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Faith in Christ is the only ticket to heaven.

Because my daughter is a flight attendant, I am blessed with a parent’s pass for my personal use. For a small service charge, I may fly wherever the airline flies. There’s one drawback, however. I must be on “standby.” That means I’m allowed on board only if there’s space available. Until then, my luggage is set aside and labeled “Status Pending.” While the paying passengers board, I must wait, wondering if my name will be called. I can never be certain of a seat because available space isn’t guaranteed.

It’s a far different situation on our journey to heaven, which begins when we trust Christ for our salvation. Because of His death and resurrection, our passage to heaven is absolutely guaranteed. Our status is not pending; there is space available; our names will be called. These priceless privileges have been paid for in full by the sacrificial death of Jesus.

If, like Thomas in John 14:5, you sometimes wonder if and how Jesus will get you to heaven, trust in His promise, “I am going there to prepare a place for you. ... And I will come back and take you to be with Me that you also may be where I am” (vv.2-3). That’s His unfailing word. You can count on it! —Joanie Yoder

Reservation Guaranteed

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Reservation Guaranteed

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What did Jesus promise you? (vv.1-3). What assurance does this promise give to you?

2. What exactly is Jesus saying in verse 6? What does that mean for you?

3. What did Jesus say about heaven? How can you know that you will go to heaven when you die? 

How to Study the Bible 

While God’s plan has been to give His people pastors and teachers, there is no substitute for personal study of the Scriptures. Many have found that they get more from their teachers when they become personally involved in regular and systematic Bible study. One method of personal Bible study is called the inductive method. This method challenges the student to form conclusions only after observing and analyzing the elements of immediate context and normal word meanings. After asking the Author of Scripture for insight, the inductive student explores the inspired page with pencil in hand and the curiosity of a prospector looking for something more precious than gold (Proverbs 3:13-18). The strategy of the inductive student, in order, is: 

interpretation

application

How to Study the Bible

interpretation

application

While God’s plan has been to give His people pastors and teachers, there is no substitute for personal study of the Scriptures. Many have found that they get more from their teachers when they become personally involved in regular and systematic Bible study. One method of personal Bible study is called the inductive method. This method challenges the student to form conclusions only after observing and analyzing the elements of immediate context and normal word meanings. After asking the Author of Scripture for insight, the inductive student explores the inspired page with pencil in hand and the curiosity of a prospector looking for something more precious than gold (Proverbs 3:13-18). The strategy of the inductive student, in order, is:

How to Study the Bible

1. What does it mean to be Jesus’ sheep? How do you know that you are Jesus’ sheep? (vv.26-28).

2. What two levels of security did Jesus say those who believe in Him will have? (vv.28-29).

3. Jesus said that God is greater than all (v.29). What assurance does this give you?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

Who measures how we’ve done in life

And judges our success?

Our God, who gives rewards to those

Who live in righteousness. —Branon

The Carnegie Foundation discovered that to be successful on the job, relational skills are far more important than knowledge. Its research found that only 15 percent of a person’s success is determined by job knowledge and technical skills. Eighty-five percent is determined by an individual’s attitude and ability to relate to other people. 

Scripture commands us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). In fact, it tells us to love our “neighbor” as we love ourselves (Matthew 22:39). And a neighbor is not only someone who lives near us or works next to us, but anyone we meet on life’s journey—especially those in need.

So having an attitude of courtesy, care, and concern for others is a basic spiritual principle. It is also the most important guideline for congenial and happy relationships. Indeed, it is even the golden key to vocational success.

Our purpose for modeling a Christlike spirit of neighborly love, though, is that we want to obey God, not just to achieve success at work. After all, our supreme vocation as believers is to embody and practice the neighbor-loving character of our Lord. —Vernon Grounds

Those who love God will love their neighbor.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Neighborly Love

Neighborly Love

He who gave Himself to save me

Now will keep me to the end; 

In His care securely resting,

On His promise I depend. —Henry Bosch

In the mid-1950s, General Motors displayed more at their auto shows than just cars. At one show in Miami, GM featured a display of a million one-dollar bills, as well as the Hope Diamond (the largest blue diamond in the world). 

One afternoon a thunderstorm came through the city, lightning flashed, and the lights went out. Immediately truck drivers with their flashlights rushed to the special display and formed a circle around the armed guards who were already there. The diamond and the cash were now safely guarded with two levels of security.

In John 10, Jesus described the security of His people: “I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of My hand” (v.28). When we know Jesus as Savior, we’re secure in His hands; we cannot lose our salvation. But there’s another level of security.

Jesus continued, “My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of My Father’s hand” (v.29).

The Hope Diamond and the large sum of cash were quite safe with their two levels of security. How much more are we eternally safe in the hands of Jesus and His Father, the Almighty God! —Anne Cetas

Christ’s work makes us safe; God’s Word makes us sure.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

   No  Snatching  

No  Snatching

1. What did Jesus do for His disciples at dinnertime? According to the custom of that day, who should have done this?

2. Why did Jesus wash His disciples’ feet? (v.12).

3. What can be the equivalent of foot-washing today? In what other ways can you imitate Christ to do as He has done? 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

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Call us at

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When we’re reborn—made new in Christ— 

It should be plain for all to see

That God has changed us from within

And placed us in His family. —Sper

Isidore Zimmerman served 25 years in prison for a crime he didn’t commit. Because of false testimony at his trial, he was convicted of killing a New York policeman. In time, however, his innocence was proven, and in 1962 he was released. But did he “live happily ever after”? No.

Even though he had been innocent all along, Zimmerman couldn’t escape the stigma of being an ex-convict. What few jobs he could get soon ended when employers learned that he had served time.

His record was cleared, but society did not fully accept him.

