May-16-23 | Daily Devotions

What We Have to Look Forward To

May 16, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:11

For Pastor Tim Keller, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than an abstract belief that good will triumph over evil one day. It’s a powerful, life-altering truth that gives him hope, peace, and comfort as he faces his own mortality.

(Note: Keller learned of his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in May 2020 while writing his book, Hope in Times of Fear, which focuses on the transformative power of the resurrection.)

In April 2021, Keller told The Christian Post: “When you know you could die very, very soon, you realize that you basically live in denial of the fact of your death. When it suddenly strikes you, you have to ask, ‘Do I have the faith for this? Do I believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened and that if I die in faith in Jesus, I will know that resurrection too?’

“Here I am, writing a book about the resurrection, and I realized I only half-believed I was going to die. I went back and realized that in some ways, I also only half-believed in the resurrection—not intellectually so much, but all the way down deep in my heart. I realized I needed to have a greater, a deeper faith in the resurrection…” he continued.

While undergoing treatment for cancer over the next several months, Keller said he did both “intellectual and emotional work,” looking at the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ while also immersing himself in prayer and in Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit to make it real to his heart.

“It took several months in which I had to take my abstract belief down into my heart to existentially and experientially know it and grow in assurance, and it worked,” he said. “If you are willing to embrace the truth of God’s Word and immerse yourself in it day in and day out, and then ask the Holy Spirit to make it real to your heart, He will.”

Most people, Keller contended, live in denial of death. But facing one’s own mortality and spiritual reality, he said, both changes the way we view our time on Earth and magnifies the transformative power of the resurrection.

“The things of Earth become less crucial. They’re not so important to you; you realize you don’t need them to be happy. Once I believe that, I start to enjoy them more. I don’t try to turn them into God; I don’t try to turn them into Heaven, which is the only thing that can really satisfy my heart,” he explained.

“You find that you have to really have a real spiritual experience of God’s reality so that the things of this Earth ‘grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace,’” Keller said, quoting the century-old hymn.¹

[In May 2022] The pastor told Christian Post that regardless of what happens, he was “ready for anything.”

“What the future holds, I don’t know. Pray that I would have years and not months left and that the chemotherapy would continue to be effective. But [my wife and I] are ready for whatever God decides for me. We’re spiritually ready.”

“I do know,” he added, “that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened. And when I die, I will know that resurrection too.”²—The Christian Post

Jesus’ resurrection means that death is not the end. That though my body may lie moldering in the ground, Jesus, whom the Father raised from the dead, gives me eternal life. Ultimately, we Christians believe, our bodies, too, will be raised from the dead.

And since Jesus is not dead, people can encounter Him today. You can know Him through a personal relationship. I could point to lots of people who can testify what Jesus has done in their lives to bring them from the brink of disaster to peace and meaning and joy. He changes people for good.—Ralph F. Wilson

The vision lasted only a few seconds, but it left a big impression. I had been talking with a friend, when suddenly I saw a glimpse into the future. We were hugging, laughing, and talking about our lives—and we were in Heaven. This has happened to me several times. Sometimes it has been with a close friend, and other times it has been with someone I had just met. In each case I was left with the profound feeling that friendships in Heaven are much deeper and more meaningful and longer lasting than the ones we enjoy in this life.

I find that thought very comforting, perhaps because I’m somewhat isolated and lonely in my present situation. I have always been gregarious and had many friends, and friendships have always been very important to me. But fibromyalgia has a way of making a hermit of even the most sociable person. The aching muscles, fatigue, and sleep problems that come with this neurological disorder leave me too sick to go out with friends or attend parties, and often too sick to even talk on the phone. What do I have to talk about anyway, when I live in such an isolated world?

And what about all of the people I met and helped in the course of my years of volunteer work before I got sick? Do they even remember me now? Are they thankful for my prayers, and have those prayers made a difference? Does my friendship still mean something to them? What’s left to show for those years? I’ve asked myself those questions while lying alone in a dark room.

But now, through this series of little visions, I understand better that this life truly is only a brief moment in time and that regardless of how things are going now, someday these friends and I will be together again in heavenly bliss. It will be like old times, except that then it will be in a perfect world where there is no more parting, pain, or sorrow.

And most wonderful of all, we’ll be face to face and heart to heart with the One who loves and understands us like no other, the One who lived and died for us and rose to life again that we might live together in His love eternally, the ultimate forever Friend, Jesus.—Misty Kay

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”—Colossians 1:12

What is this inheritance?

It is a tearless state: God himself will wipe away all tears. Now He puts them into His bottle; then He will stop their flow.

But it is also a place. There is a heavenly “city.” This suggests the idea of locality, society, security; there will be sweet companionship.

It is a “fold” where all the sheep of the Good Shepherd will be safe: He who brought them there will guard them.

It is a “kingdom,” and there the glory of God will be revealed.

It is a “feast,” and there the bounties of the great Giver will be enjoyed.

It is a “garden,” an Eden, a paradise: and there will bloom, in immortal freshness, the most beautiful and fragrant flowers.

It is an inheritance in light.—Rev. Canon Money, adapted

Brief life is here our portion;
Brief sorrow, short-lived care;
The life that knows no ending,
The tearless life, is there.

There grief is turned to pleasure;
Such pleasure as below
No human voice can utter,
No human heart can know.

And after fleshly weakness,
And after this world’s night,
And after storm and whirlwind,
Are calm, and joy, and light.

And He, whom now we trust in,
Shall then be seen and known;
And they that know and see Him
Shall have Him for their own.

The morning shall awaken,
The shadows flee away,
And each true-hearted servant
Shall shine as doth the day.

There God, our King and Portion,
In fullness of His grace,
We then shall see forever,
And worship face to face.
—Bernard of Morlaix, translated by John M. Neale

I go and prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.—John 14:3

Published on Anchor May 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.christianpost.com/books/tim-keller-on-cancer-death-and-the-hope-of-the-resurrection.html

² https://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-keller-cancer-update-gods-given-me-more-time.html

Tips for Strengthening Your Marriage

May 15, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:56

Download Audio (10.9MB)

Marriage is meant to be an example of the life that can be experienced when two people are committed not only to each other, but also to Me and My Word and love. Your marriage can show others that you can still hold to your commitment with love and maintain a bond of trust even when there are mistakes, disappointments, or failures. By My grace, you can still retain that respect and love for your spouse even after years of being together. You can still laugh together and enjoy life’s simple pleasures even when things are busy or stressful.

You can’t fake a strong marriage, but you can fight for it. You can ask Me to bless your marriage and to show you what areas of it are lacking and need to improve. You can fortify your marriage by striving to live in My Word and pray that your marriage will manifest the fruits of My Spirit and joy.

It’s not about being perfect or avoiding mistakes. It’s about allowing My Spirit to work in and through your marriage. When people see older couples who have remained together through the passage of time, it gives them hope that love can endure and mature.

Many people in the world have changed their attitudes toward marriage in these last few decades, to the point that, in their minds, there is little that is sacred or beautiful about it. Marriages can happen in an instant and be annulled shortly thereafter. The importance of commitment has been downplayed, and emotions and putting oneself first have been elevated in its stead. The potential beauty in marriage is often downplayed, and this brings hopelessness and despondence for many young people.

Your marriage can provide a living witness and evidence of My love to the world. It can be a way of letting your light shine to draw people to Me, and as a reflection of My nature and love to the world and the people you reach with your witness.

If your marriage needs an upgrade, ask Me to fill your marriage with the attributes of the Spirit—with love, meekness, humility, patience, and gentleness—so that your marriage will exude happiness, joy, and love. I can transform your marriage and make all things new if you commit it to Me. My Spirit can restore, revive, renew, and empower your relationship.

Commit your marriage to Me and trust in Me to work in and through it to strengthen your relationship and make it a witness of My love.

Working to overcome the challenges

Sadly, many people have a somewhat fatalistic attitude toward marriage. Many view marriage, and even go into marriage, with the idea that sooner or later the marriage will fail, the couple will become estranged, separated, divorced, or face some other seemingly irreparable problem that will tear down their union.

Many lack hope and faith that a marriage can be strong and successful and weather the storms and challenges that all those who are in relationships inevitably face. Some have unrealistic expectations and don’t go into marriage or long-term relationships from a point of commitment regardless of what challenges arise.

When it comes to how you live as Christians, I have called you to be countercultural and not conform to the patterns and trends of this world. That includes striving to have fruitful, loving, and spiritually healthy marriages. This doesn’t mean that you have to be perfect in everything and never have any problems or face any challenges, or that as a Christian you will never experience difficulties in your marriage.

There are problems and difficulties and obstacles to hurdle in every sphere of life because life is a testing ground and a learning process. To believe that because you’re a Christian means that you will have perfect marriages is unrealistic. You’re not perfect and your spouse isn’t perfect, so you can’t do things perfectly. You’re human and thus flawed, and your relationships will also be flawed.

The key is that you do your part to make your marriage work, and you fight together to change—through prayer, godly counsel of others, honesty with each other, and dependence on Me. So don’t be afraid of problems, difficulties, tests, and challenges—but don’t accept them as just the way life is. Problems may be par for the course in many aspects of life, but striving to overcome these is part of your Christian walk.

The starting point for overcoming challenges in your marriage is to place importance and value on fighting for needed change and taking positive steps forward in your marriage. Struggles are not a sign that things are on the downgrade and that you might as well give up before they get worse. Struggles are often growing pains meant to mature your marriage and take you deeper in the areas of love, understanding, and communication. Investing in strengthening your marriage is important and necessary for building a fruitful, mature, and loving marriage.

Giving and sacrifice in a marriage

Giving and sacrificing for your loved one, without expecting anything in return, is an important component of a good marriage. Unselfish love is foundational to making it work.

It’s human nature to feel that your unselfish actions need to be reciprocated. When that doesn’t happen in the way you expect it, or as much as you expect, you can start to feel frustrated or discouraged. But the point of giving from the heart is not to prod your husband or wife into doing more for you; it’s to express your love to him or her and to add strength and depth to your marriage.

Remember that your spouse needs you to be there for him or her. You are their friend in need, the one who knows the most about them and is in a special position to show them My unconditional love. He or she needs you to be there for them in times of difficulty and during the ups and downs, for better or for worse. Your spouse must be able to count on you to be the one to lean on, even during the times when they’re at a low ebb. During the low times, you might not see immediate returns from your giving, but these times of patient love and endurance will enrich your relationship.

Doing nice things for each other and having fun together are important, but times of sacrifice and loyalty during low periods add an extra depth to a relationship. Remembering those times when your spouse loved you in spite of your lacks and failings—when he or she gave from the heart, even though at the time you were struggling—will fortify your relationship. I will bless your sacrifices of love over the years and use them to strengthen your bonds of love.

Putting God first in your marriage

The most important goal to strive for in your marriage is that I am at the center of your union, and that you each keep Me in first place in your life. The goal is not to have a perfect marriage or a marriage without a single argument, moment of friction, or negative remark. That’s unrealistic and impossible.

Your main goal, as in all other relationships, should be first and foremost to please Me. You will please Me by aiming to make your marriage a discipleship partnership as you work together to love and serve Me. As you focus on striving to place Me at the center of your marriage, you will find that the fruit will grow and I will bring the increase.

I am the true husbandman, the worthy investor, the faithful steward, who—when you put in the effort for Me—makes sure that fruit is borne. Your part is to make way for fruit by clearing away the weeds and cultivating the soil and watering your garden patiently and faithfully.

Originally published in 2009 and 2010. Adapted and republished May 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Fogarty.

Ezekiel 38 and the Five Ws of Journalism

David Brandt Berg

1985-02-05

Ezekiel is one of the major prophets; the major prophets are Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel.

The first verse of Ezekiel 38 says, “The word of the Lord came unto me, saying, Son of man, set thy face against Gog, the land of Magog, the chief prince of Meshech and Tubal, and prophesy against him.” Now actually it should have said “against Gog of the land of Magog” or “and the land of Magog,” because Gog is the leader, the king. Magog is his country, and Meshech and Tubal are two of his greatest cities.

In the study of Bible prophecy or Bible history, what’s important besides knowing the subject and what the subject is doing? What’s the famous standard of journalism?

In writing a story, journalists are told to be sure to cover as much as they possibly can: Who are they talking about, what did they do, when did they do it, where did they do it, and how or why did they do it? They call it the five Ws. Who, what, when, where and why is the essence of every story.

It’s essential to know when it happened. If this has already happened, what’s the use of reading about it now? It might be interesting from the standpoint of history, but who cares what happened thousands of years ago? Only people interested in history.

Obviously, from reading these passages, Gog is invading Israel; he’s making war “against the mountains of Israel” (verse 8). If you want to know whether it’s history or Bible prophecy, you’ve got to know when it is. How do we know it isn’t just ancient history? In verse 8 it says “in the latter years.”

The 11th verse also begins to tell us when: “And thou shalt say, I will go up to the land of unwalled villages; I will go to them that are at rest, that dwell safely, all of them dwelling without walls, and having neither bars nor gates.” It’s only been in modern times that cities and villages no longer have walls. With modern warfare, walls wouldn’t do a bit of good. Why go to all the trouble to build a wall around the place when they can shoot and bomb inside, wall or no wall, and even destroy the wall?

The ancient cities of Israel all had walls. Even the villages had walls. Any village worth its salt had a wall to try to keep out any unfriendly people or enemies. Therefore we know that this passage is not talking about ancient Bible history here; this never happened in Bible times. It is either talking about the present, when there are no walls, or the future.

You’ve got to be a pretty good student of ancient history to know this, but do you recall if there has been any occasion in which Russia has marched into Israel accompanied by the countries listened in verses 5 and 6— Persia, Ethiopia, Libya? You can’t think of any time in ancient or modern history when Russia’s invaded Israel, much less with this strange assortment of countries. So all those people are fighting alongside Russia, “many people with thee” (Ezekiel 38:6). It’s a big war, with many people fighting.

One reason we know it’s Russia is they came from the north: “out of the north parts” (verse 15). And it keeps on raving about how many there are: a great company, a mighty army, lots of horses, many people.

Verse 16 says, “I will bring thee against my land, that the heathen may know me, when I shall be sanctified in thee, O Gog, before their eyes.” God is speaking! Didn’t He call Israel the chosen land at one time, and even the chosen people?

They were a chosen people and they were put in a chosen land by God. People didn’t understand spiritual things very well, so He had to have an actual nation of people who worshipped Him. All the other nations had gods. All the other nations had kings. They each had their religions. He had to try to get a bunch of people to worship Him, and He started off with just one man and his family. In fact, they became a whole host of nations. Abraham, the father of the faithful. The sad part about Abraham was that he was also father to a lot of unfaithful; in fact, it seems like almost more unfaithful than faithful. So God is talking about His chosen land of the chosen people.

In the 16th verse it says, “And thou shalt come up against my people of Israel, as a cloud to cover the land.” “And I will bring thee against my land.” Who is Gog? The New Testament name that we call him today is the Antichrist.

He says in verse 16 that he’s bringing them down “that the heathen may know me.” The Lord says, “The heathen are going to know that I’m just when I come down and afflict you, Gog, on my people Israel.”

The Covenant has preceded this invasion, so obviously the Jews have not been keeping their part of the bargain. Apparently they cause so much trouble that he gets furious, because they’re breaking the Covenant. So he says, “You want to break the Covenant? I’ll conspire with those people who want to break the Covenant, people who don’t like the Covenant anyhow. We’ll throw the whole thing away and we’ll have a new religion!” Worship of the Antichrist and his image.

So that’s the story of what’s happening here, and in the 18th verse it talks about His fury. “And it shall come to pass at the same time when Gog shall come against the land of Israel, saith the Lord God, that my fury shall come up in my face.” The Antichrist comes down in his fury on Israel, but by and by, God says it’s enough.

Verse 19: “For in my jealousy and in the fire of my wrath have I spoken, Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel.” There’s going to be an earthquake. Doesn’t Armageddon end with some kind of big earthquake? It says so several places in the Scripture.

“Surely in that day there shall be a great shaking in the land of Israel; so that the fishes of the sea, and the fowls of the heaven, and the beasts of the field, and all creeping things that creep upon the earth, and all the men that are upon the face of the earth shall shake at my presence. And the mountains shall be thrown down and the steep places shall fall, and every wall shall fall to the ground.”

And then in verse 21 God calls for a sword against Gog. “Throughout all my mountains, saith the Lord: every man’s sword shall be against his brother. And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain.” What kind of rain? “Hailstones, fire, and brimstone.” Sometimes when there’s a great earthquake there’s also a great volcanic eruption. God is going to punish the Antichrist for his sins and all the people with him.

“Every man’s sword shall be against his brother.” The Antichrist’s forces are going to be in such confusion, they’re going to be killing each other. Several times in Bible history it tells about how they got so confused in the middle of the night that the guys woke up and were killing each other in the dark. This occurred in the story of Gideon, with all that racket he made, and another time an angel slaughtered thousands.

(Verse 2) “And I will plead against him with pestilence and with blood; and I will rain upon him, and upon his bands.” Who’s this “him” the Lord is talking about? The Antichrist, Gog. “And I will rain upon him, and upon his bands, and upon the many people that are with him, an overflowing rain and great hailstones, fire, and brimstone.” That could be atom bombs or volcanic explosions or both.

In Revelation, the Lord said He’s going to have hailstones coming down in the last days as big as a talent (Revelation 16:21). A talent is the standard of measurement and weight of the old Bible. The talents they used then weighed 104 pounds.

(Verse 23) “Thus will I magnify myself and sanctify myself; and I will be known in the eyes of many nations, and they shall know that I am the Lord.” How are they going to know by that that He’s the Lord? They’re going to know, for one thing, that probably only God could have done such a thing in such magnitude, in such a magnificent manner, to have the whole earth shake and to have the skies rain down fire and brimstone and hailstones and red-hot rocks upon the forces of the Antichrist. But they’re going to know for sure it’s the Lord because in the Battle of Armageddon Jesus appears on His white horse, and we appear with Him. Here’s a great, supernatural, magical appearance of these forces coming down, riding out of the sky on horses! Praise the Lord!

2 Thessalonians: Chapter 2 (Part 1)

By Peter Amsterdam

May 9, 2023

After writing 2 Thessalonians chapter 1, which provided an introduction to his second letter to the church in Thessalonica, Paul moved on to the body of his letter in chapter 2.

Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come.¹

Paul begins by instructing the Thessalonians to not become unsettled or alarmed by a false teaching that had entered the community. He was responding to how the wrong understanding of the day of the Lord had affected the believers’ comprehension of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gathering of the church to Him. Paul appears to indicate that the false teaching may have entered the church by means of a false letter forged under his name, a letter seeming to be from us. He had already given instruction about the day of the Lord,² but still questions continued, and some Thessalonians believed the incorrect teaching which affirmed that this day had already come.

Paul had already addressed the coming of the Lord and what it would entail in 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17:

For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord.

The flawed teaching that the Thessalonians had received had caused confusion and distress among the believers. The instruction to not be quickly shaken meant that they shouldn’t waver in their beliefs; they shouldn’t be confused or alarmed, no matter what the source.

While Paul didn’t know specifically where the false teaching had come from, he called the Thessalonian believers to not disregard what he had taught them earlier. He seems to suspect that even with all the teaching he had given about carefully examining prophecies, it was still possible that false prophecies could have entered the church. In other New Testament writings, there are mentions of preachers who went among the churches and promoted heterodox teachings.

Many deceivers have gone out into the world, those who do not confess the coming of Jesus Christ in the flesh. Such a one is the deceiver and the antichrist.³

Avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some.⁴

The Thessalonians had received teachings from Paul about the day of the Lord, and therefore had some understanding concerning it and hope in its coming.

For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.⁵

You are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.⁶

Even though Paul had written them regarding their inquiries, still the questions continued, and some of the Thessalonians believed the false teaching that the day had already come or was imminent.

Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction.⁷

Due to his concern over the erroneous doctrine about the day of the Lord which had entered the church, Paul presented a clarification of the events that had to occur before the day of the Lord. In doing so, Paul pointed out that these events had not yet occurred, and therefore they were not on the verge of that day.

The other event which will happen before the day of the Lord is that the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. Jesus also spoke of the coming of false prophets and lawlessness.

Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray. And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.⁸

Jesus and Paul both indicated that Christians could expect that some believers would desert their faith before the end. In the face of the severe persecution that the church experienced in the first century and the temptation to return to their former lives, many believers abandoned their faith. This leaving the faith became an example for what was to be expected in the last times. Paul and his companions hoped that the Thessalonian church would not take part in such an abandonment.

[The man of lawlessness] opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God.⁹

Paul goes on to give further information regarding the “man of lawlessness,” focusing on his unchecked pride. He will oppose every other deity, including those which are worshipped throughout the ancient cities as well as the God of the Christians. He will set himself up against anyone or anything that receives worship. He will raise himself up in self-exaltation over God. This man of lawlessness will oppose everything which is called divine—false gods as well as the true God. While this refers to the antichrist when projected to the endtime, it could also refer to someone living at the time Paul wrote this letter.

Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things?¹⁰

Paul was not giving the Thessalonians new information in his letter. While he was with them in Thessalonica, he had given them instructions about these matters. He reminded them of what he had said earlier. He implied that the believers had been taught enough to enable them to assess and reject the false teachings which had brought turmoil into the church. They needed to remember and apply what they had been taught by Paul and his team.¹¹ Instead of using the first-person plural, which would refer to Paul and his partners, here he uses the first-person singular, which reminds the reader that he was the principal teacher. His use of the first person is also seen when Paul writes about the activity of Satan against his ministry ¹² and against the church.¹³

And you know what is restraining him now so that he may be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.¹⁴

In the preceding verse, Paul mentioned that he had told the Thessalonians “these things.” Unfortunately, he did not explain some aspects of what he shared with the Thessalonian believers. So verse 6 is rather unclear to us today. What Paul is referring to when he writes of what is restraining him now and he who now restrains is not known, and various theories exist as to its meaning.

The Thessalonian Christians understood that there was something holding back the “man of lawlessness.” In verse 6, Paul noted that the Thessalonians knew of the existence of a power that restrained the man of lawlessness. Now he observes that this power, which is described as the mystery of lawlessness, is not simply a future threat but a present reality. The verb at work is also found earlier in 1 Thessalonians 2:13 and implies some kind of supernatural activity. Paul doesn’t suggest that this secret power is divine, but only that it is supernatural, and in this context is malignant and satanic (which will be seen in verse 9). Paul calls this power the mystery of lawlessness. This power aligns itself with the lawless one. Normally Paul uses the term translated as “secret power” to refer to the “mystery of God” that is now revealed in the gospel,¹⁵ but in this verse the “mystery” refers to an evil, satanic power.

Before the revelation of “the lawless one” (v.8), one more event must take place: Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.¹⁶ Here, the one who restrains is presented as a person, with the reference being to the one demonically possessed. This figure anticipates the revelation of the “the lawless one.” All this signaled to the Thessalonians that the end was not immediately upon them.

And then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth and bring to nothing by the appearance of his coming.¹⁷

After the one who restrains moves away from the scene, the lawless one comes to the fore. Earlier, this person was referred to as the man of lawlessness, the son of destruction.¹⁸ The text indicates that the veil will be removed so that he will be revealed to all. Paul informs the Thessalonians of the destruction of the lawless one, whom Jesus will kill with the breath of his mouth. In spite of the lawless one’s appearance and his supernatural power, the epiphany of the Lord will be so mighty that it will destroy this evil one and his power.

(To be continued.)

Note

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

¹ 2 Thessalonians 2:1–2.

² 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.

³ 2 John 1:7.

⁴ 2 Timothy 2:16–18.

⁵ 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 5:4.

⁷ 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

⁸ Matthew 24:11–13.

⁹ 2 Thessalonians 2:4.

¹⁰ 2 Thessalonians 2:5.

¹¹ 1 Thessalonians 2:9; 3:4; 4:1; 5:1–2.

¹² 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

¹³ 1 Thessalonians 3:5.

¹⁴ 2 Thessalonians 2:6–7.

¹⁵ 1 Corinthians 4:1; Ephesians 1:9.

¹⁶ 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

¹⁷ 2 Thessalonians 2:8.

¹⁸ 2 Thessalonians 2:3.

Winning the War in Your Mind

May 12, 2023

By Craig Groeschel

Our thoughts are powerful. They change our perspective, impact our decisions, and influence our habits. But what do we do when we become trapped by our thoughts, unable to escape negative and unhealthy thinking? In this series, you’ll learn what it means to take your thoughts captive and renew your mind.

Run time for this video is 37 minutes. (The sermon includes a salvation message at the end.)

https://youtu.be/_xGqdYguORY

The Lord’s Prayer—Part 3

May 11, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 12:31

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After the first three petitions in the Lord’s prayer in which we pray for God to be reverenced, His kingdom to come, and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, the prayer turns from focusing on petitions related to the Father to focusing on human needs. “Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:11–13). This pattern—first prioritizing God, and second moving on to human needs—is also seen elsewhere in Jesus’ teachings: “Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33).

The prayer changes from the second person singular (your name, your kingdom, your will) to the first person plural (our bread, our debts). The person praying is praying to God, but the prayer doesn’t focus only on their individual needs, but also on the needs of other believers; the petition is for “our” bread, the forgiveness of “our” sins, and delivering “us” from evil.

Give us this day our daily bread conveys the request for our Father to provide our physical needs—whatever is needed for the preservation of our lives. In petitioning Him for our needs, we are expressing our dependence on Him. In first-century Mediterranean life, workers were paid daily and only had enough to live on day by day. Today’s pay bought today’s food. Living in such insecure circumstances made the prayer very meaningful.

God providing daily bread would have also reminded the Jewish people of God supplying manna when they were in the wilderness. He supplied enough each day for that day, and on the sixth day He supplied enough for two days, so that they didn’t need to gather on the Sabbath (Exodus 16:13–26). God literally supplied their daily bread.

We acknowledge our dependence on our heavenly Father when we pray this prayer. We are expressing that we look to Him to supply our physical needs, and we ask Him to do so. The Lord wants us to trust Him and depend on Him to supply our needs.

The fifth petition reads: Forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. The Lord’s Prayer in Matthew uses the words debts and debtors to portray sin, while Luke uses sins and indebtedness: “Forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us” (Luke 11:4). In Aramaic, Jesus’ mother tongue, the word khoba was used to express both debts and sins. Matthew’s debts and Luke’s sins both convey transgressions against God.

When Jesus told His disciples to pray forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors, He was speaking of our being forgiven of our sin. God has graciously and mercifully forgiven us for our sins through salvation. Therefore, we are to forgive others as an extension of God’s grace. Those who are forgiven are to forgive others.

Reconciliation—the ending of conflict and renewing of relationship—is the hallmark of Christianity, of the kingdom of God. God has reconciled the relationship between sinful humanity and Himself through Jesus. He has offered renewed relationship through His forgiveness. As members of His kingdom, we must also renew relationships with those who have sinned against us through forgiveness. We are to reflect God’s nature, which is inherently merciful and forgiving. This is part of being a Christian.

The last petition isLead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil (Matthew 6:13). The previous phrase, forgive us our debts, covered our past sins. The prayer now addresses future sins.

A question sometimes arises regarding the first part of the petition: Does God lead us into temptation? In the book of James we read: “Let no one say when he is tempted, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one” (James 1:13).

The Greek word used here, peirasmos, means test, trial, or temptation. The word has a basic meaning of “a test”; however, when it’s used of Satan’s testing people with a view to their failing the test, it comes to mean “temptation.” We know that life is full of moral testing; we have to make moral decisions often, and it’s not as though we can avoid such tests. The petition isn’t asking that we never be tested, but is prayed with the understanding that we know we are weak, and we ask our Father to keep us out of some situations because our faith may not be sufficient to endure them.

In the second part of the petition, we pray deliver us from evil. We’re asking the Lord to rescue us, free us, deliver us from evil. Some translations render the Greek ponēros as “evil” and others as “the evil one.” Both translations are technically correct, and commentators seem to be equally split between the two choices. Either way, we are praying for God to rescue us. The apostle Paul wrote: “The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom” (2 Timothy 4:18).

The Lord’s Prayer ends with a request based on our understanding that we need God’s help to keep our relationship with Him healthy. We are sinners by nature. We understand this weakness within ourselves, and we know we need His help to avoid sinning. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil is the petition of one who wishes to keep a healthy and right relationship with God. We are requesting that our Father keep us from sinning, from situations in which we will fail the test, and from evil in every form—in our hearts, our attitudes, and our actions.

We make these petitions because we love God and desire to keep our relationship with Him healthy and unbroken. We beseech our Father to keep us from anything that would come between us and disrupt our communion with Him.

The prayer in the Gospel of Matthew ends with: For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen (Matthew 6:13).

This last phrase is not included in many translations and is considered to have been added in the late second century, though they may include it in a footnote or italics or brackets, while the KJV and NKJV versions include it as normal text. All of the commentaries I read speak of it being a doxology that was added after the Gospel was originally written. It reflects King David’s prayer in 1 Chronicles 29:11–12:

“Yours, O LORD, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and in the earth is yours. Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and you are exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come from you, and you rule over all. In your hand are power and might, and in your hand it is to make great and to give strength to all.”

Though it may not have been part of Jesus’ original teaching, it is nevertheless a beautiful and fitting end to the prayer. The prayer started by focusing on our Father, then moved to addressing our needs, and it’s appropriate to return the focus to Him by professing the beauty of His power and majesty as we end the prayer.

In Matthew’s Gospel we find the Lord’s Prayer within the Sermon on the Mount, right after we’re told not to “heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7–8). Jesus gave His disciples a short prayer which addresses both our needs and the needs of all other Christians. It’s a prayer that is concerned with both the glory of God Almighty and the relationship we, as His children, have with Abba, our loving and caring Father.

Dear Father, You have saved us through Your Son’s sacrificial death and have adopted us into Your family, so that now we have You—the one above all others, the Creator of all things—as our Abba, our Father. As we come to know You, Your love, power, and holiness, we want to give You the reverence You so heartily deserve.

You are God, holy, present, and righteous, and You deserve our praise and worship. May we add our voices to those in heaven who never cease to say, “Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). And may we be as the twenty-four elders who cast their crowns before Your throne, saying, “Worthy are You, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for You created all things, and by Your will they existed and were created” (Revelation 4:10–11).

May You reign in our lives and throughout all the world. Use all of us who believe in You to share the joyous news of salvation. Teach us to live according to the principles of Your kingdom; help us to be conscious of them in our choices and decisions, so that we may reflect You and Your ways.

Work in the lives of all those who believe in You, so that as many as possible will come to know You and live in a manner that reflects life in Your kingdom. For Yours is the kingdom, the power, and glory forever and ever. Amen.

Originally published August 2016. Adapted and republished May 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

The God from Podunk

May 10, 2023

By Scott MacGregor

I have come to realize that my perceptions have been mistaken when it comes to where Jesus lived as a child and presumably as a young man. I have always been aware that Galilee was in the north of Israel and a fair distance from Jerusalem, but it is only lately that I have come to appreciate just how far out “in the sticks” Galilee was, and how this impacted Jesus and His followers and the Jews of His day.

The area of Galilee is in large part a rugged and hilly region surrounding the lake that bears its name. It was also a backwater, mostly poor, and of not much consequence. It had been out of the mainstream of Jewish culture and life for many hundreds of years. It had been part of a united Israel up until the death of King Solomon when civil war split the nation in two. The southern kingdom from then on was called Judah and was ruled by Solomon’s descendants.

The northern kingdom continued to be called Israel, and Jeroboam became king. He set up a competing religion to the temple-based, monotheistic religion of the south. He built two golden calves and set one up in Bethel and another in Dan and declared these were Israel’s gods. Anyone familiar with the story of Moses and the Exodus is probably reminded of the golden calf from that period of Israel’s history, and you are probably shaking your heads at the repeating of that all over again. (See Exodus 32.)

Israel was then invaded by Assyrians and ceased to exist as an independent country in 721 BC. The ruling class and urban dwellers were deported, but because of the hilly nature of most of the Galilean area, it seems that most of the poor who lived there were largely left alone and continued on in their subsistence lives.

Meanwhile, in 586 BC, the Babylonians invaded the southern kingdom of Judah. Over the course of three military campaigns, they destroyed Jerusalem and the temple, deported the upper class to Babylon and elsewhere, and left Judah a wasteland inhabited only by the poor. It wasn’t until the Persians conquered the Babylonians that the Jews were allowed to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their city, and most importantly, their temple.

The Jews who came back from Babylon compiled the Jewish Bible. Most important to them was the Torah—the books of the Law—the first five books of the Bible, which are attributed to Moses. They then centered their government and religion around these five books.

The Persians meanwhile were conquered by Alexander the Great, and Judah became a part of his empire and then that of his successors. In fact, it was an area much fought over by two of his successors, the Macedonian Seleucids, based to the north of Israel, and the Macedonian Ptolemies, based in Egypt. It was during these days that Greek joined Aramaic as the common language of the Middle East. In Israel, Hebrew was basically relegated to use in the temple and synagogues.

After intense provocation by the Seleucids, the Jews revolted and won their independence under a Jewish dynasty called first the Maccabees and later the Hasmoneans. When the Maccabees came to power in Judea, they then set about conquering the lands around them, bringing them into their own kingdom. It was about 100 BC when they conquered the area of Galilee. There had already been a native population of Israelites living there, and it seems that more Jews moved into the land at this time. But the big change was that the Hasmoneans imposed their laws—the laws from the first five books of the Bible—on the land. And thus the inhabitants also became Jewish religiously.

Before this time, it isn’t apparent what the Galileans believed religiously. If you will remember, their ancestors had abandoned the worship of God in the Jewish temple and instead worshiped those golden calves. Later, at least some of them adopted the worship of Phoenician gods. Just how much the worship of God in the old Jewish way remained is not known. However, by the time Jesus was born, the Jewish religion was followed in Galilee, even though at the time they were ruled by yet another conqueror, the Romans, through their client king, Herod. The family of Joseph, Jesus’ earthly father, was from Judah, specifically Bethlehem, but whether he was a first-generation Galilean or if his family had been there longer than that is not known.

All of the above to say: the Jews from Judea from the area around Jerusalem didn’t think very highly of the Galileans. These people were regarded as country bumpkins. Apparently they had a distinct accent, as indicated by the comment to Peter on the night of Jesus’ trial: “You also were with Jesus the Galilean … for your accent betrays you” (Matthew 26:73).

The chief priests and Pharisees obviously thought the idea of a prophet, let alone the Messiah, coming out of Galilee was ludicrous. They even scorned one of their own, Nicodemus, for thinking that this could be possible: “Are you from Galilee too? Search and see that no prophet arises from Galilee” (John 7:52).

It also seems that Nazareth, Jesus’ home village, was of a particularly poor reputation. Nathanael, one of Jesus’ apostles, was reported by John as saying, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” (John 1:46). In fact, it seems that Galilee was somewhat of a hotbed of rebellion. The book of Acts makes note that a certain Judas from Galilee had started a revolt there before he was killed and his followers were scattered. (See Acts 5:37.) The Romans had also brutally put down a rebellion there around the year Jesus was born, and destroyed Sepphoris, Galilee’s most important city, which was only a short distance from Nazareth.

Most of Jesus’ ministry took place in Galilee and He only went from time to time to Judea. Jesus really was the God from Podunk. No wonder He got such a tough reception from many of the Jews. I am left to ponder sometimes if I would have been quick to embrace Him and His teachings if I had been around in those days. Try to picture yourself following some fellow with a provincial accent from the poorest part of your country.

But follow Him they did. And not just people from Galilee, but Jews from all over the Mediterranean world. Just 50 days after He had been ignominiously executed in Jerusalem, thousands of Jews who had gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate an important religious festival decided that this Galilean was not just a prophet but also the long-awaited Messiah, and eagerly embraced the fledgling Christian movement. Historians estimate that at this time Jerusalem had a population of about 60,000 people. So this mass conversion, followed by a similar one a few weeks later, amounted to about 13% of the population. What got into them?

The answer is that God got into them in a very significant way. The Christian movement was off to the races. And soon it was not only Jews, but the people from the myriad nations of the Roman Empire and beyond were embracing the belief in the God from Podunk.

It took a while, over 300 years, before it was acceptable, even preferable, to be a Christian in many quarters. Yet from what could arguably have been one of the most insignificant parts of the most troublesome province in the Roman world, a man, who preached for about three years and was executed in his thirties as a rebel, started a religion of love for God and others that is still with us today. And that God Man, Jesus, is still with us today, and He will be with us forever and we with Him. And when you think about all of this, it’s astonishing.

Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

God’s Provision During Economic Downturns

May 9, 2023

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Faith is essential at all times, but it’s really important to rely on faith during difficult and trying times. Faith reminds us that God is in control, and that we need to rely on Him to see us through, even when the path ahead is dark and unsteady. He’s steady, and He’s ready, willing and able to sustain us through anything. …

God cares deeply about our suffering, and He invites us to cast our burdens on Him (1 Peter 5:7). God’s not far away, kicking His feet up on some heavenly footstool, shaking His head, and hoping that it works out for us. He’s near to those who are broken and confused. He wants to take your anxiety from you. The question is, are you allowing Him to lift your burden?

You can trade your fears for God’s peace if you’re willing to lay out your requests to Him (Philippians 4:6–7). His peace is powerful! … Take your worries to God. He’s big enough to handle them. Trust God with your money—He owns it anyway. …

You can trust God with the money He’s given you because He’s the real owner of everything under the sun! He’s the ultimate source of our security. As 1 Timothy 6:17 says, you shouldn’t put your hope in wealth, but instead, “hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” …

Let’s take a look at this passage from Matthew that Jesus taught His followers in one of His most famous sermons. “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life. … Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?” (Matthew 6:25–27). …

Hopefully you live in a place where you can see birds and hear them singing. They seem to be doing okay, don’t they? Not a single one of those birds is watching in fear as the Dow plummets. None of them are stocking up on toilet paper and hand sanitizer. We know this sounds ridiculous, but hear us on this: They’re just birds! You’re a human being who was carefully made in the divine image of God. Don’t you think He cares more about you than the sparrows and the blue jays?

God isn’t worried about supply chains and economic downturns. He feeds the birds day in and day out, and you better believe He’ll take care of His children too. … Even in the darkest moments, God promises to deliver His people, protect them, and ultimately, prosper them. We can trust that He will do the same for us. As Dave Ramsey says: “Remember, there’s ultimately only one way to financial peace, and that’s to walk daily with the Prince of Peace, Christ Jesus.”—Ramsey Solutions¹

Things Christians must remember in financial crisis

History does repeat itself. The most prosperous nations on earth have eventually and repeatedly faced their economic downturns. All of us who have lived a little while can echo the sentiment of the Bible writer that, at some point, “riches certainly make themselves wings; they fly away as an eagle toward heaven” (Proverbs 23:5).

We live in unstable times and are very likely on the verge of a recession. Yet the Lord and His truth are always the same. While it is easy to let our minds run wild and our imaginations carry us away, I hope you will consider these simple thoughts. …

God’s economy does not change with this world’s economy. The Scriptures never promise that God’s people will not face poverty or trials. But we must remind ourselves that the greatest riches are not material, financial, or temporal. They are spiritual and eternal.

Paul wrote that God’s people are “as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (2 Corinthians 6:10). The fluctuation of the stock market, the rise in living costs, and the devaluation of a dollar are all reminders that this world is not our home and “stuff” will not last forever. …

The Lord always takes care of His people. It might be good if we all went back in time and remembered the many times when the Lord graciously (and even miraculously) provided for our needs. … He has never failed you, forgotten you, or forsaken you—and He is not about to start now! …

Your Heavenly Father still answers prayer. We do not learn to pray when all is going well; we learn most about prayer when great need comes. Bring your situation and your fears to our all-loving and all-powerful God. Pray in faith and expect to see Him at work. “Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

When times are desperate, people are most open to the gospel. Prosperity rarely drives people to God (though it should!). Adversity, however, reminds people of their weakness and need. All around you there are hurting souls who could use some good news. Give them Jesus! Speak in faith and point others to the real hope that is found in Christ. …

This too shall pass. There is no crisis in Heaven. … We are not in the hands of government and circumstance—we are in the hands of our good God! Rest in Him today and every day.—Scott Pauley²

God will supply

God is very good to us when we love Him and try our best to please Him. He will give us “exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20). “No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4).

The most important thing to remember in times of financial crisis is that God loves you and wants to take care of you. If you’re His child, He is going to do just that! He wants to supply your needs. However, He also makes it clear in the Bible that He expects certain things from us:

Live right in both your personal and business life. God’s blessings are conditional. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you” (Matthew 6:33). “All these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you, if you obey the voice of the Lord your God” (Deuteronomy 28:2).

Give to others. God blesses giving to others—the needy, good causes, His workers, and His work. “Let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over” (Luke 6:38).

Thank the Lord for what you already have. Whether God supplies through our work or unexpected means, it’s still His blessing and supply, and He wants us to acknowledge that and thank Him. “Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name” (Hebrews 13:15). “In everything give thanks” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Ask. This may seem too obvious, but sometimes “you do not have because you do not ask” (James 4:2). Be specific when you pray for God’s help financially. Tell Him exactly what you need. Sometimes this also means being humble enough to ask others for help when you need it.

Be a wise steward. We need to remember that all that we have is given to us by God and that we’re just the stewards, or managers, of it. He’s entrusted us with it, and He expects us to manage it wisely. “Moreover it is required in stewards that one be found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).

Live economically and within your means: Part of being a good steward is to be saving, to be moderate and to avoid waste. Going into debt or living for today, hoping that you’ll be able to pay off your debt tomorrow, can lead to financial ruin.

Have faith in God to supply your needs. Trust in His promises to supply for His children. “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19). We must also do our part, of course, but then we must trust Him to do the rest, what we can’t do. He says, “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

Keep praying. Sometimes God lets us experience financial difficulties for the same reasons that He lets us experience other difficulties: so that we will draw closer to Him, include Him more in our everyday activities, and learn to depend more on Him. When we’ve done everything else we can do but still lack, we can show Him that we are depending on Him by praying earnestly, and trusting in His promise to work in our behalf. “You will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart” (Jeremiah 29:13).—Activated Magazine

Prayer for finances

Jesus, we love it that we belong to You—the wealthiest Person in the universe. You’ve told us that we can ask for Your supply and know without a shadow of a doubt that You will care for us! We love it that You’re generous and You give good things to Your children who ask You (Matthew 7:11).

For all those who are struggling to make ends meet, we ask for Your abundant supply according to Your riches in glory. Lord, You’ve given many promises of supply in Your Word, and we are placing our faith in You. Having committed our requests to You, whose promises are yea and amen, we are so grateful that we can commit our cares and our financial stability to You, our God of the universe who cares for us and never fails us. Amen.—Maria Fontaine

Published on Anchor May 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ https://www.ramseysolutions.com/personal-growth/faith-during-financial-crisis

² https://enjoyingthejourney.org/7-things-christians-must-remember-in-financial-crisis

God’s Intolerable Compliment

May 8, 2023

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 6:31

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The other day two books came to me in the mail from two different sources. They were both on the subject of suffering, but a direct antithesis of each other. Because they had come in the same mail delivery and from such different persons, I was peculiarly interested. This was a strange coincidence!

The one author treated the subject of suffering from the standpoint of utter submission, that because God had allowed suffering to come, it must henceforth and forever be accepted as a burden to be borne in patient yieldedness. He then set forth all the benefits to be derived from suffering, which were many; it was a splendid treatise on the subject and absolutely true.

But he never gave one thought to God as the great deliverer, who when the lessons are learned, would then be willing to set the captive free and heal the sufferer. No, from his point of view the sufferer was always left in his suffering, and because of it constantly saintlier in character, that was true, but never to be delivered, and that’s the way the little book ended.

The other book on suffering took exactly the opposite tack from this one that I just told you about, and dealt with it as an oppression of the Devil, according to the scriptures that Jesus went about everywhere doing good and healing all that were oppressed of the Devil. (See Acts 10:38.) This writer then majored on the thought that God always wants to deliver, that His great desire is to set the captive free, release the suffering, and heal the body just as quickly as possible. Now these books on the same subject, but exactly the opposite in thought, made me have a great deal of thought over the matter. There was so much truth in each one that I couldn’t discard either, yet how could this be, you’d say?

Always there are questions. Does God send this upon me? Someone wrote this week, “Is this the will of God for me? If God has let this come upon me, then doesn’t He want me just to bear it patiently, accept it sweetly, learn submission and be content in whatever state I am in, and not try to receive deliverance, and not ask God to lift me out of it?”

To answer all these questions would take a dozen messages such as this; it is impossible now to answer them all. But standing between these two books I received, I want to mention just two points. The first is that God does allow suffering in order to deepen our spiritual life, to clarify our vision—that is, so that we can see ourselves as we really are. He does allow suffering and hardship in order to grow our character.

God is much more interested in growing our character and soul power than He is in growing a new lining in your stomach or new tissues somewhere on your body. However, lest I do not have time to say it later, His Word so surely proclaims that He will in the end deliver you when you have learned the lesson, or you’ve gotten the spiritual blessing He wants you to gain, or you have grown in the grace that He’s so interested in your having.

Some time ago there appeared an article in the Readers’ Digest called “Turn Your Sickness into an Asset,” written by Dr. Louis Bisch.¹ He makes this comment: “Sudden illness has unhinged your knees, brought you limply to bed, and made you a horizontal citizen of the sick room and an unwilling initiate in the fellowship of pain. At first your reaction was to rail, fret and resent bitterly such untimely interference with life’s routine. But later you learn that your illness is conferring substantial benefits upon you.”

Now this was written by a fine physician, and he ends the article by saying: “Any serious illness should be regarded as an opportunity to gather dividends that health can never bestow. There is introspection and self-analysis throwing the searchlight upon your inner self, until you’re humbled and cut down to your real size. Only when the way straightens and the gate grows narrow do some people ever discover their soul, ever discover God.” Now a doctor who has dealt with so many who are ill wrote those thoughts.

Well, we might have put this in other words and said that pain and suffering are instruments in God’s hands for loving correction, because He loves us too much to leave us to ourselves without the wholesome chastening of His grace. Pain is not an irrelevant evil, but has a ministry to serve and lessons to teach. It supplies a needful discipline by means of which the soul is purified, and patience and forbearance are strengthened, and it gives opportunity for God Himself to reveal His sustaining presence and sympathizing love.

The Father God of all mercy and comfort is never nearer His child than when that child needs His help the most. Second Corinthians 1:4 says, “Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them that are in any trouble by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God.”

At times God seems to leave us alone in suffering and sickness, and we’re left dangling in midair, that we might know how weak we are in ourselves, how weak are the foundations of human confidence that we so often rest upon.

Now I want to address the other point. I believe when the lesson is learned, that God wants to heal you. I believe that His Word is full of promises and examples along this line. I know that promises of healing for the body are in the Word of God, for I’ve searched it diligently for many years. His healing is for today. I believe it also because of so many testimonies of godly people who have been healed.

Learn the lessons that are available to you during this time of suffering, and then call on Him for healing and deliverance. He says, “I am the Lord that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26). Take hold of God and His promises today. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor May 2023. Read by Carol Andrews.

¹ Reader’s Digest, November 1937, p. 143–146.

Clarifying Daniel 11

David Brandt Berg

1986-05-02

Daniel 11 has always been a mysterious chapter. There are only a few absolutely certain things about this chapter, and one is that it is obviously talking about the Antichrist. It has to be the Antichrist because he is the one who makes and breaks the covenant.

There are certain known factors in this equation, because they’re mentioned time and again or referred to many times throughout the prophetic scriptures. One is that there is going to be an Antichrist; all the scriptures confirm it. He is going to make a covenant for seven years, some kind of covenant, and usually covenants are for the sake of peace. Treaties, covenants, charters and contracts specifically imply an agreement. If it is an agreement between political powers or military powers, obviously it means some kind of peace.

He makes the covenant, which brings some kind of peace, but then he breaks it in the middle of the week. He then sets up the Abomination of Desolation, his image in the holy place, at which time he stops sacrificial worship at the temple and installs himself in the temple. He claims to be God and has all the people fall down and worship his image. This also brings on the Great Tribulation, because he is trying to enforce his worship on people; obviously it causes a lot of trouble, because a lot of people won’t accept it. He therefore has a number of wars with the people who rebel, until the very end. Now those are the specifics we know and can prove by Scripture. These are all scripturally based and backed up from the Scripture.

Just exactly when he makes the covenant, we cannot prove, except that we can prove definitely that it begins the last seven-year period; that’s all we know. When he makes it and how he gets such powers to be able to make it, and how he gets into power and how many wars it takes him, we don’t know specifically. We know that he does have wars, and to me it is quite obvious that if he is the prince of the covenant, as it says in verse 22, and in the same verse it says, “with the arms of a flood shall they be overthrown,” that although he comes in peaceably and obtains the kingdom by flatteries, then he suddenly seizes it.

We don’t know exactly when that covenant is made in this chapter; we only know when he breaks it. We can’t count the days; we can’t specify exactly when the covenant is going to be made, and how many wars come before or after. The only thing in this chapter that we know about the covenant is that he is the prince of the covenant. Therefore he had something to do with making it, and we know that his heart turns against the covenant. It doesn’t say when the covenant was made and it doesn’t say when his heart turned against it, except it does say that after this he returns to his land and that his heart turns against the covenant.

In the 28th verse his heart turns against the covenant. In the 30th verse he works with those who are also against the covenant. In the 31st verse is the crucial breaking of the covenant when he pollutes the sanctuary, takes away the daily sacrifice, and sets up his image. We know, therefore, that obviously the covenant has been made before this 31st verse, because it is in existence and he has indignation against it. It has also obviously been made before the 28th verse, because he has turned his heart against the holy covenant.

In the 23rd verse it says “after the league,” so if the league is the covenant, it has already been made. He works deceitfully, he becomes strong with a small people, and he grabs things like nobody has ever done before, even peaceably. Many countries fall prey peaceably, although not all. He scatters the prey; like communism, he divides the prey amongst the poor.

Then he has another war in the 25th verse. “He stirs up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army, and the king of the south shall be stirred up to battle with a very great and mighty army; but he shall not stand: for they will forecast devices against him. Yea, they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him.” Traitors, in other words, that helped him forecast his devices. “And his army shall overflow, and many shall fall down slain.” Here is another big war.

It sounds like the covenant comes into being at the end of the first war in the 22nd verse. Then he fights another war with the king of the south after the covenant has been made, and they sit at one table speaking lies after this war.

(Verse 28:) “Then shall he return to his land”—this is the Antichrist—“with great riches.” He has beaten the king of the south and he has taken away a lot of his riches, his lands. “And his heart shall be against the holy covenant,” which sounds to me like they had made it clear back in the 22nd verse, and he is most likely fighting a second war with the same fellow who rebelled against him. Because he rebelled against the agreement they had made, the covenant, now the Antichrist’s heart is turning against the covenant.

In verse 29, “At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south”—and this time, he is going to crush the south and break the covenant because he is fed up with it; they don’t keep it and they finally rebel.

Verse 30: He comes back now to have “intelligence with them that forsake the holy covenant.” Now he is siding with some of the people who are against the covenant.

In the 30th verse he’s returning because of the ships of Chittim, and he comes against the holy covenant to break it. Then in the 31st verse, “arms shall stand on his part.” It is a war in which he crushes the forces of opposition. It sounds like he crushes Israel, because he pollutes the sanctuary and takes away the daily sacrifice—that’s obviously in Israel—and he places the “abomination that maketh desolate.” This pinpoints it as the beginning of the Tribulation, which Jesus talks about in Matthew 24, the same thing that is talked about here and other places (Matthew 24:15; Revelation 13:14–15).

So the first war in this chapter is to get him into power, and this war ends with the covenant. The Antichrist is the prince of the covenant. Then the next war, verse 25, is apparently a rebellion against the government by the king of the south. Then this turns his heart against the covenant. The second war, in the 25th verse with the king of the south, sounds like he is dealing with a rebellion against the covenant. They sit at the same table and speak lies, apparently trying to reinstitute the covenant, but now the Antichrist is turning against it. After he has gone home, he hears of more trouble down south, so this time he comes and invades and crushes all opposition, and he pollutes the sanctuary, takes away the daily sacrifice, and places the Abomination of Desolation.

There are three specific wars which precede the breaking of the covenant: one before the making of the covenant and two after that, ending with breaking the covenant. Then after that, there are more wars.

40th verse, “At the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him.” There’s the fourth specific war. “And the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, horsemen, many ships, and he shall enter into the countries, shall overflow and pass over.” Here you have another invasion of Israel because, verse 41, “He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many countries shall be overthrown.” Verse 42: “He stretches forth his hand upon the countries.”

Then there’s a possibility of a fifth war in verse 44: “Tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.” He is down south by this time, and he’s hearing bad news from home and bad news from the east. “Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many.”

Exactly when the covenant is made is not very clear, but to me it is clear that it is quite specifically at the end of the first war. And the next two wars are rebellions from the king of the south against the covenant, which also turns the Antichrist against the covenant, so he comes out in the third war and crushes Israel.

Then after that, the king of the south rebels again in the fourth war. The Antichrist comes down and licks them again. And then the fifth war; there his trouble doesn’t come from the king of the south anymore. The king of the south is pretty well finished; the Antichrist is occupying Israel, he has his palace there, and that’s his capital. But the next trouble comes from the north and the east, which means that there is then a fifth war.

Maybe I shouldn’t even give alternatives, but do you know why I do it? Because I’ve heard Bible teachers teach dogmatically that “this can only be this way” and never even mention the other possibilities or theories. It’s just like they teach evolution in the public schools; they don’t even mention creation, that there is another possible way. And I’ve heard many Bible prophecy teachers teach like that, teaching only their own interpretation.

I have tried not to be dogmatic about things, that it has to be this way, it has to be that way, because sometimes I just don’t know, except for things that are very clearly so in the Bible. My opinion could be wrong and it might turn out some other way. Praise the Lord? What do you think?

22: The Millennium—Old Testament Millennial Scriptures- part 2

The good news! We had to tell you the bad news first, all about the Antichrist and his reign of terror and the Tribulation and the judgment and Babylon and the horrors, and then Armageddon. But now comes the victory, the heaven on earth.

“Yea, all of them shall wax old like a garment; as a vesture shalt Thou change them, and they shall be changed” (Psalm 102:26). When you change your clothes, you don’t throw away your body too. You just take off the raiment, the surface clothing, and that’s what He’s going to do to the earth one of these days. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates, and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle! Lift up your heads, O ye gates: even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory. Selah” (Psalm 24:7–10).

The Muslims have a prophecy that when Jesus returns, He will come through the gate called “Beautiful” and take over the city of Jerusalem and reign as the Messiah and King of kings. Therefore one Arab ruler many years ago didn’t want Jesus to come and take the kingdom away from him; he was afraid He might come during his day. So he walled up the gate “Beautiful” there in Jerusalem.

To this day it is still sealed, because God prophesied that no man should go through that gate again. A prophet prophesied this centuries ago when at that time it was one of the most popular gates of Jerusalem on a well-traveled highway that ran through that gate into the city. But God prophesied by His prophet Ezekiel many centuries earlier that it would be closed and never opened again until the Lord of hosts Himself, the King of kings, Jesus, would come and pass through that gate (Ezekiel 44:2; 43:1–4).

Praise God, the day is coming when “He maketh wars to cease unto the end of the earth; He breaketh the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder; He burneth the chariot in the fire. Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:9–10).

“O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph. For the Lord most high is terrible; He is a great King over all the earth.”—In the Millennium. “He shall subdue the people under us, and the nations under our feet. For God is the King of all the earth: sing ye praises with understanding. God reigneth over the heathen: God sitteth upon the throne of His holiness” (Psalm 47:1–3,7–8). All of these marvelous predictions of the coming kingdom of Christ upon earth.

“I will make Thy name to be remembered in all generations: therefore shall the people praise Thee for ever and ever” (Psalm 45:17). For “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: the scepter of Thy kingdom is a right scepter. Thou lovest righteousness, and hatest wickedness: therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows” (Psalm 45:6–7). What wonderful prophecies of the coming kingdom of Jesus! I turn the pages here in the Psalms and on almost every page I find another prophecy about this marvelous millennial kingdom of Christ.

“Our God shall come and shall not keep silence: a fire shall devour before Him, and it shall be very tempestuous round about Him. He shall call to the heavens from above, and to the earth, that He may judge His people. Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice. And the heavens shall declare His righteousness: for God is Judge Himself” (Psalm 50:3–6). That’s the way it’ll be when Jesus comes.

“Through the greatness of Thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto Thee. All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee; they shall sing to Thy name” (Psalm 66:3–4). “O let the nations be glad and sing for joy: for Thou shalt judge the people righteously”—not all judges today judge righteously—“and govern the nations upon earth. Selah. Let the people praise Thee, O God; let all the people praise Thee. Then shall the earth yield her increase: and God, even our own God, shall bless us. God shall bless us; and all the ends of the earth shall fear Him” (Psalm 67:4–7).

For “Thou hast ascended on high, Thou hast led captivity captive: Thou hast received gifts for men”—the greatest being salvation—“yea, for the rebellious also, that the Lord God might dwell among them” (Psalm 68:18). God is even going to be good to the wicked who will—some of them—survive all the horrors of hell of the Antichrist and the Tribulation and the plagues of the wrath of God and the Battle of Armageddon to finally come into this millennial period through which we will rule and reign over them with Christ with a rod of iron for a thousand years.

“Give the king Thy judgments, O God.” This is Psalm 72, and almost the whole psalm is a prediction of the Millennium—“and Thy righteousness unto the king’s son.” Who is the king’s son? Jesus. “He shall judge Thy people with righteousness”—that means Jesus—“and Thy poor with judgment.” The world is going to see a righteous judge, a righteous king, a righteous ruler at last, who will have a righteous government. No corruption, no vice or crime or payola or bribery or crooked judges and crooked politicians, but a righteous government and righteous justice.

“The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness. He shall judge the poor of the people, He shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor. They shall fear Thee as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations” (Psalm 72:1–5).

Don’t think that something’s going to happen to destroy the sun or the moon or the earth! God didn’t make this creation to be destroyed. He’s going to have to destroy the surface of the earth and burn it up because of the pollution of mankind and its wickedness, but He’s not going to destroy the ball, the planet earth, or the sun or moon. They’re going to continue to shine upon the earth.

We won’t need them in the holy city that comes down from God to the earth. There’ll be no need of sun or moon or stars there. Jesus will be our sun. But outside on the earth where others are still learning and still being healed, they’ll still need sunlight and moonlight and the stars, and God will be merciful to them. But that is the new earth and new heaven, which comes after the Millennium.

“He shall come down like rain upon the mown grass: as showers that water the earth. In His days shall the righteous flourish; and abundance of peace so long as the moon endureth. He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.” Here it’s speaking of the kingdom of Christ on earth, how it’s going to be over the whole world.

“They that dwell in the wilderness shall bow before Him and His enemies shall lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of the isles shall bring presents.” The British. “The kings of Sheba and Seba shall offer gifts.” The Saudi Arabians are going to become Christians.

“Yea, all kings shall fall down before Him: all nations shall serve Him.” There won’t be any religion then but Christianity; there won’t be any kingdom except that of Jesus Christ. “For He shall deliver the needy when he crieth; the poor also, and him that hath no helper. He shall spare the poor and the needy and shall save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence: and precious shall their blood be in His sight.

“And He shall live, and to Him shall be given of the gold of Sheba. Prayer also shall be made for Him continually; and daily shall He be praised. There shall be an handful of corn in the earth upon the top of the mountains; the fruit thereof shall shake like Lebanon. And they of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth.” That is, of the great city of God.

“His name shall endure for ever: His name shall be continued as long as the sun: and men shall be blessed in Him: all nations shall call Him blessed” (Psalm 72:6–17). Isn’t that a wonderful story and a happy ending?

He says, “All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off.” Remember those ten horns on the beast in Daniel and the ten horns on the beast in Revelation? He’s going to cut off all the horns. “But the horns of the righteous shall be exalted” (Psalm 75:10).

“Thou didst cause judgment to be heard from heaven; the earth feared, and was still. When God arose to judgment, to save all the meek of the earth. Selah” (Psalm 76:8–9). Do you know what selah means? It’s a kind of musical rest note. It means “pause and think about that.” “Surely the wrath of man shall praise Thee: the remainder of wrath shalt Thou restrain” (Psalm 76:10).

“Arise, O God, judge the earth: for Thou shalt inherit all nations” (Psalm 82:8). “Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. Truth shall spring out of the earth; and righteousness shall look down from heaven. Yea, the Lord shall give that which is good: and our land shall yield her increase” (Psalm 85:10–12). Men are still going to till the land and build houses and marry and be given in marriage. The earth is going to be much the same as it is today, only God’s people are going to be the rulers and the policemen—the supernatural resurrected saints who are going to run the world as it ought to be run.

“All nations whom Thou hast made shall come and worship before Thee, O Lord; and shall glorify Thy name” (Psalm 86:9). “Also I will make Him My firstborn”—Jesus—“higher than the kings of the earth. My mercy will I keep for Him for evermore, and My covenant shall stand fast with Him. His seed also will I make to endure for ever, and His throne as the days of heaven. His seed shall endure for ever, and His throne as the sun before Me” (Psalm 89:27–29,36).

“Say among the heathen that the Lord reigneth. The world also shall be established that it shall not be moved: He shall judge the people righteously. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad; let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof.” Let the unrighteous roar against Him, it doesn’t matter; God will reign over them. “Let the field be joyful, and all there is therein: then shall all the trees of the wood rejoice before the Lord: for He cometh, for He cometh to judge the earth: He shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with His truth” (Psalm 96:10–13).

“The Lord reigneth; let the earth rejoice. Let the multitude of isles be glad thereof. Clouds and darkness are round about Him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of His throne. A fire goeth before Him, and burneth up His enemies round about. His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.” The wicked are going to tremble in His presence during that thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ and His saints upon this earth. “The hills melted like wax at the presence of the Lord, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth” (Psalm 97:1–5).

“The Lord hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel”—the Christians, the new Israel of God, the chosen people of God. The former children of the kingdom, Jesus said, would be cast out and we would come in (Matthew 8:12). We will inherit the kingdom, all those who love Jesus: Jew or Gentile, bond or free, Greek or Roman or whatever, anybody who loves Jesus. You, if you love Jesus, are going to inherit the kingdom of God on earth. “The Lord hath made known His salvation: His righteousness hath He openly showed in the sight of the heathen. He hath remembered His mercy and His truth toward the house of Israel: all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm 98:2–3).

“Let the sea roar, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Let the floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord; for He cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall He judge the world, and the people with equity.” Equality, with evenness, fairness, and justice (Psalm 98:7–9).

“So the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all the kings of the earth Thy glory. When the Lord shall build up Zion, He shall appear in His glory” (Psalm 102:15–16). He’s building up Zion today. His church is increasing, His worldwide spiritual Zion. His spiritual Israel is increasing day by day around the world! “When the people are gathered together, and the kingdoms, to serve the Lord.” That’s when it’s going to happen on a vast scale.

Your Counterculture Mission

May 5, 2023

By Ed Stetzer

Today, as our culture becomes more and more divided, there are too many examples of those claiming to follow Jesus being critical, divisive, and irrational. In this message, Ed Stetzer will talk about how every Christian has a mission to be counter-cultural by sharing and showing the love of Jesus in a broken world.

Run time for this video is 46 minutes.

https://youtu.be/A8PhpLZfvBo

Faith-Building Reflections

May 4, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 8:47

Download Audio (8MB)

Some of the changes we face throughout our lives are more difficult to settle in our minds or hearts than others, or leave more questions than answers, or are just plain difficult. When something is upsetting or troubling, or you feel that a certain change, or an event in the world, or some new information is causing you to have to make decisions that you weren’t prepared for, your perspective can narrow very quickly. At those times, it can be helpful to get some outside perspective or be reminded of the bigger picture.

Times of change in our lives do involve a certain amount of soul-searching, thinking, or analyzing. That’s part of the Lord’s plan. He uses such times to help us to examine and strengthen our faith, to clarify our priorities, and to bring them in line with His will for that particular stage of our lives. Some of the deep questions or matters of faith are things you have to settle with the Lord Himself. No amount of talking to others or godly counsel you read will allay all your concerns or clear away the confusion or give you faith for the future like Jesus can.

In many cases the personal answers and guidance that you need the most will come as you get alone with the Lord and commune with Him—whether through pouring out your heart in prayer, or reading His Word, or hearing from Him in prophecy, or a combination of all of the above. As you draw close to Him and give Him a chance to speak to your heart, He’ll give the guidance and answers you seek. He’ll remind you of something that will turn on the light in your spirit and change the atmosphere of your soul from one of struggle to one of peace.

There are some answers that won’t come to you through any other avenue than your personal relationship with the Lord. He wants you to remember that He’s in control of your life. If you need peace and perspective, you know where to go and who to go to. He said, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

So don’t worry if something you are facing doesn’t seem to make sense, or you have questions that are troubling you. Realize that Jesus has answers that only He can give. Give Him time and opportunity to do that. Sometimes coming to a point of peace takes time, and many moments of going back to Jesus. Know that His promised peace will come, as you trust Him.

Changing mindsets

It can be a little overwhelming when you realize that the Lord is asking you to change in certain areas of your life. But instead of getting down or discouraged about it, it can help if you turn it around and look at some of the areas where the Lord has helped you to change in the past, and start praising Him for those. The Lord has already done a lot for each of us during our years of service to Him. He’s helped us to change in various ways, and He can continue to do so.

Sometimes all the Lord asks is for you to change your mindset and adopt a different way of looking at something or how you approach it. And if you accept the Lord’s guidance, you’re on the road to victory. You don’t have to spend a lot of time striving over some things. If you understand the Lord’s point of view and you believe by faith, sometimes that’s all you have to do.

Of course, with other issues you want to change, you might have to wrestle with them and fight repeatedly and be desperate about them. Those are more like habits. They can be habits in your thoughts, in the way you look at things, and it takes repeated focus and effort to catch yourself and refocus your thinking.

With the mindsets that take longer to change, you may be tempted to feel overwhelmed, but if you commit it to the Lord, you can trust that He will give you the strength you need to make the changes He is asking of you.

Take one day at a time, one move at a time—that’s all the Lord asks of you. He doesn’t expect that you’re going to change whatever area you are working on overnight. But He does want you, right now, today, to have a mind that is open to His Spirit and whatever He is bringing into your life, and the changes that He wants you to make in your life, whether big or small.

Whether you see an instantaneous answer to your prayers for change or one that takes longer, be patient. The Lord will continuously work in our lives, if we are willing. Praise the Lord!

Prayer overload

Do you ever get tired of asking people to pray for you or the things that concern you? Sometimes you need to continue to ask for prayer for the same request regularly, or quite a few times (such as in the case of an ongoing affliction), and you can feel bad for continually “bothering” people with your request.

One of my co-workers was feeling that way; she was getting weary of asking for prayer for an ongoing affliction. She felt bad about disturbing others by continuing to request their prayers.

I used to feel bad asking for prayer so regularly, too, especially because I know that everybody already has so many things to pray for—their personal requests, their families, situations in the world, and on and on the list goes.

The truth is that there are so many prayer requests that need to be prayed for, and they’re all important. But that shouldn’t stop us from asking for prayer when we need it. I figure that when there’s so much to pray for, people can just start being more selective, and they pray for the things that they have a burden for, and the Lord lays different burdens on different people’s hearts.

Our part is to have the humility to ask for prayer. The Lord will take care of ensuring that nobody suffers from prayer overload.

A sign of Jesus’ love

I want to remind you to be faithful to pray fervently for those who are sick, and especially those who struggle with long-term afflictions. When someone you know battles in this way, the Lord is counting on you to support them and be there for them through your care and prayers—and to not grow weary. It’s a part of love for the person.

(Jesus:) When someone you love and care about is suffering from a long-term affliction, it takes sacrificial love to support and help your brother or sister in need. Whatever the situation, you can persevere in prayer for those who are facing these challenges. That is a manifestation of the greater love that lays down its life for others.

I know that you understand My heart and are striving to make yours as much like Mine as you can. There will always be too much to do, too many plans to make, too many burdens to carry, too many priorities for the hours in the day. But My priorities have never changed. My children are still My first concern.

Caring for those in need is a priority, and reaching lost souls is still of the greatest value to Me and an important part of your testimony to the world. “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Others will see My light and love reflected in you by the love you manifest toward one another. This is proof of My love and a testimony to the world.

Compiled from posts originally published in 2008 and 2009. Adapted and republished May 2023. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by John Listen.

We Can Know Who Jesus Is by Observing What He Did (str.org)

Finding Peace in the Storm of Stress

May 2, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 16:38

Download Audio (15.2MB)

Thousands of pages have been written about the subject of stress, so I wonder if there’s really anything new I could possibly say to help someone who is struggling with it. Maybe not. I am still fighting that “beast” that tries to pull me down and take away my joy of living.

But over the years, my defense wall has grown higher and stronger and I’ve learned some tricks along the way. Though I haven’t completely overcome stress, I think I can safely say that it doesn’t control my life anymore. With God’s help, I’ve managed to tame the wild beast, but I have to constantly be on guard.

Unfortunately, we can’t just snap our fingers and make stress disappear from our lives. But let’s take a look at a few things that have helped me minimize the negative effect of stress.

Faith in God: God is like a coach that knows how to strengthen us, both physically and mentally. Though we might feel like we’re “dying” and that we can’t take it anymore, He cheers us on and encourages us to endure just a bit more and not give up during our most trying times. He will never give us more than we are able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), and if we hold on a little longer, we will come out stronger and more capable of fighting our future battles. Jesus doesn’t expect a perfect performance from us; He only wants us to trust Him and not give up. Trust your Heavenly Coach.

Regular exercise: It’s well known that exercise causes your body to increase the production of hormones that fight stress and stress-related sicknesses. Whenever I was stressed out, I would experience pain on the left side of my lower abdomen, but since I started exercising regularly, that pain is completely gone. Though any kind of exercise is better than no exercise at all, group activities and sports have the added bonus of engaging our mind and personal skills as well.

Prayer and meditation: Taking time to talk to God and unload all our worries and concerns on His shoulders is essential. Our heavenly Father loves us and wants to help us. All we have to do is ask (Matthew 7:7).—Milutin Bunčić

The dictionary defines stress as “physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension.” Some stress is necessary and even good—such as the physical strain we put on our muscles in order to make them stronger. But when we talk about “stress,” we are usually referring to excessive or negative mental or emotional strain or tension. While “stress” is not specifically mentioned in the Bible, Scripture does speak to things such as anxiety, worry, and trouble—things we often associate with stress—and gives us clear answers on how we should deal with them.

Everyone suffers from stress at one time or another. How we naturally deal with it depends in large part on who we are. For some, emotional stress causes physical illness. Others might become hyper-productive. On the other hand, some people under stress shut down mentally and emotionally. And, of course, there are a variety of other responses.

Stress is a common human experience, particularly in a world where the demands for our time and attention seem to be unending. Our jobs, health, family, friends, and even ministry activities can overwhelm us. The ultimate solution to stress is to surrender our lives to God and seek His wisdom regarding priorities as well as His enabling to do the things to which He calls us. He always gives enough, so we need not be defeated by stress.

One common cause of stress is financial. We stress over money because we never seem to feel that we have enough. We worry about being able to pay all our bills, many living paycheck to paycheck. Or we become consumed by materialism and, in turn, stressed-out about maintaining our lifestyle. Some become stressed over finances because they don’t trust God to provide the basic necessities of life. But Jesus said, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? … And which of you by being anxious can add a single hour to his span of life?” (Matthew 6:25, 27).

It is true that we are called upon to be good stewards of money and to provide for our families (1 Timothy 5:8), but we must never forget that God is ultimately our Provider. If we are His, we need not fear that He will abandon us. On the other hand, there are those whose financial stress is caused more by materialistic greed than it is by true need. Materialism inevitably leads to stress because, when we seek the world’s goods, we have fallen for the “deceitfulness of wealth” (Mark 4:19), the lie that such things relieve stress and lead to happiness, contentment, and joy. They do not.

We might also find ourselves stressed when facing a hardship or trial. James 1:2–4 counsels, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” When we encounter hardship, we can succumb to stress or we can view it as a means by which God can strengthen our faith and mold our character (Romans 5:3–5; 8:28–29). When we redirect our focus on God, we find comfort in our sorrows and strength to endure (2 Corinthians 1:3–4; 12:9–10).

No matter the type of stress in our lives, the starting point for dealing with it is Jesus Christ. Jesus offers us great encouragement in John 14:1: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me.” We desperately need Him in our lives. We need Him because He is the only one who can give us the strength to cope with the troubles in our lives. Believing in Him does not mean that we will have a trouble-free life or that we will not feel overcome by stress in our lives. It simply means that a life without Jesus Christ makes coping with stress an impossible and often debilitating task.

Believing leads to trusting. Proverbs 3:5–6 tells us to “trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” Leaning on “our own understanding” often means adopting the world’s ways of relieving stress—things like alcohol or drugs or mindless entertainment. Instead, we are to trust His Word as our ultimate guide to a stress-reduced life. David says, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me and delivered me from all my fears” (Psalm 34:4). …

Perhaps no passage in Scripture better captures how to handle stress than Philippians 4:6–7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” The Lord tells us not to be anxious about anything, but rather to turn everything over to Him in prayer. Lifting our burdens and concerns to a holy and righteous God daily will mitigate or eliminate the stress in our lives. Psalm 55:22 tells us to cast all our cares on Him because He will sustain us and never fail us. (See also 1 Peter 5:6–7.) Jesus Christ offers peace if we come to Him with our worries and concerns. “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid” (John 14:27).

Stress of all kinds is a natural part of life (Job 5:7, 14:1; 1 Peter 4:12; 1 Corinthians 10:13). But how we deal with it is up to us. If we choose to try to do it on our own, we will not find lasting relief. The only way we can consistently and successfully deal with stress is with Jesus Christ. First, we must believe in Him. Second, we need to trust Him and obey Him. We should trust Him to do what is right because His ways are always best for us. Disobedience and sin can produce stress and cut us off from the only means of peace and joy. By obeying His commandments we reap the blessings of true contentment from a loving God. Finally, we need to seek His peace daily by filling our minds with His Word, lifting all things to Him in prayer, and sitting at His feet in awe and reverence. It is only by His grace, mercy, and love that the stress in our lives can be managed.—GotQuestions.org¹

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?”

Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. to 20 oz.

She replied, “The absolute weight doesn’t matter. It depends on how long I hold it. If I hold it for a minute, it’s not a problem. If I hold it for an hour, I’ll have an ache in my arm. If I hold it for a day, my arm will feel numb and paralyzed. In each case, the weight of the glass doesn’t change, but the longer I hold it, the heavier it becomes.”

She continued, “The stresses and worries in life are like that glass of water. Think about them for a while and nothing happens. Think about them a bit longer and they begin to hurt. And if you think about them all day long, you will feel paralyzed—incapable of doing anything.”

It’s important to remember to let go of your stresses. As early in the evening as you can, put all your burdens down. Don’t carry them through the evening and into the night. Remember to put the glass down!—Author Unknown

When planning and problems are preoccupying your mind, turn to Me and whisper My Name. Let the Light of My Presence shine on you as you rejoice in My unfailing Love. Thank Me for watching over you always and loving you eternally. Affirm your trust in Me; express your devotion to Me. Then ask Me to illuminate the way forward—helping you sort out what needs to be done today and what does not. Deal with problems as you must, but refuse to let worry or fear become central in your thoughts.

Keep returning your focus to Me as often as you can, and I will light up your perspective. Saturate your mind and heart with Scripture—reading it, studying it, and memorizing verses that are especially helpful to you. My Word is a lamp to your feet and a Light to your path.

If you follow these guidelines, your preoccupation with planning and problems will diminish. This leaves room in your life for more of Me. Delight in the Joy of My Presence.—Jesus²

Published on Anchor May 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-stress.html.

² Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

The Lord’s Prayer—Part 2

May 1, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 12:53

Download Audio (11.7MB)

When Jesus taught His disciples the Lord’s Prayer, He said: “Pray then like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil’” (Matthew 6:9–13).

The word Jesus used in prayer when addressing His Father was the Aramaic word Abba, which meant Father. It is understandable that Jesus, as the unique Son of God, would call His Father Abba, but the remarkable thing is that He taught those who believe in Him to address God as Abba as well.

Within His teaching in the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus puts an emphasis on “your Father” by using the phrase eleven times. From the Sermon onward, Jesus would also frequently speak of God as His own Father in a way which seems to exclude others from that special relationship. As the unique Son of God, Jesus’ relationship with the Father is different from ours.

This is seen earlier in Matthew, at Jesus’ baptism, when God said “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). It is most clearly expressed in the first recorded prayer of Jesus in Matthew: “All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him” (Matthew 11:27).

While Jesus is the unique Son of God, we too become children of God through belief in Him. The early church understood that through Jesus’ death and resurrection, believers were members of the family of God and therefore could call God their Father, Abba.

“When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:4–6)

Praying “our Father” implies a sense of intimacy, that we are addressing one who loves us and cares for us. Prayer isn’t meant to be a complicated formal manner of addressing an unpredictable entity, but rather is communication from the heart. The prayer Jesus taught was short and unpretentious, a simple heartfelt communication by those who know that they depend on their Father for their daily needs, who need their sins forgiven, and also need His protection and care.

By beginning the prayer with “our Father in heaven,” Jesus also reminds us that the one we address as Father is supremely great, for He is in heaven and we are not. There is a balance here, as we address God intimately while also being aware of His might and infinite greatness. He is God Almighty, the all-powerful Creator of everything that exists. He is also our loving “Abba,” and we are His children who have confidence in Him and depend on Him.

Those who believe in and receive Jesus can call God their Father. “To all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God” (John 1:12). Of course, God is the Creator of all things and all people and has given life to everyone, and in that context, everyone is part of “God’s offspring” (Acts 17:28–29), but that is not the way the New Testament writers use the father-son imagery with respect to God and His children. The relationship with God as Father has to do with those who believe in Jesus. It is a gift of God and a great privilege to address God as “our Father.”

After the opening address, Our Father in heaven, six petitions follow. The first three pertain to God directly—His name, His kingdom, and His will. These are followed by another three which have to do with us directly—our physical needs, sins, and temptations.

As far as a pattern for prayer, we learn from the opening of the Lord’s Prayer to begin our prayers by putting our focus on our Father in heaven, who is a personal Being with whom we are in relationship. We enter into His presence, we praise and worship Him. We come before Him with the understanding that our relationship with Him is as that of a child with a loving parent. He loves us, knows our needs, wants to take care of us, and wants the best for us. Because of our relationship with our Father in heaven, we trust Him, count on Him, and know that He has our best interests at heart. This is a foundational understanding of Christian prayer.

After the introductory sentence of the Lord’s Prayer, Jesus followed with three phrases that have to do with God’s honor, kingdom, and purpose, followed by three which address our needs. The first three phrases which refer to God are “Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” Here we have three petitions: may your name be sanctified, may your kingdom come, and may your will be done. These express our prayer for God’s glory in relation to His name, rule, and will.

The word hallow means to honor, sanctify, set apart, treat with the highest respect. When we pray hallowed be your name, we are honoring God and asking Him to help us give Him the reverence that is His due, and also asking Him to act within our world in ways that will cause those who don’t reverence Him to change and give glory to His name as well.

When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking the Lord to cause His name to be glorified everywhere and fully. In asking Him to make His name holy, we are asking Him to act in the physical world, and particularly through us, His followers, so that all humanity may honor Him as God.

In reading the Gospels, we see that Jesus was always concerned about glorifying His Father. His actions caused others to glorify God. In His prayer in John 17, He stated: “I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. … I have manifested your name to the people” (John 17:4, 6). We too can manifest His name to others; we can cause God to be glorified through our words, our lives, by being a reflection of the greatness and glory of God. We are also remindedthat while He is Abba, our loving Father, He is also God Almighty, and we should respect and revere Him.

The second petition, your kingdom come, is similar to the first in that it is a request for God to bring forth His kingdom in our world. We are praying for God to bring about His reign, power, and authority throughout the earth. The kingdom was inaugurated with Jesus’ entrance into the world. Though the kingdom wasn’t physical, it was nevertheless present through Him while He was on earth, and continues to be present today. He also spoke of it in future tense. The dynamic reign of God is both a present reality introduced through Jesus’ life and ministry as well as a future manifestation which will be made complete after He returns.

When we pray your kingdom come, we are asking God to move in ways that will cause the gospel to be preached throughout the world, so that people will receive the message and will enter the kingdom through belief in Jesus. We’re praying that those who come to believe in the Lord will increasingly let Him reign in their lives. At the same time, we’re praying that Jesus will return and fully consummate the kingdom of God. We’re looking forward to the time when all sin and everything opposed to God is done away with. We’re praying, like the words at the closing of the book of Revelation: Come, Lord Jesus! (Revelation 22:20).

The third petition, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, builds on the second. When God reigns, His will is done. Here we pray for the full realization of all that the kingdom means.

In heaven, God’s kingship and will are already acknowledged and fulfilled, but on earth they are yet to be fully recognized. To some extent, the kingdom is present in the hearts and lives of believers, but not “as it is in heaven.” God’s will is already done in heaven; His name is already holy, He is already King, and there is nothing in heaven that keeps His will from being done.

In praying the Lord’s Prayer, we are asking our Father to work in our world to change the hearts of humanity; and as part of that, to help us participate in bringing about change in the hearts of others. In the present time, our world does not do God’s will as it is done in heaven, but at some future point, God’s will shall be done on earth as it is in heaven.

When we petition our Father in heaven to make His name holy and ask for His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven, we are setting things in proper priority—putting God first. By praying for God’s name to be made holy, we are committing to honor, love, worship, and praise Him, for He alone is holy.

When we pray for His kingdom to come, we recognize that besides asking that He bring about His reign in this world, we are asking Him to reign in our lives as well. Asking that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven is requesting that His kingdom, power, and reign be given greater priority than our own, and that His will be given precedence over our own.

Originally published July 2016. Adapted and republished May 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

22: The Millennium—Old Testament Millennial Scriptures (part1)

A Study of Revelation

David Brandt Berg

1981-05-01

I’m going to read some verses which are my favorite passages in the Bible, some of the most beautiful scriptures in God’s holy Word.

The reason I am particularly fond of them is that they’re about the “happy ending” of the story. In much of the past chapters of this particular study of Bible prophecy in the book of Revelation, it seems as if it’s been a lot of bad news about the horrors about to come upon this world. The Bible admonishes us to be prepared for these days, and to be forewarned is to be forearmed. (See Matthew 24:33, 44.)

We’re just strangers passing through; this is not our home. We’re strangers and pilgrims, and this is why God says He’s proud to be our God. He’s not ashamed to be our God, for we confess that we are only strangers and pilgrims here. We seek a city whose builder and maker is God, which someday will come down out of heaven from God to this earth (Hebrews 11:13–16).

At the end of that mighty Battle of Armageddon, of the forces of God against the forces of Satan on earth, we, the saints of God, along with our King Jesus Christ, will take over this world as it is now—this present world—and we will organize it and rule it and run it the way it should have been run if man had yielded to God. But this time, yield or no, God’s going to run it with a rod of iron (Revelation 2:27).

Whether man likes it or not, God is going to be supreme and Jesus shall reign from shore to shore, and we shall rule and reign with Him with that rod of iron. Then the unsaved who remain will be forced to do what’s right and to obey for a thousand years. They will have the amazing blessing of being able to live at all during this millennial period in which the earth, though it is this same earth upon which we live today—not the new heaven and the new earth, but the present earth—it will be relieved from the curses that have beset it. The thorns and the thistles and the briar and all kinds of beasts and critters and creatures that are poisonous, even poisonous flowers and grasses, will be sanitized and made harmless.

Even the unsaved who have survived the Tribulation and the wrath of God and the Battle of Armageddon—and it’s quite a survival to manage to survive all three of those—will be allowed to live during this beautiful paradise-on-earth, millennial period.

The Devil will be bound in the heart of the earth in the bottomless pit for a thousand years, and we will rule and reign with Jesus on this present earth for one thousand years to try to teach the survivors righteousness, to try to show them where they failed, to try to point out what the mistakes were, to try to show them how much better it would have been if they had yielded to Jesus and let Him rule and reign in their hearts as we do today.

We already have the Garden of Eden in our hearts. We already have paradise restored in our hearts, those of us who have received Jesus Christ as our Savior and our Lover and our King and our God, who has forgiven us our sins and brought us peace and love and happiness such as we have never known before. We already have the Garden of Eden in our hearts, but then we will have the Garden of Eden worldwide—the curse removed, even a measure of death removed. People will live for a thousand years as they did before, and if you die at a hundred years of age, they’ll consider you just a child (Isaiah 65:20). Think of that.

This is a part of the beautiful happy ending. The Bible is full of descriptions of that beautiful millennial period. It says more about the second coming of Christ and His rule and reign on the earth as its King, its Messiah, than it does about the first coming.

This is the purpose of it all, the marvelous happy ending of it all! This is our reward for loving Him, receiving Him, believing in Him, and preaching Him, telling others about Him, spreading the Good News of His love everywhere.

Jesus was the one responsible for it all, who loved us enough to give His own life for us and take our punishment, the punishment of our sins on Himself on that cross, on that tree, so that we could be forgiven and restored and become citizens of His kingdom, the kingdom of God on earth of the King of kings in the heavenly kingdom.—First of all, the Millennium, and later the new heaven and new earth.

What are the two books that are the most messianic books in the Bible?—The ones that talk more about the Messiah and His kingdom, that marvelous millennial kingdom on earth and the kingdom that goes on forever after, than any other books? We have to go back to the Old Testament to find them: Psalms and Isaiah, by two great prophets. “Prophets?” you say, “I thought David was just a king.” David was a king, but he was also a priest of his people. Foremost and above all, he was a prophet of God who wrote the beautiful Psalms of David. In the Psalms, he describes time and again the marvelous coming kingdom of Jesus Christ.

First, he starts with the Antichrist kingdom and the Battle of Armageddon, the forces of good against evil. (This could also apply to the Battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium.)

Psalm 2: “Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord, and against His anointed, saying, Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.” That’s what they will say during the Great Tribulation. “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision.” God gets the last laugh! “Then shall He speak unto them in His wrath, and vex them in His sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.”

Despite all they can do, He has set His king upon the hill of Zion. Jesus will someday return to this earth and He shall stand first upon Mount Zion. God’s Word says it will cleave in two when He stands there, like a great earthquake, and cause a very great rift or very great valley (Zechariah 14:4). That great hill that the Jews and the Muslims are fighting over, guess who’s going to get it?—Jesus. And when He does land on it, it’s going to split wide open.

“I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me”—speaking now to Jesus—“Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten Thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.” He’s going to give us the entire earth, all of it. “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron, thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.

“Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.”—If you don’t want to be broken. “Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Do you put your trust in Jesus? Then you’re going to be safe. Don’t worry, everything’s going to be all right with you.

“The Lord is king for ever and ever: the heathen are perished out of His land” (Psalm 10:16). That’s what’s going to happen then. “Oh that the salvation of Israel were come out of Zion. When the Lord bringeth back the captivity of His people, Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad” (Psalm 14:7). The true Israel of God, those who have received Jesus the Messiah, the Christians.

“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoiceth: my flesh also shall rest in hope.” There’s going to be a resurrection. “For Thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; neither wilt Thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption” (Psalm 16:8–10). There are many prophecies regarding the first coming of Jesus, but these are the ones about His second coming.

“I will declare Thy name unto my brethren: and in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee. All the ends of the world shall remember and turn unto the Lord: and all the kindreds of the nations shall worship before Thee.” Before this, they were worshipping the Antichrist; now they’re going to have to worship Jesus, whether they like it or not. “They shall come and shall declare His righteousness unto a people that shall be born, that He hath done this” (Psalm 22:22,27,31).

2 Thessalonians: Chapter 1

By Peter Amsterdam

April 25, 2023

The second letter to the Thessalonians was probably written around AD 51–52, shortly after 1 Thessalonians. Like 1 Thessalonians, the authors were Paul, Silvanus (Silas), and Timothy, and the recipients were the church in Thessalonica. Information about the Thessalonians can be found in 1 Thessalonians: Introduction.¹

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.²

It was common in ancient times for the authors of letters to identify themselves at the beginning of the letter, as Paul and his companions did here. After that, the recipient of the letter was named—in this case, the church of the Thessalonians. The only difference between this letter’s opening phrase and that of 1 Thessalonians is the inclusion of God being called our Father. This reflects the prayer Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.”³

Throughout Paul’s letters, he refers to God as Father.

To all those in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.⁴

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins to deliver us from the present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father.⁵

The Thessalonians’ belief in God has drawn them into one family and joined them to Paul and his partners, as well as to the church throughout Macedonia.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.⁶

Paul added a blessing for the church at the beginning of his letter, which again echoes how he opened his first letter to the Thessalonians. Here he names both the Father and Jesus as the source of blessings. In doing so, he makes the point that the Lord Jesus Christ is not seen as inferior to God the Father in the work of salvation.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.⁷

Paul begins with a thanksgiving to God for the Thessalonian believers, echoing his first letter where he wrote of their faith, their labors of love, and hope in Christ.⁸ Here he says that giving thanks for them is an obligation (we ought always to give thanks). Paul adds that it is right for him and his companions to give thanks to God because the Thessalonian believers’ faith is growing abundantly.

Along with the flourishing of their abundant faith, their mutual love for one another was growing ever greater among the brethren. In 1 Thessalonians, Paul exhorted the church to show love for one another and prayed that their love would increase and overflow for each other.⁹ In this second letter, it seems that God has answered that prayer and that the believers have applied what he taught, and that their love for one another was increasing, which moved Paul and his companions to give thanks to God.

Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.¹⁰

Paul said that they boasted to the other churches about them. We also find mention of such boasting in one of his letters to the Corinthians.

We want you to know, brothers, about the grace of God that has been given among the churches of Macedonia, for in a severe test of affliction, their abundance of joy and their extreme poverty have overflowed in a wealth of generosity on their part. For they gave according to their means, as I can testify, and beyond their means, of their own accord, begging us earnestly for the favor of taking part in the relief of the saints.¹¹

Such boasting was used to strengthen the churches as they faced persecution, and to encourage other churches to emulate the Thessalonians’ example of steadfastness and faith in the face of persecution.

The content of Paul’s boasting was their steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring. The church’s endurance was an example to the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia, and now Paul revealed that it was partly because of the report that he had spread abroad. The Thessalonian believers’ perseverance was rooted in their hope in the coming of the Lord. The church stood firm in their faith, despite the persecutions and afflictions they endured. The use of the plural persecutions and afflictions probably indicates that the hostilities they faced occurred on several occasions and in various manners.

This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering—since indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you.¹²

In the following six verses (5–10), Paul broadens his thoughts regarding the Thessalonians’ persecution and the destiny of the believers and their persecutors. This first verse presents an important aspect of the theology of suffering. The suffering of Christians plays a central role in God’s plan and shouldn’t be seen as God neglecting or rejecting His people. The evidence of this judgment is found in the preceding verse: Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.¹³ The “evidence” or “sign” here points to the statement that God’s judgment is right. This point is repeated three more times in upcoming verses.¹⁴

Paul reminds the believers of the future result of their present endurance. God’s righteous judgment on their behalf is that they will be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, which is the ultimate goal for which you are also suffering. They are currently suffering for the kingdom, which transcends the kingdom of this world. At the same time, their present suffering plays a role regarding the final future kingdom and their place in it. Suffering is to be expected for disciples of Christ, as is made clear in Paul’s letter to Timothy:

Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.¹⁵

In verse 6, Paul returns to the just judgment of God: indeed God considers it just to repay with affliction those who afflict you.¹⁶ Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, God’s judgment aligns with His justice.

Shall not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?¹⁷

God is a righteous judge.¹⁸

He judges the world with righteousness; he judges the peoples with uprightness.¹⁹

Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for his judgments are true and just.²⁰

Because He judges justly, those who acted in opposition to the church will suffer.

Paul goes on to say:

…and to grant relief to you who are afflicted as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.²¹

Having touched on what would happen to those who persecuted the Christians, Paul focused on the believers, assuring them that they would be liberated from their oppression when the Lord is revealed. The promise is that God will reward those who have suffered persecution and affliction with relief at the time of the revelation of the Lord Jesus. The believers knew that they would face affliction, but in the midst of it they could rest on God’s promise that He would empower them to overcome.

Paul elaborated on the time when these events will come to pass: when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels in flaming fire. Elsewhere in Paul’s writings, he refers to the coming of the Lord as the Parousia, the Lord’s coming,²² but here it is described as His “revelation” (being revealed from heaven). This “revelation” was important for the believers, as they didn’t have a temple like the Jewish faith did, or a visible god as the pagan religions had. However, Jesus, whom neither the believers nor their persecutors could see, will be revealed in all His glory and power on that day, and all will see Him. In the book of Matthew we read:

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.²³

Paul goes on to say that the Lord Jesus will bring divine judgment. The language of verse 8 is taken from two verses in the book of Isaiah, 66:15 and 66:4.

For behold, the LORD will come in fire, and his chariots like the whirlwind, to render his anger in fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.²⁴

I also will choose harsh treatment for them and bring their fears upon them, because when I called, no one answered, when I spoke, they did not listen; but they did what was evil in my eyes and chose that in which I did not delight.²⁵

These two verses describe God’s wrath on the disobedient. It is a judicial decision against those who have rejected God and the gospel, those who do not know God and … those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed, because our testimony to you was believed.²⁶

Paul went on to describe the Lord’s vengeance against those who had rejected God and the gospel. The wording they will suffer the punishment comes from the legal world and means “to pay the consequences” for some action. In the book of Jude, we read of people of Sodom and Gomorrah who suffered a punishment of eternal fire,²⁷ which is similar to the punishment of eternal destruction found in this text. Elsewhere in Scripture we find more references to eternal punishment.

Then he will say to those on his left, ‘Depart from me, you cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’²⁸

If your hand or your foot causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to enter life crippled or lame than with two hands or two feet to be thrown into the eternal fire.²⁹

The place where the judged are sent is described in the New Testament as unquenchable fire,³⁰ a fiery furnace,³¹ utter darkness that has been reserved forever,³² and a fiery lake of burning sulfur.³³

While those who have rejected God and who persecute the church ³⁴ will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction away from God’s presence, the situation for believers is totally different. When he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, and to be marveled at among all who have believed.³⁵ That day refers to the day of the Lord, which has been mentioned throughout the Thessalonian letters. You yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.³⁶ When speaking of his saints, Paul was referring to the Thessalonian believers, just as he used this term to speak of believers throughout the Epistles.³⁷

Those who do not know God and who do not obey the gospel will suffer punishment. However, on that day, Jesus will be glorified in His saints. His people will give Him the glory and honor He deserves, because of His judgment on that day.

To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.³⁸

At this point, Paul informs the Thessalonian church that he and his companions pray for them. His prayer here is similar to his prayer in 1 Thessalonians 1:2. His and his partners’ prayers for the church were constant. Their commitment to prayer was rigorous. Because the final judgment would be severe, and the revelation of the Lord would be so glorious, Paul prayed that “God would make you worthy of his calling.”

In the second part of the prayer, Paul prays that God will fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power. This prayer acknowledges that God is the source of the good that Christians do. The fulfillment of what they should do as disciples depended on God’s guidance and help in their lives. They were not to depend on their own abilities or their determination to accomplish what pleased God. Their “good works” were rooted in their faith and were carried out by the power of God.

Paul goes on to state the purpose of why they prayed as they did: so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.³⁹ While this point was made earlier in verse 10, when he comes on that day to be glorified in his saints, here Jesus’ glorification is linked with the attitude and conduct of the Thessalonian believers.

Paul put emphasis on the way the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified. The name of a person in Paul’s time was more than a way to distinguish one person from another. It often became a symbol of what the person was, or his or her qualities and power. For the persecuted followers of Jesus, the promise that His name would be glorified had great social importance. The glorification would be mutual—He in them and they in Him. All of this is due to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Note

¹ https://directors.tfionline.com/post/1-thessalonians-introduction/

² 2 Thessalonians 1:1.

³ Matthew 6:9.

⁴ Romans 1:7.

⁵ Galatians 1:3–4. See also 1 Corinthians 1:3; Ephesians 1:2; Philippians 1:2, 4:20; Colossians 1:2; 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3:11; Philemon 3.

⁶ 2 Thessalonians 1:2.

⁷ 2 Thessalonians 1:3.

⁸ 1 Thessalonians 1:3.

⁹ 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

¹⁰ 2 Thessalonians 1:4.

¹¹ 2 Corinthians 8:1–4.

¹² 2 Thessalonians 1:5–6.

¹³ 2 Thessalonians 1:4.

¹⁴ Verses 6, 8, 9.

¹⁵ 2 Timothy 3:12.

¹⁶ 2 Thessalonians 1:6.

¹⁷ Genesis 18:25.

¹⁸ Psalm 7:11.

¹⁹ Psalm 9:8.

²⁰ Revelation 19:1–2.

²¹ 2 Thessalonians 1:7–8.

²² 1 Thessalonians 2:19, 3:13, 4:15, 5:23; 2 Thessalonians 2:1.

²³ Matthew 24:30. See also 1 Peter 1:8.

²⁴ Isaiah 66:15.

²⁵ Isaiah 66:4.

²⁶ 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10.

²⁷ Jude 7.

²⁸ Matthew 25:41.

²⁹ Matthew 18:8. See also Matthew 25:46.

³⁰ Matthew 3:12.

³¹ Matthew 13:42, 50.

³² Jude 13.

³³ Revelation 21:8 NIV.

³⁴ 2 Thessalonians 1:7–9.

³⁵ 2 Thessalonians 1:10.

³⁶ 1 Thessalonians 5:2. See also 1 Thessalonians 5:4, 2 Thessalonians 2:2.

³⁷ Romans 1:7; 1 Corinthians 1:2; 2 Corinthians 1:1; Ephesians 1:1; Philippians 1:1; Colossians 1:2.

³⁸ 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12.

³⁹ 2 Thessalonians 1:12.

A Deeper Healing

April 28, 2023

By Joni Eareckson Tada

To me, physical healing had always been the big deal, but to God, my soul was a much bigger deal. And that’s when I began searching for a deeper healing, not just a physical healing, although I was still praying for such. I asked for a deeper healing, a Psalm 139, “Search me, O God, try my heart, test me and see if there be some wicked way in me. Cleanse me from every sin and set me free.”

“To this you were called,” it says in 1 Peter chapter 2, “because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” I want to follow in His steps. And if my Savior learned obedience through the things which He suffered, I’m not above my Master. God is still doing a deeper healing…

Run time for this video is 27 minutes.

God Never Fails

April 27, 2023

Treasures

Audio length: 10:37

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Each one of us, at some point in our lives, has experienced deep disappointment when things just didn’t work out as we had hoped or expected, and we have perhaps wondered if God has failed us. There have been times when we have been committed to something that we were personally convinced was God’s will, and therefore felt that He would bless our efforts. We prayed sincerely for God to help us, but then for some reason, our plans failed, and things didn’t work out as we had hoped.

Even when we can see the obvious natural reasons and adverse circumstances that explain why something didn’t work out, as Christians, the question that we can often face is, “But Lord, I thought this was Your will! So why didn’t You intervene miraculously and make it work out anyway? Why did this fail? Did You fail me, Lord?” It’s so easy at times like that to just throw up our hands in despair and to blame or second-guess ourselves or even to question God! And if we allow ourselves to hold it against God, we can nourish a little bitterness against Him in a corner of our heart.

Such feelings of disappointment and discouragement are very real at such times, but the question we must ask ourselves is: What went wrong? Did God fail? The answer for those who have put their trust in the Lord and His Word and strive to live in obedience to it is that God never fails, and if things go wrong or don’t turn out as we had hoped or expected, we must accept the fact that either we failed in some way somewhere along the line, or God has a different plan that He intends to work together for our good (Romans 8:28).

Even good purposes and projects sometimes fail when we are not doing them for the right motives, or we are not committing them to God and seeking His will and guidance. Another important reason why it may sometimes seem like the Lord isn’t answering our prayers and allows things to seemingly fail or not turn out as we had hoped—even good things that are within His will—is that God knows best what will bring about the best results in our lives and those of others. His Word says: “For 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” (Isaiah 55:8–9).

Everything can seem to be going according to His plan and be leading toward just what we have been praying for, but we still have to walk by faith and trust Him and believe Him and follow Him no matter what the outcome. God often sets up a situation just perfectly in answer to our prayers, but we still have to do our part and trust Him and commit to following Him and His will in the situation.

If He creates a golden opportunity and then tells us, “Do it now!” it is in our court to trust and follow Him and do our part. This is so often true when witnessing to others and sharing the good news. The Lord will bring some searching, desperate soul our way and will put a strong compulsion in our heart to talk to them about Jesus. But if we fail to do our part and don’t seize that golden opportunity, then His purpose won’t be accomplished. But if we follow through with what He shows us to do, we can trust that His will can be accomplished through us, no matter what the obstacles or difficulties.

An example of the importance of our faithfulness to accomplish God’s will is found in the Bible in Acts 8:26–38. Philip the evangelist had been preaching God’s Word in Samaria (Northern Israel) when “an angel of the Lord spoke to Philip, saying, arise, and go toward the south, to the highway that goes from Jerusalem to the desert country of Gaza.” God was planning to do something of tremendous importance, and His plan was to use Philip to do it. The Bible says Philip responded in obedience. “And he arose and went.”

When he arrived at the highway, there was “a man of great authority, the chief treasurer of Queen Candace of Ethiopia.” This Ethiopian dignitary believed in God, and had come to Jerusalem to worship, and was now returning to Ethiopia. And as he rode in his chariot, he was reading Isaiah chapter 53, one of the most amazing prophecies in the entire Bible! Five hundred years before Jesus was born, this chapter had predicted Jesus’ life and death with amazing accuracy. This was God’s perfect setup, but Philip had to do his part to fulfill God’s plan.

“Then the Holy Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go up to his chariot!’” Philip could have responded by saying, “Wait a minute, I’d better think this one over. He’s an important foreign official, and look at all those armed guards around him. If I go up to the official’s chariot, I could get in real trouble. I might even get killed!” But instead, the Bible says, “So Philip ran straight to him.” He ran straight up to the chariot and asked the chief treasurer, “Do you understand what you are reading?”

The Ethiopian confessed that he didn’t, and asked Philip to explain it to him, which Philip gladly did. As a result, the Ethiopian was converted and became a Christian. And because he was a man of great authority and influence, when he returned to his country, he was instrumental in converting the entire nation of Ethiopia to Christianity, all of which was made possible by Philip’s obedience to follow God’s plan. It showed that Philip truly had great faith in God.

Sometimes when our prayers don’t seem to be answered, it can be because of our lack of faith and trust in His Word. We may not be fully convinced that God is really with us, and that He is going to perform what He has promised according to His good will and purposes (Philippians 2:13). We may tentatively believe that God is going to do something and follow the general direction that He leads us, but when it comes down to the crunch, we have to follow through and do our part, trusting that God is with us regardless of the outcome.

We can’t just cautiously go forward, not really committing ourselves until we’re “sure” something is going to work out or succeed. You have to believe that God is with you, and as you commit your ways to Him, He is going to protect and bless you in your endeavor. When He asks you to put your faith into action, you have to intentionally put aside any reservations or doubts that could cause you to hesitate or you can risk God’s golden opportunity passing you by!

If we fail to put our faith into believing action in that golden opportunity, that moment of decision, then it is we who have failed to do our part, and not God. If we walk by faith, all things are possible with God, and He can do miracles to accomplish His will and plan. But without faith, we can’t accomplish His good purposes, for “without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Of course, sometimes the circumstances may not appear to be “just right.” New factors may have entered the equation, and the outlook for accomplishing what you had hoped to achieve or the goal you had hoped to reach may look uncertain. At such times, our faith can get tested, and in the process we learn to trust that God is with us and is going to answer our prayers, even when conditions seem to indicate the contrary.

When Abraham was 100 years old, and his wife Sarah was 90 years old, the Lord told them that she was going to bear a son. Romans 4:19–22 says, “He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised. That is why his faith was ‘counted to him as righteousness.’” And Hebrews 11:11 says of Sarah, “she was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised.”

No matter how things look in the present, or whether things turn out as we had hoped or expected, or even if all our hopes and dreams appear to have failed, we know that God never fails. He is with us and He is the one who “works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13). He is the one who has promised to work all things together for good in the lives of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose. “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished April 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

Change—The Door to New Possibilities

April 26, 2023

By Marty

Having reached the age when people think about retiring provides me with many years to reflect on. And I’ve been thinking of a common thread in my life—change. I suppose that was guaranteed with choosing a missionary career at an early age, and a few of those changes in particular were pivotal points that blessed my future.

From the opening verse of the Bible, the Spirit of God generates change. “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1). Believing He did that helped me believe that literally everything is possible, including transformations of a heart and life.

That thought piqued my interest, because at times it feels like some things will never change. For example, observing man’s inability to rule with fairness and justice for all. Or, closer to home, the difficulty we experience at times in our own little world with loving some neighbor. And then occasionally when we ourselves become that neighbor.

We stumble, trip, and fall at times in life, and when we do, we tend to listen more attentively to the negative thoughts and voices directed at us. Unless we find a way of escape, the resulting feelings of guilt and shame can take us over the edge and out of the race, at least temporarily.

Thinking back now on the bigger changes in my life, some kind of failure was in the script each time. Most of the circumstances were different, but the predicament was the same. After trying long and hard to overcome or achieve, I had reached the seeming end of my resources.

All of us are uniquely gifted by God for the life that He designed for us. Some people have more natural ability than others. Jesus touched on this in His parable of the talents, where He tells of a king giving each servant a different number of talents, which refers to money, in the form of coins. But his expectation for each of them was the same—to apply what they had received with their best effort. (See Matthew 25:14–30.)

But what if our best isn’t enough? Some people go far in a display of incredible perseverance, determination, skill, and love. But even they can arrive at times and places when it’s not enough. This limit of self-ability is a common denominator for all mankind.

There will be times when we give it all we’ve got but then fall short. That can seem so unfair, unless and until we understand the bigger picture. Jesus explained, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. If you can believe, all things are possible” (Mark 10:27; Mark 9:23). The miracles of possibility begin when we acknowledge our own limitations and believe in God to do what goes beyond our best efforts.

The first time I experienced a truly great change was nearing the end of my teen years. After burning my candle at both ends and then tiring of that, my attention turned to the world and people around me. I became more aware of the brokenness and suffering that exists literally everywhere. Naturally I hoped to learn of the answers and solutions.

After several more years, that early optimism had faded. My heart was tired and empty. It was right about then that, quite serendipitously, I met a young woman named Harmony who told me that Jesus is the answer. She claimed her life had changed when she first believed.

Pondering that seeming impossibility, I arrived at this conclusion: If God actually is the Creator, He should be able to change things for me. With just that spark of belief, I breathed a prayer asking Jesus to do it. It was enough, and a new flame began to burn. In the following weeks I decided to study the Bible and give my life in service to God’s kingdom.

That choice began a cascade of change. Less than a year later I was working in a gospel ministry in the Philippines where I met my wife. We shared in some great adventures for a couple of years before our most long-lasting one began with the arrival of our first baby. Raising a family became a large part of our future.

I was now twenty-three, and my entire life had radically changed in less than three years. Spiritually, mentally, and even physically I was being renewed, and I was happy. All I wanted was to continue growing in this new life with the expectation of doing great things for God.

I recently discovered a wonderful poem called “Christ Alone” with words true and profound. The author recognizes the great changes in a life that can happen with time as the vigor of youthfulness gives way to a growing wisdom learned only with age.

The world, I thought, belonged to me—
Goods, gold, and people, land and sea.
Wherever I walked beneath God’s sky,
In those days my word was “I.”

Years passed; there flashed my pathway near
The fragment of a vision dear.
My former word no more sufficed,
And what I said was “I and Christ.”

But, oh, the more I looked on Him,
His glory grew, while mine grew dim.
I shrank so small, He towered so high,
All I dared say was “Christ and I.”

Years more the vision held its place
And looked me steadily in the face;
I speak now in humbler tone,
And what I say is “Christ alone.”
—Author unknown

An example of this wisdom learned with time came about ten years later when another big change arrived. Still determined to spread the gospel, we had moved from the Philippines to a country closed and opposed to Christianity. My job teaching English at the college where we lived was what opened the door for us to remain in the country.

We were a family of six by then, Dad and Mom with four young children. Almost everything was different for us. Many familiar comforts were gone and only basic necessities were available. The oppressive government presence was a constant challenge. But all of that stood in contrast to the obvious need of the local people, who yearned for friendship and love.

All seemed to go well for about six months, until one night our sleep was interrupted by the police banging on the door. We learned later that the couple next door had moved in to spy on us. We were placed under house arrest with intense daily interrogation for a week, then we were deported to a neighboring country.

There was much to be learned. But the fact that I hadn’t seen it coming, and then mishandled some of the questioning, exposed the disconnect that existed in my spiritual life. Until that point, I’d been so confident in my own ability to discern, often better than others. Through the shock of this experience, I was awakened to how blind I was.

God knew my sincerity in wanting to please Him, and also how I needed to change for that to happen. He allowed that fall and breaking of my heart and spirit so that I would see my need for His. I did, and in time got back up, more humble than before and ready to learn greater dependence on His ability to lead.

Understanding how much value Jesus places upon our love and friendship with Him can be difficult to grasp. I’ve concluded it is so great that He allows disruption to enter our lives repeatedly as an agent of change to draw us closer to Him. All difficulties that accompany the experience do not compare with the results He desires and knows are possible.

These changes I’ve described, and many more in my life, all worked together for the best. They keep coming today, and I expect they will into the future. And honestly, knowing some changes will be big ones can be scary and troubling. But there is also a sense of excitement in knowing that such times are the door to new beginnings.

When they arrive, the key is to hang on, believing God’s promised resources will never run dry. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow us all the days of our lives. We’ll not remain in the valleys and shadows of this world, but will pass through in liberation and new life. Until one day we will dwell in the house of the Lord forever. (See Psalm 23.)

The Art of Saying Thank You

April 25, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 11:41

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The deepest principle in human nature is the craving to be appreciated.—William James

Our family … pulled into a rest stop on the turnpike. In our typical fashion, my husband went in one direction with our two boys, and I took our two girls into the women’s restroom. …

As we walked in, I noticed that, despite how busy it was, the restroom was sparkling clean. I saw a woman hard at work, scrubbing the floors and sinks amidst others walking in and out. It struck me that, while most other women were home preparing [dinner] or traveling to visit family, she was doing a thankless job. The bathroom was remarkably tidy and, as any mom would be, I was grateful.

I should say something to her, I thought to myself. When I looked up from the sink, she had disappeared. For a minute, I felt a sense of relief that I could avoid a possibly awkward interaction. But while drying my hands, I felt a nudging within me to go find her and express my thanks. My girls and I walked around the corner to the other side of the restroom and found her reloading her supply cart in a closet. I slowly walked up to her and said, “I just wanted to thank you for doing such a great job cleaning this restroom. I really appreciate it.”

A warm and curious smile spread across her face as she looked at me. I wondered if anyone ever thanked her for her diligent work.

Why is it that we often think thankful thoughts, but don’t express them with words? Are we afraid of looking foolish or weak? Are we too preoccupied with our own agenda to take the time to offer a word of encouragement? Are we concerned that giving too much praise to someone might inflate their pride?

I remember one Sunday morning, early on in our ministry, when a woman came up to me to tell me how my husband’s sermon had impacted her. “But I didn’t want to tell him,” she confided. “I’m leery of comments like that going to a pastor’s head.” If only she knew how much more freely people seem to speak critical words. Encouraging, thankful words can bring life and refreshment to a weary soul. …

Likely we all could stand to grow in recognizing all the reasons we have to be thankful—they are all around us. But simply becoming more grateful in our hearts is just the beginning. If gratefulness rises up in our hearts, but never spills out of our mouths, we are only experiencing the beginnings of joy. Gratitude is only fully enjoyed when we share it with others.

As C. S. Lewis said, “We delight to praise what we enjoy because the praise not merely expresses but completes the enjoyment; it is its appointed consummation.”

So, the next time you find your mind dwelling on a thankful thought … put those thoughts into words.—Stacy Reaoch¹

According to the experts in the field of positive psychology, the mental state of being thankful benefits the giver of thanks as much as the receiver. Research shows that an attitude of gratitude bolsters your self-worth and self-esteem, combats negative emotions such as stress or anger, builds meaningful social bonds, and releases endorphins in the brain that produce a sense of well-being. One university study shows that gratitude and giving even increase physical health and longevity. As importantly, the receiver of your thanks benefits mightily by feeling valued and appreciated. Here are a few tips on expressing your appreciation to others.

Be sincere. Say it like you mean it—true gratitude flows from genuine feelings. Let’s say a co-worker has gone the extra mile to help you complete a big project on time. You could hurriedly say “Thanks” as you turn your back and walk out the door. Or, you could take one extra minute, sit down beside her, and looking her in the eyes say, “Jan, I really appreciate the extra time and effort you’ve invested to make this happen. I couldn’t have done it without you. Thank you so much.” The first approach seems like an afterthought and may make Jan feel undervalued. The second approach expresses sincere gratitude and is likely to make her day. When expressing heartfelt thanks to another, remember to use good eye contact, open body language, an expressive voice tone, and say the most important word—their name.

Choose the appropriate medium. When you consider the giver and what they’ve done for you, what would be most fitting: a face-to-face meeting, a hand-written note, a phone call, an email, posting a message via social media, sending flowers or a gift? Any expression of sincere thanks is better than nothing at all; however, ideally strive to match apples to apples. …

Be specific. Regardless of the medium—whether spoken or written—express the particular qualities or traits you value most about the person and communicate how their contribution has positively affected your life. For example, imagine a colleague has spent the last year planning and executing a stellar sales meeting that jump-starts your team on a great year. After the meeting, you could send an email that reads, “Thanks, Bob. Great job.” Or, you could send an appropriate gift with a hand-written note that reads, “Dear Bob, Thank you very much for hosting such a successful sales conference this week. You have an outstanding ability to organize details, provide quality educational content, and get everyone engaged in the process. We loved it! I’m confident my team and I will exceed quota and have a banner year because of your efforts. Thanks again!”

Commend or refer people to others. One of the best ways to show your appreciation for what someone has done for you is to sing their praises to others. When a colleague goes above and beyond, send a complimentary note to their boss. When you benefit from the outstanding service or product of a business partner, recommend them to others.

Look for opportunities to thank people. Every time someone does something for you, big or small, it’s an opportunity to express thanks. They’ve made your life a little better than before. Over time, this repeated practice develops a positive transforming approach to life—an attitude of gratitude. … Not only does thanking other people boost your own happiness, it meets a deep need within them to feel valued and appreciated.—Darlene Price²

Stop and recall the last time you said a loving word or expressed your thanks and appreciation to your spouse, children, or co-workers. Chances are it’s been too long. Maybe you feel that you show your thanks and appreciation through your actions, and that’s very valuable. But if you’re not also verbalizing your thanks and appreciation, then something is missing in your relationships.

Though actions speak louder than words, there is also a strong case to be made for using words in expressing your thanks and appreciation, and it takes so little effort that it’s a shame more people don’t do it. The only effort it takes is thinking about something specific to appreciate or commend the other person for, and then taking the time to express it. It may take a little courage, if you’re not used to saying thanks or expressing appreciation verbally, but it’s more than worth it.

I guarantee that sincere thanks and appreciation carry a special magic that inevitably lifts the spirit of the receiver and in return gives you joy because you’ve brightened someone’s day.—Jesus

Published on Anchor April 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/say-thank-you-to-someone-today

² https://myemail.constantcontact.com/The-Attitude-of-Gratitude–Mastering-the-Art-of-Saying-Thank-You.html?soid=1111570680880&aid=YqvXcWzqBWE

The Story (part B)

Peter Amsterdam

2012-02-07

The fulfillment of God’s promises that salvation would come through Israel to the rest of the world was going to happen in a manner that was completely unexpected. It was going to come through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. Their messiah was going to look like a failed messiah, someone who had made big bold promises, only to be executed by the authorities. But this “failed messiah” rose from the dead and never died again, and in doing so, He defeated death. Never before had someone died, been resurrected, and not died again eventually. There had been a few people who were raised from death, such as Lazarus, but these eventually died again. Jesus didn’t. In Jesus, God did a completely new thing.

Everything the Scriptures had foretold about the salvation of the world came to a climax through these events. There was a fundamental change which ushered in a new age, known as “the last days”; an age which started with the resurrection of Jesus and will end with His return, when the victory over death is completed, and those who have chosen to be His will be raised—body and spirit.

Jesus was the first to be resurrected, including His body, and He is now in heaven, body and spirit. His body was changed. God created a new kind of body in resurrecting Jesus’, one that was material in that it could be touched, but was beyond material in that it could disappear and pass through walls and doors. This kind of body did not exist before, but it does now in Jesus. This is the kind of body that human beings will possess at the end of the “last days.”^[10] Jesus ascended into heaven bodily. The risen and exalted Lord exists today in body and spirit. Those who receive Jesus as their Savior will be raised in the same manner—body and spirit.

Jesus’ death and resurrection fulfilled the promises and covenants contained within the Jewish scriptures, and in doing so changed everything!

With His death and resurrection, the temple was no longer needed, for sins would no longer be forgiven yearly through temple sacrifice, but would be forgiven eternally once and for all through the sacrifice of Jesus’ death. The temple was no longer to be the dwelling place of God, because after Pentecost, God the Holy Spirit dwelt in believers.

The Torah was superseded by the words of Jesus, as He was the Word made flesh. When He said, “You have heard it said … but I say to you,” He was stating that His word had more authority than the Laws of Moses, that He was giving a new version of it, and that He had the right to do so.

When Jesus ate His last meal with His disciples, He was celebrating Passover, the event when the blood of a lamb was sprinkled on the doorposts, which saved the Jewish firstborn children from the angel of death and made the Jews’ exodus from Egypt possible. However, He taught at that last meal that the sacrifice that was about to take place represented a new covenant, a new agreement—that the shedding of His blood would permanently save us from sin and would bring a new exodus from the bondage of sin and death.

The gate that was closed after Adam’s sin has now been opened. The separation is no longer there. The opportunity to become part of God’s family is now available to all. Humankind has been given the right to become children of God through Jesus.^[11] God’s Spirit will dwell within and empower anyone who receives Jesus.

The clincher in this story is that Jesus’ death and resurrection began a new era, a new creation, the beginning of the kingdom of God on earth. The people of the world can now be reconciled with God. Permanent forgiveness of sin is available without our having to pay the price for that forgiveness, as it was paid in full by Jesus’ death. We are part of God’s new creation. We are reconciled to Him, received back into His favor, able to become one of His children, and are called to help others find that same reconciliation.

If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.^[12]

The story doesn’t end there, as death itself will eventually be defeated and creation will be fully restored, with no curse, no sin, no evil.^[13]

Jesus, God the Son, was born of a woman and lived the life of a human. He was the nature and character of God in human flesh. His actions, His words, the life He lived, manifested what God is like, made tangible in the life of Jesus. The ultimate love, the deep compassion, the hatred of evil; the anger at injustice, hypocrisy, and taking advantage of the poor and weak; the mercy and understanding; all of these were the personality of God played out in a way that we, as humans, could understand.

Jesus was God’s love, God’s Word, walking the earth. He was called to pay the ultimate price of dying for the sins of those in the world, and in doing so, He made it possible for us to be reconciled to God, to become God’s children, to have the right to receive the inheritance of our Father, which is eternal life.

We, as members of God’s family, His adopted children,^[14] play a role in God’s great story, in His love for humanity, His love for His creation. For we are called to share this story with those who haven’t heard it, who don’t understand it, and who have trouble believing it. With God’s Spirit dwelling in us, we are temples of the Holy Spirit. We are ambassadors of Christ, who have a personal relationship with God, and our commission from Jesus Himself is to share the message, to tell the story, to let others know that they can be part of God’s family. They can become part of God’s kingdom, of His new creation. Their sins can be forgiven, all for free, since the price of their entry into God’s family has been paid for. It’s theirs for the asking.

It’s helpful to remember the end result of it all, what God is offering, so it’s fresh in our hearts and minds when we offer it to others. Those who become members of God’s family will live forever in a place of incredible beauty, which is “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband,”^[15] with the radiance of jewels,^[16] with a wall constructed from precious stones.^[17] A place with no need of the sun or stars, for God will be its light.^[18] There will be no death, mourning, crying, or pain.^[19] It’s a place that is free from all evil,^[20] a place where God will dwell with men.^[21]—Forever! Ours is a message of joy, of happiness, of the possibility of eternal life in the most wonderful place possible, and a renewed life now. It truly is the most important message there is.

As partakers of these eternal blessings, as His ambassadors, His messengers, we should do our very best to live in a manner which reflects God and His love, which lets people see God’s light and feel His warmth through us, His children. We are to be messengers of the divine invitation, inviting one and all to the feast, to the kingdom of God.^[22] We are to preach the Gospel, the good news that anyone can become God’s child, that His free gift is available to everyone.

We are to be messengers of love, in word and in deed, to a world desperately in need of God, of His love, His forgiveness, and His mercy.^[23] We are His messengers; our job is to pass on the invitation, to share the good news, to tell the story, and to do so in a language that they understand, through our words, our actions, and our love. Invite them!

The Spirit and the Bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires take the water of life without price. ^[24]

^[10] Our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like His glorious body, by the power that enables Him even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20–21 ESV.

So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. 1 Corinthians 15:42–44,49 ESV.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when He appears we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is. 1 John 3:2 ESV.

For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality. When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” 1 Corinthians 15:52–54 ESV.

^[11] To all who did receive Him, who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God, John 1:12 ESV.

^[12] 2 Corinthians 5:17–20 ESV.

^[13] I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more … He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also He said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” Revelation 21:1, 4–5 ESV.

^[14] When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” So you are no longer a slave, but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God. Galatians 4:4–7 ESV.

^[15] I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. Revelation 21:2 ESV.

^[16] He carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God, having the glory of God, its radiance like a most rare jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal. Revelation 21:10–11 ESV.

^[17] The wall was built of jasper, while the city was pure gold, clear as glass. The foundations of the wall of the city were adorned with every kind of jewel. The first was jasper, the second sapphire, the third agate, the fourth emerald, the fifth onyx, the sixth carnelian, the seventh chrysolite, the eighth beryl, the ninth topaz, the tenth chrysoprase, the eleventh jacinth, the twelfth amethyst. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls, each of the gates made of a single pearl, and the street of the city was pure gold, transparent as glass. Revelation 21:18–21 ESV.

^[18] The city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb. Revelation 21:23 ESV.

^[19] He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away. Revelation 21:4 ESV.

^[20] Nothing unclean will ever enter it, nor anyone who does what is detestable or false, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27 ESV.

^[21] I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Behold, the dwelling place of God is with man. He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them as their God.” Revelation 21:3 ESV.

^[22] The master said to the servant, “Go out to the highways and hedges and compel people to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23 ESV.

^[23] How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in Him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching? Romans 10:14 ESV.

^[24] Revelation 22:17 ESV.

The Story (part A)

Peter Amsterdam

2012-02-07

In this article I want to talk about the story behind the message. It’s a story that you are already familiar with, a story which changed your life. While the plot and story line remain the same, there are many ways of telling the story, and I thought that going over a summary might bring to mind details or aspects which perhaps you haven’t thought of for some time; and that this could aid you when you feel the need to tailor the message or relate it in a way those you’re ministering to will understand.

As related in the Old Testament books written by Moses, at the very beginning of time God created the universe and within it the world and all that’s in it. He created human beings in His own image. How He did all of this is something that I will be writing about in a future Heart of It All series article. For now, it’s enough to understand that He did.

The first human beings, Adam and Eve, lived in a world that was very different from the world of today. It was a world in which they did not have to toil for their food, in which they were in harmony with one another, creation, and God. They lived in a beautiful world where everything was “very good.”^[1] They had no knowledge of evil, and while they had free will as we do, they had the ability to never sin. At some point in time in their idyllic world in the Garden of Eden, they were tempted by Satan to doubt what God had told them, which led them to disobedience and thus sin. Once they had chosen to disobey God, they knew evil.^[2] Because of this, it was necessary for God to send them out of the garden so they wouldn’t eat of the tree of life and thus live forever in their disobedient state.^[3]

Their disobedience brought a separation between God and them, which is what sin does, as well as altered the relationship they once had with Him. Their world was radically changed. They were no longer innocent; they knew evil, and thus evil entered into humanity. Humanity and creation were altered, the ground was cursed, and death entered the world.^[4]

Because of sin there was a separation between mankind and God, like a gate which man could not open or pass through. God, out of His love for His creation, had a plan that would in time open that gate and lift the curse and defeat death.

In time God chose a man, childless Abraham, and promised that He would make Abraham a great nation, that kings would come from his line of descendants, and that through him all the people of the earth would be blessed.^[5] Abraham’s descendants through his son Isaac were the children of Israel. God confirmed this covenant to Abraham’s grandson, Jacob (and renamed him Israel).^[6] From that time God called the descendants of Abraham His people, and had an extraordinary relationship with them.

He protected and prospered the children of Israel, saving them from famine through moving them to Egypt. Over time, the Egyptians enslaved them, but after 400 years God raised up Moses to deliver them from slavery through a series of incredible miracles, including plagues upon the Egyptians, the night of Passover,^[7] the parting of the Red Sea so that the children of Israel could escape from the Egyptians, and the destruction of the Egyptian army as they attempted to pursue them. Once the children of Israel started their journey out of Egypt, God’s presence was with them in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night. Soon after this, God’s presence settled upon Mount Sinai, and God instructed Moses to come up into the mountain, where God gave him His words and commandments, which the children of Israel were supposed to obey and live by.

After 40 years in the desert, God brought them to the land of Canaan, which He had promised them as Abraham’s descendants. Before they entered Canaan, Moses spoke to them about God’s laws that they were to obey in the land. He went on to list the blessings they would receive if they kept God’s law and obeyed His commandments, and the curses which would be upon them if they didn’t. One of those curses was that if they disobeyed, they would be taken captive by another nation. Another curse was that their nation would be destroyed and their people scattered. In time this happened.

The children of Israel went into the land and conquered it. Over the centuries, God raised up prophets, judges, and then kings to guide and rule the people. He made a covenant with King David, saying that through his line God would raise up a son who would build a house for God and that David’s throne would be established forever.^[8] After David’s death, his son Solomon built the first temple, the place where God’s presence would be among the people and where they would come to worship Him.

After Solomon’s death there was a split that divided the kingdom in two, with the Kingdom of Israel consisting of ten tribes in the north and the Kingdom of Judah consisting of two tribes in the south. No one knows exactly what happened to the ten tribes after Israel was destroyed by ancient Assyria in about 720 BC, but the Kingdom of Judah continued on. Due to their continued disobedience to God, He repeatedly sent prophets to warn them of impending destruction if they didn’t repent and change. In 587 BC, in accordance with prophecies given, the Babylonian army conquered Judah and destroyed the city and the temple and took the king, his mother, his servants, his officials and mighty men of valor, the craftsmen and the smiths, to Babylon. Nebuchadnezzar also took all the treasures from the temple, and eventually also destroyed the temple and the walls of Jerusalem.^[9] This was known as the Babylonian captivity.

About 50 years later, after the Babylonians were conquered by the Persians, some of the Jews in Babylon were allowed to returned to their homeland. Over time, they built the second temple. It was during this time that the last prophets—Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi—prophesied, and this brought to an end the writings of the Old Testament. Centuries later the second temple was renovated by Herod the Great and became known as Herod’s temple.

During the time between the building of the second temple and the birth of Jesus, Israel was conquered and ruled by the Greeks. More specifically, Israel became part of the Seleucid Empire, which was ruled by one of Alexander the Great’s generals after his death. About a century and a half later, after the Jewish Maccabean revolt, Israel was ruled by the Jewish Hasmonean dynasty. In 64 BC, they were conquered by Rome and were ruled by Jewish-Roman client kings.

The events of the history of the Jewish people always pointed toward the fulfillment of God’s promise—that through the line of Abraham the whole world would be blessed, that through Israel God would bring a blessing to all people. That time came with the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus.

Throughout the Old Testament, promises were made by God that the glory of Israel would be restored; that the enemies of Israel would be defeated; that the king of Israel would rule the world, and that God would dwell with His people.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Israel was an occupied country. Because of the promises given in Scripture, many of the Jewish people were hoping for and expecting that God was going to raise up a king, a messiah, who would throw off the Roman yoke and restore Israel’s political independence. They were expecting that Israel would be ruled by a righteous king, and that this would usher in a new era.

Jesus preached that the kingdom was near. There are over 70 mentions of “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdom of heaven” in the Gospels. The first century Jews understood this to mean that Jesus would lead a movement that was going to defeat the Romans and bring about all the blessings God spoke about throughout the Old Testament. From things said in the Gospels, it seems that some of the disciples were thinking in these terms as well.

But that wasn’t God’s plan at all. In fact, much of what Jesus said, the parables He told, and His actions, such as casting the moneychangers out of the temple and overturning their tables, proclaimed judgment on Israel, much like many of the Old Testament prophets did. Jesus taught that the old way of forgiveness of sins through the temple sacrifices was over, and the physical temple, the sacrifices, the strict adherence to the Torah, the Laws of Moses, were no longer necessary.—That Israel, because of her sins, was going to be judged and destroyed. Only a few decades later, in 70 AD, the Romans destroyed the temple and the city and didn’t allow Jews to live in Jerusalem any longer. In 132 AD some of the Jewish people again revolted against Rome. This led the Romans to destroy nearly 1,000 villages in central Judea; killing, enslaving, or exiling the inhabitants. (to be continued in part B)

^[1] God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. Genesis 1:31 ESV.

^[2] The serpent said to the woman, “You will not surely die. For God knows that when you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. Genesis 3:4–7 ESV.

^[3] The Lord God said, “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil. Now, lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever,” therefore the Lord God sent him out from the garden of Eden to work the ground from which he was taken. He drove out the man, and at the east of the garden of Eden He placed the cherubim and a flaming sword that turned every way to guard the way to the tree of life. Genesis 3:22–24 ESV.

^[4] To the woman He said, “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children. Your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.” And to Adam He said, “Because you have listened to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, ‘You shall not eat of it,’ cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” Genesis 3:16–19 ESV.

^[5] The Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and him who dishonors you I will curse, and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 12:1–3 ESV.

Abram fell on his face. And God said to him, “Behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be the father of a multitude of nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you the father of a multitude of nations. I will make you exceedingly fruitful, and I will make you into nations, and kings shall come from you.” Genesis 17:3–6 ESV.

^[6] The Lord stood above it and said, “I am the Lord, the God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac. The land on which you lie I will give to you and to your offspring. Your offspring shall be like the dust of the earth, and you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed. Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.” Genesis 28:13–15 ESV.

^[7] Take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and touch the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin. None of you shall go out of the door of his house until the morning. For the Lord will pass through to strike the Egyptians, and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over the door and will not allow the destroyer to enter your houses to strike you. Exodus 12:22–23 ESV.

^[8] When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. He shall build a house for My name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before Me. Your throne shall be established forever. 2 Samuel 7:12–13, 16 ESV.

^[9] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to the city while his servants were besieging it, and Jehoiachin the king of Judah gave himself up to the king of Babylon, himself and his mother and his servants and his officials and his palace officials. The king of Babylon took him prisoner in the eighth year of his reign and carried off all the treasures of the house of the Lord and the treasures of the king’s house, and cut in pieces all the vessels of gold in the temple of the Lord, which Solomon king of Israel had made, as the Lord had foretold. He carried away all Jerusalem and all the officials and all the mighty men of valor, 10,000 captives, and all the craftsmen and the smiths. None remained, except the poorest people of the land. 2 Kings 24:11–14 ESV.

In the fifth month, on the seventh day of the month—that was the nineteenth year of King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon—Nebuzaradan, the captain of the bodyguard, a servant of the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem. And he burned the house of the Lord and the king’s house and all the houses of Jerusalem; every great house he burned down. And all the army of the Chaldeans, who were with the captain of the guard, broke down the walls around Jerusalem. And the rest of the people who were left in the city and the deserters who had deserted to the king of Babylon, together with the rest of the multitude, Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carried into exile. But the captain of the guard left some of the poorest of the land to be vinedressers and plowmen. 2 Kings 25:8–12 ESV.

Compromise and Conformity

Virginia Brandt Berg

1970-02-01

We have a very wonderful scripture today and I think one of the sweetest stories in God’s Word. This is about some 14-year-old teenagers in the first chapter of Daniel.

Daniel himself was about 14 years of age, and here he is standing out against all of the conformities of that day. I want to read you a part of this. It is such a long story here, written in the first chapter, that I couldn’t possibly read it all. Doubtless, most of you know the story.

These young men, four of them, were chosen to stand, as God’s Words says, before the king. For the king had asked for certain of the children of Israel that should be kings’ seed (the seed of kings and princes, that is), and who would have no blemish. They were to be well-favored and skillful in all wisdom and cunning in knowledge and understanding science, God’s Word says.

So it wasn’t so easy to find young men like that, who even understood science, and such as had ability to stand in the king’s palace. Then it goes on to say that they were to teach these young men the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans. In other words, they were going to take these Israelite boys in their teens and they were going to brainwash them to make them real Babylonians.

Now Nebuchadnezzar was a very cruel king and was much given to the cruelest atrocities in that day. So here are these young men whom they were going to try to change. They even gave them names of heathen gods!

God’s Word goes on to say that the king appointed them a daily portion of the king’s meat and of the wine which he drank, so nourishing them three years, and at the end they would stand before the king. Then it goes on to tell you the names of the heathen gods that were given to these young men.

These young men were Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. By the way, I might say that these names amongst the Jews had real meaning, wonderful meanings, but now they are going to change even their names, and as I said, they are going to try to brainwash them and make them over into Babylonians.

But young Daniel “purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with a portion of the king’s meat nor the wine. Therefore, he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. And the prince of the eunuchs said to Daniel, I fear my lord the king, who hath appointed your meat and your drink: for why should he see your faces worse than the children which are of your sort?” (Daniel 1:8-10) Then you know the story, how Daniel and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego made up their minds that they would not partake of the king’s dainties.

So Daniel asked if for ten days they could just eat their own food, pulse. And at the end of the ten days, then the eunuch was to appear before them and take them before the king. And God’s Word goes on to say that at the end of that time, “As for these four children whom God gave knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams,” and when they came to stand before the king, their countenance was fairer than all the rest. (Daniel 1:17)

They were so wonderful to look upon! God’s Word says here in the fifteenth verse that “their countenance appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king’s meat.” (Daniel 1:15)

Therefore, as Daniel wouldn’t compromise, Daniel wouldn’t partake of the king’s dainties, he in the long run was exalted above all the others. It’s a wonderful story, but the thought that I want to bring out is this: How fearless these young men were of death. Everything was to be theirs if they became conformed to the Babylonian way of life.

And oh, how much there is a conformity today amongst our young people! Here at the end of school and coming near the time of the graduation when there will be so many parties and the different affairs that take place at the end, so many Christian young people are wondering about just what they are going to do. They want to belong; they want to be accepted. That is the case with teenagers so much today: there is a conformity. It’s pitiful, but that is true.

But this shows here how a small decision will bring about great repercussions in the years to come. Because if Daniel had compromised here early in life, he would not have stood his ground later. There would never have been the wonderful story of Daniel in the lions’ den and how the lions’ mouths were shut and Daniel’s life was spared—that wonderful story that almost everyone knows. (Daniel 6)

There never would have been that sixth chapter of Daniel if Daniel had not stood in this particular place. Everything in the world could have been his according to his world at that time, if he would have just become conformed to the Babylonian way of life; but instead he looked to God and he stood his ground fearlessly.

If you can’t stand now, how will you stand in the coming days? Our nation is being confounded right now before other nations. We are being embarrassed before other nations; we stand confused somewhat before our enemies. Great nations today like ours have ruled God out.

So many lives have ruled God out of their lives and their thoughts and their programs, and there has been somewhat of an apostasy in our churches and schools and our colleges, in our universities: destructive criticism of God’s Word, the repudiation of God’s laws, the refusal to submit to God’s sovereignty, the rejection of Christ’s deity and the adoption of the vagaries of rationalism, evolution, and materialism, and all this has produced a demoralizing effect upon our nation.

The confidence of some of the people has been shaken and there have been produced anti-Christian attitudes which find their fruit now in uncertainty in our political stand, and confusion and unrest and fear and hate. The course of the world that the church has been pursuing in recent years plays its part in the present crisis. They’ve been producing some chaos in the midst of all of this world confusion. These blind the souls of men, and organize their campaigns of hatred against our country, and against truth, and against the Bible, even against God’s people. And so I say we are facing critical times.

We are facing things that are going to be frightful to bear in coming days if we can’t stand now. All these things are roots of the systems which men have built: the sources of all these new ideologies now contending for supremacy.

How are you going to stand amidst it all? That’s the question that faces each one of us right now. I look at Daniel’s stand and I will say that it was a difficult place that he was in, but we feel even today the result of his decision. He was face to face with a problem which everyone faces.

At the entrance to any line of action that calls for a change to a higher sphere of conduct there stands this decision: Whether or not you’re going to stand out and out for Jesus Christ—if you are going to stand true to God’s Word. Because that is the only standard! The only real standard there is today is the Word of God. Or whether you are going to do that which is expedient, and compromise.

There’s an allegiance that is one and undivided in the Christian life. It’s a devoted, dedicated life, a surrendered life to the Christian ideal. And therein lies its power. You ask, “Where is the power of the Christian life?” In its dedication and its consecration! And right at the entrance, as I say, to this higher ground there comes this decision. It’s very easy to let some things go, but there are other things that it is not so easy [to let go of].

It is a bitter struggle! Some things involve loss and involve embarrassing explanations, and we have to stand out against the world. The question is, How are you going to stand? Are you going to take a definite stand for the Lord Jesus Christ? Are you going to be willing to witness for Him? Or are you going to cut the corners of bedrock principles and make dim and shadowy the Word of God which says “Thus saith the Lord”?

The kingdom of God is founded on absolute things: absolute truth and candor and sincerity. And ever across there is the kingdom of evil that is no less absolute in its falseness. But the question is whether or not you are going to see that the issues of Christian living and Christian duty are sharply defined.

You have to take a definite stand today. You can’t conform to these things. It’s a transformed life and not a conformed life! I want to read you just a little bit of this Psalm 27, and then you’ll read it when you get alone with God.

God’s Word says here, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion, in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me upon a rock.” (Psalm 27:1, 5)

Then in Psalm 22:5 is a verse that tells you that you will not be confounded if you stand out right for the Lord, “For they cried unto the Lord and were delivered; they trusted in the Lord and were never confounded.” And you will not be if you really trust in Him fully and never compromise and never conform.

He’s still on the throne and prayer changes things.

April 21, 2023

A Rest for Any Restlessness

By Scott Hubbard

If you could capture in a word what it feels like to live as a fallen human, far from Eden, what might you say? Sorrowful, perhaps, or broken. Frustrating. Dark. There’s no one right answer. But one of the most profound appears in the famous opening lines of Augustine’s Confessions: restless. “You have made us for yourself, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

Deep in the human soul, a spirit of restlessness runs like an underground river: often unseen, often unrecognized, often denied, yet rumbling beneath so much of what we say, dream, and do.

(Read the article here. There is also an audio version on the page.)

A Rest for Any Restlessness | Desiring God

The Lord’s Prayer—Part 1

April 20, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 11:54

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke about having the right attitude concerning prayer. He said that we should not pray for the purpose of being noticed by others, and for those who do so, that in itself will be their reward and they will receive no other. Jesus followed that by exhorting on how not to pray, and then showing the right way to pray by teaching His disciples what we now refer to as the Lord’s Prayer.

He explained the wrong type of prayer this way: “When you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7–8).

He was teaching that the prayers of His followers should not be like those of the Roman and Greek gentiles, who would pray to their gods at length in the belief that wordy, flowery prayers were the way to be heard and get a response. Instead, Jesus taught that prayers should not consist of “many words,” of heaping up empty phrases, or as other translations render it: “don’t babble like idolaters; do not use vain or meaningless repetitions.”

The ancient pagans’ understanding of their gods led them to pray long and wordy prayers in the belief that long-winded prayers would show their sincerity, thus impressing the gods and encouraging them to answer. The gods were believed to be easily offended and unpredictable. Those who petitioned them in prayer could be anxious and fearful, feeling that it was important to pray long, ornate, and elaborate prayers in order to win the gods’ favor and convince them to respond positively.

Jesus’ teaching about prayer was based on a completely different understanding of who God is and what He is like. The Father is loving and merciful, “ready to forgive, gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love” (Nehemiah 9:17), and He “makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:45).

He is benevolent, kind, just, and holy. Unlike the pagan gods, He does not have to be persuaded to do something by flattery or verbosity, neither can He be manipulated by cleverly worded prayers. Rather, as our Father, He knows our needs and delights in supplying them when He knows it’s best for us, like any loving parent does.

Jesus was pointing out, as He did throughout this section of the Sermon on the Mount, that the motive, the intent of the heart in our giving, fasting, and prayer is paramount. He spoke against lengthy public prayers designed to impress others, both in the Sermon and elsewhere (Luke 20:46–47). Besides speaking against lengthy prayers, He also spoke against the idea that God can be maneuvered or stage-managed into granting requests by pompous prayers.

Jesus was focusing on the right motive for praying, as opposed to the technical means of prayer. He wasn’t forbidding long prayers; we read elsewhere in the Gospels that He “went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God” (Luke 6:12). He wasn’t teaching against being persistent in our prayers, a lesson He Himself taught in the parable of the unjust judge (Luke 18:1–8). Neither was He teaching that we could never repeat the same words in prayer, which He did in the Garden of Gethsemane right before He was arrested (Matthew 26:39–44).

When Jesus spoke earlier of the wrong motive for prayer, He spoke of the Pharisees making sure to arrange their schedules so they would be in a busy street or marketplace at the time of afternoon prayer so they could be observed praying. He then spoke of the right attitude regarding prayer—that it should be in secret, in the sense that people should shut themselves in with God, concentrating upon Him and their relationship to Him when they pray. He then pointed out the deficiencies of mechanical prayer—prayer that is the babbling of empty, meaningless repetition, which doesn’t come from the heart or from a place of communion with God.

Jesus didn’t end by telling us how not to pray, but He also taught us how to pray, by giving us the Lord’s Prayer. As we delve into its meaning, we find that besides being a prayer we can recite, it also lays out a number of principles which give us guidance in how to pray.

Jesus taught that one should not pray because one thinks that one’s prayers or formulas earn God’s favor, but as an expression of trust in the Father, who already knows one’s need and merely waits for His children to express their dependence on Him.

“Do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all” (Matthew 6:31–32).

When we pray, we communicate with the One who is all-powerful, all-knowing, totally pure and holy, righteous, and full of glory—the most powerful being that exists. While He is all these things and so much more, He is also our Father, who loves us unconditionally and who, in His love, has made it possible for us to enter His presence through prayer. It is in prayer that we communicate with Him, that we show our faith that He is there, that we have confidence in Him, and are in a personal relationship with Him.

How to pray

After teaching His disciples that the proper motivation for prayer is communicating with God and entering into fellowship with Him, Jesus shared a prayer with His disciples (and us) which we can use in our time of communion with God. His prayer, commonly referred to as “the Lord’s Prayer,” or the “Our Father,” is recorded within the Sermon on the Mount:

Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” (Matthew 6:9–13).

The Gospel of Luke also shows Jesus teaching this prayer to the disciples, under different circumstances:

Now Jesus was praying in a certain place, and when he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John taught his disciples.” And he said to them, “When you pray, say: ‘Father, hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread, and forgive us our sins, for we ourselves forgive everyone who is indebted to us. And lead us not into temptation’” (Luke 11:1–4).

The fact that there are two different versions of the Lord’s Prayer has generated a variety of opinions among Bible scholars as to which version came first and which is closest to what Jesus taught and whether Jesus meant it to be prayed exactly as He delivered it. Without going into the intricacies of the differences, we can assume that Jesus taught this prayer more than once, and that He may have presented slightly different versions. The differences between the two versions are minor and don’t cause them to contradict each other.

There are also differences of opinion as to whether Jesus was teaching His disciples to recite the prayer as He gave it, or if He was teaching what aspects should be included in our prayers in general. Scholars who feel that Jesus was teaching that this prayer should be prayed word for word base that understanding on Luke’s “when you pray, say…,” interpreting this to mean that the prayer should be recited using these specific words.

On this topic, Leon Morris wrote: “It is likely that when Jesus taught these words (in whichever form) he would have been content for them to be used in either way. Christian tradition has always found them to be suitable either for simple repetition or as a template for more extended prayer or a basis for thinking (and teaching) about prayer and its priorities.”¹

I agree that the prayer can rightfully be recited word for word; it also can provide certain principles, which can be applied to prayer in general and be helpful in our personal prayers. Some may wonder if, in general, reciting written prayers is inferior to praying “personal” prayers. I believe that you can pray a written prayer and make the words your own, and it can be as heartfelt as any personalized prayer. What’s important is that, however one prays, the prayer comes from the heart.

It is generally understood that as the second-century church developed, the Lord’s Prayer had a special place in the weekly service, being prayed immediately before the sacrament of Communion. This part of the service was only for those who had been baptized and were believers. Because the privilege of praying the Lord’s Prayer was limited to the baptized members of the church, it was known as the “prayer of the believers.”

As one of the most holy treasures of the church, the Lord’s Prayer, together with the Lord’s Supper, was reserved for believers. It was a privilege to be allowed to pray it. The reverence and awe surrounding the Lord’s Prayer was a reality in the ancient church. The prayer has become more commonplace today, but learning more about its meaning may renew in us a greater appreciation of it.

Originally published June 2016. Adapted and republished April 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

¹ Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1992), 143.

Our Lifeline: Time with Jesus

By Maria Fontaine

April 18, 2023

If we don’t take it, we won’t make it!

Most people are becoming more and more aware of the magnitude of tragedies, suffering, and death occurring in many places around the world. People’s wrong choices have triggered so many problems for a very long time. But with the world being so interconnected, we find ourselves facing a constant flood of many heartrending accounts that test our faith to the core, because we cannot see all that Jesus sees.

There are also circumstances that can affect us personally, such as the suffering of loved ones, or the too-often-unseen suffering in the lives of others around us that few seem to notice. Or it may be our own suffering and losses that bring us pain far beyond what words can express.

These troubles help lead us to Jesus, in the same way that Jesus came to His Father at every opportunity to commune with Him, and to receive strength to carry on. We need to place these in the Lord’s hands and let His love, strength, peace and comfort pour into us so that we can fulfill the beautiful Bible verse that says:

Who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows.—2 Corinthians 1:4–5

I recently had the opportunity to respond to the heart cry of someone who has been called to minister to some extremely traumatized people who desperately need hope, kindness, and compassion. I wrote the following:

Thank you very much for sharing your heart with me. Though I’m not experiencing firsthand the unspeakable pain you are encountering, it still breaks my heart. I can imagine how hard it is not to question, “Why?! Why do these people have to suffer so greatly?! Why isn’t Jesus somehow delivering them from these circumstances?!”

We don’t have all the answers. We can only reply with compassion and by sharing their pain. Like the father you mentioned, who has lost his children in such a heartbreaking way, you can’t undo the things that have happened, but you can weep with them that weep. You can hold them and give them what comfort you can. The only hope for this world is the fact that, through the death and resurrection of Jesus, God has promised to bring His children into another life where the wrongs will be more than made right.

When praying for you, I was reminded of how important communing daily with the Father was to Jesus. I believe that the suffering Jesus saw in so many lives broke His heart. It was essential that He looked to His Father for the strength, love, and resolve He needed to keep going for the sake of those who He came to save. He also knew that His example of looking to His Father would be a clear reminder to us, His followers, to do the same.

I would imagine that in your situation it’s difficult to get that time alone with Jesus, but that’s what you need to make time for as much as you can. You can’t carry that burden on your own shoulders or in your own mind and heart, but Jesus can. He will provide the supernatural strength and compassion you need. He will enable you, through His Spirit, to weep with those who weep. He will also help you to find the determination, courage, and faith to lift up those to God who are suffering such things. He can help them to find His love, even in the midst of suffering and evil.

He has given you the heart of a lion and the tenderness of a shepherd. I know that it brings you terrible pain to see such suffering, but through this, you are a beacon of hope and a place of refuge for many who would otherwise have no light. As one of the Lord’s representatives, you can bring hope to the hopeless.

As you mentioned, the troubles of this world seem to be intensifying, and because we’re called to be a light in this darkness, we must keep replenishing our own supplies of the oil of His Spirit so we can help light the way for others. We must keep our eyes on Jesus, and we must keep turning to Him to replenish our oil. Otherwise, we just won’t be able to do the job, and we’ll burn out and risk succumbing to hopelessness, despair, or bitterness over such terrible experiences.

Our desire for you and for your team and any others who face devastating pain and suffering is that you will be able to find that time to commune with Him. We can’t “fix” this world in this present time, but we know the final solution will come when Jesus comes back to reclaim this world! Then your heart that has been broken for so many will carry the compassion and love that will enable you to rule and reign with Jesus in the way He wants you to.

Knowing these things doesn’t take away the pain we feel in this moment, but it can help us to have the vision for the days that we know are coming. In the darkest times, it’s all the more important to hold on to Jesus, who can motivate us to reflect His Spirit to others. Keep your wick immersed in the oil of His Spirit, keep it cleaned and trimmed, so that it can burn brightly and clearly. He is counting on you to be His light for those who need the truth.

Especially in such terrible circumstances, I know the Lord is there with you. Even though those children you told us about died in the fire, I believe that, in God’s mercy, they never felt the flames. I believe that Jesus’ arms were around them, shielding them from pain and carrying them safely to where such things will never come close to them again.

The horrors that so many have perpetrated on this world are drawing to a close soon. Evil and rebellion against God have brought terrible things into this world for millennia, but the darkness will be destroyed by the light of God, and at last, all will be made right.

I believe that those who have suffered and died without knowing Jesus will be able to choose Him in the next life and to have their lives blessed beyond their wildest dreams. Those who remain will soon follow them to where, if they have not yet found Jesus, they will have the chance to find His perfect peace and contentment forever.

With love, admiration, prayers, and tremendous thankfulness for you and all of your team!

* * *

And for each of you who face times of sorrow, suffering, and tragedy, I know that Jesus is close by your side, waiting to lift and comfort you, and to bring you His peace that passes understanding, as you look to Him.

Your Spiritual Growth

April 18, 2023

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To be years older and not be nearer to God is like walking in a circle; it’s motion without progress. You can search your heart and ask God to show you how much progress you have made, how much you have grown in your Christian life.

Do you remember the vision that God gave you once of the life that He wanted you to live—the great expectations of victory, the great stirrings in your soul, and great determinations to live close to Him?

I wonder if you can say with Paul, “I’ve not been disobedient to the heavenly vision” (Acts 26:19). Or have you become satisfied with a low level of Christian living, a mediocre life, common and defeated?

I have some friends who are radiant and triumphant in their victorious Christian life. I also know some who are professing Christians who are frustrated. They’re like the old lady who said, “I’m just a poor worm!” Well, I’d hate to call myself “just a poor worm” in the Christian life. God says that we’re more than conquerors (Romans 8:37).

There’s no such thing as standing still in the Christian life. You’re either going forward or you’re going backwards. But if you’d be honest at this time, would you have to say, “I’m living a dwarfed, defeated, disappointed Christian life”?

What would you say if spiritually you were to go on a tour of inspection of your heart, if God would put His X-ray on your soul? In the searching diagnosis, would you find out that you’re growing? There are wonderful expressions in God’s Word about the abundant life. Are you reaching victoriously towards that?

You are really three persons: who you think you are, who others think you are, and who God knows you to be. There’s one thing we know: we have to grow, don’t we? God’s Word says in Revelation 11:1: “And there was given me a reed like unto a rod, and the angel stood, saying, ‘Rise and measure the temple of God and the altar and them that worship therein.’” He said to measure those who worship.

Our measuring rod is God’s Word. Second Corinthians 10:12 says, “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: for they measure themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves are not wise.” We don’t measure our growth by how others are growing; we measure by the Word of God. Psalm 139 says, “Search me, O God, and try my thoughts, and see if there be any evil way in me” (Psalm 139:23–24).

I’m thankful for anything that will make me take a deep look at myself. We’re living in such a pressured age, there’s no time for meditating or thinking. But we need to stop and take a look at ourselves and not gloss things over, not be deceived, not have a light view of our spiritual state. God’s Word says, “Let no man think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but let him think soberly” (Romans 12:3).

You know how a baby grows? A baby grows by means of air, food, water and love, and that’s the way a Christian grows. Air is prayer, and food is God’s Word, and water is the thirst that’s in your soul, and then there’s the everlasting love and power of God that’s in your heart. You can tell if you’re growing by whether you’re growing in love.

You can’t make yourself grow spiritually. It doesn’t come by self-effort. It comes by living close to Jesus, living in His Word, soaking up His love, being filled with His Spirit, and engaging in heart-to-heart communication with Him.

Spiritual growth comes from living in Him and His Word and in sweet personal union with Him. It isn’t by straining or self-effort. It’s not by self-dependence. It’s putting yourself utterly in His hands. The center of Christianity is Jesus Himself—a living, loving personality. It’s fellowship with Him that will bring you victory and bring about the growth that you desire in your Christian life.—Virginia Brandt Berg

Through a study of how Jesus helped people grow spiritually, Rick Warren developed these eight laws for spiritual growth.

Spiritual growth is intentional. Spiritual growth is not accidental. You must intend to grow; you must make a choice to grow. …

Spiritual growth is incremental. We know it’s true in physical growth—why not in spiritual? We know that children grow through developmental stages: First they learn to breathe, then they learn to eat. Then they learn to walk. Then they learn to talk. No child has ever taken those steps out of order. They are developmental steps.

The same is true in your spiritual life. The order … is all about helping people grow closer and closer to Christ: knowing Christ, then loving Christ, then growing in Christ, then serving Christ, then sharing Christ. Those are the systematic steps to spiritual growth.

Spiritual growth is personal. You cannot mass-produce disciples, because everybody is different. There is no one-size-fits-all for spiritual growth. To be a disciple is to be a learner—that’s the literal meaning of the word “disciple.” Because we are all different, we all learn differently. For instance, some learn best by listening, others by reading, some by discussing, and others by doing a project. …

Spiritual growth is practical. God gives us practical ways to participate in the growth that he is building. One of the goals of the church is to help people grow by developing good spiritual habits. …

For instance, we encourage the habit of spending time with God every day. Prayer is also a spiritual habit. Bible study is a spiritual habit. Tithing and attending a small group are spiritual habits. In the end, we will become whatever we habitually do. To try to be a disciple of Jesus without developing disciple habits is simply impossible.

Spiritual growth is relational. We only grow in community with others. … The Bible says in Hebrews 10:24–25, “Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another.”

Spiritual growth is multi-dimensional. We have learned it takes all five purposes to grow. We are to grow warmer through fellowship, deeper through discipleship, stronger through worship, broader through ministry, and larger through mission. …

Spiritual growth is seasonal. Nobody grows at a constant pace all the time. … Some of you are going through a winter: “I just don’t feel like I’m growing much right now, even though I’m doing the right things to grow.” That’s okay. It’s part of life. In fact, there are some things that happen in winter that don’t happen in spring and summer. You deepen your roots in fall and winter for the next spring when you will have the next stage of growth and fruit.

Spiritual growth is incarnational. The final truth is that growth is not about what you can accomplish; rather, it’s about the person of Jesus Christ living inside you. Galatians 2:20 says, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”

The goal of the Christian life is to live like Jesus. But it’s not you trying to be like Jesus; it’s trusting Jesus to live inside of you. The secret of the Christian life is not imitation but incarnation—letting Christ live through you. Nobody can live like Jesus better than Jesus!—Tom Holladay¹

God watched His Son as He grew from a baby in a manger to a man on a mission. And when Jesus was baptized, He came down like a dove to say, “You are my Son, whom I love; with you I am well pleased” (Luke 3:22).

Just as God watched Jesus grow, He’s watching you too. He’s watching you grow in wisdom as you learn from His Word. He’s watching you grow stronger as you trust Him to strengthen you. As you grow, your proud Papa, your Abba, says, “You are my child whom I love; with you I am well pleased.”—Tama Fortner

Published on Anchor April 2023. Read by Jerry Paladino.

¹ https://pastors.com/eight-laws-for-spiritual-growth.

Treasures in Our Lives for Jesus—Part 2

April 17, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

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Each of us is part of something much bigger than ourselves or our personal family. We are members of God’s church, which has followers and believers in every corner of the globe. And as members of the Family, we are part of an international network.

If you post a prayer request, you can know that there are people supporting you in prayer. Peter and I have personally benefited greatly from this, as many of you have, and we are so thankful. Donations or prayers that you send to distant lands are a little bit of you working to help and reach people in that field.

It’s comforting to know that we’re part of a community of believers, and that reality gives us peace and comfort when we’re going through difficulties; it’s a treasure that money can’t buy!

The treasure of our relationship with Jesus

One constant in Family doctrine and spirituality has been the quest to deepen our relationship with Jesus. We know that Jesus isn’t far away in unreachable holiness; He’s real, personal, and close. Just as two partners in a loving marriage grow closer, we’ve gotten to know Jesus better and love Him more dearly as the years have gone by.

Jesus has taught us to pray, to sing to Him, and to talk to Him directly, and we frequently benefit from His personal counsel and comfort in prophecy. Jesus is our counselor, our protector, our best friend, and our powerful, eternal, miraculous Savior. He’s literally everything to us.

He came down to our human level to help us to better understand and love Him. We’ve learned that He doesn’t just want to be worshiped from afar; He wants to be part of our lives. We have reaped the wonderful benefits of closeness to Him. He’s with us all the time.

Our love for Jesus and having Him as an intimate part of our lives enhances our faith and trust that our lives are in the hands of someone who loves us so much that He came to earth to live and die for us, so that we could live with Him forever in heaven. The completeness that Jesus brings to our lives also motivates us to want to share His love and truth with others. We have much more to offer the lost than just religion. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life, and everybody needs Him and a personal relationship with Him.

Jesus has always been there for us, always loving and caring for us, and it is His Word that has brought us to this knowledge and relationship with Him. We can be very thankful for this and recognize that it is the treasure of His Word that has brought Jesus to us so personally and made Him everything to us.

The treasure of heaven

There are many, many things that we don’t know about heaven, but Jesus has given some revelation and detail in His Word about the glorious world to come. We know that heaven is a place where there will be no more suffering, pain, tears or sadness; everybody will be happy and fulfilled. We know that heaven is without disappointment or hurt and that heaven is a place where everything will be made right and everything will be filled with God’s light, beauty, and love.

The glimpses of heaven we have in the Bible are not only a source of joy and comfort for us, but also a beautiful part of our message to the world. As the days grow darker with wars, famines, pestilences and earthquakes, many will want to hear about the beautiful world to come for all of God’s children. People will want to hear and know of such a beautiful place. They will want to be convinced of its existence, and we will be able to tell them and encourage them about it and to lead them to Jesus so that they, too, can live there forever.

It’s very important that we keep the heavenly vision in the midst of the turmoil of life. Thank You, Jesus, for giving us so much to look forward to!

The treasure of praise

Jesus has blessed us with many treasures, and one of them is the gift of praise. He has taught us so much about praise through His Word and through our writings and those of other Christians. It’s a gift that we can actively use in our everyday lives. Praise can touch virtually every aspect of our lives in a positive way.

Praise is also a beautiful gift that we can give to Jesus for all that He has done for us. We owe Him everything. Expressing our love and gratitude to Him through words of praise, even when we feel that our words are inadequate, fills our hearts with His joy.

We can be a blessing and uplift to those around us when we speak words of praise. It can help lift ourselves and others above the cares of the world and the problems, and it enables us to have a positive influence on others.

It’s been interesting to learn that praise and positiveness have a good effect on our physical well-being, enhancing the immune system and helping us to stay healthier. Praise can refocus our thoughts and relieve us from worry or fear, as we cast all our cares on Him. Praise can help relieve stress and negativity.

Another form of praise that the Lord blesses is that of our gratitude and words of commendation to others and our words of approval and encouragement for them. By showing appreciation for others and acknowledging them, we can be a help to others, and in some cases, help to bring positive change in their lives.

We might not see results immediately in the lives of those we interact with, but we can know that when we sow seeds of praise, they can encourage others and help to strengthen their faith.

I’m so thankful for the wonderful gift of praise, because I know that many times it has changed my outlook. I’m sure it’s done the same for you.

One of the best things about praise is that anyone can learn to praise. As we teach others through our example, the ripple effect of praise will have a positive impact on the lives of others.

The treasure of His joy

As Christians, we have a joy-filled religion. We believe with all our hearts that Jesus loves us and has promised us His joy. We can thank the Lord and joyously praise Him for His truth and His Spirit that give us His overflowing joy and peace that surpasses all understanding as we remain close to Him. We’re serious about loving the Lord with our whole hearts, and His love brings His joy into our lives.

We believe in smiling. We believe in laughing. We believe in enjoying life and the simple pleasures and beauties of His creation. Though we face valleys and times of trial in our lives, He wants us to be examples to others of His true and lasting joy. He wants us to go about our service and lives for Him with hearts full of sincere joy and gladness, knowing that the joy of our Lord is our strength (Nehemiah 8:10).

Compiled from posts originally published in 2010. Adapted and republished April 2023.
Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by John Listen.

03 – The Dragon

The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist

Scott MacGregor

2012-01-01

BUT WHAT IS THE REAL NATURE OF THIS MAN, the Antichrist, and the world government that he heads? The book of Daniel has much to say about what he does physically, and in the book of Revelation we get chilling insights as to what is going on in the spiritual realm.

First, let’s look at some great events that Saint John, the author of the book of Revelation, observed and recorded happening before the arrival on the scene of the Antichrist and his satanic anointing.

Now a great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet, and on her head a garland of twelve stars. Then being with child, she cried out in labor and in pain to give birth. And another sign appeared in heaven: behold, a great, fiery red dragon having seven heads and ten horns, and seven diadems on his heads. His tail drew a third of the stars of heaven and threw them to the earth. And the dragon stood before the woman who was ready to give birth, to devour her Child as soon as it was born. She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne. Then the woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, that they should feed her there one thousand two hundred and sixty days.

Revelation 12:1–6

The woman in this vision is obviously giving birth to Jesus Christ. The first interpretation to come to mind is that she is Mary, the human mother of our Lord when He was on Earth. But things get a bit confusing with this interpretation when it says the woman fled into the wilderness for 1,260 days.

Several times the Bible refers to the second half of the Antichrist’s seven-year reign as the Great Tribulation. “Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). Daniel talked about this time when he wrote, “At that time Michael [the archangel] shall stand up, the great prince who stands watch over the sons of your people; and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation, even to that time” (Daniel 12:1).

The Bible even tells us several times how long this Tribulation period will last, using several different yet synonymic terms: “three and a half years,” “42 months,” or “1,260 days”1 (Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 12:7; Revelation 11:2–3; 12:14; 13:5).¹

If these 1,260 days where “the woman” flees into the wilderness are the Tribulation period—which it seems they are—then the woman described above could not be Mary, as she long ago left this world for her heavenly reward. So the identity of this woman must have a different interpretation. Could this woman symbolize the believers of all time, the people of God, into whose lineage Jesus was born? This seems to be a viable interpretation, as during the 1,260 days of Tribulation the true Christians will be in the “wilderness” of this world. They will be outcasts, persecuted by the Devil and the Antichrist government forces, and many will be on the run and not able to live in the cities that will be the centers of Antichrist domination.

Aside from the great red dragon’s identity being revealed in the next verses of Revelation 12, we also get corroboration that this is the “time of trouble,” because again it mentions the Archangel Michael who goes to war with the evil forces of the spirit world. “And war broke out in Heaven: Michael [the archangel] and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in Heaven any longer. So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the Earth, and his angels were cast out with him” (Revelation 12:7–9). At this time Satan is cast out of Heaven with a “third of the stars of Heaven,” these “stars” being his demons, the angels who have been in rebellion with him against God and who are now cast down to Earth with him.

These Scriptures can be shocking for some, as they infer that Satan and his demons are presently allowed in Heaven. In the book of Job there is a surprising confirmation for this when we are taken to a scene in the courts of the Lord. Job 2:1 says: “There was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before the Lord, and Satan came also among them to present himself before the Lord.” Although Satan is in rebellion against God, he still appears before Him in the courts of Heaven accusing the saints day and night. In Revelation, after Satan is finally cast out, it states: “Then I heard a loud voice saying in Heaven, ‘Now salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of His Christ have come, for the accuser of our brethren, who accused them before our God day and night, has been cast down’” (Revelation 12:10).

The heavenly voice then warns: “Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the Devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time” (Revelation 12:12). So begins that short three-and-a-half-year Tribulation period, the worst in world history, in which the Devil rampages across the face of the earth. No longer able to soar into the heights of Heaven and accuse us before God, he has been cast down to the earth, confined here, and later to be chained and confined to the darkness of the Bottomless Pit.

Back to Saint John’s vision of the woman and the dragon: Now when the dragon saw that he had been cast to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time [three and a half years], from the presence of the serpent” (Revelation 12:13–14). Although the true believers have to flee into the wilderness during the time of Tribulation, still they are being kept and fed, and away from most of Satan’s venomous attacks.

“And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ” (Revelation 12:17). In those last three and a half years Satan will no longer be able to go before the court of God accusing the believers on earth before God in Heaven, but he’s going to be right here, face to face with them, not only accusing them, but persecuting and trying to kill them.

Notes

At the time that the book of Revelation was written, there were several competing calendars in use in the world. The Jews had one that John, being Jewish, possibly followed. There was the official Julian calendar that the Romans followed, and there were others followed by the Greeks and Egyptians. All these differed in the number of days in a month (the number of days in a month differed from month to month, as it still does now) and the number of days in a year. This would no doubt have led to considerable difference as to what a month or year may have meant in actual terms of number of days. So it seems that the Lord nailed it down to 1,260 days so there would be no confusion.

10 – The Marriage Supper of the Lamb and the Judgment Seat of Christ

The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist

Scott MacGregor

2012-01-01

AS YOU ARE HEADING UP INTO THE CLOUDS TO JOIN JESUS AND ALL THE RESURRECTED SAVED, you might be wondering “What next?” Well, my friends, it is time to party, and you are going to be one of the guests of honor. You are cordially invited to your wedding party. Welcome to the great “Marriage Supper of the Lamb,” where you, one of Jesus’ brides and part of His Church, the elect, the ekklesia, the called-out ones, finally get to celebrate your marriage with Jesus. You became part of His Bride the minute you accepted Him into your heart, and now you finally get to have the wedding supper, and it is going to be the party to end all parties—well, at least up until this point.

John described it like this:

Then a voice came from the throne, saying, “Praise our God, all you His servants and those who fear Him, both small and great!” And I heard, as it were, the voice of a great multitude, as the sound of many waters and as the sound of mighty thunderings, saying, “Alleluia! For the Lord God Omnipotent reigns! Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready.” And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints. Then he said to me, “Write: ‘Blessed are those who are called to the marriage supper of the Lamb!’”

Revelation 19:5–9

From that point on, the Bible is silent as to what the celebrations consist of, but we can rest assured that if Jesus is planning the party, it is going to be totally out of this world.

There is another event that will apparently take place at this time, referred to in Scripture as the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is when the saved will come individually before Jesus Christ to receive their rewards. Paul writes: “We shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. Then each of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:10,12). Also, “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Jesus said, “Behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work” (Revelation 22:12). And, “The Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works” (Matthew 16:27). And also, “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). The apostle Paul, at the end of his ministry, shortly before his death, said, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing” (2 Timothy 4:7–8). This crown is your reward.

A lot of Christians get confused by the Bible verses on rewards and crowns, and apply them to salvation as something that must be earned. Salvation cannot be worked for and thus earned; it is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:5). But you can work for rewards and you can earn praise and commendation from the Lord! A special, “Well done, good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of your Lord!” (Matthew 25:21). Although the good that you do in this life isn’t going to help to get you into Heaven, it will have a great deal to do with your reward and your position once you’re there.

When a heavenly messenger was speaking to Daniel, he said: “And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:2–3). Those who have been wise by living a life dedicated to being what God wants them to be, and to turning others to righteousness, will shine as the stars; but those who haven’t done much for the Lord will be pretty dull and some held in shame and even contempt.

So those who have done more will receive more rewards. But it also has to be understood that “the Lord does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). He knows what you are capable of and what you desire to do, and if for some reason your circumstances hold you back from being as much of a force for good on Earth as you would like to be, then those circumstances will be taken into consideration. Jesus is called the Righteous Judge, and your reward will be a righteous one. Nevertheless, it is important that we do our best to be and do all that God expects of us.

Paul wrote, “Now if anyone builds on this foundation [salvation] with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward” (1 Corinthians 3:12–14). Having received Jesus, if you live for Him and do what you can to be a living sample of His love for others, when you stand before Him at this great Judgment Seat, these works will endure the test, even as gold and silver endure and come through the fire. They will endure and you will receive a glorious reward. “That the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ!” (1 Peter 1:7).

But, the Scripture passage in Corinthians continues, “If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire” (1 Corinthians 3:15). Those who have received Jesus, but yet did nothing for Jesus in thanksgiving, who lived their lives selfishly and did not live by the golden rule of “whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them” (Matthew 7:12), will find their works burned as wood, hay, and straw, and will not receive much of a reward, if any. They’ll still be saved, but they’ll suffer such a sad loss! So if nothing else, this should be strong motivation to do our best to live the way God wants us to live and do the things He wants us to do on Earth, so that we can receive His reward and commendation in Heaven!

Meanwhile, as we are rejoicing at the Marriage Supper and receiving our rewards, the angels of the Lord are taking care of unfinished business on the earth.

1 Thessalonians: Chapter 5 (Part 2) cont.

The believers were also instructed to help the weak. It’s not known who Paul was specifically speaking of when he referred to the weak. It might have been those who were physically sick within the church. It may have been the spiritually weak, who were focused on outward matters of religion such as not eating specific foods. It might also have been those who had no social status in society because they were slaves or former slaves, or because of their economic situation. Whoever they were, Paul encouraged the believers to help them, to pay attention to them, and to be loyal to them.

Be patient with them all.

Paul then instructed the Thessalonians to be patient and tolerant of others, no matter what their status or situation. He may have been referring to the tolerance which was needed to act in a charitable and loving manner toward those who were disorderly, discouraged, or weak. Each group had special needs which could cause friction among the others. Patience toward everyone was therefore needed.

See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone.²¹

The Thessalonian believers had faced hostilities and persecution, as pointed out earlier.

For you suffered the same things from your own countrymen.²²

Because of this experience, perhaps there was a desire among some members of the church to find ways to pay back those who had persecuted them. Also, there were those within the church who did not fully conform to the moral standards of the community and who took advantage of their fellow believers. This caused some of the believers to desire payback, to repay wrong for wrong, instead of correcting them for their benefit and to build them up.

Paul showed the Thessalonians that there was a better way than resorting to personal vengeance. They were to do good to all, both to those in the church and those outside who had done them ill. He later gave a similar message to the church in Rome:

Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all. If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all. Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.²³

What good advice!

At this point in the letter to the Thessalonians, Paul pauses the instructions for believers and moves on to some points which speak to a Christian’s relationship with God.

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.²⁴

The first of three points is to rejoice always. Earlier Paul referred to the joy the Thessalonians experienced in the midst of persecution.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.²⁵

In the book of Philippians, Paul made the same point.

Finally, my brothers, rejoice in the Lord.²⁶

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.²⁷

The second instruction was for the believers to pray without ceasing. This wasn’t a demand that a believer spend each moment of every day in prayer, as this would be impossible. This is a purposeful exaggeration, which echoes Jesus’ command to His disciples that they ought always to pray and not lose heart.²⁸ We find it elsewhere throughout the Epistles: be constant in prayer,²⁹ praying at all times in the Spirit,³⁰ Continue steadfastly in prayer.³¹ The point being made is that prayers shouldn’t be confined to specific set times, but rather should be a constant part of a believer’s life.

The third instruction Paul gave was to give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. While it is not specifically stated who is being thanked, the assumption is that Paul was speaking of giving thanks to God, as he often begins his letters with thanks to God for the churches.

First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for all of you, because your faith is proclaimed in all the world.³²

I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that was given you in Christ Jesus.³³

We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you.³⁴

Paul tells the Thessalonians to be thankful in every situation, no matter how good or disagreeable it may be. Thanksgiving should be a hallmark of a Christian.

Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.³⁵

Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.³⁶

Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.³⁷

Paul then moves to another topic:

Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil.³⁸

In this last group of instructions, Paul addresses the use of prophecy in the church. Some members were prohibiting the use of public prophecy. The first phrase, do not quench the Spirit, means to not extinguish the fire, or as it says in the NIV translation, Do not put out the Spirit’s fire. It seems that some of the Thessalonian believers had tried to prohibit the gifts of the Spirit in their church. Within Scripture, the Holy Spirit has been compared with fire.

I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.³⁹

The presence of the Spirit in the church was likened to prophecy among God’s people.

In the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.⁴⁰

When Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying.⁴¹

The second phrase is: Do not despise prophecies. The NIV translation says: do not treat prophecies with contempt. Paul and his companions wanted to encourage the church to have a more positive response to prophecies. The use of the verb “despise” could mean either that the believers should not despise prophecies or that they shouldn’t reject them. The second sense of not rejecting prophecies is most likely the meaning here.

We’re not told why some members rejected prophecy in the church. It may have been that some prophecies were of questionable origin, or that some members became overly enthused with the more supernatural gifts, which caused a negative reaction in others.

The third point was to test everything; hold fast what is good. Rather than rejecting all prophecy in the church, Paul counselled that the prophecies should be tested. The everything they were to test meant the prophecies that some in the Thessalonian church had rejected. Paul knew that the church was responsible to verify whether prophecies were genuine or not, because there were some false prophets within the church who promoted false doctrines. Having tested a prophecy and judged that it was divine, they were then to take it seriously and hold on to it. A prophecy that was genuine would help to build up the church.

Abstain from every form of evil.

While the Thessalonians were to embrace genuine prophetic messages, they were also instructed to reject those which were otherwise. This last instruction is the final direction given regarding prophecies.

With this, Paul’s teaching in 1 Thessalonians comes to an end. He closes his letter to the Thessalonians with a final prayer.

Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely, and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.⁴²

Paul emphasized that God Himself is the source of believers’ sanctification. While they must live their life in alignment with His will, they are not left on their own as they strive to achieve that goal. God called them and will, through the Holy Spirit, carry out His work in their lives.

Paul refers to God as the God of peace, which is frequently found in his writings.⁴³ Peace in this context, and elsewhere in Paul’s writings, is akin to salvation.

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.⁴⁴

He also wanted the Thessalonians to understand that this sanctification included their whole being. He expressed this by writing may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless. This is the only place in Paul’s writing where he uses these terms together. He prays that God will sanctify them completely—spirit, soul, and body. His wish is that God will keep them blameless so they can stand before Him without shame or guilt at the coming of our Lord.

He who calls you is faithful; he will surely do it.⁴⁵

Paul added a note of encouragement. What God began by calling the Thessalonians, He will complete at the coming of Jesus. God is faithful, and His faithfulness is understood here as a surety. He will fulfill the promise He has made to His people. Knowing the nature of God, Paul can declare with all confidence that God will surely do it.

Brothers, pray for us.⁴⁶

After praying for the Thessalonian believers, Paul asked for them to pray for him and his partners. Asking for prayer from the churches was something he often did at the end of his letters.⁴⁷

Greet all the brothers with a holy kiss.⁴⁸

Paul’s closing prayer, along with his putting them under oath in the next verse, assumes that the Thessalonian Christians had gathered together for the reading of the letter, so that all the church would hear what Paul had written. Having heard the letter, they were to engage in a greeting which would show that they were in unity. A holy kiss is found in three other Pauline letters.⁴⁹ In 1 Peter 5:14, it is referred to as a kiss of love.

One author explains: In the early Christian communities, which embraced all social classes (Slaves, libertini, and free) and various races (including Greeks, Romans, Macedonians, and Jews), the holy kiss would serve as an affirmation of their filial unity as “brothers and sisters” in the common faith. In the case of the Thessalonians, the tensions that existed between the brothers and sisters (vs 5:13–15, 19–20) would be another reason why the apostle urged that all should be greeted with a kiss.⁵⁰

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.⁵¹

At the end of this letter, Paul steps out from his fellow authors, Silas (Silvanus) and Timothy, to add a final exhortation; so the text changes from the plural (we ask you, we urge you) to the singular, I put you under oath. It may be that Paul wrote these final words in his own hand, as he did in 2 Thessalonians 3:17. The language he used here is quite strong. I put you under oath before the Lord, or as it says in other translations, I charge you by the Lord (KJV) or I command you in the name of the Lord (NLT). Paul wants them to swear by or before the Lord that they will read this letter to all of the Thessalonian church.

Paul recognized the need for the brothers (and sisters) to gather together to hear the message of his letter. Everyone, including the illiterate, needed to hear the encouragement, instruction, and correction which was included in this letter. The letter took the place of Paul’s presence and was representative of his being among them and of his authority.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.⁵²

Paul brings this letter to its end as he does all his letters.⁵³ Paul invokes a blessing on the Thessalonians, asking for what they need most—the grace which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ.

Note

¹ 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13.

² 1 Timothy 3:1–11. See also Titus 1:5–9.

³ 1 Corinthians 15:58.

⁴ Colossians 1:29 NIV.

⁵ 2 Corinthians 11:27.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 5:12.

⁷ Ephesians 6:4.

⁸ 1 Corinthians 4:14.

⁹ Acts 20:31.

¹⁰ 1 Thessalonians 5:13.

¹¹ 1 Thessalonians 5:13.

¹² Mark 9:50.

¹³ Romans 12:18.

¹⁴ 2 Corinthians 13:11.

¹⁵ Hebrews 12:14.

¹⁶ 1 Corinthians 14:33.

¹⁷ Galatians 5:22.

¹⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:14.

¹⁹ 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

²⁰ 1 Thessalonians 4:13.

²¹ 1 Thessalonians 5:15.

²² 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

²³ Romans 12:17–21.

²⁴ 1 Thessalonians 5:16–18.

²⁵ 1 Thessalonians 1:6–7.

²⁶ Philippians 3:1.

²⁷ Philippians 4:4.

²⁸ Luke 18:1.

²⁹ Romans 12:12.

³⁰ Ephesians 6:18.

³¹ Colossians 4:2.

³² Romans 1:8.

³³ 1 Corinthians 1:4.

³⁴ Colossians 1:3.

³⁵ Ephesians 5:20.

³⁶ Colossians 2:6–7.

³⁷ Colossians 3:17.

³⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:19–22.

³⁹ Matthew 3:11. See also Luke 3:16.

⁴⁰ Acts 2:17–18.

⁴¹ Acts 19:6.

⁴² 1 Thessalonians 5:23.

⁴³ Romans 15:33, 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:9.

⁴⁴ Romans 5:1.

⁴⁵ 1 Thessalonians 5:24.

⁴⁶ 1 Thessalonians 5:25.

⁴⁷ Romans 15:30–32; 2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:19–20; Philippians 1:19; Colossians 4:3–4,18; 2 Thessalonians 3:1–2; Philemon 22.

⁴⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:26.

⁴⁹ Romans 16:16;1 Corinthians 16:20; 2 Corinthians 13:12.

⁵⁰ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002), 271.

⁵¹ 1 Thessalonians 5:27.

⁵² 1 Thessalonians 5:28.

⁵³ Romans 16:20; 1 Corinthians 16:23; 2 Corinthians 13:14; Galatians 6:18; Ephesians 6:24; Philippians 4:23; 2 Thessalonians 3:18; 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 4:22; Titus 3:15; Philemon 25.

1 Thessalonians: Chapter 5 (Part 2)

By Peter Amsterdam

April 11, 2023

Having responded to the Thessalonians’ questions regarding love amongst the believers, what happens to the dead in Christ, and the timing of the day of the Lord, Paul moved on to speak about leadership in the Thessalonian church.

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.¹

Since Paul, Silas, and Timothy—the founders of the Thessalonian church—could no longer be present, it was important to establish leadership within the church. Later in Paul’s writings, he lists the qualifications of church leadership in order to help Timothy and Titus appoint elders in Ephesus and Crete. There he stated:

An overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil. Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things.²

We’re not told what instructions Paul gave to the Thessalonian believers regarding choosing the leadership of the church. The text indicates that Paul and his partners left it up to the church to discern who were the up-and-coming leaders. Their instruction to the church was to respect these leaders and highly esteem them. The phrase we ask you is the same verb which was used in chapter 4, verse 1, and meant “to beseech” or “to entreat.” Paul entreats the believers to respect, to honor, to recognize the local leadership of the Thessalonian church. These leaders received the approval of Paul and his partners because they did the work. They weren’t chosen because of their status or social position, but rather due to the labor they put in as members of the church.

Paul speaks of the work these leaders did in three ways. First, they labor among you. The Greek word translated as labor has to do with participating in difficult or exhausting work. It is used in Paul’s writings; for example:

Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.³

To this end I labor, struggling with all his energy, which so powerfully works in me.⁴

In toil and hardship, through many a sleepless night, in hunger and thirst, often without food, in cold and exposure.⁵

These leaders worked hard for the benefit of their congregation.

Secondly, these leaders who labor among the believers are referred to as those who are over you in the Lord.⁶ There is some difference of opinion regarding the phrase are over you. The term could be used to express the idea of “to preside” or “govern.” It could also mean to protect, to be concerned about, to help. In this time, those who exercised leadership in towns and villages were benefactors, who helped the community. However, while they may have been benefactors, their authority and leadership were rooted in their relationship with the Lord.

Lastly, Paul goes on to say that those who are the leaders of the church are those who admonish the believers and correct their errors, both doctrinal and moral. In Paul’s time, getting correction from others was considered profitable for a person’s well-being. It was considered one of the main responsibilities of parents toward their children.

Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger, but bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord.⁷

It was also Paul’s responsibility to correct the believers when necessary.

I do not write these things to make you ashamed, but to admonish you as my beloved children.⁸

Therefore be alert, remembering that for three years I did not cease night or day to admonish everyone with tears.⁹

Paul goes on to say:

And to esteem them very highly in love because of their work.¹⁰

Besides respecting those who labor among the believers and who are over them in the Lord, Paul goes further by exhorting the believers to hold those who are leaders in the church in the highest regard, to show them great respect and wholehearted love because of their work. The honor and esteem they are given is not due to their social status, riches, or family name. It is for the work they have done for the benefit of the church.

Be at peace among yourselves.¹¹

The believers were called to a commitment of peace among themselves. This teaching was rooted in the teaching of Jesus. Be at peace with one another.¹² The call to live in peace with everyone, both members of the church and those outside of the church, became part of the Christian instruction in Paul’s writings.

If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.¹³

Finally, brothers, rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.¹⁴

Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.¹⁵

God is not a God of confusion but of peace. As in all the churches of the saints.¹⁶

Peace was considered one of the fruits of the Spirit in a believer’s life.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness.¹⁷

Paul then urges the Thessalonians:

We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all.¹⁸

Paul moves on to address how the Thessalonian believers should respond to various types of people within the church. While the church leaders played a key role in the Christian community, the responsibility didn’t fall only on them. Members of the church shared the responsibility to help each other to build up their faith and to strengthen those who needed help to grow spiritually.

Members of the church were to admonish the idle. The idle or disorderly members of the church were probably those who had remained part of the patron/client system and who had ignored Paul’s teaching and example of working to earn one’s bread. As will be seen in 2 Thessalonians, the apostles had to address this issue a second time.

Paul instructed the Thessalonian believers to encourage the fainthearted. Paul was referring to those who were in danger of giving up. They had gone through so much, including severe persecution from their countrymen ¹⁹ and the death of loved ones.²⁰ They were discouraged and needed help and encouragement to keep them from losing heart. (to be continued)

You Are Always in My Hands

April 13, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 10:37

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You are very precious to Me. You are one of My beloved children, and I will pick you up and hold you when you fall. I will nurture you and strengthen you through everything you face in life, because I love you.

So come to Me and cast your burdens at My feet. Leave everything else behind. When you come to Me, you need only bring yourself. Come to Me in humility and meekness and know that I will always receive you with open arms and love and encouragement.

Every situation that concerns you is in My hands, because you have placed them there. Leave them there—don’t pick them up again and try to carry them yourself. Trust that I will take care of any burden or situation that you entrust to My care.

Receive My encouragement; take courage and place your hope in Me! My arm is always outstretched to lift you out of any pit of despair, or discouragement and heaviness of heart. Come to Me, My dear one, and abide under the shadow of My wings.

Every prayer, every tear

Dear one, do not believe that something has gone wrong in your life when things don’t turn out as you had hoped. At the moment, you can only see your world as it is now. You see the routine of your daily life. I know that you are thankful for My blessings in your life and for My supply and provision. I know that your heart’s desire is to please Me and to serve Me.

Always remember that you can only see a limited part of My plan for your life. You want to understand what is going to happen and what it will be like in the future. Trust that as you hold on by faith and continue to take one step at a time, holding My hand, one day you will experience the greater things in store for you—things that you cannot even conceive of! For eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things prepared for those who love Me (1 Corinthians 2:9).

I will be with you through thick and thin. I hear your every prayer. I see every tear that falls from your eyes. I will protect you and keep you. So don’t focus on the waves and the conditions or the circumstances that you find yourself in, but determinedly fix your eyes upon Me and follow Me. Trust Me that one day your heart will greatly rejoice, and you will know that every sacrifice, no matter how great, has been worth it.

Feeling overwhelmed?

When you are feeling overwhelmed by your circumstances, take time to listen to Me. Hear Me saying, “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” Listening to Me when you’re feeling stressed requires discipline and trust. Your racing thoughts make it hard to hear My gentle whisper. Ask the Holy Spirit to calm your mind so that you can hear My voice. Remember that I—the Prince of Peace—am with you at all times.

I am not only with you; I am also in your circumstances. Moreover, I am in control of everything that happens to you. Although I am never the author of evil, I am fully able to use bad things for good. This does not remove your suffering, but it does redeem it—infusing it with meaning. So if you are in a storm of difficulties, I say to you, “Take courage. It is I.”

Search for signs of My abiding Presence in your current situation. You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13).¹

Completing the good work

Know that I will complete the good work I began in you until the end of your earthly life and for eternity. You are Mine and we are one, and I rejoice in you and in the way I have created you! I love to see the love that you give to others, and your faithfulness and determination to stay close by My side.

Be My hands that will extend My love to others. Use the love that I have put in your heart to shed My love on others. Use your hands to serve them with My love. Use your tears to understand their tears. Use your longing for love to fulfill another’s loneliness. As you warm others with your love, so will you also be warmed.

Trust Me that I have made you, and that I have allowed incidents, circumstances, and people in your life to help mold you and shape you into what you have become and what you will become. Take courage and trust in Me. Just live for one day at a time. The end result will be glorious, and you will know that I do all things well.

Finding joy in My Word

Let My Word fill you to overflowing, so that you exude its love, hope, and truth. When you feel that life is flat and uninspiring, seek out the joy and the peace and truth that is in My Word.

As you fill your heart and life with My Word and pass that love on to others, your identity will become grounded in My Word. You will become one with Me each day, and you will have the strength to love others. As you strive to live according to My Word, and you let it fill your heart and mind, others will partake of its fruits in your life when they are around you.

Look for the answers you seek in My Word and seek to pattern your life according to My Word. As you match your actions and your decisions against My Word, I will continue to do My transformative work in you, and My love will flow through you to others. This is My blessing and reward.

Take time to rest in Me and find strength from My Spirit and My Word. As you spend time in My Word, you will find faith, peace, and rest. This is part of your growth in Me, to walk with Me, talk with Me, listen to Me, be rooted and grounded in Me and My Word, establishing yourself in the faith.

Be careful that the cares and burdens of this present life and world don’t crowd out your special time with Me. As you take the time to receive My strength through reading and absorbing My Word, you will receive the strength that you need and desire to be a doer of the Word in this precious life I have given you.

A path of mercy and truth

My love for you is patient and kind; it suffers long. I seek to love you into all truth. I stand by you, to lead and guide you. With great mercy and compassion, I provide a refuge for you in Me where you may rest and find comfort.

I see the deepest yearning and desire of your heart. I see that you seek to please Me and to do that which is right, but within the confines of human frailty, it’s often a task too big, too hard for human hands. Fear not, for this too is part of My plan, that you might lean wholly on Me, and in leaning find your strength.

Faults and failures and shortcomings you have always with you, and I work in and through these to draw you to Me. I understand your limitations and shortcomings, for all have sinned and come short of My glory.

My path is one of mercy and truth. I shower My mercy and truth on those who love Me. I do all things well concerning you, My called and chosen, that I might gather you to Me in that great day when you are home at last, eternally safe in My everlasting arms.

Originally published in 1997, unless otherwise indicated. Adapted and republished April 2023.
Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Sarah Young, Jesus Today (Thomas Nelson, 2012).

Peter’s Transformation

April 12, 2023

Treasures

One of the most illustrious personalities of the Bible is Simon Bar-Jona, better known as the Apostle Peter, who was a colorful character and a rough and rugged fisherman, filled with energy and action. During his first years under Christ’s personal leadership and teaching, Peter was outspoken about what he thought was right or should be done, and was by far the most outspoken of the apostles.

After Peter had followed Jesus for three full years, he underwent a dramatic transformation. To explore this change, we begin at the closing hours of Jesus’ ministry on Earth, at the last supper He ate with His disciples, only a few hours before His arrest and eventual crucifixion.

Knowing that He would soon be crucified and suffer death for the sins of the world, Jesus looked at each of His disciples and sadly but firmly said, “All of you will be made to stumble because of Me this night, for it is written: ‘I will strike the Shepherd, And the sheep of the flock will be scattered’” (Matthew 26:31).

Upon hearing this, and overestimating his own faith and strength, Peter boldly proclaimed, “Though all men desert You, yet I will not!” But Jesus, knowing what was to come, answered quietly, “I say to you that before the cock crows, you will have denied Me three times” (Matthew 26:33–35). Peter was shocked at such a prediction and insisted, “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both into prison and to death” (Luke 22:31–33).

But Jesus’ prophecy was soon fulfilled. That very night, as Jesus was in the Garden of Gethsemane praying with His disciples, a band of soldiers sent by the chief priests and elders came with a multitude carrying swords and clubs and torches. They seized Jesus, and all His disciples, filled with fear, fled for their lives into the night.

As Jesus was taken away to the palace of the high priest, Peter, trying to gather his courage, “followed Him afar off” (Mark 14:54). Arriving at the palace, Peter stood by the door, hoping to see the court proceedings from a distance. A woman gatekeeper at the palace door noticed the nervous and distraught figure, and looking suspiciously at Peter, asked, “Aren’t you one of this man’s disciples?” “No, I’m not!” Peter exclaimed.

Moments later, as Peter stood warming himself by the fire which the night guards had made, another woman said to the men who stood by, “This fellow also was with Jesus of Nazareth! He is one of them.” But Peter swore before them, “I do not know the man!”

As the situation became more tense, a man who had been present when Jesus was captured pointed out Peter and loudly questioned him, “Didn’t I see you in the Garden of Gethsemane with Him?” Others who stood in the crowd joined in the accusation, saying, “Surely you are one of them! We can tell by your accent that you’re a Galilean.” Desperately, Peter began to invoke a curse on himself and to swear, vehemently insisting, “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I know nothing about this man!” (Mark 14:70–71).

No sooner had he finished his denial than the cock began to crow. And the Lord, as He was being led by His captors to another part of the palace, turned and looked directly at Peter. Immediately Peter recalled Jesus’ words, “Before the cock crows, you will have denied Me three times.” When he realized what he’d done, Peter could barely control his grief. As tears began to well up in his eyes, he stumbled for the door, then ran blindly into the night. Finally, in a deserted alley beneath the walls of Jerusalem, he sank to the ground and wept bitterly (Luke 22:59–62).

Three days after His trial and brutal crucifixion, Jesus victoriously arose from the dead. His disciples, meanwhile, were huddled in a small room, hidden away “for fear of the Jews.” But knowing their hiding place, Jesus boldly appeared to them. It was then that the transformation of their lives began.

For the next forty days, after His resurrection from the dead, Jesus walked among His disciples, encouraging their hearts and explaining details of their mission now that He would be leaving them. And on the fortieth day, just before ascending into heaven, He told the disciples to return to Jerusalem, saying, “Wait for the promise of the Father, until you are strengthened with power from on high. For you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8).

The apostles returned to Jerusalem, and with well over 120 other disciples and their women and children, stayed in an upper room praying and waiting in obedience to Jesus’ final command before His departure. Ten days later, an awesome manifestation of God’s power occurred: “A sound like the rushing of a mighty wind filled the whole house where they were, and they saw the appearance of many tongues of fire that rested upon every one of them. And they all were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them” (Acts 2:2–4).

This was what they’d been waiting for—the supernatural strength from the Lord to enable them to continue His work now that He had departed. At that time, Peter’s heart and life were also transformed by the Holy Spirit of God, as he was empowered to lead the disciples in one of the most phenomenal witnessing adventures of all times.

There was a great religious festival going on in the streets of Jerusalem at that time, and visitors from many foreign nations had come for the annual celebration of the Jewish Feast of the Harvest. When Peter stepped into the streets with the 120 disciples—now filled to overflowing with the Holy Spirit—they all supernaturally began to speak in the languages of the multitudes visiting Jerusalem that day, yet none of the disciples had ever known how to speak those languages! And the disciples boldly witnessed to the crowds about the wonderful news of God’s love in Jesus and His message of eternal salvation.

Then Peter leaped up on the steps of a nearby building, raised his hands, and shouted to the enormous crowd, bringing a hush over them all. He began to speak to them with the authority and conviction of the Holy Spirit, and an astounding 3,000 people were not only saved, but committed themselves that very day to serve the Lord as His disciples.

Peter had been transformed from a man who after the arrest of Jesus had denied Him three times. But now he stood before thousands—in the very city where Jesus had been crucified—boldly proclaiming God’s message to all! As the Lord had promised, they had received power after the Holy Spirit had come upon them.

Peter had gone through the most severe testing and trials of his life only a few short weeks before, but there was no longer time for remorse. A tremendous explosion of witnessing and leading others into God’s kingdom was underway, and the Lord was working through him in ways that Peter had never dreamed would be possible. He had stepped into his role of “strengthening his brethren,” just as the Lord had prayed that he would (Luke 22:32).

Not only was Peter encouraged, but the disciples were overjoyed to see God’s Spirit at work to bring people to faith in Christ! Jesus had entrusted them with the Great Commission, and He was empowering them to do so: “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19–20).

After the Holy Spirit came upon them, they experienced a strength of faith that surpassed the days when Jesus had walked among them. While Jesus was no longer with them physically, He was closer than ever before! They remembered the words He’d spoken to them before, “It is necessary that I go away, for if I go not away, the Comforter, which is the Holy Spirit, will not come unto you. But you do know Him, for He abides with you and will be in you. And he that believes in Me, the works that I do shall he do also. And greater works than these shall you do, because I go to My Father” (John 16:7; 14:12, 16–17).

Not long after gaining over 3,000 new converts to their movement in just one day, there came another day in which a man who was lame from birth was instantly healed by Peter and John, to the astonishment of the multitudes who witnessed this miracle. When Peter spoke to the huge crowd that saw this miracle, 5,000 more joined ranks with the disciples, increasing their number to over 8,000 men, not counting women and children! Truly these were the “greater works” Jesus had spoken of! Jesus was no longer merely with them, but He was in them through the Holy Spirit.

In the days that followed, Peter and John faced a wave of persecution from the same religious leaders who had crucified their Savior. But there was no fear this time or denial. Peter stood before their councils testifying with such courage and authority of the Spirit that the Bible says, “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated and untrained men, they marveled. And they realized that they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). Why did they marvel? Because they saw that same power in them that Jesus had manifested when He walked the Earth.

And the wonderful thing about this story is that the power of the Holy Spirit to be His witnesses is available to everyone who receives it. “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses” (Acts 1:8). “If you know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13).

Whatever got accomplished by the disciples after Jesus’ ascension was the result of Christ that lived first with them, and then in them. “For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). We all certainly need the infilling or baptism of God’s love and His precious Holy Spirit to have the strength to be His follower.

The primary purpose of the Holy Spirit is to give you the power to be a witness. But the baptism of the Holy Spirit also helps you greatly in your personal relationship with the Lord. It helps you to communicate with God through prayer, and gives you much greater understanding when you read God’s Word (John 16:13).

“Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” (Acts 19:2). Have you received the overflowing power of God’s Spirit in your own heart since you received Jesus and were saved? You can ask God for the infilling of the Holy Spirit by praying a prayer like this one:

Dear Jesus, thank You for Your precious gift of the Holy Spirit. I ask that You fill me with Your Spirit so that I can love You more, follow You more closely, and have greater power to tell others about Your love and salvation. In Your name I pray. Amen.

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished April 2023.

A Citizen of Heaven

April 11, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:04

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Where you come from is one of the most significant things about you. It forms your worldview, dictates your opportunities, and plays a major part in your identity. It’s one of the first things strangers ask one another. …

There’s a more concrete identity that goes far deeper than simply the personality we have or the place we come from. Whatever the image or color of our passports, if we’re a Christian, then our nationality doesn’t define us. Jesus does.

Philippians 3:20 puts it like this: “But, our citizenship is in heaven.”

Don’t misunderstand. Nationality is important and we should thank God for where He allows us to live. However, through adoption into the family of God, our primary allegiance isn’t to a flag, a state, or a country. It’s to Jesus Christ.

What does it mean to be a citizen of heaven?

Well, like a citizen of any country, there are benefits that come with our divine citizenship. We are under the protection of the King of kings, which is more powerful than any earthly army. We have permission to enter His presence at any time, just as we have the right to be in our home nation.

These benefits come with responsibilities too. Citizens adopt the culture and behaviors of their nation. As citizens of heaven, we have the responsibility to demonstrate God’s kingdom here on earth. That’s why Jesus teaches us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10).

Wherever you’re reading this and wherever you’re from, you can choose today to live like a citizen of heaven. This mentality will transform the way you love and serve the world around you!—Fin Sheridan¹

A citizen is a person who legally belongs to a country and has the rights and protection of that country. Citizens adopt the culture and practices of the nation or kingdom to which they belong. …

When we are born again by faith in Jesus Christ (John 3:3), we are born into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 3:2; 7:21; Romans 14:17). Speaking of those who have had that spiritual rebirth, Philippians 3:20 says, “Our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” Jesus spent much of His earthly ministry explaining the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 4:17). …

When God grants us citizenship in the kingdom of heaven, we become “new creatures” (2 Corinthians 5:17). He sends His Holy Spirit to indwell our spirits, and our bodies become His temple (1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19–20). The Holy Spirit begins to transform our sinful, worldly desires into those that glorify God (Romans 12:1–2). His goal is to make us as much like Jesus as possible in this life (Romans 8:29). We are given the power and privilege of exiting the world’s flawed value system and living for eternity (1 John 2:15–17). To be adopted into the family of God means that we become citizens of an eternal kingdom where our Father is the King. Our focus turns toward eternal things and storing up treasure in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). We consider ourselves ambassadors to this earth until our Father sends for us and we go home (Ephesians 2:18–19; 6:20).

We live for a short time in these physical bodies, anticipating the bright future in our real home. While here, we share Abraham’s experience, living “like a stranger in a foreign country … looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Hebrews 11:9–10).—GotQuestions.org²

When we join the kingdom of God through the grace of Jesus and the power of His resurrection, our citizenship is transferred from the world ruled by Satan to the heavenly kingdom ruled by God (John 3:3). … Philippians 3:20–21 says: “But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.”

The Bible tells us that our entry into this heavenly citizenship is like being born again (John 3:3; Matthew 3:2; 7:21; Romans 14:17). The Gospels record Jesus speaking of the kingdom of heaven repeatedly. He likened it to a field where wheat and weeds grew together, appearing similar. Jesus said the two would be identified and separated at harvest (Matthew 13:24–30). God knows the difference between those who belong to Him and those who only appear to. There are those who act like citizens of heaven, but have no relationship with Jesus and have not experienced a rebirth in their hearts (Matthew 7:21).

When we are reborn into the kingdom of heaven we are also made into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) by the Holy Spirit’s indwelling (John 14:17; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20; Ephesians 1:13–14). He then begins His work of transformation, replacing worldly desires with godly desires, making us more like Jesus (Romans 12:1–2; 8:29). Matthew 6:19–20 tells us that we can store up treasure in heaven. Additionally, as citizens of heaven, we are given the role of ambassador to others until we are recalled, in a way, back home (Ephesians 2:18–19; 6:20; 2 Corinthians 5:20–21).

Our time on earth is relatively short compared to eternity. We are called to live here as strangers in a land that is not our own, looking forward to living in our home land (Hebrews 11:9–10).—CompellingTruth.org³

Your citizenship is in heaven. Someday I will transform your lowly body so that it will be like My glorious body. You will have an eternity to enjoy your perfect, glorified body. So don’t be overly concerned about your physical condition now. Many of My followers cling desperately to their earthly lives when they are at the very portals of paradise. Yet once they let go and pass through that fine veil into heaven, they experience ecstatic Joy surpassing anything they’ve ever imagined!

Your times are in My hands. I have planned out all your days, and I know exactly how many you have left. Since your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, I expect you to take care of it, but I don’t want you to be too focused on its condition. This can make you anxious and distract you from My Presence. Instead, receive each day as a precious gift from Me. Look for both the pleasures and the responsibilities I’ve placed before you on your path. Hold My hand in joyful trust; I am always by your side.—Jesus⁴

God’s city is going to be perfect and pure and beautiful. In fact, it’s not going to be beautiful, it already is beautiful. Two thousand years ago Jesus told His disciples, “In My Father’s house are many mansions. … I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also” (John 14:2–3). It will be the culmination, the ultimate of heaven on earth, inhabited only by heavenly beings and earthlings made heavenly, in a perfect atmosphere, a heavenly environment, with the most excellent housing the world has ever known, the whole place shining like precious stones and jewels. But best of all, it will be full of billions of people living in harmony and love with God and each other.

Will you be there? You can be. Jesus is waiting to welcome you there. You can receive Him as your Savior by saying a short prayer like this one:

Jesus, I believe that You are the Son of God and that You died for me. I ask You to come into my life, forgive me of my sins, and grant me the gift of eternal life in heaven. Thank You. Amen.

If you prayed that prayer with sincerity, then you are now a citizen of heaven, with full entry rights into the heavenly city of the future.—And not only a heavenly future but heaven in your heart and mind now. Jesus will be with you now and will be there to welcome you on the day that you pass through heaven’s gates.—Activated magazine

Published on Anchor April 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://www.praise.com/articles/what-does-mean-be-citizen-of-heaven.

² https://www.gotquestions.org/citizenship-in-heaven.html.

³ https://www.compellingtruth.org/citizenship-in-heaven.html.

⁴ Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

Treasures in Our Lives for Jesus—Part 1

April 10, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 9:07

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As followers of Jesus, we have been eager to follow wherever God leads. We have learned to place following the Spirit of God above traditions or our own mindsets. In fact, this concept of “following God” has been a cornerstone of the Family and of each of our lives.

Peter once wrote: “The eagerness to change, the ability to jettison ideas, policies, or models that lose relevance or become outdated, and the desire to constantly follow the Lord as He leads us through an ever-changing future has been a cornerstone of our faith, and challenging though it may be to live it, it is crucial to our ability to accomplish our mission of reaching the world for Jesus.”

It’s wonderful to know that as long as we keep doing our best to follow where God leads, we’ll never be irrelevant or useless. As we acknowledge Him in all our ways, He’ll faithfully direct us to the places where we can be of greatest service to Him and others.

The treasure of adaptability in evangelism

Following the Lord and His Word has taught us how to adapt to the needs of the time, place, culture, or social class of the people we are trying to reach. We engage in humanitarian projects that show love in action and compassion for the needy. We have created customized outreach resources to reach special niches in society. We have used art, music, dance, drama, clubs and coffeehouses, seminars, classes, concerts, literature, prophecy, networking and collaboration, radio, TV, websites, and many other tools to spread the gospel and share Jesus’ love with others.

Getting stuck on a specific outreach method or target audience would have greatly reduced our ability to reach people with the gospel, so I’m thankful that the Lord led us to be flexible and willing to adapt. It’s done us—and the people we’ve witnessed to—a lot of good.

The ways the Lord has led us in the presentation of our message have been essential as well. Although we’re passionate about sharing our faith, we’ve learned to take a tolerant, respectful approach to the beliefs of others. This openness is part of our example of love. We take people where they’re at, and no matter what they believe, we try to help them see that Jesus is the ultimate truth and the only way to salvation.

We’ve tried many different methods over the years, and those things are a part of who we are, because they’ve stemmed from our deep desire to bring people to Jesus. We try, in meekness and humility, to preach the Good News and share the truth about a loving Jesus who is willing to accept and save anyone who will receive Him. This outlook has helped many people to find the Lord who were otherwise closed to Christianity.

We can give Him all the credit for helping us to have the strength and faith to follow Him and to be what He’s needed us to be in the past, and we can look forward to the ways He’ll continue to use us in the future.

The treasure of God’s economics

For over 40 years the Family lived outside the world’s economic system, depending on God’s supply and the principles in His Word. The Lord has been such a wonderful provider to us, as we sought to put His kingdom and lost souls first.

The Family’s culture of giving and generosity is very beautiful. Sometimes we have abounded and other times we have abased, yet you have continually manifested willingness to give of what you have to others in need—whether it’s those in the world in need or our own members who needed assistance. We believe in the godliness of giving and sharing, and you have put this into action countless times to help others through times of sickness, emergencies, and hardship.

Your faithfulness to give tithes and offerings has made it possible for the Family to reach the world with Jesus’ love and truth. Your gifts have made everything we produce for the mission and outreach possible, and every service the Family provides. Your financial contributions don’t come from your abundance, but in many cases have been your “widow’s mite,” which makes them all the more valuable in the Lord’s eyes.

As we all have tried to live sacrificial, giving lives, the Lord has been more than generous to us in return. When you think of all that the Lord has supplied for each of us over these past many years, it’s simply amazing! We’ve strived to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and He has faithfully added unto us the resources that have kept us going and made it possible for us to continue to take His kingdom to others. We’ve each experienced miracles of supply.

If we were able to add up the cost of all the medical care, food, clothes, housing, travels, vehicles, and materials that the Lord has supplied throughout our lives of service to Him, I’m sure we’d see that He has literally given us millions in compensation for doing His work. We’ve all had times when finances were tight, but we’ve never been forsaken, and the Lord has promised that He will care for His own, and that is a promise we can put our faith in.

We’ve also been blessed with good training in areas of austerity and frugality. We have learned to be saving, and in times of economic downturn, we see how important this is. Learning to “live on less” becomes a blessing in disguise when we’re able to make ends meet on a much lower income than most people would think possible. Most of us have also learned to avoid incurring large debts and other financial entanglements, which are increasingly serious problems in the world.

But the most important thing, in addition to these benefits, is that our treasure isn’t on Earth; it’s waiting for us in heaven. The Lord has taken good care of us here, but nothing compares to the riches of His glory. That’s the best part of God’s economics!

The treasure of a future-focused outlook

First Thessalonians 5:6 says, “Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” When it comes to the endtime, the return of Jesus, and the future beyond, we have been “awake and watching,” and I feel very privileged to have had that training and heritage.

I’m glad that I’ve been taught to understand what the Bible teaches about the end of the world. Knowing that the end will come, and that afterwards there is a wonderful millennial and heavenly future gives our lives on Earth greater meaning and our mission a deeper significance. We also have the personal benefit of being discerning of propaganda, trends, and the progression of the world toward an increasingly anti-Christ system.

And where would we be without the heavenly vision? The challenges and hardships of life are easier to bear when we know all that we have to look forward to. These days of living for Jesus here on Earth, though often tedious, are worthwhile when we think about how we will be with Jesus forever, and that all of our lessons and experiences here and now are part of His working in us for there and then.

I love our future-focused outlook. My spirit is more hopeful and motivated because of these truths. I hope it’s the same for you.

Compiled from posts originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished April 2023.
Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by Michael Dooley.

Easter—The Resurrection Makes All the Difference (Part 2)

Peter Amsterdam

2014-04-15

As we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating God’s way of bringing salvation to us. In His love for humanity, God made a way for us to enter into an eternal relationship with Him, and the means was through His Son coming into the world, living as a human being, and laying down His life for us. Jesus did just that. He came into this world out of love, lived as we live, and gave Himself over to be crucified. His death made it possible for us to truly know God and to live with Him forever. Jesus was God’s Son. We know this because of the account of Him given in the Gospels, and through the rest of the Bible. He did and said numerous things which spoke to the fact that He was God’s Son. His resurrection from the dead, which we celebrate every Easter, was proof that He was all that He said He was—that He was the long-awaited Messiah, and that He was God the Son.

In part one of “Easter—The Resurrection Makes All the Difference,” we saw the importance of Jesus’ resurrection on the first Easter morning in connection with the claims He made about Himself as being the Messiah. We looked at the authority with which Jesus fulfilled His ministry, as well as the prophecies given throughout the Bible about the promised Messiah. Now we’ll move on to Jesus as the Son of Man; His power, dominion, and place as judge; and as the Son of God.

The Son of Man

Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man over seventy times throughout the Gospels. While on occasion He stated that He was the Messiah, He generally didn’t refer to Himself as such. The title of Messiah carried with it preconceived ideas in the minds of the people of His day and expectations of a political nature. Continually claiming to be the Messiah would most likely have prematurely brought Him problems with the Jewish leaders as well as the Roman government.

It would also have brought up the stereotypical ideas about the messiah which were prominent in those days—someone who would throw off the shackles of the Roman oppressors and physically free the Jewish people.

By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, a non-messianic title from the book of Daniel ^[1] that the Jews of Jesus’ day were familiar with, Jesus was using a title which allowed Him to speak modestly about Himself; to include aspects of His mission such as His suffering and death, which weren’t considered part of the Messiah’s role. At the same time, in line with what is said in Daniel, it enabled Him to express His exalted role, while avoiding the messianic misconceptions of the time. In using the title Son of Man, Jesus could speak of His mission on earth—which included His suffering and death, His second coming, His role in judgment, and His glorious future—without using the politically charged title of Messiah.

Within the Gospels, Jesus was the only one who used the title Son of Man in reference to Himself. He used the title to claim the authority to do what only God could do, such as forgive sins:

“But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”^[2]

He also referred to Himself this way when telling His disciples about His coming crucifixion and resurrection on the third day, while He avoided the term Messiah, as suffering and death were not what they expected for the Messiah. He spoke about the Son of Man giving His life as a ransom, teaching that His death was a vicarious sacrifice, that He was laying down His life for the salvation of others.

“We are going up to Jerusalem. And the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and scribes, and they will condemn Him to death and deliver Him over to the Gentiles to be mocked and flogged and crucified.”^[3]

As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.” And they were greatly distressed.^[4]

The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.^[5]

Jesus foretold that as the Son of Man, He would lay down His life for us. And so He was crucified, died, and was buried—and then rose from the dead. Because He rose, we have affirmation that His Heavenly Father set His seal upon Him,^[6] and that His sacrificial atoning death has given us eternal life.

Power and Judgment

Another way in which Jesus used the phrase “the Son of Man” was when speaking of His second coming, when He will return to the earth to establish His rule and to pronounce judgment. The book of Daniel speaks of “one like a son of man” coming on the clouds of heaven. This reference to a human-looking figure with authority, glory, worship, and an eternal kingdom evokes an image of power normally reserved for God.

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.^[7]

When Jesus speaks of His return, He refers to what Daniel saw in his vision. He explains that He will come in the glory of His Father,^[8] coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory,^[9] seated on a glorious throne,^[10] at the right hand of Power.^[11]

He also speaks of the time of judgment which He will preside over, as His Father has given Him the authority to execute judgment. With this authority, He will divide the “sheep from the goats” and reward everyone according to what they have done.

For as the Father has life in Himself, so He has granted the Son also to have life in Himself. And He has given Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.^[12]

When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. And He will place the sheep on His right, but the goats on the left.^[13]

For the Son of Man is going to come with His angels in the glory of His Father, and then He will repay each person according to what he has done.^[14]

These claims Jesus made about executing judgment are extraordinary—far beyond what any human could or should claim. However, Jesus, as the Son of God, has this authority, and His claims were validated by the fact that God raised Him from the dead.

The Son of God

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God, both by Himself and by others. His Sonship is woven throughout the Gospels, especially in the things He said about Himself. From the Gospels we understand that He existed eternally with the Father before the creation of the world as the Logos, the Word of God, and that He made all things. The Logos then became flesh, in the person of Jesus, who through the life He led taught us about God and His love.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth … No one has ever seen God; the only God, who is at the Father’s side, He has made Him known.^[15]

We also hear Him speak of His preexistence when He said:

Now, Father, glorify Me in Your own presence with the glory that I had with You before the world existed … Father, I desire that they also, whom You have given Me, may be with Me where I am, to see My glory that You have given Me because You loved Me before the foundation of the world.^[16]

“Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.”^[17]

We are told of His Sonship in the birth narratives, where His paternity comes directly from God through the conception of the Holy Spirit, and therefore He is called the Son of God. He was named Jesus, which means “Yahweh is salvation”—Yahweh being one of the names by which the Jewish people know God.

Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High … The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.^[18]

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan at the beginning of His mission, the voice of God stated that Jesus was His Son.

When Jesus was baptized, immediately He went up from the water, and behold, the heavens were opened to Him, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.”^[19]

Close to the end of His mission, when He was transfigured, God once again declared that He was His Son.

A bright cloud overshadowed them, and a voice from the cloud said, “This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased; listen to Him.”^[20]

Jesus spoke of being sent by the Father, coming from the Father, and returning to the Father.

As You sent Me into the world, so I have sent them into the world.^[21]

I have not come of My own accord. He who sent Me is true, and Him you do not know. I know Him, for I come from Him, and He sent Me.^[22]

I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father.^[23]

Jesus claimed to do the work of His Father, including tasks which only God does, such as giving life to the dead.

Whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.^[24]

If I am not doing the works of My Father, then do not believe Me; but if I do them, even though you do not believe Me, believe the works, that you may know and understand that the Father is in Me and I am in the Father.^[25]

For as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom He will.^[26]

Jesus had a unique relationship with the Father through knowing Him as only His only begotten Son could. The Father has also given all things into His hands.

I know Him. If I were to say that I do not know Him, I would be a liar like you, but I do know Him and I keep His Word.^[27]

The Father loves the Son and has given all things into His hand.^[28]

All that the Father has is Mine; therefore I said that He will take what is Mine and declare it to you.^[29]

When asked by the Jewish leadership if He was the Son of God, He answered in the affirmative.

The high priest asked Him, “Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.” And the high priest tore his garments and said, “What further witnesses do we need? You have heard His blasphemy.”^[30]

The statements Jesus made about Himself and His relationship to God, claiming to be equal to God; at times accepting worship;^[31] and claiming to do the work of the Father, were seen as outlandish and blasphemous. He was looked upon as a false messiah. Some people considered Him demon-possessed.^[32] The Jewish religious leaders who considered Him a false messiah came to the conclusion that He needed to die so that the Romans wouldn’t destroy the nation because of Him.^[33] While the Jewish leaders didn’t have the authority to kill Jesus themselves, they were able to have Him crucified by the Roman authorities. The supposed false messiah who claimed to be God’s Son was crucified, and the problem was seemingly taken care of.

But then… He rose from the dead. The resurrection proved that all He said He was, all the authority He claimed to have—the Messiahship, the power and dominion, the judgment, and His Sonship—was genuine. He is who He said He was.

Had Jesus not risen, had there been no resurrection, then everything that God’s Word says about Him would be false. Our faith, as Paul said, would be worthless. But the resurrection proves that our faith is of inestimable worth. It proves that Jesus is God the Son.

Because of the resurrection, we are assured that through belief in Jesus we have eternal life. That’s what Easter is all about. That’s why it’s a day to praise and thank Him for His sacrifice, for laying down His life for us. That’s why it’s a day to worship God for the wonderful plan of salvation which He enacted. That’s why Easter is a wonderful day to make a personal commitment to share the good news that Jesus is risen and His free offer of salvation is still available to all who will receive it. Happy Easter!

Note

^[1] Daniel 7:13–14: I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.

^[2] Matthew 9:6.

^[3] Matthew 20:18–19.

^[4] Matthew 17:22–23.

^[5] Matthew 20:28.

^[6] Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on Him God the Father has set His seal (John 6:27).

^[7] Daniel 7:13–14.

^[8] Matthew 16:27.

^[9] Matthew 24:30.

^[10] Matthew 19:28.

^[11] Matthew 26:64.

^[12] John 5:26–27.

^[13] Matthew 25:31–33.

^[14] Matthew 16:27.

^[15] John 1:1–3,14,18.

^[16] John 17:5,24.

^[17] John 8:58.

^[18] Luke 1:31–32,35.

^[19] Matthew 3:16–17.

^[20] Matthew 17:5.

^[21] John 17:18.

^[22] John 7:28–29.

^[23] John 16:28.

^[24] John 5:19.

^[25] John 10:37–38.

^[26] John 5:21.

^[27] John 8:55.

^[28] John 3:35.

^[29] John 16:15.

^[30] Mark 14:61–64.

^[31] Those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, “Truly You are the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33).

“Do you believe in the Son of Man?” He answered, “And who is He, Sir, that I may believe in Him?” Jesus said to him, “You have seen Him, and it is He who is speaking to you.” He said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped Him (John 9:35–38).

^[32] The crowd answered, “You have a demon! Who is seeking to kill You?” (John 7:20).

^[33] The chief priests and the Pharisees gathered the Council and said, “What are we to do? For this man performs many signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and the Romans will come and take away both our place and our nation.” But one of them, Caiaphas, who was high priest that year, said to them, “You know nothing at all. Nor do you understand that it is better for you that one man should die for the people, not that the whole nation should perish” (John 11:47–50).

What Is Faith?

By Maria Fontaine

April 4, 2023

Someone who loves Jesus, yet has faced many difficulties and hardships, told me that she couldn’t help but wonder whether, if she just had greater faith, perhaps she wouldn’t have so many troubles. I explained that having more afflictions doesn’t mean that you are lacking faith. Psalm 34:19 says, “Many are the afflictions of the righteous.” We all face struggles; they are an unavoidable part of this life. The verse goes on to say, “but the Lord delivers them out of them all.” It is the Lord who delivers us as we place our trust in Him and His love for us.

Faith in God isn’t something that we create within ourselves through our own effort. It is the fruit of opening our hearts to His love and placing our trust in Him. That’s why memorizing His promises can help strengthen our faith and help us find peace in the midst of difficulties. Jesus’ “commandments” are the conditions He has given us in order to claim His promises. As we take them to heart, we are reminded to look to Him, wait on Him, and follow Him and His Word with trust, gratitude, and faith.

“Keep my commandments and live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye. Tie them to your fingers; write them on the tablet of your heart. Say to wisdom, ‘You are my sister,’ and call understanding your kinsman.”—Proverbs 7:2–4

The spiritual principles that Jesus teaches us are simple and attainable for all when we are trusting in Him, knowing that whatever God allows, He does in love. Faith is built on trusting Him and loving Him. I’m using the word “simple” to mean something that is uncomplicated, clear, and understandable. It doesn’t necessarily mean that it is easy to implement.

God makes what He is teaching us simple. It’s humankind that too often turns it into something tangled, complicated, and nearly impossible to attain. Whether it’s salvation, faith, perseverance, loving God, obedience, what God expects of us, or many other spiritual principles, there always seem to be simple answers which God has provided for what could be seen as very deep and complex topics. Some examples are:

Salvation: Rather than the impossibly complex and unachievable act of being good enough to deserve God’s forgiveness, Jesus gave us the simple requirement of receiving Him as our Lord and Savior. (See John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8–9.)

Pleasing God: Rather than following every detail laid out by the Mosaic Law and the prophets, and trying to never make a mistake, Jesus gave us two simple rules: to love God with our whole heart and to love others as ourselves. (See Matthew 22:37–40.)

And about faith: What is faith? Is it something we have to work up enough of to meet the need? Or is it an attempt to impress God, so that we can overcome any problem? The book of Hebrews explains what faith is and why it is essential to our relationship with God.

“Now faith is the certainty of things hoped for, a proof of things not seen. … And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.”—Hebrews 11:1, 6

So, is there a simple path to faith? Faith is knowing that no matter what difficult situation you find yourself in, He will bring you through to something better in His perfect time.

Reminding ourselves of His truth and His promises can help us to turn to Him, but taking that step of faith is a choice that we have to make. Our faith doesn’t have to be “great” or perfect. Sometimes, we may falter like the apostle Peter did. He began to walk on the water to Jesus in the storm, but then he looked around at the waves and storm and started to sink. Looking at the impossibility of our circumstances can easily distract us, because we are human, but even then, Jesus understands the love and trust in our hearts and never fails us. He holds on to us, as He did with Peter. (See Matthew 14:22–32.)

Faith is the act of trusting in God’s love for us. Faith is placing ourselves in His hands, trusting Him no matter what situation we are faced with. It doesn’t mean that it’s always something easy to do. We never know what a day may bring. But if we are trusting Him, then we might be surprised by what that trust can turn into when the need arises.

When we are struggling to have faith, sometimes it’s because we think that we can’t hear Jesus’ voice, but perhaps the solution is as simple as moving closer to Him, by pausing in our frantic rush, and getting quiet in His presence. I like this little anecdote, which illustrates this point.

A man had lost his job. He was at the point of desperation and didn’t know which way to turn, so he went to see an elderly preacher who had once helped him.

Pacing about the preacher’s study, the young man ranted about his problems. Finally, he clenched his fist and shouted, “I’ve begged God to say something to help me, preacher, why doesn’t God answer?”

The preacher, who sat across the room, spoke something in reply, something so hushed that it was indistinguishable. The young man stepped across the room. “What did you say?” he asked.

The preacher repeated himself, but again in a tone as soft as a whisper. So the young man moved closer until he was leaning on the preacher’s chair.

“Sorry,” he said. “I still didn’t hear you.”

With their heads bent together, the old preacher spoke once more.

“God sometimes whispers,” he said, “so that we will move closer to hear Him.”

This time the young man heard and he understood.

We all want God’s voice to thunder through the air with the answer to our problem. But God’s voice is often the still, small voice, the gentle whisper.

Nothing draws human focus quite like a whisper. God’s whisper means that I must stop my ranting and move close to Him, until my head is bent together with His. And then, as I listen, I will find my answer.

Better still, I find myself closer to God.—Author unknown¹

And here are some inspiring quotes that give good insights on faith and trust:

“Faith is not the belief that God will do what you want. It is the belief that God will do what is right.”―Max Lucado

“When the solution is simple, God is answering.”—Albert Einstein

“Each of us stands as an individual before God. And, before God, each of us must have the faith to trust God’s will in our lives.”—Bernard Schnippert

“My faith didn’t remove the pain, but it got me through the pain. Trusting God didn’t diminish or vanquish the anguish, but it enabled me to endure it.”—Robert Rogers

“Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that a man could stake his life on it a thousand times.”—Martin Luther

“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”—Corrie ten Boom

“True faith is willing to accept a ‘no’ answer as well as a ‘yes’ answer.”—Joseph Tkach

“None of us knows what might happen even the next minute, yet still we go forward, because we trust, because we have faith.”―Paulo Coelho

“To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless.”―G. K. Chesterton

“When you get to the end of all the light you know and it’s time to step into the darkness of the unknown, faith is knowing that one of two things shall happen: either you will be given something solid to stand on, or you will be taught how to fly.”―Edward Teller

“The will of God will not take us where the grace of God cannot sustain us.”—Billy Graham

I will close this post with a few verses that we can hold on to, as reminders of the love we have for our Savior.

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.—John 3:16

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.—Ephesians 2:8–9

Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”—Matthew 22:37–40

“He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.”—Micah 6:8

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”—Psalm 46:10

“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome.”—1 John 5:3

“Jesus answered and said unto him, ‘If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.’”—John 14:23

¹ Public domain.

Easter: Politicians, Priests, and Truth

April 7, 2023

By Brett McBride

All the Old Testament prophets pointed to someone outside of themselves, but Jesus points to Himself, and He says, “I am the one the Old Testament speaks of in your midst.” John devoted a third of his Gospel to the last 20 hours of Jesus’ life before the crucifixion. In the last two chapters of John, politicians are grasping for power and priests are worried about their theology while the Truth is standing in their midst. The resurrection is the ultimate proof of Jesus’ truth claims.

Run time for this video is 30 minutes.

https://youtu.be/kdeNdSB8iWs

Easter—Why the Resurrection Matters

April 6, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 12:12

Download Audio (11.1MB)

Easter is the day we celebrate the most important event of our Christian faith, the resurrection of Jesus. Why is it so important? Because without the resurrection, our faith is worthless, as the apostle Paul made a point to emphasize (1 Corinthians 15:17). Without the resurrection, we are not redeemed, and are therefore still accountable for our sins. Without the resurrection, our faith is in vain and we are misrepresenting God when we witness to others (1 Corinthians 15:14–15). It is because God raised Jesus from the dead that we know we have salvation.

The fact that Jesus rose from the dead is what validated the claims He made about His messiahship and His divinity. If Jesus had not risen from the dead, He would have been just another of a number of first-century Jewish men who claimed to be the messiah but turned out to be messianic pretenders, failed messiahs. (See Acts 5:36–37.)

In those days, the messiah was understood to be someone whom God would anoint to deliver His people from foreign oppressors and who would reign as king in the restored kingdom of David. Jesus was rejected by the Jewish leaders because they considered Him a false messiah. In their eyes He was just one of many who claimed messiahship. Had Jesus not risen from the dead, they would have been proven right. His disciples would have most likely returned home and taken up their previous employment, and would have concluded they had been foolishly duped.

However, God raised Jesus from the dead, which changed everything. His resurrection was God’s way of providing evidence that what Jesus had said about Himself was true. The fact that Jesus rose from the dead, after dying on our behalf, showed that He was indeed the Messiah whose coming was foretold throughout the Old Testament and that He is the divine Son of God, equal with the Father.

After His resurrection, Jesus spoke of the authority He possessed: “And Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me’” (Matthew 28:18). Jesus rising from the dead on that first Easter morning proves that His claims of authority were true.

Throughout the Old Testament, Scripture spoke of one who would come and lead Israel, a king who would fulfill the prophecies God had given to David and others. These prophecies spoke of a prophet and king from the tribe of Judah, from the house of David, from the town of Bethlehem, who would have an everlasting kingdom. This person would be an “anointed one,” a messiah, a suffering servant, who would take the people’s transgressions upon himself, a king who would be called “our righteous savior.”¹

Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows; yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:4–6).

After the Jewish people’s decades of exile in Babylon, and then being ruled by the world powers of Greece and Rome, they began to use the term messiah specifically in reference to the one who would restore Israel’s independence in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. In Jesus’ time, the Jewish expectation was that the messiah would be a political/warrior king who would deliver the Jewish people from the oppression of Rome.

The Romans who governed Israel in Jesus’ time were very careful to put down any rebellion and eradicate anyone who was seen as a potential messiah. Because of this danger, Jesus usually did not publicly claim to be the Messiah in the early part of His ministry. He seldom directly referred to Himself as being the Messiah when He was in Israel proper, though He did so when He was in Samaria and in places outside the borders of Israel (John 4:25–26).

He often told those He healed to not tell others about it, as He didn’t want to draw attention to Himself (Luke 5:12–14). He could have been seen as someone who might be stirring up Jewish nationalistic desires, and the Romans were on the lookout for anyone who gained popularity and could be seen as a messiah and thus a threat to their rule.

After miraculously feeding the five thousand, Jesus withdrew from the crowds because He saw that the people were intent on making Him king, which would have brought the wrath of Rome on Him prematurely. “Perceiving then that they were about to come and take him by force to make him king, Jesus withdrew again to the mountain by himself” (John 6:15).

Throughout His ministry, Jesus tried to move people away from the general belief that the messiah would be the liberating warrior king, and to help them understand that the messiah’s mission included suffering, rejection, and humiliation. This was difficult for people, including His closest followers, to grasp.

Even John the Baptist, the forerunner of Jesus sent to prepare His way, had questions about whether Jesus really was the “one who is to come,” the promised messiah. John’s expectation of what the Messiah would do differed from what he heard that Jesus was doing. Jesus responded by pointing out that His ministry was fulfilling Isaiah’s prophecies about the Messiah and what he would do in Isaiah 35 and 61.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” And Jesus answered them, “Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them” (Matthew 11:2–5).

Jesus had quoted from this same passage of Scripture early on in His ministry, stating that this Scripture was fulfilled in Him.

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”… And he began to say to them, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:18–19, 21).

Toward the end of Jesus’ ministry, when He was near Caesarea Philippi (an important Roman city north of the Sea of Galilee with a pagan Syrian and Greek population), He asked His disciples who people said He was. Their response was that some said He was John the Baptist, and others said Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. The fact that people expressed that He was one of these prophets was in line with the Old Testament expectation of a great prophet which was to come.

Then Jesus asked who His disciples thought He was, and Peter responded: “‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’” And Jesus answered him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven’” (Matthew 16:15–17).

A little over a week later, Jesus went up on a mountain with three of the disciples and was transfigured. “And behold, two men were talking with him, Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of his departure, which he was about to accomplish at Jerusalem” (Luke 9:28–31). Moses and Elijah represent the Law and the Prophets, and their appearance showed that the Old Testament bore witness to Jesus being the Messiah.

At His trial, Jesus is asked if He is “the Christ.” “Again the high priest asked him, ‘Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven’” (Mark 14:61–62).

This response convinced the high priest to condemn Jesus to death. The claim of being the Messiah was what allowed the Jewish leaders to bring Jesus to Pilate for judgment, as the Messiah was a threat to Rome, and would-be messiahs were killed by the Roman authorities.

Jesus was called the Messiah by the angels at His birth: “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11); and by Pilate at His death: “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ [Messiah]?” (Matthew 27:22).

Jesus, who specifically stated that He was the Messiah throughout the Gospels, and was called the Christ (Messiah), by others, was cruelly hung upon a cross until He died. The Jewish leaders and Pilate thought His death would prove that He was a false messiah. However, His resurrection proved that He was telling the truth.

God raising Jesus from the dead showed that He is the one who was spoken of throughout Scripture, the Messiah who has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, who was crushed for our iniquities, who has brought us peace, the one called the “Lord of our righteousness.”

Because of the resurrection, we have the assurance of salvation, the ability to lead a Christ-infused life today, and the honor to live with God forever.

Originally published April 2014. Adapted and republished April 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

¹ See Deuteronomy 18:18; 2 Samuel 7:12–13; Isaiah 11:1–2; Micah 5:2,4; Jeremiah 23:5–6.

April 5, 2023

We Call Him Father

By Jon Bloom

If you primarily think of God as your Father, and if you usually address God as Father when you pray, you have Jesus to thank. For prior to Jesus, no one—not in Judaism or in any other religious tradition—spoke of God or to God as Father in the personal ways Jesus did.

It’s true that Old Testament saints occasionally referred to God as Israel’s father (Deuteronomy 32:6; Psalm 103:13) and even less occasionally called him their Father when they prayed (Isaiah 63:16). But the fact that they rarely did so reveals that they didn’t relate to God primarily as a Father. Certainly not in the way Jesus did — which was also the way he taught all his followers to relate to God.

(Read the article here. There is also an audio available on the page.)

We Call Him ‘Father’: The Privilege of Christian Prayer | Desiring God

The Essence of Easter

April 4, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 10:35

Download Audio (9.7MB)

Let not your heart be troubled,
Let not your soul be sad.
Easter is a time of joy
When all hearts should be glad.

Glad to know that Jesus Christ
Made it possible for men
To have their sins forgiven
And, like Him, to live again.

So at this special time of year,
May the wonder of His story
Renew our faith so we may be
Partakers of His glory!
—Adapted from Helen Steiner Rice

If the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened, then ultimately, God is going to put everything right. Suffering is going to go away. Evil is going to go away. Death is going to go away. Aging is going to go away. Pancreatic cancer is going to go away. Now if the resurrection of Jesus Christ did not happen, then I guess all bets are off. But if it actually happened, then there’s all the hope in the world.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s essay “On Fairy-Stories,” he says there are indelible human longings that only fantasy, fairy tales, or sci-fi can really speak to. He says that all human beings have a fascination with the idea of escaping time, escaping death, holding communion with other living things, being able to live long enough to achieve your artistic and creative dreams, being able to find a love that perfectly heals. Tolkien says: why do we have those longings? And as a Christian, he thinks the reason is that we were not originally created by God to die. We all deep down kind of know that this is the way life ought to be, and if the resurrection of Jesus Christ happens, then all those things are literally going to come true for us.

That’s the reason you have this paradox. On the one hand, the resurrection is a kind of very concrete thing to talk about, like “What is the evidence for this historical event?” Probably the single best book on this subject in the last 100 years is N.T. Wright’s book “The Resurrection of the Son of God.”

Yet if we come to the place where we accept it, then suddenly there’s no limit to what kinds of things we can look forward to. I know some of you readers are thinking, “I can’t believe there’s a person with more than a third-grade education that actually believes that.” But I do. And these last few months, as we’ve gotten in touch with these great parts of our faith, [my wife] Kathy and I would both say we’ve never been happier in our lives, even though I’m living under the shadow of cancer.

Holy Week gives you both death and resurrection. They don’t make any sense apart. You can’t have the joy of resurrection unless you’ve gone through a death, and death without resurrection is just hopeless. Essentially, the death/resurrection motif or pattern is absolutely at the heart of what it means to live a Christian life. And actually, everything in life is like that. With any kind of suffering, if I respond to it by looking to God in faith, suffering drives me like a nail deeper into God’s love, which is what cancer has done for me. I do think that the great thing about cancer is that Easter does mean a whole lot more because I look at Easter and I say, “Because of this, I can face anything.” In the past, I thought of Easter as a kind of optimistic, upbeat way of thinking about life. And now I see that Easter is a universal solvent. It can eat through any fear, any anger and despair. I see it as more powerful than ever before.—Tim Keller¹

Let every man and woman count himself immortal. Let him catch the revelation of Jesus in his resurrection. Let him say not merely, “Christ is risen,” but “I shall rise.”—Phillips Brooks

The simple message that changed the world forever was this one: “He is not here. He is risen.”

Easter is about the meaning of our lives. It is about human purpose. It is about eternity.

That understanding often gets lost in the day-to-day busyness of living. We get caught up in the hectic pursuits and graspings of life, totally consumed and directed by the pushes and pulls of the world around us, not only unable to break free, but unaware we are captive.

Easter is about resurrection, His and ours.

But the very notion of resurrection is rejected by the intellectual gurus among us. “Death is the end,” they say. “It would take a miracle to bring back the dead, and there are no miracles.”

If a miracle is that which transcends the ability of science to explain, it may safely be said that each of us is a walking-around miracle, and all that we see, all that we hear and all that we touch are miracles.

We yearn for understanding, and we are impelled toward the heavens by an implanted homing instinct. Oh, if there were only some vantage point, some philosophical place where we could step back and away from ourselves, some place where we could stand and see ourselves clearly in the perspective of all of creation and in the perspective of eternity.

Christians have found such a place, and the joy of its finding shines in their faces. From that place, they see that the full meaning of their lives is to be worked out, fulfilled and understood not in the span of a lifetime, but in the framework of forever.

That is the essence of Easter. The words resonate throughout all of creation: “He is not here. He is risen.”—Linda Bowles

The resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over no matter what my circumstances.—Robert Flatt

Easter is a time for remembering the ultimate sacrifice ever made, the greatest gift anyone ever gave, the biggest boon ever granted to mankind. God came down to Earth in the form of a man, Jesus. He was a humble worker born in poor circumstances. When He reached manhood He began to preach, teach, and heal, thus gathering a following.

But, just as He knew they would, those opposing the love and truth He taught, killed Him by nailing Him to a cross in one of the cruelest forms of execution imaginable. Yet even in death He demonstrated His message of love by forgiving His captors and comforting the repentant criminal being executed on the cross next to His. In three days, He rose from the dead, proving His divinity.

Easter is the celebration of His triumph over sin and death, and His purchase of eternal life for all who receive Him. It is the commemoration of His death on the cross for the redemption of all who accept His sacrifice, and for His resurrection to life from death, that vanquished death and the grave.

In our all-too-imperfect human state, we do not deserve to be in God’s presence, who is perfect in every way. So, in unfathomable love, Jesus took the punishment for our sin, and then, as He hung on the cross, said, “It is finished.” He had completed His mission, He had taken on the weight of our sins. Now we could receive God’s forgiveness, and with it, a new life. Jesus went to the root of all the misery and grief and horror caused by the sin of man, and paid the price for our forgiveness. He thus prepared the way for us to spend eternity with Him in heaven, if we will only believe, and receive His gift of forgiveness and salvation.—Chloe West

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?”—John 11:25–26

Published on Anchor April 2023. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/10/opinion/timothy-keller-cancer-easter.html

Thoughts on the King

April 3, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 12:33

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One question that could be asked regarding God’s gift of salvation is why God, who is all-powerful, had to send His beloved Son to earth to die for us in the greatest sacrifice of all time. Couldn’t He have just forgiven us by snapping His fingers and saying, “It is done”? Why didn’t He? Because He wanted us to understand what His limitless love is like and how far that love would go for us. Jesus was willing to help us learn what love is through giving His all for us.

How could we ever learn to understand God’s Spirit of Love if we had not seen Jesus’ example of suffering and sacrifice, trusting His Father in all things? In the same way, He asks us to walk even as He walked by bravely facing the things that come into our lives, trusting Him to bring us through them.

The greatest example we can set is of faith, even in adverse circumstances, which can motivate others to want to do the same. People can read about Jesus’ example in the Bible and in other books that describe how Christians have manifested their faith and trust in the past, but when they can see His children, with all the similar trials that they themselves face, demonstrating how faith can be applied today, it helps them to understand even better and to want this faith, too.

He asks us to be the example of trust in some things that may seem very traumatic to us, but He has promised to be with us and keep us in all our ways and not give us anything more than we can bear. He promises to always make a way through even the worst of times.

Jesus understands our trials. He endured pain, humiliation, suspicion, criticism, anger, opposition, jealousy, contempt, and lies. He faced weariness, sleeplessness, hunger, thirst, cold, and sickness. He was despised, rejected, insulted, betrayed, deserted, ostracized, and finally tortured and put to death.

He suffered the entire range of what a human being could go through. He taught us by His example and instruction how to face struggles and even find joy in the midst of troubles. He gave us a way to find peace in all things and to overcome. He chose to give and give and give again until there was nothing left but the frail thread of life itself, and then He gave even that, not for glory or praise, but for the joy of offering us the love that He alone could give us. He told us,

As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you.—John 20:21

A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.—John 13:34

Jesus has already paid the ultimate price for our salvation. Now He gives us the strength, through His Holy Spirit, to be an example of His love to others. In love, He prepares us for the tasks that are set before us. The learning process of life often tests our mettle and teaches us through experiences that are difficult, in order to bless us with the understanding, conviction, and compassion that we need in order to help others. And He promises to make every sacrifice worth it.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.—Romans 8:18

For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also abounds through Christ.—2 Corinthians 1:5

Listen to these thoughts below from some who have suffered greatly.

* * *

I have to ask myself how I can possibly expect to know Jesus as he would want to be known if my life remains unscathed by trouble and grief. How can I hope to grasp anything of God’s heart for this broken planet if I never weep because its brokenness touches me and breaks my heart? How can I reflect his image if I never share in his sufferings?—Carolyn Custis James

Believe, when you are most unhappy, that there is something for you to do in the world. So long as you can sweeten another’s pain, life is not in vain.—Helen Keller

One of the most interesting realities of suffering is that our personal pain also speaks to those around us. The world gravitates to the cancer patient who has hope and peace. Bystanders are astounded over the parents who cling to the Good Father as they bury their own child. My friends are taken aback when I can shrug off hateful words of my disability [of not having arms] and turn my focus to what God says about me.—Daniel Ritchie

When you become consumed by God’s call on your life, everything will take on new meaning and significance. You will begin to see every facet of your life—including your pain—as a means through which God can work to bring others to Himself.—Charles Stanley

“In spite of sorrow, loss, and pain, our course be onward still; We sow on Burma’s barren plain, We reap on Zion’s hill.” If I had not felt certain that every additional trial was ordered by infinite love and mercy, I could not have survived my accumulated sufferings.—Adoniram Judson

I used to think that being born without arms was the most horrible thing that could happen to a person. In Christ, he has helped me say that the worst and most painful thing that has ever happened to me is also the best thing that has ever happened to me.—Daniel Ritchie

A Christian is someone who shares the sufferings of God in the world.—Dietrich Bonhoeffer

If we do anything to further the kingdom of God, we may expect to find what Christ found on that road—abuse, indifference, injustice, misunderstanding, trouble of some kind. Take it. Why not? To that you were called. (See 1 Peter 2:21.)—Elisabeth Elliot

Our pain gives us a platform. The question becomes then, what am I saying to the world in the midst of my pain? Do I let my faith become the product of my circumstances or is God still good even if my circumstances are not? The scope of His character and grace do not change when suffering comes. As I trust God, even in my heartache, I let my life speak of a hope that extends well beyond what we can see or touch.

We have the difficult call of 1 Peter 1:6–7, where we are commanded to rejoice when we are grieved by various trials. Why are we rejoicing? “So that the tested genuineness of your faith … may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Our willingness to suffer joyfully for the glory of God carries a testimony that none of us could ever express. We point to a glorious God who offers treasure that neither moth nor rust can destroy (Matthew 6:19–20).—Daniel Ritchie

Paul says in 2 Corinthians 1:3–6, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies.” God doesn’t just let us experience pain because it develops us. God allows His children to feel pain because He can use it for a purpose. He allowed Joseph to spend over 13 years in slavery and prison so he could save a nation and his people. He allowed the early church to be persecuted so the gospel would be spread outside Jerusalem. He allowed Jesus to take the cup and suffer for our salvation.—Steven Furtick

When Christians suffer, they, like Paul, can consequently take courage from the fact that their lives will testify to others the power of the Resurrection, either through God’s act of deliverance or, even more profoundly, through the manifestation of their endurance. In either case we are summoned to trust God in the midst of our afflictions in the confidence that God will ultimately deliver us. By so doing, God’s power will be manifest in our weakness.—Scott Hafemann

God comforts us so that we can comfort others. God grants us mercy so that we can be merciful to others. God stands wholeheartedly with us in our suffering so that we can stand wholeheartedly with others who are suffering. God never leaves us alone in our suffering so that we won’t leave others alone in theirs.—Author unknown

It’s beautiful when comfort spreads in this way, and it should happen often in the body of Christ. It is sweet to see people redeem their suffering by taking their eyes off of themselves and turning them toward God to find strength, and then toward others to offer the comfort that God provided them.—Dave Zuleger

We want to avoid suffering, death, sin, ashes. But we live in a world crushed and broken and torn, a world God Himself visited to redeem. We receive His poured-out life, and, being allowed the high privilege of suffering with Him, may then pour ourselves out for others.—Elisabeth Elliot

Christ comforts us so that we might share his comfort with a hurting world. Our pain produces a ministry of comfort that we can walk in. His grace to us is meant to be displayed and not hidden by our silence. As our pain shouts to a hurting world, may our lives always sing of the fact that God is glorious even when our circumstances are not.—Daniel Ritchie

When those who are watching see you claiming My promises, claiming the victories, claiming that I will do the work and somehow bring you through in spite of seeming failures and defeats, their faith is strengthened. When they see you fall and struggle, and you still fight on, despite not seeing the proof, knowing that I will fulfill My part, their faith is strengthened to trust Me when things go wrong for them.—Jesus

God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.—2 Corinthians 1:3–4

Originally published May 2020. Republished on Anchor April 2023.
Read by Carol Andrews. Music by Michael Dooley.

When Is the End?

David Brandt Berg

1985-01-28

In the book of Daniel chapter 12, the 6th verse, Daniel asks a question: “How long shall it be to the end of these wonders?” He’s just described the Antichrist and the Tribulation, and he wants to know when the end is going to be, the end of the world, the same question the disciples asked in Matthew 24. The end of the world as it now is, in other words, man’s world. The Millennium is going to be God’s world, Christ’s world. Man and the Devil are ruling and reigning today, and even though God is letting them, the world really belongs to the Lord. It should be the kingdom of God.

The cataclysmic event that ends man’s world is Armageddon, and even the world talks about Armageddon. Daniel had been shown all these wonders right up to the end of the world, man’s world, and he said, “How long is it going to be to the end?” Verse 7: “And I heard the man clothed in linen, which was upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven and sware by Him that liveth for ever that it shall be for a time”—one year—“times”—two years—“and a half a time.”

Here’s that three and a half years that the Bible speaks of so often! This word “time” here would have been better translated as a year, two years, and half a year, because in the Hebrew, “time” also meant more specifically a year. It’s a little unfortunate it was translated this way in Daniel because it’s not as clear. But we know that’s what it means by all the other prophecies about the three and a half years. He’s obviously referring to the Tribulation because he’s been talking about the horrible events of the time of the Tribulation and the Antichrist. So how long will it be to the end of these things? He says it’ll be three and a half years.

“And when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished.” He doesn’t say completely kill all the holy people, he doesn’t say completely abolish them, but to scatter their power. Their power is going to be scattered by the Antichrist. It’s not going to be completely abolished, but they’re going to be scattered.

The power of the Holy Ghost is being scattered all over the world today, praise God! “But tarry ye in Jerusalem until ye be endued with power from on high, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me, in Judaea and Samaria and all the earth” (Luke 24:49; Acts 1:8). The Antichrist is going to scatter the temporal power of the churches and the good people, the church people, the more or less righteous people, the religious people. When the Antichrist has accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, “all these things shall be finished.” That will be the end of man’s world!

Somebody asked me about the people living on earth during the Wrath of God, why God is going to punish them like that. “Why are they going to suffer like that?” Maybe that’s the “few stripes” that they’re going to receive for their sins (Luke 12:48). But just as the Lord takes care of His people during the Tribulation, God’s going to have to take care of them during the Wrath, and they’re not going to suffer as much as the wicked.

All the Antichrist’s people are going to be wiped out—the bad people, the worst people—but some people are going to be spared and live into the Millennium. Daniel even calls them “blessed” in verse 12: “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days.”

In Daniel 12:8, Daniel writes, “And I heard, but I understood not. Then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?” In verse 9, the Lord tells Daniel, “Go thy way, Daniel, for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.” He says, “Daniel, I don’t expect you to understand. Although I revealed a lot of things to you, a lot of it you’re not even going to understand and they’re going to be closed up, even your book of Daniel, closed up to the time of the end.” To Daniel himself it was sealed. “Go thy way. Don’t worry about it, Daniel. Don’t try to understand it all.”

Verse 10: “Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.” The wise are going to be purified, made white, and tried. The believers have to go through persecution, trials, tribulations, troubles, the Tribulation! God’s Word specifically says in the 11th chapter that we will be purged and made white (Daniel 11:35). Trouble purifies you! Trouble gets you down to business and makes you serious about things.

Daniel still doesn’t know what God’s talking about, even though the Lord spells it out for him and gives him so many days. He told him ahead of time, “You still won’t understand, Daniel! But for the sake of the people who someday are going to understand what I’m talking about, I’m going to tell you.”

Verse 11: “From the time the daily sacrifice shall be taken away and the abomination that maketh desolate set up”—at the breaking of the Covenant in the middle of the seven-year reign of the Antichrist at the beginning of the three and a half years of the Tribulation. He says from that time, when you see the daily sacrifice taken away—the reinstituted sacrifice in front of the rebuilt Jewish Temple—and the Abomination of Desolation is set up, there’s a specific number of days. “It’ll be a thousand, two hundred and ninety days”—1290 days.

I’ve been teaching you about the 1260 days till the Rapture, the end of the Tribulation, but here’s another month tacked on. Does that mean, perhaps, that the Battle of Armageddon is going to occur just 30 days after the Rapture? Does that mean the Wrath of God is only going to last a month? Subtracting 1260 from 1290 leaves 30 days. Daniel wanted to know when the end of all this is going to be, and God says 1290 days. We know that the Rapture is going to occur at the end of 1260 days, so what’s with this 30 days after the Rapture?

Verse 12: “Blessed is he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days”—1335 days. That’s 45 days more after the 1290! But tack on the 30 and you’ve got 75 days! We do not know any better than Daniel exactly what the distinction is between the 30 and the 45 and the total 75, except “Blessed is he that cometh to the thousand, three hundred and thirty-five days.”

Blessed is he who survives and lives through everything that’s going to happen after the Rapture, another 75 days. He is going to be blessed! If you come through the Wrath of God and live through the Battle of Armageddon, and you come out on the other side when the forces of God have taken over and are now ruling the earth, wouldn’t you feel like you were blessed?

Do you know how long it’s going to take just to bury the dead? Seven months (Ezekiel 39:12). It’s going to take seven months in Israel to bury the dead. That’s one hell of a battle! God’s got to even invite the birds of the air and the beasts of the forest to come and feed on the dead to try to get rid of all the dead. God’s Word says they’re going to be like dung on the earth (Jeremiah 25:33), and they’re going to stink so bad that the people that pass by are going to have to hold their noses (Ezekiel 39:11). Probably everybody’s going to have to wear those white masks to keep from being contaminated.

Seven months for the people to go to work and just bury the dead! In fact, seven months to bury the dead in Israel alone—the dead from the Battle of Armageddon in the Valley of Megiddo, from Megiddo to Jerusalem. There are going to be so many killed that the blood in some places in the Valley of Megiddo is going to run clear up to the horses’ bridles (Revelation 14:20). You wonder what the Millennium is for, what do we need a thousand years for? The world’s going to be pretty much in a mess when man gets through with it. It’s going to be a wreck and it’s going to take years to direct the people of the world to clean it up. It’s going to take months to bury the dead in one little country and years to clean up the mess!

God speaks of this time and time again throughout the Bible. And the martyrs under the altar cry, “How long, O Lord, till You’re going to take vengeance upon our enemies? How long are You going to let us suffer all these things and our people suffer all these things before You take vengeance for the blood they’ve shed?” (Revelation 6:10). It’s going to be hell on earth! But it’s going to be heaven let loose, not hell let loose. Heaven let loose to create hell on earth for those that belong in hell, and wipe out all the wicked Antichrist forces, the Mark-of-the-Beast people during the Battle of Armageddon.

1 Thessalonians: Chapter 5 (Part 1)

By Peter Amsterdam

March 28, 2023

At the end of 1 Thessalonians 4, Paul spoke of the dead in Christ who will be raised first, and the living who will be caught up into the air with them to meet the Lord and to always be with Him. He instructed the Thessalonian believers to encourage one another with these words.¹ In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul responds to the Thessalonian believers’ third question: When would the day of the Lord arrive?

Now concerning the times and the seasons, brothers, you have no need to have anything written to you. For you yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.²

Paul started this section of his letter with the phrase “now concerning,” which indicates that he is responding to another of the Thessalonians’ questions, which they probably asked through a letter they sent to Paul via Timothy. He used the same phrase earlier, now concerning brotherly love.³ Throughout Paul’s letters, he uses this phrase to introduce a new topic.⁴

It’s not surprising that Paul addressed the question of the timing of the day of the Lord. Throughout Jewish literature as well as in Scripture, there was much focus on this topic. In the book of Daniel the question is asked: How long shall it be till the end of these wonders?⁵ On the Mount of Olives, Jesus’ disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”⁶ In the book of Acts, They asked him, “Lord, will you at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons that the Father has fixed by his own authority.”⁷ Within the Gospels, Jesus made it clear that only His Father knew the time of the day of the Lord. Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.⁸

Paul didn’t feel that he needed to write the Thessalonian believers about the timing of the Lord’s coming. They already knew that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. Throughout this letter, Paul refers to what the Thessalonians knew. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you.⁹ For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain.¹⁰ We never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed.¹¹ You yourselves know that we are destined for this.¹² For you know what instructions we gave you through the Lord Jesus.¹³ Because of their knowledge and faith, Paul knew that he didn’t have to repeat his teaching about the day of the Lord.

Within Scripture, the day of the Lord often refers to when the Lord comes to judge the people of the earth and pours out His wrath because of sin.¹⁴ However, for the people of God, the day of the Lord will be a day of salvation.¹⁵ In the letters of Paul, this event is known as “the day of the Lord Jesus,”¹⁶ when He comes to execute divine judgment.

I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.¹⁷

It is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ.¹⁸

Since it was not possible for the believers to know when this day would come, they were called to be ready at all times. (This applies to all Christians—past, present, and future.) The day of the Lord will come suddenly at an unexpected moment, like when a thief breaks into a home in the middle of the night. Know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.¹⁹ Paul didn’t say there would be no signs before the end, but he wanted to emphasize that it is impossible to know the exact time of Christ’s return. Therefore, he wanted them to always be prepared.

While people are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction will come upon them as labor pains come upon a pregnant woman, and they will not escape.²⁰

Having stated that the Lord will come like a thief in the night, and that His coming will be unexpected, Paul went on to explain that unbelievers would not be able to find refuge from the judgment to come. The Thessalonian people had benefited from the peace that the Romans had brought to the land. The Roman Emperor, Augustus, was referred to as “the son of god.” The absence of war and a well-governed society under Roman rule brought prosperity to the people. The Thessalonians enjoyed peace and security.

However, Paul stated that in a time of prosperity and political tranquility, destruction would suddenly come. Jesus had taught that the final judgment would come suddenly.

Watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap. For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.²¹

Paul doesn’t specify the nature of the destruction, but he likens the final judgment to the labor pains which suddenly come upon a pregnant woman. The time of judgment will come at an unexpected moment. When that day comes, they will not escape any more than a pregnant woman in labor can avoid labor when it’s time for her to give birth to a child. Paul made the point that there is no way that unbelievers can flee from the destruction which is coming, and once it comes, there is no way to flee.

But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief.²²

Paul contrasts the Thessalonian believers with the unbelievers in the city. The believers in the Thessalonian church are prepared for the day of the Lord; it will not surprise them, as they are not in darkness. However, for the nonbelievers, the day of the Lord will be unanticipated, and it will come like a thief who enters one’s home to steal at an unexpected time. Paul isn’t saying that the church will know when that day will come, rather he’s making the point that Christians are prepared for the final event and therefore they are not in darkness.

The association between living in the light as opposed to the darkness is found throughout the Old Testament as well.

The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. The way of the wicked is like deep darkness; they do not know over what they stumble.²³

O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the LORD.²⁴

Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness.²⁵

The New Testament authors describe salvation as passing from darkness to light.

For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.²⁶

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.²⁷

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.²⁸

The Thessalonian believers (as well as Christians in general) don’t see the day of the Lord as some sort of disastrous event. They are prepared because they are believers, they live a moral life; and so they can look forward to that day because they are not in darkness but in the light of the Lord.

You are all children of light, children of the day. We are not of the night or of the darkness.²⁹

In this verse, Paul gives the reason why he is confident in saying that the Thessalonian believers are “not of darkness,” as he wrote in verse 4. He was writing to all the Thessalonian church when calling them “children of light,” both male and female. (Several Bibles use the phrase sons of light instead of children. One author explains: The expression translated as “sons of” would have embraced both the men and women of the congregation and should therefore be rendered “children of.”)³⁰

Those who are “children of light” are those who have been saved from darkness and now belong to the realm of “light.” The apostle Peter wrote:

You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.³¹

Being children of light and children of the day means that we are not of the night or of the darkness. At this point the apostle Paul switches from speaking about what they, the Thessalonians, do, to what we, the Christians, do.

So then let us not sleep, as others do, but let us keep awake and be sober.³²

They became “children of light” and “children of the day” because of their salvation, and they are now called to act in accordance with what they have become. They should be alert and self-controlled. They should not sleep, rather they should be attentive. One author states: the Christians’ conduct should be distinct from that of “the others,” the unbelievers whose lives are marked by the “sleep” of moral indifference and sin.³³

Rather than being “asleep” in sin, Paul tells the Thessalonian believers to be awake and sober. Other translations say be alert and self-controlled (NIV) and stay alert and be clearheaded (NLT). The call is to be alert and vigilant both spiritually and morally. Believers are to exercise moral self-control.

Those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, are drunk at night.³⁴

Paul speaks of activities which people generally do at night—sleep and get drunk. While some people work at night, generally that’s when people sleep. It’s also more likely that if someone is going to get drunk, they don’t do so in the middle of the day, but rather wait until evening. The night generally had a negative association in ancient times. The drunkenness Paul speaks of refers to a moral state, which isn’t limited to the abuse of alcohol. It is the opposite of the sobriety described in the previous verse: let us keep awake and be sober. The point Paul was making to the Thessalonians was that those who sleep and those who get drunk will not be ready for the day of the Lord.

Because of their condition, the day of the Lord would come upon them like a thief in the night.³⁵

Since we belong to the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and for a helmet the hope of salvation.³⁶

Paul contrasted those who “sleep” and those who “get drunk” with believers. He has already made it clear that he and his companions, as well as the Thessalonian believers, belong to the day and as such they should be self-controlled and morally “sober.” Along with being sober and ready for the day of the Lord, they must also be armed with Christian virtues—faith, love, and hope. Paul used Isaiah 59:17 as the source of this teaching.

He put on righteousness as a breastplate, and a helmet of salvation on his head; he put on garments of vengeance for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as a cloak.³⁷

Paul made some changes to the Old Testament text so that it referred to Christians, those who have put on the breastplate and helmet. In the book of Ephesians, Paul also uses much of this same military imagery.³⁸

God has not destined us for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us so that whether we are awake or asleep we might live with him.³⁹

Thus far, Paul has focused on the differences between Christians and the unbelievers in the time before the Lord’s return. Now Paul moves on to the destiny of the two groups. One group will suffer wrath, while the other will be saved from it. He explains that upon the Lord’s return, Christians will obtain salvation. They don’t receive salvation through any merit on their part, rather it is because of God’s love and grace through Jesus’ sacrificial death and resurrection.

This is the only place in First or Second Thessalonians where the purpose of Jesus’ death is explained. Jesus died for us. This points to His substitutionary death for our sins. His death brought salvation for those who believed, whether we are awake or asleep, meaning whether living or dead. It’s interesting that in verse 6, Paul also speaks about sleep and keeping awake, but there he is writing about being “morally” awake or alert. This verse (5:10) is the only place in the New Testament where “to be awake” is a way to say “to be alive.”

This final salvation is described in verse 10 as living together with our Lord Jesus Christ. This declaration of hope has to do with the resurrection of the dead followed by that of the living, so that together they can live with Jesus.

Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.⁴⁰

Paul called on the Thessalonian believers to use this teaching for edification and comfort. They had been concerned about the day of the Lord, which was linked to their question about the dead in Christ. He tells them to encourage and comfort one another and remind each other that God has brought them, both those living and those who had already passed on, to salvation. They are also to build each other up, to help one another grow and progress in their faith. As the Thessalonian church was already doing much of what Paul was telling them, He encouraged them to continue as they had been. This point brings an end to his responses to their questions.

(To be continued.)

Note

¹ 1 Thessalonians 4:18.

² 1 Thessalonians 5:1–2.

³ 1 Thessalonians 4:9.

⁴ 1 Corinthians 7:1, 25; 8:1; 12:1; 16:1, 12.

⁵ Daniel 12:6.

⁶ Matthew 24:3.

⁷ Acts 1:6–7.

⁸ Matthew 24:36. See also Mark 13:32.

⁹ 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5.

¹⁰ 1 Thessalonians 2:1.

¹¹ 1 Thessalonians 2:5.

¹² 1 Thessalonians 3:3.

¹³ 1 Thessalonians 4:2.

¹⁴ Jeremiah 46:10; Ezekiel 30:3; Joel 1:15, 2:1, 3:14; Amos 5:18, 20; Zephaniah 1:14; Acts 2:20; 2 Peter 3:10.

¹⁵ Joel 3:18; Obadiah 1:8–21; Zechariah 14:1–21.

¹⁶ 1 Corinthians 1:8; 2 Corinthians 1:14.

¹⁷ Philippians 1:6.

¹⁸ Philippians 1:9–10.

¹⁹ Luke 12:39–40.

²⁰ 1 Thessalonians 5:3.

²¹ Luke 21:34–35.

²² 1 Thessalonians 5:4.

²³ Proverbs 4:18–19.

²⁴ Isaiah 2:5.

²⁵ Isaiah 5:20.

²⁶ Ephesians 5:8.

²⁷ Colossians 1:13.

²⁸ 1 Peter 2:9.

²⁹ 1 Thessalonians 5:5.

³⁰ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002), 236.

³¹ 1 Peter 2:9.

³² 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

³³ Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, 238.

³⁴ 1 Thessalonians 5:7.

³⁵ 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

³⁶ 1 Thessalonians 5:8.

³⁷ Isaiah 59:17.

³⁸ Ephesians 6:13–17.

³⁹ 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10.

⁴⁰ 1 Thessalonians 5:11.

Beholding the Glory of Christ

March 31, 2023

By Timothy Keller

Tim Keller sermons via Gospel in Life: This is the end of the “great prayer” by Jesus, also known as his “priestly prayer.” In this prayer, we see Jesus praying for his disciples in the room with him, but also for future Christians. If you are a Christian, this prayer is for you, and can give you the resources to face the challenges of life and of death itself. In these verses, we will see (1) what we most need, (2) how to get it, and (3) what the outcome will be.

Run time for this video is 40 minutes.

https://youtu.be/krxcqH522uo

Walking Through the Valley

March 30, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 9:15

Download Audio (8.4MB)

“Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”—Psalm 23:4

One of the common sources of stress is loss. You can lose a loved one, your health, your ministry position, your money, or your reputation.

When people experience loss, they usually have one of the two most common reactions: fear and grief. … Grief will not destroy you if you let it out. … Not once in the Bible does it say, “Grieve not,” “Sorrow not,” “Weep not,” or “Cry not.” What it does say is “Fear not.” And it says that 365 times! …

David says in Psalm 23:4, “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”

Shepherds always carry a rod and a staff to protect their sheep. David knew that in the same way, God has the tools to protect him, and he trusted God, even in the darkest valleys.

Perhaps you are going through the valley of the shadow right now—maybe the valley of the shadow of death. It may be the valley of the shadow of debt. It may be the valley of the shadow of conflict. It may be the valley of the shadow of depression. It may be the valley of the shadow of discouragement.

Shadows are scary. But here are some truths you need to remember about shadows:

First, shadows can’t hurt you.

Second, shadows are always bigger than their actual source.

Third, wherever there’s a shadow, there has to be a light.

You can’t have a shadow without light. So when you’re going through the valley of the shadow, turn your back on the shadow and look at the light. Because as long as you keep your eyes on the light—Jesus, who is the light of the world—the shadow won’t scare you.

That’s how you go through the valley of the shadow of death. … You trust God in the dark valleys, just like David did, who prayed, “When I am ready to give up, he knows what I should do” (Psalm 142:3).—Pastors.com

I love Psalm 23. Perhaps it’s because I especially love the verses about being in calm, beautiful, and peaceful situations: “He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake” (Psalm 23:2–3). In that short chapter, just six verses, you get a brief picture of the cycles of life—the highs and lows, the good times and bad, the peaceful and chaotic. Yet through it all, one thing remains: God’s presence. The enduring and unchanging truth: “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want” (Psalm 23:1).

I naturally feel God’s presence more during times of peace and plenty. We don’t usually need to be reminded of God being with us during such times, because we already feel it—we’re in the green pastures and beside the still waters.

Sometimes, though, when things go haywire or not according to plan—the “dark valley” parts of life—I start to feel less like He’s with me. I’m going through a dark valley time right now. And unfortunately, I’m impatient. I want the challenge over and done with. I want God to supply what I need right away. I want to move from the “dark valley” part to the “green pasture” part as quickly as possible—and when I get there, I know I will want that portion of my life to last as long as possible before I’m interrupted by another dark valley.

I read a quote this morning that clearly expressed my natural inclination and yet reminded me that God’s perspective and plan is so much bigger and better than mine. Here’s the quote:

“God relishes surprise. We want lives of simple, predictable ease—smooth, even trails as far as the eye can see—but God likes to go off-road. He places us in predicaments that seem to defy our endurance and comprehension—and yet don’t. By His love and grace, we persevere. The challenges that make our stomachs churn invariably strengthen our faith and grant measures of wisdom and joy we would not experience otherwise.”¹

I’d like the stomach churning to end, but I also like the thought that God is loving this ride. I know that He’s somehow going to work things out for my good. And in the meantime, I hope that I will gain all that He has for me to experience before this off-road journey ends and I reach the green pastures again.—Amanda White

Our shepherd intends that we experience his love every day, by living a life that is free from fear … There is not a single day in your future when God will not be seeking you out to give you goodness, to give you love, even in those times when you walk through the darkest valley. David doesn’t say that there won’t be pain; he doesn’t say that there won’t be trouble and distress, but he does say that there will always be goodness, there will always be love, there will always be kindness, hot on your heels.—David Knott²

Do not dread walking through the valley of the shadow of death. My radiant Presence shines brightly in that deep, sunless valley—strengthening, encouraging, and comforting you. Since I never sleep, I am able to watch over you constantly. Moreover, no valley is so deep, no pit so dark, that I cannot see all the way to the bottom of it.

Even if you wander from Me at times and fall into a slimy pit, you can count on Me to rescue you. When you cry out to me, I lift you out of the mud and mire and set your feet on a rock—giving you a firm place to stand. Find comfort in My commitment to help you, even when you slip up.

Whenever you start to feel afraid, remember that I am with you. I’ve promised I will never leave you; I Myself go before you. While you are walking through the valley of adversity, keep these words of comfort flowing through your mind: I will fear no evil, for You are with me.—Jesus³

Published on Anchor March 2023. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Tony Snow, “Cancer’s Unexpected Blessings,” Christianity Today, July 20, 2007.

² David Knott, The Psalm 23 Life: Experiencing the Love of God Every Day (Pelos Press, 2020).

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

When the Future Feels Impossible | Desiring God

When Do You Stop Trusting God?

March 28, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 13:39

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Once upon a time, in a faraway land called Uz, there was a guy named Job. Of everyone around, he was definitely one of the best guys you could find. He feared God and avoided evil. He was generous, kind, hardworking—overall, a good, godly man (Job 1:1).

Not only was Job a good guy, he also had a pretty great life. He had money, land, livestock, and servants. He had a wife and ten kids (Job 1:2–3). He was strong and healthy. He was a respected figure in the community, and everyone looked up to him. He had friends everywhere. He was really somebody. Everyone knew who Job was (Job 29:7–25).

Job had a blessed life. And why not? He obeyed God and lived a good life. But wait. Stop and think about this for a second. When is it hardest to trust God? When everything’s going well? Or when it seems like everything has gone completely wrong? The greatest test of our character is how we react when life takes a turn for the worse; and the greatest test of our faith is trusting God when He allows us to go through tough times.

The Devil knew very well that it is hardest to trust when everything is going wrong, and so he presented this case to God:

“Everyone thinks Job’s such a great and godly guy,” Satan said. “Of course he’s good! He’s got everything! Money, land, family, friends, respect. Let me take it all away, and then we’ll see how good he is” (Job 1:7–12; 2:1–7).

God agrees to this little experiment, which seems really bad for poor Job, as one after the other, he loses his money, his livestock, his house, his children, and finally, even his health (Job 1:13–19). Job is left sitting in a pile of ashes, scraping at the boils that cover him from head to toe (Job 2:7–8). Finally, his wife, the one person he had left to lean on, tells him, “Quit trying to be such a good guy. Just curse God and die” (Job 2:9).

At this point, people probably thought that Job must have done something really wrong to have such bad luck. He must have been WAY out of God’s will to deserve all those calamities. It’s understandable that Job wondered the same thing. He sat in a pile of ashes trying to figure out what he’d done wrong to deserve such a sour turn of events. Finally, he did what many of us would do in the same situation. He started feeling sorry for himself (Job 3:3–26).

Fortunately, Job had some good friends who came by as soon as they’d heard what had happened. They found Job in his miserable state, and he started complaining to them right away. “I’m a good guy! Where’s God’s justice? Why’s He treating me this way? This is so unfair!”

When you consider the way Job lived, it almost seems like God was being unfair to him. Sometimes when we’re in the middle of a rough time, that’s all we can see, how “unfair” the whole situation seems. You’ve done your best to do what God asked you to do, you’ve tried to follow His Word, you’ve treated others fairly, and this mess is what you get in return!?

Finally, one of Job’s friends named Elihu got tired of all of his complaining and told him, “God will never do wickedly, and He’ll never treat you unjustly. Everyone has troubles, so quit thinking you should be above them” (Job 34:12).

Elihu also told him, “By means of their suffering [God] rescues those who suffer; for he gets their attention through adversity” (Job 36:15).

Job finally shuts up, and after a good, long talk with God (Job 38–41), he realizes that no matter how good he tries to be, or how closely he obeys God, he’s never going to know better than God. He realizes that God is a lot bigger and wiser than he is, so he’d better just trust Him.

It’s something to think about when we’re facing troubles of our own. We can react like Job did and get upset that God isn’t treating us right, or we can turn to Him, give Him our attention, and see what He wants us to learn through it.

The fact is, God never promised a perfect, problem-free life. He did, however, promise to help us through whatever problems we may face (Psalm 23:4, Isaiah 43:2). When we are aware of this, we won’t waste time complaining about our predicaments, and we won’t waste energy trying to pull ourselves out of trouble; instead, we’ll immediately turn to the Lord and find our strength and solutions in Him.

Job finally got the point, and that allowed God to step in and rescue him. When he decided that no matter what, he wasn’t going to quit trusting, then God restored to Job even more than he had lost in the first place.

Throughout the journey of our lives, there are going to be high points, and there are going to be low points. Trust that God has a good reason for the low points—He has something to teach you through them. And trust that as Psalm 34:19 says, “The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.”—Marie Story¹

Life has taken an unexpected turn. The road you’ve been traveling suddenly seems filled with potholes and obstacles. What happened to that smooth pavement you once enjoyed? You awake each day hoping that things will change, but the former good times are just memories. What you’re going through is tough, but in My heavenly love and wisdom I’m not going to take these troubles away—not just yet. I will do something even better for you, though.

I want to show you how the burdens you’ve been carrying are blessings in disguise. I know that’s hard to believe, but it’s true. Those burdens have weighed on you so heavily that all you could do was look down at the road and sigh, but I can help you turn those weights into wings that will carry you forward.

Bring each burden to Me. Let Me lift them off you, and then come to Me and let Me renew your spirit. I give perfect peace and love to those who bring their cares to Me. “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).

I can’t promise to spare you from the storms of life, but I can promise to be with you through them. My help comes in a variety of forms. It may not always come in the form you expect, but it will come. I will never leave you to struggle on your own.

When you ask for My help, I will answer your prayer. When you are fearful, I will give you faith to trust Me, peace of mind, and courage to go on. When you are weak and weary, lean on Me and I will give you strength like you’ve never known. When your heart is broken, I will mend it.

I can’t keep you from all hardships and sorrows, but I can make the troubles of life bearable and bring about good in the end. I can help your spirit rise above the storms of life. Above the clouds—up here in heavenly places with Me—the sun is always shining. I am sunshine on a rainy day, the rainbow after the storm. I am the bright ray of hope that puts the sparkle back in your eyes.

The present storm will pass. In the meantime, let Me keep you through the storm as you continue to trust Me.—Jesus

[God] is worthy of our trust. Unlike men, He never lies and never fails to fulfill His promises. “God is not a man, that he should lie, nor a son of man, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?” (Numbers 23:19; Psalm 89:34). Unlike men, He has the power to bring to pass what He plans and purposes to do. Isaiah 14:24 tells us, “The LORD Almighty has sworn, ‘Surely, as I have planned, so it will be, and as I have purposed, so it will stand.’”

Furthermore, His plans are perfect, holy, and righteous, and He works all things together for good for those who love Him and are called according to His holy purpose (Romans 8:28). If we endeavor to know God through His Word, we will see that He is worthy of our trust, and our trust in Him will grow daily. To know Him is to trust Him. …

Every Christian can give personal testimony to God’s trustworthiness as we see His work in our lives, fulfilling His promises to save our souls and use us for His purposes (Ephesians 2:8–10). and comfort us with the peace that passes all understanding as we run the race He has planned out for us (Philippians 4:6–7; Hebrews 12:1). The more we experience His grace, faithfulness, and goodness, the more we trust Him (Psalm 100:5; Isaiah 25:1).—GotQuestions.org²

Published on Anchor March 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by John Listen.

¹ Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

² https://www.gotquestions.org/trust-God.html.

The Compassionate Employer

March 27, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 13:41

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The parable of the compassionate employer, or as it’s often called, the workers in the vineyard, is a story Jesus told in Matthew 20 to express several aspects of God’s nature and character: His love, mercy, and compassion powerfully shown through salvation, along with His unfailing care and rewards for those who love and serve Him.

This parable, like others Jesus told, starts with the words “For the kingdom of heaven is like …” This phrase tells the listener that Jesus is going to give information about God and what He’s like, and about how those who live within His kingdom and submit to His reign in their lives should see things. So let’s take a look at what Jesus says.

“For the kingdom of heaven is like a master of a house who went out early in the morning to hire laborers for his vineyard” (Matthew 20:1).

The master of the house is translated in other Bible versions as a householder or landholder. Many householders in first-century Palestine would farm nearby land. In this story, the master of the house had a vineyard which was large enough that he needed extra workers to help during the times when it was important to get the work done quickly, such as when the harvest needed to be picked.

Needing extra men to work short term, the owner went to the marketplace where the day laborers congregated in the hopes that someone would come and offer them a job, even if it was just for the day. The life of day laborers at that time was a difficult one. They had no job security or income if they didn’t find work. Each evening they would face their families either with the joy of coming home with enough to put food on the table or with nothing. To find employment, they would stand in the town square, where everyone would see them and know that they were unemployed. This was humiliating, but getting hired and being paid was vital to their families’ survival. The day laborers were on the low end of the economic scale, so much so that Scripture required that day laborers be paid at the end of each day, as they needed the funds for their survival (Deuteronomy 24:14–15).

The owner of the vineyard went out early in the morning to hire laborers to get a full day’s labor from them. He chose some workers and negotiated the price that they would be paid for their day’s work. Since people didn’t have watches, the workday for the day laborer began at sunrise and ended when the first star could be seen in the evening sky. This made for roughly a 12-hour workday.

“After agreeing with the laborers for a denarius a day, he sent them into his vineyard” (Matthew 20:2). A denarius for a day’s work was standard pay for a laborer at that time. It wasn’t high pay, but it was enough to sustain one’s family.

The story continues with the landowner returning to the marketplace in order to hire more laborers. “And going out about the third hour he saw others standing idle in the marketplace, and to them he said, ‘You go into the vineyard too, and whatever is right I will give you.’ And so they went” (Matthew 20:3–5).

The second time the landowner went to the marketplace was midmorning, around 9 a.m. Upon arriving, he found men still waiting to be hired for the day. He didn’t negotiate a price with them. Rather, he told them that he would be just when he compensated them. The workers took him at his word, which gives the impression that the landowner was trusted and respected within the community.

“Going out again about the sixth hour and the ninth hour, he did the same” (Matthew 20:5). At noon and again at three o’clock in the afternoon he returned to the marketplace, and each time he hired more men. There is no mention made of the landowner discussing how much the laborers would be paid.

A while later he returns to the marketplace for a fifth time, when there’s only one hour of daylight left. “And about the eleventh hour he went out and found others standing. And he said to them, ‘Why do you stand here idle all day?’ They said to him, ‘Because no one has hired us.’ He said to them, ‘You go into the vineyard too’” (Matthew 20:6–7).

One can only imagine how desperate these men were for work, and how discouraging it must have been for them to stand in a public place all day long hoping to be hired, to no avail. These men were determined to find work or they wouldn’t have still been in the marketplace waiting and hoping. In a short while, they would have returned home empty-handed to face their families.

There is no indication what compensation these eleventh-hour workers would receive for only one hour of work. Perhaps they felt that if they went willingly at this hour, no matter how little the pay, the landowner might hire them for the following day’s work. Shortly thereafter the workday was finished and it was time to pay the workers.

“And when evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the laborers and pay them their wages, beginning with the last, up to the first’” (Matthew 20:8).

The original listeners were probably intrigued by the odd instructions the owner gives the foreman to pay those hired last in the day first, and to pay those hired first at the last. As we’ll see, paying the men in this order caused some problems.

“And when those hired about the eleventh hour came, each of them received a denarius. Now when those hired first came, they thought they would receive more, but each of them also received a denarius” (Matthew 20:9–10).

When those who worked the whole day saw that those who worked for just one hour received full pay, they anticipated that they would receive more. However, they received a denarius just as everyone else did. Those who were hired first saw that those who worked only one-twelfth of the time received a full day’s pay, and this made them feel cheated. And they let the landowner know their feelings.

“And on receiving it they grumbled at the master of the house, saying, ‘These last worked only one hour, and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the day and the scorching heat’” (Matthew 20:11–12).

They object to being paid the same and being seen as equal to those who worked for only one hour and accuse the landlord of being unjust and treating them unfairly. After hearing the accusation, the owner responds: “Friend, I am doing you no wrong. Did you not agree with me for a denarius?” (Matthew 20:13).

The word “friend” used here is translated from the Greek word hetairos, which was also used in two other verses in Matthew: once when the man arrived at the wedding feast without a wedding garment and was therefore thrown out of the feast, and again when Jesus calls Judas “friend,” as Judas is in the process of betraying Him (Matthew 22:12, 26:50). The vineyard owner isn’t calling the man “friend” in a positive way.

The question the owner asked can only elicit a positive response, as a denarius is the exact amount that the workers agreed would be their wage for a full day’s work. Since the owner was giving them this amount, he had kept his promise.

As is often the case with parables, the point Jesus is making comes at the end when the owner says: “Take what belongs to you and go. I choose to give to this last worker as I give to you. Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?” (Matthew 20:14–15).

The all-day workers didn’t get the point that the owner was being generous to those in need. They didn’t rejoice over the good fortune of those hired later in the day. Instead, they were selfishly looking at themselves and what they perceived to be unfair treatment by their employer.

By most standards the landowner’s actions would be considered unjust. But the landowner was being just in that he was keeping his promise to pay the amount agreed upon. Those who agreed to work for that amount were not shortchanged. If they had been paid first and were thus unaware of what the others were paid, they would have gone home to their families with their heads held high, glad for a full day’s pay in their pocket.

But what about the other workers? They too had families who needed to be fed. They didn’t deserve a full day’s pay because they didn’t work a full day. Nevertheless, due to the generosity of the owner, they were given what they didn’t deserve. The owner was just, but he was also compassionate.

This parable is telling us what God is like. God is just and He keeps His promises. He is also full of mercy. Being merciful doesn’t have anything to do with fairness. Mercy isn’t about giving someone exactly what they earn or deserve. It is an act of love. It is giving to someone who is undeserving, which is exactly what God’s love, grace, and salvation is all about.

God isn’t limited by what we humans consider fair. If that were the case, there would be no hope of salvation, no forgiveness of sin. If we were only given what we deserve, we’d all be doomed. Instead, like the workers who didn’t deserve full pay, we are the recipients of God’s generosity, compassion, mercy, and grace through salvation.

To me, this parable paints a beautiful picture of God’s call to salvation. Some receive the call, or opportunity, early in life, some later, and others on their deathbeds. God, like the landowner, comes to the marketplace again and again, to see who is there, who is ready and eager. Whether a person comes to salvation early or late, all receive the same salvation.

No matter when people start their Christian life or service, they are rewarded. In this parable we see that God is both just and abundantly generous. Those who were “latecomers” received much more than they expected. So those who work through the heat of the day will receive their just reward from God’s hand. He will be fair and generous to all who come to Him.

We should revel in the realization that each of us is loved and accepted by God, not because of what we do, but because of who He is. He saved us not because of our works, but because of His loving grace. It wasn’t due to our efforts; it was due to His mercy. None of us could ever earn His love, blessings, or rewards. Each of us has been given much more than we deserve by our generous and compassionate Father. And whenever possible, we should do what we can to imitate His love and compassion in our interactions with others.

Originally published March 2014. Adapted and republished March 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Wholeheartedness

Word Topics

1998-01-01

Definition: Unconditional commitment and devotion; unreserved enthusiasm; earnestness; sincerity.

Wholehearted love for God is the cornerstone of Christian life.

Matthew 22:37 — Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Deuteronomy 10:12 — And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.
Joel 2:12a — Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your heart.

We are to be wholehearted in our obedienceand serviceto God.

Deuteronomy 32:46,47a — And he [Moses] said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. ^47a For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life.
1 Samuel 12:24 — Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart: for consider how great things He hath done for you.
Psalm 119:34 — Give me understanding, and I shall keep Thy law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
Ecclesiastes 9:10a — Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.
1 Corinthians 9:24-26 — Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. ²⁵ And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. ²⁶ I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air:
Philippians 3:13,14 — Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, ¹⁴ I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Wholeheartedness brings us closer to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 15:12,15a — And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul. … ¹⁵ And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them.
Psalm 9:1 — I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will shew forth all Thy marvellous works.
Psalm 119:2,10 — [David knew the importance of wholeheartedness.] Blessed are they that keep His testimonies, and that seek Him with the whole heart. … ¹⁰ With my whole heart have I sought Thee: O let me not wander from Thy commandments. [See also verses 34,58,69,145.]
Jeremiah 24:7 — And I will give them an heart to know Me, that I am the Lord: and they shall be My people, and I will be their God: for they shall return unto Me with their whole heart.
Jeremiah 29:13 — And ye shall seek Me, and find Me, when ye shall search for Me with all your heart.
2 Corinthians 7:10,11 — [True repentance brings on wholeheartedness for God.] For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. ¹¹ For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
James 4:8 — Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

The halfhearted stumble down the path that leads to failure and disappointment to God.

2 Chronicles 25:2 — And he [King Amaziah] did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, but not with a perfect heart [wholeheartedly].
Jeremiah 3:10 — [The Lord sees right through halfheartedness.] Her treacherous sister Judah hath not turned unto Me with her whole heart, but feignedly [in pretense], saith the Lord.
Hosea 10:2a — Their heart is divided; now shall they be found faulty.
Luke 9:57-62 — And it came to pass, that, as they went in the way, a certain man said unto Him, Lord, I will follow Thee whithersoever Thou goest. ⁵⁸ And Jesus said unto him, Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head. ⁵⁹ And He said unto another, Follow Me. But he said, Lord, suffer me first to go and bury my father. ⁶⁰ Jesus said unto him, Let the dead bury their dead: but go thou and preach the Kingdom of God. ⁶¹ And another also said, Lord, I will follow Thee; but let me first go bid them farewell, which are at home at my house. ⁶² And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the Kingdom of God.
Luke 16:13 — No servant can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.
James 1:8 — A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
Revelation 3:15,16 — I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of My mouth.

When we are wholehearted toward God, He is wholehearted toward us.

Deuteronomy 11:13,14 — And it shall come to pass, if ye shall hearken diligently unto My commandments which I command you this day, to love the Lord your God, and to serve Him with all your heart and with all your soul, ¹⁴ That I will give you the rain of your land in his due season, the first rain and the latter rain, that thou mayest gather in thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil.
2 Chronicles 31:21 — [King Hezekiah’s wholeheartedness won him blessing and prosperity:] And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
1 Kings 2:4 — [Old King David encourages Solomon, his son and newly crowned king of Israel, to serve God with all his heart and be blessed:] And keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, and His commandments, and His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself: 4 That the Lord may continue His Word which He spake concerning me, saying, If thy children take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul, there shall not fail thee (said He) a man on the throne of Israel.
Proverbs 8:17 — I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.
Jeremiah 32:41 — Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with My whole heart and with My whole soul.

Our wholeheartedness should notto be dependent on othersor to be seen of others.

Galatians 4:18a — But it is good to be zealously affected always in a good thing, and not only when I am present with you.
Ephesians 6:6 — Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart.
Philippians 1:27 — Only let your conversation be as it becometh the Gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the Gospel.

Lord help us to keep stirred up!

Exodus 36:2 — [Moses looked for those who were stirred up to help with the work:] And Moses called Bezaleel and Aholiab, and every wise hearted man, in whose heart the Lord had put wisdom, even every one whose heart stirred him up to come unto the work to do it:
Isaiah 64:7a — And there is none that calleth upon Thy Name, that stirreth up himself to take hold of Thee.
2 Timothy 1:6 — [Paul wrote to Timothy encouraging him to stir up and use his gifts for the Lord:] Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. [See also Romans 12:6-8.]
2 Timothy 4:2 — Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Hebrews 10:24 — And let us consider one another to provoke [stir up] unto love and to good works:
2 Peter 1:13 — [Peter stirs up the Church by reminding them and giving them the vision:] Yea, I think it meet, as long as I am in this tabernacle, to stir you up by putting you in remembrance. [See also 3:1,2.]

Wholeheartedness is contagious!

2 Chronicles 15:12,15 — And they entered into a covenant to seek the Lord God of their fathers with all their heart and with all their soul. … ¹⁵ And all Judah rejoiced at the oath: for they had sworn with all their heart, and sought Him with their whole desire; and He was found of them: and the Lord gave them rest round about.
2 Corinthians 9:2b — Your zeal hath provoked very many.
Matthew 5:16 — Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in Heaven.

Growing in Perseverance

By Maria Fontaine

March 21, 2023

Someone recently shared with me about some very traumatic experiences that they and their team were facing as they carried on in their mission efforts to help others. It started me thinking about just how important the quality of perseverance is in our lives as we follow Jesus.

We have to have faith for what the Lord shows us to do. It takes perseverance to obey Him, in order to go where He’s sending us, or stay where He’s wanting us to stay. It takes trust to allow Him to direct our paths. Whatever challenges come into our lives, those times are often the training ground for our perseverance because, as Jesus said, “He who is faithful in that which is least will be faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).

None of us know what the future in this life holds for us, but we need to persevere in faith and obedience to the Lord’s voice, in whatever form it comes. Some people face situations where their perseverance and faith are being tested to the limit in ways that I’m not sure I could bear, but they continue to persevere. But whatever difficulties you face, the solution remains the same: look to Jesus, seek His will, and be faithful to whatever He shows you to do.

Jesus has promised that as we cling to Him, He will give us what we need to be able to persevere. Some people, like the ones I mentioned at the beginning of this post, are laboring under devastating circumstances as they rescue and care for others who are facing trauma, pain, and suffering that goes beyond what most of us can even imagine. It can be traumatic for those who serve others, and at times the suffering tears their hearts apart, but they fight on, they continue giving, they persevere.

We cannot fully grasp the immense loss and suffering that some people endure. But I believe that perseverance that is born of faith is what enables all those who love God to cling to Him regardless of what they go through.

No matter what struggles you face, some principles seem to always apply. So while some things that I’ll share as illustrations may seem small compared to the extreme testing that some people might be facing, the principles are the same. What changes is the degree of difficulty and the level of perseverance needed to overcome those difficulties. Each step of growth in perseverance prepares us for the next battle and the consequent victory. An example of what I’m talking about is the poem “Don’t Quit!” by Edgar Guest. The ideas in this poem can apply to whatever challenges we face.

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you’re trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
When you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit—rest if you must, but don’t you quit.

Success is failure turned inside out,
The silver tint in the clouds of doubt,
You never know how close you are,
It may be near when it seems afar,
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit—that’s just the time when you must not quit.

I came across a simple illustration of how someone came to better understand the importance and value of perseverance. We can apply the principle to what we believe God has asked us to do.

A man stood on a street corner giving out tracts. After months of seeing no results, he quit and dedicated his life to business pursuits. Several years later he passed the same corner and saw a young man giving out tracts.

“He thinks people will be changed by what he’s doing,” he thought. “I wonder how long it will take him to realize his efforts are useless?”

Curious, he spoke to the young man. “I admire what you are doing, but I’m curious. Why are you giving out tracts on this particular street corner?”

“Sir, years ago there was a man giving out tracts right here on this spot. He gave one to me. I didn’t read it right away, but one day I did, and I accepted Jesus as my Savior, and He changed my life. Would you like to read a copy of the tract he gave me?”

The young man handed him a copy of the same tract he had once given to many people, never believing that his efforts had changed lives.

This provides some food for thought. If one person’s life was changed, how many others might have also received the Lord through that little tract?

Perseverance in what Jesus has shown us to do can also be manifested in our prayer life, or by sticking to a job or ministry, or by being a caretaker for someone, or some other task that might seem mundane and might require sacrifices or challenges that could strongly tempt you to give up. Persevering in our life for Jesus is a declaration of faith and trust in God without conditions, and as we persevere, we can change the world by changing our part of it.

When discussing this topic of the cost of perseverance with one of our members, he quoted me a poem that I felt was the Lord speaking to me. It helped to remind me that nothing is impossible with the Lord, even our continued perseverance. Interestingly, it also was written by Edgar Guest. Because it encouraged me, I want to share it with you.

Somebody said that it couldn’t be done,
But he with a chuckle replied
That “maybe it couldn’t,” but he would be one
Who wouldn’t say so till he’d tried.
So, he buckled right in with the trace of a grin
On his face. If he worried, he hid it.
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

Somebody scoffed: “Oh, you’ll never do that;
At least no one ever has done it!”
But, he took off his coat and he took off his hat,
And the first thing we knew he’d begun it.
With a lift of his chin and a bit of a grin,
Without any doubting or quiddit,
He started to sing as he tackled the thing
That couldn’t be done, and he did it!

There are thousands to tell you it cannot be done,
There are thousands to prophesy failure.
There are thousands to point out to you one by one,
The dangers that wait to assail you.
But just buckle in with a bit of a grin,
Just take off your coat and go to it.
Just start in to sing as you tackle the thing
That cannot be done, and you’ll do it!

This person explained that years ago when facing a situation that had left him struggling to keep going for the Lord, he had come across this poem. It was just what he needed to be reminded of. He committed it to memory, and it has helped to cheer him on to persevere through some challenging times.

Jesus can use all kinds of things to help us persevere through whatever we encounter in life. Of course, God’s promises are the ultimate foundation to stand on. However, He also uses many other things to remind us, encourage us, and motivate us to keep fighting.

One very important mindset that can help inspire perseverance in what the Lord is asking us to do is gratitude. It’s easy, in extremely challenging situations, to lose sight of the power of gratitude, but the fact is that if God never gave us another gift or blessing, we would still be more indebted to Him than we could ever hope to repay. That is the simple truth.

In spite of whatever we may be facing in the present, there are countless reasons to persevere in following God. We have a perfect God who rejoices in keeping us in His ever-loving arms. He provides what we need most, and His forgiveness and mercy are from everlasting to everlasting.

Things may look hopeless and desperate in the present, but the truth is still the truth. We have to fight against our temptation to doubt, but it is in those times that faith and perseverance can help us refuse to give up.

We’ve all seen the power of perseverance illustrated in many accounts in the Bible, as well as in testimonies, stories, books, and movies. Many times, the picture described is of some impossible situation where circumstances or evil have brought about what looks like certain defeat. In such dramatic scenarios, the person of God or the hero or heroine is overwhelmed and then vanishes amidst the smoke, chaos, and devastation of the scene.

All seems lost, and our hearts are tempted to sink into despair, because we can’t imagine how anyone could survive such things. But then, out of the smoke and destruction, there is a glimpse of something; a glimmer of hope begins to emerge. Then, though battered and bloodied, the victor appears out of the billowing smoke, still fighting onward, determined not to give up!

That is a good illustration of perseverance. I think such illustrations stir most people’s spirits, because the seeds of truth that Jesus has planted in our hearts remind us that, as we hold on to Him and keep fighting with perseverance, His power in us will overcome.

Sometimes people may feel that they must have some sort of great, overwhelming quality called faith. I’m going to delve further into this topic of what faith is in another post. But at its core, faith in God is simply believing and trusting in His love for you.

Our faith, as I have defined it here, is what we need in order to persevere in our service for Jesus, even when it looks like we’re not being successful or making progress that can be seen or measured in the present. We can carry on if He’s made it clear that we should stay the course here and now. We may not realize for a long time (or even until the next life) what our perseverance has accomplished, but that is why the Bible says, “For we walk by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7).

Sometimes, in the midst of a battle, we may feel that we don’t want to hear one more reminder that the Lord wants us to keep going by faith. We’re all human, and we experience times when we struggle to keep going. Sometimes, we may even sink into despair for a while, but if we find ourselves in that state, the answer is to get back up again. As an old Japanese proverb says, “If you fall seven times, then stand up eight.”

I recently came across a collection of verses and quotes that I had compiled some months ago that I hope will be a blessing to you, and give you that extra umph you need to keep persevering till the victory breaks through.

* * *

Perseverance is more than endurance. It is endurance combined with absolute assurance and certainty that what God is telling us is going to happen.—Oswald Chambers

By perseverance the snail reached the Ark.—Charles Spurgeon

Bear in mind, if you are going to amount to anything, that your success does not depend upon the brilliancy and the impetuosity with which you take hold, but upon the everlasting and sanctified bull-doggedness with which you hang on after you have taken hold.—Dr. A. B. Meldrum

The only guarantee for failure is to stop trying.—John C. Maxwell

Great works are performed, not by strength, but by perseverance.—Samuel Johnson

A delayed answer to your prayer doesn’t mean God is unconcerned, but rather He has a larger purpose for His timing. Trust Him!—Rick Warren

Perseverance is an essential element in successful praying, as in every other realm of conflict.—E. M. Bounds

No matter how dark and hopeless a situation might seem, never stop praying.—Billy Graham

The faith that relentlessly seeks to follow God, also pleases God.—Francis Frangipane

It is always too soon to quit praying, even when praying is the last thing we seem able to do.—Harold Lindsell

Persistence in prayer doesn’t change God. It shapes us for the answer.—Bill Johnson

Work as if everything depended upon work and pray as if everything depended upon prayer.—William Booth

The way to Heaven is ascending; we must be content to travel uphill, though it be hard and tiresome, and contrary to the natural bias of our flesh.—Jonathan Edwards

Obstacles are those frightful things you see when you take your eyes off the goal.—Henry Ford

Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.—Harriet Beecher Stowe

We are always in the forge or on the anvil; by trials God is shaping us for higher things.—Henry Ward Beecher

Perseverance in prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance but rather laying hold of God’s willingness. Our sovereign God has purposed to sometimes require persevering prayer as the means to accomplish His will.—William Thrasher

If you are going through hell, keep going.―Winston S. Churchill

You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated. In fact, it may be necessary to encounter the defeats, so you can know who you are, what you can rise from, how you can still come out of it.―Maya Angelou

I am tired in the Lord’s work, but not tired of it.—George Whitefield

You cannot learn to persevere unless you have had to fight through and past adversity. Pain is turned into purpose, suffering into satisfaction, defeat into determination, sorrow into sympathy, and hopelessness into heavenly victory when each is subjugated beneath perseverance, born of faith.—Author Unknown

* * *

The last things that we read in an article are often what we remember most. So, to end with Bible verses to help stir our determination and perseverance in following Jesus seems fitting.

So do not throw away your confidence; it holds a great reward. You need to persevere, so that after you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised.—Hebrews 10:35–36 BSB

I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 3:12–14 BSB

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.—Hebrews 12:1–3 NIV

We also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.—Romans 5:3–5 NIV

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.—2 Timothy 4:7–8 NIV

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful.—Hebrews 10:23 NIV

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.—James 1:12 NIV

Let us not become weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.—Galatians 6:9 BSB

March 24, 2023

Total Surrender

By Billy Graham

The cost of being a disciple for Jesus is total surrender. God said, “I know the plans I have for you, … plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future” (Jeremiah 29:11). He’s not here to condemn you. He’s here to bless you and love you and take you into His arms and say, “I forgive you. I’ll change your life. And when you die, you will go to heaven.” That’s what God is saying, if you will surrender totally and completely.

Run time for this audio is 13 minutes.

Total Surrender (billygraham.org)

Renewal

March 23, 2023

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 06:38

Download Audio (15.2MB)

“When you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you” (Matthew 6:6). The secret place of prayer is also a place of renewal; that is, renewing of the mind.

Romans 12 speaks clearly of this. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Romans 12:1–2).

Out of the wonderful cluster of truths in these verses, we take one little nugget of gold; that is, the phrase “the renewing of your mind,” for there is no place where the mind can be so fully renewed as alone with God in the secret place. When you come aside from temporal things which distract and harass you, and there in the presence of God put your mind on the things of God, His majesty and glory, then the transforming power of God begins to work.

We are indeed transformed by the renewing of our mind. Now this is vital, because it is in the mind that sin is first conceived. The devil attacks us first in our thoughts; this is the door through which he finds entrance. But thank God we can close that door. You have found, as I have, that in the hard places, amidst severe trial, the Enemy tries to put discouraging thoughts in your mind.

The renewing of the mind will strengthen us to run the race, and as God’s Word says, to “not faint in our minds.” Our mind is where we faint first and become discouraged. Hebrews 12:3 says, “Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds.”

It’s no use to talk victory, using cheerful words, but think thoughts of defeat and discouragement. We can by an act of our will take our minds off such thoughts and put them on God and the many wonderful things He says in His Word.

It’s vital that you have certain scriptures memorized so that you can quickly wield the sword of the Spirit when the Enemy attacks. Soon you will be lifted out of dark, discouraging thoughts and feel God’s transforming power renewing your mind. The one who has not learned to thus renew his mind when he sees his thoughts are pulling him down cannot claim the promise in this verse, that he shall “prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:2). That’s a tragedy, because it’s a tragedy not to know God’s will for your life.

So when the Enemy tempts you with evil thoughts of any kind, and you slam the door, stay your mind on Christ and the truths of Scripture; then the uplifting and transforming power promised in today’s verse will give you victory over every ugly thought, and you will partake more and more of the divine nature. As you form the habit of thinking Godward from His Word, thinking God’s thoughts after Him, gradually, according to 2 Corinthians 10:5, this will be fulfilled: “Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

It is the word “Christ” that makes all the difference in this verse. Last year I visited in the home of a woman who was deep in the study of science of the mind, and she was constantly struggling to think positively, but was always being defeated in her positive thinking. She reminded me of the little boy whose mother told him at long last that if he did not sit down, she would punish him. Well, he sat down, but soon he said in a rebellious voice, “I’m sitting down, all right, but I just want you to know that I’m standing up on the inside!”

This dear woman would put on a veneer of control, but inwardly she would be boiling! She wasn’t a Christian, and when she gave up her negative thinking, she had nothing factual to hold into. She did not have Christ to help her or all the wonderful truths of God’s Word to think on. What an advantage the Christian has.

Note this verse again: “Casting down everything that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.” I believe in positive thinking, and there is a science of the mind, but there is no salvation or eternal life in either.

God’s Word says there is no other name given among men under heaven whereby we can be saved, and in none other is there salvation. (See Acts 4:12.) Meditate upon these scriptures. David said, “Thy testimonies are my meditation” (Psalm 119:99). And 2 Corinthians 11:3 says, “I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.”

At first it is not easy to deliberately, by the act of the will, put your mind on God, His Word, His love, His truths. But gradually, by the principle of repetition, your thoughts will be brought into captivity to Christ. Remember, God never asks you to do what can’t be done! He never asks us to do what we’re unable to do.

This is His Word, and His Word is true. God cannot lie. His Word stands unchanging, everlasting, steadfast. God says it, and it’s so because God says so.

Let’s have a word of prayer about it. We thank Thee, Father, for this precious Word of Thine, so wonderful in its helpfulness, so true! We pray that You will quicken faith for Thy blessed Word, that when we will read it we will know that it’s God that is speaking, and its truths will take hold of our hearts.

We pray, Lord, that nothing in our lives shall be exalted or lifted up above the mind of God, but we might have that mind in us which is also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5), until at last we can say with the psalmist, “I rise before dawn and cry for help; I hope in your words. My eyes are awake before the watches of the night, that I may meditate on your promise” (Psalm 119:147–148).

God bless you and make you a blessing. Remember, He is still on the throne and prayer changes things.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor March 2023. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Feeling Shy?

March 22, 2023

By Nina Kole

No matter what your situation, at some point you’ll have to deal with people. Whether it’s your friends and fellow students in high school or college, or the boss and colleagues of your job, learning how to make a good impression and communicate is a very important part of life.

If you have a hard time talking to strangers, you’re not alone! It may surprise you that many people face the same challenges, and many find ways to overcome their shyness!

The former U.S. president, Teddy Roosevelt, was known for his charm and ability to make total strangers feel at ease. He admitted that he’d had a hard time with that at first and once said, “Everyone on earth is shy, self-conscious, and unsure of themselves. Everybody is timid about meeting strangers.” His advice to overcoming that gripping fear that we all get sometimes is to focus that first minute of meeting someone new on trying to make them feel comfortable. The result, he said, is that eventually you’ll feel less self-conscious.

While that sounds like a high claim, Roosevelt’s advice makes a lot of sense. Rather than spending time worrying about what the stranger may think of you or wondering if you’ll “put your foot in your mouth,” you can instead occupy yourself with thinking of ways they may be feeling uneasy, and asking them questions about themselves to help put them at ease, and to help you get to know them better.

Some people are naturally shy around strangers; however, other people are relatively fearless, because they don’t worry so much about what others think about them. While a sense of decorum and personal awareness is important, too much can cripple us.

I remember one time a new girl came to the boarding school I was attending. She was tall and pretty, and I definitely felt intimidated when meeting her. I said a quick hi but was too shy to talk to her. She already knew some of the others there, so I just avoided her, which in a big school wasn’t very hard to do. On a warm rainy afternoon, a couple of weeks later, after school had ended for the day, I decided I wanted to go for a walk in the rain. I was sneaking out the back door to avoid her. Guess who I bumped into? The new girl, who was doing the exact same thing I was. We ended up going for our happy walk in the rain together and learned that our birthdays were only a couple of weeks apart and that we actually had a lot in common. She became one of my best friends. I realized how silly I’d been, wasting those weeks not getting to know her just because I was too shy.

A friend of mine said recently that she was shy as a kid, and she wondered if she only seems outgoing now because she pretended to be that way for so long. Pretending to be outgoing and making yourself take the first step to get to know others is often what it takes to become confident and outgoing. You end up having so many good experiences of making new friends or having pleasant conversations with someone new that over time it becomes less and less daunting.

Since I’ve started doing more public speaking and presenting on a local TV show, I often have to talk to groups of strangers and even crowds. Most people who know me now would laugh if I told them I was shy for many years, and that I still get that twinge in my stomach every now and then, and I just have to mentally push through. When meeting new people, I often have to remind myself that “strangers are just friends I haven’t met yet.”

Introducing myself and getting to know people is now much easier and less embarrassing. The one thing that does make me cringe is that awkward silence when first meeting someone, and I’ve found the easiest way to fill that silence is to ask people questions. In general, people like to tell you about themselves, so finding the right cues to ask appropriate questions can help to keep the conversation flowing. Hobbies, interests, work, mutual friends, and even movies or TV shows you enjoy can kick things off, and you might find something in common that will surprise you!

Some people seem friendly and are easier to approach, while some appear rather “cool” and distant. And, unfortunately, there are some people in the world who aren’t very nice. If you made a step to greet someone and they stay aloof, don’t take it personally. In my experience, a lot of people come across like that only because they feel insecure themselves, and that appearance is a protective device. Unfortunately, this reaction can keep people away, but often all it takes for them to warm up and let their “nice side” show through is a person brave enough to approach them and show genuine interest in them. It’s a great feeling being that person!

Some of the famous characters in the Bible also felt shy and insecure. Moses argued with God, repeatedly trying to find excuses, before finally agreeing to confront Pharaoh. He asked, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” (Exodus 3:11). “What if they do not believe me or listen to me and say, ‘The LORD did not appear to you’?” (Exodus 4:1). “I have never been eloquent … I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). Finally, he told God, “Lord, please! Send anyone else” (Exodus 4:13). Only after the Lord told him He’d send Moses’ brother Aaron along to help did Moses agree to go and save the children of Israel.

I don’t know about you, but I think you’d have to be pretty shy to argue with God Himself to try to get out of doing what He asked of you. So, for Moses to have gone from that to fearlessly facing Pharaoh and leading his people shows you just what God can do. Deuteronomy 34:12 says, “For no one has ever shown the mighty power or performed the awesome deeds that Moses did in the sight of all Israel.”

Gideon complained that he was the least in his family; yet he went on to save the Israelites, in spite of some seriously crazy circumstances! (See Judges 6–8.)

The mighty prophet Jeremiah also started out by saying, “I can’t speak for you! I’m too young!” (Jeremiah 1:6).

Sometimes people we’d never expect can be shy. The Bible describes young Saul as “an impressive young man without equal among the Israelites—a head taller than any of the others” (1 Samuel 9:2). You would expect him to have been a confident man; yet when he was chosen to be king, God had to tell the people where he was because he was hiding among the baggage. (See 1 Samuel 10:22.)

As with anything, “practice makes perfect.” The more you put yourself in social settings where you have to face your fears, the easier it will get. Plus, always remember that you’re not alone. The Lord can help you have the confidence you need to face any situation—whether it’s addressing a crowd, going for a job interview, or making new friends.

I’ll end this with a fitting verse from the Bible, which you might want to write down and read a few times before braving something daunting: “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

God Will Never Let Go

March 21, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:38

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Have you ever been faced with a tough decision and wrestled to find the right path? If you are a member of the human race, I am pretty sure your answer would be a resounding “Yes!” I think we have all been there at one time or another and know how scary it can be to face the risks or consequences should we make the wrong turn.

I am reminded of a time, quite a few years ago, when I had barely begun my journey as a volunteer missionary. I was faced with a big decision about moving from one place to another. I had little experience taking huge steps of faith, such as the one I was considering, and was not at all walking in faith. Instead, I was fretting and fearful of moving outside of God’s will. I struggled for days with this decision. The Lord answered by giving me a simple vision.

It was a picture of a little girl who held on to her Father’s hand as He walked. All the while this girl was fearfully begging her Father to hold on to her and not let go! “Please, Daddy, please, don’t let go of my hand!” On and on she went, until finally her Father stopped, knelt down, and looked straight into her eyes. With a very firm but loving voice, He told her that He would never let go of her.

Since then, I have encountered many times of decision when I struggled with fear of the outcome, or fear of making a mistake or going astray. It seems that as much as we desire to make the best decisions for our lives, we will find ourselves often looking back to those times when we obviously didn’t. But even in our mistakes, we can be comforted to know that He promised He would not leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

He didn’t promise to prevent us from making mistakes or taking a wrong turn, but He has promised that He is with us through it all. We just need to keep holding His hand as we travel the paths of our lives. On the lonely and rugged mountain trails, He is our companion. On the trek through the desert, when we thirst and feel the dryness of life and wonder when (and if!) we will find the oasis, He is with us in each step we take. When we push through the crowds and confusion of day-to-day life and struggle against endless questions, weariness, and discouragement, He walks beside us and tells us, “I am here. Talk to Me; tell Me all about it.” What a comfort to remember that no matter what we are facing, He is with us to walk us through it!

Sometimes the more dangerous territory for us can be when things seem to be going just fine and we have found our stride. Things are looking up, and our tendency can be to not have that same desperation for His presence. All of a sudden, we find ourselves in a place where our principles and integrity are put to the test, and unexpectedly, a defining moment arises in our life. And let’s say we fail, we mess up—like so many of His followers have on their way through life’s journey. Does He ever give up on us?

No! Of course not. The thought would never even cross His ever-loving and forgiving mind.

Then why do we worry and fret so?

He has promised that if we “acknowledge Him in all our ways, He will direct our paths” (Proverbs 3:6). That’s His promise—and He keeps His promises! No matter what twists or turns our path takes, He has promised to be with us and never leave nor forsake us. —Janet Kluck¹

God will never leave nor forsake you

No matter what troubles may come your way, one thing you can count on is that God will never leave you or forsake you. Not ever! This is something you can know, because He’s promised it in His Word.

Hebrews 13:5 in the Amplified Bible puts it this way: “He [God] Himself has said, I won’t in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. [I will] not, [I will] not, [I will] not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let [you] down (relax My hold on you)! [Assuredly not!].”

Don’t you love that? Read it again—it’s God talking to you. …

When the foundation of my world was shaking after my first husband died, I read this verse in Hebrews over and over until it settled into my heart. There came a time when I knew that I knew that it was true for me: God had a firm hold on me; He would never let me go or give up on me.

How did I become so sure? By thinking on this truth. By meditating on it day and night, as the Bible instructs us to do. “This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written in it. For then you’ll make your way prosperous, and then you’ll have good success” (Joshua 1:8).

I like the results that this verse promises, don’t you? When you meditate on God’s Word, you’ll make your way prosperous and successful. You do it because of your choice to read and think on God’s Word. …

What does it mean to meditate? The Merriam-Webster dictionary definition is “to focus one’s thoughts on, reflect on or ponder over.” It’s vital that you take control of your thoughts and focus on God’s promises. That’s done by reflecting and pondering on His Word instead of your problems.

You can do that! Start with Hebrews 13:5 (or any scripture of your choice that applies to your situation). Don’t just read it once and think, “Well, that would be nice.” Instead, run it over in your mind again and again. Read it out loud. Picture yourself being held in God’s strong arms. Hear Him saying the verse to you and telling you what it means.

Spend more time thinking about what God has said than you spend thinking about the troubles and questions all around you. This is the secret to tapping into God’s freedom and power and putting the past behind. And you’re the only one who can make that happen.

Purpose to give God’s Word, rather than your problems, more airtime in your brain.—Karen Jensen²

God will never stop loving you

No matter how bad life gets, you can rest in one important truth: God won’t stop loving you. You’ll have things go right. You’ll have things go wrong. But God’s love will never end—you can count on that. That truth should be one of the most important sources of joy in your life!

The Bible says it like this in Romans 8:38–39: “I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can’t, and life can’t. The angels won’t, and all the powers of hell itself cannot keep God’s love away. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, or where we are—high above the sky, or in the deepest ocean—nothing will ever be able to separate us from the love of God demonstrated by our Lord Jesus Christ when he died for us.”

That’s good news. When you put your hand in God’s hand, he grabs it and won’t let go. God holds on to you with all he has.

When my kids were little, we went to the Grand Canyon. When we walked up to the edge, I grabbed the hands of my two youngest children, Josh and Matthew. Of course, they wanted to get closer to the edge than I wanted them to get. They tried to squirm and shake free, but I wouldn’t let go. I was their father, and I loved them.

You’ll have times in your life when you’ll want to let go of God’s hand. You’ll want to give up your commitment to Christ when times get tough. But God won’t let go of you—ever. Once you put your hand in his, it’s there to stay.

If you could earn your salvation by working for it, you could lose it the moment you stopped working for it. But you didn’t earn your relationship to God. It was a free gift. Once it has been given, it can’t be taken back.

That’s an unimaginable source of joy for the believer.—Rick Warren³

Published on Anchor March 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by John Listen.

¹ Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

² https://karenjensen.org/media-menu/blog/412-god-will-never-let-you-go.

³ https://pastorrick.com/devotional/english/full-post/god-will-never-let-you-go.

God’s Many Gifts

March 20, 2023

Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 9:32

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Whenever I think of all that I’ve gained from the many years of living for the Lord, it’s an immediate mood elevator for me. In my opinion, there are countless benefits, and since the Bible tells us to “forget not all His benefits” (Psalm 103:2), here are a few of His many gifts to us that we can be thankful for.

The gift of love

If love is Christianity’s primary commandment (Matthew 22:37–40), if love is the greatest of all virtues (1 Corinthians 13:13), if love is the nature of God (1 John 4:8), if love is the hallmark of Jesus’ disciples (John 13:35), then love should be the bedrock principle and fundamental characteristic of every Christian. Love is our law, our guiding principle. Our lives for Jesus wouldn’t exist without love.

It’s not easy to uphold the lifestyle of love; it costs. Our sincere efforts to care for others, to put the needs of others before our own, to forgive, to serve, to treat others as we would want to be treated—these are challenging ways to live, but we do it because this is the mark of a disciple—the love of God manifested in our lives. Out of many goals we may have in life, love for God and love for others comes first.

Traits such as kindness, unselfishness, and teamworking are also valuable skills that we’ve each grown in through our years of service to the Lord. Whatever the future holds for you, whatever calling you have, you’ll benefit from the lessons of love you’ve learned.

The difficult parts and the hard times have given your character the strength to love when it isn’t easy. You’ve experienced the blessings that come through putting others before self. Through our efforts to love, we gradually become more like Jesus.

Our love for God and others—manifested by our actions—will be what will touch lives. Love is the only force powerful enough to break through all the barriers, prejudices, bad experiences, confusion, doubt, and hardness of heart that keep so many from the truth.

As Christians, love is our hallmark. We want to grow more loving and be more giving every day, aiming to become an ever-clearer reflection of Jesus that will change hearts and save lives for Him. Thank You, Jesus, for Your love!

The gift of faith

The Bible says so much about faith. It tells us that faith is essential, that it will be tested and we will face opposition because of it, but that faith will bring us the victory. It’s clear that obtaining and growing in faith are some of the primary goals the Lord has for us during our life on Earth. Based on that, we can conclude that the faith life is a journey, and our faith is meant to continue to be deepened and strengthened day by day.

We can look back through our lives and, depending on our perspective, we can either focus on the difficulties and the times of struggle that we have faced in our faith journey, or we can focus on how the Lord brought us through each challenge and strengthened our faith in the process. Through our struggles we have learned that Jesus is enough—and that’s the kind of faith that will keep us afloat.

Wherever the Lord leads each of us in the future, we have this legacy of faith to look back on. We each have had the priceless experience of seeing Jesus come through when there was no other option but to trust Him. Whatever obstacles we meet, whatever dark times we each pass through, we can know that the Lord is with us. He has promised to never leave nor forsake us.

Even if you don’t feel that you have much faith, or you feel that you’ve never seen an outstanding sign of the Lord’s power, the very fact that you’re still believing in Him is a sign that He is giving you the faith to keep on going and trusting in Him.

The Bible has promised us the victory that will finally overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4)! I think that makes it worth it all.

The gift of miracles

Our lives have each been a series of miracles—the miracle of becoming a new creature in Jesus, the miracle of being filled with His Holy Spirit, the miracle that God has made us His children and prepared a place for us for all eternity!

One person said when asked why he believed in miracles: “Because I see them every day in the changed lives of men and women who are saved and lifted through faith in the power of the living Christ.” We can certainly say the same!

Each person who you’ve helped to open their heart to Jesus has been blessed with a manifestation of His power working through you. Each day, your words of encouragement or your prayers for others or your comfort for those in distress have manifested God’s wonderful love to others.

The tremendous transformation that occurs in the hearts of those who receive the Man of Love is truly the greatest miracle of all. Just think! That miracle has taken place over and over as we have participated in His Spirit at work in the lives of the lost, as He has worked through us to reach so many people with His love and truth.

In addition to the major miracles of salvation, each of us has experienced His healing touch, both for ourselves and for those we minister to. Each of us can testify to both the spiritual and physical healings that we have witnessed as a result of Jesus’ wonderful power. A heart restored to peace; a tormented mind calmed; an operation succeeding against the odds; a speedy recovery from an illness or disease; a broken body mended; tears that no longer fall. These are wonderful answers to prayer and manifestations of God’s power that bring change to people’s lives, but which we often do not realize the magnitude of or the impact they have.

As we thank Jesus for all that He has done in the past and as we look forward to the future, we can be confident that His Spirit will continue to work in and through us so that we can be witnesses to the lost and those who are seeking the truth that will set them free.

The gift of winning souls

Millions of people have come to know Jesus, and will live forever with Him, because of the Family’s witness. Those people have everlasting life and belong to Jesus forever. They no longer have to fear death. They will have the blessing of a personal relationship with Jesus and never have to worry about being separated from God. They no longer have to worry about going to hell. Many of them will be able to help lead others to Jesus. Only Jesus could save them, but He needed someone to tell them about Him, and He used each one of us to reach them. It is work that will last for eternity. If you’re ever tempted to feel like a failure, or as if you don’t have much to show for your life, remember that each sacrifice you make to lead a soul to eternal salvation means a lot to Jesus.

Our impact doesn’t end with the souls saved that we know about. People whose lives have been changed have changed other lives for Jesus. Some of the millions of pieces of literature that we’ve distributed have been passed on to others. The ripple effect of a witness is something that only God can keep track of.

James Chancellor, an American sociologist who taught at a Baptist theological seminary and studied the Family, once wrote: “There are Baptist deacons and men of evangelical faith and women of evangelical faith all over this country and all over this world who were led to faith in Christ by the Children of God. I hired one when I was dean at Colorado Christian University. I hired a guy to teach adjunctively who had been led to faith in Christ on the beaches of Hawaii in the mid-’70s by the Children of God.”

Thank You, Jesus, for the wonderful legacy of souls saved and lives changed! Being faithful witnesses is a tough job, but your obedience to plug away at it, year after year, is bearing fruit in souls who come to Jesus.

Our lives on Earth will never lack in purpose as long as we know that there are still so many lost souls who don’t know Jesus. We will never be short on motivation as we pursue our calling of telling them about Him. It’s the most important job in the world. Someone said that Christianity is about helping the hurting—and everyone is hurting who doesn’t know the gentle Healer. And we’ll continue to seek to lead people to Jesus until our job on Earth is over: “They that be wise shall shine, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars forever and ever” (Daniel 12:3).

Originally published in 2010. Adapted and republished March 2023. Read by Carol Andrews.

“My Grace Is Sufficient!”

David Brandt Berg

2014-10-27

Yielding our lives to the Lord may not always seem like an easy thing to do, to be able to sincerely pray in each time of decision-making, “Not my will, but Thy will be done!” But remember, Jesus promised that He would make His will easy. He said, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”¹

He promises that His yoke will never be too hard, nor will His burden be too heavy. So if you take it from the Lord, and do His will, it’s not going to be too hard or too heavy. And if you can’t do anything else, just believe it by faith because Jesus said so—even when it seems as if it’s too hard and too heavy.

God has promised that He will never place a load on your shoulders that’s more than you’re able to carry. He says, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: For God is faithful, who will not suffer (allow) you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.”²

He’ll never allow you to face more than you’re able to bear. So if you find yourself facing a tough time of testing and a tough trial, ask Him to help you to take it, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.³

So if you ever think the tests, trials, and battles are more than you can bear, and you just can’t make it—they’re more difficult than you have strength for, they’re greater than you are—remember, the Lord is greater than they are! So take them to Him! Draw close to Jesus and get desperate with Him and lean on Him.

Give me a task too big,
Too hard for human hands;
Then shall I come at length
To lean on Thee;
And leaning, find my strength.⁴

When the burden and the load seem too heavy for you, remember the story of the little boy who was trying very hard to lift a heavy piece of furniture. His father came into the room, and noting his son’s struggle with it, asked him, “Are you using all your strength?” “Yes, of course I am,” the boy impatiently exclaimed. “Oh, no, you’re not,” the father answered. “You haven’t asked me to help you!”

When you’re weak, then you can be strong, because His strength can come in and be manifested in your weakness.—If you’ll lean on Him! He says, “My grace is sufficient for thee; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.”⁵ I’ve known many times that when I was weakest in the flesh, I was strongest in the spirit, because I just had to completely throw myself on the Lord. You don’t know how you’re going to make it, but He can make it for you. God knows you’ll never make it on your own. But if you’ll just yield and surrender to Him, then His power can work through you. “For it is God which worketh in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure.”⁶

So, Lord, we just ask that Your will be done in each of our lives, to get out of each life what You want, and to put into each life what You want, that we may do Your will to bring many, many more lives into Your kingdom for Your glory. You told us that You can only use broken people, so that we’re only dust and we’re nothing, and then You can remold us and use us in the way that You best see fit.

