GuideStone® was originally established in 1918 to provide financial support and assistance for retired pastors and widows. Today, we continue to carry out that mission through the ministry of Mission:Dignity®. Here’s an encouraging devotional from one of our recipients:
Living in My Last DaysJohn 14:2 (NIV)
David Tester authored this issue’s devotional. He served the Lord alongside his wife, Margaret, for more than 21 years.
John 14:2-3 (RSV) says, “In my Father’s house there are many rooms; if it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And when I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also.”
Only so many days are deposited into our life’s bank account when we’re born. No one knows for themselves how many that may be. We all hope for many, and as we progress through life, we are prone to think little about the number, for it seems like life takes us in the direction of daily living and its thoughts for the day.
But as the days are redeemed and grow fewer, our thoughts turn to our last days. We know that we won’t live forever, and there’s a day coming when we will no longer be. As precious as the days are, they become more so as time
marches on. We cross that divide when there are not as many days as there once were, and we head down the other side.
And as we head down that side of life, we become increasingly aware that there are just not that many days left. So, what to do? Do we live each day as it may be our last? Or do we live as we always have?
I’m at the point where I don’t want to think this may be my last and live that particular day with some kind of exhaustive behavior. Who desires to live like that? Instead, I choose to be grateful for each day that comes and not take life for granted. To be as full of life as life permits. To enjoy the blessings of loved ones and to see them each day in a special light. Perhaps even to listen more, love more, and be happy with the blessing of family and loved ones. I want to honor each day without a constant awareness that this may be the last, but rather that there is another opportunity for love.
I think that’s what Jesus did. On his last night, he loved enough to assure his followers they would be with him forever and forevermore. In John 14:2-3, Jesus comforts his disciples by telling them that he is going to prepare a place for them in his Father’s house. He assures them that there are many rooms and that he will return to take them to be with him.
It’s a beautiful and reassuring promise of eternal life and the hope of being with Jesus.
How can you live with gratitude for today and hope for the future?
Want more devotionals? Our 40-day devotional book written by our Mission:Dignity recipients is available to order here.
Across the Markets
U.S. equity markets rebounded from the prior week’s sell-off, seeing the S&P 500® and Russell 2000® indices each advance 2.4%. Sentiment was buoyed by stock-specific news, including Apple’s announcement of an additional $100 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing over the next four years to secure exemptions from semiconductor tariffs. Additionally, markets are now pricing in a roughly 89% probability of a September Fed rate cut, further supporting investor optimism.
Earnings season continues to outperform initial expectations. To date, 90% of S&P 500® firms have reported second-quarter results, delivering a blended earnings growth of 11.7%.
Treasury yields moved higher following last week’s sharp declines. U.S. government bond yields rose modestly, with the 10-year finishing at 4.28%, up from last week’s market close of 4.21%. Weaker-than-anticipated demand for Treasury auctions during the week contributed to the higher movement in yields.
WTI spot oil prices fell by over $4 per barrel during the week to just under $64 per barrel, as OPEC+ announced the group will increase oil production by approximately 550,000 barrels per day starting in September.
The Bank of England (BoE) cut its key interest rate by 25 basis points to 4%, marking the fifth reduction in its current easing cycle after a narrow 5–4 vote on a rare second ballot. Policymakers cited subdued GDP growth and a softening labor market while flagging ongoing inflation risks. The BoE now expects headline inflation to peak at 4% in September and warned of elevated medium-term inflation pressures, signaling a cautious approach to future rate cuts.
Japanese equities rallied, supported by strong earnings and tariff clarity. Concerns over differing interpretations of the July trade deal eased as the U.S. confirmed the 15% tariff would not be additive and auto tariffs would decline to 15% from 27.5%.
In the Economy
Recent U.S. economic indicators show slowing momentum in the services sector, rising jobless claims and an improvement in labor productivity.
U.S. services sector growth unexpectedly slowed in July, with the ISM Services PMI® falling to 50.1 — just above the contraction threshold. The survey signaled broad-based weakness, driven by a softening labor market and rising input costs.
Continuing jobless claims rose to 1.974 million for the week ending July 26, the highest level since late 2021. The increase from 1.936 million the prior week suggests prolonged job searches, adding to concerns about labor market resilience after a softer-than-expected July jobs report.
U.S. nonfarm business sector labor productivity grew at an annualized rate of 2.4% in Q2 2025, rebounding from a revised 1.8% decline in Q1, according
to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. The gain was driven by a 3.7% increase in output and a 1.3% rise in hours worked.
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Commentary
• Aug 12, 2025 