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The Christian Working Woman

English, Christianity, 1 season, 1081 episodes, 3 days, 13 hours, 4 minutes
About
The Christian Working Woman began in 1984 as an outgrowth of a ministry for workplace women that began at The Moody Church in Chicago, Illinois. Because of her own experiences of being a Christian in the marketplace, Mary (Whelchel) Lowman had a burden to encourage women and to teach them sound biblical principles in order to equip them to live godly lives in their workplaces. Little did she know that the radio program which had its humble beginnings on one station in Chicago would now be heard on over 500 stations and crossing international boundaries! Since its beginning The Christian Working Woman has become a non-profit organization currently producing two radio program formats, distributing books and materials, providing web resources, and organizing retreats and conferences in the United States and abroad.
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What to Do with the Hurt? – 5

What do you do with the hurt? It truly is important to be intentional about getting past the hurts of our lives, because when we harbor them, they become destructive forces in our lives, they rob us of joy, and they allow bitterness to take root in our hearts. Let me close with one of my favorite passages from Isaiah 58:6-9. Is not this the kind of fasting I have chosen: to loose the chains of injustice and untie the cords of the yoke, to set the oppressed free and break every yoke? Is it not to share your food with the hungry and to provide the poor wanderer with shelter—when you see the naked, to clothe them, and not to turn away from your own flesh and blood? Then your light will break forth like the dawn, and your healing will quickly appear; then your righteousness will go before you, and the glory of the LORD will be your rear guard. Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I (Isaiah 58:6-9). Here Isaiah tells us what to do with hurt feelings. He redefines how to respond when you’ve been hurt, when you need healing from the past. You may have some very deep hurt that just doesn’t go away quickly at all; I understand that. But look at what Isaiah tells us. If we pursue this kind of fasting: To help those who are wrongly treated To reach those who are in the bondage of some addiction To share food with hungry people and shelter with the homeless To pay particular attention to those of your own flesh and blood who need help Then, Isaiah says, your light will break forth and your healing will quickly appear. Letting go of your own hurt and choosing to help others who are hurting is the quickest and best way to find the healing you need, whether it’s a brief hurt you’ve gone through or one that has caused great trauma for a long time. This is God’s cure for hurt feelings, for the emotional pain you may have endured or still are enduring. Claim it for yourself, so your light will break forth and your healing will quickly appear.
10/25/20240
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What to Do with the Hurt? – 4

I am examining what you can do when you’ve been hurt—how to deal with the pain that remains. Yesterday I pointed out the hurt we feel resides in our minds, in our thought patterns. Therefore, to be free from hurt, you must change your thoughts. The Bible says we must bring our thoughts into captivity and make them obedient to Christ, and that’s exactly what you have to do with the hurt—you drive it from your thoughts by replacing it with good thoughts, positive thoughts, thoughts filled with the love God has for you. Then you need to confess whatever responsibility you may have in the hurt. While you may not have had the same amount of responsibility, there may have been a part you played which contributed to the hurt. If so, get it out, confess it, and acknowledge it to yourself and to God. Covering it up or denying it will just allow it to stay alive within you and continue to cause you great harm. It’s important to get beyond seeing yourself as a victim. Have you become addicted to your pity parties? Believe me, that can happen. It’s that feeling of “it’s me against the world,” and I have a right to be hurt! Of course, your hurt feelings matter, and I don’t mean to make light of the hurt you’ve experienced. But when you allow your feelings to override all else and control you, you put yourself in the victim seat and that is a terrible place to be. You have choices every day to choose how you’re going to feel. Paul wrote to the Philippians they should rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say, rejoice. It’s a choice you can make, and the good news is, as a believer in Jesus Christ, you have power far above your own to give you the victory in this battle. With prayer and trusting in the Lord, you can get out of that miserable victim’s seat. I’ve discovered another very important thing to do to put hurt behind me is simply to get busy doing something constructive. This is one time you need to get involved in constructive activity that will take your mind off your hurt feelings and shut down that pity party. A friend of mine tells me her great-grandmother would frequently say to her, “If you have time to feel sorry for yourself, then you don’t have enough chores to do.” As she puts it, “It is more difficult to ‘wear your feelings on your shirt sleeve’ when you’re ‘rolling up your shirt sleeves’ and serving others.”
10/24/20240
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What to Do with the Hurt? – 3

Have you been hurt lately? Most of us can recall some fairly recent hurt feelings, can’t we? So, what do we do with the hurt? That’s what I’ve been talking about this week. All-too-often we wallow in the hurt, remembering and retelling it, and that just allows the hurt to grow. A friend of mine wrote this in an article on hurt feelings: “When you’re hurt, do you listen well to the Holy Spirit? Or are you so busy talking about your hurt he doesn’t have a chance to get a word in edgewise. Without a supernatural, God-response to hurt, we often wallow in self-pity and embroider around the injustice, especially to our friends or family who will listen. Repeatedly talking about hurt only confirms, convinces, consumes and sets the offense in concrete. In fact, injustice, like a fishing story, always becomes larger in the retelling.” Think about this: The hurt exists in your mind, in your thoughts. It’s all about what you’re thinking about. The hurt continues to be painful because you continue to think about it. If you can learn to bring those hurtful thoughts into captivity and make them obedient to Christ, as we are admonished to do in 2 Corinthians 10:5, then you will begin to find freedom from the hurt. Philippians 4:8 tells us to think of things that are a good report. Usually when our feelings have been hurt, we are thinking about some bad report. It has helped me greatly to tell myself over and over again, when I'm tempted to dwell on some hurt, "Mary, stop thinking about the bad reports. Think about some good reports.” Think of something good that happened recently. Think of someone who loves you. Think of the wonderful truth that as a Christ-follower, you are loved by Jesus Christ, and nothing can separate you from his love. If you want to get rid of the hurt, the first thing you have to do is to make the decision to let it go. And that means, you must carefully guard your thought life and refuse to let your thoughts go to that hurtful place. When you begin to dwell on the hurt, talk out loud to yourself and say, “Stop it. I’m not going there today. I choose to dwell on some good reports.” Let me assure you that you can change your thought patterns, by God’s grace and with his help, if you truly determine to do it.
10/23/20240
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What to Do with the Hurt? – 2

What do you do with the hurt? I don’t have to tell you life is full of hurt. But it’s what you do with the hurt that will determine if it overcomes you or you have victory over the hurt. Years ago, God began to reveal to me how hooked I was on pity parties. That was my way of dealing with hurt—I just indulged in lots of self-pity. And what came as a major revelation to me was realizing God sees it as a sin. Whether or not I have a legitimate complaint, wallowing in self-pity, nurturing my hurt feelings was not what a mature Christian should do. I wanted to grow up in Christ, to become more like Jesus, and I began to see how wrong and silly it was for me to insist on my pity parties. I well remember the night I came home from work with my feelings hurt—again—by my insensitive boss. I was nurturing those hurt feelings by going over in my mind his hurtful words, what I wished I had said to him, what I would say to him someday, how unfair he was, ad infinitum. Instead of doing something productive, I plopped down to waste an evening by throwing another pity party. Pity parties are indeed pitiful since no one ever comes, and there is nothing to celebrate. As I began to indulge myself by feeling sorry for myself, I stopped and thought, I don’t want to feel sorry for myself. I don’t want to be miserable. I will not throw a pity party tonight. And with that I got busy, put those hurt feelings behind me, and got over it! It was a major turning point for me, as I began to learn I didn’t have to hold onto those hurt feelings. I could, by a set of my will with the power of God’s Spirit, get over it. See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). Hurt feelings turn into bitter roots, and those bitter roots grow up to cause trouble. If you don’t determine to let go of the hurt, it will quickly turn into bitterness, and that is one of the most destructive forces in the world. It causes trouble and defiles many, as the writer to the Hebrews tells us. Then the hurt starts to poison everyone around you, as it spills over to others in your life. The good news is you can let go of the hurt by God’s grace. It is possible to live free from the hurts you are harboring.
10/22/20240
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What to Do with the Hurt?

My topic this week is: what do you do with the hurt? None of us escape some kind of emotional pain—some hurt—and whether it’s a slight offense or some deep, ingrained trauma you’ve experienced, you have to decide what you’re going to do with that hurt. That’s the most important issue because it determines whether you’re going to let it harm you endlessly or you’re going to put it behind you somehow and move on. What is the most common way people deal with hurt? Don’t you think the most common way is to harbor it, to blame others, to relive it time and again. It can become so all-consuming your hurt begins to define who you are. I remember a person I knew many years ago who chose to see herself as the person who had been wronged by everyone in her life. Her hurt became her identity, and in her mind, she always saw herself as a victim. That was who she was—and you didn’t have to be around her long before she communicated that in some way or another. She made herself a victim of everyone in her life, even those who were genuinely trying to help her. Now, who lost in that situation? She did, of course. She continued to heap all kinds of hurt on herself, to exaggerate the hurt she had experienced, and to live in sadness and pain because she chose to harbor the hurt. Could it be that you have done something similar? Why do we hang on to hurt feelings so long, thereby heaping unhappiness on our own heads? We certainly don’t get any revenge on our offenders by hanging on to hurt feelings. If you think a pity party will relieve some of your hurt, think again! Pity parties are addictive, as well as pitiful! The more you feel sorry for yourself, the more you will try to find comfort in your self-pity. It can be a vicious cycle, and, of course, it only makes matters worse. I want to encourage you today to think about what you do with your hurt. Psalm 22:24 is a verse to hang on to. For he has not despised or scorned the suffering of the afflicted one; he has not hidden his face from him but has listened to his cry for help (Psalm 22:24). Our Lord sympathizes with your hurt, and he has not and will not walk away.
10/21/20240
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Everyday Work

Do you believe God uses your everyday work to accomplish his redemptive Kingdom purposes in the world. I’m Lisa Bishop with The Christian Working Woman, and this is exactly what our friends at Faith and Work Chicago believe. This week, I’m excited to share a conversation with Malissa Mackey who serves as the director of Faith and Work Chicago. So join us as we reimagine daily discipleship through our everyday work.
10/19/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Self-Inflicted Suffering – 5

If you went to a doctor today and he told you something you are doing is going to shorten your life and cause you great physical harm, would you not be willing to listen to his advice and abandon that destructive behavior? I've been examining self-inflicted suffering. We've seen how bitterness, self-pity, lack of discipline, and negativity are always self-inflicted and cause us great harm. Why do we so often do things that inflict great suffering on ourselves as well as on others? I think, first, because we often aren't aware of what's happening. We allow ourselves to be drawn into these destructive behaviors before we realize where we're heading. Therefore, we need to pray for awareness and discernment. Sometimes we choose to continue in our destructive behavior because we feel we have a right—a right to be bitter, or lazy, or negative, a right to have a pity party. Just ask yourself: "Isn't life tough enough without making your own life tougher?” When I find myself embroiled in this kind of self-destructive behavior, I try to catch myself, stop, and ask: "Why are you thinking of wrongs done to you? Why are you feeling sorry for yourself? Why are you focusing on negative things? Why are you refusing to be disciplined? Don't you realize what this is doing to you?” If you and I can just catch ourselves in this self-destructive behavior, we will make our own lives so much more pleasant and productive. But a much higher motivation, and one that is far more important, is our privilege to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ in our world. When we get rid of these self-inflicted sufferings, we are freed up to be more like Jesus, more pleasing to him, a brighter light in a dark world. Someday we'll stand before Jesus to give an account for how we lived our life here on earth. I don't want to hear that my life was not as effective as it could have been because I insisted on feeling sorry for myself, or being bitter, or being undisciplined, or staying negative. Remember, you can get rid of any of these any time you're willing to let God empower you to do what you need to do.
10/18/20240
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Self-Inflicted Suffering – 4

You know, we've all got enough troubles in this world without inflicting more on ourselves unnecessarily. Obviously, the smart thing for any of us to do is to get rid of those self-inflicted sufferings. Bitterness, self-pity and lack of discipline are the three we've discussed already this week. How about being negative? That's about as harmful as anything I can think of. Are you a negative person? Do you gripe and complain frequently? Do you tend to look on the dark side all the time? Do you focus on people's faults rather than their good points? How much of your speech is in negative territory? What about your thought life? I sure wish someone had warned me about negativity earlier in my life. Perhaps I just didn't listen, but I now certainly recognize how important it is not to dwell in negativity. It is self-inflicted suffering. Every time you focus on the bad things—whether it's the weather or a friend's faults or your sore throat or your workload—then you immediately add a lot of stress to your life. In addition, negativity slows you down because it wastes your energy. Your negativity harms others as well. You drag others down with you, and you drive people away. Here's the cure for negativity: thankfulness. Paul wrote to the Colossians: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness (Colossians 2:6-7). Frequently I say to myself: "Mary, overflow with thankfulness today.” I can choose to overflow with thankfulness, or I can choose to be negative. Being negative is self-inflicted suffering. Check it out; you may not realize just how often you slide into negative territory. If you'll be more positive, you'll discover enormous benefits and great relief from that self-inflicted suffering.
10/17/20240
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Self-Inflicted Suffering – 3

Self-inflicted suffering—got any of that going on in your life right now? I’m examining things we do to make our own lives much more difficult and miserable. For example, we've seen how bitterness and self-pity are always self-inflicted, and are they ever miserable. But you can stop being bitter and shut down your pity parties any time you choose to. Another suffering we inflict on ourselves is lack of discipline. Discipline does not come easy for me. I don't think discipline is much fun, to tell you the truth. And it would be very easy for me to be an undisciplined person. But what I've learned—and am learning—is discipline is the necessary path to success and achievement. It is essential for turning dreams into realities and visions into accomplishments. But if you're not willing to put needed disciplines into your life, you are inflicting some costly suffering on yourself. For example, without being disciplined in your eating habits and exercise, you are not going to live as long, not going to have as much energy, and are much more likely to catch diseases and be ill. Poor work habits are another example. When people are habitually late for work, fail to follow-through, aren't dependable, and do their work in a sloppy manner, it's because they are undisciplined. And that leads to lost opportunities, lost pay increases, maybe even lost jobs! All self-inflicted from poor discipline in key areas. There are many other examples I could cite but the question is, how do you become more disciplined? I would encourage you to find ways to impose discipline in your life. What works for you? For me, I use gimmicks and journals and time management techniques and reminders and self-rewards—all kinds of things to help me be the disciplined person I know I must be to accomplish what I want to accomplish. Choose one area where your discipline is weak and pray about it every day. Ask God to strengthen you for discipline in that area. Then look for accountability and gimmicks to help you impose discipline in that area. Work on one area at a time, because when you are successful there, it will encourage you to be successful in other areas. Proverbs says we can die from lack of discipline.
10/16/20240
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Self-Inflicted Suffering – 2

Most of us have enough respect for our bodies not to beat our heads against brick walls, right? And yet we may be inflicting suffering on ourselves in other ways that are even more harmful and foolish. Yesterday we saw how bitterness is always self-inflicted suffering. The second one is self-pity. Have you had any pity parties lately? I've come to the conclusion that pity parties are pitiful! Why? First, because almost always, pity parties cause you to waste time. I remember a time long ago when someone had hurt my feelings, and so I thought, "I'm not going to do anything tonight; I have a right to just do nothing and feel sorry for myself.” Then it dawned on me the enemy was trying to hinder me by tempting me to throw a pity party. That’s when I began to realize how pitiful pity parties are. Not only do pity parties waste your time, but they also waste your energy. Self-pity drains you. You spend a lot of emotional energy when you are feeling sorry for yourself. That means you don't have energy for other things that are important. Another result of self-pity is it affects your performance. You slow down, you lose motivation, you do your work halfheartedly—or, maybe you just quit! If you're tired of the self-inflicted suffering of pity parties, here are some suggestions: Change your attitude about pity parties. Ask God to give you holy anger about pity parties, to see them as he sees them, and to get sick and tired of feeling sorry for yourself. Refuse to think about the bad reports! In Philippians 4:8 we are told to think about things that are of a good report. Usually, when we are having a pity party, we are thinking about some bad report. It has helped me greatly to tell myself, "Mary, stop thinking about the bad reports. Think about some good reports.” Think about Jesus and all he endured. Hebrews 12:2 says let us fix our eyes on Jesus… By a set of your will, stop thinking about poor me, and think about Jesus—fix your eyes on him. Think about how he suffered for you, and you will be embarrassed to feel sorry for yourself.
10/15/20240
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Self-Inflicted Suffering

Did you ever see someone literally bang his or her head against a brick wall? We use that phrase a lot, but I've never seen anyone purposely do it, have you? If I did, I'd probably think that person was mentally ill. That's not normal behavior, to inflict physical suffering on your own body. Yet, how often we inflict other kinds of suffering on ourselves—self-inflicted suffering that is unnecessary and does us a great deal of damage. Bitterness would have to be at the top of that list of self-inflicted suffering. Bitterness is the result of keeping a record of wrongs done against us. It comes from refusing to forgive. It happens when we continually re-live how our feelings were hurt, how our pride was damaged, how our toes were stepped on. What I've discovered is when we harbor feelings of bitterness, the wrong done against us grows in our minds. It becomes greatly exaggerated until we lose our perspective, and it seems much worse than it really is. Let me tell you the consequences of bitterness. First, it changes your physical appearance and not for the better. A bitter person ages quickly, looks tired and haggard and unattractive. I don't care how well you dress or how much makeup you wear, bitterness cannot be camouflaged. It makes you look ugly. Second, bitterness ruins relationships. No one really wants to be with a bitter person, because they get tired of hearing their sad story all the time. Bitter people are so focused on the wrong done to them they tend to talk about it a lot. And, if you've noticed, that just drives people away in droves. Third, bitterness shortens your life because it adds extraordinary amounts of stress and fatigue. It is one of your major energy leaks; it just keeps you exhausted. Bitterness is self-inflicted suffering. That means anytime you decide to, you can stop suffering from bitterness. Forgiveness is your choice; forsaking your anger is your choice. Tearing up that list of wrongs done to you is your choice. Nobody can force you to be bitter if you don't want to be. I don't care how justified you may be in feeling bitter, all it does is destroy you. Will you stop beating your head against that wall of bitterness today? It's self-inflicted suffering. Remember, you can choose to let go of the bitterness right now, by God's grace.
10/14/20240
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Are You the Offender or Offended? Part Two

You know, most of us spend way too much time in the offended seat, because we allow our feelings to be hurt so easily. We start throwing pity parties, and we get stuck in that seat. Quite honestly, I’m really sick of sitting in this seat. It has taken me awhile to realize I sit in the offended seat more than I should, but I’ve finally gotten really sick of it. And it is like being let out of prison, set free from bondage, when you see how miserable it is to be the offended person and to wallow around in self-pity. If you spend a lot of time in this seat of the offended, with your feelings hurt, and throwing your own pity parties, you probably think someone else has the responsibility to get you out of that seat. You’re thinking the person who hurt you, who offended you, should now come and do whatever is necessary to get you out of there. After all, it’s not your fault if you’re in the seat of the offender, you think, so it’s not your responsibility to get yourself out of it! But I hope you will hear this clearly: If you are in the offended seat, it is because you are choosing to sit there. And believe it or not, there is nothing anyone in the seat of the offender can do to get you out of the seat of the offended. You will only get out of that seat when you decide you’ve had enough, when you see how wrong and sinful it is, and how self-destructive it is. The person who offended you should apologize, especially if it was intentional. I get that. But they may never be able to apologize enough or in an acceptable way to you if you are really stuck in the seat of the offended. And of course, many times the one who offended doesn’t apologize, either because they don’t know they have offended you or they don’t care. So, if you’re waiting for the offender to extricate you from that miserable seat of the offended, you’re in for a huge disappointment. In fact, there are people in the seat of the offended who enjoy being there, in a rather perverse way. They enjoy being a victim. After all, as long as you’re in the seat of the offended, you don’t have to take responsibility for anything you did in the seat of the offender. You can just keep shifting blame and having your pity parties—and spend your life in the offended seat. I must tell you when you choose to keep sitting in the seat of the offended, it turns you into someone who is sour, unattractive, self-consumed, and dishonoring to Christ. Now, I know some of you have been hurt very deeply; the offense against you is deep and ingrained. Even so, God wants to deliver you from being the offended person, carrying that burden around with you all the time, wearing that chip on your shoulder. But you must be willing to give it up. What does God say we should do when we’ve been offended? Romans 12:14: Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. We are to bless them, not slander them. Regardless of what they did to you, it pales in comparison to what your sin—and mine—did to the Son of God. Do you remember Jesus’ words on the cross—Father, forgive them? He blessed those who persecuted him. He gave us the model for how we are to treat those who hurt us. Have you blessed people in the offender seat of your life? I mean literally prayed a blessing on them—asked God to bless them. That’s one way to get you out of the offended seat. Proverbs has some very wise advice for those who have been offended. Proverbs 19:11: A man’s wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense. If you find yourself suddenly in the seat of the offended—someone has said something to hurt your feelings or done something that injured you—can you, by God’s grace and through the power of the Holy Spirit, give up your right to feel hurt and actually choose to overlook the offense? Now, I know some offenses should not be overlooked, but certainly with those small things that often put us in the seat of the offended, we can learn to overlook them,
10/12/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Hard Feelings, Jealously – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen When jealousy gets to have a stronghold in your life, it can be sinful. We have seen jealousy of undeserved compassion, coveting possessions and celebrations, and the envy of someone’s perceived advantage. Today, we will consider the jealousy of exaltation or fame. Have you ever felt a twang of jealousy when someone receives a compliment? It could be something small like a passing great job, or something bigger like a crowd cheering for someone else’s accomplishments. In the Old Testament, Saul burned with jealousy over David. In 1 Samuel 10-31 you can read the entire saga between Saul and David. But, if you recall, the Lord had given Saul as a king to the people. God blessed Saul with much success in battle, and filled with pride, he sets up a monument for himself. Saul loved being recognized, and he loved the power of being King. God regreted appointing Saul king and sent Samuel to anoint a new king. When David was anointed, we are told he had beautiful eyes and was handsome. David didn’t become king immediately. In fact, we aren’t even told David knew he was to become the king. He served Saul by playing the lyre to calm him and carried on as a shepherd. Eventually we know David defeated Goliath. This is where the jealousy ensues. You see, the women of Israel had celebrated Saul in his battle victories, but now they celebrated David. Saul struck down thousands and David his ten thousands. Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David (1 Samuel 18:8-9). Saul was jealous of David’s success, and the fame he received from his success—so much so the remainder of the book of 1 Samuel tells of Saul’s plots to kill David. When jealousy over someone’s success at work stirs you to tear them down, you really have a problem. Maybe you start gossiping to highlight things that make the other person look bad. Worse, maybe this a person who works for you, and you aim to get them fired because they take the spotlight off you as a leader. Maybe you aren’t Saul in this story, but you are David. I know I have been in this position professionally, and it has drawn me closer to God. First, if you feel jealousy rising up, find someone to talk with about these feelings and confess them to God. If you are on the other side of someone’s jealousy, pray. But also do something practical and document your accomplishments well.
10/11/20243 minutes
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Hard Feelings, Jealously – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Whether at work or at home, we can all experience the feeling of working harder than someone else. We are examining the hard feelings of jealousy. We have seen how jealousy can truly be rooted in envy, and in this case, it is envy about the perceived advantage someone may have when they don’t work as hard as we do. For some of us this could have started back in school. Were you the one who studied and toiled on papers only to get a C while another student in class never touched a book and magically got an A? While they were off having a great time, you were stuck at the library with your nose in your books! Fast forward, you are working on a project team. This time, it isn’t about working for a grade but to get an important project done. One of your colleagues spends all her time in the boss’s office, talking about the project deliverables, but doesn’t do any of the work. When the project is complete, she receives equal accolades for the project’s success. You are quick to schedule a meeting to tell your boss about what she didn’t do because you are jealous of the advantage she had receiving credit and not pulling her weight. To your surprise, your boss doesn’t feel this way. In fact, she tells you how much she appreciated your colleague keeping her posted about the project. This scenario is not unlike my two favorite sisters in the New Testament, Mary and Martha. In Luke 10:38-42 we learn that Jesus goes to their house to spend time with his disciples and teach. While Martha toiled and served, Mary sat at Jesus feet to listen to his teaching. Frustrated because her sister is not working to serve alongside her, she goes to Jesus asking him to get her sister to work. If you know this story, you know Jesus says Martha is anxious and troubled about many things. She was jealous of the position Mary took at the feet of Jesus. God doesn’t want us to compare our work to the work of others. When we fall into this comparison, it can lead to feelings of jealousy. And, as we have seen, jealousy can lead to even deeper feelings rooted in sin. Focus on doing your very best. I find when I think about what someone else is or isn’t doing it takes my eye off doing my very best.
10/10/20243 minutes
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Hard Feelings, Jealously – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen One of the definitions of jealousy is being protective of one’s possessions or envy. This protection over our possessions or being envious of someone else’s possessions can quickly lead us to breaking one of God’s commandments. Exodus 20:17 tells us, thou shall not covet. Coveting is an unlawful desire to have something that doesn’t belong to you. At the root of jealous envy can be covetousness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son in Luke 15:11-32 shows the jealousy of one brother toward the undeserved compassion and celebration of his brother who had taken his inheritance and gone away to lead a sinful life. I think we can all picture these hard feelings. Someone you know is given a lot—maybe what they are owed. You continue to work hard and show diligence but never ask for more. Then, this other person comes back, having wasted all of what they had, and they are given more. Plus, everyone is excited to see them! Wait, what? Hello? What about me? I have been here all along with no fanfare, or celebration. Why are we celebrating this person? In the parable of the prodigal son, we see again how the perception of another being undeserving caused deep jealousy when he was celebrated. We were told the prodigal son had already taken his inheritance, which meant when he returned, a portion of what he was given probably belonged to the brother who was working hard and being obedient. The hardworking brother was coveting what his prodigal brother was being given both in the attention he received and in the things he was being given. He was jealous, and even angry. Jesus tells us watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). What are you coveting that shows up as jealousy? Are you desiring a possession that is not yours? Seeking celebration and attention because someone else has received it? A desire to have abundance and to be celebrated is not wrong. In fact, God wants this for us! God celebrates us! In Zephaniah 3:17 we are told he rejoices over us with gladness and exults over us with loud singing! It is wrong when this desire for abundance and celebration is born of coveting what someone else has.
10/9/20243 minutes
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Hard Feelings, Jealously – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Why are they being forgiven? They really messed up! Have you ever been jealous when someone has received what seems like undeserved compassion? Perhaps the scales seemed to tip in someone’s favor that you felt wasn’t deserving of that second chance at work. Or maybe you are friends with a group at work that has welcomed someone into the group who had previously gossiped about people in the office, and you are aggravated. Jonah was so jealous of what he felt was God’s undeserved compassion on Nineveh that he fled from God’s command! God calls to Jonah to go to Nineveh to call them out for their evil (Jonah 1:2). You know how this story goes, Jonah was so against this he got himself a ticket on a ship going the opposite direction, disobeyed God, made God angry, was thrown overboard, and was swallowed up by a giant fish. Jonah spent three days in the belly of the fish praying to God for mercy. The fish spit him out, and he begrudgingly went on his way to Nineveh where God called him in the first place. He carried out the calling from God, and the people of Nineveh repented. When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he relented and did not bring on them the destruction he had threatened (Jonah 3:10). Jonah was angry God showed what he felt was undeserved compassion on the people of Nineveh. One could say he had jealous envy of God’s compassion. If you know this story, you know this is a very short paraphrase, and when I look at this story, I am struck at how Jonah missed the compassion God showed to him in his disobedience. God kept him safe in the belly of a fish, gave him a second chance, and at the end of the story even gave Jonah shade from a plant as he sulked in his envy. He completely missed God’s compassion for him! Have you found yourself jealous of God’s compassion on someone else? You might consider spending time reflecting on God’s undeserved compassion on you. I know this helps soften my heart when I feel someone else may not be deserving.
10/8/20243 minutes
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Hard Feelings, Jealously

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Do you struggle with jealousy? This hard feeling is a state of showing envy of someone and their achievements or advantages, being suspicious of someone’s unfaithfulness in a relationship, or being protective over one’s possessions. Most of all, this hard feeling can be sinful when it becomes a stronghold in your life. We will look at different ways jealousy can manifest at work, but today let’s consider the righteous jealousy of God. When is God jealous? Certainly, he isn’t envying our achievements, but God is jealous in our unfaithful to our relationship with him and in his mighty protection over us as his greatest possession. You shall have no other Gods before me. You shall not make for yourself an image…You shall not bow down to them or worship them, for I the Lord your God am a jealous God… (Exodus 20:3-5). It is clear—God commands our faithfulness to him. He does not want us serving idols, and even tells us he is jealous. The idols we have today are different than the carved images in the Old Testament, but we can consider an idol today anything that takes us away from God. What are you putting before God? Is it work, maybe sports or a hobby? Anything that keeps you from putting God first will make him jealous. We are God’s greatest possession. The Lord has chosen you to be his treasured possession (Deuteronomy 14:2). While this was directed toward Israel, we also see in 1 Peter 2:9, God calls us a people for his own possession. Treasured and his own. Why are we so important to God? Genesis 1:27 tells us God made us in his own image—Imago Dei. He made us for himself. He does not wish any of us should perish but that all should reach repentance (2 Peter 3:9). God made us in his image, for himself. His great love for us as his treasured possession is so richly shown in John 3:16. For God so loved the world that he gave his only son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). After years of jealousy that turned to righteous anger at Israel, God gave us Jesus. With our definition of jealousy, we must ask ourselves if we are making God jealous. Certainly, we know God hates our sin, and the sins of the world. He hates them so much he offered the ultimate sacrifice for our sins—his only son. The only good jealousy is a jealous God. He is sovereign over all things, especially his treasured possessions.
10/7/20243 minutes
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Are You the Offender or Offended? Part One

All of us have been in both of those seats; we have offended others, sometimes intentionally, sometimes not, and we have certainly been offended. But neither place is a good place to be; a mature Christian who desires to grow up in Christ doesn’t want to spend any time in either place—either as the offended or the offender. This episode and next, I’m going to describe what happens to us when we occupy either of these seats—the seat of the offender or the offended. And then we prepared a special handout to help you stay out of both! You’ll find it on our website at christianworkingwoman.org. Let’s look at the seat of the offender. Offending others can either be intentional or unintentional. We must recognize both—those times when we really want to hurt someone, and those times when we have hurt someone without even realizing it. First, what would cause us to intentionally try to hurt someone? The first thing that comes to my mind is that we strike back at someone who has hurt us. We’ve been hurt, so we hurt back. This comes in big ways and small ways. For example, someone may have said one sentence to you today that hurt your feelings, and before you know it, you reacted with a stinger of your own. Or someone may have passed you by without saying hello or treated you in what seemed like a rude way, and so the next chance you get, you respond to them in a similar fashion. Those are small offenses that generate other small offenses. And whether the first offense was intentional, we respond in an intentionally offensive way because we assume it was intentional! Does this not ring a bell with you? You’ve seen it happen at work, at home, at church, in families, with friends and strangers, and no doubt you’ve sat in the seat of the offended in response to small offenses. The thing is, these small offenses can easily escalate to a long-term, hurtful cycle of offenses each person inflicts on the other. There are many marriages, as well as other close relationships, that have been in a cycle like this for years, where one small offense generates another in return, and that has become the norm for that relationship—each person offends because she or he is offended, and on it goes. What is needed is for one person in that relationship to be willing to break the cycle. This is why Jesus said, “If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles” (Matthew 5:39 – 41). Jesus is not advocating we become floor mats for people to run over, but he is saying if you will be willing to break the cycle, to be the one who refuses to return an offense for an offense, you can stop this hurtful cycle and you can find healing in the relationship. But someone has to decide to get out of the seat of the offender and not return evil for evil. Some married friends of mine say they have learned to give each other the benefit of the doubt. In other words, if one of them is offended by the other, before they assume that the other meant to offend them, they give them the benefit of the doubt by assuming they did not mean to offend, since they both have promised not to intentionally offend each other. I like that. That will break the cycle of offense before it gets started. If you are in the offender’s seat, I want to encourage you—to urge you—to decide to get out of it right now, today. It’s really a miserable place to be. But I think it is often true when we do offend someone, it is unintentional. We don’t stop to realize how words, attitudes, body language, and facial expressions—and all kinds of little things—can become offensive. We truly underestimate how easily we can cause hurt. Aren’t you usually shocked when you find out someone is offended with something you said or did? I was shocked some time ago when a person I counted as a good friend began to strike out ...
10/5/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Tator Family – 5

If you've been with me this week you've met the Tator family: the father, Dick Tator, his wife, Emmy Tator, their daughter Hessie, and their son, Aggie Tator. We can learn a lot from the Tator family. There's one more member of this unique family that I'd like you to get to know. It's Grandpa Spec Tator. Now, everybody loves Grandpa Spec; he's a comfortable, likeable person. But all his life he's been one of those people who watches what everyone else is doing, criticizes them when they make a mistake, comments freely on their performance, but never ever gets involved. Spec Tator is always on the sidelines, telling everybody else how it ought to be done, but never doing it. Someone has said the church today is much like a football game. The majority of the people are watching a small minority perform. And those watching desperately need exercise, while those performing desperately need rest. You know, there are an awful lot of people like Grandpa Spec Tator around today. They stay in the bleachers, yelling at everyone else, but never getting involved in the fight. The 80/20 factor is a well-known measure in the business world. We usually get 80% of our business from 20% of our customers and 80% of our problems from 20% of our customers. Unfortunately, so often the body of Christ has that same problem. So much of the work is done by so few. How wonderful it would be if the Spec Tators of the world would join in and pull their share of the weight. I've noticed the Spec Tators are the first to criticize, the first to find fault. A person who is involved in the performing and doing is much more understanding and tolerant than those who simply stand on the sidelines and watch. Well, they're quite a family, this Tator family: Dick, Emmy, Hessie, Aggie and Spec Tator. If you run into them somewhere along the way, perhaps you'll remember what I've said about them. Or maybe it'll cause you to ask yourself if any of these Tators has gotten into your family—into your life.
10/4/20243 minutes
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The Tator Family – 4

I've been introducing to you the members of the Tator family. You may have met them before, but in case you haven't, I wanted you to get to know them. We met the mother and father, Dick Tator and Emmy Tator. Yesterday we got to know their daughter, Hessie Tator. Today I'd like to introduce their son, Aggie Tator. Now, I know we generally think of boys as being full of mischief, but Aggie's problem is much more than the normal boyish spirit. Aggie is really a troublemaker. He literally looks for ways to cause discord and disrupt the family unity. Have you ever known someone like Aggie Tator? They use words as instruments of pain, to hurt people. They say things that cause suspicions to arise in the other person's mind. Sometimes it's the smallest little seed of discord they sow, but it leads to much trouble when it takes root and grows. In Proverbs 6:19, we read one of the seven things that are detestable to the Lord is a person who stirs up dissension among brothers. I'm afraid that's Aggie Tator—stirring up dissension wherever he can. Have you ever wondered why Aggie Tator is so intent on causing problems? Proverbs 29:22 gives us a clue. An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins (Proverbs 29:22). Anger that is not dealt with properly will explode on you in ways that are out of control and totally inappropriate. I think that happens with Aggie Tator. He's got anger inside him which he's never dealt with, and that anger has grown into bitterness, which displays itself by causing trouble for others. If only Aggie could turn to the Lord with his anger and give his bitterness over to the Lord. He'd find healing for those wounds and release from all that anger. He'd find his hot temper could be controlled by God's Spirit, and as a result he wouldn't be causing all those problems all the time. You have to feel sorry for Aggie Tator; he makes his own life miserable as well as everyone else's.
10/3/20243 minutes
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The Tator Family – 3

Have you ever met the Tator family? I have a feeling you may have met some of them before. Monday, we got to know the father in this family, Dick Tator, and yesterday, his wife, Emmy Tator. Today, I'd like you to meet their daughter, Hessie Tator. Now, I'm quite certain you'd like Hessie all right; she's a pleasant enough person. But Hessie has a real problem. You see, she just can't seem to get going on anything. She has lots of plans and ideas, but nothing ever seems to happen as a result of her planning. I've noticed procrastination is one of her biggest obstacles. She just keeps putting things off. Her intentions are terrific, but the follow-through breaks down very often. Perhaps Hessie needs to remember what Jesus said to his disciples: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:17). Blessing comes in doing, but Hessie can't seem to get to the "doing" stage, so she keeps missing the blessing. Jesus' life on earth confirms he didn't procrastinate. When he said he would travel to Jerusalem, he did so, even when he knew the cross awaited him there. What he promised, he fulfilled in every instance. Jesus was a doer, and Hessie Tator needs to allow Christ to live that unhesitating life through her. I wonder if Hessie Tator has ever considered the parable Jesus told in Luke 6 about the one who hears the truth but does not act accordingly. Jesus said that person is like one who builds a house on the sand, and as soon as the storms come, the house collapses and is ruined because the foundation is not firm. When a person is a hearer but not a doer, they are inviting disaster into their lives and denying the blessings God has in store for them. Remember, the blessing is in doing, not in knowing. Oh, I think sometimes Hessie Tator puts things off because she's afraid of failure. You know, whenever you do anything, you do run the risk of failing, but if that fear controls you, you'll simply never do anything. And besides, no one ever succeeded without many failures along the way. Failure is part of the process.
10/2/20243 minutes
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The Tator Family – 2

This week I'm introducing you—again—to the Tator family. If you've never met them before, you'll want to get to know them. Most of us can learn a lot from the Tators. Yesterday, we met the father of this family, Dick Tator. Today I'd like to introduce you to the mother of the Tator family, Emmy Tator. Now, Emmy is a nice lady, but to tell you the truth, she spends most of her time worrying about what other people think of her, trying to be like everyone else, trying to find acceptance by going along with the crowd. Have you ever met Emmy? Emmy Tator is sometimes obsessed and addicted to her need for people's approval. She is often unhappy with herself and appears to be very frustrated at times. That's because she's trying to please everyone else and be like everyone else. Now, I certainly wouldn't want Emmy to purposely set out to be different just for the sake of being different. But it's really important for her to realize there's no way in this world she'll ever please everybody. That's been a tough lesson for me to learn. I seem to think if I just try hard enough, surely everybody will like me and approve of me. But it never works. You truly cannot please all people. Emmy Tator needs to realize she is an original, created by God to be unique, and she doesn't need to pattern herself after others. Emmy needs to be reminded when she compares herself to others and tries to be like them, she is in effect saying God has made a mistake in the way he made her, and she could have done a better job than God in his design. Instead of accepting who she is in Christ, she keeps trying to be someone else. Poor Emmy Tator. That's a frustrating way to live.
10/1/20243 minutes
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The Tator Family

I want to introduce you to a family I think you need to get to know. They're the Tator family, and every few years I re-introduce them to you, because you seem to enjoy them so much. And I think we can learn some things from the members of this Tator family. The first Tator I'd like you to meet is the father of this family, Dick Tator. I'd have to say Dick Tator is not a very teachable person. Dick finds it difficult to admit he's wrong about anything, and I've noticed he always must have things done his way. Have you run into Dick Tator somewhere along the way? I wish I could sit down with Dick and share a few verses with him from God's Word. Proverbs 19:20 would be appropriate for Dick. Listen to advice and accept discipline and at the end you will be counted among the wise (Proverbs 19:20). Dick finds it very difficult to listen to others and as a result, he does things his way, and frankly, his way is not always the best. He'd be real smart to learn to listen to others and take advice. Proverbs 15:22 could help Dick understand why his ideas frequently fall flat on their face. Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed (Proverbs 15:22). I sure wish Dick Tator could learn to ask others for their counsel and advice. He'd be much more successful. Another problem Dick Tator has is he always wants to be the one up front, in control, telling everyone else what to do. Now, it's true we need leaders; people who can and will take charge and get the ball rolling. But Dick needs to learn about servant leadership. That's the best way to lead. Jesus told us ...whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave—just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:26-28). I don't think Dick Tator has ever stopped to understand what Jesus was teaching us. Before you can tell other people what to do, you have to do it yourself. You lead best by getting out in front and doing the job; then others can follow your example. Lots of people are like Dick Tator; they want the glory of giving orders but aren't willing to be the servant of those they want to lead. That's the mark of a great leader. Dick Tator needs to learn servant leadership.
9/30/20243 minutes
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Missional Living – Identity

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Oftentimes we can get our identity wrapped up in different aspects of our life. It could be a hobby or a talent, our family, or even a worthy cause. But, for many of us, we derive our identity from where we spend much of our time. If you are like me, this is time spent at work. It is spent thinking about our job titles, colleagues, companies, bosses, and subordinates. We spend our time thinking about new horizons at work, strategies, and breakthroughs. But our time is also spent in disappointments. Maybe a promotion or title not received or even the loss of a job. In all these things, it is easy to forget that for those of us who believe in Christ Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we are on a mission—the Great Commission set forth by Jesus himself in Matthew 28: 19-20a: Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. Jesus is commanding we declare the gospel—the good news! Now, I realize we are likely not going to baptize our coworkers, but we can look to this verse as a foundational calling and a promise. In the final sentence of verse 20, Jesus says, and behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age. We are living on a mission, and we often forget we carry this missional living to our workplaces. In this mission, we can remember our identity belongs to God. Armed with this thinking, you may be asking yourself what discipleship looks like at work. In another segment, I talked about what I have personally deemed as Faith at Work 1.0. Don’t over complicate your thinking in this matter but show up each day knowing Jesus is with you always, to the end of the age. He is with you and asking you to become more like him each day with how you reflect his light and glory to those around you! Matthew 5:14-16 exhorts: You are the light of the world.  A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. Shine your light. Let those around you see your good works and give glory to God! For some of us this is easy, but maybe you are in a stifling work environment. Maybe you feel heaviness each day as you get ready for work. You are putting forth your very best effort to do good work, but no one sees it. Proverbs 15:3 reminds us that the eyes of the Lord are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good. God sees your good works and will use them for his glory, especially when you are least expecting it! What are some practical ways to live missionally at work? And, more practically, what are “good works”? Perhaps it is as simple as being the person who does not engage in gossip. Instead, you are the opposite, always seeking the good in others and lifting them up with a positive word. Maybe you help someone who has a heavy workload or even a heavy burden. As a woman, how can you support other women at work? Are there moms balancing kids back in school with work? How can you creatively encourage them? I find the most practical mission we can be on at the office is to reflect the love of Christ to others we are around. Make them ask why you are filled with joy and have a spring in your step. Make them ask why you are so encouraged during a difficult trial at work. It will give you a chance to let them know you always have Jesus by your side! Back to our identity. It is easy to revert to forgetting whose mission we are on. I like to keep the verse Colossians 3:23-24 front and center in my workspace. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward.
9/28/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Live Like You’re Dying! – 5

I’ve been examining what it would look like if you and I, as Christ-followers, determined to live like we’re dying. That will look very different in all our lives. I think of a friend who had a difficult boss, and she could have filed a legitimate discrimination claim against him. Others urged her to do just that. But God showed her for the time being to simply let it go. She obeyed. God used it in her life to transform her more into the likeness of Jesus, and no doubt, as a testimony to her co-workers. She was leaving a Christ-honoring footprint there on her job. I think of a friend whose marriage was anything but ideal. She chose through many years to stick it out, to insist he get help, and to work through all kinds of baggage. They’re still together, and it’s better, much better. She has obeyed what God told her to do concerning her marriage. She’s leaving behind a legacy of a godly woman who told God she wanted to do his will, whatever the cost. Living like you’re dying means you simply walk through your everyday life totally dedicated to doing God’s will. It means you hold everything in open hands and give God permission to change your plans at any time. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming (2 Peter 3:10-12). Living like you’re dying produces holy and godly lives, and that kind of life leaves a footprint that cannot be missed, that is priceless and eternal.
9/27/20243 minutes
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Live Like You’re Dying! – 4

I’m exploring this week about living like you’re dying. Yesterday we looked at the very short parable about the man who found a treasure in a field and then sold everything he had to buy that field and have that treasure. Here’s the truth of that parable: Jesus is worth losing everything for. Jesus is the treasure we have, and he is worthy of everything. And when we get just a glimpse of how valuable this treasure is, giving up anything for Jesus is not a sacrifice. We do it with great joy, because we have a treasure that is unlike any other, so whatever we give up for that treasure is small in comparison. It’s not a sacrifice; it’s a smart transaction. As Jim Elliot put it: “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose.” We cannot keep our days here on this earth. They pass one by one, and they are numbered. And nothing you do can change that. Your days and my days are fleeting. But what we do with our time and our efforts can last for eternity. We can send on ahead of us treasures of all kinds; we can have crowns to cast at Jesus’ feet when we stand before him in Heaven; we can leave behind us a legacy that leads others to believe. Toward the end of his very short three-and-a-half-year earthly ministry, Jesus said: I have brought you glory on earth by completing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4). My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work (John 4:34). For I have come down from heaven, not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me (John 6:38). Why did Jesus leave the greatest footprints ever? Because he came to do the Father’s will, not his own. He was totally submissive and obedient to his Father. If it’s true—and it is—that as believers we are in the process of being transformed into the likeness of Jesus with ever-increasing glory, then it should be true of us that we are here to do the Father’s will. We’re living for eternity; living like we’re dying to this world and sending treasures ahead to our eternal dwelling place.
9/26/20243 minutes
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Live Like You’re Dying! – 3

I’ve chosen a rather somber but really important topic for this week, and that is to live like you’re dying. What does it mean to live like you’re dying? It simply means you are intentionally and daily aware that this life is temporary, every day is a gift, and as a Christ-follower, you are going to be accountable for your priorities, your life’s focus—the footprint you’re leaving. Imagine you have a jar of marbles on your desk. There is one marble for every week you will live, if you live to be 100. Now, suppose every week you take a marble out just to remind you that your days are numbered. And then suppose you ask yourself as you remove each marble: What kind of footprint did I leave this week? The jar would gradually become less full, and it would continually remind you that you’re dying, your days are numbered, and if you’re not intentional about leaving a godly footprint that inspires those who come behind you, you won’t. This jar of marbles would be a visible and intentional way to help you to live like you’re dying. There’s a short parable in Matthew 13 that holds some really good news for us. The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field (Matthew 13:44). Get the picture. This person finds a treasure in a field that is not his. He recognizes the treasure to be very valuable. He starts figuring out how he can buy this field. He doesn’t have much, but joyfully—note that word—he sells all he has so he can buy that field. Imagine what his wife or friends may have said to him? You’re selling everything you have—your home, your car, your computer, your clothes—to do what? To buy that field out there? Why? What’s there? You’re crazy! That is not a good bargain! He ignores their ridicule and buys the field because he knows the treasure there. A treasure hidden to the eyes of others, but is very clear to him. And that treasure is worth giving up everything he owns, everything he’s worked hard to get, to get that treasure. Why did he do it? Because he found something worth losing everything else for. That’s what living like you’re dying looks like—living for Jesus is more important than anything else, and you give up whatever you need to live for Jesus because he is worthy.
9/25/20243 minutes
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Live Like You’re Dying! – 2

I am asking the question: How would your life be different if you lived like you were dying? I decided in my early thirties to live for myself, and my life’s priority was to find a husband and get married. That was what I was living for. I went to church and was involved in church, but I lived for me. I didn’t number my days, as we read in Psalm 90; I never thought about how fleeting my life was. I lived only for the here and now, wanting what I wanted and wanting it now. It looked at the time like the road to happiness, but it was just the opposite. It was the road to despair and disappointment and failure. God in his incredible grace has redeemed me, forgiven me, and given me new purpose and joy. But how much better had I numbered my days, recognized this life is short and been willing to do God’s will and not my own. That’s why I’m talking this week about living like you’re dying. Living for eternity. Think about this: If God called you home today, what would you be remembered for? Some years ago, God showed me I would be remembered as being busy. In fact, it became clear to me I found my identity in being busy, showing the world how much I could do, and then getting the recognition that came my way. I actually had a vision of my tombstone, and on it was written, “Here lies a busy woman!” Now, understand, it was not wrong for me to be busy—to be doing what God had given me to do and using my gifting in his service. But my motivation was suspect; it was not pure. I wanted—and still do at times—the praise of people. So, what would be written on your tombstone if today were your last day on earth? Here lies a successful business person Here lies a good dresser Here lies a good singer Here lies a great organizer Here lies a very creative person Here lies a really smart person Or maybe: Here lies a worrying woman or man Here lies a fearful person Here lies a lazy person Here lies a person who had no vision Here lies a person who refused to be disciplined Think of the possible tombstones for some people in the Bible: The Apostle Paul: Here lies a man who fought the good fight and finished the race and kept the faith. Moses: Here lies the humblest man who ever lived. Esther: Here lies a courageous woman who was willing to risk her life for others. Mary Magdalene: Here lies a woman who lived her life for Jesus because he rescued her from her sin. Deborah: Here lies a woman who stepped way out of her comfort zone—way out of traditional roles—to do what God called her to do. Mary, the Mother of Jesus: Here lies the most blessed woman who ever lived. Think about the people who have influenced your life. For example, on my mother’s tombstone I could write: Here lies a woman who loved the Word of God. Here lies a woman of total integrity. Here lies a quiet, simple woman who blessed everyone in her life. It’s really important you live like you know this life is not the end-all or be-all. You’re living for eternal values—you’re living like you’re dying.
9/24/20243 minutes
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Live Like You’re Dying!

How do you want to be remembered? I wonder, do you ever think about how you want to be remembered? Another way to ask that question is what epitaph would you want on your tombstone? That may sound like a depressing topic, but actually thinking now about how you want to be remembered could make a huge difference in the way you live. Most of us shy away from talking about our death; it feels morbid. But one thing is for sure—unless Jesus comes again soon to rapture his church—all of us will face death and all of us will leave behind a legacy. It’s not morbid or depressing to think about how you want to be remembered; it’s smart, and it’s life changing. That’s why my title this week is “Live Like You’re Dying.” I wonder how we would live if each of us knew exactly when we would die. Have you ever thought about that? If God revealed to you the day, month, and year when you will pass from this life into eternity, how would it affect the way you live? Psalm 90 is titled “A prayer of Moses the man of God,” and here’s part of that prayer: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). And King David prayed: Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting my life is (Psalm 39:4). They were on the same page, even though centuries apart. They were not asking for a gift of prophecy, but rather, they were asking the Lord to help them live like they were dying—to live in the reality that their days were numbered, and their life was fleeting. How often have you prayed such a prayer: Lord, show me how fleeting—how brief, how short, how transient—my life is? Suppose we began each of our days with this prayer, asking God to help us number our days. We would then begin to live like we were dying—live in the knowledge that this world is temporary, but eternity is forever. If you’re like me, some days you think about it but most days not so much. I want to encourage you as I do myself to give regular thought to the truth that you will leave this life one day and enter eternity. Are you living with eternity’s values in mind? That’s a good question for all of us to consider.
9/23/20243 minutes
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The Ministry of Presence

I was introduced to this term: the ministry of presence, when a young couple in our church began a ministry to the homeless people they encountered on the streets of Chicago around where they lived. It began simply by reaching out to one or two, talking to them, inviting them to church, providing Sunday lunch for them, and it grew to over 60 homeless people they served every weekend. I love their story because it’s such a clear example of what Jesus would do. Jesus would see the needs on his doorstep, as Justin and Tara did, and he would start helping them in any way he could. In telling me their story, Justin said he had come to understand what the ministry of presence means. You see, he made it a habit to invite one of his homeless friends to run errands with him, when possible, as he went about his everyday work and routine. One day he invited one of the guys to join him, took him along, stopped for coffee and a donut, and just generally spent some time together. No agenda, no specific purpose other than to be with this man who was homeless. As they made rounds that day, the homeless man said to him, “All my life I’ve been told I am worthless and no good; they told me I was stupid, and nobody would ever like me. But I don’t believe that anymore.” Justin asked him why, and he said, “Because if I was worthless, you wouldn’t hang out with me.” Justin’s willingness to simply be with this man gave him a new understanding of his worth as a person. Justin went on to say what homeless people need more than anything else is not money or food, but it is a relationship—someone to simply be with them and care about them. You know, that’s true for most of us, isn’t it? You and I need other people in our lives just to validate our worth. Can you imagine how you would feel if you believed other people did not want to be with you? The ministry of presence is real—and it’s just what Jesus would do—what he did do when he was on earth. Think of the many stories in the Gospels where Jesus was just “hanging out” with people—some of whom were considered undesirable. There was Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene and the woman he met at the well, to mention just a few. This is one ministry you can embrace—the ministry of presence. You and I can simply choose to be present in the lives of people who need to know they are loved by us and by God. You don’t have to preach or teach or solve their problems; you just need to be there for them and then see what God will do through you. This is a ministry every Christ-follower should take seriously, and every one of us is qualified and equipped for this ministry. Galatians 6:2 describes it this way: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. When we care enough about someone to carry their burden, we are practicing the ministry of presence—simply being there for others, sharing their sorrows, as well as increasing their joys by our presence. This is the fulfillment of the law of Christ, the teaching of Jesus. In John 13:34 Jesus said, A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. The disciples knew the old commandments—the law which included the Ten Commandments. But this was a new commandment—note, not a suggestion—that Jesus gave them and us, and it should be a hallmark of our lives as Christ-followers. So, to fulfill the law of Christ, this new commandment, you and I need to know and practice the ministry of presence—being there for people and showing them love in action. Love that comes from Jesus through us to them. So, what I want to ask you today is: What person in your life right now could use your presence? What person needs to know someone cares and hasn’t forgotten them? Stop right now, if you can, and let God’s Spirit reveal that person to you. Perhaps a name popped right into your mind; if not, ask God to reveal that person to you.
9/21/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Five Ways to Be on Mission at Work – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you pray for your coworkers? Today we’re wrapping up our week of being on mission in the workplace with a powerful way to make an impact at work: praying for our colleagues. When we pray for our boss, the executive team, customers, and coworkers, we ask for the heart of God to move in profound ways; to bring his love, wisdom, peace, and provision into their lives. We pray people will come to have a saving faith in Jesus. I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people (1 Timothy 2:1). This includes our coworkers, managers, and even those we might find challenging to get along with. Praying for our colleagues is a tangible expression of our love for them and our desire to see God's best in their lives. Think about the people you see every day at work. Each one has their own struggles, hopes, and dreams. They may be facing personal challenges, health issues, or simply the stress of daily responsibilities. When we lift them up in prayer, we invite God to work in their situations and we are partnering with God in his mission to bless and transform lives. Prayer can also change our own hearts and attitudes. It’s hard to harbor resentment or indifference toward someone you are faithfully praying for. As we pray, God softens our hearts and fills us with his love and compassion. We begin to see our colleagues through the loving, merciful, compassionate eyes of Jesus, recognizing their inherent value and worth. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective (James 5:16). This means our prayers can have a real impact. Whether it’s a silent prayer at our desk, on a Teams call, or praying for people during your quiet time, God hears your prayers and responds. We might not always see immediate results, but we can trust God is at work in ways we cannot see. Praying for others can open doors for deeper conversations about faith. When someone shares a need or struggle with us, offering to pray for them, or even praying with them right then, can be a profound testimony of our faith and God's love. It shows we care deeply and believe in a God who is intimately involved in our lives. When you head into work, remember you are on mission. Let’s make it a habit to pray for those around us. Ask God to bless them, to guide them, and to reveal himself to them in powerful ways. Through our prayers, we become conduits of God's grace and love, bringing his light into our workplaces and fulfilling his mission.
9/20/20243 minutes
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Five Ways to Be on Mission at Work – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop How are you serving your coworkers? We are looking at 5 ways to be on mission at work: checking our attitudes, working with excellence, and acting with integrity. Now, I want to examine another way to be on mission at your place of employment: tending to the needs of your coworkers. Many of us spend a significant portion of our lives at work. It’s easy to get caught up in our routine, focusing on tasks, deadlines, and career advancement. But as followers of Christ, we are called to a higher purpose. Whoever wishes to become great among you shall be your servant, and whoever wishes to be first among you shall be your [willing and humble] slave; just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many (Matthew 20:26-28). These powerful words challenge us to rethink our approach to our daily work. Ironically these words are Jesus’s response to two brothers vying for position, trying to snag the highest place of prestige and honor by sitting at the right hand of Jesus. It’s a great lesson for us too. I’m not implying we should not have ambitions to rise through the ranks at work but how and why we do that matters. If we are out for personal gain, people will see that, and Jesus knows our hearts. Posturing ourselves with pride puts a damper on our influence at work and the level of trust people will have in us. Are we out for our own best interest or do we desire to work for the best interest of others? Jesus had the highest position and yet he took on the attitude of humility, saw the needs of others, and served them. Serving others in the workplace means looking beyond our own needs and ambitions. It’s about seeing our colleagues as people God loves and has placed in our lives for a reason. Each day presents multiple opportunities for us to demonstrate Christ’s love through simple acts of kindness: lending a listening ear to a coworker, giving of our time and offering to help someone with a difficult project, or even just sharing a word of appreciation and encouragement. Who can you serve? Your genuine acts of service will model the heart of Jesus and just may open doors for deeper conversations about faith.
9/19/20243 minutes
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Five Ways to Be on Mission at Work – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop As we prepare to head into another workday, how can we reflect Christ in our daily jobs? Our work is not just for our bosses or for a paycheck. It's an act of worship and service to God. Being on mission at work means reflecting Christ's character in everything we do. This starts with integrity. The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity (Proverbs 11:3). As Christians, we are called to be honest, reliable, and ethical in all our dealings. This not only pleases God but also sets a powerful example for those around us. Sometimes it can be tempting to fudge numbers, distort facts, or spin the truth to make ourselves look better. But that is not walking in a manner worthy of the gospel. For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives, so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might….. (Colossians 1:9-11). This call to action reminds us first and foremost to pray. Ask God to fill you and other believers with knowledge and wisdom from the Holy Spirit as you go about your workday so that we please God in every way, and bear fruit that lasts longer than short-term gain. Pray you are strengthened by the Holy Spirit as you make decisions, and resist relying on your flesh. Praise your heavenly Father for his power at work in you; his Holy Spirit who guides you to walk in integrity. Living with integrity means we live in harmony with our deepest held values and beliefs as believers, standing firm for our principles, especially in the face of opposition. We are more concerned with doing what is honorable in the sight of the Lord than what’s pleasing to man. We do the righteous thing even when it’s hard to do. Will there be consequences if we do not fall into the company line? Perhaps. And I am not saying it is easy. But in the long run, God will work everything out for your good. We damage our witness when we don’t walk the talk of our faith. When we live on mission, our daily lives match the message of the gospel and the character of Christ. We live our faith not merely profess it. How can you walk with greater integrity this week? Ask the Lord to guide you and let the gospel shine through you.
9/18/20243 minutes
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Five Ways to Be on Mission at Work – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you see yourself as one sent by God in your job? Many Christians don’t. We tend to see our jobs as a means to an end. A way to financially provide for ourselves and our families or to gain significance. But God has placed you where you are with a purpose. And while he gave you gifts and talents to apply to your work, our ultimate purpose as followers of Jesus is to point to him in our everyday lives. One way we can do that in the workplace is to do our work with excellence. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24). Whatever you do, and yes that includes what you do on the job. In the original language, the words “with all your heart” means “to carry out or perform an action with enthusiasm.” And when we aim to perform with energetic interest at work, we honor the Lord. What is your mindset around your role at work? Are you working with all your heart or punching a timecard, doing just enough to get by? Faith calls us to the highest standard in all aspects of our lives. Scripture challenges us to raise the bar in how we perform in our jobs, not just doing the bare minimum but going the extra mile. Are you known for your stellar work ethic? If you are a follower of Jesus, your work should surpass mediocre; you are to strive for excellence. Doing your best work is not the same as perfection. I can speak from experience, perfectionism can lead to a host of issues, one being that others may not think they can live up to your impossible standards. That can leave people feeling discouraged. While perfection is not the goal, excellence is. How we do our job matters because not only are unbelievers watching us at work to see if we will set a good example, but our heavenly Father sees too. Are you giving your best efforts on the job, or do you need to step it up a notch or two? Working heartily at all you do is part of God’s mission for you.
9/17/20243 minutes
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Five Ways to Be on Mission at Work

Presented by Lisa Bishop Does your faith make a difference in your job? Have you ever considered God has purposefully positioned you to proclaim the gospel at your workplace? Now before you picture yourself standing on your desk with a bullhorn or sitting on a Zoom call shouting scripture, don’t worry, that’s not what I mean. You aren’t necessarily called to get out your megaphone and shout the gospel like a street preacher, but you are called to proclaim the gospel with your life. What does that look like? We will examine five ways to live our faith at work and to be on mission at our workplace. We tend to think of pastors, church staff, or men and women who get sent to foreign countries as missionaries. But have you ever considered your workplace as the place God has placed you to be on mission? Well, the truth is, God has placed you at your job for a purpose, and whether he has you there for 12 months or 10 years, how will you live with a heavenly perspective? As a follower of Jesus, everything we do is for the glory of God, and when we live on mission, we live on purpose for the purposes of God. One way to live on mission in the workplace is by checking our attitudes and minding our disposition. What is your mood at work? How would your coworkers describe your temperament? Are you easily angered, argumentative, impatient, or dismissive of people who disagree with you? Divisive with your words or demeaning with your tone? Or are you approachable, personable, and peaceable? Do you give other people credit instead of keeping it for yourself? Your behavior with your coworkers will be the litmus test to your credibility as a follower of Jesus. I was having lunch with a woman the other day and asked her how she was doing. She proceeded to tell me how she’d fallen into some poor behavior habits at work. Displaying impatience, irritation, and getting sucked into gossip circles; at times, she was the instigator of dragging down people’s character with her words. She knows she is not putting God on display when she behaves that way. If you take an honest inventory of your personality at work, do you point to Jesus? I am not saying we will perfectly represent God; we are human after all. But do we purpose our interactions at work to point to him? But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23). When the power of the Holy Spirit is evident in our lives, we are a credible witness to our coworkers. We live on mission and proclaim the gospel with our lives when we behave in a way that produces good fruit.  
9/16/20243 minutes
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What’s My Calling

Presented by Lisa Bishop Before we dive in let me tell you that the idea of discerning calling has been a journey for me. The topic of calling can be confusing and sometimes frustrating as we try to figure out how God is leading us. While I do not have all the answers, I hope to give you food for thought that fuels you to find time to spend with the Lord who will give you guidance and clarity on your calling as you seek him. As a working definition of calling, I want to look at what John Maxwell has to say. “Calling is God’s personal invitation (for me) to work on His agenda, using the talents I (you) have been given in ways that are eternally significant.” I love that reminder of truth. As followers of Jesus, when we live out our calling, we ultimately do so to glorify God. We steward the gifts and talents he has uniquely gifted us. When we think about calling it can be so easy to think it is about us but it’s not. Now, I do believe God wants us to experience fulfillment in the things he has for us to do, but that is not the end goal. And as we think about calling it is so much more than just a job or career path. Ultimately whatever we do and the way we live is meant to serve God's purpose. God calls us to serve and contribute our giftings in a way that is consistent with how he created us. Discerning our calling is about learning how God has designed us to glorify him, serve his purposes, and serve others. We will focus on the career aspect of our calling, but before we do that, we must be absolutely clear that our first calling as followers of Jesus is to a relationship with him. If we do not grasp that our highest calling is to live in vibrant, continual communion with God through the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and to be an ambassador of Christ no matter where he places us, then we miss the point. Our specific callings cannot be properly engaged apart from a deep relationship with Jesus. Only out of our relationship with him does our subsequent calling, the work God has created us to do, come. Everything begins and ends with the vitality of our walk with Jesus and listening to the Holy Spirit. If we do not have a consistent rhythm of spending time in Scripture, on our knees in prayer, drawing near and pressing our ear to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit, we will have little confidence that our thoughts and our walk will be in alignment with him. It is essential we cultivate true abiding with Jesus if we want a chance of discerning his voice from our own when making career and calling decisions. We do not want to make a move without a move of the Holy Spirit, and we simply cannot take shortcuts by cutting God out of the picture and not intentionally taking the time to seek him. As we wrestle with calling, it may require fasting or even taking some time to get out of the hustle and bustle of life and into a remote location. Take time to journal, pray, listen, and respond. Renewing your mind in the Word will be crucial to discerning your calling. Hearing God’s call requires posturing yourself to hear his voice. And let me say this, our identity is to be found in our relationship with Christ, not in the work God calls us to or our job title. I read a quote the other day that said, “You are not here to make a living….You are here to enrich the world” (Woodrow Wilson). God created us to work, it's a blessing, not a curse. Our work can have eternal purpose, and our lives can have fullness and meaning through the work God calls us to. Something to note, your calling does not necessarily have to be the way you make money. It may be. But you also may be called to serve your community or church, raise kids, or care for aging parents. Whether we use our gifts to serve in the workplace, our homes, or communities, as Colossians 3:23 says, whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters…. As it relates to our careers and calling in the...
9/14/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You? – 5

Imagine you have to stand trial because you are a Christian. The prosecutor must show evidence you are indeed a Christian. What evidence would there be? Evidence of Faith Could evidence be shown to prove you really have faith in God—that you trust him with your life? You know, if you are trusting God with your life, with your future, it will show. It will be evident. When you’re facing tough times and difficult circumstances, is it clear to others you are trusting God for those things? Are you ready and willing to tell how God has been faithful to you? Do you remember and share what God has done in your life to prove he is faithful and trustworthy? Could people who know you say, “I know she has faith in God because of the way she deals with life”? Evidence of Purity Living a pure life by biblical standards is not only considered impossible by many today, but totally out-of-step with today’s “progressive culture.” Purity of life includes sexual purity as well as a life of integrity, of honesty, of just simply always doing the right thing regardless of the cost. It includes your financial dealings and business practices. They should be so pure no one could find fault with them if everything was revealed. Here’s a simple poem that says a lot: You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day, By the deeds that you do and the words that you say. People read what you write—distorted or true. What is the Gospel according to you?[1] People who don’t know Jesus don’t typically read the Bible. But they read the people who read the Bible. We’re not likely to be on trial any time soon—at least not in this country—for our faith, although that day could come. But the Bible says every true believer will stand before Jesus to give an account of how we’ve lived our life. So, the real question today for us Christians is: Will Jesus find evidence in our lives that we have been faithful witnesses of who he is and what he has done for us? Will your faith stand up in that court? [1] Paul Gilbert
9/13/20243 minutes
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Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You? – 4

I’m asking you to consider this question: If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be evidence to convict you? Evidence in Love There’s an old song that goes, “They will know we are Christians by our love.” Jesus said, a new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another (John 13:34–35). There’s no wiggle room here, is there? Love is what we should be about. I ask myself, and I ask you, if you were on trial, could you prove you are a Christian by the way you love others? Jesus said two things were important—two principles: Love God and love people. And notice Jesus said this is a new command—to love one another. In other words, just keeping the law and checking off all the boxes is not enough; it has to come from a heart of love. Thankfully, the kind of love Jesus refers to is not necessarily a feeling. It is an action, based on the definition of love as given in 1 Corinthians 13. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails (1 Corinthians 13:4-8). Whether or not you like the way someone behaves or approve of their lifestyle—whether or not their personality suits you or not—you can show love to them through your actions. We’ve looked at three clear pieces of evidence that should convict us of being a Christian: the words we speak, the lifestyle we lead, the love we show. Just asking those questions is an important exercise for me—to cause me to pause and ask God to control my tongue and how I spend my time, and to remind me to show the love of Jesus to everyone in my life. I truly want it to be readily clear that I follow Jesus Christ—and I’m sure you do as well.
9/12/20243 minutes
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Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You? – 3

The Bible tells us as Christ-followers, we are representatives on earth of Jesus and our lives should bear real evidence we are Christians. I’m asking if there would be enough evidence in your life to convict you of being a Christian. Yesterday, I talked about evidence in the way we talk. Here’s another area that witnesses will note. Evidence in Our Conduct Imagine someone followed you around for a month or so and looked for evidence that proved you were a Christian. Would they be able to accuse you of: Faithful attendance to and involvement with a local Bible-believing church Daily times of personal worship—Bible reading, prayer Spending time helping others in various ways Involved in small group Bible study or some other regular Bible study Supporting God’s work with your time and money Would they accuse you of being joyful all the time? Would they have evidence that you always spoke the truth in love? Would it be clear by your conduct that you considered others more important than yourself, and you had a servant attitude? If someone followed you everywhere you went, would they note you were very selective about the movies you watched, and the television programs you viewed? What books would they see you reading—edifying books that inspired you? Would the way you spend your time indicate following Jesus was your highest priority—or would they observe you wasting lots of time on things that really don’t matter? What would they say about the way you spend your money? Do you give faithfully to God’s work, or do you spend it all on yourself? When we stop and ask ourselves questions like this, it’s a bit sobering, isn’t it? But it’s important we think about the messages our words and lives are sending to others.
9/11/20243 minutes
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Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You? – 2

If you were on trial accused of being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Let’s look at some of the evidence that would prove you’re a Christian. Evidence in Your Speech If everything you said was recorded for a day or a week, would your words be strong evidence that you are a Christ-follower, or would they sound no different than any others? This is one of the most important ways our lives as Christians should be differentiated from others—the words we speak and the conversations we engage in. Here is the biblical standard for our speech—our words. Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). That’s a high standard, isn’t it? And it would be easily recognized as different in our world today. No unwholesome talk—only speaking what will build others up and benefit them. That is the kind of evidence that would show you are a Christ-follower. In your normal everyday life, how do you speak about people you don’t like? Are your words always full of condemnation and criticism, or do you speak of others—even those you don’t particularly admire—in words of kindness and understanding? If your words were recorded for a week, would we hear a lot of griping and complaining, or would those recordings be full of praise to God and thankfulness? Someone has said our words should be true, necessary, and kind. Apply those three principles to your speech, and if you’re like me, you will say fewer words than usual! Jesus said, a good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45). What do you think the verdict would be? Would you be convicted of being a Christian because of the words you say, the conversations you engage in, the way you talk?
9/10/20243 minutes
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Is There Enough Evidence to Convict You?

If you were on trial because you are a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? That’s the question I’m posing this week. It’s a question that gets to the heart of whether those of us who claim to be Christians really live by biblical principles and priorities. Whether the world around us can see any difference in the way we live, the way we respond, the priorities of our lives as compared to everyone else. Imagine you are on trial, having been accused of being a Christian. The prosecutor would call witnesses who would be asked whether they have seen any clear evidence to convict you of being a Christian. What would they say? Is there a coworker who would confidently say, “I know she’s a Christian because. . .”? Or how about a family member? Or a neighbor? Jesus said, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). How brightly is your light shining? Does it shine consistently enough so those who are in your world know that you are a Christian? Years ago, for a period, I was not a shining witness for Christ. The people who worked with me would not have been able to accuse me of being a Christian. I remember once telling a coworker I went to church, and he was surprised. He said, “I didn’t know you were a religious person.” And it’s true—he didn’t know because there was no evidence in my life at that time that would have convicted me of being a Christ-follower. That’s a sad commentary for sure, but thank God it is not now the case, and thank God he puts our past behind us and opens new paths for us to serve him. Paul wrote to his disciple, Timothy: Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity (1 Timothy 4:12). That’s a high bar, isn’t it—to set an example in the way we talk, in the way we conduct ourselves, in the way we love other people, in the way we trust God, and in the purity of our lives. That’s the kind of evidence that proves you have been changed by God through faith in Jesus Christ.
9/9/20243 minutes
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Are You a Risk Taker?

Risk-averse is a term often used by financial managers to describe people who do not want to take risks with their investments. They want low-risk investments, and that can be a prudent way to handle your money. But should we always be risk-averse? Ron Hutchcraft told a story that illustrates what I’m talking about. He said he had been invited to go hiking with some friends in a gorgeous setting, to see a breathtaking waterfall. Ron was determined to see it. So, they hiked up the mountain and came to a large stream they had to cross to get to the waterfall. Ron took a look at the stream and started searching for a bridge, but there was none. He said to his companions, "How do we get across here?" "Oh," they said, "you have to walk across the pipe there.” Ron looked at the pipe that bridged the stream. It was small; it was wet; it looked dangerous. And his first reaction was, "Thanks but no thanks. I'll stay here.” But his friends urged him, "Come on. You can't stay here. The view is on the other side. Wait ‘til you see the view and the waterfall. Come on; walk across the pipe." Ron had a decision to make. Either stay where he was and miss the view or walk across the pipe. He decided to take the risky way, and he walked across. He said, "I wouldn't have missed that view for anything. It was the most beautiful sight I've ever seen. But I had to walk the pipe to get there." Yes, it was a bit risky, but it was worth the risk. You know, as we live our lives for Jesus, there will be times when we need to take a risk, move out of our comfort zones, attempt something that looks difficult, and yes, even run the possibility of failing. For example, maybe God has been prompting you to share your faith with a coworker, but you’ve been reluctant to do so because it’s risky. You think: That coworker may react negatively, or I may botch it and say all the wrong things. Or maybe it’s against the law to share my faith on the job! And so that fear keeps you from taking the risk. I wonder how many of us are missing out on so much of what God wants us to do and the blessings that come when we obey, simply because we’re not willing to take a risk. Obviously, we shouldn’t take unnecessary risks, and we should always proceed with prayer and caution. But my friends, if you’re afraid of any risk, you may never do all the good things God has put you here to do. You’ll miss so much of God’s blessing in your life. The Bible is full of stories of risk-takers. Esther took a great risk to rescue her people from annihilation. This young, inexperienced woman literally took her life in her hands and approached the king. Before doing that, she asked for all the Jews to pray and fast for her. That’s a good principle. You shouldn’t just go headlong into some risk without knowing God is leading you and knowing you are fortified with prayer. But once she knew she had to take this risk, she said, “I will go to the king even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish.” Esther was a meek, humble young woman. She was not equipped for such an assignment. She could have given many legitimate excuses why she could not take this risk of approaching the king to save her people. But she knew it was a unique opportunity, and she knew it was the right thing to do. She did face the possibility of failure; she knew the extent of the risk she took, but she knew she had to do it. So, she said, “If I perish, I perish.” You see, many of us are very willing to serve Jesus as long as it's comfortable and not terribly demanding. We have our life plan in place, and we've put Jesus in the schedule. Yes, we love him, but after all, we're not all called to be missionaries, right? So, we get to the edge of the river, and we take a look across. We see some people there who seem to soar and enjoy the other side. But we keep looking at that pipe; it's risky; it takes faith. And we decide to stay where the ground is firm, and we're not at risk. Oh,
9/7/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Missional Living – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen What does love require? Part of missional living—especially at work—requires us to approach all things with love. Today we will see how Paige believes we live life on mission with each other to restore all things—even those things at work! Paige is an executive leader of business transformations, leading the global program management for a large company that provides customers protection plans through different partners across the globe. Her current charge is being deemed a moonshot customer experience initiative. Basically, the organization knows the goals are extraordinary, and she is accountable! Not only does she hold this work as a leader, but she is a wife and mom to three children in their teens and twenties. Paige used to think her Jesus-centered values would conflict with the way she needed to show up at work and says she couldn’t have been more wrong. A podcast on a God-centered approach to leadership helped her connect the dots. The things that made her a good leader (authenticity, integrity led, caring, clear) were the same values that come from the fruit of the Spirit. It helped her see her life as one big mission field instead of thinking about work in a totally different context. When Paige goes to work, she views her mission as twofold. First, she strives to authentically live out the values Jesus taught and asks herself in every situation, what does love require? She knows this type of love requires her to be grounded and filled with the Holy Spirit and covered in prayer. It also requires that she lives with integrity and back up her words with action. Paige recently got a tattoo on her wrist of the Hebrew and English word hesed, which is hard to pin down to a singular definition, but it basically means unimaginable loving kindness. It is the loving kindness we receive from our God, and only from him. This tattoo has opened many conversations for Paige. It serves as an opportunity to tell people what she stands for and serves as a reminder of how deeply she is loved and how her job is to deeply love others, no matter the current crisis or hot button issue that comes her way! Second, Paige strives to create an authentic, come-as-you-are community within the teams she leads and within her leadership circles. That means creating time and space to get to know each person and time to foster trust and an inclusive community. She makes sure she takes advantage of opportunities to be vulnerable to create and build connections. Sharing the role her faith plays in her day-to-day life helps her show her authentic self and the strengths God has gifted her with as a leader. Most of the sharing Paige does is through one-on-one conversation. She is not afraid to share how she spends her time and the things she is praying for. By sharing her life outside of work, Paige learned she was doing a spiritual fast at the same time as someone on her team. She even had a great discussion with someone else on her team about leading girls’ groups at church because she wasn't afraid to share why she had Wednesday night commitments. Paige says, “I think God has given me a path of experiences that have uniquely positioned me to lead in the space I am now, adding value in a completely authentic way. I see him using my trials and successes as opportunities for me to share more about myself and my belief systems and then to demonstrate my values. I see him continuing to leverage me to mentor other women, and to continuously point to him.”
9/6/20243 minutes
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Missional Living – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Do you acknowledge God when you celebrate success at work? Pointing to God’s favor in your work and boldly proclaiming your faith at work can be another way to live on mission in your day to day like my friend Cathi. Cathi is a Sr. National Director for Childhelp. Since 1959, Childhelp has saved and transformed the lives of more than 12 million children suffering from abuse and neglect. Cathi’s role is to raise the vital funds for these children. She is truly serving the least of these. For Cathi, tragedy and grief transformed her work into a mission to share Jesus wherever she goes, even amidst profound sorrow. Two years ago, she tragically lost her son Ben to a Fentanyl overdose on the streets of Los Angeles. This devastating loss shattered her world and propelled her into a deep prayer life, considering more about what Jesus wanted her to do. Cathi finds solace in sharing her faith, particularly with those who are struggling or marginalized. She spends a great deal of her time with the homeless and drug addicts. To Cathi, missional living is about intentionally aligning her life with a purpose that revolves around serving others. Working at Childhelp allows her the privilege to directly engage with children and families in need. She states, “As a follower of Christ, it's imperative that I serve the least of these, making a tangible difference for God's kingdom.” Throughout her career, she has made it a point to acknowledge God's role in her successes openly. Whether securing major donations or interacting with colleagues, she gives all credit to Jesus. Recently, during an all-staff meeting, the chief of staff highlighted this commitment, affirming her dedication to glorifying God in all she does. Cathi has initiated a Friday morning prayer session after their team meetings for her colleagues. This time has become a sacred space where they seek God's guidance and blessings for their work at Childhelp. She firmly believes God opens doors, provides wisdom, and brings the right people to support our mission of helping abused children. Psalm 139:1-24 holds special significance for Cathi. It's a chapter she memorized with her sons when they were young, and it remains a source of comfort and strength. As she reflects on her journey, she finds assurance in every word of this Psalm, knowing God intimately knows when she sits down and when she rises. Cathi knows God was with her boy when he took his last breath and is with her today in everything she does!
9/5/20243 minutes
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Missional Living – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen When you think of your work as your mission maybe this quote from Bob Goff will resonate with you, “It’s not mission work, it’s just Tuesday.” Seamlessly blending work and mission can help you wake up to say “it’s just Tuesday” like Tracy. Tracy leads post-merger and acquisition business integration for a medical device manufacturing and distribution company. Her job is to bring people together under one unified company using the same tools and technologies. She states, “missional living is bringing his kingdom world to light in this world, through everyday acts and behaviors. It is starting my day and incorporating God’s mindset to whoever and whatever I do to serve him, not my own ego.” Tracy is truly a builder. The book of Nehemiah has a lot of meaning for her as he is a builder, and her work requires building or rebuilding in many different facets of the business. The joy of the Lord is my strength is a verse Tracy keeps close as she works to build the company and others each day. A few years ago, Tracy didn't depend on God for her work. When her pride was hit hard, working for a boss who didn’t believe in her, she realized how much she needed God to help her in a situation she couldn't solve herself. Starting each day reading Scripture and praying helped Tracy change her own mindset about how she thought of work verses how she realized God wanted her to work. Building this daily habit took time, but she couldn’t imagine a day without starting in his Word. It grounds her and directs her focus for the day as a leader. Being focused on God’s word has helped Tracy to subtly weave God’s wisdom into her day to day. Often, she will use his Word in the coaching and encouragement she gives to her team and peers. They may not know it as a specific verse, but she is able to pour into people with God’s Word. Sometimes, Tracy will wear something with a bible verse on it to start conversation! It really is subtle, but it is her dedication to being in the Word that helps her keep this consistent in her leadership. When peers have gone through serious professional and personal challenges, Tracy does share her faith. She has felt them welcome God’s Word and wisdom into some very difficult situations. Sharing her faith and specific ways she feels God can provide comfort, has also helped her develop deeper relationships at work. This past year, several male leaders at Tracy’s company have had severe medical or other personal issues impact them or their families. She came alongside them as an encourager, intentionally checking in, telling them she is praying for them. It has been accepted with much gratitude. She feels like God has positioned her to be an encourager at work and enjoys leaning into this strength that she views as a gift from God. Sharing God at work can be subtle or more direct!
9/4/20243 minutes
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Missional Living – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Who do you really work for and how do you face challenges at work? Missional living can truly show up in how you consider who you are working for each day and how you choose to handle challenges. My friend Jenn is focused on becoming more reliant on Jesus in these challenges, and her focus on living out her faith at work truly helps her as a leader each day! Jenn is a Chief People Officer at a multifamily development and management company. She is responsible for people and culture, which means she is truly at the helm of how people feel about their work! From leadership development and coaching to hiring and strategic planning, Jenn has a pulse on every part of her organization! To her, living out her faith at work is a mission that she measures by how she approaches her work each day in living out her actions and through her interactions with her team, customers and partners. Focusing on her gifts of leadership and hospitality, she knows she can impact people both at work and at home. God has changed her thinking about work; she does it all for the Lord. All her work is ultimately for him and his kingdom. Framing her thinking in this way helps Jenn do her best work regardless of the circumstances or her feelings, and she does this by keeping Colossians 3:23 top of mind. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23). God has moved most recently through her at work through the Holy Spirit calling her to share more of her own challenges vulnerably with others. She states she has found when she shares, others feel safe to share about themselves and genuine authentic relationships are built. Challenges have given Jenn an opportunity to rely more on Jesus knowing he cared for all people. Experiencing this feeling herself makes it easier for her to extend this to others. She states, “We all face sufferings at one time or another and have an undercurrent that we are dealing with that others may not even know about or understand.” While Jenn is not thankful FOR all circumstances, she tries to be thankful IN all circumstances. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us (Romans 5:3-5). For Jenn, and for me too, learning how to endure challenges is an ongoing work in progress, but she realizes how she responds in these times is a great example to those she leads and coaches at work. She leans on the grace and forgiveness we receive through Jesus when she falls short, which allows her to extend this grace and forgiveness to others. Jenn believes work is a gift! She states “We get to work. Let’s rejoice in our ability to work for the Lord!”
9/3/20243 minutes
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Missional Living

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Have you ever felt like you aren’t doing enough? Maybe you are like me, wondering if what I do everyday matters for the Kingdom of God. I know I don’t feel equipped in the way the church sometimes calls others to mission trips. I would sometimes wonder what was wrong with me. Why didn’t I feel an urgency to jump on a plane and bring water to a village in Africa or head to a remote village in South America to help in an orphanage? These are big deals to God! I started to think about missional living in the places I spent the most time. For me, it was at work and at home. Before I started to focus on bringing the gospel to the world, I thought about what I was doing within the context of where I was spending the most time. And then I was honest with myself. I wasn’t living missionally at all. Much of my gospel thinking was a self-focused exercise. I was passionate about Jesus, but it was an internal passion. I started by setting out with one word: bold. Ephesians 6:19-20 inspired this in me. Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should (Ephesians 6:19-20). Paul declared this verse from prison, but I am free! This meant I needed to step out of my comfort zone and not only learn more about how to be a better disciple for God, but to choose specific situations to be bold with my faith at work. I also realized I couldn’t do this without the support of God and the Holy Spirit, but also that I was equipped with others that wanted to share in a discipleship journey just like me. Community with other believers has served as an encouragement and a deep opportunity for mutual uplifting and development. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another (Proverbs 27:17). What has followed is a rich community of women who lean in and pray for each other and encourage each other to be bold with the gospel in their work lives. In the coming days, you will hear about Jennifer, Cathi, Tracy, and Paige. Each one of them is on a mission to share the gospel at work. And, while they all share in their foundations of success, God’s Word, the Holy Spirit and prayer empower them to be bold! I hope you will be encouraged to be on a mission right where you are this week. God has you right where you need to be!
9/2/20243 minutes
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Are You Living Life Without Joy?

If Christ’s love is in us and his joy is made complete in us like described in John 15:11, why are so many of us living a life without joy? Lisa Bishop talks with our friend Juni Felix to discuss this important question and offer some practical tips on cultivating joy in our lives. As followers of Jesus, were designed for joy!
8/31/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Thank God It’s Monday! – 5

Thank God it's Fri … Monday! My guess is some of you have already thanked God it's Friday, but what I've been trying to do this week is to help you see how you can truly learn to say, "Thank God it's Monday." Thank God for work, for your job assignment, and for what God is going to do with you and through you in your job. Look again at the first work assignment as given to Adam; God never left him alone. God was always there with him. If you have received Christ as Savior, you are never alone; he is with you in all your work. In fact, he has invited us to come to him and take his yoke upon us. A yoke is a wooden block that holds two animals together while they work. Jesus wants to share his yoke with you, to have you work right beside him, and the good news is, his yoke is easy. When you go to your job each day yoked up with Jesus, working with him beside you, your job become much easier. That's one way Jesus redeems our work from the curse. Now, think of all that contention in your workplace; that dog-eat-dog attitude that permeates your job; the unfairness and discrimination and selfishness that is rampant. It all started when work was cursed with thorns and thistles. But because Jesus became a curse for us on the cross, we don't have to live under that curse anymore, and that means we can and should have a transformed attitude toward work. This means you can demonstrate the transforming power of Jesus Christ by your attitude toward work, because you’ve been set free from the curse of the law through faith in Jesus Christ. You may have to work in a corrupted environment, but you don't have to be corrupted by it. You can stand out in that crowd as a bright light of hope by demonstrating a transformed attitude toward your work. You see, the only way that workplace will be changed is when the individual hearts of people are changed. And God may have you there for that very reason—to help some of those people see their need for God through the way you work. Pretty exciting, don't you think? But it must begin with your attitude toward work—an attitude of thankfulness, an attitude of anticipation, an attitude of doing what God has called you to do. Then you can honestly say: Thank God it's Monday!
8/30/20243 minutes
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Thank God It’s Monday! – 4

Thank God it's Monday! I know it's Thursday. But the title of my series this week is "Thank God It's Monday," because when we are born from above, we can truly say that and mean it. Work is a gift from God, and as intended by him, it brings contentment, fulfillment, enjoyment, and all those good things we keep looking for. The problem is, work fell under the curse when Adam and Eve sinned, and from that time on, it has been corrupted by sin. That corruption has caused many to have an unhealthy attitude toward work, and that includes Christians. Here's the great news. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.' (Galatians 3:13). Jesus Christ came to redeem us from the curse of work. With Jesus in control of your life, you can realize the original purpose of work and be set free from the corruption that has made work a dirty word for many. Now, to do that, you must first have a personal relationship with Jesus through faith. Then, you must make sure the work you are doing is God's assignment for you. God has work for each of his children to do, and when God gives you work, it is sacred. Whether you call it secular or sacred, if you’re doing what God wants you to do, it is sacred work. Looking at Adam again, he was given a divine job assignment, and as long as he was willing to obey, he was living in paradise. Work was wonderful; everything was sweet. But he was also given the freedom to rebel against God's plan for his life, and unfortunately, he chose to do that. You and I have the same freedom to rebel against God's plans for our lives, but when we do, we pay the price. If you want to transform your workday into something meaningful and worthwhile, develop the right perspective toward the work you do, and do it as unto the Lord. Think each day that you report to Jesus. You work for him, and you will be demonstrating a totally new attitude, which will show to everyone you work with and for.
8/29/20243 minutes
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Thank God It’s Monday! – 3

Work as given by God can be fulfilling, rewarding, meaningful, and pleasant. Right, you're thinking, if you work for some Christian organization or church. No, that's not what I mean. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see the first work assignment given by God to Adam and Eve. He told them to be fruitful and increase in number—to fill the earth and subdue it. To rule over the creature world, and to name all the living creatures. Then he assigned Adam the job of taking care of the garden. That was Adam's job description. Notice as originally intended, work was assigned by God and man obeyed. And it's interesting to note the first job description would be thought of by most Christians today as a "secular" job. But since God assigned it, it had to be sacred, right? The same is true today. The nature of the work you do does not determine if it is sacred or not. Work is sacred when it is assigned by God. Now, I ask you to think of your own work situation, whether you're in the workforce or working without a paycheck! Has your work been assigned to you by God? Are you confident you are in the job God wants you to be in? God doesn't ask us what we want to do. He assigns us work. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). God is not here to make us feel fulfilled in the career or work that we choose. We are here to do the good work that he has prepared for us to do. Maybe going to work is hard for you because you're asking God to help you accomplish your plans, and he's waiting for you to give him the blank piece of paper and ask him to write the plan. Even when you get the job you think you want or make the money you want to earn, if it is not God's plan for your life, you're going to be miserable. Work is rewarding and fulfilling only when we are obediently doing the work God has assigned us to do. How do you know what God wants you to do? You spend time with the Lord and his Word, you put first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and I promise you, without fail, you'll know whether God wants you where you are or whether you're supposed to be somewhere else. When we have the job God intended for us to have, work is redeemed from the curse. It is sacred. We can do our work to God's glory, and we can enjoy work as originally intended by our Creator.
8/28/20243 minutes
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Thank God It’s Monday! – 2

Tell me the truth: Were you delighted to go to work today? Or were you thinking, "Whoa, it's only Tuesday; four more days until the weekend”? Why do we find this fairly universal attitude toward work? Everyone seems to live for the weekends. The title of my series this week is "Thank God It's Monday!" because if you're a Christ-follower and have been set free from sin and its curse by faith in Jesus, then you can—and should— have a totally different view of your work. You should be able to honestly say, "Thank God it's Monday—or Tuesday!" We saw yesterday God gave Adam work to do in the Garden of Eden, and until sin entered the picture, work was something to be enjoyed, something fulfilling and meaningful. Everything God created was good, so work was good. The original workplace was pleasant, a place of fellowship with others and with God, a place of cooperation and obedience. Adam's job was to take care of the garden—or farm—and that was a sacred assignment from God, not some secular job he had to do to earn a living. But once sin entered, that original plan was corrupted. And from that point on work became drudgery. Do you wonder why your workplace seems so miserable sometimes, or why relationships are so strained where you work, or why it's so difficult to get motivated in your job? It's because work has suffered the "thorns and thistles" of the curse as found in Genesis 3. In our corrupted workplaces, people reject God and often any other authority placed over them. There may be little cooperation and lots of jealousy. Seems like everybody is out for number one with little regard for the welfare of others. The workplace is ruled by human nature and that is a sinful nature. And here you are, a born-again believer in Jesus Christ, forced to go out into that corrupted workplace five days a week! Do you sometimes just long to be set free from this sin-corrupted work environment? Here’s the thing. Jesus came to redeem us from the curse of sin, but he purposely left us in this world. We now have the amazing opportunity to demonstrate what work is really supposed to be like—yes, even in the midst of that corrupted workplace! Have you ever thought about the privilege you have to show your world how God intended work to be? Do you do that? Would you like to? I'll give you some suggestions starting tomorrow.
8/27/20243 minutes
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Thank God It’s Monday!

Thank God it's Monday! I'm sure you have already said that today, haven't you? No? Are you more prone to say, "Thank God it's Friday!"? Often, we see work as a necessary duty, toilsome and difficult, often unpleasant, frequently boring, but nonetheless essential. Typically, on Monday mornings, as we face a new work week, we're more likely to be thinking "I'll be glad when the weekend gets here, and I don't have to go to work." You know, God is the originator of work, and work was a part of his wonderful plan for people. The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Genesis 2:15). Adam was given a job as a farmer of sorts, and it was not a secular job; it was a sacred trust from God. Work is God's perfect plan for people. God meant it to bring purpose and fulfillment to our lives. How did we get to the "Thank God it's Friday" attitude? Well, once sin entered the picture through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, everything good God created was corrupted, including work. Sin caused work to be cursed. You'll find that curse in Genesis 3 where God said to Adam: Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat food from it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you, and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground … (Genesis 3:17-19). Paraphrase: You'll have to work, like you've been doing, but now it's going to be full of difficulties. You'll earn your living, but the thorns and thistles will make it unpleasant, and it will be painfully toilsome at times. Maybe that sounds like a description of what you face as you start your work today, whether it's in a workplace or in your home. But because we, as believers, have been set free from the curse, we can also be set free from this sin-cursed attitude toward work. This week I'm going to try to give you a birds-eye view of the redeemed attitude toward work we should have—and can have—as believers.
8/26/20243 minutes
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God’s Faithfulness – Part Two

This year, The Christian Working Woman celebrates 40 years of ministry to women in the workplace! Lisa Bishop has the pleasure of interviewing the woman who started it all—Mary Lowman. It's remarkable what God has done through one person who was simply willing to be used by God. Join us for part two of this conversation as we recount the Lord’s faithfulness!
8/24/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 5

How can you build relationships with your co-workers, so you have an opportunity to share God’s love with them, tell them of your faith journey, and be a witness for Jesus on the job? That’s what we’ve been looking at this week. I’ve offered eight suggestions so far, and if you missed any of them, they are all available on our website at christianworkingwoman.org Today we’re looking at the last two ways we can share God’s love on the job. 9. Be ready to apologize when you need to. My friend, Janet, says the major difference between her and her co-workers who are not yet believers is she apologizes more often! Being humble enough to apologize when you’re wrong is definitely a God thing, and it really does go a long way to breaking down barriers and solving problems. 10. Build relationships with your coworkers by using work break times as an opportunity to talk. It is not appropriate to use any significant amount of company time for personal conversations. But there is your lunch hour and other times you can use for building relationships. Let me tell you about my friend, Cynthia. Many years ago, she worked in a difficult environment, where she was not fully accepted as a co-equal, because she is African American. She sensed this attitude, particularly on the part of one coworker, who told her they could never be friends because of their ethnic differences. But Cynthia, determined by God’s grace to overcome those differences, began what she called Project Love. Each week, she invited one of her coworkers to have lunch with her. She even designed special invitations for them, and so one by one, she began Project Love. That began to break down those barriers as her coworkers got to know her and vice versa. And the woman who declared they could never be friends—well, as it turns out, she has become a close friend and confidant of Cynthia’s. Even though they no longer work together, they stay in touch, and Cynthia hears from her regularly. Love never fails, my friends. If there are some difficult relationships where you work now, why don’t you ask God for your own Project Love idea, instead of giving up on those relationships.
8/23/20243 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 4

Have you shared God’s love on the job lately? Sometimes it seems like the workplace is the last place we can talk about God or share our faith. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians that they were … a letter from Christ … written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts (2 Corinthians 3:3). We can be the word of the living God, a letter of love from Jesus to the people we work with, when we take time to let God’s love shine through us. I’ve given you six ideas on how to do that already this week. Here are numbers 7 and 8. 7. Smile Are you aware your body language is louder than the words you speak? It’s true, and so we can send messages of love without saying a word. Smiling is surely one of the easiest and most effective ways to do that. All of us can smile; doesn’t cost a thing; doesn’t take any time. You just have to remember to do it. Proverbs reminds us a cheerful look brings joy to the heart (Proverbs 15:30.) Why don’t we work harder at smiling more? I’m not advocating phony, insincere smiles, but many of us just need to work at smiling more. We feel smiles on the inside, but don’t show them on our faces. That’s my problem, I know, so I really try to remember to smile more. You may have been born with a smile on your face, so it comes easy for you. But some of us need to remember to smile, because it brings joy to the heart, and it shares a little of God’s love with others. 8. Do the “dirty work” sometimes, even if it’s not your job. There are always those things that need to be done in a workplace environment that nobody really wants to do. They aren’t in anyone’s job description. Things like cleaning the kitchen or making the coffee; cleaning up after a meeting or tidying up the general work area. In smaller workplaces, it might be taking out the trash or taking the mail to the post office. If you just do those things occasionally, without being asked and without grumbling, it would be a good way to show a loving, caring attitude toward the people you work with and for. Too often we think the only way we can witness for Jesus is through the words we say—quoting Scripture or giving our testimony or explaining the four spiritual laws. And frankly, there are not many opportunities on any given day to do that. But there are countless ways to show the love of God through our actions and our attitudes. But we must be intentional about it.
8/22/20243 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 3

I’m offering ten suggestions for sharing God’s love where you work. If you missed the first four, you’ll find them on our website at christianworkingwoman.org. Now, here are suggestions five and six. 5. Help others with their workload when you can. Maybe you have an assistant who helps you, and you know she or he is just overloaded with work at the moment. If you said, “Hey, I can stay an extra hour tonight and help get that done,” don’t you think that could really be an effective way to communicate God’s love? Or maybe you know a co-worker is struggling with a certain assignment. Maybe she doesn’t know how to get started. If you’ve got some experience or expertise that would help them, just stop what you’re doing and help them out. Obviously, you have your own work to do, which cannot be neglected, but there are times when stopping to help someone else is just the right, thoughtful thing to do. 6. Look for opportunities to congratulate and compliment people any time you can. Think about it: aren’t there times in the day when you think something nice about someone, but you don’t express it? I try to make myself verbalize the compliments I think. For example, if you like the outfit someone is wearing, and think, “That looks nice on her,” then why not say it to her? If you think, “He did a great job on that,” why not say it? I think we would be more encouraging to others if we simply determined to verbalize the compliments we think. Also, look for ways to congratulate people on any accomplishment possible. “I noticed you stayed late last night and finished that job. Thanks.” “Your daughter made the Dean’s List this semester? Terrific!” There are so many little things we can do on any given day to show love and concern for others, to demonstrate we are thinking about someone beside ourselves. We live in a world that is pretty self-centered, but as servants of Jesus Christ, we are called to look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others, as we read in Philippians 2. These things we can do because we have the motivation of God’s Spirit within us, and the power he imparts to us, and believe me, God’s love will be felt as you intentionally seek ways to share God’s love on your job.
8/21/20243 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 2

Have you ever had an opportunity to preach the gospel where you work? If you are in a secular workplace, I seriously doubt it! Then how can Christians effectively share God’s love where they work? I’m sharing ten suggestions anyone can do to become the Bible people read, the living Word of God on our jobs. Here are suggestions three and four. 3. Go through your schedule for each day and pray for the people you know you will interact with. I know many of you are facing added stress and pressure from your jobs these days. There seems to be more workload for fewer people, and I hear from many of you that you’re expected to do more than you can get done in a day’s time. This kind of environment can easily cause interpersonal problems with coworkers. So, pray in advance for the people you will interact with on any given day. Remember, no one is in your life by accident, so even that difficult co-worker can be changed by God’s love. Ask God to give you wisdom in how best to deal with the difficult people on your job. Ask him to help you see them the way he sees them and to give you a loving attitude toward them. Remember, you don’t have to like someone to show them God’s love. Make it a daily practice to pray through your day before it starts, and you will discover God supplies strength and ideas and helps to get you through the day with a loving and kind attitude toward the people you encounter. 4. Plan acts of kindness. And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful (2 Timothy 2:24). If you are a servant of Jesus Christ, your calling is to be kind to everyone—everyone! I think we have to remember to be kind, don’t you? You can just get so busy, trying to do your job and keep all your balls in the air, that you forget to do the kind things that matter to people. Here are two easy suggestions. Send cards at appropriate times. You could find out the birth dates of your coworkers, put them on your calendar, and then simply send a birthday card. Even an email card would be fine. It doesn’t have to be expensive. Celebrate significant events in the lives of co-workers—like promotions, graduations, or marriages and anniversaries. It doesn’t take much effort to bring in some goodies and have a small celebration, and it truly is meaningful. But you need to plan those acts of kindness and be intentional about them.
8/20/20243 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work

If you go to a secular workplace every day, you may wonder what in the world you can do in that kind of environment to share your faith in Jesus Christ, to really have an impact for the Gospel. This week I’m going to give you ten suggestions for sharing God’s love where you work. Set aside a certain time each day or week to pray for your workplace. I have discovered many Christians don’t really pray for their workplace. I think sometimes we separate our “secular jobs” from our spiritual life, as though the two have nothing in common. But for a Christian, everything should be sacred. We should all see ourselves in “full time Christian work,” and so our workplaces are, in effect, our mission field. What is the best way to pray for your workplace? First, pray for those in authority, for your relationship with them, for wisdom as they make decisions. Then pray for the success of the business, that God will bless the efforts of those working there. Pray for the morale of the workers, that there will be good working relationships, a good team atmosphere, conducive to good work. And then pray for whatever distressing or troubling situations you are experiencing. For example, if the company is experiencing a difficult economic situation, pray for new business, for creative marketing ideas, and so forth. I would encourage you to set aside a specific time to pray for your workplace, maybe on Mondays, so you have this programmed into your schedule, and you don’t overlook it. Take prayer walks through your company/organization/building, live or virtual. Now, this is a clandestine kind of prayer, not one you advertise or talk about. But it’s easy to do. If you’re working in your workplace, maybe you could take a lunch hour, say once a week, and walk through your company, up and down the various hallways and floors, inconspicuously, and quietly pray for each person and department as you walk by their office or place of work. Or if it’s a small workplace, you might walk around the building. Perhaps you might do this before work one day, when not too many people are around. This is an effective way to remember to pray for the people in your company, department, or division. Or if you work from home, pray through a list of the people who work in your company or division. Here are two things any of us can and should do to bring God’s love to our workplace. I truly believe you will be amazed to see how prayer can change things where you work.
8/19/20243 minutes
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God’s Faithfulness

This year, The Christian Working Woman celebrates 40 years of ministry to women in the workplace! Lisa Bishop has the pleasure of interviewing the woman who started it all—Mary Lowman. It's remarkable what God has done through one person who was simply willing to be used by God. Join as we recount the Lord’s faithfulness!
8/17/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Attitude of Gratitude – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop Is there someone in your workplace who gets under your skin? Let’s wrap up with being grateful for that coworker who gets on your nerves. I know you are probably thinking I am crazy but stick with me. Who is someone at work you find yourself murmuring under your breath about? That person who raises your blood pressure, ignites your impatience, or causes you to complain in frustration. Did you ever consider God may have placed them there for your sanctification? The coworker who bugs you with their behavior can actually be a blessing. When we’re triggered by the behavior of others, Galatians 5 tells us that our flesh wants to react with hostility, quarreling, jealousy, selfish ambition, envy, and outbursts of anger. But the Holy Spirit who is living in you and me produces a different kind of fruit in our lives when we earnestly love and follow Jesus. He turns our fleshly response upside down and instead, as Galatians 5:22-23 says, But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). So how is an annoying coworker a benefit? When a coworker puts you on edge consider you are being positioned for an upgrade in the fruit of the Spirit. What do I mean by that? When you are frustrated, ponder the possibility that God may want to use that situation for your sanctification. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Matthew 12:34). We know Jesus wants us to become more and more like him and reflect his heart and he will place us in circumstances that show us where we need to grow in spiritual maturity. This is a very kind and loving thing for him to do because he wants to transform our hearts and minds so our words and actions are in alignment with who he created us to be—carriers and conduits of his love, grace, and mercy. Our lives are meant to be a witness to a different way of life, and when the fruit of the Holy Spirit is your go-to, others will see something different reflected in you. The next time you find your flesh ready to respond, ask the Holy Spirit to help you with a renewed response. When a coworker does that thing that used to bug you, stop and ask the Holy Spirit: How is this person the gateway to producing patience, kindness, or love in me?
8/16/20243 minutes
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Attitude of Gratitude – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop We’re examining the importance of practicing thankfulness. Notice how I said practice! Being thankful is not necessarily something that comes easily to us. We tend to focus on what (or who) we want fixed. We need to proactively cultivate a mindset and habit of expressing gratitude. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). When we hear these verses, we can typically focus on what not to do, use our words to tear someone down, defame or smear their name with lies or gossip. But how often do we focus as much on what to do with our words? I want to use my words to breathe life into people, don’t you? We often miss multiple opportunities to express our gratitude at home and in the workplace. We can get wrapped up in busyness, be overly self-focused, or assume someone already knows we are grateful for them and miss the chance to encourage them. As you think about the people you work with, who is someone you can show genuine gratitude to? Tell a coworker you are thankful for the way he or she leads projects or a boss that you are thankful for his or her leadership. And how about that person who might rub you the wrong way and get on your nerves just a bit? I bet there is something you can find that you appreciate in them too. Expressing gratitude doesn’t cost you anything and in a dog-eat-dog world, where a lot of people are vying for position and credit, you will stand out in the crowd when you give sincere kudos to others. And how about encouraging fellow believers? One of my favorite verses is: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing (1 Thessalonians 5:11). As followers of Jesus, we are to encourage fellow believers in the faith, to comfort and edify each other in times of trials. To cheer each other on. Who is someone at church, in your Bible study, a leader, or a mentor you can intentionally encourage and build up with words of thankfulness? A few years ago, I was feeling a bit discouraged in my ministry. I wondered if what I was doing was making an impact. In God’s timing, I received a card in the mail the very next day. The front of the card said, “Thank you,” along with beautiful words to encourage me just at the right time. God knew what I needed, and he prompted this sweet woman to be his mouthpiece. God wants to use you to encourage people in your life. Who is he calling you to say a kind and life-giving word to? Ask him to show you, and then follow through.
8/15/20243 minutes
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Attitude of Gratitude – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop We are examining being thankful and I want to talk about gratitude in the battle. 2 Chronicles 20:1-30 tells the story of King Jehoshaphat, reminding us gratitude is not just a response to God's blessings. Gratitude is a proactive stance, a mind set on God that invites his presence and power into our lives. When a vast army of his enemies were coming to wage war against him, instead of succumbing to fear, Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, sought the Lord. In verses 6-12, Jehoshaphat prayed a powerful prayer of dependence on God, acknowledged God's sovereignty, recounted God’s faithfulness, and confessed reliance on God for deliverance. His prayer ended with the profound declaration: We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you (2 Chronicles 20:12). Have you ever felt like that? What stands out in this story is the response of Jehoshaphat and the people as they faced a battle. They didn’t cower in fear, get angry at their circumstances, or wait passively; while they waited for the battle to unfold, they worshipped. In the middle of the hard, they praised (v. 19). As they went out to face their enemies, they sang, Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever (2 Chronicles 20:21). Their gratitude was not after the victory; it was before the battle even began. And as they began to sing and praise, their gratitude and worship moved the hand of God. The Lord set ambushes and defeated their enemies. Jehoshaphat and his people didn't have to fight; God fought for them. Praise and thankfulness are powerful weapons in our spiritual arsenal. When you are facing a battle, follow in Jehosaphat’s footsteps and remember these three things: Gratitude helps us fix our eyes on God's power rather than our problems. When Jehoshaphat and his people turned to give God thanks, their focus shifted from the overwhelming threat to the overwhelming greatness of God. Gratitude invites God's presence. As Judah worshiped, God's presence was tangibly manifested. Expressing gratitude invites God into our circumstances, bringing his peace, guidance, and intervention. Gratitude precedes victory. Jehoshaphat's story teaches us to thank God in advance. Gratitude is an expression of faith, trusting he is already at work, even when we can't see it. As we go about our week, rather than being overwhelmed by our challenges, let’s resolve to fix our eyes on Jesus, thank him for his enduring love, and trust he is fighting our battles. Remember, gratitude is not just a response to victory; it’s a catalyst for it.
8/14/20243 minutes
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Attitude of Gratitude – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop How am I supposed to be grateful when life hands me lemons? How can I be thankful when life is hard? Have you ever asked yourself that? How can you be thankful when you are experiencing conflict at work or are overlooked for a promotion? When finances are tight, your dreams feel delayed, or when you have prayed that same prayer a million times, and your circumstances don’t seem to change? It may not be easy, but it is possible. God’s word instructs us to do more than just find the proverbial silver lining. God teaches us to be thankful in challenging circumstances because he has proven himself faithful even when life is hard. Philippians 4:6-7 are familiar verses we often quote, but do we let them instruct us when life is sour? Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). We often get the part about not being anxious, presenting our requests, and praying in every situation, but we tend to gloss over a key call to action—with thanksgiving. Why be thankful when hardships happen? Because when you are thankful in hard times, you are promised peace! Now let me just say we are not called to be thankful for all of life’s challenges that come our way per se, but to give thanks because we know God is working in our circumstances. And this is also not a call to pick yourself up by your bootstraps and muster up a pretense that everything is A-OK. You are allowed to lament when things go awry. Gratitude and being disgruntled can coexist. The key is not to let the grumbling overpower the gratitude. Get real with God but also remember his character. He is for you even if you don’t feel like it. Your feelings don’t always tell you the truth, only God’s Word is true and that is why you must renew your mind with the Word and pray with thanksgiving. As you pray and remember God’s steadfast love and faithfulness, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind in Christ. If you are facing a trial right now, I want to remind you to stand firm. God is with you and will not allow your needs to go unnoticed or unaddressed. It may be hard but keep your eyes open and your heart attuned to how he is working on your behalf, even in this very moment. Hang onto the truth of God’s Word to get you through hard times and be thankful.
8/13/20243 minutes
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Attitude of Gratitude

Presented by Lisa Bishop Would you consider yourself to be a thankful person? Let’s examine a topic that can transform your life—the undeniable power of a deep-seated posture of thankfulness. A few weeks ago, I was headed to a wedding where I knew parking would be a bit of a challenge. I pulled up an app on my phone that helps you find and pay for parking spots in advance. I found my assigned spot #26, parked my car, and headed to see my friend get married. A few hours later I walked outside to go home and, you guessed it, my car was nowhere to be found. I was stunned and a bit bewildered. At first, I thought my car had been stolen. Then it dawned on me. I was parked in the wrong lot, and as a result, my car was towed. As a side note, I have lived in Chicago for 27 years and have avoided this dreaded occurrence, but apparently, my lot was up. It was my turn to experience something I would not wish on anyone. You might be wondering what this has to do with thankfulness. I would be lying if I told you I was thankful my car got towed. That is far from the truth. But I will say, instead of having a total meltdown in my dress and high heels, I was able to take the higher ground of gratitude, finding things I could be thankful for in the moment. While I did feel like bursting into tears, I talked myself off the ledge, focused on what I could control, and did my best to release the rest. I kept calm and focused on what I could be grateful for even in the midst of an unpleasant situation: the Uber driver who took me to the tow lot and made sure I was safe, the fact that my car was not stolen and that I could afford the $240 fee to retrieve my vehicle. Did you know when you make it a practice to lead a lifestyle of thankfulness, it makes you more resilient? For the past two years during my quiet time, I have been recording what I am grateful for, and I believe it prepared me for this dreadful day. When daily stresses come your way, gratitude will help you be resilient in challenging times. Gratitude reverses that negative spiral we can all be prone to when life throws us curveballs. But you must be proactive in growing in gratitude to reap the benefits of resilience. My daily gratitude practice prepared me not to lose my cool and kept me grounded in God. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Gratitude takes practice like any other skill, and when you are thankful, you are living in God’s will.
8/12/20243 minutes
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Choosing Thankfulness

For the most part, we live in a very ungrateful world. All around you can see examples of children being ungrateful for all their parents have done for them; workers not appreciating their jobs; Americans not appreciating the country they live in. Thankfulness seems to be in short supply. For many people, gratitude is difficult because life is difficult. For others, gratitude is just not on their radar at all. Life is all about them, and they think they deserve whatever good comes to them, so being thankful just doesn’t fit in with their attitudes. And others are not thankful because they simply take for granted the good things in their lives. They just never stop to say thanks. Do you remember this story from Luke 17:11-19: Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” Then he said to him, “Rise and go; your faith has made you well.” We read that story, and we shake our heads at those nine guys who never said thanks. What’s the matter with them? Jesus healed them of a horrible disease, and they don’t even bother to return and express their gratitude? And note that Jesus finds it baffling, too. “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?”, he asks. Just one guy, and he wasn’t even a fellow Jew. Why did nine go away without saying thanks? We aren’t told exactly why, but I can imagine they were so excited to be healed of leprosy that instead of thanking Jesus, they rushed right back into their lives, told their families they were healed, and picked up where they left off before their dreaded disease. It was all about them and the good news that they were healed. They just didn’t take the time or the effort to say thanks. They did not choose to be thankful. You see, being thankful and expressing it are choices you and I make each day. Rarely does a day pass that doesn’t offer you at least one thankful moment. But I wonder, how many of your days—and mine—begin and end without one word of thankfulness coming from our lips? Jesus said, A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:45). If our lips are not speaking words of thanksgiving, it’s because our hearts are not full of thankfulness. We speak what is in our hearts. So, my challenge to you is to choose thankfulness every day. If you are a Christ-follower, this should be a no-brainer decision, because it is simply obeying the principles set down in God’s Word. Here are four examples, and there are many more: Colossians 2:6-7: So, then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Ephesians 5:19b-20: Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:18: Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Psalm 100:4: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. So, I think we must conclude when we are truly ungrateful, either because life is hard, or we forget to be thankful, or we take our blessings for granted—whatever the reason may be—we are in disobe...
8/10/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Power of Gratitude – 5

The Bible clearly teaches us to give thanks in all situations, to develop a heart of gratitude because it makes a huge difference in your growth as a follower of Jesus Christ. The more you have a spirit, a controlling attitude of gratitude for all the blessings in your life, beginning with Jesus, the more power you will have to do the good works you were put here to do, as we read in Ephesians 2:10. I have a suggestion I believe will put you on the path to becoming a more grateful person, a person whose first response to whatever happens in your day is to give thanks. I’m going to do this with you. I believe it would be a great help if we would keep a thankful journal—a book or a tablet of some kind—where we specifically name three things in that day we are thankful for. This is not a new idea. Many studies have been done in the secular world showing the power of gratitude. Once again, the world has unknowingly come to accept principles that are grounded in God’s truth. When you practice biblical principles, they work for your good even if you are not yet born again into God’s family. I have journaled in different ways through the years, but this is the first time I’ve committed to a daily, end-of-day thankful journal. And it so happens a dear friend just gave me a new journal—not a coincidence, if you ask me. Will you join me? I mean, how much trouble can it be? It’s really easy to do. Just jot down three things in each day that you are thankful for—or more. It could be a chocolate cake or a good report from your doctor or a call from a friend. Small or large, it shouldn’t be hard to name three things each day for which you are thankful and write them in your thankful journal. If you decide to do this with me, let me know, and please share your experience of how God is growing a heart of gratitude in you. It could be life-changing in many ways.
8/9/20243 minutes
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The Power of Gratitude – 4

The power of gratitude. As I have been putting my thoughts together for this devotional, I’ve been amazed and inspired to realize how absolutely critical it is for us who claim Christ as our Savior to have hearts of gratitude. It’s even more important than I realized. Someone has said thankfulness is the quickest path to joy. Joy is what we want and what we need because the joy of the Lord is our strength. Don’t you know the enemy of your soul wants to steal your joy because that weakens and sidelines you. It can happen so fast—before you realize it. How does it happen? You forget to be grateful, and you start a pity party, or you complain to someone, or you gripe in your own soul. Gratitude and a complaining spirit don’t get along well. They cross each other out. When your heart is full of gratitude, that complaining spirit, that pity party just can’t take hold. But when you forget to do God’s clearly expressed will—to give thanks in all circumstances—then gratitude is canceled out by griping and complaining. Gratitude has the power to give you joy no matter what. And that gratitude will cause you to fix your mind on all you have in Jesus. Jesus is the reason we can be and must be always grateful. This is how Peter put it: Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy (1 Peter 1:8). Inexpressible and glorious joy! Joy that does not yield to difficult circumstances, unhappy endings, unanswered prayers. True, gratitude is the quickest path to joy, and inexpressible and glorious joy is found in Jesus Christ—and in him alone. Go there when you’re tempted to be discouraged. As you express gratitude for Jesus, you will know this joy which can’t be expressed. Gratitude is very powerful.
8/8/20243 minutes
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The Power of Gratitude – 3

Each year I choose a word to pray into my life for that year. My one word for this year is acceptance, and the verse I chose is 1 Timothy 6:6—godliness with contentment is great gain. I’m directing our thoughts to the power of gratitude—the incredible benefits we have as Christ-followers when we continually develop a heart of gratitude. And acceptance is one of the great gains we receive. As I said before, gratitude is more than just being thankful for an event. It is thankfulness on steroids—taking thankfulness to the next level. When gratitude becomes a way of life, or an automatic response, it gives you the power to accept what’s coming your way. Let’s face it: resistance comes far more naturally to us than acceptance. When life isn’t going the way you want it to, if you’re like me, your first reaction is focused on how to change it. And that often creates tons of stress and strife. We often hear and say, “Well, it is what it is,” right? And in a sense, that is the motto of acceptance—it is what it is. Of course, that doesn’t mean we lay down and roll over when we need to do something, but life is full of so many situations we simply cannot control, cannot change, and must endure. We can do that with a heart of gratitude, accepting what we cannot change, or we can kick and complain and be miserable. Gratitude empowers you to accept what you cannot change and trust God’s promise to you. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). When acceptance comes more easily for you, because of your heart of gratitude, it empowers you to take in what’s happening without needing to change or fix it. It is what it is. Focusing on being grateful allows you to quietly accept the moment and respond to it in a Christ-honoring way. There is great power in gratitude.
8/7/20243 minutes
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The Power of Gratitude – 2

I’m examining the power of gratitude—of being a consistently thankful and grateful person. What is the power of gratitude? For one, gratitude empowers you to be content with who you are, where you are, and what you have. Someone has said gratitude turns what we have into enough. Think about that. When what you have is enough, you’re no longer envious, dissatisfied, or obsessed by the desire to have more. As you develop a heart of gratitude, always counting your blessings for what you have instead of dwelling on what’s missing, it brings contentment into your life. The Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy godliness with contentment is great gain (1 Timothy 6:6). This simple statement carries a real punch—a divine principle many Christians should take seriously, and that is contentment. The more you develop a heart of gratitude, the more contented you will be. And in this way—joining a godly lifestyle with true contentment—we gain so very much. I find this is an on-going commitment for me, one that can easily get sidetracked with wanting more. Whenever we think getting something material, or getting more of it, will meet our needs, then we are not content. To develop a heart of gratitude means we recognize this flaming arrow our enemy will constantly throw at us—the arrow of discontent—and we choose to be thankful for what we have instead. A heart of gratitude turns what we have into enough. Dietrich Bonhoeffer said, “It is only with gratitude that life becomes rich.” Godliness with contentment is great gain. It’s rich, and gratitude is the key to a contented life. The great gain we experience from a heart of gratitude has nothing to do with material things. Rather it’s all about the riches of a peaceful heart, a mind at rest, and the assurance of God’s presence and his never-ending love. I encourage you to be very intentional about developing a heart of gratitude, being thankful no matter what, and continually dwelling on all you have to be thankful for. It’s a lot! And remember, the more you practice being thankful, the more you’ll have to be thankful for.
8/6/20243 minutes
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The Power of Gratitude

Have you ever thought about how powerful gratitude is? It has truly just begun to dawn on me that when I choose gratitude, when I am consistently thankful, I am amazingly empowered! What do I mean? First, let’s define the difference between gratitude and thankfulness. In many ways they are the same, but gratitude is more powerful. Thankfulness is a response to an event—when something nice happens or someone does something for you—and you are thankful. You got a good review which led to a raise, and you are thankful. And of course, thankfulness is good. Gratitude, on the other hand, is a culture you develop for yourself, and it has a positive effect on everyone in your circle of influence. Being grateful becomes a way of life, increasing over time. The frequency of thankfulness develops this attitude or culture of gratitude. So, focusing on being thankful in all circumstances leads you to an abiding attitude of gratitude. It becomes a way of life, an automatic reaction, a repetitive act that creates spiritual muscle memory. Amazingly, God’s Word set this principle for us long before psychology caught on. Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:20). Paul wrote to the Colossians that they should sing to God with gratitude in their hearts (Colossians 3:16). Gratitude is a heart thing. Someone has said that gratitude is when memory is stored in the heart. We have a ministry called The Hidden Word where we encourage you to memorize one verse per week. It is easy to do, and we help you. This month our theme is gratitude. You could join with us and develop this culture of gratitude for yourself—in your home, where you work. It is powerful; it can change the temperament and quality of your life, making an improved home life, a better workplace, a lovelier person in you, and all to the glory of God. There is power in gratitude.
8/5/20243 minutes
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Being Thankful for the Missing Pieces

I've noticed some people are truly handicapped over the missing pieces in their lives. Whatever is not there—something hoped for but not realized—many become obsessed with it. It controls their thought life, and it keeps them from enjoying or appreciating the good things they do have. What about you? Would that be true of you? I remember talking with a friend who has been married quite a few years and has always wanted children, but she has not been able to have her own. That's a painful missing piece, and she was sharing the pain with me. But even though she recognizes an important piece is missing, she hastened to add: "But, Mary, I have so much to be thankful for. My life is still full and meaningful," and she began to recite the good things—the pieces that are not missing from her life. I said to her, "Do you realize how unusual you are? While you acknowledge a key piece is missing from your life, and is likely to always be missing, you are focused on what is not missing.” I've known her for many years, and I can tell you she has never moaned and groaned about this missing piece. While she has felt sorrow and pain over it, she accepts that no one has everything, and life is full of missing pieces. Have the missing pieces of your life become so overwhelming you cannot see or appreciate what you do have? For ten years I allowed what I thought was a major missing piece in my life to control me. I felt I had to be married for life to be complete, so I was consumed with pursuing and finding the right person to marry. I've shared my testimony many times before of how that obsession with finding the missing piece led me away from the Lord, away from biblical principles, into a self-focused and sinful life. What I've come to learn—and am still learning—is that instead of being controlled by the missing pieces, I can be thankful for them. If that sounds a little "too good to be true," let me assure you I don't live on another planet, and I have the same feelings and emotions and struggles as everyone else. And I emphasize I am learning this principle of being thankful for the missing pieces. But as I've started to grasp this truth, I've found such freedom and contentment. I'd like to share a poem with you, which really helped me start down this road of being thankful for the missing pieces. I first read it several years ago, and I have it written in my prayer book as a reminder of this important biblical principle—to be thankful for the missing pieces. The poem uses old-fashioned words, but the truth is still very relevant: An easy thing, O power Divine, To thank Thee for these gifts of Thine! For summer's sunshine, winter's snow, For hearts that kindle, thoughts that glow; But when shall I attain to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss? For all young fancy's early gleams, The dreamed-of joys that still are dreams, Hopes unfulfilled, and pleasures known Through others' fortunes, not my own, And blessings seen that are not given, And ne'er will be - this side of heaven. Had I, too, shared the joys I see, Would there have been a heaven for me? Could I have felt Thy presence near Had I possessed what I held dear? My deepest fortune, highest bliss, Have grown, perchance, from things I miss. Sometimes there comes an hour of calm; Grief turns to blessing, pain to balm; A Power that works above my will Still leads me onward, upward still; And then my heart attains to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss. -Thomas Wentworth Higginson[1] When I first read this poem, I began to ask myself, "Where would you be today if you had everything you wanted, if there were no missing pieces in your life?” And it was as though God drew back a curtain to let me see how having everything I wanted could have been disastrous for me. Why? Because I might have been lulled into thinking I was self-sufficient, and I may have never seen my true needy state.
8/3/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Waiting with God – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen We are going to look at the other definition of waiting: serving or being in attendance. An adjective. How is God calling you to “waiting” in action while you are in the waiting? I know this may sound funny, but waiting doesn’t mean you need to be stuck! God calls you to action as a follower of Jesus. I have a list of reminders I call God’s to do list when I feel stuck. Often this is in the waiting. I am seeking his wisdom or discernment, or I find myself waiting for other things we have already discussed. My reminders include: love, work as to him, be in his Word, pray, reflect and observe, repent, and give gratitude. This is not an exhaustive list, but it is a biblical list of how God calls us to action—not only in the waiting but in our everyday life as followers of Jesus Christ. In the waiting we are called to love! But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked (Luke 6:35). Sometimes we are waiting because of conflict—here we are called to love those we are in turmoil with. In the waiting we are called to work! Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24). If you are waiting for that new job, a promotion or the raise, fix your work on the Lord! In the waiting, be in the word and pray and praise! Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). In all circumstances, even in the waiting, we need to pray and rejoice! In the waiting God calls us to repent. Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy (Proverbs 28:13). God is calling you to action in the waiting. How are you loving others? Are you in God’s Word? Are you praying in the waiting? What do you need to repent of in the waiting? Maybe feelings that are contrary to what God is wanting you to feel. Waiting doesn’t need to keep you stuck! You can still be active in the waiting. Pray God changes your heart to what he has for you in this season.
8/2/20243 minutes
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Waiting with God – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen While women in the Bible waited, they also experienced a result—in God’s time. There are other women who waited in the Bible, and although we don’t always receive a depiction of their feelings, we can step into their shoes for a moment and imagine how they would feel. One of the most overlooked stories of waiting is in the book of Luke. And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years, but no one could heal her. She came up behind him and touched the edge of his cloak, and immediately her bleeding stopped. “Who touched me?” Jesus asked. When they all denied it, Peter said, “Master, the people are crowding and pressing against you.” But Jesus said, “Someone touched me; I know that power has gone out from me.” Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed. Then he said to her, “Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace” (Luke 8:43-48). Let’s consider this woman—she bled for 12 years. Her physical health was ailing. She was likely very uncomfortable and tired. She spent all her savings on physicians. We don’t know if she was well off, but we do know she was experiencing financial hardship due to her condition. Was she fearful? Anxious? In her time, this condition was considered unclean. She could not worship in the temple. It is likely she could not marry and was not around other family. She was isolated. Was she sad, angry, lonely, hopeless? What we do know is she had great faith. She knew Jesus was a great healer, and he was compassionate. Jesus would not care that she was touching him, while others had deemed her unclean. To Jesus, she was perfect and loved as his child. In her healing, let’s now imagine her feelings. Joy, relief, gratitude? While we don’t know about what she did next, one can imagine her praise for how God had delivered her from her struggles. When God delivers you from the waiting, how do you respond? Are you giving him glory and praise? Earlier this week we talked about waiting as a noun. But waiting can also be an adjective, meaning, we can be active in our waiting!
8/1/20243 minutes
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Waiting with God – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Being a faithful follower of Jesus Christ by no means makes us perfect in any way. In Romans 7 verses 18-20, Paul sums it up well. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it (Romans 7:18-20). These verses above summarize the fact that even though I follow Jesus, I am still prone to sin. Often, we can see this sin in the feelings that manifest in the waiting. But what we forget is God’s timing is perfect, not ours. This week, I defined the feelings we experience in waiting and the questions we ask God a result of the difference between what we think is a reasonable time for an answer or result and the time it takes to actually happen—even if it does happen. It is very easy for us to forget how great God is. When I say great, I am not necessarily talking about his goodness, but rather his omniscience, omnipotence, and omnipresence. All knowing, all powerful, and all present. God is everywhere, in everything at all times—even right now. God transcends any temporal and worldly notions we have of time. A thousand years in your sight are like a day that has just gone by, or like a watch in the night (Psalm 90:4). But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day (2 Peter 3:8). These two verses capture how limited we are in our thinking of how God experiences time. Ecclesiastes 3:11 is my favorite about God’s timing. He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end (Ecclesiastes 3:11). God makes everything beautiful in its time. And what is more beautiful is he gives us eternity with him through Christ Jesus. This good word reminds us we cannot fathom all he does! The implications of waiting are this. God’s timing in all things is perfect and, in our waiting, we need to remember this.
7/31/20243 minutes
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Waiting with God – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Yesterday we talked about how the simple noun, waiting, can cause us to ask God some hard questions. We experience feelings about a period of waiting when something doesn’t happen in the amount of time we have assigned in our minds that seems reasonable. This waiting can lead to many different feelings. The challenge with these feelings is they can lead to other actions which may not lead to the best outcome for us. Think about becoming impatient for an answer you are waiting for. This impatience starts to brew and bubbles into anger. We have all been there. Thinking about why someone hasn’t called back or gotten back to you. Maybe your foot is tapping, or you are pacing in your office. Finally, you erupt and in that angry moment you call and accuse the other party of stalling. Silence is on the other end of the line. The person hadn’t called back because they were sick. Now think about waiting for a call from a recruiter for a job you not only want, but desperately need. The waiting is making you anxious. You are fearful someone else will get the job, and you won’t have enough financial provision for your family. You have a disagreement with someone at work, and you are waiting for the right moment to apologize. You are overburdened with the feelings associated with this needed apology. After waiting for feedback from a job interview you find out you have been passed over for a promotion. You feel worthless and lack hope because you heard through the grapevine and not the hiring manager for the job. All your closest friends are married. You are still waiting to find love. You find yourself feeling lonely and sad. Impatient, angry, anxious, fearful, overburdened, worthless, hopeless, lonely and sad. Heavy emotions. God offers us an opportunity for other feelings in the waiting. Loved: Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love (1 John 4:8). Hopeful: There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 23:18). Patient: Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick tempered displays folly (Proverbs 14:29). Calm/Peaceful: 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). We have all had feelings that the Lord hasn’t dealt with us fairly or answered us in our time, but he does offer us other ways to feel if we are abiding with him in the Word.
7/30/20243 minutes
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Waiting with God

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Are you waiting for something? Waiting is defined as a period of pause, interval, or delay. A noun. What are some of the things we wait for? As working women, the complexity of this list can span far beyond your day-to-day job. Waiting can be professional, but it can also be deeply personal. At work maybe you are waiting for a promotion or a raise or even recognition and reward for a job well done. Personally, you may be waiting for health or healing, children, friendship, marriage, love, a new home, or other provision. Is it waiting to be reunited? Or reconciliation? Do you need an apology or are you waiting to give one? This list is not exhaustive. One of the ways I reassure myself during times of waiting is in knowing I am not alone. We all experience times of waiting. Often the Bible describes this waiting as a period in the wilderness or a valley. These words, wilderness and valley seem big, deep, maybe dark, and like you may be losing your way. It can bring us to ask questions of God. The words in Psalm 77:7-9 that Asaph writes resonate: Will the Lord reject forever?     Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever?     Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful?     Has he in anger withheld his compassion (Psalm 77:7-9)? This interval or delay can be as short as hours or as long as years. It’s really just any amount of time that exceeds what we have deemed as reasonable in our own mind. It is a period of time we have asked and not received, sought an answer and haven’t found it, and knocked on a door that has not yet been answered like we are told to do in Matthew 7:7-8. When that “acceptable time passes”, our questions start. The good news is there is another side of waiting we will talk about this week, because waiting isn’t only a noun.
7/29/20243 minutes
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Work and Waiting

Presented by Lauren Stibgen What are some different things we wait for when it comes to our career or work? Or does our career or work cause us to feel like we are waiting on other aspects of our life? Honestly, after being in prayer for about two years with other female executives, I can say that waiting and work impact us personally and professionally. For women who are just starting out in the workforce, this waiting can be for a first job. A recent article in Forbes online[1] noted that two of five recent graduates do not feel their college or university properly prepared them for their transition to work. In addition to this perceived lack of preparation, employers are also biased about hiring recent college grads. Statistically, 50% of hiring managers at a supervisory level and above feel this group of candidates is not adequately prepared for the workforce. The pandemic only compounded the issues recent classes are experiencing when trying to obtain a position. And they find themselves waiting—not only for a job but simply for an interview. With this age group already feeling the impact of isolation from the pandemic, the added stressors of finding a postgraduate position can lead to discouragement. As “an older saint”, as a Gospel Coalition article[2] might deem me, my role in helping these younger believers in their waiting is critical. Simply networking and providing mentorship can help encourage and connect graduates to new opportunities. It is also important to point them to encouragement in God’s Word. How many young followers of God waited for their job? King David’s first job was that of a lowly sheep herder. His father didn’t even invite him to the dinner that was called when Samuel was sent by the Lord to anoint a new king for Israel. Even after he was anointed, David continued to tend the sheep, and was a musician for Saul. He had some odd jobs as we might say, until he finally became king. Along the way he sought encouragement from the Lord but also in dear counsel from people like Samuel and Jonathan. While recent graduates are experiencing a hard time landing a first position, there are many women in transition at a senior level as well. In many of the calls I have with other female executives, we call ourselves “the middle”. We deal with the real pressures of work while also raising children and maybe managing aging parents. Not to mention, we may have our own health issues. Using the word transition for this group of women in the workforce takes a different shape. It doesn’t just mean they are unemployed seeking employment. This transition may also look like stepping down from a leadership position, starting their own business, or looking for a promotion.  In addition, many women are experiencing ageism at work. Statistically, more older women are being forced out of the workforce than men. Some research states that women are 50% more likely to experience ageism at work than their male counterparts. Working women who have been waiting for that more senior role or promotion or who may be seeking new employment are faced with a particular worldview. This worldview is described in an article by The Kit[3] as one that made them feel “diminished, devalued, demeaned.” The article from March of 2023 also says, “For every career win for a woman over 50, there are countless humiliating losses. Some play out publicly, like when CNN morning show host Don Lemon declared U.S. presidential candidate Nikki Haley past her prime at 51.” For our listeners today, I would tell you I am encroaching on 50, and see so many vibrant, working women with successful careers well past 50. However, if we don’t look at the reality of how ageism can cause waiting, or even unemployment, we can’t even start to address the issue. As Christian working women, we too can experience ageism in a secular workforce. Just this week one of the women in my prayer group told us she struggles believing in her worthiness as sh...
7/27/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Letting Go of Joy Stealers – 5

Wise Solomon wrote, Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom (Song of Songs 2:15). What are the little foxes that ruin your days and attitudes and rob you of joy and peace? We’ve looked at four of these little foxes this week: hurt feelings, petty fears, worrying, and false guilt. The final one today is the fear of trusting God. I spent many years “doing my own thing,” as we say, not obedient to God’s voice in my life. As I look back on that time, I now recognize the underlying problem as a fear of trusting God with control of my life. I was actually fearful of allowing the God of the universe to run my show. How I could have been so stupid for so long? Are you hanging on to the controls of your life, afraid to trust God, as if to say you know what’s better for you than God does? Of course, you don’t think those thoughts; I didn’t either. I just lived my life that way. Maybe you are, too. If you have been fearful of trusting God, I pray you will recognize it and see how foolish and sinful it is to fear trusting God. I remember well the sleepless night when I finally said, “God, I’ll trust you.” It became clear to me he couldn’t possibly do a worse job at running my life than I was doing! That was the beginning of learning to trust God. In the intervening years, I have learned to trust him more and more, and know the joy and peace of his fellowship. And I testify to you today that God is trustworthy. The fear of trusting God is not such a little fox that ruins our lives. It is a big one, and I pray you’ll determine to get to know God better and better, because when you do, you will trust him and you’ll gladly let go of the controls to a God with all power, who loves you and wants only the best for you.
7/26/20243 minutes
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Letting Go of Joy Stealers – 4

What is false guilt? Do you know how to recognize it? I’m talking about the little foxes that can ruin our attitudes and cause harm to our Christian witness. And pretty high on that list for many of us is false guilt. False guilt is a guilt we impose upon ourselves. We allow it to take root in our minds, to start causing all kinds of bad feelings, to feed us all kinds of lies, which we begin to believe. Here are some examples of it: What we feel when we keep remembering what God has forgiven and forgotten! What we feel when someone appears to be disappointed in us. What we feel when we have to say no. What we feel when we try to please people and fail. What we feel when we allow others to dictate what and who we should be. What we feel when we are unfairly accused of something. And believe me, there are many more. Notice each one begins with what we feel. It’s a feeling—not grounded in truth—but nonetheless strong and real. One of the first signs you are dealing with false guilt is you can’t seem to pinpoint exactly why you feel guilty. If you had to state why you feel guilty, you’d say things like, “Well, I just never seem to get it right,” or “She’s always telling me that I need to improve” or “I just can’t seem to make anyone happy.” Perhaps the false guilt we suffer from the most is guilt over our past. We tend to go back and remember the sins of the past, and even though they are forgiven, and God remembers them no longer, we don’t seem to be able to purge our memory. Is that true of you? The first and most important step in learning to manage false guilt is to recognize it as false. The second step is to replace wrong thinking with right thinking. You start praising the Lord, singing a good song, or reciting all your blessings. Refuse to allow the thoughts of false guilt to have a place in your mind. And the more you do this, the less false guilt you’ll have to deal with. You can have victory over this little fox through prayer and bringing your thoughts under control. Life is so much nicer when you get rid of false guilt.
7/25/20243 minutes
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Letting Go of Joy Stealers – 3

I’m sure you recognize the most useless and unproductive thing most of us do very often is to worry, and yet we worry. I’m talking about the little things—the little foxes—that often steal our joy and make us miserable. How do we let go of worrying? Is it really possible to come to a place where we truly don’t waste time worrying? After all, life is full of worrying things, and are we supposed to be cavalier and nonchalant, as though those things don’t bother us at all? Jesus fully understands our propensity to worry, and he addressed it strongly in his Sermon on the Mount. Basically, he said don’t worry about your life—what you eat, what you wear, or where you will live—because your heavenly Father promises to provide what you need. Jesus said, Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself (Matthew 6:34). Worrying is totally worthless, but even more than that, worrying is faithless! I just don’t think we often put worry into the category of sin, do we? We worry and worry and never think to apologize to God and repent of this sin of worrying. Paul wrote, Everything that does not come from faith is sin (Romans 14:23b). Worrying does not come from faith. Therefore, continually worrying about anything is a sin.  Worrying can become addictive. You can get into such a rut of worrying that you are in worry mode most all the time. If you truly want to get over worrying, the first thing you need to do is to confess your worrying sins. What do you worry about most? Here are some common ones: Paying the bills Finding a cure for a health issue Finding a job Finding a mate Trying to control something or someone How to control your children/mate/siblings/parents How will you be able to retire What is on your list? I encourage you to ask God to forgive you for anything you worry about and be specific. As you learn you can, by God’s grace, get rid of that little fox, it will encourage you to continue to let go of worrying.
7/24/20243 minutes
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Letting Go of Joy Stealers – 2

What are the little foxes that are ruining your joy and causing you pain? I’m focusing on the small hurtful things that we allow to ruin our days and steal our joy. Solomon wrote: Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom (Song of Songs 2:15). We want to catch those little foxes and get them out of our lives. Now we know fear is one of the enemy’s favorite weapons and we are all vulnerable to what I call “petty fears.” Let’s address a few of those smaller ones, those joy-stealing fears that are truly unnecessary. Fear of a Dreaded Outcome: These are the fears that something bad just might happen, so to avoid that possibility we limit our activities and set unnecessary boundaries in our lives. These fears interfere with your everyday life, limit where you go and what you do, and can keep you from experiences that are often enriching and delightful. Fear of Change: “That’s the way we’ve always done it” can be a verbal cover-up for petty fear. Change can truly bring petty fears out of the closet! And there are lots more. Getting over petty fears doesn’t mean you get rid of the emotion that accompanies these fears. It means you go forward despite them: You get on that airplane with your knees knocking, but you get on. You say, “Sure, I’ll try” when asked to step out of your comfort zone. You agree to a change in procedures, even though you wonder how you’ll ever learn that new software. Once you take a first courageous step to overcome a fear, you begin to see new avenues of interest, new opportunities, and things to learn and do that were hidden to you before. And conquering fear in one area gives you strength to tackle other areas of fear. Other petty fears can plague us, so if you recognize a little fox you need to get rid of, like everything else, it is done through prayer and God’s Word.
7/23/20243 minutes
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Letting Go of Joy Stealers

There is a verse in Song of Songs that I want to consider this week: Catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that ruin the vineyards, our vineyards that are in bloom (Song of Songs 2:15). I want to talk about the “little foxes” in our lives—the things that may seem insignificant when in reality they are stealing our joy and keeping us from God’s peace. For example, harboring hurt feelings is a common “little fox” that is very harmful. Why do we hang on to hurt feelings so long, since we heap unhappiness on our own heads? We certainly don’t get any revenge on our offenders by hanging on to hurt feelings. If you think a pity party will relieve some of your hurt, think again! The more you feel sorry for yourself, the more you will try to find comfort in self-pity—it’s a vicious cycle that never works! Years ago, God began to reveal to me how hooked I was on pity parties. And for the first time I realized God sees it as a sin. Whether you or I have a legitimate complaint, wallowing in self-pity, nurturing our hurt feelings is simply wrong. I recognize some hurts may indeed require some time and help for healing. But just think about the little things that hurt your feelings in your everyday life. Like when a person ignores you, a friend speaks to you in an unfriendly way, a relative didn’t call when she knew you were not feeling well, when your boss didn’t give you credit for an important project, or your husband didn’t notice your new hairdo. These are all little foxes that ruin your attitude and steal your joy. How do you let go of these little foxes? Well, the hurt is in your mind, your thoughts, so you have to bring those hurtful thoughts into captivity, as the Bible says, and refuse to let your thoughts go there. Replace those thoughts with good ones—thankful thoughts, praising thoughts. Easily hurt feelings produce pity parties, and they are pitiful. If this is one of your little foxes, make it a matter of regular prayer and allow the Holy Spirit to remind you to think about good things and not those little hurt feelings you tend to nurture.
7/22/20243 minutes
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Making Peace with Your Future

