Finding Hope in Jesus Christ

September 19, 2025

By Joni Eareckson Tada

In this powerful and inspiring message, Joni Eareckson Tada, a quadriplegic for over 57 years, shares how suffering well is possible because of our hope in Jesus Christ. Our suffering becomes one of the most compelling witnesses for Jesus Christ in a world desperate for purpose and meaning. Whether you’re walking through trials, facing physical pain, or trying to be a light in a culture that’s lost its way, this video will stir your faith and renew your purpose.

Joni shares why Christians who endure pain with joy are like the burning bush in Exodus—suffering but not consumed, radiating God’s glory. If you’re looking for biblical encouragement in suffering, this message is for you.

Run time for this video is 20 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zx6Vy0zldM0

The Effects of Christianity: The Value of Human Life

September 18, 2025

By Peter Amsterdam

Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection has had an incalculable effect on humanity in the two thousand years since He conquered death by rising from the grave to bring salvation to the world. When Jesus laid down His life so that those who believe in Him can enter into an eternal relationship with God, He changed the lives and eternal destinies of billions of people. Through the lives of those who believed in and followed Him, He brought great change to the whole world, and Christianity has made the world a better place in many ways.¹

Jesus was born at a time in history when the Roman Empire ruled much of the known world. Thus, the moral standards of Rome permeated much of society. The Romans held a low view of human life. A person was regarded as having value only if he contributed to the political fabric of society. This is seen in several ways in the Roman world, such as the practices of infanticide, gladiatorial games, and suicide.

The early Christians, on the other hand, held a view that human life is sacred, as they believed what Scripture teaches about the value of life and that human beings are created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). The book of Psalms says, “You have made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honor” (Psalm 8:5).

They understood that God honored human life by sending His Son to become a human being: “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” (John 1:14).

Because God values human life, the early Christians understood that life was to be honored and protected. This truth stood in opposition to the culture and practices of their day, and history shows how Christians brought about change in the practices that follow.

Infanticide and child abandonment: The killing of newborn children soon after birth was common in the Greco-Roman world. Infants were killed for a variety of reasons, such as due to being born deformed or frail, unwanted, or because the parents felt they couldn’t afford to care for the child. Often the means of killing an unwanted child was through exposure, the abandoning of newborn children on the side of the road or on dung heaps or in garbage dumps.

To Christians, infanticide was murder, and early Christian writings condemned it. The Didache (written between 85 and 110 AD) stated, “Thou shalt not … commit infanticide.” Christians throughout the first four centuries AD did not have the political power to put a stop to the infanticide commonly practiced in Roman times, and were themselves suffering persecution and martyrdom. However, during that period Christians often took abandoned babies into their own homes or placed them with other believers, who cared for them and often adopted them.

In 374 AD, the Emperor Valentinian formally outlawed infanticide due to the influence of a Christian bishop. While infanticide was never fully eradicated in the Roman Empire, Christians continued to condemn it. After the fall of Rome, when separate countries developed in Europe over the centuries, infanticide was no longer a common or legal practice.

Gladiatorial games: Another example of the low view of human life in ancient times is the gladiatorial games in which gladiators fought, often to death, as a form of entertainment. These popular events were held in arenas throughout the empire from 105 BC to 404 AD, the largest of which was the Roman Colosseum. It is estimated that 500,000 people were killed in the Colosseum alone. The Emperor Trajan (98–117 AD) held gladiatorial games which lasted four months, during which ten thousand gladiators fought, resulting in thousands of them being killed—all for entertainment. (Eventually, persecuted Christian martyrs were killed for their faith in the Colosseum.)

Christians of the time were appalled by the heinous disregard for human life. Church leaders condemned these games because they shed human blood, and they admonished Christians not to attend. As Christianity grew, it was eventually recognized as an official religion, when the Emperor Constantine I issued the Edict of Milan in 313 AD. Christian emperors such as Theodosius the Great and Honorius eventually banned gladiatorial games throughout the Roman Empire.

Human sacrifice: Throughout Old Testament times, we read of societies which practiced human sacrifice. Child sacrifice was common among the followers of Baal in Canaan. While human sacrifice was outlawed throughout the Roman Empire by Jesus’ time, Christians encountered it centuries later in pagan lands. For example, before the gospel was brought to them by St. Patrick, the Irish people sacrificed prisoners of war to war gods and newborns to the harvest gods.² Human sacrifice was common among pagan Prussians and Lithuanians until the thirteenth century. This came to an end because of Christian influence.

Suicide: In Roman times, the taking of one’s life was often considered an act of self-glory, and suicide was widely practiced. Many well-known Roman philosophers and writers, as well as some Roman emperors, committed suicide. It was also used as a punishment, as emperors sometimes ordered people they were displeased with to “open your veins.” While there was no prohibition on Roman citizens taking their lives, it wasn’t allowed for slaves, as they were considered property; nor for soldiers, unless they were surrounded by adversaries on the battlefield.

Christians preached that since God is the giver and creator of life, it is His prerogative only to end a person’s life. Christian leaders in the third and fourth centuries, such as Clement of Alexandria, Gregory of Nazianzus, and Eusebius, opposed suicide. Church councils from the fourth through the fourteenth centuries also opposed it. Thomas Aquinas wrote that taking one’s life was morally wrong because it was a sin against nature: “Everyone naturally loves himself; suicide also injured the community of which man is an integral part; it was a sin against God’s gift of life.^”3

In the Roman world of Jesus’ day, the value placed on human life was very low. The killing or abandoning of newborn children didn’t to our knowledge evoke moral outrage. Taking one’s own life was not generally understood to be morally wrong. Watching gladiators killing one another for the purpose of entertainment was considered normal. (Of course, today there are many movies and television shows which egregiously portray violence, death, and murder; a difference is that while they may not be spiritually healthy to view, the death portrayed in them is acting, and not actual death.)

Life was cheap in ancient times. However, as Christianity started to spread throughout the Roman Empire, the value placed on life began to increase. The message that human life was sacred and the understanding that taking the life of an innocent human being was morally wrong took root. The impact of the Christian message over the centuries brought about a moral understanding regarding human life which has spread throughout the world, and has helped to change the world.

Originally published April 2019. Adapted and republished September 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Go Time

September 17, 2025

By Marie Story

Something has always intrigued me about the story of Jesus’ first miracle. The second chapter of John tells the story of Jesus attending a wedding in Galilee, along with His mother and disciples. Suddenly Jesus’ mom tells Him that the wine has run out. That is a bit odd. Jesus was a guest. It wasn’t His job to make sure there was enough wine.

It seems His mom was expecting a supernatural solution to the beverage problem, or she wouldn’t have brought it to Jesus. But Jesus answered, “Why do you involve Me? My time has not yet come” (John 2:4).

It almost seems like part of the story is missing, because next Jesus is telling the servants to fill stone jars with water. He then turns that water into wine, and the master of the banquet comments on how unusual it is that the best wine is being served last.

I could never figure out why Jesus said one thing and then did the opposite a moment later. What made Him hesitate initially? Was it His human nature that made Him feel that it wasn’t the best time for His first miracle? Did He feel that He wasn’t ready yet? Did He feel that there wasn’t enough to work with? The Bible doesn’t give any detail about why Jesus hesitated, it just says He protested that it wasn’t time.

I wonder if God the Father just stepped in and said, “Hey, it’s go time!” so Jesus acted, even if He might not have felt ready. Maybe He didn’t feel comfortable doing His first public miracle, but God put Jesus in a situation where He had to act, so He used what He had.

I often talk about doing things “with all your might,” and striving for excellence. I believe that’s a key to success in life. If you can look to improve your skills and talents, and if you can put your whole heart into what you do, you’ll really go places.

Something that has often held me back, though, is the feeling that I’m just not ready. I don’t feel ready to take on some responsibility because I don’t know enough. I don’t feel I have sufficient resources to do the job. Or I feel that perhaps more will be demanded of me than I am capable of.

Yet I’m realizing that there are times when God gives you an opportunity, and there isn’t time to wait for you to be fully prepared or for circumstances to be perfect. In fact, waiting for a perfect set of skills and circumstances may mean that you’ll never act at all. I think that expecting perfection often holds us back. I think sometimes it tends to hinder what we’re trying to do.

I have listened to a few musicians who were technically perfect. They had studied music theory. They knew all the ins and outs of their instruments, and their rhythm was perfect. But I didn’t find much enjoyment in listening to their music. In all their striving for perfection, it seems they had lost the passion. In short, there was no spirit in their performance.

I have read books and articles that are grammatically perfect. Every sentence has been analyzed so that there is no room for misunderstanding. Every concept presented perfectly from every possible angle. But you know, I often put those books down halfway through. Instead of it being challenging and intriguing, and instead of seeing a glimpse into the author’s soul, all I found were dry words.

I have listened to speakers who seem to be reading from a script. Their intonation is perfect, their appearance impeccable, their gestures and expressions right out of a public speaking textbook. But it seemed like an act because they were focusing so much of their attention on technical perfection. So their message was lost on me. I only saw a performance.

But I have heard imperfect music that has lifted my soul. I have read unpolished writing that fired my imagination and challenged my intellect. I have listened to speakers who were not eloquent, who used some poor grammar, but who reached my heart and motivated me to do more with my life.

At some point we need to quit looking for perfection. Quit waiting for every plan to be flawless, for everyone to agree with us. At some point we need to just obey the Lord and move forward, and trust that God will work through us.

When Peter and John met the lame man at the temple gates, I doubt they were thinking “Hey, time to whip out our awesomely perfected miracle-working skills!” They didn’t sit down and write a speech, plan out a perfect strategy, or double-check their Miracles 101 textbook. God had led them to an opportunity, and they just trusted that He would work through them (Acts 3:1–8).

A wise man once said that musical perfection is mathematical, but musical inspiration is divine. Has God given you an idea or a dream or placed a burden on your heart? Has He put some inspiration in your heart? Are you acting on it? Or are you waiting for the perfect education, the perfect time, and the perfect opportunity before you get started? Stop and think about what’s hindering you.

I’m not saying that you shouldn’t keep improving your skills and talents. By all means, improve what you can, learn what you can, make solid plans, and listen to wise counsel, but don’t let imperfection hold you back.

If God has given you a dream, if He has put a spark of inspiration in your heart, then do something about it. If God is nudging you and telling you, “It’s go time!” then by all means, GO! As you take the little, imperfect steps to obey God’s leading, He will go to work for you and fill in for your lacks.

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

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Staying Free from Addiction

September 16, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 13:00

Download Audio (11.9MB)

I’ve been thinking a lot about addiction lately. I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s been triggered by some of the stories that I’ve recently heard about various addictions, or the TV shows I’ve seen, or even by some habits I’ve formed in my own life that have caused me to question whether I’m in control and steering my life in the direction that I know it should go in.

For example, I realized that I was addicted to sweets. If I was bored, I would look for something “fun” to eat. Celebrating something? Well, let’s have a treat. Tired? I guess I just need a sweet pick-me-up … and on and on the reasons went. Eventually, sooner rather than later, it showed in my weight, my energy level, my complexion. And I was not happy with what I saw. The way I looked and felt was negatively affecting my self-confidence and ability to enjoy life. You will be happy to know that I have since done something about it. I cut sugar out of my life for a while, and I have broken the addiction.

There are hundreds of addictions out there. Some are dangerous and life-threatening, some are life-altering or life-stealing in that they steal your time away from the life that you could be living. One thing that all addictions have in common is that they steal your freedom.

If someone came up to you with a ball and chain and said, “Hey, let me put this ball and chain on your leg. Yes, you will have to pay me every day to wear this ball and chain. It will hurt you sometimes, but other times you will feel on top of the world! Would you let me put this on you?” You’d probably tell the person to get lost (or at least you should!).

Addictions come across as innocent things. Often it’s just something cool to try, and something you feel you can stop at any time. But before you know it, the ball and chain is fastened to your leg, and it’s so much harder to free yourself than you ever imagined it would be when you took your first drink, or smoked your first smoke, or played your first all-nighter video game marathon.

Have you ever heard the saying “Bad habits are like a comfortable bed; easy to get into, but hard to get out of”? Everyone from the tobacco and alcohol companies, movies and media, to the devil himself, would be pretty happy to have you addicted to what they’re offering, because once you’re addicted, you are a slave to their product.

Following is a short list of things you can know and do to protect yourself from the sneaky tentacles of addictions.

1. Understand the facts. If you inform yourself about the effects of drugs and alcohol, you will be much more convinced as to why you should stay away from them. For some people, it’s easy enough to take the word of their parents and teachers; others might actually want to research this for themselves. Find out what alcohol and drugs can do to your body, your relationships, and ultimately your life.

Or maybe, like me, you have to research what excessive sugar can do to your body, or how video games affect you, or how excessive texting can affect your real-life friendships, or how excessive shopping can affect your finances. Generally speaking, these forms of addictions are not life-threatening or illegal, but they can still steal your time and resources.

2. Understand yourself.Think about what you want for your life. People with goals and a plan are less likely to get tangled up with addictions. They put their time and resources toward achieving their goals. Practice saying no to things you don’t want to do. I know that sounds funny, but research is showing that people sometimes say yes to stuff simply because they do not know how to say no.

Don’t leave yourself vulnerable.

3. Know where the danger lurks. This is all about staying away from compromising situations once you have already identified an addiction. If you know of a party where there’s going to be drinking, find something else to do that night. If you know that a certain crowd hangs out together and gets stoned, stay away from that crowd. Don’t dance with danger. It’s just not worth it!

The Bible says, “For you were bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s” (1 Corinthians 6:20). God made an investment in you. He bought you with the life of His Son, and His intentions for you are so much more than a life strung out on an addiction. God wants you to be able to live a life that glorifies Him. He wants you to be able to use your hands and heart to serve others.

So, think about it today and make the choice in your heart to keep your life free from addictions. Make friends who have the same plans, and talk about how you will support each other in keeping addictions out of your lives by not getting involved with drugs, alcohol, or other harmful activities and substances. Talk about how you will help each other reach your goals and stay focused.

God has a special plan for your life. He wants your life to reflect the glory and radiance of Christ as His new creation.—Maria Hodler

*

The word addiction has two basic meanings. The first definition, and the one most of us are familiar with, is “to cause to become physiologically or psychologically dependent on a habit-forming substance.” Those who are addicted or “given to much wine” (Titus 1:7; 2:3), “drunkards” (1 Timothy 3:3) or “heavy drinkers” (1 Timothy 3:8) are disqualified from teaching or holding a position of authority in the church. … Believers must not be dependent upon alcohol, and it stands to reason that this would also apply to addiction to any other substance: i.e., drugs, pornography, gambling, gluttony, tobacco, etc.

The second definition of addiction is “to occupy (oneself) with or involve (oneself) in something habitually or compulsively.” This speaks of an unnatural (for the Christian, at least) obsession with anything other than God: sports, work, shopping and/or acquiring “stuff,” even family or children. We are to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5), which is, according to Jesus, the first and greatest commandment (Matthew 22:37–38). … God is the only thing we can (and should) occupy ourselves with habitually. To do so with anything else draws us away from Him and displeases Him. He alone is worthy of our complete attention, love, and service.—GotQuestions.com¹

*

To be enslaved to a substance, lifestyle, or way of thinking is a dreadful torment. We not only find ourselves controlled and enslaved, we bring others whom we love into that slavery, too. When that happens, and we see the pain our addictions cause, a cry begins to emerge from our hearts, “Oh God, deliver me!” This heartfelt prayer is the beginning of our liberation. Only when we yield our bound-up hearts to our kind and gracious Savior will freedom start to come to us and to our co-dependent loved ones.

If you are oppressed and feel enslaved, ask Jesus to help you. Jesus is your Strong Deliverer, your Chain Breaker! Let Him be your Lord, not just your Friend. When you renounce your addiction and let Jesus rule over your life, He promises that He will rescue, shield, and protect you from the deadly hazards of the enemy.—God’s Word for Every Need

*

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.—1 Corinthians 10:13

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.—1 Peter 5:8

For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride in possessions—is not from the Father but is from the world.—1 John 2:16

“All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.—1 Corinthians 6:12

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.—James 4:7

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”—1 Corinthians 15:33

Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.—1 Peter 2:11

Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise.—Proverbs 20:1

So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.—John 8:36

And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.—Matthew 6:13

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.—Galatians 5:16

For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.—Galatians 5:1

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.—2 Corinthians 5:17

Published on Anchor September 2025. Read by John Laurence.

¹ “How should a Christian view addiction?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/addiction-Christian.html

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Set Apart

September 15, 2025

Words from Jesus

 Audio length: 11:40

Download Audio (10.6MB)

You have taken off your old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.—Colossians 3:9–10

You have been called, chosen, and appointed to a life beyond the ordinary. It takes courage to decide that you’re not going to be conformed to the ways of this world—even when they seem appealing or comfortable—if they don’t fit with the life I have called you to. You have been called to be transformed, which means not being blown about by the winds of the teachings and trends of this world (Ephesians 4:14).

Many people aspire to rise above the norm and make their lives count and make a difference in meaningful ways. But for those whom I have called, that may not mean receiving recognition, praise, or the applause of the world around you. For I have called you to a better way.

Many helpless souls are trapped and being swept along by the current of the ways of this world, and I have sent you into the world to reach the lost. Although you are in the world, you are not of it—even as I was not (John 17:14–16). As you go forth in My name, I will keep you from the miry mess around you and place you on higher ground.

Setting goals

Now finish the work, so that your eager willingness to do it may be matched by your completion of it, according to your means.—2 Corinthians 8:11

Life is full of decisions, lessons, experiences, challenges, and ups-and-downs, which is why it is often called a journey or an adventure. Setting goals for yourself is an important part of striving for growth. But remember that your spiritual growth and transformation is a process, so don’t get discouraged or set your goals so high that they seem unattainable.

The best way to set long-term goals is to break them down into small, attainable goals. It takes many learning experiences, and trials and tests throughout life to learn and grow. So don’t get discouraged that it takes time, but count it all joy, knowing that in the process you gain endurance, perseverance, and wisdom (James 1:2–4).

When it feels like a struggle, remind yourself that in times of testing and challenges, your learning and growth are often accelerated. So keep persevering and moving forward one step at a time and keep your eyes on the goal. If you feel your determination lagging, come to Me and I will give you rest and strength for the next leg of your journey, until that glorious day when you will be with Me forever (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

Flee temptations

If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be … set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace.—2 Timothy 2:21–22

One of the best ways to resist temptations is to simply avoid them by minimizing ungodly influences in your life. Of course, you can’t put blinders on and shut out the world and everything that is going on in the culture around you. Nor do I call you to do so, because I have sent you into the world to reach the lost, and so many people are in need of Me and the truth.

But if you’re finding it hard to say no to some of the world’s ungodly diversions and distractions, the advice in Proverbs 4 will be just as applicable for you today as it was when it was first given: “Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil” (Proverbs 4:25–27).

Don’t allow yourself to get pulled off course—avoid temptation and flee from it. “Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way” (Proverbs 4:14–15).

If you want to stand strong against the Enemy’s temptations, ask Me to help you, and I will—every time. I’ll light your way and help you to keep your eyes on the goal and not get sidetracked. Remember that the path of the righteous is like the morning sun that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day (Proverbs 4:18).

Chosen by Me

Therefore, my brothers and sisters, make every effort to confirm your calling and election. For if you do these things, you will never stumble.—2 Peter 1:10

You may feel that you’re unworthy or you don’t measure up, or that what you do is not significant in comparison to some of the people of faith of the past, such as the apostles Peter and Paul. Always remember that I have called and chosen you, not to be a sinless saint, but to be My ambassador of love and hope to the people I bring into your life.

When I was on Earth, I poured out My heart everywhere I went, through My deeds and words of love and truth. The ones who benefited from the miracles I performed and those who had the blessing of hearing and understanding My words weren’t perfect by any means. Even Paul wrote that he had not yet attained, nor was he perfect, but he continued to faithfully press onward (Philippians 3:12–13). My love compelled him to walk in love and to care for people.

Whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do or say, do it all for My glory and to further My kingdom (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let all your things be done from a place of love for Me and love for your neighbor—those around you (1 Corinthians 16:14). Trust that My love never fails and I will work in and through you to fulfill Your purpose and calling.

The Lost Will Be Found

Have dearest friends passed away,
A friend, a sister, or an older brother,
A father, child, or mother?
You felt the loss and struggled within.
“Will nothing in this life ever be found
That will stay the same, and hold its ground?”

Only I, dear one, will always last,
Even the heavens and earth will someday pass.
But everyone who is Mine, I preserve forever,
In My eternal kingdom of lasting peace and treasure.

Not a sparrow falls that I do not see,
Each hair on your head is known by Me.
I’m more than able to keep you in your calling.
As you continue to seek and save the lost,
And bring others to Me at any cost.
And in due course, when time ceases to be,
Those you have lost will be found safe with Me.

Chosen before the world was formed

Even before he made the world, God loved us and chose us in Christ to be holy and without fault in his eyes. God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. …So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son.—Ephesians 1:4–6

I loved you and knew you before the world was formed, and I placed you on Earth for a special calling and purpose. I know at times you wonder whether you have fulfilled My calling on your life and whether your life has made a lasting difference, but I ask you to trust in Me. Know that I am the one who works in your life to fulfill My good purposes.

Come to Me when you feel weary and weighted down, and I will give you rest, joy, and peace, and My light will shine through the clouds hanging over your heart. Take time to tell Me everything that is on your heart that is weighing you down. Seek My presence and study My Word, and it will be thirst-quenching water to your soul. Meditate on My Word and it will bring refreshment to your soul whenever you need it and make your ways fruitful (Joshua 1:8).

If you make the decision each day to place your relationship with Me first and to seek My kingdom above everything else, you can trust that the rest will fall into place (Matthew 6:33). Remember that I have not called My disciples, those who love and serve Me, My servants, but I have called you My friends (John 15:15). So rejoice in your calling and in My unfailing love for you.

Originally published in 2000. Adapted and republished September 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Persecution, as God Sees It

David Brandt Berg

1992-12-01

God looks at persecution for our faith as a beautiful antique work of art—solid gold, precious, very valuable, studded with precious stones. He speaks of us coming through our trials as gold. “When He hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold” (Job 23:10). And “the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold” (1 Peter 1:7). We don’t think we can afford the persecution, but God places it right in our hand, just like a valuable possession, something to be treasured. It’s the way God looks at persecution, and we have nothing to fear; He’s going to protect us.

In a sense, we are to treasure these experiences, these persecutions. To God they’re priceless, precious golden treasures—more precious than gold, He says. Think of that! That’s how God looks at the persecutions of His children: persecutions are not to be feared or regretted, but to be admired and treasured! God looks at them like a priceless work of art, pure gold, studded with precious gems. They’re priceless treasures to Him, because they’re bringing out your pure gold value, as works of art. Isn’t that wonderful? Praise the Lord!

So we’re not to fear persecution, but we’re to look on it as God does, like a priceless, precious, beautiful work of art, something to treasure. They’re works of art by God Himself, even if the Devil does bring it. Like the story of the poor old lady and the loaf of bread. When she was praying for bread, the wealthy atheist threw it through the window in front of her. Then when she praised God for it, he stuck his head in the window and said, “God didn’t give it to you, I gave it to you,” and he laughed like the Devil. But she just started praising God and said, “Oh, thank You, Jesus. Praise You, Lord! You sent it, even if the Devil did bring it!”

Apparently that’s how God looks at the persecution of His people, and it is anything but a defeat. It is a picture of victory, not defeat. Who’d have ever thought of picturing persecution as a work of art but the Lord? So apparently He wants us to look on it that way. Pure gold, refined in the fire of persecution, with precious gems that are like the lessons we learn.

The Lord looks at things so differently. He pictures persecution not as something to be feared, but as something priceless, treasured, a beautiful work of art, pure gold, gem-studded, as though He treasures each of these experiences of our persecution and our clinging to Him all the tighter as beautiful experiences. It’s very precious to the Lord, and we should look on it as He does—not fear it or dread it or complain about the suffering. The gold has to go through the fire in order to come out into a masterpiece or gorgeous work of art.

Encourage the hearts of Your people with this, Lord. Help them to look at persecution as You see it, and not as the Devil sometimes tempts us to look at it, as something bad and evil and defeating, but like a beautiful, priceless, golden, gem-studded treasure. It’s not something to be feared, but to be treasured. It’s like a treasured experience, full of gems of lessons that drive us closer to You and show Your mighty power to deliver. Thank You, Jesus!

“In which you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you are in heaviness through manifold trials: That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7). A golden picture of persecution. We’re to treasure it, value it, admire it, and be thankful for it! We’re to “take pleasure in persecutions” (2 Corinthians 12:10). That’s how the Lord looks at it.

Copyright © December 1992 by The Family International

Granted to Us on Behalf of Christ

A compilation

2020-07-02

“It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”—Philippians 1:29¹

I am a creature of comfort. I don’t want luxury, but I do love comfort. I like—no, strike that—LOVE creature comforts, such as warm cups of tea, soft blankets, cuddling with my kids, a plate of pasta, an evening laughing with friends, the joy of a shirt that fits just right, kisses from my husband, a pretty place to sit. These are the things I seek out. I also like knowing that everyone I love is comfortable. Truth be told, I consider these my needs.

Let me tell you about the things I don’t seek out: pain (of any kind), suffering, distress, and deprivation. I really dislike anything that will leave me cold, tired, or hungry—let alone injured or in pain. I like things to be easy. That’s just the honest truth.

There is this verse in the Bible that really conflicts with what I consider my “needs”: “It has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer for him.”² This passage was written to the Christians of Philippi when Paul was in prison. In the previous verses Paul was talking about how honored he felt to be in prison for preaching the gospel, and expressing how whether he lived or died, his life belonged to God.

So there I have it in black and white: “It is given to me to suffer for Christ.” Paul is letting us know that it’s not just a “feel good” religion where we find comfort, hope, encouragement, peace, and all that good stuff. Our faith in Jesus is also something we can expect to suffer for.

Religious persecution can seem so far removed from our universe that we don’t realize that even today there are many Christians whose faith costs them heavily in terms of personal comfort, safety, freedom, and even their lives.

It can be a shock for those of us who live in places where religious persecution is less common that our faith comes with a “must be willing to suffer” clause. Jesus prepared our hearts for it when He said, “The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”³

Persecution is actually a promise for living the way God wants you to live. Paul says this in 2 Timothy 3:12: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”⁴ So persecution can be a sign that your choices and lifestyle are probably right and godly.

I decided to put a face on what persecution can look like, just to prepare my heart and so that when it comes, I will remember that this is what I have signed up for.

1. Being called out for my beliefs. This could mean having to explain to some of my secular friends that I believe in things like intelligent design and being ridiculed for those beliefs. Or taking flak for not condoning certain kinds of behaviors or lifestyles. Or perhaps watching my kids being pushed out of the “cool crowd” for choosing to be true to their faith.
2. Having someone go out of their way to make my or my family’s life miserable because of our faith. Maybe someone will spread malicious stories about me and my loved ones. This could affect our social circle, club memberships, or employment, and cause hardship. This could go a step further, with someone putting our physical safety at risk.
3. Being persecuted by the law and the government. I live in a country that boasts of religious freedom, and I love that we have it. But I also know that this certainly is not the case in many countries today. Religious freedom is something that amazing people of the Christian faith have fought and given their lives for, and I do not take it for granted. It could be taken away. There are countries where being a Christian is a crime punishable by imprisonment, fines, and in the most extreme cases, death.

There’s a lot to be said about God’s grace, protection, miracles, and strength that comes when times are hard, which includes persecution. We can trust that He will give us His grace for any opposition or persecution we face in this life, from mild to severe. He will help us to face it with the same kind of love that makes us ready to fight and/or suffer for those we love. And we know that Jesus does the same thing for us.

“In all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”⁵—Mara Hodler

Worth the cost

Christians have experienced persecution from Jesus’ time to the present. Our Lord explained in the Scriptures that this is a part of our lives as His followers.⁶ The apostle Paul also said, “Yea, and all that would live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”⁷

Many people equate the term “persecution” with its most severe forms—imprisonment, torture, and death. They hear accounts on YouTube, in the news, and on Christian websites of the rising numbers of those of faith who have been called to endure such forms of persecution. But then they look around at the many other Christians in the world who have never faced anything that severe, and they may wonder if somehow those people weren’t “godly” enough in some way.

I think the answer can be found by looking at the definition of the word “persecution.” In both secular and Bible dictionaries the definitions include terms such as “being pursued, pressed on, oppressed, or suffering punishment.” Some definitions described the meaning as “facing resistance, hostility, ill treatment, or opposition.”

When you live the truth of the gospel, it’s inevitable that you will face opposition and resistance in one form or another. Some are called to endure very extreme forms of persecution, while others suffer in other ways. Whatever the situation, God gives them the strength and courage to face what He has asked of them.

None of us can know what will come into our lives in the future, but we do know that whatever it is, Jesus will never fail us. Whatever He calls us to do in this life, if we are closely following Him, we will glorify Him. No matter what He asks us to do, His power will be there to help us when we need it. As we look to Him, we will be victors, and He will be pleased with us.—Maria Fontaine

Tasks of faith

“We do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”—2 Corinthians 4:16–17⁸

Philip Yancey once wrote, “I used to believe that Christianity solved problems and made life easier. Increasingly, I believe that my faith complicates life, in ways it should be complicated. As a Christian, I cannot not care about the environment, about homelessness and poverty, about racism and religious persecution, about injustice and violence. God does not give me that option.”

Yancey goes on to quote that old familiar passage, which he explains this way: “Jesus offers comfort, but the comfort consists of taking on a new burden, His own burden. Jesus offers a peace that involves new turmoil, a rest that involves new tasks.”⁹

What new tasks? Jesus summed them up when He summed up the Christian faith: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself”¹⁰—our “neighbor” being anyone we are in a position to help. Loving others as much as we love ourselves doesn’t come naturally and seldom is easy, but it’s what we are called to as Christians.—Keith Phillips

Published on Anchor July 2020. Read by Simon Peterson.

¹ NIV.

² Philippians 1:29 NIV.

³ John 15:20 KJV.

⁴ NIV.

⁵ Romans 8:37 NIV.

⁶ See John 15:20.

⁷ 2 Timothy 3:12.

⁸ NIV.

⁹ Philip Yancey, Reaching for the Invisible God (Zondervan, 2000), 93–94.

¹⁰ Matthew 22:37–39.

We (Still) Walk by Faith

September 12, 2025

How to See Beyond the Secular

By David Mathis

At first blush, secular answers—that is, those that refuse to acknowledge any religious or spiritual basis for human life and our world—may attract those aching to suppress the truth that God has made plain in his creation (Romans 1:18–20). But soon the sparkle wears off. Secular life does not prove satisfying—emotionally or intellectually…

While Christians in this generation may feel a new acuteness in secular pressures, the Christian faith has always required the look of faith to the unseen. Some forces seem new; the fundamental realities of the Christian life remain unchanged. Long have we been a people with a different kind of vision, mindset, and joy than our surrounding society.

Has not this faith in the unseen been the legacy of our heroes? …

(Read or listen to the article here.)

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/we-still-walk-by-faith

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

God’s Gifts of the Spirit

September 11, 2025

Treasures

Audio length: 14:00

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God has given us so many wonderful gifts. He gave us the gift of life and He made this beautiful world for us to live in and enjoy. He gave us the ability to experience love and to love others, and He gave us intelligence and the ability to reason as beings created in His image. The priceless gift of life and all the joys and challenges that accompany it, He freely gives to all. Most importantly, God has given us His gracious gifts of eternal salvation and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. And in turn He says to us, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8).

The Holy Spirit gives us the power to be witnesses for Christ (Acts 1:8) and pours love into our hearts for others (Romans 5:5), and guides us in understanding and remembering God’s Word (John 14:26). Through the Holy Spirit, we each also receive spiritual gifts so that we can serve God and serve others, as the following passage from 1 Corinthians explains:

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 (1 Corinthians 12:4–11).

As we can see, the Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts to believers, which are distributed to each one as He determines. These include the gift of faith, a message of wisdom and knowledge, the gifts of healing, the working of miracles, prophecy, the ability to discern between spirits, tongues, and the interpretation of tongues. Let’s take a look at each of these gifts.

The gift of faith: The Bible says that “by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Every born-again child of God is given a measure of faith, and every Christian’s faith grows over time as he or she reads, absorbs, and acts upon the Word of God. But to have a special gift of faith manifested in strong and unshakable confidence in God, His Word, and His promises is a gift of the Holy Spirit to edify and strengthen other Christians. Many otherwise ordinary people who have the gift of faith have been used of God to do extraordinary things to change their part of the world and to build up the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:16).

In Hebrews 11, we read of examples of people with the gift of faith—people who had extraordinary faith that enabled them to do things that would not normally be possible. We read of the faith of Noah to spend 120 years constructing an ark when it had never rained before, and Moses leading the people of Israel across the Red Sea (Hebrews 11:7, 22–29). In more recent times, we have examples such as George Mueller (1805–1898), who had great faith for God to provide financially for the five orphans’ homes he founded in England, which cared for almost 10,000 orphans in his lifetime.

The gifts of a word of wisdom and knowledge: The apostle Paul refers to the gifts of “a word of wisdom” and “a word of knowledge” in 1 Corinthians 12:8. Wisdom and knowledge are often coupled together in Scripture. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight” (Proverbs 9:10). And in Ephesians we read: “That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him” (Ephesians 1:17).

Knowledge of God, His Word, and His ways is important for all believers. We grow in knowledge through studying and applying the Word of God and building our lives upon it (Matthew 7:24). “And 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” (Philippians 1:9–10).

All Christians need wisdom, and James tells us to ask for wisdom if we lack it: “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him” (James 1:5). In Colossians, the Word of God is highlighted as the source of true wisdom: “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom” (Colossians 3:16). Wisdom is rightly applying the knowledge of God.

The spiritual gifts of an utterance or a message of knowledge and wisdom extend beyond the knowledge and wisdom we are all called to grow in as Christians. It is also a speaking gift (as it is a spoken word or message) that involves understanding and proclaiming truth with a special insight that comes from God through His Spirit.

The gifts of healing: Great multitudes followed Jesus, and wherever He went, He healed the sick, and at His touch, the lame could walk, the deaf could hear, the blind could see, and lepers were healed, and people were delivered from evil spirits (Matthew 11:5; 12:15). “Jesus went throughout all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom and healing every disease and every affliction” (Matthew 9:35). His healings were a sign of His authority as the Messiah (John 7:31), which served to authenticate the gospel message and show that the kingdom of God had come (Luke 11:16–20).

Christians with the gift of healing are empowered by the Holy Spirit to heal a specific ailment supernaturally. However, having gifts of healing does not mean that the person can heal at will or that everyone they pray for will be healed. In Acts, we read that Paul miraculously healed many people in Ephesus (Acts 19:12). We also read of cases where he apparently wasn’t able to heal, such as Timothy from his stomach ailments (1 Timothy 5:23), or Epaphroditus from his life-threatening sickness (Philippians 2:26–27), or Trophimus, whom he “left ill at Miletus” (2 Timothy 4:20).

Healing is a foretaste of the life to come, where we will receive our perfect resurrection bodies and will no longer experience illness or death (1 Corinthians 15:51–57). We won’t be completely healed of all illnesses or diseases until then, but we can experience healing in this life in accordance with the Lord’s will (1 John 5:14). We read in the Bible, “The prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up.” So “pray for one another, that you may be healed” (James 5:15–16). God is sovereign when it comes to healing, and whether we experience healing or not, we are called to “give thanks in all things” and to commit all things to Him in prayer (1 Thessalonians 5:17–18).

The gift of working miracles: A miracle can be defined as an event that involves God’s direct intervention, which transcends the ordinary laws of nature. During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He performed many miracles (such as the feeding of the 5,000 in Matthew 14:15–21), which served to attest to His identity as the Son of God, and nearly always drew a crowd to whom He then imparted His teachings. The miracles weren’t the main event; it was the words He spoke. The miracles benefited a few, but His sermons benefited all that heard—and have gone on to benefit billions of people since.

The Holy Spirit also worked miracles through the apostles to spread His message. For example, in the book of Acts, we read that Peter healed a lame beggar at the temple gate, and the man was instantly healed and began “walking, leaping, and praising God.” As a result, a huge crowd gathered, and Peter preached the gospel of Jesus and His resurrection to them, and over 5,000 people became Christians that day (Acts 3:3–10; 4:4).

Jesus still performs miracles for and through His followers today through the gift of working miracles. One of the greatest miracles is our salvation. Jesus enters our lives and transforms us and makes us a new creation with an eternal destiny in His kingdom (2 Corinthians 5:17).

The gift of prophecy: In 1 Corinthians, Paul instructs the believers to “pursue love, and earnestly desire the spiritual gifts, especially that you may prophesy.” He goes on to explain why prophecy is an important gift: “The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation” (1 Corinthians 14:1, 3). In the Old Testament, the prophets spoke the word of God to their generation, often speaking to the needs of the present, and sometimes predicting the future (the sign of the true prophet in Deuteronomy 18:21–22).

In the New Testament, through the gift of prophecy, the Spirit gives ordinary Christians the ability to utter inspired words, which convey the message of God. Christians with the gift of prophecy are able to receive messages from the Lord in which He gives love, encouragement, comfort, guidance, and counsel.

The gift of discernment: The gift of discerning of spirits is only mentioned once in the New Testament, though we read elsewhere about discernment. As is the case with other gifts of the Spirit, all Spirit-filled believers will have the gift of discernment to some extent, which will grow as the believer grows in faith. The book of Hebrews tells us that believers who have matured in their faith “have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:13–14).

The mature believer is empowered by the Holy Spirit to discern between good and evil, and between truth and deception through the study of the Word of God. In Acts 17:11, we read of the believers in Berea, who “received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.” And in 1 John, the apostle warns the believers: “Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1).

We also read in the Bible where some believers have a gift of discerning spirits—which enables them to distinguish between truth and error and to “test the spirits” to determine if a teaching, a prophecy, or a spiritual force was of God or in opposition to God.

The gift of tongues and interpretation: The gift of tongues is the ability to speak one or more unlearned languages—what the apostle Paul refers to as “the tongues of men and of angels” (1 Corinthians 13:1).Sometimes these are earthly languages—tongues of men—as was the case on the day of Pentecost, when the apostles and others of Jesus’ closest followers were all filled with the Holy Spirit and preached to the crowds of foreigners in various languages which they had never learned (Acts 2:1–11).More often, these are heavenly languages, words of angels, which are unintelligible to the speaker or anyone else except through the gift of interpretation.

Tongues are mainly for personal encouragement, inspiration, and edification. Even when the person doesn’t understand the words being spoken, speaking in tongues can uplift and edify their spirit, and is also a way to pray and worship the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:4). The gift of interpretation of tongues is similar to the gift of prophecy, whereby the gift of tongues is interpreted and the message is made intelligible for the hearers.

The greatest of these

When speaking of the gifts of the Spirit available to believers, Paul continuously highlighted the importance of love. At the end of 1 Corinthians 12, after outlining the gifts of the Spirit and their proper practice for the building up of the body of believers, he says, “And yet I will show you the most excellent way” (1 Corinthians 12:31). Paul goes on to make the case that spiritual gifts without love are worthless. “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” (1 Corinthians 13:1–2).

Love is supreme, as “the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13). “Let all that you do be done with love” (1 Corinthians 16:14).

Published on Anchor September 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Blessed Are the Peacemakers

September 10, 2025

For they shall be called the children of God (Matthew 5:9)

By Christian Sergei

A lot is happening in today’s world: the rise of AI, wars and rumors of war, etc. We sure live in times of trouble and difficulty. (See 2 Timothy 3:1.)

Nevertheless, I could not find any references in the Gospels where Jesus takes sides or gives an opinion for or against Rome, Caesar, or the powers that be.—And that’s with Rome being one of the worst tyrannies that the world had ever experienced!

Jesus simply was not of this world and emphasizes over and over that we are also not of this world.¹ Paul even tells us that we should pray for all people … “for kings, and for all those in authority” (1 Timothy 2:2).

I know this is a hard saying, but Jesus taught that we are to love our enemies, pray for those who persecute and abuse us, and we are even told not to resist an evil person and to turn the other cheek. (See Matthew 5:44, 39.) How could this be?

Simply put, because we don’t belong here, we are not of this world. Our calling is to “be conformed to the image of his Son” (Romans 8:29), “transformed by the renewing of [our] mind” (Romans 12:2), and to “put on Christ” (Romans 13:14) so the divine nature becomes our nature. “For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13).

The reality is that we have been translated into the kingdom of God. (See Colossians 1:13.) We still dwell here, one important purpose being to rescue souls from the domain of darkness under the grip of Satan, to deliver the prisoners from fear and torment, and to open their spiritual eyes to the truth, so they can also experience His great love, forgiveness toward their fellow man (regardless of who they are and what they have done), and experience true spiritual freedom.

We’re dead to the old life, reborn to the new. We are His born-again children, adopted, heirs of the kingdom. God—the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit—dwells in our hearts! (See Romans 6:6; John 1:12; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Romans 8:17.)

It’s not about ignoring or condoning the evil in the world around us, it’s about knowing who we are in Christ and never forgetting why we have been left here on earth after we were spiritually reborn! (That’s not to say that of course our hearts don’t break for those who are suffering and are cruelly abused. We should earnestly pray for all the humanitarian workers and those who are striving to help those who suffer and can’t help themselves.)

I am an eager student of Bible prophecies and end-time events, but this is in no way connected to the way I look at, empathize with, and reach out to those who don’t know Him and who might be in total darkness. I used to be very stirred up and even, in the past, caught myself taking sides (not vocally, but in my heart), until the Lord opened my eyes to a different perspective while studying Matthew chapter 5.

Thoughts on the parable of the Good Samaritan

The “robbed and beaten man” in the parable of the Good Samaritan is portrayed as someone who has been physically abused and mistreated, oppressed and left dying on “the side of the road.” I wondered if maybe this applies as well to those that are bound by the chains of darkness, vice, and oppression.—Those who are captives and slaves of Satan and who carry out his dirty work, who are nevertheless beaten and wounded deep in their souls. Let’s not forget how Jesus looked at the thief who was dying on the cross.

Jesus sees each one of us. Each soul has been created and is loved by our heavenly Father, who makes His sun rise over the just and the unjust. (See Matthew 5:45.) He sent His Son for all men. All are loved, but we have been blessed by grace to be His children, sent for a purpose, even this: “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me… The Lord has anointed me… sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound” (Isaiah 61:1).

Who are these captives? Could this also include those who are caught in the domain of darkness as well? We are not to condone, overlook, or minimize the evil of those who perpetrate it, but as God’s children, we have been commissioned to reach souls, regardless of who they are and what they have done, with the gospel of grace. “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people” (Titus 2:11). “For I did not come to judge the world but to save the world” (John 12:47).

Our King has kept us here to be His peacemakers. Let’s not allow ourselves to become entangled in the affairs of this world, or distracted, but let’s “set our affection on things above” (Colossians 3:2). Let’s “walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind” (Ephesians 4:17), but let us “walk as children of light” (Ephesians 5:8), as the children of God!

“The people dwelling in darkness have seen a great light, and for those dwelling in the region and shadow of death, on them a light has dawned” (Matthew 4:16).

¹ “What does it mean that Christians are not of this world?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/not-of-this-world.html

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

God Is My Father

September 9, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 9:51

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You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.”—Romans 8:15

*

My father abandoned his wife and four children when I was young. I never saw him and never heard from him, and until I was 18, I believed he was dead. When Aunt Emma, my father’s sister, told me he was alive, I was astonished. I gave her my graduation picture to give to him, and hoped he would contact me. He never did.

Later, when I committed my life to Jesus, I developed a relationship with Him and knew His love. Yet I was afraid of God the Father. Knowing Him as a tender and loving Father seemed impossible.

One day I learned that my father had died. My deepest prayer to meet him would not be fulfilled. I felt an enormous hurt, and I visited Aunt Emma. She told me a little about his life and death, and said he decided not to see me because he was too ashamed of his behavior as a young father. He must have known, through her, that for 17 years I had asked about him. I stood near his grave engulfed in anguish. My search was over. This was as close as I would ever get to my father.

I cried out to God, “It’s too late, too late! I have no father!” At that point I heard a voice say, “I am your Father.” I turned around but no one was there. Again, I heard the words, this time softer. “I am your Father.” It was hard to believe at first, but the God I had feared spoke to me. I felt His love surround me.

Because God revealed Himself to me as my Father, I no longer feel the hurt of an abandoned child, nor the pain from my fruitless search. I was healed so that only the memory and none of the pain remains. That afternoon in the lonely cemetery changed my life. Where God was once only a remote figure of the Trinity, He is now the Father I talk with, walk with, and praise each day. I realize this wonderful Father loves all His children so much that He awaits the day that He can draw us close to Himself forever.—Robert DeGrandis¹

*

Your Heavenly Father loves you—each of you. That love never changes. It is not influenced by your appearance, by your possessions, or by the amount of money you have in your bank account. It is not changed by your talents and abilities. It is simply there. It is there for you when you are sad or happy, discouraged or hopeful. God’s love is there for you whether or not you feel you deserve love. It is simply always there.—Thomas S. Monson

*

I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord.—Romans 8:38–39

*

Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God’s love encompasses us completely. … He loves every one of us, even those who are flawed, rejected, awkward, sorrowful, or broken.—Dieter F. Uchtdorf

*

God’s unfailing love for us is an objective fact affirmed over and over in the Scriptures. It is true whether we believe it or not. Our doubts do not destroy God’s love, nor does our faith create it. It originates in the very nature of God, who is love, and it flows to us through our union with His beloved Son.—Jerry Bridges

*

God is love. He is our Father. He is not some old, bearded gentleman way off somewhere, or some kind of ferocious monster that you can’t understand, but He is the all-powerful, omnipresent, omniscient, omnipotent Creator that pervades all things.

“The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all mankind life and breath and everything.‘In him we live and move and have our being;’ as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed his offspring’” (Acts 17:24–25, 28).

King David beautifully expressed, “If I’m up in heaven, You are there. If I descend into the depths of hell, You are there. Wherever I am, You are with me. I can never depart from Your Spirit.” (See Psalm 139:7–10.) The High and Holy One dwells in the heart of the meek and the lowly. (See Isaiah 57:15.) He will live in your heart if you’ll ask Him to come in.—David Brandt Berg

*

My sacrifice was not only to provide forgiveness of sins but also to open the way to My Father’s heart. Now that you trust Me as your Savior, you are the recipient of perfect love—My love, Abba’s love. This perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.

People are born into the world in spiritual bondage, including bondage to fear. Because you inhabit both a fallen world and a fallen body, it isn’t easy to break free from fearfulness. However, the Spirit … can help you in this struggle, enabling you to see yourself as you truly are: a much-loved child of God. The Spirit frees you to cry out, “Abba, Father,” believing you are His precious adopted child. In the presence of a loving, strong father, even the most frightened child eventually calms down. You have a perfectly loving, infinitely strong Father, so bring your fears freely to Him. Let Him hold you close to His Abba-heart, where you know you are safe. Open your heart to receive vast quantities of His love. The more of this love you hold in your heart, the less room there is for fear. Receive this love in full measure!—Jesus²

Published on Anchor September 2025. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ Robert DeGrandis, Healing Through the Mass, (Resurrection Press, 1992).

² Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2009).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Communication in Marriage

September 8, 2025

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 13:57

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In one of my posts on the importance of communication, we looked at various ways that people communicate and how pivotal the subject of communication is to effective relationships with others. In this post, I’d like to focus on specifics regarding how we can make our relationships stronger and happier.

I’ll be sharing what I’ve learned from the context of a marriage relationship, but it’s important to remember that many of these principles can be applied to other relationships. So, if you aren’t married right now, you can apply these principles to other relationships or areas of your life.

I read about Tim Keller, a well-known author, counselor, and pastor, who was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer in May 2020.¹ I loved his attitude when he was told that he would not live through this and what he had to say about his priorities for the time he had left on this earth.

When Dr. Keller was asked, “What are the things that you want to focus on, considering how short your remaining time in this life is going to be? What comes to the top of the list for you?” he said:

My wife, Kathy, and I are fairly well known as being a team. In many ways, we are joined at the hip.

Right after the cancer was diagnosed, we realized it wasn’t right to come to the end of our lives without improving our marriage in places where it could be better.

There were some things that she felt she could not talk to me about because I didn’t respond well, and she had given up trying to do it. But now we’re finding breakthroughs in being able to talk about certain things and deal with them in a way we were never able to before.²

I was very impressed by this, because if Tim Keller, living in the shadow of cancer, can make bettering his marriage one of his most important focuses, how much more should we be able to do that in our relationships.

Another thing I was very impressed with was a story of a man who was about to go through a divorce. He and his wife had tried everything else, and nothing was working. He loved his wife, and he wanted to remain with her.

So, he came up with the idea that every day he would ask her what he could do for her and do his best to accomplish it. The first three times he asked her, she thought he was kidding when he would say, “Honey, what can I do for you today?”

She decided to test him and gave him a big or difficult job like cleaning out the garage or doing an overhaul on the garden. She made it as hard as she could since she thought he would never uphold his side and keep doing what she asked.

But day after day he continued to ask her what he could do for her and then wholeheartedly put his strength and effort into doing those things, and she started to believe that he really was determined to do whatever it took to convince her of his love. Through his willingness to perform actions that would serve as a tangible expression of his love, their marriage was saved.

It took all he could muster, but it was what his wife needed. It was a manifestation of his love as he acted out the biblical precept to “serve one another in love” because “by this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love one for another” (Galatians 5:13, John 13:35).

When the Lord is at the center of our marriage and He is the most important Person in our relationships, His love brings us into unity. When His love motivates us, then we can know that we are pleasing Him, even if the response from our partner might not always be what we would hope for.

Giving God’s love to others is not a contract designed to get what we want in exchange from someone else. It is a gift freely given without the expectation of reciprocation. Sometimes we do things for our partner, expecting them to reciprocate. We do something nice for them and we want them to do something nice for us in return. Many times, that will happen, because love begets love, but we may not see that happen in the way or at the time we hope for.

If we are motivated by what we expect to get back, then what we’re giving is not fully given in love. We would do better to model Jesus’ love; He gave everything for us, knowing that we could never repay Him.

Tips for relationships

1. “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry” (James 1:19).
2. Good communication is an important part of any marriage. Good communication ensures that both you and your spouse feel respected, validated, and understood.
3. Keep a solid relationship with Jesus at the heart of your marriage. Faith gives you and your spouse a common ground, a kind and loving foundation upon which you can build a marriage that nourishes you both and brings you closer to each other through His Spirit.
4. Practice forgiveness. Ephesians 4:32tells us to “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Faith in God’s love and forgiveness is essential when straightening out misunderstandings, it empowers you when working through problems and contributes to a happier future together.
5. The Bible and the Holy Spirit can be a source of inspiration, strength, and encouragement. This guidance and wisdom, if implemented, can help to heal, improve, and shape your marriage.
6. A considerate thing to do for your spouse or significant other may be to leave a note, either a handwritten note or a text on their phone, to let them know what you are doing and where you are when something in your usual routine changes, so they won’t worry about you.
7. It can sometimes be difficult to know how to relate to your spouse if their interests are very different from yours. One spouse might like to stay indoors and read while the other is an outdoors person and loves to fish and hike, etc. Of course, the wonderful thing for two people who love Jesus and work together for Him is that they will always have this very beautiful common ground that they can share together built on their faith and love for the Lord.

It is important to find ways to show an interest in what your spouse enjoys doing. Some couples decide to take turns choosing to do something that is important to them, to ensure that both can experience the things they enjoy most.

Learning a little about each other’s interests can show your spouse that you not only love them but that you are also interested in the things that help them feel content and fulfilled.

If your spouse talks excitedly about fishing and the fish caught that day, you can show an interest by asking a few questions, such as what kind of fish they are or how to best catch them.

Try to show an interest, because in doing so you are learning something about the one you love. Or for the men, perhaps your spouse gets a new outfit at a great sale price and comes home excited about it. You might compliment her on her gift for spotting good deals and tell her how great she looks in her new clothes.

8. God loves us, and He is interested in the smallest details that pertain to us. He uses every opportunity to inspire, encourage, comfort, and help us to grow in every way. That’s what love does. It’s a quality we can model in our marriage.
9. If your spouse says something to you and you feel like it might be an accusation, it’s best to get it straightened out right away. Don’t “go silent” or get angry or feel hurt. Begin with the presumption that they didn’t mean what you think they meant and determine to not take it personally. Small misunderstandings, if kept in your heart, can lead to hurt, resentment, and bitterness. It’s a lot easier to forgive if you’ve already chosen to do so no matter what, rather than if you’ve focused on the hurt until it has gotten its tentacles into your heart and bitterness has grown on top of it.

Bible verses on relationships

“Husbands, love your wives, just as also Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” (Ephesians 5:25).

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger” (Proverbs 15:1).

“Let all bitterness, and rage, and anger, and clamor, and slander, be removed from you, along with all malice” (Ephesians 4:31).

“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity” (Proverbs 17:17).

“A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value” (Proverbs 31:10–11).

“The end of a matter is better than its beginning, and patience is better than pride. Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools” (Ecclesiastes 7:8–9).

“This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:12–13).

“Wives, submit to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh with them. Children, obey your parents in everything, for this is pleasing to the Lord. Fathers, do not provoke your children, so they will not become discouraged. … Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ” (Colossians 3:18–21, 23–24).

“Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:2–3).

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen” (Ephesians 4:29).

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins” (1 Peter 4:8).

“Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” (1 Peter 5:6–7).

“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and give over my body to hardship that I may boast, but do not have love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails” (1 Corinthians 13:2–8).

Originally published July 2022. Adapted and republished September 2025. Read by Debra Lee.

¹ Tim Keller died at the age of 72 on May 19, 2023.

² Tish Harrison Warren, “How a Cancer Diagnosis Makes Jesus’ Death and Resurrection Mean More,” New York Times, April 10, 2022.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Knowledge of Good

David Brandt Berg

1984-01-01

Man may be able to invent computers and automatons, but that stuff is eventually going to lead the world to its destruction. “Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools” (Romans 1:22). Things can be used by the Lord for good—like we use computers—or by mankind and the Devil to destroy the world. Every missile has a built-in computer to guide it to its destination, so computers can be used for good and evil.

The Devil told the truth when he said it was the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Up to that time all they had was the knowledge of good, because everything was good; there was no evil except for the Devil. But when they partook of that tree, they got the knowledge of evil—good and evil.

Until they had the knowledge of evil, all they had was good, and they didn’t even know what good was. It took the knowledge of evil to give us the knowledge of good, to understand good and what good is. Because without the bad, you wouldn’t have anything to compare the good with, to know it is good.

They didn’t really get the knowledge of good, to know that it was good and why it was good and how it was good, until Satan gave them the knowledge of evil. He didn’t actually give it to them; they yielded to it by eating the forbidden fruit from the forbidden tree that God had warned them not to eat. That was, of course, the first evil, their lack of faith in the Word of God. The Devil planted doubts and they believed the Devil instead of the Lord and they partook of the fruit. But what God promised happened, and what the Devil promised happened too—at least half of it. When he said, “Ye shall not surely die,” that didn’t happen; they did die, it was a lie! The Devil often tells people half-truths to get people to swallow the lie, his sugar-coated pill (Genesis 3:4).

It’s sad that many people today have gained so much scientific knowledge about the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the planets, solar system, and galaxies, and yet they’re so ignorant of the beautiful order and perfection and marvelous synchronization of things like the phases of the moon! God has made a lot of marvelous things, and He put the moon and the stars up there for a reason; He said for lights, to light the day and the night, and to be for signs and seasons so you’d know the difference (Genesis 1:14). Long before people had calendars or clocks or any other way of telling time, that was the way they told time. If you ever got lost out in the woods or out in the desert or somewhere, as many people have, people who knew about these things managed to find their way home. People who didn’t, often starved to death and died, because they didn’t know which direction was which or which way to go.

God has made even the planetary system of the earth and the moon to be a marvelous clock to be able to tell time by, and even the day of the year. In biblical times people could read those signs and tell you what the weather was going to be, etc. They had ways of discerning the signs in the sky and the weather, even though they had no meteorologists. But Jesus said, “You can’t even discern the signs of the times! You don’t even know what day it is spiritually or in history or what’s happening right here in your country.”

God’s creation is fascinating. You can see the hand of God, hear the voice of God in it, and learn so much about God from it. “He which is invisible can be seen in the things that He has made” (Romans 1:20). That’s what that scripture means. It has kind of funny wording, but that’s what it means.—That in seeing what He has made, what is visible, you can see and know the existence of He who is invisible, by seeing His handiwork.

Back in the Garden of Eden, the Devil said, “Hath God said? God said you shouldn’t do that because God doesn’t want you to know that if you do this, you’ll have lots more fun!” Adam and Eve did that, and what happened? They didn’t have a lot more fun; they had nothing but trouble from then on.

Seeking the happiness of others and trying to help others and make others happy, as God has ordered us to do, is the only way to bring true happiness. That little song has got it all summed up beautifully: “The way to be happy is to make others happy, and we’ll have a little heaven right here.”

If you’ll try to make others happy, it’ll make you happy, and you’ll have a little heaven right here on earth.—Contrary to the preamble of the Declaration of Independence, that states that Americans are guaranteed the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. They’ve been chasing it ever since and have never found it. You don’t find happiness by chasing it; happiness finds you by your bringing happiness to others. That’s God’s system, God’s rule, God’s way, God’s Law of Love. God will make you happy if you make others happy. It’s that simple!

I’ve even told people who have been Christians for years that that was the way to be happy. I told that to one woman who’d married husband after husband after husband and couldn’t find a man who could make her happy. I finally said, “Why don’t you go out and try to find some dear old man that you can make happy; maybe it’ll work!” The only way to be happy is to make others happy, and you’ll have a little heaven right here.

The Lord allowed mankind to fall because He saw that the only way man, His creation, would ever learn, was through that bitter experience, because you never learn as well as you do through experience. Adam and Eve learned, let me tell you, when they were driven out of the Garden and had to go out and find clothes to wear and till the soil for their food.

They then realized they’d never had it as good as they’d had it in the Garden when they obeyed God and kept His rules and had perfect liberty. The trouble was, you see, in the Garden before the fall they didn’t know what good was, because they didn’t have anything to compare it with. As I’ve often said, you wouldn’t know what light was unless you’d known darkness.

You don’t really appreciate health until you’ve known sickness. You don’t appreciate wealth unless you’ve known poverty. You don’t appreciate that marvelous heavenly relief and release from pain unless you’ve known pain.

The Lord had to let all that happen so that we would learn and appreciate the good and the marvelous good world we’re going to have in the future without all of that pain and evil, the kind of world He wanted us to live in in the first place and the way it was to begin with, and the way man was to begin with. But He saw that man didn’t really appreciate it, didn’t really understand it, had nothing to compare it with to know it was so good and so beautiful and so wonderful and such heaven on earth and so perfect with no evil.

God had to let man experience evil to really appreciate good, and experience sin in order to appreciate salvation.

Copyright © January 1984 by The Family International

Worried or Concerned?

Maria Fontaine

2022-03-22

No one can deny that we live in a world filled with troubles of all kinds. We can’t always control our circumstances, but we do have the power to choose how we will respond to them. As Christians, we cannot remain neutral in the face of suffering, troubles, sorrow and pain, because Jesus’ Spirit in us compels us to care. But at such times, we have to choose what attitude we will take toward these challenges in our own lives and the lives of others.

Two words that I find helpful when describing our responses to the troubles of life are “worry” and “concern.” One article explained their meanings in this way:

Worry is the incessant, ruminative speculation¹ of what might go wrong—an anticipation of chaos. … It’s a form of self-torment, best described as what-if thinking.

Concern, on the other hand, is a calculated consideration and assessment of actual danger. Worrying anticipates problems and things going awry (loss of control), [while] concern is more fact-based and geared toward problem-solving.

What do you think serves you when facing a life challenge: dealing with fact (being concerned), or dealing with fiction (worrying)?²

As Christians, we have the blessing of not being limited to what our natural reasoning or past experience can offer us. This is because we also have the Lord’s mind and His wisdom, comfort, and insight to draw on, through all the ways to know God’s will.

We can sometimes fall into worry instead of concern when we encounter a major setback or some kind of suffering. Even the threat that something similar might happen again can almost instinctively become a source of worry unless we take active steps to guard our thoughts and take our concerns and burdens to the Lord in prayer.

I’m not saying that demonstrating fact-based concern will always eliminate our problems in the moment, but it can help set us on the path to finding solutions, because we will then be looking for the answers we need. When coupled with faith, this can open our eyes to the solutions that Jesus has for us.

I have been tempted to worry, too, in recent months. I’ve struggled with worry about Peter’s health, and I’ve had other tests of faith. Having to struggle myself deepens my compassion for others who have had to face many challenging experiences. That’s why I have decided to start sharing what I’m going to call “life lessons,” like this one, in the hope that they can be of some benefit to you as a reminder that you’re not alone.

When I was struggling with worry and was praying for a way to overcome it, the Lord reminded me that whether I’m claiming the power of the keys or claiming Bible promises or whatever way I’m praying, I need to do my part in bringing the answers. If there is any step of obedience that He’s showing me to take, I need to do so to the best of my ability. Faith and obedience go hand in hand.

When we face a situation where we feel tempted to worry, there are some other steps that can help us focus on Him. Some people like to take a prayer walk, listen to uplifting music and possibly sing along, review God’s promises and personalize them for their situation, ask for prayer, or read quotes. I like to do all of these, but I especially enjoy reading inspiring quotes like the following:

Worry never robs tomorrow of its sorrow; it only saps today of its joy.—Leo Buscaglia

The very essence of anxious care is the imagining that we are wiser than God, and the thrusting of ourselves into His place, to do for Him that which we dream He either cannot or will not do!—Charles Spurgeon

A woman, on board ship, was very disturbed in a storm, while her husband, the captain, was calm and restful. She asked him why he was so placid when she was so distressed. He did not answer in words, but he took down his sword and held it to her breast. She smiled.

He said, “Why are you not afraid? This is a sharp sword, with which I could slay you in a minute.”

“Ah,” she replied, “but I am not afraid of a sword when it is my husband who wields it.”

“So,” said he, “neither am I afraid of a storm when it is my Father who sends it and who manages it.”

Now, since all the trials and troubles of this mortal life are as much in the hand of the great God as that sword was in the hand of the good woman’s husband, we need not be afraid of them, for they are all in His power! When He rides aloft in His chariot,³ and the skies tremble at the sound, why should you tremble, even you timid ones?—Charles Spurgeon

* * *

I love that little tip that was published in one of our Anchor posts:

Jesus: I want you to learn a new habit. Try saying, “I trust You, Jesus” in response to whatever happens to you. … Think about who I am in all My power and glory; ponder also the depth and breadth of My Love for you. This simple practice will help you see Me in every situation. … When you view events from this perspective—through the Light of My Presence—fear loses its grip on you. Adverse circumstances become growth opportunities when you affirm your trust in Me no matter what.⁴

It helps me to have ongoing reminders to not worry, so sometimes I put notes up around the house that say, “I trust You, Jesus.” And if the things I pray for don’t appear to go the way I expect, then I add Romans 8:28 right above those notes to also remind me that He has asked me to walk by faith and not by sight.

Too often, when we rely on our own understanding or our own actions in order to try to fix things, we don’t have enough information to make the best choices. We may have done our best with what we have, but we still fail. We feel like things are out of control, and that often leads to fear and worry. But all the while God has given us the solution:

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not to your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.—Proverbs 3:5–6

I love the word picture that this verse portrays. It says to not lean to your own understanding. Of course, it’s important to think things through and use common sense and experience as far as it is able to be a help to us. We just shouldn’t lean on those things.

What do you do when you lean on something? You put your trust in it. You lean on a walking staff or a cane, because you feel sure that it’s going to support you, it’s going to keep you from falling and injuring yourself. It’s fine to employ our own understanding, and I’m sure that the Lord wants us to, but when it comes to major decisions or situations, He is the only one we can truly lean on because He knows what we can’t know and leaning on anything less is likely to lead to problems and troubles.

Our wisest and most effective action is to lean on the Lord by looking to Him, committing our every care to Him in prayer, drawing close to Him, and being attentive to what He is trying to help us to understand. Here is an illustration of this point which the Lord gave in prophecy:

Imagine yourself at a campfire, ready to rest after a day of climbing. It’s been good. You enjoyed this time to exercise your muscles, and you’re now ready to have a peaceful rest. But as the night begins, the wolves are howling. You think you can feel their eyes upon you, curling their lips into a snarl as they glare from the darkness, seeking prey.

The natural instinct might be to get out of there as fast as you can, to run, to flee, but My wisdom instead tells you to draw closer to the campfire because, like the light and fire of My love, there, close to Me, is the safest place for you to be at this moment.

