FOLLOWING JESUS

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If any of you wants to be My follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow Me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for My sake, you will save it. And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?’”  (Matthew 16:24-26 NLT)

To follow Jesus Christ, who was betrayed, wept, bled, and died before He rose again, is to be at high risk of being taken where we had not intended to go. Eugene Peterson pinpoints the trouble with prayer: “We are often asked to respond in ways that we never intended when we first began to pray.”

It matters little where or in what century we are called to live out our Christian life. The witness of those who have gone before informs my own experience, telling me that we are often taken to places where we receive unwarranted accolades and to other places where we receive unwarranted suffering and pain. A disciple, one who chooses to be a student and follower of Jesus, is not a “self-made person” and is not on a personally designed journey… We choose to follow Jesus and then Jesus chooses where we will go. It is that simple.

The saving truth here is not that we are taken where we do not want to go, rather the saving truth is that we are not alone. There is One who leads us and who goes with us… While we may not choose the places to go, we can choose to remain with the One who sends us and there find comfort, companionship, grace, peace, and joy in Christ. 

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

#6330

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

GOOD NEWS OF GREAT JOY

"But the angel said to the shepherds, ‘Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord.’"   (Luke 2:10–11 NIV)

The Christmas carol “God Rest Ye Merry, Gentlemen” is more than a cheerful Christmas tune -- it is a proclamation of the Gospel. Its words echo the angel’s announcement to the shepherds: “Let nothing you dismay… Christ our Savior was born on Christmas Day.”

The good news is that we can rest in God’s peace. The phrase “God rest ye merry” is not about sleep, but about being sustained in joy and strength. It’s a blessing of spiritual rest and courage. “Gentlemen, may God keep you in a state of merriment (joy, peace, well-being).”

The good news is that we can have freedom from fear. “Let nothing you dismay” reminds us that Christ’s coming removes the power of fear. The Savior’s birth is God’s assurance that He is with us.

The good news is that we can have victory over sin. “To save us all from Satan’s pow’r” points to the deeper meaning of Christmas -- Jesus came not only to comfort but to conquer sin and death.

The Gospel is good news that brings both peace to troubled hearts and joy to weary souls. Christmas is not just about giving, but receiving -- the gift of salvation through Christ. Receive the gift. Let the truth of Christ’s victory shape your outlook, even in seasons of difficulty.

Just as the angels proclaimed the good news, we are called to share comfort and joy with others.

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

#6264

GOD’S COMFORT

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.”  (2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NKJV)

God provides comfort in many ways, but the Greek word for comfort in this particular passage is paraklesis (pronounced: par-ak-lay-sis). Which relates to the word paraclete or “one who comes alongside to help.” This word is also used as a name for the Holy Spirit. Paul, the writer of this letter to the Corinthians, was specifically talking about how God comforted him by helping him – providing him strength, boldness, and courage through the many trials he faced in his ministry.

The Holy Spirit helps all believers in the same way He helped Paul – strengthening us through the trials we face in our own lives. But God’s comfort doesn’t stop there. We who have been comforted by God’s great mercy are able to comfort others who are suffering and facing difficult situations. 

– Lauren Ibach in “The Bible in a Year: A Reading Plan Focusing on God’s Character”

#6038

GROWING OUR RELATIONSHIPS WITH ONE ANOTHER

The New Testament places great emphasis on the importance of personal relationships among believers. We are told to love one another (John 13:34), to encourage one another (1 Thessalonians 5:11), to comfort one another (2 Corinthians 1:4), to share our burdens with one another (Galatians 6:2), to instruct one another (Romans 15:14), to forgive one another (Colossians 3:13), to serve one another (Galatians 5:13), and to pray for one another (James 5:16). All of this obviously means more than merely having superficial acquaintances.