No doubt where I am in this stage of life has something to do with my focus on the future rather than the past. My future is shorter than my past. I’ve probably lived two-thirds or three-quarters of my life—or maybe much more. No one knows the number of her days except God. But I’m confident that my number of days remaining on this earth is less than the number I’ve lived already—unless God chooses to make me the oldest woman alive or something like that! Maybe, like me, you’re coming to grips with the reality that you’re facing a shorter future than you would like. Perhaps you’re facing a future as a single person, or so it seems, and you are fearful of not having a companion or mate. Your unknown could be some health issues that are worrying you, or some job issues. What is it about your future that concerns you? I am not a strategic thinker. I just try to keep my head above water and get done what needs to be done each day. So, it’s not my nature to think about what life will be like in five years or ten years or twenty years. I’ve had more or less the idea that things will always be the way they are, and I’ll keep going forever. One of my favorite comebacks is “age is only a number,” meaning don’t think about it. Just keep going for Jesus. I’m glad God made me that way, and I fully intend to keep going for Jesus. But as the number of years has continued to pile up, and as I’ve watched others even younger than me face death, and as my knee hurts sometimes, and my hair gets thinner and I forget things I never used to forget, I can no longer ignore the reality that I won’t live forever. There is no guarantee that I’ll even be here tomorrow. And furthermore, it’s mostly out of my control. And that kind of thinking can rob my peace very easily. It’s the kind of mild depression that you don’t share with anyone very much, but it’s there. I don’t know what the future holds; I don’t know the number of my days, and when I allow my mind to go to the unknowns, my peace doesn’t flow like a river. So, what do I mean by making peace with your future? I’m talking about making peace with the unknown. Becoming comfortable not knowing. And no matter what stage of life you are now in—no matter how many days are left for you on this earth—we all share a common discomfort about our future, do we not? I think it’s safe to say we all harbor some fear of the future. For many of us, living in the unknown often can feel worse than receiving actual bad news. At least we know what the bad news is. But wondering when “the other shoe will fall,” letting your mind conjure up all kinds of possibilities of what the future might hold, can steal your peace faster than anything else. Here’s the thing: You might as well make peace with your future since no amount of fear or discomfort or anxiety or your need to conquer the unknown will change the fact that the unknown is exactly that—unknown and unknowable. No person, no test, no new scientific discovery can cure you of “Unknownaphobia”! Have you caught that disease—Unknownaphobia? Do you need to make peace with your future—peace with the unknown? Well, let me give you a few suggestions—things that have helped me make peace with my future. Learn to Live in Today Jesus gave us this advice: Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). Jesus gives us the grace to handle today—not yesterday or tomorrow, just today. Unknownaphobia is a result of worrying about tomorrow—that’s the root cause. Why don’t you memorize this verse and just quote it to yourself several times a day. Mary, don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. You’re thinking “But it’s not that simple.”  Yes, it is. Simple—not easy—but simple. You must apply God’s Word, God’s truth to what you’re facing—right then at the moment you’re going through it.
7/20/20240
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Waiting on God – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop I want to examine the blessing of waiting on God. I know waiting and blessing may not seem like they go hand in hand, but they often do. It’s our perspective that can blind us to seeing the blessing. We live in a fast-paced world where instant gratification is the norm. Fast is at our fingertips. Yet, as followers of Jesus, our spiritual journey often requires us to wait, and waiting can test our patience, reveal our faith, and tamper with our trust in God. But those who wait on the Lord shall 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). This verse is a powerful reminder that waiting on God is not passive. It is an intentional and active engagement of our faith. Isaiah teaches us it’s actually in the waiting God renews our strength, gives us endurance, and prepares us for the journey ahead. Waiting builds resilient faith because we acknowledge the sovereignty and timing when we wait on God, admitting his plans are higher than ours and his understanding surpasses our own. This act of surrender is crucial for our spiritual growth. It's easy to rush ahead and try to force our plans, but God’s timing is perfect. He sees the bigger picture we cannot see. He knows what you need and when you need it. The story of Abraham and Sarah is an example of waiting. God promised them a son, but they had to wait 25 years for Isaac’s birth. Their time of waiting wasn’t without struggle and doubt, yet God deepened their faith as they relied on him. When you find yourself in a season of waiting it’s important to stay connected to God through prayer, Scripture, and worship. Sometimes that is the last thing we want to do because waiting can cause our hearts to grow weary toward God. Waiting involves an expectant hope, trusting God will come through at the right moment. Waiting is also a time for preparation. God might be preparing your heart for something greater, something you’re not ready for just quite yet. If we let it, waiting on God brings us closer to him. In our desperation and dependence, we draw near to the heart of the Father. We learn to lean on him, to trust him, and to love him more deeply. So, if you find yourself in a season of waiting, be encouraged. God is with you. He has not forgotten you. Use this time to strengthen your faith, grow your relationship with him, and prepare for the good things he has in store.
7/19/20240
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Waiting on God – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop What do you radiate while you wait? When you find yourself waiting on God to come through, what is your attitude? We’ll examine how we carry ourselves when we are counting on God to come through. It is not easy to maintain a good attitude in times of waiting. We may start to complain, get impatient, grumpy, angry, jealous, or even resentful. What is your demeanor when you have to wait? No matter what it is you are waiting on God for, it’s easy to have a negative disposition and the enemy will do his best to discourage you by getting your focus off God and fixed on the very thing you do not have. But we can’t allow the devil to take us on a downward spiral of negative thoughts or emotions. The feelings that come with waiting will be real but when they arise, we need to bring them all to God. Talk to him and be honest about your frustration, your worry, doubt, fear, or resentment. After all, he already knows our hearts anyway. Scripture teaches us to remain hopeful in our times of waiting. Hope, by definition, has the connotation of waiting. It is an expectation of something to happen. We can put our hope in a lot of things, but as Christians ultimately our hope is in Christ. We can always count on him to come through at his appointed time. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). Don’t let your feelings fool you and pull you into a negative spin cycle. I know it is easier said than done, but focus on the faithfulness of God so you can radiate the spiritual fruit of patience, peace, joy, and faithfulness as you wait. Waiting is hard but wouldn’t you rather look back on this time knowing you didn’t get sucked into complaining but instead you practiced reigning in your thoughts and attitudes? Plus, our attitudes leak onto the people around us. We’ve all been around people who cannot seem to regulate their emotions when things don’t go their way. This doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to feel moments of impatience, disappointment, or dismay, but as a follower of Jesus, we are called to have faith as we wait. If you find yourself waiting on God to move on your behalf, how can you focus on giving off a grateful glow because you know God is faithful as you wait? It may not be easy, but it will be worth it.
7/18/20240
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Waiting on God – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop I want to remind you being patient with God’s timing is worth the wait. About five years into my faith journey, I was desperately seeking answers to what I should do with my life. At that time, I was in a corporate job I could do and do well, but it wasn’t super fulfilling. I distinctly remember sitting in my living room talking to God saying, “God, I would really love to have a job where I get to do life with women, pouring into their faith and coming alongside them in every aspect of life.” Well, let’s just say that prayer was not answered until seven years later when “out of the blue,” I received a call from the church I had been a member of for 12 years. They created a new position for a director of women’s small groups, and they wanted me to apply. Now you may think I am crazy, but I didn’t initially see this opportunity as an answer to the prayer I had prayed seven years prior. It didn’t look like what I thought it would, which is a story for another day. But after several weeks of prayer, I accepted the role. There are a couple things I want to point out in my story I hope will encourage you in the waiting. The first is this: God does not always answer your prayers on your timeline. I know it is hard to hear. Especially if you have been waiting for quite some time. But God sees the full picture, and you don’t. While it may seem unfair, God is the one who is aware of what you need and when you need it. His timing is perfect. The second is this. Don’t squander the time in the waiting. While my job in the corporate arena left gaps in me feeling content, I intentionally looked for ways to invest my time outside of work that were life-giving. And one of those ways was by getting deeply involved in serving at my church. Serving not only allowed me to use my gifts, but it also positioned me to practice ministry and build trust and credibility with church leadership, which ultimately resulted in being offered a full-time ministry position. All too often we can be so focused on what we want things to look like we miss God’s provision in the meantime. How might God be calling you to invest your time as you wait? The final thing I want to mention is you will not always get what you pray for. God answers all our prayers but the way he provides may be very different from your vision of his provision. This is where determining to trust the Lord comes into play. The answer to your prayers may not look like you thought but as Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us, Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). God’s timing is worth the wait.
7/17/20240
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Waiting on God – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop What is something you are currently waiting for? Whether you’re waiting for a job, vindication for an injustice, or a prodigal kid to come home, what you focus on when you wait matters. In Psalm 25:5, King David is in the midst of waiting for deliverance from his enemies when he cries out, guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long. We’re not sure of David’s exact circumstances when he penned this plea to the Lord. While David is known for finding himself in sticky situations and long periods of waiting, one thing we see throughout the book of Psalms is how he waited on the Lord. The origin of the word wait in Psalm 25 means to look for, to expect, to eagerly wait for, to bind together by twisting, be strong and robust, to stretch. You will be stretched in the waiting. One commentary says the picture of binding and twisting is one of being intertwined with God in the midst of the waiting. In the waiting, there is the tension of enduring, of remaining, of relying on and depending on Jesus. In the opening lines of David’s prayer, we see the disposition of his heart as he opens with this powerful decree, In you, Lord my God, I put my trust. I trust in you; do not let me be put to shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause (Psalm 25: 1-3). David was intentional about his focus on God as he waited. Psalm 25 is said to be “(It is) a wonderful display of the heart of a well-taught believer in a season of crisis” (The Enduring Word commentary).[1] I’m not sure what you are waiting for, but as you wait, who are you fixing your eyes on? In the waiting, it is our responsibility to train our minds, our hearts, and our thoughts to remember the character of God. And when our faith feels like it is flailing, to remember God’s faithfulness, preach the truth to ourselves and praise him. We can easily find ourselves focusing on pain or fear and forgo the reliance on God that waiting can produce. There is training and a forging of our faith as we grow in maturity in the wait. As David ends his song to God, he makes one final request: May integrity and uprightness preserve me, for I wait for you (Psalm 25:21). Let’s make our petition to God, the author, and perfecter of our faith as we wait. [1] Guzik, D. (2019, July 2). David Guzik Bible Commentary on Enduring Word. Enduring Word. https://enduringword.com/
7/16/20240
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Waiting on God

Presented by Lisa Bishop Have you ever felt wronged by someone at work? Maybe you are in the midst of a challenging situation right now. A coworker taking credit for something you poured your heart and soul into and now they are getting the kudos instead of you. Maybe you’ve been poorly treated, pushed aside for a promotion, or flat-out lied about. How do you react when your circumstances seem unfair? Several years ago, I worked for an organization that was riddled with gossip and a few toxic personalities that made a huge impact on the culture. At one point I found myself being the target of gossip, and needless to say, I was sad, disappointed, and mad. Instead of responding in anger, I brought it to the Lord and asked him for wisdom. I prayed for insight and trusted he would guide me on how to respond and ultimately, he would make things right. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.” Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:17-21). It can be tempting to launch a counterattack when you feel mistreated or maligned, but as followers of Jesus, in the midst of trying times, we are called to a higher way of being. You and I are called to wait; don’t retaliate. Now does this mean we should never speak up when we are mistreated? No. There are times when we need to address issues with grace, tact, and humility. The point is, it can be so enticing to fight back and let our emotions flare up, to dream up ways to get even. But when you are treated wrongly, keep in mind the world around you is watching. Through your self-restraint, fueled by faith that God sees and works on your behalf, the glory of God will be put on display and show people a better way. The next time you find yourself wanting to react in the heat of the moment, take a deep breath and ground yourself in the Lord. Develop the habit of responding rightly when you are wronged. Wait, don’t retaliate.
7/15/20240
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Waiting on God

Presented by Lisa Bishop Before we dive in, I have a question for you. How are you? Really, how are you doing? How is your faith in Jesus these days? There is a lot going on in the world and there may even be a lot happening in your life right now. You might find yourself in a sweet season with the Lord. You may be going through a rough patch in your faith, in one of your darkest seasons, or somewhere in between. I pray you know you are not alone. I don’t think we talk about our struggles enough. We can maintain a code of silence when life is hard or our faith wavers because we are afraid of what people will say. We wonder, “Will they think I’m not a good enough Christian if I share I am struggling?” “Will I be shunned if I am doubting or weary?” And so, we silently suffer, and our faith can suffer even more. In our silence, we run the risk of reaching a point where we isolate and withdraw from community. No matter where you are and how strong, or weak your faith is, I pray that today encourages you. In my quiet time I’ve been reading through the book of Psalms. The Psalms are a collection of prayers, songs, and praises to God. They are filled with raw honesty as they catalog the Psalmist’s highs and lows of life, along with laments, longings, unwelcome circumstances, and crying out in long seasons of waiting. Waiting can sometimes lead to feelings of frustration and doubt. When answers don't come, we might start questioning God's goodness or presence. The Psalms remind us that God's silence is not his absence. They are a profound reminder of the faithfulness and character of God. If you have never studied the Psalms, I highly recommend you do. Not just cherry-picking verses but reading the fullness and richness of every Psalm from beginning to end. Let God renew your mind, speak into your life, and reveal his character through the cries of the Psalmist. Romans 12:2, says, be transformed by the renewing of your mind. This verse reminds us of the power of God’s Word in creating life-long positive change. We all want change for the better, but it requires action on our part. And that action is disciplining ourselves to dwell on the Word of God. Sounds counterintuitive, doesn’t it? Dwelling in the Word and discipline. We want it to be easy. We want to feel like doing something before we actually do it. But sometimes we need the sheer act of will to do what we know is helpful and good and fruitful for us as followers of Jesus. And that is spending time with God and his Word. It’s really important that you and I have a rich and deep understanding of the gospel and a solid theological framework to even begin to make sense of some of the things that happen throughout the course of our lives. But too often we can settle for a Sunday faith and a sip of the gospel rather than an everyday faith that permeates every corner of our life. A faith deeply rooted in the living Word of God and empowered by the Holy Spirit. Psalm 1:1-3 says, Blessed is the one… whose delight is in the law of the Lord, and who meditates on his law day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields fruit in its season and does not wither. That is one profound truth of immersing yourself in Scripture; it will keep you from withering. So what does being in God’s Word have to do with waiting on God? Sometimes waiting on God can cause us to wither. We grow weary in the waiting. You may be hoping for a long-awaited answer to prayer for financial provision, a job promotion, or vindication from a wrong committed against you. Waiting for God to provide a spouse, for your marriage to be restored, or for emotional or physical healing. Waiting is hard. Whether we are waiting on something big that can be life-altering or waiting in line, on hold, or in traffic, none of us likes to wait. We get impatient. We want to burst out in anger, or we internalize the pain of the wait and find ways to cope and numb the discontentme...
7/13/20240
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God’s Stop and Go Lights – 5

Are you in the bad habit of stopping on God's green lights? I wonder, what keeps you from going? Are you fearful of the future and uncertain about the path? Fear is never from God; it is always from the enemy, and it reflects our lack of trust. Maybe you're stopping on the go light because you see yourself as inadequate for the job. You are inadequate in yourself but totally capable through Christ. The wonderful thing about our Lord is when he gives us a go light, he also supplies the motor and the fuel to drive the engine. But we have to put the gears in forward and say, "I'm ready, Lord; let's go.” Or maybe you're in stop mode simply because you're lazy. Remember the parable of the talents? When the servant with one talent didn't do anything with his resource, the master reprimanded him strongly. "You wicked, lazy slave," he said. Laziness is a very strong offense to God; to him it's wicked, not just a bad habit or a little character fault. Perhaps you're stopping when you should be going because you don't want to go in the direction God is guiding you. You had a different plan for your life, and you can't imagine God's plan is best for you. Oh my, do you realize how much you're missing by refusing to go in God's direction? He has good plans for you, plans to bless you and to prosper you. For ten years I chose to go my own way and refused to let God guide my way. I just didn't believe I could be happy doing it God's way, and so I spent ten years in selfishness and a lot of misery. But once I said, "Lord, I will go on your green light, and allow you to guide me," I discovered such fulfillment and excitement and contentment in his path. Stop or go—where are you today? Remember both are in God's will for our lives at different times. Sometimes he tells us to get going and move fast, and other times we hear his "Be still and know that I am God.” We are most fulfilled, most satisfied and most contented when we willingly obey God's stop and go lights in our lives.
7/12/20240
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God’s Stop and Go Lights – 4

We know from Numbers 9 God used an ingenious stop and go light for his people when they were in the desert. He put a cloud over the tabernacle Tent, and when the cloud was covering the Tent, that was the red light. They stayed put. When the cloud lifted, that was the green light. They moved on. God has stop and go lights for us, too. I want to talk about what happens when we stop on God's green light. Think about what happens when we sit still at God's green lights. We impede not only our own progress, but others as well. The Body of Christ is meant to work together, as the parts of our own body do. When one part of the body is supposed to be moving and it doesn't, the rest of the body gets slowed down, doesn't it? Are you slowing down some progress today because you're sitting still when God wants you to move? Are you letting others carry the load you should be carrying? Are you sitting on the sidelines instead of getting in the race and running? If so, you're slowing others down. And you're missing the blessing that comes in doing. Jesus told his disciples: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:17). When we stop on God's go light, we waste precious time. Time is a resource God has given to us for which we will give an account. Think about what you've done with your time in the last week, the last month, the last year. Would you like to stand before God now and give an account as to how you've used that irreplaceable resource called time? It's hard to guide a car that isn't moving, but once you get it going, you can guide it easily. Are you asking God to give you guidance before you get in motion? God wants you to step out on faith and trust him to light your path as you go. But he's not going to shine a light on your path until you start walking down it. How do you know if God wants you to go or not? Ask trusted counselors; seek a verse of confirmation; pray about it much. And if the light is green, go. If God shuts the door, then you know it's time to stop again, but as long as the light is green, trust God; get moving.
7/11/20240
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God’s Stop and Go Lights – 3

Have you ever been stuck at a red light, and you think it'll never change? Sometimes it seems like God has us stuck at a red light and we're never going to get anywhere, but there's nothing we can do to make it turn green. The waiting periods of our lives, however, are very important to our spiritual growth, for through them we learn to walk by faith and not by sight. When we can accept our waiting periods, even though we don't understand what's happening, and tell the Lord we choose to trust him anyway, we then transfer the responsibility for the situation over to God and the monkey is off our backs. Don't we frequently misunderstand God when he has us stopped at a red light? We may even doubt his love and care for us, for our minds tell us that if he really cared, he'd move on our behalf right now. But God is willing to have us misunderstand him in order to achieve his goal for us: teaching us to walk by faith and not by sight. I recall a three-year delay God gave me, when I so wanted to leave a job I was in. From my vantage point, no good could be served by remaining in that job another day. It was so painful to make myself go to that office each morning. So, in my usual style, I got the resume updated, and started the job search. I had full confidence I could find something suitable quickly. Days turned into weeks and months, and jobs that looked like a shoe-in fell through. I asked: "Why did you let that job fall through? That would have gotten me out of this mess.” But finally, I gave him permission to keep me there as long as it served his purposes, though I couldn't imagine what good purposes could possibly be served. That's the place we must come to. Had I left that job when I wanted to, I would have missed three years of personal development that have been essential to my walk with God and the ministry he has given me. The tough lessons I learned then molded my character significantly. And in addition, during those years I acquired business skills and experience that allowed me to be self-employed, and that turned out to be essential in beginning this ministry. God knew what he was doing. If you're in that predicament today, wondering why God hasn't done anything yet, try to remember the day will come when you can look back and see how he was developing you in that time. Someday he'll give you a green light to go.
7/10/20240
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God’s Stop and Go Lights – 2

I'm examining God's stop and go lights. He gives us clear signals and when we miss them or disobey them, we find ourselves in trouble. As I mentioned earlier, I tend to think if I'm not going, I'm not doing the right thing. But often God gives me a stop light, and I need to learn stop lights are in God's will for me, just like go lights are. Do you remember Peter on the mount of transfiguration, when Elijah and Moses appeared with Jesus? The light dazzled them, and Peter didn't know what to say, but he talked anyway, saying “This is terrific. We should be doing something—let's build three shrines here to memorialize this occasion.” Peter had big plans and thought surely God and everyone else would be impressed. But the voice from heaven said, This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him! (Mark 9:7). Or, in other words, "Please be quiet, Peter; you don't know what to say so why are you talking. This is not a time to build; it's a time to listen.” Peter wanted to go; God said stop. And then I think of Martha who told the Lord it was time for Mary to cook—to get in that kitchen and do something. But Jesus told Martha that Mary had chosen the better way, the way of listening and learning and spending time in his presence. That was hard for Martha to understand because she thought the person who was working the hardest was the one doing the right thing. Jesus taught her: Be still, Martha, and know that I am God. Have you been going and going, trying to make things happen on your own, ignoring God's stop signals? Waiting is hard, isn't it? But all of us have to spend some time in God's waiting room, learning to look up at his cloud and wait for his signal, learning to trust him. Waiting is difficult for me because I don't like the unknown, because I want everything in neat little rows, no problems left unsolved. Waiting is hard for me when I think I know the right solution and can see no benefit in waiting for it to happen. Waiting is hard for me because I tend to be a controlling person, and I want everything to be on schedule—my schedule, that is. When I take a closer look, I have to conclude my problem is I don't want to let go and trust God. I'm afraid to trust God. It is a false trust in myself. If you tend to go on God's stop lights, I want to encourage you to remember the waiting room is not wasted time; it is where you need to be sometimes while God is making your path straight.
7/9/20240
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God’s Stop and Go Lights

All of us understand stop and go lights. We are controlled by them daily. Well, God has stop and go lights for us, and we need to recognize and obey them. I want to talk about what happens when we stop when God says go or go when God says stop. In Numbers 9 we find the Israelites in the desert on their way to the Promised Land, and God had instructed them to build a tabernacle in the Tent of Testimony. This was a sacred place, which was covered with a cloud that looked like fire. Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; whenever it settled over the Tent, the Israelites encamped. It was a stop and go cloud. Sometimes they would stop only for a night's rest and then continue; the cloud would lift the next morning. And sometimes it would stay for two days or a month—or a year! They never knew; they simply had to look for God's sign, then obey. Also, I notice God did not give them explanations for the stop and go signs. All they knew was to stop or go. Therefore, they had to trust God. If they had gone when God said stop, they would have been lost. If they had stopped when God said go, they would have missed out on important progress to the Promised Land. Now, think, when you're driving and you decide to go on a stop light, you may run into someone you need to avoid, causing all kinds of relationship problems. You affect your own progress, and that of others as well. Then you can easily get in trouble with the authorities. If a traffic officer sees you, you're sure to get a ticket. The same is true in our walk with God when we decide to go before he has given us the green light. We run into trouble of all kinds. If you're an action-oriented person like I am, this is a lesson you have to learn and re-learn many times. If I'm not moving, then I feel like something must be wrong. I tend to barrel ahead, looking at the goal line, running in my own strength many times, thinking I'm getting the job done for the Lord. Often, I can find myself going ahead without prayer or guidance. But I'm having to learn when I go on a stop signal, I get in the way of what God wants to do for me and through me. Going on a stop light causes lots of problems.
7/8/20240
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Overreacting

Well, today is not such a good day for Fran. In fact, she is at the point of tears as she comes back to her office from a business meeting with her most important client. Closing her door, she plops in her chair and brushes away a tear that tries to escape. "Why did he say that to me?" she says out loud to herself. "Why would he be so cruel to me? I worked so hard on that promotion, and he shot it down without even listening to my idea!" "Feelings hurt today?" Jesus softly asks, though of course he has no need to ask since he knows everything. Fran is again reminded of his abiding presence in her life. "Well, I don't know if it's my feelings that were hurt. . ." she stammers; "I think it was the crass insensitivity and unprofessionalism of Mr. Andrews. He was unnecessarily brutal." "Feelings are hurt, Fran," Jesus states. "Might as well admit it; nothing to be ashamed of. Everyone gets their feelings hurt from time to time." “Well, yeah, I guess he hurt my feelings. I mean, I’ve worked so hard for that account and before this he liked everything I did,” Fran explains. “Now out of the blue he hits me with this response—so unfair, you know.” "What exactly did he say?" Jesus asks. "You were there, Lord," Fran replies, with a bit of frustrated sarcasm. Jesus laughs. "Yes, but it would be good for you to repeat what has upset you so much." Fran feels ashamed of her inappropriate reaction. "I'm sorry. Well, he said I had not researched this promotion adequately and he was not comfortable going with my idea until I did my homework." "And what was wrong with that comment?" Jesus asked. "What was wrong? I had an entire report backing up my idea. I did my homework. I always do my homework. That's what's gotten me where I am; everybody knows Fran does the job right," Fran responds. “A bit defensive, are we?” Jesus quietly asks. Fran doesn't like where this conversation is heading, so she suddenly gets busy with her work. "Nobody understands me," she mumbles to herself, all the time knowing it's not true. She’s not yet ready to give up her pity party! As she's leaving the office that afternoon, her friend, Alice, pops in. "Hi, want to grab some pizza tonight with the kids?” "Oh, Alice, I'm so glad you came by," Fran lights up. "I was going to call you and see if you could come over tonight. I need to talk with you." "What about?" she asks. "Oh, I had a rough meeting with Mr. Andrews. I need some advice," she replies. They make plans for Alice to get the pizza while she picks up her children. After a time with the kids, some homework assignments, and a Bible story, Fran gets Drew and Alice to bed. Then the two of them settle down for their long talk. "Okay, let me have it," Alice says. Tears start to come to her eyes again and Fran says, "Oh, it's probably no big deal but Mr. Andrews really let me have it today in front of everybody. You know that big promotion I've been working on–well, he said I didn't have sufficient research to proceed and to 'take it back to the drawing boards,' to use his words. He said there were too many unanswered questions." Fran pauses and looks at Alice, waiting for her response, still fighting to hold back her tears. Alice nods and says, "And. . ." "And what?" Fran raises her voice. "Isn't that enough?" "Well, I mean, is that all he said?" Alice asks. "Don't you think that was very rude and unprofessional of him? I mean, in front of everybody. . ." Fran says in frustration. "Who was there?" Alice asks. "His assistant, Bernie, and Jim from the Art Department," Fran says. "Uh, huh," Alice cautiously responds. "That's not exactly 'everybody', Fran," she says. "Oh, you just don't understand, Alice!" Fran is angry. "I guess you're thinking it was just an overreaction.” "Come on, Fran, give me a break," Alice says. "How about giving me a break and trying to be understanding?" she says. "Okay, I want to be understanding,
7/6/20240
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Why God Waits to Answer – 5

I wonder, do you have days when you feel like the score is: the world - 100; God - 0? Does it sometimes appear you're on the losing team? You go to a job where God is irrelevant to the people around you. Where his name is used only in profanity, and they seemingly give no thought to God as creator, ruler, or sovereign. You're in a daily environment where a commitment to Jesus Christ is looked upon as foolish, naive, laughable. When you apply biblical principles in your everyday world, people take advantage of you, ignore you, or discount your ideas altogether. Let's face it, that's the way it seems at times. You're walking the straight and narrow, but what for? Where does it get you? The other team does what they please and get ahead for it. Do you sometimes feel like joining the other team? Are you tired of being in the minority all the time—seemingly losing all these skirmishes you face every day? I want to encourage you today to remember one thing: The final chapter has been written, and we know what the end will be. I think of the young boy who was reading a thrilling mystery book when his mom insisted he put the book down and do his chores. "But, mom, I'm in the fourth chapter and the villain has the hero in his clutches. Looks like he's going to die! I can't quit now." But mom insisted so hurriedly he flips to the last chapter and reads the final page. He then bounds into the kitchen where his mother is waiting and says, "Wow, that old villain is doing real good in Chapter 4, but just wait till he gets to the end of the book. Is he in for a surprise." It looked like disaster in Chapter 4, but when you know the end, then Chapter 4 takes on a whole new perspective. Maybe you're in Chapter 4 today, and you need to flip to the end and read the last page. It's already been written, and I can tell you the outcome: Jesus wins and those of us who are his followers will win and reign with him. Read Revelations 20, 21, and 22 today. Remember, God has not lost control of this world. He is bringing it to its end in his time and for his purposes. He is sovereign, and he still reigns in heaven. So, as you head into that world where it may appear the score is unevenly in favor of the world's crowd, remember the last chapter, and don't let Chapter 4 get you down. If you know Christ as your savior, you're on the winning team!  
7/5/20240
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Why God Waits to Answer – 4

Would you love to catch the next flight to some forgotten island and leave no forwarding address? Running away sure looks appealing sometimes, doesn't it? I sure have those feelings of wanting to run away from everything occasionally. King David felt that way, too. He wrote, Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest (Psalm 55:6). Maybe your job is just driving you crazy. Could be a difficult boss or a boring job; could be the people you work with or too much work. Or perhaps you're having troubles with relationships; they can make you want to fly away. Maybe it's your spouse, or your child, or some other family member. Could be a close friend, a romantic relationship. Undoubtedly for many people it's financial worries that make them want to run away. Whatever it is that's giving you the run-away blues, I want you to know you're not alone. I remember when I begged God to let me out of a job I was in. I wanted out so badly, I thought I couldn't take another day. But God made it clear to me he had a purpose in keeping me there for a while longer. And finally, I agreed to submit and stay there until his time was up. I look back and see why: I needed to learn many spiritual lessons in that spot, and now I wouldn't take anything for those lessons. There were people with whom I formed friendships and shared the meaning of the Lordship of Jesus Christ. I wouldn't have missed that opportunity for anything. And, like icing on the cake, the business knowledge I gained by hanging in another couple of years gave me the resource and experience I needed to start my own consulting company. It's easy to see that now, but at the time all I could do was simply agree with God to persevere. Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully (2 John 8). Most of us give up just before the victory! And when we do, we waste all the hard work and effort that's been poured into our lives. I want to encourage you today to persevere. Say with King David instead of running away you will cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55:22).
7/4/20240
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Why God Waits to Answer – 3

Sometimes I feel like I take three spiritual steps forward and five backward. Do you get that same feeling? Sometimes it just looks like I'll never make real progress, and I'm frequently so very disappointed in myself. It's bad enough other people let us down all the time, but it's really difficult when we disappoint ourselves. Just recently I lost my patience with someone and raised my voice in anger. And a few minutes later as I calmed down and realized what I'd done, I just couldn't believe I had allowed that to happen. I was so disappointed in myself. With all I know and all I teach to others, how could I fail so miserably? I think it's healthy for us to realize not only will others disappoint us, we'll disappoint ourselves. We can't even trust ourselves. And from this, we can learn to trust God even more. An ancient saint of God, Fenelon, wrote the following: "Do not be surprised at again finding yourself becoming sensitive, impatient, haughty and self-willed. You must be made to understand that this is your natural disposition, and without God's grace, you will never be anything different." This is what we need to learn—that never will we be able to please God or ourselves on our own. C. S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity: "Very often what God first helps us towards is not the virtue itself but just the power of always trying again. It cures our illusions about ourselves and teaches us to depend on God. We learn, on the one hand, that we cannot trust ourselves even in our best moments, and on the other, that we need not despair even in our worst, for our failures are forgiven."[1] If you've been disappointed in yourself lately, use it as a time to cure your illusions about yourself, and remember even at your best, you have nothing to offer God except your heart and your will, and at your weakest and your worst, he can transform you into a vessel for his glory. [1] Lewis, C. S. (1952). Mere Christianity. Harpercollins Publishers. (Original work published 1952)
7/3/20240
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Why God Waits to Answer – 2

Are you feeling anxious about something today? Are you very disturbed over a situation in your life? Does it seem impossible to find any rest and peace right now? Recently a passage in Isaiah 48 gave me some insight into the reasons behind the anxiety and unrest I was experiencing. This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: I am the Lord your God who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea (Isaiah 48:17-18). How incisively the Word of God cuts through and exposes the real issues. I was reminded anxiety and unrest are often a result of my failure to pay attention to what I know about God. Rarely do I need some new truth or principle to help me out; I just need to practice what I know already. I find I rarely make a deliberate decision to wander from God's principles. It's simply a failure to pay attention to what I know already. My focus becomes fractured. I move slightly off-center, simply because I haven't paid attention like I should. And when that happens, the results are loss of peace, loss of rest, anxiety, frustration. When you start to dig underneath those outward effects, you often discover the cause is failure to pay attention to God's commands. It may be something that seems very small, but if we walk away from doing it God's way, we can expect to lose the peace and rest we so need. The Lord told his people, if only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river (Isaiah 48:18). If you're missing peace in your life today, check out the obedience department and see if there's some area where you're not paying attention to God. Once you get that straightened out, that wonderful, marvelous, indescribable peace will return, like a river, flooding your heart and calming your nerves.
7/2/20240
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Why God Waits to Answer

Have you ever said: "Lord, it's enough! When are you going to do something about this? Why are you waiting so long?" Well, I don't know anyone who hasn't asked those questions of God at some time or another in their Christian walk. I certainly have. When it looks as though God has waited too long to answer your prayers, you need to stop and realize his purposes may be quite different from yours. Frequently before he responds to your need, he is adjusting you to the trouble and helping you learn a much-needed lesson. Maybe he wants to teach you that you can face and endure trouble as long as he is with you in the trouble. Then he will take you out of it. But it will not happen until you have stopped being restless and fretful about it. He may be waiting for you to be calm and quiet. Then he can say, "It is enough." Paul Billheimer wrote in Adventures in Adversity: "There can be no testing of character without delays...By this means, during delay, God is testing and developing character. It is easy to be impatient with God when we fail to understand the purpose of his delay. However, God is willing to be misunderstood in the universe he has made, in order to achieve his purpose of character development."[1] I recall a three-year delay God gave me, when I so wanted to leave a job I was in. And if I had left when I wanted to, I would have missed three years of personal development that have been essential to my walk with God and the ministry he has given me. The tough lessons I learned then molded my character and prepared me for what was ahead. When it was finally over, I wrote in my journal: "I praise you it is now enough. My time in this job is over, but I praise you did not end it until you had completed your work in me." It's easy to say that at the end, but difficult to say it in the middle, isn't it? If you're in that predicament today, wondering why God hasn't done anything yet, try to remember the day will come when you can look back and see how he was developing you in that time. Someday he'll say to you, "It is enough now." Until then, keep trusting and believing he waits so he can be gracious unto you. [1] Billheimer, P. (1984). Adventure in Adversity. Tyndale House Publishers.
7/1/20240
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Flex Your Holy Spirit Power Muscles

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Holy Spirit power! How do you know if you have it? I must admit, thinking about Holy Spirit power had me deep into God’s Word, seeking to understand if I was experiencing this power in my own life! Looking into God’s Word, we see the Holy Spirit present in Scripture starting in Genesis 1, throughout the Old Testament and especially in the New Testament. In fact, in Romans 8:11 we are told that the same power that raised Jesus from the grave is alive in us today! Wow! All of this had me thinking—how could I see this power? What I found was the disciples in the early church, and especially Paul, left behind many practical ways for us to evaluate our Holy Spirit power and to flex what I am calling our Holy Spirit power muscles! You see, just as the muscles in our body become more responsive to exercise, Holy Spirit power also becomes more responsive to how much we “exercise” or pay attention to how we display this power in our lives. I would like us to look at verses we have likely read before, but I am hoping that we look at them differently in light of Holy Spirit power. How do you know you have Holy Spirit power? First the indwelling of the Holy Spirit is reserved for those who place their faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. In Acts 2:38, Peter states, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Once you receive this gift, how do you know its power in your life? Well, we are told in Galatians 5:22 that the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, and self-control. I love the word fruit. Think about how fruit grows. It takes different forms of power to create fruit. Fertile soil, rain, sunshine, warmth. Just like we nurture our bodies in exercise to build muscles, plants must be nurtured to produce fruit! What kind of nurturing are you giving the fruit of the Spirit? You have likely read Galatians 5:22 many times and even heard a sermon or two about it, but have you used it to see how the power of the Holy Spirit is moving in your life? I started to think about each one of the fruits and how much or how little it was showing up in my life. To be even more specific, how was it showing up in my work? Love. You may be thinking love and work don’t mesh, but if you have Holy Spirit power working in your life, love is foundational to your work. And yes, this applies if you work in a secular workplace. The greatest commandment in the Bible is to love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind, and soul and to love your neighbor as yourself (Luke 10:27). As we dig deeper into Scripture, we see that a neighbor is anyone in our path who may be in need. The best example of love in the Bible is Jesus. How did Jesus love others? How does God love us? Unconditionally—as we are. How are you loving people at work? Even those who are different from you? Joy. Maybe you don’t like your job. In fact, you dread waking up to go every day. Or maybe you love your job! Often, we see the words joy and happiness used as synonyms but, what about biblical joy. I really liked this definition by John Piper: Christian joy is a good feeling in the soul, produced by the Holy Spirit, as he causes us to see the beauty of Christ in the word and in the world.[1] Why do I like this? First, because clearly, joy is a product of Holy Spirit power and second it tells us to see the beauty of Christ in the Word and in the world! Like me, your world includes work. Seeing the beauty of Christ could mean something as small as giving thanks for the job you have that brings financial provision, or maybe you have great relationships with the people you work with. Have you learned a new skill at work? All these seemingly mundane, worldly things can bring you joy if you see them through the lens of Christ. And when you are struggling,
6/29/20240
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Holy Spirit Power – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Have you ever felt drawn to talk with someone, and you didn’t know why? We will see how Holy Spirit power can often prompt us to talk with someone about a specific issue or situation. In the book of Acts, Holy Spirit power was very present in the early church. In Acts 8 we see Philip told by the Holy Spirit to go to that chariot and stay near to it. You may know this story. The Ethiopian enuch is in the chariot reading from the book of Isaiah. Philip tells this man about Jesus. From this encounter we see one of the first gentile conversions in the early church. Are you too busy to hear how Holy Spirit power may be leading you to approach someone in conversation? Our days are busy! But they shouldn’t be too busy to the point we ignore that feeling that we should approach someone to ask how their day is going! Holy Spirit power leading you into a conversation doesn’t always mean you are being asked to share the gospel, but it could be a step God is asking you to take that will display your faith at work through kindness. Is there a conversation you have been meaning to have but time has not allowed it? Sometimes at work it is easy to overlook the good that is going on around you—especially if other things are not going well or your schedule is just overloaded. One of the ways I seek Holy Spirit power is in the way I need to compliment and thank people for the work they do—especially if it helps me or the organization. Waiting for a formal opportunity or a performance review may be the norm in your organization, but I find small conversations, even in passing, that recognize a team member or colleagues’ work, can go a long way. Maybe you are like me and spend time in the morning in God’s word or in prayer. It is during this time I jot down 1-2 names and pray for an opportunity to tell them how much I appreciate them. Perhaps it is more complex. Is there a conversation you have been avoiding? You know, the one that has a knot in your stomach? Seeking Holy Spirit power in guiding your words can give you the confidence to move ahead and have the conversation. Again, spending time in prayer can bring you closer to helping seek the words and leading to this conversation. And, maybe Holy Spirit power is moving to tell you to share the gospel at work or invite someone to church. For some of you, this may feel like a risk at work, but taking a page from the early church in the book of Acts, we can look for ways the Holy Spirit may be moving in a conversation that allows us to have that next conversation. Perhaps it is as simple as offering to pray for a colleague in a time of need. Today, don’t ignore the Holy Spirit power urging you on to have a conversation!
6/28/20240
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Holy Spirit Power – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Did you know even if you don’t hold a formal leadership position, you are called and qualified as a leader for Jesus? If you have faith in Jesus, you are his ambassador for the gospel. Did you know even Jesus sought the Holy Spirit as he selected his disciples? Just as Jesus sought this wisdom in qualifying you, Holy Spirit power can also move in both your qualification and how you seek to select others to be part of your team. First, consider that being known to be full of the Spirit and wisdom was a qualification of those who were selected to serve in the early church. If you are truly working as a disciple of Jesus, the presence of Holy Spirit power in your life is a requirement! Not only was considering your qualification prayed over, but God is very specific in his assignments! In Acts 16 we see God set apart Barnabas and Saul to proclaim his word in Salamis. If you are working in a secular workspace, like many of us do, consider your qualification and assignment to reflect Jesus to others at work. We are also called and qualified to keep watch over ourselves and all of the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made us overseers (Acts 20:28). While the reference in this Scripture is to those in the early church, we know those that are on our teams have been entrusted to us—not only by the company we work for, but they are entrusted in our care by God. If we consider the power of the Holy Spirit in our watch over our flock, how would this change how we see the people on our team? Let Holy Spirit power move in you to show them care like a shepherd or overseer. But not only are we called to watch over those entrusted to us, but this passage also calls us to keep watch over ourselves. Staying mindful of how we show up as a leader and overseer is important both in being a leader at work and as an ambassador for Jesus! Maybe you are adding to your team. How can Holy Spirit power help you in selecting team members? Every hire is important. Consider how praying for the right candidate, the right interview questions and even timing on the decision may impact the outcome. Even the practice of pausing to pray for these things can bring things to light maybe you haven’t considered before. Statistically, turnover can cost an organization up to 1.5 times the individual’s salary if the hire doesn’t work out. Not only will seeking Holy Spirit power bring you the right candidate, it may also save your organization money. Wow! Holy Spirit power qualifies us, assigns us, and also helps us to qualify and assign others! Make sure you are seeking the Spirit in prayer regularly.
6/27/20240
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Holy Spirit Power – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Who do you turn to when conflict arises at work? At one time or another, we will all face conflict at work. How we respond to that conflict can have many implications—especially if the conflict is with a boss or even a close colleague. How can Holy Spirit power guide you during conflict? Turning back to the book of Acts, we know the disciples often faced conflict with other religious leaders and local gentiles who believed in other gods. In fact, Paul’s proclamation of this gospel directly impacted the work of many craftsmen who made carved images of the local gods. Many of the conflicts; however, would occur in the church between Jews who wanted to keep customs such as circumcision and their belief that Gentile believers should hold to the same traditions as the Jews. After much debate, a letter was sent. It seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us not to burden you with anything beyond the following requirements (Acts 15:28). To read more about how they came to write this letter, turn to Acts 15. But, for now, at a high level, here are some of the steps the disciples took—clearly seeking the Holy Spirit to guide them through the conflict. First, they listened to both sides of the conflict. We know the Gentiles were converted and the Jews wanted them to obey the law. Second, they discussed their differences. Next, they remained rooted in facts—not feelings. They provided supporting evidence and based on this, came to a solution that was acceptable to both sides. Finally, they communicated the outcome. While I am sure the Jews still would have liked for the Gentiles to follow the law, they were compelled by the facts and evidence that God was moving in the Gentiles. We know by our Scripture above that it was the Holy Spirit power compelling this resolution. How can you follow this pattern in your own conflict? Listen, discuss, present facts, provide evidence and deliver clear communication about the decision. Seek the Holy Spirit in prayer as you move through this conversation and see how Holy Spirit power moves! Another observation from this conflict is it wasn’t just a one-on-one dialogue. I have often found when conflicts arise at work, it is almost always most helpful to have a neutral third party come alongside both parties to ensure the discussion stays on track.
6/26/20240
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Holy Spirit Power – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Have you ever felt like you needed to be bolder or have more courage at work? The Holy Spirit can help! Every year I pray over a word of focus for the year. In 2022, as our world was moving back into its normal busyness after the pandemic, I was thinking a lot about lost souls. How many people suffered and passed away never having heard about Jesus? My word for that year was bold. I wanted to learn more about how to share the gospel in the places I was the most—at work, socially, and with people close to me. Throughout the books of Acts, we see the many trials the disciples faced as they proclaimed the gospel. Early in the book of Acts, Peter and John healed a lame man and drew a lot of attention. People asked how this could have happened! In Acts 4:8 we see these words, then Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit… Filled with the Holy Spirit he proclaimed the healing he had done was in Jesus’ name! Of course, this caused even more of an uproar with the religious leaders of the time. The religious leaders asked them to no longer preach in Jesus’ name. Threats of imprisonment loomed, but Peter and John didn’t pray for protection. They prayed for boldness! Now, Lord, consider their threats and enable your servants to speak your word with great boldness (Acts 4:29). We see the answer to their prayer, After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly (Acts 4:31). Like Peter and John, I prayed to be bold! The Holy Spirit has increased a spirit of power in me to share the gospel in many ways since January of 2022. Whether it is gathering with other women at work to pray, quote Scripture, send encouragement to non-believers, or invite people to church, I pray daily for God to use me for his glory. My Holy Spirit power application for being bold is in sharing the gospel, but where else do you need to be bold at work? Maybe you need to take steps to look for a new job. Have you been afraid to ask for a raise or promotion? Do you need to speak up against something happening at work to you or a colleague? Being bold takes more than just courage, it takes Holy Spirit power!
6/25/20240
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Holy Spirit Power

Presented by Lauren Stibgen I want to challenge your thinking. Whether you have the title or not, you are a leader. If you have found salvation in Jesus Christ, your biblical identity bestows you with some big titles! We could spend a lot of time talking about identity, but let’s focus on ambassador. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us (2 Corinthians 5:20). With such a title, ambassador, how do we lead for Christ? You are a leader; God is making an appeal through you! Even with years of leadership under my belt and a more formal title along with it, there are times when I still find myself questioning my capabilities as a leader. If I think back to my career before I knew Jesus as my Savior and Lord, there were so many fears and failures, and I really didn’t have any place to take them. That has changed tremendously over the years, but recently even my own thinking was challenged to think about how Holy Spirit power can impact my leadership. We can sometimes miss the way the Holy Spirit is called out in Scripture and the truly remarkable ways the Spirit of the Lord has such a profound role in the lives of those who lead. The Holy Spirit is often referenced as the Spirit, the Spirit of God, and the Spirit of the Lord. In Genesis 1:2 we get our first description of the Spirit. …and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. We don’t often think of the presence of the Holy Spirit. In this verse we see the word hovering and the where—over the face of the waters. Imagine with me the expanse and spread of the Spirit over all the face of the waters of the world! Acts 2:3 describes tongues of fire resting on each of the disciples. The visual of fire is used many times to describe the Spirit in Scripture. Often, we hear of the filling of the Holy Spirit or of the Holy Spirit who comes upon us. One thing is clear, the Holy Spirit brings power—the mighty power of God for those who are in Christ Jesus. My favorite verse about the Holy Spirit is Romans 8:11. And if the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead is living in you, he who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies because of his Spirit who lives in you (Romans 8:11). Wow, that is power. I think we often forget. You and I, we have a power within us that is strong enough to overcome death! Now that you have a picture of this power consider how your leadership can be transformed.
6/24/20240
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Walking Bundles of Habits

I love to read old books, and I’ve been reading a collection of readings from some time-tested authors. One particular article recently caught my attention. You would have thought it was written yesterday, for it speaks so clearly to us today. It is entitled “How to Change One’s Habits,” and the sentence which jumped off the page to me was: “Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in the plastic state.” Walking bundles of habits—what a clear picture that gives us of ourselves, does it not? Obviously, those can be good habits or bad habits, or some mixture of both, but I acknowledge that I am to a large degree a collection of the habits I’ve established in my life. I want to talk about our “bundle of habits” and how we can add good ones and get rid of harmful ones. You know, when you first start a habit that is harmful, you don’t intend for it to become a habit. Lately we see how so many have become addicted to pornography, especially on the internet. This is a devastatingly bad and evil habit, but my guess is that the person who first goes to one of those pornographic internet sites tells himself or herself they are doing it simply out of curiosity—just want to see what it’s like. And then one time leads to another and another and before they know it, they’re hooked. I have heard it said, “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” If we dealt with our harmful habits in the beginning stages, we could pretty easily break them. This author calls it the “plastic state”—that period of time when breaking a habit wouldn’t be too hard to do. But the longer you allow it to continue, the more likely it will become part of your bundle of habits and then it’s very difficult to overcome. Speaking of ancient authors, the Apostle Paul addressed this issue in his letter to the Romans. He said, Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?. . . Just as you used to offer yourselves as slaves to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer yourselves as slaves to righteousness leading to holiness (Romans 6:16, 19). In other words, since we are all walking bundles of habit, we need to make certain that those habits lead to holiness and righteousness. Unfortunately, many times we’re controlled by bad habits. If you truly want to break a bad habit—and you have to really want to do it—begin by specifically praying about that habit. Whether it’s what we may classify as an innocent bad habit or one that is recognized as harmful, if you are addicted to it and it’s not good for you, ask God to give you strength to overcome it. Then in order to break that habit, you need to replace it with a good habit. Habit is overcome by habit. As Paul wrote to the Romans, you and I choose whether we will be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness—whether we will incorporate habits that are wrong or replace them with good habits. The first part is the hardest part—getting started. You have to stop talking about it and start doing it. As Jesus said, Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them (John 13:17). The blessing is in the doing. So, how do you get started when you want to break a bad habit? After praying about it, you need to determine what new habit you will use to overcome the bad habit. Remember, habit is overcome by habit. For example, if you watch too much television or see too many movies that are not good for you, what new thing will you do to replace the time you used to spend watching the wrong things? You could get some Christian movies to replace them; you could find a good book to read instead of watching the television. It will be most helpful if you determine in advance what new good hab...
6/22/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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A Proverb a Day Shows You the Way! – 5

Proverbs 18:17 says, in a lawsuit the first to speak seems right, until someone comes forward and cross-examines. This proverb is very good advice for us. What it teaches us is to withhold judgment and opinions until we've heard both sides to any story. We shouldn't be gullible, and we shouldn't jump to conclusions. This is a particularly difficult area for me, for I am very impulsive and very much an overreactor. And every time I do that, I regret it. I am by God's grace focusing prayer and attention in my life on learning to wait until I hear both sides of any story, to make sure I've got my facts straight, to remember there may be something here I just don't know yet. I remember coming into the office on a very busy day, to find a message that irritated me at once. With only partial information, I thought this other person was doing something way out of line, and I overreacted. I went to the phone and started calling her, to get things straightened out. Thankfully, she was not in, and I didn't get to speak with her at that time. When she did return my call and explained the situation, I realized the message had not been complete, and if I had talked with her earlier, I would have overreacted and probably hurt her feelings. God protected me that time and reminded me how much I need to learn not to overreact. Wise Solomon warned us the first person to present their case can sound very convincing, because we haven't heard the other side of the story. We need to listen to people, but not be too quick to agree or disagree with them until we've sorted out the facts and know what we're dealing with. This is good advice for managers and employees alike. I want to encourage you to go to the Proverbs daily for guidance. There are 31 chapters, so you can read the one that corresponds to the day of the month. I've been doing that for several years, and many times God has used the Proverbs to give me clear guidance, especially on job-related issues.
6/21/20240
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A Proverb a Day Shows You the Way! – 4

I'm examining a Proverb a day to show us the way, because the book of Proverbs is wonderfully applicable to the situations we face in our everyday lives. Proverbs 6:2-5 gives us some very practical advice. You have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth. So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands: Go—to the point of exhaustion—and give your neighbor no rest! Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids. Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of the fowler (Proverbs 6:2-5). How many times have you wanted to crawl under a table because you said something you wished you hadn't? Perhaps they were words spoken in anger or haste, or words of gossip, or judgmental words. Unkind, untruthful, harsh, unnecessary words that inflicted harm of some kind. What do you do? You can't unsay them; you can't delete them; you can't erase them. Those words hang there in your memory and the memory of others. What can you do? Solomon says to go and humble yourself to the person your words harmed; go, confess to them, and do it immediately. Apologize and do all you can to free yourself from the damage of those words. Now, I know that's not easy to do. But it's a lot easier than not doing it! Once in a hotel on a business trip, I accused a hotel employee of neglecting to follow my instructions. I was certain I had given those instructions. So, nicely, but directly, I said, “I'm sure it's your fault; please correct it.” Well, a few minutes later I came to realize I was the one who was wrong, not him. It was embarrassing; I wanted to run away. But I forced myself to go to the phone, call the young man and apologize to him. Even a simple apology like that wasn't easy, but once I did it, I felt so free. And I could tell it made a big difference to him. He kept saying, "That's so nice of you to call. Thank you.” Well, it wasn't nice of me; it was the right thing to do. If you've offended someone with words, don't procrastinate. Go right now, today and apologize. That's good advice from Proverbs.
6/20/20240
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A Proverb a Day Shows You the Way! – 3

Proverbs is a very practical book, one which we can easily apply to our everyday lives in the working world. I'm examining a Proverb a day, which will show you the way! Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning (Proverbs 9:9). One of the most important characteristics every Christian should have, in my opinion, is teachableness. A person who is teachable is a very wise person, and a truly humble person, who recognizes they don't know it all and there's always something new to learn. As a manager, I can tell you it is a joy to have an employee who has a teachable spirit, who is willing to learn and looking for ways to improve. A manager will endure mistakes and learning cycles and will hang in there with you much longer if he or she sees an attitude of teachableness—wanting to learn. Nothing is more frustrating than trying to work with a person who knows it all and has no desire to learn anything new. How about you? Are you teachable? How do you respond when you're given helpful hints or suggestions? Do you resent it? Sometimes we can learn from younger people, people in business shorter times than us, people below us in rank. But if you've got your back up or you feel threatened when someone tries to teach you something, you're likely to stagnate right where you are. It is very smart and very mature to accept teaching, to listen to new ideas and suggestions. Managers need this quality as much—perhaps more—than anyone else. Many times, we managers fail to listen to our employees, who have very good ideas that could help us if we were more teachable. The day you get beyond being teachable, you're in trouble, because that's the day you'll stop growing. And you don't just stand still; you go backwards.
6/19/20240
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A Proverb a Day Shows You the Way! – 2

I’m sharing a Proverb a Day, which will show you the way. Listen to this passage from Proverbs 6: Go to the ant, you sluggard: consider its ways and be wise! It has no commander, no overseer or ruler, yet it stores its provision in summer and gathers its food at harvest (Proverbs 6:6-8). In the margin of my Bible by this verse I have written "self-motivated.” The ant is a self-motivated creature. Without anyone standing over all those ants and telling them what to do, they perform their jobs diligently and are prepared for what lies ahead. Self-motivation is a key factor in our business world today. Very few people have it. Too many people are just trying to get by with as little as possible. They don't look beyond their noses to see what else could be done, they take no initiative, are not willing to go any extra miles. A Christian in the workplace should be like the ant: self-motivated, willing to dig in and get the work done without prompting, without constant supervision. Does your manager trust you? Can she or he be assured you will diligently do your job whether anyone's watching or not? Certainly, a Christian should have that kind of reputation. You know, your witness on your job will be effective if there is a difference in the way you work. If you have the "it's not my job" attitude that is prevalent today, if you drag your feet and do only what you’re told to do, if you gripe and complain about doing anything above and beyond your job description, how will your coworkers and management know Christ makes a difference in your life? They won't, and your verbal witness, if there is one, will fall on deaf ears. If you are a Christ-follower, you have a power far beyond yourself to motivate you. You have God's Holy Spirit dwelling within you to give you the strength you need to be self-motivated. And when you are motivated to do what’s right, you will have an outstanding testimony because you do your work right whether anyone's watching or not, you do it to the best of your ability, and you're willing to go the extra mile. Go to the ant and consider its ways. We can learn wisdom and self-motivation from those tiny ants.
6/18/20240
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A Proverb a Day Shows You the Way!

There is a book in the Bible that is just full of wisdom for our everyday lives, and that is the book of Proverbs. I’m going to share a proverb a day, which will show you the way! We’ll look at five different proverbs and see the wisdom that is there for us. I encourage you to make Proverbs a daily reading habit. There are 31 chapters, so it's easy to read the chapter that corresponds to the day of the month. I've been doing that for several years and find the practical advice has been most beneficial in my life. Today let's look at Proverbs 22:10. It says, drive out the mocker and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended. Another translation reads, drive out the scoffer and contention will go out. Even strife and dishonor will cease. Have you ever worked with a person who was a mocker and a scoffer? That's the person who makes fun of others, who ridicules people and organizations, who is arrogant and causes problems seemingly on purpose. When there's a mocker in the group, the work environment can be pretty miserable. This proverb says by getting rid of a mocker, you get rid of strife. If you are in a management position, it's good to remember there are times when the best thing you can do is to let an employee go. Now, I hope that doesn't sound cruel, but a person who is intent on offending others—and some people are—can have very detrimental effects on an organization. Of course, as Christians, we still must care about people regardless of how unlovable they are. And though we can never change people, the Holy Spirit can, so we shouldn't give up praying for them. But that doesn't mean we allow them to ruin the working environment for everyone else. Remember, the workplace is not a rehab center or a counseling office. We want to help people, when possible, but you don’t hire people to reform or change them; you hire them to do a job. Solomon said, in his wisdom, you're better off to drive out the mocker and the scoffer, for by so doing, the strife and dishonor will stop, people will be able to work productively together, and everyone will benefit, including the person who is the troublemaker. Allowing him or her to continue to get by with inappropriate behavior doesn't help that individual.
6/17/20240
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Living a Spirit-Empowered Life

Presented by Lisa Bishop About a year ago I was heading to dinner with a friend, and as we were about to get in her car, I noticed she opened her door without a key. She just grabbed the door handle, and the vehicle was magically unlocked. To my amazement, I blurted out, “Wow, that’s so cool! You can open your door without using the key.”  Surprised by my excitement, my friend looked at me a bit strangely and said, “Doesn’t your car do that?” I confidently replied, “No, but I wish it did.” Well, fast forward to the next day when I’m getting ready to hop in my car. Instead of clicking my key fob, I decided to reach for the door handle to see if my car had the same key-free superpower. To my surprise, I heard a “click,” and just like that, the door was unlocked with my key still in my pocket. Now, as I tell you this story, I am aware you may be thinking it’s rather odd that I am just figuring this out. But the truth is I had my car for four years yet had no clue of this amazing capability. Yes, I know, somewhat embarrassing. The power to unlock the door key-free was always there. I just didn’t know it, and because I was unaware, I was unable to experience the benefits that were mine to enjoy and appreciate. So, what does this have to do with the Holy Spirit? Now before you think I am reducing the Holy Spirit to some superpower at our disposal, that is not the point. The point is, just like I was unaware of the power of technology right under my nose, we often neglect the presence and power of the Holy Spirit who is in us and at work in all who have surrendered their lives to love and follow Jesus. If you are a Christian, the moment you accepted Jesus as your Lord and Savior you received the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity, and while humanly there is no way to perfectly and completely understand the Trinity, the Bible is clear that the one true God exists eternally in three persons: Father, Son, and Spirit. We often neglect the Holy Spirit. Sadly, many churches do not talk about or acknowledge him, and many Christians are not aware of his power and presence in their lives. Let me be the first to say I am not an expert on the Holy Spirit, but I have grown in my encounters with him and my relationship with him over the years. I have experienced his love and power at work in my life. So, I want to deepen our understanding of who the Holy Spirit is and his role in the life of every believer. One of the first things to note is that the Holy Spirit did not first show up on the scene in the New Testament. The opening lines of Genesis tell us that the Spirit existed in the beginning. Genesis 1:1-2 says, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters. The Holy Spirit was at work in specific people in the Old Testament, and we see his presence and power working in and through people all throughout the New Testament. He existed all along. Notice how I said, “He.” The Holy Spirit is a person, not an “it.” The Bible teaches that the Holy Spirit has all the attributes of personality and is not merely an impersonal force. In the Gospel of John, Jesus spoke of the Holy Spirit as “He.” Jesus also referred to the Holy Spirit as the Comforter or the Counselor. And we know from Scripture that in addition to many other attributes, the Holy Spirit gives hope, convicts people of sin, exhorts, comforts, strengthens, intercedes, and encourages. An impersonal force cannot do this, but the Holy Spirit, God himself, can. When we experience the presence of the Holy Spirit we are experiencing the very presence of God. In John 16:7, 12-13 we hear the words of Jesus as he prepares the disciples for his departure from earth. He tells them, But very truly I tell you, it is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away,
6/15/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Living a Spirit-Empowered Life – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop Does your prayer life feel weak? We have been exploring the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives and today we’ll wrap up by looking to God’s Word to power up our prayer life. I don’t know about you but sometimes my prayer life can be really puny. There are times I just go about my day and forget to pray for God’s supernatural wisdom and power. Other times I feel like my prayers are a broken record, and I simply don’t know what to say. Have you ever felt that way? There is good news! When you are at a loss for words, this is what Romans 8:26b-28 says, We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose (Romans 8:26b-28). When you do not know exactly how you should pray, or can barely squeak out a prayer, God himself (through the Holy Spirit) helps you and prays on your behalf. And he prays for you in a way that guarantees all things will work together for your good. There is no other God like our God! Whatever you are facing, ask the Holy Spirit to intercede on your behalf; his prayer for you will make a way through. As we end our time, I want to pray Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3 over you. If you can, and feel comfortable, open your hands, palms up in a position of receiving this blessing from the Lord. For this reason, I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen (Ephesians 3:14-21).
6/14/20240
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Living a Spirit-Empowered Life – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop We have been exploring the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we’ll wrap up with a reminder about his presence in your life. King David wrote Psalm 139 as a prayer and praise to God, acknowledging the Holy Spirit’s personal presence in his life. Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there. If I rise on the wings of the dawn, if I settle on the far side of the sea, even there your hand will guide me, your right hand will hold me fast (Psalm 139 7-10). God was with David in his lowest moments and most magnificent victories. The same is true for you. No matter what, God is always with you, my friend. In your greatest joys and in your seasons of sorrow, disappointment, fear, or despair. In your highest of highs and your darkest moments, the Holy Spirit embraces you, surrounds you on all sides, and covers you. Even in the seasons of waiting where you sense his silence and wonder if he hears you, he does. Don’t let your feelings fool you. God is always near to you. Let that sink in. If you are in a season of feeling God is silent, don’t fear this time. There have been several times in my life where I have felt like God was silent, times when I desperately wanted an answer or direction. What I needed to be reminded of is that even though God seems silent, he is still present. In those seasons of silence, we need to ask ourselves, “Will I keep pressing on and pursuing Christ and Christ-likeness when life appears stagnant? When I don’t feel like I am progressing in my career, my vocation, in life?” In those times when we have a hard time sensing his presence perhaps, we are progressing in what is most important, trusting God and becoming more like him, as we wait for the timing of his response to our deepest inquiries and longing for direction. I’m not sure what circumstances you currently find yourself in, but I pray you not only remember the Holy Spirit is present, but you experience the nearness and companionship of God’s Spirit. Take time right now to acknowledge him and thank him for his closeness, that in this moment he is grasping your hand with kindness, love, and tenderness. Holy Spirit, we thank you that you are always with us and guiding us. Help us to experience more of you.
6/13/20243 minutes
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Living a Spirit-Empowered Life – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop Is your life a testimony to the power of God at work in you? How do you know if your life is aligned with God’s Spirit? By asking this simple question: Is your life bearing fruit? In his discourse about living life in the Spirit, Paul speaks these words in Galatians 5:16-17a, 19-25, … walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh.…The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like…But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:16-17a, 19-25). If our lives are marked by selfish ambition, impatience, unforgiveness, arrogance at work, or infighting with fellow followers of Jesus, we aren’t producing the fruit we are called to cultivate. We need to resist being overpowered by our fleshly actions and resolve to live by the power of the Holy Spirit. Not too long ago I felt very wounded by a friend. I could sense the bitterness welling up in my heart as I rehearsed the hurt I felt. But I was determined not to let ill feelings put me in bondage. Romans 8:26 says, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. I prayed fervently and daily and asked the Holy Spirit to help my mind and heart. And you know what, he did. The Holy Spirit helped me to release the offense. The word help in Greek means to “take hold with another.” In the weakness of your flesh, when you ask him, the Holy Spirit helps you by taking hold of you and intervening, changing your heart, and impacting your actions. I’m so grateful, aren’t you? The next time you find yourself tempted to lash out, be impatient, hold a grudge, or react with indifference, resentment, or rage, ask the Holy Spirit for help. Pray that he will take over and that the fruit of his Spirit will be evident in your life. As your life bears fruit, you become a strong witness to the power of the Gospel, and the work of the Holy Spirit.
6/12/20243 minutes
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Living a Spirit-Empowered Life – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop We are exploring the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. God speaks to us. We can hear his voice when we properly position ourselves before him. Not walking in obedience will hinder our ability to be sensitive to the Spirit’s leading. But the more we walk in holiness and earnestly seek him, the more we grow in our ability to hear him. This is realized when we regularly meditate on God’s Word, spend time in worship and prayer, and intentionally create space in our day to quiet ourselves in his presence. The reality is the Holy Spirit is always guiding you. In John 16:13-14, Jesus says, But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all the truth. He will not speak on his own; he will speak only what he hears, and he will tell you what is yet to come. He will glorify me because it is from me that he will receive what he will make known to you (John 16:13-14). When it comes to hearing the Holy Spirit, heed Jesus’s words when he says, “He will glorify me.” The Holy Spirit will never speak anything contrary to the Word of God and the teachings of Jesus. That is why it is so vital you study the Bible and continue to learn to discern God’s character. Years ago, I met with a young woman who was dating a married man at work. When I confronted her, she said she prayed about it and was convinced God told her the man was the one she was supposed to marry. How greatly deceived she was. The Holy Spirit will not go against scripture. Sometimes we want something so badly we try to convince ourselves God approves when he doesn’t. Don’t be duped. He will never lead you down paths of unrighteousness. James 1:5 teaches us, If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5). When you attune yourself to the Holy Spirit you will experience gentle nudges or impressions that direct you to do something, and help you make discerning decisions, always in alignment with the Bible. There have been times when I have asked God for wisdom and he will highlight a song, a sermon, or something somebody says. Often the Holy Spirit will prompt me to send a text of encouragement to a friend. I can’t tell you the number of times someone responded grateful and astounded because the timing of my text was perfectly aligned with what they needed to hear at that moment. I love how the Holy Spirit works, don’t you? Let’s make it a habit to seek the Holy Spirit and ask him to guide us in wise living. Because the truth is, he loves to lead you.
6/11/20243 minutes
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Living a Spirit-Empowered Life

Presented by Lisa Bishop We are examining the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and we’ll look at how the Holy Spirit convicts us of our sin. Hopefully, that didn’t just make you want to tune out. Being convicted of sin doesn't necessarily sound like something to get excited about, but when God sheds light on your sin the purpose is for you to live in greater harmony with him. As we surrender our lives to God and walk in obedience (another word that can make us cringe), the Holy Spirit begins to renew and rewire our minds and realign our affections, and that’s a good thing. Bible teacher Priscilla Shirer says this, “After salvation, because of the Holy Spirit, certain kinds of activities, thoughts, or attitudes don’t feel comfortable to you anymore, even if they did before. Something you may have once done without concern now feels wrong and problematic—increasingly so over time. Participating in certain behaviors, entertaining certain habits, and engaging in certain relationships may become awkward and difficult with little apparent reason. Other than this: God’s Spirit is infiltrating your soul—influencing you, molding you. Your conscience is being conformed into the image of Christ.” When you become a follower of Jesus and order your life after him, your tastebuds change. Things that once were appealing lose their luster when we chase after Christ. As you continue to align your life with Jesus, you will become less and less captivated by your flesh and more conformed to Christ where truth is found. The Holy Spirit’s conviction is for your sanctification; to get your attention so that you, as 1 Peter 1:14-16 says, Do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:14-16). When the Holy Spirit exposes your sin, don't fight against his conviction. If you ignore and override his voice, over time you will become desensitized to him. The Holy Spirit never points things to be punitive. Remember he loves you and wants you to free you from sin, so you live life to the fullest in him.
6/10/20243 minutes
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What The Well-Dressed Christian Wears – 2

Let me begin by reading the passage from Colossians 3, verses 12-15. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. These are the garments we should be wearing as Christians: compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, patience, tolerance, forgiveness, peace, thankfulness, and love. And as I said in part one, these are the fruit of the Spirit of God—evidence of God's Spirit in you. Here’s the good news about these garments we are to put on—these garments are intended for every believer; they are within your grasp, and they look wonderful on all of us. But the big question is, how do we really put on these beautiful garments? It makes a nice talk, but how does it translate into reality in our lives? The first thing is to understand that putting on these garments is not an act of our emotions; it is an act of our will. So often in our Christian walk, we want all the feelings before we exercise faith. We want to feel gentle and humble and peaceful and thankful. And if our feelings aren't working so good on a particular day, then we assume we just can't wear those garments that day, because we don't feel them. The sooner we learn that feelings cannot be trusted and are not a barometer of our spiritual temperature, the sooner we'll be able to take these garments and wear them. And that’s done by faith, not by feelings. When you know you're facing a day that will require, for instance, a great deal of patience, keep repeating that you will put on patience for that day. Put it on by faith, regardless of whether you feel patient or not. Your feelings will eventually give up and come along with your will, but never mind them. Will to do God’s will. He will supply the patience when you need it if you don't allow your emotions to destroy your faith. You wear these garments by faith, just as you accepted God's gift of eternal life by faith. The act of your will is your part; God does the rest. Secondly, wearing this wardrobe is not a function of our personalities. Many of these inner garments probably do not come naturally to your personality. But that does not keep you from wearing all of them. I think that we often let ourselves off the hook by saying, "Well, that's just the way I am. I can't be anyone else; I have to be myself.” We've been fed this current philosophy of "be your own person" so much that we use that idea to excuse ourselves from whatever we feel doesn't "fit" us. Well, I can't see where God makes any exceptions for personality. He has all the garments you can ever need, and he's ready to impart them to you. Don't let your personality or “the way you are” be an excuse for not making God's best dressed list. It is possible—through Christ—for all believers to wear this entire wardrobe. Maybe one reason you haven't put on too many of these garments is that there just isn’t any room in your closet. Could it be your closet is cluttered with all kinds of outdated, ugly clothes? In the same third chapter of Colossians, we find a list of clothes we should "put off," and that list includes anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech, and lying (vs. 8). Do you have any of these ugly clothes in your closet? If so, they are taking up so much room and occupying so much of your time and thoughts that you're left with little room for the beautiful clothes you need to wear. Are you harboring anger that you refuse to deal with? Anger plus resentment equals wrath. Wearing wrath these days? I can promise you that it is unbecoming. Malice is the desire to see others suffer—wishing bad thing...
6/8/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Turn on the Power – 5

I've been trying to help us see afresh how to be powerhouse Christians and really impact our worlds for Jesus Christ. And, my friends, there is only one way to turn on the power of God in our lives, and it's not new, it's not gimmicky, it's not overnight, and it's not tantalizing. But it works! The power switch is prayer and God's Word. And we must pay the price for this power, just like we pay for electrical power in order to turn on the lights in our houses. The price is discipline, pure lives, and significant time in our schedules to get to know God through prayer and his Word. Are you in bondage to your own powerless life? Are you frustrated because you never see any evidence that Christ lives in you and gives you power to live victoriously? If you're truly a believer, you've got to get back to basics and ask yourself if you've been willing to pay the price for power. And believe me, I have to do the same thing. There's a price to pay, but wow, you get more than you pay for when you turn on God's power in your life. For example, have you been in bondage to your tongue? Well, with God's power you can have victory over that damaging tongue of yours. Or maybe there is some impurity in your life holding you prisoner. A friend told me how she had been in bondage to trashy novels, reading as many as one a day for years. This had done a great deal of damage to her thought life and her marriage, but by memorizing scripture and praying it into her life, she has broken that bondage and gotten rid of those lousy novels. You think you can read or watch the world’s trash and it won’t do you any harm? Think again. It will keep your life impure, but thankfully my friend found freedom from the trash. Truth—the truth of God's Word—set her free! She paid the price for God's power, and now she is free. If you're struggling in some area, I urge you to pay the price for God's power to be released in your life. Galatians 5:16 says: So, I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. Walking by the Spirit is the way to know freedom, to have the power to live a godly life. Make it a matter of daily prayer and a commitment each day—I will by God’s grace walk by the Spirit today. You will begin to know power in your life that will amaze you!
6/7/20243 minutes
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Turn on the Power – 4

I’m examining how to turn the power switch on. Suppose you knew everything about your computer there is to know—a real computer whiz—but you didn't have any idea how to turn it on. What good would it do you to have all that computer know-how if you couldn't turn on the computer? Well, as silly as that sounds, many of us Christians have never learned how to turn on the switch that allows us to be powerful for God. We have this incredible source of power within us—the Holy Spirit of God. Yet we don't know how to turn on the switch. Or could it be we don't want to? You see, the switch that turns on God's power in our lives is prayer and God's Word. You probably know that but are you willing to use those power tools? Maybe you’re looking for easier answers. Or something different—or something that gives a quicker fix. Let me explain. In order to have electricity in your house, you have to pay your bill. Have you noticed—the power company is very insistent about regular payments. But we do it because we want the power; our lives are much better with electricity in our homes. So, we pay the price. There's a price to pay if you want to be a powerful Christian. The power is there, but you must be willing to pay the price. Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly (1 Timothy 4:7). You must purify yourself and train yourself. That's your job, and until you're willing to pay that price, the power just doesn't come on in your life. There are no shortcuts here. What is contaminating your body and spirit? Television? Wrong reading material? A judgmental attitude? A loose tongue that speaks in anger and haste? Those are some of the more common things that can contaminate our bodies and spirits. We must clean them out if we want to have power. Then we have to have a training program for ourselves: A disciplined life that makes time for prayer and Bible study and fellowship with God's people. That's how we train to be godly, and when we are willing to pay the price, then the power comes on in our lives. It's just that simple. I didn't say easy, but it is simple. You want to be powerful for God; pay the price and you'll discover how incredible it is to have his power flowing through you to others day in and day out.
6/6/20243 minutes
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Turn on the Power – 3

When was the last time you had a power outage at your house? It's the strangest feeling, isn't it, as you flip on all those switches, but nothing happens. All your electrical conveniences and appliances are useless without power. Sometimes as Christians we live as though there's a power outage. We've got a powerhouse within us because of the Holy Spirit who indwells our bodies, but maybe we just don't know how to turn on the switch. The switch that turns on God's divine power within us is to use the divine weapons we have been given. For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Have you been using your divinely empowered weapons? What are these weapons: Prayer is a divine weapon. You probably know that, but the question is, how much do you pray? Studies show the average Christian prays less than five minutes per day. Prayer is our major power source. Maybe you haven't learned how to pray. What are you doing to become more effective in your prayer life? You can take the prayer given by Jesus to use as a model for your own prayer life. I've developed a Prayer Journal to help you apply that prayer format in a very practical way, and you can find it on our website or contact us for information on it, if it would be helpful to you. The Word of God is another divine weapon. Hebrews 4:12 tells us for the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Have you learned how to use this divine weapon, this powerhouse we have because we have the Bible? For example, quoting Scripture is a great way to turn on the power in your life. I encourage you to memorize scripture as much as possible. Join our Hidden Word team, where together we memorize a verse each week. When you know you are weak in a certain area, such as impure thoughts or lying or having a critical spirit, memorize verses that relate to those matters and quote them often to yourself throughout the day. You will be amazed at how that will empower you to have victory over those problems. So, if you've been powerless in your spiritual life lately, maybe you just haven't been using these divine weapons—prayer and the Word of God. They are the switches that turn on the power, and you can have access to the power any time you're willing to use your divine weapons.
6/5/20243 minutes
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Turn on the Power – 2

Do you feel powerless? Can you see evidence in your life of real inner power? You can have an incredible power system right within you. In fact, if you're a believer you have that power system already, but you may never have learned how to turn it on. We saw Jesus told us we will have power when we have the Holy Spirit. What does this power enable us to do? First, it enables us to be children of God. John wrote to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). Second, we can pray with power. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective (James 5:16). Third, we can speak words of power. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power... (1 Corinthians 2:4). Fourth, we can have a powerful mind. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Fifth, we can demolish our enemy and have victory over sin. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds (2 Corinthians 10:4). Oh, there are so many more. We have the power to: endure and be strong (Colossians 1:11), no longer be timid or weak, but be bold for Jesus (2 Timothy 1:7). live holy and godly lives (2 Peter 1:3). Does that describe you? If not and you are a believer, it may be because you're just not turning on the power that is within you—the power of the Holy Spirit. Suppose you never turned on the power in your house. You have light bulbs and lamps; you have a washer and dryer and a vacuum cleaner. But you never have light or clean clothes or clean floors because you've never learned how to turn on the power. Silly thought, isn't it? Well, it's just as ridiculous for us to have the power of the Holy Spirit but never see the evidence of it in our lives.
6/4/20243 minutes
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Turn on the Power

A term we hear a lot these days is empowerment. We're told when a person feels empowered, then they are motivated; they are capable of being all they can be. I certainly agree we need to be empowered, but my question this week is, how do we turn on the power? New age philosophy says we need to simply get in touch with the unlimited power within us. It tries to convince us we can be anything we want to be, do anything we want to do if we believe in ourselves. That's how you turn on the power. Many people have bought into this—even Christians—because it sounds good, and it caters to our desire for control. But if you've been trying to turn the power on yourself, you've discovered it just doesn't always work. Your internal self-powerhouse is often out of service or overloaded or has frequent power failures. No, just as light fixtures and light bulbs are useless without electrical power, we need some outside power source flowing to us and through us if we're ever going to turn the power on. The truth of Scripture is there is only one ultimate source of power. All power rests in the hands of the Creator, who has chosen to share it on terms he alone controls. He has a monopoly and if you want to turn the power on in your life, you have to go to the source, the Eternal God who has all power. After his resurrection before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples: "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you...” Please note he didn't say, "You have power in yourselves to conquer the world. Just look within yourselves and be the best you can be.” No, he said, power will be given to you from an outside source. And incredibly, that power source is going to dwell in your body. When and how do we get this Holy Spirit power? Romans 8:9 tells us if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ. Every true believer has received the Holy Spirit; it happens when we believe in Jesus Christ. So, we have the powerhouse within us because he is within us. It's not our personal power; it's the power of the Holy Spirit, located right inside of us. But I find sometimes I never turn the power on, or I run on very low wattage—how about you?
6/3/20243 minutes
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What The Well-Dressed Christian Wears – I

I remember so well the time God implanted this truth about being properly dressed in my heart. It came as a discipline in my own life, and it has been life-changing for me. It's something we can remember and relate to, and so I want to share it with you, praying that God will use it in your life, as he has and does in mine. The wardrobe that I want to talk about is found in Colossians the third chapter: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.  And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful (Colossians 3:12-15). These are the special garments intended by God for each of us to wear, and as Christians, we have a unique opportunity to be lights in our working worlds, in our families, and everywhere we go by learning how to wear these beautiful clothes. Let's look more closely at these inner garments which we need to "put on." COMPASSION: This can be described as a deep feeling of sharing the suffering of another. You know, it's not hard to find suffering people these days. There is mental, physical, and emotional suffering everywhere, and undoubtedly you have suffering people all around you where you work and live. Are you aware of their suffering? It seems to me that all too often I am quick to blame people and judge them without stopping to think of what they have endured, or why they are the way they are. That's especially easy to do at our jobs. If you’re not careful, you can judge your fellow workers without really understanding their suffering. Let me assure you that compassion will look good on your job. If you wear it, you won't be so quick to condemn or judge. You'll give people room to make mistakes. Your prayer list will get longer because when you care about people, you pray for them. I encourage you to pray for the people you work with. When you do, you’ll discover that you feel much more compassionate toward them. Yes, indeed, we need to wear compassion on our jobs. KINDNESS: Kindness is the second garment in the closet of a well-dressed Christian. Have you been too busy to wear kindness lately? Maybe, like me, you take it on and off, depending on your mood, or who you're with. Sometimes we are least kind to the people nearest to us. We seem to forget that it’s important to be kind to those people we work with every day. Sometimes we seem to save our kind behavior for people we don't see very often, as though it were in short supply. God has plenty of it, so wear it to work every day. You'll look terrific! HUMILITY: Third in this special wardrobe is humility. The world often gives negative connotations to humility, as though it were an undesirable characteristic. It is often viewed as weakness or wimpy. Rarely do we think of humility as a necessity for getting to the top in the business world. But that's an incorrect assessment of true humility. The Bible defines humility as a lack of pride and an awareness of who we are in comparison to who God is. God hates pride; it's the number one sin at the top of the list of things he hates. One of the indicators of humility is a teachable attitude. The person who is always willing to learn, to change, to take good advice is a truly humble person. GENTLENESS: And then we come to gentleness. I am always overwhelmed with the amazing gentleness of Jesus Christ. Oh, how we need to wear his gentleness every day. We need that gentle and quiet spirit, which the Apostle Peter tells us should be our adornment, and which is precious in the sight of God. Are your words tough or harsh on your job or at home? Do you have a sharp tongue or hasty actions that pierce and hurt people b...
6/1/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Words Matter – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop We have been examining why our words matter, and we’ll wrap up with the power of an apology—how admitting our faults and taking ownership of our misgivings is a worthwhile way to use our words. The power of an apology is a profound aspect of Christian living. It takes courage and maturity to acknowledge your mistakes, take responsibility for your actions, and seek forgiveness. When you apologize sincerely, you demonstrate humility. In a world where people are quick to point fingers and place blame, admitting guilt will separate you from the crowd. After all, as a follower of Jesus, you are meant to live a life set apart from the practices of the culture around you, and instead conduct yourself with Christlike character. Who is someone you need to apologize to? Who needs to hear you say the words, “I was wrong.” I know you may feel a lump in your throat or even have an allergic reaction to those words. We sometimes falsely believe admitting a mistake shows a sign of weakness or will in some weird way give others power over us. But that is not true. Listen, saying you were wrong is not a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength. An apology has the power to mend broken relationships and restore trust. It can open the door to meaningful conversations and opportunities for growth. It’s important to note that when you humble yourself and offer a heartfelt apology, you are not only saying you are sorry, but you are also demonstrating regret and your commitment to make a conscious effort to change your behavior. If you apologize and then neglect to change, you will lose credibility fast, and your future words of remorse will be rendered meaningless. A flippant apology adds insult to injury. We need to be truly sorry for our actions or words. It is important you do not offer excuses for your actions, and you are specific in your apology. If you lost your temper with someone and said hurtful words, it might sound something like this: “I am sorry for losing my temper today and saying things I should not have said. I realize my words were hurtful, and that is not the kind of person I want to be.” Now, you may be trying to get off the hook and be thinking of all of the reasons the other person is wrong. But this is not about them, this is about you and the part you played in causing hurt or conflict. Fessing up to your mistakes is a function of your integrity. You’re admitting that you are not the person you want to be, and you are a work in progress. As Romans 3:23 says, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Who will you apologize to today?
5/31/20243 minutes
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Words Matter – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop Have your words ever gotten you in hot water? We have been examining why our words matter and I want to turn our attention to a powerful piece of wisdom from Proverbs. Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity (Proverbs 21:23). Now we can acknowledge this is practical advice for everyday living, right? Yet if we are honest, we can blow by these pearls of wisdom and be careless with our words. When have your words gotten you into trouble? Maybe it was something you said about a co-worker or friend, and it got back to them. Or maybe it was an inappropriate outburst of disapproval in a meeting. In our daily lives we all encounter situations that test our patience, tempt us to react impulsively, and speak without considering the consequences. However, Proverbs is a clear warning to be intentional about guarding our mouths and tongues, reminding us that exercising restraint leads to positive outcomes. When you refrain from speaking words that can cause harm such as gossip, lies, or hurtful remarks, you are kept from unnecessary trouble and distress. Remember that once words are spoken, they cannot be taken back, and they can have lingering impact. When you are mindful of what you say, you will minimize conflicts and misunderstandings. Guarding our tongues goes beyond verbal communication. Social media posts, texts, and instant messages can greatly influence how other people perceive us. Use discretion and integrity in all forms of communication. Filter your words through Ephesians 4:29 which says, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen (Ephesians 4:29). Exercising self-control with your words will lead to a life protected from unnecessary troubles and conflicts. Using wisdom will keep you from saying something that grieves God and from situations you will later regret. By choosing your words carefully and speaking with kindness you honor God and make a positive contribution to the well-being of those around you. When you do mess up with your words, quickly own it. Don’t make excuses, admit your mishap. Humbly ask for forgiveness. Instead of lashing out, lavish people with life-giving words. Make every effort to guard your mouth so you can keep a clear conscience and be free from needless quarrels.
5/30/20243 minutes
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Words Matter – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop Do your words betray, or do they build up? We are taking a close look at our words, and why what we say matters. Now, I know we are aware that the words coming out of our mouths have an impact, and we also know as followers of Jesus, we are held to an even higher holy standard. Yet, minding our mouths can be a challenge. We don’t always think before we speak. This is a friendly reminder to make sure you train and discipline yourself to choose your words wisely. One way to filter your words is through the lens of motive. What I mean is this. What are you trying to accomplish with your words? What is your intent? Is it positive or potentially destructive? I was reading the Gospel of Luke the other day. When I came to the account of Judas betraying Jesus, verse 4 stood out to me. And Judas went to the chief of priests and the officers of the temple guard and discussed with them how he might betray Jesus (Luke 22:4). Judas used his words to backstab and be disloyal to Jesus and Judas’ words ultimately caused death. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (Proverbs 18:21). You will reap the fruit of your words whether they are life-giving or life-taking. In the hustle and bustle of our work environments, it’s easy to underestimate the impact of our words. We often focus on tasks, deadlines, and goals, forgetting our words hold immense power. Negative words can bring death to morale, creativity, and productivity. Gossip, criticism, and complaining can create division and hinder progress. When we speak positive and encouraging words and are loyal to the absent, meaning we are not talking behind people’s backs, we breathe life into our colleagues and our workplace. Your words have the potential to build strong relationships, foster teamwork, and create a culture of trust and respect. The words you speak not only give life or death to others, but they also create your legacy. As we read the New Testament, Judas’s legacy was one of betrayer. How would you like your name to be in a book that billions of people will read with that type of reputation? Not me! The point is this, people will remember the words you say, and those words impact your reputation. What will people say about your character when they remember you? Let’s choose to build people up and remember to use our words wisely.
5/29/20243 minutes
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Words Matter – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop What is your self-talk? We are examining why our words matter. Let’s look at the words we speak to ourselves about ourselves. Stop and think about it. What are the words you find yourself saying to yourself? Your self-talk is the ongoing conversation you have with yourself in your mind. Negative self-talk includes thoughts such as, “I’m worthless,” “I’ll never be good enough,” “I just can’t seem to get it right,” or “I’m so stupid,” as well as thoughts about your circumstances, “I’ll be stuck in this job forever” or “Things will never get better.” We all hold these kinds of ongoing conversations with ourselves, and although you might not always be aware of it, your internal conversations have a significant impact on your mood, your behaviors, and ultimately your life. Sometimes we entertain negative thoughts because of what others have said to us. We’ve been called stupid, ugly, worthless, or worse—and when we hit a low point in our lives, these are the very words we hear on repeat in our minds. Like a hamster wheel, many of us get caught up in negative self-talk. Your words matter not only for you and your life but the words you speak to yourself also matter to God. The latest brain research shows that negative language actually releases thousands of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters in our brains, powerfully affecting our moods, making us feel worse and ultimately, they result in acting in ways that justify our false beliefs. This is no surprise to God, our great creator who designed our brains, and his Word shows us the power of guiding our thoughts. Ephesians 4:23 tells us to be made new in the attitude of your minds. And Romans 12:2 says, do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. The enemy wants nothing more than to infiltrate your thoughts with lies. You must fight back with God’s Word and speak the truth to yourself, even when, or especially when, you don’t feel like it. This is more than positive self-talk; this is the Holy Spirit-powered truth. Begin to examine your defeating thoughts. What fears or false beliefs have become a stronghold in your life? What words do you dwell on and do you pummel yourself with? Ask yourself, “Are these thoughts in alignment with God?” If the thoughts are negative or in any way shaming or condemning, you know for certain the answer is “no.” Getting unstuck from old patterns of thinking will take effort on your part because thoughts become habits and habits can be hard to break. But you can choose the thoughts you entertain about yourself, and as you do, remember to ask God to help you.
5/28/20243 minutes
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Words Matter

What is your heart full of? We are examining why our words matter; and why what we say is important as followers of Jesus. In Luke 6:43-45, Jesus shows what our words expose when he says, No good tree bears bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. Each tree is recognized by its fruit. People do not pick figs from thorn bushes, or grapes from briers. A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of (Luke 6:43-45). Jesus is explaining how we can judge a person’s character. Much like if we were to look at a tree or plant to tell if it is a “good” tree or not, our words show the fruit of our hearts. What does the fruit of your words reveal about the condition of your heart? If you were to take inventory of the conversations and comments that flow from your tongue on a regular basis, what would you notice? When you are at the office, what pours forth from your lips, out loud, or utterances under your breath? When you are at home with your spouse, your kids, or your roommate or interacting with a stranger, what do your words display? We can learn a lot when we pay attention to the words that come out of our mouth. If you find your words are harsh, impatient, laced with anger, self-defeating or deflating, or derogatory toward others, it’s time to examine your heart. Your words reveal what your heart feels and what’s inside you. Your words can be the indicator light that something in your heart needs the healing touch of God. Your heavenly Father wants to minister to the corners of your heart that are producing bad fruit—the places that are angry, bitter, wounded, weary, or hardened. Hear me when I say we all struggle with our words. Different circumstances, seasons, or people will provoke the depths of our soul to surface through our speech. When you stop long enough to observe your words and get curious about where they’re coming from you can get yourself off autopilot and intentionally invite God to search you and help you. One of my favorite prayers comes from Psalm 19:14, May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart     be pleasing in your sight,     Lord, my rock and my redeemer (Psalm 19:14). As Christians, our hearts have been and are continually being changed by the power of God. And that change is reflected in our words.
5/27/20243 minutes
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The Loudest Roar

As followers of Jesus, it’s easy to get stuck in battles He's already won. I'm Mary Lowman of The Christian Working Woman, and this week, Judy Dunagan, author of The Loudest Roar, will help us understand and live in Christ’s victory. So, join us as we let God’s roar diminish the enemy’s lies to a whisper.
5/25/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Freedom through Commitment – 5

You’ve heard it said there’s no such thing as a free lunch. That sentiment is pretty much on target, except of course for the free salvation which Jesus offers us because he paid the price for our sins. It is free for those of us who accept his offer, but he paid a big price. He made a huge commitment when he said to God, as he prayed in Gethsemane, “Not my will but thine be done.” I’ve been talking all week about finding freedom through commitment. Instead of running away from being committed to something or someone, we need to walk toward those commitments that God wants from us. That’s because committing ourselves to do God’s will is the pathway to real freedom, the freedom of our spirits, the freedom of knowing what we do matters to God. For ten years I decided to run my own show and go for what I wanted. In spite of knowing better, I truly turned my back on following Jesus because I thought that would mean I could never have my way. But let me tell you what my pursuit of freedom led to. It caused me to abandon many Christian principles, which had been faithfully taught to me by my parents, teachers and pastors. It led me to live a very selfish life that was totally focused on what I thought was good for me. Deciding not to be committed to what God wanted for my life caused me to make many poor and sinful choices—choices about relationships, about jobs, about where I lived and who were my friends. It led me to behaviors that were anything but Christ-like, to a lifestyle that blended in with the world around me. It would have been hard to distinguish me as a true believer in Jesus Christ during those years. What I’ve learned—now over 40 years later—is that to refuse to be committed to Christ and his principles for my life is to choose disaster and chaos and total frustration. I thought I was choosing what would make me happy by choosing not to be committed to a Christian lifestyle and living my life for others. But I was so wrong. Now, with all these years under my belt since then, I can tell you a commitment to Jesus Christ is indeed the way to freedom. And that means you commit your weeks and your days and your hours to his control. It means saying yes to what he wants you to do and no to yourself. Yes, there is a price to discipleship and Jesus asks us to count the cost, but the return on your investment is abundant and joyful and fulfilling.
5/24/20243 minutes
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Freedom through Commitment – 4

You remember the story of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked what he needed to do to inherit eternal life. Jesus told him he needed to make a commitment: He needed to sell everything he had and give it to the poor, and then come follow Jesus. This young man became very sad when Jesus told him this, and he didn’t follow-through because the commitment was too costly for him. He made a decision not to make a commitment, but notice it made him very sad, not happy. No doubt this was a huge commitment Jesus was asking of him, because Jesus knew money was his god. He couldn’t follow Jesus until he loved Jesus more than money. But Jesus was not asking him to do the impossible, nor was he trying to make his life miserable. Just the opposite. Jesus wanted him to have an abundant life, a life that cannot be bought with money. But he wasn’t willing to make that commitment, and he went away sad. Commitment comes with a price tag, whether it’s a commitment to marry someone, or to take a job, or to work on a committee at church. And we should consider the cost of any commitment we make. But we should not fear commitment just because it has a cost, because commitments are the doorway to finding the freedom we’re looking for. For example, suppose you decide to be committed to reading and studying your Bible more. To make that happen, you commit to some structure you impose on yourself to read the Bible systematically and regularly and to keep a journal of what God says to you as you read. Then you start to reap the benefits of this commitment as you see how God uses his Word to teach you, change you, comfort you and guide you. Maybe you decide it’s finally time to do something about your eating habits, and you make a commitment to eat a healthier diet with fewer calories. Then you have to pay the price of that commitment by not buying junk food, not going to fast-food restaurants, not overeating, and putting veggies and fruits on your menu. When you pay that price, you start to reap the benefits—like, you look better and feel better, you have more energy, you sleep better. Then you realize that commitment is worth the price tag. Perhaps you decide it’s time for you to get more involved in your church, so you sign up for a small group study, and you spend time there weekly. Eventually you offer your home for a study, and that takes a little time and effort, even a little money. But what do you benefit? New friends, a support group, good information poured into your mind, wholesome relationships. It’s a commitment worth the price. There truly is wonderful freedom through being committed.
5/23/20243 minutes
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Freedom through Commitment – 3

Freedom through commitment—can that actually be true? We find freedom by making commitments. Think about it: You found freedom from the bondage of sin and the prospect of hell by making a commitment to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior. You found freedom to prepare yourself for the future by committing yourself to get an education. You found freedom to have an income and support yourself when you made a commitment to take a job. Freedom truly comes through commitment. Yet many people find it very difficult to make any kind of a commitment. Why is it so hard? One reason is fear of failure. Someone has said, “Fear of failure and humiliation go a long way in limiting how much someone is willing to risk committing to a course of action.” It’s true that commitment brings with it the possibility of failing, but lack of commitment means you never have a chance to succeed! Of course there will be failures, but the road to success is always lined with some failures. Like all fears, this fear is a tool of the enemy, which he uses very effectively to cripple us and keep us from the good things God wants to do for us and through us. Another reason some find it hard to make commitments is the fear of boredom. We’ve been conditioned to being entertained a lot in our technological society, so the idea that we might have to endure something which is not as much fun or as exciting as something else can paralyze us and prevent our involvement in things that really could be meaningful. And then there’s the reality that we refuse to be committed because we’re lazy and we just don’t want to put out the effort! I think one of the most common reasons people refuse to be committed is we’ve cluttered our lives with so much stuff that we just “don’t have time” to do things that are perhaps much more important. But it’s important to stop and ask yourself why you are so busy that you can’t take on other commitments. Is it because you allowed yourself to be pushed into things that really weren’t what God wanted you to do? Maybe we need to de-commit to some things that really aren’t so important. Is commitment really that necessary, you may ask? Isn’t there something else, something less scary? No, there is no way to be what God intended you to be and do what God intended you to do except by personally committing yourself to something or someone. Sitting on the fence, waiting for something better to come along, and fearing the responsibilities of commitment will not bring you contentment or fulfillment.
5/22/20243 minutes
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Freedom through Commitment – 2

As a leader in ministry for many years, I’m aware people are less and less willing to make a commitment. Many wait until the last minute to sign up or agree to help. It can be frustrating, but what is the reason for it? I had a conversation with a young woman in her 20s who was working on her master’s in theology, and she explained her generation doesn’t want to feel chained—her word—to some commitment because they want to feel free to do whatever they want to do at the moment. They want to live without structure and keep their options open. I think her analysis was pretty accurate. It’s an attitude that is prevalent among the younger generation, but believe me, it has crept into the minds of us older people, too. It’s a result of a very egocentric mindset—and we’ve encouraged this kind of thinking with our emphasis on individual rights, individual freedom, individual fulfillment. In other words, we’ve developed a cultural mindset that convinces us it’s all about me, and no doubt that is a key reason for this unwillingness to make commitments to things that might cost us some time or money or work. It is a destructive illusion to believe you are most free when you have fewer commitments. Jesus said truth will set you free, and if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. All of us long for freedom; it’s in our genes. But so often we just bark up the wrong tree to try to find it. The freedom that will bring satisfaction, contentment, and joy to your life is found in Jesus alone. But that freedom he gives us brings commitment with it, for to be a disciple of Jesus Christ is to relinquish our rights to him and decide we’ll be committed to doing his will. Now, that should affect our everyday lives. When we’re faced with choices, when we’re asked to make commitments, our first thought should be, “What would Jesus want me to do?” We should ask ourselves, “Am I choosing my way or God’s way?” When you took the job you now have, you made a commitment to that organization. Making that commitment gives you a paycheck, which affords you the freedom to pay your bills, buy some food and clothes, and keep yourself from being homeless! In the same way, we make a commitment to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior and enjoy all the incredible benefits he brings into our lives, but it also brings a responsibility to be committed—to give our lives to others, to lose our life in order to find it.
5/21/20243 minutes
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Freedom through Commitment

When you first read that phrase—freedom through commitment—it sounds like a contradiction, because we think commitment takes away our freedom. If I make a commitment to marry, I lose my freedom. If I agree to head up that project, I’ll be tied down. If I accept this invitation for Saturday night, something better may come along. If I sign up for that event at church, I may change my mind. How can commitment bring freedom? Commitment is all about making a choice, and when we choose in one direction, we lose the option to choose in another direction. But what we fail to realize is choosing not to choose is still a choice we make. Deciding not to make a commitment is a decision—and that reluctance to make a commitment takes us down a certain path with its own consequences. Jesus said, whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it (Matthew 10:39). Jesus was teaching us that if you focus on your freedom and you’re very reluctant to make commitments to anything or anyone because you want to be free, you’re going to lose your life. That means you’re going to lose the real meaning of life; you’re going to lose the real joy of life; you’re going to miss the purpose for which God put you here on earth. But if you’re willing to commit your life to God’s plan—if you lose your life, as Jesus put it—then you will find it. You will find that meaningful, purposeful life that fills you with satisfaction and contentment. Ephesians 2:10 says, for we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. God intends for each of us who are born from above, to do the good works he planned for us to do, and that means we have to make a commitment. We have to choose one path in life, which precludes us from choosing another. We have to make one decision about what we’ll do this weekend, which means we can’t do something else. We have to say yes to being involved in a ministry, which means we can’t go to the beach that day. The path of less commitment takes you into a less structured life. While that may sound like freedom, it is explicitly true that people who have structure and thereby commitments as part of their lifestyle have much greater satisfaction and less frustration than those who refuse to make a commitment for fear of losing their freedom. Jesus knew what he was talking about. Commitment is at low levels these days, and yet it has not brought great joy or abundant life.
5/20/20243 minutes
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Becoming a Godly Role Model

Role models. I think we all recognize that the role models in our lives have had a great influence on us. Paul wrote to the Corinthians: Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1). That is the Bible’s definition of role modeling. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, sure, the Apostle Paul could say ‘Follow me as I follow Christ.’ After all, he was an apostle, and he was the best Christian who ever lived. But we could never be expected to seriously tell someone to follow us and do like we do, could we?” Well, the answer is yes; every Christian should be that kind of a godly role model. I would imagine some of you have never thought of yourself as a role model or a leader. Maybe that's because you're still young, you are not an assertive person, or you don't have leadership gifts. But all of us are role models, and there are people in your life whom you influence. Therefore, we all have a responsibility as believers to make sure we are godly role models. I know that's a tall assignment, but we who are born from above have the power of the Holy Spirit within us. We don't have to do this on our own. God will enable us to become godly role models. However, I believe we do need to take our role modeling responsibilities seriously and consciously work at being better role models. Godly role modeling is the natural result of a normal, growing walk with Jesus. In 2 Corinthians 3:18 we see that we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus with ever-increasing glory. So, if our lives as believers are a continuing transformation, becoming more and more like Jesus, then we can also say, "Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.” We are responsible for the people we influence. That's a sobering thought, isn't it? We are responsible to set the best example of godly living we possibly can. We are not responsible for their behavior; they still have a free will to choose to follow our example or not. But if we do not give them the role model we should, we will be held accountable to God for our failure to be a good example. So, the first thing I would recommend is that you make a list of the people in your life over whom you have some influence. That will help you become more intentional about being a good role model. Then add to that list the names of others that you would like to influence. If you're a parent, your children's names will be at the top of the list. If you're married, your mate's name is likely to be on that list. Your co-workers are people over whom you have influence. If you're a manager or business owner, the people who work for you definitely will be on that list. Your close friends are within your sphere of influence; other family members will be there. If you have any leadership roles in your church or other organizations, such as a teacher, you've got a list of people there for whom you are a role model. Write those names down. You'll be surprised how wide your influence spreads. After you’ve made a list of the people in your life whom you influence or who you would like to influence in a godly way, then you want to consider some key areas where you need to set the right example. When Paul told the Corinthians to follow his example, he said, "Do not cause anyone to stumble. . .” (1 Corinthians 10:32). That's a good place to start when we think of our influence as role models. Who could you cause to stumble? In Romans 14 Paul tells us to be careful with someone whose faith is weak. Do you know any new believers? Those are people who look to us more mature Christians as role models. We could cause them to stumble by gossiping or by our lack of a servant attitude, to name just two. With new believers we have a heavy responsibility to exemplify a godly lifestyle so they have a clear model of what a Christian's life should be. If you're a parent, you could cause your children to stumble. One of the most common ways we can fail our children is to li...
5/18/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Incompetent Boss – 5

Ever had a new boss who came in with unrealistic demands and expectations? That’s where our friend, Fran, finds herself these days. Since Ben Mason has become their new manager, the whole department has been demoralized. Fran notices she is praying more now and that’s one good thing this new manager has done for her. She is determined God will help her deal with this with a good attitude and a sense of joy, not fear. Her friend, Louise, is a great help, and together they often pray for the office and each other. After a few weeks, it becomes obvious Ben’s knowledge of the industry, the competition, and the art of selling is woefully weak. But through all these difficult days, Fran continues to pray for the ability to see Ben the way God does. When she is so exasperated she doesn’t think she can take it another minute, she sees again that Ben is consumed with fear, and he covers it up with bravado. In a meeting with him, after reviewing a proposal for a new prospect, she says, “Ben, would you like to go with me for this presentation? I think it would be impressive for the prospect to meet the boss, and I’d be glad to have your help.” He looks at her briefly then turns his eyes away, obviously nervous. “I. . . I, uh. . . I really don’t think I have time, Fran,” he says, and then looks at her almost like a child, “but thanks for asking me.” “Is there anything else I can do for you, Ben?” Fran asks, trying to give him some word of encouragement. Somehow, he senses her genuine care, and he responds quietly, “Well, if you can tell me how to get these numbers up, that would help. Instead of improving, we’ve actually done worse since I got here. I don’t know what’s happening.” “Ben,” Fran says, “adjusting to a new place is always a challenge. Don’t be discouraged about the numbers. They’ll improve, I’m sure.” And before Fran realizes it, Ben is earnestly soliciting her advice. She spends the better part of an hour giving him some help, trying to do so without hurting his pride. She suggests a different approach to the account reps and other motivational things he might do. Finally, he says, “I think you could do this job better than me,” and looks at her with a very humble smile. “Ben, I know you want to succeed, but you need all of us on your team,” Fran says. “I just want you to know I’m on your team. I’ve been praying for you. And I believe you can succeed here.” “Praying for me?” Ben is astonished. “Well, yes,” Fran says, “I believe in prayer, and I talk to the Lord about everything in my life. It really makes a difference.” She assures Ben she is available to help anytime. After that she and others detect some improvement in Ben’s approach and things seem to get a little better. Well, if you’re facing a difficult manager, remember Fran’s experience. It may encourage you.
5/17/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Incompetent Boss – 4

Today is the day our friend Fran has her first one-on-one meeting with her new manager, Ben Mason. So, Fran is taking her lunch hour to pray for her 2pm meeting. She goes to her car, where she can have some privacy, and begins to pray. “Lord, I know my life is in your hands and Ben does not have control over me; you do. Help me to see Ben the way you see him. Remind me that you love him as much as you love me. And guard my words carefully, Lord.” Thinking of her own fears, the Lord seems to impress her with this thought: Ben is afraid, too. “Of course,” Fran says to herself, “he’s trying to cover up his fear with this tough attitude.” It’s as though a veil has been lifted from her eyes, and she can see fear written all over Ben. As she arrives at his office, Ben asks her to be seated and then says, “I see that you have been a sales leader in the office several times, Fran. I guess you think you’re pretty good,” and he looks at her with a sarcastic grin. “I enjoy the job, Ben, and hopefully I’ve gotten better at it as the years have gone by,” Fran replies, trying to avoid any defensiveness. “Well, if you ask me, your numbers are pretty anemic for a sales leader. You ought to be doing twice this much business if you’re that good. What’s the matter? Don’t you like going after new business?” Ben asks with an accusatory tone. What does she say? Another silent emergency prayer goes up, and she finds some words. “Well, obviously, Ben, finding new business is the hardest part of the job. I would imagine that you must have been very good at new business, and I am looking forward to learning from you so I can do it better. I hope you’ll share your secrets.” “It’s hard work, Fran,” Ben says, “and I expect a lot more from you than what you’ve done in the past.” “If you will tell me exactly what you expect, I will certainly do my best to meet your expectations, Ben,” Fran manages to reply. “Here’s what I expect,” Ben says, and he tells her how much revenue he expects from her in the next six months. The number is almost double her current quota, and Fran has to catch her breath. Both anger and fear begin to grip her heart and mind. Then she remembers what God showed her about Ben—he is frightened. And she says, “Well, to tell you the truth, Ben, this number is frightening. If you were trying to put fear into me, I guess you have succeeded,” and she looks at him with a faint smile. “Well, maybe this whole place needs a dose of fear. That’s the new quota, and I expect you to meet it,” Ben says. He then dismisses her, and that is the end of their first meeting.
5/16/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Incompetent Boss – 3

Today, Fran met the new manager of her department—Ben Mason—and she’s not happy about him. This evening, she calls her friend Louise to commiserate about Ben, but instead Louise refuses to get into a gossip session. Fran ended the conversation rather abruptly, but her face is glowing red, both from anger and from shame. She is angry with Louise for confronting her so forcefully, and ashamed of how she behaved. Fran steams around the house for half an hour with a fierce battle inside her. Finally, she sits down with her Bible and begins to pray. But few words come out before the tears start. “Lord, I’m so sorry. How could I behave so badly? How could I?” Fran cries out to the Lord. She is so disappointed in herself. She knows better than to gossip. She knows how wrong it is to have such a rotten attitude. She knows to take her concerns to the Lord and not complain to people. She knows all that, and yet she has done just the opposite. Opening her Bible to Romans 7, she reads beginning in verse 21: So, I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord (Romans 7:21-25)! “Wretched, Lord,” Fran prays, “that’s exactly the way I feel. I want to do your will, yet so easily, so quickly, I go back to my own self-centered way of responding. Please forgive me.” After a time of prayer and assurance that the Lord has indeed forgiven her, Fran thinks about what her next steps should be. “First, I have some apologies to make. Then I have to change my attitude toward Ben. He is my manager, and no one is in my life by accident.” She turns to Romans 13 and reads again the passage about those in authority: Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves (Romans 13:1-2). She prays for God to help her to respect Ben and his authority over her. Before going to bed, she phones Louise back with a sincere apology, and the two of them covenant again to hold each other accountable. The next day at work Fran finds a moment alone with George to apologize for her participation in the bad words about Ben. But now the challenge begins: She must deal directly with Ben Mason, her new boss.
5/15/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Incompetent Boss – 2

Our friend Fran begins this workweek with a new boss. Marilyn has been promoted and now, Ben Mason joins the department from the Boston office. At 9am, a meeting of the department is convened, and Ben Mason is introduced. He begins his opening remarks, “Well, I’m glad to be here and look forward to a very successful year. I’ve been looking at your numbers and we’ve got some work to do, don’t we? Seems to me we haven’t secured enough new clients. Maybe some of us are just too contented to rock along the way things are. Well, you’ll see some changes in the next few days because I think it’s time for a shakeup. We want to be the number one sales office in the company, and I intend to make it happen this year.” A silence falls over the department like a wet blanket. “Whoa,” Fran thinks, “what an opening shot he has fired.” She goes back to her office with some fear and trepidation. Before she has time to sit down, George walks in. He’s been an account manager for over ten years, and he really knows his business. “Fran, can you believe that guy? What a stupid thing to say on your first day in a new office. He must be connected with somebody somewhere to get this job. Man, life is going to be difficult for us.” Fran shakes her head. “I know, George,” she says, “I was shocked at what he said. He looks like a child; how old can he be? And how much experience can he have? You’re right—we’re in for some tough days.” They commiserate together a few minutes longer, and George leaves. Fran feels a cloud of discouragement descending upon her. As she goes home later, she lets her mind run wild with imaginations of how awful it is going to be to work for such a young arrogant man. She does the minimum that needs to be done to get the kids fed, do their homework, and get them into bed by 9pm. Then she calls her friend Louise, who works with her and is also a believer. “Louise, what did you think about Ben Mason? Pretty pitiful, right?” Louise is quiet. Fran continues. “Did you ever hear such an awful opening message? I mean, it has to break all the rules of being a good manager. Where did they dig this guy up anyway?” Louise remains quiet. “Louise, are you there?” Fran asks. “Yes, Fran, but I just don’t think we should be talking about him. . .” Fran feels the sting of her brief remark and knows she is right. But she’s not there yet. “Well, I’m just telling you how I feel, Louise. I mean, you have to tell someone, don’t you?” “Yeah, we do need to tell someone, I agree,” Louise says very quietly, “but I don’t think we should be gossiping.” “Gossiping?” Fran becomes defensive. “I don’t think this is gossip. I’m just reporting on the facts. Oh well, I know you’re busy; don’t want to keep you, Louise. See you in the morning.” And with that abrupt ending, she hangs up the phone.
5/14/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Incompetent Boss

Have you ever reported to someone you felt was incompetent and arrogant? In our story of Fran and Jesus on the Job, Fran encounters a new boss who taxes her patience to the limits. Since her husband’s untimely death, Fran has been blessed, really, with a good job and a good boss. Under Marilyn’s guidance and with her help, Fran has grown considerably in this position, and she really enjoys working for her. Even more importantly, Fran actually led her to saving faith in Jesus Christ. All in all, Fran is more than pleased with her current situation at work. Today as she busily writes a proposal for a new client, Marilyn comes into her office and sits down. “Uh oh,” Fran says half teasing, “When you come in and sit down, I know we’re in for something serious. What’s up, Marilyn?” Marilyn smiles. “Well, I have good news and good news. Which do you want first?” “Oh, please, the good news first,” Fran laughs. “The good news is I’ve just been selected as Vice President of Marketing for the entire division,” Marilyn reports, with obvious great pleasure. “No kidding?!” Fran exclaims. “Marilyn, that is awesome. Congratulations!” “Well, I’m a bit overwhelmed,” Marilyn says, “but I am excited about the opportunity.” “You deserve it, Marilyn,” Fran says, “and I couldn’t be happier for you. But wait a minute,” she pauses. “Does this mean you’ll be moving?” “Well, that’s the other good news, Fran. You won’t have to put up with me as a boss any longer. You’ll have a new boss starting next Monday. They’re promoting a guy from the Boston office. His name is Ben Mason. I don’t know him personally, but evidently, he’s done well there in sales, and so they’re bringing him here as a manager.” Fran plops back down in her chair. “Sorry, Marilyn, but that is not good news. You’re the best, and you’ve been such a great help to me. What will we do without you?” As Fran learns more about this Ben Mason, she realizes they have chosen someone with little experience. She asks Marilyn, “Why didn’t they choose someone right within our office. There are several here who’ve got more experience than that.” “My guess is that this is a young guy on his way up, and they may have him on a fast track. I admit it’s a little unusual but wait and see. He must be good, or they wouldn’t promote him this quickly,” Marilyn tries to reassure Fran. A big farewell party is quickly planned for Marilyn, and Fran sheds some tears as she began to realize she was losing not only a good manager but also a good friend. She has found a good church in Boston to recommend to Marilyn and they promise to stay in close touch. But what about this Ben Mason person? What kind of boss is he going to be?
5/13/20243 minutes
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Communicating Like Jesus Part 2

As disciples of Jesus Christ, he is our role model for every situation in our lives. The more you learn about Jesus, the more you will be amazed to see how he dealt with people and how he handled difficult situations. I encourage you to read a chapter in one of the Gospels every day. Just start in Matthew, go through John, and then start over again. I promise you’ll learn something new about Jesus every time you read the Gospels. One good way to read the Gospels is to put yourself in the picture; imagine that you are there, one of the disciples, or maybe you’re hearing Jesus for the first time. It will give you new insights into this God-man—a man like no other who ever lived. Yet, he was a man who was touched with the feelings of our infirmities because he chose to take on humanity and spend thirty-three years on this earth. Today we want to see how Jesus dealt with people who were misfits, people who were different. We can learn a lot from him, because for sure we have those kinds of people in our worlds, too. Who are the people where you work or where you live that most people have nothing to do with? In most situations, there are people who are not part of the in-group. You know, they look different or dress oddly. They talk a little strangely; maybe they don’t smell as good as they should. Or they’re not as educated as others. Maybe they’re just not important people. They are often avoided or left out. They are people on the margins. Make time for people on the margins. Jesus always had time for people that others ignored or rejected. He was continually thrown into contact with social outcasts, from lepers to beggars to sinners to demon-possessed people. In fact, he invited those kinds of encounters. And the religious leaders of his day never could figure him out. They were careful not to associate with these undesirables. How could this man intentionally surround himself with those who were unlovely, unattractive, unappealing? It didn’t make sense to them. Yet Jesus, by associating with those rejected by others, was able to heal them, help them, make them feel special, and give them hope. This is a good lesson for us to learn from our Master as we think about how we treat people. We should go out of our way to associate with those who are on the outside looking in. Can you think of someone right now who would fit that description? They may be a coworker or a member of your church or a participant in your Bible study or a neighbor. Why don’t you write that person’s name down, purpose in your heart to pray for that person, and then find ways to associate with him or her, to reach out and bring that person within your circle of friends. You may be amazed at what God wants to do for that person through you and what it will do for you to learn this important people skill. I think of a woman I know who would probably fit that “misfit” description. At first meeting you would probably think she was not as bright as others, or certainly was socially backward. But I’ve known her for years and discovered that she is very smart. She held a job for thirty years before retiring, and she has taught herself to use a computer, she takes classes at our church and other classes offered at libraries and such. She is truly delightful, but many would describe her as a social misfit. It’s always good to remind ourselves that God loves us all the same. He is no respecter of people, and each of us is of equal importance to him. When we look at people through his eyes, we’ll see that we all are on the same level. Break down walls that exist. Have you ever met someone or dealt with someone who just immediately put-up walls and barriers between you and them? Perhaps they were cold, defensive, withdrawn, or angry. But for whatever reason, the walls were up, and they weren’t going to let anyone bring them down. Jesus was masterful at breaking down walls, and I think the best example is how he dealt with the w...
5/11/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Effective Electronic Communication – 5

Watch out for that send button! That is my word of caution as I conclude my thoughts on effective electronic communication. That send button on your computer makes it easy to get a message off right away, but it also can become your Achilles heel if it is used carelessly. Remember everything you send through email is out there somewhere in cyberspace forever and ever! You may intend it to be for one person’s eyes only, but it can very easily be distributed or read by people who were never supposed to read it. Whatever you say in cyberspace cannot be taken back. You lose control of your message once you hit send. Those emails can come back to harm you, to destroy friendships, even to ruin careers. Not long ago I wrote an email about a sensitive situation and was just about to send it when I realized there was no way I wanted that email in cyberspace. And then, also not long ago, I sent an email to the wrong person. I chose the correct first name, but failed to see that there was more than one person in my address book with that first name. I sent it to the wrong person. Thankfully it wasn’t of a sensitive nature so there was no harm done, but I just realized again how easy it is to send an email to the wrong person. A good rule of thumb is to read over every word in your email before you send it. Check the name or names and make sure they are correct. And then ask yourself, is there anything in this email that should not be in writing? If in doubt, don’t! Pick up the phone or wait until you see that person to send that message. It’s not as fast, but it could save you lots of trouble in the future. Proverbs 21:23 says, those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity. Guarding your words—even those electronic words—can truly help you avoid calamity.
5/10/20243 minutes
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Effective Electronic Communication – 4

What is the most annoying thing about electronic communication to you? Don’t you wish that in order to use emails, everyone had to agree to certain rules of etiquette? No doubt you get lots of junk emails and long emails and annoying emails regularly. The question is, are you careful to avoid those email mistakes yourself? For example, don’t be the person who sends out a constant stream of informational emails to people who have not requested them or don’t need them. For example, forwarding articles or other emails that have a political bent to them is truly not smart professionally. And getting a constant stream of jokes or funny stories can become annoying. Even inspirational emails can be overdone. I confess these streams of emails are the ones I generally don’t read. I look at the subject, see who it’s from, and determine if it’s worth my time to read a long email. However, people I know and trust occasionally send me very worthwhile things to read, and because it is infrequent, I know they have thoughtfully sent something I will want to read, so I do. It’s good to remember anything can be overdone. Again, less is more. If you have a particularly complex communication or if there is significant emotional content to a message you need to send, determine if sending it by email is the best way to go. For example, if you need to apologize, it may be best to do that by phone or in person. Or when you’re delivering a message you know they don’t want to hear, such as denying a request of some sort, that is usually done best in a personal communication. Don’t use email communication to avoid uncomfortable messages or to cover up a mistake. In the long run, it will create more problems for you.
5/9/20243 minutes
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Effective Electronic Communication – 3

I’m examining email etiquette! Have you found emailing to be a blessing or a curse? It has certainly improved our ability to communicate quickly and easily, but it can become our master. We can truly become addicted and in bondage to this way of communicating. It’s a tool we need to use, for sure, but we need to use it wisely and correctly. A few more rules of etiquette for emails, in addition to the ones I shared with you yesterday: Be informal but not sloppy. Your email communication represents you and your organization, so it’s just as important to use correct spelling, grammar and punctuation as it would be for a printed communication. When you have an email for a group of people, consider how much more effective it might be if the email were individually sent to each person. Now, it’s certainly not necessary to do this with every group email, but for important communications you definitely want to be read, an email addressed to me personally, for example, will carry more weight than one addressed to me and several others. Using all capital letters looks as if you’re shouting, so only use it when you want to shout! Maybe there are times to shout for joy and that can be effective, but most of the time it has a negative effect. Instead, use a font color to highlight things. Generally, the fewer words you use, the more effectively you will communicate. Most of us use far more words than are necessary to get our messages across, and people just start to tune us out. A good suggestion is to edit every email before you send it and eliminate unnecessary words. Less is definitely more when it comes to emails. The Apostle Paul wrote so whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). Well, as a Christ-follower that means your communication skills—which are things you do—should be done for God’s glory. I send emails every day; most of you do as well. I want even the emails I send to bring honor, not dishonor, to my Lord.
5/8/20243 minutes
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Effective Electronic Communication – 2

How is your email etiquette? Recently a good friend was telling me the woes she is having with email communication. She is a computer programmer, and in order to help her coworkers, she sends emails with instructions on how to avoid problems, use the system better, etc. Her motivation is totally right; she wants to help. But some of her coworkers interpret her emails as being critical. What is she doing wrong? Proverbs 16:21 says: The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Another translation says sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. This principle holds true for emails as much as it does for the spoken word. Your choice of words always makes a difference. And remember asking is usually better than telling. A good way to judge how your words will be perceived is to read your email out loud to yourself before you send it and see how the words sound when they are spoken. That will often give you a clue as to the tone of your message and how it could be perceived by the person receiving it. Some email dos and don’ts: Be careful with your use of emotional symbols—emojis. You may find it clever or funny, but the recipient may not. Save those for casual messages between friends. Remember not everyone is as computer savvy as you are, and they may not understand those online abbreviations that have become popular. So, be careful using those. Start your business emails with a salutation. If you’re writing to three people or less, use their names: Hello, Tom, Jane and Linda. If you’re writing to more than three, you can use a common greeting, something as simple as “Hello.” But starting an email with no salutation can be perceived as harsh. If you’re involved in a long email going back and forth, you can eliminate the salutation after the first reply, but when in doubt, it never hurts to use a greeting. This is one area where I have to watch myself, because I just want to get to the meat of the message and skip the “niceties,” thinking they’re not necessary. But it truly can make a difference in the minds of others, so take the time to add that salutation.
5/7/20243 minutes
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Effective Electronic Communication

Did you know email messaging now exceeds telephone traffic and is the dominant form of business communication? Businesses report many of their employees spend three to four hours a day on email. And most of us would say, “What did we ever do without email?” However, along with this change in the way we communicate has come a new set of challenges. Communicating electronically is a very different medium, and if you are going to be effective in your job, you will need to learn how to use this tool and not abuse it. And that includes not only email, but Facebook, Twitter or X, and all the others which seem to pop up daily. I thought it might be helpful to examine ways to improve our electronic communication skills. The way we communicate creates impressions and perceptions of us as people. And as Christ-followers, we not only represent ourselves, but more importantly, we are ambassadors for Jesus Christ. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, for we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men (2 Corinthians 8:21). I think it behooves us to take pains to improve our communication skills. Let me begin by saying that as convenient as electronic communication is, it cannot replace the power of personal interaction. There are many times when face-to-face and voice-to-voice communication is absolutely the better way to go. No doubt we’ve lost a lot of personal touch because we use electronic means too often and too much. It’s much more difficult to communicate care and compassion by email than it is in person. It’s true we may communicate more often because we have these convenient ways to do it, but it’s also true that the impersonal nature of electronic communication can cause us to be careless in how we say things. It can make us sound cold and harsh. We must learn to put ourselves in the shoes of the person reading our emails and find ways to communicate courtesy and thoughtfulness electronically.
5/6/20243 minutes
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Communicating Like Jesus Part 1

If you are in the business world, no doubt you’re surrounded by all types of people, and as a disciple of Jesus Christ, your challenge is to deal with all those people like Jesus would. In fact, that’s true whether you’re in the business world or not! The Christian life is literally, Christ in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27).  Paul said, For to me, to live is Christ. . . (Philippians 1:21). And again, I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me (Galatians 2:20). We are the living word of God that people read every day. And if God has chosen to place you in what we call “secular” jobs, among those who yet have no understanding of God’s love and grace, you are his ambassador. But for true Christians, nothing in our lives is secular. We are all called to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, whether, as a pastor in a church, or driving a truck, or nursing in a hospital, or selling computers, or raising our children—or whatever! It is a big responsibility we carry as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, but the good news is that we have been given the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. It is through his power that we are enabled to take Jesus to work, as it were. The way we relate to others is through communication—the words we speak, the way we speak to them, our timing, our attitude, our motivation. All of these contribute to the way others perceive us and whether they see Christ in us. I want to look at some specific examples of how Jesus communicated with different people in different situations, because we can learn from the Master how we can best communicate with the broken world around us. Communicating with People Who Disappoint Us Has someone in your life disappointed you greatly? Life is full of those kinds of disappointments. Guess what—you’ve probably disappointed some people, too. When someone disappoints us, if we don’t know how to respond, we can do further damage to that relationship. Well, what can we learn from Jesus in dealing with people who disappoint us? Did you ever think about how his closest friends and associates failed Jesus? Judas betrayed him; Peter denied him; all the disciples abandoned him in the Garden of Gethsemane, shortly after they had all declared they would even die for him. But at the first sign of trouble, they were gone. Those twelve men were disappointing failures as disciples, were they not? They were slow to learn. They had their priorities all confused. They displayed very selfish motives for following Jesus and being his disciple. Over and over Jesus indicated his frustration with their lack of faith and trust in him. Yet, he never threw them off the team. He allowed them to fail; he permitted them to make mistakes; he suffered through their ignorance and arrogance, until finally they became the men he intended them to be—with the exception of Judas. So, here’s a principle we learn from Jesus when people have failed us or disappointed us or failed to live up to what we expected from them: Give people time to fail and learn. This is a people skill we all need to learn from Jesus and learn well. People must have time to learn and grow. Failure is one of the best teaching methods ever invented. Time is also a good teacher. So, in dealing with people, remember that disappointments come with the territory. Been disappointed in your child lately? Remember what you were like at his or her age. That always does it for me, because I can clearly remember the dumb things I did in my early years, and my daughter is way ahead of where I was. Give your child time to grow. Teach and coach and role model for your children, but remember, they’re going to disappoint you as they grow and learn. Got an employee who disappoints you sometimes? Maybe that person hasn’t yet polished their verbal skills and they say the wrong words at times. Or maybe their work habits are lacking a bit. Be patient with them. If that person is teachable,
5/4/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Proverbs 31 Woman at Work – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen She extends her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy (Proverbs 31:20). We find a very clear instruction in Proverbs 31:20. Extending leadership influence beyond the office and being charitable with your time, treasure, and talent to those in need helps you provide a good example to your team of how Jesus loved others. I have the pleasure of working with a very charitable organization that allows us to match our donations for an approved charity. This not only allows me to amplify my giving locally, but it allows my team to extend themselves as well. The amount isn’t as important as the awareness the giving brings to common areas of interest and the ways all of us care for our community. In addition to the charitable match, we also allow for two service days annually. We give our team members a day away to serve others in their community. What has been even better is that the team has also opted to support a charity together and serve as a team. These are examples of both time and treasure, but how are you giving of your talent? 1 Peter 4:10 says as each one has received a gift, use it to serve one another. While there are many biblical gifts we could discuss, I would ask you think of something you are good at that could benefit someone in need. Are you a good cook? Maybe someone could use a home cooked meal. Do you enjoy connecting with people? Perhaps you could start a bible study or prayer meeting locally. Perhaps you are handy. Maybe you could lend a hand to someone who has a home that needs repair. Do you have executive skills like strategy and planning, finance, marketing, or technology? Maybe it is time you join a volunteer board for a non-profit that serves your community or a cause that is important to you. I see women leading with open hearts every day. From serving in children’s ministries, to helping immigrants new to this country, working to solve human trafficking to foster care, and even literacy, these women take their talents to the next level. It isn’t about the financial donations they give, but about the extension of their talent with God’s love in their community and beyond. Being a leader, you are also called to be charitable. How can you extend your arm to someone today?
5/3/20243 minutes
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Proverbs 31 Woman at Work – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Wouldn’t it be terrific to laugh at the days to come? While this verse from Proverbs 31 seems flippant at face value, at its core is a woman who seeks her wisdom from God and fears him first. Being God fearing and wise are both attributes of leadership that help us further show love and faith at work. If we think of Colossians 3:23 where we are implored to work as to the Lord and not man, abiding in God’s Word for us helps us develop a healthy fear and reverence naturally. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised (Proverbs 31:30). We talked about our physical presence and how we can clothe ourselves with strength and dignity, but the Word here is clear. We shouldn’t solely rely on this. What does fear of the Lord look like? Naturally, if we fear God we seek to behave in a manner that is pleasing to him. This could show up in leadership as honesty, being giving of your time, or even through excellence in the work you produce. It can also show up in how you resolve conflicts with others or in how you listen well to your team. This reliance on God is not arrogant, especially since we know we cannot perfectly predict or control our future. God can. Proverbs 1:7 tells us, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The fruit of our Proverbs 31 woman’s fear is seen in verse 26. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue (Proverbs 31:26). Being a leader, you are in a position to provide instruction. Maybe this is as simple as on the job, technical training or providing deeper feedback to someone about specific development they need to progress to the next level of their career. In either instance we are called to be faithful. Being faithful with our words and being consistent in how we show up are all good fruits that help us love our teams well.
5/2/20243 minutes
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Proverbs 31 Woman at Work – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen She is clothed with strength and dignity; and can laugh at the days to come (Proverbs 31:25). As a leader, being clothed can take on aspects of both physical presence and personality presence. Consider the two defining words: strength and dignity. How do you show strength in both your physical presence and in your personality as a leader? First let’s think of our physical strength. You have heard the phrase you can’t pour from an empty cup! As a leader, taking care of your physical strength through minding your health is important. Are you getting enough sleep to endure through your day? Are you able to physically move your body and nourish yourself with healthy foods? All these daily habits of health will increase your physical strength. Now, what about showing strength in personality? Balancing strength with humility as a Christian is critical to showing love to others. Having a strong personality can take on negative connotations, but what if you think about leading with strength? One way you might show strength with a humble approach is by highlighting the work your subordinates complete. Perhaps you speak up during a meeting with an opinion that is contrary to the remainder of your leadership team in a respectful manner, or maybe you propose a new way to implement faith employee resource groups in your workplace. Now we shift to dignity in both your physical presence and in your personality as a leader. Dignity is defined as the state or quality of being worthy of honor and respect. I know this may sound silly but how you physically show up matters. Are you dressed professionally? This can take many forms depending on your environment, but dressing your best and being clothed in a dignified way matters. My mom always told me to dress for the job I want, not the one I have! What about having a dignified personality? Part of being worthy of honor and respect is showing honor and respect. Reflecting dignity to others is another way to show Christ’s love to others at work. Dignity is a basic human need; it's our sense of self-worth, respect, and esteem. Preserving dignity in another person means respecting their whole self and caregiving in a way that respects their preferences and individuality. Jesus showed dignity to others throughout the scriptures. From tax collectors to prostitutes, he should serve as our best example of how to approach each person where she is at. You may be the only example of Christ at work, and showing others dignity is key. Now for the final piece of this verse that indicates she can laugh at the days to come. The Proverbs 31 woman doesn’t fear the future because she leans on the Lord for wisdom.
5/1/20243 minutes
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Proverbs 31 Woman at Work – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen How do you start your day? And how do you solve problems that arise? Part of being a good leader is how you prepare and resource yourself. Considering Proverbs 31, what do we learn about being prepared? Two verses from Proverbs 31 stand out to me. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants (Proverbs 31:15). Sometimes the days seem long, and I know not everyone will wake up early to start their day. However, being a prepared leader will not only help you but will show love and respect also. Planning and being prepared can impact the elusive work/life balance so many people are seeking. As a leader, taking a few minutes in the morning to plan for your day is essential. Thinking more about providing food for her family and portions for her female servants, we can consider how those who work for us are in our care, just like our family. Whether it is a well-planned meeting or even planning to reach out to team members for a quick check in, a plan helps in their feeding. The next verse in Proverbs 31 also helps us consider our preparedness. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet (Proverbs 31:21). How is your team clothed? Let’s think of some examples of what this looks like at work. The pandemic gave us a look at how clothed teams were in their ability to work from anywhere. Some companies shined with their technology and others struggled to get this up and running. As a leader, how are you clothing your team to be ready if you take time away on vacation? Are work plans communicated with clarity, and are plans in place for someone to cover? What if one of your key team members suddenly leaves the organization? How is the team clothed to have access to important information like emails or files that will help with workflow? Taking special care in clothing someone to be prepared for a promotion is another consideration as you lead. Leaders who can help promote or grow other leaders are truly helping prepare their organizations, their subordinates, and themselves for what is next! Maybe you are listening to these examples and thinking you have a little fear for your work household! Wake up early and start making a list of how you can best prepare to clothe your team today and for future growth!
4/30/20243 minutes
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Proverbs 31 Woman at Work

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Many of us have read about the Proverbs 31 woman. Proverbs 31 verses 10-31 describe a woman who is to be praised for her godly character. In today’s reality, she embodies what many of us as Christian working women are: wives, mothers, and business leaders! Looking at this example in Proverbs 31, we consider some of the attributes that can impact our leadership. A wife of noble character, who can find? (Proverbs 31:10) Maybe when you hear the word noble your mind goes directly to a king or queen. However, another definition of noble is having or showing fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals. One can argue having high moral principles and ideals is one of the most important attributes of a leader. While most companies have a code of conduct, it is your behavior in the office or how you show up that matters. As a Christian, our moral principles and ideals are shaped by God’s Word in the Bible. At the highest level in John 15:12 we are called to love one another as Jesus has loved us. Being noble means showing our shareholders, colleagues, subordinates, customers, and even suppliers an attitude that exudes Christ’s love. Often, we see this referred to as servant leadership. Think of Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. This seems less than noble. Feet today are smelly, but back in Jesus’ time, people walked around in hot weather, in dust and dirt. It was a servant’s job to wash feet. We don’t need to wash feet at work, but there are simple ways to show love. Perhaps it is acknowledging a birthday or work anniversary. Maybe you celebrate your team’s success by acknowledging a job well done. Is a member of your team experiencing a trial with health or family? How can you support them? Let’s think of another definition of noble for a moment: belonging to a hereditary class with high social or political status. I think we have all met this leader who feels anointed to their position. Someone who has an air about them who feels above people. They don’t make time or reach down to help their team. Maybe it is hard to approach them. Focusing on high moral standards and ideals, I challenge you to read more about how Jesus served others and to look further into how the woman of noble character served others as well.
4/29/20243 minutes
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A Call to Mentorship

Presented by Lauren Stibgen I am going to age myself. My first job was one I secured by applying to an ad in the newspaper. I mailed my resume and cover letter that were printed from my Smith and Corona word processor. So, here I am with almost 30 years of work under my proverbial belt. I say this because it can be so easy for me to forget what it was like to enter the workplace for the first time, aspiring to be in a higher role. And, it can be easy for me to not want to spend the time thinking about generational differences and needs in today’s workforce. In fact, given the work I do, I often lament that I do not enjoy hiring new college graduates due to the amount of handholding it can take to work with them and the differences in how they view work. It wasn’t until I spent time with some young professionals that I saw how blind I can be. By not taking time to understand what they needed, I was not leading at all in a way that God had called. Jesus is our greatest example. He served people of all ages and vocations. Narrowing my focus was doing what served me and not what served the kingdom. The truth is, we are all experiencing firsts every single day. While someone new in their professional career may be learning what it means to step into the role of managing others, on the opposite end of the spectrum someone else is learning to let go after years of leading a team. Maybe it is letting go due to a career change or even letting go to retire. As a follower of Christ, I am called to see all of them. In the case of addressing the broken rung, I want to shift my focus to early-mid career professional women. As Christian leaders should care about the younger professionals in our workplace. While some of us may occupy that C-Suite, the pool of upcoming women who can take our spot is dwindling. They are leaving the workplace. While the study itself doesn’t take time to address the why, I can tell you a little of what I have seen. One of the noted issues women face, according to the McKinsey[1] study, is that of microaggressions. And women of color face microaggressions at an even greater rate than their peers. These experiences are another contributing factor to women leaving the workplace. Microaggression is defined as a statement, action, or incident regarded as an indirect, subtle, or unintentional discrimination against members of a marginalized group. As Christian working women, we need to care about the social issues other women face—especially women of different race and ethnic decent. While I consider my example of microaggression minor, it did occur, and it did impact my promotion. At the time, I was a director. I was asking for that next step up to a vice president spot. My boss at the time stated he didn’t see this being possible with my commitments as a mom—you know, having to be there to get them at school and such. I kid you not. My initial reply was that I was sorry he felt that way, and I then asked for examples of how my work had been interrupted or less than. I also inquired about the gentleman in my working group who coached football and left early three days a week. Well, you guessed it, I received the promotion. However, this is etched in my mind. It was so clear, man: ok. Woman: not ok. The broken rung statistic from McKinsey suggests that for every 100 men promoted to manager only 87 women were promoted. Men hold up to 60% of managerial positions. Have you been passed over or felt the wind come out of your sails when you didn’t receive a position you wanted? Discouragement—this overwhelming feeling of not being chosen. As a Christian working woman, we even struggle with these feelings. Although, if we are abiding in God’s Word we know there is one who chose us before the foundations of this world—Jesus. Even in the abiding and knowing that our heavenly calling is higher, we can still sit in these feelings. As a Christian woman, we are blessed with this abiding knowledge,
4/27/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Working by the Jesus Rules – 5

I’m examining working by Jesus rules, because Jesus had lots to say about our attitude toward our work, our work habits and our performance. I’m reminded of the time when Jesus taught Peter something about fishing. You’ll find the story in Luke 5. Jesus was walking along the shores of the Sea of Galilee and saw Peter fishing—or trying to. He gave him some advice: ‘Put out into deep water and let down the nets for a catch’ (Luke 5:4). Notice Peter’s answer: ‘Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets’ (Luke 5:5). Can’t you hear Peter’s mind working: You’re a carpenter; what do you know about fishing? I’m a fisherman; I know how and where and when to catch fish, and your instructions don’t make sense. But just because Jesus said to do it, he did and caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break. Peter had never seen anything like this, and it humbled him as he worshiped Jesus and acknowledged Jesus had control over fish and all he had to do was obey. Whatever your job is, Jesus knows more about it than you do. He is all-knowing, so when you’re facing some dilemma on your job, when you need help and advice, why don’t you go to Jesus first and foremost and ask him what to do? The Word of God has all kinds of good advice that is very applicable to every issue you’re facing, on the job and elsewhere. Make it a daily habit to present your needs and requests concerning your job to Jesus and expect him to give you wisdom and strength and guidance. A good friend of mine is in a very high-powered, stressful job, which she believes is exactly where God has put her to be a witness for him. Many times, she sends me a text to pray for a specific situation she’s facing on her job. Why don’t you form a buddy-system with someone you know and agree to pray specifically for each other’s job issues. Two other friends of mine agreed to pray by phone each morning before going to work, and they did that for years. They have wonderful testimonies of how God gave them wisdom and help on their jobs. Learn to depend on Jesus and his Word for guidance as you face tough decisions. He’s a Wonderful Counselor, and you won’t be disappointed.
4/26/20243 minutes
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Working by the Jesus Rules – 4

Do you often compare yourself to others? If you do, you usually end up in one of two places. Either you decide you’re a lot better than others, or you decide you fall way short and don’t measure up. Comparing yourself to others is a very bad habit, often a sinful habit, and can truly handicap you. That is one lesson we learn from the parable of the talents, which is recorded in Matthew 25. As Jesus tells this story, there are three people who start out with very different amounts—or talents—which they are to manage for their boss. One begins with five, one with two, and one of them receives just one. The first two work hard and double their talents, so the first one now has ten, the second one has four. But what about the guy who had only one? Does he now have two? No, he still has just one because he decided not to do anything with the one he had. After all, he might lose it, and the boss wouldn’t like that. He comes up with this lame excuse that he didn’t want to lose his one measly talent, so he hid it. If he expected to get a sympathetic response from his boss, he was badly mistaken, because the boss harshly chastised him for not multiplying what he had. Yes, he started with only one talent, but then all he had to do was come up with one more, and he would have received the same reward the other two received. I think part of his problem was he compared his one talent with the other guys and decided he couldn’t do much with just one talent anyway, so why bother. He did nothing because he made the mistake of comparing himself with others and then throwing a pity-party. There’s no doubt that in your job there are people of differing abilities and talents—some more gifted than others. But the issue is not what you start with; it’s how you finish. If you work by the Jesus rule, he’s not asking you to measure up to other people, but simply to be faithful to multiply what he has given to you. Comparing yourself to others will often discourage you. Just be grateful for what you have and make the most of it. That’s the Jesus rule.
4/25/20243 minutes
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Working by the Jesus Rules – 3

No doubt you’ve heard and sung the old familiar chorus: I have decided to follow Jesus; no turning back, no turning back. It’s a good song to sing to yourself throughout your day. It reminds you that you have made a choice to be a disciple of Jesus Christ, and keeping that in your mind at all times will help you remember who you are: a Christ-follower. For those of us who are Christ-followers, we need to be aware of what Jesus taught us concerning how we live our lives. Jesus gave us some clear principles as to how we live out our faith on our jobs. The parable of the talents, as given in Matthew 25, is a very strong teaching Jesus gave us about how we manage our time and opportunities. Three people are given differing amounts to work with: one five talents, one two, and one received only one talent. As Jesus tells the story: The man who had received the five talents went at once and put his money to work and gained five more. So also, the one with the two talents gained two more (Matthew 25:16-17). Right away, one of the lessons Jesus teaches us in this parable is he expects us to work at multiplying our resources, our opportunities—to make the most of what we’ve been given. And we should get right to it—no lollygagging, no wasting time. Are you working by this Jesus rule—to do the absolute most with what you have? Maybe you have a job that is not challenging to you; maybe you’ve been doing the same job for years, and you’re just in that old familiar rut. You do what you have to do, but that’s it. If you want to work by Jesus rules, you need to get out of that rut and start finding ways to do more with what you have. It’s easy to just stay in our ruts, isn’t it? This year we celebrate forty years since this ministry began its first radio broadcast in 1984. Many times, during these years I’ve had to get myself out of a rut—of just doing it the way I’ve always done it. You have to be intentional about getting out of your rut and becoming creative. How about having a brainstorming or strategic planning session with others, to just think about better ways to do what you’re doing? I find that is a really good way to put some fun back in the job and do more with what you’ve been given.
4/24/20243 minutes
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Working by the Jesus Rules – 2

Working by Jesus Rules—that’s what I’m examining. If you and I are truly Christ-followers, people who have accepted him as our Savior, then we need to understand Jesus gave us rules and guidelines for our attitudes and actions on our jobs. We need to know the Jesus rules. In Matthew 21, Jesus tells the parable of the two sons. The father told the first son to go work in the vineyard, and that son refused to go, but later he changed his mind and went. The second son agreed to go, but then he didn’t go. Jesus asked, “Which of the two did what his father wanted?” Obviously the first son did what his father asked. One of the things this parable teaches us is we should walk our talk. The second son gave the right answer, he looked and sounded good, but he failed to deliver. He was all talk and no walk. A good rule of thumb is under promise and over deliver. That’s what the first son did. He delivered more than he promised. His talk wasn’t very impressive, but he went out and got the work done. Have you known people who could talk a good game but never put the elbow-grease behind their talk? They were lazy and just loved to hear themselves talk. I think many times they actually believe their own talk, but somehow, they never produce. I’d rather have a quiet, hard-working, no-nonsense worker any day than a smooth talker. Are you a reliable person in your job? Does your boss know you can be depended on to do the job and do it right? That’s working by Jesus rules. You may not be the smartest or the fastest person on the job, but you can always be the most dependable and the hardest working. One way to make a lasting good impression is to be the kind of person who doesn’t have to be watched or reminded. It’s a joy to have workers who are so dependable you never have to follow-up and stay on their case. You just know they will do what you asked, and they’ll do it as quickly as they can. We represent Jesus Christ on our jobs, and one of our trademarks should be we walk our talk.
4/23/20243 minutes
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Working by the Jesus Rules

Jesus tells a parable in Matthew 20 that is a puzzle for us to understand. It’s the story of an employer who offers to hire workers for a certain amount, the workers agree to the pay, and they go to work in his vineyard. Some start work early in the morning and work all day; others are hired throughout the day; and finally at five o’clock this employer hires even more people to come and work in the vineyard. At the end of the workday, the employer pays them the exact same amount, even though some have worked twelve hours, some ten, and some just one hour. Well, as you can understand, those who worked the entire day were not happy campers. When they received it (the pay they had agreed to), they began to grumble against the landowner. ‘These who were hired last worked only one hour,’ they said, ‘and you have made them equal to us who have borne the burden of the work and the heat of the day’ (Matthew 20:11-12). And as Jesus tells this parable, this is how the landowner responds: But he answered one of them, ‘I am not being unfair to you, friend. Didn’t you agree to work for a denarius? Take your pay and go. I want to give the one who was hired last the same as I gave you. Don’t I have the right to do what I want with my own money? Or are you envious because I am generous?’ (Matthew 20:13-15). I’m examining working by Jesus rules, the rules that apply to those of us who are Christ-followers and who want to please Jesus. And his message here is we are to work without envy. We are not to envy what others get or have or do. Envy will eat you alive. A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones (Proverbs 14:30). Is there some envy in your heart today—toward coworkers or others? It will rot your bones—destroy your health, shorten your life. If you want to work by Jesus rules, then you need to clean out the envy in your heart. Believe me, you’ll be so glad you did.
4/22/20243 minutes
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How to Handle Criticism

I remember as I was putting the finishing touches on one of my Bible studies, I asked several people to critique it for me. I had enough sense to know that I needed other eyes looking at it, seeing what I couldn't see, if I really wanted that Bible study to be as good as it could be. But frankly, I didn't want to hear the criticisms I had solicited. And I had to fight with everything in me to keep from being defensive as suggestions were made to improve the study. Now, if I feel that way about solicited criticisms, you can imagine how I react to unsolicited criticisms. It is a very hard thing for me to handle—I have to be honest with you. Reviews of my books frighten me; I have to make myself read them. I fear they will be negative, and that would be painful. I can relate with Job who said in Job 6:24-25: Teach me, and I will be quiet; show me where I have been wrong. How painful are honest words. It seems Job had the same type of reaction to criticism that I do. Well, it's a weakness, and it's one I must overcome. Because I need good honest criticism, I need input from others so I can improve, so I can avoid making the same mistakes all the time, so I can see myself and how others perceive me more accurately. I NEED IT, but I don't want it. How would you rate yourself when it comes to handling criticism? Would your score, like mine, be on the low side? Well, how can we improve? We don't have to be this way forever. Jesus has victory for us in every area, and that includes handling criticism. So, let's talk about it. Handling criticism well is a sign of maturity, both spiritual and emotional maturity. I'm discovering that as I am more and more confident of who I am in Christ and how much he loves me, the better I am at accepting criticism. As I grow spiritually with God, I also grow emotionally. Have you ever thought about that? The two go hand-in-hand. Spiritual growth—knowing who God is and how we relate to him and how he relates to us—brings emotional growth. So, I notice that as I spend time getting to know God, immersing myself in God's Word, and filling my mind with his thoughts, my emotional weaknesses begin to improve. So, as in every other area of our lives, the starting point for learning to handle criticism well is to get to know God better, spending time in his Word, communicating with him regularly and growing continually in our understanding of God and our faith. And then, if we're going to learn to handle criticism correctly, we've got to have the right attitude toward it. If we look at it as something negative, then obviously we'll handle it poorly. It reminds me of my first job in sales with IBM. We weren't allowed to have problems; we were instead faced with many opportunities! A positive outlook on any situation can make a huge difference in how we react. If you can learn to think of criticism as a helpful tool in your life which can accelerate your own growth and learning curve, then that takes a lot of the pain out of criticism and gives you a good starting place for handling it correctly. So, the next time a criticism comes your way, send up a quick silent prayer and ask the Lord to help you see this as an instrument of good in your life. That way you can turn the pain into gain. Yes, the criticism was painful, but now you can make a painful experience a stair-step towards improvement, so you don't suffer for nothing! That makes sense, doesn't it? What else can you do to teach yourself to handle criticism better? Well, you surely need to pray that God will give you a teachable heart and make you able to accept criticism appropriately. That's always a necessity for us as Christians when we recognize an area in our life that needs strengthening. We read in 1 Corinthians 11:31 that "if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment.” We can judge ourselves by asking God to show us our weaknesses and praying about them,
4/20/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Leadership Principles from Nehemiah – 5

Do you know how to motivate people? The ability to motivate people and inspire them is absolutely essential if you want to be an effective leader. Even as leaders in our homes, we need to know how to motivate our children and even our mates. When I speak of motivation, I want to be clear I’m not speaking about manipulation. Trying to manipulate people to do what we want them to do is deceptive and wrong. But if we’re doing something worthwhile and we need others to come alongside, then we must learn how to motivate them so they will take ownership and want to succeed with us. We’ve looked at a few principles from the life of Nehemiah. He was called by God to do a monumental task—rebuild the broken walls of Jerusalem. Obviously, he needed help, and he had to find a way to motivate the few Jews that were left to undertake this huge project. Then I said to them, “You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace.” I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, “Let us start rebuilding.” So, they began this good work (Nehemiah 2:17-18). Nehemiah presented the problem to them and underscored the fact it was a disgrace to them for the walls of Jerusalem to be in ruins. He assures them of God’s guidance in this task and challenges them to join him in rebuilding the wall. And they readily agreed. In motivating others, we must always present the challenge and the benefit. I find people really love to be challenged, to push the envelope and do what looks difficult or impossible. Presented in the right way, it will motivate people to join with you, provided they can see the need and the benefit. Nehemiah told them what they already knew—that the ruined wall of Jerusalem was a disgrace to their nation. He motivated them through patriotism and loyalty to God. Once they shared Nehemiah’s vision, they were willing to commit themselves to rebuild the wall. Ask God to show you how to motivate others appropriately, how to cast the vision, and make the rewards and benefits obvious. It is a very important characteristic of an effective leader.
4/19/20243 minutes
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Leadership Principles from Nehemiah – 4

Do you know how to keep a secret? We are examining some principles from Nehemiah because he was a very successful leader and motivator, as well as a very godly man. And we can learn much from him. One of his secrets of success was he knew how to keep a secret. After asking for and receiving permission from his boss, King Artaxerxes, to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the walls, he arrives there to do this seemingly impossible task. In chapter two verse twelve we read, I had not told anyone what my God had put in my heart to do for Jerusalem (Nehemiah 2:12). Now why was it important for Nehemiah to keep his own confidence? If he had ridden into Jerusalem and started pronouncing to everyone his intention to rebuild the broken walls, they would have thought he was mad. Who did he think he was anyway? He realized this had to be approached very wisely and carefully, and he had to show the people it could be done. He needed a plan and he needed to take his time to do it right. He kept his mouth shut until the appropriate time. Those who guard their lips preserve their lives, but those who speak rashly will come to ruin (Proverbs 13:3). Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity (Proverbs 21:23). A trustworthy person keeps a secret (Proverbs 11:13). Speaking rashly always leads to regrets. How many times have you wanted to cut your tongue out because you said something rashly, told something you should have kept in confidence or said something that was not carefully thought-out? It is so true guarding our mouths will keep us from calamity. Nehemiah could have destroyed any possibility of rebuilding that wall—doing what God had called him to do—if he had not controlled his tongue and kept his own confidence until the time was appropriate. We can benefit greatly by following his example.
4/18/20243 minutes
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Leadership Principles from Nehemiah – 3

