WORTHLESS VS. PURE RELIGION

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”  (James 1:26-27 NIV)

Some religion is "worthless," to use James' precise word, in that it has no effect on us at all.  It leaves us unchanged.  The one who practices that religion "deceives himself" (a phrase that takes us back to verse 22:  "Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves").  We think we're doing well, but we're not.

This is a religion that comes of prattling about the Word but not doing it.  The Word tries to act upon us, but we will not humbly receive it and so it makes no imprint upon our souls.  That religion, says James, is illusory and fanciful because it leaves us unchanged.

Pure religion shows itself in quiet, spontaneous acts of love -- looking after "orphans and widows in their distress," caring for the hapless and helpless, the mournful, the friendless, the forsaken, the ragamuffins, "the wretched of the earth."  It does what most people are unwilling to do.  It "exaggerates what the world neglects," says G.K. Chesterton.

God is on the side of the widow and orphan, perhaps because most people are not:  "Leave your orphans [with Me]," He says, "I will protect their lives.  Your widows too can trust in Me" (Jeremiah 49:11).  He is "a father to the fatherless, a defender of widows…"  (Psalm 68:5).  We are most like God when we care for those He cares for. 

-- David Roper in “Growing Slowly Wise” 

#6126

SOWING PEACE

"Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:8)

James chose peace as the seed because true righteousness can't grow where there is discord. Unrighteousness grows like weeds in an environment where uncertainty and anxiety abound. Evil loves discontent and restlessness. Mind you, James doesn't use the word "peacekeepers," but "peacemakers." People who try to get rid of strife through kowtowing or weakening their principles fail in bringing about a deep and lasting peace. Peace for the sake of expediency is fragile, at best.

Peacemaking runs deeper than peacekeeping. To sow the seed of peace is to press a truth gently yet firmly into the soil of another's heart. When peace prevails, that which is "right" is given room to flourish. We can see circumstances for what they are. We are able to choose the right path.

Peace is a powerful seed in your hand. Sow it in the midst of a sinful world that is too contentious to discern right from wrong. Speak words of peace to those in your church who have lost their sense of what love is and Who loves them dearly. Let dissension and discord pass from your hearts so that the stranger in your midst might be wooed to the Righteous One. 

-- Joni Eareckson Tada in “More Precious Than Silver”

LIFE’S FINAL CATEGORIES

Jesus said, "Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it."  (Matthew 7:13-14)

Vance Havner (1901-1986) once wrote that “When the Titanic sank in 1912, it was the ship that was supposed to be unsinkable. The only thing it ever did was sink. When it took off from England, all kinds of passengers were aboard -- millionaires, celebrities, people of moderate means, and poor folks down in the steerage. But a few hours later when they put the list in the Cunard office in New York, it carried only two categories -- lost and saved. Grim tragedy had leveled all distinctions.”

The Titanic's tragic tale carries a profound spiritual truth. In those dark hours as the "unsinkable" ship descended into the Atlantic's depths, all worldly distinctions -- wealth, fame, political party, social status -- dissolved into meaninglessness. In those final moments, the only distinction that mattered was between the lost and the saved.

This mirrors our spiritual reality. We spend our lives building reputations, accumulating wealth, and establishing our place in society's hierarchy. Yet in eternity's light, only one question remains: are we lost or are we saved? Just as the Titanic's passengers faced a stark binary outcome regardless of their cabin class, we too face an eternal choice that transcends all earthly categories.

The world may define us by our achievements, possessions, or social standing, but God sees only the state of our hearts. Have we accepted His salvation in Christ? Are we walking the narrow path? These are the questions that truly matter. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6124

SOMEONE ELSE PAID A GREAT PRICE

“[Jesus Christ] gave Himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for Himself a people that are His very own, eager to do what is good.” (Titus 2:14 NIV)

The late radio broadcaster, Paul Harvey, used to tell a story about Lieutenant Commander Edward Henry "Butch" O'Hare, the Navy's number-one ace in the Second World War and the first naval aviator ever to win the Congressional Medal of Honor.  Chicago's O'Hare International Airport is named for him.

What Butch O'Hare became, however, was made possible because someone else paid a great price.  That someone else was Butch's father, Edward J. O'Hare, a slick lawyer for the gangster Al Capone.  "Artful Eddie", as he was known, had money and power, but one day he squealed on Capone.  The reason for this sudden change of heart?  He wanted to give his son a break, he said.  Before long, the mob silenced Artful Eddie with two shotgun blasts.

But because of Eddie's courageous change of heart, his son Butch was accepted at Annapolis:  Eddie's confession and subsequent death satisfied admissions people that the family's mob connections were severed.  Artful Eddie paid with his own life for his son's chance to make good, something that Jesus Christ did for each of us on the Cross. 

-- Steven D. Mathewson 

#6123

GROWTH MEANS MATURITY

“What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”  (James 2:14-17 NIV)

If we are to be mature we must get hold of a mature faith -- or better, it must get hold of us. For the immaturities of our faith will soon show themselves in immaturities in our actions and our attitudes. “The creed of today becomes the deed of tomorrow.” Nothing can be more immature than the oft-repeated statement: “It doesn’t matter what you believe just so you live right.” For belief is literally by-lief, by-life -- the thing you live by. And if your belief is wrong your life will be wrong.

Don’t misunderstand me. I don’t mean to say that if you have a correct belief you’ll necessarily have a correct life. That doesn’t follow. The creed, to be a creed, must be a vital rather than a verbal one. For the only thing we really believe in is the thing we believe in enough to act upon. Your deed is your creed. But it does matter what you hold as the basic assumptions of your life. If you have no staring point, you’ll have no ending point. 

