Rest Begins With an Invitation — “Come to Me
Devotional week 49
Imagine someone standing at the edge of a river after a long, tiring journey. Their bodies ache, their hands tremble with weariness. Before them flows fresh, clear water, clean and ready to drink. But instead of kneeling to take a deep, refreshing drink, they fumble with shaking hands or try to scoop water into a cracked, broken container. The water is right there, but they are too tired, distracted, or caught up in their routine to actually pause and drink.
Excellence for God’s Glory
Devotional week 48
As a college student or young professional, you are likely thinking about grades, promotions, and building your future. But have you ever stopped to ask: How far would I go to glorify God through my work or studies? Proverbs says that those who are skilled in what they do will serve kings. That is a powerful reminder—excellence opens doors, and God honors it.
Excellence Beyond Recognition
Devotional week 47
For most of my career, I believed that my work was a reflection of my character and capabilities, and that if I worked hard enough, my excellence would speak for itself. I took pride in being dependable, diligent, and thorough. But over time, I realized that the more I did, the more was expected. I became the person everyone turned to for the tasks no one else wanted, often taking on too much, overcommitting, and burning out — all in the name of excellence.
Doing Ordinary Work Exceptionally Well
Devotional week 46
Many times, we imagine excellence as something that only shows up in big achievements or visible success. Yet most of life happens in the small and ordinary. Proverbs 22:29 reminds us that being skilled in our work, showing care, diligence, and competence, does not go unnoticed. God honors those who develop and steward the abilities He has given them.
Excellence in Work as a Testimony of Faith
Devotional week 45
Lately, I’ve been hearing a lot about doing our work with excellence. This is a topic that can cause some confusion if not properly understood. I believe that working with excellence can — and should — be done by keeping a few important points in mind.
Communicating Across Cultures
Devotional week 44
Right from the start the message of the gospel has been communicated to people from different cultures. On the day of Pentecost many jews and proselytes from the diaspora where gathered in Jerusalem and heard the disciples speak about the wonderful works of God in there own language! Thus they could understand what was said to them. Language is the most important tool of communication, but it's not the only thing we need to consider when sharing the good news to someone from a different culture; we also need to take into consideration their worldview and cultural customs.
My Voice and His Word — Communicating Like Jesus in a Digital Age
Devotional week 43
As long as I can remember, I always felt misunderstood. This has not changed much in the last couple of years, but my relationship with God did. I am much more secure in who I am, the way God made me, and I am not longing for everyone to understand me, but my people, the ones I love and the ones that work with me or serve in our community, that's a different story.
Christ Made the First Move: Choosing Peace in Conflict
Devotional week 40
Conflict in the workplace is almost unavoidable. Performance reviews, deadlines, personality clashes, or misunderstandings can easily stir up tension. A friend of mine once came home bitter and discouraged. She had just received a surprisingly low score on her performance review. Shocked, she asked her supervisor why, but the answer was not clear. Feeling treated unfairly, she rejected the review and requested an inquiry that involved higher management.
The Price of Peace
Devotional week 38
A friend once said during our house church gathering, “For any place where there is peace, someone has paid the price for it.” That statement jolted me awake. At the time, I was having a hard time with a fellow postgraduate student in the campus “family house” where I lived. We both followed Jesus, yet we did not get along well.
Conflict Resolution – Applying Christian Principles to Resolve Workplace Conflicts
Devotional week 37
I tried to live a life conflict-free, but then realized that issues never get solved and someone always feels like their opinion did not matter. We all view scenarios from our perspective, our culture, and our personality type.
But as followers of Christ, we are called to be peacemakers (Matthew 5:9), reflecting His heart in how we handle disagreements.
The Power of Relationships
Devotional week 36
During my first training on tentmaking, I heard something that really surprised me: the number one reason people come to Christ is through relationships, friendships between those who know Jesus and those who do not yet know Him.
When Culture Clashes with the Cross
Devotional week 34
The world is a fantastic place, displaying the wonders and riches of so many different cultures. This is how God intended it to be. John describes in the book of Revelation how, in the New Jerusalem, the nations will bring their glory and honor—their splendor and riches—into the city (Revelation 21:24–26.). Can you imagine the colors, sounds, smells, and noises we will take in on that day? But until then, we live in a world where culture has been infested by sin, and traditions can be harmful—yes, even outright evil like the burying of children alive to appease the gods.
Planted, Not Misplaced
Devotional week 32
I had never left my home state in the South before. So when I moved to the North for the first time, it felt like stepping into a different world. The journey was long and dusty. The roads stretched endlessly. The weather was dry and hot, unlike the green, humid South I was used to. Then came the food — different textures, different tastes. Everything felt unfamiliar. I missed home almost immediately.
The Gift We Often Resist
Devotional week 31
Sometimes, receiving feedback feels like a slap, sudden, uncomfortable, and difficult to accept. Our first instinct might be to defend ourselves or walk away. But in Psalm 141:5, David invites us to see correction differently. He describes it as a kindness, as something valuable and healing, like fine oil. That is a very different way of thinking.
Feedback as a Reflection of God’s Grace in the Workplace
Devotional week 30
In the workplace, feedback can often feel like a necessary but uncomfortable part of professional life. Yet, when seen through the lens of our faith, feedback becomes more than just a performance tool — it becomes a way to reflect God’s grace.
Giving Feedback with Grace and Wisdom
Devotional week 29
Words are like eggs, once they are broken, you cannot put them back together. That is why it matters how we speak, especially in tense situations.
When emotions are raw, it is tempting to speak quickly, harshly, or defensively. We may feel the urge to correct someone immediately or prove our point without thinking. But feedback given in anger often leaves behind damage that can’t be undone.
Shaped by Feedback: Slowing Down to Listen
Devotional week 28
Receiving feedback is rarely easy. Our natural instinct is often to defend ourselves, justify our choices, or quietly dismiss what’s been said. Yet God, in His wisdom, has designed community partly so that we might grow through one another’s observations—even when they sting.
Trust Again – A Path to Collaboration and Growth
Devotional week 27
Let’s be honest: trusting people at work is not easy. Maybe you have been burned before. Someone promised to help and didn’t show up, or a team project fell apart because someone dropped the ball. It is natural to want to do everything yourself so you don’t get hurt again.
Every Part Matters
Devotional week 26
Have you ever caught yourself wishing you were more like someone else- maybe with their confidence, their gifts, or the way people seem to notice them? On the flip side, perhaps you have tried to carry everything yourself, thinking no else can or will step up.
A Life that Pleases God: Humility in the Team
Devotional week 25
Working with others can be a blessing, but it is often also a test of character. Most of us have experienced difficult colleagues, unresolved tensions, team conflicts, or working partners who seem to pull in a completely different direction.