I wonder if you’ve read the book of Nehemiah lately. You’ll find it in the Old Testament between Ezra and Esther, a book of thirteen chapters, and filled with practical help for us today. I encourage you to read it again or for the first time. You will be blessed to see how this man of God, Nehemiah, tackled what looked like an impossible task, rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem, and did it in record time. In chapter two, verse eight, Nehemiah says, Because the gracious hand of my God was upon me, the king granted my requests. Nehemiah had asked his boss, the king, for some time off to go back to Jerusalem and repair the walls. This was a gutsy request on his part, and he prayed much before asking. But he believed it was God’s will for him to do this, and he took courage and asked for permission. When the king grants his request, he immediately gives praise and credit to the Lord and his gracious hand. Nehemiah was a truly humble man, who was quick to give God the glory for his success. He was not too proud to ask the king for this favor, and when the favor was granted, he was humble and not proud of it. No bragging on his part, but true humility. You know, to be an effective leader, we must first know when we need help from others and how to ask for that help. Nehemiah made his request in a very respectful manner, fully aware of his position before the king. He could never have gone back to Jerusalem to build those walls without the king’s permission, and once it was granted, he didn’t gloat or take it for granted. He gave God praise. I find one of the things a good leader must do is to know when to ask for help and where to go for that help. None of us is an island, as the poet reminds us, and we need others. Again and again in Scripture we see this principle of our dependence on each other in the body of Christ, and the importance of working together. One of the lessons I’ve had to learn as a leader is that it is not a sign of weakness to admit you need help. Nor it is an imposition to ask others to help you. Most often you open up opportunities for others to use their gifts and be a part of the success by asking for their help. Learn from Nehemiah’s example of seeking help when needed, and giving credit where it is due. Again, it is the sign of a good leader and a mature person to acknowledge the part others have played and give them credit for their contributions.
4/17/20243 minutes
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Leadership Principles from Nehemiah – 2

I am examining leadership principles from the life of Nehemiah. Now, maybe you’re thinking you’re not a leader, but all of us are, in some way or another. And these principles are relevant to everyone. Yesterday we saw a leader knows how to handle bad news. In the second chapter of Nehemiah, we find he was open and vulnerable. You see, he worked for King Artaxerxes, and nobody was allowed to look sad or unhappy in the king’s presence. In fact, the death penalty was the punishment for sad-looking servants. But with a heavy heart about his people and the condition of Jerusalem, Nehemiah looked sad in the king’s presence. Nehemiah did not hide his grief and sadness. He wasn’t trying to make others feel bad, but he wasn’t putting on a “happy face,” as we say. Psychologists say 80 percent of our emotional strength frequently goes into wearing a mask, pretending to be someone we are not. Think about it—when you ask someone how they are doing, how often do people say anything except “fine.” Now, I’m not suggesting we start dumping our problems on anyone who asks, “How are you?”  But I do believe far too often we put on a mask and pretend to be who we are not, when we need to be openly honest. There is great relief in developing this characteristic of not being afraid to reveal who we really are. You can be much more relaxed when you accept yourself the way you are, acknowledging your weaknesses and also recognizing your strengths. It is a sign of spiritual and emotional maturity to be honest about yourself. I remember going to Uganda and Kenya to minister to women in Christian leadership, and the women were kind enough to write notes of appreciation for my teaching. I noticed many of them said things like, “Thank you for opening up to us,” and “Thank you for speaking from personal experience.” Being real and open can be used mightily by God to build bridges to other people and open up possibilities for ministry that would otherwise be closed. Remember, God has called us to be authentic and not to wear a mask. As the Apostle Paul wrote, By the grace of God I am who I am, and there is no reason to cover up who we are in Christ.
4/16/20243 minutes
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Leadership Principles from Nehemiah

I am examining some important leadership principles from the book of Nehemiah. You may wonder what an Old Testament saint could teach us about leadership today, but you’ll discover these truths are timeless. Nehemiah was both an outstanding spiritual leader and a very good business manager, and we can learn a great deal from him. One of the first principles we learn from Nehemiah is he knew how to handle bad news. We read in chapter one of Nehemiah that his brother brought him the bad news that Jerusalem’s wall was broken down, its gates had been burned, and those who survived were in great trouble. Well, that would be enough to discourage anyone. But Nehemiah does not fall apart, even at this bad news. Life is full of bad news. It could be a small disappointment to a catastrophic occurrence, but when bad news comes your way, how do you respond? A strong leader is not only able to take the bad news but wants to know it. Sticking your head in the sand is a sure sign of immaturity and lack of trust in God. If you are a manager on your job, a leader in your church, or have an influential position of any kind, you need to make certain people around you don’t hide the bad news from you. Of course, they’ll be more likely to tell you bad news if they are confident your reaction will be reasonable and controlled. You can’t let bad news rattle you. You will lose the confidence of those who look up to you, and it will make matters worse. David had to face many bad news situations. In one case, he returned with his 600 soldiers to Ziklag and found the enemy had robbed them of everything and set fire to the city. His men were so upset they wanted to kill David. But David did not panic. The Bible says simply: David found strength in the Lord his God (1 Sam. 30:6b). Then he asks the Lord what to do, and under God’s direction, he pursued the enemy and recovered all that was lost. Interestingly, both David and Nehemiah mourned and wept at their bad news, but they didn’t stay there. They prayed for guidance and obeyed the Lord. Do you fall into depression when things do not go well? We can learn a very valuable lesson from Nehemiah on how to handle bad news.
4/15/20243 minutes
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Communicating Effectively

Did you ever think about what kind of impression you make on people? We create these impressions through our communications with others. Basically, we communicate in three ways: verbally, the words we speak; vocally, the tone of our voice; and non-verbally, our body language, facial expressions, etc. Frequently we don't even realize that what we're doing is causing poor or negative impressions. As Christians working in a world that needs to know Christ, we should make the best impression we can. We are, after all, ambassadors for Jesus Christ; we represent him to our world. Since we are perceived by others by the way we communicate with them—including our verbal, vocal and non-verbal communications—don't you think we should be intentional about improving in all those areas, so that we put “our best foot forward,” so to speak? Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 8:21: For we are taking pains to do what is right, not only in the eyes of the Lord but also in the eyes of men. Taking pains to do what is right—that's a good way to put it, because it really does take effort and concentration to do what is right sometimes. So, let’s talk about these three areas of communications and perhaps give you some ideas about how you can improve—take a few extra pains to do what is right—so that you are making the best impression you can. Verbal Skills Verbal communication is our choice of words. You've probably heard the jingle that says, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Well, don't believe it. Words can and do hurt very much. Many times, people react not to the message we have given them, but rather to the way we gave the message. Think of how often someone has given you some work to do, but she didn't ask in a nice way; no please or thank you. She just demanded you do it and showed no consideration for what you were doing already. If you think about it, you probably reacted very poorly not because you didn't want to do the work, but simply because she didn't ask in a nice or considerate way. The Bible tells us that: Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness (Proverbs 16:21 ESV). If we choose our words carefully, not only will it be good for the other person, but we'll discover that we are more persuasive and effective in reaching people. Watch out for phrases like It's not my fault. It's not my job. That's not a good idea. You can't do that. You'll have to wait until tomorrow. That's so stupid. That's a dumb idea. Remember that you don't like to be told what to do; you don't like to be talked down to in a condescending way; you don't like to be scolded or humiliated or made fun of. So, be careful not to use words that sound demanding, condescending or humiliating to others. In a meeting one woman was expressing a concern for her parents, and without thinking, another person told her what to do, in a very direct, dictatorial way. I know this person meant very well; she was really trying to help. But the way she communicated, both in her choice of words and the dictatorial tone of her voice, just brought a cold blanket over the whole meeting. Try your best to avoid sounding like a dictator. Put your instructions in the form of a question; it works beautifully. Instead of "You'll have to call back later," say instead, "Could I ask you to call back later?” Slight change of words but what a difference it makes. Remember, no one likes to be told what to do, so ask instead. Be especially careful about your choice of words when you have to give someone bad news. Undoubtedly there are times on your job and otherwise when you are required to tell people something they really don't want to hear. When you have bad news, at least soften the blow. Proverbs 16:24 says: Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. If you'll soften the blow, they'll handle the bad news better. Proverbs 25:11 tells us that: Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling r...
4/13/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Five Habits of Extraordinary Leaders – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop I am examining 5 habits of an extraordinary leader, and today we’re wrapping up with: be reliable. Before we dive into our final leadership habit, I want to acknowledge you’ve most likely heard about these skills and habits. While these competencies may sound like common sense, ask yourself, “Do I make these skills my common practice?” There is a big difference between knowing about something and actually doing it and living it out. As you gauge your leadership, measure it by the degree these habits are regular and consistent. Consistency is key. Being consistent in positive actions and behaviors will help you create trust with those you lead. Others will see you as reliable. When you are reliable you keep your commitments. You do what you say you are going to do. You follow-through. One of the quickest ways for you to lose trust and undermine your leadership is by not keeping your word. Sounds simple, doesn’t it? Yet, how many times have you said you would do something and dropped the ball or neglected to carry out what you committed to? In Matthew 5:37, Jesus says, all you need to say is simply yes or no. Now the context of this verse has to do with oath-keeping and is part of the sermon on the mount when Jesus is addressing the subject of telling the truth. He tells the crowd not to break their oaths. An oath was a promise to do or not do something, invoking God as a witness and the one to bring judgment if the promise was broken. Back in the day, it was common for people to make oaths to emphasize their seriousness and truthfulness. While you are most likely not invoking God as your witness when you make commitments at work, this biblical truth applies to your witness as a follower of Jesus. Are you impeccable with your word? Do you have a reputation as someone who says something and does it? Or do you say you will get back to someone, but you never do or fail to complete a task that you agreed to. The reality is there are no small things when it comes to keeping your word. Our reliability is questioned when what we might consider the insignificant things are in fact significant to others. To be an extraordinary leader, have integrity and be faithful to your word so others know they can rely on you.
4/12/20243 minutes
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Five Habits of Extraordinary Leaders – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you express genuine appreciation for others? I am examining 5 habits of an extraordinary leader. And today is the fourth habit: show appreciation. Gary Chapman’s book The Five Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace shares a statistic that 65% of North Americans reported they had not received recognition or appreciation at their workplace in the past year. And while 51% of managers believe they do a good job of recognizing employees for work well done, only 17% of employees believe their manager actually does a good job of recognizing them[1]. Clearly, something is off! Data shows 79% of employees will quit their jobs due to a lack of appreciation (Zippia.com), while employees who feel valued are motivated to do their best work[2]. How regularly do you show appreciation in the workplace? It’s been said encouragement is oxygen to the soul. Just as every person has inherent value, every human being has a desire (whether they will admit it or not) to feel valued and appreciated; it’s one of the deepest and most basic human needs. While it’s been proven there is a bottom-line benefit to organizations for fostering a gratitude culture in the workplace, the buck doesn’t stop there. As a leader, and especially as a follower of Jesus, you are entrusted with tapping into the potential of the people in your care, helping them unleash their gifts and talents. This is a different mentality than, “Just do your job.” You have a high calling for cultivating a work environment that is built on an attitude of trust and to inspire and not to embrace the old “command and control” mindset. How can you genuinely show appreciation? Don’t just show gratitude for what people do, show appreciation for who they are. Be specific, rather than general, saying “Hey, good job on that project,” doesn’t point out what you specifically valued. Instead, it might sound something like this. “Hey Jim, I just wanted to say I really appreciated your attention to detail on the presentation last week. You do your work with excellence, and you bring a lot of heart and passion to the team.” When showing appreciation, go beyond pointing out a person’s performance to acknowledging their intrinsic value too. Dr. Paul White says, “Even the hardest heart will soften and respond to a freely given ‘cup of water’ of appreciation—reviving their spirit and creating new growth.” How will you make showing genuine appreciation a leadership habit in your life? Who is someone in your workplace you will encourage this week? -- [1] Chapman, G. D., White, P. E., & White, P. (2012). The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace: Empowering Organizations by Encouraging People. Northfield Publishing. [2] Kizer, K. (2023, June 29). 35+ powerful leadership statistics [2023]: Things all aspiring leaders should know. Zippia. https://www.zippia.com/advice/leadership-statistics/
4/11/20243 minutes
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Five Habits of Extraordinary Leaders – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop I am examining 5 habits of an extraordinary leader. And today we’ll talk about the third habit: be an empathic listener. How do we practice empathic listening? When you listen empathically, it means you are listening intently and deeply to another person with the resolve to understand them and not with the goal to respond. Think of the last conversation you had at work or home with your spouse or teenage kid. Were you focused on listening to them in a way they felt heard or was your mind racing with a response, your lips poised to give advice or blurt out your point of view? If we’re honest a lot of our communication is spent trying to get our thoughts across and have others listen to us. We can be so committed to our way of thinking we make assumptions about what another person means before they finish communicating. Empathic listening flips the script. Proverbs 20:5 instructs, The purposes of a person’s heart are deep waters, but one who has insight draws them out. When you listen to understand, you not only increase the chance of the person feeling heard, but there is a very high probability—especially in conversations where emotions run high—you will draw out the real issue. The next time someone comes to you with a problem, frustration, worry, concern, or complaint, resist the urge to judge, fix, or give advice. Instead, employ empathic listening. Let them know you hear them by paraphrasing their words and reflecting back the emotion you are sensing them express. For example, imagine your coworker comes into your office in a panic and says, “I’m completely overwhelmed and frustrated with this job. I just don’t think I can do it anymore.” Now your instinct may be to start commiserating or giving your opinion or advice, and while there may be a proper time and place for that, first try responding in a way your coworker feels like you are listening and hearing what they said. You might say something like, “It sounds like you feel discouraged at work.” Or, “I hear you’re frustrated.” And then just stop and let the person respond. Don’t be afraid of silence. When you listen this way, it creates a space for the person to keep talking and for you to gain greater understanding. If you are not used to listening in this way it can feel awkward at first but try it in the workplace or at home. See what happens when you press pause on fixing and advising and listen with the intent to truly understand.
4/10/20243 minutes
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Five Habits of Extraordinary Leaders – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop I am examining 5 habits of an extraordinary leader. Yesterday’s habit was to be a learner. Today’s habit is to be present. One way to practice presence is through your listening. We all have been taught listening is important, but few people have mastered this critical skill. You may already think you are a good listener, but there is a big difference between listening and hearing. And whether you listen or don’t, it will affect your impact as a leader. When you are in a leadership role, you create the tone of your team and your organization. Your actions directly influence the level of trust, collaboration, and contribution you inspire in the people who work with and for you. Being truly present and listening in a way people feel heard and understood creates an experience for people. They sense you really care, and when you demonstrate a genuine interest in other people, you increase trust. How can you level up your leadership through listening? By practicing presence. One way to do this is by maintaining eye contact. I once worked for a senior leader who rarely paid attention when people talked. In one-on-one conversations, if he were anywhere near his computer, he would give a hand motion for someone to start talking but he would keep looking at his screen. In meetings, he would constantly check his phone or be on his iPad. It was pretty deflating for the team, and if I am honest, it was very frustrating, especially when he was the one who called the meeting. Your lack of listening shows a lack of interest. When you are in conversation with someone, put the phone down, turn it over, or better yet put it in your pocket or bag. Studies have shown just merely holding your cell phone or keeping it visible on the table while you are conversing can have an adverse effect on listening. So, be intentional and give the individual talking your entire focus. If we look to the example of Jesus, we see he was fully present with people. He had a million things to tend to, yet when someone was face to face with him, he gave them his full attention. He did not allow himself to be easily distracted or fall into the temptation of multitasking. Do you create an experience for people where they feel your focus is on them when they are talking? Who is someone you can practice being present with today? When you truly listen to others, it’s a gift.
4/9/20243 minutes
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Five Habits of Extraordinary Leaders

Presented by Lisa Bishop What makes a great leader? If you are like me, you have worked for great leaders and not-so-great leaders. If you are a leader, you probably have found yourself in both of those categories. I want to equip you with 5 habits of an extraordinary leader. Leadership is influence and how you lead impacts others. The first habit of an extraordinary leader is the habit of being a learner. Being a learner not only means seeking the technical skills necessary for your job or role, but it also implies you actively and consistently pursue personal character growth. Proverbs 19:20 gives us a clarion call when it says, Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Good leaders, even leaders who have led for 20 years or more, have a posture of being coachable and teachable. One way you can position yourself to learn and grow is by asking for and humbly receiving feedback. Whether you lead in the workplace, home, your community, or your church, intentionally ask others to share their observations about your leadership, what you do well, and where you can improve. The truth is you simply cannot grow without feedback. We all have blind spots. They are called that for a reason. Several years ago, I solicited feedback from a few coworkers. The feedback I received from one co-worker cut pretty deep. But I was and continue to be truly grateful for her candor. It caused me to see how I was unintentionally impacting others and as a result, I made a massive shift in the way I led. If something were limiting your leadership, wouldn’t you want to know about it—even if it stings a bit? A few words of caution. When you ask for feedback, even if you do not agree with the person’s perspective, keep your defenses at bay, express your gratitude for what they shared, and sit with the feedback long enough to sift through it and pray about it. Ask God what he might be highlighting to you that could help you. And when you receive feedback, do something with it. There’s little worse than receiving feedback and then not doing a darn thing to improve on what was pointed out. People will be frustrated, and you will lose credibility. Who can you ask to give you feedback? Pick a person or two you trust will tell you the truth and be grateful for the growth it brings.
4/8/20243 minutes
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Leadership is an Inside Job

Presented by Lisa Bishop My intent in our conversation is not to point out the failings of the Church. I love the Church. There is way too much division, backbiting, finger pointing, and blame between believers these days. Rather, my motive is to point our attention to the fact that you and I can be fooled into believing we are beyond temptation and think, “Oh that would never be me.” But when you are not careful and alert, this very thought can lead to being lured into ungodly patterns and actions which have a devastating impact on your life, the lives of others, your witness, and your leadership. In the lines of the well-known worship song, we are all “prone to wander.” You may be in a place where your relationship with God is thriving, and those you lead are reaping the fruit of your faith being lived out to the fullest. You may find yourself skating on the edge of making ungodly choices. Perhaps you have fallen hook line and sinker into sin, and you don’t know how to get out. I pray this conversation wakes you up, strengthens you, encourages you, and emboldens you to center or recenter your mind, heart, and soul on Jesus. In 1 Peter 5:8-9a, the apostle warns, Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith. The Greek word for devour means to destroy or to swallow. The devil wants to shake your faith and make you an ineffective follower and witness of Christ, which is why it is important to be sober and vigilant. The term sober means “free from intoxicating influences.” It means not allowing yourself to be influenced by anything that leads you away from God’s truth and sound judgment. We are all prone to intoxication! If you think you’re not, that may be a sign you are. As Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. There is pride in thinking you are not prone to be sucked in by sin. And intoxicating influence comes in many forms. From a harmless lunch with a coworker that leads to an unhealthy emotional connection, to outbursts of anger that give you a false sense of control; the temptation for power and prestige; fudging the numbers on that report to make yourself look good; dabbling with pornography because you deceive yourself into thinking “It’s not hurting anyone.” These are not words of condemnation but rather encouragement for you and me to remain vigilant. To be vigilant means “to keep careful watch for possible danger or difficulties.” Vigilance is not passive; it requires action. When you are vigilant, you actively pay attention to what is vying for your affection and impacting your heart and mind. Even those who truly love God are not exempt from the enticing nature of sin. King David, well known as a man after God’s own heart, demonstrates the rise and fall of leadership. He was a man after God’s heart, but David did not guard his own heart when he fell down the slippery slope of temptation. When we read the account of his adultery with Bathsheba, we see distinct opportunities where David, a married man and a king, could have turned away from the intoxicating influence of his flesh. When he stood on his rooftop and saw Bathsheba bathing David could have made the choice to high tail it out of there, but he chose to look and linger. He didn’t take the way out of sin’s enticement, and it led to him sleeping with another man’s wife, who became pregnant. If you know David’s story, this sin led to more sin. In an attempt to cover up the affair, David orders Bethsheba's husband killed. It sounds crazy that gazing at a beautiful woman led to murder, but sin does that. When we don’t resist temptation and tiptoe close to it, all of a sudden we can find ourselves asking, “How did I get here?” We rarely if ever think we could be susceptible to such a great transgression. As we see from David’s life, sin does not stay contained; our sin impacts others....
4/6/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Why Jesus Was a Great Leader – 5

Why was Jesus such a great leader? He had the best people skills ever. Let me briefly point out just a few examples. He was able to communicate a vision of what people could become. "Follow me," he said to some poor fishermen, "and I will make you fishers of men." He told his disciples they would do even greater things than he had done. He beautifully communicated the vision and importance of what he was asking people to do. Another reason Jesus was such a terrific people person is he made the benefits and rewards very clear. "I came to give you abundant life," he promised. "Great will be your reward in heaven," he told them. "I'm going to prepare a place for you," he said. He understood the importance of work-related benefits and rewards. Jesus was wonderful with people because he was willing to forgive them and give them many second chances. He didn't give up on someone just because they had failed. Think of Peter; he denied Jesus three times, but Jesus restored him to fellowship, and Peter became the rock of the early church. And Jesus was able to relate so beautifully with people because he had a servant attitude. He came to serve, not to be served, he said, and he demonstrated it over and over again. Just imagine: the God-man coming to earth to serve mankind. Incredible but true. He was a servant. But mostly, Jesus was successful as a leader because he truly loved and cared for each individual and put their interest above his own. He loved so much that he died—for me and you. No wonder he changed the course of all history. Was there ever anyone like him? No never! But the incredible news is as believers, we have his Spirit in us, and are being transformed into his image. Ask yourself, how are your people skills? Do you communicate a vision to people? Are you willing to reward those who earn it? Do you give people a second chance? Are you a servant-leader? And do you truly care for others? Those are some of the attributes that made Jesus so special.
4/5/20243 minutes
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Why Jesus Was a Great Leader – 4

Jesus was a great leader because. . . There are many characteristics that made Jesus the most outstanding leader who has ever lived. We've been looking at just a few of those this week. For example, Jesus was a great leader because he always had time for little people. His disciples wanted him to speak to a great crowd that had gathered on one occasion, but he said he had planned to preach in the nearby villages. He took time from a hectic schedule to walk a long way and heal Jairus's little daughter; he stopped in a crowd to find one woman who had touched him and heal her blood disease; he saw a short little man in a tree and asked to have dinner with him. Jesus focused on individuals, and it didn't matter who they were. They were all important to him. Don't you think sometimes we are caught up in the "star" mentality? Or do we only want to be involved in something with lots of people and big numbers? I have often said of all the wonderful opportunities God has given me to minister, my favorite was Sunday mornings with my small class of women, Sisters in Christ, who are still such a wonderful support group for me. It can become an ego trip to focus only on the numbers in the crowd; often the greatest blessing comes in the small groups. The same principle holds true on our jobs. A successful sales person is one who spends time with the small clients as well as the large ones. Those small sales can grow into big ones later on, and they'll stay with you if you pay attention to them when they're small. But many sales people only want to deal with the large ticket customers. I think of one of our board members who was a very successful lawyer. One of Steve's most outstanding attributes—and I'm sure one of the reasons for his success—is his attention to the little people. They aren't little to him and he always has time to talk and care about their needs. It is a mistake to put people into "big" and "small" categories. Jesus never did, and that's one reason we are all so attracted to him. I'm still amazed and grateful to think in the midst of this huge universe, he knows my name, he talks to me, and he always has time to spend with me. Shouldn't we have the same attitude toward others?
4/4/20243 minutes
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Why Jesus Was a Great Leader – 3

Is your life full of celebration? Did you ever realize Jesus was always ready to celebrate? I think that is one reason he was a great leader and people loved to be with him. His first miracle was to turn water into wine at a wedding celebration, thereby putting his stamp of approval on what some might call a frivolous waste of time and money—a big wedding celebration. We see he often went to people's homes for dinner. He wasn't too busy to take time for these personal times of celebration. He didn't want the crowds who came to hear him speak to leave with an empty stomach, so he turned a boy's lunch into food for thousands—a regular party. Two of his most famous parables are about a king who arranged a banquet and got angry when nobody came, and a father throwing a lavish party when his wayward son returned home. How much and how often do you celebrate in your own life—on your job, in your home? We should look for reasons to celebrate. We can get so serious and so focused we forget to say, "Hey, you've done a great job; let's bring in pizza this afternoon and celebrate." Or "You've been working so hard, you deserve a treat; the ice cream is on me; let's go celebrate." From small to big events, we can add so much vitality and joy to our lives and to others by taking time to celebrate. Look for excuses to celebrate for yourself and for your coworkers or staff, as well as your family and friends. Now you may think this doesn't sound terribly important or spiritual, but celebrating should be a part of our daily routines. It encourages and motivates people. It lightens their loads. It focuses on positive rather than negative things. There are lots of good, spiritual reasons to be a celebrating type of person. Jesus was. So, today, as you're going through your day, look for a reason to celebrate. Maybe your child gets a good grade at school; celebrate it. Perhaps your coworker gets a promotion; celebrate it. Did a staff member complete a difficult assignment with excellence? Celebrate it. If today is a friend's birthday, celebrate it. Celebrations don't have to cost a great deal of money—or any money at all. A celebration can be something as simple as complimentary words spoken, to a card or a note in the mail, to cake and cookies, to a full-blown party. There are so many creative ways to celebrate, and Jesus was always ready to do so because he knew the value of celebrations.
4/3/20243 minutes
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Why Jesus Was a Great Leader – 2

What made Jesus the world's greatest leader? In 2 Corinthians 3:18 we read we who have been born from above are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus with ever-increasing glory. Therefore, it makes sense for us to study his characteristics and pray those characteristics into our own lives. One outstanding quality I notice in Jesus is he knew what his mission was, he stayed focused, and he didn't try to jump through the expectation hoops of others. Do you remember when the disciples told him the whole town was waiting to hear him speak and Jesus said he had other plans for the day—his mission was to go to other towns. He didn't let anyone take him off his mission. One man asked him to settle an argument between him and his brother, and Jesus answered, ‘Who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?’ (Luke 12:14) That wasn't what he had come to do, and he didn't get sidetracked. We can apply this in so many ways in our everyday lives. How often do we allow ourselves to get sidetracked as we do our jobs, and we never seem to get things accomplished. One great time-management technique is to refuse to be sidetracked and stay with the job until it's done. Do you find that you're often sidetracked? That might be something you need to pray about and change. Then, Jesus knew what his mission was. Are you clear about your own mission—in your job, in your home, in your church, in your own life? Ask yourself, "What is it I need to do in my job above all else?" and then make certain that what you're doing on a day-to-day basis contributes to that mission. You may be very busy doing things that really don't matter! Do you find yourself frequently trying to please everyone? When you need to have everyone's approval, you will be easily distracted and easily manipulated. Jesus knew sometimes you have to disappoint people in order to stay on track and do what you should do. In Proverbs 16:7 we read, When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. When we please the Lord, we'll have our best shot at pleasing other people. However, we'll never be able to please everyone, and to try to do that is to invite disaster.
4/2/20243 minutes
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Why Jesus Was a Great Leader

Jesus was the greatest leader this world has ever seen. This God-man came to earth and in three short years of ministry, he took twelve unqualified men and developed them into a team that has changed the course of history. I want to point out some specific characteristics that made Jesus a great leader, and hopefully this can help us see the kind of leaders we should be, whether in business or our homes or our churches. First, Jesus was a great leader because he knew who he reported to, and he made sure he fulfilled his boss's expectations. Jesus kept in close contact with his Father. He said again and again he always did what pleased his Father and spoke what the Father had taught him. In John 7:18 Jesus said, ‘Whoever speaks on their own does so to gain personal glory, but he who seeks the glory of the one who sent him is a man of truth … ’ When was the last time you checked with your boss to see if you're working to his or her satisfaction? Do you spend enough time with your boss to understand his or her priorities, so that you are doing the things that please your boss? It really is your job to make sure you've got the marching orders right. And besides, it is simply smart to take the initiative of letting your boss know you need and appreciate his or her feedback. Maybe you're thinking: You don't know my boss. It's impossible to communicate with my boss. That may or may not be true, but you should do everything you can to improve that communication. Many times, we excuse our own lack of effort by saying, "He never listens to me" or "I can't get any feedback from her," or "This company doesn't care what I think!" Pray about it and ask God to give you some creative ways to improve communication with your boss. That's the mark of a good worker and a good leader; certainly, Jesus was careful to stay in very close contact with the one who had sent him. In any business or organization, the ultimate boss is the customer. Your customer is the person who creates the need for your job. If they didn't exist or didn't have certain needs, your job would be unnecessary. Think about that, and clearly identify your own personal customers. Those are the people you need to please.
4/1/20243 minutes
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Be Still and Know That I Am God

"Be still and know that I am God." What does it mean? How do we do it? At first, it seems like a very simple, straight-forward message:  Be still and know that I am God. But I have discovered that it is not that easy to implement in my life, and I have a feeling many of you share that experience. First, it's not easy to simply be still, is it? We live in a world that seems to be in perpetual motion. All of us have more to do than we ever get done. It is not in vogue to "be still.” Successful people aren't viewed as people who are "still.” Rather, they are people who are active. We have this idea that if we're not doing something, we're not being productive. Those of us who are parents remember how often we would have given anything if our children would just be still! All that energy—constant movement! And when they're moving all the time, you can't communicate to them, they don't listen and you find it difficult to concentrate. How many times have you taken your child's shoulders, looked them in the eyes, and said, "Julie, please, be still!” You feel as though you cannot get anywhere with them until they simply stop. God, our Father, says the same thing to us. "Be still. Stop!” Stop walking, stop running, stop moving—just stop!” The first hurdle we face is to get our bodies to be still, to literally stop moving, and for most of us that does not come easy. I have learned that I must plan this "still" time in my day. It has to be designated, and I must give it the highest priority. For me, it has to be early in my day, before my mind is cluttered and my concentration is divided. And it's very helpful to me to have a certain place which I think of as my "still" place. That one spot in my home that is more or less reserved for my time with God. But I can get up early and get my body into that "still" place and discover that I'm still not "still.” Now the battle really begins for me. My mind starts going a mile a minute. If I allow myself to think about the schedule for the day, there is no stillness in that time. It's easy to lose my concentration on the purpose of this "still" time, and even though the body is in the right place, I'm not still before God. In order to be still before God, I have to have that inner focus which screens out all external thoughts and concerns, which centers on God and God alone, which brings me into that place where he is for that time my whole universe and no extraneous or conflicting information is allowed to interfere. I have sat for an hour or more in bodily stillness, but without inner stillness before God. How can I get to the place where I can be truly still before God, so that I am completely swallowed up with his presence and his reality, and nothing interferes with it? Frankly, I don't think it's easy for any of us, and I don't think it ever will be. Our three enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, are all out to break up this quiet inner stillness, and a spiritual war wages when we sit down to be still before God. Here are some things that I have found helpful. First, I begin by praying for inner concentration, by claiming the blood of Christ as protection, by putting on the helmet of salvation to keep my mind from wandering. Singing can help me "be still" before the Lord, so at times I sing a hymn or chorus which focuses on God. Our pastor once suggested that you keep a pad and pencil nearby, and when your mind starts to wander, thinking of what you have to do, etc., just quickly make a note to remind yourself later on, and then you can go back to your meditation time. And then, simply be prepared to stay with it no matter how much your mind wanders. Each time it starts, quickly re-focus and start again if necessary. I find it takes time. I just can't dash in and out, like I do at the supermarket, get what I need and run. I cannot be still at the drop of a hat. Sometimes it takes what seems forever for me to be still on the inside.
3/30/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Faith at Work – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen How we manage our time, the finances of our company, our relationships, and trials we experience are all ways we can show our faith at work. I would argue one of the most difficult tests of our faith comes when we are asked to do something that is questionable or become aware of someone else’s conduct that may be questionable. How we uphold our company’s code of ethics can show us as faithful stewards of the work God has placed before us. It is in these times Colossians 3:23 becomes even more important. Afterall, you are working for the Lord and not for man. Your colleague says, “Hey, I am running late, clock me in. If I am late again this week, I will lose my job.” “Let’s sell this old inventory on marketplace. They are throwing it out anyways.” Your colleague is drinking on the job and operating machinery. Your boss is secretly providing insider information to a competitor of the company about a new product. A coworker is using the petty cash to buy tickets for a sports event in town. You overhear a manager using derogatory language about someone of a different ethnicity. I was shocked to learn 75% of companies lose money each year from “buddy punching.” 20% of every dollar earned by U.S. companies is lost to employee time theft. The U.S. Department of Labor reported 65% of workplace job accidents are caused by drug and alcohol use. Intellectual property theft costs the U.S. up to $600 billion annually. Some of these issues seem less egregious than others, but how you respond can make all the difference as you consider God is watching your work. God doesn’t take kindly to dishonesty at work. Let’s recall Ananias and Sapphira in Acts 5. While they sold their land to give the proceeds to the early church, they lied about the profits. Both were struck dead on the spot. Beyond these statistics, the behaviors noted above are not only financially damaging to companies, but they make the workplace difficult. It can be tempting to help your coworker or to earn a few extra dollars when you think your company won’t miss a product. It can be hard to consider reporting a colleague for drinking on the job, and especially hard to report your superiors for misconduct. Making yourself aware of the expectations of your organization for reporting is one way to start. Most companies have an anonymous hotline you can call to report such incidents. If you find yourself amid any of these troubling circumstances, finding a trusted believer to pray with can help you discern the best steps to take. We are walking in a fallen world and cannot expect work to be easy, but surrounding yourself with community that supports your faith walk can make things a little easier. Maybe you are even questioning something you did at work; remember, God knows we aren’t perfect— this is why he sent Jesus. James 5:16 calls you to confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.
3/29/20243 minutes
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Faith at Work – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen We have all been there. You feel the fiery flames of the enemy sting at work. We all face trials at work, but how we handle them is another way we can reflect our faith through our work and express a Colossians 3:23 attitude. James 1:2-3 tells us to consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. When trials hit you at work, we may find joy very difficult, but how we handle the trial will also speak volumes to those we work with. No matter what position you hold for work, receiving constructive feedback about your performance, being the subject of gossip, or being passed for a promotion can be some of the most personally difficult things you go through. Maybe the trial isn’t about you personally, but you are carrying the burden of knowing your company might be considering layoffs or even a pay cut. Feelings well up. We feel anger, frustration, less than, anxious, eager to retaliate or gossip in return, disengaged in general. These are all natural but not how the Lord calls us to respond. In fact, God uses these trials to draw us closer to and more reliant upon him. In, Exodus 14:13-14, Moses answered the people, ‘Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.’ It takes time to process emotion during a trial. Those feelings, they want to spill out, but if we want to show our faith through our work, expressing our anger, frustration, anxiety, or harmful words don’t show our faith at all. What would happen if in the moment of difficult feedback, gossip, or disappointment, you chose to be silent and not react, to stand firm in your faith knowing the Lord will work for you? You don’t need to do anything in that moment, but remember the Lord fights our battles and walks with us in our trials. Taking this approach allows you to process a different response—a biblical and faithful one. After all, constructive feedback may be hard to hear but can help you grow. Not receiving that promotion may mean God has something better ahead. Flying above the gossip targeted at you and remembering what a reward you have in Christ can refresh your attitude. God even calls us to repay our enemies with kindness! I have personally experienced everything I spoke of here today. Yet, holding fast to the Word has helped me learn not to react but to lean on the Lord.
3/28/20243 minutes
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Faith at Work – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen As we continue to explore how we show our faith through our work, thinking about our relationships with our colleagues, superiors, subordinates, and clients is key. Remember, we are thinking about Colossians 3:23, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… So, what does God have to say about our relationships? Well, if you study the bible, you know he says a lot! However, if we are to take a wide lens view of what the word says about our relationships, it is summed up well in the greatest command. While this command is found throughout the gospels, Luke 10:27 says we need to 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. Love your neighbor as yourself. Those that we encounter at work today are our neighbors. How can we show them love? We have already covered one way to show love to others and that is through our time. Let’s take this one step further and think about being present. Mary recently talked to us about the ministry of presence. Truly being in the moment and present for someone is a way to show our faith and love for God. When you meet with someone, think about leaving your phone behind or silencing notifications. How is your eye contact? Are you actively listening to what they are saying? Think about how you connect with others at work. Are your connections authentic or surface? How are you getting to know more about them, beyond their position in your workplace? Knowing more about their favorite past times and even their family time can help build authentic community at work. Maybe you can ask about a child’s birthday, an important sporting event or buy them a gift card to their favorite restaurant for a special occasion. You won’t know if you don’t take the time to connect. Being in a leadership role makes your relationships even more important. As part of my role as a leader in our organization, I am responsible for reviewing team performance and ensuring goals are set for the upcoming year. With a few new team members this year, I was surprised to learn two of them had never had managers who asked about their goals. In fact, one told me her goals were always the goals of her manager. Now, while part of this is true of any position, it was clear no one had shown an interest in her talents, strengths, and goals. Simply asking the question made her feel valued. Most importantly, spread the love! Don’t silo yourself to your team. Building cross-departmental relationships is both good for you and for your organization! Be the builder!
3/27/20243 minutes
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Faith at Work – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen I am sure you have heard the phrase, dollars and cents add up! As we look at showing our faith through our work, I want to remind us of Colossians 3:23, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord. Luke 16:10 states, whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. How you steward the financial resources entrusted to you at work can be one way to show your faith at work. You don’t need to be managing a budget or working in accounting to impact your company’s financial wellbeing. We don’t often stop and think of the implications of small actions or seemingly unrelated things that truly add up for our company. How are you faithful in the small things? First, let’s consider the ways we interact with the financial resources of work. Maybe you are in a support capacity for your office. Let’s think of something as simple as sending a package in advance of a meeting. While sometimes you may not be in complete control of all the materials, sending this package a week ahead versus a day ahead will mean lower shipping costs for your company. I have personally seen the difference in shipping be greater than $50! Maybe you are only rushing a package once, but what if this becomes a weekly occurrence? If we just consider the $50, this will equal an added $2,600 annually for your company. Again, $2,600 may sound small, but what if everyone on your team was managing this way? You can imagine the math could add up well into the six figures depending on the size of your organization. Are you in a customer facing position? Whether you are in customer service or sales, the relationships you have with your clients have financial implications for your organization. Being responsive and solving the customer’s concerns can both retain sales for your company or even add sales. What are the implications of having a poor client relationship? Lost sales? Maybe you are fulfilling orders in a warehouse. Getting the orders fulfilled on time and with accuracy matters. Impact on shipping costs or having to replace an order because it was incorrect all add costs for your organization. Maybe my examples seem small, but reflect on Luke 16 again, he who is faithful in very little…. Don’t discount the little things you can do to be a good financial steward for your company. Whether it is time, relationships, or accuracy, your faithful actions can truly add up and make a difference!
3/26/20243 minutes
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Faith at Work

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Faith can feel very personal, especially when it comes to thinking about faith at work. Maybe like I used to you are overthinking the concept of faith at work. What we will talk about this week isn’t about starting a bible study, quoting scripture, or offering to pray for a colleague. It is a little different. I consider it faith at work 2.0! Colossians 3:23 implores us to work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord… Let’s look at different ways to show your faith through your work rooted in Colossians 3:23. First, let’s consider time. What do you do when the boss isn’t around? Are you a remote worker or even hybrid? According to a recent McKinsey report, 5% of remote workers are working two full time jobs! While I am sure there are talented people out there, as a leader, I would not want to get ½ of someone I think I am employing full time. Have you stopped to think about how you spend your work time? Perhaps you aren’t in this 5%. But whether you work remotely or head into an office, the reality is how you spend the time your employer expects you to be working matters. From signing in to work or showing up for a meeting on time, to being focused on your work during the day, you can show your faith by being a good steward of your time. Ephesians 5:15-16 tells us to be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. Perhaps it isn’t being on time that is your issue, but the temptations of social media, a long lunch, or online shopping that take you away from your work. Are you prone to gossip or make personal calls during your day? Being consistent and faithful with your time shows respect both for your employer and for your colleagues. I am sure like me, you have sat looking at yourself on zoom, waiting for someone to join, or maybe you have a colleague or boss that is always late. How does that feel? Maybe there is someone who scrolls through their phone during a meeting or misses a question because they are distracted. While there are sometimes good reasons for being a few minutes behind or being distracted, be aware so this doesn’t become a pattern in how you spend your time at work. God has entrusted you with the time you spend at work. How you spend this time is a direct reflection of how you take Colossians 3:23 to heart and live out your faith through your work.
3/25/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus Still on the Job – Finances Part 2

It’s true what Jesus told us. We cannot serve God and Money, spelled with a capital "M", because he recognized the power of money. He knows how easily we can be fooled into thinking money is the answer to all our problems. Fran finds herself in this mental trap. At work this day the money worries are heavy on her mind, and she really doesn't want to listen to Jesus. She's into self-pity and sometimes it's hard for Fran to leave her pity party behind. As she sits at her desk worrying and feeling sorry for herself, her phone rings. "Mrs. Langley," the voice says. "Yes," Fran replies. "Mrs. Langley, I'm calling for Dr. Carrow. I was just calling about the bill for Alice's dental work. It's past due and we were wondering when you might be able to pay it?" Fran is stunned as she realizes what this is—a collection call. "Uh," she mutters, very embarrassed, "well, I know it's a little late, but I'll try to pay right away. I'm sorry, it's just that so many bills have come due this month. I’m sorry." "Are you saying then that you'll get a check off to us soon? When can we expect it, Mrs. Langley?" the cold voice asks on the other end of the phone. Fran can't believe how pushy he is. "Uh, well," Fran tries to think, "I'll try to get a check off this week." "Then we can expect full payment this week, is that right Mrs. Langley?” he continues. Fran is starting to get irritated. "I'll do the best I can." "Well," the voice continues, "I'm sure you realize this is already 60 days late, so we'll expect your check in the next few days." "You know," Fran replies, "you shouldn't be calling me here at work. Don't call me here anymore please." "Well, Mrs. Langley, if you pay your bills on time, we won't have to call you again at all," he says with emphasis. "I don't believe that guy," Fran says as she slams the phone down. She has never been so humiliated in her life. The rest of the day is pretty much a wipe-out. Fran can't think of anything else, and she gets angrier and angrier. Several times during the day, Jesus tries to get her attention, but Fran chooses to ignore him. She knows what he'll say: Fran, you're feeling sorry for yourself. Fran, you're letting your imagination run away with you. Fran, I'll take care of you. She doesn't want to hear it. Fran stops at the station to fill her car on the way home. Johnny says to her, "Mrs. Langley, do you realize your tires are real thin? Those two on the back, well there's hardly any tread left. You oughta get some new tires soon, I think." Fran looks at Johnny and then at the tires. How dare he suggest that she needs to buy new tires—today of all days. She's so upset she can't even respond to him; abruptly she pays for the gas and drives off. As she arrives home, Drew rushes up to her. "Mom, what happened? We can't get the kids channels anymore?" "Oh, Drew, I canceled the cable service today," Fran replies. "You canceled cable? But why?" Drew demands to know. "Because we can't afford it, that's why," Fran replies with a raised volume in her voice. "What do you mean we can't afford it? We've always afforded it before," Drew asks. "Drew, we don't have money like we did before your father died. You kids have to realize that," Fran replies. "Oh, we realize it all the time. That's all you talk about," Drew throws back at her with anger. "Now, listen to me son," Fran grabs him by the shoulders, "I'm doing the best I can. I have to cut our costs, and we can do without cable television, that's all there is to it. Furthermore, we're probably going to have to sell the house and move to a cheaper place.” As soon as she says it, she knows she said the wrong thing. "Move to another house? Mom, we can't leave this house. Mom..." Drew looks at her with fear in his eyes, and tears start to roll down his cheeks. Fran is ashamed of how she has upset him unnecessarily. This was no way to tell him this bad news.
3/23/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Fear of Layoff – 5

Fran has just learned from her manager, Ben, she may be laid off. Driving home that evening, Fran says to Jesus, “That was pretty incredible what Ben said to me today, Lord. He wants to keep me!” “And it looks like he wants to ask some questions and I know I have to be ready to give answers for the hope that is within me,” Fran smiles as she pulls in her driveway. After her evening with the kids and putting them to bed, she sits quietly and talks to Jesus: “You know, I really worry about John. If he gets laid off instead of me, it could be devastating for him. And with all his expenses now—he's got it worse than me, Lord. Should I suggest to Ben that he keep him and not me?” Fran needs some wisdom, and she has learned to ask for it when she needs it, because the Bible promises to give us wisdom if we ask for it. That still small voice impresses on her it would be better to let this work itself out and just keep her hands off. As long as she’s willing to accept it either way and she knows the Lord will take care of her either way, she’s in a win-win situation. However, her concern for John continues, and she prays for him. “And Louise, too, Lord. If I stay and she goes, that would be hard for her and me, too,” Fran reminds Jesus. But, of course, he never forgot. Did Fran lose her job? No. The next day Ben told her he had decided to fight the decision to lay off five people and convinced them to cut that to four. So, Fran stayed and so did John. But Louise was laid off. But, you see, for Fran the outcome was decided when she gave the situation over to the Lord and looked to him for her support and trusted him to take care of her. Once she did that—and continued to do that—she was in a win-win situation. Regardless of the circumstances, her peace remained. Obviously, Fran is very thankful. She is, however, very concerned about Louise and has been spending lots of time with her in the evenings, encouraging her and praying with her. She did have lunch with Ben, and they talked about what it means to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. It's all new to Ben and he finds it a little scary. But Fran is sowing seeds and praying they will take root in good soil in his heart. Whatever circumstances you're facing today, remember with Jesus at your side, you have a resource of strength and wisdom that will not fail you. Be sure you practice his presence in your everyday life. Just like Fran, you need to realize Jesus is there beside you all the time.
3/22/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Fear of Layoff – 4

Fran has just learned there is likely to be a large lay-off in her company, and Ben, her manager has asked to meet with her at 3 o'clock. She returns to her office after lunch and completes her project, with unexplainable peace which only Jesus can give. Time passes quickly and Fran looks at her watch. “Wow, it's three o'clock. I need your presence with me through this, Lord.” And she heads down the hall. Ben shuts the door behind Fran as she sits down. “Well, you've probably been hearing some rumors today, Fran. Let me try to tell you what's happening. It's been very sudden, but as you've probably heard, we lost two huge accounts.” “Yeah, that's what I heard,” Fran responds. “And I heard that a bunch of us would have to be laid off.” “Well,” Ben nods her head, “unfortunately, that's the case. They are telling me I have to let five of my fifteen account reps go. And the rules are that the newest employees go first. I've been looking at the records, Fran, and you're number five.” “So, that means I'm out of here I guess,” Fran looks at Ben. “Well, I don't know for sure yet,” Ben responds. “You see, John, who is number six, has been here only six months longer than you, and he has had an unsatisfactory performance rating for almost a year now. I'm hoping I can let John go and keep you. You're one of my best performers; I respect you and I want to keep you if I can.” Fran smiles at Ben. “Well, I appreciate those words of confidence more than I can say. That means a lot to me, regardless of what happens. And I feel sorry for John.” “Well, I do, too. He's been going through a nasty divorce, and it has affected his work. I've tried to hang in there with him, but it just drags on and his performance gets worse. At any rate, I have to do what's right for the company,” Ben shares with Fran. “Wow, Ben, you're in a tough spot. I don't envy you,” Fran says. “You know, I need a job, too; I have two kids to support. But if you decide to keep John, it'll be okay because it might be harder for him to find a job than me, and with this divorce, he might break under it,” Fran explains. “I have to tell you the truth, Fran, if I didn't know you as well as I do, I wouldn't believe you could be so calm and say what you did. I never thought I’d like you ‘Jesus freaks,’ but you're different. Someday let's talk about it more,” Ben suggests. “Love to, Ben. I guess I am a ‘Jesus freak,’ as you put it, and I'd love to tell you why. Let's have lunch soon,” Fran replies with a smile. “Okay, soon as I get this terrible ordeal over with. Well, there's not much more I can tell you now. I'm meeting with Human Resources people tonight, so maybe I'll have an answer for you tomorrow.” Fran gets up to leave. “Oh, by the way, how about Louise?” “I'm afraid she'll have to go, too. She's number 3,” Ben advises Fran.
3/21/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Fear of Layoff – 3

We follow the on-going story of Fran and Jesus on the job. Fran has just learned there’s a good possibility she may be laid off. Jesus has comforted her with the knowledge he will never leave her and will take care of her, so she managed to have a productive morning. Lunch time rolls around, and Louise sticks her head in Fran’s office. “Hey, it’s time for lunch; let’s go.” “Okay, I’ll meet you in the cafeteria in five minutes,” Fran answers. Just as she’s starting to leave for lunch, Ben, her manager, walks into her office. “Fran, we need to find some time to talk this afternoon. How about 3 o'clock?” Ben asks in a rather subdued manner. Fran can feel her heart beating faster. “Fine, Ben. What's up?” “Oh, I'll give you all the details later,” he replies. “Sure, okay—see you at three, Ben.” Fran begins to pray as he leaves. “Well, Lord, looks like Louise was right. This will probably be it—the big news.” As she feels the anxiety begin to rise, she can hear Jesus saying she should not borrow trouble from tomorrow. Tomorrow has enough trouble of its own. “Okay, Lord, I'll just wait and see what he says. Now, I better go meet Louise.” As they settle down at a secluded table, Louise starts in right away. “So, have you heard anything else, Fran?” “Well, I haven't talked with anyone else, but Ben did ask me to see him this afternoon at three, and he seemed kinda somber,” Fran reports to Louise. “See—see what I told you. I bet you anything, he'll drop the shoe on you then. He'll probably see me today, too,” Louise laments, while picking at her food. “If I lose my job, what will I do?” She puts her head in her hands. “Louise, I went through a panic attack after you left my office this morning, but I remembered a verse I read in Psalm 56 just this morning. It says whenever we are afraid, we must trust in the Lord, and it asks, 'What can mortal man do to me?' All this company can do to you is let you go. That's all, Louise, and that's not the end of the world. Jesus has promised to take care of you.” “I knew you would say something like that, Fran, but I'm sorry. I just can't dismiss it so easily.” Louise turns her head so Fran can't see the tears. “Louise, I'm not dismissing it. But Jesus is totally trustworthy, and I'm just going to keep trusting him to take care of me and my kids. He'll take care of you, too. You belong to him.” Fran's words seem to have little effect on Louise. “Lord,” Fran says quietly to Jesus, “She's not listening to me. She needs to hear it from you, I think.” Fran turns to Louise, “You know, Louise, why don't you take the rest of the lunch hour and go out to your car to get alone and just spend some time in prayer. Did you bring your Bible today? You can borrow mine. I think that will help you a great deal.” Fran puts her arm around Louise. “Okay, Fran. I think you're right. I've got my Bible in my desk. I'll see you later,” Louise says as she walks off with her tray, her food untouched. Not an easy day for Fran or Louise, but with Jesus there, they'll get through it.
3/20/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Fear of Layoff – 2

Fran faces a troubling predicament—she may be laid off from her job. As she talked about it with Jesus, he assured her nothing could separate her from him, so she could trust him. Of course, the nagging fears keep nibbling around her mind, but Jesus speaks to her again in that inner voice, reminding her he always keeps his promises. Fran begins to think about that. “That’s right, Lord, and you’ve promised never to leave me or forsake me. And you’ve promised to supply all of my needs according to your riches,” Fran says. “It’s really a question of whether or not I think you have the riches and resources to meet my needs and those of my children, even if I lose my job, isn’t it, Lord?” Fran thinks this through very carefully. Trite answers won’t do here. “Yes, I believe you can meet my needs,” she responds, a little shaky. She can hear that inner voice saying to her: “Well, believing I can meet your needs is one thing; but do you believe I will meet your needs, Fran?” As she thinks about this question, Fran realizes this is a real test of her faith, because faith is believing what you can’t see. It’s not too hard to say you believe God can take care of you, but when you’re facing possible financial hardships, lack of income, or loss of a job, it causes you to search your heart and see who you trust. Fran asks herself: “Do you trust your employer more than Jesus?” “Oh, no, Lord, of course not. I trust you more than anyone. You know that,” Fran quickly asserts. “So that means there is no need to panic. I can relax. The company does not hold my future in their hands; you do, Lord.” As this thought fills her mind, the tears start down her face. “It’s so easy to forget that, Lord. Thanks for reminding me. You’re a whole lot more reliable than any company I could ever work for, and I can trust you with my future. But I have a feeling you’re going to have to remind me of that quite often as this all starts to play out. I’m sure the fear and panic will raise its ugly head again.” Thinking about that, Fran decides it would be a good idea to type those two verses from Psalm 56 on a card and prop it up right there on her desk, even on her screensaver, so she can see it all the time. “That will help me remember that when I am afraid, you are here for me and no earthly person or organization can get to me except through you. Lord,” she continues, “I am your responsibility, and you are capable of taking care of me quite well.” “I will keep trusting you, Lord,” Fran replies. “I’m okay now; I’m fine. I better get to work. Got lots to do today.” And with that, Fran's mind is at rest, and she begins her day’s work.
3/19/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Fear of Layoff

I examine the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. For those who’ve been following for a while, you know that we’ve been following the life of a fictitious woman named Fran, who works as an account representative for an advertising agency. I tell this story to help us learn to practice the reality of Jesus’ presence in our everyday lives. He is with us when we are born from above; we just often forget he’s there. Walking into her office today, Fran says to Jesus, “You know, Lord, things have been going really well lately. I sure appreciate your patience with me and your goodness to me.” As Fran settles into her office, Louise, a coworker who is also a believer, rushes in and shuts the door. “Fran, sit down. You’re not going to believe what I just heard. We just lost two key accounts, our largest. That’s about 30% of this company’s business, Fran. Do you realize what that means?” Fran sits down; she does indeed realize what it means. “You're kidding, Louise. We lost both those accounts? Why?” “Money. Simpson and Elliott came in with incredibly low bids, and the clients went for it. Fran, there will be some drastic cuts around here, you can be sure of that. And you know who gets cut first—those of us who’ve been here the shortest. That’s me and you. Fran, we could be out of a job in a week.” Louise’s words hit Fran like a ton of bricks. “They wouldn’t do that. We have good records; we bring in business; we do our jobs well." “Don’t kid yourself,” Louise replies. “When it comes to laying off people, it’s first in, first out, regardless of your contribution to the company. I gotta go to a meeting; let’s have lunch and talk more.” “Yeah, sure,” Fran replies as Louise rushes out of her office. “Lord, did you hear that? If Louise is right, I’d have to collect unemployment, but unemployment won’t pay all my bills. Plus, I have very little money put back. I mean with two kids to feed and clothe, it just takes a lot. And jobs are hard to find; Lord, what am I going to do?” Fran feels panic starting to rise. Then Jesus brings to her mind the Psalm she read just this morning before leaving for work. As she reaches for her Bible, she says, “What Psalm was that? Here it is—Psalm 56. Verses 3 and 4 say When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid. What can mortal man do to me? Well, quite honestly, Lord, right now it feels like mortal man—my employer—has the power to do something pretty dreadful to me—take my job away.” But the quiet inner voice of God’s Spirit reminds her again if that happens, nothing can separate her from the love of God. “No, of course not,” Fran says. And Fran is reassured by Jesus’ gentle words.
3/18/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus Still on the Job – Finances Part 1

After Fran gets the kids in bed this Tuesday evening, she says to herself, "It's the first of the month. I've got to pay bills tonight." One of the toughest aspects of being single for Fran is the total responsibility of the finances, which now rests on her shoulders. Since the death of her husband, Jim, that job has become Fran's, and she doesn't enjoy it at all. Of course, it's particularly difficult because there's hardly ever enough money to pay all the bills. She and Jim moved into their home three years before he died, but the mortgage payment is pretty steep for Fran's salary. As she looks at her bank account, Fran says to herself, "Well, what bills will I pull out of the hat this month? Good grief that phone bill is ridiculous. And this dentist bill for Alice. All she had was a small cavity; you'd think she had a tooth implant—and my insurance doesn’t cover dental," Fran fumes, as she continues to calculate the bottom line. "Oh great," she exclaims, "I'm $200 short this month. If the kids just didn't have to eat, I guess we could get by!" As soon as she says that she can hear Jesus saying to her, "I've promised to take care of you. You will not be brought to shame or go hungry or miss anything you need." Fran had momentarily forgotten that Jesus is always there, but she finds herself a bit annoyed. "Yeah, but I still have to pay these bills!" She tries to calm herself down a bit and think more rationally. Jesus quietly says to her, "Well, Fran, take a look at your bills. Which ones can be eliminated or reduced?" "Well, this cable TV bill—I guess that could be eliminated. The kids enjoy some of the kids programs and the cartoons," Fran rationalizes, “but they have a lot of good videos, and mom has bought them several Bible videos recently. It's just easy for me to plop them down in front of the television when I'm tired or busy," Fran candidly admits. "But I'll cancel the cable tomorrow." Looking through the rest of the bills, she says, "There's really not much else here I can do away with. This VISA bill is too high. I bought that new dress last month, but I need to have nice clothes to work in.” Fran feels defensive. "But you do need to find ways to reduce your expenses,” Jesus reminds her. "Well, I know I could sell the house and live somewhere cheaper, but...” That's the one thing Fran doesn't want to think about. She loves her home, and she's been hanging on by her fingernails to keep it. "Every woman wants her own home, and the children are comfortable here. It's home to them," Fran says. "I don't think it would be wise to change schools." “Fran,” Jesus says to her, "don’t you think it's time for you to seek some good counsel?” She remembers Proverbs 20:18: “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.” She says, “Well, I do need to wage war against these financial woes. They're causing me a great deal of stress and it's getting worse, not better. So, I’ll seek some counsel." As she finishes paying bills, the thought of selling her house begins to depress her. She feels anger start to rise up just thinking about it. "It's just not fair," she thinks, as tears start down her cheeks. Looking at her wedding picture on the desk beside her, she remembers life with Jim. "It's just not fair. Why did Jim die? Why did God take him from me? It's just not fair!" Fran puts her head down on the desk, and the sobs shake her body, as the pain and loneliness flood her memory. Suddenly she sits up and says out loud, "Lord, it's just not fair. I didn't do anything to deserve this. I was doing what you wanted me to do, and so was Jim," she says as all her anger pours out. "I understand," she can hear that quiet voice of the Lord whispering to her. "How could you understand? You've never had to raise two kids by yourself.” The words come out of her mouth before Fran can stop them. Then she remembers how Jesus was rejected by his closest friends.
3/16/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Challenge of Faith – 5

There were two occasions in Scripture where we’re told Jesus was amazed. Do you know what they are? It may amaze you to see what amazed Jesus. The first occasion is recorded in Luke 7, which is the story of the Roman Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Roman soldiers were characteristically hard, tough men, with little compassion or concern for others, certainly not for servants. We would expect this man to be ruthless and uncaring. So, we cannot help but be impressed that he would care about a servant, and that he would be willing to come to Jesus on his behalf. In addition to this, we see in verse 5 that he had been very generous with the Jewish people who were under his command and had built them a synagogue, though he was not himself a Jew. This was indeed an unusual man. What is really amazing is his profound comprehension of who Jesus is. We’re told as Jesus was going to his home to heal his servant, the soldier sent friends to say to him, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. Here was a Roman soldier who somehow knew the power and authority Jesus had. In addition, he was a truly humble man, feeling unworthy for Jesus to even enter his home. He showed great faith in Jesus, believing he could heal his servant by just speaking a word, without even seeing the servant. And when Jesus heard this, we’re told he was amazed at him. In fact, Jesus said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.” Jesus was amazed at his faith. He was amazed at the depth of his faith, and at his persistence in seeking Jesus. I’m sure Jesus was also amazed this Roman Centurion would believe in him in spite of the social or political consequences it might cause. Surely it was not considered smart for a man in his position to believe in this itinerant, controversial Jewish preacher. Yet he unashamedly goes to Jesus for help. He had amazing faith. I would like to have that kind of faith—the kind that amazes Jesus, wouldn't you? Next we’ll see the other occasion where we're told Jesus was amazed.
3/15/20243 minutes
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The Challenge of Faith – 4

There were two occasions in Scripture where we’re told Jesus was amazed. Do you know what they are? It may amaze you to see what amazed Jesus. The first occasion is recorded in Luke 7, which is the story of the Roman Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Roman soldiers were characteristically hard, tough men, with little compassion or concern for others, certainly not for servants. We would expect this man to be ruthless and uncaring. So, we cannot help but be impressed that he would care about a servant, and that he would be willing to come to Jesus on his behalf. In addition to this, we see in verse 5 that he had been very generous with the Jewish people who were under his command and had built them a synagogue, though he was not himself a Jew. This was indeed an unusual man. What is really amazing is his profound comprehension of who Jesus is. We’re told as Jesus was going to his home to heal his servant, the soldier sent friends to say to him, “Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed. Here was a Roman soldier who somehow knew the power and authority Jesus had. In addition, he was a truly humble man, feeling unworthy for Jesus to even enter his home. He showed great faith in Jesus, believing he could heal his servant by just speaking a word, without even seeing the servant. And when Jesus heard this, we’re told he was amazed at him. In fact, Jesus said, “I tell you, I have not found such great faith, even in Israel.” Jesus was amazed at his faith. He was amazed at the depth of his faith, and at his persistence in seeking Jesus. I’m sure Jesus was also amazed this Roman Centurion would believe in him in spite of the social or political consequences it might cause. Surely it was not considered smart for a man in his position to believe in this itinerant, controversial Jewish preacher. Yet he unashamedly goes to Jesus for help. He had amazing faith. I would like to have that kind of faith—the kind that amazes Jesus, wouldn't you? Next we’ll see the other occasion where we're told Jesus was amazed.
3/14/20243 minutes
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The Challenge of Faith – 3

I want to examine fair-weather faith. I see an awful lot all around me and I see far too much in my own life at times. Fair-weather faith is the kind that is strong when things are going well, but when bad times hit, it falls apart. Let me share some verses with you, which illustrate the kind of faith we should have. First, a few verses from the Psalms: The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy (Psalm 126:3). What shall I return to the Lord for all his goodness to me (Psalm 116:12)? Praise be to the Lord, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and he helps me. My heart leaps for joy and with my song I praise him (Psalm 28:6-7). And in contrast: Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior (Habakkuk 3:17-18). Here we see two types of praise: one when things are good and wonderful, and one when nothing good is happening. You know, it's easy to have fair-weather faith, to praise God when everything’s going our way, when we’re feeling good about our circumstances, when we’ve had a wonderful answer to prayer. But what about those off-days, those down times, those dry spells? A mature Christian is one who praises even when nothing good is happening and there’s no silver lining, no light at the end of the tunnel. Habakkuk said even though things are just awful, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior. It's that set of our will that makes the difference. We make a choice to praise God and rejoice in him, regardless. Where are you today? Good times in your life? Nice circumstances? If so, praise God and promise him that when the hard times hit, you’ll praise him then, too. Maybe it’s not so good for you right now. Tough days, heartaches, failures, disappointments? Praise him anyway. Say “Lord, everything’s going wrong right now. But I will rejoice in you anyway.” When God sees that kind of faith and that set of your will, he is pleased for he knows that your commitment and love for him are steadfast. Your faith is not the fair-weather type. May that be true of each of us.
3/13/20243 minutes
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The Challenge of Faith – 2

Do you ever go to God for help in a faithless panic? I certainly can remember doing that at times when I've been at the end of my own rope, and in panic rather than in faith, I've run to God for help. Recently I was comparing two stories in Matthew 8. The first is the story of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. You remember the Centurion insisted Jesus could heal his servant simply by speaking a word; he didn't even need to come to his house. The Centurion had faith to believe Jesus had the power to simply speak healing to his servant who was miles away. When Jesus heard this, he said, “I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.” You see, this Centurion was not an Israelite, yet he believed in Jesus. And Jesus commends him for his faith, and heals his servant as requested. A short time later, the disciples come to Jesus in a panic. Jesus was asleep in the boat, and a squall comes up quickly, which threatens to overturn the boat and drown them all. They come in great fear, begging Jesus to do something if he can. And Jesus says to them “You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?” Interestingly, the Centurion was commended for his faith, and the disciples were confronted for their lack of faith. Both needed help. Both sought help from Jesus. Jesus responded to both requests. But one was a request of faith and one was a faithless cry of panic. The Centurion expected Jesus to heal his servant—long distance. The disciples were amazed Jesus could calm the storm. The Centurion only knew Jesus from afar by reputation. The disciples had spent much time with him. Yet, the Centurion showed great faith. He came with his need, but he brought expectation along with the need. The disciples came with their need, but they thought this storm was too much for Jesus. They really didn't expect him to do what he did. How about you and me? Jesus invites us to come with our needs, but he loves to see faith along with it. The next time you’re in a panic situation and you need Jesus’ deliverance, come with faith believing he will hear and answer. He loves to see us come to him by faith. It pleases him to see we have faith in him. In fact, without faith, it’s impossible to please him.
3/12/20243 minutes
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The Challenge of Faith

You don't have to read much in the New Testament to realize faith is a vital part of our relationship with Jesus Christ. How do we have more faith? That certainly is a key question for all of us who desire to please God, since it's impossible to do so without faith. We read in Matthew 13:58 that Jesus did not do many miracles in his hometown because of their lack of faith. As I was reading that chapter, I thought, why didn't Jesus perform miracles so they would have faith in him? The miracles would have produced faith. But then I remembered the many times he refused to do miracles so that people might have faith in him. Faith is not produced by miracles; miracles are a result of faith. Jesus never jumps through hoops to try to convince us to have faith in him. After all, Jesus doesn’t need our validation of who he is, and it is sinful arrogance to think God must prove himself to us. We must come to God by faith if we come at all, and faith is the evidence of things hoped for, it is being certain of what we do not see. Therefore, miracles don’t produce faith. They strengthen our faith, but the faith must come before the miracles. As a matter of fact, I think if Jesus had tried to produce faith through miracles, he never could have done enough. He would have to come up with bigger and better miracles all the time, because we would want more. Have you been asking for a miracle? No question God loves to respond to our need, but before you ask for that miracle, ask God to increase your faith. God is looking for faith; in fact, without faith it’s impossible to please God. And the Bible tells us faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ (Romans 10:17). Your faith grows from spending time in God’s Word. That's where faith finds its birth. Then, as your faith is strengthened, you can pray in faith for the miracle you need.
3/11/20243 minutes
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Faith at Work 2.0

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Unless you work for a Christian company, and, let’s be honest, even if you do, it is important to remember that we live in a fallen world. The characteristics of a fallen world are all around us, and we all sin and fall short. Even as believers, we will still sin. The difference we have is Jesus. While there are many Scriptures that outline the differences between a worldly walk and a Christian walk, Romans 12 provides one of my go-to lists when I am thinking about the fallen world versus the perfect, new, flawless world we are promised as believers—heaven. Although we will not have heaven on earth right now, how we show people a glimpse of Jesus and this perfect world should be our focus for living out our faith through our work. In Romans 12:1-2, Paul is clear in his appeal, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. And to not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. So, what does this world look like at work? In the verses following in Romans 12, Paul provides us a “do this, not that” list. First and foremost, do not think of yourself more highly than you ought (Romans 12:3).  Simply, be humble. The opposite of humility is pride, and I think we can all think of a time when we were prideful. Of course, it is easier to see this in others, but let’s think of how we can display humility. Maybe you are leading a project. The team is finding great success, and someone provides you with an opportunity to present your project to the leadership team. Pride says, I, I, I. Humility says, we did this together. Can I bring the team with me to the meeting? Let love be genuine (Romans 12:9). When I think of this, I automatically think of checking my motives. Why am I asking questions, complimenting someone, or giving them a small token of appreciation? I know this may sound strange, but sometimes we are prone to show “love” so that we can experience gain. Make sure you can answer for yourself that your compliments are genuine, and your gifts whether physical or of your time are given without the expectation of seeking something in return. Don’t be slothful in zeal. Serve the Lord (Romans 12:11). Colossians 3:23, tells us that we work as to the Lord and not for man. Showing up to work with the Lord on your heart and working for him is a good reason to have zeal. Zeal is defined as showing great energy or enthusiasm in pursuit of a cause or objective. Maybe you really don’t love your job right now. Change your thinking. Be full of zeal as a service to the Lord! Instead of grumbling, think about how different someone will experience you today if you show up with zeal! Maybe this is your opportunity to move to faith at work 2.0! You can let them know who you work for! The Lord! Bless those who persecute you (Romans 12:14). Live peaceably and do not avenge yourself. This must be one of the most difficult things to do. C. H. Spurgeon uses a great word for this—calumny. A simple definition of this is slander, but overall, it refers to words that damage your reputation. In this instance, words spoken at work. It is way easier to put a zealous skip in your step than it is to do as Paul says and to live peaceably and not avenge yourself. Throughout Scripture we are told that the Lord will avenge us. In Romans 12:19, Paul reminds us, Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay.’ He goes on to tell us the contrary way to handle this. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good (Romans 12:21). I have found that the more I fight to avenge my good name, the more strife it stirs in the workplace. When someone chooses to speak poorly about you, it may be hard to outwardly bless them, but perhaps you pray for them or pray for God to care for your situation specifically.
3/9/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Patience – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop Most of us recognize the importance of developing patience, we’re just not in a hurry to grow in it; and patience has been said to be a test of our Christian authenticity and character. One example of patience is the story of Joseph told in Genesis 37-50. I encourage you to read the story on your own but here’s the gist. Joseph was a favored son of Jacob, betrayed by his brothers and sold into slavery in Egypt. In Egypt he finds favor with one of Pharaoh’s officials, Potiphar, and is given charge of Potiphar’s household. Potiphar’s wife unjustly accuses Joseph of trying to sleep with her and as a result he is thrown into prison. After years in prison, Joseph interprets Pharaoh’s dreams, and is finally freed and put in charge of the whole land of Egypt. Then a famine strikes and Joseph’s brothers, who did not recognize him, come to ask him for food. Joseph provides for them and eventually reveals his identity. His brothers are afraid expecting him to seek revenge. But Joseph responds patiently: Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children (Genesis 50:19-21). Joseph’s faith in God gave him the patience to persevere from pit to prison and ultimately being elevated to the palace. His story shows that patience begins with knowing God is sovereign and in control. When you find yourself enduring hardships, setbacks, betrayal or uncertainties, this is the time to trust and lean into God. I will be the first to say it’s not easy, especially when suffering is involved. But you must have the patience and perseverance to know God will work all things out—most likely not in your timing or liking, but according to his love and sovereignty. And God will use the time to produce something in you as you cling to him. Patience is learning to accept the things we cannot change as we lay them down at the foot of the cross, placing our trust in our heavenly father. In difficult seasons, I want to encourage you to surrender to God’s timing and embrace waiting as a time of growth. Allow God to shape your character and deepen your faith during these times. And remember the words of Proverbs 3:5-6. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.\
3/8/20243 minutes
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Patience – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop Most people will admit patience is not their greatest strength, but it is a fruit of the spirit, and as a follower of Jesus, you and I are to grow in being patient. Take a moment to reflect on the impact your lack of patience has had on your relationships and life. We can all identify moments we wish we could rewind the clock and get a do-over on patience. The other day I was reading through the gospel of Matthew and came to chapter 18 verse 7 when Jesus said, woe to the world for temptations to sin! For it is necessary that temptations come… It is necessary that temptations come. What does that verse have to do with patience? If you think about it, impatience can be the impetus for very poor choices. When you lack patience, you can be tempted to take matters into your own hands, go your own way, and not trust God’s way. How has temptation tested your patience and caused you to give in? Maybe you have been longing for marriage and are tired of waiting so you are tempted to be in a relationship with someone who is not following Jesus. Or, perhaps you have been waiting on a job promotion and you are tempted to fudge numbers to make yourself look more productive. A coworker could be getting accolades, and it can create the temptation to talk poorly about them to discredit their efforts. We have all experienced moments when our displeasure or dissatisfaction causes us to make choices we later regret. We are human after all. But don’t let the lack of patience tempt you to fall. No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it (1 Corinthians 10:13). Whenever you are tempted, God gives you a way out. The next time your lack of patience may try to pull you in a direction or to make a decision that will cause remorse; pause, remember God’s faithfulness, and take the way of escape. God promises he will help you endure and prevail.
3/7/20243 minutes
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Patience – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you consider yourself a patient person? If you are anything like me, I really don’t like waiting. I can get impatient when a meeting doesn’t start on time or when I am waiting for a friend who is running late for our lunch date. I can also be impatient when I am not feeling heard or understood, or when I have been praying about something for a long time and I am just not getting the clarity I crave. When do you find yourself lacking patience? Impatience runs the gamut. From small scenarios when your patience is tested to bigger circumstances in life that require endurance. Proverbs 14:29 teaches us, Whoever is patient has great understanding, but one who is quick-tempered displays folly. I want to share a few tips with you on developing patience. Stop and do an internal inquiry: The next time you feel impatience surfacing stop and ask yourself, “Why am I getting impatient?” Sometimes we find ourselves swept up in a moment and getting what I call emotionally hijacked. We are not using our rational thinking brain. Stop to really examine why impatience is your go to at that moment. Matthew 12:34 says, the mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart. What is going on in your heart? Make it a goal: When we set goals, they often revolve around things we want to achieve and not so much on who we want to be. Think about your vision for your relationships and how you want people to experience you. Be determined to have your mindset, attitude and heart set on practicing patience. This will create greater connection in your relationships. Practice patience in your daily life: Train yourself to be patient in the small things, such as waiting in line or dealing with unexpected delays. Use those moments as opportunities to intentionally cultivate self-restraint. Seek God's help: Remember you have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you. Romans 8:26 says, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. Take time to ask for his help. Join me in this prayer as we strive to live lives marked by patience. “Father, thank you for being patient with me! Transform me with your love and with your spirit and help me to grow in my capacity for patience. I yield to you, Holy Spirit. Remind me I have a choice on how I respond to people and that when I ask, you will help me to handle any situation that comes my way with graciousness, kindness and patience. Amen.”
3/6/20243 minutes
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Patience – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop Have you ever lost your cool or reacted in a way you later regretted? We’re examining patience—that all too important fruit of the spirit we can often bypass and find difficult to practice in our daily interactions. Yet, as followers of Jesus, patience is not optional. If you were to reflect on the past 48-72 hours, can you identify moments where your patience was lacking? It can be tempting to get frustrated with a coworker or fly off the handle with a family member or spouse. But when you are tempted to have the flesh response of a quick temper or being easily irritated, you can look to the words of the Apostle Paul to redirect you and ground you in your identity. And your identity informs your propensity toward patience. Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you (Colossians 3:12-13). As a chosen son or daughter that God loves, you are called to clothe yourself in Christ-like characteristics. I think we often spend more time planning and preparing our wardrobe for the day, and we don’t give much intentional thought about putting on attitudes and behaviors that put the glory of God on display. Now don’t get me wrong, living out these Christ-like qualities is not easy. Patience does not develop overnight. Yet, Colossians gives us clues on how to develop patience. When you have the mind of Christ, merciful, kind, humble, and gentle, you position yourself for patience. When you make allowances for people’s faults, as you would like others to do for you, you find yourself less testy. I think a lack of patience can kick in when things are not going the way we want, or someone is not conforming to our preferences. When we are not humble, we become easily offended and reactive holding onto minor offenses or irritations that build and then impatience becomes our default. When and with whom do you find yourself lacking patience? To truly transform you will need to be proactive. Rather than getting wrapped up in the same old reaction, decide now how you will respond with patience. As you break the habit of being easily aggravated, ask the Holy Spirit to help you but also be determined to clothe yourself in patience rather than losing your cool.
3/5/20243 minutes
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Patience

Presented by Lisa Bishop Do you know God is patient with you? God himself states this about his character when in Exodus 34:6-7 he declares, The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion and sin. We see throughout the Old Testament the numerous times the Israelites tested God’s patience by chasing after their own man-made gods and continually disobeying the Lord’s instructions on multiple occasions. And they did experience the repercussions brought on by their own behavior. But if you look closely, even when they rebel, God is always slow to anger and quick to forgive. He demonstrates patience as the Israelites defy him time and time again. And when he does express anger, it is a response to human evil and is ultimately an expression of his compassion and loyal love. He knows their rebellious ways and God is not content to let his people self-destruct. He gives them time to acknowledge their waywardness and repent; and in the waiting, he never removes his compassion, mercy, and love from them. He will never remove his compassion, mercy, and love from you. Sometimes we think God is just waiting to unleash his dissatisfaction on us when we mess up, and that is not true. God is not punitive. Any punishment you deserve, Jesus paid the price for. Period. And God isn’t like us. He doesn’t lash out in the heat of a moment or get angry at petty and small things. His anger burns at true injustice, and again, even then, he is ultimately slow to become angry. You may have had an earthly father who was quick with harsh words or ready to turn into a full-on rage when you made the slightest misstep. If that is what you experienced growing up, I want to say that I am sorry for the pain that caused you. You deserved to be loved fully, and treated with kindness, care and tenderness. Sometimes it is hard to believe our heavenly father is patient and loving because we did not have a great example of a compassionate father here on earth. Whether you had a father who demonstrated patience or lack of, I pray that you would grow more and more in the true knowledge of God. That he is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love for you.
3/4/20243 minutes
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The Power of Hope

There’s a very well-known verse in 1 Corinthians 13:13 that says: And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. And you know, we talk and think a lot about faith and love. We hear many sermons on faith and love. We know we need to build our faith and learn to love better. But how often have you even talked about hope? Did you ever hear a sermon on hope or go to a Bible study on hope? Have you ever intentionally worked at building your hope, growing in your hope, becoming a more hope-filled person? Yet, God says it’s one of the three things that remain, and therefore it should have a place of importance in our lives, don’t you think? God places a high value on hope, and so should we. A book by Ray Johnston entitled The Hope Quotient really caught my attention as I read it. I highly recommend the book to you because Johnston presents a compelling case for the importance of building our hope, maintaining our hope, making sure our hope is not crushed by life. I don’t have to tell you that it’s not easy to remain hopeful in this evil world, is it? Just think of the days when your hope has been dashed. It makes you want to give up; it saps your energy and drains your enthusiasm. And if you are not prepared to build your hope, to unleash hope even in the face of disappointments, you will find yourself sitting on the sidelines of life, discouraged and depressed way too often. So, today I want to give you just a taste of some of the things that are covered in this book, The Hope Quotient, and hopefully encourage you to realize that you can, through Christ, unleash hope in your life in a new and exciting way. I can tell you that this book study has given me a new understanding of the importance of unleashing hope in my life. Let me begin by making sure we know what hope is and what it isn’t. First, hope is much more than an emotion you feel. It is not wishful thinking or blind optimism. The kind of hope we’re focusing on comes from God through Jesus Christ, so you need to be a Christ-follower in order to tap into the hope he gives. You unleash this hope through the power of Christ in you. It’s not something you just work up on your own. It requires more power than you have in yourself, but if you know Jesus as your Savior, you have what is required to unleash hope in your life through the Holy Spirit and through Scripture. Sadly, however, many Christ-followers are not unleashing hope in their lives, and they live in a state of discouragement and quiet desperation. Does that describe you? If you’re not doing what you need to do to keep hope alive in your heart and mind, you’re missing one of the greatest gifts, one of the greatest advantages we have as Christ-followers. We read in Hebrews that we have this hope as an anchor for our soul, firm and secure. An anchor is something that holds a boat or ship in place, keeping it from moving. Hope for a Christian provides an anchor of strength and support in the midst of this stormy world we live in. Hope is the thing that will keep you from going under. So, what I’d like to do now is give you a taste of some of the very practical and biblical advice from this book, which I believe will help you begin to understand the importance of unleashing hope in your life and give you some tools to make that happen. I’ve often said that discouragement is the devil’s most effective tool in our lives. Hope is the cure for discouragement. It’s so very important. In his book, Ray Johnston says that “Becoming a person with hope—defeating discouragement and building a new future—is always a result of raising seven hope factors. . .” I want to emphasize two of the seven factors that will unleash hope in your life. The first one is: “Recharge Your Batteries.” If hope is to be unleashed in your life, you have to continually replenish the things in your life which fuel you. When you run out of fuel, all your expertise and giftedness and experience...
3/2/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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When Your Cup Runs Over, What Spills Out? – 5

My question is: When your cup runs over, what spills out? During the times when we are jostled on life's roller-coaster seas, what's inside of us will come spilling out. If it's thankfulness and trust and joy in the Lord, that will come out. If it's bitterness or worry or self-centeredness, that will come spilling out. The secret is to make sure you're filled up on the inside with the right stuff. Then you don't have to worry about what comes out. We need cups filled with Jesus. Friends, I am more and more convinced that the focus of my life has to be simply and only Jesus. There's an old hymn that I love which says: Only Jesus, only Jesus, only he can satisfy. It reminds me that regardless of the circumstances, if I'm filled with Jesus, I will be satisfied, I will be joyful, I will be spilling over with the beauty of Jesus. Oh, that doesn't mean I have to be happy about negative situations, about difficult things. But what is so great about being a Christian is that with Jesus, we can know his peace and contentment and joy in the midst of all those troublesome situations. How do we get our cups filled up with Jesus? Through the Word—the bread of heaven. If the time you spend in the Bible is not very much and not consistent, you cup won't be full of Jesus, and when it spills over, you won't like what you see. But if you pour the Word of God and prayer into your cup regularly, then your cup will spill over with the peace and compassion of Jesus Christ. You fill your cup up with Jesus by thinking about him all through the day. Do you practice his presence regularly? Do you communicate with him all through the day, and seek his guidance in all things? That will fill your cup up with Jesus. So, I encourage you to use every jostle, every bump in the road as an opportunity to check up on yourself. When the boss upsets you and causes you to complain, you know you need to clean out the inside of that cup. When someone does you wrong, and you respond with patience and tolerance, you know Jesus is spilling out of your cup. When the money is low and you spill over with worry and fear, you need to work on the inside of the cup. When your health is not good, but you praise God anyway, you are spilling over the beauty of Jesus. When your cup runs over, what spills out? A good question to ask ourselves every day.
3/1/20243 minutes
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When Your Cup Runs Over, What Spills Out? – 4

Is there some adversity in your life at present? Do you have a situation that is getting to you? Maybe it's a person you work with, or your boss, or the whole job itself. Perhaps it's financial difficulties or a health problem. It could be almost anything. If your cup is being jostled right now, what is spilling out? If you're not happy with what you see spilling out of your cup from time to time, then you need to get the inside clean, really clean. Turn those adversities into positive movement in your spiritual life. The earlier you begin, the better and the easier it is to face yourself and make changes. Remember, if you keep going through life, refusing to look at what is spilling out of your cup and get that cup cleaned up, as you grow older those irritating, unpleasant, un-Christlike traits will become more and more entrenched and more and more difficult to clean out. Let me remind you of Romans 5:3-5: Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. Our cups are jostled to show us what's inside, so that we can develop a mature Christian character. It's rather painful sometimes to have to face up to the mess that's spilling out of our cups, but the sooner we face it, confess it, and ask God to change us, the better equipped we'll be to let God fill our cups with himself, so that when we spill over, people see the likeness of Christ in us. Often, we use the expression “my cup overflows” when we feel particularly blessed and happy. Well, that's the way it should be—our cup should overflow with good things but not just when the circumstances are good. Even in the tough times, even when we don't feel like it, even when we can't see what God is doing, even when we are plagued with discouragement or doubts—even then in the midst of the trouble, our cups should overflow with God's goodness. Today check it out: Does your cup overflow with good things only when things are going your way? Or does it overflow with God's goodness to you even in the midst of trouble?
2/29/20243 minutes
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When Your Cup Runs Over, What Spills Out? – 3

I'm examining cups—in particular, your cup. What comes spilling out of your cup when it runs over, when something causes it to be jostled or upset? We learn a great deal about ourselves as we take a look at what comes out of our cups in those stressful moments. Do you remember what Jesus said to the Scribes and Pharisees about cups? It's found in Matthew 23:25-26: Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean. Can you imagine how those Scribes and Pharisees felt, being accused of robbery and self-indulgence? They saw themselves as the epitome of uprightness; after all they were meticulous about keeping the law. They were so very careful about outward appearances, and they did the right thing at the right time and followed all the traditions. They were the ultimate in political correctness! And Jesus shows them that all that exterior stuff is no good if on the inside they are harboring bad attitudes and motives. We all are guilty at times of cleaning up the outside of our cups and allowing things to remain on the inside that need to come out. And Jesus made the point very clear: it's what is on the inside of the cups that matters to him. Let me take the illustration a step further. If I had a perfectly clean cup filled with fresh milk and offered it to you, you'd have no difficulty drinking it. But if I took that same fresh cup of milk and put one small teaspoon of vinegar in it, I doubt you'd be willing to drink it. Though it contained mostly good healthy milk, that one teaspoon of vinegar would ruin the contents of the entire cup. I hardly have to apply this illustration for you, I'm sure. It doesn't take very much bitterness to ruin what is in your cup. Or malice, or envy or pride or unkindness or unthankfulness or . . . the list could go on and on. That's why it is so important to see what is in your cup that needs to be cleaned out. Check it out today. When your cup runs over, what spills out?
2/28/20243 minutes
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When Your Cup Runs Over, What Spills Out? – 2

Have you had your cup jostled lately? I learn a lot about myself when things go wrong and my cup gets bumped, because what's inside comes spilling out, and sometimes it's not that pleasant. Often, it’s true our job and the people we work with are great places to get bumped and jostled. I well remember a job situation that caused my cup to spill over. I was dealing with a very difficult boss, who managed through humiliation and intimidation. At first, I had great difficulty with this person, and when God challenged me to take a serious look at what came spilling out of my cup because of this difficult relationship, I wasn't too pleased. Selfishness was the first thing I saw come running over the sides. I realized my thought patterns had been centered on such sentiments as "I can't take this anymore," or "This is not fair to me," and "I've worked too hard to get where I am to have to put up with this kind of treatment." Unfair and unkind treatment will come our way from time to time, and that kind of treatment really reveals the self-centeredness that's inside of us. This unpleasant job environment caused another thing to come spilling out of my jostled cup: I had to admit a severe lack of patience. Patience is not one of my strong points, but it is one of the fruits of the Spirit that I should exhibit. So here again, I had to confess that a whole lot of impatience was spilling out of my cup. In Psalm 103:8 we read the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. When I began to compare my behavior with God's behavior toward me, I had no choice but to repent of my own lack of tolerance, and ask God to give me his graciousness and kindness. Another thing this stressful situation caused to spill out of my cup was malice. Isn't that an awful word? Malice is the desire to see others suffer. And I saw I had a heart full of malice toward the person causing me the difficulty. And along with malice, we usually have slander, because as soon as we express those malicious thoughts, we have become guilty of slander. It wasn't pleasant to see what came running over the sides of my cup in that situation. But it caused me to get serious about cleaning up my cup. And with prayer and the convicting power of the Holy Spirit, changes started to take place. Watch yourself today. If your cup is jostled, take note of what spills out.
2/27/20243 minutes
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When Your Cup Runs Over, What Spills Out?

It's not difficult to look good when everything's going okay. But it's at those times when we have to endure some unfavorable circumstances or some unpleasant treatment that we find out what we're like on the inside. Ask yourself: When your cup runs over, what spills out? As long as you never move a full cup, nothing will spill out of it. But if you hit it accidentally and move it in some way, you're likely to have what's on the inside come spilling over the sides. The same is true of us: When we're jostled and shoved, pushed and bumped, whatever is inside of us comes spilling over the edge. And then we learn things about ourselves we might never have known otherwise. If we lined a number of cups up on a table in front of you and asked you to tell us what was inside them from just looking at the outside of the cup, you could only guess. A china cup looks as though it should have tea inside. A larger cup might appear to be a soup cup. A smaller cup is often used for expresso. On down the row, we could all guess from looking at the outside what was inside that cup. But as long as the cups sit very still, undisturbed, and we're looking only at the outside from a distance, we can't really know what's inside of them. However, if I shake the table on which they're sitting, or tip one of them over, you will immediately know what's inside, because it will spill out. That lovely tea cup, all polished and clean on the outside, could have tea—or it could have muddy water. That nice soup cup might indeed have hot soup—or it could have old coffee grounds and dirt. What happens when you get bumped? How do you react when your table is tilted, and you go toppling over? You may look really all-together on the outside, very polished and pretty. But how do you look when your insides show? It doesn't take a major earthquake to cause a cup to spill its contents. Quite often the smallest little tremor can tip our cups dramatically. In fact, for me, it's the little things that tip my cup most often. It seems like I can handle big situations better than I can the little irritations, the unkind word, the sarcastic remark, the unfair treatment. But whether the bumps are large or small, the unpleasant situations in our lives will reveal the ingredients inside of us. When your cup runs over, what spills out?
2/26/20243 minutes
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God, I Can’t Hear You!

If God were to speak to you today, what barrier would he have to overcome to get through to you? If you feel like you can’t hear God speak to you anymore, it’s probably because some barrier is there that needs to be removed. The first and probably most common barrier is that we are just too busy to hear God. How have we allowed our lives to become so hectic, so over-scheduled, that we really don’t have time to listen to God and others as well? There’s just not a lot of listening going on, is there? Years ago, I realized I could be addicted to activity, and so, I simply began praying that God would deliver me from being obsessed with busyness. In order to hear God, you have to block out other distracting voices and sounds. That means some quiet time, some uninterrupted time, which you devote to God and hearing him talk to you. For me this usually happens in the early morning before the day’s activities get in the way. Mostly God speaks through his written Word, but the way you approach reading the Bible will determine whether you really hear God or not. It helps to begin with a prayer that God will speak to you through his Word, and then you read with the intention of hearing what God is saying to you. If your mind wanders—as mine often does—and you realize you haven’t really been listening as you read, just make yourself start again, and discipline yourself to focus on the words and meditate on what you’re reading. I have a structured plan for reading the Bible, and when I approach that time with the attitude that I want to hear what God is saying to me today, it never fails that something pops off the page and stops me cold. For example, I was reading Philippians recently, and verse 16 in chapter three spoke directly to me. It says, Only let us live up to what we have already attained. I stopped there and began to write in my journal what God was saying to me. I’ve read that chapter many times, but that verse was new to me this time, and God spoke to me about some things I need to do to live up to what I already know. I heard God speak to me. I urge you to set aside time to hear God through his Word and put in writing what you hear. There is nothing more important than letting God speak to you, and he will, if you’re not too busy to listen. If you need some help structuring your Bible reading, my Bible study, A Guide on Getting to Know God, offers some suggestions on how you could have a more meaningful time with God each day, so you can truly hear what he wants to say to you. When we feel we just can’t connect with God, we can be sure of one thing: It isn’t God’s fault. He hasn’t moved. He waits with anticipation to have fellowship with us. So, when barriers come between us and God, it’s because we’ve allowed them to be there. Another barrier that gets in our way is that we are often just too self-absorbed. Life is all about us. Our thoughts center on us; we are the center of our world, and so God just can’t penetrate that barrier. We’ve been led to believe that all we need to live a fulfilling life is to have good self-esteem, but what I’ve come to learn is that self is not my solution; self is my problem! True, I need to see my worth in Christ and appreciate who I am in him, but striving for more good self-esteem or self-confidence just makes me self-focused, and that inevitably takes me down the wrong path. If you want to listen to God—really hear what he wants to say to you—you have to take yourself off the throne of your heart and let God be God again. Honestly, that’s pretty much a daily thing I have to remember—to actually go through my daily activities with the conscious awareness that it’s not all about me. It’s all about God. It’s so easy to become self-absorbed, so we have to stand guard against it all the time. Jesus gave us principles that seem contradictory to our self-focused minds, like, if you want to save your life, you have to lose it, and if you want to be first,
2/24/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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When There Are No Answers – 5

When God hasn't answered your questions, when you can see no justification for what's going on in your life, learn to talk to yourself. In Psalm 77:7-9 we see an example of Asaph talking to himself. He expressed his rage, saying, Will the Lord reject forever?     Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever?     Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Then after saying those words of doubt and anger, and I think hearing in his own ears how foolish they were, Asaph said, in Psalm 77:10-12, Then I thought, “To this I will appeal:     the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I will remember the deeds of the Lord;     yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works     and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” Asaph got the foolish, angry words out of his mouth, expressing to his understanding and patient God all his anger and frustration. And then he changed his thinking and started remembering all that God had done. Ah, there's our answer, friends. Renewing our minds with correct thinking about who God is and what he has done for us. Just as Asaph needed to get back to who Jehovah God is and what he had done, so we must as well. When the questions have no answers, you may have to abandon them or be willing to live with the unanswered questions. But you don't have to live in despair or anger; the same God who for whatever reason does not answer your questions is the God who will bring you comfort and strength to face them. I often think of the question Jesus asked his disciples when many of his followers were forsaking him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life (John 6:67-68). Friends, where else will you go with your unanswered questions? If there are no answers from God, then trust him to see you through. There's a song I like a great deal, which says, "God is too wise to be mistaken, God is too good to be unkind. So, when you can’t understand, when you don’t see his plan, when you can't trace his hand, trust his heart.” And that's what I would leave you with today. When you can't see why he's doing what he's doing, you can still trust his goodness and his love for you. When you can't trace his hand, trust his heart.
2/23/20243 minutes
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When There Are No Answers – 4

How do we cope when God never gives us an answer, and we think he should? The Psalms are of great help to us here, for frequently both David and Asaph expressed their frustration at the lack of answers. In Psalm 44 David says to the Lord, But now you have rejected and humbled us ...You have made us a reproach to our neighbors ...You have made us a byword among the nations ... All this has happened to us, though we had not forgotten you or been false to your covenant ... Awake, O Lord! Why do you sleep? ... Why do you hide your face and forget our misery and oppression? That's an angry man, expressing it openly to God. And at that moment, with no answers to his questions, his anger was vented toward God. Now, I don't want to imply I think we should yell and scream at God when we please. But I do want to say if you are living with those difficult, unanswered questions, it's okay for you to tell God exactly how you feel about them. Please tell God; he knows your feelings and thoughts anyway, and if you don't ventilate those thoughts, or you try to deny or ignore them, they will turn into bitterness and depression. Who better to tell than God? He understands you completely, and no one will be fairer or gentler to you than he will be. He didn't chide Martha for her questions. He didn't zap David and Asaph for voicing their anger. And isn't it interesting that all of that is recorded in Scripture for us to read. That's not an accident, you know; it's there to show us how to deal with unanswered questions. So, if the questions and the anger are smoldering inside of you, get alone with God and voice them to him, out loud. I notice that every time David or Asaph voiced their frustration about their unanswered questions, soon they were led back to that basic trust in God which was the cornerstone of their lives. One of David's frequent phrases was, Why, my soul, are you downcast?     Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God,     for I will yet praise him,     my Savior and my God (Psalm 43:5). So, turn to God today with your unanswered questions. Pour them out to him, but then go back to what you know about who God is. Say with David, "I will put my hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”
2/22/20243 minutes
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When There Are No Answers – 3

I’m examining those times in our lives when there are no answers. Mary and Martha faced that situation when Lazarus died. Why didn't Jesus come and heal him? They could not understand why. We all remember the end of this story; Jesus did meet their need by performing an incredible miracle and raising Lazarus from the dead. In this case, Mary and Martha finally got answers, as they saw their brother come forth after four days in that tomb. So, eventually Martha and Mary could say to each other, "When it looked as though Jesus had forsaken us, he really was working on our behalf to do something even greater than we could imagine." Sometimes it works out like that. We go through the no-answer period when the circumstances make no sense to us whatsoever, but at a later date, in God's time, we are able to see what God's good purpose was. Maybe you are now in that tough place where Mary and Martha were initially. You're wondering why Jesus hasn't come to you; you're feeling unloved and neglected by him. Please do take courage and remember that often we misunderstand God's timetable. It may be that you will soon see the deliverance of God and your eyes will be opened to understand the whys. But what about when we don't get those answers? Your Lazarus never comes out of the tomb. You're left to face those unanswered questions for the rest of your life. You know, I believe for those of us who are Christ-followers, it is extremely difficult to face the fact God is not going to answer our questions, and we'll never know why certain things happen. After all, we're supposed to have answers, aren't we? We've always told people Jesus is the answer. Jesus can meet all their needs. Therefore, those unanswered questions can undermine our faith and cause us to doubt the God we serve. I want to say that if you have unanswered questions, God is not going to condemn you for asking the questions, for feeling anger at the unjust circumstances. He even understands you're likely to go through a period of being angry at him. God is big enough to handle your anger. But your light will break forth and your peace will come when you give up the questions that have no answers, and reaffirm that even in the midst of confusion, you still trust the God who you know is faithful and good.
2/21/20243 minutes
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When There Are No Answers – 2

My question for you is: How do you and I, as Christians, cope when there are no answers? When we are convinced God should respond, circumstances should change, or things should be different? When we want so much to know why, and the answers aren't there? Mary and Martha had that problem. They sent for Jesus to heal their brother, but when Jesus finally arrived, it was too late; Lazarus was already dead. Martha was upset with Jesus, and we read in John 11:21 she said to him, Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died. She asked him for an answer to her question: Why didn't you come, Lord? I find Jesus' words to her at this time very interesting. He did not defend his actions; he did not say, "Martha, let me explain to you exactly what I did and why.” No, when Martha was looking for answers to her unanswered questions, Jesus took her back to basics. Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?” (John 11:25-26). You see, if Martha believes this, the condition of Lazarus at the present moment is not of such great consequence, because Lazarus believed in Jesus, and he would never die an eternal death. Jesus wanted Martha to think with an eternal perspective. Yes, her brother’s body was in a tomb, but the real Lazarus had not died, and if Martha can focus her mind on that, it will change her perspective altogether. And to her credit, Martha confessed out loud, yes, Lord, I believe that you are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world. When you don't have answers, stop and ask a different question: Who do you believe Jesus is? And then confess out loud exactly what you believe about the person of Jesus. It's important that you say it out loud, I think, so you can hear your own confession of faith. We may never know some of the answers we're looking for this side of heaven, but we can always confidently know the answer to the question: Who do you think Jesus is? By concentrating your thoughts on who he is, you will have the peace and strength you need for those unanswered questions. If that was the question Jesus asked Martha when she wanted answers, then surely it is the starting place for us today when we want answers but they’re not forthcoming.
2/20/20243 minutes
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When There Are No Answers

One of the first words we learn is why. If there's a child under five in your home right now, you probably hear that word many times each day. It seems from the very beginning we want explanations and answers. But what do we do when there are no answers? I don't like unanswered questions, do you? I don't like loose ends and unfinished business. Yet life is full of them. I tell you quite frankly there are many times I can't find an answer for things that happen to me and to others. I bombard heaven with my whys, but the heavens are silent. You may be right now in the midst of some situation for which you can find no answers. God is silent. The heavens are like stone. You've begged for explanations, but none have come. What do we do when there are no answers? Mary and Martha faced that dilemma when Lazarus died. You know the story. They sent for Jesus to come and heal Lazarus. They were confident Jesus could heal him and prevent his death, and that he would do so, for they knew how Jesus loved Lazarus and them. They sent out their cry for help, but we read in John 11:6 when Jesus heard Lazarus was sick, he stayed where he was two more days. He loved them but he didn't come to their rescue. Why? I can see Martha and Mary waiting by the side of their sick brother, expecting Jesus to walk through the door any minute. But as hour by hour passed, Jesus didn't show up. Lazarus got worse and worse, and they watched him die. Do you think they wondered if Jesus really loved them during that time? Don't you imagine they must have felt abandoned and forsaken by Jesus, to realize he could have come and healed their brother, but he chose not to? Have you felt that way? I think we all go through similar reactions when there are no answers. Even if you feel abandoned, the good news is, you are not. Jesus has promised never to leave you or forsake you, and he never fails to keep his promise. So, let me encourage you today with what David said as recorded in Psalm 40:1: I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. The Lord hears your cry, and he has not forsaken you.
2/19/20243 minutes
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The Process of Patience

Presented by Lisa Bishop We are familiar with that well-known expression “patience is a virtue,” and we know that patience is also a Christ-like characteristic. As followers of Jesus, we are called to exercise patience in our lives as we put Jesus on display. Although we are aware that we are to practice this virtue, admittedly it’s also something we can find hard to exhibit. At least I know I can. I can’t tell you how many times I have lacked patience and prayed for more of it. A few weeks ago, I spent the day with my cousin Jessica at the Art Institute of Chicago. If you haven’t been, I highly recommend it! I am definitely not an art aficionado, but I do value culture and creating memorable experiences. My love language is quality time after all, so getting to spend the day with my cousin filled my tank. As we were walking through the halls of what is hailed to be one of the largest art museums in the world, we came across the Canova exhibit. It showcased the work of Antonio Canova who is said to be the most celebrated European artist of his time and is renowned for his marble statues that convey a sense of “ideal beauty with remarkable lifelikeness.” As I walked through the exhibit, I marveled at the intricacies of the marble statues on display. The exhibit had a video playing in the background demonstrating the process of creating the beautiful statues from start to finish. It showed what it looks like for an artist with his tools to carefully chip away at what, to the eye, looks to be just a block of marble, until a beautiful masterpiece eventually appears. As with many artists, before even one strike of the chisel, Conova already saw what the marble block would become. His vision for the piece was already determined. It would just take time and a (sometimes) painstaking process to bring his masterpiece to life; ultimately, it would reveal every predetermined, beautiful, meticulous detail. One of his famous sculptures, Cupid’s Kiss, is said to have taken six years to create. I can only imagine the amount of patience it must have taken over those six years to see his vision come to reality. One dictionary definition describes patience as, “The ability to wait, or to continue doing something despite difficulties, or to suffer without complaining or becoming annoyed.” I will be the first to raise my hand and say that many times I have failed the patience test. Yet, the Bible tells us that patience is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. As you mature in your faith, you are to grow in patience. And growing in patience is rarely easy. In order to grow in this Christlike character, it often means being in a situation that requires it. I know that at times I have prayed for patience only to experience a situation, or shall I say “opportunity,” that was the means to produce this fruit of the Spirit in me. The Greek word translated to patience in the New Testament means, “The characteristic of a person who is not swerved from his/her deliberate purpose or loyalty to faith by even the greatest trials and sufferings.” What is an area of your life that may be currently trying your patience? Is there something you desire or something you have been waiting for that seems like it’s taking forever? What might be a situation in your life that requires steadfastness, faithfulness, and endurance? When you are presented with circumstances that warrant patience, your faith can be tested. But God, in his faithfulness, will produce something beautiful in the waiting. I was talking to a friend the other day, and she was describing what she calls the “messy middle.” Her life and career had been taking one direction when suddenly it took a massive detour she did not see coming. Now, for the past three years, she has been in the process of waiting and wondering what God is doing. What’s your messy middle? Maybe you have been out of work and are waiting for a job so that you can relieve the financial strain and provide for your ...
2/17/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Learning to Wait – 5

I wonder if you can now look back on some waiting period of your life and realize what God was doing for you then. I think of a friend who was in a very difficult work situation with a co-worker who was not only unpleasant, but malicious and aggressive. This co-worker deliberately told lies about my friend to upper management and played the political games to win favor with them and cause my friend to be in dis-favor. Almost every week my friend would come to our Sunday class and share the latest story of what this woman had done to her. She was truly treated unfairly and unjustly, and it wasn’t right. But through it all, the one message that God gave her was “wait.” She was reminded that vengeance belongs to the Lord, and he would fight this battle for her. So, she kept her mouth shut, refused to be vindictive, and continued to do her job with excellence. This went on for two long years; that’s a long waiting room. But then her difficult co-worker came down with a very serious illness that kept her out of the office for months. And during her absence management came to understand the truth. They saw that my friend was doing all the work; they understood that this sick co-worker had lied to them about my friend. They proceeded to give my friend a promotion and rewarded her openly in front of the entire large department. My friend was vindicated by God, and she could then see how important it was for her to let God fight her battle and be patient during that long waiting period. When this disruptive co-worker did return to work, she was placed in another department and was no longer given the prestige and importance she had before. God took care of this person in the right way and my friend was vindicated. But suppose she had refused to wait. She could have complained and argued and fought with this woman, and in the process destroyed her testimony. Instead, by being willing to wait for God’s timing, she became a shining light in a dark world, and God honored her patience and obedience. So, if God has you in a waiting room right now, learn to wait patiently. He has good plans for you, but you’ll mess them up if you insist on your timing. God is totally trustworthy, so let go and wait on the Lord.
2/16/20243 minutes
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Learning to Wait – 4

I recall a three-year delay God gave me, when I so wanted to leave a job I was in. From my vantage point, no good could be served by my remaining in that job another day. I had a most difficult boss, and I didn't like the work. It was so painful to get up and make myself go to that office each morning. So, in my usual style, I got the resume updated, and started the job search. I had full confidence I could find another suitable job quickly. Days turned into weeks and months, and jobs that looked like a shoe-in fell through. “What's happening, God? Why did you let that job fall through? That would have gotten me out of this mess.” Those were my sentiments at that point in time. But finally, I recognized God wasn't letting me out of this one yet. And so, I gave him permission to keep me there as long as it served his purposes, though I couldn't imagine what good purposes could possibly be served. That's the place we have to come to. Read this carefully: Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving him a timetable to remove it. Read it again: Patience is accepting a difficult situation from God without giving him a timetable to remove it. Been giving God any timetables lately? If only we can learn to accept those waiting periods in our lives as from his hand, and say, "Lord, it's your timetable not mine. I accept this situation as long as you choose to allow it.” That is walking by faith, my friends. Had I left that job when I wanted to, I would have missed three years of personal development that have been essential to my walk with God and the ministry he has given me. I would have missed the tough lessons I learned that molded my character and helped me mature. And in addition, during those three years I acquired business skills and experience, which allowed me to become self-employed, and that turned out to be absolutely essential in order to begin this ministry. God knew what he was doing. If you're in that predicament today, wondering why God hasn't done anything yet, try to remember that the day will come when you can look back and see how he was developing you in that time.
2/15/20243 minutes
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Learning to Wait – 3

When as a Christ-follower you are in a waiting room where there is absolutely nothing you can do but wait, and it looks disastrous to you, then you are backed into a corner where you are forced to learn to trust God more. We sang a song in my church recently that was new to me, and some of the words really stuck with me. It said, I'm fighting a battle You've already won No matter what comes my way, I will overcome I don't know what you're doing, but I know what you've done And I'm fighting a battle You've already won When God’s people were facing three enemy armies sure to wipe them out, the prophet of the Lord said to Jehoshaphat and all God’s people: This is what the Lord says to you: Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s (2 Chron. 20:15). If you’re in God’s waiting room right now—you don’t know what’s going to happen with your job, your financial situation looks pretty dismal, that report from your doctor has left you in fear, whatever it is—you’re waiting on answers and solutions. I urge you to remember this: You don’t know what God’s doing, but you know what he’s done. Recall all those times when you were worried or fearful, and how God was there for you and got you through. Recall all his promises to you, his totally dependable promises. And just tell him, “I don’t know what you’re doing and maybe I never will, or maybe it’s going to be a long time before I will understand, but I’m resting in the knowledge that I know who you are, and I know what you’ve done. You are trustworthy, and I trust you.” If some battle has you in a waiting room, the Lord says to you, “The battle is not yours but mine.” You’re fighting a battle he’s already won. He has promised never to leave you, nothing can separate you from his love, and all things will work together for his good. I don’t know how or when or if it will work out the way you want it to, but I know that if you have placed your trust in Jesus Christ, and since nothing or nobody can snatch you out of his hand, then you’re in a good place. You don’t know what he’s doing, but you know what he’s done. Trust him!
2/14/20243 minutes
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Learning to Wait – 2

The Bible tells us without faith it is impossible to please God, and we must learn to walk by faith and not by sight. Let's face it: Walking by faith and not by sight is not very comfortable. Frankly, walking by faith would be a lesson I would never learn if it were left up to me, how about you? Give me my choice and I'll have all my problems solved immediately, I'll choose a predictable, well-planned, and executed life, without problems, without difficulties, without heartaches. Who wouldn't? And, of course, God knows that, but because he's my heavenly Father, with all wisdom and knowledge, he also knows that would not be good for me. Just imagine what we'd be like if we never had to walk by faith. First of all, we wouldn't please God, for without faith it's impossible to please him and without waiting periods, our faith would never develop. Secondly, we'd have little character since character is developed through waiting periods; we'd have no compassion for others since we would not be able to understand their struggles; we'd be proud and self-satisfied. There would be no cutting edge on our lives, no reason to turn to God daily with our needs, no learning to feed on his Word and rest in his care. No, a life of ease without those waiting periods would not be good for us, and our trustworthy heavenly Father knows that, even when we don't. I think if we could grasp the blessedness of trusting God and the freedom and joy that brings into our lives, then waiting periods would look entirely different to us. We see them as great difficulties or at least annoying inconveniences. God sees how they force us to learn to know him and trust him, and of course, that is more important than anything else. Ask God to give you a different perspective on your waiting periods.
2/13/20243 minutes
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Learning to Wait

Have you ever said: "Lord, it's enough! When are you going to do something about this? Why are you waiting so long?” Well, I don't know anyone who hasn't asked those questions of God at some time or another in their Christian walk. Why is waiting so hard for us? Why do we chomp at the bit so easily when God doesn't do what we think he should do when we think he should do it? Let me share my own answers to those questions and see if you can identify with me. Waiting is difficult for me because I don't like the unknown. I want to know what lies out there; mysteries frighten me, especially where my own future is concerned. Waiting is tough for me because I'm a here and now person, and I want everything in neat little rows, no strings left hanging, no problems left unsolved. Waiting is hard for me when I think I know the right solution and can see no benefit in waiting for it to happen. In fact, it usually appears disastrous to me to think it won't happen on my schedule. Waiting is hard for me because I tend to be a controlling person, and I want to feel that everything's on schedule. Undoubtedly, you can relate to some of my difficulties with waiting and perhaps add a few of your own. When I take a closer look, I have to conclude my problem is I don't want to let go and trust God. I'm afraid to trust God. It is a sinful, though frequently undetected, attitude that I've got better solutions, better schedules, better ideas than God. It is a false trust in myself. That's a little tough to face, but I believe it is the root cause of my struggles—and yours too—when God keeps us waiting. The truth is the waiting periods of our lives are very important to our spiritual growth and understanding of God, for through them we learn to walk by faith and not by sight.
2/12/20243 minutes
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Fran and Jesus Still on the Job – Reframing

Fran works as a project manager for a marketing company, and she is responsible to secure new clients and then manage their projects to completion. Today we find Fran finishing a conversation with one of her clients. "Yes, Marge, I will do my very best to have that ready by tomorrow. Uh-huh, yes, I understand. Okay, Marge, I'll talk to you tomorrow.” Fran hangs up the phone and begins talking to herself, forgetting for a moment that Jesus, of course, hears everything she says or thinks. "I don't believe that woman. She is going to drive me nuts! Nothing we do is good enough for her. She makes last minute changes and then expects me to work miracles. And she is so rude. I really can't stand her!" Quietly she can sense the Spirit of God whispering to her: "Did you ever think that I love her as much as I love you?" The thought startles her. "Well, yeah sure I knew that,” she thinks out loud. “You love everybody, Lord. But she's a really nasty, demanding person. I'm sorry; I just don't like her." As these thoughts continue, her mind goes back to a recent sermon she heard where her pastor said that there were people Jesus didn’t like, but he loved everybody. He had said that you don’t have to like everybody, but our commandment is to show God’s love to everybody. "I thought you have to like someone, then you can love them,” Fran says to herself, “but I guess that’s not the way it is with God. The problem is, I just don’t know how to do it. There's just no way I can love Marge. She's obnoxious!” "Do you want to love her?" again that quiet voice of Jesus catches her up short. "Do I really want to love her? Tell you the truth—not really," Fran admits. “I guess that's where my problem lies, isn't it Lord? But how can I even want to love someone like her?" Fran exclaims. As she sits and thinks about that, Jesus says to her, “You can want to love her simply because you want to please me. I can help you love her. Why don’t you begin by praying for Marge every day?” “Pray for Marge every day?” Fran repeats. “Really—will that make a difference?” Jesus says, “It will make a difference in you, and that’s what is important.” So, Fran determines to pray for Marge as Jesus has challenged her. Now she begins to do the work she promised Marge tomorrow, working diligently to get it perfect, because Marge is very demanding. The next morning Fran is driving to work and praying for a lot of people, as she often does, and Marge comes to mind. "I'd like to pray that lightning will strike her," Fran says with a grin, knowing she halfway means it. But she attempts to pray for her, "Dear Lord, please help Marge to see how obnoxious she is and change the way she treats me.” Her prayer bounces off the car ceiling; she knows it's the wrong prayer. "Pray that Marge will change?” Jesus says to her. “That’s not exactly how you should pray for her, Fran.” “But Lord, she should change. Her behavior is awful," Fran defends herself. Her spirit is uneasy. Somehow, she has to get beyond this selfish kind of praying, even though Marge is difficult. She can’t change Marge; she can only change herself. "Well, what should I pray?" Fran finally asks. And then she thought of something she heard on the radio—praying that she could see Marge the way God sees her. Praying for a new frame for Marge, a new way to see her, by putting her in a different frame. "Put her in a different frame,” Fran thinks. “I guess I can do that, but she really is obnoxious.” As she drives along, she thinks about that further. “I guess I’ve had her in the obnoxious frame too long. Maybe I should pray for a new frame for Marge—a new way to look at her.” So, even though she feels a little foolish and not totally sincere, in obedience Fran starts her prayer again: "Dear Lord, please help me to see Marge the way you do. And please give me a new frame to put her in. There's got to be something good about her, Lord.
2/10/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Self-Grace – 5

Presented by Lauren Stibgen What relationship allows you to experience biblical grace? How do you give grace in relationships you have? How we show up and extend grace to others, especially at work, reflects how we experience grace from God. Remember, his power is made perfect in our weakness, so as we look at our relationships today, I am reminded of how weak I can be when it comes to showing others grace. I experience grace through the perfect relationship I have through my salvation in Jesus! If you lead people and even if you work on a team, every day can be an opportunity to reflect grace. If you missed our talk about anxiety, you may have missed the statistic that 25% of people report work as their number one stressor, and many of those stresses include their performance at work and even their relationships. Time and time again in Scripture we see Jesus model grace through serving others, love, and forgiveness. God’s number one goal is relationship with him, and he uses you and me and our reflection of Christ’s love to be fishers of men. He calls us to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We cannot do this if we are full of pride, judgement, and focused on ourselves. How do you serve, show love, and humility at work? Jesus served his disciples and showed great humility by washing their feet. He showed love by continually teaching them patiently. Jesus was others focused. One of my favorite examples of grace and love is between Peter and Jesus. Jesus knew Peter would deny him three times before his death. We see this in Luke 22. Peter denied his relationship with Jesus. We get a glimpse of how Peter felt when he “wept bitterly” when he realized he had denied Christ. Fast forward to Jesus and Peter walking along the shore after the resurrection, and Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves him. A reflection of the denial but asking for his love. His rebuke was gentle and grace filled, leading to the command for Peter to feed his sheep. Now, how can you show grace in your relationships at work? Is it by extending grace-filled words? Perhaps a compliment for something as simple as a well-written email or a comment made in a meeting. Is it by showing someone support for an idea they have? As a manager, you can truly show grace by highlighting the work of the people who report to you. Can you extend grace by giving someone honest feedback instead of choosing to gossip? Sometimes, it is best to say something to a person rather than about them. Maybe it is bringing a colleague a cup of coffee or inviting them to lunch. Is someone down? Are they facing a trial? Offer to pray. Relationships are of the utmost importance to God. He relies on us and our relationships to bring people into relationship with him.
2/9/20243 minutes
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Self-Grace – 4

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Do you get overwhelmed by worry? With the busyness many of us experience balancing work, family, and other commitments we can be prone to worry and anxiety. One definition of worry is an incessant goading or attacking that drives one to desperation. Learning more about what God says about our anxiety, can help us rely more on his grace when we are feeling that overwhelming sense of worry. Common worries at work include: Missing a deadline. Worrying about being unliked by a colleague. Feeling imposter syndrome: you don’t really know what you are doing. Sounding “stupid” in a meeting for speaking up. Making a mistake. Twenty-five percent of people say work is the number one stressor in their life. These worries can be compounded by issues outside of work like parenting children, health, your marriage, or financial problems. While God calls us to work with excellence, working with all our hearts as for the Lord and not for human masters (Colossians 3:23), he also cautions us about worrying. And he calls us to look to him. Unemployment was running out and Sue still had not found a new job. Her husband was out of work as well. The bills weren’t stopping and anxiety was mounting. A surprising performance review: All the goals Amy had set with her boss were met and exceeded. Her mid-year pulse check was meeting expectations. Now, at year end she was suddenly rating needs improvement. Confusion and worry grew. What do these women have in common? Work created worry, which was compounded by other issues. They also had something else in common: a belief in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. While this didn’t take the worry away, their faith provided a means of grace during their trials. In Matthew 6, Jesus tells us to not be anxious about our life, reminding us that being anxious will not add a single hour to our span of life. Further, he calls us to look at how God provides in nature to remind us God loves and lavishes us much more than the birds or the grass of the field. We must first seek his kingdom and all of these things (food, clothing, our body) will be added to us. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:6-7). These women were in prayer and in community with other women who were encouraging them. They were experiencing the grace of God through others who cared for their concerns and provided them comfort. Do you need to experience the grace of God in your anxiety? I would encourage you to seek the Lord in prayer and find a community to pray for you and encourage you.
2/8/20243 minutes
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Self-Grace – 3

Presented by Lauren Stibgen The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit (Proverbs 15:4). How should we have grace with our words? I find there are two ways we use our words negatively, especially when it comes to work. The first is self-talk, and the second is gossip. Neither extends grace, and both are rooted in sin apart from Christ. There are leading movements that promise to help us with positive self-talk. The words we use for ourselves can often be as harmful as the words we speak to and about others. I have found the words working women often use for themselves are borne of discouragement or on the opposite end of the spectrum, pride. Discouragement says “I am not enough, I will never get the promotion, or I won’t find a job.” Pride says, “I am better than, or she can’t.” Gossip and slander are pervasive in the workplace. More often than not, we find it is easier to remark about what isn’t going right or what someone isn’t doing than it is to celebrate someone’s success. Research shows 75-95% of gossip contains a morsel of truth. 96% of employees admit to engaging in gossip at work. A study about gossip shows more than 40 minutes per week are spent solely in gossip, and, yes, women are worse than men with close to 80% of women admitting to engaging in gossip. Noted consequences of gossip at work are lack of trust, jealousy, alienation, hurt feelings, and low morale. Being Christian doesn’t exclude us from this 96%. Remember, grace covers a multitude of sins, and maybe like me, you want to be better with your words both to yourself and about others. Ephesians 4:29 tells us to have no corrupting talk come from our mouths, but only such is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. Grace. What if we spent those 40 minutes building others up? If you work a typical week, that is eight minutes a day. Focused energy on speaking those morsels of truth to a person rather than about a person. Maybe you don’t gossip but spend time in negative self-talk. Spend those eight minutes with life giving affirmations about what Christ says of you. The tongue has the power of life and death. Repeatedly, the bible highlights how powerful our tongue is. In fact, in James 3:6, the tongue is described as a fire, and a world of evil among the parts of the body setting the whole course of one’s life on fire. No human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil. Words can give grace. Heavenly father, set a guard over my mouth, Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips (Psalm 141:3).
2/7/20243 minutes
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Self-Grace – 2

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Well, it is one month into the new year, and like me, I am sure you have resolved to accomplish something in this new year. Surprisingly, only 38% of the population commits to a resolution. The most popular resolutions are in the areas of physical and mental health, followed by finances and social relationships. All these resolutions can be God-honoring, but the truth is sometimes our plans are not God’s plans. Proverbs 16:9 reminds me in their hearts, humans plan their course, but the Lord establishes their steps. There are New and Old Testament examples of God impacting man’s plans. If we look at Paul’s journeys, we find while he often resolved to take his mission to a certain location, his efforts were frustrated. Whether house arrest or an unexpected shipwreck on Malta, Paul was forced to rely on God’s will for his missions. In the Old Testament, we saw both Moses and David never reaching their desired achievements. Moses was offered a glimpse of the promised land but never reached it. And David set forth to build a temple for the Lord, but God had other plans to use someone else in both stories to fulfill his plans. These are examples of huge goals. Maybe yours are just as big, or they are smaller, more incremental improvements you want to make. Resolutions can bring forth the temptation to rely on myself, rather than rely on God’s grace. Yesterday, we reflected on how God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. I want to challenge you to look to God to find grace in your time of need. Hebrews 4:16 exhorts us to approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need. How can you seek the Lord in your resolutions? Knowing that you can’t do it alone, I would encourage you to pray about your resolutions and seek scripture that can encourage you when you feel like your resolutions are falling by the wayside. Ask God to show you his will for what you have resolved. Is this his plan for you? God will supply every need of yours to his riches and glory of Christ Jesus. His plans for you are for your good. Is it health you are seeking? Restored relationships? Better stewardship with your finances? Ask God for his grace as you approach his word with confidence. Lord, help our listeners today to be encouraged by your promises for their good, and give them mercy and grace in their time of need. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2 Timothy 1:7).
2/6/20243 minutes
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Self-Grace

Presented by Lauren Stibgen This notion of giving oneself grace spans well beyond any biblical consideration of what grace truly means. Our society tells us repeatedly to excuse our failings by resting in self-grace when we fail to meet our own expectations or the expectations of others. The truth is true grace is only experienced and extended by God. By grace we have been saved by faith alone. Grace is unmerited favor from God, and we cannot give that to ourselves. The only way we can apply grace to ourselves is to walk in the grace of God. In 2 Peter 3:18, we are exhorted to grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Jesus says, my grace is sufficient for you, my power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9). Paul remarks he can boast more gladly about his weakness so that Christ’s power can rest on him. Jesus covers us in grace. He alone is sufficient. By acknowledging we are sinners and saved by grace alone, we can focus on the example we have in Jesus. We cannot grow in our faith by looking at ourselves. It is in the fullness of this realization—grace comes through faith and Jesus is all sufficient—that we can show grace both to ourselves and others. When we truly stop and think about the need for grace, it is rooted in our sin. And we cannot ever forgive ourselves. Only Jesus can cover our sins. Sin has no dominion over us since we are not under the law but under grace. Romans 6:14 reminds us we are under grace—free favor—and that is what we experience through Jesus Christ alone. We have just started a new year. Oftentimes, we consider this time of renewal where we have set new expectations on ourselves, on our relationships, or even our work. A new fresh calendar. Maybe you are off to a great start, but maybe like Paul, you need to reflect and boast gladly in your weakness and inability to do it all alone. We cannot overcome our sin nature alone. We need Jesus. In every expectation set for ourselves or every moment we fail—which for me feels like daily. We must remember we must bring all of this to Jesus to experience grace. Not only do we experience grace but in acknowledging our weakness, Christ’s power rests on us. Grace=free favor=Jesus Christ=the power of Christ over my life.
2/5/20243 minutes
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Sabbath

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Maybe you are a planner and a list maker. Or maybe you just let the days fly by with work, kids, social plans, and other things that fill your time to the point of depletion and exhaustion. Busy days can sometimes fly by, but we often don’t feel like we have accomplished much. We just finished a season, which to me, feels like the busiest time of the year that culminated with Christmas and the start of a new year. For me, this season was dizzying. Work was budgets, performance reviews, and year-end preparations. Home was preparing for the holidays, unexpected surgery for my daughter, and so many social commitments I don’t even want to recount them. Oh yes, and social events for my children and work parties. Add this to trying to maintain my own health and preparing to talk to you about experiencing grace through the sabbath. Don’t laugh. You are probably wondering if I observed the Sabbath rest in this season, or if I experience Sabbath rest at all. Seasons don’t matter. The reason I bring up the end of the year is only because it is fresh in our minds. Honestly, if I break down the weeks and months, there’s always something. A special project, a birthday, travel, board meetings, kids sports or other activities, and more social events. And the cycle repeats. What is even worse—we have social media to remind us of things we may be missing out on. News that needs our attention. Dings and pings to respond to. Email on our phones that comes along with us. There is a lot that drowns out God’s grace and his intention for us to experience this on the Sabbath. The truth is I haven’t always been great at observing the Sabbath, but that all changed when I was forced to stop, like all of us were, during the pandemic. When life started back to “normal” it felt good and bad all at the same time. Soon the pace was right back to where it was, and my seven days were booked and busy. The return to normal forced me to look closely at the Sabbath. God created rest. In Genesis 2:3 we first see the Sabbath. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done. In Exodus, the Sabbath became a commandment. Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy (Exodus 20:8). The Hebrew word for Sabbath literally means “to cease.” If I never cease or take time away from the normal flow, how can I ever experience God? How can I hear him? I will bring us back again to the notion that God’s power is made perfect in our weakness. If we never allow ourselves to be vulnerable in faith, we will never know his goodness and be able to say, “God, I trust you to maintain control while I put all my focus on you.” Striving and not ceasing keeps the focus on me and what I can do, not on how God moves in my life. In Isaiah 58:11 we are beautifully reminded of how God provides for us. The Scripture says, The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. How will I ever experience this guidance, satisfaction, strength, and watering that never fails if I don’t show my weakness and rest and reset? In the New Testament book of Hebrews, we see this repeated in chapter 4:9-10. There remains, then, a Sabbath-rest for the people of God; for anyone who enters God’s rest also rests from their works, just as God did from his. We rest just like God rested. Throughout the Bible, those who were closest to the Lord practiced rest. The prophets, King David, and even Jesus and the disciples rested. I often turn to Psalm 23:1-3, 5. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
2/3/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Connecting with People – 5

I’ve been examining how we can do a better job connecting with people. First Peter 4:9 exhorts us to offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. How do we show hospitality to one another? Well, there are myriads of ways to do that, but it means you will have to see yourself as the host or hostess rather than the guest. Someone who shows hospitality takes on the responsibility to make others comfortable, to serve their needs, to initiate a welcoming environment, to make the first move. That could be in any situation—at home, at work, at church, while shopping or traveling, etc. Show hospitality to others. Sometimes it simply means taking time to recognize someone and greet them, calling them by name if possible. Sometimes it means interrupting your own plans to help someone out. It could mean inviting people to your home for a meal or taking time to listen to someone’s problem. It will require a servant attitude, a willingness to put others first, and truly connect with them. Peter says we are to show hospitality without grumbling. That tells me showing hospitality is not always easy to do. Putting others first requires an attitude that has to come from God’s power in us, not from our own selves. It’s possible to be hospitable with the wrong spirit—with a grumbling spirit. If you’re serious about connecting with others and fulfilling this hospitality challenge, you’ll need to pray about it. Pray God will give you both the desire and the power to want to connect with others, to expend the energy, time, and resources that will be required to put others first and die to your own selfish desires. Here’s the good news: When you learn to do this, you reap wonderful benefits. You discover dying to yourself brings new life, as Jesus promised. When we get ourselves out of the way and make it a daily practice to put others first, we move into that abundant life Jesus came to give us. It’s one of the paradoxes of the Christian life—that if we want to be the greatest, we must be a servant. By God’s grace and for his glory, that can become a reality in our lives.
2/2/20243 minutes
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Connecting with People – 4

Do you approach your relationships as a host or a guest? The attitude that helps is to think of yourself as the host or hostess rather than the guest. Or, in more biblical terms, as one who serves rather than one who is served. Think about your daily interactions with other people—at work, at home, or church, wherever. Are you a host or a guest? For example, do you initiate the phone call that needs to be made or do you wait for the other person to call? When you’re in a group, do you introduce yourself to someone new or wait for them to introduce themselves first? When someone seems puzzled or confused, do you offer to help? Maybe you’re thinking you can’t be the host or hostess because you’re shy or introverted. I want to encourage you to give it a try. It may take you out of your comfort zone temporarily, but once you take that first step to “host” your relationships, you’ll see that it really isn’t that scary, and before long you will be comfortable doing it. It will surprise you to see the positive reactions you receive, and you’ll feel very good about connecting with others in more meaningful ways. One of the reasons we hesitate to take the role of host or hostess in relationships is because we fear what others will think of us. I find when I am more concerned about how I will appear to others than I am about trying to connect with them, it’s because I am far too self-focused. I have to stop and remind myself it’s not all about me. I can assure you if you reach out to others in an attempt to connect in a better, more loving way, you will rarely make a fool of yourself. And what if you do? Does the world stop revolving? Does God stop loving you? We just have to get over our intense self-absorption. Another obstacle to connecting with others is our pride. How often do you hesitate to initiate a connection with someone new because you feel they should make the first move? If you find yourself thinking, “They should come to me,” it could be the indication of a proud attitude. Or maybe some of us hesitate to connect with others because it just takes too much effort. True, it does take effort and time, but the fruit of that effort is very rewarding. I hope you’ll consider your responsibility to be a host or hostess with the people in your life, rather than playing the role of the guest. It makes life so much richer and fulfills our God-given responsibility to do unto others as we would want them to do to us.
2/1/20243 minutes
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Connecting with People – 3

I’ve been challenging you to think of yourself as a host or hostess on your job and elsewhere, in order to connect with people better. To initiate conversations, volunteer help, keep your antenna up for anyone who needs a word of encouragement. This is how we show Christ’s love in a world that is starving for kindness and compassion. I remember someone giving a message challenging us to “leave it better than you found it.” Just imagine how much nicer our worlds would be if we all practiced that regularly—leaving everything better than we found it. Let’s take that principle and apply it to our relationships. What if our goal was to make certain every relationship we have of any significant length—like fifteen minutes or more—was to leave that person better than we found him or her? To do something for that person would add value to their lives. It might be a word of advice that we take time to share, or a listening ear, or a book we could recommend, or an invitation to lunch. You know, people don’t remember so much what we do or how well we do it, but they do remember how we made them feel. Have you ever thought about how you make other people feel? I’m sure you’ve thought about how other people make you feel. But reverse that and ask yourself, “How do I make other people feel?” Some people make us feel insignificant. Others intimidate us. Some people make us feel like failures. No doubt you can think of people in your life who give you those kinds of negative feelings. They may not intend to give off those vibes, but something in their manner or the way they treat you gives you that impression. Stop and ask yourself: Do I do that to others? I have learned I can send negative messages to others because of my tendency to be very project oriented and very focused on getting a job done. In the process, if I’m not careful, I can miss opportunities to recognize people along the way and send them an unintended message that they aren’t important to me. I’m working hard to change those bad habits, but I have to be very intentional about it and remember to catch myself and connect with all those people. What kind of messages do you send to others? Do they sense you are a caring person; do you exude an attitude of acceptance and warmth? Obviously, I’m aware we can’t please everyone, and people can choose to misinterpret us unfairly. But we also have a responsibility, as Paul wrote to the Corinthians, to take pains to do what is right, not only in the sight of God, but also in the sight of men (2 Corinthians 8:21).
1/31/20243 minutes
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Connecting with People – 2

I’m examining how we can improve our ability to connect with others. I challenged you to see yourself as the host or hostess, the one who is responsible to make others feel comfortable, who takes the initiative to meet their needs and help in any way possible. For some of you, that means moving outside your comfort zone, I’m sure, but it is a way to show love and caring for people around you, which is our calling as believers in Christ. Another important connection skill is to consider everyone significant, and to take the time to learn their names and call them by name. In your jobs and in your life, you will meet many people. Remember they are all significant to God, and therefore, they should be to you as well. Don’t overlook people. They deserve your attention and care, even if all you can do is smile and say hello. Often people in service jobs wear nametags: waiters, waitresses, cleaning people, doormen. Make it a practice to look for nametags and then call people by name. And if they don’t have a nametag, take the time to ask, “What is your name?” In a world that is often cold and uncaring, something as simple as calling a person by name can bring warmth and a touch of love into that relationship, brief as it may be. Some years ago, we began distributing magnetic nametags to all members and attenders at our church. What a difference that has made in helping us to connect with others at the church. People I’ve seen for years I now can connect with their name. It is truly amazing to see how much better we connect with each other simply because of those nametags—we can call each other by name. If you determine to have a mindset that you are the host or hostess, and it is your job to find common ground with others and make them feel at ease, you will discover you talk less about yourself and focus more on others. Paul wrote to the Philippians we should count others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). How do you do that? Well, you have to be very intentional about it and pray God will give you both the desire and the power to do it. It won’t always be easy. You’ll find with some people you have very little in common, but instead of giving up, look for that one thing that could open up a conversation and help you to connect.
1/30/20243 minutes
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Connecting with People

One question I am often asked is, “What is the main issue people in the workplace are struggling with today?” I’ve been in this ministry for many years, so I’ve had enough time to observe common issues and note changes in the workplace. But I can tell you one issue remains at the top of most everyone’s list, and that is how to deal successfully with people! People! It’s people! In some form or another, our relationships—on the job and everywhere else—cause us more frustration, create more conflict, and eat up more of our time than anything else. Of course, relationships also can bring great joy and satisfaction, too. I want to address this relationship challenge by talking about how we connect successfully with others. You will notice there are some people who seem to have no difficulty forming friendships, generating loyalty, creating community, and getting along with people, while others are woefully lacking in these skills. What makes one person better at connecting with people than others? And if this ability to connect with people does not come naturally to us, is it possible to develop those skills and improve in those areas? Scripture exhorts us to count others more significant than ourselves (Philippians 2:3), and to exhibit the characteristics of a truly loving attitude toward others. We need to find practical and effective ways to develop these godly characteristics of connecting easily and quickly with other people, whether they are co-workers, managers, employees, or just friends and acquaintances. One of the first things we have to do to connect with others is to make people feel comfortable in our presence. And we can learn to do that by thinking of ourselves as “hosts” in any situation. A good host takes the initiative to make others feel comfortable. Most people view themselves as “guests” in life, expecting others to take the initiative and make the first move. But if you will just reverse that tendency and think of yourself as the host or hostess, you will become more proactive in initiating conversations, offering to help others, and discovering you are beginning to connect with people much more easily. I challenge you to be the “host” as you go to work; see yourself as the person who will initiate connections, who will have your antenna up to be aware of others around you and be willing to get out of your comfort zone and make the first move. It is such a simple idea, but I can promise you it will make a difference in how you connect with others.
1/29/20243 minutes
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Alisa Childers – Part two

How many times have we heard our pop culture say, “You’re perfect just as you are” or “God just wants you to be happy”? This week Mary Lowman and Alisa Childers help us navigate false ideas and Alisa shares from her book Live Your Truth and Other Lies. Join us as we discover how to stand against false beliefs as followers of Christ.
1/27/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Becoming a Grace-full Woman – 5

In his marvelous book, Knowing God, J. I. Packer says many church people "pay lip-service to the idea of grace, but there they stop. Their conception of grace is not so much debased as non-existent” (p. 116-117). I’ve been examining what it means to live a grace-full life, to truly understand God’s grace to us, which equips us to dispense grace to others. I find I must be intentional about living a grace-full life. I have to think about it, pray about it, and make choices each day that lead me to be a grace-full person. We’ve looked at the ABCs of graceful living this week: A – Abound in generosity, in good works. B – Live a bitter-less life. We must pull up those weeds of bitterness as soon as they start to grow, because bitterness chokes grace out of our lives. C - Learn to be content. Contentment is a trademark of a grace-full life. This is a good description of grace-full living, though not exhaustive. But where do we get this grace? We can’t find it in ourselves; we can’t obtain it through good works or trying harder. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16). We find grace at the throne of God, which is a throne of grace. God is enthroned in grace. And the incredibly good news is we can approach the throne of grace with confidence. We can be absolutely confident we will be accepted there if we go in the righteousness of Jesus Christ. And we can be absolutely confident grace will be given to help us. Maybe, like me, you are not a terribly graceful person, but would you like to be a grace-full person—full of God’s grace, which you can give to others? It is available to anyone who will be intentional about living in the ABCs of God’s grace and making regular visits to the throne of grace.
1/26/20243 minutes
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Becoming a Grace-full Woman – 4

We’re examining the ABCs of grace-full living and what it looks like to be a truly graceful person. As we have seen, A is abundant living, B is bitterless living, and today we look at C. C- Contented Grace-full living is contented living. The dictionary says that a contented person is one who is satisfied with what they are and what they have; they want nothing more or anything else. Does that describe you? I have to tell you there are far too many days it does not describe me. I see a new house being built, and I think how nice it would be to have it. I peruse those catalogs that flood my mailbox, and I can convince myself I can’t live without something I saw in the catalog. And we can lose our contentment by wishing we were a different person, with a different life, in a different place, having different gifts and abilities. Ever go there? Living a discontented life will suck the grace of God right out of you. It will cause you to be restless, self-focused, resentful, envious. Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’ (Hebrews 13:5). This is something we must become intentional about doing. We have to work at it, if you please. We have to pray it into our lives. It doesn’t just happen. The enemy of your soul will trip you up with discontent if you give him the opportunity. He knows a discontented Christian is not going to dispense grace. He whispers those lies to you, convincing you your life cannot be complete or full or good unless you have something or someone that you don’t now have. But we can learn contentment. The Apostle Paul wrote: I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want (Philippians 4:12). Contented living is freedom—and it is grace-full living.
1/25/20243 minutes
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Becoming a Grace-full Woman – 3

What does it mean to live a life that is full of God’s grace—a truly grace-full life? We’re looking at the ABCs of graceful living, and yesterday we saw A is abundant living. The abundance Jesus came to give us is abundant joy and peace, and that should overflow into abundant good works. B- Bitterless Grace-full living is living without bitterness. Consider this passage from Hebrews: See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). Allowing bitter roots to grow in your heart will cause you to miss the grace-full life. There are many bitter roots that can become ingrained in the garden of our hearts. Consider these: The bitter root of rejection It’s very easy to allow the pain of rejection to take root in your heart and bloom into bitterness. The bitter root of unfulfilled dreams Unfulfilled dreams create a fertile ground for bitter roots. The bitter root of loss What have you lost lately? Your job? Your pride? Has death robbed you of a loved one? Or divorce? Loss makes us vulnerable to bitterness. This verse teaches us several things about bitter roots: First, they grow. You can't hold onto one little bitter twig. It won't stay that size. It always grows. Second, they cause trouble. Any little bitterness will cause you trouble. A great many of the emotional and mental breakdowns we see today have their beginnings in bitterness that was never dealt with. Third, they defile many. Bitterness spills over to everyone around you. As parents we can transfer that bitter spirit to our children; as managers and employees we can transfer it to our co-workers. It is a poison that affects everyone it touches. If you’re struggling with some bitterness today, I pray you will ask God to help you dig up those bitter roots so you can enjoy the grace-full life Jesus came to give you.
1/24/20243 minutes
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Becoming a Grace-full Woman – 2

The song, Amazing Grace, is sung all over the world by people who have no understanding of its message of salvation through Jesus. But the idea of grace appeals to everyone. What does it mean for you and me in our world today to live grace-full lives? What does that look like? I’d like to give you the ABCs of grace-full living. Here is “A”: A- Abundant Jesus said: “I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.” Jesus wasn’t talking about being full of money, or earthly success, or freedom from problems. He was talking about a life that is grace-full! In 2 Corinthians 9:8 we read: And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. When the grace of God fills us, then it must flow out to others in the form of good works. What good works? The good works that you were created to do. Ephesians 2:10 says: We are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. Here are a few examples of how we dispense grace to others: Someone is sick; you minister to their needs. Someone is rejoicing over good news; you rejoice with them. Someone has a broken heart. You cry with them, listen to them, console them. Someone is wandering away from God. You confront them in love, admonish them, help them to come back into fellowship. Someone is lost in sin, without Christ. You share the gospel in every way you can, lovingly planting seeds of truth in their life. Someone needs financial help. You give out of love and concern. You teach the Word of God in a small group; you organize prayer for your company; you begin a Bible study at work or at home; you invite others to hear the Word of God. These are just a few ways that we overflow with grace to others, abounding in good works. I can testify to you from personal experience that grace-full living is knowing God is using you in the lives of others. There is nothing more fulfilling than that.
1/23/20243 minutes
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Becoming a Grace-full Woman

I have to admit I am not a graceful person. In my first year of college, during Christmas break, my mother lined me up for private lessons with a woman who coached me on how to be graceful. Now, for my mother to spend money on such lessons was an indication of how much help I needed! I was not then—still am not to this day—graceful. This woman tried hard to make me more graceful, but unfortunately, I am like a bull in a china shop. If it can be bumped into, I bump into it. If it is fragile, I break it. If it can be tripped over, I trip over it. I’ve come to the conclusion if you’re not naturally a graceful person, there’s just not a whole lot you can do about it. I’m happy to report to you that though I may never be graceful, I can be grace-full—full of grace. That is not contingent on my agility or nimbleness or any physical attributes. It is, instead, contingent on my openness to the grace of God and my willingness to let it fill my life. In writing of our Savior, John says, The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Jesus was full of grace. As believers in Jesus Christ, you and I are in the process of being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory. We are to be filled with his Spirit, and therefore, we have the incredible opportunity to be filled with grace. Like Jesus, we can be full of grace. When asked what was the one thing about Christianity that sets it apart from all other religions, C. S. Lewis responded, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.” No other religion offers God’s love and redemption coming to us free of charge, as a gift, no strings attached, no performance required, no standards to meet. Only Christianity dares to make God’s love unconditional. That’s because Christianity has the only qualified Savior, Jesus Christ. This week I want to encourage you to become very intentional about becoming a woman—or a man—who is grace-full, full of God’s grace. It must become more than a cliché, more than words we say or songs we sing. God’s grace needs to permeate every corner of our being so that we are living examples of his grace.
1/22/20243 minutes
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Alisa Childers – Part one

Join Mary Lowman and Alisa Childers as they converse about how historic Christianity can stand up to all our doubts and criticism. Among other things, Alisa is the author of the best-selling book Another Gospel? In their conversation, they talk about her book, progressive Christianity, and how to strengthen our own faith in our ever-changing world. I know you’ll be encouraged and challenged, so please join us.
1/20/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Meet Grace – 5

How can you start living in grace? First and foremost, you have to give up! Yes, give up: Trying to earn God’s grace. You can’t! It’s a gift! Trying to make up for your past. It’s behind you! God remembers it against you no more. Trying to shift the blame—on your parents, on your siblings, on your mate, on your circumstances—whoever or whatever. Forgive whoever needs forgiving and let go of the bitterness and anger that is eating you alive. Sitting on the sidelines. Whatever fear is immobilizing you, believe God’s grace is sufficient to enable you to do the good works he put you here to do. Any known addiction in your life—anything that is keeping you in bondage. Give up and then give in! Give in: To God’s love for you. You are the one he loves. Nothing can separate you from his love. It’s unconditional—unlike any other love you’ve known. To God’s plan for you. Believe he has good works for you to do and tell God you want to do them. Tell God you’re tired of everything always being about you, and you want your life to be all about God. To God’s grace! Start immersing yourself in the grace of God. Search scripture about God’s grace and pray those scriptures into your life. To the joy of your salvation. If you’re sure you have been born from above, ask God to restore your joy as you learn to bask in his grace. To the abundant life Jesus died to give you. Stop settling for just getting by. Ask God to overflow your heart and mind with the truth of his grace to you, and then go for it. I want to leave you with a picture of you covered with grace! Grace follows you everywhere! Grace fills your heart! Grace comes out of your mouth. Grace gets you through the tough times. You have met grace, and you are growing in the knowledge and understanding of grace: But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen (2 Peter 3:18). You’ve met Grace! Get to know her better and better every day. Pray Grace into your life. Rebuke the enemy who will try to dump guilt and anger and shame and bitterness on you. Say hello to Grace all through your day. Fix your mind on Jesus, the one who is full of grace.
1/19/20243 minutes
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Meet Grace – 4

If you have indeed become a child of God through God’s saving grace, then the next question is, are you living your life in the reality of God’s grace? And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2 Corinthians 9:8). How much grace can abound toward you? All! How sufficient can you be? All! How many areas of your life can you have this all-sufficient grace? All! How many good works can you then do? An abundance! An abundance of what? Grace! For what? Every good work. God pours out all grace on you so you can be sufficient in all the things he puts in your life and therefore you will do many good works—an abundance of good works. God put you here to do good works: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). You have to meet Grace before you do the good works. Otherwise, you will keep trying to do the good works on your own, to win God’s favor or feel good about yourself or check off the boxes so you can say, “Look, I did it.” God gives you grace upon grace—all grace, for everything, an abundance—and then you have the privilege and joy of doing the good works, being the person God created you to be, knowing the fulfillment is yours as a child of the king. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me (1 Corinthians 15:10). You do the good works God intended you to do because you’ve met grace, and that grace was not in vain! You work hard to do the good works because God’s grace is with you. Have you been missing some of God’s grace? Why? Can you put a finger on it? If so, what do you do to turn around and start living in grace?
1/18/20243 minutes
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Meet Grace – 3

If you are not truly aware of grace in your life minute by minute, day by day, maybe it’s because your experience of grace is warped. For example, could it be: Do you see grace through your relationship with your parents or other authority figures? Maybe they set high expectations for you, and you never received their approval. Or perhaps you received very little attention; or one parent deserted you. As a result of one of more of these factors, your experience of “grace” fell very short of what it should have been. Do you see grace through your past? You think you don’t measure up; you’re not smart or gifted. You’ve messed up too much, failed God too often. As a result, you have lots of guilt. Perhaps you’ve become cynical, feeling hopeless about any possibility of things changing. If you’ve been looking at grace through the wrong lens, one of these or some other one, God’s grace has probably always seemed distant for you or it’s a mystery to you. And this probably reveals itself in one of several ways: You are always in performance mode, trying to secure God’s and others’ approval by being good, excelling in everything. Always trying to show yourself and others you’re okay, but it’s never enough. You have given up trying to find the grace you need, so you just sit on the sidelines and admire others, all the time blaming yourself. In fear of failure, you never step out on faith to do the good works God has called you to do. You haven’t met grace yet—not totally, not completely. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace (Galatians 5:4).
1/17/20243 minutes
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Meet Grace – 2

