We all want to feel secure. We can look fine on the outside, but be something much less on the inside. And the first step to overcoming vulnerability is to feel okay with who we are. Psalm 62:5–6 says, “Only God gives inward peace, and I depend on Him. God alone is the mighty rock that keeps me safe, and he is the fortress where I feel secure.” The tension comes when we balance healthy self-esteem with our sin-nature. Can we feel good about ourselves while recognizing the need for a Savior? The ...
Dec 13, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 921
We all screw up. We all fail in some way. We fall short of goals, or get embarrassed in some kind of career implosion or other event. It’s easy then to feel like we’ll never win again. That is 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 allo...
Dec 10, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 920
Let’s think about something deep today: What is the end game? In this context, we’re talking about what comes after this life we are living now. Believers of course look forward to an eternity with the Living God. And even unbelievers wonder about what comes next after you draw your last breath. It’s the most important element in our discussion this week. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, char...
Dec 09, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 919
There’s a reason the Bible uses so many metaphors. The wisdom God has for us lends itself well to short narratives, and we learn much from stories. A famous passage from Isaiah we’ve been discussing this week uses a powerful mental image to convey deep truths from God. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” The sight of a majestic eagle, flying high above th...
Dec 08, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 918
Whenever we have to overcome an obstacle in our lives, we are thinking about a million different things. Our minds race. We might even be aware that our Creator is there to help. But have you ever considered that even when life gets tough, you can still have joy? Romans 12:12 says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Sheila Walsh has said that what got her through a bout of depression was the knowledge that God the Father loved her and wanted the best for her. Today, ...
Dec 07, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 917
O Holy Night is a well-known Christmas carol that began as a French poem celebrating the opening of a new church. The beloved song we know today was translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight, an American minister and abolitionist, in 1855. This poignant carol reflects on the birth of Jesus as humanity's redemption. O holy night! The stars are brightly shining It is the night of our dear Savior's birth Long lay the world in sin and error pining 'Til He appeared and the soul felt its worth A...
Dec 06, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 916
There’s a movement in our society for a return to simple living. We might not want to give up all of our technology—much of it is wonderful and helpful. But it is true we want to quiet our minds and find some peace. This week we are talking about the simplest, sweetest truth around: Jesus saves. With that knowledge in hand, we can all find peace that the Bible says is from another world. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” It seems at times we are movi...
Dec 03, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 915
When we as Christians talk about the saving power of Jesus, what exactly do we mean? In our discussion this week of this all-important topic, are we clear about who Jesus is? Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” The facts are that Adam and Eve broke their faith in God by disobeying Him. Some dispute that this even happened in history, or some are just upset that God would demand complete obedience. But if we believe He is the Creator, we understand that...
Dec 02, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 914
Of the many gods throughout world history, almost none of them seem to care about individuals. They might alter the weather so that crops can’t grow. Or cause some global upheaval. But only one claims to care about you. Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Isn’t that amazing? The story is that Jesus left His place of royalty in heaven to come to Earth as an innocent baby, then grow into a man ready to carry our sins for us. He came to find you! You! God...
Dec 01, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 913
As we talk through the Good News of Jesus this week, we must always make it personal. In other words, deciding to believe in Christ is a very personal thing. We all come from different backgrounds and belief systems. In the end, though, what will you do with the story of Jesus? Do you believe it is true? Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” Over and over in the New Testament, Jesus talks to the individual. He knew us before we were born, and knows all t...
Nov 30, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 912
One reason people use for rejecting the claims of Christ is that there somehow isn’t enough evidence to prove that the events in the New Testament actually happened. In other words, some say the Bible isn’t true. We’re talking about the life of Jesus this week. So what is the true story? Luke 19:10 says, “For the Son of Man came to seek and save those who are lost.” There are more than 25,000 ancient copies of the books of the New Testament, in various languages. There are only a handful of acco...
Nov 29, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 911
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 it several times, including in the account...
Nov 26, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 910
Thanksgiving isn’t just a holiday — it’s an attitude we can choose to fill our hearts with every day. The Bible shares many examples of gratitude in the midst of challenging circumstances. Imagine Mary, a young Galilean girl given the news that she was to be the mother of the Messiah. She didn’t panic or protest. Instead, she embraced the news and nurtured the One who would bring healing to the whole world. The story in Luke 17 tells us that of the 10 lepers who were healed, only one returned to...
Nov 25, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 909
The lack of gratitude in our world can be contagious. It’s kind of like a negative “pay it forward.” How did we get to this place? Are we too prideful to thank each other, or even to thank God? Too busy? Too self-absorbed, maybe? As believers, we know life is a rich blessing from God. The clearest path to becoming a person of gratitude is to choose it. If we don’t choose gratitude, we choose ingratitude. Psalm 107:1 says, “Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endure...
Nov 24, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 908
Do you ever feel like life is passing you by, or worse — running right over the top of you? When we focus on unpleasant circumstances or people, life can really bring us down. And this perspective is a downward spiral — not a place we want to dwell. Author John Kralik was there, once. A long hike one day led him to an emotional crossroads; there he decided to devote the rest of his life to being thankful. His life changed dramatically. John began to write thank you notes to everyone he could thi...
Nov 23, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 907
You’ve heard that every good thing comes from God, right? It’s true. He is our example, both of how to live and how to react to others. This week we’re talking about practicing gratitude, and as usual, God shows us the way. Psalm 107:1 says, "Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endures forever." Often, we can become disappointed if we don’t get everything we think we should have. But that’s a dead-end when it comes to true happiness and peace. And those are things that we all reall...