-- E. Stanley Jones in “Christian Maturity”

#6122

THE GREATEST THREAT TO THE CHURCH

“So Christ Himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip His people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of Him who is the head, that is, Christ. From Him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”  (Ephesians 4:11-16 NIV)

What do you think is the greatest threat to the church of Jesus Christ? Hypocrisy? Apathy? Bad preaching? Sexual immorality? Persecution?

My take? Thanks for asking. I think it is immature faith. Paul is especially concerned with those who lack maturity in faith – “infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.”

In terms of faith, maturity has little to do with how long one has considered oneself a Christian. Many times, people who have ardently followed Jesus a short time are more mature than those who have sat around in church all their lives. Maturity is the fruit of a life consistently immersed in the Word of God and the Spirit of God. It is not signaled by a certain level of knowledge but by a growing discernment. The metric for Christian maturity is not competent skills or great gifts, but humility and holy love. The secret to maturing in Christ comes in the quality of one’s trusting abandonment to Him.

When Paul says “infants” don’t think kids, but people who aren’t yet mature in their faith. Immature faith works like a magnet to attract false teaching. Immaturity can be like a weak immune system. False teaching is like a virus, taking advantage of the body’s weakness. The trouble with false teaching is it has an air of plausibility to it. People not steeped in Scripture and the Spirit are most susceptible to buying into false teaching or following after false teachers. There’s only one way to deal with false teaching: maturity.

We must grow in maturity by consistently immersing ourselves in the Word of God and the Spirit of God so that we can discern the truth from the lies, “attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.” 

-- Excerpted and adapted from “Wake-up Call” by J. D. Watt

#6121

INSTRUMENTS IN GOD’S HEALING

“Let each of you look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.”  (Philippians 2:4 ESV)

There comes a time, if we are to be healed, that we turn our attention away from our wounds and focus on something greater than ourselves. Many wounds do not heal because we continuously irritate them by constant examination. If we want to be healed, it helps to forget about ourselves and our wounds for a while and lose ourselves in helping, serving, and caring for others…

We all have the opportunity to be what Henri Nouwen calls “wounded healers.” Because we know what it is like to be wounded, we can understand, help, and be an instrument in God’s healing. 

-- James W. Moore and Bob J. Moore in “Lord, Give Me Patience!... And Give It to Me Right Now!” 

#6120

THE COMMUNITY GOD LONGS TO BUILD

Christian community, like beauty, often presents itself in the intimate, the common, the close at hand. It comes to bud and flower in the simplest of places. Race by, and we miss it. Wait to see it in some idealized state, and we pass without knowing it is there.

…On the matter of Christian community, Jesus was direct and pointed: “Where two or three are gathered in My name, I am there among them” (Matthew 18:20). These words clearly contain a counsel of simplicity. As Jesus’ followers, if we are to find true community with one another and with Him, then we should look not just to the massive throng or the dramatic moment. We should look as well to the simplest instance of one life brushing up against another. We should open ourselves to the small and intimate moments when persons draw together in their joys and in their needs.

If love flows among us, even briefly, God is there -- in [the frustrations of daily living], in places of staggering beauty, in the realms of darkest communal pain. If we find ourselves bound together even momentarily, God is present. We taste with our spirits the community God longs to build. 

-- Stephen V. Doughty in an article called “Simple Place” in Weavings Journal, May/June 2003

#6119

THE PROMISE OF GREAT REWARD

“By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”  (Hebrews 11:24-26 NIV)

This is where Christ dramatically deviates from the American dream. Yes, Jesus promises great reward, but His reward looks much different than what we might expect. The reward of the American dream is safety, security, and success found in more comfort, better stuff, and greater prosperity. But the reward of Christ trumps all these things and beckons us to live for an eternal safety, security and satisfaction that far outweigh everything this world has to offer us. 

-- David Platt in “Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream” 

#6118

GOD OF THE LEAST, THE LAST, AND THE LOST

Throughout Scripture, we see God's unwavering love for the least, the last, and the lost. While the world often overlooks, rejects, and forgets these individuals, God seeks them, lifts them up, and calls them His own.

THE LEAST: God Exalts the Humble

In Matthew 5:3, Jesus proclaims: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” The world may see weakness in the least -- those who lack wealth, status, or power -- but God sees value. He calls us to humility, reminding us that greatness in His kingdom is not measured by possessions but by a surrendered heart.

THE LAST: God Raises the Lowly

Jesus said in Matthew 20:16, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” Those who are pushed aside -- ignored, forgotten, or considered unworthy -- are the very ones Jesus embraced. He flipped human expectations, showing that His love knows no ranking, and His grace extends beyond worldly judgment.

THE LOST: God Seeks the Wandering

Jesus makes His mission clear in Luke 19:10: “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.” No matter how far someone strays, no matter how broken their past, Jesus searches for them. Like the shepherd who leaves the ninety-nine to find the one lost sheep (Luke 15:4-6), He relentlessly pursues those who need Him most.

THE CALL TO US

God’s heart has always been for the outcast, the forgotten, and the wandering. He calls us to reflect His love -- embracing the least, uplifting the last, and seeking the lost. Whether that means caring for the vulnerable, offering kindness to the overlooked, or sharing the gospel with the hurting, we are invited to be His hands and feet in this world. 

 -- SOUND BITES Ministry™, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6117

UNDERSTANDING OUR BEST PATH

“Trust God from the bottom of your heart; don’t try to figure out everything on your own. Listen for God’s voice in everything you do, everywhere you go; He’s the one who will keep you on track. Don’t assume that you know it all."  (Proverbs 3:5-7a MSG)

In response to some of our "absolutely necessary" requests to our Lord, I suspect He sometimes wants to say, "Are you sure?" We clearly don't always understand what is in our best interest simply because we cannot see the beginning through to the end. Only God has that insight. We may be convinced our thinking is good but our mistakes should prove to us we cannot manage our own lives. Rather, we must always seek to improve our relationship with the Lord in helping us understand our best path...

