SOMETHING DEEP INSIDE US

“But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31

Something inside cannot quit hoping. Something inside keeps drawing us back to this rabbi. Something about His life, His works, His faith. Something about His belief that the universe is run by the kind of Father Jesus described and loved. Something about His power. Something about His peace draws us to Him as it has drawn people all over the world to Him for two thousand years and draws them still.

Something deep inside tells you that you are standing alone on the edge of a cliff, and the only alternative to Jesus is illusion or despair.

We can't see and know everything about hope now, but one day we will. Maybe it's like this, as written by a preacher named Bruce Thielemann:

"Imagine a colony of grubs living on the bottom of a swamp. And every once in a while, one of these grubs is inclined to climb a leaf stem to the surface. Then he disappears above the surface and never returns. All the grubs wonder why this is so and what it must be like up there, so they counsel among themselves and agree that the next one who goes up will come back and tell the others. Not long after that, one of the grubs feels the urge and climbs that leaf stem and goes out above the surface onto a lily pad. And there in the warmth of the sun, he falls asleep. While he sleeps, the carapace of the tiny creature breaks open, and out of the inside of the grub comes a magnificent dragonfly with beautiful, wide, rainbow-hued, iridescent wings. And he spreads those wings and flies, soaring out over those waters. But then he remembers the commitment he has made to those behind, yet now he knows he cannot return. They would not recognize him in the first place, and beyond that, he could not live again in such a place. But one thought of his takes away all the distress: they, too, shall climb the stem, and they, too, shall know the glory."

-- John Ortberg in “Faith & Doubt”

#6486

A FRESH START WITH GOD

"This is the day the Lord has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it."  (Psalm 118:24 NKJV)

Monday mornings often bring a long list of responsibilities, challenges, and expectations. It is easy to begin the week focused on what lies ahead and forget the One who goes before us. Yet God's Word reminds us that today is not an accident. It is a gift from the Lord, carefully prepared by His loving hand.

Before rushing into the demands of the day, take a moment to thank God for the opportunity of a new beginning. His mercies are new every morning, and His strength is available for every task you face. You do not have to carry the weight of the week alone. The same God who guided you yesterday is already present in your tomorrow.

As you start this week, choose faith over fear, gratitude over complaint, and trust over worry. Walk confidently, knowing that God is at work in every circumstance and that He will provide the wisdom and strength you need for each day. May the peace of Christ be with you. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6481

OFFERING AS AN ACT OF WORSHIP

“When one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, Jesus went to the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. A woman in that town who lived a sinful life learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee’s house, so she came there with an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.”  (Luke 7:36-38 NIV)

In Luke’s Gospel, we read the story of a woman who brought to Jesus a jar of expensive perfume which she broke open and poured out on Him… as an offering. She did not have to give it, but she made a choice. She did not give from obligation, but an open heart. She did not come for an hour, put her offering in a basket, and immediately leave to go back to her daily activities. She stopped. She wasn’t too busy or distracted by the world to surrender her thanksgiving and linger with her Savior as an act of worship. This outpouring of her time cost her, but it would be repaid by an outpouring of mercy and peace from Jesus.

There are many contrasts in the passage. The Pharisees were religious and educated. The woman was sinful and wasn’t allowed to study. The Pharisees were there to question Jesus. The woman was there to worship Jesus. The Pharisees were prideful. The woman was humble. The Pharisees shunned the sinful woman. Jesus showed her mercy. Because the woman was willing to come before Jesus with her broken offering, she received wholeness and redemption. What a moment. 

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

#6366

THE BEATITUDES – A WINDOW INTO THE JESUS WAY

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-10) give us a window into the Jesus Way -- a way that runs against the grain of the world but leads us deeper into the heart of God. Jesus doesn’t begin His teaching with commands or demands. He begins with blessing. He names the overlooked, the weary, the humble, the hungry, and says, “You are seen. You are welcome. You are blessed.”

