A PASSION FOR EXCELLENCE

“Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.” (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

The push for power has come to shove. And most of us are either pushing or being pushed.

I might point out the difference between a passion for excellence and a passion for power. The desire for excellence is a gift from God, much needed in society. It is characterized by respect for quality and a yearning to use God’s gifts in a way that pleases Him.

There are certain things you can do that no one else can. Perhaps it is parenting, or constructing houses, or encouraging the discouraged. There are things that only you can do, and you are alive to do them. In the great orchestra that we call life, you have an instrument and a song, you owe it to God to play them both sublimely.

But there is a canyon of difference between doing your best to glorify God and doing whatever it takes to glorify yourself. The quest for excellence is a mark of maturity. The quest for power is childish. 

-- Max Lucado in “The Applause of Heaven”

#6305

AND HE BROUGHT HIM TO JESUS

^“Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, ‘We have found the Messiah’ (that is, the Christ). And he brought him to Jesus.” (John 1:40-42a NIV)

We don't hear much more about Andrew except that he was always bringing people to Jesus (John 6:8, 12:22). But Simon Peter, his brother, went on to be one of the greatest influences in the history of Christianity. We cannot all be Simon Peters, but we can all do what Andrew did -- we can bring someone to Jesus.

Albert McMackin was a 24-year-old farmer who had come to faith in Christ. He was so full of enthusiasm that he filled a truck with people and took them to a meeting to hear about Jesus. There was a good-looking farmer's son whom he especially wanted to get to a meeting, but this young man was hard to persuade. He was busy falling in and out of love with different girls and did not seem to be attracted to Christianity. Eventually, Albert McMackin managed to persuade him to come by asking him to drive the truck. When they arrived, Albert's guest decided to go in. He was spellbound and began to have thoughts he had never known before. He went back again and again until one night he went forward and gave his life to Jesus Christ. That man, the driver of the truck, was Billy Graham. The year was 1934. [Throughout his ministry Billy Graham (1918-2018) led hundreds of thousands] to faith in Jesus Christ. We cannot all be like Billy Graham, but we can all be like Albert McMackin  -- we can all bring our friends to Jesus. 

-- Nicky Gumbel in Alpha’s “Questions of Life: A Practical Introduction to the Christian Faith”

#6304

THE MOSES OF HER PEOPLE

Imagine a woman, barely five feet tall, with a scar on her head from a childhood injury, and no formal education. She’s born into slavery, escapes it, and then -- against all logic and fear -- goes back. Not once, but again and again.

Her name? Harriet Tubman (1822-1913). Harriet was called the “Moses of her people.” And like Moses, she believed that freedom was not just a dream—it was a divine promise. She said, “I always told God, I’m going to hold steady on You, and You’ve got to see me through.”

And He did. Tubman led at least 70 enslaved people to freedom via the Underground Railroad. She never lost a single passenger. Not one.

She didn’t have maps. She couldn’t read. She couldn’t even rely on people to hide her -- because if they were caught, they’d face prison or worse. But she had something else: she had faith.

Harriet said that every time she stepped onto a path in the woods, every time she knocked on a door or waited in a swamp for the cover of night, she prayed: “Lord, go with me. Make me invisible.”

And sometimes, it was as if she was. Slave catchers passed within feet of her group and never saw them. Dogs couldn’t catch their scent. Fires stayed low. She credited it all to the power of God.

Later, during the Civil War, she even led military raids, guiding Union troops to free more than 700 enslaved people in a single night.

But it all started with faith. Not faith in herself. Not faith in a cause. But faith in a God who sees the oppressed, and acts. That’s mountain-moving faith. Faith that risks everything, not just to believe, but to rescue. The kind of faith that says: “Even if I walk into darkness, You are my light.” 

-- Excerpted from Wikipedia

#6303

FAITH ON THE BIGGEST STAGE

“Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.”  (1 Corinthians 9:25)

The Super Bowl is one of the most-watched events in the world. Millions tune in. Players train for years. Coaches strategize. Fans cheer. And for one team, the night ends with confetti, a trophy, and a moment they’ll remember forever.

But even the greatest victory on the field eventually fades. The trophy gathers dust. The cheers die down. The spotlight moves on.

Paul understood this when he wrote to the Corinthians. He pointed to athletes who discipline themselves for a prize that doesn’t last -- then reminded believers that our prize is eternal.

The world celebrates temporary victories. Heaven celebrates transformed lives.

