Austin Ofen-Imu

Today’s verse, Galatians 6:9, is well known to most, and if I could give it a title, it would be “Refuse to Quit.” The Apostle Paul could easily have been depressed by what he faced while following the Lord Jesus and His mission. He was whipped, beaten, stoned, and left for dead. He was imprisoned, shipwrecked, and in constant danger from both Jews and Gentiles. He could have easily fallen into despair, but knowing God’s plan and purpose kept him from becoming depressed. He said, “For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better. Nevertheless, to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.” (Philippians 1:23-24) To persevere through these tough times, we need to know God’s plan and purpose and refuse to give in to the enemy’s strategy to depress us and keep us from fulfilling God’s calling. For most of us, it’s just about getting up in the morning. More often than I’d like to admit, I don’t want to get up. But God has a plan and a purpose, so I roll, sometimes crawl, out of bed and start my day in God’s word. Getting into God’s word and prayer reshapes my thinking, helping me realize I need to be about my heavenly Father’s business. Then He gives me strength to accomplish what I need to do. While I know there is much I didn’t accomplish, I have learned the hard way to leave it for tomorrow and accomplish what He has set for me today (Matthew 6:34). So, let’s not lose heart and quit, Paul says, because we’ll reap His benefits in the end (2 Corinthians 4:16). And then I come to our verse today, “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.” (Galatians 6:9)

“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” When we look at this passage, we often focus on how we are to show our faith in Christ by doing good deeds in all humility, and on the idea that this is true wisdom. But James doesn’t stop at this one phrase; he goes on to show what true wisdom is and where that wisdom originates. At our best, our good deeds fall far short and are tied more to wisdom that is demonically inspired, which James says is motivated by nothing less than envy and selfish ambition, leading to no good (James 3:14, 16). Instead, true wisdom, wisdom that is demonstrated in our relationship with Jesus, comes from heaven and from the throne room of God, which James describes as pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, producing good fruit, impartial, and sincere (James 3:17). And we receive this wisdom through the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus calls the Spirit of truth, who will guide us into all truth, speaking to us words directly from Jesus (John 14:26). So, let’s ask God to fill us with His heavenly wisdom by filling us with the Holy Spirit. And then let’s open God’s word, which was written by those inspired by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21). And then let’s let God’s word light the way and the path before us (Psalm 119:105).

Paul was writing this from a Roman prison cell. So he would know more than most the need to find peace in a place where peace was in short supply. And Paul began by giving us a way to achieve true and lasting peace, saying, “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.” (Philippians 4:6) Paul is showing us the power of prayer and gratitude to overcome life’s anxieties, worries, and uncertainties. The result of such prayer is comfort and strength, enabling us to find true peace. And that is the peace of God, which only comes from having peace with God. The peace of God is knowing that God is sovereign and in control, and it is a peace that surpasses anything the world knows as peace. In verse 7, Paul continues, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:7) Notice that this peace is beyond our understanding. It transcends all human wisdom and knowledge. You might call it unimaginable peace, because our limited intellect can never grasp the limitless, infinite peace of God. What’s the difference between the peace Jesus gives and the peace of this world? The peace the world offers is at best a cessation of hostilities. Yet such a peace can never last, as we have seen throughout history. But the peace of God comes from Jesus, who said, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27) Therefore, the peace that faith in Jesus brings is peace with God, meaning we can be reconciled to God, anchoring our souls and keeping us safe from the storms that continue to assail us as our world crumbles. Have a great day. Take care and God bless

“He who has pity on the poor lends to the Lord, and He will pay back what he has given.” (Proverbs 19:17) This command goes back to the law as found in Deuteronomy 15:11, where the Lord says, “For the poor will never cease from the land; therefore I command you, saying, ‘You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.’” And in Proverbs 19:17, we are shown that the Lord regards this act of kindness as a personal obligation, as a loan given to Him. The personal obligation is that He will repay what has been given. But His repayment doesn’t have to be in kind, that is, material; it can also be spiritual and related to our eternity with the Lord in heaven. This payback is evident in the New Testament in Jesus's teaching about storing up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-21). And so, through this Proverb, we’re encouraged to always do good to the marginalized and vulnerable in our society, trusting in the Lord’s ultimate reward. Thanks for this word today. Take care, and God bless.