What a striking contrast to our standing with God when we trust Jesus as our Savior! We are guilty. Yet on the merits of Jesus’ sinless life and atoning sacrifice, we are not only declared righteous, but we are fully restored to favor with our heavenly Father. He treats us as if we had never broken His law, reconciling us to Himself and adopting us into His family. That’s full acceptance.

It’s absolutely amazing that through faith, and on the merits of Jesus’ death, guilty sinners can be declared righteous by God. It’s even more astounding that He would restore us to His favor and want us to work for Him.

But then, that’s what salvation is all about. —Dennis DeHaan

When God forgives, He removes the sin and restores the soul.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Restored To Power

Restored To Power

1. You are saved by God’s mercy (v.5), reborn by the washing and renewal of the Holy Spirit (v.5), and justified by His grace (v.7). What does all this mean?

2. What new status did God give you when you believed in Christ? (v.7). What does this new status mean for you?

3. What are some good things you can do to show that you are now a believer in Jesus Christ? (v.8).  

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

Not all roads lead to God,

As many people claim;

There’s only one true way—

Christ Jesus is His name. —Sper

Some pretty good people have founded religions over the centuries. One religious leader spent a good portion of his life trying to find truth—an admirable quest. Another religious leader was a teacher and a civil servant who drew up an honor code for his people—a respectable venture.

No matter how good any originators of world religions may have been, they cannot in any way compare with the founder of Christianity. The major reason is simply this: They are all in the category of “good men,” while Jesus is in a category by Himself—the God-man. Jesus alone is Immanuel—God with us (Matthew 1:23), the Living Word (John 1:14), the Savior (Luke 2:11), and the Messiah (John 1:41). Only Jesus could truthfully assert His equality with His heavenly Father. “I and the Father are one,” He said (John 10:30).

Only Jesus’ words are divine. His life was the only perfect  one.  Only  Jesus’ death and resurrection provide life everlasting.

Jesus is unique in all the world. He alone is worthy of our worship, adoration, and awe. He alone is the perfect Man. The divine One. The provider of salvation. Don’t settle for anything—or anyone less. —Dave Branon 

Only Jesus can erase mankind’s guilt.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Why He's So Special

Why He's So Special

1. Who is the “Word”? (v.1). What do verses 1-4 say about the Word?

2. What is the invitation and promise in verse 12? How do you claim the promise?

3. What does “the Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us” (v.14) mean?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

We may not know, we cannot tell

What pains He had to bear; But

we believe it was for us

He hung and suffered there. —Alexander

When Jesus died on the cross, He paid for the sins of the human race. Only those who believe on Him, however, can receive His loving provision. The sacrifice of Christ is sufficient for all, but it is effective only for those who place their trust in Him. 

As the Lord Jesus hung on the cross, two criminals were crucified next to Him. One of those men is now in the place of the lost—his doom in hell forever sealed. The other is with Christ—his place in heaven assured for eternity. Their contrasting attitudes toward the Man on the center cross made all the difference.

One of the criminals railed at the  Lord in unbelief. The other cried out in faith, “Jesus, remember me when  You come into Your kingdom” (Luke 23:42). To him, Jesus said, “Today you will be with Me in paradise” (v.43).

We are all represented by one of those two men.  We either believe on Christ or we reject Him. Our eternal destiny depends on our decision. Jesus said of Himself, “Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already” (John 3:18).

As we think about the cross, let’s thank Jesus for paying for our sin. If you haven’t trusted Him, do it today! In dying on the cross, Jesus became the Great Divider. —Richard DeHaan 

At Calvary’s cross, we stand at the crossroads to heaven or hell.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

The Great Divider

The Great Divider

1. What did Jesus pray to the Father from the cross? (v.34). For whom and why did Jesus pray this prayer?

2. What was Jesus’ promise to the second criminal? (v.43).

3. As one who believes in Jesus, where will you be the moment you die? 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

When Jesus Christ was crucified,

He paid sin’s penalty;

His rising from the grave revealed

His death’s sufficiency. —Sper

In the days after the French Revolution, a man tried to start a new religion that he believed was superior to Christianity. But he was disappointed at his lack of success. He revealed his frustration to a clergyman and asked what he could do.

The clergyman replied that it was no easy task to begin a new religion. It was so difficult that he had nothing to suggest.

But after a moment’s reflection, he said, “There’s one plan that you might want to consider. Why don’t you get yourself crucified and rise again the third day?”

The firm foundation of the Christian faith is an empty tomb. The New Testament declares that the death of Jesus paid the penalty for our sin. But how can anyone know for sure that Christ’s crucifixion was acceptable to God? It doesn’t matter much what we think of the death of Jesus; what matters is what God thinks about it.

God’s approval of Christ’s sacrifice is proven by the resurrection. It stands as God’s signed receipt that He is completely satisfied. Without the resurrection, Christianity has nothing much to offer the world. But the fact that Christ died and then rose from the grave “is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes” (Romans 1:16). —Haddon Robinson

Christ’s resurrection assures what Christ’s death secures.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Empty Proof

Empty Proof

Yes, Christ the Lord is risen,

Has come forth from the grave;

He breaks the chains of death for you

And now has power to save. —Woodruff

It was the day after Jesus was crucified. His body lay in a tomb. But the chief priests and Pharisees who had engineered His crucifixion had the uneasy feeling that this might not be the end of the Jesus story. So they went to Pilate and told him that Jesus’ disciples might steal His body to try to convince the people that He had fulfilled His prediction to rise from the grave. Pilate responded,  “Take a guard, make the tomb as secure as you know how” (Matthew 27:65). 

A guard was posted and the tomb was secured with an official Roman seal (v.66). The religious and political leaders did their very best to make sure that the body of Jesus remained in the tomb, but they were attempting the impossible. Death could not hold the sinless Son of God in its grasp, and on the third day, He rose just as He said He would (20:19; 27:63; 28:1-8).

