Daily Devotional

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.

1 Corinthians 1:18

For any Jew, it was madness to imagine that the most despicable and shameful kind of death, crucified on a cross, would be how the Messiah would grant salvation. Likewise, it was absurd for the Greeks, lovers of wisdom - "philosophers", to consider that something was more powerful than their knowledge.

For the Romans and many other Gentiles, nothing was more desirable than the power of wealth and possessions. So too today, many people cling to religiosity, intellectuality, or ambitions for more material goods, as their goal in life.

Many people continue to regard the message of the cross as foolishness, and so they choose to carry on clinging to human resources. But the cross is the power of God for believers! Make no mistake, no amount of human goodness, wisdom, or wealth can give you guarantees in this life or the next. There is only one way to have a meaningful life, which is through faith in Jesus Christ, in His redemptive work on the cross. Don't dismiss the power of the message of the cross!

Lay your riches at the feet of Jesus

• What is most valuable to you in this life?
• Reflect for a moment: to what causes have dedicated your strength, your time, and your life?
• Pray and give yourself completely to the Lord, without reservation.
• Don't waste time on the trivialities of life. Concentrate on what is most important.
• Leave your "crowns", personal merits, possessions and titles at the foot of the cross. Recognize that Jesus is your greatest wealth!
• Read the Bible every day. Through it you will get to know Jesus better and find your reason for being!

Pray:

Lord God, thank you for sending Jesus to give us life, through that terrible cross. Help me to have Christ as my priority and my greatest value in this life. I leave at your feet everything that wants to take your place in my heart. Forgive my attachment to the insignificant things of this life. Be my joy, sustenance and greatest wealth always. And teach me to love the message of the cross and share it wherever I am. In Jesus' name, amen!

When Jesus spoke these words, He was delivering the famous "Sermon on the Mount." In these teachings, He succinctly presented the practical principles and values of the Kingdom of God. The "beatitudes" mark the beginning of this great discourse, bringing inverted standards about the "more than happy" life that Christians can experience.

When we live out our faith in Christ truly and intentionally, the world will oppose us, trying to insult and mistreat us. The Lord teaches us to fill ourselves with joy and contentment when we are persecuted for His sake. The work of Christ is precious! It is worth enduring hardships and insults for the sake of faith... Your reward with God will be much greater!

Rejoice in persecution:

• Pray daily to God, ask for His guidance and wisdom to deal with persecution.
• Do not be discouraged in your walk with God because of the difficulties you face. The Lord is by your side in every moment and sustains you.
• Strengthen your faith through the Word of God every day.
• Rejoice, praise, and thank God for the privilege of being persecuted for the sake of Jesus Christ.
• Intercede for the persecuted Church around the world. There are thousands of Christians who are constantly at risk of life and other harm because of their faith.
• Remain faithful to the Lord! Remember the example of suffering from the disciples, apostles, and the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, who even when persecuted, in prison, under threat of affliction and death, remained faithful until the end!
• Be careful not to be persecuted for a bad testimony or for acting unwisely!

Let’s Pray: