Praise & Shine – Quicksie 98.3: Recent Episodes
Quicksie 98.3
Wake up to inspiring music with an inspiring message Sunday morning on Quicksie 98.3. Praise & Shine every Sunday morning at 8 AM.
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We have just finished Easter, the most important time for Christians. And as I reflect on the final moments of Jesus on the cross, his final words come to mind. My God my God, why have you forsaken me?
We understand that Jesus did not believe that the Father had forsaken him. We also understand that Jesus knew why he was on the cross. Yet these words confuse us.
Consider the true nature of Jesus. At all times he is one hundred percent God, but also one hundred percent man. At this moment we see Jesus’ full humanity on display. In his pain, in his difficulty, in his agony, he cried out to the father.
There are a few lessons we can take away from the final moments on the cross. First, it is okay for us to cry out and question God. Here we see Jesus, the God of the universe who created everything, our Lord and savior expressing his frustration, his confusion, and his struggle to try to understand and make sense of what the Father was doing at this moment in his Humanity.
We know that God is good. We know that God works together all things for the good for all those who love Him according to his purpose. But in our Humanity, we still don’t understand what God is doing. In our Humanity, we might be confused and frustrated or maybe even angry. But it is in these moments that we must remember that God is inviting us to cast all our cares on him because he loved us.
The second thing we can learn is even though we cry out to God, He may never give us an answer to why. Jesus reached out to the Father, “My God my God, why have you forsaken me?” and in response there was silence. There are times in our lives when we cry out to God, “Why are you allowing this to happen to me?” And as we continue to cry out to God, why why why, we must accept the fact that there will be times in our lives when even though we may ask the question why, God may never answer. Ask yourself, if God were to answer your question why, would it make you feel any better? Would it take away the pain?
We have to be careful not to confuse silence with absence. Sometimes we assume that because God has not answered our prayers, he must not care about us. Or that he does not hear us. Just because He is silent doesn’t mean He is absent from our lives. In reality, God is doing things behind the scenes that you and I have no idea about. There are so many times in my life when I would cry out to God and I didn’t understand God’s plan but when I look back, I can see all that God was orchestrating behind the scenes.
The final lesson we can learn is that Jesus understands our pain. He understands what it’s like to be betrayed. He understands what it’s like to be denied. He understands what it’s like to be humiliated. He understands what it’s like to be tempted. He understands all the difficulties and all the pains that you and I are dealing with because he went through them too.
The next time you are dealing with difficulties I encourage you to remember that it is okay to cry out to God, to express your heart to God, to give all your pain and burdens, and cast your cares upon Him. But accept the fact that God may not ever explain why He is doing whatever He is doing, and because God may be silent that doesn’t mean that He is absent in your life because the Bible says that He will never leave you nor forsake you.
What does Easter mean to you? Is it just another Government holiday? A day off work? Or maybe a money grab for candy companies? To Christians, Easter is the most important time. More important than even Christmas! Yes, Christmas is important but it doesn’t save us from our sins.
Jesus’ birth only appears in two of the gospels, his ascension, in another two and Acts. But do you know what is mentioned in every single gospel? Not Jesus’ birth, not even Jesus’ teachings, but Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Easter is so important because our Christianity revolves around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without that resurrection, Christianity would be meaningless because our sins would not be forgiven by the sacrifice of Christ. If it wasn’t for Easter we would have to continue living like the Jews of the old testament, offering up animal sacrifices to the Lord for our sins.
Easter is just as important today as it was nearly 2000 years ago because it represents how Jesus saved us from our sins by dying and rising again after three days. Conquering death so that we may live for eternity with our Heavenly Father. For all of humanity, not just the Jews, but also the Gentiles that their sins may be redeemed if they believe in Him.
So let’s celebrate Easter like it’s the most important time of the year. Because it is. What it represents is life. It is the center of our faith.
Happy Easter
Did you know that the Bible is a collection of books from dozens of authors over hundreds of years? Even with all of this diversity, there is one common theme: God’s relationship with us. As Christians, we often look to the Bible for guidance and encouragement in our walk with Christ. It deals with timeless questions such as who we are, where we came from, why we’re here, where we’re going and how we should live. The Bible is the best-selling book of all time with an estimated 5 billion copies being printed in over 250 languages.
The Bible is the living, breathing word of God. In 2 Timothy 3:16-17, we read, “Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.” “For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any double-edged sword, piercing even to the point of dividing soul from spirit, and joints from marrow; it is able to judge the desires and thought of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.
If you desire to know the true nature of our creator, the Bible is the book for you. I encourage you to read the Bible and read it often. It is the best way to grow a more meaningful and deeper relationship with God. It is after all the best-selling book of all time.
It is easy to get caught up in all the differences from one church to another and from one denomination to another. The church is not four walls and a roof, but rather the body of believers.
Regardless of what denomination you may call yourself, if you call yourself a Christian you worship Christ and believe these fundamental truths:
- Christ is truly human and truly God
- Christ was born of the Vergin Mary
- Christ died for our sins
- Christ rose from the dead
- Christ ascended into heaven and will return to judge the living and the dead
As long as you believe in these essentials, this is what’s important. Different denominations can disagree on other matters, and there’s vast diversity among them. But the fact that they can all agree on these essentials indicates their importance to all Christians.
All this diversity is what we should expect from a religion that spans the whole world and has lasted over two thousand years.
John Wesley said, “We may not all believe alike, but we can all love alike.” We may disagree on important matters like Christian baptism. However, we can still find the foundation for our fellowship with one another and treat one another with genuine respect—as members of the body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:1–14:40).
We must put our differences aside and work together to reach a lost and hurting world so that heaven may be more filled.
Contentment is not automatic, nor is it a natural attitude. Rather, it is a learned skill. So how can we find joy in any circumstances?
Paul expresses thanks to the Philippian believers with a reminder that he was not thankful because he was in need, rather he was showing them that he was humble and content. Paul could exist with or without earthly needs being met beyond basic essentials. In addition to living humbly, Paul focuses on the concept of contentment, regardless of his circumstances.
“…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.” Philippians 4:11-12.
Paul’s variety of ministry experiences offered him times of plenty, as well as times of need. This allowed Paul to learn how to find joy, regardless of his circumstances.
Writing from Roman imprisonment, he was at a time of great need. Even so, Paul expresses joy and contentment. It’s important to recall that his imprisonment was not brief. He had been continually held for two years in Rome, in addition to multiple years in Palestine. Contentment was essential for Paul to find joy in his circumstances.
God desires us to be content and not worry in any circumstances. You are precious and valuable to our creator.
“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” Matthew 6:26
Try to find joy and peace in even the toughest times.
I pray this prayer on you from Numbers 6:24-26
“The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face shine on you and be gratious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.”
God’s grace isn’t earned, and we can’t wait idly to experience it. We need to engage in means of grace as a way to renew our relationship with the Lord. Means of grace are sacraments, special, holy moments when we are closest to the presence of God. Jesus gave us examples of these sacraments in scripture.