After the resurrection, the chief priests bribed the soldiers and told them to spread a ridiculous story about the disciples stealing the body (28:11-14). Still, today skeptics offer one fanciful theory after another, attempting to disprove the resurrection of Jesus. In spite of their efforts to cast doubt on the historical record, the truth is that Jesus came out of the tomb.

We serve a living Savior! —Herb VanderLugt 

Jesus arose despite His foes.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Attempting the Impossible

Attempting the Impossible

1. Why would the religious leaders want to secure the tomb? (vv.62-64). What did they do to secure it? (vv.65-66).

2. What did Mary Magdalene find when she visited the tomb on Sunday morning? What did the angel say to her? (vv.5-7).

3. How did the religious leaders try to explain away the resurrection of Christ? (vv.12-15). Why?  

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

The child of God who reads the Word

And heeds the messages he’s heard

Will grow in grace from day today

And share with others on life’s way. —Hess

Can you measure me today?” Caleb, our paperboy, asked. It was not the

Measurements can be indicators of growth. And it’s a good idea to measure our spiritual growth. For instance: Do I spend time reading God’s Word and talking with Him each day? Do I look forward to fellowshiping with the Lord? What “fruit of the Spirit” is apparent in my life? Do I talk about Jesus with people who don’t know Him? How am I using my spiritual gift or gifts? Do I have a generous and giving spirit? How much better do I know God today than I did a year ago? 

These questions are good indicators of spiritual growth. A child seems to grow up all of a sudden, but it’s actually a continual process. Just as Jesus grew in both wisdom and stature (Luke 2:52), we as believers are to continue to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ” (2 Peter 3:18).

We are no longer to be children, but “we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ.” (Ephesians 4:15). Have you measured yourself lately? —Cindy Hess Kasper 

Salvation is the miracle of a moment; growth is the labor of a lifetime. 

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

"Measure Me"

"Measure Me"

When reading God’s Word, take special care

To find the rich treasures hidden there;

Give thought to each line, each precept clear,

Then practice it well with godly fear. —Anon.

Profitable Bible study involves more than just opening to a chapter and reading what’s there. Here are seven guidelines to help you make the most of your study of the Bible. 

1. Set aside a regular time. Unless you schedule it, you’ll neglect it.

2. Before you start reading, ask God for help and understanding.

3. Carefully think about what you are reading. Not all of the Bible’s treasures lie like pebbles on the surface. To mine the gold, you have to dig.

4.  Seek to understand what the author was saying to the first people who read the book or letter before you decide how to apply it today.

5. Write down at least one truth or principle you can put into practice.

6. Try different translations of the Bible. If you find yourself skimming over familiar words, a new translation may focus your mind on the passage in a new way.

7. Don’t get discouraged. Some parts of the  Bible are more interesting than others,  and some you may not understand at all. But there’s enough that you can understand, and it will revolutionize your life if you apply it.

Now read today’s verses again with these principles in mind. Then try it again tomorrow. You will begin to discover the treasures in the Bible. —Haddon Robinson

To hear God speak, read the  Bible carefully, and study it prayerfully.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Digging For Treasure

Digging For Treasure

In the stillness of the morning,

Before a busy day of care,

How sweet to be alone with God

Through His holy Word and prayer. —Anderson

Are you so rushed during the day that you find it hard to take even a few minutes to spend with God? Many people set aside time in the early morning before they get caught up in the hectic pace of the day.

I read about a very busy man who somehow manages to find time for giving the day a spiritual jump-start. He’s Dr. Ben Carson, chief of pediatric neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Children’s Center, a position he assumed in 1984 when he was only 33 years old.

Here’s Carson’s testimony about the value of putting spiritual things first: “I’ve found that having a morning ritual—meditation or some quiet reading time—can set the tone for the whole day. Every morning, I spend a half-hour reading the Bible, especially the book of Proverbs. There’s so much wisdom there. During the day, if I encounter a frustrating situation, I think back to one of the verses that I read that morning.”

Jesus faced busy days filled with demanding crowds of people. In Mark’s gospel we read, “In the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed” (1:35).

Do you take time to read God’s Word and pray? Try it in the morning. It can transform your day. —Vernon Grounds

Let  Christ be first in your thoughts in the  morning, and last  in your thoughts at night.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

In The Morning

In The Morning

Give us, O Lord, a strong desire

To look within Your Word each day;

Help us to hide it in our heart,

Lest from its truth our feet would stray. —Branon

Hold everything! Wait a minute! Have you read the Scripture for today? It’s only eight short verses, and it will take you only 45 seconds.

No, don’t lay this booklet down and mumble to me, “I’m in a hurry and you’re delaying me.” I see you’re eating breakfast this morning even though you’re late. You take time to feed your body, but you were going to starve your soul. Take 45 seconds and read Psalm 119:33-40. If you don’t read the rest of this devotional, that’s okay—as long as you read the Bible.

These articles in Our Daily Bread are not designed to be a substitute for the Bible; they are meant to stimulate your desire to read more of the Bible. If reading this booklet has caused you to neglect the Word of God, please throw this booklet in the wastebasket!

Job said, “I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my daily bread” (Job 23:12). Jesus taught, “Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

Yes, you may have had a rough day yesterday and you’re way behind. But why should you be surprised that it was such a bad day if you started it without God’s Word? Don’t make the same mistake today. Take time to read. —Mart DeHaan

The Bible is meant to be bread for daily use, not cake for special occasions.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Are You Starving?

Are You Starving?

The Bible gives us all we need

To live our lives for God each day;

But it won’t help if we don’t read

And follow what its pages say. —Sper

When a co-worker gave me a brochure he had received by mail, I looked at it and thought, “This can’t be true. No book can do what this promises. The pamphlet was advertising a book containing 853 letters for “every conceivable personal and business need.” 

