A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!

Word from the Center
Written By Dr. Gregory Seltz

WORD FROM THE CENTER: MONDAY, November 17, 2025
Welcome to “Word from The Center” MONDAY, a devotional word from the Center of our faith, Jesus Christ, with reflections on His Word. I’m Gregory Seltz. Today’s reading is from the Old Testament Prophet Malachi and these portions of the first three verses of chapter 4.   

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings…. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,” says the Lord of hosts.

A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!

When you know that help is on the way, it encourages you in dealing with whatever you are facing at the moment. And when you know that the help which is “on its way” can overcome any obstacle, tragedy, or heartbreak, you can have courage when you might otherwise feel only fear.

A story recounted at the Holocaust Museum in Jerusalem reminded me of this. This museum is dedicated to the memory of the millions of Jews who were murdered by the Nazis in World War II. When you go through the museum, or the one like it here in Washington, D.C., it can be very depressing, even overwhelming, as you experience these horrible pictures and read about what happened in the ghettos and the concentration camps. But even there, in the midst of the hideousness of real evil, there are also stories of real hope, stories where God turned horror into hope, and brought faith and courage where there was only fear.

Such was the story of a young lady named Rachel. She endured a camp. She experienced real horror and abuse. She was made to work in freezing cold and snow with clothing that wouldn’t even have kept her warm indoors. She watched in dread as many of her friends and family members were killed.

Then one day the menacing guards were suddenly gone. Yes, they just left. She didn't realize yet that the war was over. Who could have imagined such a blessing? Later that day some American soldiers arrived to set the prisoners free. Would these guards just be new tormentors? No, they were there to free them. One young American soldier spoke gently to her and convinced her that they had indeed come to rescue her. As she gathered her things, the young soldier stood by her, then held the door for her and said, “After you, ma'am.”

Rachel started to cry. He asked, “What's wrong, ma'am?”

She said, “I can't remember the last time someone held a door open for me. It's the nicest thing anyone has done for me in a long time.” Providentially, that soldier stayed in touch with Rachel after she was relocated. They grew to become friends and later fell in love and were married. Wow!

When mere humans use their power to set you free, that’s amazing. It can dramatically change things in mere moments. It can bring hope where there was hopelessness and joy right in the middle of sadness. Unfortunately, sinful humans often do the exact opposite. They use their power and position in order to be served, rather than to serve. They even use it to diminish, demean, and destroy the humanity of others.

Our reading from Malachi reminds us that only God can ultimately free us from the bondage and prisons of our sin and guilt. Only God can judge and forgive. Only God can change human hearts that would commit “Holocaust horrors” and make them hearts that would love one’s enemies in the way that God loves us. And only God can bring about the new heavens and new earth to a world that now stand under His judgment. Malachi reminds us to trust in the God who judges and saves!

Let me get more personal. If you are feeling overwhelmed by this world, whether it is the evil you see or feel, the inadequacy you struggle with in your life, or just the daily grind of this world that never seems to end, Malachi promises that God will act on behalf of this world. God will judge the evil and the hopelessness that sin engenders, and bring a day of hope that will last for all who trust in Him! In fact, through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, God has already brought His eternal kingdom into this world!

A simple act of kindness literally changed the life of young girl in one day. As I thought about Rachel’s story and the recent freeing of the “October 7th hostages,” I thought about what a kind, liberating action could do in the life of another. For Rachel a door simply held open for her changed her life. The hugs from families of the “October 7th hostages” resulted from courageous diplomacy to set them free. Who could imagine what that would do to the hopelessness which seemed so certain? I’ve been to the Dachau concentration camp and I’ve seen those barracks. I can’t imagine the feeling of seeing the door opened for certain escape, for real rescue. Then I thought about Jesus who, by His death and resurrection, literally opened the door from the hopelessness of this sinful world into the resurrection reality of life IN HIM forever. It’s a day of hope that you get to be part of already by faith in Him! Take His hand today and follow wherever He leads. Malachi prophetically reminds us that you will be glad you did.

PRAYER: Dear Jesus, let my hopefulness always be rooted in the promises that You give because You can fulfill those promises for all who trust in You. And let that kind of hope be evident in my life for others. Amen

Other Devotions
A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!
A DAY OF HOPE IS COMING!

Today’s reading is from the Old Testament Prophet Malachi and these portions of the first three verses of chapter 4.   

1 “For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble... 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings…. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act,” says the Lord of hosts.

STAND FIRM IN CHRIST FOR OTHERS!
STAND FIRM IN CHRIST FOR OTHERS!

Today’s reading is 2nd Thessalonians 2:14-15 where the Bible says,    

14 To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. 15 So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.

A FOREVER FREEDOM THAT HOLDS, THAT LASTS!
A FOREVER FREEDOM THAT HOLDS, THAT LASTS!