The Super Bowl is a reminder that preparation matters, discipline matters, teamwork matters  -- but it also reminds us that earthly glory is fleeting. The real victory is living a life secured in Christ, running the race with perseverance, and keeping our eyes fixed on the One who never fades from view.

Faith doesn’t promise an easy game. But it promises a faithful Coach, a powerful Spirit, a supportive Church, and a Victory in Jesus that cannot be taken away.

The Super Bowl may crown a champion for a night, but faith crowns a victor for a lifetime. The field fades, the cheers quiet, but the life centered in Christ plays for a glory that never ends. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6302

SETTING THE THERMOSTAT

“Set your mind on things above, not on earthly things.” (Colossians 3:2)

John Milton wrote in his epic poem “Paradise Lost” that “The mind is its own place, and in itself can make a heaven of hell, a hell of heaven.”

Setting your mind is like setting a thermostat.  It is creating a target for the climate.  Once you set a thermostat, the heating and air-conditioning will have to adjust in relation to the weather.  It is a constant process, but the goal is for the system to create a life-giving climate.  So too it is with our minds.  Many people try to tell themselves to stop thinking negative thoughts -- which immediately brings to mind the very thoughts they are supposed to stop thinking.

“Those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires.” (Romans 8:5)

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable -- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -- think about such things.”  (Philippians 4:8)

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

#6301

DO YOU LOVE TO WORRY?

Jesus told His disciples, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”  (Matthew 6:31-34 NIV)

Nobody loves to worry any more than anyone loves to pay taxes or have a root canal or host their in-laws for a week. But those things need to be done, so we do them. Maybe the real question is, do we love our stuff more than we do everything else, especially worry?

When we lean into our troubles instead of God, worry replaces worship; in effect, we’re saying, “God, I don’t think You’ve got this.” We would rather trust our worry than His strength and provision. Worry impacts our witness: Who wants to listen to Christians who think their God isn’t big enough to handle every problem?

Worry is a warning -- a yellow light telling you that a choice is coming up fast. Choice one: take your worry and turn your concerns over to God, trusting Him to help you get through them. Or choice two: take your worry as a badge of honor, bravery in the face of God’s apparent abandonment -- a sign that you care more about your problems than God does.

Worry is a sign that you’re paying attention, that you care about what’s going on. That’s good. But if you hang on to that worry, you risk making it an idol. So really, who do you love more, worry or God? 

-- Quentin Guy in “The 5-Minute Bible Study for Men: Pursuing God”

#6300

OVERFLOWING GRACE

“And the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”  (1 Timothy 1:14 ESV)

In his first letter to Timothy, Paul doesn’t say God’s grace arrived, or helped, or even covered him. He says it overflowed.

Overflowing grace is not measured, cautious, or reserved. It is not God giving us “just enough” to get by. It is abundance. It is excess. It is God pouring Himself out in such a way that the container of our lives simply cannot hold it.

Paul writes these words as a man who knew his own failures intimately -- persecutor, blasphemer, violent opponent of the gospel. Yet he becomes the one who proclaims grace as a flood that sweeps away guilt, shame, and the old identity.

Grace doesn’t drip into our lives -- grace rushes in. Grace doesn’t stop at a full cup -- grace spills over. Grace doesn’t simply refresh -- grace renews, remakes, and overflows.

And when grace overflows, it doesn’t just change us. It spills into the lives around us -- into our families, our churches, our schools, our workplaces, our communities. Overflowing grace becomes a river that carries hope to dry places and a drink to parched souls. 

Let grace define your past. You are not who you were. God’s grace has already rewritten your story. Let grace sustain your present. You don’t have to earn what God freely gives. Let grace shape your future. God’s overflow means there is always more -- more mercy, more strength, more love – for you and for others through you.

Where is God inviting you to stop living on “just enough” and start trusting His overflow? 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6299

A HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT FOR FLOURISHING

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”  (Acts 2:42 NIV)

We live in an increasingly fragmented and disconnected world. Though social media and other technology have made our world seemingly more connected, people have fewer genuine friends than ever before. It feels scary and threatening to allow ourselves to be known or to invest in knowing someone else at a deep level. It is much easier and more convenient to stay on the surface. Yet when we take the risk of being authentic with a small group of people, we can experience God's grace and love coming through others, which leads to freedom and transformation.

John Ortberg writes: "God uses people to form people. That is why what happens between you and another person is never merely human-to-human interaction -- the Spirit longs to be powerfully at work in every encounter." So the goal of small groups is to create environments where Spirit-driven, life-giving experiences can flourish. While the type of group or study can help promote a positive environment, the real things that promote a healthy environment for flourishing are prayer, support, service, confession, worship, accountability, conflict resolution, social gatherings, and simply doing life together. Regardless of the specific guidelines a church may have in their small-group ministry, its objective ultimately is to help people engage in relationships that help them become more like Christ. Spend time building an environment that allows true relationships to flourish. 

-- Excerpted from an article called “Making a Case for Small Groups” by Carolyn Taketa

#6298

LIVING IN THE PRESENT

“God replied to Moses, ‘I Am Who I Am. Say this to the people of Israel: I Am has sent me to you.’”  (Exodus 3:14 NLT)

Live life in the present tense. When we spend our time dwelling on mistakes we have made in the past (which we can’t change) or anticipating problems in the future (which can’t be foreseen), we are prone to stress. And we are robbed of the joy of the present moment. It is interesting that in the Old Testament the most holy name for God is translated “I Am.” And throughout the Gospel of John Jesus refers to Himself as “I Am.”

The following piece by Helen Mallicoat reminds us of the significance of that truth in our lives:

I was regretting the past and fearing the future. Suddenly my Lord was speaking to me. “My name is I Am.” He paused. I waited. He continued. “When you live in the past, with its mistakes and regrets, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Was. When you live in the future, with its problems and fears, it is hard. I am not there. My name is not I Will Be. When you live in this moment, it is not hard. I am here, My name is I Am.” 

-- Robert Jeffress in “Choose Your Attitude Change Your Life: How to Make Life’s Circumstances Work for You, Not Against You”

#6297

MOTIVATED BY FRUSTRATION

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.”  (Proverbs 31:8-9 NIV)

Sometimes people in Scripture get motivated to trust God in remarkable ways when they grow frustrated with the brokenness of a fallen world.

Nehemiah could not tolerate the idea of Jerusalem being in ruins. He was moved to risk a king’s displeasure and lethal opposition to rally God’s people.

David could not tolerate a pagan Philistine giant taunting the God of Israel. He was moved to risk his life in the name of his God.

Elijah could not tolerate the barbaric practice of pagan idolatry. He was moved to take on all the prophets of Baal single-handedly.

Even in the world today, it is often at the point where we are frustrated by the gap between the fallen reality and our sense of God’s desires that we are moved to action in a cause greater than ourselves…

Maybe God is calling you to trust Him at some point of frustration in your life. Trust Him. No one ever regretted trusting Christ more -- ever. 

-- John Ortberg in “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat” 

#6296

 

REMEMBERING JESUS

“For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was betrayed took bread, and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, ‘This is My body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of Me.’ In the same way also He took the cup, after supper, saying, ‘This cup is the new covenant in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.”  (1 Corinthians 11:23-26 ESV)

A man in his early forties died after a long bout with cancer, leaving behind a wife and two children. There was a particular casserole that was his favorite meal. Once a week his wife would continue to prepare this meal. As she and the children ate, she would tell her children stories of their father; and they would recall their own memories of their dad. His chair sat empty at the table, and they remembered him in a way that made them feel close to him and that continued to shape their lives.

I wonder if this is not what Jesus had in mind when He said, "As often as you do this, remember Me." We should remember Him not only in a morsel of bread and sip of wine during worship, but every time we sit down to break bread. Here I am reminded of the old tradition, now nearly forgotten, of setting an extra place at the supper table as a way of inviting the Lord to "be present at our table." How might you remember Him at each supper you eat? 

-- Adam Hamilton in “24 Hours That Changed the World - 40 Days of Reflection” 

#6295

COVENANT-KEEPING WORSHIPERS

Read Exodus 20:1-17, the Ten Commandments.

We see how the Ten Commandments break into two groupings, with the first four dealing with our relationship with God and the final six dealing with our relationship with our neighbor.

Most fascinating is the way Jesus further boiled down the Ten Commandments (indeed the whole Law) into a singular command: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” (Luke 10:27)

There’s something we should be clear about here at the outset. The commandments are not about becoming a law-abiding citizen, as is commonly thought. They are about becoming a covenant-keeping worshiper.

In that light, it’s interesting how the most important words in the Ten Commandments, indeed in the whole of the Law, are most often excluded from the commandments when we see them inscribed in public places and even in Christian literature. They are these: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” (Exodus 20:2)

The Ten Commandments do not begin with commandments. The Law does not begin with laws. It begins with relationship. “I am Yahweh,” God says. “I am the God who heard your cries and who brought you out of Egypt, out of the cruel slavery under which you suffered.” I am God. I delivered you. This is the most primitive taproot of our entire faith. This cannot be overstated. If our faith does not come down to something as simple as “I am yours. You are mine,” we are missing the core essence of the Christian faith and likely lost in some form of a counterfeit religion. 