Grace is your ticket to heaven, and grace is sufficient for your every need on your journey there. But this is just the beginning. We read: Out of his fullness we have all received grace in place of grace already given (John 1:16). Jesus is full of grace: The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14). Is there a limit to his grace? None, never! And from his grace, you, as his child, have received grace upon grace. Unending grace. Immeasurable grace. The question I want to put to you is: Are you living in the fullness of the grace of Jesus? Is God’s grace—amazing grace—a conscious part of your everyday life? Having been born again through grace, have you missed the abundant grace upon grace for your life? Or maybe, like me, you live in it some days and some days you don’t. God is able and willing to give you grace upon grace. Grace to do every good work he has planned for you to do. Grace to endure whatever circumstances come your way. Grace to love like Jesus loves; to care like Jesus cares; to serve like Jesus served; to forgive like Jesus forgave. All grace is God’s gift to you. He is able to do that, provided you don’t miss it. Provided you don’t “fall short of his grace.” See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many (Hebrews 12:15). “See to it” says the writer to the Hebrews. Get to know grace better. See to it you don’t miss out on God’s abundant, amazing grace he gives to you—grace upon grace for every day and every situation in your life.
1/16/20243 minutes
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Meet Grace

I want to introduce you to Grace. You may have met her before; I’m sure you have. But maybe you just haven’t gotten to know her too well yet. She is amazing grace. What makes her so amazing? First and most importantly, grace is your ticket to heaven. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). Your good works won’t get you there. The fact you’re better than lots of other people doesn’t count. If and when you place your trust in Jesus Christ, confess your sins, and believe in your heart he is the way—and the only way—to know God, then God gives you a ticket. It’s a one-way ticket that guarantees you will spend eternity with him in heaven, and that ticket is grace. You can’t buy this ticket; it’s free, and it’s the only way you can get there. Secondly, grace is sufficient for every need you will have while on your way to Heaven. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9). The Apostle Paul is referring here to a “thorn in his flesh,” he called it. Three times he prayed for God to take it away—make his life easier, make him more effective in serving Jesus. Take away this thorn, Lord! It seemed like the obvious solution to his problem. Instead, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you.” My grace is all you need. My power comes through perfectly in your weakness. What have you prayed for God to fix—to make right, to solve—and he hasn’t done it yet? Maybe he will—in his own timing—or maybe not. But this much I can guarantee you, if you are born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, God’s amazing grace will be enough for you. God’s power will come through in ways you can’t even imagine. When you admit you are weak and helpless, grace comes through.
1/15/20243 minutes
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Grasping Grace

Presented by Lisa Bishop As we get started in talking about grace, I want to take you back to a hot summer day in the mid-80’s as I was entering my mid-teen years. I still get flashbacks from my spiral permed hair that blew away all height restrictions with the backcombing and amount of Aqua Net hairspray I used, but I digress. On this particular summer day, I was in the driveway of my childhood home, excited to wash my dad’s 1979 Oldsmobile. Now I know that may sound weird, actually enjoying washing a car, but for a little bit of backstory, my dad loved cars. Growing up, I would see him take meticulous care of them by washing and waxing them on a pretty regular basis. A clean car made my dad really happy. So, I was eager to get out my bucket of soapy water and pull out the long green garden hose to make the boxy, brown, five-seater, top-of-the-line car shine. I didn’t have my driver’s license yet and had never driven, let alone been behind the wheel of a car. So, my dad pulled the car out of the garage and parked it in the driveway for me to wash while he did some gardening in the backyard. There I was, lathering up my dad’s Oldsmobile, rinsing it off, and using old bath towels to dry it until it glimmered. I was so proud and even happier to know this was something that would mean a lot to my dad. To impress my dad a bit more, I thought it would be cool if I not only washed the car, but I parked it all by myself in the garage. Now mind you, on the other side of the garage was my dad’s prized possession, a 1969 Firebird convertible. Gold, with a white top, in mint condition, and perfectly polished. You can see where this story is heading. I got behind the wheel of this brown boat of a car, aiming to park it in the garage when instead, I nervously drove it into the left side of the garage door. In a panic, my foot hit the gas, and I swerved to the right. I had managed not only to dent the right side of the car, but also to side swipe my dad’s precious convertible. I know you are probably wondering, “What were you thinking?” Well evidently, I was not thinking clearly. At that point, I was completely freaked out and scared to death to tell my dad what had happened. I was worried he would be really mad at me. In my hysteria, I found my mom. When—in the midst of hyperventilating—I told her what had happened, she said, “Don’t worry! Everything will be just fine.” And we proceeded to walk to the backyard together to tell my dad. When I told him what happened I will never forget what he said. “I love you, Lisa. It’s just a car. We can get it fixed. You are more important to me than a car.” In that moment I expected to get what I deserved—a tongue lashing for my carelessness and a life sentence to my bedroom. But that’s not what I received at all. Instead, I was the recipient of something powerful. The powerful and impactful gift of grace. The grace my dad extended to me that day did something to my mind and heart that forever left an impression. It taught me, amongst many things, to value people over possessions. My dad’s selfless act was based on his character. He saw how fearful and upset I was, and he chose to respond with mercy and kindness rather than erupt and be rash with his words. When he could have punished me, instead he lavished me with love. The concept of grace can be hard to grasp but it was made tangible on that hot summer day in 1984. Ephesians 1:3-8 tells us about the grace that has been given to us in Christ. Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. In him we have redemption through his blood,
1/13/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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Grace in the Workplace – 5

presented by Lisa Bishop When was the last time you received a letter in the mail? I’m not talking about a letter from the city outlining your parking violation or a dreaded collection notice. I’m talking about a heart-felt, handwritten letter from a friend or loved one. It’s so rare these days to get anything but junk mail, isn’t it? Over the past month I’ve been reading the New Testament. As I was reading the Apostle Paul’s letters, I noticed he opens each letter with some form of the following greeting. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you ever stopped to think about what Paul means when he addresses the recipients of his letters with those words? It must be important since Paul used grace and peace as common greetings. He is reminding all who are in Christ Jesus we are recipients of free, undeserved, and unearned mercy from God through Jesus. Along with God’s kindness and compassion, peace is also ours in Christ and is a fruit of the Holy Spirit. Paul is reminding us of who God is, and as we receive grace and peace, we are to release grace and peace to everyone around us. We can often blow past Paul’s poignantly penned greeting and miss its meaning. David Guzik, an author and Bible commentator, says this about Paul’s words. “...Grace means, among other things, that God's attitude towards us is gracious, it's filled with favor. You see, when God sees us, …he sees beauty in us because we're in Jesus. To put it plainly, standing in grace means that God doesn't only love us, He likes us. It can be difficult for us to understand that God likes us, that he's well pleased with us in Jesus. We often suffer under the thought that God barely tolerates us because we're unworthy, or that, most of the time, God is irritated with us. You see, we're so familiar with our own sins and shortcomings we are easily convinced that God is always half-angry with us, and he's always disappointed in us because we're unworthy. “Brothers and sisters,…your position before God is a standing of favor,…not one of unworthiness or irritation or mere toleration…Your standing in grace is only because of God's freely given favor in Jesus Christ.”[1] Don’t you just love that reminder? As we wrap up our week together, receive this blessing. Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. And as you have received God’s grace, go and be grace in the workplace. [1] Guzik, D. (2018, January 12). Part 3 - What Does Living in Grace Look Like? by David Guzik. Blue Letter Bible. https://www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/guzik_david/GettingGrace/GettingGrace/Part-3-What-Does-Living-in-Grace-Look-Like.cfm
1/12/20243 minutes
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Grace in the Workplace – 4

presented by Lisa Bishop If you were to take inventory of your words over the past 48 hours, would you describe them as grace-filled? We are given instructions to: Never let ugly or hateful words come from your mouth, but instead let your words become beautiful gifts that encourage others; do this by speaking words of grace to help them (Ephesians 4:29). Other versions say, let no unwholesome words come from your mouth, which means words that are rotten, corrupted, of poor quality are worthless. That is a strong warning, and one we can be prone to bypass, especially when we get caught up in office dynamics. One of the most impactful ways to show God’s grace in your workplace is by filtering your words through the Holy Spirit before they fly out of your mouth. When people around you are grumbling and complaining about their work or their boss, talking poorly behind a coworker’s back, or speaking in a crude or insensitive way, you’ve got a secret weapon, and that weapon is grace. And when I say weapon, I do not mean it in the harmful sense but in the powerful godly sense. The words should flow from your mouth and cultivate a healthy workplace culture. You may think you do not have much influence to impact a culture, but you do. Your words will either sow beauty that builds up and encourages, or they will be careless and tear down, discourage, and disparage others. Words that lack any sense of grace destroy harmony and collaboration. Are your words beautiful gifts or atomic bombs? Do they bolster connection or are they like a termite slowly eating away at the structure of your relationships? You’ve heard the phrase, “Think before you speak.” Before words roll off your tongue, put them through the THINK filter. Are your words: T—Tested? (meaning put through the test of grace) H—Helpful? I—Inspiring? N—Necessary? K—Kind? If someone were to hear your words or eavesdrop on your conversation, would they get a proper representation of Jesus? Would they hear words of grace falling from your lips? Let’s commit together to THINK before we speak and let our words be a gift of grace to those who hear them.
1/11/20243 minutes
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Grace in the Workplace – 3

presented by Lisa Bishop I am examining ways to be grace in the workplace and learning about an aspect of grace—humility. To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:9-14). Have you ever uttered the words of the Pharisee, “God, I thank you I am not like other people. I thank you I am not like my coworker! She’s so loud. He’s so lazy. She is so incompetent.” I have, and if you’re honest, you have too, even if you have whispered them silently to yourself. Because of our sin nature, we are prone to fall into the temptation of a self-elevating view that looks down on other people. We boast of the reasons we are better than others and we neglect our own shortcomings. Or worse, we put insufficiencies on a spectrum, and it just so happens our own faults are minimized while others’ faults are often put on blast. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). When you humble yourself, first before God, you get oodles of grace. When it comes to being justified before God, we see the Pharisee listing the reasons he deserved God’s favor, but no amount of self-effort will earn you the grace of God. God cannot be bought or manipulated. That is good news because you and I will fall short, and Jesus fills the gap! The next time you are tempted to think more highly of yourself and less of others, remember you are loved. Thank God for his grace and humble yourself.
1/10/20243 minutes
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Grace in the Workplace – 2

presented by Lisa Bishop Are you a fool? Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult (Proverbs 12:16). If you have ever found yourself in a situation where your reputation was on the line or your competence was called into question based on something a coworker said about you, Proverbs provides solid wisdom on how to respond. It’s easy to react with retaliation or revenge when you are wronged, but Proverbs reminds us to respond to others with grace. Rather than being hot-headed and reactive, or maybe even silently vindictive, take a deep breath and hold back any rash words. Instead of responding harshly, or in a manner you may regret, keep a calm spirit. When you are prudent, you are careful and wise, exercising good judgment in handling the injury done to you. When you act prudently, you create less trouble for yourself and in turn gain more credit and a good reputation from others. Now, I am not saying you need to roll over and be walked on as false information is spoken about you, but when you exert wisdom and respond gracefully, you are a witness to the grace of Jesus. It reminds me of Paul’s instructions: Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone (Colossians 4:5-6). When you are insulted, your response is a witness to Jesus Christ. And when you don’t react in a way people typically behave when maligned and instead you act with kindness and courtesy, you create an opening for conversation that can lead to sharing your faith. You are able to give an answer, a reason for your spirit-led response. The next time you are bad-mouthed, ground yourself in the Holy Spirit and ask him to cover your comeback with grace. Respond in the Spirit and ask, “What would grace do?”
1/9/20243 minutes
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Grace in the Workplace

presented by Lisa Bishop I am examining an important characteristic of God we can often find difficult to emulate. Grace. And specifically, we’ll be unpacking ways to be grace in the workplace. Notice how I said “be” grace. Grace ultimately flows from your identity, and when you are truly living from your identity in Jesus, grace will inform how you act, speak, and live. Just as an aspect of God’s character is grace, you and I are called to imitate Jesus and be grace to others. We see grace as a constant theme in the Bible. In the Old Testament we hear the very words of God as he declares his character: The Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness, maintaining love to thousands, and forgiving wickedness, rebellion, and sin (Exodus 34:6-7). The word translated gracious means merciful in Hebrew. In the New Testament, grace translated from the Greek word charis, means favor, blessing, or kindness. The most powerful demonstration of grace is God choosing to bless us in Jesus rather than penalize us when we sin and fall short of his glory. You have probably heard of grace defined as unmerited favor. Meaning, regardless of your behavior, God chooses to love you. I am so grateful for God’s grace, aren’t you? Who is someone in your workplace you find hard to extend grace to? A coworker you find it difficult to love and show kindness toward? We often find it most challenging to act in a gracious manner with people who have different opinions than us or act in ways we find off-putting. But as an ambassador of Christ, you are called to love and be good-natured toward everyone, to live from grace because you have been given grace. When you live from a place of grace, fully known and fully loved, even with all your flaws, you will be more inclined to have a posture of grace with others. The next time a coworker does something that gets on your nerves or says something that gets under your skin, rather than reacting in the flesh, ask yourself, “How will I be grace in the workplace?”
1/8/20243 minutes
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New Beginnings

When I think back over my life, there are many things I would like to change. I would like to make better choices and decisions, make smarter moves, manage my money better, use my time more wisely—oh, there are many things I could have done so much better. But mostly, when I think back over my life, I would like to avoid the sins of my past, the times when I wandered far away from God, the things I did in disobedience to him. I would like to erase those things I did which brought dishonor to his name; those times when I was a poor witness for Jesus Christ and a poor representative of the Kingdom of God. But, of course, there is nothing to be gained by brooding over the past. Yesterday is gone; tomorrow is only a promise. The only thing you and I have is today. So, if we don’t want to have any more regrets to look back on in the future, then we must set our minds and hearts to begin today anew. How do we do that? Well, the first thing and the most important thing is to make certain that you’ve been made a new creation in Christ. That’s where all new beginnings have their start, and without that transformation inside of us, any new beginnings we will attempt will be short-lived and futile. The Bible says that when you become a new creation in Christ Jesus, the old has gone and the new has come (2 Corinthians 5:17). It’s the most wonderful new beginning anyone can ever have. It’s that moment when you pass from death to life—when you are no longer under God’s condemnation because your sins are forgiven, and your eternal destiny is assured. Maybe you have not yet had that new beginning. If I could sit down and talk with you personally, could you tell me of the time when you recognized your sinful condition, realized you could do nothing about it yourself, and came to God through Christ in humility to ask for forgiveness of all your past sins? Do you know that you’ve been born again, because Jesus told us that we must be born again in order to be a part of his Kingdom? You see, many people today have the wrong idea of what it means to be a Christian. They think it means trying to be a good person, doing good deeds, going to church, being baptized, doing more good things than bad things, and so forth. They are trying to earn their way to heaven by doing good things and being a good person. But here’s the truth, as the Bible tells us. None of us is righteous in ourselves, and not one of us can be good enough to meet God’s requirements for holiness. Therefore, on our own merit we cannot become a new person; we cannot have this new beginning. That sounds pretty helpless and hopeless, until you realize what Jesus Christ has done for you in order to rectify your dilemma. He came as the perfect Son of God, died in order to pay the penalty for your sin, and rose again from the dead, in order to purchase for you and me eternal life. God’s righteous requirements have been met in Jesus, and we are given the opportunity to accept his payment for our sins. The Bible says that “God made him (Jesus) who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus took your place and mine as a sacrifice for our sins, so that we could have his righteousness and therefore be acceptable to God. But this free gift of righteousness has to be accepted and believed. Have you ever done that? If not, then that’s the new beginning that you need today. Nothing else matters as much as making certain that you’ve had this new beginning in Christ, because this determines where you will spend all of eternity—in heaven or in hell. If you have not yet accepted Jesus as the Savior and Lord of your life, you can do that right now. There’s no reason to wait. Just pray right where you are, right now, that God will forgive you of all your sins and give you the righteousness of Jesus Christ. We’ll be glad to send you more information from God’s Word about this new beginning in Christ ...
1/6/202414 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Ministry of Presence – 5

What does it mean to practice The Ministry of Presence? God is showing me more and more how to practice being there for people. For example, often when I am praying for someone or thinking about them, a thought will come into my mind about what I could do to be there for that person. I’ve learned that when those kinds of ideas come into my mind, it’s most likely placed there by the Holy Spirit, and therefore I should pay attention. So, many times I pause right then and write a note or make a call or add something to my to-do list to remind me to do something for that person that will simply let them know I’m thinking about them, and I care. I have a friend who is struggling with a health issue. Obviously, I can’t do anything to help her resolve that issue, but I can let her know that I’m thinking about her and praying for her. Just to say that to someone, whether in person, on the phone, or by written word, is an example of practicing the ministry of presence. Inviting someone to your home for no reason except to let them be with you is an example of practicing the ministry of presence. This past Thanksgiving two people who didn’t have close-by family were with us at my daughter’s home, sharing that meal with us, and it was an expression of care and concern to them, though we never spoke those words. Their invitation to be with us was the ministry extended to them that day, and it was a delight to have them with us. I told you about my friends who are extending this ministry to homeless people around their home in Chicago. I don’t think I’ll ever forget what one of them said to my friend, Justin. The homeless man said that in spite of the fact that he was always told he was worthless, he now knew that wasn’t true. If he were worthless, my friend would not hang out with him. The ministry of presence is hanging out with someone, even if it might be inconvenient or push you out of your comfort zone. Who is it in your life that would love for you to “hang out” with them? Are you willing to answer the call of Jesus to show his love through the ministry of your presence?
1/5/20243 minutes
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The Ministry of Presence – 4

I’ve recently been introduced to this new terminology—the ministry of presence—but actually it’s not a new ministry at all. It’s exactly what Jesus has commissioned us to do, all of us who are Christ-followers, to be present in the lives of others. Simply to be there. Everyone in the body of Christ is qualified for this ministry. You do not have to be brilliant, persuasive, articulate, or experienced. You do not have to be anything but available to be a wonderful tool in the hand of God. In fact, often the ministry of presence is a ministry without words. You know, sometimes we use the Bible as though it were a band-aid. We stick a favorite verse on others who are suffering, and feel we’ve really helped them. But just as physical injuries take time to heal, emotional injuries do as well. True, when people are suffering, they need the truth of Scripture to help them heal, but sometimes they just need it demonstrated in your actions rather than in your words. Your presence can communicate what your words will never be able to say. And keep in mind, when you’re with someone who is hurting, you don’t need to have answers. Often, I say to someone in pain, “I cannot explain this. I don’t know why this has happened.” That’s not terribly profound, but it’s often just simply the truth. So, when someone is really struggling with why something hurtful has happened to them, trying to come up with an explanation usually just makes them feel worse. Just be there; just give them the ministry of your presence without answers. Someone has said that you and I cannot eliminate someone’s grief or sorrow, but we can share it and that will lighten their load. True believers, mature Christians grieve. Jesus did, and we will, too. We can’t stop it with words, but we can lighten it by our presence. Are you available today for the ministry of presence? I believe if you are, God will give you an opportunity today to simply be there for someone.
1/4/20243 minutes
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The Ministry of Presence – 3

I want to ask you a question: Where would you be today if you didn’t have people in your life who are simply there for you? I can tell you that God has blessed me with some dear people throughout my life who have always been there for me. People who cry with me and laugh with me, who share my burdens and my joys. Their presence in my life has made an incredible difference. I can’t imagine where I’d be without them. That’s what I’m talking about this week—the ministry of presence. The incredible value there is in simply being there for others. When we become Christ-followers, we are commissioned by Jesus to serve others. After he washed the disciples’ feet at the Last Supper, Jesus said that he had given them an example of how they were to serve each other. The ministry of presence is about being a servant—putting others’ needs ahead of your own. Jesus calls us to come alongside others and become a part of their lives. As Christians, we fulfill the law of Jesus by being present with people. It means we will serve people even when it might make us uncomfortable. It means we stand with people in the midst of their anxiety and fear, in their difficult times. I’m truly challenging you and myself this week to take this ministry seriously. To actually ask God to show us what person in our lives needs our presence—simply needs us to be there for them. For example, let’s say you work with a person who is going through something emotionally difficult—maybe a divorce or a recent death in their family. I find that when people are in these kinds of traumatic situations, they simply want a listening ear. Could you invite that person to lunch or coffee and simply listen? Not on company time, of course, but at a time and in a place that is appropriate, to be truly present with them, giving them your undivided attention. Or could it be that there is someone very close to you—a mate or daughter or sibling—who needs to know that you’re not too busy to spend time with them? I think sometimes we can fail to see that those nearest to us need our presence—our total attention to them and whatever issues they’re facing. You may have decided that you don’t have certain gifts or abilities, and you devalue the contribution you can make in the lives of others. I’m here to tell you today that if you are a Christ-follower, you are totally capable and qualified to have the ministry of presence. It’s just a matter of becoming intentional about doing it.
1/3/20243 minutes
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The Ministry of Presence – 2

Do you know what the ministry of presence is? This is a ministry every Christ-follower should take seriously, and every one of us is qualified and equipped for this ministry. Galatians 6:2 describes it this way: Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. That is an important part of this ministry of presence—simply being there for others, carrying their burdens, sharing their sorrows, as well as increasing their joys by our presence. This is the fulfillment of the law of Christ, the teaching of Jesus. This is the new commandment Jesus has given us, and it should be a hallmark of our lives as Christ-followers. So, what I want to ask you today is: What person in your life right now could use your presence? What person needs to know that someone cares and hasn’t forgotten them? Stop right now, if you can, and let God’s Spirit reveal that person to you. Perhaps a name popped right into your mind; if not, ask God to reveal that person to you. It may be someone very close to you, a relative or close friend; or it may be someone you just met. Or could it be a stranger you haven’t met but who is somehow in your life—the beggar on the street or your next-door neighbor? Recently God has made it clear to me that I need to do a better job of staying in touch regularly with some dear single women who have gone as missionaries to foreign countries. I’ve visited many of them, and I know how lonely and tough their lives can be. I know that they need the ministry of presence. They don’t necessarily need to read my books or listen to my talks; they simply need to know that I have not forgotten them, and I can be present in their lives by way of the internet. The ministry of presence is not hard to do. You don’t need a degree from a Bible school to do it; you don’t need to be able to quote Scripture or teach a Bible study lesson to be qualified. You simply need to make a commitment to be present in a person’s life; just be there for them, and by your presence you will communicate God’s love. That’s what people need more than anything else.
1/2/20243 minutes
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The Ministry of Presence

Not long ago I was introduced to a new term: the ministry of presence. A young couple in our church had begun a ministry to the homeless people they encounter on the streets of Chicago around where they live. It began simply by reaching out to one or two, talking to them, inviting them to church, providing Sunday lunch for them, and it grew to over 60 homeless people they served every weekend. I love their story because it’s such a clear example of what Jesus would do. Jesus would see the needs on his doorstep, as Justin and Tara did, and he would start helping them in any way he could. In telling us their story, Justin said that he has come to understand what The Ministry of Presence means. He made it a habit to invite one of his homeless friends to run errands with him, when possible, which he did one day. As they made rounds that day, the homeless man said to him, “All my life I’ve been told I am worthless and no good, but I don’t believe that anymore.” Justin asked him why, and he said, “Because if I was worthless, you wouldn’t hang out with me.” Justin’s willingness to simply be with this man gave him a new understanding of his worth as a person. Justin went on to say that what homeless people need more than anything else is not money or food, but it is a relationship—someone to simply be with them and care about them. You know, that’s true of most of us, isn’t it? You and I need other people in our lives just to validate our worth. Can you imagine how you would feel if you believed that other people did not want to be with you? The ministry of presence is real—and it’s just what Jesus would do—what he did do when he was on earth. Think of the many stories in the Gospels where Jesus was just “hanging out” with people—some of whom were considered undesirable. There was Zacchaeus and Mary Magdalene and the woman who anointed him with oil, to mention just a few. This is one ministry you can embrace—the ministry of presence. You and I can simply choose to be present in the lives of people who need to know they are loved by us and by God. You don’t have to preach or teach or solve their problems; you just need to be there for them and then see what God will do through you.
1/1/20243 minutes
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The God of Second Chances

For forty years now God has given me the unbelievable opportunity to talk to you by radio and encourage you to believe that God's Word is relevant to every need of your life. Quite frankly, no one is more surprised than I am to discover that our programs are now broadcast on over 400 stations and outlets across the nation and internationally. I never ever would have guessed that God could or would allow me such privileges. You see, I really blew it big time. After being raised in a wonderful Christian home and accepting Jesus into my life at an early age, after a Christian education and good churches all my life, after much Bible teaching and knowledge, I chose to put God on the back seat of my life and do my own thing, as we say. And for ten long years I walked away from my commitment to the Lord and lived a life that brought no glory to God and damaged my testimony for Jesus. So, as you listen to me, it should remind you that we serve the God of second chances. Sometimes I think maybe that's one major reason God has chosen to bless me with this ministry—to demonstrate that he is this gracious God of second chances. I am living proof that your life can be meaningful, exciting, and fulfilling, even though I made a thorough mess for a long time. God has miraculously salvaged me. I want to encourage you to know that you serve the God of second chances. The Bible gives many stories of people who, like me, needed a second chance and God gave it to them. Let’s take a look at some of these people who were living in God's plan "B" for their lives, for I believe it will teach us anew never to underestimate the power of the God we serve and what he is able to do with any mess we can make, and never to give up on anyone else. No one is beyond the power of the grace of God. Remember Rahab? Most any time her name is mentioned, her infamous title accompanies it: Rahab the Harlot! Well, we really should never refer to her with that title any longer because God gave her a second chance and brought her out of that sinful life and used her mightily. You'll find her story in Joshua 2. Rahab went the way of a lot of women of her day. She had to earn a living and she chose the world's oldest profession. We aren't told too many details of her early life, but we know she lived this life of sin for many years. But through a series of events, she bargained for her life with the two spies from the people of God, hid them in her home in exchange for protection for her family, and survived the slaughter and destruction of her country. Well, that's a good enough story as it is, but it doesn't end there. She marries one of those Israelites and becomes a foremother in the lineage of Jesus Christ. Her name is listed in Hebrews 11 as a great woman of faith. What a comeback! From a notorious harlot to the grandmother—many times removed—of Jesus Christ. Maybe you have a past of which you are ashamed. Could it be that for many years you lived a life of sin and you feel dirty and tainted as a result? If so, I want you to think about Rahab today and remember that God gives second chances to people with sordid pasts. You see, the enemy will try to hinder you and handicap you because of your past. He would have preferred that you never find forgiveness for that sin, but since you've done that already, at least he hopes to keep you mired in guilt and rotten memories. But dear friend, if you've asked God to forgive you, that past is behind you, he remembers it no more, and he wants you to go forward, free from guilt, with a new slate and a second chance. He's the God of second chances; he's just as willing to give you a second chance as he was with Rahab—and with me. Let God take the guilt of your past, put it under his precious blood, and set you free to see what he can do with you. It's never too late, and nothing is too hard for the Lord. One of my favorite people in the Bible is Peter. You know why?
12/30/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Are You Lonely? – 5

You know, everybody needs encouragement and help at times, don't they? As I read 2 Corinthians 7, I realized that even the great Apostle Paul had his bad times when he needed other people. We read in verse 5 that Paul says: For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within. Doesn't that describe the way you feel at times? Conflicts without, fears within? But this is the spiritual giant, Paul, and it surprises us to realize he would have these same feelings. Well, we really need to remember that positions of prominence do not isolate anyone from being human. Paul was tired and fearful. He needed help. Where did his help come from? He goes on to say, "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” He needed a friend at his side to comfort him, and so, Titus came along. We could say to Paul, "But wasn't it enough to have the Lord there?” And Paul would respond, "The Lord was there in the person of Titus. He comforted me by sending Titus." Yes indeed, that's how the body of Christ should function. God wants to use us in each other's lives as messengers of comfort and encouragement, to pick each other up at those weary and frightened moments of our lives. God has given us each other for that purpose. Paul goes on to say that he was comforted by the good report Titus brought to him of the concern for his welfare by his friends in Corinth. Paul needed to know that they cared, that they hadn't forgotten him, that they still loved him. How often do we miss these opportunities to be God's comfort in the lives of others? How often do we need to be by a friend's side when they're experiencing dark days? Or send a message to them—by email, on the phone—just to say, I care. Hallmark Cards has coined the phrase, "When you care enough to send the very best.” When we as Christians care enough about each other, we can send our very best, which is the comfort of God pouring through us to those who need it. Is there someone in your life today that needs a Titus? Ask God to show you and allow him to use you as his agent of comfort and encouragement.
12/29/20233 minutes
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Are You Lonely? – 4

We are examining the people who tend to bring out the worst in us. One reason God allows those people in our lives is to help us see our hidden errors for the purpose of changing us. But the other side of this coin is to ask ourselves if we bring out the worst in others. That is not the kind of person I want to be, how about you? I want to be someone who brings out the best in others. Now, think about it, does your presence in a situation tend to soothe matters, or do you often just make things worse? Jesus tells us we should be peacemakers, bringing peace into the small wars that go on between people every day. Do you do that? For instance, if there's an argument on your job between two other people, do you try to make peace in a helpful way? Often, we can bring out the best in others by giving deserved compliments or recognition, focusing on the positive in them rather than the negative. So often others will improve their performance or their attitude if someone just gives them a little recognition or praise. You can bring out the best in others by commending them when you can. In Proverbs 15, we see that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. You can bring out the best in others by something as simple as a smile. You can help them cope better or feel better by the look on your face. Proverbs 12:18 says reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. And Proverbs 15:1 tells us that a gentle answer turns away wrath. It's easy to see that the words you speak can either bring out the worst or best in people. If you respond to someone with sharp and uncaring words, in a rushed or hasty manner, it can easily cause them to respond back to you in a poor way. But by choosing your words carefully, it's amazing how you can change that other person and bring out the best in them. When you're dealing with someone who is angry or upset, your goal should be to bring out the best in that person, to help him or her calm down. You can do that by being empathetic and sympathetic: "I'm so sorry you've had a problem.” Or "I can certainly understand how you feel.” You can help to calm someone down by controlling the tone of your voice, keeping it calm and kind. You can bring out the best in this angry person sometimes by simply listening and caring about the problem. Those are little things that bring out the best in people. Don't you think we could impact our world for Jesus Christ if we more and more became people who bring out the best in others? Ask God to make you that kind of Christian.
12/28/20233 minutes
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Are You Lonely? – 3

Have you ever said something like, "She just brings out the worst in me!"? It really is true certain people and certain circumstances seem to bring out the worst in us. Did you ever think that there might be a reason for that? In Psalm 19:12, David wrote: Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults. Then he goes on to pray in verse 13: Keep your servant also from willful sins... We see David was dealing with two types of sin and error in his life: Ones hidden to him that he could not even see, and ones that were willful. Of course, David's not the only one who has these two areas of sin in his life; we all do. We all understand the need to deal with the errors that are blatant; the ones we know about. But what about those hidden errors? Many times, these are things in our lives which never are changed because we just don't see them. "Who can discern his errors?" David asks. In other words, it's not easy to see them for yourself. So, what does God do for us? He sends people into our lives that bring out the worst in us. Here's a person in your life that causes you to be angry every time that person is in your presence. It seems like you say something hateful or unkind to him or her all the time. The truth is no one is in your life by accident, and those people who bring out the worst in you are there to show you those hidden errors, so you are no longer blind to them. Think about it: Who are the people that bring out the worst in you? Or perhaps it's a certain type of person that brings out the worst in you. Can you identify some of those people or types? Inept and dense people bring out the worst in me. I tend to have very judgmental attitudes toward them. When I analyze that, I realize it's the sin of pride, thinking I'm better than someone else. Wow, those hidden errors! Underneath them we'll discover all kinds of wrong attitudes that need to be changed. One of my regular prayers is to ask God to show me my hidden errors. It's a good prayer, so I encourage you to pray the same. And then every time you're around someone who brings out the worst in you, stop and realize God is answering your prayer and showing you your hidden errors, so that you can become more Christ-like.
12/27/20233 minutes
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Are You Lonely? – 2

I know that at this time of year many people are especially lonely. Psalm 68:6 says, "God sets the lonely in families, he leads out the prisoners with singing; but the rebellious live in a sun-scorched land.” I have found this verse to be exactly true in my life. As I have allowed God to make a home for me and to accept his presence as sufficient in my life, I have been set free from the awful heaviness of loneliness. That verse says only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. When we refuse to allow God to be our cure for loneliness, when we continue to try to do it our way and fill the empty void with people and activities, we'll continue to find loneliness our companion. Your feelings of loneliness may be because you are still rebelling against God's answers. You don't like the idea of learning to let him fill up your empty time and change your lonely feelings. As long as you continue to rebel, you will continue to live in that parched land of loneliness. There’s no doubt God created us for fellowship and companionship, and we need people in our lives, too. When Jesus was facing crucifixion, he took his three closest companions with him while he prayed. He needed God’s presence, and he needed their presence and support. The Apostle Paul spoke of his need to be with his companions and his encouragers. If you are lonely because you don’t have a good friend or friends or they’re not nearby, I would remind you that you have to reach out to others and be a friend in order to have friends. Ask yourself what you could do for someone else to be their friend and to meet their need, instead of waiting for someone to be your friend. We reap what we sow—that’s a biblical principle. If you want friendships, sow friendships; become a friend to others. Loneliness can be very crippling, and it is at epidemic levels these days, but you can take positive steps—by God’s grace—to overcome those depressing feelings of loneliness. Of course, the most important step to take is to spend time developing your relationship with Jesus through Bible study and prayer. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and believe me, he is capable of filling that lonely space inside of you.
12/26/20233 minutes
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Are You Lonely?

Merry Christmas! Perhaps you’re gathering with family to open gifts and eat great food, or maybe it’s a quiet day for you. However, you are celebrating today, the team here at The Christian Working Woman is here to wish you a blessed day. We just want to send you words of joy, reminding us of the miracle we are celebrating today. I’ll begin with this passage from Mary’s Magnificat, the amazing words she spoke as she visited her cousin Elizabeth. Here she is, a very young woman who will bear the Son of God, and she said: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed; for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name (Luke 1:46-49). Here’s a familiar passage from the prophet Isaiah: 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. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this (Isaiah 9:5-7). And the Apostle Paul said this: Who, [Jesus Christ] being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be used to his own advantage; rather, he made himself nothing by taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death—even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father (Philippians 2:6-11). Remember—you are deeply loved by the Savior of the world who came to sacrifice himself for our sake. Let me close with this reminder that what we are truly celebrating today is that Jesus is our salvation: God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). Merry Christmas!
12/25/20233 minutes
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Why Do We Celebrate Christmas?

Did you realize that celebrating the birth of our Savior as we do began in the fourth century. There is no requirement in Scripture to celebrate Christmas, and yet it is one of the largest—if not the largest—holiday celebration for most people. Well, we’re going to talk about why we celebrate Christmas. The entire staff of The Christian Working Woman is with me now.
12/23/202314 minutes, 29 seconds
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Enjoy Your Forgiveness – 5

I am examining what it means to enjoy your forgiveness—to live in the incredible truth that when you confess and forsake your sins, God freely forgives and furthermore, he remembers them against you no more. They are removed from you as far as the East is from the West—and of course, the East and West can never meet. In 1 John 2:12, we read: I am writing to you, little children, because your sins are forgiven for his name's sake. Your forgiven sins have been forgiven for the honor of Jesus’ name. This is all done for God’s glory. Living in the joy of your forgiveness, testifying that God has forgiven you, enjoying your forgiveness is what God wants for his children—those who are born from above through faith in Jesus Christ. I want to close with a quote from an article I read by Luke Roland: The truth is, Christianity as a religion really has only one participant and that is Jesus. We are not participants, but recipients. We receive, and we receive the most amazing gift we could ever receive, which is forgiveness. This is why I believe it is important for us right now to understand our justification and to take our forgiveness very seriously, so we are not tossed around by a new false doctrine. And that false doctrine is forgiveness is something you have to earn or work for. You have to pay for your sins, your mistakes, your wrong choices. And then of course, you can never enjoy your forgiveness, because you can never pay for it or earn it. So, it’s a catch 22. But Jesus has come to set you free from that bondage. As Galatians 5:1 tells us: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. My prayer today is you will begin now to enjoy your forgiveness and keep learning to do that. You do that by bringing every thought into captivity—those thoughts of guilt and regret—grabbing them and replacing them with the truth that you are forgiven. Truth sets you free.
12/22/20233 minutes
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Enjoy Your Forgiveness – 4

Think about this: We know from Scripture the joy of the Lord is our strength. If someone or something takes your strength away, what happens? Well, not much. Not long ago I went through a medical procedure that took my strength. I had to pretty much do nothing for a few days because my strength was gone. No doubt you have experienced the reality that without strength, you pretty much can’t do anything, right? What do you think the enemy wants to steal from you? He knows when your spiritual strength is missing, you lose your ability to get things done for Jesus. You lose your joyful countenance, your joyful attitude—those things that testify to others about your faith. Therefore, if he can, he is going to steal your joy, because that is the source of your spiritual strength. And how does he do that? Well, he has many ways of shooting that arrow that steals your joy. Honestly, it is one of his most effective weapons and one of his most subtle ones, because we often don’t see he is behind our loss of joy. We don’t recognize that flaming arrow he shoots at us. And when you are living in regret, under a cloud of guilt from sins that have been confessed and forgiven, your joy is greatly diminished—stolen. And that debilitates you; it cripples you; it puts you on the sidelines; saps your spiritual strength and pretty soon you just want to quit. You feel unworthy and unlovable, and you’ve lost the joy of your salvation. The enemy is watching all this and patting himself on the back because that flaming arrow he shot got you, stole your joy, and kept you from enjoying God’s forgiveness. So, if that describes where you are lately, I’m hoping your take-away today will be that you will, with God’s help, begin to enjoy your forgiveness. You will start to understand the enemy’s tactics to keep you in regret and realize it dishonors the one who has purchased your forgiveness, Jesus Christ. He has given you the gift of forgiveness, just as he said he would, but you are not living in the joy and the peace and the strength that is your birthright as a child of God.
12/21/20233 minutes
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Enjoy Your Forgiveness – 3

I’m examining the forgiveness God gives us—forgiveness that is full and complete. Unlike most humans, he never holds our past sins over our heads, reminding us again and again of how badly we failed. People tend to do that, but not God. I’m looking at God’s forgiveness—the fact that he remembers our sins against us no more. But many times we just don’t and won’t let go of it. Have you been wallowing around in the regrets of your past sins? True, you may be living with some of the consequences, but there’s no reason for you to let confessed sin hang over your head like a dark cloud. When that happens, you are not enjoying your forgiveness. It’s as though you’ve forgotten God has forgiven you, or you think he still intends to punish you for it. Perhaps you are just so sorry it happened that you can’t put it behind you. God is not honored in that way, is he? Maybe you’re wondering what it means to enjoy your forgiveness. Well, consider this. We know salvation is a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8–9 says: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast. So, when you receive a gift, how does it make you feel? It’s free—you didn’t have to work for it or pay for it or earn it. You couldn’t if you tried. It’s a gift. If I gave you a gift and you didn’t enjoy it, how would that make me feel? I would be disappointed, right? I mean, when I choose to give someone a gift, the greatest joy for me is seeing that they like it, they want it, and they are enjoying it. God gives us the gift of forgiveness—without charge—even though we don’t deserve it, and he loves to see us enjoy our gift of forgiveness. It certainly does not please God when you don’t let go of your regrets from the past. God wants you to enjoy his forgiveness and be thankful for it and go forward in your walk with him. Living under the cloud of your past sins steals your joy, robs you of peace, and makes you less effective in Kingdom work—less capable of doing the good works he planned for you to do. Are you enjoying your forgiveness? That’s the question, and I hope you will give it much thought and determine by God’s grace to refuse to let the enemy keep you under a cloud of regret from confessed sins that have been forgiven.
12/20/20233 minutes
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Enjoy Your Forgiveness – 2

Are you enjoying your forgiveness? When the enemy of our soul can’t keep us from confessing our sins to our forgiving God, he’ll try to keep us from enjoying the truth that when God forgives us, he remembers it against us no more. But of course, in order to do that, you have to confess whatever sin is in your life, forsake it, and ask God to forgive you. And the good news is he is always willing to forgive us. 1 John 1:9 makes that very clear. It says, if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. I believe a Christian who is refusing to confess known sin and keeps hanging on—even if it seems small and not important—is more miserable than a person who is not a follower of Jesus Christ and indulging in the same sin. It’s the Holy Spirit within us that becomes very uncomfortable—or offended or grieved—when we harbor unconfessed sin. The first thing is to make sure you have confessed your sin, turned from it, and you know God has forgiven you. Make sure of that. But maybe you’re thinking that you have done that, and yet, you keep asking God again and again to forgive you for what he has already forgiven. Does that describe you? If so, I would remind you God has chosen to remember your sins no more once they are forgiven and forsaken. Therefore, who are you to keep bringing them up, living in regret, and refusing to enjoy the forgiveness you have received? I understand God is probably the only one who can truly erase his memory if he chooses to. You and I in these earthly bodies with our sin natures, we just don’t have that miraculous power to totally forget. I get that. But we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us, so it is possible to enjoy your forgiveness instead of letting your past hang over you like a dark cloud, robbing you of peace and joy.
12/19/20233 minutes
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Enjoy Your Forgiveness

Do you find it difficult to believe God has truly forgiven you? I think there are just too many people who carry around guilt even after they’ve asked God to forgive them. They still live in the “if onlys” of life and imagine what their lives would have been “if only” they had not made a wrong choice. I want us to look on the other side of forgiveness today—when we have personally been forgiven and yet we don’t seem to enjoy that forgiveness. This thought came to me in one of my daily prayer zoom meetings which we’ve been having with the women in my church since COVID shut us down. This dear woman asked God to forgive her because she knew she was forgiven by him, yet she wasn’t enjoying her forgiveness. I immediately thought of many people I know who would fall into that category—including myself at times. I remember a time many years ago now, when I had come back to full fellowship with the Lord after a long period of chasing my dreams and living my life my way. I was truly sorry for my wayward ways and had confessed them. I knew that God had forgiven me, but one day as I was praying, some of those past sins just came flooding back into my mind. I was once again ashamed and embarrassed and so regretful that I had allowed those sins into my life. I started asking God once again for forgiveness, specifically confessing them. And honestly, the voice of God’s Spirit to me that day was almost audible, as I heard him say, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” Isaiah 43:25 says: I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more. Have you ever tried to erase something from your memory? We all have things we would like to forget, but we just can’t totally erase things from our memories—at least not the things we’d like to erase. Have you discovered that the things you’d like to forget are the things that hang around your mind, and at the same time you forget lots of good things that you should remember? It’s a common human problem; we remember what we should forget and forget what we should remember. And who do you think aids and abets us in that process? The enemy of our soul, Satan himself. If he can keep us mired in the regrets from yesterday, in the guilt we insist on carrying with us even though God has forgiven us, then he steals our joy, robs our peace, and keeps us in bondage to the past. So, that’s why I want to encourage you to enjoy your forgiveness.
12/18/20233 minutes
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The Little Foxes of Unforgiveness

Presented by Lisa Bishop I read a story of forgiveness about a woman whose husband was kidnapped and tortured. In her words she was in a “living hell” as the captors demanded ransom money she did not have and sent her photos of her husband enduring unspeakable evil at the hands of the men who captured him. For 30 long weeks her husband experienced cruel and unusual punishment. As I read her story, I could feel the anguish in my own soul for all of the pain and loss she and her husband endured. Forgiveness was a journey for her, but she realized she was harming herself by holding onto hatred and over time got to a place where she felt empathy, forgave the men, and released herself from her self-contained prison of unforgiveness. I cannot even imagine going through something so nightmarish and yet this is what she said. Now I remind myself daily to apply forgiveness to my everyday life while driving, while in the grocery store, and at home with my family. Every time I feel myself going into anger or judgment, I instead choose empathy and forgiveness. I get better at it every day. This woman’s story is an extreme example and most of us may not experience what she endured. But the fact that she could get to a place of forgiveness is an example for you and me. Jesus is our ultimate example of extending forgiveness. Our Christian faith requires us to forgive so we must work at it and be willing. At some point in our lives we all will experience feelings of unforgiveness. Anger, resentment, bitterness, or perhaps even hatred towards another person. Maybe in this very moment there are people in your life that you are refusing to forgive or maybe you have tried to let go of hurt or hard feelings but you find yourself having a really difficult time. First off, you are not alone. Forgiveness is something we have all struggled with at one time or another, and while forgiveness is a fundamental of the Christian faith, sometimes it is easier said than done. I am not an expert on forgiveness, in fact I have had to overcome my own obstacles to forgive when I have been hurt. For years I worked to forgive someone that I experienced as very toxic. While I did not want to hold onto my ill feelings towards the person, it was challenging. I prayed, I read the Word asking God to help me. I even hired a coach to help me work through my feelings of anger and bitterness. It took some really hard work over time. You may have experienced things in your life that seem unforgivable; tremendous loss and tragedy caused at the hands of another person. More common are the day-to-day rubs, miscommunication or insensitivities we have toward each other that can fester into unforgiveness. Whether a minor offense or major violation, forgiveness can feel like a hard pill to swallow. But it’s the crux of the Gospel message. Romans 5:8: “God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” And Ephesians 4:32, “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” These are only two of the 125+ references to forgiveness in the Bible. Forgiveness is a big deal to God and it is meant to be a daily practice for followers of Jesus. Living a lifestyle of forgiveness is what you and I are called to. Letting go of hurts and surrendering them to Jesus is non-negotiable. But let’s face it, relationships can be messy at times. Our marriages, friendships, family, and work relationships are vulnerable to the venom of unforgiveness if we are not mindful. Speaking of venom, if you were bit by a snake (I hope that never happens to you), what would you do first? Stomp on the snake and yell at it, or would you try to suck the venom out of you? My guess is your first action would be to get rid of the poison in your body. Unforgiveness is like poison flowing through your veins and the best thing to do is to eliminate it.
12/16/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Witness of Forgiveness – 5

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you find it hard to admit when you are wrong? This week we have been talking about forgiveness, and today, I want to talk about playing your part in restoring and strengthening relationships through the power of an apology. If we are honest, we can be prone to refusing to humble ourselves and ask for forgiveness for our misgivings. We have a tendency not to see our faults but to be quick to point out the transgressions of others. But as a follower of Jesus, we are called as 1 Peter 5:5-6 says, Clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, ‘God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.’ Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. When you come clean and confess your shortcomings, you humble yourself before God. Confession is not only the right thing to do, it is the righteous thing to do. Whether you gossiped about a coworker, lost your temper with a teammate, or neglected to follow-through on a commitment to a friend or family member, take responsibility for your failure. As a first step, heed the words of 1 John 1:8-10. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us. Confess your sin to God, and then come clean with the person you hurt or offended. Take responsibility for your error. And when you do, be specific about what you are asking to be forgiven for. For example, with a co-worker you might say, “I was wrong when I talked over you in the meeting. Will you forgive me?” Or when talking to a loved one, “I was impatient and overreacted. That is not how I want to be. Our relationship is important to me, will you forgive me?” The key to apologizing is to be sincere and to make sure your admission is heartfelt, knowing that when you behave poorly it grieves the heart of God in addition to driving a wedge in relationships. While a sincere apology will not guarantee that you will be given grace, a genuine request for forgiveness can be the start of a renewed relationship. Rather than settling for a fractured friendship, be humble, move toward reconciliation, and do your part to repair the damage and restore connection.
12/15/20233 minutes
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The Witness of Forgiveness – 4

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Did you know forgiveness is referenced more than 125 times in the Bible? If forgiveness is so important to God, then why do we struggle with it? Why can it be so hard to bury the hatchet and pardon people, to forgive them for an error or offense? I think one reason is pride. We think too highly of ourselves and hold others to a higher standard than we are willing to hold ourselves to. We forget that just as others fall short, we all fall short of the glory of God with our mishaps. Proverbs 16:18 says, Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. I’m sorry to say pride and my attitude of arrogance have blinded me at times and led me to believe I am better than others. With thoughts of “I cannot believe they did that,” leading to judgment and a feeling of superiority; when I know darn well that I am less than perfect, too. A key to forgiveness is allowing other people to be imperfect and make mistakes. Make allowance for other people’s faults just as you would want them to do for you. Hebrews 12:1-2 says, ...let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. Throw off every weight that hinders you. It’s like being in a boat and you just cannot seem to get anywhere until you intentionally pull up the anchor. Unforgiveness is an anchor and when left unchecked it is heavy and it hinders. Pride impedes our relationship with God and others. Pride can cause you to hold people’s shortcomings over them. And in some ways, I think unforgiveness can be an attempt to control another person. We think if we withhold forgiveness we can inflict hurt and pain—and while that may be true—the one who really suffers is you.’ I once heard it said, “Our response to offense determines our future.” Make it your goal to be quick to forgive just as God in Christ Jesus has forgiven you. Don’t let your future be governed by the bondage of unforgiveness. You are not alone on your journey of forgiveness. I know some of us have experienced pretty horrific things in life and I am always amazed when I hear stories of forgiveness from those who have experienced great loss at the hands of others. It’s only by the power of Jesus that we can fully forgive, and forgiveness is an act of faith.
12/14/20233 minutes
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The Witness of Forgiveness – 3

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you grieving the Holy Spirit? Did you know that unforgiveness grieves the Holy Spirit? Ephesians 4:29-33 tells us, Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you. “Do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God.” To grieve means “to cause to feel sorrow, pain, unhappiness, or distress.” As the third person of the Trinity, the Holy Spirit has a personality and the ability to feel emotions. Sometimes we can forget God is a personal God. We disregard the fact that Jesus is relational and the Holy Spirit feels. The Holy Spirit grieves when we sin and behave in ways unbecoming of a follower of Jesus. When we hold onto bitterness and anger and have malice in our hearts through unforgiveness, we hamper our relationship with God. When you do not forgive you forgo the full power of the Holy Spirit working through you. But remember when you struggle to forgive, the Holy Spirit is right there to help you. In John 14:15-16, Jesus says, If you love me, keep my commands. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. You have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you, ready to help you 24/7/365. Forgiving others is possible and it flows from your fellowship with God. When you abide in Jesus you become like him. You think, feel, speak, and act like him. When you spend time in his word, the Holy Spirit speaks to you through scripture. You grow in sensitivity to hear God’s voice and he matures you, softens you, and sanctifies you. So, give up grieving God through unforgiveness and grow in forgiving as God in Christ forgave you. Forgiveness is hard work. But the more you do it, the easier it will get! And I am growing right alongside you.
12/13/20233 minutes
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The Witness of Forgiveness – 2

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you giving the enemy permission to disrupt your peace? I want to examine a way you may be giving Satan a wide-open invitation to harass you and mess with your internal harmony. Unforgiveness. I know the topic of forgiveness is a familiar one, but the real question is this, “Is the practice of forgiveness a part of your life?” As a follower of Christ, it is one thing to know you are called to forgive, but do you actually practice what the Bible preaches? Ephesians 4:26-27 says, In your anger do not sin. Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold. When you give the devil a foothold, it means you are giving the enemy an opportunity. Anger is a byproduct of holding onto unforgiveness, and if you do not forgive, anger will get a hold of you. The devil will use it as an opportunity to influence your life, to control or manipulate you. Anger and unforgiveness are powerful and destructive emotions when we let them run wild and do not run to the cross. I’ll never forget a conference I went to several years ago. The speaker was talking about anxiety and depression and the link to unforgiveness. The bottom line is that unforgiveness can meddle with your mental health. When someone you care about hurts you, you can hold on to anger and resentment—or embrace forgiveness and move forward. Making the intentional decision to let go of resentment and bitterness has been proven to decrease stress and anxiety, lessen symptoms of depression, improve heart health, lower blood pressure, strengthen your immune system, and improve your mental health. Forgiveness is a prerequisite for a healthy life and flourishing relationships, and it is also a command from God. Your father knows best! God knows the impact of unforgiveness, and he wants you to experience the fullness of life in Jesus. So don’t give the devil a foothold. Now, forgiveness doesn't mean excusing the harm done to you. But working on forgiveness will lessen its grip on you. Remember, we all sin and fall short of the glory of God. Ask God to help you release your offender so you can be set free from the weight of holding on to hurt. I have heard unforgiveness referred to as the bait of Satan. Give your feelings to God and ask him to replace them with understanding, empathy, and compassion for the person. Make a practice of forgiveness. Keep short accounts and don’t take the bait.
12/12/20233 minutes
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The Witness of Forgiveness

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Is your life a witness of forgiveness? When someone lies about you, a friend or family member betrays you, or a coworker speaks harsh or dismissive words, do you extend grace and work to forgive, or are you prone to hold onto a grudge? 1 John 2:9-10 says, Anyone who claims to be in the light but hates a brother or sister is still in the darkness. Anyone who loves their brother and sister lives in the light, and there is nothing in them to make them stumble. These verses are speaking specifically to and about our relationship with fellow believers. But the call to love and live in the light of Jesus applies to every relationship and interaction we have. The Apostle John is teaching that you cannot say you love Jesus and live in his power when you are harboring hatred. You may be saying, “I don’t hate anyone.” Hate is a strong word, but let’s not get hung up on that because John is juxtaposing hate with the ultimate command to love. Anything other than love, even the slightest dislike for someone can have us walking in darkness. Along with hatred, comes some form of unforgiveness, which is a stumbling block. You cannot walk in the light and hate at the same time, and hate has a way of ruling our lives. The power of the Gospel rests on the forgiveness you and I received by the atoning blood of Jesus. He shed his blood for people who slapped him, spit at him, mocked him, yelled cruel words. These were people who threatened his life and ultimately hung him on a cross. When you forgive others, your life becomes a witness to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. When you forgive, your life become a witness to the forgiveness and saving grace of Jesus. In his final days on earth, in the very throws of being betrayed and hunted down by his enemies, Jesus leaves his disciples with these words. A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another (John 13:34-35). As the saying goes, “Actions speak louder than words.” How we treat each other speaks louder than the Christian doctrines we teach. Let your life be an overflow to the supernatural love of God. Let your life be a witness of forgiveness.
12/11/20233 minutes
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The Best Gift – Forgiveness

If you’re finding it hard to find just the right gift for someone you know, I’ve got a suggestion for the best possible gift. You can afford it and yet it is priceless. The gift I’m talking about is the gift of forgiveness. Here’s a story that illustrates this as told by John William Smith. The Christmas of 1949 we didn’t have a tree. My dad had as much pride as anybody, I suppose, so he wouldn’t just say that we couldn’t afford one. When I mentioned it, my mother said that we weren’t going to have one this year, that we couldn’t afford one, and even if we could – it was stupid to clutter up your house with a dead tree. I wanted a tree badly though, and I thought – in my naïve way – that if we had one, everybody would feel better. Taking matters into my own hands, about three days before Christmas, I was out collecting for my paper route. It was fairly late – long after dark – it was snowing and very cold. I went to the apartment building to try to catch a customer who hadn’t paid me for nearly two months – she owed me seven dollars. Much to my surprise, she was home. She invited me in and not only did she pay me, she gave me a dollar tip! It was a windfall for me – I now had eight whole dollars. What happened next was totally unplanned. On the way home, I walked past a Christmas tree lot and the idea hit me. The selection wasn’t very good because it was so close to the holiday, but there was this one real nice tree. It had been a very expensive tree and no one had bought it; now it was so close to Christmas that the man was afraid no one would. He wanted ten dollars for it, but when I – in my gullible innocence – told him I only had eight, he said he might sell it for that. I really didn’t want to spend the whole eight dollars on the tree, but it was so pretty that I finally agreed. I dragged it all the way home – about a mile, I think – and I tried hard not to damage it or break off any limbs. The snow helped to cushion it, and it was still in pretty good shape when I got home. You can’t imagine how proud and excited I was. I propped it up against the railing on our front porch and went in. My heart was bursting as I announced that I had a surprise. I got Mom and Dad to come to the front door and then I switched on the porch light. Surprise!! "Where did you get that tree?" my mother exclaimed. But it wasn’t the kind of exclamation that indicates pleasure. "I bought it up on Main Street. Isn’t it just the most perfect tree you ever saw?" I said, trying to maintain my enthusiasm. "Where did you get the money?" Her tone was accusing, and it began to dawn on me that this wasn’t going to turn out as I had planned. "From my paper route." I explained about the customer who had paid me. "And you spent the whole eight dollars on this tree?" she exclaimed. She went into a tirade about how stupid it was to spend my money on a dumb tree that would be thrown out and burned in a few days. She told me how irresponsible I was and how I was just like my dad with all those foolish, romantic, noble notions about fairy tales and happy endings and that it was about time I grew up and learned some sense about the realities of life and how to take care of money and spend it on things that were needed and not on silly things. She said that I was going to end up in the poor house because I believe in stupid things like Christmas trees, things that didn’t amount to anything. I just stood there. My mother had never talked to me like that before and I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. I felt awful and I began to cry. Finally, she reached out and snapped off the porch light. "Leave it there," she said. "Leave that tree there till it rots, so every time we see it, we’ll all be reminded of how stupid the men in this family are.” Then she stormed up the stairs to her bedroom and we didn’t see her until the next day. Dad and I brought the tree in and we made a stand for it.
12/9/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Workday Meditations – 5

Are you a compassionate person? Jesus was. We read in Matthew 9:36 that: “When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.” We're told that Jesus is touched with the feelings of our weaknesses because he was in all points tempted like we are (Hebrews 4:15). That continually comforts me, as I go to Jesus with my problems, knowing that he's walked this path before me, and he knows how I feel. That's how we become compassionate people—by putting ourselves in other people's shoes and feeling what they feel. I remember a sermon where the minister challenged us to ask God to break our hearts with the things that broke his heart. Jesus’ heart was broken when he saw harassed and helpless people, people who were without any purpose in life, people who had no compass for life, no meaning in life. Do you have any of those people working around you? They may be people who irritate you a great deal and even cause you considerable trouble. But if you looked beyond their behavior and truly saw their condition, like Jesus did, you might be able to have compassion on them. I’ve found that as soon as I can feel compassion for someone, as soon as I walk in their shoes even for a few minutes, my entire attitude changes. I respond very differently to someone for whom I feel compassion. I do things for someone for whom I have compassion that I wouldn’t do otherwise. And in the process, I reduce my own stress immensely as I take the focus off myself and put it on the other person. Maybe those harassed and helpless people are in your life for a reason. Perhaps they need your compassion today. Don’t you think it would be a good idea to ask God to help you recognize the people in your life who need some compassion today?
12/8/20233 minutes
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Workday Meditations – 4

I’m offering some workday meditations this week. Short thoughts based on God’s Word, to encourage you and challenge you to keep on living out your faith where you work. Proverbs 24:17 tells us: “Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when he stumbles, do not let your heart rejoice.” There was a time in my career when I worked for a very difficult man. I spent many unhappy days in that job because of the way he treated me and others. After about a year God revealed to me that I had great malice in my heart toward him. I certainly had never thought of myself as a malicious person, but there it was all over my heart: dirty, ugly malice. I wanted bad things to happen to him. I dreamed about him making some gigantic mistake and being fired. I wished and hoped he would get his “comeuppance.” That is malice. Years later after we had both left that company, I heard of some stumbles he had made. I guess you could say he got what was coming to him. What goes around comes around, and all that. But, by God’s grace, I had gotten rid of that malice toward him, and I was very saddened to hear that things were not going well for him. It brought no satisfaction or joy to learn that he had stumbled. We should never gloat over someone else’s misfortune, even if they brought it on themselves. First Corinthians 13 reminds us that love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. Dig deep in your heart today and see if there is any malice hiding there. If so, get it cleaned out fast and let God’s love fill your heart instead. Just ask the Lord to reveal to you any attitude of malice or gloating and to keep you from rejoicing in evil, but rather give you a concerned heart for anyone who has stumbled.
12/7/20233 minutes
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Workday Meditations – 3

Have you ever been “passed over” for a promotion or raise that you knew you deserved? If that has ever happened to you, I don’t have to tell you how discouraging it can be not to get credit for your contributions at work. And yet, these things happen all the time. We live and work in a world that is neither fair nor kind. That’s because the world is full of people who have a sin problem, including us! And that sin problem creates injustice of all sorts. Injustice is one of my toughest hurdles. I always want to fight when I think my rights or someone else’s rights are being violated. As you can imagine, this tendency has gotten me into some hot water and created not a few problems in my work life. Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men, because you know that the Lord will reward everyone for whatever good he does, whether he is slave or free” (Ephesians 6:7-8). I have to remind myself that if I serve wholeheartedly as unto the Lord, the recognitions and rewards will come in due time. As Christians, we pick up our paychecks at our place of work, but our real job is to please the Lord and work for him. Our reward is waiting for us in heaven—but we can reap the benefits now, too. Just imagine how your stress level will drop as thoughts of vengeance and discontent are replaced with calm satisfaction over a job well done, and knowing that Jesus is pleased with you! So, my challenge to us all is to remember all day long that we report to Jesus, and he will reward his “good and faithful servants.”
12/6/20233 minutes
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Workday Meditations – 2

I’m sharing some excerpts from a 30-day devotional I wrote a few years ago. Our scripture for today is Isaiah 35:3-4: “Encourage the exhausted and strengthen the feeble. Say to those with anxious heart, "Take courage, fear not"” (Isaiah 35:3-4). Have you noticed that discouragement seems to be at epidemic levels? Most working environments are flooded with discouragement, and many times our homes are full of discouraging words. As Christians, being an encourager is not an option, it's a directive. Christians should be people who strengthen the feeble and exhausted with encouraging words. Can you think of someone in the feeble and/or exhausted category right now? Maybe it’s a co-worker or your manager. They may put on a face that says, "I have it all together and I don't need anyone.” But don't let that fool you. Just like you and me, they need to hear encouraging words, words of hope and cheer—and they need to hear them from you. We also need to encourage people who have failed. Barnabas was that kind of an encourager. When Mark had failed and the Apostle Paul didn't want to give him another chance, Barnabas insisted on allowing Mark to travel with them. So, when they could not agree, Paul went one way with Silas, and Barnabas and Mark went another way. Later on Paul asks Timothy to get Mark and bring him for "Mark is useful to me for service," he said. You don't have to fill in too many blanks to see what happened. Barnabas had taken Mark, taught him, encouraged him, and Mark had become a profitable servant of Jesus Christ. Obviously, Paul recognized this, too, and I imagine Paul learned a valuable lesson from Barnabas. It is really important to encourage people at times of failure. If you know someone who is struggling with failure, encourage them. They need to know that all is not lost, and they can go from where they are. My challenge to you is to encourage at least one feeble and exhausted person today.
12/5/20233 minutes
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Workday Meditations

I’m going to share some Workplace Meditations from a thirty-day devotional I wrote a few years ago. I think they’ll give you encouragement—and something to ponder each day. I want to talk about the power of “I’m sorry.” A good friend of mine told me that the biggest difference between her and her co-workers who are not Christians is that she apologizes a lot more than they do! She struggles with things in her life, just like you and I do. But she is willing to say, "I'm sorry," and I'm convinced her apologies are witnesses to the power of Jesus. Have you recently lost your temper with a co-worker, told a lie to your manager, or deceived a customer in some way? If so, your conscience probably hasn't stopped bothering you, and that’s good. When our own sin doesn’t bother us, we are in a very dangerous position. A prickling conscience is one way God prompts you to take advantage of his offer to forgive you and purify you; all you have to do is confess. Maybe you’re wondering how you could ever be a witness for Jesus since you know you've failed and others know you've failed and what's more, you may fail again. But everybody struggles with failure, and those who are not Christians have no good way to deal with the guilt that often accompanies failure. One of the best ways to witness is to own up to our own failures, make restitution where necessary, and share that God is a forgiving and restoring God. I can remember when God used a specific failure on my part to help a struggling Christian co-worker understand that God would forgive and restore him when he failed. I really blew it in front of him, and I didn't want to go back in that office. But God clearly told me to go back and be very honest about my failure, which is what I did. Obviously, it would have been better not to fail, but isn’t it great that God uses even our shortcomings? Don’t let some failure or fear of failure keep you from being a bold witness for Jesus. Remember, he can turn your ashes into beauty, if you will let him.
12/4/20233 minutes
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Books Worth Reading and Giving

Have you been in a bookstore lately? If so, no doubt you’ve noticed that more and more the store is devoted to gifts and cards and less and less to books. Why is that? I suppose there are lots of reasons, but the facts are, reading books is becoming a lost art! Certainly, the internet and electronic media have contributed to this, and our ever-shortening attention spans as well. But reading a good book is one of the best gifts you can give yourself and others. I’m going to suggest a few classics that I highly recommend you read. I truly believe every Christian would benefit from reading these books. First, I want to recommend a book by C. S. Lewis, Mere Christianity. As the title suggests, Dr. Lewis’s purpose was to present Christianity in its most basic form and explain why he had come from an atheistic belief to be a true disciple of Jesus Christ. He was a wonderful, deep thinker and was called the most original Christian writer of the last century. Let me quote from the chapter entitled “What Christians Believe”: “I am trying here to prevent anyone saying the really foolish thing that people often say about (Jesus): ‘I’m ready to accept Jesus as a great moral teacher, but I don’t accept His claim to be God.” That is the one thing we must not say. A man who was merely a man and said the sort of things Jesus said would not be a great moral teacher. He would either be a lunatic—on a level with the man who says he is a poached egg—or else he would be the Devil of Hell. You must make your choice. Either this man was, and is, the Son of God; or else a madman or something worse. You can shut Him up for a fool, you can spit at Him and kill Him as a demon; or you can fall at His feet and call Him Lord and God. But let us not come with a patronizing nonsense about His being a great human teacher. He has not left that open to us. He did not intend to.” (Page 55-56) What an ingenious and brilliant summary of who Jesus claimed to be and indeed who he is. And this book is full of this kind of beautifully written truth and doctrine. If you haven’t read it yet, you can easily find a copy or download it. If you have read it, it’s well worth re-reading. Again, the name is Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis. He wrote many other wonderful books but started with this one. It should be on every Christian’s must-read list. Another book I consider a classic is Knowing God by J. I. Packer. I’ve read this book three or four times, and I tell you, it has definitely helped me get to know God better. Dr. Packer is a theological professor, but don’t worry—it is written in easy-to-understand and yet very rich words. Let me quote one of my favorite paragraphs—and it was difficult to choose only one, because virtually every page in my book is marked and highlighted: “There is unspeakable comfort—the sort of comfort that energizes, be it said, not enervates—in knowing that God is constantly taking knowledge of me in love and watching over me for my good. There is tremendous relief in knowing that His love to me is utterly realistic, based at every point on prior knowledge of the worst about me, so that no discovery now can disillusion him about me, in the way I am so often disillusioned about myself, and quench His determination to bless me. There is, certainly, great cause for humility in the thought that He sees all the twisted things about me that my fellowmen do not see (and am I glad!), and that He sees more corruption in me than that which I see in myself (which, in all conscience, is enough). There is, however, equally great incentive to worship and love God in the thought that, for some unfathomable reason, He wants me as His friend and desires to be my friend and has given His Son to die for me in order to realize this purpose.” (P. 37) Dear friends, this is a book you need to read—more than once. Again, its title is Knowing God by J. I. Packer. The third book I want to recommend is a tiny book—you can easily read it in one...
12/2/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Your Secret Weapon: Prayer – 5

Did you ever look around you on your job and see how many of your coworkers are just trudging through their job, hating every minute of it, griping and complaining about it all the time? That’s not an unusual scenario. As a Christian, you have a marvelous advantage over those you work with who don’t yet know Jesus as Savior. Do you know what that advantage is? It is the power of prayer. Advantage: Your job can be transformed into a ministry. The Bible teaches us that we can do everything we do to the glory of Jesus Christ. So, even those mundane, perhaps boring elements of your job, those things that don’t appear to have any eternal significance, can be transformed into meaningful activity through prayer. Here’s how that works. You begin praying about every aspect of your job and every person you deal with in your job. You ask God to bring glory to himself through your performance on your job. As you face each individual day, you pray for the agenda for that day, praying that you will be a good ambassador for Jesus Christ throughout the whole day. You ask God to use your words, your body language, the quality of your work effort, your attitude, and all your interactions with people as lights in a dark world. When you start praying like that on a daily basis, you will discover that God begins to use you in ways you can’t even imagine. People will ask you the most incredible questions that give you opportunities to share your faith. Others in need of comfort will talk to you, as you listen and show compassion. You’ll discover that mundane activity turns into meaningful conversations or quiet prayer meetings with you and the Lord. Then instead of dreading that job, or wishing you didn’t have to work there, you’ll begin to realize that God has a higher purpose for putting you there, and instead of just going to work every day, you’re going to a place of service, a ministry in the midst of the marketplace. Now, that makes it much easier to go to work each day. And it all begins with daily, on-going prayer on the job. It’s an advantage beyond belief. Don’t let it pass you by! I have written and published a Prayer Journal, and you may find that helpful in developing a deeper prayer life.
12/1/20233 minutes
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Your Secret Weapon: Prayer – 4

I’ve been pointing out some of our incredible advantages as believers in the workplace because we have the privilege of prayer. Here’s another one. Advantage: You can be positive in a negative world. While everyone else around you is griping and complaining all the time, you can remain positive and joyful because each day you can pray for God to control your thoughts. Every time you start to think or say something in negative mode, to complain about the company or the boss or a coworker, stop in the middle of that thought or sentence and turn it into a prayer. Instead of wallowing in the self-pity and negativity of the moment, you have the advantage of staying positive and joyful regardless of the circumstances. Advantage: You can be peaceful instead of stressed-out. Paul wrote to the Philippians: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7). Because we have this invitation to present every anxious situation to God in prayer, we don’t have to be stressed out even when others are falling apart around us. Isn’t that an incredible benefit? Are you taking advantage of giving over all your anxiety to the Lord? I hope you’re not trying to carry that burden yourself. Jesus is ready to take your heavy burden and give you a light one, as soon as you present your situation to God in prayer. And when you do, the stress of the situation goes away. People pay tons of money to try to get rid of stress, and we have the secret weapon ready to be used at any time—prayer! It’s little wonder that our enemy does everything possible to keep us from praying very much, because he is fully aware of the great advantage we have through prayer. The power of heaven is unleashed in our world through prayer. The blessings of God are showered on us through prayer. The wisdom and guidance we need so often to make good decisions can be found in prayer. The comfort and assurance that keep us going come through prayer. It’s our secret weapon and our great advantage. What a shame when we don’t use it like we should.
11/30/20233 minutes
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Your Secret Weapon: Prayer – 3

What is your greatest advantage as a Christian in the workplace? You may be scratching your head, trying to think if you have an advantage. I want to assure you that you do, and that advantage is prayer. Advantage: You can deal with difficult people much better. Most of our frustrations are caused by people—right? So, what do you do when you’re dealing with a difficult coworker or boss or customer? Well, because we have the power of prayer as believers, we have an amazing advantage when it comes to dealing with people, even difficult ones. First, you want to pray for all the people in your work world regularly. Ask God to help you see those people the way he sees them. Call them by name and specifically pray for each of them as much as possible. Then, ask for wisdom on how to deal with the difficult relationships. Got a boss that seems impossible? Have you ever asked God to show you how to handle that boss? Or do you just gripe and complain about the boss? That won’t do any good, but prayer changes people! Whether it changes you or your boss or both, you’ll find it much easier to deal with a difficult boss when you devote daily prayer to that person. “A king’s wrath is a messenger of death, but a wise man will appease it” (Proverbs 16:14). A king represents those in authority over us, and when you have a difficult boss, one who gives messages of death, if you are wise, you can appease that boss. How can you be wise? “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him” (James 1:5). You can have the advantage of godly wisdom in knowing how to deal with difficult people. God’s wisdom is better than an advanced degree is business! I’ve been praying James 1:5 for years, recognizing my great need for wisdom in all areas. It began to dawn on me not long ago that I had made some pretty wise decisions, which didn’t really seem like me at all. Then I thought, “Well, of course; you’ve been asking God for wisdom, and he has answered your prayer.” It’s a great advantage to be able to pray for God’s wisdom.
11/29/20233 minutes
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Your Secret Weapon: Prayer – 2

Sometimes we Christians like to see ourselves as disadvantaged in our workday worlds. We can get a bit paranoid about being picked on or isolated or laughed at. But the truth is, as believers we have an immense advantage over non-believers in our work worlds, because we have a secret weapon: prayer. Our days go better when we start with prayer. Here’s another important benefit prayer affords us. Advantage: You have a way to deal with crises. All day long as a believer you can send up prayer to the Lord, silently and quickly. So, when anything unusual arises, when any problem surfaces or something is not going the way it should, you have this ever-present resource for help and guidance. This is one of your greatest benefits as a believer. When you face a crisis or some great need, you can pray right then and there, and God will guide you and comfort you and rescue you. Have you tried it on the job? Did you think God’s arm was too short to save you in a job-related problem? Never! When you don’t know the answer to a predicament, pray. When you’re faced with a task that seems too large, pray. When you can’t figure out what you should or should not do, pray. When it looks like things are going down the tubes, pray. “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). The Lord is waiting to hear from you and deliver you out of your trouble. Now, I want to make it clear that prayer is not a magic wand we wave to demand God’s help. Prayer is not a method for persuading God to do what we want him to do. Prayer is the way we get in line with what God wants to do in any given situation. It is the way God changes us. It is the way we relinquish our worries and cares and allow God to be God in our lives.
11/28/20233 minutes
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Your Secret Weapon: Prayer

I have really great news for those who are out there in the workplace every day. If you’re a disciple of Jesus Christ, if you belong to the Family of God, you have an incredible advantage in the workplace. You have a tool to use that guarantees you a leg-up in every situation you face. You have a weapon to fight with that is totally effective against any problem you encounter. Here’s your secret weapon, your great advantage: It is prayer! Have you been taking advantage of prayer on your job? I find that many believers don’t really pray about their jobs or on their jobs. Do you? I want to point out just some of the advantages you enjoy when you pray about your job. Advantage: Your day goes better with prayer. Since your day is won or lost in the morning hours, when you pray before your day begins, you have a great advantage all day long.  “. . . in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:6). So, before your day begins, if you will acknowledge the Lord and seek his guidance for every detail of that day, your path will be straight, no matter what happens. Those who don’t know the Lord have to try to take care of everything in their own strength. They have to worry about the unknown and the uncontrollable. But for us who know Jesus as Savior, he carries all those burdens for us, so we have an immense advantage. Do you start your workdays with prayer? If not, you’re depriving yourself of many benefits. I encourage you to begin this discipline right away. Think through the day ahead. Pray for the people you will be working with and for. Ask God for wisdom in dealing with them, praying for their individual needs as you know them. Think about the schedule you have for the day, your workload. Ask God for strength to get it all done and help in setting appropriate priorities. Pray that your words will be carefully chosen; that you will speak the truth in love. If you will cover your day in detail with prayer, you will see miracles, big and small. It gives you a marvelous advantage!
11/27/20233 minutes
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Does God Get Your Leftovers?

You may have noticed the term "first fruits" as you read the Bible. The dictionary definition of "first fruits" tells us that it is the first products or results of anything. It embodies the idea of "cream of the crop," "putting your best foot forward," "giving it your best shot.” In the Old Testament Moses used the term first fruits when he was establishing the laws relating to sacrifices. God gave the law through Moses to guide the children of Israel, and they were to live by these laws very carefully. When Jesus the Messiah came, he fulfilled the law, and we no longer are required to practice those rituals and sacrificial offerings, which foreshadowed Jesus Christ. However, we can learn a great deal from those laws and use them as guiding principles in our own lives. And this principle of bringing the first fruits is certainly one that is applicable to us. In Exodus 23 Moses was giving instructions about the three annual festivals which were to be observed each year, and one of those was the Feast of Harvest. This was a festival to celebrate their crops, very similar, I would think, to the original meaning of our Thanksgiving Day celebration. For this Feast of Harvest, Moses clearly instructed the people to bring the first fruits of their crops, the best of the fruits of their soil. In other words, leftovers were definitely out. They must bring to God their best and keep for themselves what was left over. Now, you and I don't bring crops to the Lord—at least not many of us do. I can tell you that on my trips to Kenya, I have often been in church meetings where people brought their crops as an offering. But most of us don’t bring crops to God as a thank offering. So, what are the things we bring to God as a thank offering, to give to him for use in his service? The first thing that comes to mind is time. What would it mean to us to bring the first fruits of our time? Well, I think that it means, in part, to start each day by giving God those early moments, those first moments. The Psalmist wrote: "Satisfy me in the morning with your unfailing love, that I may sing for joy and be glad all day long" (Psalm 90:14). And again, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation"(Psalm 5:3). I have those two verses written on the first page of my prayer journal, to remind me of how important it is to spend those first fruit hours with the Lord. In my Bible study entitled "A Guide on Getting to Know God," I suggest a challenge to give God the first hour of your day. At a time in my life when I desperately needed help to make it through the day, God taught me this principle, which has made a huge difference in my life. That habit of bringing to God the first hour of my day has been life-changing for me. Tell me, what is your first hour like each day? Wait 'til the last minute to put your feet on the floor, and then rush and dash to get to work on time? The way you start your day sets the pattern for how that day will go, for what you will think about during the day. It is true that your day is won or lost in the morning hours. I want to strongly encourage you to be willing to give God the first fruits of your day, that first bright hour. Now, I can hear some of you saying to me, "But, Mary, I need my sleep!” And that's absolutely right; you do. So, maybe you have to get to bed a little earlier, huh? Or maybe you're thinking, "An hour is too much. I can't spare an hour.” Well, there's no law that says it has to be an hour, but you can't rush in and out of God's presence with your shopping list, like the local supermarket, and expect that to make any difference in your life. That's not giving God first fruits; when we rush in and out it's another form of leftovers for God. It's been my experience that an hour is a good starting place but if that seems too much, then start with half an hour. If you don't have an hour for God,
11/25/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Power of Thankfulness – 5

I hope you had a thankful day yesterday. Actually, I hope you have a thankful day every day. You know why? Because thankfulness is powerful! I've been encouraging you to practice overflowing with thanksgiving, and yesterday I gave you four helpful hints on how to do that. But did you ever think about the power that is released when you become a thankful person? Let me tell you some of the great things that will happen: People will like you much better. Thankful people are nice to be around. Your relationships will improve. You'll have more friends. Your energy level will go up. It's true, because when you're thankful, you unleash a lot of good energy that is often wasted on complaining and negativism. You will do more work in less time. And that's going to make you a better employee, which will make your boss happy! I won't go so far as to say you'll get a raise, but then again—who knows? Your stress will go down. I'm not making this up, folks. When you are being thankful, you are thinking about the good things in your life, and that keeps you from focusing on the negative things. It's like a release valve on a pressure cooker—you will see your stress go down. Your face will be prettier—or more handsome, whichever you prefer! Think about it: when you are thankful, you're not worried or fretting, and those things cause lines in our faces and age us! You'll look younger! Your posture will improve. When you're thankful, you stand up straighter. When you're negative, your shoulders tend to stoop and your back curves. There's power in thankfulness. You have much to gain. But way above and beyond all of these, here's the most important reason to be thankful: You will honor and glorify Jesus Christ as he deserves. When you overflow with thankfulness, you tell the world what Jesus has done for you, and you are a good ambassador for him. Not to mention, it pleases him to see your thankful heart. Let's start a campaign to overflow with thankfulness. What a way to live.
11/24/20233 minutes
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The Power of Thankfulness – 4

This Thanksgiving holiday is a good time to remind us that we are to overflow with thanksgiving, as we read in Colossians 2. There is great power available to us when we are truly thankful people. But how do we make thankfulness a way of life for us? Here are some practical ways to learn to practice thanksgiving. Do the thankful alphabet. Start with A and go through Z, naming something starting with each letter for which you are thankful. You can have some fun with this; it's a great game to play in the car with your kids and you'll be teaching them to practice thankfulness. Make every Tuesday a Thankful Tuesday or each Thursday a Thankful Thursday. You can share this with your family or your co-workers and have some fun with it, but it will teach the joy of practicing thankfulness. Sing songs of thanksgiving. This week we'll all probably sing some of those traditional Thanksgiving hymns at our churches, like "We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing" and "Come, ye thankful people, come.” But how about all the other weeks of the year? You could sing "Give Thanks with a Grateful Heart.” How about "Count Your Blessings"? The Bible says to sing and make music in your heart to the Lord. Go for it. Begin every prayer time with thanksgiving. Probably the most famous Psalm—Psalm 100—tells us to enter the gates of the Lord with thanksgiving and enter his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Whenever you enter into the presence of God, always enter with thanksgiving. Make the first words out of your mouth words of thankfulness. I have found that this changes my prayer time. If I begin with all my needs and requests, I am self-focused. If I begin with thanksgiving—reciting some of the many things I have to be thankful for—I am God-focused. What a difference that makes in my time spent with God, and that in turn makes a difference in my day. I begin to truly overflow with thankfulness.
11/23/20233 minutes
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The Power of Thankfulness – 3

Being thankful is not our natural condition. We have to choose to be thankful and we have to remember to be thankful and we have to work at being thankful. Many times, I have gone to Africa to conduct meetings there, and every year as I returned home, I was reminded of how much I have and how easy my life is compared to my friends in Africa. I would tell myself that I would never complain about anything again, but you know, after a few weeks if I wasn’t careful, I would fall back into my bad habits of complaining. If I want to be a truly thankful person—and I do—then I have to put disciplines in my life that will cause me to give thanks for everything and in everything. Here’s one suggestion that helps me to be a thankful person: Turn every complaint into a praise. When you start to complain about something, even if that complaint has already escaped your lips and you’ve just heard yourself utter those negative words, go back and replace them with words of thanksgiving. For example, You complained about the weather—it’s raining again, and you’ve had three days of rain, and you’re tired of the rain. As soon as you hear those words of complaint, replace them with thankful words: You know, this rain is good. I’m thinking of some places in Africa that are in a three-year drought. They would love to have this rain. Thank you, Lord, for this rain. Whether your complaint is just a thought in your mind or words you’ve expressed out loud, you need to replace those complaining words with words of thanksgiving. Of course, it’s better if you can catch yourself before you think or say those negative words, but even if you have already said them, I encourage you to teach yourself to replace them with thankfulness. You see, the power of thanksgiving is something we have to teach ourselves; it’s a gift we give ourselves, and we do this by becoming aware of every non-thankful thing we think and say and forcing ourselves to replace them with thankfulness. And the more you do that, the more it becomes a good habit which you just naturally do.
11/22/20233 minutes
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The Power of Thankfulness – 2

Would you like to have some power? I can tell you how to have more power in your life, because there is power in being thankful! And all of us can learn to be thankful. In writing to the new believers in Colosse, Paul said: “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness” (Colossians 2:6-7). Thankfulness is powerful because it transforms our thinking, it keeps us from complaining, and it makes us joyful. Thankfulness unleashes God’s power in our lives; it is the foundation of joy, and the joy of the Lord is our strength. Without joy we are weak. What wipes out our joy? Complaining, feeling sorry for ourselves, focusing on the negative aspects of our lives. But thankfulness replaces all these negatives and restores our joy, which makes us strong and powerful. Paul said we should overflow with thankfulness. And to the Ephesians he wrote: “Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). When you and I are thankful for everything, we affirm the sovereignty of God in our lives. When you can be thankful for everything—the good and the bad—it means that you believe God is in control, even when bad things happen to you. That kind of thankfulness—giving thanks for everything—is so powerful. It means that the enemy of your soul cannot defeat you, no matter what happens, because you are going to give a sacrifice of thanksgiving even in the tough places. In addition, when you are thankful, you affirm that you know and believe that God cares for you. Did you know that one of the greatest challenges to your faith is to believe that God doesn’t care? Satan wants you to believe that God doesn’t really care about you because then you will lose your joy and be defeated. Being thankful affirms that you believe God cares for you, which he does.
11/21/20233 minutes
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The Power of Thankfulness

We will no doubt enjoy the traditions that usually accompany this Thanksgiving holiday—great food, time with family and friends, watching football games—but will we give any thought at all to being thankful? Did you ever realize that there is great power in thankfulness? Interestingly, there has been a great deal of research into the science of gratitude, and much time and money has been spent to find out what difference it makes in the life of a person who is intentionally thankful. And these studies have discovered that a thankful person is twenty-five percent happier than a non-thankful person! When I read about these studies, I thought: Why didn’t they ask me? I could have told them that. Or better still: Why didn’t they just go to the Word of God? Time and again it tells us about the power of thankfulness. In the Old Testament the people of Israel were instructed to bring thank offerings, sacrifices that were presented to God, to give thanks for his goodness. “Sacrifice thank offerings to God, fulfill your vows to the Most High” (Psalm 50:14). Now, a sacrifice meant they had to bring something they owned to the altar of God and offer it as a thank offering. Why do you think God instituted the thank offering? Because the people of Israel—like us—were very prone to grumble and complain and they needed to be reminded that they should be thankful people. The power of thankfulness is the power to change our attitude, to change our thought patterns, to change our focus—and that changes us. You see, thankfulness cannot coexist with griping and complaining. You just can’t complain and give thanks at the same time. So, thankfulness drives out the negative thinking and causes us to be focused on the blessings of our lives. But like the people of Israel, we need lots of reminders to be thankful people. So, I’m going to remind us all that if we truly are thankful people, not only will we be happier, but more importantly, we’ll be pleasing to the Lord. For today, would you give a thank offering right now? Just say—out loud if possible—one thing you are thankful for.
11/20/20233 minutes
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Serving Female Christian Executives

Mary Lowman and Lauren Stibgen talk about having a heart to serve other female Christian executives. Lauren discusses her journey as a working woman, challenges she has faced, the importance of coming into the office with a servant’s mentality, and how her primary vocation is ultimately to glorify God at work. She also shares how she prays and praises with other women at work and how it makes a difference.
11/18/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Prayer and Work – 5

(presented by Lauren Stibgen) As I sit here, I must admit I have the Sunday Scaries. Those thoughts leading into a new work week, wondering how Monday will launch. Even if you don’t work a traditional Monday-Friday, I am sure you know the feeling. Even if you find yourself in a season where you are between jobs, stress can steal your peace. The stress we experience as working women is arguably only sometimes about work. Some of us are the main breadwinner, perhaps facing single motherhood, illness of a spouse or loved one, needs for childcare, needs to care for an aging parent, or even mounting household issues. The truth is, we carry all this around, on top of the to do list we face waking up to another Monday. Jesus knew what we faced in the world. He even acknowledges this in John 14:27, “Peace I leave with you. Not as the world gives, do I give to you.” Not as the world—if our Lord Jesus is telling us the world will not bring peace, we should not expect it but for in seeking him. The good news is that Jesus tells us to come to him and rest (Matthew 11:28). I have found that one of the best ways to do that is through prayer. Philippians 4:6-7 tells us: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication, let your requests be known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Scripture shows us that some many of those closest to the Lord cried out to him in distress. David cries out to the Lord, Job in his distress is in constant prayer, and perhaps our greatest example of crying out to the Lord is Jesus himself. When the mighty didn’t have peace, they cried to the Lord for comfort.
11/17/20233 minutes
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Prayer and Work – 4

(presented by Lauren Stibgen) Some days, I just feel alone. Living out your faith at work can sometimes seem difficult, especially if you don’t have someone to share it with. One of the ways I have found that I can live out my faith at work, is to pray for the lost. “Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field” (Matthew 9:37-38). It occurs to me that one of the reasons I often feel alone at work is because I look at my “labor” or “work” incorrectly. As we can see in this verse from Matthew, the laborers are few. Few. As I consider my true work, it really isn’t about what I am doing at my desk. I am called to work hard at everything to bring glory to the Lord, but my focus should be on the harvest. Knowing I am one of the few in labor for His kingdom, I also need to be in prayer for how others see me at work. How am I fulfilling the greatest commandment to love the Lord my God with all of my heart, soul and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself? I need to start with thinking of my superiors, colleagues, and subordinates as my neighbors. The word love sounds deep for some workplaces, but I want to challenge you that one of the ways you can love at work, without anyone knowing is to pray for those around you. Maybe you start praying for someone in need in secret, but eventually ask if you can pray for them. Simply knowing you are praying can give someone comfort—even if they don’t have faith like you do. And don’t worry about offending someone. I have found that they will let you know if they don’t want prayer…yes, I have had someone tell me NOT to pray. Praying for others is one way to show others the love of Christ, but we can also pray for how we reflect Christ and attract others. 2 Corinthians 4:6 tells us that light shall shine out of darkness…give light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ.” Pray for your words. This may seem simple, but gossip and unkindness find their way into the workplace quickly. You can pray that “no corrupting talk comes from your mouth, but only what is good for building up” (Ephesians 4:29). Pray for your excellence. Often, we wake up and don’t know how we will show up to work. Maybe it is a project we don’t love, or a deadline that is causing stress. Pray for God to send someone to you—to send you the lost. I have made this prayer a constant, and God has shown up in a bold way. More than one woman has hopped on a prayer call, and remarked, that they joined not knowing why, or having found the call by happenstance. Jesus tells us that there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over the ninety-nice righteous persons who need repentance (Luke 15:7). More joy in heaven. Now this is something to pray for! Heavenly Father, give us hearts to seek the lost at work, and to reflect your glorious light that others know your glory in Christ Jesus!
11/16/20233 minutes
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Prayer and Work – 3

(presented by Lauren Stibgen) Bold. Hungry. Looking for the next promotion. Achievement. How does the Lord call us to work? Is the title so important? Today we will explore how humility in prayer can help us shape ourselves into a humble worker for the Lord. Angry. Confused. The new woman that was hired was occupying the office and promotion she deserved. She resigned over a title and was determined to achieve this at another company until God wove humility into her heart as a result of prayer. Comparison robs us of humility, and often our drive for achievement places comparison smack in our face. Consider God’s word in Luke 18 about the two men who go up to the temple to pray. One, a Pharisee, “stood by himself” and compared himself to “other people” and spoke of his deeds to the Lord. The tax collector, on the other hand, “stood at a distance” with a lowly posture and asked God for mercy”. We learn that “all those that exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Humility itself is a foundation for prayer. It opens our heart to be clear of our position of reverence with the Almighty God. Your humble posture is opening your heart to allow God to change you. The beautiful part about being humble, is the expectation that we can have that God promises to exalt us and give us riches and honor of life. The promise is consistent throughout God’s word. In addition to the verses above in Luke, James 4:10 states, “Humble yourselves before the Lord and he will exalt you.” Proverbs, 22:4 “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor of life.” The exaltation may not be the title you expect, or the promotion you want, but we know He is working for our good. Remember, God can do far more abundantly than all we ask or think in the power of Jesus Christ our Lord (Ephesians 4:29). How can you humble yourself in prayer with the Lord? Is your posture keeping you from the beautiful expectation of exaltation, riches and honor?
11/15/20233 minutes
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Prayer and Work – 2

(presented by Lauren Stibgen) Do words get in the way? Is there a right way to pray? One of the things I have found from praying for others and with others is that there are many people who don’t know where to start when it comes to prayer. The good news is God has provided wonderful encouragement throughout the scriptures that can guide us. So many acronyms are offered to help us “model” our words to the Lord. A dose of praise and reverence, some repentance, and often a request. But does it all need to flow together and be in the same pattern each time? It almost seems like a recipe. Recently I was joined by a friend and her husband for dinner. We enjoyed the meal, and a few weeks later, she asked me for my recipe because they had enjoyed the meal. I had to stop and think—I had no formal recipe for how I made this dish. Sometimes I weave a few different ideas together from what I find to make my own version. Like a recipe, prayer can be your own version. Sometimes when I simply don’t know what to pray for, I am encouraged that in Romans 8:26-27 I know that the Spirit helps us in our weakness. When we don’t know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit will intercede for us with groanings too deep for words. God doesn’t expect our prayers to be the same. He knows that the world will be bringing us different joys and different trials. Be encouraged that God wants ALL your requests (Philippians 4:7). One of the ways I have challenged myself in prayer is to better understand the names of God in the bible. It has opened my prayer life. God is a compassionate God. He is a God with care and kindness. In Exodus 34:6, the Lord passes in front of Moses proclaiming, “the Lord, the Lord, the compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.” God is also my Helper. In both the Psalms and Hebrews 13:6 we see that “the Lord is my helper; I will not fear”. Thinking of God’s compassion and as my helper shapes my prayers differently. I know God sees my weakness and has mercy on me, and I can pray for his help during the day. Sometimes, I simply ask God to carry my burden. “Lord, can you carry this for me? I need your help.” In Matthew 6:8, I am reminded, He already knows what I need, and I don’t need to be specific. But I also know that God is Elohim—Mighty Creator. He is in all things, and I go to him with exceeding humility.
11/14/20233 minutes
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Prayer and Work

(presented by Lauren Stibgen) What do prayer and work have in common? For many years I separated my faith life from my work life. God was held for Sundays or my off hours, and prayer seemed like a bedtime activity. That was until I was convicted about prayer after completing a bible study on Elijah. Elijah only had what the Lord provided him. In just the few chapters of 1 Kings 17-19, we see how Elijah draws near to the Lord and must rely upon Him solely. We first see Elijah cry out to the Lord in a bold prayer for the life of the widow’s son. His prayer is answered. “The Lord heard Elijah’s cry, and the boy’s life returned to him, and he lived.” (1 Kings 17:22). His second bold prayer comes in Chapter 18 verses 36-37. In his repeating plea, “Answer me, O Lord, answer me…” we see that Elijah implores God to show that he is the Lord God by consuming a soaking wet offering with fire. In the book of James verse 5:17-18 we note that Elijah “was a man with a nature like ours”, and that he “prayed fervently”. How could changing my outlook on prayer change my work? I realized that Elijah’s “work” was from the Lord, and that mine was too. Prayer needed to be part of my work. On a red eye flight back to Chicago I scheduled my first prayer meeting for working women: Wednesday, lunch hour. It sounded good—mid week—get me through. I knew that I needed to pray for others and wanted others to pray for me. Would anyone show up? I prayed on that flight that, even if one woman came in need of prayer, that my heart would be filled with joy. Not just one, but four women joined, and we prayed. We prayed for opportunities, for difficult conversations and for feelings of hurt and rejection. For the last year, these midweek calls have become a part of my work, as I pray for the many needs and recount the answers to prayer and God’s goodness. “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people” (Ephesians 6:18). We will continue to look at different ways to pray for your work, and how it will transform you, and bring you closer to God.
11/13/20233 minutes
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God Won’t Let You Go

Some years ago, someone sent me this story, which illustrates this truth—that God won’t let you go. Let me share it with you. On a hot summer day in Florida, a little boy decided to go for a swim in the old swimming hole behind his house. He jumped into the water, not realizing that as he swam toward the middle of the lake, an alligator was swimming toward the shore. His father working in the yard saw what was happening, and in utter fear, he ran toward the water, yelling to his son. The little boy became alarmed and made a U-turn to swim to his father. It was too late. From the dock, the father grabbed his little boy by the arms just as the alligator snatched his legs. That began an incredible tug-of-war between the two. The alligator was much stronger than the father, but the father would not let go. A farmer happened to drive by, heard the screams, raced from his truck, took aim and shot the alligator. Remarkably, after weeks in the hospital, the little boy survived. His legs were extremely scarred by the vicious attack of the animal. And on his arms were deep scratches where his father's fingernails dug into his flesh in his effort to hang on to the son he loved. The newspaper reporter who interviewed the boy after the trauma asked if he would show him his scars. The boy lifted his pant legs. And then, with obvious pride, he said, "But look at my arms. I have great scars on my arms, too, because my Dad wouldn't let go." You and I can identify with that little boy. We have scars, too. No, not from an alligator, but the scars of a painful past as well as present troubles. Some of those scars are unsightly and have caused us deep pain or regret. But some wounds are because God has refused to let go. In the midst of our struggle, he's been there holding on to us, God just won't let you go, no matter what you're going through. Think of Joseph. Through no doubt some childish bragging to his brothers, they decided to get rid of him, and sold him into slavery in Egypt. Joseph had done no great evil; he didn't deserve to be so terribly mistreated, but there he was, a slave and a prisoner in Egypt. But God never let go of Joseph, because Joseph never forsook his faith in Jehovah God. And he was used by God to deliver many people, including his own family, from starvation. I wonder how many times, as he sat in that prison, he just wanted to give up. It looked hopeless, but God didn't let go. We have many wonderful illustrations in the Bible of how God didn't let go, even when his people foolishly waded into dangerous and sinful situations, sometimes out of ignorance, sometimes out of disobedience. Think of Elijah. You remember the story found in 1 Kings 18, where Elijah challenged all the prophets of Baal, with great courage, and their pagan gods could not deliver them. Elijah triumphed over all that evil, proving that Jehovah God was the only true god. It was an incredible victory. But the very next day, brave Elijah becomes a coward, fearful of one woman, Jezebel, who had threatened to kill him. And he starts running out of fear for his life. Elijah no doubt would have been diagnosed by doctors today as having a deep depression, even as being deluded, as he ran for his life. But God didn't let go, and with great patience and kindness, he nurtured him back to strength, taught kindness, he nurtured him back to strength, taught him some wonderful lessons, and brought him out of that deep funk an even better man of God—refined like gold. Are you there today? Has your faith failed you: are you full of fear? Are you in that kind of deep depression where everything looks hopeless, you feel feel worthless, and you're sure that life is coming to an end—at least life with any meaning? I can understand how the upside-down whole world we’re in today could cause you to be frightened and depressed.  But I want to encourage you today to know that God won't let go of you.
11/11/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Discouragement – 5

Our friend Fran has been struggling with discouragement this week. You've been there, too, haven't you? Jesus has shown her several steps to take that will help defeat discouragement, including sharing her complains with him instead of with others, offering a sacrifice of praise, staying away from discouraging people, and just plain working hard. Now one of Fran's coworkers comes over to talk to her about a billing problem. Just as she is leaving, Fran feels an urge to ask her, "Sue, is everything okay? You look kinda down." "Huh—oh do I? I'm sorry, it's nothing..." she starts to leave. "If you need to talk, I'm a good listener," Fran encourages her to open up. "Oh, you don't want to hear my troubles, Fran," Sue says. But Fran insists that she does. So, Sue tells her about her problems with her husband. "I'm pretty sure he's got some affair going, Fran. He's never home; he makes up all these crazy excuses; and he never touches me anymore. He hardly speaks to me. I expect him to walk out on me and the kids any day now." "Sue, are you sure you're not just letting your imagination run wild on you?" Fran asks. "No, that's what I thought for awhile, but a friend saw him in a bar a couple of times with this woman from his office. I think he's having the typical mid-life crisis, and he's going to dump me and the kids for some young bimbo," Sue says drearily. Fran talks with her a few more minutes, and then says, "Why don't you come over to my house tonight, and we can talk some more." Without realizing what she's done, Fran has reached out to someone else whose problem is much bigger than hers. Sue seems so appreciative. "Fran, I really didn't mean to dump on you, but I sure could use a friend." "You've got one, Sue. I'll see you tonight." After Sue leaves Fran spends a couple of minutes praying for her. Then she thinks to herself: “What happened to my discouragement?" "You know, Lord,” she says to Jesus, "I almost forgot about the things that were bugging me. I mean, my problems look pretty small compared to Sue's." She remembers a verse from Proverbs 11: "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed" (Proverbs 11:25). Again, Fran realizes, Jesus knows what he's talking about. And again, she acknowledges what a difference it makes to have Jesus by her side all the time. When she simply obeys him, he can take those discouraging feelings away and give her again the joy of her salvation. He's by your side, too, if you know him as your Savior. Why don't you practice his presence more every day?
11/10/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Discouragement – 4

Feeling discouraged? Our friend Fran is having some discouraging times. Jesus showed her how offering a sacrifice of praise—praising God with her mouth even though she didn't feel like it—would help her defeat discouragement. As she began to do that, it helped. Do you have to live or work with people who are discouragers? If you're around discouragers a lot, they can really discourage you. This is one eye-opening lesson Fran has to learn. Today she is working hard trying to catch up. The last couple of days, as she was fighting discouragement, she really wasn't motivated to work very hard, so now she's paying the price. But she notices that hard work helps her forget the discouragement. In the midst of her busy day, another coworker interrupts her. "Hey, Fran," Bill says, "did you hear the latest rumor? The company's up for sale and we'll probably be swallowed up by some giant holding company who'll let half the people go." "Oh, Bill, you're always coming up with rumors that aren't true and just getting everybody upset," Fran says, trying to dismiss him. But Bill is not easily dismissed. "I was right about the layoffs last year, wasn't I?" Fran has to admit he got that one right. "And I'm right about this, too, Fran. Believe me, I've got good sources." And on and on Bill goes about all the horrors that await them because of this potential buyout. The more he talks, the more discouraged Fran feels. By the time he leaves, she's ready to give up again. "I've got to learn to ignore Bill," she says to herself. “He’s a very discouraging person who never has anything positive to say.” Again, Fran talks to herself: "You just can't afford to let discouraging people bring you down. Remember when Jairus asked Jesus to come heal his daughter, and his friends met them half-way to say never mind, she was dead already. Jesus told Jairus to ignore what they said and just believe. So, there are times when you must learn to ignore the discouraging people who tell you everything's bad," Fran reminds herself. This was something they talked about recently in her Bible study group, and the Spirit of God brought it to her mind just now. Are there some discouraging people around you? Avoid them; ignore them; tune them out. Certainly, we should never behave in rude ways, but we must protect our minds from the discouragement that others would heap upon us. That's an important step in defeating discouragement.
11/9/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Discouragement – 3

Fran is struggling with discouragement. I imagine you've been there at times yourself, so listen in to see how Jesus helps her learn to defeat discouragement. Last night Fran had unloaded all her problems on her friend, Louise, and Jesus reminded her it was a great deal better to tell him, rather than discourage others by complaining to them. After all, Jesus can handle it, and he can help. This morning, however, that discouraging feeling still lingers as she gets herself and the kids ready to leave the house. "Come on, kids," she says wearily, "you're both dragging your feet today. We're going to be late." "Lord, I just can't beat that discouraging feeling,” she tells Jesus as she drives to work. “Problems just don't go away that easily," she says. She feels guilty for feeling discouraged, but what can she do? She is discouraged. At that moment a song comes into her mind: “We give a sacrifice of praise. . ." She hums a few lines. “A sacrifice of praise. . . hmm. I guess I should praise the Lord,” she admits to herself. “But I don’t feel like praising God right now." As soon as she says it, she knows how wrong she is. "I don't feel like it," she says to the Lord, "but that's what it means to give a sacrifice of praise—praising when you don't want to. It requires a sacrifice of my emotions." "Praise God," Fran mumbles to herself. She remembers her alphabet method, and halfheartedly, feeling like a hypocrite, she begins: "I praise you because you are A: Almighty; I praise you because you are B: Benevolent; I praise you because you are C: Caring; I praise you because you are D my Defense." And on she goes through the alphabet, praising God while driving down the road, forcing herself to offer a sacrifice of praise. As she pulls into the parking lot, she begins to feel a lighter spirit. Things don't look quite so bad. She has made some inroads toward defeating the discouragement that was making her so miserable. Are you discouraged today? Try a sacrifice of praise. It really does make a difference. The Psalmist said, "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God" (Psalm 42:5).  
11/8/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Discouragement – 2

How do you handle discouragement? Our friend, Fran, is facing some discouraging times right now, and Jesus is trying to help her see how she can defeat that discouragement in her life. The kids are finally in bed and Fran is having a conversation with Jesus about being discouraged. As she thinks about this further, she recognizes that discouragement is also one of the devil’s most effective weapons against believers. “I see lots of believers who never seem to have victory over discouragement, Lord," she continues her conversation with Jesus, “and I wonder why not? When does discouragement become sinful?” She thinks about all the bad things that have happened to her lately, and the discouraging feelings start to come over her again. “You know, Lord, it’s only human to be discouraged when all these things happen, which are beyond my control. I mean, I didn’t cause any of them and I don’t seem to be able to change any of them.” As Fran thinks about all this, the phone rings and it's her friend, Louise. "Oh, Louise, I'm just so discouraged," she says to her. "Did you hear I lost that account I've been working on; after all that work they went to the competition." She pauses. "Oh, sure, there are more fish in the sea, but tell me where," she replies to Louise in a rather sarcastic tone. "And besides that, Drew is having problems at school," she says. "And I got my second notice of an overdue bill from the dentist today. I don't have the money to pay that bill this month. And to top it off, Debbie called to say she wouldn't be able to help me with children's church this year. I don't know, Louise, nothing's going right for me." She spends a few more minutes complaining to Louise, then hangs up. "Well, you sure unloaded on her," she hears that inner voice saying to her. "Well, that's what friends are for, right?" Fran replies. "I've got to tell somebody." But as soon as she says it, her heart is convicted. “Why did I unload on Louise like that? She called to have a nice conversation with me—in fact, I don’t really know why she called. I didn’t give her a chance to say. I just dumped my discouragement on her and probably succeeded in discouraging her, too.” Fran feels so badly about the way she complained to Louise. “Lord,” she says, “you are my wonderful counselor, my friend, and I should go to you with my discouragement, not to poor Louise." She remembers the passage from Psalm 142, which says, "I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble" (Psalm 142:2). If you're discouraged today, tell Jesus; nobody else, just Jesus. He can handle it, and he can help.
11/7/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Discouragement

I continue our story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. I began these stories several years ago to help us learn to practice the presence of Jesus in our lives, no matter where we are or what we're doing. Fran communicates with Jesus throughout her day, and I hope her story will encourage you to be more aware of his presence in your life. "Drew, I said, it's time to go to bed right now, and I don't want to hear any more whining from you," Fran says to her son as she wearily tries to get him in bed. At the end of a hard day, the last thing she wants is an argument with her son. Finally, the house is quiet, and she flops down in a chair. "Oh, that I had wings like a dove; I would fly away and be at rest," she quotes out loud from a Psalm, with a sarcastic tone of voice. As she often does, Fran talks to the Lord about how she feels. She has learned that since he knows everything she’s thinking and feeling, she might as well get it out in the open and talk to him about it. "Lord,” she says, “I guess I’m a little discouraged, and I don’t really even know why. I guess it’s just me; it’s probably nothing,” and she tries to dismiss the topic. But the Spirit of the Lord keeps probing her mind: "What’s causing these feelings of discouragement? Was it something that happened today?" "Today—yesterday—tomorrow," Fran says with exasperation. "It's just life in general. I lost that account yesterday; they went with a competitive firm. Drew is having some trouble at school—goofing off, his teacher says. I still haven't paid the dentist bill from last month. My friend at church says she can't help me with the children's church this year, like she promised she would. And well, I'm just tired of all the responsibility. I'm tired of being mother and father and career woman and...." She thinks about that awhile, then says to the Lord, "I guess I’m just discouraged; can you understand that?” She begins to think about Jesus while he was here on earth, and she remembers that often he would seem to be a bit exasperated and—yes—maybe even discouraged with his disciples. "I guess being discouraged is not necessarily a sin," she concludes. “In fact, you warned us, Lord that in this world we would have tribulations and discouragements. But you also said that we can overcome the world." Quietly Fran prays, “Lord, teach me how to overcome my own discouragements, which are pretty small compared to others, I know. But they seem big to me right now. Please help me, Lord.”
11/6/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Dealing with Failure – Part 2

In part one, Fran had started her week off very poorly. Fran is a single mom, having been widowed at a very early age when her husband was killed in an accident. She is raising her two school-age children alone and at the same time holding down a busy job in marketing. In telling these stories, you’ll notice that Jesus speaks to Fran. Now, we know that Jesus does not speak to us in audible words, as in these stories, but I use this to illustrate that Jesus is with us at all times because his Spirit dwells with every truly born-again person, and he does speak to us through his Word and his Spirit. So, when you hear dialog spoken by Jesus, be assured it is all true to principles in Scripture, and it is used to help us learn how to practice the presence of Jesus in our everyday lives. On this particular Monday morning, Fran felt very unmotivated and started her day late. Then she had heated words with her children in getting them off. As Jesus rode with her to the job, she was very uncomfortable having him there because his presence convicted her of her harsh tongue. And then Jesus asked her about her argument with her mother the previous evening. Fran's mother was unhappy because Fran was beginning to date a man who was not a believer. Fran had accused her of meddling and hung up rather abruptly. Then upon arriving at work, she had very harsh words with a co-worker who phoned to say he couldn't make a deadline. And this was a co-worker she had been talking with lately and sharing her faith in Jesus. After all this, Fran breaks into tears, shuts her office door, and admits she has blown it. She asks Jesus to please forgive her. And of course, he does. She shakes her head. "You always forgive me so readily, and it seems I have to ask for forgiveness a lot. I've hurt you; I know I have. I really am sorry. Please forgive me." "No need to ask again; you're forgiven," Jesus replies. "But it might be helpful to trace the root cause of all these angry outbursts and ask yourself how it happened. Can you remember when they began?" "They began a couple of weeks ago, I think, about the time I started seeing...” The truth comes out slowly and painfully for Fran. "I knew it wasn't a good idea for me to date Bob. He's not a Christian; I know that, and yet he's very sophisticated and successful. I guess I was just flattered by his attention, and it felt good to be treated so nicely," Fran explains. "But you knew in your spirit that I was not pleased with this relationship, is that right, Fran?" Jesus probes further. "Yes, I knew. But I tried to ignore it; stay busy; rationalize it away. That's why I was so angry at mother; she forced me to face it," Fran explains to Jesus. "Disobedience is so insidious, Fran. It affects everything else, like a cancer that spreads lightning fast. Do you see what this one area of disobedience has done, even in two short weeks? Your fellowship with me has been broken, and you've hurt quite a few people as well.” Jesus spells it out for her. "Yeah, I know," Fran says. "The thing is, although I was doing what I wanted to do, I was pretty miserable on the inside. I was determined to do it, but it didn't really bring me any happiness or great thrill like I thought it would.” "Well," Jesus replies, "that's because you have an enemy who is a great liar, and he will always lead you to believe that doing it your way will make you happy and doing it my way will make you miserable. He handed you one of his most common lies, and you fell for it. Lots of people have. It's okay; you're forgiven," Jesus reassures her. "I know you forgive me, but how do I undo all this damage I've done to others?" Fran asks with alarm. "I've really blown it. I mean, the way I talked to Al just now—and just last week I was sharing something about the Lord with him. He'll never listen to me again. I've ruined my testimony," Fran panics as she thinks about it. "Well,
11/4/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Give-Away Blessings – 5

I wonder if you’ve counted your blessings lately. That old hymn of the church reminds us to count our blessings, name them one by one, count our blessings and see what God has done! You know, in a world that is full of trouble, it’s easy to overlook our blessings. I’ve been encouraging you to become a give-away blesser—someone who blesses others freely and frequently, because you have been so greatly blessed by God. As the saying goes, we are blessed to be a blessing.    We have created a lovely set of 31 cards with give-away blessings on them, scripture verses, that can be given to someone to bless them, to encourage them, to lighten their load. You can find these cards on our website. All you have to do is print them and give them away. Dr. Robert Cook has gone on to be with the Lord, but for years he would end his radio broadcast each day by saying, “Walk with the King today and be a blessing." That’s what we all need to do—be a blessing to others.  One of these give-away blessing cards says, “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see,” from Hebrews 11. At times our faith can waver, can it not? I know mine does. What a blessing it would be to give this card to someone who is struggling to believe that God has heard their prayer, that God is concerned about their need, that God hasn’t forgotten them. You could bless someone with this give-away blessing.   Another one of these 31 cards has a portion of 1 Corinthians 13: “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. . . Love always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." Wouldn’t it be a blessing to give this card to someone who has loved you with this kind of love. It could be a good friend, a mate, a parent—whoever God puts on your heart. You could say, “Thanks so much for loving me like this.”    Well, I’ve tried to give you some ideas of how you could become a blessing, as an act of gratitude to God for all your blessings. And you know, when we start looking for ways to bless others, it just comes right back to us. We reap what we sow, and you will be blessed beyond belief as you determine to become a better blesser! 
11/3/20233 minutes
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Give-Away Blessings – 4

Have you been blessed by God? I would hope that all of us would quickly agree that God has blessed us richly. When God called Abram to leave his country and go to the land he would show him, he said, “I will make you into a great nation and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing.”    As believers in Jesus Christ, we are blessed to be a blessing. Not just to enjoy God’s blessings to us, but to be able to pass a blessing on to others. Have you ever intentionally determined that you wanted to be that kind of Christian who blesses others? You know, if you don’t find a practical way to be a blessing, or you don’t remind yourself to bless others, you can go through your days just self-focused and self-centered, and never blessing anyone else.  So, I’ve been encouraging you to give away blessings. In fact, we’ve prepared a set of 31 lovely cards, each with a scriptural blessing on it, to help you become more intentional about giving away blessings. Those are now on our website here.    Here’s a good blessing to give someone.   “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).   We all lose hope from time to time. No doubt you know someone who is losing hope right now; they’ve lost their job, or lost their home, or some other problem just won’t go away, and they’re ready to give up. Suppose you gave them this card with this give-away blessing and let them know you are praying that God will fill their hearts with hope and they won’t give up. I know you would be a blessing to that person.    If you know someone who is a little confused about what they are supposed to do, or feels inconsequential with low self-esteem, you might want to give them this card from Ephesians 2:10, which says, “We are God’s workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." This is one of my favorite verses, for it says that every child of God is here with a distinct and specific purpose, designed by God. Giving a person this card with words of encouragement from you could make a huge difference in their attitude.   If you’d like to do a better job of blessing others, then go to our website and print this set of 31 cards with give-away blessings on them. You won’t regret it. 
11/2/20233 minutes
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Give-Away Blessings – 3

Can you think of a time when someone lifted your spirits and made your day by a small act of kindness? When that happens, you are blessed! Well, I’m suggesting that as Christians we need to be blessing others. And to help us get in the habit of giving away blessings, we have designed a set of 31 lovely cards—a whole month of blessings with a short Bible verse, which you can give away to someone, as God leads you. They’re on our website now for you to print and give away.    For example, if someone has worked really hard and completed a difficult task, you could give the card which says, “Well done, good and faithful servant. . . Come and share your master’s happiness!” from Matthew 25. Along with the card you could give words of blessing, as you compliment that person on work well done. It could be a coworker or a child who just improved his grades at school or a mate who completed a tough assignment. Don’t you think that would be a blessing to them?  You know, there’s always people in our churches who are the servant people—the ones who are doing the “dirty work,” the behind-the-scenes work, and are so very faithful. They don’t get a lot of recognition. Suppose you gave that person the card, which says, “Serve one another in love,” while thanking them for their life of service. I can only imagine how blessed they would be, just to know their service is noticed and appreciated.   There could be an occasion where your word of blessing could be a challenge to a person, at just the right moment, given in the right spirit. Take this give-away card, which says, “Forgive as the Lord forgave you." This little card, given with words of encouragement and understanding, empathizing with the difficulty of forgiveness but helping them remember that they will find freedom through forgiveness—well, it could really be a blessing to them, don’t you think?    There are so many people in my life who have blessed me and continue to do so. I just don’t know how I would carry on without them. We need each other. And we can be a blessing to others. So, be a blessing today. You’ll find this set of 31 cards to help you develop this gift of giving away blessings here. 
11/1/20233 minutes
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Give-Away Blessings – 2

We often say “Bless you” when someone sneezes. But wouldn’t it be a lot more meaningful if we did more than just utter a cliché and instead, we became intentional about giving away blessings? That’s what I’m encouraging you to do, and to help you get in the habit, we’ve designed a set of 31 lovely cards, each with a verse of Scripture, which you can use to give away a blessing, and you’ll find those here.    For example, you might give someone this blessing, from Song of Songs, which says, “Flowers appear on the earth; the season of singing has come." In fact, for an extra measure, you could give the card with a flower, and simply say, “I thought you might like a reminder of God’s beautiful creation. Flowers really can put a song in your heart, don’t you think?" Even if that person is not yet a believer in Jesus Christ, they would so appreciate a blessing like that. It’s small, but it says, “I thought of you; I care about you; I bless you." It’s a give-away blessing!    Another one of these cards has the verse from Romans 8, which says, “We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." That would be a wonderful blessing to give to a fellow-believer, perhaps your pastor or someone on your church staff who is going through some tough times. They might really appreciate just a reminder that God is working for their good.  I wonder if you know someone who is really worried right now? Maybe they’re waiting on some test results from the doctor, or they think they might get laid off from their job. It could be a blessing to give them this card which says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own."   You may have a family member who needs encouragement, your mother or father or sibling. Sometimes we overlook those closest to us, and they need blessings too. Another card says, “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful,” from Hebrews 10. That could be such a sweet give-away blessing for the right person at the right time.    If you really want to become someone who blesses others, these give-away blessings will help you develop that spiritual discipline. This set of 31 cards is here, free for you to print and give away. I hope you’ll do that. 
10/31/20233 minutes
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Give-Away Blessings

How often do you give away a blessing? We have lots of examples in the Bible of blessing and being blessed. There are many verses in the Psalms which talk about how God blesses us:   “For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield” (Psalm 5:12).  And there are passages where we bless the Lord:    “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name” (Psalm 103:1).   But did you know that we can bless others by some act or word of kindness or encouragement? I want to talk about give-away blessings, to encourage us all to become very intentional about giving a blessing to others, in word or deed. In fact, we have designed a set of 31 lovely cards, a month’s worth of blessings you can give away. They’re linked here for you to access and use. Each card has a verse on it, and that word from God could be a great blessing to the right person at the right moment.    For example, one card says, “Carry each other’s burdens." You could give that card to someone who is carrying a heavy burden of some sort. And as you hand it to that person, you could simply say, “I know you’ve got a heavy burden on your heart right now. I just want you to know that I’m carrying it with you; I’m praying for you, and I care." That simple give-away blessing could make a world of difference to that person.   Or you might want to encourage a good friend of yours, a friend who has stood with you through happy times and sad times, a friend you cherish and appreciate. The give-away blessing you could choose for that friend says, “A friend loves at all times,” from Proverbs 17. It would give you an opportunity to thank your friend for all the times she has loved you and helped you.    Would you like to get in the habit of giving away blessings? What a wonderful way to become encouragers and to be ambassadors for Jesus Christ, where you work, where you live—anywhere that God directs you to give away a blessing. If that is something you’d like to do, and you will indeed give away these cards as God directs, then you’ll find these cards with give-away blessings here. Easy to print and give to others. 
10/30/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Dealing with Failure – Part I

Jesus often taught with parables—stories that illustrated his message. It's a very effective teaching method, and so this on-going story of Fran will hopefully help us see a biblical truth more clearly. Also, we need to learn how to practice the presence of Jesus on a daily basis. We know that the Spirit of God is with us continually when we're born from above, but too many Christians don’t seem to be truly aware of his presence and the power available to them because he is right there beside us. I hope these stories help us learn to practice the presence of Jesus all the time. We know that Jesus doesn’t speak to us in audible words, but his Spirit within us can definitely give us clear guidance, which is always based on the truth of Scripture. So, the words of Jesus which I’ve written in this dramatic setting are all true to Scripture. Fran has had quite a few struggles on her job, but each time God has made a way and helped her do the right thing. This Monday morning, as she wakes to face another day, Fran is totally unmotivated. Nothing in her wants to get up and get going. So, she waits until the last minute, then gets up in a rush. Getting her two kids ready to go to school turns out to be a bigger chore than usual and she ends up raising her voice and arguing with them as she hurries them to get going. It's not a good start for her week. As she maneuvers through the bumper-to-bumper commute, she remembers that Jesus is there beside her, going to work with her again. "Good morning," he says cheerily. "Morning," Fran replies, hoping there won't be any conversation. She's not in the mood. "Not a great Monday start, huh Fran?" Jesus asks. She forces a smile but still keeps quiet. She had intended, as usual, to spend some quiet time with Jesus early in her day, but she missed it today. Well, that happens sometimes, and Jesus will just have to understand. Fran thinks to herself. "You seem a little angry this morning, Fran," Jesus comments. "Do you know why?" "No. I'm not angry; just tired. Guess I'm not in the mood to talk much," she answers. "Could it be the argument you had on the phone last night with your mother? There were some pretty strong words between you.” Jesus keeps pushing Fran to talk to him. Now she is visibly angry. The last thing she wants to think about is the fight she had with her mother last night. But she tries to cover up her feelings and says, "Well, we just don't see eye-to-eye on everything and sometimes Mom tries to tell me what to do. I'm a grown woman and I don't like to be told what to do," and even as she says the words, she's knows how bad they sound. "Do you think you treated her with respect, since she is your mother?" Jesus probes. Fran doesn't like it when Jesus starts asking these kinds of questions. She squirms a little as she weaves in and out through traffic, trying to be preoccupied with her driving and ignore Jesus. But he won't let her do that. "I'm sure you don't always agree, but were those harsh words necessary, Fran?" "Okay, okay, Jesus. I'll call her today and apologize. It's my fault; it's always my fault!" Fran responds in frustration. "I don't think an apology will do much good with that attitude, Fran," Jesus replies, as they turn into the parking lot at the office. Fran is relieved they are there because she really doesn't want to talk about this anymore. She said she'd apologize; what more does Jesus want? As they walk into the office, Fran finds a notice on her desk that a prospect has cancelled an appointment with her today. "Oh, good grief," Fran exclaims. "I've waited two weeks for this appointment, got everything ready, and now he cancels.” She slams her attaché on her desk and turns to take off her coat. "Oh, I'm sorry, Lord, I forgot...” her voice trails off. "You forgot I was here? That's okay, Fran. But I am here, even when you forget," Jesus says to her calmly. Fran feels very ashamed, but what can she say?
10/28/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Work Principles from the Life of Daniel – 5

Would you have ever guessed that a man from the Old Testament could offer us a godly role model for Christians in the marketplace today? Daniel is that man. If you haven’t read the book of Daniel lately, I encourage you to do so, because there’s so much there to encourage you in your life today. As you read his story, you will see that: Daniel’s greatest testimony was his work habits and dedication to doing his job right. “Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom” (Daniel 6:3). This caused much jealousy among the satraps, so they set out to find something against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. “They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Daniel 6:4b). What a testimony! Neither corrupt nor negligent. I never really think of myself as corrupt, do you? Yet let’s take a look at what comes under the heading of corrupt: guilty of dishonest practices like cheating on the expense account, using company assets for your own benefit, disloyal to your employer, giving reports that exaggerate the good and overlook the bad, to name a few. And even if we pass the corrupt test, here comes “never negligent.” You mean, never neglecting to do what you’re supposed to do? Never failing to give it all you’ve got? Never failing to fulfill promises and follow-up as required? Never overlooking the stuff you hate to do and leaving it undone? Never? I’m guilty! I wouldn’t want my work habits to be as closely scrutinized as Daniel’s were. With all those satraps looking for something to hang him with, they could find nothing. Do you see why Daniel gives us such a great role model of a Christian working in the secular workplace?
10/27/20233 minutes
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Work Principles from the Life of Daniel – 4

Let me ask you, do you thoroughly like and enjoy everyone you work with and for? I hope so; that would be ideal. But it’s often true that you have certain coworkers who aren’t so easy to like. Daniel had some very difficult coworkers too, people who were out to do him harm. People who were very jealous of him and wanted to bring him down. But in spite of their attitudes, Daniel kept his attitude right: Daniel had a compassionate heart for his “co-workers.” When Nebuchadnezzar was ready to kill the wise men of Babylon because they could not interpret his dream, Daniel went to Arioch, the commander of the king’s guard, and interceded for these men. “Why did the king issue such a harsh decree?” he asked. Now, these men meant nothing to him personally, but he had a compassionate heart, and he knew it was wrong to execute them. So, he went to his trusted fellow-Israelites, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, and urged them to pray for these men. God then revealed the meaning of the dream to Daniel and the next day he asked Arioch not to kill the wise men, but instead to take him to Nebuchadnezzar because he could interpret the dream (Daniel 2). Talk about sticking your neck out! Daniel was a man of great courage as well as great compassion. He cared about these men, even though they were not fellow-Israelites and indeed were astrologers and sorcerers and enchanters—men who were doing things directly opposed to God’s principles. It’s not easy to have compassion for people sometimes, is it? Especially those who are antagonistic toward us, or who have no clue about true spirituality. Those whose lifestyles are sinful and against all you know to be right. But as God placed Daniel in the midst of these kind of people, so he does us as well, and he does it so we can show God’s love and compassion to people who have no clue what it’s all about.
10/26/20233 minutes
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Work Principles from the Life of Daniel – 3

Do you sometimes feel very out-of-place in your work environment? Because we live and work in a fallen world, we are often painfully reminded that as disciples of Jesus Christ, we just don’t fit in socially and culturally. Daniel had that same experience, as he was taken to a foreign land. But there in the midst of a totally secular and pagan culture, he stayed true to his biblical principles and did not allow the culture around him to drag him down to its level. Daniel was deeply influenced by a letter the prophet Jeremiah sent to the exiles. In Daniel 9:2 we read: “In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the Lord given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years.” That letter, being prophetic in nature, was the Word of God. This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters. . . Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Notice that Daniel and his close friends were to serve the Lord right there in Babylon, while they were in exile. They were to prosper and work and be involved in the society around them. I believe God intends for his children to be involved in the pagan culture around us—to work in that culture and be a light in that culture and even be successful in that culture. But we’re never to compromise and adopt the sinful ways of the culture. In the world but not of the world—that is our challenge. Daniel and his three close friends were able to do it very well. And you’ll note that Daniel knew the Word of God as delivered by the Prophet Jeremiah. Undoubtedly that was one of the main reasons he could make it in that culture, because he knew and believed the Word of God. We have it a bit easier because we have the whole written Word of God, and when we make that an integral part of our lives, it fortifies us to be strong for the Lord and stand true to his principles, as Daniel did.
10/25/20233 minutes
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Work Principles from the Life of Daniel – 2

Did you ever think that an Old Testament saint could be a great role-model for you as a Christian in the marketplace today? I can assure you that Daniel is that man. We’re looking at workplace principles from the life of Daniel. Consider this: Daniel was taken completely out of his comfort zone, away from familiar people and surroundings, into a different culture altogether. When you go to work each day, you are likely to be leaving your comfort zone and entering a different kind of world—maybe a pagan world. The pagan gods may be a bit different today, but they are there: The god of materialism and success The god of “I have my own truth” The god of sexual pleasure The god of any kind of pleasure The god of “it’s all about me” Our challenge is to remain true to the Lord even though we may work in Satan’s territory. Daniel—and his three faithful friends—were fully immersed in a pagan culture. They worked hard and succeeded in that society. But they did not accommodate their lifestyles or beliefs to the pagan world around them.   Their approach was obedient involvement. They stayed involved in the world, while at the same time remaining obedient to God and his principles. Have you ever felt like a foreigner in your working world? Well, that’s because you are, if you’re a Christ-follower. This world is not your home. Peter wrote that we are a chosen people, a royal priesthood a holy nation, a people belonging to God. He goes on to remind us that we are aliens and strangers in this world (1 Peter 2:9). But Jesus has you there—in that pagan culture—for a purpose. And when you keep a joyful spirit, it is one of the most powerful weapons you have, both to fight off the enemy, to sustain you—because the joy of the Lord is our strength—and to testify to those around you that you have a good reason to be joyful.
10/24/20233 minutes
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Work Principles from the Life of Daniel

As Christians in the marketplace, we face a continual challenge of walking that fine line between pursuing our careers and seeking success and being a strong witness for Christ where we work. Integrating our work and our faith is not the easiest thing to do, is it? The choices are not always black and white; the decisions are not always clear. And while we may not have gone to a foreign country and culture as a missionary, there are times when it sure feels like we’re outsiders, foreigners in a culture that is opposed to Christian principles. The story of Daniel offers us some very important principles for workplace Christians. Let me point out some of the issues that Daniel faced which are not that far from the ones we encounter. Daniel was forced into a job he never chose nor ever wanted. Daniel’s story begins on a very bleak note. He was taken as a captive—a slave—to another country. He had no choice. But even when evil seemed to be in control, God was working out his purposes. And through it all, Daniel kept a positive outlook. Do you ever feel that you’ve been placed in a position you never aspired to? Have you ever felt trapped in your job or your company? When you find yourself in that kind of predicament, it’s very easy for your attitude to go south very quickly. Even if you’re in a job of your choosing, there are days when you still feel trapped—when you have dreams of running away, catching the next flight out to a far-away place! But it is exactly in these times that the real depth of your faith shows through. Staying positive and joyful in a place where you may not want to be is a sign of a Spirit-controlled life, and it is a strong testimony for the Lord. Daniel had God-given talents and skills, which he had honed. He was a good steward of his gifts and opportunities. God had endowed Daniel with a very bright and quick mind, and Daniel had taken that gift and made the most of it, even in a hostile environment. Paul wrote to Timothy, “For this reason, I remind you to fan into a flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timonthy 1:6). Have you fanned into a flame the gifts and talents God has placed in you? It’s easy to just settle with getting by. But I’m often convicted that God expects me to take my gifts and make them better. You and I will be accountable for the stewardship of our talents and skills. Daniel learned how to live his faith in a secular culture. His culture could not have been further from the truth or be more corrupt. Yet he remained true. How did he do it?
10/23/20233 minutes
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The Lovingkindness of God

Presented by Lisa Bishop When you think about God, what three adjectives come to mind? Would you use the word “kind” to describe God? The kindness of God is an expression of his love that heals wounds, reconciles relationships, and brings hope to the hopeless. God’s kindness transforms lives and as his followers, we have the privilege and responsibility to dispense kindness to people at work, at home, in our schools and communities, to everyone around us. Kindness is not always my default, but as followers of Jesus, kindness is not a suggestion; we are called to show the glory and kindness of God through our words, actions, and behaviors. Have you jumped on the Wordle bandwagon yet? Ok - that question is not a serious one, but if you don’t know what Wordle is, it's a web-based word game where players have six attempts to guess a five-letter word. Several of my family members have been playing and we have created a text chain to share our results each day. Sometimes if someone gets really lucky they can guess the five-letter word in 2 tries, other times it can take 4, 5, or 6 guesses. And if you fail to guess the word in 6 tries you essentially lose the game. It’s quite nerve wracking if I do say so myself, especially when you get to the 5th try and your Wordle fate hangs in the balance. Will I guess the word in 6 tries or fall off the Wordle cliff in defeat? The stakes are higher when playing with other people who are all vying for who can guess the word in the fewest attempts. So what does Wordle have to do with the kindness of God? Unlike Wordle, God is not six tries and you’re out. No matter how many times you fail, falter or flub, the lovingkindness of God lavishes all who love and follow Jesus. So if you have ever felt like you have gotten on God’s last nerve or “this time he is really going to come down hard on you,” it simply isn’t true. While you may at times feel like God is a punitive God, he’s not. This false belief is something I wrestle with. I can still find it hard to grasp that God is not mad at me when I screw up. Or that he is not going to hold my ungodly words or actions over my head as leverage to get me to do better. Now don’t get me wrong; there is a consequence to sin. When we act in ways that are unbecoming of a follower of Jesus and when others sin, there are ramifications. The kindness of God is not a blank check for sin, it does not condone sin or give license to indulge in or overlook it. Romans 2:4 says: Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance? God’s goodness is meant to lead you and me to repentance; a change of heart and a turning away from self to making an about face towards God. And this is not God penalizing you; it’s actually very loving of God because he knows that when you and I live in holiness and according to his perfect will, that is where true freedom and joy is found. Sometimes we confuse the impact of our actions and the aftermath of poor choices with punishment from God. When we experience pain, frustration, failure, disappointment, and disillusionment in life, we often default to blaming God. When things do not go the way we want, we can sometimes neglect to see our part in misgivings. Hear me when I say that not everything bad or undesirable that happens in your life is a result of your poor actions and decisions. The reality is we live in a corrupt world and our actions and the sinful actions of others have an impact. What I am suggesting is that we often have a wrong view of God. We think that he is unloving, harsh, punitive, and unkind, waiting to whack us when we veer off track. But the Bible tells us something different about the character of God. It is super important that you and I have a correct view of God because what we believe about God will determine how we live. Your understanding of God’s nature and his disposit...
10/21/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Kindness Matters – 5

(presented by Lisa Bishop) We have been exploring the importance of kindness and I want to throw down a kindness challenge.  Before I do let’s take a look at what Titus 3:4-5 tells us about kindness:  But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.  I want to take a look at those verses because they point out something very important when it comes to the kindness you and I are given by God. The kindness and love that Jesus demonstrates toward us is not something we deserved. His kindness is not based on our merit but on his mercy. In other words, you and I did not earn God’s kindness, it was freely given, not based on conditions.   How often do you extend kindness to someone only if they “deserve it.” When a coworker is off-putting or a person is annoying, in our flesh we are not bent toward kindness. Our tendency is avoidance, irritation, or the cold shoulder. Some form of withholding patience and gentleness. I know that can be my tendency when someone is not acting the way I think that they should. But Jesus demonstrates a higher way, and he loves and extends kindness without strings attached. Jesus’ kindness is not based on your behavior, it's based on his favor for you, the generous and charitable heart of God. And you and I are to reflect his generosity to others. So here are a few ideas to get you started exercising your kindness muscles.   Write words of encouragement to a co-worker or friend.  When someone has an opposing opinion, listen respectfully.  Buy a co-worker lunch and if you’re working remotely, have their favorite meal delivered.  Send a thank you note to someone who has made an impact on your life.  Hold your tongue when someone frustrates you and instead of reacting harshly, be patient and loving.  Let that car merge in front of you (I know. This one will take extra kindness).  Consider intentionally practicing kindness each day for the next 30 days. Kindness is no small thing. When practiced, it yields fruit both in your life and the lives of those around you. 
10/20/20233 minutes
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Kindness Matters – 4

(presented by Lisa Bishop) When you are treated unkindly, how do you respond?  Think about it, when was the last time you were mistreated, or hurtful words were flung at you? A co-worker throws you under the bus, a family member shuns you because of your faith, or a friend cancels you because of your political views. Do you maintain your composure or lash back with your words or actions? It can be tempting to fight fire with fire. In a world where people seem to be more stressed out and on edge than ever before it doesn’t take much to set people off and in turn react in retaliation with even the slightest of offense.  In the gospel of Luke, we see Jesus being called out and condemned by the Pharisees and teachers of the religious law. They were “filled with fury” because Jesus was healing on the Sabbath and they “discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus” (Luke 6:11). They were plotting his demise and devising ways to destroy him. It’s a pretty intense situation. Jesus knows the thoughts and intentions of those who were against him and yet this is what he says to his followers. Luke 6:27-28  “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.”  Luke 6:31-36  Do to others as you would have them do to you. “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that…… But love your enemies, do good to them….. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the most high because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.  Now you and I most likely do not have enemies that are trying to take us down like Jesus experienced. But we are called to follow his example and take on his demeanor when we are faced with mistreatment. God shows love towards his enemies and is kind to those who are evil. That is a tall order and only possible through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit at work in you. Treating others the way we would want to be treated is a divine characteristic. The next time you are wronged, don’t retaliate. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you respond with kindness and mercy. 
10/19/20233 minutes
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Kindness Matters – 3

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever had an unkind word spoken to you? What feeling did it evoke? Harsh words uttered toward me have left me with a feeling of shame, embarrassment, fear, and self-doubt. How about you?  On the flipside, when have you spoken an unkind word or made an unkind gesture? To a friend, a spouse, a co-worker; or even a stranger? I say when because the reality is we all have less than shining moments when impatience, anger, frustration, or arrogance has gotten the best of us and lured us into behaviors unbecoming of a follower of Jesus. We know we are called to be kind, and yet insensitive, thoughtless, and inconsiderate words and actions can seep out of us. In a fast-paced world where stress and division can be prevalent, how do we cultivate kindness in our lives? Ephesians 4:30-32 beautifully captures the essence of kindness:  “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.”   These verses remind us of our calling as followers of Jesus and how we are to live set apart, pointing people to Jesus by pursuing kindness, compassion, and forgiveness. Kindness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit and can be a simple yet profound act of treating others with empathy and respect. And we can grieve the Holy Spirit when we act in unkind ways. The Greek word translated as “grieve” means “to cause to feel sorrow, pain, unhappiness, or distress.” The Holy Spirit is the third person of the Trinity. He is a person, not an it. He is God. He has a personality and the ability to feel emotions and we grieve the Holy Spirit when we hold grudges or withhold forgiveness. When we speak careless words to one another, instead of uplifting and encouraging words.   On my flight home from Utah a few days ago I caught a glimpse of a woman’s t-shirt. It said, “I’m doing the best I can.” Now I don’t know her story, but those words reminded me that we never know what people are dealing with. Behind smiles at the office and selfies on social media there is often a lot of pain and heartache. Let’s remember to be tenderhearted, kind, and loving toward others. 
10/18/20233 minutes
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Kindness Matters – 2

(presented by Lisa Bishop) How do you respond to correction?   Think about a time when someone called you out for ungodly behavior. An impatient or reactive response, fudging something at work, wavering in your faithfulness in your marriage, or telling a white lie. Whether in the workplace, at home, or in your small group, what was your reaction when your behavior was confronted?  We all experience times when we speak, act, and live in ways that are not in alignment with how we are called to be as a follower of Jesus. Ways that are harmful to ourselves, to our relationships, and to our witness. The key is, are you open to correction, or do you respond with defensiveness, denial, or deflection when someone points out a shortcoming? In Psalm 141:5, King David prays,  “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it.”  David, a king, asked for correction and called it kindness. And when he says it is oil on his head he is saying that being confronted with the truth and having his flaws exposed is soothing medicine! What an attitude of humility. How often do we see people protecting themselves from correction, yet King David intentionally invites trustworthy men to shine a light on anything in his life that was not pleasing to God.   Do you invite that type of correction in your life?  To grow in your role as a co-worker, leader, friend, parent, or spouse; to progress and mature spiritually, you need a few faithful friends who are willing to point out when your life does not reflect who you are in Jesus.   When your words or actions do not align with those of a spirit-filled follower of Christ, rebukes from the righteous, offered in love, are one of the keys to holiness and living a faithful and fruitful life. Now this is not license for reckless criticism. As a mentor of mine once said, “We call out with the intention of calling someone up.” The attitude of heart is one of deep desire for a person to live from their true identity in Jesus. Who are the two to three trustworthy, spiritually mature (not perfect), men and women in your life you can invite to shine a light and help you continue to grow into the image you bear in Christ?  Ask the Holy Spirit to help you be open, eager, and grateful to accept, acknowledge, and learn from their correction. 
10/17/20233 minutes
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Kindness Matters

(presented by Lisa Bishop) How are you investing your time? There are so many things that clamor for your time and attention these days and the question to ask yourself is this, “Is what I am investing my time in producing a profitable return?” If you were to take an assessment of the past week or even the past 24-48 hours, how have you spent those precious moments? I was on a girls’ getaway weekend not too long ago and we were confessing the time we spent on social media. An intended 20 minutes can easily turn into a mindless two hours, with very little return. And dare I say rather than making fruitful deposits, much of our media intake actually makes significant withdrawals; mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The reality is every minute of every day that passes is irretrievably gone. And whether you are wasting your time on Instagram reels or worrying about the future, it’s time you cannot get back. That’s why time is the most valuable commodity of all, even more precious than money. Is where you are investing your time yielding a high return? God promises a great return when you study his ways and his thoughts and invest time in his Word. In Isaiah 55:8-11 we read, “For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. As the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.” It is impossible to spend time reading the Bible and not benefit. God’s Word is living and active (Hebrews 4:12) and will nourish you, grow you, make your life flourish, and be fruitful. So, wherever you are in life and whatever challenges you may be facing, God promises that the time you invest in immersing yourself in his Word is worth it.
10/16/20233 minutes
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Unexpected Acts of Kindness

The more I thought about unexpected acts of kindness, the more encouraged I was to realize that we as Christ-followers have the great privilege of living out the hope we have in Jesus, in a world that often seems hopelessly angry and hateful and unkind. While we face the reality of what’s happening, it’s important that we not just bemoan it and continue to focus on all that is wrong. Instead, because of Jesus, we have hope—and we can share that hope with the people in our worlds. It is reported that the great evangelist of the 20th Century, D. L. Moody said, “The world has yet to see what God can do through a man who is totally yielded to him.”  And I believe your world and mine has yet to see what God can do through believers, individuals, like you and me, who are willing to be God’s light in this dark world. And it begins by making it our goal to be kind and gracious in every aspect, every relationship that God brings out way. We know that part of the fruit of the Spirit, given in Galatians 5, is kindness. And in Colossians 3:12 we read, Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Kindness should be our trademark as ambassadors for Christ. That’s where it must begin. We can be kind—we will want to be kind—when we allow God’s Spirit to clothe us with this fruit; to make us more like Jesus. So, part one is prayer—and a daily commitment to be God’s representative in our worlds. What does your world include? Of course, it begins at home, and you know, sometimes that’s the most difficult place to wear kindness, have you noticed? Yes, we love our families, those closest to us, but they can be the first ones to step on our toes and push our buttons. And no doubt, it works the other way around as well—we step on their toes. So, let’s begin at home by being careful to speak words of kindness to our mates, our children, our parents—those we love most. Sometimes that just means a change in the tone of your voice. Proverbs 16:21 says: The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. Another version puts it this way: “sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.” I have been noticing lately how words of kindness and affirmation, with encouraging tones in the voice, bring a very different response. It just works! God’s word is totally relevant to the relationships in your home. So, give it a real try—speak kind and gracious and encouraging words to those people in your house and/or your family. Then, look for opportunities to show kindness where there is often strife or lack of harmony and unity—perhaps where you work. Maybe like becoming more intentional about showing kindness, doing little things, things easy to do, like smiling more. Yes, I’m serious. Smiling makes a difference, and it takes virtually no effort or time and it cost nothing. Proverbs says that a happy heart makes the face cheerful, so keep your heart cheerful and let your face reflect it (Proverbs 15:13). Another small thing that can make a difference is simply complimenting someone when you can do so sincerely. I always say if you think something nice about someone, then say it if you can. “I like your outfit.” “You did a great job.” “You were a great help; thank you.” The simplest things can make a difference. It’s amazing how powerful words can be—they have the power of life and death. And Proverbs 16 reminds us that Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. A few gracious words in a tense or trying situation can truly be a healing element that changes the tone. You may be thinking that these things don’t sound like anything much, nothing that could really change anything or anyone. But I challenge you to give it a serious try—focus on the small things you can do throughout your day to make your workplace kinder. It can be contagious; pray about it and give it a try. And you know,
10/14/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Claim the Name – 5

I wonder if you’ve ever contemplated just how totally sufficient Jesus is because he is your way, your truth and your life? I’ve been pointing out some of the names of Jesus that we find in Scripture and encouraging you to claim those names for your own needs. I’ve talked about how Jesus is your Advocate, Jesus is God with you, Jesus is your Wonderful Counselor and your Prince of Peace—just some of the many titles and authority given to Jesus. But when Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life” (John 14:6), what he was saying is that everything you will ever need is found in him. He is your way, your path to God and eternal life. Jesus was again telling his disciples to “Follow me.” Peter later wrote: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). He declared that he is the Truth—therefore, he is trustworthy. He can never lie to you or deceive you, and you can totally trust everything he has said and every direction he has given you. He is the Truth that can set you free from your sin, free from fear, free from bondage. And Jesus is your life. Jesus was telling his disciples about his impending death, and then he claimed to be the source of all life. He said he would lay down his life for the sheep, and then that he would rise from the dead to life again. He gave the promise that “because I live, you also will live.” So, wherever you are today—in whatever predicament you find yourself, your need is met in Jesus. Claim his names: He is the way, the truth and the life. Run to Jesus; call on Jesus; trust Jesus. Everything is always all about Jesus. So, claim his name, his authority, as your own. That is your privilege if you are truly born from above.
10/13/20233 minutes
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Claim the Name – 4

Peace is a commodity in short supply these days—wouldn’t you agree? While we hear a lot of talk about peace, we recognize that there is precious little of it in our world and in our lives. How about you? Are you a little short on peace right now? Have you been spending too much time in worry mode? Has fear seized your mind and heart, keeping you awake at night? I’m talking about the names of Jesus—the titles and authority he has been given by the Father. Names that show his power and his authority. And one of those names is Prince of Peace, which we read in Isaiah 9. A prince is someone who is a leader and has influence and authority. Therefore, the Prince of Peace can bestow peace on a person or situation. If you have become a believer in Jesus Christ, then you have access to the Prince of Peace. That means that there is no need for you to be held captive by worry or fear, because you can claim the name of Jesus—the Prince of Peace—and he will give you peace. Ephesians 2:14 says that Jesus himself is our peace. Jesus said that the peace he gives us is not just temporary peace like you might find in the world. Jesus said it’s peace that only he can give, and Paul wrote to the church in Philippi that “the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:7). So, why are you living in worry and fear? Do you see how useless and unnecessary it is for you as a child of God because you can claim the name of Jesus, your Prince of Peace. And you do that by faith. You believe that Jesus is your peace, and you claim that peace as your own. You don’t have to feel it; you just have to believe that Jesus is the Prince of Peace, and he has peace for you. I would suggest that when you find yourself engulfed by worry or fear, you simply start repeating what the Bible says is true, that Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is your peace. Resist the enemy who wants to keep you mired in doubt and worry. Run him off—out of your mind—by repeating the truth that Jesus is your peace, and then repeat that as often as you need to throughout the day. This is how you claim the name of Jesus.
10/12/20233 minutes
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Claim the Name – 3

