THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF THE LORD

“The Lord is righteous in all His ways and faithful in all He does.”  (Psalm 145:17)

Imagine the incredible opportunity that lies before you simply because you serve a righteous God. No matter where you are on the journey -- just beginning, halfway through, or nearing the final stretch -- you can choose today to walk in greater righteousness. You can choose to honor God in your relationships, in your work, in your marriage, and in the way you raise your children.

Deep within us is a longing to live rightly and to know God -- who is always righteous, never unpredictable or unjust. And the good news is this: the God who walks with us is perfectly righteous, eternally good, and utterly trustworthy. By His example and His strength, we are invited to share in that righteousness and reflect it in every part of our lives.

Here’s a practical way to view this: Righteousness is living in such a way that God’s heart shapes your heart; God’s ways shape your choices; God’s truth shapes your worldview; God’s love shapes your relationships. It’s becoming more like Him because you walk with Him. “He has shown you, O mortal, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”  (Micah 6:8 NIV)  

-- SOUND BITES Ministry™

#6349

JESUS MEETS US ON THE WAY

“Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem. They were talking with each other about everything that had happened. As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus Himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing Him… As they approached the village to which they were going, Jesus continued on as if He were going farther. But they urged Him strongly, ‘Stay with us, for it is nearly evening; the day is almost over.’ So He went in to stay with them. When He was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him…” (Luke 28:13-16, 28-31a NIV)

There are times when all of us long for the companionship of Christ. When we are facing some deep loneliness that seems to darken the brightest day, some great sorrow that has broken our heart and changed our lives, or some heavy burden that comes through no action or fault of our own. At times like these we long for the presence of one who speaks our name, understands our plight, and can break the hold of loneliness, sorrow, despair, and burdens we bear.

There are other times when we are at the peak of our powers and all is going well that we want someone to walk with us, to share our challenge, excitement, and reward of the path we have chosen. We desire a companion who can appreciate the challenge and victory of life in the days when all is well.

There are still other times when we need a companion to whom we can say thank you. There are those times when we are overwhelmed with gratitude. We know that the goodness we enjoy is not just the result of our good work but that someone else had a hand in our well-being, comfort, and success.

At times like these it is good to remember that the risen Christ walks beside us – awaiting our invitation to stay with us, break bread with us, interpret life for us, give us hope, and share in our thanksgiving. May we, like the disciples before us, have our eyes opened to recognize Christ as He comes to walk beside us this day. 

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

#6345

WEDGE OR BRIDGE?

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

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

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

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

#6113

ASH WEDNESDAY BEGINS OUR LENTEN JOURNEY

“From that time Jesus began to preach His message: ‘Turn away from your sins, because the Kingdom of heaven is near!’”  (Matthew 4:17)

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a season of reflection, repentance, and preparation leading up to Easter. It is a time for Christians to turn their hearts toward God, acknowledging their sin and human frailty and seeking His grace and mercy.

Some churches use ashes on Ash Wednesday, typically made from the palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday. When applied to the forehead in the shape of a cross, or on the back of the hand, they serve as a visible reminder of our mortality and the need for repentance. The words often spoken during this ritual, "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return," echo the humility and dependence on God's forgiveness that this day symbolizes.

Ash Wednesday invites us to pause and consider the state of our hearts. It is a call to let go of sin, to seek reconciliation with God, and to embark on a spiritual journey of renewal. This day also encourages acts of charity, prayer, and fasting, helping us to draw closer to God and to our community.

As we begin this Lenten journey, let us reflect on our need for God's grace and commit to walking the path of repentance and transformation. May this sacred time be an opportunity for deepening our faith and embracing the hope and promise of resurrection in Christ. 

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

#6065

ENGAGING IN MENTORING RELATIONSHIPS

"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."  (Proverbs 27:17 NIV)

This verse beautifully captures the essence of mentoring. Just as iron sharpens iron through friction and contact, mentoring involves a mutual process of growth and improvement.

When we engage in mentoring relationships, we not only impart knowledge and wisdom but also receive insights and perspectives that refine us. It's a dynamic exchange where both the mentor and mentee are shaped and strengthened.

