The Reason for Jesus
Charles Martin
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12, ESV).
Heavenly Father, deliver us from the trap of comparison and the heavy quiet of isolation. When we feel overwhelmed by what is missing in our own lives, gently nudge us to shift our focus outward and pour Your love into someone else. Remind us of Your beautiful promise that those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed by Your inexhaustible grace. Tune our hearts to the needs of our community today, and let our lives be a conduit of Your hope. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25, NIV).
“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait for the LORD; be strong and take heart and wait for the LORD” (Psalm 27:13-14, NIV).
“How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, ‘If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that’” (James 4:14-15, NLT).
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28, NIV).
“‘Has not my hand made all these things, and so they came into being?’ declares the Lᴏʀᴅ. ‘These are the ones I look on with favor: those who are humble and contrite in spirit, and who tremble at my word’” (Isaiah 66:2, NIV).
“...This is what the Lᴏʀᴅ says: Because the Arameans think the Lᴏʀᴅ is a god of the hills and not a god of the valleys, I will deliver this vast army into your hands, and you will know that I am the Lᴏʀᴅ” (1 Kings 20:28, NIV).
Heavenly Father, as we step into this new season, open our eyes to notice the people You place directly in our paths, rather than looking the other way. Forgive us for the times we let our own limitations keep us from offering Your limitless love, and help us remember that simply listening can be a powerful balm to a hurting soul. Remind us, Lord, that no one is invisible or unnoticed to You — You are El Roi, the God who sees us. Use our hands, our time, and our prayers today to remind a weary world that they are deeply known, fiercely loved, and never forgotten. In Jesus’ name, amen.
“So Hagar gave this name to the Lord Who spoke to her, ‘You are a God Who sees’” (Genesis 16:13a, NLV).
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:28-29, NIV).
“But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God ...” (John 1:12, ESV).
Jesus, as I feel my emotions, I’m going to choose not to rush through this pain. Because You lived on earth as a human, I know You understand how sadness can make Your heart feel like it’s...
“Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:8, NIV).
"When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'" (John 8:12, NIV).