I’m talking about the names—or titles—of Jesus that we can claim for whatever need we’re facing. For example, did you know that Jesus is your heavenly Advocate? First John 2:1 says: “My dear children, I write this to you so that you will not sin. But if anybody does sin, we have an advocate with the Father—Jesus Christ, the Righteous One.” An advocate is someone who supports you, who pleads on your behalf. What an incredible truth that as believers in Jesus Christ, we can claim this name of Jesus, that he is our Advocate with the Father. Scripture tells us that Jesus is seated at the right hand of God’s throne and he is there to intercede for you, to plead on your behalf. That means that you have the privilege of going right to God’s throne in prayer, and Jesus is there to plead your case. The Bible tells us that Satan is accusing us night and day before the Father (Revelation 12:10). Do you get the picture here? Satan is accusing you, but Jesus is at the right hand of God advocating for you. It’s like a scene from a courtroom, but the verdict is already determined. Satan can accuse all he wants, but he can’t win, because we have an Advocate, Jesus Christ. Could it be that you are now facing some failure on your part—something you did or said or failed to do that you know was wrong, was sinful? You know that you have disobeyed God in some way and your conscience is really bothering you. But what do you do? You go to your Advocate, to Jesus in prayer and you claim his name—his authority—as your Advocate to plead your case to the Father for forgiveness. Just believe what the Bible says—you have an advocate with the Father when you sin, and Jesus, your Advocate, has all authority given to him in heaven and in earth. So, do you think he will win your case for you? You can be totally confident that if you confess your sin, your Heavenly Father will forgive you because you come to him through Jesus, your Advocate. So, claim the name today of Jesus, your Advocate, and know the freedom that comes through forgiveness and cleansing.
10/11/20233 minutes
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Claim the Name – 2

What are you facing today that has you puzzled? Our lives are full of decision points, forks in the road where the choice we make will have some significant impact in our lives. How do you make good decisions? How can you be sure that you’re choosing the right path? Well, for those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus as our Savior, we have access to him and the power of his name. And one of the most wonderful names given to Jesus is found in Isaiah 9:6, which says “he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In that one verse we have four of the incredible names given to our Lord, and at the top of the list is Wonderful Counselor. What is the role of a counselor? It is to give guidance and trustworthy advice, right? So, as you’re facing some important decisions today, have you gone for counsel to Jesus, or are you just trying to figure it out on your own? His name is Wonderful Counselor—the best Counselor. Have you claimed the name of Jesus for the guidance that you need? I well remember some years ago when I was facing a dilemma in my life, one that looked potentially dire and where the wrong decision could be catastrophic. I knew I needed good advice, so what did I do? I called my best friend, who just wasn’t available to me at that moment. I kept trying to reach her but to no avail, and I actually became irritated at her for not being there when I needed her. And as I paced the floor in frustration, trying to reach my friend, so clearly the Lord reminded me that Jesus is my Wonderful Counselor. He is the one I needed to turn to first and fast, because his guidance is perfect. So, I stopped and claimed the name of Jesus—Wonderful Counselor—and took the whole situation to him in prayer. He calmed my spirit and assured me that he would guide my steps through this situation and I could trust him. After all, he’s not like any other counselor—those who can be mistaken; instead he is my wonderful, perfect Counselor. I want to encourage you today, as you’re facing some decision point, some difficult situation, to first seek counsel from Jesus. Claim his name of Wonderful Counselor and call on him for the guidance you need. He’s always available, as a Christian you have instant access to his presence—no waiting around—and he is indeed a Wonderful Counselor in whom you can totally trust. Claim that name for yourself today.
10/10/20233 minutes
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Claim the Name

The Bible makes it clear that the name of Jesus is to be honored and respected above all other names. In Philippians 2:9 we read: Therefore, God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The President of the United States is called President, Leader of the Free World, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Head of a Political Party—and other titles that are given to him because he was elected President. Those titles represent his authority in various areas. Similarly, but in a much more important way, Jesus has been given names by God the Father that represent his authority, and as Christ-followers, we have access to the power of his name. So, this week I want to focus on five of the many names in the Bible that describe Jesus and I want to encourage you as a Christ-follower to claim his name for whatever need you are facing—to “claim the name.” In Isaiah 7:14 we read that the Messiah will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This is a name of Jesus you can claim. This means that in the midst of whatever you’re facing, you stop and claim the truth that Jesus is “God with you.” You are not alone. He will never leave you or forsake you. It means that in the middle of your pity party, when you are feeling sorry for yourself because you’re facing something all alone and you feel as though nobody cares, you can claim the name of Immanuel and know that God is with you. For those times when you feel forsaken or abandoned, when all your friends seem to have vanished, when the person closest to you doesn’t seem to understand what you’re going through, learn to tap into the power in the name of Jesus Immanuel—God with you. It’s true, but you must claim it for yourself—claim the name of Jesus Immanuel today and be encouraged because God is with you.
10/9/20233 minutes
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Be Kind to Everyone

You know, when I get to heaven one of the first people I want to talk with is the Apostle Paul, because I want to ask him if he was serious about some of those verses he wrote. In particular, the one which says, "Be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6), and this one we're looking at today, "Be kind to everyone.” That verse is found in 2 Timothy 2:24, which says, And the Lord's servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. As they would say in the old west, that's a "mighty tall order," don't you agree? If we're kind to everyone, that would include strangers, people who irritate us, people who don't do what they're supposed to do, people who are slow, people who don't appreciate any kindness we show them and never return it, people who don't deserve our kindness. You know, it's no great thing to be kind to people who you like, who are kind in return. Even the hardest heart can usually do that. Jesus said in his Sermon on the Mount If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? (Matthew 5:46). But be kind to EVERYONE? Is that possible? I remember an occasion where a fellow believer was most unkind to a certain person. The reason was simply because she didn't like certain types of people because of prejudices from childhood and from some unpleasant experiences of her own. So, when this person walked in the door, she truly was unkind to her. However, moments later when another person came in, more to her liking, she was very gracious and kind to her. It bothered me a great deal to see this happening within the Body of Christ; and yet you and I know it happens very frequently. We're kind to those who suit us, but often unkind to those who, for whatever reason, we don't feel inclined to be kind to. It wasn't many days after this that I found myself doing the same kind of thing. I was checking into a hotel and the clerk was not efficient. She was taking far too long and was very nonchalant about everything and it irritated me. After all, I thought, I'm the customer here. She's inconveniencing me. Why can't she just do her job and get me checked in without all this unnecessary delay? And as I stood there, though I did not say anything inappropriate, the look on my face, the tone of my voice, and my whole body language sent the message loud and clear, and it was not a kind message. I could sense that she was aware of my unkind attitude. As I walked away, the Holy Spirit let me have it. Why couldn't I have been kind to her? All it required of me was a different look, a few nice words, and I could have shown her some kindness. But just because she didn't perform the way I thought she should and I was inconvenienced one slight bit, I was unkind. As is so often the case, I was irritated because my rights were violated, my schedule was very slightly interrupted, my plans were minimally delayed. Then I realized that perhaps the people I find it most difficult to be kind to are strangers, people I don't know and with whom I have very brief interactions. Sometimes it's simply because my mind is so preoccupied with other things, and I just don't take time to be kind. Sometimes it's because I don't like what they're doing. But whatever the causes, there are no legitimate excuses. The servant of the Lord must be kind to everyone. I was reading in Mark 6 where Jesus was trying to get away with his disciples to a solitary place to rest. As it was, they couldn't even find time to eat because so many people were coming and going. So, they got in the boat to escape the crowds, but that didn't work. The crowd followed them, and when the boat landed, they were there already, waiting for them. When Jesus saw them, we read that he "had compassion on them, because they were like sheep without a shepherd. So he began teaching them many things" (Mark 6:34). I thought, “Lord, you're amazing. You were exhausted,
10/7/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Kingdom Equity – 5

What Kingdom Equity are you wasting? Kingdom Equity includes the good things—our gifts and abilities and skills and knowledge—as well as the hard things, the heartaches, the failures. What part of your past—or your present—have you put in the category of “Not good” or “Not fair” or “Shameful” and therefore tried to hide it from others as well as yourself? Or you’ve let it sit there so long that bitter roots are growing in your heart and those bitter roots are causing trouble and defiling you and others. Or you’ve allowed yourself to live in the lie that God can’t really use you like he uses other people because of your past. The thing about this kind of Kingdom Equity—the kind that is filled with sorrow and heartaches and failure—is that it’s very difficult to see how God can use it when we’re in the middle of it. It’s usually only in hindsight that we can say, as Joseph did, “God meant it to me for good.” So that means that when we’re in the middle, we have to walk by faith and not by sight. We have to decide if we’re really going to trust God or not—against our feelings and our emotions. Some time ago I was suddenly faced with a situation that was potentially very harmful. And that situation was not resolved for almost an entire year. More than any other time in my life, my trust in God was tested. I had doubts; I certainly had fears; I wanted to run away and forget it all. My faith was tested. I wish I had come through better than I did; there were days that I did not have the victory. But in the end, by God’s grace, I came through as gold refined in the fire. I now have much more sympathy and empathy with those who are in the midst of a struggle than I ever had before. It’s Kingdom Equity that God allowed in my life, to be used for his glory. When we allow God to use all his Kingdom Equity in us, it brings meaning to every aspect of our lives. Nothing is wasted, and we find that the pains and hurts of our lives can be used for good, as well as all that experience you’ve gained in your working world, the talents you developed when you were young, the skills you’ve added through your life. It’s all Kingdom Equity, and God is looking for a return on his investment in you.
10/6/20233 minutes
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Kingdom Equity – 4

What is it in your life that is your greatest sorrow or regret? Did you know that even those things God has allowed in your life, and they can be used for good? I’m talking about Kingdom Equity--what God invests in us and how he wants a return on his investments. Please understand I am not saying that God is the author of all these difficult things; God never condones sin or evil and it is never from God. But our God is so great that he never wastes anything in our lives, even our sorrows or our sins or abuse we’ve suffered, or our failures. We are so prone to say, “God is good” when something favorable has happened to us. A friend just got a job after a few months of unemployment. We say, “God is good.” A baby is born without any problems; we say, “God is good.” A journey is traveled without any accidents; we say, “God is good.” We got money back from our income tax, and we declare, “God is good.” We got a report back from the doctor and the lump is benign, and we shout, “God is good.” Are those signs of God’s goodness? Absolutely. But what about the hard times and the disappointments and the bad news? Are we just as quick to affirm that God is good—all the time? When Job’s wife suggested that he curse God and die, he said, “You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?” (Job 2:10) Whatever has happened to you, is happening to you, or will happen to you can become instruments that God can use in your life. I’ve often told how I wandered for ten years away from God and his plan for my life. That wasn’t what God wanted for me; it was my own sinful choices. But I can tell you that I’m better able to help and encourage others because I know what it’s like to live with the consequences of my sinful choices. That means I have understanding and empathy for others that I probably would not have had without those ten years of disobedience. God doesn’t waste anything in our lives. He uses everything that has happened to us as a means to display his glory. All of that junk, the stuff you would have eliminated from your life story if you had written it—all of it can become instruments of God’s grace to others.
10/5/20233 minutes
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Kingdom Equity – 3

We don’t usually think of the difficult things in our lives as investments, do we? Can it be true that the hard things you’ve gone through, the difficulties you’ve encountered, the heartaches you’ve known—even your sins and failures—can be seen as God’s investment in you? How can that be Kingdom Equity? Well, the truth is that it is often these hard things that drive us to know God, that keep us humble, that show us our total inadequacy and force us to depend on God. God is never the author of evil, but he has this marvelous way of turning what someone meant to us for harm into something that he uses for good, as he did with Joseph. And they include things such as: Your childhood experience. If you were deprived of what you needed as a child—love or protection or security or safety—any of those basics and instead you endured some suffering—that is Kingdom Equity. Your health issues. Maybe you’ve faced some real health fears—that is Kingdom Equity. Your financial hardships. You’ve lost a job, and you’ve faced month-ends without enough money to pay your bills—that is Kingdom Equity. Broken relationships. That marriage that fell apart, or that friend or family member who is estranged or distant from you—again, Kingdom Equity. Disappointments in people. That adult child who has left the church and the truths you taught him or her about God. That friend who betrayed you. That boss who fired you—more Kingdom Equity. Significant losses. That parent who died—or mate or child or close friend—Kingdom Equity. Sins from your past. Yes, even those things of which you are ashamed, those times when you chose to live in sin and stray far from God—Kingdom Equity. All of these are Kingdom Equity that God wants to use for good in your life. That means that none of these things are meaningless. God doesn’t waste anything—not even sorrows and heartaches.
10/4/20233 minutes
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Kingdom Equity – 2

What are you doing with your Kingdom Equity? Kingdom Equity is what God has invested in you to use for his glory. It comes in two forms, the first of which is: Kingdom Equity of Gifts and Abilities God invests equity in us through our gifts, our talents, our skills, the things we’ve learned, our education, our years of simply living life! For example, a great deal of my experience in the business world was to make presentations. That experience was planned by God to teach me how to make a presentation and think on my feet, which was part of the good works he planned in advance for me to do. I have a friend who has begun a ministry to widows in Africa, teaching them how to make things that they could sell to support their families. They have to use treadle sewing machines that work without electricity and guess how she learned to sew as a young girl. On a Singer treadle machine. So, she can teach them how to sew on a treadle machine. That’s Kingdom Equity that God is now using. What about the skills you’ve acquired through your life. How are you using that Kingdom Equity for God? He didn’t invest that experience, that talent, that gift in you just for your enjoyment. He expects a return on his investment. Paul wrote to Timothy: “For this reason I remind you to fan into a flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands” (2 Timothy 1:6). Fan into a flame the gifts God has invested in you. Improve them, enlarge them, expand them. Get better at doing what you do. I look back on the 39 years I’ve had this radio ministry and I see how God has given me abilities and skills that I never dreamed were in me. That’s because he promises that if we use what he has invested in us, he will invest more in us. The parable of the talents teaches us this principle. God has invested in all his children and he’s looking for a return on his investment. Are you using what he has invested in you to bring glory to him?
10/3/20233 minutes
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Kingdom Equity

Do you know what Kingdom Equity is? A friend of mine introduced me to this term not long ago, and it has really caught my attention. I’m sure you know what equity is. For example, if you bought a house, you invested money in that house, and the amount you invested is your equity in it. And as we make investments, we are doing so with the hope that our investment will grow in value, and we will receive a profit from our investment. Well, God has invested Kingdom Equity in all his children because our purpose here on this earth is to bring glory to God by doing the good things he prepared in advance for us to do: Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. If you are born from above, God has predetermined your list of good works he wants you to do, and he knows what resources and talents and gifts and experiences you will need to do those good works. So, from the beginning of your days he has been investing in you what you will need to do those good works. This Kingdom Equity comes in two different forms: The gifts and abilities and talents and opportunities and education and experiences you have been given that will be needed to do Kingdom work. The difficulties and hardships and troubles and failures you go through that teach you to trust and know God like nothing else can do. Whether you are aware of it or not, God has been making investments in you and he expects a return on his investment. He expects you to multiply your resources, your gifts, and to use them for his glory. So, the question for today is: Have you overlooked those investments God has made in you? Or have you wasted them on yourself instead of on the Kingdom? It is Kingdom Equity, and you will give an account to God as to your stewardship of the investments God has put in you.
10/2/20233 minutes
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How to Practice Love

I want to read this very familiar passage, to refresh our memories of the importance of love as set forth in these 13 verses of 1 Corinthians 13. If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have no love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when perfection comes, the imperfect disappears. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put childish ways behind me. Now we see but a poor reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known. And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love This definition and description of love is quite the opposite of what we think of as love today. But this is God’s kind of love, and it is the kind of love we should have for God and for others. Some dear friends once asked me, "How can we pray for you?", and my ready reply was, "Just pray that I'll love Jesus more and more and have a heart to love others.” If those things are in place in my life, everything else follows. If not, nothing I do has any importance or meaning. Paul said I could speak with the voice of an angel, but it wouldn't mean anything without a loving heart. Paul also said that love is the fulfilling of the law. This was a radical statement in his day because all of his fellow Jews were focused on fulfilling the Ten Commandments and the 110 other commandments which they had manufactured out of them. Can you imagine how difficult that must have been, just to remember all of them? And now Paul brings this revolutionary principle: "If you do one thing, you will do these 110 things without even thinking about them. If you love, you will unconsciously fulfill the whole law." If we focus on ONE thing—being filled with love for Jesus and love for others—all other spiritual virtues automatically follow. Yet so often we reverse the process. I think of a woman who is in many ways very godly. She prays all the time; she studies her Bible constantly; she is at every church service; she keeps herself separate from harmful activities of any type; her life is exemplary in many ways. Yet, when she is with people, almost every time she causes others to be uncomfortable and hurts feelings because of her words, which sound unloving and self-righteous. Oh, we need to pray and read our Bibles and keep our lives separate from worldly actions, but those things should follow love, not precede it. Without being focused on love, we may do a lot of things that look good, but they'll never impress God, because he says without love, it amounts to nothing in his sight. Paul begins that 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians by contrasting love with several things. First, with eloquence. I would truly love to be a great speaker. I'd love to be one of those people who can mesmerize an audience with their incredible ability to communicate. But Paul reminds me that even if I could speak with the tongue of an angel, it would be a big zero without love. Then he contrasts love with the gifts of prophecy and the ability to understand great mysteries and knowledge.
9/30/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Making A Difference at Work – 5

Throughout the thirty-nine plus years I have been broadcasting, my deepest desire and prayer has been that I could somehow inspire Christians in the marketplace to see their jobs as their calling—as the place God has them to be a light in a dark world. I know that many of you have that attitude and I’ve heard so many of your stories of how God is using you to make a difference where you work. Over time, asking what difference you can make while you’re at work can become a habitual question—a way of life. It becomes automatic, so that instead of having a defeatist attitude, you look at every situation from the perspective of what you can do to make a difference. But it won’t just happen. We each have to be intentional about it on a daily basis, and we need to be motivated by love of God and love of people—the two things Jesus told us we need to do, love God and love people. This kind of attitude comes through prayer and the power of God’s Spirit residing in us. But the incredibly good news is, as disciples of Jesus Christ we have both the motivation and the power to make a difference. And it just so happens that when we work as unto the Lord, it also reduces our stress, brings us joy and fulfillment, and makes our daily lives meaningful and worthwhile. It’s a win-win way to live. You just can’t go wrong living the way God designed you to live. Colossians 3:23-24: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.
9/29/20233 minutes
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Making A Difference at Work – 4

Are you making a difference where you work? You and I should be making positive differences where we work, don’t you think? I’m talking about extra-mile efforts that truly help the organization function better in some way or another. Does your organization have any kind of volunteer program where employees can be a part of some good charitable project? Many companies are more attuned to that these days, but if yours isn’t, why couldn’t you suggest or start something? I find that people really want to help others, but they just don’t know how to get involved. Offer a suggestion, and they’ll usually want to help. For example, you could have a food drive for a homeless shelter or a food bank. Or you could suggest visiting a nursing home once a month just to cheer up the residents. The Boy Scouts have a motto that says, “Leave it better than you found it.” Just suppose all of us had that attitude toward our everyday work. From cleaning up messes and keeping the place looking nice, to improving the quality of your work effort and coming up with ways to do a better job, if we each intentionally tried to leave our workplace each day better than we found it, how much nicer would our jobs be? How much easier would it be to come to work each day? I know that not everyone will share your enthusiasm for making a difference where you work, and furthermore, not everyone will appreciate your efforts. But that should not matter especially if you are a disciple of Jesus Christ. You have the privilege and the responsibility of doing everything you do as under the Lord. Ephesians 6:7-8: Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not people, because you know that the Lord will reward each one for whatever good they do, whether they are slave or free. Our calling as Christ-followers is to make a difference in every situation—because we are working for Jesus. I want to do that and I’m sure you do too.
9/28/20233 minutes
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Making A Difference at Work – 3

What could you do to help your organization save money? Now, if you’re not personally in charge of the finances of your organization, you may not think about ways to save money. But believe me, everyone needs to do a better job of cutting unnecessary expenses. From something as small as turning off lights when you don’t need them, to conserving paper, to reducing phone bills or travel expenses, it makes a difference when everyone watches the bottom line. All too often employees have an attitude of taking advantage of the company and getting some financial benefit for themselves. Just imagine how unique it would be to have an employee who simply does what she or he can do to eliminate unnecessary expenses, finds less expensive ways to do things, or more economical sources. It would make a difference. Are there some ways you could help your fellow coworkers who may be dealing with some negative situations? Some extra-mile effort might make a big difference—something like pitching in to help them meet a deadline or showing them some new skills or easier ways to do things. I know that I frequently need help with my computer. I use it constantly yet I have very poor understanding of how it works! So, when someone takes the time to dig me out of one of my technical problems, it is much appreciated! So, eliminating negatives is a great way to make a difference where you work. Then adding something positive is equally important. Don’t underestimate the impact that small things make—things like remembering birthdays or anniversaries, finding ways to have small celebrations. Recently someone sent out a reminder that our church receptionist was celebrating twenty-five years of service to the church. What fun it was to celebrate her and give her a little gift to say how much we appreciate her. Making a difference at work should be a hallmark of a Christian, but we have to be intentional about it. So I hope you’ll give it some thought.
9/27/20233 minutes
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Making A Difference at Work – 2

I’m challenging you—and myself—to begin each workday asking what you can do to make a positive difference where you work. There are any number of ways you can do this: in the way you work, in the quality of your work effort, and of course, in your interactions with the people you work with and for. Let’s think of some practical ways you could make a difference, no matter where you work. You can make a difference by adding something positive or eliminating something negative. The first and most important way you make a difference is by your very demeanor. Do you show up at work in negative mode, complaining too often, criticizing too much? That’s a negative that can be eliminated. So, first, you can show up each day in positive mode, with a smile on your face, greeting people in a friendly way, and keeping your words out of negative territory. And that applies, even if you’re working from home. You still have to show up, right? And the mood you are in shows up in your emails or on Zoom or Microsoft Teams – or however you connect with co-workers. Attitudes generally surface and complaining and griping attitudes come through rather clearly. I think many times we are more negative than we realize. So, here’s a suggestion: Determine for just one day that you will not say anything negative all day long. Set that as your goal—to get through one entire day without being negative. Pray about it at the beginning of your day and ask God to help you remember not to say anything negative all day. If you do that, you may be surprised to see how many times you begin a negative comment, and you have to stop in the middle of your sentence. Then go the extra mile and determine what you can do to put something positive in your day at work. More smiles, encouraging emails, respectful responses, sincere compliments—there are so many ways to make a positive difference. You just have to remember to do it.
9/26/20233 minutes
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Making A Difference at Work

What difference are you making where you work? You may recall that in his inaugural speech, President Kennedy made this now famous statement: “Ask not what your country can do for you, but ask what you can do for your country.” So instead of asking: “What difference does my work make?” ask instead, “What difference can I make at work?” When you approach your everyday work with the attitude of what you can give instead of what can you get, it will make a significant difference in your effectiveness on the job. And it will make a difference in your effectiveness as a representative of Jesus Christ. Some time ago I was introduced to a website called wildaboutwork.com and found some really good thoughts there. With the permission of the author, Curt, I’m using some of his ideas this week. As Christ-followers, we must continually remind ourselves that every part of our lives is sacred. There are no secular/sacred categories for us. As I’ve often said, for a disciple of Jesus Christ, working in what we would classify as a secular organization should be as sacred as working in a church or becoming a missionary. Our calling should be as clear as any of those who we classify as being in “full time Christian service.” It’s unfortunate that this terminology is used because it simply is not biblical. Every believer is in full time Christian service—or should be. Therefore, we definitely should have a different attitude toward our work and our coworkers and our employers. And we should approach our work each day with this attitude of “what difference can I make today?” So, your first challenge is to make sure you go to work each day with the right attitude. I know that’s not always easy to do because you work in some difficult situations. But as a believer, you can do all things through Christ who gives you strength, and I suggest you start each day asking God for an attitude adjustment. I have no doubt that if you daily ask God to give you the right attitude toward your work and ask him to give you a desire to make a difference, he will do it.
9/25/20233 minutes
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The Discipline of Community

Presented by Lisa Bishop We were never meant to do this life alone. We need to be supportive and receive the support of community. I was reminded of this the other day as I was walking along the lake in Chicago. It was beautiful outside. The sun was shining, there was a cool breeze and the rays of light were bouncing off the blue water. As I was taking in the scenery, I caught a glimpse of a mother duck and her ducklings. It was the cutest thing to see about 10 baby ducks bobbing up and down in the waves, furiously wiggling and flapping their little feet to keep up. At first, I noticed the ducklings were in an ununiformed cluster behind their mom, easily being tossed around by the ripples in the water. If the smallest waves came, they would easily drift away from the group. And then, I saw something fascinating. Within a few minutes the ducklings were making every effort to form a line. It reminded me of the proverbial picture of getting your ducks in a row. It took a lot of paddling, determination, and effort but low and behold, when the baby ducks finally formed a line, their journey seemed a bit smoother. It turns out that when a duckling swims on its own, it kicks up waves in its wake, using up energy that would otherwise send it surging ahead. That wave drag resists the duckling’s motion so it stays stagnant; and if they fall out of position, swimming gets even harder. But when they form a line instead of swimming alone, they experience 158 percent less wave drags which means the duckling gets a boost. Swimming in a collective and unified manner isn’t just beneficial for baby ducks, we all need the boost that “paddling together,” forming connection, brings. Because you were never meant to swim alone. You are created for companionship and connection. We know this, yet sometimes we can fall into the trap of isolation and forget that building and being in community is vital to thriving in life and faith. So, I want to talk about the discipline of community. It sounds kind of weird to think of community in those terms, but if you think about it, creating and participating in community, well, it takes hard work and it takes discipline. One way I have heard discipline defined is, “Training used to establish desired habits and expected to produce a specific character or pattern of behavior, especially training that produces moral or mental improvement.” When you practice discipline, you are acknowledging that something can be difficult to create, attain, and sustain. That it takes effort, intentionality, consistency, and commitment over the long haul. Building a healthy community is an investment; it takes time, it is not always easy, but in the end it’s worth it. I think these days we are more and more prone to the idea of self-sufficiency and we neglect the impact of community. We think that we can experience life alone, go through struggles alone, and even follow Jesus alone. But that is not how God designed you, it’s not how he designed me or anyone else for that matter. If you think about it, Jesus didn’t live alone. He had a close circle of three; Peter, James, and John. And we know that he also had the twelve disciples and others that were his faithful companions. They formed circles of intimacy with one another, and you and I need the same. No matter how you’re wired—whether you are an introvert, extrovert, find it easy to socialize and engage in conversation or you tend towards social anxiety—something in your soul longs for meaningful relationships with other humans. We long to know others and be known by them. We treasure friendships that allow us to truly “be ourselves.” All of us long for a deep, authentic community. It’s hard-wired in you because God created you in his image, he created you for community. And the basis of community is found in the Trinity. The Trinity shows us that God himself is community. Before God created Adam and Eve,
9/23/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Wisdom on Discipline – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If you were to take a step back and notice some of the habits in your life, what would you see? The other day I got out of bed at my typical 6am wake-up time. For the past several years I have disciplined myself to get up early, and now I don’t even need an alarm clock. That has not always been the case! It required creating habits one day and action at a time. I’ve also made it my daily morning routine to drink a glass of water and read my Bible, and workout three or four times week for 30 minutes. Getting in some physical activity in the morning helps me tremendously not only physically but also mentally and emotionally. If I am honest sometimes the last thing I want to do is roll out of bed and pull up a HIIT video on YouTube. But in those moments, if I do what I feel like doing instead of staying the course, committed to my goals, it can be easy for me to fall off the workout wagon and lack the diligence of being disciplined. As you reflect on your life, what area might be suffering due to a lack of discipline? In other words, what habits are working for you…or not? Some habits in your life are productive and beneficial and some are downright destructive and can detour you from the person you want to be and the goals you want to achieve. For example, creating the habit of eating healthy and working out can prove to be beneficial. The habit of being reactive and easily offended or angered, not so much. Repeated actions, reactions, and choices become engrained and turn into habits whether intentional or not. When you consciously and deliberately exert discipline, you train yourself to establish desired habits that lead to desired outcomes in your life, work, and relationships. And as a follower of Jesus, you need to discipline yourself with the truth of God’s Word so that your character is molded and shaped to Jesus and your behaviors reflect his divine nature. For example, are you in the habit of extending forgiveness or do you hold onto resentment? Do you practice humility or are you prideful or boastful? Are you easily put off if someone has a differing viewpoint or opinion or do you listen and show respect for the other person? When a person does or says something that needs to be addressed, do you demonstrate courage and have direct conversations, or do you gossip about them behind their back? Ultimately as followers of Jesus, we should lead disciplined lives—set apart from the patterns of the world. Not only does your spiritual thriving count on it, but your witness does also. If you have behaviors that mimic the sinfulness of the world, your spiritual ability to reach others is lost. Instead, strive to be a signpost to Jesus and live a disciplined life. A life of holiness that shines in the darkness and stands in contrast to the behavior of the surrounding culture. As you live disciplined and set apart in your lifestyle, you will draw attention to Jesus.
9/22/20233 minutes
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Wisdom on Discipline – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you living free? The other day I was sitting in my kitchen with some friends having a conversation about our teen-aged years and some of the stupid things we did. I didn’t become a follower of Jesus until I was in my 20’s so I had plenty of time to live my version of “freedom” and make choices that I would later look back on with regret. And not that you must be young to be foolish. There are plenty of unwise decisions we can make, and temptations we can fall into, even as adult followers of Jesus. We live in a world that says, “Follow your impulses.” “Do what feels good in the moment.” “Act on what is right for you.” And we call this freedom. The dictionary defines freedom as, “Being able or allowed to do, say, think, whatever you want to, without being controlled or limited.” But true freedom is not the liberty to do as you please. True freedom requires discipline. To say that there is freedom in discipline can almost sound like an oxymoron. But in his letter to the Church in Rome the Apostle Paul alludes to the impact of the lack of discipline that leads to false freedom and ultimately leads to sin. “As long as you did what you felt like doing, ignoring God, you didn’t have to bother with right thinking or right living, or right anything for that matter. But do you call that a free life? What did you get out of it? Nothing you’re proud of now. Where did it get you? A dead end” (Romans 6:20-21, MSG). The world says, “Do what you want, when you want,” and calls it freedom. Jesus looks at satisfying the flesh as sin and calls it bondage. In Galatians 5:1 Paul emphatically says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” You are a slave to whatever you let master you and influence your actions, words, and behavior. When it comes to true liberation, true freedom, it will require you to omit things in your life that do not reflect your salvation. Or said in another way, discipline yourself to get rid of unprincipled choices that gratify the flesh and do not reflect the holiness of God. Where in your life is lack of discipline crippling your freedom in Christ? What thoughts or actions are ruling you rather than being guided by God and put under the authority of Jesus? It is for freedom that Christ has set you free! Confess to God and thank him that his Holy Spirit not only guides you but empowers you to live a life of true liberty through the discipline of freedom.
9/21/20233 minutes
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Wisdom on Discipline – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What is your state of mind? The other day I came across a picture some friends had snapped while standing under a neon sign that read, “Sunshine state of mind.” Being in Florida, otherwise known as “The Sunshine State,” I thought the sign was a clever play on words. It also got me thinking. What state is your mind in? If you take intentional time to consider where your head space is these days, what would you say? In other words, what is your mental state? What thoughts has your mind been fixing on? These are important questions to ask yourself because the thoughts you dwell on, your mindset, what you set your mind on, matters. The thoughts you allow yourself to linger on will not only impact the quality of your life but the trajectory of it too. Because where your thoughts go your life will follow. The apostle Paul talks about the importance of paying attention to the state of your mind in 2 Corinthians 10:5: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Take captive every thought. Here Paul is calling out anything that comes against the gospel of Jesus Christ, the truth of God’s Word, and he makes it clear that your thoughts are one type of stronghold that can hold you hostage. In other words, any false thinking, every thought you have that is not in alignment with the truth of who God is, who you are, how you see others, are to be obliterated and made obedient to Jesus. And, as you realign your mind to come under the authority of Christ, you encourage others to do the same. Your mind is a battleground, and you must make sure that you don’t allow Satan’s deceptions to gain a foothold. Your thoughts can become a fortress holding you captive to false thinking. Jesus wants you to submit your thoughts to him so that he rules your thoughts rather than you being ruined by the enemy! So, what is your state of mind? Are you dwelling on thoughts of defeat, unworthiness, jealousy, anger, pity, superiority? What thoughts are holding you captive and running your life that need to be held captive and made obedient to Christ? This is a friendly reminder to expose every wrong thought by the light of Scripture and in every single place you encounter wrong thinking, fight against that with the truth of God’s Word. Discipline your mind.
9/20/20233 minutes
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Wisdom on Discipline – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) In the Bible, discipline refers to moral training, instruction, and correction; and the outcome is spiritual growth, character development, and Christian maturity. Discipline is not meant to be a killjoy. Quite the opposite. As Hebrews 12:11 says, “No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” While all of God’s Word is full of rich and practical training and instruction for our everyday lives the book of Proverbs is solely dedicated to this end. The opening verses of Proverbs say, Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (Proverbs 1:1-7, NLT). The bottom line in these opening verses is don’t be a fool, respect and revere the Lord, desire wisdom and discipline. The book of Proverbs is a reminder that you must be in the Word of God, meditating on biblical truths, so that you grow in wisdom and spiritual maturity. This devotional is a spiritual snack; but make sure you make time to feast on the Scriptures so that your character in Christ grows and you reap the full benefits of thriving as a beloved daughter or son of God.  And when it comes to discipline and character development, in addition to spending time hanging out in the Word, also be mindful of who you hang out with. As Proverbs 1:10 warns, “My child, if sinners entice you, turn your back on them!” In other words, if someone's lifestyle and behaviors draw you away from Jesus, reevaluate your relationships. Studies have shown that you are the average of the five people you are with the most. Who you spend time with influences the person you eventually become. The kind of people you interact with has an impact on your thoughts, beliefs and behaviors. So be disciplined and invest time in the Word, and be vigilant with who you do life with. Choose your companions wisely.
9/19/20233 minutes
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Wisdom on Discipline

Have you ever found yourself living in regret? Maybe you have made a poor decision or series of not so wise choices and now you are paying the price so to speak? The other day I was sitting in a coffee shop waiting to meet up with a friend when I noticed a pen sitting on the table in front of me. I could tell that it had something written on it so I picked it up, and scribed on the side were the words, “I choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret.” I think it was a slogan for a weight loss program but as I read those words I thought, “Wow, what a great motto for life.” Whether you want to lose 30 pounds, improve your sleep habits, learn a new language or land a promotion, achieving your goals will require discipline. Choosing what you want most over what you want now.  That requires something that we all find challenging at times, delayed gratification. “I really want that donut, but I want better physical health more.” “I want to scroll on social media before bedtime but getting eight hours of sleep is more important to me.” “I want to do just enough to get by at work but my greater desire is career advancement.” What you want over the long haul will require you to kick in some self-restraint in the here and now. It will call upon you to resist short-term temptation for the longer-term satisfaction of reaching your goals. First Corinthians 10:13 is a verse I memorized years ago that is my go to reminder in times when my self-control is tested. “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand. When you are tempted, he will show you a way out so that you can endure” (1 Corinthians 10:13 NLT). Did you notice that? “Not “if” you are tempted but “when” you are tempted!” Being lured into less than helpful habits is a part of life, but you have the faithfulness of God to help you by the power of his Holy Spirit. A fruit of the Holy Spirit is self-control which means you have the ability to master your desires, passions, and appetite! I know it is easier said than done. And if we get a little honest, sometimes we don’t want to forgo a desire in the now because it feels good. But as a follower of Jesus, you are not to be ruled by your feelings and impulses. So, when you are lured into a behavior that you know will not be beneficial in the long run, remember, choose the pain of discipline now over the pain of regret later.
9/18/20233 minutes
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Evaluating Your Work Habits

Let's look at some common areas where our work habits may need to be reinforced. Good work habits require discipline and commitment, but they produce good work, good reputations, happy managers, career advancement, and good testimonies. So, it's really important to stay on top of these things. Working with Excellence As I was teaching Genesis in my Sunday Bible study some time ago, I was very impressed with Joseph. Well, I've always been impressed with Joseph; he is definitely my kind of man. But did you ever think about how Joseph climbed the ladder in Egypt and achieved such outstanding success? It was because he was a very hard-working, very honest, very dependable person. It reminded me again of the opportunity we have on our jobs to establish strong testimonies for our Lord Jesus Christ simply by our work habits. I'm certain Joseph also talked about his faith in his God, but his words would have been empty had he not established a flawless reputation for excellence and integrity. What's it like with you on your job? Have you let some of your good work habits slip? For example, the habit of being dependably on time every day. You may feel like it doesn’t make any difference whether you’re on time or not. Maybe most people aren’t, so you use that as an excuse. And that applies whether you work on site or not. If you are working from home and if there is an established start time, it’s important to honor that start time and be ready to go on time. It's easy to let yourself off the hook when you aren't doing the right thing—finding someone or something to blame it on. But it’s really important to remind yourself that your work habits are sending messages about you every day on your job. And any of us can have a strong testimony for Jesus through our good work habits. There are no good excuses for being careless or sloppy or lazy or uncaring. Remember this verse from Colossians: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, . . . since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving (Colossians 3:23-24). That "whatever" includes even boring work. It includes work done for a difficult manager. It includes work done in difficult situations. But when we work with all our hearts for the Lord, we will receive a reward. It won't go unnoticed. Being Dependable Dependability is one of the most important assets you can have on your job—or anywhere else. And everybody can be dependable! Are you careless about those little things? Do you make sure you do what you promise, and keep others informed when something goes wrong? Have you ever scheduled someone to come do some work at your home, and they were either a no-show or arrived very late? No doubt they had some kind of an excuse for their lack of dependability, but how did that make you feel? Now, obviously there are times when it becomes impossible for us to keep a commitment we’ve made. Something beyond our control has happened. But a dependable person will make sure to communicate as quickly as possible when that does happen. A phone call, a text, an email—it’s not usually difficult to let someone know that we’re going to miss a commitment. People are usually willing to give us a break if we simply keep them informed. Even though you may be a very good worker, lack of attention to these kinds of details can cause you to have a reputation for being undependable. I've seen that happen to many people; they do good work, but they forget things too easily, don't keep track of commitments, are poorly organized and structured so that things fall between the cracks too often. It's not an attitude problem, but a problem with their work habits. I don’t want to step on any toes, so to speak, but I just want to strongly reinforce the importance of good work habits, especially for those of us who are believers. I would hope that your co-workers know about your faith in Jesus Christ; the...
9/16/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Presenting Your Body as a Living Sacrifice – 5

The last body part to present is probably the most important. You pray: "Here's my heart, Lord. Put in my heart your love and compassion for all the people I will see today.” Do you find it difficult to like some of the people you deal with each day? All of us do, don't we? But with our hearts given to God as living sacrifices, then he is free to give us his love for people, and we'll start to discover that we care about people we never cared about before. Then close by saying, "Lord, I present my body to you as a sacrifice that will live for you today, not for me. I do this by faith and trust you for the reality.” It's important that you understand we do this by faith. There may be absolutely no feelings associated with it. But God will honor that obedience on your part and you'll be amazed to see the changes that start to happen in your life. I believe you will be much more aware when your feet are trying to take you somewhere you shouldn't go; when you’re doing something with your hands that is not Christ-honoring; when your eyes and ears are focused on things that are harmful; when your tongue is saying words it should not say, when your mind is dwelling on the wrong things; when your heart is not loving and kind toward others. I would encourage you to take the Word of God literally, and put every part of your body before the Lord as a sacrifice. If you'll sincerely do that on a regular basis, you're going to discover that you'll be learning what it means to present your body as a living sacrifice. And you'll discover how exciting and rewarding it is to see that God can and does use you in ways you never imagined.
9/15/20233 minutes
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Presenting Your Body as a Living Sacrifice – 4

Romans 12 tells us to present our bodies as a living sacrifice to God, for this is a reasonable service. We do this by remembering at the beginning of each day to present our bodies as a living sacrifice. For example, you can pray: "Lord, here are my eyes; I want to see as you see. Here are my ears; may I listen to what you would listen to.” If your eyes and ears are committed to God each day as living sacrifices, you’re going to be much more careful about what you look at and hear, don't you think? There are going to be television programs and movies you'll never watch because they are not pure and clean. There are going to be YouTube videos and some podcasts you’ll never watch or listen to because they contain immoral and unedifying material. Also, you’ll be able to see this world and other people through the eyes of Jesus, and that perspective will make incredible changes in your everyday actions and reactions. Here's another part of your body to give over to God: "Lord, I give you my tongue today. I ask you to control all the words formed by my tongue, that they be words of help and healing.” My, how powerful our words are. The Bible tells us they have the power of life or death. I want to choose my words carefully so that they are words of life and they refresh others. A tongue that is presented to God each day as a living sacrifice will be an instrument of peace, it will be non-judgmental, it will speak words of encouragement. You can also pray: "Lord, my brain is yours; I want to think your thoughts.” It is very important that you present your mind to God, asking him to control your thoughts and reasoning processes. I strongly encourage you to consider doing this regularly—presenting parts of your body individually to God each day, being reminded of what it means to be a living sacrifice. It is one of the best ways to prepare yourself for the day ahead, because it reminds you that you are not your own, you are bought with a price. And therefore, your body—every part of it—should be a living sacrifice all day long every day.
9/14/20233 minutes
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Presenting Your Body as a Living Sacrifice – 3

How do I apply the passage in Romans 12:1-2, where we are admonished to give our bodies as living sacrifices? How do we do that? Well, here's what I often do. At the beginning of my day. I literally go through the parts of my body and relinquish each of them to God's service for the day, like this: "Lord, here are my feet. They are yours today. May I walk as Jesus would walk, go where you want me to go.” If my feet are given to God as a living sacrifice, for sure there will be places that I won't go, because Jesus wouldn't go there. Such places as social scenes that would cause me to compromise. But that's probably the easy part. Feet that are living sacrifices will take me places I might not think of going otherwise. I'll go to people who need me, I'll be in places of worship, I'll use my feet to take me where Jesus would go so that I can minister to them as Jesus would. Then I continue to present my body as a living sacrifice: "Here are my hands, Lord. I give them to you today so that what I do with them will bring honor to you.” Hands that are given over to God will be busy servant hands, doing things for others. Once while visiting a dear godly woman, her husband commented that she was always on the clean-up crew at church, staying behind and mopping and cleaning when everyone else had left. She replied, "I do it for Jesus, so what difference does it make if I'm mopping?” Those are hands given to God as a living sacrifice. Nothing is too menial for them to do; nothing too hard; nothing beneath them. So, our hands and feet are a good place to start with as a daily living sacrifice. Wherever you are right now—wherever you're headed—would you offer your hands and feet as a living sacrifice? Tell the Lord that you want them to be in his control, not yours. You may be surprised to see what God wants to do with your hands and feet when they are living sacrifices.
9/13/20233 minutes
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Presenting Your Body as a Living Sacrifice – 2

You've probably heard lots of sermons on Romans 12:1-2, where we are told to offer our bodies as living sacrifices. Does that mean check into a monastery, walk on hot coals, throw ourselves to the lions? We want to get a biblical view of what it means to present your body as a living sacrifice. This sacrifice is a living one, not dead. That's encouraging. Presenting our bodies does not imply some physical death or bodily punishment. But what does it mean? Well, we read in Romans 6:19b: Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. Did you ever realize that you've been offering your body as a sacrifice all along? It's true; we all do it throughout life. For example, when you relinquish your feet to go where sin takes you, to the wrong places, your feet are slaves to impurity and wickedness. When your tongue speaks words that hurt and harm, your hands to do things that are not pleasing to God, your eyes and ears see and hear the trash of this world, that’s what it means to sacrifice parts of your body to impurity. And we’ve all done it. Some people sacrifice their bodies to meaningless and trivial things. While they might not be classified as evil, their hands and feet, eyes and ears, tongues and hearts are sacrificed to time-consuming activities that are largely insignificant. But, as a child of God, you and I have the opportunity to offer our bodies as a living sacrifice to bring glory to Jesus. Instead of using your body in acts of evil and triviality, you can, if you choose to, be a part of God's eternal plan and have his power working through your body. Then your hands and eyes and feet and tongue—and all your other body parts—will be living sacrifices to God instead of to evil. And this leads to holiness in your life. Presenting your body as a living sacrifice begins to sound more like a privilege than a drudgery, doesn't it? But the question remains: How do you offer your body as a living sacrifice? I've found some practical ways of doing that on a daily basis that have made a difference in my life.
9/12/20233 minutes
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Presenting Your Body as a Living Sacrifice

When I say the word "sacrifice," what comes to your mind? Some words I associate with "sacrifice" are relinquishing, giving away, losing. Not exactly words to warm our hearts, are they? At least, not our human hearts, which on their own are not prone to want to sacrifice anything. The first two verses of Romans 12 are about sacrifice: “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:1-2). There’s that word: sacrifice. Have you ever wondered exactly what it means to give your body as a living sacrifice? It conjures up visions of burning at the stake, being attacked by lions, and other similarly distasteful events. Then, when I think that my life is full of activity and schedules and commitments, I wonder how am I supposed to do all this and sacrifice at the same time? Well, it's good to note that it is to be a living sacrifice. This is not a sacrifice to take our lives away from us, but one that requires us to keep on living. But what does it mean to be a living sacrifice? A dictionary definition of sacrifice says: The surrender or destruction of something prized or desirable for the sake of something considered as having a higher claim. I think this definition comes close to what Paul had in mind. A living sacrifice would require surrender of something we all prize—our bodies—for something that has a higher purpose—worshiping the God of all creation, who has given us this life to begin with. But the question becomes: How do we live day in and day out as a living sacrifice to God? How do we offer our bodies as living sacrifices?
9/11/20233 minutes
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Evaluating Your Work Attitude

Let’s take a look at some key areas where our attitudes can easily start to go downhill, and then see what the Bible has to say.  I imagine you'll be able to relate to some of these. Griping and Complaining Have you ever been around someone who loved disasters and crises? I've run into that person on a job or two of mine. They gripe about everything and everybody and seem to really enjoy spreading any bad news they can dig up. Even when there's something good happening, they'll find the fly in the ointment and do their best to spoil the good times for everyone else. You know that person can get on your nerves after a while! It’s become normal and acceptable for employees to complain and gripe about the company and the management. How often do you hear coworkers complaining about the way the company is run, the pay scale, the work environment, the benefits—you name it.  And here’s the thing: When others start complaining and griping around us, we almost feel like we have to agree with them or join in because otherwise we’re kind of weird. And of course, we as Christ-followers are just as susceptible to this griping and complaining disease as anyone else. But the difference is—or should be—that we determine by God’s grace not to be a part of that scene. There's a verse in the Bible that addresses this: Do everything without complaining or arguing (Philippians 2:14). "Everything" leaves no room for fudging because it includes your unfair wages, the difficult boss, the annoying co-worker, the way the company treats you—and even the weather! Complaining is such a waste of energy and it's stressful on you as well as everyone around you! A friend of mine works for an organization that truly fights this griping culture from the top down.  And one of their work mottos is—simply—“No whining.” It’s an attitude that is encouraged because it makes such a difference in the work product as well as the environment. Attitudes really are contagious, and you can be a part of passing on to others a good attitude, a positive one. That doesn’t mean that you don’t recognize and, when necessary, confront issues that need to change. But griping and complaining never changed anything except to make things worse. As you do your job, ask God to keep you from complaining. Stop in mid-sentence if you have to and refuse to get caught up in this complaining tendency. In fact, I have a card taped to my desk that says, “Today I will not complain about anything!” Just a helpful reminder, and if you go to our website, you’ll find this devotional there and at the end a card that you can print and use as a reminder, too. Doing your job without complaining is one of the strongest testimonies you can have for Jesus Christ. Don't Like the Job Did you know that studies show that almost half of the people in the workplace report that they really don't like their jobs? Wow, that's rather discouraging. I can just visualize those thousands and thousands of people doing jobs each day and dreading it. Reminds me of that old commercial about the man whose job was to bake donuts everyday. You remember that one: "Time to make the donuts." You could just see it in his face and hear it in his voice; he hated to make those donuts. Can people see in your face and hear in your voice that you hate your job? I well remember having a new job which looked so interesting when I accepted it but was so boring once I began working there. I did not like the job content, and as a result, I didn’t work very hard, I couldn’t wait for the days to end, and I wanted to blame others—like my manager—for the fact that I didn’t like my job. You know, if you don’t like your job and that is affecting the way you work, you need to do some soul searching and pray about that attitude. There may be good reasons you don’t like your job, but there’s no good reason to harbor a bad attitude about it. There’s nothing wrong with looking for a different job where you’ll e...
9/9/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Convictions – 5

When doing the right thing causes an embarrassing situation, are you quick to chicken out? Fran and her friend, Barry, find themselves in such a dilemma. They agreed to go with some new friends, Max and Claire, to a movie, only to discover a few minutes into it that it's not the kind of thing they want to watch, even if it was rated PG-13. So Barry rather abruptly and decisively informed Max that he and Fran would meet them after the movie ended, and they headed out of the theater. Sitting next door at the coffee shop, waiting for the movie to end, Barry and Fran have an opportunity to discuss whether it was right to cause that little scene or just sit through the movie to avoid embarrassing their new friends. Barry is convinced that you never compromise your standards, and as they're finishing their coffee, they look up to see Max and Claire coming in. "Hey," Claire says, "I thought we'd find you here. We decided to leave, too." "Hi," Fran says; "I'm sorry about leaving so abruptly but. . ." "It was my decision, Claire," Barry interrupts. "And I do apologize if we embarrassed you. I just felt the movie was so far off base, that it was nothing either of us should watch." "Well, I thought it was pretty dumb myself," Max agrees. "What bugged me," Barry says, "was that they were portraying this angel in such an immoral way. I don't think Jesus would watch that movie, do you?" "No, I guess not," Max says, "I hadn't thought about that. . ." "You know, what I've finally decided is that you have to set standards and then stick to them. Often as Christians we lower our standards a little bit here and a little bit there, and all of a sudden, we're on a slippery slope downhill." And with that, a long discussion begins, giving Barry and Fran a wonderful opportunity to share and to encourage their new friends in their walk as Christians. It turned into a wonderful evening, actually. On the way home, Fran takes Barry's hand. "I was so proud to be with you tonight, Barry. You were incredible. Thank you so much for taking that stand and handling it so beautifully." "Thanks, Fran," he says, "but you weren't real sure at first, were you?" "Well, you know me, I want to avoid conflict at any cost; sometimes you just can't do that, can you?" she comments. "Not if you want to be a true disciple," Barry agrees. "And by the way, I was proud to be with you too. But then I always am.” She smiles at him. What a man! Quietly she thanks Jesus for the courage and character Barry showed.
9/8/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Convictions – 4

Did you ever find yourself in the middle of a compromising situation but you didn't know how to extricate yourself? Fran and Barry are about to find themselves in such a predicament. A new couple, Max and Claire, from their singles' group at church asked them to have dinner and go to a movie with them this Saturday evening, and wanting to build bridges of friendship, they agreed. After a nice dinner, Max suggests a movie about an angel. Fran and Barry know nothing of it, but Claire assures them it's okay because it's rated PG-13. So, they get settled into the theater with their popcorn, looking forward to a lighthearted funny movie. About ten minutes into the movie, Fran begins to feel nervous. This portrayal of an angel is about as far from a biblical angel as one can get. She can tell that Barry is not comfortable with it either. After a few more minutes, Barry puts his arm around Fran and whispers in her ear, "We can't sit through this movie, Fran. This is trash—a fornicating angel. No way; we have to leave." "I agree it's a rotten movie," she whispers back, "but wouldn't it be rather embarrassing to Max and Claire for us to leave?" "I'll take care of that, Fran, don't worry," he says, and with that he whispers something to Max and then takes Fran's hand as they head out of the theater. As they get to the lobby, Fran is flushed. "What did you tell Max?" she asks. "I just said we were uncomfortable with the movie, and we'd meet them right outside the lobby when it's over. C'mon, let's go get a cup of coffee." "But Barry, I'm not sure we did the right thing. These are new friends we're trying to build a relationship with; what must they think of us?" Fran asks. "I really think we should have discussed it first." "Fran, how were we going to discuss it there in the movie theater?" Barry asks. "Would you want to be watching that movie if Jesus returned right now?" "No," Fran says, "but I just feel badly for Max and Claire." "Trust me, Fran," Barry says, "we did the right thing." As they have a cup of coffee, the air between them becomes heavy. Fran feels Barry should have been more considerate of her feelings in this matter. Yet she can't deny that his decision was right. Sensing her uneasiness, Barry says, "Are you upset with me? I didn't see any other options, Fran, and when you're with me, I consider it my responsibility to keep our environment above reproach. I believe I'm accountable to God for where I escort you, Fran. That's why I made that decision." She looks at him in amazement. "I'm seeing a side of you I've never seen before, Barry," she says. "I hope you like it okay," Barry says with a smile, "because I like every side I've seen of you, Fran." How can she stay upset with a man like this? But what about Max and Claire?
9/7/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Convictions – 3

We're continuing our story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. Barry, Fran’s friend, just lost a new account, and it's become obvious that he lost it because of his strong Christian principles. Fran has had more trouble accepting this than Barry, but after talking to Jesus, she realizes this is not a fight that can be undertaken with the weapons of the world, but it must be fought with prayer. Now, this Saturday morning, Fran is thinking of what she can do to lift Barry's spirit, and she gets an idea. She calls Barry and says, "Hey, instead of going out to dinner tonight, let me prepare a quiet dinner for the two of us and we'll have our own little celebration, to celebrate the victory that God is going to win for you!" "Hey, Fran," Barry says, "you're a doll to think of that, but did you forget—we promised Max and Claire that we'd have dinner with them and catch a movie." "Oh, right," Fran says, "I did forget. Bummer! I'd much rather have a quiet celebration with you.” "Yeah, me too," Barry says, "but Max and Claire are new at church, and we need to get to know them better." So, Fran gets busy with all her Saturday chores and errands before time to go out. They meet Max and Claire at a nice little Italian restaurant and enjoy some good pasta and then leave for the movie. "Hey, what movie do you want to go to?" Barry asks. Max suggests a movie rated PG-13 and they agree it sounds okay. But Fran has a funny feeling in her stomach. Hollywood isn't trustworthy and sometimes their PG-13s are more like R-rated, and she’s concerned about this one since she doesn’t know anything about it. As they wait in line for tickets, Fran says to Barry on the side, "I wonder about this movie, don't you, Barry? What if it's no good?" "We'll leave," Barry says quietly. "Well, we can't just leave Max and Claire," Fran says, somewhat startled. "We don't watch junk, right Fran," Barry says as he takes her arm and they go into the theater. Well, Fran wanted a strong man with lots of character—I'd say Barry seems to be living up to her expectations!
9/6/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Convictions – 2

Have you ever suffered a setback in your career because of your Christian lifestyle? Fran's friend, Barry, has just had that painful experience. He was in line to be awarded a big new national account, but it was given to a less-qualified person. And the unspoken but clear reason for this decision by upper management is that Barry's Christian principles prohibit him from being a part of the acceptable "party and drinking scene" which this client seems to expect. Fran is upset because Barry is not going to fight the decision. Driving home from work this Friday afternoon, after a long discussion with Barry which almost turned into an argument, she says to Jesus, "Lord, this is not fair. Barry should stand up for his rights. You don't expect us to just lay down and roll over when we're treated unfairly, do you?" "Fran," Jesus quietly replies, "don't you remember what I said in the Sermon on the Mount?" "You mean the 'turn the other cheek' part? Yes, but Lord does that mean we're supposed to be door mats? What kind of testimony is that?" Fran replies. "Fran," Jesus continues, "you should know by now that as a follower of me, you don't live by the same rules as others. The weapons you fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds." "Yeah, I know," Fran says, "but it's just so hard to accept it. I feel so bad for Barry. He's such a great guy and he would handle that account imminently better than Lloyd. It's just so hard...." "Remember, Fran," Jesus says, "this is not the end of the story. Barry said he was letting go and trusting me, and you're going to have to do the same thing." "He's a lot better at that than I am," Fran says. "It almost seems like he's a little wimpy. But I guess…." "Don't confuse acceptance and submission with weakness, Fran," Jesus reminds her. "It takes a lot more character and strength to let go than it does to fight." That evening she and Barry talk on the phone, and they agree this is a matter that only God can adequately resolve. So, they pray together about it, and Fran tells Jesus she will indeed let go of it. "I really admire your ability to trust God, Barry," Fran says, "even in the midst of a disappointment. I've learned a lesson by watching how you're handling this." "Gee, Fran," Barry says, "I don't feel like I'm handling it so great. It still hurts, but I believe if I fight it, I'll just mess things up worse. Have to tell you, though, I was already spending that additional income. There's something I want to buy. . . oh, well, in God's time." Fran wonders what he's talking about, but she's afraid to ask!
9/5/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Convictions

For those who aren't familiar with the Fran stories, Fran is a young widow with two school-aged children, who has a job in a marketing organization. We've been following her story since she went back to work after her husband's untimely death, and several years have passed. Now she has a relationship with a man named Barry, who is a strong Christian, and their romance has brought a bright spot into Fran's life—as well as a few struggles and conflicts! She and Barry work together and both are account reps with good track records and success. Their hard work and honesty have paid off, and they are held in high esteem by their management and coworkers. This Friday morning Fran is really excited for Barry, because she expects he will be awarded a big new national account. He's the right person for that account, and their manager, Marilyn, has indicated that she recommended him. The final decision is to be made today, so it's been hard for Fran to stay focused. The phone rings just about lunch time, and it's her friend and fellow believer, Louise. "Hi, Fran," Louise says, "just wanted to tell you how sorry I am for Barry." "What do you mean, Louise?" Fran asks with a lump in her throat. "Oh, no, you haven't heard! Oh, I'm sorry. Barry didn't get the new account; it went to Lloyd." "Lloyd? Why Lloyd?" Fran asks in bewilderment. "Lloyd isn't nearly as qualified as Barry - and Marilyn told Barry. . ." "I know, I know," Louise says, "nobody knows why Lloyd got it instead of Barry. I just feel so bad for Barry." "Thanks for letting me know, Louise," Fran says. "I need to find Barry. Talk to you later." She hangs up and calls Barry; no answer. His office is up on the next floor, but she just can't sit still and wait any longer. So she heads for his office, taking the shortcut up the stairwell. As she's going up, Barry is coming down. "Oh, Barry," Fran says, "I was headed for your office. Louise just told me. . ." "Yeah, can you believe it?” He looks at her with a slight grin. "Marilyn told me Lloyd was selected because of his quote 'experience with entertaining large national accounts.'" "What did she mean?" Fran asks. "Oh, I think it's clear—somebody decided that I wouldn't be willing to wine and dine this client as they expect to be," Barry replies. "You mean because you're a Christian and they know you don't carouse like some of the other reps do?" Fran replies. "Barry, that's discrimination. Didn't you protest to Marilyn?" "Look, she feels as badly about it as I do," Barry says, "and she's a fairly new believer, so I'm not going to hassle her, Fran." "You mean, you're not going to fight this, Barry?” Fran can't believe her ears. "No, I prayed about it, and I have to trust God and let it go," Barry tells her. Whoa, would you be willing to do that? Shouldn't Barry fight for what is rightly his?
9/4/20233 minutes
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Dying for Lack of Discipline

Even though the topic of discipline is one of those non-emotional topics which doesn't bring tears to anyone's eyes or generate a great deal of response, it’s so essential to our lives in so many ways. To ignore the need for discipline in our lives is to invite disaster. Proverbs says, "fools despise wisdom and discipline," (Proverbs 1:7) and " whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame” (Proverbs 13:18). It also tells us that a person who ignores discipline despises himself, and that a person can die from lack of discipline! But we are told in Proverbs 6:23 that "the corrections of discipline are the way to life." The Book of Proverbs is an excellent book to guide us in the necessary disciplines for a fruitful life. In the first chapter, verse 2, we see that the whole book of Proverbs was written for "receiving instruction in prudent behavior.” Well, how about you? Does discipline come easy or hard for you? Maybe it's easy in some places and hard in others. That's what I find in my life. I've got some disciplines going really well but other disciplines are lacking. I've noticed that I often miss the mark on what we call some small areas where I need to be more disciplined. But they're not really small to God because when I refuse to be disciplined even in small areas, it is in fact rebellion against God—against his control in those areas of my life. I find myself rationalizing: "Well, I'm really a very disciplined person in the important areas; these are just little nits that don't amount to anything.” Or the rationalization which says, "Look, you're so disciplined in most areas of your life, you deserve some time off for good behavior. You've earned your right to be undisciplined here in these little things.” But that lack of discipline is not just a little shortcoming on my part; lack of discipline is sin. James 4:17 tells us that "Anyone, then, who knows the good he ought to do and doesn't do it, it is sin for them.” So, let's call lack of discipline what it is, even in those small areas: sin. That way we get God's view of the situation, and we're more likely to get serious about putting necessary disciplines in our lives. Let's talk about some typical areas where discipline is often lacking. First, there's procrastination; putting off to a later time what we could and should do right now. Funny how we can find all the energy we need to do things we like to do, but we're just too exhausted or too busy to get to those more unpleasant things, so we procrastinate. Can you relate to that? Here's a motto that I strongly encourage you to adopt: Do it right and do it now!  That's a totally biblical principle. We're told in Ecclesiastes that “whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might” (9:10), and Jesus warned his disciples that “as long as it is day, we must do the works of him who sent me. Night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4). Do it right and do it now! If that's a discipline lacking in your life? Are your talents wasting, your goals unfulfilled, your plans and programs never getting off the ground because you keep procrastinating? It is truly a deadly bad habit. Where have you been procrastinating lately? Why don't you do it right and do it now, and get it off your mind? You'd be surprised how much those procrastinations are rattling around in your brain, gumming up the works, slowing down the thinking processes, keeping you from being optimally effective. Clear the mind; do those things you know you should do. Whether they're little ones or giant ones, they begin with the first step. If you're like me, I'm okay once I make the first step. But oh my, it's so difficult to make that first step sometimes. Another area where our discipline can be lacking is that of being faithful—doing what you said you'd do. Do you know people who glibly offer to help, or promise to do something, but they have a tendency to let those things slide, forget about them,
9/2/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Become A Barnabas on the Job – 5

Would you say that you could use a little encouragement? It could be that you’re just discouraged. Things aren’t going the way you want them to, finances are difficult, your health may not be the best, relationships could be strained and unpleasant. Life has a way of sapping our joy, doesn’t it? It could be that you truly need some encouragement right now. Well, if so, I want to suggest you follow the three principles of sowing and reaping, which are: You reap what you sow. You reap in a different season than you sow. You reap more than you sow. Therefore, if you need encouragement, then sow some encouragement. Encourage someone else, and that seed of encouragement will come back to you in abundance. It may not come right away, but it will come. You will reap encouragement in season, even more than you can imagine. Isaiah 1:17 reminds us, “Learn to do right! Seek justice, encourage the oppressed.” The Apostle Paul was continually encouraging people and admonishing new believers to be encouragers. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11 he said, “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”  Notice how he complimented them while at the same time encouraging them to encourage each other. This should be a trademark of a Christian—to be an encouraging person. And becoming an encourager is something all of us can do. I trust these simple ideas I’ve shared with you will cause you to stop and think about what you can do to be a more effective encourager—to be a Barnabas in your workplace.
9/1/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job – 4

Here are a few more simple things you can do to become a Barnabas—an encourager—where you work: Be a good employee. It’s not always easy to submit to your boss, but that is what Christians in the workplace are to do. When given instructions, follow them—unless they would cause you to betray your integrity. Just being a good employee will be encouraging to your boss, if no one else, but it also sets a good example for others. Take second place. Be willing to be the last in line, to take the worst seat, to let someone else take credit. That’s not easy to do sometimes, but it’s the servant attitude that Jesus had, and we need to have it as well. Apologize. If you’ve made a mistake, done something you should not have done, said something you should not have said, own up to it as soon as possible and simply apologize. A friend of mine says the biggest difference between her and her coworkers who are not believers is that she apologizes more than they do! Well, an apology can go a long way toward relieving tension in relationships, and it will indeed be an act of encouragement. Truthfully, how many encouraging words do you hear in a normal day? In many work environments, they are few and far between. But if you become a Barnabas on your job, and with sincerity you offer words of encouragement, you will become a beacon of light in that world. So, you can become a Barnabas—a person who refuses to be discouraged, and instead, offers words of encouragement to those around you. It’s what Jesus would do, and this is one simple but important way you can be his ambassador right where you work.
8/31/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job – 3

I’m encouraging you to become a Barnabas where you work. And you do that by deciding to do things for people that will encourage them. These ideas I’m sharing with you are often very small things that take little time or money, but they can truly make a difference. So, here are some more creative ways you can be a Barnabas on the job: Offer to help your boss. Really, you could ask your boss what you could do to help him or her, especially if you know that your boss is under a lot of pressure. Bosses need help just like everybody else, yet often they are overlooked. Be sensitive to the sniffles. If someone is under the weather, send a note or offer to help with the workload. Acknowledge good work. When a coworker does something well, you could acknowledge it with a word, or an email, or a written note, just to let them know that someone notices the effort they put into a job and it was appreciated. Offer to pray for a coworker. There are times when a coworker shares a worry or concern with you, either personal or job-related. Instead of allowing it to degrade into a griping or gossip session, simply offer to pray for that person. You may not be able to pray at that moment on the job, but you can assure them that you will remember that situation in prayer. I believe you’ll find that most people are glad for you to pray for them. Listen. If a coworker wants to share a problem with you, take the time to listen and give that person your devoted attention. Obviously, you need to be careful not to take advantage of time you should be working, but a listening ear can be one of the most encouraging things you can do for a coworker. You know, if you become a Barnabas on the job, as you encourage people, you will be amazed at how God will use you right there as a beacon of his light and love.
8/30/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job – 3

I’m encouraging you to become a Barnabas where you work. And you do that by deciding to do things for people that will encourage them. These ideas I’m sharing with you are often very small things that take little time or money, but they can truly make a difference. So, here are some more creative ways you can be a Barnabas on the job: Offer to help your boss. Really, you could ask your boss what you could do to help him or her, especially if you know that your boss is under a lot of pressure. Bosses need help just like everybody else, yet often they are overlooked. Be sensitive to the sniffles. If someone is under the weather, send a note or offer to help with the workload. Acknowledge good work. When a coworker does something well, you could acknowledge it with a word, or an email, or a written note, just to let them know that someone notices the effort they put into a job and it was appreciated. Offer to pray for a coworker. There are times when a coworker shares a worry or concern with you, either personal or job-related. Instead of allowing it to degrade into a griping or gossip session, simply offer to pray for that person. You may not be able to pray at that moment on the job, but you can assure them that you will remember that situation in prayer. I believe you’ll find that most people are glad for you to pray for them. Listen. If a coworker wants to share a problem with you, take the time to listen and give that person your devoted attention. Obviously, you need to be careful not to take advantage of time you should be working, but a listening ear can be one of the most encouraging things you can do for a coworker. You know, if you become a Barnabas on the job, as you encourage people, you will be amazed at how God will use you right there as a beacon of his light and love.
8/30/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job – 2

The Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon that “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:7). What a wonderful tribute to Philemon. Wouldn’t you like someone to say that about you? Well, we can all become encouragers if we decide to do some specific things for the purpose of encouraging others. Here are some more practical ideas that you can do on your job to encourage others: Smile! Did you realize that by a simple smile you could cheer someone up and encourage someone? Smiles are contagious and can brighten the atmosphere where you work. When talking to or passing by others, just turn up the corners of your mouth and flash them a radiant smile. Costs you nothing, and it could really make a difference in someone’s day. Greet people! As you enter the workplace, greet coworkers with a simple, “Good morning.”  You never know the energy it took for others to arrive at work. A pleasant greeting can start a person’s day off right and possibly help them forget about their troubles. Be the Welcome Committee. When a new employee joins the staff, introduce yourself and offer to be of assistance. Help that person find his or her way around, offer to have lunch together. Think how comforting it could be to that new colleague, because being the new person can be challenging and a little frightening. Share your lunch. If you’re not working remotely, this is an easy way to get to know someone.  Or if you baked something special and have some leftovers, bring it in for others to enjoy. Remotely, you could schedule a one-on-one zoom to catch up during lunch time. You may think that these don’t sound that impressive or important, but it is so often the little things that we remember to do that touch someone else, helps them see they are not forgotten, and they are encouraged. Become an encourager on the job. It will make a difference.
8/29/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job – 2

The Apostle Paul wrote to Philemon that “Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the saints” (Philemon 1:7). What a wonderful tribute to Philemon. Wouldn’t you like someone to say that about you? Well, we can all become encouragers if we decide to do some specific things for the purpose of encouraging others. Here are some more practical ideas that you can do on your job to encourage others: Smile! Did you realize that by a simple smile you could cheer someone up and encourage someone? Smiles are contagious and can brighten the atmosphere where you work. When talking to or passing by others, just turn up the corners of your mouth and flash them a radiant smile. Costs you nothing, and it could really make a difference in someone’s day. Greet people! As you enter the workplace, greet coworkers with a simple, “Good morning.”  You never know the energy it took for others to arrive at work. A pleasant greeting can start a person’s day off right and possibly help them forget about their troubles. Be the Welcome Committee. When a new employee joins the staff, introduce yourself and offer to be of assistance. Help that person find his or her way around, offer to have lunch together. Think how comforting it could be to that new colleague, because being the new person can be challenging and a little frightening. Share your lunch. If you’re not working remotely, this is an easy way to get to know someone.  Or if you baked something special and have some leftovers, bring it in for others to enjoy. Remotely, you could schedule a one-on-one zoom to catch up during lunch time. You may think that these don’t sound that impressive or important, but it is so often the little things that we remember to do that touch someone else, helps them see they are not forgotten, and they are encouraged. Become an encourager on the job. It will make a difference.
8/29/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job

Do you have a nickname? Often we get stuck with nicknames from our childhood, or based on a certain characteristic, and it may not necessarily be flattering. However, there is one person in the Bible who was given a nickname because of a very wonderful trait. His name was Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. You can read about him in Acts 4. Imagine people calling you a name that signified you were an encouraging person. I can’t think of a greater compliment, can you? I want to show you how you can become a Barnabas in your workplace; you can be known as a person who encourages others. A good friend, Traci Mason, has compiled these ideas and allowed me to share them with you. We all recognize that often our workplaces are full of discouragement, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. But this just gives us a perfect opportunity to help others by becoming an encouraging person. Now, mind you, this will take some time and effort on your part, but the return on your investment will be eternal! So, here are some practical ways you can become a Barnabas where you work: Write notes. Handwritten notes are almost extinct. Keep a supply of note cards and encourage colleagues by placing a note on their desk, in their mailbox, or in their hand. It’s easy to make personalized cards on our computers now; so get creative and write a note just to encourage someone. Send e-cards. It’s really easy to send an e-card to your coworkers just to let them know you are thinking of them. You can even send the same card to multiple addresses. Employees receive messages that make requests and give instructions. They would surely welcome something more pleasant in the in-box, and an e-card would be a pleasant surprise. Remember birthdays. Find out the birthdates of coworkers, put them on your calendar, and simply give each coworker a birthday card to help them celebrate their special day. I’ve begun doing that for the women in my church, and we send out birthday cards here too, and I’ve been amazed at how many people are encouraged to receive a special birthday card—and it’s so easy to do!
8/28/20233 minutes
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Become A Barnabas on the Job

Do you have a nickname? Often we get stuck with nicknames from our childhood, or based on a certain characteristic, and it may not necessarily be flattering. However, there is one person in the Bible who was given a nickname because of a very wonderful trait. His name was Joseph, but the apostles called him Barnabas, which means Son of Encouragement. You can read about him in Acts 4. Imagine people calling you a name that signified you were an encouraging person. I can’t think of a greater compliment, can you? I want to show you how you can become a Barnabas in your workplace; you can be known as a person who encourages others. A good friend, Traci Mason, has compiled these ideas and allowed me to share them with you. We all recognize that often our workplaces are full of discouragement, especially in the aftermath of the pandemic. But this just gives us a perfect opportunity to help others by becoming an encouraging person. Now, mind you, this will take some time and effort on your part, but the return on your investment will be eternal! So, here are some practical ways you can become a Barnabas where you work: Write notes. Handwritten notes are almost extinct. Keep a supply of note cards and encourage colleagues by placing a note on their desk, in their mailbox, or in their hand. It’s easy to make personalized cards on our computers now; so get creative and write a note just to encourage someone. Send e-cards. It’s really easy to send an e-card to your coworkers just to let them know you are thinking of them. You can even send the same card to multiple addresses. Employees receive messages that make requests and give instructions. They would surely welcome something more pleasant in the in-box, and an e-card would be a pleasant surprise. Remember birthdays. Find out the birthdates of coworkers, put them on your calendar, and simply give each coworker a birthday card to help them celebrate their special day. I’ve begun doing that for the women in my church, and we send out birthday cards here too, and I’ve been amazed at how many people are encouraged to receive a special birthday card—and it’s so easy to do!
8/28/20233 minutes
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The Promise of Peace

Presented by Lisa Bishop Life will not always go the way you planned and there will be many times your peace can be disrupted, even rocked. So I want to spend some time anchoring us in God’s Word because frankly, we all need reminders of truth to keep us grounded when times are rough. It is easy to feel peace when everything (or at least most things) in life are going well, but let’s be honest. When you hit bumps in the road, when disappointments, delays or losses strike, holding onto peace, well it can feel like it’s slipping through your hands. A good friend of mine called me the other day to let me know her husband was let go from his job. They have two kids, no savings, they had just paid off their debt, and boom. Out of seemingly nowhere their only source of income was stripped away. Food stamps, frugality, and freezing all unnecessary purchases would soon become their reality. The circumstances certainly called for panic, but my friend was determined to hold onto her peace. When is a time where your peace was threatened? A sudden job loss, a conflict in a relationship, financial strain, your reputation being called into question. Maybe you are currently experiencing anxiety, nervousness, fear of the future, or inner turbulence over circumstances in your life. A lack of peace can feel intrusive. Ruminative thought patterns, racing heartbeat, intense feelings of uncertainty, worry, depression—that heaviness that just sits on your chest like a ton of bricks. We have all felt peace lacking in our lives, so what do you do when the inevitable pervasive peacelessness happens? How do you prepare for seasons that threaten to throw you off kilter and into a sea of unsettledness? The Bible is filled with verses that instruct us about peace. Various forms of the word peace are found 429 times in the King James version of the Bible so it must be an important thing for you to grasp, or better yet for peace to get a hold of you. Yet why does peace seem so evasive? I think one reason is because we can tend to intellectualize peace rather than receive the peace that is ours in Jesus and by the power of his Holy Spirit. We read the 400+ verses of peace in the Bible but it just sounds like a nice benefit of following Jesus and we don’t receive it as a birthright. If we are honest, we can think that peace is something we muster up or need to strive for rather than settle into, and our self-effort disappoints over the long haul. I am not saying that we do not have to work hard to experience peace, we do. We need to be intentional about believing what God’s Word says about peace, believe that Jesus and Holy Spirit are our peace, and make an effort to live into what is already given us. But too often we resort to human striving to create peace rather than the supernatural receiving of it. You know the saying, “When life gives you lemons…. Make lemonade.” It is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Lemons being analogous to the sourness or difficulty in life and making lemonade meaning turning them into something positive or desirable. While the concept is not a bad one, and it is important to have a positive perspective, real lasting peace has more depth, sustainability and stability when we find it first and foremost in the person of Jesus Christ. In John 14:25-27 after three years of earthly ministry, Jesus, as he prepares his disciples for his physical departure from earth says to them, “All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.” Don’t miss this! This is huge. Jesus is departing his earthly dwelling and imparting a greater gift to ...
8/26/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Promise of Peace

Presented by Lisa Bishop Life will not always go the way you planned and there will be many times your peace can be disrupted, even rocked. So I want to spend some time anchoring us in God’s Word because frankly, we all need reminders of truth to keep us grounded when times are rough. It is easy to feel peace when everything (or at least most things) in life are going well, but let’s be honest. When you hit bumps in the road, when disappointments, delays or losses strike, holding onto peace, well it can feel like it’s slipping through your hands. A good friend of mine called me the other day to let me know her husband was let go from his job. They have two kids, no savings, they had just paid off their debt, and boom. Out of seemingly nowhere their only source of income was stripped away. Food stamps, frugality, and freezing all unnecessary purchases would soon become their reality. The circumstances certainly called for panic, but my friend was determined to hold onto her peace. When is a time where your peace was threatened? A sudden job loss, a conflict in a relationship, financial strain, your reputation being called into question. Maybe you are currently experiencing anxiety, nervousness, fear of the future, or inner turbulence over circumstances in your life. A lack of peace can feel intrusive. Ruminative thought patterns, racing heartbeat, intense feelings of uncertainty, worry, depression—that heaviness that just sits on your chest like a ton of bricks. We have all felt peace lacking in our lives, so what do you do when the inevitable pervasive peacelessness happens? How do you prepare for seasons that threaten to throw you off kilter and into a sea of unsettledness? The Bible is filled with verses that instruct us about peace. Various forms of the word peace are found 429 times in the King James version of the Bible so it must be an important thing for you to grasp, or better yet for peace to get a hold of you. Yet why does peace seem so evasive? I think one reason is because we can tend to intellectualize peace rather than receive the peace that is ours in Jesus and by the power of his Holy Spirit. We read the 400+ verses of peace in the Bible but it just sounds like a nice benefit of following Jesus and we don’t receive it as a birthright. If we are honest, we can think that peace is something we muster up or need to strive for rather than settle into, and our self-effort disappoints over the long haul. I am not saying that we do not have to work hard to experience peace, we do. We need to be intentional about believing what God’s Word says about peace, believe that Jesus and Holy Spirit are our peace, and make an effort to live into what is already given us. But too often we resort to human striving to create peace rather than the supernatural receiving of it. You know the saying, “When life gives you lemons…. Make lemonade.” It is a proverbial phrase used to encourage optimism and a positive can-do attitude in the face of adversity or misfortune. Lemons being analogous to the sourness or difficulty in life and making lemonade meaning turning them into something positive or desirable. While the concept is not a bad one, and it is important to have a positive perspective, real lasting peace has more depth, sustainability and stability when we find it first and foremost in the person of Jesus Christ. In John 14:25-27 after three years of earthly ministry, Jesus, as he prepares his disciples for his physical departure from earth says to them, “All this I have spoken while still with you.  But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 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.” Don’t miss this! This is huge. Jesus is departing his earthly dwelling and imparting a greater gift to ...
8/26/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 5

We have been exploring what God’s Word has to say about peace and another aspect of peace is the peace of obedience. Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” King Solomon’s words of wisdom are a discerning guide for us to follow in our own lives. When Solomon says “my teaching” and “my commandments” he is not talking about his own personal decrees. He is pointing to God’s Word that he made personal by following. And remembering God’s laws are more than a mental exercise; it is connected to a life of obedience, internalizing them and living them out daily. When you walk in step with God’s Word you will experience union with him, and this obedience adds peace to your life. Sometimes we can be tempted to look at God’s Word as a burden or list of “to do’s” but that is not the sentiment. God’s Word is not a list of rules; they are an invitation to an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus came so that you would have a rich and satisfying life and this can only be found in him. When you abide in Jesus and obey God’s Word you will be as Psalm 1 says like a tree planted by streams of living water bearing fruit in your life. A lack of obedience in your life, sin, leads to death. It looks tempting at the time but as proverbs 14:12 says, “You can rationalize it all you want and justify the path of error you have chosen, but you’ll find out in the end that you took the road to destruction.” We’ve all been there. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And praise God for Jesus who covers our sin and for His Holy Spirit that leads us (Psalm 143:10). Psalm 32 gives us a glimpse into the power of confession as King David prays to the Lord. The Psalm itself does not tell us the specific occasion in David’s life which prompted this song but from his words we can surmise that he had strayed from obeying God when he says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:3-5). Sin robs your peace; confession restores it as you receive the forgiveness of Jesus. Shame will never transform you, the love of Jesus will. Obedience leads to peace. As we wrap up today receive this blessing from 2 Thessalonians 3:16. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
8/25/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 5

We have been exploring what God’s Word has to say about peace and another aspect of peace is the peace of obedience. Proverbs 3:1-2 says, “My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.” King Solomon’s words of wisdom are a discerning guide for us to follow in our own lives. When Solomon says “my teaching” and “my commandments” he is not talking about his own personal decrees. He is pointing to God’s Word that he made personal by following. And remembering God’s laws are more than a mental exercise; it is connected to a life of obedience, internalizing them and living them out daily. When you walk in step with God’s Word you will experience union with him, and this obedience adds peace to your life. Sometimes we can be tempted to look at God’s Word as a burden or list of “to do’s” but that is not the sentiment. God’s Word is not a list of rules; they are an invitation to an intimate relationship with Jesus. Jesus came so that you would have a rich and satisfying life and this can only be found in him. When you abide in Jesus and obey God’s Word you will be as Psalm 1 says like a tree planted by streams of living water bearing fruit in your life. A lack of obedience in your life, sin, leads to death. It looks tempting at the time but as proverbs 14:12 says, “You can rationalize it all you want and justify the path of error you have chosen, but you’ll find out in the end that you took the road to destruction.” We’ve all been there. We all sin and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). And praise God for Jesus who covers our sin and for His Holy Spirit that leads us (Psalm 143:10). Psalm 32 gives us a glimpse into the power of confession as King David prays to the Lord. The Psalm itself does not tell us the specific occasion in David’s life which prompted this song but from his words we can surmise that he had strayed from obeying God when he says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.' And you forgave the guilt of my sin” (Psalm 32:3-5). Sin robs your peace; confession restores it as you receive the forgiveness of Jesus. Shame will never transform you, the love of Jesus will. Obedience leads to peace. As we wrap up today receive this blessing from 2 Thessalonians 3:16. “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
8/25/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 4

I once read a quote that said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is the power to choose our response. In that response lies our growth and our freedom.” You may be wondering what peace has to do with pausing. Well let me ask you this. How many times have you given your peace away or broken peace by being reactive? Something happens or someone says something that you do not like or agree with, and you fire back in a not so calm and peaceful way. You shoot an arrow or throw a grenade with your words. I see a lot of this on social media platforms. It’s embarrassing really. Especially between people who say they love and follow Jesus. What a terrible witness we give to the world when we cannot even get along with each other. Unity amongst believers matters to God. And that does not mean we will always agree with each other on everything, but it does mean instead of letting our fangs come out in the heat of moments we steward our words and actions to bear the spiritual fruit of peace. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). In his letter to the Ephesians Paul is calling believers up to a higher standard when disagreements surface. Romans 12:17-18 admonishes, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Do all you can. This will take humility and Holy restraint! But you have it in you fellow believer. Better yet, you have him in you who is greater than your rapid fire words of retribution. Galatians 5:16 reminds us of this, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” So, bite your tongue and usher in the presence of Jesus. Practice the pause and make the choice to tap into your source of peace, the Holy Spirit, who will guide you to speak in the tongues of angels, divine love, and not in destructive words like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. We can respond thoughtfully and passionately disagree without being hateful. The world is watching how we treat one another. Show them who you believe in by the way you love. Before your lips leap, practice a holy pause. And from the very mouth of Jesus, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34a-35).
8/24/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 4

I once read a quote that said, “Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is the power to choose our response. In that response lies our growth and our freedom.” You may be wondering what peace has to do with pausing. Well let me ask you this. How many times have you given your peace away or broken peace by being reactive? Something happens or someone says something that you do not like or agree with, and you fire back in a not so calm and peaceful way. You shoot an arrow or throw a grenade with your words. I see a lot of this on social media platforms. It’s embarrassing really. Especially between people who say they love and follow Jesus. What a terrible witness we give to the world when we cannot even get along with each other. Unity amongst believers matters to God. And that does not mean we will always agree with each other on everything, but it does mean instead of letting our fangs come out in the heat of moments we steward our words and actions to bear the spiritual fruit of peace. “As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace” (Ephesians 4:1-3). In his letter to the Ephesians Paul is calling believers up to a higher standard when disagreements surface. Romans 12:17-18 admonishes, “Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone.” Do all you can. This will take humility and Holy restraint! But you have it in you fellow believer. Better yet, you have him in you who is greater than your rapid fire words of retribution. Galatians 5:16 reminds us of this, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” So, bite your tongue and usher in the presence of Jesus. Practice the pause and make the choice to tap into your source of peace, the Holy Spirit, who will guide you to speak in the tongues of angels, divine love, and not in destructive words like a noisy gong or clanging cymbal. We can respond thoughtfully and passionately disagree without being hateful. The world is watching how we treat one another. Show them who you believe in by the way you love. Before your lips leap, practice a holy pause. And from the very mouth of Jesus, “Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:34a-35).
8/24/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 3

Are you a peace-filled person? When you enter a room do you bring a sense of peace? The Holy Spirit can often be the most neglected part of the Trinity. Many churches don’t acknowledge the Holy Spirit or his power in our lives and there are many Christians that have few if any real encounters with him. Jesus signaled the significance of the Holy Spirit as he was preparing the disciples for his departure from earth. As the book of John recounts in chapter 14:15-17, Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” Jesus wanted them to know—he wants you to know—that he is with you always because his Holy Spirit dwells in you. And that the Holy Spirit amongst many things acts as your Advocate. Other versions of the Bible say, your Counselor, which translated from the Greek word paraklētos means, “Called to one’s side; helper; aider.” Jesus says that the Holy Spirit was destined to take his place after his ascension to the Father, to lead the disciples to a deeper knowledge of the Gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom (Strong’s Bible Concordance). This matters to you because as a follower of Jesus the Holy Spirit is your counselor and you have been given that same divine presence, peace, and power. When we think of the Holy Spirit our minds often picture a dove which has become a symbol of peace. The Holy Spirit, pictured as a dove at Jesus’ baptism, symbolized peace with God (Matthew 3:16). In John 20:21-22, Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." As you abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit produces peace in your life. Peace is the byproduct of walking and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Peace resides in you, and you have full access at all times. And, as you carry the Holy Spirit with you and acknowledge his presence, any time you enter a room, you change the atmosphere. His presence in you has the power to impact those around you. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in the life of a believer. Don’t settle for a life that lacks peace and divine power. Ask God to awaken and increase your sensitivity to the divine power of his presence, his Holy Spirit within you.
8/23/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 3

Are you a peace-filled person? When you enter a room do you bring a sense of peace? The Holy Spirit can often be the most neglected part of the Trinity. Many churches don’t acknowledge the Holy Spirit or his power in our lives and there are many Christians that have few if any real encounters with him. Jesus signaled the significance of the Holy Spirit as he was preparing the disciples for his departure from earth. As the book of John recounts in chapter 14:15-17, Jesus told his disciples, “If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth.” Jesus wanted them to know—he wants you to know—that he is with you always because his Holy Spirit dwells in you. And that the Holy Spirit amongst many things acts as your Advocate. Other versions of the Bible say, your Counselor, which translated from the Greek word paraklētos means, “Called to one’s side; helper; aider.” Jesus says that the Holy Spirit was destined to take his place after his ascension to the Father, to lead the disciples to a deeper knowledge of the Gospel truth, and give them divine strength needed to enable them to undergo trials and persecutions on behalf of the divine kingdom (Strong’s Bible Concordance). This matters to you because as a follower of Jesus the Holy Spirit is your counselor and you have been given that same divine presence, peace, and power. When we think of the Holy Spirit our minds often picture a dove which has become a symbol of peace. The Holy Spirit, pictured as a dove at Jesus’ baptism, symbolized peace with God (Matthew 3:16). In John 20:21-22, Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you." And with that he breathed on them and said, "Receive the Holy Spirit." As you abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit produces peace in your life. Peace is the byproduct of walking and being filled with the Holy Spirit. Peace resides in you, and you have full access at all times. And, as you carry the Holy Spirit with you and acknowledge his presence, any time you enter a room, you change the atmosphere. His presence in you has the power to impact those around you. The Holy Spirit is the presence of God in the life of a believer. Don’t settle for a life that lacks peace and divine power. Ask God to awaken and increase your sensitivity to the divine power of his presence, his Holy Spirit within you.
8/23/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 2

Have you ever felt like you just don’t belong—like an outsider, overlooked, dismissed or maybe even abandoned? The other day I was at church. After the service I saw a friend of mine I had not seen in several weeks. We caught each other's gaze and started up a conversation when within seconds someone else came by and my friend turned to them, mid-sentence mind you, and started to chat them up. I thought for sure it would be a brief hello and then she would circle back to me, but minutes passed by as I stood there and it was clear that her conversation would not be ending anytime soon. First, I will admit that one of my pet peeves is when people do not pay attention to the person in front of them. It bugs me when people are easily distracted and clearly not present. But the situation this particular morning went deeper for me because instead of chalking up the encounter as no big deal and moving on, my mind started to wander and ruminate on thoughts of unworthiness. I know that may sound weird or overly sensitive. And I do not consider myself to be an overly sensitive person. One of the old wounds and lies that the enemy tries to dig up and poke at is one I grew up believing that had stayed with me for a very long time. “You aren’t really likable. You will never be part of the popular crowd. Nobody really wants you or desires to be around you.” While Jesus has done a lot of healing for me in that area, if I am not diligent, the devil will take old thoughts and lies and serve them right up on a silver platter trying to get me to feast on them. And that is what was happening that morning at church. Thank the good Lord, literally, that I was able to discern the devil’s deception in those moments, reject the lie and turn my mind to truth. I am included in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:11). You are included! 1 Peter 5:8-9 beckons us; “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Be alert. Stand firm. Don’t buy into falsehoods but anchor yourself firmly in your faith, in what is true. Studies show that addressing our dysfunctional thinking, or in other words, rejecting the lies of the enemy and replacing them with truth, is the single most effective intervention to overcoming that dreadful feeling of not belonging. So, whose voice are you listening to? (The enemy wants to destroy your peace and he will go to great lengths to find the weak spot of your wounds and use them to manipulate your thoughts and feelings.) The only one who deserves any airtime in your head in Jesus so turn your thoughts over to him.
8/22/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To? – 2

Have you ever felt like you just don’t belong—like an outsider, overlooked, dismissed or maybe even abandoned? The other day I was at church. After the service I saw a friend of mine I had not seen in several weeks. We caught each other's gaze and started up a conversation when within seconds someone else came by and my friend turned to them, mid-sentence mind you, and started to chat them up. I thought for sure it would be a brief hello and then she would circle back to me, but minutes passed by as I stood there and it was clear that her conversation would not be ending anytime soon. First, I will admit that one of my pet peeves is when people do not pay attention to the person in front of them. It bugs me when people are easily distracted and clearly not present. But the situation this particular morning went deeper for me because instead of chalking up the encounter as no big deal and moving on, my mind started to wander and ruminate on thoughts of unworthiness. I know that may sound weird or overly sensitive. And I do not consider myself to be an overly sensitive person. One of the old wounds and lies that the enemy tries to dig up and poke at is one I grew up believing that had stayed with me for a very long time. “You aren’t really likable. You will never be part of the popular crowd. Nobody really wants you or desires to be around you.” While Jesus has done a lot of healing for me in that area, if I am not diligent, the devil will take old thoughts and lies and serve them right up on a silver platter trying to get me to feast on them. And that is what was happening that morning at church. Thank the good Lord, literally, that I was able to discern the devil’s deception in those moments, reject the lie and turn my mind to truth. I am included in Christ Jesus. (Ephesians 1:11). You are included! 1 Peter 5:8-9 beckons us; “Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings.” Be alert. Stand firm. Don’t buy into falsehoods but anchor yourself firmly in your faith, in what is true. Studies show that addressing our dysfunctional thinking, or in other words, rejecting the lies of the enemy and replacing them with truth, is the single most effective intervention to overcoming that dreadful feeling of not belonging. So, whose voice are you listening to? (The enemy wants to destroy your peace and he will go to great lengths to find the weak spot of your wounds and use them to manipulate your thoughts and feelings.) The only one who deserves any airtime in your head in Jesus so turn your thoughts over to him.
8/22/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

Have you ever had your peace disrupted? You know that was really a leading question. We have all experienced numerous times in our lives when our peace has been jolted. There are times where you cannot control what comes your way and attempts to disrupt your peace. There are other times when we ourselves are the culprits of forsaking our own peace. The other day I woke up to do my typical morning quiet time. It’s a routine of reading the Bible and sitting in a time of stillness with Jesus. But instead of digging right into the Word I did something I had done more times than I would like to admit. I picked up my phone and started scrolling. Within seconds I felt my peace leak out being replaced with anxiousness, and a feeling of uneasiness creeping in. As I was “harmlessly” flipping through people’s social media updates I inadvertently started comparing my life with theirs. It was unconscious but I became astutely aware when my barometer of peace dropped, and negative thoughts started pelting me like hail on a stormy day. Thoughts of unworthiness and inadequacy flooded my mind. “Who do you think you are?” “You are not good enough or qualified enough.” “That person is way farther along and more accomplished than you. “You do not have what it takes.” I could feel myself sinking fast and it was my fault. I did not guard my mind. I sacrificed my peace for a few minutes on my phone. I let the enemy have a foothold in my mind and disparaging thoughts ran rampant. Proverbs 4:23 warns about being intentional about protecting your peace when it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it..” The Passion translation says it this way: “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” The word heart is translated from the Hebrew word meaning mind, knowledge, thinking, consciousness. If your mind and heart are infiltrated and polluted with comparison and thoughts of incompetence, insufficiency, or inferiority, the enemy will have a field day force feeding you lies, and your peace will be compromised. You have a choice on what you fill your mind with. So, the next time you are tempted to grab your phone instead of meditating on the Word of God remember this: Scripture before screen time! Let the Word of God dwell in you richly before compromising your peace with comparison and social media.
8/21/20233 minutes
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Whose Voice Are You Listening To?

Have you ever had your peace disrupted? You know that was really a leading question. We have all experienced numerous times in our lives when our peace has been jolted. There are times where you cannot control what comes your way and attempts to disrupt your peace. There are other times when we ourselves are the culprits of forsaking our own peace. The other day I woke up to do my typical morning quiet time. It’s a routine of reading the Bible and sitting in a time of stillness with Jesus. But instead of digging right into the Word I did something I had done more times than I would like to admit. I picked up my phone and started scrolling. Within seconds I felt my peace leak out being replaced with anxiousness, and a feeling of uneasiness creeping in. As I was “harmlessly” flipping through people’s social media updates I inadvertently started comparing my life with theirs. It was unconscious but I became astutely aware when my barometer of peace dropped, and negative thoughts started pelting me like hail on a stormy day. Thoughts of unworthiness and inadequacy flooded my mind. “Who do you think you are?” “You are not good enough or qualified enough.” “That person is way farther along and more accomplished than you. “You do not have what it takes.” I could feel myself sinking fast and it was my fault. I did not guard my mind. I sacrificed my peace for a few minutes on my phone. I let the enemy have a foothold in my mind and disparaging thoughts ran rampant. Proverbs 4:23 warns about being intentional about protecting your peace when it says, “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it..” The Passion translation says it this way: “So above all, guard the affections of your heart, for they affect all that you are. Pay attention to the welfare of your innermost being, for from there flows the wellspring of life.” The word heart is translated from the Hebrew word meaning mind, knowledge, thinking, consciousness. If your mind and heart are infiltrated and polluted with comparison and thoughts of incompetence, insufficiency, or inferiority, the enemy will have a field day force feeding you lies, and your peace will be compromised. You have a choice on what you fill your mind with. So, the next time you are tempted to grab your phone instead of meditating on the Word of God remember this: Scripture before screen time! Let the Word of God dwell in you richly before compromising your peace with comparison and social media.
8/21/20233 minutes
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What God Teaches You Through Your Job

No matter what you do on your job each day, you have developed skills and abilities through that job that are valuable. I have a friend who is teaching communication skills in a very different cross-cultural place overseas. As she was telling me what she does and how she has learned to communicate in this challenging setting, I told her that the skills she is learning and her experience in this job, though difficult at times, are giving her skills and abilities that are rare and very valuable. She’s learning “on the job” as we say, and that knowledge and skill is making her a much more valuable employee. Certainly, that’s been true in my life, as well, as I spent many years conducting training seminars in my company and for many other companies across the country. That experience of putting together and making an effective presentation is a skill that God was teaching me through my job—and one he now uses for ministry purposes. But what I want to talk about is not the performance skills and experience you gain through your employment, as helpful as they are, but the many other life skills and relationship skills you are learning, even though while you’re in the midst of it, it may seem more like baptism by fire rather than a training experience. Here are some examples of the practical and important things you should be learning in a job, if indeed you’re doing a good job. You learn The importance of being on time The importance of meeting deadlines How to work with a team to accomplish a task How critical it is to fulfill your promises and commitments That it’s very important to do everything with excellence, and avoid do-overs That procrastination is deadly That you can’t afford to let things fall between the cracks Those are just some of the practical things you learn when you accept the responsibility of a job. For sure a job well-done will require these kinds of skills. And if you aren’t willing to learn these things, it will affect your progress, your promotions, your paycheck—it will hold you back. So, I would ask you to survey your work habits in these areas. Are you learning these things, or are you resisting them? I’ve often said that a Christ-follower may not be the smartest or the most educated or the most experienced person on their job, but they can be the most dependable, the hardest worker, and have the highest level of integrity. No matter what you do or where God takes you, these characteristics will always be important to your success, to pleasing God. Now, let’s think of some other things God wants to teach you through your job. I think toward the top of that list would be learning to love people you may not like that much! Your coworkers are not necessarily people you would choose to be with five days a week, eight hours a day. No doubt you have discovered that not everyone is “your type,” and so you are challenged to get along with people that are not that easy to get along with. In the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Bible teaches us the true definition of love. It is patient, it is kind, it looks for the good in people, not the bad, it doesn’t hold grudges, it hangs in with someone when others have given up, it endures all things. God’s love is an action, not necessarily a feeling, and you can choose to love someone by showing them these kinds of actions, even if you don’t like the way they behave, the way they treat you, their work habits, or their lifestyle. Almost any job you have—and that includes working in a Christian environment—places you in the company of other people, and you have the privilege, the great opportunity, to learn to love people with God’s kind of love. That means you become more and more like Jesus, as you follow his commandment to “love one another.” Of course, you also have the option of refusing to learn this lesson, and instead just being continually irritated and negative about the people you work with or for.
8/19/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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What God Teaches You Through Your Job

No matter what you do on your job each day, you have developed skills and abilities through that job that are valuable. I have a friend who is teaching communication skills in a very different cross-cultural place overseas. As she was telling me what she does and how she has learned to communicate in this challenging setting, I told her that the skills she is learning and her experience in this job, though difficult at times, are giving her skills and abilities that are rare and very valuable. She’s learning “on the job” as we say, and that knowledge and skill is making her a much more valuable employee. Certainly, that’s been true in my life, as well, as I spent many years conducting training seminars in my company and for many other companies across the country. That experience of putting together and making an effective presentation is a skill that God was teaching me through my job—and one he now uses for ministry purposes. But what I want to talk about is not the performance skills and experience you gain through your employment, as helpful as they are, but the many other life skills and relationship skills you are learning, even though while you’re in the midst of it, it may seem more like baptism by fire rather than a training experience. Here are some examples of the practical and important things you should be learning in a job, if indeed you’re doing a good job. You learn The importance of being on time The importance of meeting deadlines How to work with a team to accomplish a task How critical it is to fulfill your promises and commitments That it’s very important to do everything with excellence, and avoid do-overs That procrastination is deadly That you can’t afford to let things fall between the cracks Those are just some of the practical things you learn when you accept the responsibility of a job. For sure a job well-done will require these kinds of skills. And if you aren’t willing to learn these things, it will affect your progress, your promotions, your paycheck—it will hold you back. So, I would ask you to survey your work habits in these areas. Are you learning these things, or are you resisting them? I’ve often said that a Christ-follower may not be the smartest or the most educated or the most experienced person on their job, but they can be the most dependable, the hardest worker, and have the highest level of integrity. No matter what you do or where God takes you, these characteristics will always be important to your success, to pleasing God. Now, let’s think of some other things God wants to teach you through your job. I think toward the top of that list would be learning to love people you may not like that much! Your coworkers are not necessarily people you would choose to be with five days a week, eight hours a day. No doubt you have discovered that not everyone is “your type,” and so you are challenged to get along with people that are not that easy to get along with. In the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians, the Bible teaches us the true definition of love. It is patient, it is kind, it looks for the good in people, not the bad, it doesn’t hold grudges, it hangs in with someone when others have given up, it endures all things. God’s love is an action, not necessarily a feeling, and you can choose to love someone by showing them these kinds of actions, even if you don’t like the way they behave, the way they treat you, their work habits, or their lifestyle. Almost any job you have—and that includes working in a Christian environment—places you in the company of other people, and you have the privilege, the great opportunity, to learn to love people with God’s kind of love. That means you become more and more like Jesus, as you follow his commandment to “love one another.” Of course, you also have the option of refusing to learn this lesson, and instead just being continually irritated and negative about the people you work with or for.
8/19/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 5

If you had to grade yourself on how contented you are, on a scale of one to ten, would you say you are very contented, a ten, or would your grade fall much lower on that scale? Paul wrote to Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” That’s really what I want to communicate, that we all need to learn to be content with who we are, how God has created us, content with our bodies, our personalities, our gifting, and yes, even our circumstances. And when you are satisfied with who you are, if you then pursue godliness at the same time, you are in for great gain! What kind of gain, you may ask. The gain of knowing you are growing more like Jesus; the gain of seeing how God is using you in the lives of others; the great gain of knowing that Jesus is pleased; you can hear his “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That is the kind of gain that this world can never give you. No success or money or achievement will ever come close to the gain that, as a Christ-follower, you are walking worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter wrote that “His (Jesus’) divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). When you and I make that the priority of our lives—to live godly lives for the glory of Jesus—and that desire is coupled with contentment, we will have great gain. So often when our circumstances are out of sorts—we've got the wrong job or we live in the wrong place or we don't have enough money or we don't have good health or whatever—we are then tempted to waste our lives and squander our opportunities. If that's where you are, I urge you to pray daily that God will teach you to be content with your circumstances and help you accept what is coming your way. But at the same time, don't settle for life in the doldrums just because the circumstances are rotten. Accept but don't settle; be contented and discontented. You can hold both in balance; you can be more content and appreciative of who you are, just the way God made you, and where your life is right now. But it will also remind you not to let yourself off the hook but always strive to be all that you can be for the glory of Jesus Christ.
8/18/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 5

If you had to grade yourself on how contented you are, on a scale of one to ten, would you say you are very contented, a ten, or would your grade fall much lower on that scale? Paul wrote to Timothy that “godliness with contentment is great gain.” That’s really what I want to communicate, that we all need to learn to be content with who we are, how God has created us, content with our bodies, our personalities, our gifting, and yes, even our circumstances. And when you are satisfied with who you are, if you then pursue godliness at the same time, you are in for great gain! What kind of gain, you may ask. The gain of knowing you are growing more like Jesus; the gain of seeing how God is using you in the lives of others; the great gain of knowing that Jesus is pleased; you can hear his “Well done, good and faithful servant.” That is the kind of gain that this world can never give you. No success or money or achievement will ever come close to the gain that, as a Christ-follower, you are walking worthy of the Lord Jesus Christ. Peter wrote that “His (Jesus’) divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). When you and I make that the priority of our lives—to live godly lives for the glory of Jesus—and that desire is coupled with contentment, we will have great gain. So often when our circumstances are out of sorts—we've got the wrong job or we live in the wrong place or we don't have enough money or we don't have good health or whatever—we are then tempted to waste our lives and squander our opportunities. If that's where you are, I urge you to pray daily that God will teach you to be content with your circumstances and help you accept what is coming your way. But at the same time, don't settle for life in the doldrums just because the circumstances are rotten. Accept but don't settle; be contented and discontented. You can hold both in balance; you can be more content and appreciative of who you are, just the way God made you, and where your life is right now. But it will also remind you not to let yourself off the hook but always strive to be all that you can be for the glory of Jesus Christ.
8/18/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 4

I want to encourage you to be very contented with how God has created you. Appreciate God’s creativity in you, and at the same time, never settle for staying where you are in your spiritual growth and maturity. Accept but don’t settle. Your Circumstances Let me mention one more thing where we need to be contented, and that is with our circumstances. Paul wrote: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11b). Have you learned that lesson yet? Just think about the freedom you and I would have if we could truly say with Paul: "I am content with my circumstances.” I think of a friend whom I admire greatly. She worked for Moody Radio in Chicago for many years, and is a gracious, lovely, talented woman. Due to a work-related accident, her husband was disabled most of their long-married life. When that happened, overnight her dreams of what her life would be like died, as she was forced to become a working woman and raise their children, while helping her disabled husband. When I think of the years she did that, I marvel at her attitude. She never complained; she learned to be content in the midst of very difficult circumstances. And even when more family problems were poured on her head, she continued to trust God and accept what was coming her way. Through all the years she never lost heart or gave up or ran away—all of which I would have been tempted to do. Instead, she contributed immensely to her job and improved herself and did the most anyone could do "under the circumstances," as we say. She comes to my mind as a woman who has accepted the circumstances of her life, and yet they have not beaten her into the ground. She has grown and contributed and made a beautiful life for herself.  
8/17/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 4

I want to encourage you to be very contented with how God has created you. Appreciate God’s creativity in you, and at the same time, never settle for staying where you are in your spiritual growth and maturity. Accept but don’t settle. Your Circumstances Let me mention one more thing where we need to be contented, and that is with our circumstances. Paul wrote: "I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances" (Philippians 4:11b). Have you learned that lesson yet? Just think about the freedom you and I would have if we could truly say with Paul: "I am content with my circumstances.” I think of a friend whom I admire greatly. She worked for Moody Radio in Chicago for many years, and is a gracious, lovely, talented woman. Due to a work-related accident, her husband was disabled most of their long-married life. When that happened, overnight her dreams of what her life would be like died, as she was forced to become a working woman and raise their children, while helping her disabled husband. When I think of the years she did that, I marvel at her attitude. She never complained; she learned to be content in the midst of very difficult circumstances. And even when more family problems were poured on her head, she continued to trust God and accept what was coming her way. Through all the years she never lost heart or gave up or ran away—all of which I would have been tempted to do. Instead, she contributed immensely to her job and improved herself and did the most anyone could do "under the circumstances," as we say. She comes to my mind as a woman who has accepted the circumstances of her life, and yet they have not beaten her into the ground. She has grown and contributed and made a beautiful life for herself.  
8/17/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 3

Have you accepted the way God has gifted you? The Bible clearly teaches us that each believer has been given definite and recognizable gifts or talents, which are resources to use in serving the Lord. The things God has gifted you to do are the things that make you the happiest and bring the most satisfaction. You'll find great joy when you're functioning the way God created you to. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, your greatest joy will be to write notes, help someone out, listen to a heartache—lots of things which an encourager does so well. Using your God-given gifts and talents will bring you satisfaction, and you will do those things with enthusiasm and excellence. But here's the other side of the coin: Never be satisfied with your gifts the way they are. Jesus taught us that when we use the gifts and talents he has given us, he will give us more. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy to “fan into a flame the gift of God in you,” and that’s a good prayer you can pray. “Lord, help me do the very most with the gifts you’ve provided for me.” So, accept the talents and gifts God has invested in you, and then set out to grow them as much as possible. Start where you are, with whatever you have to offer, and see where God can take it. Your Intelligence Are you contented with your intelligence? There's no doubt that God gave some people more brain power than others. Do you feel like you've been short-changed? Well, God needs some real smart brainy types, but he needs a lot of us ordinary types as well. You may not have the highest IQ around, but you've got far more brain power than you realize. Don't settle for where you are intellectually; become a student and continually work at learning more—and you can improve your mind and knowledge whether in school or not, whether young or not-so-young. Good reading habits will make a huge difference. Be curious. Investigate and learn. There are lots of free on-line courses that you can use.
8/16/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 3

Have you accepted the way God has gifted you? The Bible clearly teaches us that each believer has been given definite and recognizable gifts or talents, which are resources to use in serving the Lord. The things God has gifted you to do are the things that make you the happiest and bring the most satisfaction. You'll find great joy when you're functioning the way God created you to. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, your greatest joy will be to write notes, help someone out, listen to a heartache—lots of things which an encourager does so well. Using your God-given gifts and talents will bring you satisfaction, and you will do those things with enthusiasm and excellence. But here's the other side of the coin: Never be satisfied with your gifts the way they are. Jesus taught us that when we use the gifts and talents he has given us, he will give us more. The Apostle Paul told young Timothy to “fan into a flame the gift of God in you,” and that’s a good prayer you can pray. “Lord, help me do the very most with the gifts you’ve provided for me.” So, accept the talents and gifts God has invested in you, and then set out to grow them as much as possible. Start where you are, with whatever you have to offer, and see where God can take it. Your Intelligence Are you contented with your intelligence? There's no doubt that God gave some people more brain power than others. Do you feel like you've been short-changed? Well, God needs some real smart brainy types, but he needs a lot of us ordinary types as well. You may not have the highest IQ around, but you've got far more brain power than you realize. Don't settle for where you are intellectually; become a student and continually work at learning more—and you can improve your mind and knowledge whether in school or not, whether young or not-so-young. Good reading habits will make a huge difference. Be curious. Investigate and learn. There are lots of free on-line courses that you can use.
8/16/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 2

Are you contented with the way God created you? I want to encourage you to be contented with who you are, but not where you are. Like the way God created you, but also strive to be everything God created you to be. An area where you may be discontented is your personality. Your Personality Each of us is unique; God doesn't make cookie-cutter Christians. Some of us are “people people;” some are “project people.” Some are extroverts, others are introverts. There are many variations in the personalities God has created. Are you content with the personality God has given you? I think of my friend, Afton, who thought for years that being an introvert was a huge liability. But thankfully she has learned to appreciate the way God created her and she recognizes the many strengths she has because she is quiet and reserved. She has written a book about it, Living Connected: An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship. It’s a very helpful book not only for introverts, but it helps those of us who are not introverts to appreciate and admire those who are. My discontent with my personality was the opposite. I felt I was too up front, too take charge, too much of an extrovert, and for years I tried to be different—and of course, I failed. I remember thinking that sadly, I was stuck with who I was. It has taken me far too long to appreciate the personality God has given to me. The challenge is to be contented with who you are but not where you are in your growth. Focus on the personality flaws that accompany your personality, pray about them, and ask God to help you get rid of the rough edges. For example, I don’t have a natural gift of mercy, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be a merciful person. It’s a weakness I have acknowledged and prayed about, because I need to be merciful as God is merciful to me. There is wonderful freedom in accepting who you are. Freedom from having to live up to other's expectations—or even your own. Freedom from having to be like others or compete with others.
8/15/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are – 2

Are you contented with the way God created you? I want to encourage you to be contented with who you are, but not where you are. Like the way God created you, but also strive to be everything God created you to be. An area where you may be discontented is your personality. Your Personality Each of us is unique; God doesn't make cookie-cutter Christians. Some of us are “people people;” some are “project people.” Some are extroverts, others are introverts. There are many variations in the personalities God has created. Are you content with the personality God has given you? I think of my friend, Afton, who thought for years that being an introvert was a huge liability. But thankfully she has learned to appreciate the way God created her and she recognizes the many strengths she has because she is quiet and reserved. She has written a book about it, Living Connected: An Introvert’s Guide to Friendship. It’s a very helpful book not only for introverts, but it helps those of us who are not introverts to appreciate and admire those who are. My discontent with my personality was the opposite. I felt I was too up front, too take charge, too much of an extrovert, and for years I tried to be different—and of course, I failed. I remember thinking that sadly, I was stuck with who I was. It has taken me far too long to appreciate the personality God has given to me. The challenge is to be contented with who you are but not where you are in your growth. Focus on the personality flaws that accompany your personality, pray about them, and ask God to help you get rid of the rough edges. For example, I don’t have a natural gift of mercy, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t be a merciful person. It’s a weakness I have acknowledged and prayed about, because I need to be merciful as God is merciful to me. There is wonderful freedom in accepting who you are. Freedom from having to live up to other's expectations—or even your own. Freedom from having to be like others or compete with others.
8/15/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are

Are you content with who you are? It took years for me to accept and be contented with the way God created me. I had some wrong idea of what God wanted every woman to be and since I didn’t seem to fit that mold, I kept trying to change but I just couldn’t. After years of discontent with the way God created me, I finally understood that God had a good purpose for me and I have learned to appreciate and enjoy how God created me. However, at the same time, I want to have a holy discontentment with where I am in my growth and maturity. Contentment and lack of contentment at the same time. Or you could say, accepting who I am but not settling for where I am. Let's look at some specific areas where we often have difficulty accepting who we are, but where we must also never settle for less than we can be. Your Body The Bible says that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. So, you should accept and be contented with how God's hands made you because God doesn't make mistakes. Do you look in the mirror and complain about your body, your face, your hair, your size? I want to encourage you to be contented with the body God has given you. I think of my dear friend, Fran, who was just barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one. But you know, God used her size to enlarge her ministry. You see, because she was short and cute, her appearance was never threatening or intimidating to anyone. It made it easy for her to make friends—and she made friends with everybody. God used her personality and short stature to connect her with so many people, many who came to saving faith through Fran. It is not a mistake that she was a short person. Accept the body and face and size and shape that God has given you. Accept, but don't settle. Keep that body running on all cylinders. Do everything you can to keep it healthy. Exercise as you know you should; get rid of some of those harmful eating habits. Be contented with your body, while at the same time never settling for anything less than the best it can be.
8/14/20233 minutes
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Content with Who You Are Not Where You Are

Are you content with who you are? It took years for me to accept and be contented with the way God created me. I had some wrong idea of what God wanted every woman to be and since I didn’t seem to fit that mold, I kept trying to change but I just couldn’t. After years of discontent with the way God created me, I finally understood that God had a good purpose for me and I have learned to appreciate and enjoy how God created me. However, at the same time, I want to have a holy discontentment with where I am in my growth and maturity. Contentment and lack of contentment at the same time. Or you could say, accepting who I am but not settling for where I am. Let's look at some specific areas where we often have difficulty accepting who we are, but where we must also never settle for less than we can be. Your Body The Bible says that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made. So, you should accept and be contented with how God's hands made you because God doesn't make mistakes. Do you look in the mirror and complain about your body, your face, your hair, your size? I want to encourage you to be contented with the body God has given you. I think of my dear friend, Fran, who was just barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one. But you know, God used her size to enlarge her ministry. You see, because she was short and cute, her appearance was never threatening or intimidating to anyone. It made it easy for her to make friends—and she made friends with everybody. God used her personality and short stature to connect her with so many people, many who came to saving faith through Fran. It is not a mistake that she was a short person. Accept the body and face and size and shape that God has given you. Accept, but don't settle. Keep that body running on all cylinders. Do everything you can to keep it healthy. Exercise as you know you should; get rid of some of those harmful eating habits. Be contented with your body, while at the same time never settling for anything less than the best it can be.
8/14/20233 minutes
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What Do You Have Tied Up?

Do you remember how Jesus acquired the use of the donkey for the most important parade ever—as he entered Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday? I would love to have been the proverbial “fly on the wall” to see the look on the faces of the owners of that donkey when the disciples just walked up and started to untie it. As I was re-reading that story, it dawned on me that lots of us have things tied up, too, and if we'd untie them, they'd be of service to our Lord. Let me read that passage from Luke 19 that tells this story about the donkey:  After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:28-36). This happened just a week before the crucifixion. It’s a really interesting scene, when you think about it. Jesus chose that colt to ride in his one and only parade. He knew where it was, he knew that it had never been ridden, and he knew what the reaction of the owners of the colt would be. How could he know all this? Because he is God, and though he was fully man in his 33 years on earth, he was nonetheless fully God, and God is all-knowing. Interesting that the disciples evidently did not question Jesus' instructions. But then, after three years with him, they should have been very certain that what Jesus told them could be totally trusted. However, it had to take a little bit of nerve to walk up to this colt and start untying it. You have to give those disciples credit for their faith and obedience in this matter. As they were untying the colt, the owners approached them. Why there was more than one owner, I don't know, except I can guess that neither could afford the colt himself, so they formed a partnership and bought it together. Could it be that these owners were poor people without a great deal of this world's possessions? Quite possibly. I doubt that a donkey's colt was a very prestigious animal. Not what kings and wealthy people chose for transportation. But likely it was all these simple owners could afford. I can also imagine that they were a little perturbed to see two strangers taking their prized colt—evidently a young colt, since it had never been ridden. Can you put yourselves in their shoes? I wonder if they screamed at the disciples: "Why are you untying our colt?” I wonder if they were upset?  I think I would have been. At any rate, when the disciples explained that Jesus had requested to use this colt, this one particular colt, it seems to put an end to the entire discussion. Without another question, they give the colt to the disciples for Jesus to use. I have to believe they had heard about Jesus. I'm sure most everyone in the area had by that time. Perhaps they had heard him speak at some time; maybe they'd seen him heal someone or cast out a demon. Their willingness to let go of a valuable possession so unquestioningly leads me to believe that Jesus was someone they knew about, someone they respected, perhaps even loved. As I read this story, I thought, "What do I have tied up that the Lord wants to use?” I think many times we've got resources and abilities that God would use in his service, but they're all tied up. We're using them for our own selfish purposes, or failing to use them at all perhaps, instead of giving them back to God for his eternal purposes
8/12/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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What Do You Have Tied Up?

Do you remember how Jesus acquired the use of the donkey for the most important parade ever—as he entered Jerusalem on what we now call Palm Sunday? I would love to have been the proverbial “fly on the wall” to see the look on the faces of the owners of that donkey when the disciples just walked up and started to untie it. As I was re-reading that story, it dawned on me that lots of us have things tied up, too, and if we'd untie them, they'd be of service to our Lord. Let me read that passage from Luke 19 that tells this story about the donkey:  After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem. As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them, “Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here. If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ say, ‘The Lord needs it.’” Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them. As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?” They replied, “The Lord needs it.” They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it. As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road (Luke 19:28-36). This happened just a week before the crucifixion. It’s a really interesting scene, when you think about it. Jesus chose that colt to ride in his one and only parade. He knew where it was, he knew that it had never been ridden, and he knew what the reaction of the owners of the colt would be. How could he know all this? Because he is God, and though he was fully man in his 33 years on earth, he was nonetheless fully God, and God is all-knowing. Interesting that the disciples evidently did not question Jesus' instructions. But then, after three years with him, they should have been very certain that what Jesus told them could be totally trusted. However, it had to take a little bit of nerve to walk up to this colt and start untying it. You have to give those disciples credit for their faith and obedience in this matter. As they were untying the colt, the owners approached them. Why there was more than one owner, I don't know, except I can guess that neither could afford the colt himself, so they formed a partnership and bought it together. Could it be that these owners were poor people without a great deal of this world's possessions? Quite possibly. I doubt that a donkey's colt was a very prestigious animal. Not what kings and wealthy people chose for transportation. But likely it was all these simple owners could afford. I can also imagine that they were a little perturbed to see two strangers taking their prized colt—evidently a young colt, since it had never been ridden. Can you put yourselves in their shoes? I wonder if they screamed at the disciples: "Why are you untying our colt?” I wonder if they were upset?  I think I would have been. At any rate, when the disciples explained that Jesus had requested to use this colt, this one particular colt, it seems to put an end to the entire discussion. Without another question, they give the colt to the disciples for Jesus to use. I have to believe they had heard about Jesus. I'm sure most everyone in the area had by that time. Perhaps they had heard him speak at some time; maybe they'd seen him heal someone or cast out a demon. Their willingness to let go of a valuable possession so unquestioningly leads me to believe that Jesus was someone they knew about, someone they respected, perhaps even loved. As I read this story, I thought, "What do I have tied up that the Lord wants to use?” I think many times we've got resources and abilities that God would use in his service, but they're all tied up. We're using them for our own selfish purposes, or failing to use them at all perhaps, instead of giving them back to God for his eternal purposes
8/12/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 5

It may seem counterintuitive, but “nice” isn’t necessarily the goal of a peacemaker. Jesus was the perfect peacemaker, and he is our peace, but as you study his life on earth, you will see that as a peacemaker he was not always what we would call “nice.” There were times he said difficult things that others did not want to hear. There were times when he actually disrupted situations that were wrong—like people selling things in the Temple. But he always was doing what was good for others. We are called to be peacemakers, which means that if you always choose what you say or do based on the idea that it has to be “nice,” you probably will avoid hard but essential conversations. You will become a peacekeeper not a peacemaker. But being truthful does not give us a license to be harsh. Gentleness is the key word when we are trying to make peace. You remember that Jesus described himself as gentle and humble in heart. And Paul wrote to the Philippian church that they should let their gentleness be evident to all. Gentleness is required if you want to be a peacemaker in difficult situations. After all, gentleness is a fruit of God’s Spirit and it should be always evident in our lives. It’s a trait that helps bring peace and calm even in contentious situations. It’s a clear-headed way of dealing with others that creates safe spaces to address difficult topics. Jesus declared that he came to give us peace—his peace, not like the world gives. It’s a different kind of peace, one that keeps on keeping on even in tough places. What we as Christ-followers must do is on a daily basis, receive the peace he gives for our own lives, and then share that peace with whoever God brings across our path that day. What a testimony we could have to our worlds if we showed them the peace of Christ by the way we live, and then we followed our Lord’s directive to be peacemakers by helping to make peace where we live, where we work, with close friends and strangers. Christ has come to give us peace; he is our peace. We need to be sure we're demonstrating it daily in our lives, and that we are peacemakers, people who bring peace to turbulent situations.
8/11/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 5

It may seem counterintuitive, but “nice” isn’t necessarily the goal of a peacemaker. Jesus was the perfect peacemaker, and he is our peace, but as you study his life on earth, you will see that as a peacemaker he was not always what we would call “nice.” There were times he said difficult things that others did not want to hear. There were times when he actually disrupted situations that were wrong—like people selling things in the Temple. But he always was doing what was good for others. We are called to be peacemakers, which means that if you always choose what you say or do based on the idea that it has to be “nice,” you probably will avoid hard but essential conversations. You will become a peacekeeper not a peacemaker. But being truthful does not give us a license to be harsh. Gentleness is the key word when we are trying to make peace. You remember that Jesus described himself as gentle and humble in heart. And Paul wrote to the Philippian church that they should let their gentleness be evident to all. Gentleness is required if you want to be a peacemaker in difficult situations. After all, gentleness is a fruit of God’s Spirit and it should be always evident in our lives. It’s a trait that helps bring peace and calm even in contentious situations. It’s a clear-headed way of dealing with others that creates safe spaces to address difficult topics. Jesus declared that he came to give us peace—his peace, not like the world gives. It’s a different kind of peace, one that keeps on keeping on even in tough places. What we as Christ-followers must do is on a daily basis, receive the peace he gives for our own lives, and then share that peace with whoever God brings across our path that day. What a testimony we could have to our worlds if we showed them the peace of Christ by the way we live, and then we followed our Lord’s directive to be peacemakers by helping to make peace where we live, where we work, with close friends and strangers. Christ has come to give us peace; he is our peace. We need to be sure we're demonstrating it daily in our lives, and that we are peacemakers, people who bring peace to turbulent situations.
8/11/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 5

It may seem counterintuitive, but “nice” isn’t necessarily the goal of a peacemaker. Jesus was the perfect peacemaker, and he is our peace, but as you study his life on earth, you will see that as a peacemaker he was not always what we would call “nice.” There were times he said difficult things that others did not want to hear. There were times when he actually disrupted situations that were wrong—like people selling things in the Temple. But he always was doing what was good for others. We are called to be peacemakers, which means that if you always choose what you say or do based on the idea that it has to be “nice,” you probably will avoid hard but essential conversations. You will become a peacekeeper not a peacemaker. But being truthful does not give us a license to be harsh. Gentleness is the key word when we are trying to make peace. You remember that Jesus described himself as gentle and humble in heart. And Paul wrote to the Philippian church that they should let their gentleness be evident to all. Gentleness is required if you want to be a peacemaker in difficult situations. After all, gentleness is a fruit of God’s Spirit and it should be always evident in our lives. It’s a trait that helps bring peace and calm even in contentious situations. It’s a clear-headed way of dealing with others that creates safe spaces to address difficult topics. Jesus declared that he came to give us peace—his peace, not like the world gives. It’s a different kind of peace, one that keeps on keeping on even in tough places. What we as Christ-followers must do is on a daily basis, receive the peace he gives for our own lives, and then share that peace with whoever God brings across our path that day. What a testimony we could have to our worlds if we showed them the peace of Christ by the way we live, and then we followed our Lord’s directive to be peacemakers by helping to make peace where we live, where we work, with close friends and strangers. Christ has come to give us peace; he is our peace. We need to be sure we're demonstrating it daily in our lives, and that we are peacemakers, people who bring peace to turbulent situations.
8/11/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 4

It is so important to develop peacemaking skills, because Jesus said that peacemakers are blessed. I just want to remind you that Jesus Christ is our peace. He condescended to take on human flesh, even as a baby in a humble setting, so that he could bring peace to our troubled lives. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians wrote: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit (Ephesians 2:13-18). Jesus was born—to bring us peace. He came to reconcile us to God through the cross, and for those who have accepted his freely-offered redemption, we now have peace because we have Jesus, who is our peace. We who were far away, who had no peace in our lives, who were in bondage to sin, have been brought near, so near that we can enter into his throne room and have fellowship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Remember to thank God for the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, and if you don’t yet know the peace he offers, you can do so by repenting of your sins and accepting his peace as your own.  
8/10/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 4

It is so important to develop peacemaking skills, because Jesus said that peacemakers are blessed. I just want to remind you that Jesus Christ is our peace. He condescended to take on human flesh, even as a baby in a humble setting, so that he could bring peace to our troubled lives. The Apostle Paul in Ephesians wrote: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit (Ephesians 2:13-18). Jesus was born—to bring us peace. He came to reconcile us to God through the cross, and for those who have accepted his freely-offered redemption, we now have peace because we have Jesus, who is our peace. We who were far away, who had no peace in our lives, who were in bondage to sin, have been brought near, so near that we can enter into his throne room and have fellowship with God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Remember to thank God for the Prince of Peace, Jesus Christ, and if you don’t yet know the peace he offers, you can do so by repenting of your sins and accepting his peace as your own.  
8/10/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 3

We seem to be in a time when there is little peace between people. And this contentious cultural atmosphere can easily seep into our everyday lives—into our families and our workplaces, even our churches. In Matthew 5:9 we read where Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” It is a blessing to be a peacemaker; there is a special reward for those who make peace, not just keep peace. Peacemakers are proactive, confronting situations of discord to promote peace. Well, if we’re supposed to be peacemakers, how can we make peace? Proverbs 17:9 says, “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” One thing you can do to be a peacemaker is not to spread the bad things you hear or see. Cover up the offense, don't keep telling everybody else about someone's mistake or bad behavior. In other words, stop gossiping. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” A peacemaker is a person with gentle words. When someone starts telling you how angry they are at you or someone else, find those gentle words to turn away their wrath. If you throw in a few harsh words of your own, you add to the conflict. Often a tone of voice can make a big difference. If you know there is strife between two people, what could you do to bring them together, let them air their grievances, and restore peace into that relationship? Don’t be afraid to make that effort; often it just takes one person to make a move and these petty differences can be resolved. What we need in our world of strife are many peacemakers—people who are willing to make peace in the many small conflicts that surround our daily lives. Ask God to give you that skill, that kind of servant heart, so that you are the peacemaker in your world. When you do, Jesus promises that you will be blessed.
8/9/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 3

We seem to be in a time when there is little peace between people. And this contentious cultural atmosphere can easily seep into our everyday lives—into our families and our workplaces, even our churches. In Matthew 5:9 we read where Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” It is a blessing to be a peacemaker; there is a special reward for those who make peace, not just keep peace. Peacemakers are proactive, confronting situations of discord to promote peace. Well, if we’re supposed to be peacemakers, how can we make peace? Proverbs 17:9 says, “Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” One thing you can do to be a peacemaker is not to spread the bad things you hear or see. Cover up the offense, don't keep telling everybody else about someone's mistake or bad behavior. In other words, stop gossiping. Proverbs 15:1 tells us that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” A peacemaker is a person with gentle words. When someone starts telling you how angry they are at you or someone else, find those gentle words to turn away their wrath. If you throw in a few harsh words of your own, you add to the conflict. Often a tone of voice can make a big difference. If you know there is strife between two people, what could you do to bring them together, let them air their grievances, and restore peace into that relationship? Don’t be afraid to make that effort; often it just takes one person to make a move and these petty differences can be resolved. What we need in our world of strife are many peacemakers—people who are willing to make peace in the many small conflicts that surround our daily lives. Ask God to give you that skill, that kind of servant heart, so that you are the peacemaker in your world. When you do, Jesus promises that you will be blessed.
8/9/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 2

Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? A peacemaker is one who strives to make peace in situations that are in turmoil. A peacekeeper, on the other hand, often just tries to keep the status quo and do anything to avoid conflict. In the Beatitudes, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers; therefore, that is what we should strive to be. Parents know that making peace between children is a part of their job description. From their earliest days, our children manage to disrupt the peace—get into arguments, cause discord, aggravate each other. And we find ourselves in the role of peacemaker. Sometimes that role is a stern role, sometimes it is the role of negotiating, sometimes we have to separate the parties involved. In other words, being a peacemaker is not always a peaceful job! We may have to be assertive and proactive, but whatever we can do to promote peace, that is our calling as children of God. Maybe you work in a situation where a peacemaker is needed. Some of the things that typically cause discord in the workplace are gossip, job insecurity, out-of-control ambition, poor communication—and the list goes on. It could be a company-wide morale problem, producing tumult and disharmony among employees; or it could be little feuds between individuals, where one refuses to speak to another. I’m often amazed at how petty and vindictive adults can be—but there you have it. What can we do in these kinds of environments to be peacemakers? It’s not enough just to keep pushing it under the covers, so to speak, and trying to keep a lid on things. That is peacekeeping, just opting for peace at any price. But we want to be peacemakers.
8/8/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper? – 2

Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? A peacemaker is one who strives to make peace in situations that are in turmoil. A peacekeeper, on the other hand, often just tries to keep the status quo and do anything to avoid conflict. In the Beatitudes, Jesus calls us to be peacemakers; therefore, that is what we should strive to be. Parents know that making peace between children is a part of their job description. From their earliest days, our children manage to disrupt the peace—get into arguments, cause discord, aggravate each other. And we find ourselves in the role of peacemaker. Sometimes that role is a stern role, sometimes it is the role of negotiating, sometimes we have to separate the parties involved. In other words, being a peacemaker is not always a peaceful job! We may have to be assertive and proactive, but whatever we can do to promote peace, that is our calling as children of God. Maybe you work in a situation where a peacemaker is needed. Some of the things that typically cause discord in the workplace are gossip, job insecurity, out-of-control ambition, poor communication—and the list goes on. It could be a company-wide morale problem, producing tumult and disharmony among employees; or it could be little feuds between individuals, where one refuses to speak to another. I’m often amazed at how petty and vindictive adults can be—but there you have it. What can we do in these kinds of environments to be peacemakers? It’s not enough just to keep pushing it under the covers, so to speak, and trying to keep a lid on things. That is peacekeeping, just opting for peace at any price. But we want to be peacemakers.
8/8/20233 minutes
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Peacemaker or Peacekeeper?

We hear a lot about peace, don’t we? From the proclamation of the angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus—"Peace on earth, good will to men”—to our daily news broadcasts, peace is a frequent topic, and there’s no doubt that most people want to have peace on earth. But you know, peace is not something that can be declared or legislated. True peace is a heart condition, and each individual has the choice to be at peace with others or not. Just think, if every individual decided to be a peaceful person, to never harm anyone else, to do everything he or she could to promote peace, well, we would have peace on earth. Obviously, you and I have little influence on world peace. But we have great influence on our own environments, whether they are peaceful or not. So, I thought we should talk about peace in our individual worlds. How can we promote peace? Let me begin by asking: Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? There is a difference, you know. Peacemaking is something every Christian should be very good at doing. We are called to be peacemakers. Jesus said that people who make peace are blessed, and will be called "children of God.” Peacekeepers, on the other hand, often just want peace at any price. That can lead to compromising and lowering standards and going along to get along, just to keep the peace. So, we need to know the difference between being a peacemaker and a peacekeeper. A peacemaker is one who makes peace where there is none. I'm sure you have many opportunities to make peace if you recognize them and take advantage of them.
8/7/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Peacemaker or Peacekeeper?

