Hungry To Hear The Word Of God
Sunday, July 20
Amos 8:1-12
At an early age, I (Carmen) enjoyed the harvest seasons and learned that delicious and desirable fruits do not last long. The harvest marks the end of a season or a crop. Likewise, God announces that the end will come. How many similarities can we find between the Israelites and those today who, by action or omission, treat the most vulnerable unjustly? Those who exploit, abuse, subjugate, and destroy others may be overlooked by society, but God does not forget (v. 7).
Let us pause and imagine a time when there will be “a famine of hearing the words of the Lord” (v. 11, NIV), yet the word of the Lord will not be found, leaving this hunger unsatisfied. Today, God’s Word is too often rejected and disregarded, and thousands turn away. But the day will come when the privilege of hearing the Word and satisfying this hunger will no longer exist. As a result, there will be spiritual malnutrition and death.
Without God’s Word, it will be impossible to receive proper nourishment, comfort, strength, exhortation, and guidance. Now is the time to treasure and obey his Word, living according to his will.
Lord, we thank you for the great privilege of access to your Word and being nourished by it. Amen.
Let’s Not Miss The Opportunity
Monday, July 21
Genesis 18:1-10a
When Abraham lifted his eyes, he recognized that the Lord was visiting him, and he bowed in reverence. What a significant moment in his life! He did not miss the opportunity to say, “My lord, if it pleases you, stop here for a while” (v. 3, NLT). Then he did everything possible to make his guests feel welcome and took the time to be with them.
Abraham provided for their hunger, thirst, and weariness and seized the opportunity to share a meal with his visitors. Although he was serving them, he received a unique experience in return—his soul was nourished through this act of service. In our daily lives, God visits us through our interactions with others. Let us not miss the opportunity to recognize him, take time for him, welcome him, and remain in communion with him.
In this visit, God, who knew the deepest desires of Abraham and Sarah’s hearts, surprised them with the announcement of their son’s birth. Let us give God—who knows us better than anyone—the opportunity to surprise us.
Lord, help us recognize you when we share with both friends and strangers. Amen.
Getting Closer To Listening
Tuesday, July 22
Luke 10:38-42
For good health, it is recommended that we take time to eat properly, chew thoroughly, and enjoy food to aid digestion and receive proper nourishment. This is how we satisfy our physical hunger. A similar principle applies to satisfying our spiritual hunger: we must stop, take the necessary time, sit down, listen to God’s Word, and enjoy his presence.
This is what Mary did when she drew near to Jesus—she listened to him. In contrast, Martha was preoccupied with concerns and frustration over her sister’s actions. She did not come to Jesus to listen and enjoy his presence; instead, she approached him with her own expectations of what he should say to her sister. Yet in his mercy, Jesus listened to her and answered, “Only one thing is necessary.”
If we take the time today to pause, listen, and receive God’s Word, we will realize, as Martha did, that in every situation, we can be satisfied with his Word by choosing what is best.
Lord, I come before you, ready to listen. I draw near only to hear your voice and enjoy your presence. Amen.
Christ Is The Head Of The Church
Wednesday, July 23
Colossians 1:15-20
One temptation for pastors and leaders is to start thinking we are the head of the church because of our positions, responsibilities, or the care and guidance we provide to the congregation. However, verse 18 reminds us: “Christ is also the head of the church, which is his body. He is the beginning, supreme over all who rise from the dead. So he is first in everything” (NLT). We are all part of Christ’s body. We must allow him to lead his church as its head. Our role is to obey his will, for he is the supreme God and the first in everything.
Lord, thank you for reminding us that you are the head of the church, first and supreme. Help us submit to your will and fulfill your plans for us. Amen.
Free From Guilt And Without Faults
Thursday, July 24
Colossians 1:21-23
Guilt is one of the most difficult emotions I (Leonardo) have ever faced. Since childhood, I was taught to fulfill certain family and social expectations. But whenever I failed, guilt would overwhelm me. I wished with all my might that I could turn back time and do things differently.
Yet verse 22 reassures us: “Now he has reconciled you to himself through the death of Christ in his physical body. As a result, he has brought you into his presence, and you are holy and blameless as you stand before him without a single fault” (NLT). What a relief it was to realize that when Jesus Christ found me, he not only gave me eternal life, but also set me free from the burden of guilt I had carried for so many years.
Lord, thank you that through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, you have brought us into your presence and made us holy. Amen.
The Secret Is For Everyone
Friday, July 25
Colossians 1:24-29
“This message was kept secret for centuries and generations past, but now it has been revealed to God’s people.” (vv. 26, NLT).
When someone says they have a secret to share, we may experience mixed feelings—will it be good news or bad? A secret is something kept hidden. Yet in verse 27, the apostle Paul reveals a secret that God wants us to know: “Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.” What an incredible revelation! Christ lives in us, and if he lives in us, we have the certainty that we will share in his glory.
Normally when someone shares a secret, we are told not to tell anyone. But in verse 28, Paul urges us to reveal this secret to all who do not yet know Jesus Christ so they too may be saved.
Lord, thank you for revealing that Christ lives in us. Empower us through your Holy Spirit to share this truth so that many may come to salvation. Amen.
Walking With God
Saturday, July 26
Psalm 15
Modern culture offers countless ways for us to relate to others, as well as diverse lifestyles and paths to follow. These seemingly wide and attractive paths can often lead to dark, slippery, and dead-end streets.
Scripture not only satisfies our hunger but also draws us into a personal relationship with God, guiding us to walk with him. The psalmist describes a person who truly walks with God, worships him with all their being, and remains steady. Such a person reflects their relationship with the Creator through their actions and words, remembering the truth expressed by John Calvin: “Faith alone saves, but the faith that saves is never alone.”
We are invited to walk with God, keeping our eyes on him despite the chaos around us. We are called to act with courage and justice toward our neighbors—the innocent, the needy, and the despised—to speak truth and refrain from slander or harm. Neglecting this is omission; it is slipping away from the true walk with God.
Lord, we want to walk with you faithfully, acting with courage and justice. Amen.