You feel vulnerable out there, exposed, surrounded, but there’s something that you can’t see that keeps you safe in spite of your circumstances: the wolves are afraid of the fire, but you aren’t. The fire acts like an invisible shield, just like the fire of My Spirit when it is surrounding you. It is a place of peace and safety and inspiration.

You find security in the fire, the light and the warmth of My love. So trust Me and move in closer. My rest will come to you as you draw nearer to Me.

“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit, says the Lord of hosts” (Zechariah 4:6).

I can’t think of one single time when God has ever failed me! I know that the Lord is going to take care of everything this time as well. If I’m tempted to worry about something that hasn’t happened yet, I remind myself that even if it does happen, I have no reason to worry. Even if things seem bad for a while, I have the comfort of knowing that Jesus is always close to me, and He and I are facing these challenges together.

I am inspired by the following little slogan that the Lord gave me:

Learn from the past, its successes and mistakes;

Light your present, with joy and transformation;

Look forward to the future, the wonderful things that await you.

¹ Ruminative speculation: Ongoing meditating on things that are the result of guesswork rather than fact.

² https://self-coaching.net/worry-vs-concern-knowing-the-difference-can-save-you-from-anxiety/

³ Ezekiel 1:4–28.

⁴ Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson, 2010).

Copyright © 2022 The Family International.

Looking Heavenward Transforms Our Sorrow

September 5, 2025

By Cameron Cole

When my oldest child died, I knew that my life would never be the same. In the initial months that followed, I expected that the change would be entirely negative. However, not all of the differences were painful. The Lord did something unexpectedly positive that has remained with me ten years later.

On November 10, 2013, my son lived in my house. On November 11, 2013, he lived in heaven above. Heaven was no longer an abstract, theological concept. It was now my son’s home.

(Read the article here.)

https://www.crossway.org/articles/looking-heavenward-transforms-our-sorrow

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Better Days Ahead—Part 8

September 4, 2025

Make Each Day Count

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 12:12

Download Audio (11.1MB)

We all want our lives to count, to make a difference. You, like me, have probably read articles or books on goal setting, building good habits, teamworking, being purpose-driven, etc., with the intent of learning how to make the most of the time God has given you. It can be a great adventure to make plans and set goals, and then pray desperately and seek the Lord about where He is leading and how He wants to help us accomplish His plan for that stage of our lives. Of course, this adventure doesn’t necessarily mean we embark on a phenomenal, world-changing goal. It could be such things as starting a new business or a nonprofit, going back to school, beginning a mission work, getting a different job, volunteering in a ministry, etc.

Sometimes we might be tempted to think that we can only make a difference if we do something outstanding and extraordinary. Thinking like that can cause discouragement instead of inspiration, especially if you are dealing with other circumstances that limit what you can do. Circumstances such as a medical condition, financial constraints, the needs of your extended family, and restrictions in society at large can impact your plans considerably.

While it is beneficial to have goals that are impressive, it’s also important to concentrate on the power of seeing the opportunities in everyday small things that make a difference. This focus can help us have a positive outlook as we go through the day because we’re on the lookout for what the Lord is going to do to open a door so that we can be a blessing to others.

We must not, in trying to think about how we can make a big difference, ignore the small daily differences we can make which, over time, add up to big differences that we often cannot foresee.—Marian Wright Edelman

We cannot all do great things, but we can do small things with great love.—Mother Teresa

The older I get, the more I’m conscious of ways very small things can make a change in the world.—Sandra Cisneros

Make a difference

No matter how limited your circumstances, there is always something you can do to make a difference in the lives of others. Doing something for someone else, even something small, can be the steppingstone to something greater.  You never know how a small deed can change a life.

Want to make the world a better place? … Enter the five-minute favor concept that is no more complicated than its name alludes: take five minutes out of your day to do something that’ll benefit another person. … It doesn’t cost you much, but it can make a big difference in somebody’s life.¹

*

I believe that God wants to encourage people, but often He needs us to do it. And we do have what others need. We have God’s Holy Spirit and His words of love! Our life can be influential because of the power of our words. Our words don’t need to be profound or eloquent—just simple words that meet a person’s need for love, hope, significance, or comfort.

If you feel like you have no time, no energy, no expertise, or little to give, don’t worry; that’s common to many of us. But we can all give through our words of encouragement, through which our lives can have influence, and we can spread God’s love wherever we go. In just five minutes or less, we can make a difference at a bus stop, on the metro, at the shop, at work, at school, online, going for a walk, and the list goes on.

Here are some questions we can ask ourselves: What can I say to this person that will help them in some way, lift their spirits, brighten their day, and make them feel appreciated, valued, and worthwhile? How can I leave this person feeling good about themselves, that what they’re doing counts? Then let’s ask God to give us the faith to say whatever He lays on our hearts.—Maria Fontaine

Pay it forward

You have probably heard of the expression “pay it forward”—the idea being that when someone does something for you, instead of paying that person back directly, you then extend the same or a similar kindness to someone else. Practicing this can be inspiring and a blessing to others and ourselves. Here is a little account along those lines that a co-worker wrote:

The Lord did something special for me last night. I went to eat dinner at my favorite little Italian restaurant. There was a wonderful female server. We talked a bit. I learned she had just come from Albania three months earlier. She said the move has been “very hard.” Later she came up to me and said, “You are very brave. Sitting here eating alone.”

A bit later I asked for my check. There was a cute family with two beautiful children sitting two tables away from me. During my meal I was trying to not watch them or eavesdrop on their conversation, but that took some effort as I was facing them and the kids were so cute.

The server brought the husband of that family their check as she was on her way to deliver my check to me. Then she came over to me stunned and said, “That man has paid for your meal.”

I was surprised and touched. I went over to thank him. We talked for a minute or two, and then as he was leaving, he said, “Well, pay it forward sometime.” I said, “Yes, I’m going to pay it forward right now with our server.”

As I was leaving, I went to find the Albanian woman who had served me, and I told her, “He said to pay it forward, and I’m doing that now.” I took her hand and put a bill in it equal to the cost of my meal. Then I hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, and said, “God bless you.” She was beaming! I knew that the Lord had done this to encourage her—and me!

God can take our small efforts and multiply them in the lives of others. And if we are faithful to take advantage of small opportunities to be a witness of His love when they present themselves, then the Lord can open the door for greater opportunities. The Bible says that “he who is faithful in a very little thing is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).

Love is manifested by action; love demonstrates outgoing concern. When you’re willing to give of yourself, to be a friend, a companion, a listening ear; when you’re willing to take your time to talk to someone who’s lonely or seeking the truth, or to make someone feel needed and important—all of this brings with it a certain satisfaction and reward of spirit for you.

When you give in this way, even though it may initially be a sacrifice of your time, it won’t be long before you see the rewards, and it will become obvious to you that you did the right thing. You can feel My love in your heart, and you have a sense of accomplishment, a sense of fulfillment, a joy and satisfaction in knowing that you made somebody’s day brighter, you helped to lighten their load, you helped them to not give up.

Through performing these little acts of love and unselfishness, you are blessed personally with the joy and peace of My Spirit. It’s not fleeting or dependent upon the circumstances, but it’s a gift that I give you—the happiness of knowing that you have been a blessing to someone in need.—Jesus

As Christians, our calling is to do the will of God. As we seek to please the Lord, it behooves us to do what we can day by day within the realm of our influence and means. The key phrase here is day by day. We might not see immediate results, but we can’t let that discourage us. We can trust in God’s promise: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up” (Galatians 6:9).

God is big enough for even our smallest tasks. He is holy enough to sanctify even our most menial moments. He is great enough to give significance even to the little things of our lives. And in them, to give us precious and peculiar joys. In Christ, by His Spirit, there is indeed “joy to find in every station”—not just in the bright, shining, public flashes of our various vocations, but in the smallest, most menial, seemingly insignificant moments.—David Mathis²

We are blessed to know the Lord and His Word, and as we do what we can each day to be faithful to our calling as His followers and representatives, we will find meaning in our lives. We can make each day count by doing what we can to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love others as we love ourselves. And in those times when we don’t feel like we’re making much of a difference or we don’t have a lot of fruit to show for our labors, we can rest assured that as we don’t give up, but continue to do our best to be a witness of the Lord’s love and truth, one day we will hear Him say, “Well done, My good and faithful servant, enter into My joy.” (See Matthew 25:21.) Then it will be worth it all!

Originally published December 2021. Adapted and republished September 2025. Read by John Laurence.

¹ “How A (Very) Little, Daily Favor Can Change Your Life,” HuffPost, September 3, 2013, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/five-minute-favor-adam-rifkin_n_3805090

² David Mathis, “Faithfulness in the Little Things Where We Are Called,” TableTalk magazine, July 2019 issue, https://tabletalkmagazine.com/article/2019/07/faithfulness-in-the-little-things-where-we-are-called/

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Focusing on the Good

September 3, 2025

By Nina Kole

Oftentimes in families we see siblings who grew up in similar circumstances; they lived in the same countries, went to the same schools, and shared many of the same experiences. Yet when they talk  about their past, the way they view their life can be very different.

Why is it that two people can often have a very different take on their experiences? Part of this can have to do with our attitude and whether we choose to focus on the good and what we can learn and benefit from our experiences, rather than dwelling on the challenges and setbacks.

If we base our outlook on life on the negative things we experience, we can get to the point where it becomes difficult to see or enjoy the good and beauty that has made our life what it is. When we dwell on the negative, we can lose sight of the beautiful things we have been blessed with in our lives. This focus can push away people who try to help and encourage us, because when we’re in that negative state of mind, it’s nearly impossible for us to accept anything good that other people have to say about us.

Having a positive attitude can change our outlook on life and how we view the things that happen to us. We can choose to see the good in a situation or we can focus only on the negative, which will make going through life somewhat bleak. When we choose to look at the good, we can learn how to focus on the things that make us happy rather than the things we don’t like or that bother us.

I invited a little girl to my daughter’s birthday party, and she literally went around the house complaining about everything—from the size of the swimming pool to the brand of orange juice I served, to the type of cake and how she preferred other snacks and treats. Well, you can bet that not only did that girl not have any fun at the party, but neither my daughter nor I were eager to invite her back.

People who focus on the negative sometimes remind me of those cartoon characters with dark rain clouds hanging over their heads. That’s a rather depressing picture. Not only that, but their negativity is contagious. It drags others down and can darken one’s whole outlook on life. Fortunately, if we choose to dwell on the good and positive things in life, we have the power to have the opposite effect on those around us. We can brighten someone’s perspective and help make a difficult situation more bearable.

There is a phrase that one of my teachers would quote in prayer before showing his class a movie: “Help us to choose the good and eschew the evil,” rephrased from Bible passages (1 Peter 3:11 and Isaiah 7:15). Once I was old enough to understand that it wasn’t a verse about chewing, but that it was another way of saying “choose good and refuse evil,” I found it to be an excellent principle to live by.

Everyone faces difficult circumstances; there are delays, difficult tests, and unfair or annoying situations or people. So many of these things are beyond our control, so being angry and negative does nothing except make us feel worse.

The Bible says to “always be joyful” (1 Thessalonians 5:16). Knowing that God is always with us is a major boost to helping us look on the bright side or giving us the faith that He will cause all things to work together for our good, even if we don’t see how (Romans 8:28). Exercising this approach to life can also help us when we go through bigger, and perhaps more serious, difficulties.

I once read a fable about a king who had a good friend who always said, “God knows best,” no matter what bad things happened. One day, they were hunting together, and the friend had assembled the rifle incorrectly, so the king accidentally shot his thumb off. The king was so mad at his friend that he sent him to prison. As they took the friend away, he said, “God knows best.”

The king thought his friend had definitely gone too far this time, as obviously nothing good could come from this situation. A short while later, the king was on an expedition and was captured by cannibals; they were preparing a big pot in which to boil him when they noticed he was missing his thumb. Due to their superstitions, they were afraid to eat him because he wasn’t “complete,” so they let him go.

The king realized that this mistake by his friend had saved his life. He quickly called for him and apologized profusely for his rash behavior in having thrown him in jail. “God knows best,” the friend answered, and the king said, “I know how the accident turned out for good for me, but what was the good of my throwing you in jail?” The friend replied, “If you hadn’t thrown me in jail, I would have been captured with you when you came across those cannibals, and I’m not missing a thumb.”

It’s a slightly silly story, but it does make a point. God has a wonderful way of turning annoying and negative circumstances around for good. If we make a point of counting the blessings we have, we’ll find there are a lot of them. However, if we focus on the negative, we’ll find that there is a lot of that as well. It simply depends on what you choose to look for.

Another big difference between a positive and a negative perspective is the way it affects our outlook on the future. Are new opportunities a chance for something great to happen? Or are they just one more thing that won’t work out as anticipated?

I think Philippians 4:8 says it beautifully: “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” The Bible also tells us: “Whoever trusts in the LORD, happy is he” (Proverbs 16:20).

What kind of attitude to life would you rather embrace?

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

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Stamped with God’s Image

 September 2, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 13:39

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Every soul on earth has asked the same question: Am I somebody important? It’s easy to feel anything but important when the corporation sees you as a number, the boyfriend treats you like cattle, your ex takes your energy, or old age takes your dignity. Somebody important? Hardly.

When you struggle with that question, remember this promise of God: You were created by God, in God’s image, for God’s glory. “God spoke: ‘Let us make human beings in our image, make them reflecting our nature’” (Genesis 1:26).

Embedded in these words is the most wonderful of promises: God made us to reflect the image of God. God created us to be more like him than anything else he made. He never declared, “Let us make oceans in our image” or “birds in our likeness.” The heavens above reflect the glory of God, but they are not made in the image of God. Yet we are.

To be clear, no one is God except in his or her own delusion. But everyone carries some of the communicable attributes of God. Wisdom. Love. Grace. Kindness. A longing for eternity. These are just some of the attributes that set us apart from the farm animal and suggest that we bear the fingerprints of the Divine Maker. We are made in his image and in his likeness. …

The New Testament describes a progressive work of God to shape us into his image. As we fellowship with God, read his Word, obey his commands, and seek to understand and reflect his character, something wonderful emerges. Or better stated, Someone wonderful emerges. God comes out of us. We say things God would say. We do things God would do. We forgive, we share, and we love. …

According to the Bible, you are good simply because God made you in his image. He cherishes you because you bear a resemblance to him. … You are his. You carry a part of him. There is something of him in you. He made you in his image. He stamped his name on your heart. He breathed life into your lungs.

Someone called you a lost cause. Someone branded you as a failure. Someone dismissed you as insignificant. Don’t listen to them. They don’t know what they’re talking about. A divine spark indwells you. When you say yes to God, he blows on that holy ember and it begins to flame. It grows day by day within you. Are you perfect? No. But you are being made perfect.

He bought you and owns you, and has a wild and inexplicable love for you. His love for you does not depend on you. You are God’s idea. God’s child. Created in God’s image. Would you let that truth find its way into your heart? You were conceived by God before you were conceived by your parents. You were loved in heaven before you were known on earth.—Max Lucado¹

What does it mean to be made in God’s image?

From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26).

In all of creation, only human beings are made in God’s image. It’s a great privilege—and it gives you dignity. What does it mean to be made in God’s image? It’s one of those concepts that’s too big to fully understand, but here’s some of what it means:

• Like God, you are a spiritual being. Your spirit is immortal and will outlast your earthly body.
• You are intellectual. You can think, reason, and solve problems.
• You are relational. You can give and receive real love.
• You have a moral consciousness. You can discern right from wrong, which makes you accountable to God.

But there’s a problem: The image of God in you is incomplete and has been damaged and distorted by sin. So God sent Jesus on a mission to restore the full image that you—and everyone else ever born—have lost.

What does the full “image and likeness” of God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ! The Bible says: “God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. … We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29).

The Bible says Jesus is “the exact likeness of God” (2 Corinthians 4:4), “the visible image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), and “the exact representation of his being” (Hebrews 1:3). …

God wants his children to bear his image and likeness. The Bible says you were “created to be like God—truly righteous and holy” (Ephesians 4:24). Live like an image bearer today so that when people look at you, they’ll think of how much you’re like your heavenly Father!—Rick Warren²

Created for His glory

Scripture consistently affirms that we have been created in God’s image for His glory. … In Ephesians, we are reminded that we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good deeds (Ephesians 2:10). Whether we eat or drink or anything we do, we should be doing it for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). …

Of course, we know that in this fallen world we don’t reflect God’s image perfectly. Jesus alone was the perfect image of God. As followers of Christ, we are called to reflect Jesus’ example. Praise God that we who are in Christ are being renewed in knowledge after the image of our Creator (Colossians 3:10). Just as a sculptor chips away to reveal a masterpiece, our transformation to become more like Jesus is a deliberate process. Romans 12:2 encourages us to “not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.”

As I’ve looked into this topic, I have been incredibly encouraged, humbled, and also challenged in what it means that we are made in God’s image. This profound truth reminds us that we all have inherent worth, value, and dignity. It causes us to see that God has kindly blessed us with our capacity to think, reason, and create. It highlights to us the importance of meaningful relationships with God and others. It reminds us of our responsibility to steward God’s creation with wisdom and care. Ultimately, being created in God’s image signifies that true and lasting satisfaction can only be found in the One who formed us. As we find our satisfaction in Him and seek to follow Jesus’ example, we bring glory to God.

“For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen” (Romans 11:36).—Emma Sunderland³

The meaning of it all

What is life all about? What am I here for? Is there a purpose, a plan for me? And if so, what is it? Questions such as these have stirred the soul and imagination of humankind throughout the ages. Regardless of our nationality, social status, ethnicity, or creed, people the world over seek the same things—ultimate truth, meaning, love, happiness, and peace of mind.

In today’s ever-changing and increasingly complex and fast-paced interconnected world, more and more people find themselves caught up in the frenzied rush to become successful or make ends meet financially. They often have little time to ponder seemingly abstract matters such as the meaning of life or the eternal destiny of their own souls.

But as the years pass, people often find that the pressures of life and trying to meet all their commitments have filled them with stress and anxiety, not peace or satisfaction. This world and all its material goods and fleeting pleasures can never answer the big questions of life. Material things may satisfy temporarily, but they can never satisfy the eternal longing of the soul for truth, purpose, and meaning.

The Bible tells us that God is a loving Father who created us in His image and loves each human being uniquely. God’s entire creation is a constant testimony not only of His existence, power, and majesty, but also of His love, concern, and care for us in giving us such a beautiful world to live in.

As the divine Creator, God is the only one who can give meaning to the universe, purpose to the planets, love to our hearts, peace to our minds, health to our bodies, rest to our spirits, and joy to our souls. God is not some faraway uninterested being. He is a God who is personal, who has a relationship with His creation. He is interested in each one of us as individuals.

Through belief in Jesus Christ, we become God’s children. He communes with us, abides in us, and loves us.—Activated

Published on Anchor September 2025. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by John Listen.

¹ Max Lucado, Unshakable Hope (Thomas Nelson, 2018).

² Rick Warren, “What Does It Mean to Be Made in God’s Image?” PastorRick.com, September 5, 2022, https://pastorrick.com/what-does-it-mean-to-be-made-in-gods-image

³ Emma Sunderland, “Created in God’s Image: What It Means and Why It Matters,” OasisChurch.com, https://oasischurch.com.au/8978-2

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

New Bottles

 September 1, 2025

By David Brandt Berg

Audio length: 5:34

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To stay alive, everyone must have movement. There must be change, movement, motion. The signs of life are primarily manifested by motion, action. There is no standing still. Every movement has to have constant change, revitalization, and action to stay alive.

Do you know why our movement still exists? It’s because we taught you not to do it the way we had done it in the past, because we were has-beens. We really just did the best we could to teach you and then turned you loose to find out how it needed to be done to reach your own generation, by finding out what they needed and what they would accept and what would reach them.

We tried not to hold you back and make you do it the way others did it, much less the way we did it, but to set you free so that, by the Spirit of God, you could learn how to do it now. Every new season we need to learn and find out how to do it today! And for God’s sake and the future of the world’s, I hope you will not try to limit others to the way you’ve been operating, much less the way I did, but that you will let people do it the way God shows them to do it in their way and their day.

Otherwise, if you try to make others conform to yesterday, they will have become old bottles and part of an old system and a thing of the past! Every generation is going to have to do it differently from the way you’re doing it, with new methods under different conditions, and they’ll have to adapt to the need of their day. You’re going to have to pray and ask God to show you what to do each day. And when it comes time for the next generation to step up, they’re going to have to get their instructions from God themselves too.

Don’t hand me that old stuff, “This is the way we used to do it!” Forget the way we used to do it! How do we need to do it now? All I can do is try to teach you everything I know that’ll be helpful to you, but the rest you’ll have to learn for yourself from the Lord for your generation and your situation. What we have in common is the fact that we’ve got the same source, the Lord, for our information. But you’re going to have to find out how to do it in your place with your generation and your situation from the Lord. That’s where faith in God comes in.

Thank God I had the faith to tell you to follow God! Because if I’d tried to tell you exactly what to do, I’d never have thought up one fraction of the new methods and approaches and tactics you have. I haven’t got enough lifetimes to live to think of all those things. I taught you all I could, but a lot of it is already outdated, obsolete. Even some of the things we told you to do a year ago are dated and we’ve changed tactics. As we make progress, we have to do new things in new ways as each year goes by, as each month goes by.

If you’re not open to change, you won’t be able to continue to make progress. You have to be willing to change, to accept new ideas, new concepts, and new methods. You’ve got to be willing to move, to adapt as needed, because situations, circumstances, and conditions around you are constantly changing, and if you don’t change with them, you’re not going to continue to move forward and make progress.

So for God’s sake, don’t limit yourself or your faith or actions to what I told you to do or what we have done previously! The minute you start living in the past, watch out. We can look back at the past to see what we can learn, but for God’s sake don’t limit yourself to the past.

The greatest thing we can teach our new disciples and children—and each new generation has to learn for itself—is to follow God every day. Only God is way out there in front and knows what’s going to happen and is able to lead you and guide you. So don’t get so stuck with either a name, a method, or a message that you can’t change from day to day with whatever God has for you—His new method, new way. All things change, but they don’t change once and for all; they have to keep changing and moving or they will come to a stop.

God’s Word never changes, the Lord never changes, the gospel never changes, salvation never changes. Christ doesn’t change, but God keeps moving every day! You may be the same person basically, but you’ve got to keep moving to grow and make progress. It may be the same message, but the approach varies to suit the need and adapt to the situation. The tactics and the methods will change. As the Apostle Paul said, “I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Corinthians 9:22).

Let’s keep moving for the Lord, spreading the Good News as we go! Let’s just keep going for God!

Originally published June 1973. Adapted and republished September 2025. Read by Jon Marc.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Secret Place—Renewing Your Mind

Virginia Brandt Berg

1970-01-02

Welcome to Meditation Moments and a hearty “God bless you.” The Lord make you a blessing.

We go again today into the inner chamber of prayer. You remember that in this series of “The Inner Chamber,” the secret place where we meet God alone in fellowship and meditation, we have repeated each time the key verse, Matthew 6:6, “But when you pray, go into your most private room, and closing the door, pray to your Father who is in secret, and your Father who sees in secret will reward you in the open.”

You know, out of all these verses, we take just one little sentence, “the renewing of your mind.” And we’re going to take it from this verse: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to 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 the good and acceptable and perfect will of God” (Romans 12:1–2).

So we have here this little jewel, “the renewing of your mind.” For there is no place where the mind can be so fully renewed as in the secret place of prayer alone with God. When we come aside from temporal things that distract and harass us, and there in the presence of God we put our mind on the things of God—His majesty, His glory, the transforming power of God then begins to work in us and we are transformed by the renewing of our minds. Oh, it’s vital, because it’s in the mind that sin is first conceived and that doubts are first brought about.

The Devil attacks us first in our thoughts; that’s the door through which he finds entrance. But thank God we can slam that door shut. You have found as I have that in the hard places of trial, the Devil tries to put discouraging thoughts in our mind, and the one that has not learned this secret of renewing the mind will, as God Word says, soon faint in his mind. In Hebrews 12:3 we find these words: “Consider him that endured such contradiction … lest ye be weary and faint in your mind.” That then is the secret! That’s where we first faint, we become discouraged. It’s no use to talk victory and use a lot of cheerful, bright words, and think thoughts of defeat and discouragement.

If our mind is the door through which the Devil finds entrance, then we can by an act of our will take our mind off such thoughts and put them on the Lord and His truth and His Word. It’s so vital that we have certain scriptures memorized so that we can quickly wield the sword of the Spirit when the Enemy attacks us. And soon you’ll be lifted out of the dark, discouraging thoughts, and actually feel the transforming power of the Lord Jesus Christ renewing your mind. Try it. When the Enemy comes with these discouraging, doubting thoughts, slam the door. Stay your mind on Christ.

The Scriptures, the uplifting and transforming Scriptures, and the power that God has promised will give you a victory over every ugly doubting thought. As you form the habit of thinking Godward from His Word and thinking His thoughts after Him, gradually 2 Corinthians 10:5 will be fulfilled: “Casting down every imagination and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

Now please note that it’s the word Christ that makes all the difference in this verse. Last year I visited the home of a woman who was deep in the study of science of the mind, and she was constantly struggling to think positive—positive thoughts. But she was always being defeated. I’ve met a number like this.

This woman would put on a veneer of control, but inwardly sometimes she was so angry she was boiling. She wasn’t a Christian, and when she gave up her negative thinking she had nothing to hold on to; she had nothing factual to tie into. She didn’t have Christ to help her, nor all the wonderful scriptures of the Bible to think on.

What an advantage the Christian has over that. Yes, I do believe in positive thinking, but she was exalting her mind above the mind of God. Note that verse again, “Casting down every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”

So I say, there is a science of the mind, but there is no salvation or eternal life in it. God’s Word says there is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we can be saved, and in none other is there salvation. (Acts 4:12) You’ve got to give people something to tie into, something to hold on to, and something very positive to think about. What is more positive than the living Word of the living God?

You’ll never know God’s will for your life unless you are transformed thus. Well, I might say by the controlling of your mind, but God’s Word says here the renewing of your mind. But you can control it through Jesus Christ’s help. Surely God’s word is true when He says, “My people will not consider” (Isaiah 1:3). They don’t have time to stop and think.

John Brown said, “We need someone to write a book about the lost art of thinking.” Many people go through life without a thought of ever getting alone and probing the resources of their minds, much less getting the mind of God. This can never be accomplished in the turmoil of the world.

Never can you find the mind of God on the streets of social life, or in the hobby shop. Getting hold of God has to be done where there are no distractions: that’s why He says to go into your most secret place—or your closet, as in some translations. This has to be deliberately planned; it cannot be done in leftover parings of time.

The great giants of faith all through the ages deliberately shut themselves off from everything for a while, alone with God, until faith came to a white-hot focus and they got through to victory. David said, “Thy testimonies are my meditation,” (Psalm 119:99) and then in 2 Corinthians 11:3 it tells us, “I fear, lest as the serpent beguiled Eve by his cunning, so your minds may be corrupted from wholehearted and sincere pure devotion to Jesus Christ.”

In closing, let’s repeat what the psalmist said, “I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love, when I meditate upon it in the night watches.” (Psalm 119:13, 63:6)

At first it isn’t easy to deliberately by an act of the will put the mind on God, His love, His truths. But gradually as you yield to Him, then by the Spirit—the principle I might say of repetition—the thoughts will be brought into captivity to Christ. And remember, it’s the “Christ.” It’s Christ that counts, not just some system of thinking, and not some science of the mind, but Jesus Christ and all His teaching. God never asks us to do what we cannot do. This is His Word, and His Word is true; it will accomplish just what He claims it will.

He’s never failed in one of all His good promises. God cannot lie. His Word stands unchanging, everlastingly steadfast—the blessed Word of God. God said it; the almighty God, the Creator of the universe said it.

It’s so because God said so. Remember, He’ll do it for you. He’s still on the throne and prayer changes things.

The Life of Discipleship, Part 2: Loving God with Our Whole Being

By Peter Amsterdam

August 12, 2025

How do we express our love for God and what kind of response does God seek from us as His children, born into His kingdom through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? In the book of Luke, Jesus taught us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27 NIV).

In Matthew’s account of this incident, we read that a lawyer (an expert in the law of the Old Testament) asked Jesus a question to test Him: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36–40).

The command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind that Jesus quotes here is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, which is meant to encapsulate the concept of total devotion to God. The accounts of this incident in the Gospels of Luke and Mark include another dimension by adding loving the Lord with all our strength (Mark 12:30).

Jesus makes the point that “on these two commandments” [loving God and neighbor] “depend all the Law and the Prophets.” In Mark’s version of this event, the scribe responds by saying,

You are right, Teacher. … To love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

When Jesus saw that the scribe had answered wisely, He responded by telling him that he was “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:32–34).

Let’s take a look at what loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, strength and understanding means and how we can grow in expressing our love for God through every aspect of our lives and beings. This starts with our relationship with God, which is meant to be our closest and most intimate relationship, as the following article excerpts highlight.

God wants us to love Him with our whole being and in every possible way. God’s own Son taught us to love God the Father with everything we are, saying this was the first and greatest of all the commandments (Matthew 22:37–38). God wants us to love Him above all other things and beings. Lukewarm, halfhearted, or apathetic fondness for God won’t do. He wants our total devotion. … God desires to have an intimate love relationship with us. Our love for Him is a response to His divine love for us (1 John 4:19) …

Perhaps one of the purest examples in the Bible of how to love God comes from an unnamed woman who anointed the Lord’s feet with her perfume (Luke 7:36–50). So grateful was she for Christ’s forgiveness of her many sins that she poured out her love in extravagant worship and absolute devotion. This woman appreciated the true worth of her Savior, and in humble gratitude, sacrifice, and servitude, she loved and worshiped Jesus with her tears, her hair, her kisses, and her priceless bottle of perfume. She loved God with all she was and everything she had to offer.—Got Questions¹

With Everything in Us

As Christians, we are to love God with all of our being—with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That’s a call for rich, deep, and full love—a love-Him-with-everything-you’ve-got love. We are called into a close personal relationship with God, who Himself is relational, and as such, He seeks relationship with us.

The beautiful relationship God had with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was damaged because of their choice to sin. God is holy, so after sin came into the world, He could no longer have that same personal relationship with humans. His desire was to repair the relationship that sin ruptured and bring us back into relationship with Himself.

God is so passionate about being in relationship with us that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to sacrificially lay down His life through His death on the cross in order to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity (John 3:16). That’s how much He loves us. He actively seeks to be in relationship with us, because of His great love for us. And we are called to the same passionate love in our relationship with Him. As the verse says, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NKJV).

To convey His deep love for us, God used language and imagery in the Bible which speaks of us as being married to Him. He said, “Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name” (Isaiah 54:5), and “as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). These marital metaphors describe the union of heart, mind, and spirit that He desires to have with each of us.

Our love for Him results in our desire to draw close to Him (James 4:8), to build a deep relationship with Him, and put effort into strengthening our relationship and growing into His likeness. To do so, we commit to spending regular time communicating with Him through prayer, praise, and worship, reading and studying His Word, and patterning our lives according to His will and the principles of His Word. We endeavor to grow in our love for Him—with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The following article excerpts provide some insight as to what this means and what it looks like.

With all our heart

It’s the most astounding truth in the universe—that our Creator wants to fellowship with us. God made you to love you, and He longs for you to love Him back. He says, “I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me” (Hosea 6:6 TLB). Can you sense God’s passion for you in this verse?

God deeply loves you and desires your love in return. He longs for you to know Him and spend time with Him. This is why learning to love God and be loved by Him should be the greatest objective of your life. Nothing else comes close in importance. Jesus called it the greatest commandment…

God wants all of you. God doesn’t want a part of your life. He asks for all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. God is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion. … He wants your honest, real love… [which] is the natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy.—Rick Warren²

With all our soul and strength

What does it mean to love God with all our soul? The Hebrew word for soul is nefesh (NEH-fesh). It means “life” as well as “soul.” In other words, we are to love God every moment of our lives. It even includes the idea that we should love God even to the point of sacrificing our lives for Him. It is certainly not enough to love God one day a week. Yeshua is [the] Lover of our Soul. He loved to the point of sacrificing His life for us. God loved the world (every soul) so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son for our salvation. Because we have been forgiven much, we can love much. (See Luke 7:47.) May we, by the grace of God, love Him with all our life. He is our life (Deuteronomy 30:20a).

To love God with all our might or strength, meod (may-ODE), means to love Him with all we’ve got—to love Him exceedingly well. It has been said that meod accents the superlative degree of total commitment to the Lord.—Jamie Lash³

With all our mind

To love God with all your mind means that you love God with your intellect, that you love God with determination and commitment. The Pharisees and religious leaders who confronted Jesus weren’t doing this. They were loving God with their words and their rituals but not with the totality of their being. If they had loved God with their minds, they would have put Him first and foremost in their lives. They would have obeyed Him fully.

In another place, Jesus made it very clear to His disciples, saying, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obeying requires a decision of the mind. It is a determination. … If your will is in gear and ready to go—if you love God with all your mind—all of the other ways of loving the Lord are going to fall in place.—Dr. Michael Youssef ⁴

A central part of our discipleship is loving God so wholeheartedly that we are willing to align our lives according to the principles in His Word, thereby keeping His commands. We aspire to pattern ourselves after Jesus and to become more like Him. We desire to live our lives in a way that honors God, which is based on the knowledge of His Word, and with the awareness of and reverence for His constant presence within us.

When He says, “Follow Me,” He asks us to love Him so much that we choose to make Him our first priority; we place self in the right place in relation to God, who is sovereign over all of us. We make decisions to place His love at the center of our lives, to walk in His love and share His love with others. In short, we seek to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

In 1 John, we read:

Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him (1 John 3:22–24).

Understanding the principle of loving God with everything in us and following Him and His Word provides guidance for the life decisions we are regularly faced with. The basic principle being that God—our Creator, our Savior, and the Spirit that dwells within us—asks for and deserves our love and first place in our lives. This is the starting place of discipleship, and loving Him is at the center of living our discipleship. Our love for Christ—who gave His life for us—compels us, necessitates us, guides us, and urges us to love and worship Him fervently with all our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:14 NKJV), and to cultivate a close relationship with Him.

Thoughts to Ponder

To “love God with all your heart” means to devote your entire being, including your affections, thoughts, and actions, to Him, prioritizing His will and seeking to please Him above all else.—C. S. Lewis

Those who love God cannot cease thinking of Him, living for Him, longing after Him, speaking of Him, and fain would they grave the Holy Name of Jesus in the hearts of every living creature they behold.—St. Francis of Sales

The most important commandment … is to treasure God and his realm more than anything else. That is what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It means to treasure him, to hold him and his dear, and to protect and aid him in his purposes.—Dallas Willard

What the Bible Says

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV).

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).

A Prayer of Gratitude for His Love

Dear God, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for bestowing upon us the incredible gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. This selfless act of sacrifice is something I know I am unworthy of, yet He willingly gave Himself to save us from our sins. … I can’t help but utter the words of Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Your steadfast love continues to amaze me, and I am forever grateful for Your endless grace and compassion. I bask in the glow of Your love, dear God. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, thank You for Your unfailing love, and thank You for every blessing You have bestowed upon us.⁵

¹ “What does the Bible say about how to love God?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-love-God.html

² Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Zondervan, 2012).

³ Jamie Lash, “You Shall Love,” Jewish Jewels, February 1, 2022, https://www.jewishjewels.org/news-letters/you-shall-love/.

⁴ Dr. Michael Youssef, “Loving God with All Your Mind,” Leading the Way, May 2, 2023, https://ca.ltw.org/read/my-devotional/loving-god-with-all-your-mind/.

⁵ Everlasting Winter, “Rejoicing in God’s Love: A Prayer of Gratitude,” December 26, 2023, https://www.talkjesus.com/threads/rejoicing-in-gods-love-a-prayer-of-gratitude.79690/.

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Learning to Dance in the Darkness

August 29, 2025

By Stewart Bogle

Do the circumstances of your life feel like a dance in the darkness? In this episode, Australian author and podcaster of Resilient Souls, Stewart Bogle, shares his personal journey through suffering and how Philippians 4:4–7 offers a path to joy, even in life’s darkest moments. Drawing from both Scripture and personal experience, Stewart presents practical steps to find peace through prayer, petition, and thanksgiving and turning to God, even when life is tough.

Run time for this video is 29:31 minutes.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Gifts and Callings

August 28, 2025

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:09

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For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.—Romans 14:17

My Word brings the fullness of joy and peace into your life (John 15:11). Joy is not only a fruit of My Spirit, but it is a gift that you share with others. You may not necessarily feel joyful all the time, but regardless of how you feel, even in the midst of the darkness and sadness in the world, you can let your light shine for Me by sharing joy and smiles with those around you.

When My children smile, it spreads My joy to others. It’s a proclamation of faith that brings encouragement to others. It’s a witness of trust and confidence in Me—without your saying a word. A smile brings joy and hope to others and shines My light in a world so full of darkness.

I have called you to be My ambassador of hope, joy, peace, and truth. My Spirit in you will shine forth to others—and it often starts with a smile and acknowledging each person you interact with as My creation whom I dearly love and long to draw to Me.

The gift of helps

And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance.—1 Corinthians 12:28

The gift of helping is an important gift that blesses other people (1 Corinthians 12:28). You might not think that it’s very glorious, but every time you do something for others, you are a token of My love for them. When you do something to help another person and make things easier for them, you can be the answer to someone’s prayer.

Every time you choose to exercise this gift to help others, to encourage them and to support and strengthen them, you are doing so as unto Me. Every time you volunteer to help the needy, you give of your time and resources, and you support people in their time of need, you are doing it for Me (Matthew 25:38–40). Each time you show My love and care to people around you, you are expressing your love for Me and giving a living example to the world of My love.

The gift of wisdom

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.—James 1:5

You can ask Me for the gift of wisdom, and I will grant your request in accordance with My will. When Solomon prayed wholeheartedly for My anointing of wisdom, I granted his request, and as long as he stayed close to Me, he was one of the wisest men who had ever lived.

Wisdom is an important gift to cultivate because, in conjunction with My Word, it will help you to discern what is true and right. The modern world is full of misinformation and manipulation, meant to mislead and deceive or to proclaim people’s personal beliefs as true, when in reality they have no foundation in truth. But My Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth (John 16:13).

The gift of discernment is also important to hone in your life, as your “powers of discernment are trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil” (Hebrews 5:14). Discernment will help you to separate truth from falsehood, and to better understand situations and people. If you lack wisdom and seek to grow in discernment, ask Me sincerely and wholeheartedly, and trust that I will give them to you. Then train yourself in these gifts through constant practice and study of My Word.

Learning from Samuel

For it is God who is working in you, enabling you both to desire and to work out His good purpose.—Philippians 2:13

There is much you can learn from the life of Samuel, who lived and worked in the temple. He heard My voice and loved Me above all else. Because of his faithfulness to My Word, I was able to make his life a blessing to many, and he was able to fulfill his calling and help to bring the people closer to Me.

You can learn from Samuel’s example of faithfulness and dedication to Me to trust in My purposes and calling for you. You may not see clearly My plan and purpose for your life in certain seasons, but as you remain faithful to Me and to what I have given you to do, I will keep you and make your life fruitful, even in times of hardship and challenge.

Keep committing yourself to Me, and trust that I will guide and bless you. Even if things don’t go as smoothly as you had hoped and there are unexpected challenges along the way, I am always with you. You may not always see the fruit of your labor, but you can trust that I am working in and through you to fulfill My good purposes for your life.

Gifts for growth

Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.—James 1:2–4

When I was on Earth, I was tempted and tried in all points—just like you are. I experienced many of the same tests, temptations, and trials that you do. Through the things I experienced, I learned and was prepared for My unique calling. I understand and My heart is touched by the challenges you face and the struggles of life (Hebrews 4:15).

Everything that you experience in life will work together for your good and for the things I have prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). I can’t promise that your way will never be steep, or that you’ll never face setbacks. I can’t promise that you won’t face seemingly insurmountable obstacles as you travel up the mountain for Me. But I promise that I will be with you always and I will help you, uphold you, and strengthen you (Isaiah 41:10).

The process of growing into all that I have called you to be is not easy, and to grow in My image and likeness, you must experience difficulties, challenges, and trying times. So count it as an opportunity for joy when you face troubles and trials, knowing that it is part of the growth process and is meant to draw you ever closer to Me. Always remember that I love you and I will not fail to fulfill any of My wonderful promises to you and everyone who loves Me.

Grow where you’re planted

They delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.—Psalm 1:2–3

I’ve seen you grow and mature as a firm and strongly rooted tree. Your branches reach out so that others can find rest and shade, and your life bears the fruit of a life consecrated to Me. Never belittle your place or your calling, for I have called you and ordained you to bear fruit (John 15:16).

If you are tempted to wonder why I have placed you in a certain situation or what fruit your life is bearing, remember that I am the one who fashioned you and I have a plan for your life. I am the alpha and the omega, the beginning and the end, and My handwriting is on the first and the closing words of your life’s book.

Keep trusting in Me, keep walking the path I have set before you by faith, trusting in Me for each step of the journey. I have placed within you the gifts that you need to fulfill My calling for your life, and if you are lacking, remember that it is My good pleasure to give good gifts to you (Luke 12:32).

Originally published in 2000. Adapted and republished August 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Fogarty.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

A Pandemic of Loneliness

August 27, 2025

By Gabriel García V.

Many news articles are alerting us that a plague worse than Covid is ravaging countries around the world, one with silent symptoms but lethal aftereffects. Some have labeled it the globalization of loneliness, a type of epidemic that is spreading around the world with devastating consequences. And it’s impacting young and old.

Many people lead lives of isolation, confinement, and withdrawal. We live in a sea of loneliness, where touch technology has replaced the human touch. Indeed, as the Bible predicted, the love of many has grown cold (Matthew 24:12).

“Loneliness is an open wound in our time,” says Chilean interviewer and columnist Cristián Warnken. He adds, “We are much concerned about climate change, but talk and do little about the growing desert creeping into human relations.”

“Loneliness can literally shorten our life,” declares Michel Poulain, a Belgian demographer specializing in longevity studies, who introduced the concept of blue zones, regions of the world where people have exceptionally long lives. He says that “in blue zones people prioritize social relations, they gather at plazas, talk in cafés and play together. Social contact is a truly essential principle. In these communities, interpersonal relationships are at the heart of daily life.” His advice for us is to “try to talk to two or three persons during the day.”

But as mentioned before, many young people are also plagued by this lack of human company; children fail to have significant contact with others and are exposed to depression or suicidal ideas. Is the solution only medical? To just medicalize the issue would be simplistic, when it is also a social and spiritual issue.

Can we as Christians do anything to alleviate this malady? Indeed, we have a treasury of resources. God’s Spirit can empower us and show us creative ways to help. If we know of a lonely person, they may enjoy a phone call. If we notice that people seldom drop in on a neighbor, we can pass by to say hello and ask if they need anything. If someone starts rattling off a long, detailed story—often a sign of not having anyone to converse with—we can hear them out. We can let people that seem isolated know that we are there for them. These sacrifices are pleasing to God (Hebrews 13:16).

Like Rick Warren says, we were “created for community.” By being on the lookout for each other and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31), we can help to remedy this ailment, even if only in our own corner of the world. And as we reach out to others, we in turn alleviate our own loneliness. We become both comforters and comforted. Volunteer work is a way to both reach out to others and supply your own need for fellowship. This does wonders for your spirit and helps keep you connected, relevant, and active.

As Christians, we can also seek out community through joining a local church, Bible study, small group, prayer group, WhatsApp group, etc. When an opportunity arises, it’s helpful to make an effort to overcome your shyness by approaching someone and striking up a conversation. You’ll be surprised how many interesting, friendly, and empathetic people you’ll meet who are happy to chat.

So, on the one hand, as Christians we are ministers of hope to those in need, and on the other hand, if we ourselves are alone and friendless, we can seek out community through various means.

That’s on the social side. On the spiritual side, the key is to discover God’s unconditional love for each one of us as His precious son or daughter, and to know that Jesus cares and longs to be our best friend.

So, if you’re walking through the dark ravines of aloneness, or know of someone who is, take heart. Remember that God will be with you and comfort you (Psalm 23:4), and will not leave you or forsake you (Deuteronomy 31:6). “Even if my father and mother left me all alone, the Lord would take me in” (Psalm 27:10). Scripture also guarantees that Jesus will not leave us as orphans (John 14:18). For those who have lost their sense of belonging (a major cause of loneliness), or perhaps never had it, it says, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home” (Psalm 68:5–6).

Do you sometimes feel like there is “not even one friendly hand,” as the famous French poet Arthur Rimbaud put it? Reach out to the Lord and He will be your helping hand. Are you friendless and abandoned, and figure nobody hears you? God will hear your cry when you walk without hope in the desert of loneliness, just as He heard Hagar’s cry (Genesis 21:14–21) and the desperate pleading of the psalmist (Psalm 18:6). If you don’t have anybody else to vent your pains and anguish to, the Lord’s ear is always ready to listen to you.

And best of all, we can be at peace about our future, as Jesus promised that He would be with us every day till the end. “I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Getting Right with God

August 26, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 12:48

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God uses all kinds of vessels—big ones, little ones, ornate ones, plain ones, expensive ones, and ordinary ones. He uses all kinds of personalities, backgrounds, and experiences. But there is one kind of vessel God will not use. He will not use a dirty vessel. If you’re going to be used by God, you’re going to have to do a little cleanup work first.

The Bible says, “If you keep yourself pure, you will be a special utensil for honorable use. Your life will be clean, and you will be ready for the Master to use you for every good work” (2 Timothy 2:21).

More than anything, I know you want God to use you. It isn’t the best preachers who get used by God. It isn’t the best leaders. It isn’t the most spiritual [people]. God uses those leaders who regularly get right with him.

Right before they crossed the Jordan River and entered the Promised Land, Joshua told the Israelites, “Purify yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do great wonders among you” (Joshua 3:5). If you want God to do something great in your future, you’ve got to start by settling the accounts of the past.

It doesn’t mean you have to be perfect—because no one is. But it does mean you need to be quick to confess and receive forgiveness when needed. Augustine said, “The confession of bad works is the beginning of good works.” God wants to do something incredible through you. But he’s going to start by dealing with your past.

By following these steps, you will be on the way to a clear conscience and a God-blessed ministry.

1. Review every area of your life. Get away with a Bible, a piece of paper, and a pen. Ask God to let you know what’s coming between you and him. Don’t rush it. Take your time and write it all down. Nobody will see this. It’s between you and God.
2. Repent of every sin. Take responsibility for every sin you’ve written down. Don’t rationalize them. Don’t minimize them. Tell God that what you did was a sin and that you won’t do it anymore. Real repentance isn’t apologizing for your sin. It’s admitting it, turning away from it, and accepting God’s grace for it.
3. Make restitution. As you make your list, notice the sins that have impacted other people. Maybe you’ve hurt someone or mistreated him. If the person is still alive, make it right—as soon as possible. Don’t just apologize either. If you’ve stolen from the person, give back what you’ve taken. If you’ve cheated somebody, repay him.
4. Receive God’s forgiveness. Now you’re ready to receive God’s forgiveness. The Bible says you can go boldly to the throne of God and receive grace and mercy. God won’t reject you or scold you. He’ll give you his grace. That’s a promise from his Word (1 John 1:9). …

God wants to bless your life and your ministry. Will you get right with him today?—Pastors.com¹

*

Having a right relationship with God begins with acknowledging your sin. Next comes a humble confession of your sin to God (Isaiah 57:15). … This repentance must be accompanied by faith—specifically, faith that Jesus’ sacrificial death and miraculous resurrection qualify Him to be your Savior. …

Being right with God is a matter of your response to what God has done on your behalf. He sent the Savior, He provided the sacrifice to take away your sin (John 1:29), and He offers you the promise: “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved” (Acts 2:21). …

If you want to get right with God, here is a sample prayer … to express to God your faith in Him and thank Him for providing for your salvation.

God, I know that I have sinned against You and am deserving of punishment. But Jesus Christ took the punishment that I deserve so that through faith in Him and His resurrection I could be forgiven. I place my trust in You for salvation. Thank You for Your wonderful grace and forgiveness—the gift of eternal life! Amen!—GotQuestions.org²

*

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.—1 John 1:9

*

“If only I hadn’t made that dumb decision,” I lamented to my friend. “If I had known then what I know now, I would have made a different choice.”

Ever been there? Wishing you could turn back the clock to unmake a decision? To unquit a job, undate a guy or unspeak rash words?

We all have decisions we regret, and we regret them for different reasons.

Maybe we lacked information, so we made the best choice we could with the knowledge we had at the time, but things still went sideways.

Maybe we lacked maturity—our older, wiser selves would make a better choice today, but our younger, less experienced selves were in charge back then.

Maybe we lacked conviction, so we made a sinful choice that hurt our heart or hurt other people.

That last kind of regret is the hardest to move past, isn’t it? Regrets over sinful decisions may haunt us not only because they carry painful consequences but also because they make us spiritually insecure. We worry that even when God forgives us, He stays low-key angry. We picture Him wagging a condemning finger from His heavenly throne: Don’t come whining to me. You got yourself into this mess—now get yourself out of it.

But that’s not the heart of our gracious Father. In His parable of the prodigal son, Jesus illustrates God’s heart toward us. The parable describes a son who squandered his inheritance in “wild living” (Luke 15:13) and ended up starving and alone—literally wallowing in a pigpen.

When the humiliated son finally came to his senses and limped home, we might expect his father to have greeted him with anger or a smug “I told you so.” But Jesus depicts the father like this:

While he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

“The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’

“But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. … Let’s have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found’” (Luke 15:20–24).

The father wasn’t just happy about his son’s return. He was leap-off-the-porch-and-sprint-down-the-driveway-to-hug-his-son-before-he-could-even-finish-apologizing excited. He threw a party and helped his son begin rebuilding his life.

As we grapple with our own regrets, what comfort we find in Jesus’ story. When we need a fresh start, God supports us. When we confess we’ve made a mess, He celebrates our repentance. When we’ve wandered away, we can come to our senses and find our heavenly Father waiting with open arms, ready to welcome us home.

Father, thank You for loving me through my mistakes. Thank You that I can start over, knowing I am forgiven and loved. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Elizabeth Laing Thompson³

***

“All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). There is no one who does everything right all the time. I don’t ask or expect perfection of you.

It saddens Me when you willfully do wrong, but I don’t hold it against you if you are sincerely sorry. Instead, I extend My arms in forgiveness and draw you close to Me. You may still have to live with the consequences of your wrongdoing, but once you ask Me for forgiveness, I forgive. It’s that simple!

Where you go from there is up to you. It largely depends on your desire to change and your determination to leave behind the things of the past so you can move forward in My love. When you fall, I will always be there to pick you up. My loving help, like My forgiveness, is endless.

I would never make you feel unloved for some past mistake, no matter how great. I would never want you to feel beyond My forgiveness, because you never are.

No matter what you’ve done, when it happened, who was involved, or anything else, I do not condemn or reject you, and I cannot ever turn away from you. I love you for all eternity, and there is nothing that could take you away from Me.

Remorse can make you feel so small and lonely, as if there’s no point in going on; but in those times of despair and anguish, I will always remain by your side, to comfort and hold you. There is no sin so great that it is beyond My power to forgive. Nor do I forgive you only once or twice and then throw in the towel and give up on you. My unconditional love and forgiveness are available to you as often as you need them and come to Me for them.—Jesus

Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ “For God to Use You, Get Right with Him,” Pastors.com, https://blog.pastors.com/articles/for-god-to-use-you-get-right-with-him

² “How do I get right with God?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/get-right-with-God.html

³ Elizabeth Laing Thompson, “The God Who Loves Us Through Our Regrets,” Proverbs 31, November 29, 2024, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/11/29/the-god-who-loves-us-through-our-regrets

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Facing Life’s Challenges with Faith

August 25, 2025

Treasures

Audio length: 14:47

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God has granted every person He ever created the wonderful gift of life. He made this beautiful world for us to live in and enjoy, and He gave us the capacity to love and be loved. The priceless gift of life and all the joys and challenges that accompany it, He freely gives to all. “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and … he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:24–25).

God’s greatest gift to humankind is eternal life—also known as salvation or being born again. We receive this gift through belief in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior, acknowledgment of our sin, and inviting Him to come into our hearts and lives (Romans 10:9–10).

We are all sinners by nature, and our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:2). The only way we can be reconciled with God is if our sins are atoned for—and only Jesus, who was Himself perfect, could do that. Jesus left heaven to come to earth and He took on human form to live as we do, to experience the things we experience, and to show us the ultimate testament to God’s love for the world by dying in our place, so that we might live forever.

Jesus said that He came to earth to give His own life as “a ransom for many” (Matthew 20:28). He died so that every person would have the opportunity to experience God’s love, obtain forgiveness, and be reconciled with God.

The Bible promises many blessings, rewards, and gifts of the Spirit to all who receive Jesus and become one of God’s children. God has promised the “free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” to all who believe (Romans 6:23), a crown of life to those who love Him (James 1:12), the supply of our every need (Philippians 4:19), His Holy Spirit to dwell with us and guide us through life (John 14:15–17), and the fruits of His Spirit, including love, joy, and peace (Galatians 5:22–23).

Times of trouble and tribulation

Although God has given us such great gifts and promises for our future, one of the difficult aspects of the Christian life is the fact that as Christians, we are not immune to the challenges and tribulations of this life. This can lead people to question why a good and loving God would allow His people to experience hardships and tragedy, such as the death of a child, serious illness, or financial distress. When prayers for deliverance from such difficult circumstances seem to go unanswered, it can test our faith and trust in God.

We know that God loves His children with an everlasting love that surpasses all knowledge and exceeds our comprehension (Ephesians 3:17–19). We also know that God is sovereign over our lives, and He has promised that “for those who love God all things work together for good” (Romans 8:28). This being the case, whatever He allows in our lives must be a part of His working together all things for our good, and we can trust that God has a purpose in the trials and tribulations we face in life.
The trials and testing we face in life are part of our spiritual growth journey and serve an important purpose. As the Apostle Peter explained in 1 Peter 1:6–7: “You greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith … may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”

The story is told of a violin maker who searched for years for wood that would give his instruments a special and glorious resonance. When his search finally ended, it was not in a tree nursery or sheltered valley grove, but on a craggy mountaintop, just below the timberline, where the winds had blown so fiercely and steadily that the branches of the trees all pointed in one direction and bark had no chance to grow on the windward side. Wood from those storm-beaten trees had the closest, most intricately woven grain of any wood he had ever found. It was firm, tough, and strong, and it gave his violins their unique sound.

Even so, when God fashions His children for their place in His kingdom, He often will not place them in lush lowlands, but on rugged mountainsides where they will learn to withstand the storms of life.

Christian growth and character shaping

Tests and trials are meant to strengthen us and shape our character. They can make us better people and stronger Christians. As Rick Warren once wrote, “God’s ultimate goal for your life on Earth is not comfort but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. God is more interested in your character than your comfort.”

Growing in Christ’s image is a progressive process which occurs over time through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

The trials of life help to develop godly character, as “suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3–5). For this reason, we can “count it all joy” when we encounter various trials, knowing that “the testing of our faith produces perseverance.” But we have to “let perseverance finish its work so that [we] may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2–4).

Drawing near to Jesus

During trying times, we are drawn closer to Jesus, our Savior and friend. We seek Him with all our heart, and we find safety and security, and peace and comfort in His presence. He desires to be in close relationship with us, and as we draw nearer to Him, He has promised to draw near to us (James 4:8). He tells us to “come to me, all of you who are tired and have heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Accept my teachings and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble in spirit, and you will find rest for your lives” (Matthew 11:28–29).

The tests and trials of life also make us more aware of our own weakness and inability, and in the process, we draw closer to God. We learn to depend more on Him and to seek His presence, as we hold on to Him for dear life. And in those difficult, desolate places, we discover that He is enough to sustain us and He will always be with us through thick and thin (Hebrews 13:5). We grow stronger spiritually and our faith is increased, because in our weakness we learn to draw on His strength. We discover, as the Lord said to Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Unfortunately, it is part of human nature to not feel a pressing need for God and His help and strength in our lives when things are going well. When everything seems to be going our way, we can tend to feel sufficient in ourselves. We can neglect our times of prayer, devotional reading and worship. If we didn’t experience times of troubles and tribulations, we wouldn’t fully comprehend how desperately we need to seek refuge in God, and we wouldn’t learn to find strength and comfort in communion with Him.

Difficult times help us to take a pause from the burdens and cares of our daily routines and the fast pace of modern living and to reflect on the things that matter for eternity. As we learn to turn to Jesus in our times of trouble and bring every care and anxiety to Him, we will discover in those trying moments the depths of His love for us. The time of trouble may not go away, but He will grant us “the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding” (Philippians 4:7), and help us to trust that He is working in our lives and is always with us.

So if you are experiencing financial woes, health worries, or find yourself in an emotionally trying situation, don’t despair. If you struggle because of the state of the world or concerns about your future or your family, keep trusting in God and His plan and purpose for your life. Jesus will be with you through every difficulty as you seek Him in prayer.

While your circumstances may not change—at least not immediately—God can help you rise above the challenges. He may not take away all your troubles, but He will bring you through them. “Cast your burden on the Lord, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved” (Psalm 55:22).

God hath not promised that we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

But God hath promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.
—Annie Johnson Flint (1866–1932)

Getting our hearts right with God

Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my strength and my Redeemer.—Psalm 19:14

If we fail to view our disappointments, hurts, tests, illnesses, and other problems through the perspective that Romans 8:28 gives us, we can miss some of the valuable lessons that the Lord is trying to teach us, and we can rob ourselves of the peace that comes from trusting in this important promise and principle.

Some of the crises and calamities that come our way are of our own making and are the result of our own carelessness, mistakes, and wrong choices and actions. Some are the result of others’ mistakes and actions. Others are due to circumstances outside our control. But whatever the case, we can have faith that God is in control of our lives and future. While God did not cause such difficulties in our lives, nothing can happen to us without His permission.

At one time or another we all have strayed from the side of our shepherd, Jesus, and wandered off the path along which He is leading us (John 10:11). We get caught up in our own plans and concerns and pursue our own interests. We act on our impulses and make important decisions without taking the time to seek God’s will for the situation. And at times we do things that we know are wrong and not in accordance with God’s Word in the Bible.

As the Good Shepherd, Jesus guides us in the way we should go and instructs us through His Word and through His Spirit speaking in our hearts as to what is right and what is wrong. Then He says to us what He said to His first followers: “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them” (John 13:17). If we believe and take heed to what He tells us and what He has taught us in His Word, we have His blessing.

We may sometimes have to suffer the consequences of our actions when they are contrary to God’s greatest commandment of loving Him and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Mark 12:30–31). But He doesn’t hold it against us when we miss the mark and sin, as He knows we’re weak and fallible, and when we turn to Him, He is quick to forgive. God’s Word promises: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). He loves us, and His desire is to help us learn and grow in Christlikeness.

Worth it all

When Jesus left this earth and returned to heaven, He promised that He was going to prepare a place for us—a place where there will be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying, nor pain (John 14:2–3; Revelation 21:4). For this reason, the Apostle Paul could affirm 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).

So when things seem dark, confusing, or cloudy, when tears fill your eyes and despair tries to take hold, you can find comfort in His presence and peace and faith in His Word. Always remember that He loves you, and everything that He allows to come into your life—whether it seems good or bad—will ultimately work together for your good. If you trust Him through it, you will become a wiser, more loving, more useful Christian—an instrument in His hand to shine His light to the world, to share His love and truth with others, and to comfort and strengthen others in need.

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!
—Esther Kerr Rusthoi (1909–1962)

Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

How to Go on the Attack

Quote Scripture, Pray, Praise, and Sing

David Brandt Berg

1985-11-10

There’s something about saying things out loud. It is a testimony to yourself and to the multitude of witnesses that surround us. My mother used to say, “Words are real things,” and you need to say them. Words can curse or words can save. “By your words you will be justified or by your words you will be condemned” (Matthew 12:36–37). You have to give an account of your words.

Words are very important. The Lord hears them, the heavenly hosts hear them, you hear them, and the Devil hears them. It is very important that you use the words, even if you can only whisper them. I’ve told stories of how my mother fought the Devil. She even used her fists! She’d shove one fist out and quote Scripture, and then shove the other out like she was fighting, quote Scripture out loud and praise the Lord out loud.

Give no place to the evil one (Ephesians 4:27). If you get so busy quoting Scripture and praising the Lord, you won’t have so much time to think about your illness and problems. “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee, because he trusteth in Thee” (Isaiah 26:3). And while you’re quoting Scripture and praising the Lord, if your mind is centered on the Lord and stayed on Him, then He is the one you are thinking about, and you can’t think about both things at once.

So keep thinking about the Lord and praising the Lord and quoting Scripture. That takes concentration. You have to think about it. You have to keep your mind on the Lord and your mind on the Scripture and on your praises, even sing. It’s a testimony even to the Lord that you are really trusting Him, that you have faith in His Word.

That’s how my mother got healed in the first place, quoting Scripture out loud. She could only whisper it, but she whispered it. Gradually she noticed her voice was stronger and her hands were up praising the Lord. As long as you keep thinking about your pain and concentrating on your pain, then it’s your pain you’ll have! But if you get your mind on something else, it won’t be as bad.

There is just something about saying the words that really crystallizes your resistance and causes the devils to flee. They hate to hear the Word. Just saying it in your mind is good, but sometimes it is just not quite enough. You just need to say it out loud. Besides, if others are listening, it is a declaration to them that you are trusting the Lord, that you have faith in His Word. It’s a testimony and a witness to them. It even encourages them to know that you’re trusting the Lord and have faith in His Word and you really believe those scriptures. Just keep quoting them even if you can only whisper them. It takes more concentration and it occupies more of your mind and your consciousness if you have to say it out loud, quote it out loud, and praise the Lord out loud.

You need to go on the attack. Be positive and show that you have faith in the Word, faith in the Lord, faith in praise—a sign that you really trust and you really believe. It’s like a declaration of faith. And when your mind is occupied with that, you can’t be occupied with your suffering and your pain. There’s just something about it that seems more powerful than just thinking it.

It’s the Word. It’s the declaration. You’re claiming it and it really occupies your mind and your heart. The Lord can hear you, the Devil can hear you, and a great cloud of witnesses can hear you. It’s your declaration of faith! It shows your confidence in the Word and your belief in praise. It’s like they say, “You believe in prayer as much as you pray. You believe in praise as much as you praise. You believe in the Word as much as you quote it,” and you need to do it at least loud enough that you can hear it yourself, and the Lord can hear you too.

There is power in the Word! You need to say it with your mouth. “Thou shalt confess with thy mouth that Christ is Lord” (Romans 10:9). “With my mouth will I make known Thy faithfulness unto all generations” (Psalm 89:1). Not just thinking it in your head; that’s not enough. You’ve got to put it into words and say it.

I never saw my mother get the victory just by thinking the words or thinking prayer. You can do that too under some circumstances, but when you’re having a real battle with sickness or something, you’ve got to go on the attack and really fill your mind and heart and your mouth with declarations of faith and praise and prayer and scriptures—the Word. You have to use your mouth to say the Word. You’ve got to use your mouth, and then that becomes a testimony not only to yourself but to others as well.

There are a great cloud of witnesses who are always watching us, trying to help us, but you need to declare your faith openly and loud enough at least that you can hear it yourself (Hebrews 12:1). It’ll keep your mind and your mouth occupied with the Word and with prayer and praise. It really helps to occupy your mind and your heart and especially your mouth, as well as your spirit. Even though nobody can hear you but yourself, it will do you a lot of good.

“By thy words shalt thou be justified and by thy words shalt thou be condemned” (Matthew 12:37). We have to give an account of every word. You’ll be accountable for every idle word, but you’ll be given credit for every good word. Forget this suffering-in-silence business. It does me good just to hear my own voice quoting Scripture and praying and praising the Lord, even if it is only in a whisper.

When it comes to the Devil, words are sort of like bullets or death rays, and they just blast the Devil! They’re part of our offensive weaponry, the Word. It describes the armor of a Christian—it says the sword of the Spirit is the Word (Ephesians 6:10–17). It’s sharper than any two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12).

You need to wield it out loud so that at least you can hear it, and then that helps to occupy your mind and it helps to confirm your own faith. There is just something about saying it out loud. You need to declare your faith and fling it in the face of the Devil. Just throw fiery darts of scriptures at him out loud in prayer and praise. He hates that, because it is a testimony to you even if you’re all alone. And if there are others present, it is a testimony to them.

It is a declaration that you are trusting the Lord and that you have faith in the Word, and you need to use your own words as well as God’s Words. Praise the Lord out loud, pray out loud, quote scriptures out loud, sing, pray in tongues, say something, do something. And if it doesn’t do anybody but you any good, at least you can hear it.

Quote scriptures and sing and pray and praise the Lord and talk in tongues. Keep your mouth busy and your mind busy and it keeps your ears busy, too. It’s like a vicious cycle against the Devil and it’s a saving cycle for you. Just keep it in circulation. Keep it going! Say it and hear it and think it, and say it and hear it and think it, and keep it going!

Keep your mind and your mouth and your ears so busy, they don’t even have time to listen to the Devil. He just talks up that pain and aggravates it, and the more you concentrate your mind and your heart on your pain and your headache and your eye ache and your backache or whatever it is, the more it magnifies it, aggravates it, and the more you think about it. But keep your mind and your mouth and your heart and your ears busy with the Word. Do it out loud, and quote scriptures and sing, pray, praise, talk in tongues, anything to keep your mind and heart and your mouth and your ears and your eyes busy.

Whatever you do, keep your mouth busy and your ears busy and your mind and heart busy praying and praising and quoting and singing and talking in tongues. You can’t be concentrating and thinking and worrying about your pain or your problems while your mind, heart, spirit, mouth, tongue, ears and eyes and everything are busy with the Word. If you don’t know much Scripture to quote, then read it, but read it out loud. It will keep your mind and heart and mouth and tongue and ears busy with nothing but the Word, and you won’t have time to think about your headache and your pain and your problems.

A lot of times that’s why I get up early in the morning instead of lying here silently in bed thinking about all the things I ought to be doing and about all my problems and worries and whatnot. I get up and I do something. That’s another thing: keep active, keep busy, what they call “work therapy,” and keep your hands busy if you can’t do anything else. But all the time be talking to the Lord and praising—talking in tongues, praying, quoting scriptures and singing.

If you can keep your actual physical body busy with the Word, including your tongue and your mouth and your eyes and your ears and your thoughts, then you won’t have time to think about your problems. You won’t have time to think about your worries or your pains if you’re concentrating on the Lord. He promised, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on Thee” (Isaiah 26:3).

One of the best ways in the world to keep your mind stayed on the Lord is to talk to Him. Praise Him. Pray. Sing. Talk in tongues. Quote His Word. Keep busy. Keep yourself occupied in every way, including working with your hands, your feet, or whatever you have to do so that you’re thinking about other things and not about your pain or your problems. Keep your mind, your heart, your spirit, your tongue, your mouth, your ears, your eyes, even your hands, so occupied with prayer and praise and Scripture and song and the Lord, that you haven’t even got time to think about your pains and your problems. Keep your mind on the Lord.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus” … thou shalt be healed (Romans 10:9). That’s a good scripture to remember. We usually use it for salvation, but it works for everything, including healing. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead”—see, that’s faith in His resurrection power, which is healing—“thou shalt be saved,” or healed.

Quote Scripture and talk to the Lord and praise the Lord. There’s something about it; just hearing your own voice seems to help you! There’s just something about words.

We wouldn’t have salvation today, we wouldn’t know anything about Jesus if somebody hadn’t used words. It’s the words that did it, and they’ll do it for you—even your own words. Your own prayers and praises and scriptures, quoting out loud and singing and talking in tongues, will save you. The Lord uses it. It’s a manifestation of your faith, a declaration of faith.

As long as you’re saying those words and you’re hearing those words and your mind is occupied with making those words, and your heart and your spirit are involved, then you can’t think so much about your pain and about your problems. Say it! Do it! Hear it! See it! Speak it!

Copyright © 1985 The Family International.

Think on the Good

David Brandt Berg

2018-11-26

 

“Whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”—Philippians 4:8

Thank God for the good

Thank the Lord for all the good things! “Whatsoever things are good, think on these things.” Don’t dwell on the mistakes and the errors, or what you think may be errors. A lot of people do that with the Bible—they dwell on all its supposed mistakes and contradictions and errors. I’ve even been hesitant to point out a few little translators’ mistakes and misinterpretations in the Bible for fear people will chuck out the whole Bible just because a few little tiny mistakes or mistranslations were made.

I suppose the Lord allows some of those things, just like He says He permitted Jesus to be a cornerstone to some people, but a stumbling block to others.¹ There are even things that Paul couldn’t understand! “For we know in part, but when that which is perfect is come, that which is in part will be done away.”²

Apparently, the Lord has allowed a few unknowns, or even mistakes or mistranslations over which people can stumble if they choose to, but the vast majority of the millions and millions of Christians have been saved and served the Lord and gone home to glory without stumbling over those things.

We don’t chuck out the whole world because a few things seem bad. We don’t commit suicide because we have difficulties and cast away our whole life just because we have problems and make mistakes. When you find one little brown spot on an apple, you don’t throw away the whole apple. You just cut out the little brown spot; you correct it.

For God’s sake, we ought to think on the good things and thank the Lord for all the right things. Someday we’ll understand and we’ll know—even as we’re known.³ Meanwhile, let’s thank God for all we do know and for all the good! Amen?

Accentuating the positive

I’ll never forget when I was leading the meeting and my mother was preaching for L. P. Lehman in a little coal town in western Pennsylvania. It was a small church on a cold, rainy night with a very small, poor crowd of about a dozen people. I kept saying, “I’m sorry there aren’t more folks here. I don’t know where the rest of the people are.”

I was dwelling on the negative and the empty seats instead of complimenting them for being so brave to come out on a night like that and telling them, “You’re wonderful people that you have been the ones to come, and you have braved the weather!” I should have been speaking about the positive and encouraging them, inspiring them, and complimenting them instead of dragging everybody down by pointing out all the empty seats and talking about all the folks that didn’t come.

It’s always better to accentuate the positive. I got a real dressing down from L. P. Lehman, who was a good business manager and smart promoter. He had the biggest radio work in Pennsylvania.

He took me aside and said, “David, you shouldn’t have talked about all the people that weren’t there and why they didn’t come and kept complaining about the empty seats. You should have been congratulating the people who did come, thanking God for them, inspiring them, encouraging them, thanking them for coming in such bad weather, and highlighting how wonderful it was that so many people came out in such bad weather, instead of talking about so many people who didn’t come! Dwell on the positive. Accentuate the positive, the encouraging, and the inspiring, trying to lift up, and don’t keep talking about the negative and the bad side. Look on the bright side.”

It’s the old story about how the optimist sees the doughnut while the pessimist sees the hole. The optimist raves about the quality of the doughnut and how delicious it is and how wonderful it is to have a doughnut, and the pessimist complains, “How come they cheated us by putting a hole in it? Where’s the rest of my doughnut?” It’s the same thing we are often tempted to do with God. Instead of thanking God for all His blessings, we’re tempted to complain about our trials and tribulations and suffering.

Lehman said if you don’t call attention to some mistakes in your program, most people won’t even notice them. A small meeting is better than no meeting at all. A witness to a few is better than no witness at all. Try to bring out the positive and accentuate the good!

The source of goodness and joy

When a man’s spirit is wounded, he can lose hope and even a desire to live. “The spirit of a man will sustain him, but a wounded spirit, who can bear?”⁴ People can actually die of heartbreak. They say that when a person goes through great emotional strain or stress such as heartbreak or great sorrow, somehow water gathers around the heart. Perhaps it is a reaction that the Lord created to help the heart bear the strain.

That’s why when they pierced Jesus’ side, blood and water came out.⁵ In other words, He died of a broken heart. They always say, “He died of a broken heart for you and me, for our sins”—but that’s not what broke His heart. He knew that we were going to be saved and be forgiven. What broke His heart was thinking that God had to turn His back on Him. “My God, My God, why hast Thou forsaken Me?”⁶ God had to forsake Him, like a sinner, so He could die and suffer for our sins.

Jesus died of a broken heart because God forsook Him—temporarily, of course, for our sakes, that we might be saved, that He might receive our punishment, and that we might have eternal life and lasting joy.

That brings to mind a beautiful song:

Deep abiding joy fills all my life today,
There’s a secret reason why I love to pray.
There’s an inner wellspring deep within my soul,
Jesus, precious Jesus, has at last complete control.
When I saw His wondrous face, and the beauties of His grace,
I obeyed His call, yielded, that was all,
And He filled my heart with song.
—“His Supreme Control,” by W. M. Turnbull, 1927

Compiled from the writings of David Brandt Berg. Adapted and republished November 2018. Read by Simon Peterson.

¹ Romans 9:33; 1 Corinthians 1:23–24.

² 1 Corinthians 13:9–10.

³ 1 Corinthians 13:12.

⁴ Proverbs 18:14.

⁵ John 19:34.

⁶ Matthew 27:46.

What Are the Five Love Languages?

August 22, 2025

Published by Compelling Truth

Gary Chapman’s book The Five Love Languages: The Secret to Love That Lasts (Northfield Publishing, 2015) describes five primary ways people receive and express love. According to Chapman, every person can both receive and express love in multiple ways. However, typically there is one primary method that makes a person most easily feel loved. Chapman explains that understanding one another’s love languages helps us to better express love to and receive love from one another. This, of course, has positive effects on our relationships. Those love languages are: Words of Affirmation, Quality Time, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Christians are called to love one another, and the five love languages can be a tool to do that.

(Read the article here.)

What are the five love languages? – Compelling Truth

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Better Days Ahead—Part 7a

August 21, 2025

Enjoying Life

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 15:59

Download Audio (14.6MB)

I’m so grateful for all the joy and happiness that I have experienced in my life. The Lord has been so good to me! Of course, Jesus is the ultimate source of our joy. “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord” (Psalm 144:15).

Manifesting the joy of the Lord, smiling, and enjoying life is part of our Christian testimony to the world. The Westminster Catechism states that the chief end of man is “to glorify God and enjoy Him forever.” And if we follow that good advice then, besides showing kindness, consideration, and concern for others, we can also let our light shine through our joy, laughter, cheerful voices, radiant eyes, and uplifting conversations.

Of course, we can’t always be laughing, having fun, and enjoying life. We all experience times of sickness, grief, sorrow, loss, frustration, and discouragement. That is part of living in this fallen world. But there are times when it can seem like all-out warfare in order to drive back worry, anxiety, and stress that threatens to rob us of God’s gift of joy and the art of enjoying life even through the rough spots.

You are familiar with the story of the great missionary who, when asked what quality he saw as most valuable in his life as a foreign missionary in a hostile climate, responded with a smile, “A sense of humor—the ability to laugh when you feel like crying.”

I’ve also been thinking about the importance of taking time to intentionally enjoy life and have fun! I realize that might seem like an unlikely topic, especially when many have been enduring times of struggle, sickness, financial need, and worry about the future. But I have reflected on and prayed about my life, and I have felt inspired to praise God for His mercy and goodness in so many ways.

We face many difficulties and challenges, but life is not all about struggling and just getting by. The Lord brings many little surprises and blessings along our paths, and I believe it pleases Him when we take the time to notice and appreciate them.

Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10), and that includes enjoying life.

According to Colossians 3:17, we should also give thanks to God through Jesus Christ for the fun and entertainment He provides. Someone once pointed out that “recreation” means to “re-create” or “renew.” God allows us this time to be renewed and to grow in our faith. James tells us, “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows” (James 1:17).

Fun and entertainment are gifts of God, given so that we might come closer to Him. We should remember this when we are planning our recreation and remember to thank God for such a good and perfect gift.—GotQuestions.org ¹

Maria is a wonderful example of joy, happiness, and enjoying life. Her youthful disposition, spontaneous laughter, and loving, happy personality help to bring out the best in me and whoever she happens to be around. She takes every opportunity the Lord gives her to demonstrate the joy of the Lord to others.

It’s amazing to me how she can laugh and get a kick out of the little unexpected challenges and funny things that we encounter daily. She really does know how to laugh when you feel like crying, and that can make even frustrating circumstances seem like an obstacle course with a prize waiting for us when we finally reach the goal. She explained it well when she said:

I have a happy religion. I believe with all my heart that Jesus loves us and wants us to be filled with His joy. Not only that, but He wants us to genuinely enjoy ourselves. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty” (2 Corinthians 3:17). His liberating truth and the joy of His Spirit allow us to enjoy life while remaining close to Him. We don’t have to choose between happiness and pleasing the Lord. We can have both!

Finding more fun

A dear friend of ours wrote Maria to share a personal update with her (as friends like to do). When responding, Maria told her, “You’re so fun and funny!”

She replied:

It’s amazing that you would tell me that I’m “fun and funny.” That means a lot to me because I’ve been thinking lately about fun, considering what made me happy in the past and trying to ascertain how to incorporate more fun in my daily life.

I realized not too long ago that I had let life become rather boring. I wasn’t laughing much anymore. I was working a lot, but it didn’t feel as rewarding as before and certainly was not “fun.” I wasn’t even looking forward to people and activities like I used to.

Even when I have been with my friends recently, I have felt things were somehow different. We used to laugh a lot, sing and dance spontaneously, and do silly things like make snow angels in the yard in the winter as we laughed and giggled like little kids.

So, I determined I was going to bring more fun back into my life. I wasn’t sure where to start. I knew I couldn’t change my overall life circumstances. What I did was to sit down and actually try to remember what used to be fun for me and why.

Ideas started coming to me, and I made a list. I was pretty inspired to see that my “fun” did not consist of extravagant, expensive, time-consuming events. Actually, fun things for me were little activities or hobbies. Many I had somehow just stopped doing and eventually had forgotten about them. The ones I did still engage in, I entered into them in a dull, sour mood so they just weren’t that fun anymore.

In Gretchen Rubin’s book The Happiness Project, she wrote:

“If something was really fun for me it would pass this test: I looked forward to it; I found it energizing, not draining; and I didn’t feel guilty about it later.

“Thinking about fun made me realize that I had to make time for it. Too often, I’d give up fun in order to work. I felt so overwhelmed by tasks that I’d think, ‘The most fun would be to cross some items off my to-do list. I’d feel so much better if I could get something accomplished.’ I’d feel so virtuous when I’d delay [something fun] in order to deal with my e-mail.

“In fact, though, turning from one chore to another just made me feel trapped and drained. When I took the time to do something that is truly fun for me, … I felt better able to tackle my to-do list. Fun is energizing.”

After reading that, I decided to make a conscious effort to smile more, laugh more, enjoy life more, and take time to do the things that are fun for me. And like I said, those are generally little things such as dancing, picnics, people watching, listening to Karaoke and live music, going to flea markets, taking walks in pretty places, and chatting with people I don’t know.

Big things like taking a cruise, buying a car, going to Disneyland, etc., did not make the list. In fact, grandiose things like that didn’t even come to mind. While making my list, I started realizing I’m actually pretty good at having fun and enjoying life. I had just temporarily forgotten about it.

Gretchen Rubin told the following story:

“One day while I was trying to prod everyone to put the groceries away as efficiently as possible, Jamie [my husband] started showing off his juggling prowess with three oranges. [Our two young daughters] were thrilled. I was annoyed. ‘Come on, team!’ I scolded, ‘Let’s get this done. Jamie, put those oranges away and get the other bag.’ But we weren’t in a hurry—only later did it occur to me that I should have enjoyed the moment and allowed the chore to be fun. Had I really become such a killjoy?”

This little story helped me realize that I had become kind of a killjoy, too. I guess this happens after many little negative reactions, which then become attitudes and eventually become habits. Instead of smiling, laughing, and appreciating silly or funny moments, I’d let myself become annoyed. And that started happening more and more.

It was great to realize this, and with a little conscious effort I am becoming more aware of my reactions and words, and I am seeing that it’s pretty easy to change those habits. Praise the Lord! God says to us, “A joyful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22).

(Peter:) I agree that it’s worth spending a little time thinking and praying about how we can enjoy life more (according to each of our unique situations). I gave this some thought and came to the conclusion that some of the things I enjoy and find to be fun include taking walks in nature and enjoying God’s creation, exploring new places, cooking, playing the guitar, fellowshipping with other Christians, watching meaningful TV shows, learning new things through Google research, and seeing funny movies or comedy shows on YouTube where the humor is not hurtful or crass. Well, those are just a few of the things that I enjoy and that are fun for me.

Fun busters

Enjoying life and having fun is not always the priority, especially when we’re experiencing a difficult situation, a serious illness or accident, the need to care for others who depend on us, or the many challenges we face in different seasons of life. There are seasons when we must devote our time and attention to desperate prayer and hard work. In such times, we need to place all our attention on the situation at hand, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

But we also need to make room for joy and recreation, and not allow ourselves to get so busy and preoccupied that the enjoyment and fun in our lives just slips away. One culprit that drains the fun from our daily lives is stress. When we’re very busy, under pressure with work or financial needs, concerned about our family or health, or trying to push through a new project, there often doesn’t seem to be time for recreation or fun.

Stress is a part of life that we have to learn to deal with so it doesn’t control us. Stress can have serious consequences for our physical and mental health, and it is important that we take steps to recognize and reduce stress. So let’s strive for balance in our lives, which includes making room for more enjoyment and fun.

Pursuit of joy

As Christians, the act of prayer and committing our cares to the Lord is a vital component in our ongoing battle against stress and our search for joy. The peaceful mindset we seek is a gift from God, and He promises to give us His comfort and peace to combat uncertainty and unsettledness as we seek Him with all our heart.

Here is an encouraging message from Jesus:

The prospect of the righteous is Joy. This means your prospects are excellent, for I have clothed you with My robe of righteousness. So begin each day eager to receive the Joy that I have in store for you. Some of my followers fail to find the pleasures I had prepared for them because they focus too much on problems in their lives and trouble in the world. …

As you awaken each morning, seek My face with hopeful anticipation. Invite Me to prepare you not only for any difficulties on the road ahead, but also for the pleasures I have planted alongside your path. Then take My hand as you begin your journey through the day, and let Me share in everything you encounter along the way—including all the Joy!²

God bless and keep you, and may you enjoy life and find great joy and peace as you follow in the Lord’s footsteps day by day.

“Do not sorrow, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”—Nehemiah 8:10

Originally published December 2021. Adapted and republished August 2025. Read by John Laurence.

¹ “What does the Bible say about fun and entertainment?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-fun-entertainment.html

² Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2016).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Absolute Surrender

August 20, 2025

By Michele Cushatt

It took a third cancer diagnosis to force me to let go of my life. …

Defeated doesn’t capture my grief. I’d wielded all the weapons within my reach. Nothing worked. No matter how hard I gripped the steering wheel of my life, cancer reminded me, with painful clarity, that I have far less control than I think I do.

The truth of this terrified me.

But it also set me free.

(Read the article here.)

https://lifetoday.org/words-of-life/absolute-surrender-2/

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Seize the Moment! Don’t Procrastinate!

August 19, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 11:46

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You will often have Bartimaeus moments in ministry. What’s a Bartimaeus moment? It’s anytime that God gives you an opportunity seemingly out of nowhere.

In Mark 10, a huge crowd was following Jesus as he left Jericho. A man named Bartimaeus was blind and begging by the roadside. When Bartimaeus heard that Jesus was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” (Mark 10:47).

When Bartimaeus had gotten up that morning, he had no idea that Jesus Christ was going to be passing by him that day. He thought it was just another ordinary day—same place, same cry for help, same situation. But suddenly Jesus was there.

Bartimaeus had no time to prepare or think through his response. It was just an opportunity that dropped in his lap. And he chose to seize the moment. He decided not to delay or procrastinate. He was going to do it—now.

That’s a great reminder for ministry too: Whatever you’re going to do, do it now. Don’t say, “Next year I’m going to start that new ministry” or “Next month I’m going to reach out to that person” or “Tomorrow I’m going to make that a priority.”

It’s now or never. Seize the moment!

Every day, we have opportunities in ministry, but we don’t take advantage of them. Why? We procrastinate. Procrastination is a strange phenomenon. You think it will make your life easier when it actually does just the opposite. It’s a stress generator!

When you know the right thing to do, today is the time to do it. Don’t assume you can wait for tomorrow. The Bible warns over and over about presuming upon tomorrow. I’m not guaranteed a tomorrow, and neither are you.

Jesus said, “No procrastination. No backward looks. You can’t put God’s kingdom off till tomorrow. Seize the day” (Luke 9:62).

You have no guarantee that you will have a better opportunity tomorrow. You have no guarantee you’ll even be alive tomorrow. Whatever you’re going to do, do it now.

Is Jesus inviting you to try something new? Don’t delay. Follow the example of Bartimaeus and seize the moment.—Rick Warren¹

*

I’m someone who tends to go by inspiration, and I’ve long been bothered by my scattered approach to setting goals, so I was searching for an effective way to make it through my to-do list. It seems so easy to pick out the things I prefer doing or feel inspired to tackle first, but unfortunately, this strategy often leads to procrastination, and those “favorites” often aren’t the most important or priority tasks. Since the important stuff doesn’t just disappear, I find myself cramming in order to fit everything in.

Something had to change, and one morning during my daily devotions, I specifically prayed that God would help me get a handle on my poor prioritizing skills.

A few days later when browsing through stalls at a flea market, a book caught my eye. The odd title, You Can’t Send a Duck to Eagle School, peeked out from among a pile of dusty secondhand books crammed into a cardboard box. I pulled it out and cracked it open to a quote from Mark Twain: “Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

The accompanying article explained the basic idea of tackling the most daunting task first, likening those tasks to eating a frog before getting to more appealing to-dos. There were many other useful anecdotes on getting things done, but this picture stuck with me, and I realized it could be the answer to my prayer for a strategy.

Since I’ve had a severe back problem from the age of ten, daily exercise and stretching has been a must to help me function through the day, but over the years, it’s become a chore that I sometimes dread. Getting this routine off my to-dos was definitely going to be my first “frog” of the day.

Identifying this and other “frogs” felt strange in the beginning, but this simple tactic has improved my work habits and helped keep procrastination at bay. Even on days when I don’t have time to write a to-do list, I still remember to search out a “frog” that needs my attention first.—Iris Richard

*

The Principle of Priority states (a) you must know the difference between what is urgent and what is important, and (b) you must do what’s important first.—Steven Pressfield

*

Don’t wait. The time will never be just right.—Napoleon Hill

*

Waiting to develop courage is just another form of procrastination. The most successful people take action while they’re afraid!—Author unknown

*

Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy.—Dale Carnegie

*

I’ve often struggled to make time to pray. Though my wife and I pray together each morning and before bed, I find myself neglecting that regular “talking with Jesus” throughout the day, especially when unexpected things come up. I know I need to pray, but it’s hard, really hard, to set aside “prayer time.”

Then, I read about the 2-Minute Rule.²Here’s how it works.

Most of the tasks that we procrastinate on aren’t actually difficult to do. It’s completely possible to accomplish them—we just avoid starting them for some reason, mostly because we “don’t have time.”

The 2–Minute Rule overcomes procrastination by making it easy to start taking action. There are two parts to the 2–Minute Rule…

Part 1: If it takes less than two minutes, do it now.

There are many things we put off that we could get done in two minutes or less. For example, washing our dishes immediately after a meal, tossing the laundry in the washing machine, taking out the garbage, cleaning up clutter, sending that email, and so on.

So, the rule says if a task takes less than two minutes to complete, do it right away. Does that apply to prayer? It sure does!

Part 2: When you start a new habit, it should take less than two minutes to do.

Can all our goals be accomplished in less than two minutes? Of course not, but every goal can be started in two minutes or less.

So, how does this help me to pray more? Well, instead of waiting to have a large block of “prayer time,” I’m trying to pray short prayers throughout the day—as soon as the need presents itself, if possible. Longer, desperate prayers are good and certainly needed, but a good start is to pray even short prayers now, without delaying.

The Bible promises that Jesus always hears me, so I’m acting on that truth (1 John 5:14–15).And you know what? My new prayer habit is in motion.—Chris Mizrany

*

Procrastination is “the act of willfully delaying the doing of something that should be done.” … One cure for procrastination is more diligence, regardless of the task. The Christian should be supremely motivated to be diligent in his work, since he is ultimately serving the Lord. “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men” (Colossians 3:23). …

The Bible says that when it comes to some things, we should never delay. Jesus taught that reconciling with an offended brother should be done immediately upon our remembrance of the situation. He also said to “settle matters quickly” with our adversaries (Matthew 5:23–25). …

Christians must not procrastinate when it comes to sharing the gospel with the lost. There is no time to waste. Jesus likened evangelistic efforts to a man inviting people to a great banquet. As he sent out his servants with the invitations, he said, “Go out quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and bring in the poor, the crippled, the blind and the lame” (Luke 14:21). The most striking qualities of the invitation are its openness (anyone and everyone was invited) and its urgency (the call to the feast must go out “quickly”).

Life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow (James 4:13–14). … So in the matter of our spiritual life, we dare not procrastinate… And since our service to God motivates all we do, we have no reason to procrastinate.—GotQuestions.org³

Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by John Listen.

¹ Rick Warren, “Monday Encouragement,” Pastors.com, https://cf.pastors.com/monday-encouragement-203a.

² David Allen, Getting Things Done (Penguin Books, 2002).

³ “What does the Bible say about procrastination?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/procrastination-Bible.html

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Seeking the Treasures

August 18, 2025

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 10:11

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If today was your last day of life and you knew it, how much time would you spend on things that are insignificant in the scope of eternity? Your minutes would be extremely valuable, and you would choose to spend them on the things that were most important to you.

You would want to love those dearest to you and make sure they know how much they mean to you. If you have ever come face to face with death or been with a loved one through a life-threatening illness and seen their priorities realign, you have probably experienced this firsthand. Everything becomes abundantly clear in those moments. You realize that love is what truly matters—loving God with all your mind, heart, and soul, and loving others (Matthew 22:37–39).

In good times and challenging times, the joy and eternal hope that Jesus offers are light years beyond anything that the world can offer. Fulfillment, peace, love, satisfaction, knowledge, truth—there is nothing in the world that can compete with Him in those areas. The Bible says, “The world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God lives forever” (1 John 2:15–17).

It takes discipline of mind and body to learn to treasure the eternal things of God above the fleeting pleasures that the world has to offer. Nothing this temporal life offers can truly satisfy the deepest cravings of the soul. Only Jesus can truly satisfy. He is “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

Finding the good

Everyone has times in their past that they look upon as “dark nights”—tragedies, loss, or difficulties that were largely beyond their control. Sometimes in life we may face challenges or hurt due to our own mistakes or choices or the wrong choices or unloving actions of others. How we react to those challenges determines whether we allow God to work in our lives through them or we allow ourselves to become bitter or defeated by them.

When we have a hard time seeing any good in the difficult times we experience, we can give room to resentment and unhappiness. Those of us who know and love Jesus and know that He loves us so much that He gave His very life for us are called to trust that He is with us in every situation and challenge we face. At such times, we can recite to ourselves the promise in His Word: “We know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).

The Lord can work in and through even the most difficult circumstances for our good in some way. But if we don’t put our trust in Him, we can miss the point, or we won’t reap the benefits He intended. Even the things in our lives that we look back on as “mistakes” could be circumstances that were used or even engineered by the Lord for our good—to help us to grow in our faith, to bring out the best in us, or to draw us closer to Him or to open new doors of opportunity.

It’s not that the Lord necessarily willed these things to happen; He wants only the best for His children. But since they did happen, He wants to work them together for our good. That’s the way the Lord is—He can and will work all things together in our lives for our good, if we’ll let Him.

Finding the good in a bad situation isn’t just a “glad game” exercise or a good idea; it’s vital to our spiritual well-being. If we can’t accept that there could be a silver lining to some of the rain clouds of our past, then it will be very difficult for us to fully forgive and forget those things, and that can lead to bitterness, which is detrimental to our spiritual life. For this reason, it is vital that when we look back at any situation or time that we were wronged, no matter how difficult or painful it was, that we ask the Lord to use that situation for our good.

What greater triumph is there than to bring good out of bad? As Joseph in the Old Testament said to his brothers who had wronged him severely, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20).

That’s the ultimate way to conquer our past hurts—not by bitterness and thoughts of revenge, but by allowing the Lord to make us better on account of it and trusting that He can work all things together for our good.

Following are some practical steps for growing in these areas:

Feed your faith. Our faith grows through reading and absorbing God’s Word (Romans 10:17). Consistently feed your faith. Take time to read the written Word, and also to bring your questions and problems to Jesus and ask Him to direct your decisions and actions. “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. … God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16–17).

Stay focused on Jesus and His promises. When circumstances or troubles work to distract us or distance us from our faith, the Bible tells us to lay aside the weights and stay focused on Jesus and His Word. “Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith” (Hebrews 12:1–2).

Commit every concern and care to God. Bring every care and concern you face each day to God in prayer and thanksgiving, and trust in Him to act on your behalf. Avail yourself of His power and promised help in every time of need. “Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! … 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” (Philippians 4:4–7).

Prayer for the Day

Heavenly Father, I praise and honor You and give glory to You, the God of all creation, who has created all things—the beauty of all that I see, the smallest to the greatest wonders. From the atom to the universe, all are created by Your hand, far surpassing what anyone could imagine or understand.

You are the God of brilliance—the God of depths so deep that none can fathom, of heights so high that none can comprehend, of width and breadth so great that none can ever fill them.

I give You all glory, honor, praise, and thanksgiving, for You are so great, mighty, and vast, so wise, loving, and omnipotent. Yet You stoop to love me, to seek and save me, and to bring me into Your kingdom to live with You forever. Thank You! Amen.

Compiled from the writings of Maria Fontaine. Adapted and republished August 2025. Read by Debra Lee. Music by Michael Dooley.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Where Have All the Flowers Gone?

Dennis Edwards

2022-06-15

Peter Seeger’s song, “Where Have All the Flowers Gone,” conveys the futility of war and the yearning that man has for peace.

Mankind has a universal longing for peace. But that longing will not be fulfilled by man himself. Only the supernatural love of God will enable us to love our neighbor and our enemy as ourselves. Only the intervention of God Himself in the second coming of Jesus Christ will stop man’s endless wars.

Only when Christ returns will men be forced by His loving and yet strong hand to pound “their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruning hooks; and nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”¹ Peace will come at last for a thousand years in the Millennium as Jesus Himself rules over the earth.

And in that day the lion shall lie down with the lamb and nothing shall hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, as Isaiah prophesied. “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. … 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.”²

What a beautiful world it will be then. But mankind still has some very perilous days ahead, days of Great Tribulation before we reach that millennial kingdom. “For then there shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.”³

But each of us individually can enter into God’s kingdom of love and peace today by receiving Jesus into our hearts right now. We don’t have to wait till tomorrow. We can receive Him and the salvation He offers as we admit our faults and our inability to save ourselves and solve our own problems; as we recognize our inability to relieve our hearts of the pain and sorrow and bitterness and hatred that so often overcome us. That’s why we need God and His mercy, His love, His forgiveness. We cannot make it in our own strength. We are not strong enough.

Let’s read a few passages from the Bible on finding strength. The first is from the apostle Paul when he questioned the Lord about why He hadn’t healed him of a certain affliction. The Lord spoke to him and said, “My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in (your) weakness.” Paul continues, “Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, … in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong,”⁴ because then His strength can work through my weakness.

The second passage is found in Isaiah. “Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”⁵

Here we see the importance of spending time with the Lord to renew our strength, to charge our batteries. We recharge our spirits in those quiet moments we take while apart to be with God and our thoughts. We can spend time reading God’s Word. We can spend time in prayer and pouring out our heart to God. We can spend time listening to God. We can spend time in praise and thanksgiving and song, worshipping God for His goodness to the children of men. We can spend time in communion with fellow believers.

The last passage is one from Jesus Himself. “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.”⁶ We need to come to Jesus daily, and throughout the day, with our problems and concerns, and He will give us the quietness and rest of spirit that we need.

God is longing to strengthen us. He is longing to help us. He is calling out to each of us to reach out to Him. Through Jesus we can be reconciled with God and draw close to His heart of love.

The apostle Peter admonishes us to draw close to God so that we can partake of His divine nature. “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord, according as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.”⁷

We need to keep the heavenly vision. The first disciples and the early fathers of faith were able to overcome the difficulties they faced because their focus was on God’s eternal kingdom. They held on to God’s promises. “But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he hath prepared for them a city.”⁸ They kept looking to Jesus. “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of their faith.”⁹ They kept their eyes on Jesus and the heavenly city.

Through Jesus we find God’s mercy, love, forgiveness, and peace. Through Jesus we obtain eternal life in heaven, where God will wipe away all our tears and there will be no more death, sorrow, or crying, neither will there be any more pain,¹⁰ neither will there be any more war. Yes indeed, war no more. “Nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.”¹¹

¹ Isaiah 2:4.

² Isaiah 11:6–9.

³ Matthew 24:21–22.

⁴ 2 Corinthians 12:9–10.

⁵ Isaiah 40:28–31.

⁶ Matthew 11:28–30.

⁷ 2 Peter 1:2–4.

⁸ Hebrews 11:16.

⁹ Hebrews 12:2a.

¹⁰ Revelation 21:4.

¹¹ Isaiah 2:4b.

The Life of Discipleship, Part 2: Loving God with Our Whole Being

By Peter Amsterdam

August 12, 2025

How do we express our love for God and what kind of response does God seek from us as His children, born into His kingdom through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? In the book of Luke, Jesus taught us to “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind” (Luke 10:27 NIV).

In Matthew’s account of this incident, we read that a lawyer (an expert in the law of the Old Testament) asked Jesus a question to test Him: “Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 22:36–40).

The command to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind that Jesus quotes here is found in Deuteronomy 6:5, which is meant to encapsulate the concept of total devotion to God. The accounts of this incident in the Gospels of Luke and Mark include another dimension by adding loving the Lord with all our strength (Mark 12:30).

Jesus makes the point that “on these two commandments” [loving God and neighbor] “depend all the Law and the Prophets.” In Mark’s version of this event, the scribe responds by saying,

You are right, Teacher. … To love him with all the heart and with all the understanding and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbor as oneself, is much more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices.

When Jesus saw that the scribe had answered wisely, He responded by telling him that he was “not far from the kingdom of God” (Mark 12:32–34).

Let’s take a look at what loving the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind, strength and understanding means and how we can grow in expressing our love for God through every aspect of our lives and beings. This starts with our relationship with God, which is meant to be our closest and most intimate relationship, as the following article excerpts highlight.

God wants us to love Him with our whole being and in every possible way. God’s own Son taught us to love God the Father with everything we are, saying this was the first and greatest of all the commandments (Matthew 22:37–38). God wants us to love Him above all other things and beings. Lukewarm, halfhearted, or apathetic fondness for God won’t do. He wants our total devotion. … God desires to have an intimate love relationship with us. Our love for Him is a response to His divine love for us (1 John 4:19) …

Perhaps one of the purest examples in the Bible of how to love God comes from an unnamed woman who anointed the Lord’s feet with her perfume (Luke 7:36–50). So grateful was she for Christ’s forgiveness of her many sins that she poured out her love in extravagant worship and absolute devotion. This woman appreciated the true worth of her Savior, and in humble gratitude, sacrifice, and servitude, she loved and worshiped Jesus with her tears, her hair, her kisses, and her priceless bottle of perfume. She loved God with all she was and everything she had to offer.—Got Questions¹

With Everything in Us

As Christians, we are to love God with all of our being—with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. That’s a call for rich, deep, and full love—a love-Him-with-everything-you’ve-got love. We are called into a close personal relationship with God, who Himself is relational, and as such, He seeks relationship with us.

The beautiful relationship God had with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden was damaged because of their choice to sin. God is holy, so after sin came into the world, He could no longer have that same personal relationship with humans. His desire was to repair the relationship that sin ruptured and bring us back into relationship with Himself.

God is so passionate about being in relationship with us that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to sacrificially lay down His life through His death on the cross in order to bridge the gap between Himself and humanity (John 3:16). That’s how much He loves us. He actively seeks to be in relationship with us, because of His great love for us. And we are called to the same passionate love in our relationship with Him. As the verse says, “We love Him because He first loved us” (1 John 4:19 NKJV).

To convey His deep love for us, God used language and imagery in the Bible which speaks of us as being married to Him. He said, “Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is his name” (Isaiah 54:5), and “as the bridegroom rejoices over the bride, so shall your God rejoice over you” (Isaiah 62:5). These marital metaphors describe the union of heart, mind, and spirit that He desires to have with each of us.

Our love for Him results in our desire to draw close to Him (James 4:8), to build a deep relationship with Him, and put effort into strengthening our relationship and growing into His likeness. To do so, we commit to spending regular time communicating with Him through prayer, praise, and worship, reading and studying His Word, and patterning our lives according to His will and the principles of His Word. We endeavor to grow in our love for Him—with our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The following article excerpts provide some insight as to what this means and what it looks like.

With all our heart

It’s the most astounding truth in the universe—that our Creator wants to fellowship with us. God made you to love you, and He longs for you to love Him back. He says, “I don’t want your sacrifices—I want your love; I don’t want your offerings—I want you to know me” (Hosea 6:6 TLB). Can you sense God’s passion for you in this verse?

God deeply loves you and desires your love in return. He longs for you to know Him and spend time with Him. This is why learning to love God and be loved by Him should be the greatest objective of your life. Nothing else comes close in importance. Jesus called it the greatest commandment…

God wants all of you. God doesn’t want a part of your life. He asks for all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength. God is not interested in halfhearted commitment, partial obedience, and the leftovers of your time and money. He desires your full devotion. … He wants your honest, real love… [which] is the natural response to God’s amazing love and mercy.—Rick Warren²

With all our soul and strength

What does it mean to love God with all our soul? The Hebrew word for soul is nefesh (NEH-fesh). It means “life” as well as “soul.” In other words, we are to love God every moment of our lives. It even includes the idea that we should love God even to the point of sacrificing our lives for Him. It is certainly not enough to love God one day a week. Yeshua is [the] Lover of our Soul. He loved to the point of sacrificing His life for us. God loved the world (every soul) so much that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son for our salvation. Because we have been forgiven much, we can love much. (See Luke 7:47.) May we, by the grace of God, love Him with all our life. He is our life (Deuteronomy 30:20a).

To love God with all our might or strength, meod (may-ODE), means to love Him with all we’ve got—to love Him exceedingly well. It has been said that meod accents the superlative degree of total commitment to the Lord.—Jamie Lash³

With all our mind

To love God with all your mind means that you love God with your intellect, that you love God with determination and commitment. The Pharisees and religious leaders who confronted Jesus weren’t doing this. They were loving God with their words and their rituals but not with the totality of their being. If they had loved God with their minds, they would have put Him first and foremost in their lives. They would have obeyed Him fully.

In another place, Jesus made it very clear to His disciples, saying, “If you love me, keep my commands” (John 14:15). Obeying requires a decision of the mind. It is a determination. … If your will is in gear and ready to go—if you love God with all your mind—all of the other ways of loving the Lord are going to fall in place.—Dr. Michael Youssef ⁴

A central part of our discipleship is loving God so wholeheartedly that we are willing to align our lives according to the principles in His Word, thereby keeping His commands. We aspire to pattern ourselves after Jesus and to become more like Him. We desire to live our lives in a way that honors God, which is based on the knowledge of His Word, and with the awareness of and reverence for His constant presence within us.

When He says, “Follow Me,” He asks us to love Him so much that we choose to make Him our first priority; we place self in the right place in relation to God, who is sovereign over all of us. We make decisions to place His love at the center of our lives, to walk in His love and share His love with others. In short, we seek to live in a way that is pleasing to Him.

In 1 John, we read:

Whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. And this is his commandment, that we believe in the name of his Son Jesus Christ and love one another, just as he has commanded us. Whoever keeps his commandments abides in God, and God in him (1 John 3:22–24).

Understanding the principle of loving God with everything in us and following Him and His Word provides guidance for the life decisions we are regularly faced with. The basic principle being that God—our Creator, our Savior, and the Spirit that dwells within us—asks for and deserves our love and first place in our lives. This is the starting place of discipleship, and loving Him is at the center of living our discipleship. Our love for Christ—who gave His life for us—compels us, necessitates us, guides us, and urges us to love and worship Him fervently with all our hearts (2 Corinthians 5:14 NKJV), and to cultivate a close relationship with Him.

Thoughts to Ponder

To “love God with all your heart” means to devote your entire being, including your affections, thoughts, and actions, to Him, prioritizing His will and seeking to please Him above all else.—C. S. Lewis

Those who love God cannot cease thinking of Him, living for Him, longing after Him, speaking of Him, and fain would they grave the Holy Name of Jesus in the hearts of every living creature they behold.—St. Francis of Sales

The most important commandment … is to treasure God and his realm more than anything else. That is what it means to love God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. It means to treasure him, to hold him and his dear, and to protect and aid him in his purposes.—Dallas Willard

What the Bible Says

“If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him” (John 14:23).

“Know therefore that the LORD your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments” (Deuteronomy 7:9 NIV).

“For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38–39).

A Prayer of Gratitude for His Love

Dear God, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude for bestowing upon us the incredible gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ. This selfless act of sacrifice is something I know I am unworthy of, yet He willingly gave Himself to save us from our sins. … I can’t help but utter the words of Psalm 106:1: “Praise the Lord! Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever!” Your steadfast love continues to amaze me, and I am forever grateful for Your endless grace and compassion. I bask in the glow of Your love, dear God. Thank You for the gift of Jesus, thank You for Your unfailing love, and thank You for every blessing You have bestowed upon us.⁵

¹ “What does the Bible say about how to love God?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/how-to-love-God.html

² Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Zondervan, 2012).

³ Jamie Lash, “You Shall Love,” Jewish Jewels, February 1, 2022, https://www.jewishjewels.org/news-letters/you-shall-love/.

⁴ Dr. Michael Youssef, “Loving God with All Your Mind,” Leading the Way, May 2, 2023, https://ca.ltw.org/read/my-devotional/loving-god-with-all-your-mind/.

⁵ Everlasting Winter, “Rejoicing in God’s Love: A Prayer of Gratitude,” December 26, 2023, https://www.talkjesus.com/threads/rejoicing-in-gods-love-a-prayer-of-gratitude.79690/.

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When We Don’t Understand Why

August 15, 2025

By Charles Stanley

When we experience pain or face unexpected trials, out of our hearts comes one clear question: Why? It’s natural to seek understanding, but what if we’re asking the wrong question?

In this message, Dr. Stanley challenges us to ask ourselves the most important question: How will I respond? We may never know why, but we can still choose how we will respond when trials come our way. We can’t always understand God, but we can always trust Him.

Run time for this video is 26 minutes.

https://youtu.be/m_1fCUlet50?si=25jhcHt-s-GgUpIZ

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Prayer Principles

August 14, 2025

Treasures

Audio length: 14:41

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Learning to communicate with God through prayer requires a conscious decision on our part to make prayer a priority in our lives. In the Bible, we are called to make prayer an integral part of our everyday life, both by “praying without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and by praying intentional and targeted prayers. “In everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Our prayers don’t need to be long or ritualistic prayers to be heard by God. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, the model prayer He taught them—known as the Lord’s Prayer—was only sixty-six words (Matthew 6:9–13). On other occasions, Jesus prayed lengthy prayers, such as we read in the Gospel of John in chapter 17, as Jesus fervently prayed for Himself in preparation for His forthcoming suffering and death, for His disciples, and for future believers.

At any time during our day, we can focus our thoughts on the Lord in prayer and receive His strength and inspiration. “Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually!” (1 Chronicles 16:11). We can take advantage of spare moments during the day for short “pray without ceasing” prayers during a coffee break, when stuck in traffic, while waiting for an appointment, cooking, or walking the dog.

Even when we have cultivated the habit of praying while doing other things, quiet times of prayer when we give our full attention to the Lord and seek Him earnestly in prayer are important. As we commit our lives, our loved ones, our work, and our pursuits to God, He gives us His peace and faith for the journey (Isaiah 26:3).

There is no set pattern to follow or magic formula for prayer, but the Bible tells us that “the earnest prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16). We are also told to persevere in prayer. “Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up” (Luke 18:1). Our prayers are meant to be earnest and intentional, as we come before the God of the universe—our heavenly Father—in love and reverence.

Following are some foundational principles for prayer in the Bible that we can integrate into our prayer life.

Have a praiseful, thankful attitude. Praise pleases the Lord and leads you into His presence. “Enter His gates with thanksgiving, and His courts with praise. Give thanks to Him and bless His name” (Psalm 100:4). “With thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God” (Philippians 4:6).

Before expressing our petitions to God, we can start by praising and thanking Him for His love and grace, His infinite mercy, and His work in our lives and the world around us. There will be times, of course, when we don’t particularly feel like praising or thanking God—when we’re sick or in pain, or are down and discouraged, or struggling with challenges, for example—but those are the times it’s most important to praise Him and remind ourselves of His many blessings.

Start with a clean heart. Before we can have faith that the Lord will answer our prayers, we need to ensure that things are right between ourselves and the Lord. “If our heart does not condemn us, we have confidence toward God. And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:21–22).

If you feel unworthy of the Lord’s blessing—if your heart condemns you due to unconfessed sin or if you have committed some wrongdoing—acknowledge your sin and guilt, ask the Lord to forgive you, and pledge to try to rectify the matter or be reconciled with any others involved (Matthew 5:23–24). Then stand on His Word that tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). The Lord is quick to forgive, and to hear our prayers (Psalm 103:8–12).

Pray for God’s will to be done. When Jesus’ disciples asked Him to teach them to pray, He taught them to pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:9–13). When we bring our petitions to the Lord, we should consider what will please the Lord and advance His kingdom. We acknowledge that while we may be presenting a certain request, He knows best what His will and purposes are for every situation.

When you are doing your best to please the Lord, it pleases Him to grant your heart’s desires in accordance with His will. “Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). When your will and His will are in harmony, you can “ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).

Pray for the needs of others. Prayer for others is an important means of living out the second of the two greatest commands in the Bible to “love your neighbor as yourself” (Mark 12:30–31). God expects us to pray not only for ourselves, but for others, especially for fellow believers. “Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere” (Ephesians 6:18).

Your prayers for people, whether they are believers or have not yet received the Lord, can make a difference in their lives and the world around us. “I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life” (1 Timothy 2:1–2).

Be specific. Jesus taught His followers to bring their specific requests to Him. We read of the story of a blind man in the Bible who cried out to Jesus to have mercy on him. Jesus replied by asking him, “What would you have me do for you?” Once the blind man expressed his desire to see, Jesus healed him and said, “Your faith has healed you” (Mark 10:46–52).

The Bible instructs us to present our requests by prayer and petition to our gracious God (Philippians 4:6). The word “petition” is defined as an earnest request made regarding a specific cause to a higher authority. In other words, it is not a vague and random request. “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).

Pray wholehearted prayers. Sometimes you may be tempted to wonder why you even need to pray, if God, who is all-knowing, already knows what you need before you ask. It’s true that God knows your needs, as Jesus said, “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:7–8).But we are still called to pray, as prayer is first and foremost our means of communion with God.

Prayer is a positive declaration of your faith that God is sovereign and hears and answers our prayers, and that He loves us as beloved children. Jesus taught, “If your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him” (Matthew 7:9–11).

Pray in faith. Through prayer, we can come to our heavenly Father and commit our every care and concern into His care, trusting that He will lovingly act according to His good purposes for our lives (Philippians 2:13). We come to Him in faith.

When two blind men besought Jesus to restore their sight, He asked them if they believed He was able to do so. When they answered yes, He told them that it would be done to them “according to their faith”—and He proceeded to heal them (Matthew 9:27–30). On another occasion, we read of a father desperately seeking healing for his son, who beseeched Jesus, “If you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.” Jesus replied, “If you can? Everything is possible for one who believes.” The father honestly responded by saying, “I do believe, help me overcome my unbelief,” after which Jesus healed his son (Mark 9:17–27).

Pray in the name of Jesus. Jesus taught us, “If you ask me anything in my name, I will do it” (John 14:13–14). The Bible also teaches, “Whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him” (Colossians 3:17).

When Jesus came to earth to die for our sins, He became our mediator to God, the Father. The Bible tells us that “there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). This is why Christians pray to God in the name of Jesus.

Claim God’s promises in His Word. God has made promises in His Word to all who believe in Him and accept Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?” (Romans 8:32). “God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

When you claim His promises in prayer, it shows you have faith in His written Word. Of course, God’s promises come with conditions. “Whatever we ask, we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight” (1 John 3:22). When we claim His promised “whatever you ask,” we must also do our part to strive to keep His commandments.

Trust in God for the outcome. Every prayer that is in line with God’s will is heard by Him and answered in the way He knows will be best for the situation and people concerned. “This is the confidence that we have toward him, that if we ask anything according to his will he hears us. And if we know that he hears us in whatever we ask, we know that we have the requests that we have asked of him” (1 John 5:14–15).

When prayer seems to go unanswered

God always hears our prayers and answers them, but not always right away and not necessarily in the way we expect Him to. Sometimes His answer is “yes,” sometimes it is “no,” and sometimes He asks us to “wait” for His perfect timing and purposes in a situation. The outcome of prayer can also depend on the decisions and actions of others who are involved, as He has given every person the majesty of choice and free will.

Since God has promised that when we ask for things in accordance with His will, He will give us what we ask for, we can trust that He will respond according to His will, and for our benefit and the benefit of others. If He delays in responding or doesn’t answer in the way we expected, it is important to remind ourselves that prayer is not about getting God to do our will on earth, but rather for His will to be done.

We are to be persistent in prayer (Luke 18:1), as the prayers we never pray will not be answered. In James 4:2, we read: “You do not have because you do not ask God.” Sometimes God may not answer our prayer because He knows that what we’re praying for is not good for us in some way or not good for others. The Bible warns us that if our heart isn’t right, or our motives are selfish, the Lord may not give us what we ask for (James 4:3). At other times, God may not answer our prayers because He has something better planned for us or the conditions aren’t right, or He is working in the lives of others.

Another reason why prayer may seem to go unanswered is that the Lord is at work in our lives, to help us to grow in faith, trust, and patience. “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him” (Psalm 37:7). Patience seems to be one of His most frequent lessons in our lives, and in the process, we learn to place our trust in Him. “But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it with patience” (Romans 8:25).

Whether we see the answer to our prayers in the way we expect or we don’t see the answer to our prayers right away, we can always trust that God has set things in motion to be fulfilled in His time and according to His will. Once we have committed our concerns to the Lord, we can rest in the sure knowledge that God has heard our prayers, and as our loving Father, He cares deeply about everything that concerns us. “With God’s power working in us, God can do much, much more than anything we can ask or imagine” (Ephesians 3:20).

Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Gaining by Giving

August 13, 2025

By Steve Hearts

It’s often pretty easy to talk about giving, but it’s challenging to actually do it. This is especially true when giving involves sacrifice on our part. It’s plain to see, from biblical and modern-day examples, that God honors generous giving. We are shown a clear example of this in Mark 12:41–44:

Jesus sat down at the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a fraction of a penny. Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.”

Quite possibly, some of those rich people gave more out of duty or a desire to be recognized for their giving, rather than out of a sincere love for God. It was no great sacrifice on their part, since their giving didn’t significantly impact their abundant wealth. The widow, on the other hand, was poor, but she was willing to give all she had. She had a sacrificial heart. This is why Jesus pointed her out and why her gift received such praise.

Another example is Elijah and the widow of Zarephath. Elijah, God’s prophet, was led by the Lord to stay for a time by “the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan” (1 Kings 17:3). His water supply came from the brook and the Lord sent ravens to bring him food every day. But because of a severe drought in the land, the brook eventually dried up. So, the Lord told Elijah:

“Go at once to Zarephath in the region of Sidon, and stay there. I have directed a widow there to supply you with food.” So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, “Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?” As she was going to get it, he called, “And bring me, please, a piece of bread.”

“As surely as the Lord your God lives,” she replied, “I don’t have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little olive oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die.”

Elijah said to her, “Don’t be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small loaf of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son. For this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the Lord sends rain on the land.” She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family” (1 Kings 17:9–15).

The poor widow had plenty of reasons to ignore Elijah’s words. After all, he was a total stranger with a big request—one that could cost her and her son’s last meal. It took no small amount of faith on her part to give him the last bit of her food, but she did. And she was abundantly rewarded for her giving!

What about the boy who gave his two fishes and five loaves of bread to Jesus? (See John 6:5–13.) He must have wondered where he was going to find anything to eat once he had surrendered his lunch. But he did so willingly, trusting Jesus with childlike faith, and he got more than enough to eat along with the rest of the multitude.

It can be easier to give more freely when it doesn’t cost us very much. But King David refused to give to the Lord “that which cost him nothing.” (See 2 Samuel 24:24.)

A few years ago, I prayed specifically for an Ovation guitar. As soon as I got one, I felt the Lord encouraging me to give it to someone else who really needed a guitar. This surprised me, and I wondered how I would ever be able to save up for a guitar for myself. But there was no doubt in my heart about what the Lord was asking me to do.

About a week after I gave the guitar away, I was invited to sing at the church of a musician friend who owned a music store. When I told him I had no guitar to play, he said, “No problem. I’ll choose something from my store and you can use it.” It turned out to be an Ovation guitar. I was thrilled!

When the service was over, I sought out my friend to thank him and say goodbye. He said, “Hey, don’t forget your guitar.”

“Excuse me?” I said incredulously.

He responded, saying, “While you were singing, the Lord clearly told me to bless you and your mission work with this guitar.”

I left that church feeling as though I were walking on air.

Although we may not always reap material blessings as a result of our giving, it never goes unrewarded—even if the rewards are not apparent to us at the time.

I heard a dramatized story of an elderly man named Jake. He had simple, strong faith in God, and he knew how to play the harmonica. He lived in a home for the elderly. One day, he received a letter from his niece informing him that she and her husband had arranged for him to live with them. Money for his travel fare was included in the letter. He was overjoyed.

Shortly after this, another resident of this home named Ed received a telegram informing him that his granddaughter had passed away. To make this heartbreaking news even worse, Ed had no money to pay for travel to attend the funeral. Jake gave Ed the money he’d received from his niece.

Then Jake decided to hitchhike to his destination. He was picked up by a young man named Clem. During the trip, the car stopped working, and Clem walked to the nearest town for parts. He left the car in the care of Jake, and as Jake sat in the car playing his harmonica, he attracted the attention of a man who lived nearby. The kindhearted man invited him to his house for a bite to eat, and Jake befriended him and his family. Three days passed and Jake spent mealtimes with his new friends, teaching them about the Lord and how to pray.

Clem finally returned with the needed car parts, and once they were back on the road, he apologized for taking so long. He said that he’d been unable to get them immediately, and so while waiting, he got drunk. He then explained that his wife and kids had left him because of his drinking problem, and that he was on his way to try to win them back. But liquor had the best of him, and he didn’t know how he would be able to quit drinking. Jake told him about Jesus and His healing power, and he prayed with him. Clem felt a change come over him.

When Jake was finally reunited with his niece, he realized how happy he was about the way his travel plans had turned out. Giving away his money had enabled him to lend a helping hand to a friend in need, and as he traveled, he was able to share his faith with those he met along the way. He knew he had done the right thing by giving Ed his travel money and he had gained a far more valuable blessing in return—souls won to the Lord.

Is giving worth the sacrifice? Yes, it sure is! Jesus told us, “Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap” (Luke 6:38).

You never lose by giving. Though there may be no immediate, apparent reward, you will one day recognize the blessings—whether physical or spiritual—that your generosity brought to your life and that of others, and you will be glad you gave.

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

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Everything’s Going to Be Okay

August 12, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 13:50

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It was one of the worst days of my life. Tragedy struck our family in the worst way, and I was emotionally paralyzed. That’s when my friend Mary stepped in to do what I couldn’t. She made me a hotel reservation, called the necessary people, and said, “It’s going to be okay.”

In that moment, I was flooded with supernatural peace as I felt the Lord speaking through Mary. Her statement was not a dismissal of my pain or the complexity of the situation; however, something greater happened. The peace and comfort of God was somehow found in that statement in the middle of my storm.

“It’s going to be okay” is one of the most hope-filled sentiments I can offer to others and choose to believe for myself. The writer of Hebrews says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for, being convinced of what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1). That’s where hope comes from.

Of course, for the Christian, there is the future hope of eternity with God. But there is also hope for the here and now. We have the assurance, the evidence of things not seen, that no matter what happens, God is still on His throne.

What is biblical hope? It is tethering to the future what we know about God’s past faithfulness. In defining faith as “being sure of what we hope for,” the writer of Hebrews gives us an insight into hope, but let’s chew on it a bit.

Biblical hope is not a wish. A wish is something we want to have or to happen. … Maybe it will happen one day, but maybe it won’t.

In contrast, biblical hope is a certainty that our ultimate future rests in God’s capable and loving hands. It is an assurance that the invisible God is faithful and has a good plan in my visible life.

Old Testament writers used several Hebrew words for hope. One is qawa, which means “hope” in the sense of trust, as when the prophet Jeremiah said to God, “Our hope is in you” (Jeremiah 14:22). New Testament writers used the Greek word hupomeno for hope. It means to wait, to be patient, to endure, to persevere under misfortunes and trials, to hold fast to one’s faith in Christ.

We get a picture of hope, as these biblical words define it, in the life of the Apostle Paul. Paul encountered struggle after struggle, but he never lost hope that everything was going to be okay, and he assured others of the same (2 Corinthians 4:8–10).

Here’s the thing, though: Unless someone has struggled through traumatic situations themselves, I don’t really believe them when they tell me, “It’s going to be okay.” My knee-jerk reaction is, “How do you know?” Unless they truly understand, the words fall flat. When you aren’t ashamed to tell your darkest moments but freely reveal how God brought you through, you become believable. Hope becomes conceivable. Then you become a hope-giver.

Sometimes, it may take years to put back the pieces the wrecking ball of pain has caused. The atrocities we’ve endured may tempt us to believe that someone other than God is writing our stories. But God has the power to redeem what we consider unredeemable. To heal what we consider fatally wounded. To make our worst chapters our greatest victories. And then to fashion us into hope-givers who are believable, vulnerable, and beautiful when we tell one another, “It’s going to be okay.”

When tragedy tears our hearts out, when untimely death cracks the foundation of our faith, when abuse mars all that is good, we mourn. We grieve the loss. But we mustn’t allow the story to stop there. I type these words with tears in my eyes because I have lived them. Hear me when I say, “It’s going to be okay—you’re going to be okay.” God has more to write.

God, I trust You. No matter what happens this side of heaven, I know it’s going to be okay because You have a purpose and a plan. I might not like the situation or understand the observation, but I trust You without reservation. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Sharon Jaynes¹

*

If you know that I love you, you know that everything is going to be okay in the end. I won’t ever stop loving you. So, whenever you’re going through a deep, dark, faith-testing experience, hold on to the fact that I love you and that everything is ultimately going to be all right.

Regardless of your circumstances, there will always be times of abasing and abounding (Philippians 4:12). There will be highs and lows; that’s the cycle of life. During a low point, don’t automatically assume that you’ve failed or My Spirit and blessings are not with you. You are My child, and I will always be there for you. Keep fighting the good fight and trust that I will never leave nor forsake you .—Jesus

*

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6).

If you are feeling overwhelmed today, dear friend, may I remind you that you can trust God. He is still trustworthy. Here are three practical steps you can take today to help you trust God and find peace:

1. Study the Word. Find a scripture that speaks into your situation and read it aloud again and again. I love Isaiah 43:19, which reminds me that God will make a way in the wilderness.
2. Pray. Bring all your burdens, fears, and plans before God in prayer. Share your heart with Him as you would with a friend. Your prayers are powerful.
3. Trust God. To trust according to the dictionary means to “believe in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of.” Trust that God is reliable enough to see you through. Trust that He will make a way even when a situation seems hopeless.

After reminding myself aloud that I trust God … I felt lighter and my mind felt clearer. Most importantly, I felt God’s peace. …

My prayer for you is that you will trust God in little things and in big things. In doing dishes, in cleaning, in working your day job, in parenting, in relating with your fellow humans, keep trusting God to give you the strength, wisdom, and guidance you need.—Precious Meshi Nkeih²

The Sparrow at Starbucks

It was chilly in Manhattan but warm inside the Starbucks shop on 51st Street and Broadway, just a skip up from Times Square. … For a musician, it’s the most lucrative Starbucks location in the world, I’m told, and consequently, the tips can be substantial if you play your tunes right.

Apparently, we were striking all the right chords that night, because our tip basket was almost overflowing. I was playing keyboard and singing backup for my friend, who also added rhythm with an arsenal of percussion instruments. … During our emotional rendition of the classic, “If You Don’t Know Me by Now,” I noticed a lady sitting across from me. After the tune was over, she approached me. “I apologize for singing along on that song. Did it bother you?” she asked.

“No,” I replied. “We love it when the audience joins in. Would you like to sing up front on the next selection?” To my delight, she accepted my invitation. I said, “What are you in the mood to sing?”

“Well, … do you know any hymns?” Hymns? This woman didn’t know who she was dealing with. I cut my teeth on hymns. I gave our guest singer a knowing look. “Name one.”

“Oh, I don’t know. There are so many good ones. You pick one.”

“Okay,” I replied. “How about ‘His Eye is on the Sparrow’?”

My new friend was silent, her eyes averted. Then she said, “Let’s do that one.” … With my two-bar setup, she began to sing, “Why should I be discouraged? Why should the shadows come?”

The audience of coffee drinkers was transfixed. Even the gurgling noises of the cappuccino machine ceased as the employees stopped what they were doing to listen. The song rose to its conclusion.

“I sing because I’m happy; I sing because I’m free. For His eye is on the sparrow and I know He watches me.”

When the last note was sung, the applause crescendoed to a deafening roar … I embraced my new friend. “That was beautiful!”

“Well, it’s funny that you picked that particular hymn,” she said.

“Why is that?”

“Well,” she hesitated again, “that was my daughter’s favorite song.”

“Really!” I exclaimed.

“Yes,” she said, and then grabbed my hands. … “She was 16. She died of a brain tumor last week.”

I said the first thing that found its way through my stunned silence. “Are you going to be okay?”

She smiled through tear-filled eyes and squeezed my hands. “I’m gonna be okay. I’ve just got to keep trusting the Lord and singing his songs, and everything’s going to be just fine.” She picked up her bag, gave me her card, and then she was gone.

Was it just a coincidence that we happened to be singing in that particular coffeeshop on that particular November night? Coincidence that this wonderful lady just happened to walk into that shop? Coincidence that of all the hymns to choose from, I just happened to pick the hymn that was the favorite of her daughter, who had died just the week before? I refuse to believe it was a coincidence.

God has been arranging encounters in human history since the beginning of time, and it’s no stretch for me to imagine that he could reach into a coffeeshop in midtown Manhattan and turn an ordinary gig into a revival. It was a great reminder that if we keep trusting him and singing his songs, everything’s going to be okay!—Kenneth Robb Kersey³

Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ Sharon Jaynes, “It’s Going To Be OK,” Proverbs 31, April 16, 2021, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2021/04/16/its-going-to-be-ok

² Precious Meshi Nkeih, “Trust God, Everything Will Be Fine,” Precious Core, September 21, 2020, https://www.preciouscore.com/trust-god-everything-will-be-fine/

³ Kenneth Robb Kersey, “The Sparrow at Starbucks,” God’s Other Ways,  https://www.godsotherways.com/stories/2017/5/1/the-sparrow-at-starbucks-1

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Shut-Ins

August 11, 2025

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 7:42

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I’ve been thinking about the many shut-ins and those who lie in hospital beds. I often think of these because I spent years in “shut-in land.” Perhaps that is why the following words of Martha Snell Nicholson’s are so close to my heart.

Long rows of beds.
In each a body wracked with pain.
Pale faces drawn with anguish
Or grown dull with apathy and weariness.
Sometimes old mothers, with white hair,
About to leave this world.
One with a sweet face and snowy, fluffy hair
Lies all unconscious on her narrow bed.
Her husband, gray and bent,
Stands over her in helpless, baffled grief.
It seems to me
That surely she must rouse and comfort him,
As she has done so many times before.

The daily round goes on
In the hospital and the X-ray and the surgery.
But sometimes sudden laughter runs
Like quicksilver down the room.
It’s where strangers often feel
Their hearts draw close
In common ties of suffering.

Long rows of beds,
In each a soul, blood-bought.
Beside my own bed on a standard
Rests a jar of ruby blood,
And through a tube runs the precious drops.
But lying here I think of one
Who gave His precious blood for me,
And with the blood
He gives me life eternal
And a home beyond the farthest stars
Where I shall be forever
With my blessed Lord and King.

He fills my hands with treasures,
My heart with joy unspeakable,
And glory such as feeble tongue cannot describe.
He gives me angels to watch over me
And His robes of righteousness for me to wear.
And all the riches that are His are mine,
Because I am a joint heir with Christ the Lord.
I look down the long rows of beds
And I yearn to share my treasure with them all.

Long, long rows of beds.
Through dragging hours of night
Sleep will not come to me, for I must pray.
O Jesus Christ, Thy passion and Thy pain
Are throbbing in this quiet moonlit room.
Thy blood was shed for every sleeper here;
Thy love broods over them.
I see Thee pass from bed to bed
With outstretched hands,
And I hear Thy voice say,
“Come unto Me and I will give you rest.”
And, “I am the way, the truth, the life.”
And yet they sleep,
These whom the wing of death has brushed.

I dimly see white faces on the pillows,
And my heart is torn with grief
Because they do not know the heavenly visitor,
And with the morn they will awaken,
Some of them unaware that He was here,
Nor see His footprints on the floor,
Nor hear His voice still ringing in the air.

Oh, great Physician, hear my earnest prayer
And show me how to make Thy presence known,
Thy blessed face grow visible and dear
To those who lie in these long rows of beds.
—Adapted from “In a Hospital Ward,” by M. S. Nicholson (1898–1953)

I am praying for some words of encouragement that would stir your faith anew and help you to reach out and touch Jesus. I think the best I can do is to share verses from His Word that will give you new courage and restore withered hopes.

Luke chapter four tells of when Jesus went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day and stood up to read: “And there was delivered unto him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when he had opened the book, he found the place where it was written, ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to preach the acceptable year of the Lord’” (Luke 4:17–19).

So, if you’re brokenhearted, if you’re bruised, if you’re bound, in these verses Christ offers Himself to you as a mighty deliverer. I know from personal experience how He can set us free! And there are many other wonderful verses.

“He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick … and they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing everywhere” (Luke 9:2, 6).

“Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh: Is there anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

“But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2).

“Daughter, be of good comfort, thy faith hath made thee whole. And the woman was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 9:22).

“I will restore health unto thee and I will heal thy wounds, saith the Lord” (Jeremiah 30:17).

“Great is thy faith: be it unto thee even as thou wilt. And her daughter was made whole from that very hour” (Matthew 15:28).

“Himself took our infirmities and bore our sicknesses” (Matthew 8:17).

“Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people” (Matthew 9:35).

“Remember thy word unto thy servant, upon which thou hast caused me to hope. This is my comfort in my affliction: for thy word hath quickened me” (Psalm 119:49–50).

Here are some closing words:

When the storms come—they will, they will—
Do as His disciples did long ago,
For He is the same yesterday, today and forever.
Don’t give up the ship, but call on Him.

He says, “Call on me and I will answer thee
And show thee great and mighty things which thou knowest not” (Jeremiah 33:3).
Stay in the boat. Don’t give up the ship!
How frightening in these days are the storms of life,
But with the Pilot aboard, we don’t have to be afraid.
—From “Don’t Give Up the Ship” by Martha Snell Nicholson

God’s Word says, “Thanks be unto God which causeth us to triumph in Christ” (2 Corinthians 2:14). Prayer changes things, my friend.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Debra Lee.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Matthew 24, Part 1

Signs of His Coming

David Brandt Berg

1981-03-26

In verse one of Matthew 24, the disciples were bragging to Jesus about the temple and what a beautiful building it was. He must have almost chuckled or even laughed! “He said unto them, See ye not all these things?”—This beautiful mountain of snowy buildings that Herod built for the Jews to please them—that Herod the Arab had built for the Jews, imagine that, to keep them happy! He said, “See ye not all these things? Verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another that shall not be thrown down” (v. 2).

“And as He sat upon the Mount of Olives”—that’s a little hill just outside the walls of Jerusalem—“the disciples came unto Him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? And what shall be the sign of Thy coming, and of the end of the world?” (v. 3) They thought, “My goodness, when the temple is destroyed, that must be when You’re coming back and when the world is going to be destroyed!” They didn’t realize that the temple was going to be destroyed only 40 years later by the Romans, and it would still be another couple of thousand years before the end of the world.

“Jesus answered, and said unto them, take heed that no man deceive you. Many shall come in My name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. And ye shall hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that ye be not troubled: for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes in divers places. All these are the beginning of sorrows” (v. 4–8). We’ve had these things ever since Jesus was here, for the last 2000 years. He said they’re only the beginning. It’s only the beginning, folks!

“Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for My name’s sake. And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. Many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many. And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

“But he that shall endure until the end, the same shall be saved” (v. 9–13). That’s a sign of your salvation if you endure until the end. It doesn’t mean that if you make it to the end, then you’re going to be saved—you’re already saved. It means that if you are saved, you’ll stick it out to the end!

Now He’s going to give a very important prediction. They wanted to know, “When’s the end of the world going to be?” So He says in the 14th verse: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.”

That is the first sign that Jesus Himself gave that we are nearing the end. And that is one of the signs of the end which has already occurred. The gospel has already been preached in all nations—if not directly by missionaries, certainly by radio and television and literature, or travelers and visitors and so on. Every nation on the face of the earth has today heard the gospel. Perhaps not every tribe and tongue and dialect and little tiny group, but every single nation on the face of the earth has now heard the gospel. And Jesus said, “This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, then shall the end come.”

Now He’s going to be even more specific about the exact end of things.

“When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place.” We learn from Daniel—and Revelation and many other places in the Bible—that the abomination of desolation is going to be an image of the Antichrist, this Devil-man, which he tries to force the world to worship, to worship him. Jesus says here that when you see this idol, this image standing in the holy place, Mount Moriah, Jerusalem—one of the holiest places on earth to the world’s three great religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam—when you see the Antichrist image raised up and standing there, “whoso readeth, let him understand.” You’d better understand (v. 15).

“Then let them which be in Judaea flee into the mountains.” If you happen to be in Israel then, you’d better beat it! “Let him which is on the housetop not come down to take anything out of his house: Neither let him which is in the field return back to take his clothes” (v. 16–18). He says, “Take off, head for the hills! Don’t stop for anything.”

“And woe unto them that are with child, and to them that give suck in those days.” It’s going to be hard to carry the baby; it’s hard to run while you’re carrying a baby. “But pray ye that your flight be not in winter, neither on the sabbath day” (v. 19–20). Hope and pray it doesn’t happen in cold weather and you have to take off with nothing. Especially, He says, the people in Judaea, because that’s where the worst will begin, right at the headquarters of the Antichrist.

“For then shall be” what? Why does He say, “Look out, woe unto you”? Verse 15: “When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,” verse 21, “then shall be great tribulation”—the Great Tribulation, in fact—“such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.” That is the beginning of the Great Tribulation.

When does that Great Tribulation begin? How can you know exactly when the first three and a half years of the Antichrist reign is finished and the last three and a half years of his reign begins and the Great Tribulation begins? Will you know? Of course you’ll know! You’ll probably be watching the erection of that image on television and hearing the Antichrist’s proclamation—given by the false prophet, his propaganda chief—for everybody to fall down and worship him and receive his mark in their hand or forehead or be killed!

Jesus Himself said the Great Tribulation begins then. Right then, in the middle of the seven years of the Antichrist’s reign, at the beginning of the last three and a half years of his reign. He says when that starts, you’d better head for the hills. You’re not even going to have time to go back into the house and get your clothes, or to go back in from the field to get your things; you’re going to have to just take off and run as fast as you can go!

It’s going to be so dangerous from then on, especially for those who love the Lord and who witness for Him and will refuse to accept the Mark of the Beast, and will refuse to kneel down and worship him. The Antichrist will order that they be killed. You had better be out where they can’t find you. You’d better be out where they can’t catch you and out where you can have something to eat without buying or selling and without the Mark of the Beast when that day comes.

“And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened” (v. 22). Who are the elect? There’s been controversy over who these elect are. Paul makes it very plain who the elect are—the Christians, the saved, the children of God. The word used here for the elect comes from the same root as ecclesia, “the elect,” the chosen or separated, eklektos. That means the elect or the church of God, all saved Christians.

So the church will certainly still be here during the Tribulation. Contrary to what some popular Bible teachers have taught, the church is still going to be here; they’re going to have to go through the Great Tribulation. Daniel says so. Jesus said so here. John says so in the book of Revelation. The church, the Christians, the people of God are certainly going to be here during the Tribulation. It’s as plain as day throughout the book of Daniel, and here in Jesus’ own words, and finally in Revelation.

“But for the elect’s sake, those days shall be shortened.” Otherwise, everybody would have died.

But he says to watch out for the Tribulation period, especially. “Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there”… Why would people start looking for Christ then? They’re going to start looking for Jesus because they know that He’s coming soon, when they realize that this is the Tribulation and this is the Antichrist and they’re in the last three and a half years.

The people who believe in pre-Tribulation Rapture are going to get a big surprise. They’re going to be so confused they’re going to wonder, “Jesus was supposed to come! Where is He? Why didn’t He come and take us? When is He coming? He surely must be coming soon, because here’s the Tribulation, here’s the Antichrist, and we were supposed to be gone before this.” Jesus says, when they say, “Jesus has come here, or He’s over there,” don’t believe it! You’re going to know it when Jesus comes.

“For,” He says, “there shall arise false Christs and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect” (v. 24). Even the Antichrist is going to do great signs and wonders, so that his followers will believe a lie and be damned. “Behold, I have told you before. Wherefore if they shall say unto you, behold, He is in the desert; go not forth: behold, He is in the secret chambers, believe it not. For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west, so shall also the coming of the Son of man be” (v. 25–27). How are you going to know when Jesus comes? He’s going to come like lightning, shining even from the east unto the west!

And another sign: “For wheresoever the carcass is, there will the eagles be gathered together” (v. 28). Now that’s a strange thing, and a lot of people don’t understand what He’s talking about. What does this mean about a carcass and eagles—or better said vultures? He’s saying it in cryptic, very puzzling language. He’s saying, “Wherever the body is, there are going to be those that feed on Christ. And that’s the best way you’re going to know when Jesus comes, because you’re going to be there! You’re going to rise to meet Him in the air, and so shall we ever be with the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:17).

You’ll know when He comes because He’ll shine like lightning around the world, and you’ll rise to meet Him in the air! You’re not going to have to worry about whether you’re going to be here, there, or somewhere else. You’re going to be drawn like a magnet, like the eagles to the carcass, those who have to eat and feed upon Christ to live spiritually (John 6:53). Wherever the carcass is, the body of Christ, there will all of us eagles be gathered together. That’s how you’ll know when Jesus comes. You’ll be there.

May He bless and keep you till that day, and make you faithful witnesses until He comes, in Jesus’ name.

Copyright © 1981 The Family International.

The Real Victors of the Tribulation

We’re “More Than Conquerors” (Romans 8:37)

David Brandt Berg

1983-09-01

In the case of the outstandingly gifted prophets and prophetesses and witnesses of the last days, particularly the Tribulation period, their powers to fight off the Enemy and to continue to protect their witness and witnesses may be similar to some of the powers we’ll be using in the Millennium to force evildoers into submission. The Lord uses the words “rod of iron” (Revelation 2:27), which certainly symbolizes the use of force.

There comes a time when even good has to use force against evil, and this is certainly clear throughout the Bible, because force is almost the only thing that evil understands. That’s why the Lord says that the police are officers of God who bear not the sword in vain (Romans 13). This means they need to bear swords, weapons, and not in vain, which means that if necessary, they use them. Even some of Jesus’ disciples carried swords. But our weapons are not carnal but are much more powerful, unto the tearing down of strongholds, spiritual strongholds, fighting and opposing the spiritual wickedness in the spiritual realm (2 Corinthians 10:4).

Therefore, we have to have weapons that are more powerful than normal physical, carnal weapons. We have to have powerful spiritual weapons, and we don’t carry these in vain. We’re supposed to use them if necessary to resist the powers of evil and to protect ourselves from the Devil, and we even have some of these powers available now. Men and women of God have always had these powers available from the very beginning. God had to give godly people godly powers to defeat and oppose and defend themselves from the powers of the Devil.

So there’s nothing new about it, and it could happen with others and will happen definitely during the Tribulation when we need particularly strong powers for self-defense and to make our witness possible and to protect us to the very end. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be any live Christians left for Jesus to rapture! We would all have been killed by the Enemy.

It says that power is going to be given to the Antichrist to overcome the organized church and to destroy its temporal power (Daniel 7:21–25; 8:24; Revelation 13:7). But that doesn’t mean that they’re going to defeat or dominate or destroy all of us, the true believers and those who have the supernatural powers and miraculous defenses of the Lord. “For they which do know their God shall do exploits and shall instruct many, but even some of these shall fall,” it says (Daniel 11:32–33). But when they fall, it says that they’ll be helped. The Lord is going to enable us to continue till the end and to survive all the onslaughts of the Antichrist and his forces. Otherwise there wouldn’t be anybody left to rapture. So the Lord is going to have to give His true believers, men and women of God, prophets and prophetesses and witnesses, supernatural, miraculous powers of self-defense and even of attack in order to survive and continue witnessing until the Lord comes.

It says that the Antichrist forces weren’t able to do anything against the final two witnesses until the very end because they were able to cause curses and plagues on the evil and to call down fire from God out of heaven to devour their enemies. That’s a picture of mighty men and women of God fighting a victorious battle over the demons of hell right until the very end, even though some of them were allowed to be martyrs. Obviously most of them are going to survive and endure all of that until the very coming of the Lord when they’re raptured out of it all, and that’s no little mean handful. It’s going to be millions. So they must have survived somehow with some kind of supernatural, miraculous help.

I believe, according to the Scriptures, that certain very powerful men and women of God like the ancient prophets and prophetesses of old are going to have miraculous powers to protect and defend their flocks and followers and help them to survive to the very end, the final great witnesses depicted in Revelation, even the famous two last witnesses described in Revelation 11. It doesn’t say that they are the only ones, but it shows how victorious they are right up to the very end, that the Antichrist and all his forces and all the forces of hell are not able to really touch them until only 3½ days before the Second Coming of the Lord and their rapture. Their bodies are left in the streets for 3½ days while the wicked rejoice over them, thinking they have won the victory, when suddenly to their surprise they arise from the dead and are raptured into the heavens at the Second Coming of the Lord (Revelation 11:11–12).

So I believe there are going to be millions of Christians who survive until the Rapture.—Some by hiding out in the wilderness as the Scripture says (Revelation 12:6,14), others by defying the forces of Satan face-to-face and being victorious over all the powers of the Enemy till the very end! “Where sin doth abound, grace doth much more abound” (Romans 5:20). And where satanic power is going to abound, then God’s power is going to much more abound to protect His own. God’s purpose is not going to be defeated; He’s going to have millions of witnesses right up to the end, at least 144,000.

The Tribulation period is not going to be a defeat for the church of God, for genuine Christians. It’s going to be a time of waging war on the Antichrist and all his forces right up to the end! Otherwise there’d be nobody to survive to be raptured. So don’t worry about it! Those who live during those times will have what it takes when the time comes—power for the hour, and every hour. Even at the darkest hour they’ll still have power for the hour to meet every difficulty and every problem and every opposition—the supernatural, miraculous power of God.

Just think, there will be nothing the Antichrist can do against the famous two witnesses of Revelation 11, nothing he can do to stop them until 3½ days before the Lord comes. Then he will be allowed to kill them, so that the cup of the iniquity of the wicked may be full, and while they’re actually rejoicing over their deaths, suddenly the Lord will come and resurrect them and rapture them. That in itself is a mighty victory, showing that God can even be victorious over the deaths of martyrdom and slaughter. What is death if you can be resurrected?—And be raptured on top of it! So it will still wind up a mighty victory for the Lord right in the sight of the whole world. And the world will be amazed, as the Lord will show His wrath then with a great earthquake and hail as He rains wrath on the wicked as He resurrects and raptures His saints.

So we don’t have to think that those who live through that time are just going to be cowering, hunted victims, although some may be. Obviously most are not going to be cowering but powering in their fight and battle and defense of the Gospel right up to the end, with all the forces of heaven on their side, including the curses and plagues of God on the Enemy, and the Lord’s defense by all kinds of strange monsters described in the Bible that appear during the Tribulation period to defend His children.

It is not a period of complete defeat and destruction as some have pictured, particularly some of our teachers and writers of the past who seemed to enjoy drawing the most gruesome kind of pictures to terrify us about that period. We’ve been given too much hell about the Tribulation. We need to show a little more of what heaven can do and is going to do for God’s children during that time of trial. There’s going to be a lot of hell—in fact, the most hell the world has ever known—but the world is going to get most of it, not the Christians! Although there’s going to be the most hell the world has ever known, there is also going to be the most power of heaven that we have ever known, the most heavenly power and defense and help and protection in order that we can be powerful witnesses to the truth right up to the end.

So why have this terrible picture of constant defeat of the saints and the Christians? The Tribulation period is not going to be a period of just defeats and horrors for the Christians. It’s going to be a time of probably our greatest victories and greatest battles and greatest powers that the true church has ever known, to defeat the forces of evil in spite of all the satanic power of the Antichrist forces of the Devil.

The Tribulation period is going to be mostly a time of horror and suffering for the Antichrist forces and his people. They’re the ones that are pictured as suffering the most, and in a sense, it’s the time of their greatest defeat. For despite the fact that they’ve finally got the whole world under their power and control, they still can’t defeat the true Christians or stop them or even stop their witness.

We need a picture of the Tribulation as a time of great battle, that’s true, a great struggle, great tribulation, but most of the horrors are for the world and the wicked, not for God’s children. It’ll be a time of some of our greatest victories and greatest witness and greatest miracles and greatest manifestations of the supernatural.

So we shouldn’t be always painting such a horrible gloomy picture of the Tribulation. It’s true, it’s going to be a time of great persecution and great battles. But it’s also going to be a time of great, phenomenal, supernatural, miraculous victories that will spare us and protect us and help us to survive and witness to the very Coming of the Lord, when “We which are alive and remain shall be caught up to meet the Lord in the air” (1 Thessalonians 4:17). There are going to be a lot of us who are still alive and remain right to the end.

The Lord is going to take care of His children and He’s going to have mighty saints and men and women of God, prophets and prophetesses at the last day to continue our witness until the very end and the Coming of the Lord.

We need to show our people the other side of the Tribulation: the victorious view of what marvelous witnessing His children are going to do then, in which the whole world will know about us and even see us on television and hear of our mighty wonders and miracles and supernatural protection in spite of everything the Devil and his Antichrist can do. What a defeat for Satan to do everything he can to kill us and be unable to! How humiliating that’s going to be for the Antichrist when he has declared war on God’s people and said we should all be killed, and yet he can’t. That will surely be a time of frustration and humiliation for the Antichrist and his forces.

So why get so worried about the Tribulation? It’s going to be a period when God’s children are going to have a greater testimony and a greater witness and even more miraculous survival and supernatural defense, and in some ways it’s going to be a time of great victory and marvelous testimony, so that the whole world will know, and every last person that can possibly be saved is going to be saved. The whole world will hear the Gospel and our witness will have gone out to the ends of the earth. Even angels will be preaching the Gospel from the heavens so that the whole world will hear it and be without excuse, and so that everyone who can possibly be saved then will be saved.

The greater the battle, the greater the victory; the greater the test, the greater the testimony. And the greater the trial or tribulation, the greater the triumph! You can’t have a triumph and a victory and a testimony without a war and without battles. So it is going to be a time of great battle and great war between the forces of good and evil, but it’s also going to be a time of great victory, tremendous triumph and terrific testimonies of the victories of the forces of God over the forces of evil. For the greater the battle, the greater the victory, and the more tremendous the trial, the greater the triumph!

So quit looking on the Tribulation as a horrible defeat with nothing but persecution and suffering. There will be some of that, but I’m convinced from Scripture and the nature of God and His dealings with man that it’s going to be primarily a time of great victory over the forces of Satan and tremendous triumph over the Antichrist wicked. So don’t fear it. Don’t worry about it!

When you watch those Superman and Wonder Woman movies and others of that sort, you don’t really worry about what’s going to happen to them, because no matter what happens to them, you know they always win in the end. They’ve got to win. They’re the hero and the heroine of the series. If anything happens to them, it would be the end of the series. God’s people are the heroes and the heroines. We’ve got to win! The forces of God cannot be defeated and the plan of God cannot be frustrated. We’re bound to win. We can’t lose!

Copyright © 1983 The Family International.

God Forms Us Through Failure

August 8, 2025

By Steven Lee

God does not measure success as the world does: large bank accounts, plush accommodations, plaques, trophies, accolades, or degrees. Jesus warns against gaining the whole world—riches, pleasure, comfort, fame, and success—and yet forfeiting one’s soul in the process (Matthew 16:26). Losing one’s life for the sake of Christ’s name will reap infinite rewards. Earthly success is not the plumb line that God employs.

Instead, Jesus tells his good and faithful servants, “I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). God measures success according to faithfulness: “One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much” (Luke 16:10).

(Read the article here.)

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/god-forms-us-through-failure

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Better Days Ahead—Part 7

August 7, 2025

Rediscovering Joy

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 16:43

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As Christians, when we invite Jesus into our hearts and lives and are filled with the Holy Spirit, our lives change; we experience the joy of our salvation and rejoice with an “inexplicable and glorious joy” (1 Peter 1:8), which is a wonderful gift of God. Joy is one of the fruits of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), and the Bible teaches us that “the joy of the Lord is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). The apostle Paul tells us that it is God’s will that we “Rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18).

Despite God’s promises, we can experience times of joylessness, dullness, or monotony. We can face times when unexpected change, loss, or disappointments sap our joy, which can leave us wondering if we will ever recover our joy and motivation.

But the good news is that no matter what our circumstances and what losses we have sustained, we can rediscover our joy! We can learn to be joyful even during tough times, because our joy is not dependent on the fleeting circumstances of this world, but rather on the constant presence of Jesus in our lives.

We can look to the Lord, trust in His goodness and love for us, and by His grace we can learn to be joyful no matter what we are experiencing in the moment. James 1:2–4 says: “Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.”

The source of our joy is Jesus. Knowing Him, staying close to Him and His Word, being filled with the Holy Spirit, and walking in obedience to our calling can infuse our lives with joy that is not dependent on physical circumstances.

We read this in Psalm 43:3, “Send out your light and your truth; let them guide me. Let them lead me to your holy mountain, to the place where you live.” [The psalmist] sought after God, then committed to praise and trust Him no matter what, which is what we read in the next verse, “There I will go to the altar of God, to God—the source of all my joy. I will praise you with my harp, O God, my God!” (Psalm 43:4).

Despite his heartache and overwhelming emotions, the psalmist remembered God truly was his only help and that GOD was always there, never forsaking him even when it felt like it.

If you’re feeling forgotten, by others or by God, let your hope swell and your joy return by intentionally believing that God will never leave you and is always by your side. Make a commitment to focus on God’s presence and the blessings He has given you, and let God be the source of your joy.—Tracie Miles¹

*

And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.—Acts 13:52

*

The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.—Psalm 126:3

*

The joy of the Lord is the gladness of heart that comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit. …

Jesus exemplified joy in His ministry. He was no glum ascetic; rather, His enemies accused Him of being too joyful on occasion (Luke 7:34). Jesus described Himself as a bridegroom enjoying a wedding feast (Mark 2:18–20); He “rejoiced in the Holy Spirit” (Luke 10:21); He spoke of “my joy” (John 15:11) and promised to give His disciples a lifetime supply of it (John 16:24). …

Because of its supernatural origin, the joy of the Lord—our gladness of heart—is present even through the trials of life. We know we are children of God, and no one can snatch us away from Him (John 10:28–29). We are heirs to “an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade,” and no one can steal it from us (1 Peter 1:4; Matthew 6:20). …

The joy of the Lord may be inexplicable to the one who does not possess it. But, for the believer in Christ, the joy of the Lord comes as naturally as grapes on a vine. As we abide in Christ, the True Vine, we, the branches, are full of His strength and vitality, and the fruit we produce, including joy, is His doing (John 15:5).—GotQuestions.org²

Joy boosters 

Besides centering our lives on the Lord and His Word, and seeking to be filled with His Spirit, there are also “joy boosters”; that is, practical approaches that we can implement to enhance or recapture our joy. Let’s look at some ways in which we might do that.

Notice the little things. Try to pay attention to even brief moments that bring joy; these could be the result of little things. Take a moment to intentionally thank the Lord for the little wonders that inspire you. Once you are aware of the things that produce joy for you, think about how you can intentionally build more of those moments into your life.

It could be such things as watching children play, seeing the beauty of nature, laughing at a joke, hearing a beautiful song, feeling invigorated after a walk, creating or appreciating a work of art, etc. Let small things bring you joy!

Many people are so disconnected from joy that they aren’t even really familiar with what joy feels like in their body or what types of things bring them joy. A joy journal is a good place to start: Pay attention for a week or two to all the moments when you find yourself smiling or laughing or feeling a sense of joy wash over you. Notice where you are, whom you’re with, and what you’re doing—those can all be clues to the kinds of things that might bring you more joy. … The goal is to notice them, and once you notice what is causing them, you can re-create those conditions in your life.—Ingrid Fetell Lee³

Allow time to do what brings you joy. Maybe some of the things you enjoy doing might not seem important enough to take the time for; they are not priorities. Perhaps it feels like a self-indulgent waste of time or a distraction to your more important goals. But it is important to consciously make time and space to enjoy life as you are able.

If you’re feeling blah or in a joyless state of mind, don’t resign yourself to that mindset. Stir yourself up, take the time to find something you like to do, and enjoy it!

Take inventory of what saps your joy. Happiness can be circumstantial and fleeting, but joy is a gift from God, and we can have joy even in difficult circumstances. But it’s important to realize that there may be things in our lives that steal our joy. Those are sometimes referred to as “killjoys.” Here is an excerpt of a helpful article:

Life, even for the best of us, has its ups and downs. That is not going to change, but there is a way to make the “ups” far more common than the “downs.” The key is to strive for joy rather than happiness.

The difference between the two is significant. Happiness is based on circumstances. … Joy, on the other hand, is not tied to circumstances. Rather, it is the positive confidence one feels from knowing and trusting God regardless of circumstances. Joy is a key component of what Galatians 5 calls the “fruit of the Spirit.” It is a gift from God, but we must prepare our hearts to receive it by first identifying and eliminating those things that are robbing us of joy.—Gilroy Dispatch⁴

It is important that we not allow negative emotions, thoughts, or moods to take hold in our lives. These “killjoys” can grow with time and become habits or automatic reactions. If you have allowed any of these killjoys to take root in your life, it’s important to take the time to seek the Lord, study His Word, and ask His Spirit to restore the joy of your salvation (Psalm 51:12). You can have a fresh start beginning today! The Lord can cleanse your mind and spirit and fill you with His joy.

When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy.—Psalm 94:19

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.—Romans 15:13

Remember that the source of our joy is Jesus. In the world, happiness is often associated with appearance, wealth, relationships, possessions, etc. The message the world is sending is that happiness comes from outside ourselves. But in reality, our joy comes from Jesus. Love, joy, and peace are all fruits of the Holy Spirit. As we seek the Lord and allow the Holy Spirit to reign in our lives, we can rediscover our joy.

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.—Habakkuk 3:18

Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.—1 Peter 1:8–9

As believers, we have so many reasons to rejoice and be filled with joy. We have Jesus in our hearts. He is with us constantly, and we are guaranteed to be with Him and our loved ones forever in heaven. We are filled with the Holy Spirit and can enjoy the fruits of the Spirit regardless of whatever hardships, difficulties, or disappointments we face. No matter what circumstances we find ourselves in today, we can stand on the solid rock of joy.

I will close this article with a beautiful prayer written by Kay Warren.

Prayer: I Choose Joy

God, thank you for your love and passion for me and for accepting me into your family through Jesus Christ. I’m so amazed to be your beloved, but I am eternally grateful.

Thank you for Jesus Christ. His life as both a man of sorrows and a man of joy gives me permission to seek a life of joy for myself. Thank you for your Holy Spirit, who graciously gave me the gift of joy as part of my spiritual inheritance, my birthright; I choose to fight for my right to experience joy.

I choose to stop digging my own broken cisterns that can’t hold water. I choose to no longer look at people, places, positions, possessions, and my personality to find joy.

I choose instead to find my joy in the only true source of joy: YOU! You are the only one who has soul-quenching springs of living water that will never leave me dry. …

I choose to be a person who nurtures joy in myself and in the lives of those you have placed in my path. I choose to be a joy builder instead of a joy killer. I choose to grow in the heart attitudes of grace, trust, balance, acceptance, positive thoughts of others, nonjudgmental love, empathy, and appreciation.

I choose to make changes in my daily life that help me live a life of joy. I choose to value myself the way you value me, to intentionally seek out joy mentors, to not get caught up in the small irritations of daily life. I choose to love extravagantly, to take advantage of the pleasures my senses provide, to laugh from my belly, and to become a giver today, not someday off in the future.

I choose to live with a grateful heart, eyes wide open to see your goodness. I choose to love every moment of life you give me, whether that moment contained sorrow or joy. I choose to look for you and for joy in every messy circumstance that you allow.

I choose to develop a settled assurance that you are in control of the details of my life. I choose to be quietly confident that ultimately everything will be all right. And I choose to praise you in all things, even the things I cannot understand. I trust you, God. I courageously choose joy!⁵

Originally published December 2021. Adapted and republished August 2025. Read by John Laurence.

¹ Tracie Miles, “I Feel Forgotten,” Proverbs 31, November 23, 2018, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2018/11/23/i-feel-forgotten

² “What is the joy of the Lord?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/joy-of-the-Lord.html

³ Ingrid Fetell Lee, “How to Rediscover Joy—and Eliminate Killjoys,” Goop, https://goop.com/wellness/mindfulness/how-to-rediscover-joy

⁴ “Are There Any Joy-killers in Your Life?” Gilroy Dispatch, November 4, 2006, https://gilroydispatch.com/are-there-any-joy-killers-in-your-life

⁵ Kay Warren, Choose Joy (Fleming H. Revell, 2020).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

God’s Unexpected Ways

August 6, 2025

By Simon Bishop

I was recently contacted by a friend who told me that she had a donation for our mission because something really wonderful had happened. I asked her what that was, and she said she had won several thousand dollars in the lottery!

I often joke with people that if I ever were to win the lottery, it would be supernatural, as I have never bought a ticket! Actually, this is because I don’t gamble as I feel that, since my work is funded through donations, it would not be a good use of money and I should rely on the Lord’s blessings rather than luck.

However, when I was thinking about this, I was reminded of another friend I had once lived with who shared this personal life experience:

He had recently gotten married, and he and his wife felt called to be missionaries in India. They had heard that you could get cheap plane tickets to India from Greece, and while they only had enough funds to get as far as Greece, since they were expecting more funds, they went ahead and traveled to Greece.

Once in Greece, things didn’t go as planned, and after a few weeks nothing had worked out, and they were on the verge of being broke. As he was passing out gospel literature on the street, he was approached by an old, odd-looking man. They started talking, and when my friend shared about his current predicament, the man asked for his address and told him he was going to help him get to India.

Later that day the man showed up, but instead of giving a donation, he took my friend to a nearby store and bought two lottery tickets, saying that this is how he would help. My friend was very disappointed to say the least, as he had thought that perhaps God had sent this man to be the answer to their prayers, and now instead of a miracle, he had two lottery tickets.

He considered just throwing the tickets away, but decided to at least check the results as the draw was the next day. And amazingly, when he did, one of the tickets was a winner. While not a huge sum of money, it was enough for their airfares, with some money left over for them to use once in India.

This reminds me of so many instances in the Bible where God used counterintuitive measures, means, or people—so completely outside of what or who most people would expect Him to use—to do miracles or bring about His will.

I think sometimes as Christ-followers, we who have a good knowledge of the Bible and how we think God should work can be a bit surprised when He goes in a different direction. But I think He does this for the very purpose of showing that He is God, and we cannot and should never try to put God in a box. Rather we should be open to doing things that are unusual, if we have heard God’s voice instructing us to do so.

Here are just a few examples of God’s unexpected ways from the Bible:

• God uses a talking donkey to instruct and correct the prophet Balaam: Numbers 22:21–39.
• God tells Joshua and the Israelites to conquer the city of Jericho by walking around it for a week: Joshua 6:1–20.
• God tells Moses to bring water from a rock: Exodus 17:1–7.
• God uses a womanizer, Samson, to deliver Israel: Judges 13–16.
• God heals Naaman of leprosy by telling him to take a bath in a dirty river: 2 Kings 5:1–19.
• God creates the first food delivery service by using birds to bring food to Elijah: 1 Kings 17:2–6.
• Jesus pays His taxes using money found in a fish’s mouth: Matthew 17:24–27.
• And the list goes on…

In closing, here are two verses which explain these principles and also why God might do it.

Isaiah 55:8–9: 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.

1 Corinthians 1:27, 29: God purposely chose what the world considers nonsense in order to shame the wise, and he chose what the world considers weak in order to shame the powerful. … This means that no one can boast in God’s presence.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

God’s Care for Widows

August 5, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 13:20

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James gives us a succinct definition of true religion, of true godliness: “Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world” (James 1:27). James elevates the activity of caring for widows and orphans as the very essence of pure and undefiled religion. …

After my grandfather died, my grandmother moved into our home and lived with us for many years as I was growing up. On several occasions, she would talk to me late at night and weep, telling me of the burden of pain she had in feeling like she had not only lost her husband but that she had also lost her place in the community. Once her husband passed, she suddenly felt excluded from the things she was intimately involved with alongside him while he was alive.

When a person loses her lifelong mate, it’s like losing an integral, intimate part of one’s self because husband and wife, we are told, in the mystery of marriage are one flesh. So, the pain of widowhood brings a unique dimension of loneliness. It’s jarring to suddenly be alone when one has been accustomed to the constant companionship with one’s spouse over a long period of time. Since God is the great Comforter of His people, it makes sense that He would have such concern for widows given the pain they experience. …

Jesus frequently pays attention to widows in His teaching. … One of the most tender moments recorded in the New Testament is found in John 19:25–27. While Christ was on the cross, He looked in the direction of His mother, who was an eyewitness to His passion, and He said to her, “Woman, behold your son!” He was not asking His mother to look at Him. Obviously, she already was looking at Him. Then, Jesus said to John, “Behold your mother!” In His dying moments, Jesus was commending the care of His widowed mother to His beloved disciple, John. On the cross, Jesus said to John, “John, you take care of My mother. She’s a widow, so let her be to you as your own mother.” To Mary, He said, “Mother, let John be to you as your own son.” …

James, the brother of Jesus, sees this mandate to care for widows as so important that he uses it to describe the crystallized essence of true religion.—R. C. Sproul¹

Caring for widows

When I started cleaning houses a couple of years ago, I little thought it would provide far more than a means to make ends meet. My kids, currently far from blood relatives, have gained several grandmas. I have wise and encouraging mothers, with whom I can share my own struggles and fears. In turn, these women, whose days are spent often alone, with their own thoughts and pains, get to see and talk to people. They are reinvigorated by the joy of young children. They are less burdened by sharing their pain with a listening ear. They have people on whom to lavish love and attention. Though I wasn’t looking for it, God gave me the opportunity to minister to widows. And they, in turn, have ministered to me. They have given me encouragement and perspective. They have demonstrated Christ’s love in tangible and meaningful ways. …

The Bible is replete with stories about and commands concerning widows. God cares for widows and calls His people to do the same. The Psalmist describes God as the protector and upholder of widows (Psalm 68:5, 146:9). He is the God who sent His prophet to a penniless widow and raised a destitute widow’s son (2 Kings 4:1–7, Luke 7:11–15). In the Old and New Testament, He commands His people to imitate His care, provision, and protection of widows. … Jesus echoes these Old Testament teachings when He calls out the Pharisees for their long prayers and scrupulous law-keeping while neglecting their own widowed mothers (Mark 12:40). …

God has a special care and concern for widows in general that goes beyond making sure they have food to eat. We may know many wealthy widows who are without friends. Or maybe we know widows whose families live near, but never visit. Is it not our privilege to demonstrate God’s love to them? We may not give them money or food or legal support. But perhaps there are other tangible ways we can show them the love of Christ. God calls us to love our neighbor as ourselves. How can we love the widows we know as ourselves (Mark 12:31)?

God’s love and concern for widows is evident throughout scripture. The laws and principles in the Old and New Testament bear witness to God’s heart. Indeed, during His earthly ministry, Christ tangibly demonstrated His love for widows. Most significantly, He died that they—as well as we—might become part of God’s family (John 1:12). …

What a comfort and source of joy to know that we are part of a larger and everlasting family. How much more must this mean to widows who have lost husband, children, or siblings? It is our joy, as brothers and sisters of these widows, to demonstrate their incorporation into God’s family by visiting, supporting, and caring for them.—Elisabeth Bloechl²

All over Scripture

Much earlier in my ministry, I began to include widows in the public prayers of the church where I was the pastor. I spoke at a gathering of ministers on public praying and mentioned widows among those who were often neglected in the prayers and ministry of the church. Called to care for widows in my own congregation, I began to study the Scriptures.

I soon discovered that there were very few books written about caring for widows but was taken aback by how much the Bible said about them. Whether you read Moses and the prophets, the Psalms and the Proverbs of Solomon, the four Gospels, or the book of Acts and the letters to the churches in the New Testament, you will not be able to read far without the subject of widows coming up. There are about eighty direct references to widows in the Scriptures. Why?

Fundamentally, God is the kind of God who keeps a careful eye on the widow. He is profoundly concerned for her, together with the stranger and the fatherless. He is righteous and protects them, for he is “a father of the fatherless, a defender of widows” (Psalm 68:5).

The incarnate Son of God is like him. He cared for his widowed mother (John 19:26–27), he raised from the dead the son of the widow of Nain and returned him to his mother (Luke 7:11–17), and, in the spirit of the prophets, condemned those who took advantage of widows (Mark 12:40).

God commanded that the nation of Israel care for widows, being diligent to not isolate them or take advantage of their vulnerability. Deuteronomy 16:11–14 shows how God provided for widows so that they were not excluded; instead, they enjoyed full participation in the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles. …

Paul laid out clear instructions in 1 Timothy 5 about how widows were to be regarded and treated. James did not mince his words in James 1:27. He said, in effect, “Let’s be clear about the nature of real religion. It must be visible and practical. It visits widows and orphans in their trouble as well as maintains moral purity in an evil world.”—Austin Walker³

Roll-up-your-shirtsleeves Christianity

The apostle James wrote that the true practice of faith consists of both outward and inward action. Outward toward others in practical ways, and inward through devotion to God. He said: “Pure and genuine religion in the sight of God the Father means caring for orphans and widows in their distress and refusing to let the world corrupt you” (James 1:27).

In his book Well Done, Dave Thomas said, “Roll-up-your-shirtsleeves Christians see Christianity as faith and action. They still make the time to talk with God through prayer, [they] study Scripture with devotion, [they are] super-active in their church and take their ministry to others to spread the Good Word.”

Jesus set the example of the “roll-up-your-shirtsleeves” concept. He constantly showed love to others. He felt compassion for those in need and was moved to loving action. He was merciful. He showed kindness. He fed the hungry and healed the afflicted. He fought against evil and unrighteousness.

Let’s do what we can to be tangible examples of God’s love for humanity by sharing Him and His love with those in need—spiritually, through introducing them to Jesus, and practically, through ministering to their other needs.—Peter Amsterdam

A prayer for widows

Grief over the death of a spouse can be emotionally devastating. Many people whose spouse has died experience suffering in their physical lives as well. Those who have been widowed often suffer from financial difficulties as well as from losing the person who was their helpmate for the toil of daily life.

Ever since biblical times, God has asked His people to care for widows. … We should also keep widows in our prayers, asking God to assist them.

Dear Lord, we thank You and praise You for the many ways You care for us. We ask You today to pour out Your assistance on all widows.

Grief over the death of any loved one can be very difficult to bear. The death of one’s spouse can be even more devastating. Some widows struggle with grief for a long time after the death of their spouse. But You can help all these widows who have been grieving.

Please bless and assist all widows, and we particularly ask today that You help all widows who have been suffering with grief.—Pray More Novenas⁴

Published on Anchor August 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by John Listen.

¹ R. C. Sproul, “Caring for Widows,” Ligonier.org, January 24, 2017, https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/caring-widows

² Elisabeth Bloechl, “The Biblical Imperative to Care for Widows,” Modern Reformation, April 18, 2022, https://www.modernreformation.org/resources/articles/the-biblical-imperative-to-care-for-widows

³ Austin Walker, “Why Does the Bible Say So Much about Widows?” Crossway, June 3, 2015, https://www.crossway.org/articles/why-does-the-bible-say-so-much-about-widows

⁴ “Novena for Widows,” Praymorenovenas.com, https://www.praymorenovenas.com/novena-for-widows

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Beneficial Break

August 4, 2025

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 10:12

Download Audio (9.3MB)

Technology, which began to influence people 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 stress out of life through convenient foods and time-saving gadgets, but in reality, what was meant to make life easier has pulled many people into even more stress-inducing lifestyles.

Our bodies and brains were not meant to race without rest. Over time, such an intense pace leads to stress, frustration, and burnout. One way to help balance that negative side effect can be a 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 more 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 time 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 at 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, 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.

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 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 a nap 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 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!

Originally published January 2023. Adapted and republished August 2025. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Wise Witnessing

Maria Fontaine

2018-11-20

Something a lot of us grapple with is how to be a faithful witness in this world where so many people are turned off to religion. How can we share our faith in a way that is attractive and appealing to people, especially in cases where they intensely dislike religion, church, or Christians? How can we be good representatives of Jesus in a way that will get around their biases?

Let’s look at how our great example presented Himself. Isn’t it what Jesus did and the way He treated people that got their attention? Weren’t people attracted to Jesus because He lived what He taught? He didn’t just talk about helping the poor, the sinners, the lost and despised and downtrodden. He lived the love He taught.

He said that He had come to “preach the Gospel of good tidings to the meek, the poor, and afflicted,”¹ and then He put those words into action by curing the sick, raising the dead, cleansing the lepers, and driving out demons. Even more important, He did spiritual miracles that went beyond physical healing. Many lives were transformed, like Zacchaeus, Mary Magdalene, and the woman who washed His feet with her tears. These changed lives were miracles that brought His words to life in the hearts of many. In addition to these transformations, He did a multitude of little deeds and actions of love and kindness and consideration that impacted not only the lives of the recipients but of all who saw and heard about them.²

He was the living, walking example of God’s love to people, and He manifested that love by responding to their personal needs. If we will pattern our lives after His, we can be assured that His Spirit will guide us and we won’t have to worry about what to say and how to say it. If we’ll do our best to follow the example He left us by modeling His love, His giving and unselfishness to people, then when we tell them what our energy source is, it gives them a solid reason to have hope that Jesus could be the answer to whatever they need.

As sincere followers of Jesus, our calling is to demonstrate the reality of what Jesus lived and taught through living those principles in our actions, words, and attitudes.

We are facing quite a challenging task when we set out to “seek and to save that which is lost.”³ For one thing, the lost often don’t know that they’re lost, and they often don’t realize that it is Jesus who has come to rescue them. Often the only way you’re going to reach people is by your actions. You’re probably going to have to “walk the walk” before you can “talk the talk.” Anyone can easily dismiss what you say; however, they are sure to notice what you do and how you react to things.

If God has put you in a certain situation or position, you can be sure that He has placed you there as His ambassador, His representative. The place where He has put you, at least for now, is your mission field. It’s where He wants you to be a reflection of Him in what you do and say. He’s counting on you. Jesus has put you there for the sake of those around you. You have been given the responsibility, as well as a marvelous privilege, to share the love of the one who means everything to you with as many as you can.

I’d like to offer you a variety of brief suggestions for wise witnessing.

1) One of the things that will help you to be a faithful witness is to bathe each day in prayer. This should be given priority.

• Pray proactively that the Holy Spirit will work in the hearts of each of those who you are in contact with. The Holy Spirit has to do the work. Your job is to be available and follow the leadings of the Spirit.
• Pray that your actions and conversations will be a godly example, that the “ministry be not blamed,” that you will not be a stumbling block for anyone.⁴
• Pray that you will be honest and ethical in all that you do.
• Pray that He will give you great love for even the people you find most annoying or difficult.
• Pray that Jesus will provide “setups” for you to be an example of His love and care for others.

2) Whatever you do in word or in deed, do all to the glory of God.⁵

3) Don’t be ashamed of your faith. Many people have all kinds of very odd and unusual beliefs, and they’re not embarrassed about them. So why should we be ashamed of the gospel?

4) Your actions, honesty, interactions with and treatment of others are what people will grade you on.

5) Be real. Don’t try to be perfect or act like you’re better than anyone else. Admit it when you make mistakes, and when you do, sincerely apologize. If you forget to do something, apologize. Of course you’re going to get annoyed or frustrated or under pressure sometimes. Apologize. That way people will see that you’re real and that you make mistakes too, but they’ll also see that you admit it and want to make up for those mistakes. You don’t want them to hurt others.

6) God offers love, forgiveness, and acceptance. As His disciples, we need to offer the same to others.

7) Employ all the gifts that God has given you as you minister to those around you. If you want to show the Lord’s unconditional love and how He fills each person’s need individually, pray for the right openings.

• You can simply encourage them when they’re having a difficult day, or you can listen to them as they pour out their hearts about a challenge or problem they’re facing.
• You may be able to pray for their healing or the healing of their loved ones, or other things that they need prayer for.
• Some will be very touched with a little prophecy of encouragement.
• Gently offer to pray for others when appropriate; for example, if they are telling you about a very difficult personal situation.
• Consider offering to help them with something they need.
• An appropriate poem, or quote, or verse, or article, or a little gesture of kindness, such as bringing them a cup of their favorite coffee or loaning them a good book you’ve read, can be part of your actions of love that people can see and feel. These can help them to know that you’re going out of your way to care for them.
• Your approach with each person will need to be led by the Spirit, as the Lord wants you to interact with people as individuals.

8) Don’t be afraid to talk about your faith in God at appropriate times and in appropriate situations. Just do it naturally and normally when you’re making small talk.

“Thinking that our [actions] will glorify God when people do not even know that we are Christians, is like admiring an effective ad on TV that never mentions the product. People may be impressed, but won’t know what to buy.”—John Piper

9) Manifest integrity. When people look at you, let them see honesty, decency, fairness, sincerity, and truthfulness. This is critical to your testimony, in matters such as the following:

• Work diligently and thoroughly.
• Be honest and truthful in your communications.
• Avoid anything that could look questionable.
• Keep your word if you say you’re going to do something or be somewhere.
• Don’t get involved in negativity and gossip.
• Try not to whine or fuss or complain. Ask the Lord to help you to have a praiseful and positive response to problems you or others face.
• Keep confidential matters confidential. A good motto: “Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.”⁶
• Avoid being late for appointments.

“A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid.”⁷ Do all you can to keep that reflection of His Spirit clear, bright, and steady.

God uses our willingness to be His ambassadors to touch lives in many ways. Witnessing to someone on a one-time basis takes effort, but it can be even more challenging when you see the same people day after day as they have the time and opportunity to size you up, to measure your talk against your walk, and to see if you really live up to your witness. As you build deeper friendships and relationships, people find that your faith is the “real deal” and that despite your human failings and lacks, your faith is constant, and your love and care for others is at the center of your life. It provides many opportunities to offer the support and example that can help others go further for Jesus.

Originally published March 2014. Adapted and republished November 2018.
Read by Irene Quiti Vera.

¹ Isaiah 61:1 AMP.

² Acts 10:38; John 21:25.

³ Luke 19:10.

⁴ 2 Corinthians 6:3.

⁵ Colossians 3:17.

⁶ Psalm 141:3.

⁷ Matthew 5:14–15.

“With Persecutions”

David Brandt Berg

2016-09-19

 They say that the course of true love never runs smooth, and the same is true of the kingdom of God and the preaching of its truth. Living for the Lord and the truth is never going to be all roses and no thorns. We are bound to suffer some forms of opposition and persecution. Jesus virtually promised it to everyone who forsakes all to follow Him. “Verily I say unto you, there is no man that hath left house, or brothers, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for My sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, … with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.”¹

The Bible says that “all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”² Jesus even said, “Woe unto you when all men shall speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets.”³ If everything is always so smooth and you never have any problems or persecution and all men think well of you, you wouldn’t be living godly in Christ Jesus.

Jesus said, “The disciple is not above his master, and if they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you.”⁴ Jesus Himself, the perfect, sinless Son of God, was accused by the religionists of His day of being a demon-possessed false prophet, a madman and a deceiver, a seditionist and a law-breaker, a glutton, drunk, and friend of sinners and harlots, and a destroyer of the true faith.⁵ He was terribly persecuted and finally crucified for telling the truth and giving the world God’s love.

Nearly every great religious leader, reformer, and revolutionist has been vilified and suffered persecution, imprisonment, and death. If the government wasn’t after them, the religious system was. All the way from the prophets of old up to the more recent men of God like Martin Luther, Savonarola, John Knox, and Tyndale, they had to give up their lives so others could have the truth. Every last one of them fought the religious system of their day. As a result, you’re here today hearing the truth of God.

Why does God allow persecution?

God allows persecution for a purpose, because it “purges, purifies, and makes white.”⁶ If there was never an opponent, an opposing side, God’s people would never be tried and tested and given any opposition to have any kind of a battle in which they have to call on God to help them.⁷ He allows His people to be tried and tested through opposition and persecution. But when they call on God, the Lord always gets the victory. “All things work together for good to them that love the Lord,” and He even “causes the wrath of man to praise Him.”⁸

Jesus said, “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.”⁹ We should try to not offend, learn how to love our neighbors and even love our opponents and try to get along with them. The Lord can help you to get along with people, governments, and even opposing religions if you learn to be “wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.”¹⁰

Jesus and Paul taught that we are to obey the government, “obey the powers that be,”¹¹ obey the officers of the law, and “agree with your adversary quickly while you are in the way with him; lest the adversary deliver thee to the judge, and the judge deliver thee to the officer, and thou be cast into prison.”¹² As long as it doesn’t compromise your faith, as long as you don’t have to actually deny Jesus Christ as your Savior, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to get along with most governments of this world. The exception is often witnessing, and that’s often where the crunch comes, because as Christians, we are compelled to bear witness of our faith. As the apostles told their persecutors, “We ought to obey God rather than men.”¹³

If the authorities are stirred up and they begin to clamp down on you legally and officially, and you can’t openly minister or witness anymore, and you can’t bear fruit, then it may be time to leave for fields that are more open to the gospel. Jesus says in Matthew 10:23, “When they persecute you in one city, flee ye to another.” When they stop you from witnessing, and start such serious persecution that you can’t possibly operate anymore, God is then interested in not only saving souls but also saving His witnesses so that they can carry on and witness or work somewhere else.

Jesus Himself literally commands us that when we are persecuted in one city, we are to flee to another, not stay there and be martyred. In the days of the early church, the gospel was spread abroad because persecution drove the early disciples out of Jerusalem and even out of Israel and around the world, spreading the gospel as they went.¹⁴ God can even use opposition and persecution to compel His children to fulfill His command to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.”¹⁵

At times, God allows persecution to scatter His children to other fields where they are needed. So don’t ever worry or despair about persecution or opposition.¹⁶ God will take care of you. And they’ll never be able to stop His Word and truth from going out to the world.

God once told us, “They can’t stop our rain.” We’re like the rain coming down from heaven, and they’re running around frantically trying to hold up the rain to keep it from raining. That’s how silly it is to try to stop God’s Word and God’s love. Jesus is the great conqueror. Nothing can stop Him!

They’ll never be able to stop His truth from marching on! We’ll keep on witnessing and winning and reaching the whole world until Jesus comes, because that’s His purpose. God’s work will go on.

They can never stamp out Christianity, any more than the mighty Roman Empire with all its valiant legions could destroy the hunted little Christians of the early church. They were like the many-headed monster of mythology, of which it was fabled that every time you cut off one of its heads, two more grew up in its place. The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.

“If this work were of man, it would come to nought. But if it be of God, no man is able to stand against it; lest they be found to fight against God.”¹⁷ Whatever is of God, no power on earth can stop. As Martin Luther said, “We will not fear, for God hath willed, His truth to triumph through us!”

Originally published June 1985. Adapted and republished September 2016.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ Mark 10:29–30.

² 2 Timothy 3:12.

³ Luke 6:26.

⁴ Matthew 10:24; John 15:20.

⁵ Mark 3:21–22; Luke 7:34, 23:2; John 7:12, 20; 8:48, 52; 10:20.

⁶ Daniel 11:35, 12:10.

⁷ Psalm 107:28.

⁸ Romans 8:28; Psalm 76:10.

⁹ Matthew 10:16.

¹⁰ Romans 12:18.

¹¹ Romans 13.

¹² Matthew 5:25.

¹³ Acts 5:29.

¹⁴ Acts 8:1–4.

¹⁵ Mark 16:15.

¹⁶ Matthew 10:28.

¹⁷ Acts 5:38–39.

Caring for the Forgotten Generation

August 1, 2025

Focus on the Family with Bill Goodrich

Did you know that elderly residents of nursing homes generally have only one outside visitor per month, if that? Many have no visitors at all. Chaplain Bill Goodrich of God Cares Ministry shares his heart for this forgotten generation of precious people who deserve our love and attention. He describes the vibrant opportunity to befriend and share Christ with the elderly in your community.

Run time for this video is 26 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pYoXcduZ3Rw

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Growing in Christlikeness

July 31, 2025

By Peter Amsterdam

 Audio length: 9:23

Download Audio (8.5MB)

In God’s plan of salvation, God the Son became human, lived a sinless life, and then laid down His life on the cross for the sins of humanity.¹ Through both His life and death, He made our salvation possible. “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Throughout the New Testament, we read of Jesus living a sinless life. “He appeared to take away sins, and in him there is no sin” (1 John 3:5). (See also 1 Peter 2:22.) In the Gospels, Jesus gave testimony concerning His holiness when, in the presence of His disciples who had lived with Him day in and day out, He challenged the Pharisees with: “Can any of you prove me guilty of sin” (John 8:46)? 

Not only was Jesus without sin, He was also in perfect conformity to the will of God. Jesus said, “I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me” (John 6:38). (See also John 4:34.)

Of course, we aren’t sinless as Jesus was, nor can we be. But we can take comfort in the fact that salvation makes us “in Christ,” so that His holiness and righteousness are credited to us. Because of His holy life and death on the cross, God imputed or credited our sins to Christ, and He also credited Jesus’ righteousness to us.

We are able to be in the presence of God, who is the ultimate holiness, because we are made holy through Christ. Because Jesus died for our sins, we are members of God’s family and can enter into relationship with the Father (John 1:12). All of this is due to God’s grace. However, the quality of our relationship with God depends on us.

Being Christlike fundamentally has to do with our relationship with God. Jesus’ perfection cannot be attained in our lives, but it can be seen as a model, an ideal for us to move as close to as possible. Jesus entered our world to do the will of His Father, setting an example for us to follow. If we are following His example, the motivating principle that guides our thoughts, actions, and character should be the desire to do the will of our Father.

The will of God in this context isn’t about finding God’s will for specific decisions (such as what career to pursue, whom to marry, etc.), but rather doing the will of God as expressed in Scripture, actively pursuing those things He has specifically instructed His children to do. Part of that pursuit is putting off sin and putting on the new self Paul spoke of (Colossians 3:5–10). By God’s grace and with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can live in a more holy manner, more in alignment with His will; however, the responsibility to do so lies with us.

The progressive growth in Christlikeness isn’t something that simply happens because we are Christians. Through His grace, “He delivered us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son” (Colossians 1:13); yet we are also told to “not let sin reign in your mortal body so that you obey its evil desires” (Romans 6:12). We have been delivered from the kingdom of sin and the rule that it had over us, but we still suffer its attacks. Indwelling sin has been dethroned and no longer has the same grip on us that it did previously, but it is still there, and it’s something we need to regularly face and overcome.

We are saved members of God’s family, and our sins don’t cause us to cease being His children. They do, however, affect our relations with Him. In praying for God’s mercy and forgiveness after committing sins that hurt others, David prayed: “Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight” (Psalm 51:4). When we sin, no matter what the sin, we ultimately sin against God.

Sin is more than a personal weakness, and it’s more than some area in our lives that we need to work on. Sin is a personal act of turning away from God and His will, an act against God. Of course, some sins aren’t a conscious decision to defy God, but are committed because we are ignorant or have an unguarded moment. While these are still sins for which we need forgiveness, they are different from those times when we make a conscious decision to sin, when we knowingly decide to act contrary to God’s will.

For many Christians today, there is a tendency to not take most sin that seriously. Of course, when it comes to a heinous sin like murder, we see that as obviously being serious. But we often look very differently at “a little” lying here or there, or boasting, gossiping, etc. It’s easy for us to mentally categorize some sins as acceptable, or at least not totally unacceptable. But if we are striving for godliness in our lives, that doesn’t allow for categorizing some sins as being okay. It calls for being willing to take personal responsibility for our sins.

We of course have the wonderful grace of God to help us overcome our sins, but while grace alone brings about our initial salvation, action is required for growth in our Christian life. The idea of taking action against sin in our lives isn’t a “works trip” or a campaign to make ourselves perfect, neither is the goal to reach perfection. The purpose of actively opposing sin in our lives has to do with our relationship with God and our desire to draw close to Him and stay there.

Throughout the Epistles we read of the need to take action, to “put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature” (Colossians 3:5), to “lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and … run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Hebrews 12:1), and to “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish” (2 Peter 3:14).

The first step to putting this into action is to decide that Christlikeness is important to us, and that we are willing to work toward it by making right moral decisions. This calls for having personal conviction about believing, obeying, and applying what Scripture teaches about sin and then living up to that conviction. This brings about internal conflict, as our scriptural values and beliefs bump up against our “fallen” human nature and the ungodly values of the world. When they do, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we choose to obey what Scripture teaches, even when it’s difficult or goes against what we’d prefer to do.

This is where the rubber meets the road in our desire to be Christlike. At its core, Christlikeness comes from believing the same as Jesus as far as what is good and right and what is wrong and sinful. The foundation of becoming more like Jesus is being transformed in our spirit, so that our outward actions reflect our transformed inner selves. This calls for being purposeful in our pursuit of godliness.

The Holy Spirit plays an important role in our progressive sanctification; we’re not on our own in this process. Through the Spirit dwelling within us, we have the means to conform to the character of God. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another. For this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Originally published September 2016. Adapted and republished July 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

¹ This article is based on key points from the book The Pursuit of Holiness, by Jerry Bridges (NavPress, 2006).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Did Jesus Get Angry?

July 30, 2025

By Jorge Solá

An old school friend, a passionate Christian, told me that she had a hard time thinking of Jesus as someone loving and kind. She wrote: “I always see Jesus angry, irritated … with everyone. He gets angry in the temple, gets irritated with the disciples, is harsh with His words. I know it can’t be like that, but I can’t stop feeling that way …”

This surprised me. I had never heard Jesus described as “irritated with everyone.” So, I decided to check out what the Bible says to be able to give her a proper answer. I wanted to find out if Jesus would get angry or irritated, how often, with whom or with what, whether His indignation was justified, and whether His reactions contradicted His overall message of love.

I started by collecting all the passages I could find where it says that Jesus became indignant or exasperated, as well as passages where there might be a reason to believe that He was angry.

1. Cleansing of the Temple

This incident is told in all four Gospels. Here’s John’s account:

The Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple he found those who were selling oxen and sheep and pigeons, and the money-changers sitting there. And making a whip of cords, he drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and oxen. And he poured out the coins of the money-changers and overturned their tables. And he told those who sold the pigeons, “Take these things away; do not make my Father’s house a house of trade.” His disciples remembered that it was written, “Zeal for your house will consume me” (John 2:13–17).

Another Gospel says, “You have made [the Temple] a den of robbers” (Luke 19:46).

It does not say in any of the Gospels that Jesus was angry, but the description implies that He acted with firmness, conviction, and considerable force. He drove out the sellers and money-changers, and overturned the tables and poured the money out on the floor. He turned everything upside down. It must have been quite a scene. It doesn’t say that anyone was hurt, and curiously, the Temple guards did not intervene. No one opposed Him. Perhaps because He had popular support?

If He acted in anger, His zeal was directed against the behavior of those who were defrauding the people (whom He called “robbers”); against the commercialization of the worship of God and the Temple, which was supposed to be a house of prayer; and against the use of the Temple as a market with the approval of the religious authorities.

2. Healing a man on the Sabbath

This next incident happened in Capernaum, where the Pharisees were closely watching Jesus to see if He would do any forbidden work on the Sabbath (day of rest):

He entered the synagogue, and a man was there with a withered hand. … And he said to the man with the withered hand, “Come here.”And he said to them, “Is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good or to do harm, to save life or to kill?” But they were silent. And he looked around at them with anger, grieved at their hardness of heart, and said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was restored (Mark 3:1, 3–5).

Here it says plainly that Jesus was both saddened and angry at the Pharisees, who believed that observing the Sabbath was more important than doing good and healing a man. What stirred up His indignation was their hardness of heart. The most startling part of this incident is the Pharisees’ reaction to the healing miracle that Jesus performed out of love and compassion. They “immediately held counsel … against him, how to destroy him” (Mark 3:6).

3. Denouncement of the religious teachers and the Pharisees

In chapter 23 of the Gospel of Matthew, Jesus denounces the hypocrisy of the Pharisees with harsh words. Among other things, He says that:

• They preach, but do not practice.
• They lay heavy burdens on people’s shoulders, but they themselves are not willing to move them.
• They do all their deeds to be seen by others; they love the place of honor at feasts.
• They shut the kingdom of heaven in people’s faces, for they neither enter themselves nor allow those who would enter to go in.
• They have neglected justice, mercy, and faithfulness.
• They are full of greed and self-indulgence.
• They outwardly appear righteous, but within are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness (Matthew 23:2–6).

He calls them hypocrites, blind guides, fools, serpents, brood of vipers—strong words. Jesus goes on to pronounce seven woes against them, which express a mixture of condemnation, regret, and sorrow. The text does not say specifically that Jesus was angry. His condemnation and strong words of judgment are directed to the religious leaders who pretended to be close to God while leading people away from the kingdom. He does not mince His words, and He does not shy away from confrontation.

4. Peter gets a rebuke

We also read on occasion that Jesus rebuked His disciples, as occurred with Peter:

[Jesus] began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man” (Mark 8:31–33).

Just before this passage, Jesus asked the disciples: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter had answered: “You are the Christ” (Mark 8:27–30). Having come to the realization that Jesus was the Messiah, Peter could not fathom that the long-awaited Messiah, who was expected to liberate the Jewish people from oppression and usher in a period of peace and justice, could suffer and die. There had to be a way for Him to stay with them.

With his well-intentioned words and his not wanting Jesus to die, Peter was unwittingly tempting Jesus to abandon His mission. Jesus rebukes Peter because his advice would lead him astray, off the straight and narrow path of God’s will. In this sense, Peter was acting as the devil’s mouthpiece.

We all sometimes fall into the trap of thinking that we know better than God in some of the things He does or allows to happen. We see things as humans do, not as God does. On this occasion, Peter was not seeing the bigger picture that Christ had not come to establish an earthly kingdom but rather to usher in the kingdom of God.

From other passages, it is plain that Jesus was very fond of Peter. He said to him: “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rockI will build my church” (Matthew 16:17–18). This incident did not change the esteem Jesus had for Peter.

5. No bread

[The disciples] had forgotten to bring bread, and they had only one loaf with them in the boat. And he cautioned them, saying, “Watch out; beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” And they began discussing with one another the fact that they had no bread. And Jesus, aware of this, said to them, “Why are you discussing the fact that you have no bread? Do you not yet perceive or understand? Are your hearts hardened? Having eyes do you not see, and having ears do you not hear? And do you not remember? When I broke the five loaves for the five thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” They said to him, “Twelve.” “And the seven for the four thousand, how many baskets full of broken pieces did you take up?” And they said to him, “Seven.”And he said to them, “Do you not yet understand?” (Mark 8:14–21).

I think this passage clearly illustrates that Jesus’ moments of exasperation with His disciples were actually a sign of His eagerness to see them grow in faith. (See also Matthew 17:14–20.) He was annoyed just in the same way that we are sometimes annoyed with our children or grandchildren when they are not behaving in the way we are trying to teach them to behave, but this is a feeling that is imbued with infinite patience and love. Jesus told them these things because He wanted them to understand and learn to live with true trust in God.

When we worry unnecessarily about the future, about our lack of resources, about our health, or about other problems, I imagine that if we listen to Him in silence, we will hear Him say, “Have faith in God. Do not worry about your life, about what you will eat, or what you will drink, or how you will dress. Your heavenly Father knows well what you need. Don’t worry about tomorrow. Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be given to you” (Mark 11:22; Matthew 6:31–34).

6. Little children

They were bringing children to him that he might touch them, and the disciples rebuked them. But when Jesus saw it, He was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly, I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child shall not enter it.” And he took them in his arms and blessed them, laying his hands on them (Mark 10:13–16).

Here Jesus was indignant because His disciples, wanting to safeguard Him, were keeping little children (the ones who best exemplify the kind of faith that God wants us to have) away from Him. This was an important teaching moment for His disciples, and Jesus reacted emphatically.