We hear a lot about peace, don’t we? From the proclamation of the angels to the shepherds at the birth of Jesus—"Peace on earth, good will to men”—to our daily news broadcasts, peace is a frequent topic, and there’s no doubt that most people want to have peace on earth. But you know, peace is not something that can be declared or legislated. True peace is a heart condition, and each individual has the choice to be at peace with others or not. Just think, if every individual decided to be a peaceful person, to never harm anyone else, to do everything he or she could to promote peace, well, we would have peace on earth. Obviously, you and I have little influence on world peace. But we have great influence on our own environments, whether they are peaceful or not. So, I thought we should talk about peace in our individual worlds. How can we promote peace? Let me begin by asking: Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? There is a difference, you know. Peacemaking is something every Christian should be very good at doing. We are called to be peacemakers. Jesus said that people who make peace are blessed, and will be called "children of God.” Peacekeepers, on the other hand, often just want peace at any price. That can lead to compromising and lowering standards and going along to get along, just to keep the peace. So, we need to know the difference between being a peacemaker and a peacekeeper. A peacemaker is one who makes peace where there is none. I'm sure you have many opportunities to make peace if you recognize them and take advantage of them.
8/7/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 2

The challenge of setting reasonable boundaries is almost always a relationship challenge. And it frequently comes from our misplaced idea of what it means to be a good friend, or what it means to be a good team player. There’s no doubt that as Christ-followers, our standard given to us by Jesus himself is to go the extra mile, to do more than is required of us. We are called to be servants, as Jesus was, and that should always be our attitude. But when you try to do more than you should do and you think that going the extra mile means you jump through everyone’s hoops and meet everyone’s expectations, you are then in dangerous territory. This is how you become burned out; it’s how you become an enabler; it’s how you allow false guilt to drive you into exhaustion and resentment. I would remind you that Jesus knew how to say no. Do you remember when the disciples were looking for Jesus one morning because a crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus again, and no doubt were eager to take advantage of his gift of healing? They found him alone, praying, and they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (Mark 1: 37b-38). The disciples tried to tell Jesus that he should come back and preach to the crowd waiting for him, but Jesus knew when to say no. Another time a man stopped him and asked him to settle a disagreement. He said, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” (Luke 12:13-14). Basically Jesus said, “Sorry, that’s not my job.” He drew a boundary and said no, even though he could have done it but it was not what he was sent to do. Jesus knew that he could not please everyone; in his human body while here on earth he had physical limitations, as we do. He became weary, as we do. He needed rest and time alone, as we do. And in order to do what God had sent him to do, he had to refuse to do other things—he had to draw boundaries. I believe his example teaches us that we must also learn to draw reasonable boundaries in order for us to be able to do what God wants us to do. So, let’s see what other boundary issues Fran is facing now. It’s Wednesday of this week in her life, and she has just barely made a deadline for her most important client, but it was at the expense of late hours last night because she allowed a coworker to talk her into helping her for “ten minutes,” which turned into three hours. This is one of the boundary issues she faces. Fran is relieved that she got it done, but quite honestly, she is exhausted and sleepy. With two hours to go before the end of the day, she is counting the minutes until she can leave, tying up a few loose ends, and dreaming of going to bed early when the kids do tonight. But in walks her manager, who says, “Fran, if you’re not busy tonight, I’d love for you to join me for dinner with the Vice President of Marketing, who is in town this week, you know. I’ve been telling him about your success and how much you’ve contributed to the fact that we’re twenty percent ahead of our quota, and he asked if you would join us. I know you have your kids, but if you could get a sitter, I’d be glad to cover that expense for you.” Don’t do it, Fran, the inner voice of God’s Spirit seems to say to her, but how can she say no? I mean, how often do you get this kind of opportunity to make a good impression? Well, she thinks I can do it. Mom will keep the kids for me, I think, and it’s just one night. So, she hears herself saying, “That’s very nice of him. I, uh, I think I can make that happen. Let me make a call and I’ll get back to you.” She calls her mom, who does have plans for that evening, but Fran twists her arm and convinces her that her Dad will be glad to watch the kids while she’s away, so of course, Mom can’t say no either,
8/5/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 2

The challenge of setting reasonable boundaries is almost always a relationship challenge. And it frequently comes from our misplaced idea of what it means to be a good friend, or what it means to be a good team player. There’s no doubt that as Christ-followers, our standard given to us by Jesus himself is to go the extra mile, to do more than is required of us. We are called to be servants, as Jesus was, and that should always be our attitude. But when you try to do more than you should do and you think that going the extra mile means you jump through everyone’s hoops and meet everyone’s expectations, you are then in dangerous territory. This is how you become burned out; it’s how you become an enabler; it’s how you allow false guilt to drive you into exhaustion and resentment. I would remind you that Jesus knew how to say no. Do you remember when the disciples were looking for Jesus one morning because a crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus again, and no doubt were eager to take advantage of his gift of healing? They found him alone, praying, and they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come” (Mark 1: 37b-38). The disciples tried to tell Jesus that he should come back and preach to the crowd waiting for him, but Jesus knew when to say no. Another time a man stopped him and asked him to settle a disagreement. He said, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But Jesus said to him, “Man, who appointed me a judge or an arbiter between you?” (Luke 12:13-14). Basically Jesus said, “Sorry, that’s not my job.” He drew a boundary and said no, even though he could have done it but it was not what he was sent to do. Jesus knew that he could not please everyone; in his human body while here on earth he had physical limitations, as we do. He became weary, as we do. He needed rest and time alone, as we do. And in order to do what God had sent him to do, he had to refuse to do other things—he had to draw boundaries. I believe his example teaches us that we must also learn to draw reasonable boundaries in order for us to be able to do what God wants us to do. So, let’s see what other boundary issues Fran is facing now. It’s Wednesday of this week in her life, and she has just barely made a deadline for her most important client, but it was at the expense of late hours last night because she allowed a coworker to talk her into helping her for “ten minutes,” which turned into three hours. This is one of the boundary issues she faces. Fran is relieved that she got it done, but quite honestly, she is exhausted and sleepy. With two hours to go before the end of the day, she is counting the minutes until she can leave, tying up a few loose ends, and dreaming of going to bed early when the kids do tonight. But in walks her manager, who says, “Fran, if you’re not busy tonight, I’d love for you to join me for dinner with the Vice President of Marketing, who is in town this week, you know. I’ve been telling him about your success and how much you’ve contributed to the fact that we’re twenty percent ahead of our quota, and he asked if you would join us. I know you have your kids, but if you could get a sitter, I’d be glad to cover that expense for you.” Don’t do it, Fran, the inner voice of God’s Spirit seems to say to her, but how can she say no? I mean, how often do you get this kind of opportunity to make a good impression? Well, she thinks I can do it. Mom will keep the kids for me, I think, and it’s just one night. So, she hears herself saying, “That’s very nice of him. I, uh, I think I can make that happen. Let me make a call and I’ll get back to you.” She calls her mom, who does have plans for that evening, but Fran twists her arm and convinces her that her Dad will be glad to watch the kids while she’s away, so of course, Mom can’t say no either,
8/5/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Peace Under Pressure – 5

How can the people you work with know that Jesus Christ makes a difference in your life? I'll give you one way that will always work. If they see that you have peace in your life, regardless of the circumstances, they're going to want to know how in the world you do it. People today are desperate for peace, and as Christians we know the Prince of Peace, the only one who can give us true peace. But if our lives are just as frayed around the edges as everyone else's, if we don't display that peace of God which passes understanding, then we're missing an incredible opportunity to show Christ to the people in our worlds. I want to tell you the story of how a good friend found Christ: Janet, who is a member of our Board here. Before becoming a believer she was working in a situation that was highly stressful. Everyone was under constant pressure and the environment was really crazy. But in all of the chaos, she kept noticing one of her coworkers who seemed very peaceful. He did his work as well as anyone, produced what was expected of him, but he just never seemed to be frazzled and stressful like everyone else. Janet watched him for a long time, and finally she said to him, "How do you do it?” He smiled, and shared with her that it was his faith in Christ which made the difference. Then he simply recommended that she read the Bible and suggested the book of John. Though Janet had considered herself a Christian, she had never read the Bible, so she decided to see what he was talking about. After a couple of months of reading and investigating, Janet accepted Christ, and a few months after that, her husband Ray did, too. And it all started when one person was peaceful in a chaotic work environment. What a testimony we could have to our worlds if we showed them in our lives that Christ is our peace, and because of him, we can have peace even when the situation is chaotic. So, there are many reasons we need to learn the secret of having peace in the midst of pressure. Christ has come to give us peace; he is our peace. We need to be sure we're demonstrating it daily in our lives.
8/4/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 5

How can the people you work with know that Jesus Christ makes a difference in your life? I'll give you one way that will always work. If they see that you have peace in your life, regardless of the circumstances, they're going to want to know how in the world you do it. People today are desperate for peace, and as Christians we know the Prince of Peace, the only one who can give us true peace. But if our lives are just as frayed around the edges as everyone else's, if we don't display that peace of God which passes understanding, then we're missing an incredible opportunity to show Christ to the people in our worlds. I want to tell you the story of how a good friend found Christ: Janet, who is a member of our Board here. Before becoming a believer she was working in a situation that was highly stressful. Everyone was under constant pressure and the environment was really crazy. But in all of the chaos, she kept noticing one of her coworkers who seemed very peaceful. He did his work as well as anyone, produced what was expected of him, but he just never seemed to be frazzled and stressful like everyone else. Janet watched him for a long time, and finally she said to him, "How do you do it?” He smiled, and shared with her that it was his faith in Christ which made the difference. Then he simply recommended that she read the Bible and suggested the book of John. Though Janet had considered herself a Christian, she had never read the Bible, so she decided to see what he was talking about. After a couple of months of reading and investigating, Janet accepted Christ, and a few months after that, her husband Ray did, too. And it all started when one person was peaceful in a chaotic work environment. What a testimony we could have to our worlds if we showed them in our lives that Christ is our peace, and because of him, we can have peace even when the situation is chaotic. So, there are many reasons we need to learn the secret of having peace in the midst of pressure. Christ has come to give us peace; he is our peace. We need to be sure we're demonstrating it daily in our lives.
8/4/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 4

Knowing consistent peace in our lives, even though we have pressure and stress to deal with, should be a trademark of Christians. Of course, Jesus is our supreme example of this ability to be peaceful regardless of the pressures. People were always crowding him, trying to talk to him, trying to touch him. He had a hard time finding any space or time for himself. He was constantly under pressure. But I notice that no matter how busy he was or how much there was to do, he found time to be alone with God. R. A. Torrey wrote something which I copied in the front of my prayer journal and to which I frequently refer. He wrote: "Some people are so busy that they find no time for prayer. Apparently the busier Christ's life was, the more he prayed. Sometimes he had no time to eat, sometimes he had no time for needed rest or sleep, but he always took time to pray; and the more the work crowded the more he prayed." Lots of times when our schedules get very full, and the pressure starts to come in on us, the first thing we sacrifice is our time with the Lord. That's one reason many Christians don't have real peace in their everyday lives. They've not spent time with the Prince of Peace, they've failed to go to the source of peace, and so they face their pressures on their own. I remember one period of time when the pressures and deadlines were great, and so I sacrificed my prayer time for a few days. In his oh-so-gentle way, God showed me that when I sacrifice prayer time to relieve pressures, I do just the opposite: I increase my pressures. He said, "Spend time with me, draw on my strength. You need me now more than ever. And I'll take the remaining time and make it stretch to meet the responsibilities.” Your lack of peace in the midst of pressure may be because you've sacrificed time with the Prince of Peace. Sorry, but it just won't work. Give God the time you need to be with him and see how he stretches the rest of your time for you.
8/3/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 4

Knowing consistent peace in our lives, even though we have pressure and stress to deal with, should be a trademark of Christians. Of course, Jesus is our supreme example of this ability to be peaceful regardless of the pressures. People were always crowding him, trying to talk to him, trying to touch him. He had a hard time finding any space or time for himself. He was constantly under pressure. But I notice that no matter how busy he was or how much there was to do, he found time to be alone with God. R. A. Torrey wrote something which I copied in the front of my prayer journal and to which I frequently refer. He wrote: "Some people are so busy that they find no time for prayer. Apparently the busier Christ's life was, the more he prayed. Sometimes he had no time to eat, sometimes he had no time for needed rest or sleep, but he always took time to pray; and the more the work crowded the more he prayed." Lots of times when our schedules get very full, and the pressure starts to come in on us, the first thing we sacrifice is our time with the Lord. That's one reason many Christians don't have real peace in their everyday lives. They've not spent time with the Prince of Peace, they've failed to go to the source of peace, and so they face their pressures on their own. I remember one period of time when the pressures and deadlines were great, and so I sacrificed my prayer time for a few days. In his oh-so-gentle way, God showed me that when I sacrifice prayer time to relieve pressures, I do just the opposite: I increase my pressures. He said, "Spend time with me, draw on my strength. You need me now more than ever. And I'll take the remaining time and make it stretch to meet the responsibilities.” Your lack of peace in the midst of pressure may be because you've sacrificed time with the Prince of Peace. Sorry, but it just won't work. Give God the time you need to be with him and see how he stretches the rest of your time for you.
8/3/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 3

Peace even when you’re under pressure: Do you think that's possible? One thing we all deal with is pressure and stress. While it's true that too much pressure is harmful, it's also true that you cannot escape some pressure if you're involved in anything at all. So, we need to know how to be peaceful even though we have stress and pressure in our daily routine. Peter tells us in 1 Peter the third chapter that the person who intends to love life and see good days must seek peace and pursue it. You have to go for it. It doesn't just happen. It comes when you pursue it. One thing I recommend is to take peace breaks. When you feel the pressure and panic start to crowd in around you, find some way to take a short break where you can pray for a few minutes. Get your mind refocused on Jesus. Then go back to face your situation, and you'll discover that unreasonable peace—that peace that passes understanding—flowing through you, even though the pressure is still there. Write Scripture verses on cards that help you to be peaceful. Such as Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Put that card in front of you, on your screen saver or smart phone, and read it and re-read it several times during the day. That will help keep your thoughts where they should be; bringing every thought into captivity so that they obey Christ. You could hum a good Christian song to yourself to get your mind refocused on the person who is our peace, Jesus Christ. You can do that while you're talking to people, busily working on something, rushing on the job, darting somewhere in your car. Right in the midst of all that pressure, you can still know God's incredible peace. Do you spend any time with God early in your day, so that you begin your day in a peaceful manner? Or do you begin most of your days in a hectic rush, getting up late, rushing yourself and your family? Remember this: Your day is won or lost in the morning hours. Take time early in your day to put on peace, and your peace is a person, right? Put on Jesus and his shoes of peace. Don’t leave home without doing that. And take some peace breaks during your hectic day. Those are good suggestions for staying peaceful in the midst of pressure.
8/2/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 3

Peace even when you’re under pressure: Do you think that's possible? One thing we all deal with is pressure and stress. While it's true that too much pressure is harmful, it's also true that you cannot escape some pressure if you're involved in anything at all. So, we need to know how to be peaceful even though we have stress and pressure in our daily routine. Peter tells us in 1 Peter the third chapter that the person who intends to love life and see good days must seek peace and pursue it. You have to go for it. It doesn't just happen. It comes when you pursue it. One thing I recommend is to take peace breaks. When you feel the pressure and panic start to crowd in around you, find some way to take a short break where you can pray for a few minutes. Get your mind refocused on Jesus. Then go back to face your situation, and you'll discover that unreasonable peace—that peace that passes understanding—flowing through you, even though the pressure is still there. Write Scripture verses on cards that help you to be peaceful. Such as Isaiah 26:3: “You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you.” Put that card in front of you, on your screen saver or smart phone, and read it and re-read it several times during the day. That will help keep your thoughts where they should be; bringing every thought into captivity so that they obey Christ. You could hum a good Christian song to yourself to get your mind refocused on the person who is our peace, Jesus Christ. You can do that while you're talking to people, busily working on something, rushing on the job, darting somewhere in your car. Right in the midst of all that pressure, you can still know God's incredible peace. Do you spend any time with God early in your day, so that you begin your day in a peaceful manner? Or do you begin most of your days in a hectic rush, getting up late, rushing yourself and your family? Remember this: Your day is won or lost in the morning hours. Take time early in your day to put on peace, and your peace is a person, right? Put on Jesus and his shoes of peace. Don’t leave home without doing that. And take some peace breaks during your hectic day. Those are good suggestions for staying peaceful in the midst of pressure.
8/2/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 2

Did you ever think about this: if you don't feel pressured, you aren't? Pressure is a state of mind. If you don't think you're under pressure, you're really not, regardless of what's on your plate to do. One of the most important concepts we can grasp in our Christian life is that we are what we think. Everything begins with our thought life, and that includes whether or not we're feeling pressured. I start to feel stressed when I allow myself to think about all there is to do, when I start to worry about next week's deadlines, when I ponder long the "To Do" list that stares me in the face. "Oh, my, how will I ever get all this done?" I think. Then I convince myself that there's no way. And now the panic starts to rise, because I'm thinking about all I have to do instead of just doing something. Remind yourself often that you can only do one thing at a time, decide what has the highest priority at this moment, and do it. Allowing those thoughts to hang around and bombard you with "Hurry up, you've got a lot to do," or "You're never going to get everything done at this rate," just pours the pressure on yourself, and keeps you from working at maximum efficiency. The good news is that pressure and peace are not exclusives. You don't have to give up peace and calmness just because there's some pressure on you. And peace is not passivity. Peace doesn't mean you're lying down in green pastures, with bubbling brooks and birds singing. Peace doesn't mean the absence of emails or meals to cook or reports to finish. Peace is a state of mind; it begins with our thoughts. And our minds can be at rest in the midst of incredible activity. One good suggestion to stay peaceful in pressurized environments is to talk to yourself correctly. What do you say or think when you're under pressure? "Oh, I'll never get this done.” Or "I can't do all this.” Well, why do you feed all that negative stuff into your head? Say instead, "Lord, by your grace I will survive this. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You will be amazed at how much easier it is to handle stress when you talk to yourself in biblical ways, not in negative ways.
8/1/20233 minutes
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Peace Under Pressure – 2

Did you ever think about this: if you don't feel pressured, you aren't? Pressure is a state of mind. If you don't think you're under pressure, you're really not, regardless of what's on your plate to do. One of the most important concepts we can grasp in our Christian life is that we are what we think. Everything begins with our thought life, and that includes whether or not we're feeling pressured. I start to feel stressed when I allow myself to think about all there is to do, when I start to worry about next week's deadlines, when I ponder long the "To Do" list that stares me in the face. "Oh, my, how will I ever get all this done?" I think. Then I convince myself that there's no way. And now the panic starts to rise, because I'm thinking about all I have to do instead of just doing something. Remind yourself often that you can only do one thing at a time, decide what has the highest priority at this moment, and do it. Allowing those thoughts to hang around and bombard you with "Hurry up, you've got a lot to do," or "You're never going to get everything done at this rate," just pours the pressure on yourself, and keeps you from working at maximum efficiency. The good news is that pressure and peace are not exclusives. You don't have to give up peace and calmness just because there's some pressure on you. And peace is not passivity. Peace doesn't mean you're lying down in green pastures, with bubbling brooks and birds singing. Peace doesn't mean the absence of emails or meals to cook or reports to finish. Peace is a state of mind; it begins with our thoughts. And our minds can be at rest in the midst of incredible activity. One good suggestion to stay peaceful in pressurized environments is to talk to yourself correctly. What do you say or think when you're under pressure? "Oh, I'll never get this done.” Or "I can't do all this.” Well, why do you feed all that negative stuff into your head? Say instead, "Lord, by your grace I will survive this. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You will be amazed at how much easier it is to handle stress when you talk to yourself in biblical ways, not in negative ways.
8/1/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Peace Under Pressure

One of the most common problems we all share today is handling pressure and stress. I don't know anyone who escapes it, do you? How do you have peace in the midst of your stress and pressures? Now, I'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't have pressure or stress in your life. Honestly, if you constantly lived free of pressure, you probably would not accomplish very much. Any time you start to get involved in anything, any time you decide to contribute something, any time you take on responsibilities, pressure and stress become a part of the scene. Pressure forces me to be organized and to prioritize my time much better. And then, I really believe God uses pressure in our lives to teach us many things. Pressure teaches us to turn to him. Pressure makes us look up more often. Pressure keeps us aware of our need for him. Of course, there is such a thing as too much pressure, and we certainly need to be careful about that. God reminds me frequently that I can't do everything, and there is a limit to the amount of pressure I should handle. One of the major reasons we are under pressure and stress is because we haven't learned to say no, and we're trying to be superwomen or supermen. You know, just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should. Just because there is something else to be done doesn't necessarily mean you are the one who should do it, or it has to be done right now. Many of us try to be all things to all people, and it never works. Honestly, I have to admit that sometimes I put myself under pressure because I want the praise of people. I’m doing it for the wrong reasons. Remember this: You'll never get enough applause from people to make you feel significant. Our self-worth must come from our relationship with Jesus Christ. If your superwoman's wings are tired today, just stop and remember that God is not asking you to be a super-person. Perhaps that is why you're feeling pressured and stressed. Let go of that superwoman pursuit and ask God to show you his plan for you and for your day.
7/31/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Peace Under Pressure

One of the most common problems we all share today is handling pressure and stress. I don't know anyone who escapes it, do you? How do you have peace in the midst of your stress and pressures? Now, I'm not going to tell you that you shouldn't have pressure or stress in your life. Honestly, if you constantly lived free of pressure, you probably would not accomplish very much. Any time you start to get involved in anything, any time you decide to contribute something, any time you take on responsibilities, pressure and stress become a part of the scene. Pressure forces me to be organized and to prioritize my time much better. And then, I really believe God uses pressure in our lives to teach us many things. Pressure teaches us to turn to him. Pressure makes us look up more often. Pressure keeps us aware of our need for him. Of course, there is such a thing as too much pressure, and we certainly need to be careful about that. God reminds me frequently that I can't do everything, and there is a limit to the amount of pressure I should handle. One of the major reasons we are under pressure and stress is because we haven't learned to say no, and we're trying to be superwomen or supermen. You know, just because you can do something doesn't necessarily mean you should. Just because there is something else to be done doesn't necessarily mean you are the one who should do it, or it has to be done right now. Many of us try to be all things to all people, and it never works. Honestly, I have to admit that sometimes I put myself under pressure because I want the praise of people. I’m doing it for the wrong reasons. Remember this: You'll never get enough applause from people to make you feel significant. Our self-worth must come from our relationship with Jesus Christ. If your superwoman's wings are tired today, just stop and remember that God is not asking you to be a super-person. Perhaps that is why you're feeling pressured and stressed. Let go of that superwoman pursuit and ask God to show you his plan for you and for your day.
7/31/20233 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 1

As we look at Fran’s struggle with establishing appropriate boundaries for her life, part of the problem is that she has the somewhat misplaced conception that as a Christ-follower, she should try to do what anyone asks of her. After all, she thinks, isn’t that what Jesus meant when he told us in the Sermon on the Mount that we should go the extra mile? Well, no it isn’t. One mile, yes, but not unending extra miles. Fran faces various people in her life who are pushing her boundaries. They are each different, but they represent the various ways that boundaries can become a real issue. The first one deals with a friend who continually exceeds normal and acceptable boundaries when it comes to requiring a lot of Fran’s time. It’s Sunday afternoon and Fran has planned to spend a quiet day at home with her two children, just enjoying an afternoon to play games with Drew and Alice, and maybe even do some good reading, one of her favorite pastimes that she doesn’t get to do very often. Just as she is in the midst of a game of Crazy 8, having fun with her kids, the phone rings and Jane is on the other end. Jane is a friend from church who calls Fran quite often and talks for long periods of time about all her issues. You might say she is a high-maintenance friend, but Fran has tried to listen and help her, thinking that this is the right thing to do. Admittedly it has become a bit out-of-balance and as Fran sees Jane’s caller ID, she is really tempted to just let it go—but she’s supposed to be there for her friends, right? So, she answers and sure enough Jane begins her typical long and detailed complaining and whining. Jane is the type who tells you how to build a clock when all you want to know is what time it is. At first, Fran tries to encourage her and offer some suggestions, but everything she says is resisted by Jane, and it seems Fran can do nothing but listen. Whatever advice Fran may have is immediately discounted by Jane. “That wouldn’t work” is her familiar retort, or “You just don’t understand” is another. After twenty minutes, Drew says, “Mom, aren’t we gonna finish our game?” No doubt Jane heard Drew, but she completely ignores it and continues her tirade. After another ten minutes and several pleas from Drew and Alice, Fran realizes that Jane is not going to stop anytime soon, so when Jane takes a breath, she says, “Hey, Jane, the kids and I were playing a game and I promised them we’d finish, so if you don’t mind, I need to get back to them. I’ll be praying for you. In fact, why don’t I pray for you now before we hang up?” Jane says, “Well, I know you’re always busy and don’t have time to talk—I guess games are more important to you than friends.” And with that she hangs up, totally ignoring Fran’s offer to pray. “Wow,” Fran says to herself, “I guess I should have let her keep talking—but honestly, it doesn’t do any good to listen to her. She simply isn’t interested in solutions or advice; all she wants is to bend my ear and get my sympathy. I don’t know, Lord, what am I supposed to do?” Was Fran right to finally bring this conversation to a close? She feels a bit guilty, but then she feels guilty about her commitment to the kids as well. If it were a one-time event, the answer might be different. But Jane has been doing this to Fran for several weeks, but this is the first time Fran has assertively brought a conversation to the close, which obviously has not set well with Jane. Did she have a better option? Have you got some “Janes” in your life—people who continually bend your ear and take up your time, but nothing good ever seems to come from it?  Maybe it’s time to do something about it. Perhaps instead of putting up with Jane’s time-consuming litany of complaints, Fran needs to consider what she might do to help Jane, while at the same time setting some boundaries for these frequent one-sided conversations. It’s obvious that they aren’t accomplishing anything good for either woman.
7/29/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 1

As we look at Fran’s struggle with establishing appropriate boundaries for her life, part of the problem is that she has the somewhat misplaced conception that as a Christ-follower, she should try to do what anyone asks of her. After all, she thinks, isn’t that what Jesus meant when he told us in the Sermon on the Mount that we should go the extra mile? Well, no it isn’t. One mile, yes, but not unending extra miles. Fran faces various people in her life who are pushing her boundaries. They are each different, but they represent the various ways that boundaries can become a real issue. The first one deals with a friend who continually exceeds normal and acceptable boundaries when it comes to requiring a lot of Fran’s time. It’s Sunday afternoon and Fran has planned to spend a quiet day at home with her two children, just enjoying an afternoon to play games with Drew and Alice, and maybe even do some good reading, one of her favorite pastimes that she doesn’t get to do very often. Just as she is in the midst of a game of Crazy 8, having fun with her kids, the phone rings and Jane is on the other end. Jane is a friend from church who calls Fran quite often and talks for long periods of time about all her issues. You might say she is a high-maintenance friend, but Fran has tried to listen and help her, thinking that this is the right thing to do. Admittedly it has become a bit out-of-balance and as Fran sees Jane’s caller ID, she is really tempted to just let it go—but she’s supposed to be there for her friends, right? So, she answers and sure enough Jane begins her typical long and detailed complaining and whining. Jane is the type who tells you how to build a clock when all you want to know is what time it is. At first, Fran tries to encourage her and offer some suggestions, but everything she says is resisted by Jane, and it seems Fran can do nothing but listen. Whatever advice Fran may have is immediately discounted by Jane. “That wouldn’t work” is her familiar retort, or “You just don’t understand” is another. After twenty minutes, Drew says, “Mom, aren’t we gonna finish our game?” No doubt Jane heard Drew, but she completely ignores it and continues her tirade. After another ten minutes and several pleas from Drew and Alice, Fran realizes that Jane is not going to stop anytime soon, so when Jane takes a breath, she says, “Hey, Jane, the kids and I were playing a game and I promised them we’d finish, so if you don’t mind, I need to get back to them. I’ll be praying for you. In fact, why don’t I pray for you now before we hang up?” Jane says, “Well, I know you’re always busy and don’t have time to talk—I guess games are more important to you than friends.” And with that she hangs up, totally ignoring Fran’s offer to pray. “Wow,” Fran says to herself, “I guess I should have let her keep talking—but honestly, it doesn’t do any good to listen to her. She simply isn’t interested in solutions or advice; all she wants is to bend my ear and get my sympathy. I don’t know, Lord, what am I supposed to do?” Was Fran right to finally bring this conversation to a close? She feels a bit guilty, but then she feels guilty about her commitment to the kids as well. If it were a one-time event, the answer might be different. But Jane has been doing this to Fran for several weeks, but this is the first time Fran has assertively brought a conversation to the close, which obviously has not set well with Jane. Did she have a better option? Have you got some “Janes” in your life—people who continually bend your ear and take up your time, but nothing good ever seems to come from it?  Maybe it’s time to do something about it. Perhaps instead of putting up with Jane’s time-consuming litany of complaints, Fran needs to consider what she might do to help Jane, while at the same time setting some boundaries for these frequent one-sided conversations. It’s obvious that they aren’t accomplishing anything good for either woman.
7/29/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do when life gets hard? When your faith gets tested, how do you respond? Do trials in life incline you to distance yourself from God or do life’s tough moments compel you to lean into Jesus? Trials of life will come. At some level we know this, so why do we get so stunned when trials happen? Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:63), and we will too. If you have been a follower of Jesus for any amount of time you are probably familiar with James’ instruction on life’s trials:  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). James is a book about practical Christian living; a life that reflects a genuine faith by being not only hearers of the Word but doers. (James 1:22). If we are honest, sometimes we like to read and hear the Word of God but actively living out God’s instruction, that’s another story. Especially when the rubber hits the road and hardships come. One of the most difficult parts of the Christian life is the fact that becoming a disciple of Christ does not make us immune to life’s trials and tribulations. Considering it pure joy when you face trials is counterintuitive. Joy is not typically our first reaction to difficulties and challenges. No one likes to suffer, yet as a follower of Jesus, in your suffering, there’s a unique opportunity for God to perfect and complete the valuable character-building work he started in you. God uses difficulties, trials, and persecution to test, strengthen, and grow your faith. Our faith can get lazy and flabby when times are easy. While I don’t want flabby faith, I sometimes don't want to go through the refining fire that's required to purify and sanctify. But, trials are an opportunity for your faith to work – and get a workout. Just like lifting increased weight builds and strengthens your muscles, the heaviness of hard times can build and strengthen your faith when you rely on and trust Jesus. When James says to “count it all joy,” he encourages us to evaluate the way we look at trials; to develop a new mindset and attitude that considers trials from God’s perspective. Trials test your faith. And when you persevere, grounded in faith in Christ, believing (even when it does not feel like it) that he is with you and working all things for your good, it will be a faith builder.
7/28/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do when life gets hard? When your faith gets tested, how do you respond? Do trials in life incline you to distance yourself from God or do life’s tough moments compel you to lean into Jesus? Trials of life will come. At some level we know this, so why do we get so stunned when trials happen? Jesus told his disciples, “In this world you will have trouble” (John 16:63), and we will too. If you have been a follower of Jesus for any amount of time you are probably familiar with James’ instruction on life’s trials:  “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:2-4). James is a book about practical Christian living; a life that reflects a genuine faith by being not only hearers of the Word but doers. (James 1:22). If we are honest, sometimes we like to read and hear the Word of God but actively living out God’s instruction, that’s another story. Especially when the rubber hits the road and hardships come. One of the most difficult parts of the Christian life is the fact that becoming a disciple of Christ does not make us immune to life’s trials and tribulations. Considering it pure joy when you face trials is counterintuitive. Joy is not typically our first reaction to difficulties and challenges. No one likes to suffer, yet as a follower of Jesus, in your suffering, there’s a unique opportunity for God to perfect and complete the valuable character-building work he started in you. God uses difficulties, trials, and persecution to test, strengthen, and grow your faith. Our faith can get lazy and flabby when times are easy. While I don’t want flabby faith, I sometimes don't want to go through the refining fire that's required to purify and sanctify. But, trials are an opportunity for your faith to work – and get a workout. Just like lifting increased weight builds and strengthens your muscles, the heaviness of hard times can build and strengthen your faith when you rely on and trust Jesus. When James says to “count it all joy,” he encourages us to evaluate the way we look at trials; to develop a new mindset and attitude that considers trials from God’s perspective. Trials test your faith. And when you persevere, grounded in faith in Christ, believing (even when it does not feel like it) that he is with you and working all things for your good, it will be a faith builder.
7/28/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you believe that God will show up in your life every day, no matter what? When you think about the character of God, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think merciful, gracious, loving, holy, forgiving. What about faithful? Do you believe that God’s faithfulness to you is unconditional, that he can be relied on even when you are unreliable? The Apostle Paul reminds us of the nature of God. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). Just stop for a moment and let the magnitude of these words sink into your mind and heart. No matter what you do, God will be faithful to you. As you think about this verse, there are two simple truths that I want you to see and let seep in deep. Faithful is who God is. Faithful is not something that God does or just displays toward you. Even if he wanted to (and he doesn’t), he cannot stop being faithful to you because that is part of his nature. And his nature is unchanging. As Paul said, for God not to be faithful, he would have to disown himself and we know he will never do that. God’s faithfulness is unconditional. God is not faithful based on some long list of conditions you are required to meet. God’s decision to be faithful to you has absolutely nothing to do with you, which is a good thing because most of us have a faulty track record. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, even when you are unfaithful to God, even when you sin, God will remain true to you. Regardless of how you act, you cannot do anything to make him love you less. Even when you are faithless, he remains faithful. This is mind blowing and true. There is no other God like Jesus Christ who displays such loyalty and steadfast love for you. Psalm 36:5 declares this truth, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” And Deuteronomy 7:9 beckons, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” As you love and follow Jesus, albeit imperfectly, God remains loyal to you. This is reason to give God glory, and honor, and praise. Lord, we thank you for your unending love. Thank you that you are faithful even when we are not. Turn our hearts to you, stir our affections for you. Help us to receive your abundant love and respond with gratitude, living lives holy and pleasing to you.
7/27/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you believe that God will show up in your life every day, no matter what? When you think about the character of God, what comes to mind? Perhaps you think merciful, gracious, loving, holy, forgiving. What about faithful? Do you believe that God’s faithfulness to you is unconditional, that he can be relied on even when you are unreliable? The Apostle Paul reminds us of the nature of God. “If we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). Just stop for a moment and let the magnitude of these words sink into your mind and heart. No matter what you do, God will be faithful to you. As you think about this verse, there are two simple truths that I want you to see and let seep in deep. Faithful is who God is. Faithful is not something that God does or just displays toward you. Even if he wanted to (and he doesn’t), he cannot stop being faithful to you because that is part of his nature. And his nature is unchanging. As Paul said, for God not to be faithful, he would have to disown himself and we know he will never do that. God’s faithfulness is unconditional. God is not faithful based on some long list of conditions you are required to meet. God’s decision to be faithful to you has absolutely nothing to do with you, which is a good thing because most of us have a faulty track record. Because of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross, even when you are unfaithful to God, even when you sin, God will remain true to you. Regardless of how you act, you cannot do anything to make him love you less. Even when you are faithless, he remains faithful. This is mind blowing and true. There is no other God like Jesus Christ who displays such loyalty and steadfast love for you. Psalm 36:5 declares this truth, “Your love, Lord, reaches to the heavens, your faithfulness to the skies.” And Deuteronomy 7:9 beckons, “Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments.” As you love and follow Jesus, albeit imperfectly, God remains loyal to you. This is reason to give God glory, and honor, and praise. Lord, we thank you for your unending love. Thank you that you are faithful even when we are not. Turn our hearts to you, stir our affections for you. Help us to receive your abundant love and respond with gratitude, living lives holy and pleasing to you.
7/27/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever felt hurt by the words of a good friend? Several years ago a friend gave me some feedback that was really hard to hear. While she didn’t intend her words to be mean, they pierced me. I knew that her intention was not to harm me but to point something out that was a blind spot in my behavior. Even though she spoke those truths out of and in love, her words still stung. Have you ever had a friend speak painful and plain words that cut? Proverbs 27:6 Amplified version says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].” What these words of wisdom teach us is that a mark of a true friend is the willingness to wound us with words of loving correction. The correction may not feel good at the time (it rarely does) but its purpose is to help us grow and mature us spiritually. Two key words in this verse are “faithful” and “friend.” Both descriptors clarifying that the person is pointing something out stemming from their love for you, commitment to your friendship and investment in your spiritual transformation. The ability to be open and honest with each other, coming from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, designed for the good of the other person is the mark of a true and deepening friendship. With that intention a friend’s “wounds” should be kindly and gratefully received. It feels counterintuitive to invite correction in our lives. After all, the culture around us has grown more and more resistant to any type of correction. People do what is right in their own minds and if anyone dares to say anything that may appear critical, it is easily dismissed. But as a follower of Jesus it is important for you to invite faithful and biblical correction in your life. How do you react when someone points out a part of you that needs growth and transformation? Are you the type of person who is open to receiving feedback from friends that while feeling hurtful may be helpful? It can be easy to feel defensive when your shortcomings are exposed but you simply cannot grow if you recoil from correction. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. You really don’t want flattery from someone who does not have your best interests in mind. Your aim as a follower of Jesus is to grow in his likeness. And as the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:15 “...speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Who can you invite to speak truth into your life? Nobody’s perfect. Be humble, invite faithful words that wound and be grateful for the greater goal of maturing as someone who loves and follows Jesus.
7/26/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever felt hurt by the words of a good friend? Several years ago a friend gave me some feedback that was really hard to hear. While she didn’t intend her words to be mean, they pierced me. I knew that her intention was not to harm me but to point something out that was a blind spot in my behavior. Even though she spoke those truths out of and in love, her words still stung. Have you ever had a friend speak painful and plain words that cut? Proverbs 27:6 Amplified version says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend [who corrects out of love and concern], But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful [because they serve his hidden agenda].” What these words of wisdom teach us is that a mark of a true friend is the willingness to wound us with words of loving correction. The correction may not feel good at the time (it rarely does) but its purpose is to help us grow and mature us spiritually. Two key words in this verse are “faithful” and “friend.” Both descriptors clarifying that the person is pointing something out stemming from their love for you, commitment to your friendship and investment in your spiritual transformation. The ability to be open and honest with each other, coming from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, designed for the good of the other person is the mark of a true and deepening friendship. With that intention a friend’s “wounds” should be kindly and gratefully received. It feels counterintuitive to invite correction in our lives. After all, the culture around us has grown more and more resistant to any type of correction. People do what is right in their own minds and if anyone dares to say anything that may appear critical, it is easily dismissed. But as a follower of Jesus it is important for you to invite faithful and biblical correction in your life. How do you react when someone points out a part of you that needs growth and transformation? Are you the type of person who is open to receiving feedback from friends that while feeling hurtful may be helpful? It can be easy to feel defensive when your shortcomings are exposed but you simply cannot grow if you recoil from correction. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. You really don’t want flattery from someone who does not have your best interests in mind. Your aim as a follower of Jesus is to grow in his likeness. And as the Apostle Paul reminds us in Ephesians 4:15 “...speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.” Who can you invite to speak truth into your life? Nobody’s perfect. Be humble, invite faithful words that wound and be grateful for the greater goal of maturing as someone who loves and follows Jesus.
7/26/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If someone were to look into your life, how would they know that you are a follower of Jesus? Is your Christian faith just a label or is it truly a lifestyle? Do your faith-filled actions speak louder than your words? There are a lot of people who say they are Christians but their lives are void of proof and one source of evidence for your faith is kind acts, your good deeds towards others. James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James is not saying that you earn your salvation through your good deeds. True faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior alone is what saves you. But rather, your goods deeds will demonstrate the authenticity of your faith. Faith takes action and how you live reveals what you believe. Faith is the root, good works are the result, the holy fruit of a faithful life. First Peter 2:12 reinforces this truth: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” As a follower of Jesus we intentionally act and live in a manner worthy of the gospel and we look for ways to serve others and bless them. How has your faith prompted you to meet the needs of those around you? How has your allegiance to Christ changed how you interact with and love your neighbor? Do you tend to think of yourself first or are you willing to sacrifice your comfort to share with others? Are you only inclined to do good for others when you can benefit? Ask God for opportunities to live out your faith and to continue to produce good works in and through you as evidence of your belief and hope in him. Living a faith-filled life can be hard. As followers of Jesus we need other Christ-followers in our lives. Hebrews 10:24-25 says,  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” If you do not have Christian community, can I encourage you to find a Bible preaching church near you? You were not meant to walk this journey of faith alone. Get involved in your local church, join a small group, participate in a Bible study.
7/25/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If someone were to look into your life, how would they know that you are a follower of Jesus? Is your Christian faith just a label or is it truly a lifestyle? Do your faith-filled actions speak louder than your words? There are a lot of people who say they are Christians but their lives are void of proof and one source of evidence for your faith is kind acts, your good deeds towards others. James 2:14-17 says, “What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it?  In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” James is not saying that you earn your salvation through your good deeds. True faith in Jesus as Lord and Savior alone is what saves you. But rather, your goods deeds will demonstrate the authenticity of your faith. Faith takes action and how you live reveals what you believe. Faith is the root, good works are the result, the holy fruit of a faithful life. First Peter 2:12 reinforces this truth: “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” As a follower of Jesus we intentionally act and live in a manner worthy of the gospel and we look for ways to serve others and bless them. How has your faith prompted you to meet the needs of those around you? How has your allegiance to Christ changed how you interact with and love your neighbor? Do you tend to think of yourself first or are you willing to sacrifice your comfort to share with others? Are you only inclined to do good for others when you can benefit? Ask God for opportunities to live out your faith and to continue to produce good works in and through you as evidence of your belief and hope in him. Living a faith-filled life can be hard. As followers of Jesus we need other Christ-followers in our lives. Hebrews 10:24-25 says,  “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” If you do not have Christian community, can I encourage you to find a Bible preaching church near you? You were not meant to walk this journey of faith alone. Get involved in your local church, join a small group, participate in a Bible study.
7/25/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) As you think about the measure of your faith these days, how’s your faith sight? A few years ago I had my annual eye exam and while I had held onto my 20/20 vision for 40+ years, the time had come when my ability to see clearly was not as sharp as it once was. When doing my daily Scripture reading or trying to peruse a menu at a restaurant it was becoming evident that I could not see as clearly as I had in the past. My vision was becoming blurred, my eyesight was weakening. The same thing can happen to our faith over time. If we are not mindful, life’s disruptions, disappointments, detours, and delays can cause our faith to weaken. So how is your faith sight? Are you seeing God for who he really is--faithful and trustworthy even when you cannot see? Or are you in a season where you are finding it difficult to trust God? In the book of Genesis we read of the covenant that God made with Abraham to become the father of many nations promising him descendants and multitudes of generations to come. But from a human perspective there was one perplexing problem. Abraham was 99 and his wife Sarah was not only unable to bear children, she was also 90 years old. Yet, God would do what only he could do, the impossible. And keeping his promise, Sarah would bear a son and Abraham’s descendants would in fact become as numerous as the stars in the sky. Romans 4:18-21 says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” He did not waver through unbelief. Instead he was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God! In the face of what was humanly impossible, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw but what God said. What situation are you facing right now that seems insurmountable? What circumstance is God calling you to look through the lens of faith? When you put on your faith glasses you will see with a renewed perspective that is altered by your trust in God and your view will change.
7/24/20233 minutes
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Put On Your Faith Glasses

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) As you think about the measure of your faith these days, how’s your faith sight? A few years ago I had my annual eye exam and while I had held onto my 20/20 vision for 40+ years, the time had come when my ability to see clearly was not as sharp as it once was. When doing my daily Scripture reading or trying to peruse a menu at a restaurant it was becoming evident that I could not see as clearly as I had in the past. My vision was becoming blurred, my eyesight was weakening. The same thing can happen to our faith over time. If we are not mindful, life’s disruptions, disappointments, detours, and delays can cause our faith to weaken. So how is your faith sight? Are you seeing God for who he really is--faithful and trustworthy even when you cannot see? Or are you in a season where you are finding it difficult to trust God? In the book of Genesis we read of the covenant that God made with Abraham to become the father of many nations promising him descendants and multitudes of generations to come. But from a human perspective there was one perplexing problem. Abraham was 99 and his wife Sarah was not only unable to bear children, she was also 90 years old. Yet, God would do what only he could do, the impossible. And keeping his promise, Sarah would bear a son and Abraham’s descendants would in fact become as numerous as the stars in the sky. Romans 4:18-21 says, “Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, ‘So shall your offspring be.’ Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised.” He did not waver through unbelief. Instead he was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God! In the face of what was humanly impossible, Abraham believed anyway, deciding to live not on the basis of what he saw but what God said. What situation are you facing right now that seems insurmountable? What circumstance is God calling you to look through the lens of faith? When you put on your faith glasses you will see with a renewed perspective that is altered by your trust in God and your view will change.
7/24/20233 minutes
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Is God Really Faithful to Me

Presented by Lisa Bishop Whether you have been a follower of Jesus for two months or 20-plus years, we all have something in common. At some point or dare I say several times in your Christian walk, you will doubt the faithfulness of God. You will struggle to trust him. That’s the honest truth. And frankly, I think we need to talk about that more and normalize it in our Christian circles. All throughout God’s Word we see examples and stories of people doubting if God is trustworthy. We see the Psalmists and some of the greatest heroes of the faith struggling to believe at times. Yet even though we see evidence throughout Scripture of wavering faith (let’s not forget about Doubting Thomas), I think we are so afraid of being shamed or condemned for questioning that we sit in our disillusion, silently suffering. We think something is wrong with us. Something is wrong with our faith. “Why does it look like everyone else’s life is so good, that God is faithful to others, but I don’t feel like he cares about me?” If you have ever heard yourself thinking that or even saying it out loud, you are not the only one. I have as well. So, it’s not a matter of if you will wonder if God is really trustworthy, if he is faithful, you will. What matters is your response….what you do, in those moments or seasons when you doubt the faithfulness of God. The other day I was doing my morning quiet time, which is a time of stillness before the Lord, journaling, praying, and reading Scripture. When I journal, I typically start out by reflecting on the prior day by writing down my daily gratitude list and telling God what I am thankful for. This has become a daily habit; expressing appreciation for anything from a cool breeze and sunny day to time with my mom, a new work project, a divine encounter with a person God brings in my path, dinner with friends, patience to endure a frustrating situation with grace. There is a lot to be grateful for when you sit down and intentionally take the time to consider all of the ways God is present and providing. On this particular day, my journaling started differently. Instead of starting with my gratitude list, my pen uttered honest words that my heart was speaking that morning. I journaled, “Today I woke up with a fear of the future. But I will choose to trust.” That morning I found myself a bit bewildered and uncertain about the future. As I was reflecting on my life and current circumstances, I found myself wondering, “Is this it?” I went on to write, “I desire to be in the flow of my calling and giftedness, Lord. Am I missing it?” And then the words, “What if” spilled onto the pages. What if? Have you ever found yourself asking that question? What if I had made a different decision, taken another path, acted on that prompting, not taken that job, taken that job, gotten that degree, married that person, not married that person, said yes to…., said no to ……. What would life have been like if only I had…… (fill in the blank). Trying to play out the “what could have been” in life reminds me of the movie Sliding Doors. The movie tells the story of a London woman whose life and career both hinge, unknown to her, on whether or not she catches a train. The main character, Helen Quilley gets fired from her job as a public relations executive. As she leaves the office building, she drops an earring in the lift, and a man picks it up for her. This minor delay has her rushing for her train on the London Underground, but she misses it as the train doors are closed. But the film then rewinds, and the scene is replayed except that now she manages to board the train. The film continues, alternating between the two storylines in which different events ensue. In one story we see how her life plays out when she gets on the train. In the second scenario, we see how her life unfolds and what happens when she misses the train. In essence, her future, the trajectory of her life,
7/22/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Is God Really Faithful to Me

Presented by Lisa Bishop Whether you have been a follower of Jesus for two months or 20-plus years, we all have something in common. At some point or dare I say several times in your Christian walk, you will doubt the faithfulness of God. You will struggle to trust him. That’s the honest truth. And frankly, I think we need to talk about that more and normalize it in our Christian circles. All throughout God’s Word we see examples and stories of people doubting if God is trustworthy. We see the Psalmists and some of the greatest heroes of the faith struggling to believe at times. Yet even though we see evidence throughout Scripture of wavering faith (let’s not forget about Doubting Thomas), I think we are so afraid of being shamed or condemned for questioning that we sit in our disillusion, silently suffering. We think something is wrong with us. Something is wrong with our faith. “Why does it look like everyone else’s life is so good, that God is faithful to others, but I don’t feel like he cares about me?” If you have ever heard yourself thinking that or even saying it out loud, you are not the only one. I have as well. So, it’s not a matter of if you will wonder if God is really trustworthy, if he is faithful, you will. What matters is your response….what you do, in those moments or seasons when you doubt the faithfulness of God. The other day I was doing my morning quiet time, which is a time of stillness before the Lord, journaling, praying, and reading Scripture. When I journal, I typically start out by reflecting on the prior day by writing down my daily gratitude list and telling God what I am thankful for. This has become a daily habit; expressing appreciation for anything from a cool breeze and sunny day to time with my mom, a new work project, a divine encounter with a person God brings in my path, dinner with friends, patience to endure a frustrating situation with grace. There is a lot to be grateful for when you sit down and intentionally take the time to consider all of the ways God is present and providing. On this particular day, my journaling started differently. Instead of starting with my gratitude list, my pen uttered honest words that my heart was speaking that morning. I journaled, “Today I woke up with a fear of the future. But I will choose to trust.” That morning I found myself a bit bewildered and uncertain about the future. As I was reflecting on my life and current circumstances, I found myself wondering, “Is this it?” I went on to write, “I desire to be in the flow of my calling and giftedness, Lord. Am I missing it?” And then the words, “What if” spilled onto the pages. What if? Have you ever found yourself asking that question? What if I had made a different decision, taken another path, acted on that prompting, not taken that job, taken that job, gotten that degree, married that person, not married that person, said yes to…., said no to ……. What would life have been like if only I had…… (fill in the blank). Trying to play out the “what could have been” in life reminds me of the movie Sliding Doors. The movie tells the story of a London woman whose life and career both hinge, unknown to her, on whether or not she catches a train. The main character, Helen Quilley gets fired from her job as a public relations executive. As she leaves the office building, she drops an earring in the lift, and a man picks it up for her. This minor delay has her rushing for her train on the London Underground, but she misses it as the train doors are closed. But the film then rewinds, and the scene is replayed except that now she manages to board the train. The film continues, alternating between the two storylines in which different events ensue. In one story we see how her life plays out when she gets on the train. In the second scenario, we see how her life unfolds and what happens when she misses the train. In essence, her future, the trajectory of her life,
7/22/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Found Faithful – 5

Undoubtedly many of you, like me, enjoy sports. That's a common practice for us Americans. Well, if you watch sports competition very often, you're familiar with the term "playing hurt.” Many times in these games a key player will be injured in some way, and you'll see them slowly pull themselves up off the ground or the floor. You know they're hurting, but so often they stay in the game. I think we can learn something from these athletes. When a player continues to play even though he or she is hurt, you know you're watching a real pro, someone truly committed to their game. That person is willing to sacrifice herself or himself for the good of the team. Well, there are times in our lives that we must play hurt. What do you want to do when you've been hurt? Suppose someone has trampled on your feelings or been very cruel to you. It makes you want to go to the sidelines and lick your wounds, doesn't it? It throws you into a pity-party, and your first reaction is to walk out of the game and say, "Forget it. Who needs this!" But a true servant of Jesus Christ many times has to play hurt. Jesus is looking for people with perseverance; people who play in spite of the pain; people who stay in the game even though they might want to go sit on the bench for awhile. Paul wrote to Timothy that he must Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). In Hebrews 12 we see that hardship produces discipline in our lives, and Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he delighted in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and difficulties for "when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10b). Are you hurt ? Well, are you going to go sit on the sidelines and lick your wounds, or will you choose to endure hardship as a good soldier would? Ask God to give you the grace and strength to play hurt.
7/21/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 5

Undoubtedly many of you, like me, enjoy sports. That's a common practice for us Americans. Well, if you watch sports competition very often, you're familiar with the term "playing hurt.” Many times in these games a key player will be injured in some way, and you'll see them slowly pull themselves up off the ground or the floor. You know they're hurting, but so often they stay in the game. I think we can learn something from these athletes. When a player continues to play even though he or she is hurt, you know you're watching a real pro, someone truly committed to their game. That person is willing to sacrifice herself or himself for the good of the team. Well, there are times in our lives that we must play hurt. What do you want to do when you've been hurt? Suppose someone has trampled on your feelings or been very cruel to you. It makes you want to go to the sidelines and lick your wounds, doesn't it? It throws you into a pity-party, and your first reaction is to walk out of the game and say, "Forget it. Who needs this!" But a true servant of Jesus Christ many times has to play hurt. Jesus is looking for people with perseverance; people who play in spite of the pain; people who stay in the game even though they might want to go sit on the bench for awhile. Paul wrote to Timothy that he must Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus (2 Timothy 2:3). In Hebrews 12 we see that hardship produces discipline in our lives, and Paul wrote to the Corinthians that he delighted in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions and difficulties for "when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Corinthians 12:10b). Are you hurt ? Well, are you going to go sit on the sidelines and lick your wounds, or will you choose to endure hardship as a good soldier would? Ask God to give you the grace and strength to play hurt.
7/21/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 4

I wonder if you give up too easily? Do you keep wishing for the easy way out of whatever you’re facing? It's likely you, like me, could use a lesson or two in how to persevere. Lots of people make good starts; not too many complete the course. We read in Hebrews 12:1 that we should run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Note that each of us has a unique race marked out. Your race may be different from mine, but the important thing for both of us is to hang in there and cross the finish line. The night is darkest just before the dawn, and all too often we quit the race when it gets dark and bleak, when the finish line is just around the corner. In the first chapter of James we read that "perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). Without perseverance we won't reach spiritual maturity. That's why we need to learn perseverance. How often do you feel like quitting? Hebrews 12:13 says "Don't wander away from the path but forge steadily onward. On the right path the limping foot recovers strength and does not collapse” (Phillips Translation). Therefore, we need to make certain we're on the right path, and then stay on it regardless. Even if you're just limping along, don't stop. As we hang in there, our limps are healed and we're able to cross the finish line. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).  Proving faithful is perseverance, and we can learn to be faithful and to persevere. I'll take a faithful person any day over one with bigger talents or gifts who isn't willing to hang in and get the job done—to stick with it through thick and thin times.
7/20/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 4

I wonder if you give up too easily? Do you keep wishing for the easy way out of whatever you’re facing? It's likely you, like me, could use a lesson or two in how to persevere. Lots of people make good starts; not too many complete the course. We read in Hebrews 12:1 that we should run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Note that each of us has a unique race marked out. Your race may be different from mine, but the important thing for both of us is to hang in there and cross the finish line. The night is darkest just before the dawn, and all too often we quit the race when it gets dark and bleak, when the finish line is just around the corner. In the first chapter of James we read that "perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4). Without perseverance we won't reach spiritual maturity. That's why we need to learn perseverance. How often do you feel like quitting? Hebrews 12:13 says "Don't wander away from the path but forge steadily onward. On the right path the limping foot recovers strength and does not collapse” (Phillips Translation). Therefore, we need to make certain we're on the right path, and then stay on it regardless. Even if you're just limping along, don't stop. As we hang in there, our limps are healed and we're able to cross the finish line. Paul wrote to the Corinthians, "Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2).  Proving faithful is perseverance, and we can learn to be faithful and to persevere. I'll take a faithful person any day over one with bigger talents or gifts who isn't willing to hang in and get the job done—to stick with it through thick and thin times.
7/20/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 3

Does it seem like your spiritual walk could be better described as a limp? If you're like me, there are times when it seems you're struggling with the same things all the time. Are you limping along—spiritually speaking? Does it seem like God is far away, and prayer is unrewarding and dead? When you read the Bible, do you find your mind wandering, as the words run together on the page? Does it seem like a dry history book rather than a live letter to you from the Lord? Has your desire to be involved in ministry grown cold, and instead those avenues of service are more like a duty now than a joy? Well, you've got a spiritual limp. We all get them, and we need to be prepared to deal with them. Most of us want to leave the race when we start limping, don't we? We figure we just can't keep going, so we give up and sit on the sidelines or start down another path which looks a little easier. But that's not how we should deal with a spiritual limp. I noticed a passage in Hebrews 12 which encouraged me as I thought about my occasional spiritual limps. Verses 12 and 13 tell us "So tighten your loosening grip and steady your wavering stand. Don't wander away from the path but forge steadily onward. On the right path the limping foot recovers strength and does not collapse..." (Phillips Translation). Tightening your grip and steadying your stand and staying on the right path require discipline. Discipline without feelings or emotions. Discipline without visible results. The first verse of that 12th chapter of Hebrews tells us we must run with endurance the race marked out for us. Even run the race with a limp, but whatever you do, you are not to sit down, get sidelined or sidetracked. Let me encourage you to keep running in the right race, even though you're limping along. Just like professional athletes, sometimes we have to "play hurt," keep on keepin' on even though we're not feeling one hundred percent. Remember that the limping foot is healed by tightening your grip and steadying your stand, not by getting out of the race.
7/19/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 3

Does it seem like your spiritual walk could be better described as a limp? If you're like me, there are times when it seems you're struggling with the same things all the time. Are you limping along—spiritually speaking? Does it seem like God is far away, and prayer is unrewarding and dead? When you read the Bible, do you find your mind wandering, as the words run together on the page? Does it seem like a dry history book rather than a live letter to you from the Lord? Has your desire to be involved in ministry grown cold, and instead those avenues of service are more like a duty now than a joy? Well, you've got a spiritual limp. We all get them, and we need to be prepared to deal with them. Most of us want to leave the race when we start limping, don't we? We figure we just can't keep going, so we give up and sit on the sidelines or start down another path which looks a little easier. But that's not how we should deal with a spiritual limp. I noticed a passage in Hebrews 12 which encouraged me as I thought about my occasional spiritual limps. Verses 12 and 13 tell us "So tighten your loosening grip and steady your wavering stand. Don't wander away from the path but forge steadily onward. On the right path the limping foot recovers strength and does not collapse..." (Phillips Translation). Tightening your grip and steadying your stand and staying on the right path require discipline. Discipline without feelings or emotions. Discipline without visible results. The first verse of that 12th chapter of Hebrews tells us we must run with endurance the race marked out for us. Even run the race with a limp, but whatever you do, you are not to sit down, get sidelined or sidetracked. Let me encourage you to keep running in the right race, even though you're limping along. Just like professional athletes, sometimes we have to "play hurt," keep on keepin' on even though we're not feeling one hundred percent. Remember that the limping foot is healed by tightening your grip and steadying your stand, not by getting out of the race.
7/19/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 2

I have a tendency to talk to myself. Do you do that, too? Well, I was just noticing that the Psalmist did it a lot. As a matter of fact, I think all of us need to learn to talk to ourselves more. As I read Psalm 42 and 43, I noticed how this phrase was often repeated: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Evidently the writer was struggling with depression, with discouragement, with the blahs, just like you and I struggle from time to time. And he talked to himself as a way to speak the right words into his mind and turn around his wrong thinking. In verse 6 of Psalm 42, we read, "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you...” Now this is a very good technique and habit for all of us to learn. When we feel down, we should force ourselves to remember and recite out loud God's goodness to us in times past. Are you having a tough time? Then, stop right now and talk to yourself; find some place where you can say something like, "Look, what is your problem? God loves you and cares for you; he's met your need time and again. Remember what he did for you in times past and put your hope in him again.” I noticed in Psalm 42 and 43 that the writer also verbalized his doubts. "Why have you forgotten me. Why have you rejected me?” He voiced those doubts and questions to God, but immediately he came back to the truth of praising God and hoping in God. When I find myself doubting and questioning God, I try to voice those to him out loud. "Lord, I feel as though you're not there. I just can't understand why this has happened. I can't help but wonder if you've forgotten about me here. BUT I know better Lord. I remember what you've done in the past, and I know your ways are not my ways. THEREFORE, I trust you, I place my hope in you. You are my Savior and my God." So, talk to yourself. I believe it's a Scriptural principle we need to incorporate into our lives to help us find victory in those everyday ups and downs of life.
7/18/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful – 2

I have a tendency to talk to myself. Do you do that, too? Well, I was just noticing that the Psalmist did it a lot. As a matter of fact, I think all of us need to learn to talk to ourselves more. As I read Psalm 42 and 43, I noticed how this phrase was often repeated: "Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” Evidently the writer was struggling with depression, with discouragement, with the blahs, just like you and I struggle from time to time. And he talked to himself as a way to speak the right words into his mind and turn around his wrong thinking. In verse 6 of Psalm 42, we read, "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you...” Now this is a very good technique and habit for all of us to learn. When we feel down, we should force ourselves to remember and recite out loud God's goodness to us in times past. Are you having a tough time? Then, stop right now and talk to yourself; find some place where you can say something like, "Look, what is your problem? God loves you and cares for you; he's met your need time and again. Remember what he did for you in times past and put your hope in him again.” I noticed in Psalm 42 and 43 that the writer also verbalized his doubts. "Why have you forgotten me. Why have you rejected me?” He voiced those doubts and questions to God, but immediately he came back to the truth of praising God and hoping in God. When I find myself doubting and questioning God, I try to voice those to him out loud. "Lord, I feel as though you're not there. I just can't understand why this has happened. I can't help but wonder if you've forgotten about me here. BUT I know better Lord. I remember what you've done in the past, and I know your ways are not my ways. THEREFORE, I trust you, I place my hope in you. You are my Savior and my God." So, talk to yourself. I believe it's a Scriptural principle we need to incorporate into our lives to help us find victory in those everyday ups and downs of life.
7/18/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful

Do you ever go to God for help in a faithless panic? I certainly can remember doing that at times when I've been at the end of my own rope, and in panic rather than in faith, I've run to God for help. Recently I was comparing two stories in Matthew 8. The first is the story of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. You remember that the Centurion insisted that Jesus could heal his servant simply by speaking a word, he didn't need to come to his house. The Centurion had faith to believe that Jesus had the power to simply speak healing to his servant who was miles away. When Jesus heard this, he said, "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:10). You see, this Centurion was not an Israelite, yet he believed in Jesus. And Jesus commends him for his faith, and heals his servant as requested. A short time later, the disciples come to Jesus in a panic. Jesus was asleep in the boat, and a squall comes up quickly which threatens to overturn the boat and drown them all. They come in great fear, begging Jesus to do something if he can. And Jesus says to them "You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). Interesting that the Centurion was commended for his faith and the disciples are confronted for their lack of faith. Both needed help. Both sought help from Jesus. Jesus responded to both requests. But one was a request of faith, and one was a faithless cry of panic. The Centurion expected Jesus to heal his servant, even long distance. The disciples were amazed that Jesus could calm the storm. The Centurion only knew Jesus from afar by reputation. The disciples had spent much time with him. Yet, the Centurion showed great faith. He came with his need, but he brought expectation along with the need. The disciples came with their need but they thought this storm was too much for Jesus. They really didn't expect him to do what he did. How about you and me? Jesus invites us to come with our needs, but he loves to see faith along with it. The next time you're in a panic situation and you need Jesus' deliverance, come with faith believing that he will hear and answer. He loves to see us come to him by faith. It pleases him to see that we have faith in him. In fact, without faith, it's impossible to please him.
7/17/20233 minutes
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Found Faithful

Do you ever go to God for help in a faithless panic? I certainly can remember doing that at times when I've been at the end of my own rope, and in panic rather than in faith, I've run to God for help. Recently I was comparing two stories in Matthew 8. The first is the story of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. You remember that the Centurion insisted that Jesus could heal his servant simply by speaking a word, he didn't need to come to his house. The Centurion had faith to believe that Jesus had the power to simply speak healing to his servant who was miles away. When Jesus heard this, he said, "I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith" (Matthew 8:10). You see, this Centurion was not an Israelite, yet he believed in Jesus. And Jesus commends him for his faith, and heals his servant as requested. A short time later, the disciples come to Jesus in a panic. Jesus was asleep in the boat, and a squall comes up quickly which threatens to overturn the boat and drown them all. They come in great fear, begging Jesus to do something if he can. And Jesus says to them "You of little faith. Why are you so afraid?" (Matthew 8:26). Interesting that the Centurion was commended for his faith and the disciples are confronted for their lack of faith. Both needed help. Both sought help from Jesus. Jesus responded to both requests. But one was a request of faith, and one was a faithless cry of panic. The Centurion expected Jesus to heal his servant, even long distance. The disciples were amazed that Jesus could calm the storm. The Centurion only knew Jesus from afar by reputation. The disciples had spent much time with him. Yet, the Centurion showed great faith. He came with his need, but he brought expectation along with the need. The disciples came with their need but they thought this storm was too much for Jesus. They really didn't expect him to do what he did. How about you and me? Jesus invites us to come with our needs, but he loves to see faith along with it. The next time you're in a panic situation and you need Jesus' deliverance, come with faith believing that he will hear and answer. He loves to see us come to him by faith. It pleases him to see that we have faith in him. In fact, without faith, it's impossible to please him.
7/17/20233 minutes
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Holding On While You’re On Hold

Holding on, hanging in there, being patient, sitting in the waiting room—none of those come easy for me. And being put on hold on the telephone is particularly annoying—don’t you agree? So, more than anything else I’m talking to me, and you can listen in, as I remind myself again that I have to hold on when I’m on hold. When you think of someone in the Bible who was on hold, you most likely think of Job. Talk about holding on when he was on hold, nobody has ever endured more than Job did while waiting for God to move. In Job 6 he says: Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for. What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? (Job 6: 8, 11-12). And in Job 7:6-7, he goes on to say: My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. His words may express your heart today. Like Job, you may be saying or thinking: Why hasn’t God granted my request? I don’t have the strength to keep holding on. After all, I’m just flesh! I’ve lost hope and I’ll never be happy again. For most of us, this feeling of hopelessness doesn’t show itself outwardly so much as it corrupts us on the inside. It takes the form of what Thoreau called “quiet desperation.” You keep going, you keep saying the right things and maintaining a semblance of normalcy, but on the inside you’ve truly given up. You’re going through the motions of a marriage or a job; you’re making people think everything’s okay with your children or parents, but in reality, you’re emotionally detached; there’s no more fight left in you, and you’re almost at the place where you really don’t care. Today I want to share three simple truths that will help you hold on when you’re on hold. And the first one is: Trust in God’s Sovereignty. That simply means that you continue to believe that nothing happens in God’s universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. And you believe the same is true in your life. God is sovereign in your life. Therefore, you can trust that in his sovereignty, he will make all things work together for your good, even the evil and wrongs of others and the cruelty of this sin-infested world. Believe me, I know it’s not easy to trust when you’re on hold, especially when it looks like your world is crumbling around you. I think of a friend who went through years of pain and suffering from an unfaithful husband and a broken marriage, death of two children, another child who walked away from God, and other significant losses. Honestly, she was a Job-story for today, and I often wondered how she made it through. Obviously, all those things left deep scars and hurt, but she turned it into opportunity for her to minister to others. She completed a biblical counseling degree and now she has a voice to help others who are “on hold” because she has walked deep, dark roads. In God’s sovereignty and as only God can do, he turned her sorrow into dancing and has given her a broader, more effective ministry as a result. So, if you can put your trust in God’s sovereignty today, regardless of your feelings, and simply repeat that you believe he is still in control, that is step one in holding on while you’re on hold. Step two is to Trust in God’s Timing. Listen to these verses from Psalm 37:5-7: Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. God’s timing often seems so inappropriate to us. What possible good can come from waiting any longer—that’s how we see it. I can look back on my life and see how the waiting periods of my life were there for a pu...
7/15/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Holding On While You’re On Hold

Holding on, hanging in there, being patient, sitting in the waiting room—none of those come easy for me. And being put on hold on the telephone is particularly annoying—don’t you agree? So, more than anything else I’m talking to me, and you can listen in, as I remind myself again that I have to hold on when I’m on hold. When you think of someone in the Bible who was on hold, you most likely think of Job. Talk about holding on when he was on hold, nobody has ever endured more than Job did while waiting for God to move. In Job 6 he says: Oh, that I might have my request, that God would grant what I hope for. What strength do I have, that I should still hope? What prospects, that I should be patient? Do I have the strength of stone? Is my flesh bronze? (Job 6: 8, 11-12). And in Job 7:6-7, he goes on to say: My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and they come to an end without hope. Remember, O God, that my life is but a breath; my eyes will never see happiness again. His words may express your heart today. Like Job, you may be saying or thinking: Why hasn’t God granted my request? I don’t have the strength to keep holding on. After all, I’m just flesh! I’ve lost hope and I’ll never be happy again. For most of us, this feeling of hopelessness doesn’t show itself outwardly so much as it corrupts us on the inside. It takes the form of what Thoreau called “quiet desperation.” You keep going, you keep saying the right things and maintaining a semblance of normalcy, but on the inside you’ve truly given up. You’re going through the motions of a marriage or a job; you’re making people think everything’s okay with your children or parents, but in reality, you’re emotionally detached; there’s no more fight left in you, and you’re almost at the place where you really don’t care. Today I want to share three simple truths that will help you hold on when you’re on hold. And the first one is: Trust in God’s Sovereignty. That simply means that you continue to believe that nothing happens in God’s universe that is outside of God’s influence and authority. And you believe the same is true in your life. God is sovereign in your life. Therefore, you can trust that in his sovereignty, he will make all things work together for your good, even the evil and wrongs of others and the cruelty of this sin-infested world. Believe me, I know it’s not easy to trust when you’re on hold, especially when it looks like your world is crumbling around you. I think of a friend who went through years of pain and suffering from an unfaithful husband and a broken marriage, death of two children, another child who walked away from God, and other significant losses. Honestly, she was a Job-story for today, and I often wondered how she made it through. Obviously, all those things left deep scars and hurt, but she turned it into opportunity for her to minister to others. She completed a biblical counseling degree and now she has a voice to help others who are “on hold” because she has walked deep, dark roads. In God’s sovereignty and as only God can do, he turned her sorrow into dancing and has given her a broader, more effective ministry as a result. So, if you can put your trust in God’s sovereignty today, regardless of your feelings, and simply repeat that you believe he is still in control, that is step one in holding on while you’re on hold. Step two is to Trust in God’s Timing. Listen to these verses from Psalm 37:5-7: Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this: He will make your righteous reward shine like the dawn, your vindication like the noonday sun. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. God’s timing often seems so inappropriate to us. What possible good can come from waiting any longer—that’s how we see it. I can look back on my life and see how the waiting periods of my life were there for a pu...
7/15/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Fear of Trusting God – 5

How well do you know God? Knowing God doesn't just happen. You don't automatically inhale that knowledge because you were born in a Christian home or go to church regularly. Knowing God is a result of seeking him and devoting yourself to knowing him more and more all the time. Many Christians never get over their fear of trusting God. They go through life unwilling to yield to him the control of their lives, because they're not quite certain he is trustworthy. We only overcome that fear by getting to know God because you trust who you know. And you don't get to know God by accident. It happens on purpose. You must purpose to get to know him. We've seen reports of tests given to high school seniors that show their knowledge of basic facts to be extremely poor. I wonder what kind of scores Christians would have if they were tested on their knowledge of God. Do you spend more time getting to know television programs or personalities than you do getting to know God? Could you tell me more about your local sports teams than you can tell you about God? Getting to know God takes time and it takes a plan. Are you really eager to know him? Jesus said, "This is eternal life, that you may know God” (John 17:3). Everything hinges on your knowledge of God. If you really want to know him, I urge you to make a structured plan that gets you into his Word on a daily basis, and that leads you into a prayer life of praise and intercession. You get to know someone by spending time with that person and it will require a commitment on your part. If you feel you don't know how to begin, I have written a Bible study entitled "A Guide on Getting to Know God.” It gives you some practical suggestions on how to do that. But the important thing is that you pursue God. You go after him. Just going to church on Sundays is not enough, no matter how good your church is. You must personally hunger to know him and pursue him, as a deer pants after water. When you do, I promise you this: You'll start to trust him, and you'll trust him more and more all the time. Because to truly know God is to trust him. And once you start to give him the controls of your life, everything will fall into its rightful place. You'll find the answers you've been looking for. The fear of trusting God will vanish.
7/14/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God – 5

How well do you know God? Knowing God doesn't just happen. You don't automatically inhale that knowledge because you were born in a Christian home or go to church regularly. Knowing God is a result of seeking him and devoting yourself to knowing him more and more all the time. Many Christians never get over their fear of trusting God. They go through life unwilling to yield to him the control of their lives, because they're not quite certain he is trustworthy. We only overcome that fear by getting to know God because you trust who you know. And you don't get to know God by accident. It happens on purpose. You must purpose to get to know him. We've seen reports of tests given to high school seniors that show their knowledge of basic facts to be extremely poor. I wonder what kind of scores Christians would have if they were tested on their knowledge of God. Do you spend more time getting to know television programs or personalities than you do getting to know God? Could you tell me more about your local sports teams than you can tell you about God? Getting to know God takes time and it takes a plan. Are you really eager to know him? Jesus said, "This is eternal life, that you may know God” (John 17:3). Everything hinges on your knowledge of God. If you really want to know him, I urge you to make a structured plan that gets you into his Word on a daily basis, and that leads you into a prayer life of praise and intercession. You get to know someone by spending time with that person and it will require a commitment on your part. If you feel you don't know how to begin, I have written a Bible study entitled "A Guide on Getting to Know God.” It gives you some practical suggestions on how to do that. But the important thing is that you pursue God. You go after him. Just going to church on Sundays is not enough, no matter how good your church is. You must personally hunger to know him and pursue him, as a deer pants after water. When you do, I promise you this: You'll start to trust him, and you'll trust him more and more all the time. Because to truly know God is to trust him. And once you start to give him the controls of your life, everything will fall into its rightful place. You'll find the answers you've been looking for. The fear of trusting God will vanish.
7/14/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God – 4

If we truly believe God is who he says he is, the only true God with all power, wisdom and authority, and we believe that he cares for us individually and desires only the best for us, then the only logical conclusion has to be that he is totally trustworthy. Why is it that you can't easily let go and trust God? Well, you have three enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, and you are getting all kinds of conflicting signals from them. The world tells you to "do our own thing," "find yourself,” "do what feels good," "decide what your truth is!” The flesh says, "You deserve happiness and you have a right to run your life the way you want to.” The devil says, "If you trust God, you most surely will be left to some terrible life. You'll be miserable and alone.” And if you listen to these voices, then fear takes over, and you're convinced that totally trusting God is too risky. It is meant only for those few people who somehow have the courage to go into "full time Christian service.” And without realizing it, you have decided that you can trust yourself better than God. If that’s true, then that fear of trusting God is robbing you of peace and contentment and keeping you from the joyful, fulfilled life that you long for. Overcoming the fear of trusting God begins with a recognition of who God is, with a true understanding that he is much smarter than you are, that he cares about you and loves you and desires to give you good gifts. And that leads you to understand that the only sensible thing to do is to abandon yourself to his care and trust him completely in every area of your life. God does not negotiate with us. We come his way—through Jesus Christ—or we don't come at all. But once you really comprehend how totally trustworthy God is, you will be glad to yield to his lordship. It takes the monkey off your back. You are no longer responsible for managing your own destiny. Someone far more qualified is now in charge—the God of all ages—and you can be absolutely sure that his plan for your life will be better than your own.
7/13/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God – 4

If we truly believe God is who he says he is, the only true God with all power, wisdom and authority, and we believe that he cares for us individually and desires only the best for us, then the only logical conclusion has to be that he is totally trustworthy. Why is it that you can't easily let go and trust God? Well, you have three enemies, the world, the flesh and the devil, and you are getting all kinds of conflicting signals from them. The world tells you to "do our own thing," "find yourself,” "do what feels good," "decide what your truth is!” The flesh says, "You deserve happiness and you have a right to run your life the way you want to.” The devil says, "If you trust God, you most surely will be left to some terrible life. You'll be miserable and alone.” And if you listen to these voices, then fear takes over, and you're convinced that totally trusting God is too risky. It is meant only for those few people who somehow have the courage to go into "full time Christian service.” And without realizing it, you have decided that you can trust yourself better than God. If that’s true, then that fear of trusting God is robbing you of peace and contentment and keeping you from the joyful, fulfilled life that you long for. Overcoming the fear of trusting God begins with a recognition of who God is, with a true understanding that he is much smarter than you are, that he cares about you and loves you and desires to give you good gifts. And that leads you to understand that the only sensible thing to do is to abandon yourself to his care and trust him completely in every area of your life. God does not negotiate with us. We come his way—through Jesus Christ—or we don't come at all. But once you really comprehend how totally trustworthy God is, you will be glad to yield to his lordship. It takes the monkey off your back. You are no longer responsible for managing your own destiny. Someone far more qualified is now in charge—the God of all ages—and you can be absolutely sure that his plan for your life will be better than your own.
7/13/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God – 3

Do you believe that the God we Christians worship, the God of the Bible, is the only true God, that he has all power and authority, that he has all wisdom and knowledge, that he is holy and perfect and does not make mistakes? Certainly this is what the Bible tells us, but what I'm asking you is, do you truly believe God is like that? It may be that you have given intellectual consent to the Bible's teaching about God, but that belief has never become a gripping reality in your everyday life. If you are convinced that God's character, power and personality are as stated, the next important issue to understand is how this God feels about you. After all, you are but a spec in this great mass of humanity. Do you make any difference to God? Let me remind you of a few Scriptures that tell us how God feels about you individually. Matthew 10:30 tells us “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Every time you brush your hair and see the hairs in your brush or on the floor, you should be reminded that God has just recomputed all those lost hairs, and he's keeping a running total at all times! Who else would care how many hairs are on your head? We read that he cares about worthless, colorless sparrows and knows each one that falls to the ground. Can you not believe God cares even much more about you? We read in Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Did you know that God delights in you and sings over you? Isn't that incredible? There are many passages in the Bible that tell us clearly that the God of all the universe cares about each of us individually, knows us intimately, and wants for us only his highest and best. His plans for you are good plans. Now, if you're with me this far—if you believe that God has all power, wisdom, knowledge and authority, and in addition, he loves you and cares about your good—here's the next logical conclusion that those beliefs lead to: God’s plans for you are always superior to any other plans. You can trust him and his plans for your life without any hesitation. Not only can you trust him, but it is the only logical thing to do. Why would you want to trust anyone less—even yourself? If your trust is in anyone besides God, you're settling for so much less than you should. If you're afraid to trust God, then something must be wrong in either your understanding of who God is or how he feels about you. Or else your belief is just a head belief, and it hasn’t yet changed your heart.
7/12/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God – 3

Do you believe that the God we Christians worship, the God of the Bible, is the only true God, that he has all power and authority, that he has all wisdom and knowledge, that he is holy and perfect and does not make mistakes? Certainly this is what the Bible tells us, but what I'm asking you is, do you truly believe God is like that? It may be that you have given intellectual consent to the Bible's teaching about God, but that belief has never become a gripping reality in your everyday life. If you are convinced that God's character, power and personality are as stated, the next important issue to understand is how this God feels about you. After all, you are but a spec in this great mass of humanity. Do you make any difference to God? Let me remind you of a few Scriptures that tell us how God feels about you individually. Matthew 10:30 tells us “And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Every time you brush your hair and see the hairs in your brush or on the floor, you should be reminded that God has just recomputed all those lost hairs, and he's keeping a running total at all times! Who else would care how many hairs are on your head? We read that he cares about worthless, colorless sparrows and knows each one that falls to the ground. Can you not believe God cares even much more about you? We read in Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Did you know that God delights in you and sings over you? Isn't that incredible? There are many passages in the Bible that tell us clearly that the God of all the universe cares about each of us individually, knows us intimately, and wants for us only his highest and best. His plans for you are good plans. Now, if you're with me this far—if you believe that God has all power, wisdom, knowledge and authority, and in addition, he loves you and cares about your good—here's the next logical conclusion that those beliefs lead to: God’s plans for you are always superior to any other plans. You can trust him and his plans for your life without any hesitation. Not only can you trust him, but it is the only logical thing to do. Why would you want to trust anyone less—even yourself? If your trust is in anyone besides God, you're settling for so much less than you should. If you're afraid to trust God, then something must be wrong in either your understanding of who God is or how he feels about you. Or else your belief is just a head belief, and it hasn’t yet changed your heart.
7/12/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God – 2

Do you find it difficult to truly trust God with all aspects of your life? I believe this fear of trusting God is very real with many Christians. It was with me for ten years, as I refused to allow the Lord to control my life, because I was afraid he would punish me for past failures, or else take my life in a direction that would be miserable and would make me unhappy. I've discovered in the many years since how foolish I was to fail to trust God, and I've begun to understand that I didn't trust him because I didn't clearly understand the nature of God. You see, when you have a clear understanding of who God is as Scripture tells us, you really have two simple options: to believe it or not to believe it. If you believe God is who he says he is, trusting him becomes the only logical thing to do. Nothing else makes any sense. To fail to trust him is to say by your actions that God cannot be who he says he is; it is in effect to say that he is not trustworthy. What are these basic characteristics of God that should lead us to trust him? We learn from Scripture that our God is the only God. In the book of Isaiah, the Lord says, "I am the first and the last, and there is no other God besides me (Isaiah 45:5) Is there any God besides me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none” (Isaiah 44:8). So first, we understand that we are worshipping the true and only God. Secondly, we need to understand his power. He is the Creator of all that ever existed. He said, "I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself (Isaiah 44:24). God spoke and the worlds came into being, created out of nothing. The Psalmist said, "I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths” (Psalms 135:5-6). Thirdly, our God is holy and perfect. He does not make mistakes. Now, can you honestly say that you believe the God you worship is the only God, the Creator, all-powerful and wise, holy and perfect, and that he makes no mistakes? Please don't glibly answer that question. Give it some thought, because if you say that you do indeed believe God is who he says he is, it leads to some inevitable conclusions and decisions you must make.
7/11/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

The Fear of Trusting God – 2

Do you find it difficult to truly trust God with all aspects of your life? I believe this fear of trusting God is very real with many Christians. It was with me for ten years, as I refused to allow the Lord to control my life, because I was afraid he would punish me for past failures, or else take my life in a direction that would be miserable and would make me unhappy. I've discovered in the many years since how foolish I was to fail to trust God, and I've begun to understand that I didn't trust him because I didn't clearly understand the nature of God. You see, when you have a clear understanding of who God is as Scripture tells us, you really have two simple options: to believe it or not to believe it. If you believe God is who he says he is, trusting him becomes the only logical thing to do. Nothing else makes any sense. To fail to trust him is to say by your actions that God cannot be who he says he is; it is in effect to say that he is not trustworthy. What are these basic characteristics of God that should lead us to trust him? We learn from Scripture that our God is the only God. In the book of Isaiah, the Lord says, "I am the first and the last, and there is no other God besides me (Isaiah 45:5) Is there any God besides me, or is there any other Rock? I know of none” (Isaiah 44:8). So first, we understand that we are worshipping the true and only God. Secondly, we need to understand his power. He is the Creator of all that ever existed. He said, "I am the Lord, the Maker of all things, who stretches out the heavens, who spreads out the earth by myself (Isaiah 44:24). God spoke and the worlds came into being, created out of nothing. The Psalmist said, "I know that the Lord is great, that our Lord is greater than all gods. The Lord does whatever pleases him, in the heavens and on the earth, in the seas and all their depths” (Psalms 135:5-6). Thirdly, our God is holy and perfect. He does not make mistakes. Now, can you honestly say that you believe the God you worship is the only God, the Creator, all-powerful and wise, holy and perfect, and that he makes no mistakes? Please don't glibly answer that question. Give it some thought, because if you say that you do indeed believe God is who he says he is, it leads to some inevitable conclusions and decisions you must make.
7/11/20233 minutes
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The Fear of Trusting God

What do you think is the underlying predominant reason that so many Christians today are not living victorious lives, are not effective for Jesus Christ? Why are so many consumed with fear and anxiety, with doubt and despair? Think about it for a minute. As I look back over my life, and observe many others, I've come to this conclusion: The basic problem many of us Christians have is that we're afraid to trust God. Oh, true, we've accepted Christ and his salvation, but to trust God with every aspect of our lives strikes fear in our hearts. And because of this, we never know the triumphant joy-filled life God has intended for us. For ten years in my own life, I fought the Lordship of Jesus Christ, ran my own show, and wasted precious opportunities for God because I was consumed by this fear of trusting God. Oh, I didn't recognize it at the time, but later I realized that underneath my rebellion against God's control in my life was a basic fear that I couldn't trust him. Could that be where you are right now: Scared to death to really, totally trust God? Are you hanging on to the controls of your life as if to say that you think you can engineer the circumstances and events of your life better than God can? What I finally had to face was that my fear of trusting God was a result of my misconceptions of God's character and nature and of his intentions and motivation. I was operating under the fear that God would punish me for past failures by depriving me of future happiness, and I was afraid he would direct me in paths that I did not want to take! I've also come to understand that fear of trusting God is simply sin—the sin of unbelief. There really is no greater sin against the Holy God than to treat him as though he cannot be trusted. Through various events God began to break through to me. And in the years since, I've begun to learn to trust God. What changes! What a transformation has occurred in my life. I look back and say, "Why did I not trust him sooner?"
7/10/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

The Fear of Trusting God

What do you think is the underlying predominant reason that so many Christians today are not living victorious lives, are not effective for Jesus Christ? Why are so many consumed with fear and anxiety, with doubt and despair? Think about it for a minute. As I look back over my life, and observe many others, I've come to this conclusion: The basic problem many of us Christians have is that we're afraid to trust God. Oh, true, we've accepted Christ and his salvation, but to trust God with every aspect of our lives strikes fear in our hearts. And because of this, we never know the triumphant joy-filled life God has intended for us. For ten years in my own life, I fought the Lordship of Jesus Christ, ran my own show, and wasted precious opportunities for God because I was consumed by this fear of trusting God. Oh, I didn't recognize it at the time, but later I realized that underneath my rebellion against God's control in my life was a basic fear that I couldn't trust him. Could that be where you are right now: Scared to death to really, totally trust God? Are you hanging on to the controls of your life as if to say that you think you can engineer the circumstances and events of your life better than God can? What I finally had to face was that my fear of trusting God was a result of my misconceptions of God's character and nature and of his intentions and motivation. I was operating under the fear that God would punish me for past failures by depriving me of future happiness, and I was afraid he would direct me in paths that I did not want to take! I've also come to understand that fear of trusting God is simply sin—the sin of unbelief. There really is no greater sin against the Holy God than to treat him as though he cannot be trusted. Through various events God began to break through to me. And in the years since, I've begun to learn to trust God. What changes! What a transformation has occurred in my life. I look back and say, "Why did I not trust him sooner?"
7/10/20233 minutes
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From “What If” to “Even If”

Life is full of “what ifs” and often they are negative, right? They are usually full of fear and worrisome imaginations. And when you focus on all those “what ifs,” when you allow your mind to go to those negative possibilities, it just discourages you and frankly, makes you miserable. So, let me ask you: How much time do you spend in the “what ifs” of life? In fear and worry, thinking about what could or might happen? Here’s another “what if”: What if you changed “what if” to “even if”? Even if I lose my job. . . even if I get a bad health report, even if I’m robbed, even if someone I love dies. If you’re born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, what if you faced your “what ifs” with truth from God’s Word, truth that would set you free from the fear and worry and despair that your “what ifs” have caused? We have promises from God’s Word that we should throw in the face of our “what ifs.” Promises like: Isaiah 43:2: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Hebrews 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So, when you’re facing a “what if,” stop and talk to yourself. Seriously, you need to talk to yourself—out loud if possible—and remind yourself of God’s promises. Remind yourself of these truths. Bring those “what if” thoughts into captivity and make them obey the Lord. You remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, those three Jewish young men who were forcibly taken from Jerusalem to Babylon to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court.  Shortly after they were forced into the service of this pagan king, they were faced with a direct affront to their faith in Jehovah God, as the king set up a golden image and said that everyone had to fall down and worship this pagan image or else be thrown into a fiery furnace. Talk about “what if”! What if they continued to serve the true God, Jehovah, and refused to bow down and worship that golden idol? They would perish as young men in the prime of their lives. This was a serious what if; there was no question that refusing to obey the king’s order would result in death. So, what was their decision? Here it is from Daniel 3:16-18: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They went from “what if” to “even if” and declared that they trusted in their God to deliver them, but even if they were burned to death in that furnace, they would not bow to any other god. Maybe you’re facing a fiery furnace of your own—something that could totally destroy you, or so it seems. Maybe a financial furnace, or a health furnace, or a relationship furnace, and you’re in the “what if” stage as you face that furnace. Can you replace your “what if” with an “even if,” declaring that even if your fears are realized, even if the worst happens, you will trust in God to deliver you, to go through it with you, and to rescue you? Can you say with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, “even if he does not,” you will trust him? That is walking by faith and not by sight, and even if your faith seems small or weak, God will be pleased with your “even if,” and you can be sure he will get you through. I pray you will place your trust in the same God who delivered these young men and who will deliver you. And then there’s the story of Moses when God confronted him and told him he had a job for him to do—to face Pharaoh and deliver ...
7/8/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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From “What If” to “Even If”

Life is full of “what ifs” and often they are negative, right? They are usually full of fear and worrisome imaginations. And when you focus on all those “what ifs,” when you allow your mind to go to those negative possibilities, it just discourages you and frankly, makes you miserable. So, let me ask you: How much time do you spend in the “what ifs” of life? In fear and worry, thinking about what could or might happen? Here’s another “what if”: What if you changed “what if” to “even if”? Even if I lose my job. . . even if I get a bad health report, even if I’m robbed, even if someone I love dies. If you’re born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, what if you faced your “what ifs” with truth from God’s Word, truth that would set you free from the fear and worry and despair that your “what ifs” have caused? We have promises from God’s Word that we should throw in the face of our “what ifs.” Promises like: Isaiah 43:2: When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Hebrews 13:5: Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.” So, when you’re facing a “what if,” stop and talk to yourself. Seriously, you need to talk to yourself—out loud if possible—and remind yourself of God’s promises. Remind yourself of these truths. Bring those “what if” thoughts into captivity and make them obey the Lord. You remember the story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, those three Jewish young men who were forcibly taken from Jerusalem to Babylon to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar’s court.  Shortly after they were forced into the service of this pagan king, they were faced with a direct affront to their faith in Jehovah God, as the king set up a golden image and said that everyone had to fall down and worship this pagan image or else be thrown into a fiery furnace. Talk about “what if”! What if they continued to serve the true God, Jehovah, and refused to bow down and worship that golden idol? They would perish as young men in the prime of their lives. This was a serious what if; there was no question that refusing to obey the king’s order would result in death. So, what was their decision? Here it is from Daniel 3:16-18: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” They went from “what if” to “even if” and declared that they trusted in their God to deliver them, but even if they were burned to death in that furnace, they would not bow to any other god. Maybe you’re facing a fiery furnace of your own—something that could totally destroy you, or so it seems. Maybe a financial furnace, or a health furnace, or a relationship furnace, and you’re in the “what if” stage as you face that furnace. Can you replace your “what if” with an “even if,” declaring that even if your fears are realized, even if the worst happens, you will trust in God to deliver you, to go through it with you, and to rescue you? Can you say with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, “even if he does not,” you will trust him? That is walking by faith and not by sight, and even if your faith seems small or weak, God will be pleased with your “even if,” and you can be sure he will get you through. I pray you will place your trust in the same God who delivered these young men and who will deliver you. And then there’s the story of Moses when God confronted him and told him he had a job for him to do—to face Pharaoh and deliver ...
7/8/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Living in Freedom – 5

You know, everybody needs encouragement and help at times, don't they? As I read 2 Corinthians 7, I realized that even the great Apostle Paul had his times when he needed other people. He said in verse 5: "For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within." Doesn't that describe the way you feel at times? Conflicts without, fears within? But this is the spiritual giant, Paul, and it surprises us to realize that he would have these same feelings. Well, we really need to remember that positions of prominence do not isolate anyone from being human. Paul was tired and fearful. He needed help. Where did his help come from? He goes on to say, "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” He needed a friend at his side to comfort him, and so Titus came along. We could say to Paul, "But wasn't it enough to have the Lord there?” And Paul would respond, "The Lord was there in the person of Titus. He comforted me by sending Titus." Yes indeed, that's how the Body of Christ should function. God wants to use us in each other's lives as messengers of comfort and encouragement, to pick each other up at those weary and frightened moments of our lives. God has given us each other for that purpose. Paul goes on to say that he was comforted by the good report Titus brought to him of the concern for his welfare by his friends in Corinth. Paul needed to know that they cared, that they hadn't forgotten him, that they still loved him. How often do we miss these opportunities to be God's comfort in the lives of others? How often do we need to be by a friend's side when they're experiencing dark days? Or send a message to them—by email, on the phone—just to say, I care. Is there someone in your life that needs a Titus? Ask God to show you, and allow him to use you as his agent of comfort and encouragement.
7/7/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 5

You know, everybody needs encouragement and help at times, don't they? As I read 2 Corinthians 7, I realized that even the great Apostle Paul had his times when he needed other people. He said in verse 5: "For when we came into Macedonia, this body of ours had no rest, but we were harassed at every turn—conflicts on the outside, fears within." Doesn't that describe the way you feel at times? Conflicts without, fears within? But this is the spiritual giant, Paul, and it surprises us to realize that he would have these same feelings. Well, we really need to remember that positions of prominence do not isolate anyone from being human. Paul was tired and fearful. He needed help. Where did his help come from? He goes on to say, "But God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus.” He needed a friend at his side to comfort him, and so Titus came along. We could say to Paul, "But wasn't it enough to have the Lord there?” And Paul would respond, "The Lord was there in the person of Titus. He comforted me by sending Titus." Yes indeed, that's how the Body of Christ should function. God wants to use us in each other's lives as messengers of comfort and encouragement, to pick each other up at those weary and frightened moments of our lives. God has given us each other for that purpose. Paul goes on to say that he was comforted by the good report Titus brought to him of the concern for his welfare by his friends in Corinth. Paul needed to know that they cared, that they hadn't forgotten him, that they still loved him. How often do we miss these opportunities to be God's comfort in the lives of others? How often do we need to be by a friend's side when they're experiencing dark days? Or send a message to them—by email, on the phone—just to say, I care. Is there someone in your life that needs a Titus? Ask God to show you, and allow him to use you as his agent of comfort and encouragement.
7/7/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 4

Would you love to catch the next flight to some forgotten island and leave no forwarding address? Running away sure looks appealing sometimes, doesn't it? King David felt that way, too. He wrote, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” Maybe your job is just driving you crazy. Could be a difficult boss or a boring job; could be the people you work with or too much work. Or perhaps you're having troubles with relationships; they can make you want to fly away. Maybe it's your spouse, or your child, or a close friend, a romantic relationship. Undoubtedly for many it's financial worries that make them want to run away. Well, whatever it is that's giving you the run-away blues, I understand because I’ve been there. I remember when I begged God to let me out of a job I was in. I wanted out so badly, I thought I couldn't take another day. But God made it clear that he had a purpose in keeping me there for a while longer. I look back and see why: I needed to learn many spiritual lessons in that spot. There were people with whom I formed friendships and shared my faith and trust in Jesus. I wouldn't have missed that opportunity for anything. And the business knowledge I gained by hanging in another couple of years gave me the resource and experience I needed to go out on my own which paved the way to begin this ministry. Oh, it's easy to see that now, but at the time all I could do was simply agree with God to persevere. Second John 8 says " Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” Most of us give up just before the victory! And when we do, we waste all the hard work and effort that's been poured into our lives. I want to encourage you today to persevere. Say with King David that instead of running away you will "cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
7/6/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 4

Would you love to catch the next flight to some forgotten island and leave no forwarding address? Running away sure looks appealing sometimes, doesn't it? King David felt that way, too. He wrote, "Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.” Maybe your job is just driving you crazy. Could be a difficult boss or a boring job; could be the people you work with or too much work. Or perhaps you're having troubles with relationships; they can make you want to fly away. Maybe it's your spouse, or your child, or a close friend, a romantic relationship. Undoubtedly for many it's financial worries that make them want to run away. Well, whatever it is that's giving you the run-away blues, I understand because I’ve been there. I remember when I begged God to let me out of a job I was in. I wanted out so badly, I thought I couldn't take another day. But God made it clear that he had a purpose in keeping me there for a while longer. I look back and see why: I needed to learn many spiritual lessons in that spot. There were people with whom I formed friendships and shared my faith and trust in Jesus. I wouldn't have missed that opportunity for anything. And the business knowledge I gained by hanging in another couple of years gave me the resource and experience I needed to go out on my own which paved the way to begin this ministry. Oh, it's easy to see that now, but at the time all I could do was simply agree with God to persevere. Second John 8 says " Watch out that you do not lose what we have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.” Most of us give up just before the victory! And when we do, we waste all the hard work and effort that's been poured into our lives. I want to encourage you today to persevere. Say with King David that instead of running away you will "cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous fall."
7/6/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 3

Condemnation—isn't that an ugly word? Webster says that condemnation is the state of being pronounced unfit or unworthy, of being declared guilty. Condemnation is disapproval and lack of acceptance. Have you been subjected to any condemnation lately? It can come from friends, from family, from bosses, from society. The world is full of condemnation—one person condemning another, one race condemning another, politicians condemning each other. I hate condemnation and I'm sure you do, too. One of the most marvelous and wonderful truths of Scripture is that those of us who have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, who have been forgiven by him and accepted as God's child are free from condemnation. Paul writes in Romans 8 that “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). Now, is that good news, or what! I love the Phillips translation of Romans 8:33-34: "Who would dare to accuse us, whom God has chosen? The judge himself has declared us free from sin. Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us!” The next time you're feeling condemned, remember that if you belong to Jesus, he is the only one who can truly condemn you, and he doesn't. He may deal with you to bring your life more into conformity with his will, but he won't heap up condemnation on you. Oh, it's not that we don't deserve his condemnation; all of us do. But the judge himself, Jesus Christ, has paid the penalty and taken our condemnation himself. So, we are no longer condemned. We are set free from the penalty which we deserve. Keep this marvelous truth in the back of your mind all day. Rejoice in the fact that Jesus does not condemn you, so who else could possibly have a right to do that? You're free from condemnation, praise his holy name.
7/5/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 3

Condemnation—isn't that an ugly word? Webster says that condemnation is the state of being pronounced unfit or unworthy, of being declared guilty. Condemnation is disapproval and lack of acceptance. Have you been subjected to any condemnation lately? It can come from friends, from family, from bosses, from society. The world is full of condemnation—one person condemning another, one race condemning another, politicians condemning each other. I hate condemnation and I'm sure you do, too. One of the most marvelous and wonderful truths of Scripture is that those of us who have made a personal commitment to Jesus Christ, who have been forgiven by him and accepted as God's child are free from condemnation. Paul writes in Romans 8 that “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death (Romans 8:1-2). Now, is that good news, or what! I love the Phillips translation of Romans 8:33-34: "Who would dare to accuse us, whom God has chosen? The judge himself has declared us free from sin. Who is in a position to condemn? Only Christ, and Christ died for us, Christ rose for us, Christ reigns in power for us, Christ prays for us!” The next time you're feeling condemned, remember that if you belong to Jesus, he is the only one who can truly condemn you, and he doesn't. He may deal with you to bring your life more into conformity with his will, but he won't heap up condemnation on you. Oh, it's not that we don't deserve his condemnation; all of us do. But the judge himself, Jesus Christ, has paid the penalty and taken our condemnation himself. So, we are no longer condemned. We are set free from the penalty which we deserve. Keep this marvelous truth in the back of your mind all day. Rejoice in the fact that Jesus does not condemn you, so who else could possibly have a right to do that? You're free from condemnation, praise his holy name.
7/5/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 2

It’s July 4th, a special day for us here in the United States, as we celebrate the freedom that is ours because we live in this land. It’s a freedom we often take for granted, but we need to stop and thank God for the freedom we enjoy. But you know, real freedom is when you are free from the things that keep you personally in bondage. No earthly government can grant you that freedom. It is found only in Jesus Christ. What is holding you in bondage from which you really want to be set free? Fear or guilt? Shame? Failures in your past? Wrongs done to you? Poor choices you’ve made? Insecurity? Pride? Paul wrote to the Galatians: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). Mind you, Paul was writing to Christians, those who had declared themselves to be followers of Jesus Christ. And yet, Paul is encouraging them not to let themselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery because Christ had set them free. When as Christians we continue to live in bondage to these things, it’s like someone has put us in a jail but they didn’t lock the door, so at any time we can push open that door and walk out to freedom, but we don’t. We sit in that jail cell, as though we cannot escape, when all the time all we have to do is push open the door and walk out. Later in that letter to the Galatians Paul wrote: “You were called to be free. . .” If you’ve been born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, your calling from him is to be free from all that weighs you down. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So, as you celebrate our nation’s freedom, ask yourself if you are standing firm in the freedom that Christ has given you, or if you’re allowing yourself to be burdened by a yoke of slavery.
7/4/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom – 2

It’s July 4th, a special day for us here in the United States, as we celebrate the freedom that is ours because we live in this land. It’s a freedom we often take for granted, but we need to stop and thank God for the freedom we enjoy. But you know, real freedom is when you are free from the things that keep you personally in bondage. No earthly government can grant you that freedom. It is found only in Jesus Christ. What is holding you in bondage from which you really want to be set free? Fear or guilt? Shame? Failures in your past? Wrongs done to you? Poor choices you’ve made? Insecurity? Pride? Paul wrote to the Galatians: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). Mind you, Paul was writing to Christians, those who had declared themselves to be followers of Jesus Christ. And yet, Paul is encouraging them not to let themselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery because Christ had set them free. When as Christians we continue to live in bondage to these things, it’s like someone has put us in a jail but they didn’t lock the door, so at any time we can push open that door and walk out to freedom, but we don’t. We sit in that jail cell, as though we cannot escape, when all the time all we have to do is push open the door and walk out. Later in that letter to the Galatians Paul wrote: “You were called to be free. . .” If you’ve been born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, your calling from him is to be free from all that weighs you down. Jesus said, “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed” (John 8:36). So, as you celebrate our nation’s freedom, ask yourself if you are standing firm in the freedom that Christ has given you, or if you’re allowing yourself to be burdened by a yoke of slavery.
7/4/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom

Once I was asked a very interesting question by a woman who had come to hear me speak. She said to me, "Are you a liberated woman?” I think that's a good question to consider as we celebrate July 4th tomorrow—the day we declared our freedom as a country. So in answer to this question: Are you a liberated woman?, my answer is a resounding YES! I am a liberated woman, because I've been set free by Jesus. Paul wrote to the Romans: Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ….You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness….But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life (Romans 6:16, 18, 22). Hallelujah! I'm a liberated woman because I'm free from the curse of sin. That is true freedom; that is the personal freedom that so many are looking for today—but they’re looking in the wrong places. Jesus is the only one who can set us free indeed—that’s why he came. The Bible says that as individuals we are each slaves—slaves to whatever masters us. What is mastering you today? Money? Possessions? Sex? Laziness? Food? Television? Pornography? Drugs? Alcohol? Work? Well, Jesus Christ offers liberation from anything that makes you into a slave and robs you of freedom. Most people think freedom is the right to do whatever they want to do. Women over the past years have been led to believe that they'll find freedom in new opportunities. But it simply doesn't work. Only when Jesus sets you free do you really know what it means to be free. I’m glad to say that I'm a liberated woman—free from being a slave to sin. And because of that, I'm free from guilt. God has forgiven me for every sin that I've confessed to him, and furthermore, he has forgotten those sins. He doesn't hang them over my head ever again; I am no longer condemned. So, even though my past is not what it should be, I don't live under a cloud of guilt as so many people do. I'm free from guilt. I'm a liberated woman. If you are looking for freedom, let me introduce you to Jesus Christ, who can set you free indeed.
7/3/20233 minutes
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Living in Freedom

Once I was asked a very interesting question by a woman who had come to hear me speak. She said to me, "Are you a liberated woman?” I think that's a good question to consider as we celebrate July 4th tomorrow—the day we declared our freedom as a country. So in answer to this question: Are you a liberated woman?, my answer is a resounding YES! I am a liberated woman, because I've been set free by Jesus. Paul wrote to the Romans: Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? ….You have been set free from sin and have become slaves to righteousness….But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life (Romans 6:16, 18, 22). Hallelujah! I'm a liberated woman because I'm free from the curse of sin. That is true freedom; that is the personal freedom that so many are looking for today—but they’re looking in the wrong places. Jesus is the only one who can set us free indeed—that’s why he came. The Bible says that as individuals we are each slaves—slaves to whatever masters us. What is mastering you today? Money? Possessions? Sex? Laziness? Food? Television? Pornography? Drugs? Alcohol? Work? Well, Jesus Christ offers liberation from anything that makes you into a slave and robs you of freedom. Most people think freedom is the right to do whatever they want to do. Women over the past years have been led to believe that they'll find freedom in new opportunities. But it simply doesn't work. Only when Jesus sets you free do you really know what it means to be free. I’m glad to say that I'm a liberated woman—free from being a slave to sin. And because of that, I'm free from guilt. God has forgiven me for every sin that I've confessed to him, and furthermore, he has forgotten those sins. He doesn't hang them over my head ever again; I am no longer condemned. So, even though my past is not what it should be, I don't live under a cloud of guilt as so many people do. I'm free from guilt. I'm a liberated woman. If you are looking for freedom, let me introduce you to Jesus Christ, who can set you free indeed.
7/3/20233 minutes
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Interview with Renee Pollino

This week on The Christian Working Woman you will meet Renee Pollino and hear how she founded a social justice coffee shop—yes, a coffee shop—that addresses social concerns and systemic injustice by offering employment to women who have been held in bondage by poverty, addictions, trafficking or life as a refugee.  Renee’s story will inspire you—don’t miss it.
7/1/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Interview with Renee Pollino

This week on The Christian Working Woman you will meet Renee Pollino and hear how she founded a social justice coffee shop—yes, a coffee shop—that addresses social concerns and systemic injustice by offering employment to women who have been held in bondage by poverty, addictions, trafficking or life as a refugee.  Renee’s story will inspire you—don’t miss it.
7/1/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 5

I’m offering five biblical principles which can help you when you’re dealing with difficult people, particularly on your job. Our fifth and final principle is: The “Speak Kind Words” Principle Here are two verses from Proverbs that tell us how important it is to guard our words carefully and speak words of kindness. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25). A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.(Proverbs 25:11). "Aptly spoken words” are those which are strategically selected and gently delivered. They are "apt," they fit the situation perfectly. With "apt" words, you can change an ugly environment or situation into something beautiful—like "apples of gold in settings of silver." For example, suppose you had to confront a person on your job who is repeatedly late to work. Which of these two approaches would be “aptly spoken words”? #1 “I want to point out something that is bothering me. You’ve been late to work a lot and it just drives me crazy. I want every person here on time every day. You’re paid to be here on time, so I’ll be expecting you to be on time every day from now on. I hope that is clear.” #2 “I’ve noticed that you have some difficulty getting to work on time. Perhaps there is some good reason for that; if so, you need to tell me so we can work it out by cutting your lunch time or having you work later each day. Is there some reason that makes it difficult for you to be here on time each day?” It’s pretty obvious that the first example would cause a defensive, angry reaction and may or may not solve the problem, while the second approach shows some concern for the individual while at the same time making it clear that tardiness cannot be tolerated. Those are “aptly spoken words.” So often our choice of words makes all the difference in how responsive the other person will be.
6/30/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 5

I’m offering five biblical principles which can help you when you’re dealing with difficult people, particularly on your job. Our fifth and final principle is: The “Speak Kind Words” Principle Here are two verses from Proverbs that tell us how important it is to guard our words carefully and speak words of kindness. Anxiety weighs down the heart, but a kind word cheers it up (Proverbs 12:25). A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.(Proverbs 25:11). "Aptly spoken words” are those which are strategically selected and gently delivered. They are "apt," they fit the situation perfectly. With "apt" words, you can change an ugly environment or situation into something beautiful—like "apples of gold in settings of silver." For example, suppose you had to confront a person on your job who is repeatedly late to work. Which of these two approaches would be “aptly spoken words”? #1 “I want to point out something that is bothering me. You’ve been late to work a lot and it just drives me crazy. I want every person here on time every day. You’re paid to be here on time, so I’ll be expecting you to be on time every day from now on. I hope that is clear.” #2 “I’ve noticed that you have some difficulty getting to work on time. Perhaps there is some good reason for that; if so, you need to tell me so we can work it out by cutting your lunch time or having you work later each day. Is there some reason that makes it difficult for you to be here on time each day?” It’s pretty obvious that the first example would cause a defensive, angry reaction and may or may not solve the problem, while the second approach shows some concern for the individual while at the same time making it clear that tardiness cannot be tolerated. Those are “aptly spoken words.” So often our choice of words makes all the difference in how responsive the other person will be.
6/30/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 4

Have you ever worked with someone who was arrogant? A person who tried to tell you what to do and had delusions of grandeur? One of the many purposes of difficult relationships is to teach us needed and important lessons, and humility is certainly an important lesson we can learn through an arrogant co-worker. The “Humble Yourself” Principle In Luke 14:11 Jesus says: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” And in 1 Peter 5:6 we read: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Have you learned to look for opportunities to humble yourself? Now, I’m not talking about false humility, such as running yourself down, or refusing to accept a compliment, or walking around with your head hung low and trying to look humble. But most every day we will find opportunities to humble ourselves. For example, if you work with this bossy coworker, it is humbling to keep your mouth shut and not say something back to him or her. It is humbling to take that person’s suggestion. I began asking God to show me when and how to humble myself. It’s a good prayer and I recommend it to you. I found that not insisting on my “rights” was one key way to humble myself; not talking about myself or my accomplishments was another. Not having to have the last word is a good way to humble yourself. But don’t lose sight of the promises given to us when we truly are willing to humble ourselves. We will be lifted up and we will be exalted. Notice that Peter said we will be lifted up "in due time.” That's probably not as soon as you would like it to be, but it will be in the right time after you have learned the valuable lesson of humbling yourself. So, if you have a difficult person to deal with, one who is arrogant or treats you in a condescending way, ask God to show you when you should humble yourself with this person. You’ll be amazed at the blessing it will bring to you when you practice this “humble yourself” principle. And humbling yourself is much easier than having to be humbled!
6/29/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 4

Have you ever worked with someone who was arrogant? A person who tried to tell you what to do and had delusions of grandeur? One of the many purposes of difficult relationships is to teach us needed and important lessons, and humility is certainly an important lesson we can learn through an arrogant co-worker. The “Humble Yourself” Principle In Luke 14:11 Jesus says: “For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” And in 1 Peter 5:6 we read: “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.” Have you learned to look for opportunities to humble yourself? Now, I’m not talking about false humility, such as running yourself down, or refusing to accept a compliment, or walking around with your head hung low and trying to look humble. But most every day we will find opportunities to humble ourselves. For example, if you work with this bossy coworker, it is humbling to keep your mouth shut and not say something back to him or her. It is humbling to take that person’s suggestion. I began asking God to show me when and how to humble myself. It’s a good prayer and I recommend it to you. I found that not insisting on my “rights” was one key way to humble myself; not talking about myself or my accomplishments was another. Not having to have the last word is a good way to humble yourself. But don’t lose sight of the promises given to us when we truly are willing to humble ourselves. We will be lifted up and we will be exalted. Notice that Peter said we will be lifted up "in due time.” That's probably not as soon as you would like it to be, but it will be in the right time after you have learned the valuable lesson of humbling yourself. So, if you have a difficult person to deal with, one who is arrogant or treats you in a condescending way, ask God to show you when you should humble yourself with this person. You’ll be amazed at the blessing it will bring to you when you practice this “humble yourself” principle. And humbling yourself is much easier than having to be humbled!
6/29/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 3

Do you have any enemies?  Enemies are people who make your life uncomfortable, difficult, cause unnecessary hurt or discord, and are generally at odds against you in many ways, intentional or unintentional. The "Love Your Enemy" Principle Here is a principle from Matthew 5 that gives us direct guidance on dealing with a relationship “enemy.”  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45). What a revolutionary teaching this was. Never before had anyone taught such convoluted doctrine. It goes against all our instincts to love our enemies. It demands an attitude that is foreign to our natures. It requires a denial of self which seems imminently unfair and all but impossible. That's the way it often is with biblical principles. They go against our grain, but if you have some relationship “enemies,” God will empower you to love them if you are willing. Remember, loving doesn’t necessarily mean liking. This kind of love is an action, a set of our will, a decision to act in loving ways, even though our feelings may not be warm and fuzzy. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you (Proverbs 25:21-22). In these two passages from Matthew and Proverbs we learn three things about how we are to treat our “enemies”: We are to love our enemies. We are to pray for our enemies. We are to give our enemies what they need. We aren't promised that our enemies will change, or that they will appreciate our loving attitude. But when we respond in loving ways toward people who make our lives difficult, we keep ourselves from sinning and we demonstrate the love of Jesus in very real ways.
6/28/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 3

Do you have any enemies?  Enemies are people who make your life uncomfortable, difficult, cause unnecessary hurt or discord, and are generally at odds against you in many ways, intentional or unintentional. The "Love Your Enemy" Principle Here is a principle from Matthew 5 that gives us direct guidance on dealing with a relationship “enemy.”  “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous” (Matthew 5:43-45). What a revolutionary teaching this was. Never before had anyone taught such convoluted doctrine. It goes against all our instincts to love our enemies. It demands an attitude that is foreign to our natures. It requires a denial of self which seems imminently unfair and all but impossible. That's the way it often is with biblical principles. They go against our grain, but if you have some relationship “enemies,” God will empower you to love them if you are willing. Remember, loving doesn’t necessarily mean liking. This kind of love is an action, a set of our will, a decision to act in loving ways, even though our feelings may not be warm and fuzzy. If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat; if he is thirsty, give him water to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head, and the Lord will reward you (Proverbs 25:21-22). In these two passages from Matthew and Proverbs we learn three things about how we are to treat our “enemies”: We are to love our enemies. We are to pray for our enemies. We are to give our enemies what they need. We aren't promised that our enemies will change, or that they will appreciate our loving attitude. But when we respond in loving ways toward people who make our lives difficult, we keep ourselves from sinning and we demonstrate the love of Jesus in very real ways.
6/28/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 2

I’m taking a look at some biblical principles which give us guidance when we have to deal with a difficult relationship—like a co-worker who is lazy, or uncooperative, or negative, to name a few. The "Speak-the-Truth-in-Love" Principle Ephesians 4:14 and 15 gives us a very important principle:  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  Speaking the truth to people is sometimes the part we are called on to play in their lives to help them grow. Of course, the operative word here is "love.” Have you ever spoken the truth in haste or anger? Often truth is spoken in hatred and vindictiveness. Truth can be spoken with malice or in defensiveness. You see, the truth can often be very painful. When we speak it in anything but love, we can open a door that never should be opened and cause a rift in a relationship that may never be healed. Which would describe you best? Would you say that you have difficulty speaking the truth in love even when you know you should? If so, is that because you hate confrontations, or fear rejection or repercussions? Or perhaps you feel guilty since you know that you’re not perfect either. Or would you say that you speak the truth too freely and often without compassion or forethought? In practicing this biblical principle of speaking the truth in love, you need to exercise extreme caution. Words are very powerful and need to bathed in prayer. Your motivation must be carefully scrutinized to make certain that you are speaking the truth in love for the right reason at the right time. However, remember that speaking the truth in love is a biblical principle, and when God puts you in a position where you should do just that, to fail to do so is to rob that person of an opportunity to become more mature.
6/27/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships – 2

I’m taking a look at some biblical principles which give us guidance when we have to deal with a difficult relationship—like a co-worker who is lazy, or uncooperative, or negative, to name a few. The "Speak-the-Truth-in-Love" Principle Ephesians 4:14 and 15 gives us a very important principle:  Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.  Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.  Speaking the truth to people is sometimes the part we are called on to play in their lives to help them grow. Of course, the operative word here is "love.” Have you ever spoken the truth in haste or anger? Often truth is spoken in hatred and vindictiveness. Truth can be spoken with malice or in defensiveness. You see, the truth can often be very painful. When we speak it in anything but love, we can open a door that never should be opened and cause a rift in a relationship that may never be healed. Which would describe you best? Would you say that you have difficulty speaking the truth in love even when you know you should? If so, is that because you hate confrontations, or fear rejection or repercussions? Or perhaps you feel guilty since you know that you’re not perfect either. Or would you say that you speak the truth too freely and often without compassion or forethought? In practicing this biblical principle of speaking the truth in love, you need to exercise extreme caution. Words are very powerful and need to bathed in prayer. Your motivation must be carefully scrutinized to make certain that you are speaking the truth in love for the right reason at the right time. However, remember that speaking the truth in love is a biblical principle, and when God puts you in a position where you should do just that, to fail to do so is to rob that person of an opportunity to become more mature.
6/27/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships

Relationships are the sandpaper of life. Isn’t it often true that the relationship struggles of your life are used by God to refine you and teach you and help you grow to maturity? I want to talk about five biblical principles we need to know when we are experiencing relationship difficulties on our jobs.  The Extra-Mile Principle We are called to have an extra-mile attitude in our relationships with others. Matthew 5:38-41 is pretty clear about this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” What does it mean to have an extra-mile attitude, to turn the other cheek, to give your cloak as well as your shirt? Don’t you think Jesus was trying to teach us to endure unfair treatment at times, without griping or complaining? to refrain from saying some of the things we would like to say to that difficult coworker. to do some work we don’t have to do or want to do? to put in extra time and effort to help a difficult person? Surely that is all a part of this extra mile principle. And it would lead you to endure at times, and to do more than perhaps even your employer would require or expect of you. But there is also a balance we must find. I believe that Jesus gave us boundaries with this extra mile principle, and he definitely is not teaching us to endure any kind of treatment or to put up with unacceptable behavior or habits forever and never say anything negative to anyone. Do you go the extra mile with those difficult relationships? The extra mile principle is one we need to apply to difficult relationships and when we are willing to go that extra mile, it can often open a door for a miracle.
6/26/20233 minutes
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Principles for Difficult Relationships

Relationships are the sandpaper of life. Isn’t it often true that the relationship struggles of your life are used by God to refine you and teach you and help you grow to maturity? I want to talk about five biblical principles we need to know when we are experiencing relationship difficulties on our jobs.  The Extra-Mile Principle We are called to have an extra-mile attitude in our relationships with others. Matthew 5:38-41 is pretty clear about this: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles.” What does it mean to have an extra-mile attitude, to turn the other cheek, to give your cloak as well as your shirt? Don’t you think Jesus was trying to teach us to endure unfair treatment at times, without griping or complaining? to refrain from saying some of the things we would like to say to that difficult coworker. to do some work we don’t have to do or want to do? to put in extra time and effort to help a difficult person? Surely that is all a part of this extra mile principle. And it would lead you to endure at times, and to do more than perhaps even your employer would require or expect of you. But there is also a balance we must find. I believe that Jesus gave us boundaries with this extra mile principle, and he definitely is not teaching us to endure any kind of treatment or to put up with unacceptable behavior or habits forever and never say anything negative to anyone. Do you go the extra mile with those difficult relationships? The extra mile principle is one we need to apply to difficult relationships and when we are willing to go that extra mile, it can often open a door for a miracle.
6/26/20233 minutes
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Cultivating Joy

Years ago I began to question the self-esteem message which was everywhere. They said you had to feel good about yourself in order to have a good life. But something in my spirit just didn’t jive with it. I couldn’t find anything like it in Scripture. I knew from Scripture that the best things I could do looked like filthy rags to God. And furthermore, I had enough experience with me to know that I did not hold the key to my happiness. For ten years I took myself on a pursuit of self-esteem and ended up in a sinful lifestyle, unfulfilled and very frustrated. I fully got it—that trying to find joy and peace and meaning in who I am was a losing battle. And God was teaching me through his Word that my pursuit of good self-esteem was a dead-end street. As one writer puts it: “We eventually figure out that being the star of our own show actually makes life a tragedy. When life is all about us—what we can do, how we perform—our world becomes small and smothering; we shrink. To have everything riding on ourselves leads to despair, not deliverance.” (Jesus+Nothing=Everything) Jesus said it this way: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25). If you are a Christ-follower, the life you were meant to live is to lose your life for Jesus. Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ.” And, “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 completely turns the pursuit of self-esteem on its ears and gives us an entirely opposite recipe for life: Lose your life for Jesus. It’s not “Go find yourself” or “Discover the real you” or “Feel good about yourself.” It’s forget yourself! Come and discover the joy of self-forgetfulness. When you can come to the place where life is so not all about you that you truly don’t think about yourself first and foremost all the time, you are beginning to walk in the freedom that Jesus came to give you. Believe me, there is great joy in self-forgetfulness. It’s really, really simple. But it’s really, really important. The life you were meant to live is found in forgetting about yourself. What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus? Let me begin by saying what it does not mean. Losing your life for Jesus and forgetting about yourself doesn’t mean that you are not valuable and worthwhile. You are so valuable to God that he sent Jesus to purchase your redemption. He knows the worst about you and loves you with a love that will never cease and nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate you from his love. He knows your name, he calls you precious; he rejoices over you with singing; he delights in you. I’m not making this up—it’s all in the Bible. You are valuable because you are personally loved by the God who created the heavens and the earth. Losing your life for Jesus doesn’t mean that you become a doormat or a victim. It doesn’t mean that you don’t take care of yourself or set boundaries or say no when appropriate. It doesn’t mean you wear long faces and ugly clothes (unless you want to!). Here’s the best way I can describe it: Forgetting about yourself means that you put Jesus on the throne of your heart, and he’s there to stay. He becomes and remains the most important person and the most important commitment in your life. You get rid of other idols in your heart. It means that you invest time and energy into getting to know him through his Word. It means that you truly want to help others; you truly care about others, you love others because you love Jesus and his love is spread in your heart and it overflows to others. Losing your life for Jesus means anything you need to give up for his sake is okay with you. Money loses some of its allurement, its grip on your heart. Success becomes redefined as hearing Jesus say, “Well done,
6/24/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Cultivating Joy

Presented by Lisa Bishop It is true that joy can often feel fleeting. It can be hard to hold onto. Sometimes taking hold of joy can be like trying to grab a cloud, it slips through your fingers, evading you. If you find yourself struggling to experience joy in your life, you are not alone. I struggle too. It’s part of being human and living on this side of eternity. But there is hope because God cares about your joy. He wants you to experience happiness and high spirits. I think sometimes we forget that. We can see life as drudgery at times and forget that God wants us to experience delight! Speaking of happiness, sometimes we pit joy and happiness against each other. So, I am going to submit that joy and happiness aren’t exclusive to each other! A dictionary definition of happiness is “a state of well-being; a pleasurable or satisfying experience.” One definition of the word joy comes from the Greek word chara (ha-(with a rolled r)- a), which means “gladness” or “cheerfulness.” Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words happy and happiness about 30 times, and joy and rejoice over 300 times. We know when we see words or themes repeated in God’s Word he wants to get our attention! Your joy matters to God and when you are joyful, you feel happy! The key is what you rely on for ultimate joy and where your focus lies. If you were to look up the references to joy and rejoicing in the Bible you will see that its cause and effect are from the same source. God. He is the root of your joy and you experience joy because of him. Psalm 94:19 When anxiety was great within me, your consolation brought me joy. Psalm 16:11 You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand. God is our reason for joy and we express our joy to God when we rejoice in him. As Philippians 4:4 instructs us: Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! God your Father is the giver of all things and he’s looking for every opportunity to bless you. He wants you to experience happiness and joy in his creation, in the things he has made. He loves to see you experiencing delight in that promotion at work, a new relationship, a vacation with friends, at the birth of your kids, in a bowl of ice cream. Yes, I did just say ice cream. God made that too. Sometimes we complicate joy. Joy can be found in simple moments as well as in the big events of life. The important thing to remember is your source of joy, and that is Jesus. Don’t get too lured in by being distracted by the created things and lose your affection for the Creator. When you rely on external things to sustain your joy you will be misguided. When you base joy purely on your circumstances you will be sorely disappointed, which brings me to another point about joy. In the midst of unpleasant circumstances, joy is possible. Even when life gives you a one-two punch and knocks the wind out of your sails, you can hang onto joy. Happiness and disappointment, joy and sorrow, can coexist. I know that feels counterintuitive and really HARD at times! Yet all throughout the bible we see evidence of this and Psalm 13 gives us a real-life example as the Psalmist in his pain and despair says: How long, Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart? How long will my enemy triumph over me? Look on me and answer, Lord my God. Give light to my eyes, or I will sleep in death, and my enemy will say, “I have overcome him,” and my foes will rejoice when I fall. But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation I will sing the Lord’s praise, for he has been good to me. How can the Psalmist rejoice, how can he express joy in the middle of sorrow? Because ultimately joy is a long-haul perspective not one that is limited by shorter-term circumstances.
6/24/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Joy Killers – 5

How joyful are you? Here are a few more ways to cultivate a more cheerful and glad spirit. And the first way is to: Practice Patience and Pray We have all experienced impatience in our lives. That irritability and dis-ease when you’re waiting for something and it feels like it’s taking forever to materialize. When something does not happen on your timeline you can lose hope and it can mess with your joy. When it comes down to it, impatience is really an indicator that you do not trust God and his timing. It’s a signal that you lack faith that God is working things out on your behalf and as a result, you can become heavy-hearted. To cultivate joy in the waiting, Romans 12:12 is a call to action: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Another way to intentionally cultivate joy in your life is to: Mind Your Mind According to Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (ESV). A joyful, positive mindset is key to experiencing a healthy and fulfilling life. The heart is your inner self, thoughts, emotions, and will. Good medicine refers to something that treats or alleviates the symptoms of disease. One translation of this verse says, “A cheerful heart causes good healing.” All throughout Scripture we see the potent effects of the mind on the body. A joyful heart is good because it generates health and healing in your inner being. In contrast a crushed spirit dries up the bones or as Proverbs 12:25 explains, “anxiety in the heart of a person causes depression.” Interestingly these nuggets of wisdom are backed up by scientific studies that demonstrate the mind’s powerful influence over the body. A cheerful, contented temperament not only fortifies your mental health but enables your body to resist the attacks of physical disease. That’s another reason to be enamored with God and how he created our minds and bodies. And, why he created you to experience joy! So if good medicine is a joyful heart, how can you foster and promote internal joy? Scripture says that God’s laws, precepts, and statutes refresh the soul and gladden the heart. Psalm 19:7a says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” And the prophet Jeremiah testified, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16a). Setting apart intentional time to be with God, meditating on his Word, his character, and his promises, is a guaranteed way to do your heart some good.
6/23/20233 minutes
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Joy Killers – 5

How joyful are you? Here are a few more ways to cultivate a more cheerful and glad spirit. And the first way is to: Practice Patience and Pray We have all experienced impatience in our lives. That irritability and dis-ease when you’re waiting for something and it feels like it’s taking forever to materialize. When something does not happen on your timeline you can lose hope and it can mess with your joy. When it comes down to it, impatience is really an indicator that you do not trust God and his timing. It’s a signal that you lack faith that God is working things out on your behalf and as a result, you can become heavy-hearted. To cultivate joy in the waiting, Romans 12:12 is a call to action: “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Another way to intentionally cultivate joy in your life is to: Mind Your Mind According to Proverbs 17:22: “A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones” (ESV). A joyful, positive mindset is key to experiencing a healthy and fulfilling life. The heart is your inner self, thoughts, emotions, and will. Good medicine refers to something that treats or alleviates the symptoms of disease. One translation of this verse says, “A cheerful heart causes good healing.” All throughout Scripture we see the potent effects of the mind on the body. A joyful heart is good because it generates health and healing in your inner being. In contrast a crushed spirit dries up the bones or as Proverbs 12:25 explains, “anxiety in the heart of a person causes depression.” Interestingly these nuggets of wisdom are backed up by scientific studies that demonstrate the mind’s powerful influence over the body. A cheerful, contented temperament not only fortifies your mental health but enables your body to resist the attacks of physical disease. That’s another reason to be enamored with God and how he created our minds and bodies. And, why he created you to experience joy! So if good medicine is a joyful heart, how can you foster and promote internal joy? Scripture says that God’s laws, precepts, and statutes refresh the soul and gladden the heart. Psalm 19:7a says, “The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.” And the prophet Jeremiah testified, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16a). Setting apart intentional time to be with God, meditating on his Word, his character, and his promises, is a guaranteed way to do your heart some good.
6/23/20233 minutes
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Joy Killers – 4

Do you let other people steal your joy? We all know people who walk through life acting like victims of their circumstances. They blame the weather, traffic, their job, or other life situations for being miserable. They look for any reason to complain, to be downcast and grumpy. When something does not go their way they find a way to complain and grumble. They are people who allow others to impact their joy and ones who can suck the joy right out of the air. Several years ago I would ride the elevator with the same guy every week. In an attempt to make small talk, I would ask him how he was doing. His response was, “Okay for a Monday.” What a downer! How many times have we caught ourselves thinking that or even saying that out loud? If Mondays dictate that your life will be dull and less than desirable, you have just squandered 1/7th of your life. Think about it. When you put it that way it’s certainly motivation to change your tune. You and I have the power to choose our attitude. You are ultimately in charge of the way you respond to life’s circumstances, the people around you and even Mondays. You have the power to control how you react to life. No one or nothing can make you feel or act a certain way. And nothing can steal your joy unless you give it permission. And here’s the deal: As a follower of Jesus, you have a holy advantage on happiness in life. My friend, you have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and you know what? The Holy Spirit produces all sorts of amazing things in your life and one of them is joy. Galatians 5:22-23a says, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (NLT). When the Holy Spirit produces joy he is producing cheerfulness, delight, and gladness in you. If you are not experiencing joy take some time to get curious and seek why. I’m not saying you will experience joy 24/7/365, but if your life is marred more by gloominess, despair, or unhappiness it’s time to do some self-reflection. Maybe you are more focused on what is not going the way you want in life and you need to put some effort into dwelling on the things to be grateful for. Maybe you are blaming others and outside circumstances for your outlook and disposition rather than owning your power to choose how you will respond to life’s circumstances. If you want to live the spirit-filled, holy spirit-empowered life and experience the fullness of the fruit of joy, don’t let outside circumstances dictate your happiness. Ditch the critical spirit and ask Jesus to help you count your blessings.
6/22/20233 minutes
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Joy Killers – 4

Do you let other people steal your joy? We all know people who walk through life acting like victims of their circumstances. They blame the weather, traffic, their job, or other life situations for being miserable. They look for any reason to complain, to be downcast and grumpy. When something does not go their way they find a way to complain and grumble. They are people who allow others to impact their joy and ones who can suck the joy right out of the air. Several years ago I would ride the elevator with the same guy every week. In an attempt to make small talk, I would ask him how he was doing. His response was, “Okay for a Monday.” What a downer! How many times have we caught ourselves thinking that or even saying that out loud? If Mondays dictate that your life will be dull and less than desirable, you have just squandered 1/7th of your life. Think about it. When you put it that way it’s certainly motivation to change your tune. You and I have the power to choose our attitude. You are ultimately in charge of the way you respond to life’s circumstances, the people around you and even Mondays. You have the power to control how you react to life. No one or nothing can make you feel or act a certain way. And nothing can steal your joy unless you give it permission. And here’s the deal: As a follower of Jesus, you have a holy advantage on happiness in life. My friend, you have the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling in you and you know what? The Holy Spirit produces all sorts of amazing things in your life and one of them is joy. Galatians 5:22-23a says, “The Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (NLT). When the Holy Spirit produces joy he is producing cheerfulness, delight, and gladness in you. If you are not experiencing joy take some time to get curious and seek why. I’m not saying you will experience joy 24/7/365, but if your life is marred more by gloominess, despair, or unhappiness it’s time to do some self-reflection. Maybe you are more focused on what is not going the way you want in life and you need to put some effort into dwelling on the things to be grateful for. Maybe you are blaming others and outside circumstances for your outlook and disposition rather than owning your power to choose how you will respond to life’s circumstances. If you want to live the spirit-filled, holy spirit-empowered life and experience the fullness of the fruit of joy, don’t let outside circumstances dictate your happiness. Ditch the critical spirit and ask Jesus to help you count your blessings.
6/22/20233 minutes
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Joy Killers – 3

Do you remember the catchy tune, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, deep in my heart?” The song often referred to as “I’ve Got the Joy,” is often sung at Sunday school and around the campfire and is a reminder that joy is an essential part of the Christian life. The song’s chorus is: “And I’m so happy, so very happy I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart Down in my heart.” It reminds us as followers of Jesus that it is important to know that the source of true joy is in our relationship with God. Joy is not just a fleeting feeling. It’s a steadfast and enduring state of being that can be experienced even in the midst of trials and challenges because of its source, Jesus. The Bible provides numerous examples to help us experience joy. Whether it is through seeking God’s presence, trusting in his promises, or cultivating a heart of gratitude, Scripture tells us that joy is attainable and can bring a sense of peace and contentment to your daily life. But there are things that can kill your joy and one of those things is putting confidence in your flesh! Why? Because your flesh will fail and you will make mistakes in life. So misplacing your joy and confidence by placing it in yourself and what you do—what you are capable of—will lead to disastrous results. When it comes to putting your confidence and joy in the Lord and not in yourself, the Apostle Paul gives us a solid example. In chapter 3 of his letter to the Philippians Paul says: “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more” (Philippians 3:1-4). Paul then goes on to list over seven reasons for fleshy confidence. And then he says, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:7-9). Paul shows us to not think so highly of ourselves but to rejoice in Jesus. Reminding us that gaining Christ and being found in him are the true keys to your joy.
6/21/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Joy Killers – 3

Do you remember the catchy tune, “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, deep in my heart?” The song often referred to as “I’ve Got the Joy,” is often sung at Sunday school and around the campfire and is a reminder that joy is an essential part of the Christian life. The song’s chorus is: “And I’m so happy, so very happy I’ve got the love of Jesus in my heart Down in my heart.” It reminds us as followers of Jesus that it is important to know that the source of true joy is in our relationship with God. Joy is not just a fleeting feeling. It’s a steadfast and enduring state of being that can be experienced even in the midst of trials and challenges because of its source, Jesus. The Bible provides numerous examples to help us experience joy. Whether it is through seeking God’s presence, trusting in his promises, or cultivating a heart of gratitude, Scripture tells us that joy is attainable and can bring a sense of peace and contentment to your daily life. But there are things that can kill your joy and one of those things is putting confidence in your flesh! Why? Because your flesh will fail and you will make mistakes in life. So misplacing your joy and confidence by placing it in yourself and what you do—what you are capable of—will lead to disastrous results. When it comes to putting your confidence and joy in the Lord and not in yourself, the Apostle Paul gives us a solid example. In chapter 3 of his letter to the Philippians Paul says: “Further, my brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord! It is no trouble for me to write the same things to you again, and it is a safeguard for you. Watch out for those dogs, those evildoers, those mutilators of the flesh. For it is we who are the circumcision, we who serve God by his Spirit, who boast in Christ Jesus, and who put no confidence in the flesh—though I myself have reasons for such confidence. If someone else thinks they have reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more” (Philippians 3:1-4). Paul then goes on to list over seven reasons for fleshy confidence. And then he says, “But whatever were gains to me I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:7-9). Paul shows us to not think so highly of ourselves but to rejoice in Jesus. Reminding us that gaining Christ and being found in him are the true keys to your joy.
6/21/20233 minutes
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Joy Killers – 2

Have you ever heard the saying “Comparison is the thief of joy?” We’re talking about joy killers and a sure-fire killjoy is comparison. Have you ever been scrolling through LinkedIn when you see someone posting about a new job or promotion and you think, “Their life looks ideal. They're probably rolling in the dough and loving life.” Or maybe you find yourself swept up in social media, stumbling upon pictures of seemingly perfect families. The kids are smiling, dressed perfectly, even the dog is smiling, and the husband and wife look so in love. You look at other people’s lives and think you got the short end of the stick. When you survey other people’s lives and surmise that theirs is way better than yours, you set yourself up to be disgruntled and you can be tempted to lament yours. Comparison can make you anxious and depressed and lure you into believing you are missing out on life. We all do it. It’s part of being human, but if we aren’t careful we can find ourselves down the rabbit hole of discontentment. The other day I came across an article on Michelangelo, perhaps the most celebrated Renaissance artist of all time. The article talked about a poem Michelangelo wrote describing how much he hated painting the Sistine Chapel! He famously worked 65 feet in the air on custom scaffolding and wrote about the four years of physical toil. “I’ve already grown a goiter from this torture, hunched up there like a cat….. My stomach's squashed under my skin,....my brain’s crushed in a casket…..My brush, above me all the time, dribbles paint so my face makes a fine floor for droppings.” Who knew Michelangelo was so disgruntled when everything looked so picture-perfect? We can often look into people’s lives and think everything is going swimmingly when in fact they are experiencing their own version of despising life. Not everything is as it seems. And comparing your life to others can provoke you to think and maybe even do some crazy things. It reminds me of the story of brothers Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter four. The account tells us that God was pleased with Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. Abel seemed to have a better life, more favor from God, and that caused resentment and envy to begin to build up in his brother. Cain resented God for blessing his brother and began despising Abel, which eventually led Cain to murder him. Now I know that is an extreme example but comparison can kill your joy and it is a slippery slope. Who are you comparing yourself to? Whose life may look more pleasing than yours? How are you letting other people’s seemingly perfect life steal your joy?
6/20/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Joy Killers – 2

Have you ever heard the saying “Comparison is the thief of joy?” We’re talking about joy killers and a sure-fire killjoy is comparison. Have you ever been scrolling through LinkedIn when you see someone posting about a new job or promotion and you think, “Their life looks ideal. They're probably rolling in the dough and loving life.” Or maybe you find yourself swept up in social media, stumbling upon pictures of seemingly perfect families. The kids are smiling, dressed perfectly, even the dog is smiling, and the husband and wife look so in love. You look at other people’s lives and think you got the short end of the stick. When you survey other people’s lives and surmise that theirs is way better than yours, you set yourself up to be disgruntled and you can be tempted to lament yours. Comparison can make you anxious and depressed and lure you into believing you are missing out on life. We all do it. It’s part of being human, but if we aren’t careful we can find ourselves down the rabbit hole of discontentment. The other day I came across an article on Michelangelo, perhaps the most celebrated Renaissance artist of all time. The article talked about a poem Michelangelo wrote describing how much he hated painting the Sistine Chapel! He famously worked 65 feet in the air on custom scaffolding and wrote about the four years of physical toil. “I’ve already grown a goiter from this torture, hunched up there like a cat….. My stomach's squashed under my skin,....my brain’s crushed in a casket…..My brush, above me all the time, dribbles paint so my face makes a fine floor for droppings.” Who knew Michelangelo was so disgruntled when everything looked so picture-perfect? We can often look into people’s lives and think everything is going swimmingly when in fact they are experiencing their own version of despising life. Not everything is as it seems. And comparing your life to others can provoke you to think and maybe even do some crazy things. It reminds me of the story of brothers Cain and Abel in Genesis chapter four. The account tells us that God was pleased with Abel’s offering and not Cain’s. Abel seemed to have a better life, more favor from God, and that caused resentment and envy to begin to build up in his brother. Cain resented God for blessing his brother and began despising Abel, which eventually led Cain to murder him. Now I know that is an extreme example but comparison can kill your joy and it is a slippery slope. Who are you comparing yourself to? Whose life may look more pleasing than yours? How are you letting other people’s seemingly perfect life steal your joy?
6/20/20233 minutes
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Joy Killers

There are joy killers in life and I want to talk about the keys to cultivating greater joy. Who doesn’t want more joy? And here is what is true: You were created to experience joy. So why can it feel so fleeting at times? The first joy killer is putting your joy in the wrong things. Several years ago I read a book, Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. One of the themes of the book is the idea that as human beings, we think we are in search of pleasure in life but what we really seek, what our hearts truly long for is purpose. We want our lives to have meaning but we can get sidetracked in the pursuit of pleasure. While life does bring pleasure and God designed us to experience it, when we chase it or base our ultimate joy and satisfaction on it, we will be depressed and sorely disappointed. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes has the well-known verse, “meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes describes King Solomon’s account of the suffering, misery, and emptiness that came from seeking after foolishness, meaninglessness, and materialistic pursuit; and that ultimate hope and meaning is in discovering truth and seeking after God. Solomon tried the world’s brand of happiness and found it to be lacking as we hear his words in Ecclesiastes 2:1-2. “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.’ But that also proved to be meaningless. ‘Laughter,’ I said, ‘is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?’” As a King, he had all of life’s pleasures at his fingertips. Although he could have anything his heart desired, nothing he found satisfied him for the long term. Even the work of his hands, although a good and meaningful aspect of human existence, led to frustration, failure, grief, and pain. While there is an overall depressing tone to the book, Solomon’s conclusion points us to look beyond this life for our ultimate hope and that no amount of wealth, power, prestige, success, relationships or even wisdom will fully satisfy the longing of the human heart. Only Jesus can provide what nothing on this earth can deliver. Life remains toilsome and frustrating at times, but Jesus gives meaning, purpose, and mission to those who believe and trust in him for their salvation. We do not have to follow the path of the world and seek fulfillment in things that will ultimately leave us craving for more. The joy of the world is hollow, but the joy of the Lord which comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, is rich and abundant. The world’s happiness will fade but the key to cultivating true joy is to be deeply rooted in a relationship with our Savior and find our meaning in him.
6/19/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Joy Killers

There are joy killers in life and I want to talk about the keys to cultivating greater joy. Who doesn’t want more joy? And here is what is true: You were created to experience joy. So why can it feel so fleeting at times? The first joy killer is putting your joy in the wrong things. Several years ago I read a book, Man’s Search for Meaning, by Viktor Frankl. One of the themes of the book is the idea that as human beings, we think we are in search of pleasure in life but what we really seek, what our hearts truly long for is purpose. We want our lives to have meaning but we can get sidetracked in the pursuit of pleasure. While life does bring pleasure and God designed us to experience it, when we chase it or base our ultimate joy and satisfaction on it, we will be depressed and sorely disappointed. The Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes has the well-known verse, “meaningless, meaningless, everything is meaningless.” Ecclesiastes describes King Solomon’s account of the suffering, misery, and emptiness that came from seeking after foolishness, meaninglessness, and materialistic pursuit; and that ultimate hope and meaning is in discovering truth and seeking after God. Solomon tried the world’s brand of happiness and found it to be lacking as we hear his words in Ecclesiastes 2:1-2. “I said to myself, ‘Come now, I will test you with pleasure to find out what is good.’ But that also proved to be meaningless. ‘Laughter,’ I said, ‘is madness. And what does pleasure accomplish?’” As a King, he had all of life’s pleasures at his fingertips. Although he could have anything his heart desired, nothing he found satisfied him for the long term. Even the work of his hands, although a good and meaningful aspect of human existence, led to frustration, failure, grief, and pain. While there is an overall depressing tone to the book, Solomon’s conclusion points us to look beyond this life for our ultimate hope and that no amount of wealth, power, prestige, success, relationships or even wisdom will fully satisfy the longing of the human heart. Only Jesus can provide what nothing on this earth can deliver. Life remains toilsome and frustrating at times, but Jesus gives meaning, purpose, and mission to those who believe and trust in him for their salvation. We do not have to follow the path of the world and seek fulfillment in things that will ultimately leave us craving for more. The joy of the world is hollow, but the joy of the Lord which comes from knowing God, abiding in Christ, and being filled with the Holy Spirit, is rich and abundant. The world’s happiness will fade but the key to cultivating true joy is to be deeply rooted in a relationship with our Savior and find our meaning in him.
6/19/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness

Years ago I began to question the self-esteem message which was everywhere. They said you had to feel good about yourself in order to have a good life. But something in my spirit just didn’t jive with it. I couldn’t find anything like it in Scripture. I knew from Scripture that the best things I could do looked like filthy rags to God. And furthermore, I had enough experience with me to know that I did not hold the key to my happiness. For ten years I took myself on a pursuit of self-esteem and ended up in a sinful lifestyle, unfulfilled and very frustrated. I fully got it—that trying to find joy and peace and meaning in who I am was a losing battle. And God was teaching me through his Word that my pursuit of good self-esteem was a dead-end street. As one writer puts it: “We eventually figure out that being the star of our own show actually makes life a tragedy. When life is all about us—what we can do, how we perform—our world becomes small and smothering; we shrink. To have everything riding on ourselves leads to despair, not deliverance.” (Jesus+Nothing=Everything) Jesus said it this way: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25). If you are a Christ-follower, the life you were meant to live is to lose your life for Jesus. Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ.” And, “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 completely turns the pursuit of self-esteem on its ears and gives us an entirely opposite recipe for life: Lose your life for Jesus. It’s not “Go find yourself” or “Discover the real you” or “Feel good about yourself.” It’s forget yourself! Come and discover the joy of self-forgetfulness. When you can come to the place where life is so not all about you that you truly don’t think about yourself first and foremost all the time, you are beginning to walk in the freedom that Jesus came to give you. Believe me, there is great joy in self-forgetfulness. It’s really, really simple. But it’s really, really important. The life you were meant to live is found in forgetting about yourself. What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus? Let me begin by saying what it does not mean. Losing your life for Jesus and forgetting about yourself doesn’t mean that you are not valuable and worthwhile. You are so valuable to God that he sent Jesus to purchase your redemption. He knows the worst about you and loves you with a love that will never cease and nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate you from his love. He knows your name, he calls you precious; he rejoices over you with singing; he delights in you. I’m not making this up—it’s all in the Bible. You are valuable because you are personally loved by the God who created the heavens and the earth. Losing your life for Jesus doesn’t mean that you become a doormat or a victim. It doesn’t mean that you don’t take care of yourself or set boundaries or say no when appropriate. It doesn’t mean you wear long faces and ugly clothes (unless you want to!). Here’s the best way I can describe it: Forgetting about yourself means that you put Jesus on the throne of your heart, and he’s there to stay. He becomes and remains the most important person and the most important commitment in your life. You get rid of other idols in your heart. It means that you invest time and energy into getting to know him through his Word. It means that you truly want to help others; you truly care about others, you love others because you love Jesus and his love is spread in your heart and it overflows to others. Losing your life for Jesus means anything you need to give up for his sake is okay with you. Money loses some of its allurement, its grip on your heart. Success becomes redefined as hearing Jesus say, “Well done,
6/17/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

The Joy of Self-Forgetfulness

Years ago I began to question the self-esteem message which was everywhere. They said you had to feel good about yourself in order to have a good life. But something in my spirit just didn’t jive with it. I couldn’t find anything like it in Scripture. I knew from Scripture that the best things I could do looked like filthy rags to God. And furthermore, I had enough experience with me to know that I did not hold the key to my happiness. For ten years I took myself on a pursuit of self-esteem and ended up in a sinful lifestyle, unfulfilled and very frustrated. I fully got it—that trying to find joy and peace and meaning in who I am was a losing battle. And God was teaching me through his Word that my pursuit of good self-esteem was a dead-end street. As one writer puts it: “We eventually figure out that being the star of our own show actually makes life a tragedy. When life is all about us—what we can do, how we perform—our world becomes small and smothering; we shrink. To have everything riding on ourselves leads to despair, not deliverance.” (Jesus+Nothing=Everything) Jesus said it this way: For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it (Matthew 16:25). If you are a Christ-follower, the life you were meant to live is to lose your life for Jesus. Paul said: “For to me, to live is Christ.” And, “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 completely turns the pursuit of self-esteem on its ears and gives us an entirely opposite recipe for life: Lose your life for Jesus. It’s not “Go find yourself” or “Discover the real you” or “Feel good about yourself.” It’s forget yourself! Come and discover the joy of self-forgetfulness. When you can come to the place where life is so not all about you that you truly don’t think about yourself first and foremost all the time, you are beginning to walk in the freedom that Jesus came to give you. Believe me, there is great joy in self-forgetfulness. It’s really, really simple. But it’s really, really important. The life you were meant to live is found in forgetting about yourself. What does it mean to lose your life for Jesus? Let me begin by saying what it does not mean. Losing your life for Jesus and forgetting about yourself doesn’t mean that you are not valuable and worthwhile. You are so valuable to God that he sent Jesus to purchase your redemption. He knows the worst about you and loves you with a love that will never cease and nothing—absolutely nothing—can separate you from his love. He knows your name, he calls you precious; he rejoices over you with singing; he delights in you. I’m not making this up—it’s all in the Bible. You are valuable because you are personally loved by the God who created the heavens and the earth. Losing your life for Jesus doesn’t mean that you become a doormat or a victim. It doesn’t mean that you don’t take care of yourself or set boundaries or say no when appropriate. It doesn’t mean you wear long faces and ugly clothes (unless you want to!). Here’s the best way I can describe it: Forgetting about yourself means that you put Jesus on the throne of your heart, and he’s there to stay. He becomes and remains the most important person and the most important commitment in your life. You get rid of other idols in your heart. It means that you invest time and energy into getting to know him through his Word. It means that you truly want to help others; you truly care about others, you love others because you love Jesus and his love is spread in your heart and it overflows to others. Losing your life for Jesus means anything you need to give up for his sake is okay with you. Money loses some of its allurement, its grip on your heart. Success becomes redefined as hearing Jesus say, “Well done,
6/17/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

What Steals Your Joy – 5

There is no more effective testimony that you can have as a Christ-follower than to consistently be a joyful person. Someone has said, “Joy is the flag flying high above the castle of the heart, announcing that the King is in residence there." How’s your flag doing? Is it flying high these days, or are you allowing something or someone to steal your joy? Well, what can you do to get that joy flag flying high over your heart again, so people will see that Jesus lives there? Here are three verses from Psalms that tell us how: Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Joy comes the more you are in his presence—finding joy in knowing God through Jesus and spending time each day with him—just you and God. Are you doing that? When you do, you will be filled with joy. Psalm 19:8a: “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” God’s word gives joy. It’s just that simple. Reading God’s word, memorizing it, studying it—I promise, it brings joy to your heart, no matter what’s going on. So, is Bible reading a high priority on your to-do list each day? It will put joy in your heart. Psalm 5:11: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Do you know what it means to take refuge in the Lord? It just means you run to him first when you need comfort or help or strength. He will spread his protection over you and shield you from those joy-stealers. Do you love the name of Jesus? Is it the sweetest name you know? Do you love to talk about him, sing about him; is Jesus everything to you? You will rejoice and be joyful when that is true. It's time to unwrap that flag of joy, raise it to the top of the mast, and fly it high!
6/16/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

What Steals Your Joy – 5

There is no more effective testimony that you can have as a Christ-follower than to consistently be a joyful person. Someone has said, “Joy is the flag flying high above the castle of the heart, announcing that the King is in residence there." How’s your flag doing? Is it flying high these days, or are you allowing something or someone to steal your joy? Well, what can you do to get that joy flag flying high over your heart again, so people will see that Jesus lives there? Here are three verses from Psalms that tell us how: Psalm 16:11: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” Joy comes the more you are in his presence—finding joy in knowing God through Jesus and spending time each day with him—just you and God. Are you doing that? When you do, you will be filled with joy. Psalm 19:8a: “The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.” God’s word gives joy. It’s just that simple. Reading God’s word, memorizing it, studying it—I promise, it brings joy to your heart, no matter what’s going on. So, is Bible reading a high priority on your to-do list each day? It will put joy in your heart. Psalm 5:11: “But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.” Do you know what it means to take refuge in the Lord? It just means you run to him first when you need comfort or help or strength. He will spread his protection over you and shield you from those joy-stealers. Do you love the name of Jesus? Is it the sweetest name you know? Do you love to talk about him, sing about him; is Jesus everything to you? You will rejoice and be joyful when that is true. It's time to unwrap that flag of joy, raise it to the top of the mast, and fly it high!
6/16/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy – 4

Sometimes our joy is lost because of where we allow our minds and thoughts to go. For example, are you harboring any bitterness? Maybe it’s just a wee bit, but there it sits in your mind: that resentment and anger and self-pity that you’ve never really given over to Jesus. You try to erase it from your memory but it just keeps coming back, bringing with it all that hurt from who knows how long ago. And that bitterness starts to eat away at you again. Maybe you thought you had forgiven them but it just keeps creeping back into your mind. Well, that’s because sometimes you have to forgive the same thing many times. When Peter asked how many times he should forgive, and suggested seven should be very generous, Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). In other words, just forgive again, but above all else, don’t let that bitter root stay there because it will grow and cause you to be cynical and unloving. It is a major joy-stealer. And did you realize that envy can steal your joy—the act of comparing yourself to others? When you compare yourself to others and feel envious of who they are or what they have, you are opening your door for Satan to come in and steal your joy—guaranteed. Someone has said that envy makes us root against the well-being of other people, and you can be sure that envy will leave no room for joy in your heart. So, if bitterness or envy has found a place in your mind, you can do something about that today, this minute. By God’s grace, refuse to let those envious thoughts dwell in your mind—run them out, replace them with good thoughts, and when you get rid of them, joy will return.
6/15/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy – 4

Sometimes our joy is lost because of where we allow our minds and thoughts to go. For example, are you harboring any bitterness? Maybe it’s just a wee bit, but there it sits in your mind: that resentment and anger and self-pity that you’ve never really given over to Jesus. You try to erase it from your memory but it just keeps coming back, bringing with it all that hurt from who knows how long ago. And that bitterness starts to eat away at you again. Maybe you thought you had forgiven them but it just keeps creeping back into your mind. Well, that’s because sometimes you have to forgive the same thing many times. When Peter asked how many times he should forgive, and suggested seven should be very generous, Jesus answered, “I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). In other words, just forgive again, but above all else, don’t let that bitter root stay there because it will grow and cause you to be cynical and unloving. It is a major joy-stealer. And did you realize that envy can steal your joy—the act of comparing yourself to others? When you compare yourself to others and feel envious of who they are or what they have, you are opening your door for Satan to come in and steal your joy—guaranteed. Someone has said that envy makes us root against the well-being of other people, and you can be sure that envy will leave no room for joy in your heart. So, if bitterness or envy has found a place in your mind, you can do something about that today, this minute. By God’s grace, refuse to let those envious thoughts dwell in your mind—run them out, replace them with good thoughts, and when you get rid of them, joy will return.
6/15/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy – 3

We know that joy should be the trademark of a Christian. But the thing is, there is so much negativity and bad news in our world today that if you’re not careful, the enemy will steal your joy. That’s one of his favorite tactics. So, what or who has been stealing your joy? Whatever or whoever it is, realize that it is a satanic flaming arrow coming your way, so put on your full armor and refuse to lose your joy. How? First, resist the devil as the Bible says, out loud if possible; just resist him verbally. Let him know you’re on to him, and you are not subject to his joy-stealing ways, resist his onslaught, and the Bible says he will flee from you. So, that’s step one. Maybe you’re thinking that there really isn’t much to be joyful about: You’ve got money problems, or health issues, or there’s a relationship that’s going sour—or on and on and on. We live in a world packed full of stress and worry and trauma and discord. So, there’s plenty of joy-stealers hanging around these days. But as Christ-followers, we are supposed to rejoice always, right? That’s what the Apostle Paul told us over and over, and believe me, he had plenty of joy-stealers in his life, too. So, being joyful has to rise above our circumstances, doesn’t it? If you want joy in your life, first pray Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Remember the joy of your salvation? Remember the joy, the amazing peace, the freedom from sin that received from Jesus? Ask God to restore that joy to you. Then, do something positive to get the joy going. Sing or hum a praise song. Just sing to yourself. I mean, actually sing good songs to yourself. Sing words into your ears and into your heart. Find the humor in your day. Laugh a lot. Then, make a list of answered prayer. Or make a list of what you have to be thankful for. Make yourself focus on the good reports instead of on the joy-stealers.
6/14/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy – 3

We know that joy should be the trademark of a Christian. But the thing is, there is so much negativity and bad news in our world today that if you’re not careful, the enemy will steal your joy. That’s one of his favorite tactics. So, what or who has been stealing your joy? Whatever or whoever it is, realize that it is a satanic flaming arrow coming your way, so put on your full armor and refuse to lose your joy. How? First, resist the devil as the Bible says, out loud if possible; just resist him verbally. Let him know you’re on to him, and you are not subject to his joy-stealing ways, resist his onslaught, and the Bible says he will flee from you. So, that’s step one. Maybe you’re thinking that there really isn’t much to be joyful about: You’ve got money problems, or health issues, or there’s a relationship that’s going sour—or on and on and on. We live in a world packed full of stress and worry and trauma and discord. So, there’s plenty of joy-stealers hanging around these days. But as Christ-followers, we are supposed to rejoice always, right? That’s what the Apostle Paul told us over and over, and believe me, he had plenty of joy-stealers in his life, too. So, being joyful has to rise above our circumstances, doesn’t it? If you want joy in your life, first pray Psalm 51:12: “Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” Remember the joy of your salvation? Remember the joy, the amazing peace, the freedom from sin that received from Jesus? Ask God to restore that joy to you. Then, do something positive to get the joy going. Sing or hum a praise song. Just sing to yourself. I mean, actually sing good songs to yourself. Sing words into your ears and into your heart. Find the humor in your day. Laugh a lot. Then, make a list of answered prayer. Or make a list of what you have to be thankful for. Make yourself focus on the good reports instead of on the joy-stealers.
6/14/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy – 2

Do you ever wake up some days and just feel like everything’s wrong and nothing is right? I have those days. The joy of the Lord that we often sing about or talk about just seems to be absent. You know, when that happens, it’s a good time to just stop and ask yourself, “What is stealing my joy?” Sometimes we let people steal our joy, don’t we? It could be that person you work with that just pushes your buttons, or makes your job more difficult, or disrespects you in some way. It could be someone you live with—a mate or family member—just people. Our lives are full of people and they often cause us lots of stress, frustrate us, and steal our joy. What can you do when someone steals your joy—a lot? First, learn to put a shield up against their criticism or negativity or whatever it is they do or say that steals your joy. Pray in advance that God will help you shield your mind and emotions from their joy-stealing tactics. As my friend, Jan Silvious, says, picture yourself in a castle with a moat around you, and just pull up the bridge when the joy-stealer comes your way. You may not be able to avoid them, but you can shield your mind from them. Also, don’t spend any more time than you have to with joy-stealers. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Choose your companions carefully. Certainly we never treat anyone unkindly or arrogantly, but it is important that we avoid people who continually try to steal our joy. It’s important to pray for those people in your life who are difficult. Ask God to help you understand why they are the way they are—to see them as God sees them. When you can look beyond their behavior and have some understanding of what lies behind it, you may be amazed at how that changes your feelings and actually gives you compassion so that they just can’t steal your joy any longer, even if they never change.
6/13/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy – 2

Do you ever wake up some days and just feel like everything’s wrong and nothing is right? I have those days. The joy of the Lord that we often sing about or talk about just seems to be absent. You know, when that happens, it’s a good time to just stop and ask yourself, “What is stealing my joy?” Sometimes we let people steal our joy, don’t we? It could be that person you work with that just pushes your buttons, or makes your job more difficult, or disrespects you in some way. It could be someone you live with—a mate or family member—just people. Our lives are full of people and they often cause us lots of stress, frustrate us, and steal our joy. What can you do when someone steals your joy—a lot? First, learn to put a shield up against their criticism or negativity or whatever it is they do or say that steals your joy. Pray in advance that God will help you shield your mind and emotions from their joy-stealing tactics. As my friend, Jan Silvious, says, picture yourself in a castle with a moat around you, and just pull up the bridge when the joy-stealer comes your way. You may not be able to avoid them, but you can shield your mind from them. Also, don’t spend any more time than you have to with joy-stealers. Proverbs 13:20 says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” Choose your companions carefully. Certainly we never treat anyone unkindly or arrogantly, but it is important that we avoid people who continually try to steal our joy. It’s important to pray for those people in your life who are difficult. Ask God to help you understand why they are the way they are—to see them as God sees them. When you can look beyond their behavior and have some understanding of what lies behind it, you may be amazed at how that changes your feelings and actually gives you compassion so that they just can’t steal your joy any longer, even if they never change.
6/13/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy

If you could measure joy—how joyful you are—any guess what score you would get? Have you been joyful much lately? Well, there is no way to measure just how joyful you are, but you surely know when you’re not joyful, right? So, my question is, “What is stealing your joy?” We know from Galatians 5 that joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit—evidence that the Spirit of God indwells you. So, as Christ-followers, joy should be our trademark. But too often it seems like joy is very elusive. One day we get a flash of joy, but life seems to steal our joy so easily, and it can seem pretty bleak. Could it be that guilt or shame is stealing your joy? Do you beat yourself up a lot because you keep dwelling on how you don’t measure up? Maybe you are ashamed of something in your past, or feeling guilty because you blew it yesterday? Well, here’s some good news for you, as someone has said, Jesus doesn’t follow you around with a scorecard. He’s not making a list and checking it twice—no way. Jesus wants you to live in freedom from your past, freedom for sins that have been forgiven. I love this verse from Isaiah 61:7: “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Of course, this was written to the people of Israel, but it applies to us as well. Jesus is your friend as well as your Savior, and he wants to give you a double portion of his grace and replace that disgrace, that shame you’re carrying around with his everlasting joy. In Hebrews we read that Jesus endured the cross and scorned its shame for the joy that was set before him. He scorned the shame of the cross—he rejected that scorn, he refused it—so that you as his child can refuse the shame that is stealing your joy. I just want to encourage you to refuse to let the enemy steal your joy. That is his modus operandi—he’s a thief and a robber. What can you do? Sing songs of praise; recite all you have to be thankful for; tell someone about Jesus. Stand up to the enemy and resist him by faith; he’ll give up pretty quickly in the face of praise, and the joy of the Lord can again be your strength.
6/12/20233 minutes
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What Steals Your Joy

If you could measure joy—how joyful you are—any guess what score you would get? Have you been joyful much lately? Well, there is no way to measure just how joyful you are, but you surely know when you’re not joyful, right? So, my question is, “What is stealing your joy?” We know from Galatians 5 that joy is part of the fruit of the Spirit—evidence that the Spirit of God indwells you. So, as Christ-followers, joy should be our trademark. But too often it seems like joy is very elusive. One day we get a flash of joy, but life seems to steal our joy so easily, and it can seem pretty bleak. Could it be that guilt or shame is stealing your joy? Do you beat yourself up a lot because you keep dwelling on how you don’t measure up? Maybe you are ashamed of something in your past, or feeling guilty because you blew it yesterday? Well, here’s some good news for you, as someone has said, Jesus doesn’t follow you around with a scorecard. He’s not making a list and checking it twice—no way. Jesus wants you to live in freedom from your past, freedom for sins that have been forgiven. I love this verse from Isaiah 61:7: “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance. And so you will inherit a double portion in your land, and everlasting joy will be yours.” Of course, this was written to the people of Israel, but it applies to us as well. Jesus is your friend as well as your Savior, and he wants to give you a double portion of his grace and replace that disgrace, that shame you’re carrying around with his everlasting joy. In Hebrews we read that Jesus endured the cross and scorned its shame for the joy that was set before him. He scorned the shame of the cross—he rejected that scorn, he refused it—so that you as his child can refuse the shame that is stealing your joy. I just want to encourage you to refuse to let the enemy steal your joy. That is his modus operandi—he’s a thief and a robber. What can you do? Sing songs of praise; recite all you have to be thankful for; tell someone about Jesus. Stand up to the enemy and resist him by faith; he’ll give up pretty quickly in the face of praise, and the joy of the Lord can again be your strength.
6/12/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 5

If self-discipline could be measured, would you measure up? I’ve been reminding you that being a disciplined person is essential for success, and it certainly is a requirement for us as followers of Jesus Christ. Discipline is a spiritual issue. We will be accountable to the Lord for the use of our time, our skills and our resources, and you have to be disciplined to do that well. I read this recently: “Stop looking for ways to boost your motivation. Success doesn’t come from having more motivation. It comes from doing what you need to do, even if you don’t have the motivation to do it. It’s called DISCIPLINE.” This says that discipline must be imposed in our lives whether we feel like it or not. If your discipline depends on the mood you’re in, or whether you got a good night’s sleep or not, or if you just don’t feel so good, you will be a very sporadically disciplined person—on and off; hot and cold; inconsistent. As I said before, “Discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you really want to get.” Hebrews 12:11 says: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Becoming a more disciplined person means you will have a more peaceful life and the fruit of discipline will make you more mature in your faith. Discipline comes in many forms but any time you decide to be more disciplined in some needed area, you will grow spiritually and you will be more pleasing to the Lord. If you need lots of discipline in your life, take baby steps—one thing at a time—because as you are successful in one area, you will want to be successful in others as well. You have much to look forward to—much peace and joy—as you become more and more disciplined in your life. So, choose the pain of discipline and not the pain of regret.
6/9/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 5

If self-discipline could be measured, would you measure up? I’ve been reminding you that being a disciplined person is essential for success, and it certainly is a requirement for us as followers of Jesus Christ. Discipline is a spiritual issue. We will be accountable to the Lord for the use of our time, our skills and our resources, and you have to be disciplined to do that well. I read this recently: “Stop looking for ways to boost your motivation. Success doesn’t come from having more motivation. It comes from doing what you need to do, even if you don’t have the motivation to do it. It’s called DISCIPLINE.” This says that discipline must be imposed in our lives whether we feel like it or not. If your discipline depends on the mood you’re in, or whether you got a good night’s sleep or not, or if you just don’t feel so good, you will be a very sporadically disciplined person—on and off; hot and cold; inconsistent. As I said before, “Discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you really want to get.” Hebrews 12:11 says: “No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” Becoming a more disciplined person means you will have a more peaceful life and the fruit of discipline will make you more mature in your faith. Discipline comes in many forms but any time you decide to be more disciplined in some needed area, you will grow spiritually and you will be more pleasing to the Lord. If you need lots of discipline in your life, take baby steps—one thing at a time—because as you are successful in one area, you will want to be successful in others as well. You have much to look forward to—much peace and joy—as you become more and more disciplined in your life. So, choose the pain of discipline and not the pain of regret.
6/9/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 4

Though it may sound too good to be true, I assure you there is joy in putting needed disciplines in your life. But like everything that is worthwhile, it takes some commitment and work on our part. I remind you that we must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. I want to mention two good work habits that will go a long way toward making you successful: Being on Time Do you have difficulty being on time? Maybe it’s because you don’t get up early enough—which we talked about earlier. If your morning routine is rush, rush, rush because you don’t get out of bed until the last minute, then you see how lack of discipline in one area spills over to other areas of your life. And being habitually late does not show a Christ-like thoughtfulness of others and their time. Whatever excuses you have come up with to justify always being late, if you’re willing to become disciplined, you will greatly reduce the stress in your life. We perpetuate most of our stress by our lack of discipline, and this is one of those examples of unnecessary stress caused by tardiness. Put some reminders in place; set your phone or watch to remind you when you need to be on time. Figure out what you have to do to break this bad habit and impose that discipline on yourself. Do it for a week and see what a difference it makes. You’ll be hooked. Keeping Promises and Commitments This is the second good work habit that will make a difference. The Bible says: “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). When you make a promise or commitment, others are trusting you to keep it—right? So, you must prove faithful—not an option. In Ecclesiastes we read: "It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it" (Ecclesiastes 5:5). Another way to put that is “Under promise and over deliver.” Promise keeping requires discipline. It takes carefully keeping a record of whatever you’ve promised to do, and then just doing it as you promised. Simple, but it takes discipline and it will give back great rewards when you do. You’ll be happy—joyful—that you were disciplined.
6/8/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 4

Though it may sound too good to be true, I assure you there is joy in putting needed disciplines in your life. But like everything that is worthwhile, it takes some commitment and work on our part. I remind you that we must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. I want to mention two good work habits that will go a long way toward making you successful: Being on Time Do you have difficulty being on time? Maybe it’s because you don’t get up early enough—which we talked about earlier. If your morning routine is rush, rush, rush because you don’t get out of bed until the last minute, then you see how lack of discipline in one area spills over to other areas of your life. And being habitually late does not show a Christ-like thoughtfulness of others and their time. Whatever excuses you have come up with to justify always being late, if you’re willing to become disciplined, you will greatly reduce the stress in your life. We perpetuate most of our stress by our lack of discipline, and this is one of those examples of unnecessary stress caused by tardiness. Put some reminders in place; set your phone or watch to remind you when you need to be on time. Figure out what you have to do to break this bad habit and impose that discipline on yourself. Do it for a week and see what a difference it makes. You’ll be hooked. Keeping Promises and Commitments This is the second good work habit that will make a difference. The Bible says: “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2). When you make a promise or commitment, others are trusting you to keep it—right? So, you must prove faithful—not an option. In Ecclesiastes we read: "It is better not to make a vow than to make one and not fulfill it" (Ecclesiastes 5:5). Another way to put that is “Under promise and over deliver.” Promise keeping requires discipline. It takes carefully keeping a record of whatever you’ve promised to do, and then just doing it as you promised. Simple, but it takes discipline and it will give back great rewards when you do. You’ll be happy—joyful—that you were disciplined.
6/8/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 3

I know it’s not your favorite topic but the importance of being disciplined is one of the most important keys to your success in life. I read this somewhere: “The undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions.” Wow, that’s rather strong, isn’t it? But there’s truth in it. This is how the Bible puts it in Proverbs 5:22-23: “The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” That’s pretty strong, I would say. It says that lack of discipline holds you fast in the cords of sin and can cause death. Obviously, being a disciplined person is a spiritual issue for us as Christ-followers. A discipline that impacts your success is eliminating the bad habit of procrastination. You know, putting off until tomorrow what you should do today. Does that ring a bell with you? I don’t have to explain the problems you create for yourself when you procrastinate, right? Things pile up, you miss critical deadlines, and when you finally get around to doing what you’re supposed to do, you’re in such a rush you do a bad job. And that’s just for starts. Here is a sure-fire cure for procrastination. Ready? Whatever you have to do today that you don’t want to do, do it first! I promise it works because it has worked for me for years. It’s simple and it works. Now, I know you can’t always do that dreaded thing first but do it as soon as you can. Get it behind you. It sets you free for the rest of the day. And here’s another suggestion: Take a big job and break it into small parts, put a time frame for each part and then do one small piece at a time. When a job is big, it discourages you because it looks like mission impossible. But you can succeed one piece at a time. So, I want to encourage you not to be a slave to procrastination. You won’t believe how good you’ll feel when you get those things done that you really don’t want to do—and you do it right. Just do it now and do it right. You’ll be glad you did.
6/7/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 3

I know it’s not your favorite topic but the importance of being disciplined is one of the most important keys to your success in life. I read this somewhere: “The undisciplined are slaves to moods, appetites and passions.” Wow, that’s rather strong, isn’t it? But there’s truth in it. This is how the Bible puts it in Proverbs 5:22-23: “The evil deeds of the wicked ensnare them; the cords of their sins hold them fast. For lack of discipline they will die, led astray by their own great folly.” That’s pretty strong, I would say. It says that lack of discipline holds you fast in the cords of sin and can cause death. Obviously, being a disciplined person is a spiritual issue for us as Christ-followers. A discipline that impacts your success is eliminating the bad habit of procrastination. You know, putting off until tomorrow what you should do today. Does that ring a bell with you? I don’t have to explain the problems you create for yourself when you procrastinate, right? Things pile up, you miss critical deadlines, and when you finally get around to doing what you’re supposed to do, you’re in such a rush you do a bad job. And that’s just for starts. Here is a sure-fire cure for procrastination. Ready? Whatever you have to do today that you don’t want to do, do it first! I promise it works because it has worked for me for years. It’s simple and it works. Now, I know you can’t always do that dreaded thing first but do it as soon as you can. Get it behind you. It sets you free for the rest of the day. And here’s another suggestion: Take a big job and break it into small parts, put a time frame for each part and then do one small piece at a time. When a job is big, it discourages you because it looks like mission impossible. But you can succeed one piece at a time. So, I want to encourage you not to be a slave to procrastination. You won’t believe how good you’ll feel when you get those things done that you really don’t want to do—and you do it right. Just do it now and do it right. You’ll be glad you did.
6/7/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 2

Would you describe yourself as a disciplined person? Did you know that there is joy in being disciplined? If that seems like an oxymoron—how could discipline be joyful?—hang with me and you’ll see want I mean. First, it might be good to define exactly what I mean by being disciplined. Here’s a good definition: “Discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you really want to get.” That’s what I mean by discipline. I have to impose discipline on myself because it is not natural or easy for me. But I’ve lived long enough to know that without imposing discipline in my life, I’ll never get the results I want. However, even more importantly, I’ll never do all the good works God planned for me to do without being disciplined. Here’s a discipline that makes a difference in your day-to-day responsibilities and in your spiritual welfare as well. And that is the discipline of getting up early enough each day to start your day right, to have time to read your Bible and pray about the day ahead, to get started without stress and chaos. You know, your day is won or lost in the morning hours. Are you able to make yourself get out of that bed so that you can get the result you want for the day? Oh, I think I can hear someone saying, “But I’m not a morning person!” Okay—maybe it’s true that you are more of a night owl but here’s the thing: Your day begins early—at least for most of us—and if you don’t take advantage of those early hours, you’re missing a great opportunity to get a real jump on your day. So, let me encourage you to impose this discipline of getting up early enough to begin your day right. The Psalmist put it this way: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14). Getting up early will help you sing for joy and be glad all day. Try it!
6/6/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline – 2

Would you describe yourself as a disciplined person? Did you know that there is joy in being disciplined? If that seems like an oxymoron—how could discipline be joyful?—hang with me and you’ll see want I mean. First, it might be good to define exactly what I mean by being disciplined. Here’s a good definition: “Discipline is the ability to make yourself do something you don’t want to do in order to get a result you really want to get.” That’s what I mean by discipline. I have to impose discipline on myself because it is not natural or easy for me. But I’ve lived long enough to know that without imposing discipline in my life, I’ll never get the results I want. However, even more importantly, I’ll never do all the good works God planned for me to do without being disciplined. Here’s a discipline that makes a difference in your day-to-day responsibilities and in your spiritual welfare as well. And that is the discipline of getting up early enough each day to start your day right, to have time to read your Bible and pray about the day ahead, to get started without stress and chaos. You know, your day is won or lost in the morning hours. Are you able to make yourself get out of that bed so that you can get the result you want for the day? Oh, I think I can hear someone saying, “But I’m not a morning person!” Okay—maybe it’s true that you are more of a night owl but here’s the thing: Your day begins early—at least for most of us—and if you don’t take advantage of those early hours, you’re missing a great opportunity to get a real jump on your day. So, let me encourage you to impose this discipline of getting up early enough to begin your day right. The Psalmist put it this way: “Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days” (Psalm 90:14). Getting up early will help you sing for joy and be glad all day. Try it!
6/6/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline

If you made a list of all your favorite words, would “discipline” be one of them? I rather doubt it; I don’t think it would make my list. To me, discipline is a chore, a major chore, and if I could find some way to get through life without it, accomplishing what I want to accomplish, believe me, I would try. So why am I talking about discipline, and why would I title this series “The Joy of Discipline”? Because even though we don’t like the word and what it represents so much, the truth is: Discipline is necessary. It's necessary, that is, if you truly want to accomplish something worthwhile in your life and reach your objectives. It's necessary if you want to turn your dreams into accomplishments. It's necessary if you're not willing to settle for mediocrity or mundaneness. And let me just make one point which is so very critical: Lack of discipline is self-inflicted suffering! Discipline is not fun—at least not all the time! But, if you refuse to impose discipline on yourself, you will inflict suffering on yourself. As someone has said, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” So, choosing discipline over regrets makes for joy! There is joy in being a disciplined person. Here are some verses from Proverbs that tell us the value of discipline: "For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life" (Proverbs 6:23). "Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored" (Proverbs 13:18). "Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding" (Proverbs 15:32). Wise Solomon points out that discipline brings understanding and honor, avoids poverty and shame, and is the way to life. Imposing needed disciplines is guaranteed by God’s Word to make wonderful, joyful changes in your life. Of course, that takes intentionality—you have to make it happen. I’m going to give you some easy, practical suggestions that may help you impose discipline where you need it. I will be sharing from my own struggles and failures and—believe it or not—successes. I am living proof that anyone can acquire discipline!
6/5/20233 minutes
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The Joy of Discipline

If you made a list of all your favorite words, would “discipline” be one of them? I rather doubt it; I don’t think it would make my list. To me, discipline is a chore, a major chore, and if I could find some way to get through life without it, accomplishing what I want to accomplish, believe me, I would try. So why am I talking about discipline, and why would I title this series “The Joy of Discipline”? Because even though we don’t like the word and what it represents so much, the truth is: Discipline is necessary. It's necessary, that is, if you truly want to accomplish something worthwhile in your life and reach your objectives. It's necessary if you want to turn your dreams into accomplishments. It's necessary if you're not willing to settle for mediocrity or mundaneness. And let me just make one point which is so very critical: Lack of discipline is self-inflicted suffering! Discipline is not fun—at least not all the time! But, if you refuse to impose discipline on yourself, you will inflict suffering on yourself. As someone has said, “We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” So, choosing discipline over regrets makes for joy! There is joy in being a disciplined person. Here are some verses from Proverbs that tell us the value of discipline: "For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life" (Proverbs 6:23). "Whoever disregards discipline comes to poverty and shame, but whoever heeds correction is honored" (Proverbs 13:18). "Those who disregard discipline despise themselves, but the one who heeds correction gains understanding" (Proverbs 15:32). Wise Solomon points out that discipline brings understanding and honor, avoids poverty and shame, and is the way to life. Imposing needed disciplines is guaranteed by God’s Word to make wonderful, joyful changes in your life. Of course, that takes intentionality—you have to make it happen. I’m going to give you some easy, practical suggestions that may help you impose discipline where you need it. I will be sharing from my own struggles and failures and—believe it or not—successes. I am living proof that anyone can acquire discipline!
6/5/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 5

We’ve seen examples, in our Fran and Jesus story, of the problems that Fran had with setting reasonable boundaries in her life. And that led to lots of unnecessary stress, some false guilt, and enabling others to avoid doing what they were supposed to do. I have to admit that I have struggled with setting and keeping reasonable boundaries, how about you? The challenge of setting boundaries is almost always a relationship issue. And it frequently comes from our misplaced idea of what it means to be a good friend, or what it means to be a good team player. There’s no doubt that as Christ-followers, our standard given to us by Jesus himself is to go the extra mile, to do more than is required of us. We are called to be servants, as Jesus was, and that should always be our attitude. But when we try to do more than we should do and we think that going the extra mile means we jump through everyone’s hoops and meet everyone’s expectations, we are then in dangerous territory. This is how we become burned out; it’s how we become enablers; it’s how we allow false guilt to drive us into exhaustion and resentment. I would remind you that Jesus knew how to say no. Do you remember when the disciples were looking for Jesus one morning because a crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus again, and no doubt were eager to take advantage of his gift of healing? They found him alone, praying, and they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” The disciples tried to tell Jesus that he should come back and preach to the crowd waiting for him, but Jesus knew when to say no. You’ll find that story in Mark 1. Another time a man stopped him and said, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Basically Jesus said, “Sorry, that’s not my job.” He drew a boundary and said no, even though he could have done it but it was not what he was sent to do. You’ll find that story in Luke 12. Jesus knew that he could not please everyone; in his human body while here on earth he had physical limitations, as we do. He became weary, as we do. He needed rest and time alone, as we do. And in order to do what God had sent him to do, he had to refuse to do other things—he had to draw boundaries. I believe his example teaches us that we must also learn to draw reasonable boundaries in order for us to be able to do what God wants us to do.
6/2/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 5

We’ve seen examples, in our Fran and Jesus story, of the problems that Fran had with setting reasonable boundaries in her life. And that led to lots of unnecessary stress, some false guilt, and enabling others to avoid doing what they were supposed to do. I have to admit that I have struggled with setting and keeping reasonable boundaries, how about you? The challenge of setting boundaries is almost always a relationship issue. And it frequently comes from our misplaced idea of what it means to be a good friend, or what it means to be a good team player. There’s no doubt that as Christ-followers, our standard given to us by Jesus himself is to go the extra mile, to do more than is required of us. We are called to be servants, as Jesus was, and that should always be our attitude. But when we try to do more than we should do and we think that going the extra mile means we jump through everyone’s hoops and meet everyone’s expectations, we are then in dangerous territory. This is how we become burned out; it’s how we become enablers; it’s how we allow false guilt to drive us into exhaustion and resentment. I would remind you that Jesus knew how to say no. Do you remember when the disciples were looking for Jesus one morning because a crowd of people had gathered to hear Jesus again, and no doubt were eager to take advantage of his gift of healing? They found him alone, praying, and they exclaimed: “Everyone is looking for you!” Jesus replied, “Let us go somewhere else—to the nearby villages—so I can preach there also. That is why I have come.” The disciples tried to tell Jesus that he should come back and preach to the crowd waiting for him, but Jesus knew when to say no. You’ll find that story in Mark 1. Another time a man stopped him and said, “Teacher, tell my brother to divide the inheritance with me.” But Jesus said to him, “Man, who made me a judge or arbitrator over you?” Basically Jesus said, “Sorry, that’s not my job.” He drew a boundary and said no, even though he could have done it but it was not what he was sent to do. You’ll find that story in Luke 12. Jesus knew that he could not please everyone; in his human body while here on earth he had physical limitations, as we do. He became weary, as we do. He needed rest and time alone, as we do. And in order to do what God had sent him to do, he had to refuse to do other things—he had to draw boundaries. I believe his example teaches us that we must also learn to draw reasonable boundaries in order for us to be able to do what God wants us to do.
6/2/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 4

Do you ever feel like you’re hanging on by your shoestrings? That’s where our friend, Fran is in this latest episode of Fran and Jesus on the Job, because she is having a hard time setting some reasonable boundaries with friends and coworkers, and even with her boss. Finally, it’s Friday and Fran is running on fumes. “Thank God it’s Friday,” she says to herself. “I can take it easy this weekend.” Then, at about 3:00 she sees a text from her Pastor asking that she help with a special event at church tomorrow. He writes, Fran, I know this is a late request, but Courtney is very sick, so she’s not able to do the registration for our equipping class tomorrow. I need someone who can handle the registration process calmly and efficiently. That, of course, is you. I’m sure hoping and praying you can do it. Let me know as soon as possible. Thanks, Pastor Paul. “Well,” Fran says to herself, “how do you say no to that? It’s certainly not Pastor’s fault that this request is so late—and it is church work, after all, so I just think I have to buck up and do it.” And so she sends a response that assures Pastor Paul she’ll be there. Now she has to break the news to her kids and disappoint them, work late on Friday to get her Saturday chores done, and try to get a few hours sleep before heading off to church. What a week! Have you found yourself in some similar tough weeks far too often? Maybe, like Fran, you need to take a look at your need for setting some reasonable boundaries. For Fran, her problem is a combination of trying to please everyone, enjoying the recognition she gets from being the go-to person, and feeling guilty when she has to say no. Yes, there will be times when we have to go the extra mile, but a continual habit of crossing needed boundaries will lead to burnout. If you have trouble holding to reasonable boundaries, and you know it, perhaps you’ll consider what causes you to do that, ask God for wisdom, and then pray for his strength to stick to your boundaries. It really is the best way to live out your faith.
6/1/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 4

Do you ever feel like you’re hanging on by your shoestrings? That’s where our friend, Fran is in this latest episode of Fran and Jesus on the Job, because she is having a hard time setting some reasonable boundaries with friends and coworkers, and even with her boss. Finally, it’s Friday and Fran is running on fumes. “Thank God it’s Friday,” she says to herself. “I can take it easy this weekend.” Then, at about 3:00 she sees a text from her Pastor asking that she help with a special event at church tomorrow. He writes, Fran, I know this is a late request, but Courtney is very sick, so she’s not able to do the registration for our equipping class tomorrow. I need someone who can handle the registration process calmly and efficiently. That, of course, is you. I’m sure hoping and praying you can do it. Let me know as soon as possible. Thanks, Pastor Paul. “Well,” Fran says to herself, “how do you say no to that? It’s certainly not Pastor’s fault that this request is so late—and it is church work, after all, so I just think I have to buck up and do it.” And so she sends a response that assures Pastor Paul she’ll be there. Now she has to break the news to her kids and disappoint them, work late on Friday to get her Saturday chores done, and try to get a few hours sleep before heading off to church. What a week! Have you found yourself in some similar tough weeks far too often? Maybe, like Fran, you need to take a look at your need for setting some reasonable boundaries. For Fran, her problem is a combination of trying to please everyone, enjoying the recognition she gets from being the go-to person, and feeling guilty when she has to say no. Yes, there will be times when we have to go the extra mile, but a continual habit of crossing needed boundaries will lead to burnout. If you have trouble holding to reasonable boundaries, and you know it, perhaps you’ll consider what causes you to do that, ask God for wisdom, and then pray for his strength to stick to your boundaries. It really is the best way to live out your faith.
6/1/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 3

We’re continuing the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. Fran is having a tough week because she is having difficulty setting boundaries. It’s Wednesday and she has just barely made a deadline for her most important client, but it was at the expense of late hours last night because she allowed a coworker to talk her into helping her for “ten minutes,” which turned into three hours. And now she is exhausted and sleepy, and she’s counting the minutes until it’s time to go home. Then in comes her manager. “Fran, if you’re not busy tonight, I’d love for you to join me for dinner with the Vice President of Marketing, who is in town this week, you know. I’ve been telling him about your success and how much you’ve contributed to our success, and he asked if you would join us. Can you?” Don’t do it, Fran, the inner voice of God’s Spirit seems to say to her, but how can she say no to this opportunity. So she hears herself saying, “That’s very nice of him. I, uh, I think I can make that happen. Let me make a call and I’ll get back to you.” She calls her mom and asks if she can bring the kids over tonight for a short time. Then, when she gets home and explains to the kids that she has to go out to dinner with her boss, Drew complains, “But Mom, we agreed that you would help me with my science project tonight. You promised.” Oops, that’s right. Now she needs to talk her parents into coming over to their house so her Dad can help Drew with his science project. It’s not convenient for them, but like Fran, they have trouble saying no, so they agree. Well, the dinner with the Vice President wasn’t as productive as Fran had imagined. After a few drinks, he told some inappropriate stories, made some remarks that verged on sexual overtures, and it became a pretty uncomfortable situation. Fran used the excuse of getting home to her kids to exit the dinner as early as possible, but it was still after ten o’clock by the time she got home. With apologies to her parents, she tried to clean up some of the mess from the science project, get her house in decent condition, and fall into bed at midnight. Refusing to set boundaries has consequences for yourself and for other people in your life.
5/31/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 3

We’re continuing the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. Fran is having a tough week because she is having difficulty setting boundaries. It’s Wednesday and she has just barely made a deadline for her most important client, but it was at the expense of late hours last night because she allowed a coworker to talk her into helping her for “ten minutes,” which turned into three hours. And now she is exhausted and sleepy, and she’s counting the minutes until it’s time to go home. Then in comes her manager. “Fran, if you’re not busy tonight, I’d love for you to join me for dinner with the Vice President of Marketing, who is in town this week, you know. I’ve been telling him about your success and how much you’ve contributed to our success, and he asked if you would join us. Can you?” Don’t do it, Fran, the inner voice of God’s Spirit seems to say to her, but how can she say no to this opportunity. So she hears herself saying, “That’s very nice of him. I, uh, I think I can make that happen. Let me make a call and I’ll get back to you.” She calls her mom and asks if she can bring the kids over tonight for a short time. Then, when she gets home and explains to the kids that she has to go out to dinner with her boss, Drew complains, “But Mom, we agreed that you would help me with my science project tonight. You promised.” Oops, that’s right. Now she needs to talk her parents into coming over to their house so her Dad can help Drew with his science project. It’s not convenient for them, but like Fran, they have trouble saying no, so they agree. Well, the dinner with the Vice President wasn’t as productive as Fran had imagined. After a few drinks, he told some inappropriate stories, made some remarks that verged on sexual overtures, and it became a pretty uncomfortable situation. Fran used the excuse of getting home to her kids to exit the dinner as early as possible, but it was still after ten o’clock by the time she got home. With apologies to her parents, she tried to clean up some of the mess from the science project, get her house in decent condition, and fall into bed at midnight. Refusing to set boundaries has consequences for yourself and for other people in your life.
5/31/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 2

Do you know when and how to set reasonable boundaries? Fran is facing some boundary issues. She has a little trouble distinguishing between what it means to go the extra mile and becoming an enabler. It’s Tuesday and Fran has a plate full of things to get done for one of her most important clients before a deadline on Wednesday. As she digs in, a coworker walks into her office. “Hey, Fran, how’s it going?” It’s Amy, a nice gal who is a project manager like Fran, but who somehow always seems to need help from others—especially Fran! “Hi, Amy. Well, it’s going good, but I’m under the gun to meet a deadline by tomorrow. How are things going for you?” Uh-oh, Fran thinks, that was not the best question to ask. So, Amy begins to slowly talk about a presentation she is preparing for a new prospect tomorrow, but she is stumped. “Fran, I know you’re busy, but you’re so smart and so fast, if you could just look over my presentation and give me your opinion, I would be so grateful. It won’t take you ten minutes. How about it?” The voice in her head says, “Don’t go there, Fran. This is a time to say no.” But her exaggerated idea of what it means to “go the extra mile” overcomes her better sense, and she agrees that she can give Amy ten minutes. What happens? Ten minutes turns into three hours, where basically Fran completely redesigns her presentation, and Amy is thrilled. “Sorry it took so long, Fran, but I know you’ll do a great job on your project. Thanks so much,” and off she goes. Now Fran has to take her work home, take time away from her family and her sleep in order to meet her own deadline. Fran has trouble saying no. You see, Fran is a go-to person, so she likes to play the role of superwoman and she truly wants to help others. But she needs to learn where to set boundaries so she doesn’t become an enabler at times without realizing it. Fran should have listened to that quiet voice which told her to say no, but she just finds that so hard to do. How do you come to the place where you know when to say no, when to go the extra mile, and when to draw the line in the sand and stick to your boundaries? There are no hard and fast rules here, but one thing to consider is whether or not you are becoming an enabler by refusing to say no. Well, boundary-setting is challenging for Fran, but her attempts at being superwoman will not benefit her or her friends. So, she needs to address this issue in her life. Maybe you do as well.
5/30/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries – 2

Do you know when and how to set reasonable boundaries? Fran is facing some boundary issues. She has a little trouble distinguishing between what it means to go the extra mile and becoming an enabler. It’s Tuesday and Fran has a plate full of things to get done for one of her most important clients before a deadline on Wednesday. As she digs in, a coworker walks into her office. “Hey, Fran, how’s it going?” It’s Amy, a nice gal who is a project manager like Fran, but who somehow always seems to need help from others—especially Fran! “Hi, Amy. Well, it’s going good, but I’m under the gun to meet a deadline by tomorrow. How are things going for you?” Uh-oh, Fran thinks, that was not the best question to ask. So, Amy begins to slowly talk about a presentation she is preparing for a new prospect tomorrow, but she is stumped. “Fran, I know you’re busy, but you’re so smart and so fast, if you could just look over my presentation and give me your opinion, I would be so grateful. It won’t take you ten minutes. How about it?” The voice in her head says, “Don’t go there, Fran. This is a time to say no.” But her exaggerated idea of what it means to “go the extra mile” overcomes her better sense, and she agrees that she can give Amy ten minutes. What happens? Ten minutes turns into three hours, where basically Fran completely redesigns her presentation, and Amy is thrilled. “Sorry it took so long, Fran, but I know you’ll do a great job on your project. Thanks so much,” and off she goes. Now Fran has to take her work home, take time away from her family and her sleep in order to meet her own deadline. Fran has trouble saying no. You see, Fran is a go-to person, so she likes to play the role of superwoman and she truly wants to help others. But she needs to learn where to set boundaries so she doesn’t become an enabler at times without realizing it. Fran should have listened to that quiet voice which told her to say no, but she just finds that so hard to do. How do you come to the place where you know when to say no, when to go the extra mile, and when to draw the line in the sand and stick to your boundaries? There are no hard and fast rules here, but one thing to consider is whether or not you are becoming an enabler by refusing to say no. Well, boundary-setting is challenging for Fran, but her attempts at being superwoman will not benefit her or her friends. So, she needs to address this issue in her life. Maybe you do as well.
5/30/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries

Do you have difficulty setting reasonable boundaries in your life? In this episode of Fran and Jesus on the Job, Fran faces various people in her life who are pushing her boundaries. The first one deals with a friend, Jane, who continually exceeds acceptable boundaries in her demands on Fran’s time. Jane calls Fran quite often and talks for long periods of time about all her issues. You might say she is a high-maintenance friend, but Fran has tried to listen and help her, thinking that this is the right thing to do. It’s Sunday afternoon and Fran has planned to spend a quiet day at home with her two children, just playing games with them and having fun. In the midst of a game the phone rings and Jane is on the other end. As Fran sees Jane’s caller ID, she is really tempted to just let it go—but she’s supposed to be there for her friends, right? So, she answers and sure enough Jane begins her typical long and detailed complaining and whining. At first, Fran tries to encourage her and offer some suggestions, but everything she says is resisted by Jane, and it seems Fran can do nothing but listen. After twenty minutes, Drew says, “Mom, aren’t we gonna finish our game?” No doubt Jane heard Drew, but she completely ignores it and continues her tirade. After another ten minutes and several pleas from Drew and Alice, Fran realizes that Jane is not going to stop anytime soon, so Fran says, “Hey, Jane, the kids and I were playing a game and I promised them we’d finish, so if you don’t mind, I need to get back to them. I’ll be praying for you. In fact, why don’t I pray for you now before we hang up?” Jane says, “Well, I know you’re always busy and don’t have time to talk—I guess games are more important to you than friends.” And with that she hangs up, ignoring Fran’s offer to pray. “Wow,” Fran says to herself, “I guess I should have let her keep talking—but honestly, it doesn’t do any good to listen to her. I don’t know, Lord, what am I supposed to do?” And then the false guilt starts to set in. Fran needs to take that hard step of setting some boundaries, for her sake as well as Jane’s. Have you got some “Janes” in your life—people who continually bend your ear and take up your time, but nothing good ever seems to come from it? Maybe it’s time to set some boundaries. You see, setting boundaries is often very uncomfortable and false guilt is one of our enemies.
5/29/20233 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Boundaries

Do you have difficulty setting reasonable boundaries in your life? In this episode of Fran and Jesus on the Job, Fran faces various people in her life who are pushing her boundaries. The first one deals with a friend, Jane, who continually exceeds acceptable boundaries in her demands on Fran’s time. Jane calls Fran quite often and talks for long periods of time about all her issues. You might say she is a high-maintenance friend, but Fran has tried to listen and help her, thinking that this is the right thing to do. It’s Sunday afternoon and Fran has planned to spend a quiet day at home with her two children, just playing games with them and having fun. In the midst of a game the phone rings and Jane is on the other end. As Fran sees Jane’s caller ID, she is really tempted to just let it go—but she’s supposed to be there for her friends, right? So, she answers and sure enough Jane begins her typical long and detailed complaining and whining. At first, Fran tries to encourage her and offer some suggestions, but everything she says is resisted by Jane, and it seems Fran can do nothing but listen. After twenty minutes, Drew says, “Mom, aren’t we gonna finish our game?” No doubt Jane heard Drew, but she completely ignores it and continues her tirade. After another ten minutes and several pleas from Drew and Alice, Fran realizes that Jane is not going to stop anytime soon, so Fran says, “Hey, Jane, the kids and I were playing a game and I promised them we’d finish, so if you don’t mind, I need to get back to them. I’ll be praying for you. In fact, why don’t I pray for you now before we hang up?” Jane says, “Well, I know you’re always busy and don’t have time to talk—I guess games are more important to you than friends.” And with that she hangs up, ignoring Fran’s offer to pray. “Wow,” Fran says to herself, “I guess I should have let her keep talking—but honestly, it doesn’t do any good to listen to her. I don’t know, Lord, what am I supposed to do?” And then the false guilt starts to set in. Fran needs to take that hard step of setting some boundaries, for her sake as well as Jane’s. Have you got some “Janes” in your life—people who continually bend your ear and take up your time, but nothing good ever seems to come from it? Maybe it’s time to set some boundaries. You see, setting boundaries is often very uncomfortable and false guilt is one of our enemies.
5/29/20233 minutes
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Courage to Confess

Presented by Lisa Bishop There are so many areas of our lives that require courage. From changing jobs to admitting when you make a mistake, taking a risk and trying something new, staying in a friendship when it gets hard, making amends with a co-worker, or apologizing to a spouse. There is no end to the list of things and circumstances that require us to muster up courage. Courage is said to be the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Another way I have heard courage defined that has a bit more depth to it is this: “Courage is the ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.” I love this definition because it goes beyond just persevering through fear. I hear hope in it. You aren’t just mustering up the determination to push through something that causes anxiety and distress just for the sake of it; you have a greater intention and mission. You are committed to conjuring up courage because there is a greater motive, something much bigger at stake. Several weeks ago, I watched a movie, Luther: The Fallen Sun. My friend picked it and I had no clue what the movie was about before we started watching it (otherwise I may have declined). The movie is about former Detective Chief Inspector John Luther’s pursuit of a serial killer, David Robey. David, the villain in the movie, uses in-home technology to surveil and then blackmail his victims. Somehow, he finds a way to secretly spy on what appears to be everyday ordinary people, invading their privacy. He has, unbeknownst to them, infiltrated their lives giving him a window into their deepest darkest secrets, which in the cruelest of ways he ends up using against them. He essentially capitalizes on their shame for their immoral acts. The movie is not explicit about what those acts are—they are left to the viewer's imagination. But as I watched the diversity of those victimized by the leverage the serial killer had on them for knowing their dirt, one could surmise the misgivings committed most likely ranged from what may be considered small to greater transgressions that ended in disgrace. You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with the connection between courage and confession?” I am glad you asked. The answer is summed up in one line in the movie. When Detective Luther is asked how the serial killer is able to commit such heinous crimes and manipulate people to take their own lives, Luther responds, “He’s probably figured out that in the right circumstances, the fear of shame, the fear of being called out, the fear of being caught is way more powerful than the fear of death.” Now this statement may sound like an extreme example, but the truth is, the feeling of shame that is induced by the fear of our sin being exposed can destroy and torment us. We have all experienced the weight of shame at some point in our lives. Shame is defined as, “a painful emotion caused by the awareness of having done something wrong, dishonorable or foolish.” David Robey was the villain in the movie that caused people to be so entrenched in shame that they saw no way out, leading them to hide in isolation which was his ultimate form of manipulation. Their shame had so overcome them, that they would rather die than be exposed. Satan is your enemy, the villain in your life, and he will make every attempt to hold you hostage and in bondage to the things that you are ashamed of. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Stay alert! (other versions say be vigilant, watchful, sober-minded; meaning free from intoxicating influences). Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (NLT).
5/27/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Courage to Confess

Presented by Lisa Bishop There are so many areas of our lives that require courage. From changing jobs to admitting when you make a mistake, taking a risk and trying something new, staying in a friendship when it gets hard, making amends with a co-worker, or apologizing to a spouse. There is no end to the list of things and circumstances that require us to muster up courage. Courage is said to be the mental or moral strength to venture, persevere, and withstand danger, fear, or difficulty. Another way I have heard courage defined that has a bit more depth to it is this: “Courage is the ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.” I love this definition because it goes beyond just persevering through fear. I hear hope in it. You aren’t just mustering up the determination to push through something that causes anxiety and distress just for the sake of it; you have a greater intention and mission. You are committed to conjuring up courage because there is a greater motive, something much bigger at stake. Several weeks ago, I watched a movie, Luther: The Fallen Sun. My friend picked it and I had no clue what the movie was about before we started watching it (otherwise I may have declined). The movie is about former Detective Chief Inspector John Luther’s pursuit of a serial killer, David Robey. David, the villain in the movie, uses in-home technology to surveil and then blackmail his victims. Somehow, he finds a way to secretly spy on what appears to be everyday ordinary people, invading their privacy. He has, unbeknownst to them, infiltrated their lives giving him a window into their deepest darkest secrets, which in the cruelest of ways he ends up using against them. He essentially capitalizes on their shame for their immoral acts. The movie is not explicit about what those acts are—they are left to the viewer's imagination. But as I watched the diversity of those victimized by the leverage the serial killer had on them for knowing their dirt, one could surmise the misgivings committed most likely ranged from what may be considered small to greater transgressions that ended in disgrace. You may be wondering, “What does this have to do with the connection between courage and confession?” I am glad you asked. The answer is summed up in one line in the movie. When Detective Luther is asked how the serial killer is able to commit such heinous crimes and manipulate people to take their own lives, Luther responds, “He’s probably figured out that in the right circumstances, the fear of shame, the fear of being called out, the fear of being caught is way more powerful than the fear of death.” Now this statement may sound like an extreme example, but the truth is, the feeling of shame that is induced by the fear of our sin being exposed can destroy and torment us. We have all experienced the weight of shame at some point in our lives. Shame is defined as, “a painful emotion caused by the awareness of having done something wrong, dishonorable or foolish.” David Robey was the villain in the movie that caused people to be so entrenched in shame that they saw no way out, leading them to hide in isolation which was his ultimate form of manipulation. Their shame had so overcome them, that they would rather die than be exposed. Satan is your enemy, the villain in your life, and he will make every attempt to hold you hostage and in bondage to the things that you are ashamed of. The Bible says in 1 Peter 5:8-9: “Stay alert! (other versions say be vigilant, watchful, sober-minded; meaning free from intoxicating influences). Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith” (NLT).
5/27/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Courage to Fail – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you ever find your confidence in God wavering when life catches you off guard or things just don’t seem to make sense sometimes? We all face times throughout our lives when trusting in God is hard. We can be tempted to wonder if God really cares about us when the circumstances we are facing are perplexing. Whether it’s a sudden loss of a job, a friend who turns their back on us, or a relationship that seemed promising goes sideways, the truth is life’s twists and turns can be confusing and they can cause you to doubt God’s faithfulness. You can be tempted to fear that God has forgotten you and doubt that his plans for you are good. That’s when your courage to trust God needs to kick in. That may sound funny: courage to trust God? Courage has often been described as the determination to act despite the presence of fear. When I think about that definition of courage as it relates to faith, it goes something like this, “In spite of my current circumstance, I will not give in to fear. I will be determined to believe God is for me and live in such a way that shows I trust him.” Sometimes you need to remind yourself that even when you cannot see it, God is always working in your best interest and on your behalf because he loves you. When it comes to the courage to trust God I am reminded of Job. In the story of Job we learn that he was "blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1). He had ten children and was a man of great wealth. One day Satan accused him of honoring God only because God had blessed him. So, God allowed Satan to take away Job’s wealth, his children, and his health, leading Job to utter devastation and loss. Stunningly we read that Job grieved deeply but did not accuse God of any wrongdoing (Job 1:22; 42:7-8). The life of Job demonstrates that we are often unaware of the many ways God is at work in the life of every believer. Job, even during his suffering and crying out to God, knew that God was in total control. Though he had no way of knowing why so many terrible tragedies were occurring in his life, Job never lost his faith in God, even under the most heartbreaking circumstances that tested him to his core, he demonstrated determination, courage, and trust, despite his circumstances. It’s hard to imagine losing everything we own in one day—property, possessions, and even children and not wavering in understanding that God is still in control. What difficult and perhaps confusing circumstances are you currently facing? How will you choose to demonstrate the courage to trust God? Proverbs 16:20b says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” Put your confidence, hope, and security in Jesus. He will come through.
5/26/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you ever find your confidence in God wavering when life catches you off guard or things just don’t seem to make sense sometimes? We all face times throughout our lives when trusting in God is hard. We can be tempted to wonder if God really cares about us when the circumstances we are facing are perplexing. Whether it’s a sudden loss of a job, a friend who turns their back on us, or a relationship that seemed promising goes sideways, the truth is life’s twists and turns can be confusing and they can cause you to doubt God’s faithfulness. You can be tempted to fear that God has forgotten you and doubt that his plans for you are good. That’s when your courage to trust God needs to kick in. That may sound funny: courage to trust God? Courage has often been described as the determination to act despite the presence of fear. When I think about that definition of courage as it relates to faith, it goes something like this, “In spite of my current circumstance, I will not give in to fear. I will be determined to believe God is for me and live in such a way that shows I trust him.” Sometimes you need to remind yourself that even when you cannot see it, God is always working in your best interest and on your behalf because he loves you. When it comes to the courage to trust God I am reminded of Job. In the story of Job we learn that he was "blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil" (Job 1:1). He had ten children and was a man of great wealth. One day Satan accused him of honoring God only because God had blessed him. So, God allowed Satan to take away Job’s wealth, his children, and his health, leading Job to utter devastation and loss. Stunningly we read that Job grieved deeply but did not accuse God of any wrongdoing (Job 1:22; 42:7-8). The life of Job demonstrates that we are often unaware of the many ways God is at work in the life of every believer. Job, even during his suffering and crying out to God, knew that God was in total control. Though he had no way of knowing why so many terrible tragedies were occurring in his life, Job never lost his faith in God, even under the most heartbreaking circumstances that tested him to his core, he demonstrated determination, courage, and trust, despite his circumstances. It’s hard to imagine losing everything we own in one day—property, possessions, and even children and not wavering in understanding that God is still in control. What difficult and perhaps confusing circumstances are you currently facing? How will you choose to demonstrate the courage to trust God? Proverbs 16:20b says, “Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.” Put your confidence, hope, and security in Jesus. He will come through.
5/26/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Being a part of a healthy body of believers is essential to your spiritual growth. And when I say healthy, I do not mean perfect. One thing that can tempt you to withdraw from Christian fellowship is imperfect people. Well, we are all imperfect. You are imperfect; I am imperfect. Lord knows we are all in the process of being transformed as 2 Corinthians 3 tells us: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Being more and more transformed into the image of Jesus is a lifelong process. We are all works in progress. People will disappoint you and cause hurt and you will do the same, because we are all human as we strive to live in the new self that we are created for, in Christ. And here’s the deal. God designed you for connection, you are created for community. You cannot grow in isolation. You need friends and mentors; you need companions along the journey. Being in community takes courage because relationships, deep and intimate relationships, call us to demonstrate transparency and authenticity. They require going below the surface and opening the door to vulnerability. Sharing our deepest joys, dreams, and desires and exposing our insecurities, disappointments and even our sin. Finding genuine community will take time, so resist getting discouraged and throwing in the towel too soon. Developing enduring connection will require you to be patient as relationships form, to keep showing up and leaning in. As you seek to build relationships, the thing to ask yourself is, “Are you the friend you’re looking for?” In other words, you can’t expect things from friendships and community that you aren’t willing to give and be yourself. If you want to be with people who are generous, selfless, kind, loving, trustworthy, reliable, or loyal, do you embody those same qualities? Sometimes we have high expectations of others when we aren’t willing to raise the bar on ourselves. And don’t wait for people to reach out to you. Make the first move! Invite someone to grab coffee or lunch. Ask them to meet up at church and sit together. It can be tempting to wait until someone seeks you out and initiates getting to know you but if everyone takes that posture…well, you get the point. I know being in community takes courage. Maybe you have been hurt in the past. Perhaps you consider yourself to be shy and stepping out is hard. I get it. If you are not participating in Sunday worship services weekly, that is your first step. If you have been attending (and that does not mean watching online), find a way to serve; get in a small group, and look for ways to connect. Show up, contribute, participate, and pray. Have patience and ask God to bring some solid believers into your life and see how God provides. You were made for community.
5/25/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Being a part of a healthy body of believers is essential to your spiritual growth. And when I say healthy, I do not mean perfect. One thing that can tempt you to withdraw from Christian fellowship is imperfect people. Well, we are all imperfect. You are imperfect; I am imperfect. Lord knows we are all in the process of being transformed as 2 Corinthians 3 tells us: “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). Being more and more transformed into the image of Jesus is a lifelong process. We are all works in progress. People will disappoint you and cause hurt and you will do the same, because we are all human as we strive to live in the new self that we are created for, in Christ. And here’s the deal. God designed you for connection, you are created for community. You cannot grow in isolation. You need friends and mentors; you need companions along the journey. Being in community takes courage because relationships, deep and intimate relationships, call us to demonstrate transparency and authenticity. They require going below the surface and opening the door to vulnerability. Sharing our deepest joys, dreams, and desires and exposing our insecurities, disappointments and even our sin. Finding genuine community will take time, so resist getting discouraged and throwing in the towel too soon. Developing enduring connection will require you to be patient as relationships form, to keep showing up and leaning in. As you seek to build relationships, the thing to ask yourself is, “Are you the friend you’re looking for?” In other words, you can’t expect things from friendships and community that you aren’t willing to give and be yourself. If you want to be with people who are generous, selfless, kind, loving, trustworthy, reliable, or loyal, do you embody those same qualities? Sometimes we have high expectations of others when we aren’t willing to raise the bar on ourselves. And don’t wait for people to reach out to you. Make the first move! Invite someone to grab coffee or lunch. Ask them to meet up at church and sit together. It can be tempting to wait until someone seeks you out and initiates getting to know you but if everyone takes that posture…well, you get the point. I know being in community takes courage. Maybe you have been hurt in the past. Perhaps you consider yourself to be shy and stepping out is hard. I get it. If you are not participating in Sunday worship services weekly, that is your first step. If you have been attending (and that does not mean watching online), find a way to serve; get in a small group, and look for ways to connect. Show up, contribute, participate, and pray. Have patience and ask God to bring some solid believers into your life and see how God provides. You were made for community.
5/25/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone? I’m guessing the answer is, “yes.” The ability to forgive, especially when you have been betrayed, mistreated, or are the victim of a heinous act can seem impossible at times. Forgiving someone when you have been deeply hurt takes courage. Courage is, “The ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.” So, what does overcoming fear have to do with forgiveness? When someone has caused harm or hurt in our lives, we may find forgiveness difficult because we fear if we forgive them that person will in some way be off the hook for their actions. Or perhaps if we forgive, we fear that will invalidate the unsubstantiated pain someone has caused us. But when you have the courage to forgive, you are overcoming that fear for a greater objective and the greater objective is to refuse to allow unforgiveness to cause bitterness and to extend the same grace to others as Jesus extends to you for your misgivings. I know that can be hard to hear but it’s the Gospel. I was listening to a book on forgiveness the other day and it was convicting. I squirmed a bit but also concurred with what the author was saying, even though it was hard. The author talked about how forgiveness is the absence of self-righteousness. That we tend to have no objectivity for ourselves in our own misgivings and when we see ourselves as we really are, we will realize that we are just as capable of committing any sin that others commit. I don’t want to believe that, but I will sit with it long enough to see what truth God wants to reveal to me and I invite you to do the same. The truth is, we are saved only by God's intervening grace. When we choose to have the courage to forgive, we don't exact payment from other people because God didn't exact payment from us. He gave his one and only Son to die on the cross and take on the penalty for our sins. Jesus’ ultimate forgiveness is an example for us. When I think of an astounding example of forgiveness I think of Joseph whose brothers, out of extreme jealousy and animosity towards him, plotted to kill him in the wilderness. Ultimately Joseph’s life was spared, but he did end up getting sold into slavery in Egypt. While Joseph was eventually named supervisor of the high-ranking Egyptian Potiphar’s household, Joseph's life was not smooth sailing. Over the course of the months ahead, he would be falsely accused of seducing Potiphar’s wife and thrown in jail and forgotten about for years until he was released and restored to a position of authority over Egypt. He endured a lot of pain and hardship but ultimately Joseph forgives his brothers for their evil doings and all of the distress it caused him. In Genesis 50:19-21 he says, “But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Joseph was clearly guided by a commitment to achieve a higher good, demonstrating the ultimate courage to forgive. Who is God calling you to courageously forgive? Ask him to show you and help you. Submit your hurt to him and thank him for the grace he extends to you.
5/24/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever found it difficult to forgive someone? I’m guessing the answer is, “yes.” The ability to forgive, especially when you have been betrayed, mistreated, or are the victim of a heinous act can seem impossible at times. Forgiving someone when you have been deeply hurt takes courage. Courage is, “The ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.” So, what does overcoming fear have to do with forgiveness? When someone has caused harm or hurt in our lives, we may find forgiveness difficult because we fear if we forgive them that person will in some way be off the hook for their actions. Or perhaps if we forgive, we fear that will invalidate the unsubstantiated pain someone has caused us. But when you have the courage to forgive, you are overcoming that fear for a greater objective and the greater objective is to refuse to allow unforgiveness to cause bitterness and to extend the same grace to others as Jesus extends to you for your misgivings. I know that can be hard to hear but it’s the Gospel. I was listening to a book on forgiveness the other day and it was convicting. I squirmed a bit but also concurred with what the author was saying, even though it was hard. The author talked about how forgiveness is the absence of self-righteousness. That we tend to have no objectivity for ourselves in our own misgivings and when we see ourselves as we really are, we will realize that we are just as capable of committing any sin that others commit. I don’t want to believe that, but I will sit with it long enough to see what truth God wants to reveal to me and I invite you to do the same. The truth is, we are saved only by God's intervening grace. When we choose to have the courage to forgive, we don't exact payment from other people because God didn't exact payment from us. He gave his one and only Son to die on the cross and take on the penalty for our sins. Jesus’ ultimate forgiveness is an example for us. When I think of an astounding example of forgiveness I think of Joseph whose brothers, out of extreme jealousy and animosity towards him, plotted to kill him in the wilderness. Ultimately Joseph’s life was spared, but he did end up getting sold into slavery in Egypt. While Joseph was eventually named supervisor of the high-ranking Egyptian Potiphar’s household, Joseph's life was not smooth sailing. Over the course of the months ahead, he would be falsely accused of seducing Potiphar’s wife and thrown in jail and forgotten about for years until he was released and restored to a position of authority over Egypt. He endured a lot of pain and hardship but ultimately Joseph forgives his brothers for their evil doings and all of the distress it caused him. In Genesis 50:19-21 he says, “But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.” Joseph was clearly guided by a commitment to achieve a higher good, demonstrating the ultimate courage to forgive. Who is God calling you to courageously forgive? Ask him to show you and help you. Submit your hurt to him and thank him for the grace he extends to you.
5/24/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When you are facing a difficult situation and you don’t know what to do, who or what do you turn to? Is your first instinct to cry out to God? Do you attempt to figure things out on your own? Or perhaps you turn to a friend, relying on their advice? For the record, seeking the advice of wise friends is a sound thing to do as Proverbs 12:15 reminds us, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” The thing to consider is, do you run to people before turning to God? I know I can be tempted to seek counsel from friends before sitting with the Lord. After all, it takes patience and courage to cry out to God and trust that he will hear and that his Holy Spirit will be your guide. When I am facing uncertainty in life, one of my favorite verses to meditate on is 2 Chronicles 20:12. Here we find the story of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, facing war being waged against him by the Ammonites and Moabites--Judah’s enemies. In the midst of a vast army coming against him, we read that Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord before seeking the counsel of men. ““Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’…For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:6-9, 12). In the midst of uncertainty, Jehoshaphat acknowledges God’s power and authority and recalls his faithfulness as he courageously cries out, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” When you face uncertainty, how do you make God your first go-to? First, be in the Word of God daily so that you are more and more convinced of the truth of God and his character. We tend to seek advice from people we trust. Do you trust the Lord? That can be a tough question. Maybe your trust wavers. If that is the case, you are not alone. That’s part of being human as you seek to grow more in your knowledge of God and encounters with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But before you seek counsel from friends, discipline yourself to sit before God. Talk to him. Cry out. Be vulnerable and mirror the words of Jehoshaphat. “Jesus, I don’t know what to do but my eyes are on you.” As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Seeking counsel from godly people in your life is wise. Just be mindful that you are not cutting God out of the equation. Have the courage to go to him first. He is the one who sees all, knows all, and whose counsel you can always trust in.
5/23/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When you are facing a difficult situation and you don’t know what to do, who or what do you turn to? Is your first instinct to cry out to God? Do you attempt to figure things out on your own? Or perhaps you turn to a friend, relying on their advice? For the record, seeking the advice of wise friends is a sound thing to do as Proverbs 12:15 reminds us, “The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.” The thing to consider is, do you run to people before turning to God? I know I can be tempted to seek counsel from friends before sitting with the Lord. After all, it takes patience and courage to cry out to God and trust that he will hear and that his Holy Spirit will be your guide. When I am facing uncertainty in life, one of my favorite verses to meditate on is 2 Chronicles 20:12. Here we find the story of Jehoshaphat, King of Judah, facing war being waged against him by the Ammonites and Moabites--Judah’s enemies. In the midst of a vast army coming against him, we read that Jehoshaphat resolved to inquire of the Lord before seeking the counsel of men. ““Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’…For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you” (2 Chronicles 20:6-9, 12). In the midst of uncertainty, Jehoshaphat acknowledges God’s power and authority and recalls his faithfulness as he courageously cries out, “We have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” When you face uncertainty, how do you make God your first go-to? First, be in the Word of God daily so that you are more and more convinced of the truth of God and his character. We tend to seek advice from people we trust. Do you trust the Lord? That can be a tough question. Maybe your trust wavers. If that is the case, you are not alone. That’s part of being human as you seek to grow more in your knowledge of God and encounters with Jesus and the Holy Spirit. But before you seek counsel from friends, discipline yourself to sit before God. Talk to him. Cry out. Be vulnerable and mirror the words of Jehoshaphat. “Jesus, I don’t know what to do but my eyes are on you.” As James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Seeking counsel from godly people in your life is wise. Just be mindful that you are not cutting God out of the equation. Have the courage to go to him first. He is the one who sees all, knows all, and whose counsel you can always trust in.
5/23/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do in the face of failure? All of us will face varying degrees of failure throughout our lifetime and when we do, it takes courage to get up and go again; to give something another shot, and as the saying goes “if at first you don’t succeed, ….to try, try, again.” When you experience failure, how do you respond? Do you give up and throw in the towel? Maybe you're tempted not to even take on that daunting challenge because the fear of disappointing, not measuring up, being made fun of, or looking like a fool, holds you back. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, going for that promotion, or pursuing the dream God put on your heart, fear can stop you dead in your tracks. So in the face of fear, what you need is courage. I recently heard a definition of courage that resonated with me. “Courage is the ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.” Courage is the determination to act in spite of fear because there is something greater at stake. It reminds me of the well-known story of Peter in Matthew 14:22-31. It’s the scene where Jesus walks on water as he makes his way towards the disciples who are in a boat a considerably far distance from land. The waves are crashing, the wind is blowing furiously, and the disciples, thinking they are seeing a ghost, cry out in terror and fear. “But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:27-31). But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. Fear will try to sink you. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from stepping out of the boat. When you hear that voice telling you to back off and shrink back, be determined to act anyway. And when you find yourself failing at something (because you will) your first instinct may be to give up but resist the urge and instead press on! Push through the fear for the greater objective. Don’t let fear define you. You may fail from time to time but you are not a failure. Is there something you have been avoiding doing up until now because of fear? What fear is gripping and controlling your decision making? Instead of letting fear pin you down, take that first step, press on, persevere, and learn to put fear in its proper place. And if you fumble, get back up and try again. Jesus will reach out his hand and help you get up and go again.
5/22/20233 minutes
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Courage to Fail

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do in the face of failure? All of us will face varying degrees of failure throughout our lifetime and when we do, it takes courage to get up and go again; to give something another shot, and as the saying goes “if at first you don’t succeed, ….to try, try, again.” When you experience failure, how do you respond? Do you give up and throw in the towel? Maybe you're tempted not to even take on that daunting challenge because the fear of disappointing, not measuring up, being made fun of, or looking like a fool, holds you back. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting, going for that promotion, or pursuing the dream God put on your heart, fear can stop you dead in your tracks. So in the face of fear, what you need is courage. I recently heard a definition of courage that resonated with me. “Courage is the ability to face and overcome fear while prioritizing a greater objective. It is not the absence of fear but rather the determination to act despite its presence, guided by a strong sense of purpose and a commitment to achieving a higher good.” Courage is the determination to act in spite of fear because there is something greater at stake. It reminds me of the well-known story of Peter in Matthew 14:22-31. It’s the scene where Jesus walks on water as he makes his way towards the disciples who are in a boat a considerably far distance from land. The waves are crashing, the wind is blowing furiously, and the disciples, thinking they are seeing a ghost, cry out in terror and fear. “But Jesus immediately said to them: “Take courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” “Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, “Lord, save me!” Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. “You of little faith,” he said, “why did you doubt?” (Matthew 14:27-31). But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and began to sink. Fear will try to sink you. Don’t let fear of failure keep you from stepping out of the boat. When you hear that voice telling you to back off and shrink back, be determined to act anyway. And when you find yourself failing at something (because you will) your first instinct may be to give up but resist the urge and instead press on! Push through the fear for the greater objective. Don’t let fear define you. You may fail from time to time but you are not a failure. Is there something you have been avoiding doing up until now because of fear? What fear is gripping and controlling your decision making? Instead of letting fear pin you down, take that first step, press on, persevere, and learn to put fear in its proper place. And if you fumble, get back up and try again. Jesus will reach out his hand and help you get up and go again.
5/22/20233 minutes
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Courage in the Workplace

Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop have a conversations about how one holds fast to their faith in today's workplace. They offer practical advice and encouragement to walk out your faith in love in a "defensive" environment.
5/20/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Courage in the Workplace

Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop have a conversations about how one holds fast to their faith in today's workplace. They offer practical advice and encouragement to walk out your faith in love in a "defensive" environment.
5/20/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 5

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 13 that we are to submit to and respect those who are in authority, because authority is God's order and plan. But how do you respect and submit to someone in authority who is incompetent? Smart employees understand that their job description includes making your boss look good. First Corinthians 13 describes the kind of love we are to develop in our lives, a love that is like God's love. And that kind of love "does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." As Christians we should try to make our bosses look good because God's love motivates us to protect others from bad exposure, to delight in the good things they do, not the bad things, to try to cover up their mistakes whenever we can. Proverbs 17:9 says, "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” It's likely if you work for a truly incompetent boss that everyone else feels the same way you do, and therefore, at lunch and on breaks that's what you talk about. Instead of covering up the offense, you repeat the matter and make the situation much worse. If you work for an incompetent boss, stop talking about him or her to other people. Pray for that boss; talk to the Lord; get counsel from respected Christians outside the company. But don't be a part of the office gossip and character assassination which usually happens when you have this type of boss. Should we ever confront an incompetent boss or take any steps to try to correct this kind of situation? Yes, if that person's incompetence is affecting the customers, or causing unfair treatment for employees, or doing things that are contrary to your organization's stated standards and policies. If you're convinced there is a larger picture, then confrontation may be advisable. But, again, this must be done with great respect for their authority. This kind of situation is simply not easy, I know, but the good news is, it should cause you to pray more and depend upon God more to get you through your days and respond appropriately. The good news is, because of Jesus you have the power to be victorious, even when you work for a difficult boss.
5/19/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 5

The Apostle Paul tells us in Romans 13 that we are to submit to and respect those who are in authority, because authority is God's order and plan. But how do you respect and submit to someone in authority who is incompetent? Smart employees understand that their job description includes making your boss look good. First Corinthians 13 describes the kind of love we are to develop in our lives, a love that is like God's love. And that kind of love "does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." As Christians we should try to make our bosses look good because God's love motivates us to protect others from bad exposure, to delight in the good things they do, not the bad things, to try to cover up their mistakes whenever we can. Proverbs 17:9 says, "Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” It's likely if you work for a truly incompetent boss that everyone else feels the same way you do, and therefore, at lunch and on breaks that's what you talk about. Instead of covering up the offense, you repeat the matter and make the situation much worse. If you work for an incompetent boss, stop talking about him or her to other people. Pray for that boss; talk to the Lord; get counsel from respected Christians outside the company. But don't be a part of the office gossip and character assassination which usually happens when you have this type of boss. Should we ever confront an incompetent boss or take any steps to try to correct this kind of situation? Yes, if that person's incompetence is affecting the customers, or causing unfair treatment for employees, or doing things that are contrary to your organization's stated standards and policies. If you're convinced there is a larger picture, then confrontation may be advisable. But, again, this must be done with great respect for their authority. This kind of situation is simply not easy, I know, but the good news is, it should cause you to pray more and depend upon God more to get you through your days and respond appropriately. The good news is, because of Jesus you have the power to be victorious, even when you work for a difficult boss.
5/19/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 4

If you've been in the business world very long, it's likely you've run into a manager who just wasn't doing the job right. We need to know biblical principles in dealing with incompetent or unethical bosses. Someone once told me that you can learn as much from an incompetent or bad manager as you can from a good one, and I think that's probably true. But the learning is more difficult and painful! I’ve heard many sad stories of trying to work for a boss who is either lazy, disorganized, inexperienced, or unqualified for the job or who cuts too many corners. The first biblical principle we need to consider is our attitude toward those in authority. While we recognize that level or position does not make anyone better than anyone else, Romans 13 gives us clear teaching on authority. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). God has established authority as the order for the universe. If it were not for the principle of authority, we would have nothing but chaos. The same is true in our business world. Authority is essential. Therefore, the people in positions of authority are part of God's plan for authority. And as Christians, we are directed to submit ourselves to those people who have risen to those authority positions. But we see so much evidence that many people in authority are neither godly nor competent. Can their authority be God-given? Yes, even though they may not use their position well or appropriately, their authority is nonetheless from God, and as Christians we are to respect it. To rebel against that is to rebel against God's order, and, Paul said, it will bring judgment on us. Obviously, we're going to need special grace and strength to be able to submit to and respect incompetent management.
5/18/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 4

If you've been in the business world very long, it's likely you've run into a manager who just wasn't doing the job right. We need to know biblical principles in dealing with incompetent or unethical bosses. Someone once told me that you can learn as much from an incompetent or bad manager as you can from a good one, and I think that's probably true. But the learning is more difficult and painful! I’ve heard many sad stories of trying to work for a boss who is either lazy, disorganized, inexperienced, or unqualified for the job or who cuts too many corners. The first biblical principle we need to consider is our attitude toward those in authority. While we recognize that level or position does not make anyone better than anyone else, Romans 13 gives us clear teaching on authority. “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves” (Romans 13:1-2). God has established authority as the order for the universe. If it were not for the principle of authority, we would have nothing but chaos. The same is true in our business world. Authority is essential. Therefore, the people in positions of authority are part of God's plan for authority. And as Christians, we are directed to submit ourselves to those people who have risen to those authority positions. But we see so much evidence that many people in authority are neither godly nor competent. Can their authority be God-given? Yes, even though they may not use their position well or appropriately, their authority is nonetheless from God, and as Christians we are to respect it. To rebel against that is to rebel against God's order, and, Paul said, it will bring judgment on us. Obviously, we're going to need special grace and strength to be able to submit to and respect incompetent management.
5/18/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 3

I wonder if you have ever been confronted with unethical practices by your employer? That’s a tough spot to be in. What should you do? Well, let's begin by saying that if the product or service your organization is engaged in is not contributing to the good of society by providing a worthwhile end product, you need to question seriously if God wants you in that company. As Christ-followers, we are called to be in this world, but not of it. For example, being employed by the lottery commission or a sleazy magazine would place you in the position of helping a product that brings destruction and grief into our society. I can't believe that Jesus would want us to expend our time and gain our financial support from such goods or services. They may not be illegal, but certainly they are not edifying or positive forces in our communities. There are any number of these kinds of industries that we should avoid, and the criteria is simply to determine if the company provides a product or service that helps rather than harms. Now, suppose you work for a firm that is providing a good service, but you are aware of unethical practices that are allowed or encouraged. Maybe hours are billed to the client which were not actually worked and expenses are charged which were not incurred. As a Christian, what action should you take? Well, if you were asked to exaggerate your hours or expenses, your response is clear-cut. A Christian should never be part of lying or deception of any kind. You have to draw clear black and white lines in your behavior in situations like this. Of course, when you take these difficult stands, you want to do it with as little fanfare as possible, and as gently as you can. If you don't have to say anything at all, that is best. Just do what is right and let it go. But if you're told to do something unethical, or asked why you didn't, that's when you must be willing to say that you have done what you believe is right and accurate and you're not willing to falsify a report of any type. A friend of mine lost his job once because he refused to falsify a government report for his employer. He was unemployed for a few months, and it looked dim. But the Lord blessed him, and he eventually found a much better job in a firm that was very ethical.
5/17/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 3

I wonder if you have ever been confronted with unethical practices by your employer? That’s a tough spot to be in. What should you do? Well, let's begin by saying that if the product or service your organization is engaged in is not contributing to the good of society by providing a worthwhile end product, you need to question seriously if God wants you in that company. As Christ-followers, we are called to be in this world, but not of it. For example, being employed by the lottery commission or a sleazy magazine would place you in the position of helping a product that brings destruction and grief into our society. I can't believe that Jesus would want us to expend our time and gain our financial support from such goods or services. They may not be illegal, but certainly they are not edifying or positive forces in our communities. There are any number of these kinds of industries that we should avoid, and the criteria is simply to determine if the company provides a product or service that helps rather than harms. Now, suppose you work for a firm that is providing a good service, but you are aware of unethical practices that are allowed or encouraged. Maybe hours are billed to the client which were not actually worked and expenses are charged which were not incurred. As a Christian, what action should you take? Well, if you were asked to exaggerate your hours or expenses, your response is clear-cut. A Christian should never be part of lying or deception of any kind. You have to draw clear black and white lines in your behavior in situations like this. Of course, when you take these difficult stands, you want to do it with as little fanfare as possible, and as gently as you can. If you don't have to say anything at all, that is best. Just do what is right and let it go. But if you're told to do something unethical, or asked why you didn't, that's when you must be willing to say that you have done what you believe is right and accurate and you're not willing to falsify a report of any type. A friend of mine lost his job once because he refused to falsify a government report for his employer. He was unemployed for a few months, and it looked dim. But the Lord blessed him, and he eventually found a much better job in a firm that was very ethical.
5/17/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 2

Recently someone asked me how to deal with a boss who uses belittling and humiliating tactics. You may have found yourself in that type of situation. As Christians, we need careful thought and guidance to act and react according to biblical principles. Remember to make this person an object of concentrated, daily prayer and see how prayer changes your perspective and your attitude. Now, it may be that the changes in your attitude, brought about by prayer, will actually cause the other person's attitude and tactics to change. If you're resenting the treatment, feeling misused and abused, chances are your reactions to this person are making the problem worse. Once you get out of that chain of thinking and begin focusing on God's purpose in the situation, it may so change your behavior, that it will affect the other person as well. However, let me hasten to say that it may not, and you may be faced with a situation where confrontation is called for. However, before you confront, be certain that you check out your motives carefully. Are you simply trying to be vindictive? Are you reacting out of self-pity? Are you fighting for your rights? Those are not biblically-based motivations. Jesus frequently confronted people, but he always did it for their own good, not to vindicate himself. That confrontation will have to be bathed in prayer and God's wisdom, done at the right time in the right way. Please don't over-react, and don't confront when you're emotionally upset. You may start with something like: "I wonder if I could ask a consideration of you. You're probably not aware of it, but it seems that often you choose to give me criticism and negative feedback when it is the most embarrassing. I know that I need feedback, but could I ask you to do it privately?” Be prepared to cite dates and situations, for most people will deny that it is happening. And remember that biblical principles teach us to go the extra mile, to endure unfair and unkind treatment much longer than others would. I would refer you to Matthew 5 to see what Jesus had to say about taking unfair treatment. You know, God may have good purposes for leaving you in that unfair situation for a period of time. Perhaps others are watching you and if you respond in a Christ-like way, that could be a very effective witness. God has a right to use us in these ways, and we must be willing to allow him to do so.
5/16/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong – 2

Recently someone asked me how to deal with a boss who uses belittling and humiliating tactics. You may have found yourself in that type of situation. As Christians, we need careful thought and guidance to act and react according to biblical principles. Remember to make this person an object of concentrated, daily prayer and see how prayer changes your perspective and your attitude. Now, it may be that the changes in your attitude, brought about by prayer, will actually cause the other person's attitude and tactics to change. If you're resenting the treatment, feeling misused and abused, chances are your reactions to this person are making the problem worse. Once you get out of that chain of thinking and begin focusing on God's purpose in the situation, it may so change your behavior, that it will affect the other person as well. However, let me hasten to say that it may not, and you may be faced with a situation where confrontation is called for. However, before you confront, be certain that you check out your motives carefully. Are you simply trying to be vindictive? Are you reacting out of self-pity? Are you fighting for your rights? Those are not biblically-based motivations. Jesus frequently confronted people, but he always did it for their own good, not to vindicate himself. That confrontation will have to be bathed in prayer and God's wisdom, done at the right time in the right way. Please don't over-react, and don't confront when you're emotionally upset. You may start with something like: "I wonder if I could ask a consideration of you. You're probably not aware of it, but it seems that often you choose to give me criticism and negative feedback when it is the most embarrassing. I know that I need feedback, but could I ask you to do it privately?” Be prepared to cite dates and situations, for most people will deny that it is happening. And remember that biblical principles teach us to go the extra mile, to endure unfair and unkind treatment much longer than others would. I would refer you to Matthew 5 to see what Jesus had to say about taking unfair treatment. You know, God may have good purposes for leaving you in that unfair situation for a period of time. Perhaps others are watching you and if you respond in a Christ-like way, that could be a very effective witness. God has a right to use us in these ways, and we must be willing to allow him to do so.
5/16/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong

What you do when your boss is wrong? Because managers and employers are people, like you and me, sometimes they are wrong. They may be wrong in their attitudes, wrong in their management techniques, wrong in their tactics, wrong occasionally, wrong all the time–but it happens! What do you do when your boss is wrong? For example, how should a Christian respond in a situation when a boss belittles you? Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence in our business worlds, where a boss gives negative feedback in front of other people or makes fun of you in some way. Or there’s the boss who always manages to find something wrong in everything you do, and he or she tells you about it in a meeting, or loudly standing at your desk. It's humiliating and belittling. Our first human reaction in cases like this is usually either to resist and strike back, or to be intimidated and retreat or run away. Neither reaction is proper. When any person tends to belittle other people frequently, we should understand that it is a symptom of insecurity. Underneath the intimidating facade is a person who can only feel good about himself or herself by making someone else look small. A Christian needs to learn to move from the self-focused reaction which is typical in these situations–"Oh, poor me, this is not fair to me"–to a God-focused reaction, understanding how God sees this person. And that comes only through prayer. Start praying for that boss. Now, I don't mean that you pray for lightning to strike your boss, but pray that God will give you his perspective of this person. Pray that God will help you see beneath the facade and get a glimpse of why he or she is like that. Pray that in spite of the unfair treatment, you will be able to respond in Christ-like ways, and ask God for his wisdom. You know, every person in your life is there through God's permissive will, and that means that God can turn the tough situation into an avenue of growth and learning for you, even if the other person never changes. So, my first advice is to pray for that boss every day before you leave for work. And pray for wisdom. James tells us that God will give wisdom to us liberally, and in a situation like this, you need a lot of godly wisdom. So, pray for wisdom—and expect God to give you the wisdom you need. You will be amazed to see what happens when you start to pray for that difficult manager.
5/15/20233 minutes
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When Your Boss is Wrong

What you do when your boss is wrong? Because managers and employers are people, like you and me, sometimes they are wrong. They may be wrong in their attitudes, wrong in their management techniques, wrong in their tactics, wrong occasionally, wrong all the time–but it happens! What do you do when your boss is wrong? For example, how should a Christian respond in a situation when a boss belittles you? Unfortunately, this is a fairly common occurrence in our business worlds, where a boss gives negative feedback in front of other people or makes fun of you in some way. Or there’s the boss who always manages to find something wrong in everything you do, and he or she tells you about it in a meeting, or loudly standing at your desk. It's humiliating and belittling. Our first human reaction in cases like this is usually either to resist and strike back, or to be intimidated and retreat or run away. Neither reaction is proper. When any person tends to belittle other people frequently, we should understand that it is a symptom of insecurity. Underneath the intimidating facade is a person who can only feel good about himself or herself by making someone else look small. A Christian needs to learn to move from the self-focused reaction which is typical in these situations–"Oh, poor me, this is not fair to me"–to a God-focused reaction, understanding how God sees this person. And that comes only through prayer. Start praying for that boss. Now, I don't mean that you pray for lightning to strike your boss, but pray that God will give you his perspective of this person. Pray that God will help you see beneath the facade and get a glimpse of why he or she is like that. Pray that in spite of the unfair treatment, you will be able to respond in Christ-like ways, and ask God for his wisdom. You know, every person in your life is there through God's permissive will, and that means that God can turn the tough situation into an avenue of growth and learning for you, even if the other person never changes. So, my first advice is to pray for that boss every day before you leave for work. And pray for wisdom. James tells us that God will give wisdom to us liberally, and in a situation like this, you need a lot of godly wisdom. So, pray for wisdom—and expect God to give you the wisdom you need. You will be amazed to see what happens when you start to pray for that difficult manager.
5/15/20233 minutes
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Courageous Women of the Bible Part 2

Courage comes in different forms. There is physical courage where you are willing to do something physical that could cause you harm. Like jumping into a pool to save a little child who can’t swim or putting yourself in harm’s way to protect someone else. Then there’s emotional courage which means you face your emotions head on without running away or using some addiction to kill the pain. Social courage is the strength to stand up for what you believe, for your principles, and to stand up for others even when it is risky. There are three women in the New Testament who were very courageous. We don’t know a lot about them, but I sense these were very usual women who were willing to take risks. We first read about them in Luke 8: After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means (Luke 8:1 – 3). The three names we are given are Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. These women—along with many others—were devoted followers of Jesus Christ. And no wonder! Jesus had cured them of evil spirits and diseases. They knew he was worthy of their devotion because of what he had done for them. And so, in a world that was misogynistic, strongly prejudiced against women, and where women had very little rights and certainly little influence, these women decided to follow Jesus and there was no turning back. Consider Mary Magdalene. We know she had been delivered from seven demons. It’s not easy for us today to understand what that was like, but no doubt Mary Magdalene had lived a life of torment. Who knows what things she had to suffer while possessed by seven demons? Further in Luke 8  we are told of a man named Legion who was possessed by even more demons, and his behavior gives us some insight into the life of a demon-possessed person in that day (Luke 8: 26-39). He was driven to the outskirts of the city where he would have episodes of rage, and no one could stop him. They forced him to live in caves and chained him down, but nothing worked. Everyone had given up on him and no one came near. Then Jesus delivered him from those horrific demons and turned this demon-possessed man into a disciple—an evangelist. For Mary Magdalene, no doubt she was isolated, even feared because of her unusual behavior. We don’t know how long she lived like this but try to imagine living under the control of demons, causing you to do and say things that were terrible, scary, resulting in no friends, no support group, no help and no hope. Tormented by demons, looked down upon by society, she was a true outcast. But Jesus. Oh, if those aren’t two of the most powerful words when put together. But Jesus. Jesus set her free and totally changed her world. She followed Jesus, literally, walking behind him and the twelve disciples as they made their way through the land. I’m certain she shared her story with any who would listen, telling how Jesus had delivered her. She had the courage to face the gossip, the skepticism, the derision of others who knew her before, and stand up for who she was now. Maybe you can relate to that. You may not have had seven demons, but you had besetting sin. You may have struggled and suffered, but the grace of our Lord finally broke in. He saved you, just as he is saving all those who follow him. Do you have the courage to share your story? Have you made it known that you are following Jesus, no turning back? That takes courage but if you have a story of redemption to tell, believe me there are many people all around you who need to hear it. People you live with, people you work with, people you’ve known for years, strangers you just met.
5/13/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Courageous Women of the Bible Part 2

Courage comes in different forms. There is physical courage where you are willing to do something physical that could cause you harm. Like jumping into a pool to save a little child who can’t swim or putting yourself in harm’s way to protect someone else. Then there’s emotional courage which means you face your emotions head on without running away or using some addiction to kill the pain. Social courage is the strength to stand up for what you believe, for your principles, and to stand up for others even when it is risky. There are three women in the New Testament who were very courageous. We don’t know a lot about them, but I sense these were very usual women who were willing to take risks. We first read about them in Luke 8: After this, Jesus traveled about from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with him, and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Chuza, the manager of Herod’s household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means (Luke 8:1 – 3). The three names we are given are Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and Susanna. These women—along with many others—were devoted followers of Jesus Christ. And no wonder! Jesus had cured them of evil spirits and diseases. They knew he was worthy of their devotion because of what he had done for them. And so, in a world that was misogynistic, strongly prejudiced against women, and where women had very little rights and certainly little influence, these women decided to follow Jesus and there was no turning back. Consider Mary Magdalene. We know she had been delivered from seven demons. It’s not easy for us today to understand what that was like, but no doubt Mary Magdalene had lived a life of torment. Who knows what things she had to suffer while possessed by seven demons? Further in Luke 8  we are told of a man named Legion who was possessed by even more demons, and his behavior gives us some insight into the life of a demon-possessed person in that day (Luke 8: 26-39). He was driven to the outskirts of the city where he would have episodes of rage, and no one could stop him. They forced him to live in caves and chained him down, but nothing worked. Everyone had given up on him and no one came near. Then Jesus delivered him from those horrific demons and turned this demon-possessed man into a disciple—an evangelist. For Mary Magdalene, no doubt she was isolated, even feared because of her unusual behavior. We don’t know how long she lived like this but try to imagine living under the control of demons, causing you to do and say things that were terrible, scary, resulting in no friends, no support group, no help and no hope. Tormented by demons, looked down upon by society, she was a true outcast. But Jesus. Oh, if those aren’t two of the most powerful words when put together. But Jesus. Jesus set her free and totally changed her world. She followed Jesus, literally, walking behind him and the twelve disciples as they made their way through the land. I’m certain she shared her story with any who would listen, telling how Jesus had delivered her. She had the courage to face the gossip, the skepticism, the derision of others who knew her before, and stand up for who she was now. Maybe you can relate to that. You may not have had seven demons, but you had besetting sin. You may have struggled and suffered, but the grace of our Lord finally broke in. He saved you, just as he is saving all those who follow him. Do you have the courage to share your story? Have you made it known that you are following Jesus, no turning back? That takes courage but if you have a story of redemption to tell, believe me there are many people all around you who need to hear it. People you live with, people you work with, people you’ve known for years, strangers you just met.
5/13/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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When You’re Dumped On – 5

Is it a Christian's duty to be "dumped on"? Surely there are times when we must recognize the need to say, "Enough!” Maybe you are in that kind of situation at this time. If you've extra-miled it, and you've been giving not only your cloak but your whole wardrobe away, it's time to stop and ask yourself how many extra miles you should go. Jesus doesn't call us to be doormats, to simply lay down and allow people to run over us. And if you just let it continue, you'll lose respect for yourself, others will lose respect for you, and eventually you'll explode somewhere to someone inappropriately. But as you think about your own particular situation, the first question you must honestly answer is "Did I go the first extra mile?” In this society, where we fight tooth and nail for our individual rights, being dumped on is not acceptable in any measure. But Matthew 5 teaches us this principle of doing more than is asked of us, more than others would say is necessary. Whatever form that extra mile takes, we've got to travel the extra mile first, before we take any other action. For those of you who are extra-milers, I want to thank you and I want to encourage you not to quit. Address the out-of-control situations that exist—yes—but don't crawl back into that shell of "I'll just do what I have to and nothing more." There's no question that it's possible to go too many extra miles, to become a doormat and allow that treatment to make you bitter and angry. And with that attitude, it's impossible to truly love and care about others and to share the love of Christ with the people in our worlds. But we must remember that we are called to be servants, and sometimes that requires allowing others to "dump on us.” Jesus certainly practiced that principle, and he warned us that in this world we will suffer persecution. But be encouraged, he said, because he has overcome the world.
5/12/20233 minutes
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When You’re Dumped On – 5

Is it a Christian's duty to be "dumped on"? Surely there are times when we must recognize the need to say, "Enough!” Maybe you are in that kind of situation at this time. If you've extra-miled it, and you've been giving not only your cloak but your whole wardrobe away, it's time to stop and ask yourself how many extra miles you should go. Jesus doesn't call us to be doormats, to simply lay down and allow people to run over us. And if you just let it continue, you'll lose respect for yourself, others will lose respect for you, and eventually you'll explode somewhere to someone inappropriately. But as you think about your own particular situation, the first question you must honestly answer is "Did I go the first extra mile?” In this society, where we fight tooth and nail for our individual rights, being dumped on is not acceptable in any measure. But Matthew 5 teaches us this principle of doing more than is asked of us, more than others would say is necessary. Whatever form that extra mile takes, we've got to travel the extra mile first, before we take any other action. For those of you who are extra-milers, I want to thank you and I want to encourage you not to quit. Address the out-of-control situations that exist—yes—but don't crawl back into that shell of "I'll just do what I have to and nothing more." There's no question that it's possible to go too many extra miles, to become a doormat and allow that treatment to make you bitter and angry. And with that attitude, it's impossible to truly love and care about others and to share the love of Christ with the people in our worlds. But we must remember that we are called to be servants, and sometimes that requires allowing others to "dump on us.” Jesus certainly practiced that principle, and he warned us that in this world we will suffer persecution. But be encouraged, he said, because he has overcome the world.
5/12/20233 minutes
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When You’re Dumped On – 4

Been dumped on lately? While there are times when we are called on to endure unfair treatment patiently and wait for God's timing, there are also times when we know that God would have us take some kind of a stand against this kind of treatment. If you feel you're in that position, after much prayer and patience, then remember these guidelines: Don't take assertive, confrontational action when you're emotional, upset, angry, or tired. Don’t confront someone else's behavior when others are present. Do it privately. Plan your approach. Write it out ahead of time so that you choose your words carefully. Even though you're not going to read your speech, by writing it out you will choose your words much more carefully. Take a few notes with you to help you remember. Soften the blow. Choose words that will not cause a defensive reaction on the part of the other person, as much as you possibly can. Try not to issue ultimatums. "Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness," as we read in Proverbs 15, so make your words as palatable as Don't talk about the situation to everyone else. Keep this between you and the person you're confronting as much as possible. Be careful not to get in a mode of maligning and degrading that person to others. Try to create a "win-win" atmosphere in your conversation. Point out the benefits for everyone involved. Be sure your timing is right. Avoid very busy days or times when the other person is upset or tired or preoccupied with other things. Most importantly, give this decision much prayer and seek counsel from trusted advisors. Remember, when we are emotionally involved in a situation, it can be difficult for us to see the    forest because we're looking at the trees. We sometimes need the perspective of others who are more objective.
5/11/20233 minutes
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When You’re Dumped On – 4

Been dumped on lately? While there are times when we are called on to endure unfair treatment patiently and wait for God's timing, there are also times when we know that God would have us take some kind of a stand against this kind of treatment. If you feel you're in that position, after much prayer and patience, then remember these guidelines: Don't take assertive, confrontational action when you're emotional, upset, angry, or tired. Don’t confront someone else's behavior when others are present. Do it privately. Plan your approach. Write it out ahead of time so that you choose your words carefully. Even though you're not going to read your speech, by writing it out you will choose your words much more carefully. Take a few notes with you to help you remember. Soften the blow. Choose words that will not cause a defensive reaction on the part of the other person, as much as you possibly can. Try not to issue ultimatums. "Sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness," as we read in Proverbs 15, so make your words as palatable as Don't talk about the situation to everyone else. Keep this between you and the person you're confronting as much as possible. Be careful not to get in a mode of maligning and degrading that person to others. Try to create a "win-win" atmosphere in your conversation. Point out the benefits for everyone involved. Be sure your timing is right. Avoid very busy days or times when the other person is upset or tired or preoccupied with other things. Most importantly, give this decision much prayer and seek counsel from trusted advisors. Remember, when we are emotionally involved in a situation, it can be difficult for us to see the    forest because we're looking at the trees. We sometimes need the perspective of others who are more objective.
5/11/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

When You’re Dumped On – 3

What should a Christian do when being dumped on? We've seen that Jesus sets out principles for us in Matthew 5 that teach us to be willing to be dumped on at times—turn the other check, give your coat as well as your shirt, go the extra mile. But does that mean that we are supposed to endure unfair, unjust treatment without end? Let's look at those principles in Matthew 5 again. It seems to me that while Jesus is teaching us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile, he is also teaching us that there are limits. He said if someone strikes you, turn your other cheek, but he didn't say lay down on the ground and let him run over you with a truck. He said if you're sued for a tunic, give a cloak as well, but he didn't say to throw in your whole wardrobe. He said if you're asked to go one mile, go two, but he didn't say go fifteen extra miles. But how do we know the difference? Well, one way is through prayer. Begin by asking God for clear guidance, pray for the people involved, pray for patience and endurance, and pray that God will be glorified through the situation. That will change your perspective and keep you from running ahead of God's plan. Remember, he's working in the background, doing things you'd never dream of, but you can trust him explicitly. Another way we can determine when enough is enough is to determine if we are actually doing the other person a disservice by allowing him or her to continue to dump on us. There are points at which going too many extra miles would be wrong for others as well as for ourselves—the point at which we become enablers of their evil behavior. If you're being dumped on right now, ask yourself: Am I allowing this person to get by with behavior that is detrimental not only to me but to others as well? By continuing to be dumped on, am I reinforcing this poor behavior in this other person? And is this situation causing me to become bitter or burned out or resentful so that my testimony is damaged? Maybe you're in a situation where it's now time to take some action. Certainly we see examples in Scripture, even of our Lord, when godly people took strong stands against unfair and unjust treatment, but not for their sakes alone. I find this to be a clear principle by example in the Bible, that when we take assertive stands simply for our own advantage, we are acting selfishly and usually in anger. However, when we take assertive action to right a wrong, to take a stand against sin or evil, for the sake of righteousness more than to vent our frustration, then we are acting in accordance with biblical principles.
5/10/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

When You’re Dumped On – 3

What should a Christian do when being dumped on? We've seen that Jesus sets out principles for us in Matthew 5 that teach us to be willing to be dumped on at times—turn the other check, give your coat as well as your shirt, go the extra mile. But does that mean that we are supposed to endure unfair, unjust treatment without end? Let's look at those principles in Matthew 5 again. It seems to me that while Jesus is teaching us to turn the other cheek and go the extra mile, he is also teaching us that there are limits. He said if someone strikes you, turn your other cheek, but he didn't say lay down on the ground and let him run over you with a truck. He said if you're sued for a tunic, give a cloak as well, but he didn't say to throw in your whole wardrobe. He said if you're asked to go one mile, go two, but he didn't say go fifteen extra miles. But how do we know the difference? Well, one way is through prayer. Begin by asking God for clear guidance, pray for the people involved, pray for patience and endurance, and pray that God will be glorified through the situation. That will change your perspective and keep you from running ahead of God's plan. Remember, he's working in the background, doing things you'd never dream of, but you can trust him explicitly. Another way we can determine when enough is enough is to determine if we are actually doing the other person a disservice by allowing him or her to continue to dump on us. There are points at which going too many extra miles would be wrong for others as well as for ourselves—the point at which we become enablers of their evil behavior. If you're being dumped on right now, ask yourself: Am I allowing this person to get by with behavior that is detrimental not only to me but to others as well? By continuing to be dumped on, am I reinforcing this poor behavior in this other person? And is this situation causing me to become bitter or burned out or resentful so that my testimony is damaged? Maybe you're in a situation where it's now time to take some action. Certainly we see examples in Scripture, even of our Lord, when godly people took strong stands against unfair and unjust treatment, but not for their sakes alone. I find this to be a clear principle by example in the Bible, that when we take assertive stands simply for our own advantage, we are acting selfishly and usually in anger. However, when we take assertive action to right a wrong, to take a stand against sin or evil, for the sake of righteousness more than to vent our frustration, then we are acting in accordance with biblical principles.
5/10/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

When You’re Dumped On – 2

Is someone taking unfair advantage of you? I can't think of anything more frustrating and humiliating, can you? What is an appropriate Christian response when you find yourself being dumped on? Jesus set out principles in Matthew 5 of allowing people to take advantage of us. Let me give you one example that happened to a friend of mine on her job. She took a new position within her organization, and she encountered a coworker who tried to advance herself at my friend's expense. This coworker began a campaign of lies and treacheries in order to make herself look good while making my friend look bad. This coworker played the political games and worked her way into the confidence of management, convincing them that my friend was not doing her job. My friend really struggled with this, because she always tried to make her job performance reflect her love for Jesus, and the lies were damaging her reputation. She found it impossible to defend herself because it was her coworker's word against hers. For two years she endured this situation, constantly seeking God's wisdom. And each time she prayed, the Lord gave her the same answer: "Wait.” Now, that's not the answer we want to hear when someone is dumping on us, is it? But during this period, my friend determined to pray for her attacker and let the Lord defend her. After two years this coworker became seriously ill and my friend was left to do the job alone. After four months her boss nominated her as Employee of the Month for the entire very large department. He came to understand what kind of an employee my friend truly was, and she was totally vindicated. No one dumped on her after that. So, you see, sometimes God is working behind the scenes, and when we desire to obey him and live by the principles of Matthew 5, we open up great avenues of blessing that God can pour on us. If you're being dumped on right now, before you do anything to correct it or get out of it or get your pound of flesh, will you first do what my friend did and pray to God for guidance. Instead of begging him to change the situation, ask him to work his will in it, both for you and everyone involved. Ask him to teach you what you need to learn through this ordeal. Give him permission to keep you in that predicament as long as it can bring glory to him. And then, let go and wait for his direction. You'll know when it's time to take action.
5/9/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

When You’re Dumped On – 2

Is someone taking unfair advantage of you? I can't think of anything more frustrating and humiliating, can you? What is an appropriate Christian response when you find yourself being dumped on? Jesus set out principles in Matthew 5 of allowing people to take advantage of us. Let me give you one example that happened to a friend of mine on her job. She took a new position within her organization, and she encountered a coworker who tried to advance herself at my friend's expense. This coworker began a campaign of lies and treacheries in order to make herself look good while making my friend look bad. This coworker played the political games and worked her way into the confidence of management, convincing them that my friend was not doing her job. My friend really struggled with this, because she always tried to make her job performance reflect her love for Jesus, and the lies were damaging her reputation. She found it impossible to defend herself because it was her coworker's word against hers. For two years she endured this situation, constantly seeking God's wisdom. And each time she prayed, the Lord gave her the same answer: "Wait.” Now, that's not the answer we want to hear when someone is dumping on us, is it? But during this period, my friend determined to pray for her attacker and let the Lord defend her. After two years this coworker became seriously ill and my friend was left to do the job alone. After four months her boss nominated her as Employee of the Month for the entire very large department. He came to understand what kind of an employee my friend truly was, and she was totally vindicated. No one dumped on her after that. So, you see, sometimes God is working behind the scenes, and when we desire to obey him and live by the principles of Matthew 5, we open up great avenues of blessing that God can pour on us. If you're being dumped on right now, before you do anything to correct it or get out of it or get your pound of flesh, will you first do what my friend did and pray to God for guidance. Instead of begging him to change the situation, ask him to work his will in it, both for you and everyone involved. Ask him to teach you what you need to learn through this ordeal. Give him permission to keep you in that predicament as long as it can bring glory to him. And then, let go and wait for his direction. You'll know when it's time to take action.
5/9/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

When You’re Dumped On

I received a question from a listener who asked: "What is a loving Christian way of dealing with work issues in which one feels 'dumped on'?” She went on to say that as a nurse, she occasionally works charge duty, a job no one really likes. Because others protest their turn at being charge nurse for the shift, she ends up working far more than she should. She said, "It's high pressure, very tiring and I find myself getting angry at the inequity. How should one address such a grievance—short of simply burning out and quitting?" Well, she poses a good question: Are Christians supposed to be doormats? This is what Jesus said in Matthew 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:38-41). It might be easy to read this passage and think that Jesus is teaching us to let people take advantage of us. Is that true? Well, I think the answer has to be "yes.” To turn the other cheek, to relinquish your rights, to voluntarily do more than is demanded is, in the world's perspective, to allow others to take advantage of you. And most people have a difficult time swallowing that pill. But one of the distinguishing marks we bear as Christians in a world consumed with getting what's coming to them and taking care of number one, is a willingness to go the extra mile, even to the point of someone taking advantage of us. In studying Genesis, I was reminded of how Isaac was taken advantage of. He dug some wells that his father, Abraham, had dug and then his enemy came along and said, "Hey, that's our well. Move on.” That happened to him twice, and he could have started a war over the wells; he certainly had a right to those wells and had done all the dirty work to dig them. I imagine the enemy thought he was a pushover because he refused to fight for his wells. But eventually God gave him the best well in the best location, and blessed him abundantly, much more than his enemies. Isaac was willing to wait on God's timing and purpose, even if it meant being dumped on. Is someone dumping on you? Ask God to give you patience and endurance to withstand it with gentleness. But maybe not forever.
5/8/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

When You’re Dumped On

I received a question from a listener who asked: "What is a loving Christian way of dealing with work issues in which one feels 'dumped on'?” She went on to say that as a nurse, she occasionally works charge duty, a job no one really likes. Because others protest their turn at being charge nurse for the shift, she ends up working far more than she should. She said, "It's high pressure, very tiring and I find myself getting angry at the inequity. How should one address such a grievance—short of simply burning out and quitting?" Well, she poses a good question: Are Christians supposed to be doormats? This is what Jesus said in Matthew 5: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth. But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also.  And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles” (Matthew 5:38-41). It might be easy to read this passage and think that Jesus is teaching us to let people take advantage of us. Is that true? Well, I think the answer has to be "yes.” To turn the other cheek, to relinquish your rights, to voluntarily do more than is demanded is, in the world's perspective, to allow others to take advantage of you. And most people have a difficult time swallowing that pill. But one of the distinguishing marks we bear as Christians in a world consumed with getting what's coming to them and taking care of number one, is a willingness to go the extra mile, even to the point of someone taking advantage of us. In studying Genesis, I was reminded of how Isaac was taken advantage of. He dug some wells that his father, Abraham, had dug and then his enemy came along and said, "Hey, that's our well. Move on.” That happened to him twice, and he could have started a war over the wells; he certainly had a right to those wells and had done all the dirty work to dig them. I imagine the enemy thought he was a pushover because he refused to fight for his wells. But eventually God gave him the best well in the best location, and blessed him abundantly, much more than his enemies. Isaac was willing to wait on God's timing and purpose, even if it meant being dumped on. Is someone dumping on you? Ask God to give you patience and endurance to withstand it with gentleness. But maybe not forever.
5/8/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Courageous Women of the Bible Part 1

The first woman I’d like you to meet is a woman who was not—as far as we know—a believer in the true God. She was not Jewish but rather Persian. In fact, she was married to the Persian King Ahasuerus, who was a wimpy, weak, narcissistic man. Most Christians are familiar with the story of Esther—the courageous Jewish Queen who God used to save her people. But what about her predecessor, Queen Vashti? Do you know her story? It’s in the first chapter of the book of Esther. In a drunken stupor and at the end of a five-day drunken feast, the king had a brilliant idea to bring down the house with a final display of his superiority. He commanded his servants to summon the prized Queen Vashti decked in her royal crown, so that he could show off her beauty. It is probably true that she was summoned to appear naked, with just her crown on. Vashti refused to appear and that enraged the king—his own wife was defying him in front of all the men of Susa. The royal wise men advised the king that Vashti’s humiliating behavior could not go unpunished because, if the king let the incident slide, all the women in the kingdom would have contempt for their husbands, thinking, “If Queen Vashti can get away with disrespecting her husband, so can I” (verses 16–18). King Ahasuerus responded to the situation by sending out a royal edict saying that Queen Vashti was never to be allowed to come before him again, and the king would give her crown to another. So Queen Vashti was banished, and a search began for a new queen to replace her. And why was Vashti vanquished? Why did she lose her title, her position as “first lady” and all the wealth and privileges that came with it? We aren’t told why, but what do you think would cause a Queen in that culture to refuse to obey the King? She had to know it would cost her the crown, but she refused to be paraded before drunken men just to show off her body. Her refusal is truly amazing. Whatever her reason, it took great courage. Beauty and wealth were considered the most important things in that culture. The King was wealthy, Vashti was beautiful. She could have simply accepted her position and used her beauty as her “calling card,” but she refused. Listen again to what the Bible says is more important than riches and beauty: Proverbs 22:1: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Can you think of any parallel situations we might encounter in our culture today? What compromises could be asked or even demanded of us that would be in opposition to our faith and the principles of Scripture which are our guidelines? As we watch our culture slide quickly into a godless secular culture; as we see how the things considered virtues even a few short years ago are now passe; at what point will you and I have to decide whether we will take our stand against what is wrong regardless of the cost? I think it’s important that we think in advance, so that if and when we are faced with such choices, we will be grounded in the truth of God’s Word and have the courage to make a “Vashti choice,” to stick with God’s truth regardless. In a very enlightening article from Breakpoint Daily on transgender issues and the use of transgender pronouns, they point out that Christians should avoid unnecessary offense whenever possible, and I certainly agree with that. But the article continues: “And we should know that calling males men and females women will not in and of itself resolve the thorny cultural, psychological, and spiritual challenge of transgender ideology. Still, caving on words will destroy our ability to understand and undermine our ability to debate the issue truthfully. And it is truth, not niceness or relevance or even hospitality, that can set people free.” I recognize that there are different responses from Christians on thi...
5/6/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Courageous Women of the Bible Part 1

The first woman I’d like you to meet is a woman who was not—as far as we know—a believer in the true God. She was not Jewish but rather Persian. In fact, she was married to the Persian King Ahasuerus, who was a wimpy, weak, narcissistic man. Most Christians are familiar with the story of Esther—the courageous Jewish Queen who God used to save her people. But what about her predecessor, Queen Vashti? Do you know her story? It’s in the first chapter of the book of Esther. In a drunken stupor and at the end of a five-day drunken feast, the king had a brilliant idea to bring down the house with a final display of his superiority. He commanded his servants to summon the prized Queen Vashti decked in her royal crown, so that he could show off her beauty. It is probably true that she was summoned to appear naked, with just her crown on. Vashti refused to appear and that enraged the king—his own wife was defying him in front of all the men of Susa. The royal wise men advised the king that Vashti’s humiliating behavior could not go unpunished because, if the king let the incident slide, all the women in the kingdom would have contempt for their husbands, thinking, “If Queen Vashti can get away with disrespecting her husband, so can I” (verses 16–18). King Ahasuerus responded to the situation by sending out a royal edict saying that Queen Vashti was never to be allowed to come before him again, and the king would give her crown to another. So Queen Vashti was banished, and a search began for a new queen to replace her. And why was Vashti vanquished? Why did she lose her title, her position as “first lady” and all the wealth and privileges that came with it? We aren’t told why, but what do you think would cause a Queen in that culture to refuse to obey the King? She had to know it would cost her the crown, but she refused to be paraded before drunken men just to show off her body. Her refusal is truly amazing. Whatever her reason, it took great courage. Beauty and wealth were considered the most important things in that culture. The King was wealthy, Vashti was beautiful. She could have simply accepted her position and used her beauty as her “calling card,” but she refused. Listen again to what the Bible says is more important than riches and beauty: Proverbs 22:1: A good name is more desirable than great riches; to be esteemed is better than silver or gold. Proverbs 31:30: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Can you think of any parallel situations we might encounter in our culture today? What compromises could be asked or even demanded of us that would be in opposition to our faith and the principles of Scripture which are our guidelines? As we watch our culture slide quickly into a godless secular culture; as we see how the things considered virtues even a few short years ago are now passe; at what point will you and I have to decide whether we will take our stand against what is wrong regardless of the cost? I think it’s important that we think in advance, so that if and when we are faced with such choices, we will be grounded in the truth of God’s Word and have the courage to make a “Vashti choice,” to stick with God’s truth regardless. In a very enlightening article from Breakpoint Daily on transgender issues and the use of transgender pronouns, they point out that Christians should avoid unnecessary offense whenever possible, and I certainly agree with that. But the article continues: “And we should know that calling males men and females women will not in and of itself resolve the thorny cultural, psychological, and spiritual challenge of transgender ideology. Still, caving on words will destroy our ability to understand and undermine our ability to debate the issue truthfully. And it is truth, not niceness or relevance or even hospitality, that can set people free.” I recognize that there are different responses from Christians on thi...
5/6/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Five Whys – 5

I’ve learned that any time you talk about forgiveness, it resonates with almost everyone, because we all need to forgive, and it’s really hard to do sometimes! I want to explain why you can’t afford not to forgive. Whether it’s a small thing or some traumatic hurt that has left deep scars, you cannot afford not to forgive. And here’s the main reason: If you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you. Jesus said: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). If we forgive, we will be forgiven. And conversely, if we do not forgive people that have wronged us, we will not be forgiven by our Heavenly Father. I don't know how to expand or explain that any further. If we forgive, we'll be forgiven; if we don't, we won't. Now, how important is it to you to be freely forgiven by God?  Can you run the risk of not being forgiven regularly by the Lord? Another reason we really must forgive is that if you don’t, you will become bitter and bitterness will destroy you. And bitterness manifests itself in many ways, such as losing your temper, irritability, sleeplessness, depression, a constant negative perspective, and generally not feeling so good. Forgiveness is probably the hardest thing we are asked—no, we are commanded—to do as followers of Jesus Christ. But you can learn to forgive; by the power of the Holy Spirit you can grow in your ability to forgive. That is, if you want to. And one last reason you can’t afford not to forgive is because you need the freedom that comes through forgiveness. You know, when you harbor unforgiveness and bitterness starts to grow in your heart, it’s like drinking rat poison and then expecting the rat to die. The poison of your unforgiveness is keeping you a prisoner. You’re in a self-imposed prison that is painful. Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Forgiveness sets you free to enjoy the abundant life that Christ died to give you. There are many reasons you cannot afford not to forgive and God will give you the grace to do it.
5/5/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Five Whys – 5

I’ve learned that any time you talk about forgiveness, it resonates with almost everyone, because we all need to forgive, and it’s really hard to do sometimes! I want to explain why you can’t afford not to forgive. Whether it’s a small thing or some traumatic hurt that has left deep scars, you cannot afford not to forgive. And here’s the main reason: If you don’t forgive, God won’t forgive you. Jesus said: “For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins” (Matthew 6:14-15). If we forgive, we will be forgiven. And conversely, if we do not forgive people that have wronged us, we will not be forgiven by our Heavenly Father. I don't know how to expand or explain that any further. If we forgive, we'll be forgiven; if we don't, we won't. Now, how important is it to you to be freely forgiven by God?  Can you run the risk of not being forgiven regularly by the Lord? Another reason we really must forgive is that if you don’t, you will become bitter and bitterness will destroy you. And bitterness manifests itself in many ways, such as losing your temper, irritability, sleeplessness, depression, a constant negative perspective, and generally not feeling so good. Forgiveness is probably the hardest thing we are asked—no, we are commanded—to do as followers of Jesus Christ. But you can learn to forgive; by the power of the Holy Spirit you can grow in your ability to forgive. That is, if you want to. And one last reason you can’t afford not to forgive is because you need the freedom that comes through forgiveness. You know, when you harbor unforgiveness and bitterness starts to grow in your heart, it’s like drinking rat poison and then expecting the rat to die. The poison of your unforgiveness is keeping you a prisoner. You’re in a self-imposed prison that is painful. Galatians 5:1 says “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” Forgiveness sets you free to enjoy the abundant life that Christ died to give you. There are many reasons you cannot afford not to forgive and God will give you the grace to do it.
5/5/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Five Whys – 4

Are you feeling anxious about something? Are you very disturbed over a situation in your life? Does it seem impossible to find any rest and peace right now? Recently a passage in Isaiah 48 gave me some insight into the reasons behind the anxiety and unrest that I was experiencing. "This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea" (Isaiah 48:17-18). How incisively the Word of God cuts through and exposes the real issues. I was reminded that anxiety and unrest are often a result of my failure to pay attention to what I know about God. Rarely do I need some new truth or principle to help me out; I just need to practice what I know already. God's direction and commands are there for all of us to see and understand. We know the basics, don't we? And yet our feet tend to stray. We leave off something here and something else there, which we know we should be doing, and we fail to completely follow the commands of God which are clearly understood. I find that I rarely make a deliberate decision to wander from God's principles. It's simply a failure to pay attention to what I know already. My focus becomes fractured. I move slightly off-center, simply because I haven't paid attention like I should. And when that happens, the results are loss of peace, loss of rest, anxiety, frustration. When you start to dig underneath those outward effects, you often discover that the cause is failure to pay attention to God's commands. It may be something that seems very small, but if you walk away from doing it God's way, you can expect to lose the peace and rest you so need. The Lord told his people, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river.” If you're missing peace in your life, check out the obedience department and see if there's some area where you're not paying attention to God. Once you get that straightened out, that wonderful, marvelous, indescribable peace will return, like a river, flooding your heart and calming your nerves.
5/4/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Five Whys – 4

Are you feeling anxious about something? Are you very disturbed over a situation in your life? Does it seem impossible to find any rest and peace right now? Recently a passage in Isaiah 48 gave me some insight into the reasons behind the anxiety and unrest that I was experiencing. "This is what the Lord says—your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: “I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go. If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river, your well-being like the waves of the sea" (Isaiah 48:17-18). How incisively the Word of God cuts through and exposes the real issues. I was reminded that anxiety and unrest are often a result of my failure to pay attention to what I know about God. Rarely do I need some new truth or principle to help me out; I just need to practice what I know already. God's direction and commands are there for all of us to see and understand. We know the basics, don't we? And yet our feet tend to stray. We leave off something here and something else there, which we know we should be doing, and we fail to completely follow the commands of God which are clearly understood. I find that I rarely make a deliberate decision to wander from God's principles. It's simply a failure to pay attention to what I know already. My focus becomes fractured. I move slightly off-center, simply because I haven't paid attention like I should. And when that happens, the results are loss of peace, loss of rest, anxiety, frustration. When you start to dig underneath those outward effects, you often discover that the cause is failure to pay attention to God's commands. It may be something that seems very small, but if you walk away from doing it God's way, you can expect to lose the peace and rest you so need. The Lord told his people, "If only you had paid attention to my commands, your peace would have been like a river.” If you're missing peace in your life, check out the obedience department and see if there's some area where you're not paying attention to God. Once you get that straightened out, that wonderful, marvelous, indescribable peace will return, like a river, flooding your heart and calming your nerves.
5/4/20233 minutes
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Five Whys – 3

In Psalm 19 David asked God to forgive him for his hidden errors, and I suggest that we need to do the same thing—to ask God to show us any hidden sins we just don’t see. But what about those areas of sin that we try to hide? When we knowingly cover up sin in our lives, we are asking for trouble. Proverbs 28:13 tells us that he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. I believe with all my heart that many Christians are floundering and ineffective for Jesus because they try to conceal their sins. It's one thing to have errors in our life that are hidden to us, but it's a far more serious problem for us to try to cover up our errors. Think right now: Are you finding it difficult to prosper in what you're doing? Now, by prosper I don't mean get rich, but I mean find success. How's your job going? Are you prospering in your work? Are your relationships prospering, doing well? Is your ministry for Jesus going forward and making progress? If not, check it out. If you're covering up some sin in your life, you are asking for failure. God cannot bless us when we cover-up. God will not be involved in cover-ups. God will expose our cover-ups if we continue to try to hide them. Someone has said that rarely do any of us change without pain, and I guess that's true. But it shows we're not very smart, doesn't it? I mean, if you know that you can't prosper by covering up your sin, and you know that God will deal with it if you don't, doesn't it just make sense to confess that sin, renounce it and find God's mercy? The Bible says if we judge ourselves we will not be judged. Do yourself one big favor: Uncover those cover-ups. Confess to God any areas of willful sin, and ask for his mercy. Commit to him that you are renouncing that sin and by his grace you will not return to it. When you do that, God is then able to prosper you in everything you do and in all your relationships. Just makes good common sense, doesn't it?
5/3/20233 minutes
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Five Whys – 3

In Psalm 19 David asked God to forgive him for his hidden errors, and I suggest that we need to do the same thing—to ask God to show us any hidden sins we just don’t see. But what about those areas of sin that we try to hide? When we knowingly cover up sin in our lives, we are asking for trouble. Proverbs 28:13 tells us that he who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. I believe with all my heart that many Christians are floundering and ineffective for Jesus because they try to conceal their sins. It's one thing to have errors in our life that are hidden to us, but it's a far more serious problem for us to try to cover up our errors. Think right now: Are you finding it difficult to prosper in what you're doing? Now, by prosper I don't mean get rich, but I mean find success. How's your job going? Are you prospering in your work? Are your relationships prospering, doing well? Is your ministry for Jesus going forward and making progress? If not, check it out. If you're covering up some sin in your life, you are asking for failure. God cannot bless us when we cover-up. God will not be involved in cover-ups. God will expose our cover-ups if we continue to try to hide them. Someone has said that rarely do any of us change without pain, and I guess that's true. But it shows we're not very smart, doesn't it? I mean, if you know that you can't prosper by covering up your sin, and you know that God will deal with it if you don't, doesn't it just make sense to confess that sin, renounce it and find God's mercy? The Bible says if we judge ourselves we will not be judged. Do yourself one big favor: Uncover those cover-ups. Confess to God any areas of willful sin, and ask for his mercy. Commit to him that you are renouncing that sin and by his grace you will not return to it. When you do that, God is then able to prosper you in everything you do and in all your relationships. Just makes good common sense, doesn't it?
5/3/20233 minutes
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Five Whys – 2

I’m quite certain that you know how important it is for Christ-followers to pray and yet not too many of us make it a priority in our lives. Why not? Well, for one reason, we don’t plan to pray. It’s not on our to-do list; it’s not part of our daily schedule. I can promise you that Satan will do everything he can to keep you from praying because your power comes through prayer. So, if you don’t intentionally plan to pray, you probably won’t pray very much. Do you have a certain time set aside to pray each day? Another reason you may not pray like you should is because you don’t really believe it makes any difference. You know God is sovereign, so how do your prayers change anything? And besides, maybe you’ve had many prayers that weren’t answered according to your timetable or the way you wanted them answered. So, you may have lost faith in prayer. But can you remember that Jesus prayed while on earth—a lot! He knew that prayer was important in his life, so how can we question our need to pray. But in my opinion, one of the main reasons Christians don’t make prayer a priority in their lives is because they’ve never learned how to pray. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Have you ever asked God for the same thing? Have you ever looked at prayers in the Bible and patterned your prayers after them. Have you ever taken The Lord’s Prayer—more accurately called The Disciple’s Prayer—and used that as your format for praying? Years ago I did that and it revolutionized my prayer life. In fact, I produced a journal similar to the one I use, and you can get one for yourself. It’s available on our website, and perhaps it might help you learn to pray more effectively. I hope you will get serious—if you haven’t already—about becoming proficient in prayer—learning to pray more effectively. You will never regret it.
5/2/20233 minutes
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Five Whys – 2

I’m quite certain that you know how important it is for Christ-followers to pray and yet not too many of us make it a priority in our lives. Why not? Well, for one reason, we don’t plan to pray. It’s not on our to-do list; it’s not part of our daily schedule. I can promise you that Satan will do everything he can to keep you from praying because your power comes through prayer. So, if you don’t intentionally plan to pray, you probably won’t pray very much. Do you have a certain time set aside to pray each day? Another reason you may not pray like you should is because you don’t really believe it makes any difference. You know God is sovereign, so how do your prayers change anything? And besides, maybe you’ve had many prayers that weren’t answered according to your timetable or the way you wanted them answered. So, you may have lost faith in prayer. But can you remember that Jesus prayed while on earth—a lot! He knew that prayer was important in his life, so how can we question our need to pray. But in my opinion, one of the main reasons Christians don’t make prayer a priority in their lives is because they’ve never learned how to pray. The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray. Have you ever asked God for the same thing? Have you ever looked at prayers in the Bible and patterned your prayers after them. Have you ever taken The Lord’s Prayer—more accurately called The Disciple’s Prayer—and used that as your format for praying? Years ago I did that and it revolutionized my prayer life. In fact, I produced a journal similar to the one I use, and you can get one for yourself. It’s available on our website, and perhaps it might help you learn to pray more effectively. I hope you will get serious—if you haven’t already—about becoming proficient in prayer—learning to pray more effectively. You will never regret it.
5/2/20233 minutes
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Five Whys

Have you ever said: "Lord, it's enough! When are you going to do something about this? Why are you waiting so long?” Well, I don't know anyone who hasn't asked those questions of God at some time or another in their Christian walk. I certainly have. When it looks as though God has waited too long to answer your prayers, you need to stop and realize that his purposes may be quite different from yours. Frequently before he responds to your need, he has to adjust you to the trouble and help you learn a much-needed lesson. Maybe he wants to teach you that you can face and endure trouble as long as he is with you in the trouble. Then he will take you out of it. But it will not happen until you have stopped being restless and fretful about it. He may be waiting for you to be calm and quiet. Then he can say, "It is enough." Paul Billheimer wrote in Adventures in Adversity: "There can be no testing of character without delays...By this means, during delay, God is testing and developing character. It is easy to be impatient with God when we fail to understand the purpose of his delay. However, God is willing to be misunderstood in the universe he has made, in order to achieve his purpose of character development." I recall a three-year delay God gave me, when I so wanted to leave a job I was in. And if I had left when I wanted to, I would have missed three years of personal development that have been essential to my walk with God and the ministry he has given me. The tough lessons I learned­ then molded my character like none others. When it was finally over, I wrote in my journal: "I praise you that it is now enough. My time in this job is over, but I praise you that it did not end until you had completed your work in me.” It's easy to say that at the end, but difficult to say it in the middle, isn't it? If you're in that predicament, wondering why God hasn't done anything yet, try to remember that the day will come when you can look back and see how he was developing you in that time. Someday he'll say to you, "It is enough now.” Until then, keep trusting and believing that he waits so that he can be gracious unto you.
5/1/20233 minutes
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Five Whys

Have you ever said: "Lord, it's enough! When are you going to do something about this? Why are you waiting so long?” Well, I don't know anyone who hasn't asked those questions of God at some time or another in their Christian walk. I certainly have. When it looks as though God has waited too long to answer your prayers, you need to stop and realize that his purposes may be quite different from yours. Frequently before he responds to your need, he has to adjust you to the trouble and help you learn a much-needed lesson. Maybe he wants to teach you that you can face and endure trouble as long as he is with you in the trouble. Then he will take you out of it. But it will not happen until you have stopped being restless and fretful about it. He may be waiting for you to be calm and quiet. Then he can say, "It is enough." Paul Billheimer wrote in Adventures in Adversity: "There can be no testing of character without delays...By this means, during delay, God is testing and developing character. It is easy to be impatient with God when we fail to understand the purpose of his delay. However, God is willing to be misunderstood in the universe he has made, in order to achieve his purpose of character development." I recall a three-year delay God gave me, when I so wanted to leave a job I was in. And if I had left when I wanted to, I would have missed three years of personal development that have been essential to my walk with God and the ministry he has given me. The tough lessons I learned­ then molded my character like none others. When it was finally over, I wrote in my journal: "I praise you that it is now enough. My time in this job is over, but I praise you that it did not end until you had completed your work in me.” It's easy to say that at the end, but difficult to say it in the middle, isn't it? If you're in that predicament, wondering why God hasn't done anything yet, try to remember that the day will come when you can look back and see how he was developing you in that time. Someday he'll say to you, "It is enough now.” Until then, keep trusting and believing that he waits so that he can be gracious unto you.
5/1/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for the Wilderness

Presented by Lisa Bishop We all know the saying, “The struggle is real.” Well, the wilderness is real too. If you have been following Jesus for any length of time you know what the wilderness is like, and if you have not yet hit a wilderness patch, you will. It is part of life here on earth. And rather than wishing it away, I want you to know how to “wander well” so to speak. When I was reflecting on the story of the Israelites in the desert, something struck me. They thought they were wandering. Their perspective of their journey was that it was aimless, endless, and meaningless, but it wasn’t. God had a magnificent plan. While the Israelites saw their wilderness time as wandering, we know that God had a greater purpose. They just couldn’t see it at the time. In my 26 years of following Jesus, I have experienced several seasons of wilderness. And if I am honest, sometimes they have been very long seasons that I thought would never end. But in hindsight, like the Israelites, I can see that there was purpose and God kept his promise. “For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6b). In other words, God is right there with you, even when you feel as though he has abandoned you, he hasn’t. He is right by your side. So while it may feel like you are idling with no clear purpose or direction, I want to shift your perspective on the seemingly endless seasons of your life; from pointless, to purposeful, and give you some tools to not just merely survive the wilderness waiting for it to pass but to actually experience the wilderness as a place to grow and boost your spiritual thriving. As a follower of Jesus, you will experience times in the proverbial desert. The question is, “When you are in the wilderness seasons, what will you do, what or who will you turn to?” In Deuteronomy 8:2-4, the children of Israel were reminded God had a purpose for the forty long years in the wilderness, and these verses are also a reminder to us as we face our own desert seasons. “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.” In the wilderness God: Leads you all the way through. Tests, strengthens, and matures your faith. Builds Christ-like character. Teaches you deeper reliance and trust in him. In these verses God not only reveals his purpose, he wants us to see his provision in the wilderness, and that ultimately it is a place he uses to purge us and produce things in us, including a greater dependance on him. It will require an additional change in perspective, from “Why is this happening to me, to, “What is God producing in me.” As Romans 8:28 reminds us, " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Let’s be honest, even with this perspective, the wilderness is an unpleasant place, fleshly speaking. We naturally want prosperity, health, and comfort. Sometimes we forget that there will be times of trial and pressure throughout our lives and our faith will be tested. But the God of grace will meet you even in the wilderness and as Deuteronomy causes us to remember, he will lead you all the way. This is where disciplining yourself and training your heart and mind to lean into God as he leads you through is essential. Take time to pray for an increased sensitivity to his Holy Spirit and ask him to give you spiritual eyes to see how he is providing even in midst of the suffering that the wilderness can induce.
4/29/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Wisdom for the Wilderness

Presented by Lisa Bishop We all know the saying, “The struggle is real.” Well, the wilderness is real too. If you have been following Jesus for any length of time you know what the wilderness is like, and if you have not yet hit a wilderness patch, you will. It is part of life here on earth. And rather than wishing it away, I want you to know how to “wander well” so to speak. When I was reflecting on the story of the Israelites in the desert, something struck me. They thought they were wandering. Their perspective of their journey was that it was aimless, endless, and meaningless, but it wasn’t. God had a magnificent plan. While the Israelites saw their wilderness time as wandering, we know that God had a greater purpose. They just couldn’t see it at the time. In my 26 years of following Jesus, I have experienced several seasons of wilderness. And if I am honest, sometimes they have been very long seasons that I thought would never end. But in hindsight, like the Israelites, I can see that there was purpose and God kept his promise. “For the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6b). In other words, God is right there with you, even when you feel as though he has abandoned you, he hasn’t. He is right by your side. So while it may feel like you are idling with no clear purpose or direction, I want to shift your perspective on the seemingly endless seasons of your life; from pointless, to purposeful, and give you some tools to not just merely survive the wilderness waiting for it to pass but to actually experience the wilderness as a place to grow and boost your spiritual thriving. As a follower of Jesus, you will experience times in the proverbial desert. The question is, “When you are in the wilderness seasons, what will you do, what or who will you turn to?” In Deuteronomy 8:2-4, the children of Israel were reminded God had a purpose for the forty long years in the wilderness, and these verses are also a reminder to us as we face our own desert seasons. “Remember how the Lord your God led you all the way in the wilderness these forty years, to humble and test you in order to know what was in your heart, whether or not you would keep his commands. He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your ancestors had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Your clothes did not wear out and your feet did not swell during these forty years.” In the wilderness God: Leads you all the way through. Tests, strengthens, and matures your faith. Builds Christ-like character. Teaches you deeper reliance and trust in him. In these verses God not only reveals his purpose, he wants us to see his provision in the wilderness, and that ultimately it is a place he uses to purge us and produce things in us, including a greater dependance on him. It will require an additional change in perspective, from “Why is this happening to me, to, “What is God producing in me.” As Romans 8:28 reminds us, " And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” Let’s be honest, even with this perspective, the wilderness is an unpleasant place, fleshly speaking. We naturally want prosperity, health, and comfort. Sometimes we forget that there will be times of trial and pressure throughout our lives and our faith will be tested. But the God of grace will meet you even in the wilderness and as Deuteronomy causes us to remember, he will lead you all the way. This is where disciplining yourself and training your heart and mind to lean into God as he leads you through is essential. Take time to pray for an increased sensitivity to his Holy Spirit and ask him to give you spiritual eyes to see how he is providing even in midst of the suffering that the wilderness can induce.
4/29/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) It’s easy to try to get our identity from all the wrong places rather than from the very of truth of God. Have you ever been in a season of waiting? Maybe you are in a time of waiting right now. Are you waiting to hear back on a job interview, a promotion, a letter of acceptance to school. Maybe you are waiting on a phone call from a long-lost friend or estranged family member, a call from the doctor for a diagnosis. Waiting is hard. I was having dinner with a friend the other night and she was lamenting about prayers that are seeming to go unanswered. We talked about how difficult and often uncomfortable it can be when we experience what feels like long delays as we seek God for help, or answers to a problem we are facing. We confided to one another the pain and frustration we can feel in the waiting. Can you relate? Have your prayers ever sounded like a broken record as you wonder why God was waiting so long to answer? Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us what wisdom looks like in the waiting. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trust God not your own understanding. If we’re honest, disheartenment can take up residence in us when we rely on our limited knowledge and vision of a situation. We can be tempted to trust in what we know and forget that we serve an all-knowing, trustworthy God. We can be enticed to give into impatience rather than fully surrendering to the faithfulness of Jesus. In Psalm 27, David expresses authentic faith and courageous trust in God as he cries out and waits in confident expectation that the Lord will rescue and save him in his time of trouble. In Verse 14 he declares he will, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” David is training his heart to trust and remember that the Lord hears him and he is faithful. In his perfect timing God will answer David and come to his rescue. In his perfect timing God will answer you and come to your rescue. Waiting for God to come through is a way that God builds your faith and character and grows your spiritual maturity. Waiting can feel like wasted time but it isn’t. The waiting sanctifies you. The waiting humbles you. The waiting prunes you. The waiting strengthens your dependence on God. What are you waiting for from God? Will you trust him? It really comes down to choice. Will you choose patience and faith, or will you give into fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety? Listen, God is for you. He is making a way for you. Cooperate with him so the time spent waiting will prove productive and fruitful. There is wisdom in the waiting.
4/28/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) It’s easy to try to get our identity from all the wrong places rather than from the very of truth of God. Have you ever been in a season of waiting? Maybe you are in a time of waiting right now. Are you waiting to hear back on a job interview, a promotion, a letter of acceptance to school. Maybe you are waiting on a phone call from a long-lost friend or estranged family member, a call from the doctor for a diagnosis. Waiting is hard. I was having dinner with a friend the other night and she was lamenting about prayers that are seeming to go unanswered. We talked about how difficult and often uncomfortable it can be when we experience what feels like long delays as we seek God for help, or answers to a problem we are facing. We confided to one another the pain and frustration we can feel in the waiting. Can you relate? Have your prayers ever sounded like a broken record as you wonder why God was waiting so long to answer? Proverbs 3:5-6 reminds us what wisdom looks like in the waiting. “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” Trust God not your own understanding. If we’re honest, disheartenment can take up residence in us when we rely on our limited knowledge and vision of a situation. We can be tempted to trust in what we know and forget that we serve an all-knowing, trustworthy God. We can be enticed to give into impatience rather than fully surrendering to the faithfulness of Jesus. In Psalm 27, David expresses authentic faith and courageous trust in God as he cries out and waits in confident expectation that the Lord will rescue and save him in his time of trouble. In Verse 14 he declares he will, “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” David is training his heart to trust and remember that the Lord hears him and he is faithful. In his perfect timing God will answer David and come to his rescue. In his perfect timing God will answer you and come to your rescue. Waiting for God to come through is a way that God builds your faith and character and grows your spiritual maturity. Waiting can feel like wasted time but it isn’t. The waiting sanctifies you. The waiting humbles you. The waiting prunes you. The waiting strengthens your dependence on God. What are you waiting for from God? Will you trust him? It really comes down to choice. Will you choose patience and faith, or will you give into fear, doubt, worry, and anxiety? Listen, God is for you. He is making a way for you. Cooperate with him so the time spent waiting will prove productive and fruitful. There is wisdom in the waiting.
4/28/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you want to live a long, good life and enjoy the beauty that fills each day? I’m guessing the answer is “yes.” There is so much advice coming at us at a rapid pace these days and there is no shortage of knowledge and information clamoring for our attention. We are inundated with commercials, podcasts, Instagram, and social media posts that tell us the ways to achieve the “good life.” Buy this car, have this job, make this salary, acquire this house, wear these clothes, marry this person….. The list towards the pursuit of happiness is infinite and the chase is endless. And whatever we look to to guide our “happiness,” whatever “wisdom” we consume on a daily basis, will ultimately consume us and have a profound effect on our hearts, minds, attitudes and actions. That’s why it is important to look to God’s Word as we seek discernment and wisdom for our everyday life. I want to look to the Psalms as we pursue godly instruction to guide our paths. Psalm 34:12-14 says, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” The keys to a good life: Watch your words. Turn your back on sin. Practice being at peace. Can you imagine what the world would be like if these were the standards? Surely we would all be living our days filled with more beauty and goodness. While these are not the principles of the world, as a follower of Jesus these are instructions from God’s Word and we are called to live by these truths. If you were to examine your words, do you speak with integrity? Do your words show moral character and honesty? Are they in alignment with Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”When you are tempted to sin do you take the way out as 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Do you practice peace as Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As a child of God you have the profound privilege of living in a manner that shows the world a better way of living a good life, and enjoying the beauty that fills each day.
4/27/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Do you want to live a long, good life and enjoy the beauty that fills each day? I’m guessing the answer is “yes.” There is so much advice coming at us at a rapid pace these days and there is no shortage of knowledge and information clamoring for our attention. We are inundated with commercials, podcasts, Instagram, and social media posts that tell us the ways to achieve the “good life.” Buy this car, have this job, make this salary, acquire this house, wear these clothes, marry this person….. The list towards the pursuit of happiness is infinite and the chase is endless. And whatever we look to to guide our “happiness,” whatever “wisdom” we consume on a daily basis, will ultimately consume us and have a profound effect on our hearts, minds, attitudes and actions. That’s why it is important to look to God’s Word as we seek discernment and wisdom for our everyday life. I want to look to the Psalms as we pursue godly instruction to guide our paths. Psalm 34:12-14 says, “Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.” The keys to a good life: Watch your words. Turn your back on sin. Practice being at peace. Can you imagine what the world would be like if these were the standards? Surely we would all be living our days filled with more beauty and goodness. While these are not the principles of the world, as a follower of Jesus these are instructions from God’s Word and we are called to live by these truths. If you were to examine your words, do you speak with integrity? Do your words show moral character and honesty? Are they in alignment with Ephesians 4:29 which says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”When you are tempted to sin do you take the way out as 1 Corinthians 10:13 says, “And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Do you practice peace as Romans 12:18 says, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” As a child of God you have the profound privilege of living in a manner that shows the world a better way of living a good life, and enjoying the beauty that fills each day.
4/27/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A few years ago I received a call from a friend. When I picked up the phone she asked if we could talk. She said she had been hurt by something I did and wanted to have a conversation about it because our relationship was important to her. I admired the courage it took for her to call me. It would have been much easier for her to stew or make up stories about what happened rather than take the initiative to share her hurt. She went on to describe what happened from her perspective and how she felt. I really admired the way she approached the conversation. She did not blame; she shared her experience and point of view. She sought to engage in dialogue rather than prove a point or put me in my place. Ephesians 4:15 says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”  Christian maturity is marked by the ability to share difficult truths in a loving way. And my friend did this which led to a fruitful conversation. Her attitude was one of humility. As you prepare to approach a conflict situation, the actual words and delivery in the midst of the confrontation are key. No matter the level of hurt or offense, approach the conversation with humility. Share your perspective. Avoid blaming. Seek to understand the other person’s perspective. Listen. If you are the one who was hurt, give grace and extend forgiveness. If you caused the hurt, own it, sincerely apologize, and ask for forgiveness. Give your ego a backseat and seek the fruit of the Spirit of peace. Whether you are the injured or offending party, seeking an end to conflict by pursuing harmony and being a peacemaker is biblical. As children of God we are called to share Jesus’s passion for peace and reconciliation. Where can you actively engage in conflict with the goal of breaking down the walls that seek to divide your relationships? Who will you call this week to address a conflict as you seek peace and reconciliation?
4/26/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A few years ago I received a call from a friend. When I picked up the phone she asked if we could talk. She said she had been hurt by something I did and wanted to have a conversation about it because our relationship was important to her. I admired the courage it took for her to call me. It would have been much easier for her to stew or make up stories about what happened rather than take the initiative to share her hurt. She went on to describe what happened from her perspective and how she felt. I really admired the way she approached the conversation. She did not blame; she shared her experience and point of view. She sought to engage in dialogue rather than prove a point or put me in my place. Ephesians 4:15 says, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”  Christian maturity is marked by the ability to share difficult truths in a loving way. And my friend did this which led to a fruitful conversation. Her attitude was one of humility. As you prepare to approach a conflict situation, the actual words and delivery in the midst of the confrontation are key. No matter the level of hurt or offense, approach the conversation with humility. Share your perspective. Avoid blaming. Seek to understand the other person’s perspective. Listen. If you are the one who was hurt, give grace and extend forgiveness. If you caused the hurt, own it, sincerely apologize, and ask for forgiveness. Give your ego a backseat and seek the fruit of the Spirit of peace. Whether you are the injured or offending party, seeking an end to conflict by pursuing harmony and being a peacemaker is biblical. As children of God we are called to share Jesus’s passion for peace and reconciliation. Where can you actively engage in conflict with the goal of breaking down the walls that seek to divide your relationships? Who will you call this week to address a conflict as you seek peace and reconciliation?
4/26/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? There’s a difference between being a peacemaker, actively pursuing peace in the midst of conflict, and being a peacekeeper, avoiding conflict in an attempt to keep the often “false peace”. According to the Bible there is nothing inherently wrong with conflict. Disagreements happen. But the way we resolve our conflicts is extremely important. Conflict can become the catalyst to greater understanding, intimacy, and depth of relationship; or it can bring anger, bitterness, and broken relationships. How you deal with conflict will literally shape the direction of your life. Whether it’s addressing a conflict with your supervisor, an argument with your aunt, or not seeing eye to eye with a friend, most of us feel anxious, fearful or at least uncomfortable when conflict arises. It’s important to ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” For me, I am often hesitant to lean into conflict because I am afraid I will in some way damage the relationship or cause the other person to not like me, to walk away from the friendship or cause a further wedge between us. Yet more often than not avoiding conflict only leads to a build up of hurt and resentment and then the very thing you fear the most ends up happening. Distance grows, avoidance settles in, and the relationship fades. So what do we do? The first step to take is to identify the conflict. Take time to reflect and write down, “who is the conflict with,” and from your perspective, “what happened?” This is also a critical time to get honest with yourself and acknowledge the role you played in the conflict. Now you might be saying, “it’s all her fault. I did nothing wrong.” But most often there is something that both parties need to address and own. It could be an attitude or reaction on your part that God brings to light. As the saying goes, “it takes two to tango.” My favorite verses in displaying humility and inviting God to shed light on my contribution to a breakdown are found in Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Invite Jesus into your conflict! This posture before God models a teachable heart and invites God to use the conflict situation to grow and sanctify you. Your heart will be primed to approach the other person with humility and in a way that will honor God.
4/25/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Wisdom for Peacemaking – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you a peacemaker or a peacekeeper? There’s a difference between being a peacemaker, actively pursuing peace in the midst of conflict, and being a peacekeeper, avoiding conflict in an attempt to keep the often “false peace”. According to the Bible there is nothing inherently wrong with conflict. Disagreements happen. But the way we resolve our conflicts is extremely important. Conflict can become the catalyst to greater understanding, intimacy, and depth of relationship; or it can bring anger, bitterness, and broken relationships. How you deal with conflict will literally shape the direction of your life. Whether it’s addressing a conflict with your supervisor, an argument with your aunt, or not seeing eye to eye with a friend, most of us feel anxious, fearful or at least uncomfortable when conflict arises. It’s important to ask yourself, “What am I afraid of?” For me, I am often hesitant to lean into conflict because I am afraid I will in some way damage the relationship or cause the other person to not like me, to walk away from the friendship or cause a further wedge between us. Yet more often than not avoiding conflict only leads to a build up of hurt and resentment and then the very thing you fear the most ends up happening. Distance grows, avoidance settles in, and the relationship fades. So what do we do? The first step to take is to identify the conflict. Take time to reflect and write down, “who is the conflict with,” and from your perspective, “what happened?” This is also a critical time to get honest with yourself and acknowledge the role you played in the conflict. Now you might be saying, “it’s all her fault. I did nothing wrong.” But most often there is something that both parties need to address and own. It could be an attitude or reaction on your part that God brings to light. As the saying goes, “it takes two to tango.” My favorite verses in displaying humility and inviting God to shed light on my contribution to a breakdown are found in Psalm 139:23-24. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Invite Jesus into your conflict! This posture before God models a teachable heart and invites God to use the conflict situation to grow and sanctify you. Your heart will be primed to approach the other person with humility and in a way that will honor God.
4/25/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever experienced conflict in the workplace? Clashing with another person is part of life and the truth is, we have all experienced conflict, in both our personal and professional relationships. Sometimes you find yourself in a minor disagreement, other times conflict can turn into a full blown falling out with a co-worker or friend. Whether in the workplace, or at home, relational discord is part of life. It is not a matter of “if” you will have conflict but “how will you show” up in the face of it. How do you react when there is a disagreement, disharmony or tension in a relationship? Do you hide or withdraw and harbor your hurt? Do you react by lashing out, pointing fingers and blaming? Maybe you move into a mode of avoidance just hoping the conflict will resolve itself. While we know that none of these responses is helpful, it can be easy to default to behaviors that are unbiblical. Fear, pride, or simply not knowing how to engage with conflict in a healthy way can hinder our relationships with others. So what is the God-honoring and relationship-building way to approach what most of us experience as uncomfortable conflict situations? In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives us counsel and words of wisdom when he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Notice that Jesus says “peacemaker” not “peacekeeper.” This is a really important distinction. Being a peacemaker infers an active and intentional posture towards pursuing and creating peace. Taking the actions necessary to live in harmony with another person. Acknowledging there is a relational rift. Peacekeeping on the other hand is often passive and an attempt to work hard at pretending that nothing is wrong or bothering you to keep tensions from rising. Peacekeepers try to avoid conflict at any cost. Peacemakers invite necessary conflict and know that it is a part of life. Now I am not saying that you should intentionally stir up conflict. I am saying that conflict is an unavoidable part of life and rather than ignore it, acknowledge it. Re-frame conflict as a way that can enrich the relationship when approached in love and handled in a gospel grounded way. Practice the courage to engage conflict rather than living in a land of false peace. And remember, in the words of Jesus, when you pursue peace, you will be blessed and called children of God.
4/24/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Peacemaking

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever experienced conflict in the workplace? Clashing with another person is part of life and the truth is, we have all experienced conflict, in both our personal and professional relationships. Sometimes you find yourself in a minor disagreement, other times conflict can turn into a full blown falling out with a co-worker or friend. Whether in the workplace, or at home, relational discord is part of life. It is not a matter of “if” you will have conflict but “how will you show” up in the face of it. How do you react when there is a disagreement, disharmony or tension in a relationship? Do you hide or withdraw and harbor your hurt? Do you react by lashing out, pointing fingers and blaming? Maybe you move into a mode of avoidance just hoping the conflict will resolve itself. While we know that none of these responses is helpful, it can be easy to default to behaviors that are unbiblical. Fear, pride, or simply not knowing how to engage with conflict in a healthy way can hinder our relationships with others. So what is the God-honoring and relationship-building way to approach what most of us experience as uncomfortable conflict situations? In the sermon on the mount, Jesus gives us counsel and words of wisdom when he says, “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called children of God” (Matthew 5:9). Notice that Jesus says “peacemaker” not “peacekeeper.” This is a really important distinction. Being a peacemaker infers an active and intentional posture towards pursuing and creating peace. Taking the actions necessary to live in harmony with another person. Acknowledging there is a relational rift. Peacekeeping on the other hand is often passive and an attempt to work hard at pretending that nothing is wrong or bothering you to keep tensions from rising. Peacekeepers try to avoid conflict at any cost. Peacemakers invite necessary conflict and know that it is a part of life. Now I am not saying that you should intentionally stir up conflict. I am saying that conflict is an unavoidable part of life and rather than ignore it, acknowledge it. Re-frame conflict as a way that can enrich the relationship when approached in love and handled in a gospel grounded way. Practice the courage to engage conflict rather than living in a land of false peace. And remember, in the words of Jesus, when you pursue peace, you will be blessed and called children of God.
4/24/20233 minutes
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Becoming a Goal-Oriented Person 2

What are the dreams you've been carrying around with you for a long time? What are the ideas and wishes that are still nuggets in the back of your mind? Would you like to see some of them become a reality, to the glory of God? You know, there are many good dreamers in the world who never get to the doing part. Jesus said that the blessing comes when we do what we know we should do. So, if we only dream and wish and hope, and we never take any steps to turn those dreams into goals and make them happen, then obviously, we miss out on the blessing. And when you miss the blessing, you miss the joy and excitement and fulfillment that God has for you. I think there are many people who feel that life is just one day after another, the same ole same ole, and they don't really enjoy living very much because they've never stepped out and by faith, reached for some of their dreams and worked to reach a goal. I can see how life would be pretty dull if there was never anything to reach for. Why do people wish and dream but often never make it happen? Well, perhaps because they're reactive instead of proactive people. We talked about that in part one. A reactive person is one who allows others and circumstances to dictate what happens to them. They make victims of themselves and then claim it's not their fault! A proactive person is one who looks down the road, sets a goal, and instead of looking for excuses not to pursue that goal, that person refuses to be sidetracked and he or she heads for the goal they've set. Proactive people don't wait for life to dish out their destiny. They determine where they want to go—where God wants them to go—and do the things that are necessary to get there. Now, let me hasten to add that as believers, our goals should be ordained by God. We should be going for the things that bring honor to Jesus. Our goals should bring glory to God, not to ourselves, and should not be selfish goals. We need eternally significant goals—to set our hearts on doing the things that will make a difference. Those goals can range from the simple everyday things of our lives to life-changing pursuits. For example, you may need to set a goal to become a better communicator—listening better, choosing words more carefully, being truly attentive to others, etc. You don't need to pray about whether to do that or not; it's a great goal and it will glorify Jesus. But let me tell you, becoming a better communicator will not happen unless you determine to set a goal and pursue it. So, whether your goal is to change a bad habit or improve your skills in some way, or a goal to start your own business, or go to the mission field or whatever, you need a plan and a method that will help you turn that dream, that wish, into a specific goal with practical steps to take that will get you there. And today I want to offer some suggestions. Begin with a personal mission statement—a center that governs everything you do throughout your life. You might want to begin this process of turning dreams and wishes into goals by writing this personal mission statement. It would be a good overall plan to act as a governing center in your life to guide your decisions, your motivations, your whole life. Not long after my ministry began, the Board of Directors developed this mission statement for The Christian Working Woman: The Christian Working Woman exists to equip and encourage Christians in the workplace, primarily women, to know and love Christ more, and to live as Christ would, by applying biblical principles and utilizing their gifts and abilities to build His Kingdom. From that came our vision as to how we would fulfill our mission and specific goals for the near and distant future. When we are confronted with new opportunities, we check it out with the mission statement and ask ourselves: Does this further our mission? This keeps us rooted and grounded to stay on track and not be tempted to try to do too much,
4/22/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Becoming a Goal-Oriented Person 2

What are the dreams you've been carrying around with you for a long time? What are the ideas and wishes that are still nuggets in the back of your mind? Would you like to see some of them become a reality, to the glory of God? You know, there are many good dreamers in the world who never get to the doing part. Jesus said that the blessing comes when we do what we know we should do. So, if we only dream and wish and hope, and we never take any steps to turn those dreams into goals and make them happen, then obviously, we miss out on the blessing. And when you miss the blessing, you miss the joy and excitement and fulfillment that God has for you. I think there are many people who feel that life is just one day after another, the same ole same ole, and they don't really enjoy living very much because they've never stepped out and by faith, reached for some of their dreams and worked to reach a goal. I can see how life would be pretty dull if there was never anything to reach for. Why do people wish and dream but often never make it happen? Well, perhaps because they're reactive instead of proactive people. We talked about that in part one. A reactive person is one who allows others and circumstances to dictate what happens to them. They make victims of themselves and then claim it's not their fault! A proactive person is one who looks down the road, sets a goal, and instead of looking for excuses not to pursue that goal, that person refuses to be sidetracked and he or she heads for the goal they've set. Proactive people don't wait for life to dish out their destiny. They determine where they want to go—where God wants them to go—and do the things that are necessary to get there. Now, let me hasten to add that as believers, our goals should be ordained by God. We should be going for the things that bring honor to Jesus. Our goals should bring glory to God, not to ourselves, and should not be selfish goals. We need eternally significant goals—to set our hearts on doing the things that will make a difference. Those goals can range from the simple everyday things of our lives to life-changing pursuits. For example, you may need to set a goal to become a better communicator—listening better, choosing words more carefully, being truly attentive to others, etc. You don't need to pray about whether to do that or not; it's a great goal and it will glorify Jesus. But let me tell you, becoming a better communicator will not happen unless you determine to set a goal and pursue it. So, whether your goal is to change a bad habit or improve your skills in some way, or a goal to start your own business, or go to the mission field or whatever, you need a plan and a method that will help you turn that dream, that wish, into a specific goal with practical steps to take that will get you there. And today I want to offer some suggestions. Begin with a personal mission statement—a center that governs everything you do throughout your life. You might want to begin this process of turning dreams and wishes into goals by writing this personal mission statement. It would be a good overall plan to act as a governing center in your life to guide your decisions, your motivations, your whole life. Not long after my ministry began, the Board of Directors developed this mission statement for The Christian Working Woman: The Christian Working Woman exists to equip and encourage Christians in the workplace, primarily women, to know and love Christ more, and to live as Christ would, by applying biblical principles and utilizing their gifts and abilities to build His Kingdom. From that came our vision as to how we would fulfill our mission and specific goals for the near and distant future. When we are confronted with new opportunities, we check it out with the mission statement and ask ourselves: Does this further our mission? This keeps us rooted and grounded to stay on track and not be tempted to try to do too much,
4/22/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Conflicting Priorities – 5