Jesus, we want to be willing and yielded, because You can only fill empty vessels that hunger and thirst for the water of life and Your Spirit.⁷ So please help us to be as empty vessels, hungering and thirsting for Your righteousness, willing to receive whatever You have for us, to become whatever You want us to be, Lord, whatever it is. Help us all, Jesus!

Please keep us all close to You and in Your will, submitting to You in every area, in Jesus’ name, amen!

Are you letting the Lord lead your life? Are you ready for anything? Anything God wants to do? You are if you’re willing!—If you sincerely want to please and follow Jesus and be what He wants you to be. God bless you and help you to yield to Jesus and go God’s way. Amen.

Only to be what He wants me to be,
Every moment of every day.
Yielded completely to Jesus the Lord,
Every step of life’s pilgrim way.
Just to be clay in the Potter’s hands,
Just to obey what His will commands.
Only to be what He wants me to be,
Every moment of every day.⁸

Compiled from the writings of David Brandt Berg, originally published in April 1987. Adapted and republished October 2014.
Read by Jon Marc.

¹ Matthew 11:28–30.

² 1 Corinthians 10:13.

³ 2 Timothy 2:3.

⁴ W. H. Fowler.

⁵ 2 Corinthians 12:9.

⁶ Philippians 2:13.

⁷ Matthew 5:6.

⁸ Adapted from “Every Moment of Every Day,” by Norman J. Clayton (1903–1992).

Run the Race

David Brandt Berg

2014-01-01

Hebrews 12:1: “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.”

The original was not divided into chapters, so you’ve got to keep in mind the chapter before this in order to know what “great cloud of witnesses” He’s talking about. It’s all the saints who have already gone on to be with the Lord. And they’re not only watching us, they’re praying for us, and every now and then God sends one of them down to give us a hand if we need some extra help. Praise the Lord! They are like our cheering section on the heavenly bleachers cheering for the team, and when you win a battle, they really cheer and rejoice! When you win a soul, all the angels in heaven rejoice.1

Think how wonderful it is that there are millions up there, all watching and praying for you, and lots of them coming down to help you! This is really where the action is. Here is where the big test is going on. Once you get over there, there is more in store for you, but this is the primary test. This is what the whole universe is watching—the big game, the World Series.

Since they are all watching us, what should we do? “Let us lay aside every weight.” What are the weights? The things that slow you down, the things that hinder you from getting the job done. Sometimes the Lord allows those weights for a while as sort of a test. In the old days runners used to train wearing weights, building up their muscles, so that when they took the weights off they could just almost fly.

Sometimes the Lord allows a few weights to strengthen your spiritual muscles and to test you and to strengthen you spiritually. But when the weights have served their purpose, then it’s time to lay them aside and run the race.

“And the sin which doth so easily beset us.” What is sin? It’s missing the mark, not shooting straight, not really doing the most important thing God wants you to do, which is to hit the bull’s-eye of His will. So, “let us lay aside the weights and the sins”—anything that keeps you from doing God’s highest and His best, that keeps you from being in the center of His will.

Then, after laying aside all these weights and distractions and sins, what are we supposed to do? “Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” In other words, you’ve got to do God’s will, do God’s work. As long as you are doing His job and doing His will, it’s work and you’re running.

You can only “run with patience” if you have faith and are trusting the Lord. If you didn’t have patience, you would get fed up, wouldn’t you? “I’m tired of doing all this hard work for people who never thank me and don’t appreciate me and don’t realize what a hard job this is.” If you didn’t have patience, you couldn’t do it. “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.”2

So we’re to run with patience the race that is set before us, wherever God has called us. And the only way we can really run this race is by doing what? “Looking unto Jesus.”3 That’s the only way you can have the patience to do the job He has called you to do. So keep your eyes on Jesus, “the author and finisher of our faith.”4

Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.—James 1:125

The job God has given you to do for Him is your cross. The crown is your reward, given to winners. Though many run the race to attain an imperishable crown and eternal rewards, the greatest rewards will go to those who are loyal, faithful, and obedient to the end.

But some people weaken just before that final hour. They quit too soon. That was Esau’s sin—he gave up too easy. He despised his birthright and settled for something he could see and easily believe, rather than something he couldn’t see and had to have great faith for.

Be faithful unto the end. If you will be faithful, you’ll strengthen and help hold up others in the temple of His body—His church. He that endures to the end will receive a crown of life!

God will give you power for the hour and grace for the case. He will never leave nor forsake you, even unto the end of the world. Though heaven and earth pass away, His Word will never pass away. Jesus never fails! Love never fails.6

So keep up the good fight, keep the faith, contend earnestly for the faith, and be not weary in well-doing, for in due season you will reap a mighty harvest if you don’t give up!7

God bless and keep you and continue to make you a very great blessing there till you’ve finished your course. For henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness; for those that continue to the end, to them He will give a crown of life.8,9

Compiled from the writings of David Brandt Berg. Adapted and republished
January 2014. Read by Bryan Clark.

1 Luke 15:10.

2 Galatians 6:9.

3 Hebrews 12:2.

4 Originally published May 1978.

5 NIV.

6 Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20, 5:18; 1 Corinthians 13:8.

7 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Timothy 4:7; Jude 3; Galatians 6:9.

8 2 Timothy 4:8; Revelation 2:10.

9 Originally published April 1977.

Remember Lot’s Wife

March 17, 2023

By Christine Caine

Don’t settle for stuck. In this sermon, Christine Caine reminds us that we have a hope that cannot be shaken—and His name is Jesus.

Run time for this video is 54 minutes.

https://youtu.be/pNdMH9E4Gwk

Courage for Times of Trouble

March 16, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 9:41

Download Audio (8.8MB)

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor Me.”—Psalm 50:15

You are My prized possession (James 1:18), and you can claim My promises of safekeeping and protection, and trust in My care for you, no matter what illness, natural disaster, or calamity is occurring in the world. You abide under My shadow, and I am your refuge and fortress, the One in whom you can trust. I can keep you in the midst of calamity or disease, so there’s no reason to fear “the pestilence that walketh in darkness,” or “the destruction that wasteth at noonday” (Psalm 91:6). Your eternal future is guaranteed no matter what conditions you face in your earthly life.

You can do your part and take some practical measures to avoid infection in cases of infectious disease such as washing your hands regularly, and keeping your immune system strong by eating nutritious food, getting the rest you need, and taking time for regular exercise. Most of all, commit your health and your loved ones to Me in prayer. Then rest assured that no matter what you face, I am with you.

Times of widespread epidemic or calamity can be a good opportunity to reach out to others who are worried or fearful, as a chance to give them peace, hope, faith—and most of all, salvation. Problems are often opportunities to minister to those you might not have been able to reach otherwise, and to help those who already know Me to get to know Me in a deeper way.

Men and women who do not know Me often fear death, what they sometimes call “the great unknown.” But it’s not an unknown to those who know Me, and you can share that peace with others by helping them come to know Me and receive My gift of salvation—Whom to know is eternal life (John 17:3).

Those who know Me not only have the promise of a wonderful future in heaven, but they can be filled with peace and faith here and now, knowing beyond a doubt that I love them and care for them. They can replace worry and fear with trust and dependence on Me, as they come to understand that whether they live or they die, they live or die with Me, and nothing can separate them from My love or the eternal future I have promised (Romans 14:8, 8:38–39).

Be at peace when you hear or read media accounts of natural disasters and epidemics. The governments of the world cannot offer true hope and the peace you can have as you cast your cares on Me and trust your life to Me. Instead, they prepare for the worst, and when this results in feelings of fear or panic, they then try to calm and reassure their people. The media often focuses on reporting the worst and then trying to soothe the fears that they’ve provoked, profiting in either case.

So have faith, My dear ones. While it’s wise to be careful and prayerful, and to take the precautions that I show you to, you won’t benefit by being swayed by the media. I am in control of both life and death. You are Mine, and I love you and will work everything together for good in your life. Trust in Me, depend on Me, and teach others to do the same, for your future is as bright as My promises.

Hope for times of conflict

“The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know Your name trust in You, for You, O Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You.”—Psalm 9:9–10

It’s a sad day for the poor. I weep tears of sorrow for the poor and those who are suffering. “Offenses must come, but woe unto that man by whom the offense cometh” (Matthew 18:7). I know that it causes great sorrow in your hearts as you see such destruction and oppression. I too sorrow for the suffering of the innocents.

Is there anything you can do? You can pray. You can pray for those who know Me to be empowered and protected and supported as they show My love to others. You can pray for My comfort to be manifested to those who are suffering. You can pray for answers to the prayers of the afflicted. You can pray for peace despite the turmoil.

You can also pray for the lives that are broken and for the comfort of those who have lost children, brothers, sisters, husbands, and wives. Pray that they will be open to My Spirit and come to Me and take refuge in Me. You can pray earnestly that they might find Me in their suffering, and the comfort of My Spirit.

You can speak out against injustice, against atrocities, against the evils. You can join the many millions of Christians around the world who are praying for the oppressed. You can sympathize with their plight. You can help with aid or relief or some other physical form of support or local refugee programs in your country.

Your calling is to stand for truth and righteousness and peace. You can tell others that you deplore violence and reject it as a solution to problems. You can explain that you are deeply saddened by the loss of life on both sides and you are praying for all the people who are suffering.

You can ask your friends to join with you in prayer for resolution to the conflict and that peace will be restored. You can pray for a lasting peace and an end to the suffering. Pray for the poor and needy, the injured and the bereaved, and commit the perpetrators of violence to Me.

Pray that the gospel of My love will be preached to reach those who are suffering in the midst of cruel wars. Continue to share My love and My truth far and wide, in heart after heart and nation after nation, and teach others to be witnesses as well! Share My Word with others so that your light can shine in darkness and others may come to know My love and hope and life!

The best preparation

“Those of steadfast mind you keep in peace—because they trust in you. Trust in the Lord forever, for in the Lord God you have an everlasting rock.”—Isaiah 26:3–4

As you trust Me for every aspect of your future, I will give you My joy and peace. Come to Me with all your worries and cares, and trust that in the midst of times of stress and turmoil, I am always with You. My joy will give you strength and will sustain you no matter what happens in the world around you.

Keep your eyes stayed on Me. Don’t focus on the wind and the waves. If you focus on the wind, you might feel as if you’re going to be blown away. If you look at the waves, it might look as if you’re going to drown. But if you look to Me, then you’ll have faith that you can make it, that you can go the distance, that you can lift the load, that you can do all that I’m asking of you.

The best preparation for what lies ahead and for troubling times in the world is the preparation of your heart. Stay close to Me. Lean on Me. Spend time praying. Spend time memorizing and reminding yourself of the Word you’ve hidden in your heart. Stay close to Me and trust that I will always be with you.

Originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished March 2023.
Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

4 Questions to Ask in Every Season of Life (pastors.com)

God Is Love

March 14, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 13:35

Download Audio (12.4MB)

The Bible teaches that God loves us, yet also teaches that God is love. First John 4:7–9 reveals, “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love. In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.”

In the original Greek used to write the New Testament, there is more than one word for love. The Greek word agapos, often referred to as agape love, is the word used in 1 John 4. It is used when speaking of an unconditional love. This love of God is boundless.

God does not only give love; He is the source of love. As the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1), He is the One who created love. It is because of His love that we are able to love. As 1 John 4:19 notes, “We love because he first loved us.” The fullest expression of God as love was through the Son, Jesus Christ. God created us, sustains us, and has revealed Himself to us through Jesus. …

Among the most famous of Bible passages on love is 1 Corinthians 13. In these verses we find a picture of God’s love expressed in poetic terms that displays many of the aspects of God’s love toward us. We are told, “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends” (1 Corinthians 13:4–8).

Further, John 3:16 teaches, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” God has made clear that His love through the Son of God, Jesus, provides an opportunity for those who believe to spend eternity with Him. …

The Bible is also clear we have done nothing to deserve God’s perfect love. Romans 5:8 shares, “but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Even when Jesus knew we would fail and even before we were born, He gave His life as the ultimate expression of His love.

God is love. He created love, created us to love Him, and has extended His love to each of us. Our challenge is to accept His great love (Ephesians 2:8–9) that we may experience His love in our lives today (John 10:10) and for eternity (John 3:16).—CompellingTruth.org¹

What does it mean that “God is love” in 1 John 4:8?

Love is a word that has taken on many meanings throughout the ages. Innumerable writers, movie directors, and artists alike have tried their best to convey the idea of love. Though almost no one has the same definition, there is an underlying thought. Love is a feeling and an action. Love is what one person feels and does for someone else. Even in the Christian faith, love entails many qualities. 1 Corinthians 13 is an entire passage devoted to the idea of love. The chapter ends on the notion that love is both greater than hope and surprisingly greater than faith. …

When love is evoked in Scripture, the term is used to describe the way we talk, act, and our mindset toward others. In the Bible, though, love is by no means limited to human relationships. In fact, the Bible informs us that the reason why we love other people, the reason we can understand love, is because God first loved us. “We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19). …

Since the Garden of Eden, God has acted on behalf of humanity, showing His love and support for His followers. There have been consequences, such as the banishment from Eden (Genesis 3), but God has maintained a relationship with people since the Fall. Why?

The answer is evident in God’s love and all the stories that follow in the Bible where God acts on behalf of humanity. These events culminate in the eventual Second Coming of Christ. As God has remained a constant in the lives of humanity, so too are we supposed to show love to one another on an ongoing basis. John states that we cannot love God and hate someone else (1 John 4:20).

If God has chosen to love us despite our fallen nature since the beginning of time, why would we choose not to love someone despite an offense in the present time? This is easier said than done, but John makes clear “God is love.” And he drives this point further by stating that we remain in love when we draw close to God, and as we draw close to God, the love of God abides in us (1 John 4:16). The way God treats us in love, we should strive to treat other people.—Aaron Brown²

How do we define God’s love?

The Bible tells us that “God is love” (1 John 4:8). But how can we even begin to understand that truth? There are many passages in the Bible that give us God’s definition of love. The most well-known verse is John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” So one way God defines love is in the act of giving. However, what God gave (or should we say “who” God gave) was not a mere gift-wrapped present; God sacrificed His only Son so that we, who put our faith in His Son, will not spend eternity separated from Him. This is an amazing love, because we are the ones who choose to reject God, yet it’s God who mends the separation through His intense personal sacrifice, and all we have to do is accept His gift.

Another great verse about God’s love is found in Romans 5:8, “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” In this verse and in John 3:16, we find no conditions placed on God’s love for us. God doesn’t say, “as soon as you clean up your act, I’ll love you,” nor does He say, “I’ll sacrifice My Son if you promise to love Me.” In fact, in Romans 5:8, we find just the opposite. God wants us to know that His love is unconditional, so He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for us while we were still unlovable sinners. We didn’t have to get clean, and we didn’t have to make any promises to God before we could experience His love. His love for us has always existed, and because of that, He did all the giving and sacrificing long before we were even aware that we needed His love. …

His love is very different from human love. God’s love is unconditional, and it’s not based on feelings or emotions. He doesn’t love us because we’re lovable or because we make Him feel good; He loves us because He is love. He created us to have a loving relationship with Him, and He sacrificed His own Son (who also willingly died for us) to restore that relationship.

When the Scriptures say, “God is love,” they aren’t telling us that God is some nebulous, warm, fuzzy feeling of love. The writers who penned the scriptures weren’t saying that in our limited form of human love we will find God. Not at all—in fact, when we read that God is love in the Bible, this means that God defines love. … God is the very definition of love itself. …

To understand what true love is and to be able to truly love others, we must know God, and we can do this through a close personal relationship with Him.—AllAboutGod.com³

God’s love manifest through salvation

God’s love for all humankind is most clearly seen in His answer to humanity’s need for salvation. Every human is a sinner and in need of redemption in order to be reconciled to God. God, because of His love for each human being, brought forth the plan of salvation by which God the Son came to earth, lived a sinless life, and died, taking our sins upon Himself, thus making atonement for us.

This means that humans can now be reconciled to God, no matter who they are or what sins they’ve committed. Jesus sacrificed His life for everyone, so salvation is available to all who accept it. He did this because of His love for all people, for the whole world.

God loves and cares for all of humanity. Through Jesus’ death on the cross, we can see that God’s love is self-giving love. It is God’s nature to give of Himself in order to bring about blessing or good for others.

God’s love can be seen in His patience with humanity, in His being slow to anger, in His longing for people to receive His gift of salvation and giving them time to do so. God postpones deserved judgment because of His deep love for those He created in His image.

He doesn’t wish for anyone to perish, and His patience gives people time to receive His redemptive love through Jesus Christ. He doesn’t force them to accept His gift, because He has given them free will, but in His love, He patiently waits, longing for all to accept it.

As His children, our job is to share the good news of His love with as many as we can, to invite them to become His children and the heirs of His blessings along with us.—Peter Amsterdam

Published on Anchor March 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://www.compellingtruth.org/God-is-love.html.

² https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/what-does-it-mean-that-god-is-love.html.

³ https://www.allaboutgod.com/god-is-love-2.htm.

Jesus—His Life and Message: Light (activated.org)

Endtime Facts, Unknown Quantities, and the

Anti-Antichrists

PartB

David Brandt Berg

1985-05-05

Antichrist, Beast, King of the North

In Revelation the Antichrist is called the Beast, and in Daniel he is called the little horn and the king of the North, but both books describe this man as doing the same things. What Daniel’s man does, Revelation’s Beast equals in doing, in exactly the same fashion in exactly the same time period. So therefore you know they’ve got to be the same man. Although they’re not called Antichrist in either book, John, who also wrote the book of Revelation, calls him the Antichrist in one of his Epistles, and the church picked up that name as a good name for this man, because his major characteristic is that he’s against Jesus Christ.

The church has made that name popular because of what John said in his Epistle, and because of the character and characteristics of this king of the North and the Beast of Revelation, the church knows that he is anti-Christ and therefore they call him the Antichrist. But as John also said, “There are many antichrists” (1 John 2:18). It doesn’t mean there are going to be many men like him to do what he did, but there are going to be plenty of similar people, and there already were in John’s day. He said, “Even now there are many antichrists,” many people against Christ.

What other known quantities do we know about this period when the Antichrist arises? What other character or power do we find in Daniel 11? The king of the South.

The powers spoken of in this 11th chapter of Daniel from the 20th verse to the 44th verse, until it starts talking about the East, are the king of the North and the king of the South. It’s talking about the same division of the world, between so-called East and West, except that the Bible here defines it between North and South, a struggle between the two superpowers to the bitter end.

It says in the 25th verse that the king of the North has a great army, and he goes to war with the king of the South. And it says the king of the South “shall not stand” and “they that feed of the portion of his meat shall destroy him, and his army shall overflow; and many shall fall down slain.”

Then verse 27 says, “And both these kings’ hearts shall be to do mischief.” They don’t even pretend to talk peace anymore, they just talk arms. They used to call them “peace talks,” but that’s out of fashion now. Here they’re speaking lies at one table. That’s, as they say, a diplomat’s job. A soldier’s job is to die for his country, while a diplomat’s job is to lie for his country.

There is a constant sort of off-and-on war between these two powers, and they’re the same two powers all the way through the passage.

(Verse 28:) “He shall return into his land with great riches; and his heart shall be against the holy covenant.” And, verse 29, “At the time appointed he shall return, and come toward the south; but it shall not be as the former, or as the latter.” We don’t know how he returns, but he’s going to come back.

You get to verses 30 and 31, and he invades Israel. You get the invasion of Israel because he comes down and pollutes the sanctuary. He stops the Jewish worship, sets up his Abomination of Desolation, declares himself to be God, forbids all other worship, and has the Mark of the Beast. He breaks the covenant and he invades Israel and forces his will upon the religions and tries to force it upon the world.

(Verse 40:) “And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: And the king of the North shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over.” Another big war between north and south.

(Verse 41:) “He shall enter also into the glorious land”—another invasion of Israel—“and many countries shall be overthrown.” It didn’t say that before in their previous altercations. Then it tells what countries are going to escape.

(Verse 42:) “He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and silver.” He’s going to have power.

Kings of the East

The Antichrist invades Israel, breaks the covenant, outlaws all religions except worship of himself, sets up his image, begins the Mark of the Beast, and persecutes all other believers in any other god.

There’s a picture of the Tribulation if you ever saw it at all, right from the 31st verse on. The Antichrist is in power now. Then, all of a sudden:

(Verse 44:) “But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him.” So far he’s had trouble with only the king of the South, but now somebody else starts causing trouble.

He’s put down the Christians, he’s put down the Jews, he’s put down the West—which is the South in this case. There’s only one part of the world he hasn’t completely put down yet, and that’s the East, which can still cause him trouble. Here we have tidings out of the East troubling him.

“Therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy and utterly to make away many.” Revelation says that God is going to let the Euphrates be dried up to prepare the way of the kings of the East for the Battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:12).

The battle doesn’t have to take place before Jesus comes. During the Wrath of God, the Antichrist is carrying on in spite of all these horrible curses and plagues that fall on him. Maybe the Lord is merciful, even trying to save the Muslims, help them in their battle against the Antichrist. All the Anti-Antichrists are battling: the Muslims, the Jews, those who weren’t saved and got left behind. The battle is still going on long after the Rapture.

(Verse 45:) “And he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas in the glorious holy mountain.” He obviously makes Jerusalem his headquarters.

When this final altercation begins, he has conquered the world, all except the East. He has broken the covenant, he has set himself up as the Antichrist dictator of the world, and has conducted the Tribulation period of persecution of the Christians. But finally he has big trouble at the end of this particular period, which could go right on after the Rapture, because the Rapture occurs in the next chapter.

(Daniel 12:1:) “At that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince.” At what time? When the Antichrist starts having trouble with the East, the only power left that he hasn’t really seemed to conquer.

I’m presenting that to you as a theory, as a possible solution to the unknown quantity of X. Again it brings out the fact that there are still a lot of people opposing the Antichrist even after the Christians are gone, even during the Wrath of God. Why else would there be these forces gathered together to battle each other again in Israel at the time of Armageddon?

He’s come down again to battle, and once again the battle centers on Jerusalem. He’s already invaded it once, licked the Jews and the Christians and taken over, but he hasn’t licked the East yet. And now he’s got to battle the East for Jerusalem.

Endtime Facts, Unknown Quantities, and the

Anti-Antichrists… Part A

David Brandt Berg

1985-05-05

In Daniel 11:24 it says, “He shall do that which his fathers have not done nor his fathers’ fathers; he shall scatter among them the prey, and spoil, and riches.” This is communist policy, rob the rich to feed the poor, because there are a lot more poor than there are rich. They can carry a lot more guns, they can fight a lot more battles, and they’ve got a lot more ballots or votes, so any smart politician tries to please the poor whom he can persuade to vote for him. “He shall scatter among them the prey and spoil and riches.” He’s going to take it away from the rich and give it to the poor so that the numerous billions of poor of the world will worship him and love him, or at least appreciate him.

In a way he’s just copying the Lord, because the Lord loves the poor. Satan doesn’t love the poor; he is just going to pretend to love the poor. The communists don’t really love the poor. They just pretend to love the poor, but that way they get the poor behind them. And the poor may not have any money, but they can shoot guns and raise armies from the poor. They are always the ones who furnish the cannon fodder and the manpower for revolutions.

Endtime facts

Through much Bible study and exegesis, we have established certain facts. “Exegesis” means taking a passage in the Bible and developing it, explaining it, and getting everything you can out of it. It’s important to know the things which cannot be changed, those which are established facts, proven by the Scripture, that are a sound foundation for the interpretation of Bible prophecy—certain facts that you know are true. There are certain basic fundamentals of our concept of Bible prophecy and its interpretation that we know because it says so.

You have to know that first before you can know what could possibly be changed or where some of our theories and private interpretations may not always necessarily be so. But the Bible is necessarily so, and what it says about coming events is necessarily so.

What major events of the future do you know are going to happen? Jesus is coming back at the end of the Tribulation, at the end of those days. Jesus Himself said “after the Tribulation of these days” (Matthew 24:29–30). And in 2 Thessalonians 2:2–3, Paul says that He’ll definitely not come back until the Antichrist is revealed.

We have to know the difference between the things we cannot change and the things which might be changed in our doctrine or our theories, opinions, and interpretations. First of all, we know the Lord’s coming soon and He’s going to come after the Tribulation. We know that the Antichrist will rule and reign for seven years. The Tribulation will be 1260 days, or roughly three and a half years. Because there are many ways of interpreting years, the Lord gave exact days.

The Antichrist is to come first, and he is to reign seven years. He’ll make the covenant. Regardless of what our theories are about when and how, or with whom, obviously during that first half of his reign the Jews have to rebuild the temple, because they couldn’t have the sacrifice without it. That’s why the Jews haven’t had any sacrifices for nearly 2,000 years now since the temple was destroyed, the priesthood was disbanded, and there are no more Levites and services.

They have got to have the temple and temple worship restored in order to have the sacrifices, and we know they’re having sacrifices because the Antichrist stops the sacrifices. These are things you know because the Bible says so clearly.

The covenant is made, the temple is rebuilt, the sacrifice is reinstituted, and then he stops the sacrifices and sets up the Abomination of Desolation. Jesus Himself talked about it. “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation stand in the holy place” (Matthew 24:15). Then we know the Great Tribulation will begin. Jesus said so. Daniel said so. These things we know; there’s no theory, there’s no doubt about them. They are concrete solid-block beliefs that we can be sure of because the Bible says so, and not just once but many times.

Then the Antichrist sets up the Abomination of Desolation. It doesn’t tell you in Daniel that it’s an image, but John tells you it’s an image (Revelation 13:14–15). No doubt he saw it in vision.

What other solid blocks are there that are incontrovertible, irrefutable, and irreversible? What else do we know for sure is going to follow the Abomination of Desolation? The Mark of the Beast, and the Antichrist proclaims himself to be God.

That’s another reason we know the temple’s going to be rebuilt. Paul says the Antichrist is going to sit in the temple of God, as God, claiming that he is God (2 Thessalonians 2:4). “Then there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the world began” (Matthew 24:21). Then we know the Great Tribulation is going to begin, and we’ve got scripture after scripture that prove these facts—not theories, not hypotheses, not our interpretation, but absolute facts, guaranteed by the Bible.

Another incontrovertible fact is the Rapture. Jesus is going to come at the end of the Tribulation. He said so; the Bible teaches it all the way through. These are things you can’t change.

Of course, there are some people who have tried to change them, like the Scofieldites and those who follow Scofield’s teaching. It’s amazing what damage that Bible did! The text itself is all right; it’s just the way he interpreted it, and he put his interpretation where you see it before you have a chance to form your own opinion. Some of the pages are almost all footnotes, his explanation that “Jesus is going to come before the Tribulation and take you out so you won’t have to suffer.”

But we know otherwise because we’ve studied the Bible. Jesus is going to come after the Tribulation of these days, He said so Himself. Paul said that first the man of sin, the Antichrist, should be revealed before the great day of the Lord.

What else do you know for sure? The Marriage Supper of the Lamb, while the Wrath of God is going on downstairs. And then that’s going to end with the Battle of Armageddon. After the Battle of Armageddon, in which we take over the world, is the Millennium. At the end of the Millennium, there’s the Battle of Gog and Magog, the Great White Throne Judgment, and the new heaven and the new earth.

These solid stones in the building of your knowledge of Bible prophecy and coming events. They cannot be denied, because they’re in the Bible in plain black-and-white words, not once but many times. These are incontrovertible facts, solid stones of faith in the living cornerstone, Jesus Christ and His Word, our foundation. Praise God? “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.”

Testing unknown quantities

You can test and even prove some unknown quantities from the facts that we already know, even though it’s not stated, we’re not told explicitly. You can’t necessarily prove it by some particular scripture in the Bible—although by taking a group of scriptures and putting them all into an equation, you can find out what that missing quantity is. What are some of the unknown quantities? The Anti-Antichrists theory, if you want to call it that, is an unknown quantity.

The Anti-Antichrists are the people who don’t take the Mark of the Beast and who are against the Antichrist even though they’re not Christians, they’re not saved. There will be millions of people who will reject the Antichrist and refuse his Mark. Even though they are not Christians, not saved, nevertheless they will be against the Antichrist. How do we know?

We have tried to prove—I hope we’ve proved—that there are going to be millions of people who are against the Antichrist even though not saved and not Christians, who will refuse the Mark of the Beast. How can we make that unknown quantity a known fact simply by equation? Because we know that everybody that’s saved is going to go up in the Rapture, and the Antichrist’s people are going to be destroyed, and we’re going to rule and reign over people, so there has to be somebody left to rule and reign over.

The whole equation equals the world. Take away from that amount the saved who go up in the Rapture, and then also in other scriptures take away all the followers of the Antichrist who have the Mark of the Beast. But then we find out in the Millennium there are people who are not saved that we are still ruling over here.

Then the question is, “If there’s somebody we rule over, who’s left? The world total minus us minus the Antichrist people leaves the people over whom we rule during the Millennium. So therefore we can know by mathematical equation that there have to be some people left; otherwise there wouldn’t be anybody for us to rule over during the Millennium. So that’s now become a known factor.

Split-second salvations at the Rapture

Some Jews are going to be glad to see us coming back. The Bible says “a remnant shall be saved” (Romans 9:27). “They’ll look on Him whom they pierced, and mourn for Him as if for an only son” (Zechariah 12:10). The sincere believers, those who are looking for the Messiah and realize that the Antichrist certainly wasn’t it, when they see Him coming, I think they’re going to believe it.

I think a lot of people are going to believe when the Rapture occurs. With all that noise going on, with Jesus coming in great and mighty power and glory, do you think some of the people that were on the fence and just didn’t know will believe? After they have realized that the Antichrist is not the Messiah, why wouldn’t they believe when they see Jesus coming in the clouds? Will some people believe then at that late date?

How long does it take to get saved? As soon as you believe. It sounds like the coming of Christ is a series of big events, lightning and thundering and trumpets and Jesus appearing in great power and glory in the clouds. Do you think some of the latecomers might be like the guy at the very last hour who was paid a penny just like everybody else? (Matthew 20:9–14).

The penny in that parable that Jesus told is not rewards. The penny was symbolic of salvation. They were all paid the same as far as salvation was concerned. Do you think there could be some split-second salvations at the coming of the Lord? Some people that could be instantly saved when it suddenly dawns on them that Jesus was the Messiah, that He really is the Savior.

Maybe at that moment the people who just haven’t made a commitment will finally believe. Could faith dawn in their hearts, and they would receive and believe it the moment Jesus appears? I believe it can happen in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, even at the last trump (1 Corinthians 15:52). That is one of my theories.

But a lot of people who resisted the Antichrist, who didn’t know much about Jesus but certainly didn’t want the Antichrist and knew he wasn’t what he should be and resisted and fought against him, are going to be left and survive into the Millennium; otherwise there would be nobody to rule over. It’s got to be the Anti-Antichrists.

We have been studying the Antichrist, how he rises, where he comes from, and what he does. We know it’s the Antichrist, even though he’s not actually called “Antichrist” until the New Testament. In fact, you don’t even find that word in the book of Revelation.

Only one book of the Bible calls him the Antichrist. John called him the Antichrist in 1 John 2:18. He said, “You know he is going to come.” It’s been predicted, in other words. “Even now there are many antichrists.”

They are all antichrists, everyone who rejects faith in Jesus Christ. But people who never heard of Him couldn’t be against Him. You’ve got to know that there is such a person or have heard of such a person to refuse to believe in Him.

That’s another point about the Anti-Antichrists; they’re the people who didn’t know enough about Christ to be either for or against him. Millions of people in the world are not against Christ. They never even heard of Him. God’s going to have mercy on a lot of people. First of all, people who never even heard of Him can’t be against Him. And then all the people who are not against Him. That’s the kind of people I believe those AAC people are, who survive into the Millennium.

March 10, 2023

Tony Evans Has a Powerful Word for You for 2023

By Tony Evans

Dr. Tony Evans reminds us that God is with us in the new year … no matter how difficult 2022 may have been. In this word of the year for 2023, we’re shown that the new year is full of new mercies that we should give God praise for every day.

Run time for this video is 28 minutes.

https://youtu.be/izXT5pbdZfg

From the Inside Out

March 9, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:16

Download Audio (10.3MB)

There are times when you can feel like every thread of your life is being reexamined. But it’s not a matter of Me scrutinizing your life, it’s a matter of My Spirit working gently within you. You are experiencing a process of self-examination, which is a starting point for change in your heart and life.

Think of this time like a piece of clothing that is being turned inside-out. That’s when you see how it’s made. You see all the inner stitching and the quality of the seam work. You see the labels, and you see if it’s made to last or if it’s a little flaky. You see if it needs the delicate wash cycle or if it’s sturdy enough to take the normal or longer cycle. Inside-out is where you essentially get to see what that piece of clothing is made of.

When you feel like your life is being turned inside-out, it is a time to take a good look at the inside of your life and how you operate—your mindsets, the different attitudes and perspectives you’ve adhered to over the years, and how you work and interact with others.

Trust Me during these times when My Spirit is working in you, helping you to check out the quality of the stitching on your seams and what is holding you together. As you assess your weak areas, I help you to see what you need to change about yourself to grow in your spiritual life, relationships with others, and walk with Me.

My Spirit will work within your heart and guide you as you seek Me. Take advantage of this time of personal assessment to set goals for your spiritual life and growth.

My unchanging presence

Times of change bring you closer to Me. The changes that you experience in your life help to invigorate our relationship, as you are drawn closer to Me and your faith is strengthened in the process.

Everything in life undergoes change, starting with the stages of growth from infancy to adolescence, to adulthood, to parenthood and old age. These life stages are based on the cycle of change. There can be no life and no depth of living without change.

The process of change often brings you back to the basics of your faith, your love for Me, and what truly matters. It helps you to realign your focus and think about what it’s all about and your purpose on Earth. Change can cause a stirring of the heart to draw you closer to Me. It causes you to seek My will.

The most important thing to remember during times of change is that regardless of what changes around you, I change not. Stay close to Me, and you will never have anything to fear. Ask Me to help you to readjust your perspective, so that you see Me in your circumstances and your present context, and trust Me to define your future and your life for Me.

Just because things will change as long as you are on Earth does not mean that I will change, that it will be harder to find Me, or that I won’t be with you. I am the one constant of your life, and this is your touchstone during times of change and when you think about the future.

No matter what changes in your life or the world around you, ask yourself whether that would be enough to make you stop being My disciple and give up on our relationship. Would that be enough to make you lose faith in Me and My Word? You know that it wouldn’t. So why worry?

Even if everything you knew was changed forever, you would still be My disciple. You would still be a vibrant Christian. You would still hold on to faith, hope, and love. You would still live your life for Me. So what is that to thee? Follow thou Me (John 21:22).

The whole world can change, but nothing can separate you from Me and My love. And in the end, that’s what really matters—that you are Mine and a child of God with an eternal inheritance.

Stronger today

My love, I know that times of change can seem to shake you to the foundations of your faith. During these times, I want to touch your heart in a deeply personal way. Although you are struggling right now, I am using this time to take you to a new level of understanding Me and My love for you, and My relationship with you.

You’re stronger today than you were a month ago, because you have questioned everything and come to the realization that I am indeed everything to you, and that without Me, you feel empty, alone, and as if your very life force is missing. You’ve gained a deeper understanding of your love and need for Me. You’ve realized that there isn’t anything else on Earth that can satisfy the deep longings of your heart and spirit.

Now you will have a greater desire to help others and share the abundance I’ve given you. You will have renewed strength, love, and desire, and your priorities are clearer.

Grace for growth

Are you seeking to grow in your faith? Do not be surprised when you face times of testing. If the tests did not come, your faith would not grow. If the trials were not there, the great grace that I give you would go undiscovered. So take courage during these times, and look up to the eternal hope before you.

Look to the heavens and ponder how My planets and celestial bodies are kept in orbit by My hand. Even so, I am able to keep you in the orbit of My will even through times of trial in your life. As you lean on Me to bring you through the tests that try you, wings are born out of weights. Don’t try to escape the pressure, but let Me help you to harness it so that you can grow in faith.

Your rock-solid reality

I am your living Lord, your Rock, your Savior-God. Spend time pondering My greatness and My endless commitment to you… I am your forever-Friend and the eternal Lover of your soul. You are utterly secure in My Love!

Instead of focusing on troubles in your life and in your world, remember who I Am. Not only am I your living Lord and unchanging Rock, I am also God your Savior. Because I am the everlasting God, My death on the cross for your sins saves you to the uttermost! So you don’t need to worry that I’ll stop loving you because your performance isn’t good enough. It is My goodness and My righteousness that keep you secure in My Love. Let My unending commitment to you be a comfort as you journey through this trouble-filled world. Someday you will live with Me in paradise.

Even though you do not see Me, you believe in Me. I am far more real—complete, unchanging, unlimited—than the things you can see. When you believe in Me, you are trusting in rock-solid Reality. I am the indestructible Rock on which you can keep standing, no matter what your circumstances may be. And because you belong to Me, I am devoted to you. Beloved, I encourage you to take refuge in Me.

Believing in Me has innumerable benefits. The most precious one is the salvation of your soul—forever and ever. Your belief in Me also enhances your present life immensely, making it possible for you to know who you are and Whose you are. As you stay in communication with Me, I help you find your way through this fallen world with hope in your heart. All of this enlarges your capacity for Joy. The more you seek Me and the more fully you know Me, the more I can fill you with inexpressible and glorious Joy!¹

Originally published August 2009, unless otherwise indicated. Adapted and republished March 2023. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

Great Troubles and a Loving God

By Maria Fontaine

March 7, 2023

In light of numerous situations like the recent spate of earthquakes, the ongoing threats of war and other dire situations, I’d like to share a few personal thoughts on a related question that many may have.

It can be difficult for most to understand how a loving God could allow terrible suffering and death to come to so many in major disasters of all kinds.

I want to make it clear that I’m not promoting any doctrines or even claiming that everything I say can be proved to be right in all cases, or to tell you how you need to think or feel. My hope is that the thoughts that I’ll share may be helpful to you. These are points that I believe the Lord showed me that have helped me to find peace in the midst of some of the nearly unimaginable suffering and loss that so many face.

I’ll begin by sharing some thoughts about those who die in these disasters and afterwards about those who survive. I don’t pretend to have all the answers, but even a few possible reasons can be of some help.

Many Christians and nonbelievers alike sincerely pose questions such as these:

Jesus, the Son of God, laid down His life to offer eternal life in God’s presence to all who will receive Him. How could this same God of love and forgiveness allow so many to perish in catastrophes of all kinds, some of whom may not have had the chance to receive that precious gift?

Why would God allow millions to die, who many times are already suffering poverty, sickness, and oppression?

These situations can be difficult to understand, because we can’t grasp the full picture of eternity and how these fit within His plan and purpose for His creation. Perhaps, if for a moment we step back from the intense emotional feelings that are natural in such tragic circumstances, we might be able to gain a little broader understanding of what could be taking place; we might see a glimpse of how God, in His omniscience and perfect love, may be seeing these things.

The recent earthquakes in Turkey and Syria, for example, have taken the lives of many thousands. If we assume that this life on earth is all that there is, then this is an unimaginable tragedy. Or for those who believe that salvation can only be found in this earthly life, it would imply that so many of those who died would be damned for eternity without any hope of redemption. But what if God, in His infinite wisdom and mercy, were lifting these people from their existence of terrible suffering in this earthly life into a better place where He could help them come to an understanding of His love and plan for them?

When I look at the nature of God and consider that the Bible states, “The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9), I personally believe that God’s will, as stated here, is going to be ultimately fulfilled. Because we are just human beings, what we decide should happen may not be what takes place. However, God is all-powerful, and when He wills something, it comes to pass in God’s perfect time.

I firmly believe that we should be bringing the truth to as many as we can in this time-bound world. Being able to walk through this life here on earth, once we have received Him, with the faith and confidence that we have a loving Savior at our side, is a marvelous privilege. However, I don’t believe that Jesus would close that door of salvation for those who didn’t have the opportunity to fully know Him, much less make them burn in hellfire forever.

God can make a way to restore His creation. This is something that only our all-powerful, all-knowing, all-loving, eternal God can do.

No one has all the answers to every situation, and so far in this post, I have only touched on some possible reasons why tragedies might take place in this life. But even though we don’t have an answer for every trouble, I believe that that shouldn’t prevent us from offering to others what the Lord has shown us.

When God allows millions of people to die in wars, natural disasters, or even man-made catastrophes, could it be that God, in His all-knowing wisdom, sees what would be ahead for these people if they remained on this earth? Does He know the horrific suffering that they would face and does He, in His mercy and compassion for them, take them out of this earthly life and into the spiritual realm, where their suffering can be relieved? Does He in His unlimited wisdom know that somehow this will be what they need in order to come to fully understand who He is, in His perfect time?

Man has certainly turned many parts of this earthly world into a living hell, not just through starvation and disease and hellish wars, but also through perversions and corruption and lies that have led so many into such strong delusion that the truth is nearly lost in the world around them.

The days ahead, until the return of Jesus, are not going to get better, but even worse and darker. That is a reality the Bible from beginning to end has described.

God is allowing the whole universe to see the results of evil, but He is also pouring out His grace, truth, love, and salvation upon those who look to Him. His mercy and compassion apply to every soul because our spirit, the life within us, was breathed into us by God (Genesis 2:7).

We all need to eventually be restored to the Father through Jesus, His Son. But we have to hold on to the heavenly vision that this small blip of time, compared to eternity, is not the only part that counts.

This earthly life is an opportunity to learn and grow and gain wisdom through the things we experience here. Undergoing the transformation of salvation during this life is a blessing beyond description because as Christians, we can implement His example and guidance to help us in overcoming those struggles that we encounter, and that will doubtless help us to lift others here and now as well as to continue to grow in the next life.

God loves and died for all of us. When I stop to consider God’s nature, His humility to stoop down and love us, even though we don’t deserve it, I can’t imagine that He would not do the same for everyone else who eventually receives Him. His love is perfect; and while it may take a very long time to bring people back into His arms, as Jesus illustrated through the parable of the prodigal son, I believe that He will.

It’s up to you to personally decide how you look at this. I’m not promoting a doctrine here but sharing what has helped me to reconcile such painful events with the fact that I have a loving God who somehow has a purpose in allowing these things.

Of course, a very challenging part of this question is: “What about those who survive such terrible things and are left wounded or suffering great sorrow or loss? Is there a reason why God is allowing them to continue on in this earthly life?”

I believe that God has a purpose, and that this purpose is often beyond my ability to understand, especially when those who are left here on this earth are children who have no parents or loved ones to care for them. I also believe that when these things are beyond my ability to comprehend, it is a time for me to look to Jesus in faith that He is in control. I can do what I can, whether it is praying for them or offering what help I can.

I don’t have to know every reason, just like many things happen in all of our lives that we have to endure. The reality is that we won’t be able to explain the reason for each case. I know that such things break my heart for those in such terrible circumstances. I can’t fix this world’s problems right now, but I can do my part even if it may seem so small.

Concerning those who God has called to help the people whose lives have been shattered by such terrible events, perhaps He may be using these things to break their hearts as well, to help them to understand how He weeps with all those who weep, even as He works to help those who are suffering to eventually come to Him.

Or He may be opening a door of opportunity for His followers to reflect His love into the lives of those remaining. The example of compassion, shown by His followers, may be the kind of irrefutable proof that some may need to convince them of God’s love for them.

It’s difficult to describe broad reasons for why these things happen, because I believe that each person’s situation is unique in some way.

Our God is intimately attuned to every life, and in His love and mercy and compassion He provides what will ultimately result in the greatest good even if in the moment it is beyond our ability to understand. Many are far away from Him in sin at this time. Many are lost and wandering. But I don’t believe that God has abandoned them. God alone knows who will turn to Him, in this earthly life or in the next.

No matter how long it might take, one of the most wonderful demonstrations of the power of God is to see the transformation of lives from their worst state of isolation and darkness to being filled with light and love, as each one chooses to become one with their Creator.

Evil and wrong might seem to be in control at times, but always remember that God is bringing a greater good in the end. We just aren’t able to see or comprehend it all right now. During times of trouble, faith can fill in the unknowns, and trust in God’s love can lift our vision from the depths of humankind’s hell on earth to see heaven’s reality, reminding us of the overarching truth that God’s love will prevail in the end.

Stay Salty

March 7, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 9:03

Download Audio (8.28 MB)

In Matthew 5:13, Jesus tells his disciples (with the crowd listening in), “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.”

“You are salt.” It’s a statement declaring identity. Their identity. And as a follower of Christ, it’s our identity too. Jesus created us to be salt … and STAY SALTY (not the way the Urban Dictionary defines it).

Salt adds flavor. Salt makes you thirsty. Salt preserves.

I love the way the Message translation says it, “Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the GOD-FLAVORS of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage.”

I know I’ve experienced times when I was all hyped up after attending a church conference or a Bible study, only to lose my cool with my family within the first five minutes of being home. The truth is, we can surround ourselves with Bibles, Bible apps, and Bible studies. We can listen to sermon podcasts, read daily devotions, and attend church services (all of which are good things) … but if we’re moody, unkind, or ignore those around us … what’s the point? It must translate into our everyday lives.

Father, help us to recognize the role you have given us here on earth. You’ve called us to be SALT. To add your flavor, to preserve your culture, and to cause others to thirst for you.

Stay salty, my friends… “For if you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness” (Matthew 5:13 MSG).—Binu Samuel¹

Jesus said, “Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again?” His answer: “Have salt in yourselves” (Mark 9:50 NIV).

It’s up to each of us to carry those qualities of salt within us, so that we can season the world around us with His flavoring. The goal of having an alive, deep, and meaningful relationship with Jesus, of manifesting a Christian example and following Jesus’ teachings, of living and working in unity with others, has always been to be able to be “the salt of the earth,” part of “the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” that attracts others to the Lord, so that they too can come to know and love Him, and, if they’re willing, to help others to do the same (Matthew 5:13–14).

Being a force for good rests within each of us, as we do our part to love God, to stay true to His Word, and to share His love and Word with others whenever and wherever possible. As we strive to live and hold true to our Christian values, we can fulfill His commission to be the spice of life of this world; to give its full flavor and meaning to others, to be preservers of the good, and to share our faith—the true currency of the world—with others.

May the Lord bless your life and strengthen your witness and mission works so that they can serve as the salt of the earth and a lamp to light the paths of many. There is a world before us to reach and there are countless ways of spreading the good news and being a positive influence in the lives of others—a force for good.—Peter Amsterdam

Our words and the way we communicate them are important. Believers are exhorted in Colossians 4:6, “Let your words be seasoned with salt.” As believers, our words should reflect to others the truth of the gospel. They should reveal how this gospel has transformed our lives. Our words should impact our conversations for the better as we bring a different “flavor” to our interactions, build others up, and share as well as defend the gospel.

The words we speak reflect what is in our hearts, “for the mouth speaks what the heart is full of” (Luke 6:45). When we trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins, we become new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our lives are transformed; we have been saved from our sins and brought from death to life (Ephesians 2:6). The Holy Spirit lives within us (Romans 8:11). For these reasons, believers’ words should always be “seasoned with salt.”

Jesus called believers to be the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13). Salt is an important mineral; it preserves food, brings out flavor, soothes and heals, and is necessary for life; it balances fluids in the blood and is vital for nerve and muscle function. The salt of the earth metaphor applies to the way believers talk as well as how they live, as Paul indicates: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:5–6). The content and tone of our words should impact those around us for the better, especially unbelievers.

A believer’s words are to be seasoned with salt so that we can “know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Sharing the gospel includes knowing it, sharing it accurately, and doing so with a humble and gracious attitude—in a palatable way. Believers are called to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Having an unwholesome, distasteful attitude is not becoming to the gospel of Christ; unsavory motives and attitudes do not produce words “seasoned with salt.”

While not every conversation must specifically be about God, every conversation should be seasoned with salt. We should always be ready to answer others’ questions about our faith, and our words should always reflect Christ, bringing a different “flavor” to what might otherwise be an unsavory conversation. What a Christian says and how he says it ought to add value to a conversation just as salt does for food.

Just the right amount of salt in food brings out flavor and transforms a meal. Our words can be seasoned with salt by speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) and being gracious in every circumstance. As Proverbs 16:24 says, “Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” Just as salt has healing properties, our words should bring healing and goodness, encouraging its hearers and pointing them to the One who is vital for life.

Jesus said, “Have salt among yourselves, and be at peace with each other” (Mark 9:50). What we say and how we say it should always be seasoned with the salt of grace and peace. In order to give a seasoned answer, we must present what we say and how we say it in a way that reflects Christ. May we all prayerfully consider our hearts before we engage our mouths and reflect what the psalmist says in Psalm 19:14: “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”—GotQuestions.org²

Published on Anchor March 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ https://whispersandfringes.com/stay-salty.

² https://www.gotquestions.org/let-your-words-be-seasoned-with-salt.html.

Coincidence? Or Not?

March 6, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 6:31

Download Audio (5.9MB)

The following testimony from a missionary in Taiwan illustrates the importance of following the Lord, listening to His checks, and being an instant witness to whoever the Lord brings across your path. You never know when it’s the Lord’s perfect time for someone to hear the message and receive it!

It was my day off. My husband had other things to do and the kids were in school. This meant I had the whole day to myself. I planned a morning in a coffee shop catching up on reading and e-mail. Next on the plan was a hike in a lovely area of town that I almost never get to because it’s a 40-minute drive away.

The morning went along smoothly and everything was going like clockwork. It started with me getting my favorite chair in the coffee shop, and the menu had just been updated to include bagels, my favorite. I read about the importance of adopting a mindset of faith, expectancy, and readiness whenpreaching the gospel. This struck me as a new thought—faith to tell someone about Jesus, and faith and expectancy that that person is ready to hear the good news.

My belief up until this point had been that sharing the good news was a part of being a Christian. Faith in myself as the giver and in the receiver as the one God planned for me to talk to hadn’t come into my mind at all. I viewed it more with a salesman outlook. I showed the product. If they chose it, great; if not, well, that was their problem.

I hadn’t given the timing of witnessing encounters much thought. I have also held the belief that witnessing is my job as a Christian and something I should do to receive Jesus’ grace and blessings in my life. Obedience to Jesus’ commission to witness was what mattered to me, not seeing results.

At the end of my reading and meditating on this new thought, I said a prayer for the faith and readiness to meet those who are ready to hear the gospel, and for faith in myself to be a giver of the good news to grow.

My children had just started school the week before, and as fate would have it, I was called to the school to meet with one of the teachers and work out some book payment. I felt cheated out of my plan for my day. Now I would not have the time to make it to my planned trail. After finishing up at the school, it was already 5 o’clock in the afternoon. I only had an hour of daylight left. I thought of going to the nearby park and walking around it for an hour. Not such a great hike, but at least I’m out getting some fresh air, I thought.

I had walked about 300 meters toward the park when I felt I was going the wrong way. Then I remembered a short hike right near the children’s school that I hadn’t gone on for about six months. Encouraged that I would get my hike after all, I turned around and took off in the new direction. As I neared the entrance, I saw a beautiful new addition to this hike: a small stream redirected, new rest areas, large grass fields and little walkways all throughout. As I was about to go check out the new paths, I felt pulled along the well-worn path that I knew already. Then, coming to the next fork, I almost went toward the waterfall, my favorite route, but instead of going toward it, I found myself walking away. As I walked, I thanked Jesus for giving me this time in His creation and for leading me to this climb.

After about 20 minutes of climbing, I came to the first lookout, a large rock with room for two people overlooking the valley. Atop the rock was an elderly man meditating, who spoke as I passed. “Do you climb here often?” he asked. “No,” I answered, “this is only my third time in a year.” “I haven’t been on this trail for six years,” he added. He then invited me to join him in admiring the view. At this point, I knew I needed to forget my exercise plan and sit and enjoy the view and learn who this man sitting on the rock was. Within minutes our conversation turned to spiritual topics, and I was soon to find out Eddie was an atheist. Not only that, but he had never felt God or any higher being in anything or at any time in his life.

He said, “If God is real, then where is the proof of Him?” Why had he not had some spiritual experience in all his 50+ years? Then he asked, “What are the benefits of having a religion?” This man was of a scientific mind and only believes in things that he can prove under a microscope. In response, I talked about my own experiences with God and explained that the greatest proof of His existence was the creation all around us.

On and on our conversation went. I told the story of Jesus’ birth and death, my own choice to be a missionary at the age of 17, and the miracles that Jesus has done for me. We looked up Bible verses together and then I presented him with the choice to pray for Jesus to change his life and manifest Himself to him. Eddie prayed the salvation prayer with me and was beautifully saved.

Then he told me that he hadn’t even planned to hike this trail; he was going to go to the other side of the mountain, but something made him drive the other direction. He then said that he had planned to see the waterfall, but something caused him to climb the other trail instead. I was thrilled, and told Eddie my experiences just the hour before and how I had not planned to hike that trail either, and we both agreed that our meeting was miraculous. Eddie couldn’t wait to tell his wife all about it. He kept saying we had a miraculous spiritual meeting.

As we were parting, Eddie said, “You know, if I had met you five years ago, I wouldn’t have listened to anything you had to say; this is the first time in my life that I am open to spiritual things. I was like a mouse on a wheel until now, but these last few months I have felt I needed to make changes in my life. I’ve been taking time to stop and reflect, and I’ve found that money, fame, and success aren’t what bring happiness in life. I wanted something more.” As we parted we promised to keep in touch.

As I walked home, I thought of the words I read that morning: “Faith and trust in the Lord, and a willingness to follow where He leads, are what we need as Christians.”

Originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished March 2023. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Divine Healing: A Touch of Grace

Peter Amsterdam

2014-04-21

When giving the disciples the Great Commission to go into all the world and preach the Gospel, Jesus also said that these signs will follow those who believe: “They will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.”¹ Throughout the Gospels, there are numerous examples of Jesus using touch in healing.

Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, saying, “I will; be clean.” And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.²

Jesus in pity touched their eyes, and immediately they recovered their sight and followed Him.³

Now when the sun was setting, all those who had any who were sick with various diseases brought them to Him, and He laid his hands on every one of them and healed them.⁴

The apostles also used touch in their healing of others.

[Peter] took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.⁵

It happened that the father of Publius lay sick with fever and dysentery. And Paul visited him and prayed, and putting his hands on him healed him.⁶

Often people would touch Jesus and be healed.

When the men of that place recognized Him, they sent around to all that region and brought to Him all who were sick and implored Him that they might only touch the fringe of His garment. And as many as touched it were made well.⁷

All the crowd sought to touch Him, for power came out from Him and healed them all.⁸

Another example we can follow is using oil for anointing when we pray.

Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.⁹

Sometimes when Jesus would heal, He would instruct the person to take some sort of action.

Then He said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” And the man stretched it out, and it was restored, healthy like the other.¹⁰

Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he recovered his sight.¹¹

The greatest of these is love

In addition to healing being a platform for sharing the Gospel, one of the main motivations for praying for people is compassion. Jesus had compassion and sympathy for the suffering of others, and He did something about it.

When He went ashore He saw a great crowd, and He had compassion on them and healed their sick.¹²

As He drew near to the gate of the town, behold, a man who had died was being carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow, and a considerable crowd from the town was with her. And when the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” Then He came up and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. And He said, “Young man, I say to you, arise.”¹³

A leper came to Jesus, beseeching Him and falling on his knees before Him, and saying, “If You are willing, You can make me clean.” Moved with compassion, Jesus stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed.¹⁴

Compassion can be seen as love in action. Jesus leaving the halls of heaven to live among us was a manifestation of God’s love for mankind. God is compassionate. Jesus reflected the compassion and love of God through His actions. We are filled with the Holy Spirit, meaning the Spirit of God dwells within us, and thus we too should be moved to action by compassion and love.

The Holy Spirit, who dwells in us, has made available spiritual gifts, one of which is healing. The apostle Paul wrote about the gifts of the Holy Spirit in 1 Corinthians 12. He states:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.¹⁵

After speaking about these gifts, he says:

I will show you a still more excellent way. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.¹⁶

Paul strongly makes the point that if we have the gifts of the Spirit and can do all kinds of wonderful things because of these gifts, we must do them in love, as without love we are nothing.

No matter what your theology or methodology regarding healing, ministering to people must be done with love—to put yourself in the position of the sick person, or those grieving their loss, and act in a loving manner by showing sympathy. Love is the key when working with the infirm and with their loved ones.

When God doesn’t seem to answer our prayers for healing

While it’s a good thing to stand on God’s Word, to know that God has promised to, and does, answer prayer, I think it’s important to face certain truths—such as that not every prayer is answered in the manner we expect, and that sometimes God chooses not to answer immediately or in a way that we see it as His answer. God is greater than we are, and while we should claim His Word and stand on it and trust Him thoroughly, we need to understand that His ways are higher than ours and that He, in His infinite love and wisdom, may do or allow things in our lives or those of others that we don’t understand.

To demand that God answer every prayer for healing in a way that we expect, and, if that prayer is not answered, or is answered differently than we would have hoped, to put the blame on someone, in my opinion takes away from God’s power, from His sovereignty. It’s saying that we know better than God. God has more dimensions than we do. He knows so much more than we do—He knows supremely better than we do what’s best for each individual.

I believe that God heals people who are prayed for. Sometimes He heals instantaneously, sometimes progressively. Some He heals in this lifetime, and some He heals eternally through taking them home to Him. Whether God heals someone in this lifetime or in eternity, He is compassionate and loving. I believe it’s best to follow His Word by praying for the sick in obedience to His commands, trusting that as you pray, God will answer, and then leave the way He answers in His hands, and not try to place blame on someone—yourself or others—if a healing doesn’t take place every time.

At the same time, we also need to remember that there are many promises of healing in God’s Word; that Jesus, the apostles, many believers in the early church and throughout Christian history, including nowadays, have used healing in their witness, as well as for one another. They have prayed for the sick, and people were supernaturally healed.

As Christians, we’ve all been given the power to pray for the sick, as evidenced by the words of Jesus, His commands to His disciples to pray for the sick, His personal example, and the example of the early disciples. It takes faith to step out and pray for others, especially in a situation where you don’t know the person. It may be awkward, it could be embarrassing, but in doing so, the opportunity is given to someone to be touched by God. Many people would be happy to have someone pray for their healing, whether they are believers or not. When we pray for someone’s healing, we provide an opening for His love and power to be manifested to an individual.

His Word is clear—healing is available! He’s given us as believers power to heal. He’s sent us as disciples to preach the Gospel and heal the sick. The Holy Spirit, who dwells within us, has made the gift of healing available to us. When we pray for the sick, they will be healed in accordance with God’s will. No matter what method we use, God’s Spirit can use us as vehicles for His healing if we will take the step to pray for others. What a wonderful gift! What an opportunity to make a difference in the lives of others! What a tremendous vehicle for showing someone the love of Jesus, God’s compassion!

We may not know all the theological ins and outs, we may not know every method available, we may not completely understand why some people are healed and others aren’t, but what we do know is that the power of healing is available to us, as Christians, to help in ministering to others and leading them to salvation.

May God’s love and compassion motivate us to use all the means at our disposal, including the power of healing, to fulfill our mission of bringing Jesus into the lives of others.

Originally published April 2012. Adapted and republished April 2014.
Read by Simon Peterson.

¹ Mark 16:15–18 ESV.

² Matthew 8:3 ESV.

³ Matthew 20:34 ESV.

⁴ Luke 4:40 ESV.

⁵ Acts 3:7 ESV.

⁶ Acts 28:8 ESV.

⁷ Matthew 14:35–36 ESV.

⁸ Luke 6:19 ESV.

⁹ James 5:14–15 ESV.

¹⁰ Matthew 12:13 ESV.

¹¹ Mark 10:52 ESV.

¹² Matthew 14:14 ESV.

¹³ Luke 7:12–14 ESV.

¹⁴ Mark 1:40–42 NAU.

¹⁵ 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 ESV.

¹⁶ 1 Corinthians 12:31–13:2 ESV.

06 – Life for the Survivors

From the End to Eternity

Scott MacGregor

2008-01-01

Before we continue with our discussion of the Millennium we need to go back to the very beginning of history, to the Garden of Eden and the first man and woman, Adam and Eve. Adam and Eve sinned by listening to the Devil in the form of a serpent and disobeyed God’s command to not eat of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. They were then driven out of the Garden of Eden, at which time God pronounced a series of curses, which remain in effect to this day.

So the Lord God said to the serpent: “Because you have done this, you are cursed more than all cattle, and more than every beast of the field; on your belly you shall go, and you shall eat dust all the days of your life. And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise His heel.”

To the woman He said: “I will greatly multiply your sorrow and your conception; in pain you shall bring forth children; your desire shall be for your husband, and he shall rule over you.”

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’: Cursed is the ground for your sake; in toil you shall eat of it all the days of your life. Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you, and you shall eat the herb of the field. In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are, and to dust you shall return.”

Genesis 3:14–19

These punishments and handicaps are collectively known as the Curse, and it doesn’t get totally lifted until the New Earth is created at the end of the Millennium. (Revelation 22:3)

However, it appears from other verses, some of which we will cover in this chapter, that the Curse is partially lifted during the Millennium.

The genealogies of Genesis show men living to almost 1000 years of age before Noah’s Flood (circa 2300 B.C.). But after that, people began dying at a considerably younger age. Noah still lived to be 950 years old, but Shem, the only son of Noah that an age at death is listed for, died when he was 600. Abraham, who came along 500 years later, only lived to 170. Then by King David’s time at around 1000 B.C., life expectancy was about 70 years. “The days of our lives are seventy years; and if by reason of strength they are eighty years, yet their boast is only labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away” (Psalm 90:10).

A natural lifespan of around 70 is still close to the average today. The reason for this shorter lifespan is not specifically known. Some think it is environmental, that the effect of a greater concentration of cosmic rays hitting the Earth means a faster aging process. Others think it might have more to do with a genetic change due to the narrowing of the human gene pool down to only the eight survivors of the Flood. But whatever the cause, in the Millennium, apparently the longevity humankind enjoyed before the Flood will be restored.

The humans who survive into the Millennium are still going to be living in natural physical bodies and still have children, and still die. Death isn’t finally abolished until the end of these 1000 years. “For He [Jesus] must reign till He has put all enemies under His feet. The last enemy that will be destroyed is death” (1 Corinthians 15:25–26).

However, people are going to go back and live more naturally and more quietly and more slowly. All indications are that during the Millennium there will be much less disease and sickness, and people will live much longer than they do today. The Bible says that if anybody dies at 100 years old, they’ll call him just a child.

No more shall an infant from there live but a few days, nor an old man who has not fulfilled his days; for the child shall die one hundred years old. … They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit. They shall not build and another inhabit; they shall not plant and another eat; for as the days of a tree, so shall be the days of My people. And My elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands. They shall not labor in vain, nor bring forth children for trouble; for they shall be the descendants of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them.

Isaiah 65:20–23

People won’t be dying at the rate they do today, and will live to be much older. However, the Earth won’t become overpopulated because the number of people who survive into the Millennium will not be that large and there are indications from the Scriptures that the birth rate will slow down as well.

There will be no more enmity between man and the animals, or among the animals themselves.

The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the Earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6–9)

Since there’s nothing that will hurt nor destroy, then it would follow that there will be no venomous snakes or other harmful pests and insects. The thorns and the thistles and the briar and all kinds of creatures that are poisonous, even poisonous flowers and grasses and so on, all these cursed things will be eliminated. Possibly a lot of them will be completely eliminated, although it does say that dust will be the serpent’s food (Isaiah 65:25), and that children will be playing in the vicinity of vipers and cobras. So it seems there are still snakes of some variety, although they are presumably no longer poisonous.

After the Flood, God told humankind to eat meat to give them greater strength so that they could survive the rigors of life outside the Garden of Eden. But in the Millennium, if nothing is going to bring pain and hurt, then it would seem that the killing of livestock and game for meat is no longer going to occur. Therefore we can assume that people will revert to the vegetarian diet that was maintained before the Flood. And not only humankind, but all the carnivorous animals will also revert to a herbivorous diet. It appears that the conditions which will make it possible for people to live for hundreds of years will also result in humankind and the carnivorous animals no longer needing meat to survive.

Although much of the Curse will have been removed during the Millennium for those who obey, there will still be conditions.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who is left of all the nations which came against Jerusalem shall go up from year to year to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, and to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. And it shall be that whichever of the families of the Earth do not come up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the Lord of hosts, on them there will be no rain. If the family of Egypt will not come up and enter in, they shall have no rain; they shall receive the plague with which the Lord strikes the nations who do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles. This shall be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not come up to keep the Feast of Tabernacles.

Zechariah 14:16–19

The Feast of Tabernacles is an old Jewish festival that was observed on the fifteenth day of the seventh month to commemorate the wandering of Israel in the wilderness. We don’t know if this is the actual feast that is being celebrated in the Millennium or whether this is symbolic, or whether everyone will need to travel to the physical city of Jerusalem yearly to celebrate it, but what is clear is that those who do not recognize the Lord’s authority and worship Him will suffer as a result.

Apparently another part of the Curse or consequence of the Fall of Man was a change in the climate. Adam and Eve were created naked, and they needed no clothes until they sinned and left the Garden. Then God had to clothe them with furs and skins of animals. It must have either suddenly turned cold or it was cold outside of the Garden. With the curse being alleviated, the climate in the Millennium is likely to be more pleasant overall. As far as we know, the North and South Poles will be frozen and there will probably be tropical and temperate zones. However, the extremes of weather we experience today will most likely be moderated except in specific instances where the Lord will use droughts and possibly other extreme weather conditions as punishments on errant peoples.

Interspersed among the prophecies of Isaiah and other prophets are tantalizing glimpses of what the restored Earth shall look like.

The wilderness and the wasteland shall be glad for them, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose; it shall blossom abundantly and rejoice, even with joy and singing. The glory of Lebanon shall be given to it, the excellence of Carmel and Sharon. They shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God.

Isaiah 35:1–2

God will restore the arid plains and deserts to their former fertile nature, and they will become lush with vegetation. They will be as glorious as Lebanon once was, when it was covered with beautiful forests of giant cedar trees.

One of the major problems in our current age is the continuing depletion of our potable and fresh water resources. But it looks like the Lord is going to reverse that trend.

For waters shall burst forth in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. The parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water; in the habitation of jackals, where each lay, there shall be grass with reeds and rushes.

The poor and needy seek water, but there is none, their tongues fail for thirst. I, the Lord, will hear them; I, the God of Israel, will not forsake them. I will open rivers in desolate heights, and fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land springs of water. I will plant in the wilderness the cedar and the acacia tree, the myrtle and the oil tree; I will set in the desert the cypress tree and the pine and the box tree together, that they may see and know, and consider and understand together, that the hand of the Lord has done this, and the Holy One of Israel has created it.

Isaiah 35:6–7; 41:17–20

In addition to these physical changes that will make our Earth better, many of today’s problems will be solved by the removal of our spiritual enemy, the Devil, and all his forces and their evil influences, and the curses they had brought upon the Earth (Revelation 20:1–3; Jude 6). All of these will have been conquered and banished from the Earth during this 1000-year period, so even the natural forces of creation are no longer struggling to survive against their satanic enemies and the Devil’s pests as they are today.

Imagine a life without the enemy of our souls and his afflictions and diseases, and pests and poisonous plants and vicious animals and sadistic wars and the rush of the mad rat race to get ahead. Imagine life in a near perfect environment with all the so-called natural problems and curses, storms, and catastrophes mostly eliminated. No more bugs and blights to eat the crops and destroy the produce. Very little disease and sickness to sap people’s energies; no more fighting the elements, the heat and cold and storms of a hostile environment of destructive forces.

Humankind will be tremendously relieved from so many of these threats of stress and strain, and the rush and pressures of the past that caused so many illnesses as well. Everything will move slowly, safely, leisurely, easily, and pleasurably, with little or no danger at all.

It’s going to be like Heaven on Earth!

Why Forgiveness Changes Everything

March 3, 2023

By Sean McDowell

In a talk to college students, Sean shares one of the biggest lessons he’s learned since college. He discusses Matthew 18:21–35 and why forgiveness is part of our witness and one of our greatest apologetics today.

Run time for this video is 25 minutes.

https://youtu.be/xXSPxkx4WDY

The Harmony of Natural Law Is Evidence of God’s Design

March 2, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 9:15

Download Audio (8.4MB)

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world.—Psalm 19:1–4

For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.—Romans 1:20

This most beautiful system of the sun, planets, and comets, could only proceed from the counsel and dominion of an intelligent and powerful Being. … This Being governs all things, not as the soul of the world, but as Lord over all; and on account of His dominion He is wont to be called Lord God, or Universal Ruler.—Isaac Newton¹

A scientist’s religious feeling takes the form of rapturous amazement at the harmony of natural law, which reveals an intelligence of such superiority that, compared with it, all the systematic thinking and acting of human beings is an utterly insignificant reflection.—Albert Einstein²

For me, the idea of a creation is not conceivable without invoking the necessity of design. One cannot be exposed to the law and order of the universe without concluding that there must be design and purpose behind it all… My experiences with science led me to God. They challenge science to prove the existence of God. But must we light a candle to see the sun?—Wernher von Braun³

I can see how it might be possible for a man to look down upon the earth and be an atheist, but I cannot conceive how a man could look up into the heavens and say there is no God.—Abraham Lincoln⁴

Two things fill the mind with ever new and increasing admiration and awe, the more often and steadily we reflect upon them: the starry heavens above me and the moral law within me.—Immanuel Kant⁵

If the solar system was brought about by an accidental collision, then the appearance of organic life on this planet was also an accident, and the whole evolution of man was an accident, too. If so, then all our present thoughts are mere accidents—the accidental by-products of the movements of atoms. And this holds for the thoughts of the materialists and astronomers as well as for anyone else’s. But if their thoughts—that is, of materialism and astronomy—are merely accidental by-products, why should we believe them to be true? I see no reason for believing one accident should be able to give a correct account of all the other accidents.—C. S. Lewis⁶

We are in the position of a little child entering a huge library filled with books in many different languages. The child knows someone must have written those books. It does not know how. It does not understand the languages in which they are written. The child dimly suspects a mysterious order in the arrangement of the books but doesn’t know what it is. That, it seems to me, is the attitude of even the most intelligent being toward God. We see a universe marvelously arranged and obeying certain laws, but only dimly understand those laws. Our limited minds cannot grasp the mysterious force that moves the constellations.—Albert Einstein⁷

In 1968 one of the astronauts who had traveled to the moon and back was asked by a reporter if he had seen God, as a Russian astronaut was reported to have said he hadn’t seen God. Frank Borman answered quite distinctly, “I can’t comment on what he didn’t see, but I saw evidence that God lives.” About seeing the earth rise for the first time on the moon, he said, “This must be what God sees. I was absolutely awestruck.”⁸—Dennis Edwards

Newton was a devout man who wrote extensively on religion during his life. His work in physics never changed his beliefs. “Gravity explains the motions of the planets,” he wrote, “but it cannot explain who set the planets in motion.” Newton went further. He couldn’t believe that God simply wound up the universe like a clock and then let it go. It left no room for things like divine intervention. And that’s something Newton couldn’t bring himself to accept. “God governs all things,” he wrote, “and knows all that is or can be done.” Newton the physicist saw the universe as a divine machine; and God the divine mechanic, ever-ready to provide a needed tune-up.—Andrew Boyd⁹

The more we learn about the creation, the more I am impressed with the orderliness and unerring perfection of the natural laws that govern it.—Wernher von Braun¹⁰

All human discoveries seem to be made only for the purpose of confirming more strongly the truths contained in the Holy Scriptures.—Sir John Herschel¹¹

People can’t help but believe in God if they just look at creation. All they have to do is look at creation to know Somebody had to design it, pattern it, put it together, and make it work like it does. God’s beautiful creation works so beautifully, so systematically, so perfectly, it’s obvious that all that didn’t just happen by accident. Creation, so-called Nature, is not just natural. It’s God-created. It’s supernatural. It’s miraculous! The greatest proof of God’s existence is His creation.—David Brandt Berg

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world.—C. S. Lewis¹²

Compiled by Dennis Edwards. Published on Anchor March 2023.
Read by Simon Peterson. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Isaac Newton, The Principia: Mathematical Principles of Natural Philosophy, 1687.

² Albert Einstein, “The Religiousness of Science,” in The World as I See It (Rudolf Kayser, 1934), 29.

³ Wernher von Braun, Letter to the California State Board of Education, September 14, 1972.

⁴ Recollection by Gilbert J. Greene, quoted in The Speaking Oak (1902) by Ferdinand C. Iglehart and Latest Light on Abraham Lincoln (1917) by Ervin S. Chapman.

⁵ Immanuel Kant, Critique of Pure Reason, 1781.

⁶ C. S. Lewis, “Answers to Questions on Christianity,” in God in the Dock (Grand Rapids, 1970), 52–53.

⁷ Albert Einstein, cited in Denis Brian, Einstein: A Life (New York: John Wiley and Sons, 1996), 186.

⁸ Christian Provstgaard, “Men on the Moon: Stories of the Apollo program and the Space Race, 1957–1972,” https://cprovstgaard.blogspot.com/.

⁹ Andrew Boyd, “Physics or Metaphysics,” Engines of Our Ingenuity (blog), https://www.uh.edu/engines/epi2434.htm.

¹⁰ Erik Bergaust, Wernher von Braun (Stackpole Books, 1976), 113.

¹¹ John Herschel (1792–1871), British astronomer who discovered more than 500 stars; as quoted in the Evidence Bible compiled by Ray Comfort under comment on Psalm 33:8.

¹² C. S. Lewis, in Jeramy and Jerusha Clark, Define the Relationship (Waterbrook, 2009), 14.

How to Count It All as Loss

March 1, 2023

By John Piper

What does it mean to count everything as loss for the sake of Christ? What does it mean to renounce all that we have for Christ’s sake?

Paul said he does this. “I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:8). And a few verses later he said, “Brothers, join in imitating me” (Philippians 3:17). So this is commanded of all believers.

(Read the article here.)

How to Count It All as Loss | Desiring God

Slow to Speak

February 28, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 11:50

Download Audio (10.8MB)

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.—James 1:19

This is one of those Scripture passages that most everyone, whether Christian or not, is familiar with. The basic meaning is pretty clear: that we need to value the opinions and thoughts of others as much as our own, and not to let what anyone says offend us. It’s easy to see the wisdom in this notion.

James used the principle to show how conversation can be a path to relationship. Our choices, he reminded, can open the door to more positive outcomes for all sides, and even to deeper connections. St. Ignatius later wrote that listening well puts us in another’s shoes, so that our empathy for them will grow: “Be slow to speak, and only after having first listened quietly, so that you may understand the meaning … and wishes of those who do speak. Thus you will better know when to speak and when to be silent.” …

The instruction of [James 1] verse 19 may be simple to understand, but not easy to implement, because it can feel unnatural. With our self-centered human nature, we want to take care of ourselves first. Making sure we are heard and understood is a good instinct—but we must temper that with a desire to give others the same consideration.

The main challenge of being “slow to speak” is to let go of the need to always be first and to be right every time. It requires us to listen to what another person says with an attitude of respect and patience. And when we don’t agree, we need to replace jumping to judgment with a desire for dialogue.

Stepping back and giving other people grace to express themselves is more than just being polite. It’s a practical way to show God’s love and spread His peace into an anxious world. And in return, we receive the blessing of growing more like Christ.

We gain a greater sense of His empathy for others.
We gain more of His clarity and wisdom.
We gain a deeper kind of joy from reaching out with His love.—Heather Adams¹

Being “quick to listen” means that we train ourselves to wait for the whole story before diving in with our opinion. “Slow to speak” is the flip side of that. We control our words and don’t blurt out everything that comes into our heads. …

When we discipline ourselves to listen more than we talk, we can learn a lot. Big talkers are hard to teach. They think they already know everything they need to know, and they constantly express their opinions. Wise people have learned that more wisdom can be gained by listening, observing, and not rushing to judgment. Proverbs 10:19 says, “When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.”

The old adage is right: “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open one’s mouth and remove all doubt.” How many relationships have been damaged or ruined because we were slow to listen and quick to speak? How many mistakes could have been avoided had we only listened instead of talked? …

Most of us are not naturally quick to listen, but we can train ourselves to be better listeners. Good listening is active. It engages with the speaker. It understands the speaker’s perspective, even if we disagree. When people feel heard, they are more willing to listen to our side. Being quick to listen actually opens the door to greater communication because listening shows respect, and when people feel respected, they are more likely to return that respect and listen to us. It is important for us to be quick to listen and slow to speak. God’s Word always shows us the best way, and when we follow it, we are blessed.— GotQuestions.org²

Sometimes in life, what we need more than anything is someone to simply listen. An ear that will take in all the rumblings of an apprehensive heart and not feel the need to say a thing. A person who will not be in a rush to try to make it right.

I’ve always been a better talker than a listener. In fact, a well-meaning teacher once made me memorize James 1:19, which says, “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger …” Up until recently, I had viewed this verse as the voice from my childhood, saying, “Lynn, you talk too much.” Recently, though, I began to look at it as instruction for my roles today as daughter, mother, wife, friend, or co-laborer—a challenge not just to talk less but to truly listen to those around me.

James gives us the wisdom and the challenge to be the empathic listeners others desperately need. He calls each of us, no matter what role we are filling at the moment, to slow down and listen.

Not mentally preparing to share a story from my life.

Not scrolling through the verses I can recall so I can adhere a Band-Aid on their sadness.

Not reminding them to look on the bright side so I can dismiss their feelings that are making me uncomfortable.

Not moving on so I can get to what’s left on my to-do list. (Yes, I’ve made all of these mistakes before!)

Instead, James, while reminding us we are loved, calls us to move quickly to a position of listening and to move slowly, even with caution, to a place of speaking.

I am so challenged by James’ words. I’m a get-’er-done kind of gal who wants to set things right so I can move on to setting other things right. James reminds me: Getting things done is not the goal. Loving people well is the goal. Listening is loving people well.—Lynn Cowell³

One of the greatest lacks for many people in this world today is the lack of connection with others. Families are scattered, friendships are torn apart by the stress and the struggles of daily life. Marriages often become partnerships of convenience instead of the foundation for raising stable, faith-filled families.

In the “me first” culture that pervades much of the world and with the increased levels of crime, even in small towns and villages, it can be hard to know who you can turn to in times of need. The moral decline in society at large can leave people feeling alone, fearful, and lacking the peace of mind and motivation that positive human interaction and mutual trust help to foster.

You have something powerful in your hands, if you will only use it. It is the tool of listening. Even if you feel right now that you don’t have a broken heart for those who need Me, if you will make a concerted effort to listen to others, you’ll begin to discover things you might not have noticed before: their desire to be of value to others, their need to be cared about and to be understood.

The need to be heard goes unfulfilled in many lives. As you realize how sad and lonely this makes people, you will feel constrained to be a listening ear. The compassion that you will feel will be a manifestation of My love for them. The fact that someone sees them as important enough to listen to them helps them to build confidence and a positive outlook. You can’t fix their every problem, but you can convey My hope, My love, and My strength to them through the simple act of listening.—Jesus

Published on Anchor February 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/spiritual-life/how-can-being-slow-to-speak-heal-us.html.

² https://www.gotquestions.org/quick-listen-slow-speak.html.

³ https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/08/17/let-me-love-you-well.

The Light of the World

February 27, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 8:21

Download Audio (7.6MB)

In John chapter 8, we find one of Jesus’ “I Am” sayings: “Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).

Understanding the context of when and where Jesus made this statement adds extra insight to its meaning. The eighth chapter of John begins with the story of the woman who was caught committing adultery, and then moves on to Jesus’ statement about being the light of the world. Most commentators consider the story of the woman to be out of context within the story line of the Gospel. If one skips over the first eleven verses (the story of the woman), then the second part of chapter eight seems to flow from chapter seven. Let’s take a closer look:

Chapter seven begins by stating that Jesus was in Galilee and that the Feast of Booths was at hand. (This feast is also sometimes referred to as the Feast of Tabernacles, and is still practiced today in the Jewish faith.) The Feast of Booths is a seven-day festival celebrated in September or early October, and at the end of the festival, there is an eighth day of rest as per God’s command (Leviticus 23:39, 42–43).

Jesus delayed going to Jerusalem for the feast, and when He did go, He did so privately (John 7:10). We are then told that, “About the middle of the feast Jesus went up into the temple and began teaching” (John 7:14).

His teaching stirred controversy, as some who heard Him thought He was the Messiah while others wanted Him arrested. It’s at this point in the story where the woman caught committing adultery enters the picture, but once that story ends, the account returns to Jesus speaking at the festival. While it doesn’t specifically state that He was still at the festival, what He said suggests that He was.

There were two ceremonies associated with the Feast of Tabernacles in Jesus’ time—the “pouring out of water” and the “temple illumination.” On each day of the festival, the priests drew water from the Pool of Siloam and brought it in a procession to the temple with the joyful sounding of the trumpet, which celebrated God’s supply of water from a rock during the desert wandering of Israel.¹

In chapter seven, we read that “On the last day of the feast, the great day, Jesus stood up and cried out, ‘If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, ‘Out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.’ Now this he said about the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were to receive, for as yet the Spirit had not been given, because Jesus was not yet glorified” (John 7:37–39). Jesus speaking about living water during this festival would have been understood within the context of the water procession.

Another part of the festival was the temple illumination. During the festival, in a part of the temple complex called the court of women, four huge golden lamp stands, each with four large lamps, were lit in an evening ceremony. This ceremony commemorated the pillar of fire which led the Israelites in the wilderness: “The LORD went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night” (Exodus 13:21).

When Jesus made the statement “I am the light of the world” in John chapter eight, it was probably in this setting. Within this chapter, this is a stand-alone statement, as once He said it, the Pharisees began disputing with Him. However, John includes several references to Jesus being light, especially in the first chapter of his Gospel: “In him was life, and the life was the light of men”; “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it”; “the true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world” (John 1:4–5, 9).

Later in this Gospel—when the crowd asked Jesus, “How can you say that the Son of Man must be lifted up? Who is this Son of Man?” (John 12:34)—Jesus responded in a manner that once again pointed to Himself as light:

“The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you. The one who walks in the darkness does not know where he is going. While you have the light, believe in the light, that you may become sons of light” (John 12:35–36).

The call to believe in the light is the same as Jesus saying, “Believe in Me.” Becoming sons of light means becoming people who belong to God. “You are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9).

In John chapter three, right after saying that God loved the world so much that He sent His Son, Jesus referred to Himself as the Light:

“And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed. But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God” (John 3:19–21).

Those who do not believe in the Light are condemned, while those who believe aren’t; just as Jesus had said earlier that whoever believes in God’s Son “should not perish but have eternal life,” “but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:16, 18). Believing in the Light is required for salvation, and that Light is Jesus. In the book of Isaiah, when speaking of the coming age of the kingdom, reference is made to the “Servant of the Lord” who would be “as a light for the nations, that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth,” and “the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory” (Isaiah 49:6; 60:19).

God, who is Light and the giver of light, sent His Son Jesus, the Light which has come into the world, to bring life. Those who follow this Light “will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). In the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus said: “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:14–16).

Jesus likens those who believe in Him to stationary light sources: a city on a hill, a lamp on a lamp stand. Our light, as believers, reflects the light of Christ, the Light of the world, the Light which has come into the world. As we walk in His light, we reflect Him and are a witness to others. “For God, who said, ‘Let light shine out of darkness,’ has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6).

Originally published February 2018. Adapted and republished February 2023. Read by Jerry Paladino.

¹ Leon Morris, The Gospel According to John (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995), 372, 388.

Made in the Image and Likeness of God

Peter Amsterdam

2015-08-10

God said, ‘Let us make man in our image, after our likeness’ … So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him.¹

Human beings (both male and female) were created in the image and likeness of God. God was saying that He was going to create beings that were like Him. He wasn’t saying that humans would be exactly like Him or that those He was about to create would be divine like He is, but rather that human beings would possess some similarities to God.

Human beings were made to have similarities to God. Even though Adam and Eve sinned and were separated from God, and through sin all of humanity is separated from God, this hasn’t caused the image and likeness to be completely lost. After destroying all humanity in the flood, except for Noah and his family, God reiterated that humans are made in His image. In the New Testament, reference is also made to people being in God’s image: God made man in His own image.²

While humans are still in the image and likeness of God, it’s not exactly the same as it was before the fall. Prior to the fall, Adam and Eve were pure and able not to sin. While they could choose to sin, they could also choose not to sin. After the fall they were different. Their moral purity was gone, and the desire and ability to stay aligned with God’s will was distorted. From that point on, humans were sinners by nature, and while they can refrain from sinning sometimes, by nature they sin and don’t have the ability to not sin. Though we are still in the image of God, that image has become altered due to sin.

The original human nature was that of prefallen man, but human nature ever since the fall has been corrupted by the effects of sin. Thankfully, as Christians, we can counter some of the effects of our fallen nature through believing, abiding in, absorbing, and applying God’s Word; and at the time of the resurrection of the dead, when Christians are raised in glory and reunited with their bodies, we will be freed from the effects of our fallen human nature.

Humanity’s unique features

As humans are the only creatures that God states are made in His image and likeness, this makes humans significantly different from all of the animal creation. While animals might have some elements of these features, or have them to some degree, man has them in a qualitatively greater fashion.

As God is a plural being in the Trinity, in a similar fashion, human beings reflect some of that plurality in that man and woman are two which become one flesh in marriage. Humans are personal beings. We interact and establish deep and complex relationships with others.

We have self-awareness; we are conscious of ourselves, of our own existence. We can know, examine, and judge ourselves. We are moral beings and have an inner sense of right and wrong.

We possess free will and self-determination. We have the ability to choose among options, and having decided on an option, we can move toward achieving that goal.

Our immaterial invisible spirits are immortal. God has always existed, and immortality is part of His essence. And being in His likeness (though not exactly like Him), the spirits of human beings are immortal in that they live forever after their separation from the body at death.

We are rational creatures with the ability to think logically, to reason, to be aware of the past, present, and future. We experience a wide range of emotions.

We are creative. While we don’t create to the degree that God does, we possess creativity of ideas and thought and thus can “create” new music, art, or literature. We can think of new ideas and possibilities and bring them into being. We use complex language to communicate.

There are other ways in which God’s image and likeness are manifest within humankind, but these are some of the most significant.

Original goodness

The Bible says that when God completed creation, He stated that everything He made was very good. This included Adam and Eve. It also says that man was made upright.

God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good. And there was evening and there was morning, the sixth day.³

Having been created very good, with elements of knowledge, righteousness, and holiness, would mean that Adam and Eve were not created in a state of innocence with moral neutrality, but rather were created morally upright. From the time they were created until the time they sinned, Adam and Eve were morally upright and were capable of not committing sin.

When Adam and Eve sinned, they continued to be in the image and likeness of God; however, they were not as fully like God as they had been. They were no longer morally upright as they once had been, because they had chosen to disobey God’s command. It corrupted the original human nature.

It also changed their relationship with God, as they were sent away from Eden and blocked from returning “lest he reach out his hand and take also of the tree of life and eat, and live forever.” Along with this, physical death entered into humanity. God telling them that if they ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil they would surely die, implies that if they didn’t eat of it, they wouldn’t have died. Exactly how that would have happened, Scripture doesn’t tell us, but it does express that death entered humanity due to sin.

God’s plan of salvation

Adam and Eve sinning brought changes in humanity of epic proportions. The consequences of their sin brought a separation between God and humankind. It caused a distortion and degradation within the image of God in man so that man was no longer morally pure, causing men to live in a state of sinfulness, no longer having the ability to not sin. Thus God’s Word says that all men have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.⁴

While the human spirit lives beyond the death of the physical body, the body returns to dust, in accordance with God’s judgment for sin.

The consequences of sin among humanity are deeply connected to God’s plan of salvation. In Jesus’ incarnation, death, resurrection, and return, these consequences are overcome. His death and resurrection have brought about the salvation of our souls, meaning that the sins of humanity have been atoned for by Christ and that atonement is available to all who accept Him. The separation between God and the believer is no longer there, as Jesus’ death has brought reconciliation between God and those who have received His Son.

You, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, He has now reconciled in His body of flesh by His death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before Him.⁵

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by His life. More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.⁶

While all the bodies of believers die, at Jesus’ return their bodies will rise from the dead (the bodies of those believers who are alive at that time will be immediately changed), and their spirits will be joined with their resurrection bodies, and their rejoined bodies and spirits will live forever.

Through God’s love, grace, and mercy, manifest in Jesus’ death and resurrection, humans have been given the opportunity to overcome all of the effects of their sins and fallen nature. Physical death will be defeated as we rise from the dead and receive resurrected, imperishable bodies. The spiritual separation caused by sin will be gone and fellowship with God will be fully restored. Instead of being like the first man, the man of dust, Adam, we will be like the man from heaven, Jesus,⁷ and will bear His image.⁸

Originally published July 2012. Adapted and republished August 2015.
Read by Jon Marc.

¹ Genesis 1:26–27.

² James 3:9.

³ Genesis 1:31.

⁴ Romans 3:23.

⁵ Colossians 1:21–22.

⁶ Romans 5:10–11.

⁷ 1 Corinthians 15:47.

⁸ 1 Corinthians 15:49.

February 25

Set Apart
“Ye shall be named the priests of the LORD” ( Isaiah 61:6).

This literal promise to Israel belongs spiritually to the seed after the Spirit, namely, to all believers. If we live up to our privileges, we shall live unto God so clearly and distinctly that men shall see that we are set apart for holy service and shall name us the priests of the LORD. We may work or trade as others do, and yet we may be solely and wholly the ministering servants of God. Our one occupation shall be to present the perpetual sacrifice of prayer, and praise, and testimony, and self-consecration to the living God by Jesus Christ.

This being our one aim, we may leave distracting concerns to those who have no higher calling. “Let the dead bury their dead.” It is written, “Strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vine-dressers,” They may manage politics, puzzle out financial problems, discuss science, and settle the last new quibbles of criticism; but we will give ourselves unto such service as becomes those who, like the LORD Jesus, are ordained to a perpetual priesthood.

Accepting this honorable promise as involving a sacred duty, let us put on the vestments of holiness and minister before the LORD all day long. (Faith Checkbook)

Discovering God’s Plan for Your Parenting

February 24, 2023

Focus on the Family with Gary Thomas

Gary Thomas, author of Sacred Parenting, describes how the parenting process can transform us, exposing our expectations and selfishness, and challenge our priorities. He reviews spiritual lessons parents can learn from raising kids, such as the power of guilt, why we need to listen, and the need for sacrifice. Gary addresses parental anger, the importance of joy, the process of kids leaving, and the reward.

Run time for this video is 24 minutes.

https://youtu.be/oKIQdvGGPek

Faith for the Journey

February 23, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 13:34

Download Audio (12.4MB)

I have prepared your heart and spirit for your journey, and your spiritual bags are packed with all that you will need. Whenever you feel you’re lacking something, you can seek Me and My Word for the guidance and answers you need. The place where you’re at right now is where you need to be to be ready for what’s ahead. You might not feel like you have everything figured out, or that you’re ready for any situation that might come your way, but you can trust that I will give you grace for each day.

Sometimes the path of My will winds through challenging places, and you have to trust in Me for the long haul, no matter what instability or changes come your way. Your faith has to be grounded in My Word and My promise to you that I will never leave you nor forsake you. Your faith has to be centered on Me, as the author and perfecter of your faith. You can make it through whatever lies ahead because I am with you and My Spirit will comfort and guide you.

Run with patience

Remember to run the race set before you with patience and endurance—take a few deep breaths and pace yourself. The race is not finished on the first lap. You might make really good time on the first lap, and you might even feel great after the second one, but you need to pace yourself to run the distance to complete the course.

When your trust is placed in Me, you have the faith for whatever lies ahead and you won’t faint. But if you’re worried and fearful, then each change that comes along will seem like a mountain, and you can grow weary or fainthearted.

Running a marathon is all about putting one foot in front of the other and not stopping, but just taking one more step. Continue to be determined and don’t let anything deter you from the course. Trust that I am leading the way and that as you follow where I’m leading, you’re heading in the right direction.

Preparation for the eternal weight of glory

You’ve experienced a lot throughout your journey of faith, and you have learned that the best thing to do is to trust Me. You’ve seen from experience that I know what’s best, and that I care for every aspect of your life. You still have apprehensions at times, and you wonder if you still have what it takes to keep fighting the good fight of faith, but you’ve seen Me always come through for you and give you the strength and help that you’ve needed.

You’ve often claimed My promise that I would give you the strength and endurance for every challenge, and the fact that you’re still faithful is proof of that. Remember that the trial of your faith works patience and is preparing you for a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory (James 1:3; 2 Corinthians 4:17).

As you keep your eyes on Me and remember that I am the author and finisher of your faith, that will give you confidence and peace, regardless of what challenges come your way. As you put your trust in My promises to you, you can know that I will work all things together for your good.

Just as every work of art bears the artist’s signature and traits, you will find My signature and clearly see My craftsmanship in your life all the way to the end of the journey.

Scaling life’s mountains

Your faith journey is all about scaling life’s mountains. From peak to peak, you have to choose to keep pressing on. You’re not going to be satisfied just knowing that once upon a time a while back you climbed a mountain.

You’re looking ahead, and you’re not doing so for monetary gain or for earthly recognition. You’ve chosen the faith walk because you seek a country that is heavenly; therefore I am not ashamed to be called your God, for I have prepared for you a city—heaven (Hebrews 11:16). Continue to be a wise investor in this life and invest in what really matters.

During times of change and uncertainty about your future, I ask you to look at your past and My workings in and through your life. You have experienced many challenges in your life and have weathered many storms; you’ve been in distress, in physical pain, seemingly forsaken and alone, you’ve faced criticism and obstacles. You’ve faced health challenges, you’ve seen loved ones die, you’ve had personal crises of faith. But no matter what you have faced, I have always been with you.

I know that you’re truly thankful for how I have worked in your life and in the lives of others. And it’s not simply because I turned the situation around, but because I had a plan for you and for your life. Though it was different from your idea of a perfect plan, in the end you saw that it was a good plan.

As you walk through times of uncertainty, not knowing what’s in store for you, trust that I will hold your hand and I will provide adequate love, faith, grace, and reassurance to meet every challenge until that perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

Dwelling in the secret place

Times of major life changes can be unsettling, especially if you don’t know what the outcomes will be. You know in your heart—and I’ve promised you—that I will work all things together for your good as My beloved child. But it requires faith to believe and put aside worries and doubts.

It’s your natural tendency to avoid thinking about things that will worry or upset you. That makes things seem easier in the short term, but it isn’t a good long-term solution, because you’re only addressing the symptoms of the problem, not the root.

You might feel as though there’s nothing you can do about the future, but there is a lot you can do to be spiritually prepared, by continuing to strengthen your faith and striving to stay close to Me and to dwell in My secret place of refuge.

Let Me carry the weight

Times of change often bring turbulence, fluctuation, and a certain level of insecurity. If everything in your life was settled, figured out, and you felt that you were in control, you could lose sight of the end goal. The process of change is often uncomfortable, but necessary for growth. At such times, some old things must pass away to make room for the new.

You have many questions about what lies ahead in your future, and here is an important approach for dealing with times of change: “Walk with Me 101.” Remember that I am your Anchor and the only true constant in your life. I am your Rock—the One that will never change.

I will always love you. I died for your sins. Whatever path your life takes, and however and whenever it may physically end, the conclusion will remain unchanged: You are Mine, and I ransomed your life through My death on the cross. This is what you need to remind yourself of and to dwell on regardless of what’s happening around you. I am Your constant, and you can trust Me. You can count on My Spirit to lead and guide you. This will never change.

You didn’t sign up for the life of a disciple thinking that you would understand it all. You signed up to follow Me. When Peter asked Me about John, and said, “What about this man, Lord?” I said to him: “What is that to you? Follow Me” (John 21:21–22). You don’t know how this or that will work out? Follow Me. If you follow Me, I promise that one day you will understand.

I know that at those times when you can’t really see what lies ahead, but you start to get slight glimpses, it can be unsettling. As you keep your eyes fixed on Me, believing in Me, and trusting that I really do know what’s best, I can help you to navigate these times.

Don’t expect that all things in your life will make sense now. Just remember that you have given your life to Me and I have promised to work all things together for your good. My grace is sufficient for you. Some of the things that you are worried about may never happen, so thinking about them and trying to “gather up faith” for them is a waste of time and energy. Simply trust, believe, and follow Me, and you will find that I do all things well.

Focus on the present, and while you need to plan for the future, trust Me for today, tomorrow, and forever. Trust Me for every aspect of your future.

Originally published October 2009. Adapted and republished February 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Dooley.

Our Future Bodies

February 22, 2023

Scott MacGregor

“It is not yet disclosed (made clear) what we shall be [hereafter], but we know that when He comes and is manifested, we shall [as God’s children] resemble and be like Him, for we shall see Him just as He [really] is” (1 John 3:2).

The Bible tells us that those who believe in Jesus have eternal life. Eternal life is a long time to consider. As such, it merits some investigation as to what it’s going to be like and what we’re going to be like in it. This is one aspect of the hereafter that we have quite a bit of information on in the Bible. Some of that information we are told directly in Scripture and some of it we can deduce.

Humans have what is called a dichotomous nature. That is, we are made up of two components—a physical nature and a spiritual nature. Our physical body is temporal, while our spirit is eternal and will live on after we physically die. What a spirit looks like, we don’t know, because it’s invisible to the human eye. Ghosts—the spirits of the departed—are often depicted as see-through humans. But we don’t really know if our spirits will look like humans or not once we pass over to live in the spiritual realm.

We’re told that the spiritual realm is itself only a temporary home. So what is our permanent state going to be like? At the end of this current era in human history—at the point of Jesus’ long-awaited second coming—our spirits come to reside in supernatural bodies, bodies similar to (but a vast improvement on) our current physical bodies, as the apostle Paul explains:

“Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality” (1 Corinthians 15:51–53).

We know that while Jesus lived on earth, His was a mortal body just like ours, and that body died. At His resurrection, He came out of the tomb in this new type of body, often called a “resurrection body.” This body was quite different from His old one and yet in many ways the same. He was instantly recognized as a man, but it wasn’t apparent to those that saw Him that He was the resurrected Jesus.

What did Jesus look like during his 33-year life on earth? We don’t have a description of Him in Scripture. Four separate authors decided to write biographies of Him, yet none of them described His physical appearance. The only verses that allude to His looks are in prophecy in the Old Testament’s book of Isaiah, written many hundreds of years before His time: “He has no form or comeliness [royal, kingly pomp], that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him” (Isaiah 53:2).

That suggests that Jesus was quite ordinary in looks. He didn’t appear or act like He was the king He was. He was not a “beauty” to look at. His friends and disciples were looking for a plain, normal Jesus after His resurrection, and they didn’t recognize Him at first when they saw Him.

This suggests that Jesus, in His resurrected state, wasn’t immediately recognizable. Some of His disciples walked alongside Him on a road for seven miles and didn’t catch on that it was Him. I used to think that they were just too grief-stricken or traumatized to recognize Him, or perhaps Jesus miraculously kept His identity secret. But I now think it is more likely because He looked quite different.

John’s account of what happened at the grave on Easter morning indicates that Mary Magdalene—one of Jesus’ closest companions—didn’t recognize Him until He called her by name. “Mary stood weeping outside the tomb, and as she wept she stooped to look into the tomb. And she saw two angels in white, sitting where the body of Jesus had lain, one at the head and one at the feet. They said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping?’ She said to them, ‘They have taken away my Lord, and I do not know where they have laid him.’ Having said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing, but she did not know that it was Jesus. Jesus said to her, ‘Woman, why are you weeping? Whom are you seeking?’ Supposing him to be the gardener, she said to him, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have laid him, and I will take him away.’ Jesus said to her, ‘Mary.’ She turned and said to him in Aramaic, ‘Rabboni!’ (which means Teacher)” (John 20:11–16).

The apostles had been with Jesus for over three years. After His resurrection, He had already appeared to them more than once when He appeared to them again on the banks of the Sea of Galilee, and yet we read: “Morning was already breaking when Jesus came to the beach and stood there. However, the disciples did not know that it was Jesus” (John 21:4).

They had been fishing in a boat all night and had caught nothing. The penny didn’t drop even when Jesus called out to ask them how they had fared. It wasn’t till He caused them to catch more fish than they could haul in that John realized who He was. They must have still not been used to how He looked. Perhaps they didn’t recognize Him because He was so far away. But then you have to take into consideration that they were close enough to talk or at least shout to each other.

In the book of Matthew we are told: “Now after the Sabbath, near dawn of the first day of the week, Mary of Magdala and the other Mary went to take a look at the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake, for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled the boulder back and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning, and his garments as white as snow. And those keeping guard were so frightened at the sight of him that they were agitated and they trembled and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be alarmed and frightened, for I know that you are looking for Jesus, Who was crucified. He is not here; He has risen, as He said [He would do]’” (Matthew 28:1–6).

According to Matthew’s account, the guards saw the angel move the stone and sit on it, but they didn’t see Jesus come out. The apparent reason for this was that He had already left the tomb before the stone was rolled back. His new resurrection body could apparently pass through solid rock.

In Luke’s account of the two disciples that meet Jesus on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24, it explains that their eyes were at first “kept from recognizing him” and later instantly opened to where they recognized Jesus (Luke 24:13–16, 28–31). In this particular account they walked for miles with Jesus while He went through numerous Old Testament scriptures with them, explaining that the Messiah was going to have to endure rejection and death before He was glorified (Luke 24:27). This was such an unusual interpretation for a Jew to put to Messianic scripture that I am sure they would have caught on that this was no ordinary stranger pretty quickly if He hadn’t kept them from recognizing Him, and then vanished once they recognized Him. Thus we learn from this passage about Jesus’ resurrection body that it has the ability to vanish (Luke 24:31).

The Gospel of John tells us: “Then on that same first day of the week, when it was evening, though the disciples were behind closed doors for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, Peace to you!” (John 20:19)

And in Luke: “But they were so startled and terrified that they thought they saw a spirit. And He said to them, ‘Why are you disturbed and troubled, and why do such doubts and questionings arise in your hearts? See My hands and My feet, that it is I Myself! Feel and handle Me and see, for a spirit does not have flesh and bones, as you see that I have’” (Luke 24:37–39).

He vanished in one account and then, according to the passages above, He had the ability to appear in a room where the door was closed. Once again, though, He looked different, and this time they thought He was a ghost; He had to show them His wounds to convince them that He was who He said He was.

Here we are given another fascinating insight into this body. He is reported to have said He was flesh and bone. But what about blood? In a later passage, it talks about Thomas being told by the Lord to put his finger in the nail wounds and his hand in the spear wound in His side. “Then He said to Thomas, ‘Reach out your finger here, and see My hands; and put out your hand and place [it] in My side. Do not be faithless and incredulous, but [stop your unbelief and] believe!’” (John 20:27).

The wounds were still there in His body, apparently deep enough to put a finger and hand into. And if they were holes, they would be bleeding if there was blood there to be bled. Now if there is no blood, then the whole internal anatomy of the body is brought into question. Especially if you combine this with Paul’s comment that “flesh and blood cannot [become partakers of eternal salvation and] inherit or share in the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (that which is decaying) inherit or share in the imperishable (the immortal)” (1 Corinthians 15:50).

And that’s not all. This body can apparently fly: “And it occurred that while He was blessing them, He parted from them and was taken up into heaven” (Luke 24:51). “Even as they were looking [at Him], He was caught up, and a cloud received and carried Him away out of their sight” (Acts 1:9).

Yet the most amazing thing about this body is that it is immortal, and so will our resurrection bodies be: “So is it with the resurrection of the dead. What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. … When the perishable puts on the imperishable, and the mortal puts on immortality, then shall come to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory’” (1 Corinthians 15:42, 54).

Imagine life in an immortal body. Just think of the possibilities!

Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

A Hopeful Perspective

February 21, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 8:21

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My soul, wait in silence for God only,
For my hope is from Him.—Psalm 62:5

Can I suggest something that has helped me through the years and different hard circumstances?

If you are feeling powerless to change your circumstances and struggle to have a hopeful perspective, ask God to help you move from “what if” to “what is”… and from “what was” to “what now.”

These shifts in focus are not only change agents in our heart and mind, but they are also life-altering biblical ideas.

“What if” is a place we are often stuck in—a defeating, repeating pattern of questions without good answers that hinders our ability to move forward in life.

“What is” becomes a focal shift to the realities at hand; the possibilities that still exist; the hope we are afforded as believers; and the promise of heaven, the ultimate, evergreen prize.

“What was” is a place we often revert to and dwell in unnecessarily, rehashing painful things in our history, living in regret and resentment.

“What now” becomes our powerful new perspective for each and every day, which brings a new level of positivity, hope, and peace. … [W]hat can God do with your life now? Where can you find joy? What remains that can be used for eternal purposes?—Lisa Whittle¹

Brighter tomorrows

What does one do when their hopes and dreams get shattered? What should one do to move forward from disappointment to new hopes?

These were the questions I asked myself when I heard about a disappointing setback. A friend of mine and her family were going to team up with us on some of our volunteer projects. I was very much looking forward to it, but in the end, much to my dismay, it didn’t work out.

When I heard the news, a quote popped into my mind: “The future is as bright as the promises of God.” That sounded nice, but what promises? I was reminded of several Bible verses: “All things work together for good to those who love God” (Romans 8:28). “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take” (Proverbs 3:5–6). “I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you” (John 14:18). “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).

As I started pondering each of these verses, new hope flooded my soul. My mind went from an array of dark gray tones to a bright and fully colored vivid image: this situation isn’t the end of the road, neither for me nor for them. God knows the big picture, and He has something wonderful in store for all.

True, the development was disappointing for me. But when I filtered it through God’s promises, I was able to see a completely fresh new leaf turning for my friend and her family—a page full of new and awesome possibilities. Excitement started welling up inside me and I couldn’t wait to hear of the wonderful opportunities that would open up for them.

