thoughts by Darren Hewer Archives - Daily Thoughts about God

Published July 8, 2024

Are You Feeling Ignored?

“My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” Jeremiah 2:13

Have you ever been ignored by someone that you care deeply about?

To me being ignored feels like just about the worst pain imaginable. When a person who is special to you lavishes you with attention, it feels like you’re on top of the world. But when that person ignores you, leaving you wanting and waiting and wondering, it feels like the weight of the world is on your shoulders.

Even being rebuked or insulted is better than being ignored; at least that shows that the person cares enough to rebuke or insult you. But to be ignored feels like the person is saying, “You’re so unimportant to me that I can’t even be bothered to acknowledge your presence.” Except that they’re not saying anything at all. And that can sting worse than any insult.

As I thought and prayed, through tears, about my own situation, I suddenly realized … this must be how God feels. All the time.

By any conservative estimate, most of the world does not know the God revealed in the Bible and therefore has no relationship with Him. Even those of us who believe that He is real, He is with us, and He is not silent, still find ways to shut ourselves off to His reality, His presence, and His voice.

How often do we ignore God? And how much does this hurt Him? Just to be clear, God does not feel things in exactly the same way that I do. God is not an emotional dimwit like me; He is entirely holy, good, and righteous. He has no need for self-pity since there is no insecurity in His fully assured, perfect, divine Self. Yet often in scripture we sense His pain when we brush Him aside. How much does it pain God when billions of His beloved people ignore Him?

Speaking through the prophet Jeremiah to the people of Israel, the Lord says: “My people have committed two sins: they have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.” (Jeremiah 2:13)

Not only have God’s chosen people turned away from Him, the “spring of living water,” but they’ve also chosen something inferior instead, “broken cisterns.” They prefer leaky pits dug into the ground. I can’t recall the last time I enjoyed a leaky pit, but I can identify with how we often choose almost anything besides dwelling in God’s presence.

Are you ignoring God? Ignoring someone only strains, and eventually disintegrates, the relationship. The insights God has shown me through my recent experiences have given me a certain sense of peace beyond insight, knowing that God entirely empathizes with my pain. And it has been one of many reminders that whether happy and praising, or lamenting and cursing, we should never ignore our Lord.

Question: Am I ignoring God?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Do You Go to the Hospital on Sundays?

“While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:10-13)

When I became a Christian at age 22, I thought church was only for perfect people. Or at least people who could act perfectly on Sunday mornings. I didn’t understand that the purpose of the church is to give a hand to the sick, not to pat the healthy on the back: ““It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.” (Matthew 9:12)

Author Brennan Manning put it this way:

“The church is not a museum for saints but a hospital for sinners.”

That’s encouraging, because I often don’t feel much like a saint. Do saints lose patience with their brothers and sisters in Christ? Lose their temper? Sometimes even lose that passionate fire for the gospel?

But if we come to Jesus, acknowledging that we’re “the sick,” we always find a seat at His table reserved for us each time we gather. Plus, we can minister God’s healing grace and love to anyone there with us in the hospital called the church.

Is it time to admit you’re sick? Is it time for you to encourage the hurting in your church?

Jesus, thank You that You came to heal me and welcome me to Your table. I open up my heart for You to heal me today. Massage my old scars so that nothing gets in the way of me fully obeying You. Help me minister Your love and healing to my brothers and sisters in Christ. Amen.

The next time you’re together with other believers, humbly ask for prayer if life’s been a battle for you lately. If you’re doing OK, make a point of praying for or encouraging someone who’s struggling.

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Complaining in the Wilderness

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.” Philippians 2:14 (NLT)

Do you enjoy waking up early? I don’t. I emphasize with the psalmist when he writes: “I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.” Psalm 119:147 (NLT)

It’s not that I’m lazy, I’m just not a “morning person”. That’s why I need to continually turn away from the temptation to complain.

Just after the Exodus, when Moses had miraculously led the Israelites out of Egypt, the Israelites sung a song of praise to the Lord for their deliverance. (See Exodus 15.) But just a few days later they encountered hardship and quickly changed their tune. The title of the next section after the Israelite’s song of praise reads “Complaining in the Wilderness,” in my Bible, which is a poignant example the way our hearts can often be fickle.

How can we guard against becoming “complainers in the wilderness”?