Two examples of these sacraments include baptism and holy communion.
Baptism is an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual work of grace. Baptis marked the beginning of Jesus’ public ministry. John the baptizer made it clear when he said, “I baptize you with water; but one who is more powerful than I is coming. …….. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (Mark 1:8)
In Matthew 28:19, Jesus said, “Go . . . make disciples . . . baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
Baptism “is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him” (Acts 2:38-39).
Baptism is a public confession of our faith and marks our new identity in Christ.
Jesus instituted the sacrament of Holy Communion during his last supper with his disciples, and he commanded them to continue sharing the bread and cup of the new covenant in remembrance of him (Luke 22:19-20).
And Jesus said to his disciples, “This [bread] is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (Luke 22:19). “Then he took a cup, and after giving
thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you’” (Matt. 26:27).
When we come to the Lord’s Table, we come to the banquet table of God.
In addition to these sacraments, there are many other means of grace we can describe as sacred moments such as prayer, worship, or marriage.
Regardless of what sacraments you practice or believe in, these are holy moments that we get to share with God, our creator. In the words of John Wesley, “We may not all believe alike, but we can all love alike.” Love first because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19)
The health benefits of rest are well known and documented. It can allow time for recovery, prevent muscle fatigue, reduce the risk of injury, and can even improve performance. With the benefits of rest so well known, why do we resist it so much?
Even God, the creator of the universe found time to rest (Genesis 2:3). And the fourth commandment reminds us to “remember the Sabbath day.” (Exodus 20:8) If the creator found time to rest and called it holy, who are we to think we have the power to do more?
Forget the troubles of the world. Relax and spend time with the family. Stop the stress/fatigue cycle. Find your Sabbath.
Despair seems to be all around us these days. Turn on the news or scroll through your social media feeds, and you’ll know what I mean. The thing is, we live in a world that’s ripe for revival.
Like Ezekiel, we will all face situations that seem impossible — an addiction, betrayal, barren womb, or wayward child. Ezekiel put all his doubts aside and did as the Lord asked, prophesizing the return of Israel in Ezekiel Chapter 36.
The Lord showed Ezekiel a vision of a valley of dry bones coming together with flesh and becoming filled with the breath of life (Ezekiel 37:1-14). This vision symbolized the whole house of Israel that was then in captivity. Like unburied skeletons, the Israelites were wasting away with no end to their judgment in sight. They thought their hope was gone, and they were cut off forever, with their nation dying in the flames of Babylon’s attack with no hope of resurrection.
The dry bones signified God’s plan for Israel’s restoration. The vision also, more importantly, showed that Israel’s new life depended on God’s power to be brought back from a dead state and filled with the “breath of life.” Something that only our God could do.
Today we can see God’s plan at work with the establishment of the state of Israel in the 1940s. The Israelites now reside in the Holy Land, with Jerusalem becoming recognized as the capital of Israel in 2017. God’s plan is not yet complete with Israel, and He’s not through with you either.
God says He brought dry bones to life, so “you would know that I am the Lord” (Ezekiel 37:13). What if we approached each day believing that what God did then, He can do again?
Jesus said in Mark 11:24, “I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.”
“…Revive us so we can call on your name once more. Turn us again to yourself, O LORD, God of Heaven’s Armies. Make your face shine down upon us…” (Psalm 80:18-19)
“Won’t you revive us again, so your people can rejoice in you? Show us your unfailing love, O LORD, and grant us your salvation.” (Psalm 85:6-7)
“Create in me a clean hear, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.” (Psalm 51:10)
The following questions are from Newspring Church’s devotion Pray for revival.
Praise
- Where have you seen God bring something dead to life? Maybe it was a relationship, a career, or a dream.
- What did you learn about God’s faithfulness and unfailing love from that experience?
Repentance
- Is there any situation where you’ve given up because things feel too far gone or too impossible to change? Where have you lost faith?
- How is your heart toward God? How do you deal with disappointments or despair?
Ask
- What do you want to see God revive in you?
- Where do you want to see a revival around you? Ask God to show how you can help bring revival to your home, work, or community.
- Where do you long to see revival in the church? Ask to fill His church with joy, unity, boldness, confidence, generosity — and whatever else His Spirit brings to mind.
Yield
- Read Psalm 51, making these words your own. If a line causes your heart to skip a beat, pause and wait to hear God speak. When you get to the end, consider what God said to you. The first step in any revival is aligning what we say about ourselves with what our Father says to us.
Jesus describes the Final Judgment in Matthew 25:31-46:
“…when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne. All the nations will be gathered in his presence, and he will separate the people as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will place the sheep at his right hand and the goats at his left.”
Here we see that the righteous are gathered at the Lord’s right hand, at a place of honor, while the unrighteous are gathered at his left.
“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world. For I was hungry, and you fed me. I was thirsty, and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you invited me into your home. I was naked, and you gave me clothing. I was sick, and you cared for me. I was in prison, and you visited me.’
Then these righteous ones will reply, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry and feed you? Or thirsty and give you something to drink? Or a stranger and show you hospitality? Or naked and give you clothes? When did we ever see you sick or in prison and visit you?’
“And the King will say, ‘I tell you the truth, when you did it to one of the least of these my brothers and sisters, you were doing it to me!'”
Here Jesus is making it clear that whatever we do to our fellow brothers and sisters, we are doing to the Lord. “You must love the Lord you God with all your hear, all your soul, and all you mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love you neighbor as yourself.'” Matthew 22: 37-39
“Then the King will turn to those on the left and say, ‘Away with you, you cursed ones, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his demons.
For I was hungry, and you didn’t feed me. I was thirsty, and you didn’t give me a drink. I was a stranger, and you didn’t invite me into your home. I was naked, and you didn’t give me clothing. I was sick and in prison, and you didn’t visit me.’
Then they will replay, ‘Lord, when did we ever see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or naked or sick or in prison, and not help you?’
And he will answer, ‘I tell you the truth, when you refused to help the least of these my brothers and sister, you were refusing me.’
And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous will go into eternal life.”
Let me be clear, our salvation is paid for by Christ’s blood on the cross. Nothing we can do, or any amount of good works, will ever earn us a place in heaven. It is by Grace alone. “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6.
“What good is it, dear brothers and sister, if you say you have faith but don’t show it by your actions? Can that kind of faith save anyone? Suppose you see a brother or sister who has no food or clothing, and you say, ‘Goodbye and have a good day; stay warm and eat well’–but then you don’t give that person any food or clothing. What good does that do?
So you see, faith by itself isn’t enough. Unless it produces good deeds, it is dead and useless.” James 2:14-16.
Brothers and sisters, don’t let another day go by without helping one another, treating them as you would the Lord Jesus.
Over the last few years, circumstances have required us to worship in different ways. Many Christians today opt to stay at home in their pajamas and stream their church services while they sit on the couch. And why not?