In building our relationship with the Lord we strive to seek His will for us - not our will for Him. We strive to become Christ-like in our thinking and then we know in our very spirit the path for Christian happiness. We then know that our decisions focus on our faith in the Lord -- not our faith in ourselves.

-- Rev. Gary Stone

#6116

DAILY SURRENDER

Jesus said, "I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you."  (John 13:15 NIV)

It can be tempting to always look at the big picture, the five-year vision, or the end goal whether you are in corporate America, running a household, or just planning your life. It’s exciting to think about how great life will be when you see the vision fulfilled and you meet the goal. Don’t get me wrong, visioning is critical because you need to know what you want and where you are going, but there is no five-year vision without a daily plan to get there. You cannot cross the finish line without taking every step beginning at the starting gate, and we cannot be transformed if we do not surrender on a daily basis… Every change in behavior, attitude, and heart begins with a desire, and it is only accomplished by making a choice every day to get there.

These words were spoken by Jesus to His disciples in the last week of His life. Jesus had proven His authority and He had predicted His death and resurrection. Now, as He spent a meal with them, He demonstrated an act of service and then said these words, “I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.” He had given the example to follow. Not just what they observed that night, but every day they walked with Him and healed and taught and ministered to others. He was the example. They did not have to wonder what to do; they just had to follow.

Pastor Eugene Peterson, quoting Friedrich Nietzsche, might describe this daily practice of being altar’d as a “long obedience in the same direction.” It is only when we choose a life of daily surrender that we will fulfill the vision and accomplish the goal set before us. If you read the Gospels, you will find that Jesus gave us many examples of how to live: “Follow Me.” “This is how you pray.” “Go and make disciples.” May we embrace a life of daily surrender that Jesus left as an example. 

-- Susan O. Kent in “Altar’d: The Transforming Power of Surrender”

#6115

TAKING REFUGE IN GOD

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him.” (Nahum 1:7 NIV)

I had two daughters who loved to swarm me when I came home at night. As I came in the door one evening, my little girls ran to meet me. One grabbed my leg and hugged me with all her might. I snatched the other daughter up in my arms. The one squeezing my leg said, "Now, I've got all of Daddy." The daughter in my arms replied, "Yes, but Daddy has got all of me!"

Perhaps the question we need to continually ask is, "Does God have all of me?"  

-- Dr. Alan Redpath, adapted 

#6114 

WEDGE OR BRIDGE?

In his book “God's Story, Your Story,” Max Lucado describes the devil this way: "The Greek word for devil is diabolos, which shares a root with the verb diaballein, which means 'to split.' The devil is a splitter, a divider, a wedge driver. He divided Adam and Eve from God in the garden, and has every intent on doing the same to you."

It got me thinking that while the devil is a wedge between us and God, Jesus is a bridge between us and God. Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Timothy wrote, “For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (I Timothy 2:5-6a). And Peter declared, "For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, in order to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18). That’s what a bridge does. It crosses a divide and brings us to the other side.

What, then, are the consequences of my daily decisions and actions? Are they a wedge between me and God or are they, like Christ, a bridge? Do they push me away from God or draw me closer? Do my daily choices build a bridge with my friends, neighbors, church community, and those across the political aisle or do they create a divide? Answering these questions will help all of us on our journey. 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry™ 

#6113

EMBEDDING PRAYER INTO OUR DAILY LIVES – Part 3 of 3

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 NIV)

Prayer, more than any other single activity, is what places us in the flow of the Spirit. When we pray, hearts get convicted, sin gets confessed, believers get united, intentions get encouraged, people receive guidance, the church is strengthened, stubbornness gets melted, wills get surrendered, evil gets defeated, grace gets released, illness gets healed, sorrows are comforted, faith is born, hope is grown, and love triumphs.

In prayer -- in the presence of God -- we come closest to being fully ourselves.

-- John Ortberg in “The Me I Want to Be”

#6112

EMBEDDING PRAYER INTO OUR DAILY LIVES – Part 2 of 3

“In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.”  (Romans 8:26 NIV)

Another way to accept the Spirit’s invitation to pray is what might be called “paper prayers.” Hezekiah was king of Israel when he received a letter from the much more powerful king of Assyria. The Assyrian king demanded the capitulation of Israel and warned Hezekiah not to trust in God. He warned that resistance meant that they would have to “eat their own filth and drink their own urine” before they died.

Hezekiah took the letter, went up to the temple, “and spread it out before the Lord.” Then he prayed, beginning by remembering God’s greatness: “O Lord Almighty, God of Israel, enthroned between the cherubim, You alone are God over all the kingdoms of the earth. You have made heaven and earth. Give ear, O Lord, and hear; open Your eyes, O Lord, and see.” (Isaiah 37:16-17a)

What piece of paper would you spread out before the Lord? Maybe it is a financial statement that is overwhelming. Maybe it is a divorce certificate or a medical diagnosis or a pink slip or a flaming e-mail. Any piece of paper that causes distress can be an invitation to prayer, a candidate to be spread out before the Lord. 

-- John Ortberg in “The Me I Want to Be”

#6111

EMBEDDING PRAYER INTO OUR DAILY LIVES – Part 1 of 3

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV)

We can look for cues that embed prayer into our daily lives. In the Bible we are commanded to practice hospitality. In ancient times this usually involved hosting overnight visitors; now it might start with welcoming a telephone call that feels like an interruption. Out of habit I may find myself answering with a grudging spirit. What do you want? Make it fast. You’re bothering me.