This incident taught me that if we allow disappointment to cloud our eyes, our outlook becomes bleak, and it is difficult to see the future with faith and confidence. But if we let the rays of God’s promises shine into our minds, they create a light show that turns every shadow inside out. New hope starts forming, creating a positive blueprint for the future. Our positive, hopeful outlook enables us to see possibilities, and we can step out with confidence into brighter tomorrows.—Irena Žabičková

Jesus, our hope-giver

I am the resurrection and the life. Allow Me to take your broken dreams and replace them with new dreams. I am hope alive in you! When you feel discouraged, praise Me that I am the Hope-Giver. I am able to breathe new life into your soul. When you feel sad or depressed, look to Me as the One who brings beauty out of the ashes. Bring Me your praise even when you don’t feel like it. I am working behind the scenes to bring about My will for your life. When you worship Me, even though you are walking through trials, it makes My heart sing, and I pour out blessing on your life. I know at times it feels like I am not listening to the desires of your heart. Trust Me, My child. I am listening, and if it is best for you, I will give you what you ask. Praise Me by faith that My plans for your life are far beyond what you can imagine. Watch and see what I will do!—Jesus²

Reminding ourselves of our hope

While the challenges we face day by day may inevitably take up much of our time and attention, having hope can keep our minds and hearts focused on the Lord and our wonderful future with Him. Such hope can give us the courage and fortitude to stay positive and praiseful through the tests and trials and the ups and downs we face. When we remind ourselves of what is ahead—the assurance of our salvation and promised blessings for eternity—we can face our challenges courageously, with the sure knowledge that no matter what the outcome, we have the hope of a future with God.

Regularly reminding ourselves of our hope—our knowledge that we are saved, that God’s Spirit dwells within us, that Jesus sacrificed so that we can be in relationship with God, that He is present in our lives each day, and that we are assured of eternity with Him—should affect the way we think and feel about our life. When we live with this hope, we know that the eternal outcome will be glorious, and therefore we can better face the difficulties of life. Regularly reminding ourselves of the assurance of our salvation and what it means to our eternity can cause us to be more positive about our circumstances. We are wonderfully saved, and will spend forever in love, joy, and peace with God. As the bearers of such hope, we are called to likewise share that hope of glory with others, to do our best to represent Jesus to them, to love them as He does, and to humbly help them feel His love and care through us.

May we always consciously live with the hope we have through Christ, and share that hope with others, as Jesus shared it with us.—Peter Amsterdam

Published on Anchor February 2023. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/09/06/when-you-arent-sure-if-you-can-see-good-again.

² Becky Harling, The 30-Day Praise Challenge (David C. Cook, 2013). For scriptures referenced in this passage, see John 11:25; Isaiah 61:1–3; James 1:12; Hebrews 13:15.

Powerful Giving

February 20, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 8:00

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From our earliest days, one of the Family’s core characteristics has been the willingness to give. This sacrificial giving is manifested through you laying down your lives to reach the lost. It’s seen through the many times when you have placed the needs and eternal future of others first, when you have become one with those you minister to so you can help them understand God’s love.

It’s seen through your continued giving to others who need your help. It’s seen through your tithing and gifts that help produce the resources that extend our witness online and through mission works in areas that desperately need God’s truth. It’s manifested in your sacrificing of your time in caring for your families in the best way you can.

Many of you have been so wonderfully generous by hosting other members in their travels, helping them by gathering information they need, or assisting with their computers, vehicles, etc. These gifts that almost always require the giving of your time, and often your finances, are a tangible manifestation of the Lord’s love.

Peter and I believe you all deserve a huge amount of appreciation! Our hearts are full of admiration for you. We know that serving the Lord costs all of us in many ways, so we want to thank you on behalf of our wonderful Jesus and the millions of people you have helped in many ways (and that’s not an exaggeration) over the 50 years of the Family’s history.

You have shared the gospel with people in over 100 countries; you have influenced many to serve Jesus; you have kept many from giving up in their service for the Lord, and have even rescued some who wanted to give up on life.

Whether you’ve worked on a foreign mission field or in your home country, you have given to neighbors, friends, family members, those who have asked for your help, and sometimes those who didn’t even ask, but who the Lord laid on your hearts to help. Most people realize how priceless time is. When you invest your time in helping others, it is proof to them that you value them—and that God values them.

Another way that you’ve given for years, which is tremendously valuable and takes time and effort, is by sharing with others what the Lord has done in your life. Your testimonies can have a profound impact on those who hear or read them. I know how much I’m personally inspired when I read the testimonies that you’ve written for Anchor, the GNB, or Activated. Even if you don’t write articles, there are other ways many of you share your heart, thoughts, and experiences—through online videos and blog posts on YouTube, Facebook, or other sites, or by ministering to others through notes in your mail ministry; doing conferences, retreats, or seminars; or through writing songs and even books. When you do this, you share a part of you that blesses others.

I’ve found that the correspondence that you send to Peter and me includes confirmations and helpful examples that I can sometimes share with others. In addition, the Lord sometimes uses your experiences to remind us and encourage us to focus on a specific area that He wants to emphasize in our lives as well.

In a world where the predominant mindset is so often “me first,” you are examples of the priorities that Jesus has taught us to live by. Jesus never forgets how you have given to others.

On top of all the other ways you give, your financial gifts to TFIS and to individuals are a great blessing. Many of us have experienced how great a help it is when we receive a personal gift from one of our brethren. This is not only a blessing financially, but it is also an added motivator to keep giving to others in every way possible.

As you do what you can to give in whatever way the Lord asks you to each day, He’s going to provide above and beyond what you could ask or think in return. Perhaps what you have to offer seems small to you, compared to the great need, but God values your giving. No gift of your time, your money, your effort, or your prayers escapes His attention.

And speaking of prayer, let’s not forget that the gift of intercessory prayer is one of the most important ways that we can invest our time. Prayer has the power to go anywhere and help anyone. It can’t be stopped by prison walls or walls of sorrow, pain, or hopelessness. It can soften the hardest heart and restore what seems impossible to change. Prayer is motivated by trust in the only One who can do all things. That’s faith. It is guided by hope and the vision of all that God can do. The power of prayer can never be thwarted by evil because it is empowered by the essence of God’s Spirit, which is love.

Some of you might be feeling that you can’t do much anymore, that you don’t have much of a ministry. Maybe your health is weak and you can no longer serve the Lord in the same ways that you used to. Don’t be discouraged by your present circumstances, because no matter what, you can always pray, which is a tremendous ministry in itself. As the well-known saying goes, “Prayer is not the least you can do but the most you can do!”

Peter and I admire how whatever the need is, if it comes to your attention, you try to help. I think that’s a wonderful example of following in Jesus’ footsteps. He set everything else aside to minister to humankind, and then to die for each one of us. He gives us the privilege of dying daily for others, so they can see a glimpse of His love for them.

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.”—Luke 6:38

Originally published November 2019. Adapted and republished February 2023. Read by Debra Lee.

The Tongue: Life and Death

Virginia Brandt Berg

1970-01-02

Good morning and a sincere God bless you today. I have been praying that you will have a blessed and useful day as you walk in the light, as He is in the light. We’ve also been praying that our little broadcast will bring some spiritual help and comfort and encouragement from the Word of God.

This morning we’re going to talk to you about the tongue. We open with this little poem to introduce the subject.

If I knew that a word of mine,
A word not kind and true
Might leave its trace
On a loved one’s face,
I don’t think I’d speak it,
Would you?
If I knew the sting of a word
Might linger and leave its mark
With a deep dark scar
On a loved one’s heart,
I don’t think I’d speak that word,
Would you?

—Author unknown

There’s a wonderful scripture about this thought on the tongue. God’s Word says, “Behold also the ships, which though they be so great and are driven of fierce winds, yet they turn about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. Even so, the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things.

“Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth. And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among your members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature, and it is set on fire of hell. For every kind of beast and of birds and of serpents, of things in the sea is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind. But the tongue can no man tame: It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison” (James 3:4–8).

And so this small thing is around everybody’s house, around your house and my house! It’s such a small thing, so little—only about three or four inches long and a couple of inches wide—but it can cause complete havoc and wreck the whole day when it gets loose. It can give more trouble than all sickness. Of all the weapons of warfare, the tongue has been the greatest. When it gets loose—a tongue out of control, an unkind tongue, a bitter tongue, a tongue that says hard, critical, or bitter things—God’s Word speaks of it in this scripture we have just read you, it says, “It is set on fire of hell.”

Someone has said that the day that begins with a bad tongue, turned loose that is, finds even the dog taking to the woodshed, and the man of the house quickly finds a job in the backyard. Everybody suffers when such a tongue turns loose! It only takes one sentence to start things going wrong, doesn’t it? We’ll have a little more of what God’s Word says about this just a little bit later, but I want to call your attention to a couple of verses from the Old Testament.

I think that most of us want long life. Do you? Do you want to live a long and useful life, many days? God’s Word says, “Life and death are in the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). And Proverbs 12:18 says, “The tongue of the wise giveth health.” Proverbs 15:4, “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life.” Just think of it. Life and death are in the tongue. So for your very health’s sake, “keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking guile.” (Psalm 34:13) For your very life’s sake, watch your words. A loose, unkind, or uncontrolled tongue can be a hindrance to God’s healing you.

How often we wound someone with our tongue, maybe unintentionally, but unkind just the same: wounds in the heart of a loved one, blows from words. Some of us carry scars on our bodies from wounds, cuts, and so forth, but they don’t bother us; they only remind us of some trivial thing that happened years ago. But it’s so different with the scars on the heart left there by a bitter, angry tongue; some have never healed at all.

George Matthew Adams writes this:

“When I was a very small boy, I committed to memory a little poem by Mary T. Lathrop that impressed me very much:

If we knew whose feet were standing
Close beside the narrow stream,
If we knew whose eyes were closing
In the sleep that knows no dream,
We would be so kind and tender,
Lightly judge and gently speak.
Let us act as though we knew it,
For the links so quickly break.

Wounds in the heart are hidden deep; no one but the one who carries them around knows anything about them. They hurt sometimes in silence, and only the eye of the Maker sees them. But He sees them and He understands too. What a pity that we should wound a heart that may already be carrying a burden that you don’t know anything about! Maybe at that very moment they were yearning for some kind word of encouragement, but instead the words were spoken that wounded deeply and left the ugly scar.

It’s only a story, of course, but it’s told of a skilled anatomist who said, “This that I hold in my hand is a human heart.” One standing by said, “I’ve never seen anything like this before! What are those deep marks there?” And he answered, “Those are scars. Wait; let me examine a little closer. They are scars that have been made by unkind, cutting words. Oh, we find them on many hearts.” Then the other asked, “God forgive me, maybe they’re scars from my very own words. Tell me, does anyone ever die of wounds like this?” The anatomist said, “Yes, it does happen sometimes. But we express it by saying that they died of a broken heart. There are many ways of killing, you know, and that’s just one.”

There was a wound in a gentle heart,
Whence all life’s sweetness seemed to ebb and die.
And love’s confiding changed to bitter smart
While slow, sad years went by.
Yet as they passed, unseen an angel stole
And laid a balm of healing on the pain,
And now you see the heart made whole,
But oh, the scars remain.

—From Streams in the Desert by C. E. Cowman

I wonder why thoughtless, unkind words leap from our lips so quickly? Is there some remedy for such a thing? Is there victory for such a tongue? Thank God there is. And the victory begins with a change of heart, for words are but the outflow of the soul from which they proceed. If that soul has the baptism of God’s Spirit, they will be so filled with God’s love that every word will be filled with tender compassion, for “God is love.” (1 John 4:8)

There is only one way to change the unruly tongue permanently, and that is to transform the spirit that controls it. You can’t put on; you can’t pretend. Ask God to baptize you with His Spirit, for the baptism of the Holy Spirit is a baptism of love.

You can never control that tongue of yourself. The Word of God tells you this, as I just read: “The tongue can no man tame.” But God can tame it! God is God; nothing is impossible with God. Again the Scripture says, “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible,” (Matthew 19:26) even the control of that tongue.

Open your heart to Him. Yield yourself completely to Him. Ask Him to come in and fill you with His Holy Spirit. He’s promised to fill you with the Holy Spirit. The indwelling Christ can then speak through you, and your words will be as the apostle said, “words seasoned with salt.” (Colossians 4:6) Read God’s Word faithfully until you come into such an abiding relationship with Jesus Christ, that as He said, “My words abide in you” (John 15:7).

Christ is the only true source of all love, kindness, and sweetness, and as He takes possession of your whole life, He takes possession of your tongue, and His Words abide in you. Then the bitter, sharp, critical spirit is gone and He will live out His life through you. Listen to what Christ says: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man will open unto me, I will come in and sup with him, and he with me.” (Revelation 3:20) God can’t fail His Word. The promises of God are yea and amen to the glory of God. (2 Corinthians 1:20) Trust Him to do this. Believe His Word; He’s never failed.

I can’t explain to you right now how this transformation takes place, but it does. Then as His love and kindness flows through you, it will take possession of your God-possessed tongue. Your life will become a stream of blessing to all about you. As Paul said, “It is no longer I that live, but Christ that liveth in me.” (Galatians 2:20) Christ will speak through you; Christ will express Himself through you.

Holy Ghost, with light divine,
Shine upon this heart of mine.
Chase the shades of night away,
Turn my darkness into day.
Holy Ghost, with power divine,
Cleanse this guilty heart of mine.
Long sin did have control,
Hold dominion o’er my soul.
Holy Ghost, all divine,
Dwell within this heart of mine,
Cast down every idol-throne,
Reign supreme, and reign alone.

—Adapted from “Holy Ghost, with Light Divine,” by Andrew Reed (1788–1862)

Holy Spirit, come in and take possession of every heart and flow through their tongues.

Our Father God, we pray Thy blessing upon each hungry heart, each seeking soul. We ask today especially for these who have such a battle regarding their tongue or temper, or the quick, thoughtless, cutting words, the critical words that spring so quickly from the lips. Forgive, dear Lord. Cleanse and fill with Thy love. Give a new chance at life and eternity to these, Lord. We pray for a new beginning as they seek Thee for an infilling of Thy own precious Spirit that shall flow through them.

You promise that out of our innermost parts should flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38) We pray, Lord, that they shall seek Thee until they find Thee in all Thy satisfying fullness, as they come into possession of a real infilling of Thy precious Holy Spirit, Thy Spirit, Lord, to take control, in Jesus’ name, amen.

Faith in the Real World

Maria Fontaine

2010-12-05

People have often told me I have a lot of faith. But how does that play out in the real world? What tangible benefits does faith provide me with?

I like this quote that says, “Faith will beget in us three things: vision, venture, victory.”^[1]

Here is a list of the ways faith has helped my vision, venture and victory. In essence, it’s a list of God’s promises fulfilled.

Peace of mind. “And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”^[2]
Overcoming fear. “There is no fear in love, for perfect love casts out all fear.”^[3]
Certainty for the future. “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.”^[4]
Calmness. “He leadeth me beside the still waters.”^[5]
Stability. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.”^[6]
Understanding. This may seem like an odd one. How can I gain understanding through strengthening my faith, since faith is trusting God even if I don’t have the understanding? Well, I’ve found that it takes patience and an optimistic point of view to exercise faith, and as I do, I gain understanding in situations that would otherwise be confusing. By having faith and waiting on the Lord, I give the Lord time to speak to me and show me His mind. “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.”^[7]
Healing. I look at this as either physical, emotional, or spiritual healing. Whatever the need is, God will supply. “Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivereth him out of them all.”^[8]
Happiness. “For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.”^[9]
Resurrection. As Jesus can do this in the physical through raising the dead, and also do it in the spiritual through salvation, so can He do it just as powerfully when we feel dead emotionally or spiritually, and can’t possibly see the way ahead. The Lord can raise us up again to life.

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die. Believest thou this?”^[10]

Trust. My faith helps me not to be shaken or alarmed at bad news. “He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed (established), trusting in the Lord.”^[11]
Resting in Jesus. My faith helps me to be freed from pressure and stress. “They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.”^[12]
Strength of heart. My faith gives me strength to keep going. “I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.”^[13]“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen thine heart.”^[14]

I’ll close with a beautiful quote from George Mueller: “Faith does not operate in the realm of the possible. There is no glory for God in that which is humanly possible. Faith begins where man’s power ends.”

^[1] George W. Ridout.

^[2] Philippians 4:7.

^[3] 1 John 4:18.

^[4] Psalm 37:5.

^[5] Psalm 23:2b.

^[6] 2 Chronicles 20:20b.

^[7] Psalm 119:130.

^[8] Psalm 34:19.

^[9] Psalm 33:21.

^[10] John 11:25–26.

^[11] Psalm 112:7.

^[12] Psalm 125:1.

^[13] Psalm 27:13.

^[14] Psalm 31:24.

The God of Compassion

February 17, 2023

By Tim Keller

In some cultures or social locations, God isn’t seen as compassionate enough, because he allows terrible things to happen. In other cultures, he is seen as too compassionate and forgiving to people who have done terrible things. To fully understand the compassion of God, we have to look at what the Bible says about it.

At the end of this famous story of Jonah, the word “compassion” shows up three times—what does it tell us about the compassion of God? This sermon will look at the compassion of God under three headings: (1) What is the compassion of God? (2) What is the compassion of Jesus? (3) What is the compassion of you and me?

Run time for this podcast is 35 minutes.

https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/792d4bdd-5934-4bd1-b444-df5eb0a24c66/episodes/7d91b8a6-f7f0-415f-8d18-94f19965d564/timothy-keller-sermons-podcast-by-gospel-in-life-the-compassion-of-god

Stay True to Jesus

February 16, 2023

By David Brandt Berg

Audio length: 9:07

Download Audio (8.3MB)

The word “Christian” has lost a lot of its meaning in today’s world. In the Bible, they called the followers of Jesus disciples, and anybody who follows the teachings of Jesus Christ is going to be a misfit in this present world if they really believe and teach and do what Jesus and the apostles did!

Someone once said, “God has no grandchildren.” And it’s true! There’s no such thing as second-generation Christians. Every new generation has to make the choice. God’s Word says, “Every one of us must give an account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12).

Jesus told Peter, when he was concerned about what some of the other disciples would do, “What is that to thee? Follow thou Me” (John 21:22). We cannot hide behind others when it comes to our majesty of choice, when God is calling us and dealing with us personally! God wants you to make your own choices by faith according to your own faith and commit yourself to Him according to your own convictions—not your upbringing or your friends’, but yours!

Nobody can push and force you into making the right choices! No matter how much others pray for you or stand by you, it finally boils down to the fact that you have to make your own choices personally! Just like when God put Adam and Eve in the Garden and gave them their choice, so He gives each of us that great power and majesty of personal choice, and we can choose to do right or wrong, to go His way or our own way.

You can’t try to merely coast along on the faith of others. God’s Word says, “Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve” (Joshua 24:15), and “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5).

If you don’t personally stay committed in your heart to the Lord and His cause, it’s easy to forget from whence you’ve come and you can wind up coasting on former momentum and just going through the motions. If you’ve gone to sleep and left your engine running, you’ll run out of gas and coast to a stop.

But if you are growing, moving, serving, and continuing faithful to the Lord, you won’t have time to coast to a stop or get settled down and become brittle and unbendable or stuck in a rut. You’ll be a new bottle no matter how old you are. It’s your spirit that counts.

In spirit are you living that way now? With the same willingness, the same dedication, the same desire to serve Jesus with all your heart and soul and mind? Stay faithful to His message, stay faithful to His Word, stay faithful to the particular ministry that He’s called you to.

Serving the Lord can sometimes be a rough and a rugged road, but serving sin, self, and the world is a lot rougher! God’s Word says that Jesus’ yoke is easy (Matthew 11:30), but that it’s “the way of the transgressor that is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). So count your blessings and be satisfied with Christ’s kingdom of light. Stay true to the high calling of God in Christ Jesus that leads to a crown of life and heavenly reward!¹

This life is our training period in preparation for the next. What you are learning now is going to be a help to you in the future in His kingdom. Everything you’re learning and doing now, the decisions you’re making now and experiences you’re having now are all a part of your schooling and training here and now to be used there and then.

The work and responsibilities that you are now entrusted with that might seem insignificant are all part of your training for the future. Don’t underestimate what God is now training you for and how important it is.

Jesus said that he that is faithful in the smallest things is going to be made ruler over many things. Think of that! He says, “Because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities” (Luke 19:17). And “he that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in that which is much” (Luke 16:10). That’s how God looks at things—not at how big your job is, but how faithful you are to do it no matter how small it is. That’s how God judges greatness.

If you are willing to do a little job faithfully, well, and diligently, that is big in God’s sight. So don’t ever get discouraged about your present job and what you’re doing and learning and experiencing today. Don’t think for a minute that it’s just a waste of time and you’re just going to cast it all aside when you leave this life. You’re going to take it all with you—all that learning, experience, knowledge, wisdom and everything you learned from this life. Praise the Lord!

May God help us all to be faithful today! Our goal should be to be yielded, obedient clay in the Potter’s hands, so moldable and pliable that He can make us into whatever He wants, and then break us again and remake us into something else if the need arises.

May God help us all to be obedient to Christ’s call so that when He says, “Go” we go, “Stay” we stay, “Abound” we abound, “Be abased” we are abased!²

When He says, “This is the way, walk ye in it,” we walk, not resisting His leading. When He says, “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature,” we go. And when He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” we rest in His arms.

When He says, “Fight the good fight of faith,” we fight with everything that is within us. When He says, “Stand back and see Me fight,” we stand back and see Him work in the situation. When He says, “Let everything that hath breath praise the Lord,” we praise even if it is our last breath. When He says, “Ye are not your own, ye are bought with a price,” then we act like it!³

Only then can we find the fullness of faith that we seek. When we’re willing to take up the cross and deny ourselves and follow the Lord, all the rest will come, because He will then give us the power and the grace as we surrender ourselves to Him and “present our bodies a living sacrifice” on His altar of service (Romans 12:1).

Are you going to live for yourself and live for today and “this present world,” which is passing away (1 John 2:17), and try to save your life, and eventually lose it? Or are you going to live for Jesus and lose your life for Him and eventually save it forever (Luke 9:24)? The seeming losers of today will be the winners of tomorrow and eternity!

God’s Word says of the great Moses that “he chose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the pleasures of Egypt and of sin for a season, having respect unto the recompense of the reward” (Hebrews 11:25–26). He could see past today and beyond the present into heaven and the glories of reward!

There’s “only one life, ’twill soon be past. Only what’s done for Christ will last.”⁴ What are you doing? For whom? Will it last forever for Jesus and others? “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.”⁵

Don’t waste another day! Tomorrow may be too late. And the time will be gone forever! You may never pass this way again. Every day is gone forever. Don’t delay. Do it today!

Are you spending today’s precious time for Him and for eternity? It’s better to die for something than to live—and die—for nothing! Start living today! There’s only one way—for Jesus! Amen?

Originally published July 1986. Adapted and republished February 2023.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ See Philippians 3:14; James 1:12.

² See Philippians 4:12–13; Isaiah 64:8.

³ See Isaiah 30:21; Mark 16:15; Matthew 11:28; 1 Timothy 6:12; 2 Chronicles 20:17; Psalm 150:6; 1 Corinthians 6:19–20.

⁴ C. T. Studd.

⁵ Jim Elliot.

1 Thessalonians: Chapter 3

By Peter Amsterdam

February 14, 2023

Having fled Thessalonica due to persecution, the apostle Paul wrote to the Thessalonian church and told them that he had made more than one attempt to return to them, but Satan hindered us.¹ Paul and his companions, Silas and Timothy, were in Athens.

As it was difficult to be separated from the Thessalonian believers and not know how they were faring, they made the decision to send Timothy, the junior member of their team, back to Thessalonica.

Therefore when we could bear it no longer, we were willing to be left behind at Athens alone, and we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s coworker in the gospel of Christ, to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.²

The book of Acts fills in some of the gaps. It tells us how Paul ended up in Athens and how Timothy and Silas met up with him there. When the trouble started in Thessalonica, the believers in that town sent Paul to Berea.

When the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.³

At this point, the believers sent Paul from Berea to Athens; however, Silas and Timothy remained in Berea for a period of time. It is likely that they sent Paul by sea, which was a voyage of more than 300 miles (480 kilometers).

Those who conducted Paul brought him as far as Athens, and after receiving a command for Silas and Timothy to come to him as soon as possible, they departed.⁴

In time, Silas and Timothy joined Paul in Athens.

It was from Athens that Paul and Silas sent Timothy back to the Thessalonian believers. Paul spoke positively of Timothy throughout his letters.

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.⁵

When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am.⁶

I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. … you know Timothy’s proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel.⁷

Timothy was sent back to Thessalonica to establish and exhort you in your faith, that no one be moved by these afflictions. The Thessalonian church was a young church which Paul and his team had to leave before they were fully established in the faith. Paul’s concern about their faith is seen in his mentioning their faith five times in this chapter.⁸

Paul ascribed two titles to Timothy. The first title, “our brother,” was likely a term used by Paul to refer to someone who was engaged with him in the work of Christian ministry, as a coworker. The second title, “God’s coworker” was a lofty status given to Timothy. One author explains: Both titles have the function of stressing the authoritative status of Timothy; he is no mere mailman or messenger boy but an authoritative coworker of both Paul and even God.⁹ Even though Paul has not been able to personally return to the Thessalonians, he was present with them through Timothy, who was an authoritative representative of Paul.

You yourselves know that we are destined for this. For when we were with you, we kept telling you beforehand that we were to suffer affliction, just as it has come to pass, and just as you know.¹⁰

Paul reminds the Thessalonians about what he had repeatedly told them, that they would be faced with persecution, and this persecution, as difficult as it was to experience, was a normal and even an expected part of the Christian life. Paul repeatedly makes this point throughout his writings.

More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance.¹¹

We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our bodies.¹²

For this reason, when I could bear it no longer, I sent to learn about your faith, for fear that somehow the tempter had tempted you and our labor would be in vain.¹³

Paul echoed what he said four verses earlier, that he could bear it no longer. He emphasized that he was the one who sent Timothy to them. The change to the singular “I” from the previous “we” showed the Thessalonians Paul’s deep personal concern for their well-being, especially considering his inability to return to them.

Paul sent Timothy to Thessalonica to learn about your faith. Timothy’s commission was to find out if the believers continued in their allegiance to Christ. Paul wanted to know if the new believers had left the church due to the pressure of persecution. He was aware that Satan would be at work and may have caused some to leave their faith behind. He also wondered if perhaps his ministry in preaching the gospel and planting the church had been in vain. Paul’s questions were answered when Timothy returned.

Now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us the good news of your faith and love and reported that you always remember us kindly and long to see us, as we long to see you—for this reason, brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith.¹⁴

From Athens, Silas had returned to Macedonia while Paul remained alone in the city. Now Timothy had returned to Paul with good news about the Thessalonian church. Paul had anticipated the worst, fearing that their labors had been in vain in Thessalonica. But Timothy reported that the church was doing well.

Timothy’s report was given in two parts. First, he focused on the faith and love of the Thessalonian church. Throughout both 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul mentions the faith and love of the believers.

We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right, because your faith is growing abundantly, and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.¹⁵

Not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.¹⁶

Having touched on faith, Paul then referred to love, which he addressed throughout this book.

Now concerning brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love one another, for that indeed is what you are doing to all the brothers throughout Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers, to do this more and more.¹⁷

We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves.¹⁸

The news that Timothy brought with him was deeply encouraging for Paul: brothers, in all our distress and affliction we have been comforted about you through your faith. Paul and his companions had suffered much. They had been beaten, put in jail and slandered,¹⁹ and were persecuted and cast out of Thessalonica,²⁰ as well as Berea.²¹ When he was in Corinth, he was in weakness and fear, and with much trembling.²² All of this was a fulfillment of the revelation of the Lord about the sufferings that Paul would have to endure.

The Lord said to [Ananias], “Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel. For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name.”²³

Paul related to the Thessalonians who were suffering for their faith.

Even in the midst of the Thessalonians’ suffering, Paul stated we have been comforted about you through your faith. While Timothy had visited the brethren to strengthen and encourage their faith, Paul and his companions were also encouraged at the news that the Thessalonians had stood strong. Clearly this report of the Thessalonians brought some relief to Paul.

For now we live, if you are standing fast in the Lord.²⁴

Compared to the time they were waiting to hear news from Thessalonica, they were now “alive.” Paul had been oppressed by their circumstances and distressed by his concern for the church. However, he and those with him now had renewed hope, even as they faced their own troubles, because of the faith of the Thessalonians, who were found to be standing fast in the Lord. In spite of the persecution they had faced, they remained constant and stable.

What thanksgiving can we return to God for you, for all the joy that we feel for your sake before our God, as we pray most earnestly night and day that we may see you face to face and supply what is lacking in your faith?²⁵

Here Paul expresses unabashed joy at Timothy’s report about the Thessalonians, for they have kept faith, love, and hope. His thankfulness to God and his joy are expressed in a question: What thanksgiving can we return to God for you? Paul has received a blessing from God, the news that the Thessalonians kept their faith, and wanted to find a way to repay that debt of thanks. This indicates that Paul and his companions couldn’t find a way that was adequate to thank God, as their joy was so great.

Those who originally founded the Thessalonian church, Paul and his coworkers, now moved on from thanksgiving and joy to make a petition that they might return to Thessalonica in order to continue to minister to the believers there. Paul and those with him prayed night and day for this. Paul focuses on the intensity of their prayers for their reunion with the church in three ways. First, they prayed night and day, meaning they constantly prayed for this. Second, Paul states that their prayers were intense beyond measure. Third, the wording in Greek expresses that they prayed with insistence, they implored. They put great effort into their prayers, as they wanted to see the Thessalonian church and help them.

Because Paul and his team had only been able to stay in Thessalonica for a short period, there had been insufficient time to give them all the instruction in the faith that they needed. As we’ll see later, Paul mentions that they had not been fully mindful of, nor had they taken to heart or accepted, all the teaching they had already received. Paul wanted to supply what is lacking in your faith.

Now may our God and Father himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you, and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.²⁶

Paul’s prayer that he and his coworkers might see the Thessalonian believers face to face begins by evoking God Himself, their Father. This echoes the prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray:

When you pray, say: “Father, hallowed be your name.”²⁷

Throughout 1 and 2 Thessalonians, Paul refers to God as the Father of the Christians.

To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.²⁸

Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace…²⁹

In the prayers of Paul and his coworkers, the Lord Jesus Christ is included alongside God the Father. One author commented: To address prayers to the Lord Jesus in the same breath with God the Father implies a very high Christology. This prayer would be proper only if the apostles held to the divinity of Christ.³⁰ Clearly that’s exactly what Paul believed. He makes the same point in 2 Thessalonians 3:5: May the Lord direct your hearts to the love of God and to the steadfastness of Christ.

The apostles’ prayer asks their Father and the Lord Jesus to direct our way to you. Travel in those days was much more difficult and dangerous than today. They sought God’s guidance and protection so that they could return to the Thessalonians without any problems or change of plans. Earlier Paul wrote, we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, again and again—but Satan hindered us.³¹ Now he prays for the Father and Jesus to direct their way.

The verse goes on to say: may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.³² Paul’s prayer for the Thessalonians carries on with his asking Jesus to help them to grow abundantly in their love. The Thessalonian church was known for the love they showed to each other. They were so exemplary in this that Paul later spoke of them as a model for other Christians.³³

That he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.³⁴

This verse is a continuation of the prayer in the previous verse. Having prayed for the Lord to make them increase and abound in love, Paul went on to pray that the Lord would establish their hearts in holiness. In some contexts, one’s heart refers to the inner life of a person, but in other contexts it refers to the center of a person’s life and moral decisions. It is this second meaning which Paul uses here. Paul’s prayer is that at the Last Judgment, the Thessalonians will be found blameless, and that the Thessalonian church will not be found guilty in any way. Paul refers to the final judgment which takes place before God the Father, who is also the Judge, as a time of judgment for those who do not obey the gospel.³⁵

At the close of this chapter, Paul’s prayer introduces what’s ahead in the second part of his letter: the coming of the Lord.

Note

¹ 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

² 1 Thessalonians 3:1–3.

³ Acts 17:13.

⁴ Acts 17:15.

⁵ 1 Corinthians 4:17.

⁶ 1 Corinthians 16:10.

⁷ Philippians 2:19, 20, 22.

⁸ 1 Thessalonians 3:2, 5, 6, 7, 10.

⁹ Jeffrey A. D. Weima, 1–2 Thessalonians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014), 209.

¹⁰ 1 Thessalonians 3:3–4.

¹¹ Romans 5:3.

¹² 2 Corinthians 4:8–10. See also Romans 8:16–17, 2 Corinthians 6:4–10.

¹³ 1 Thessalonians 3:5.

¹⁴ 1 Thessalonians 3:6–7.

¹⁵ 2 Thessalonians 1:3.

¹⁶ 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

¹⁷ 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10.

¹⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13.

¹⁹ Acts 16:22–24, Philippians 1:29–30, 1 Thessalonians 2:2.

²⁰ Acts 17:10.

²¹ Acts 17:13–14.

²² 1 Corinthians 2:3; Acts 18:9–10.

²³ Acts 9:15–16.

²⁴ 1 Thessalonians 3:8.

²⁵ 1 Thessalonians 3:9–10.

²⁶ 1 Thessalonians 3:11–13.

²⁷ Matthew 6:9, Luke 11:2.

²⁸ 2 Thessalonians 1:1–2.

²⁹ 2 Thessalonians 2:16; See also 1 Thessalonians 1:1, 3; 3:13.

³⁰ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians (Grand Rapids: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 2002), 176.

³¹ 1 Thessalonians 2:18.

³² 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

³³ 2 Thessalonians 1:3–4.

³⁴ 1 Thessalonians 3:13.

³⁵ See 2 Thessalonians 2:1–12.

The Low Seat

February 14, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:13

Download Audio (11.1MB)

I love Robert Capon’s reference to Luke 14 as containing the Party Parables of Jesus. Luke reports Jesus at a dinner engagement instructing His Pharisee host and guests about the kind of party etiquette that reflects feasting in the Kingdom of God.

As a prelude to telling the parable of the Great Banquet, He advised them on how to attend and then how to throw a party (Luke 14:7–14). When you are invited to a banquet, don’t scramble for a high place of honor, lest the host make you eat humble pie by telling you the seat is reserved for some other dude worthier than you. Rather, advises Jesus, find the lowest seat in the hall, so that the host, seeing your humility, moves you up the pecking order to a place of honor (Luke 14:8–11).

Following this advice, He tells the parable of the Great Banquet where we learn that feasting in the Kingdom of God will involve a multitude of unsavory people, with lots of empty chairs and leftovers. But not so fast! Let’s go back to our Lord’s instruction to take the lowest seat when attending a banquet. What should we make of this advice when it comes to imagining our attendance at the Great Feast in the fullness of the Kingdom? …

If the lowest seat bore the name tag: Chief of Sinners, would you take it? If so, would you expect that the Apostle Paul might engage you in an argument over the rightful person for that seat? (1 Timothy 1:15). … If there were such a seat in that Great Hall on the low end with a name tag, Chief of Sinners, would you imagine … a multitude of would-be Chief of Sinners arguing over to whom the seat belongs?

Perhaps the conundrum can be solved if we determine how many seats are in the Great Hall. Here is my take: There are only two seats in the Great Hall, and both are well-worn. There is the seat of humiliation and the seat of exaltation, and both have already been occupied by our Lord. The Apostle Paul instructs:

“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name” (Philippians 2:5–9).

As with the Lord, so it will be with all who want to party with Him. “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled and whoever humbles himself will be exalted” (Matthew 23:12).—Dr. Steven Hein¹

The deeper message

Often when humility comes up, as say, in St. Luke 14:7–11, it appears as mere political gesture. We’d call it virtue signaling today.

Jesus attends a Shabbat. This is the Friday night supper that marks the beginning of Sabbath observances. There is prayer, blessed bread and wine, and thanksgiving to Him “who nourishes the whole world in goodness, with grace, kindness, and compassion.”

At this Shabbat the guests make a scramble for the seats of honor. Jesus tells them a parable (at least Luke calls it a parable): Don’t take the best seat, take a low seat instead and wait to be called up to a higher seat, says Jesus. Take a high seat first and you will be humiliated when the host asks you to leave it and give way to someone else.

Oops. Awkward, huh? This advice, then: To avoid the embarrassment by being asked to take a lower seat, start with a lowest seat first. Spying lowly you, way down there so beneath your station, your host may instead call you up higher (and send someone else lower, to your deserved satisfaction). And clever you, “you will enjoy the esteem of your companions at the table.” Hooray…

But if this is a parable—a story with a hidden false bottom—then we need to look further, dig deeper. The key I think is the nature of the Shabbat dinner. After Jesus’ proverbial lecture on humility as political gesture … Jesus explains to his host: Next time, at the next Shabbat, “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind” must be your honored guests.

There’s an interesting guest list. These are the people (and their descendants) expressly forbidden by Levitical law (Leviticus 21:17–23) from making priestly temple offerings to the Lord. Moreover, in their poverty and in the misery of their physical incapacities, they cannot repay their host and have no hope of ever doing so. That seems to be something of the point; in fact, the whole point for inviting them.

The parable of who is called up higher is indeed deeply political, for Christ shatters the distinctions of class and creates the economy of salvation and puts us all in our place as beggars before the Lord.

The invitation to the table of Jesus is a call to a higher humility, for we know we cannot repay our host. We have not the means. We each find ourselves among “the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind,” hungry supplicants with empty hands extended so the Lord may fill them.

The weakness of our faith, seeing without clarity, all of us stumbling lame along the straight and narrow, struggling to stay within the lines—there is no reason for us to be called up higher. Yet for his own compassion he chooses to call us up to his Father’s love.—Russell E. Saltzman²

Humility toward others

In Matthew 11:29, Jesus said that if we would learn of Him, we must be lowly of heart. We were to learn of Him because He was lowly in heart, and then we would find rest for our souls.

Humility is a place of such rest and contentment. Everything that Christ ever did, His words, His walk, were always an illustration of humility, and when He chose His disciples, He chose humble men. Even His mother said, “The Lord hath regarded the lowliness of his handmaiden” (Luke 1:48). It wasn’t high position or high-mindedness that made her fit to be the mother of God’s Son, but lowliness and purity.

In the Gospel Jesus prayed thus: “I thank thee, O Father, that thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes” (Matthew 11:25)—that is, to the humble. Christ is here setting forth the statement that only the humble can receive the deepest truths of God.

Bunyan once said: “It’s hard to get down in the valley of humiliation, for the descent is rugged and rough and steep, but it’s surely a fruitful valley when you get down there.” But remember, humility doesn’t consist in hating oneself, but in thinking of others and revealing to them the humility of Jesus through your life. “In honor preferring one another, servants one of another, each counting others better than himself, subjecting yourselves one to another” (Romans 12:10; 1 Peter 5:5).

When the disciples disputed in Luke chapter 9 as to who would be the greatest in the kingdom, Jesus answered, “He that is the least among you, the same shall be great” (Luke 9:46–48). When the sons of Zebedee asked Jesus if they could sit on the right hand and the left hand—the highest places in heaven—He told them that was not His to give. But He added, “Whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant, even as the Son of man came to serve” (Matthew 20:27–28).

In Luke 18:14, we find this statement: “Everyone that exalts himself shall be abased, and he that humbles himself shall be exalted.” God help us to remember that the test of the daily Christian walk is love and humility.

Humility toward others is proof of humility toward God, for the spirit of our lives manifests itself in our bearing toward others in sweet humility. Humility before God is nothing if not proved in humility before men, and in our personal life especially. “Through love be servants one of another” and “therefore walk with all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love” (Galatians 5:13; Ephesians 4:2).

Humility is one of the hardest of lessons to learn, and it has to be learned through fellowship with the Lord Jesus Christ, humbling yourself in His presence, as this verse said, meek and lowly of heart, and learning of Him. “Take his yoke upon you and learn of him, and ye shall find rest” (Matthew 11:29).

When you hear of all the confusion, the doubts and fear in the hearts of men today, remember that He’s promised you rest for your soul, if you take His yoke and learn of Him.—Virginia Brandt Berg

Published on Anchor February 2023. Read by John Laurence.

¹ https://www.1517.org/articles/taking-the-lowest-seat.

² https://aleteia.org/2019/09/29/was-jesus-being-a-little-sarcastic-with-the-lowly-seats-parable-whats-the-deeper-message.

A Collection of Encouragement

February 13, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 10:57

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During this time of struggle, you have overcome by trusting in Me to be your source of strength and grace. You have run this race with endurance, and you hold the victor’s flag. You fought through till the finish line, and now it’s just a matter of holding on to the victory.

In spite of those feelings of defeat, sorrow, and pain in your heart and discouragement, you fought on. You held on. You trusted. And right when you felt you had run out of endurance, you crossed the finish line.

You won the race, even if you did stumble and fall along the way, but it was a fall into My arms. All that you were fighting for and pressing toward and struggling to overcome in this arena has been reached and won.

I know it takes a lot of faith to believe that the sufferings of your present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory of the reward that I will reveal to you (Romans 8:18). But trust Me that it is so. I would never allow you to experience the depths without bringing forth good from it. When My reward is returned to you in full, it will feel to you as if you’ve paid a penny for a palace!

Thank you for trusting Me through the fire. I know that it burned at times, and it hurt and felt uncomfortable. I caught every tear. I was there with you every night, cradling you in My arms through every trial. Not for a moment did I leave your side during your times of struggle.

You came to the altar of sacrifice, not once, but many times in your struggles, where you laid down your will, your hurts, your prayers, your hopes, your fears, and your cares. I saw the tears flow as you wrapped your heart in a bundle of love and in prayer offered it to Me. You looked up to Me with faith and trust. You knew that I would care for what was precious to you and everything that concerns you, because I love you.

You’ve been brave and courageous. You’ve been trusting. And the times you fell and felt like you failed or lost just drew you closer to Me. Through that closeness, a victory was won in seeming defeat.

Your faith in Me has grown during these times of trial and testing. You feel that it has been shaken at times, but the trial of your faith, which is more precious than gold, has shown the genuineness of your faith, which will result in praise and honor (1 Peter 1:7).

Your humility and love have deepened. Your heart has been coated in tears, which has softened you and brought you low in your own eyes, so that My seeds of humility, love, trust, and patience could take root and grow and flourish within you. Your spirit is radiating My peace—a peace that passes all understanding and trusts in Me.

My love will be your constant

You are so beautiful to Me. Words cannot describe the joy that fills My heart as I gaze upon you, My stunning creation. I love your caring heart, your sacrificial spirit, your faithfulness, your deep love for Me, which has been manifested over many years and through many difficult times.

I know you sometimes feel lonely, in need of encouragement, unenthusiastic about yourself, and incapable of keeping up with all that there is to do. But let these feelings fade away in the light of My presence and My overwhelming love for you.

Sometimes you think that if you could physically see Me and hear Me, then everything would be so much better, and nothing would seem as difficult. You crave a sign, a visible touch of My presence. Remember that your earthly life is but a vapor, a moment in time in comparison to eternity, where you will walk in the light of My love and truth, and see, touch, and hear everything that you have to take by faith in this life.

You can’t always understand why I allow certain things in your life or what good will come from them. All you feel is the squeeze of your heart, the pain, the loss, the grief. I am proud of you for allowing times of suffering to soften and humble you. You have trusted in Me, even when you couldn’t see any good in what you were experiencing.

You have hung on by faith and you have said, along with Job and many other saints, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him” (Job 13:15). You have died to yourself. You have given your life for Me, for others, for the lost. You are My beloved, in whom I am well pleased.

If you could catch a glimpse of the blessings and rewards I have in store for you, you would know that every tear is worth it, every lonely night, every loss, every hurt. I bless you in this life too. Look around you and see your many blessings. I have given you much. I have given you the truth, and My all-encompassing love that can carry you through anything. I have given you the spiritual treasure of My Word to guide you in your life journey. I manifest My great love for you in the beauty of creation all around you.

You are My diamond, and with each passing day, you sparkle a little more as I continue to shape you in My image. You were a diamond in the rough when you first invited Me into your life, but with every tear and trial, every heartbreak and every stroke of the chisel, you shine more brightly with My love.

Your day-to-day life will never be perfect, but My love for you will be your constant. There is a hallowed place that exists in your heart for Me which will give you My strength to face life’s challenges.

Strength for the fight

I know it’s hard to keep going when it seems that the struggle never ends. I’m not downplaying the fact that the battle is intense, and that it has been long and hard, but you can make it through this time! And not just by the skin of your teeth but with flying colors, with victory and joy in your heart, and with strength of spirit that will continue to keep you through each passing day.

If you’re still going for Me, you have what it takes to run the race before you with endurance and to finish the race and keep the faith. All that you have to do is continue going forward, casting your concerns and weights on Me, and finding your strength in Me.

I am strong enough to see you through any struggle, hardship, loss, or challenge you face in life. If you believe that, then you can continue to weather the storms and to face the future with courage and hope—not with trepidation, but with anticipation. You can even look forward to the future, because of all that awaits you when you have finished your race, and along the way you can keep rescuing souls and bringing Me joy.

Even if you don’t feel My presence right now, I promise you that I am always with you. I’m upholding you and strengthening you. So keep looking to Me for your strength, for the courage you need, and for the energy to keep fighting the good fight of faith and taking hold of the eternal life to which you were called (1 Timothy 6:12).

My precious one, you’ve been battling, and it’s been very intense; I see that it’s taking a toll on you. Yet you keep holding on to your faith and trusting in Me because you know that I will come through for you. I love your courage and dedication and your faith and trust.

No matter what you face, you can trust Me to act on your behalf and to work everything in your life together for good. Cast all your burdens on Me and trust that I will sustain you and will never suffer the righteous to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

Originally published March 2010. Adapted and republished February 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Dooley.

Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith

2/12/23 Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, ²looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.(Hebrews 12:1-2) ESV

*Jesus is described as the author and perfecter, or finisher, of our faith in Hebrews 12:2. An author is an originator or creator, as of a theory or plan. The Greek word translated “author” in Hebrews 12:2 can also mean “captain,” “chief leader” or “prince.” Acts 3:15 uses the same word: “And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses” (KJV), while the NIV and ESV use the word “author” instead of “prince.” From this we can deduce that Christ is the originator of our faith in that He begins it, as well as the captain and prince or our faith. This indicates that Jesus controls our faith, steers it as a captain steers a ship, and presides over it and cares for it as a monarch presides over and cares for his people.

The Greek word translated “perfecter” in Hebrews 12:2 appears only this one time in the New Testament. It means literally “completer” or “finisher” and speaks of bringing something to its conclusion. Putting the two words together, we see that Jesus, as God, both creates and sustains our faith. We know that saving faith is a gift from God, not something we come up with on our own (Ephesians 2:8-9), and that gift comes from Christ, its creator. He is also the sustainer of our faith, meaning that true saving faith cannot be lost, taken away or given away. This is a source of great comfort to believers, especially in times of doubt and spiritual struggles. Christ has created our faith and He will watch over it, care for it, and sustain it.

It is important for us to understand that God in Christ is not only the creator and sustainer of our saving faith, but He is also the sustainer of our daily walk and the finisher of our spiritual journey. For if God in Christ is not the author of our new life, and if Christ is not the finisher and perfecter of our faith through the Holy Spirit’s indwelling power, then we are neither born again nor are we a true follower of Christ. “And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.” “In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory” (Philippians 1:6; Ephesians 1:13-14). * (GotQuestions.org)

Title Deed Faith

A compilation

2013-10-22

“According to your faith be it done unto you.”¹ If you’ve got the faith for it, God will do it. And faith is not just hoping, believing, or somewhat expecting, but knowing—absolutely knowing!

Faith has lost its meaning to us today. Today the word faith means kind of a hazy, vague belief of some kind in something or other. It meant more than that in God’s Word. But it doesn’t mean much today to most Christians. It is the substance, it is the hupostasis, it is the title deed.

About that word translated “substance” in the 11th chapter of Hebrews: When they translated the New Testament from the Greek nearly 400 years ago, they were still puzzled by the word hupostasis. Now they knew from the way this word hupostasis was used in some Greek literature that it was apparently something fairly substantial, very sure evidence of some kind, so they translated it “substance.” With Greek classical literature not ordinarily using business terminology, it was very difficult to find this word or what it meant.

But a few years ago archaeologists uncovered the burned ruins of an old inn in northern Israel. There they found a small iron chest containing what were apparently the valuable papers of some Roman noblewoman who had been traveling in Israel at that time. In this little chest they found most of the papers labeled with a big title HUPOSTASIS at the top of almost every paper. The business of the day was done in Greek because this was the worldwide language of business and culture, even though the Romans were ruling the world.

All of these papers which had the title Hupostasis in big letters across the top were title deeds to her properties! But this was long after the King James Version was translated, so they didn’t have the advantage of that discovery.

If you turn to Hebrews, the 11th chapter, the word “substance” there is just as good and conveys the message and I am quite sure it’s sufficient, but if you want to make it even clearer and more explicit, you can write above that word “substance,” in parentheses, “title deed.” Now faith is what? The title deed!

In fact, you could put it this way: “Now faith is the title deed to things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Perhaps this Roman woman had never seen the properties she’d bought in Israel, but she knew she had them and she could prove her ownership even though she had never seen them.

If you’ve got real faith, even though you haven’t seen the answer yet, you’ve got the title deed to it! It’s yours; your name’s written on it and you will see it eventually—that’s faith. You know you’ve got the title in your hands. Praise God! It’s done! Real faith knows, and it happens. It never fails!

So how do you get such faith? “Faith cometh by hearing the Word of God.”² Hear and read the Word! The future is as bright as the promises of God!—David Brandt Berg³

I love analogies. They help me understand complex things using a simple (and usually sorta fun) idea.

Today I have a quick analogy to share about faith. Faith is believing something that you cannot see or touch or taste. It is trusting something beyond your five senses. It is like a title deed.

If you own a car or a house, you have a title deed, a little certificate that says “Josh owns this car.” The title deed is proof that you own that thing, even if you can’t see it or touch it right at the moment. I cannot see my car from where I’m sitting, but I have a title deed, I have ownership of it, and so I know that it is parked outside waiting for me to use it whenever I like.

I live my life based on my ownership of that car, not based on whether I can see my car at any given moment. I make plans to get coffee with someone, or to travel to an appointment, because I know I possess a car that can take me there. I have a title deed that gives me that right and that ability.

Faith is your title deed to the wealth of wisdom, authority, and power that God has given us as His children. Faith is living as God intends you to live, knowing that He has already given you everything you need to be fully capable at it.

Faith gives you the ability to speak against sickness and see God heal it, because Jesus died to give us that right. Faith gives you the confidence to do what God has given you to do, knowing that He will give you the words to speak when the time is right. Faith is making plans to go “get coffee” because you own a vehicle that can take you there, even if you can’t see it right at this moment.

Besides ownership, a title deed also indicates responsibility. My title deed tells me that I own my car, but it implies that no one else is going to put air in the tires when they get low. It implies that if I don’t use it, the edges will rust and the battery will die.

Like my car, if I don’t use the faith that I have, it will grow rusty. Slowly it will corrode away, and I will find myself unable to trust God as easily, or become hesitant rather than stepping out—in faith—to do the things He asks me to do.

If I don’t use the faith that I have, what good is it to me or to anyone? If I don’t allow it to change the way I live my life, it’s just a status on my Facebook page. It’s just a word. It means nothing.

To put it simply, having faith but not using it is worthless. Or even better, dead—like a corpse. Dead things can’t walk or talk or do jumping jacks. They cannot do anything at all.⁴

So I have to ask myself, what am I doing right now that requires faith? “Faith is assurance about what we do not see.”⁵—Josh Clark⁶

Faith is the title deed. Well, what is a title deed? In a nutshell, a document showing the right of ownership. Faith is your right as a [child] of God to access all that He has for you on the basis of His Word, who He is, and His character. It has nothing to do with how “hard” I try and believe. This takes the pressure off of me, because so many times I feel I can’t believe enough. I feel that I have weak faith. Another mental sigh comes up and says “Ugh, here we go again. I can’t get it together to believe!” But if I begin to reference the Word of God about what faith truly is … my entire perspective changes. I see it really has nothing to do with me and everything to do with the character and nature of God and His Word.—Natalia T.⁷

Hebrews 11:1 teaches that faith is the “conviction (or proof) of things not seen.” The word “conviction” was also used literally to refer to title deeds. Faith is the title deed to our inheritance. Just like the title deed to a piece of property, faith guarantees our possession not of pieces of property but of what God has promised us in the unseen, eternal realm—of provision, of healing, of taking nations for Christ. We need to wave the title deed of our faith in the face of the devil and start taking back ground for God and His kingdom. We have authority, through prayer and obedient action, in absolute submission to the will of God, not only to make the declaration, but also to bring about the result of the declaration, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”⁸—David Campbell⁹

Published on Anchor October 2013. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
Music by Daniel Sozzi.

¹ Matthew 9:29.

² Romans 10:17.

³ Originally published July 1969.

⁴ Faith by itself, if not accompanied by action, is dead… A person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone (James 2:17, 24 NIV).

⁵ Hebrews 11:1.

⁶ http://www.joshclark.com/2011/03/faith-is-like-a-title-deed/

⁷ http://nataliat.com/strong-and-beautiful-faith-the-title-deed/

⁸ Matthew 6:10.

⁹ http://trinitychristianowensound.com/2012/11/our-title-deed/

This Is the World

February 10, 2023

By Amy Orr-Ewing

Dr. Amy Orr-Ewing speaks at an Assemblies of God convention in the UK about evangelism and effectively reaching the world in the current times and the world we are living in, as well as answering the questions that people have today.

“Sometimes when we think about the challenges facing us as Christians, it can be discouraging. I want to begin by sharing a story of something that happened to me when I was 19 years old that deeply embedded in me a confidence that however powerful our enemy, however great the walls that we need to see kicked down by the Lord, however huge the task to reach the seemingly impossible, our God is big enough and powerful enough to do it.”

Run time for this video is 41 minutes.

https://youtu.be/Fq_ljUeJYO0

Navigating the Changes of Life

February 9, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:19

Download Audio (10.3MB)

I can’t promise you that the way ahead of you will be simple or trouble-free. It won’t be. But if you allow the problems and difficulties to draw you to Me, they will help to strengthen you in the long run and to grow your faith.

Always remember, I have a plan for your life and for the world and for the flow of history, and you don’t have to worry about My will and My Word being fulfilled. It will be fulfilled, I assure you.

Faith is trusting Me for the future, even when you can’t see it clearly—especially when you can’t see it clearly! So have faith. You truly are in My hands. You can trust Me in life and you can trust Me in death, for you are Mine forever. Nothing can pluck you out of My hand.

Commit all your concerns to Me, and then be faithful to pray fervently. Study and apply My Word. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love Me with all your heart and soul and might. Then rest in My care for you.

The inevitability of change

Change is an important and inevitable part of life. It is not necessarily that the way things were before wasn’t good or didn’t serve their purpose. But the future calls for new ways of operating, new avenues of growth, and new methods for effectively reaching the world.

When you look at world history, you can see how much some things have changed and improved over time. When I bring about changes, it might seem a little unsettling at first as you find your footing, but if you have Me as your foundation, you can rest assured that you won’t fall or falter. Though your knees may shake, nothing can shake My foundation, for it is solid and sure and forever.

I love you and I am going to bring you through every time of change you face in life. I allow changes in your life to serve My good purposes, and for the furtherance of your mission of doing your part to reach the world for Me. Though you see through a glass darkly now and are wondering how things will play out, how they will all add up, in time you will see the results. Even though things may look a little chaotic for a while, trust that I am with you through every life change you face.

Times of change can be uncomfortable and even times of trials and hardship. Adjusting to something new and different takes changing your mindset, your routines, and putting your trust in Me for the unknown factors in the equation. Remember that I do all things well, and trust that I will lead you in the right direction as you are faithful to follow Me. I love you and I will bring you ever forward in your journey toward what I have in store for you!

Faith: The victory that overcomes

While it is important to plan for the future, you don’t have to worry about the future. I have a plan for each of My children, and I ask you to trust Me for that. I know that at times you’ve had feelings of unease and worry about what the future will be like and whether you’ll be happy. I know that at times you feel like you’re just a little cog in the machinery of My plan and that you don’t have as much faith as you should in My care for you.

Even if it looks like your ship is anything but seaworthy, will you still trust Me? Will you still place your hand in Mine and follow where I’m leading? Times of change are and will continue to be a test of faith for you, but as you cling to Me, you will come through these times of uncertainty stronger and better able to face what is ahead. You will emerge victorious.

I ask that you trust Me and thank Me for this opportunity to stretch your faith and watch it grow. The future is as bright as My promises, so continue to dwell in praise. Voice positive, faith-filled words; put your faith and trust in Me into words and praises each day. Keep the big-picture, heavenly vision and My perspective in your heart and mind. This is the victory that will overcome: your faith (1 John 5:4).

My love is the ballast for the journey

Living your life for Me and for others is the best way to spend your life, and I have promised to repay every sacrifice you make. Even though you may not see or feel as if you’ve reaped many benefits, you will see them eventually. Don’t allow your fears or your feelings of unworthiness to interfere with your ability to just rest in My love for you.

If you look at all that you’ve experienced in life so far, you can see My hand at work throughout your life. I know you are tempted to worry about the unknown factors in your future. What if something happens that totally turns your world upside down and leaves you reeling and unprepared? This is why bringing all your concerns to Me is so important.

You have to continue to anchor your faith firmly to Me and My Word, so that no matter what comes your way, your faith will stabilize you. Remember that I have a plan and a future for your life. Just because you question My plan for you, or you worry about how things will work out five years from now, doesn’t mean that you’re not trusting Me for your future. It’s like having dying grace; you don’t need it now because you’re not dying yet. What you need right now, and every day, is to commit all your burdens and concerns to Me, knowing that I care for you and for every aspect of your life.

Remember that My love for you is the ballast that you need to keep you through whatever changes come throughout your life. That will be the focal point that will keep you from becoming dizzy when you’re swirled around by My currents of change. Just believe in Me and keep your eyes focused on Me.

My faithful friend

Always remember that I love and care for you and always will. You have been a faithful friend and I have appreciated every day you have committed to Me in service, and every future hour and day you continue to give. I know your heart, and I see your desire to serve Me.

I ask you to trust Me through every life change you face. I know that during this time of change, it can feel like the best years of your life have come to pass as you deal with moving into a different stage of life. But remember that I am with you every day and every step of your life journey. You will one day see and appreciate how I have continued to work through your life.

The future for you, My friend, is a glorious one no matter what storms and trials you face in this life. You will find lasting joy in staying the course to the end of your days. I am faithful, and even as you grow older, I will remain faithful, and I will always provide for you.

Not a day will go by without Me being faithful to the promise I have made to never leave nor forsake you. I love you, and My love is never-ending and will carry you through all your days and into the next life.

Originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished February 2023. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Dooley.

My God Shall Supply! (Philippians 4:19)

By Maria Fontaine

February 7, 2023

I often write in my posts about our spiritual needs as His children, and how important they are to our well-being, both in this life and the next. That is always the highest and most essential need in order to fulfill the two most important purposes in this earth life: to love Jesus and to love those around us. (See Matthew 22:36–40.)

However, we also have physical needs: food, clothing, shelter, and the supply of anything else we need to live day to day and do the things He is asking us to do, which includes whatever He shows each of us personally to do in order to prepare for the future. God is the only One who knows what the future holds, and He alone can lead us and cause all things to work together for our good. Nothing in this world is ever completely secure. As David sometimes expressed it: “The only truly safe place is in the center of God’s will.”

When it comes to your future and how best to prepare for whatever it will hold on this earth, no one can tell you what the best approach would be in your specific situation. That is something that only Jesus can speak to your heart about, and He will bless you as you follow Him. As followers of Jesus, our first priority continues to be seeking first His kingdom and doing our best to closely follow what He shows us to do in our particular situations. “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33). Making this our priority puts us in a position to trust Him to fulfill His promises. Everything we need will be provided as we look to Him for guidance, do what He shows us to do, and take all our needs and cares to Him in prayer.

Due to the difficulties brought on by the COVID pandemic and the high rate of inflation and current downturns in the economies of many countries, many people are struggling financially. Numerous reports on the US economy have stated that many Americans are living from paycheck to paycheck, and many have little or no savings. Many European countries are struggling with high inflation, resulting in many people having to ration the use of heating in their homes and struggling to pay their bills.

The last few years have probably been challenging financially for many of you as well. We greatly admire how you continue to follow the Lord and demonstrate faith and resilience in spite of the challenges of providing for yourselves, your children, grandchildren, or your aging parents, or meeting the many medical needs that arise as you grow older.

Peter and I would like to suggest that we unite in prayer for these many needs. We believe that as we bring our every need to Jesus through our prayers, He will work in each situation to provide our needs in the way He knows is best.

How He will choose to bring the answers to our prayers will rest in His hands. As Grandmother Berg used to say, “Our part is to pray with expectancy.” It often takes impossible situations for God to do miracles, but we can trust that He has a plan and a purpose that will work together for our good. Sometimes, we may have to pray as Jesus prayed, “Nevertheless, not my will, but thine, be done” (Luke 22:42). But no matter what situation we find ourselves in, we know that He will never leave nor forsake us. (See Hebrews 13:5.)

Along with praying for one another’s immediate personal needs and the needs of any projects being undertaken in our service for Jesus, we would also like to ask for your prayers for financial supply for TFIS and the services it provides, as TFIS’s finances have declined over the past several years. We know the Lord can supply abundantly for every need, no matter what our circumstances or the world situation may be.

Peter expressed this well:

As Christians, we are blessed to be able to bring our needs, worries, and concerns to God. He wants us to rely on Him in every area of our lives, including for our financial needs. Yes, we have to do our part. And part of “doing our part” is bringing our financial needs to Him in prayer. We show our dependence on God by praying for finances, by asking Him to abundantly supply, by being specific in prayer. As His children, we know that He loves us. He cares for us, and He has promised to provide for us. That gives us great peace. One of my favorite verses when it comes to finances is Matthew 6:33: “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.”

We don’t know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. No matter how challenging the times we are facing become, the Lord never fails to care for His own, and He is able to provide and “do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to his power at work within us” (Ephesians 3:20). If you are facing financial challenges, or you are concerned for family members or loved ones who are, you can take heart in the Lord’s many promises.

Of course, a part of following the Lord’s guidance involves being good stewards over what He has given us. Being frugal is a part of our respect for God. It’s not being miserly but being wise in following His leading. Peter wrote a very good letter on this topic in the series “The Formula of Five,” and it would be wise to periodically review the points it presents.

I hope the following verses encourage your faith that God is able to supply all our needs as we do our part through trust, prayer, faith, and following whatever God shows us to do. Not only can God supply, He wants us to ask Him to supply. He already knows what we need, but as we acknowledge Him and His sovereignty over our lives, and do what He asks us to do to the best of our ability, then He will take care of us, as He has promised. Isn’t it comforting to know that He is fully aware of our personal situations and needs, and that as we acknowledge our need and look to Him for His help, He delights in giving us all that is needed and for our good?

Seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.—Matthew 6:33

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.—Philippians 4:6

Your Father knows what you need before you ask him. … Therefore do not worry, saying, “What shall we eat?” or “What shall we drink?” or “What shall we wear?” For … your heavenly Father knows that you need these things.—Matthew 6:8, 31–32

Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.—1 Peter 5:7

God’s ability to provide is not limited by world conditions. The Lord is able to supply even in times of trouble and famine (or in a pandemic or financial crisis). Consider Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. Those impossible circumstances did not limit God! The only things that were needed were faith and obedience.

The LORD knows the days of the upright, and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time, and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.—Psalm 37:18–19

Consider the ravens: they neither sow nor reap, they have neither storehouse nor barn, and yet God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds!—Luke 12:24

Peter and I are greatly encouraged by all these verses. We have been praying for your finances, for TFI’s finances, for the needs of your ministries, and for the Lord to supply in every way that is needed. We lift you up to the Lord in our prayer times and ask for His loving mercy and the provision of your every need. Will you join us in praying for financial supply and stability? “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:16). Thank you, dear Family!

The Forgiveness Challenge

February 7, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:24

Download Audio (11.3MB)

Forgiveness is undoubtedly challenging, yet it’s a fundamental facet of Christian living. Jesus not only taught about this important virtue, He was also a living example of it. In Luke 9:51–56, Jesus is not welcome in a Samaritan village because He’s on His way to Jerusalem. The disciples are so enraged at the villagers’ reaction that they offer to call down fire from heaven to burn them up.

Jesus reminds them that He did not come to destroy lives, but to save them. He also shows mercy and forgiveness to those who otherwise would have been punished, such as the woman from John 8:3–11, who had been caught in the act of adultery. Not least among such examples is the famous prayer Jesus prayed for those who crucified Him: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

I must confess that the tendency to harbor resentment comes very easily for me. But when I’m tempted to hold a grudge over things that others have said or done that have offended me, I have learned to reflect on the times I’ve needed forgiveness from others for having offended them.

A story I heard as a boy told the tale of a farmer and his wife who sold their farm as they wanted to buy a new one. They are shown a run-down and neglected, yet good farm. Upon asking neighbors why no one lives there, they are told that it’s because of an ornery man named Grimes who plays dirty tricks on anyone who has tried to live on this property. One neighbor went as far as to call him “the devil incarnate.”

The farmer, to the surprise of his wife and neighbors, says with determination, “I think I’ll buy that farm. And if old Grimes tries to pull any of his shenanigans on me, I’ll kill that old devil.” When asked what on earth he meant by this remark, he simply says, “I have ways and means for handling a man like that.”

True to his word, the man and his wife buy the farm and move in. The trouble begins almost immediately. They wake up one morning to find their water supply cut off. They discover that this is due to their water pipe being dug up. Another day, when the farmer goes out to the barn to milk the cows, he finds them gone, and the fence to the field where they graze is cut.

The following days, the clothesline is cut and their dog gets poisoned. There is no question in the minds of the farmer and his wife as to the perpetrator of these deeds. But instead of giving in to anger, they study Jesus’ advice on love and forgiveness, and pray for the ability to put it into action. They decide to bake bread and leave it on Grimes’ porch, along with other food items. They also pray for an opportunity to meet the man and talk to him about the Lord.

One day, the farmer sees the infamous Grimes driving by on his way into town. His car gets stuck in some mud, and the farmer helps to free it. Grimes then expresses his frustration over the fact that every time he does something mean to the farmer and his wife, they do something good for him. “You’re killing me,” he says. “And I can’t stand it any longer.”

The farmer shakes Grimes’ hand and invites him to come to the house and meet his wife. She, overjoyed at the answer to their prayer, immediately invites Grimes to sit down and have something hot to drink. Grimes then tells them of having cursed God over the death of his wife and baby son, caused by a drunken driver. He asks if God could possibly care about “an ornery old cuss” like him. The farmer and his wife tell him of Jesus’ power to heal and forgive. Grimes apologizes for all the mean things he’s done to the farmer and his wife and accepts Jesus into his heart.

Another story is told of a special-duty nurse who was called upon to care for a man who was responsible for the wrongful imprisonment of her father years before. She was reluctant to take the case—but does so knowing that her father, who had been a minister, would want her to have a forgiving heart. In spite of the man’s grumpy disposition, the nurse exhibited a kind, patient attitude—and eventually had the opportunity to share her faith in God with him. In the end, so won over by her love and kindness, he financed a new addition to the hospital and named it after the nurse’s father.

Realizing that there are people in this world who have been hurt far deeper than I’ve ever been, yet who have learned to forgive and overcome their hurt, motivates me to pursue this virtue. As challenging as a virtue as forgiveness may be, once it’s obtained and exercised, there is nothing more liberating and transforming.—Steve Hearts

Why forgiveness?

I once read a definition of forgiveness that said that forgiveness is to make it as if the wrong had never happened. That sounds like God’s definition of forgiveness. Picture a field of pure white snow, and smack-dab in the middle of that field, a pool of blood. Gruesome, I know. It’s also very noticeable. The red against the white is pretty hard to miss. Along comes a fresh snowfall, and all that blood is covered up, just as if it were never there. That is how God forgives; He makes it as if the wrong had never happened.

“Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18). This is a passage from the first chapter of the book of Isaiah, where God is rebuking Israel for having turned away from Him, rebelled, and basically become like Sodom and Gomorrah.

But after 15 verses of telling them that they have turned away from Him, the message abruptly changes to one of redemption. He tells the people to make themselves clean, learn to do good, seek justice, and finally, that even though their sins are as scarlet, He will make them white as snow.

For us humans, forgiveness of that magnitude is hard to pull off. It’s just hard to take your hurt, your anger, the injustice you feel you have been dealt, and “make it like it never happened.” I won’t profess to fully understand forgiveness, but here are a few things the Bible teaches about it:

Forgiveness puts your heart right with God. You’ve probably heard the verse that says, “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you” (Matthew 6:14). This goes back to the basic fact that we are all sinners who need God’s forgiveness (Romans 3:23). To God, all sin is appalling. All sin separates us from God, and if we want to have a relationship with Him, we need His forgiveness; therefore, we need to forgive others.

Forgiveness heals you. It really is true that forgiving others is often the first step in allowing yourself to begin healing from whatever it is that hurt you. You may have heard that little proverb that says “holding on to resentment is like taking poison and expecting the other person to suffer.” Regardless of the other person’s fault, or how much justice you feel they deserve, resentment hurts you more than it hurts them.

It can be very hard to forgive, but it changes your life for the better. Alas, forgiveness can be hard to dish out. Sometimes, for me personally, putting the issue in the past is just too high a hurdle to jump on the first round. I have all kinds of feelings about the situation, the person, the future, the past.

It might take repeating some sort of affirmation to yourself each time you think about the event or the person. Something like, “I have chosen to forgive them. I am not defined by that person or event. I believe in God’s love for me and His plan for my life.” Or it might be something more active, like working on building a positive relationship with that person. With time and effort, you will see that you have moved past whatever situation or person you’re resentful about, and have indeed forgiven.

Here’s the beautiful thing about forgiveness; it can also change others’ lives for the better. One of my favorite stories is about Jean Valjean, from Victor Hugo’s novel, Les Misérables. Jean Valjean was a convicted thief who was paroled. The kindly bishop of Digne took him in and gave him a meal and a place to sleep. Even though the priest’s housekeeper suggested he do so, the bishop did not have the fine silver put away, and the temptation was too great for Jean. In the middle of the night, he stole the silver and made off with it. Of course, it didn’t take long before he was apprehended by suspicious soldiers and brought back to face the bishop.

This was a pivotal moment. One word from the bishop and Valjean would have been sent back to the galleys for life. But the bishop refused to accuse him. “The silver was a gift from me,” he said, “and, Jean, you forgot the candlesticks. Take this silver and use it to start a new life,” the priest told him. And Valjean did.

Forgiveness brings newness of life and liberation for you, and it has the power to transform the life of the recipient of your forgiveness.—Mara Hodler

Adapted from Just1Thing podcasts, a Christian character-building resource for young people. Published on Anchor February 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Amazing Grace

Compiled from the writings of David Brandt Berg

1984-09-22

In the beginning, God created man to freely and willingly choose to love and obey Him as His grateful, thankful children. That was His original plan. But as man became more and more disobedient and wicked, God had to give him more and more laws and rules and regulations. These laws were not made for the righteous, because the righteous person doesn’t harm or do wrong to his neighbor.

The laws were given for the people who do evil, unloving, harmful things. The Bible says that “the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers” (1 Timothy 1:9).

The Mosaic law makes every one of us a sinner, because not one of us can keep it. “For by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in God’s sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin” (Romans 3:20). In fact, it is impossible for anyone to be free of sin according to the laws of Moses. The scripture says that “God loveth a cheerful giver” (2 Corinthians 9:7). He far prefers that we willingly and cheerfully obey Him and do what He asks because we want to do what’s right and because we love Him and others, rather than just because it’s the law or because of fear of punishment or fear of judgment, etc.

The law was our teacher, our instructor or “schoolmaster” to show us that we’re sinners, to bring us to God for mercy, and to show us His absolute perfection and perfect righteousness, which was impossible for us to attain: “Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Galatians 3:24).

Then along came Jesus with His grace, mercy, forgiveness, love, and truth—our salvation: “For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). He came and showed us that salvation and true righteousness was not by works, but by grace. That “the Lord is also Lord of the sabbath, and that it was made for man, not man for the sabbath” (Mark 2:27–28).

When the hypocritical religious leaders questioned Him, “Master, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:37–39).

He then shocked them by continuing to say, “On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew 22:40). They had thousands of religious laws, but Jesus said that on this one simple law, love, depends all the law as well as all the prophets! That’s pretty broad coverage! That takes in the entire Old Testament, “the law and the prophets.” Jesus said that’s the whole works, the whole Bible, that’s all the law—love! In other words, if you love God and you love others, you’re not going to hurt anybody, you’re not going to be selfish, you’re not going to do anything that will hurt anybody else.

Therefore Jesus’ Law of Love frees us from the old law and is all-encompassing, all-absorbing, all-fulfilling, and above and beyond any other law. The Bible says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love…, and against such (love) there is no law” (Galatians 5:22–23). Against the love of God, the unselfish, sacrificial love of God and your fellow man, there is no law.

Jesus said, “I am not come to destroy the law or the prophets, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17). And by fulfilling it, He ended it; therefore we are no longer required to keep the laws of Moses of the Old Testament. “For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth” (Romans 10:4). By the old law, God showed man that he couldn’t make it on his own. By His new Law of Love, God showed that now you must have more love, more goodness, more righteousness—more than justice, you must have mercy.

Jesus said to the self-righteous, hypocritical religious leaders of his day, “Go ye and learn what this meaneth: I will have mercy, and not sacrifice” (Matthew 9:13). In other words, God’s idea of righteousness is not the self-righteous, holier-than-thou hypocrite who tries to earn merit with God through dutiful keeping of the law. God’s idea of righteousness is the pitiful, helpless, lost, humble, loving, sinful sinner who knows he can’t make it on his own and knows he needs God and His grace and mercy.

Through God’s Law of Love we are freed from the bondage of the old law into freedom of life and liberty through love! It’s the liberating Law of Love that gives life—not the “letter of the law that killeth” (2 Corinthians 3:6). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death” (Romans 8:1–2).

God’s grace through Jesus’ Law of Love is the end of the old law. Paul preached sermon after sermon and wrote letter after letter showing that the old law was finished, it was done with, period. The Mosaic law is done away with for the Christian who is living under grace and under the Law of Love. “Now we are delivered from the law, that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter. Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (Romans 7:6; Galatians 3:13).

God’s law now, the law of Jesus, the Law of Love is “to love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and thy neighbor as thyself” (Matthew 22:36–39).

Of course, this infuriated the Jews of Jesus’ day and their religious leaders, who said of His doctrine, “This is against Moses and against the law” (Acts 6:13–14; 21:28). This was the most raging controversy between Jesus and the Jews. It was also the most raging controversy between St. Paul and the legalists, the “concision,” the converted Jews who said, “Yes, we now believe in Jesus, but we still have to keep all the old law. We still have to keep the Mosaic law, the Sabbath, etc.” (Galatians 3).

Thus the early Christians were liberated spiritually, they found spiritual freedom, but they were still somewhat in bondage to some of the old customs, traditions, and laws which were hangovers from their Jewish past and background that they couldn’t quite shake. Remember, the first Christian church was just coming out of the Jewish temple and they almost had to make a compromise, because some of them were still under the bondage of the old law and weren’t able to break completely free.

But according to Jesus Himself and every book of the New Testament, God’s children today are no longer under the laws of Moses. We are under grace and under love. For us the old law is gone forever. Thank God! “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself” (Galatians 5:14). “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12). We are to “owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).

There are no Mosaic laws any longer, as far as we’re concerned. They are only to regulate the ungodly, as He says in 1 Timothy 1:9, and by which the unrighteous who are violating God’s Law of Love will be judged. “For if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law” (Galatians 5:18). “If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well” (James 2:8).

“Whatsoever you do in word or in deed, do all to the glory of God” (Colossians 3:17; 1 Corinthians 10:31). That’s our rule, God’s rule.

We are delivered from the old Mosaic law and no longer bound by it. Knowing this, realizing this, and practicing this gives us a lot of freedom. But in another way, His Law of Love is the most binding law of all. Because God’s Law of Love not only says you can’t steal, can’t kill, can’t do this, can’t do that, but that you’ve also got to love everybody—which is one of the hardest things to do!

In many ways the Law of Love is even more strict than the Mosaic law. The Ten Commandments said that we were to do that which was just and righteous, but under Jesus’ Law of Love we are to do more than justice and righteousness; we are to have love and mercy.

Love is more than righteousness, and mercy is greater than justice. So the Law of Love is greater, and we are to be more kind and more forgiving. Jesus says, “Do unto others what you want them to do to you” (Matthew 7:12)—not just whatever they do to you, but what you want them to do to you. This is love. Jesus went right down the line in Matthew and said, “You have heard that it has been said, but I say unto you”—and told them something entirely different. He said, “But I say unto you, love your enemies, forgive them” (Matthew 5:38–44).

Jesus’ law is much stricter, much more difficult to keep—in fact, impossible! That’s why He says, “Without Me, ye can do nothing” (John 15:5). But He also says that we “can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth us” (Philippians 4:13). For “His grace is sufficient for us, His strength is made perfect in our weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

You can’t possibly keep his Law of Love unless you’re saved and you have Jesus in your heart, the Spirit of God’s love within you, to give you the power and the strength to love others more than you love yourself, to “love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them that despitefully use you and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).

We have to receive Jesus first, then His Spirit in us will cause us to do the humanly impossible: love God and man. We have a truly graceful salvation and a graceful life of love for the Lord—full of grace. It has nothing to do with our own sinlessness or any kind of perfection or self-works or law-keeping of our own. We all make mistakes, we all sin, and any righteousness we have is only the grace of God. It’s only His love and His mercy and His grace.

We have been freed from the bondage of the old law and the condemnation of sin by Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross. The Scripture says that Jesus “blotted out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us (the law), which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross” (Colossians 2:14). It was on the cross, at the very end of His ministry on earth, that He proclaimed, “It is finished” (John 19:30).

However, the scripture also warns us that “whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). If you think something is a sin or you believe it is unlawful, then to you it is sin and unlawful. An awful lot has to do with your spiritual and mental attitude. It’s all in how you approach things and whether you do things by faith in love, “faith which worketh by love,” as the Scripture says (Galatians 5:6).

“Hast thou faith? Have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth” (Romans 14:22). It’ll make you happier if you’re not doing things about which you feel condemned or guilty or have a guilt complex, things that you’re not sure are right. In fact, if you’re afraid maybe it’s wrong, then it is wrong for you.

Have you accepted God’s love in Jesus Christ as your own personal savior? Do you have God’s Spirit in your heart? Do you love Him and others as much as you do yourself? Do you do unto others as you would have them do unto you? If so, you are free from the old Mosaic laws. Now all you must do is keep Jesus’ Law of Love. But it is even greater and stricter than the old Mosaic law, because now everything you do must be done in His love. You must have mercy and love (Matthew 9:13).

But if you do not have Jesus and his love in your heart, you are still under the old Mosaic law, guilty of all its infractions and judged by the same. They are not passed away for you.

Choose ye this day whom ye will serve (Joshua 24:15). As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord Jesus Christ and His living Law of Love!

Faith

David Brandt Berg

2010-10-05

It’s easy for you to get things from the Lord. You just have to have faith. When you ask the Lord for an answer, expect an answer, and take the first thing that comes. If you really believe and ask the Lord, and you want to hear or see, you won’t be disappointed. And the thing you see or hear with your eyes or ears of the spirit, that’s the Lord. Expect God to answer! If you’re really desperate and crying with your whole heart and are asking Him, He’ll answer.

A baby is such an illustration. When he’s crying for his mother, you wouldn’t think of refusing him. Hearing from the Lord is our spiritual nourishment—and you’ve got to be able to hear from the Lord! That little baby has more faith than you do sometimes, ’cause when the baby cries, he expects someone to hear him. God put it in him to know that if he calls, you’ll answer. He expects the answer, and he gets it! If he asks for milk, you’re sure not going to give him a serpent or something else. You’re going to give him what he needs. So you must expect that what you get is from the Lord.

You’re crying just like the baby for the spiritual food you need to live on—to survive on. When you cry, you must expect the Lord to answer. When you pick up the child, what do you do? You have to pick him up, reveal yourself to him, and, when he’s a tiny baby, you have to bring the nourishment to him. As he gets older, he automatically knows where to find the milk—he can reach out himself. The longer you practice receiving nourishment from the Lord, the more you know where to grab it, and you just open your eyes and see it and reach for it.

After the nipple is in the baby’s mouth, he automatically starts nursing. When you cry out to God for something, He pushes it in your mouth, but if you don’t start sucking, you’ll never get it. You have to have the faith to begin to pull. You absolutely have to draw God’s nourishment. God can show it to you, even stick it in your mouth, but if you don’t suck, you won’t get anything. The child sucks because God has put that automatic reaction in him to do it. A lot of times he has to suck for a couple of minutes before he gets something. The sucking is the action of faith. You have to put your faith into action!

Faith is a kind of drawing power. It is your drawing power from God. It’s kind of like a bank account: the money is there, and the Father has put it in the Bank of Heaven in your name—but you’ll never get a cent unless you’re willing to go to the bank, sign the check by faith, and draw on it. You’ve got to draw or you won’t get it. But you see, the faith draws it.

What is it that brings the milk out of the breast? What is the actual physical principle? You create a vacuum, an emptiness. When he sucks, the baby creates a vacuum inside his mouth, which pulls the milk out. You have to create a vacuum inside your heart: “Lord, here is this empty space—You fill it!”

In prayer, you create a vacuum—there’s a space that needs filling. You seek the Lord’s help. You create the vacuum, and it is the Lord’s pressure that fills it. All you did was create the vacuum—but that vacuum drew the power.

There’s an old saying: Nature abhors a vacuum. But God really likes a vacuum. He likes to fill every vacuum. He likes to fill every place that’s made for Him—every place where you open your heart, your spirit, His Spirit will flow in, in all His power.

The Lord wants you to draw on the Word—not only the recorded Word, but the living Word. But it is you drawing, and you must believe it, and start. What if the baby took one big suck and got discouraged? “Well, I didn’t get anything, so I just quit.” But sooner or later he gets so hungry, he has to start sucking again.

When you start sucking for dear life, and really desire it with all your heart, you’ll finally get it. You have to believe when you create that vacuum in your heart and draw on the Lord—that sucking action of your faith. You must believe that the first thing that comes into your mouth, the first thing you see, is from the Lord. You must begin to speak the words that He puts in your mouth, and speak that scripture or phrase He gives you. He gives you a little, but then you’ve got to expect more.

If the baby didn’t swallow what he got, he couldn’t get any more. So you get a mouthful and you swallow it. Then He gives you another mouthful. In this case, by giving it out, you’re swallowing it. And incidentally, the word “believe” in the New Testament is that Greek word, “drinking in.” “I believe” means “I drink in”—“I swallow.” It’s the word pisteuo—the word that’s used throughout the New Testament for “I believe”; “I drink in.”

That’s how you get revelations from the Lord. If it’s a message in tongues and prophecy, you drink it into your own mouth, and then you show your belief by giving it. But you only get one mouthful at a time. And if you don’t give that mouthful, you won’t get another. When you ask the Lord for a picture and you get it, start describing it. Describe what you see, and then the Lord will keep giving you more.

What do you do when you see a movie? You go in there and have to keep drinking in scene by scene by scene by scene. You couldn’t possibly get it all in one shot. You have to keep swallowing. So you have to exercise your faith. You have to create a vacuum in your spirit, and then the Lord will fill it.

The radio is like a vacuum. In the air right now all around us, just like the Spirit of the Lord, there are radio waves. But until you turn on the radio, and in a sense create a vacuum in this little receiver, you’re not going to get anything. You have to open a channel, an electric current. You have to make contact by making a vacuum.

The faithful people are people who are full of faith—full of a vacuum—and the Lord’s high pressure fills that vacuum. But you’ve got to keep swallowing. The Lord’s not going to squirt milk out into thin air where it will be lost or into some baby who won’t swallow it. He’s got to swallow it and digest it and assimilate it, or he won’t get it. You create that little spiritual vacuum through faith which draws on the Lord, and His high pressure fills it.

The power’s always on. The message is always there. God’s Spirit is like a broadcasting station, broadcasting all the time. All you have to do is throw the switch and tune in. You have to have the vacuum and sincerely open your mouth, and He’ll fill it. And that drawing draws the power of God. But then you have to tell the vision, tell the dream, give the message, or interpret the tongues. If that baby stops sucking, he’s not going to get any more. But as long as you keep sucking you’ll get more.

Unlike the mother, God has unlimited capacity to give, and what you get is only limited by your own capacity to receive. Pretty soon you get so full, you can’t stand it. Your vacuum is full, your tummy is satisfied, and your spirit is content. That little saying: estómago lleno, corazón contento!—My stomach’s full—my heart’s content! In other words, the Lord will keep on feeding you until you’re satisfied, until your spiritual vacuum is filled.

Faith is the hand of the Spirit which reaches out and receives. It’s the part that you do—your spiritual effort. That sucking on the part of the baby is his effort, and the mother does all the rest. It’s so simple: You just have to have the faith of that little baby.

It seems so natural, but it’s a miracle. Everything is a miracle. Everything is supernatural, because God made it all.

The answer’s always there if you’re willing to receive it. You have to be willing to take what He gives, and give it.

Originally published May 1971. Excerpts republished October 2010.
Read by Peter Amsterdam.

Faith Lessons from Over 60 Years of Friendship with Jesus

February 3, 2023

By Rick Warren

Over the next few weeks, I will share the lessons I have learned in different areas of faith and ministry from my 60 years of friendship with Jesus. It has been an amazing journey, and I hope you’ll join me as I describe some of what I’ve learned along the way.

I made two of the most important decisions of my life before I became a teenager. The first was when I gave my life to Christ. I wasn’t even five years old when I became a follower of Jesus on January 24, 1959. My parents loved the Lord and so did my grandparents, so it was very easy for me to come to faith.

Because of this experience, I never look down on a child who comes to faith in Jesus.

(Read the article here.)

Faith Lessons From Over 60 Years of Friendship With Jesus (Part 1) (pastors.com)

You can continue reading this series here:

Part Two

Part Three

Grace, Not Perfection

February 2, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 10:25

Download Audio (9.5MB)

I used to be driven to do something great for God. I volunteered for numerous opportunities and worked hard in the hopes that some book I was writing, some church I was planting, or some organization I was helping would accomplish great things for God. While I think God used my misguided zeal in spite of myself, nothing I did ever rose to the level of my expectations. Instead, my pursuits seemed to distract me from God, consume my life, and leave me stressed out or worn out.

I’m not driven anymore. I haven’t tried to do anything great for God in more than a decade, and yet I have seen him use my life in ways that always exceed my expectations. What changed? I did, by his grace.

My desire to do something great for God served me far more than it ever did him. It kept me too busy to enjoy him and distracted me from the real ministry opportunities brought across my path every day.

I used to start my day laying out my plans before God and seeking his blessing on them. How silly! Why would I want God to be the servant of my agenda? God’s plans for my day far exceed mine. I can almost hear him now as I awaken: “Wayne, I’m going to touch some people today. Do you want to come along?” …

If you’ve never known the joy of simply living in God’s acceptance instead of trying to earn it, your most exciting days in Christ are ahead of you. People who learn to live out of a genuine love relationship with the God of the universe will live in more power, more joy, and more righteousness than anyone motivated by the fear of his judgment.—Wayne Jacobsen¹

It has all got to be a work of the grace of God. Your work for the Lord, your daily tasks for the Lord, your thoughts and your love for Him and for others and unselfishness and sacrifice and a life of service, all of it is by the grace of God! “Faith which worketh by love” (Galatians 5:6). It’s God’s work! You have to have the faith that God is going to do it through you.

For years, I was convinced that I was nothing and nobody and could never do anything. I didn’t read the Bible enough and I didn’t pray enough. I was devoting my full time to the Lord’s work, but I wasn’t the kind of saint that was always on his knees and always reading the Bible and always praying, totally separated from this world and totally saintly and good. How could I ever do anything for God?

I wanted to be something for the Lord and do something great for the Lord. But it was easy for me to think, “I’m too sinful; I make too many mistakes. I’m nobody. Look, I’m not doing anything to speak of.”

Be honest, that’s the way you feel sometimes too. But “It is not I that live, but Christ that lives in me! And the life I now live, I live by the grace of God!” (See Galatians 2:20.)

Isn’t it wonderful that you can just trust the Lord and not worry? Of course, you can’t do it, but the Lord will help you do it. He will do it through you! With the help of Jesus you can be anything, do anything, and go anywhere God wants you to!—David Brandt Berg

At some time or other, everybody feels dirty and spiritually icky. None of us feel like we deserve the Lord’s love. And if we’re walking by sight and not by faith, going by how we’re feeling instead of trusting God’s Word, of course we’re going to wonder how the Lord could possibly love us or want us.

It’s just a fact that we’re all sinful. But when God looks at us, He doesn’t see our sin. He’s perfect, and He can’t accept sin, but when He looks at us He sees Jesus. Our lives are hid with Christ in God. We’re crucified with Christ, nevertheless we live; yet not us, but Christ lives within us. (See Colossians 3:3; Galatians 2:20.) Jesus is our mediator. Jesus is the one who gets us through to God. We’re too imperfect, too bad, too sinful—that’s for sure—but we’re not too sinful for Jesus!

Jesus paid the price and took all our imperfections and our sins on Himself. As long as we have been saved by Jesus’ blood, God has forgiven us—for past, present, and future sins. He doesn’t see our imperfections, He sees only Jesus’ righteousness.—Maria Fontaine

We’re called God’s masterpiece: “For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago” (Ephesians 2:10).

Being a masterpiece sounds great, but I will admit I don’t always feel that way. Instead, I can find myself striving to be perfect, ignoring the truth found in the second sentence of the verse: Because of Christ, I don’t have to be perfect. If you, too, struggle with this, you know like I do that it’s exhausting!

For a long time, I struggled with grace—giving and receiving it. I was hard on others because I was hard on myself. If I wasn’t perfect, I felt like I was a mistake.

What happens when you feel like a mistake instead of a masterpiece? Maybe this acrostic will help: G.R.A.C.E.

G ‒ Give yourself a moment. We are human, so it’s normal to be upset when things don’t go as planned. Grieve, and then, when the time comes, move on.

R ‒ Remember God loves you. Paul starts off Ephesians 2 by describing how God is rich in mercy and love. We are not a masterpiece because of anything we’ve done or who we are. It is all because of who Jesus is and His amazing grace.

A ‒ Acknowledge what didn’t go well. Sometimes mistakes happen, but that doesn’t mean you are a mistake. What didn’t go the way you wanted it to? Learn from it. “No matter how many times you trip them up, God-loyal people don’t stay down long; soon they’re up on their feet…” (Proverbs 24:16).

C ‒ Celebrate what did go well! Peter in the Bible gets picked on a lot. One of those famous stories is in Matthew 14, when he saw Jesus walking on the water. We often focus on Peter sinking, but we don’t remember this part: “Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus” (Matthew 14:29). No one else could say they walked on water, but Peter could!

E ‒ Encourage yourself. The second greatest commandment is to “Love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:31). Friends, we don’t always love ourselves well, but we should! What would you tell your child, sister, or friend if they messed up? Tell yourself the same thing. If it is true for them, it is true for you, too.

You are absolutely a masterpiece … perfected by Jesus, loved by God, and covered in His grace.

Father, I am so thankful You have made me righteous in Christ Jesus. Thank You for loving me on my best days and my worst days. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Anitha Abraham²

Published on Anchor February 2023. Read by Jon Marc. Music by John Listen.

¹ He Loves Me (Windblown Media, 2007).

² https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2022/01/14/grace-for-the-perfectionist.

Better to Have a Burden | Desiring God

Never Will I Leave Nor Forsake You

January 31, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 13:42

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A comforting promise in Scripture is that God will never leave those who are His. Hebrews 13:5 says, in part, “He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” In a world that is constantly changing and where people are constantly leaving, whether in a family, relationship, or in death, God’s promise of never leaving is encouraging.

The promise “I will never leave you nor forsake you” was first given to Israel and Joshua before entering the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 31:6). Encouragingly, Moses reminded Joshua that, as the succeeding leader, “the Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8). Joshua’s task of taking the Promised Land seemed impossible, but with the Lord the task was possible, for He would not forsake Joshua. …

In the New Testament, quoting from Deuteronomy 31:6, the author of Hebrews restates the promise of God’s eternal presence with believers (Hebrews 13:5). The promise is preceded by a command: “Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have.” Instead of trusting in riches or material goods, which will ultimately fail, believers should place their hope in God, who promises, “I will never leave you and I will never abandon you.” Riches and other resources can depart in a moment, but the Lord is with His children forever. One’s faith and trust, therefore, should be in Him alone.

Never will I leave you. At salvation, Christians are permanently indwelt with the Holy Spirit, who is God Himself (Acts 5:3–4). Christ affirmed that the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, would be with His followers always (John 14:16). Also, Jesus told His disciples that He would be with them “to the very end of the age”—a promise that has to include present-day believers (Matthew 28:20). The God who promised to never leave Joshua is the same Lord who says He will never leave believers today.

Never will I forsake you… Believers have the wonderful promise that God will never forsake them. Jesus felt utterly forsaken by the Father when He took the sins of the world upon Himself on the cross, and now those who trust in Him will not be abandoned in their sinful state (Matthew 27:46). …

God’s eternal promise that He will never leave or forsake believers is not only comforting, but also provides courage to followers of Christ. Because God will never leave or forsake His children, they can live unafraid. Hebrews 13:6 follows God’s promise with the statement, “Hence we can confidently say, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can anyone do to me?’” … Christians can also be emboldened and strengthened by the promise that the Lord will never leave or forsake them.—GotQuestions.org¹

His enduring promise

There is a lot in Daniel’s short book in the Bible. There are amazing accounts of triumph from trial and deliverance from execution. Daniel and his three companions refused to compromise their convictions, and even though that kind of stand could have cost them their lives, it ended up ensuring their protection and elevation to the very top in the administration of foreign empires. Kings trembled in awe before them and made them their counselors and confidants. If all this book contained were these accounts, it would still be one of the Bible’s most read and loved books.

But there is much more. It is the Old Testament’s single most prophetic look into the future. It contains amazingly accurate predictions of events that were to follow its writing, events now fulfilled to the letter, which we now can only sit back and marvel at. They are so accurately fulfilled that skeptics, in order to debunk them, claim that the predictions postdated the events. They can’t deny the accuracy, so they snipe at the delivery.

The events of the future covered in this book might sound frightening to some, and understandably so. They will be dark days for the world, but we who believe in and love Jesus, and do our best to serve Him, have His special protection. Furthermore, we must remember that Jesus has a vested interest in preserving us. He wants us to reach others with His love and truth. Daniel wrote that those “that know their God shall be strong and carry out great exploits” (Daniel 11:32).

Christians have endured many hard times before. But the end result has always been a victorious one for Christianity. You might not feel you have the same courage or faith to face dangers as they did, but you do. It is not our strength that will save us but God’s. His Word says, “‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’ So we may boldly say: ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?’” (Hebrews 13:5–6).

Even if there are some dark days ahead, those days are numbered. And after that, those who believe in Jesus and His atonement have only the brightest of futures—everlasting and filled with joy and happiness—to look forward to.—Scott MacGregor

Why you should be encouraged that God will never leave you

What does it mean that God will never leave nor forsake you? Let’s begin by defining these words. The Greek word for ‘leave’ is aniémi, and this is what thisword means: to send back, let go, relax, loosen, give up, or desist from. The word for ‘forsake’ is egkataleipó (please don’t ask me how to pronounce it), and look at what it means: to leave behind, to abandon, or to desert. When you really understand those two words, you will see why you should be encouraged that God will never leave you or forsake you. Let me put it together for you.

God is saying that I will never send you back, let go of you, relax my hold on you, loosen my grip on you, give up on you, or desist from being around you. He is also saying that I will never leave you behind, abandon you, or desert you. If this does not encourage you or give you a greater understanding of God’s faithfulness and commitment to you, then I don’t know what will. You can have full confidence that God is with you and will always be with you. …

When you understand the promise of this verse you should not only be encouraged that God will never leave you or forsake you, it should give you confidence. Here are some things you can be confident about when it comes to God’s faithfulness.

You can be confident that God will finish the work he started in you. “Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Philippians 1:6).

You can be confident that God will protect and provide for you. “And my God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

You can be confident that God will help you make it to the end. “To him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy” (Jude 1:24). …

When you look at the promises of these scriptures, the reason you can be confident is because of the one who is doing the work. God carries out the work. He protects and provides. He carries you to the end. He keeps you in his hand and presence forever. The hope and the confidence of the promise is the God who made it. It does not depend on you.

Salvation did not begin with your own merit and it will not end that way either. God provided the way. God sustains the way. God will keep you in the way. This is your confidence. This is the promise God made when he said he will never leave you or forsake you.—Clarence L. Haynes Jr.²

Joyful dependence

I am calling you to live in joyful dependence on Me. Many people view dependence as a despicable condition, so they strive to be as self-sufficient as possible. This is not My way for you! I designed you to need Me continually—and to delight in that neediness.

When you live in harmony with your Creator’s intentions for you, you can maximize your potential and enjoy your life more.

The apostle Paul exhorted Christians to be joyful always and to pray continually. There is always Joy to be found in My Presence, and I have promised I will not leave you or forsake you. So you can speak to Me at all times, knowing that I hear and I care.

Praying continually is a way of demonstrating your deliberate dependence on Me—the One to whom you pray. Another powerful way of relying on Me is studying My Word, asking Me to use it to transform you through and through. These delightful disciplines help you live in joyful dependence on Me. Delight yourself in Me more and more; this increases your Joy and glorifies Me.—Jesus³

Published on Anchor January 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.gotquestions.org/I-will-never-leave-you-nor-forsake-you.html.

² https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/why-you-should-be-encouraged-that-god-will-never-leave-you.html.

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Today (Thomas Nelson, 2012).

The Story of the Ten Virgins

January 30, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 10:33

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The parable of the Ten Virgins in Matthew 25:1–13 follows on the heels of the parable of the Faithful and Unfaithful Servant, which speaks of the servant who paid no attention to when his master would return. The parable of the Ten Virgins also addresses the need for continual readiness as believers wait for Christ’s return. The parable begins with “The kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom” (Matthew 25:1).

Wedding ceremonies in first-century Palestine were preceded by a betrothal. The betrothal was the first stage of marriage, and once a couple was betrothed, they were considered husband and wife. The second stage was the actual wedding ceremony, which is the setting for this parable. Not a lot is known about the details of these wedding ceremonies, but it seems that part of the ceremony included the groom and his friends escorting the bride and the bridal party to the home of the groom where the wedding feast—which often lasted some days—was held.

The procession of the bride to the groom’s home often took place at night and included song and dancing. In Jesus’ parable, ten unmarried young women were going to be part of this procession; and because it was dark, they were going to carry torches while escorting the bride and groom.

We’re now told something about the ten young women: “Five of them were foolish, and five were wise. For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them, but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps” (Matthew 25:2–4).

The lamps these young women carried would have been torches for outdoor use, which were a stick with bundles of cloth wrapped around the top. The cloth would be soaked in oil and then lit. These torches would burn brightly for about fifteen minutes and then start to go out, as the oil was consumed. For this reason, those carrying such torches would take extra oil in some sort of container, called vessels in KJV and flasks or jars in other translations.

Five of the girls brought extra oil with them, while the other five didn’t bring any surplus. The girls who brought the oil were referred to as wise, while those who didn’t make such preparations were referred to as foolish by Jesus. Jesus used the same wise/foolish comparison in the parable of the wise man who built his house on the rock and the foolish one who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24–27).

Jesus goes on to say, “As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept” (Matthew 25:5). The ten young women were ready and waiting for the arrival of the bridegroom; however, the groom was delayed. No explanation is given in the parable for the delay, nor is one needed, since parables are meant to illustrate a point or principle. Considering that they had everything prepared for the bridegroom’s arrival, and there was much they would need to do after he arrived, taking a nap was a reasonable course of action.

“At midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him’” (Matthew 25:6). The word translated as midnight expresses that he came sometime in the middle of the night. Someone had sighted the approach of the groom’s party and called out for everyone to come outside and meet him.

“Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps. And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out’” (Matthew 25:7–8). All the women rose and prepared their lamps. The wise girls began to re-soak and light their torches. The foolish girls’ lamps, however, wouldn’t stay lit due to a lack of oil, and were probably smoking badly since the cloth didn’t have enough oil. If their torches went out then, these five young women would not be able to play their role in the torchlight parade to the groom’s parents’ home.

“But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves’” (Matthew 25:9). The unwillingness of the wise girls to share their oil could seem selfish, but their supply of oil was probably limited, and if they shared it, none of them would have enough oil in their lamps for the procession of the bridegroom. So they refused to give their oil away, and suggested that those who needed oil go and purchase some.

Since it was the middle of the night, suggesting that the girls go buy oil could seem somewhat ridiculous, but as this is a parable, the technical details didn’t have to all line up. It’s also possible that the wise girls may have been suggesting going to the shop/home of the oil seller to wake him or, since there was a wedding in the village, some of the shops may have stayed open during the festivities. In any case, the foolish girls went off to try to buy the oil they should have brought with them.

“While they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut” (Matthew 25:10). The bridegroom arrived while the foolish girls were away looking for oil, and the girls who had oil in their lamps went into the marriage feast with the groom, and the door to the feast was closed.

When commenting on the door being closed, one commentator wrote: “The closing of the door is another element in the story which seems out of place in the open hospitality and conviviality of a village wedding; late arrival is not normally an issue in oriental society, certainly not penalized in such a dramatic fashion.^”¹ Though this was out of the norm, the fact that the door was shut indicates that at this wedding feast there was a time when one was able to enter into the festivities, and those who didn’t make it on time were excluded.

“Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’ But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you’” (Matthew 25:11–12). We’re not told if the young women were successful in finding the oil, but when they returned, they found the door to the wedding feast closed.

This was baffling to them. They were presumably on the guest list, as they had a role to play as torchbearers; they desired to be part of the wedding party, but the door was shut. So they appealed to the bridegroom, respectfully calling out “lord, lord,” appealing to him to open the door so they can enter. His response is chilling: “I do not know you.”

These dismissive words aren’t a statement that the bridegroom was not acquainted with the young women, but rather a form of dissociation from them. His words make it painfully clear that they will not partake of the wedding festivities; they are shut out of the celebration. The Truly, I say to you statement drives home the importance of the words I do not know you. They had expected to be part of the wedding, they had a role to play, they wanted to be let in, but they were completely excluded.

The parable ends with: “Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour” (Matthew 25:13).

The primary message that this parable conveys is the idea of Jesus’ return being delayed. Believers in the early days of Christianity expected that Jesus’ second coming would be soon. Elsewhere in the Gospels, Jesus makes it clear that none of us know when that time will be (Matthew 24:36).

“Know this, that if the master of the house had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:43–44).

This parable makes the point that since no one knows the time of the Lord’s return, each of us must always be ready for that moment. We don’t know when the Lord will return, and we certainly don’t know when our lives on this earth will end. Through this parable, Jesus expressed the need to be mindful of His return and live in a manner which reflects readiness for coming into His presence. For some believers, that will happen at His return; but for others, it will be at the time of their death.

Our time to live our faith, to follow Jesus, to love others, to live honorable lives, is now. May we all live in a manner which reflects the readiness of the wise virgins, so that when we pass from this life to the next, we will hear Jesus say to us, “Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21).

Originally published May 2018. Adapted and republished January 2023.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007), 949–50.

09 – Seventy Weeks | Daniel 9 (Part 2)

Daniel the Prophet

Scott MacGregor

2010-01-01

Messiah

[meh SIGH uh] (anointed one) — the one anointed by God and empowered by God’s Spirit to deliver His people and establish His kingdom. In Jewish thought, the Messiah would be the king of the Jews, a political leader who would defeat their enemies and bring in a golden era of peace and prosperity. In Christian thought, the term Messiah refers to Jesus’ role as a spiritual deliverer, setting His people free from sin and death.

The word Messiah comes from a Hebrew term that means “anointed one.” Its Greek counterpart is Christos, from which the word Christ comes. Messiah was one of the titles used by early Christians to describe who Jesus was.

In Old Testament times, part of the ritual of commissioning a person for a special task was to anoint him with oil. The phrase anointed one was applied to a person in such cases. In the Old Testament, Messiah is used more than 30 times to describe kings (2 Samuel 1:14,16), priests (Leviticus 4:3,5,16), the patriarchs (Psalm 105:15), and even the Persian King Cyrus (Isaiah 45:1). The word is also used in connection with King David, who became the model of the messianic king who would come at the end of the age (2 Samuel 22:51; Psalm 2:2). But it was not until the time of Daniel (sixth century BC) that Messiah was used as an actual title of a king who would come in the future (Daniel 9:25–26). Still later, as the Jewish people struggled against their political enemies, the Messiah came to be thought of as a political, military ruler.

From the New Testament we learn more about the people’s expectations. They thought the Messiah would come soon to perform signs (John 7:31) and to deliver His people, after which He would live and rule forever (John 12:34). Some even thought that John the Baptist was the Messiah (John 1:20). Others said that the Messiah was to come from Bethlehem (John 7:42). Most expected the Messiah to be a political leader, a king who would defeat the Romans and provide for the physical needs of the Israelites.

According to the Gospel of John, a woman of Samaria said to Jesus, “I know that Messiah is coming.” Jesus replied, “I who speak to you am He” (John 4:25–26). In the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke, however, Jesus never directly referred to Himself as the Messiah, except privately to His disciples, until the crucifixion (Matthew 26:63–64; Mark 14:61–62; Luke 22:67–70). He did accept the title and function of messiahship privately (Matthew 16:16-17). Yet Jesus constantly avoided being called “Messiah” in public (Mark 8:29–30). This is known as Jesus’ “messianic secret.” He was the Messiah, but He did not want it known publicly.

The reason for this is that Jesus’ kingdom was not political but spiritual (John 18:36). If Jesus had used the title “Messiah,” people would have thought He was a political king. But Jesus understood that the Messiah, God’s Anointed One, was to be the Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13–53:12). The fact that Jesus was a suffering Messiah — a crucified deliverer — was a “stumbling block” to many of the Jews (1 Corinthians 1:23). They saw the cross as a sign of Jesus’ weakness, powerlessness, and failure. They rejected the concept of a crucified Messiah.

But the message of the Early Church centered around the fact that the crucified and risen Jesus is the Christ (Acts 5:42; 17:3; 18:5). They proclaimed the “scandalous” gospel of a crucified Messiah as the power and wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:23–24). John wrote, “Who is a liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ [the Messiah]?” (1 John 2:22).

By the time of the apostle Paul, “Christ” was in the process of changing from a title to a proper name. The name is found mostly in close association with the name “Jesus,” as in “Christ Jesus” (Romans 3:24) or “Jesus Christ” (Romans 1:1). When the Church moved onto Gentile soil, the converts lacked the Jewish background for understanding the title, and it lost much of its significance. Luke wrote, “The disciples were first called Christians [those who belong to and follow the Messiah] in Antioch” (Acts 11:26).