I don’t think you’ll find many more passages where Jesus expresses anger, irritation, or exasperation. That alone should be an indication that Jesus rarely responded with anger or irritation.

Let’s examine how the New Testament describes the character of Jesus:

• “I am gentle and lowly in heart” (Matthew 11:29).
• “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve” (Mark 10:45).
• “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless” (Matthew 9:36).
• “When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them and healed their sick” (Matthew 14:14).
• “A leper came to him, imploring him, and kneeling said to him, ‘If you will, you can make me clean.’ Moved with pity, he stretched out his hand and touched him and said to him, ‘I will; be clean.’” (Mark 1:40–41).
• “When the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her and said to her, ‘Do not weep’” (Luke 7:13).
• “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you” (John 15:11).
• “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you” (John 13:34).
• “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you” (John 15:9).
• “Having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end” (John 13:1).

It’s also interesting to recall some occasions when Jesus could have reacted with annoyance, anger, or harshness, but did not:

• When a woman who had committed adultery was brought to Him, He did not speak harshly to her, but rather told her, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more” (John 8:11).
• He did not rebuke Zacchaeus, a chief tax collector in the service of the Romans who had gotten rich by demanding from his countrymen a great deal more money than he ought. Jesus went to his house and, following this visit, Zacchaeus decided: “The half of my goods I give to the poor. And if I have defrauded anyone of anything, I restore it fourfold” (Luke 19:2–8).
• Jesus was called “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matthew 11:19). He understood, accepted, and loved them.
• With infinite patience and compassion, He healed the sick: “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” (Luke 4:40).
• Before His death, He was whipped, slapped, spat on, and then crucified. Jesus’ reaction? “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34).

My conclusions

Jesus did get angry on occasion. But the times He reacted with anger and judgment were few. He never manifested this in the face of human weakness and misery. He responded this way when confronted with hypocrisy, hardness of heart, lack of compassion, and the perversion of the worship of God that led others astray. He at times was exasperated with His disciples’ lack of faith or their misunderstanding of His messiahship, considering all they had witnessed and that He had taught them personally.

The Scriptures largely portray Jesus as humble, gentle, compassionate, understanding, joyful, loving, and forgiving. Of course, He was also God incarnate and spoke the truth with conviction. He taught the difference between evil and good, between sin and God’s righteousness.

While on earth, He experienced different emotions, just as we do: joy, sadness, anger, frustration, anguish. He wept. He was passionate. He was deeply moved by different situations. He was certainly not imperturbable or insensitive or untouched by the suffering of people.

Jesus’ rare manifestations of anger or exasperation are no excuse for us to give free rein to our anger or frustration. “‘In your anger do not sin’: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold” (Ephesians 4:26–27). “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19–20).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

God’s Abundant Supply

July 29, 2025

A compilation

Philippians 4:19 says, “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.”…  To understand why you can trust that God will meet your needs, you must first recognize the vastness of God’s riches. … In Psalm 24:1, the psalmist declares, “The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the waters.” God’s ownership of everything assures us that He is able to meet our needs. …

In Lamentations 3:22–23, Jeremiah declares, “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” God’s steadfast love, mercy, and faithfulness guarantee that He will meet all our needs. …

The assurance that God will meet all our needs is a promise based on God’s character, His ownership of creation, and His commitment to His children. Regardless of what the future holds, we can trust the One who holds the future in His hands.—GotQuestions.org¹

*

A couple of years ago, when I moved for the 10th time in 10 years, I had a meltdown in my U-Haul truck. I don’t like change, so I was a combination of sad, angry and disappointed. I didn’t want to start over.

While I was throwing an epic “pity party,” I realized it wasn’t just about the move. It was about what the move represented: my desire for control and my lack of trust that God was going to provide what I needed in this new season, even though He had previously provided every time.

It seems easier to trust God when we can cling to the comfort of the familiar instead of navigating something new. Which is why I relate to the Israelites’ struggle to trust God as they wandered in the wilderness. …

When God took Israel out of Egypt, He committed to take them to the promised land. But in the change and the unfamiliar, they started to complain. They wanted to go back to Egypt because at least they had food there (Exodus 16:3). In the pain of the unknown, they forgot God’s promises and doubted His provision.

But God met them in their complaining (Exodus 16:12). He told them He would provide bread from heaven just for them every day. The manna spoiled by the following morning, which meant the Israelites had to gather fresh manna every day and trust God to provide it (Exodus 16:4). Still, even when God gave them what they asked for, they didn’t trust Him. They gathered more manna than they needed because they feared He wouldn’t send more. Instead of letting God’s past provision point them to what He promised for the future, they tried to protect and provide for themselves.

How often do we look at what God provides for us and write it off because it didn’t come in the way we wanted it to? …

God provides in unexpected ways. It’s not just about the manna; it’s about what the manna represents. God sent manna from heaven to represent the Bread of Life He would send from heaven: Jesus.

The manna didn’t look like the provision the Israelites wanted. Jesus didn’t look like the Messiah King they expected. And if we are honest, God’s definition of provision doesn’t always look the way we want it to or hope it will. But God’s perfect provision for us is promised in Jesus (John 14:6).

As we meditate on manna, we can be tempted to point our gaze solely to God’s past versions of provision. But when we do, we can miss what He is doing right in front of us. Instead, let’s practice trusting God today by looking to Him to provide what we need through Jesus, the Bread of Life.

We can ask God in prayer to show us how He is already meeting our needs right where we are. The Israelites would be hungry again, but Jesus says in Him we will never hunger again (John 6:35). He did not leave Israel physically hungry, and He will not leave us spiritually hungry either. Manna and Jesus are both proof that God will supply all our needs.—Meghan Ryan²

*

A legend tells the story of a fisherman called Aaron. Aaron lived on the banks of a river. Walking home with his eyes half-closed one evening after a hard day’s work, he was dreaming of what he could do if he were rich. As he walked, his foot struck against a leather pouch filled with what seemed to him to be small stones.

Absentmindedly, he picked up the pouch and began throwing the pebbles into the water. “When I am a rich man,” he said to himself, “I’ll have a large house.” And he threw another pebble into the river. He threw another one and thought, “My wife and I will have servants and rich food, and many fine things.”

And this went on until just one stone was left. As Aaron held it in his hand, a ray of light caught it and made it sparkle. He then realized that it was a valuable gem. He had been throwing away the real riches in his hand, while he dreamed of unreal riches in the future.

This legend summarizes the situation of many Christians. We have been given everything we need, it has been placed in our hands, and we have been invited to enjoy it. But for some reason we do not look into our hands, we do not take what God has given us and actually use it. Instead we dream of the day when we will be richly blessed, we dream of the day when the joy of the banquet will be ours.—R. J. Fairchild³

*

As your Good Shepherd, I have promised to supply all that you need (Psalm 23:1). I know that at times you can be tempted to worry that I won’t supply for you as I promised I would. But don’t succumb to those fears, because I have promised to care for you and to provide your needs.

Whether you see the answer to your prayers immediately, or whether you learn valuable lessons as you wait on Me,  count your blessings. Thank Me for the things I’ve already given you, things that are to be treasured above material comforts, that money can’t buy: the certainty of an eternal future with Me, the love of those dearest to you, peace of heart and mind, and the fulfillment and satisfaction that comes from knowing and loving Me. Value those things above all, and you’ll find joy and My spiritual blessings, no matter what your circumstances may be.

The richest man in the world is the one who has faith. He could lose every material thing he possesses and still be content. Faith is better than money in the bank.

I fed over 5,000 people with only five small loaves of bread and two fish (Matthew 14:15–21). I turned water into wine (John 2:1–11), and I healed a woman who had spent all she had on doctors and medicine to no avail (Mark 5:25–34).

I healed hundreds of people and performed miracles that all the money in the world couldn’t buy. I am able to meet all your needs. Ask, reach out your hand of faith, and receive.—Jesus

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Great Physician

July 28, 2025

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 8:14

Download Audio (7.5MB)

I have been asked why I speak so much about the Lord’s healing. Well, I don’t wonder that you ask that question if you’re not familiar with the Lord’s healing yourself, but I could answer that there are many reasons.

Of course, one principal reason is that God’s Word is full of healing! The ministry of Jesus Christ was so filled with healing. Page after page in the Word is about His healing the sick; there are examples such as the nobleman’s son and the woman who touched the hem of His garment (John 4:46–53; Matthew 9:20–22). I talk about healing a great deal because I believe it glorifies the Lord.

It makes Christ very real to you when you depend upon Him for physical things and you make Him your Great Physician. Now that doesn’t mean that one cannot be healed by a doctor. I believe in doctors. And I know that there have been many, many thousands of people who doctors have brought through to health.

I believe there’s healing when one obeys the laws of nature. But I wonder if you’ve ever thought about those dear souls who the doctor has told that there’s no hope for healing for them? I wonder if you’ve ever thought about those who have had to consider that without something miraculous happening, death is sure for them? I wonder if you’ve thought about them and had pity and mercy upon them? Because that was my case.

I came to the end of everything that man could do. The doctors told me they couldn’t do anything more for me at all, and so I turned to the Lord Jesus Christ after my husband had brought me to Jesus, and I was born again. Then I took Him as my healer, and He did what no man can do.

I’ve seen many people wonderfully healed who went on living in health and usefulness for the Lord. I have also read of many wonderful miracles of healing. God’s Word is a miraculous book. I don’t see how you can read the Bible and not believe in miracles!

Someone has said that divine healing has its foundation in the cross, its authority in the Scriptures, its operation on the Godward side through the Holy Spirit, its operation on the manward side through prayer, faith, and the name of Jesus. Divine healing is also to call the attention of the unbeliever to Christ who saves.

God’s Word says, “Skin for skin! All that a man has he will give for his life” (Job 2:4). And it is true, because I’ve known people who never would have received the Lord if it hadn’t been that they came seeking healing. I remember a meeting in a Baptist church years ago in Santa Cruz. There was a man who had ridiculed us and made all sorts of sarcastic remarks about a woman speaker.

But then he was stricken with cancer. When we went back there the next time, he was seeking help which no man could give him; no one could help him, his case was hopeless. And it was through that physical need that he sought God’s help, and he was saved! He was truly born again, and thank God, he was also healed.

You must begin with God’s Word. You must believe the Bible to be the Word of God! God has honored it above His name, and you make no mistake when you do the same. “You have exalted above all things your name and your word” (Psalm 138:2).

If we do not believe that Scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable, then God’s message to our heart and life will be meaningless. There’s so much in Scripture about the Lord’s healing.

God’s Word says the Lord Jesus Christ is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). The Bible declares Him to be the Son of God with power (Romans 1:4). Faith appropriates Him as such, and the Holy Spirit reveals Him to the trusting heart.

Someone has said there are two streams of blessings that flow from the cross: one for the soul, the other for the body. Even as David said, “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities, and who healeth all thy diseases” (Psalm 103:3).

Jesus said, “He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also, and greater works than these shall he do, because I go unto my Father” (John 14:12).

Let’s not ignore the first part of this text, “The works that I do shall he do also.” The soul’s needs come first; but the atonement made provision for your bodily needs too.

Luther was right in saying that the miracle of grace in the heart is far above any physical miracle. But along with this, he assigned the Bible miracles their proper place in the development of faith. Look to Jesus today. He’s so willing. He’s so loving. He’s so gracious, and He’s willing to touch you.

I love this old song:

There comes a wondrous message
When my hopes are growing dim,
I can hear it through the darkness,
Like some sweet and far-off hymn.
Nothing is too hard for Jesus,
No man can work like Him.

When my frame is worn with sickness,
And with tears my eyelids swim,
I can hear the promise ringing
Like some sweet and heavenly hymn.
Nothing is too hard for Jesus,
No man can work like Him.

And when my way is closed in darkness,
And my foes are fierce and grim,
Still it sings above the conflict,
Like some glad victorious hymn.
Nothing is too hard for Jesus,
No man can work like Him.

And when my heart is crushed with anguish,
And the waters reach the brim,
Faith can hear the mighty chorus
Like some mighty battle hymn.
Nothing is too hard for Jesus,
No man can work like Him.

Oh, let us claim the mighty promise,
Let us light the torches dim,
Let us join the mighty chorus,
Let us swell the glorious hymn,
Nothing is too hard for Jesus,
No man can work like Him!¹

And that sweet old song:

Keep on believing, Jesus is here,
Keep on believing, there’s nothing to fear;
Keep on believing, this is the way:
Faith in the night as well as the day.²

Hold on! Keep on believing! Don’t let anybody discourage you. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Keep your heart buried in His precious Word. Remember, He’s still on the throne and prayer changes things.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Debra Lee.

¹ Adapted from “Nothing Is Too Hard for Jesus,” by A. B. Simpson, 1897.

² From “Keep on Believing,” by L. M. Booth and M. Duff.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Life of Discipleship: An Introduction

By Peter Amsterdam

July 15, 2025

What is Christian discipleship and how is it lived out in our everyday lives? That is the theme of this series, which will explore various topics related to the discipleship journey. We’ll focus on core concepts for discipleship, such as what it means to love God with our whole being and to love others, to abide in Christ and align our lives according to the principles in His Word. We’ll consider the ways in which discipleship is lived out in the context of today’s world. How do we practice it in our everyday lives? What does Christian discipleship look like in the workplace?

Some dictionary definitions for the word disciple include a follower of a person or an idea; one who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another; an active adherent, as of a movement or philosophy. In applying this to Christianity, we can conclude that a disciple of Jesus is a person who (1) accepts and follows His teachings; (2) applies His teachings to their life; (3) is a participant in sharing the good news of the gospel with others—the message of Jesus.

The word disciple comes from the Greek word mathetes, meaning a learner. It is interesting to note that in the New Testament the word disciple is only used in the Gospels and the book of Acts. In particular, the Gospel of Luke and the book of Acts, both of which were authored by Luke, give us insight into Jesus’ teaching and how the application of His teaching played out in the early church. Together, they give us an idea of what discipleship meant in the time after Jesus’ resurrection.

In Acts, we find that the word disciples was often used interchangeably with the word believers when Luke refers to those who believe in Jesus and follow His teachings as followers of “the Way” (Acts 9:1–2). Those who belonged to the Way were believers—disciples of Jesus.

Later in Acts, we read that after Paul and Barnabas had preached in a number of cities “and had made many disciples,” they returned to visit them, “strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith” (Acts 14:21–22). Here again, we see believers being referred to as disciples. In the latter part of the book of Acts and in the Epistles, we find that believers collectively came to be called “the church,” and Luke recounts that it was in Antioch that the disciples were first called Christians (Acts 11:26).

The fact that being a Christian is synonymous with being a disciple of Jesus helps us to understand that the principles that Jesus taught His disciples are meant to apply to all of us. When Jesus said, “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15), He wasn’t referring only to people in full-time Christian service, such as missionaries, pastors, or other Christian workers. Jesus’ words are directed to all Christians, and all of us are called to believe and apply those words to our lives.

The disciples of Jesus throughout the centuries have come from different walks of life, different parts of the world, different ethnicities and cultural backgrounds, and different socioeconomic and educational backgrounds—and the church of today is no exception. The discipleship calling is a personal one and is lived out according to God’s plan and will for each of His followers (Philippians 2:13 NIV).

So what does discipleship mean in the context of today’s world? A disciple is someone who follows hard after God, patterns their life according to God’s will as expressed in the Bible, and seeks His specific will for their life, career, family, and personal pursuits. It means living your life according to His teachings. As Tim Keller wrote,

God does not want his people to be passive believers but active disciples. Jesus called his apostles to go into all the world, to evangelize and baptize, and the ultimate goal was to produce not merely converts but disciples (Matthew 28:19–20). The word “disciple” is packed with meaning, but it is clear from the New Testament that it meant, first and foremost, students of Jesus. They followed him and learned from him (Luke 10:38–42). Second, it meant putting allegiance to Jesus first in your life (Mark 1:16–20). Lastly, it meant to be a man or woman in mission, sent into the world to minister both in word (Luke 10:1–20) and in deed (Luke 10:25–37), both sharing your faith and loving your neighbor. ¹

Many of the teachings of Jesus are very challenging and guarantee that the discipleship journey will require work, commitment, and sacrifice, and will be a lifelong process of learning and growing. Jesus’ teachings of self-denial, taking up our cross daily, following in His footsteps, seeking first the kingdom of God, and realigning our perspective on material wealth require a profound change of worldview and lifestyle.

The cost of discipleship is high, but the rewards are much greater. As the apostle Peter wrote, “Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory” (1 Peter 1:8). He has promised us life in abundance (John 10:10), and in the world to come life everlasting (Mark 10:30).

Disciples are incredibly important, as it’s through them that other people are introduced to Jesus and salvation. It’s through committed disciples that Christianity grows and God’s light shines on the world, so that people seeing our good works, give glory to our heavenly Father (Matthew 5:16 NKJV). Disciples are key to the spreading of Christianity, to fulfilling the commission Jesus gave to His first disciples, those originally tasked with bringing the good news to the world of their day. As disciples today, we are tasked with bringing the gospel to the world of our time.

What is a Disciple?

A Christian disciple is a person who follows Jesus Christ and accepts and assists in the spreading of the good news of salvation through Him. Christian discipleship is the process by which disciples grow in the Lord Jesus Christ. … According to Scripture, being a Christian disciple involves personal growth characterized by: …

Putting Jesus first in all things (Mark 8:34–38). The disciple of Christ needs to be set apart from the world. Our focus should be on our Lord and how to please Him in every area of our lives. We must put off self-centeredness and put on Christ-centeredness.

Following Jesus’ teachings (John 8:31–32). … Jesus said, “Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me” (John 14:21).

Making disciples of others (Matthew 28:18–20). Disciples multiply. One of the last things Jesus said to His disciples before His ascension was the command to “go and make disciples of all nations.” …

A Christian disciple is one who puts Jesus first, obeys the Lord, produces good fruit, loves others, and makes more disciples. Such a one is sure to make an impact in this fallen world for the glory of God.—Got Questions²

Growth in Discipleship: A Lifelong Journey

Discipleship can be understood as the process of aligning oneself with Christ, and in the process of doing so, our priorities change. Discipleship calls for giving Jesus first place in our lives and making Him and His teachings our priority. This doesn’t mean that our former goals and desires are no longer important, but that they no longer hold the same priority.

Growing in our discipleship is a lifelong process as we choose each day to place Christ at the center of our actions and decisions, and to be “transformed into his image” and become more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV). We learn to not conform to the pattern of this world but are transformed through the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).

In Paul’s epistles, he speaks in terms of “putting on” and “putting off” certain things as we follow Jesus. For example, in Ephesians 4:22–24, Paul says to “put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life,” and “be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” In Colossians 3:9–10, we are told to “put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator.” This is part of the transformation process whereby believers are called to progressively grow in Christlikeness.

A key factor in becoming more like Jesus is developing godly character. No Christian is perfect; we all make mistakes and sin, and none of us can attain complete Christlikeness in this life. Our goal is to allow the Holy Spirit to work within us, to transform our thoughts, goals, desires, and our whole lives to become more like Jesus.

Growing in Christlikeness calls for making conscious choices to allow the Holy Spirit to transform our character and our entire way of looking at things. It entails grounding our decision-making over and over in the principles in God’s Word until it becomes second nature, part of who you are as a person. Paul refers to this as “training yourself for godliness,” which he tells us “is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (1 Timothy 4:7–8).

The following excerpts offer helpful insights into the process of our spiritual development.

Becoming Like Christ

You were created to become like Christ. From the very beginning, God’s plan has been to make you like his Son, Jesus. God announced this intention at Creation: “Then God said, ‘Let us make human beings in our image and likeness’” (Genesis 1:26 NLT). … What does the full “image and likeness” of God look like? It looks like Jesus Christ! The Bible says Jesus is “the exact likeness of God,” “the visible image of the invisible God,” and “the exact representation of his being” (Colossians 1:15; Hebrews 1:3)…

God’s ultimate goal for your life on earth is not comfort, but character development. He wants you to grow up spiritually and become like Christ. Christlikeness is all about transforming your character. … God wants you to develop the kind of character described in the beatitudes of Jesus, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23), Paul’s great chapter on love (1 Corinthians 13), and Peter’s list of the characteristics of an effective and productive life (2 Peter 1:5–8) …

Becoming like Christ is a long, slow process of growth. Spiritual maturity is neither instant nor automatic; it is a gradual, progressive development that will take the rest of your life. Referring to this process, Paul said, “This will continue until we are … mature, just as Christ is, and we will be completely like him” (Ephesians 4:13).

You are a work in progress. Your spiritual transformation in developing the character of Jesus will take the rest of your life, and even then it won’t be completed here on earth. It will only be finished when you get to heaven or when Jesus returns. …

Jesus did not die on the cross just so we could live comfortable, well-adjusted lives. His purpose is far deeper: He wants to make us like himself before he takes us to heaven. This is our greatest privilege, our immediate responsibility, and our ultimate destiny.—Rick Warren³

In this series, we will address principles that are vital to each of us who love God and are committed to following Him and want to pattern our lives according to His teachings. We will explore Jesus’ teachings and the biblical principles that are meant to shape our worldview.

It was the teachings of Jesus, recorded in the New Testament, that changed the world. The words Jesus spoke, planted in the first disciples’ hearts, motivated them to spread the gospel throughout the world. The words Jesus spoke to His disciples, whom He referred to as His friends (John 15:15), express His heart, His vision, and His commission for those who follow Him. They express foundational principles that guide our spiritual lives and are meant to serve as “a lamp to our feet and a light to our path” (Psalm 119:105) in our discipleship journey. May we each be faithful to study and abide in His Word as we strive to grow in our discipleship.

Thoughts to Ponder

To be a disciple is to be committed to Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord and committed to following Him every day. To be a disciple is also to be disciplined in our bodies, minds, and souls.―Billy Graham

Christian discipleship is a decision to walk in his ways, steadily and firmly, and then finding that [his] way integrates all our interests, passions, and gifts, our human needs and eternal aspirations. It is the way of life we were created for.―Eugene H. Peterson

Discipleship to Jesus [is] the very heart of the gospel. The really good news for humanity is that Jesus is now taking students in the master class of life. The eternal life that begins with confidence in Jesus is a life in his present kingdom, now on earth and available to all.—Dallas Willard

What the Bible Says

“God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son. … We see the original and intended shape of our lives there in him” (Romans 8:29 MSG).

“If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him” (John 12:26).

“You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another” (John 15:16–17).

A Disciple’s Prayer

Loving Lord and heavenly Father, I offer up today all that I am, all that I have, all that I do, and all that I suffer, to be Yours today and Yours forever. Give me grace, Lord, to do all that I know of Your holy will. Purify my heart, sanctify my thinking, correct my desires. Teach me, in all of today’s work and trouble and joy to respond with honest praise, simple trust, and instant obedience, that my life may be in truth a living sacrifice, by the power of Your Holy Spirit and in the name of Your Son Jesus Christ, my Master and my all. Amen.—Elisabeth Elliot (1926–2015)

¹ Tim Keller, “Only Believers? Or Disciples?” Timothykeller.com, January 1, 2011, https://timothykeller.com/blog/2011/1/1/only-believers-or-disciples.

² “What is Christian discipleship?” GotQuestions.org, July 29, 2022, https://www.gotquestions.org/Christian-discipleship.html.

³ Rick Warren, The Purpose-Driven Life: What on Earth Am I Here For? (Zondervan, 2012).

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Change the World

David Brandt Berg

2011-02-25

I was listening to BBC this morning and they had a short inspirational talk by a religious director. He told the story of a man who was taking a walking tour of Southern France back in 1913 in the province of Provence.¹

A walking tour is where you hike with a backpack, sleeping bag, and so on, through the beautiful countryside scenery, the back roads, the backwoods of an area where most people don’t go.

You hike in areas where sometimes there aren’t even roads, only trails, and you stay in campsites provided by the government, or with local farmers, or sometimes at youth hostels.

This young man was about 20 when he took his walking tour of Provence, a very rural area at the time, as the story goes, a rather barren, desolate area too, because it had been almost totally denuded of trees due to overcutting and too-intensive agriculture.

Trees help to hold the moisture and soil of the land and protect it from the sun and too much drying out. To have any kind of successful agriculture, there must be trees to protect the earth and to shade it from the sun, protect it from the wind, hold the soil in place, and to deter floods.

This area had been almost totally denuded of trees and had therefore become overcultivated, and with no trees to hold it in place, the soil had washed away. It dried out and became barren and dry because there was nothing to protect it from the sun. It was no longer being farmed very much.

Even the wildlife had fled, because wildlife must have someplace to live and places of protected undergrowth. Without trees, there’s no undergrowth. Wildlife must eat, and without trees there’s no protection for the food that they must find. They must drink, but when land has been denuded of trees and holds no water, there are very few places to drink.

The villages were old and run-down and tumbledown and in a state of disrepair, and the villagers had deserted the countryside because of its condition.

The young man stopped one night at a humble cottage of an old shepherd, a gray-haired man in his mid-fifties, living in this tiny poor little cottage, but it was clean and simply furnished. The young man spent the night there enjoying the shepherd’s kind hospitality, and eventually stayed with him several days.

He observed with some curiosity that the shepherd was spending his evening hours by lamplight sorting nuts—acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts, etc. He would very carefully and very seriously and soberly sort these nuts and lay them down in a row and compare them, and cull out the bad ones that he didn’t think were suitable. When he would finally finish the evening’s work, he’d put them in a knapsack bag.

Then, as he led his sheep to graze the next day, he would plant these nuts along the way. He would take his staff as his sheep were pasturing in one area, and with one eye on the sheep and one eye on what he was doing, he would walk along in a straight line for great distances within the view of his sheep.

He would walk for several paces and take his rod and thrust the end of it firmly into the earth, making a hole several inches deep, and drop in one of his nuts and use his foot to cover it over with earth. Then he would walk several paces more, push his rod into the dirt and drop in another nut. It was the same with acorns, chestnuts, hazelnuts, and various other kinds of nuts from various kinds of trees.

He spent his daylight hours walking for miles over this entire area of Provence as he grazed his sheep, each day covering a different area, planting these acorns and hazelnuts and chestnuts and various kinds of nuts from various kinds of trees in an area where there were no trees.

The young man wondered what in the world was the shepherd trying to do. So he asked him, “What are you doing anyway?”

And he told him, “Well, it’s obvious what I’m doing: I’m planting trees.”

The young visitor responded, “It will be years and years and years before these trees get to where they will do you any good! You might not even live long enough to see them grow!”

The shepherd replied, “Yes, but some day they’ll do somebody some good, and they’ll help to restore this dry land. I may never see it, but perhaps my children will see it.”

The young man marveled at this man’s foresight and vision and unselfishness, that he was willing to prepare the land for future generations though he might never see the results or reap the benefits himself! He was sowing the seeds from which future trees would spring to protect the future land for the future generations.

Twenty years later when he was in his forties, the young hiker again visited this same area and was astounded at what he saw! This one great valley was totally covered with a beautiful natural forest of all kinds of trees! They were young trees, of course—only 20 feet tall—but nevertheless trees.

Life had sprung forth all over the valley! The grass had begun to grow much greener, the shrubbery, and bushes and berries, the wildlife, etc. The farmers were cultivating the land again, growing crops again. The soil was moist again, and it seemed like the whole area had suddenly sprung to life compared to the barren, desolate waste that it had been when he had visited 20 years previously.

He wondered what ever happened to the old shepherd, and to his amazement he found that he was still alive—now about 75, hale and hearty, still in his little cottage sorting his nuts.

The visitor then learned that a delegation of the chamber of deputies from Paris, from the French government, had recently come down to see this new forest of trees, which to them looked like a miraculous new natural forest. But over the years it had been planted by this one shepherd, diligently planting his nuts day by day as he was watching his sheep. And now this whole valley, this whole area of the province, was covered with beautiful young trees!

The government was so impressed that they gave the old shepherd a state pension for having reforested this entire area single-handedly! The visitor, who was now in his forties, said he was amazed with the change, not only in the valley, in the beautiful trees, but also in the revived agriculture, the renewed wildlife, the birds, small animals, the verdure, the beautiful lush grass and shrubbery.

Now there were thriving little farms, and the villagers had fixed up their houses and cottages and repainted things as though they had new hope for the future, whereas many of the villages had previously been abandoned. Things had generally been run-down and in terrible condition when he had visited there 20 years before.

Now it was all thriving just because of one man’s foresight, one man’s diligence, one man’s patience, one man’s sacrifice, one man’s faithfulness just to do what one man could do, day by day, day in and day out for a number of years. The visitor had later learned that when he first visited him, the shepherd had already been doing this patient planting for several years.

One man made a whole area come alive and be beautiful again, restoring its economy, its wildlife, its agriculture, its water, its soil, and even its population. Its population had even grown because of the restoration of these trees.

So if sometimes you’re discouraged with the world and the way it is, don’t give up! We read that usually governments and armies and wars and great powers, great empires, change history and the face of the earth. So sometimes we’re discouraged and think, “Well, who am I? What can I do? It all seems so hopeless and impossible! It looks like there’s nothing that one person can do to change things for the better, so what’s the use of trying; what’s the use of doing anything?” And we’re tempted to just give up and let the world go to hell, which it seems to deserve!

But like this story of the humble shepherd, over a period of years one man can change the world! You may not be able to change the whole world, but you can change your part of the world. One shepherd, through faithful, diligent, sacrificial hard work, day by day, week by week, year after year, totally changed an entire area and restored it to life!

We may not be able to change the whole country—maybe we’ll not even be able to change our town, and certainly not all its citizens—but I know one thing: Day after day and year after year we have been planting the seeds of truth and God’s love in the hearts of others, and some of it is bound to spring forth into new lives, new trees!

Someday maybe there’ll be a whole new forest of new lives that will change our whole city! Maybe we won’t live to see it, maybe we won’t be here to see it and benefit from it ourselves and enjoy it, but perhaps our children will, or their children will, or their city will or their country will! We may not have changed the whole city or the whole country, much less the whole world, but we’ve changed a part of it.

If you have changed one life, you have changed a part of the world, and you have proven that there is hope that it all can be changed! If one life can be changed, it shows that there’s a possibility that more lives can be changed and many lives can be changed and whole areas can be redeemed and the world can be changed, starting even with one person, just one person—maybe you!

You say we can’t change the world? It’s too late, too bad, too big, too difficult? Well, why don’t you just try changing your part of the world? Why don’t you start with you—your own heart, your own mind, your own spirit, your own life. If you even change your life, you’ve changed a whole universe, the universe of your body, and the sphere in which you live. The place and very atmosphere around you will be changed if you change yourself by the power of God’s love!

You can start individually, personally, just you, maybe your own little family, planting seeds of love and truth, one by one, heart by heart, day by day, wherever you may be. Day by day constantly, faithfully, diligently, patiently plant seed by seed, heart by heart, life by life, dropping that little seed of the truth of God’s Word into that empty hole of an empty heart, then covering it up with the loving warmth of God’s love and trusting God’s Spirit, God’s great warm sunshine of His love and the water of His Word to bring forth the miracle of new life.

It may seem only a tiny little bud at first, just a little sprig, just one insignificant little green shoot. What is that to the great and mighty land? What is that to the forest that’s needed? Well, it’s a beginning. It’s the beginning of the miracle of new life, and it will thrive and grow and grow and become great and strong into a whole new tree, a whole new life, and maybe a whole new world! So why not try it?

You say you can’t change the world? Well, why don’t you try? Why don’t you try changing your part of the world, change your world, the world of your own life—your family, your home, your neighbors, your town, and let’s just see what might happen! You say, “What’s the use? I can’t do anything; I’m just one person. Who am I?”

Let me tell you, you can begin today to change the world! Some of you already have. Some of you have already changed a great deal of the world, the world of your own life, your own family, your own home, the lives and families and homes of others around you, your community, your town, and the countries to which you have gone. Town by town, city by city, you’ve planted the seed.

You can’t change the world? Oh yes you can! And if you’re faithful like the old shepherd that the government finally rewarded for his efforts, God is going to reward you one of these days when you come finally to your reward. He’s going to say, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of the Lord!”²

You may not have always been successful, but you were faithful. You may not have been a big shot or somebody important, but you were a good and faithful servant; you served Him well and did a good job faithfully. You did what you were supposed to do, day by day, heart by heart. You planted the seed and you’re bound to reap a harvest.

It may not all grow. Some will fall on hard, stony ground. Some may be shallow and wither away under persecution and trial. Some may be choked out by the cares and riches of this world. But some is bound to fall on good ground and bring a good harvest, some thirty-fold, some sixty-fold, and some a hundred-fold!³

We not only can change the world but we are changing the world and we have changed the world! I know this much: I have changed the world in which I live! Are you changing yours?

Remember how the young man told the old shepherd, “But you’ll never live to see it; you’ll never benefit from it! You’ll probably never even live to see if you accomplished anything or not!”

Well, in this story the old shepherd lived to see his forest full-grown and beautiful, and a totally changed province! He lived to see that he had changed his world, and God blessed him with seeing the reward of all his hard labors. He lived to see what God had done through him!

So who knows? You may live to see the day when the world is changed and was changed through you! “Be not weary in well doing, for in due season ye shall reap if ye faint not.”⁴ Change the world! Hallelujah!

Only last night Maria was commenting on her conversation with a local musician, who said to her, “You’ve changed my life; you’ve changed me!”

And she spoke to me wonderingly, “How could I have changed him? I’ve only talked to him a few minutes a few different times! How could I have had that great of an effect in such a short time?”

There came to my memory a visit we had to the Russian exhibit at the Montreal World’s Fair when my mother was 80 years of age. We entered and suddenly the local director of the exhibit, a tall, fine, blond-haired young Russian leaped forward and offered a wheelchair to my mother!

Then on top of it, he volunteered to push her around the exhibit and show her things and explain them to her. So they became quite interested in each other and got in deep conversation while I wandered off looking at other things that I was interested in, all the mechanical exhibitions and the laser beams and the new inventions and spaceships of Russia and so on.

Meanwhile, he and my mother spent nearly two hours in intense conversation as he pushed her about the exhibit showing her various new gadgets. But apparently they talked about a lot more than just mechanical gadgets, because he bade us a fond farewell at the end of the two hours and said, “Please come again!” and was very cordial and hospitable and lovely and seemed very fond of my mother.

A few weeks later we received a letter in which he said, “You’ve changed my life! I have received Christ as you suggested. You have changed my whole way of thinking, my way of believing; you have changed me! So now what do I do?”

Her advice to that young man in essence was to change the world! Change the world you’re living in! Start now! Be a faithful witness and a testimony to what has happened to you where you are, what God’s love and truth have done for you, and you can start changing your part of the world! “Through one man’s obedience, many were made righteous.”⁵

Change the world! Start today! Change your own life, change your home, change your town, change your country! Change the world!

Originally published January 1977. Adapted and republished February 2011.
Read by Peter Amsterdam.

¹ “The Man Who Planted Trees,” by Jean Giono, published 1953.

² Matthew 25:21.

³ Mark 4:3–8.

⁴ Galatians 6:9.

⁵ Romans 5:19.

How to Mourn with Those who Mourn

July 25, 2025

By Brandon Gilliam

Mourning with others reflects the heart of God. It’s a way to share in the burdens of our brothers and sisters without pretending that we have all the answers. By providing them with love, comfort, and a reminder that they’re not alone. When we mourn with others, we reflect God’s love in a tangible way.

In a culture that often encourages us to avoid discomfort, this command can be countercultural. But Jesus didn’t shy away from grief; he wept when his friend Lazarus died, even though Jesus had the authority to raise Lazarus from the dead (John 11:35). Jesus didn’t dismiss the pain around Him. Instead, He stepped into it, fully present. Notice, too, that Jesus didn’t immediately raise Lazarus. He allowed the grief felt by others to wash over him. Only then, on the same emotional plane, did Jesus step in to offer what he could for help.

(Read the article here.)

https://becomenew.com/how-to-mourn-with-those-who-mourn/

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Better Days Ahead—Part 6a

July 24, 2025

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 14:28

Download Audio (13.2MB)

Testimonies help to encourage us in the Lord. We can feel alone at times when we struggle, but when we hear that a friend or colleague has also faced something similar and overcome or made it through the battle, that can help to bolster our faith and give us hope.

Here is an excerpt from the previous post, “Fight the Good Fight of Faith”:

We are fighting a spiritual warfare! We are soldiers of the cross.

1 Timothy 6:12 says: “Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.”

There are spiritual forces of evil, Satan and his demons, who oppose God and His children. They are in rebellion against God. They oppose our work of bringing the truth of salvation to the world and seek to pull us away from the Lord and His service. But God reigns over the entire created order, including the forces of evil, and Satan is a defeated foe.

Regarding the spiritual warfare, one of my co-workers wrote the following to a friend of ours, which I think describes in part how we all might feel at times. He said:

I can feel your prayers. They have kept me going, they really have. Sometimes I’m shocked at what a wimp I can be. I’m praying for you as well. There is distance between us, but where we live isn’t important because we’re one in spirit, and we each play a part in the victories and therefore the battles, too.

Each of us gets hit in different ways, but the Lord’s goal is the same: to prepare and strengthen us for what He needs us to be and to do.

You are such a fighter. I know, being a fighter doesn’t mean that you don’t get hit or knocked off your feet sometimes. I’m really experiencing that these days. It just means that we refuse to stay down! We keep coming back and landing another punch at the old boy, the Devil. We don’t always feel like getting back up, but it’s who we are and Who we have in us that overcomes the enemy’s lies and helps us push forward no matter what!

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings. And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.—1 Peter 5:8–10 NIV

It’s interesting to me that my co-worker wrote the above note to the woman I mentioned in Part 2 in this series who is a friend of ours and who had developed a new habit that she calls her “talk to Papa and Jesus” time during her daily walks with her dog. This is when she talks to the Lord and the Father in prayer, as if they were right there with her. She said that anyone who sees her talking out loud and laughing with only her dog around might call her “that crazy old lady,” but in reality, she is a warrior in the Spirit!

Well, that’s not all of her story. Later I understood the significance of her saying she is a warrior in the Spirit. She wrote again, saying:

I’m kind of at a low ebb now. I feel bored and sad. I guess it’s just one of those “seasons” in my life, but I’m so grateful that I have Jesus and Papa constantly by my side. What a wonderful treasure. And I’m thankful that the Lord has continued to open doors for me to witness and minister to others.

However, I have been under attack spiritually recently. I have felt nervous and a little anxious at times, and I’ve had some stressful sleepless nights worrying about the future and my loved ones. I have felt alone. I’m used to living alone, so either I’m more vulnerable right now as I’ve been sick for a couple of weeks, or maybe the Lord is testing me and the dark spiritual forces of the Enemy are fighting me.

But more than these feelings of despair, I’ve been attacked in my spiritual life in a way I’ve never experienced before.

I have been enjoying wonderful times of communion with the Lord and Papa in my many quiet hours at home and also on my long walks. But just a few days ago, I got attacked in my mind and thoughts. I was at home, praying, having my quiet time, reflecting on God’s Word, and feeling at peace, when all of a sudden, out of the blue, it was as if I heard an audible voice taunting me, saying:

“You’re crazy! All this talking with an unseen entity. You’re just doing this to make yourself feel better. This means nothing! You’re just quoting words to thin air, there’s no one listening. This is a stupid waste of time. Just wait … you’ll see!”

I have never experienced anything even remotely like that! It was terrible! I’m not a “touchy-feely” kind of person. I don’t have dreams. I don’t see visions. I can’t imagine anything. When I close my eyes, I only see black. I don’t “hear” the voice of the Lord speaking audibly—ever!

So, to feel like I was actually hearing a voice mocking me and rebuking me and threatening that I’ll see that the foundation of my faith is a lie was shocking, scary, and overwhelming! The tone of the voice was sarcastic and condescending. It was trying to make me feel like I was stupid; in fact, that I was crazy! This voice was attacking the thing that is the most important to me—my relationship with Jesus and Papa.

I felt weak. I felt like I had lost my anchor. For a moment I doubted.

But then I snapped out of it and I thought, “Hey, wait a minute!” I realized that the Devil, the one who goes about like a roaring lion, was trying to take me out, devour me!

Then I went on the attack in the spirit realm and started resisting the Devil. I got mad and said in a loud voice, “Get behind me, Satan! You have no place here! You don’t belong here! I follow Jesus! Jesus Christ is the one who has the power here!—Not you! I have put on the armor of God, and I have the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God! I rebuke you, in Jesus’ name! Get behind me, Satan, in the name of Jesus! You are a liar!”

I realized this evil attack was trying to make me doubt the power of prayer and the very existence of Papa and Jesus. The Enemy or his evil forces were trying to make me feel stupid and ashamed, so I would stop praying. Of course, Satan and his minions hate my faith in prayer and my knowledge of God’s Word that gives me faith to know that Jesus and Papa will never fail me! They have never failed me! No matter what happens, I can look back on decades of knowing Jesus and I can recognize His love, mercy, supply, and protection. I know He and Papa love me, they want the best for me, they cause all things to work together for good for me. I know that! I absolutely know it!

The Devil hates my confidence in the Lord and God’s Word, and he wanted to intimidate me and make me feel like a stupid loser. I don’t know how this kind of battle in the spirit really works. I don’t believe the Devil himself was actually there, since he can’t be everywhere at once and I won’t flatter myself that I’m oh so important that he would focus on me personally.

I believe this attack was the voice of his lies delivered by his evil minions. And it felt so real. I suppose others have felt the intense spiritual battle in this way as well, or through other emotions such as fear, jealousy, rage, self-loathing, etc.

I kept praying out loud, I kept fighting with the power of the Holy Spirit, even though I was reeling and felt destabilized. I kept resisting the Devil with God’s Word, quoting Bible verses that affirm Jesus’ power over the darkness. And then, as quickly as the battle erupted, it ended!

It was a fight! But I won! Jesus won!

And the end of the story is … I have become a warrior! I had been enjoying a sweet, tender, beautiful relationship with Jesus and Papa as we would commune together with such intimacy. I was a sweet old lady. But now?!! No way!

Now I’m a warrior! And I have gone to battle with the Devil’s evil minions and the Devil himself! Now that “roaring lion who walks about seeking whom he can devour” (1 Peter 5:8) has become a scared little rat that has slinked away in fear. And it’s only the beginning! I won’t quit! I will continue believing God’s Word, trusting in His goodness, and being a voice for truth in this fallen world!

And with that testimony, she sent me this picture which illustrates the fact that she has changed from that “sweet old lady” to a warrior for Jesus!

Praise the Lord! Here is a message from Jesus that encourages us all to continue to fight the good fight:

Nothing can destabilize you or move you when you’re placing your faith in Me. But you say, “Lord‚ I am destabilized! I’m shaken. I feel my feet of faith wobbling beneath me. How can my faith keep me stable when I feel like I am falling?” Even if you feel that your faith is shaken, if you have taken a stance‚ determined to stand strong in the power of My might, then you will not be moved, and you can have full faith that your stand is sure (Ephesians 6:10, 13).

Remind yourself of the promises I have made in My Word that when you put on My whole armor, you will be able to stand against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:11). Resist your adversary, standing firm in the faith, and believe that he will flee from you (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:9). Even if you feel unstable and wobbly, because you have taken a stand of faith, you can trust that I will keep you from falling. Remember‚ the victory that overcomes is your faith, not your feelings (1 John 5:5).

Come up to higher ground to the hills of praise and hide yourself in My presence and protection. I will nourish you and cherish you all the days of your life. And, in the life to come, I will reward you for your faithfulness.

One day you will revel in a place of unimaginable beauty. One day you will know a love and joy so complete, so all-encompassing, so perfect that it is unimaginable to you at this time. It is not possible for you to imagine even a fraction of the splendor, glory‚ perfection, and completion that awaits you in the realm beyond. You, who are now small, weak, and weary, will inherit the very kingdom of God.

Originally published November 2021. Adapted and republished July 2025. Read by John Laurence.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Story of Esther—Part 2

July 23, 2025

Treasures

During the reign of King Ahasuerus of Medo-Persia, about 2,500 years ago, the king made the unwise choice to install as his prime minister a man named Haman, who was known to be an enemy of the Jewish people. He was a descendant of Agag, king of Amalek, who was defeated by Saul (see 1 Samuel 15). The Amalekites had been bitter enemies of Israel for centuries.

Because Haman’s new position was higher than all other officials, whenever he passed through the king’s gate, everyone present was obliged to bow and pay him honor. But Mordecai, Queen Esther’s adopted father, could not bring himself to bow to Haman, even if it was required by law (Esther 3:1–3). He knew that despite Haman’s elevated position, he was a cruel man and ruthlessly ambitious.

Some of the king’s servants warned him. “You’ll get in trouble,” they said. “It is the king’s decree that everyone bow to Haman, and you are no exception!” But Mordecai replied, “I cannot! Not to him; you see, I am a Jew” (Esther 3:3–5). Day after day they tried to convince Mordecai to yield, but when they saw that he wouldn’t be persuaded, they reported him to Haman.

When Haman learned that Mordecai refused to obey the decree and that he was a Jew, he saw his chance to destroy not only Mordecai, but the Jewish people throughout the kingdom (Esther 3:6). To ensure that his plot would succeed, Haman went to the priests of the heathen gods and had them roll the dice to find, according to their superstition, the best time to purge the Jews from the Persian Empire. And they told him the ideal day would be March thirteenth (Esther 3:7).

Then Haman went to King Ahasuerus and outlined his plan, making it appear as if it were in the best interests of the king and the country. Subtly avoiding mention of their name, Haman said, “There is a certain people dispersed among the peoples in all the provinces of your kingdom. Their laws are different from those of every other people, and they do not keep the king’s laws, so that it is not to the king’s profit to tolerate them. If it please the king, let it be decreed that they be destroyed.”

Lest the king should object to the financial cost of so large an undertaking, he offered to pay the expenses himself: “I will pay 10,000 talents of silver (a sum of money in the tens of millions of dollars) to the hands of those who take charge of this business” (Esther 3:9).

So great was the king’s confidence in his prime minister that he took the signet ring from his finger and giving it to Haman, said, “Keep the money. And do with these people as you please! Write out your own decree and sign it in my name” (Esther 3:10–11). Haman was delighted as he contemplated what he would do to Mordecai.

Calling the king’s scribes, he had them prepare the decree, which was then sent to all governors of the 127 provinces. The order was “to destroy, to kill, to annihilate all Jews, both young and old, women and children, in one day” and to take possession of all their goods and lands. This would mean the annihilation of the entire population of Israel. After the decree was sent out, Haman and the king sat down to drink a toast, bidding good riddance to the enemies of the empire (Esther 3:12–15).

When Mordecai heard the king’s decree, he “tore off his clothes and put on sackcloth and ashes, and went out into the middle of the city, crying with a loud and bitter cry.” All throughout Medo-Persia in every village there was “great mourning among the Jews, and fasting and weeping; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes” (Esther 4:1–3). Even the city of Shushan was thrown into confusion by this alarming decree, as its residents did not share Haman’s hatred (Esther 3:15).

When Esther’s maids told her how upset Mordecai was, she wondered what had happened. “Something terrible must be wrong,” she told Hathach, her most trusted servant. “You must go to him and find out.”

Mordecai told the servant about the sum of money that Haman had promised to pay to the king’s treasuries to destroy the Jewish people. He sent word asking Esther to go to the king to beg his favor and plead with him on behalf of her people (Esther 4:4–8). But Esther sent back word that she couldn’t possibly do that. “No one, not even the queen herself, is allowed to go to the king unless specially invited. It is a law, and the penalty for disobeying it would be death! The only exception is for the king to extend the royal scepter and to spare that person’s life” (Esther 4:9–11).

To this Mordecai replied, “Do not think that just because you live in the king’s palace, you will escape! If you keep silent at this time, deliverance will surely come from some other place, but you and your father’s family will perish!” And Mordecai added, “Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:12–14).

Suddenly Esther understood why she, a mere orphan girl, had been made queen. It had been part of God’s plan. He knew this terrible crisis was coming and had made her queen so that she could help save His people. She had indeed come to the kingdom for such a time as this. Esther determined, “I must go to the king, even if it means my life!”

She sent her servant to Mordecai with her urgent reply: “Gather all the Jews in Susa, and hold a fast on my behalf for three days. Then I will go to the king, though it is against the law, and if I perish, I perish!” (Esther 4:15–16). How desperately everyone prayed during those three days, pleading with God to watch over their queen, as she sought deliverance for His children.

Esther’s stand

As the day arrived for Esther to go to the king, she prayed fervently to know how to approach the king and what she could say to change his mind. She knew that Persian kings never altered their decrees. But suddenly an idea came to mind.

Calling her maids, she instructed them to prepare a special banquet in her house. Then, donning her royal robes, she approached the great hall of King Ahasuerus, and stood graciously waiting. When Ahasuerus saw her, he held out his golden scepter and greeted her warmly. As she reached out to touch the scepter, he asked, “What is your request, my lovely queen? It shall be given to you, even to the half of my kingdom!” (Esther 5:1–3).

Esther had wisely decided to make a simple request that the king could hardly fail to grant. “If it please the king,” she said, “let the king and Haman come today to the banquet that I have prepared for you.” The king agreed at once to come and sent a messenger telling Haman to make haste to do as the queen had asked (Esther 5:4–5).

That evening, as the two men attended the sumptuous banquet Esther had prepared, the king asked her once again, “Surely there must be something you desire. Please, ask and I will give it to you, unto the half of my kingdom!”

Esther replied, “There is something I would like to ask, but for now my only request is that you would both dine again with me tomorrow. Then I will tell you” (Esther 5:6–8). The king complied, and Haman was overjoyed. That is, until he passed the gate and saw Mordecai, who once again did not bow to him as required. Haman was filled with rage.

Hurrying home, he called his wife and friends telling them of the many favors the king had bestowed on him. “I was the only one invited to accompany the king to Queen Esther’s banquet,” he exclaimed. “And tomorrow I will dine with them again. But all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see Mordecai the Jew sitting at the king’s gate” (Esther 5:9–13).

“Why bother about him,” chided his wife, Zeresh. “Why don’t you just get him out of the way once and for all!” His friends heartily agreed, suggesting that Haman have a towering gallows erected. Haman liked the idea and gave the orders to build the gallows seventy-five feet high, to make a public spectacle of Mordecai (Esther 5:14). Little did he know how the gallows would actually be used!

That night the king couldn’t sleep, so he gave orders for the book of chronicles, the record of memorable deeds of his reign, to be brought in and read to him. It so happened that the chapter the servant read recorded the story of the two traitors who had tried to murder the king, and how Mordecai had discovered their plot just in time to save his life. “What honor or recognition has Mordecai received for this?” the king asked. “None so far,” answered the servant (Esther 6:1–3).

The next day the king was quite concerned that something be done for Mordecai. At that moment Haman entered the court, prepared to petition the king for the hanging of Mordecai. When the king heard of his arrival, he summoned him and asked, “Haman, what should be done for the man whom the king delights to honor?”

Assuming that the king planned to bestow an honor on him, Haman replied, “Let him be dressed in the king’s own robes, with the royal crown on his head; and let him ride through the city on the king’s horse, with one of the chief princes running in front of him crying, ‘Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king honors!’” (Esther 6:4–9).

“Good,” said the king. “Now go at once and do as you have suggested for Mordecai, the Jew who sits at the king’s gate.” “Not Mordecai!” gasped Haman, but he dared not disobey. So it happened that Mordecai, dressed in the king of Persia’s robes, was paraded through the streets with Haman, his enemy, going before him proclaiming the king’s recognition of Mordecai (Esther 6:10–11).

When Haman told his wife and friends what had happened, his wise advisers warned him, “Since Mordecai is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him” (Esther 6:13). Even Haman’s wife and advisers sensed that a greater power was protecting the Jewish people.

As they were still speaking, the king’s attendants arrived to escort Haman to the banquet. During the feast, the king could no longer contain his curiosity. “Queen Esther,” he asked, “Tell me, what is your petition and I will grant it.”

Esther boldly addressed the king, “If I have won your favor, I ask that you grant me my life and spare my people. For I and my people have been sold to be destroyed, to be killed, and to be annihilated” (Esther 7:1–4). Astonished, the king demanded, “Who is he and where is he who would dare to think of doing such a thing?” Esther lifted her hand and, pointing across the room, declared, “The adversary and the enemy is this wicked Haman!”

Filled with rage, the king strode out into the palace garden, leaving Haman alone with the queen. Haman began frantically to plead for his life, flinging himself on the couch where the queen was reclining. At that same moment the king returned, and when he saw this he exclaimed in outrage, “Will he even assault the queen in front of me in my own house?” (Esther 7:5–8).

At once the king called his servants to arrest Haman. As they dragged him away, one of the attendants told the king about the gallows Haman had made for Mordecai. And the king, furious at Haman’s perfidy, said, “Hang him on it,” and Haman was hanged on the very gallows he had built for Mordecai (Esther 7:9–10).

Thanks to Esther’s courageous intervention, the evil designs of Haman were foiled, and with the death of Haman, Mordecai was given Haman’s position and royal authority, ensuring the protection of the Jewish people (Esther 8:1–2). However, the death of Haman did not remove the threat to the Jewish people, as the king’s decree was still in place and could not be changed.

Since the king couldn’t revoke a royal decree, he told Esther and Mordecai that they could write their own decree and seal it with his ring, and send it out to all provinces (Esther 8:3–8). In every land where the decree arrived, there was joy and gladness amongst the people, as evidently Haman’s hatred was not shared by the people (Esther 8:9–17).

Mordecai became prominent and was second in rank to King Ahasuerus. He was also held in high esteem by his people, as he worked for the welfare of his people (Esther 10:3). The faithfulness of God’s chosen man and the obedience and courage of one woman placed them both at the center of the palace of the king of Medo-Persia. As a result, the Jewish people eventually would restore and repair Jerusalem in preparation for the coming of Jesus Christ, the Messiah.

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished July 2025.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

“I Am Doing a New Thing!”

July 22, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 10:22

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Friend, if you’ve found yourself in a season of darkness—wishing someone would take your face in their hands and remind you that rescue is coming—let me be that person for you today.

Take a deep breath, and hear these words: I promise you, based on the words of Scripture, that you are not alone. Whatever you are facing, hold on; don’t give up. Even if you can’t see it, God is starting a new thing in your life. It may not be what you’re expecting or when you’re expecting it, but it is coming. Hold on to the hope in Isaiah 43:19: “Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”

No matter what season you’re in, take some time to trace the faithful hand of God in your life so far. Cry tears of gratitude for His rescue. And then, when your heart starts to lighten, rejoice in God’s faithfulness.

I’m rejoicing with you! Our God is so good and so generous. I want to challenge us both to cling to the comfort God has provided in our troubles so we can also comfort others in their brokenness (2 Corinthians 1:4). God is inviting us to be carriers of His grace, His Word, and His love.—Meredith Brock¹

*

My husband and I recently found ourselves on our own again. After raising ten children over 40 years, I didn’t see this coming!

We’ve always been a close-knit family, but of course, as the children have grown up, one by one they’ve been moving on. I cried each time, as it felt like a piece of my heart was being torn away.

Now, as I waved goodbye to the “baby” of the family, I wondered, What now? How are we to move on or start a new life? Every change is so difficult. Every time, we have to change our mindset, adopt new habits and new thought patterns. God spoke to my heart, saying this was my chance to let go and let Him do a new thing in my life.

After thinking and reading about it more, here are some pointers that I found helpful in my journey:

• Remind yourself that it is good that a new season in your life has begun. A new life, a new beginning.
• Expect this change to be positive, not negative.
• Now may be your chance to do some of those things you always wanted to do but couldn’t.
• Finish that project you started, but never completed.
• Study a topic that is interesting to you.
• Share your life experiences with the world through writing a book, starting a blog or a YouTube channel.
• Establish a prayer or Bible study group.
• The possibilities are endless.

Prayer: Jesus, I accept that You are doing a new thing in my life. Help me to be thankful in whatever You send my way. I put my life and the lives of my children in Your hands and trust fully in Your care. Please be very present in my life and heart.—Melody Cagle

*

Every new beginning we face is a step of faith because we don’t know what events will transpire. But when you look back years from now, what do you want to see? We can look at the future and feel fear, worry, or get anxious because we do not feel in control.

The good news: No matter what change may come and whatever new beginning awaits us, God is with us always. Know and believe God has put certain things in your path and has given you various opportunities so He could prepare you for your purpose. We need to learn and trust God and allow these opportunities to grow us, develop us, and increase our faith.

Think of Joshua when he took over the leadership of Israel from Moses. That was a huge new beginning and change for him and for the people of Israel. When that happened, God made a promise to Joshua, “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and of good courage” (Joshua 1:5–6). Be encouraged—God is walking this journey with you. You are not alone through new beginnings.—Billy Graham²

*

We are moving. Cleaning out boxes from the attic has left me more unsettled and emotional than I ever anticipated. As I open each crate, I vividly remember the way life used to be—the hobbies I used to love, the things I used to do. Thumbing through my mementos, I am reminded again that the life I’m living now isn’t what I signed up for. Nothing has turned out as I planned. While I am deeply convinced that I’m living out God’s best for me, there are days I mourn the loss of what used to be. … My diagnosis of post-polio syndrome changed [everything].

All of us face disappointments. Our lives look vastly different than we imagined they would. People dream of certain careers and accomplishments, but family issues or unexpected events make careers take a backseat. Young lovers believe they will have the perfect family, yet somehow their family doesn’t even resemble their vision. So, what do we do? How do we get past this nagging feeling that there should be more to life? …

This counsel from John Piper has been immeasurably helpful to me: “Occasionally, weep deeply over the life you hoped would be. Grieve the losses. Then wash your face. Trust God. And embrace the life you have.”

After I have wept and grieved, I wash my face. I don’t just dry my tears. I take a warm cloth and wipe the salty streaks from my cheeks. I let the soothing warmth move across my skin. Then I splash cool water on my face to refresh me, redirect my thoughts, and fix my eyes on the Lord. Only then can I move on.

This is a deliberate act, a choice I make to refocus. When I refocus, I take my eyes off my problems and shift them on to the Lord—and I choose to trust him. Trust him even when my situation looks black. Trust him that he is working for my good. Trust him that he knows what is best.

Finally, I am called to embrace the life I have. Embrace it as I would a beloved friend. Wholeheartedly. With joyful acceptance, not grudging obedience. Embracing means gladly receiving and even welcoming whatever the Lord gives me, even when it wasn’t in my plans. It means being fully present, living in the now, finding joy in the moment, and not longing for what’s past.

So today, if you are feeling weary and disappointed about your life, allow yourself to grieve. To weep deeply. To mourn the loss of what you hoped for. But then after you have lamented, wash your face, trust God, and embrace the life he’s given you.

In a world of great sadness and loss, God told his people, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:18–19).

The Lord is indeed doing a new thing in my life. And yours as well. He is making a way in the wilderness and forging streams in the wasteland. Lean into it and embrace it. God is doing something beautiful.—Vaneetha Rendall Risner³

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ Meredith Brock, “Rescue Is Coming—Don’t Give Up Yet,” Proverbs 31, May 15, 2024, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/05/15/rescue-is-coming-dont-give-up-yet

² Billy Graham, “5 Things the Bible Says About New Beginnings,” Billy Graham Library blog, January 5, 2022, https://billygrahamlibrary.org/blog-5-things-the-bible-says-about-new-beginnings-2

³ Vaneetha Rendall Risner, “Embrace the Life You Have,” Desiring God, May 15, 2017, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/embrace-the-life-you-have

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Difference Within

July 21, 2025

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 10:35

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God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.—Ecclesiastes 3:11

So often you hear about people’s desire to be different and to make a unique footprint in the sands of life. This is due to the desire I have planted in every person’s heart to understand their purpose, to search for the meaning of life, and the knowledge that there is more than their earthly life.

Every person is unique, and everything I have created is distinct in its own way. There are no two snowflakes that are exactly alike, no two eyes in the world that are exactly alike, and there are no two fingerprints that are exactly alike. Everything I have created is unique in some way and reflects My work in the world and My fingerprint in every created thing.

My creation is full of beauty and wonder, and human beings are My crowning creation (Psalm 8:5). But the greatest beauty is a transformed life, one that seeks to walk closely with Me and to grow in My image. The things of this world will fade away, but your eternal soul will live on forever, and as My follower, one day you will shine like the sun in My kingdom (Matthew 13:43).

Podunk tech

The Lord looks down from heaven on the children of man, to see if there are any who understand, who seek after God.—Psalm 14:2

My Spirit constantly searches the entire world, searching for those who will understand and seek Me. But many have become so enthralled and captured by modern technology that they are distracted from seeking Me and the things that matter for eternity. I look down from heaven and see people absorbed by their computers, the Internet and all its distractions. Many see such advances—such as artificial intelligence—as proof that mankind will evolve and become self-sufficient without God.

Many people today are lost and have chosen to worship temporal things and the people who design them rather than the Creator of the universe. If they would make the right decisions of seeking after Me and acknowledging Me, they would find Me and My eternal truth, instead of earthly things that will not last.

When I return and cleanse the earth of unrighteousness, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of My glory and truth, even as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14). In that day, nothing that pollutes or destroys or corrupts will remain on earth—only that which beautifies and creates life and joy and peace.

Navigating deep waters

When you go through deep waters, I will be with you. When you go through rivers of difficulty, you will not drown.—Isaiah 43:2

Sometimes in life, you can find yourself swimming in an ocean of emotion—with the waves churning and tossing you, to where you feel like you’re spitting and sputtering with the water rising over your head. Remember at such times that the tests and temptations you face in life are common to all people and are not so different from what others experience (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Life and the world around you are full of change, and when you face things or situations that you have never experienced before, sometimes these can rock your world and destabilize you. So don’t be surprised if you experience a wave of emotion and find yourself feeling overwhelmed or discouraged or as if your boat is capsizing. It’s part of the trials of life, which will work to teach you and temper you and make you stronger.

But never fear—your heavenly lifeguard is always with you! I will be right there with you when you go through deep waters of difficult times. I will help you and uphold you, and teach you how to navigate the storms of life. You will be surrounded by My presence and filled with My peace that transcends your understanding and will guard your heart and mind (Philippians 4:7).

Called and chosen

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide.—John 15:16

I called you and chose you, and you responded to My call and have been faithful to Me. I see within you to the very depths of your soul, and I know you sometimes feel a little discouraged or disappointed when you think about your life and what you have accomplished.

I see your longing to make a difference and to fulfill your calling, and sometimes you feel like your life doesn’t measure up to that standard. Some people seem to be so gifted or talented, while you don’t feel like you have special gifts or an outstanding calling.

You may think you lack qualities that stand out or that are unique or that will make a difference in some way. Most people feel that way at one time or another. I understand how it might look that way to you, but remind yourself that I am the one who called and chose you. Remember that My gifts and calling are irrevocable (Romans 11:29).

Questions about your future and what lies ahead can leave you feeling overwhelmed. I understand how you feel, and I pray for you that your faith will continue to stand strong no matter what storms come your way (Luke 22:32). When life seems challenging, remind yourself of the glorious future I’ve prepared for all who love Me (John 14:2–3).

Take time to fill your heart and mind with My Word, and you will find the strength and courage to meet the day and walk in your calling. Come to Me with all your burdens, worries, and concerns, and I will give you My joy, and the grace, strength, and love you need for today and for the future. Let the light of My Word brighten your way and guide you, and trust that My grace will always be sufficient for you (2 Corinthians 12:9).

No measure

I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you.—Jeremiah 31:3

Always remember that you are precious in My sight. Never think that I am distant from you. I don’t judge you by how much you accomplish or by your achievements. I look at your heart and the love you have for Me and others. Those are the important things in My eyes—not your good works or efforts for self-improvement.

Your service for Me and others and your personal growth will come as a result of your love for Me and your faithfulness. So don’t compare yourself to a standard that I haven’t set for you. My love isn’t measured out in portions, according to how much you think you give to Me or do for Me. My love is abundant and abides in you (1 John 4:16).

I have loved you always, and I will love you to the end of your days, and beyond—through eternity! As you live your life for Me and experience My love for you daily in the many blessings I pour into your life, you can see how great My love for you is. I want you to accept the gift of My love. Don’t try to analyze or comprehend it, for it is above your thoughts and human understanding. Just believe and receive it, and then let it change you, mold you, and inspire you to give My love to others also.

Originally published in 1999. Adapted and republished July 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by John Listen.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

So You Want to Be a Leader?

David Brandt Berg

1970-12-01

Nearly every great building, every great accomplishment, every great war, every great movement took years of planning and laborious engineering. Every Michelangelo painting was engineered with meticulous care, with advanced sketches, designs, etc., before he finally got to the finished stage.

It takes a lot longer to plan a building than it does to build it. It took me a whole lot longer to select the property, plan my church building, scrounge the materials, design it, and do all the figuring to prepare the ground and lay the almost invisible foundation. It took much longer to do all that than to lay the blocks, build the walls, and stick the roof on. That was the fun part. That was when you could really see something. But the people who got excited as they saw the walls and roof go up only saw the smallest part of the job.

