How Can I Help?
Think about the last time someone was kind to you. Kindness is one of the most powerful forces on earth, and serving other people can transform someone’s life for good.
All of us have the ability to do good for someone, and God has gifted each of us with special abilities and talents that can be used to serve other people in our lives. Whether it’s a spiritual gift or a learned skill, you have unique opportunities to show kindness to those in need.
Paul, the writer of the letter to the Galatians, is careful to note that we won’t always have the opportunity to do good for others. We cannot know how many days we have left on earth, and we certainly don’t know how long certain people will be in our lives. That’s why we should use every opportunity to encourage and help others.
Serving and helping others is a form of love. When we take the time to help someone, we allow them to experience Jesus's love through us. Doing good for someone opens the door to conversations about the love that Jesus has for them.
Paul also says that we should help those who are believers. That is because those who are believers are our spiritual family. Just as we ought to care for our relatives, we should also look for opportunities to love those who are part of the Church.
How has God gifted you with talents and abilities to serve others?
Take some time to think about a few people in your life that you can help. Maybe it’s letting someone know you’re thinking of them, or perhaps it’s helping someone with a need they have. In any case, be on the lookout for ways to do good to all people as you go about your day.
Peace That Stays
Everyone wants peace. In the world, in our homes, and in our hearts. In difficult times, we seek comfort. In heartbreaking moments, we want a peace that remains steady despite the circumstances.
The Bible teaches about this kind of peace. Philippians 4:7 describes the peace of God. No amount of self-talk or meditation can manufacture this kind of peace—it only can come from God Himself. Preacher and theologian Charles Spurgeon described this kind of peace as the perfect calm and happiness of God, who is always content.
This peace transcends all understanding. It's the idea that something goes beyond our normal way of thinking. That is a beautiful description of what God’s peace does. It exceeds our understanding and surpasses anything we could expect or imagine. It also guards and protects our hearts and minds.
How do we get this kind of peace? The surrounding verses in Philippians offer guidance. Philippians 4:6 tells us to take every anxious thought and turn it into a ...