Like Elijah, we too can find ourselves placing our sense of worth in accomplishments or comparing ourselves to others, which leaves us vulnerable to pride or inferiority. However, this can make us fragile and restless. We must find rest in God, seeking His strength and new direction. When we see our lives through the eyes of God, who knows and loves us the most, we can experience true joy and peace and rise again with renewed strength.

As we dwell in His love, share His love, and keep His commandments, we are given overflowing joy. Love, mission, and joy are interconnected. Our mission is not just a duty; it is a privilege we can carry out with joy in the love of God.

In this race of faith, we are not running aimlessly. Our goal is clear. Our eyes are fixed on the Lord, and our life’s direction is toward God. It’s not just about doing many things. What’s important is where our life is headed, and where our heart and soul are focused.

Habakkuk reminds us that what we choose to focus on shapes our prayers and our relationship with God. If we are constantly consumed by the negativity around us, our prayers will be filled with complaints. But if we fix our eyes on God’s glory, as Habakkuk did, our hearts will be transformed, and we will be able to worship even in the midst of hardship.

In this pluralistic society of America, where diverse religions and ideologies coexist, we should not be ashamed of sharing the Gospel. We must share it boldly, knowing that it is a valid and powerful alternative for the world. We do not need to always be logical or rational in our approach as Paul did. Our focus is on those few who will turn to God.

In order to be able to rejoice and give thanks always, it is crucial to experience God’s grace and presence through prayer. The instruction to "pray without ceasing" means to remain in continual communion with God through prayer. Prayer is not merely a religious duty but a personal interaction with God. In prayer, we open our hearts to God, and through this connection, God renews our hearts and transforms our attitudes. Prayer is an essential way to maintain and strengthen our relationship with God, and through it, we can live lives full of constant joy and gratitude.

The Bible reveals to us who God is and what His nature and character are like. God is completely self-sufficient and does not rely on human existence or actions. However, He created humanity and desires to reveal His love and holiness through us. God also delights in displaying His glory and will through humanity across all of creation. Therefore, knowing God is the fundamental way to understand who we are, how the world should be, and what the purpose and direction of our lives are.

The Book of James provides essential teachings on the Christian life, addressing topics such as suffering, perseverance, speech, and charity. It particularly emphasizes how believers should respond to trials, urging Christians to "consider it pure joy" when facing various trials. These hardships serve to strengthen one's faith and perseverance, leading to a deeper relationship with God.

Paul provides specific instructions on how believers should act in various circumstances, but these are not just rules to follow; they are grounded in the essence of becoming more like Christ, living out His love and grace. To achieve this, we must deeply understand the gospel and strive to live a life that aligns with its truths.

On this World Communion Sunday, we gather to reflect on three key themes drawn from today’s Scripture, 1 Corinthians 11, where Paul teaches the true meaning of the Lord’s Supper to the Corinthian church.

1. Communion to Worship Christ

2. Communion for the Unity of the church

3. Communion for Mission in the World

Psalm 107 repeats the pattern of people in distress calling out to God, followed by His deliverance. These experiences provide ample reasons to praise God's faithfulness and love. The psalm encourages reflecting on how God has worked in the past, reinterpreting their struggles through the lens of God's intervention, and offering gratitude and praise, entrusting their future to Him.

Christ set an example by enduring suffering, and those who follow Him must also walk the path of suffering. This goes beyond merely believing in Him; it means following His life, character, and the path He demonstrated. Just as Jesus suffered and faced death but was then resurrected, those who follow Him will also experience suffering and, in a sense, small "deaths," through which they will come to know new life and resurrection.

The Israelites' experience at Kadesh Barnea, where they sent spies into the land of Canaan, highlights two very different perspectives in the face of fear and uncertainty. Ten of the spies focused on the visible challenges and threats, seeing themselves as "grasshoppers" in comparison to the giants they saw in the land. On the other hand, Caleb and Joshua emphasized faith in God’s promise and His faithfulness, urging the people to trust in His power rather than be overwhelmed by the daunting circumstances.

Faith is not just a theoretical idea; it means a transformed life, shown through the work of the Holy Spirit in our daily lives. The fruit of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—are the results of this inner transformation. These fruits are not merely a list of behaviors but are the natural outcomes of a heart changed by Jesus. The Holy Spirit transforms us from within, leading us to live lives filled with love and compassion.

Living in the grace of Jesus Christ brings peace to our lives. This peace is an eternal peace from God that remains unshaken, regardless of our circumstances. The amazing grace of redemption accomplished on the cross by Jesus is the very foundation of our peace.

The essence of a wise life is rooted in a relationship with God. A wise life is not something we create on our own, but rather something we receive from God. The wisdom of living in fear of the Lord goes beyond simply making decisions with rational judgment. It means living a life dependent on God’s grace. We must recognize that we cannot comprehend everything on our own, and our judgment can often be flawed. Even if a path seems right in our eyes, decisions made apart from a relationship with God may ultimately lead us astray.

Jesus declares, "I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends." This means we are no longer simply servants of God but are invited into a personal relationship as His friends. Through this friendship, we come to know God's love and learn how to live in truth, loving one another. Jesus is the true friend who laid down His life for us, bearing our weaknesses and sins.

God is powerful enough to judge all worldly powers and nations. The pride and cruelty of Assyria invited God's judgment, and this principle remains true today. No nation or authority can stand before God's supreme authority. Yet, God does not desire judgment alone; He offers salvation to those who repent and rely on Him.

In Romans, Paul uses the metaphor of "grafting" to explain how the Gentiles became part of the history of salvation. Just as new branches are grafted onto an existing tree, so too are the Gentiles grafted into God's promises, bearing the fruits of salvation. Therefore, Paul warns the Gentiles against becoming arrogant. Just as the original branches, the Jews, were chosen by God's grace, the Gentiles too are saved by the same grace. 

It was only after listening to the advice of his servants and humbling himself to wash seven times in the Jordan River that Naaman's leprosy was completely healed. At that moment, Naaman praised God and confessed his faith. This event was not merely about the healing of his disease; it was the result of Naaman laying down his pride and obeying God's command.