Think about the end of Psalm 119:147: “I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.” Throughout the Bible we are constantly reminded to remember what God has done for us. All history is truly “His story” … the story of God’s mighty acts. When we are faced with difficult times, we can reflect upon what God has already done for us, and His promises for the future which we find in His Word, because we know that God is faithful and will fulfill all that He has promised to us, including our own resurrections to eternal life in fellowship with God Himself.

I’m still not a morning person. But I try to remember that when I wake up early, that groggy feeling lasts only a few fleeting moments, and then the rest of the divinely gifted day awaits me. It’s hard to complain about a free gift, and a promise of the ultimate free gift to come.

Question: What has been bothering you lately that you need to bring to God in prayer?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Luke Warm

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm ”neither hot nor cold” I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:15-16

Goldilocks was hungry.

She tasted the porridge from the first bowl.

“This porridge is too hot!!” she exclaimed.

So, she tasted the porridge from the second bowl.

“This porridge is too cold,” she said.

So, she tasted the last bowl of porridge.

“Ahhh, this porridge is just right“, she said happily and she ate it all up.

According to Goldilocks, being lukewarm is just right.

But what is good for porridge isn’t good for our spiritual lives. Jesus tells us that “because you are lukewarm – I am about to spit you out of my mouth!” That’s strong language. What’s so bad about being “lukewarm“.

Notice how our passage from Revelation 3:15-16 begins: “I know your deeds“. The focus here is on what we do, because our outward actions reflect the condition of our inner hearts (James 2:17). It’s easy to see why someone should be “hot“, passionate for God and His word. When Jesus clears the temple, kicking out the money changers and merchants, “His disciples remembered that it is written: ˜Zeal for your house will consume me’. (John 2:17) Jesus demonstrated his zeal by helping the poor, curing the sick, encouraging the discouraged, and preaching God’s word to those who had lost hope.

But what about being “cold?” Jesus says that being cold is still better than being lukewarm because of something else Jesus preached against: hypocrisy. It’s hypocritical to be halfheartedly seeking God.

During our spiritual valleys, we should be honest about how we feel. Reading the Psalms can be tremendously helpful during such times. King David gives us an example of someone who was hardly lukewarm about anything in his life. His Psalms fluctuate between praising God and sorrowfully crying out. Being cold is still worse than being hot, but at least if we admit we are sometimes “wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked” (Revelation 3:17) we are being honest with ourselves and with God, and we can ask God to help us regain the passion we once had.

Has your spiritual life felt “lukewarm” lately? Has your relationship with God become routine, or even boring? If so, perhaps it’s time to seek a revitalized relationship with the God who yearns for your passionate commitment. In conclusion to the “lukewarm” passage Jesus gives you a promise: “To those who are victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne” Revelation 3:21 (TNIV)

How would you describe your spiritual life lately? Hot, cold, or lukewarm? Why do you think this is so?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Ambassadors for Christ

Please open your Bible and read 2 Corinthians 5:16-21

When Paul says that “we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:20a, NLT), that’s a scary thought, isn’t it? I don’t want people looking at ME! Can’t we just point to Jesus and leave me out of this?

One of my professors remarked that he once received an “Alumni of the Year” award from his alma mater. On one hand he was happy to receive such a prestigious award, but on the other hand, he couldn’t help but think: “Me? They think I’m a great guy? Maybe they should talk to my wife, she’d let them know that maybe I’m not as great as they think!”

Thankfully, the beauty of God’s grace is that we DON’T always get what we deserve!

Paul continues in his letter by saying “We speak for Christ when we plead, ‘Come back to God!”” (2 Corinthians 5:20b, NLT). Many people have never opened a Bible, know almost nothing about Jesus, and have never heard the Gospel. All they know about Christianity is what they observe about us Christians. Therefore, we must become effective ambassadors for Christ. An ambassador is an authorized representative, and we are called to be Christ’s representatives on Earth.

To be effective witnesses, and proper ambassadors for Christ, we must possess three qualities (among others): knowledge, wisdom and character. Knowledge is WHAT we know, wisdom is HOW to present that knowledge in a winsome fashion, and character is the way we live our lives. Let’s recommit today to work towards becoming effective ambassadors for God; a tall order, but one we will achieve with diligence and trust in a God who will accomplish many great things through us if we are open to His great works.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” (Colossians 4:6)

Question: What are the three main qualities needed to be God’s ambassador? Which of the three are you being called to focus on today?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

What Should We Boast About?

Please open your Bible and read Jesus’ parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14.