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

#6294

WE HAVE AN OBLIGATION

“Therefore, brothers and sisters, we have an obligation -- but it is not to the flesh, to live according to it.”  (Romans 8:12 NIV)

Obligation. It’s not your favorite word, is it? But that’s because we interpret it, or rather misinterpret it, in a negative light. Don’t think of it as something we have to do; think of it as something we get to do. Our greatest obligation doubles as our greatest opportunity -- surrendering our lives to the lordship of Christ. Can you think of any greater privilege than being used for God’s eternal purposes?

The word means to be legally or morally bound, and the best picture might be marriage. When you say “I do” at the altar, you are obligating yourself for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and in health, till death do you part. I’ve officiated lots of weddings, and I’ve never seen anyone enter into that obligation with anything other than joyful anticipation.

When we enter into a covenant relationship with God, we tend to focus on the fact that we are legally and morally bound to God, but God is also legally and morally bound to us. The gospel demands that we give all of ourselves to God, but when we do, God gives all of Himself to us. I’ll take that trade seven days a week, and twice on Sundays! It’s a covenant of blessing, and every blessing belongs to you in Christ. Every promise is yes in Christ. 

-- Mark Batterson in “If: Trading Your If Only Regrets for God’s What If Possibilities”

#6293

A HOME BUILT BY GRACE

Jesus said, “For my Father’s house has many rooms… I am going there to prepare a place for you.”   (John 14:2)

There’s something sacred about a home. Not just the walls and roof, but the welcome, the belonging, the sense that you are safe and seen. Scripture often uses the image of a house to describe our life with God, and it beautifully mirrors the journey of grace -- prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying. Grace is not a single moment. It’s a whole homecoming.

Prevenient Grace is like the porch light that comes on first. Before we ever take a step toward God, He turns on the porch light. This is prevenient grace -- the grace that goes before. It’s the warm glow that cuts through the darkness, the quiet invitation that whispers, “You’re welcome here.” Even when we’re wandering, doubting, or unaware, God is already drawing us toward Himself.

Justifying Grace is in stepping through the open door, the moment you cross the threshold. You step inside, and the Father embraces you with forgiveness, acceptance, and joy. This is the grace of salvation -- the moment the relationship is restored. The door isn’t opened because you earned it. It’s opened because Jesus unlocked it with His own life. This is the moment grace says, “You belong here.”

Sanctifying Grace is learning to live in the home. Once inside, grace doesn’t stop. Sanctifying grace is the ongoing work of the Holy Spirit helping you learn the rhythms of this new home -- its peace, its values, its way of life. It’s God rearranging the furniture of your heart, sweeping out old habits, opening windows to let fresh air in, and shaping you room by room into the likeness of Christ. 

Grace is not just the way we enter God’s family -- it’s the way we live in His love every day. From the first flicker of the porch light to the warmth of the welcome inside to the lifelong renovation of our hearts, God’s grace surrounds us at every step. May we never forget that we are people invited, embraced, and continually transformed by the One who calls us home.

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™ 

#6292

TRANSFORMED IN CHRIST

“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.”  (Galatians 2:20)

This is essentially Jesus' work during His earthly ministry.  He makes people whole.

He takes a brash, boisterous braggart named Peter who is spiritually as shifty as sand, and fashions him into a solid rock, so that thousands will hear the gospel through him.

He takes a John of boiling temperament and fiery disposition and channels that fire into love and gives gentleness in place of harshness.

He takes a sinful woman twisted in all her thoughts, torn apart in her conscience, tormented by seven demons, and releases Mary of Magdala from her captivity, even gives her the honor of being the first to see Him risen from the dead.

He takes a greedy, selfish, despicable tax collector and transforms Zacchaeus into a person of Christian charity and benevolence who in turn makes a deep committal:  "Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold." (Luke 19:8)

He transforms men and women by the power of His love.  A group of very ordinary people are forgiven for their sins, changed in their goals, given a vision, empowered with His Holy Spirit, and these Christians turn the world upside down, or shall we say, right-side up? 

