60-Second Sermon: Recent Episodes
Larry Eldridge
Abraham Lincoln ... Mary Cassatt ... Bob Ross. What do these have to do with anything? And how does any of it relate to the Gospel message? Tune in to 60-Second Sermon and find out. Just one minute ... that's all it takes. You can make the time.
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Trust that God is not done writing your story—and He may yet lead you onto courts you never imagined.
Isaiah 40:31: But those who trust in the Lord will renew their strength; they will soar on wings like eagles.
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Our quiet obedience, our unseen service, and our everyday efforts can become part of God’s larger story.
Colossians 3:23: Whatever you do, do it from the heart, as something done for the Lord and not for people.
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God doesn’t ask for perfection—only willingness.
Proverbs 16:3: Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
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God rejoices in small beginnings, and no moment of obedience is wasted.
Zechariah 4:10: Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin.
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God doesn’t measure our worth by applause or attribution but by faithfulness.
1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
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God has placed you where you are, at this moment, with purpose.
Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
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Glorify God, even in the face of unjust punishment or situations in your life.
Psalm 34:1-2: I will extol the Lord at all times; His praise will always be on my lips. I will glory in the Lord; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
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In Christ, our misfired bullets and unintended crashes can become testimonies of grace.
Galatians 6:7: Whatever a person sows, he will also reap.
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Love, at its truest, doesn’t stay on the surface. It dives deep.
Galatians 6:2: Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
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Authenticity is what draws hearts to the Savior.
Proverbs 12:22: The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in those who are sincere.
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True rest comes through Jesus.
Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all of you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
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If our lives each point clearly to Christ, then together the Church becomes a living picture of Him.
John 13:35: By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.
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Proverbs 31:28: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her.
Sometimes the voice we need most isn’t the loudest, but the one that knows us best.
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We often look for Jesus in the wrong places.
Luke 19:10: For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save the lost.
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Seek comfort and guidance from God.
Joshua 1:9: Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
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Strength is not the absence of wounds, but the stewardship of them.
Galatians 6:9: Let us not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up.
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Grand plans, untested by careful and God-seeking submission, can march confidently in the wrong direction.
Proverbs 16:3: Commit your activities to the Lord, and your plans will be established.
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God has placed each of us in unique settings where our actions, words, and character can reflect His goodness.
Matthew 5:16: Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
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We all have moments we regret—times when we acted out of impulse or pride and ended up in metaphorical (or literal) darkness. But the beauty of God’s grace is that He doesn’t waste our mistakes.
Psalm 138:8: The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.
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In tough moments, we often look inward or retreat, but God calls us to look upward and outward.
1 Peter 5:7: Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
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Are we holding a grudge because of a wrong assumption?
Matthew 5:44: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.
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Don’t discount your position just because it doesn’t look like power.
1 Corinthians 1:27: God has chosen what is foolish in the world to shame the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong.
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Our faithfulness in small things – acts of kindness, hidden talents, quiet prayers – may be worth far more than we realize.
Zechariah 4:10: Do not despise these small beginnings, for the LORD rejoices to see the work begin.
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Only when we fix our eyes on Christ and the things of heaven do we begin to see clearly and live purposefully.
Colossians 3:2: Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.
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When we pursue excellence for Godly reasons, guided by love and truth, our actions will honor God and build up rather than tear down.
James 3:16: For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there is disorder and every evil practice.
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What are you known for?
Isaiah 58:10: Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon.
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The words of the Bible are a source of comfort and encouragement.
Psalm 119:105: God’s word is a lamp for my feet and a light on my path.
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We submit ourselves to God so He can prepare us for His plans.
Lamentations 3:25: The Lord is good to those who wait for him, to the soul who seeks him.
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Our greatest accomplishments should be Christ-centered.
Proverbs 22:6: Direct your children onto the right path, and when they are older, they will not leave it.
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God doesn't expect us to coast through life.
John 12:46I have come as light into the world, so that everyone who believes in me would not remain in darkness.
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Avoid sin at all costs.
Proverbs 6:27: Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?
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Seek inspiration in the Word of God.
Isaiah 40:8: The grass withers, the flowers fade, but the word of our God remains forever.
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Jesus doesn’t want to admire our masks. He wants to cleanse our hearts.
Matthew 23:27-28: “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which appear beautiful on the outside, but inside are full of the bones of the dead and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you seem righteous to people, but inside you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness."
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Bring your doubts before God, that He will increase your faith.
Mark 9:24: Immediately the father of the boy [possessed by a demon] cried out, “I do believe; help my unbelief!”
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Seek to heal broken relationships whenever you can.
Psalm 147:3: God heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.
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Mark 14:43,46,50: A mob, with swords and clubs, … took hold of [Jesus] and arrested him. … Then all his disciples deserted him and ran away.
The Christian walk is not meant to be an isolated journey. It should be a family gathering full of the love and mutual encouragement modeled by Christ.
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We can have open, honest dialogue with God about what we’re feeling, but we must also ask for an increase in faith.
Hebrews 11:1Faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
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There is no greater sign of God's love for us than the gift of Jesus.
Zephaniah 3:17: The Lord your God is among you, a warrior who saves. He will rejoice over you with gladness. He will quiet you by His love. He will delight in you with singing.
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What looks unfinished today may one day be the arena where God displays His glory through you.
Hebrews 11:1: Now faith is the reality of what is hoped for, the proof of what is not seen.
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From the youngest to the oldest, think about what you say and do.
Proverbs 12:18: There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
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Actively look for opportunities to be a witness for God's kingdom.
Acts 1:8: You will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
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Who will you minister to this week?
Matthew 6:14-15: If you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Remaster of Episode 39, originally aired on December 18, 2019.
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The Word of God is alive and transformative.
James 1:24: If anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, it is like glancing at your face in a mirror. You see yourself, walk away, and forget what you look like.
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Walk in wisdom around others.
Colossians 4:6Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.
Remaster of Episode 38, originally aired on December 11, 2019.
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Set your minds on things above, not on things on the earth.
Colossians 3:1-2If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
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Spend time investing eternally by reading your Bible and praying before God.
Ephesians 5:15-16Be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil.
Remaster of Episode 37, originally aired on December 4, 2019.
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The name of Jesus will never fade away.
Psalm 78:4
We will tell a future generation the praiseworthy acts of the Lord, his might, and the wondrous works he has performed.
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Growing closer to God takes time.
Proversb 2:1-6If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.Remaster of Episode 36, originally aired on November 27, 2019.
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Trust in the timing of God.
Ecclesiastes 7:8The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and a patient spirit is better than a proud spirit.
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Think about the example you're setting for others.
Ephesians 5:1-2Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
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Don’t fool yourself into thinking you are strong enough to overcome sin on your own … look to the strength of God to carry you through.
2 Peter 2:9... The Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials.
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Strive to be a peacemaker.
Romans 12:17-18If someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.
Remaster of Episode 34, originally published on November 13, 2019.
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Don't let uncertainty lead to inaction.
Psalm 139:5You have encircled me; you have placed your hand on me.
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Jesus often withdrew and prayed – we should do the same.
Mark 1:35Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed.
Remaster of Episode 33, originally published on November 6, 2019.
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Jesus's sacrifice is a gift meant to be shared with others.
Acts 4:12There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.
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Be united in Christ.
Galatians 3:26-28In Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Remaster of Episode 32, originally published on October 30, 2019.
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May our differences become strengths as we glorify our God.
1 Thessalonians 5:11Encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing.
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The mind is a powerful thing. Use it to worship God.
Philippians 4:8Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.
Remaster of Episode 31, originally published on October 23, 2019.
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Use good times – and bad – to grow closer to God.
Romans 8:28We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.
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God can work great things through you.
Jeremiah 29:11I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.
Remaster of Episode 30, originally aired on October 16, 2019.
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Identify your gifts, and use them in service.
1 Peter 4:10Just as each one has received a gift, use it to serve others, as good stewards of the varied grace of God.
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Unlike priceless yard sale finds, the discovery of your worth is not an accident.
1 Peter 1:18-19You know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ.
Remaster of Episode 29, originally aired on October 19, 2019.
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When we minimize sin, we diminish the very gift of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection.
1 John 3:4-6Everyone who commits sin practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness. You know that [Jesus] was revealed so that he might take away sins, and there is no sin in him. Everyone who remains in him does not sin; everyone who sins has not seen him or known him.
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Don't show favoritism.
Romans 2:11God does not show favoritism.Remaster of Episode 28, originally aired on October 2, 2019.
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Be thankful for every woman in your life – mothers, grandmothers, wives, sisters, and daughters.
Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
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Age is just a number.
1 Timothy 4:12Don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.
Remaster of Episode 27, originally aired on September 25, 2019.
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Have a Godly persepective toward anger.
James 1:20Human anger does not accomplish God’s righteousness.
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There is nothing we will do that will be more impressive in the eyes of God than serving Him and others, even if we traveled to the moon and back.
Galatians 5:13You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.Remaster of Episode 26, originally aired on September 18, 2019.
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Draw hope from the way God has worked in the past.
Deuteronomy 31:8: The Lord is the one who will go before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or abandon you. Do not be afraid or discouraged.
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Don't be anxious about telling someone the Good News.
Luke 12:11-12Do not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.
Remaster of Episode 16, originally released on July 10, 2019.
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Be willing to offer – and accept – help.
Galatians 6:2Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
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One day, Jesus will make all things new, once and for all, doing away with sin and death, and sadness and loss. What a glorious day that will be.
Acts 2:24God raised [Jesus] from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.
Remaster of Episode 24, originally aired on September 4, 2019.
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Serving others can provide us with an opportunity to tell others why we do it … because Jesus Christ first did the same thing for each of us.
2 Corinthians 1:12The testimony of our conscience is that we have conducted ourselves in the world … with godly sincerity and purity, not by human wisdom but by God’s grace.
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God loves you, and that love for you will never cease.
Psalm 103:12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Remaster of Episode 23, originally aired on August 28, 2019.
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God has a plan for you.
Colossians 1:16… Whether thrones or dominion or rulers or authorities – all things have been created through Him and for Him.
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Death in this life is not our ending.
Romans 6:5-6For if we have been united with him in the likeness of his death, we will certainly also be in the likeness of his resurrection. For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be rendered powerless so that we may no longer be enslaved to sin.
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You matter and you have value. Live like it today.
Ephesians 2:10For we are [God’s] workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared ahead of time for us to do.
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Provide strength to each other.
Proverbs 28:13Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.Remaster of Episode 21, originally aired on August 14, 2019.
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Revenge is a reflection of the heart, and our desires often muddy the waters and distract us from our mission.
Romans 12:19Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the LORD.”
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Call on the name of the Lord who saves.
Proverbs 6:27-28Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?Remaster of Episode 20, originally aired on August 7, 2019.
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Our ultimate loyalty is to God.
Mark 12:17Jesus told [a group trying to trap him with His words], “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”
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Serve God with all your heart, soul, and mind.
Matthew 10:38-39Whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
Remaster of Episode 19, orginally aired July 31, 2019.
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Inspire others to be like Christ.
Hebrews 10:24-25Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, … encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
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Don't show favoritism.
James 2:8-9If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing right.But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.
