“For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age...” (Hebrews 5:13-14).

As the year draws to a close, today’s Abide Above devotional challenges us with a powerful truth: salvation is just the beginning of the believer’s journey. While the "milk of the Word" is necessary for spiritual infancy, there is so much more that God desires to reveal to us. His plan is not only to rescue us but also to mature us, drawing us into a deeper understanding of our identification with Christ and the fullness of life in Him.

As beings created in God’s image, we possess ultimate needs—love, acceptance, worth, and belonging. For women, this often manifests as a longing for security; for men, a pursuit of significance. In Genesis 1-3, Adam and Eve experienced these needs fully met in God before the Fall. After the Fall, humanity began striving to fill these needs through inadequate substitutes, often relying on relationships or achievements.

The world’s solution to this dilemma frequently turns to self-help or self-esteem, but God’s ways are infinitely higher (Isaiah 55:8). Through the Exchanged Life (Galatians 2:20) and the freedom found in Christ (John 8:32), God provides a miraculous solution. He becomes our ultimate source, heals our deepest wounds, and grants us a new identity and resources for living a victorious life.

The story of Cain provides a striking picture of humanity's struggle with sin. As the first person to inherit the sin nature, Cain's life reveals the failures of living according to the flesh. His descent into jealousy, anger, and depression serves as a cautionary tale for us all: “And Cain was very angry, and his countenance fell” (Genesis 4:5b).

This downward spiral began with Cain’s decision to offer the fruit of the ground instead of the blood sacrifice God required. His disobedience, driven by pride and a spirit of competition, led to God’s rejection of his offering. Rather than turning to God in humility, Cain allowed jealousy to fester, culminating in depression and ultimately violence against his brother Abel.

The beloved hymn “Face to Face with Christ Our Savior,” penned by Mrs. Frank A. Breck, paints a breathtaking picture of the eternal joy awaiting believers. Imagine standing face to face with Jesus, experiencing the fullness of His presence.

This vision of eternal fellowship is what we look forward to in heaven, but as David Kuykendall reminds us, we don’t have to wait for eternity to begin enjoying a face-to-face relationship with the Lord.

"Are you doing your best for Jesus?"

It’s a question often posed to challenge believers to strive for greater devotion. Yet, according to David Kuykendall, this approach is not just misguided—it’s dangerous and unfruitful. God’s design is not for us to labor in self-effort, but to yield ourselves so He can work through us.

Consider this crucial distinction: Are you relying on your own strength to serve the Lord, or are you allowing Him to express His life through you?

"The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God." (Romans 8:16)

Even for true believers, doubts about salvation can sometimes creep in, creating seasons of agony and uncertainty. A young Christian man, home from military service abroad, expressed this deeply:

“While I was overseas, I went through a period of doubt about my salvation. You cannot imagine the agony of such an experience.”

This young man’s experience is not unique. Many believers face moments of doubt, wondering if they truly belong to the Lord. The good news is that God provides blessed assurance, giving us solid ground on which to stand in confidence as His children.

“Let go and let God” is a phrase often heard in Christian circles, yet for many, it feels like an impossible task. The idea of surrendering control sounds liberating, but the practical reality can seem out of reach. Why is faith—true, reliant trust in God—so difficult?

One of the most quoted and often misunderstood commands of Jesus is found in Matthew 7:1, where He says, “Judge not, that you be not judged.” Many interpret this as a prohibition against discerning another's spiritual condition, fearing that doing so would violate Christ's command. Yet, a closer reading of the Sermon on the Mount reveals that Jesus is addressing something much deeper: the spirit in which we approach others.

Jesus, in His earthly ministry, prepared His disciples for a transformative shift. He assured them that the coming of the Holy Spirit, the Comforter, would not only sustain them but also empower them to be vessels of encouragement to others.

The word “Comforter” conveys rich meanings—helper, advocate, and encourager. When believers are filled with the Spirit, they experience a deep sense of purpose. They know they are useful in God’s plan because He guides them into lives characterized by good works (Ephesians 2:10).

But the Spirit doesn’t stop there. Beyond affirming our value to God, He also moves through us to affirm others. The Spirit-filled believer becomes an instrument of encouragement, speaking life and hope to those who need it most.