This verse might just be the inspiration for the classic children’s nighttime prayer: “Now I lay me down to sleep, I pray the Lord my soul to keep; If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord my soul to take.” While this verse addresses good, restful sleep, it goes much deeper. It speaks of deep trust in God and His divine protection and provision. When we sleep, we are in our most vulnerable state, completely defenseless against the enemy's attacks. Yet David has no worries, for it is the Lord who allows him to dwell safely. This kind of peace is evident throughout the Psalms, as David speaks of the peace he receives from the Lord. In Psalm 3:5, he says, “I lie down and sleep; I wake again, for the Lord sustains me.” In Psalm 62:1-2, he says, “In God alone my soul finds rest… He alone is my rock and my salvation.” This kind of restful peace is also found in the prophet Isaiah’s song of praise, where he says, “You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You, because he trusts in You.” So, our peace and trust are in God, and not in anything or anyone else. This peace and trust are in full display in David’s Shepherd’s Psalm, where God cares for us as the sheep of His flock. “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” (Psalm 23:1-4) Thank you for today’s verse. A great reminder of the peace that is ours when we trust in the Lord. Take care, and God bless.Jesus is pointing to another way of dealing with our enemies: a radical form of love. “But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you.” (Luke 6:27-28) In the following verses, Jesus directly addresses the law of retribution, that is, exacting judgment in kind, as found in Exodus 21:23-25. If someone suffered injury or loss, they had the right to repayment in kind, that is, a life for a life, injury for injury. But Jesus really wasn’t teaching anything they hadn’t been taught. Solomon said, “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink; for so you will heap coals of fire on his head, and the Lord will reward you.” (Proverbs 25:21-22) Now, many say Solomon was saying to do good to them, and then used the example of heaping coals of fire on their head as a way to make them feel guilty. But this practice wasn’t a curse but a blessing. As nomadic tribes, they traversed the wilderness and would take coals from one place to another to help them start and keep fires burning. It’s the same love God shows us. The Bible says that while we were still sinners, God sent His Son, Jesus, to die for us (Romans 5:8). Jesus is calling us to the same radical love, one that even prays for those who harm us, as He did on the cross, saying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” (Luke 23:24) Jesus is calling us into a radical love that transcends human boundaries. As followers of Christ, we must strive to love others, even our enemies, as God loves them.

Every human being is broken. We’re all broken people. Because of the fall, everything in our lives is broken. We’re broken physically and spiritually because sin has devastated our entire being. But God takes broken people and makes them whole, so we need not fear brokenness. “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench; He will bring forth justice for truth.” (Isaiah 42:3) God will set straight those bent over by the trials of life, and God will reignite those whose spiritual life is about to be snuffed out. But how does God go about this mending process? He does so by getting personally involved in our lives. The Bible says, “The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” (Psalm 34:18) But these breaks are not always a bad thing. Sometimes God breaks us so that He can remake us and so that our lives can mend the right way. He remakes us into His image and likeness, as seen in what the Lord told Jeremiah, that He, the Lord, is the potter and we are the clay. “And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.” (Jeremiah 18:4) Thanks once again for sharing these verses. I pray God’s blessing on the rest of your week and weekend. Take care, and God bless.

During the rebuilding of the Second Temple, the people grew tired and fatigued because they had the wrong priorities. As a result, whatever they put their hands to led to negative consequences. The Lord said, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?’ Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:4-6) In their effort to gain more, they grew fatigued. They planted their crops but had little to show for it, and whatever they earned was gone as soon as they received it. They couldn’t even eat or drink enough to be full. Why? Their priorities were misplaced. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) We become tired and worn out by having the wrong priorities. The Israelites were seeking wealth and possessions more than they were seeking God. This wears out those caught on this treadmill of always wanting more. They keep moving but go nowhere. It’s not only frustrating but also exhausting. To end this constant fatigue, we need to get our priorities straight. We need to seek God first and foremost, and as Jesus promised, whatever else we need will be added to our lives. Thank you for your posting today. It is greatly appreciated. Take care and God bless

“What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31) Besides the love of God bringing people to salvation, the fear of the Lord does as well. Paul said, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” (Philippians 2:12) Unfortunately, the church has neutered the word fear when it comes to the Lord. While it does mean awe and reverence for God, that awe and reverence comes from the realization that we’re sinners standing before a holy and righteous God. This should then bring a sense of real fear, because unless we get our lives right with God, then hell will be our outcome; hence the wording, “Working out our salvation with fear and trembling.” In Romans 8:32, Paul asks, "If God is for us, who can be against us?” This is a powerful and remarkable verse. God is not just with us; He’s for us. And what makes this so remarkable is that there are so many reasons why He should be against us, and they all have to do with sin (Romans 5:8). Oswald Chambers said, “The remarkable thing about fearing God is that when you fear God, you fear nothing else, whereas if you do not fear God, you fear everything else.” A grace-filled heart is one that fears God. As Solomon says, “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10). I pray that a holy fear encompasses God’s people so that a revival will sweep across this world. Take care and God bless

“Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up.” (1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV) Each area about love in this passage, from verse 4 through 8, can almost be taken separately as its own teaching, but for the sake of this study, let me give a short synopsis of each. Patience, or long-suffering, is a key attribute of love, both in God’s relationship with us and in our relationships with others. The Greek word "makrothumei" conveys a willingness to endure difficult circumstances and people without retaliation. Kindness is an active expression of love, evident in a desire to do good. The Greek term "chresteuetai" suggests a gentle and gracious disposition in this endeavor and is a call to selfless acts. Envy, or jealousy, is a destructive emotion, the opposite of what love should be. The Greek word "zeloi" denotes a desire for what others have and can lead to resentment. On the other hand, a person who loves seeks the best for others and is content and thankful for what they possess. Boasting is also the opposite of love and incompatible with it. The Greek term "perpereuetai" suggests arrogance about a person’s achievements or qualities. Love, however, is humble and focuses on building others up rather than taking personal glory. And pride, or arrogance, also goes against what love is all about. The Greek word "phusioutai" describes someone who is puffed up and inflated with self. Love, however, elevates others above themselves and, in true humility, seeks the good of others above their own. I thought I’d add a Short Outline: Love Suffers Long – Love patiently makes allowances for people’s faults and doesn’t give in to anger. Love Is Kind – Love not only endures wrongs but shows kindness in return. Love Does Not Envy – Love doesn’t seek advantages, possessions, or gain. Instead, love remains content. Love Doesn’t Parade Itself – Love doesn’t show off or brag. It doesn’t seek praise or applause. Love Isn’t Puffed Up – Love isn’t prideful or arrogant; rather, it’s humble There’s a lot here, so thank you for putting up with me. Take care and God bless

One of God’s attributes is that He knows it all; this is called “Omniscient” or “All Knowing.” In other words, the whole of wisdom is wrapped up in God. Job said, “To God belong wisdom and power; counsel and understanding are his.” (Job 12:13) The question then becomes, “If all wisdom belongs to God, and if God’s wisdom is beyond our reach, then how can we possibly know what to do?” The answer is simple, “Ask God.” The Apostle James said, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him.” (James 1:5) Therefore, if we want to be wise and understanding, we should turn to God’s word, the Bible, because it contains God’s knowledge, plans, and purposes for our lives. This was God’s promise to Israel, and the same applies to you and me (Deuteronomy 4:6). But it isn’t just about knowing God’s word; rather, it’s about doing what God’s word says, as the Apostle James says, “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). True wisdom comes from God, and we reveal it when we put it into practice. May the Lord bring you His wisdom to enlighten you as you face whatever difficulties you are dealing with. Take care, and God bless.

Matthew 5:10 is what we might call “The Blessing No One Wants.” “Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Jesus was a realist; that is, He was brutally honest, especially about what it takes to be a disciple. He said those who wanted to follow Him were to take up their cross and follow Him daily (Luke 9:23). They were to die to everything the world considers important to be called a child of God. In our passage, Jesus says that if we follow Him, people won’t like us much. He says, “Guess what; if they hated me, they’re going to hate you too.” (John 15:18) And when we start to live by the beatitudes we’ve been studying, we can expect harassment as a result, which is exactly what He said in this last beatitude. And here’s the kicker, just so we don’t miss what He said: He repeats it twice, and the second time with greater emphasis. “Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.” (Matthew 5:11-12) Jesus gives more space to this last beatitude than any of the others. While each is vital, in this last one Jesus not only goes into a little more detail, but He also personalizes it by using the personal pronoun “you.” Basically, Jesus is saying, “Happy are those who handle rejection and harassment. Blessed are those whose beliefs are so strong they can withstand the enemy’s attacks because of their beliefs.” Thanks again for posting these Scriptures for us to learn and grow from. Take care, and God bless

Among the attitudes Jesus told us to possess was the desire to receive everything the Lord desires to give. In Matthew 5:6, Jesus said, “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.” To hunger and thirst for God isn’t taking a bite and a sip; rather, it’s consuming everything that is of God. It’s a craving to put God first. In Psalm 34:8, King David said, “Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” The Prophet Jeremiah described how he devoured God’s word and how it became a blessing in his life. “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.” (Jeremiah 15:16) Therefore, let’s start devouring God’s word, for like physical food, it brings spiritual life, which then directly affects our physical lives. Jesus said, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.” (Matthew 4:4) My humble thanks to you for posting God’s word. It is so desperately needed in this our time of need. Please, take care, and God bless.

“Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 42:11) This verse is seen several times in Psalm 42 as David pours out his soul to the Lord as He struggles with despair and depression. We also find the same verse in Psalm 43:5, where we see the full force of what David is doing. Despite everything King David was going through, he often felt that God had cast him off and rejected him. Yet, deep down in His soul it was a different matter. So, David literally had to talk to His soul, to give his soul a pep talk, reminding Himself of God’s love. David said to His soul, “For You are the God of my strength … send out Your light and Your truth! Let them lead me; let them bring me to Your holy hill and to Your tabernacle. Then I will go to the altar of God, to God my exceeding joy; and on the harp I will praise You, O God, my God.” (Psalm 43:2a, 3-4) David, therefore, reassures his soul by knowing that it’s the Lord God who is his strength, truth, and joy, asking and declaring, “Why are you cast down, O my soul? And why are you disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise Him, the help of my countenance and my God.” (Psalm 43:5) Today, if you’re feeling depressed and beside yourself, remind your soul of God’s love for you. Take care, and God bless.

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (This is a little longer than normal) – I’d like to address this idea of the fear of the Lord, what it means, and then what reveals it to the world. To fear God isn’t what we normally think of when we hear the word fear; that is, it isn’t to shake and tremble at the evil that may befall us, but rather to fear God is to have a deep sense of reverence and respect for Him. It is to live in a continuous state of awe and wonder at His might, power, holiness, and righteousness, not to mention being totally in awe of His love for us. Now, this speaks to those who have come to believe and to have a relationship with Him, but on the other side of the coin, the fear of God for those who do not believe becomes trembling in fear because of His coming judgment and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God, something they may not admit but know instinctually in their hearts. (Now comes the second part) – Here is how we let the world know of this wisdom and understanding. It’s our obedience to His word that reveals this wisdom to the world. As we saw, "fear" denotes a deep respect and awe for God's power and authority, not terror. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew understanding of wisdom, which is not merely intellectual but involves living in accordance with God's will. And so, it is through our obedience to God’s word that the world gains wisdom. This is evident in Deuteronomy 4:5-6a. “Surely, I have taught you statutes and judgments … Therefore, be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes.” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6a) And this wisdom gained from God’s word comes through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit within each believer. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth … He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:13a, 16:26b) It’s through obedience to God’s word, which was directed by the Holy Spirit, that we’ll be blessed with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God. Thanks for taking the time to read. It is appreciated. Take care and God bless

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (This is a little longer than normal) – I’d like to address this idea of the fear of the Lord, what it means, and then what reveals it to the world. To fear God isn’t what we normally think of when we hear the word fear; that is, it isn’t to shake and tremble at the evil that may befall us, but rather to fear God is to have a deep sense of reverence and respect for Him. It is to live in a continuous state of awe and wonder at His might, power, holiness, and righteousness, not to mention being totally in awe of His love for us. Now, this speaks to those who have come to believe and to have a relationship with Him, but on the other side of the coin, the fear of God for those who do not believe becomes trembling in fear because of His coming judgment and eternal death, which is eternal separation from God, something they may not admit but know instinctually in their hearts. (Now comes the second part) – Here is how we let the world know of this wisdom and understanding. It’s our obedience to His word that reveals this wisdom to the world. As we saw, "fear" denotes a deep respect and awe for God's power and authority, not terror. This concept is rooted in the Hebrew understanding of wisdom, which is not merely intellectual but involves living in accordance with God's will. And so, it is through our obedience to God’s word that the world gains wisdom. This is evident in Deuteronomy 4:5-6a. “Surely, I have taught you statutes and judgments … Therefore, be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes.” (Deuteronomy 4:5-6a) And this wisdom gained from God’s word comes through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit within each believer. Jesus said, “When He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth … He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:13a, 16:26b) It’s through obedience to God’s word, which was directed by the Holy Spirit, that we’ll be blessed with the wisdom, knowledge, and understanding of God. Thanks for taking the time to read. It is appreciated. Take care and God bless

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) In a nutshell, Paul is saying that God’s grace is free, which is the exact opposite of what most people think. Most believe they can get to heaven by being good or doing their best, as if their good deeds outweigh the bad. But this is completely contrary to God’s plan of salvation. God says it is a free gift, and if it is a gift, it cannot be earned or worked for. Religion teaches that salvation and entry into heaven depend on what a person does, whereas Christianity is based solely on grace, which comes by faith, not works. “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) Therefore, let God’s grace overwhelm your soul and spirit as you enter His presence through His Son, Jesus Christ. Thank you again for posting these verses. Please know that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, can confidently enter His throne of grace to receive grace and mercy in this our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

