Some scholars have believed that the suffering Job of the Bible was sort of a primate thinker who didn’t really understand much about the life beyond this one. But that isn’t true. Job 33:25–26 says, “Let their flesh be renewed like a child’s; let them be restored as in the days of their youth’—then that person can pray to God and find favor with him, they will see God’s face and shout for joy; he will restore them to full well-being.” The Bible tells us elsewhere in Hebrews that God spoke to an...
Apr 05, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 741
The Office’s Michael Scott once famously said that there’s such a thing as good grief, and it’s a funny line. But could there be some truth behind it? Christians today celebrate “Good Friday” every year, but what does it really mean? The date marks the day 2,000 years ago that Jesus Christ willingly died on a gruesome Roman cross for our sins. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” The truth is, Jesus died after suff...
Apr 02, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 740
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 01, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 739
Do you ever worry you might not measure up? Sam was a fourth grader with a big problem: he left his homework at school, and he was so worried he’d be in trouble with the teacher, he could hardly stand to go to school the next day. In the car on the way to school, Sam’s mom explained the concept of grace, asking, “Sam, do you know about the idea of grace? Grace means even if we aren’t perfect, the people who care about us can choose to forgive us. I think your teacher will understand about your h...
Mar 31, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 738
One of the extraordinary stories in the Bible involves a young woman named Rahab. This story beautifully expresses God’s love for all people. Rahab lived in the Canaanite town of Jericho, which was near the border of the Promised land God had promised to His people, who had been wandering for years in search of a home after slavery in Egypt. Because the Canaanites were powerful, Joshua sent a scouting party into the land, to see what they were up against. Then men sent ahead were hidden from har...
Mar 30, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 737
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...
Mar 29, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 736
Spring is the season of new life. As we finish up our series on the Psalms, we come to the most famous one of all. Psalm 23:1–2 says, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” This psalm contains some of the most famous words ever written. It has everything: beautiful language, a man’s raw honest heart for God, and a universal theme of love that God has for all people. It echoes in the universe. Think...
Mar 26, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 735
One of the things that sets God apart from all others is His ability to tell us what is going to happen. We read about this in Isaiah 46, where He says only He knows the end from the beginning. An amazing example of this is found in Psalm 22, and it’s almost surprising how many people are not aware of it. Psalm 22:11 says, “Do not be far from me, for trouble is near and there is no one to help. If you read the entire chapter carefully, you begin to realize that this is a conversation that Jesus ...
Mar 25, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 734
From the time he was a young shepherd in the wilderness, David had a deep relationship with God. He escaped enough dangerous situations to know that God was always with Him, and was his deliverer. Psalm 91:1–2 says, “Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, ‘He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.’” This psalm is famous for its descriptive language. We can see a picture of this in our minds. And the specific...
Mar 24, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 733
Nothing is more basic to life than creation itself. The Bible tells us that God alone has the power to truly create, and the beauty of language in Psalm 139 explains this fully. Some believe the psalmist was writing in part about the creation of Adam. Psalm 139:1–3 says, “You have searched me, Lord, and you know me. You know when I sit and when I rise; you perceive my thoughts from afar. You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways.” The writer marvels at the way...
Mar 23, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 732
One of the greatest gifts God has given us is the collection of songs known as “Psalms,” originally written as music for worship, especially in the Temple in Jerusalem. Today we celebrate them as prayers for the most part, and they give us a beautiful picture of who God is. Psalm 1:6 says, “For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked leads to destruction.” Traditional authorship is assigned mostly to King David, who loved to worship God with music and even danci...
Mar 22, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 731
Humans were built for language and communication. It's one of the bits of creative genius God used when He formed His highest creation. And apart from regular communication, whether it's the written word or verbal, we have a great gift from a loving God: prayer. And that's what we're talking about this week in a series we're calling, Prayer 101. Prayer is an intensely personal way to communicate with our Creator, the One who knows everything about us. Jeremiah 29:12 says, “Then you will call on ...
Mar 19, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 730
Today, just stop and consider that we are talking one-on-one. We’re just talking over coffee. You seem like something is really getting to you. Are you about to give up on something important? If so, please listen, just for a couple minutes. Luke 18:1 says, “One day Jesus told his disciples a story to show that they should always pray and never give up.” Let’s think boldly for a second. Whatever your problem is, God can fix it. He can. The Bible is full of these fixes. So is our present day, whe...
Mar 18, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 729
Humans have a problem asking for help. Chalk it up to our proud hearts. Often, when we are really up against it, that’s when we resist seeking help. Jesus does away with all that. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” Ask yourself: is my pride keeping me from a huge blessing? If so, mull that over. Take as long as you need. Then take one step toward Jesus and tell Him you need to ask for something. The door will swing op...
Mar 17, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 728
In a world full of manmade gods and goddesses, the Creator God stands alone. He is a King of the first order, and everything was made by Him. His majesty and power are awesome. Psalm 46:10 says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Usually, when people are in the presence of royalty, they get nervous. Kings and queens make us uneasy, and we obsess about how we approach them. Not so with our great God. Yes, He is all-powerful, an...
Mar 16, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 727
Isn’t it funny how we come to certain conclusions in life fairly late? In other words, sometimes the obvious things aren’t obvious until we’ve stumbled around on our own, trying to find a solution. Take the simple act of asking for help. It isn’t uncommon for a person to be reluctant to ask for help. Then he finds he wasted a lot of time! That’s what we’re talking about this week. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will ...