Whether that book can deliver on its claims, I don’t know. I didn’t buy it. But the advertisement made me stop and think about another book that makes a similar promise.

Second Timothy 3:16-17 states, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” That’s quite an advertisement! The apostle Paul was saying that God gave us the Bible to teach us about Himself, to give us practical instructions on how to live, and to equip us completely with everything we need to know in order to live a godly life on this earth.

The Bible delivers on its promises. I know, because I bought it, I’ve been reading it, and I’m trying to live by it. It covers all aspects of life. Its pages contain essential truths, instructions, and teachings. It alone is the book for every need. Have you read it lately? —Dave Branon

Read the Bible to be wise, believe it to be safe, practice it to be holy.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

A Book For Every Need

A Book For Every Need

God’s guidance and help that we need day to day

Is given to all who believe;

The Spirit has sealed us—He’s God’s guarantee

That heaven we’ll one day receive. —Branon

One day my friend Arthur Lewis, an expert in biblical Greek, was walking along the streets of Athens. Accompanying him was a professor who teaches Greek. They stopped occasionally to read the signs in shop windows.

As they gazed into a jewelry store, they saw a sign with the word arrabon on it. When they entered and talked to the proprietor, he told them that in modern Greek the word arrabon means “an engagement ring.” The Greek professor thought for a moment, then commented, “How interesting! In the New Testament that’s the term for ‘a guarantee, a down payment.’ ”

In Ephesians 1:13-14, we are told that the Holy Spirit is given to believers as an arrabon, a down payment, a guarantee of heaven. The blessing of the Spirit’s presence in our hearts is a foretaste of the greater blessings we will enjoy when as the bride of Christ we are eternally united with our Bridegroom, the Lord Jesus.

Now the Spirit lives in us to give us guidance and power to live for God (John 16:13; Galatians 5:22-23). But someday we’ll have even more: We will live in the very presence of God. With joyful anticipa- tion we await that day—for our future is guaranteed! —Vernon Grounds 

When you receive Christ, you become a stockholder in the riches of heaven. 

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Guaranteed Future

Guaranteed Future

The Spirit gives us power to live

A life that’s pleasing to the Lord;

He also guides us and provides

Direction in God’s holy Word. —Sper

Lisa Marino has a personal fitness coach who gives her daily advice and encouragement. But she’s never seen him. As a participant in a program called “Life Practice,” Lisa begins each day by sending a report of her diet, exercise, sleep, and stress to a Web site. Later, she receives an e-mail response from her coach. She says that the daily reporting helps keep her honest and focused on her fitness goals. 

As Christians, we know the marvelous yet mysterious experience of having the Holy Spirit as our companion and guide even though we can’t see Him.

Jesus promised His disciples that when He left this earth He would send Someone else to be with them. “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you” (John 16:7).

The word translated “Helper” or “Counselor” means “called to one’s side or aid.” Bible scholar W. E. Vine says that it signifies Someone who can be to us what Christ was to His disciples.

Though He’s invisible to our eyes, the Holy Spirit is with us every day, just as Jesus walked with His disciples on earth. He keeps us honest, focused, and encouraged so that we too can glorify Christ. —David McCasland 

The Father gave us the Spirit to make us like His Son.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Companion & Guide

Companion & Guide

Immortal, invisible, God only wise,

In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,

Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days, Almighty, victorious—

Thy great name we praise. —Smith

In an attempt to express the inexpressible, a Christian businessman kept this motto on his desk: “How great must be the God we need! How much greater is our God than our greatest need!” 

John Wesley captured that same truth in a different way. “Give me a worm that can understand a man,” he wrote, “and I will give you a man who can understand God.” And in Psalm 145:3, David said of God, “His greatness no one can fathom.”

In trying to grasp the mind-baffling nature of our Creator, the best we can do is use comparisons. He is like a faithful shepherd, a wise and just king, a loving parent, a trustworthy friend. All these analogies give us a glimpse of God’s greatness, but they are wholly inadequate to comprehend Him fully.

That is why it is so difficult to understand how we may know the Creator at all. Yet that is the glorious message of the gospel. Our infinite God has revealed Himself to us in His incarnate Son Jesus Christ. In the Gospels, we read with awe and gratitude that the Creator became our Savior. Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). When we look to Jesus and listen to what He has said, we can know the unknowable. —Vernon Grounds 

If you’re looking for God, you’ll find Him in Jesus.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Knowing The Unknowable

Knowing The Unknowable

Father, Son, and Holy Spirit—

O Thou blessed Trinity;

One in essence, yet three persons—

Thou art God, we worship Thee. —D. DeHaan

Many churches celebrate what is known as Trinity Sunday. Someone might say, “Who cares? With all the practical, everyday problems we face, why talk about such a complicated doctrine as the Trinity?” The problem with such thinking is that we cannot clearly grasp the truth of our salvation without having some understanding of the Trinity.

In the opening verses of Peter’s very practical first letter, the apostle referred to the role of the Father, the Holy Spirit, and the Son in saving us (1 Peter 1:2). Our salvation began with the Father’s loving plan, was made possible by Jesus’ atoning death on the cross to provide forgiveness and cleansing, and is carried out by the Holy Spirit’s transforming work in us. The more clearly we see and appreciate the unique role each Person of the Godhead has in our salvation, the more intimate will be our daily walk with Him. 

We cannot fully comprehend His being— that He is three-in-one, that He eternally exists in three equal yet distinct Persons as God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; 28:19). But He expects us to praise Him because of the wonder of His love and forgiveness that flows from His triune nature.

That’s why the Trinity is such a vital truth. —Herb VanderLugt 

The Trinity confounds our mind but comforts our heart.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

The Trinity

The Trinity

1. What is the purpose of spiritual gifts? (vv.11-13).

2. In what areas are you to grow and mature? (vv.13-16). What danger will you be able to overcome if you are mature in your faith? (v.14).

