February 11

Morning

When they saw the boldness of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they marveled and took note that these men had been with Jesus. — Acts 4:13 BSB

A Christian should be a clear reflection of Jesus Christ. You may have read biographies of Christ, beautifully written, but the best biography of Jesus is the one that is lived out in the words and actions of His followers. If we truly lived as we profess to, we would be living pictures of Christ! We should resemble Him so closely that the world wouldn’t say, “There’s a bit of a likeness,” but instead, when they see us, they would exclaim, “That person has been with Jesus! They’ve learned from Him—they’re like Him! They’ve captured the essence of the holy Man of Nazareth, and they’re living it out daily!”

A Christian should reflect Christ’s boldness. Don’t be ashamed of your faith—your profession of Christ will never embarrass you, but be careful not to bring shame to it. Be like Jesus—fearless in standing for God. Imitate Him in love—think kindly, speak kindly, and act kindly, so that people will say of you, “This person has been with Jesus!” Be like Jesus in His holiness. Was He passionate about His Father’s work? Then you should be too, always doing good. Don’t waste time—it’s too valuable. Was He selfless, never seeking His own gain? Follow His example. Was He devoted? Be fervent in prayer. Did He submit to His Father’s will? Submit to God’s will in your life. Was He patient? Learn to endure. Above all, follow His example of forgiveness. Remember His words, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” Forgive as you hope to be forgiven. Return good for evil—that’s what it means to be godlike. So, in everything you do, live in such a way that people will say, “This person has been with Jesus!”

Evening

But I have this against you: You have abandoned your first love. — Rev 2:4 BSB

Never forget that best and brightest hour when you first saw the Lord, when your burdens were lifted, and you received the promises of God, rejoicing in full salvation and walking in peace. It was like springtime for your soul; the winter had passed, and the rumbling thunders of Sinai were silenced. The flashes of lightning that once terrified you were gone. God was no longer distant but reconciled; the law no longer threatened punishment, and justice no longer demanded a price. In that moment, hope, love, peace, and patience bloomed in your heart like flowers in a garden. Repentance was like a hyacinth, holiness like a snowdrop, faith like a golden crocus, and love like a daffodil—all brightening the garden of your soul. The time of singing had come, and you rejoiced, thanking God and declaring, “Lord, I am Yours, fully Yours! All that I am and all that I have—I give to You. You bought me with Your blood—let me live for You, and in death, may I be wholly devoted to You!”

But how have we kept that promise? That love we felt at first—does it burn as brightly now? Could not the Lord say to us, “I have this against you—that you have left your first love”? How little we have done for His glory! The cold winter has lasted far too long. We are cold when we should be burning with the warmth of love, blooming with sacred devotion. We give God pennies when He deserves pounds; He deserves everything, even our heart’s blood, poured out in service to His Church and His truth.

But will we continue this way? O Lord, after blessing us so much, will we remain indifferent to Your cause? Revive us, Lord, that we may return to our first love and do the works we once did! Send us a springtime of renewal, O Sun of Righteousness.