-- H.S. Vigeveno in “Jesus the Revolutionary”

#6291

VICTORY OVER DEATH

“For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the Spirit.”  (1 Peter 3:18 ESV)

So many things in this world are private or restricted. You can be turned away because you don’t have a ticket, a membership, a reservation, an important friend, a recognizable name, the proper clothing, or a couple of C-notes to bribe the doorman. Not long ago, I showed up at a prestigious country club for a round of golf and was told that because I was wearing denim shorts, I’d have to come back some other time.

But when it comes to our Lord’s victory over death, there are no goons standing at the door to keep people out -- only Jesus to welcome us in. Hebrews 7:25 (NLT) says, “Therefore [Jesus] is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through Him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf.”  

--  Adapted from “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus” by Mark Atteberry

#6290

COMFORT AND COMPASSION

Editor’s Note: Today, January 21, is the anniversary of the birth of our son, Dustin (1982-1998). Today’s author, Nancy Guthrie, offered many of the lessons she learned from the loss of two of her children in her first book, “Holding On to Hope: A Pathway of Suffering to the Heart of God” which was published in 2002. Since then, Nancy has continued to write books that reflect her compassion for hurting people and her passion for applying God's Word to real life.

COMFORT AND COMPASSION

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.”  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV)

Ours is not a culture that is comfortable with sadness.  Sadness is awkward.  It is unsettling.  It ebbs and flows and takes its own shape.  It beckons to be shared.  It comes out in tears, and we don't quite know what to do with those.

So many people are afraid to bring up my loss.  They don't want to upset me.  But my tears are the only way I have to release the deep sorrow I feel.  I tell people, "Don't worry about crying in front of me, and don't be afraid that you will make me cry!  Your tears tell me you care, and my tears tell you that you've touched me in a place that is meaningful to me -- and I will never forget your willingness to share my grief." 

-- Nancy Guthrie in “Holding On to Hope”

#6289

A CHARACTER OF KINDNESS

“The most important [commandment],” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”  (Mark 12:39-42 NIV)

Many of us find that there is much more to life than getting and keeping. True fulfillment comes with the responsibilities we assume: to care for our families, and to love a neighbor as we want to be loved ourselves. This is more than a familiar saying; it is the foundation of a meaningful life.

A person shows his or her character in kindness and charity. And what is true in our lives is also true in the life of our nation. You can fairly judge the character of society by how it treats the weak, the vulnerable, the most easily forgotten. Our own country, at its best, strives to be compassionate, and this isn't easy. Compassion is not merely a vague feeling of empathy, it is a demanding virtue. It involves action and effort, and deep conviction - a conviction as old as Scripture and present at the founding of our country. We believe that everyone has a place and a purpose in this world, that every life matters, that no insignificant person was ever born.

 -- President George W. Bush, in the 2004 Commencement Address at Concordia University Wisconsin

JUSTIFIED BY WHAT?

In “Words We Live By” Brian Burrell tells of an armed robber named Dennis Lee Curtis who was arrested in 1992 in Rapid City, South Dakota. Curtis apparently had scruples about his thievery. In his wallet the police found a sheet of paper on which was written the following code:

“I will not kill anyone unless I have to. I will take cash and food stamps-- no checks. I will rob only at night. I will not wear a mask. I will not rob mini-marts or 7-Eleven stores. If I get chased by cops on foot, I will get away. If chased by vehicle, I will not put the lives of innocent civilians on the line. I will rob only seven months out of the year. I will enjoy robbing from the rich to give to the poor.”

This thief had a sense of morality, but it was flawed. When he stood before the court, he was not judged by the standards he had set for himself but by the higher law of the state.

Likewise, when we stand before God, we will not be judged by the code of morality we have written for ourselves, nor even by what the culture justifies, but by God's perfect law. 

Paul writes, “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in His grace, freely makes us right in His sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when He freed us from the penalty for our sins.” (Romans 3:23-24 NLT)

Justification is what happens when Christians abandon all those vain attempts to justify themselves before God -- to be seen as "just" in God's eyes through religious and moral practices. It's a time when God's "justifying grace" is experienced and accepted, a time of pardon and forgiveness, of new peace and joy and love. Indeed, we're justified by God's grace through faith. 

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

#6287

HOLDING ON TO HOPE

“Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: 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. I say to myself, ‘The Lord is my portion; therefore I will wait for Him.’  The Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to the one who seeks Him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.”  (Lamentations 3:21-26 NIV)

Holding on to hope is the challenge of all grief and loss experiences. Finding courage or energy to go on day after day requires hope of healing, hope for future. Holding on to hope is not always easy. Some days it requires all of our energy just to maintain our own lives. On other days, we at least want to believe that "for everything there is a purpose," as we try to find the purpose in our own experience. That requires finding ways to make meaning even out of situations that may seem so meaningless. Those are the days we really struggle to find belief in the unseen.

