Promise for Today - As Unto the Lord

Guest author: Christopher Glotzbach

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“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”

Colossians 3:23

We put an offer on a house, had it accepted, listed our current home, and then had to renegotiate our accepted offer. Needless to say, there’s a lot up in the air right now! But in the middle of all the uncertainty, we’ve continued working on our house and trusting the Lord with the outcome.

When we first bought our home, we had a pretty serious hard water problem. Everything was turning yellow! We eventually installed a whole-house water filtration system, but even that couldn’t undo some of the stains left behind in our sinks.

One thing our realtor recommended was trying to get those rust stains out before selling. The funny thing is, we had just gotten used to how everything looked. But over the last week, I’ve spent COUNTLESS hours scrubbing showers, bathtubs, toilets, and sinks, trying to get rid of those stains.
And if I’m honest, my flesh started asking, “Why am I working this hard to make this house look so nice when I might not even be here much longer?”

And then came the check in my spirit.

 
What would it look like to finish extremely well? To sprint through the finish line. Instead of throwing in the towel (literally), what if I prayed a blessing over the person or family who will eventually move into our home? What if I worked hard to prepare a place for them, even if they never knew the hours I spent or the prayers I prayed?

I think we’re all tempted to check out when things get hard, when we’re tired, or when we start believing our decisions won’t really matter in the long run. But life is so much bigger than ourselves.  Sometimes, faithfulness looks like doing the little things well, even when no one is watching.  Sometimes, serving God means serving people we may never meet. Praying over situations for which we never know the outcomes. 

And sometimes, the Lord uses something as ordinary as scrubbing a bathtub to expose something in our hearts that needs to change.

So here’s my challenge for you today:
Where are you tempted to believe the lie that it doesn’t matter what you do?
Maybe it’s at work.
Maybe it’s in a relationship.
Maybe it’s in a season of life you’re ready to leave behind.

Don’t check out. Don’t throw in the towel. FINISH STRONG!

Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:23:
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
That verse hit a little differently this week. Maybe the next owners of our home will never know the work we put in or the prayers we prayed over them. They may never know how much we cared about preparing this place for their next chapter. But God sees it. And that’s enough.

I want to live in such a way that everything I do is done unto Him.
Not for recognition.
Not because I’ll get something out of it.
Not because it’s convenient.
But because I love Him, and I want my life to reflect that love in the way I serve others.

My prayer today:

Lord, thank You for the gift of serving You by serving others.
Forgive me when I’m tempted to make everything about me.
Help me walk in humility, valuing the needs of others and looking for opportunities to bless people, even when I may never see the fruit of my efforts.
Remind me that You see everything and that when I work as unto You, it is never in vain.
Help me finish well in every season, trusting You with what comes next. In Jesus' Name

And, Lord, if You wouldn’t mind helping us sell our house quickly, that would be great too. 
We love You! 

Promise for Today = Gifts of Purpose

There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person.

1 Corinthians 12:4-6 (GW)

If you’re like most people, you struggle to know the unique calling God has for your life. But once you understand the gifts he gives you - and the abilities he’s given specifically to you - you can begin pursuing the plans he’s called you to.

The moment you step across the line and put your faith in Christ, God gives you four major gifts:

Forgiveness. 

Romans 5:15 says, “For the sin of this one man, Adam, brought death to many. But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of forgiveness to many through this other man, Jesus Christ” (NLT). When you put your faith in Jesus, the first thing he does is wipe out everything you’ve ever done wrong. You are forgiven! There is no condemnation.

Eternal life. 

God has long-range plans for you. The Bible says in Romans 6:23, “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (NIV). You’re never going to work your way or earn your way into heaven. The only way you’ll ever get into heaven is by God’s free gift that you accept by faith.

The Holy Spirit. 

Romans 5:5 says, “God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us” (NIV). How do you know when you’re letting God live through your life? When you embody the fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.

Special abilities. 

In the Bible, these special abilities are called spiritual gifts. They are different from material or physical gifts. They’re the abilities you need to do the job that God wants you to do. Most people who are believers don’t even know they have spiritual gifts, much less what those gifts are. But if you’re a follower of Jesus, you do have them!

The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 12:4-6, “There are different spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. There are different ways of serving, and yet the same Lord is served. There are different types of work to do, but the same God produces every gift in every person” (GW).

God has a purpose for your life, and your spiritual gifts are the tools he gives you to do what he asks. Remember: God will never ask you to do something he doesn’t give you the ability to do!

Talk It Over

When you become a Christian, God gives you forgiveness, the Holy Spirit, eternal life, and special abilities. Which of those gifts do you think about most often? Which do you tend to forget? Why?

What special gifts has God given you? How have you seen him use those gifts in the body of Christ?

When have you benefited from other Christians using their spiritual gifts?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

         You are the giver of every good and perfect gift. You formed us with intention, weaving purpose into every part of our being. We come before You with an open heart, asking for Your light to shine on the gifts You have placed within us. Reveal to us the talents, passions, and spiritual gifts that You have entrusted to us. Remove any doubt or fear that clouds our understanding, and replace it with wisdom, courage, and discernment. Guide our steps so that we may use these gifts to serve others, bring hope, and glorify Your name. Align our hearts with Your will, so that our purpose is not just known, but lived out daily in love, humility, and faith.  
      Thank You for creating us with intention and for calling us into a life that matters. Lead us to use these gifts to serve others and glorify You. We trust that as we seek You, You will make our path clear. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Bring Out the Best

The person who plants selfishness, ignoring the needs of others - ignoring God! - harvests a crop of weeds. All he’ll have to show for his life is weeds! But the one who plants in response to God, letting God’s Spirit do the growth work in him, harvests a crop of real life, eternal life. 

Galatians 6:7-8 (MSG)

Selfishness destroys relationships. It is the number one cause of conflict, arguments, divorce, and even war. James 4:1 says, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you?” (NIV). Every trouble starts because of self-centeredness.

It’s very easy for selfishness to enter relationships. When you first start a relationship, you work hard at being unselfish. But as time goes on, selfishness begins to creep in. People often put more energy into starting and building relationships than they do in maintaining them.

If selfishness destroys relationships, then selflessness is what makes them grow. What does selflessness mean? It means less of “me” and more of “you.” It means thinking of others more than you think of yourself and putting other people’s needs before your own. As Philippians 2:4 says, “Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others” (CSB).

Selflessness brings out the best in people. It builds trust in relationships. In fact, if you start acting selflessly in a relationship, the other person changes too; when you’re selfless, you’re not the same person anymore, so they have to relate to you in a different way.

I’ve seen it many times. Some of the most unlovable people, those who no one wants to be around, are often transformed when someone is kind and selfless toward them. When someone is given what they need - not what they deserve - they change in beautiful ways.

This is the biblical principle of sowing and reaping. What you sow, you’re going to reap. When you sow selflessness, you reap God’s blessing. This is how he’s wired the universe: The more unselfish you are, the more he blesses you. He wants you to become like him, and he is unselfish. Everything you have is a gift from God, a result of his unselfishness toward you.

So while you’re here on this earth, you’ll be most fulfilled when you give yourself away. Jesus said, “If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it” (Mark 8:35 NLT).

Talk It Over

What is one of the hardest things for you to give to someone else? (Maybe it’s your time, your money, or your emotional resources.)

How can you practice giving that thing away this week?

In what ways have you seen God bless you when you are unselfish?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father, 

          In moments when we are tempted to seek only our own desires, grant us the wisdom to remember the needs of others and the eyesight to see them. Help us to embrace selflessness and to serve with a generous heart. May our prayers align with Your will, bringing forth love and compassion for all Your children. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen.

Promise for Today - Growing

Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me.

John 12:26 (NLT)

Jesus talked a lot about being a “disciple.” If you’re a believer, that’s probably a word you hear a lot too.

But what did Jesus mean when he used the word disciple? To be a disciple, you must spend time with Jesus. In any relationship, the more time you invest, the more you’re going to get out of it. It’s true in your relationship with Jesus too. You can’t be a part-time disciple; it’s a full-time responsibility.

Jesus said, “Anyone who wants to serve me must follow me, because my servants must be where I am. And the Father will honor anyone who serves me” (John 12:26 NLT).

This verse teaches three things about spiritual growth.

First, spiritual growth is a choice. 

The verse starts off, “Anyone who wants to serve me. . .” God won’t force growth on you, and it won’t come automatically. You have to want and choose to serve him—to be his disciple.

If you feel distant from God, it’s not because he’s moved away. He’s always right there, inviting you to draw near to him. You have the choice to draw closer to him or to move away.

Second, spiritual growth is a commitment. 

Jesus said that his disciples “must follow” him. After you’ve made the choice to grow, you “must” follow through with commitment! You grow by making commitments. Getting married is a commitment that makes you grow up. So is having kids, or taking on a new job, or pursuing an education. Anytime you make a commitment, you grow. That includes when you commit to being Jesus’ disciple.

Third, spiritual growth is a relationship. 

Jesus said, “My servants must be where I am.” It’s not about rules. It’s not about rituals. It’s not about a formula. It’s not about a bunch of expectations. It’s about being with Jesus.