The Jesus Way is not about climbing higher but kneeling lower. It’s the way of poverty of spirit -- recognizing our need for God. It’s the way of meekness -- strength surrendered, not strength lost. It’s the way of mercy, purity, and peace -- living with a heart shaped by God’s compassion. And it’s the way of perseverance -- holding onto hope even when following Jesus is costly.

Walking the Jesus Way means trusting that God’s kingdom grows in unlikely places: in mourning hearts, in gentle hands, in those who hunger for righteousness, in those who choose peace over power. It’s a path marked not by self‑promotion but by self‑giving love.

During this Lenten season, look for one small way to embody the Jesus Way in your interactions.

Lord Jesus, teach me Your Way. Shape my heart to reflect Your kingdom -- humble, merciful, pure, and peace‑seeking. Help me walk in Your blessing and extend it to others. Amen. 

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6315

GOOD NEWS FOR ALL

“When Jesus came to the village of Nazareth, His boyhood home, He went as usual to the synagogue on the Sabbath and stood up to read the Scriptures. The scroll of Isaiah the prophet was handed to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where this was written: ‘The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, for He has anointed Me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord’s favor has come.’”  (Luke 4:16-19 NLT)

As we prepare for our traditional Christmas celebrations, let us remember those who will not be looking forward to this festival. Let us remember, too, how Jesus identified with the oppressed and the homeless. Let the joy of the season touch more of the people of our world this year than ever before. May God be glorified and may people of good will once again experience His peace. 

-- Denzil John

#6260

OUR SOURCE OF PEACE

"Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel, which means 'God is with us.'"  (Matthew 1:23 NLT)

The moment Mary touched God’s face is the moment God made His case: there is no place He will not go. If He is willing to be born in a barnyard, then expect Him to be at work anywhere -- bars, bedrooms, boardrooms, and brothels. No place is too common. No person is too hardened. No distance is too far. There is no person He cannot reach. There is no limit to His love. When Christ was born, so was our hope.

I think we need Christmas more than ever this year. We could use a season that is dedicated to giving, not receiving; to caring, not condemning. Put away our differences. Put up the Christmas tree. Take comfort in the familiar story and the ancient carols. Our world, like that of Bethlehem, is difficult and crowded. Our days can feel as cold and uncertain as that midnight manger. Yet, in the midst of it all, let’s do what Mary did. Let’s invite the source of peace to enter our world. Let’s find hope, once more, in the infant King.

God became one of us so we could become one with Him. That is the promise of Bethlehem. 

-- Max Lucado, adapted from an article entitled “Do We Really Need Christmas This Year?” 

#6258

THE GIFT OF DEPARTING IN PEACE

“There was a man in Jerusalem whose name was Simeon, and this man was just and devout, waiting for the Consolation of Israel, and the Holy Spirit was upon him. And it had been revealed to him by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he had seen the Lord’s Christ. So he came by the Spirit into the temple. And when the parents brought in the Child Jesus, to do for Him according to the custom of the law, he took Him up in his arms and blessed God and said: ‘Lord, now You are letting Your servant depart in peace, according to Your word; for my eyes have seen Your salvation which You have prepared before the face of all peoples, a light to bring revelation to the Gentiles, and the glory of Your people Israel.’”  (Luke 2:25-32 NKJV)

Death stood at the door. This dear old man hovered in the valley of the shadow. I had been called to his bedside by the family to be present for his final hours. His sister-in-law, who had kept a constant vigil of love, told me he had made a death wish some months ago. “As I get near the end,” he had said, “I have my doubts about many things in life. But I hope I can leave this earth with dignity… my faith in God is stronger than ever.”

She showed me a picture of him from earlier years. He seemed so vibrant and full of life then, and now so forlorn and hopeless, gasping for that final breath. Then he was gone. I held his hand until his hold ended, almost symbolic of giving up and letting go. But he died in dignity. No respirator kept him from his date with destiny or his meeting with the God he loved. There was the sadness of farewell, but also gratitude that his wish had been granted.

We all proceed every day to our final destiny. If we are wise, we will accept its finality with gratitude; if we are sensible we prepare for it now. If we are blessed “for my eyes have seen Your salvation,” we will depart, as Simeon prayed, in peace. 

