The Bible contains a huge amount of wisdom for us. It’s the Word of God, after all. Usually, that wisdom is most valuable to us when we are living through tragedy. Those days and nights can be among the hardest we’ll ever have, because the pain seems to be too strong. Have you ever felt like that? Our topic this week has to do with Walking By Faith. Second Corinthians 5:7 says, “For we live by faith, not by sight.” What does this mean? Well, Scripture tells us that true faith in God is “the evid...
May 01, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 500
Standing in the door of the plane, with a fierce wind whipping his whole body, Curtis wondered why he’d volunteered for the paratroopers. It was glamorous, they said. It’ll make a man out of you, they said. Shutting his eyes, Curtis prayed the most honest prayer of his life. He stretched out his hands and took a step… Lamentations 3:25-26 says, “The Lord is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.” Rolling on the grou...
Apr 30, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 499
Under Construction Have you ever visited a construction site, or lived near one? A construction site is a unique kind of mess. Dirt and mud mingle with piles of wood, shingles, and other building materials. Utility flags poke up from the ground like man-made weeds. Trampled grass and dirty sidewalks give further evidence of the work at hand. Eventually, what began as an empty field will grow into something more: a business, a medical facility, or a home. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “‘For I know the pla...
Apr 29, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 498
Who likes to wait for what we need or want? Basically, nobody. Of those nine elements that make up the Fruit of the Spirit, patience may be the hardest to find. Romans 8:25 says, “But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” And patience is learned. Which makes it one of the sweetest fruits the Spirit gives us. Waiting for a “payoff” of some kind makes the end result that much more rewarding. Life teaches us that. A childless Hannah endured mocking and ridicule, but the ...
Apr 28, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 497
We all screw up. Fail in some way. We fall short of goals or get embarrassed in some kind of career implosion. It’s easy then to feel like we’ll never win again. That’s not how God sees you. Jeremiah 29:11 says, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Hope and a future. That’s what’s ahead, not depression and failure. The Bible is full of stories of people God would not allow to slip away. Peter de...
Apr 27, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 496
Apr 24, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 495
Do you like scary movies? Is an evening spent looking through your fingers appealing to you? It is to a lot of people. Some of us really like to be scared! But hopefully that doesn’t translate to real life. Screaming in a dark theatre can actually be fun, but you don’t want to live a life of fear. Psalm 23:4 tells us, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.” To be blunt about it, God made u...
Apr 23, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 494
Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or even exists? Maybe it’s all some cosmic joke, right? We’ve all been there. Humans doubt. We doubt ourselves, we doubt product labels, we doubt our kids. We question everything. But that worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of great difficulties. Sometimes the world is just flat-out mean and it seems like it’s an entity that’s trying to break you in half. That is the very moment God’s anci...
Apr 22, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 493
The giant redwoods of the American Pacific Northwest are among nature’s most beautiful scenes. As tall as skyscrapers, and big enough to drive a truck through. It is said that the redwoods are so powerful and strong in part because even these plants have a sense of community. Separated, or as a single tree, the root system is more vulnerable. But planted with partners all around, the picture changes completely. The redwood becomes tall and strong. Colossians 2:6-7 says, "So then, just as you rec...
Apr 21, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 492
At an address in Columbus Ohio in 1900, former slave Booker T. Washington kept the room spellbound. This man, who had built Tuskegee Institute to lift blacks out of economic bondage, was revered around the world. But he said something that surprised more than a few in the audience. He said that one of his main priorities for the Institute was hiring more Bible teachers! Washington, who had been forced to work in an evil system, once felt powerless. Yes, an American president legally freed the sl...
Apr 20, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 491
If you’ve ever been to a trade show, you know that products for the Christmas season are presented and pre-sold in July! Sort of like the Laurel & Hardy film in which they sold Christmas trees in summer! Hopefully we have better marketing than the comedy duo, but there is one superb gift we can make people aware of year-round. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” If you’ve found faith in Jesus Chri...
Apr 17, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 490
Have you ever thought much about grace? We hear the word, but the concept itself might be a little elusive. That might be because it’s hard for humans to understand and embrace. Grace means simply that someone gives you something with no strings attached. Just for your good. Ephesians 2:8 says, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.” The Bible tells a simple story, really. Mankind sinned and brought evil into the world. God ...
Apr 16, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 489
Our world has rich diversity. In nature, we see almost countless stunning animal species. We linger on pictures of beautiful landscapes. Even different cultures give us amazing experiences. There are also many different religions. Some of them offer a measure of peace. Some have reflections that can help us be better people. Today we’re talking about salvation, and that is one thing only Jesus offers. That is a harsh thing to say to some people, but if we are true to God’s Word, we affirm it. Ep...
Apr 15, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 488
Have you heard the name Sydney Carton? This character in Charles Dickens’s acclaimed novel “A Tale of Two Cities” has everything to do with sacrificial grace. Carton is a man during the French Revolution who has a chance to stand-in for a condemned man. In this way, the man will be free to go on and live his life. Carton takes the other man’s place, and is executed. It was common for Charles Dickens to write novels that reflect the Christian faith. Does Carton remind you of anyone? Ephesians 2:8...
Apr 14, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 487
People are goal-oriented. Even if you think you’re not, you really are. Maybe you don’t have a burning ambition to work in finance on Wall St., or you aren’t going to be a pro athlete any time soon. But you do want to earn a living for your family. Hey, you even want to get your chores finished before your favorite show comes on TV. Sometimes, this love of goals can trip us up when it comes to eternal matters. We think we can make our own way. It’s just hardwired in us to set goals and meet them...
