When it comes to helping those in need, Christians often point to the example of Jesus—His compassion, His acts of healing, and His care for the poor and marginalized. But is social work the mission of the Church? A brother in Christ recently shared with me that his church is embarking on a well-intentioned effort to renovate a struggling man’s home as part of their outreach. While the heart behind this project is commendable, it raises an important question: What did Jesus actually commission His Church to do?

Throughout Scripture, we see God’s people meeting the needs of others—selling possessions in Acts 2, giving to the poor, and embodying the love of Christ in acts of mercy like the Good Samaritan. Yet, there is a stark contrast between generosity that flows organically from the life of Christ within us and generosity that is manufactured through human effort, strategy, or obligation. One is life-giving, the other exhausting. One is led by the Spirit, the other by the flesh.

Ezekiel 21 is a chilling pronouncement of God’s impending judgment on Jerusalem. The Lord commands Ezekiel to prophesy not just against the rebellious people but even against the sanctuary itself. The temple, which once symbolized His presence, will not be spared. Judgment is indiscriminate—it falls on both the righteous and the wicked, not because the righteous are guilty, but because they dwell in a land under divine discipline.

Job’s response in Chapter 23 is raw and filled with longing—longing for God’s presence, for understanding, and ultimately, for vindication. He is not like his friend Eliphaz, who speaks with an air of smug certainty. Job’s suffering has not made him doubt God’s existence, but rather, it has deepened his yearning to encounter Him directly. He desires to present his case before the Almighty and to be declared righteous in His sight.

Some say we must not “waste” the grace given to us at salvation, urging us to live a life that pleases God through diligent effort. The concern is understandable—Paul himself says in 1 Corinthians 15:10, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain.” But what does it mean for grace to be “in vain”? Many interpret it as a warning against failing to produce enough good works, as though God’s grace is measured by our output. But is that truly what pleases Him?

It’s easy to justify criticism when someone irritates us. We pick apart their flaws, mask our negativity with qualifiers like, “Don’t get me wrong, I really like him, but…” and before we know it, we’ve convinced ourselves that the relationship is unsalvageable. It seems logical, even necessary, to put distance between ourselves and them.

Many believers walk under a cloud of unnecessary doubt, wondering whether their lives are truly pleasing to God. The enemy is relentless in whispering that they should be doing more, serving more, or being more than they already are. Yet, the reality is that God has placed each of His children precisely where He wants them, and in that place, they are already pleasing to Him.

Jesus calls us to live in continual expectation of the Father’s gracious outpouring. His words in Luke 11:9-13 are not isolated instructions but an ongoing invitation: Keep asking, keep seeking, keep knocking. He assures us that those who come to the Father in this way will receive, find, and have doors opened to them. More specifically, He promises the Holy Spirit to those who ask.

Some of the most well-intentioned efforts in ministry can be the most exhausting, and even the most misguided. I recently had a conversation with an older brother in Christ who has given much of his time and energy to helping those in need. His passion is evident—he sees himself as a missionary in his own community, reaching out to those struggling with difficult life circumstances. His heart is to demonstrate the love of Christ in tangible ways, assisting those who are physically or financially disadvantaged.

Oswald Chambers presents a stark reality in today’s reading—following Jesus is not just about knowing Him intellectually or even serving in His name; it is about absolute oneness with Him. Many of His disciples walked away, not because they denied His teaching, but because they lost the reckless abandon that intimacy with Him demands. Jesus does not ask us to strategize or strive in our own wisdom. Instead, He asks for our complete dependence. When we maintain that oneness with Him, we cease from self-effort and allow Him to accomplish His purposes through us. It is not about understanding every step of the journey; it is about trusting the One who leads it.winding

"Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25

The phrase saved to the uttermost in Hebrews 7:25 expresses the absolute completeness and permanence of Christ’s salvation. Unlike the Levitical priests, who were limited by death and had to offer continual sacrifices, Jesus, our eternal High Priest, has secured an everlasting redemption. The Greek word used for uttermost (παντελὲς, pantelēs) conveys the idea of completeness in every sense—both in degree and duration. It is not merely that Christ saves completely, but that He saves forever. His priesthood is unending, and His intercession never ceases.