3. List some things you can do that will help you grow in “the knowledge of the Son of God” (v.13) and in “the whole body” of Christ (v.16).  

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What specific issues might the psalmist have struggled with? (vv.9-11). What was his resolve and commitment?

2. What actions did the psalmist take with the Word of God that kept him from sinning?

3. How do you “hide God’s Word in your heart”? (v.11). What does the psalmist mean when he says, “I meditate on your precepts and consider your ways”? (v.15).  

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What kind of schedule, demands, or pressures do you think Jesus might have coped with? (vv.32-34,37).

2. Why do you think Jesus needed to spend time with God? (v.35). Why so early in the morning? Why did He go to a solitary place?

3. If you were Jesus, how might you be spending your time with God? What might you be praying about? (v.35).

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What are some things about God’s Word that the psalmist is struggling with? What is this “disgrace” that he dreads? (v.39).

2. What are the “worthless things” (v.37) that distract the psalmist from obeying God’s Word? Why would he find them to be distractions?

3. What are some struggles or distractions you face that hinder you from reading and obeying God’s Word?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What do the words “laws” (v.137), “statutes” (v.138), “promises” (v.140), “precepts” (v.141), “commands” (v.143), “decrees” (v.145), “Your word” (v.147) tell you about the authority, inspiration, and application of God’s Word?

2. Why was the psalmist worn out (v.139) and distressed? (v.143). How did the psalmist respond to his troubles? How has God’s Word helped him? (v.147).

3. What should be your attitude and response to God’s Word?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. List the spiritual blessings God has given to us in Christ (vv.3-14).

2. Look up in a Bible dictionary to find what these words mean: predestined (v.5), grace (v.6), forgiveness (v.7), and glory (v.12).

3. The Holy Spirit is also a “seal” (v.13) and a “deposit” (v.14). What does that mean for you?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What does the name “Counselor” (v.7, NIV) or “Helper” (NKJV) or “Comforter” (KJV) tell us about the Holy Spirit?

2. What are the three roles of the Holy Spirit described in verses 8-11?  

3. Why is the Holy Spirit also called “the Spirit of truth”? (v.13). As the Spirit of truth, how does He help the believer? (vv.13-15). 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. How did Jesus describe His relationship with God?

2. According to Jesus, how can we know God personally? (vv.7,9).  

3. What is Jesus claiming when He says twice, “I am in the Father and the Father is in Me”? (vv.10-11).

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What did God the Father do to save you? (vv.2-5).

2. Peter singled out two things Jesus did to save you. What are they? (vv.2-3). Why are they important?

3. What is “the sanctifying work of the Spirit”? (v.2).  

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

When we approach the Lord in prayer,

We can come boldly to His throne;

His children come expectantly,

For grace and mercy will be shown. —Sper

Pastor Rich McCarrell explained to his young son how his secretary screened his phone calls at the church office. He said, “If your mom calls me and I’m busy, the church secretary will tell her what I’m doing, and then Mom will decide if I should be interrupted or if she should leave a message.” Then he said to his son, “If you call me, you’ll be put right through. I want you to know that you can call me anytime, because you’re my son.” 

A few days later, the church secretary put a call through to the pastor from his son. He said hello and asked what he could do for his son. He replied, “Nothing, Dad. I just wanted to make sure I could actually get through to you that easily.”

We too always have instant access to our Father in heaven. There’s no secretary to screen His calls. No need for a decision on whether or not we should bother Him. No need to leave a message so that He can get back to us later.

The psalmist reminds us, “The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and His ears are attentive to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). Because Jesus has provided the way by His death and resurrection, you can have boldness and confidence as you draw near to your Father (Hebrews 4:16). —Anne Cetas 

Pray as a child talks to his father.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Instant Access

Instant Access

Lord, grant me strength from day to day—

How prone I am to go astray!

The passions of my flesh are strong;

O God, please shield me from all wrong. —D. DeHaan

There's a story about an old Cherokee chief sitting before a flickering fire with his grandson. The boy had broken a tribal taboo, and his grandpa wanted to help him understand what made him do it. “It’s like we have two wolves inside us,” said the chief. “One is good, the other is bad. Both demand our obedience.”

“Which one wins?” asked the boy.

“The one we feed!” said the wise old chief.

Every follower of Jesus Christ can identify with that struggle. We fight an ongoing battle with selfish and sinful desires. They rise up within us and put incredible pressure on us to satisfy them. They are like ravenous hungers and unquenchable thirsts. First they are small “harmless” desires, but they grow stronger and can ultimately control us (Romans 6:16). 

To resist, we must believe what the Bible tells us about temptation’s power. We must also believe that the Holy Spirit will help us to resist or to break free from its power.

But then comes the hard part. When an evil desire demands to be fed, we must say no—perhaps again and again and again. Paul said, “Do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature” (Romans 13:14).

Remember, what we feed will control us. —Dave Egner 

It is easier to resist the first evil desire than to satisfy all the ones that follow.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Feeding The Wolf

Feeding The Wolf

More like the Master I would live and grow,

More of His love to others I would show;

More self-denial, like His in Galilee,

More like the Master I long to ever be. —Gabriel

Be holy, because I am holy.” Is there any command more difficult to obey? Probably not, yet there it is in God’s Word (Leviticus 11:44; 1 Peter 1:16). 

But how can we be as holy as God? After all, the reason we must trust Jesus as Savior in the first place is because we are not holy. “All have sinned,” Romans 3:23 tells us. And even after we put our faith in Christ for salvation, how can we think about being as holy as God is?

The challenge of trying to match God in the holiness category can seem far too complicated to attempt. But if we yield to the Holy Spirit who lives in us and convicts us, we will grow.