Knowing other people on this level requires real work and commitment on our part. And it involves a setting where we can be “real” with each other. For us to develop these real, vibrant, biblical relationships, we need to be face-to-face. Think about the various settings you are in at church. Are you just looking at the back of the head in front of you? Or are you in a small group or class where you have the opportunity to be real, to be face-to-face with other believers? These “one another” passages are not just suggestions but are essential for fostering a loving and unified community.

As we strive to live out these “one another” commands, let’s remember that they are not just about actions but about the heart behind them. Genuine love, humility, and a desire to build each other up should motivate us. By doing so, we reflect the love of Christ and create a community that glorifies God.

For over 50 years I have experienced that something very BIG happens in small groups. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to grow in your relationship with God and with one another. 

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

#5930

THE RISEN CHRIST IS WITH US – Part 1 of 2

“Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, ‘All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”  (Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV)

At this very moment when I write and at the very moment when you read these words, you and I are in the presence of the living Christ. To remember this truth is to be shaped constantly by the presence of God in Christ in our lives. We often forget this central truth of the Christian faith, and when we do [forget], we are easily overcome by the troubles of the world.

For me, what I write will pass before the eyes of the One about whom I write. As I write, I hope that my ordinary capacity will be energized, directed, and used by the One who gives me life and has called me to this ministry. If I allow myself to think that this ministry… is all up to me, I risk feelings from despair to arrogance. However, if I remember that I am not alone, but think, work, and live in the presence of the living Christ, I remain hopeful that even the most simple and ordinary task carried out in that presence and with the assistance of Jesus Christ is sacred, meaningful, and useful.

For you, what you read comes not from the word processor of someone full of years and short of energy or imagination. For these words are now read and heard in the presence of Jesus Christ who is able to use the most simple and ordinary words and events to enlighten, comfort, heal, and direct the seeking heart. 

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

#5832

MAGIC WORDS

I used to believe there were no magic words. Oh sure, as a kid I would say “Open Sesame!” or “Abracadabra!” when a childish game of make-believe called for a mysterious incantation. But I never took the words seriously and, truthfully, never knew what they meant. Still don’t.

Later, when I was a young minister, troubled people would come to me looking for help with their thorny problems. If their expectations seemed a little too high, I found I could quickly temper them by saying, “Just remember… there aren’t any magic words.”

But I now realize I was wrong. There are in fact two words that, when spoken together at just the right moment, have amazing, life-changing power. No, they’re not magical in the Harry Potter, wand-waving sense. But make no mistake. These two words have been known to breathe new life into wheezing, withering souls. They’ve been known to lift burdens, calm fears, and inspire hope. Timed right, they are as refreshing as a cold front in July.

I’m referring to the words “I understand.”…

Psalm 33:13-15 says, “The Lord looks down from heaven and sees the whole human race. From His throne He observes all who live on the earth. He made their hearts, so He understands everything they do.”

That’s the understanding Jesus brought with Him when He came to earth. 

-- Mark Atteberry in “Free Refill: Coming Back for More of Jesus” 

#5511

INTERIOR SILENCE

“Be still, and know that I am God!”  (Psalm 46:10a)

God is our true Friend, who always gives us the counsel and comfort we need. Our danger lies in resisting Him; so it is essential that we acquire the habit of hearkening to His voice, or keeping silence within, and listening so as to lose nothing of what He says to us.  We know well enough how to keep outward silence, and to hush our spoken words, but we know little of interior silence.  It consists in hushing our idle, restless, wandering imagination, in quieting the promptings of our worldly minds, and in suppressing the crowd of unprofitable thoughts which excite and disturb the soul. 

-- François Fénelon (1651-1715) 

#5302

A FIRMER GRASP OF GOD

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change, though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea; though its waters roar and foam, though the mountains tremble with its tumult.”  (Psalm 46:1-3 NRSV)

God is a very present help in trouble, but we sometimes allow bitterness to keep Him at a distance and thus miss His help.

The young Irish immigrant, Joseph Scriven (1820-1886) was deeply in love with a young woman, and their marriage plans had been made. Not long before their wedding day, however, she was drowned.  For months Scriven was bitter, in utter despair. At last he turned to Christ, and through His grace, he found peace and comfort. Out of this experience he wrote the familiar hymn which has brought consolation to millions of aching hearts: “What a friend we have in Jesus, All our sins and grief to bear!”