Remaster of Episode 18, originally aired July 24, 2019.
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There's nothing to fear when we walk with God.
Joshua 1:9Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
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Jesus's blood is the only thing that can save us.
Romans 5:6,8While we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly … God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Chris died for us.
Remaster of Episode 17, originally released on July 17, 2019.
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God wants what is best for us – truly best for us in an eternal sense – and that should fill us with tremendous comfort.
Isaiah 26:3You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.
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By grace you have been saved through faith.
Ephesians 2:4-5God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.
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Being a Christian is not about how much you know, it's about your willingness to follow Jesus.
1 Corinthians 11:1Imitate me, as I also imitate Christ.
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The greatest part of Jesus’s story is that the tomb was empty and that He rose from the grave, victorious over sin, and He calls us to be a part of His story as well.
1 Peter 2:24[Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
Remaster of Episode 14, originally released on June 26, 2019.
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Don’t let past actions impact negatively affect your current attitude.
Acts 3:19Repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out, that seasons of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
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God works through our weakness.
2 Corinthians 4:6-9We have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.
Remaster of Episode 13, originally released on June 19, 2019.
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Do what is right without seeking recognition.
Matthew 6:4Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
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What an incredible honor it is to introduce someone to Jesus. When was the last time you were able to do that?
John 1:40Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard John and followed him. He first found his own brother Simon and told him, “We have found the Messiah” (which is translated “the Christ”),and he brought Simon to Jesus.Remaster of Episode 12, originally released on June 12, 2019.
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Make sure all you do brings honor to God.
1 John 4:16... God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.
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For fulfillment that will last and bring eternal satisfaction, don’t look for meals or snacks here on earth … look to Jesus. He will truly fill your soul.
John 6:27Do not look for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.
Remaster of Episode 10, originally released on May 29, 2019.
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Focus on God, and let Him inspire you and prepare your hearts for service this week.
Galatians 5:13For you were called to be free, brothers and sisters; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love.
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When we repent, God choses to remember our sins no more.
Psalm 103:11-12 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us.
Remaster of Episode 9, originally released on May 22, 2019.
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The gift of salvation is not based on merit, but on mercy, and the grace of God is not an earned outcome, but the undeserved favor of our Creator.
Ephesians 2:8-9You are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift – not from works, so that no one can boast.
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Our best-laid plans may not turn out the way we intended, and God’s plans in our lives may be different than what we had envisioned.
Isaiah 55:8-9My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Remaster of Episode 8, originally released on May 15, 2019.
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Don't play the blame game.
Genesis 3:12The man replied, “The woman you gave to be with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate.”
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Who will be impacted by Christ's love through you this week?
1 John 4:16We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.
Remaster of Episode 7, originally released on May 8, 2019.
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Sin creeps in slowly.
Proverbs 6:28Can a man walk on burning coals without scorching his feet?
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Live lives of love.
1 Corinthians 13:2If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
Remaster of Episode 6, originally released on May 1, 2019.
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Are you passionate about following God?
Romans 12:11Do not lack diligence in zeal; be fervent in the Spirit; serve the Lord.
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The message of love and unity is so important in today’s culture and climate, and we are called to be examples of this message.
Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
Remaster of Episode 5, originally aired on April 24, 2019.
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Practice to get stronger spiritually just as you would anything else.
James 4:8Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you.
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We are new creations through Christ.
1 Corinthians 6:9-11 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? ... And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
Remaster of Episode 4, originally released on April 17, 2019.
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There's power in the restorative irony of the cross.
2 Corinthians 5:21[God] made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in [Christ] we might become the righteousness of God.
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Seek peace and strength in God.
Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.Remaster of Episode 3, originally released on April 10, 2019.
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Take time to rest.
Psalm 4:8I will both lie down and sleep in peace, for you alone, Lord, make me live in safety.
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The permanent, deep-in-the-soul rest and peace we all seek is available to us, if we trust in Jesus and turn our worries and burdens over to Him. He is the provider of soul-reviving rest.
Matthew 11:28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.Remaster of Episode 2, originally released on April 3, 2019.
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Strive for the simple life.
1 Timothy 6:6-7True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it.
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Give God your firstfruits.
Proverbs 3:9Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest.
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Change the world for good.
Matthew 5:13-16You are the salt of the earth. ... You are the light of the world. ... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.Remaster of Episode 1, originally released on March 26, 2019.
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Never pass up an opportunity to serve – and to share.
2 Corinthians 9:7God loves a cheerful giver.
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God’s Word is a guide map for our lives, a moral compass for our journey. It also provides words of encouragement for us and others and is a gift meant to be shared as we walk the path of life.
Mark 1:17Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!’
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Jesus encourages us to go out and seek the lost, because there is more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than 99 righteous people who don’t need repentance.
Luke 15:4What man among you, who has a hundred sheep and loses one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open field and go after the lost one until he finds it?
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Focusing on where your feet are planted can serve as a reminder for how you live your life.
Proverbs 20:24The very steps we take come from God; otherwise how would we know where we’re going?
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Great blessings can come by stepping out in faith.
Hebrews 11:6Without faith it is impossible to please God, since the one who draws near to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
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Consider others before jumping to conclusions.
Matthew 7:3Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye?
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Let the goodness of God be evident to all.
Mark 10:18“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked him. “No one is good except God alone.”
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The unity of Christ can overcome differences.
1 Peter 3:8
All of you, have unity of mind, sympathy, brotherly love, a tender heart, and a humble mind.
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Look for ways to help the helpless.
Matthew 25:40Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
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Love is a powerful thing.
Matthew 22:37-40He said to him, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and most important command. The second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets depend on these two commands.
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We cannot afford to procrastinate in service to God.
Luke 14:21The master of the house told his servant, "Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the city, and bring in here the poor, maimed, blind, and lame."
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Be thankful for all the many ways God has divinely intervened in your life.
Proverbs 16:33The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.
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Don’t let self-doubt get in the way of your witness for Christ.
Deuteronomy 31:6The Lord your God is the one who will go with you; he will not leave you or abandon you.
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Steer clear of presuppositions.
Romans 2:1Every one of you who judges is without excuse. For when you judge another, you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the same things.
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How wisely are you spending your time?
1 John 2:17The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.
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Pick up the mantle of love, and take action to serve those in need.
Hebrews 13:16Don’t neglect to do what is good and to share, for God is pleased with such sacrifices.
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Hope is an incredible thing, and it came to us in the form of a man named Jesus.
Deuteronomy 31:6Do not be afraid or terrified, … for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you or forsake you.
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God uses ordinary people to share His extraordinary message.
Acts 1:8You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.
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Jesus willingly died for us out of love.
1 John 3:16This is how we have come to know love: [Jesus] laid down his life for us. We should also lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.
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We are no longer slaves to sin.
1 Peter 2:24[Jesus] personally carried our sins in His body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By His wounds you are healed.
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Approach God with the reverence He deserves.
Psalm 29:2Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of his holiness.
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Strive for recognition in the next life.
Hebrews 10:23Let us hold on to the confession of our hope without wavering, since he who promised is faithful.
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True value isn't found in a checking account.
1 Peter 1:18-19For you know that you were redeemed from your empty way of life …, not with perishable things like silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ.
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Don't hide what Jesus has done for you.
2 Timothy 4:2Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and encourage with great patience and teaching.
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We are all image-bearers of God.
Genesis 1:27God created man in his own image; he created him in the image of God; he created them male and female.
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Don't let doubts, fears, or worry keep you from serving.
1 Corinthians 15:58My dear brothers and sisters, be steadfast, immovable, always excelling in the Lord’s work, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
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Those who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
Matthew 7:3Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye?
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Prioritize time spent with other Christians.
Proverbs 27:13Iron sharpens iron, and one person sharpens another.
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God's majesty is all around us.
Exodus 15:11Who is like You among the gods, O Lord? Who is like You, majestic in holiness, awesome in praises, working wonders?
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The crucifixion was the beginning of life over death.
Luke 24:6-7He is not here; he has risen! Remember how he told you, while he was still with you in Galilee: "The Son of Man must be delivered over to the hands of sinners, be crucified and on the third day be raised again."
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God provides an oasis in even the driest of faith.
John 7:37-38Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.
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Stay focused on Jesus.
Philippians 3:13-14 One thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
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Small things make a big difference.
1 Corinthians 13:2If I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.
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Make love your primary language.
1 Peter 2:11Dear friends, I urge you as strangers and exiles to abstain from sinful desires that wage war against the soul.
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Our desires can become a distraction and danger if we fill up ourselves with the things of this world.
Deuteronomy 8:11-14Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments …; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, … and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God.
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Be open to the hurting around you.
Psalm 9:9The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble.
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We can face trials with confidence because God is with us.
2 Corinthians 3:3You show that you are Christ’s letter, delivered by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God —not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.
The blood of Jesus has unimaginable power.
Psalm 103:12As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Jesus made the perfect sacrifice for our sins.
Proverbs 28:13 He who conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will find compassion.
Pray every day that God will open your eyes and hearts and seek opportunities to fulfil your true purpose in service to Christ.
Matthew 24:35Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.
Who – or what – are you imitating?
Ephesians 5:1-2Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
A kiss of betrayal led the way to eternal life.
Luke 22:47-48hile [Jesus] was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?
You are of infinite value to God.
Titus 3:4-7When the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, … so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Continue planting seeds for God.
Luke 8:15The seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.
Your mistakes are an opportunity for God to work.
Psalm 34:18The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Keep an eternal mindset.
2 Corinthians 3:18…We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Being consumed by sin often starts with acceptance of small temptations.
1 Corinthians 10:13God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.
Sometimes we make small sacrifices in order for a greater gain.
Romans 8:18For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.
Be thankful for your past, but take advantage of your future.
Psalm 145:4One generation shall commend Your works to another, and shall declare Your mighty acts.
Honor the women around you every day.
Proverbs 31:30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
Biblical hope is not wishful thinking.
Romans 15:13May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.
Try to see the good in those around you.
Philippians 4:8 (MSG)You’ll do best by filling your minds and meditating on … the best, not the worst; the beautiful, not the ugly; things to praise, not things to curse.
Even the greatest things of this world will pass away.
1 Corinthians 4:18... The things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are unseen are eternal.”
We are called to reach out to those looked down on in society.
Matthew 25:40Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.
Being devoted to Christ means facing rejection at some point.
John 15:18-19If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world.
Don't let routine become an excuse for inactivity.
1 Chronicles 16:11Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!
We should be God's mouthpiece to the lost.
2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
The most valuable words in the world are found in the Bible.
Matthew 4:4 Jesus said, "It is written: Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.”
The hard work for your salvation has been done by God.
Ephesians 2:8-9For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Don't fall down on your responsibilities as a Christian.
2 Corinthians 5:20We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making His appeal through us.
Are your fears founded in faith or unbelief?
Isaiah 43:1Do not be afraid, for I have ransomed you. I have called you by name; you are mine.
Our lives should translate the love of God.
1 Timothy 2:4[God our Savior] wants everyone to be saved and to understand the truth.
Don't blame others for your mistakes.
Genesis 3:12
"The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."
Even when things go wrong, we have a refuge of strength.
Deuteronomy 31:6[God] will never leave you or forsake you.
Don't assume you have the answers to every problem.