Taking one step at a time should help. For instance, what is one thing you do or say or think that does not reflect God’s holiness? Maybe you treat others harshly. Or you have a secret sin. Tackle that area today. Talk to God about it. Ask His forgiveness. Then, by His power, seek to overcome it.

Or think of this: What one thing can you do to enhance your relationship with God? The more time you spend with Him, the more you will become like Him.

Little by little, step by step, work to rid your life of unholy behavior. And strive each day to grow closer to God. As a believer in Jesus Christ, there is no greater challenge. —Dave Branon

Walk so close to God that nothing can come between.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Start With One Step

Start With One Step

Repentance is to leave the sin

That I had loved before,

And show that I am grieved by it

By doing it no more. —Anon.

The night before Jesus was crucified, two of His disciples turned against Him. Judas betrayed Christ, leading His enemies to Him in the Garden (Luke 22:47-48). And Peter denied three times that he even knew the Lord (vv.57-60). 

But the difference in what they did next was enormous. Peter wept bitter tears of repentance and later was gently restored (v.62; John 21:15-17); Judas hanged himself (Matthew 27:5).

When we commit a sin, the most important thing is what we do next. If we lose our temper and say something cruel to a family member, what do we do next? If we mistreat a co-worker, what do we do next? If we find we are dwelling on evil thoughts, what do we do next? To make excuses, to justify our bad behavior, to blame the other person, or to ignore God is only to add more sin to the first. Perhaps as you’ve been reading this, the Holy Spirit has brought your attention to some sin in your life. If so, you’re faced with a choice—to repent and confess it to God (1 John 1:9), or to continue denying that you have a sin problem.

When you sin, don’t compound it with another sin. Take it immediately to the Lord in prayerful confession. The most important thing is what you do next! —Dave Egner

Denial compounds our sin; confession cancels it. 

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

What's Next?

What's Next?

We’re thankful, Lord, that when we fall

We can begin anew

If humbly we confess our sin,

Then turn and follow You. —Sper

From the time that Joseph Dixon (1827–1869) began producing the pencil during the US Civil War, the only substantial change in its design has been the addition of an eraser. 

Consider for a moment this unique little writing stick. At one end is a hard black point and at the other a small rubber tip. This simple instrument can be used to scribble, sketch, compute complicated formulas, or compose lofty poetry. But it can also quickly correct an error, change a figure, or start all over. 

Each day the Christian inscribes words and deeds on the record of his personal history. But as he reflects upon what he’s said and done, he becomes aware that some of what’s been written is not of the quality that will please the Savior. He remembers attitudes and actions that should never be part of a believer’s life. Yet these sins are forgiven and fellowship with God restored through honest confession and repentance.

In John’s first epistle, he told us how to walk uprightly and enjoy fellowship with Christ and with one another. But John was a realist, knowing that some of the pages of our composition would be marked by daily flaws and failures. That’s why 1 John 1:9 is such a blessed promise. It tells us we can use the eraser of confession and start over. —Dennis DeHaan 

Confession is the soil in which forgiveness flourishes.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

The Eraser Of Confession

The Eraser Of Confession

O Father, help us be more faithful

In our quiet time of prayer;

We praise, adore, confess, and thank You;

Let us sense Your presence there. —D. DeHaan

When my children come to me for advice, I consider it an honor to teach them what they need to know. For example, my daughter Julie had to write a poem for school not long ago. As I thought about the best way to assist her, I decided to compose a few lines to help her see how it’s done.

Jesus used the example method when His disciples asked Him to teach them how to pray. Instead of going into a long dissertation on the subject, He said, “When you pray, say,…” and He gave them a pattern that also included prayer principles.

That prayer has at least four elements we can learn to use when we pray: Adoration, Confession, Temptation protection, and Supplication. Let’s consider the ACTS of prayer.

Adoration: “Hallowed be Your name.” We need to give allegiance and respect to our great and awesome God.

Confession: “Forgive us our sins.” God is “faithful and just and will forgive us” (1 John 1:9).

Temptation protection: “And lead us not into temptation.” Ask for help to say no to sin.

Supplication: “Give us each day our daily bread.” We should not be afraid to ask God for His provisions.

There’s the example. It’s up to us to follow it. —Dave Branon

Time spent with the Lord is time well spent.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Acts Of Prayer

Acts Of Prayer

1. Why are there so many references to death in this passage? How do Christ’s death and resurrection affect our relationship to sin? (vv.1-11).

2. Why must we not become slaves to sin again? (v.6). When or how will sin become our master? 

3. What must you do to show that “you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness”? (v.18).

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What was the thing that you now possess that the prophets had carefully and intently searched for? (vv.10-12).

2. What is “holiness”? In what ways is God holy? (v.16).

3. Why must you be holy? Share some practical ways for you to “be holy in all you do” (v.15). 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What wrong did Peter commit? (read also Luke 22:34).

2. What kind of look did Peter see on Jesus’ face? (v.61). Why did Peter weep bitterly? (v.62).

3. Carefully examine your life. Is there sin in your life? Have you confessed and repented from it? Do so right now.

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What do the metaphors “light” and “darkness” represent? What does “God is light” mean? (v.5).

2. What does it mean for you to “walk in the light”? (v.7). How does walking in the light relate to your fellowshiping with God? (v.6). 

3. What does it mean to “confess our sins”? (v.9). What is the promise in verse 9? How are you purified from all sin and unrighteousness? (vv.7,9).

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What motivated the disciples to ask about prayer? (v.1).

2. What two concerns related to God are we to pray first? (v.2). What other personal concerns then follow? (v.3).

3. Spend some time praying to God using the ACTS pattern (refer to article). List one specific concern under each element. 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What is the role of a high priest? What does having Jesus as your great high priest (v.14) mean?