Jonah had just fled from God, almost caused a shipwreck, been thrown overboard, and was swallowed by a whale. He was a prophet of God, and yet he sinned against God by fleeing from Him. As he sat inside the whale, did he repent of his deeds? Hardly. In fact, listen carefully to what he says:

“Those who cling to worthless idols forfeit the grace that could be theirs. But I, with a song of thanksgiving, will sacrifice to you.” (Jonah 2:8-9)

Sounds a little like the Pharisee in Jesus’ parable, doesn’t it? Jesus told the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector to “some who were confident of their own righteousness”. (Luke 18:9) The Pharisee thought by fasting twice a week and tithing he was made right with God. However, no one has the ability to justify themselves before God. Jesus explains that the tax collector, who humbly asked for forgiveness of his sin, “went home justified before God” while the Pharisee did not (v14). The apostle Paul explains that “a person is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ” (Galatians 2:16, TNIV).

We all sometimes feel superior to others and boast about how we are superior to “evildoers”. In reality, however, “No one is good – except God alone.” (Luke 18:19) Don’t pray “God, I thank you that I am not like that Pharisee” because then you’d be making the very same mistake that the Pharisee made. Instead of disparaging others, remember that we have nothing to boast about ourselves (that should keep us humble) and that it is only by God’s loving grace that we are saved: Boast about God has done instead!

“Let those who boast boast in the Lord.” (2 Corinthians 10:17, (TNIV)

Question: Are there situations where we feel superior to others? How can we guard against those kinds of feelings?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

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thoughts by Darren Hewer Thoughts by Men

Playing to your Strengths

Published January 30, 2024

Playing to your Strengths

Sometimes, it’s okay to say ‘no’ when people ask you to do things. Jesus Himself sometimes respectfully refused when people demanded things from Him that were contrary to His mission:

* Brothers’ squabbling? Jesus hadn’t come to decide such things (Luke 12:14).

* Begging Jesus to stay in Capernaum? “We must go on to other towns as well” Jesus replies (Mark 1:38)

* Herod’s questions? “Jesus refused to answer” (Luke 23:9)

* Be our Earthly King? Jesus had bigger plans! (John 6:15)

Consider Romans 12:4-8. All of us are called to use our abilities to help our church. Some may have a gift in public speaking. Others may get weak in the knees at the very thought. We all have something to offer. Whether our talent is serving, teaching, encouraging, leadership, kindness, or whatever else, we should use that gift to the fullest in the service of God in His body, His church. But this does not mean that we have to say ‘yes’ every time we are asked to do something.

“All men think of themselves as kind of low level superheroes … when men are growing up reading about Batman, Spider – man, Superman, these aren’t fantasies, these are options.” (Jerry Seinfeld, I’m Telling You For the Last Time)

We are not superheroes. We don’t have to do it all. Sometimes we say ‘yes’ just to please the person asking. But we are called to do something, not everything, and we must aim to please God, not people. Consider what Paul said: “I am trying to please God. If I were still trying to please people, I would not be Christ’s servant” (Galatians 1:10). By agreeing to speak in public when the mere thought fills us with terror, not only are we ignoring God’s gifts, but we may be taking the opportunity away from someone who is truly gifted in this area.

Jesus was able to achieve His mission in only three short years because he focused on His mission. Perhaps if we do the same, by playing to our strengths, so too will our efforts be magnified a hundredfold. How we go about furthering our mission as a member of God’s body depends on our gifts. Let us refocus ourselves today on using the gifts that God has given us to the fullest. And remember, it’s OK to say no.

Question: Which unnecessary obligations do you have that are preventing you from serving God to the fullest of your ability?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

What is Advent?

One of my fondest childhood memories of the Christmas season is the Advent calendars my brother and I would receive every year. If you’re unfamiliar with this tradition, the particular version my family enjoyed consisted of a nearly flat decorated cardboard box, with tiny doors on it, numbered from 1 to 24 representing the days leading up to Christmas Eve.

Every day we would open one of the cardboard doors and behind each one we’d find a tiny chocolate. Every one of the chocolates was uniquely molded in a Christmas related shape. It was a fun diversion for us as kids as we impatiently awaited the arrival of Christmas day. But it doesn’t tell us much about the actual season of Advent. What is Advent?