Psalm 32:8God will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; He will counsel you with His loving eye on you.
What example are you setting for generations to come?
Deuteronomy 6:7Impress [God’s commandments] on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.
Live a life of love for the glory of God.
1 Corinthians 13Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
How will you be an inspiration to others this year?
Ephesians 5:1Be imitators of God, as beloved children.
God's love isn't based on a merit system.
Romans 3:23All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
You can put your faith in the promises of God.
Hebrews 11:1Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
Use your gifts to invest in those around you.
Ecclesiastes 3:12
I know that there is nothing better for people than to be happy and to do good while they live.
God made a sacrifice for us that should bring us great joy!
1 Peter 1:18-19You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Remembrance leads to thankfulness.
1 Chronicles 16:34Oh give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!
A life is service is a benefit to all.
John 14:12Whoever believes in me will also do the works that I do.
But your hope in what will last.
Psalm 20:7Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Make sure you go to the best source for answers.
Psalm 119:30The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
God's love is faithful to us.
Isaiah 54:10The mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain.
God's plans are perfect.
Acts 4:12Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Be open to God placing His word on your heart.
Mark 2:22No one puts new wine into old wineskins. ... New wine is for fresh wineskins.
You are in the right place at the right time.
Psalm 57:2I cry out to God Most High, to God who fulfills his purpose for me.
The next time you are tempted to ridicule or betray God by your thoughts or actions, remember who it was that made you, and why it was that you were made.
Isaiah 64:8We are the clay, and You our potter; And all of us are the work of Your hand.
We have to let go of sin to follow God.
Proverbs 28:3Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy .
The Christian walk is a marathon, not a sprint.
Hebrews 12:1Let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.
Strive for harmony, especially in the body of Christ.
Psalm 133:1How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity.
There is a source of true comfort.
Psalm 16:11You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Jesus is the Great Uniter, and we are to be his mouthpieces to everyone we meet.
Ephesians 2:13You have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to him through the blood of Christ.
God used His best for our worst.
Romans 5:10 (MSG)
If, when we were at our worst, we were put on friendly terms with God by the sacrificial death of his Son, now that we're at our best, just think of how our lives will expand and deepen by means of his resurrection life!
What are you doing with what you have?
2 Corinthians 9:8God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.
Put your talents to use in Godly ways.
Colossians 3:17Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him.
The word of God is living and true!
Psalm 18:30As for God, his way is perfect; The Lord’s word is flawless; he shields all who take refuge in him.
Our bodies are incredible reflections of our Creator.
Philippians 3:21[The Lord Jesus Christ] will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body.
Seek out counsel from the wise.
Proverbs 24:6By wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory.
God has created you for a purpose.
1 Corinthians 10:3Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
What's top-of-mind will sometimes lead to inspiration.
Psalm 119:15-16I will study your commandments and reflect on your ways. I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word.
Loving communication can break down barriers and help us grow together as a family of God.
Proverbs 18:2A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
Many times, the further we get from our original conversion to Christ, the harder we must work to keep our fire, passion, and focus on the Lord.
1 Kings 10:7Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard.1 Kings 11:11You have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you; I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.
Our punishment was paid by Jesus.
Isaiah 53:4a,5bHe took up our pain and bore our suffering. … The punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.
Get to know those around you.
John 3:17God did not send His son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Take the time to listen to someone in need.
Philippians 2:4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Your gift is being available to be used by God.
Philippians 2:13It is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
No matter your circumstances, you can make a difference for the kingdom.
Mark 12:43-44Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.
Change is inevitable ... but thank God for certain constants!
Ecclesiastes 1:9What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun.
Every action and plan should be placed before God.
Proverbs 19:21Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.
A kind word can go a long way.
Hebrews 13:17Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you.
Busyness doesn't always equate to production.
Lamentations 3:25The Lord is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
We rejected God's laws, and Jesus paid the price.
Romans 13:2... Those who refuse to obey the law of the land are refusing to obey God, and punishment will follow.
The promises of God are worthy of our faithfulness.
Exodus 4:21... Perform before Pharaoh all the wonders I have given you the power to do. But I will harden his heart so that he will not let the people go.
Be intentional ... every day.
Colossians 4:5 (NLT)Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity.
We should impact the world around us.
Galatians 5:25
Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
If we ask God to search our hearts and our thoughts today, will we be embarrassed about what He might find?
Psalm 139:23-24Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my concerns. See if there is any offensive way in me; lead me in the everlasting way.
Don't neglect the encouragement you can give – and receive – from being around other Christians.
Romans 1:11-12I long to see you … that we may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
There's something about music that stick with you.
Psalm 104:33I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have being .
The sacrifice of Jesus should be the focal point of our lives.
John 6:35I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.
It's okay to be different.
Philippians 2:15-16Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.
Sometimes the little things can cause the biggest pain.
James 3:5b-6 (MSG)It only takes a spark to set off a forest fire. A careless or wrongly placed word out of your mouth can do that.
Don't let what you don't know affect sharing your faith with those you do know.
1 Peter 3:15Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.
Most things do not last forever ... but the promises of God will.
Isaiah 43:18-19Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing.
We serve and love because of our love for God.
1 John 4:19We love because he first loved us.
The price tag doesn't always tell the whole story.
1 Peter 1:18-19You were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.
Take advantage of every moment.
Proverbs 27:1Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.
We have one major similarity ... in spite of our differences.
Galatians 3:28There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
We carry a name that should motivate us.
Matthew 1:21[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.
You can't put a price tag on some prizes.
Galatians 6:9Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.
Some Christmas surprises are a little different than others.
Psalm 17:6I will call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer.
Disagreements can be a great place for God's healing.
Proverbs 12:18There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
Remember ... you are a "child" of God.
Matthew 18:3Unless you turn and become like children, you will never enter the kingdom of Heaven.
How big is your God?
Philippians 2:10-11At the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Things can look very different with a change in perspective.
Proverbs 25:8 (MSG)Don’t jump to conclusions – there may be a perfectly good explanation for what you just saw .
Knowing what Christ has done for us should cause us to look outward, not inward.
Philippians 2:4Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Our dirty rags are now whiter than snow.
1 John 1:7If we walk in the light, as God is in the light, … the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
Sometimes the things – and people – we pass most often are the hardest to see.
1 Peter 4:10Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.
God's glory can shine through our weaknesses.
2 Corinthians 12:10For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Carrying on the legacy of Jesus is something in which we should take pride and wearing the name “Christian” should have a noticeable effect on our lives.
1 John 3:2See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!
You have been set free ... do not go back to the bonds of slavery.
Galatians 5:1Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
Being still can still mean being productive.
Psalm 46:10Be still and know that I am God.
Make sure your actions don't drown out your words.
1 Corinthians 11:1Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
What are you willing to sacrifice before the altar of God?
Galatians 5:24Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Don't view your salvation with trepidation ... view it with boldness.
1 John 5:13I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
There is a hope that is eternal.
Psalm 130:5I wait for the LORD, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope.
The Bible is full of beautiful irony.
Galatians 2:20I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.
When you ask someone how they are doing, are you looking for a real answer?
1 Peter 4:8Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.
The phone lines to God are always open.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Not monitoring what is going into your heart and mind is a dangerous proposition.
Proverbs 6:27Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes getting burned?
No one is unimportant in the eyes of Jesus.
Ephesians 2:15His purpose was to create in Himself one new humanity ..., thus making peace.
Christians are called to have a calming influence on others.
Philippians 4:6The peace that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
We have been commissioned to carry out an assignment.
2 Timothy 1:9God saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of His own purpose and grace.
One man's donation made a difference to many. Our Savior's donation can make a difference to all.
Hebrews 13:12Jesus ... suffered ... in order to sanctify the people through His own blood.
We should have a salty reputation ... in a good way.
1 Peter 2:12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.
How brightly is your light shining?
Matthew 5:16Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in Heaven.
We all want things to work out well, but oftentimes, we find that life can be tough.
2 Thessalonians 3:3The Lord is faithful. He will establish you and guard you against the evil one.
Foundations are incredibly important … in inventions, in architecture, in business, and especially in our spiritual lives.
Matthew 7:24Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock.
We all need encouragement at times, even if we wrote the book on how to do it.
Psalm 139:13-14You knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.
Serving others can be a benefit to everyone.
Proverbs 11:25Whoever brings blessing will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered.
Replicas cannot take the place of the real thing.
Ecclesiastes 4:12Though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him – a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Don't let your doubts about the messenger affect your ability to spread the message of Christ!
Mark 16:15Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.
Don't let trivial differences destroy relationships.
Ephesians 4:32... Maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Our differences are what makes us stronger.
1 Corinthians 12:12Just as the body is one and has many members, … so it is with Christ.
When was the last time you thanked God for the "little" blessings in life?
Ezekiel 35:5-6I will make breath enter you, and you will come to life.
Beauty is definitely in the eye of the beholder.
Ephesians 2:10We are God's masterpiece.
You may be surprised at the influence you can have on others if you're living in the Spirit.
1 Corinthians 3:6[Paul] planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth.
It only takes a spark to get a fire going.
Acts 13:49This Message of salvation spread like wildfire all through the region (MSG).
The "Easy" way isn't always the best way.
2 Corinthians 5:17Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!
Invite others to the eternal feast.
John 6:32It was not Moses who gave you the bread of heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread of heaven.
Some things are worth waiting on ...
John 2:10Everyone serves the good wine first, and when people have drunk freely, then the poor wine. But you have kept the good wine until now.
How are you clothing yourself spiritually?
Ephesians 6:11Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil.
What is the value of a good name?
Proverbs 22:1
A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches.
Sometimes the best way to true cleanliness is by getting dirty.
Mark 12:31You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Some bets pay off in extraordinary ways.
Scripture Reference:Ephesians 3:20-21 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us,to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
Some rooms have better views than others.
Scripture References:***2 Timothy 3:12
All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.
John 15:18
If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you.***
Some train destinations have a significant impact on others.
Hebrews 3:24Jesus entered once for all into the holy places, not by means of the blood of goats and calves, but by means of His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption .
Laws are there for a reason, but some seem to be asking to be broken.
Galatians 3:24The law was our guardian until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.
Some things are woven deep enough to change the world.
2 Corinthians 3:5-6Our sufficiency is from God, Who has made us sufficient to be ministers of a new covenant, not of the letter but of the Spirit.
What are you worshiping ... the created or the Creator?
Romans 1:25
They exchanged the truth about God for a lie, and worshiped and served created things rather than the Creator – who is forever praised.
Calling out, "Heads Up," isn't always enough.
Scripture Reference:Genesis 5:20 As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today.
God is with you, even during the discouraging times.
Isaiah 41:10Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God.
What would you do if you were president for a day?
Scripture Reference:Luke 1:32-33
The Lord God will give to [Jesus] the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end.
We all know Mr. Rogers, but maybe not as well as we think.
Romans 12:5We, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Sometimes the price we pay to achieve our dreams may not be worth it.
Scripture Reference:1 Timothy 6:6-7 There is great gain in godliness with contentment, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world.
Some acts of war may not be as serious as they seem.
Scripture Reference:Ephesians 4:29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up.
This suffragette had a surprise up her sleeve, even though she didn't know it.
