April 27 | Have A Thick Skin and Tender Heart
Letting God’s light shine as we live in this dark world can be pretty difficult. As we follow Jesus in a world that doesn’t, we will face opposition. So we need a thick skin if we are going to do what God calls us to do. But we also need a loving heart toward people. Love moved Jesus to do what He did for us, and it is love for people that will move us to live out our purpose. This rare combination of a thick skin and tender heart was seen in the life of the Apostle Paul. As we look at this letter he wrote, from prison, to the people of Philippi, we can see his loving heart as he prays with joy because of these people who came to know and love Jesus. May God also make our skin thick and our hearts tender!

May 4 | It's A Win-Win
What does it look like to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ? It means living in such a way that shows Jesus is worth something to you. It looks like walking with, loving with, and doing life with those who are different than you, because Christ binds you together. It looks like striving together to make Christ known because Christ motivates you. It looks like standing with courage against all oppressors, because Christ secures you. To live is Christ. To Die is gain. Have you found Christ worth living for, dying for, worth casting all away for? That is what it means to live a life worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. To live is Christ. To die is gain. It’s a win-win!

May 11 | A High Call To A Lowly Life
In this world, it seems that it is important to show everyone who you are, what you have accomplished, what you deserve. Someone has to speak up for you, and it might have to be you! If you aren’t watching out for yourself, who is going to? But the greatest possible contradiction to this is the heart and core of the Bible. We must humble ourselves if we are to be exalted. Put the interests of others before ours? But if we do that, then who will take care of us? Who? Jesus will. The very one who showed us what it means to humble Himself for our good. The One who gave us life by doing so. So, let’s imitate Him. Let’s learn what a truly great life is – it begins with making ourselves lowly.

May 18 | Shine Like Stars
Have you ever felt like you really didn’t fit in or belong in the place you are? Cheering for the wrong team in the wrong stadium? All dressed up while everyone else is casual? Excited about something no one else is? We live in a post-Christian world. The viewpoints prevalent in this world are a world apart from the viewpoint God gives us in His Word. That means, in this world, we stick out. Stand out. Shine like stars in a very dark sky. As we hold onto God’s Word and hold it out for other people to see, we will shine like stars in people’s lives. Imagine what a difference it makes in a dark night sky to see a bright light shining forth! We can make a difference in the lives of others, just like Jesus made a difference in ours. Let’s shine like stars!

May 25 | Knowing Christ Is Unspeakable Joy
We love sharing with people the places we’ve been, things we’ve done, stuff we’ve accomplished. There are things in this world that have brought us joy that we want to share with others. But when we focus on sharing with everyone what we have done or accomplished, it can turn into a competition as to who has done or seen the most. And truth be told, all these things can only bring joy for so long. If we think things we have done have brought us joy, there is something that was done for us that brought us a greater joy than anything we’ve done or experienced. Unspeakable joy. And when we know this joy, believe it, celebrate it, it changes everything.

June 1 | Run Hard for Home
When you’re on your way home from travelling, and have been gone a while, there’s nothing like getting close to home. You can see the familiar sights, hear familiar sounds, even smell familiar things. It keeps you going, and encourages you to finish the journey and get home! Life on earth is like that. We’re on a journey here, but our real home is with God. He’s put that home in our hearts, and the closer we come, the more we will long for it. Keeping our real home as our focus helps us through life’s journey, with all its highs and lows. It’s easy to be sidetracked along the way. This scripture passage helps us keep our home in view!

June 8 | Live in Joy
Life isn’t always easy here. And it isn’t hard for friction to happen between people. If it keeps happening, it can start causing pain, and then start creating bitterness. And when bitterness has built up, a single spark can cause an explosion. There is a joy we are given as a gift through Jesus. This means we can rejoice together no matter how hard things get. This joy can help us live together with other imperfect people like us. And this is so important… because those who will spend an eternity in joyful unity might as well start living in that joy now. Life is just better that way. So let’s focus on the good gifts God has given us, and let that overflow with joy into not only our lives, but the lives of those around us.

June 15 | The Secret of Contentment
Some days go well and some don’t. Some days we feel like we’re on top of the world, and others like we’re on the bottom. If the value we place on our lives and ourselves is tied to how well things are going in our “everyday,” we’re going to be riding an uncomfortable roller coaster. We need something, someone we can look to for unchanging contentment no matter how our “everyday” is going. Paul had plenty of highs and lows, but learned the secret of contentment in any circumstances. His unchanging reason? Jesus. We can do everything through Him who gives us strength. If we have Jesus, we don’t need anything else. Genuine joy isn’t dictated by your changing circumstances, it is found in the unchangeable Lord.