Today’s Bible reading is Revelation 7:9–12 where the Apostle John recounts this vision of heaven:

9 After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, 10 and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” 11 And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, 12 saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”

WHAT MATTERS IS “WORTH LIVING AND DYING FOR!”
WHAT MATTERS IS “WORTH LIVING AND DYING FOR!”

Today’s reading is 2 Timothy 4:7, where St. Paul writes,

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

HANG IN THERE WITH GOD BECAUSE HE HANGS IN THERE WITH YOU!
HANG IN THERE WITH GOD BECAUSE HE HANGS IN THERE WITH YOU!

Today’s reading is Luke 18:1-8 which says,    

And [Jesus] told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. 2 He said, “In a certain city there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected man. 3 And there was a widow in that city who kept coming to him and saying, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ 4 For a while he refused, but afterward he said to himself, ‘Though I neither fear God nor respect man, 5 yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will give her justice, so that she will not beat me down by her continual coming.’” 6 And the Lord said, “Hear what the unrighteous judge says. 7 And will not God give justice to his elect, who cry to him day and night? Will he delay long over them? 8 I tell you, he will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?”

WHEN LIFE IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THANK GOD THERE’S A SAVIOR!
WHEN LIFE IS BEYOND OUR CONTROL, THANK GOD THERE’S A SAVIOR!

Today’s reading is Luke 17:11-19 which recounts this event:     

11 On the way to Jerusalem [Jesus] was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. 12 And as he entered a village, he was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance 13 and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” 14 When he saw them he said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; 16 and he fell on his face at Jesus' feet, giving him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? 18 Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” 19 And he said to him, “Rise and go your way; your faith has made you well.”

GOOD COUNSEL OR BAD COUNSEL? IT MATTERS!
GOOD COUNSEL OR BAD COUNSEL? IT MATTERS!

Today’s reading is Luke 17:1-4 which challenges us with these words: 

And [Jesus] said to his disciples, “Temptations to sin are sure to come, but woe to the one through whom they come! 2 It would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck and he were cast into the sea than that he should cause one of these little ones to sin. 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him, 4 and if he sins against you seven times in the day, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.”

HERE'S WHERE TO PUT YOUR TRUST!
HERE'S WHERE TO PUT YOUR TRUST!

Today’s reading is Psalm 146:1-6 and 10, which proclaims:     

Praise the LORD! Praise the LORD, O my soul! 2 I will praise the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praises to my God while I have my being. 3 Put not your trust in princes, in a son of man, in whom there is no salvation. 4 When his breath departs, he returns to the earth;

on that very day his plans perish. 5 Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob,

whose hope is in the LORD his God, 6 who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever;….. 10 The LORD will reign forever, your God, O Zion, to all generations. Praise the LORD!

WHEN IT MATTERS - NO DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES!
WHEN IT MATTERS - NO DIVIDED ALLEGIANCES!

Today’s reading is Luke 16:10-13 where Jesus says,    

10 “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. 11 If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? 12 And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? 13 No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

LOST AND FOUND – IT STILL REALLY MATTERS!
LOST AND FOUND – IT STILL REALLY MATTERS!

Today’s reading is Luke 15:8-10 where Jesus says,    

“What woman, having ten silver coins, if she loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and seek diligently until she finds it? 9 And when she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin that I had lost.’ 10 Just so, I tell you, there is joy before the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

SALT AND LIGHT – OUR ULTIMATE LABOR!
SALT AND LIGHT – OUR ULTIMATE LABOR!

Today’s reading is Luke 14:34-35 where Jesus says,    

“Salt is good, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? 35 It is of no use either for the soil or for the manure pile. It is thrown away. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.”

MORE THAN MORALISM!
MORE THAN MORALISM!

Today’s reading is Luke 14:7-11 which says,    

7 Now [Jesus] told a parable to those who were invited, when he noticed how they chose the places of honor, saying to them, 8 “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not sit down in a place of honor, lest someone more distinguished than you be invited by him, 9 and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this person,’ and then you will begin with shame to take the lowest place. 10 But when you are invited, go and sit in the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all who sit at table with you. 11 For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”

IT’S NOT WHO YOU KNOW, BUT WHETHER HE KNOWS YOU!
IT’S NOT WHO YOU KNOW, BUT WHETHER HE KNOWS YOU!

Today’s reading is Luke 13:23-27 and 30 which says,

23 Someone asked [Jesus], “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, 24 “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. 25 Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ 27 “But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ 26 “Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ 27 “But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’…30 Indeed there are those who are last who will be first, and first who will be last.”

GOOD DIVISION? IT DEPENDS!
GOOD DIVISION? IT DEPENDS!

Today’s reading is Luke 12:49-51, where Jesus says,   

49 “I have come to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled! 50 But I have a baptism to undergo, and what constraint I am under until it is completed! 51 Do you think I came to bring peace on earth? No, I tell you, but division.

WHIP WORRY AND START TO LIVE AGAIN!
WHIP WORRY AND START TO LIVE AGAIN!