Every builder loves to get to that physical part of the job that is seen, which people begin to exclaim about, the visible. It’s the invisible, below the surface, long, hard hours and days and weeks and months, and sometimes years of planning, and the slow laying of the foundation that’s the hardest part, takes the most time, and for which you get the least credit, but without which there would never be a building and it would never stand.

You can ask any businessman about that: The pleasurable part is the finished product—the shiny new car standing there, the people raving about it. But they don’t see the blood, the sweat, and the tears in the months and years of planning and designing, trial and error, and preparation behind it. They can’t see the intricate and delicate wiring and mechanical systems that lie beneath the surface, that are far more difficult to install and much more vital to its efficient operation than any nice, shiny polish and paint on the surface. But what really appeals to the women who buy the cars is the looks of the product—the pretty surface—the color, the shape, the upholstery. They couldn’t begin to understand the intricate mechanism of the engine, the lights, the ignition system, the transmission system, and all the other complicated mechanical and electronic parts unseen beneath the surface, which took a lot more time to design and install and make it work, than that pretty paint and polish.

Even a well-cooked meal can take hours of thought, labor, organization, and preparation, and only looks good and smells good for a few minutes—and then it’s gone. The consumer can’t possibly appreciate all the time and effort that’s gone into it in the brief moment that he enjoys it, unless he has been a cook and knows what it is to have to plan the meal, buy the ingredients, and prepare it, cook it, and serve it.

That’s really the way it is with most things in life. A banana is another example. It just appears for the moment—here today and gone tomorrow—and all the hard work of the farmer behind it is invisible. The months or years of clearing, planning, plowing, planting, growing, fertilizing, pruning, harvesting, transporting, marketing—all of this is unseen behind that little banana. All we do is enjoy it momentarily, without even thinking about the hard work behind it.

I don’t even understand the clothes I have on. I don’t know what it took to design this pair of pants, nor the work behind the raising of sheep, shearing, wool gathering, selling it to the thread maker, and then the spinning of each little tiny thread, then the intricate weaving of the cloth into complicated designs of different colors. Think of the elaborate machinery it must have taken—years of planning, invention, design, and labor that have gone into the making of the cloth. Then the tailor had to design and plan the pants—how to cut the cloth, how to put it together, how to make it fit, what shape it would be, how it would hang, what it would have—pockets, belt straps, zipper, etc., waist size, length, and all these things. We don’t think about these things when we go to buy a pair of pants. All we see is a pair of pants, and we decide whether we like what we see and whether they fit.

We don’t begin to appreciate the years of unseen labor and invention behind them, which was only learned through experience and planning, discoveries and inventions and trials and errors, successes and failures, and joys and heartbreaks of generations—all the unseen handiwork, time, thought and labor behind one pair of pants. We just see it, buy it, wear it, and don’t worry about it. But it took somebody or a lot of somebodies years of time and thought and invention and discovery and labor to produce it.

Every bit of food we eat, the clothing we wear, the buildings we live in, the vehicles we travel in, and even all the little tiny necessities of everyday life are just the brief and temporary visible end products of generations of thought, invention, discovery, experimentation, designing, planning and producing by a world of laborers with a world of labor. We have entered into other men’s labors and reaped that on which we bestowed no labor (John 4:38). One plants, another waters; but it is God that gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6–7).

God’s behind-the-scene labors are almost totally invisible—the work of creation that produced the universe and keeps it running, His design and plan for man, His constant care for His creations from the realm of the Spirit, that behind-the-scenes workshop where God actually does most of His labor. “Set not, therefore, your affections on things on the earth, for the things which are seen are temporal”—only temporary, only the slightly visible manifestation of all the unseen work behind them—“but the things which are not seen are eternal”—the spiritual world which produced them, the power and planning of God (2 Corinthians 4:18). You don’t know how He did it. All you do is enjoy it. You can’t even comprehend it. All you do is consume it.

But somebody had to do it. As Dr. Robert Millikan said, “Behind every watch there had to be a watchmaker, and so behind the intricate precision of this great universe, there had to be a divine designer and Creator.” Behind every great creation, whether of God or man, there had to be worlds of work, planning, preparation, designing, invention, discovery, exploration, organization, and cooperation, in order to produce the finished product—the thing that’s seen—which does not begin to reveal the vast unseen labor and the multitudes of laborers behind it.

Even so, with the creation of a new nation, a war, a reformation, or a revolution—or any major change in history—somebody had to dream of it before it could happen. Somebody had to have the inspiration, the vision, the faith, the ingenuity, the genius, the spark that kindled the fire! You only see the fire and thrill and marvel at its glory. You don’t see the work and planning behind it—the problems in gathering materials, figuring out how to start it and keep it going.

Maybe you used to look at a big business and wish you were the boss, to enjoy the glory and the riches, and to get to tell other people what to do. But you’d have been better to work your eight hours and not worry, lest someday you’d become the boss and work at all hours, and have all the worry. Because you couldn’t possibly see all the problems, the difficulties, the obstacles, the troubles, the complications behind it—how hard it is to know what to do, to make decisions and to tell other people how to do it, and to be willing to take the blame for the failures, as well as credit for the successes. Because possessions, employees, businesses and governments are much more responsibility than enjoyment, much more hard work than pleasure.

As the great Scottish poet Robert Burns wrote as a whole world was toasting his fame, “Would that I were back with the wee sma’ daisy,” “For the best laid plans of mice and men, aften gang aglae.” He was wishing he were back, a wee small boy again, playing on the Scottish heather, gazing in wonder at the tiny flowers, without a care or responsibility in the world, unconcerned about the world around him—a world that didn’t even know he existed. But now that he was famous, he had to worry about his work and his writing, the opinions of man, and his successes and failures, and no longer had the time to enjoy the simple, uncomplicated things of life, or even the poems about them which had made him great. He was too busy.

You’d better enjoy being a buck private while you can, with very little worry or responsibility, credit or blame, cursing or fame. One of these days you may be the general and have most of the work and nearly all the worry—and usually all the blame. You may look at your leaders and think, “My, I’d like to be like him or her. I wish I had their position.” Watch out! Some day you may have and wish you didn’t but have to. You couldn’t begin to fathom the depths of despair, the heartbreaks, trials, tribulations, the bitter experiences, the fires of testing they had to go through to make them the pure gold they are today, the white-hot heat of the furnace they had to endure before they became the lovely colorful ceramic that they now are.

Don’t ask for leadership. Don’t even desire it. You don’t know what you’re asking for. Don’t try to be a leader unless God shoves you into it and you have to be! Just be thankful that you don’t have to do the leading, make the decisions, carry the burden of the responsibility, and suffer the blame.

You don’t realize how much goes into leadership: the years of the school of hard knocks, years of experience, trial and error, success and failure, suffering and tribulation—the years of following, obedience and training, the vast work of the Spirit, the innumerable lessons, the grades you had to take over again, the demotions as well as the promotions, the failures as well as the accomplishments, the blame as well as the fame, the unseen labor, the unrealized thought, the hours, days, weeks, months and years of prayerful planning, the blood, the sweat, the tears, the agony with the ecstasy—all that goes into the making of a leader.

Leaders are made, not born. They’re the brief and final end product of God’s infinite care, design, and preparation. Here today and gone tomorrow. “For what is your life? It’s but a vapor. It’s here a little while and then it’s gone” (James 4:14). It takes so long to grow into the full bloom, the full fruit of leadership, so your actual brief span of leadership is short by comparison to the years of preparation.

Don’t envy your leaders. Pity them. Pray for them. Help them. They need you. And don’t desire leadership, unless God forces it on you. I dare say you’ll not find a leader in the Bible who wanted to be a leader. Most of them tried to get out of the job! It takes too long, it’s too hard, and you’ll never get enough credit for it. But without them, God’s work can’t go on.

Just appreciate the end product. Enjoy it. Learn from it. Follow its example. And help it. Be thankful you don’t have to be one, until God makes you. Nearly every great leader in the Bible had to be pushed into it. Only in the folly of this world do men fight each other for fickle fame and fortune. Only in the sickening system of this world do men struggle for power, position, riches and glory—only to find that it doesn’t satisfy.

Like Alexander the Great, who, having conquered the known world, died drunken and weeping that there were no more worlds to conquer. Or Napoleon, who made all Europe tremble at his feet, but died in exile, whimpering like a baby, just to have his boots pulled on, that he might die like a soldier. Or Julius Caesar, whose friends stabbed him in the back at the pinnacle of fame. All these died in vain. The elusive butterfly of fortune weighed them in the balances and found them wanting. They paid such an awful price for it, when it wasn’t worth it. They sacrificed everything for it, only to discover it was ashes between their teeth. Husks, husks, husks. Like the Prodigal Son in the swine pit, with nothing left but the “husks that the swine did eat” (Luke 15:16).

What a pitiful end product are the men of this world, and even the Christians, who fail God. At least God’s leaders, who pay the same price and make the same sacrifices, can look forward to eternal rewards and everlasting glory and can die with a feeling of genuine permanent accomplishment from a lifetime of investment in His work, which will reap eternal dividends hereafter.

But you’ll never know what they went through to get there until you’ve gone through it yourself. And nobody in his right mind would ever do it for anybody but God and His children. Most of your work is unseen and will never be known by anybody but God and you, and perhaps a few of those closest to you. Most of your sufferings, your sacrifices, and your years of labor will never be appreciated in this life, nor realized by others until the rewards are handed out in heaven and the medals are pinned on at the Marriage Feast of the Lamb and the cities are distributed in the Millennium.

You say, “Lord, we are able” (Matthew 20:22). But you don’t know what you’re asking for. Just thank God for your leaders and hope you never have to be one. Don’t try to be a leader unless you have to be! Don’t desire leadership, unless God makes you lead—unless the time comes when you see the job that has to be done and there’s nobody else to do it but you, and you know you have to do it. It’s God’s will, God’s plan, and you’re ready—even if you don’t feel like it. Ready by the long preparation, planning, designing and making of a man by the hand of God.

As Kipling said, “If you can meet success and failure, and treat these two impostors the same … then you’ll be a man, my son.” Simply because you have the satisfaction of knowing you’re doing the will of God—that you were made for the job, that you can’t help it, you have to do it. He expects it of you. That’s what it costs to be a leader. “To live in fame, and die in flame”—and sometimes they have to live in flame and die in shame before the world.

We are God’s expendables, created to burn out on His altar of sacrifice—made to wear out as His tools of design; to die, that you might live. For “no greater love hath any man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). We “die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). We can only offer you an invitation to come and die with us—to die to the flesh that ye may live in the spirit.

After years in the making, preparation, and planning, you may only be a brief flare which lights up the landscape for but a moment in the heat of battle, that the victory may be won. But that lifetime of preparation is worth it all, even if for only that “moment of truth” and recognition by the Lord. That moment of usefulness that you were designed for, that day when you stood in the gap, that hour when you met the need, that time when you fulfilled your mission. And you can hear His “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). All this and heaven too!

You’ll never appreciate your leaders till you have to join them in leadership. We’ll probably never fully appreciate God until we join Him in glory and see what it really cost Him.—How much time it took, what infinite care and love and patience. How much unseen labor went into the end product—little old insignificant you and me. Praise His name forever. “All glory and praise to the Lamb that was slain, who hath borne all our sins and hath cleansed every stain.”^[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, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him that endured such contradiction of sinners against Himself, lest yet be wearied and faint in your minds. My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of Him: For whom the Lord loveth He chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth” (Hebrews 12:1–3, 5, 6).

Do you still want to be a leader?

^[1] From “Revive Us Again” by William Mackay and John Husband, 1863.

Copyright © December 1970 by The Family International

Building Great People

A compilation

2012-02-13

One of the greatest gifts you can give someone is your faith in them. Everyone needs someone to believe in them!—Peter Amsterdam

*

People often judge one another by what they see on the outside—the initial reactions, the perception of a person’s character, the hearsay circulated about an individual. It’s hard to see the person behind the mask, to see his heart and what his intentions are. It’s sad that so much is measured by what’s on the outside, because it’s the heart that counts. People the world over would be far better off being measured against that touchstone.

It takes love, hope, faith, and understanding to nourish the possibilities in another, and to believe that there is more to a person than meets the eye. You may think that you know a person well enough to know that he is beyond changing, but would you have the same said of you? Would you want to be boxed in and limited to what people suppose you are? Would you consider how people view and treat you to be a fair representation of who you really are and how you would want to be treated? Think about that, and then consider how you view others and how you treat them.

Human nature is such that you thrive on hearing appreciation from those around you. You gain confidence when you know that someone considers your thoughts of value. A brilliant light is turned on within a heart that is cherished and admired by another. There truly is no comparison to what love and faith can do to the human spirit, and it would make Me so happy to see more love extended to those around you.

Do your best to help those around you flourish and become more than they are today. It’s part of your Christian duty to reach out to others and to believe in them. Show faith and trust in people, even when you may feel hesitant to do so. You’d be surprised at what may come from a little confidence and faith placed in an individual.

So many people lack simple confidence. They’ve felt shut out by others, condemned, unappreciated, and ridiculed, and this has been a loss to the development of their possibilities. It’s a rare soul who can go so contrarily against the crowd and forge ahead, regardless of what others think, or whether or not he receives any praise or encouragement for what he hopes to achieve. Most people need the gentle nurturing of appreciation, faith, love, and belief that they can succeed.

Such faith in others doesn’t always come easily. Sometimes you must extend the hand of acceptance, even when your logic is screaming that you shouldn’t. But if you know that it’s what’s right, that it’s what I expect of you, then it’s My voice within your heart that you must listen to. Don’t push it aside as illogical or foolish. Love isn’t always logical.

If you want to see the world and those around you change, then it starts with you—with your belief that others are more than they appear to be. You can draw out the good in those around you, appreciate individuals for who they are, acknowledge the gifts and talents that I’ve blessed them with, and humbly be a conduit of love and appreciation to others.

Remember My words to My disciples, which still hold true today: “This is My commandment: that ye love one another, as I have loved you.”¹ So love others, and highlight the good in them, and that good will flourish even more. You can have full confidence that love never returns void.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

*

Expect the best from people. You’ll see that they’ll often meet your expectations, and in some cases, exceed them.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

*

Many of you remember the movie “Stand and Deliver,” the story of Jaime Escalante, an immigrant from Bolivia who taught at Garfield High School in inner-city Los Angeles. He accomplished remarkable results with students known to be especially difficult to teach.

One story not depicted in the movie was the one about “the other Johnny.” Escalante had two students named Johnny in his class. One was a straight A+ student; the other was an F+ student. The A+ student was easy to get along with, cooperated with teachers, worked hard, and was popular with his peers. The F+ Johnny was sullen, angry, uncooperative, disruptive, and in general was not popular with anyone.

One evening at a PTA meeting, an excited mother approached Escalante and asked, “How is my Johnny doing?” Escalante figured that the F+ Johnny’s mother would not be asking such a question, so he described in glowing terms the A+ Johnny, saying he was a wonderful student, popular with his class, cooperative and a hard worker, and would undoubtedly go far in life. The next morning, Johnny—the F+ one—approached Escalante and said, “I really appreciate what you said to my mother about me, and I just want you to know that I’m going to work real hard to make what you said the truth.” By the end of that grade period, he was a C- student, and by the end of the school year, he was on the honor roll.

If we treat others as if they were “the other Johnny,” chances are dramatically better that they will, in fact, improve their performance. Someone rightly said that more people have been encouraged to succeed than have been nagged to succeed. This example makes us wonder what would happen to all the “other Johnnies” of the world if someone said something really nice about them.—Zig Ziglar

*

Everyone screws up at some point or another, but the knowledge that someone still believes in them, has faith in them, and trusts that even though they’ve made mistakes and have fallen or failed, they’re not being put on the scrap heap, can be just what they need to make it. You’ll be amazed at what people will do or be if they know that you believe in them.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

*

Trust men and they will be true to you; treat them greatly and they will show themselves great.—Ralph Waldo Emerson

*

People often lose faith in themselves and in their own abilities. They clearly see their mistakes, inabilities, and failings, and the Enemy is always right there to magnify those faults and to tell them, “Yes, you are a failure and you’ll never amount to anything. You might as well give up now.”

But when someone comes along and shows faith in them, it can often be the ray of hope that they need to turn things around and to keep going.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

*

Practical ways to express “I have faith in you”:

* Build up excellence: Try to think of at least one thing that you find outstanding in a person, and then make it your task to let them know. Reinforce the fact that you see and know how excellent they are in that specific way. Don’t be shy; they won’t get tired of hearing it. What you’re doing is building confidence in that one area, and as they gain confidence, they will start to improve in other areas as well.

* Give others responsibility: If you’re in a position of authority, try to give others responsibility in the areas in which they are notably strong, even if it’s just in one small thing. Let them feel trusted and needed and appreciated for their obvious strengths, and it will help them to develop other strengths.

* Appreciate who they are: Appreciating others for what they do is important, and people like to be thanked and acknowledged for it. But being appreciated for a personal trait feels a lot nicer than only being appreciated for the outcome of that trait. For example, telling a cook that she is creative in coming up with exotic dishes, rather than just saying that the food was delicious.

* Keep appreciation simple and doable: Don’t feel that you need to have wonderfully warm feelings about a person, or be their best friend and really know them deeply before you can make a difference in someone’s life. You can be a near stranger and still have a marvelous effect on someone.

* Slow down: It takes time to see people in a new light. It takes a slowdown of the hasty assumptions that are a result of mental ruts and thought patterns that require no change in perspective. Go slower in your interactions with people and allow Me a chance to reveal My perspective.

* Pause to meditate: Think of the positive ways that someone has helped you. Praise Me for the good that a person has done. Pray for them. Appreciate them in your thoughts. You will have a change in how you view others, because you will have taken the time to go deeper, past the surface assumptions that are so easy to make and past your history with them.

* Let go of the past: Be willing to see who the person is today, or the potential of what they can be tomorrow, and don’t let your view be marred by your past experiences.

* Extend mercy: Acknowledge the mercy that you want Me and others to show you, and then show that same mercy and tenderness to others.

* Drop the labels: Think of how you dislike being labeled or put in a box. You desire freedom to go wherever My Spirit leads, to do whatever I show you to do. Labels and classifications put people in boxes that hinder their faith to follow My Spirit. Try your best to support and encourage others to follow their faith.—Jesus, speaking in prophecy

*

Treat a man as he appears to be, and you make him worse. But treat a man as if he already were what he potentially could be, and you make him what he should be.—Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Originally published December 2009. Adapted and republished February 2012.
Read by Simon Peterson.

Good Plans

July 18, 2025

By Louie Giglio

How can you trust God’s good plans even when life feels uncertain? In this message, special guest Pastor Louie Giglio unpacks the truth of Jeremiah 29:11—reminding us that even in seasons of delay or difficulty, God is working good plans for our lives. When we seek Him with our whole heart, we discover hope, restoration, and a future filled with purpose.

Run time for this video is 41 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfQFUnak4ts

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Bouncing Back

July 17, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 10:23

Download Audio (9.5MB)

Sometimes the greatest heroes are the unsung little ones who live their lives with quiet courage. By their example, they leave an indelible mark. Eddy is one of those.

Every Saturday morning, I volunteer at the children’s ward of a cancer center, teaching English to the staff, patients, and parents. I always try to make it fun, using upbeat songs and games, so that it’s a time they can look forward to and that helps to get their minds off their pain, even if just for a little while. Eddy always follows along intently, his eyes bright with interest.

Last week, Eddy was wheeled into the room before our lesson as usual. He was so cheerful, singing along enthusiastically and joining in the games, that I didn’t notice the fresh bandage over the stump of his right leg until one of the staff mentioned that Eddy had just come back from the hospital where he’d had another 10 centimeters of his leg amputated. “The doctors hope they got all the cancer this time,” she said.

I watched as he rolled himself around in his wheelchair, cheerfully interacting with the other children and his mother, and I marveled at his strength of spirit. Eddy is just 12 years old, and his parents are farmers from a nearby village. They dearly love their son and give him a lot of love and emotional support, and as a result, the boy bounced back from a second amputation with courage and a cheerful attitude.

The Bible tells us that in heaven everything will be restored and God will wipe away every tear (Revelation 21:4). In the meantime, I’m sure that Eddy’s quiet courage and bravery here on earth will inspire others to be strong.—G. L. Ellens

*

Resilience is the quality of being able to adapt to stressful life changes and “bouncing back” from hardship.¹

Trials and tribulations are an inescapable part of human life, testing our resolve and challenging our faith. …

In James 1:2–4, a resounding call to rejoice in trials reverberates: “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.” …

Amid the trials and tribulations of his life, the apostle Paul, in Romans 8:18, makes the following declaration: “I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.” This verse permits us to transcend the earthly realm, igniting a flame of hope within our souls. … By embracing this eternal perspective, we uncover a resilience that propels us [forward]. …

In the quest for perseverance in trials and tribulations, the Bible stands as the ultimate guide, offering solace, strength, and hope (Psalm 119:105). It beckons us to view trials and tribulations as stepping stones rather than stumbling blocks, as opportunities for spiritual growth rather than moments of despair. Within sacred Scripture, we find a tapestry woven with threads of faith, perseverance, and hope.—GotQuestions.org²

*

My daughter, Joy, is an overcomer of adversity.

She was born with Down syndrome in a country that doesn’t deal well with differences. She was dropped off at the doorstep of a police station. She was moved from orphanage to orphanage.

Though we know we made the right decision, her adoption into our family meant she had to learn a new country and language. She has shown incredible resilience in the few short years she’s been with our family.

Joy has been with us for four years now, and her night terrors have slowly faded. It has taken some time, with relapses along the way, but she has adapted to our family and life in the United States. She plays with friends, attends school and loves church. She embraces new challenges and allows each of those experiences to change her. Joy is our family’s living, breathing example of resilience.

I’ve found myself challenged by Joy, asking God to put a little of her resilience into my own life. She reminds me of the Apostle Paul’s teaching about the power of the gospel living in us:

“But we have this treasure [the gospel of Jesus] in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed” (2 Corinthians 4:7–9).

Since bringing Joy home, I’ve contemplated these words, trying to understand what they mean for me in my own quest to cultivate resilience in the midst of chaos.

I’ve discovered that the Bible doesn’t promise we’ll have easy, carefree lives if we follow Jesus. In fact, it teaches quite the opposite. … Still, Paul promised that if we face inevitable adversity head-on with the power of the gospel and we practice inner renewal day by day, we can cultivate a life of resilience. …

We can invite God into our struggle and share our overwhelm, asking Him to reveal what He wants to gift us in this season. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” … If you allow God to lead you in and through adversity, you can emerge a more resilient person.—Rebekah Lyons³

*

Receive My glory-strength. I am sovereign over the circumstances of your life, so there are always opportunities to be found in them. Don’t be like the man who hid his master’s talent in the ground because he was disgruntled with his circumstances. He gave up and took the easy way out, blaming his hard situation rather than making the most of his opportunity. Actually, the more difficult your circumstance, the more you can gain through it.

I gladly give you glory-strength. It is exceedingly potent because the Spirit Himself empowers you—strengthening you in your inner being. Moreover, My limitless glory-strength enables you to keep on enduring the unendurable. Since this power is so vast, there is more than enough of it to spill over into joy!—Jesus⁴

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by John Laurence. Music by John Listen.

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

² https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-trials.html

³ https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2023/05/02/how-to-embrace-and-overcome-adversity

⁴ Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Story of Esther—Part 1

July 16, 2025

Treasures

In Shushan, the capital of Medo-Persia, about 2,500 years ago, there lived a young girl named Hadassah, who was destined to play an important role in history. After the death of her parents, an older cousin named Mordecai, who was married and had a position as a government official at the royal palace in Shushan adopted her as his own daughter, giving her the Persian name “Esther,” meaning “star” (Esther 2:5–6). Mordecai faithfully brought Esther up in the ways of the Lord, and she learned to pray and trust in God and found strength through faith in His love and goodness.

Mordecai was one of the many Jews who had chosen to stay in Medo-Persia rather than return to Jerusalem. Ever since the days when King Cyrus (590–529 BC) ruled Persia, the Jews had been permitted to return to their land. Some 50,000 Jews had chosen to return there with Zerubbabel as their governor, yet hun­dreds of thousands of others remained behind. King Cyrus was a benevolent ruler and had allowed the Jewish people to work and worship God according to their beliefs.

During the reign of Ahasuerus, the good relations continued. Some, like Mordecai, found good jobs in the palace and became friends of the king. As an official in the royal court, Mordecai, along with other royal servants “sat in the king’s gate,” near the palace entrance, where he waited for any assignments given him from the king.

In the third year of King Ahasuerus’ reign, the king gave a lavish feast for all his officials and servants, which included the army of Persia and Media and the nobles and governors of the 127 provinces of his realm (Esther 1:1–4). At the conclusion of this lavish seven-day feast, when the heart of the king was “merry with wine,” he summoned the queen to make an appearance wearing her crown to display her beauty before all. Queen Vashti refused, which led to the news that she had been deposed, and all the palace was in an uproar (Esther 1:11–12)!

For a queen to publicly rebel against the wishes of her king was unheard of and a challenge to his authority, and King Ahasuerus was furious and burned with anger. He immediately called a meeting to confer with his closest and most trusted advisors. As a result, an irrevocable decree was made known in all provinces that Vashti would never again enter the presence of the king and “her position would be given to another who was better than she” (Esther 1:13–21).

Once his anger abated, the king apparently had some regrets about dismissing his beautiful queen. The young men who attended him had a solution: the loveliest virgins from all the provinces under his reign would be brought to the royal palace at Shushan for the king’s inspection (Esther 2:1–3). From India to Ethiopia, beautiful young women began to arrive at the royal house of the women, where they would undergo months of special preparation and beauty treatment.

The Bible tells us that Esther had a beautiful figure and was lovely to look at, and when the king’s order and his edict were proclaimed, Esther was also taken into the king’s palace and put in custody of Hegai, the king’s most trusted keeper of these young women (Esther 2:7–8). Hegai was so pleased with Esther that he quickly provided her with cosmetics to enhance her beauty and assigned seven chosen young women from the palace to care for her, and advanced her to the best rooms in the house of the women (Esther 2:9).

While Esther was in awe at this sudden turn of events, she silently heeded Mordecai’s words of warning when she was taken into custody: “Tell no one of your nationality or family background.” Mordecai was concerned for the well-being of his daughter and would walk every day in front of the court where she was dwelling to learn how she was faring and what was happening to her (Esther 2:10–11). If she wasn’t chosen by the king, what would happen to her? Would she be allowed to come home again?

Many of the women who had been introduced to the king were chosen to be his concubines, married to the king, yet only to be called into his presence if and whenever he pleased to summon her by name. In fact, this would be true of the queen as well, since she would live in her own separate house and would only visit the king at his request.

Twelve long months were designated for each girl to undergo a time of beautification—six months with oil of myrrh and six months with spices and ointments—before she would be presented to the king (Esther 2:12). Yet this time of preparation gave Esther time to prepare her heart for her future mission. Surely she must have sought the Lord daily in prayer for His protection, help, and wisdom to say and do the right things.

When the day finally arrived for Esther to meet the king, Hegai asked her what she desired to take with her. Each girl was allowed to take whatever gift she desired from the house of the women before meeting the king. But although Esther could have asked for anything, as did many of the other girls, she wisely and humbly required nothing but what Hegai recommended. Her humility and beauty won her favor in the eyes of all who saw her (Esther 2:15).

Many lovely young women had passed that way to the royal throne room before her, but Esther was different. She had a special inner beauty which seemed to radiate from within. Her eyes shone brightly and lovingly, and her smile reflected a joy that only a child of God could possess. From the moment King Ahasuerus first saw her, his heart began to well with emotion. The Bible says that “The king loved Esther more than all the women, and she won grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins, so that he set the royal crown upon her head and made her queen” (Esther 2:16–17).

As Esther stood beside the king, for an instant her mind rushed back through her life as a young girl. “How God has kept and protected me all these years,” she thought. “Even when I had no parents and my future looked so dark, still the Lord had a plan for me. If He could help me then, surely He will help me now, when I need Him most.” This was the beginning of one of the most important missions ever given to a woman of God—that of preserving the people of God from many dangers and risks yet to come.

Esther’s coronation was a great cause for celebration. No longer was the kingdom without a queen. King Ahasuerus gave a magnificent feast for all his princes and officials, to be held in Esther’s honor. As a gesture of the king’s generosity to the people, a special tax holiday was proclaimed throughout all the provinces, and the king “gave gifts with royal generosity” (Esther 2:18).

But it wasn’t long after young Esther’s coronation that trouble began to brew within the palace walls. No king was safe on his throne in those days. There was always somebody plotting to take his life, and King Ahasuerus was no exception. Two of King Ahasuerus’ servants who guarded the door became angry with the king and conspired to assassinate him. As they whispered news of their plans, Mordecai, who sat in the king’s gate, overheard them and immediately told Esther, who reported it to the king, and gave Mordecai the credit for exposing them.

After an official investigation confirmed their intentions, the would-be assassins were arrested and hanged. But in all the excitement, Mordecai was forgotten, and no recognition was given him for saving the king’s life, though it was recorded in the book of the chronicles of the king (Esther 2:21–23). However, it was this very act that would be pivotal to the future of the Jewish people, the restoration of Israel, and the coming of the promised Messiah nearly 500 years later. (See Part 2 of “The Story of Esther.”)

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished July 2025. 

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

He Is Always with You

July 15, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 10:35

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Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified … for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.—Deuteronomy 31:6

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Ask anyone, and they’ll agree that today’s world is very different from the one our parents and grandparents knew. When everything in life seems to be changing, making us feel anxious, lost, or as though life is a terrifying journey through uncharted territory, we can rely on our unchanging God. He is constant. He is the same today as He was when He walked the earth, and He will be the same tomorrow (Malachi 3:6). ”The Lord’s plans stand firm forever; his intentions can never be shaken” (Psalm 33:11).

Even though we don’t know what the future holds for us, come what may, it is impossible for God to leave us alone or to fail us when we need Him. “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer … my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).—Ronan Keane

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Things are going from bad to worse, Lord, I thought as I pulled my sunglasses over my eyes and stuffed my hands as far as possible into my pockets. I don’t think You love me anymore!

Yes, I do, a voice whispered in my heart.

No, I don’t think so.

But I do.

Can You show me Your love?

Alright. What would you like?

The road I was driving on was dry, noisy, and dusty. What was I unlikely to find?

If You show me a red rose, then I will know that You still love me.

Just one? I thought I heard Him laugh. For you, I would give a bucketful of roses!

As I thought about it later, I realized how foolish my request had been. God doesn’t have to prove His love; He is always with us whether we realize it or not.

That afternoon, I met a friend at her office. While we chatted over coffee, my mind was elsewhere. I had told God that He need not hold me to my word, because I knew that He loved me and would always care for me; but deep down, I still wondered about my request. Would I see the “proof” I had requested? When our conversation came to an end, I got up to leave, and then I saw it: a small clay vase on the corner of the desk held a little arrangement of a handful of ferns … and one red rose!

My heart rejoiced. Thank You, Jesus!

This isn’t over just yet! I seemed to hear Him say. I had something to show you at the corner of the road as you entered your friend’s office—only you were too busy to see it. Take a look around.

I stepped out of the building and the first thing that caught my eye was not one, but four buckets full of red roses smiling at me! And besides that, there were shelves of single red roses behind. It was a florist’s shop.

On any other day, this sequence of events might have just been a coincidence; but on this occasion, the unexpected appearance of all those roses—coming on the heels of my earlier conversation with God—helped reassure me that He cares about me personally. He will never leave me, and His love will never fail. He loves me and you, and He is going to make something wonderful out of our lives.—Paloma Sridhar

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A comforting promise in Scripture is that God will never leave those who are His. … 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). … Joshua’s task of taking the Promised Land seemed impossible, but with the Lord the task was possible, for He would not forsake Joshua. …

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. …

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. … Like Joshua being encouraged to complete his appointed task, Christians can also be emboldened and strengthened by the promise that the Lord will never leave or forsake them.—GotQuestions.org¹

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He was just a little boy, on the week’s first day.
He was wandering home from Sunday school,
and dawdling on the way.

He scuffed his shoes into the grass; he found a caterpillar.
He found a fluffy milkweed pod, and blew out all the filler.
A bird’s nest in a tree overhead, so wisely placed on high
Was just another wonder that caught his eager eye.

A neighbor watched his zig-zag course, and hailed him from the lawn;
Asked him where he’d been that day and what was going on.
“I’ve been to Bible School,” he said, and turned a piece of sod.
He picked up a wiggly worm, replying, “I’ve learned a lot of God.”

“M’m, very fine way,” the neighbor said, “for a boy to spend his time.”
“If you’ll tell me where God is, I’ll give you a brand-new dime.”
Quick as a flash the answer came! Nor were his accents faint.
“I’ll give you a dollar, Mister, if you can tell me where God ain’t.”
—Author unknown²

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Prayer: Jesus, when I think about Your promise to never leave or forsake me (Hebrews 13:5), a warm feeling wells up within me. Nothing can compare to this promise. You are the only one who can make such a guarantee.

I could lose everything else that is dear to me—my health, wealth, and loved ones—but I will never lose You. You remain faithful. You stick closer than skin, nearer than my shadow. You are the great constant in life. Thank You!—Activated

*

I will never leave you alone or comfortless. I will never leave you without guidance and direction. I will never leave you without grace and strength to fight life’s battles. I will never leave you without rest and renewal. I will always provide your needs.

Follow the path on which I set your feet. It is a path that leads to the best life that you could possibly have. There is no greater security than is found when you invite Me to go with you day by day and involve Me choice by choice. Together, we can make more of your future than you ever could on your own. Watch as I unfold the mysterious and beautiful canvas of your life.—Jesus

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Debra Lee. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ “What does God mean when He says, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5)?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/I-will-never-leave-you-nor-forsake-you.html

² “Where God Ain’t,” frtommylane.com, https://www.frtommylane.com/stories/God/presence/God_is_everywhere.htm

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Blessing of Reminders

July 14, 2025

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 8:28

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I often think of how much I need reminders regarding the essentials in my Christian life. I wrote about this topic previously, and I’m continuing to see how helpful reminders can be.

Sometimes I get distracted when I’m tired, busy, or trying to juggle many things at once, and I forget to calm down and sit quietly at Jesus’ feet so He can remind me of the things that are truly important that I might be missing or neglecting.

But Jesus, in His love and compassion, doesn’t limit providing these reminders to times when we get quiet before Him. He also brings them to our attention through other avenues.

For me, Jesus brings some of those reminders through others like Peter or my co-workers who remind me of the spiritual principles and practices that we all value but may not always be paying enough attention to. These reminders can be about such things as praising the Lord in the face of difficulties, trusting God for my work, or not allowing myself to be stressed over the troubles and challenges that others are facing.

It may not always feel good in the moment to be reminded of the need to emphasize these things. Refocusing my priorities often takes a conscious effort. Sometimes, it can also be a little embarrassing to have to admit, even to myself, that something I should have known to do needs to be reestablished as a priority in my life.

One of the problems with others offering us a reminder is that we are all human and sometimes flawed in how we express or receive these reminders. Whether we are sharing a reminder with someone or someone else is sharing a reminder with us, it should always be done with humility and the assumption that the one sharing these reminders is sincerely trying to help. The Lord will always guide us in the best way to apply those reminders if we look to Him for His confirmation.

The apostle Peter gave reminders to the believers in Asia Minor to help them. He wrote, “I think it right, as long as I am in this body, to stir you up by way of reminder. … And I will make every effort so that after my departure you may be able at any time to recall these things” (2 Peter 1:13, 15).

In 2015 Peter wrote:

Godly reminders are an important component in our spiritual growth; they can keep us spiritually active, healthy, and well rounded. … We all need reminders to keep us striving to be like Jesus—gracious, loving, compassionate, honest, longsuffering, gentle, good, slow to criticize, and generous with encouragement.¹

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There will probably be times when we don’t have someone available to help us stay on track through reminders. In that case, the responsibility falls to us to make the effort to safeguard ourselves by finding ways to draw our attention back to the important spiritual principles on which our lives need to be anchored. I know of someone who has a large, decorative blackboard in her kitchen where she writes herself inspirational reminders such as Bible verses, thoughts that motivate her, or quotes about areas in her life where she needs to grow.

Here is an example of the kind of encouraging reminders that might be used. We might picture Jesus saying these things to us. Any one of these phrases, or all of them together, can be helpful reminders of how much we mean to Jesus.

I am with you.
I am strengthening you.
I am answering you.
I am protecting you.
I am providing for you.
I am giving you peace.
I love you. (ALWAYS HAVE AND ALWAYS WILL!)

So much depends on how we look at reminders. We can see them as a chore or something that we grudgingly endure while feeling guilty that we’re not perfect. That is unlikely to produce the motivation we need to use reminders constructively.

The alternative is that we can see these things as fresh opportunities to refine our skills by refocusing on the principles that the Lord loves to see us grow in. How we perceive these things can be pivotal in gaining more wisdom as we apply a principle once again in our lives and our walk with Jesus. If we look at reminders as challenges to further refine what is pleasing to Jesus in our lives, then these reminders become opportunities to prepare us for the future.

The spiritual principles in God’s Word, such as following God, prayer, praise, resting in the Lord, spreading His love and truth, giving to others; having patience, kindness, forgiveness, compassion, mercy; serving one another in love, and many more are enhanced with use. Revisiting them can often help us find new ways to apply them.

As Jesus told me:

Learn from the past, its successes and mistakes;
Light your present, with joy and transformation;
Look forward to the future, the wonderful things that await you.

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God’s Spirit can show us ways to stay young at heart, no matter what our age. For example, adding a new twist to our witnessing approach or trying out something that takes a step of faith can bring inspiration to our lives and keep our hearts and minds challenged. And, if you have the blessing of working together with someone else, you can cheer each other on and remind each other of your new plan or commitment.

Joni Eareckson Tada described how a friend of hers worked together with others and added a new challenge to their witness. Joni wrote:

God gave my friend Jennifer a burden for waitresses. Once every two weeks, Jennifer and her Christian friends regularly meet for lunch, but before they choose a restaurant, they pray. Once it’s decided where to lunch, they sit down and strike up a friendly chat with the waitress. They learn her name and ask for her suggestions from the menu.

Jennifer and her friends visit the same restaurant at least five times, asking the maître d’ that they be given the same waitress. After so many luncheons, the women become friends with the waitress. … Jennifer and her friends not only have fun together over lunch, but they make an outreach of it. Waitresses are, in fact, their main reason for getting together.

No matter where we go or whom we meet, we can have an effective outreach for Christ in our community. No, Jennifer will never organize a group called “Eating Out for Jesus,” or plan a budget or print up brochures. But she will keep on doing what comes naturally: being a witness for the Lord.²

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In this hectic world, there may be times when our focus is so fully engaged with what can seem most urgent that the long-term priorities get pushed into the background. However, the Lord has given us the blessing of reminders to help ensure that these foundational principles are not left in the background for long.

Whatever ways the Lord chooses to bring reminders to our attention, let’s welcome them as the friends they are, and they in turn will help us to accomplish the most important things that the Lord asks us to do.

Originally published July 2022. Adapted and republished July 2025. Read by Lenore Welsh.

¹ “Three Reminders,” originally published on Directors’ Corner, September 2015.

² “Be a Witness” devotional, April 15, 2022, by Joni Eareckson Tada.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Great Troubles and a Loving God

Maria Fontaine

2023-03-07

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.

Copyright © 2023 The Family International.

In Disaster’s Wake

Words from Jesus

2019-07-08

Even when things look darkest and the most dismal, I am right here with you. I never leave your side. I am with you in this time of turmoil to guide you, to protect and keep you, to give you the peace and comfort that passes understanding. Trust Me for this difficult time in your personal life, as well as for the hearts and lives of those around you. Trust Me to show you how to help others, how to comfort them, and how to be My love to them. I will guide you. I will be your comfort and your strength, so that you will have enough to give to others.

Look to Me. Look past the hurt and sorrow, the devastation, the heartbreak, and know that even if you don’t have the answers to all the questions, and even if you can’t understand why this disaster happened, I will pull you through. I will mend the brokenhearted and heal their wounds. Put your hand in Mine, and let Me walk with you through the destruction and show you how to minister My love to others and how to receive My comfort.

You have nothing to fear, for I am here. I will provide for you and your loved ones. I will protect your heart and spirit from hurting too much. I will surround you with My tender love and give you the grace you need to endure. Keep your eyes on Me and let Me sustain you. My arms are strong to comfort, My heart is large to welcome, My words are truth and will give you peace. Let My words be your strength and the light along your path.

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When you are in the midst of tragedy, My Spirit in you can shine even more brightly. You have been touched with the difficulty and heartbreak and devastation, so when you can give a smile, a word of hope, or a portion of your time to serve those in desperate need—even when you don’t have all you need personally—it can be a powerful testimony of My love shining through you that can touch and change lives.

As the world grows more skeptical and hard-hearted, times like these are powerful opportunities to be Me to many. Just as I went among the poor, the lame, the sick, and the destitute, you do the same, even in your own loss, when you reach out to the neediest during these times. I’m proud of you for meeting the need, for giving despite your own want, for holding on to Me through the trauma. No matter what you have lost materially, you are still rich in faith, love, wisdom, and rewards in heaven. You shine in the midst of the darkness of these times. I honor you for your love and sacrifice, as you are a living example of My love for these precious people in their time of loss.

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Thank you for letting Me use you to draw people to Me. Thank you for being My eyes and hands and heart and love to the lost and sorrowful and needy. Thank you for reaching out to others through your actions, with your prayers and your love. Thank you for being Me to those who have never seen Me before, and might never see Me if it were not for you.

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When disaster strikes your life and you feel completely devastated emotionally, you can always praise Me for how I will make everything right in heaven. I will wipe away your every tear and repay your every sacrifice. In heaven, life will be perfect; so if all you can do is look ahead to that time and say, “Thank You, Jesus, for how some day You will make this all right again,” that is the heart of praise.

*

Turn your prayers and your efforts toward those who are suffering now, who are traumatized, and who have nothing left. Your prayers will help them find peace, comfort, and the aid that they so desperately need. Your prayers will help alleviate their suffering.

Pray for all those who are volunteering to aid in the relief efforts, the thousands who are trying to do what they can to alleviate the suffering. They are working under much pressure and in very difficult circumstances, seeing the desperate need and not feeling that they can make much difference due to the magnitude of the situation. Pray for their strength and endurance, and that through this experience those who don’t know Me will come to know Me in some way, that they will not harden their hearts, but let the suffering that surrounds them soften their hearts and drive them to Me for the help, strength, endurance, and compassion that they need. So much can be accomplished to help alleviate the suffering through your prayers.

Ask Me to strengthen your faith and your spirit so that you can endure these devastations—whether caused by man or by natural disasters—in a spirit of trust and faith in Me. Always remind yourself of My promises that you are in My hands, no matter what happens.

Keep your hearts firmly attached to Me, your solid Rock, so that no matter what befalls you or the world around you, your faith will remain steadfast. Keep your eyes fixed on My love, heaven, and the wonderful afterlife that awaits you and all who place their hope in Me, and help to impart this hope to the world, so that they too can find peace in Me even in the midst of a storm.

One day I will return and heaven will come to earth. My Word will be fulfilled, and I will be the victor and will conquer the world for My glory. A new day will dawn. Keep your eyes on that heavenly vision! Do not despair during these times of great suffering, but let My light shine brightly through you so that you can offer others the lasting hope and solution of eternal salvation and citizenship in My kingdom.

Published on Anchor July 2019. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.
Music by Michael Dooley.

Worship Where You Are

July 11, 2025

Five Ways We Suffer Well

By Vaneetha Rendall Risner

Few chapters in Scripture have impacted me as much as 2 Chronicles 20. God has met me, often through tears, in this passage—a passage that continues to show me how to respond in crisis. I’ve learned to throw myself on the Lord in trial, to trust him when I can’t see results, and to worship in the midst of seemingly impossible situations. It also contains one of my go-to verses, words I whisper throughout the day when I feel helpless and unsure, in need of wisdom and help.

This passage first came alive to me after my husband left our family and I didn’t know where to turn. A multitude of issues were at my doorstep, and I had no idea how I would survive the onslaught. And years later, with mounting health issues, I repeatedly turned to this passage when I felt desperate. Even now, each time I reread it, I remember God’s faithfulness in trials, which anchors me again on solid rock.

(Read the article here.)

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/worship-where-you-are

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Better Days Ahead—Part 6

July 10, 2025

Fight the Good Fight of Faith

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 19:36

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Following Jesus is not a passive, easy, feel-good hobby. It’s a challenge, a lifestyle, and a calling. We are blessed to know that our lives make a difference as we walk in obedience to God’s Word, doing what we can to witness, be an example of God’s love, and lead others to Jesus. Of course, not every day is an exciting thrill with momentous achievements and victories. Some days are rather humdrum as we go about our daily responsibilities, but what makes all the difference is that we know we’re living for the One who loves us, who died for us, and what we do for Him and others matters. We live in anticipation of one day hearing Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant. … Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23).

The confidence we have in God’s promises and the glorious future we will share with Jesus and all His saved children in heaven is a great motivator! And that’s important because we are fighting a spiritual warfare! We are soldiers of the cross.

1 Timothy 6:12 says: “Fight the good fight of the faith [in the conflict with evil]; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and [for which] you made the good confession [of faith] in the presence of many witnesses.”

There are spiritual forces of evil, Satan and his demons, who oppose God and His children. They are in rebellion against God. They oppose our work of bringing the truth of salvation to the world and seek to pull us away from the Lord and His service. But God reigns over the entire created order, including the forces of evil, and Satan is a defeated foe.

Chuck Lawless explains the spiritual warfare as follows:

We do genuinely wrestle against principalities and powers (Ephesians 6:12), but the devil and his forces have never been outside of God’s control.

Since the Fall in the Garden of Eden, the devil has tried to bait us with false teaching, lure us into sin, and turn us against each other. He does this to keep us from glorifying God and doing the Great Commission. He seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8), so we can no longer be a light to a lost world. The summary I commonly use is that the enemy wants us to mess up (fall into sin), give up (get discouraged), get puffed up (live in arrogance), split up (divide), or shut up (quit evangelizing).

But we are not on the defensive in this battle. … We put on the full armor of God not so we can defend ourselves, but so we can march into the enemy’s kingdom to do the work of the Great Commission.¹

We can take heart that we’re not alone in this battle. Jesus Himself had a face-down with Satan before He began His ministry. What we can learn from reading Jesus’ experience was that He overcame by quoting the truth of God’s Word.

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. And after fasting forty days and forty nights, he was hungry. And the tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.”

But he answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”

Then the devil took him to the holy city and set him on the pinnacle of the temple and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down, for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, lest you strike your foot against a stone.’”

Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘You shall not put the Lord your God to the test.’”

Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their glory. And he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”

Then Jesus said to him, “Be gone, Satan! For it is written, ‘You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.’”

Then the devil left him, and behold, angels came and were ministering to him (Matthew 4:1–11).

We know that a relentless warfare is being waged in this spiritual realm between good and evil, between God and His good forces and Satan and his evil forces, and that we have been called to fight the good fight of faith. The apostle Paul instructed us to be equipped and prepared to enter into the fray, as we go forth to shine the light of God’s truth to the world:

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places (Ephesians 6:10–12, emphasis added).

We all face spiritual and emotional battles of some kind at different times in life—fear of the future, discouragement, discontentment, despair and loss of hope, anger, bitterness, temptation, addictions, arrogance, unbelief, lethargy, disunity with other believers, etc. Perhaps you have had sleepless nights when you’ve felt overwhelmed with concern about finances, or maybe it’s the unexpected medical condition that is weakening you, and you are tempted to doubt God’s goodness and plan for your life. Maybe you worry about the future and who will help take care of you, and you imagine the worst-case scenarios. It’s possible that bitterness is eating away at your heart because of division between you and someone else.

If you are not facing physical enemies, you are surely facing spiritual enemies. Again, it is helpful to remember, especially when you find yourself in the “wilderness,” [that] you have a very real Enemy who seeks to destroy. He is ever prowling around, searching for those he can devour. … He wants nothing more than to tempt you to turn away from God and turn to the world for your answers, or even more, to just give up and give in to sin.²

We will face an ongoing spiritual war throughout our lives—that is the nature of life in this fallen world until Jesus’ return. Jesus prayed: “My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one. They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. … As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world” (John 17:15–18). Not only are we living in a fallen world, but we are sent into it to be His light and salt to bring others to Him!

So, what can we do when we face spiritual battles? We can learn to fight! We can keep going and determine not to quit!

We know that the Devil is not omnipresent as God and Jesus are. He cannot be everywhere, but his evil forces wage war against God’s children. The mind is the great battlefield where spiritual war is waged—the war to influence people’s thoughts and, through their thoughts, their actions.

The Bible instructs us to guard our thoughts and put on the mind of Christ:

Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5).

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth (Colossians 3:2).

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12:2).

To be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace (Romans 8:6).

The carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be (Romans 8:7).

If we’re going to be the strong followers of Jesus that He wants us to be, we must be wholly His, and in order to be wholly His, we must discipline our thoughts and “gird up the loins of our minds” (1 Peter 1:13). That means to be prepared for action and sober-minded as we go about our mission of bringing God’s truth and message of salvation to the world.

Here is some insight from the Lord about our thoughts.

People often consider thoughts to be fleeting and worthless, but yours are so precious to Me that I read each one. My ability to read your every thought may be disconcerting to you. You’re able to interact with other people while keeping your secret thoughts to yourself, but not so with Me! … The fact that I care about every aspect of you—even all your thoughts—demonstrates how important you are to Me.

I know how difficult it is for you to control what courses through your brain. Your mind is a battleground. … You need to stay alert and fight against evil! I fought and died for you, so remember who you are and Whose you are—putting on the helmet of salvation with confidence. This helmet not only protects your mind, it also reminds you of the victory I secured for you on the cross.

Because you are My treasure, I notice and rejoice as soon as your thinking turns My way. The more thoughts you bring to Me, the more you can share in My joy. I disarm evil thoughts and render them powerless. Then I help you think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy things. Ponder these things while resting in the Peace of My Presence.—Jesus³

It’s wonderful to know that Jesus is helping us bring our thoughts into captivity and that by doing so we can enjoy a more intimate relationship with Him.

Earlier in this article we were reminded from Ephesians 6:10–12 that we can “stand strong in the Lord and his mighty power” and that we can “put on the full armor of God,” which will help us overcome the Devil’s attacks as we battle spiritual forces of evil in the world.

Ephesians 6:13–18 is a description of the spiritual armor God gives us. We are to stand firm with the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the gospel of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, the sword of the Spirit, and by praying in the Spirit. …

We are to know the truth, believe the truth, and speak the truth. We are to rest in the fact that we are declared righteous because of Christ’s sacrifice for us. We are to proclaim the gospel no matter how much resistance we face. We are not to waver in our faith, trusting God’s promises no matter how strongly we are attacked. Our ultimate defense is the assurance we have of our salvation, an assurance that no spiritual force can take away. Our offensive weapon is the Word of God, not our own opinions and feelings. And we are to pray in the power and will of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus is our ultimate example of resisting temptation in spiritual warfare. Observe how Jesus handled direct attacks from Satan when He was tempted in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1–11). Each temptation was combatted with the words “it is written.” The Word of the living God is the most powerful weapon against the temptations of the devil. ⁴

The full armor of God—truth, righteousness, the gospel, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer—are the tools God has given us, through which we can be spiritually victorious, overcoming Satan’s attacks and temptations.⁵

In the following message, the Lord encourages us to not become discouraged and lose hope in the midst of this spiritual warfare. He is with us every moment of every day, and He has provided all that we need to be victorious!

You are in a spiritual warfare that is the most important warfare that will ever be waged, for the most righteous cause, for results that are eternal—the salvation of mankind and the preparation of the earth for My kingdom come.

You have an advantage over traditional armies because your victory was prophesied from the beginning of time. Your success is guaranteed and set in heaven, if you continue to fight the good fight, using the spiritual weapons of warfare, determined to carry the day in every battle you face.

If you have the mindset that you are in a war, then regardless of the form that the battles may take, you will not see it as some strange thing that has come upon you (1 Peter 4:12). Instead, you will know that it is a part of the spiritual warfare—and as you face it with the power of My Spirit and using the spiritual weapons of warfare at your disposal, you will overcome, no matter what threat or challenge you face.

Every time you’re hit with a battle, remind yourself, “I am a child of God! I am an enemy of Satan and I’m a threat to his kingdom!” If you take on a battle-ready perspective every day, you won’t be shocked if you run into some resistance at times. As you wield the shield of faith, you will be able to extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one that seek to undermine your faith (Ephesians 6:16).

The formula for overcoming any spiritual battles you face is faith. Trust that I am at the helm. No matter how powerful the waves are that beat against your ship, I’m going to bring you through the storm. Regardless of the circumstances—the size of the waves crashing against your vessel, or your inadequacy to meet the challenges—My will is that every battle you face will somehow work together for your good.

Determine to stand strong in Me and in the power of My might, and having done all, stand your ground (Ephesians 6:10, 13). Determine to run the race that I have set before you, and be not weary in well-doing, knowing that in due season you will see the reward of your faith, if you do not give up (Galatians 6:9).—Jesus

God has given us every spiritual resource we need for this warfare so that we can stand strong and be His witnesses to the world. These include the truth, righteousness, gospel preparation, faith, salvation, the Word of God, and prayer (Ephesians 6:14–18).

As we fight our spiritual battles, I am confident that God will give us boldness and endurance as we put on the whole armor of God. “Fight the good fight of faith, and take hold of the eternal life to which we were called when we made our good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12).

We have the hope of heaven and can count on a glorious future of eternal life. Let’s not lose sight of the goal, the prize! “I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14). God is for us, He is always with us, and He will perfect that which concerns us. So, no matter how difficult, no matter how hot the spiritual battle, no matter how weak or tired we feel, let’s persevere fighting the good fight of faith because, as we do, we are guaranteed to win, by God’s grace and power!

Originally published November 2021. Republished on Anchor July 2025. Read by John Laurence.

¹ Chuck Lawless, “What is spiritual warfare?” NAMB Send Network, April 24, 2017, https://www.namb.net/send-network/resource/spiritual-warfare-what-is-it/

² “Enduring with the Lord’s Help,” Faith Gateway devotional, https://www.faithgateway.com/enduring-with-the-lords-help/#.YQXbyehKiMo

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).

⁴ “What does the Bible say about spiritual warfare?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/spiritual-warfare.html

⁵ “What is the full armor of God?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/full-armor-of-God.html

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Responsibility—A Big Word!

July 9, 2025

By Nina Kole

A verse in Thessalonians says, “If anyone is not willing to work, neither should he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10).

That’s pretty much how it works. Life is full of real consequences, and the sooner we learn to weigh up the consequences of our actions before making decisions, the better off we’ll be.

The consequences of our actions become more serious as we get older and have more responsibility. If we don’t pay our phone bill, the service will be disconnected. If we don’t pay our taxes or take care of other legal obligations, there’s the possibility we could face legal issues. If we don’t service our car, it could break down. Unless we earn the money to pay for things we like, but instead use a credit card, we will end up in debt.

Think of a farmer who wants a good crop. He knows that he has to tend the ground, and plant wisely and care consistently for his fields. He also knows that if he neglects his crops, he’ll end up with little or nothing. He doesn’t sit there blaming the weather, the weeds, the bugs, and whatnot for his lack of harvest. Instead, he gets up each morning and does what needs to be done, knowing that in doing so, he’ll reap the benefits.

The Bible says: “Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?” (Matthew 6:26). I happen to have a tree in my garden that weaver birds regularly make nests in. It’s amazing to watch them at work from my window. They begin with one blade of grass. They fly off, find a long, thin strip of grass and come weave it into place using their beaks before flying off again for another piece. It’s such a tedious process! Yet they create beautiful hanging nests in just a few days.

If you’ve ever watched the old documentary Beautiful People or read anything about weaver birds, you’ll know that once the bird is done with building his nest, he’ll call his mate to check out the finished product. If she is unhappy with it, she’ll knock it down or destroy it, and he’ll start over. The female birds don’t do this to be mean. They know how strong the nest needs to be to protect the baby birds against the wind and rain, and only when it’s done properly will they move in and start their little birdie family.

Let’s look at that Bible verse again. “The birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns.” Absolutely true! Birds are not farmers—they’re also not doctors or lawyers—yet they go about doing the work they need to do, and God takes care of them.

God has provided everything that the weaver bird needs to build its house and feed its young, but it’s ultimately the responsibility of the bird to do the work. God created us with brains and the ability to work, but we have to put those gifts to good use. Like the old saying goes, “God helps those who help themselves.”

I read of a young man who was being interviewed for a job after graduating from high school. He was asked how many places he had previously worked, and he said, “So far I’ve tried four jobs this summer.” When the interviewer asked why he quit them, he said, “They didn’t give me enough time to party with my friends.” Needless to say, he didn’t get that job. But hopefully he learned that responsibility is about knowing priorities and keeping things in their place.

All throughout history, accomplished people made their way through extremely difficult circumstances, pushing through incredible disadvantages and obstacles in order to succeed in life. People like Benjamin Franklin. His parents could only afford to keep him in school till age ten, so he pursued educating himself through reading. He later invented the lightning rod and bifocals and became one of the founding fathers of America.

A more recent example is Jim Carrey, who revealed to James Lipton on “Inside the Actors Studio” that when he was 15 he had to drop out of school to support his family. His father was an unemployed musician, and as the family went from “lower-middle class to poor,” they eventually had to start living in their van. He didn’t let that become an excuse to give up on his dream of working in comedy. He got his dad to drive him to small-time clubs. He did the best he could with what he had till he slowly went on to bigger and better things, and he eventually became one of the best-known comedic actors, starring in blockbusters.

Stevie Wonder has received 25 Grammy Awards in his career as a musician—the most ever received by a solo male recording artist. He has been blind since birth! I admire people like him who don’t let challenging circumstances stop them. No one would have blamed Stevie if he had said things were too hard or too difficult; but having a “good excuse” won’t make your life better. Realizing this and changing your view on excuses will put you way ahead.

The first two people, Adam and Eve, suddenly started making excuses right after eating the fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. According to Genesis, they had been living their lives without clothes for their whole existence, but they suddenly realized that they were naked and became afraid and didn’t come out of hiding when God called them. When God asked Adam if he ate the fruit, he answered, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I ate.” Maybe he was hoping that by him blaming his wife, God would change the consequences of his actions. Eve jumped right on the excuse bandwagon, saying, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate” (Genesis 3).

What they said was true. They really had been deceived, and the serpent did trick Eve, and Eve did persuade Adam. However, the most important point is that no matter how or why they did the wrong thing, they chose to do it, and so they had to face the consequences. That’s why stepping away from excuses, however valid they might seem, and instead judging our actions by the consequences keeps us focused on the right path forward.

Lorii Myers wisely said, “The power behind taking responsibility for your actions lies in putting an end to negative thought patterns. You no longer dwell on what went wrong or focus on who you are going to blame. You don’t waste time building roadblocks to your success. Instead, you are set free and can now focus on succeeding.”

Let’s let go of excuses and negative thought patterns and stop blaming others, and instead, let’s focus on God’s plan for our life and doing our part to make it happen.

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

You Did It to Me

July 8, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 11:06

Download Audio (10.1MB)

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.

Then the King will say to those on his right, “Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.”

Then the righteous will answer him, saying, “Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?”

And the King will answer them, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.”—Matthew 25:31–40

*

In the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats, we are looking at man redeemed and saved, and man condemned and lost. A casual reading seems to suggest that salvation is the result of good works. The “sheep” acted charitably, giving food, drink, and clothing to the needy. The “goats” showed no charity. This seems to result in salvation for the sheep and damnation for the goats.

However, Scripture does not contradict itself, and the Bible clearly and repeatedly teaches that salvation is by faith through the grace of God and not by our good works.¹

The good works mentioned in the parable are not the cause of salvation but the effect of salvation. As Christians we become like Christ.² Galatians 5:22 tells us that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self-control. Good works in a Christian’s life are the direct overflow of these traits, and are only acceptable to God because of the relationship that exists between servant and Master, the saved and their Savior, the sheep and their Shepherd.³

The core message of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats is that God’s people will love others. Good works will result from our relationship to the Shepherd. Followers of Christ will treat others with kindness, serving them as if they were serving Christ Himself.—GotQuestions.org⁴

*

My life took an unexpected turn in 2006, when I received an email asking me if I would come to the U.S. right away to help with the care of my son’s six-month-old baby boy. With the help of friends and family, I was able to make the transatlantic trip within a week. I soon found myself fully absorbed in taking care of my darling little grandson 24/7, as well as helping my son.

One night, a little over a month later, weary and tired after yet another long day of juggling the care of the baby, phone calls, and running other errands, I sank into bed with tears in my eyes. I thought of all the plans I’d had and all I would be missing back “home” in the Middle East, where I’d worked for the past nine-plus years. I felt a little resentful, and I remembered a comment someone made to me earlier that week when they asked me, “Aren’t you trying to do too much and taking too much on yourself?”

I was starting to wonder that myself, and I felt tempted to tell my son that I also had my life to think about. But I knew that if I were to bail out of the situation even partially, it would leave my son in a very difficult spot and my little grandson without the care he needed. No, I could never do that. I whispered another prayer for help and strength. I asked God to help me cast my cares on Him (1 Peter 5:7) and to fulfill His promise that as my days, so would my strength be (Deuteronomy 33:25).

Then, as clearly as if He stood next to me, I heard His voice, “Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Tears filled my eyes as I recalled the passage in the Gospel of Matthew where Jesus described in detail the things that we will be judged on when we stand before His throne. What’s really important is what we’ve done to help those who are in need, those who are hungry or thirsty, lost or lonely, sick or in prison. All my concerns and selfish desires suddenly seemed so petty, and I felt ashamed for feeling like giving up.

Jesus left His home to help and save us, when we were down and out. It cost Him everything, and I imagine that He also felt like giving up at some point, weary with the strain of it all, but He didn’t. He went the distance. He went all the way to the cross for us and saw things through to the end.

“Thank You, Lord,” I whispered. “My strength is small, but please help me to follow Your example and to persevere in showing Your love to my loved ones and to those that cross my path. Thank You for giving me the opportunity to go the distance for You.”—Lilia Potters

*

One day Mother Teresa took a woman off the streets in Calcutta. She had sores infested with bugs. Mother Teresa cleaned and dressed her sores while the woman never stopped shrieking and even using swear words and insults.

Finally, the woman asked Mother Teresa, “Sister, why do you do this? Not everyone behaves like you. Who taught you?” Mother Teresa replied, “My God taught me.” The woman said she wanted to know her God.

Mother Teresa kissed her on the forehead and said, “You know my God. My God is called love.”—Tommy Lane⁵

*

Before you go to sleep tonight, think about My love for you. If you count your blessings, you’ll see how I have blessed you in so many ways. Each of these is a token of My love for you personally.

I ask that you also think about how much love you have given. What did you do today to show love to others, so they too could be touched by My love? Remember that I use your voice and your loving actions to touch people’s hearts and draw them to Me.

“Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me” (Matthew 25:40).

Every time you follow the leading of your heart, that little nudge I give you when I put an opportunity to show love to others, I repay you. You cannot give love without receiving a touch of My love in return. “Give, and it will be given to you” (Luke 6:38).—Jesus

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ See John 1:12; Acts 15:11; Romans 3:22–24; Romans 4:4–8; Romans 7:24–25; Romans 8:12; Galatians 3:6–9; and Ephesians 2:8–10.

² See Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18; and Colossians 2:6–7.

³ See Ephesians 2:10.

⁴ “What is the meaning of the Parable of the Sheep and Goats?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/parable-sheep-goats.html

⁵ https://www.frtommylane.com/stories/God/love/my_god_is_called_love.htm

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Power of Positive Speaking

July 7, 2025

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 6:49

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I’m going to talk to you for a few moments on the power of positive speaking. In Numbers 21 there is an account of how God sent fiery serpents among the people because they murmured, and God’s Word tells us of how there were times in the Old Testament when God chastised the people because they murmured.

I visited a home recently where there was a pitiful invalid who was bound to a wheelchair due to her crippled condition. We had a long talk about God—His love, His promises, and His willingness to fulfill those promises. And during our conversation I watched for some indication that her spirit was receiving what I was saying regarding faith and God’s faithfulness. But evidently her mind was just on her suffering, for every once in a while, she would interject something about her condition, about the symptoms of the disease, and about how it was slowly taking her life. She said that she’d be tied to that wheelchair until she died, as she was just getting worse and worse.