In the context of faith, mentoring is a powerful tool for spiritual growth and for making disciples of Jesus Christ. It allows us to share our experiences, encourage one another, and hold each other accountable. Through these interactions, we become better equipped to navigate life's challenges and fulfill our God-given potential in Christ.

Remember, mentoring is not just about teaching; it's about walking alongside someone, offering support, and being open to learning from them as well. As we invest in others, we too are sharpened and enriched, reflecting the transformative power of God's wisdom in our lives. 

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

#6028

MAKING DISCIPLES IS A JOURNEY – Part 1 of 2

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”  (Matthew 28:19-20 NIV)

Making disciples of Jesus Christ is not instantaneous. It takes work. Faith formation is a constant movement of God’s people who are desiring and seeking to grow in their relationship with Jesus Christ.

In our “we-want-it-now” world, we often look for quick fixes and instant results. However, the process of making disciples is a journey that requires patience, dedication, and intentionality. It is a journey that involves the heart, mind, and soul, and it is deeply rooted in our desire to seek and know God in Christ more intimately.

Faith formation is the work of small groups. Small groups are vehicles for those who desire God and who seek to be molded by God. This molding happens when people strive to strengthen their faith through prayer, Bible study, Christian conversation, and service. Small groups provide the best place for this molding to take place. 

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

#5955

FINISHING WELL – Part 2 of 2

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day -- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.”  (2 Timothy 4:7-8 NIV)

The Christian life is a long-distance journey. We need to finish well. Here is the second thing we need to say about that.

As you encounter people and culture around you, “give ‘em heaven.” You’ve heard the opposite phrase. That’s what many people give us. It is so easy to imitate them and do the same. But Jesus calls us to a better way. So give ‘em heaven!

It was sometimes said in the past that Christians were so “heavenly minded that they were no earthly good.” The story of church history has actually proved opposite. It is only when we have perspective, when we have the big story in mind, that we are so heavenly minded that we are most earthly good! Why? Because we know what values stand at the center of the universe and what really matters to God…

As we bless others in the name of Christ, may they catch a glimpse of a better land and a more lasting kingdom. By the grace of God and the Spirit’s power, may they be wooed through our lives and our corporate witness into joining us on this journey. Yes, yes… give ‘em heaven! Give ‘em heaven!

-- Adapted from “How to Finish the Christian Life: Following Jesus in the Second Half” by Donald W. Sweeting & George Sweeting

#5905

IN STEP WITH THE SPIRIT

When God’s Spirit directs us, we actually “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). He is the drum major; we are the marching band. He is the sergeant; we are the platoon. He directs and leads; we obey and follow. Not always that easy, is it? We tend to go our own way…

Here is something that helps me stay in step with the Spirit. We know that the “fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NASB). God’s Spirit creates and distributes these characteristics. They are indicators on my spiritual dashboard. So whenever I lack them, I know that I am out of step with the Spirit…

To walk in the Spirit, respond to the promptings God gives you. 

-- Max Lucado in “God’s Story, Your Story: When His Becomes Yours”

#5859

ROUTINE ACTS OF DEVOTION

“But as for you… pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness. Fight the good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life, to which you were called and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”  (1 Timothy 6:11-12 NRSV)

A few years ago we started a praise band at church. In that context commitment took over where my desire has always tended to fall short. Simply put, I placed myself and my Ovation [guitar] in a position of discipline and encouragement, and my ability to play has grown accordingly.

It turns out my faith is a lot like that.

Being a disciple of Jesus is much like playing guitar in the band. While desire may be the spark that ignites the fire, my spiritual journey flames out with relative ease – all too readily and distressingly quickly. My love for God can also find its way into the closet, and there it gathers dust; God does not force His presence on me any more than my neglected instrument will leap into my hands to say, “Let’s play.”

There’s a lot to be said for showing up to play music with the band every week, for picking up my guitar every day, and for running through even the simplest songs of praise. In the middle of such routine acts of devotion, I often find that God’s love sneaks up on me unawares.

It’s that “long obedience in the same direction” idea. 

-- Derek Maul in “Get Real: A Spiritual Journey for Men”

#5711

SACRED STORIES

“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”  (1 Peter 3:15 NIV)

Everyone has a story. I believe God is in our stories – in the initial experiences, in the encounters along the way, in the telling and retelling, and in the hearing. I have spent the past fifteen years telling my story to pretty much anyone who would listen, with groups ranging from twenty to twenty thousand. Sometimes the telling occurred in a formal setting; other times it happened more casually. I have discovered that by telling my story, others are encouraged to tell theirs. Often I have the joy of hearing them. To tell your story, you must be true to yourself and real about your feelings. You have to be honest, and you have to tell your story in a way others will hear and be encouraged to participate. It’s in the dialogue that we find our way and discover that we can rewrite the endings. The story continues throughout our lifetime. 

-- Celia Whitler in “On the Way to Somewhere: Stories and Songs for the Journey”

#5601

A JOURNEY TOWARD GOD

“Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, ‘Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount.’ Jesus said to him, ‘Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.’”  (Luke 19:8-9 NIV)

When the Word became human, Jesus Christ lived the same relationship in a human mode and it is in this relationship that we are called to share. Like the Word, like Jesus in the flesh, we are invited to live our life here on earth as a journey toward God.

Throughout the Gospels there are two salient aspects of the identity of Jesus. He is from the Father, sent by God to accomplish a task. Secondly, the human journey of Jesus is one that leads back toward God. It is this movement back toward God that is opened to believers of all generations. In following Jesus, we are shown the way that leads toward the Father. Our life is not aimless; it has destination. We have not been left to wander in the desert; the Shepherd has come to seek what is lost and bring us home. 

-- Michael Casey in “Toward God” 

#5564

DISCIPLINE IN THE CHRISTIAN LIFE - Part 2

"Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”  (1 Corinthians 9:26-27 NIV)

[Disciplines] are the “means” -- the positive set of directions for the Christian life, often called the “means of grace.”… These means of grace are not a method of deserving God’s grace, but a pattern by which we enable ourselves to be receptive to grace and remove the barriers that God permits us to erect as the price of freedom. These tools, or aids, are ways by which we open ourselves to God’s free grace. In using them, we shape our lives in order to become open to God’s presence. They give our Christian pilgrimage a definite shape, in an age in which there is a general sense of loss of direction and confusion about right and wrong, along with an accompanying sense of God’s absence. 

-- Howard L. Rice in “Reformed Spiritualty”

#5477

KEEPING THE FIRE BURNING

"Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day approaching."  (Hebrews 10:24-25 NRSV)

One winter night we were sitting near the fire and warming ourselves while our eight-year-old son tended the fire, a task he enjoys. He would take out a small coal from the fire and watch it burn for a little while. It would soon go out. Then he would put the coal back into the fire and watch it begin to burn brightly again.

This experience helped me to see a truth about our Christian lives: we need fellowship with other believers to keep our spirit burning within us and to encourage us as committed witnesses. Sometimes we stop going to church or to a particular fellowship because someone hurt us at some time or we did not like something about that place. But when we distance ourselves from other Christians, we can quench the fire of the Spirit within us and lose our enthusiasm to witness for Christ. 

-- Pramila Barkataki (Uttar Pradesh, India) in “The Upper Room Devotional”, published by The Upper Room, Nashville, TN.   Used with permission.

#5389

CHRIST-CENTEREDNESS

“See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.”  (Colossians 2:8 ESV)

Our journey toward balance and centeredness is a lifelong journey. While we may join others as we travel, and while fellow travelers may provide valuable support, our journey will belong to us and will be unlike any other person's. 

We will encounter obstacles, both from within ourselves and from the outside world. We will face forces that hinder our growth and seek to mold us into images that do not fit. 

But if we work to discover who we are, if we desire to come into relationship with God with our authentic selves, we can then find and live from Christ, our center. 

-- Kimberly Dunnam Reisman in “The Christ-Centered Woman” 

#5371

YOKED TO CHRIST

Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”  (Matthew 11:28-30 NKJV).

The physical yoke is not a part of the daily life of most of us, but we can call up the mental rural image of two beasts of burden, yoked together, pulling their common load. The yoke is a wooden structure that is designed to compel the two animals to work as a team. When they cooperate with each other, the task is easier for both; but if one holds back or tries to turn in a different direction, the yoke places undue pressure on its neck. Obviously, the burden is easier and lighter when they work together.

So it is also with our faith. To accept Jesus as Lord and Savior is like being yoked to Him. In that union of faith, we listen to our Lord. We learn by being exposed to what the teacher is teaching. We show that we have learned from the Master Teacher when we take His instructions for life and put them into practice. This all begins when we profess our willingness to walk with and be yoked to Jesus. 

-- Rev. Kenneth A. Mortonson in “What Do You See?” 

#5175

PAUSE, WAIT, AND LISTEN

 “Then He said, ‘Go out, and stand on the mountain before the Lord.’ And behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice. So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave.”  (1 Kings 19:11-13a NKJV)

We must listen for God day by day. We must keep an ear open to our neighbor, an ear to our hearts, and a third ear to God.

Faith is a journey led by God. We pause, wait, and listen for the Guide who speaks more often than not in a still, small voice that requires careful, patient attention. 

-- J. Marshall Jenkins in “A Wakeful Faith” 

#4916

 

PERSEVERING IN DISCIPLESHIP

"You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised."  (Hebrews 10:36)

Perseverance does not mean “perfect.” It means that we keep going. We do not quit when we find that we are not yet mature and that there is a long journey still before us.

For perseverance is not resignation, putting up with things the way they are, staying in the same old rut year after year after year, or being a doormat for people to wipe their feet on. Endurance is not a desperate hanging on but a traveling from strength to strength. There is nothing fatigued or humdrum in Isaiah, nothing-flatfooted in Jesus, nothing jejune in Paul. Perseverance is triumphant and alive.

-- Eugene H. Peterson in “A Long Obedience in the Same Direction”


#4714

MORE OF GOD

“O God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You.”  (Psalm 63:1a)

The more I become aware of God's presence in my life, the more I thirst to know this Sacred One at an ever deeper and deeper level.  Like a cup that seemingly has more and more room to be filled, so I feel that my capacity to be united with God keeps expanding.  The more I know how loved I am by God (the more my cup is filled) the more I am always thirsting for more of God (seeing how much room the cup still has in it to receive).

When I think about the spiritual life, I think of a life with God that is healthy and vibrant.  The root and foundation of this life is relationship.  This relationship may have many struggles, crooked paths, and hidden corners but at the core there is a bond that is deep and strong.  This relationship feeds and nourishes my inner self and gives a vitality and vibrancy to all of my life.

-- Joyce Rupp in “The Cup of Our Life”

#4392

THE SPIRIT-CONTROLLED MIND

As I monitor my mind, I will encounter many thoughts that are unwelcome visitors:  I get anxious.  I catastrophize.  I envy.  But I will also begin to recognize what kind of thoughts the Spirit flows in.  The apostle Paul gives us a great framework for understanding which are the thoughts and attitudes that come from the Spirit.  He writes, “The mind controlled by the sinful nature is death, but the mind controlled by the Spirit is life and peace.” (Romans 8:6)

Take any thought, especially thoughts that feel weighty or that you find yourself turning over and over in your mind, and ask, What direction do those thoughts lead me in?  Are they leading me toward life -- toward God’s best version of me?  Or in the other direction?

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

#4218

OPENING THE DOOR TO A NEW FUTURE

Jesus said, "The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand -- repent and believe the Good News!”   (Mark 1:15)

Jesus did not say, “The Kingdom of God is at hand -- regret and believe the Good News!” The difference between regret and repentance is the difference of an opened door to a new future.

God’s doors, like His mercies, are new every morning.

Frederick Buechner writes, “The sad things that happened long ago will always remain part of who we are just as the glad and gracious things will too, but instead of being a burden of guilt, recrimination and regret that makes us constantly stumble as we go, even the saddest things can become, once we have made peace with them, a source of wisdom and strength for the journey that still lies ahead.”

-- John Ortberg in “All the Places to Go… How Will You Know?”


#4086