The season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas, somewhere between November 27 and December 3, depending on the year. Advent is the period leading up to Christmas, which celebrates the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, also known as Jesus Christ. It is unknown when this tradition first began, but this period of waiting is often seen in the Christian tradition as a reminder that the world remains waiting for Jesus’ return.

The traditional color of Advent is purple, the color often associated with royalty, although today blue and red are also used. Modern day celebrations of Advent include Advent calendars, Advent wreaths, lighting special Advent candles, and a series of themed Sunday messages leading up to Christmas day.

God’s blessing to you as we prepare to celebrate our Savior, Jesus’ birth.

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

The Difference between Faith and Optimism

“Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.” Hebrews 11:1 (NLT)

Compare the definition of faith from God’s word with this dictionary definition of optimism: “A tendency to expect the best possible outcome or dwell on the most hopeful aspects of a situation.” *(American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004.)

The two words’ definitions seem superficially similar. Both mention “hope,” and both talk about having confidence that things will turn out well. But where does the optimism of someone who doesn’t know Christ find its foundation? On what basis can someone who doesn’t know Christ be reasonably optimistic? Surely not from observing the world around us. Pick up any newspaper, and most of the news you’ll find will be quite depressing. By mere observation of our fallen world alone, no optimism could reasonably be found.

A Christian’s faith, however, in contrast to optimism, is “assurance” based on evidence. By knowing the living God and His divine promises, we know that no matter how bad things may look, God is ultimately sovereign and in control. “Anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved!” Paul assures us, quoting the Old Testament prophet Joel (Romans 10:13; Joel 2:32). We know that among God’s people, He “will remove all of their sorrows, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain” (Revelation 21:3,4)

God has proven again and again by His historical acts in the Old Testament (such as the Exodus) and the New Testament (the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus) that He provides the firm foundation upon which to base our faith.

Unlike some who follow their own whimsical, baseless optimism, followers of Jesus can take real comfort. We do so not because of blind optimism, but instead because of our faith in God and His firm foundation: His mighty works, and His words: “Be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Question: How would you explain the difference between faith and optimism?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

thoughts by Darren Hewer Thoughts by Men

What’s Holding You Back?

Published August 24, 2023

What’s Holding You Back?

Please open your Bible and read Acts 1:1-11

One of John Ortberg’s popular books is titled “If you Want to Walk on Water, you have to get out of the Boat“. Although the title alludes to when Peter tried to walk on water (and succeeded, albeit briefly; (Matthew 14:22-33) this quote also applies to the apostles, just after Jesus ascended to heaven.

As Jesus “was taken up before their very eyes“, the apostles “were looking intently up into the sky” (Acts 1:9-10). Just before this, Jesus told them “you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” (v8) Yet after Jesus ascends apostles just stand there. How often do we do the same? God’s instructions are clear to us, but we just can’t seem to get going.

I can imagine the apostles were worried when Jesus left them. How would they survive without Him? They left their homes, jobs, and everything else behind to follow Him. And now He was leaving? But this is no excuse, and their lack of action prompts two angels to appear to them, who say “Why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.” (v11)

The angels gave them the reason not to worry: Just as Jesus had been taken away, He will return. Luke’s gospel tells us how the apostles responded to the angels: “They worshiped [Jesus] and returned to Jerusalem with great joy.” (Luke 24:52) Their confidence was restored by God’s promise, which is trustworthy and true. And this confidence prompted them into action!

The question for us today is: Am I standing around, staring up at the sky? Or am I actively living out Jesus’ command to be witnesses to the ends of the Earth?

What’s holding you back from being an active witness? If you want to witness, you have to start witnessing! If your spiritual life lately has felt more like stargazing than navigating, it may be time to re-read the book of Acts and be inspired by the lives of some of the earliest Christian servants. I assure you that you are more ready than you realize, “for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” (Luke 12:12)

Question: What’s holding you back?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

You are Special

Please open your Bible and read Genesis 1:26-27

“Naturalism” (the belief that the natural world is all there is) would lead us to believe that human beings are nothing more than generic parts in the machine of the universe and on par with dogs, frogs, and logs. Are we special and uniquely blessed by being made in the image of God like the Bible says?

When we ponder God’s creation of humankind, we note that He breathed life into us (Genesis 2:7) and made us “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27). Utterly unique among God’s creation, we have been given a tremendous gift: The capacity to know the glorious God who created us. How unique is the human race among the various galaxies that comprise our universe?