God has created us for community and friendships. The friendships and relationships we create with our church families are a blessing that allows us to do more for God’s Kingdom.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Hebrews 10:24-25
The enemy has used the last few years to isolate us. Like a predator on the hunt, the easy target is the one separated from the herd. We live in discouraging times, so the more godly relationships we can have to remind us that we are not alone in our faith, the better.
We are called to love God, and love people.
“Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'” Matthew 9:35-38
We are the workers in the field and what we have been called to do is even more important now because the task is not as easy as it once was. But through our relationship with Christ as the Head, we who are His hands and feet can accomplish this vital work.
It’s time to come together again as a church body, encouraging one another and spreading the Good News. The time is short but the harvest is plentiful.
Life’s noise can make it hard to hear God. God speaks in a variety of ways and if we’re not listening for it, sometimes we may miss it. We need to STOP and LISTEN. The next time you find yourself distracted by the noise of this world, stop and take a moment to reflect and listen for God’s voice.
It seems that we live in dark times. Everywhere we look there is worry, fear, and sadness. There is a lack of joy and piece. There is a real fear of the unknown. If we let it, this darkness will overtake us, but it doesn’t have to be this way.
According to the legend of the candy cane, this candy was first created back in the 18th century. At that time, in certain areas of Europe, there was said to be a ban on public displays of Christianity. Christians were oppressed and no Bibles or crosses could be owned at the time. One man found this oppression distressing and wished he could share the love of Jesus and the joy of Christmas with the rest of the world. When Christmas came around, children didn’t get to see nativity scenes or enjoy learning about the truth of Christmas. As a candy maker, this man prayed to find a way that he could offer local children a Christmas gift that would allow him to communicate the real story of Christmas.
His prayer led to an idea–The Candy Cane.
He chose to make the candy cane in the shape of a shepherd’s staff. After all, Jesus is the shepherd to his followers and the Bible notes that the “sheep” would hear His voice and follow him (Psalm 23:1, John 10:11, John 10:27-30, Isaiah 40:11). Not only was the candy cane in the shape of a staff, but when held upside down, it formed a “J,” which stood for Jesus (Luke 1:31, Matthew 1:21). The candy maker chose hard candy for the candy cane, which was done to remind children that Jesus was our “rock,” dependable and strong (Psalm 31:3). Wide red stripes were added to the candy cane, representative of the crucifixion and the blood Jesus shed for our sins. Through his blood, we are given salvation and life (Revelation 1:5, John 3:16, Luke 22:20). There are also white stripes on the candy cane, which represents the holiness, and purity of Jesus, who was sinless (I John 1:7). Peppermint was the flavor that the candy maker chose for the candy cane. Peppermint was very similar to hyssop, which was used for sacrifice and purification in the Old Testament, reminding us of the sacrifice that Jesus made for us. It also reminds us of the spices brought by the Wise Men when they came to visit Jesus (Psalm 51:7, John 10:29, Matthew 2:11). Of course, when the candy cane is eaten, it is often broken, which the candy maker meant as a reminder that when Jesus was crucified, his body was broken (I Cor. 11:24). The candy cane was also made to be given as a gift, representing the love of Jesus when he gave us the gift of salvation.
Although no one is quite sure if the legend of the candy cane is really true, the beauty of the legend is such a reminder of God’s love for us around Christmas. In this legend, it was a way that the candy maker could tell the children the story of Christmas, and still today, we have candy canes as a reminder of the real reason we celebrate Christmas.
To many the lyrics of the song “The Twelve Days of Christmas” seem like a novelty in the vein of “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer.” We are going to take a deeper dive into the hidden meaning of the lyrics of “The Twelve Days of Christmas.”
On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… a partridge in a pear tree.
The partridge in a pear tree represents Jesus, the Son of God, whose birthday we celebrate on the first day of Christmas. Christ is symbolically presented as a mother partridge, the only bird that will die to protect its young.
On the second day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… two turtledoves.
These twin birds represent the Old and New Testaments where we find the complete story of our faith and God’s plan for the world.
On the third day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… three French hens.
These birds represent faith, hope, and love. This gift hearkens back to 1 Corinthians 13, the love chapter written by the apostle Paul.
On the fifth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… five gold rings.
The gift of the rings represents the first five books of the Old Testament, known as the Torah.
On the sixth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… six geese a-laying.
These lyrics come from the first story found in the Bible. Each egg is a day in creation, a time when the world was “hatched” or formed by God.
On the seventh day of Christmas my true love gave to me… seven swans a-swimming.
This one is a bit trickier with the seven gifts represent the gifts of the Holy Spirit: prophecy, ministry, teaching, exhortation, giving, leading, and compassion. As swans are one of the most beautiful and graceful creatures on earth, they would seem to be a perfect symbol for spiritual gifts.
On the eighth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… eight maids a-milking.
As Christ came to save even the lowest of the low, this gift represents the ones who would receive his word and accept his grace. Being a milkmaid was one of the worst jobs one could have at the time. Jesus cared as much about servants as he did those of royal blood. The eight who were blessed included the poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, the merciful, the pure in heart, the peacemakers, and those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake.
On the ninth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… nine ladies dancing.
These nine dancers represent the fruit of the Spirit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
On the tenth day of Christmas my true love gave to me… ten lords a-leaping.
This is probably the easiest gift to understand. As lords were judges and in charge of the law, represents the Ten Commandments.
On the eleventh day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… eleven pipers piping.
This is almost a trick question, as most think of the disciples in terms of a dozen. But when Judas betrayed Jesus and committed suicide, there were only eleven men who carried out the gospel message.
On the twelfth day of Christmas, my true love gave to me… twelve drummers drumming.
The drummers are the twelve points of doctrine in the Apostles’ Creed. “I believe in God, the Father almighty, creator of heaven and earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the power of the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died, and was buried. On the third day he rose again. He ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again to judge the living and the dead.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”
We often struggle to understand what God’s will is for us, yet here it is, clear as day: God wants us to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in ALL circumstances. Did you hear that word all? Give thanks always, all the time.
God doesn’t ask us to ignore the difficult times, people, and circumstances to live out this scripture. Instead, God’s will is to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances.
So what do we do when life’s not fair? There are two ways we can live our lives concerning this scripture. The first is to expect our lives to be simple and easy and life to go our way. If you’re living your life this way, you will set yourself up for a lot of disappointment, and it will be hard to live God’s will for your life, giving thanks in all circumstances.
The second way you can live your life is to realize that we are nothing more than dust and to dust, we must return, it is much easier to look to God and see EVERYTHING as a gift. Life’s not fair, but what we deserve is death. With every heartbeat, we must recognize that our lives are a gift from God.
So how do we get to the point where we can recognize everything as a gift? We already know the answer.
- Rejoice always. Celebrate what God is doing ALWAYS.