Many people say those days of struggle are when they lean most heavily on their faith, in order to find the inspiration and comfort they need to be able to go on. After all, Scriptures says, "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (Hebrews 11:1 NIV)

There are many days, walking through that maze of healing, that require belief in God, hope, and future without seeing any proof of them. Time in prayer, reading His Word, and fellowship with believers can all help in the struggle of holding on.

Holding on to hope requires active participation. It is not a passive process. It requires holding on to faith in the future, at a time when we can barely survive the present. It means clinging to the belief that God is good and will help us when all we can see seems to say that is not true. 

-- From “A Time to Mourn, A Time to Dance: Help for the Losses in Life”   

THE WAY OF LIFE

Jesus said, “Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.”  (Matthew 7:13-14 ESV)

The concept of "The Way of Life and the Way of Death" is a profound biblical theme that underscores the moral and spiritual dichotomy faced by humanity. This theme is deeply rooted in the Scriptures, where the choices between life and death, blessing and curse, obedience and rebellion, are presented as fundamental to the covenant relationship between God and His people.

Kallistos Ware, in his book “The Orthodox Way,” writes, “Christianity is more than a theory about the universe, more than teachings written down on paper; it is a path along which we must journey – in the deepest and richest sense, the way of life.”

The way of life and the way of death are not merely ethical choices but are deeply theological, reflecting one's relationship with God. The way of life is characterized by faith, obedience, and communion with God, leading to eternal life. In contrast, the way of death is marked by unbelief, disobedience, and separation from God, resulting in spiritual death.

Throughout Scripture, the call to choose life is a call to covenant faithfulness, a call to walk in the ways of the Lord, and a call to embrace the salvation offered through Jesus Christ. This choice is both a present reality and an eternal destiny, underscoring the urgency and significance of the decision each person must make. 

-- Adapted from Bible Hub

#6285

OVERFLOWING GRACE

“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth... For from His fullness we have all received, grace upon grace.”  (John 1:14,16 ESV)

The church where we worship when we’re in Florida for the winter months – Grace Church in Cape Coral -- is in the midst of a sermon series called “Overflow.” This 5-week series is highlighting what God’s grace is, how it fills our lives with renewal, and how it invites us to live from a deep sense of spiritual fullness rather than lack. The opening video each week shows water flowing into a large container and continuously spilling over to other smaller containers, which are also overflowing.

This series reminded me of a children's sermon a colleague of mine shared many, many years ago at the church I served in Cleveland Heights, Ohio -- Church of the Saviour. I tend to remember children's sermons because of their use of visual imagery. This pastor said to the children that the abundant love that God offers is like receiving a free bag of popcorn when we don't deserve it. She handed each child a half-filled bag. She asked the kids if they thought that was like God’s love. Heads nodded in affirmation. Then she said that God's love doesn't stop there. At that moment her husband walked out carrying a gigantic bag of popcorn. It was about as tall as he was. He began to fill each child's bag. But when each bag was full he didn't stop there, he kept pouring the popcorn from what seemed to be this endless reservoir. Popcorn overflowed everywhere, all over the chancel steps! The kids couldn’t believe it. The congregation couldn’t believe it. And the head custodian wondered who was going to clean up this mess!

The overflowing grace that God gives us is demonstrated in the abundant life Christ brings – “grace upon grace” -- when we invite Him into our lives. There is plenty to share. Need more grace? There’s an endless supply. 

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

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THE UNOPENED GIFT

Several years ago, a woman in our congregation made me the most amazing white chocolate cheesecake. She used the finest ingredients. She put white chocolate shavings all over the outside. It was beautifully and lovingly prepared. It must have taken hours to create. She brought it to the church in a beautiful box, gave it to one of our staff, and said, “This is for Pastor Adam.” I was not in the office that day, so the staff member placed it in the refrigerator in the sacristy of our church. She planned to tell me about it but forgot. Six weeks later, the woman wrote me a note and said, “Did you like the cheesecake? I never heard back from you and just wanted to make sure it was okay.” I had no idea what she was talking about. Later, we found the cheesecake in the sacristy refrigerator, with the bow still wrapped around the unopened box!