But there is another way. Wil Derske, a Benedictine monk, writes about the monastic value of hospitality and says that to accept a phone call is an opportunity to receive a guest. We can pause a moment before answering, in order to change our inner attitude from irritation to welcome. Derske says he will say a prayer of blessing just before taking the call: Benedicamus Domino -- it might be the Lord! 

-- John Ortberg in “The Me I Want to Be”

#6110

VIVIAN'S BLESSINGS

“Jesus sat down opposite 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 few cents. Calling His disciples to Him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, 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.’”  (Mark 12:41-44 NIV)

At the time I became her pastor, Vivian was surviving on food stamps and a small S.S.I. stipend.  She had never married and never worked outside the home, but had taken care of her aging mother and father, a pastor in the old Swedish Methodist church.  In those days pensions only covered pastors and their spouses, so when her parents died, the pension money stopped.  Whenever I visited, Vivian insisted on feeding me.  The fare was usually baloney or peanut butter and jelly, but she delighted to share her table and it was always a joyful feast.

Vivian had a Blessing Box, into which she put a penny every time God blessed her.  Twice a year she would put a big bag of pennies in the offering plate.  Vivian also tithed what little money she had.  After I had been at the church a few months, some church members asked me to speak to her about not tithing because she couldn't afford it.  I was embarrassed, but finally approached her with the church's loving concern.  She received the words as words of love, but her reply really surprised me.  "Why should I be denied the joy of giving just because I'm poor?"

In worldly goods, Vivian was poorer than anyone else in our church.  In spite of that, she felt herself to be the most blessed!  From Vivian, I learned that abundance has nothing to do with having money, but everything to do with being full of the joy of the Lord. 

-- Rev. Ed Wilder in “Alive Now,” May/June 2002, published by The Upper Room, Nashville, TN.   Used with permission. 

#6109

OPPORTUNITIES TO DEMONSTRATE GOD’S LOVE

“When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.  The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”  (Leviticus 19:33-34 NIV)

I have been exploring my genealogy for a number of years, thanks to the initial work of my maternal grandfather over 50 years ago. I have also had my DNA explored as part of that to see where I have come from – mostly Germany and Great Britain. My ancestors immigrated to Wisconsin in the early to mid 1800’s. I have been married to a Canadian for 50 years. My sister married a man whose ancestors came from Mexico. (Happy Cinco de Mayo to that part of my family.) A niece is exploring her Jewish roots and coming to a realization that some of her ancestors survived the Holocaust and some didn’t. And here in Door County, Wisconsin, we are awaiting an influx of J-1 Visa students -- from a variety of countries in Eastern Europe and South America -- to bolster our service industry for the summer.

All that being said, I share this reminder from Leviticus (above) along with the quote (below) from “The Life Application Study Bible”  that goes along with the scripture:

“How do you feel when you encounter foreigners, especially those who don’t speak your language? Are you impatient? Do you think or act as if they should go back to where they came from? Are you tempted to take advantage of them? God says to treat foreigners as you would treat fellow countrymen, to love them as you love yourself. In reality, we are all foreigners in this world because it is only our temporary home. View strangers, newcomers and foreigners as opportunities to demonstrate God’s love.” 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#6108

CULTIVATING COMPASSION

“Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 ESV)

Let me describe what it means to be truly present. Being present involves letting go of our constant preoccupations, immersing ourselves in the here and now, and giving ourselves wholeheartedly to whatever is at hand. …

It’s about becoming more aware, alert, awake to the fullness of the immediate moment. If we are with another person, it means engaging with him or her with all of our heart, our mind, our soul, and our strength.

Such wholehearted attention requires patience, time, and disciplined effort. And it is one of the greatest gifts that we can give to those around us, especially our suffering neighbor. 

-- Trevor Hudson in “A Mile in My Shoes: Cultivating Compassion,” © 2005 by Trevor Hudson. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books

#6107

THE NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER

“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land. Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer made in this place… But if you turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, and worship them, then I will uproot them from My land which I have given them; and this house which I have sanctified for My name I will cast out of My sight, and will make it a proverb and a byword among all peoples.”  (2 Chronicles 7:14-15, 19-20 NKJV)

On this National Day of Prayer (in the U.S.A.), the words of 2 Chronicles 7 once again resonate as a powerful invitation and promise. God calls His people to approach Him with humility, repentance, and sincere prayer. The condition is clear: when we seek His face and turn from the ways that distance us from Him, He responds with grace, forgiveness, and healing -- not only for our individual hearts but for the land we inhabit together.

Almighty God, we seek Your guidance and wisdom. Grant our leaders the humility to serve with integrity and the strength to uphold justice and compassion. May they remember that true power lies not in dominance, but in service to others. Help them to resist the temptations of pride and greed, and to always act in the best interest of all the people they serve. Guide their hearts and minds to make decisions that promote peace, equality, and the common good. Let them be ever mindful of the responsibility they bear and the trust placed in them by the people.

Lord, this day reminds us of the immense privilege and power we have in prayer. We pray not just for our own needs but for the healing and restoration of our nation, for unity amidst division, for the weak and vulnerable to be protected, and for righteousness to shine in the places where darkness prevails. Your promise to hear us is unchanging, and Your faithfulness invites us to trust You more deeply.

Sovereign God, we ask for Your protection and blessings upon our nation, and for the courage to stand against any abuse of power. May our leaders be a reflection of Your love and grace, leading with humility and a steadfast commitment to justice and mercy.

In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.

#6106

A LIFE-CHANGING REALITY

“And [Christ] died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again... Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”   (2 Corinthians 5:15,17 NIV)

The Resurrection is not simply a historical event; it’s a life-changing reality. Jesus’ victory over death was meant to transform more than just Himself -- it breathes new life into His followers. As Paul writes in 2 Corinthians, those who live in Christ are no longer bound by their old ways. They are made new, with their lives reflecting the hope and redemption found in the risen Savior.