The probability of a planet anywhere in the universe fitting within all 153 parameters [required for life] is approximately 10-194. The maximum possible number of planets in the universe is estimated to be 1022. Thus, less than 1 chance in 10172 (100 thousand trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion trillion) exists that even one such planet would occur anywhere in the universe. (Dr. Hugh Ross, PhD Astrophysics, University of Toronto)

The odds of a planet like ours existing anywhere in the universe, let alone containing life like ours, is infinitesimally small. Science has merely reconfirmed God’s word: We are special.

How awesome that “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)

Even though we are totally undeserving, God’s mercy is still offered to all those who are willing to repent and accept it.

When you are feeling insignificant, or afraid, or unloved, remember our Lord’s words:

“Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:7)

You are special, and greatly loved by God.

Question: How has God made you utterly unique, even shaping you through tough times, to be who you are today?

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Hope in God

We will always experience suffering during our lives here on our fallen Earth.

When we experience pain, especially the death of a loved one, our natural response is to question, to ask why, and perhaps even to doubt God. Because it hurts.

Some people will respond to evil they see by denying that evil exists. But what is perhaps easy to say is quite difficult to live, or as C S Lewis put it:

“Whenever you find a man who says he does not believe in a real Right and Wrong, you will find the same man going back on this a moment later.“

There is a name for the person who denies good and evil: a sociopath. Clearly the proper response to evil is not denial.

Other people will respond to evil by removing God from the equation. But removing God does not make evil less evil, nor pain less painful. In fact, removing God also removes ultimate hope. Without God, our world seems permanently and irredeemably evil. Without God, there is no ultimate relief from pain, only pain.

With God we cry out to a loving Father who remains with us and comforts us as we hurt and Himself came to Earth as a human being to suffer and die for us. But without God we cry out into the empty void of nothingness that neither hears our cry nor cares for our pain. Removing God results in no gain and much loss.

When we have God in our lives and hearts, we have hope during difficult times and comfort in the midst of tragedy. We have hope grounded in the fact of God’s mighty power, His limitless mercy, and everlasting love. No matter what happens, God loves us because God is love. And nothing can separate us from Him.

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Patience and Trust

“Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” Hebrews 11:1

Today’s technology lets us connect with anyone at any time. If telephones and email weren’t enough, we now have texting and Twitter to add to the mix. We have to make an effort to NOT be connected. And we expect that when we want a response, we’ll get one quickly.

My grandparents were late arriving to a recent family get-together. We worried that they were lost, driving aimlessly, trying in vain to locate the restaurant. Naturally I pulled out my cell phone to call them, but quickly realized my grandparents don’t own a cell phone.

It’s hard to remember a time before we had the ability to be in constant communication and get instant feedback. And maybe this helps explain why it can be frustrating to not hear a clear word from the Lord, especially in times of distress. We call, and seemingly there is no immediate reply. How do we respond when, amidst deep discouragement, we don’t receive the instant divine feedback we’ve been conditioned by our culture to expect?

At times like these, it’s helpful to remember a simple but powerful fact that God is with us always. Always. (Matthew 28:20) If you are attempting to serve Him faithfully and fully in faith, He is pleased with you, even if you see no immediate results and have no earthly reason for confidence. (Hebrews 13:16) We are “sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1) because we place our trust in God, who has demonstrated His trustworthiness based on His divine character.

By the way, my grandparents were a little late arriving, but were able to find the restaurant on their own. Unfortunately, in the meantime we lost my mom, who rushed out of the restaurant to look for them.

We must be patient and trust that God is in control. Although we cannot know definitively why things happen since we know now only in part, we will someday know fully (1 Corinthians 13:12) and in the meantime we have God’s word, the Bible, to instruct and enlighten us as much as God chooses to reveal. We may not see the dark cloud’s silver lining, but if we are following God faithfully, we should harbor no guilt or fear. Instead be confident in the wisdom and love of our Lord, whose loving sacrifice of His Son cleanses us of all sin and fills us with His Holy Spirit, full of mercy and grace.

Question: What about your life tries your patience, and how can the things that cannot be changed be offered up to God to help us through?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Making Use of God’s Kindness

“We work together with God, and we beg you to make good use of God’s kindness to you. In the Scriptures God says, “When the time came, I listened to you, and when you needed help, I came to save you.” That time has come. This is the day for you to be saved.” 2 Corinthians 6:1-2, CEV

Imagine that you give someone a fabulous gift. When they receive it, they positively beam with excitement and enthusiasm, and thank you profusely for giving them for giving them such a great present.

