His truth. But Scripture calls us to a higher way. Our words should reveal that we belong to Christ. They should carry life to those who hear them.

So, what do your words reveal about your heart? Do they refresh, strengthen, and encourage? Or do they drain, discourage, and wound? Today, let us choose words that give life.

PRAYER

Father, fill my heart with Your truth and my mind with Your wisdom so that my words bring life to those around me. May my speech always honor You and encourage others. Amen.

“If you love Me, keep My commandments” (John 14:15).

When we talk about love, it’s easy to think only in terms of emotion. Warm feelings, passion, affection—these are often how we measure love in our world. But biblical love is made of sturdier stuff.

Jesus defines love not as something we feel but something we live. When He said to His disciples, “If you love Me, keep My commandments,” He wasn’t pointing them toward emotion. He was pointing them toward obedience.

This wasn’t a new concept. Long before Jesus’ earthly ministry, God had told Israel through Moses: “You shall love the Lord your God and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always” (Deuteronomy 11:1).

To love God was to trust Him—and to trust Him meant obeying Him. This wasn’t legalism; it was loyalty. It was a relationship marked by faithfulness, not just feelings.

Jesus later echoed this with a challenging question: “Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46)

We can sing songs, post Bible verses, and say we love God all we want—but the true test is whether we do what He says. Obedience is not a substitute for love; it’s the evidence of it.

And that obedience always flows into love for others. According to Jesus, the greatest commandments are to love God and to love our neighbor (Matthew 22:37-40). He said, “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12).

So, how do we show our love for God?

By honoring His Word.
By walking in His ways.
By loving people even when it’s inconvenient.
By listening and following, even when it’s costly.

Love is more than sentiment. It’s a surrender.

It listens. It follows. It obeys.

Is your love for Jesus something others can see—not just in your words, but in your daily choices? In what area of your life is God calling you to love Him through deeper obedience?

PRAYER

Father, may my love for You be more than words. Teach me to obey You fully and joyfully.

Help me to love as You love, to walk as You walked, and to live a life that honors You in all I do. Amen.

“Zechariah asked the angel, ‘How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years.’ The angel said to him, ‘I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news”’ (Luke 1:18-19 NIV).

Luke repeatedly speaks about the “proclamation of good news” within his Gospel and Acts. He uses the phrase “to proclaim good news” as opposed to the noun “gospel.” His language reflects a more Hebraic form of expression and goes back to biblical passages from Isaiah (40:9; 41:27; 52:7; and 61:1), which ancient Judaism understood as part of God’s promised redemption for His people. 

When the angel Gabriel tells Zechariah, John’s father, that he came to announce good news to Zechariah (Luke 1:19), he doesn’t merely mean the birth of a son (although that was certainly tremendous news for the aged couple). Rather, Gabriel’s language hints at the role Zechariah’s son will play in God’s redemptive actions for His people (1:15-17). And Zechariah would have understood that. 

The angels proclaimed to the shepherds, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people” (2:10 NIV). Their jubilant message to the shepherds—“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” (2:14 NKJV)—articulated the essence of the good news they proclaimed: God is fulfilling His promises to His people; the hope of redemption has come! And He does so and draws near through the birth of these babies. 

The worldview of the Bible focuses primarily on the community and collective, as opposed to the individual as we do within Western society. The angelic proclamation to Zechariah and the shepherds announced God’s redemption for His people. It was not for a few. And the individual was not the center of God’s proclamation of good news; it was meant for all people. 

We often personalize our faith: What does the Bible say to me? What has God done for me? And, at Christmas, what is God’s gift of salvation to me? If that is our primary focus, we miss the angelic proclamation—which was about God, His fulfillment of His promises to His people, and the hope of redemption for all the people. 

PRAYER

Father, thank You for the fulfillment of Your good news by sending Jesus. May Your good news of hope and redemption be shown through our lives to the world, and may they know that it is Your good news for all people. Amen.