Nov 22, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 906
Humans have a problem asking for help. We can probably 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 asking for help? If so, mull that over. And then, take a step toward the Lord and ask for what you need. God opens doors when we ask Him to. And som...
Nov 19, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 905
You’ve heard of heat-seeking missiles. They are weapons so sophisticated that they appear to have a mind of their own. The missile is launched and finds its target and destruction happens. What if a heat-seeking missile could be used for good? What if one has been launched…in your direction? 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.” If you open your heart to God—even if you aren’t a believer—then it’s as if Jesus is now the ...
Nov 18, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 904
The story of the Prodigal Son is one we can all relate to. The Bible tells the story of a brash young man who leaves his home after asking for his inheritance. His loving father complies and let’s just say the son learns some valuable lessons on his travels. Eventually, he humbles himself and comes home; he needs his father and his family. It is really a story of Jesus and us. 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.” We scr...
Nov 17, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 903
Have you ever seen the film, “Saving Private Ryan?” If not, it’s about a group of American soldiers sent into enemy territory during World War 2 to find one lost soldier. The order comes from top leadership. This small group has single focus the whole mission. Eventually—at great cost—they locate him and return him to his loved ones. Much of it is difficult to watch, as we see the incredible sacrifice the many make to find the one. Matthew 7:7, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will...
Nov 16, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 902
Have you ever hunted and hunted for something, maybe your car keys, and you finally find them? The old saying goes (it’s very unhelpful!) that you find them in the last place you looked. There’s a lot of truth to that, though. It also is very relevant to our walk with Jesus. Often we work really hard to solve our own problems, then we finally give in and ask Jesus for help. 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.” As with e...
Nov 15, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 901
On a recent Summer morning, 75 years after he landed in France to help the Allies liberate Europe from Nazi control, Russell Pickett stood at attention as the President spoke. A private in 1944, Pickett was now receiving the adulation of a grateful nation. He knew firsthand the reality that there is very little glory in war death. Yet here his country was honoring his service in that memorable conflict. The President even hugged him! He stood with several of his comrades, men now in their 90s, a...
Nov 12, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 900
When we think of bravery and self-sacrifice, we usually think of heroic acts during war. We focus on famous battles and epic outcomes. As we consider what it means to sacrifice for others, it’s fitting that we spotlight a woman who gave up much to save many. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." Florence Nightingale was born into a rich family and lived in Tuscany. Not exactly a training ground for self-sacrifice! Florence, though, made a...
Nov 11, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 899
We are inspired by epic war stories. Great battles over time become so epic, they almost seem a part of myth. We put warriors on a pedestal and usually, rightly so. They make it possible for the rest of us to live in peace and freedom. Have you ever considered there is only one perfect warrior? His name is Jesus. 1 John 5:4 says, “For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.” From King Leonidas to Oliver Cromwell to George Washing...
Nov 10, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 898
When Richard Winters stood in the doorway of a huge glider in the pre-dawn over Normandy, France, he thought about a lot of things. The young Army captain was preparing for the invasion of Europe, to free the continent from the Nazis. He knew one thing first: he couldn’t survive on his own skill. Proverbs 3:5–6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.” A disciplined soldier, Winters lit...
Nov 09, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 897
Joshua was called by God to lead the 12 tribes of Israel after the death of Moses. Those were pretty big shoes to fill, and the Lord chose Joshua because he was faithful. Joshua knew when he called on God in times of trouble, He would answer. In one powerful example, Joshua asked God to cause the moon and the sun to stand still so that he and his army could continue fighting a difficult battle by daylight. Joshua 10:12–13 says, “On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said t...
Nov 08, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 896
You know, someone may have tried to convince you at some point in your life that we're alone in the cold void of the universe, but that has never been true. It's especially false for the believer who understands what God has done for all people everywhere. He, the Creator of the universe, formed us long ago, and His Word tells us clearly that He never takes a second off in His pursuit of us. Consider this: If you're stuck in a bad relationship, you won't find your way into the light until you're...
Nov 05, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 895
Today, we continue our series on healthy relationships, and we're talking about managing difficult relationships. There's a wonderful scene in the classic film to kill a Mockingbird, when the attorney Atticus Finch is confronted by the father of a girl who has accused a black man of rape, the father, enraged walks up to Finch, played perfectly by Gregory Peck. He spits in Finch’s face as the attorneys' children watch. You can see the anger in Finch’s face, but he slowly and calmly maintains his ...
Nov 04, 2021•3 min•Season 1Ep. 894
You’ve heard the joke about family gatherings, haven’t you? If you weren’t related to these people, you’d never see them. What a horrible punchline, really. 1 Corinthians 13:7 says, “Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” God’s world has purpose in everything. Everything. He gave you a specific family for specific reasons. It’s super easy to be nice to people we aren’t around very much. Short-term “love” is pretty common. It’s when we get in close quar...
Nov 03, 2021•1 min•Season 1Ep. 893
When we walk with God, we want to see that our relationships are healthy. It’s part of the command to love one another. Few things are more heartbreaking than damaged relationships. When those linger, the Body of Christ is weakened. Churches split because of it. Families suffer for it. Joshua 22:5 says, “Love the Lord your God, walk in all his ways, obey his commands, hold firmly to him, and serve him with all your heart and all your soul.” Notice that we are to walk in all His ways. And what di...
Nov 02, 2021•2 min•Season 1Ep. 892