The Holy Spirit will, if permitted, guide us in every part of life. To guide means the Holy Spirit will lead us, showing us the way we should walk and live in this world. Jesus said, “When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all truth. He will not be presenting his own ideas; he will be telling you what he has heard. He will tell you about the future.” (John 16:13) One of the primary ways the Holy Spirit guides us is through God’s word, the Bible, which He inspired. The Apostle Peter explains the Holy Spirit’s inspiration, saying, “No prophecy in Scripture ever came from the prophets themselves … It was the Holy Spirit who moved the prophets to speak from God.” (2 Peter 1:20-21) And Jesus said He would send us the Holy Spirit to help us with God’s word, reminding us as we go. He said, “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.” (John 14:26) Therefore, as a dependable guide through life, we need to seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in all we do and ask Him to open God’s word to help us along the way. Thank you for this post. I pray that the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit (Romans 15:13)

“Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.’” (John 20:21) Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, the disciples would naturally have felt great fear and trepidation. To allay this fear, Jesus revealed the wounds He received on the cross. He also proclaimed peace over them, God’s peace, giving assurance for what lies ahead as He calls them to be missionary. It was the same peace He proclaimed when He gave them the Great Commission. That peace comes from knowing He would always be with them, as He proclaimed, “And lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20) But this sending out, and the Great Commission to be missionary by taking the good news of Jesus and the resurrection to the world, has been given to everyone who believes (Romans 10:9). Like the disciples, we also experience fear and trepidation about what lies ahead, and so Jesus proclaims these same words over us, “Peace to you,” and “Lo, I am with you always.” This also echoes what the Lord said to Joshua, giving him the assurance and confidence to lead the children of Israel into the Promised Land. “No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. Just as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake you.” (Joshua 1:5) Therefore, with the gifts and talents given to us by the Holy Spirit, let’s go and make a difference in our families, communities, nation, and world for Christ. Take care, and God bless

Thought for Today: “A Mother's Day Thought” Throughout history, most of our spiritual leaders have been deeply influenced by their mothers. Consider Susannah Wesley, the mother of John and Charles Wesley, the founders of the Methodist denomination. Their names might never have graced our history books if not for this godly woman. Her witness guided them as they grew up. She was a great woman of prayer and faith, and with 17 children, she had to be. Not only did she pray daily for each child, but she also spent an hour each week with each child to discuss spiritual matters. Is it any wonder that John and Charles were used by God to bring revival to England and America? Years ago, several Bible scholars debated which translation of the Bible was best. One favored the King James Version, while others preferred the New American Standard, the New International Version, or the Amplified Version. But one scholar stood and said, “I personally preferred my mother’s translation. She translated each page of the Bible into life. It’s the most convincing translation I’ve ever seen.” Moms, don’t let the modern mindset rob you of your holy calling. You have an important and influential role; so don’t waste it on things that don’t matter in eternity. God has uniquely made you, and my prayer is that you become all God intended you to be. This Sunday is “Mother’s Day.” Message: “A Mother’s Faith.”

Today’s Devotional: “Misplaced Priorities” During the rebuilding of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the people grew tired and fatigued because they had the wrong priorities. As a result, whatever they put their hands to had negative consequences. The Lord said, “Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?’ Now therefore, thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘Consider your ways! You have sown much, and bring in little; you eat, but do not have enough; you drink, but you are not filled with drink; you clothe yourselves, but no one is warm; and he who earns wages, earns wages to put into a bag with holes.” (Haggai 1:4-6) In their effort to gain more, they grew fatigued. They planted their crops but had little to show for it, and whatever they earned was gone as soon as they received it. They couldn’t even eat or drink enough to be satisfied. Their priorities were misplaced. Jesus said, “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.” (Matthew 6:33) We become tired and worn out by having the wrong priorities. The Israelites were seeking wealth and possessions more than they were seeking God. This wears out those caught on this treadmill of always wanting more. They keep moving but go nowhere. It’s not only frustrating but also fatiguing. Solomon said, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” (Proverbs 23:4-5) Misplaced priorities bring weariness and fatigue to our souls and spirits, with physical consequences as well. Therefore, to end this constant feeling of fatigue, we need to get our priorities straightened out, seek God first and foremost, and then Jesus promises that whatever else we need will be added to our lives.