Then they toss it into their closet and ignore it forever.

You might wonder about the authenticity of their praise.

We might also wonder about our own spiritual walk when we do not “make good use of God’s kindness” to us (2 Corinthians 6:1). Although we are not saved by our own works, our response in faith to God’s grace given by Jesus’ death and resurrection reflects the change which has occurred in our hearts as the Holy Spirit has come to live and work inside us.

If we believe we have found the greatest hope, the greatest love, the greatest truth in the world, how could we not share this truth with others? The apostle Paul has a stern warning for us: “Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off.” (Romans 11:22) That’s pretty harsh, but underscores the importance of making use of the kindness God has shown to us.

According to a survey of over 700 Muslims who came to faith in Christ, by far the largest single thing that influenced them to become Christians was seeing the lives of Christians that stood out due to the kindness and love they demonstrated. Therefore, let’s accept God’s kindness with thanksgiving, and not just put it on the shelf, but in turn offer kindness to others, so that they too might come to know the gracious God who proves such a wonderful gift for all who are willing to accept it.

How has God shown you kindness, and how can you through everyday actions show kindness to others?

By Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Gentle and Humble

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NLT, emphasis mine)

If anyone has the right to NOT be humble, it’s Jesus. He fed thousands with just a loaf of bread and a fish, turned water into wine, walked on water and raised people from the dead. Jesus is God, but nevertheless He “gave up his divine privileges” and “took the humble position of a slave.” (Philippians 2:7)

Jesus also has the right to NOT be gentle as he looks around and sees immorality and lack of faith. Jesus sighed with grief at the lack of faith he saw around him, (Mark 8:12) but He’s described as “gentle and humble in heart.” (Matthew 11:29) We may have many reasons to be proud: success in business, a wonderful family, or perhaps special talent in music or art. But we must remain humble, remembering that “while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8) And we may have many reasons to be ruthless: a really bad day or being treated unjustly. But “this is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 John 3:16)The signs to humility and gentleness all point in the same direction: Allow Jesus to teach you to become more like Him. “I have set you an example,” says Jesus, “that you should do as I have done for you.” (John 13:15) It will not happen overnight, but by focusing on God’s Word, gazing at the life of Christ and relying on the power of the Holy Spirit, it certainly will. What step could you take to be more gentle and humble like Jesus?

Lord, when I look at You I see how I’m not like You in many ways. Help me be humble and gentle like you, thinking of the needs of others above my own. Please do heart surgery in me so I can express love even when life gets hard. Amen.

Thought: Take five minutes to look back on your week. When did you express pride in your thoughts or actions? When did you treat others wrongly out of impatience or frustration? Hand over each situation honestly to Jesus in prayer and ask him to change you.

by Darren Hewer
Used by Permission

Are You Feeling Ignored?

Have you ever been ignored by someone that you care deeply about?

FURTHER READING

Do You Go to the Hospital on Sundays?

FURTHER READING

Complaining in the Wilderness

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.” Philippians 2:14 (NLT)

FURTHER READING

Luke Warm

Goldilocks was hungry.

According to Goldilocks, being lukewarm is just right.

FURTHER READING

Ambassadors for Christ

FURTHER READING

What Should We Boast About?

Playing to your Strengths

FURTHER READING

What is Advent?

Further Reading

The Difference between Faith and Optimism

What’s Holding You Back?

Further Reading

You are Special

You are special, and greatly loved by God.

Further Reading

Hope in God

We will always experience suffering during our lives here on our fallen Earth.

Further Reading

Patience and Trust

Further Reading

Making Use of God’s Kindness

How has God shown you kindness, and how can you through everyday actions show kindness to others?

Further Reading

Gentle and Humble

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NLT, emphasis mine)

Further Reading

Category: <span>thoughts by Darren Hewer</span>

Have you ever been ignored by someone that you care deeply about?

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

“Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you.” Philippians 2:14 (NLT)

FURTHER READING

Goldilocks was hungry.

According to Goldilocks, being lukewarm is just right.

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

FURTHER READING

Further Reading

Further Reading

You are special, and greatly loved by God.

Further Reading

We will always experience suffering during our lives here on our fallen Earth.

Further Reading

Further Reading

How has God shown you kindness, and how can you through everyday actions show kindness to others?

Further Reading

“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29, NLT, emphasis mine)

Further Reading