Scripture Reference:Isaiah 40:3
In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
While it might seem like being bad is what it takes to get ahead, it doesn't pay off in the long run.
Scripture Reference:Psalm 73:3,5 I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked … They are not in trouble as others are; they are not stricken like the rest of mankind.
Who would you guess would be the most photographed man in the 1800s? How can we learn a lesson from him today?
Scripture Reference:
1 Peter 2:21 Christ … suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you might follow in His footsteps.
This song to remember was written by someone with experiences too horrifying to forget.
Isaiah 41:10Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
Some actions are more important than others ... even if no one remembers them.
Matthew 6:1Beware of practicing our righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven.
What does James Bond have to do with children's books?
1 Corinthians 14Let all that you do be done in love.
This story has a nice ring to it.
2 Corinthians 4:16We do not lose heart. Though our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day.
You never know how an unwanted task could be preparing you for the future.
Proverbs 16:4The Lord has made everything for its purpose.
Value isn't always found in what's spicy and bold.
Matthew 7:13-14Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Some mysteries hit a little too close to home.
John 19:30When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, “It is finished,” and He bowed His head and gave up His Spirit.
Think about how many of our inventions are based on the creation around us.
Romans 1:20From the creation of the world, God’s invisible qualities, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly observed in what He made.
Hungarian physician Ignaz Semmelweis discovered an essential method for infection prevention, but not everyone was impressed.
Bible Verse:1 Peter 3:15
Honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.
What is the most dangerous animal on earth? It may not be what you think.
Bible Verse:James 3:5
The tongue is a small member [of the body], yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
What made Detective Warne so special to the Pinkerton Detective Agency?
Bible Verse:Mark 16:15
Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation.
A famous discovery ... by a lesser famous scientist.
Bible Verse:
Joshua 1:9
Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.
Sometimes the most important people are the ones you never see.
Scripture Reference:
Hebrews 10:24
Consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, … but encouraging one another.
Sometimes recycling inventions can change the world.
Scripture Reference:
Proverbs 2:1-6
If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
In 1890, Oliver Belmont enlisted architect Richard Morris Hunt to build him a summer cottage in Newport, RI. Belmont had precise plans for the 50,000-square-foot, 60-room cottage, which seems reasonable for someone spending $96 million in today’s money.
Belmont named the cottage Belcourt, and a main point of emphasis during its construction was the ground floor. There were two enormous entrances, and the interior had a soaring ceiling and walls lined with cream and maroon tiles. The amenities were to the highest standard, because the entire bottom level would serve as housing for Belmont’s most special guests … his collection of prized horses.
In Ephesians (4:18), we are encouraged to “be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.”
Animals share a special place in our hearts. They become a part of our families, foundations are created to benefit them, and celebrities speak out against their abuse. There’s certainly nothing wrong with any of those things.
But have we become so desensitized to the way we treat others that we become more outraged over animal mistreatment than over how we as humans treat each other? If so, it is more important than ever for us to lead the way in our example of loving everyone, not just our four-legged friends.
During World War II, Germany had the largest fleet of underwater submarines in the world. In order to combat this arsenal, the British military teamed with the U.S. on Project Habakkuk to design an aircraft carrier capable of withstanding the frigid temperatures of the Mid-Atlantic, where the German U-boats were known to roam.
The scientists came up with a stealth vessel over 2,000 feet long that could carry a fleet of fighter planes and bombers and had a hull over 40 feet thick, capable of withstanding torpedo blasts. The project was approved, but the war ended before a prototype could be created. It turns out that it takes a lot longer than expected to build a 20-million-ton ship made out of ice.
In Isaiah, we read that “The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.” (40:8)
A ship made out of ice will eventually melt; grass will eventually wither; and flowers will eventually fade. But we worship a God who is eternal. He was before, He is now, and He always will be.
And the really incredible thing is that we have the opportunity to commune with Him, to talk to Him, and to worship Him. Let that sink in this morning and think about what an incredible gift that is.
The Incomparable Atuk is a screenplay comedy based on an Inuit hunter adapting to big-city life, but it carries a deeper secret in the eyes of many. How does this relate to our fallen world that is the result of sin?
Galatians 3:13-14Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us … so that in Christ Jesus … we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
What can we learn from a failed Chinese political campaign in the 1950s? How is it related to Paul's letter to the Corinthians?
Scripture Reference:
1 Corinthians 3:19
The wisdom of this world is folly with God.
Many times, stories of wealth, fame, and power overshadow stories of simple, humble living. The world seems to have an insatiable appetite for the next greatest thing, and it can be a powerful distraction.
But remember what Jesus said in His sermon on the mount (Matthew 6:1): "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven."
Wealth is defined differently by different people, but there is one form of wealth that far outweighs them all.
James 1:12Blessed 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.
Great things happen when others are put first. This week's episode is about a teenager leading the way.
Scripture Reference:
Matthew 20:28
The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.
Just as Memphis is known for its barbecue and Philadelphia is known for its cheesesteaks, the village of Denby Dale in Northern England is known for its meat pies. The pies are only cooked for special occasions, however, and only 10 pies have been made since 1887, with the last one being cooked in the year 2000.
The scarcity of the pies isn’t the most unique thing about the culinary curiosity; that distinction would belong to the pie’s size. The most recent Denby Dale pie was 40 feet long, eight feet wide, and nearly four feet deep. It contained three tons of beef and one ton of potatoes and weighed an incredible 26,448 pounds.
In John 6 (35), Jesus tells us, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”
Even with a meal the size of a Denby Dale meat pie, the truth of the matter is that everyone who takes part in eating it will be hungry again. It may not be until a few days later, but that physical hunger will return.
In Jesus Christ, we have the incredible blessing of being able to eat spiritual food that never spoils and that always satisfies. If you want to truly be filled, look to our Savior. He is the bread of life.
With friends like these, who needs enemies? Listen to what happens when fear turns into panic, and how it relates to Jesus's words in Matthew: “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.”
As Christians, we should be the leading voices of unity and love in troubling times.
Bible Reference:James 4:17
Whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin.
As Christians, we aren’t called to be buckets, but pipes … all in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God. Who will feel respect, encouragement, and love flowing through you this week?
Nichelle Nichols was a ground-breaking actress on Star Trek, but after only a year on the show, she informed the creator that she was ready to move on to a Broadway career.
The day after making her intentions known, she was approached by a Trekkie who called himself “her greatest fan,” and told her that she couldn’t leave the show. He reminded her that she was a vital role model for African-American children and young women across the country, and he informed her that her show was the only one that he and his wife would allow their three children to stay up and watch.
Nichols was moved by the comments, and she decided to continue acting on the show, in large part due to the advice of her superfan … whose name was Martin Luther King, Jr.
In Proverbs, we are told that “the way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice.” (12:15)
Many of our decisions and choices impact others, and it is often a good idea to seek out advice when we’re wrestling over our options. When faced with a tough decision, seek out godly men and women whom you respect, and spend time in prayer and meditation in God’s word.
And make yourself available to others, mentoring and offering wise, godly advice when asked. It may lead someone to boldly go where no man – or woman – has gone before.
The U.S. Postal Service began parcel post delivery on January 1, 1913, which allowed customers to send packages through the mail. Just a few weeks later, Jesse and Mathilda Beagle took advantage of the new service by sending a package to Jesse’s mother.
The package was just shy of both the weight and size limits, and it made it to its destination a few miles away within the same day. The cost was 15 cents, and the package was insured for $50, although the goods inside were hard to put a price on. You see, the package delivered to Jesse’s mother, Louia Beagle, was no other than her grandson.
In Matthew 24, Jesus reminds us that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.” (35)
It’s not a reach to say we all enjoy receiving gifts in the mail. Opening packages or letters from loved ones is often followed by moments of joy, reflection, and gratitude.
God, our Creator and Eternal Father, has written us a love letter, known as the Bible. In it, God tells us about his never-ending love for us, His eternal patience, mercy and grace, and how far He was willing to go to offer us salvation and freedom. Spend time reading and re-reading it daily.
What can we learn from the extreme decision of a Spanish commander during the 1500s, and how can that relate to how we live today?
Today's Passage:
Jeremiah 6:16
Stand by the roads, and look, and ask for the ancient paths, where the good way is; and walk in it, and find rest for your souls.
What would you do with $86,400? What if you received that in your bank account every morning? In a way, we all do. Listen to how this relates to Ecclesiastes 3:1: "For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven."
Gustave dreamed of building himself a cozy apartment with an adjacent laboratory where he and his scientist friends could perform experiments and share with each other the latest ideas and inventions.
Shortly after its completion, the simple apartment became the envy of the elite throughout the world, not because of its amenities, but because of its location in the structure that named after Gustave, the Eiffel Tower.
In 1 Corinthians (4:18), we are encouraged to not look “to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
Gustave Eiffel was offered incredible amounts of money to rent the apartment for just one night, but he turned them down each time. In the same vein, Satan makes offers to us of temporary pleasure and satisfaction, but these offers will cost us much more in the long run.
Just as Eiffel stood firm, be encouraged to stand strong against the temptations of this world, and set your heart on what is pure, what is good, what is holy.
The reward will be much better than anything the world has to offer.
The parents of the young German boy were concerned when he wasn’t speaking as soon as the other children his age. He eventually began talking, but most around him noted he was withdrawn from the world, even as a boy.
During school, some of his teachers used the following words to describe him: mentally slow, unsociable, adrift forever in his foolish dreams. After failing the college entrance exam the first time he took it, it would have been easy for him to allow himself to be shaped by the words of his teachers and the descriptions of those around him.
Instead, he followed his “foolish dreams,” and devoted his time to the field of science, developing into one of the brightest minds history has ever known … Albert Einstein.
In John (1:12), we are told that “to all who did receive [Jesus], who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Satan uses the words of others, and even our own thoughts at times, to try and convince us that we are defined by our faults, our shortcomings, our past mistakes and regrets. But God came to us in the person of Jesus Christ to tell us that we are loved, that His blood covers all, and that we are all welcome to come to Him and become children of God.
Roy Sullivan was a U.S. park ranger at the Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. In 1942, Sullivan was seeking shelter during a thunderstorm when a lightning bolt struck him, running down his leg and burning a hole in his shoe.
Sullivan survived the ordeal and was driving down the road 27 years later when lightning bounced off a tree and shot through the open window of his truck, striking Sullivan and burning off his eyebrows and eyelashes.
As if that wasn’t bad enough, Sullivan was struck by lightning again in his yard one year later, then again two years after that, then again one more year later. In June 1976 and 1977, Sullivan was struck by lightning again, lighting his hair on fire both times, but living to tell the tale after each of his total of seven lightning strikes.
In Romans 6 (4), Paul reminds us that “we were buried therefore with him by baptism into death, in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, we too might walk in newness of life.”
We have the incredible opportunity to elude death, not necessarily in the same way as Roy Sullivan, but through the resurrection of Christ. If we confess Jesus as Lord, submit our lives to Him through baptism, and live lives dedicated to serving God, we will overcome death and be united with Jesus in a resurrection like His.
Let that thought serve to light your way this week.
In 1968, Dr. Spencer Silver, a scientist at 3M, was trying to develop an ultra-strong adhesive. Instead, he accidentally ended up creating a weak, re-positionable adhesive, but he couldn’t figure out what to do with it.
Five years later, a colleague asked to use the adhesive on the back of a bookmark for his hymnal. The idea took off, and a new product was created and rolled out to the public in 1979 ... the post-it note.
Paul tells the Ephesians (5:15-17) – and us – to “look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”
Due to the current public health directives as a result of COVID-19, I, like Dr. Silver, have accidentally made the following wonderful re-discoveries: There is such a thing as life without sports; slowing down can be more productive than being extremely busy; the fingerprints of God are evident all around us; and there is no such thing as spending too much time with those you love.
Take advantage of the extra time you have right now to refocus on the things that are most important, and commit to making these things a bigger part of every day when this pandemic is over.
You couldn’t turn on the television without hearing a news report about the health scare. The world was in an uproar, government officials were trying to figure out how best to handle it, and parents were taking special precautions with their children. Billion-dollar industries were brought to their knees and suffered its effect for years. What was this entity that plagued the world? Red M&Ms in the 1970s.
In Matthew 5, Jesus says “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
I in no way want to make light of the current pandemic facing the world, and I encourage everyone to keep in your prayers those being affected by this outbreak.
But you do have to admit that when a candy product is one of the worst health scares of any year, our society is pretty pampered, and it’s no wonder we’re having such a hard time adjusting to the current situation.
I wonder if it isn’t the same with our faith. We have brothers and sisters throughout the world suffering incredible persecution on a daily basis. So many Christians worship in small groups like we are today, not so they won’t get sick, but so they won’t be killed. How blessed we are to be able to worship freely, but how easy it is to take it for granted.
Remember to pray for those being persecuted, and commit to appreciating the gift you have to worship openly. Take advantage of this responsibility, and share the Good News everywhere you go.
Tsutomu Yamaguchi was a 29-year-old engineer in Japan. On August 6, 1945, he was preparing to head back home after a three-month business trip in Hiroshima. On the way to the station, however, he realized he forgot an item at his workplace and went back to retrieve it. Upon returning to the station, the American bomber Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb only 3 km away from Yamaguchi. He was left with burns, ruptured eardrums, and temporary blindness from the ordeal, but he survived and was able to return to his hometown of Nagasaki
Yamaguchi reported back to work three days later and was describing the experience to his supervisor. While talking to him, the American bomber Bockscar dropped another atomic bomb, this one also just three km away from Yamaguchi. Incredibly, he survived this blast as well, and is the only person officially recognized as having survived both explosions.
In Deuteronomy (31:6), we are encouraged to “be strong and courageous. … [God] will not leave you or forsake you.”
Our hope is that when this pandemic is over, we will all be able to look back and share our experiences of survival and isolation. The fact of the matter, however, is that we are never truly alone. God is always with us, and will never leave us or forsake us.
Bryan Berg is an architect known for creating record-setting structures that leave onlookers in awe. After graduating with degrees from Iowa State and Harvard, he began touring the world and designing his structures for corporations around the globe.
Berg isn’t only known for building, however; he’s also known for his destruction. As soon as he completes his buildings, he immediately tears them down, which would be a very dangerous proposition except for the fact that all of his buildings are made of playing cards.
In 1 Corinthians, we are reminded that “you are the body of Christ and individually members of it.” (12:27)
Berg says that he destroys his structures because it “dispels all rumors of falsities.” In other words, when the cards fall, the onlookers are able to see that it really was a structure made from cards – no tape, no glue, no strings.
Many people have preconceived opinions of Christians – weak-minded, hypocritical, fake. We as Christians, through the lives we live, have an incredible opportunity to dispel these rumors of falsities by developing relationships with those who don’t know Christ and by displaying to them the real and true love of Jesus.
Walter dreamed of making it big, but it seemed like it wasn’t meant to be. On the heels of a failed business venture, he moved to Los Angeles in the hopes of becoming an actor. This attempt failed as well, and he was left with nothing but beans to eat as his debts escalated.
Walter began to seek funding for his latest concept, but was rejected by over 300 financiers. He didn’t give up, though, and his idea grew from a figment of his imagination into a $50 billion a year corporation known as the Walt Disney Company.
In Galatians, we are encouraged to “not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” (6:9)
Being a faithful follower of Christ is not always easy. It requires faith, commitment, and perseverance. And while we may miss out on certain things of this world, Jesus has told us that our reward in Heaven will be great.
Let’s rejoice and praise God for this wonderful gift.
In the 1800s, two brothers, John and Will, were carrying out research on nutrition and the impact certain foods can have on a body. While making dough, one of the brothers forgot about his batch when leaving it out to dry.
Much later, when the brothers tried to roll out the forgotten dough, it splintered into dozens of individual pieces. Not ones to let anything go to waste, the brothers decided to go ahead and bake the pieces, and they accidentally discovered a new food called granose, which the brothers, whose last name happened to be Kellogg, went on to mass produce as corn flakes.
In 2 Corinthians, we reminded that “God … has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” (4:6-7)
Like corn flakes, that are nothing more than broken pieces of dough, we come to God as damaged, scarred, imperfect creations, and his Spirit works through us, not so that we can be praised, but so that God can be praised.
Naval engineer Richard James was stationed at a Pennsylvania shipyard in the 1940s and faced the same struggle as many other sea-faring officers … how to stabilize sensitive instruments aboard ships in rough seas.
James developed springs that would hold the instruments in place, but discovered another use for them when he knocked one of the springs from the shelf and watched as it moved from the shelf to a stack of books, to a tabletop and then to the floor.
After making some modifications, James was able to sell 100 million springs over the next two years under the spring’s new name … Slinky.
In 2 Corinthians, we reminded that “if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. (5:17)
One of the attractions of the Slinky is its simplicity. Oftentimes, we get bogged down as Christians because we make things more complicated than they need to be.
The truth of the matter is that God loves us, and that He, through Jesus, allows us to be forgiven and free from the chains of sin. What a simple, and wonderful, message to share with others!
Edward St. John, the CEO of St. John Properties, challenged his employees to meet a portfolio goal over a 40-year period. The company was able to meet the goal this year, only 14 years after setting it, and St. John decided to thank his employees.
At the company’s annual Christmas party, St. John decided to give his employees a special bonus … $10 million to divide among them.
In Romans, we are encouraged to “never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord.” (12:11; NIRV)
Here are some of the words the employees used to describe the gift: “total disbelief; don’t have words to properly describe how I felt; amazing; incredible, life-changing.”
Do you remember what it was like when you felt that way about your relationship with God and the gift He’s given us in Jesus? If you haven’t felt that in a while, spend time in God’s Word and in prayer, write down things for which you’re thankful, and look for ways to serve others.
Allow yourself to be used by God, and pray that He will fan the flames of your spiritual fire.
When Jimmy was six years old, he experienced a traumatic move that caused him to stutter, which led to him becoming a selective mute. Over the next eight years, he would not speak to anyone outside his house … not clerks at stores, not teachers at school, not even students in class.
That all changed one day when he was 14 and was challenged by a teacher with whom he had developed a close relationship to recite from memory in front of the class a poem he wrote. The teacher noticed the stutter disappeared when Jimmy quoted from memory, and he continued to help Jimmy find his voice … a voice that told Luke Skywalker, and the rest of the world, a secret about his father … the voice of Darth Vader, James Earl Jones.
When the time came for Zechariah to name his son, Luke tells us that “he asked for a writing tablet and wrote, “His name is John … And immediately his mouth was opened and his tongue loosed, and he spoke, blessing God. (1:63-64)
Zechariah, the father of John the Baptist, lost his voice for a short time, but regained it after showing his faithfulness to God. Afterward, we are told that he spoke praises and blessings to God.
You will have the opportunity to praise God with your voice this week by telling someone the Good News of Jesus. Be on the lookout and be ready when your chance arises.
Over 200 years ago, Mount Tambora, a volcano on an island in Indonesia, erupted and literally changed the world. The explosion was heard 1,600 miles away and the ash was so massive that it caused the temperature across the world to drop two degrees and lead to a year without summer.
It doesn’t sound like a lot, but 1816 is the coldest year on record since the 1400s and the effects of the eruption caused rivers to freeze and crops, livestock, and people to die. The impact was so severe that there were no longer horses to ride from place to place, leading Karl Drais to devise a new mode of transportation which has since been labeled “the noblest invention of mankind,” the Laufmaschine, better known to us as the bicycle.
In 1 Peter, we are told that we “are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of Him who called you our of darkness into His wonderful light.” (2:9)
Just as the ash from Mount Tambora blocked out the sun, our sin caused a rift between us and God that led us to live in darkness. But all glory to God for His incredible gift of Jesus that cleanses us of our sins and brings us into relationship with Him, allowing us to fulfill our purpose of proclaiming the goodness of God.
Many songs are easily identified by their chorus or their intro, or the first few lines of lyrics. Games and apps have been built around the process of identifying music. Arthur Lintgen, a self-proclaimed music buff and audiophile, takes this concept to the next level.
What makes Lintgen’s identification technique stand out is that he doesn’t have to listen to three or four notes before naming a song. In fact, he doesn’t have to listen to the song at all. Lintgen is able to name songs by holding a vinyl record in his hand and reading the grooves on the album.
In John 13, Jesus tells us that He is giving us a new command “that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” (13:34-35)
As each album held by Arthur Lintgen has differing groves and patterns, we should stand out as different to the people that see us because of our self-sacrificial love, humility, and joy. When others look at us, they should be able to identify us as followers of Christ, opening the door for us to tell them the Good News about what God has done for us.
In the 1930s, William Van Alen began designing what he thought would be the tallest building in the world, measuring in at 925 feet tall. Around the same time, however, another architect began working on a building at 40 Wall Street in Manhattan that would stand at 927 feet, making it the tallest skyscraper.
Van Alen publicly conceded defeat, and he and his employer went off to lick their wounds … at least that’s how it seemed.
In Philippians 1, we are assured that “He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” (1:6)
Instead of wallowing in despair, Van Alen began secretly working on a 125-foot spire to be placed at the top of his building, and when it was installed, only one month after the Wall Street building was completed, it made Van Alen’s Chrysler Building the tallest man-made structure in the world, standing at 1,048 feet tall.
The purpose of the spire was to win a competition, but our purpose is to glorify God and tell others the Good News about Jesus. You are a part of the Christ’s body, and God will work Kingdom things through you if you will submit to Him.
In 1972, an inventor and a scientist developed a concept they thought would revolutionize the healthcare industry. They created a substance to spray on a broken arm or leg that would create an instant cast, but they couldn’t find any takers. Instead of giving up, they decided to focus their attention on pushing their product toward another industry, where it became a huge success under its new name … Silly String.
In 2 Corinthians, we are told that we “will be enriched in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.” (9:11)
There are many instances of items being modified or adjusted and becoming something better. Sometimes, it something familiar or close-to-home that someone uses to make better than it was originally.
In our case, as followers of Christ, we have an incredible opportunity to pass along some of the gifts that God has given us so they can be used to become something even better in the service of others, by helping the hurting or lost, and by spreading the love of Christ to those who don’t know Him.