The following quote beautifully captures this truth: “The greatest witness to the Resurrection is the changed lives of people, the emergence of a dynamic community of faith.” (Dwight W. Vogel and Linda J. Vogel in “Syncopated Grace”)  Our lives, reshaped by God’s love and grace, become living testimonies to the power of the Resurrection. When we let go of self-centered living and embrace our identity as new creations, we stand as evidence of Jesus’ work in the world.

But this transformation is not an isolated event. It creates a community -- a fellowship of believers united in Christ by love, purpose, and mission. Together, we embody God’s Kingdom, offering hope to the hurting, healing to the broken, and light to the lost. The Resurrection compels us not only to change individually but to join in building a dynamic community of faith that reflects Christ’s redeeming love.   

Your life is a testimony of God’s transforming power. Today, ask how you can reflect His love -- through kindness, forgiveness, or a simple word of encouragement. Together, we are His dynamic, living witnesses to the Resurrection! 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#6105

FAITH BEYOND SIGHT

“Jesus told Thomas, ‘Because you have seen Me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.’” (John 20:29 NIV)

Thomas, one of Jesus’ disciples, often called “Doubting Thomas,” had missed the moment when the risen Jesus first appeared to the others. His doubt wasn’t born of defiance but of a deep longing to see and experience for himself the truth of the resurrection. In John 20:24-29, Jesus graciously meets Thomas where he is, inviting him to touch the wounds in His hands and side. Thomas responds with a powerful declaration, “My Lord and my God!”

This story is a reminder that doubt doesn’t disqualify us from faith -- it’s often a step along the journey. Jesus didn’t rebuke Thomas; instead, He gently guided him toward belief. But Jesus also blessed those who believe without seeing, inviting us into a faith that trusts His promises even when evidence isn’t visible.

When we face moments of uncertainty or struggle to perceive God’s presence, this passage assures us that faith doesn’t require perfect understanding. Trusting in His faithfulness and love, even in the unseen, brings a special blessing.  As Lamentations 3:22-23 reminds us: "Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness." 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6104

LIVING FOR OTHERS

Jesus said to His disciples, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give His life as a ransom for many.”  (Matthew 20:28 NLT)

Rivers do not drink their own water; trees do not eat their own fruit; the sun does not shine on itself; and flowers do not spread their fragrance for themselves. Living for others is a rule of nature. We are all born to help each other. No matter how difficult it is… Life is good when you are happy; but much better when others are happy because of you. 

-- Pope Francis (1936 – 2025)

#6103

CHOSEN FOR A PURPOSE

Jesus said, "You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit -- fruit that will last -- and so that whatever you ask in My name the Father will give you."   (John 15:16 NIV)

The NFL Draft is currently underway in Green Bay, Wisconsin. If you live in Northeast Wisconsin, as I do, you can’t miss it. In the NFL Draft, players are chosen not just for their skills but for the potential they bring to a team. Coaches and scouts see something unique in each athlete, and teams select them with a purpose in mind. Similarly, God has chosen you -- not because of your qualifications, but because of His love and His plan for your life. He has appointed you to bear fruit that will last, to make an eternal impact in His Kingdom.

Just as a drafted player commits to training, teamwork, and fulfilling their role, we are called to embrace our purpose with dedication, also committing to training, teamwork and fulfilling our role in the Kingdom. God’s choice is not the end of the story -- it’s the beginning of a journey where we grow, serve, and glorify Him.

And with His current pick, God chooses ________________ (fill in your name)! How can you live out the purpose for which God has chosen you today? 

-- Rev. David T. Wilkinson, SOUND BITES Ministry

#6102

PHILONEXIA

“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality. Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.”  (Romans 12:9-18 NIV)

There's a two-word verse tucked in the middle of Romans 12 behind which is hidden one of my favorite Greek terms. The verse says, "Practice hospitality." The Greek word is philonexia. Here's my working definition: "to pursue the stranger with the love of a family and make them feel at home." It's not really about people you know, but people you don't yet know. And it's not about being an extroverted person who never meets a stranger.

Hospitality is a deeply personal posture of openness toward all people. Our natural tendency is to fear strangers and keep to our own. To follow Jesus is to become open and curious (and, of course, wise and discerning) when it comes to strangers. You may remember this charge in the letter to the Hebrews: "Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it" (13:2).

The one who shows hospitality is often in for the bigger blessing. Then there's the famous [post-resurrection] Emmaus Road story where the two disciples invite the stranger into their home after the long walk and He turns out to be Jesus Himself! Wow! He did say in His parable of the sheep and the goats, depicting the final judgment, "I was a stranger and You welcomed Me" (Matthew. 25:35). It's why St. Benedict put this instruction in his rule of life: "Let all guests who arrive be received as Christ."

Philonexia! It's one of the hallmark qualities of Holy Spirit–filled people. May it become a new watchword in our hearts, homes, and churches.  

-- Excerpted from “Wake-Up Call” with J. D. Walt

#6101

ON THE ROAD TO EMMAUS

Jesus said to the two walking on the road to Emmaus, “‘How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter His glory?’ And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, He explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning Himself."  (Luke 24:25-27 NIV)

Well, what do you know, [the resurrected] Christ conducted a Bible class. He led the Emmaus bound duo through an Old Testament survey course, from the writings of Moses (Genesis through Deuteronomy) into the messages of Isaiah, Amos, and the others. He turned the Emmaus trail into a biblical timeline, pausing to describe… the Red Sea rumbling?... Jericho tumbling?... King David stumbling? Of special import to Jesus was what the Scriptures said “concerning Himself.” His face watermarks more Old Testament stories than you might imagine. Jesus is Noah, saving humanity from disaster; Abraham, the father of a new nation; Isaac, placed on the altar by his father; Joseph, sold for a bag of silver; Moses, calling slaves to freedom; Joshua, pointing out the promised land.