As the Messiah, Jesus is the divinely appointed king who brought God’s kingdom to Earth (Matthew 12:28; Luke 11:20). His way to victory was not by physical force and violence, but through love, humility, and service.

09 – Seventy Weeks | Daniel 9 (part 1)

Daniel the Prophet

Scott MacGregor

2010-01-01

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The Book of Daniel gets more and more fascinating as it progresses, and you will read in this chapter how Daniel is told of some very specific timing with regard to the sacrificial death of the Messiah and the length of the still-to-come reign of the Antichrist.

But first we are told that Daniel was studying the writings of his contemporary, Jeremiah, regarding the fate of the Jewish people and the duration of their captivity by the Babylonians. This is quite interesting in that this shows that Daniel was acquainted with Jeremiah and understood that he was a prophet, recognition that Jeremiah sadly lacked from the majority of Jews who remained in Judah at the time.

During this tumultuous time in Judah’s history, the Lord had given that nation three major prophets — Daniel, Ezekiel, and Jeremiah.

Daniel, as we know, was taken away captive when Nebuchadnezzar besieged and conquered Jerusalem the first time in 605 BC.

Ezekiel was taken amongst those that Nebuchadnezzar deported to Babylonia (Ezekiel 1:1) from Jerusalem after he besieged and took the city a second time in 597 BC. The Jews had rebelled against the yoke of Babylon, but Nebuchadnezzar made short work of that rebellion. Jehoiachin had inherited the throne after his father Jehoiakim died, but had only reigned for a few short months before this defeat. Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin, his family and attendants, and 10,000 others back with him to Babylonia. And Nebuchadnezzar appointed Zedekiah, the last of Josiah’s sons, as king in his nephew’s stead (2Kings 24:10–17).

Jeremiah during all this remained in Judah and prophesied from the time of Josiah, all the way through the reigns of his sons and grandson, and the total destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar in 587/586 BC. Later, after the Babylonian governor was assassinated, Jeremiah accompanied the Jews who had remained in Judah into their self-exile in Egypt.

It is interesting to note that the Lord mentions Daniel three times in Ezekiel’s prophecies (Ezekiel 14:14,20; 28:3). It seems that Daniel’s probity and wisdom must have been proverbial amongst the Jews of the exile. And Daniel in this chapter is reading Jeremiah.

There are two places in Jeremiah’s writings where the Lord said that the Jews would go into captivity in Babylon for 70 years:

The word that came to Jeremiah concerning all the people of Judah, in the fourth year of Jehoiakim the son of Josiah, king of Judah (which was the first year of Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon), which Jeremiah the prophet spoke to all the people of Judah and to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying: … And this whole land shall be a desolation and an astonishment, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years.

Jeremiah 25:1–2,11

For thus says the Lord: After seventy years are completed at Babylon, I will visit you and perform My good word toward you, and cause you to return to this place.

Jeremiah 29:10

This is a very specific and precise prophecy that was fulfilled in two very significant ways: Firstly, the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem three times. Fed up with the continuing rebellions, Nebuchadnezzar desolated the city and the temple in 587/586 BC. Secondly, the Jews were indeed in exile in and around Babylon, serving the kings of that land for 70 years. Let’s examine the dates:

Nebuchadnezzar first took captives away from Jerusalem in 605 BC, and it seems this was regarded as the start of the 70 years. Cyrus gave permission for the exiles to return in 538 BC, but that return didn’t occur till 536 BC. In that year, 42,360 Jews returned under Sheshbazzar (Ezra 1:7–10; 2:64) — to whom Cyrus had given the temple paraphernalia taken by Nebuchadnezzar — and under Jeshua the priest and Zerubbabel. Seventy prophetic years (see explanation of prophetic years later in this chapter) is equal to 69 solar or calendar years. 605 BC to 536 BC is 69 years.

Daniel, upon reading these scriptures, prays one of the most heartfelt prayers found in the Bible, confessing, and asking the Lord to forgive, both his and his people’s iniquities. And then once again the archangel Gabriel appears to Daniel to give him another revelation. This revelation also concerns the number 70, but this time it has to do with a period of “seventy weeks.”

The revelation predicted among other things the year that Jesus the Messiah would be crucified. Yet it was worded in such a way as to make its fulfillment even more amazing than just stating a given date. It hinged its fulfillment on events, which at the time of Daniel receiving this prophecy (circa 538 BC), had yet to occur.

The word “week” is translated from the Hebrew word transliterated as shabua. Aside from having the meaning of a seven-day week, it also has the literal meanings of “seven” and “unit of seven.”

In Genesis there is found a passage that also uses this word shabua, and it is concerning the patriarch Jacob. He had been working seven years for his uncle, Laban, with the intent of earning the right to marry Laban’s younger daughter Rachel. Laban tricked Jacob by substituting his older daughter Leah in the marriage bed on the night of the wedding. Jacob was incensed, but Laban insisted that it was only proper that the older daughter should marry first, but he agreed that if Jacob fulfilled Rachel’s “week, we will give you this one also for the service which you will serve with me still another seven years” (Genesis 29:27).

Here shabua means a period of seven years, and it can be assumed then that “weeks” in the prophecy of Daniel 9 can also be understood to mean “periods of seven years.”

When we add the 7 weeks and the 62 weeks mentioned in Daniel 9:25, we come up with a total of 69 weeks. Then if we multiply 69 times 7, we arrive at a figure of 483 years. God was telling Daniel that 483 years would pass between the time that the command was given to return and rebuild Jerusalem and the death of the Messiah, Jesus.

Keeping this in mind, we must now consider what is regarded as a “year” in ancient terms. Sir Isaac Newton (1642–1727) wrote: “All nations, before the just length of the solar year was known, reckoned months by the course of the moon, and years by the return of winter and summer, spring and autumn; and in making calendars for their festivals, they reckoned thirty days to a lunar month, and twelve lunar months to a year, taking the nearest round numbers, whence came the division of the ecliptic [path of the sun’s annual rotation] into 360 degrees” (The Coming Prince (1894) by Robert Anderson, page 68). In other words, the year of the ancients consisted of 360 days.

A biblical confirmation of the length of what Bible scholars and commentators sometimes call a “prophetic year” is found in Genesis 7:11,24, and 8:3–4. The time that the biblical deluge in the time of Noah began until the ark came to rest on the top of Mount Ararat is given as 150 days. This period is dated as beginning on the 17th day of the second month of the year and lasting till the 17th day of the 7th month, a period of exactly 5 months. When 150 is divided by 5, we come up with a month being a period of 30 days. If we extrapolate that, then 12 months of 30 days would equal 360 days.

In Revelation 11:2–3, 42 months is equated to 1,260 days. Forty-two months is also equal to three and a half years. If we take the 1,260 days and divide it by 3½, we end up with 360 days in a year.

Next let us look at another biblical hero, Nehemiah. He was the Jewish cupbearer to the Persian king Artaxerxes Longimanus, the fifth king of the Persian Empire. According to Nehemiah’s account in chapter two of his book, it was in the king’s 20th year on the throne that Nehemiah was granted permission to supervise the reconstruction of the walls of Jerusalem. Dating this event accurately to our present calendar can be done because the Persian Empire kept precise astronomical records.

The 20th year of King Artaxerxes — and thus the year this command was given to restore and build Jerusalem — is fixed with a fair amount of certainty at 445 BC. Several other decrees issued by Artaxerxes and his predecessors had allowed the Jews to return to their homeland and rebuild their temple, but this is the one that gave them permission to rebuild the city walls. As you can read in the book of Nehemiah, this feat was completed — in spite of constant and “troublesome” interference from neighboring kingdoms — in just 52 days (Nehemiah 6:15).

Now it is time to do some math. We need to convert 483 prophetic years into solar years. A solar year consists of about 365¼ days.

(483 x 360) ÷ 365¼ = 476 solar years

If we now add 476 years to 445 BC, we arrive at the year 31 AD . However, since the first day of 31 AD would be the end of the 476 years, to fit in with the prophecy Jesus’ death would have had to happen somewhere within the year 30 AD . Most sources state that Jesus was crucified around 30 AD .

In summary, we know that the “going forth of the command to restore and build Jerusalem … and the wall” was in 445 BC. Daniel predicted that after 69 weeks the “Messiah shall be cut off.” Those 69 weeks translate into 476 years of our solar calendar, which, when added to 445 BC, results in the year 30 AD , the year of Christ’s crucifixion. That exact year being predicted over 500 years previously in the Book of Daniel is a remarkable date to arrive at!

There are indications that the Jews of Jesus’ day were expecting the Messiah to come around that time, as Luke records that “the people were in expectation, and all reasoned in their hearts about John, whether he was the Christ or not” (Luke 3:15). The Jews were very well acquainted with their prophets’ writings, so it’s likely that their awareness of this prophecy from Daniel was the cause of this expectation.

The fulfillment of the first part of this amazing prophecy inspires faith that the rest of it will be fulfilled just as accurately. For, as you may have noticed, there is one “week” of years unaccounted for. Verse 24 refers to “seventy weeks” in order to “make an end of sins” and “bring in everlasting righteousness.” However, verses 25 and 26, which predict the year of Christ’s death, only account for 69 “weeks.” What and when is this last week? It certainly wasn’t fulfilled seven years after Jesus was crucified and then rose from the dead, since an era of “everlasting righteousness” was not ushered in; nor was the vision and prophecy “sealed up” or completed.

As we will see, the last week starts when the Antichrist confirms the covenant with many for one week. It really is the last week — the last seven years.

In verse 26, the prophecy announces that the forces of a prince who is going to come shall destroy the city, meaning Jerusalem, and the sanctuary or temple. This was fulfilled to an extent by the Romans under the then-future emperor, Titus, who razed Jerusalem and its second temple to the ground again in 70 AD . Both the sack of Jerusalem and the slaughter of its inhabitants are related by the Jewish historian Josephus in his Antiquities.

However, verse 27 precludes Titus being the prince spoken of because it says he confirms, or makes, a covenant for a period of seven years. Titus never made such a deal.

This covenant, which plays a pivotal role in Endtime events, apparently allows the resumption of Jewish temple worship with all its requisite animal sacrifices. We deduce that because when this covenant is broken in the middle of the seven years, the sacrifice and offering is brought to an end. At the writing of this book, there is no temple and hence no temple worship. But, according to this and other prophetic passages in the Bible, one is going to be built. (Read chapter 1, “And He Shall Confirm a Covenant” in The Rise and Fall of the Antichrist for a more thorough treatment of this subject.)

And at the breaking of this covenant, we are told cryptically that on the wing of abominations shall be one who makes desolate. In Daniel chapter 11 we are told about the Abomination of Desolation, which is some sort of idol, being placed in the temple. And the peoples of the world are ordered to worship this thing. It is not going to be your everyday idol, either. We don’t know everything about it, but we will delve into it more in chapter 11.

And all this is going to happen until the consummation, the very end, when God’s frightening judgments are poured out on the desolate.

When that is over, the following stipulations in Daniel 9:24 will all surely be fulfilled: “Seventy weeks are determined for your people and for your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sins, to make reconciliation for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up the vision and prophecy, and to anoint the Most Holy.”

Jesus died for our sins at the end of the 69th week, and we have thus been recon-ciled. And after the 70th week, the transgression of the Antichrist’s reign in Jerusalem and in the temple will be finished. Everlasting righteousness will be ushered in with the establishment of God’s kingdom on Earth after Jesus’ Second Coming, which takes place at the end of the seventh year of the Antichrist’s reign. The vision and prophecy will be fulfilled and sealed, and Jesus will be anointed King of all the Earth.

When Attitude Determines Altitude

By Maria Fontaine

January 24, 2023

We are now into the new year, and you have probably been thinking and praying about the future. The beginning of a new year is an appropriate time to review the past year and anticipate what might happen in the coming year. Doing this is good when it results in positive plans and goals, but sometimes it can also bring a sense of dread or anxiety about the future. We know that each year of our lives is different in many ways, and there’s much that we can’t anticipate or prepare for, so we have to trust God.

The following is a message from Jesus with some good counsel on how to approach the year ahead. If you feel so led, you might want to send it to a friend.

(Jesus:) Major changes that result in challenges can either weaken you or bring you closer to Me. If you give in to fear rather than faith, these things can hinder your growth, but if you use the circumstances you face to bring you closer to Me, you can come through with greater faith, wisdom, compassion, and determination to put yourself even more securely in My hands. Dark times are opportunities for you, My children, to shine!

Some of you are facing very challenging situations. Others of you are still not being impacted in one way or another by the realities on the horizon. But few in this coming year will remain untouched by events unfolding. However, it’s not what you will face that is as important as how you choose to face it. Battling anxiety or the temptation to fear is not a sign of weakness but a sign that I count you worthy to team up with Me in order to turn those fears into overcoming faith!

Each of you will encounter whatever challenges I know can benefit you. I may stir some of you to action, and others I may bring to a place apart where I can teach you precious truths through these experiences. But whatever you will face in the coming year, know that I bring these “gifts” to you in order to cause them to work together for good in the end. (See the Anchor post “Counted Worthy.”)

If you are facing financial concerns, you can trust in Me when I say that you don’t need to worry. I’ve done miracles for the last half century to provide what is important to meet your needs. It won’t necessarily be luxury, but then, sometimes, having abundance might tend to corrupt more than to strengthen. I’m able to do whatever it takes to keep you through the future. What matters most is your foundation of faith and our bond that continues to grow. As you seek Me and follow My leading, all these things will be added in My perfect time.

“Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness.” How do you seek My kingdom?—By reaching out to others who need the truth that I’ve given to you.

How do you seek My righteousness?—By sitting at My feet and learning from Me, for I am meek and lowly in heart, and in doing so, you will find rest to your souls.

Then, all these other things will be added unto you: the provision you need to fulfill your tasks in this life, the greater faith to hold on to Me through anything, the peace that passes the understanding of your mind, and the love and compassion to reach the hearts of those who need Me.

If, as you read this, you take it to heart, then I will give the strength, the faith, the determination and the endurance you need, and you will come through as even finer gold. (End of message from Jesus.)

We put up a post on Directors’ Corner on December 27 titled “Happy New Year 2023!” In that post, we suggested that you might find it helpful to find a verse or several of them that speak to your heart and to memorize them, write them down, read them often, and claim them throughout this coming year, so that they can strengthen your faith and help you to walk through the new year with the assurance that only Jesus can give.

I was excited to get rolling with this challenge! My only problem was that the Lord was showing me so many verses and songs and portions of prophecy that I wanted to use in this way. With my poor memory and bad eyesight, it was going to take a miracle for me to do this. But it was what the Lord wanted me to step out and do, and I knew that if we were challenging you to do something, we should be willing to do it ourselves. So, I said, “Okay, Lord, I’ll give it my best try. It’ll have to be You.”

And following the suggestion in that post to memorize a verse, Jesus had given a message that I felt was very beautiful! I thought, Oh yes! I love this! And I’m going to try to memorize this too! (With a few adaptations.) I’m not going to tell you the whole message here, but you can refer to it at the end of the Happy New Year post. It begins with:

“Your future stretches out before you all the way into eternity. I am the Companion who will never leave you, the Guide who knows every step of the way ahead.”

I felt the Lord was speaking to me through this message. Even if in the end I couldn’t memorize it all, I can read it often and be encouraged.

We each will have specific verses or other things that Jesus may show us to implant in our hearts (Proverbs 7:3). But to give you an idea of some possible things that might help, I thought I would share a few that the Lord has already given me to memorize or review often as I walk through this year. I’ll ask Peter if he might consider sharing something similar at some point as you might find them helpful.

The first verse the Lord gave me for 2023, which I claimed for you all in that post I mentioned above, was:

“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future’” (Jeremiah 29:11).

Another one of the verses that the Lord gave me to review was 1 John 5:14–15:

“And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us: And if we know that he hears us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desire of him.”

I also felt it was fitting for me to memorize, review, and apply what Jesus told the Father when facing what must have been the toughest challenge of His life on earth in the garden of Gethsemane:

“Nevertheless, not My will but Thine be done” (Luke 22:42).

After each prayer, I try to tell the Lord, “This is what I think is going to be best, but if You know this isn’t what is best, then, not my will but Thine be done.” And you know, that’s more difficult to say to the Lord and really mean it than you might imagine. Why? Because doing this requires an unconditional trust in His love.

Through the years, God has given each of us wisdom that comes from Him. As James 1:5 says, “Now if any of you lack wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him.”

We know that when we ask for wisdom, God gives it to us abundantly. We could say to the Lord, “Why do we have to say ‘Thy will be done’? You’ve already given us so much of Your wisdom. Shouldn’t we know what is the wisest thing much of the time by now?” But in answer to this question, the Lord said to me:

“I’ve given my children some wisdom in areas where they have sought it and were willing to accept it, but My wisdom is still infinitely greater than yours. I see things that you don’t see.”

Wisdom is not something that we simply ask for and presto, we are all-wise. He usually gives us that wisdom through the experiences He allows us to go through. Like that poem:

I asked for strength and God gave me difficulties to make me strong
I asked for wisdom and God gave me problems to solve
I asked for prosperity and God gave me brawn and brain to work
I asked for courage and God gave me dangers to overcome
I asked for patience and God placed me in situations where I was forced to wait
I asked for love and God gave me troubled people to help
I asked for favors and God gave me opportunities
I received nothing I wanted but I received everything I needed
My Prayer Has Been Answered.

And so, I told Jesus, “I’m ready to put the business of knowing what is best in Your hands. You can bring good out of anything. That’s what my every prayer is asking You for. My faith can stretch that far.”

However, just when we feel like the Lord has stretched our faith about as far as it will go, He sometimes has a little more stretching in His plan! Someone wrote me and said:

“If you’re going to memorize a verse (or several), something that can help is to record the verses or have someone else do it, or even use a text-to-speech converter. And then you can listen to them over and over as often as you like. I have done that when working to memorize something and it’s been helpful. Eventually, it sticks in your mind almost without your realizing it.”

That sounded a bit unrealistic in my specific situation because my day is often filled with a wide variety of things that leave few long periods of time to sit and listen to such a recording. Nevertheless, I decided to give it a try. A very beautiful song that I have wanted to remember the words to came to mind. You’ve probably heard it; you may even know it very well. It’s called “Whom Shall I Fear—God of Angel Armies.”¹ I suppose most people could remember the lyrics in a snap, but I have to do a lot more before I can get them down pat.

So, in order to remember the lyrics that speak to my heart in this song, the Lord showed me a way to make it work. I have a set of wireless headphones so that I can have it playing over and over with the “repeat” setting on as I go around the house. If I have to focus on something else for a few moments or devote some time to something else, I can turn the headphones off. The song keeps playing and I can get back to it when I can, simply by switching my headphones back on.

If you don’t know this song already, I think it would be worth listening to it. Here are some excerpts from it.

You hear me when I call
You are my morning song
Though darkness fills the night
It cannot hide the light

And then it goes on to say:

You crush the enemy
Underneath my feet
You are my sword and shield
Though troubles linger still

I’m so glad that the songwriter put some of these points in that are so important.

The one who reigns forever
He is a friend of mine

How beautiful is that?!

Whom shall I fear?

I know who goes before me
I know who stands behind
The God of angel armies
Is always by my side

My strength is in your name
For you alone can save
You will deliver me
Yours is the victory

And nothing formed against me shall stand
You hold the whole world in your hands
I’m holding on to your promises
You are faithful
You are faithful

As a final thought on this topic of facing the future with the attitude of faith and trust in Jesus, and the need to keep our eyes on the Lord rather than circumstances or people, I want to share a parting thought from Pope John XXIII:

“Consult not your fears but your hopes and your dreams. Think not about your frustrations, but about your unfulfilled potential. Concern yourself not with what you tried and failed in, but with what it is still possible for you to do.”

With Jesus, nothing shall be impossible!

¹ Hear the song with lyrics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qOkImV2cJDg

Why Suffering?

January 27, 2023

By Philip Yancey

Philip Yancey is the best-selling author of a number of books, including “What’s So Amazing About Grace?”, “Where Is God When It Hurts?” and “The Jesus I Never Knew.” In this interview with Nicky Gumbel, HTB Church, London, Yancey shares his perspective on the question “Why suffering?”

Run time for this video is 30 minutes.

https://youtu.be/ubtCZXM0o5Q

Endtime Specifics

January 26, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 10:09

Download Audio (9.2MB)

Some of you have written asking if Peter and I had comments on current world events and how they relate to the endtime.

The Lord has provided a framework of the overall endtime and many specifics about His glorious return that we can share with others. We know that before Jesus returns, there will be a time of great trouble, preceded by a one-world government run by the Antichrist, who will impose what the Bible calls the Mark of the Beast as he tries to force the world to worship him as if he were God.

We understand that, once certain events take place, we will know the time left until the coming of Jesus. I believe that the Lord has shown us what we need to know for the time being. If He knows we need more details, then He will show us more. In the meantime, He continues to provide what is most necessary and He prepares us to face and overcome the obstacles ahead.

Each time Peter and I have asked the Lord what our emphasis should be, He has said to stay focused on reaching the lost, feeding His sheep, and strengthening others and ourselves.

We have so much of God’s truth to share with people. We know that the Lord’s love can change hearts day by day to become more like Jesus. There is no chance that we will ever run out of inspiration or guidance from God’s Word or His Spirit. He is also using this time to draw others to Him, reminding people of the brevity and fragility of the earthly life, and leading them to seek His answers.

The Lord hasn’t told us specifically what role recent events may play in the bigger picture of the endtime prophecies in the Bible. However, He has already laid out the broader plan in sufficient detail to give us the vision and faith in Him that we will see the wonderful end that God has promised, whether it’s from this earth or from the heavenly realm. God has privileged us to go through this time in order to grow, progress, learn, and become more what He wants us to be.

Is knowing always best?

In a related vein, while we are here in this life to learn, I believe there could be reasons why not knowing certain details at a given point in time can actually be beneficial. Several questions came to me that I feel bring up some valid points.

What if knowing more details about some endtime events would get us so focused on those things that we weren’t able to keep our attention on our main job of sharing God’s love with others?

Could knowing some details cause us to stress or panic or to rush ahead of the Lord, doing things that would seem logical and right but which could actually be a distraction?

On the other side of the topic, if the Lord told us something wasn’t going to happen for a long time, would it make it much harder for us to endure whatever He knows will prepare us for those more distant times?

Knowledge is information, but knowledge on its own is not always beneficial. Consider the apostle Peter, when Jesus told him they were going down to Jerusalem and all that would happen there, including Jesus’ death. Peter had the best of intentions when he rebuked Jesus, telling Him that he wouldn’t let Him go (Matthew 16:21–23).

What if Peter had been allowed to act on his own conclusions and somehow prevent Jesus from fulfilling His mission? The knowledge he had, without God’s wisdom of the greater plan and purpose, caused Peter to even try to fight against God’s plan in that moment. Peter eventually came to see that what had earlier seemed unthinkable was in fact the victory that overcame evil. But in that moment, based on what he knew, the thought of allowing something so terrible to happen was unimaginable.

I think I would feel the same as Peter did at that point. Without the full understanding of the ultimate results, I think I would have done anything I could to try to prevent it.

Jesus promised us that He wouldn’t place burdens on us that are more than we can bear. When He chooses not to give us certain details, we need to trust Him that there is a good reason for us to not know those things at that time. When it is His time, and He knows that we are ready to use the information wisely, He will reveal it.

What if He wants us to walk by faith through whatever is next in these times, so that what we experience can grow our trust in Him? God isn’t in a hurry, so why should we be? He knows the perfect time when further knowledge will bring the greatest benefit to us and to others.

If we knew the identity of the Antichrist in advance, what would we be tempted to do with that information? Would we declare it to the world? What would be the advantage of doing that at present? We can’t stop what the Bible says is going to take place. The endtime events described in Bible prophecy are steps in the process that lead to Jesus’ return. What if we knew the timing of all the endtime events? If we did, would it cause us to be more humble and dependent on the Lord? Or could it possibly boost our pride that we know things that other people don’t? Would that end up damaging our witness or hindering us from the tasks that we would otherwise be able to be trusted to do?

To speculate or not to speculate…

The Lord has shown Peter and me that it would be wiser for us not to speculate in our posts on the meanings of specific events in relation to the endtime. However, if you personally feel the need to try to associate current events with endtime events, it’s important to do so responsibly. It can make interesting conversation, as long as you remember that you won’t know the details for sure at this time.

When speculating (or theorizing or guessing or whatever you choose to call it), it’s important to clarify to others that you are speculating based on what you know now, and that your speculations are just a possibility that you are offering for consideration.

This is important to remember, because many people who are searching for facts on which to build a foundation can tend to treat speculative guesswork as though it were solid fact, unless we are careful to make the difference very clear.

The risk is that if things don’t work out the way you thought they would, it can cause a serious loss of trust for those you’re ministering to, not only in what was speculated but in the message of the Bible overall.

The Lord gave David insight into the overall endtime order of events, and I believe that still holds true. He also speculated over the years about how the specifics could play out. For the most part, he periodically reminded us that he didn’t know for sure about these speculations and that this might or might not come to pass.

However, David was a persuasive individual, and when he presented his ideas, he often did so in very definite, enthusiastic ways. He was excited, and he wanted us to be excited too. With the wisdom of hindsight, it’s easy to look back and realize that such speculation should have been more strongly qualified. It’s a good lesson that we can all learn from, and hopefully we won’t make the same mistake with those whom we are called to minister to.

So, if you feel the need to speculate on things like the timing of specific endtime events, it’s best to remind others that what you say along those lines is, at best, just an educated guess. Interpretations or applications of Bible prophecy may be partially correct, but they should always be viewed together with the fact that circumstances around us are constantly changing.

As David once said:

Regarding some of these upcoming events and prophetic details, we don’t know exactly what’s going to happen, exactly when it’s going to happen, or exactly where it’s going to happen. But God has certainly given us enough information along these lines to have a pretty good idea, or at least a faint hint, if nothing else, of how things are going and where they’re going. But we simply can’t get dogmatic about any of these details right now; it’s not time for that. Right now it’s “wait and see.” Wait and see what happens, because you don’t really know yet. You don’t really know about all the exact dates of the future right now. Only time will tell. Wait and see. But be on the lookout for indications, hints, and signs.

Don’t ever get your eyes so much on the details, doctrines, and dogmas of eschatology that you lose sight of what we are in this business for: to reach the world with the gospel of God’s love. This is our primary purpose for being here, our reason for existence! Jesus Himself knew all about the future, but His main mission was to love the world and His main message was the good news of God’s love and salvation. (“Interpreting Bible Prophecy”)

New pieces of information develop daily, and specific details of how the endtime will play out may change as time passes. How many times in your own life have you felt certain of what you were going to do in the near future, only to find that some unforeseen event altered what had seemed certain? Perhaps you had a project all planned out, and something you hadn’t expected turned your whole life upside down.

Life often takes such twists and turns. But if your faith and trust is in the Lord, rather than having to see certain events at specific times, you’ll be able to adapt and keep going. This principle applies to our daily lives as much as it does to the endtime.

If we place our faith in what we think will happen instead of in the Lord and His promise to work things together for our good, we may be setting ourselves up for a big letdown. But if our faith and trust are in Him to do what He knows is best, and we are letting Him take care of the details that He knows we don’t need to know yet, then our faith can stand strong even in the worst of times.

There’s nothing wrong with finding encouragement in considering ways that the Lord could use to keep us, or how some things might lead up to certain events, as long as those speculations don’t become the basis for your faith and trust in Him. He keeps us in perfect peace when our minds are stayed on Him. That is how you’ll stand strong, whether things work out as you are expecting or God provides a surprise or two.

PS: TFI has a number of publications on the topic of the endtime and related Bible prophecy that are available online. They may be helpful in order to review the overall picture that the Lord has given.

“Leave Yourself Open”
You can find Countdown to Armageddon here: https://countdown.org/
Here is Peter’s post on blood moons: https://directors.tfionline.com/post/blood-moons-and-world-economy/
Here you’ll find more publications on the topic of the endtime: https://www.thefamilyinternational.org/en/faith-foundations/the-future/

Originally published May 2020. Adapted and republished January 2023. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Though the Earth Be Removed

January 25, 2023

By Marc

In a recent Good News Blog post I shared a testimony about a time when I was on an airplane in severe turbulence. When facing such a situation, it can be pretty frightening and, if you’re like me, you’re probably just waiting for the moment the plane touches down so your world is no longer being rocked.

A verse that I claimed for protection during our descent on that flight was Psalm 46:1–3, which I’ve known as long as I can remember thanks to the beautiful song on Fear Not:

God is our refuge and strength,
A very present help in trouble.
Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;
Though the waters thereof roar and be troubled,
Though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. Selah.

As with most verses that I’ve known since I was a kid, the real meaning never quite struck me, but being on that plane made these scriptures come to life. My world was rocking in a sense and it was a frightening thing, but I still had the assurance that if we could just land, everything would be all right.

The psalmist, on the other hand, is talking about a situation where not only a plane is in tumult, not only is there a localized hurricane or earthquake, but where the whole world is rocking and in tumult and confusion, falling apart … and yet he is unafraid, because he’s holding on to the Lord.

How much trust does that take? When your world is not just figuratively but literally falling apart around you and you’re standing steadfast, looking at the storm and saying to it, “I’m not afraid of you. Do your worst. I’m holding on to the Lord.”

One of the most often-repeated commands in the Bible is “Fear not.” It’s easy to apply that verse when we feel it’s something small enough to handle, but when it’s too big for human help? Well, just about every time in the Bible that they were commanded to fear not, it was in situations that were well out of the realm of human possibility. It just goes to show that our ability to be without fear is not something that is based on our power, our goodness, or anything that we do at all, but because we are His and He knows and loves each of us personally.

Going back to the airplane, many people around me were unfazed by the incident, their faces stern, impassive. No doubt, these people had flown many times and had faith in the pilots to see them through the storm. While it makes for a good illustration of trusting the Lord, who is the pilot of our lives, the fact is that they weren’t putting their trust in the Lord but in a mere illustration of Him, in this case the pilots of the plane.

That’s not the kind of faith the Lord wants us to have, faith in a mere illustration, even if it is a fairly good one. The truth is that those pilots were only human and susceptible to the same mistakes as any of the rest of us. To put faith in them would be like putting faith in the earth on the day before the events of Psalm 46 take place. It may seem solid because it’s held up until then, but in reality, it’s not.

So in life, a lot can seem solid, because it’s held us up before, whereas the Lord can seem shaky, especially if we’ve never put our trust in Him. I don’t know how many times I’ve heard people, even professing Christians, say things like, “Will God put food on the table?” “Will prayer heal me of this affliction?” The meaning behind it obviously being that we have to put our faith in something more solid than the Lord and prayer, such as ourselves and our abilities to meet our own needs.

Well, our abilities can only go so far, and when we look at life with a bit of perspective, we’ll see that almost everything is beyond our control, no matter how much we “have it together.”

When thinking about all this, something that came to mind is how a lot of people here in Nigeria are leaving the country and the economic problems that they are facing for “greener pastures,” such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, etc. It’s easy for people to put their faith in such countries as they seem pretty stable compared to a country like Nigeria.

And for those remaining, it often seems the safest bet to change their money to foreign currency as quickly as possible to avoid the rapid devaluation that has been ongoing for almost the past eight years. And yet can we really claim that those things are guarantees of safety?

Consider how quickly things can change in the global environment. When we see a country like Lebanon’s economy completely collapse in spectacularly rapid fashion, or the destruction of war in a country like Ukraine, or the effects of natural disasters that have occurred all over the world, even in highly developed countries like Japan and the United States, and the wanton destruction they can cause, it reminds us that really nothing in this world is stable no matter how much faith we may put in it.

Going back to the airplane, it makes for a pretty good illustration. The airplane is like our lives, everything we hold dear, everything we know, our world. The ground is the Lord. Everything in our lives can be shaky and in tumult, but the ground’s stability is always there to come back to whenever we need it. Our unmoving rock is and always will be the Lord. Copyright © 2023 The Family International

It’s Not About Your Performance

January 24, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 9:58

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Perhaps the most misunderstood story in the New Testament is Mary and Martha’s in Luke 10.

While in Bethany, Jesus and the disciples visit these two sisters. Martha, whose name can be translated as lady, greets her guests with great warmth.

As a capable hostess, she buzzes around the home. … On previous visits to one of his favorite families, [Jesus] likely oohed and aahed over her meals, expressing gratitude for her hard work.

As Martha slices and dices, Mary sits rapt at Jesus’ feet. …

As an affable hostess, Martha becomes distracted or overoccupied by the tasks at hand. Most likely fuming, she calculates the best way to address the rabbi. …

“Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to do all the serving alone? Then tell her to help me,” she said (Luke 10:40). …

“But the Lord answered and said to her, ‘Martha, Martha, you are worried and distracted by many things; but only one thing is necessary; for Mary has chosen the good part, which shall not be taken away from her’” (Luke 10:41–42).

Martha’s desire to flourish had led to a multivolume to-do list. Rather than answer her many concerns, Jesus whispers her name twice in loving gentleness. He knows Martha better than she knows herself; he loves Martha far better than she loves herself.

Ever so tender, Jesus identifies the core issue behind Martha’s frustration. … [She] has become panicky. …

While some translations suggest Mary favored the “better” part, the original Greek word means “good.” Jesus does not pit Martha against Mary nor compare the two sisters. …

I always read Jesus’ words to Martha as a rebuke for becoming distracted and inattentive, but now I see them as a loving invitation.

Tucked in Jesus’ words is a call to simplify and slow down. “Only a few things are necessary, really only one.”

I always thought Jesus, here, compares Mary to Martha. So often we try to behave like one and not the other. Instead, Jesus doesn’t shame either sister, even though we may be tempted to, but he extends an invitation to abide in him. …

Jesus never appraises us by how we compare, but according to grace.

When I fully abide in Christ, then I am not trying to be like Mary or Martha. I naturally resemble the Messiah.

When this is my goal, I’m in power to quit comparison with others altogether, and I root myself in a liberating truth: What matters is not what I do but what Christ does for and through me.—Margaret Feinberg¹

In a world where love and acceptance are so often performance-based privileges, it seems love must be earned … and once earned, it must be kept. Love from the world comes based on your status or what you have to offer. And if you have nothing, you receive nothing.

Because of the conditions placed on the world’s version of love, it can be easy to evaluate our relationship with God based on how well we do. If we can say things are basically under control, we feel good about ourselves. We decide we’ve done enough to come to God’s throne and ask things of Him or enjoy His presence.

But when we look around and see chaos and one mess after another, we decide we must be doing something wrong. We determine God isn’t available to us—or He’s waiting on us to figure it all out before we can approach Him.

God’s love is very different than human love. God isn’t waiting for us to get it right to approach Him. Just as God extended the miraculous birth of His one and only Son, Jesus, to a group of shepherds on a hillside, He extends His gift to you today.

The angels announced. The shepherds responded. And when they went, they met the Savior, Christ the Lord.

Let’s stop trying so hard to impress God, and simply be impressed by Him.

You may have heard this story many times before, but have you responded? Today, let’s exchange our efforts to earn God’s love for the invitation to encounter Him right where we are.

Dear Jesus, I admit that in the rush of the season, I can miss Your miraculous entrance to earth. Forgive me, Lord. Today, I pause from all of my efforts and accept the invitation into Your presence. Refresh me with Your Word and renew my thirst for You. In Jesus’ Name, Amen—Katy McCown ²

I love you regardless of how well you are performing. Whenever you’re struggling with performance anxiety, bring those feelings to me. … Your mind has already unmasked this robber of peace many times, but the rascal continues to clutch your heart when you let down your guard. …

When feelings of failure weigh you down, look up to Me. Let the light of My Love shine upon you, dispelling the darkness, lifting you closer and closer to Me. The nearer you are to Me, the better you can see My smile of approval. As you bask in this unconditional love, you gain strength to break free from performance anxiety. Even if you slip into old habits again, you can turn back to Me anytime. My unfailing love is always available to restore you, because you belong to Me forever.

My death on the cross for your sins was sufficient to open My door to you permanently. Ever since you trusted Me as Savior, your standing with Me has been eternally secure. So you need not fear that on a day when your performance is below par I might shut the door in your face. With my help you can break out of that narrow enclosure of performance anxiety. I designed you to flourish in the wide-open spaces of My grace and glory, where you are free to celebrate My Presence exuberantly. Stand tall and shout praises to Me, remembering that you are royalty in My kingdom of never-ending life.

I want you to realize how utterly safe you are—in My perfect, persistent Love. You understand that the strength of your love is insufficient to keep you connected to Me. You know you cannot rely on your own faithfulness. That’s why you must depend on My unfailing provision. Love and faithfulness meet together in Me; moreover, through the sacrifice of My blood, righteousness and peace kiss each other.—Jesus³

When everything is about your “performance” and trying to be good enough, that can result in so much pressure, comparing, and introspection. Not only can these things be a waste of time and an emotional drain, but they can undermine your faith, and result in sadness, a kind of spiritual impotence, because you don’t really understand that it’s about My goodness, not yours. Don’t let your walk with Me become part of a works trip that you try to attain to. Realize that you’ll never attain. Do the best you can, and be humble and accept that you’ll fall short, and that’s all right.

Realize that I’m not measuring your faults with a measuring stick. I love you, and every experience you go through in this life is meant to draw you ever closer to Me. If you place your trust in Me as the author and finisher of your faith, you’ll begin to see all the ways I am at work in your life, no matter how well you perform or don’t perform.

Your goodness and worth are not what merit the gift of My unconditional love. Don’t keep trying to be worthy. You’re already worthy because I made you worthy. I gave you My worthiness when I died for you. It’s a done deal. Your part is to believe and strengthen your faith and walk with Me. There’s so much more awaiting you. There are obstacles on the horizon, but these are not worthy to be compared with My glory that will be revealed in you (Romans 8:18).—Jesus

Published on Anchor January 2023. Read by Jon Marc.

¹ Margaret Feinberg, Flourish (Worthy, 2016).

² https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2017/12/13/when-you-dont-feel-good-enough.

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).

Looking to the Future with Faith

January 23, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 9:31

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It’s good to have goals for what you want to achieve, but it’s important to also be flexible. Sometimes the way I’m leading might not seem as if it fits in perfectly with your plan for the future, but if you trust in Me, you’ll see that it all works out for the best.

It’s good to think about the future or wonder where you will be a few years from now, and to seek My face and ask Me if there are goals you should set and things that you should do to prepare for the years ahead. Thinking about the future is prudent, if you use it to help to prepare you for the changes ahead. But if it becomes a source of anxiety, it can take your attention away from focusing on the now and the things that are before you today.

While you do need to make preparations for the future, it is also important for you to slow down and learn to rest in Me and take each moment as it comes. I want you to make the most of the moment of time you are in, so you can run the race before you with patience and endurance (Hebrews 12:1).

Your faith is strengthened through taking time with Me, reading My Word and asking Me how to apply it. It comes from meditating on My Word, resting in Me, and seeking Me with all your heart. If you are desperate to make the changes that you need to make in your life, and if you are hungering and reaching out for the understanding and wisdom of My Spirit, trust that I will give it to you. I have promised to fill the hungry heart with good things.

Continue to pray about what part you can play in the mission. What is it that I am calling you to do today? What are ways you can continue to grow so that you can be a stronger disciple and witness?

Finding the balance

There is a balance between planning for the future and trusting Me to lead you by faith. You do need to make plans for the long term, but you also need to be open to change and My guidance and working in your life.

You can’t expect to have your whole life completely planned out, because there will always be surprises and unexpected change. I’m going to bring surprises and opportunities into your life that you never even dreamed were possible! So while you need to periodically evaluate your life and plan toward the future, I also want you to stay open and flexible so that My Spirit can lead you and help you to navigate the unexpected changes that you will encounter.

It’s okay that you don’t know everything and that you’re going into your future a little uncertain, not being able to see the road ahead clearly. Trust that I know the plans I have for you and will always be with you through every step of your life.

Some people want to be able to plan their entire lives and future, knowing what their long-term goals and plans are, and have it all planned out to a T. But you can’t see the entire road ahead with perfect clarity; you still have to walk by faith and trust in Me for the unexpected turns and changes in the road ahead.

The important thing is to do your best to follow My will for you today, to go where I’m leading you, and to do it in faith. You don’t have to fear the future, as the future is in My hands, and I have promised to be with you always, every step of the journey.

Trusting in seasons of uncertainty

I see your concerns that you can’t keep up the same pace that you used to when you were younger. You are slowing down as your body is aging, and it can be an uncomfortable adjustment.

Dear one, just continue to place your hand in Mine and let Me lead you. I know your way seems clouded with uncertainty right now and you don’t want to take another step till the fog clears, but trust that I am still working in your life in every season. I see what lies ahead and I continue to uphold you and care for you every step of the journey. I will not let your feet stumble and fall. Remember that I am above the fog and I can see the road ahead very clearly.

One day the fog will clear and the night will pass and you will see the dawn of a new day—a day that has so many good things in store for you, a day where you will be surrounded by the glory of My presence.

Confidence in My love for you

I hold the future in My hands, and your well-being and peace of mind are very much My concern, so you should never fear that I’ll leave that out of the equation. Spending too much time thinking about the future and what unexpected things you might face could set you on the path of worrying about the future instead of committing it to Me and trusting in My care for you.

So stay on My path of faith and trust. If you trust Me and have faith in My love, and trust that I’m in control and that I’ll work things out for your good, you will be able to look at the future with faith and hope.

Whenever you are tempted to worry about what the future holds, remind yourself of My many wonderful promises and all the things I’ve brought you through so far.

Look back on your life for Me and see how I have worked in everything you have faced and was with you every step of the way. I brought you through many challenges and unknowns throughout your life. But at every unexpected bend in the road, I gave you the strength, the grace, and the faith for the moment and the challenge.

So be encouraged that even as I have helped you in the past, I will help you now and in the future. I will never leave nor forsake you. Trust in Me to help you through whatever you face in your life for Me.

Meditate on My goodness to you whenever you’re tempted to worry about the future. The future is as bright as My promises to you, and My mercies and grace are renewed every morning. You can look forward to the wonderful things I have in store for you.

There will be unknowns in your life, but what is unknown to you is in My hands and is known to Me. Fear not, for I am with you. Be confident in My love for you. Be of good courage and rest in the knowledge that I always have your best interests at heart.

Originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished January 2023. Read by John Laurence.
Music by John Listen.

To know or not to know “the times and the seasons”

All the way through the prophecies of Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, Isaiah, John, and Jesus, there are specific detailed descriptions of the last days on earth before Christ’s Second Coming. Has the Lord given us these signs for a reason? Does He want us to know about the soon coming of His kingdom? Does He want us to be prepared for it? Does He want us to have that knowledge and be able to teach others so? If He doesn’t, He’s sure wasting an awful lot of time throughout both the Old and New Testament telling us all the signs of His coming.

In fact, in one of the most descriptive endtime prophecy books of the Bible, the Lord told Daniel to close up the book and seal up the prophecy until the end: “But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. For the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end. And none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand” (Daniel 12:4, 9–10).

For almost 2,500 years the book of Daniel has been virtually a sealed book, and it’s only recently that men have begun to open the book, break the seals, and understand the prophecies and what Daniel was saying. Although they had the Bible for thousands of years, they still didn’t understand endtime Bible prophecy. But now we’re supposed to open the book, break the seals, and read it and understand it, because we live in the time of the end.

God’s Word says, “Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy” (Revelation 1:3). It takes an effort; it’s work to try to understand Bible prophecy and to “study to show thyself approved unto God, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). But you’ll find that “the entrance of Thy words giveth light” and wisdom and understanding (Psalm 119:130). When we delve into God’s Word, we “bring forth treasures, both new and old” (Matthew 13:52). You’ll discover how wonderfully the Lord can weave His Word together like a beautiful tapestry, filling in the whole picture to give you His vision of His plans. “For where there is no vision, the people perish” (Proverbs 29:18).

Of course, some Bible professors and students are going to say, “Jesus told His disciples that ‘no man knoweth the day or the hour when the Son of Man cometh, not even the angels in heaven.’ And ‘it’s not for you to know the times or the seasons’” (Matthew 24:36; Acts 1:7). When all the dramatic, climactic, final events of world history begin to unfold, let me tell you, you’re going to need to know. You are going to want to know and you are going to know, because God promised it in His Word.

If the Lord did not intend for us to know the times and the seasons, then why did He give us Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21, John 14, Acts 1, 1 Thessalonians 4 and 5, 2 Thessalonians 2, 1 Timothy 4, 2 Timothy 3, 2 Peter 1 and 3, and the whole book of Revelation, as well as multitudes of prophecies in the Old Testament, including many in the historical books, as well as the poetical books, and 17 books of the prophets with prophecies and specific predictions of the future. If God didn’t want His children to know anything specific about the future, then He wasted half the Bible talking about it, and we ought to throw that half away.

But He does want us to know, and throughout the Bible He continues to give us multitudes of literal, specific predictions of the future and what its times and seasons will be like. In fact, the Lord makes it extremely explicit many times in many places regarding the exact number of years and months, and even days, during the crucial last seven years of the endtime.

In Matthew chapter 24 and Luke chapter 21, Jesus Himself gives one of the most descriptive and specific of all resumes of future endtime events of any prophet in the Bible. After giving a long list of predictions and coming signs of the times, He tells us, “When you see these things or these signs come to pass, look up, for your redemption draweth nigh.” “The generation that sees these things come to pass is not going to pass away till all these things are fulfilled” (Luke 21:28; Matthew 24:34). So obviously He wants us to “see” and “look” at the signs of His coming being fulfilled before He returns so that we can “discern the signs of the times” (Matthew 16:3).

“For as the days of Noah were, so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days that were before the Flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage”—going on, business as usual—“until the day that Noah entered into the ark, and they knew not until the Flood came and swept them all away; so shall also the coming of the Son of Man be” (Matthew 24:37–39). Who knew not? The wicked. Who knew? Noah! He knew what was going to happen; he was expecting it.

“For unto you it is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of God, but to others it is not given, because they seeing, see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear. For verily I say unto you, many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them” (Matthew 13:11–17).

“For ye, brethren,” the apostle Paul tells us, “are not in darkness, that that day (of Christ’s Second Coming) should overtake you as a thief.” In other words, it shouldn’t take you by surprise. “Ye are all the children of light, the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.” We’re not in the dark on this question. We know Jesus is coming, and from His Word we know how He’s going to come. The Bible tells us plainly! (1 Thessalonians 5:1–5).

“Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.” He says, “You’re not children of the night. You’re not supposed to be sleepy and asleep when it happens. You’re the children of the day, children of light. You’re supposed to be wide awake and have the light on these things” (1 Thessalonians 5:6).

You’re supposed to know what’s happening and when it’s going to happen. God’s children are not supposed to be in the dark about all these Bible prophecies. If you know His Word, you won’t be surprised when you hear about the rise of a new powerful world leader and one-world government, the new credit-only computerized economic system and the dramatic ending of man’s governments on earth with the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

To be foretold is to be forewarned. We who know His Word and His prophecies and promises for the future will never be surprised with a “mighty widening of the eyes” like those who have not discerned the signs of the times. We will be prepared.

We don’t have to be in doubt and confusion and in darkness, wondering what’s going on like the rest of the world, “men’s hearts failing them for fear, for looking after those things which are coming on the earth” (Luke 21:26). We can know exactly what’s going to happen, exactly the way things are going to go. We may not like it and it may look pretty bad, but we know the happy ending, and all is well that ends well.

Thank God we have the preparation that prepares us for anything that’s going to happen, and that’s salvation, knowing Jesus and knowing that we’re saved. Then no matter what happens, even sudden death is sudden glory! No matter what anyone does to you, even if they kill you, “after they’ve killed the body, they have no more that they can do” (Luke 12:4–5), because God will take you into His spirit world with Him until we return to rule and reign here on this earth with Jesus.

Are you prepared? Have you personally received Jesus into your heart? I hope you’ve accepted Him. I hope you’ve received Him so that you can look forward to these marvelous future events not with fear and trembling, but with hope and faith and assurance that God’s going to see you through, He’s going to save you and rescue you out of it all and take you to be with Him, to live with Him forever.

You don’t have to know the future and all the marvelous details of endtime prophecy. These events will happen whether you know them or not. But it’s a good thing to know and to understand these things so that you’ll be able to know what’s going on and what’s happening, as well as be able to teach and warn others. The main thing you need to know is summed up in one verse, John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

So receive salvation now; then you’ll be ready for the revelation of the future. Otherwise, knowing the future wouldn’t make much difference to you, because your future will be all bad news. You probably won’t even want to hear about what’s going to happen if you’re not saved. But if you are saved, then God has got some marvelous, wonderful, encouraging, thrilling revelations of the future in store for you.

Knowing Him and His Word, that’s what’s going to carry you through. The vision of what’s coming will give you the faith to believe God and the courage to launch out and march victoriously through the plagues of this world, through Great Tribulation, and right on through to the coming of Jesus Christ and our loving reign with Him forever.

More on the Rise of the Antichrist

David Brandt Berg

1989-12-05

One thing that’s not made clear is exactly when the Antichrist is going to be revealed. The way it’s worded in 2 Thessalonians 2, it almost sounds like he won’t be revealed until he sits in the temple of God acting like he is God. There it says specifically that the day of the Lord’s coming will not come until the Antichrist is revealed, the man of sin, the son of perdition, who sitteth in the temple of God, claiming he is God—which is one of the most specific references in the Bible that they’re going to rebuild the temple (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).

Maybe the Bible doesn’t consider that he’s actually revealed, his true nature and all of that, until he breaks the covenant and puts up the abomination of desolation. But he’s obviously known as a world leader or ruler and a fighter of war with the king of the south. (See Daniel 11:25–31.) He couldn’t fight a war with the king of the south without being known, without being seen or heard of. He is the king of the north.

If he has not been fully revealed by then, he certainly will be quite apparent. Perhaps his true nature as the Antichrist is not yet revealed, but he is a known king or leader, who comes in peaceably, obtains the kingdom by flatteries, and makes this covenant, a league with his enemies (Daniel 11:21–23). At first he works deceitfully. Then finally in the 25th verse, “He shall stir up his power and his courage against the king of the south with a great army.” This is obviously after the covenant was made.

Many Bible teachers believe that the holy covenant has something to do with a peace settlement between the religions over Jerusalem, and that it is to be made an international shrine governed by the U.N., so that all three major religions will be able to go there and freely worship. When he breaks the covenant, he stops the worship and even pollutes the sanctuary and places the abomination which maketh desolate, which Jesus said specifically was the starting of the Tribulation. He says, “Then shall be great tribulation” (Matthew 24:15, 21).

When he breaks the covenant, he apparently stops all worship of other religions and gods. Daniel 11:31 specifically states that he’ll “pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice”—which hasn’t been started yet. Which, if taken literally, means the Jews have to rebuild their temple and reinstitute daily sacrifice before it can be stopped.

By this time, obviously the temple has been rebuilt and sacrifice resumed, and he then later breaks the covenant. He stops their worship and obviously the worship of all religions, because he declares himself to be God and he places the abomination that maketh desolate.

In 2 Thessalonians 2, Paul says of the day of Christ’s coming, “That day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed.” Which simply means that Jesus is not going to come until after the Tribulation, after the Antichrist. “The son of perdition, who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” (2 Thessalonians 2:3–4).

Verse 6, “And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.” In other words, the Lord is just holding back the flood of iniquity until the Antichrist is revealed.

Verse 7, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: but only he who now letteth (holds back) will let, until he be taken out of the way.” Most have interpreted this as being the Holy Spirit holding back the flood of iniquity, “until he be taken out of the way.”

Verse 8, “And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming.” “Then shall that Wicked be revealed”—when? “When he who now letteth”—or prevents it—“be taken out of the way.” Then the Antichrist will be revealed. Here it sounds like that’s when he sits in the temple.

According to this passage in 2 Thessalonians 2, it doesn’t seem that the Antichrist is fully and clearly revealed at the making of the covenant. It’s clear that he’s definitely revealed as the Antichrist and known as the Antichrist when he breaks the covenant and sets up his Image. So even if he’s not revealed at the making of the covenant, we know he’s definitely revealed at the breaking of it—at least to the world.

In 2 Thessalonians 2 it does not make any specific prophecies about when he’s revealed, except saying that he is going to be revealed before the Lord comes, and that he’s going to sit in the temple claiming he’s God before the Lord comes. He obviously does this at the breaking of the covenant, the stopping of all religious worship, the setting up of his idol to be worshipped, when he sits in the temple of God claiming he’s God. That’s what it says about his revelation.

He says, “Now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time” (2 Thessalonians 2:6). In other words, the Lord is holding back the flood of iniquity until the Antichrist is completely revealed, and then there will be almost a flood of iniquity. You can certainly believe that, the way the world already is.

And Paul says, “For the mystery of iniquity doth already work.” This wickedness was already working, clear back in Paul’s time, of course. “Only He”—the Lord—who now holds it back, who now prevents it from flooding, will prevent it—“until He be taken out of the way.”

“Then shall that Wicked be revealed.” Only when the Lord stands back and lets the wicked have their way, “then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the brightness of His coming.”

It doesn’t say anything any more specifically about it or his revelation, except that he’s going to sit in the temple of God claiming he’s God, but it does sound like it might be then. But as to the timing of his revelation, it merely says it’s going to come before the coming of Christ.

This is one of the clearest scriptures in the Bible proving that the Antichrist is going to come before the coming of the Lord. Jesus also makes that very clear in Matthew 24, that the Antichrist and the Tribulation come first, before His coming. Because right after those verses about the Tribulation, you see Christ coming in the clouds with power and great glory. (Matthew 24:29–31).

Promise to the End

January 20, 2023

By Sadie Robertson Huff

Sadie Robertson Huff asks a seemingly simple question: “Does God really keep his promises?” But do we know what those are? God made hundreds of promises to us in the Bible—but are we allowing promises from the enemy to get in the way of what the Lord intends for us? The world will promise everything and come up short, but God never does. He’s waiting for you!

Run time for this video is 35 minutes.

https://youtu.be/p5lk6E4YSP4

God’s Temple

January 19, 2023

By David Brandt Berg

Audio length: 9:18

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In the book of Revelation chapter 21 when speaking about heaven, it says: “And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it” (Revelation 21:22). You might say, “Here’s a contradiction in the Scripture, a mistake. John saw a temple in heaven; he even saw the Ark in the temple. He saw the altar in the temple and the souls under it, several glimpses of the temple in heaven.” That is true, but that was before this time being described in chapter 21—before the new earth, before this holy city came down from God out of heaven to the earth so that God can dwell among men, His temple.

This gigantic, amazing city, 1,500 miles square and 1,500 miles high, has no temple, no church, no cathedral, no synagogue, no mosque. Before this time John saw a temple in heaven, but now in the final marvelous, eternal city of God, there is no temple. Why? God Himself and His Son are the temple of it; they are the place of worship. We’re going to worship in the Lord without the need for buildings or temples or churches.

God is not in favor of temple worship, and the great temple that He allowed to be built was destroyed. It was only built because David wanted it, Solomon insisted, and so the Lord allowed them to build Him a temple, though they themselves acknowledged that it was ridiculous to think that they could build God a house that He could dwell in, when not even the whole universe could contain Him (1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 2:6).

He later said, “I want to live in the hearts of men. I want to live in your heart. The Father seeketh such to serve Him. For the kingdom of God cometh not with observation, but the kingdom of God is within you” (Luke 17:20–21). For Jesus said, “The time is coming, and now is, when ye shall neither worship God here nor there, but everyone that worships the Lord shall worship Him in spirit and in truth” (John 4:21–24). That’s the place of worship, in your heart and in His truth, His Word.

If you’re saved, you’ll go up to be in heaven with the Lord until the Rapture and the Resurrection occurs at the end of the Great Tribulation, but then we’re going to come back to earth. Following the Millennium, He’s going to purify and completely purge the surface of the earth with fire and destroy the atmospheric heavens and bring a new heaven and a new earth, where we’re going to be forever. Not up in faraway space, but right here on the earth in this new earth and this new heaven.

That beautiful Holy City, the new Jerusalem, the city of God is going to come down, it says here, “from God out of heaven.” It’s going to come right down here to this earth. Whether it’s going to sit down here on the earth or whether it’s going to float above the surface of the earth, we don’t know, but it sounds like it’s going to be right on the earth, because it has gates for people to come in and go out of. It says “the kings of the earth shall bring their glory into it” and that we will go out of it to heal the nations with the leaves of the healing of the tree of life.

Science fiction has nothing on the Bible or the future as foretold by the Lord! I have never seen anything in sci-fi movies to compare with this, have you? Nothing so enormous and magnificent as that beautiful city, full of precious stones and jewels, and best of all, full of precious immortal saved souls who love Jesus. Billions of people will be there because there were millions of faithful witnesses down through man’s history, from the time of Adam and Eve until the Millennium.

“And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof” (Revelation 21:23). It doesn’t say there’ll be no moon and no sun, but it says in the city they won’t need the moon and the sun. It has its own light, the light of God and His Son Jesus.

Only the saved, only those of us who have voluntarily chosen to love Jesus, to receive Him as our Savior now in this life on this earth, are going to walk the streets of that golden city and be able to enter through those gigantic pearly gates. You won’t have to ask Saint Peter for his permission either. Peter doesn’t have the keys; Jesus has the keys. If you have Jesus, you have your own key—we each have our own key that God gives us through salvation. Peter is just another one of the saved, just another saint of God like you, a lost sinner saved by the grace of Jesus Christ.

How good is God! How kind, how loving, how merciful. The Bible says there’s no end to His mercy, that His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting (Psalm 103:17). He is forgiving, kind, gracious, and loving, and He’s not going to lose one of His sheep (John 10:28–29).

We will still be engaged in the marvelous, soul-satisfying process of the redemption of man, of all men everywhere, the whole world for whom Jesus died. God’s Word says so, that He died for all men. “That all men might be saved” (1 Timothy 2:4), even those who don’t receive Him now but who will believe and receive Him later. It may be too late for them to enter the Holy City, but not too late to enjoy the mercy and love of God and His forgiveness upon the surface of the earth, healed by the leaves of His tree of life (Revelation 22:2).

It’ll be a blessing just to live anywhere within sight of that city, to be able to see it at night and thrill to its splendor, resplendent with the light of God. It will vie with the moon and even the sun for beauty and splendor. God’s Word says that when He shall build up Zion, even the sun and the moon shall be ashamed in comparison with the glory and the beauty and the light of that Holy City (Isaiah 24:23). It will outshine the sun, outshine the moon.

The Lord has a city prepared for you and me whose builder and maker is God (Hebrews 11:10). He says that the tabernacle of God or the dwelling place of God is now going to be with men (Revelation 21:3).

One of the most beautiful verses in the Bible is also one of these last verses of the Bible, when He says: “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away” (Revelation 21:4).

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus.
Life’s trials will seem so small when we see Christ.
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase.
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.
—From “When We See Christ,” by Esther Kerr Rusthoi

Originally published May 1981. Adapted and republished January 2023. Read by Simon Peterson.

Are All Religions and Beliefs Equal? – Focus on the Family

Generous Listening

January 17, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:24

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The charter text for Christian listening might be James 1:19: “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.” It’s simple enough in principle, and nearly impossible to live. Too often we are slow to hear, quick to speak, and quick to anger. …

Good listening requires concentration and means we’re in with both ears, and that we hear the other person out till they’re done speaking. Rarely will the speaker begin with what’s most important, and deepest. We need to hear the whole train of thought, all the way to the caboose, before starting across the tracks.

Good listening silences the smartphone and doesn’t stop the story, but is attentive and patient. Externally relaxed and internally active. It takes energy to block out the distractions that keep bombarding us, and the peripheral things that keep streaming into our consciousness, and the many good possibilities we can spin out for interrupting. When we are people [who are] quick to speak, it takes Spirit-powered patience to not only be quick to hear, but to keep on hearing….

Poor listening rejects; good listening embraces. Poor listening diminishes the other person, while good listening invites them to exist, and to matter. Bonhoeffer writes, “Just as love for God begins with listening to his Word, so the beginning of love for the brethren is learning to listen to them.”

Good listening goes hand in hand with the mindset of Christ (Philippians 2:5). It flows from a humble heart that counts others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). It looks not only to its own interests, but also the interests of others (Philippians 2:4). It is patient and kind (1 Corinthians 13:4). …

Sometimes good listening only listens, and ministers best by keeping quiet, but typically good listening readies us to minister words of grace to precisely the place where the other is in need. As Bonhoeffer writes, “We should listen with the ears of God that we may speak the Word of God.”—David Mathis¹

Generous listening

There is “hearing” and there is “listening.” Engaging the sense of hearing generally means you are quiet, but when you listen to someone or something, it takes more than being quiet on your part. You must be there. Your presence is required. You focus on what you hear.

Be generous when you listen. As a generous listener, you are present with mind and heart. Generous listening is deep listening. For example, when you discuss something meaningful with your friend, you show you care when you let him or her speak without interrupting. You are not on edge, just waiting for the chance to speak your piece.

Determine to be a generous listener. Listen more, speak less. Be focused. Be present. The Bible says: The LORD came and stood there, and called as he had before, “Samuel! Samuel!” Samuel answered, “Speak; your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:10).

“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).—Caithleen

Listening in evangelism

When we think about evangelism, we usually think of talking. After all, the word evangelize means to “announce good news.” So naturally, we focus our training upon proclaiming, communicating, defending, or sharing the good news message … as we should.

But listening is often a neglected skill in evangelism. I recall an evangelism trainer saying, “God gave us two ears and one mouth, and we should take the hint!” If we listened twice as much as we spoke, our words might connect more deeply with people’s souls.

Effective evangelism begins with listening. … One of the greatest gifts we can give someone is being fully present in the moment! Giving a person our full attention—free from distractions—communicates genuine love, respect, dignity, and value. Jesus himself was a great listener. In his conversation with a Samaritan woman in John 4, she spoke four times more than Jesus did! …

It is easy for us to hear someone without listening. We may hear the facts, but miss the underlying feelings. Consequently, we fall into traps as we think or speak by trying to fix their problems, focusing on ourselves and our experiences, acting superior, or giving simplistic responses. Instead, people first often simply want us to empathize with them. …

Let’s use both our ears and our mouths in communicating the good news found in Jesus Christ!—Mark Slaughter

Genuine listening

Genuinely listening to someone is an opportunity to make an impact in the life of a person whom Jesus loves. It’s an opportunity to be a living example of the care and love of the one who is not only willing to lend an ear, but also has the Lord’s Spirit and wisdom to guide them through whatever challenges they face. Our Creator made us to desire to be understood and to understand others. We cannot understand another person without listening to them. If you show an interest in them, it helps them feel that someone cares, makes them feel they have something of value to offer, and that they’ll be able to find the solutions to the things that are holding them down.

Sincere and nonjudgmental listening can change people’s outlook on themselves, their situations, and their future. Expressing care through listening can create bonds of trust between the one listening and the one being listened to. It can help to relieve depression, fear, or anger.

It pulls someone out of their shell, and as they talk, they will see where they can move forward or effect change in their life. Haven’t you sometimes had the need to just talk about your challenges and problems to someone, and almost without them saying a word, things became clearer and a way was opened for you to see some solutions?

The results of listening—the renewed hope, the emotional healing, the motivation to get up and try again, and the realization by the one listened to that they are important to you and to God—are tremendous benefits.

Whose life can you help to change by showing a desire to hear their heart speak? All you need is a heart full of the Lord’s love and care. Your center of operations is wherever you are. Your client is the person near you. The tools of your trade are your heart, your eyes, and your ears: your heart to feel; your eyes to notice their drooping shoulders, downcast look or worried expression; and your ears to listen.

You can show that you care by taking the time to listen, to understand their heart, and then, when they’re ready, to show them how to draw closer to Jesus, who can help them through every trouble, every difficulty, and who can supply all their needs. Investing your time in another person’s life can help bring changes in their heart and spirit that will last for eternity. It all begins with the simple task of listening.—Maria Fontaine

The gift of listening

We live in a technological age where people rarely do just one thing at a time. For instance, I found out the other day that it’s possible for a person to be on the phone with you while texting someone else. No wonder I sometimes have to repeat things in phone conversations. Our world moves fast, and we’re tempted to hold on while riding at breakneck speed, but at what cost? …

Have you noticed that when you are at a register, the cashier sometimes doesn’t even make eye contact? When you’re in stores, ask cashiers how their day is, looking directly into their eyes. It’s possible to engage someone even when you have just a few moments. Your engagement will help people feel that they matter. Sometimes all it takes is asking a simple question, “So, has it been busy today?” People are dying to talk. The problem is that no one is really listening.

Sometimes it’s easy to go about our days thinking they are insignificant—that each encounter we have with someone is simply a chance encounter. But Psalm 139:2–3 says, “You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” The God of the universe is aware of what you do in your day-to-day existence. You make your plans, but God knows how it will all turn out. We sometimes forget that when we make plans. We get the false sense that we are in control, and then we try to retain that control when in reality, God is the one in control.

We should keep this in mind as we meet people during the day. God places opportunities to engage with others, and we must learn to recognize them. Listening matters because the person before us is someone God loves, someone God values. And we can ask God for his eyes to see people as he sees them.—Anne Peterson²

Published on Anchor January 2023. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/six-lessons-in-good-listening.

² https://www.christianitytoday.com/biblestudies/articles/spiritualformation/learn-to-listen.html.

Faith for Times of Uncertainty

January 16, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:29

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Times of uncertainty help to draw you close to Me. During these times, I want you to trust in My power to work in your life and My ability to bring good out of everything you experience. This is the time to trust Me no matter what the circumstances around you look like.

When your faith is placed in Me, there is no need to fear or worry or wonder, for you know that no matter what happens I will keep you and care for you. There is nothing that could happen in the world around you that will separate you from My love, and you can have peace of mind, because you have placed your trust in Me.

So focus on Me during times of uncertainty and change. Focus on applying My Word in your life and in sharing My love and truth with those around you. Focus on the basics, the important things like loving Me and loving others, and trust Me for the rest. My perfect love will cast out fear and anxiety, when you bring every concern to Me. Then you will be able to say that all is well with your soul.

Trust that I’m leading you and helping you to be what I want you to be and to do what I want you to do. Hold on to Me and My love and reassurance for you in My Word, which will be a strength and a ballast for you during these times.

All things change throughout life except Me and My love for you. I’m always here with you, and that never changes. So though the mountains depart, and the hills be removed, My kindness will never depart from you (Isaiah 54:10). I will never leave you.

A beacon of faith

When conditions in the world are uncertain and many around you are struggling, you can be a strength, blessing, and encouragement to others. You can be a stabilizing presence and a beacon of faith as you remain positive and trusting.

Fan the fires of your faith and don’t allow the flames to be smothered or put out by circumstances around you. Stay close to Me and My Word and your faith will flourish—not only enough to sustain you, but to be a strength to others as well.

This is not to say that your faith will not be tested—it has been and will continue to be—but this is part of the faith-strengthening process. As you speak faith, show faith, and live your faith, that will bring you through this life, no matter what may happen or change in the world around you along the way. Just keep walking by faith, and trust that I am with you.

Remember that I will always care for My own. I know that there have been rough times and you have experienced some very difficult situations in the course of your life, but I have taken each one of these experiences and worked them together for your good. Keep on trusting that I will lead you, and stay open to the changes that may lie ahead. Cultivate a spirit of faith about the future.

It’s human nature to feel anxious or to worry at times about the future, but you can choose to speak praise and faith, and to trust in My promises to care for you. Determine and commit in your heart that you will follow Me and you will trust in My love for you no matter where you are or what you may be doing.

Why worry? It’s all in My hands, and you are too.

Faith is the victory

When I say that faith is the victory, this doesn’t necessarily mean it’s the answer, solution, or miracle that you’re looking for in your immediate situation. It’s the peace of mind and confidence that I will care for you; it’s the relief you feel from not having to carry the burden; it’s the assurance of knowing that I will come through for you. That’s the victory that faith gives you.

Trust in My promises to care for you, and that “even to your old age and to gray hairs, I am the same. I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save” (Isaiah 46:4). Trust Me for this, for I will make a way for you, just as I have promised.

Trust Me to care for you. Be prepared to do what you can, whatever you are capable of to avail yourself of My blessings in your life, and trust Me for everything else.

Holding on to what matters

You have had many thoughts and concerns for the future, and there are uncertainties about how things are going to play out. At times you have felt that so much is changing around you that you wonder what is going to be left standing. But this time of soul searching has been good for you, as it has helped you to get to the core foundation of what truly matters, and to continue to ground your faith and trust in Me.

That is the key during such times, to get down to the foundation of what it means to live for Me as a Christian. I have called and chosen you, and I know you continue to willingly follow Me. So when the world around you seems uncertain, stand firm on the core of your faith and your connection with Me.

I know at times when things are changing around you, you wonder what it will mean for your life. But one thing you can be certain of is that each era, each time of change, each season of life that you have gone through has enriched you in some way and taught you priceless lessons, and will continue to do so.

Remember that your life is a continual journey, and the final destination will not be reached in a day, a week, a month, or even a year. So keep seeking Me for direction and your next steps.

You know how to seek and find Me, and to search for Me with all your heart (Jeremiah 29:13). Finding Me is about coming to Me and seeking My presence. Like Isaac would go into the fields to pray, or Moses on the mountain, and so many others before you, those who seek Me will find Me.

Trust that My Spirit in you will help you to endure anything you face in life. Know that My love for you will never let you go, but I will hold you fast.

Stay open to the new directions I may have for your life and be willing to do the things that I ask. Trust that I am the One working in you both to will and to work for My good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).

Stay close to Me

The most important step you can take to prepare for the future is to continue to draw close to Me, to seek Me in prayer, to study My Word and to commit all your cares to Me. I am the Rock that is unmovable; I will never change. You can cling to Me, knowing that you will never be moved no matter what storms come your way as long as you are holding on to Me.

So don’t worry about the future. I know that in times of uncertainty in your life or the world around you, it’s easy to look ahead and worry because you don’t know what’s going to happen. Leave those burdens to Me.

You know that your frame is weak; you are growing older, and your physical strength and stamina is not the same as your younger years. However, your spirit is not weak; your spirit has grown and matured and continues to be strengthened day by day. You have learned over many years to walk by faith and to trust in My love. Nothing can separate you from My love.

How can you be ready for what the future holds? You can continue to strengthen your spirit by coming to Me with your whole heart, seeking to share My truth with others and to love others as yourself, and trusting that I am with you every day of your life. When you feel worry or anxiety about the future creeping in, come to Me and talk with Me about your every concern. Trust that My strength will come through in your weakness. Remember that you are the work of My hands, My creation.

You are My beloved child, and you can trust that I will fulfill My purpose for your life. Remind yourself continually of My love for you. Keep your eyes fixed on Me, and trust that I will lead you and be with you every day of your life.

Originally published August 2009. Adapted and republished January 2023.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Dooley.

How about a new life?

God created us with the need to love and be loved, and He alone can satisfy the deepest yearning of every human soul for total love and complete understanding. The things of this earth can satisfy the body, but only God and His eternal love can ever fill that aching spiritual void in our hearts, that space He created for Himself alone. The human spirit can never be completely satisfied with anything less than utter union with the great and loving Spirit that created it.

Would you like to have a satisfying personal relationship with God? Not a formal, distant God who seeks religious ceremonies, but a God who loves you personally, and who wants to fill your life and heart with love, joy, and peace of mind—a God who wants to communicate with you, guide you through life, comfort you when you’re down, replace your stress and worries with faith and confidence, teach you how to live in love and harmony with yourself and others, and give you answers and solutions when you need them.

On top of that, how about a guaranteed entrance into Heaven in the hereafter?

Try as we may, none of us are good enough to save ourselves and gain entrance to Heaven. The Bible says that “all have sinned and come short of the glory [redemption] of God” (Romans 3:23).

But the good news is that God sent Jesus Christ to take the burden of mankind’s sins on Himself, so that those who believe on Him and receive this free gift can find forgiveness for all their mistakes and sins, be reunited with God, and experience love and freedom forever in Heaven. “For God so loved the world [you and me] that He gave His only begotten Son [Jesus Christ], that whosoever believes in Him should not perish [be damned] but have everlasting life [Heaven forever]” (The Bible, John 3:16).

This is the plan by which the great Creator of the universe has chosen to reveal and bring His love, truth, and salvation to us all. He deliberately made it so simple that anybody can receive His love, regardless of race, religion, or social status.—Anybody, anytime! In fact, Jesus said, “Unless you humble yourself and become as a little child, you shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven!” (The Bible, Mark 10:15).

Jesus loves you and will give you this wonderful gift right now if you will sincerely pray this little prayer, and ask Him to come into your heart:

Dear Jesus, I believe that You died for me and that You love me. I now open my heart and ask You to come in. Forgive me for my past wrongs, and please give me Your gift of eternal life in Heaven. Fill me with Your love, peace, and joy, and help me learn to share that love and joy with others. Amen.

Ok, I’ve prayed the prayer. What’s next?

How about a new life? – TFI (thefamilyinternational.org)

The Beneficial Break

By Maria Fontaine

January 10, 2023

Technology, which more or less began to influence most lives in Western culture in the 1950s before spreading worldwide, has in some ways dragged us into an ever-accelerating lifestyle and an “always-on” culture. It was promoted as a way to take the stress out of life through convenience foods and time-saving gadgets, but in reality, what was meant to make life easier has forced many people into even more stress-inducing lifestyles.

Our bodies and brains were not meant to race without rest. Over time, that intense pace leads to stress, frustration, and burnout. One way to help balance that negative side effect can be some form of nap. Taking a nap is like a system reboot. A nap can prevent the day’s wear and tear from frying your circuits. It relieves stress and gives you a fresh start. In general, people who develop the habit of taking naps can tend to have greater emotional resilience, improved cognitive function, and in some cases better overall health.

We sometimes have to overcome that concept of naps being something that little children and the elderly take. You might be surprised to discover the wide range of techniques that very busy people of all ages and in all walks of life employ to implement these “down times” that many find critical to being able to function at peak performance.

Naps come in all sizes and shapes, from multi-hour, deep sleep ones to ones of less than a minute, taken at opportune times in your day. Regardless of whether you’re especially tired or not, being able to “clear away the clutter” during your day by taking times to fully relax your mind and body can be surprisingly beneficial.

For me, a nap accomplishes several things. Because I often don’t sleep so well at night, it sometimes helps me make up for the sleep I lose. But even when I am getting sufficient sleep during the night, it provides additional benefits that warrant making it a habit.

Of course, what works for me may not work as well for you. This is something that you have to discover for yourself. I realize that most of you have busy schedules that can make napping a challenge to fit in, but life can often be a matter of choosing what is the highest priority for you and what will most benefit you overall. That is something only you can determine.

I almost always listen to music during my naptime. Soft instrumental music covers any unwanted noises. It makes it easier for me to either sleep or meditate or just completely relax. I often listen to the same music many times, since it’s mainly for background. The more familiar I am with it, the less I tend to think about it. When music is newer for me, it can sometimes keep me awake.

There are many benefits to naps, such as having time to de-stress partway through the day, or in some cases, your body being able to focus on repairing and healing itself, and your brain being able to organize and store memories.

A relaxation technique that some have found helpful is to begin by getting comfortable and concentrating on your feet and relaxing them fully. Then move your focus to your legs, torso, arms, and head. Doing this helps put your body into a state of relaxation. Resist thinking about work or issues and instead focus on a word like “Jesus” or a soothing picture in your mind or even looking at a picture of Jesus to keep your thoughts from wandering. Some claim that doing this for five minutes can provide many of the same benefits as up to two hours of sleep. In any event, it does help you to relax.

Others have found that even catnaps of only a minute or less duration, while waiting for someone or something, can have significant benefits. My suggestions in this post are just tips of things that many have found to be helpful, and I think it’s worth at least trying a few of them out.

Many cultures have traditionally embraced a midday rest. The Spanish have “siesta” and the Italians call their afternoon break “riposo.” The hardworking Japanese practice “inemuri” or “mini naps.” In China, an afternoon nap or “wǔshuì” is the norm. And many are familiar with the term “power nap.”

In one study, participants who napped regularly for 10-, 20-, and 30-minute periods improved their performance on cognitive tests of memory and awareness for the following two and a half hours.

While those who napped more than 20 minutes tended to experience more grogginess, the 10-minute nappers experienced an immediate boost in performance. Other studies have shown similar findings.

Others, especially when not getting enough sleep at night, find that taking a nap of up to an hour and a half provides significant restorative benefits because the REM sleep cycle of a longer nap allows your brain and body time to do repair work.

There are some famous nappers from the past, whose accomplishments seemed to benefit from their sometimes brief but frequent down times.

Leonardo da Vinci practiced a sleep schedule which some say has never been surpassed in difficulty: He would sleep two hours each night and make up for lost sleep with a 15-minute power nap every four hours. (Although da Vinci’s extreme example isn’t generally recommended, it is interesting nonetheless.)
Albert Einstein, on the other hand, was a copious sleeper, up to 10 hours each night, and it’s said that he would also take short naps in his armchair with a spoon in his hand. The spoon would drop to the floor and make a noise when he fell asleep, preventing him from oversleeping.
John F. Kennedy’s workdays were over 12 hours long, but it’s said that he would take a two-hour siesta every afternoon, which allowed him to gain more energy for work in the evening. He apparently picked up his nap habit from his presidential predecessor, Dwight Eisenhower.
Ronald Reagan, the 40th president of the United States, had a habit of napping often. His wife Nancy denied all rumors of his daytime snoozes. She was afraid her husband would be perceived as lazy. Reagan himself was more light-hearted, saying that his chair should be inscribed with “Ronald Reagan Slept Here” and jokingly added that “no matter what time it is, wake me up, even if it’s in the middle of a cabinet meeting.”

There are many more examples of extremely busy men and women, past and present, who have come to appreciate the need and benefits of some form of napping. It might make an interesting study for someone to dig into if you have a chance. A nap can enhance your senses. Even short naps of only ten minutes can restore the sensitivity of your sight, hearing, and taste. Relaxing your mind in this way has been shown to improve your creativity.

Many scientists believe that your brain learns by creating new connections between the information it already contains and new information that it receives. In times of ongoing stress or ongoing, high-intensity use, these connections can become overloaded, causing confusion. Stopping to take naps allows the synapses in the brain to reset.

A nap can also make you more productive. The secret to becoming more productive may have as much to do with managing your energy as with managing your time. Numerous studies have shown workers becoming increasingly unproductive as the day wears on. Most people find that the longer they work without stopping for at least a break or a short nap, the less productive their efforts become.

You may have noticed that there are a wide variety of opinions on how to implement having naps. This seems to be because there are a number of factors to consider, such as your work schedule, whether you are getting sufficient nighttime sleep, your health, age, and even what works best for your body.

You will probably have to try several variations in order to discover what provides your needs overall. Of course, there are many other factors that impact our health and productivity besides naps. We all need a balance of sleep, nutrition, exercise, and spiritual feeding to keep us in the best possible condition.

For most people, naps will have positive benefits, and you may be surprised by how much of a difference a nap can make to your whole outlook on life. I hope you can discover the potential benefits of becoming an adult napper!

THE MODEL: BECOMING MORE LIKE CHRIST

By John R.W. Stotton September 2, 2009

Knowing and Doing, Must Reads: Following Jesus, Must Reads: Calling, Knowing & Doing 2009 Fall, John R.W. Stott

Becoming More Like Christ

I remember very vividly, some years ago, that the question which perplexed me as a younger Christian (and some of my friends as well) was this: what is God’s purpose for His people? Granted that we have been converted, granted that we have been saved and received new life in Jesus Christ, what comes next? Of course, we knew the famous statement of the Westminster Shorter Catechism: that man’s chief end is to glorify God and to enjoy Him forever: we knew that, and we believed it. We also toyed with some briefer statements, like one of only five words—love God, love your neighbor. But somehow neither of these, nor some others that we could mention, seemed wholly satisfactory. So I want to share with you where my mind has come to rest as I approach the end of my pilgrimage on earth, and it is—God wants His people to become like Christ. Christlikeness is the will of God for the people of God.

So if that is true, I am proposing the following: first to lay down the biblical basis for the call to Christlikeness; secondly, to give some New Testament examples of this; thirdly, to draw some practical conclusions. And it all relates to becoming like Christ.

So first is the biblical basis for the call to Christlikeness. This basis is not a single text: the basis is more substantial than can be encapsulated in a single text. The basis consists rather of three texts which we would do well to hold together in our Christian thinking and living: Romans 8:29, 2 Corinthians 3:18, and 1 John 3:2. Let’s look at these three briefly.

Romans 8:29 reads that God has predestined His people to be conformed to the image of His Son: that is, to become like Jesus. We all know that when Adam fell he lost much—though not all—of the divine image in which he had been created. But God has restored it in Christ. Conformity to the image of God means to become like Jesus: Christlikeness is the eternal predestinating purpose of God.

My second text is 2 Corinthians 3:18: “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness, from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit.” So it is by the indwelling Spirit Himself that we are being changed from glory to glory—it is a magnificent vision. In this second stage of becoming like Christ, you will notice that the perspective has changed from the past to the present, from God’s eternal predestination to His present transformation of us by the Holy Spirit. It has changed from God’s eternal purpose to make us like Christ, to His historical work by His Holy Spirit to transform us into the image of Jesus.

That brings me to my third text: 1 John 3:2. “Beloved, we are God’s children now and it does not yet appear what we shall be but we know that when he appears, we will be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” We don’t know in any detail what we shall be in the last day, but we do know that we will be like Christ. There is really no need for us to know any more than this. We are content with the glorious truth that we will be with Christ, like Christ, for ever.
Here are three perspectives—past, present, and future.

All of them are pointing in the same direction: there is God’s eternal purpose, we have been predestined; there is God’s historical purpose, we are being changed, transformed by the Holy Spirit; and there is God’s final or eschatological purpose, we will be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. All three, the eternal, the historical, and the eschatological, combine towards the same end of Christlikeness. This, I suggest, is the purpose of God for the people of God. That is the biblical basis for becoming like Christ: it is the purpose of God for the people of God.

I want to move on to illustrate this truth with a number of New Testament examples. First, I think it is important for us to make a general statement, as the apostle John does in 1 John 2:6: “he who says he abides in Christ ought to walk in the same way as he walked.” In other words, if we claim to be a Christian, we must be Christlike. Here is the first New Testament example: we are to be like Christ in his Incarnation.

Some of you may immediately recoil in horror from such an idea. Surely, you will say to me, the Incarnation was an altogether unique event and cannot possibly be imitated in any way? My answer to that question is yes and no. Yes, it was unique, in the sense that the Son of God took our humanity to Himself in Jesus of Nazareth, once and for all and forever, never to be repeated. That is true. But there is another sense in which the Incarnation was not unique: the amazing grace of God in the Incarnation of Christ is to be followed by all of us.

The Incarnation, in that sense, was not unique but universal. We are all called to follow the example of His great humility in coming down from heaven to earth. So Paul could write in Philippians 2:5-8: “Have this mind among yourselves, which was in Christ, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God something to be grasped for his own selfish enjoyment, but emptied himself, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form he humbled himself and became obedient unto death, even death on a cross.” We are to be like Christ in his Incarnation in the amazing self-humbling which lies behind the Incarnation.

Secondly, we are to be like Christ in His service. We move on now from his Incarnation to His life of service; from His birth to His life, from the beginning to the end. Let me invite you to come with me to the upper room where Jesus spent his last evening with His disciples, recorded in John’s gospel, chapter 13: “He took off his outer garments, he tied a towel round him, he poured water into a basin and washed his disciples’ feet. When he had finished, he resumed his place and said, ‘If then I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also ought to wash one another’s feet, for I have given you an example”—notice the word—“that you should do as I have done to you.”

Some Christians take Jesus’ command literally and have a foot-washing ceremony in their Lord’s Supper once a month or on Maundy Thursday—and they may be right to do it. But I think most of us transpose Jesus’ command culturally: that is, just as Jesus performed what in His culture was the work of a slave, so we in our cultures must regard no task too menial or degrading to undertake for each other.

Thirdly, we are to be like Christ in His love. I think particularly now of Ephesians 5:2—“walk in love as Christ loved us and gave himself up as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” Notice that the text is in two parts. The first part is walk in love, an injunction that all our behavior should be characterized by love, but the second part of the verse says that He gave Himself for us, which is not a continuous thing but an aorist, a past tense, a clear reference to the cross. Paul is urging us to be like Christ in his death, to love with self-giving Calvary love. Notice what is developing: Paul is urging us to be like the Christ of the Incarnation, to be like the Christ of the foot washing, and to be like the Christ of the cross. These three events of the life of Christ indicate clearly what Christlikeness means in practice.

Fourthly, we are to be like Christ in His patient endurance. In this next example we consider not the teaching of Paul but of Peter. Every chapter of the first letter of Peter contains an allusion to our suffering like Christ, for the background to the letter is the beginnings of persecution. In chapter 2 of 1 Peter in particular, Peter urges Christian slaves, if punished unjustly, to bear it and not to repay evil for evil. For, Peter goes on, you and we have been called to this because Christ also suffered, leaving us an example—there is that word again—so that we may follow in His steps. This call to Christlikeness in suffering unjustly may well become increasingly relevant as persecution increases in many cultures in the world today.

My fifth and last example from the New Testament is that we are to be like Christ in His mission. Having looked at the teaching of Paul and Peter, we come now to the teaching of Jesus recorded by John. In John 20:21, in prayer, Jesus said, “As you, Father, have sent me into the world, so I send them into the world”—that is us. And in His commissioning in John 17 He says, “As the Father sent me into the world, so I send you.” These words are immensely significant. This is not just the Johannine version of the Great Commission but also an instruction that their mission in the world was to resemble Christ’s mission. In what respect? The key words in these texts are “sent into the world.” As Christ had entered our world, so we are to enter other people’s worlds. It was eloquently explained by Archbishop Michael Ramsey some years ago: “We state and commend the faith only in so far as we go out and put ourselves with loving sympathy inside the doubts of the doubters, the questions of the questioners, and the loneliness of those who have lost the way.”

This entering into other people’s worlds is exactly what we mean by incarnational evangelism. All authentic mission is incarnational mission. We are to be like Christ in His mission. These are the five main ways in which we are to be Christlike: in His Incarnation, in His service, in His love, in His endurance, and in His mission.
Very briefly, I want to give you three practical consequences of Christlikeness.

Firstly, Christlikeness and the mystery of suffering. Suffering is a huge subject in itself and there are many ways in which Christians try to understand it. One way stands out: that suffering is part of God’s process of making us like Christ. Whether we suffer from a disappointment, a frustration, or some other painful tragedy, we need to try to see this in the light of Romans 8:28-29. According to Romans 8:28, God is always working for the good of His people, and according to Romans 8:29, this good purpose is to make us like Christ.

Secondly, Christlikeness and the challenge of evangelism. Why is it, you must have asked, as I have, that in many situations our evangelistic efforts are often fraught with failure? Several reasons may be given and I do not want to over-simplify, but one main reason is that we don’t look like the Christ we are proclaiming. John Poulton, who has written about this in a perceptive little book entitled, A Today Sort of Evangelism, wrote this:

The most effective preaching comes from those who embody the things they are saying. They are their message. Christians need to look like what they are talking about. It is people who communicate primarily, not words or ideas. Authenticity gets across. Deep down inside people, what communicates now is basically personal authenticity.

That is Christlikeness. Let me give you another example. There was a Hindu professor in India who once identified one of his students as a Christian and said to him: “If you Christians lived like Jesus Christ, India would be at your feet tomorrow.” I think India would be at their feet today if we Christians lived like Christ. From the Islamic world, the Reverend Iskandar Jadeed, a former Arab Muslim, has said “If all Christians were Christians—that is, Christlike—there would be no more Islam today.”

That brings me to my third point—Christlikeness and the indwelling of the Spirit. I have spoken much tonight about Christlikeness, but is it attainable? In our own strength it is clearly not attainable, but God has given us his Holy Spirit to dwell within us, to change us from within. William Temple, Archbishop in the 1940s, used to illustrate this point from Shakespeare:

It is no good giving me a play like Hamlet or King Lear and telling me to write a play like that. Shakespeare could do it—I can’t. And it is no good showing me a life like the life of Jesus and telling me to live a life like that. Jesus could do it—I can’t. But if the genius of Shakespeare could come and live in me, then I could write plays like this. And if the Spirit could come into me, then I could live a life like His.

So I conclude, as a brief summary of what we have tried to say to one another: God’s purpose is to make us like Christ. God’s way to make us like Christ is to fill us with his Spirit. In other words, it is a Trinitarian conclusion, concerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Giving Change a Bear Hug

January 12, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 7:24

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Most of us want and desire things that are new, innovative, and creative. We want to be cutting-edge and modern enough to reach the world of today. Yet, at the same time we tend to feel safe with the way things are—or at least with much of the way things are. We have traditions from the past that matter a great deal to us that we have a hard time letting go of, or even considering letting go of.

Sometimes we act like change is our best friend, other times we look at it like a mortal enemy. It’s human nature to struggle at times with change as it requires leaving some things behind to make room for the new things ahead. On this topic, the Lord said:

When I ask you to adopt new methods or mindsets, before you do anything else, take a deep breath and ask Me to help you to open your spiritual arms wide—and then give that change a big bear hug! Ask Me to open your mind and heart so that you can behold wondrous new things in My Word (Psalm 119:18).

Whatever you do, don’t let yourself get stuck in the past. Don’t wait to have it all figured out, to synchronize the present with the past, or to understand it all before you embrace the change I bring into your life. Understanding is the byproduct of faith, so trust that My Spirit will work through the new factors that you are facing.

Rest assured that as you proceed by faith, walking on the waters of change, I’ll keep you afloat. If you place your trust in Me, you will never be disappointed. You will see the future unfold according to My plan, and you will come to understand My purpose in everything.

(Maria:) A helpful principle to bear in mind during times of change and uncertainty is to give yourself time, give that new mindset or practical change time to settle, time for you to become accustomed to it.

If something is difficult for you, or if something changes in a way that you don’t like, time will often help you to figure things out, to sort out any personal issues you may have, and to make peace with the Lord regarding the new direction He’s leading. Things are going to continue to change in your life, and in the end you might really like the “new,” even if it was difficult initially or took some time for you to accept or adjust to. Often you just have to give change a chance to settle, as this prophecy explains:

Some changes you will face in life will probably be a little disconcerting, and you may not relish the thought of what that change will bring into your life. But before making up your mind whether you’ll like it or not, it is wise to give it time. Let the concept of the change settle in your mind and heart, and then give it time to become part of the new way you think or do things.

The key to having the right attitude about the changes that are ahead is to keep your mind and heart open to Me. Until you’ve accepted and made the change, you’re still looking at changes for tomorrow with the eyes of today. So don’t pass judgment on or rate a change right at the onset. Give yourself time to adjust to it and to alter your perspective.

Human nature tends to assess the future within the framework of today, and it can take time to adapt and shift to a future-minded perspective. When change is looming on the horizon, it is natural to measure and compare it to how things look or work today, your past or current experiences, and what you appreciate about the way things are today.

So give yourself time to alter your way of thinking, to adopt new mindsets and attitudes, and give each change time to take shape. Ask Me to help you to embrace what is presently unknown, and may, in some cases, go contrary to what you currently know and the boundaries of your experience and knowledge.

You can choose to be a pioneer in spirit, someone who is willing to go into the unknown bravely and courageously when I ask that of you. Embracing change and welcoming it into your life doesn’t mean that you’re initially fear- or hesitation-free; what it does mean is that you don’t give in to fear or worry when you know that the change you are facing is My will. You keep moving forward.

Change—in all its many colors, forms, and challenges—brings depth and growth to your life. When you find that change is destabilizing your world, come to Me and hold on tight and trust Me. Trust in My promise that I am with you and will never leave nor forsake you.

(Maria:) Any change brings with it some aspects that are trying or stretching. Even if it’s a good change, there will still be aspects of our lives that require adjustment. There will be new tests of faith. Additionally, changes are generally a bit unsettling until you adjust to them and you find your new rhythm.

The Lord gave a little message on change that I thought would be encouraging for you if you are facing a time of change.

There are frequent times of upheaval and unexpected events in everyone’s lives, and that’s just part of life. Change is an ongoing process, and when you navigate one period of turmoil and uncertainty, that is not a guarantee that it will never happen again. Circumstances around you will continue to change and you will have to keep adjusting throughout your life.

If you approach these times holding on to your faith, you can make the best of it, and you can learn along the way. You take all the experience you gain and tuck it under your belt for the next time you come up against a big challenge. Even if there are things that you regret, or events that you see as negative, if you view those things with faith, you can trust that I work them together for your good.

Life is full of surprises, progress, and change. Sometimes change means reversals. Everyone experiences turnarounds and switchbacks and unexpected bends, because life is an evolving, growing, real-time event, and it’s lived by flawed human beings who are themselves in the process of growing through their life experiences. There’s no way to avoid that.

So hold tight to your faith as you go through tumultuous times. Don’t let anything take away your confidence in Me. You never lose by having faith and trusting Me. Faith is the response when you’re facing change, uncertainty, or readjustment. Faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not yet seen (Hebrews 11:1).

(Maria:) If you’re feeling a bit shaky or unsure about a change coming into your life, can you take a deep breath and ask the Lord to help you to open your arms wide and give change a big bear hug? When you are feeling apprehensive or even overwhelmed about the future, you can join Paul and every Christian who walked by faith, and say: “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” and “I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content” (Philippians 4:13, 11).

Thank you, dear ones, for having the mindsets of pioneers, and for being willing to let go of the past. It is not foolish to, as Saint Augustine said, “Trust the past to the mercy of God, the present to His love, and the future to His providence.”

Compiled from posts originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished January 2023.
Read by Lenore Welsh.

To Be in God’s Presence Is Enough

January 11, 2023

By Steve Hanuman

I wanted to share something that I’ve been going through lately.

Following a routine health checkup, I was diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. After a biopsy, the cancer was graded a level 9, with scores of 9 and 10 being the most dangerous and most likely to spread. I also have a very high PSA number of nearly 20. It all adds up to a sudden Stage 3 cancer diagnosis. At the time of writing this, I do not yet know if the cancer has spread to other parts of my body.

This is a very sudden and unexpected shock for me. To be honest, I’d been living under the false assumption that I had lots of time left because I was feeling quite healthy. As the saying goes, “I wasn’t ready for this!”

Facing this sudden diagnosis caused me to look back on my life.

I asked myself, If I were to pass away from this world soon, what has my life meant? Did it have any meaning at all for others?

It’s quite sobering to suddenly be in this situation. I realized that when I’m asking questions like this, it’s sadly natural to ask from the standpoint of how others view me. It’s just so ingrained into us to seek the approval of others. I know it is for me.

And when the obvious “successes” in the eyes of the world aren’t there, such as financial success, it’s kind of automatic for me to see myself as a “loser” and that my life has been a waste or a failure.

Let me tell you, this is maybe the worst feeling a person could have, to know that you may die soon and to feel that you haven’t done anything valuable or lasting with your life. To feel that your life makes no clear “statement” is just horrible!

I went to bed in a state of panic, devastated, deeply sorrowful, and feeling utterly alone.

The next morning, I woke up and immediately began to pray, and I realized this view of my life creates such a heavy and unnecessary burden. After deep prayer, I realized one thing: God truly loves His children as we are and God loves us more than we love ourselves. How God views us is completely different from how the world views us and even how we view ourselves.

From the loving view that God has, our lives are so beautiful and there’s so much to be grateful for, no matter what our position is in this world.

From God’s view, we are made of His love, and we are loved no matter what. There’s no such thing as “we didn’t matter” or “we didn’t make an impact in the world.” From God’s loving view, it’s impossible for our lives not to matter. God made us, how could we not matter? We are a miracle of God!

After prayer, I felt relieved to let go of that burden, and to just choose to be in God’s loving presence in the time I have left in this world. To be in His presence is enough. It’s more than enough.

The world and the Internet and social media will never tell you that. But I’m facing it right now with a very aggressive cancer in my body. And I came to realize this truth. All we need to do is to be in the presence of Jesus and everything is OK and our lives have true meaning to us and others around us forever.

In Christ’s love, there is no failure, and actually there is no success in the way we think of success. There’s only Christ … and it has nothing to do with this world and its praises or rejections.

“The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:17).

“Only one life, ’twill soon be past, only what’s done for Christ will last” (C. T. Studd).

What a beautiful thing to feel and realize when facing such a situation. By me being truly in Christ’s presence, this will automatically create an impact in the world.

“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (Galatians 2:20).

I understand now that I need to be free of how the world views my life and how I view my life and what it has meant or not meant. In a way, that’s all egotism. I understand now that it’s all Jesus and all I can really hope for is that I’ve been a faithful servant to our Lord, that I’ve stayed close to Jesus through thick and thin. I can have peace knowing that I’ve truly tried my best to be a good servant, to love Jesus and be grateful to Him for all my blessings.

Of course I’ve fallen short. But I have done my best. That’s all I can truly say about my life, that I just hope to serve Jesus, and the rest is not really important at all.

Let’s all let go of that burden of our personal “impact” and just love and serve and be in Christ’s presence, and all will be well and our life will be blessed. No matter what accomplishment we’ve done or haven’t done, we are still blessed and at peace in Christ.

Such a beautiful feeling and a freeing feeling. The burden is lifted.

No matter what happens, I’ve found the true meaning of my life is to “love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength … [and to] love your neighbor as yourself. There is no other commandment greater than these” (Mark 12:30–31). That’s what I choose to do with the time I have left.

Yes, I do have a sudden cancer diagnosis, but I also have peace, thanks to Christ’s amazing grace, mercy, and love.

A Very Present Help

January 10, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 11:54

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God is our refuge and strength [mighty and impenetrable], a very present and well-proved help in trouble.—Psalm 46:1

As Christians, we aren’t exempt from the difficulties of this life, even if some think we should be. If we have the expectation that our faith should shield us from problems, struggles, and suffering, this can lead to somewhat of a martyr complex when things go wrong, until we start to wonder, How could anyone possibly have it more difficult than I do?

If you feel like that, it might help to look around at what others, believers and nonbelievers alike, have to endure. You may find some who seem better off physically than you at the moment, but a lot of people are also so much worse off in ways that are very important, such as lacking the bare necessities of life.

Even though Christians face similar physical struggles to others and have lots of problems, we can usually understand from God’s Word that there’s a good reason for them, a divine purpose at work behind it all. Even when we can’t see any immediate good coming from our trials, they have the potential to teach us lessons and make us stronger. Knowing that makes them easier to bear.

Some people struggle for years with afflictions, or under a difficult employer, or at a job they hate. Others, both Christian and non-Christian, are ridiculed and bullied and criticized and rejected by others, or even openly persecuted for what they stand for. As Christians, we can often understand the ways that even our hardships serve to help us, but nonbelievers don’t have the comfort of a Savior who can help them make sense of what they suffer through. We may have a lot of difficulties, but our lives would probably seem comparatively easy to so many who face life without the sense of purpose that our faith provides.

We learn and grow from our troubles. Our struggles teach us how to have more patience, how to hold on, how to cling to God’s promises and “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ!” (2 Timothy 2:3)—not just for one day or one week or one month, but perhaps for many months or years at a time.

The Bible tells us, “God blesses those who patiently endure testing” (James 1:12). “Patient endurance is what you need now [when troubles are surrounding you], so that you can continue to do God’s will” (Hebrews 10:36).

Paul went so far as to tell us to “glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3–4).

We may sometimes have extended periods when we’re not able to rely on our feelings at all because things are going badly and we’re feeling pretty rotten, but that’s when we have to cling to the facts of God’s Word, that He still loves and cares, no matter what we feel like. Even when absolutely everything seems to have turned against us or be going wrong, we can trust that good will triumph in the end, and Jesus will be victorious.—Maria Fontaine

It’s possible that, as you read this, you have conflict and chaos happening in your life right now. Perhaps you’ve just lost a job, or a significant relationship in your life seems to be falling apart, or you’re dealing with a loss or health crisis you didn’t see coming.

Here’s the good news … God wants to bless you when you’re broken!

The Bible says in Ecclesiastes 3:1,4: “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: … a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” In other words, life is a series of opposites. The Bible says that sometimes weeping is appropriate. Sometimes mourning is appropriate. Sometimes grieving is appropriate. …

Psalm 34:18 says, “The LORD is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit.” God is close to the brokenhearted. He’s paying attention. He’s not distant. He’s right there with you, and he never leaves or forsakes his people…

The Bible tells us that God weeps. In other words, God is a suffering God, and God is a sympathetic God. He’s not indifferent, he’s not apathetic. He’s not standing on the sidelines. He suffers with us…

There’s a purpose in your pain, which makes it redemptive. … The Bible teaches us in 2 Corinthians 1:4, “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us.”

Your greatest ministry will come out of your deepest hurt. We think the world is impressed by how we handle prosperity. But the world is actually impressed by how we handle adversity. We think that it is our success that gives us credibility to be a witness. But God says it is our suffering that gives us credibility.—Rick Warren¹

God has a plan for each of us. Not only that, but He wants to direct our path and work with us to bring His plan to pass.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5–6). That doesn’t mean, though, that everything will be easy or happen just as we would like. In fact, it may sometimes seem like everything God brings your way is difficult, and that trying to follow His plan only makes things more so. Does God ever ask too much of us? Sometimes it can seem that way.

God wants what’s best for us, but often the means to that end involves taking us through both triumphs and trials, joy and pain. From our perspective, a particular situation or event may not seem good, but God can work whatever circumstances we face for our good and to further His plan. He sees farther than we do, and His plans are better and more complete than ours. (See Isaiah 55:8–9.)

In the prophet Jeremiah’s time, the Israelites were defeated militarily, scattered, and in exile. They probably wondered what had happened to God’s promised plan for them as a people. God explained that they would remain in exile for 70 years, as a punishment for their waywardness. That couldn’t have seemed like good news, but He reassured them that His plan for them would be fulfilled. “I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11).

So if you find yourself in a similar situation, lost and wondering what became of God’s plan for your life, don’t despair. God’s plan is never defeated, and He never gives up working on our behalf to complete the good work He began in us.—Alex Peterson

I am a very present and well-proved help in trouble. My Presence is always with you, but I am very present in times of distress. Because you are a member of My royal family—a citizen of My heavenly kingdom—I am committed to caring for you. During stressful times, your heart may race and your adrenalin level may soar. These physiological changes can block your awareness of My Presence. So it’s vital at such times to remind yourself: “Jesus is here with me; in fact, He is very present with me in this hard situation.” Then, take some slow, deep breaths so you can relax enough to connect with Me and draw strength from Me.

Biblical history has many examples of My faithfulness during times of trouble. World history—including current events—also contains proof of My powerful Presence. You won’t hear of this in secular news reports, but I continue to do miracles in your world. Moreover, as you look back over the years of your own life, you will see many instances of My meeting your needs in hard times. Since I am such a well-proved Help, you can trust Me to help you now!—Jesus²

Published on Anchor January 2023. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://pastors.com/6-ways-god-wants-to-bless-you-when-youre-broken.

² Sarah Young, Jesus Today (Thomas Nelson, 2012).

The Way, the Truth, and the Life

January 9, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 9:31

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In John chapter 13, we read how the night before Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion, Jesus and His disciples were eating together in what the Gospels of Mark and Luke describe as a large upper room (Luke 22:12, Mark 14:15). Unbeknownst to His disciples, this was to be their last meal with Jesus.

During the meal, Judas left to betray Jesus to the authorities. Once he was gone, Jesus spoke to His disciples about being glorified and also said: “Little children, yet a little while I am with you. You will seek me, and just as I said to the Jews, so now I also say to you, ‘Where I am going you cannot come.’” When the apostle Peter asked Jesus where He was going, He responded: “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward” (John 13:33, 36).

It’s easy to imagine the surprise this news must have been to the disciples. They had left their homes, families, and livelihoods to follow Jesus for years, and now He was telling them that He was leaving and they weren’t going with Him. Peter wasn’t the only one who questioned Jesus. Thomas, Philip, and Judas (not Iscariot) all had something to say (John 14:5, 8, 22.). It must have been bewildering and terribly sad for them to hear that Jesus was leaving, especially after having just heard that one of their best friends was going to betray Him.

Jesus comforted His disciples by saying: “Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going” (John 14:1–4).

After telling them of His departure, He explained that things were going to work out, that His leaving wasn’t the disaster they thought it would be. He was going to His Father’s house to prepare a place so they would be together again. Most likely the reference to His coming back in this case referred to His return at the end of the age, at the time of His second coming.

He also made the point that they knew the way where He was going. They knew how to follow Him. As they continued to follow the way He had been leading them, they would come to where He would be. However, Thomas, like Peter earlier, was perplexed and asked for clarity. “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” (John 14:5).

He was likely thinking of “the way” as a road leading to a specific destination, rather than as a way of being. His question led to Jesus giving more clarity, and Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me” (John 14:6).

“The Way” was the primary theme. Jesus, however, wasn’t giving directions; rather He was saying that the way was a person—Himself—and the destination was also a person—His Father. As the way, Jesus is the link between the lost and His Father, and without Him no one can come to the Father. He is the one and only means for someone to enter into a relationship with the Father and to have eternal life. That message is echoed in many verses throughout the New Testament.

“God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God” (John 3:16–18).

Jesus entered our world and gave His life in order to make salvation possible. He is the way to salvation. “I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture” (John 10:9). “There is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9).

As the way, Jesus is the means for people to enter into a relationship with the Father. “There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

God loves the world and all who are in it, and therefore made a way for salvation through the gift of His Son, who died in our place so that we would be able to come into the presence of God—to be part of His family, to be able to call Him Father. The “Way” to God is through Jesus.

Jesus also said that He is “the Truth.” Within the Old Testament we hear of God being called “the God of truth” (Isaiah 65:16).

We normally think of truth as opposed to falsehood, or reality as opposed to mere appearance. However, the Hebrew word ‘emeth, which is translated in the Old Testament as truth, can also mean faithfulness, reliability, stability, firmness. When referring to God, this word conveys not only His truthfulness and veracity, but also His complete reliability and integrity. The Father is the God of truth in both senses.

We read in the New Testament that Jesus is “full of grace and truth” (John 1:14). “He is the true God and eternal life” and “the truth is in Jesus” (1 John 5:20; Ephesians 4:21).

As He said to Pilate right before His crucifixion: “For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world—to bear witness to the truth” (John 18:37). As the Father is truth, so too is the Son.

Along with stating that He was the way and the truth, Jesus added that He is “the life.” Life, in this context, focuses on eternal life. Over and over the New Testament makes it clear that Jesus is the means to eternal life, and that belief in Him results in everlasting life.

“As the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son also to have life in himself. As the Father raises the dead and gives them life, so also the Son gives life to whom he will” (John 5:26, 21). “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die” (John 11:25–26).

“God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. Whoever has the Son has life.” “This is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent” (1 John 5:11–12; John 17:3).