Sometimes our way lies in the sunlight. This was the case for Joseph Scriven as he approached his wedding day. But like him, we may find that our path also leads through the dark shadows of loss, disappointment, and sorrow. At times like this it is within our power to turn our suffering into occasions for a firmer grasp of God, and make them channels through which a surer and brighter hope may flow into our souls. 

-- Billy Graham in “Who’s in Charge of a World That Suffers?: Trusting God in Difficult Circumstances”

#5283

STOP, LOOK, LISTEN, AND TRUST - Part 1

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea… ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’”  (Psalm 46:1-2,10 NKJV)    

The Psalms are a tapestry of human emotions. The poetry of prayer weaves together anger, fear, joy, longing, despair, praise, and passion. This verse sums up God’s response to those prayers. Its truth is the thread of peace and comfort that runs through the entire book of Psalms, as well as the rest of the Bible -- and the life of every individual who walks with God. God’s answers to those who are emotionally troubled is brief and straightforward: stop and remember Who is on your side.  

-- From “100 Favorite Bible Verses”

#5219

COMFORTING OTHERS

"God comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When others are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us."  (2 Corinthians 1:4 NLT)

The Greek word for comfort means “to give forth sighs, to call alongside, or to help.” The English definition is “to ease, encourage, inspirit, or enliven.” Comfort combines encouragement with easing of grief. “God does not comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make us comforters.”  (John Henry Jowett)

-- Quoted in “Pathway to God’s Treasure: Ephesians” by Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose

#4949

I WANT TO HOLD YOUR HAND

"For I am the LORD, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, ‘Do not fear; I will help you.’"  (Isaiah 41:13 NIV)

The old Beatles song goes, “I want to hold your hand.” And yet in this day of COVID-19, we are told to refrain from hand-shakes and hugs, to observe social distancing, and to shelter in place. Fear of contracting the disease and/or spreading it to others, particularly the most vulnerable, is very real and should be taken seriously. But there is One who wants to touch you, to be close to you. God wants to hold your hand.

What is stopping you from letting go of fear and taking hold of God's hand? Please do not miss the offer to know Him on a personal level. God is reaching out with open arms and it is up to us to embrace Him and accept the invitation. Don't spend another moment in isolation, alone or full of fear. Let it go and let God hold your hand.

The Beatles concluded their song with “And when I touch you I feel happy inside. It's such a feeling that my love I can't hide, I can't hide, I can't hide.” That’s the way it is when we are touched with God’s love, especially in the midst of fear. Take hold of God’s hand.

-- David T. Wilkinson


#4801

THE BLESSING OF BURDENS

“The Lord has comforted His people and will have compassion on His suffering ones.” (Isaiah 49:13 NRSV)

Comfort and prosperity have never enriched the world as much as adversity. Out of pain and problems have come the sweetest songs, the most poignant poems, the most gripping stories, and inspiring lives.

Yet it is hard to think about this when troubles overwhelm us or uncertainty and fear grip our hearts. Our problems are real, and it is difficult in the heat of the moment to hear of anything else.

Our oldest daughter married a Swiss, and they often spend their summers in Switzerland. Sometimes we have visited them there and have gone soaring above the countryside on chair lifts high in the Alps. Looking down we can see almost a carpet of wild flowers, some of the most beautiful in the world. Only a few months before, those plants were buried under heavy snow. Yet that snow prepared the way for their growth -- providing them with water, and even insulating them from the winter winds. Our burdens can be like that snow, preparing the way for something beautiful once the winter is past.

-- Billy Graham


#4700

COMFORTING OTHERS

"God comforts us every time we have trouble, so when others have trouble, we can comfort them with the same comfort God gives us." (2 Corinthians 1:4)

Struggling with life's difficulties makes us a little wiser, a little more capable, enabling us to comfort others who experience pain.