Jesus took them through the writing of “Moses and all the prophets.” Can you imagine Christ quoting Old Testament Scripture? Did Isaiah 53 sound this way: "I was wounded and crushed for your sins. I was beaten that you might have peace" (v. 5)? Or Isaiah 28: "I am placing a foundation stone in Jerusalem. It is firm, a tested precious cornerstone that is safe to build on" (v. 16)? Did He pause and give the Emmaus students a wink, saying, "I'm the stone Isaiah described"? We don't know His words, but we know their impact. The two disciples felt "our hearts burning within us while He talked" (Luke 24:32 NIV). 

-- Adapted from Max Lucado in “Fearless: Imagine Your Life Without Fear”  

#6100

FIRST IMPORTANCE

The apostle Paul wrote to the people at Corinth to tell them about what mat­tered to him: "For I handed on to you as of first importance what I in turn had received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3-4).

According to Paul, what really mat­ters -- what is of "first importance" -- is that Jesus Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was resurrected!  For Paul, the cross is the core of the gospel.  The cross is the hinge point that makes a sig­nificant difference in all of history.  When the cross -- the crucifixion of Jesus -- is connected with the resurrec­tion of Jesus, transformation takes place.  Life is different.  Christian disciples are born. 

-- Rev. Timothy Bias in an article in “Circuit Rider,” Jan/Feb 2001

#6099

 

THE ULTIMATE TRIUMPH OF GOD’S WILL

“We were therefore buried with Christ through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with Him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like His.”  (Romans 6:4-5 NIV)

Ultimately, hardship and suffering, evil and sin, will not have the final word. That is the overwhelming message of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Jesus was put to death by men whose hearts were evil. God, in Jesus Christ, is subject to the forces of darkness. Yet we cannot forget that the cross is not the end of the story. With great triumph Christianity affirms that though Jesus was crucified, dead, and buried, on the third day God raised Him from the dead!

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is itself a shout from God that good triumphs over evil, that the forces of light will defeat the forces of darkness, and that life will vanquish death! Eventually, most of us come to recognize this. We most certainly see it in our deaths. And ultimately everyone will see it at the last day. 

-- Adam Hamilton in “Why?: Making Sense of God’s Will”

#6098

IT IS FINISHED

"When Jesus had received the sour wine, He said, 'It is finished,' and He bowed His head and gave up His spirit."  (John 19:30 ESV)

"It is finished." Three simple words that changed the course of history forever. As Jesus uttered these final words from the cross, He wasn't merely announcing the end of His physical suffering -- He was declaring the completion of God's grand plan of redemption.

In the original Greek, Jesus used the word "tetelestai" -- a term merchants would write across bills to declare "paid in full." When archaeologists uncover ancient receipts from that era, they often find this same word stamped across them. How fitting that Jesus would use this marketplace language to announce that the debt of our sins had been fully paid.

Think about those moments in your life when you've longed for completion -- a difficult project, a strained relationship, a burden of guilt. Jesus' declaration speaks to that universal human yearning for resolution and peace. But His "it is finished" goes infinitely deeper. He wasn't just completing a task; He was fulfilling every prophecy, satisfying divine justice, and bridging the chasm between God and humanity.

On this Good Friday, as we reflect on these words, we're invited to rest in their finality. We don't need to add anything to what Christ has done. We don't need to earn our salvation or prove our worth. The work is complete. The price is paid. The victory is won.

In a world that constantly demands more from us -- more achievement, more proof, more striving -- Jesus' words offer profound relief. The debt we could never pay has been settled. The separation we could never bridge has been spanned. The restoration we could never accomplish has been achieved.

Take a moment today to let these words sink deep into your soul: "It is finished." Whatever burdens you carry, whatever guilt weighs you down, whatever inadequacies plague you -- bring them to the cross. Jesus' final declaration means you can stop striving and start receiving. The work is done. It is finished. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources

#6097

MAUNDY THURSDAY SILENCE

“When the hour had come, Jesus sat down, and the twelve apostles with Him. Then He said to them, ‘With fervent desire I have desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer; for I say to you, I will no longer eat of it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.’ Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, ‘Take this and divide it among yourselves; for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.’ And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.’ Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.’… [When the supper was over], He went to the Mount of Olives, as He was accustomed, and His disciples also followed Him. When He came to the place, He said to them, ‘Pray that you may not enter into temptation.’ And He was withdrawn from them about a stone’s throw, and He knelt down and prayed, saying, ‘Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.’ Then an angel appeared to Him from heaven, strengthening Him. And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.”  (Luke 22:14-20, 39-44 NKJV)

The liturgical mood of Holy Thursday is complex.  It begins with grandeur… Yet quickly enough the mood shifts as the liturgy moves to its conclusion.  The momentum of the Passion story asserts itself and we find ourselves aware of the coming, dark events, the necessary descent before the rising.  We move, as it were, into the garden with Jesus where He retires and waits.  We, like the disciples with whom He pleads to remain, watch and pray.

Traditionally, the Maundy Thursday service has no closure.  We leave the church unaccompanied by music or benediction or blessing.  The altar is stripped of the celebrative dressing.  The church is left stark and bare.  We hear the footfalls echo as we leave in silence. 

