Truth makes an appearance in the Bible right at the start, and it sets the stage for everything that comes after it. The opening scene, if you will, takes place in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve have been placed there in a perfect setting. No worries. Every need is taken care of. It’s hard to imagine that kind of harmony now, but it once existed. Briefly, we’re told that a once beautiful being, Lucifer, had become corrupted through his own pride. The angel had become jealous of God, and he hel...
Jan 08, 2024•3 min•Season 1Ep. 1466
It’s been said that in the Fruit of the Spirit list, all of them collectively practically define the nature of Christ. Even David the shepherd knew his Messiah was coming. Remember what he said about his loving God? He said, “Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life.” We instinctively know what goodness is. It’s a kind touch, a gentle word, a gift that was unexpected. Micah 6:8 says, “He has told you, o man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you but to do ju...
Jan 05, 2024•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1465
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...
Jan 04, 2024•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1464
In the book of Romans, Paul tells us the evidence 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, others...
Jan 03, 2024•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1463
There’s something fresh about the love of Jesus. As we begin a new year, it’s your chance to start really new, not in the way we often make resolutions. It’s a tossup, whether those will see the end of the year or even the end of the month. But if you’re really tired of struggling, trying to make it on your own, commit yourself right now to knowing Jesus, who He is, why He came to earth, and most importantly, what He has outlined for your future. The most famous Bible verse John 3:16 says, “For ...
Jan 02, 2024•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1462
Happy New Year! New Year’s stuff is beneficial in several things. We make resolutions—and we might even stick to some of them, but it’s what God does that really matters. He’s in the renewal business, making broken things whole again, especially people. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away and behold the new has come.” It’s great for us when this involves repaired relationships or even a career boost. Yet, this vital truth mat...
Jan 01, 2024•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1461
Beryl Markham could have given up on her aviation dreams after crash-landing in Nova Scotia. But she didn’t. Instead, this determined woman became the first person to fly from England to North America. She later said that in order to move forward, we can’t stay in the past. In fact, she said, “Leave it the fastest way you can!” This pioneer knew that staying stuck was not inevitable—that we must choose to keep our eyes on what it is we are yet to accomplish in life. Ephesians 4:31–32 says, “Let ...
Dec 29, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1460
Are you like a lot of people when it comes to the instruction booklet with a new item? We stare at it and eventually just 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: Phi...
Dec 28, 2023•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1459
God gives us good gifts all the time. All through the year, not just at Christmas. One of the truly joyful gifts is the ability to be kind to others. It sounds simple and maybe to some even quaint, but there is power in choosing to be kind. Choosing to be kind. That’s one of our themes this week. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 tells us to, “Always be joyful.” Paul uses this chapter to describe the heart of a Christian. We are also to ‘encourage the disheartened,’ and ‘be patient with everyone.’ Although t...
Dec 27, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1458
We’re all a little bit nicer at Christmastime, aren’t we? Admit it. Starting around December 1st, our steps are a bit lighter and we even greet people with a smile. But as night falls on Christmas night, for some weird reason some of us begin to turn back into a grumpy neighbor. In this, we’re missing a great opportunity. Psalm 16:11 says, “You make known to me the path of life. You will fill me with joy in your presence with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” God makes it clear He didn’t se...
Dec 26, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1457
This is the day of days. While the exact day is unknown, what we do know is that 2000 years ago, Jesus Christ came to earth as a child to rescue us from sin. Christmas is a date on the calendar that literally quickens our hearts. Everyone understands the significance of it. It’s why hateful people behave differently for at least 24 hours. Isaiah 9:6 says, “For to us, a child is born. To us, a son is given. And the government will be on His shoulders, and He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mi...
Dec 25, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1456
Celebrating Christmas with family and friends is a great time of the year, but do we know how all this started? This observance of the holiday? We’re pretty sure Jesus wasn’t born on December 25th. There are clues in scripture that put the date more in the springtime. In ancient times, the winter solstice occurred on December 25th. Sometime early in the 4th century, the church fathers set the date as the one we now celebrate. Even factoring in the diverse cultures around the world, Christmas is ...
Dec 22, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1455
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 21, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1454
Charles Wesley, an English Methodist leader in the 1700s, wrote more than 6,000 hymns—more than any other male writer. His goal was to teach the poor and illiterate sound doctrine. God used the writing talents of Charles Wesley to bring the Good News to people in a memorable way; even those who couldn’t read, could hear and understand a beautiful song, and even sing along. Think about the songs you hear on the radio during the month of December. So many of the songs Americans enjoy listening to ...
Dec 20, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1453
A remarkable prophecy in the little book of Micah predicted the Messiah's birth in great detail. Micah 5:2 says, “But you oh, Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, from you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days.” Most of us know the basics. Jesus was born in humble surroundings. His parents were traveling to take part in the census, and Mary delivered in a tiny village south of Jerusalem. I...
Dec 19, 2023•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1452
Did you know that “Joy to the World” was not written as a Christmas carol? In its original form, it had nothing to do with Christmas. It wasn’t even written to be a song. Isaac Watts was one of the great hymn writers in church history, and nothing shows that better than the fact that he wrote one of his most famous hymns entirely by accident. In 1719, Watts published a book of poems in which each poem was based on a psalm. One of those poems was an adaptation of Psalm 98, which Watts interpreted...