- Pray continually. It isn’t just praying a couple of times a day, it’s spending our whole lives in prayer. Don’t limit your time of intimacy with the Father. The Father is with us and want’s to be with us. But why pray continually if he already knows everything? Prayer can help us have a deeper understanding of ourselves. When we have a deeper understanding our ourselves, it deepens our relationship with God.
- Give thanks in ALL circumstances. It doesn’t say to give thanks FOR all circumstances. I’m not thankful for all circumstances. Paul reminds us that we can give thanks IN them because the Father is IN them. We can live thanks in all circumstances because we don’t need to obtain favor. When we gave our lives over to Jesus, we put our trust IN Jesus. At that moment, Jesus and his life obtained everything that our life hadn’t. We obtained death. We can not obtain through any amount of work or effort what has already been given by grace.
When we are in the presence of God we will recognize all the things He is doing, and we will want to rejoice always. And when we are with Him, we can talk about everything. Pray continually. As we do, we will see that God is using absolutely everything, and we will be thankful.
When you pay attention to the details you will see God everywhere.
Being a Christian isn’t something that’s one and done. It’s not something we can check off a list. The Lord intends us to keep learning and having new, goldy experiences all of our lives. As we continue to pursue God, we will face ongoing, daily challenges of maintaining steadfast growth.
Proverbs 19:20 “Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life.”
As we go through life, we’ll face continuous opportunities for new memberships, situations, investments, associations, relationships, career opportunities, and alliances. Not every opportunity will be a good one or even the right one. Many of them aren’t even sent by God. But as we seek the Father, bring each opportunity before him in prayer, He’ll show us the path we’re to follow as we seek to fulfill our purpose.
Jeremiah 29:11 “‘For I know the plans I have for you’, says the LORD. ‘They are plans for goog and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”
As more and more of your potential becomes a reality and you live out the purpose God’s planned for you, make sure that you are continuously seeking renewal.
Continually reaffirm your commitment to the Lord, reaffirm your priorities, re-establish your discipline, reaffirm your desire to do your best, rekindle your enthusiasm, refresh yourself in the Lord and revisit the vision God has for your life.
You can live in an ongoing state of renewal only if you rely on the Holy Spirit to be your constant and unending source of joy, love, faith, and confidence. God wants you to fulfill your potential and live out your purpose.
Be sure to choose to want what HE wants.
When we take the time to reflect on the nearness of God and how He loves us dearly we should consider the attributes of God. I like to turn to the Psalms when I meditate on my relationship with God. Psalm 145:8-9 says “The Lord is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. The Lord is good to all, and his mercy is over all that he has made.
Often I think God’s mercy has a limit and that I have pushed Him beyond that limit. However, as we have just read, He is slow to anger, and He is abounding in steadfast love. His mercy is over us and He is good to everyone that He has made.
In Isaiah 41:10 we will read what God promises us and what this means for us. “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”
He tells us we have nothing to fear because He is with us and He is our God. He will never change. His promises remain the same.
“…Nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39)
God’s love has no limit.
When we are pursuing God’s purpose for us, there may come times when we will face difficult decisions. These decisions may even present some risk.
Our potential is the sum of all possibilities God has for our lives. We have no way of comprehending all the possibilities that an all-wise, all-knowing, infinite God sees. We can not know with our finite minds and limited perspective all that He knows.
There is a significant amount of risk involved in trusting God in all things. Risk, after all, is a part of the very nature of faith. We put our belief in a God whom we can’t see but still experience. And put our faith in His promise to work all things to our benefit (Romans 8:28), even if we can’t understand what must occur to get us from where we are to where we hope to be. And put our faith in the love of God to transform us in ways we can’t even begin to imagine.
After Jesus had multiplied five loaves and two fish to feed 5,000, He told His disciples to get into a boat and go to the other side of the Sea of Galilee while He went to pray by Himself. And while Jesus was still on the mountain, the boat was being tossed about in the middle of the sea.
Jesus came down and went to them, walking on the sea. (Matthew 14:25). The disciples were afraid but Jesus commanded them to not be afraid. What happened next is perhaps one of the biggest steps of faith in the whole Bible. Peter answered Jesus saying, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water,” (Matthew 14:28). As Jesus bid Peter to come, Peter stepped out of the boat and walked on the water to go to Jesus. Of all the disciples, only one risked everything to step out in faith and became the only person in the Bible who walked on water. Would you be willing to do the same?
The experience deepened Peter’s faith and made him willing to take even greater risks later in his life and ministry. The same could be true for each of us. What we see as a risk may be the very situation God uses to strengthen our faith. That risk could be what God will use to carry us one giant step closer to fulfilling our purpose and reaching our full potential.
There are over 5 million words in the Greek language, while there are only about 171 thousand in the English language. The Bible was primarily written in Hebrew, Aramaic, and Greek, leading to a lot of nuance being lost in translation.
Take the word “love” for example. I’m sure you know what it means to love and be loved, but there are three Greek words for “love” we will find in the Bible.
The first we find is Philos, the warm affection or friendship. Philos was commonly used when referring to friendships or family relationships. For example, it was used in Matthew 10:37 to indicate love for father and mother or son and daughter. Philos was the word used for Jesus’ love for his friend Lazarus (John 11:3,36) and His love for His disciples (John 20:2).
The second Greek word for love is Eros referring to physical or sexual love. This is where we get the word erotic from. While Eros was commonly used in the Greek-speaking world of New Testament times, the word itself is not found in the pages of the New Testament. The concept of physical love, however–expressed in the concept of marriage–is found and affirmed in the New Testament.
Our final word for love found in the Greek language is Agape, the sacrificial, unconditional love of God. Agape love is the highest form of love in the New Testament. Agape is the word that describes God’s love in John 3:16. We are commanded to love God (Matthew 22:37) and love one another (John 13:34) with agape love.
To say agape love is the highest form of love is not to diminish the other kinds of love. All genuine love comes from God because God is love and is where we build our foundation. A healthy marriage will express all thee forms of love.
There is another Greek word I would like to talk about, Timios meaning great price, precious, held in honor, esteemed, and especially dear. Timios is used to describe the “precious” redeeming blood of Christ in 1 Peter 1:18-19. Timios is used again to describe the “precious” promise of God. There is another place we see the use of Timios, Hebrews 13:4, “Marrige is to be held in TIMIOS among all…”
The same word that is used to describe the precious blood of Christ and the promise of God is also used to describe marriage. When we look at our spouse, we should see the beautiful creation that God holds dear, and express our love for His creation in all forms, Philos, Eros, and Agape.
As Christians, we are called to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world. So what does it mean to be reconciled? To be…
As Christians, we are called to carry on Christ’s work of reconciliation in the world. So what does it mean to be reconciled? To be…
Let’s dive deeper into 1 John 4:11. I like the way the Message puts it, “My dear, dear friends, if God loved us like this,…
We all suffer from worry and anxiety from time to time in our lives. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to do with worry.
You are more loved and precious to God then you can ever know. God has placed great value on your life. God loves us so…
What does the phrase, ‘there is power in the cross,’ mean to you? Let’s take a look in the Bible…In Luke 9:23 Jesus says, “If…
Some days I feel like I am at the end of my rope. It seems that every decision I make is the wrong one. I…
Tapestries are beautiful works of art. They are typically woven by hand on a loom by a skilled artisan. This artisan will interface each color…
The loss of a loved one, whether it’s sudden or expected, can leave us shocked and unprepared. Your grief can leave you feeling lost and…
The other day, I was thinking of the Israelites at the Red Sea. They had the sea before them and the Egyptians behind them. And…
The righteous will live by faith. (Habakkuk 2:4) This is perhaps the most important connection between two words in the Bible. Righteousness and faith. To…
With everything we have in our daily lives, it is easy to overlook all the amazing things God is doing for us. A Christian living…
We will continue the theme of serving the kingdom this week. Jesus tells us in 1 Corinthians 12:7 that we are all given at least…
Jesus paid the ultimate price for humanity’s sins through his death on the cross (Romans 5:8), paving the way for those who believe and repent,…
Oftentimes when I am going through a difficult time, friends tell me, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Have you ever been…
Oftentimes when I am going through a difficult time, friends tell me, “God won’t give you more than you can handle.” Have you ever been…
Being a father can have its challenges. Believe me, as a father of three, the struggle is real. I want what is best for my…
For centuries, people have knows about the power of kindness. Not only does kindness help others around you, it also has a positive impact in…
How is your prayer life? Would you be surprised to learn that many believers relegate their prayer time to Sunday morning church? Even more surprising…
Have you been wronged by someone? Of course you have, but what do we do with the feelings we may have? Anger can consume us,…
The Good News of salvation in Jesus Christ is described by the apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians chapter 15. Jesus Christ came, He was crucified,…
There is spiritual warfare going on all around us. We must prepare ourselves for this holy battle. “Put on the full armor of God, so…
Rick Dugan is no stranger to suffering, or the power of prayer and healing. Listen to his encouraging story of perseverance.
What does Easter mean to you? Is it just another Government holiday? A day off work? Or maybe a money grab for candy companies? To Christians, Easter is the most important time. More important than even Christmas! Yes, Christmas is important but it doesn’t save us from our sins.
Jesus’ birth only appears in two of the gospels, his ascension, in another two and Acts. But do you know what is mentioned in every single gospel? Not Jesus’ birth, not even Jesus’ teachings, but Jesus’ death and resurrection.
Easter is so important because our Christianity revolves around the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Without that resurrection, Christianity would be meaningless because our sins would not be forgiven by the sacrifice of Christ. If it wasn’t for Easter we would have to continue living like the Jews of the old testament, offering up animal sacrifices to the Lord for our sins.
Easter is just as important today as it was nearly 2000 years ago because it represents how Jesus saved us from our sins by dying and rising again after three days. Conquering death so that we may live for eternity with our Heavenly Father. For all of humanity, not just the Jews, but also the Gentiles that their sins may be redeemed if they believe in Him.
So let’s celebrate Easter like it’s the most important time of the year. Because it is. What it represents is life. It is the center of our faith.
Happy Easter
God has better plans for us than we could ever imagine. What is God’s will? What is our purpose?
Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.
Romans 8:28-29: In all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose, which is to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.
James 1:17: Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.
Rick Warren the author of “The Purpose Driven Life,” explains God’s five purposes for us.
We were planned for God’s pleasure
so your first purpose is to offer real worship.
We were formed for God’s family
so your second purpose is to enjoy real fellowship.
We were created to become like Christ,
so your third purpose is to learn real discipleship.
We were shaped for serving God
so your fourth purpose is to practice real ministry.
We were made for a mission
so your fifth purpose is to live out real evangelism.
“For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:16-17
We must glorify God in all things by living a Purpose Driven Live. We are all created in God’s image but we are also unique. God’s plans for each of us are different. None of us experience the same things in life. Our goal, however, is the same. Dream big, pray continually and seek to do God’s will.
How do we find joy in our lives?
It can be as simple as remembering the acronym joy is a beautiful reminder of where our priority should be. J stands for Jesus, O for others, and Y for yourself.
- Put Jesus first
Jesus says, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” John 14:6. - Next, others
In Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” - Finally, yourself
“For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh [for your own desires], but through love serve one another. For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14.
So if your looking for true joy in your life, remember Jesus first, then others and yourself last.
People often look for “proof” of God. In the words of Billy Graham, “Can you see God? You haven’t seen him? I’ve never seen the wind. I see the effects of the wind, but I’ve never seen the wind.” God is everywhere, all around us, in the green grass, and the blue sky. From the majesty of the galaxies all the way down to the cells that makes up our bodies. Christ’s blameless sacrifice on the cross paid the ultimate price for us. If you are still looking for proof check out Laminin, the cell adhesion molecule the binds all matter together. A reminder of God’s plan set forth at the beginning of creation. “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:17
Our actions should characterize a Christ-centered life and stems from a relationship with Jesus. It bears witness to Christ and carries on His work wherever we are, in all we say and do. It is through these actions that we share God’s grace.
“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James 2:14-17
Let’s look at the parable of the Good Samaritan in Luke chapter 10.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him up, and went off, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, but when he saw the injured man, he passes by on the other side. So too a Levite, when he came up to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan who was traveling came to where the injured man was, and when he saw him, he felt compassion for him. He went up to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper, saying, ‘Take care of him, and whatever else you spend, I will repay you when I come back this way.’ Which of these three do you think became a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?”
Matthew 22:37-39, Jesus tells us, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'”
The priests were the religious leaders of the time, while the Levites were the teachers, judges, and caretakers of the temple. The Samaritans, on the other hand, were like you and me. Notice how Jesus says the Samaritan felt compassion. He didn’t only care for the man’s wounds but went above and beyond by giving the man a ride on his animal, likely meaning the Samaritan had to walk. He then puts the man in an inn and pays for his care. Some even say the two silver coins were all the money the Samaritan had. The good Samaritan is the perfect example of what Christian Action looks like, bearing the witness of Christ.
“As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.” James 2:26
How often in out lives do we feel unequipped or unworthy? If you feel weak, inadequate or ill-equipped for your task you are not alone. Throughout history brothers and sisters in Christ have struggled with the same feelings. But there is hope. Our heavenly father promises to equip us with everything we need for doing His will.
Often I find it hard to rest, feeling like there are always things to be done. Even on vacation, I find myself filling every spare minute with activity. Can you relate? Overworking ourselves by working too hard, too much, or too long can have negative physical and mental effects. Even the creator of our universe took time to rest. Who are we to think we can do more than God?
God values rest so much he made it a commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day to set it apart as holy.” Exodus 20:8. The Sabbath for the Jewish people is an observance and abstinence from work that lasts from Friday at sundown to Saturday at sundown. It extends to your whole family, workers, and even animals. God even commanded the land to rest in the seventh year. Exodus 23:11.
In preparation for the Sabbath, Jewish people will do all their shopping chores and cooking before sundown on Friday. This way, they don’t even need to cook on the Sabbath!
A day of rest allows time to recover, reduce stress and build deeper relationships with our loved ones. I’m not suggesting that you follow Jewish law; however, clearly, God intended us to rest and reflect at least one day a week. It doesn’t even need to be Saturday or Sunday.
Many of us have a couple of days off from work each week. It could be as simple as setting aside a day off to rest and spend time with family. Plan ahead, pre-cook your meals, and let the dishes go for a day. I promise they will be there the next day! Turn off your phone and the TV and spend quality time with your loved ones. Play games, read a book, tell stories, and spend time with the Lord in prayer. We will feel refreshed and renewed for the week ahead.
God knew what he was doing. He didn’t need to rest. He was setting the example of how we should spend our Sabbath. Set apart a day for rest and honor the Lord.
As a father, it is incredibly encouraging to see my children’s faith grow. Sometimes I even wonder if my faith is lacking in comparison their own. If we learn from our children and embrace these qualities in our lives, have faith like a child, we will learn and grow, and will see the kingdom of heaven rise again in our lives.
Rejection can hurt deeply; however, one rejection is not a projection of future failures. We shouldn’t ignore the pain of rejection, but we also can’t allow rejection to be a permanent hindrance. We must choose to move past our source of rejection without allowing it to shout us down.
That rejection has already stolen enough from your present, don’t let it affect your future too.
No, that book proposal wasn’t a good fit for that publisher. But that doesn’t mean you can’t write. You don’t have to go with that publisher, or any publisher, to be an effective writer.
No, that friend didn’t stay in your life. But that doesn’t mean that you aren’t loved or capable of meaningful relationships.
No, you didn’t get that job opportunity. But that doesn’t mean there won’t be other interested companies.
God always has our best interests in mind. Failure, rejection, and unanswered prayers simply mean God has bigger, better plans in store.
So replace those negative thoughts that are hindering you. Replace them with praise for God, who loves you, provides, and will deliver you.
Don’t believe the voices telling you that you are not good enough. The Bible is filled with what God says you are…and are not. You are NEVER alone.
The life of a sea turtle is a fascinating journey. The female will spend close to 30 years at sea before returning to the beaches where her life began. With her powerful flippers, she excavates an egg chamber in the sand, depositing a clutch of approximately 100 eggs, and then covers the pit with sand before returning to the sea.
The eggs are alone and face many risks. The nest may be flooded by the tides causing heavy mortality. Eggs face the possibility of being crushed or consumed when predators raid the nest.
After at least seven weeks, the hatchlings emerge from their nest. Each hatchling is less than 2 inches long and only weighs about one ounce. As soon as they emerge, the hatchlings make their way to the ocean. The journey is long and treacherous. Until they are in the water, hatchlings are at a high risk of being eaten by predators. Once the hatchlings reach the sea, they begin a journey that will lead them across the entire Atlantic Ocean.
There may come a time in our lives when things look bleak with a lack of progress. Before we emerge, we may feel stuck under the sands of our circumstances, like we can’t do anything. Everything may seem dark. Maybe we have already faced many trials, just like the hatchlings before they emerged. But we must persevere. We can’t stop there. We must stay hopeful in those times because once we emerge our path will become clear.
In the Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell, there comes a time when we reach our lowest point. We can go no further as the person we used to be. It is at this point that we are forced to change. To become greater than our past self and to emerge stronger and new.
When the hatchlings emerge, their direction and purpose is clear. When we are faithful in the process, we must believe we are moving towards a definite goal, even though sometimes we are unable to see movement or direction. God has a wonderful future for us. “For I know what I have planned for you,’ says the Lord. ‘I have plans to prosper you, not to harm you. I have plans to give you a future filled with hope.” Jeremiah 29:11. All we must do is be faithful in His process and believe that God’s promises will be fulfilled in His time.
“…consider it nothing but joy when you fall into all sorts of trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance.” James 1:2-3
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” James 1:12
Do you get mad? Of course, everyone gets mad sometimes. The important thing is what we do with the anger we may feel. Don’t let your anger get in the way of forgiveness.
Ephesians 1:3-10 are some of my favorite verses in the bible because they tell us how God loved us and chose us even before the world was formed. There has never been a time in all of eternity when God did not know us. God doesn’t choose us because of our righteousness; we become righteous through Christ Jesus because God chose us. Jesus said in John 6:44, “No one comes to me unless the Father draws him…”
God created in us a desire to know Jesus. You are chosen! Because of this, you can live with assurance. Assurance that what God started, He will finish. It’s by the grace of God that we have the assurance of eternal life in Christ Jesus.
We have all fallen short of the glory of God. Jesus personally paid the price for our sins so we may live again with our Heavenly Father.
How do you spend your day? Do you throw yourself into a seemingly chaotic routine, rushing from place to place and chore to chore? And at the end of the day, do you feel like all busyness accomplished real work and made a real difference?
If you are like me, you can probably relate. I always find myself busy with something. The truth is, unless we are spending our days structured around the purpose God has established for us (Ephesians 2:10), we haven’t accomplished anything.
As Christians, we strive to live lives like Christ. Do you think Jesus spent his days rushing from one task to another? The answer is no. Jesus never tried to justify how He spent His time, nor did He attempt to make excuses for any aspect of it. Jesus lived His entire life without relying on the approval of others. He sought to please His heavenly Father and do what God asked of him.
Likewise, Jesus was never in a hurry. The Bible is filled with many examples of Jesus slowing down and, in prayer, doing everything with intention. He was never stressed by His day, and He only did what was truly important.
So, if you’re like me and you feel like your life has gotten completely out of control, take some time to reflect and evaluate how you are spending your day. Ask yourself, what am I doing? And is what I am doing vital to fulfilling God’s purpose for me?
When we take the time to prayerfully consider what God expects of us, we may need to make some tough choices about how we spend our time. Make changes to reduce your stress and workload while getting the most of every second you are gifted. Ask God to reveal what is truly important and pray for the Lord to help you be wise in the way you spend your time.
When I think about my life, it is sometimes east to feel, worthless. It is easy to lose sight of just how much we are loved. The Bible tells us time and time again just how priceless we are to God.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10)
…because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ… (Ephesians 2:4-5)
…God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us… (1 John 4:9-10)
God loves us so much that he sacrificed His only son for us. A priceless gift for us because in His eyes, we are priceless.
…The birds of the air to not so or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? (Matthew 6:26)
Don’t believe the lies or focus on your flaws. This doesn’t define you. Accept God’s gift of grace and be clothed in white. Every wrong made right because you are priceless.
What does it mean to be a “lukewarm Christian?” As we move into the new year, my prayer is that you will find a way to be useful to the Lord our God. Happy New Year!