2. What is said about Jesus and His priesthood? (v.15). Why would that give you the confidence to come to God?

3. What is this “throne of grace” we are to approach with confidence? (v.16). Who sits there?  What can you expect to find there?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

FOR FURTHER THOUGHT

Have you trusted in Jesus as your Savior?

What evidence is there in your life that you love God?

How are you showing God’s love to others?

My 6-year-old neighbor Michael and I were talking in my front yard when two new neighbor kids stopped by. After I asked them their names, Michael’s first question to them was: “Do you love God?” Sugar, a 5-year-old boy, quickly responded, “No!” Michael gave him a look of disapproval and concern. When 4-year-old Nana noticed he wasn’t pleased with that answer, she said, “Yes!”

Michael’s “witnessing strategy” may not be the most effective, but he does have an important question for the people he meets (and I’ve heard him ask it of several others as well).

Jesus was asked, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?” (Mark 12:28). He answered, “The Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength” (vv.29-30). 

Jesus was referring to Old Testament times, when God had told the Israelites to place Him as the one and only God in their lives and nation. The pagan nations around them had many gods they loved and worshiped, but God’s people were to be different.

Loving God is to be our top priority too. So, Michael wants to know, “Do you love God?” —Anne Cetas

If you truly love the Lord, you’ll want others to love Him too.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

The Little Evangelist

The Little Evangelist

Called to be salt and light in this world,

Called to preserve and to shine,

Called to reflect the glory of God—

Oh, what a calling is mine! —Fitzhugh

It's common, cheap, and used around the world. It has stirred up wars, led to the establishment of trade routes, and paid the salaries of soldiers. Today it serves chiefly as a preservative and a flavoring. What is it? It’s that crystalline substance we call salt. 

Jesus, who was a master of using ordinary things to illustrate spiritual realities, talked about salt when He was teaching His disciples how they were to serve as agents of His kingdom. He said, “You are the salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).

If we think of salt as a preservative, we can assume Jesus wants us to prevent moral decay in our society. And if we think of salt’s ability to enhance flavor, we can be sure He wants us to help people discover the joy of knowing and living for Him.

Salt stored away on a shelf is not fulfilling its function. In a similar way, unless we are actively at work sharing God’s life-enhancing truth, we are not serving as spiritual salt. After all, the place for salt is in the “stew” of human activities. Instead of just criticizing the corruption of our culture as well as the flatness of the life so many people endure, let’s get into the stew—for we are the salt of the earth. —Vernon Grounds 

A salty Christian makes others thirsty for Jesus, the Water of Life.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Get Into The Stew

Get Into The Stew

I love to worship with others,

To read the Bible and pray,

To sing the songs about Jesus,

And learn to walk in His way. —Hess

In a letter to the editor of a British newspaper, a man complained that he saw no sense in going to church every Sunday. “I have been attending services quite regularly for the past 30 years,” he wrote, “and during that time . . . I have listened to no less than 3,000 sermons. But, to my consternation, I discover I cannot remember a single one of them. I wonder if a minister’s time might be more profitably spent on something else.”

That letter sparked many responses. One, however, was the clincher: “I have been married for 30 years. During that time I have eaten 32,850 meals—mostly of my wife’s cooking. Suddenly I have discovered that I cannot remember the menu of a single meal. And yet, I received nourishment from every one of them. I have the distinct impression that without them I would have starved to death long ago.”

The Bible assumes the importance of going to church, and the only admonition to do so appears in the context of the danger of forsaking the practice (Hebrews 10:25). We need help to keep our faith and hope from wavering (v.23), and to love and do good works (v.24). Just as physical food keeps us alive and strong, so also the spiritual nourishment of teaching and fellowship are necessary for our survival. —Dennis DeHaan 

To keep growing in Christ, keep going to church.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Why Go To Church

Why Go To Church

Lord, grant to me a faithfulness

In what I say and do

So others will be confident

That I will follow through. —D. DeHaan

We are often disappointed by the unfaithfulness of people. A family member promises to write, but months go by without a letter. A pastor says he will visit when we are sick, but he doesn’t make it to the hospital or to our home. A friend agrees to be there for us in our bereavement but doesn’t even call. Others tell us they will pray for us but quickly forget our need. Someone promises to do an important task for us but never follows through. We ask ourselves, “A faithful man who can find?” (Proverbs 20:6). 

We can do very little about the unfaithfulness of others. But we can do a lot about our faithfulness to others. When we make a promise we must keep it. When we tell someone we will pray for them, we need to follow through and do it. When we proclaim our loyalty and love for others, we can do little things that show them we mean it.

The apostle Paul said that one fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness (Galatians 5:22). God will create in us a steadfast spirit if we take seriously what we tell others we will do for them, and if we follow through.

Ask God to make you a person whom others can count on—a person who is tried and true. — David Roper

Faithfulness in little things is a great thing.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Tried And True 

Tried And True

Be like Jesus, this my song,

In the home and in the throng;

Be like Jesus, all day long!

I would be like Jesus. —Rowe

The story is told of a Christian who was home on furlough from serving in the armed forces. He was rushing to catch his train when he ran into a fruit stand on the station platform, knocking most of the piled-up apples to the ground. 

The young boy who operated the stand tried to pick up his scattered fruit but was having difficulty. The apologetic serviceman put down his luggage and started collecting the apples. He polished each one with his handkerchief and put it back on the counter. So impressed was the boy that he asked gratefully, “Soldier, are you Jesus?” With a smile the soldier replied, “No, but I’m trying to be like Him.”

Sometimes, as we hurry about our own responsibilities, we become too busy to care about other people. But we must remember that Jesus urges us to show kindness and concern for our fellow travelers. He set the example for us in John 13 by being a servant. We need to take the time to be helpful also.

