Ephesians 4:1-6 | As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love. -Ephesians 4:2

Our small-group Bible study had a problem. We’d grown to more than thirty people. The deacons suggested we split the group, but no one wanted to leave. So we stayed together.

It hadn’t always been that way. When we started with just a few people, most had been reluctant to speak. Soon, however, we realized we could honestly share with each other. We prayed. We helped each other in practical ways.

For the first half of his letter to the church in Ephesus, the apostle Paul wrote about who we are in Jesus. We’re God’s blessed, chosen, forgiven, and adopted children (Ephesians 1:3–14). We’re the revealed mystery of Christ (3:2–6), Jews and gentiles coming together to form God’s church.

Then, in chapter 4, Paul tells us, “Lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God” (v. 1). This will reveal itself in practical ways. “Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love” (v. 2). These are qualities that don’t come naturally. We need the Holy Spirit’s help to forge a unifying bond of peace (v. 3).

As David wrote, “How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity!” (Psalm 133:1 niv). This is our calling. It’s who we are.

Tim Gustafson

When have you experienced disunity in the church? When have you experienced unity, and what do you think made the difference?

Father, help me to be patient and kind today.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App – Our Daily Bread. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Is there a temptation you keep stumbling with over and over again? Maybe it’s related to jealousy, worry, lust, gossip, gluttony, or the overuse of electronics and social media. Whatever it is, you won’t have victory over a persistent temptation if you try to overcome it by yourself.

Who’s helping you fight temptation? Who have you invited to help you grow spiritually? Who do you allow to ask you the tough questions? Who are you checking up on?

The Bible says, “Two are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NLT).

You don’t have to tell everybody about the temptations you struggle with, but you do need to tell someone. That person can support you and help you overcome your struggles.

When someone says, “I’ve never told this to anybody before . . . ,” be quick to listen and pay attention because it may mean they are taking the first step toward freedom. Remember this: Revealing your feeling is the beginning of healing. Talking about your temptations is the way you overcome them.

How serious are you about changing? Wouldn’t you like to come out of hard circumstances with a stronger faith, having overcome a persistent temptation? Why not reach out to a friend, who can help you be accountable. You can connect through text, direct message, video chat, or even a good, old-fashioned phone call.

There are some bad habits in your life you’re just not going to get over until you get support from a committed friend. Find that person, and then be that person to someone else.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 | Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Many of us are experiencing grief right now because of a job loss, a business shut down, or a health issue, likely due to the effects of COVID-19.

We’re also experiencing grief because of closed schools, canceled proms, and postponed weddings. We’ve been unable to visit family and friends, even when they’ve been seriously sick in the hospital. And, heartbreakingly, some of us haven’t been able to mourn the loss of a loved one through a traditional funeral.

Yet, God promises that for all who mourn, “He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair” (Isaiah 61:3 NLT).

The greatest example of how God transforms grief into joy is the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. After he was crucified, Jesus’ disciples went through two days of the deepest fear, pain, and grief anyone could ever experience. Even though Jesus promised his disciples he would return from the dead, they couldn’t grasp the reality of that through their grief.

But once the disciples saw Jesus resurrected, they understood sin and death had been defeated. They were released from their fears and anxieties. That’s why they were able to find joy again.

As you hold onto the promises of God through dark days, you, too, will find release from your fears and anxieties—and you will find joy again.

How can that happen? By relying on the power of God, the same power that resurrected Jesus from the dead. It can change ashes into beauty, grief into joy, and despair into praise.

The only way for us to get to heaven is by trusting in God’s Son, Jesus Christ. “We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are. For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins” (Romans 3:22-24 NLT).

We live in uncertain times, so if you haven’t already, reach out for the one thing that is absolutely certain—the forgiveness and hope found only in Jesus.

If you’re ready to commit your life to Him, then pray this prayer:

“Dear Jesus, you have promised that if I believe in you, everything I’ve ever done wrong will be forgiven, I will learn the purpose of my life, and you will accept me into your eternal home in heaven one day.

“I confess my sin, and I believe that you are God, my Savior. I receive you into my life as my Lord. Today, I’m turning over every part of my life to your management. You have the right to call the shots in my life.

“Jesus, I want to relax in your love. Thank you that I don’t have to earn it, deserve it, or work for it. I want to use the rest of my life to serve you instead of serving myself. I humbly commit my life to you, and I ask you to save me and accept me into your family. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.”

Isaiah 61:3 | and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Godly Friends Help You Make Good Decisions

When you trust God to make tough choices easier, he gives you wisdom when you ask for it. One way he does that is by directing you to people who know and practice his Word. He gives you connections with godly people who will point you in the right direction.

You need to get some godly people in your life who love and obey the Bible. You were never meant to practice God’s wisdom on your own.

Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble” (NLT).

This is important because the quality of your life and the quality of your decisions will be determined by who you spend the most time with.

Are the people you most often hang out with helping you or hurting you? Are they building your faith or your fear? Are they causing you to worship or to worry? Are they stress relievers or stress generators in your life?

While in a season of uncertainty, you can still keep company with wise people. For instance, technology allows you to stay in touch through phone or video if you can’t meet in person. Then, be intentional about connecting with people every day—people who will encourage you, point you to God’s Word, and help you make wise decisions.

Proverbs 13:20 | The one who walks with the wise will become wise, but a companion of fools will suffer harm.

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.

Do you know that it’s possible to rejoice when you face troubles? The Bible says, “Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2 NLT).

It’s easy to misunderstand this verse. God’s not saying be a martyr. He’s not saying deny reality. He’s not saying fake it ‘til you make it.

We don’t rejoice for the trouble. But we can still rejoice during the trouble because of what we know is true.

And what is true? We know that God sees and cares about everything we’re going through. We know that we’re never alone, that God is always with us. We know that he will give us strength if we trust him.

One of the greatest comforts during troubling days is God’s promise in Romans 8:28: “We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him” (NCV).

God has promised to bring good out of bad for us—in everything. That includes a pandemic! That’s not a promise for everybody. It’s a promise for believers, those who love him and are committed to living according to his purpose.

When you’re facing a challenge, joy is a choice because you can rely on the goodness of God. Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why it’s your choice to rejoice no matter what the situation.

Joy is not based on circumstances, and that’s why you are able to make a choice to rejoice no matter what your situation is.

Joy is based on what we know is true, and it’s based on our faith that God will fulfill his promise to work things out for good, according to his purpose.

In Psalm 34:1, King David said, “I will praise the LORD at all times; his praise is always on my lips” (NCV). Even now, we should thank God. Praise God. Rejoice in God—not just in good times. At all times.

James 1:2| Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,

Devotional from YouVersion Bible App. Contact Pastor Rod Lindemann at RodL@TimothyLutheran.com on how to use the Bible App for additional readings and topics.