Don’t miss the opportunity you have to make the money or resources God has given you become something special in the eyes of God.
Please stand for the reading of God’s word
A beautiful island sits off the coast of Brazil, but the Brazilian government has ruled it off limits to visitors. Its residents, which number approximately one for every square meter of space on the island, would surely invite you to stop by if they could.
Unfortunately for them, they don’t have that capability, so the 110-acre island remains uninhabited by humans, but is home to hundreds of thousands of snakes, giving the island its appropriate name … Snake Island.
Matthew writes that “when [Jesus] saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. The He said to His disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.” (9:36-38)
Most of us would be afraid to step foot on Snake Island. The thought of guiding someone to Christ can be a nerve-wracking thought as well, but we shouldn’t be afraid. We don’t need to have all the answers. We can learn and grow alongside the person we’re guiding. There is no greater accomplishment in life than leading someone to Christ.
Like many countries, Sweden was looking for the best energy source to power their region. They settled on a process called “district heating,” a process that heats water running throughout pipes in buildings and homes, providing heat for its occupants.
In order to generate the heat, they had to have resources to burn, so they began importing fuel from other countries. But what’s unusual is that the exporting countries began paying Sweden to pick up the fuel. Why? Because the fuel used by Sweden was garbage, literally.
In 1 Peter, we are reminded that “Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ.” (4:10-11)
Our country, like many others, produces an unimaginable amount of garbage. But make no mistake … God does not make garbage. You are special, and you been blessed by God with spiritual gifts to glorify Him and serve others. How will you use those gifts in the upcoming year?
The young waitress and poet had dreams of becoming an actress, which wouldn’t have been a surprise to those who knew her, since everyone considered her to be exceptionally pretty.
Somewhere along the way she became disenchanted, however, and her dreams of tinseltown faded away. One of her poems, entitled “The Street Girl,” was autobiographical in nature, and told of a girl who longed for the days when she could make the right choices, days that she was sure could never be reclaimed.
In her mind, there wasn’t much hope for her, so she continued down the wrong path alongside Clyde Barrow, the boyfriend of the former waitress, Bonnie Parker, until that path abruptly ended on May 23, 1934, ending the crime spree of Bonnie and Clyde.
In Matthew, an angel of God tells Joseph that “[Mary] will bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (1:21)
For many, this time of the year is joyful, happy and exciting. For others, the feelings of hopelessness and despair weigh heavy during the holiday season. If you find yourself in the latter category, please know that there is hope. Jesus came to earth because he loved us. He redeemed us, the unredeemable, and His forgiveness, mercy, and grace are available to all.
Brandt encouraged Amber to give her life to Christ, telling her that he loved her and wanted her to turn to God for forgiveness and salvation.
He approached Amber and gave her a long, emotional hug, during which they both shared in a private conversation known only to them and God.
What makes Brandt’s words and example so remarkable – and why they have touched the heart of a nation – are that they weren’t done in a church or at an outreach event … Brandt expressed his feelings and showed the love of Christ to Amber immediately after her conviction for the murder of Brandt’s brother.
Matthew tells us that “if you forgive others their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.” (6:14-15)
Living lives that exude the mercy, forgiveness, and love of Christ will mean more than any words you will ever speak. As we fellowship with each other, we encourage and build up each other not for selfish gain, but so that we will be invigorated to show the love of Christ to others. Who will you minister to this week?
In 1915, Wally Pipp began playing baseball for the New York Yankees. He is considered one of the best power hitters of his era, and he led the American League in home runs in 1916 and 1917.
Before a ballgame a few years later, he complained to his manager about having a headache and asked to be replaced at first base for the game.
The manager obliged, replacing him with a young, unproven player who had only been in the league a little over a year. The new player took advantage of his opportunity, playing first base for the Yankees every game for the next 13+ seasons and 2,130 games, earning Lou Gehrig, the substitute player, his nickname of “The Iron Horse.”
In Colossians, Paul encourages us to “walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.” (4:5-6)
Lou Gehrig was ready when his moment arrived. This week, God will give you an opportunity to glorify Him. He will also give you the choice to ignore the opportunity or to allow yourself to be used for His glory. Will you be ready when the opportunity arises?
What could you do in 12 seconds? Two brothers spent many years and almost all of their money, just for 12 seconds. In 1903, that’s all the time it took for the Wright brothers to revolutionize the transportation industry and do what no one thought was possible.
In Ephesians, we are told to “be careful how you live. Do not be unwise but wise, making the best use of your time because the times are evil.” (5:15-16)
12 seconds … that’s how long the Wright brothers stayed in the air for the first plane flight. They found a remote area in North Carolina for two specific reasons … 1) it was deserted and no one would be around if they failed; and 2) it was sandy, so if the plane crashed, they thought they’d have a better chance of survival.
But not only did they succeed, they achieved 12 of the most famous seconds in history … all because of the faith they had in their invention.
When you think about the seconds and minutes in your life, how much time are you spending wisely? How much time do you wish you had back? Spend time investing eternally by reading your Bible and praying before God. Set aside time everyday to grow spiritually. It will certainly be time well spent.
The cavity magnetron revolutionized World War II by producing electromagnetic waves of a short enough wavelength to be used at military radar installations. Like many wartime inventions, however, no one knew what to do with the device once peace was established.
Percy Spencer, an American engineer, walked by a discarded radar set in 1945 and was shocked when he felt a chocolate bar in his pocket melt almost immediately. And like some of us, he also had an egg explode in his face after placing it in front of the device. Shortly thereafter, Spencer realized he discovered a new use for the radar set, and began mass-producing it for the public under its new name … the microwave oven.
Proverbs 2 says “If you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding – indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:1-6)
Having a “microwave mentality” with regard to our food is one thing, but there isn’t a quick-fix solution to deepening our relationship with God. We can freely accept the redemption Jesus offers, but being a true disciple of Christ carries with it the implication that we are devoted to Him, with our time, with our resources, and with our lives. It’s not always easy, but it’s what’s expected of us as we grow closer to God.
TRANSCRIPT:
In the late 1800s, cloth was expensive, and a walk through a puddle often meant the ruination of a man’s pants. On the way to an English wedding after a rainstorm, one man decided to roll up the bottom of his pants to prevent the legs from getting wet and ruined.
The American guests at the wedding saw the rolled-up bottoms of the pantlegs and assumed it was the latest English trend, leading them to wear their pants in the same fashion when they came home, and revolutionizing the pants industry forever.
In Ephesians, we are encouraged to “follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God. (Ephesians 5:1-2)
We, as Christians, are held to a higher standard since we are servants of the living God. Our actions matter, and people are always watching, whether or not we realize it. Set the example for them by living lives of service and love, and showing thankfulness for all that Jesus has done for you.
James Shields was the Illinois state auditor, and he was fed up with reading the satirical articles written at his expense by a representative in the Illinois state legislature.
The author refused to retract his statements, and both men determined that the best course of action would be to fight in a duel. Just before they embarked in battle, the representative’s assistant convinced him to retract his articles, and the two would-be duelers stepped down in peace.
Shields, the state auditor, went on to serve as a senator and army general, and the representative whose articles almost changed the course of a country, went on to become the 16th president of the United States, none other than Abraham Lincoln.
Paul tells us that “if someone does you wrong, don’t try to pay them back by hurting them. Try to do what everyone thinks is right. Do the best you can to live in peace with everyone.” (Romans 12:17-18 ERV)
It’s easy to get offended and hold grudges, but we are called to show the love of Christ by doing all we can to live at peace with others and to take the first step toward reconciliation. You never know what kind of eternal impact it might have.
Last week, someone told me about their favorite state park, and what made it so special to them.
In their opinion, it wasn’t just the 696 acres of the park that made it great. Nor was it watching the sunset over the 26-acre lake. It wasn’t the cozy and rustic cabins on the property, nor the roaring fires in the fireplaces.
What made it so special in this person’s mind was the thing that connected all of the amenities at the park … nothing. Or more specifically, that you didn’t have to do anything at all. You could sit and relax and do nothing.
Jesus knew the importance of quiet time with God. Mark tells us that “very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed,” (Mark 1:35) and Luke tells us that “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.” (Luke 5:16)
When was the last time you went to a solitary place and prayed? How often to you do nothing but sit in the presence of God? As we go through our daily, busy lives, don’t forget the importance of rest, and quiet time with God.
The twin brothers were put up for adoption by their parents, and for 40 years, they grew up without knowing any details about each other. One day, James decided to find out all he could about the brother he never knew.
After a lengthy search, James discovered some amazing details about his twin brother. Even though the adoptive families never met, James’ brother’s family had also named their son James. Both brothers entered into law enforcement, and both discovered they were talented in carpentry. Both married women named Betty and each one had a son named James Allen. And if that wasn’t enough, both brothers owned a dog named Toy.
Two brothers raised two worlds apart, but still with so much in common.
Paul encourages us that “in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Galatians 3:26-28)
We may come from completely different backgrounds, sometimes it seems like totally different worlds, but we all have this in common … we need a Savior and we are lost without Jesus.
Major James Nesmeth was an avid golfer, but he was also a POW during the Vietnam War. He didn’t let the confinements of his situation affect his hobby, however, as he would visualize himself playing 18 holes of golf each day, walking around his small cell, swinging an imaginary club, and watching a ball that only he could see soar into the distance.
When he was rescued many years later, he once again took up the hobby he loved, this time playing actual rounds of golf instead of the imaginary ones he had visualized.
To his surprise, despite being trapped in a small cell and not picking up a club during his imprisonment, he found that his scores actually were lower after his release than they were before he was captured … all because of the time he spent mentally working on his game.
In Philippians (4:8), we are told: “Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things.”
Our thoughts are powerful. Spend time training your mind. Read the Word of God. Spend time in prayer and meditation. And think thoughts that please God.
As Ranji walked through the Indian elephant camp, he was amazed at the size of the elephants and their tusks, but even more amazed that there were no cages or fences keeping them in place. Instead, each elephant had a tiny rope tied around its ankle and attached to a small stake in the ground.
Astounded, he asked the elephant keeper why they didn’t simply walk away from the camp. The keeper informed him that a small rope was tied around the elephants’ leg when they were small, and as they grew into adults, they never questioned whether they would be able to break the rope.
Jeremiah (Jeremiah 29:11) relayed the following words from God to the Babylonian exiles, but they apply to us today: “I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
Many times, we have predetermined ideas of who we are and what we can do, focusing on our faults, our weaknesses, our shortcomings. But God sees in us the things that he can accomplish. Don’t allow yourself to be tied down by the ropes of insecurity … God can work great things through you.
The couple enjoyed going to yard sales together, and in the summer of 2007 they happened upon a small non-descript white bowl they both liked. It was only five inches in diameter, but they both agreed that the $3 price tag made it a worthwhile addition to their mantle.
It wasn’t until six years later that they decided that maybe there was more to the bowl than they originally thought, so they decided to have it appraised. Needless to say, they were shocked to find out that the bowl was over 1,000 years old, one of only two Chinese Song Dynasty bowls in existence, and that it would eventually sell for $2.2 million to an art collector.
Peter tells us in 1 Peter that "you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your ancestors, but with the precious blood of Christ."