Would anyone ask of us, “Are you Jesus?” And could we honestly respond, “No, I’m not Jesus, but I’m trying to be like Him”? Christlike kindness can open the door for a heart-touching testimony. —Vernon Grounds 

Nothing is more attractive than being like Jesus.

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Scattered Fruit

Scattered Fruit

1. What does Paul mean by living by the Spirit (v.16), being led by the Spirit (v.18), and keeping in step with the Spirit? (v.25).

2. What are the acts of the sinful nature? (vv.19-21,26). Do you still see evidence of these sinful acts in your own life?

3. What is the fruit of the Spirit? (vv.22-23). What fruit do you see growing? What fruit is still lacking or missing? What must you do to be fruitful? 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. How do the blood of Christ (v.19) and the priesthood of Christ (v.21) give you the right and the confidence to worship God?

2. What are the four “let us” statements in verses 22-25? What does each of these statements tell you to do?

3. What is one thing you can do to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds”? (v.24). How does meeting together encourage one another? (v.25).

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. Why is it a blessing when you are insulted or persecuted for being a Christ-follower? (vv.11-12).

2. As a light, are you a 100W bulb, a 50W bulb, or a nightlight? Why? 

3. As salt, what is one thing you can do to be a preservative where God has placed you?  How can you be a flavor- enhancer?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What are the two most important commandments? (vv.29-31). Why are they the most important commandments? 

2. On a scale of 1 (lowest) to 10 (highest), rate each of the three loves in your life— loving God, loving neighbor, and loving self. Explain your rating.

3. What does it mean practically for you to love your God “with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength”? (vv.30,33). Do one thing this week to demonstrate your love for God.

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

1. What was the thing that you now possess that the prophets had carefully and intently searched for? (vv.10-12).

2. What is “holiness”? In what ways is God holy? (v.16).

3. Why must you be holy? Share some practical ways for you to “be holy in all you do” (v.15). 

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

Read: John 14:1-6 

Read: Luke 23:32-43

Assurance of Salvation

Knowing Christ

Knowing Holy Spirit

Knowing God

Knowing the Bible

Quiet Time

Growth

Prayer

Confession & Repentance

Holiness

Christlikeness

Church

Witnessing

Loving God

Loving Your Neighbor 

When Jesus Christ my Savior suffered loss,

He gave Himself because He saw my need;

It was my sin that nailed Him to the cross;

I cannot blame another for the deed. —Hess

What is the worst of all evils? It’s not homicide or even genocide. No, it’s deicide, the murder of God’s Son! Unimaginable as it may be, that is what occurred at a place called Calvary (Luke 23:33). 

Whom does God the Father hold responsible for what happened there? Shall we indict the religious leaders who plotted the Savior’s execution? Pilate, the spineless Roman governor? The callous soldiers who nailed Jesus to the cross? The fickle multitude who clamored for His blood? All these, to be sure, share the guilt.

The great artist Rembrandt captured the truth of Scripture in one of his paintings. It depicts Christ on the cross, with a mob surrounding Him. In the shadows at the edge of that appalling scene stands a man. Who is it? Rembrandt himself! By including himself, the artist confessed that he too was responsible for the Savior’s death.

Have we acknowledged that Jesus bore our guilt on the cross? (Isaiah 53:6). Because we all have sinned, the whole race of rebellious transgressors is responsible for the crucifixion as much as the soldiers who did the grisly execution.

Let us, then, take our place alongside Rembrandt. Only let’s not stand there. Let’s kneel in contrite gratitude. —Vernon Grounds 

The only people God forgives are those who confess their guilt.

When Jesus Christ my Savior suffered loss,

He gave Himself because He saw my need;

It was my sin that nailed Him to the cross;

I cannot blame another for the deed. —Hess

Who's To Blame?

Who's To Blame?

1. Who participated in Jesus’ death? Why would each of these groups want Jesus dead?

2. Who would you hold most responsible (starting from the most culpable) for Jesus’ death—the religious leaders, Pilate, the crowd, Barabbas, the soldiers, or you? Why? 

3. How does the release of Barabbas illustrate what Jesus did for you?

Applying God’s Word in My Life:

Lord, I would be soil in which You can plant

Your Word with its promise of fruit;

I want to be open to You every day,

So what You have planted takes root. —Hess

I picked up a gardening book the other day and got some good advice: “Take care of the soil, and don’t worry about the plants. If the soil is good, the seed will take root and grow.” 

In the parable of the sower in Mark 4, Jesus spoke of the importance of “good ground” (or good soil). He defined good soil as referring to those who “hear” God’s Word, “accept it,” and “produce a crop” (v.20). If we keep our heart soft and receptive, God’s Word will take root, grow, and produce fruit.

In gardening, life is in the seed. Under the right conditions, it will grow until it reaches maturity and produces fruit. Similarly, if the seed of the Word is planted in the good soil of a receptive heart, it will grow until the character of Jesus is seen.

For the Christian, the power of the spiritual life comes from the indwelling Holy Spirit. As we open our heart to the Word with an eagerness to obey it, the Spirit causes us to grow and bear fruit (Galatians 5:22-23).

We can’t make ourselves grow, any more than we can force growth from the seeds in our gardens. But we can tend the soil, keeping our hearts soft, receptive, and obedient to God’s Word. Then we will yield the fruit of righteousness.

What kind of soil are you? —David Roper

A heart open to God is soil in which the seed of His Word can flourish. 

There is a place reserved in heaven

For all of us who have received 

Forgiveness and eternal life 

From Christ, in whom we have believed.

—Sper 

Gardening Tips

Gardening Tips

1. In this parable, what do the seed and the soil represent?

2. How many kinds of soils are there? (vv.14-20). For each type of soil, explain why the seed could or could not grow and take root.

3. What kind of soil are you? What might you have to do to be the “good soil” for the seed to grow?

Applying God’s Word in My Life: