By Yodit Kifle Smith

Security in this world is an interesting plight...we do our best to earn it and attain it but we can’t control it.

We do it with our health, our finances, our relationships, and the list goes on.

But if truth be told, none of these things are secure in and of themselves so how could they afford us the security we were created to have?

They can’t.

We need a kind of security that is beyond the ability to meet a need. We need it to be what created the need...and that is God himself through the hope found in Christ Jesus. Only He can meet the desire He gave us to feel secure.

This kind of security is as the Hebrew author wrote, “a sure and steadfast anchor to the soul” (Hebrews 6:19). It is set on a firm foundation. And if we are found on it and in it, this security will steady our soul in a world that offers shaky lies under the guise of security. 

The love we have in Christ is the only secure thing that doesn’t have to be earned because the work could not be done by us. It was done, once and for all, in the work of Christ (Hebrews 10:10). This is the gospel message that frees us from the false security of our own ability to merit God's love, approval, blessings, peace, joy and so much more that He offers.

The more aware we become of that truth, the more aware we will become when we are working for something we were never meant to work for and wonder why we never find fulfillment. This awareness will beckon us to rest in Him and work from Him—not for Him.
 
This kind of security will produce stability in how we love others and in how we receive love from others.

May it anchor us deeply and firmly and free us from the bondage of earning.
As I’ve heard it said, “There’s no security in a love that has to be earned.” And beloved, we can praise God that we have a secure love in Christ. 
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:Hebrews 6:19
Hebrews 10:10
Job 11:18
Psalm 16:8


Questions to Reflect on:

1. What are things that you've tried to find security here on Earth?
   
2. How does remembering the Gospel free you from earning God's love?
   
3. How does this secure love & hope in Christ free you to love others well?
   

By Yodit Kifle Smith

My church has been walking through the book of John for some time now, and I was struck at how truly beautiful Jesus is when we walked through the account where He washed His disciples’ feet and then gave them the commandment to “love one another just as I have loved you” (John 13:31). That’s when I realized something about Jesus and the commandments He gives us:
He has demonstrated them all, first. 

I found it funny how we as humans can demand of others what we have NOT demonstrated and yet here is our humble and loving Savior who has sacrificially and lovingly demonstrated what He asks of us.

This command to “love one another” is the ultimate one because every other command is rooted in love.

As we walked through the ways Jesus has demonstrated this love, it was a reminder that this kind of love is IMPOSSIBLE without the power of the Holy Spirit at work in us. This love is otherworldly and it will even cause people to look at us crazy because it’s so against the carnal mind.

Here is a list of the ways our Lord has demonstrates love and how He empowers us by the power of the Holy Spirit to do so:

1. Christ love is eager to ask for forgiveness (James 5:15)
2. Christ’s love is eager to grant forgiveness (Col 3:18)
3. Christ’s love prefers others (Phil 2:3)
4. Christ’s love is willing to confront sin (Gal. 6:1)
5. Christ’s love receives the confrontation of sin by a brother or sister with gratefulness
6. Christ’s love bears the burden of others (Gal6:2 & Ephesians 5:2)
7. Christ’s love is willing to be wronged (1 Cor 6:7)
There’s obviously a more in-depth understanding of each one of these but it’s without a doubt that we aren’t able to do this without His help. The truth that God’s love has been poured out into us so that we could love like this is an encouragement that we desperately need !(Romans 5)

The world will see this kind of love and be shocked but they will see this kind of love and ask how?
 How are you able to forgive when you’ve been hurt so badly?
 How are you not wanting to take revenge? 
How are you able to serve in ways when you aren’t served? 
How are you able to extend grace after they’ve shown you who they really are?

These questions open the door to give an answer to the way we’ve been loved by God in Christ and serve as a witness to Him. It gives us the opportunity to point to the ONE who enables us to love like this. 
​
As we continue growing in our walk with the Lord,  let’s make sure we are shedding the carnal definition of love and living from God’s definition of love.
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:John 13
James 5:15
Colossians 3:18
Philippians 2:3
Galatians 6:1
Ephesians 5:2
1 Cor6:7
Romans 5


Questions to Reflect on:

1. Do you find it hard to love the way Christ has called us to love?
2. How does remembering the way you’ve been loved in Christ help you extend the same kind of love to others?
3. Was there ever a time someone was shocked by how you chose to forgive or ask for forgiveness?

By Nicole Arong  (Within Devotional Contributor)


​“Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16)
As Christians, we talk a lot about sin. It is mentioned in our Sunday services, we thank God for our salvation from it and we are quick to point it out at work, in entertainment or in society at large. However, what we almost never talk about is our own sin. The sin that encapsulates the temptations, failures, and falls that we continue to experience in our own lives-post redemption.
You may ask, why does it matter and how would it help? So many of us have been taught to deal with things privately or that sin is to be kept between you and God. It is true that we should never exalt sin or make light of it. We shouldn’t joke about it or speak of it in such a way as to entice others to it. It is neither wise nor discerning to share the intimate details of our lives with the entire congregation. But keeping sin private is at best unfruitful and at worst-dangerous.

1. Sin that is hidden will only grow. God has given us multiple means of grace: the study of scripture, prayer, worship and the body (Godly brothers and sisters) to lean on. .  James says, “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” (James 5:16) Too often we stop short of using the full means of grace in an effort to keep our sin private. We struggle and fall while repeating the same steps over and over again never leaning on our pastors, elders, or brother and sisters for a strength that supersedes our own.  A fully functioning body of believers is meant to offer encouragement, exhortation, wisdom, accountability and prayer. That can only occur when we are faithful to confess our sin to one another.  Sin in our spirit functions like cancer does in our body, when we don’t actively fight it, it will only grow.  And much like cancer, when it doesn’t respond to one form of treatment, it is wise to seek other forms of treatment or in the case of sin-other means of grace.

1. Authentic Christian friendships are a blessing but they require intimacy. Intimacy is designed to be a shared experience. Many of us long for Christian friendships to help us along in our walk but we aren’t willing to open ourselves up to it. We long to be known intimately but are hindered by a fear of sharing.  There is no intimacy without honesty and being honest requires sharing truth about yourself. Too often Christian friendships are an awkward dance between two people who are afraid to get real or let their real selves be seen. We build surface friendships based on sanitized versions of ourselves. The Bible calls us to “exhort one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.” (Hebrews 3:13) There is no exhortation without observation. In order to experience true intimacy in our friendships, we must first let others into our lives and that includes being honest about the sin we struggle with. Christians are called to do life together for this very reason. Close friends can help us see our blind spots without making us feel unsafe or judged. They can provide wisdom, comfort, and Godly counsel. When we are drowning in a sea of sin or negative thoughts, Christian friends can speak truth to our soul. And when we live honestly and transparently with our Christian friends, it creates a safe space for them to share their sin with us as well. The deepest bonds of friendship I have experienced are with people who have seen my sin and have exercised grace over my failures.
2. There is no room for plastic in the church. This is a big one. I church hopped for a long time and never felt “at home.” All of the congregates seemed too clean, too well dressed and the conversation felt limited to how Jesus “fixed” them. Sin felt over spiritualized like something that the Baptismal would magically remove. The pastor’s stories centered on the goodness of God’s grace in salvation (which we all need to hear) but never spoke of the continued struggles and sufferings of the Christian walk. Something that many of us are desperate to hear.  Consequently, the attendees never really spoke of their sin either, not in any personal way. It is important to speak of the continued struggle with sin post salvation. It is relatable and encouraging when pastors acknowledge that temptation does not just disappear-even for them. It is right theologically to inform people that Romans 6 and 7 exist for a purpose and that grace is living and active even when the flesh feels heavy. The Bible says “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16, ESV) That includes David’s sin with Bathsheba, Abraham’s sin with Hagar, Peter’s denial of Christ, and their repentance thereafter. Each of them experienced intimate communion with God and yet fell back into sin. And all of us can relate.  The fight against sin is never over, spiritual warfare is real, and the church is an Army that is called to fight it together, honestly.

The weight of sin is heavy. So heavy that at times it can’t be carried alone. God has given us the means to get help and has given us means to help others. While sharing sin with others is scary, the weight of carrying it alone can be devastating. Let a Christian friend help you carry the load.  Don’t be afraid to share your sin.
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:James 5:16
2 Timothy 3:16
Hebrews 3:13
Psalm 32:3


Questions to Reflect on:

1. Are you currently struggling with sin and do you have a Christian friend who you can confide in?
2. Do you trust that God’s Word is good and that all that He asks of us is for our good? If so, do you see commands like James 5:16 “Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed.” as a command that your heart desires to follow?
3. Have you used your church body or the elders and leaders as a means of grace and accountability?

By Yodit Kifle SmithEarly on in my faith walk, I thought going to church, reading my Bible, praying before a meal and being nice to people were what got God’s attention. I believed the things I did mattered apart from the posture of my heart towards Him.

Over time, I've come to understand that a right heart posture towards God isn’t primarily cultivated by what I do for God but because I recognize what God has done for me through Christ Jesus.  Scripture makes it clear what God’s desires from His people: Obedience. Not the kind of obedience that parades behind our religious works but an obedience that is rooted in the gospel and grows genuine fruit that desires to please God.
God makes this distinction between so-called obedience and heart-posture-born obedience abundantly clear in the book of Isaiah chapter 1:12-17 when He declares to the people of Judah:
12
“When you come to appear before me,
    who has required of you
    this trampling of my courts?
13
Bring no more vain offerings;
    incense is an abomination to me.
New moon and Sabbath and the calling of convocations--
    I cannot endure iniquity and solemn assembly.
14 
Your new moons and your appointed feasts
    my soul hates;
they have become a burden to me;
    I am weary of bearing them.
15 
When you spread out your hands,
    I will hide my eyes from you;
even though you make many prayers,
    I will not listen;
    your hands are full of blood.
16 
Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean;
    remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes;
cease to do evil,
17 
    learn to do good;
seek justice,
    correct oppression;
bring justice to the fatherless,
    plead the widow's cause.
This was written centuries ago, but God's heart for our obedience remains for His people today. He is not pleased with performative obedience, while our hearts are far from Him. God is not fooled and  He doesn’t want our hearts to be fooled either.

The truth is we can get caught up in this very easily if we are not paying attention to our hearts.  There have been plenty of times where I was busy every day of the week serving in church and all along, my heart wasn't being truly cultivated in Him. I was barely making time to be still before Him and immersing myself in His Word. And while the things I was doing were in and of themselves "good," my heart and my posture weren't being nourished by His Spirit because I was relying on myself to do these "good works"  and I found that I was doing it for others to see me and not for God's true delight. 

Sisters, He desires our reasonable worship that turns from evil, does good that glorifies Him, and seeks the welfare of others. And the beautiful thing is that His steadfast love, amazing grace and daily mercies enable us to this kind of obedience. 
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:Isaiah 1:12-17
Matthew 15:8



Questions to Reflect on:

1. Have you found yourself in a place where your heart is far from God but you are just "doing" things that you think please God? Repent and let God draw you back to His heart so you serve from His heart and not your own.
   
2. In what ways can you serve God where He's placed you by living out Isaiah 1:17?
   

By Diana Rose  (WITHIN Devotional Contributor)
​“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” -Colossians 3:23-24 
“Whatever you do, work heartily”  What do you do? Do you work eight hours a day, commuting to a workplace several miles away? Do you work remotely, or is it your job to maintain your home? Do you provide care for others or are you raising children? Are you a full time student? Perhaps you are retired or disabled. Whatever your status or stage of life is, you are called to “work heartily.” Without taking time to look up the meaning in the original language of the word heartily, understanding it in English gives me sufficient insight to the command of this text. A quick Siri search shows a definition of heartily as being vigorous and cheerful. For some working vigorously is easier than working cheerfully and for others the reverse is true. Nevertheless this is the state of mind and the level of energy we are called to employ as we go about the doing of our daily work. 
“as for the Lord and not for men” This portion of the text turns the focus of our work towards God. We are to approach work as if we are employed by the Lord himself, which the verse will draw out more clearly later. Am I working to give God glory, or am I working to impress man or because I fear man? Does my work reflect the character of God? Do I exhibit my dependency on him for the endurance I require to work hard, as well as for the humility of heart I will need to work cheerfully, especially when working for a difficult boss or in a challenging situation? As I do my work I am to keep my eyes on God and off of man, including myself. 
“Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward” Did you pick up on that? “From the Lord.” I am amazed at this. It is the Lord who gives the work to do, and he gives the ability and energy to accomplish it, and he gives the reward! If you are in Christ the Lord himself is your inheritance and reward. But the Lord gives grace upon grace, there will also be the reward of the labor we do in this life in his name. The reward of serving the body, the reward of proclaiming Christ to the nations, the reward of fighting the fight of faith. The reward of glorification! 
“you are serving the Lord Christ” Yes and amen! This is the glory of this entire verse! If you are in Christ then your entire life is an act of service to him! When you are doing the dishes you are serving the Lord Christ. When you prepare that meal you are serving the Lord Christ. When you do your homework you are serving the Lord Christ. When you wash the car you are serving the Lord Christ. When you care for the sick, broken and needy you are serving the Lord Christ. When you submit to your spouse you are serving the Lord Christ. When you listen to someone’s story you are serving the Lord Christ. When you encourage the downhearted you are serving the Lord Christ. When you sing out praises to his name you are serving the Lord Christ. If you are his you are in his service! 
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The weekly devotionals seek to encourage you to dig deeper into Scripture as you take the time to daily read, meditate, and internalize the verses in the devotional, along with the passages provided below to give greater context. Take the time to read them throughout the week (repetition is important) and ask the Holy Spirit to help you grasp what God is showing you about Himself, about you, and how to live in light of these truths. 

Passages to read/memorize/meditate:Read Colossians 3
Questions to Reflect on:

1. If you have not placed your faith in the person and work of the risen Christ, I plead with you to do that now. 
   
2. How does the knowledge that you are serving the Lord Christ affect your attitude and the effort you give to your work?