I have rarely tried so hard to get someone to speak a little word of praise or hope or faith! But unfortunately, it was to no avail. There were only complaints. Eventually, after I read God’s Word to her, she opened her heart, and out of her lips flowed such bitterness and resentment! As I sat listening to this tirade of anger, my mind went back to years ago before this awful disease had taken hold of her, and I recalled how that even then she was complaining, worrying, and negative in nearly everything she said. It’s tragic!

When I was talking to her, I kept thinking about the great power of positive speaking, when we speak God’s Word in a positive way and say, “God said it and I believe it!” I am certainly not furthering the repeating of empty jargon or vain repetitions. I mean that when you say, “This is the Word of the almighty God and it cannot fail. I can depend on it.” And, as I so often say, “It’s so because God said so.” Then you’ll know the power that’s in the Word of God!

It is the Word of God, and it cannot fail! Put your finger on a verse right now, a promise, and say, “This is the Word of God, and it is so because God said so.” Now, do I believe that such a positive attitude can affect the physical condition? Yes. And I also believe that such negative speaking can also affect the physical condition.

I will read to you from God’s Word: “Whoso keepeth his tongue keepeth his soul from trouble” (Proverbs 21:23), and “He that would see long life and many days, let him keep his tongue from evil, his lips from speaking guile” (Psalm 34:12–13). And this verse is a favorite of mine: “Life and death are in the tongue” (Proverbs 18:21). Yes, God is saying death can be in your tongue! I do personally believe that the results of negative speaking can go right down into your physical being. I don’t know how, I can’t logically explain it, but I’ve seen it happen many times.

But I do know that positive speaking regarding God and His Word and what He can do for you does quicken the mortal body. Just recently I was with a lovely character, and she recognized the absolute truthfulness of God’s Word. After there was a prayer for her to be healed, as she had asked for that, I asked her, “Now can you say, ‘By his stripes I am healed’? God’s Word says, ‘He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him, and by his stripes we are healed’ (Isaiah 53:5). Can you make this positive statement because you believe His Word, ‘By His stripes I am healed’?”

She said, “Oh yes. God said it, and it’s true! By His stripes I am healed!” And her face brightened up and she began to quote other promises from the Bible in this positive, personal manner. Was she healed? Yes, she was healed.

Meditate on these verses: “God is not a man, that he should lie, neither the son of man, that he should repent: Hath he said it, and shall he not also do it? Or hath he spoken it, and shall he not make it good?” (Numbers 23:19). Isn’t that a wonderful promise?! First Kings 8:56 says, “There hath not failed one word of all his good promises.” And Psalm 89:33 says: “He will not suffer his faithfulness to fail.”

He says to everyone, “I will not fail you.” So, you can make a positive declaration and say, “He will not fail me. He will not suffer His faithfulness to me to fail.” God grant that His Word will have a preeminent place in your life. When you are obedient to God’s Word, His blessings will be poured out. When you yield yourself to His Word, He will guide your life daily, and faith will spring up and there will be praise in your heart.

Will you accept the comfort of these scriptures and believe that in Christ you can have supply for every need of your soul and body? Will you look to Him and repeat the wonderful promises in His Word, and say, “It’s for me!” Positively claim God’s Word in His precious name, by His power. Amen.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Debra Lee.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

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

The Coming of the Son of Man

Peter Amsterdam

2024-08-19

In the first half of Matthew 24, Jesus predicted the destruction of the Jewish temple and told of the tribulation that would come upon the people of Judea when the Romans would destroy the temple and the city of Jerusalem (Matthew 24:21–22).

Jesus then proceeded to instruct His disciples about His future return, saying, “As the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:27). This verse makes it clear that His return would not be a secret event; rather, the coming of the Son of Man will be as clear as a flash of lighting which lights up the sky, and everyone will see it.

Jesus went on to say, “Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken” (Matthew 24:29).

Jesus’ words in this verse are closely modeled in this (and other) Old Testament passages. “Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light” (Isaiah 13:9–10).

Jesus proceeds to say, “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” (Matthew 24:30).

Matthew’s Gospel notes the effect that the Son of Man’s coming will have on the people of the earth—they will mourn. His return will not be met with joy by all. People will recognize that Jesus’ return changes everything and will put an end to life as they have known it. His return will be different from the first time He came to earth when He was born as a child. This time, He will come with power and great glory, a phrase which refers to the majestic appearance of a king.

“He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other” (Matthew 24:31). The appearance of the King brings about the gathering together of those who are His, those who have received Him and believed in Him. The gathering of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, makes the point that no believer will be left behind, none will be missing.

The sending of His angels with a loud trumpet is also mentioned by the apostle Paul: “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” (1 Corinthians 15:51–52).

Jesus goes on to say, “From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates” (Matthew 24:32–33). As the appearance of the fig tree’s new shoots is indicative of the coming of summer, in like manner, when believers see the events Jesus has spoken of make their appearance, such as those described in verse 29, they are to understand that His return is near.

“Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place” (Matthew 24:34). While a variety of interpretations have been made by Bible commentators as to who “this generation” is, it is clear that Jesus is referring here to the generation that will be alive at the time of His return.

“Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away” (Matthew 24:35). While heaven and earth have lasted through the lifetimes of generation after generation, they will eventually pass away; but, in contrast, Jesus’ words will last forever. What He has said will be fulfilled with all certainty.

Jesus went on to say, “Concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only” (Matthew 24:36). Throughout history there have been many predictions of when Jesus was going to return. None of them proved to be true, which makes perfect sense, since Jesus made it clear that the time of His return is unknown to anyone but the Father. Some may wonder how Jesus couldn’t know the day nor hour when heaven and earth will pass away when He, like the Father, is God. This is a mystery that has to do with the inner workings of the Trinity, which is beyond our knowing (Isaiah 55:8–9).

Jesus continues in Matthew 24 to say, “As were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man” (Matthew 24:37–39).

We are told here that Jesus’ return will be sudden and without warning. Those who are alive when it happens will be carrying on with the normal affairs of daily life. “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left. Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left” (Matthew 24:40–41).

These examples of people going about their daily lives and work at the time of Jesus’ return express the importance of being ready. In both examples there is a division, a separation, between the people. Those who have made the choice to believe in Christ will be with Him forever, while those who make the conscious decision to reject Him and to live without God will find that their choice will be respected, resulting in their permanent separation from Him.

“Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24:42). As it is certain that Jesus will return, He calls His followers to live in a state of constant readiness for that time, whenever it may be. “Know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into” (Matthew 24:43).

This illustration is used throughout the New Testament to make it clear that Jesus will return unexpectedly and that believers—including present-day Christians—should live in a state of readiness. The Apostle Paul, for example, wrote: “You yourselves are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. … But you are not in darkness, brothers, for that day to surprise you like a thief” (1 Thessalonians 5:2–4).

Jesus continued with “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes. Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions” (Matthew 24:45–47).

Jesus turns from the topic of watchfulness to tell the parable of the faithful and wise servant. In a household with numerous servants, one of them is placed in a position of responsibility by the householder to, among other things, ensure that his household is fed. This servant does his job diligently. He doesn’t know when the householder is going to return, but that doesn’t matter to him; he is focused on being faithful in his work. When the master returns, the servant will be blessed, and the master will reward him by putting him in charge of all that he owns.

The reward for faithful service is the opportunity of serving in a position of even greater responsibility, which is then contrasted to the wicked servant. “But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’ and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards …” (Matthew 24:48–49).

There is another possible outcome, as Jesus pointed out by presenting a hypothetical case of that wicked servant. This servant lacks the moral strength of the first servant. With the master away, he knows that he will not have to answer to anyone for some time, and he sees it as an opportunity to be selfishly irresponsible. His true character is exposed, as he uses his temporary authority to beat his fellow servants, and eat and drink with drunkards.

“The master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth” (Matthew 24:50–51). “Gnashing of teeth” is a phrase found a number of times in the Gospel of Matthew; it represents the pain, distress, anguish, and suffering of those who pass on without having a saving relationship with God. The wicked servant lost sight of the fact that his master would return, and he would be called to account for his deeds.

The fact that the master was away for longer than the servant expected didn’t mean that he was never coming back. Likewise, though the Son of Man’s return may seem delayed, it doesn’t mean that He isn’t coming back. As Jesus said earlier in this chapter, “You also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).

Since Jesus’ ascension into heaven, believers have been waiting for His return. For two millennia, Christians have lived their lives, passed on from this world, and gone to be with the Lord. At the time of Jesus’ return, those who are alive on earth will experience His second coming, and in 1 Thessalonians we are told that those who have already passed on will return with Jesus (1 Thessalonians 4:14).

While Jesus’ return is an important part of the Christian faith, we, like all the Christians who have gone before us, may not be on this earth when it happens. Therefore, although the events leading up to His return are important, how we live our lives during the time we have on earth is even more important. We are called to love others, to share the gospel, to do our best to live the teachings of Jesus and to draw others to Him through our actions. May we all strive to follow the example of the One who gave His life for us.

Originally published March 2021. Adapted and republished August 2024. Read by Jerry Paladino.

Why Does God Do Nothing?

July 4, 2025

By Timothy Keller

Habakkuk is a short book in the Old Testament, and we know almost nothing about Habakkuk himself. But this book is very contemporary in its application, as it talks about how to handle evil times in life, whether those are society-wide or personal. Tim Keller takes us through the struggles Habakkuk faced due to the evils of his time, and how he wrestled with God and yet remained faithful. He demonstrates how the times Habakkuk was living through were preparing the way for the coming of Christ and how they provide encouragement for us to trust that God has a reason for everything we experience in life.

Run time for this podcast is 38 minutes.

https://youtu.be/tNnXM-7Mf2k?si=TuDr4ept95Jmqltc

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Cultivating a Vibrant Prayer Life

July 3, 2025

Treasures

Audio length: 12:39

Download Audio (11.5MB)

Prayer is a central part of a Christian’s relationship with God, as it is our main means of communicating directly with Him. During His time on earth, Jesus set an example of prayer; we read in the Bible that He prayed often: “Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). If Jesus—the Son of God—communed often with the Father, it stands to reason that we need to do so as well.

God seeks a personal relationship with each of us, and He wants it to be the deepest, most meaningful part of our lives. Through prayer, a wonderful new dimension is added to all that we do—the dimension of His loving presence in our lives. Like any deep and lasting friendship, our relationship with God is strengthened and grows through our frequent, honest, open communication. That’s what prayer is all about: communicating heart-to-heart with the Lord.

Prayer can take on many forms. As Christians, we are called to pray to Him personally, to pray with others, to intercede for others in prayer, and to pray without ceasing. We can talk to Him just as we would to a good friend. We can talk to Him aloud or in our mind. We can tell Him what’s on our heart. We can pray a written prayer, such as the “Our Father” prayer that Jesus taught His disciples to pray (Matthew 6:9–13).

In the Bible, prayer is described as pouring out one’s soul to the Lord (1 Samuel 1:15), crying out to heaven (2 Chronicles 32:20), drawing near to God (James 4:8), and kneeling before the Father (Ephesians 3:14). We can pray anywhere at any time. We can pray kneeling, sitting, or standing. Prayer can be formal or informal. You don’t have to be in a church or any special place to pray. We can gather with other Christians to pray, we can pray with family and friends, and we can pray when we are alone. Prayer connects our heart with God’s heart, regardless of our surroundings.

Many people associate prayer with asking God for things, but prayer is first and foremost our intimate communion with God. It starts with worship and acknowledgment of who God is, His love and care for us as His creations, and His wonderful blessings and provision of all that is good. In the book of Acts, we read these resounding words from the Apostle Paul, “The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:24–25).

We approach God, our creator and the ruler of the universe, in an attitude of reverence and deep love and gratitude for His love, mercy, and salvation—His unmerited favor (Ephesians 2:8–9).

When Jesus prays in the Gospels, He addresses God as “Father,” and He taught His followers to do so as well. Addressing God as Abba (Father) represents the personal relationship we are privileged to have with God because of the gift of salvation (John 1:12). As the sons and daughters of God, we pray to God our Father. “And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, ‘Abba! Father!’” (Galatians 4:6–7).

The Bible refers to prayer not only as an activity but as a lifestyle, which is often connected with joy. We are told to “rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16–18). We are not called to be thankful for every circumstance and situation we face, but to be thankful in every circumstance, as we commit each one to God. “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2), and “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Romans 12:12).

God wants you to tell Him all your desires and needs, and to share all your concerns with Him. In Philippians we read, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6). You can take time in prayer to tell the Lord that you love Him and how thankful you are for all the good things He sends your way. You can share your hopes and desires, problems and questions with Him, and He will give you strength, inspiration, reassurance, and the guidance you need.

God also wants to communicate with you, to provide encouragement, guidance, comfort, and strength to meet life’s challenges with faith. He will speak to you through His written Word in the Bible, and His “still, small voice” speaks to your heart as you seek Him in prayer (1 Kings 19:12). As you study His Word, His Spirit can reveal to you how to apply what you are reading to yourself and the situations around you and in the world. “The Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, he will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you” (John 14:26).

We may not always see the answer to our prayers immediately or in the way we expected it, but we can be confident that He always hears us. “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of him” (1 John 5:14–15).

Why prayer matters

There are many benefits to spending time with the Lord and cultivating a vibrant prayer life. Prayer brings peace to our lives, as we place everything that concerns us into His hands, with “prayer and supplication with thanksgiving.” As we do so, we experience His peace: “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6–7).

Prayer changes things, starting with ourselves. Our faith grows through prayer. Time spent in quiet reflection and communion with God builds our faith and inner strength that will help us to navigate through life’s toughest times. “On the day I called, you answered me; my strength of soul you increased” (Psalm 138:3). Once you have committed a matter to God in prayer, you can then have the assurance that He will take care of it in accordance with His will.

Through prayer, you will find rest and renewal when your spirit is sagging and your mind is troubled. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28–29).

You will find comfort in times of sadness and grief, reassurance when you’re down and out, and courage to go on when you think you cannot continue onward. “Let us then approach God’s 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 will guide you through the maze of life. He will help you know what to do when you face problems and tough decisions. He has promised to instruct you, establish your thoughts, and guide your steps. “In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:6). “Your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, ‘This is the way, walk in it,’ when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left” (Isaiah 30:21).

When we pray and confess our sins, we receive forgiveness for wrongdoing. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Through prayer we bring our petitions to God and trust in Him to provide according to His good will and purposes: “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8). We can claim God’s promises of supply for our needs. “My God will meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

On the wings of prayer our burdens take flight
And our load of care becomes bearably light
And our heavy hearts are lifted above
To be healed by the balm of God’s wonderful love,
And the tears in our eyes are dried by the hands
Of a loving Father who understands
All of our problems, our fears and despair,
When we take them to Him on the wings of prayer.
—Helen Steiner Rice

Prayer for others

The Bible also teaches us to intercede in prayer for others. Jesus set the example in John 17, as He prayed to the Father for His disciples. In 1 Timothy 2:1, Paul implores that “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people.” We should never underestimate the importance of praying for others, as “the earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results” (James 5:16).

The Lord often uses people as His agents on earth, so it could well be that He also wants to use us to play a role in bringing about the answer to prayers for the situation. Our prayers for others show our concern for them and their well-being, and this positions us to better understand His loving plan for their lives and how we can play a role in helping to bring it to pass. When we pray for someone who is sick, for example, He may guide us to help to strengthen their faith and help cause their relationship with Him to blossom.

God needs our service, and He wants to use us as one of His instruments to help accomplish His will “on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10)—both through our prayers and our lives and actions. He especially needs us to point others to Him and share the good news of His love and salvation by being an example of His loving ways to them. Our service to Him starts with our personal relationship with Him and communion with Him.

The Lord desires loving fellowship and heart-to-heart communication with His children, and He wants to have first place in our hearts and lives. He loves us and is eager to communicate with us. As we spend time with Him in prayer, He works in our hearts and lives and transforms us through His Spirit to become more like Him. “We all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18).

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

If I Only Had…

July 2, 2025

By Curtis Peter van Gorder

One aspect that those of us in our golden years¹ have in common is that we often find ourselves rewinding our life and reviewing and imagining where we would be now if we had taken another road when we were younger. In high school I memorized a poem by Robert Frost along these lines, called “The Road Not Taken.”

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.

In English grammar, we use the third conditional to talk about an unreal past. It describes events that did not happen and the unreal result. It can be used to analyze mistakes, as in: If I had checked my pants, I wouldn’t have lost my wallet. Or it can express gratitude for present circumstances, as in: If I hadn’t spilled soup on you, we never would have met and gotten married. Basically, it is a “What if?” It’s something that I believe many of us do in our twilight years.

I am reminded of the story of a prisoner convicted of murder who spent the night before his execution scrawling on his cell walls, “If I only had.” I imagine him thinking something like, What if I had just walked away from that argument instead of fighting? How sad to contemplate what could have been and never was. We all have some of those feelings of remorse about what we should have done—the could’ve, should’ve, would’ve scenarios. On the bright side, as we look back, we can also see a lot of right choices we made and the fruit it has borne as well.

Recently, I had a “what if” experience during a visit to the Berlin photography museum. I was viewing the fashion polaroids of Helmut Newton and the Dadaist images from Man Ray and others. There was also a video playing with a dancer espousing the same philosophy and using the exact same terminology that I used back then and thought was so original. It was like the Lord asked me, “Your photos could be on these walls now if you hadn’t chosen to follow Me. Are you glad you did?”

In that moment I weighed my life spent as a missionary in nine countries—all the people I have met and the amazing miracles I have experienced—against the fleeting glory of fame. In my youth, I was deeply involved in creating art photography and won a scholarship for a summer program to develop my skills along these lines. I studied photographic illustration at one of the leading photographic schools² and befriended several successful photographers there, one of whom visited the home of my family with the intention of inviting me to work with his prominent ad agency. By then I was on the mission field, so we never met. Who knows how things would have ended up had I taken that fork in the road?

In choosing a career, I had to choose between the security of a nine-to-five job and serving the Lord. I chose Jesus and mission work, and I can honestly say that I am glad I did. As the sign declares that I saw while visiting the Pandita Ramabai³ Mukti Mission in India: “A life totally committed to God has nothing to fear, nothing to lose, and nothing to regret.”

I’m glad I didn’t chase after fickle, fleeting fame. They say the crème de la crème of today is the sour cheese of tomorrow. Or as one famous rock musician said, “I sought fame my whole life, but when I climbed the ladder to success and got to the top and opened the door, it was just an empty room.”

I visited my mother in her final years and asked her if she had any regrets. She told me much about her life—her dreams both fulfilled and unfulfilled. She continued on, waxing poetic, “If I could, I would find more country lanes, bake cookies, plant more spring bulbs, swim at dusk, walk in the rain, dance under the stars, walk the Great Wall, wade along the sand shores, pick up seashells and glass, glide through fjords of northern lands, sing country ballads, read more books, erase dismal thoughts, dream up a fantasy.”

I asked her if there was anything she’d like to pass on to her progeny. She told me, “Stop waiting to live until your car is paid off, until you get a new home, until your kids leave the house, until you go back to school, until you finish this or that, until you lose ten pounds.

“Pray for what you wish, for God loves to answer, because answered prayer deepens faith and adds glory to His name. Savor the moment. Savor your walking and talking with friends, the smiles of little children. Savor the dazzling light of morning, God’s great earth, rolling hills, the birds, the blooms, the diamond dewdrops glittering on a crab apple tree—all the wonders from His hand.”

In our senior years we think a lot about the legacy that we will leave. In my dad’s final years, he told me, “Son, when you look up into the clouds, think of me.” I responded, “Dad, I don’t need clouds to remember you! You are a big part of who I am today.”

I thought about what my legacy will be. Perhaps when people think of me, they will see a life lived to the full, with all its imperfections, in service to the Lord and others.

When my daughter moved into her new home, I gifted her a peach tree. Now, years later, it is bearing luscious fruit in abundance. In spring its lavish blossoms are a joy to behold. I would like to think that my legacy will be like that fruit tree. I was inspired to write this haiku⁴:

The seed I planted
is now a spreading peach tree
giving fruit and joy!

¹ The term “the golden years” was coined by an advertising company for a retirement community in 1959. The phrase referred to retirement options for leisure and relaxation, which is the reward for years of hard work. Today, the Third Age is considered by many to be the “golden years” of adulthood, which is generally defined as the span of time between retirement and the beginning of age-imposed physical, emotional, and cognitive limitations. The golden years are the late years in someone’s life, normally after age 65.

² Rochester Institute of Technology in Photographic Illustration

³ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pandita_Ramabai

⁴ haiku, unrhymed poetic form consisting of 17 syllables arranged in three lines of 5, 7, and 5 syllables respectively. The haiku first emerged in Japanese literature during the 17th century, as a terse reaction to elaborate poetic traditions, though it did not become known by the name haiku until the 19th century (https://www.britannica.com/art/haiku).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Love and Compassion of Jesus

July 1, 2025

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It was a hard day. I was crying and wondering if God really cared. But then a memory popped into my head about a woman in the Bible who felt about as low as a woman could feel.

She was a widow, which was sad enough. But then the unthinkable happened: Her only son died as well. You can’t get much lower than that, especially in a culture where women had few options for supporting themselves. Family and financial support—all gone. Heartbroken and soul-sick—all seemed lost.

“A funeral procession was coming out as [Jesus] approached the village gate. The young man who had died was a widow’s only son, and a large crowd from the village was with her” (Luke 7:12).

She walked in a funeral procession with her tears sprinkling the dusty ground under her feet. Grief moved one foot in front of the other.

Just as the funeral procession walked out of the city gate, Jesus walked in. Here’s what happened next:

“When the Lord saw her, his heart overflowed with compassion. ‘Don’t cry!’ he said. Then he walked over to the coffin and touched it, and the bearers stopped. ‘Young man,’ he said, ‘I tell you, get up.’ Then the dead boy sat up and began to talk! And Jesus gave him back to his mother” (Luke 7:13–15).

Yes, it was a miracle that Jesus brought the boy back to life, but you know what amazes me even more? The compassion Jesus felt for the grieving momma. When Jesus saw her, His heart overflowed with compassion. He saw her. He sees you.

While we don’t know all Jesus’ intentions with this miracle, we do know it was borne in part out of divine distress for a momma’s broken heart. Her tears moved Him emotionally and physically. “‘Don’t cry!’ he said” (Luke 7:13). Jesus was and is a compassionate dryer of a woman’s tears.

I love that the story begins with a woman walking out of the city gate and Jesus walking in. Simply put, their paths crossed. Coincidence? Not a chance.

Most likely, in her grief, she didn’t even notice Jesus and probably didn’t even know who He was. But He noticed her. And He notices you and me too.

She didn’t ask for a miracle. She didn’t expect a thing. There’s no mention of her great faith or even a trace of hope for anything to change. Jesus simply saw the grieving momma and, filled with compassion, dried her tears and reversed the reason for them.

We might get so busy we fail to recognize Jesus walking alongside us or crossing paths with us. But know this: He always notices you, cares about you, and is ready to dry your tears.

Dear Lord, thank You for caring about me. I look forward to heaven, where there will be no more tears. Until then, it warms my heart to know You are a God of compassion who dries my tears. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Sharon Jaynes¹

*

The Hebrew and Greek words translated “compassion” in the Bible mean “to have mercy, to feel sympathy and to have pity.” We know that, according to the Bible, God is “a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness” (Psalm 86:15). Like all of God’s attributes, His compassion is infinite and eternal. His compassions never fail; they are new every morning (Lamentations 3:22–23).

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, exemplified all of the Father’s attributes, including His compassion. When Jesus saw His friends weeping at the grave of Lazarus, He felt compassion for them and wept alongside them (John 11:33–35). Moved with compassion for the suffering of others, Jesus healed the large crowds who came to Him (Matthew 14:14), as well as individuals who sought His healing (Mark 1:40–41). … The priests and scribes were proud and corrupt; they despised the common people and neglected them, but Jesus had compassion on them, and He taught and loved them.

When asked what was the greatest commandment, Jesus responded that it is to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength. But He added that the second commandment “is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself’” (Matthew 22:34–40). … The Bible is clear that compassion is an attribute of God and of God’s people as well.—GotQuestions.org²

*

Beloved, My compassions never fail. They are new every morning. So you can begin each day confidently, knowing that My vast reservoir of blessings is full to the brim. This knowledge helps you wait for Me, entrusting your long-unanswered prayers into My care and keeping. I assure you that not one of those petitions has slipped past Me unnoticed. I want you to drink deeply from My fountains of limitless Love and unfailing compassion. As you wait in My Presence, these divine nutrients are freely available to you.

Although many of your prayers are not yet answered, you can find hope in My great faithfulness. I keep all My promises in My perfect way and timing. I have promised to give you Peace that can displace the trouble and fear in your heart. If you become weary of waiting, remember that I also wait—that I may be gracious to you and have mercy on you. I hold back until you’re ready to receive the things I have lovingly prepared for you. Blessed are all those who wait for Me.—Jesus³

*

It is interesting to think of the new era of love which Jesus opened. Of course there was gentleness in the world before He came. There was mother-love. There was friendship, deep, true, and tender. There were lovers who were bound together with most sacred ties.

Yet the world at large was full of cruelty. The rich oppressed the poor. The strong crushed the weak. Women were slaves, and men were tyrants. There was no hand of love reached out to help the sick, the lame, the blind, the old, the deformed, the insane, nor any to care for the widow, the orphan, the homeless.

Then Jesus came; and for three and thirty years He went about among men, doing kind things. He had a gentle heart, and gentleness flowed out in His speech. He spoke words which throbbed with tenderness. … There was never any uncertainty about the heartbeat in the words which fell from the lips of Jesus. They throbbed with sympathy and tenderness. The people knew always that Jesus was their friend. His life was full of rich helpfulness. No wrong or cruelty ever made Him ungentle. He scattered kindness wherever He moved.

One day they nailed those gentle hands upon a cross. … It was a sore loss to the poor and the sad, and there must have been grief in many a household. But while the personal ministry of Jesus was ended by His death, the influence of His life went on. He had set the world a new example of love. He had taught lessons of patience and meekness, which no other teacher has ever given. He had imparted new meaning to human affection; He made love the law of His kingdom.

Wherever the gospel has gone, these sayings of the great Teacher have been carried and have fallen into people’s hearts, leaving there their blessings of gentleness [and love].—J. R. Miller

*

Christ has no body now on earth but yours,
No hands but yours,
No feet but yours.
Yours are the eyes through which to look out,
Christ’s compassion to the world.
Yours are the feet with which He is to go about doing good;
Yours are the hands with which He is to bless men now.
—Teresa of Ávila

*

Let’s let God’s love shine through us and be manifested in more forgiveness, understanding, communication, support, sympathy, affection, and practical, loving, caring action!

Let’s give of our time. Let’s be a listening ear. Let’s open our hearts and lives to others. Let’s be swift to forgive and forget. Let’s do our best to be our brother’s keeper. Let’s not hold back the simple affection that so wonderfully communicates His love.

Let’s try with all our hearts to set a good example. Let’s be a strong shoulder to lean on. Let’s not jump to conclusions or judge unfairly, but instead give the benefit of the doubt to those who are struggling. Let’s bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill God’s supreme law: love. Let’s all strive to be examples of God’s unconditional love and compassion.—Maria Fontaine

Published on Anchor July 2025. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by John Listen.

¹ Sharon Jaynes, “Jesus Sees a Woman’s Tears,” Proverbs 31, July 3, 2024, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2024/07/03/jesus-sees-a-womans-tears

² “What does the Bible say about compassion?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-compassion.html

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Always (Thomas Nelson, 2017).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

1 Corinthians: Chapter 11 (verses 17–34)

By Peter Amsterdam

June 17, 2025

In the second half of chapter 11, Paul addresses another issue pertaining to corporate worship, in this case regarding the Corinthians’ practice of the Lord’s Supper.

But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse (1 Corinthians 11:17).

Previously Paul had begun with words of praise, but now he says I do not commend you. He has no praise for them. His rebuke of the Corinthians on this issue was centered on practices relating to their meetings and public worship. Paul didn’t condemn them totally, as he had praised them earlier for holding to many of his teachings about worship (1 Corinthians 11:2). However, his assessment in this instance was that the harm of their worship times outweighed the good.

What practices would produce such condemnation? The Corinthians were corrupting one of the most sacred events in Christian worship: the Lord’s Supper. They had not given due regard to the honor of Christ, nor had they honored one another in the celebration of the Lord’s Supper.

For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you. And I believe it in part, (1 Corinthians 11:18)

Paul began his argument with in the first place; however, he never moved on to the second or third matter. This should be understood to mean the most important way this is true is. He also added the words I hear. Paul didn’t say who his source was, but earlier in this epistle he said that Chloe’s household had informed him of similar matters (1 Corinthians 1:10–12). Though he couldn’t be sure, Paul knew the church well enough that he believed the reports were true at least to some extent.

Paul had already addressed the issue of divisions among the Corinthians in chapters 1–4. Here, his criticism focused on the division that existed when the Corinthians came together as a church. Paul’s main concern was that such divisions damaged public worship.

for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized (1 Corinthians 11:19).

There are two different interpretations of this verse. In one interpretation, some divisions may be necessary because the church contains both true believers and some false professors. In this view, Paul agrees that it is sometimes necessary for the true believers to establish differences from the false teachings of others so that it is clear who has God’s approval. This view is supported by the fact that the word factions, translated in the NIV as differences, is not the same as divisions.

On the other hand, Paul did not actually say that he approved of these differences. He may have spoken sarcastically, seeing differences as part of divisions. Divisions are clearly negative, and differences (or factions) may also be. Hence his comment I do not commend you (v. 17).

Sinful differences might explain why the church allowed some of its members to go hungry, as Paul will go on to point out. The poor may not have been considered “approved,” and perhaps may even been counted as “dispensable.”

When you come together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat (1 Corinthians 11:20).

Paul now introduces the main issue of concern. When the Corinthian Christians gathered together to celebrate the Lord’s Supper, divisions were so disruptive that it couldn’t be called the Lord’s Supper. (While the term the Lord’s Supper is commonly used today for the practice of communion, this verse contains the only use of the phrase in the New Testament.)

For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal. One goes hungry, another gets drunk (1 Corinthians 11:21).

Paul describes the report he had received. As the Corinthians ate, they did so without waiting for anyone else. The phrase each one goes ahead may be translated as “each one takes his own supper.” Paul may have intended this identification of each person’s “own supper” to explain why it was not the “Lord’s Supper.” Some of the Corinthian believers had lost the united aspect of the Lord’s Supper and instead focused mainly on themselves. Others were getting drunk at what was meant to be a celebration of the Lord’s sacrifice for the believers.

What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not (1 Corinthians 11:22).

Paul corrected them by asking some questions. First, he asked if they didn’t have homes where they could eat and drink their meals. This may have been a way for Paul to say, “If this is what you do at the Lord’s Supper, then stay at home.” Paul was against discrimination of the poor. The Corinthians were making social distinctions between rich and poor during gatherings for the Lord’s Supper. Paul was deeply troubled by this and spoke strongly against it.

Second, Paul addressed how wrong this practice was by asking those who humiliated the poor if they despised the church of God. The church is made up of people from all social classes and ethnicities who are equal in the sight of God. When believers keep the poor among God’s people from partaking in the Lord’s Supper, they disregard the sanctity of the ceremony. Because the poor are an essential part of the church community, one cannot discriminate against the poor without despising the church.

Third, Paul asked if the rich members of the church were seeking to humiliate those who had nothing. In Paul’s time, the poor were often humiliated and looked down upon by the wealthy. However, Jesus taught that in God’s kingdom the poor are blessed (Luke 6:20–21). He also warned the rich of the difficulties that accompanied their social status (Mark 10:25). In Corinth, the poor, who already had nothing in worldly terms, also had their sense of dignity stolen by fellow believers—and this at the Lord’s Supper. Sarcastically, Paul asked if they thought he should praise them for their behavior. He then answered his own questions with a determined “No, I will not!”

For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:23–24).

Paul then proceeds to remind the Corinthians of the teachings about the Lord’s Supper that he had delivered to them. The phrase delivered to you was a term used by the rabbis of Paul’s time for official, sacred transmission of the religious traditions. This passage contrasts with Paul’s earlier praise of the Corinthians for holding the teaching he had “passed on” to them (1 Corinthians 11:2). In regard to the Lord’s Supper, they already knew the proper way to celebrate it, but they had not properly carried out the teaching.

Their failure to accept Paul’s teaching was troubling, as he had not invented the Lord’s Supper but had passed on what he had received from the Lord. He didn’t specify the exact way in which he received the teaching from the Lord. Paul may have received the teaching directly from other apostles (Galatians 1:18), or supernaturally from Christ Himself during his early years in Arabia (Galatians 1:15–17).

Paul then explained in simple terms how to properly observe the Lord’s Supper by recounting how Jesus had conducted it on the night He was betrayed. Paul used four points to describe the breaking of the bread: Jesus took the bread; gave thanks; broke it; and proclaimed, “This is my body which is for you.”

The term “bread” may also be translated as “loaf.” Jesus likely used a single loaf of bread to symbolize the unity of those who partook together. He gave thanks and broke the bread. Hosts would often break the bread for their guests, as we see Jesus doing when He fed the five thousand (Mark 6:41, John 6:11). He then spoke to His disciples about the symbolism of the bread.

Paul summarized Jesus as having said three things. First, This is my body. This phrase has led to some controversy throughout church history. The Roman Catholic tradition has interpreted this passage in a literal manner: that during communion, the bread and wine are transformed in physical substance to become the actual body and blood of Christ. This view is called “transubstantiation.”

The Lutheran view of “consubstantiation” holds that Christ’s body and blood are present in the bread and wine but the physical substances of these are not changed. Most Protestants hold the view that Christ is spiritually present during communion, with the elements of the Lord’s Supper being symbols of His body and blood. Neither this passage nor the Gospel accounts provide further clarification on this matter, but we are assured by Jesus that “where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I among them” (Matthew 18:20).

Second is the phrase which is for you. Christ suffered and died on the cross for others. His atonement for our sins is offered to all and is available to anyone who turns to Him in faith and repentance (1 John 1:9–2:2). Yet, in these words of the Lord’s Supper, Jesus said He laid down His life for a particular group of people—His followers. His suffering atoned only for the sins of those who believe in Him as Lord and Savior.

Third, do this in remembrance of me. The Lord’s Supper (communion) was ordained as an event when God’s people were to remember the death and resurrection of Jesus. The last meal Jesus shared with the apostles was set within the context of Christ’s betrayal, arrest, and imminent death.¹ By breaking and receiving the bread, we remember Christ’s sufferings for us.

This call to remembrance occurs again in association with the blood of Christ in the next verse of this passage.

In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me” (1 Corinthians 11:25).

Paul now focuses on the cup, noting that Jesus took it in the same way, indicating that Jesus gave a separate blessing for the cup. He goes on to repeat what Jesus said when speaking of the bread, Do this … in remembrance of me. In so doing, Paul highlighted that the remembrance and reverence of Christ were central to the ceremony of the Lord’s Supper.

Paul’s record of Jesus’ words closely parallels Luke’s account, which also refers to the cup as the new covenant in my blood (Luke 22:17–20). The phrase “new covenant” comes from Jeremiah 31:31, where Jeremiah describes the new covenant arrangement that God would make with the remnant of His people, one based on forgiveness of sins and with the law of God written in the hearts of the people. The New Testament gets its name from this new covenant established by Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. This makes the point that the new covenant that took place through Christ’s ministry was the fulfillment of the promise.

For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 11:26).

Why should the acts of eating and drinking in the Lord’s Supper focus on the remembrance of Christ? Because whenever the church participates in the Lord’s Supper, Christians proclaim the Lord’s death until He returns. When unbelievers see the church participating in communion in remembrance of the sacrifice Jesus made through giving His life for us, the gospel message is proclaimed. The expression “the Lord’s death” represents the whole of Christ’s saving ministry on behalf of the church: His life, death, resurrection, and ascension.

Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord (1 Corinthians 11:27).

When people partake of the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner, they are guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. To participate in the Lord’s Supper in an unworthy manner has traditionally been interpreted as participating in communion while having unconfessed sin. There is a sense in which we all partake of communion unworthily, as none of us can ever be fully worthy, and it is important for believers to confess their sins, and to prepare for worship by doing so. But Paul’s focus here was much narrower. The unworthiness he had in mind was participating in the Lord’s Supper in a manner that failed to show the unity of the church in Christ.

Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself. (1 Corinthians 11:28–29)

To avoid offenses, before participating in communion, believers should examine themselves and their motives and actions to ensure that they are in line with the Lord’s teachings. The reason for taking time for self-examination is that participation without respect and recognition of Christ’s sacrifice will result in judgment.

Paul gave this instruction to correct a specific problem. In general, the communion ceremony should be a time of celebration in which believers focus on Christ’s sacrifice for us and the unity of believers and the preaching of the gospel. The focus should be on Christ and others, not on oneself. It is in preparation for the Lord’s Supper that individuals are to turn their attention inwards to ensure that they are partaking of it in a worthy manner.

That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died (1 Corinthians 11:30).

Paul continued to highlight the seriousness of violating the Lord’s Supper by pointing out the discipline that many Corinthians were experiencing in the form of weakness and illness, and in some cases, death. Sickness and death are not always the result of personal sin, and they come to believers and nonbelievers alike for many reasons.² But in this situation, Paul is referring to the Lord’s chastening.

But if we judged ourselves truly, we would not be judged. But when we are judged by the Lord, we are disciplined so that we may not be condemned along with the world (1 Corinthians 11:31–32).

Paul added that if the Corinthians evaluated themselves before the Lord’s Supper and changed their actions, God would not discipline them with sickness and death. Paul goes on to remind the Corinthians that even those who have been chastised for their actions are not condemned; rather the Lord disciplines those whom He loves (Hebrews 12:5–11). God disciplines the church so that true believers will take notice and turn back to Christ in repentance, and they will not be condemned with the world.

So then, my brothers, when you come together to eat, wait for one another—if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home—so that when you come together it will not be for judgment. About the other things I will give directions when I come (1 Corinthians 11:33–34).

Paul finished with a summation and gave some final instructions, addressing them as brothers. The first part of his counsel, when you come together to eat, wait for one another, suggests that the Lord’s Supper within the Corinthian context was observed in the form of a meal. Paul is pointing out that the Lord’s Supper should be a shared meal in which all participate equally. If some arrived early, they were to wait until others arrived before eating. Instead of the rich eating first and the poor not eating at all, everyone in the feast was to eat at the same time. This would show proper honor to the poor, and thereby to Christ.

Second, to take away any justification for not waiting for others, Paul added that anyone who was hungry should eat at home. He didn’t chide the poor for coming to the Lord’s Supper hungry—they couldn’t avoid it. Those of sufficient means were to eat at home so that all would eat together when the Lord’s Supper was being observed.

Paul touched on vital aspects of the significance of the Lord’s Supper and the manner in which believers are meant to partake of it. The observance of communion is a proclamation of the Lord’s death and His sacrifice for our redemption and should be observed with reverence and worship. Paul also highlighted the unity the communion ceremony was meant to represent among the church as the body of Christ. However, Paul apparently knew the Corinthians needed further instruction on the topic, which he promised to impart to them on his next visit.

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 See Matthew 26:17–29; Mark 14:12–25; Luke 22:7–20.

² See Job 2:1–7; John 9:2–3; Romans 8:36.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International.

Winning Against Worry, Fighting Against Fear

Maria Fontaine

2019-10-12

“The Lord gives strength to his people; the Lord blesses his people with peace.”—Psalm 29:11

“Our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength.”—Charles Spurgeon

All of us face circumstances when we feel threatened by worries, fears, anxiety, and other stress-inducing emotions. God has provided us a variety of ways to deal with such things, and deal we must. It is a part of life and central to our growth that we learn to overcome such tests with His power. If we don’t, it just gets harder and harder to gain lasting victories.

It’s interesting to me to note that, while our spiritual weapons against fear and worry involve choosing to place our trust in God, we each have our own way of wielding those weapons. We are each unique and He teaches us how to use the weapons He has given us collectively in ways that will be most effective for each of uspersonally. As we look to Him, He has guidance and encouragement for each challenge we encounter. His right hand and His holy arm will always get us the victory (Psalm 98:1).

I asked a couple of my dear friends who are Family members if they would like to share a little testimonial of how they personally have conquered their fears or, maybe better said, continue to do so, as they continue to gain greater faith and trust in His never-ending, all-powerful, all-wise love.

Many of us have to fight pretty regularly against one form of fear or another. Sometimes we gain quick victories, other times they’re slower in coming. But when we don’t give up, we can trust that the victory always comes. As you read through these two accounts, I pray that their thoughts and the answers they’ve found will be a blessing to you.¹

* * *

From Monique

Though outwardly many seem to see me as someone with a lot of faith, fear and worry have been areas where I’ve had to struggle especially hard. I am quite familiar with these spiritual attacks, which can be powerful at times, especially at night. Sometimes it’s still a fight, but I have learned to recognize them when they start assailing me and to make a conscious effort to turn those worrisome thoughts and emotions into praise and prayers and times which draw me closer to the Lord, bringing growth and victories. I used to feel condemned for worrying, but now I see that it is an opportunity to seek the Lord with more desperation and to fight in the Spirit!

Am I a worrier?

I think there is a thin line between being concerned and caring, and falling into the worry trap. The first perspective leads you to action of some type—to pray, to search scriptures, to seek the Lord in various ways. The second is more negative and destructive. Concern and caring involve recognizing the problems and using them to motivate you to try to correct whatever you are concerned about. Worry can be debilitating; it can open the door to letting fear hold sway to the point that you are almost paralyzed into inaction.

What am I afraid of and what do I worry about?

As I near 70, I worry about old age. I don’t worry about death itself, but being sick or incapacitated, being a burden on my kids and those around me, not being able to take care of myself.

I also worry about finances. The Lord has done miracles to supply each need. Nevertheless, I worry about our financial stability in case we cannot continue to work because we do not have any substantial reserves to fall back on.

What do I do about my worries?

How do I handle these worries and fears which assail me at times? During the day I’m usually busy, so worries have more of a grip on me at night. This has been a lifelong problem; both my mother and grandmother were worriers as well.

When I get hit by a wave of worry or fear, I know it is time to pick up my spiritual weapons and go on the attack. I have learned to force myself to fight, to wage spiritual warfare. I have found that this is the most effective way to regain His peace.

Here are the various methods of fighting that I use when I face an onslaught of fear and worries:

I take my prayer and praise journal and review my growing list of praise and gratitude for all the good in my life and God’s faithfulness in so many situations in the past. This helps put my current battle in context.

Then I write my battle out in the form of a prayer or in point form. This helps me clearly formulate the specific problems, needs, and concerns. Taking out all the emotion that can get tangled up in my fears when they are mulling around in my heart and head helps me bring them into perspective and makes it easier to cast them on the Lord.

Writing a promise next to the need or problem helps boost my faith. The Anchor site has great files on faith, trust, and promises, which I usually download and have in a special directory, as weapons ready to be used.

I read certain Bible passages and devotionals that help boost my faith (Psalms, Streams in the Desert by Mrs. Charles Cowman, Faith’s Check Book by Spurgeon, Anchor posts on related topics, etc.). Reading the Word and other devotional writings never fails to remind me of God’s unconditional love and care. It helps me reenter into His peace.

I used to feel condemned about this problem of worrying so much until I read a biography of George Mueller, a man of faith who I greatly admire. He, too, would spend many hours at night struggling and fighting in prayer for the needs at hand. It comforted me that if I use these times to fight, as he did, then I can transform this negative energy of fear into the positive energy of faith.

Psalm 149 has inspired me lately. “Let Israel rejoice in their Maker; let the people of Zion be glad in their King. For the Lord takes delight in His people; He crowns the humble with victory. Let his faithful people rejoice in this honor and sing for joy on their beds” (Psalm 149:2, 4, 5 NIV).

I find it also helps to remind myself of who I am in Christ. He calls me not only His servant, but His friend and His bride, and He made beautiful promises in His Word to care for me. Reviewing these promises helps boost my faith.

It also helps me to pour out my heart to the Lord. At times I do this kneeling down, as I feel it is a physical manifestation of my dependence on His mercy. He never fails to come through in some way as a result.

Something else that helps me when I struggle with fear of the future is to remind myself that I have given Him my life and my all, that I have responded to His call to “follow Me.” He has led me faithfully and wonderfully, giving me a beautiful life and so many blessings, plus the grace for each trial as it comes, so why would He abandon me now?

Intercessory prayer for others and their needs and struggles helps me get my eyes off my own struggles for a while and turn the Enemy’s negative energy of worry, into positive energy to help others win their battles. I really believe in the ministry of intercessory prayer, and often I realize that when I personally struggle, the Lord is actually calling me, like Job, to pray for my friends more.

Thinking of what the Lord expects of us and what He offers us lifts me up and helps me to see that I am in the best hands and the best care possible, and I just have to be humble enough to see that it is His world and His kingdom that I belong to, where His rules are what stand. It is His battle, and any struggle I am going through is actually an honor.

* * *

From Rachel

You asked me if there were any specific experiences and solutions in my life on the topic of fears and overcoming them. We each face our own particular battles with fear, and for me two big ones since coming back to the States have been about the future and how to take care of my mom in light of all the scary scenarios that seem could happen here at any time.

Some of those fears have built up over the years and others grew because I was too involved in tuning into all kinds of negative news sources, thinking that these terrible things might happen at any moment. I dwelt on this too much. And now it’s to the point that I don’t even want to go there anymore at all.

At that time, I had read so much that was sad and negative that it began to look like something terrible happening was almost inevitable. That began to hurt my faith and I had the feeling of being very weak, vulnerable, and inadequate, and I was becoming more and more worried that I wouldn’t be able to take care of my mom if there were an emergency situation.

I’d lived on mission fields, and though there were times when things got dangerous, I wasn’t flooded with an endless stream of negativity like it’s difficult to avoid being hit with in the present.

But sometimes it takes hitting the bottom, because finally, those fears and the desperation that they bred drove me closer to the Lord, and I can say that over the past two or so years, my faith has grown so much stronger. Those fears drove me into His arms for refuge, for relief, peace of mind and security. I know more than ever that He is my strong Refuge, my Fortress, my High Tower and my Rock!

What steps have I been taking to continue to fight fear?

1. First, I don’t listen to the news on the TV or online much at all anymore. It’s designed to appear as sensational as possible, and that often means that every negative and shocking and fear-breeding thing is given top priority, so it’s a distorted picture. Why take time to read or watch that? I am very selective about what little news I do read. I read TFI news and a few other sources and that’s as much as I need.
2. Every morning I take time to be quiet and to meditate and think about Jesus. In this meditation time I review quotes that speak to my heart, many of which I’ve memorized from the Resting in the Lord series.²I go over some of the Bible chapters, poems, and songs that I’ve learned.
3. I have found that singing songs is a good way to fill our hearts and minds too. The song “There Is a Quiet Place, Near to the Heart of God” always speaks to me. The words are so powerful and I go over the lyrics often! The poem “A Moment in the Morning” is beautiful too.
4. Lately, I have been memorizing John chapter 14 when I first get up in the morning and before I go to bed. These words bring such peace to my heart, because these are some of the first words that my friend shared with me before I was saved. Jesus spoke to my heart through those verses in such a profound way when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by Me.”

That was the turning point for me! Remembering that is like David described in Psalms, “Renew in me the joy of my salvation.” So, I try to remember those first feelings of that very moment when those words first touched my heart so deeply and changed my life.

5. I’ve also memorized Psalm 139, which I quote to myself often, and every time I do, I feel God’s love for me and His understanding of everything about me. I love these words that tell me how much the Lord knows my heart, my thoughts, my going out and coming in, how nothing is hid from Him and He is with me always. To think on thesewords is really heart-touching: “How precious also are Thy thoughts toward me, O Lord. How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand!” That is something to think about, just how great and wonderful His love is for me and for all of us!
6. Through these beautiful, quiet times of resting in Him, I feel more of His love resting on me, giving me peace and a deep knowing that He is right there with me. My favorite key promise is:“As you use and cherish the keys of longing and desire, you will always long for more of Me and My Spirit.” I say that over and over and over again. It’s powerful!
7. I take about five or more minutes to write down the words He gives me every morning. I don’t feel complete without hearing from Him first thing, even if it’s just a few words.
8. At night before I go to bed, I write praises in a praise journal so I can thank the Lord for all the progress and victories that He’s helped me gain that day. That’s something I learned from Peter’s writings. Also, I studied some of the praise posts recently, which are really awesome! They teach about the huge power that praise can bring into any situation, and I want that power in my life so I can keep going for Him. “God dwells in the praises of His people.” What a powerful verse! So, I am learning to bring more praise into my life.
9. I’ve also read more about our angels and ministering spirits lately, which is so very encouraging. A sermon about angels that I heard was very inspiring too.
10. I’ve learned more about praying in the Spirit in my heavenly language. I don’t always know how to pray for things as I should, so I know that praying in this way, the Spirit knows best and that’s the best I can do. I don’t always feel capable of covering all that needs to be prayed for, so I find myself doing this more than I ever have before. When I am walking in the park or working in the garden, I talk to the Lord in this way.

So, to sum it up, it’s like the song, “I want more of Jesus, more and more and more. … I want more of Jesus so I’ll give Him more of me.”

I want to be stronger, have less fear and more faith. That means making more time to strengthen my faith through the Word, keeping my mind stayed on Him, storing up the Word in my heart, praising Him always! I still have a long way to go, but I feel I am making progress in my fight against fear.

Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.”

* * *

Maria: I also have had significant battles with worry and stress. Some of the lessons that I have learned and ideas that have helped me in this area can be found in the post “Choose Peace, Not Worry.”

¹ Names were changed for privacy.

² See the Anchor posts on “Resting in the Lord” at https://anchor.tfionline.com/tag/resting-lord/ as well as publications in the library here.

Copyright © 2019 The Family International.

Daily Renewal

Maria Fontaine

2023-09-05

“Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day.”—2 Corinthians 4:16

Dear Family,

For my 77th birthday I was praying about what I could share with you that would be helpful to you in some way. The Lord reminded me that some of you have asked about my health, since it had been a long time since I last communicated about it with you.

It’s not easy for me to put myself and my personal challenges in the limelight, especially because you all have so much to pray about already. And praying for me takes time away from others that you could be praying for. I wanted to be sure that I was doing the right thing, so I asked the Lord about it. “Should I or should I not?”

He said several things in response:

He reminded me that you have been praying for me for a long time—some of you every day—and you deserve to receive a “progress report.”

He said that it would encourage you, not only to see the answers to your prayers, but also to hear about the things that are still being answered. God sometimes doesn’t immediately grant us what we’re asking for because He wants others to know that, even as Christians, we still experience some difficulties that are just a part of this life.

Peter and I invest time daily in prayer for the Family overall, and for those of you who we hear about specifically, we try to tailor our prayers according to the specific need. We highly value your prayers for us and want to offer the same support to you.

I love the verses “Though our outer self is wasting away, yet our inner self is being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary affliction is producing for us an eternal glory that is far beyond comparison” (2 Corinthians 4:16–17).

The Lord encouraged me to explain to you some of the progress and victories that have resulted from your prayers for us.

The good news about my eyes is that they’re doing much better. They are not nearly as sore and I’m able to use my eyes as much as I need to on the computer. However, I still need to avoid reading books or watching movies.

Another answer to prayer is that, even though I’ve lost so much weight and haven’t been able to gain it back again, I’m still doing pretty well, which I consider to be a miracle.

I do have some problems with my hearing and would appreciate prayer for that.

Something that several people have asked for prayer for is hemorrhoids, which I also have. Those who have experienced the discomfort or pain associated with this condition can attest to how much ongoing pain like this can wear on you. It takes a militant effort to persevere through such things. There is always a purpose in whatever the Lord allows. My prayers for others who are suffering ongoing problems like this have deepened as a result.

Another thing that I’ve had problems with lately is my shoulder. Inflammation set in, and the doctor found a tear in a tendon attached to the rotator cuff. It has been painful to reach behind my back, but with prayer and some gentle exercise, it has improved quite a bit.

The recent issue with my shoulder has also been a blessing because it has given me more compassion for many of you who may be struggling with similar issues as we age. In fact, three members of our TFIS team have all experienced similar problems with their shoulders at virtually the same time! We are all praying for one another and for others who may be suffering such things.

The Lord is working with me in spiritual areas as well, such as helping me to continue to grow ever closer to Him and to cast my cares on Him more quickly. I know that with Jesus, I can always come through victorious in the end.

Victory doesn’t necessarily mean that everything is fixed completely or every physical affliction is overcome in this life. Sometimes, there are far greater and more important things to be gained than just patching up this old physical body so that we can carry on a while longer.

Sometimes, we don’t have what we would call a complete victory immediately or even in this life, because the Lord has more good to bring from our experiences that can be even more helpful to us or others. So, He gives us just enough of what we need so that we can carry on until it’s His time to bring about the complete victory.

I mentioned something about this to the physiotherapist the other day, when he was explaining the need to keep fighting to stay in good health by exercising more. I explained that I agree that we need to do what we can in the area of exercise, but we also have to face the reality that as we age, our bodies aren’t able to keep up the same as when we were younger and that we do have to depend more on Jesus and prayer. As someone recently expressed it: “Keep working at being in good health and active, yes, but also keep working on the inner beauty—love, kindness, encouragement, all those things!”

* * *

A few years ago, the Lord inspired me to write a post called “The Choice in a Challenge.” Recently, something reminded me of it, and I took a little time to read it. As I read, some points stood out to me in a special way, so I noted them and wanted to share a few excerpts with you here. However, you may find other points in the post that may apply to you even more in the moment, so it could be well worth the investment of a little time to read the whole post to see what the Holy Spirit will show you.

(Prayer:) Lord, I’m passionate about my job for You, but I don’t understand why You would want to deal with all that extra weight when surely You could work so much better and more easily through someone else who is not hindered by all these weaknesses.

(Jesus:) This outlook on your deficiencies, disabilities, impairments, and all the things you feel hold you back is not the way I see things.

That’s your perception, not Mine. I’m inviting you to look at your limitations as challenges, not as things that stop you or hold you back. All these things that you consider disabilities or difficulties or troubles, regardless of how they came to be in your life, help to keep you humble, compassionate, and closer to Me. As a result, you spend much more time communing with Me.

You worry about how little strength you have, but because of your physical weaknesses, you don’t waste your time on the inconsequential. You concentrate on the important things. Don’t you see the ways that your limitations are being used to your advantage, and not for the purpose of defeating you? Look for the positive side of all these things and I’ll show you more benefits.

Use whatever difficulties you are facing to stir up the fight in you instead of being their victim and sinking into discouragement and frustration. I want you to look at them as a challenge to see what good they might be accomplishing.

Whatever the struggles, they have the potential to become tools in My hands through which I can refine and beautify you. Try to see these shortcomings and lacks as some of the tools with which I strengthen and bring your life into greater sync with My Spirit.

When these challenges seem to hold you back or cripple your efforts to do what you feel I’m asking of you, remember that I’m carrying both you and them. I don’t feel the weight. Instead, I see the beauty, strength, and glory that is taking shape in your life, not in spite of, but because of all that you face.

The more you cast yourself into My arms, allowing Me to bear you up by My Spirit, the more freely I will be able to perform My handiwork in your life. Trust Me, even when you feel sad about your inadequacies. Let Me be the judge of all things. Believe that if I see only the beauty, that is the reality.

(Prayer:) The hard part is the daily doing, the yielding to Your will and plan for my life, when I feel discouraged or frustrated about my incapabilities. But I know that the more I look to You for help in making these limitations work for me and not against me, the less I’ll worry about my deficiencies.

I’m sure I won’t be some super heroine who never questions or struggles to be positive. I’m just me. But that’s the beauty and wonder of Your love, because You already know that, and You take all that into account and love me anyway. (End of prayer)

It’s not about what we face; it’s about how we face it. We can either focus on what we’re losing or suffering or missing, or we can focus on God’s power to turn our challenges into something positive.

The choice in the challenge is to either hold to our thinking or to change our perspective and embrace His thinking. It’s up to each one of us to choose.

* * *

I’ll close with a poem by Annie Johnson Flint that expresses my thoughts so well. It was written when she was 53 (in 1919), in honor of both her biological parents who died when she was very young and her adoptive parents who died shortly after she reached adulthood, as well as the many years when she suffered with acute arthritis that left her in constant pain and prevented her from using her hands or walking. The words have been put to music by numerous composers even up to the present. It is more popular today than ever because the words are a testament of faith from one who fully understood the reality of seeing Jesus even in the midst of the storm.

God has not promised skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways all our lives through;
God has not promised sun without rain,
Joy without sorrow, peace without pain.

God has not promised we shall not know
Toil and temptation, trouble and woe;
He hath not told us we shall not bear
Many a burden, many a care.

God has not promised smooth roads and wide,
Swift, easy travel, needing no guide;
Never a mountain, rocky and steep,
Never a river, turbid and deep.

But God has promised strength for the day,
Rest for the labor, light for the way,
Grace for the trials, help from above,
Unfailing sympathy, undying love.

Copyright © 2023 The Family International.

Authentic Intimacy in a World of Artificial Intelligence

June 27, 2025

By Dennis Henderson

Technology is moving at a breakneck pace, reshaping how we communicate, work, live, and worship. The buzzword that has come into our conversations and everyday life is AI. …

We are surrounded by and use AI daily without realizing it. It can track every stroke of our computer use. As I have thought about AI, social media, and our digital world, a term has come to mind recently, arising from my experiences and observations in both public settings and my personal life. It does not originate from a critical or negative standpoint, but rather, from a heart that genuinely seeks the face of God. We might define worship in many ways, such as recognizing that God deserves praise, bowing before Him, and giving Him our attention. However, I like to define worship as intimacy with God. The core of our relationship with God is intimacy. My wrestling brings me to the possibility that we have unintentionally created our own AI in the church. Could it be that we have sometimes embraced an Artificial Intimacy?

(Read the article here.)

Authentic Intimacy in a World of Artificial Intelligence – Strategic Renewal

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Better Days Ahead—Part 5

June 26, 2025

Dealing with Disappointment

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 14:49

Download Audio (13.5MB)

Often when I’m having prayer time and meditating on God’s Word, I take some time to count my blessings and recall how God’s goodness has been manifested in my life. I feel so grateful. I think of Samuel’s wise words when he reminded us to fear the Lord and serve Him faithfully and wholeheartedly, considering what great things He has done (1 Samuel 12:24). It’s uplifting to meditate on the Lord’s goodness and mercy. I believe we can all rejoice and say, “The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy” (Psalm 126:3).

But, of course, our life stories are not all roses and sunshine. We live in a fallen world, and consequently, I believe that we have all felt the sting of disappointment. The word disappointment is defined as “a feeling of dissatisfaction when one’s hopes, desires, and expectations fail to come to pass.” Some synonyms for it are dismay, frustration, and letdown.

Disappointment can suck the proverbial life out of you. It can hurt so much that you actually feel sick. And it’s not usually enough to just smile and “put on a happy face”—disappointment is often painful and sad!

You might be in a season of life right now where you feel that you’ve experienced one disappointment after another. This could be related to lost opportunities, painful relationships or family issues, work projects being stalled or failing, a tragic medical diagnosis instead of a triumphant recovery, and the list goes on.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:33). And that means everyone! There’s no escaping it. I suppose that could sound a little fatalistic. So, what are we to do about it? Well, to begin with, let’s not forget the second part of that verse, where Jesus said, “But take heart! I have overcome the world.” There is always hope because Jesus is the ultimate victor!

In the midst of disappointment, knowing that God is listening and hears our heartcries is a comfort. He will always hear us, whether we are happy, sad, heartbroken, or disappointed. And we can remind ourselves that nothing is too hard for the Lord or beyond His reach or outside of His care and provision for us. “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27).

When we are feeling the weight of disappointment, it’s helpful to try to put things in perspective by looking at our situation from a different point of view.

The first thing to keep in mind is this: no amount of suffering or disappointment we experience in this life can ever undo what God has done for us in Christ. …

Our trials and disappointments … do serve a purpose. It is through trials that we learn patience and humility, endurance and trust—virtues that strengthen us and develop godly character.

Also, it is during the difficult times that we learn to rely on God and experience firsthand the absolute trustworthiness of His Word. We also learn the truth of what Paul taught: God’s power is at its strongest when we are at our weakest (2 Corinthians 12:9). …

It is important that our perspective includes eternity. Our time on earth is an incalculably small fraction of our eternal journey.

Consider the apostle Paul and the persecution he was subjected to while spreading the gospel. Although his litany of suffering seems unbearable by any measure, he amazingly referred to his hardships as “light and momentary troubles.” This is because he focused on the “eternal glory” that far outweighed any earthly disappointments he experienced (2 Corinthians 4:17; see also Romans 8:18). We can do this, he said, when we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but rather on what is unseen, our heavenly home (2 Corinthians 4:18). …

Being a child of God means we are never alone in our trials (Hebrews 13:5). God gives us the strength and grace we need to endure any circumstance and to overcome any disappointment (Philippians 4:13).¹

In times of struggle, quoting these scriptures from Philippians 4 out loud helps me to refocus on God’s truth and not allow worry and stress to dominate my thoughts.

Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice! Be anxious for nothing, 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 minds through Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:4, 6–7).

After quoting these verses, the key is to make an intentional effort to put this into practice. It starts with rejoicing and thanking the Lord for His goodness and His blessings. It also helps to recall specific blessings and victories. Then take note of the things that are causing you to feel anxious. Commit this list to the Lord in prayer, couching these petitions with thanksgiving, giving God glory and expressing gratitude for His mercy and goodness. The last step is to focus on receiving the peace that He promises to give, that amazing peace that “surpasses all understanding.” Even when the situation seems impossible, He has promised that we can receive His peace.

When we experience disappointment, we can learn, grow, and mature, as we see in James 1:2–4:

Consider it nothing but joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you fall into various trials. Be assured that the testing of your faith [through experience] produces endurance [leading to spiritual maturity, and inner peace]. And let endurance have its perfect result and do a thorough work, so that you may be perfect and completely developed [in your faith], lacking in nothing.

Of course, in spite of our best efforts to learn and grow from disappointments, there will be times when we feel overwhelmed and discouraged when something happens out of the blue that we were not expecting. Or when we had been working toward a specific goal that was important to us and, contrary to our plans, the outcome was different than expected and appears to be a setback or loss.

In times like these we need to remember that God sees the big picture. Our situation is never hopeless. God has a plan for our lives. We know that we can trust God because He is good. We trust Him because He loves us and knows best. We trust Him because He has promised to work in and through even our setbacks, failures, and challenges, and turn them into blessings in our lives. When our hopes and expectations don’t come to pass, it’s important to not become disillusioned with God Himself.

When God does not act when we think He should act, it is not because He is unable to do so. … God chooses to act or not to act according to His perfect and holy will in order to bring about His righteous purposes. … There are times when He chooses to let us know His plans (Isaiah 46:10), and times when He does not. Sometimes we understand what He is doing; sometimes we do not (Isaiah 55:9). One thing we do know for sure: if we belong to Him, whatever He does will be to our benefit, whether or not we understand it. …

When we align our wills with God’s will and when we can say, with Jesus, “Not my will but yours be done” (Luke 22:42), then we find the contentment Paul spoke of in 1 Timothy 6:6–10 and Philippians 4:11–12. Paul had learned to be content with whatever God sent his way. He trusted God and submitted to His will, knowing that a holy, righteous, perfect, loving, and merciful God would work all things together for good because that is what He promised. When we see God in that light, we cannot possibly be disappointed with Him. Rather, we [should] submit willingly to our heavenly Father, knowing that His will is perfect and that everything He brings to pass in our lives will be for our good and His glory.²

We can be confident that even when we don’t understand, there is a purpose in what the Lord allows to come into our lives. And if we are open and humble, we can learn from disappointment, even if it is a result of our mistakes, sins, or wrong decisions. It is beneficial to seek the Lord for anything He wants to teach us during our times of suffering.

When you are experiencing times of discouragement or disappointment, especially if you feel you have failed in some way, try to be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up in your thoughts. Be gentle with yourself instead of critical. Make a conscious effort to stop your negative self-talk.

Remember that our identity as Christians, our sense of worth and self-esteem, is based on the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who created us in love. He came to this world and gave His life for us. Not only that, but He has promised that we will live in an eternal world of beauty and joy in eternal bodies. When our view of ourselves is fully grounded in God’s unconditional love and our identity as a child of God with an eternal destiny, regardless of our faults and failings, that helps to build positive feelings about our future and full potential.

In closing, here is an encouraging message from Jesus.

No matter what your circumstances or how you have handled them, no matter what you have done or not done, I love you. I see your every tear. I hear your every cry for help. I feel your heartaches, your sorrows, your frustrations, your disappointments. I love you more deeply than you can possibly comprehend.

Life often is a struggle, but it is made so much easier when you bring all your burdens and cares to Me. I can transform even turmoil, emptiness, and disappointment into peace, hope, and love.