The Christian life is not a struggle to acquire what has already been given, but a life of walking in the fullness of what we possess in Christ. Are we approaching prayer from a place of lack, pleading for what is already ours, or from a place of abundance, seated with Christ in heavenly places? The difference changes everything.

"For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome." (ESV)

John’s words in this passage challenge a common misconception about obedience. Many see God’s commands as heavy, as though following Christ is a constant uphill battle against the desires of the flesh. But John declares the opposite: obedience to God is not burdensome. Why? Because it flows from love. The believer, as a new creation in Christ, is no longer bound to sin as their natural response. Instead, obedience is their new disposition—because of their union with Christ.

Paul returns to his heartfelt plea for the Corinthians to “make room” for him in their hearts (7:2), affirming that he has done no wrong to them. His deep love for them is evident in his willingness to live or die alongside them. The structure of this passage centers on joy, which unfolds in three layers. First, Paul expresses confidence and joy (v. 4). Then, he recounts three sources of joy: the arrival of Titus and his encouraging report (vv. 5–7), the Corinthians’ repentance (vv. 8–12), and finally, Titus’s own joy at seeing their response (vv. 13–15). Paul closes with another declaration of confidence and joy (v. 16).

In Luke 16, Jesus shifts our perspective from earthly concerns to eternal realities, challenging us to live in light of the coming kingdom. He tells the parable of the shrewd manager, illustrating the importance of using worldly resources for God’s purposes rather than hoarding them for selfish gain. The manager, once wasteful, acts wisely in preparing for his future, prompting Jesus to emphasize that believers ought to be even more intentional in stewarding their resources for eternal impact.

As a follow on study to today’s devotional from E. Stanley Jones, let’s explore know how Jones’ teaching applies to those of us who are fascinated with the mysteries of the Nephilim, the mysteries of timing of Jesus' return and timing of the tribulation and rapture, and the like. It is an excellent side issue to pursue because it strikes at something many believers, especially in our time, are drawn toward. There is a natural human curiosity about the mysteries of Scripture—the Nephilim, end-times prophecy, the timing of Christ’s return, and the details of the tribulation and rapture. These topics stir the imagination, and rightly so; they are part of God’s Word, and He has chosen to reveal them to us in part.

In this devotional, Jones warns against diverting our attention from the cross of Christ to lesser things—whether astrology, spiritualism, or attempts to unravel the mysteries of the afterlife. These pursuits may seem intriguing, even religious, but they substitute speculation for revelation. The cross stands as God’s supreme and final declaration of His love. Nothing in heaven or earth can reveal a deeper truth than the love displayed at Calvary.

“For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.” – Philippians 1:29

In our natural thinking, suffering seems like something to be avoided at all costs. Yet Scripture reveals that suffering for Christ is not merely a consequence of faith but a privilege. Paul understood this deeply. He didn’t just endure suffering—he embraced it as part of his fellowship with Christ.

Luke 10:2 (BSB) – And He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into His harvest.”

The heart of this devotional reminds us that the work of spreading the Gospel is not something we generate through human effort. It is God’s work, and He alone is the One who calls and sends laborers. The fields of this world are ripe with people ready to receive the truth, yet the number of those who willingly go is few.

Many believers desire to deepen their relationship with Christ, but the way they pursue this goal varies widely. Two contrasting approaches are evident in Christian teaching today: one that rests in the sufficiency of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit, and another that relies on structured spiritual exercises to cultivate intimacy with God. Bob Hoekstra, in Day by Day by Grace, presents a biblical model in which abiding in Christ is the work of the Holy Spirit, not an effort-driven series of disciplines. In contrast, our Discipleship Pastor is using Skye Jethani’s With as a premise for his 45-day program of spiritual exercises designed to help believers feel closer to Christ. While Jethani’s intent may be to encourage a life with God rather than one of transactional or fear-driven religion, the approach taken shifts the focus toward human effort rather than the Spirit’s work.