Mar 15, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 726
Do you feel like you’re falling apart today? It’s okay to say yes. Life is life, and we all have obstacles to overcome. Maybe your issue is ongoing, or maybe it’s a sudden thing. But please think of it this way: Jesus is alive and He knows who you are and He cares about your problems. Colossians 1:17 says, “He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Jesus is not caught off-guard by problems in your life and most importantly, He truly cares for you and is able to help. Remembe...
Mar 12, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 725
From beginning to end, the Bible tells the story of our Savior, Jesus Christ. His coming is predicted in Genesis, and His glory is revealed in Revelation. It is in Him and Him alone that we are each made whole. As we wrap-up our time this week, looking at the subject of “All Together,” it is frankly exciting to know that Jesus has our back, even when no one else does. Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Maybe you’re dr...
Mar 11, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 724
Life can be overwhelming sometimes, right? A huge wave of despair can come out of nowhere and push us toward disaster. Anita’s life was like that, growing up in Hong Kong where revolutionary movements brought violence and loss of hope. She couldn’t see how the pieces of her life could be put together. She would ask herself, “How do you make peace with a potential that is frustrated? That happens to be our theme this week, having it “All Together.” Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply ...
Mar 10, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 723
Have you ever felt a surge of pride because you had it all together? You know, your brain and talent and charm was just dazzling to the whole world? It sounds funny, but let’s be honest. We’ve all at some point thought quite a lot of our own abilities. Pride—something God hates—trips us up. We are flying high. Then the crash comes. Our theme this week is “All Together,” and we explore what Scripture tells us about the Source of our lives. Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your ...
Mar 09, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 722
When the Apostle Paul was under house arrest in Rome, he wrote to the church at Philippi, a wealthy city on an important trade route. The citizens there had little need of any outside help, but Paul’s wisdom alerted them that trouble comes to every life. He had suffered many hardships as he preached the Gospel through the Roman Empire. Paul knew very well what poverty and loneliness were. Philippians 4:19 says, “But my God shall supply all your needs according to his riches in glory by Christ Je...
Mar 08, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 721
Have you ever spent time in the country? If you’re used to the noise of city life — neighbors coming and going, traffic, dogs barking...then spending a few nights in the country can feel almost too quiet. A brilliant sunrise without buildings to block the view, the most stars you’ve ever seen shining across the night sky, and a unique feeling of peace can all be found in the country, if you get the chance to enjoy these simple pleasures. Matthew 6:33 says, “But seek first his kingdom and his rig...
Mar 05, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 720
Don’t you just love the nuances and uniqueness God put into the world? He created harmony and balance everywhere, including our individual “best time of the day” to be creative and productive. Some of us are “up with the chickens,” as they used to say. Others burn a candle late into the night. Whatever time is your time to connect in positive ways, God made you to shine for His purposes. Isaiah 60:1 says, “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD rises upon you.” Embrace ...
Mar 04, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 719
Jane was the last child to receive a handmade blanket from her great grandmother. Pink and blue, festooned with angels and sprinkled with stars that sparkled in the light, the much-loved blanket was the little girl’s constant companion. This childhood treasure became even more important when Gramma Ann passed away — a reminder of her love for her family, and her faith in God. Jane’s blanket kept her warm in sickness and in health, but the washing machine proved its eventual undoing. One day, the...
Mar 03, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 718
Are you like a lot of people when it comes to the instruction booklet with a new item? We stare at it and eventually toss it, guessing we can just figure it out. Yeah…that usually ends like dropping a carton of eggs. The Bible is there for a reason. God’s Word is healing and light and a guide for each of us. That’s why it’s important to read it, and meditate on the words. To the church at Philippi, Paul gave instruction from God, such as putting others before ourselves. Then the payoff. Philippi...
Mar 02, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 717
In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidences for the existence of God are so numerous in nature that anyone can believe in God. Surely one of the most compelling examples is in our night sky. When we look up at the heavens, it takes our breath away. The twinkling lights are like our own personal message from God. All those stars… Philippians 2:15 says, “Shine...like the stars in the sky.” Astronomers tell us that each star is as unique as we are. We can see some burning dramatically, other...
Mar 01, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 716
What does the Bible say about gratitude? Psychologists and self-help gurus will all tell us that a grateful heart and a positive outlook will do wonders for health and relationships. A person with a heart of gratitude will be seen by others who will want to follow, and see what he has going for him. Such a person is a magnet for sharing the Gospel, and the greatest source of wisdom has much to say on the subject. Dozens of times in the Bible, we read about the value of gratitude. Paul mentions i...
Feb 26, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 715
Solomon was one of the most amazing men in all of history. The King of Israel, the son of the famous David, was so rich he got bored. In fact, some believe he was the wealthiest man of all time. In terms of money, he was the Jeff Bezos of his time. But the Bible tells us his story, and doesn’t spare any truth in doing it. Solomon accomplished great things, but at great spiritual cost. After a while, he discovered the secret to real success, and that is what we’re talking about today and all week...
Feb 25, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 714
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...
Feb 24, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 713
People have different views on just what God’s Word actually is. Some think it’s an ancient book of wisdom. Others think it’s just kind of an interesting piece of historical literature. But the Word itself tells us that it has amazing benefits for those who read it and believe it. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” I...
Feb 23, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 712