-- Wendy M. Wright in “The Rising” 

#6096

FROM YAHWEH TO FATHER

“In You, O Lord, I put my trust; let me never be ashamed; deliver me in Your righteousness. Bow down Your ear to me, deliver me speedily; be my rock of refuge, a fortress of defense to save me. For You are my rock and my fortress; therefore, for Your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Pull me out of the net which they have secretly laid for me, for You are my strength. Into Your hand I commit my spirit; You have redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.”  (Psalm 31:1-5 NKJV)

Psalm 31 holds a special place in Christian history because it is one of only two psalms that are explicitly quoted by Jesus on the cross. The other, Psalm 22, is frequently cited in our sacred remembrance of the passion, but it is here in Psalm 31 where we find the last spoken words of Jesus according to the Gospel of Luke: “Into Your hands I commit My spirit” (v. 5; Luke 23:46 NKJV). However, there is a little detail that you should notice when comparing the two passages. Psalm 31 addresses Yahweh [Lord], the sacred covenantal name of God. It is a name so exalted and holy that the Jews would not even pronounce the name. It is rendered in the Hebrew Bible with only four consonants: YHWH. However, Jesus precedes these words from Psalm 31 with the most intimate term imaginable when He says, “Father, into Your hands, I commit My spirit.” The movement from YHWH to Father is, in seed form, one of the greatest summaries of the gospel message and is why Jesus came to earth. Before the coming of Christ, God was distant and unapproachable. His name could not be spoken. Now, through the intercession of Christ and His redemptive work, we who were once “far away have been brought near through the blood of Christ” (Ephesians 2:13).

Indeed, it is fitting that at the very moment Jesus was, quite literally, shedding His blood for us, He addressed God as Father, thereby modeling for us the new and living way that was being opened to all of us through the gospel. Now, we can all cry, “Father” for, as Paul declares, “you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, ‘Abba, Father’” (Romans 8:15). This is the good news that is ours through the work of Jesus Christ! 

-- Timothy and Julie Tennent in “A Meditative Journey Through the Psalms” 

#6095

IN THE BUSINESS OF REDEMPTION

“But when the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, in order to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as children.”  (Galatians 4:4-5 NRSV)

With endless patience, at infinite cost to Himself, God had been waiting since the beginning of history -- watching, suffering, loving -- until in the fullness of time He sent His only begotten Son to a redemption center on a hill called Calvary. What does He want to redeem? Everything. All creation is groaning for redemption, Paul says. God wants to redeem you.

When circumstances look bleak, when the stock market is down, or when your morale is sinking or your assets are shrinking or your health is collapsing, you may wonder, Is anything going up? Yes.

The chance to trust God when trusting isn’t easy is wide open. The prospect for modeling hope for a hope-needy world is trending upward. And the possibility of cultivating a storm-proof faith is always going up. This is so because certain truths remain unchanged: God remains sovereign, grace beats sin, prayers get heard, the Bible endures, heaven’s mercies spring up new every morning, the cross still testifies to the power of sacrificial love, the tomb is still empty, and the kingdom that Jesus announced is still expanding without needing to be bailed out by human efforts.

God is still in the business of redemption, specializing in bringing something very, very good out of something very, very bad.

-- John Ortberg in “The Me I Want to Be” 

#6094

A DIFFERENT KIND OF KING

“They took palm branches and went out to meet [Jesus], shouting, ‘Hosanna!’ ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ ‘Blessed is the king of Israel!’ Jesus found a young donkey and sat on it, as it is written: ‘Do not be afraid, Daughter Zion; see, your King is coming, seated on a donkey’s colt.’ At first His disciples did not understand all this. Only after Jesus was glorified did they realize that these things had been written about Him and that these things had been done to Him.” (John 12:13-16 NIV)

This is the kind of King we follow, a King whose standard is the cross. Many look at the cross and see Christ's suffering and death for them, a "full and perfect sacrifice for the sins of the world," and indeed this is one of the profound and powerful truths of the cross. But there is more.

When I look at the cross, I see a divine love story centered on a God who suffered to save the human race, a King who died for His people. This love is selfless and sacrificial -- a parent dying for a child, a lover dying for the beloved. Ultimately, the cross is a sign of the lengths to which God will go to save us from sin and brokenness. It reminds us that forgiveness came at a great price.

Luke includes the words Jesus prayed from the cross, words that I find utterly astounding, a prayer transcending space and time, offered on Calvary for all people everywhere: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." (Luke 23:34) 

-- Adapted from Adam Hamilton in “The Way: Walking in the Footsteps of Jesus”

#6093

ON HIS WAY TO JERUSALEM

"The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on His way to Jerusalem.  They took palm branches and went out to meet Him, shouting, 'Hosanna!  Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the King of Israel!'"   (John 12:12-13)

Reflecting on the scene of Palm Sunday, we see a crowd gathered for a momentous occasion. Each person waved their palm branches, driven by unique motivations and desires. Political activists saw in Jesus the potential for revolution, believing His supernatural power could liberate them from Roman oppression. Others, consumed by personal grief, longed for His miraculous healing touch for their sick and dying loved ones. Some were merely curious onlookers, seeking entertainment in the spectacle, while true followers hoped He would establish an earthly kingdom.

Yet, amidst this multitude with varied agendas, Jesus stood alone in His understanding of the true purpose of His journey. He knew that His path led to the ultimate sacrifice -- He was heading to Jerusalem to die for humanity's redemption. Jesus had a mission, while everyone else had an agenda.

This contrast invites us to examine our own hearts and motives. Are we approaching Jesus with our own agendas, seeking what He can do for us? Or are we aligned with His mission, surrendering our will to His greater plan?