– Adapted from Richard L. Morgan in “Autumn Wisdom”

#6069

CALMING THE STORM

“A great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But Jesus was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, ‘Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?’ Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace, be still!’ And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?’ And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, ‘Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!’”  (Mark 4: 37-41 NKJV)

Two thousand years ago, predicting the weather was a crapshoot. A few well-worn aphorisms were everyone’s best guess. “Red sky at night, sailor’s delight. Red sky in the morning, sailor take warning.” Of course, even with the aid of weather satellites, our best forecasts still feel like a fifty-fifty coin flip at times. We may understand Mother Nature better now than we ever have, but she is still as powerful and unpredictable as ever.

We use reinforced concrete to protect ourselves against earthquakes and storm shutters to safeguard against hurricanes, but we still cannot control the weather. All we can do is talk about it when there is nothing else to talk about. But there is One who commands the wind and rebukes the waves. The One who turned water into wine also turned the Sea of Galilee into a sea of glass. The One who created the heavens and the earth with four words can quell any squall with just three words: “Peace, be still.” 

-- Mark Batterson in “The Grave Robber: How Jesus Can Make Your Impossible Possible” 

#6058

THE MESSAGE OF PEACE

As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ during this Advent season, let us reflect on Acts 10:36, which says, "You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, announcing the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all."

This verse reminds us that the message of peace is central to the good news of Jesus Christ. As the Prince of Peace, Jesus came to bring reconciliation and harmony to a world in need. His peace is not just the absence of conflict but a profound sense of well-being and wholeness (shalom) that comes from being in right relationship with God.

During Advent, we are invited to embrace this peace and share it with others. In a world often filled with anxiety and strife, the peace of Christ offers a refuge and a source of strength. It is a peace that transcends circumstances and fills our hearts with hope and joy.

As we journey through Advent, let us remember that the good news of peace is for everyone. Let us be ambassadors of this peace, spreading the message of God's love and reconciliation to all we encounter. Let us celebrate the gift of peace that Jesus brings and commit to being instruments of His peace in our world.

May the peace of Christ dwell richly in our hearts and overflow to those around us.   

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

#6005 

EXPERIENCING GOD’S PEACE

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank Him for all He has done.  If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”  (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT)

Imagine never worrying about anything! It seems like an impossibility; we all have worries on the job, in our homes, at school. But Paul’s advice is to turn our worries into prayers. Do you want to worry less? Then pray more! Whenever you start to worry, stop and pray. “If you do this,” Paul says, “you will experience God’s peace.”

God’s peace is different from the world’s peace (see John 14:27). True peace is not found in positive thinking, in absence of conflict, or in good feelings. It comes from knowing that God is in control. Our citizenship in Christ’s kingdom is sure, our destiny is set, and we can have victory over sin. Let God’s peace guard your heart against worry. 

-- Adapted from the “Life Applications Bible Study Bible” New Living Translation

#5941

PEACE IN CHRIST

Jesus said to His disciples, “I have told you all this so that you may have peace in Me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.”  (John 16:33 NLT)

Saints are people who are faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ… A faithful Christian life exhibits ongoing and active faith.  Faith is tested by the tough stuff in life -- when the chips are down and the heat is turned up.  I read about an elderly woman, badly crippled by arthritis, who was asked. "Do you suffer much?"  She pointed to her hand and responded, "Yes, but there is no nail here.  He had the nails, I have the peace."  She then pointed to her head saying, "There are no thorns here.  He had the thorns, I have the peace."  Finally, she touched her side and declared, "There is no spear here.  He had the spear, I have the peace."  This faithful woman was a modern-day saint.  She understood the incredible gift of grace given to her by God, and she was filled with "God's peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand." (Philippians 4:7 NLT)

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

#5940

NEARNESS TO GOD

“I delight to do Your will, O my God, and Your law is within my heart.”  (Psalm 40:8 NKJV)

If you find, in the course of daily events, that your self-consecration is not perfect -- that is, that your will revolts at His will -- do not be discouraged, but fly to your Savior and stay in His presence till you obtain the spirit in which He cried in His hour of anguish, “Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.” (Luke 22:42 NKJV) Every time you do this it will be easier to do it; every such consent to suffer will bring you nearer to Him, and in this nearness to Him you will find such peace, such blessed -- sweet peace as will make your life infinitely happy, no matter what may be its mere outside conditions. 

