Christian Lifter

Devotional “On the contrary, the parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable,” Paul uses the human body to explain how the church works. Though believers have different backgrounds, gifts, and responsibilities, they are all empowered by the same Spirit and each has an important role to play. This symbolism highlights the importance of diversity within the body of Christ. 1 Corinthians 12:17 notes that if the whole body were an eye, it wouldn’t hear. Likewise, if the whole body...

Devotional “So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth.” Today’s verse is a much-needed reminder that we can do the work, but we cannot take credit for the growth. Paul planted, Apollos watered, but God was the one who gave the growth. In Paul’s metaphor of planting the seed, he is referring to their ministry and nurturing of faith. While planting and watering these seeds of faith are necessary, they cannot go anywhere without God’s involvement....

Devotional “Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Go, and come again, tomorrow I will give it’—when you have it with you.” Proverbs remains one of my favorite books in the Bible because it contains short, insightful statements that can stand on their own. But that simplicity can also make Proverbs easy to misunderstand when we pull a verse out of its context. In today’s verse, one might explain that you should never hold onto things longer than needed. If something belongs to your neighbor, it is...