Apr 13, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 486
Apr 10, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 485
Are you eager to share Christ? If so, good for you! Your boldness is seen by God our Father, and it pleases him. Often though, we get a little frustrated, if we’re honest. It seems like not enough people are getting it. We want to see everyone find new life in Jesus! When we think about sharing the Good News, it’s important to remember that God is responsible for the harvest. We just have to be willing to be sent as his ambassadors. John 8:12 says, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said,...
Apr 09, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 484
As 2020 began, a 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit eastern Turkey, killing 34 people. Over 1,500 buildings were damaged, and 76 had collapsed. It was in one of these collapsed buildings that a young mother waited with her baby daughter. A rescuer heard her cries and said, “Can you hear me? We are coming. We will save you.” John 8:12 says, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’” Tho...
Apr 08, 2020•1 min•Season 1Ep. 483
It sounds like the beginning of a Stanley Kubrick movie. A mass of matter—rock, dust, water—is swirling all around. Everything is mixed up. And nothing can really be seen because there is darkness everywhere! This of course is the beginning of the Bible, in Genesis. The creation of the world is being described. It all begins with chaos. But, the Spirit of God is hovering over the water. John 8:12 says, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows ...
Apr 07, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 482
The Bible uses light as a symbol and metaphor for various things. Christ Himself is the light of the world. He illuminates the darkness and the corners and hiding places we all find ourselves in. This is where it starts in our story. Jesus loves the individual. When we fall into depression or our behavior causes us and others problems, He is there with His warm light. John 8:12 says, "When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk ...
Apr 06, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 481
It’s not pretty watching the whole world lose its collective mind. A crisis is like that. As believers though, we have a duty to be different. We are supposed to stand out for Christ. John 16:33 says, “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” This is one of the most beautiful verses in all of Scripture. It was meant for a time just like this. Jesus is telling us straight up that He has already...
Apr 03, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 480
Do you get tired of being alone or afraid? Have you had enough of feeling like you can’t take any more stress? If you’re honest with yourself, there are times when you think you’re just going to lose it. The cares of this world can be like that. You stress about not having enough money each month just to pay your bills. You can’t sleep at night because your mind is racing, striving to create a workable plan for every possible scenario. And no one can actually do that successfully. So what do you...
Apr 02, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 479
Even during times of calm and security, the honest truth is, there are very few examples of really strong and steady leaders. It’s a given then that when times are scary, brave leaders that reassure us are really rare! The Bible speaks of one such person. Joshua 1:9 says, “Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua was an especially passionate and courageous leader. A born leader....
Apr 01, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 478
For some of us, nothing is scarier than the thought of being vulnerable on the open ocean. Bobbing around on a raft or lifeboat, if you’re not used to sailing, would be frightening. Our current dilemma with the Coronavirus seems a little like that. In the 1944 film, Lifeboat , a group of people tried not to let fear overtake them in a small lifeboat after their ship was torpedoed. God knew what our fears would be long before we were born. Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now, this is what the Lord says…Fe...
Mar 31, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 477
Let’s just get to it. For the first time in any of our lifetimes, the whole world is facing a common enemy. One that threatens our way of life. But it’s not a dangerous person, or a hostile nation. It’s a virus. Literally overnight, we might be faced with disruptions in our lives that no one has experienced before. It all seems to have come from nowhere. Fear is cropping up everywhere. It matters a lot how each of us faces that fear. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear...
Mar 30, 2020•3 min•Season 1Ep. 476
Do you tend to be a fair-weather friend? Do you stay strong when times are good, but run away if things are difficult? Nothing will ruin a relationship more than that. Let’s be honest here: There is someone in your life who needs your help and strength. Maybe you need to step it up in that area. Jesus is a perfect example of loyalty to others; by following His lead, we can learn what genuine loyalty looks like. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one com...
Mar 27, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 475
Who is the most loyal person you’ve ever known? A parent? Spouse? Friend? Truthfully, we all crave loyalty. It gives us a sense of safety. We feel that if there is some loyalty in our world, it’s like a warm blanket on a cold night. Life seems less scary. As we discuss the role of Jesus in our personal stories, it is good to remind ourselves often of ultimate loyalty. In turn, it encourages us to be loyal to that One person we can always count on. John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way a...
Mar 26, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 474
One of the biggest criticisms of those who follow Jesus Christ is that such a model is very exclusive. In other words, it seems on the surface that Jesus leaves some people out of the salvation plan, because He says that He is the only way to God. But what is He really telling us? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” Jesus is actually showing us the way. He gives us the path to being reconciled with God the Fat...
Mar 25, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 473
Rakeem Boyd is a special football player. A star high school running back from Houston, Boyd now plays for the University of Arkansas. In 2019, he had more than a thousand yards rushing. Because of rules changes in the last several years, he was eligible to declare for the NFL draft. Such a player can be set for life financially, signing a multi-million-dollar contract. On Christmas Eve last year, Boyd announced he was returning to Arkansas. His decision stunned the team. Most juniors eligible t...
Mar 24, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 472
Trust issues. Lots and lots of people have trust issues. Someone has hurt you in the past. Maybe it’s been multiple times. This world can be a dangerous place. But stop and think about how much your damaged trust affects your relationships now. Is there a way out of this long, dark tunnel? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” People who hurt others tend to continue their hurtful ways. Bottom line: that person m...
Mar 23, 2020•2 min•Season 1Ep. 471