Christ offers us the gift of salvation -- a word that is full of life and deep meaning. The gift came at a great cost to Him. “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23 NLT)  The gift was for you and for everyone you know. I would ask: Have you opened the gift? Have you accepted God’s grace? “For this is how God loved the world: He gave His one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NLT)  And, knowing that Christ has asked you to share the gift with others, have you told them about it? Don’t wait until it’s too late to share the story of God’s amazing grace. 

-- Adapted from “Revival: Faith as Wesley Lived It” by Adam Hamilton

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LIVING WISELY

“Be very careful how you live. Do not live like those who are not wise, but live wisely. Use every chance you have for doing good, because these are evil times.”  (Ephesians 5:15-16 NCV)

Life is filled with opportunities -- and obstacles that can prevent you from grabbing hold of them. The secret to making the most of your life lies in making the most of your time.

The first three words of this verse hold the key: be very careful. In the original language, this admonition is much stronger and fuller than what sounds here like a mother’s passing comment to her kids as they head outside. The words describe a way of living -- or “walking” as the Bible often describes it -- that is precise, accurate, and deliberate. It involves both forethought and a heightened sense of awareness. It’s similar to the way you drive a car. You need to be constantly attentive, responding to the ever-changing situations you find yourself in. You swerve to avoid hazards, brake for pedestrians, and follow the rules. Your skill, knowledge, and vigilance help you make wise decisions at a moment’s notice.

To live wisely you need to do the same thing. You need to face each day spiritually alert. You need to recognize evil, so you can avoid it like a dangerous hazard in the road. At the same time, you need to slow down and be on the lookout for opportunities to show love to others and to God -- and to grab hold of those opportunities. The good news is that God is in the car with you. His Spirit will help guide your daily journey toward a life full of well-utilized opportunities. 

-- Adapted from “100 Favorite Bible Verses”

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WATER-WALKING DISCIPLESHIP – Part 2 of 2

“Peter answered [Jesus], ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’  He said, ‘Come.’  So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, ‘Lord, save me.’ Jesus immediately reached out His hand and took hold of him, saying to him, ‘O you of little faith, why did you doubt?’  And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.  And those in the boat worshiped Him, saying, ‘Truly You are the Son of God.’”  (Matthew 14:28-33 ESV)

Put yourself in Peter’s place for a moment. You have a sudden insight into what Jesus is doing -- the Lord is passing by. He’s inviting you to go on the adventure of your life. But at the same time, you’re scared to death. What would you choose -- the water or the boat?

The boat is safe, secure, and comfortable.

On the other hand, the water is rough. The waves are big. The wind is strong. There’s a storm out there. And if you get out of the boat -- whatever your boat may be -- there’s a good chance you might sink.

But if you don’t get out of the boat, there’s a guaranteed certainty that you will never walk on the water. This is an immutable law of nature.

If you want to walk on water, you’ve got to get out of the boat.

I believe there is something -- Someone -- inside us who tells us there is more to life than sitting in the boat.  You were made for something more than merely avoiding failure. There is something inside you that wants to walk on water -- to leave the comfort of routine existence and abandon yourself to the high adventure of following God.

So let me ask you a very important question: What’s your boat? 

-- John Ortberg in “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat”

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WATER-WALKING DISCIPLESHIP – Part 1 of 2

“Immediately [Jesus] made the disciples get into the boat and go before Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. And after He had dismissed the crowds, he went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone, but the boat by this time was a long way from the land, beaten by the waves, for the wind was against them. And in the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea. But when the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified, and said, ‘It is a ghost!’ and they cried out in fear. But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘Take heart; it is I. Do not be afraid.’  And Peter answered Him, ‘Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.’”   (Matthew 14:22-28 ESV)

Peter blurted out to the water-walker, “If it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” Why does Matthew include this detail? Why doesn’t Peter just plunge into the water? I think it’s for a very important reason. This is not just a story about risk-taking; it is primarily a story about obedience. That means I will have to discern between an authentic call from God and what might simply be a foolish impulse on my part. Courage alone is not enough; it must be accompanied by wisdom and discernment.

Matthew is not glorifying risk-taking for its own sake. Jesus is not looking for bungee-jumping, hang-gliding, day-trading, tornado-chasing Pinto drivers. Water-walking is not something Peter does for recreational purposes. This is not a story about extreme sports. It’s about extreme discipleship. This means that before Peter gets out of the boat, he had better make sure Jesus thinks it’s a good idea. So he asks for clarity, “If it is You, command me…”

And in the darkness, I think Jesus smiled. Maybe He laughed. Because one person in the boat got it. Peter had some inkling of what it is that the Master is doing. Not only that, Peter had enough faith to believe that he too could share the adventure. He decided he wanted to be part of history’s original water-walk. Command me. 