Obviously, Jesus isn’t here physically today. So how can you be with him? A great way is by having an ongoing conversation with him. Those can be quick prayers as you’re talking to someone at work, cleaning your house, or driving a car. As you do this over time, you will hear God speaking back to you, by filling your mind with truth and putting impressions in your heart.

Are you ready to start growing as a disciple of Jesus? It’s simple to get started: Just spend time with him.

Talk It Over

What usually comes to mind when you hear the word disciple? How has today’s devotional changed that?

When have you grown by making a new commitment?

What one change can you make to start spending more time with Jesus this week?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          Help us to be wholly and steadfastly committed to You, so that our hearts, minds, and actions are always aligned with Your will and love. Help us to grow in the awareness that You are our sustenance and our only true source of strength. Give us the grace to rest in Your strength, to rely on Your wisdom, and to yield to Your instructions at all times. Remove anything that keeps us from You, and strengthen our resolve to stay faithful, even when life is hard or distractions arise. Let our commitment to You be unwavering, our trust in You deeper, and our love for You greater each day. We will not turn back from the path of righteousness. Help us to press on in obedience and devotion until the end. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Skilled Empathy

We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others.

Romans 15:2 (TLB)

Listening is probably the most important skill in building friendships and relationships. You can’t love people without listening to them.

But sometimes people run into trouble in their relationships when they think hearing and listening are the same thing. The truth is that there’s a big difference between hearing someone and listening to them.

You can hear something and not really be listening. I can’t tell you how many arguments I’ve had with my kids or my wife because I was hearing the words but not really listening to the emotions. Sometimes the words don’t even matter. Someone can say to you, “I’m fine,” but the way they say it tells you that they’re not fine. Listening means you also hear what the person isn’t saying.

When you listen that way, you’re showing empathy. Empathy means to put yourself in the other person’s shoes and learn their point of view. You ask yourself, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

Listening with empathy means you listen without interruption and you listen for what’s not being said—the feelings and fears behind the words. And you don’t need to try to fix the situation. In fact, sometimes healing comes just from someone listening!

Romans 15:2 says, “We must bear the ‘burden’ of being considerate of the doubts and fears of others” (TLB).

What does it mean to be considerate or to bear the burden of someone else’s doubts? It means that, when people are in so much pain that they don’t even know what they believe, they need the devotion of a loyal friend. They need someone who will be present and listen with empathy.

Will you be that friend today?

Talk It Over

How can you show someone through your body language that you are really listening?

What is the benefit of asking, “How would I feel if I were in that situation?”

What are some ways you can limit interruptions and distractions when you are trying to listen to someone?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

          In the noise of daily life, we come before You seeking the gift of an open heart. Quiet the chatter within us, and open the gates of our soul to truly listen to those who cross our path.  Grant us the serenity to set aside judgment and preconceptions, so we may be fully present. Help us to hear the words, the emotions, and the unspoken needs of others, and to respond with compassion and empathy.
Let our friendship be a sanctuary where people feel safe to share their stories. Thank You for the opportunity to connect deeply through listening. Help us to be better at it. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen

Promise for Today - Pride Kills Relationships

Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves.

Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

Pride destroys relationships. It shows up in a lot of different forms, like criticism, competition, stubbornness, and superficiality.

The problem with pride is that it’s self-deceiving. When you have too much pride, you don’t see it in your life—but everyone else does!  Proverbs 16:18 says, “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin” (NCV). I love that same verse in The Message paraphrase: “First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.”

While pride destroys relationships, humility serves as its antidote, and relationships are built instead. Our verse for today, Philippians 2:3 tells you how to combat pride by choosing humility: “Be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves” (NCV). 1 Peter 3:8 gives more details: “Everyone must live in harmony, be sympathetic, love each other, have compassion, and be humble” (GW).

How do you grow in humility? You let Jesus Christ begin to control your thoughts, heart, attitude, and reactions. Ephesians 4:23-24 says, “Let the Spirit change your way of thinking and make you into a new person” (CEV).

The basic law of relationships is this: You tend to become like the people you spend time with. If you spend time with grumpy people, you get grumpier. If you spend time with happy people, you get happier. If you want to become a new, humbler person, you need to spend time with Jesus Christ, because he is humble. By building a relationship with him through prayer and reading his Word, you’ll get to know him and become more like him.

Philippians 2:5-6 says it like this: “You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to” (NLT).

Jesus is the ultimate example of humility. He came from heaven to earth to become a man, live for you, give his life for you, and be resurrected for you. When you spend time with him, it makes you humble. That humility, in turn, builds your relationships.

Talk It Over

What characteristics and habits do the humble people in your life display?

What does it look like to give more honor to others than to yourself (as Philippians 2:3 teaches)?