Dec 18, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1451
Clive Staples Lewis was successful. A British writer and theologian, his work has become very famous. When Lewis wrote his classic “Surprised by Joy,” he was emphasizing the fact that true joy comes from a place we cannot create, but only claim and receive. His story really brings a point to our weeklong series about asking the Lord for help when we are at the end of our rope. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be c...
Dec 15, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1450
We look for things and stuff to make us happy, don’t we? Especially in the United States, where we are blessed with abundance. People from all walks of life look for more and more. That can bring us to an empty place. Spiritually and emotionally, we look in the wrong places. But as we’ve discussed this week, that spark of joy we look for can be found only in Jesus. Everything else is—yes—clutter. John 16:24 says, “Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, an...
Dec 14, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1449
Part of the joy of being a believer is that we can share the Good News with literally anyone and everyone. And how we share that faith is often critical for the other person’s future. Romans 5:3–4 says, “Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” As we share this week about holding fast to faith, it should be obvious that we are greatly blessed to be able to show others the way. And in tha...
Dec 13, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1448
Do you remember the last time you laughed? Do you remember the last time you laughed from sheer joy? Many of us don’t. The weight of life presses down on us…it weakens us. Proverbs 31:25 says this of a godly woman: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Did you know that God means for you to be strong? He wants you to have dignity. You are a child of the King. You are a woman of faith. Or maybe you are a man who seeks God. That beautiful proverb reminds us...
Dec 12, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1447
Watching little kids perform on stage at school or at church is quite entertaining, isn’t it? There are always a couple of shy violets, but many of them sing their hearts out, fidgeting with excitement and performing actions to accompany the songs with gusto. If Grammy awards were doled out based on sheer enthusiasm, kids in elementary and Sunday School programs would probably win every year. They simply can’t contain the feelings in their hearts when it’s time to make a joyful noise. Psalm 111:...
Dec 11, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1446
If you’re like most people, the more chaotic life gets, the more you need a solution broken down in easy-to-understand concepts. We’ve been discussing what happens when people move away from God, and the consequences that impact us. 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.” Besides the soothing beauty of the language, notice that God gives us several elements t...
Dec 08, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1445
Does your life feel out of control? Are you experiencing that common feeling of weaving down a busy highway, about to crash? It’s a metaphor for life that a lot of folks internalize at some point. All of a sudden, what you were sure of isn’t there anymore. You might as well be behind the wheel of a fast car that’s heading into oncoming traffic. 1 Peter 5:7 says, “Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.” This isn’t some nice little bit of wisdom someone put on a greeting c...
Dec 07, 2023•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1444
There’s a movement in our society for a return to simple living. We might not want to give up all 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’re 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 moving a...
Dec 06, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1443
Few of us enjoy chaos. It’s just too...chaotic, right? The human mind needs order and peace, yet we live in this messy world. Stuff is flying by all the time, and we duck. Our relationships are a mess, and we have to schedule that root canal...while simultaneously making dinner and cleaning the house. Is there a way out? Genesis 1:1 says, “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was...
Dec 05, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1442
Do you especially need the gift of peace right now? Is your life so busy, you can’t find time to take a breath? There is Good News for you: Jesus already knows. Luke 2:14 says, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men!” When Jesus ascended to heaven, He told the apostles, “My peace I leave with you.” Because He lives, we know for sure that this peace is available to us anytime, anywhere. Even in the busy part of your life, when you think you’re going crazy, you can ...
Dec 04, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1441
It’s kind of fun in those moments when the kids are in bed and the dishes are done, to think about the Big Questions. You know—The List. Why am I here? What is the meaning of life? A question that people from ancient times to now have asked is, why in the world, literally, did God create people? We are a handful, as past generations used to say. We mess up. Sometimes we’re on our way to being smart, but then find ourselves flying down the Stupid Highway. God must get tired of us, right? 1 Peter ...
Dec 01, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1440
Have you ever been in such a dark place that you wondered if God cares about you, or if He 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 the worst one is trying to figure out where God is in the middle of life’s 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’s the very momen...
Nov 30, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1439
As humans, we have a tendency to compartmentalize things. It’s in our nature to make lists, and rank priorities, and really box certain things in. We’ve got our work life over here, and our family life over there, and our faith somewhere else. This can often lead us to confusion about what we’re supposed to do, and when, and where we’re supposed to go. And this confusion extends to our faith. We wonder: When am I supposed to pray, and when am I supposed to take action on my faith? Psalm 34:1 say...
Nov 29, 2023•2 min•Season 1Ep. 1438
Scores of people today, even many in our churches, walk around aimless. They work their jobs and take care of their families, but struggle to understand what it is that God wants them to do. He’s told us in His word! As with every other situation, His Word speaks directly to our circumstances. Micah 6:8 says, “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” The Lord requires of us that we have the...
Nov 28, 2023•1 min•Season 1Ep. 1437