-- Elizabeth Prentiss in “Stepping Forward”

#5902

OUR HOPE IS IN CHRIST

Romans 5 begins with these words: “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through who we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand” (vv. 1-2). Paul then explains that the result of experiencing the grace of God is that “we rejoice in the hope of the glory God” (v. 2). For a Christian, no situation is completely hopeless. Christians have hope in Christ…

Many people have hope, but they have not based it on anything solid. It is an artificial, pump-yourself-up hope. And many people base their hope on the wrong things: the stock market, their good looks, a big salary, a nice job, a good family, [the next election]. But all those things are temporary and can be taken away. When they disappear, so does hope. And joy is impossible without hope.

By contrast, Christians have a reason to be positive. We can rejoice because we rejoice in hope. In Romans 12:12 Paul reminds us, “Be joyful in hope.” Paul is talking about our hope in Christ. The hope we have in Christ is the reason we can rejoice, even in difficult situations. 

-- Rick Warren in “God’s Power to Change Your Life”

#5820

CHRIST IS OUR PEACE

“But now you have been united with Christ Jesus. Once you were far away from God, but now you have been brought near to Him through the blood of Christ. For Christ Himself has brought peace to us. He united Jews and Gentiles into one people when, in His own body on the cross, He broke down the wall of hostility that separated us.”  (Ephesians 2:13-14 NLT)

In French you say it "paix."

In Spanish you say it "paz."

In Norwegian you say it "fred."

In Hungarian you say it "beke."

At work you say it in a job well done.

At home you say it with smiles and affection.

At church you say it in the words of the tax collector, "God, be merciful to me a sinner" (Luke 18:13, NKJV).

With enemies you say it in forgiveness.

With loved ones you also say it in forgiveness.

In your heart, you say it by surrender of all to Jesus Christ.

-- Mike and Amy Nappa in “A Heart Like His”

#5756

THE SOURCE OF OUR PEACE

“Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace among those whom He favors!”  (Luke 2:14)

People try to find happiness, joy and gladness in people, places and things and sooner or later discover that only God is the true source of such inner peace. Counterfeit claims of the path to peace abound. People attempt to fill that "God-shaped-void" with alcohol, drugs, people, power and all kinds of imaginable trinkets but nothing outside the love of God is lasting or even real. They might offer a temporary fix but the long-term solution is acceptance of a loving and caring Jesus – the Prince of Peace. 

-- Adapted from Pastor Gary Stone 

#5755

A TIME OF PREPARATION

The four Sundays of Advent are a time of preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ. The season of Advent is observed in the Christian faith as a period of waiting and anticipation for the coming of Christ. The four Sundays of Advent symbolize hope, love, joy, and peace, which are the four main themes of the Advent season. The Advent wreath is a centuries-old Christian tradition that holds four candles representing the four Sundays of Advent. The wreath’s circular shape and evergreen color represent God’s infinite and everlasting love for us.

The first Sunday of Advent represents hope, which is the hope of the coming of Christ. The second Sunday represents love, which is the love -- the amazing grace -- of God for humanity. The third Sunday represents joy -- not a superficial happiness but a deep-seated joy, which is the joy of the birth of Christ. The fourth Sunday represents peace -- a personal peace from knowing Christ, which is the peace that Christ offers to the world -- to all who will receive Him.

During the Advent season, Christians prepare for the coming of Christ by reflecting on the meaning of His birth and by engaging in acts of charity, kindness, and witness. The Advent season is a time of spiritual renewal and growth, as Christians seek to deepen their relationship with God in Christ and with one another. 