Today’s reading is Luke 12:22-23 and 29-31 where Jesus says,

Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. 23 For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes…. 29 And do not seek what you are to eat and what you are to drink, nor be worried. 30 For all the nations of the world seek after these things, and your Father knows that you need them. 31 Instead, seek his kingdom, and these things will be added to you.”

HEAVENLY MINDED, EARTHLY GOOD!
HEAVENLY MINDED, EARTHLY GOOD!

Today’s reading is Luke 12:13-15 which says,

13 Someone in the crowd said to [Jesus], “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.”14 Jesus replied, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” 15 Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.”

MAN, THAT’S LIVING!
MAN, THAT’S LIVING!

Today’s reading is Colossians 2:6-8, where the Bible says,   

 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. 8 See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

THE ONE THING NEEDED IS PROVIDED!
THE ONE THING NEEDED IS PROVIDED!

Today’s reading is Luke 10:38-42, where the Bible says,    

As Jesus and his disciples were on their way, he came to a village where a woman named Martha opened her home to him. 39 She had a sister called Mary, who sat at the Lord’s feet listening to what he said. 40 But Martha was distracted by all the preparations that had to be made. She came to him and asked, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me to do the work by myself? Tell her to help me!”

41 “Martha, Martha,” the Lord answered, “You are anxious and troubled about many things, but one thing is necessary. Mary has chosen the good portion, which will not be taken away from her.”

BE A NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WE HAVE A SAVIOR
BE A NEIGHBOR BECAUSE WE HAVE A SAVIOR

Today’s reading is Luke 10:30-37, where Jesus responds to the question, “Who is my neighbor?”    

30 In reply Jesus said: “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. 31 A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. 32 So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. 33 But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. 34 He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. 35 The next day he took out two denariic and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’

36 “Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?”

37 The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”

Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.”

FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!
FREEDOM TO DO GOOD!

Today’s reading is Galatians 6:9-10, where the Bible says,   

9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

FOR FREEDOM TO ENDURE - THERE’S A PRICE TO BE PAID!
FOR FREEDOM TO ENDURE - THERE’S A PRICE TO BE PAID!

Today’s reading is Galatians 5:1, where the Bible says,   

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

THE ONLY IDENTITY THAT OVERCOMES, BONDS, AND HOLDS
THE ONLY IDENTITY THAT OVERCOMES, BONDS, AND HOLDS

Today’s reading is Galatians 3:26-29, where the Bible says,   

26 So, in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

A BRIDGED GAP CAN STAND IN THE GAP!
A BRIDGED GAP CAN STAND IN THE GAP!

Today’s verses are 2nd Corinthians 5:19-20, where St. Paul says, 

19 That God was in Christ reconciling the world unto Himself, not counting man’s sins against them. And He has committed to us this ministry of reconciliation, 20 for we are God’s ambassadors, as though were making His appeal through us, be reconciled to God!

HIS ASCENSION, YOUR EMPOWERMENT!
HIS ASCENSION, YOUR EMPOWERMENT!

Today’s reading is Acts 1:7-11 which begins with Jesus telling His disciples,
“It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority.8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11 “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”

CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM!
CALM IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STORM!

Today’s reading is John 16:31-33, where Jesus says,   

31 “Do you now believe?” Jesus replied. 32 “A time is coming and in fact has come when you will be scattered, each to your own home. You will leave me all alone. Yet I am not alone, for my Father is with me.

33 “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

A NEW COMMAND? BETTER, A NEW OPPORTUNITY!
A NEW COMMAND? BETTER, A NEW OPPORTUNITY!

Today’s reading is John 13:34-35, where Jesus says,   

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. 35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”

SEEING THINGS FROM GOD’S “MISSION-VICTORY” POINT OF VIEW!
SEEING THINGS FROM GOD’S “MISSION-VICTORY” POINT OF VIEW!

Today’s reading is Revelation 7:9-10, where the Apostle John tells us,   

After these things I looked, and behold, I saw a great multitude, which no one could count, from every nation and all tribes and peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palm branches were in their hands; 10 and they cry out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.”

JESUS, A SAVIOR FOR ALL THE “PETERS” OUT THERE!
JESUS, A SAVIOR FOR ALL THE “PETERS” OUT THERE!

Today’s reading is these portions of John 21:15–19, beginning with Jesus asking Simon Peter,    

“Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me? ”He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you. ”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.” 17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep….. 19… Then he said to him, “Follow me!”

“SEEING-BELIEVING” OR “BELIEVING-SEEING?”
“SEEING-BELIEVING” OR “BELIEVING-SEEING?”

Today’s reading is John 20: 28-29, where the Bible says,   

Thomas said to Jesus, “My Lord and my God!”29 Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

 

FOR WHAT REALLY MATTERS – LOOK HERE!
FOR WHAT REALLY MATTERS – LOOK HERE!

Today’s reading is from Luke 24:5-7, where angels speak these words to the women at Jesus’ empty tomb:   

Why do you look for the living among the dead? 6 He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee, 7 “The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again.”

Dr. Gregory Seltz
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