In Romans 8:14, Paul reminds us, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.” Like the candle, our motivation must stem from the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus, not from a desire for personal acclaim or influence.

True service to God requires a surrender of self—our reputations, ambitions, and desires. The Cross, in separating us from all that is self-centered, reveals the purity of our motives. As T. Austin-Sparks wrote, in today’s Abide Above devotional, only when we pass through daily death to our own agendas can we become a living sacrifice, prepared for God’s work.

Miles Stanford’s chapter on Appropriation in The Green Letters offers a profound exploration of how believers move from recognizing their identity and possessions in Christ to practically experiencing and living out those truths. Appropriation is not about acquiring something new, but about embracing and applying what already belongs to us in Christ.

Revelation 21 unveils the breathtaking vision of the new heaven, new earth, and the new Jerusalem—a picture of God's ultimate restoration and eternal dwelling with His people. This chapter reveals God's plan to redeem not only humanity but all creation, transforming it into a place of unimaginable beauty, perfection, and holiness. The new Jerusalem symbolizes God's faithful and redeemed people, now dwelling in perfect unity with Him.

Matthew 21 marks a pivotal chapter in Jesus’ ministry as He enters Jerusalem for the final week of His earthly life. This chapter reveals Jesus' authority, His fulfillment of prophecy, and His direct confrontation with the religious leaders of His day. Through symbolic actions, parables, and teachings, Jesus calls for genuine faith and warns against hypocrisy and fruitlessness in God’s kingdom.

Jeremiah 38 reveals a stark contrast between courage and cowardice, truth and self-preservation. As Jerusalem faced imminent destruction, Jeremiah’s faithfulness to God’s message brought him suffering, yet also highlighted the bravery of unlikely individuals like Ebed-Melek and the weakness of King Zedekiah. This chapter challenges us to consider our own responses to truth and fear, and how God calls us to trust Him even in dire circumstances.

Ecclesiastes 3 is a poetic reflection on life’s seasons and God’s sovereign control over all events. The Preacher (traditionally understood to be Solomon) observes the beauty and mystery of God’s plan amid life’s uncertainties. This passage calls us to trust God’s wisdom, enjoy His daily gifts, and rest in His perfect judgment of all things.

In 1 Chronicles 23, we see King David, in his old age, preparing for a transition of leadership and worship in Israel. His focus turns to organizing the Levites for the service of the temple—a significant shift from their previous role of transporting the tabernacle. This chapter illustrates David's commitment to ensuring that worship and service to the Lord continue in a structured and intentional manner, reflecting his deep reverence for God.

In his blog post Rare Skills, Morgan Housel explores three powerful abilities that are as rare as they are transformative: respecting others' delusions, knowing when to stop, and concise communication. As I read his insightful observations, I couldn’t help but draw a connection to the fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22–23. Each of Housel’s skills has a corresponding spiritual quality that aligns with God’s transformative work in our lives.

The spiritual life of the believer is founded on one vital truth: we are complete in Christ. This completeness is not earned through human effort or enhanced by our works. Instead, it is a divine gift, bestowed at the moment of our union with Christ. From this foundation flows the process of spiritual growth—a journey of discovery, appropriation, and transformation as we grow into what we already possess in Him.

Faithfulness is a hallmark of a life that honors God, yet Scripture reminds us that it is far from common. Proverbs declares both the rarity of faithfulness and its profound impact. It contrasts the steadfast servant with the burden of unfaithfulness, painting a vivid picture of the blessing faithfulness brings to others and the sorrow caused by its absence.

In The Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer explores the majestic and often overwhelming concept of God’s holiness. Holiness, as Tozer emphasizes, is not simply one attribute of God among others—it is the defining characteristic of His being. It is the unapproachable light of His purity, the very essence of His perfection, and the foundation of His moral authority over creation.

The diversity within the body of Christ reflects God's wisdom and purpose. Just as each part of the body has a unique function, so each believer has a distinct role in God’s plan. Whether our role is public or hidden, vocal or supportive, each is vital to the harmonious functioning of the whole.

Worship, as Oswald Chambers describes, is the act of giving God the best of what He has given us. It is a deliberate offering, a recognition that every blessing is meant to flow back to the Giver. Abraham's altar-building near Bethel symbolizes this communion with God—a life lived between the sacred and the secular, dedicated to worship in all circumstances.

In response to a question about the greatest commandment, Jesus summarizes the essence of God's law: love. “Love the Lord your God…love your neighbor.” These two commandments form the foundation of all the law and the prophets, binding together God’s expectations for His people.

In our Christian journey, we are governed by one of two powers: the self-life or the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus. The self-life leads to turmoil and strife, while life in the Spirit brings peace, purpose, and joy.

J.H. McC. describes the self-life as an “awful power” that resists the Spirit's work, grieves God, and suffocates the fruits of the Spirit. N.G. reminds us that the knowledge of self is vital, second only to knowing the Lord Jesus. Understanding our own nature prepares us to fully embrace the transformative power of the Spirit. F.M. encourages us to surrender self to the cross, allowing the Holy Spirit to keep the old nature in the place of death so that Christ may have preeminence.

In this passage, Satan is bound and imprisoned for a symbolic thousand years, signifying God’s sovereign control over the forces of evil. This temporary binding prevents Satan from deceiving the nations, offering a period of peace and rest for God’s people. The imagery of keys and chains underscores the absolute authority of God over Satan and his domain.

This parable challenges our natural inclination to compare ourselves with others. The landowner's generosity is the central theme, illustrating the grace of God’s kingdom. The workers hired first struggle with envy, believing their effort warrants greater reward. Yet, the landowner gently reminds them that they agreed to their wage and invites them to see his generosity as a cause for gratitude, not resentment.

As Babylon threatened Jerusalem, Zedekiah found himself in a precarious position. Hoping for divine intervention, he sought a favorable word from Jeremiah, much like Hezekiah had sought from Isaiah during the Assyrian siege generations earlier (Isaiah 36–37). However, the context was starkly different. Unlike Hezekiah, Zedekiah and the people of Judah had persistently ignored God's word. Jeremiah had explicitly been instructed by God not to pray for their deliverance (Jeremiah 14:11), and the divine judgment on Jerusalem was irreversible.

The Teacher begins by exploring the pursuit of pleasure as a means to find meaning in life. He discovers that even the most extravagant pleasures fail to satisfy the human heart. Solomon's life, marked by immense wealth, splendor, and indulgence (1 Kings 4–11), serves as a vivid backdrop to this conclusion. The endless pursuit of pleasure becomes a laborious task, leaving the soul empty and unfulfilled.

David’s zeal for the glory of God shines brightly as he begins preparations for building the temple. Although David longed to construct this dwelling place for the Lord, God prohibited him from doing so due to the bloodshed and warfare that characterized his reign. Instead, the temple was to be built by Solomon, a king whose reign would bring peace and rest to the nation.