"To this end, we always pray for you, that our God will count you worthy of His calling, and that He will powerfully fulfill your every good desire and work of faith." (2 Thessalonians 1:11)

A.B. Simpson challenges us to live as “pattern men and women,” lives that God can reproduce in others for His glory. This high calling reminds us that every moment, every choice, and every test of faith has eternal significance.

"All my fresh springs shall be in Thee." (Psalm 87:7)

Oswald Chambers draws our attention to the transformative work of God in the life of a believer. The natural virtues we possess, often celebrated as hallmarks of character, are remnants of what humanity was before the fall. They are not the virtues God intends to cultivate in us. His goal is not to patch up or enhance our natural strengths but to replace them entirely with the life and virtues of Christ.

“Do good in Thy good pleasure unto us, O Lord. Act toward us not as we deserve but as it becomes Thee, being the God Thou art. So shall we have nothing to fear in this world or in that which is to come.” – A.W. Tozer

The goodness of God is not just a comforting thought—it is the very foundation of our faith and relationship with Him. In Chapter 16 of Knowledge of the Holy, A.W. Tozer explores this essential attribute of God, showing how His goodness shapes our understanding of grace, prayer, repentance, and salvation itself.

"As you have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving." (Colossians 2:6-7)

The journey of the Christian life does not differ in nature from its beginning. Just as we received Christ by grace, so we are called to walk in Him by grace. Today’s devotional from Day by Day by Grace reminds us that the manner in which we started with Christ is the same way we are to continue—rooted in Him, relying upon Him, and abounding with gratitude.

"He (the Holy Spirit) shall glorify Me (the Lord Jesus)" (John 16:14).

The Christian life is not merely about being empowered to do good works or maintain religious practices. At its heart, it is about being filled with the life of Christ Himself. Today’s reading from Abide Above reminds us that the Holy Spirit’s ultimate purpose is to glorify Jesus by displacing the old man and emplacing the New Man within us.

When we think about inheritance in a spiritual sense, we typically focus on the inheritance we receive from God—His blessings, promises, and eternal life through Christ. But have you ever considered that you are God’s inheritance? This truth is beautifully expressed in Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians:

“… that you may know… the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints” (Ephesians 1:18b).

This verse invites us to reflect on the fact that we, as believers, are of immense value to God—not because of what we can accomplish for Him, but because He has chosen us as His vessels to express His righteousness and love to the world.

When asked if we need to learn patience, many of us instinctively nod in agreement. After all, patience seems like a quality to strive for—something we must master through effort and practice. Yet, as Kuykendall insightfully points out, the need is not to learn patience but to receive it.

The Apostle Paul clarifies this truth:
“But the fruit of the Spirit is ... patience” (Galatians 5:22, NIV).

Patience is not something we achieve through self-discipline or determination; it is a gift produced by the Holy Spirit in those who are yielded to Him.

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me …” (Acts 1:8).

Spirit-directed witnessing is not merely a matter of words but a divinely orchestrated act of obedience. It involves being sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit, who directs us to the right person, at the right time, with the right message.

David Kuykendall shares a compelling illustration of this principle through the story of Thomas, a believer who demonstrated Spirit-led sensitivity in his witness to Lloyd, a non-Christian acquaintance.

“And He took them up in His arms, laid His hands on them, and blessed them” (Mark 10:16).

Picture this scene: Jesus, the Creator of all, taking little children into His arms, blessing them with His touch. What love and acceptance those children must have felt in His embrace! For their parents, this was surely a moment of joy and peace, knowing their children were safe in the arms of the Savior.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

In these familiar words, Jesus offers a profound invitation to those weighed down by the burdens of life. But what kind of rest is He speaking of? It’s not merely physical rest but rest for the inner man—the soul.

“In all things give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). These words are familiar to many of us, often quoted in times of trial. But what does it mean to truly live out this command?

Some interpret this verse as an encouragement to find gratitude in the good things amid difficult times. While this is certainly beneficial, Scripture reveals a deeper truth: the call to thank God not only in all things but for all things.