-- Source Unknown

#5741

IN THE MIDST OF A STORM

“Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.”  (Isaiah 41:10 NKJV)

One evening an exhausted Jesus was sleeping on the little seat placed at the stern of Peter’s boat when a sudden squall arose on the notoriously stormy Sea of Galilee. As the splashing waves broke upon the boat and the disciples found themselves bailing water, they panicked and rushed to the stern of the boat where Jesus was sleeping. Shaking Him violently, they cried out despairingly, “Master, the tempest is raging. The billows are blasting high. Don’t you care we are sinking?” Brushing off sleep, Jesus arose, went briskly to the side of the boat, stretched out His hand, and spoke peace to the storm: “Peace, be still.” (Mark 4:35-41)

What a magic moment! What a privilege to have witnessed one of the most spectacular miracles of Jesus’ ministry, His subduing the waves and wind with the mere sound of His voice. What a thrill to have been there for such an event. But then immediately Jesus turned to His disciples angrily and rebuked them: “Where is your faith!” They had missed the real blessing. What could have been more of a thrill than witnessing the miracle of Jesus calming the storm? The miracle Jesus wanted to show them was not the miracle of calming the storm, but of calming them in the storm.

…With Jesus in our midst, there is nothing to fear! 

-- Leonard Sweet in “A Cup of Coffee at the Soul Café”

#5727

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

“For to us a Child is born, to us a Son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”   (Isaiah 9:6 NIV)

I am the Prince of Peace. As I said to My disciples, I say also to you: Peace be with you. Since I am your constant Companion, My Peace is steadfastly with you. When you keep your focus on Me, you experience both My Presence and My Peace. Worship Me as King of Kings, Lord of Lords, and Prince of Peace.

You need My Peace each moment to accomplish My purposes in your life. Sometimes you are tempted to take shortcuts, in order to reach your goal as quickly as possible. But if the shortcut requires turning your back on My peaceful Presence, you must choose the longer route. Walk with Me along paths of Peace; enjoy the journey in My Presence. 

-- From “Jesus Calling: Enjoying Peace in His Presence” by Sarah Young 

#5503

THE SOURCE OF ALL PEACE

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful.”  (Colossians 3:15 NIV)

In order to allow the peace of Christ to rule your heart, it’s important to recognize who the true source of peace is. 1 Thessalonians 3:16 says, “Now may the Lord of peace Himself give you peace at all times in every way.” God is referred to as “the God of peace” over and over again in Scripture. Fifteen of the biblical epistles (technical terms for letters written to the churches, such as Philippians, Galatians and Ephesians), give a greeting to their beloved church members, which include some version of the phrase “peace from God.” These, alongside verses on peace, make a strong case from the New Testament of where peace originates. Remember, our soul craves peace. Don’t buy into the notion that an afternoon of solitude or a weekend at the beach will give you peace. Peace is not a serene setting or even a peace of mind. Anything or anyone who promises you peace is not being authentic with you. True and lasting soul-level peace is found only in a Person: Jesus Christ, the Source of all peace. 

-- Lesli White in an article entitled “How to Allow the Peace of Christ Rule Your Heart”

#5488

THE PEACE OF CHRIST

[Jesus said to His disciples,] “Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.”  (John 14:27 ESV)

If we are to be truly peacemakers, I think we must move beyond the notion of peace as the absence of conflict… Peace has to do with the fullness of things, with lion and lamb lying down together, not a world without lions.  If we are to have hearts capable of the peace of Christ, which does indeed pass all understanding (Philippians 4:7), we must have hearts capable of embracing the joy and the sorrow, the sacredness and the sin of the world…

The infant in the manger at Bethlehem comes with a message of peace, an announcement that all sad divisions, all the irreconcilable pieces of our public and private lives will be brought together in the celebration of "shalom" -- God's blessing, God's peace.  This will not, I think, occur when conflict has ceased.  For creative conflict is a necessary component of growth.  Rather, peace will reign when our forgiveness of self and others is wide and deep enough to create new possibilities and, without the use of violence, to transform our seeming impasses into new freedoms and joys. 

-- Wendy M. Wright in “The Vigil: Keeping Watch in the Season of Christ's Coming” (Nashville, Tenn.: Upper Room Books, 1992)   

#5387