Take a moment to quiet your heart and seek alignment with Jesus' mission. May we not be swayed by personal desires but be steadfast in following Him, understanding that His purpose transcends our individual ambitions. In this coming Holy Week, let us remember His sacrifice and commit ourselves to His divine mission.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6092

HOSANNA TO THE SON OF DAVID

Hosanna is a word used in some songs of praise, particularly on Palm Sunday. It is of Hebrew origin and was part of the shout of the multitudes as Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” (Matthew 21:9).

Hosanna is often thought of as a declaration of praise, similar to hallelujah, but it is actually a plea for salvation. The Hebrew root words are found in Psalm 118:25, which says, “Save us, we pray, O LORD!” (ESV). The Hebrew words yasha (“deliver, save”) and anna (“beg, beseech”) combine to form the word that, in English, is “hosanna.” Literally, hosanna means “I beg you to save!” or “please deliver us!”

So, as Jesus rode the donkey into Jerusalem, the crowds were perfectly right to shout “Hosanna!” They were acknowledging Jesus as their Messiah, as shown in their address “Son of David.” Theirs was a cry for salvation and a recognition that Jesus is able to save.

Later that day, Jesus was in the temple, and the children present were again shouting, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” (Matthew 21:15). The chief priests and the teachers of the Law were displeased: “’Do You hear what these children are saying?’ they asked Him. ‘Yes,’ replied Jesus, ‘have you never read, “From the lips of children and infants You, Lord, have called forth Your praise”’?” (Matthew 21:16). In saying, “Hosanna!” the people were crying out for salvation, and that’s exactly why Jesus had come. Within the week Jesus would be hanging on a cross. 

-- From Got Questions Ministries, gotquestions.org

#6091

CLAIM YOUR INHERITANCE IN CHRIST

“But to all who received [Jesus], who believed in His name, He gave power to become children of God, who were born, not of blood or of the will of the flesh or of the will of man, but of God.”  (John 1:12-13 NRSV)

“For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, ‘Abba! Father!’ it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ -- if, in fact, we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.”  (Romans 8:14-17 NRSV)

The good news we share with one another is the gospel’s declaration that no matter where we are in life, we are the recipients of God’s limitless grace. We can have peace, joy, assurance, comfort, hope, tranquility, confidence, and companionship with God in Christ and beyond that, life eternal. With a life bank full of such gifts we are indeed rich. And yet, so often I permit myself to slip into poverty thinking and poverty living. I feel anxious, alone, fearful, faithless, without joy, and sometimes without hope. I feel this way because I have forgotten and lost grip on the inheritance that God gives me in Christ anew every morning.

Many of us live in spiritual poverty because we have forgotten who we are as God’s children and who God is as our loving Father. The fact that you are reading these words suggests that you are reaching out even now to claim your full inheritance as a child of God. May God grant grace and wisdom to do so more and more today and every day of your life. Claim your inheritance in Christ and live as God’s beloved child today. 

-- Adapted from Rueben P. Job in “A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God”

#6090

UNDERSTANDING WHO CHRIST IS

“[Jesus] is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fullness should dwell, and by Him to reconcile all things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, having made peace through the blood of His cross.”  (Colossians 1:15-20 NKJV)

In these verses Paul paints a breathtaking picture of Christ's unparalleled role in creation and redemption. It declares that Christ is "the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation" and emphasizes that "by Him all things were created". This passage invites us to reflect on the majesty of Jesus as the Creator and Sustainer of the universe.

Jesus is not just a historical figure; He is God revealed to us. Everything in heaven and on earth exists through Him and for Him. Recognizing His authority reminds us that He holds all things together, including our lives, even in moments of chaos.

This passage also highlights Jesus' mission to reconcile all things to Himself through His sacrifice on the cross. His love extends to every corner of creation, bringing peace where there was once brokenness.

Understanding who Christ is calls us to surrender our lives to Him. We can trust Him completely because He is the foundation of all things. Worship Him with awe, knowing that the One who created the stars also knows your heart.

Today, let these verses encourage you to deepen your reverence and gratitude for Jesus. He is supreme and yet personal, the creator and yet the sacrifice, and He invites you to experience His peace and purpose. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry, compiled from a variety of sources 

#6089

A NEW IDENTITY IN CHRIST

“So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!”  (2 Corinthians 5:17 NRSV)

Jesus invited Peter and his brother, Andrew, to forsake their business in order to string along with Him, and “immediately they left their nets and followed Him“ (Matthew 4:18-20). Soon Jesus called two other brothers to follow Him. “Immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him” (Matthew 4:22). The Gospel writers reveal a sense of immediacy accompanying Jesus’ call. They recognize a sense of timing. Jesus’ call in our lives is both immediate and timely.

Not only does Jesus call us to join ranks with Him; He also names us. In recruiting Peter, Jesus said to him, “You are Simon… you are to be called… Peter” (John 1:42). Gospel vignettes remind us that we must name Jesus for ourselves. Nathaniel named Jesus “the Son of God… the King of Israel” (John 1:49). In the early chapter of the Gospels, so many people are naming and being named. We too might allow Jesus to name us, to tell us who we really are. Naming someone defines the person, allows the person to take on an entirely new identity. When Jesus lays claim upon our lives, we are given a new name…

When John’s disciples broke ranks to follow after Jesus, He asked them, “Who are you looking for?” They responded, “Where do you live?” Jesus asked who, they responded where. Their spirituality was uninformed. They looked for grace in “things and places.” Jesus offered them grace in a living, loving relationship. Jesus still asks the “who” questions – not merely “what.” “What are you doing?” is a doing question with a doing reply: I am a teacher, a machinist, a physician, and so forth. But “who” you are invites a being response. “Who” inquires into the soul of us. Who are you? What name has Jesus given you? What name have you given Jesus? 

-- Norman Shawchuck in “A Guide to Prayer for All Who Seek God”

#6088