In what ways do you think God’s Spirit needs to change the way you think to make you more like Jesus?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer by Faith&Forward

Introduction: Prayers to Overcome Pride and Walk in Humility is a powerful collection of targeted prayers designed to help you approach God's throne with confidence and faith. These prayer points are rooted in Scripture and crafted to address specific areas of need in your spiritual journey.

Prayer is our direct line of communication with the Father, and when we pray according to His will, we can be confident that He hears us. Use these prayer points as a guide, but also allow the Holy Spirit to lead you into deeper intercession as you pray.

Prayer Points:

Father, I thank You for Your faithfulness and loving-kindness.

Lord, let Your will be done in this situation as it is in heaven.

I surrender every concern to You and trust in Your perfect plan.

Father, give me the grace to walk in obedience to Your word.

Lord, let Your favor go before me and make my path straight.

I receive Your peace that surpasses all understanding.

Lord, let Your glory be revealed through this situation.

Father, I give You all the praise and honor for what You are doing.

I stand on Your word and believe for complete victory.

Lord, help me to be a blessing to others through this testimony.

Father, let Your kingdom come and Your will be done.

I reject every lie of the enemy and embrace Your truth.

Lord, fill me fresh with Your Holy Spirit today.

Father, order my steps and lead me in Your righteousness.

I claim every promise You have spoken over my life.

Lord, let my life bring glory to Your name.

Father, give me a heart of gratitude in every circumstance.

I decree that goodness and mercy shall follow me.

Lord, connect me with the right people at the right time.

Lord, I ask for Your divine wisdom and guidance in every decision.

Father, strengthen my faith and help me trust You completely.

Father, let this prayer produce lasting fruit in my life.

I declare that Your promises over my life shall come to pass.

Lord, remove every hindrance in me and let Your purpose be fulfilled.

Father, thank You for hearing and answering my prayers.

Closing Declaration: Father, I thank You for hearing my prayers today. I believe that even as I have prayed, You are already at work on my behalf. I receive Your answers by faith and declare that nothing is impossible for You. Let Your Name be glorified in my life as these prayers come to pass. In Jesus' Name, we pray, Amen.

Promise for Today - Five Minutes

Be thankful in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

When you’re going through a season of great change and stress, how do you maintain joy? You do it by developing the habit of thanking God for all that’s good, despite all that’s bad.

This principle is found in 1 Thessalonians 5:18: “Be thankful IN all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus” (NLT). This means that we should develop an attitude of gratitude in every situation. It doesn't mean that we have to be thankful for everything that happens to us, especially the bad things like cancer or car accidents. We don’t have to be thankful for all the evil in the world.

But every time you take a minute to express gratitude to God about anything—it could be your favorite music, a spot in nature, or Scripture—it helps refill your empty emotional tank so you can move forward in life. Choosing to be thankful is for your own good; it keeps you from becoming bitter and helps you to finish strong.

Being grateful is easy when your emotional tank is full and things are going great. It’s much harder to find something to be thankful for when you're facing a crisis or prolonged chronic stress. But that’s when you need to express gratitude the most.

The story of Job is a great example of gratitude during hard times. He was a wealthy and successful man, but he lost everything in a single day. He didn't know why it all happened to him, and he had every reason to be angry and bitter. Despite this, he continued to trust God. Even in his darkest moment, he fell to the ground and worshiped God, saying, “May the name of the LORD be praised” (Job 1:21 NIV).

One of the most practical yet powerful habits you can develop is to make a daily gratitude list. Just sit down for five minutes each day and ask yourself, "What am I grateful for?” It’s a habit that will strengthen your soul and keep you going when you feel like giving up.

Even in our darkest moments, we can follow Job's example and gratefully worship God, knowing that his will for us is to give thanks in all circumstances.

Talk It Over

What does having a grateful attitude reveal about your belief in a good God?

What are some things you have taken for granted that you can start thanking God for today?

When has an attitude of gratitude given you the strength to get through a hard time?

- by Pastor Rick

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Prayer:

Father,

           We come before You with hearts full of gratitude for Your unending goodness and mercy. Thank You for the gift of life, for the breath in our lungs, the strength in our body, and the clarity in our minds.  Thank You for the light of day, the shelter of home, the love of family, and the countless small and great blessings that surround us.
       Even in moments of challenge, we choose to see Your hand at work, trusting that You are good, faithful, and present. Thank You for Your patience, Your compassion, and Your constant presence. Forgive us for times when we have been slow to thank You, and renew our hearts to focus on You alone. Lord, help us to live each moment with a thankful spirit, to reflect Your love in our words and actions, and to find joy in Your presence. May our gratitude be a constant prayer, not just on special days, but in all circumstances. We give You praise and thanks, for You alone are worthy. In Jesus’ Name we pray, Amen