The Christmas story as told in Luke 1:26-38, Luke 2:1, 3-20, and Matthew 2:1-12.
No greater gift has ever been given, no example of generosity so selfless, no act in human history so important than Jesus. Born to sacrifice himself for us on the cross. There is no event in the world more important than the one that unifies people and God, bringing eternal, abundant life and promising that we are never alone. Merry Christmas and may God bless you.
God created us as a beautiful creation, but sin enters our lives and begins chipping away that beauty leaving us broken in pieces. No matter how hard we try to clean up our own lives, to make ourselves look presentable again, we can never really be restored to our original beauty on our own. It’s only with Jesus.
Scripture tells us that Jesus washes us white as snow. He takes away the sins that ruined God’s beautiful creation and restores us to righteousness.
If you don’t know Jesus today, I pray that you will come to accept him and his free gift of salvation because it’s only through him that we can be restored to God’s beautiful creations.
Sometimes unanswered prayers are a blessing of protection. It’s comforting knowing that our God never makes a mistake, and He has great plans for us.
God could perform every miracle, answer every prayer, and perform acts of omnipotence to prove His power, but He doesn’t. His desire isn’t to force obedience from acts of power. What God wants is for us to know Him intimately as our Father, Friend, Comforter, Counselor, Lord–willingly, not under compulsion. Only faith can summon a response of love. Untested faith is unreliable faith, and without faith, it is impossible to love God.
We don’t grow in comfort. It’s in hard and discouraging times that don’t make sense; that our faith is strengthened and made more resilient. It is in these times that we lean into the Lord even more.
The best days are still ahead, so get ready! Stay in high anticipation of what God has planned for you, and do not be discouraged by unanswered prayer.
It is easy to sometimes forget how many blessings we have in our lives. Our lives are filed with friends and family who care deeply for us.
Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
Life is not always easy, perfect or peaceful. But we can always have a heart full of thankfulness if we remember who gives us reasons to be thankful.
There are over 169 verses in the bible that show us the ways God provides for our needs. “My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus”. Philippians 4:19
Like a good parent however God will never give us something that will harm us. This doesn’t mean that there won’t be difficult times. “More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces home and home doesn’t put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5
God has plans to prosper us, and not harm us. Plans to give us a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11 We must simply trust Him.
As parents we should be mindful on how we raise our children. Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
Prayer is very important. It is how we communicate our wishes and desires to our heavenly father. Prayer doesn’t have to be complicated. There is great power in prayer…
Our priority’s may reveal that we view spending time with God as a waste of time. Examine your priorities and spend your time with the God of the universe. The truest friend. The Savior of the world. The creator of time.
Have you asked Jesus Christ into your heart as your personal Lord and Savior? What are you waiting for? What makes you believe you will be willing to live for Jesus tomorrow is you are unwilling to die for him today? Today is the day to make the most important decision for all eternity.
God hears our prayers and works all things for good according to His perfect plan. God listens and He is ready to answer, all we must do is ask.
Today’s podcast brought to you by Trisha Caudill. Do you find yourself worrying about things you know you shouldn’t? Phil 4:6, Isaiah 41:10, Joshua 1:9, Matthew 6:25-27
Fear is a liar. We are not defined by our fears; we are defined by God. We are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made,’ (Psalms 139:14), ‘a new creation,’ (2 Corinthians 5:17), ‘accepted,’ (Romans 8:1), ‘forgiven,’ (1 John 1:9), and ‘holy and dearly loved,’ (Colossians 3:12).
When we let failure define us, we rob ourselves of the love and grace of our Heavenly Father. Our failure is never more powerful than our God!
In the final days of Jesus, he and his disciples were on the mount of olives when they asked Jesus what were the signs of his return and end of days. This is his account from Matthew 24:3-44.
Do not fear what these verses say, instead be ready and rejoice in what is to come. We may not know the day or hour; however, we should be living as if Jesus’ return was today! The promise of what is to come should give you home.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death will not exist any more – or mourning, or crying, or pain, for the former things have ceased to exist.” Revelations 21:4
Jesus tells us, don’t be alarmed. Don’t be afraid when you hear of wars, earthquakes, and famine. While these things can be troubling, they are not pains of death, but rather birth pains.
Learn this lesson from the fig tree, when its branches bud and its leaves begin to sprout, you know that summer is near. In the same way, when you see all these things, you can know his return is very near, right at the door. Matthew 24:32-33
Jesus tells us that, “The most important commandment is to Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. The second is just as important, Love your neighbor as yourself. No other commandment is greater than these.” God is clear with the command to love him with all our being…
It is difficult, however, to fully submit yourself to the desires of God and his purpose for your life if you can’t obey both of these commands. We know we must love our neighbors as ourselves; however, this is difficult if we don’t also love ourselves.
Do you know God’s plans for you? When you are following God’s plan for your life, and using His gifts to their full potential, serving others in loge, great things can be accomplished.
How has your life been shaped by Scripture? As you accept it by faith, how do you expect your life to change?
Let’s put our trust in our Heavenly Father, to show us new things about Him as we read the Bible. Through Jesus, He will teach us His ways, and show us His love.
The true nature of love is sacrificial, according to the apostle Paul, in 2 Corinthians 8:3. He explained to the Corinthians that the Macedonians gave “even beyond their ability” so they could meet the needs of the apostles and others. They even “pleaded” with Paul for the opportunity to give to them and to God’s people. The basis for their giving was the sacrificial heart of Jesus Himself. He left the riches of heaven to come to earth to be a servant and to give His very life. “Though he was rich, yet for [our] sake he became poor” (v. 9). May we too plead with God so that we might “excel in this grace of giving” (v. 7) in order to lovingly meet the needs of others.
The Bible describes the road that leads to eternal life as narrow “and only a few find it” (Matthew 7:14). The gate is considered small because God the Son is the only bridge that can reconcile fallen man and God the Father through the power of the Holy Spirit (vv. 13–14; see John 10:7–9; 16:13). However, Scripture also says in Revelation 5:9 that believers from every people, nation, and societal rank can enter heaven and will bow before the King of Kings and worship together around His throne.
When have you felt alone, forsaken, and forgotten by God? How does processing the love of God expressed by sending Jesus to die for your sins help to counter feelings of being forgotten by Him?
Our Heavenly Father knows when we’re tempted to feel neglected, forgotten, and abandoned, He helps us to ponder again the love He demonstrated by sending Jesus to die for us.
Jesus makes peace and reconciliation possible for all who believe in Him through His death and resurrection. So, if Jesus is our peace, let’s not let our differences divide us. He’s made us one by His blood.
When we find the storms of life, we might try offering the prayer of Psalm 43. In this psalm, the psalmist is overwhelmed and feeling lost because he feels surrounded by evil and injustice. In despair, the psalmist pleads with God to provide His sure guidance to help him safely navigate through the situation to his desired destination, God’s presence (vv. 3–4). In God’s presence the psalmist knows he’ll find renewed hope and joy.