Jesus, the one we love and serve, is the Way to eternal life with the Father. He is the Truth, both in the sense of complete veracity as well as in faithfulness and reliability. He is also the Life, the giver of life; and through giving His life for our sakes, He has made it possible for us to live forever with Him.

Originally published May 2018. Adapted and republished January 2023. Read by John Laurence.

The Bible Story: The Plan and the Planner

Compiled from the writings of David Brandt Berg

1977-01-30

The historians of the Old Testament have preserved a record which has left us breathless. The Bible is more full of drama and romance than any other book that I know of. It’s got all kinds of stories, including the story of creation. The Bible openly confesses that there is a plan and a planner, a design and a designer, and the ultimate goal is the good of the people and the abolition of evil and evil leaders and evil systems.

Although Marx claimed not to believe in God, he confessed to what he called the principle of history. He said there was a driving force behind history, which showed there was a plan for mankind. But if you confess that, you have to confess that there is a designer behind the design and a planner behind the plan! This driving force then must be an omnipotent power, a God behind history, who must have given a plan and a goal to history, and mankind is being driven to this ultimate goal.

History really proves the existence of God—God’s laws of retribution, the rise and fall of empires because of righteousness or wickedness. This is one of the proofs of the existence of God, including fulfilled prophecy. So what did they have to do with history? They had to debunk history and all the heroic characters.

This is still a favorite occupation of reprobate historians, to claim that what we thought and heard all our lives about what these characters were really like, they weren’t like that at all. No more heroes: they were all villains. Nobody was ever good; everybody was bad. There weren’t any good or heroic men. A revolutionary education today would be a back-to-God education, back to a plan in history.

The fact is that the Lord created the heavens and the earth and man. In the beginning there was chaos, but God created light. He caused the dry land to appear, the plants to grow, the sun and the moon and the stars, and the fish and the fowl—which are related to each other, as both were created the same day—and then the animals, and then man. When God created man, He created him already civilized, full-grown, intelligent, and taught him to wear clothes. You can believe it or not. We have all the indications of this in the book of Genesis that he was not “prehistoric.” We have the history right in the Bible.

“But how do we know God made the world? Why does there have to be a God at all?” To this I give the classic illustration of Dr. Robert A. Millikan, a great nuclear physicist who believed in God. He said, “Just as behind this watch there had to be a watchmaker, so behind the intricate precision and timing of this great universe there had to be a great creator or designer!”

“So, if there is a God, where did He come from? Who made Him, and when and where and how long has He been in existence?” If you knew the answer to that question, then you’d be God, wouldn’t you? And you’d know as much as God knows. God simply says that He has always been. He is the “Great I Am,” who lives in the eternal now. We don’t know where He came from or how He got here or where He came from. We simply know He does exist and He is here, ever-present, all knowing and all-powerful: omnipresent, omniscient, and omnipotent.

“But couldn’t God have created the world by the process of evolution?” If God is God and if He is Creator and could make the universe, why did He have to make it by the process of evolution? Why couldn’t He have created it just like the Bible says?

“Don’t you believe big animals like dinosaurs existed?” The “prehistoric” monsters did exist, and you’ll even find records of them in the Bible in the “behemoth” and “leviathan” of Job 40 and 41. And you’ll also find here the fire-breathing dragons of historic legends—such as the story of Saint George and the dragon—which have basis in historic fact, although later accounts have been embellished with considerable fiction. These things did exist. “Why aren’t they here now then?” Because they became extinct like many other creatures and species are becoming extinct even today.

“The meek shall inherit the earth” (Matthew 5:5). Vulnerable man with his brains and the blessing of God conquered the earth. God’s design and creation of man was the best and most workable plan and creation, and despite all the obstacles and “prehistoric” monsters, man survived with the blessing of God and the equipment God gave him. The weakest and meekest inherited the earth, which is exactly what is going to happen in the end when the most bestial and monstrous of man’s governments is virtually going to destroy itself by its own size, weight, cumbersomeness, and stupidity, and the seemingly weakest of all groups on earth, the bands of persecuted Christians and believers, are going to inherit the earth and the kingdom of God on earth and run and govern it by love and the power of God.

Science and archaeology confirm the Bible; they do not disprove it, but are proving it more and more. They used to say there was no place called Ur, but today they have the whole city uncovered, the birthplace of Abraham.

The great experiment

God put Adam and Eve in the Garden and gave them a choice to do good or evil. It was almost like a great experiment that God was conducting, to show what happens when anyone is allowed to have their own way and go without God, and this was the beginning of “going without God.”

Adam had the majesty of choice; he could do good or evil, and he was similar to God. God made man in His image and His likeness.

When Adam was alone in the Garden after God made him and all the animals, God brought each of the animals to him to see what he would name them. “Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field” (Genesis 2:20).

Adam must have been pretty desperate for a mate by the time he got through spending weeks or months examining and naming all the animals. So by that time he was ready for Eve. After being put under God’s anesthesia in order to create her out of his side near his heart, when he woke up and saw her there, he said, “She shall be called woman.” It meant she was taken out of man, according to the literal translation of the original language.

Their only home was a lovely garden, their only beds the nice soft grass, their only shelter the lovely trees, their only clothing their long hair, and their only food the fruit from the trees, ready to eat without cooking or dishes to wash! What a wonderful world it was. But they did have one sneaky snake in that garden who kept trying to persuade them to try the tree of the knowledge of good and evil to become gods.

The two most beautiful people ever created in the most beautiful place ever made, living in the most ideal conditions that ever existed were still not satisfied or completely happy without heavenly hearts—Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden before the Fall of man! It wasn’t long, sad to say, before they left their paradise to begin the hard work of having to make clothes, build houses, and laboriously till the ground for food.

But God gets His greatest victories out of seeming defeat. Adam and Eve were not closer to God when they were living in the Garden. They were not driven from the presence of the Lord—they were driven into the presence of God to know Him in a way they’d never known Him before! They were driven out of the Garden into a position where they had to get closer to the Lord to survive and to be saved.

Grace vs. works

The first murder was committed by a religionist of the do-it-yourself kind when Cain killed Abel—a man who was trusting in God. Cain was trying very hard to save himself in his own way, sacrificing to God and claiming to worship God, and doing his best to ask God to help him earn his own salvation—but his best wasn’t good enough. His way was not God’s way! It was the way of all false religions. They are dependent upon self-righteousness and their own way.

On the other hand, Abel just did what God told him to do, “and offered unto God more excellent sacrifice than Cain” (Hebrews 11:4), the sacrifice of pure faith in the Word of God—the blood sacrifice of a lamb, typifying salvation only through the blood of Christ, showing that he was trusting God alone and that only the righteousness of God could save him. He knew he only had God’s righteousness and none of his own, and it was purely a gift of God.

This made such a fool out of the hard-working Cain, the self-made man and religionist devoted to his own form of worship, and so totally exposed the futility of it all, that he was furious at this exposure of his sincere hypocrisy, after all his hard work, his legalistic reasoning, his demands for salvation for all he was doing, and his insistence on earning his own thing. He tried to wipe out the awful truth of the failure of his religion to save him by killing the man whose simple faith in God’s grace had exposed him.

Thus began the battle royal between pride and humility, religionists and saved sinners, flesh and Spirit, works and faith, law and grace, self and God.

The grace of God and gopher wood

“And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that he had made man on the earth, and it grieved him at his heart” (Genesis 6:5–6).

God was sorry that He had even made mankind. But He found one just man upon the earth—Noah—and Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord. And God said unto Noah, “The end of all flesh is come before me; for the face of the earth is filled with violence through them; and behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Make thee an ark of gopher wood” (Genesis 6:13–14).

He told Noah that He was going to send a big flood and cleanse the face of the earth. “I just want to save you and your family—you and your wife and your three sons and their wives.” He told Noah exactly how to build a boat; and he built it according to the same dimensions that they build big ocean liners today. This one was about three blocks long, about a half a block wide, and six or seven stories high, according to the dimensions given in the Bible—enough room to house a lot of animals, which God told Noah to put in the ark to spare them. Noah and his family alone were saved by the grace of God in the ark, a type of Christ, and the very waters which destroyed the world delivered the trusting believers.

How could they imagine such a thing as a worldwide flood when it had never even rained before? How could they imagine rain and a flood? But Noah and his family refused to conform to the patterns of society of his day and expected it to rain for the first time in history, and built for themselves the only possible way of escape. Noah preached, “Come into the ark, and God will protect us and supply for us.” And they probably said, “You fool, it’s never rained.” He invited them to repent. They could have gone along with him.

Noah was probably getting a lot of persecution. It must have been difficult to build the boat, but they did it. Under the pressure of the impending judgments of God, Noah got busy and did what he and his sons and their families could do, and they built the boat and got ready for God.

Noah preached for 120 years without results and didn’t find his calling until he was 600 years old. After 600 years, Noah’s mission had arrived—his day had come. And his obedience saved the human race and all living things. The anointing was upon him for that one great hour, and he didn’t fail!

Incidentally, the Bible is not the only book that talks about the flood. Many histories of ancient civilizations have a flood story. There was a flood, and scientists are pretty convinced of that, because of the geological formations that we still find today—seashells on the tops of mountains, and layers of mud that covered ancient civilizations.

God cleansed the face of the earth, then the waters began to abate and the ark landed on top of Mt. Ararat, which is one of the highest mountains in the Near East, about 17,000 feet high. They landed after a year and ten days in the ark, and I bet they were glad to get their feet on dry ground. The first thing that Noah did was to give thanks. He built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed, and in return, God put the rainbow in the sky as a sign of His promise that He would never let the whole world be covered by a flood of water again.
Copyright © 1977 by The Family International

January 1

THE BIBLE’S FIRST PROMISE

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” – Gen 3:15

This is the first promise to fallen man. It contains the whole gospel and the essence of the covenant of grace. It has been in great measure fulfilled. The seed of the woman, even our Lord Jesus, was bruised in His heel, and a terrible bruising it was. How terrible will be the final bruising of the serpent’s head! This was virtually done when Jesus took away sin, vanquished death, and broke the power of Satan; but it awaits a still fuller accomplishment at our Lord’s second advent and in the Day of Judgment. To us the promise stands as a prophecy that we shall be afflicted by the powers of evil in our lower nature, and thus bruised in our heel; but we shall triumph in Christ, who sets His foot on the old serpent’s head. Throughout this year we may have to learn the first part of this promise by experience, through the temptations of the devil and the unkindness of the ungodly, who are his seed. They may so bruise us that we may limp with our sore heel; but let us grasp the second part of the text, and we shall not be dismayed. By faith let us rejoice that we shall still reign in Christ Jesus, the woman’s seed.

January 2

CONQUEST TO VICTORY

And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. (Romans 16:20)

This promise follows well upon that of yesterday. We are evidently to be conformed to our covenant Head, not only in His being bruised in His heel but in His conquest of the evil one. Even under our feet is the old dragon to be bruised. The Roman believers were grieved with strife in the church; but their God was “the God of peace” and gave them rest of soul. The archenemy tripped up the feet of the unwary and deceived the hearts of the simple; but he was to get the worst of it and to be trodden down by those whom he had troubled. This victory would not come to the people of God through their own skill or power; but God Himself would bruise Satan. Though it would be under their feet, yet the bruising would be of the Lord alone.

Let us bravely tread upon the tempter! Not only inferior spirits but the prince of darkness himself must go down before us. In unquestioning confidence in God let us look for speedy victory. “Shortly.” Happy word! Shortly we shall set our foot on the old serpent! What a joy to crush evil! What dishonor to Satan to have his head bruised by human feet! Let us by faith in Jesus tread the tempter down. (Faith Checkbook)

January 6, 2023

Counted Worthy

By Connor Bales

An inspiring message on Romans 8:18 addressing the question, “Everyone suffers in our broken world. How do I suffer well?”

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”—Romans 8:18

Run time for the sermon is 37 minutes. The message starts at 30 minutes into the video, or you can listen to the audio.

Counted Worthy – Prestonwood Baptist Church

No Time to Waste

January 5, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 9:41

Download Audio (8.8MB)

In the past, when we discussed the need to change our thinking to planning more long-term in case we had more time before the Lord’s return than we previously thought, we also talked about the reality that time is still short. As we once published, “Reputable Christian sources estimate that the church in China is currently growing by about 120,000 new converts per month. This is great news, but when compared to the population of 1.4 billion people, it could take nearly 1,000 years to reach them at that rate.”

We’ve mainly related the concept of “time is short” to our thinking as far as the timing of the Lord’s return. But the reality is that for those whose lives will end before Jesus’ return, there is no time to spare. Whether we have 10 years or 50, it will take a miracle for Christians today to reach the world with Jesus’ love and message before He returns—even if many more dedicated laborers and Christians join forces in this task.

Following is an excerpt of an interview with a Family member that was published in a book by an academic who studied the Family in 2002. It gives an interesting perspective on the issue of whether our mission is less urgent if Jesus’ return doesn’t happen as soon as we had hoped.

So the Endtime, the end of the world has not come for me or for you. But the end of the world has come for millions of people who have died in the past twenty-five years, and many of them without the gospel. There are millions of people who are dying every year without the gospel. It’s the end of the world for them. Are we wrong because we think that time is so short?¹

On this topic, Peter wrote:

It’s good and even vital that we have a sense of urgency concerning witnessing the Lord’s love and salvation to the lost. We’ve never known for sure, and don’t have to know for certain, when the Lord is coming back in order to be faithful witnesses and teachers today.

The people we meet might not have much time; they could die tomorrow, or they may be dying spiritually and be desperate for answers today! We need to do our part to give them a chance to know Jesus and His love, and to share in the rewards that come from telling others about His love and serving Him in whatever capacity they are able to. We don’t need to know the exact timing of Jesus’ return in order to witness to people about their eternal destiny.

An article interviewing Billy Graham also highlighted these principles:

“People ask me, ‘Do you really believe that Jesus Christ is going to come back to this earth again?” writes the Rev. Billy Graham in one of the several resources that the ministry is providing on the End Times.

“Yes, I do,” he continues. “The Bible teaches that Jesus is coming again. And I don’t see any other hope, because we’re heading toward a catastrophe in our world. The most important question, however, is this: Are you ready for Christ’s return? … If that happens today, are you ready?” Graham asks.

The world-renowned evangelist also reminds believers that regardless of when Christ returns, the end of the world does come for each and every single person—the moment that they die.

“And that could be at any time for any of us. We never know,” Graham states. “What have you done to prepare for that moment when your heart stops beating?”²

Focus on the mission

The possibility of the Lord’s return being more distant than we had theorized in the past is not a new doctrine. The Lord has not revealed to us, by any means, how much time will pass before His return. We don’t know when He will return.

So, don’t get stuck on a timeframe for Jesus’ return. Let’s focus on continuing to be fruitful for the Lord until He comes or He takes us home to Him, whenever that may be, so that either way we’re doing what He’s asked of us, and we’ll be welcomed home with, “Well done, good and faithful servant! … Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!” (Matthew 25:21).

As Jesus told His disciples: “Blessed are those servants whom the master finds on watch when he returns. Truly I tell you, he will dress himself to serve and will have them recline at the table, and he himself will come and wait on them. If he comes in the second watch, or in the third, and finds them awake, blessed are those servants! You also must be ready, because the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect” (Luke 12:37–38, 40).

In carrying out the mission, sometimes you get to see the results of your witness—souls saved, lives changed, people growing in the Lord and going on to become witnesses themselves. But even when you don’t see the results, never forget that each witness and seed of truth and love does something for the person who receives it. The Lord’s Word and Spirit always have an effect (Isaiah 55:11). Our job is simply to be loving, faithful messengers. Bringing forth fruit and results is the Lord’s job.

Sometimes you don’t know what your labors of love are accomplishing. Sometimes the fruit of your love and witness is completely unknown and unseen by you, and even by those around you. But Jesus knows, and one day you’ll get to see what came about through your faithful witness and how the Lord used it to touch lives and bring people to Him. What a day that will be!

Prayer for more witnesses to reach the world

Dear Jesus, You’ve told us that the harvest is plenteous, but the laborers are few, and You’ve instructed us to pray for more laborers to help us to reap the harvest (Matthew 9:37–38). We ask You to guide us to those who will not only accept Your gift of salvation and allow their lives to be changed through it, but to those who will also feel Your call in their heart to share the good news with others.

Bring us into contact with those who will realize the value of their salvation and how important it is to pass that truth on to others, who will see the value of Your coming to earth and laying down Your life for the sins of all humankind, thus making Your precious gift of salvation, of everlasting life, available to us. Raise up those who will have a passion to share that truth with others because it has changed their lives and they want to help effect that same change in the lives of others.

Wonderful Creator, Your love has touched our lives so deeply. We have a personal relationship with the God of the universe. We have Your inexplicable peace. We have Your promises of protection. We have Your guidance. We have the assurance of a beautiful life to come in which we will live with You and our brethren forever.

We don’t want to keep these treasures to ourselves. We desperately want to share the wonder of You and our spiritual wealth with others so that those we win and teach can turn around and teach others. We need all the help we can get to fulfill Your commission to be witnesses unto the uttermost parts of the earth.

We want to be faithful witnesses and be used of You to change the world, one heart at a time. Please open doors to new situations and opportunities where we’ll be able to cross paths with these special individuals who will become laborers in Your harvest. In Jesus’ name.

Compiled from posts originally published in 2009. Adapted and republished January 2023.
Read by Debra Lee.

¹ The Endtime Family: The Children of God, by William Sims Bainbridge, 2002.

² “Billy Graham association makes ‘End Times’ a focus in 2009,” by Eric Young, Christian Post.

1 Thessalonians: Chapter 1

By Peter Amsterdam

January 3, 2023

The first of Paul’s and his partners’ letters to the Thessalonians is divided into five parts. The first part, the introduction (in 1 Thessalonians 1:1–10), is the shortest, containing ten verses.

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.¹

When addressing the church of Thessalonica, Paul acknowledges that the founding of the Thessalonian church was not due to the efforts of Paul, Silas, and Timothy, but rather was due to the work of God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The greeting “grace and peace” is found in virtually all of Paul’s letters, though it is sometimes expanded to “grace, mercy and peace,” as seen in 1 Timothy 1:2 and 2 Timothy 1:2. It is likely that this expression of “grace and peace” was derived from the secular or Greek greeting chairein and then “Christianized” with the similar-sounding word charis, meaning grace. One author explains: Paul adds charis to the typically Jewish greeting “peace” so that the new combination of “Grace and Peace” results in a salutation that is truly inclusive of his Gentile Christian and Jewish Christian audience.²

We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.³

In this letter, as in many of the other epistles, Paul and his partners state that they constantly give thanks to God for the Christian community.⁴ Toward the end of the letter, they will again call the church to a similar life of thanksgiving.⁵ Paul and his companions likely remembered the names and faces of those in Thessalonica whom they had recently had to leave.

The way in which Paul gave thanks for the believers was by making mention of you in our prayers. Later in the epistle he writes: We pray most earnestly night and day.⁶ This suggests that Paul, Silas, and Timothy met daily for prayer and thanking God for the believers in Thessalonica. The phrase making mention is commonly used in the New Testament as the act of offering petitions through prayer. For example:

For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I mention you always in my prayers.⁷

I do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers.⁸

I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers.⁹

It’s interesting to note that Paul’s intercessory prayers start with giving thanksgiving to God rather than presenting petitions to God. This is contrary to the attitude that some Christians have that prayer is almost exclusively a means to make known one’s needs to God.

The first reason why Paul and his fellow missionaries always give thanks to God is because we constantly remember your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ before our God and Father.¹⁰ It’s interesting that here Paul speaks positively about “your work of faith,” whereas elsewhere within his writings he makes it very clear that people are not saved by works of any kind. However, when the question of salvation is not the focus, Paul often speaks positively of the good works that believers perform. Elsewhere, Paul refers to this as faith working through love.¹¹ The phrase “work of faith” as used here refers to Christian activity which is rooted in faith.

The second phrase, “labor of love,” is often understood to mean doing acts of service without the expectation of reward or praise; however, that is not the meaning here. Rather “labor of love” here refers to deeds that are rooted in love. Paul doesn’t specify which deeds he is speaking of. However, the objects of that love were the other members of the Thessalonian church, as is mentioned later in this epistle.

Paul was likely referring to the self-sacrificing labor that believers undertook as they served both those inside the church as well as the outside community. Their faith and love generated work done for the benefit of others.

Paul speaks of the steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. Other translations refer to the patience of hope (NKJV), the enduring hope (NLT), and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ (TNIV). This enduring hope is the ability to remain steadfast and persevere when faced with suffering or temptation. Throughout the New Testament there are references to such endurance.

You will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But not a hair of your head will perish. By your endurance you will gain your lives.¹³

We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.¹⁴

May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy.¹⁵

Paul became concerned about the believers in Thessalonica in his absence, because of the persecution they were faced with as well as the temptations of Satan to turn them from the faith. However (as seen later in this epistle), the Thessalonians endured and kept the faith despite the temptations they faced.

We know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you, because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction. You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake.¹⁶

Paul then presented the most important reason for their thankfulness to God: that He has chosen them. Paul believed that God had chosen the Thessalonian believers because of the way the gospel had come to them: because our gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

Throughout the Old Testament, the Jewish people were chosen by God to be His people. However, here Paul refers to the gentile Thessalonian believers as being chosen by God. This was a radical departure from the pre-Christian view.

In this letter, Paul refers to the Christian brothers (some translations use brothers and sisters, since the believers would have included both men and women). He refers to brothers (meaning believers of both sexes) 19 times throughout this letter. This gives us a window into how the members of the early church identified themselves.

After Paul showed his confidence that the Thessalonian believers were loved and chosen by God, he went on to explain that the gospel came not only with words, but also with power, with the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction.

Paul went on to say: You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. He pointed out his and his partners’ character, conduct, and methods, which the Thessalonians observed while they were with them. They knew the type of people these missionaries were. Their honorable character was part of the message they preached.

Earlier, Paul had told the Thessalonians that God had chosen them (v. 4), and now he adds that because they received his teachings, they had become imitators of both Paul and the disciples as well as of the Lord. These believers emulated the suffering and adversity of Jesus and of the apostles. Throughout the New Testament there is further encouragement to imitate the leaders of the church.

Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.¹⁸

I became your father in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I urge you, then, be imitators of me.¹⁹

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us.²⁰

What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.²¹

The exact nature of the affliction the Thessalonians suffered is not specified, but was hinted at when Paul referred to “in much affliction.” One author explains:

It probably did not involve physical death and martyrdom but more likely entailed severe social harassment and ostracism. This opposition involved “such difficulties as their alienation from unbelieving family members and friends; the curtailment of their opportunities to maintain, let alone to improve, their current economic and social status; the restriction of their access to the city’s political and social institutions; and their constant subjection to harassment and public issues.”²²

The lives the Thessalonian Christians lived, despite the persecution they received, was a powerful example to others. Thus, Paul rejoiced that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. One author commented: Verse 7 is the only text in the NT where a whole congregation is viewed as a model for other churches. This was an exceptional church in the way they responded to persecution. Molded by the example of the Lord, Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, they themselves now become a model for others.²³

Not only has the word of the Lord sounded forth from you in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything.²⁴

Some Bible commentators consider this sentence awkward. However, the difficulty is likely because Paul combined into one sentence two related, but distinct, activities which the Thessalonians carried out: the preaching of the message (“the word of the Lord”), and a conversion (“your faith in God”). The phrase, “the word of the Lord” is found only one other time in Paul’s letters (2 Thessalonians 3:1). Usually he uses the phrase “the word of God,” which is found nine times throughout his writings. In the Old Testament, “the Lord” refers to God (the Father); whereas in the New Testament, “the Lord” refers to Jesus Christ.

The phrase sounded forth from you (some translations say rang out from you) tells us that the message reverberated out in all directions. The picture that Paul portrays is that the gospel message continued to echo forth from the Thessalonian Christians throughout Macedonia, Achaia, and beyond. Paul doesn’t specifically say how the Macedonian believers spread the gospel to others; however, the reference to “the word of the Lord” indicates that it was through some form of sharing and teaching the gospel message. In the second half of the sentence, your faith in God has gone forth everywhere, so that we need not say anything, the image that Paul presents is of a sound—the gospel’s message—which emanated from the Thessalonian Christians and carried on throughout all of Macedonia and beyond.

They themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.²⁵

In these two verses (vs. 9–10) Paul explains how he and those with him came to know about the witnessing efforts of the Thessalonian believers. The Thessalonians had shared the gospel with those in Macedonia and Achaia. They themselves report refers to those in Macedonia and Achaia who had heard the gospel from the Thessalonians. These people reported to Paul about the kind of “entrance” the apostolic team had in Thessalonica, and how the Thessalonians had converted to God and moved away from idolatry.

This second part of the report (vs. 9b–10) mentions how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God. It was no small feat for the Thessalonian believers to step away from the idolatry of Thessalonica. The renunciation of the pagan gods meant that the new Christians were rejecting a number of social events which were associated with the worship of the Thessalonian gods. This caused resentment and anger from their non-Christian family members and friends. The new Christians’ refusal to participate in the worship of the local gods offended many of the Thessalonian citizens and caused them to see the Christians as atheists.

The people of Thessalonica were probably concerned that the gods they worshipped might punish the city with plague, famine, or other natural disasters. Turning from idols also meant that they were rejecting the gods of Rome, which could damage Thessalonica’s status with Rome. The conversion of the Thessalonian Christians was a major break from their previous way of life, and it resulted in the resentment of the other citizens of Thessalonica.

Paul goes on to refer to the Thessalonians waiting for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. Paul included three descriptions of God’s Son from heaven, who will one day return from the heavens: (1) He is the one “whom he [God] raised from the dead,” (2) “Jesus,” and (3) “the one who rescues us from the coming wrath.”

The first description connects to a central teaching of the early church: the resurrection of Christ. Throughout the New Testament, several verses attest to God raising Jesus from the dead.

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.²⁶

Paul, an apostle—not from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead.²⁷

He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you who through him are believers in God, who raised him from the dead and gave him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.²⁸

The second description, the name Jesus, puts the focus directly on Jesus in order to transition away from the Father and His raising Jesus from the dead. The focus here is the activity of Jesus and His return from the heavens. Later in this epistle, Paul refers to the resurrection of Jesus when dealing with the issue of those who die before Jesus returns.

The third description speaks of the returning Son who delivers us from the wrath to come.²⁹ Being delivered or rescued is mentioned throughout Paul’s writings.

He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again.³⁰

My persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.³¹

For many, the thought of God’s wrath is difficult to understand. One author writes:

God’s wrath must be seen in light of his justice. God is indeed loving and kind, but his justice demands that sin, which is such an affront to his holiness and supreme majesty, be punished. It must also be remembered that the wrath of God is not like human anger, which so often is expressed in a vindictive and uncontrolled manner. God’s wrath instead represents a necessary and just response to human sin.³²

Instead of fearing the future judgment, the believers in Thessalonica had hope, since they knew Christ would return and rescue them. As Christians, we have that same hope, knowing that we will be with Christ forever.

(To be continued.)

Note

¹ 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

² Jeffrey A. D. Weima, 1–2 Thessalonians: Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2014), 71.

³ 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3.

⁴ 1 Corinthians 1:4, Colossians 1:3, 2 Thessalonians 1:3, 2:13, Philemon 1:4.

⁵ See 1 Thessalonians 5:18.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 3:10.

⁷ Romans 1:9–10.

⁸ Ephesians 1:16 NAS.

⁹ Philemon 1:4 NAS.

¹⁰ 1 Thessalonians 1:2–3.

¹¹ Galatians 5:6.

¹² 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10.

¹³ Luke 21:17–19.

¹⁴ Romans 5:3–4.

¹⁵ Colossians 1:11.

¹⁶ 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5.

¹⁷ 1 Thessalonians 1:6–7.

¹⁸ 1 Corinthians 11:1.

¹⁹ 1 Corinthians 4:15–16.

²⁰ Philippians 3:17.

²¹ Philippians 4:9.

²² Victor Paul Furnish, 1 & 2 Thessalonians (Abingdon Press, 2007), 46–47.

²³ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002), 99.

²⁴ 1 Thessalonians 1:8.

²⁵ 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10.

²⁶ Romans 10:9.

²⁷ Galatians 1:1.

²⁸ 1 Peter 1:20–21.

²⁹ 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

³⁰ 2 Corinthians 1:10.

³¹ 2 Timothy 3:11.

³² Weima, 1–2 Thessalonians, 122.

Jesus at the Center

January 3, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 12:49

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As Christians, we aspire to pattern ourselves after Jesus. We desire to be godly, meaning that we live in a manner which honors God, which is based on the knowledge of His Word, and with the awareness of, and reverence for, His constant presence within us. In short, we strive to live in a way which is pleasing to Him. The question is: How do we do that effectively? What steps can we take to help us to live godly lives?

The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, a young man he was mentoring, telling him that he should train himself for godliness, that he should pursue it, as there is great gain in doing so (1 Timothy 4:7, 6:6, 11). The Greek word Paul used for training was gymnazō, which the English word gymnasium comes from, and which means to exercise vigorously. In other words, Paul was saying that Timothy should put effort and exercise into growing in godliness.

Living lives which reflect Jesus’ light and love to others, living in accordance with God’s will, being attuned to the Holy Spirit, making godly choices, cultivating a close relationship with our Creator, all of this requires effort on our part. Paul was making this point when he told Timothy to train in godliness.

How do we train for godliness? By applying ourselves to doing those things which put us in a position to receive God’s blessings and strength; by doing what is necessary to align the inner attitudes of our heart with God’s Spirit, Word, and will.

Living a God-centered life isn’t something that happens on its own; it requires effort and commitment on our part. It calls for spiritual growth, which will contribute to developing such a life. As we mature in our faith, as we walk closer with God and as we live in alignment with His will, we are inwardly transformed, which in turn manifests itself in our outward life, helping us to be more God-centered and Christlike.

It logically follows that if we want to be like Jesus, we will want to follow the example of how He lived, especially in regard to communing and connecting with His Father, and doing our best to serve as an example of God’s love and compassion to others.

There are various avenues which God uses to help us grow into Christlikeness. The first is people—our loved ones, spouse, friends, coworkers, teachers, mentors, and even those who oppose us. All of them can be catalysts for change in our lives.

Another avenue of change is circumstances—the challenges we face, whether with health, finances, losing a job or getting a new one, moving locations, or any other things which require stretching and moving out of our comfort zones. God uses circumstances to bring change and growth to our doorstep. When He uses people and circumstances to bring spiritual growth, He is using outside influences which are generally beyond our control.

While we have limited control over the outside influences and circumstances which draw us closer to God, each of us can make a decision to take action for the purpose of inward spiritual change and growth. How deeply we dwell in communion with God, how open we are to His influence, how much we choose to do His will, how dedicated we are to maturing in our faith, are things that we each decide.—Peter Amsterdam

Living a Christ-centered life

What does it mean to live a Christ-centered life? A Christ-centered or Christocentric life can be described in the following way: A life that is focused solely upon a commitment to Jesus Christ, the Son of God, as Lord and Savior. A life whose sole purpose is to honor and glorify Him forever. The Westminster Catechism states: Man’s chief end is to glorify God and enjoy Him forever…

To have a Christ-centered life is to make Him the absolute center of your attention, energy, time, and thoughts. … “But how can my life be centered upon Christ,” you ask? You read the Scriptures. You pray, focus on the attributes of God, Jesus’ redemptive work on the cross. Fall in love with the Psalms. Realize that we are going to fail, over and over again … however, God does not.

Some lyrics of a song I heard while I was writing this said something interesting to me. They said: “Love is when all your happiness, sadness, feelings are dependent upon another person’s.” Thinking about it, I feel like that’s actually somewhat true … at least the action of love. My reflection of this lyric is that all of our happiness, sadness, and feelings should be dependent upon God. Our hopes, joys, pain, should all be centered on who Christ is and what He has done for us through His sacrifice.

What matters in this life anyway? Is it our house, our cars, our electronics? … Well, to best answer that, let’s look at what Paul said to the church in Philippi: “Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ” (Philippians 3:8).—Chris Voeltner¹

The true temple

If we want to get right inside what John means when he speaks of Jesus embodying God’s love, the best way is to reflect on what John does with the theme of the Temple. And to understand that, we need to grasp the significance of the Temple in the memory and the scriptures of the people of Israel.

Let’s begin with John’s most dramatic Temple scene (John 2:13–25). When Jesus enters the Jerusalem Temple, he drives out the animals and overturns the money changers’ tables, disrupting the sacrificial system. The point was not simply that the animal sellers and money changers were turning his Father’s house into a market, though that was true as well, as Jesus says (John 2:16). The point was that the Temple was now under divine judgment and was going to be replaced.

This had been true half a millennium before, in Jeremiah’s day, and Jesus echoes Jeremiah’s warnings and promise. But this time the replacement would not be a building of bricks and mortar. The Jerusalem Temple would be replaced with a human being:

“Destroy this Temple,” replied Jesus, “and I’ll raise it up in three days.”

“It’s taken forty-six years to build this Temple,” responded the Judaeans, “and are you going to raise it up in three days?” But he was speaking about the “temple” of his body. So when he was raised from the dead, his disciples remembered that he had said this, and they believed the Scriptures and the word which Jesus had spoken (John 2:19–22).

He was speaking about the “temple” of his body. There is one of John’s main clues to the meaning of his whole book, but also of the gospel as a whole. Jesus is the true Temple. He is the ultimate place where, and the means by which, the living creator God will come to live in the midst of his people, at the heart of his own creation. He will embody the living presence of the true God. He will be, so to speak, God’s love enfleshed.

Many Christians in the modern world wonder why that is so important. Many have become used to thinking that you don’t need buildings to worship God, and that’s true. But the answer is that, throughout the Old Testament, the ultimate promise of God was not that one day he would snatch his people away from the present creation so that they could live with him somewhere else. The ultimate promise was that he would come and live with them. This is what divine love looks like.—N. T. Wright²

A prayer to make Christ the center of our lives

Lord, help me to love You with all of my heart, all of my soul, all of my mind and with all of my strength. Teach me what it means to be about Your business. Not my own! In whatever happens today, I surrender my life, my time to You. All I ask is that You come and lead me on in my worship and service to Your Kingdom. When the day is done and I move on from it, I pray that my strongest memory will be of You, the nearness of Your love, the power of Your Presence.

Jesus, You are the One who died and gave me a reason to live and a way to live. You are the One who broke the chains of death and the power of the grave when You came forth victorious over death, hell, and the grave. I praise You for the powerful hope resident in me because of Your resurrection. You are not dead anymore, so help me to be “alive” with great passion, proclaiming Your great love to the people I meet on my journey of life.

As I move through the day, help me to keep this thought present in my mind: “This day is not about me; it is about You.” Let my choices bear this out. This is my opportunity to stand up for You, to open my mouth and speak to others about Your great love, as well as Your grace, mercy and kindness.

I know that You know my needs before I ask. But I ask because I am Your child. You have given me hope through faith, and dreams as a promise of my future. I believe You! And I know that Your hand is with me, for me, and upon me for Your glory and for my good.

May Your will be done in my life today.—Dennis Langford³

For a worship song, “Jesus at the Center of It All,” see this link.

Published on Anchor January 2023. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://chrisv.com/how-to-live-a-christ-centered-life.

² Broken Signposts: How Christianity Makes Sense of the World (HarperOne, 2020).

³ https://covenantlifecog.com/making-christ-the-center-of-my-life.

Encouragement for the New Year

January 2, 2023

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:05

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The new year lies before you, like the blank pages of a book, waiting to be written upon. I’ve made provision for you for the year to come. I’ve given you the holy anointing of My Spirit and power from on high. I’ve given you the gifts of My Spirit. I’ve given you a direct link to the God of the universe.

I’ve given you all that you need for not only this year, but all the remaining years ahead of you. Your part is to embrace and never let go of the precious treasures that you have received through your faith. No matter what difficulties lie ahead, remember that you can never lose your place in My heart or in My kingdom.

Each of My children is called to continue to share My message of truth and salvation with others. Each one is called to reach out to those who are lost and who grope in darkness—even to those who don’t realize that they are walking in darkness, but who think that they see their way.

Enter this new year with faith and continue to do your part to fulfill My great commission. You are My ambassadors on earth (2 Corinthians 5:20). So many are without hope, without faith, truth, and light, and they need your help to find Me within this era of grace. Will you give what you’ve freely received? Will you give others the opportunity that was afforded you? I love each one of these so dearly, with such great tenderness. Can you feel My love for them and My yearning for their redemption? Be My hands and mouth to deliver My truth and salvation.

I have chosen and called you, and I will make you faithful. I will never leave you comfortless, nor will I leave you to fight the battles you face on your own, in your own strength, or with your own resources. I am with you, and My Spirit will give you the anointing and all that you need for the year ahead.

There’s no reason to fear the future; there’s only reason to rejoice as you place your trust in Me. Rest in Me and trust Me. Look to Me and turn to Me at every opportunity. When you begin to feel tired or overburdened or as if it’s too much, come to Me and give Me your burdens (Matthew 11:28–29).

Nothing you face will ever be too much for Me. I am always with you, and My strength is made perfect in your weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). When the time comes for Me to receive you in your eternal home, you’ll rejoice forever more.

Welcoming the new year with hope

Welcome to the new year—a new year of hope, love, and joy. You may be looking at yourself as incapable and incompetent for the challenges that lie ahead. You may be looking at the mistakes that you know you’re bound to make, but I look at none of those things.

I look at your heart and spirit, and the great love that you have for Me. You were worth dying for. Please don’t ever feel that you’re too bad for Me. Never believe that I’ve forsaken you, for that will never be the case. I love you so dearly.

Come to Me and give Me all your cares. When you come to Me on the wings of prayer, you can lay down every care that has come to burden your heart. Every trial, every struggle that you’ve faced, you can place within My hands. By faith, you will go on from strength to strength. You will mount up with wings of eagles; you will run and not be weary (Isaiah 40:31).

As you enter the new year, I want to give you My appreciation for the past decades that you’ve given to reach My precious sheep. I know that it has cost you a great deal. You’ve laid down your life daily. You have forsaken all to put Me and My kingdom first. You have worked to share the gospel to change your part of the world.

Chosen and handpicked

You have been chosen, called out, and sought out by Me. You’ve been handpicked by Me. I know your every fault, your every failing; yet I also know your faithfulness and your eagerness to receive of My Spirit and let Me work through you. So go forth and meet the new year with joy and praise on your lips, with a song on your heart, and with a sure and steady step. Always remember that I am with you and I love you, that I will never leave you or forsake you. You are Mine for eternity.

I give you the gifts of My Spirit that you may shine with My light, that I may be lifted up and that others may know of Me and My power to save and to grant eternal life. I have given you the gift of faith, which trusts Me and stands on My Word, saying, “It is written.” I have given you the gift of wisdom—the ability to use the knowledge you have acquired over the years in a wise, discerning way. I have given you the gift of discernment of spirits as well, to seek and search for My lost children.

The gifts of My Spirit are for My glory and for My purposes. All are bestowed upon you by the Father of lights, in whom there is no variableness nor shadow of turning (James 1:17). Your heavenly Father does not waver in His goodness, His giving, His love and mercy, and in His care of you. Stay true to your love for Me, your witness, your passion for the truth, and your care for others. Let your light continue to shine brightly, no matter how dark the times become in the world. I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.

Lighting up the world

My children are called to shine as a city set on a hill, whose light cannot be hid (Matthew 5:14). That city will shine, for it is the city in which I dwell, a city of living stones. One day the world will stand in awe as My glory and might and power are made manifest in all their brilliance.

One day the world will see Me in My glory, and the skies will be lit with My light and power. Man’s fireworks that light the skies around the world at the New Year are a poor counterfeit of the fireworks of heaven. My light in you will continue to shine in the days to come, as I continue to pour out My strength and power, causing My face to shine in the world until My return.

Let this encourage your hearts. Though you can marvel at man’s fireworks, there is no comparing them with the glory and light that I shine in the world through My children. Whatever display of power that man can muster is minute compared to My glory and splendor. Though the lights sparkle and shine during these light shows, they are just for a moment and then vanish into thin air. But My heavenly light and power is true and lasting and forever.

One day when I return, I will light up the skies and all the world will see My power and stand in awe. Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, neither has it entered into the hearts of man the things that I have in store for you because of your love for Me (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Rejoice at that which is to come! Rejoice at the victories that will be won and the faith that you will manifest in the year ahead. This is a time of rejoicing, a time of stepping courageously into this new year. This is the time for stepping into the future—the future that I have laid out for you, the future that brings you ever closer to eternity in My kingdom.

Originally published January 2000. Adapted and republished January 2023.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by John Listen.

Ambassadors of Love

A Mountain Streams book

David Brandt Berg

The Story of Tommy

The Story of Tommy

“Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). Faith can even come from hearing your word, your testimony, your witness, your letter containing the Words of God to a friend, relative, or interested party.

I’m reminded of a true story I heard when I was young, about a crippled boy named Tommy who lived in poverty with his aunt in a small third-story apartment of a run-down tenement on a busy city street. Tommy was so severely handicapped that he could do little else besides lie helplessly in bed.

One day Tommy asked a newsboy friend of his to bring him the book about “the Man who went about everywhere doing good.” The boy searched and searched for this unnamed book, until one book dealer finally realized that Tommy must have been talking about the Bible and the story of Jesus. The newsboy scraped together what little money he had, and the kindly bookseller gave him a copy of the New Testament, which he took back to Tom.

The two boys began to read the Gospels together, and after a time Tommy understood the message of salvation. He received Jesus as his Savior and decided that he, too, wanted to do good like the wonderful Man in the book. But Tommy was crippled and could not even leave his little one-room apartment. So he prayed and asked Jesus to help him, and the Lord gave him an idea.

Tommy began to painstakingly write out by hand helpful verses from his New Testament onto little pieces of paper, which he would then drop from his window to flutter down to the busy street below. Passers-by would see the notes drifting down, pick them up and read them out of curiosity, and there find the words of the Man who went about everywhere doing good–Jesus Christ. Many were helped, encouraged, and comforted, and some were even saved through the simple ministry of this young boy and his New Testament.

One day a wealthy businessman accepted Jesus through reading the verse in one of Tommy’s little notes. He later returned to the spot where he had found the scrap of paper that had led him to the Lord, hoping to find some clue as to how it got there. Suddenly he noticed another little bit of paper floating down to the sidewalk. He watched as a poor, tired old woman stooped painfully to pick it up, and noticed her countenance brighten as she read it. There seemed to be new strength in her step as she journeyed on.

The businessman kept his eyes glued upward, determined to find the source. He had to wait a long time, for it took poor Tommy many painful minutes to scrawl even one verse on one of those pieces of paper. Then the businessman’s eyes were drawn to a certain window where he saw a scrawny arm reach out to drop another piece of paper like the one that had brought a whole new life to him. He carefully noted the location of the window, dashed up the stairs of the tenement, and finally found the humble abode of tiny Tom, the sidewalk missionary.

The businessman and Tom soon became close friends, and the businessman brought Tom all the help and medical attention that he could. Then one day he asked Tom if he would like to come and live with him in his palatial mansion outside the city.

Much to his new friend’s surprise, Tom answered, “I’ll have to ask my Friend about that”–meaning Jesus.

The next day the businessman returned, eagerly seeking Tom’s reply. Instead, Tom asked him some rather surprising questions.

“Where did you say your home is?”

“Oh,” said the businessman, “it’s in the country, on a large and beautiful estate. You’ll have a room of your own, servants to care for you, delicious meals, a good bed, every comfort and attention, anything your heart desires, and my wife and I will love you dearly and care for you as our own son.”

Hesitantly, Tommy queried again. “Are there any people that would pass under my window?”

Surprised and somewhat baffled, the businessman replied, “Why, no, only an occasional servant, and perhaps the gardener. You don’t understand, Tommy, this is a gorgeous country estate, far from the tumult of the city. You’ll have quiet there and be able to rest and read and do whatever else you want, away from all this filth and pollution and noise and the busy throngs.”

After a long and thoughtful silence, Tom’s face looked very sad, for he hated to hurt his newfound friend. Finally he said quietly but firmly, with tears in his eyes, “I’m sorry, but you see, I could never live anywhere where people don’t pass under my window.”

When I first heard this story, it was a turning point in my life. When my mother recounted it to me, I determined then and there, by the grace of God, that I would never live anywhere that I couldn’t reach others with the message of God’s love in Jesus. Having met the Man who went about everywhere doing good, how could I ever live selfishly again? As Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

Are you living where people can pass under the window of your life? Are you ministering to those who do? There are people passing under our windows all the time. Are they going to receive what they need?

Here is the story of someone so weak, so helpless, so isolated, that you might have thought he could never have had any ministry at all. He would seem to have had every excuse for not helping others, but rather expecting to be helped himself–but love found a way!

People pass under the window of your life every day. Has your love found a way to help them? Has Jesus shown you how you can help them? He will if you want to, no matter what the conditions or your limitations.

God has a window too, and He has promised that if you obey Him and open the window of your life to others, He “will open for you the windows of Heaven, and pour out for you such a blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it” (Malachi 3:10).

Are you caring for others by giving them the sunshine of God’s love through the window of your life? Please don’t fail them. Share God’s love and His Word with others as you “work the works of Him who sent [you] while it is day,” before the night comes, when no man can work (John 9:4), “redeeming the time, because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16).

If you give of yourself more and share your faith more, God will do more for you than you ever dreamed! But if you selfishly withhold from others, what you have will come to naught. “There is one who scatters, yet increases more; and there is one who withholds more than is right, but it leads to poverty. The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself” (Proverbs 11:24-25). You can’t outgive God!

David Livingstone (1813-1873), the famous Scottish missionary, physician, and explorer who left the comfort of his own country in order to reach the people of Africa with God’s love and died there in the Lord’s service, once said, “I never made a sacrifice!” He had discovered that God would more than repay every sacrifice. Although he gave his life, he has reaped eternal life and dividends of immortal souls–thousands saved forever!

But it costs something to serve God. King David once declared that he would not give unto the Lord that which cost him nothing (2 Samuel 24:24). You have to give something–you have to open the window of your life. You have to give to get, pour out to receive, sow to reap, invest to profit, die to yourself to live! “Unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain” (John 12:24).

Ambassadors of Love

A Mountain Streams book

David Brandt Berg

2007-01-01

Introduction
The Reason for It All
Ambassadors of Love
The Story of Tommy
Let Others See Jesus in You
Fruit that Remains
Wonder Working Witnessing
It Works!
Fill Up Your Heart
Glamour or Glory?
To Win Some, Be Winsome
Become One
Winning the World with Love
Afterword
About the Author
Back cover
Acknowledgments

IntroductionTop

If you discovered a cure for loneliness, anxiety, fear, and every other personal or social ill, and if you could package that cure in a single neat little pill, wouldn’t you prescribe it for everyone, everywhere? If you happened upon the fountain of youth, wouldn’t you give its waters freely to others, so they also could live forever? If you found paradise on earth, wouldn’t you want to take your loved ones there?

If you have found Jesus, you have discovered those things and more! You found it all–Heaven in your heart now by being filled with His love and peace, and Heaven forever in the life to come!

There’s a lost and lonely world that’s crying out for the answers and the love you now have access to because of knowing Jesus personally, and He wants you to share your discovery with others. Jesus could solve their problems if they would only ask Him to, but how will they ever ask Him if they’ve never even heard of Him or heard a firsthand account of how real He is from someone who has met Him personally? And how are they going to hear that unless someone tells them?–Someone like you.

“Love wasn’t put in your heart to stay. Love isn’t love till you give it away!” Share the good news of Jesus’ love and salvation with others, and you’ll be amazed to find what wonders His love can do through you.

Ambassadors of Love contains plenty of impetus and practical counsel to get you started. Then Jesus and the Holy Spirit will inspire you and provide direct, personal guidance, day by day and heart by heart.

The Reason for It AllTop

For the Christian, every day is like Christmas! Jesus showers His love down on us every day of the year. But sad to say, it’s not that way for so many poor folks who haven’t yet found Him. So many people are lost, lonely, downtrodden, weak, and weary. Some are weak in their bodies, others are weak in their minds, and yet others are weak in body, mind, and spirit. There are those who are trampled on: the poor, the persecuted, the hungry, victims of war and crime and exploitation; those nobody wants or cares about, those who have so little in the way of worldly goods, those who lack even the basic necessities.

Then there are others who do have material goods and who appear to “have it together” in the eyes of others, but who are lost and lonely prisoners of their own selfish desires. They are weary and heavy laden with problems, stress, fears, and phobias. There are those who wear a smile, yet ache inside; those who are engulfed in a sea of emptiness; those who suffer from pain, guilt, bitterness, and condemnation; those who feel remorse over the past or fear the future.–So many lost and desperate folks in the world today!

It reminds me of the words to that old Beatles song, “All the lonely people, where do they all come from?” Well, I’ll tell you where they come from–all the lonely people come from selfish living. All the lonely people, the lost and the forlorn, come from a dog-eat-dog society, from a lot of wrongful living. They’re products of the Devil’s own doctrines of “me first” and “do your own thing.” That’s where all the lonely people come from. All those lonely people are products of a world that has forgotten its Creator. They’re victims, the sad result of what happens when people’s lives aren’t ruled by love.

It’s getting darker and colder all the time, and many people can feel it. They may not understand it, and they don’t always want to admit it, but it’s happening. The sun is setting, the darkness is falling, and the world is looking for hope, for some ray of light. Event after event has left the nations questioning. “Why this and why that? Why all the pain and strife in the world? Why the slaughter of the innocents? Why troubles and sorrows?” These questions are being raised in people’s hearts and minds, and those whose foundations have been built on the sand, or others who had no foundations to begin with, have no answers. Never has the world been hungrier for true love and real answers than they are right now!

In this day of hatred and hardness of hearts, of confusion and deception, of scheming and sly words, of false fronts and cover-ups, there is a great need for His love to shine through. As the darkness falls and the cold winds blow, you must hold up the light. You must hold it up steady and firm for all to see.

If you will shine His light on people, He’ll do all the rest. He’ll cause it to accomplish His purpose in their lives and hearts and minds.

Not only does the world need to hear the truth today, but never before has the world been in such great need of seeing the truth. People not only need to hear about true love, they need to see it. They need to see love put into action!

It’s just human nature to sometimes confuse the words you say, but there’s no confusion when they see it put into practice. It’s like that poem by Edgar A. Guest, which says: “I’d rather see a sermon, than hear one any day. I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.” For most people to accept the truth, they not only need to hear the sermon, but they need to see the sample as well.

Jesus said, “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). Why do you think He said that? Wouldn’t it have been enough for you to simply tell others about the love of Jesus? Couldn’t the Lord just as well have said, “By this shall all men know that you are My disciples, if you preach My message”? Wouldn’t that have been enough?

Evidently not, because the Lord said that all men would know that you are His if you have love one for another. And if you have love one for another, you’re certainly going to show it throughout the day in obvious, tangible ways that others can see. It’s not good enough to just talk about love. Jesus said you have to have love, you have to live love. The Lord knew that there would be no denying that sample.

Pray and ask the Lord to help you follow His great commandment to love your neighbor as yourself. This is the reason for it all. This is the reason Jesus came to earth in the first place–so we could have life eternal, yes, but also to teach us to love, so we could turn around and give that life to others.

Ambassadors of LoveTop

Through His children, God is trying to show the world what He is like. Jesus said, “As the Father has sent Me, I also send you” (John 20:21). Jesus came to love the world and He calls us to do likewise in every facet of life, in every way–to give God’s love to others. The only way that others will ever find His joy and peace and love and happiness and Heaven is through us. No matter where we are from, if we have Jesus, we are now His ambassadors and represent the King of kings, the One who runs the universe.

What was Jesus’ last message to His disciples at the Last Supper, just before He was arrested, taken to jail, beaten, and killed? “By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another” (John 13:35). He talked about love, that love was the most important thing.

And those first Christians turned the world upside down with the love of God. The way they lived convinced others that their faith was real. Even their Roman persecutors marveled. “Look at how these Christians love one another!” “Who is this Christ?” they asked. “And how does He make you so happy? Even though you have nothing, you’ve got everything! How can I find this kind of happiness too?” And within two hundred years, one out of five people in the Western world were professing Christians.

Today, nearly two thousand years later, the heart of man is still the same. So many people are searching for love, but seldom, if ever, finding it. People everywhere are looking around for some little ray of hope, some salvation, some bright spot somewhere, a little love, a little mercy, someplace where they can find some relief. We who have found God and His love have what others have been searching for all their lives and need desperately, and if we can show them that love exists, then they can believe that God exists, because God is love.

Even the little things you do can mean a lot. The light of your smile, the kindness of your face, the influence of your life can shed light on many and have an amazing effect on some of the people you think might be the least likely to be impressed. When they feel your love and you tell them it’s God’s love, they think, Maybe Somebody up there does love me! It can change their whole outlook on life and give them a new start.

May we always be known by our love!

How to Have Your Best Year Ever

December 30, 2022

By John Maxwell

The New Year is here, and Dr. John Maxwell has a timely message for you that will position you for your best year ever. (From a talk published in January 2019, but the principles apply to any new year.)

Run time for this video is 37 minutes.

https://youtu.be/cxE7DCWjOvs

Looking Ahead to the New Year

December 29, 2022

A compilation

Audio length: 8:30

Download Audio (7.7MB)

With the arrival of the New Year, a small group of us got together to share our victories of the past year and our hopes and prayers for the coming year. Here below are some of mine, representing only a part of what I could have shared. When it comes to praising the Lord, I think that we all could go on for hours.

One of my big gifts from Jesus as I ponder the past year of 2019, and something I’m tremendously thankful for, is that He has been helping me to do the hard work of making gradual, but significant, progress in starting to decrease the stress in my life. This includes both the stress from my physical afflictions (sleep deficiency, my eye condition, etc.) and especially the mental stress which comes, in my case, from not casting all my cares on the Lord, but instead, trying to take care of some of them myself. He has led me to revisit biblical foundation principles, such as prayer, trusting in Him, resting in Him, Romans 8:28, etc.

This has been accomplishing a great deal in my life. One surprise result of focusing on surrendering everything completely to Jesus has been that I’ve changed a mindset that I had held on to for some years of feeling that I would have been able to do so much more without the deficiencies, handicaps, weaknesses, and flaws that I have. My prayer was often for the Lord to help me overcome these things. All the while, He was trying to tell me to trust Him more, and fully surrender to Him, and He’d show me what He could do with these things I thought were such hindrances.

I’m beginning to have a whole new perspective on my handicaps and challenges. I’ve finally accepted the fact that I am, right now, in this time and place, who Jesus wants me to be and that He wants to use me as I am. He’s not going to take away all my weaknesses and then use me, but He allows me to continue to have at least some of those weaknesses in order to bring out His strengths.

I may not be able to teach or speak eloquently, or be a charming conversationalist. I probably will still have memory issues, lots of infirmities, dependence on others for quite a few things, and whatever struggles He knows will work for my good. But if Jesus allows these things to continue, I’m going to look at them as the means by which He can bring about good things.

I’m going to be happy that these challenges are part of my major ministry, which is encouraging others with the same comfort and encouragement that He gives to me, and showing others that I, and they, can accomplish a lot when God is in it.

So my prayer is that the Lord will help me to continue to actively fight the stress in my life, doing what I can both physically and spiritually, and that He will help me to joyfully embrace the calling of being an encourager of others that He has called me to at this time, whether through articles, personal letters, or verbally to those He brings across my path.—Maria Fontaine

Grace for the New Year

Grace is not only God’s disposition to do good for us when we don’t deserve it. It is an actual power from God that acts and makes good things happen in us and for us.

God’s grace was God’s acting in Paul to make Paul work hard: “By the grace of God … I worked harder than any of them.” So when Paul says, “Work out your own salvation,” he adds, “for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:12–13). Grace is power from God to do good things in us and for us.

This grace is past and it is future. It is ever-cascading over the infinitesimal waterfall of the present, from the inexhaustible river of grace coming to us from the future, into the ever-increasing reservoir of grace in the past. …

The proper response to the grace you experienced in the past is thankfulness, and the proper response to grace promised to you in the future is faith. We are thankful for the past grace of the last year, and we are confident in the future grace for the new year.—John Piper¹

Dawn of a New Year

On the first day of each New Year, I get up at around 5:00 a.m. to watch the sun rise, and go to a spot I have already picked out, where there is a good view. This year I have chosen the roof.

As I sit down, I think about all of the good things that happened to me in the past year. I thank God for each one and then tuck them away—wonderful memories that I can recall whenever I need a boost.

Of course, there were also other experiences that weren’t so happy. I thank God for these too, because even though not easy or pleasant, He has promised that all things work together for good to those who love Him (Romans 8:28). I know these events have already been good for me because I learned from them, and more good may yet come from them.

As the sun begins to break over the horizon, I say my last goodbyes to the old year and welcome the New Year with a short prayer to our heavenly Father. I ask Him for guidance and wisdom in the year ahead. I ask Him for strength and courage to make it through the tough times that are inevitable. I ask Him for more love, as well as the ability to better show love and consideration to my family and friends and new people I will meet. Most importantly, I ask Him to help me think more in terms of what He wants me to do and what will please Him, rather than be led by my own thoughts and desires, because then I know I have nothing to fear and can look forward to a wonderful, fulfilling year. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord, trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass” (Psalm 37:4–5).—Andrew Mateyak

Make a fresh start

Do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! As you begin a fresh year, rejoice that I am continually working newness into your life. Don’t let recent disappointments and failures define you or dampen your expectations. This is the time to make a fresh start! I am a God of unlimited creativity; expect Me to do surprising things in this year that stretches out before you.

Today is a precious gift. The present moment is where I meet with you, beloved. So seek My Face throughout this day that I have made. I have carefully prepared it for you—with tender attention to every detail. I want you to rejoice and be glad in it.

Search for signs of My loving Presence as you journey along the path of Life. Look for the little pleasures I have strewn alongside your pathway—sometimes in surprising places—and thank Me for each one. Your thankfulness will keep you close to Me and help you find Joy in your journey.—Jesus²

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.”—Isaiah 43:18–19

Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by Jerry Paladino.

¹ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/grace-for-the-new-year

² Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

– https://maxlucado.com/give-your-fears-to-your-father/

Steps Forward in the New Year

December 27, 2022

A compilation

Audio length: 13:34

Download Audio (12.4MB)

Another year is behind us, and a brand-new year lies ahead. If last year was a difficult one, we may be glad to see the end of it, but there are probably many of us who are peering into the new year with lack of confidence, trepidation, and even worry.

Maybe we can’t see the way ahead clearly—or we’re unsure where our path is leading—but as we press forward, we will discover that God has already prepared the way before us. Feel the anticipation in God’s voice in this passage from Isaiah: “Forget what happened long ago! Don’t think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands” (Isaiah 43:18–19).

It’s impossible to drive life’s road without sometimes hitting bumps of regrets, disappointments, and tragedies, and when we do, it’s easy to get stuck. But God wants each of us to continue to move forward toward the future He has prepared for all who love Him. It’s a future filled with hope (Jeremiah 29:11)—but to get there, we have to be determined to keep running the race before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, “who leads us and makes our faith complete” (Hebrews 12:2).—Ronan Keane

Next steps

As each new year approaches, we often take time to reflect on the past year and set goals for the coming one. As I was about to do that this year, a friend sent me this quote by Joni Eareckson Tada: “Faith isn’t the ability to believe long and far into the misty future. It’s simply taking God at His Word and taking the next step.”

When I applied it to the past, it rang true. Each of the last seven or eight years involved uneasy steps into the unknown. After my wife’s health took a sudden and severe downturn, a troop of doctors spent a couple of years trying to diagnose the problem. As it turned out, she has a combination of incurable but manageable conditions, and it’s taken several more years to find the most effective treatments. During that difficult time, all we could do was pray and take one step at a time. But that was all God needed from us.

Thanks to Him and the good doctors He led us to, my wife is doing much better. It hasn’t been easy, but we can both now say without hesitation that the experience has deepened us, made us more thankful for all we have, and taught us to value each day. More than anything, I think, it’s increased our faith in God’s love and goodness.

With that as a frame of reference, the advent of a new year doesn’t seem so daunting. The daily difficulties of the past years are now only vague memories, but the good that came from them is a vital, emboldening force. “Have faith,” it tells me. “You have nothing to fear. Trust that God is good—and He is with you!”—Keith Phillips

Confidence for the future

As the children of Israel were preparing to cross the Jordan River, Joshua sent the ark of the covenant ahead. He instructed the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before” (Joshua 3:3–4).

“Never been this way before”—I often feel that way! I run into a situation or a dilemma that’s all new to me, and I have no idea how to tackle it. Should I go or stay? Should I take this offer or turn it down?

Some decisions are easy to make. Sometimes the path ahead seems pretty straightforward, even if you’ve never taken it before. Other times, it can feel like there are potential dangers and pitfalls all around. Looking ahead can be exciting, but it can also be a little frightening because of the many unknowns.

The children of Israel didn’t know how things were going to play out for them either. They knew there was a promised land ahead, but there was also the River Jordan blocking their way.

The Israelites hadn’t traveled that way before. That’s why they had to follow the ark, which represented God’s presence and His promises. By following the ark—by following God—they could walk confidently, knowing that they were headed in the right direction.

I think this story offers a pretty awesome formula for making decisions. When you’re facing tough choices, when you “haven’t been this way before” and you’re dealing with brand-new challenges or seeming impossibilities, keep your eyes on Jesus. Only God knows what’s ahead, so it’s a good idea to follow His lead.

God cares about your problems and concerns and dilemmas just as much as He cared about His people stuck at the banks of the Jordan River. The Bible promises, “The Lord is kind, and as soon as he hears your cries for help, he will come … and he will guide you. Whether you turn to the right or to the left, you will hear a voice saying, ‘This is the road! Now follow it’” (Isaiah 30:19–21).

God’s Word contains solid promises that you can stand on and claim in prayer whenever you’re desperate for His answers and direction in your life. Then as you keep your eyes on Jesus and follow His lead, you’ll be able to march confidently into the future God has in store for you.—Marie Story

Trusting in the happy ending

Life is full of choices. Every day there are choices, large and small, and every day that passes leaves a greater legacy of past choices. Some turned out to be good, some bad, some a bit of both, and some we’re not yet sure about, but each played a part in making us who we are.

Here are a few principles that I find helpful when thinking about the past and what has brought me to where I am today.

Our future isn’t limited by our past. No matter what decisions we have made or what others decided for us, and no matter what point we are at now, the future is still as bright as God’s promises—ones like these: “If you have faith … nothing will be impossible for you” (Matthew 17:20), and “All things are possible to him who believes” (Mark 9:23). If you’re not where you want to be, there is time to change that. Where there is life, there is hope.

If some choice you made seems to have had a bad outcome, or one that is not what you had in mind, remember that you probably haven’t seen its full effect yet. As someone once said, “Everything will be okay in the end; and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end yet.” That principle is certainly true for those who love the Lord and look to Him for guidance, because He has promised to always work things out for our good in the end (Romans 8:28).

It’s human nature to look back and have regrets about some of the things we did, or to wish we’d done them differently. God understands that and sympathizes. But it’s a mistake to overlook the good that also came from those experiences—the wisdom, maturity, and other lessons learned, which have helped to shape our character and draw us closer to God.

When you look back on the past, count your blessings. Remember those “true, noble, just, pure, and lovely” things that also make up the story of your life (Philippians 4:8). Thank God for the good decisions you made in the past, as well as those that He’s going to help you make in the future.—Maria Fontaine

Prayer of commitment for the New Year

Jesus, You’re so precious to me! Thank You for calling me to be a child of God (Romans 8:29). In this new year, I pledge my life to You. I pledge my mind to You. Help my thoughts to glorify You. My heart is Yours—use it to love others as You desire.

Transform me so that I grow to become more like You. Help me to give no place to the Enemy through any bad habits that have grown in my life, and help me to work to eradicate them. I have no delights except those things which delight You. I have no ambition except to serve in Your courts, to decrease that You might increase, to wash Your feet and follow Your example of humility and service to others.

My prayer and my pledge is that I will not grow weary in well-doing, but that I will be faithful to You, Your Word, and Your calling in my life. Continue to humble my pride so that Your Spirit can work in and through me to draw me closer to You. Help me to be the light and salt that You have called me to be in my part of the world.

Help me to delight in doing Your will. Anchor me to Your heart, Jesus, so that I never drift away from You. I pray that You will fix my heart to Yours, that no earthly love will cause me to stray from my faith or to dampen Your light. Let my life shine with Your light in this dark night so that others may be drawn to You. Amen.

Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Dooley.

Embracing the New Year

December 26, 2022

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 12:07

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I open a door before you at the start of the new year. As you walk through that door, you will receive the faith and anointing for the year ahead to walk in My will and plan for you. As you come to Me in faith and trust, listening to My voice speaking in your heart, I will continue to guide you in your service to Me and others.

This year is closing, and as you enter into a new year, you can expect changes and new challenges. Yet I am the same today as I have always been. I change not. My love will remain with you, never leaving you for a second, not even for the blink of an eye. I will never depart from you. As you enter this new year, I will be near to you.

Receive the love that I wish to give you, so that you can pour forth My love on others. Receive the wisdom of My Spirit that your decisions may be wise and led of Me. Stay close to Me in the coming year.

My presence will give you light in the midst of darkness and protection in times of trouble and enable you to be a witness to others. Trust Me that I will never fail you or forsake you. I will be with you each step of the way. You can lean on Me and find the strength and reassurance that you need to carry on.

As you put Me and My kingdom first in your life, I promise I will supply your needs. So step with faith into this new year that’s dawning, and trust that I will be with you every step of the way. I love you and you are Mine forever.

A year of growth

Continue to grow in coming to Me and committing everything to Me. Be open to what I have for you and to ask deep, soul-searching questions, such as: “Is there anything more You have to show me or teach me? What more can I do for You? What more can I do for others? How can I lay down my life for You and others?”

Commit all your ways to Me and trust in Me to help you (Psalm 37:5). Lean on Me and rest in Me. Have faith and believe that My Word is true. Don’t worry about how you’re going to fare in the year ahead. Keep your focus on seeking Me and My kingdom first and you will find the strength and courage you need. In your weakness, I can manifest My strength.

I have brought you through much this past year. In the past you have had certain mindsets for how things should be, what you wanted, what you thought was best, and how you would be happiest. Yet over time and through breakings and siftings you’ve come to believe the simple truth that I know best and My plans for your life are for your ultimate good.

You’ve come to see life as the great learning experience that it is and have realized how much is yet ahead of you, and how much farther you have to go. Always keep this mindset, and resist feelings of complacency, of having all that you want or need, of being satisfied with the way things are. Be content with what you have, yet always seek to grow in your faith.

Continue to look for ways you can be a help and a blessing to others. Reach out to others. Be a support to those who are struggling. Give a helping hand to those in need.

On the right path

I know at times you feel insignificant, small, and unneeded, but that’s not how I see you. You have chosen the pathway of My will. And although it seems dark to you right now, the way ahead will grow brighter until that perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

The most important thing for you to remember is that you are on the right path that leads to eternal life. You’ve not only found the right path, but you’ve been willing to walk on this path and continue to follow Me.

I’ve allowed this temporary time of darkness upon your path, this time of testing, for a good purpose. I know exactly where you are on the pathway of My will and I know that it will lead to the brightness of peace and trust and faith. The tests and trials are for a purpose and will work together for your good and will bring forth the good fruits of My Spirit as you allow Me to work in your life.

I know it’s not an easy process, but if you’re willing to endure this for a season and cling to Me, you’ll reap the beautiful fruits of a closer walk with Me. My Word is steadfast and true and will never fail. All that I’ve promised in My Word will come to pass.

Remember that there’s no testimony without a test and no triumph without a trial. That means you have to be willing to go through the tests and trials in order to obtain the victory. But it’s worth every bit of sacrifice. It’s worth the fight. As you hold on to Me and keep going, you’ll go from strength to strength.

There is victory at the end of this dark patch of the road, and I’ll help you to walk it one step at a time. I’m always with you, right beside you, whispering My comfort and guidance in your ear. I’m your strength, and I will not fail to help you through this time.

Trust in My love for you. Trust that I will never leave you comfortless. You may have hardships, like the disciples of old who suffered many things and of whom this world was not worthy (Hebrews 11:37–38). But you will be rewarded in My kingdom, and you’ll know that it was worth it all! You will see Me come through in majesty, glory, and triumph, and you will understand how these earthly trials are but a flash in the pan, an instant compared to eternity, as a fleck of sand on the wide expanse of the beach.

You have so much to look forward to. There will be times of tribulation, but these are but steppingstones to the wonderful future I have prepared for all who love Me!

Faith for the future

I’ve worked out every detail in your life up to this point, and you can have confidence that I will continue to do so. It will still be by faith. You’ll need to step out by faith and do that which I have for you to do. You’ll need to seek Me and look to Me to know which steps to take and when. I will faithfully lead you and guide you as long as you continue to look to Me.

Have no fear of what’s ahead. My love and Spirit can and will cast out all fear as you place your trust in Me. Remember that I am always with you to the end of the world and beyond. I will never leave you or forsake you. You never need to fear, for I will never leave you without My Spirit and presence.

My love for you stretches out through eternity. As you draw close to Me, you will know that I drew up the plans for every aspect of your life, and I have not made any mistakes in My plan for you. I have kept and preserved you throughout your life, and I will not forsake you now.

Fear not, for you are Mine and I will keep you. You will always have a place in My kingdom. Don’t be fearful or worried about what this coming year may bring, but trust that whatever challenges you face, I will work all things together for your good. Look to Me each step of the way and let it be a year of an ever-closer walk with Me.

Originally published January 2000. Adapted and republished December 2022.
Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by John Listen.

HAPPY CHRISTMAS to all

Dec.25

He Came; He Is Coming

“This same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen Him go into heaven” (Acts 1:11).

Many are celebrating our LORD’s first coming this day; let us turn our thoughts to the promise of His second coming. This is as sure as the first advent and derives a great measure of its certainty from it. He who came as a lowly man to serve will assuredly come to take the reward of His service. He who came to suffer will not be slow in coming to reign. This is our glorious hope, for we shall share His joy. Today we are in our concealment and humiliation, even as He was while here below; but when He cometh it will be our manifestation, even as it will be His revelation. Dead saints shall live at His appearing. The slandered and despised shall shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Then shall the saints appear as kings and priests, and the days of their mourning shall be ended. The long rest and inconceivable splendor of the millennial reign will be an abundant recompense for the ages of witnessing and warring. Oh, that the LORD would come! He is coming! He is on the road and traveling quickly. The sound of His approach should be as music to our hearts! Ring out, ye bells of hope! (Faith Checkbook)

Love, Michael & Maria

005 – Jesus—His Life and Message: Jesus’ Birth (Part 1)

Jesus—His Life and Message

Peter Amsterdam

2014-12-02

(You can read about the intent for and overview of this series in this introductory article.)

The story of Jesus’ life begins with the story of His birth, as told in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. The Old Testament foretold His coming, revealing specific information about the Messiah, the Savior who was promised by God. He would: be born in Bethlehem;¹ come from the line of Abraham;² be a descendent of Isaac ³ and of Jacob;⁴ come from the tribe of Judah;⁵ be heir of David’s throne;⁶ whose throne would be eternal;⁷ would spend some time in Egypt;⁸ along with numerous other ancient prophecies about His life and death.

Within the Gospels we find the fulfillment of the Old Testament predictions regarding Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection which brought salvation to the world. Matthew goes out of his way to draw our attention to the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in Jesus, the promised Messiah.⁹

Matthew begins with an abbreviated genealogy in order to show that Jesus fulfilled the genealogical requirements to be the promised Messiah. He begins with Abraham, the father of the Jewish people; and includes the patriarchs Isaac, Jacob, and Judah, thus stressing the Jewishness of Jesus. When he lists David, he refers to him as King David, making the point that Jesus, through the Davidic line, had royal blood and could be rightfully and legally called “King of the Jews.”¹⁰ He carries on through the generations of descendants and ends with Joseph, who was the husband of Mary the mother of Jesus.

Matthew’s genealogy includes four women, which is uncharacteristic of biblical genealogies. Three of the women—Tamar, Rahab, and Ruth—were non–Jewish, and Bathsheba was married to a Hittite, a gentile. Three of the four were of dubious reputation because of the out of the ordinary circumstances regarding their relationships.¹¹ By including the women, and particularly the non-Jewish women, Matthew was likely making the point that Jesus is for all people, not for the Jews alone, but for sinners and saints alike.¹² He may have also included them due to the unusual circumstances of Mary’s conception, to show that it was not the first time in history when the line of David had been carried on in a non-typical situation.

Luke also includes a genealogy in his gospel, though instead of tracing Jesus’ line only as far back as Abraham, as Matthew does, he traces it back to the first man—Adam—and from there to God Himself. He ends his list with: the son of Enos, the son of Seth, the son of Adam, the son of God.¹³ His genealogy doesn’t precede the story of Jesus birth as Matthew’s does, but rather is placed right after the account of Jesus’ baptism, after the Holy Spirit descended upon Him and a voice came from heaven saying “You are my beloved Son; with you I am well pleased.”¹⁴ As Luke was writing to a non-Jewish Gentile audience, he was intending to show that Jesus was not only from the line of Abraham but that His lineage went back to the father of all humanity—Adam, and even further, to God Himself. Jesus, as seen in Luke’s genealogy, is for everyone, Jew and Gentile alike.

When writing their accounts of Jesus’ birth, Matthew and Luke present different aspects and include different events, while at the same time they cover much of the same ground and make the same significant points. Matthew tells the story with a focus on Joseph and his role, while Luke’s account focuses on Mary’s role, telling the story from her perspective.

From Matthew’s account we learn that Joseph was a “good” or “righteous” man, meaning that he was an observant Jew who kept the laws of God. He was betrothed to a young woman named Mary who “before they came together … was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.”

In first century Palestine, betrothal was a period of engagement preceding marriage. Raymond Brown explains it like this:

[Betrothal] consists of two steps: a formal exchange of consent before witnesses and the subsequent taking of the bride to the groom’s family home. While the term marriage is sometimes used to designate the second step, in terms of legal implications it would be more properly applied to the first step. The consent, usually entered into when the girl was between twelve and thirteen years old, would constitute a legally ratified marriage in our terms, since it gave the young man rights over the girl. She was henceforth his wife, and any infringement on his marital rights could be punished as adultery. Yet the wife continued to live at her own family home, usually for about a year. Then took place the formal transferal or taking of the bride to the husband’s family home where he assumed her support.¹⁵

Mary, betrothed to Joseph, was considered his wife, though they had only fulfilled the first step of the marriage process and they hadn’t yet started living together neither did they have sexual relations. Yet before they took the second step, Mary became pregnant.

Matthew tells us that Mary’s pregnancy is from the Holy Spirit, but doesn’t give any details of the event. Luke, on the other hand, gives a more detailed account by telling us that the angel Gabriel was sent to Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David. And the virgin’s name was Mary.¹⁶ Gabriel tells Mary that she has found favor with God that: you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God will give to him 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.¹⁷

Mary asks how this will happen, as she’s a virgin, and the angel answers:

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; therefore the child to be born will be called holy—the Son of God.”¹⁸

Mary, probably still in her early teens, asks the obvious question of how she will bear a child when she is only betrothed and hasn’t yet had sexual relations with her husband to be. The angel’s response is that the pregnancy would be caused by the overshadowing of the Holy Spirit. Brown writes:

There is no suggestion in either Luke or Matthew that the Holy Spirit is the male element in a union with Mary, supplying the husband’s role in begetting. Not only is the Holy Spirit not male (feminine in Hebrew; neuter in Greek), but also the manner of begetting is implicitly creative rather than sexual.¹⁹ Neither in Matthew or Luke does the divine begetting of Jesus become a sexual begetting. The Holy Spirit is the agency of God’s creative power, not a male partner in a marriage between a deity and a woman.²⁰

This conception is like no other throughout time. Mary becomes pregnant through a creative act of God. We are not told exactly how this creative act occurred any more than we are told the details of how God created the world, other than that He spoke it and made it so.

Mary gives her consent when she says “Behold, I am the servant of the Lord; let it be to me according to your word.”²¹ Fulton Sheen beautifully describes the situation like this:

What is called the Annunciation was actually God asking the free consent of a creature to help Him to be incorporated into humanity …. What He did, therefore, was to ask a woman, representing humanity, freely to give Him a human nature with which He would start a new humanity. As there was an old humanity in Adam, so there would be a new humanity in Christ, Who was God made man through the free agency of a human mother.²²

The angel gives Mary a sign that these things are so; he tells her that Elizabeth, her elderly relative, has also conceived a son. Luke tells us that Mary arose and went with haste into the hill country, to a town in Judah to visit Elizabeth who, though past child-bearing age had also miraculously conceived a son.²³ (More on Elizabeth’s story later). After staying with Elizabeth for approximately three months, Mary returns home to Nazareth three months pregnant.

Upon her return, she is faced with the obvious problem that she is pregnant and Joseph knows that he isn’t the father. Matthew makes it clear that Mary and Joseph haven’t been together prior to Mary’s pregnancy when he writes: before they came together she was found to be with child from the Holy Spirit.²⁴ Realizing Mary is pregnant, and knowing that the child isn’t his, we can only imagine the hurt, pain, sadness, betrayal and anger that he must have felt. Matthew tells us that Joseph considered these things.²⁵ Kenneth Bailey wrote:

The Greek word here translated “he considered” has two meanings. To be sure, one of them is “he considered/pondered. ”But a second meaning is “he became angry.” Isn’t anger the natural emotion for him to have felt?…On hearing that his fiancée was pregnant, is he expected to sit quietly and “consider” this matter? Or would he naturally feel deeply disappointed and indeed angry?…A literal meaning of the Greek word has to do with anger within the person involved …. Perhaps “while he fumed over this matter” is a more accurate translation of the original Greek and better captures the authenticity of the human scene.²⁶

Mary, his bride to be, has in his mind committed adultery. The Mosaic law states that she can be stoned to death for this.²⁷ But Joseph, unwilling to put her to shame, resolved to divorce her quietly.²⁸ Some translations render it as “to put her away” or “send her away secretly.” It wasn’t possible to have a totally secret divorce, as the writ or certificate of divorce had to be delivered by the husband to the wife before two witnesses. Nor could Mary’s shame be kept hidden indefinitely, as her pregnancy would soon become common knowledge, and no matter what reason Joseph would have given for the divorce, everyone would have concluded that adultery was the real reason. By saying Joseph resolved to divorce her quietly, Matthew may have meant that Joseph wasn’t going to publicly accuse Mary of adultery—which would have subjected her to a trial, but was going to offer a less serious reason as grounds for divorce. To “divorce quietly” may mean to divorce leniently.²⁹ For Joseph, a righteous man who kept the laws of God, divorcing Mary is the right thing to do. He’s going to be merciful about it, as he doesn’t plan to give adultery as the reason, but he does plan to divorce her in alignment with the law.

We’re then told that an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit. She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” When Joseph woke from sleep, he did as the angel of the Lord commanded him: he took his wife, but knew her not until she had given birth to a son. And he called his name Jesus.³⁰

The message given to him in the dream put an end to thoughts of divorce and the concern about his going against the Mosaic law by marrying Mary. The angel tells him that the child is from the Holy Spirit, and therefore he doesn’t need to fear that he will be breaking God’s law by marrying her, as no adultery was committed. Joseph understands and follows this direction.

Joseph then fulfills the second step of marriage by taking Mary into his home as his wife, thus assuming responsibility for Mary and the child who is to be born. After the birth, Joseph names the child Jesus, as he was commanded to by the angel. By naming the child, Joseph acknowledges the child as his own. Jewish law based paternity on the man’s acknowledgement that the child is his. By exercising the father’s right to name the child, Joseph acknowledges his wife’s child as his legitimate son and thus becomes the legal father of Jesus.³¹

Though Joseph took Mary into his house as his wife, they didn’t have sexual relations until after the birth of Jesus. Matthew wrote: He knew her not until she had given birth to a son.³² The word Greek word translated as “knew” is an idiom for sexual intercourse between a man a women. The general understanding is that while there were no relations between them until Jesus was born, afterward they were married in every sense of the word. All four of the Gospel writers make mention of Jesus’ brothers,³³ and Mark calls the brothers by name and mentions His sisters as well.

“Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.³⁴

Some claim that these were Joseph’s children from an earlier marriage and that he was a widower, however this seems unlikely. More likely is that Mary and Joseph had a normal marriage and raised at least seven children together, with Jesus being the oldest. It was most likely known in Nazareth that Mary had been pregnant with Jesus before she was living with Joseph, as the child would have been born much less than nine months after Mary had moved in with Joseph. We aren’t told specifically what the attitude of the people of Nazareth was towards Mary and Jesus, but perhaps we catch a slight glimpse of it later in Jesus’ life when some of the Jews seem to be mocking Him by saying “We were not born of sexual immorality. We have one Father—even God.”³⁵

Matthew and Luke’s Gospels speak of Mary conceiving without human agency, but rather through an act of the Holy Spirit. Mary and Joseph both had to make choices of faith. For Mary, it was choice to believe what the angel told her, and to accept the commission to be the mother of the Messiah, God’s only begotten Son. For Joseph, it was a choice to believe what the angel told him in the dream, that the child was from the Holy Spirit, that this was God’s doing. Both Mary and Joseph showed their love for and trust in God through their decisions. They were people of faith, and clearly the right ones to raise Jesus.

(Continued in part two.)

¹ Micah 5:2.

² Genesis 12:3; 22:18.

³ Genesis 17:19; 21:12.

⁴ Numbers 24:17.

⁵ Genesis 49:10.

⁶ 2 Samuel 7:12–13, Isaiah 9:7.

⁷ Psalm 45:6–7, Daniel 2:44.

⁸ Hosea 11:1.

⁹ Matthew 2:15, 17, 23; 4;14; 8:17; 12:17; 13:35; 21:4; 26:56; 27:9.

¹⁰ Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, 24.

¹¹ For a more detailed account of the four women, see: The Five Women of Christmas

¹² Ibid., 23.

¹³ Luke 3:38.

¹⁴ Luke 3:22.

¹⁵ Brown, The Birth of the Messiah, 123–4.

¹⁶ Luke 1:26–27.

¹⁷ Luke 1:31–33.

¹⁸ Luke 1:35.

¹⁹ Ibid., 124.

²⁰ Ibid., 137.

²¹ Luke 1:38.

²² Sheen, Life of Christ, 9–10.

²³ Luke 1:39.

²⁴ Matthew 1:18.

²⁵ Matthew 1:20.

²⁶ Bailey, Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes, 46.

²⁷ If the thing is true, that evidence of virginity was not found in the young woman, then they shall bring out the young woman to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her to death with stones, because she has done an outrageous thing in Israel by whoring in her father’s house. So you shall purge the evil from your midst (Deuteronomy 22:20–21).

²⁸ Matthew 1:19.

²⁹ Brown, The Birth of the Messiah, 128.

³⁰ Matthew 1:20–2, 24–25.

³¹ Ibid., 139.

³² Matthew 1:24–25.

³³ After this he went down to Capernaum, with his mother and his brothers and his disciples, and they stayed there for a few days (John 2:12).

Then his mother and his brothers came to him, but they could not reach him because of the crowd (Luke 8:19).

While he was still speaking to the people, behold, his mother and his brothers stood outside, asking to speak to him (Matthew 12:46).

³⁴ Mark 6:3.

³⁵ John 8:41.

The Case for Christmas

December 23, 2022

By Lee Strobel

While Lee Strobel was still an atheist, he encountered a family one Christmas that showed him that even in the midst of poverty, knowing and having a relationship with Jesus is the best gift they could receive. In this message, Lee presents a Case for Christmas.

Run time for this video is 33:50 minutes

https://youtu.be/stoqm4ffjUI

Timeless Carols

December 22, 2022

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 16:32

Download Audio (15.1MB)

Something I’ve always loved about Christmas is listening to and singing the beautiful Christmas carols that have been written over the centuries. Many are masterpieces of music and move me deeply with the beauty of their poetry as well as the power of their purpose.

What struck me was how in the midst of the rhyme and repetition, they deliver such powerful and nuanced messages. They speak deep truths about Jesus, His incarnation, mission, purpose, and power, along with His love and sacrifice for humanity. They are not only a strong witness to the message of the Savior and salvation, but are also a reminder to those of us who follow Him of the deep truths that we believe.

As I read these wonderful songs, I thought about the masterful way the songwriters crafted the words and rhymes to explain the meaning of Christ and Christmas. For hundreds of years these carols have told the story of the birth of the one who left heaven to bring salvation to generation after generation. They remind us, as they did our spiritual ancestors, of the importance of this day we celebrate, the birth of Christ—Jesus, God’s Son, who lived among us and laid down His life for us that we may live forever. Embedded within the beautiful Christmas carols is the truth of what God has done to bring salvation to humanity.

I’ve selected a few lines or stanzas that particularly impressed me from Christmas carols that present various aspects of the message of who Jesus is, His being born of a virgin, of salvation, grace, redemption, new birth, resurrection, and other foundations of our faith. I hope they will touch you as I was touched by the power of their message and the love that our Savior, Jesus, has for each of us.

O Come All Ye Faithful

O Come All Ye Faithful, written in the mid-1700s, speaks about the Word of God coming to live as a man on earth, understanding and sympathizing with our human weaknesses, with the well-crafted line, “Word of the Father, now in flesh appearing.” Jesus “made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross” (Philippians 2:7–8).

This beautiful carol also reinforces the truths expressed in the Nicene Creed, one of the major declarations of belief within Christianity, by including lines which express that Jesus is not a creation of God, but rather is equal to the Father.

God of God, light of light,
Lo, he abhors not the Virgin’s womb;
Very God, begotten, not created:
O come, let us adore Him,
Christ the Lord.

Silent Night

Silent Night, originally written in German by Joseph Mohr in 1818, contains a stanza which conveys Jesus, the light of the world, bringing God’s redemption to humanity.

Silent night! Holy night!
Son of God, love’s pure light
Radiant beams from thy holy face
With the dawn of redeeming grace,
Jesus, Lord at thy birth.

The line, “Son of God, love’s pure light” reflects what Jesus said about Himself, as well as what the apostle John reports in the fourth Gospel, that Jesus is the light of the world. “I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness. I am the light of the world” (John 12:46; 8:12).

The words “dawn of redeeming grace” speak of the gift of God’s grace, which redeems us from our sins. “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us” (Ephesians 1:7–8).

What Child Is This?

Written in 1865 by William Chatterton Dix, What Child Is This? speaks of Jesus as God Incarnate, as the King of kings, yet born in a poor and humble situation. It beautifully portrays the Word of God pleading for sinners, and the gruesome death He was willing to experience for each of us.

Why lies He in such mean estate
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christian, fear: for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.

Nails, spear shall pierce him through,
The Cross be borne for me, for you;
Hail, hail the Word Made Flesh,
The babe, the son of Mary!

So bring Him incense, gold, and myrrh;
Come, peasant, king, to own Him,
The King of kings salvation brings;
Let loving hearts enthrone Him!

He calls everyone, peasant or king, rich or poor, to own or possess Him within their lives by coming to Him for salvation. “Let loving hearts enthrone Him” brings to mind a picture of how Jesus is enthroned in us when we open our hearts to Him.

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, was written in 1739 by Charles Wesley, brother of the famous preacher and evangelist John Wesley. The original music was solemn; it was revised a hundred years later by Felix Mendelssohn into the joyous and beautiful carol it is today. The message of reconciliation with God, the peace brought by the Prince of Peace, the rejoicing that Jesus is the Messiah, the King, make this a deeply meaningful Christmas carol.

Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King;
Peace on earth and mercy mild, God and sinners reconciled!”
Joyful, all ye nations rise, join the triumph of the skies;
With the angelic host proclaim, “Christ is born in Bethlehem.”
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

As this carol proclaims, God and sinners are reconciled. “For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross. And you, who once were alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds, he has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you holy and blameless and above reproach before him” (Colossians 1:19–22).

Hail, the Heaven-born Prince of Peace, hail the Sun of Righteousness!
Light and life to all He brings, risen with healing in His wings.
Mild He lays his glory by, born that man no more may die.
Born to raise the sons of earth, born to give them second birth.
Hark! The herald angels sing, “Glory to the newborn King!”

Jesus is proclaimed in this carol as the Prince of Peace. “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).

O Holy Night

O Holy Night is so powerful in both melody and word, and drives home the overall message of hope available to all who believe in Jesus and the effect His life has on the lives of those who come to know Him. Today generally only two verses of the song are sung, which contain powerful messages, such as:

Long lay the world in sin and error pining,
’Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth.

Truly He taught us to love one another;
His law is love and His gospel is peace.
Chains shall He break for the slave is our brother;
And in His name all oppression shall cease.

Besides the two verses and the chorus which are normally sung, there is another verse which is seldom sung that contains a touching word picture about comfort in difficult times.

The King of kings lay thus in lowly manger,
In all our trials born to be our Friend!
He knows our need; to our weakness is no stranger.
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!
Behold your King; before Him lowly bend!

Jesus is always there for us. Through the journey of our lives, through our tests and trials, He is there. As the carol says, He’s born to be our Friend. He’s no stranger to our weaknesses and frailties. He knows all about us: the good, the bad, and the ugly. He loves us in spite of how we are. He loves us because He is love. He wants to be part of our lives, to share not just in our difficulties when we cry out to Him in need, but also in our times of joy and happiness, when we count our blessings and celebrate our achievements and those of our family and friends.

Christmas is a time when we are reminded about His birth, and it’s a wonderful time of year to think about Him and all that He has done for us. But what He has done for us goes way beyond the Christmas season; it affects our lives every day. He is an integral part of our lives; we have a personal relationship with Him. He wants to be part of all we do—and He can be—every day, as much as we’ll let Him.

As we sing the Christmas carols this year, it’s a great time to reflect on what they mean, what Jesus has done, the love He’s given, and how deeply He loves each one of us and each one of our fellow human beings, and to carry those thoughts and that love throughout the new year ahead. Love Him, love His creations, be grateful for all He’s done. He loves you deeply. Have a wonderful Christmas in Christ.

Originally published December 2013. Adapted and republished December 2022.
Reading and carol recordings by Jerry Paladino.

Gazing Upon the Crèche

December 21, 2022

By Ruth Davidson

After a visit to the Holy Land, where St. Francis of Assisi had been shown Jesus’ traditional birthplace, he was inspired to create a depiction of the nativity of Jesus.

The first nativity scene was created in an attempt to place the emphasis of Christmas upon the worship of Christ rather than upon material things. It was staged in a cave near Greccio, Italy, in 1223. The scene was a “live” one with humans and animals cast in the biblical roles. The scene’s popularity inspired communities throughout Christian countries to stage similar exhibitions.¹

My early recollection of the nativity scene was void of live characters, but the awesome serenity of the simple manger placed at the foot of our Christmas tree every year spoke volumes beyond words.

My gaze would automatically be drawn to the baby Jesus in a crib, with Mary and Joseph at His side. There was an aura of peace surrounding the stable where the shepherds came to worship, and there was a sense that the stable was warmed by the presence of sheep, a donkey, and an ox.

Also displayed in the scene were the regal wise men that brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. Their camels trailed behind them. Brilliant angels hovered over the stable. You could almost hear them singing, “Hosanna in the highest! Glory to the newborn King!” This blessed scene was one of adoration and reverence.

Years later, while on the mission field in various countries with my husband and four children, when Christmas rolled around, we found that putting up a manger scene in the middle of the other décor always drew attention.

During the years that we lived in Muslim countries, at Christmastime we made our own little manger scene and put it on the mantle instead of a tree, as there were no pine trees in the middle of the desert. When we had visitors, the display always drew attention and was often a conversation starter for explaining the story of Jesus’ birth and that He left the halls of heaven and came down here to redeem us. The nativity scene is a powerful witness, and can even be a silent testimonial without a word spoken.

When we established a school in a residential area of Nagoya, Japan, we were aware that our neighbors knew little or nothing about Jesus, His life, and the death He endured on the cross out of love for all mankind. We constructed life-size figures of all the manger scene characters and placed them in a wooden stable with straw, which could plainly be seen from the street in front of the school. If passersby were interested, they were welcome to come in and we could then share with them the wonderful, life-giving words of salvation.

Through the years, we’ve found that a simple manger scene can be an effective way of making the Christmas story come alive.

The adage “A picture is worth a thousand words” expresses the impression this single scene can imprint, not only upon a young child, but a person of any age.

* * *

Cared for, Led, and Loved

By Joyce Suttin

Over 20 years ago, when we were living in the mountains of Mexico, I went to a small town where they specialized in pottery. I had wanted a nativity set for years and found one that was so simple and so inexpensive that I had to purchase it. At the time we were living in a large rustic home that had a stone alcove in the entryway. It was the perfect place for my pottery nativity set. Because the alcove was made out of stone, I could even safely place lit candles with it. It was beautiful. Each Christmas that I lived in that house I lovingly placed my nativity set there, and it was the first thing people would see when they visited our home.

Christmas was celebrated in our small city by elaborate displays of the nativity. Often families would use an entire room with a front window facing the street to display not only the nativity, but the entire town of Bethlehem. I loved taking the children downtown, not just to see the lights but to see the amazing displays in people’s windows, reminding us of the reason for the season.

When I moved to our present home in the U.S., I eagerly took out my nativity set as Christmas approached, and looked forward to displaying it. Each year I would attempt to find a place for it where it could be enjoyed as well as protected. I experimented with draping fabrics and lights, but nothing quite captured the beauty of the simple pottery figures.

As I brought the nativity set out again this year, I prayed, asking the Lord what to do to display it, and I received a clear answer in the form of a question. “What can you do? What do you love to do?” And I realized that it was painting. I had never thought of painting a backdrop for my nativity set. It took me two days. One to research and paint. One to tweak and finalize it. Now I sit here between my nativity set and my tree and my heart is full of gratitude.

I have felt like Mary and Joseph, pregnant, traveling with a young family, desperately praying for a place to stay. I have felt like the Wise Men, searching for meaning for life, looking at the stars and asking for guidance. I have felt like the shepherds, overwhelmed by the omnipotence of God and willing to go anywhere. I will never tire of the Christmas story, and I am thankful for the simple reminder that I have been cared for, led, and loved by a power that has changed my life. I once again worship the baby who humbled Himself and came into this world to demonstrate God’s love in a way I can understand it.

¹ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nativity_scene

The Real Joy of Christmas

December 20, 2022

A compilation

Audio length: 10:31

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In the midst of the bustle and noise of the holiday season, let’s take a moment to pause and reflect on the meaning of Christmas.

Imagine Israel’s longing as they awaited the promised Messiah. What would it be like to await the fulfilment of a promise for many generations? Think about that for a moment…

As modern-day Christians, we did not have to await the fulfilment of the promise, nor experience Israel’s longing over generations. However, we can appreciate afresh the joy of knowing our Messiah has indeed come and that God leads us and fulfils His promises to us today. We can feel deep, profound joy knowing that God Himself is with us! As it was foretold, He was born of a virgin for our salvation.

May this Christmas season find you joyfully considering the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ—Emmanuel, God with us!—Emmanuel Bible College¹

The joy in the message

Each year when I read the Christmas story, I am impressed with the role that the angels play in it. … Think of the situation under which the Jews lived at this time. There had been revelations from God in the past. But now, for over four hundred years, the prophetic voice had been silent. Malachi, who lived in the fifth century before Christ, was the last of the prophets. Since his day no one had been raised up to declare the sure word of the Lord.

Had God forgotten His people? Had He forgotten His promises? Suddenly the angels appear, first to Zechariah and then to Mary, Joseph, and the shepherds, and the word is out: God has not forgotten! The time of fulfillment has come! …

So, you see, if Christmas means anything, it at least means this—that God has not forgotten His people. This is the first message that I would leave with you. Do you sometimes feel that God has forgotten you? Perhaps you have prayed for something and have not received an answer, at least not the answer you were waiting for. This can be a very trying experience. But it does not mean that God has forgotten. It is just that His plans do not run on our timetables. Be patient! Trust Him! God has not forgotten you! …

Perhaps you are one who longs for the Lord’s return. Things seem to go as they have been going from the beginning, and you want something better. That is good. That has been the cry of God’s people from the beginning—“How long, O Lord, how long?” God has not forgotten. Peter tells us that God delays only long enough to call to repentance all whom He has before determined should believe (“He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.”—2 Peter 3:9). Jesus is coming! The God who did not forget us in Christ’s first coming will not forget us in His second.

The second message brought by the angels concerning the birth of Christ is the message to Joseph… Like the message to Mary, it has an important emphasis which, in this case, is the proclamation of joy. The angel said, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy …” (Luke 2:10).

Joy is a wonderful thing; it is an appropriate part of Christmas. … Joy is of God. It is based upon what God has done, and it is given to the Christian by God and is sustained by God. … If you know this joy, then you can go on, as the angels did, to give glory to God; and you can possess that peace of heart and soul which transcends understanding.—Dr. James Boice²

Finding joy at Christmas

We hear more about joy during the Christmas season than perhaps any other time of the year. As G. K. Chesterton said, “Joy, which was the small publicity of the pagan, is the gigantic secret of the Christian.” But what is our secret joy? The holidays can become so busy that the joy of the season feels elusive…

Psalm 16:11 states, “In your presence is fullness of joy.” This truth is simple. Joy is found by spending time in God’s presence, delighting in him. … The psalmist tells us to enter His gates with thanksgiving in our hearts, and to enter his courts with praise (Psalm 100:4). But when you’re weary and tired, running from one event to the next, thankfulness can get lost in the shuffle.

If this sounds familiar, take some time to daily record those things for which you are grateful. Whether you do this on your own or as a family, you will find yourself overwhelmed with gratitude and filled with joy that will extend beyond the season. Your failures will no longer seem important. …

When we focus on ourselves and our inadequacies, we feel insignificant and timid. There is no joy in that! No one feels like a perfect parent, spouse, or child. We all have flaws. On the other hand, when we focus on being grateful for all that God has done in our lives and on his goodness, our perspectives change! Focusing on the Giver of every good gift is the key that unlocks the door to joy. …

Nehemiah 8:10 in the New Living Translation says it this way, “Don’t be dejected and sad, for the joy of the LORD is your strength!” Our spiritual strength is directly connected to our joy. This scripture hints that joy is a choice. When we choose gratitude, we choose his presence. When we choose his presence, we choose joy. We can choose to focus on the stresses of the holiday or on the joy that came into the world through a manger.

Joy is something deeper than happiness because happiness is determined by outer circumstances. Joy is determined by what is happening on the inside. … James 1 reminds us to count it all joy when we enter into trials and tribulations. We know the end of the story, so no matter what trial you find yourself in today, know that we win because Jesus paid a great price for our victory! This is the place of true, deep joy; the place where you discover that it all works out for your good anyway.

Find your joy today in God’s presence. Make a joyful noise unto the Lord! Gladly pronounce the goodness of God in your life! It will strengthen you, and your gratitude will usher you into his presence, multiplying your joy as you focus on God and his goodness. Joy to the world! The Lord is come. Let earth receive her King!—Kim Sullivan³

A Christmas prayer

Dear Jesus,

You are God and man, King of kings and servant of all. You left Your throne of immortality and encased Yourself in human flesh. You became one of us, so that You could save us. Joy floods my heart when I think of how You quietly and humbly came into our world and changed it forever. Who could have imagined the transformation that would come through a little baby, born to commoners, wrapped in rags, sleeping in a feeding trough?

Whether times are good or bad, even if I don’t have anyone else, I will always have You and Your love—love that has stood the test of time, redeeming love, love that saved even me. Thank You for making the choice to experience both the joys and sorrows of our earthly life. Thank You for enduring the tears, pain, frustration, loneliness, exhaustion, and finally death so that You could truly understand us. Never has there been a more perfect love than Yours!—Casey Parker

Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by Carol Andrews.
Music from the Christmas Moments album, used by permission.

¹ https://www.emmanuelbiblecollege.ca/the-joy-of-christmas.

² https://www.oneplace.com/ministries/the-bible-study-hour/read/articles/the-joy-of-christmas-10251.html.

³ https://familyfire.com/articles/finding-joy-at-christmas.

Christmas Prayers

December 19, 2022

By David Brandt Berg

Audio length: 8:22

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Christmas is a wonderful time to celebrate Jesus’ birth and worship Him through singing Christmas carols. It’s His birthday! “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is a beautiful carol to remind us of His birth.

O little town of Bethlehem,
How still we see thee lie!
Above thy deep and dreamless sleep,
The silent stars go by;
Yet in thy dark streets shineth,
The everlasting Light;
The hopes and fears of all the years
Are met in thee tonight!

I like all the verses of this one because I think this has probably got the greatest message of almost any of the carols, and this last verse makes it personal:

O holy Child of Bethlehem,
Descend to us, we pray;
Cast out our sin and enter in,
Be born in us today!
We hear the Christmas angels,
The great glad tidings tell;
O come to us, abide with us,
Our Lord Emmanuel.

Another beautiful carol, “The First Noel,” tells us of the angels’ appearance to the poor shepherds in the fields:

The first Noel the angels did say,
Was to certain poor shepherds in fields as they lay;
In fields where they lay keeping their sheep,
On a cold winter’s night that was so deep.
Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel!
Born is the King of Israel.

As we sing carols and celebrate Jesus’ birth, let’s remember to pray for the poor and the oppressed and people that are being mistreated. Let’s pray for persecuted Christians and hope that they’re also able to sing Christmas carols tonight.

Lord, we ask You to give all who are suffering grace, strength, and patience, particularly those who are Your children. We know You are with them. They’re the ones who have the victory that overcomes the world—their faith, Lord. Bless them and others who they’re leading to You, Jesus, through what they are experiencing. We know that all things work together for good to them that love the Lord (Romans 8:28), so if they love You, Jesus, we know that it’s working for their good. So we ask You to bless and help and strengthen them.

We also pray for all the poor orphans and the people who are starving and hungry. We pray for those who are suffering in war, and those who are in darkness tonight, Lord, and those who don’t know You and know little or nothing about Your love. We ask You to somehow bring them the light, Lord, through Your children. Help the poor people around the world who don’t know You and Your love, and who don’t understand Your sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the world. May they find the light and truth in You, in Jesus’ precious name for Your glory. Amen.

This reminds me of one of the most beautiful of all passages in the Christmas story, the Magnificat! Mary said, “My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For He hath regarded the low estate of His handmaiden. For, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed! For He that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is His name.” Mary acknowledged that this wasn’t to her credit; it was God’s work.

“And His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation. He hath showed strength with His arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. He hath filled the hungry with good things; and the rich He hath sent empty away.” And “He hath helped His servant Israel”—that means His children—“in remembrance of His mercy; as He spake to our fathers, to Abraham, and to his seed forever” (Luke 1:46–55). Who are the seed of Abraham? His children by faith! (See Romans 4:16.) Those of us who believe God’s Word by faith, like Abraham, and receive Jesus are His children.

What a miracle, all for our sakes, that Jesus would come to earth and live here like us and experience all the things that we have to go through; yet never to waver in faith, never to quaver in His determination to serve the Father above all! Hallelujah! Help us, Lord, to be so determined and trust You so much that we’ll not waver, but always remain true to our faith, in Jesus’ name!

Jesus temporarily renounced the rights of His citizenship in heaven and became a citizen of this world. Though He was rich, for our sakes He became poor that we, through His poverty, might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

He not only adapted Himself to our bodily form, but also conformed to the human ways of life, customs, language, dress, and living, that He might understand and love us better and communicate with us on the lowly level of our own human understanding. He did it that He might reach us with His love, prove to us His compassion and concern, and help us understand His message in simple terms that we could grasp.

We’re celebrating Jesus’ birth that night, Christmas Eve, and this is also a reminder of what God did for Jesus. He loved Jesus so much, and He took care of Him. He sent angels and kings and shepherds to worship Him.

We just have to stay close to the Lord, and God will take care of us like He did Jesus. We thank You, Lord, for how You have kept us and how You will always keep us, until You take us home to be with You, in Jesus’ name. Help us not to worry, but to trust You always.

“The Lord bless thee, and keep thee. The Lord make His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee. The Lord lift up His countenance upon thee and give thee peace” (Numbers 6:24–26). In Jesus’ name, amen.

The story of the very first Christmas happened 2,000 years ago, but Jesus is still here with us today. Hallelujah! God bless and keep you and make you a blessing! May all your Christmases be bright!

Originally published December 1979. Adapted and republished December 2022.
Read by John Laurence.

Christmas Is the Greatest Mystery

Article by

David Mathis

Executive Editor, desiringGod.org

It is the hour that split history in half.

Until that first Christmas, he had been, from eternity past, the divine Son and second person of the Godhead. He was God’s glad agent in creation (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16; Hebrews 1:2), and from the beginning of time, he had upheld the universe at every moment (Colossians 1:17; Hebrews 1:3).

But then came the great change — the blessed addition — at the very heart of reality. The Word became flesh (John 1:14). God became man. The Creator himself came as a creature, the Author entered into his Story as a character. Without abandoning any of what it means to be God, he took on all that it means to be human.

“Without abandoning any of what it means to be God, he took on all that it means to be human.” #incarnation

This spectacular truth, at the center of what we celebrate at Christmas, we call “the incarnation,” which means the “in-fleshing” of the divine Son — God himself taking human flesh and blood and all our humanness. Christmas is when he adds humanity to his divinity, and does so that he might rescue us from our soul-destroying rebellion, and lavish us with the everlasting enjoyment for which we were made.

That Enigmatic Union

It is a glorious revelation, and it’s also a great mystery. This is the greatest mystery in all of history, how God himself became fully human without ceasing to be fully divine — that God, in all his God-ness, united himself with all man-ness. Church history has coined it “the hypostatic union,” the joining of two distinct natures in one undivided person (“hypostatic” is just a fancy word for “personal”). Jesus is fully God and fully man in one spectacular person.

And this union of God and man in Jesus is what makes possible our own union with the Godhead through him. But the greatest mystery is not how we are united to God by faith (through sheer grace and the work of the Spirit), but how God united himself to us in the one person of Christ.

“The union is so perfect,” says D.A. Carson, “that even though he has two natures, he is only one person.” It is almost too good to be true.

And so, “Jesus really does shoulder with us everything that it means to be human,” adds Russell Moore.

He Really Is Human

When you ask Moore about the person of Christ, it’s Hebrews 2:11–14, about Jesus’s humanness, that springs to mind.

“The humanity of Jesus is often the difficult thing to understand for evangelicals,” he says. We’re quick to embrace Christ’s deity, at least the orthodox among us. We’ve learned from day one that Jesus is God. “We understand his deity. But also, he was a real and genuine man, and is a real and genuine man.”

Moore rehearses “four fences” that come from the early church councils and guard us from error when it comes to this great Christmas mystery in the person of Christ: He is 1) fully God, 2) fully man, 3) as one person in 4) two natures.