-- John Ortberg in “If You Want to Walk on Water, You've Got to Get Out of the Boat"

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TRUSTING IN THE LORD

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 ESV)

There are two things which are more utterly incompatible than even oil and water, and these two are trust and worry. Would you call it trust if you should give something into the hands of a friend to attend to for you, and then spend your nights and days in anxious thoughts and worry as to whether it would be rightly and successfully done? And can you call it trust, when you have given the saving and keeping of your soul into the hands of the Lord, if day after day, and night after night you are spending hours of anxious and questioning about the matter? When a believer really trusts anything, he ceases to worry about that thing which he has trusted. And when he worries, it is plain proof he does not trust…

You find no difficulty in trusting in the Lord with the management of the universe, and all the outward creation, and can your case be any more complex or difficult than these, that you need to be anxious or troubled about His management of you? Away with such unworthy doubtings! Take your stand on the power and trustworthiness of your God, and see how quickly all difficulties will vanish before a steadfast determination to believe. Trust in the dark, trust in the light, trust at night and trust in the morning, and you will find that the faith which may begin by mighty effort, will end sooner or later by becoming the easy and natural habit of the soul. 

-- Hannah Whitall Smith in “The Christian’s Secret of a Happy Life”

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GRACE POURED OUT

“But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to His own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by His grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”  (Titus 3:4-7 ESV)

Grace is what sets Christianity apart from every religion in the world. God’s unearnable salvation, forgiveness, and eternal life offered, not as a reward, but as a free gift. Nothing -- absolutely nothing -- required on our part, except to believe. No fine print and no strings attached. When we trust in what Christ has done, when we rely solely on His promises, all the treasures of heaven are ours. It doesn’t matter how miserably you’ve failed in the past. It’s irrelevant how messed up your life is right now. Grace is true and certain no matter what you might do or fail to do in the future. It sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it? But that, in a nutshell, is the simple gospel. The only question is this: Have you received Christ’s remarkable gift? 

-- Max Lucado in “Life lessons: Book of Galatians” 

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FINDING THE PLACE

"Early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up and slipped out to a solitary place to pray."  (Mark 1:35 NIV)

Researchers once surveyed people about their favorite room in the house. The top answer was the kitchen. People love that one. Most husbands’ top answer was the bedroom. Want to guess what the top answer was for mothers of young children? The bathroom.

Why? You lock the door. You keep those little rug rats out of there for at least a couple of minutes. You keep your husband out of there for at least a couple of minutes. The idea is that you find some place where you know you are alone. You are free of stress. You find sanctuary -- a holy place.

God wants to give us sanctuary. There is another kind of presence when we are gathered together, but there is a unique way in which we experience the presence of God when we are alone.

I have one friend who finds this special solitude with God at a little Italian restaurant. Another friend experiences it most often while driving country roads. One finds it on airplanes. Another likes to go to a retreat center in the hills of Malibu Canyon. Still another finds it is the early hours of the morning in his office. You will recognize the place where you can be yourself before God. 

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

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SPIRITUAL FITNESS FOR THE NEW YEAR

“Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.   (1 Timothy 4:7b-8 NIV)

A new year invites us to reset our priorities. Many of us will focus on physical health -- dieting, exercising, or finally using that gym membership. Paul reminds us this has value, but he also points us to something far more lasting: training in godliness.

John Ortberg writes in "The Life You've Always Wanted" that if we want to grow spiritually, we must “stop trying and start training.” Trying depends on momentary effort. Training builds steady habits that shape us over time. Spiritual growth doesn’t happen by accident; it grows through intentional practices that open our hearts to God’s transforming work.

This year, consider simple rhythms that strengthen your soul: Prayer as a daily conversation with God. Scripture as nourishment for your soul and guidance for the journey. Worship as a posture of reverence and gratitude. Community as the place where we support one another and grow best.  Devotional reading as the source of encouragement from those who are spiritual trainers. These practices are the gymnasium of the soul. And the promise is clear: godliness brings blessing not only for eternity, but for the life you’re living right now.

If you know of someone like you who would like to be part of a daily spiritual fitness routine this year, encourage them to follow this blog or subscribe to this e-mail through the link at the bottom of the column to the right.

As you step into the new year, may you train -- not try -- and may Christ be formed in you more deeply with every step.   

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™  

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