Someone has said, “Learning requires listening.” The practical words from God in the book of James can only be accomplished if we’re filled with God’s loving Spirit and choose to respect others. He’s willing to help us make changes in our hearts and attitudes. Are we open to listen and learn?
All human beings are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Psalm 139:14), and those who follow Jesus become children of God (John 1:12–13). Once in despair, that woman left in hope—about to find an identity and purpose bigger than this world can give.
Is there someone in despair whom you can affirm as “wonderfully made” today? With whom can you share the offer of becoming a child of God?
In scripture (John 8:31–32), while speaking to Jewish believers, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free”. Let’s hold to His teaching, whether it means writing His words on a chair, memorizing them, or seeking to put them into action. The truth and wisdom of Christ’s messages help us grow in Him and set us free.
The human heart beating 100,000 times a day, or 65-70 times a minute, with no time off for rest, to get most of us through seventy years or more.
The amazing heart so thoroughly powers us through life that it has become a metaphor for our overall inner well-being. Yet, both our literal and metaphorical hearts are prone to failure.
We may think we’re “spiritually handsome”—until we see our sin as God sees it. Isaiah 64:6 says that compared to God’s standard, even “our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” But God also sees something else, something even more true: He sees Jesus, and He sees us in Jesus.
Feeling discouraged about HOW you are? Remember this is not WHO you are. If you have put your trust in Jesus, then you’re IN Jesus, and His holiness drapes over you. You’re more beautiful than you imagine.
Jesus doesn’t say that all our giving should be in secret, but He does remind us to check our motives when we give (Matthew 6:1). He also said: “When you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others” (v. 2). While God expects us to be openhanded givers, He encourages us to avoid doing good deeds in front of people for the purpose of receiving accolades or special recognition (v. 3).
Though we may sometimes be remote, there is an endless source of life-giving water that is available and accessible to those who need it most. When at a well in Samaria, Jesus engaged a woman in conversation, probing at the edges of her deep spiritual thirst. The solution to her heart-need? Jesus Himself.
Since God created all humans with a sense of right and wrong, each of us will likely feel some guilt over a bad thing we’ve done or a good thing we failed to do. When we confess those sins, God wipes away the guilt like a whiteboard wiped clean. All we have to do is ask Him—whoever we are, wherever we’re from.
Have you ever encountered someone who simply wouldn’t listen to wise advice? (See 1 Kings 12:1–11.) It can be infuriating, can’t it? Or, even more personal, have you ever refused to listen to advice? As Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” People may not always be right, but the same goes for us! Knowing that everyone makes mistakes, only fools assume they’re the exception. Instead, let’s exercise godly wisdom and listen to the wise advice of others—even if we initially disagree. Sometimes that’s exactly how God works for our good (v. 2).
Have you been blessed with a Christian heritage but strayed from God. On this day set aside to honor mothers, confess your sin and come back to the Lord. Let the precious memories of that special person in your life, who all these years has been pointing you to God, awaken in your heart a new desire to live for Him. Don’t turn your back on the influence of your godly mother.
Just three chapters into the story of the Bible, we learn how a bad choice and a tree marred God’s good creation. Adam and Eve ate from the one tree they were to leave alone (Genesis 3:11). The story has barely begun, and paradise is cursed (vv. 14–19).
Another tree would play a role in undoing this curse—the cross Jesus endured on our behalf. His death purchased our future with Him (Deuteronomy 21:23; Galatians 3:13).
The story comes full circle in the Bible’s last chapter. There we read of “the tree of life” growing beside the “river of the water of life” (Revelations 22:1–2). As John describes it, this tree will be “for the healing of the nations” (v. 2). John assures us, “No longer will there be any curse” (v. 3). God’s story comes with the happily-ever-after we all long for.
Are you living in fear and anxiety? Luke 12 gives us some advice to help us stop worrying: “Seek his kingdom” (v. 31) Jesus encourages His disciples: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom” (v. 32). What’s causing you to fear? Seek God’s kingdom when you begin to worry.
Although we can’t literally touch God’s face, we sometimes experience a stunning sunset or a place of meditation in nature that gives us an overwhelming sense that He’s near. As we enjoy the incredible beauty of God’s creation, we grow conscious that He’s present everywhere. As we talk with Him in prayer, listen to Him, and read the Scriptures, we can enjoy fellowship with Him anytime and anywhere.
The Harvard Study of Adult Development is a decades-long project that’s resulted in a greater understanding of the importance of healthy relationships. The research began with a group of 268 sophomores at Harvard University in the 1930s and later expanded to, among others, 456 Boston inner-city residents. Researchers have conducted interviews with the participants and pored over their medical records every few years. They discovered that close relationships are the biggest factor in predicting happiness and health. It turns out that if we surround ourselves with the right people, we’ll likely experience a deeper sense of joy.
Michelangelo’s works explored many facets of the life of Jesus, yet one of the most poignant was also one of the most simple. In the 1540s he sketched a pieta (a picture of Jesus’ mother holding the body of the dead Christ) for his friend Vittoria Colonna. Done in chalk, the drawing depicts Mary looking to the heavens as she cradles her Son’s still form. Rising behind Mary, the upright beam of the cross carries these words from Dante’s Paradise, “There they don’t think of how much blood it costs.” Michelangelo’s point was profound: when we contemplate the death of Jesus, we must consider the price He paid.
God uses us to reach the world with the message of His love. Because someone shared the message with us, we can turn to another person and pass it on. Paul compared this—the building of God’s kingdom—to growing a garden. Some of us plant seeds while some of us water the seeds. We are, as Paul said, “co-workers in God’s service” (1 Corinthians 3:9).
Each job is important, yet all are done in the power of God’s Spirit. By His Spirit, God enables people to thrive spiritually when they hear that He loves them and sent His Son to die in their place so that they can be free from their sin (John 3:16).
God does much of His work on earth through “volunteers” like you and me. Although we’re part of a community that’s much bigger than any contribution we may make, we can help it grow by working together to share His love with the world.
Twenty-one “books” in the Bible are actually letters—epistles—caringly written to first-century believers who struggled for a variety of reasons. Paul, James, and John wrote letters to explain the basics of faith and worship, and how to resolve conflict and build unity.
The apostle Peter, however, specifically wrote to believers who were being persecuted by the Roman emperor, Nero. Peter reminded them of their intrinsic value to God.
Loneliness is a significant struggle—God created us to offer and receive the benefits of friendship and community. If you’re feeling alone, pray that God would help you form meaningful connections with others. In the meantime, find encouragement in the reality that the believer is never truly alone because Jesus’ Spirit is always with us (Matthew 28:20).
The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Colossians to the Church of Colossae. In it there is still some valuable information that we can apply to our daily lives. We should shed our old life and put on the new one though Christ, showing love and compassion for one another, living as those made alive in Christ.