He “Emptied” Himself

One difficulty in this for the human mind is that we’re prone to think of divinity and human in mutually exclusive terms. We might speculate, If he “became man,” he must have ceased, in some sense, to be God. Then we come across a text like Philippians 2:7, that he “emptied himself,” and ask, Did he empty himself of attributes of deity? Carson answers,

The expression is not what he emptied himself of; it’s an idiomatic way of saying he became a nobody, he humbled himself completely, not only to become a human being, but to go all the way to the ignominy and shame and torture of the cross. . . . It’s talking about the astonishing, unequal, unimaginable, indescribable, self-humiliation in becoming human and then going so far not only to be a slave, but a slave who dies on the cross.

The Mystery That Reveals: Three Lessons

The incarnation remains a great mystery, but Scripture does not leave everything enigmatic. From our 17-minute interview with Carson and 14 minutes with Moore, here are three important lessons this otherwise mysterious doctrine reveals.

Divinity and humanity are not mutually exclusive.

“The two natures do not diminish each other,” says Carson. “He is genuinely human, with all that means, and genuinely God, with all that means, in two natures that maintain distinctness, even while, at the same time, we insist that they are so united that he is but one person. . . . It’s language like that that is needed to preserve all the different contributing voices of the New Testament to explain adequately, in summary form, what the Bible says about Jesus as the God-man.”

And this lesson in the person of Christ, that full divinity and full humanity are complementary, provides a glimpse into other mind-bending, multi-dimensional realities as well, like the divine-human authorship of Scripture, and the divine-human tension between the sovereignty of God and the responsibility of man.

Humanity matters, as do our menial lives.

Moore mentions Jesus’s three decades as “a working-class day-laborer in a completely-out-of-the-way place.” Year after year of his quiet life, before launching into “public ministry,” serves a remarkable affirmation and sanctification of our mundane and obscure lives.

And his becoming man also highlights the amazing value, privilege, and dignity of humanity as God’s climactic creatures. Even above angels. These “things that have now been announced to [us] through those who preached the good news” are “things into which angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12). It is not an angel who now sits on the throne of the universe, but a man (Hebrews 2:9). What amazing grace that Jesus is “not ashamed to call us his brothers” (Hebrews 2:11).

Jesus is the linchpin of prayer and worship.

In becoming man, he became for us the visible image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is the radiance of his Father’s glory (Hebrews 1:3). Our “light of the knowledge of the glory of God” comes “in the face of Jesus Christ” (2 Corinthians 4:6), and he is the singular “lamp” who will give the light of the glory of God in a new creation with no need of sun or moon (Revelation 21:23).

And so, says Moore, praying “in Jesus’s name” is no magical incantation. “Jesus is the only human who has the right to approach God.” Who may ascend the hill of the Lord? is the question of Psalm 24, and the ultimate answer is that Jesus is the only one who utterly fulfills the vision, and only in him may we too ascend.

The greatest mystery of Christmas is also its greatest revelation. “God has joined himself with us forever,” says Moore. “God has identified eternally with us.”

David Mathis (@davidcmathis) is executive editor for desiringGod.org and pastor at Cities Church. He is a husband, father of four, and author of Workers for Your Joy: The Call of Christ on Christian Leaders (2022).

All I Want for Christmas

David Brandt Berg

2011-12-15

Introduction by Peter Amsterdam

As a young man, David accompanied his mother Virginia Brandt Berg on her evangelistic travels throughout the United States. He was her driver as well as the main singer in her meetings. He knew a multitude of Christian hymns and songs and often quoted them throughout his writings. He also quoted poems and referred to them throughout his talks and writings; he was familiar with a great deal of poetry.

Besides quoting poems, on a few occasions he wrote them. His poem All I Want for Christmas (originally titled Spirit Tree)was written one night in 1972 after he watched his daughter put so much time and effort into preparing for Christmas that she ended up sick in bed. David said, “That night I saw that Christmas tree and I looked at it and thought about my poor daughter, sick in bed after she spent so much time on it. She was trying to make everybody happy, a good motive in a way, but that was too much on her, just too much. And that was the night, practically in my sleep, that I got that little poem.”

The poem talks about some of the truly important things in life—spiritual truths, living in and by the Spirit of God, and receiving the greatest Christmas gift ever, Jesus, whose birth we celebrate on Christmas.

All throughout this whimsical poem comparisons are made between the things of the physical world we live in and the matters of the Spirit.—About the spiritual freedom given through God’s Spirit, as 2 Corinthians 3:17 says, “The Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.”¹ A lot of the poem is about being “in the Spirit,” about seeing things while in the Spirit, or being taken places in the Spirit, similar to the wild things the apostle John heard, saw, and experienced in the book of Revelation when he said:

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and I heard behind me a loud voice like a trumpet.²

At once I was in the Spirit, and behold, a throne stood in heaven, with one seated on the throne.³

He carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness, and I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast.⁴

He carried me away in the Spirit to a great, high mountain, and showed me the holy city Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God.⁵

As Christians, God’s Holy Spirit dwells within us, interacts with us, moves in and through us. The Holy Spirit gives us gifts, motivates us to witness, to love, to teach, to preach the Gospel. We are led by God’s Spirit throughout our lives. David’s poem is a reminder of the importance and the joy of actively letting the indwelling Spirit of God have sway in our lives. As God’s Word says, “Do not quench the Spirit.”⁶

You can have your little baubles
And your Merry Christmas tree!
But all I want for Christmas
Is the Spirit wild and free!

All I Want for Christmas

You can have your little baubles
And your Merry Christmas tree
But all I want for Christmas
Is the Spiritwild and free!

For the Son of God was given
And was hung upon a tree,
And the only gift for Christmas
Is Hisgift for you and me!

It’s the Spirit of that Christmas
That gives life to you and me
For a very happy New Year
And a life that’s wild and free!

Give me Spirit, give me Spirit!
Oh, that’s the life for me!
So for a happy New Year
Give me Spirit that is free!

You can have your earthly treasures
Your silver and your gold,
You can live a life of pleasure
Like a tale that’s often told.

You can have flesh without measure
From your birth till you get old,
But the Spirit, it’s the Spirit
That can never yet be sold!

You can travel in the Spirit
From the Moon to distant Mars,
You can travel by the Spirit,
Hitch your wagon to the stars!

You can travel in the Spirit
So much further than in cars,
It’s the Spirit, it’s the Spirit
That keeps breaking all your jars!⁷

It’s the Spirit, it’s the Spirit!
It’s the Spirit that’s for me!
In the Spirit, in the Spirit
You can live a life that’s free!

In the Spirit, in the Spirit
You can live in any clime,
In the Spirit, in the Spirit
You’re not bound by tide or time!

Oh the Spirit, oh the Spirit
For the life that’s never bound!
Oh the Spirit, yes the Spirit
For that place of heavenly sound!

You can build your house with measure
That will decay and mold,
It’s the Spirit, it’s the Spirit
That has never yet been sold!

In the Spirit, in the Spirit
I can travel far and wide,
In the Spirit, in the Spirit
I’m not bound by time or tide!

Through the Spirit, through the Spirit
I can see the other side,
By the Spirit, by the Spirit
I am able there to hide!

You can have your earthly pleasure
Your silver and your gold!
I prefer no earthly measure,
And a life that ne’er grows old!

You can live a life of leisure
And have virtues that are sold
But it’s the Spirit, just the Spirit
That will never rot or mold!

In the Spirit, in the Spirit
All my life is like a song,
In the Spirit, in the Spirit
I am happy all day long!

In the Spirit, through the Spirit
You can play and play and play!
When I’m happy in the Spirit
I don’t care what others say!

You can live a life of Spirit
In a world that’s always free,
You can live a life of Spirit
That’s not bound by land or sea.

You can live a life in Spirit
That no man can ever see,
You can live a life of Spirit
And be what you want to be!

Oh the Spirit, yes the Spirit!
Yes, that’s the life for me!
For the Spirit, by the Spirit
In the Spirit you are free!

Oh the Spirit, blessed Spirit,
How I thank Thee, for by Thee
I am always in the Spirit
And I live a life that’s free!

Oh I thank Thee for Thy Spirit
Thou hast given unto me,
For it’s only by Thy Spirit
I have truly been set free!

Oh in Spirit, yes in Spirit
Won’t you come along with me?
For by Jesus’ precious Spirit
We can both be wild and free!

Oh the Spirit, oh the Spirit!
It’s the only life that’s free!
Oh the precious Holy Spirit!
That’s the life for me!

Neither whisky, wine, nor spirits
Can behold what I see,
But God’s precious Holy Spirit
Is the only One for me!

In God’s precious Holy Spirit
We can sing and dance so free!
O my dears and O my darlings
Won’t you come along with me?

Give me Spirit, give me Spirit
For the life that’s wild and free!
I only want the Spirit
For my Merry Christmas tree!

For the Son of God was given
And was hung upon a tree,
And the only gift for Christmas
Is His gift for you and me!

You can have your little baubles
And your Merry Christmas tree!
But all I want for Christmas
Is the Spirit wild and free!

Originally published December 1972. Adapted and republished December 2011.
Read by Peter Amsterdam.

¹ ESV.

² Revelation 1:10 ESV.

³ Revelation 4:2 ESV.

⁴ Revelation 17:3 ESV.

⁵ Revelation 21:10 ESV.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 5:19 ESV.

⁷ See Mark 2:22.

When God Changes Your Plans

December 16, 2022

By Rick Warren

The Bible has a lot to say about our plans and God’s plans. We’ve all had days, months, or even years where nothing seems to go our way. That first Christmas, Jesus’ birth changed everyone’s plans. In this message, Pastor Rick shares some encouragement about how to handle when God changes your plans.

Run time for this video is 44 minutes.

https://youtu.be/3KZgp4IuDHM

1 Thessalonians: Introduction

By Peter Amsterdam

December 6, 2022

The New Testament Epistles 1 and 2 Thessalonians were written by the apostle Paul, probably sometime between AD 49–51. They are considered to be among Paul’s earliest letters. The book of Acts also touches on the events that Paul experienced in Thessalonica, which will also be covered within this series.

Thessalonica is known today as Thessaloniki and is a Greek port city on the northwest corner of the Aegean Sea. It is one of the Mediterranean cities with a continuous history from the Greco-Roman period to the present. Thessalonica is located on the eastern coast of Macedonia, between the Balkan Mountain range and the Greek peninsula.

Thessalonica was founded in 316 BC by Cassander, the king of Macedonia. He joined together 26 villages into one city. Cassander married Thessalonike, the daughter of King Philip ll of Macedonia, and in honor of his wife, named the new city Thessalonica. This port city had deep anchorage and protection from the southeast winds, which were dangerous. It is the only seaboard city in contemporary Greece which has never lost its commercial importance.

Besides the advantage of a thriving seaport, Thessalonica also had access to major land travel routes. It was situated near the Via Egnatia, a road which was constructed by the Romans in the 2nd century BC. It ran through what today is Albania, North Macedonia, Greece, and European Turkey. It covered a total distance of about 1,120 km (697 miles). Going west on this route would lead to the port of Dyrrachium on the Adriatic Sea, which could then be crossed by boat to Italy and the Via Appia, which would lead directly to Rome. Going east on the Via Egnatia would lead to Byzantium, on the edge of the Black Sea, which would give access to Asia Minor.

One author wrote: “The great success of Thessalonica was due in grand part to the union of land and sea, road and port, which facilitated commerce between Macedonia and the entire Roman Empire. No other place in all Macedonia offered the strategic advantages of Thessalonica.”¹

It’s not possible to know the exact population of the city during Paul’s time, but using the length of the city walls to determine the living area and factoring in typical demographics of ancient cities, the population of Thessalonica can be calculated to have been between 65,000 and 100,000 people. As such, Thessalonica was among the ten largest cities in the Roman Empire.

In the time of the apostle Paul, Thessalonica held a special status as a “free city.” This meant, among other things, that it had some autonomy over its local affairs. The inhabitants also had the right to mint their own coins and were free from military occupation within the walls of the city. Instead of having to operate their governmental structure according to Roman practices, the Thessalonians were allowed to keep their own civic structure. This structure was composed of three main offices, two of which are explicitly mentioned in Acts 17:1–10.

The first was the citizen assembly, called the demos. This was the lowest level of city governance. The demos style of government (from which we get the word “democracy”) originated in Athens in the fifth century BC. It later spread throughout the Hellenistic cities. In Thessalonica, the administrative body handled city matters such as finances, festivals, and some judicial concerns. In the book of Acts, the mob in Thessalonica was angry about the charges made against Paul and Silas, and originally planned to try them before this citizen assembly.²

The second of the three main offices was the council. This body functioned as an executive branch of the citizen assembly, and it filtered problems before they were brought to the lower body. The council played a role in which issues were brought before the citizen assembly and what decisions should be adopted.

The third of the offices was the Politarchs (city officials). The Politarchs came from the wealthier families, and their number varied from city to city. In Thessalonica at the end of the first century BC, there were five individuals who served as Politarchs, but that number varied from three to seven during the following two centuries. The Politarchs functioned as the chief administrative and executive officers of their cities or communities. They had the authority to deal with judicial matters, which is seen in the book of Acts when the angry crowd grabbed Jason and some other Christians and brought them to the Politarchs. They were allowed to leave only after they posted bond.³

Thessalonica was under Roman rule beginning in 168 BC. At that time, the victorious Romans used the strategy of “divide and conquer” by dividing Macedonia into four “districts.” Thessalonica was the capital of the second district. For the next 22 years there were periodic rebellions, which were finally quelled in 146 BC. The Romans reorganized Macedonia as a province, and elevated Thessalonica to the status of a capital city. It became the hometown of the Roman governor.

One of the reasons Rome chose Thessalonica as a provincial capital was the city’s loyalty to the Roman Empire. In 42 BC it was given “free city” status. The city built good relations with Rome, which allowed its people to keep this status. This was important to the inhabitants of Thessalonica, and they would probably deal aggressively with anyone or any group who they perceived as jeopardizing their favored status. This is likely why, as mentioned above, some of the disciples were arrested and fined.⁴

Thessalonica was heavily involved in pagan worship. They worshipped Dionysus as well as the gods of Egypt, especially Serapis and Isis, as well as Osiris and others. The belief in the gods of Egypt moved to Macedonia in the third century BC. Different religious associations financially supported the activities of this pagan worship. There was also a Jewish presence in the city, as seen in the book of Acts.

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.⁵

Thessalonians converting to Christianity signified a radical break from the traditional religions of the city, which resulted in anger and resentment among the citizens. The apostle Paul commended the Thessalonian Christians, comparing them to the Christians who were in Judea and had also endured persecution.⁶

The book of Acts tells us that when Paul and his companions came to Thessalonica, they visited the local synagogue on three successive Sabbath days. While there, Paul reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and proving that it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead, and saying, “This Jesus, whom I proclaim to you, is the Christ.”⁷ Some of those who listened believed and joined Paul and Silas, as did a great many of the devout Greeks and not a few of the leading women.⁸

There was a strong backlash to the preaching of Paul and Silas, and it became dangerous for them to remain in the city, so the believers sent them to Berea.

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.⁹

Due to the persistence of the Jews from Thessalonica, it was necessary for Paul to leave Berea, most likely by sea, and to go to Athens, 300 miles (480 km) away.¹⁰

After a short stay in Athens, where Paul made his seminal address before the Areopagus, he moved on to Corinth, where he remained for 18 months.¹¹ It was from Corinth that he wrote his first epistle, 1 Thessalonians, and then sometime later 2 Thessalonians. The city of Corinth was about 50 miles (80 km) west of Athens. Modern Corinth is three miles away from the site of ancient Corinth, as in 1858 ancient Corinth was destroyed by an earthquake.

Paul began his letter:

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.¹²

Paul, Silas, and Timothy were the three authors of this letter, though it appears that Paul is the main one responsible for its writing. These three were the founders of the church in Thessalonica, and they were together in Corinth when they wrote this letter to the Thessalonian church. Silvanus and Silas are traditionally assumed to be the same person. In the book of Acts we’re told that Silas had been a leader in the Jerusalem church and that he had a prophetic ministry.¹³

We’re also told that Timothy was the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek. He was well spoken of by the brothers at Lystra and Iconium.¹⁴ Paul considered Timothy to be his spiritual son.

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.¹⁵

Timothy, my true child in the faith.¹⁶

I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.¹⁷

We find that Timothy is also mentioned as being with Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, and Philemon 1:1.

The letter was meant to be read to the whole church, and not just to the church leadership. To make sure that all the members of the Thessalonian church heard Paul’s message, he ended his letter with these instructions:

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.¹⁸

(To be continued.)

Note

¹ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002), 6.

² Acts 17:5.

³ Acts 17:6–9.

⁴ Acts 17:8–9.

⁵ Acts 17:1.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

⁷ Acts 17:3.

⁸ Acts 17:4.

⁹ Acts 17:13.

¹⁰ Acts 17:14–15.

¹¹ Acts 18:11.

¹² 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

¹³ Acts 15:22–23, 32.

¹⁴ Acts 16:1–2.

¹⁵ 1 Corinthians 4:17.

¹⁶ 1 Timothy 1:2.

¹⁷ Philippians 2:20.

¹⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:27.

My Christmas Miracle

December 14, 2022

By Taylor Caldwell

For many of us, one Christmas stands out from all the others. Although I did not guess it, my own “truest” Christmas began on a rainy spring day in the bleakest year of my life. I had no job and was on my way downtown to visit the employment offices. I had no umbrella, and as I sat down on the streetcar I saw a beautiful silk umbrella with a silver handle inlaid with gold and flecks of enamel. I had never seen anything so lovely.

I examined the handle and saw a name engraved, so I decided to take it with me and find the owner. I exited the car in a downpour and thankfully opened the umbrella to protect myself. I then searched for a phonebook and found the number! I called and a woman answered.

Yes, she said, that was her umbrella, which her parents, now dead, had given her for a birthday present. But, she added, it had been stolen more than a year before. She was so excited that I forgot I was looking for a job and went directly to her small house. She took the umbrella and her eyes filled with tears.

She wanted to give me a reward but her happiness was such that to have accepted money would have spoiled something. We talked for a while and I must have given her my address.

The next six months were wretched. I was able to obtain only part-time jobs here and there, but I put aside money when I could for my little girl’s Christmas presents. My last job ended the day before Christmas, my rent was due, and what little money I had, Peggy and I would need for food. She was home from school and was looking forward to her gifts the next day, which I had already purchased. I had also bought a small tree and we were going to decorate it that night.

The stormy air was full of the sound of Christmas merriment as I walked from the streetcar to my small apartment. Bells rang and children shouted in the bitter dusk of the evening. But there would be no Christmas for me. No gifts, no remembrance whatsoever. As I struggled through the snow drifts, I just about reached the lowest point in my life. Unless a miracle happened, I would be homeless in January, foodless, jobless. I had prayed steadily for weeks and there had been no answer but this coldness and darkness, this harsh air, this abandonment. God and men had completely forgotten me. What was to become of us?

I looked in my mailbox. There were only bills in it and two white envelopes which I was sure contained more bills. I went up three flights of stairs to the apartment and cried, shivering in my thin coat. But I made myself smile so I could greet my daughter with a pretense of happiness. She opened the door for me and threw herself in my arms, screaming joyously and demanding that we decorate the tree immediately.

Peggy was not yet six years old but had proudly set our kitchen table and put out pans and the three cans of food which would be our dinner. For some reason, when I looked at those pans and cans I felt brokenhearted and misery overwhelmed me. For the first time in my life, I doubted the existence of God.

The doorbell rang and Peggy ran to answer it, calling that it must be Santa Claus. Then I heard a man speaking to her and went to the door. He was a delivery man, and his arms were full of packages. “This is a mistake,” I said, but he read the name on the parcels and they were for me. When he had gone I could only stare at the boxes. Peggy and I sat on the floor and opened them. A huge doll, three times the size of the one I had bought for her. Gloves. Candy. A beautiful leather purse. Incredible! I looked for the name of the sender. It was the umbrella woman, the address simply “California” where she had moved.

Our dinner that night was the most delicious I had ever eaten. I prayed, “Thank you, Father.” I forgot that I had no money for the rent and no job. My child and I ate and laughed together in happiness. Then we decorated the little tree and marveled at it. I put Peggy to bed and set up her gifts around the tree, and a sweet peace flooded me like a benediction. I had some hope again. I could even examine the bunch of bills without cringing. Then I opened the two white envelopes. One contained a check from a company I had worked for briefly in the summer. It was a note that said, my “Christmas bonus.” My rent!

The other envelope was an offer of permanent position with the government—to begin two days after Christmas. I sat with the letter in my hand and the check on the table before me and I think that was the most joyful moment of my life.

“The Lord is born!” sang the church bells to the crystal night and the laughing darkness. Someone began to sing, “Come, all ye faithful!” I joined in and sang with the strangers around me.

I am not alone at all, I thought. I was never alone at all.

And that, of course, is the message of Christmas. We are never alone. Not when the night is darkest, the wind coldest, the world seemingly most indifferent. For this is still the time God chooses.¹

¹ Source: https://christmasstories.org/my-christmas-miracle.

Getting Through a Difficult Christmas Season

December 13, 2022

A compilation

Audio length: 12:53

Download Audio (11.7MB)

I know the Christmas season isn’t particularly merry for many people. When December rolls around, you’re not thinking of Christmas carols, holiday gatherings, and Christmas Eve worship services. Instead, your mind is on family members who are gone and on holiday disappointments.

I don’t know what the source of your holiday pain is, but I know it’s real and it hurts.

I also know God can turn your pain this holiday season into benefits. Reread that last sentence. Your pain hurts—badly, but it doesn’t need to have the last word.

Paul writes about the benefits of our struggles in 2 Corinthians 1:3–11. No, he wasn’t facing a difficult Christmas season. Paul was facing persecution for his commitment to preach the Good News about Jesus regardless of the consequences. Here are three benefits of our struggles, according to Paul in that passage.

God will use your pain to teach you to trust him. You’ll never know God is all you need until he is all you have. The holiday season may be painful for you. Perhaps you’ve lost a job, a relationship, a loved one, your health, or even your hope and joy. Now all you have is God.

I want you to know—and more importantly God wants you to know—he’s enough for you. He is all you need. Paul discovered this firsthand and wrote about it in 2 Corinthians 1:9: “In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead.”

God will use your pain to give you a ministry to others. Your pain often reveals God’s purpose for your life. God never wastes a hurt. He doesn’t want you to hold on to the pain you’re feeling this Christmas; he wants you to use it to help others. What does that look like? I don’t know. Maybe it means that you minister to people who are struggling this season—ministry that may help stop the pain from being repeated in the lives of others.

Paul reminds us of God’s promise: “He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others” (2 Corinthians 1:4). Paul says that as God comforted him, he could comfort others.

We can do the same. Take a look at what causes you pain this Christmas. Ask yourself how God can use that pain to help comfort others. If you’re struggling through this pain, I guarantee that others are, too. … That principle … is true for whatever you’re struggling with this Christmas. Let God heal you, so he can use you to heal others. …

God will use your pain to draw you closer to other believers. God wired humans for community. You weren’t meant to go through a painful Christmas season all alone. … In fact, one of the reasons we tend to go through particularly tough holiday seasons is because we get so busy that we neglect our relationships. …

Pain reveals how much we need each other. … I don’t know what you’re going through this Christmas season, but I do know that God wants to use your pain—to teach you to trust him, to show you how to help others, and to draw you closer to other believers.

I pray this Christmas, as you face whatever pain is in your path, that you will have the greatest Christmas of your life and learn to worship the God who came to earth to make a way for you to be right with him.—Rick Warren¹

The current world situation may bring about a different Christmas for many, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be a good one. Adversity has a way of bringing out the best in people, and so does Christmas. Put the two together, and we have a special opportunity.

It’s an opportunity to sort things out—to separate what really counts from the lesser things that usurp their place in the business-as-usual world, especially at times like Christmas. It’s an opportunity to change our focus from the commercialism that has taken over Christmas to the true, enduring reason for the season. It’s an opportunity to find new ways to express our love to those dearest to us and to show compassion to others even less fortunate, of which there are always many. We may not be able to give materially in the same measure as we have in past years, but one thing is almost certain—whatever we give will be appreciated like never before.—Keith Phillips

I sat on the couch on Christmas Eve, trying to hold back my tears as my three children stood in front of me, presents in their arms, concerned and worried expressions on their faces.

They were headed to their paternal grandmother’s house for Christmas dinner, just as we had done for the past 25 years. But this year was different. My husband and I had separated just a few months earlier, so for the first time in their entire lives, they were going to the family holiday gathering without me.

I knew this was hard on them, too, so I put on a fake smile, assured them I would be fine and encouraged them to have a nice visit. But inside, my heart was aching. Not only did my family and Christmas feel broken, but I felt broken as well.

After they left, a deep sense of loneliness hung heavy in the air, drowning out the fresh pine scent of the tree. As I stared at the twinkling lights, the tears I had been holding back dripped down my cheeks.

Eventually, I breathed in a deep breath, exhaled a heavy sigh, wiped my tears and sat up straight. The only solace I could find was reminding myself of God’s promises in Scripture to always be with me—and even though my husband had left, my heavenly Father never would. I knew I needed to refocus on the fact that, though my life had changed, God was still the same sovereign God. I could have confidence that one day things would be OK, and so would I.

In Psalm 16, we read about a time when David, too, felt especially left behind, forgotten and afraid. Not only had his life changed, but he also may have been facing great danger in the wilderness when this psalm was written. Yet instead of letting his emotions shake him up, David shifted his attitude, intentionally choosing to capture his thoughts and refocus on God’s presence, which is exactly what I had to do that difficult Christmas.

We see evidence of this in Psalm 16:8 when David says, “I know the LORD is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.”

We can choose to make the same choice as David when we are enduring hard times. There are countless situations we all experience that can make us feel alone and abandoned—maybe you’re experiencing one right now. Your husband says he’s leaving. Your boss says you’re no longer needed. A family member leaves this world too soon. A friend betrays you. Circumstances turn your world upside down as you pick up the pieces of your broken heart and wonder if you’ll ever feel whole again.

Although the Christmas season should be a time of joy and celebration, our emotions can shake us up then, too. And just like David’s, our emotions maybe even shake our faith, especially if life has changed and the holidays don’t feel the same. Yet by reminding ourselves that God will never leave us or forsake us, and by keeping our focus on His presence, our hearts will be better equipped to handle anything we’re facing—at the holidays and all year long.

Lord, this season is hard, and I long to feel Your presence beside me and see You at work in my life. Help me to have confidence that You are always with me, and infuse me with hope, peace and joy I can’t find on my own. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Tracie Miles ²

King Jesus,

You are King of kings and Lord of lords; You dwell in unapproachable Light! I’m grateful that You are also my Shepherd, Companion, and Friend—the One who never lets go of my hand. I worship You in Your holy Majesty. And I draw near You to rest in Your loving Presence. I need you both as God and as Man. Only Your birth on that first, long-ago Christmas could meet all my needs.

Instead of trying to comprehend Your incarnation intellectually, I want to learn from the example of the wise men. They followed the leading of a spectacular star, then fell down in humble worship in Your Presence. Inspired by the magi, I long to respond to the wonder of Your holy birth with ardent adoration.

Please help me grow in my capacity to worship You as my Savior, Lord, and King. You held back nothing in Your amazing provision for me, and I rejoice in all that You are—all You have done!

You are the light from on high that dawns upon us, to direct and guide our feet into the way of Peace.

In Your majestic Name, Amen.—Sarah Young³

Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
Music from the Christmas Moments album, used by permission.

¹ https://pastors.com/3-lessons-we-can-learn-from-a-difficult-holiday-season/.

² https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/12/21/when-christmas-feels-broken.

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Listens (Thomas Nelson, 2021).

Honoring Jesus This Christmas Season

December 12, 2022

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 11:34

Download Audio (10.6MB)

In this article you’ll read about how to see others as Jesus does, a prayer to commemorate Christmas Eve by David, and a word from Jesus to congratulate all of you who have been vessels of the Lord’s love for others during this Christmas season.

Through a glass darkly

There are some of us … who think [to] ourselves, “If I had only been there! How quick I would have been to help the Baby. I would have washed His linens. How happy I would have been to go with the shepherds to see the Lord lying in the manger!” Yes, we would. We say that because we know how great Christ is, but if we had been there at that time, we would have done no better than the people of Bethlehem. … Why don’t we do it now? We have Christ in our neighbor.—Martin Luther

The Bible tells us that we see through a glass darkly. This refers to our limited ability to grasp the full spiritual realities of heaven, but I believe that our limited perception of the spiritual realities also affects our ability to fully understand the hearts of others who we encounter here and now in our daily lives. We often fail to see others as Jesus sees them. We often fail to see them as the Lord’s beloved ones who He would have paid any price for, even if they had been the only one. He sees in them a beautiful spirit that He has created, and He sees what they can become in Him.

We look at others many times and see the flaws—things like anger, selfishness, pride, or a seeming lack of motivation—rather than the sorrow, suffering, and hopelessness they may be struggling with. We see the apparently defiant or rebellious outward appearance, rather than the great need of a lost and lonely person who longs for the hope and support we could offer them. We often miss seeing the eternal glimmer of life, that part of God that burns within them as surely as it glows in our own heart.

When we think of the lowly stable in Bethlehem, let’s remember that there are multitudes of “stables” housing countless lives right where we are today. The Christ child can be there to shine His light in their darkness through you.

Jesus wants us to look beneath the surface of outward circumstances and appearances and situations to see others’ hearts hungering after the truth. He wants us to look at them with eyes of the Spirit as priceless ones whom He died for and whom He longs to bless with His peace and salvation. He asks us to go to them in their sorrow, depression, and hopelessness so that He can shine His life and love into their hearts.

He went, and it brought us into His kingdom. Mary looked beyond the circumstances in the stable to the angel’s promises and saw God’s gift to all mankind fulfilled before her eyes. The hosts of angels saw the reality beneath the humble beginnings of the Son of Man on earth, and the heavens couldn’t contain their rejoicing!

Let’s allow God’s brilliance to enlighten the darkened view of our earthly perceptions so that we can see those whom He beckons us to love and care for. He saw past our shell of humanity and reached out to draw us into the brilliance of His Spirit. Will you look, and then go and care and give as that baby, the Son of God made flesh, taught us to do? Can we do any less for the one who has given His all for us?

A prayer for Christmas Eve

Jesus came for love, lived in love, and died for love that we might live and love forever!

Jesus didn’t just come to earth and live among us; He had to temporarily renounce His citizenship in heaven to become one of us (Philippians 2:6–7).

He came as a meek and quiet, weak and helpless baby, and conformed Himself to our human ways of life. He was human. He got tired, He got hungry, He got weary. He was subject to all these things, even as we are, that He might better reach us with His Father’s love and communicate with us on the lowly level of our own human understanding (Hebrews 4:15).

In the end, He suffered for us at a terrific price, because of His love. He was spat upon, cursed, condemned as a criminal, and despised in death. But as He hung on the cross in disgrace and agony, dying for the sins of the very ones who were crucifying Him, He was showing love to the whole world. “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends” (John 15:13). Jesus is the friend who loved us enough to lay down His life that we might be saved—and it all started with a tiny babe in a manger!

To pray on Christmas Eve:Tonight we commemorate Your birth, Jesus. Thank You for this time to celebrate Your birth. Every day is like Christmas for us because You’re so good to us every day, but this time is extra special because we feel Your love at this time from loved ones, acquaintances, and even strangers. There’s just something about Your birthday that turns people’s hearts and minds to peace and love and goodwill. It brings out the best in people because it brings You out, and You’re the best!

We thank You most of all for the greatest gift ever—Yourself. Thank You for coming to earth and living like one of us so we could understand Your Father’s love, and then for dying for us so we could experience His mercy and forgiveness. Thank You for all that went into giving us salvation and eternal life. You did all that for us! Help us to return Your love by helping to keep the spirit of Christmas alive throughout the coming year as we share You and Your love with those You bring our way. Amen.—David Brandt Berg

The ripple effect

Peter and I want to congratulate you, our wonderful Family. I’m sure that many of you made an effort to bring hope and love to others during Jesus’ birthday season. Your efforts have had an eternal impact, far beyond what you realize. Here’s the word on it from the Chief Winner of Souls:

Thank you for following the leadings I gave each of you personally during the season when the world celebrates My birthday. Whether the way I moved through your efforts was public and visible or quiet and hidden, I have touched hearts through you, and that has eternal results.

You can’t always see where an effort to encourage someone will lead. Even a single witness of My love and care can begin a wave of changed lives. Even if the one you witness to seems to be the last person on earth who could effect major change, you may be setting in motion a chain reaction that will echo throughout eternity.

So as you put effort into the ministering I asked of you this Christmas, it changed this world for the better, or it will in the days ahead. It might be through someone finding Me, or pain and grief being eased, or an empty, pointless life finding purpose and meaning—all because you did your part. Whether visibly great or seemingly humble, sharing My love and truth with others is always great in My sight.

You’d be amazed at how some of the most seemingly insignificant acts receive applause from those in the heavenly realm. He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much (Luke 16:10).

If you can see wonderful results from your Christmas witness, then rejoice for all that you can see. If you can’t see those great results, rejoice for the wonderful results that you can’t see yet, but which are guaranteed by your faithfulness and love for Me and those who need My Spirit.

Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by Debra Lee.
Music from the Christmas Moments album, used by permission.

1 Thessalonians: Introduction

By Peter Amsterdam

December 6, 2022

Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a synagogue of the Jews.⁵

There was a strong backlash to the preaching of Paul and Silas, and it became dangerous for them to remain in the city, so the believers sent them to Berea.

But when the Jews from Thessalonica learned that the word of God was proclaimed by Paul at Berea also, they came there too, agitating and stirring up the crowds.⁹

Due to the persistence of the Jews from Thessalonica, it was necessary for Paul to leave Berea, most likely by sea, and to go to Athens, 300 miles (480 km) away.¹⁰

Paul began his letter:

Paul, Silvanus, and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace.¹²

That is why I sent you Timothy, my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, to remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach them everywhere in every church.¹⁵

Timothy, my true child in the faith.¹⁶

I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare.¹⁷

We find that Timothy is also mentioned as being with Paul in 2 Corinthians 1:1, Philippians 1:1, Colossians 1:1, and Philemon 1:1.

I put you under oath before the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers.¹⁸

(To be continued.)

Note

¹ Gene L. Green, The Letters to the Thessalonians, Pillar New Testament Commentary (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2002), 6.

² Acts 17:5.

³ Acts 17:6–9.

⁴ Acts 17:8–9.

⁵ Acts 17:1.

⁶ 1 Thessalonians 2:14.

⁷ Acts 17:3.

⁸ Acts 17:4.

⁹ Acts 17:13.

¹⁰ Acts 17:14–15.

¹¹ Acts 18:11.

¹² 1 Thessalonians 1:1.

¹³ Acts 15:22–23, 32.

¹⁴ Acts 16:1–2.

¹⁵ 1 Corinthians 4:17.

¹⁶ 1 Timothy 1:2.

¹⁷ Philippians 2:20.

¹⁸ 1 Thessalonians 5:27.

Better Than Miracles

December 9, 2022

By Timothy Keller

Tim Keller sermons via Gospel in Life: 1 Corinthians 13 is a very famous passage—but in the context of the entire book of 1 Corinthians, we see that it is a sober warning against straying from the gospel. If a person is gifted—as many of the Corinthians were—then it is frighteningly easy for that person to mistake their spiritual gifts for spiritual fruit. When we serve others in the church, are we serving Jesus or are we serving ourselves? To understand this passage fully, you have to understand (1) the story behind it; (2) the bombshell Paul is dropping on the Corinthians; and (3) how it applies to people today.

Run time for this podcast is 38 minutes.

https://youtu.be/3DRE5kgbYjU

Heaven, Hell, and In-Between

Revelation 19 and 20

David Brandt Berg

1981-12-01

I made an interesting discovery in the 19th and 20th chapters of Revelation, and it’s on the subject of universal reconciliation, or the widely varied judgments and fates of the wicked. I discovered in these passages that after the Battle of Armageddon, only the Beast and the False Prophet are cast alive into the lake of fire. It says:

“And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against Him that sat on the horse”—that’s Jesus, of course—“and against His army.” That’s His followers. “And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet”—apparently they were captured—“that wrought miracles before him, with which he deceived them that had received the mark of the beast and them that worshipped his image. These both”—meaning only the Beast and the False Prophet at this time—“were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone. And the remnant”—his followers who had the mark of the Beast—“were slain with the sword of Him that sat upon the horse, which sword proceeded out of His mouth: and all the fowls were filled with their flesh” (Revelation 19:19–21).

It says here that just the Beast, or the Antichrist, and his False Prophet were cast into the lake of fire, and that the remnant of his followers, those with the mark of the Beast, were only slain at this time. It does not say that they too were cast into the lake of fire; they were just killed. It says “these both.” It does not say that those who received the mark of the Beast and those who worshipped his image were cast into the fire; it only says that the Beast and the False Prophet were cast into the fire.

They are immediately cast into the lake of fire. Apparently they don’t even have to be raised for judgment by God at the Great White Throne Judgment in the next chapter. They are so evil that they bypass the judgment and go directly into the lake of fire. Even Satan is not yet cast into the lake of fire because he still has to be loosed after the Millennium.

So the Beast and the False Prophet are cast directly into the lake of fire immediately after or during the Battle of Armageddon, which is then followed by the binding of Satan and the thousand-year millennial reign of Christ and His followers on the earth. This is then followed by Satan being loosed and leading the evil rebels against the millennial kingdom of Christ on earth in the Battle of Gog and Magog. Then comes verse 9 (Revelation 20), speaking of the forces of Gog and Magog led by Satan:

“And they went up on the breadth of the earth and compassed the camp of the saints about and the beloved city.” Obviously this is talking about Jerusalem, where Jesus makes His headquarters during the Millennium along with His followers. Satan and his followers “compassed the camp of the saints about”—this is during the Battle of Gog and Magog, the finale—“and the beloved city”—Jerusalem, because the new Heavenly City will not come down until the next chapter. So this cannot be the Heavenly City but must be Jerusalem, the beloved city which is mentioned many times by the prophets as being the headquarters of the coming millennial kingdom of the Messiah.

When Satan and his Gog-and-Magog forces surround Jerusalem, it says in Revelation 20:9 that “fire came down from God out of heaven and devoured them.” The forces were all devoured by fire; that is, they were killed. Remember, they were mortal human beings who had lived through the Millennium and apparently were still wicked despite God’s mercy, so now they’re killed. But it makes a differentiation with the Devil. It says:

“And the Devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are”—in other words, where they already are at this time (Revelation 20:10). They had been cast into the lake of fire after the Battle of Armageddon a thousand years previously. They’d already been in hell for a thousand years, and the Devil is now cast in to join them!

You’ll notice that Satan’s mortal followers are at this time only slain and killed by the fire, whereas the Devil himself is cast into the lake of fire “and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” This means for the age of the ages. That’s a very long time, but it does have an end, as every age does.

“And I saw a great white throne, and Him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them” (Revelation 20:11). Here comes God in the last Great White Throne Judgment of the unsaved—or all the dead, that is, that were not saved—some not so wicked, some very wicked, some perhaps even good but not saved.

“And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened, and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works” (Revelation 20:12). There are a lot of books opened here; the main one is the book of life. The other books are obviously records of the deeds and works of the dead who are now raised to be judged to see what their fate is going to be according to how they lived and died. The books of their past, in other words, the books of their deeds and records were opened, and the book of life—which we’ll find out is a very important book because it is open for the last judgment at the resurrection of the unsaved.

All the unsaved are being judged here at the Great White Judgment Throne. All the saved were long ago resurrected, raptured, and translated to heaven. They returned with the Lord in the Battle of Armageddon, wiped out the forces of Antichrist, and took over the world in the great millennial reign of Christ for a thousand years while the Beast and the False Prophet—the Antichrist and his prophet—were cast into hell and Satan was bound. Then at the end of the Millennium, Satan is loosed, he leads the Battle of Gog and Magog, and his forces are all destroyed by fire, and he himself is cast into hell, the lake of fire.

Then comes the Great White Throne Judgment in the 11th verse of the 20th chapter. It includes all the dead, small and great, who have been dead, including all those who lived through the Millennium and yet followed the Devil and were then destroyed at the end of it, and all the dead of all ages who were not saved. We know that the Great White Throne Judgment scene is only for the unsaved because the saved have already been resurrected in the first resurrection and have been reigning throughout the Millennium.

So the Great White Throne Judgment is not for any of the saved. And even though all the dead are resurrected here and judged, none of them are the saved, because the saved are already with the Lord. They’re probably already safely tucked back into the Heavenly City after the Battle of Gog and Magog and its fiery end in which the whole earth and the atmospheric heavens are destroyed.

At the end of the Battle of Gog and Magog, the earth and heavens are destroyed—that is, the surface of the earth and the atmospheric heavens are destroyed in the fire that comes down from God out of heaven and devours them. Obviously the ball of the earth is not devoured, because it is renewed again. And obviously the heavens He’s talking about that are devoured are not God’s heaven, because fire comes down out of God’s heaven to devour the earth and the atmospheric heavens.

Satan’s forces are destroyed by that fire and the Devil is cast directly into hell. Like the Antichrist and the False Prophet, he doesn’t need any judgment; his judgment has gone before and he is cast straight into hell (1 Timothy 5:24). He has already been in the pit, in prison for a thousand years while the Antichrist and the False Prophet have been in the lake of fire for a thousand years. Now he’s cast into the lake of fire for God knows how long, for an age of ages, which sounds like a long time!

And then comes the Great White Throne Judgment in which all the unsaved dead are judged:

“And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works” (Revelation 20:13). The judgment must have taken quite a while. Maybe they did it by stages: first, all those who died on the earth, then all those who had died in the sea, and all those who were already captives of the grave and hell. It says “death and hell,” and the words actually used here in the Greek, as I recall, mean the grave. There’s a difference between “Gehenna,” a place of hellfire, and the other words used for the grave, which are not hellfire: sheol and Hades, meaning the unseen state or the spirit world—neither hellfire nor a hole in the ground!

They are now all raised, all the unsaved dead of all ages, from the various places they have been while dead. “And they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 12:13–14). It does not say here that all these people were cast into the lake of fire; it just says death and hell. In other words, death, or the power of death, and Hades, the spirit state, are cast into the lake of fire. These former places of confinement or punishment or imprisonment in the heart of the earth or wherever they were, are now cast into the lake of fire, including the end of the spirit sphere of today.

“Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” It does not say that they were all cast into the lake of fire. It just says, “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).—Which makes it quite obvious that the book of life was brought out to find out who was to be cast into the lake of fire, who deserved such horrible fiery punishment, and who was not to be cast into the lake of fire, according to their works.

They were judged according to their works because there was a difference in their works. Some of their works were extremely evil and extremely bad, and those so wicked deserved hellfire, punishment for however long, whereas others did not deserve that kind of punishment and will not be cast in the lake of fire. We will find them on the surface of the earth in the new heaven and the new earth, but perhaps not in the Heavenly City, as the saved are the only ones who have the right to live in the Holy City.

They will not be cast into the lake of fire, but are the in-between ones—the good people, the ones who weren’t so bad, the multitudes who did the best they could but never heard the Gospel and never heard about Jesus and were never told how to get saved.

There’s a difference in the judgments of the dead, and the book of life is brought out to find out who of them is in it and who is not, who deserves hell and who does not. This is the difference between the first, second, and third-class citizens of the future.—The first-class citizens of heaven, the only truly saved ones; the third-class citizens, who are damned to hellfire; and the second-class citizens, who inhabit a place or places other than heaven or hell.

These chapters clearly show that only the Devil and the Antichrist and his False Prophet are cast directly into hell without going before the White Throne Judgment; they don’t have to be, because they’re already judged. The saved are already saved and resurrected and raptured and in the Heavenly City after the Battle of Gog and Magog, so here at the Great White Throne Judgment there are only the unsaved.

They’re judged according to their works, how good or how bad they were, and obviously these are not bad enough for hell but not good enough for heaven. Nobody’s really good enough for heaven, but not good enough for heaven in their case because they didn’t receive Jesus, or maybe they couldn’t, or maybe they never had a chance.

These are both the good and bad who were not saved, but they were found written in the book of life and thereby spared from hell. We should just call these the unsaved, because they’re not all wicked, obviously, since some of them are found written in the book of life and are spared from hell. They are not saved to heaven; they couldn’t be, because only those who are saved can walk in the streets of heaven (Revelation 21:24,27). Whether they will be saved later when they hear about Jesus, we don’t know.

So what happens to those who are found in the book of life? There must be a place in between, and according to the next two chapters of Revelation, it sounds very definitely like they are outside the Holy City, on the surface of the earth (Revelation 21:24; 22:2). It even says that there are some pretty bad folks outside the City in one of the verses, whoremongers, liars, and dogs, and all kinds of people. It doesn’t say in hell, and it doesn’t say in the lake of fire or in the heart of the earth. It says “outside the city” (Revelation 22:15).

Apparently the best of the spared are allowed to live on the surface of the earth outside the Holy City, and His followers rule over them. They have nations and kings, the next two chapters tell us very clearly, and we go out and heal them with the leaves of life from the tree of life (Revelation 22:2).

The Strongbox

December 8, 2022

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 8:42

Download Audio (7.9MB)

Something that happened recently started me thinking again of the great advantages a Christian has in this life, and oh, what advantages they are! It would be foolish to try and enumerate them in these few moments, but I thought what it would mean to those that are listening who are not Christians if they could get just a little inkling of the advantages a Christian has.

Don’t pity Christians, because we’re rich beyond measure. We have everything when we have Jesus Christ. And this brought to mind a little editorial by Pastor William Thomas called “My Strongbox.” Here it is:

A fine Christian man who was now ready to leave the world in his dying hour asked his pastor who had come to see him, “Will you please bring me my strongbox?” The pastor hesitated, and he said, “It’s there on the table, see it?” He pointed toward his Bible. He said, “I want to go over my papers with you, for I’m a rich man with a large inheritance.”

The pastor saw that he was pointing to his Bible and brought it to his bed. Opening it, the dying man said, “These are my documents, and they have to do with my wealth that I want to tell you about. The first document relates to who I am. It says in 1 John 3:2: ‘Beloved, now we are the sons of God. It does not yet appear what we shall be, but we know that when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.’

“The second document relates to my inheritance, a great gift that I received. You know John 3:16: ‘For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life,’ and that I have inherited. And also John 1:12 and 13: ‘As many as received Him, to them gave He the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name, which were born not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.’

“The third document here is my life insurance, John 11:25 and 26: ‘Then Jesus said, I am the resurrection and the life. He that believeth on Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.’

“The fourth is my fire insurance. You’ll find it in Second Peter, the third chapter. ‘But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heaven shall pass away with a great noise and the elements shall melt with a fervent heat. The earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness, looking for and hastening unto the coming of the day of the Lord, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved and the elements shall melt with fervent heat? Nevertheless we, according to His promise, look for a New Heaven and a New Earth wherein dwelleth righteousness.’

“The fifth is my accident insurance, Romans 8:28: ‘We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.’”

“Oh, this is all good and wonderful,” said the pastor to the old man. “But what about their security? What about burglars and thieves stealing these?”

“Oh, no,” said the dying man. “They are all deposited in a safe where no burglar can reach them. Here, I’ll show you.” With a feeble hand he pointed to these verses. “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I’ve committed unto Him against that day.”¹ And then he added joyfully John 10:35, “And the Scripture cannot be broken.”

Then he said, “Look at this one, John 10:29: ‘My Father which gave them to me is greater than all. No man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.’”

Then the old man smiled, he closed the Bible, and said, “What an inheritance I have! What an inheritance every Christian has! How rich we are! There are other securities and other riches I’d like to tell you about. I’ve used them for many long years, but I’m weary now, and, Pastor, I know you have all these yourself.” Then, weary, the old man, so near the end of the trail, closed his eyes and the pastor thought that he saw the light of heaven shine on his face.

I trust all these riches and advantages of a Christian are yours also. They can be; they surely can be. They’re for everyone and they’re free, beloved, but that doesn’t begin to tell it all, though the dear old man surely knew his inheritance.

To me one of the most precious possessions I have in my strongbox is the receipt for a great debt I owed, and the Lord paid that debt, the debt of sin. He bore that debt on Calvary. How true that Jesus paid it all.

All to Him I owe,
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He made it white as snow.
For nothing good have I
Whereby His grace to claim,
I’ll wash my garments white
In the blood of Calv’ry’s lamb.

Lord, now indeed I find
Thy power and Thine alone,
Can change the leper’s spots
And melt the heart of stone.
Jesus paid it all,
All to Him I owe,
Sin had left a crimson stain,
He washed it white as snow.
—Elvina M. Hall, 1865

I think I can best express what the old man said and what I feel and experience with the words of a wonderful song. They’re some of the most wonderful words that I’ve ever found in a Christian song, and that is the song that’s called “If I Gained the World, but Lost the Savior.”

If I gained the world but lost the Savior,
Were my life worth living for a day?
Could my yearning heart find rest and comfort
In the things that so soon must pass away?

If I gained the world but lost the Savior,
Would my gain be worth the lifelong strife?
Are all the earthly pleasures worth comparing
For a moment with a Christ-filled life?

Had I wealth and love in fullest measure,
And a name revered both far and near,
Yet no hope beyond, no harbor waiting,
Where my storm-tossed vessel I could steer;

If I gained the world but lost the Savior,
Who endured the cross and died for me,
Could then all the world afford a refuge,
Whither, in my anguish, I might flee?

Oh, what emptiness!—without the Savior,
’Mid the sins and sorrows here below!
And eternity, how dark without Him!
Only night and tears and endless woe!

What, though I might live without the Savior,
When I come to die, how would it be?
O to face the valley’s gloom without Him!
And without Him all eternity!
—Anna Olander, 1904

Let’s have a word of prayer together now.

Father, we do reach out to You for those whose hearts are so empty; they’ve never known the Savior and they’re striving for gain. They’re so feverish in their busy days and in such a rush. We pray, Lord, for quietness of spirit until You can speak to their hearts.

We ask You, Jesus, for these that have been so sorely tempted. Help them in the time of temptation. We bring again the sick and the suffering, the storm-tossed with so many burdens to Your great heart.

We ask You to be with the unsaved, any who do not know You. Touch their hearts. Put a hunger in their hearts for You. And for those who have known You and wandered away, Lord, we ask that You would draw them by the cords of Your love. May they feel Your precious Holy Spirit tugging at their hearts. In Jesus’ precious name we pray. Amen.

Remember, God is still on the throne and prayer changes things.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by Lenore Welsh.

¹ 2 Timothy 1:12.

Facing an Uncertain Future with Hope

December 7, 2022

By Mila Nataliya Govorukha

I am on a trip to see my sister, who, like me, is a Ukrainian refugee. The journey is hundreds of kilometers, and I will have to take quite a few buses and trains.

After a few hours wandering through a small town, I sit on the stone steps of the local city hall, which are still warm from the sun, now setting gracefully. Like many other small squares in West European cities, at this time of the tourist season, the entire space is packed, but it is peaceful and quiet. Here they say tranquille. The opera house, decorated by enormous ads for an upcoming season, is on the left. Across the opening is a cozy local hotel, probably passed down through many generations, with bright bunches of red flowers hanging from every balcony.

People are bicycling, walking, standing, or sitting. Wearing dresses and elegant hats, leather flip-flops, shorts and backpacks. There are plenty of gastronomic delicacies around, where tables are filled with people eating meals and desserts, drinking fresh juices, fancy cocktails or wine, talking and quietly laughing, feeling relaxed and content.

I am here almost by coincidence, with a few hours in between bus rides on my way to visit my sister. I haven’t seen her for many months. Before the war broke out in Ukraine, we lived in the same city. Now we live in different countries.

It takes only a few minutes of inactivity and my mind is immediately flooded by a cascade of thoughts.

These people look successful. In some sense they’ve “made it.” What is the percentage of people in the world who can afford a meal in a nice restaurant in the center of a touristic town during high season?—Even if we’re not talking about the extreme poverty of some parts of the world.

But are those well-dressed smiling people really happy? Are they truly satisfied? Can you actually be successful, by today’s definition, and content at the same time?

What is happiness? What is success? Are they real? Maybe those are just some pretty labels. How should one know that he or she is on the road to success? Is it because of prestigious education, the number of friends and followers on social media, the size of their property or a highly rated business, the number of grandchildren, the number of published works? And who decides?

What if you had some of that and then lost everything and had to flee your country? Your job is lost. Your education is not recognized. Family and friends are spread all over Europe, and there is no certainty that you will ever be able to go back to the city where you were born and had a home and life.

Looking around and back into history, it becomes obvious that, unfortunately, so many have had to go through similar circumstances. Even thousands of years ago, the Old Testament insists on helping migrants and refugees.

I don’t like wasting time. I’ve met many people in my new country of residence and have made new friends. I’ve done all possible legal paperwork, and due to EU insurance visited some doctors and went through some routine checkups. I’m researching, visiting cultural events, and looking for a suitable job. I’m learning a new language, and I got a positive result on my first language test. In a couple of weeks, I will start the next course of language and culture.

I’m now back on the bus and will soon embrace my sister. We will cry for what we’ve lost, then pray for faith, strength, and wisdom. We will joke about our embarrassing language-learning experiences, discuss obstacles, and share know-how gained about our new and uneasy situation. And then we will dream about a successful future and make wonderful, if sometimes unrealistic, plans for the near future.

Despite all the odds, with hope and God’s care we are making it.

* * *

Shattered hopes and dreams are not final destinations. God says He has plans for you, plans for good and not for evil. “For I know the thoughts I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope” (Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV). God doesn’t desert us in our times of disappointment. Instead, He’s there. He’s thinking good thoughts of us. He has plans for our future. He wants us to carry on with life and not give up, to have hope for what’s ahead, even if things seem so awful today. The key is to look to Him, to know that He loves and cares for us, that He will carry us into the future. We aren’t meant to stop living, to give up hope, but rather to carry on in faith and trust. He will heal. Things will change. Life will continue on, and there is hope ahead.—Peter Amsterdam

God’s Generosity

December 6, 2022

A compilation

Audio length: 10:35

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One of God’s attributes I don’t often hear taught on is his generosity. We teach about God’s sovereignty and holiness, his infinite power, his omniscience, wisdom, and love. Of course, because he is loving he is generous. But I have not heard many who have focused on God’s lavish generosity.

Of course, I have taught and believe that we should be generous because our God is generous and will abundantly reward us when we are. But I have not heard many teachings about expecting God to be generous to us when we come to him with our needs and requests.

Our God is a lavish, overflowing, generous, bountiful, magnanimous God who loves to give good gifts to his children. He even blesses those who hate him with thousands of good things. How much more will he bless those he bought with his Son’s precious blood.

When we look at his creation, we can catch a glimpse of God’s overflowing, lavish nature.

He created billions of galaxies and stars. The sun, the moon, the planets … God didn’t create just one simple kind of star. He is over-the-top creative … generous. The heavens declare the glory of God, including his abundant, bountiful nature.

Look at the earth. There are more than 750 species of butterflies and 11,000 species of moths that have been recorded, and many, many more out there yet to be recorded. There are somewhere over 22,000 species of fish. There are over 150 species of roses. …

And of course, the greatest, most generous gift our God has given us is the gift of his Son, Jesus Christ, who in the greatest act of generosity ever, poured out his blood to save us, and give us the infinitely wonderful gift of eternal life.—Mark Altrogge¹

Throughout the Bible we read about God’s generous and gracious giving.

He gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.² I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit. You shall have them for food.³

As our Father He gives us good things,⁴ good and perfect gifts,⁵ our heart’s desire ⁶ and what we ask for when these align with His will,⁷ His peace,⁸ wisdom,⁹ and grace.¹⁰

Motivated by His love for humanity, God gave His Son, Jesus, for our salvation,¹¹ and He gave Himself to redeem us.¹² We’re given the water of life,¹³ the free gift of God.¹⁴ He has lavished upon us forgiveness, redemption, and grace.¹⁵ He has also poured His love into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us ¹⁶ as a guarantee.¹⁷ We’ve also been given the gifts of the Spirit, which are distributed according to His will.¹⁸

Understanding God’s generous nature as the owner of all things guides us in our attitude toward giving. As the children of such a generous Father, we should want to follow His example.—Peter Amsterdam

God’s generosity is evidenced all around us. God created this planet that is especially suited to sustain us and provide for our needs and pleasures. He supplies us with color, light, sound, air, and the ability to taste and enjoy, hear and appreciate, touch and be satisfied. Above all, God demonstrated His generosity when He offered His Son as a sacrifice to atone for our sin. In the face of such generosity, we can only say, “Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift!”¹⁹ The gift of Jesus to sinful mankind was the ultimate act of generosity.

As we have been forgiven, we are to forgive.²⁰ And as we see God being generous, we are to be generous. Generosity can be manifested in many ways. We can give of our time, our material resources, our hospitality, and our friendship. … God’s Word is clear that the generous are remembered and rewarded, whether in this life or the next.

God challenges us to be generous because He wants us to receive the blessing that comes from it. Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”²¹ This promise is a reflection of the truth of 2 Chronicles 16:9 that “the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.”… God is seeking people who will reflect His character and model His generosity. He delights to bless them and show Himself strong on their behalf.—From GotQuestions.org²²

The Lord is a wise investor. He gives to those who are thankful for the blessings He’s already given them. We can show Him our appreciation by thanking and praising Him regularly—by not taking His generosity for granted. No benefactor would continue giving to someone who isn’t grateful for what he or she has already been given.

The more you learn to recognize God’s goodness and the more you make it a habit to thank and praise Him at every turn, the more He will bless. So tell Him how much you love Him and how thankful you are for all He does for you. As you praise and love Him, He loves you in return and pours His blessings on you.—Maria Fontaine

Generous God,

You are a God of both intricate detail and overflowing abundance. When I entrust the details of my life to You, I’m often surprised by how thoroughly You answer my petitions. The biblical instruction to pray continually helps me feel free to bring You all my requests. And I found that the more I pray—with a hopeful, watchful attitude—the more answers I receive. Best of all, my faith is strengthened as I see how precisely You respond to my specific prayers.

I rejoice that You are infinite in all Your ways! Because abundance is at the very heart of who You are, I don’t need to fear that You will run out of resources. I can come to You in joyful expectation of receiving all that I need—and sometimes much more!

I am so grateful for the bountiful blessings You shower on me! Even the hardships in my life can be viewed as Your blessings—they train me in perseverance, transforming me and preparing me for heaven. So I come to You with open hands and heart, ready to receive all that You have for me.

In Your great Name, Jesus. Amen.—Sarah Young²³

Published on Anchor December 2022. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://theblazingcenter.com/2019/04/our-god-is-incredibly-generous-20-powerful-faith-building-scriptures.html.

² Acts 17:25.

³ Genesis 1:29.

⁴ Matthew 7:11.

⁵ James 1:17.

⁶ Psalm 37:4.

⁷ Matthew 7:7.

⁸ John 14:27.

⁹ James 1:5.

¹⁰ Ephesians 4:7.

¹¹ John 3:16.

¹² Titus 2:14.

¹³ John 4:14.

¹⁴ Romans 6:23.

¹⁵ Ephesians 1:7–8.

¹⁶ Romans 5:5.

¹⁷ 2 Corinthians 1:22.

¹⁸ Hebrews 2:4; 1 Corinthians 12.

¹⁹ 2 Corinthians 9:15.

²⁰ Ephesians 4:32.

²¹ Luke 6:38.

²² https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-generosity.html.

²³ Sarah Young, Jesus Listens (Thomas Nelson, 2021).

Life Balance Check, Part 6: Managing Stress

December 5, 2022

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 13:58

Download Audio (12.7MB)

Stress is something we’re all familiar with; it’s natural and unavoidable to have some stress in our lives. The problem arises when there is too much stress, especially when that stressful state continues for months on end. Not only does it sap the joy out of your life and make you feel sad and hopeless, but it also interrupts your sleep, can strain your relationships, distract you from doing your best work, and cloud your times of communion with the Lord.

The following short excerpt pretty much nails the feeling of stress that I have experienced and have often heard others describe some variation of:

You probably have something in common with one of the nation’s leading heart surgeons, one of Microsoft’s top marketing executives, and one of Wall Street’s toughest deal-makers. What’s their shared affliction? It’s what personal-productivity guru David Allen calls … a “gnawing sense of anxiety.” An overloaded in-basket here, hundreds of unanswered emails there—soon enough, life feels as if it’s spinning out of control.¹

I’m not a heart surgeon, Microsoft executive, or Wall Street deal-maker, but that feeling that things are “spinning out of control” is familiar and is disconcerting, to say the least! And that “gnawing sense of anxiety” is terrible! I’m sure I’m not the only one of us who has felt this way. There are many factors that can create stress in our lives—health issues, financial matters, an upcoming interview or event, concerns about your family, etc.

In this post I’ll share some practical points which I know aren’t “new information.” In fact, the subject of stress is something Maria and I have written about many times. I have done a bit more research, which was helpful in bringing to mind details I had forgotten as well as renewing my conviction to be more mindful of stress-inducing habits and stress-relieving practices.

We know that chronic stress can result in serious health problems. The Mayo Clinic posted an article that noted:

Stress symptoms may be affecting your health, even though you might not realize it. You may think illness is to blame for that irritating headache, your frequent insomnia or your decreased productivity at work. But stress may actually be the cause.

Indeed, stress symptoms can affect your body, your thoughts and feelings, and your behavior. Being able to recognize common stress symptoms can help you manage them. Stress that’s left unchecked can contribute to many health problems, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, obesity and diabetes.

Common effects of stress on your body:

Headache
Muscle tension or pain
Chest pain
Fatigue
Change in sex drive
Stomach upset
Sleep problems

Common effects of stress on your mood:

Anxiety
Restlessness
Lack of motivation or focus
Feeling overwhelmed
Irritability or anger
Sadness or depression

Common effects of stress on your behavior:

Overeating or undereating
Angry outbursts
Drug or alcohol misuse
Tobacco use
Social withdrawal
Exercising less often ²

The following excerpt provides a helpful word picture:

Imagine that your health and energy are a bucket of water.

In your day-to-day life, there are things that fill your bucket up. These are inputs like sleep, nutrition, meditation, stretching, laughter, and other forms of recovery.

There are also forces that drain the water from your bucket. These are outputs like … stress from work or school, relationship problems, or other forms of stress and anxiety.

These outputs are cumulative. Even a little leak can result in significant water loss over time. Once you hit empty, your body will force you to rest through injury and illness. You can either make time to rest and rejuvenate now or make time to be sick and injured later. Keep your bucket full.³

We can get used to wearing our stress like a badge of honor, a way to show that we are working hard and being “successful.” But our efforts to avoid stress and live a balanced life provide a more accurate representation of success, and are a better marker of how we’re doing overall. The big question is, how do we move toward a more balanced life when it comes to managing stress?

Every individual has different stressors. It’s important that we each recognize what conditions bring stress for us and not compare our lives with others. Some people are very sensitive to stress; they get stressed more easily than other people. Who knows why. We’re not all created the same, and we can’t all carry the same loads. It’s not weakness to recognize our limits and needs and adjust our lifestyle accordingly.

It’s important to identify what helps you cope with stress so you don’t hold on to it and carry cumulative stress. What relieves stress is different for each person. The article by the Mayo Clinic that I cited earlier suggests the following:

Act to manage stress

If you have stress symptoms, taking steps to manage your stress can have many health benefits. Explore stress management strategies, such as:

Regular physical activity
Relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, tai chi or getting a massage
Keeping a sense of humor
Socializing with family and friends
Setting aside time for hobbies, such as reading a book or listening to music

Aim to find active ways to manage your stress. Inactive ways you may use to manage stress—such as watching television, surfing the Internet or playing video games—may seem relaxing, but they may increase your stress over the long term.

And be sure to get plenty of sleep and eat a healthy, balanced diet. Avoid tobacco use, excess caffeine and alcohol, and the use of illegal substances.⁴

Dr. Mercola wrote:

When you dwell on negative emotions you internalize the stress, which can prevent you from coming up with constructive ways to address them. Stress can improve once you find more active methods of coping.

Small things, if done regularly, can have a cumulative effect and help you be less stressed. You will need to find what your individual relief points are. It’s well worth figuring out through experimentation what helps you to not just let go of the stress that is building up in your body, mind, and spirit, but also to fortify and bolster yourself so that when you are in a stressful situation, which is impossible to avoid entirely, you are better prepared to manage and handle it.

Here is a lighthearted story of one man’s approach:

The carpenter I hired to help me restore an old farmhouse had just finished a rough first day on the job. A flat tire made him lose an hour of work, his electric saw quit working, and now his ancient pickup truck refused to start.

While I drove him home, he sat in stony silence. On arriving, he invited me in to meet the family. As we walked toward the front door, he paused briefly at a small tree, touching the tips of the branches with both hands.

After opening the door, he underwent an amazing transformation. His face was wreathed in smiles, and he hugged his two small children and then gave his wife a kiss.

Afterwards, he walked me to my car. We passed the tree, and my curiosity got the better of me. I asked him about what I had seen him do earlier. “Oh, that’s my worry tree,” he replied. “I know I can’t help having worries on the job, but one thing for sure, worries don’t belong in the house with my wife and children. So I just hang them up on the tree every night when I come home. Then in the morning, I pick them up again.”

Funny thing is,” he smiled, “when I come out in the morning to pick them up, there aren’t nearly as many as I remember hanging up the night before.”—Author unknown

I’ve always enjoyed the writings of the late Zig Ziglar, American author, salesman, and motivational speaker. He wrote:

Approximately 75–90 percent of all doctors’ visits are the direct or indirect result of stress. So what do we do? First, we need to accept the fact that there are some things we can do and some things we cannot do. We cannot be everything to everybody, so priorities must be established. …

Next, make a gratitude list. I agree with Hans Selye, who said, “Gratitude is the healthiest of all human emotions.” When things don’t go your way, you can … remind yourself of the many things you have to be thankful for.

Take the opportunity to serve others. Karl Menninger of Menninger Clinic fame said that when you have a problem, find someone else who has one, and work with him or her to solve their problem. In the process, yours will disappear.

Work at developing a sense of humor. That doesn’t mean you have to learn how to tell jokes, but you will discover that a good laugh relieves tension and pressure, and makes you feel good all over. …

Finally, remember that failure is an event. It is not a person. And yesterday really did end last night—today is a brand-new day. When you have failed to do everything on your to-do list, just remember that you did the best you could. You followed your game plan to the best of your ability, and that’s all anyone can do. Eat early and then relax by talking with someone who is positive and encouraging before you go to bed. Sleep well. Smile. Be grateful.⁵

These are good ideas, and I believe that as we work to implement them, as the Lord leads, our lives will be more peaceful and we’ll learn to minimize the stress in our lives. Of course, our best tool in the de-stress toolbox is to trust the Lord and cast all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.⁶

As we take time to meditate on His Word and reflect on our lives and how He’s come through for us time and time again, we will be able to enter into His peace that passes understanding.⁷ His peace doesn’t have to “make sense” in our present circumstances, because God’s Spirit can help us to rise above the tests, trials, and worries of our everyday lives, and look upward so we can enjoy His presence and the truth of His promises to us, His children.

Whether stress in our lives comes as a result of health issues, financial problems, concerns for our loved ones, our present job (or lack of a job), world conditions, or whatever else might be on our minds, we can be assured that God does all things well, and He will eventually cause even the difficulties we face to work together for our good. We know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.⁸ That is a promise we can stand on!

Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:6–7 NLT

Casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you.—1 Peter 5:7 ESV

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.—Matthew 11:28–30 ESV

Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.—Psalm 55:22 NIV

Originally published January 2020. Adapted and republished December 2022.
Read by Jon Marc.

02 – Cornerstones of Healing

Divine Healing

Peter Amsterdam

2012-03-06

Chapter 2

In the introduction to this series, we covered the differences in belief between Christians who are cessationists (who believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit are no longer active within Christianity) and the continuationists (who believe that all of the gifts of the Spirit are active today, just as they were at the beginning of Christianity).

Even among the continuationists, there are some differences of opinion concerning the use of the gifts of the Spirit. This is evident when it comes to divine healing. We will discuss these differences in later articles.

Despite the differences, however, there are fundamental principles regarding healing which those with healing ministries strongly hold in common, and on which they base their belief in divine healing. Their beliefs in the scriptural precedents and promises of healing are the cornerstones of their ministries. Because they strongly believe that the power of God works through them, as promised in the Bible, they step out with faith in the promises and commands of Jesus, and pray for the sick, often with outstanding results.

The 10 cornerstones which the healing evangelists I read hold in common are:

Jesus healed people and showed God’s power through doing so.
Jesus commanded His disciples to heal and gave them power to do so.
Authority to heal has been given by Jesus to His disciples.
Healing is for evangelism.
It’s God who heals—give Him the glory.
Healing is in the Atonement.
As Christians we are engaged in warfare against Satan.
It takes persistence when one begins praying for the sick.
Not all healings are instant.
More than one method.

Let’s take a look at these cornerstones of healing.

Jesus Healed People and Showed God’s Power Through Doing So

It is clear from the scriptures that a major part of Jesus’ ministry was healing. He had compassion on people because they were “as sheep without a shepherd.” As the Good Shepherd, He loved and cared for them by healing them and setting them free from pain and disease. In doing so, He was showing God’s love and power. Jesus’ healing miracles also gave credence to His ministry. The fact that He healed people proved that the words He spoke came from God. His words were backed up by His actions. When the scribes questioned Jesus’ forgiving of the paralytic man’s sins, it was His healing miracle that testified to His power to forgive sin.

Getting into a boat He crossed over and came to His own city. And behold, some people brought to Him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, “Take heart, My son; your sins are forgiven.” And behold, some of the scribes said to themselves, “This man is blaspheming.” But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why do you think evil in your hearts? For which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or to say, ‘Rise and walk’? But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” And he rose and went home. When the crowds saw it, they were afraid, and they glorified God, who had given such authority to men.^[1]

When John the Baptist sent his followers to ask Jesus if He was the Expected One, Jesus responded by pointing out the healings which were happening and the Gospel that was being preached to the poor as proofs that He was the one sent by God.

Now when John, while imprisoned, heard of the works of Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to Him, “Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Go and report to John what you hear and see: the blind receive sight and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the Gospel preached to them.”^[2]

Jesus’ power to heal showed the people of His day that He had authority from God, and thus that the message He gave and the words He spoke were from God. People recognized that He spoke with authority and that His works were unique, showing that He was from God.

This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.”^[3]

They were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one who had authority, and not as the scribes.^[4]

They were all amazed, so that they questioned among themselves, saying, “What is this? A new teaching with authority! He commands even the unclean spirits, and they obey Him.”^[5]

They were astonished at His teaching, for His word possessed authority.^[6]

Jesus Commanded His Disciples to Heal and Gave Them Power to Do So

Jesus healed the sick and He commissioned and empowered His disciples to do so too. At one point He sent out the 12 to preach the Gospel and heal the sick, and at another time He sent out the 70 to do the same. Just before His ascension into heaven, He commanded the disciples to preach the Gospel, to make disciples, and to heal the sick. It is evident from Scripture that Jesus intended for His disciples to preach the Gospel and to heal the sick.

He called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and He sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal … And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the Gospel and healing everywhere.^[7]

He called to Him His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every affliction.^[8]

Proclaim as you go, saying, “The kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons.^[9]

These signs will accompany those who believe: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up serpents with their hands; and if they drink any deadly poison, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.^[10]

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father. Whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.^[11]

These are promises and commands of Jesus which each of the healing evangelists whose work I’ve studied has written or spoken about as being foundational to their healing ministries. Jesus made it clear that believers will do the works that He did, and even greater works. Healing is one of those works. Believers have the ability to heal through the power of God. Jesus said they did, and He instructed His disciples, including those of today, to heal the sick, to cast out demons, and to preach the Gospel.

Authority to Heal Has Been Given by Jesus to His Disciples

Jesus not only instructed His disciples to heal, He also gave them the authority to do so.

It is in this authority, given to His disciples, that Christians can have the faith to exercise the gifts of healing.

Healing evangelists John and Sonja Decker in their book Doing What Jesus Did write:

Healing gifts are not a single great gift for special individuals. Gifts of healing are available to whoever wants to believe and steps out in faith and begins to pray for the sick. There are no “special” ministers with privileged “inside” information—though some well-publicized evangelists would want you to believe to the contrary. The Scriptures are open for any believer to read and believe what is promised. Jesus promises that every Christian can pray for the sick and believe God for healing.^[12]

Don Dunkerley in Healing Evangelism states:

Please notice that when Jesus spoke of casting out demons and laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover, He was speaking of signs that “will accompany those who believe” (Mark 16:17). These are the privilege of all believers, not just apostles, deeply devoted saints or professional healing evangelists. They belong to the lay people … And if you are a believer, they belong to you! ^[13]

In his Divine Healing Technician course Curry Blake says:

You don’t need anointings, you don’t need impartations, you don’t need to stay in line and get hands laid on you to get what I’ve got or what anyone else has got [the gifts of healing], because if you’ve got the Spirit of God, you’ve got what we’ve got.^[14]

Jesus said that certain signs, including healing, would follow those that believe. According to the Bible, the power to heal the sick is available to Christians. That means it’s available to all of us.

In 1 Corinthians 12 where Paul lists the gifts of the Holy Spirit, he explains that different ones receive different gifts.^[15] He goes on to say:

All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.^[16]

This verse makes it clear that the Spirit of God gives individuals these gifts according to His will. This indicates that not every Christian has every gift. As such, not every Christian has the gifts of healing, just as not every Christian has the gift of wisdom, the ability to distinguish between spirits, etc. At the end of the same chapter Paul says:

But earnestly desire the higher gifts.^[17]

In saying to earnestly desire certain gifts, it can be concluded that one can pray earnestly for a particular gift. Having the gifts of healing, as someone who witnesses, could be beneficial to your witness. If you feel called to use healing in your witness, don’t let anything keep you from asking God for it and stepping out by faith to use it as He leads you.

Throughout this series, the healing evangelists I quote make reference to Christians having the power to heal. They don’t state specifically that they believe that every Christian has the gifts of healing, so I don’t really know their stance on the subject, but from what they say, it can be interpreted that way.

Throughout the articles I also state that healing is available to Christians. By this I mean two things: first, that when a Christian is in need of healing, they can pray for themselves as well as ask others to pray for them. “The prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up.”^[18] Second, that any Christian can pray to receive the gifts of healing, and as such the gifts of healing are available. It is, of course, up to the Lord if He gives you the gifts, and as the healing evangelists brought out in their books, it sometimes might require a fair amount of practice or stepping out by faith before you see it manifested in full in your life.

(Next in this series: Healing Is for Evangelism)

^[1] Matthew 9:1–8 ESV.

^[2] Matthew 11:2–5 NAU.

^[3] John 3:2 ESV.

^[4] Mark 1:22 ESV.

^[5] Mark 1:27 ESV.

^[6] Luke 4:32 ESV.

^[7] Luke 9:1–2, 6 ESV.

^[8] Matthew 10:1 ESV.

^[9] Matthew 10:7–8 ESV.

^[10] Mark 16:17–18 ESV.

^[11] John 14:12–14 ESV.

^[12] DWJD 3.

^[13] HE 32.

^[14] DHT Audio 11.

^[15] Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone. To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.

^[16] 1 Corinthians 12:11.

^[17] 1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV.

^[18] James 5:15 ESV.

05 – Process of Healing

Divine Healing

Peter Amsterdam

2012-03-27

Chapter 5

It Takes Persistence When One Begins Praying for the Sick

Another point that those in the healing ministry wrote about had to do with persistence. They expressed the need to keep praying for the sick even if you don’t see a lot of results at first. From their experience, there is a “learning curve,” or at least a “persistence curve,” when people incorporate healing as part of their ministry. If you feel called to a healing ministry, a key component is to keep taking advantage of opportunities that come up to pray for people, even if you don’t have much success in the beginning.

Curry Blake says:

When you start to push a car, when you first start, there’s a whole lot of effort with very little result. But once you get it rolling, it will gain speed and it actually gets easier, or it feels easier anyway, to actually keep the car moving or even to gain speed once you get it rolling. That’s what it is. See, the enemy does not want you to get those first few battles. He doesn’t want you to get those first few victories, because once you get those first few victories, even if you have defeats after that, you’ll keep going. But if he can keep you from getting the first few victories, then there will always be that little doubt in your mind of, “Is this for me? Is this right? Is this for today?”^[1]

So you may start with absolutely no results, but it is the incorruptible seed of the Word of God. If you do not grow weary in well-doing, you shall reap in due season. So that means, there can be a time when you don’t really see the result. So whenever you start to do this, you have to realize that as you start out in this, it may start small.^[2]

When telling the story of how he started in his healing ministry, John Decker said:

It was there [in a healing meeting in Seattle] I began praying with conviction for the sick. I did not see too much happen, but I continued to minister to the sick like the other men I had been watching the past months.^[3]

Start with something easy. In learning how to heal the sick, we sometimes have to start with something that does not seem to require much faith. Headaches, high fevers, pains in the neck, or sore backs may be easier to tackle than praying for someone dying of terminal cancer. All healing is easy for God. However, for the Christian who has never prayed for the sick, start with something similar to the next passage.

When Jesus entered Peter’s house, He saw his mother-in-law lying sick with a fever. He touched her hand, and the fever left her, and she rose and began to serve Him (Matthew 8:14–15 ESV). ^[4]

Not All Healings Are Instant

Another point of agreement among those who minister healing is that not all healings are instantaneous healings. Sometimes healings happen immediately; sometimes it’s a process, a progressive healing that takes time.

Curry Blake says:

All of Jesus’ healings weren’t instant. Over and over again, it says, “the child began to amend from that hour.” So healing can be a process.

There are some diseases that we see [healed] instantly more than others. There are some that we see progressive more than others. I don’t like progressive, nobody does. I will take it any way I can get it, but as we say in Texas, “If I have my druthers,” I’d rather not have it progressive. I would rather have it instant.

We saw a young boy who had Down Syndrome. He had all the characteristics of Down Syndrome, and over a period of 1½ to 2 years, even the structure of his head changed, to where now you look at him and you can’t tell he ever had Down Syndrome. He went from a 5-year-old mentality up to his rightful age.^[5]

John Decker writes:

I teamed up with Ken and began ministering with him. We would pray for anyone who needed healing. Pains were leaving people as we prayed. Some people never received anything, others did. Headaches would leave, casts from broken bones would come off early, sore backs would become normal, and sinuses would clear up. Some of the healings would take a while. Other healings were instant.^[6]

Dunkerley states:

Nor were all of Jesus’ healings instantaneous: The blind man at Bethsaida was first healed partially, later completely.^[7] The timeframe was short but not instantaneous. The lepers in Luke 17:11–19 were not healed until after they left the presence of Jesus.^[8] The man in John 9:6–7 was blind when he left Jesus’ presence.^[9] He was not healed until after he washed.

What, based on the experience and teaching of Jesus Himself, should we expect and teach with regard to healing evangelism? First, we should not assume that every prayer will lead to instant success, nor should we teach that everyone will be healed instantly who truly believes.^[10]

More Than One Method

One thing I was glad to see among the healing evangelists was that while they all use somewhat different methods and even believe some different things regarding healing, they make a point of not being dogmatic regarding how healing is done, what methods are used. They realize that Christians with fruitful healing ministries use different methods and have good results, which shows that the promises regarding healing in the Bible are the standard, and yet the methods used can be different.

This is important, as some of the healers vary quite a bit from one another in belief and practice. In his videos and audios, Curry Blake often makes a point of saying that you don’t need to do this or that, referring to some of the methods others use, but even he makes the point that the actual methods used aren’t the most important thing and that people shouldn’t get dogmatic about it. He says:

People ask me, “What’s the best method for healing or best method for this or that?” Now, it’s very simple. The method that you believe in is the method that will work for you. There’s no one method that Jesus gave. The closest He gave was in Mark 16 where He said, “Lay hands on the sick and they will recover.” That’s the standard.^[11]

The message [the Bible] is sacred; our methods are not. Our methods change with the generations. That’s why our music changes; that’s a method. The way you do certain things will change, but the message has to be sacred, it has to be kept pure.^[12]

What I’m trying to get you to do first is to understand the principles of it, so that when I teach you the specifics and the methods, you won’t get hung up on the method and you’ll realize that the method I show you is not the end-all method. It’s a method to get you started.^[13]

When we will start to minister I will take you through several different ways to pray for people and you will know what to do. So we will be specific. Now just don’t take that for a formula and think that you have to mimic word for word every time. But essentially it comes down to this: Tell the spirit, the sickness, or the body what you want it to do. That’s it.^[14]

John and Sonja Decker make the point about different methods in this way:

Jesus grants more grace toward us than we do to each other. Just because a minister displays an unusual style in healing the sick, we need not discount him because he is unorthodox. Jesus reminds us to examine the fruit of their presentation. Are people genuinely healed? Do they give God all the credit? Are people being saved? We shall know them by their fruit. Remain on the side of Jesus by following His examples from the written Word.^[15]

Don Dunkerley, who is from a Presbyterian background, wrote about his previous skepticism toward some with evangelical healing ministries, especially flamboyant ones who use certain gifts of the Spirit in their ministries, such as the word of knowledge. He gives three stories in his book about mass evangelism and healing that helped him overcome some of his skepticism. He wrote about a Ugandan preacher who ministered healing and who had more faith in divine intervention and miracles than Dunkerley did. Upon getting to know the man and seeing his sincerity in preaching the Gospel and his love for souls, he realized that there are those with large healing ministries who use rather flamboyant methods who truly are concerned with salvation of souls and not just healing of bodies, or in promoting themselves.

He tells another story about working with Richard Roberts, the son of Oral Roberts, a famous Pentecostal healing evangelist. It was at an interdenominational crusade with many different churches working together. He was one of the few non-Pentecostals on the team and his job was teaching training seminars for pastors. He wrote the following regarding the nightly evangelistic rallies:

[During the rallies] I had no function except to sit on the platform—which gave me an opportunity to observe carefully. I also had the opportunity to observe the team members behind the scenes, including at dinner after the crusade each night in the dining room of our hotel.

One evening a team member from ORU [Oral Roberts University] had a word of knowledge describing a woman who was being healed at that moment. The team member pointed to the section of the crusade grounds where she was seated. He mentioned her age and described the illness from which she was being healed. Almost immediately a woman from where he had pointed came to the platform and said she was the person. Her age, she said, had been given exactly. She indeed had the very illness he had described, but could feel that she had been immediately healed.

A few years before, if I had seen such a thing on TV or even from the audience, I would have been sure the woman was a “plant.” But at dinner that evening after the service there was amazement and rejoicing over the precise accuracy of the word of knowledge. Clearly if the woman was a plant, it was unknown to any of the team members, including Richard himself.

I am sure it was a miracle. Everything I saw and heard during that week seemed genuine.^[16]

Dunkerley watched people get saved and healed by those using methods which he didn’t employ and which he, in times past, considered fake. The method was different but the results were the same, because those preaching and praying for the sick applied God’s Word, were sincere, and were motivated by the love of God to lead others to salvation.

Different people use different methods in healing ministries. Some put emphasis on using different gifts of the Holy Spirit; others on fasting and praying beforehand; some insist on anointing with oil; others don’t do any of these things. Yet there are successful healing ministries using all of these methods and techniques.

The simple fact of the matter is that God heals. He uses Christians who have the faith to pray for others as a conduit of His healing power. The actual methods that are used, the technicalities and details, are secondary to the fact that He wants to show His power, love, and compassion to others through healing them and bringing them to Him. I believe He is looking for those who will take up the challenge to use healing as part of their witnessing ministry.

(Next in this series: Where Healing Evangelists Disagree)

^[1] DHT Audio 8.

^[2] DHT Video 1.

^[3] DWJD 3.

^[4] DWJD 3.

^[5] DHT Video 9.

^[6] DWJD 3.

^[7] And they came to Bethsaida. And some people brought to Him a blind man and begged Him to touch him. And He took the blind man by the hand and led him out of the village, and when He had spit on his eyes and laid His hands on him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?” And he looked up and said, “I see men, but they look like trees, walking.” Then Jesus laid His hands on his eyes again; and he opened his eyes, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. And He sent him to his home, saying, “Do not even enter the village” (Mark 8:22–26 ESV).

^[8] On the way to Jerusalem He was passing along between Samaria and Galilee. And as He entered a village, He was met by ten lepers, who stood at a distance and lifted up their voices, saying, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us.” When He saw them He said to them, “Go and show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went they were cleansed. Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice; and he fell on his face at Jesus’ feet, giving Him thanks. Now he was a Samaritan. Then Jesus answered, “Were not ten cleansed? Where are the nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:11–18 ESV).

^[9] Having said these things, He spat on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, “Go, wash in the pool of Siloam” (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing (John 9:6–7 ESV).

^[10] HE 52, 54.

^[11] DHT Audio 11.

^[12] DHT Audio 11.

^[13] DHT Audio 11.

^[14] DHT Audio 12.

^[15] DWJD 3.

^[16] HE 191.

Loneliness

December 2, 2022

By Billy Graham

Even Jesus felt lonely at times. Hear Billy Graham explain how you can tackle the root cause of loneliness in this 1987 message from Denver, Colorado.

Run time for this video is 27 minutes.

https://youtu.be/sBRylWJeHHE

Christmas Hope

By Maria Fontaine

November 29, 2022

I was contemplating Christmas and everything that it means and all that could be said about it. Over the years, Christians have considered the wonders of the event of Jesus’ birth and how its impact has influenced the world. It’s a beautiful message and I love it.

Jesus brought to mankind a clearer comprehension of the power and greatness of the love of God. He existed before creation and time began. He is the great “I AM,” yet He humbled Himself to take on a form that we could understand, and He manifested His love in a way that all could grasp and receive.

The things that our minds can fully understand seem to be few and far between compared to the wonders that science and faith tell us are all around us. We can only imagine the full reality of the many things that touch our lives every day, because so much of even this physical world is beyond what our senses can detect and comprehend.

We only hear a small range of sounds. We only see a small portion of the spectrum of light, and many other forms of energy are being discovered that, until recently, only a few people theorized about.

With that in mind, let’s consider what we actually know about Christmas and what led up to Jesus’ coming into this world.

We know that Jesus is both the Son of God and God, as expressed in many prophecies throughout the Bible and by Jesus in His own words.

We know that He existed before creation and before time began.

“Now, Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.”—John 17:5

We know that He is the radiance and precise representation of God’s glory and nature.

He is the radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature, and he upholds the universe by the word of his power.—Hebrews 1:3

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.—Colossians 1:15–17

We know that the Spirit of God is love.

Beloved, let us love one another, because love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God’s love was revealed among us: God sent His one and only Son into the world, so that we might live through Him.—1 John 4:7–9

We know that Jesus rules over all creation.

“I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.”—Revelation 22:13

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. … And the Word was made flesh and dwelt among us and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.—John 1:1, 14

Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.—Hebrews 11:3

We know that Jesus chose to take on human form and to live a life within the bonds and restrictions of time and the flesh, and to face all that we as human beings face.

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who was tempted in every way that we are, yet was without sin.—Hebrews 4:15

We know that all that Jesus chose to do for our sakes is a manifestation of the nature and glory of God.

No one has ever seen God. The only Son, who is truly God and is closest to the Father, has shown us what God is like.—John 1:18

God chose, out of love for us, to make the utmost sacrifice in order to rescue us. He allowed His Son Jesus to die for our sins. He did this in spite of our rebellion against Him. His rescue of us was the ultimate act of pure love.

Even as the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.—Matthew 20:28

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”—Luke 4:18–19

Then He rolled up the scroll, returned it to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fixed on Him, and He began by saying, “Today this Scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.”—Luke 4:20–21

But God proves His love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from wrath through Him.—Romans 5:8–9

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.—Hebrews 4:16

Jesus’ coming to earth was the most selfless act we could comprehend. And if that was not amazing enough, He made the ultimate sacrifice and gave up this life for our sakes through a cruel and painful death on the cross, taking the wages of our sin on Himself. Through this ultimate sacrifice of love, God offers us eternal life with Him.

For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.—Romans 3:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.—Romans 6:23

He has saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works, but by His own purpose and by the grace He granted us in Christ Jesus before time began. And now He has revealed this grace through the appearing of our Savior, Christ Jesus, who has abolished death and illuminated the way to life and immortality through the gospel.—2 Timothy 1:9–10

But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.—John 1:12

Christmas might seem to some to simply be the celebration of a little babe who was special, but this birth was a demonstration to the entire universe of the all-encompassing power of God’s love.

Christmas was a singular event that occurred in a small country, in a tiny town, two thousand years ago. But through that one event, the light of the love of God poured into the hearts and understanding of humankind.

If you can begin to imagine the depth of love behind the Christmas story and all that it represents, I pray that you will accept Jesus’ gift of salvation if you have not already done so. You can do this by simply praying and asking Jesus to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart. If you have already accepted Jesus as your Savior, I pray you will find the opportunity to share this wonderful news with others so that they too can share in God’s plan.

You Still Need Good Friends

November 30, 2022

By Marshall Segal

Few realities in human life are as captivating, fulfilling, and elusive as friendship. Most of us have tasted its deep and dynamic potential for good at some point along our journeys, and yet most of us can also testify to having neglected friendship, maybe for years. Maybe for decades. As Drew Hunter observes, “Friendship is, for many of us, one of the most important but least-thought-about aspects of life” (Made for Friendship, 23). How much time do you spend thinking about your friendships?

Many of us give our friendships less attention than they deserve, and we suffer for it. The absence of good friends slowly starves everything else we do. A husband without good friends will be a worse husband. A mother without good friends will be a worse mother. A pastor, a doctor, a teacher, and an engineer will all be less effective at their callings without the support and camaraderie of friends. And this thread weaves quietly through Scripture.

(Continue reading here. An audio version is also available.)

You Still Need Good Friends | Desiring God

Every Detail

November 29, 2022

A compilation

Audio length: 13:10

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“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.”—Psalm 37:23¹

God knows every detail about you—your likes and dislikes, personal characteristics, locations, family, and so much more. He’s an expert on you. He could write a book about you. He could write the book about you.

There are over 7.6 billion people on the earth, and He knows you personally and completely. God even knows how many hairs are on your head: “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”²

How many hairs do humans have on their head? Go look into a mirror and start counting. Impossible, right? Here are some facts:

Blondes have about 150,000 hairs.
Redheads have around 90,000.
If your hair is black or brown, you have about 110,000.

So the average human head has 100,000 hairs. There are approximately 7,660,000,000 people on the planet. That means God knows the current status of 7,660,000,000,000,000 hairs on human heads. (Yes, some people are bald, but this is an average.) That’s 7.66 quadrillion hairs that God knows quite well.

And that’s just the humans. We haven’t even gotten to the animals.

There are approximately 8.7 million species of animals on the earth. All the animals in all those species (the ones that have hair, and the ones that don’t)—God knows them too. But that’s nothing. He determines the number of the stars and calls them each by name.³

There are nine planets in our solar system. Eight if you subtract Pluto. They orbit around the sun. The sun is a star in the Milky Way. The Milky Way has 200 billion more stars that are just like the sun. Planets and moons orbit around each of them too. God has a name for every one of them. In addition to that, there are 100 trillion galaxies in the universe, each with 200 billion stars.

My calculator just exploded, but let’s just say that’s a lot of stars and a lot of names. There are way more stars in the sky than hairs on human heads.

Every hair, every star … God knows them all. So is it possible that He knows your true identity?—Alex and Stephen Kendrick⁴

God knows me completely

“O LORD, you have searched me and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Before a word is on my tongue you know it completely, O LORD. You hem me in—behind and before; you have laid your hand upon me. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.”—Psalm 139:1–6⁵

How well does God know me? He knows every detail of my life, every place I go, everything I do, everything I say—even before I speak it. What a net of safety! I can never be lost from God. And not only does he know me fully, he hems me in to protect me from harm. How marvelous and wonderful is our God.

This knowledge is so reassuring, except for one who might be inclined to behave in secret in ways he/she knows God would not approve. … The saddest part with this kind of thinking is that this person has such a small picture of who God is—the God who created him and knows what would make him/her a complete, whole, and satisfied person.

God does know us completely, even the shady details of our lives, but the best part is he still loves us!!! He died for us before we even tried to live for him. And he protects us. “This knowledge is too wonderful for me, too lofty for me to attain.” (Emphasis mine.)

Lord, you are so good to us, more than we could ever deserve. Help us to be more sensitive in our spirits so that we would never willfully choose to do anything that would displease you or hinder our witness. And when we do fail, help us to quickly confess our sin so our fellowship with you will be fully restored and complete.—Janice Green⁶

God’s thoughts

“How precious to me are your thoughts, God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.”—Psalm 139:17–18⁷

One late afternoon, I was taking a walk along the beach, when I looked up to find one of the most stunningly beautiful scenes taking shape before my eyes. Everything else faded into unimportance alongside this masterpiece developing before my eyes. I felt immersed in its beauty. It was as if the sunset were communicating God’s encouragement and love to me.

Finally, after what must have been fifteen minutes, but had seemed like mere moments, the grand display began to recede. Its glory slipped peacefully into the gentle mists of the evening to paint the world another day. As I stood there in the growing dusk, it struck me that this astoundingly glorious and impossibly complex show of power and beauty was a mere thought, a twinkle in the eye of God. It was only a tiny speck in the immensity of His abilities. If this small and fleeting moment stirred my soul like this and left me speechless with its awesome beauty, how could I possibly imagine or comprehend the Creator of it, who could gloriously splash the sky with such grandeur and wipe it clean in a moment, as if it was just His aura or atmosphere as He passed by.

We get so caught up sometimes in our earthbound realm, fretting and worrying that we are all alone in our troubles and have to try to solve them on our own. But at moments like this, the resounding reality that we are deeply loved by one who can explode the sky into such beauty with nothing more than a thought reminds me of just whom it is that I’m trusting in. What God said to me through that glorious heavenly art was, “I can sustain anything. I can solve any problem. I am beauty. I am power. I am love. And I do this for you.”

Times like this help me to remember that this same all-powerful One who creates such momentary grandeur for His creations is closely attuned to our tiniest needs and desires, guiding and caring for us in ways big and small. How could we ever worry that He might forget us, or that He might not be in absolute, perfect control of every detail of our lives?—Maria Fontaine

The spark of life

“You created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made, your works are wonderful. … My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place, when I was woven together in the depths of the earth. Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.”—Psalm 139:13–16⁸

There is a miracle beyond our comprehension that takes place daily. A sperm joins with an egg to form a single cell, smaller than a grain of salt. This one cell contains the complex genetic blueprint for every detail of human development, including the child’s gender, hair and eye color, height, skin tone, and much more.

Within four days, the fertilized egg has traveled into the womb. At three weeks, the foundations of the brain, spinal cord, and nervous system are established, and the heart begins to beat. At one month, arms, legs, eyes, and ears have begun to show. The heart is pumping blood through the circulatory system. By six weeks, the rapidly developing brain begins to control movement of muscles and organs.

At week nine, the developing life is now called a “fetus”—Latin for “young one.” At three months, the baby is perfectly formed. He has fingernails and toenails, and he can raise his eyebrows, wrinkle his forehead, and turn his head. At 16 weeks, the baby is a little over one-third the size he will be at birth. At five months, the baby’s hair, eyelashes, and nails are growing.

The rest of the time in the womb will be spent in preparation for birth, which is usually at 40 weeks, although nowadays babies born at even as little as 22 weeks have a chance of survival. Finally comes the grand exit from the security of the womb into the world. All of the possibilities, pleasures, and pains that life brings have begun for yet another human being.

How can a single cell grow into a fully formed baby in nine months? The process can be observed, but I can no more comprehend the spark that drives that process than I can comprehend the miraculous resurrection of Jesus.

But we don’t have to understand. We can simply rejoice in the wonderful gift of life that the Creator has bestowed upon us—life here in this world, and eternal life in the world beyond!—Marge Banks

Published on Anchor November 2022. Read by Jon Marc.
Music by John Listen.

¹ NLT.

² Matthew 10:29–31 NIV.

³ Psalm 147:4 NIV.

⁴ https://www.lifeway.com/en/articles/god-knows-every-hair-on-your-head-revealed-overcomer.

⁵ NIV.

⁶ https://hiswhisperings.wordpress.com/2008/02/16/psalm-1391-6-god-knows-me-completely.

⁷ NIV.

⁸ NIV.

Seeking and Saving the Lost

November 28, 2022

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:28

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Are you willing to reach out to those who are buffeted in the storms of confusion—those who are caught in the snares and brambles, who find no joy, power, or happiness in day-to-day life? Will you be a vessel of My truth and love to those lost in the world? How I love them and long to wipe away their tears and their heartaches and melt away their confusion!

Will you heed My call to seek and save the lost? Can My Spirit work in and through you to love those who are weary, who are burdened and heavy laden, and to bring them to Me? I need your mouth to speak a word fitly spoken, I need your smile that sheds a little bit of sunshine through the dark, stormy clouds on a rainy day. I need your feet to walk a mile in their shoes.

There are so many people who seem to have no life, whose candle is about to flicker out. I see them and I ask you to reach out to them with My words of truth and salvation, and My unconditional love.

How far will My love go? To the cross and beyond, to the ends of the earth, to the depths of the sea. My love will walk out of its way to love and win one lost soul tossed in a sea of confusion. My love is the rescue boat; My love is the lifesaver. I am the only way to truth, life, and eternal salvation.

The wise gardener

Where there is life, there is hope, and regarding those who have not made their decision, whose eternal destiny is hanging in the balances, continue to reach out to them with My truth and love.

Have faith, and trust that as you bring them to Me in prayer, I am working in their hearts. Be as the wise gardener who labors with patience and love, knowing that it takes time to bring forth the fruit of new life. He knows that although the tiny plant may have been buffeted in the storm, though it would seem to have withered and died, there is still life in the roots.

The wise gardener waters, nurtures, and tends the ground around the plant, even through the times when it does not seem to be doing well. He patiently plods along day after day, watering, nurturing and praying over the little plant, until finally the day comes. At the first signs of new shoots and new buds, the gardener rejoices, for the plant has come to life.

Where there is life, there is hope. Love with My unconditional love; bring them to Me in prayer. When you have tilled the ground, watered the plant, and given it a sufficient amount of care, you have only to pray and wait. Pray desperately that life will spring forth. Pray to the Lord of the harvest, that I may bring forth fruit in their lives.¹ Pray for My Spirit to work in their hearts to produce the miracle of new life.

My commission

This is the commission that I give you: that you go forth and give My love. Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap.² For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you again.

My love is all-encompassing. My love is found in a bright smile, a kind deed, a silent prayer. My love is faith to believe that as you continue to give, I will work in people’s hearts. My love keeps on loving, even if you cannot see immediate results.

My love can cover the multitude of shortcomings and break through the barriers. So cover others with the warm sunshine of My unconditional love, and trust Me to bring about the miracle of new life in them.

Trust that My love for you is perfect. You are human, so your love cannot be perfect. You do not have the same constant, everlasting, enduring and unfailing love—not for those around you, nor for Me. But My Spirit works in you to help you to grow in love.

My strength for the task

I understand the temptation and the burden you face at those times when you feel that you cannot stop, that you must not stop, there’s too much to do! I know and I see the needs and the press of the people that weigh heavily on your heart. I understand the feeling of overwhelm that engulfs you. I see the ponderings of your mind and heart as you wonder how you can ever do enough to meet the needs at hand.

I understand, for I was faced with the same when I walked on the Earth. I felt the burden and the press of the people, and the size of a job that seemed impossible. I know the temptation to take things into your own hands. The need that surrounded Me was so great and the burdens were so heavy. I had to step back into that quiet communion with My Father to get the job done.

This is the secret, and herein lies the victory, for you cannot meet the need. In your own strength, it cannot be done. But if you will stop and take time with Me, you will receive the answers and the strength that are needed to lift the heavy loads and lighten the burdens.

Let Me use you to love others

Let Me use your eyes to see the needs of others. Let Me use your ears to hear the heartcries of the lost. Let Me use your tongue to share My words of love and encouragement to one who is downcast. Let Me break your heart for the multitudes of people who have not yet heard of My love. Let Me use your hands to dry the tears of those who cry, to give a pat on the back to those who are discouraged, to be a helping hand to someone who is falling by the way.

Let My Word fill you to overflowing, so that you exude its warmth, its cheerfulness, its love, and its positiveness. As you let it fill your heart and mind and spirit, it will provide an aura of love around you that others will want to partake of.

Give and it shall be given to you. I will pour My love upon you as you go forth to preach My gospel, My Word, My love.

The eternal chain of love

I came to earth because I love you. I gave up the splendor of heaven to come and make salvation and eternal life available to you.

My gift of salvation is for anyone who will receive it, and I long for everyone to come to know Me and My love. That message always has and always will be passed on through the words and deeds of My friends and followers.

Throughout the ages, multitudes of My followers have given of themselves to continue this chain of love. Some have given little, some have given much, and some have given all, but all were a part. All were needed, and My great worldwide chain of love would not have been complete without each one playing a part.

I want My chain of love to grow longer and encompass the whole earth! I want everyone to have a chance to be part of it. I want My love to touch every life. Will you do your part? Will you share My love with others?

Published on Anchor November 2022. Read by Simon Peterson.
Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Luke 10:2.

² Luke 6:38.

A Child of God

David Brandt Berg

2021-08-19

If you believe in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, you are one of God’s children, one of His saved and wonderful family of believers in His Son. You are a son or daughter of God, and your eternal home is heaven.¹

Although you may not look like a child, you had to become as a child in order to enter into the kingdom of heaven. For Jesus said, “You must be born again” to enter into His kingdom. That of course means to be born of His Spirit, to become a new creature in Christ Jesus, with old things passed away and all things become new—a wonderful new person with your sins forgiven and living an entirely new life for Jesus.²

Your spirit and personality were fashioned by the very hand of God Himself, and then given a special mission to show others His love and tell them the good news of the gospel of His wonderful salvation and how to receive Him as their Savior and therefore be bound for heaven to dwell in His presence forever.³

The eternal kingdom of God will cover the whole earth when Jesus comes again. He will make the world over again into an entirely new earth, with His new heaven resting upon it and accessible to those who love Him. In fact, He said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions. If it were not so, I would have told you.” And He said, “Now I go to prepare a place for you, that there you may be with Me also.”⁴

God wants His children to live according to His truth and love in every way and share with others how much God loves them, how much He has done for them, how Jesus, His Son, died for every one of us so that God could forgive our sins—your sins, my sins—for that’s the only way we can be saved. Not through our own righteousness and piety, but through simple faith in Jesus Christ, God’s Son, and in His blood shed on the cross of Calvary for the sins of all mankind.⁵

Anyone can receive His gift of love and free salvation by simply believing and receiving Jesus into their heart personally and telling others of His love, confessing Him before others. We are God’s children, and you are too, if you are a child of God and His love. For He is love.⁶

We believe in His holy book, the Bible, written by His prophets and disciples. Every word of it. We believe that it is all absolutely true. It was inspired by His Holy Spirit, to tell you about God’s love and His wonderful salvation from sin and His coming kingdom of heavenly peace on earth.⁷

Jesus called to the fishermen of His day, “Come. Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men! From henceforth you will catch men!”⁸ The souls of men are far more valuable than any fish those disciples could have ever caught. They began following Jesus about and witnessing His love and winning souls for Christ. Until finally He went away to heaven to prepare a place for them and for us, called the New Jerusalem. He’s going to take us there when He comes back again.⁹

God’s children are part of His big family. We belong to many different denominations and groups, but we are all the children of God, born again, saved believers in God’s Son, Jesus Christ, and His death on the cross for our sins.¹⁰

But “strait is the gate”—that means very narrow—“and narrow is the way that leadeth unto life eternal, and few there be that find it,” because Jesus is that door, He is that way, He is the truth and the life. As He told His disciples: “I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”¹¹ Jesus is the only way to God and the only way to heaven.

Jesus tried to help the poor people and heal and feed them and save them and love them. He reached out even to the drunks and the harlots and the publicans and sinners, whom He said would enter in before the hypocritical religious leaders of their day. So they killed Him, their own Messiah—or He would have been if they had received Him.

Jesus said, “My kingdom is not of this world. For if it were of this world, then would My servants fight.” To His disciples, He said: “If you were of this world, the world would love his own, but because you are not of this world, therefore the world hates you.”¹² The kingdom of God is not like the kingdoms of this world, but the kingdom of God is within you, now.

The Bible says that Jesus is going to return to the earth. He’s going to appear in the clouds with bright light like lightning shining over all the earth, from the east to the west. He’s going to send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, the voice of God, and a great shout to call His own beloved children who are still alive to meet Him in the air.¹³ He promised it in His Word, and the Bible says, “So shall we ever be with the Lord. Comfort one another with these words.”¹⁴

Then will the curses of sin be removed, and we will live again as Adam and Eve did in the Garden of Eden, in love and fellowship with God. That will be heaven on earth again, paradise regained.¹⁵

Have you not yet come to know God or His Son Jesus Christ? Perhaps you have been looking for answers to the problems of your life, the questions of why you’re here and where you’re going, and what for. Maybe you’re wondering about death and the hereafter.

God has the answer for all of these questions and problems and burdens of life. All you need to do is receive His Son, Jesus Christ, into your heart, and He will destine you to live in His love with Him forever on that beautiful new earth and in that heavenly new city.¹⁶

Your salvation is already paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ that was shed for your sins on the cross of Calvary, and all you have to do is believe it and receive Him and repent of your sins and confess Him before others.¹⁷

It’s so wonderful to know Jesus personally, the Son of God, and His precious Holy Spirit! Once you have received Him and learned how much He loved you to save you by dying on the cross for your sins, you can spend the rest of your life telling others about Jesus and His love.

Originally published October 1985. Adapted and republished August 2021.
Read by Simon Peterson.

¹ John 1:12; Galatians 3:26; 1 John 3:1–2.

² Matthew 18:2,3; John 3:3–8; 1 Peter 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:17; John 3:16.

³ John 17:3.

⁴ John 14:2–3.

⁵ Romans 3:23, 6:23; Titus 3:5.

⁶ Romans 10:9–10; Matthew 10:32; 1 John 4:7–8.

⁷ 2 Timothy 3:16.

⁸ Matthew 4:19–20; Luke 5:10.

⁹ John 14:2–3.

¹⁰ Galatians 3:27–28; Revelation 7:9.

¹¹ Matthew 7:13–14; John 14:6.

¹² John 18:36, 15:19.

¹³ Matthew 24:29–31.

¹⁴ Matthew 24:29–31; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–18.

¹⁵ Revelation 20:1–4.

¹⁶ Jeremiah 33:3.

¹⁷ Hebrews 10:10; 1 Peter 2:24.