Your value to God can’t be measured by auction houses, or numbers of followers, or the opinions of others; and unlike the yard sale bowl, the discovery of your worth is not an accident. God created you for a purpose, and He loves you immensely.
James Macie was a 16th-century scientist educated in the finest English universities, but due to being born under questionable circumstances, he never felt a part of the English high society in which his family lived.
This likely factored into how he handled the vast wealth he accrued during his lifetime, which was eventually passed on to a fledgling country instead of his homeland of England.
Later in life, Macie ended up taking on the last name of his actual father instead of the placeholder name he was given at birth. And millions of people have benefited from the endowment left by James Macie, who actual name was James Smithson, patron of the Smithsonian Institution.
Paul reminds us in his letter to the Romans that “God does not show favoritism.”
Our calling is to be kind and loving to everyone, not because of their standing in society, but because they are loved by God. Don’t show favoritism; instead, show the love of God.
Johann Philippe Baratier was a German scholar. He published 11 works during the 18th century and authored many more unpublished manuscripts.
He grew up with a highly structured educational framework, which led to his ability to speak fluent French, Latin and Dutch, in addition to his ability to read Greek fluently. Within three years of studying Hebrew, he was able to translate the Old Testament into both Latin and French.
And while those feats are remarkable in and of themselves, there is one more caveat that makes them even more impressive … You see, Baratier accomplished all of those achievements by the age of 11.
In a letter to Timothy, Paul wrote: “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.”
Or as it says in the Message: “Don’t let anyone put you down because you’re young. Teach believers with your life: by word, by demeanor, by love, by faith, by integrity.”
We may not accomplish the feats of Baratier, but we all, no matter how young or old, can make a difference here on earth by teaching others through how we live. Be encouraged this week to live the kind of life that pleases God.
It was perhaps that most daunting speech of William Safire’s career. In the summer of 1969, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were preparing to walk on the moon .. and the entire world would be watching.
Safire was the speechwriter for then-president Richard Nixon, and it was his job to write a speech that would capture the attention of the nation and ease the anxiety of the moment.
However, the speech that Safire undoubtedly wrestled over wasn’t one that President Nixon delivered on national television. In fact, it wasn’t delivered at all. Safire’s speech was written in case of disaster; in case something went wrong with the moon landing and the astronauts were not able to make it back to earth. And it never saw the light of day until 1999, on the 30th anniversary of the moon landing.
In Galatians (5:13), Paul writes “You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.”
The work that we do for the kingdom, whether it is known to many or only to God, is the most important work that we will do on the earth. We, as Christians, are called to serve others, to share the Good News of Jesus, and to shower others with the love of God.
It can be hard work. It can be time-consuming. And like Safire’s speech, it can be daunting. But there is nothing we will do that will be more impressive in the eyes of God than serving Him and others, even if we traveled to the moon and back.
During the Christmas season, citizens in Japan begin envisioning the image of a man with white hair and a beard, inevitably smiling a mischievous grin. He has a ruddy complexion and always seems to be wearing the same outfit.
While Christmas in America is oftentimes accompanied by pictures of Santa Claus, the images in Japan are a little different. Instead of Santa Claus, Christmas to them is represented by Colonel Sanders … yes, that Colonel Sanders.
In Ephesians, we are told that “God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ. … By grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”
The story of how KFC became a staple of Japanese Christmases is a long and winding affair, but a part of the story entails some miscommunication and a little misinterpretation.
Paul, on the other hand, leaves us with no room for misinterpretation. We are all sinners, we are all lost, and there’s nothing we could ever do to earn our way to salvation. But due to God’s grace and His immeasurable love for us, Jesus paid our debt; not because of anything we’ve done, but because He’s is a loving God.
James Polk’s campaign platform was simple. He was young, and he would do everything he planned in one term and then step down. After he was elected as the 11th U.S. President, he followed through on his campaign promise.
But what makes Polk’s story even more interesting is what has happened since his death. Due to family and legal entanglements, Polk’s body has been moved three times, with a fourth move lingering as a present-day possibility. In death, Polk could end up moving almost as many times as he did when he was alive.
In Acts, Luke writes that “God raised [Jesus] from the dead, freeing Him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Him.”
Death is a terrible invader in this world, an unwelcome guest. But it is not the end. Death tried to defeat Jesus, but He overcame the grave. And one day, he will make all things new, once and for all, doing away with sin and death, and sadness and loss. What a glorious day that will be.
Twenty years ago, film financier Caroline Hamilton listened as a friend described his adventures as a polar explorer. She thought to herself, “If he can do it, so can I.” But she took it a step further and did something that had never been done.
After putting an ad in a local English newspaper, she had a collection of 20 amateur adventurers, all women, some of whom had never hiked before. During the trek, some of the team nearly froze to death, but the group eventually completed the 416-mile slog through temperatures of -50 degrees, becoming the first all-female group to hike to the North Pole
In the 103rd Psalm, David encourages us that “as far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us.”
Whenever someone reaches the North Pole, the next step they take is to the South. However, if they travel east or west, they will continue in that direction forever.
That’s how God’s love is for us. It never ends. It never stops. It never fails. God loves you, and that love for you will never cease.
Wood frogs are similar to every other animal in the world, with one big exception. Every year, they freeze to death, only to come back to life when Spring arrives.
Each September, two-thirds of the water in their bodies turns to ice, their hearts stop beating, and their blood stops flowing. They are for all intents and purposes, dead. And then, as the months become warmer, they thaw out and hop away, as if nothing happened.
In Romans, Paul tells us “If we have united with Him in a death like His, we shall certainly be united with Him in a resurrection like His. We know that our old self was crucified with Him in order that the body of sin might be brought to nothing, so that we would no longer be enslaved to sin.” (6:5-6)
Just as the wood frog comes back to life in the spring, our stories don’t end on earth. That’s why we as Christians should be known for our joy, our hope, and our peace. Death is not our ending. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, we will be raised to live with Him eternally.
From the outside, Oak Ridge, Tenn. seemed to be a town like any other. Neighborhoods consisted of single-family homes with white picket fences, parents doing yard work and mowing the grass while children played in the yard or rode their bikes. But the town of 75,000 held a darker secret.
The writer of Proverbs tells us that “whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.” (28:13)
It wasn’t a coincidence that no one on the outside knew about the town’s main employer, and that the workers weren’t allowed to discuss their occupations with their wives or children. In fact, it wasn’t until much later that the Tennessee city’s operation was tied to another city much further north, a city that lent its name to the research and work being done in Oak Ridge – specifically the Manhattan Project, which led to the creation of the atomic bomb.
We need community, and we are a family that should carry each other’s burdens. You aren’t alone in your struggles, and you don’t have to wrestle with your sinful nature by yourself. Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other, and seek the peace, guidance and freedom that can only come through Jesus.
In the early 1800s, a German doctor discovered a specific bacterium in food that was leading to many illnesses in the area. By the early 1900s, the discovery had turned into a public health hazard, and it was identified as one of the most dangerous contagions in the world. By the early 2000s, people were paying to have this toxin injected into their bodies.
Proverbs rhetorically asks us, “Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned? Can a man walk on hot coals without his feet being scorched?” (6:27-28)
Researchers and scientists discovered a beneficial use for the toxin that centuries earlier led to many deaths, and Botulinum toxin, better known as Botox, is used today in the aid of everything from eye muscle disorders to migraine headaches
But just as we wouldn’t inject an unknown poison into our bodies, we have to be careful with what we feed ourselves spiritually. Flee from sin. Call on the name of the Lord who saves. And set your eyes on Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith.
The colonel was leading a charge during the Spanish-American War, but the charge had stalled. His superiors ordered the troops to hold their position, but the colonel argued that they should be allowed to proceed.
In Matthew (10:38-39), Jesus challenges us that “whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
The colonel was willing to sacrifice his life in battle, and he led his troops in a charge up the hill, inspiring other soldiers to follow and turning the tide of the Battle of San Juan Hill.
The soldiers in the colonel’s unit, known as the Rough Riders, were willing to follow their leader wherever he led. In truth, so was an entire nation, as witnessed by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt’s election to the White House as president just three years after he led the charge.
We as Christians serve a Savior who was willing to die for us, and we need to challenge ourselves by asking, are we giving up our lives for Christ.
Don’t hold back. Serve God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and put others above yourself.
As the child began his first day of school, he nervously turned to his mother and asked, “How do I make new friends?” His mother looked down at her son and offered him this advice: “Be Switzerland.”
She went on to explain to her young son how Switzerland is a neutral country and encouraged her son to be friends with everyone and to treat all the other students equally.
In James 2, we are reminded that “if you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself,’ you are doing right. But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers.”
As Christians, we can do a lot worse than by starting off following the mother’s advice to “Be Switzerland.” But we can’t stop there. We are called to be Jesus to the people we meet, not only by treating them fairly, but by putting aside our wants and desires in order to serve others. Take the lead this week, by being a servant.
Ancient Greek and Roman philosophers developed a system of medicine known as Humorism to describe the inner workings and makeup of the human body.
Hippocrates described a system consisting of four humors in the body, with each one determining the temperament of an individual. The more of one substance a person had, the more likely he/she was to have certain traits. In other words, a person’s faults, errors, and crimes were due to his/her bad blood.
In Romans 5, Paul reminds us that “while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly … God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Chris died for.
We as humans do have a blood problem, but it’s not the kind defined by the humorist movement. We are a group of sinners, not because of bad blood, but because of our sinful natures. And the only thing that will bring us true forgiveness and eternal life is the good and perfect blood of Jesus that was sacrificed for you and for me.
As recently as 2006, an item led the South Korean Consumer Protection Board to issue the following warning: “If bodies are exposed for too long, it causes them to lose water and can lead to hypothermia.”
Many Koreans are probably surprised to find out how many Americans live and even sleep in their rooms with this purportedly dangerous item – the everyday ceiling fan.
Luke encourages us to “not be anxious about how you should defend yourself or what you should say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
Oftentimes, we are afraid of telling others about Jesus because of a fear of the unknown … what will be their reaction, what if I say the wrong thing … what if they ask for a Bible study.
But just like the myth of “fan death,” as it’s called in South Korea, telling others about Jesus and inviting them to church is never as bad as we fear. Be brave, and pray that God will provide you with an opportunity this week to tell someone about the loving power of Christ.
On July 2, 243 years ago, the leaders of the 13 American colonies approved a resolution of independence from Great Britain, essentially saying that they knew what was best and didn’t need the rule and protection of the British Empire.
In Acts 4, Peter reminds us that “Salvation is found in no one else [except Jesus], for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”
We are incredibly thankful for the freedom we enjoy in the United States and for the willingness of so many to sacrifice themselves for the good of the whole.
And while freedom has worked out well for our country, spiritually we are lost and defeated if we live outside the rule of God and the protection that comes from the blood of Christ, which gives us life over death. And that is true freedom.
In the early 1900s, Richard Munslow died in a small England town, and he took his profession with him to the grave … Munslow is the last recorded example we have of a sin-eater.
If a priest could not make it in time to perform the last rites for an individual, some families would place food by the deceased individual, and have a sin-eater eat the small meal, which was said to carry the sins from the deceased person onto the sin-eater himself, thus absolving the other individual of his/her sins.