Come to Me with all that is weighing you down and I will relieve your troubled mind, dry your tears, and renew your courage and hope.

Every new day can be a new start. Decisions of the past have had their effect, but no matter what has happened up till now, you can make the right decisions today.

Don’t waste time reliving the pain of past mistakes and wrong decisions. That only saps your strength today. You can’t change the past.

Learn from past mistakes and put them behind you today. Forgive those who have wronged you and ask forgiveness from those you have wronged. Look to Me and My Word for fresh courage and hope, starting today. Set new goals today. Spend your time on things that truly count today. Determine to do things better, commit all your ways to Me starting today.

With My help, your future can be filled with fresh perspective, fulfillment, and new achievements that will more than make up for past disappointments—and it all starts today.—Jesus

Praise the Lord! Let’s remember, “Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future, but today is a gift. That’s why it’s called the present.”³ God bless you!

Originally published November 2021. Republished on Anchor June 2025. Read by John Laurence.

¹  “How can I overcome disappointment with life?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/disappointment-with-life.html

² “Is it wrong to feel disappointment with God?” GotQuestions.org,  https://www.gotquestions.org/disappointment-with-God.html

³ Bill Keane.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Reconnected

June 25, 2025

By Steve Hearts

We live in a world where in order to get things done and keep up the pace, we need to constantly be “connected.” Not only has the Internet taken our existence to a level we never would have dreamed of twenty or thirty years ago, but thanks to smartphones, tablets, and computers, we can now take “the Net” with us wherever we go. This enables us to stay on top of our jobs and responsibilities even when we are physically away from our office or workplace. While this can certainly be an advantage, it can also cause us to work when we should be taking time off.

Thanks to technology, we rarely need to invest time in preparing a handwritten letter, go to the nearest post office and pay to have it sent off, and then wait a few weeks or a month for a reply. We can now simply type a message to someone who is on the other side of the world and send it to them electronically within mere seconds. All of this is great! It’s really nice to enjoy and use this convenience, but I have noticed that I can often grow impatient if I don’t receive a reply within a day or less.

In a world of instant communication and on-the-spot gratification, patience is becoming more and more of a lost art. And not only that, but many of us allow our constant connection to the electronic world to disconnect us from the important things in life.

When I was a boy, family gatherings were always centered around hanging out together, enjoying one another’s company, and catching up on lost time. Now, many people prefer to spend such time on their cell phones, texting or playing video games—even when in the company of loved ones. It’s interesting how some of those who are most “social” online can seem to be some of the most antisocial when it comes to face-to-face interaction with other people.

Although I’m not the type of person who spends a lot of time on Facebook, WhatsApp, Twitter, or other social networks, I do depend heavily on the Internet for email communications related to my ministry and research for my articles. All this can absorb a lot of my time. I used to be able to handle a lack of Internet access for a few days at a time if need be. But now I often find myself feeling anxious to connect daily and check my email to stay on top of things.

Every year, my dad and I would spend a few weeks with my grandma. She had no Internet access at her house. Before I learned about computers and the Internet, this didn’t bother me, and I looked forward to visits with her. But as my understanding of and appreciation for the Internet increased, my enthusiasm about these visits decreased considerably. I wanted to be connected 24/7—all day, every day. The Internet had become a life support of sorts for me. So when I was at my grandma’s house, boredom would immediately set in and I’d go stir-crazy.

I admit that there were times when it was thanks to the lack of Internet access that I would spend time with her, which was supposed to be my main reason for being there in the first place. Yet I also must confess that I did this somewhat reluctantly.

And then I experienced a notable about-face perspective. My stepsister’s birthday came around. To celebrate her birthday, we decided to take some much-needed rest at a hotel that a friend of ours owns.

Before we left to go to the hotel, the Lord whispered to my heart with instructions to refrain from getting online during our time there and to only use my laptop for listening to devotional material. I also felt that I should put aside all writing projects I’d been working on so I could take full advantage of this time away and recharge on all fronts.

Though I didn’t quite know how to pull off this challenge, I knew it was part of the Lord’s plan to teach me what I needed to learn, so I did what He asked of me. I devoted the entire time to praying, personal reflection, and hanging out with my stepsister, something I had not done very much.

It was one of the most relaxing and renewing times I’d experienced. I realized that I had become absorbed in my work and ministry to the point that my relationship with the Lord and the people around me had weakened. This brief getaway was a huge step in strengthening it.

I thought of biblical heroes such as Moses, David, Abraham, and others who walked closely with God and clearly heard His voice, without any of the man-made gadgets we depend on today. When Moses and Joshua climbed the mountain to receive the Ten Commandments, they had no tablets to take notes while God spoke. Instead, they had tablets of stone on which God wrote with His own finger, while they simply remained still, waiting, and listening.

When God warned Noah of the flood and told him to build the ark, He didn’t send him a text message or post it on his Facebook wall. Rather, Noah heard God’s still small voice in his heart, which led and directed him every step of the way. As I reflected on this, I soon began to long for that slow-paced, simple life that technology has deprived us of.

When the time came to leave the hotel and return home, I almost wished the time wouldn’t end. I wanted to spend a few more days in that distraction-free environment so I could continue detaching myself from the busyness of the Internet age. But just as we were leaving, a new thought came to me; I’d have more time in this type of environment the next time I visited my grandma. And I was especially excited about visiting Fox Island, a county park not far from her house, where I used to go sledding with my brothers when we were kids. Birds abound there, and their peaceful, happy songs surround you wherever you go. There’s a pond for fishing and trails to walk. Little else is heard besides the sounds of nature. This kind of natural environment is closer to the environment of biblical times, in which God’s voice was heard more clearly due to lack of the modern distractions that drown it out in our world today.

This article is not meant to be a slam on technology. The Internet is a great source of information and opportunities. But to those whose lives revolve around technology and the Internet, may I suggest that you try to disconnect from the electronic world, even for a short time? You may find it brings relaxation to your mind, spirit, and body.

For me, it helped to reestablish bonds with loved ones and family, as well as reconnect with Jesus, and my heart was filled with peace that I sorely needed.

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

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Jesus Hasn’t Changed—And He Never Will!

June 24, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 11:43

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At the time of writing this, my husband and I had just come out of a year and a half where battles never ended. He was very sick and had been in and out of the hospital for months, and he had to have an operation. Alongside his health problems, we had legal issues, and then the financial burdens of trying to support ourselves and the hospital bills increasing by the day. I felt my faith and strength being tested to the limit. My ability to trust that God was really watching over us and truly loved us, with all we were facing, was rapidly diminishing.

One day, under the shade of a cherry tree with the beautiful sunshine and warmth of spring, I was sitting outside reading, and I came to the verse “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). I decided to meditate on this.

Starting with the first words “Jesus Christ,” I thought long about Jesus, who He is, Him being God in human form, His name being so blessed and wonderful and called on in time of desperation.

I then added “is”—Jesus Christ is… One definition given for “is” in the dictionary was to “be present.” Jesus Christ is present with me. He simply is!

Then I added “the.” “The” refers to something singular; it’s not they or many, but one. One definition of “the” is “used to refer to a person, place, or thing that is unique.” So Jesus Christ is present and is unique.

The next word I meditated on was “same.” Jesus Christ is the same. “Same” means identical, not different. I thought about days when the sun was shining in my life and Jesus was just wonderful to me. If He was not different now, then why would I look at Him differently, even though my world seemed to be tumbling around me?

Jesus had never changed. I was the one who had changed. I had let what was happening in my life change the way I viewed Christ. Jesus never changes, so how can He be any less great now than He was in times past? This thought hit me like a ray of sunshine. I realized I had found something to hold on to and that my faith in Christ isn’t about what happens to me.

I never got past the word “same” in my meditation, but I think I got the point. I knew that whatever happens, whatever dark clouds may gather, and whatever twists and turns the road of my life may take, Jesus will never change. What had changed was my view of Him—not Him, not His love, not His ability to reach down and take care of me and my problems. Whatever the future may bring, I know that Jesus is the same—yesterday, today, and forever!—Chloe Rose

*

Do you need a miracle today? Do you need Jesus to set you free from some dreadful affliction from the enemy? Do you need Him to heal you of an illness? Do you need Him to multiply what little you have and make it go further than it ever would without His intervention? Do you need Him to give you heaven’s peace in an earthly storm? Do you need His miraculous provision in a time of lack?

If so, remember what Jesus did 2,000 years ago. He healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, gave sight to the blind, raised the dead, provided for the hungry, brought peace to the storm-struck, delivered the demonized, and gave dignity to the vilified. Has our Jesus changed since then? No, not one little bit. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever! He’s always the same. He’s always totally Himself.

Miracles are not something He did then but doesn’t do now! No, God says, “I am your Healer,” not, “I was your Healer” (Exodus 15:26). Put your trust in Jesus. Ask Him to stretch out His mighty hand and bless your life or your loved ones’ lives with His life-changing power.—God’s Word for Every Need¹

*

The Bible clearly expresses the immutability of God—His unchanging, consistent nature—in numerous passages. James communicates it like this: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning” (James 1:17). …

God created the universe with its continually varying conditions, yet He remains eternally the same (Psalm 102:27; Malachi 3:6). The same can be said of Jesus Christ (Hebrews 13:8).

There is no shadow of turning with God’s character. His love and faithfulness are constant (Psalm 89:2; 136:1–26; 2 Timothy 2:13). He is forever perfect (Deuteronomy 32:4; 2 Samuel 22:31) and holy (1 Samuel 2:2). His love for His children never fails (Romans 8:38–39; Jeremiah 31:3; 1 John 4:8).

There is no shadow of turning with God’s purposes and promises.… God does not lie or change His mind (Numbers 23:19). … The Lord always accomplishes His will and keeps His promises (Psalm 145:13).

There is no shadow of turning with God’s Word: “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever” (Isaiah 40:8). …

Because there is no shadow of turning with God, we can put our whole trust and faith in Him… When difficulties and temptations arise, we must not let the shifting shadows obscure our confidence in the Father of lights.—GotQuestions.org²

*

God never changes. The Bible clearly tells us that God is unchanging. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Malachi 3:6 says, “I am the Lord, and I do not change.” While everything around us is changing, we can depend on God continually showing us His grace, love, and compassion. All our material possessions may blow away, but God is still there. …

Just think about that for a moment. How many friends have you had and lost or become distant from over the years because you just “grew apart”? It’s because one of you changed. But God never changes.

God is unchanging in His existence. There has never been a time when God was not. There will never be a time when He will cease to be. Psalm 102:27 says, “But you are always the same; you will live forever.” All that He is today, He has always been, and forever will be. He cannot improve for the better, because He is already perfect. His power can never diminish, and His glory will never fade. His existence never changes.

His Mercy is unchanging. Psalm 100:5 says, “For the Lord is good. His unfailing love continues forever, and his faithfulness continues to each generation.” The same is true with His sovereignty, holiness, power, faithfulness, goodness, patience, grace, and even His wrath. His attributes never change.

The God we serve is the same God today as He was the day He raised Jesus from the grave. He is the same God today as He was when He spoke the world into existence. He is the God who saves, and He is the God in whom you can place your hope. If God never changes, then that means His love is forever. His forgiveness is forever. His salvation is forever. His promises are forever. His attributes are forever.

We should find extreme comfort in God’s unchanging nature. Every created thing in this life will let you down at some point in time. Whether it is circumstances, relationships, health, career, children, technology, etc. However unstable the circumstances around us are, God never changes.

A.W. Tozer said, “God never changes moods or cools off in His affections or loses enthusiasm. His attitude toward sin is now the same as it was when He drove out the sinful man from the garden, and His attitude toward the sinner the same as when He stretched forth His hand and cried, ‘Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.’”—Northstar Church

*

Abide with me, fast falls the eventide;
The darkness deepens; Lord with me abide…
Change and decay in all around I see;
O Thou who changest not, abide with me.
—Henry F. Lyte

Published on Anchor June 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Mark W. G. Stibbe, God’s Word for Every Need (Destiny Image Publishers, 2016).

² “What does it mean that there is no shadow of turning with God (James 1:17)?” GotQuestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/no-shadow-of-turning.html

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

The Calling of a Witness

June 23, 2025

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 8:59

Download Audio (8.2MB)

Dear Family,

I love you very much! You’re each dear to my heart, and daily in my prayers. I love to come before the Lord for you to ask for His blessing, anointing, and power as you do your part to “go out into the highways and the byways” and “compel them to come in” to the kingdom of God (Luke 14:23). God bless you for being faithful witnesses these many years. As the Scripture says, “He’s not ashamed to be called your God” (Hebrews 11:16) because you’ve been faithful to follow Him.

You’ve been willing to reach people wherever you find yourself because of your love for Him and your love for the lost, and the Lord remembers every deed, every sacrifice made, and will reward you greatly. He’s already rewarding you here and now through His love, peace, and many blessings, but there’s so much more ahead for “all who love His coming” (2 Timothy 4:8)! I love to look forward to the wonderful things that the Lord has in store for us in the life to come! Just think, “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him” (1 Corinthians 2:9).

Every Christian is called to be a witness and to reflect God’s love to others. He has commissioned us to reach others and be a part of His mission. When Jesus appeared to His disciples after His resurrection, He said to them, “As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you” (John 20:21). We can be a witness for Him wherever we are, whether in a Western country or Africa or China or any other mission field.

The Lord has called each of us to do our part to reach people in our part of the world with His message, which is the Family’s mission and purpose. The Lord has an individual plan for each of us, and He calls us to serve in different ways, on different fields, in different ministries, and for different purposes. That’s why it’s so important to seek the Lord and find His will for you at each stage of your life.

However, there is one calling that the Lord has for all of us, in some form or another, and that is to be His ambassadors. The Bible tells us that “in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself … and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us” (2 Corinthians 5:19–20).

You don’t have to be a spiritual giant of the faith or have a lot of gifts and talents to be a witness for Jesus. The only talent you need to have is availability—to make yourself fully available to the Lord. Always remember that you have a wealth of spiritual riches that millions of people in the world desperately need, even if they don’t realize it. It helps to strengthen your convictions about being a witness when you keep the Lord’s plan for you at the forefront—which is for us to give of our heart and time to love Him and to share His love with others. This will help us to be single-minded and to not allow the preoccupations and tribulations of everyday life to overshadow our commitments to Him.

It is helpful to periodically pause and ask ourselves: “What have I done with my life today? What did I do today to further the kingdom of God?” There are always days when we could have done better, we could have loved more, we could have followed the Lord closer, we could have witnessed more. So we shouldn’t feel like we’re washed-up failures when we sometimes fall short of our goals or we feel that we aren’t accomplishing enough for the Lord. Instead, we should strive to earnestly seek the Lord for His guidance, spend time with Him, tank up on His Word, and follow it the best we can.

We all know that serving Jesus has its hardships and that it’s not always easy. It’s a rough and a rugged road sometimes, and the climb up the mountain of God’s will isn’t always easy going. But we experience so many benefits in our everyday lives. Of course, there are the more obvious ones, such as knowing that we are His child and will live with Him forever, and the rewards that He has promised to all who are faithful to Him, as well as the joy and contentment that He rewards us with here on earth. Jesus promised that everyone who has forsaken anything for His sake and for the Good News will receive a hundredfold in this life, and in the world to come eternal life (Mark 10:29–30)!

Without question, as a follower of Jesus, we will face difficulties and hardships, and the road the Lord takes us along is not always easy. But each obstacle has a purpose and is designed to make us stronger and to draw us closer to Him, and in the process we often experience His love and presence in our lives in greater measure. The Bible says, “In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you have been grieved by various trials, 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” (1 Peter 1:6–7).

The Lord is so good to us, isn’t He?! Just like a father with his children, He takes us where we’re at, and doesn’t place greater burdens or expectations on us than we are able to bear. Though you may feel weak or feel that you’re not accomplishing that much, just the fact that you’re continuing on, day after day, being faithful to the Lord, loving Him and doing the best you can to follow Him, is a great accomplishment in His sight.

Your determination to share the Lord’s love and His message of salvation and faith with others is great in His sight. Even if you don’t feel like you’re having that great of an effect, you’re still fulfilling the Lord’s calling.

Who knows what effect you’re having that you don’t even see? Our witness often goes much further than we realize, and the secondary effects can be more far-reaching than the firsthand contact we have with those we witness to. Only when we get to heaven will we understand the full impact that our witness had on each individual who we ministered to, and the lives that they in turn affected as a result of our witness.

What may seem like small witnessing opportunities to us may be very important in the Lord’s eyes and may have a far-reaching effect. Lord help us to be faithful in seizing every chance that He gives us to show His love to others and not minimize or neglect these opportunities.

It’s quite awesome when you think of the commission that the Lord has entrusted us with to be the carriers of His love and truth and message of salvation to the world. He has chosen you to be His hands and His feet, His face to the world. He has chosen you to represent Him to others, to be a tangible manifestation of His love for them through your words, your prayers, and your deeds. What a privilege! What an honor!

Every single person in the world needs to see Jesus in you. If they’re not saved, they need your witness and manifestation of Jesus’ love to help them believe. And if they’re already saved, they need your encouragement to help them to grow in their faith and to in turn touch others with the Lord’s love. So “let us also lay aside every weight and sin, and run with endurance the race that is set before us”—and let’s continue to “press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1; Philippians 3:14).

Therefore, keep up the good fight of faith, keep loving Him and others, and “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). It will be worth it all when we see Jesus!

Originally published June 1997. Adapted and republished June 2025. Read by Debra Lee.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

02 – The Spiritual Disciplines: Bible Intake

The Spiritual Disciplines

Peter Amsterdam

2014-01-21

Christians who desire a flourishing relationship with God and who are interested in spiritual growth recognize that spending time taking in and absorbing God’s Word is of utmost importance. It is within the pages of the Bible that we learn about God and His love for humanity, about Jesus and His message, about how to live in harmony with God and our fellow human beings.

God is the Creator, and He wants to be in relationship with His creation. In order to make that possible, He has revealed Himself to us through the Bible. In it, He tells of His love for us and of the actions He has taken to make it possible for us as imperfect and finite beings to be in relationship with Him. The more we abide in His Word and let His Word abide in us, the more we understand how to live our lives in alignment with Him, in accordance with His will, and in a manner that reflects Him and His love, especially in our interactions with others.

Reading God’s Word

Setting aside time daily to read the Bible provides the opportunity to connect with God each day. It opens us up to letting Him speak to us through what we read, to His instruction and guidance, to His help through life’s problems and difficulties. Regular reading of God’s revelation to us reminds us of the moral code which we are meant to fashion our lives around, and provides us with guidance when we are faced with decisions. It is a key element for those who seek to be like Jesus, because it is in the Bible that we hear His teaching, see the example of His love, and are introduced to the relationship with His Father that His sacrifice has opened up for us. As we abide in His Word, we become more and more aware of the value He places on each individual, and the love and compassion He has for every human being. As we begin to absorb the truth contained within these pages, as we ponder and pray about those truths, and as we apply them to our daily living, we begin to anchor both our inner and outer lives on the foundation of Christlikeness, on godliness, and on the truth of God.

Each day we are flooded with a barrage of input from a wide variety of delivery systems which influences us in one way or another. Taking time daily to read what God has said to us provides a way to navigate through the maelstrom of information and input that we are faced with. It enhances our spiritual ability to discern truth and falsehood. It makes it easier to keep our hearts centered on those things which are important to living lives of true happiness, inner peace, and alignment with God and His will. It helps us to survive and overcome all that life brings our way. As Jesus said: Everyone then who hears these words of Mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock.^[1]Abiding in God’s Word brings us in regular contact with His Spirit. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.^[2] Part of having that contact with the Lord, of having that promised peace, is spending time reading His Word.

Carving out the time to read daily is no easy task—it requires self-discipline, as does each Spiritual Discipline. Like the workouts and training that athletes must do daily to maintain their conditioning and excel in their performance, taking regular time to read Scripture will strengthen your spirit and make you a stronger Christian—one who is grounded in God’s truth and love. The connection with God, that savoring of His Word, helps you to be Spirit-led in your daily interactions with others, in your decision making, and in your ability to stay strong in the face of daily temptations.

There is no specific formula for how much you need to read daily or what portions of the Bible you should read. The key is setting aside the time to do it and then sticking to it. It helps to have a good contemporary translation. The English Standard Version (ESV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), and the New International Version (NIV) are known to be good and accurate contemporary English translations.

It helps to commit to reading a certain number of chapters per day, as having a realistic goal can motivate you to stick with your reading even on busy days. The book Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life makes the observations that reading 15 minutes a day will take you through the entire Bible within a year, and that reading three chapters a day and five chapters on Sunday will accomplish the same. It also points out that since the Bible contains 66 different books, for variety’s sake you might want to consider starting to read in three places—Genesis, Job, and Matthew—as this divides the Bible into three sections that are equal in length, so by reading the same number of chapters in each section each day you will finish the three sections, and thus the entire Bible, at roughly the same time.

Finding and following a Bible reading plan of some kind can help you stick with your reading and forge ahead when you find yourself in the more difficult portions of Scripture. There are a variety of apps for electronic devices which can help you design your reading plan, including some that provide the reading program and the text. Some people prefer to read from the pages of their Bible in book form. Whether you read from a Bible or on your computer or use a mobile app, what’s important is that you read it.

Information about apps:

http://thecripplegate.com/three-must-have-bible-apps/

http://appadvice.com/appguides/show/best-bible-apps-for-the-ipad

http://rachelwojo.com/4-fabulous-bible-apps-i-recommend/

Information about Bible reading programs:

http://www.ligonier.org/blog/bible-reading-plans/

http://www.navpress.com/dj/content.aspx?id=138

Ideally, you should read in a situation free from distractions, perhaps in a quiet spot early in the morning before your day begins or late at night when all is winding down. The quietness and absence of activity around you facilitates meditating on what you are reading. If early morning is not possible, try to find another time of day when it is. But even if you can’t carve out some quiet time, then read on the run, in whatever time opens up for you—or listen to it in audio form as you go. It’s a fight to keep your commitment to read/study the Bible, but doing so will make a difference in your life.

Hearing about God’s Word

Along with personally reading God’s Word, it can be beneficial to hear His Word spoken about as well. This would entail reading, listening to, or watching sermons, talks, discussions, and posts which pertain to the Word and godly principles. Anchor, Directors’ Corner and Just One Thing can help with this, and there are other very good sites where men and women of God speak about and teach God’s Word.

I’ve found that there are some teachers I like to hear, whose style and what they speak about resonates with me more than others. But other people I know love to listen to someone who doesn’t appeal to me. We’re each different, but the point is that it can be helpful to watch or listen to those who share God’s words in a manner which speaks to you and helps strengthen your connection and relationship with the Lord.

It’s often much easier to listen to someone else speak about the principles and teachings of God’s Word than it is to take the time to read the Word yourself and to think about and meditate on what you have read. While it’s spiritually feeding and beneficial to listen to sermons and read articles about the Word, it shouldn’t replace your time reading the Bible and benefiting from what the Lord Himself has to say to you personally through His Word.

Meditating on the Word

When you read the Bible or listen to others expound on it, it’s important to ask yourself what God is speaking to you about through what you’re reading or hearing. Take time to think about what you’re reading. If a passage stands out to you, read it again. Think about it; ask yourself why it stood out to you and what the Lord might be trying to tell you through it. If a part of a sermon you listen to speaks to your heart, listen to it again, and think and pray about it. Remember, the reason for reading or listening isn’t to get through the material as quickly as possible, or to cram in as much as you can in the allotted time, but rather to absorb it, and to let it speak to you and become part of you. It’s a time to let the Lord communicate with you through His Word.

Focusing on what you read or hear, and thinking more deeply about it, is part of meditating on God’s Word. Our lives are so busy, and we often feel we need to rush from one thing to the next, so it’s difficult to take the time to truly think about what we’ve read and how to apply it, but it’s important to do so if we want it to affect us.

In the Psalms we hear David speak of meditating on God and His Word:

I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.^[3]

Hundreds of years earlier, God spoke to Joshua about the importance of continually meditating on the Word of God.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.^[4]

The great prayer warrior George Mueller wrote regarding meditating on God’s Word:

What is food for the inner man? The Word of God, and here again, not the simple reading of the Word of God, so that it only passes through our minds, just as water passes through a pipe, but considering what we read, pondering over it and applying it to our hearts.^[5]

Donald Whitney wrote:

The tree of your spiritual life thrives best with meditation because it helps you absorb the water of God’s Word. Merely hearing or reading the Bible, for example, can be like a short rainfall on hard ground. Regardless of the amount or intensity of the rain, most runs off and little sinks in. Meditation opens the soil of the soul and lets the water of God’s Word percolate in deeply. The result is an extraordinary fruitfulness and spiritual prosperity.^[6]

Reading, listening to, and meditating on the Word of God brings His blessings into our lives. As Psalm 1 says: Blessed is the man … [whose] delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers.^[7]

Reading God’s Word and meditating on it brings us into personal communication with God. As we meditate on what we’ve read, we create the opportunity for His Word to speak to our hearts because we put ourselves in the position of being willing to listen to Him. In meditating on His Word, we enter into His presence, hungering to learn, to grow, to change, to draw close to Him, to do His will. He desires to speak to each of us directly. However, if we aren’t listening or meditating on Him and His Word, if we are so busy reading what He’s said that we don’t give Him room to speak to us personally about what we’re reading, then we are truly missing something important.

Many Christians are happy to listen to what this or that speaker or preacher has to share, to be inspired by someone’s sermon, yet are much less inclined to have that one-on-one communication with the Almighty that comes when we discipline ourselves to read, study, and meditate on Scripture. Richard Foster addresses this point:

Human beings seem to have a perpetual tendency to have somebody else talk to God for them. The history of religion is the story of an almost desperate scramble to have a king, a mediator, a priest, a pastor, a go-between. In this way we do not need to go to God ourselves. Such an approach saves us from the need to change, for to be in the presence of God is to change. That is why meditation is so threatening to us. It boldly calls us to enter into the living presence of God for ourselves. It tells us that God is speaking in the continuous present and wants to address us … All who acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord are the universal priesthood of God, and as such can enter the Holy of Holies and converse with the living God.^[8]

Of course, meditating on what you’ve read or listened to takes time, and if you find you don’t have the time to stop and listen, then you might want to consider reading a little less to free up time to meditate on what you’ve read. Author Maurice Roberts wrote:

It is not the busy skimming over religious books or the careless hastening through religious duties which makes for a strong Christian faith. Rather, it is unhurried meditation on the gospel truths and the exposing of our minds to these truths that yields the fruit of sanctified character.^[9]

If we want godliness in our lives, if our desire is to emulate our Savior, if we want the light which shines through us to be the light of God and His love, then we need to take time with Him and His Word. Disciplining ourselves to take this time daily is a key component of Christlikeness. Of all the Spiritual Disciplines, this is the most important, as God’s Word—the Bible—is His revelation of Himself to humanity. Reading and meditating on it, applying it to our inner being and to our outer actions is vital to being like Jesus. It is through the regular deep absorption of the water of His Word in our hearts that we are gradually renewed and transformed to become more like Him. It is through the application of what we read and meditate on that we have the grace to live lives that are in alignment with His will. For His Word is a lamp unto our feet and light unto our path.^[10]

Take the time to commune deeply with God through His Word. It will change your life.

[Jesus] said, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and keep it!”^[11]

Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word, and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.”^[12]

If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.^[13]

You have exalted above all things Your name and Your word.^[14]

How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to Your word.^[15]

I have stored up Your word in my heart, that I might not sin against You.^[16]

I will meditate on Your precepts and fix my eyes on Your ways. I will delight in Your statutes; I will not forget Your word.^[17]

Sanctify them in the truth; Your word is truth.^[18]

(To read the next article in this series, click here.)

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] Matthew 7:24–25.

^[2] John 6:63.

^[3] Psalm 119:15–16.

^[4] Joshua 1:8.

^[5] Roger Steer, Spiritual Secrets of George Mueller (Wheaton: Harold Shaw, 1985), 62, quoted in Donald S. Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines for the Christian Life (Colorado Springs: Navpress, 1991), 76.

^[6] Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines, 49–50.

^[7] Psalm 1:1–3.

^[8] Richard J. Foster, Celebration of Discipline (New York: HarperOne, 1998), 24.

^[9] Maurice Roberts, “O the Depth!” The Banner of Truth, July 1990, 2, quoted in Whitney, Spiritual Disciplines, 55.

^[10] Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path (Psalm 119:105).

^[11] Luke 11:28.

^[12] John 14:23.

^[13] John 15:7.

^[14] Psalm 138:2.

^[15] Psalm 119:9 NIV.

^[16] Psalm 119:11.

^[17] Psalm 119:15–16.

^[18] John 17:17.

Copyright © 2014 The Family International.

02 – The Heart of It All: The Nature and Character of God

The Heart of It All

Peter Amsterdam

2011-08-23

The Living and Personal God

(For an introduction and explanation regarding this series overall, please see The Heart of It All: Introduction.)

In this series of articles, we are looking at a number of aspects of God’s nature, being, and character. We’ll start with looking at how God is alive and God is personal, and what that means to us.

Some belief systems look at everything as being part of God, and God as being part of everything. The core of such belief systems is what is referred to as pantheism, which is the belief that we’re all part of God, or part of the “force” of the universe, or that everything is connected via nature, or that God is energy, nature, or fate—but not a personal being. Other systems, such as deism, believe that God exists, but that once He created the universe He ceased to interact with it, so there is no direct connection or relationship between God and humankind.

The Living God

Having read what the Bible says about the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost—the Trinity—it’s evident that God is more than just energy or a force. Rather than having created the universe and turned away from it, He has interaction with His creation. This is seen in the Bible, beginning with the Old Testament accounts and continuing throughout the New Testament; and most notably in Jesus, the second Person of the Trinity, taking human form and living on earth, followed by the Holy Spirit dwelling in believers forever, all of which show the continued interaction between God and His creation.^[1]

God lives! While this means that He exists, it means much more than that. He interacts with humanity and especially with those who love and follow Him.

He exists for His people, ready to come to their aid and to act in their defense and to bless them for His name’s sake.^[2]

God is called “the Living God” numerous times throughout both the Old and New Testaments. He is described as alive and interactive with His people.

Joshua said, “Here is how you shall know that the living God is among you and that He will without fail drive out from before you the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Hivites, the Perizzites, the Girgashites, the Amorites, and the Jebusites.”^[3]

My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?^[4]

The Lord is the true God; He is the living God and the everlasting King. At His wrath the earth quakes, and the nations cannot endure His indignation.^[5]

Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”^[6]

We bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things (idols) to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.^[7]

You show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.^[8]

Then I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, with the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to harm earth and sea.^[9]

“The Living God” is a term used to sharply contrast God to the idols that were commonly worshipped in ancient times. The Hebrew words used in reference to idols in the Old Testament are words which mean good for nothing, worthless, vain, devoid, or empty of substance. Idols are lifeless, mere images made by man, which stand in contrast to the living, interactive God. The Bible makes the difference clear by stating that idols have no breath, which expresses that they have no life.

Every goldsmith is put to shame by his idols, for his images are false, and there is no breath in them.^[10]

 

The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands. They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see; they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.^[11]

They have mouths, but do not speak; eyes, but do not see. They have ears, but do not hear; noses, but do not smell. They have hands, but do not feel; feet, but do not walk; and they do not make a sound in their throat.^[12]

 

When challenging the false prophets and their idols, the prophet Isaiah stated the difference between a living God who knows all things—past, present, and future—and the idols, which know nothing.

 

Bring in your idols to tell us what is going to happen. Tell us what the former things were, so that we may consider them and know their final outcome. Or declare to us the things to come, tell us what the future holds, so we may know that you are gods. Do something, whether good or bad, so that we will be dismayed and filled with fear. But you are less than nothing and your works are utterly worthless; he who chooses you is detestable.^[13]

The Living God—the Supreme Being who created the universe and all that is in it, including us—deserves our allegiance, worship, praise, and love. From God’s point of view, it’s an insult to worship lifeless, useless idols.

I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery. You shall have no other gods beforeMe. You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.^[14]

 

Pay attention to all that I have said to you, and make no mention of the names of other gods, nor let it be heard on your lips.^[15]

If you forget the Lord your God and go after other gods and serve them and worship them, I solemnly warn you today that you shall surely perish.^[16]

God Is Personal

The Living God is a personal and active being. His personhood is seen in that He has self-awareness, rational consciousness, self-determination, intelligence, emotions, knowledge, and will, all of which are necessary for personhood. We, as human beings, are personal and possess personhood. We have personhood because we are made in the image of God. The difference between human beings and all other created things on earth is that we are made in God’s image and they are not; we possess personhood and they don’t. As William Lane Craig said, Man is a person because God is personal, and that is what enables us to relate to God.^[17] God being personal and possessing personhood doesn’t mean that God is human; rather it means that we as humans share personhood with God.

God personally interacts with humankind, as can be seen throughout the Bible. He enters into relationships with people. He has made agreements or partnerships, called “covenants,” with them. He speaks to them throughout the Bible. These are personal acts.

In the Old Testament, God actively involved Himself with His people, Israel, in their times of need—such as by parting the Red Sea and the Jordan River, giving them food and water, providing them with land, and so on. He sent messengers, the prophets, who delivered His words, and He rewarded or punished people in accordance with whether they obeyed or disobeyed those messages. Throughout the Old Testament it’s plain that God was personally and actively involved with His people.^[18]

The book of Genesis shows God interacting in a personal way with His creatures in many instances, including in the creation of the world, in His actions and conversations with Adam and Eve, through His entering into personal covenants with Noah, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He continued to show Himself as personal through His dealings with Moses and the children of Israel.

God’s Word ascribes emotions to God: love, hatred, anger, repentance, grief, compassion, indignation, abhorrence, patience, longsuffering, joy, and others. Such emotions are attributed to personhood.^[19]

When Moses asked, God spoke His name—Yahweh, I AM. Having a name and giving that name to another is a personal act. He also has titles that depict Him as personal, such as Father, Judge, Shepherd, or Husband.^[20]

Nothing showed that God is personal as clearly as His revelation of Himself in Jesus. Jesus was God walking the earth, and He was personal in every way, in every act, so much so that He personally died so that we could receive salvation.

Authors Gordon Lewis and Bruce Demarest state that God actively creates, sustains, covenants with His people, preserves the Messiah’s line of descent in Israel, commissions prophet after prophet, sends His Son into the world, provides the atoning sacrifices to satisfy His own righteousness, raises Christ from the dead, builds the church and judges all justly. Far from being a passive entity like a building, the God of the Bible is an active architect, builder, freedom fighter, advocate of the poor and oppressed, and empathetic counselor, a suffering servant and a triumphant deliverer.^[21]

Our God is not some faraway disinterested being. He is a God who is personal, who has a relationship with His creation. He has made Himself known to us through His Word. He has shown us some of what He’s like. He is interested in us as individuals. He has made a way for us to live with Him forever, through salvation. Through belief in Jesus, God the Son, we become God’s children, which enables us to touch Him personally, to communicate with Him, to hear His voice, to share our hearts with Him. He communes with us, abides in us, and loves us. We commune with Him, abide in Him, and love Him. We have a personal relationship with the Personal God. How incredibly wonderful!

(To read the next article in this series, click here.)

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. Other versions frequently cited are The New International Version (NIV), the New American Standard Bible (NASB), The New King James Version (NKJV), and the King James Version (KJV).

^[1] I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. You know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. (John 14:16–17)

^[2] Cottrell, Jack. What the Bible Says About God the Creator. Eugene: Wipf and Stock Publishers, 1996. p. 388.

^[3] Joshua 3:10.

^[4] Psalm 42:2.

^[5] Jeremiah 10:10.

^[6] Matthew16:16.

^[7] Acts 14:15.

^[8] 2 Corinthians 3:3.

^[9] Revelation 7:2.

^[10] Jeremiah 10:14.

^[11] Psalm 135:15–17.

^[12] Psalm 115:5–7.

^[13] Isaiah 41:22–24 NIV.

^[14] Exodus 20:2–5.

^[15] Exodus 23:13.

^[16] Deuteronomy 8:19.

^[17] Craig, William Lane, The Doctrine of God, Part 4. “Defenders” Lecture Series.

^[18] See Psalms 78, 105, 106, 136.

^[19] The Oberlin Evangelist. October 9, 1839. Professor Finney’s Lectures. Lecture XVIII, Affections and Emotions of God.

^[20] Father: I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to Me, says the Lord Almighty. 2 Corinthians 6:18.

Judge:The Lord is our judge; the Lord is our lawgiver; the Lord is our king; He will save us. Isaiah 33:22.

Shepherd: The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1.

Husband: Your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is His name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth He is called. Isaiah 54:5.

^[21] Lewis, Gordon R., and Bruce A. Demarest. Integrative Theology. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1996, p. 196.

Copyright © 2011 The Family International.

Origin: The Writings

June 20, 2025

By Jeff Griffin

Have you ever considered that God Himself, in order to connect with you, penned a book to the whole world? The result? The Bible, the ultimate best-selling book of all time. This book is filled with stories and wisdom that can be life-transforming.

Run time for this video is 34 minutes.

 

 

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Trusting God in Every Season of Life

June 19, 2025

Treasures

Audio length: 11:53

Download Audio (10.8MB)

The Bible teaches that “there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven.” This passage goes on to provide examples of these seasons, such as a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn (Ecclesiastes 3:1–7). The Bible is full of accounts of people who endured many things and had their ups and downs and triumphs and losses. The stories from Old Testament times that made it into God’s Hall of Fame in Hebrews chapter 11 were about people who held on to their faith and put their trust in God through every season of life.

The reality is that everyone will face problems, difficulties, challenges, illness, heartbreak, tragedy and loss in this life—including Christians. When we experience the challenging seasons of life, we can struggle with understanding why God allows something in our lives or in the world around us. Why doesn’t God solve all our problems and protect us and others from all grief and suffering and loss? Why doesn’t He make this life as painless and perfect as He has promised our eternal lives in heaven will be? Why must we endure hardship and suffering?

The short answer is that our time on earth serves as our testing ground, where we grow in our faith and are drawn close to God, and are transformed over time to become more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). Troubles cause us to turn to the Lord and depend on Him more. Our experiences in this life teach us love, compassion, and empathy for others, and they equip us to better help and serve others (2 Corinthians 1:4). Troubles are meant to strengthen us and teach us and grow our faith and trust in God, as well as helping us to grow in compassion for others.

In his first epistle, the Apostle Peter pointed out that believers have been born into “a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” He then went on to say, “In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed” (1 Peter 1:3–7).

In his writing, James even went so far as to encourage the believers to “count it all joy when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness” (James 1:2–3). Various translations use other words, such as patience and endurance. Later in the chapter, he highlights the reward of our endurance: “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” (James 1:12).

What God has promised

God has not promised
Skies always blue,
Flower-strewn pathways
All our lives through;
God has not promised
Sun without rain
Joy without sorrow,
Peace without pain.

But God has promised
Strength for the day,
Rest for the labour,
Light for the way,
Grace for the trials,
Help from above,
Unfailing sympathy,
Undying love.
—Annie Johnson Flint (1866–1932)

Learning through life

Life is a learning experience, and for those who know and love Jesus, He is our teacher. He wants each of us to grow in our understanding of Him, His love and salvation, and how we can be of greatest service to Him and others.

God knows that we cannot depend solely on our own strength and wisdom to accomplish His purposes. In fact, Jesus said, “Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). The Bible also says that we “can do all things through Christ who strengthens us” (Philippians 4:13). So we know that God’s Spirit will empower us to do the good works that He prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).

Of course, learning to commit our ways, thoughts, and actions to God is not something we learn overnight. It takes time and experience, and often involves facing challenges, difficulties, failures, and seeming defeats. The Bible is filled with the stories of people whom God had to allow to face struggles and enormous challenges in preparation for the fulfillment of His plan. They needed to learn to put their trust in God, even when everything seemed to be going contrary to their expectations.

The story of Joseph in the Old Testament is a case in point. Of Jacob’s 12 sons, he was his father’s favorite. His older brothers were so jealous of him that they nearly killed him, threw him into a pit, and then sold him into slavery. Joseph was taken to Egypt, where he served as a slave and later was condemned to prison as a criminal. But through God’s divine intervention, he became the second most powerful man in Egypt, and God used him to save His people from famine.

When Joseph’s brothers later met with him, repentant of their actions toward him, Joseph replied by exclaiming, “You meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive, as they are today” (Genesis 50:20–21). Everything Joseph endured during the very difficult seasons of his life was part of God’s preparation for him to perform the good works that He had prepared in advance for him to do.

Consider the apostle Paul: He was an up-and-coming Jewish leader, then named Saul, who had taken it upon himself to put an end to the fast-growing sect of the followers of Jesus of Nazareth (Acts 22:1–5). As he journeyed by horseback to Damascus, where he intended to capture, imprison, and execute as many Christians as he could, suddenly a light from heaven shone around him, and he fell to the ground before the brilliant light of Christ’s presence (Acts 9:3–5). Jesus himself spoke to Saul, and said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.” The men traveling with Saul also heard the voice, though they saw no one (Acts 9:5–7).

Helpless and blind, Saul had to be led by the hand into the city and was so astonished by what had happened to him that he was unable to eat or drink for three days. A disciple of the Lord named Ananias was instructed by God in a vision to go to Saul. He resisted at first, due to the persecution Saul had wrought on the believers. But the Lord commanded him to go, saying, “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” (Acts 9:13–16).

Ananias then came and prayed for Saul, who regained his sight, was converted, and became the apostle Paul (Acts 9:17–19). God had a special calling and plan for Paul, but in order to fulfill His good purpose in his life, he would experience many trials and hardships. These would equip him to be used by God to help establish the early church and to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and to stand with boldness before rulers and authorities. (See Acts 23 and 24.)

So even if we don’t always understand why we’re experiencing a season of struggle, tests, hardships, and breakings, it’s important to remember that God has a purpose and He knows what He’s doing (Jeremiah 29:11)! God works through some of the most difficult seasons of our lives to teach us important lessons that we couldn’t learn any other way and to grow our faith in Him and love for Him and others. So take heart from these examples from the Bible, and don’t be discouraged if everything seems to be unraveling, or your hopes are disappointed, or you are experiencing a time of trouble.

It is also important to remind ourselves that we often cannot see things as God sees them, 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). God doesn’t judge or reward us according to our success or failure, but according to our faithfulness, as Jesus taught in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25:14–29). In heaven one day, He’ll say to those who are true to Him, “Well done, My good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your lord” (Matthew 25:21). He won’t say “My successful servant,” but “My faithful servant.”

No matter what season of life you find yourself in, you can rest in the sure knowledge that as a child of God, you are in God’s hands (John 1:12–13). You have been born again into a living hope. There is an inheritance being kept for you in heaven that can never perish, spoil, or fade. You are being guarded through faith by God’s power (1 Peter 1:3–5). The God of the universe is your Father and He calls you His child. Jesus has called you His friend and loved you so much that He suffered and died for your eternal redemption (John 15:9–15).

God has given us many promises of His protection, provision, and care for us in the Bible. In order to be strengthened in our faith, it is important that we dedicate time to study God’s Word. The Bible tells us that even as newborn infants desire to be fed, we should desire the pure milk of God’s Word, so that we may grow thereby (1 Peter 2:2). Though the Bible may not provide specific answers for every situation or season we will face, it teaches us godly principles for navigating life’s challenges in a way that will please God and bless others.

“His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:3–4).

Published on Anchor June 2025. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Joy in His Presence!

June 18, 2025

—Because I live by faith, not feelings

By Charle Helen

We don’t always understand why God allows certain “gifts” in our life, like the gift of something not functioning just right in your body, which causes troubles, sicknesses, and a weak heart. This is my situation concerning the “gift” of an underactive thyroid.

It took me a long time to see this condition as a gift, but with time I had to recognize that God uses this to teach me certain lessons, mainly dependence on Him and being thankful and joyful in spite of it, and best of all, to show me that He is still the God who is in control of everything, He is still the God of miracles, and He is holding my weak heart in His strong, loving hands.

I was 17 when I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. At that time there was no medical treatment for it. I knew nothing about this condition, and therefore I more or less ignored it. (There was no internet at that time to do research.) But with menopause, the symptoms became more and more extreme, and that became a big test of my faith and trust in Jesus. I suffered a lot with digestion problems, diarrhea, tiredness, dizziness to the point of fainting at times, and more frequent heart pain.

Then in February 2023 I again became very sick. I was fainting and having severe, almost unbearable heart pain. I was taken to the hospital and there I was told that I had COVID. I could see that the doctors were very concerned about me, but feeling so sick and being already 73 years old, I just did not want to fight all these battles in life any longer. I begged Jesus to take me to heaven. I fainted in the hospital two more times and just could not understand why dying was taking so long. I did not want to accept anything else except that it was my time to die, but God had other plans.

Before I left the hospital, one of the doctors told me that the first three days I was there, they had not expected me to survive, but I did, when so many others did not make it. At that moment it felt like scales had fallen from my eyes and I could see how Jesus had carried me through all of this. I had wanted to just give up, but He was my strength in my weakness. It was easy then to thank and praise Him and be thankful to still be alive, to still be able to be a blessing to others.

My doctor did some more tests and told me that my underactive thyroid causes me to have a severe histamine intolerance, which in turns means that I am not able to take replacement hormones for my thyroid disorder. She also explained that this condition had created a life-threatening situation for my heart, which had been strained all my life.

You can imagine that she did not understand how I could stay calm and not freak out with this devastating news. So, I told her that I had lived a long life and that I believe in life after death. She was speechless, and I left her office rejoicing, feeling like a walking miracle.

I now try extra hard to be in tune with Jesus and not risk overdoing it. But last December, being carried away by the excitement of going to the Christmas market to pass out the message of God’s love, I overdid again. I got sick, weak, dizzy, did not sleep well, and had strong heart pains. Again, as in times past, I felt fear threatening to take hold of my emotions. But, having had much experience with fighting fear in my life, I fought it again, remembering all the times that Jesus has carried me through.

When talking to Jesus and giving Him all my fears, a strange thing that happened then, as had happened before when in the midst of such battles, was that it was just so quiet inside me, as if I needed to find my way alone through this dark tunnel, making my own decision of whether to look at Jesus or my feelings. I hung on to the thought that once I am through this dark tunnel and out in the light again I will see clearly once more just how close Jesus has been all along and how He carried me through. Though I really did not feel like praising, I started to make the effort to praise, love, and thank Jesus in advance for bringing me through. What helped was to listen to loving-and-praising-Jesus music and sing along in my mind.

As we know, words (and thoughts) are real things! They can bless or curse; they can lift up or knock down; they can save or damn. And that has become so true for me. If I look at my body and all the pain and discomfort, I sink. But if I concentrate on looking at Jesus, and if I sing and praise, it lifts me up and out of the trouble.

Therefore, 2 Corinthians 5 has become a guiding light for me, especially verse 7: “For we walk by faith, not by sight.” Not by sight or by feelings! Giving praise and thanks gave me back my joy in the Lord, no matter the heart pain and extreme dizziness, and I know that He is in control, in spite of my lacks and shortcomings. Indeed, the joy of the Lord is my strength, and He does keep me in perfect peace because my mind is stayed on Him, because I fully trust Him. (See Nehemiah 8:10 and Isaiah 26:3.)

I am getting better, day by day, as I concentrate on looking to Jesus. All praise and glory to Him!

* * *

Always be joyful. Never stop praying. Give thanks no matter what happens.—1 Thessalonians 5:16–18

But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; Let them ever shout for joy, because You defend them; Let those also who love Your name be joyful in You.—Psalm 5:11

You have given him blessings that will never end. You have made him glad and joyful because you are with him.—Psalm 21:6

I will find my glory in knowing the Lord. Let those who are hurting hear me and be joyful.—Psalm 34:2

Blessed are those who have learned to shout praise to you. LORD, they live in the light of your kindness.—Psalm 89:15

A joyful heart is good medicine.—Proverbs 17:22

Shout with joy, you heavens! Be glad, you earth! Burst into song, you mountains! The Lord will comfort his people. He will show his tender love to those who are suffering.—Isaiah 49:13

Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior.—Habakkuk 3:18

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Victory Over Fear

June 17, 2025

A compilation

Audio length: 9:53

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In 2 Kings chapter six we read the story of when Elisha and his servant were camped about the city of Dothan. The servant couldn’t see anything but the horses and the chariots of the enemy, but Elisha saw that God was with them.

God’s Word says, “And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, ‘Alas, my master! What shall we do?’ So he answered, ‘Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, and said, ‘Lord, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha” (2 Kings 6:15–17).

Isn’t it wonderful when our eyes are opened to see God working, to see that the Lord is with us! That’s when we know that greater is the power that is with us than all the enemies of fear and doubt that are against us.

Some people have more fears than others, but everybody knows what it is to be afraid. Well, I have good news that Jesus Christ came into the world to release us from our fears. One of the first messages from the angel at the time of Jesus’ birth was “Fear not, for behold, I bring you good news of great joy” (Luke 2:10).

Jesus told His disciples, “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). He also said: “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Love is greater than fear. God’s Word says, “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

When we have the Lord Jesus Christ, and we live in His Word, there is nothing more stimulating that comes to the center of our attention than the love of God, and it can drive out all fears. I’m not belittling fear and pretending it’s a simple thing just to trust in God and not be afraid. It’s not simple, but I do know from experience that perfect love will cast out fear.

We have to live in the Word of God; we have to claim His promises. We have to take hold of those promises and practice the presence of God continually.

We’re not trusting our own strength, our own protection. We’re not trusting anything in the natural, the things that we can lay hold of in the material world. We’re trusting in God’s power, and therefore, we have the perfect love that casts out fear.

God’s Word speaks of this deliverance from fear, this overcoming power of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh, won’t you go to Him? Seek Him, and He will reveal His love to you!—Virginia Brandt Berg

*

I know the enemy of my soul uses fear as a tool to steal, kill, and destroy faith, when Jesus came to give me fullness of life, his perfect love promising to cast out my fears (1 John 4:18). So I’ve been thinking lately, What are some truths we can cling to when fear looms and threatens our faith?

The psalmist extols God’s goodness in Psalm 119:68: “You are good and do good.” What a simple yet profound statement. Because God’s character is good—no ounce of unrighteousness dwells in him—all God’s intentions, plans, and works are good. Everything God is and everything God does is wrapped up in goodness.

Yes, yes, God is good. We believe this. But this truth is hard for us to wrap our minds around when circumstances seem bad. When the grim news arrives, the tragedy strikes, and our worst fear becomes a reality—what then? Can we still declare, “You are good and only do good”?

Here’s how the promise of God’s goodness casts out fear: God is for you in Jesus Christ, not against you. The giving of his Son for the sake of your soul is the ultimate demonstration of his goodness toward you. Not only this, but what happened at the cross proves that what appears bad, God intends for our good. Even death did not have the final word. Christ disarmed it “by canceling the record of debt that stood against us” (Colossians 2:14–15).

As much as we want to make sense of our situation because that makes us feel we’re in control, God’s ways and wisdom are higher than ours. Somehow his goodness undergirds everything that passes through his hands to us—even the thing we most fear.

To trust in God’s goodness toward us as we walk by faith, not by sight, is the great challenge of the Christian life, with all its trials and sufferings—but it’s also the great, blessed assurance Christ lived, died, and rose to purchase for us. Be not afraid; God is always good. …

The truth that when we are weak, he is strong casts out the fear that we’ll be left to our own devices and resources, that we won’t make it through the darkest night of the soul. But Jesus passed through the valley of the shadow of death at Calvary so we would never walk alone. He knew the darkness of forsakenness so we would never be forsaken. And he held the victory over sin and death so our hope for eternal life would be in him. …

Meditate on the promises of God that have the power to cast out your fear and uphold your faith, and praise him that these promises are for you through his Son.—Kristen Wetherell¹

*

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27).

Are you experiencing anxiety in your life right now? If so, trust in this wonderful promise that Jesus gave to His disciples the night before He died. This is something they were going to need. Within 24 hours their Master and Friend would be dead. They would be terribly afraid. They would need that heavenly peace that the world cannot provide.

We need it, too. Our course is not always through calm and storm-free waters. When turbulence comes, we need the peace of the Lord on the inside so that we can remain secure even while the world outside is being shaken. The good news is that Jesus promises His peace to us, too.

The word “peace” is a beautiful, all-encompassing idea in the Bible. … When Jesus promises His peace, He is referring not only to inner serenity, but wholeness in all our dealings, all our relationships. Claim this promise. Tell Jesus, “I believe it. Now I receive it.”—Mark Stibbe²

Published on Anchor June 2025. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ Kristen Wetherell, “Let God’s Voice Cast Out Fear,” Desiring God, November 10, 2017, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/let-gods-voice-cast-out-fear

² Mark Stibbe, God’s Word for Every Need (Destiny Image Publishers, 2017).

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Everything Money Can’t Buy

June 16, 2025

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 11:56

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Don’t store up treasures here on earth… Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.—Matthew 6:19–21

There are some things that seem so important on the surface, and money is one of those things. And in reality, money is the currency of the world that enables people to purchase their basic needs. Most people wish they had more of it—whether for good reasons, to assist their families and to support those in need, or for self-seeking purposes of accumulating material wealth and seeking fulfillment in it.

The desire for wealth and money are common temptations, and it can be enticing to feel that you could do so much with it and serve Me and others better if you had more of it. When I was in the wilderness for forty days, one of Satan’s temptations was to offer Me all the kingdoms of the world and their wealth (Luke 4:5–8). But My kingdom is much greater than any earthly kingdom!

In order to fulfill his calling, Moses forsook being the prince of Egypt and he chose the true riches of heaven over the fleeting wealth of all the treasures of Egypt. He chose to be mistreated with his people rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season (Hebrews 11:23–26).

So many people in the world who seem to have material wealth and stability are empty on the inside, in desperate need of answers to the deepest questions of life. As their lives draw to a close, they are faced with the fact that all their wealth and earthly achievements will be left behind.

You have discovered eternal riches that will last forever—My love and truth. Continue to be faithful to freely share with others the true riches that you freely received (Matthew 10:8).

The true riches

Do not love the world or anything in the world. … The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever.—1 John 2:15–17

If you find yourself struggling to make ends meet or are concerned about whether you will have enough money or material goods, remind yourself that you possess wealth beyond anything the world can offer. Many people who are rich in the goods of the world are some of the most impoverished people spiritually, emotionally, and relationally.

You may not have everything that you want, but I have promised to supply everything you need (Philippians 4:19). You have a storehouse of wealth at your disposal and are laying up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19–20). The world and all its earthly goods and desires will pass away, but you will live on forever in My kingdom. I am preparing a place for you which moth, decay, thieves and economic downturns cannot destroy, where your faithfulness to Me will be greatly rewarded (John 14:3).

One day you will dwell in a place of beauty and comfort to which nothing on earth can compare. The world’s riches are temporal, here today and gone tomorrow, but My riches are eternal.

Lay down your burdens

Come to me, all who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. Place my yoke over your shoulders, and learn from me, because I am gentle and humble. Then you will find rest for yourselves because my yoke is easy and my burden is light.—Matthew 11:28–30

I know that it takes a bit of effort to lay down your many responsibilities and the concerns on your mind to spend time with Me—to seek Me and to learn from Me. But it is a game-changer when you do, and it will give you strength, inspiration, and peace for your day and the challenges before you.

If your day seems dreary or things just aren’t going well despite your best efforts, take a pause to cast all your burdens on Me (Psalm 55:22). Remember that My burden is light. You don’t have to carry the weight yourself.

Start your day in My presence, in communion and taking the time to read My Word and receive My guidance. My Word is perfect and radiant and more precious than gold that perishes, and it will refresh your soul and make your heart joyful (Psalm 19:7–10). So come to Me and find rest for your soul and faith for the journey.

A good worker

Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth.—2 Timothy 2:15

Picture in your mind an aid worker who is preparing to carry food to people in a remote village who are facing dire need—a village so isolated that it can only be reached by foot. It will be a very difficult journey, and the aid worker will only be able to take with him what he’s able to carry on his back.

To ensure that he is able to endure the journey and go the distance, the worker needs to ensure that he is healthy and well-nourished himself. When he arrives, he needs to have the strength to pass out the desperately needed supplies to the people he has come to serve.

Likewise, if you are going to share My life-giving words with others, it is important that you continue to faithfully read and learn from My Word, so that you will be able to teach others also (2 Timothy 2:2). Each one of you has a role to play in sharing and teaching My Word and helping others to grow in their faith—and it starts with your personal times of study and growth.

Becoming one

I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.—1 Corinthians 9:22–23

I want to use you to reach people in the world around you who are in such great need of My love and truth. Many people struggle just to get through the day and to understand the purpose and meaning of their life. When you give of yourself, your time and your resources to reach them, I will more than repay you (Luke 10:35).

As you make an effort to walk in other people’s shoes, to understand their situation and experiences, My love will empower you to speak their language and reach their heart. I know that some people can be difficult to approach and to share a witness with. Some people may have a tough exterior and appear unlikely to be receptive to the message. It can take courage to walk up to them and offer them a tract or start a conversation about faith.

Whenever you feel hesitant or intimidated, remember that you have something that they don’t have—and that they desperately need. When you approach people with conviction and sincerity, motivated by a concern for them and their eternal destiny, My Spirit speaks to their heart, whether they receive it at the time or further down the road.

You may be that person’s only opportunity to hear the gospel before their life ends. Your willingness to reach out to them and walk alongside them to share My love with them will help to save those who choose to receive Me into their lives.

How the story ends

So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.—Matthew 6:34, 33

When you look back on the story of your life, you realize that much of it was a mystery to you and you didn’t know how your future would unfold. I know that you have questions about the future. You see the instability of the world around you and it raises questions about your financial stability and what conditions will be like as everything changes around you at a pace never seen before.

I know that the uncertainties of the future can be concerning, but remember that I am the author and the finisher of your story. I know what’s ahead in every chapter of your life. So stay close to Me; commit your tomorrows into My hands and rest in My peace.

Take one day at a time and remember that no matter what happens, there will be a happy ending. Everything will work together in the end and all the pieces of your life will fit together to form My masterpiece and fulfill the purposes I planned for you long ago (Ephesians 2:10). So take heart when you face challenges and rejoice in the end of the story and the place I have prepared for all those who love Me.

Originally published in 1999. Adapted and republished June 2025. Read by Jon Marc. Music by John Listen.

Copyright © 2025 The Family International

Core 8-04: Knowing Who’s Who

2014-02-01

We can tell the difference between God’s good spiritual forces and the Devil’s evil spirits by “test[ing] the spirits, whether they are of God.” [4]

God’s power is creative and loving, while the Devil’s power is destructive and hateful. God’s Spirit ministers love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control—all good things. The Devil and his evil spirits minister fear, hatred, bitterness, strife, misery, confusion, and torment—all bad things. [5]

Footnotes

[4] 1 John 4:1

[5] Galatians 5:22-23

Core 8-05: Heavenly Forces

2014-02-01

There is, of course, the good side to the spirit world—the side that fights the Devil and those who follow him. This side not only includes God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit, but also other spirits as well. You can find reference to these spirits in the Bible.

These include the seven spirits of God spoken of in Revelation 4:5, the seven stars or angels or spirits of the seven churches of Revelation 1:20, the four spirits of the heavens of Zechariah 6:5, and the multitudes of other celestial messengers, angels, or spirits that are mentioned in the Bible.

The apostle Paul calls this heavenly host a “great cloud of witnesses” that surrounds us. [6] Just like a cloud is composed of millions of tiny particles of moisture, this spiritual cloud is composed of millions of good spirits.

In the book of 2 Kings we learn about how God opened someone’s eyes to see into the spiritual realm and he got a glimpse of some of those many witnesses:

2 Kings 6:15-17 (NIV) When the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. “Oh, my lord, what shall we do?” the servant asked. “Don’t be afraid,” the prophet answered. “Those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, “O Lord, open his eyes so he may see.” Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

They are not only watching us, they are watching over us, protecting us, and trying to influence us for good. All throughout the Bible there are many promises of spiritual protection, such as, “The angel of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him, and delivers them,” [7] and, “He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.” [8]

These heavenly beings are also there to help us to fight the battle of good and evil mentally and spiritually, and to help us to choose what is right over what is wrong.

Footnotes

[6] Hebrews 12:1

[7] Psalm 34:7

[8] Psalm 91:11

Core 8-06: Strategy Against Satan’s Tactics

2014-02-01

The Bible tells us to “fight the good fight of faith” [9] and warns us not to be ignorant of the Devil’s tactics. The Devil has no direct power over us physically, but he can try to influence our thoughts, attitudes, and decisions. We don’t need to fear him, but we do need to be on guard against him.

The Devil knows that if he’s too obvious with his attacks, then we would readily recognize his lies and know how to defeat him. So he often uses more subtle tactics, like twisting the truth to cause us to choose to do something wrong, or magnifying our lazy nature to keep us from choosing to make a positive decision.

Say you became sick or were involved in an accident. You feel that if you would have done something differently, this wouldn’t have happened. As a Christian, you know that God can use this situation to either teach you something good or bring you closer to Him. Once you have asked Him and have done your part to get His thoughts on the matter, then that’s that—you get better and move on. But the Devil is more than happy to play on your feelings of remorse. He will try to make sure that you don’t let go of that bad feeling, and he does his best to make sure that you will continue to beat yourself up about what you did wrong for as long as possible.

The goodness that Jesus gives us makes us feel forgiven, humbled, and thankful, so if you are instead carrying feelings of remorse, condemnation, and regret, you need to realize that this is Satan at work.

It’s important to recognize the thoughts and lies of Satan, because once you do, you can then access the power and promises of Jesus that He gives you through the words that are written in the Bible. The Devil cannot withstand the power of Jesus. His own power is weakened and he is then easily defeated.

Fight Like a Warrior
A message from Jesus
The true warrior is always looking for a way to gain territory no matter how severe the attacks of the Enemy may be. Unlike earthly warfare, where you often retreat when casualties are high, or you concede defeat because you’re badly beaten, when it comes to spiritual warfare you never need to concede defeat, because you can always rely on Me to come through for you, and make every situation and every battle a victory situation if you never give up.

The way of man is usually to pull back in certain areas in order to reinforce other areas where major attacks have been launched, but that’s a very defensive approach. Often the best way to fight back is to not only stand your ground, but to launch an attack in several directions, so that the Enemy is the one who is then put on the defensive and sent running.

No matter how badly the Enemy attacks you, you have the power and the weapons to keep hammering away at him. You have the heavenly resources to keep blasting his forces to bits. And you have the gift of faith to hold tightly to, so that no matter how dismal the outlook may be, your faith in Me will sustain your spirit with the promise that I will be the victor, so long as you are willing to keep fighting and seeing the battle through.

Don’t give the Enemy the pleasure of seeing you pull back because of his scare tactics. Keep launching your attack. Keep sending volleys into Satan’s camp, no matter how hard he’s besieging you. The courageous man is the one who keeps fighting and moving forward even when he’s hardest hit, even when there are foes all around and the battles are intense. There is always hope of victory if you keep fighting.

Footnotes

[9] 1 Timothy 6:12

Core 8-07: The Armor of God

2014-02-01

In order to resist and fight Satan, Jesus has given us spiritual armor and spiritual weapons to use, which gives us strength to withstand his attacks. We must remember that the war of good and evil is not a carnal one but a spiritual one—one that can only be won through mind and spirit. And also one that is won through faith and belief in God’s Word.

Breakdown of God’s Armor
What do we need for protection?

We are fighting the devil—Satan. We are not fighting people, but the powers of darkness in this world, which is Satan and his helpers. The protection we need is the armor of God.

What is the armor of God, and how can we clothe ourselves in it? Let’s look at each piece.

Belt of truth—Standing firm in truth. Living our lives by the truth of God’s word.

Breastplate of Righteousness—Walking uprightly before God. Aligning our lives to His standards.

Shod feet—Standing with firm-footed stability, being ready.

Shield of Faith—Standing firm in our faith. This will squash all the fiery darts Satan sends.

Helmet of Salvation—Protection for our minds. Satan attacks us here more than anywhere. We need to be sure of our Salvation and not waver or doubt.

All of these pieces are for protecting us—and need to be put on daily.

There is still one other piece we need to be armed with. This piece is not for protecting us, but for fighting with.

The Sword of the Spirit—which is the word of God.

We cannot fight the enemy if we don’t know the word of God. It is vital for how effective we are when we use the sword, and how effective the rest of the armor is that protects us. No soldier goes to war with faulty weapons, or with faulty protection. Neither should we. The key here is to learn God’s word. Hide it in your heart. Then you can put on God’s armor and be able to stand firm.

1. S. Lowndes

As it said in the last paragraph, “We cannot fight the enemy if we don’t know the word of God.” This is a key point to remember, because it’s the secret to defeating and overcoming the power of Satan.