-- Max Lucado

#4677

THE SHEPHERD’S PRESENCE

"Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me."  (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

When life caves in, you do not need reasons, you need comfort. You do not need some answers, you need someone. And Jesus does not come to us with an explanation... He comes to us with His presence.

-- Bob Benson


#4637

THE SHADOW OF DEATH

“Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4 NKJV)

Dr. Donald Grey Barnhouse [long-time pastor of Philadelphia's Tenth Presbyterian Church] told of the occasion of his first wife’s death. He and his [young] children were driving from the burial, overcome with grief. He searched for a word of comfort to offer but could think of nothing. Just then, a large moving van drove by. As it passed, the shadow of the truck swept over the car. An inspiration came to Dr. Barnhouse. He turned to his family and asked, “Children, would you rather be run over by a truck or by its shadow?”

The children said, “Well, of course, Dad, we’d rather be run over by the shadow. That can’t hurt us at all.”

Dr. Barnhouse explained, “Did you know that two thousand years ago the truck of death ran over the Lord Jesus… in order that only its shadow might run over us?”

We face death, but thanks to Jesus, we only face its shadow.

-- Max Lucado in “Traveling Light”


#4604

GOD’S COMFORTING AND GUIDING PRESENCE

“Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
    I fear no evil;
for You are with me;
    Your rod and Your staff --
    they comfort me.”  (Psalm 23:4 NIV)

God is present in all things, even those events and circumstances that seem terrible.  Within any circumstance is the seed that can bear the fruit of the greater good, if we are willing to ask God to lead us in bringing forth that good. 

-- Mary Manin Morrissey 


#4440

THE ANNOYING PEST OF WORRY

“May God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ give you grace and peace.”  (Ephesians 1:2 NLT)

God's people are like sheep.  David the psalmist found comfort in knowing that the Lord was his shepherd, who could make him "lie down in green pastures."  Modern-day shepherd Phillip Keller wrote in his book “A Shepherd's Look at Psalm 23”, "Freedom of torment from parasites and insects is essential to the contentment of sheep… Sheep can be driven to distraction by… flies and ticks.  When tormented by pests, it is literally impossible for them to lie down and rest."

In the Christian life our most annoying pest is worry.  It can drive us crazy with concern.  My mother never slept at night until her three kids were home safe and sound.  My son, Nathan, is unsettled at school when his father is traveling overseas.  The apostle Paul knew it was natural to worry about those you love, so he wrote to the Ephesians in order to comfort their hearts and give them peace.

-- Lenya Heitzig and Penny Pierce Rose in “Pathway to God's Treasure: Ephesians"

#4269

POWERFUL PEACE

“Peace I leave with you; My peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”  (John 14:27 NIV)

Peace doesn’t come from finding a lake with no storms. It comes from having Jesus in the boat.

God does not want us to live in worry or fear. He wants us to live with bold confidence in His power. “For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Timothy 1:7) In the Bible, we see a pattern in which God rarely sends people into situations where their comfort level is high. Rather He promises to be with them in their fear. It is God’s presence -- not comfortable circumstances -- that brings people to the best version of themselves.

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

#4263

THE DEEPEST COMFORT

Pain and sorrow are never wasted when given into God's hands, and their transformation is far beyond our imaginings. But in this life, we will experience a poignancy, a regret that harm was done when our actions could have been different. This poignancy is a valid, healthy part of our journey of release.

The deepest comfort in our mourning is to know that God not only has compassion but actually feels our suffering with us. Jesus tells us that not even a tiny sparrow will fall to the ground "apart from your Father" (Matthew 10:29). To me this means that God's heart so enfolds and unites with the sparrow (and with us) that the suffering of the tiny creature is shared, felt by that supreme heart. The creature's suffering resounds through God's whole being.

-- Flora Slosson Wuellner in “Forgiveness, the Passionate Journey” (Nashville, Tenn.: Upper Room Books, 2001)


#4102