In 1 Peter (2:24), we are told that [Jesus] Himself bore our sins in His body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed.
We have no need to call upon a sin-eater, because we worship the sin-eater, the one and only true Savior, the perfect sacrifice for the atonement of our sins. Jesus took our sins upon Himself once and for all because of God’s love for us.
And the greatest part of Jesus’s story? That the tomb was empty and that He rose from the grave, victorious over sin, and He calls us to be a part of His story as well.
The citizens of a small Italian seaport wanted to build a belltower to go beside its cathedral, and in August 1173, work began on the architectural masterpiece of Bonanno Pisano. Its completion spanned multiple centuries with the help of other architects, and in the mid-1300s, the structure was complete. There was only one problem, however …
In 2 Corinthians (4:6-9), Paul exhorts us that “we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.”
The ground below the cathedral’s belltower consisted of clay, fine sand, and shells, and it wasn’t sound enough to withhold the belltower … an error in calculation still visible in one of the world’s most famous structures, the leaning tower of Pisa.
The lean of the tower led to its fame, drawing over a million visitors each year. Just as the town of Pisa has embraced the off-kilter structure, we need to be open to admitting and repenting of our shortcomings, our selfishness, our sin, because through our weak, fragile jars of clay, God’s power and glory can be revealed through us.
lexander was the president of the country’s largest railroad company in the late 19th century, while his sister, whom he affectionately referred to as Mame, was a struggling artist in France who convinced her brother to purchase some of the artwork of her friends.
In the first chapter of John, we are told that “one of the two who heard John [the Baptist] speak and followed Jesus was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, “We have found the Messiah.” He brought him to Jesus.”
Alexander loved the collection of artwork by his sister’s friends, who included Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, and Pierre-Auguste Renoir. As for Mame, her artwork sells today for over $4 million a painting under her real name, which is Mary Cassatt.
Mame was able to introduce her brother to the fledgling Impressionist movement and what has become some of the world’s most valuable artwork, but Andrew introduced his brother to something worth so much more … a meeting with Jesus and the gift of eternal life with Christ. What an incredible honor it is to introduce someone to Jesus. When was the last time you were able to do that?
I am so proud of my mom.
She was an incredible woman, and she was a light for Christ. She was the best of all of us.
So many of our traditions, behaviors, and yes, even quirks, are because of her, and they will continue to live on in us and remind us of her.
I remember hearing stories about the paperboy who delivered the newspaper to my mom’s house in Memphis when she was growing up. He would strap albums to the back of his bike and he and my mom would listen to them after he was finished with his paper route. That paperboy grew up to be my dad, and their love for music stayed strong. We are a family that loves music, from jazz to the blues, from the Beatles to Elvis, from contemporary Christian to acapella. …That was my mom.
My mom let my dad know very early in their relationship that her faith in Christ was most important to her. My dad took the hint, and he has grown to become a deacon, an elder, and a leader at every church he has attended. Her two children were raised in a faith-filled home. …That was my mom.
I remember hearing stories about my mom running track in high school and her being one of the fastest at school. And later, stories about her, my aunt, and my grandmother spending nights winning bowling trophies. Then I remember watching my sister run like a gazelle across the soccer field, and I think about our family’s love of sports. …That was my mom.
Because she was from Memphis, I always figured that mom had barbecue sauce mixed in with the blood running through her veins. We are a family who loves good barbecue, and you should never have to ask them to put slaw on it. …That was my mom.
I remember her singing a wonderful song of her own creation to me and Heather when we were young, and she would even sing it occasionally to us after we were grown. I sang the same song to each of my children when I would rock them to sleep as babies. …That was my mom.
It may turn some stomachs, but I’ve been eating Krystal hamburgers for as long as I can remember. In fact, I enjoyed a sackful while compiling some of these thoughts. For better or worse, I am, and always will be, a fan of Krystal. …That was my mom.
At the beach, my mom was quick to remind us not to stray too far from the shore. At the pool, she made sure we did not run or dive. In high places, she warned us not to get too close to the edge. At those same places today, I hear the same warnings being involuntarily spoken by me to my own children. …That, and, I’m pretty sure, my present-day fear of heights, was my mom.
I remember my mom pulling for Georgia Tech from the day she moved to Georgia. She never said why exactly, even when I asked. Maybe it was the mascot, or the colors, or the location. Whatever the reason, she was a fan. And I am, too. I will always root for the Yellowjackets. …That was my mom.
She taught me how to vacuum, and not just in the places that could be seen. She taught me how to dust, taking time to move the picture frames from the shelves instead of just cleaning around them. She taught me how to do laundry, following rules about colors and whites, cold and hot, delicate and perma-press. She did such a good job that her mother would lovingly tease me – her own grandson – that I would someday make someone a good wife. …That was my mom.
I remember Friday nights consisting of mom and dad playing rook with friends from church. I remember mom talking about how much she enjoyed church potlucks and fellowship groups. I remember times with relatives, just sitting around the house sharing stories and memories, making time seem irrelevant. Laughter, jokes, and good times were a way of life in our house. …That was my mom.
No matter where we are or how far apart we may be, I know I’ll have two phone calls or voicemails on my birthday – one from my sister and another one from my parents – of them singing “Happy Birthday.” We all do it for each other. Ev
As a proponent of the 19th-century temperance movement, preacher Sylvester Graham believed strongly in the benefits of a vegetarian diet based around whole-grain bread. His beliefs in this were so strong that he developed his own wafer bread at home to pass around to his followers.
In the book of John, Jesus told some of his closest followers: “Do not look for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you.”
Who would’ve thought that the National Biscuit Company, better known today as Nabisco, would take the temperance preacher’s vegetarian offering and go on to mass produce one of the world’s most popular crackers … ones that still carry the name of the 19th-century preacher who invented them. That’s right – the Graham Cracker.
While there aren’t many things better than eating a graham cracker recently dunked in a cold glass of milk, or eating a roasted marshmallow and chocolate squished between two pieces of graham crackers, these pleasures are only temporary.
For fulfillment that will last and bring eternal satisfaction, don’t look for meals or snacks here on earth … look to Jesus. He will truly fill your soul.
Throughout the 1700s, individuals would keep the stale crusts of their bread to use in correcting their mistakes on paper. One night, British engineer Edward Nairne (N-iron) reached for his stale crust, but instead picked up a piece of latex rubber and used it on the paper before realizing what is was. Not only did the rubber do a much better job of erasing the mistakes, it was also much easier to clean up by simply sweeping away the small rubber crumbs. And the rest, as they say, is history.
In the 103rd Psalm, David reminds us that “as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is God’s steadfast love toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far does God remove our transgressions from us.”
Stale crusts of bread and rubber erasers are no comparison to the cleansing blood of Jesus. When we confess our sins, even the worst things we’ve ever done, God is quick to forgive, and chooses to remember our sins no more. What freedom we have in Jesus!
During the French Revolutionary Wars, Napoleon Bonaparte charged the people of France with the development of a code that could not be cracked by their enemies. A single code was determined to be unbreakable, but was rejected by the military on the basis of it being too hard for the soldiers to understand.
In the book of Isaiah, God says “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.”
The developer of the code did not get discouraged by the military’s rejection. Instead, he made a few changes and tried again, this time presenting it to a different audience, an audience that still uses the code today … A code that has taken on the last name of its inventor, Louis Braille.
Our best-laid plans may not turn out the way we intended, and God’s plans in our lives may be different than what we had envisioned. But if we trust in Him, and faithfully follow where He leads, His peace and joy will rest on us.
In the book Insanity of God, Nick Ripkin tells the story of a Muslim man in the Middle East who everyday would curse and insult the workers at a Christian health clinic in his community. He did everything he could to undermine the clinic and shut it down. The man ended up suffering from cancer, however, and after all his friends turned their backs on him, the only people left to take care for him were the workers at the clinic.
In 1 John 4:16, John reminds us that “We have come to know and to believe the love that God has for us. God is love, and whoever abides in love abides in God, and God abides in Him.”
Toward the end of his life, the man who was full of hatred toward the Christian workers ended up giving his life to Christ, all because of the radical love of the Christian clinic workers. Who will be impacted by Christ’s love through you this week?
Climbing tall mountains is something most of us can only dream about, but the tallest mountain in the world has actually been scaled more times than we can count. In fact, thousands of people each year drive vehicles to the top.
And while it stands less than half as high as Mt. Everest above sea level, it’s what we cannot see from above that counts. You see, Mauna Kea, located in Hawaii, extends nearly four miles below the water, making one mile taller than Mt. Everest.
In 1 Corinthians (13:2), Paul reminds each of us, “If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
Our accomplishments, knowledge and skills aren’t going to impress the God who placed more of the world’s tallest mountain under the water than above it. Living lives of love, however, will get His attention every time.
The Basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth commissioned Christians artists throughout the world to create mosaics similar to Raphael’s Madonna and Child to portray their country’s version of Mary and Jesus.
The beautiful collection of artwork is displayed throughout the church’s courtyard, and includes mosaics from Czechoslovakia to Honduras, from Italy to Brazil, from the Ukraine to the Philippines, and from everywhere in-between.
As it says in Galatians 3 (3:28), “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”
The message of love and unity is so important in today’s culture and climate, and we are called to be examples of this message. The love of Christ is more than skin color, more than the bottom line of a checkbook, more than past mistakes. The love of Christ is what makes us all children of God, and brothers and sisters to each other.
The screaming, fits and temper tantrums were commonplace for the Air Force master sergeant. He was tough and mean, and yelled at the soldiers in his unit for the smallest mistake, forcing them to do humiliating, menial tasks. He wasn’t happy with who he had become, however, and when he left the military, he vowed to never again raise his voice.
1 Corinthians 6 says, “Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? And such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.
After leaving the military to embark on his second career, the tyrannical master sergeant became known to the rest of the world as something else, a man known for his soft-spoken voice and his love of happy little trees … a man named Bob Ross.
Just as Bob Ross developed a new persona and reputation, Jesus calls us to turn away from our worldy, sinful natures and live true lives through the freedom He gives. Jesus will meet you where you are, but He doesn’t want you to stay there.
God’s presence so often provides peace and strength when we face periods of struggle, if we will only remember to rely on and trust in Him.
In Psalm 46, we are reminded that “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”
In the early 1800s, an English engineer created a new device intended to be used in prisons as a form of punishment for the inmates. The device forced prisoners to stress every part of their bodies, pushing their arms, legs and minds to their limits. This device is still around today, but it has made its way into more common areas. In fact, some of you may have one in your homes. What is this device of torture device created in 1817 by Sir William Cubitt? None other than the treadmill.
So the next time you face trials and struggles in your life, remember the words of the Psalm and turn your eyes to God. And just think, it could always be worse … you could be exercising.
The permanent, deep-in-the-soul rest and peace we all seek is available to us, if we trust in Jesus and turn our worries and burdens over to Him. He is the provider of soul-reviving rest.
Matthew 11:28Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
What we do and say will have an impact on others, and you never know what kind of eternal difference you can make in the life of someone else. Be intentional and pray that you will influence others for the glory of God.
Matthew 5:13-16You are the salt of the earth. ... You are the light of the world. ... Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.