Reflection
In today's readings, God's expectations for faithful living shine clearly. Micah 5-7 reveals the Messiah's coming from Bethlehem and calls God's people to do justice, love mercy, and walk humbly with Him. Matthew 25 reinforces this through parables about readiness and faithful stewardship, culminating in Christ's teaching that serving others demonstrates authentic faith.

The key insight we can draw from these passages is this: God calls us to live faithfully through justice, mercy, and humble service while maintaining readiness for His return and final judgment.

Let's break this down into a simple principle:

Practice justice, mercy, and humility daily while faithfully stewarding your gifts and serving others as acts of worship.

Here are five practical steps we can take to apply today's readings:

1. Identify one injustice you can address through practical action this week.

2. Show mercy to someone who has wronged you in a specific way.

3. List your talents and resources, then use one to serve someone today.

4. Prepare spiritually by spending extra time in prayer and Scripture this week.

5. Serve someone in need without expecting recognition or reward.

As you go about your day, reflect on this question: How does serving others demonstrate your love for Christ in practical ways?

Conclusion
Thank you for joining me today. God calls us to faithful service through justice and mercy while preparing for His return. Let your daily actions reflect both readiness and love. Until tomorrow, may your service today prepare your heart for eternity.