Jesus taught us to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. Since there are no Caesars in our lives, what does that mean to us today in our everyday worlds? We conclude our thoughts about conflicting priorities. I think this is a principle we need to understand very clearly. If you think of your employer as "Caesar" in this case, how does this principle apply to you? Well, first of all, what are the things you should be giving your employer—the things that are rightfully his or hers? Hard work. You must be careful to apply yourself conscientiously and work your full shift. A Christian should never take advantage of their employer by cheating them out of time or work that is due to them. Protection of the employer's assets. Those pencils and pens, paper clips and pads supplied by your employer are not for your personal supply room at home. Expense accounts should be meticulously honest and fair. Loyalty. While you are taking your salary from that employer, you owe them respect and you should not be found stabbing them in the back or running them down to others. But, on the other hand, what do you NOT owe your employer? Dishonesty of any sort. Lying for your employer is giving to them what is due to God. An employer has no right to ask an employee to lie or deceive in any way. This is where you need to take a stand and not render to that employer what is not due them. Participation in any activity that is dishonoring to God. Socializing after work can create some compromising situations. If you have to be a part of these in order to keep your job, it's probably time to look for another job. You are rendering to Caesar the things that belong to God. As we think about how to choose between conflicting priorities, we want to always remember that there are some clear lines to be drawn. Give to your employer what is due them. Jesus gave us that principle, and we should take it very seriously. But make certain you don't get trapped into giving an employer what is God's right to ask of you.
4/21/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 5

Jesus taught us to render to Caesar the things that are Caesar's, and to God the things that are God's. Since there are no Caesars in our lives, what does that mean to us today in our everyday worlds? We conclude our thoughts about conflicting priorities. I think this is a principle we need to understand very clearly. If you think of your employer as "Caesar" in this case, how does this principle apply to you? Well, first of all, what are the things you should be giving your employer—the things that are rightfully his or hers? Hard work. You must be careful to apply yourself conscientiously and work your full shift. A Christian should never take advantage of their employer by cheating them out of time or work that is due to them. Protection of the employer's assets. Those pencils and pens, paper clips and pads supplied by your employer are not for your personal supply room at home. Expense accounts should be meticulously honest and fair. Loyalty. While you are taking your salary from that employer, you owe them respect and you should not be found stabbing them in the back or running them down to others. But, on the other hand, what do you NOT owe your employer? Dishonesty of any sort. Lying for your employer is giving to them what is due to God. An employer has no right to ask an employee to lie or deceive in any way. This is where you need to take a stand and not render to that employer what is not due them. Participation in any activity that is dishonoring to God. Socializing after work can create some compromising situations. If you have to be a part of these in order to keep your job, it's probably time to look for another job. You are rendering to Caesar the things that belong to God. As we think about how to choose between conflicting priorities, we want to always remember that there are some clear lines to be drawn. Give to your employer what is due them. Jesus gave us that principle, and we should take it very seriously. But make certain you don't get trapped into giving an employer what is God's right to ask of you.
4/21/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 4

You know, sometimes you feel like if you do your job right, it causes you to be uncaring and tough with employees or coworkers. Did you ever find yourself in that kind of predicament? Well, how do we handle what seems like conflicting priorities like these? It is right for you to demand of yourself and others that the job be done right. But it's also true that as a Christian, you should be concerned about the personal welfare and feelings of the people who work for you and/or with you. The first thing we can and should do is to pray daily for those employees and coworkers. Pray for them specifically by name. As much as you can, learn something of their personal situation so that you can pray for them effectively. Obviously, you can certainly pray for their job performance and their relationships and attitudes on the job. That's the best thing you can do for them. And then, remember that your attitude toward these people will clearly indicate that you care about them. Treating them with respect; understanding that in God's sight you are all the same; caring about their lives; giving them recognition when they deserve it; making allowances for personal situations when you can; treating everyone with fairness and honesty—all of these are ways to show God's love to your employees and coworkers and to be a servant to them. What is often frustrating is that many times it's difficult, if not impossible, to carry on the daily duties of your job and still interact with each person, whether coworker or employee, on the personal basis that you would like to. Even in my small organization I find that a frustration. I'd like to know every little thing concerning my staff and take time to talk about their concerns in detail, but if I did that very often, we'd get very little work done. What I've been learning to do is to trust God to bring other people into their lives to help and care for them when I can't reach out to them as I would like to. And then I pray he'll make me sensitive to know when it's important for me to take that time and reach out. Remember that as Christians in the marketplace we have unique opportunities to demonstrate what Jesus is like by the way we care about others. If you truly care about other people, loving them as you love yourself, placing their welfare above your own, you can be certain they'll know it.
4/20/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 4

You know, sometimes you feel like if you do your job right, it causes you to be uncaring and tough with employees or coworkers. Did you ever find yourself in that kind of predicament? Well, how do we handle what seems like conflicting priorities like these? It is right for you to demand of yourself and others that the job be done right. But it's also true that as a Christian, you should be concerned about the personal welfare and feelings of the people who work for you and/or with you. The first thing we can and should do is to pray daily for those employees and coworkers. Pray for them specifically by name. As much as you can, learn something of their personal situation so that you can pray for them effectively. Obviously, you can certainly pray for their job performance and their relationships and attitudes on the job. That's the best thing you can do for them. And then, remember that your attitude toward these people will clearly indicate that you care about them. Treating them with respect; understanding that in God's sight you are all the same; caring about their lives; giving them recognition when they deserve it; making allowances for personal situations when you can; treating everyone with fairness and honesty—all of these are ways to show God's love to your employees and coworkers and to be a servant to them. What is often frustrating is that many times it's difficult, if not impossible, to carry on the daily duties of your job and still interact with each person, whether coworker or employee, on the personal basis that you would like to. Even in my small organization I find that a frustration. I'd like to know every little thing concerning my staff and take time to talk about their concerns in detail, but if I did that very often, we'd get very little work done. What I've been learning to do is to trust God to bring other people into their lives to help and care for them when I can't reach out to them as I would like to. And then I pray he'll make me sensitive to know when it's important for me to take that time and reach out. Remember that as Christians in the marketplace we have unique opportunities to demonstrate what Jesus is like by the way we care about others. If you truly care about other people, loving them as you love yourself, placing their welfare above your own, you can be certain they'll know it.
4/20/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 3

Have you ever found yourself faced with decisions which seem to force you to choose between two right things? For instance, a coworker may really need to talk to you about a problem in his or her life, but you don't feel you should take company time for a lengthy conversation. Yet you don't want to be uncaring or rude. I believe our first priority is to do our job well. That means you may have to cut off that conversation with the hurting person and make an appointment to talk at lunch or break or after work, because it's not right to take company time for long personal conversations. What about the particular dilemma mangers and supervisors face in being a demanding supervisor versus showing concern and care for those employees? Think of Jesus and his staff of twelve men. Do you think he was demanding of their time? I get the feeling that those men put in long hard days quite often. Being a firm supervisor, insuring that the employees who work for you do their jobs right and put in a good day's work is not contrary to Christian principles of love and kindness. As a Christian supervisor, your job is to make certain that your employees perform well and work hard for the company. Of course, we cannot ask of others what we do not give ourselves. Whatever Jesus asked of his disciples in time and hard work, he did more than they did. As long as you role model hard work and dedication for your people, you have earned the right to demand that of them. Quite frankly, you will be doing your employees a favor to teach them the rightness of hard work, honesty and diligence. Now, that responsibility may cause you to seem harsh at times. If you're like me, I much prefer having people like me than not like me! However, your job description does not say, "Everyone must like you.” When you have an employee who resists working hard or doing the job right, and you as the supervisor insist on right work, that person is not likely to count you their best friend. Welcome to management and leadership; it goes with the territory.
4/19/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 3

Have you ever found yourself faced with decisions which seem to force you to choose between two right things? For instance, a coworker may really need to talk to you about a problem in his or her life, but you don't feel you should take company time for a lengthy conversation. Yet you don't want to be uncaring or rude. I believe our first priority is to do our job well. That means you may have to cut off that conversation with the hurting person and make an appointment to talk at lunch or break or after work, because it's not right to take company time for long personal conversations. What about the particular dilemma mangers and supervisors face in being a demanding supervisor versus showing concern and care for those employees? Think of Jesus and his staff of twelve men. Do you think he was demanding of their time? I get the feeling that those men put in long hard days quite often. Being a firm supervisor, insuring that the employees who work for you do their jobs right and put in a good day's work is not contrary to Christian principles of love and kindness. As a Christian supervisor, your job is to make certain that your employees perform well and work hard for the company. Of course, we cannot ask of others what we do not give ourselves. Whatever Jesus asked of his disciples in time and hard work, he did more than they did. As long as you role model hard work and dedication for your people, you have earned the right to demand that of them. Quite frankly, you will be doing your employees a favor to teach them the rightness of hard work, honesty and diligence. Now, that responsibility may cause you to seem harsh at times. If you're like me, I much prefer having people like me than not like me! However, your job description does not say, "Everyone must like you.” When you have an employee who resists working hard or doing the job right, and you as the supervisor insist on right work, that person is not likely to count you their best friend. Welcome to management and leadership; it goes with the territory.
4/19/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 2

Put yourself in this situation: You are at the job working and a coworker wants to talk about a personal problem. You want to listen and show compassion, but the conversation is on company time, and it's beginning to get lengthy. You have work to do and yet you don't want to be unkind or uncaring to this friend who is hurting. What do you do? Sometimes we face priority conflicts where it seems that doing one right thing will cause us to do something that isn't right. One listener wrote me about his particular dilemma. He is a foreman with several men working for him. Quoting him, "In my position, I often find it hard to strike a balance between being firm enough with my men to lead them, and being a servant to them; also to serve others in the company (such as the unbelievers) without compromising the use of my time and/or resources. I want to be a servant, but I also must get the job done; I desire to be an example of Christ-likeness, but the things that I often feel I must do in situations seem harsh." Often our duties and responsibilities seem in opposition to what we would like to do and think we should do as a Christian. How do we deal with these conflicting priorities? Well, I don’t pretend to have all the answers here. It's a good idea to be cautious when anyone is quick to give you pat answers. Have you ever wondered why God allows us to face what seems like conflicting priorities? I believe it's because these are the things which keep us on our knees, going back to God time and again with each particular situation, asking for guidance. These are the predicaments that remind us of how weak and helpless we are on our own. I think I could easily become very cocky and self-assured if I thought I knew exactly what I should do at every decision point in my life. But so often I'm driven to desperation by what looks like an impossible decision, and that brings me just where I should be, begging God to guide me and help me. So, we can see how God uses conflicting priorities and decisions for good. I'd like to share with you some thoughts that may help in choosing between conflicting priorities.
4/18/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities – 2

Put yourself in this situation: You are at the job working and a coworker wants to talk about a personal problem. You want to listen and show compassion, but the conversation is on company time, and it's beginning to get lengthy. You have work to do and yet you don't want to be unkind or uncaring to this friend who is hurting. What do you do? Sometimes we face priority conflicts where it seems that doing one right thing will cause us to do something that isn't right. One listener wrote me about his particular dilemma. He is a foreman with several men working for him. Quoting him, "In my position, I often find it hard to strike a balance between being firm enough with my men to lead them, and being a servant to them; also to serve others in the company (such as the unbelievers) without compromising the use of my time and/or resources. I want to be a servant, but I also must get the job done; I desire to be an example of Christ-likeness, but the things that I often feel I must do in situations seem harsh." Often our duties and responsibilities seem in opposition to what we would like to do and think we should do as a Christian. How do we deal with these conflicting priorities? Well, I don’t pretend to have all the answers here. It's a good idea to be cautious when anyone is quick to give you pat answers. Have you ever wondered why God allows us to face what seems like conflicting priorities? I believe it's because these are the things which keep us on our knees, going back to God time and again with each particular situation, asking for guidance. These are the predicaments that remind us of how weak and helpless we are on our own. I think I could easily become very cocky and self-assured if I thought I knew exactly what I should do at every decision point in my life. But so often I'm driven to desperation by what looks like an impossible decision, and that brings me just where I should be, begging God to guide me and help me. So, we can see how God uses conflicting priorities and decisions for good. I'd like to share with you some thoughts that may help in choosing between conflicting priorities.
4/18/20233 minutes
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Conflicting Priorities

Put yourself in this situation: You are at the job working and a coworker wants to talk about a personal problem. You want to listen and show compassion, but the conversation is on company time, and it's beginning to get lengthy. You have work to do and yet you don't want to be unkind or uncaring to this friend who is hurting. What do you do? Sometimes we face priority conflicts where it seems that doing one right thing will cause us to do something that isn't right. One listener wrote me about his particular dilemma. He is a foreman with several men working for him. Quoting him, "In my position, I often find it hard to strike a balance between being firm enough with my men to lead them, and being a servant to them; also to serve others in the company (such as the unbelievers) without compromising the use of my time and/or resources. I want to be a servant, but I also must get the job done; I desire to be an example of Christ-likeness, but the things that I often feel I must do in situations seem harsh." Often our duties and responsibilities seem in opposition to what we would like to do and think we should do as a Christian. How do we deal with these conflicting priorities? Well, I don’t pretend to have all the answers here. It's a good idea to be cautious when anyone is quick to give you pat answers. Have you ever wondered why God allows us to face what seems like conflicting priorities? I believe it's because these are the things which keep us on our knees, going back to God time and again with each particular situation, asking for guidance. These are the predicaments that remind us of how weak and helpless we are on our own. I think I could easily become very cocky and self-assured if I thought I knew exactly what I should do at every decision point in my life. But so often I'm driven to desperation by what looks like an impossible decision, and that brings me just where I should be, begging God to guide me and help me. So, we can see how God uses conflicting priorities and decisions for good. I'd like to share with you some thoughts that may help in choosing between conflicting priorities.
4/17/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Conflicting Priorities

Put yourself in this situation: You are at the job working and a coworker wants to talk about a personal problem. You want to listen and show compassion, but the conversation is on company time, and it's beginning to get lengthy. You have work to do and yet you don't want to be unkind or uncaring to this friend who is hurting. What do you do? Sometimes we face priority conflicts where it seems that doing one right thing will cause us to do something that isn't right. One listener wrote me about his particular dilemma. He is a foreman with several men working for him. Quoting him, "In my position, I often find it hard to strike a balance between being firm enough with my men to lead them, and being a servant to them; also to serve others in the company (such as the unbelievers) without compromising the use of my time and/or resources. I want to be a servant, but I also must get the job done; I desire to be an example of Christ-likeness, but the things that I often feel I must do in situations seem harsh." Often our duties and responsibilities seem in opposition to what we would like to do and think we should do as a Christian. How do we deal with these conflicting priorities? Well, I don’t pretend to have all the answers here. It's a good idea to be cautious when anyone is quick to give you pat answers. Have you ever wondered why God allows us to face what seems like conflicting priorities? I believe it's because these are the things which keep us on our knees, going back to God time and again with each particular situation, asking for guidance. These are the predicaments that remind us of how weak and helpless we are on our own. I think I could easily become very cocky and self-assured if I thought I knew exactly what I should do at every decision point in my life. But so often I'm driven to desperation by what looks like an impossible decision, and that brings me just where I should be, begging God to guide me and help me. So, we can see how God uses conflicting priorities and decisions for good. I'd like to share with you some thoughts that may help in choosing between conflicting priorities.
4/17/20233 minutes
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Becoming a Goal-Oriented Person 1

Do you know the difference in a wish and a goal? Lots of us wish for many good things, but not too many of us see those good things happen in our lives because we've never turned our wishes into goals. A goal is not a wish. A goal: Is realistic and achievable. Has a time schedule. Is simple and specific. Is measurable in terms of numbers and specifics. Is written down for accountability. I could wish all day that I could be an accountant but that could never be a goal because it's not achievable for me. A goal has a time schedule and is measurable in some way or another. I may wish to lose weight, but in order to do that, I need to set a goal and a time frame for that goal. "I will lose five pounds in four weeks.” That's a goal. Now, given that definition of a goal, are you truly a goal-oriented person, or do you just wish a lot? I find many of us are very good wishers, but not many of us take those wishes and turn them into goals that we work to achieve. Well, after all, wishes don't take any energy or discipline; goals do. Wishes don't require any commitment from us; goals do. For instance, you may wish that you had a closer walk with God; you may wish that you really knew how to pray with power; you may wish that you knew the Bible better. Those are good wishes, but my friends, until you turn them into goals, your spiritual growth will stagnate. If you listen to this program regularly, you've heard me suggest things for you to do that will help you turn wishes into goals. For instance, I've encouraged you to put on the inner garments of Colossians 3 on a daily basis; to set specific guidelines for your thought life and practice bringing your thoughts into captivity; to establish a time each day that you spend getting to know God, and many more. Those are just ideas to help you turn from a wisher into a doer. Now, ask yourself this question: Am I a task-oriented person or a goal-oriented person? What's the difference? Well: A task-oriented person focuses on doing things right. A goal-oriented person focuses on doing the right things right. Are you doing the right thing or just doing things right? Certainly a goal-oriented person must be a task-oriented person frequently. But it's possible to be task-oriented without being goal-oriented. In other words, you could work very hard and always be busy, but never truly be focused on worthwhile goals and never see any of your dreams and plans realized because of being task-oriented and not goal-oriented. Why is it important for a Christian to be a goal-oriented person? The Bible frequently admonishes us to look for the big picture and set our eyes on the goal. We're reminded not to just look at the visible things around us, but to fix our eyes on the invisible things; to see beyond the obvious and set our eyes on the eternal. Well, that's really what being a goal-oriented person is all about. It's the ability to look beyond the everyday duties and responsibilities and minutia that tends to eat up all our time, and make sure you're focusing your life and energy on goals that add value and make a difference. Jesus said: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:17). Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.  (Luke 11:28). I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4). These passages underline the fact that Jesus was a doer, and he didn't waste time talking about what he wanted to do. He did what the Father had sent him to do. He came to this earth with certain goals in mind, and nothing was going to stop him from reaching his goals. He said that he had come to do the Father's will, and he did it. At times the disciples tried to dissuade him from the Father's will, his enemies tried to keep him from doing the Father's will, Satan tempted him to try to keep him from doing the Father's will.
4/15/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Becoming a Goal-Oriented Person 1

Do you know the difference in a wish and a goal? Lots of us wish for many good things, but not too many of us see those good things happen in our lives because we've never turned our wishes into goals. A goal is not a wish. A goal: Is realistic and achievable. Has a time schedule. Is simple and specific. Is measurable in terms of numbers and specifics. Is written down for accountability. I could wish all day that I could be an accountant but that could never be a goal because it's not achievable for me. A goal has a time schedule and is measurable in some way or another. I may wish to lose weight, but in order to do that, I need to set a goal and a time frame for that goal. "I will lose five pounds in four weeks.” That's a goal. Now, given that definition of a goal, are you truly a goal-oriented person, or do you just wish a lot? I find many of us are very good wishers, but not many of us take those wishes and turn them into goals that we work to achieve. Well, after all, wishes don't take any energy or discipline; goals do. Wishes don't require any commitment from us; goals do. For instance, you may wish that you had a closer walk with God; you may wish that you really knew how to pray with power; you may wish that you knew the Bible better. Those are good wishes, but my friends, until you turn them into goals, your spiritual growth will stagnate. If you listen to this program regularly, you've heard me suggest things for you to do that will help you turn wishes into goals. For instance, I've encouraged you to put on the inner garments of Colossians 3 on a daily basis; to set specific guidelines for your thought life and practice bringing your thoughts into captivity; to establish a time each day that you spend getting to know God, and many more. Those are just ideas to help you turn from a wisher into a doer. Now, ask yourself this question: Am I a task-oriented person or a goal-oriented person? What's the difference? Well: A task-oriented person focuses on doing things right. A goal-oriented person focuses on doing the right things right. Are you doing the right thing or just doing things right? Certainly a goal-oriented person must be a task-oriented person frequently. But it's possible to be task-oriented without being goal-oriented. In other words, you could work very hard and always be busy, but never truly be focused on worthwhile goals and never see any of your dreams and plans realized because of being task-oriented and not goal-oriented. Why is it important for a Christian to be a goal-oriented person? The Bible frequently admonishes us to look for the big picture and set our eyes on the goal. We're reminded not to just look at the visible things around us, but to fix our eyes on the invisible things; to see beyond the obvious and set our eyes on the eternal. Well, that's really what being a goal-oriented person is all about. It's the ability to look beyond the everyday duties and responsibilities and minutia that tends to eat up all our time, and make sure you're focusing your life and energy on goals that add value and make a difference. Jesus said: Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:17). Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.  (Luke 11:28). I have brought you glory on earth by finishing the work you gave me to do (John 17:4). These passages underline the fact that Jesus was a doer, and he didn't waste time talking about what he wanted to do. He did what the Father had sent him to do. He came to this earth with certain goals in mind, and nothing was going to stop him from reaching his goals. He said that he had come to do the Father's will, and he did it. At times the disciples tried to dissuade him from the Father's will, his enemies tried to keep him from doing the Father's will, Satan tempted him to try to keep him from doing the Father's will.
4/15/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Answers to the Final – 5

Were you a good student in school? Did you make good grades? Even if you didn’t make particularly good grades in school, there is one test—one exam—where you can do really well, if you’re prepared. I’m talking about being prepared for our final exam as believers in Jesus Christ. That day when we will give an account to Jesus for our stewardship while here on earth. In the Bible it’s called the Judgment Seat of Christ, and that’s where we’ll receive rewards for having the right answers—or not. Here are some more passages in Scripture that give us insight into what will be on that final exam. 1 Thessalonians 2:19: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. The people you have touched will be your greatest joy in Heaven. The people you rejoiced with and cried with, the people you reached with the Gospel—this is going to be a big deal on that final exam. People matter to God. Jesus loves people, and what you have done as a servant to help others will truly matter at the Judgment Seat of Christ. And one last reminder of what will be on that final exam: 2 Timothy 4:8: 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. This is the bottom line for us as believers, because if you long for the appearing of Jesus, if you are aware that your time on earth is time to prepare for that final exam, and therefore you have an eternal perspective, then you will be prepared for that final exam, and you’ll do well when you stand before Jesus. The final exam is coming whether we’re prepared or not. We have time to prepare. Let’s go for it.
4/14/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 5

Were you a good student in school? Did you make good grades? Even if you didn’t make particularly good grades in school, there is one test—one exam—where you can do really well, if you’re prepared. I’m talking about being prepared for our final exam as believers in Jesus Christ. That day when we will give an account to Jesus for our stewardship while here on earth. In the Bible it’s called the Judgment Seat of Christ, and that’s where we’ll receive rewards for having the right answers—or not. Here are some more passages in Scripture that give us insight into what will be on that final exam. 1 Thessalonians 2:19: For what is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not you? Hebrews 6:10: God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. The people you have touched will be your greatest joy in Heaven. The people you rejoiced with and cried with, the people you reached with the Gospel—this is going to be a big deal on that final exam. People matter to God. Jesus loves people, and what you have done as a servant to help others will truly matter at the Judgment Seat of Christ. And one last reminder of what will be on that final exam: 2 Timothy 4:8: 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. This is the bottom line for us as believers, because if you long for the appearing of Jesus, if you are aware that your time on earth is time to prepare for that final exam, and therefore you have an eternal perspective, then you will be prepared for that final exam, and you’ll do well when you stand before Jesus. The final exam is coming whether we’re prepared or not. We have time to prepare. Let’s go for it.
4/14/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 4

I always liked to get good grades in school. I guess everybody did—right? But my grade depended on how prepared I was for the exams. Did you know that as believers in Jesus Christ, there will be a final exam for us? It’s called the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers will be graded—if you will—on how well we represented Jesus while on earth, and rewards will be given to those who are prepared. I’m looking at what the Bible tells us will be on the exam and what we can do to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Here are few more things that will be on that final exam: Did you do for people who could not repay you? Were you generous for the right reasons? Luke 14:12 – 14: Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” If you did for others without a quid pro quo—without expecting anything in return—you will get a good grade on that final exam. Did you work for people and money, or did you work for the Lord? Colossians 3:22 – 24: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. That means what you do every day on your job—whether it’s in your home or otherwise, whether you receive a salary for it or not—you will be rewarded by the Lord on the final exam for working for the Lord, doing whatever you have to do with excellence and joy, because you are serving the Lord Christ.
4/13/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 4

I always liked to get good grades in school. I guess everybody did—right? But my grade depended on how prepared I was for the exams. Did you know that as believers in Jesus Christ, there will be a final exam for us? It’s called the Judgment Seat of Christ, where believers will be graded—if you will—on how well we represented Jesus while on earth, and rewards will be given to those who are prepared. I’m looking at what the Bible tells us will be on the exam and what we can do to hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Here are few more things that will be on that final exam: Did you do for people who could not repay you? Were you generous for the right reasons? Luke 14:12 – 14: Then Jesus said to his host, “When you give a luncheon or dinner, do not invite your friends, your brothers or sisters, your relatives, or your rich neighbors; if you do, they may invite you back and so you will be repaid. But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind, and you will be blessed. Although they cannot repay you, you will be repaid at the resurrection of the righteous.” If you did for others without a quid pro quo—without expecting anything in return—you will get a good grade on that final exam. Did you work for people and money, or did you work for the Lord? Colossians 3:22 – 24: Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it, not only when their eye is on you and to curry their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord. Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. That means what you do every day on your job—whether it’s in your home or otherwise, whether you receive a salary for it or not—you will be rewarded by the Lord on the final exam for working for the Lord, doing whatever you have to do with excellence and joy, because you are serving the Lord Christ.
4/13/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 3

I’m giving you answers to the final—a preview of what will be on your final exam in Heaven. Now, I should explain that this final exam is for those who are Christ-followers and have been born from above through faith in Jesus. The Bible teaches that Christians will have to give an account to Jesus for how we used our resources while here on earth. The good news is, the Bible gives us some insight into what will be important on this final exam. For example, one question will have to do with your motivation—why you did what you did for Jesus. Matthew 6:3-4: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Jesus is talking about doing good for the right reasons, because you truly wanted to help others and you didn’t do it to impress anyone. Jesus said you will be rewarded for that kind of generosity. Again in that same chapter, Jesus says: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Jesus said that those who give to the poor or pray and fast for public acknowledgement will get no reward in heaven for it, for they cared more for earthly rewards than heavenly ones. Here’s another question on the final exam: Did you love unlovable people—did you love your enemies? Luke 6:35a: But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great… Got any unlovable people in your life right now? Maybe even some enemies who are deliberately trying to do you harm? If you can love them with the love of Jesus, you’ll do well on the final exam.
4/12/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 3

I’m giving you answers to the final—a preview of what will be on your final exam in Heaven. Now, I should explain that this final exam is for those who are Christ-followers and have been born from above through faith in Jesus. The Bible teaches that Christians will have to give an account to Jesus for how we used our resources while here on earth. The good news is, the Bible gives us some insight into what will be important on this final exam. For example, one question will have to do with your motivation—why you did what you did for Jesus. Matthew 6:3-4: But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. Jesus is talking about doing good for the right reasons, because you truly wanted to help others and you didn’t do it to impress anyone. Jesus said you will be rewarded for that kind of generosity. Again in that same chapter, Jesus says: “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:6). Jesus said that those who give to the poor or pray and fast for public acknowledgement will get no reward in heaven for it, for they cared more for earthly rewards than heavenly ones. Here’s another question on the final exam: Did you love unlovable people—did you love your enemies? Luke 6:35a: But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great… Got any unlovable people in your life right now? Maybe even some enemies who are deliberately trying to do you harm? If you can love them with the love of Jesus, you’ll do well on the final exam.
4/12/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 2

Did you know that the Bible teaches that all believers in Jesus Christ will have a final examination in Heaven? It’s true—there will be a day when you will stand before Jesus to give an account for the stewardship of your time, money, skills, love—and there will be certain rewards for things you’ve done. The good news is, the Bible tells us exactly what is going to be on that final test and how we can be certain that we will pass with flying colors and hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Here are some of the questions on that final test: Have you been persecuted because of your stand and devotion to Jesus Christ? Matthew 5:11 – 12: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We read again in James 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial. Because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. We know there are many Christians in other parts of the world today who are truly persecuted, even killed, for their faith. Their crown is waiting on them. But even though you may not live under such persecution, if you have suffered for your stand for Christ, you will pass this question on the final exam. Have you ever been fired for your faith; ostracized by your family or friends because of your faith? Have you taken a clear stand that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, regardless of the ridicule or isolation it may cause or the price you had to pay? That’s a question that will be on the final, and if you can confidently say, “Yes, I was faithful even in persecution,” you will receive a reward. Have you made wise and eternal investments—investments that are stored up in Heaven? Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You have two bank accounts; one on earth, one in heaven. You can put deposits in either one. On the final exam, you will be asked for an accounting of where you put your treasure. We’ve heard it said, “Just follow the money.” Well, following what you’ve done with your money on earth will be on the final exam. Are you investing in eternity or not?
4/11/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final – 2

Did you know that the Bible teaches that all believers in Jesus Christ will have a final examination in Heaven? It’s true—there will be a day when you will stand before Jesus to give an account for the stewardship of your time, money, skills, love—and there will be certain rewards for things you’ve done. The good news is, the Bible tells us exactly what is going to be on that final test and how we can be certain that we will pass with flying colors and hear Jesus say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” Here are some of the questions on that final test: Have you been persecuted because of your stand and devotion to Jesus Christ? Matthew 5:11 – 12: Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. We read again in James 1:12: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial. Because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. We know there are many Christians in other parts of the world today who are truly persecuted, even killed, for their faith. Their crown is waiting on them. But even though you may not live under such persecution, if you have suffered for your stand for Christ, you will pass this question on the final exam. Have you ever been fired for your faith; ostracized by your family or friends because of your faith? Have you taken a clear stand that you are a follower of Jesus Christ, regardless of the ridicule or isolation it may cause or the price you had to pay? That’s a question that will be on the final, and if you can confidently say, “Yes, I was faithful even in persecution,” you will receive a reward. Have you made wise and eternal investments—investments that are stored up in Heaven? Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” You have two bank accounts; one on earth, one in heaven. You can put deposits in either one. On the final exam, you will be asked for an accounting of where you put your treasure. We’ve heard it said, “Just follow the money.” Well, following what you’ve done with your money on earth will be on the final exam. Are you investing in eternity or not?
4/11/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final

Final exams don’t bring back a lot of good memories for me—how about you? Ken Blanchard is a well-known American author and management expert, with over 60 books published on leadership and management. He also has taught these topics in universities, and he tells the story that he always handed out the final on the first day of the course, as well as the answers. He said as a result, all of his students got A’s. “After all,” he said, “isn’t it our goal to help the students learn and succeed?” Well, that’s my kind of final—what about you? If you give me the questions and the answers that are going to be on the test, I probably could ace it too. Sure sounds like the Apostle Paul knew the answers to the final when he wrote to Timothy: 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). He was certain he would have the crown of righteousness when he stood before the Lord. How could he be so sure that he had done that well? Because he knew the answers to the final. He understood that there would be a final exam even for believers in Jesus Christ. He referred to it as “that day”—that day when every believer will stand before Jesus individually to account for what they have done that mattered for eternity. Paul had lived for that day and not for today. Our time on earth as followers of Jesus Christ is the time we have to prepare for that final exam. In the Bible we are told exactly what will be on the exam. The Bible tells us “If you do this, you’ll receive certain rewards.” That’s why Paul was confident, because he had listened to Jesus and then he patterned his life around the things that Jesus said would be on the final, so that at the end he could be certain he would be rewarded. I want to look at the questions and answers that will be on your final exam, when you stand before Jesus on THAT day. It will help you live with an eternal perspective.
4/10/20233 minutes
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Answers to the Final

Final exams don’t bring back a lot of good memories for me—how about you? Ken Blanchard is a well-known American author and management expert, with over 60 books published on leadership and management. He also has taught these topics in universities, and he tells the story that he always handed out the final on the first day of the course, as well as the answers. He said as a result, all of his students got A’s. “After all,” he said, “isn’t it our goal to help the students learn and succeed?” Well, that’s my kind of final—what about you? If you give me the questions and the answers that are going to be on the test, I probably could ace it too. Sure sounds like the Apostle Paul knew the answers to the final when he wrote to Timothy: 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). He was certain he would have the crown of righteousness when he stood before the Lord. How could he be so sure that he had done that well? Because he knew the answers to the final. He understood that there would be a final exam even for believers in Jesus Christ. He referred to it as “that day”—that day when every believer will stand before Jesus individually to account for what they have done that mattered for eternity. Paul had lived for that day and not for today. Our time on earth as followers of Jesus Christ is the time we have to prepare for that final exam. In the Bible we are told exactly what will be on the exam. The Bible tells us “If you do this, you’ll receive certain rewards.” That’s why Paul was confident, because he had listened to Jesus and then he patterned his life around the things that Jesus said would be on the final, so that at the end he could be certain he would be rewarded. I want to look at the questions and answers that will be on your final exam, when you stand before Jesus on THAT day. It will help you live with an eternal perspective.
4/10/20233 minutes
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Wisdom for Tough Decisions

Let me begin with this question: If God would come down in some miraculous way and give you clear directions when you’re facing a tough decision—writing on your walls as he did in Old Testament times, or sending you a text as he might do today—would you unquestionably and immediately be willing to do what he told you? Have you finally come to understand that God’s ways are better than your ways—that his thoughts are above your thoughts—that he has good plans for you and his directions are the very best for you? You see, until you really want above everything else to know and do God’s will—until you are passionately desirous of pleasing God in all your ways, God could write on your walls and you wouldn’t be happy if it wasn’t exactly what you wanted. Many times we just want God to bless our decisions, not redirect us. Let me assure you that God never plays hide and seek with those who are seeking his guidance. He’s not trying to make it difficult for you to know what to do in puzzling and tough situations. He wants you to know his will more than you want to know it! So, search your heart and make sure you truly want heavenly guidance. That’s the starting place. The good news is, you have the inspired Word of God, the Bible, to guide you. Romans 15:4 says that “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” There is hope for you whenever you’re facing a tough decision, and it is at your fingertips in the written Word of God. And on top of having your Bible, you have your own personal teacher, the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples that when he left them, God the Father would send his Spirit to guide them. I want to point out four specific Scripture passages that tell us how to approach a tough decision. There are many others, but these will get you started on the right path. 1. James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. This is where you begin every time you face a tough decision. You ask God to give you wisdom. Do you often pray for wisdom? Why wouldn’t you take advantage of this wonderful provision God offers you—wisdom given generously? That’s what you need when you’re trying to make a good decision, right? You need wisdom. Wisdom has been promised to you. So, just take God at his word and pray for wisdom. 2. Psalm 37:7: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Sometimes when we are pressed to make tough decisions, there’s the temptation to be quick and presumptuous instead of waiting on God. Being still before God means that we will have periods of time when it seems like nothing is happening. Sometimes it’s a timing issue; we want to move now but God knows it’s better to wait. You may not think anything is happening, but God is working behind-the-scenes for you. So, pray for wisdom and then be still and wait for the Lord’s timing. 3. Proverbs 19:20: Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Scripture teaches us to seek help when we’re facing tough decisions. However, it’s important to screen out the voices and hear from those who walk closely with God. Proverbs 13:20 says “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” So, you need to seek advice from the right people—godly people who have a track record of walking with God, and who lean heavily on God’s truth in offering advice or help. 4. Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Make sure you are submitting all your ways to the Lord. That simply means that you are living in obedience to the principles of Scr...
4/8/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Wisdom for Tough Decisions

Let me begin with this question: If God would come down in some miraculous way and give you clear directions when you’re facing a tough decision—writing on your walls as he did in Old Testament times, or sending you a text as he might do today—would you unquestionably and immediately be willing to do what he told you? Have you finally come to understand that God’s ways are better than your ways—that his thoughts are above your thoughts—that he has good plans for you and his directions are the very best for you? You see, until you really want above everything else to know and do God’s will—until you are passionately desirous of pleasing God in all your ways, God could write on your walls and you wouldn’t be happy if it wasn’t exactly what you wanted. Many times we just want God to bless our decisions, not redirect us. Let me assure you that God never plays hide and seek with those who are seeking his guidance. He’s not trying to make it difficult for you to know what to do in puzzling and tough situations. He wants you to know his will more than you want to know it! So, search your heart and make sure you truly want heavenly guidance. That’s the starting place. The good news is, you have the inspired Word of God, the Bible, to guide you. Romans 15:4 says that “For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” There is hope for you whenever you’re facing a tough decision, and it is at your fingertips in the written Word of God. And on top of having your Bible, you have your own personal teacher, the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples that when he left them, God the Father would send his Spirit to guide them. I want to point out four specific Scripture passages that tell us how to approach a tough decision. There are many others, but these will get you started on the right path. 1. James 1:5: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. This is where you begin every time you face a tough decision. You ask God to give you wisdom. Do you often pray for wisdom? Why wouldn’t you take advantage of this wonderful provision God offers you—wisdom given generously? That’s what you need when you’re trying to make a good decision, right? You need wisdom. Wisdom has been promised to you. So, just take God at his word and pray for wisdom. 2. Psalm 37:7: Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes. Sometimes when we are pressed to make tough decisions, there’s the temptation to be quick and presumptuous instead of waiting on God. Being still before God means that we will have periods of time when it seems like nothing is happening. Sometimes it’s a timing issue; we want to move now but God knows it’s better to wait. You may not think anything is happening, but God is working behind-the-scenes for you. So, pray for wisdom and then be still and wait for the Lord’s timing. 3. Proverbs 19:20: Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise. Scripture teaches us to seek help when we’re facing tough decisions. However, it’s important to screen out the voices and hear from those who walk closely with God. Proverbs 13:20 says “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” So, you need to seek advice from the right people—godly people who have a track record of walking with God, and who lean heavily on God’s truth in offering advice or help. 4. Proverbs 3:5-6: Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight. Make sure you are submitting all your ways to the Lord. That simply means that you are living in obedience to the principles of Scr...
4/8/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Five Wise Statements – 5

Perhaps you know the story of Corrie ten Boom and how she and her sister were imprisoned during World War II for hiding Jewish people from the Nazis. Well, I have one last wise statement to give you, and this comes from Corrie. She said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” We all know that worry is useless and yet I dare say we all still worry, some of us more than others. And Corrie is so right—worrying just takes away your strength and your endurance. What or who is on your worry list today? How long have you been worrying about them or it? Has it helped? Are things any better because you are worrying? Silly question—of course not. Yet this is a tendency all of us have—to just worry about most anything, and that takes us easily into the miserable what-ifs that I talked about earlier this week. Here’s what Jesus said about worrying: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. . .  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’. . .  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 6:25-31, 33-34). This is a directive from Jesus: “Do not worry;” full stop! So that means when you worry, you are disobeying Jesus and believe me, that never ends well. Here’s what Jesus told us to do with our worrying situations: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Exchange your worrying burden for Jesus’ light one. You may have to do it several times a day, but when you start to worry, stop in the middle, remind yourself that you are disobeying Jesus, and then by an act of faith—not feelings—leave your worry with Jesus and take his light one. It works, I promise. You just have to do it.
4/7/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 5

Perhaps you know the story of Corrie ten Boom and how she and her sister were imprisoned during World War II for hiding Jewish people from the Nazis. Well, I have one last wise statement to give you, and this comes from Corrie. She said, “Worry does not empty tomorrow of its sorrows; it empties today of its strength.” We all know that worry is useless and yet I dare say we all still worry, some of us more than others. And Corrie is so right—worrying just takes away your strength and your endurance. What or who is on your worry list today? How long have you been worrying about them or it? Has it helped? Are things any better because you are worrying? Silly question—of course not. Yet this is a tendency all of us have—to just worry about most anything, and that takes us easily into the miserable what-ifs that I talked about earlier this week. Here’s what Jesus said about worrying: “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. . .  Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?  Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’. . .  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 6:25-31, 33-34). This is a directive from Jesus: “Do not worry;” full stop! So that means when you worry, you are disobeying Jesus and believe me, that never ends well. Here’s what Jesus told us to do with our worrying situations: “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30). Exchange your worrying burden for Jesus’ light one. You may have to do it several times a day, but when you start to worry, stop in the middle, remind yourself that you are disobeying Jesus, and then by an act of faith—not feelings—leave your worry with Jesus and take his light one. It works, I promise. You just have to do it.
4/7/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 4

Never underestimate the danger of disobedience. That is my next wise statement for you—things that I’ve heard or read that I resonate with and I need. And this is certainly one of those. For those of us who are raising or have raised children, one of our continual challenges was to teach our children that obeying us was for their good, not to make their lives miserable—right? But it is not typically a readily-understood principle as our children grow. They often have to learn by experience that there is danger in disobedience. And how often does our God have to remind us as his children that there is great danger in store for us when we willfully disobey or disregard his principles. What looks so enticing to begin with or so innocent and harmless can take us into sin that cripples us and keeps us in bondage. Here’s the truth: Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. You’ve heard it said that anything that is fun is either illegal, immoral or fattening. Well, that is so not true. Psalm 16:11 says: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” It’s a lie from Satan that sin is fun and righteousness is boring. Satan is a liar and a very good one, and from the Garden of Eden to this day, he has lied about sin and its consequences. Sin is deceptive, destructive and deadly. Yes, we have a forgiving God who is ready to forgive and restore us, but initial obedience is always better than asking for forgiveness later because the consequences of disobedience are still with you. You can choose your sin but you can’t choose its consequences. So, is there some lingering sin in your life—some addiction—that has you in bondage? It looked so good at the beginning, so innocent, something you could handle for sure, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Proverbs 4:23 – 27 is really good advice: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead;  fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Never underestimate the danger of disobedience. That is a wise word I hope you’ll remember.
4/6/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 4

Never underestimate the danger of disobedience. That is my next wise statement for you—things that I’ve heard or read that I resonate with and I need. And this is certainly one of those. For those of us who are raising or have raised children, one of our continual challenges was to teach our children that obeying us was for their good, not to make their lives miserable—right? But it is not typically a readily-understood principle as our children grow. They often have to learn by experience that there is danger in disobedience. And how often does our God have to remind us as his children that there is great danger in store for us when we willfully disobey or disregard his principles. What looks so enticing to begin with or so innocent and harmless can take us into sin that cripples us and keeps us in bondage. Here’s the truth: Sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you want to pay. You’ve heard it said that anything that is fun is either illegal, immoral or fattening. Well, that is so not true. Psalm 16:11 says: “You make known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.” It’s a lie from Satan that sin is fun and righteousness is boring. Satan is a liar and a very good one, and from the Garden of Eden to this day, he has lied about sin and its consequences. Sin is deceptive, destructive and deadly. Yes, we have a forgiving God who is ready to forgive and restore us, but initial obedience is always better than asking for forgiveness later because the consequences of disobedience are still with you. You can choose your sin but you can’t choose its consequences. So, is there some lingering sin in your life—some addiction—that has you in bondage? It looked so good at the beginning, so innocent, something you could handle for sure, but it hasn’t worked out that way. Proverbs 4:23 – 27 is really good advice: Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead;  fix your gaze directly before you. Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. Never underestimate the danger of disobedience. That is a wise word I hope you’ll remember.
4/6/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 3

This next wise statement is one I heard in a sermon recently, and it’s quite simple. You’ll probably find it unimpressive but think about it. The preacher said, “It’s no sacrifice when you get more than you give.” He referred to this passage from Matthew 16:24 – 25: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Jesus always made it clear that there is a price to pay to follow him. Maybe you can name some prices that you have paid because you have chosen to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Perhaps some rejection by family or friends; maybe some promotions have been denied you. Certainly, there are Christians in the world who suffer continual persecution and whose lives are in peril because they follow Jesus. The enemy of your soul wants you to believe that to live for Jesus, you must give up so much. I just want to remind you that you can never truly sacrifice anything for our Lord because what you get back in return is so much greater. There is nothing we can offer Jesus that compares to the peace he gives us. If you have given your life to Jesus, you have received his peace that passes understanding. Unreasonable peace, I call it. And then there’s hope. Eternal hope—full assurance that you will spend eternity with our Lord. Nothing you could ever give to Jesus could match this sure knowledge that your future is secure. And joy—unfailing joy even in the midst of troubles or suffering—the joy that Jesus gives us—how could you ever put a price tag on that inward joy that comes from knowing Jesus. So, my simple message is to remember that you can never sacrifice anything for Jesus—not in the true sense of giving up more than you get. That’s because any little or big thing you may give up for Jesus is overwhelmingly repaid with the gifts that he gives you in exchange. So, don’t let the enemy lie to you and make you think you’ve sacrificed for Jesus. Jesus gave his life for you so that you could have life to the full—full of peace and hope and joy no matter what. You can’t call it a sacrifice if you get more than you give.
4/5/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 3

This next wise statement is one I heard in a sermon recently, and it’s quite simple. You’ll probably find it unimpressive but think about it. The preacher said, “It’s no sacrifice when you get more than you give.” He referred to this passage from Matthew 16:24 – 25: Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Jesus always made it clear that there is a price to pay to follow him. Maybe you can name some prices that you have paid because you have chosen to make Jesus the Lord of your life. Perhaps some rejection by family or friends; maybe some promotions have been denied you. Certainly, there are Christians in the world who suffer continual persecution and whose lives are in peril because they follow Jesus. The enemy of your soul wants you to believe that to live for Jesus, you must give up so much. I just want to remind you that you can never truly sacrifice anything for our Lord because what you get back in return is so much greater. There is nothing we can offer Jesus that compares to the peace he gives us. If you have given your life to Jesus, you have received his peace that passes understanding. Unreasonable peace, I call it. And then there’s hope. Eternal hope—full assurance that you will spend eternity with our Lord. Nothing you could ever give to Jesus could match this sure knowledge that your future is secure. And joy—unfailing joy even in the midst of troubles or suffering—the joy that Jesus gives us—how could you ever put a price tag on that inward joy that comes from knowing Jesus. So, my simple message is to remember that you can never sacrifice anything for Jesus—not in the true sense of giving up more than you get. That’s because any little or big thing you may give up for Jesus is overwhelmingly repaid with the gifts that he gives you in exchange. So, don’t let the enemy lie to you and make you think you’ve sacrificed for Jesus. Jesus gave his life for you so that you could have life to the full—full of peace and hope and joy no matter what. You can’t call it a sacrifice if you get more than you give.
4/5/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 2

Recently in a prayer meeting with some sisters in Christ, one of my friends prayed, “Lord, Satan wants to put us into the what-ifs.” That stuck with me, and it’s one of my five wise statements. Have you ever been stuck in the “what-ifs”? This is what James referred to when he wrote: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do (James 1:5 – 8). You may ask God for wisdom, but if you are doubting when you ask, you should not expect God to give you wisdom. That’s what James tells us, and he describes people who doubt as being blown and tossed and unstable in all they do. That’s what the what-ifs will do to you. One day you think you should do one thing; the next day you doubt if that is the right thing to do. Back and forth and back and forth—blown and tossed by fear. And you know that fear comes straight from Satan because God never gives us a spirit of fear. I repeat: Satan wants to put you into the what-ifs. Another way the what-ifs work is to cause you to live in fear of what may or may not happen. So, you allow your mind to focus on those what-ifs instead of bringing your thoughts into captivity and thinking about things that are good and true, and soon you are stuck in that fear, worrying about the unknown, imagining the worst, and Satan is more than happy to leave you there. Are you tired of living in the what-ifs? If so, here’s what you do: Cast all your care on the Lord because he cares for you, and leave them there, even if you must do that many times a day. And if you’re stuck in the what-ifs of some decision you need to make, seek godly wisdom, pray much, do your due diligence, and then take the first step out of the what-ifs and by faith, trust God’s wisdom in you. God doesn’t want his children who have been set free from the bondage of sin to be trapped in the what-ifs. Is not a good place to be.
4/4/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements – 2

Recently in a prayer meeting with some sisters in Christ, one of my friends prayed, “Lord, Satan wants to put us into the what-ifs.” That stuck with me, and it’s one of my five wise statements. Have you ever been stuck in the “what-ifs”? This is what James referred to when he wrote: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.  But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do (James 1:5 – 8). You may ask God for wisdom, but if you are doubting when you ask, you should not expect God to give you wisdom. That’s what James tells us, and he describes people who doubt as being blown and tossed and unstable in all they do. That’s what the what-ifs will do to you. One day you think you should do one thing; the next day you doubt if that is the right thing to do. Back and forth and back and forth—blown and tossed by fear. And you know that fear comes straight from Satan because God never gives us a spirit of fear. I repeat: Satan wants to put you into the what-ifs. Another way the what-ifs work is to cause you to live in fear of what may or may not happen. So, you allow your mind to focus on those what-ifs instead of bringing your thoughts into captivity and thinking about things that are good and true, and soon you are stuck in that fear, worrying about the unknown, imagining the worst, and Satan is more than happy to leave you there. Are you tired of living in the what-ifs? If so, here’s what you do: Cast all your care on the Lord because he cares for you, and leave them there, even if you must do that many times a day. And if you’re stuck in the what-ifs of some decision you need to make, seek godly wisdom, pray much, do your due diligence, and then take the first step out of the what-ifs and by faith, trust God’s wisdom in you. God doesn’t want his children who have been set free from the bondage of sin to be trapped in the what-ifs. Is not a good place to be.
4/4/20233 minutes
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Five Wise Statements

I want to share five wise statements with you. Each of these are things I’ve heard or read and they stuck with me. They make me think about my priorities and my time management and they reinforce some disciplines I need in my life, so I thought they might be helpful to you as well. I heard a preacher say this recently: Kill complacency or it will kill you. Short and pithy—but oh so true. Complacency can be a killer. Complacency is not laziness, although if you are complacent, it could cause you to be lazy. But rather a complacent person is a self-satisfied person. When you are complacent you can be rather smug and uncritical of yourself. The Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2Timothy 1:6-7). The reason that Paul referred to was Timothy’s heritage. His mother and grandmother had fostered Timothy’s faith because of their sincere faith and now Paul was mentoring him and advising him. And he reminds Timothy not to be complacent. He notes that God had gifted him but it was his job to fan that gift into a flame. Years ago, I wrote this passage in my prayer journal and began to pray that God would show me how to fan into a flame the gift of God in me. To not be satisfied with just being okay; to not settle for getting by. But to refuse to be complacent and content where I was in my spiritual growth. If you’ve been born again, you’ve been given the Spirit of God indwelling you, and that Spirit gives you power, love and self-discipline. Self-discipline is a fruit of the Spirit and when you are self-disciplined, you will not be complacent. So, my first wise thought is: Kill complacency or it will kill you. It will kill your self-discipline, your love for God and others and it will kill God’s power in you. Rather, fan into a flame the gift of God in you—whatever it is. Get better at it all the time. Kill complacency or it will kill you.
4/3/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Five Wise Statements

I want to share five wise statements with you. Each of these are things I’ve heard or read and they stuck with me. They make me think about my priorities and my time management and they reinforce some disciplines I need in my life, so I thought they might be helpful to you as well. I heard a preacher say this recently: Kill complacency or it will kill you. Short and pithy—but oh so true. Complacency can be a killer. Complacency is not laziness, although if you are complacent, it could cause you to be lazy. But rather a complacent person is a self-satisfied person. When you are complacent you can be rather smug and uncritical of yourself. The Apostle Paul wrote to young Timothy: For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline (2Timothy 1:6-7). The reason that Paul referred to was Timothy’s heritage. His mother and grandmother had fostered Timothy’s faith because of their sincere faith and now Paul was mentoring him and advising him. And he reminds Timothy not to be complacent. He notes that God had gifted him but it was his job to fan that gift into a flame. Years ago, I wrote this passage in my prayer journal and began to pray that God would show me how to fan into a flame the gift of God in me. To not be satisfied with just being okay; to not settle for getting by. But to refuse to be complacent and content where I was in my spiritual growth. If you’ve been born again, you’ve been given the Spirit of God indwelling you, and that Spirit gives you power, love and self-discipline. Self-discipline is a fruit of the Spirit and when you are self-disciplined, you will not be complacent. So, my first wise thought is: Kill complacency or it will kill you. It will kill your self-discipline, your love for God and others and it will kill God’s power in you. Rather, fan into a flame the gift of God in you—whatever it is. Get better at it all the time. Kill complacency or it will kill you.
4/3/20233 minutes
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Grounded Identity

As followers of Jesus I think one of the biggest challenges we face, and one I can certainly come up against, is knowing and remembering how God sees you, how he feels about you and what God thinks about you. And when I say know, I am not talking about just intellectual or head knowledge, but really believing what God has declared about you. If you have been following Jesus for any length of time and you have read the Bible, I am pretty certain you have head knowledge about what God says about you through his Word. You may even be able to recite verses. But there is a huge difference between knowing what God says and receiving it, believing him, and living like it’s true! When you don’t live from the truth that God has already spoken about you, it causes a whole lot of problems. It keeps you from living the life that Christ died to give you. Your life hinges on what you believe. And Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” You simply cannot live the full and abundant life in Jesus if you don’t realize, fully receive, embrace, and strive to take hold of what your identity is in Christ. And throughout your lifetime on earth this will be one of the biggest battles you and I face, which means we need daily reminders. As you remind yourself and re-ground your identity with the authority of God’s Word, the bottom line is this: It is God who has the first and final say on who you are. Your past does not get the final say. What a parent or teacher said about you when you were a kid does not get the final say. Anything you have done or anything that has been done to you does not define you and does not get the final say. Your failure, your sin, your successes, circumstances do not get the final say. Your thoughts about yourself, and what others say about you do not get the final say. What the culture tries to get you to believe about yourself and conform to does not get the final say. None of these voices have any authority in or power over your life. Because as a follower of Jesus you are a child of God, and you were made in the image of a holy God. All too often we can let our past, our circumstances, other people’s judgements or perspectives of us dictate who we are. While harsh, cruel and mean words may have been spoken over you or your past may be less than picture perfect, they don’t define you. And I declare right now that in the name of Jesus every word that does not align with the living and active Word of God has lost its power over you. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” When Paul writes these words in his letter to the believers in Corinth it is a strong exhortation, a warning that any and every teaching, word, or thought that does not align with God’s thoughts are to be torn down, held captive, submitted to and brought under the authority of Jesus. So when your thoughts, someone’s thoughts about you, or the world’s thoughts are not in agreement with your creator, the Lord God almighty himself, it is time to take action. Ask yourself, “Am I getting captured by my thoughts or am I taking my thoughts captive?” Your thoughts, consciously and unconsciously, will take root in your mind and heart unless you take them captive and cancel them out, replacing them with truth. The other day I had a conversation with someone who had some pretty unkind things to say to me and when the call ended I felt an overwhelming sense of shame. Her words caused me to really doubt my skills. I felt like a failure. My mind started a downward spiral as I began to question my gifts and my calling. This 45-minute conversation jolted me and put my confidence on shaky ground. I allowed her opinions to have power over me and infiltrate my heart and mind. I ruminated on faulty words rather than focusing on what is true.
4/1/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Grounded Identity

As followers of Jesus I think one of the biggest challenges we face, and one I can certainly come up against, is knowing and remembering how God sees you, how he feels about you and what God thinks about you. And when I say know, I am not talking about just intellectual or head knowledge, but really believing what God has declared about you. If you have been following Jesus for any length of time and you have read the Bible, I am pretty certain you have head knowledge about what God says about you through his Word. You may even be able to recite verses. But there is a huge difference between knowing what God says and receiving it, believing him, and living like it’s true! When you don’t live from the truth that God has already spoken about you, it causes a whole lot of problems. It keeps you from living the life that Christ died to give you. Your life hinges on what you believe. And Jesus says in John 10:10, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” You simply cannot live the full and abundant life in Jesus if you don’t realize, fully receive, embrace, and strive to take hold of what your identity is in Christ. And throughout your lifetime on earth this will be one of the biggest battles you and I face, which means we need daily reminders. As you remind yourself and re-ground your identity with the authority of God’s Word, the bottom line is this: It is God who has the first and final say on who you are. Your past does not get the final say. What a parent or teacher said about you when you were a kid does not get the final say. Anything you have done or anything that has been done to you does not define you and does not get the final say. Your failure, your sin, your successes, circumstances do not get the final say. Your thoughts about yourself, and what others say about you do not get the final say. What the culture tries to get you to believe about yourself and conform to does not get the final say. None of these voices have any authority in or power over your life. Because as a follower of Jesus you are a child of God, and you were made in the image of a holy God. All too often we can let our past, our circumstances, other people’s judgements or perspectives of us dictate who we are. While harsh, cruel and mean words may have been spoken over you or your past may be less than picture perfect, they don’t define you. And I declare right now that in the name of Jesus every word that does not align with the living and active Word of God has lost its power over you. As Paul says in 2 Corinthians 10:5, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” When Paul writes these words in his letter to the believers in Corinth it is a strong exhortation, a warning that any and every teaching, word, or thought that does not align with God’s thoughts are to be torn down, held captive, submitted to and brought under the authority of Jesus. So when your thoughts, someone’s thoughts about you, or the world’s thoughts are not in agreement with your creator, the Lord God almighty himself, it is time to take action. Ask yourself, “Am I getting captured by my thoughts or am I taking my thoughts captive?” Your thoughts, consciously and unconsciously, will take root in your mind and heart unless you take them captive and cancel them out, replacing them with truth. The other day I had a conversation with someone who had some pretty unkind things to say to me and when the call ended I felt an overwhelming sense of shame. Her words caused me to really doubt my skills. I felt like a failure. My mind started a downward spiral as I began to question my gifts and my calling. This 45-minute conversation jolted me and put my confidence on shaky ground. I allowed her opinions to have power over me and infiltrate my heart and mind. I ruminated on faulty words rather than focusing on what is true.
4/1/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 5

I’ve been passing along some life lessons that God has taught me—and is still teaching me.  You know, one of the characteristics of a godly, truly humble person is to be continually teachable. Life Lesson No. 9: When you’re facing what seems like a disaster, ask yourself, “What difference will this make tomorrow—in five years—in eternity?” This is a principle God began to teach me years ago—to have an eternal perspective, to see everything through “Forever Eyes.” Learning to live now in the light of eternity is one of the most life-changing things you will ever do. But I warn you, you have to be intentional about it and you have to work at it every day. We so easily lose a realistic perspective when something is affecting us personally. Our emotions get all involved and we blow things out of proportion and we get very stressed over things that don’t really matter. In fact, I find that about 80% of what is bothering me at any given moment won’t even matter in 24 hours, much less five years! Now obviously, there are times when we do face substantive disasters, but those are very few and far between, as a rule. And if we can learn to let go of all the stuff that doesn’t matter, we’ll be far better prepared to deal with the true trials that come our way. I strongly encourage you to put this life lesson into practice in your own life. Believe me, it will make a difference. Life Lesson No. 10: When God gives you a passion, go for it! If you want to be a speaker, look for opportunities to speak. If you want to be a writer, start writing. If you have a passion to be a counselor, figure out how to get the education you need and start. Don’t wait for someone to open the doors for you; if it’s a God-given passion, just somehow, someway go for it. When God gave me a passion to start this radio ministry over thirty years ago, I had no idea how to start. I had no connections, no experience, no mentor. But I decided that I could no longer ignore that passion, and after much prayer, I determined to find out how to start a radio program. Once I stepped out on faith, God began to open the doors, and God has sustained us all these years. Don’t ignore God’s passions in your heart; don’t be afraid to take the next step and see what God wants to do.  
3/31/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 5

I’ve been passing along some life lessons that God has taught me—and is still teaching me.  You know, one of the characteristics of a godly, truly humble person is to be continually teachable. Life Lesson No. 9: When you’re facing what seems like a disaster, ask yourself, “What difference will this make tomorrow—in five years—in eternity?” This is a principle God began to teach me years ago—to have an eternal perspective, to see everything through “Forever Eyes.” Learning to live now in the light of eternity is one of the most life-changing things you will ever do. But I warn you, you have to be intentional about it and you have to work at it every day. We so easily lose a realistic perspective when something is affecting us personally. Our emotions get all involved and we blow things out of proportion and we get very stressed over things that don’t really matter. In fact, I find that about 80% of what is bothering me at any given moment won’t even matter in 24 hours, much less five years! Now obviously, there are times when we do face substantive disasters, but those are very few and far between, as a rule. And if we can learn to let go of all the stuff that doesn’t matter, we’ll be far better prepared to deal with the true trials that come our way. I strongly encourage you to put this life lesson into practice in your own life. Believe me, it will make a difference. Life Lesson No. 10: When God gives you a passion, go for it! If you want to be a speaker, look for opportunities to speak. If you want to be a writer, start writing. If you have a passion to be a counselor, figure out how to get the education you need and start. Don’t wait for someone to open the doors for you; if it’s a God-given passion, just somehow, someway go for it. When God gave me a passion to start this radio ministry over thirty years ago, I had no idea how to start. I had no connections, no experience, no mentor. But I decided that I could no longer ignore that passion, and after much prayer, I determined to find out how to start a radio program. Once I stepped out on faith, God began to open the doors, and God has sustained us all these years. Don’t ignore God’s passions in your heart; don’t be afraid to take the next step and see what God wants to do.  
3/31/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 4

I’m sharing some life lessons with you. I’m sure you’ve learned some valuable lessons in your own life, and it might be good to write them down somewhere. I’ve shared six of my life lessons so far, and here are the next two. Life Lesson No. 7: Believe it or not, you’re not indispensable. Life will go on without you. I remember some years ago when I was directing the handbell choir at our church. I loved it, and the church seemed to really love hearing the handbells. Then after I began this ministry my life became so busy that I realized I had to give it up. I thought, “Oh, dear, the handbell choir will be no more because they won’t have me as their leader.” Wrong! The handbell choir is much bigger now, much better, and they have a director who is far more experienced and talented at handbells than I am! I was not indispensable. And indeed by stepping aside, I gave someone else an opportunity to use their gifts in the church. So, don’t be afraid to let go; others can pick up the ball and carry on even without you! There’s only one person in control of the universe, and it’s not you! Life Lesson No. 8: Don’t be afraid to ask. The worse they can say is “no.” James wrote, “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2b). And Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10). I could tell you many stories of situations where I’ve just revved up my nerve and asked for something which seemed impossible, and I got it simply because I asked. Obviously I’m not talking about asking for things for myself, but asking for appropriate things for the ministry or for others. I don’t find it easy to ask. I really have to make myself do it, because I either get intimidated or I think it will appear inappropriate, or in many cases, I just don’t want to humble myself and ask. But I’ve learned that many times people want to be asked and enjoy giving. Those of us who are parents know how we love for our children—even the grown ones—to ask us to help them, in moderation, of course. So, don’t be afraid to ask. Even if you are turned down, you’re no worse off! As James said, often we don’t have simply because we’re afraid to ask.
3/30/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 4

I’m sharing some life lessons with you. I’m sure you’ve learned some valuable lessons in your own life, and it might be good to write them down somewhere. I’ve shared six of my life lessons so far, and here are the next two. Life Lesson No. 7: Believe it or not, you’re not indispensable. Life will go on without you. I remember some years ago when I was directing the handbell choir at our church. I loved it, and the church seemed to really love hearing the handbells. Then after I began this ministry my life became so busy that I realized I had to give it up. I thought, “Oh, dear, the handbell choir will be no more because they won’t have me as their leader.” Wrong! The handbell choir is much bigger now, much better, and they have a director who is far more experienced and talented at handbells than I am! I was not indispensable. And indeed by stepping aside, I gave someone else an opportunity to use their gifts in the church. So, don’t be afraid to let go; others can pick up the ball and carry on even without you! There’s only one person in control of the universe, and it’s not you! Life Lesson No. 8: Don’t be afraid to ask. The worse they can say is “no.” James wrote, “You do not have, because you do not ask God” (James 4:2b). And Jesus said, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened” (Luke 11:9-10). I could tell you many stories of situations where I’ve just revved up my nerve and asked for something which seemed impossible, and I got it simply because I asked. Obviously I’m not talking about asking for things for myself, but asking for appropriate things for the ministry or for others. I don’t find it easy to ask. I really have to make myself do it, because I either get intimidated or I think it will appear inappropriate, or in many cases, I just don’t want to humble myself and ask. But I’ve learned that many times people want to be asked and enjoy giving. Those of us who are parents know how we love for our children—even the grown ones—to ask us to help them, in moderation, of course. So, don’t be afraid to ask. Even if you are turned down, you’re no worse off! As James said, often we don’t have simply because we’re afraid to ask.
3/30/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 3

What lessons has life taught you? I’m sharing ten life lessons I’ve learned—and am still learning! Life Lesson No. 5: Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. I often remind myself that people aren’t thinking about me nearly as much as I think they’re thinking about me! Isn’t it true that we often put ourselves under unnecessary stress by just taking ourselves too seriously! We worry about what others will think of us and that can become an obsession. Here’s the secret: Make it your passion to care very much about what God thinks about you. Pray daily that God will grow you into the mature Christian he wants you to be. Let God’s Word reveal areas in your life that need changing, and then by God’s grace, work on them. Care very much about what God thinks about you. But stop worrying about what others think about you. Stop imagining what they’re thinking or saying. First of all, you’ll never please everyone, no matter how hard you try. And secondly, have you ever thought about how wrong it is to care more about what other people think of you than you do about what God thinks about you? Remember, it’s not all about you; it’s all about God and what he wants to do with your life. So, don’t take yourself so seriously. Life Lesson No. 6: Make every day a special occasion: burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the new shoes. How many things do you have tucked away, saving them for a special occasion? Recently I found some beautiful soap someone had given me, probably years ago, and I had put it away for a “special occasion,” and now it was so old and hard that it wasn’t really useful. I think my mother taught me to “save things for special occasions.” She was raised during the depression, and when she got something nice, she just had a tendency to squirrel it away rather than use it and enjoy it. You’ve heard people say, “Life’s short; eat dessert first.” Well, life is short, and while we need to be frugal and saving, we also need to celebrate life and enjoy the good things God has given us. We need to make our everyday lives special and teach this to our children as well. Paul wrote to Timothy that God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17b). So, make today special. Tomorrow is not promised to you, so enjoy today.
3/29/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 3

What lessons has life taught you? I’m sharing ten life lessons I’ve learned—and am still learning! Life Lesson No. 5: Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does. I often remind myself that people aren’t thinking about me nearly as much as I think they’re thinking about me! Isn’t it true that we often put ourselves under unnecessary stress by just taking ourselves too seriously! We worry about what others will think of us and that can become an obsession. Here’s the secret: Make it your passion to care very much about what God thinks about you. Pray daily that God will grow you into the mature Christian he wants you to be. Let God’s Word reveal areas in your life that need changing, and then by God’s grace, work on them. Care very much about what God thinks about you. But stop worrying about what others think about you. Stop imagining what they’re thinking or saying. First of all, you’ll never please everyone, no matter how hard you try. And secondly, have you ever thought about how wrong it is to care more about what other people think of you than you do about what God thinks about you? Remember, it’s not all about you; it’s all about God and what he wants to do with your life. So, don’t take yourself so seriously. Life Lesson No. 6: Make every day a special occasion: burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the new shoes. How many things do you have tucked away, saving them for a special occasion? Recently I found some beautiful soap someone had given me, probably years ago, and I had put it away for a “special occasion,” and now it was so old and hard that it wasn’t really useful. I think my mother taught me to “save things for special occasions.” She was raised during the depression, and when she got something nice, she just had a tendency to squirrel it away rather than use it and enjoy it. You’ve heard people say, “Life’s short; eat dessert first.” Well, life is short, and while we need to be frugal and saving, we also need to celebrate life and enjoy the good things God has given us. We need to make our everyday lives special and teach this to our children as well. Paul wrote to Timothy that God “richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17b). So, make today special. Tomorrow is not promised to you, so enjoy today.
3/29/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 2

Life does teach us some lessons, does it not? I’m sharing ten life lessons that God has taught me along the way. Life Lesson No. 3: Pay off your credit cards every month. Financial troubles affect every area of our lives, and most people’s financial troubles begin with that plastic card. The credit card companies make it easier and easier for us to get a card and then they do everything to encourage us to use it, and then just pay the minimum each month. That is a recipe for financial disaster. Could it be that you are in financial trouble now because you’ve got so much credit card debt? What do you do? First, stop using that credit card. Look at where your money is going and eliminate those things you don’t absolutely have to have. Then stop buying things you really don’t need until you have paid off those credit cards. And believe me, we all need a lot less than we think we do. Credit cards are convenient, especially for travel, but I’ve had a rule for years that I must pay off my credit card bill every month. I just refuse to pay any interest. That puts controls on what I spend. One of the biggest favors you can do for yourself is to wipe out that credit card debt and then pay it off in full every month. Life Lesson No. 4: Save something from every paycheck. Frankly, I have not followed this principle all my life; I wish I had. But it’s never too late, and I practice this faithfully now. The secret is to have money taken out of your paycheck or your checking account every month—before you see it. I don’t care how small it is, make yourself start the habit of saving some money out of every paycheck, and put that money in an account that you don’t touch. Just forget it’s there. Financial experts tell us we should save enough money to cover six months of expenses for emergencies. Now, it may take you awhile to get there, but you’ll never get there if you don’t start. So, make yourself begin with your next paycheck to save some money, and teach this principle to your children. Of course, giving to God is the first thing we should do with our paychecks. He should get the firstfruits of everything he has given to us, and ten percent is a good standard to use. You know, the Bible has more to say about money than almost any other topic. That’s because where our money is indicates where our heart is! I promise you, if you will pray about this and get serious about getting your financial house in order, it will take so much stress and strain out of your life. I encourage you to do it.
3/28/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons – 2

Life does teach us some lessons, does it not? I’m sharing ten life lessons that God has taught me along the way. Life Lesson No. 3: Pay off your credit cards every month. Financial troubles affect every area of our lives, and most people’s financial troubles begin with that plastic card. The credit card companies make it easier and easier for us to get a card and then they do everything to encourage us to use it, and then just pay the minimum each month. That is a recipe for financial disaster. Could it be that you are in financial trouble now because you’ve got so much credit card debt? What do you do? First, stop using that credit card. Look at where your money is going and eliminate those things you don’t absolutely have to have. Then stop buying things you really don’t need until you have paid off those credit cards. And believe me, we all need a lot less than we think we do. Credit cards are convenient, especially for travel, but I’ve had a rule for years that I must pay off my credit card bill every month. I just refuse to pay any interest. That puts controls on what I spend. One of the biggest favors you can do for yourself is to wipe out that credit card debt and then pay it off in full every month. Life Lesson No. 4: Save something from every paycheck. Frankly, I have not followed this principle all my life; I wish I had. But it’s never too late, and I practice this faithfully now. The secret is to have money taken out of your paycheck or your checking account every month—before you see it. I don’t care how small it is, make yourself start the habit of saving some money out of every paycheck, and put that money in an account that you don’t touch. Just forget it’s there. Financial experts tell us we should save enough money to cover six months of expenses for emergencies. Now, it may take you awhile to get there, but you’ll never get there if you don’t start. So, make yourself begin with your next paycheck to save some money, and teach this principle to your children. Of course, giving to God is the first thing we should do with our paychecks. He should get the firstfruits of everything he has given to us, and ten percent is a good standard to use. You know, the Bible has more to say about money than almost any other topic. That’s because where our money is indicates where our heart is! I promise you, if you will pray about this and get serious about getting your financial house in order, it will take so much stress and strain out of your life. I encourage you to do it.
3/28/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons

One of the benefits of adding years to your life is that you really do learn a few things along the way—life lessons, if you will. So, I want to pass along ten life lessons I’ve learned, and perhaps they may be helpful to you. Life Lesson No. 1: When you are not sure what to do, just take the next small step. You know, life is full of turning points, small and large—times when you have to make a decision and you’re not sure about it. I’m not talking about black and white decisions, things that are clearly right or wrong. But other decisions like: Should I look for a new job or not? Should I offer to give this person some money? Is it time to sell my house? Of course, prayer is our first order of business when we’re faced with decisions, and it’s always helpful to seek advice from trusted advisors. But I’ve often found that if I take the next small step and then see where that leads, I can usually tell whether it is the right thing or not. And sometimes I discover there really is no next small step; I would have to push and shove and maneuver to get to that next step. That’s always a red flag for me that says, “Slow down; make sure this is a good step to take.” I think many people park-out at the starting line, thinking about what they might do, wanting to do something, but because of fear or double-mindedness, they never move. James says that a double-minded person is unstable in all her ways. Double-mindedness is that state of mind where you go back and forth and back and forth, but you never move forward! So, don’t be afraid to take that first step and see where it leads. Life Lesson No. 2: Live in today rather than yesterday or tomorrow. Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Most of our stress and depression comes because we live either in the past, with regrets and anger, or we live in fear of the future. God gives us the strength to cope with today, but we keep adding on the past and the future and wonder why we can’t make it! Yesterday is gone. You can’t change it; you can’t make it better. In Isaiah 43 the Lord said, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19a). If you continually dwell on the past, you will miss the new thing God wants to do for you. Yesterday is over; let it go. Tomorrow never comes. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday! Fear of the future will absolutely stop you from the good things God has for you. So, pray daily that you will live in the present, and then you’ll have the strength to make it through. It’s a matter of changing your attitude and your thought patterns.
3/27/20233 minutes
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Ten Important Life Lessons

One of the benefits of adding years to your life is that you really do learn a few things along the way—life lessons, if you will. So, I want to pass along ten life lessons I’ve learned, and perhaps they may be helpful to you. Life Lesson No. 1: When you are not sure what to do, just take the next small step. You know, life is full of turning points, small and large—times when you have to make a decision and you’re not sure about it. I’m not talking about black and white decisions, things that are clearly right or wrong. But other decisions like: Should I look for a new job or not? Should I offer to give this person some money? Is it time to sell my house? Of course, prayer is our first order of business when we’re faced with decisions, and it’s always helpful to seek advice from trusted advisors. But I’ve often found that if I take the next small step and then see where that leads, I can usually tell whether it is the right thing or not. And sometimes I discover there really is no next small step; I would have to push and shove and maneuver to get to that next step. That’s always a red flag for me that says, “Slow down; make sure this is a good step to take.” I think many people park-out at the starting line, thinking about what they might do, wanting to do something, but because of fear or double-mindedness, they never move. James says that a double-minded person is unstable in all her ways. Double-mindedness is that state of mind where you go back and forth and back and forth, but you never move forward! So, don’t be afraid to take that first step and see where it leads. Life Lesson No. 2: Live in today rather than yesterday or tomorrow. Jesus said, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34). Most of our stress and depression comes because we live either in the past, with regrets and anger, or we live in fear of the future. God gives us the strength to cope with today, but we keep adding on the past and the future and wonder why we can’t make it! Yesterday is gone. You can’t change it; you can’t make it better. In Isaiah 43 the Lord said, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See I am doing a new thing!” (Isaiah 43:18-19a). If you continually dwell on the past, you will miss the new thing God wants to do for you. Yesterday is over; let it go. Tomorrow never comes. Today is the tomorrow you worried about yesterday! Fear of the future will absolutely stop you from the good things God has for you. So, pray daily that you will live in the present, and then you’ll have the strength to make it through. It’s a matter of changing your attitude and your thought patterns.
3/27/20233 minutes
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The Sin of Comparing

It's very easy for any of us to fall into a trap of comparing ourselves to other people. We see it all around us, especially on our jobs. But the consequences can be devastating, and sinful as well. Usually when we compare ourselves to others, we come to one of three conclusions: First, we conclude that we're better than they are. Or we decide that they're better than we are. And that leads us into thinking we'd rather be them than us since they are better than we are. Think, first of all, about the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, as given in Luke 18:9-14: To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. We look at this Pharisee and think, "How awful!” And yet how easy it is for us to compare ourselves to others with that same type of attitude. Like the Pharisee, we compare outward appearances and end up thinking we're pretty hot stuff. That kind of comparison leads us to a false security about ourselves and it leads us into pride. Have you noticed how insidiously pride creeps into our thinking? Have you been looking at others lately and thinking: "Well, I look better than she does," or "I perform better than he does," or "I've got more to offer than they do.” When you make these kinds of comparisons, the sin of pride is taking over your mind. Jesus said at the end of this parable: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14b). Listen to yourself think and talk and see how often you compare yourself to others and end up feeling pretty proud of yourself. It's a very dangerous road to be on. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that they should consider others more important than themselves. That's the attitude we need to have toward others. What I find is particularly prevalent among business people is that they compare their positions and our salaries, and think they’re more important than others because they’ve climbed the ladder higher or gotten another raise. Certainly, that's one of the real dangers we face if we are ambitious—the sin of pride in thinking that we're better than others because we've got a bigger salary or a better title. Remember that in eternity those titles and salaries will have no meaning. Everything we are and have are gifts from God to us. We truly can take no credit for our abilities or accomplishments. Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7). So, that’s one deadly result of the sin of comparison—we think we’re better than others. Secondly, comparing ourselves to others can lead us to think that others are better than us. Consider the parable of the talents that Jesus gave us (Matthew 25:14-28). Before leaving on a long trip, the Master gives three servants certain talents, or resources. One servant received five talents, one two, and the third servant received only one talent. When the master returned, he asked each of them to give an account of what they had done with those resources. The first servant reported that his five talents were now ten; the second servant similarly reported that his two talents were now four. But what about the third servant? He had taken his one talent and done nothing with it,
3/25/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

The Sin of Comparing

It's very easy for any of us to fall into a trap of comparing ourselves to other people. We see it all around us, especially on our jobs. But the consequences can be devastating, and sinful as well. Usually when we compare ourselves to others, we come to one of three conclusions: First, we conclude that we're better than they are. Or we decide that they're better than we are. And that leads us into thinking we'd rather be them than us since they are better than we are. Think, first of all, about the parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector, as given in Luke 18:9-14: To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’ “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. We look at this Pharisee and think, "How awful!” And yet how easy it is for us to compare ourselves to others with that same type of attitude. Like the Pharisee, we compare outward appearances and end up thinking we're pretty hot stuff. That kind of comparison leads us to a false security about ourselves and it leads us into pride. Have you noticed how insidiously pride creeps into our thinking? Have you been looking at others lately and thinking: "Well, I look better than she does," or "I perform better than he does," or "I've got more to offer than they do.” When you make these kinds of comparisons, the sin of pride is taking over your mind. Jesus said at the end of this parable: "For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:14b). Listen to yourself think and talk and see how often you compare yourself to others and end up feeling pretty proud of yourself. It's a very dangerous road to be on. The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians that they should consider others more important than themselves. That's the attitude we need to have toward others. What I find is particularly prevalent among business people is that they compare their positions and our salaries, and think they’re more important than others because they’ve climbed the ladder higher or gotten another raise. Certainly, that's one of the real dangers we face if we are ambitious—the sin of pride in thinking that we're better than others because we've got a bigger salary or a better title. Remember that in eternity those titles and salaries will have no meaning. Everything we are and have are gifts from God to us. We truly can take no credit for our abilities or accomplishments. Paul wrote to the Corinthian believers: For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? (1 Corinthians 4:7). So, that’s one deadly result of the sin of comparison—we think we’re better than others. Secondly, comparing ourselves to others can lead us to think that others are better than us. Consider the parable of the talents that Jesus gave us (Matthew 25:14-28). Before leaving on a long trip, the Master gives three servants certain talents, or resources. One servant received five talents, one two, and the third servant received only one talent. When the master returned, he asked each of them to give an account of what they had done with those resources. The first servant reported that his five talents were now ten; the second servant similarly reported that his two talents were now four. But what about the third servant? He had taken his one talent and done nothing with it,
3/25/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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When You Feel Unqualified – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop It’s easy to try to get our identity from all the wrong places rather than from the very of truth of God. And when it comes to identity, we can get hyper-focused on ourselves when we were created to fix our eyes on Jesus. During my quiet time I found myself meditating on a familiar passage in 1 Peter. As a bit of background, the apostle Peter is writing this letter to God’s elect. Strangers in the world (those who look out of place to the world because they do not follow its customs) who God chose before creation for “obedience to Jesus Christ.” In other words, Peter is penning this letter to believers like you and me. Men and women who have been born again. Those called to a living hope in Jesus and to be a living hope displaying Jesus to a corrupt world that denies Him with its evil practices. Much like the world we are living in today. Peter is essentially saying, “don’t follow the world, obey the Word and set yourself apart.” And that is where we come to 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” As I read this passage these words came to mind, “It’s not about you.” Let me explain. While it is absolutely essential that you are confident in your identity in Christ, the reason that God has set you apart and made you holy is to reveal his glory. You are chosen, holy and fully possessed by God in order that you proclaim the name of Jesus with your life. And if you are not living from your identity in him, people around you will miss out on experiencing Jesus in you. You are the Imago Dei. You reveal Christ to a world in desperate need of hope. It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus. What if you lived out your calling as an ambassador for Christ. Sharing your testimony of how God called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, displaying hope to your neighbors, coworkers, kids, and the cashier at the grocery store. This does not mean you will live a perfect life but a credible life as one following after the heart of God. How will you stand firm in your identity in him and declaring his praise to those around you?
3/24/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 5

Presented by Lisa Bishop It’s easy to try to get our identity from all the wrong places rather than from the very of truth of God. And when it comes to identity, we can get hyper-focused on ourselves when we were created to fix our eyes on Jesus. During my quiet time I found myself meditating on a familiar passage in 1 Peter. As a bit of background, the apostle Peter is writing this letter to God’s elect. Strangers in the world (those who look out of place to the world because they do not follow its customs) who God chose before creation for “obedience to Jesus Christ.” In other words, Peter is penning this letter to believers like you and me. Men and women who have been born again. Those called to a living hope in Jesus and to be a living hope displaying Jesus to a corrupt world that denies Him with its evil practices. Much like the world we are living in today. Peter is essentially saying, “don’t follow the world, obey the Word and set yourself apart.” And that is where we come to 1 Peter 2:9: “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.” As I read this passage these words came to mind, “It’s not about you.” Let me explain. While it is absolutely essential that you are confident in your identity in Christ, the reason that God has set you apart and made you holy is to reveal his glory. You are chosen, holy and fully possessed by God in order that you proclaim the name of Jesus with your life. And if you are not living from your identity in him, people around you will miss out on experiencing Jesus in you. You are the Imago Dei. You reveal Christ to a world in desperate need of hope. It’s not about you. It’s about Jesus. What if you lived out your calling as an ambassador for Christ. Sharing your testimony of how God called you out of darkness into his marvelous light, displaying hope to your neighbors, coworkers, kids, and the cashier at the grocery store. This does not mean you will live a perfect life but a credible life as one following after the heart of God. How will you stand firm in your identity in him and declaring his praise to those around you?
3/24/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop Has anyone ever said something hurtful about you that you had a hard time shaking loose? I want to talk about lies others have spoken about you or over you that have negatively impacted how you see yourself. When I was growing up there was a saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” You’ve probably heard it. I don’t know who made that little jingle up but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Often, healing from painful words that have been hurled at you can be a much harder process than mending from a physical injury. Because words hurt. They wound. And if you are not careful you can internalize them and they will become part of your identity. I will never forget coming back from summer break and entering into my second year of middle school. As if middle school was not brutal enough, living through the awkward phases and just having an overall feeling of insecurity, what one of the 8th grade boys said to me stuck with me for a long time. He looked across the cafeteria and shouted, “Hey, Bishop, you actually kind of look good this year.” Needless to say, I was mortified. I am not certain of the full intention of his words but this is what I heard when his words thundered across the room, “Hey Lisa, you were really ugly and unattractive last year but this year you're not so bad.” Let’s just say that is not something an already self-conscious 8th grade girl wants to hear. I still remember his words 40 years later like it was yesterday. Thankfully they no longer have an impact on me, but they did for years. I internalized his view of me and allowed them to feed into my insecurity and inform my identity. Ugly. Not chosen. Overlooked. Undesirable. I know it may seem silly now, but the reality is, words sting. And if you are not fully grounded in your identity in Jesus, people’s careless words can stick to you like glue and you will start believing they are true. What hateful, harsh, or harming words have been spoken over you and into your life? Maybe they were reckless words released from a parent, teacher, boss, spouse, or friend. What has someone said to you that you have consciously or unconsciously taken in as truth? What lies have you let settle in that have impacted the way you see yourself and are not in alignment with what God says about you? It takes intentionality to name the lies and rehearse the truth. And the truth is you are made in God’s image as Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” And Psalm 139:13-14: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.” The bigger picture here is knowing who God is and he does not make mistakes. What words need healing from Jesus? Bring them to the cross, release them to Jesus, rebuke them and rehearse what is true. Release. Rebuke. Rehearse. Thank God for who he is and how he has made you.
3/23/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 4

Presented by Lisa Bishop Has anyone ever said something hurtful about you that you had a hard time shaking loose? I want to talk about lies others have spoken about you or over you that have negatively impacted how you see yourself. When I was growing up there was a saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.” You’ve probably heard it. I don’t know who made that little jingle up but it couldn’t be farther from the truth. Often, healing from painful words that have been hurled at you can be a much harder process than mending from a physical injury. Because words hurt. They wound. And if you are not careful you can internalize them and they will become part of your identity. I will never forget coming back from summer break and entering into my second year of middle school. As if middle school was not brutal enough, living through the awkward phases and just having an overall feeling of insecurity, what one of the 8th grade boys said to me stuck with me for a long time. He looked across the cafeteria and shouted, “Hey, Bishop, you actually kind of look good this year.” Needless to say, I was mortified. I am not certain of the full intention of his words but this is what I heard when his words thundered across the room, “Hey Lisa, you were really ugly and unattractive last year but this year you're not so bad.” Let’s just say that is not something an already self-conscious 8th grade girl wants to hear. I still remember his words 40 years later like it was yesterday. Thankfully they no longer have an impact on me, but they did for years. I internalized his view of me and allowed them to feed into my insecurity and inform my identity. Ugly. Not chosen. Overlooked. Undesirable. I know it may seem silly now, but the reality is, words sting. And if you are not fully grounded in your identity in Jesus, people’s careless words can stick to you like glue and you will start believing they are true. What hateful, harsh, or harming words have been spoken over you and into your life? Maybe they were reckless words released from a parent, teacher, boss, spouse, or friend. What has someone said to you that you have consciously or unconsciously taken in as truth? What lies have you let settle in that have impacted the way you see yourself and are not in alignment with what God says about you? It takes intentionality to name the lies and rehearse the truth. And the truth is you are made in God’s image as Genesis 1:27 says, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them.” And Psalm 139:13-14: For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful.” The bigger picture here is knowing who God is and he does not make mistakes. What words need healing from Jesus? Bring them to the cross, release them to Jesus, rebuke them and rehearse what is true. Release. Rebuke. Rehearse. Thank God for who he is and how he has made you.
3/23/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop Are you living in fear today or are you living by faith? It can be so easy to let anxiety, worry, and fear overwhelm you when life is hard and your circumstances look bleak. Whether it’s a job loss or negative performance review, you’ve been blindsided by a breakup, your kids are wayward, or your marriage is on the brinks--there is no end to the list of concerns that can consume you on a daily basis and it can be easy to slip into worry and fear of the future. I read a quote the other day that stood out to me. It said, “The antidote of fear is the presence of God.” The definition of antidote is, “an agent that counteracts a poison.” If you think about it, fear is a poison. It aims to pollute your mind, cloud your vision, and destroy your hope. To cancel out fear, remember that as a follower of Jesus, you cohabitate with God! He is omnipresent which means his presence is everywhere. He never leaves you, He is always with you, Jesus is always by your side. The problem is when we fret, we forget. When your mind gets caught in the hamster wheel of worry it will take intentionality to turn your thoughts to God and remember his presence. It reminds me of Psalm 23. The Psalmist in his deep distress declares, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). Sometimes we just want the difficulties in life to go away. I've got some bad news for you. It doesn’t. But the good news is that we have hope in the darkness and his name is Jesus! In the midst of darkness, the Psalmist remembers the presence of God and it is a reminder and encouragement for you to do the same. I know that you do not always feel God’s presence so that can cause you to doubt his nearness. But this is where you can’t allow your feelings to inform your faith, but instead determine to focus on what is true. Snap yourself out of your distress and direct your attention to the prescription for peace found in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When you feel distress trying to take up residence in your mind, instead of giving into fear, fight back with prayer. Don’t let anxiety win. Start praising God. Thank him that he is near. Thank him for his peace and presence. One of my favorite worship songs is, “Raise a Hallelujah.” I crank it up when I need a reminder to praise in the midst of the darkness. Let these lyrics be your anthem in the worries of life.   “I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!”
3/22/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 3

Presented by Lisa Bishop Are you living in fear today or are you living by faith? It can be so easy to let anxiety, worry, and fear overwhelm you when life is hard and your circumstances look bleak. Whether it’s a job loss or negative performance review, you’ve been blindsided by a breakup, your kids are wayward, or your marriage is on the brinks--there is no end to the list of concerns that can consume you on a daily basis and it can be easy to slip into worry and fear of the future. I read a quote the other day that stood out to me. It said, “The antidote of fear is the presence of God.” The definition of antidote is, “an agent that counteracts a poison.” If you think about it, fear is a poison. It aims to pollute your mind, cloud your vision, and destroy your hope. To cancel out fear, remember that as a follower of Jesus, you cohabitate with God! He is omnipresent which means his presence is everywhere. He never leaves you, He is always with you, Jesus is always by your side. The problem is when we fret, we forget. When your mind gets caught in the hamster wheel of worry it will take intentionality to turn your thoughts to God and remember his presence. It reminds me of Psalm 23. The Psalmist in his deep distress declares, “Even when I walk through the darkest valley, I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me” (Psalm 23:4 NLT). Sometimes we just want the difficulties in life to go away. I've got some bad news for you. It doesn’t. But the good news is that we have hope in the darkness and his name is Jesus! In the midst of darkness, the Psalmist remembers the presence of God and it is a reminder and encouragement for you to do the same. I know that you do not always feel God’s presence so that can cause you to doubt his nearness. But this is where you can’t allow your feelings to inform your faith, but instead determine to focus on what is true. Snap yourself out of your distress and direct your attention to the prescription for peace found in Philippians 4:6-7: “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” When you feel distress trying to take up residence in your mind, instead of giving into fear, fight back with prayer. Don’t let anxiety win. Start praising God. Thank him that he is near. Thank him for his peace and presence. One of my favorite worship songs is, “Raise a Hallelujah.” I crank it up when I need a reminder to praise in the midst of the darkness. Let these lyrics be your anthem in the worries of life.   “I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!”
3/22/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop Are you living a transformed life in Jesus Christ? The other day I was at my mom’s house. We got into a bit of a disagreement about something. We didn’t see eye to eye. She asked if we could talk to which I obliged but I am sorry to say that I became a bit impatient in the conversation. I reacted from my flesh and not in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I’m guessing you can relate. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The Holy Spirit kindly convicted me that I was not bearing much fruit in my response to my mom. He kindly and gently reminded me what it looks like to live from my identity in Christ. You and I are made in God’s image and his number one priority as followers of Jesus is to make us more like him. To radically transform us into his likeness. It reminds me of growing up as a kid, I looked a lot like my dad. People would always comment on how much I resembled my father. We had a lot of the same features; people knew I was my dad’s daughter. As a son or daughter of Jesus, you are meant to look like him, which means that when people see you and interact with you, they will encounter Jesus in your words, attitudes, behavior and responses. I certainly did not take the opportunity to reflect Jesus with my mom. There will be times that you and I will miss the mark in our interactions with people because transformation is a process. A process of becoming who you already are in Christ. The important thing to consider is this. Are you making it your aim to grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus? An increase of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life is evidence of spiritual growth and maturity. Where old patterns of reacting will be broken and an increase of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control will flow from you. I am a work in progress and so are you. God knows that and he wants to help you as you grow in reflecting him. Remember what Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” What fruit of the Spirit is God inviting you to grow in? Take a look at the past few interactions you have had with people in your life. What flesh response does the Holy Spirit want to transform into a fruit response? Confess where you are falling short and ask God for help as you become more like him.
3/21/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified – 2

Presented by Lisa Bishop Are you living a transformed life in Jesus Christ? The other day I was at my mom’s house. We got into a bit of a disagreement about something. We didn’t see eye to eye. She asked if we could talk to which I obliged but I am sorry to say that I became a bit impatient in the conversation. I reacted from my flesh and not in the fruit of the Holy Spirit. I’m guessing you can relate. Galatians 5:22-23 says, “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” The Holy Spirit kindly convicted me that I was not bearing much fruit in my response to my mom. He kindly and gently reminded me what it looks like to live from my identity in Christ. You and I are made in God’s image and his number one priority as followers of Jesus is to make us more like him. To radically transform us into his likeness. It reminds me of growing up as a kid, I looked a lot like my dad. People would always comment on how much I resembled my father. We had a lot of the same features; people knew I was my dad’s daughter. As a son or daughter of Jesus, you are meant to look like him, which means that when people see you and interact with you, they will encounter Jesus in your words, attitudes, behavior and responses. I certainly did not take the opportunity to reflect Jesus with my mom. There will be times that you and I will miss the mark in our interactions with people because transformation is a process. A process of becoming who you already are in Christ. The important thing to consider is this. Are you making it your aim to grow more and more into the likeness of Jesus? An increase of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in your life is evidence of spiritual growth and maturity. Where old patterns of reacting will be broken and an increase of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, and self-control will flow from you. I am a work in progress and so are you. God knows that and he wants to help you as you grow in reflecting him. Remember what Romans 8:26 says, “The Spirit helps us in our weakness.” What fruit of the Spirit is God inviting you to grow in? Take a look at the past few interactions you have had with people in your life. What flesh response does the Holy Spirit want to transform into a fruit response? Confess where you are falling short and ask God for help as you become more like him.
3/21/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified

Presented by Lisa Bishop Have you ever felt unqualified? That sinking feeling like you just do not measure up? Recently a friend was sharing how she had been experiencing anxiety in her job. She went from being an individual contributor to being promoted to VP and leading a team of people. Even though God had clearly opened this career door and called her into this position, her new role had induced a case of imposter syndrome. If you have ever felt like you didn't deserve a raise, that you are not smart or qualified enough to succeed at an assignment, or that you fooled everyone when you landed a new job or position, you too have experienced imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is when you doubt your competency and ability to do your job. It’s the feeling that you don’t deserve to be in the position you are in because you are not qualified. If you have ever felt this way you are not alone. This type of self-doubt affects millions of people across various demographics and job types. Imposter syndrome messes with your identity because of the fear of inadequacy and sinking feeling of being found out to not have “what it takes.” When I think about imposter syndrome it reminds me of Moses. In Exodus chapter 3 we read the familiar story of God revealing himself to Moses in a burning bush. This was the beginning of God’s call on Moses’s life to be the one who would bring redemption to God’s people and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. In Exodus 3:11 we see Moses grappling with his version of imposter syndrome when in response to God’s assignment he says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” To which God responds, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12a). Regardless of God’s continued reassurance that he will be with Moses, equipping him and leading him every step of the way, Moses’s fear and doubt induces an endless list of rebuttals as to why he is not qualified for the position God is calling him to. “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me?” (Exodus 4:1a). “Pardon your servant Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). “Pardon Your servant Lord, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). When God invites you into a new opportunity you might be tempted to let imposter syndrome cause you to shrink back and like Moses, say “Who am I?” Know that God isn’t surprised by your imposter syndrome, he just asks you to say, “Yes!” God was not sending Moses in his own strength but by the power of the Lord. God is not sending you in your own strength but inviting you to trust in and rely on him. When God calls you into something, remember it is ultimately for his glory. You can trust him as he calls you to partner with him.
3/20/20233 minutes
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When You Feel Unqualified

Presented by Lisa Bishop Have you ever felt unqualified? That sinking feeling like you just do not measure up? Recently a friend was sharing how she had been experiencing anxiety in her job. She went from being an individual contributor to being promoted to VP and leading a team of people. Even though God had clearly opened this career door and called her into this position, her new role had induced a case of imposter syndrome. If you have ever felt like you didn't deserve a raise, that you are not smart or qualified enough to succeed at an assignment, or that you fooled everyone when you landed a new job or position, you too have experienced imposter syndrome. Imposter syndrome is when you doubt your competency and ability to do your job. It’s the feeling that you don’t deserve to be in the position you are in because you are not qualified. If you have ever felt this way you are not alone. This type of self-doubt affects millions of people across various demographics and job types. Imposter syndrome messes with your identity because of the fear of inadequacy and sinking feeling of being found out to not have “what it takes.” When I think about imposter syndrome it reminds me of Moses. In Exodus chapter 3 we read the familiar story of God revealing himself to Moses in a burning bush. This was the beginning of God’s call on Moses’s life to be the one who would bring redemption to God’s people and lead the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt. In Exodus 3:11 we see Moses grappling with his version of imposter syndrome when in response to God’s assignment he says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” To which God responds, “I will be with you” (Exodus 3:12a). Regardless of God’s continued reassurance that he will be with Moses, equipping him and leading him every step of the way, Moses’s fear and doubt induces an endless list of rebuttals as to why he is not qualified for the position God is calling him to. “What if they don’t believe me or listen to me?” (Exodus 4:1a). “Pardon your servant Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10). “Pardon Your servant Lord, please send someone else” (Exodus 4:13). When God invites you into a new opportunity you might be tempted to let imposter syndrome cause you to shrink back and like Moses, say “Who am I?” Know that God isn’t surprised by your imposter syndrome, he just asks you to say, “Yes!” God was not sending Moses in his own strength but by the power of the Lord. God is not sending you in your own strength but inviting you to trust in and rely on him. When God calls you into something, remember it is ultimately for his glory. You can trust him as he calls you to partner with him.
3/20/20233 minutes
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You Are the One Jesus Loves Part 2

This is an incredible truth that we often just take for granted, or it’s become so familiar that we don’t grasp the depth of it. But try to focus on this—the marvelous fact that you are loved—individually and personally—by Jesus, by our Heavenly Father. Five times in his Gospel, the Apostle John referred to himself as the one whom Jesus loves. These all occurred on the day before his crucifixion and immediately after his resurrection. For example, John writes about this scene at the cross: John 19:26:  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” And then he writes about the time when he and Peter were fishing in the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus appeared them in his resurrected body: John 21:7: Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. No other disciple referred to himself in that way, as the one Jesus loved. Why did John choose that description? Well, it wasn’t because he thought Jesus loved him better than anyone else. It was simply because that was his identity—an identity that was grounded in knowing that Jesus loved him. If you asked him, “Who are you?,” he would say, “I am the one Jesus loves.” This is something I’ve talked about a good deal to the women in my church, where I served as director of women’s ministries. After studying John, we began the tradition of starting every class asking: Sisters in Christ, who are you? And they readily and heartily reply: I am the one Jesus loves. It’s a great way to encourage each other to remember who you are in Christ. If you know Jesus in a personal relationship and you’ve placed your trust in him, then you can join with us in this joyous declaration that you are the one Jesus loves. It should be your number one identity, the most important thing about you. When Lazarus was ill, the sisters sent for Jesus and they said, “Lord, he whom you love is sick” (John 11:3). That was their approach to Jesus—they appealed on the basis that they knew Jesus loved Lazarus. They didn’t even mention his name because they knew Jesus would know who they were talking about. They were totally confident that Jesus loved Lazarus, and they appealed to him on that basis. Maybe this should inform us in our own prayer lives. How do you approach Jesus when you pray? Do you ever pray: Lord, the one you love needs you. Or Lord, I come to you because I’m the one you love and I know you care about me. I’ve begun to do this, and it has a beautiful effect on my prayer time. You begin with your one credential, that one thing that qualifies you to present your requests to God: Lord, I’m the one you love. It establishes that family relationship you have and reminds you that your heavenly Father invites you to come into his presence with confidence and boldness and approach his throne where you’ll receive mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16). What difference will it make in your everyday life if you truly bask in the daily knowledge that you are the one Jesus loves? Judah Smith writes: “People who know that Jesus loves them, who know that Jesus is with them and for them—those people can not only endure pain and loss and difficulty, they can come out the other side stronger and better people” (Jesus Is_______ pg. 159). It will indeed get you through some tough times and cause you to be victorious. It will make you sit up straighter and hold your head up higher, not from pride or self-righteousness, but from gratitude and joy in knowing that you are the one Jesus loves. So, regardless of what’s going on around you or what other people think, you are less and less vulnerable to their opinions and more and more confident of who you are in Christ. And here’s a really important point: When we are sure of God’...
3/18/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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You Are the One Jesus Loves Part 2

This is an incredible truth that we often just take for granted, or it’s become so familiar that we don’t grasp the depth of it. But try to focus on this—the marvelous fact that you are loved—individually and personally—by Jesus, by our Heavenly Father. Five times in his Gospel, the Apostle John referred to himself as the one whom Jesus loves. These all occurred on the day before his crucifixion and immediately after his resurrection. For example, John writes about this scene at the cross: John 19:26:  When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to her, “Woman, here is your son,” And then he writes about the time when he and Peter were fishing in the Sea of Galilee, and Jesus appeared them in his resurrected body: John 21:7: Then the disciple whom Jesus loved said to Peter, “It is the Lord!” As soon as Simon Peter heard him say, “It is the Lord,” he wrapped his outer garment around him (for he had taken it off) and jumped into the water. No other disciple referred to himself in that way, as the one Jesus loved. Why did John choose that description? Well, it wasn’t because he thought Jesus loved him better than anyone else. It was simply because that was his identity—an identity that was grounded in knowing that Jesus loved him. If you asked him, “Who are you?,” he would say, “I am the one Jesus loves.” This is something I’ve talked about a good deal to the women in my church, where I served as director of women’s ministries. After studying John, we began the tradition of starting every class asking: Sisters in Christ, who are you? And they readily and heartily reply: I am the one Jesus loves. It’s a great way to encourage each other to remember who you are in Christ. If you know Jesus in a personal relationship and you’ve placed your trust in him, then you can join with us in this joyous declaration that you are the one Jesus loves. It should be your number one identity, the most important thing about you. When Lazarus was ill, the sisters sent for Jesus and they said, “Lord, he whom you love is sick” (John 11:3). That was their approach to Jesus—they appealed on the basis that they knew Jesus loved Lazarus. They didn’t even mention his name because they knew Jesus would know who they were talking about. They were totally confident that Jesus loved Lazarus, and they appealed to him on that basis. Maybe this should inform us in our own prayer lives. How do you approach Jesus when you pray? Do you ever pray: Lord, the one you love needs you. Or Lord, I come to you because I’m the one you love and I know you care about me. I’ve begun to do this, and it has a beautiful effect on my prayer time. You begin with your one credential, that one thing that qualifies you to present your requests to God: Lord, I’m the one you love. It establishes that family relationship you have and reminds you that your heavenly Father invites you to come into his presence with confidence and boldness and approach his throne where you’ll receive mercy and find grace to help you in your time of need (Hebrews 4:16). What difference will it make in your everyday life if you truly bask in the daily knowledge that you are the one Jesus loves? Judah Smith writes: “People who know that Jesus loves them, who know that Jesus is with them and for them—those people can not only endure pain and loss and difficulty, they can come out the other side stronger and better people” (Jesus Is_______ pg. 159). It will indeed get you through some tough times and cause you to be victorious. It will make you sit up straighter and hold your head up higher, not from pride or self-righteousness, but from gratitude and joy in knowing that you are the one Jesus loves. So, regardless of what’s going on around you or what other people think, you are less and less vulnerable to their opinions and more and more confident of who you are in Christ. And here’s a really important point: When we are sure of God’...
3/18/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 5

It is important for us as Christians to understand that we are each uniquely and specially made by God for good reasons. We are not mistakes; I am who I am by design of God, and you are who you are by that same eternal plan and design. God looked at his creation, we read in Genesis, and declared that it was good! Since we're part of that creation, we can learn to accept who we are as created by God as good and right. Now let me add that learning to accept who we are doesn't mean we give up on trying to improve. While it's true God has given me a certain type of personality, it's also true that my personality has a lot of rough edges that need polishing. We have to remember that sin has affected God's perfect creation, and so until we get to heaven, we are damaged by sin. The Apostle Paul told us we are in the process of being conformed to the image of God's Son, Jesus Christ. So, using the personalities given to us, the gifts and abilities that have been entrusted to us by God, we are to be constantly growing into the image of Jesus. Remember, that when you can accept yourself and believe that God has made you for special and unique purposes, then you're free. Now the person God has created starts to shine through beautifully; now you begin to see just why God made you the way you are, now you discover that there was a lot there you didn't even recognize before. God is free to work in and through you, to keep shaping you into the image of Jesus. And you're free to say, "Thank you, Jesus, you didn't make a mistake when you made me. Now, please take what you have made and use it for the purposes you intended." If you have been trying to be someone els­e or you feel as though what you are is second-best, a mistake, I encourage you to go to God in prayer right now, as soon as possible. Confess your lack of trust in his creative abilities, ask him to forgive you, and give him permission to continue to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ for eternal and significant purposes. If you will do that, and continue to do that each day, you're going to discover incredible and marvelous freedom, and the real you God has created will be a joy to everyone, including yourself.  
3/17/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 5

It is important for us as Christians to understand that we are each uniquely and specially made by God for good reasons. We are not mistakes; I am who I am by design of God, and you are who you are by that same eternal plan and design. God looked at his creation, we read in Genesis, and declared that it was good! Since we're part of that creation, we can learn to accept who we are as created by God as good and right. Now let me add that learning to accept who we are doesn't mean we give up on trying to improve. While it's true God has given me a certain type of personality, it's also true that my personality has a lot of rough edges that need polishing. We have to remember that sin has affected God's perfect creation, and so until we get to heaven, we are damaged by sin. The Apostle Paul told us we are in the process of being conformed to the image of God's Son, Jesus Christ. So, using the personalities given to us, the gifts and abilities that have been entrusted to us by God, we are to be constantly growing into the image of Jesus. Remember, that when you can accept yourself and believe that God has made you for special and unique purposes, then you're free. Now the person God has created starts to shine through beautifully; now you begin to see just why God made you the way you are, now you discover that there was a lot there you didn't even recognize before. God is free to work in and through you, to keep shaping you into the image of Jesus. And you're free to say, "Thank you, Jesus, you didn't make a mistake when you made me. Now, please take what you have made and use it for the purposes you intended." If you have been trying to be someone els­e or you feel as though what you are is second-best, a mistake, I encourage you to go to God in prayer right now, as soon as possible. Confess your lack of trust in his creative abilities, ask him to forgive you, and give him permission to continue to conform you to the image of Jesus Christ for eternal and significant purposes. If you will do that, and continue to do that each day, you're going to discover incredible and marvelous freedom, and the real you God has created will be a joy to everyone, including yourself.  
3/17/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 4

Do you find yourself frequently wishing you were someone else? Do you often feel that a different personality would be much better than the one you have? Well, if that's true, then not only are you prevented from knowing and appreciating the uniqueness of who you are as created by God, but it keeps you from being able to appreciate others as well. I know that as I've begun to learn to accept that who I am is not a mistake, but rather a plan in God's eternal purpose, I am able to look at other people with a much-changed attitude. Now those who are very different from me no longer present a threat nor cause me to feel inadequate or short-changed. Now when I see people whose personalities and gifts I admire, I can just enjoy them for who they are. I don't have to compete with them, I don't have to feel jealous or envious, because I know that they are unique for God's purposes and so am I. Can you see what freedom and happiness that can bring into your life, when you are able to appreciate who you are? You are free from that foreboding sense that something is wrong with you; you are free not to have to think or worry about yourself all the time; you are free to be involved with others. You are free from the pain of jealousy and envy, and the dreariness of self-pity. And then when you can accept that you were created by God just the way you are for his good purposes, you’re also able to understand that God has made us all very different for good reasons. Sometimes we subconsciously think that everybody should be like us—think like us, feel like us, see everything the way we do. But that's not how God has created us. I'm reminded that it would not have been good if we were all alike. God is so incredibly creative, that it is no problem at all for him to design each of us as unique people, no two of us alike. How wonderful, how marvelous. Will you ask God to help you appreciate who you are? Will you ask him to set you free from trying to be someone else? Will you start consciously thanking God that you are who you are, and commit to him that you want to be all he has planned for you to be? That's the way to have a contented and fruitful life.
3/16/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 4

Do you find yourself frequently wishing you were someone else? Do you often feel that a different personality would be much better than the one you have? Well, if that's true, then not only are you prevented from knowing and appreciating the uniqueness of who you are as created by God, but it keeps you from being able to appreciate others as well. I know that as I've begun to learn to accept that who I am is not a mistake, but rather a plan in God's eternal purpose, I am able to look at other people with a much-changed attitude. Now those who are very different from me no longer present a threat nor cause me to feel inadequate or short-changed. Now when I see people whose personalities and gifts I admire, I can just enjoy them for who they are. I don't have to compete with them, I don't have to feel jealous or envious, because I know that they are unique for God's purposes and so am I. Can you see what freedom and happiness that can bring into your life, when you are able to appreciate who you are? You are free from that foreboding sense that something is wrong with you; you are free not to have to think or worry about yourself all the time; you are free to be involved with others. You are free from the pain of jealousy and envy, and the dreariness of self-pity. And then when you can accept that you were created by God just the way you are for his good purposes, you’re also able to understand that God has made us all very different for good reasons. Sometimes we subconsciously think that everybody should be like us—think like us, feel like us, see everything the way we do. But that's not how God has created us. I'm reminded that it would not have been good if we were all alike. God is so incredibly creative, that it is no problem at all for him to design each of us as unique people, no two of us alike. How wonderful, how marvelous. Will you ask God to help you appreciate who you are? Will you ask him to set you free from trying to be someone else? Will you start consciously thanking God that you are who you are, and commit to him that you want to be all he has planned for you to be? That's the way to have a contented and fruitful life.
3/16/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 3

It is essential that we believe and accept that God has created each of us to be exactly who we are, and what a mistake it is for us to try to be someone else. It's a lesson I've had to learn—and keep learning—as I've often felt that a different personality would be better than the one I have. You see, I always thought that my type of personality would have been much more acceptable for a man rather than a woman. I could be described as assertive, outgoing, entrepreneurial, energetic, with leadership qualities and take-charge tendencies. This personality didn't seem to fit in with other people's ideas of what a woman should be, especially in the Christian community. So, I was confused for quite awhile as to why I had this personality. Then I began to learn that God had not made a mistake, he did not forget that I was a female when he designed me, and he had a purpose for designing me, a woman, the way I am. So, I began, little by little, to accept that God had made me just this way for some good purpose. And as I've become more and more comfortable with who I am and the way I've been created, then I've learned to enjoy and appreciate who I am. You know, I don't think I'd really want to be anyone else any longer. I like the way God created me. Now, it's okay to say that. It's okay for you to say that about yourself. Go ahead; say it: I like the way God created me. All you're doing is affirming that God doesn't make mistakes, and you are pleased with his creation. That's not pride, assuming your heart attitude is correct. That is simply thanking God for his creativity and recognizing that his creation is good. God wants you to be pleased with the way he has created you, for it shows that you trust him. It shows that you believe his word is true and that the way you are created is the best, since it is God's creation. Please understand that I'm not talking about thinking you're better than anyone else or being unwilling to change and become all God has intended you to be. But you can appreciate who you are because you are God's unique creation. So, throughout your day, tell God: "I like the way you created me.” Learn to appreciate the uniqueness of you.
3/15/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 3

It is essential that we believe and accept that God has created each of us to be exactly who we are, and what a mistake it is for us to try to be someone else. It's a lesson I've had to learn—and keep learning—as I've often felt that a different personality would be better than the one I have. You see, I always thought that my type of personality would have been much more acceptable for a man rather than a woman. I could be described as assertive, outgoing, entrepreneurial, energetic, with leadership qualities and take-charge tendencies. This personality didn't seem to fit in with other people's ideas of what a woman should be, especially in the Christian community. So, I was confused for quite awhile as to why I had this personality. Then I began to learn that God had not made a mistake, he did not forget that I was a female when he designed me, and he had a purpose for designing me, a woman, the way I am. So, I began, little by little, to accept that God had made me just this way for some good purpose. And as I've become more and more comfortable with who I am and the way I've been created, then I've learned to enjoy and appreciate who I am. You know, I don't think I'd really want to be anyone else any longer. I like the way God created me. Now, it's okay to say that. It's okay for you to say that about yourself. Go ahead; say it: I like the way God created me. All you're doing is affirming that God doesn't make mistakes, and you are pleased with his creation. That's not pride, assuming your heart attitude is correct. That is simply thanking God for his creativity and recognizing that his creation is good. God wants you to be pleased with the way he has created you, for it shows that you trust him. It shows that you believe his word is true and that the way you are created is the best, since it is God's creation. Please understand that I'm not talking about thinking you're better than anyone else or being unwilling to change and become all God has intended you to be. But you can appreciate who you are because you are God's unique creation. So, throughout your day, tell God: "I like the way you created me.” Learn to appreciate the uniqueness of you.
3/15/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 2

Have you ever wished you were someone very different than who you are? A different personality type altogether? Well, if you think about it, that attitude is like a slap in God's face because it says you're convinced God didn't give you a fair shake, or else he made a mistake in the way he designed you. Scripture tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that God knit us together in our mother's womb, that he is intimately acquainted with us down to counting the hairs on our heads, and we are each created in his image. Now, just put all those facts in your head and consider what that means. First of all, God didn't make a mistake when he designed you. You were planned in the mind of God. You're not an accident of nature. You are designed according to God's plan. Secondly, what you are is like what God is. You are created in the image of God. Now, don't confuse this with teaching which says we're all gods. That certainly is not true. But it is true that we are all created in God's image. That means that God has traits like you and me. Part of God's personality is just like your personality because you're created in his image. Now, please let that sink into your head, because it is very important that you understand this basic truth of Scripture. It should change your whole attitude toward who you are. How can any of us be mistakes if each of us is individually created by a good and merciful God? How can we think that we'd be better off if we were like someone else, if we believe in a God who does not make mistakes, and a God who is good and loving? Can you see how basic this is to your whole relationship with God? If you've been wishing you were someone else, I pray that you'll thank God for who you are, and ask him to help you understand why you are who you are, and what wonderful and good purpose he has for you.
3/14/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else – 2

Have you ever wished you were someone very different than who you are? A different personality type altogether? Well, if you think about it, that attitude is like a slap in God's face because it says you're convinced God didn't give you a fair shake, or else he made a mistake in the way he designed you. Scripture tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, that God knit us together in our mother's womb, that he is intimately acquainted with us down to counting the hairs on our heads, and we are each created in his image. Now, just put all those facts in your head and consider what that means. First of all, God didn't make a mistake when he designed you. You were planned in the mind of God. You're not an accident of nature. You are designed according to God's plan. Secondly, what you are is like what God is. You are created in the image of God. Now, don't confuse this with teaching which says we're all gods. That certainly is not true. But it is true that we are all created in God's image. That means that God has traits like you and me. Part of God's personality is just like your personality because you're created in his image. Now, please let that sink into your head, because it is very important that you understand this basic truth of Scripture. It should change your whole attitude toward who you are. How can any of us be mistakes if each of us is individually created by a good and merciful God? How can we think that we'd be better off if we were like someone else, if we believe in a God who does not make mistakes, and a God who is good and loving? Can you see how basic this is to your whole relationship with God? If you've been wishing you were someone else, I pray that you'll thank God for who you are, and ask him to help you understand why you are who you are, and what wonderful and good purpose he has for you.
3/14/20233 minutes
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Trying To Be Someone Else

Did you ever wish you could change your whole personality and be like someone else? Maybe you’ve had the notion that if you were a different type of person, you'd be much better off. It’s a serious mistake we make when we try to be someone we are not. The summer after my freshman year in college I thought I had the perfect opportunity to be someone else. I was going to be a counselor at a Christian camp where no one knew me, so I decided that instead of being the outgoing, assertive, take-charge type that I had been all my life, I would become the quiet, reserved, "sweet" type of person, just like a girl in my college. You see, it seemed to me that her type of personality was nicer and better liked than mine, so I decided to be like her. I can still remember those first few days at camp, as I concentrated so hard on being someone else. I had to think about it all the time, so that I would remember to be different. Mostly I just forced myself to be quiet, and instead of impressing people with how nice I was, they thought I was unfriendly. I really tried hard to be just like my friend at school, but let me tell you, I failed miserably. I could only keep it up a few short days, and I had to face the fact that I was stuck with who I was. Could it be that you are unhappy with who you are and you find yourself wanting to be like someone else? Maybe, like me, you've tried to change your personality and found it doesn't work. Well, did you ever stop and think about what it really means when you try to be like someone else? It means you think God made a mistake in the way he made you. It demonstrates a lack of trust in God's wisdom; it says you think God was either wrong or cruel to make you the way you are. I want to encourage you to know that you are unique; there's no one else like you in the whole world. God is so infinitely creative, that he's able to give each of us unique traits and personalities, and he has designed you to be yourself. He wants your personality, your type—you—to meet a certain need in the Kingdom of God. Good news—wonderful news! You don't have to be anyone else in order to be worthwhile, effective, and happy. There is great joy in just being who you are.
3/13/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Trying To Be Someone Else

Did you ever wish you could change your whole personality and be like someone else? Maybe you’ve had the notion that if you were a different type of person, you'd be much better off. It’s a serious mistake we make when we try to be someone we are not. The summer after my freshman year in college I thought I had the perfect opportunity to be someone else. I was going to be a counselor at a Christian camp where no one knew me, so I decided that instead of being the outgoing, assertive, take-charge type that I had been all my life, I would become the quiet, reserved, "sweet" type of person, just like a girl in my college. You see, it seemed to me that her type of personality was nicer and better liked than mine, so I decided to be like her. I can still remember those first few days at camp, as I concentrated so hard on being someone else. I had to think about it all the time, so that I would remember to be different. Mostly I just forced myself to be quiet, and instead of impressing people with how nice I was, they thought I was unfriendly. I really tried hard to be just like my friend at school, but let me tell you, I failed miserably. I could only keep it up a few short days, and I had to face the fact that I was stuck with who I was. Could it be that you are unhappy with who you are and you find yourself wanting to be like someone else? Maybe, like me, you've tried to change your personality and found it doesn't work. Well, did you ever stop and think about what it really means when you try to be like someone else? It means you think God made a mistake in the way he made you. It demonstrates a lack of trust in God's wisdom; it says you think God was either wrong or cruel to make you the way you are. I want to encourage you to know that you are unique; there's no one else like you in the whole world. God is so infinitely creative, that he's able to give each of us unique traits and personalities, and he has designed you to be yourself. He wants your personality, your type—you—to meet a certain need in the Kingdom of God. Good news—wonderful news! You don't have to be anyone else in order to be worthwhile, effective, and happy. There is great joy in just being who you are.
3/13/20233 minutes
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You Are the One Jesus Loves Part 1

No theme has been more used—and abused—than the theme of love. Since the beginning of time, songs and poems have been written about love, movies and plays and novels by the millions have focused on this love theme. Obviously, love is very important to all of us. We all need and want to be loved. But have you ever thought about why we need love so much? Here are a few of the reasons that we long for love: Knowing we are loved gives us comfort. Knowing we are loved gives us confidence. Knowing we are loved helps us get past our insecurities. Being loved gives us emotional strength. It helps us prevail in hard times. Being loved inspires and motivates us. Being loved makes us joyful, happy. Thankfully love can come to us from many different sources: from parents, siblings, mates, children, friends. So that even if we’re missing love in one area, we can find it in another. It also comes in many different forms. In his book on love languages, Gary Chapman lists the five love languages as: Gifts Quality time Words of affirmation Acts of service Physical touch You can probably quickly identify which one of these five languages speaks love to you, or maybe you’re thinking you need all five! There’s no question that we need love and lots of it throughout all our lives, in all stages of our lives, from lots of people in our lives. That’s the way God created us. The Bible tells us that God is love; love is his character, his being, his personality. Love is the essence of the Triune God—Father, Son and Spirit. They are love and they love each other. So, since we are created in God’s image, it shouldn’t be surprising to discover that we are love-hungry creatures. And the God who is love, the only true God, loves us. That’s the great message of the Christian faith: We are all loved by God: John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1 John 4:10: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We’ve sung it since we were children: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  We sing it and yet how well do we know it? Are you living in the freedom of this wonderful truth? It’s sad that far too many of us have sung the song, “Jesus loves me, this I know,” but never lived in the joy of that truth. I mean, when we really get it—that we’re the one Jesus loves—that has to have life-changing effects for us. That truth should dig us right out of self-pity and give us the comfort and joy and completeness that we so need. It should supply for us all those love-needs we have, because if Jesus loves us, and we know it—we really know it—then it just fills up all those missing pieces that so often have caused us to do lots of crazy and harmful things as we looked for love in the wrong places. So, what’s keeping us from really enjoying and living in the truth that Jesus loves us? Well, one reason could be that God’s love seems impersonal to us. I mean, if God loves everybody, what’s so special about the fact that God loves me? After all, God loves everybody. Love is transforming in our lives when we know that the one who loves us is worthy, and we believe that love is directed to us individually. For example, I am very secure that my mother and father loved me. I was so blessed to be raised in a home where that love was rock-solid and never once did I ever doubt for a minute that my parents loved me. But if I told you that I know they loved me because they loved everybody, that would not describe their love for me. They loved me because I was their daughter; I had a special relationship with them because I was born into their family. They loved other people, true, but they loved me special. So, when we say that Jesus loves us and God loves us, we have to understand that while it’s true that God loves everybody,...
3/11/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

You Are the One Jesus Loves Part 1

No theme has been more used—and abused—than the theme of love. Since the beginning of time, songs and poems have been written about love, movies and plays and novels by the millions have focused on this love theme. Obviously, love is very important to all of us. We all need and want to be loved. But have you ever thought about why we need love so much? Here are a few of the reasons that we long for love: Knowing we are loved gives us comfort. Knowing we are loved gives us confidence. Knowing we are loved helps us get past our insecurities. Being loved gives us emotional strength. It helps us prevail in hard times. Being loved inspires and motivates us. Being loved makes us joyful, happy. Thankfully love can come to us from many different sources: from parents, siblings, mates, children, friends. So that even if we’re missing love in one area, we can find it in another. It also comes in many different forms. In his book on love languages, Gary Chapman lists the five love languages as: Gifts Quality time Words of affirmation Acts of service Physical touch You can probably quickly identify which one of these five languages speaks love to you, or maybe you’re thinking you need all five! There’s no question that we need love and lots of it throughout all our lives, in all stages of our lives, from lots of people in our lives. That’s the way God created us. The Bible tells us that God is love; love is his character, his being, his personality. Love is the essence of the Triune God—Father, Son and Spirit. They are love and they love each other. So, since we are created in God’s image, it shouldn’t be surprising to discover that we are love-hungry creatures. And the God who is love, the only true God, loves us. That’s the great message of the Christian faith: We are all loved by God: John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 1 John 4:10: This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. We’ve sung it since we were children: “Jesus loves me, this I know, for the Bible tells me so.”  We sing it and yet how well do we know it? Are you living in the freedom of this wonderful truth? It’s sad that far too many of us have sung the song, “Jesus loves me, this I know,” but never lived in the joy of that truth. I mean, when we really get it—that we’re the one Jesus loves—that has to have life-changing effects for us. That truth should dig us right out of self-pity and give us the comfort and joy and completeness that we so need. It should supply for us all those love-needs we have, because if Jesus loves us, and we know it—we really know it—then it just fills up all those missing pieces that so often have caused us to do lots of crazy and harmful things as we looked for love in the wrong places. So, what’s keeping us from really enjoying and living in the truth that Jesus loves us? Well, one reason could be that God’s love seems impersonal to us. I mean, if God loves everybody, what’s so special about the fact that God loves me? After all, God loves everybody. Love is transforming in our lives when we know that the one who loves us is worthy, and we believe that love is directed to us individually. For example, I am very secure that my mother and father loved me. I was so blessed to be raised in a home where that love was rock-solid and never once did I ever doubt for a minute that my parents loved me. But if I told you that I know they loved me because they loved everybody, that would not describe their love for me. They loved me because I was their daughter; I had a special relationship with them because I was born into their family. They loved other people, true, but they loved me special. So, when we say that Jesus loves us and God loves us, we have to understand that while it’s true that God loves everybody,...
3/11/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Who Am I? – 5

We are the Building of God, a temple for the Holy Spirit; we are the Body of Christ, functioning with unique gifts and abilities; and we are the betrothed Bride of Christ, loved by him intimately and personally. Think what it means to be a bride looking forward to a wedding. It means excitement. Every betrothed bride I've ever met was excited. Her wedding is on her mind constantly. She counts the days and hours. As the Bride of Christ, should we not, too, be excited about being betrothed to Jesus? I know we're in this world and it has more than its share of troubles for all of us. But think about what the future holds for us. A wedding! Remember who you are—the betrothed Bride of Christ. It means preparation. No one ever had a wedding without lots of preparation. It may be tiring at times, but it is a work of love. We're in that preparation stage now, as the betrothed Bride of Christ. You remember the story of Rebekah, being taken back on that long journey to meet her beloved bridegroom, Isaac, whom she had never seen. We're on that journey now, waiting for the day when we'll see our bridegroom, Jesus Christ. I'm sure for Rebekah it wasn't always a pleasant trip. I'm sure she wondered sometimes if they'd ever get there. I'm sure at times she felt discouraged and maybe even fearful. But she had said "I will" be married to Isaac, and she endured the long journey. But when she saw him, that long trip was forgotten. And so it will be with us. As the song so perfectly puts it, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus." It means receiving. Betrothed brides get lots of gifts. Just as the servant took costly gifts to Rebekah, so our beloved has given us incredibly costly and beautiful gifts. His love, his grace, his peace which passes all understanding. He promises he will never leave us or forsake us, and nothing can separate us from his love. No other bridegroom can make that promise. I hope you'll remember who you are as you go to your everyday worlds. People around you may not recognize that you're wearing wedding garments, but don't let this world rob you of the joy of being a betrothed bride. Isaiah 62:5 says, "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."  
3/10/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 5

We are the Building of God, a temple for the Holy Spirit; we are the Body of Christ, functioning with unique gifts and abilities; and we are the betrothed Bride of Christ, loved by him intimately and personally. Think what it means to be a bride looking forward to a wedding. It means excitement. Every betrothed bride I've ever met was excited. Her wedding is on her mind constantly. She counts the days and hours. As the Bride of Christ, should we not, too, be excited about being betrothed to Jesus? I know we're in this world and it has more than its share of troubles for all of us. But think about what the future holds for us. A wedding! Remember who you are—the betrothed Bride of Christ. It means preparation. No one ever had a wedding without lots of preparation. It may be tiring at times, but it is a work of love. We're in that preparation stage now, as the betrothed Bride of Christ. You remember the story of Rebekah, being taken back on that long journey to meet her beloved bridegroom, Isaac, whom she had never seen. We're on that journey now, waiting for the day when we'll see our bridegroom, Jesus Christ. I'm sure for Rebekah it wasn't always a pleasant trip. I'm sure she wondered sometimes if they'd ever get there. I'm sure at times she felt discouraged and maybe even fearful. But she had said "I will" be married to Isaac, and she endured the long journey. But when she saw him, that long trip was forgotten. And so it will be with us. As the song so perfectly puts it, "It will be worth it all when we see Jesus." It means receiving. Betrothed brides get lots of gifts. Just as the servant took costly gifts to Rebekah, so our beloved has given us incredibly costly and beautiful gifts. His love, his grace, his peace which passes all understanding. He promises he will never leave us or forsake us, and nothing can separate us from his love. No other bridegroom can make that promise. I hope you'll remember who you are as you go to your everyday worlds. People around you may not recognize that you're wearing wedding garments, but don't let this world rob you of the joy of being a betrothed bride. Isaiah 62:5 says, "As a bridegroom rejoices over his bride, so will your God rejoice over you."  
3/10/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 4

As a believer, what is my identity? The Bible says that we are the Building of God, the Body of Christ, and the Bride of Christ. In Genesis 24 we see a beautiful love story which is a marvelous type of God's love for us, his bride. Abraham was getting old and he wanted to find a wife for his beloved son, Isaac. So, he sent his chief servant to his own country to find a wife for Isaac. The servant took with him all kinds of good things from his master for the bride when he found her. He prayed for God to show him who that bride should be, and Rebekah came to the well where the servant was resting, offered to water his camels, and he knew she was God's chosen bride for Isaac. He gave her jewels of gold and silver and articles of clothing–costly gifts. And when asked if she would return to marry Isaac, she answered simply, "I will go." I encourage you to read the entire story in Genesis 24 and see the beautiful type of God's love for us. He sends the Holy Spirit to woo us, he offers us great treasures, and he asks us to be his betrothed bride. If and when we say "I will," we are betrothed. And just as Rebekah was betrothed to one she had not yet seen, so are we. Peter wrote "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…" (1 Peter 1:8). Does that describe the way you feel? Are you filled with glorious joy at knowing you are betrothed to one you have not yet seen? If not, it might be because you either haven't understood your relationship to Jesus as his betrothed bride, or you haven't focused your mind on it. I hope that you'll be very conscious that you are the bride-to-be. If you carry that knowledge with you, you're going to see yourself differently, you'll see others differently, and your circumstances won't have such control over you. There's a great wedding to anticipate, and like all brides, we should be focused on that event.
3/9/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 4

As a believer, what is my identity? The Bible says that we are the Building of God, the Body of Christ, and the Bride of Christ. In Genesis 24 we see a beautiful love story which is a marvelous type of God's love for us, his bride. Abraham was getting old and he wanted to find a wife for his beloved son, Isaac. So, he sent his chief servant to his own country to find a wife for Isaac. The servant took with him all kinds of good things from his master for the bride when he found her. He prayed for God to show him who that bride should be, and Rebekah came to the well where the servant was resting, offered to water his camels, and he knew she was God's chosen bride for Isaac. He gave her jewels of gold and silver and articles of clothing–costly gifts. And when asked if she would return to marry Isaac, she answered simply, "I will go." I encourage you to read the entire story in Genesis 24 and see the beautiful type of God's love for us. He sends the Holy Spirit to woo us, he offers us great treasures, and he asks us to be his betrothed bride. If and when we say "I will," we are betrothed. And just as Rebekah was betrothed to one she had not yet seen, so are we. Peter wrote "Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy…" (1 Peter 1:8). Does that describe the way you feel? Are you filled with glorious joy at knowing you are betrothed to one you have not yet seen? If not, it might be because you either haven't understood your relationship to Jesus as his betrothed bride, or you haven't focused your mind on it. I hope that you'll be very conscious that you are the bride-to-be. If you carry that knowledge with you, you're going to see yourself differently, you'll see others differently, and your circumstances won't have such control over you. There's a great wedding to anticipate, and like all brides, we should be focused on that event.
3/9/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 3

Who am I? As believers we must know who we are as Christ-followers. Our identity needs to be firmly grounded in what the Bible tells us about how God sees us when we belong to him. Not for the purpose of self-focus, but in order to be equipped to worship and serve our Lord effectively. When you become a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, we have seen already that you become the Building of God; a residence for the Holy Spirit, making your body his temple. Then we saw that all believers are part of the Body of Christ, and a body has functional parts that work together and each part is necessary. And then we are called the BRIDE of Christ. “One of the seven angels . . .came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb’” (Revelation 21:9). “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready’” (Revelation 19:7). In Ephesians 5 Paul talks about the marriage relationship, how a husband should treat his wife, even as his own body, and how the two of them become one flesh. Then he adds "This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32). It's good to know that we are the BUILDING of God and the BODY of Christ, but that wasn't enough. God wanted us to know how much he loves us, how dear we are to him, how much he treasures us. And so, he has made us the betrothed BRIDE of Jesus Christ. This is who we are in Jesus—because of Jesus. We are his bride-to-be. I'm certain God used this analogy because he wanted us to know how much he loves us, how tender and close is our relationship to him. Dear friends, can we not rejoice in who we are? Isn't that identity more important than any earthly classifications or identifications? Remember as you go out into your world, if you know Jesus, you are the beloved betrothed Bride of Christ. Rejoice!
3/8/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 3

Who am I? As believers we must know who we are as Christ-followers. Our identity needs to be firmly grounded in what the Bible tells us about how God sees us when we belong to him. Not for the purpose of self-focus, but in order to be equipped to worship and serve our Lord effectively. When you become a believer and follower of Jesus Christ, we have seen already that you become the Building of God; a residence for the Holy Spirit, making your body his temple. Then we saw that all believers are part of the Body of Christ, and a body has functional parts that work together and each part is necessary. And then we are called the BRIDE of Christ. “One of the seven angels . . .came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb’” (Revelation 21:9). “Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory!  For the wedding of the Lamb has come and his bride has made herself ready’” (Revelation 19:7). In Ephesians 5 Paul talks about the marriage relationship, how a husband should treat his wife, even as his own body, and how the two of them become one flesh. Then he adds "This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church” (Ephesians 5:32). It's good to know that we are the BUILDING of God and the BODY of Christ, but that wasn't enough. God wanted us to know how much he loves us, how dear we are to him, how much he treasures us. And so, he has made us the betrothed BRIDE of Jesus Christ. This is who we are in Jesus—because of Jesus. We are his bride-to-be. I'm certain God used this analogy because he wanted us to know how much he loves us, how tender and close is our relationship to him. Dear friends, can we not rejoice in who we are? Isn't that identity more important than any earthly classifications or identifications? Remember as you go out into your world, if you know Jesus, you are the beloved betrothed Bride of Christ. Rejoice!
3/8/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 2

Who we are in Christ is essential so that we will have an identity grounded in God’s truth. Without a good knowledge of your standing and relationship to God through Jesus, you'll have problems with how you think about yourself. Knowing your identity as a believer is extremely important. We are referred to as a BUILDING of God, providing housing for God's Holy Spirit. Get a vision of yourself as a building, providing a permanent dwelling place for the Spirit of Christ who lives in your building. If you'll do that, it will have an impact on how you see yourself and understand who you are. We are also referred to as the BODY of Christ. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). That 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians goes into much detail about how we are each members of the body, and the body is meant to work together in unity. Each part of the body needs the other part, and no part is more important than another. Christ is the head, and we are the body. Each part of our bodies has a special and critical part to play in how we function. So, when you realize that you are part of the body of Christ, then you begin to understand how you are to function within the body; how important your gifts are. This gives you the assurance that God created you for a specific purpose in the body and you better understand your unique gifting. Each person brings their unique function to the body of believers, and understanding that, you can be content with who you are. You understand the part you play and you don't have to envy other people or wish you were like somebody else. If you don't understand this relationship you have as part of the body, then you're missing out on an essential element of your identity in Christ. Carry this with you: If you have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ, then you are an essential and definite part of the BODY of Christ; you're special; you're unique. Make sure you're functioning well in your specialty.
3/7/20233 minutes
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Who Am I? – 2

Who we are in Christ is essential so that we will have an identity grounded in God’s truth. Without a good knowledge of your standing and relationship to God through Jesus, you'll have problems with how you think about yourself. Knowing your identity as a believer is extremely important. We are referred to as a BUILDING of God, providing housing for God's Holy Spirit. Get a vision of yourself as a building, providing a permanent dwelling place for the Spirit of Christ who lives in your building. If you'll do that, it will have an impact on how you see yourself and understand who you are. We are also referred to as the BODY of Christ. “Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it” (1 Corinthians 12:27). That 12th chapter of 1 Corinthians goes into much detail about how we are each members of the body, and the body is meant to work together in unity. Each part of the body needs the other part, and no part is more important than another. Christ is the head, and we are the body. Each part of our bodies has a special and critical part to play in how we function. So, when you realize that you are part of the body of Christ, then you begin to understand how you are to function within the body; how important your gifts are. This gives you the assurance that God created you for a specific purpose in the body and you better understand your unique gifting. Each person brings their unique function to the body of believers, and understanding that, you can be content with who you are. You understand the part you play and you don't have to envy other people or wish you were like somebody else. If you don't understand this relationship you have as part of the body, then you're missing out on an essential element of your identity in Christ. Carry this with you: If you have been born again through faith in Jesus Christ, then you are an essential and definite part of the BODY of Christ; you're special; you're unique. Make sure you're functioning well in your specialty.
3/7/20233 minutes
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Who Am I?

"Who am I?” This is a question that has been asked and answered a hundred different ways. But as Christians we need to know who we are in Christ. What is our identity as born-from-above believers? I don't think too many of us really grasp the smallest inkling of who we are in Christ. Maybe it hasn’t been taught as it should be or somehow, we misunderstand what it means. The facts are, we need to have that identity grounded in our hearts and minds. The Bible uses different analogies and types to teach us about who we are in Christ. I want to briefly tell you about three, all beginning with B: We are called the BUILDING of God “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). A building's purpose is to provide housing, and our bodies are referred to as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he would abide in us (John 15:4). John wrote "This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:13). When you realize that your body houses the Holy Spirit of the Living God, you know that you have power; you know that you're never alone; you know that your life must be kept pure and clean because the blessed Holy Spirit is constantly abiding in you. I used to do lots of business training, primarily teaching customer service and communications skills. In reality, it was teaching people to treat others the way they would like to be treated. It's the biblical principle we call "The Golden Rule," and it's the best policy any company could have to establish good customer service. But I often felt a little guilty teaching people who were in many cases non-believers to perform on their job with caring and compassion for others without being able to tell them where the power to do that comes from. I would not have that kind of heart for others if it weren't for the Holy Spirit who dwells within me. Because I am the BUILDING of God, I have power to do and be what would be impossible otherwise. And the same is true for you, of course, if you are a Christ-follower. Remember, as you go out into your work world, that you are a building of God—a house for God’s Spirit to abide in. It will make a difference in how you feel about yourself and how you respond to your circumstances.
3/6/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Who Am I?

"Who am I?” This is a question that has been asked and answered a hundred different ways. But as Christians we need to know who we are in Christ. What is our identity as born-from-above believers? I don't think too many of us really grasp the smallest inkling of who we are in Christ. Maybe it hasn’t been taught as it should be or somehow, we misunderstand what it means. The facts are, we need to have that identity grounded in our hearts and minds. The Bible uses different analogies and types to teach us about who we are in Christ. I want to briefly tell you about three, all beginning with B: We are called the BUILDING of God “For we are co-workers in God’s service; you are God’s field, God’s building” (1 Corinthians 3:9). A building's purpose is to provide housing, and our bodies are referred to as the temple of the Holy Spirit. Jesus said that he would abide in us (John 15:4). John wrote "This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit" (1 John 4:13). When you realize that your body houses the Holy Spirit of the Living God, you know that you have power; you know that you're never alone; you know that your life must be kept pure and clean because the blessed Holy Spirit is constantly abiding in you. I used to do lots of business training, primarily teaching customer service and communications skills. In reality, it was teaching people to treat others the way they would like to be treated. It's the biblical principle we call "The Golden Rule," and it's the best policy any company could have to establish good customer service. But I often felt a little guilty teaching people who were in many cases non-believers to perform on their job with caring and compassion for others without being able to tell them where the power to do that comes from. I would not have that kind of heart for others if it weren't for the Holy Spirit who dwells within me. Because I am the BUILDING of God, I have power to do and be what would be impossible otherwise. And the same is true for you, of course, if you are a Christ-follower. Remember, as you go out into your work world, that you are a building of God—a house for God’s Spirit to abide in. It will make a difference in how you feel about yourself and how you respond to your circumstances.
3/6/20233 minutes
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We Need Each Other

Are you feeling the effects of the COVID pandemic and the isolation impact it has had? Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop talk through the importance and value of community. Below you will find some bullet points and relevant Scripture that are found in this conversation. __________ Social isolation is a term being used these days to describe a lack of social connections. And there’s no doubt that the pandemic escalated this isolation, plus our electronic gadgets have begun to replace person-to-person communication. But that is not enough. The potential effects of social isolation include: Loneliness Depression Poor sleep quality Impaired immunity Accelerated cognitive decline Poor cardiovascular function Impaired executive function Increased risk of premature death And signs and symptoms of social isolation can involve: An inability to communicate with others and connect on a deeper level. Not having any close or best friends. Feelings of isolation, no matter where you are and who you are around. Negative feelings of self-doubt and self-worth. Feeling unseen or unheard when you reach out to others (they don’t reciprocate your efforts). Feeling exhausted or burnt out when trying to engage socially. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many people around the world to social isolation and the effects it can have as billions of people were locked down at home. Relevant Passages: 1 Corinthians 12:27: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Philemon verse 7: Paul writes:  Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philippians 2:25: But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Romans 14:19: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Colossians 3:16: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Romans 15:1: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Hebrews 3:13: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Ecclesiastes 4:9: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. Romans 1:11-12: I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
3/4/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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We Need Each Other

Are you feeling the effects of the COVID pandemic and the isolation impact it has had? Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop talk through the importance and value of community. Below you will find some bullet points and relevant Scripture that are found in this conversation. __________ Social isolation is a term being used these days to describe a lack of social connections. And there’s no doubt that the pandemic escalated this isolation, plus our electronic gadgets have begun to replace person-to-person communication. But that is not enough. The potential effects of social isolation include: Loneliness Depression Poor sleep quality Impaired immunity Accelerated cognitive decline Poor cardiovascular function Impaired executive function Increased risk of premature death And signs and symptoms of social isolation can involve: An inability to communicate with others and connect on a deeper level. Not having any close or best friends. Feelings of isolation, no matter where you are and who you are around. Negative feelings of self-doubt and self-worth. Feeling unseen or unheard when you reach out to others (they don’t reciprocate your efforts). Feeling exhausted or burnt out when trying to engage socially. The COVID-19 pandemic introduced many people around the world to social isolation and the effects it can have as billions of people were locked down at home. Relevant Passages: 1 Corinthians 12:27: Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. Philemon verse 7: Paul writes:  Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people. Philippians 2:25: But I think it is necessary to send back to you Epaphroditus, my brother, co-worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger, whom you sent to take care of my needs. 1 Thessalonians 5:11: Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing. Hebrews 10:24-25: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Romans 14:19: Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification. Proverbs 27:17: As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. Colossians 3:16: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.  Romans 15:1: We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Hebrews 3:13: But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called “Today,” so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness. Ecclesiastes 4:9: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor. Romans 1:11-12: I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith.
3/4/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 5

How can you build relationships with your co-workers so that you have an opportunity to share God’s love with them, tell them of your faith journey, and be a witness for Jesus on the job? Here are the last two ways that we can share God’s love on the job. 9. Be ready to apologize when you need to. My friend, Janet, says that the major difference between her and her co-workers who are not yet believers is that she apologizes more often! Well, being humble enough to apologize when you’re wrong is definitely a God-thing, and it really does go a long way to breaking down barriers and solving problems. 10. Build relationships with your co-workers by using lunchtime as an opportunity to talk. It is not appropriate to use any significant amount of company time for personal conversations. But there is your lunch hour, and you can use that time for building relationships. Let me tell you about my friend, Cynthia. Many years ago, she worked in a difficult environment, where she was not fully accepted as a co-equal, because she is African-American. She sensed this attitude, particularly on the part of one co-worker, who actually told her they could never be friends because of their ethic differences. But Cynthia determined by God’s grace to overcome those differences. So, she began what she called Project Love, and each week she invited one of her co-workers to have lunch with her. She even designed special invitations for them, and so one by one, she began Project Love. That began to break down those barriers as her co-workers got to know her and vice-versa. And the woman who declared they could never be friends—well, as it turns out, she has become a close friend and confidant of Cynthia’s, and even though they no longer work together, they stay in touch, and Cynthia gets birthday cards and greetings from her regularly. Love works, my friends. Love will overcome, and if there are some difficult relationships where you work now, why don’t you ask God for your own Project Love idea, instead of giving up on those relationships.  
3/3/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 5

How can you build relationships with your co-workers so that you have an opportunity to share God’s love with them, tell them of your faith journey, and be a witness for Jesus on the job? Here are the last two ways that we can share God’s love on the job. 9. Be ready to apologize when you need to. My friend, Janet, says that the major difference between her and her co-workers who are not yet believers is that she apologizes more often! Well, being humble enough to apologize when you’re wrong is definitely a God-thing, and it really does go a long way to breaking down barriers and solving problems. 10. Build relationships with your co-workers by using lunchtime as an opportunity to talk. It is not appropriate to use any significant amount of company time for personal conversations. But there is your lunch hour, and you can use that time for building relationships. Let me tell you about my friend, Cynthia. Many years ago, she worked in a difficult environment, where she was not fully accepted as a co-equal, because she is African-American. She sensed this attitude, particularly on the part of one co-worker, who actually told her they could never be friends because of their ethic differences. But Cynthia determined by God’s grace to overcome those differences. So, she began what she called Project Love, and each week she invited one of her co-workers to have lunch with her. She even designed special invitations for them, and so one by one, she began Project Love. That began to break down those barriers as her co-workers got to know her and vice-versa. And the woman who declared they could never be friends—well, as it turns out, she has become a close friend and confidant of Cynthia’s, and even though they no longer work together, they stay in touch, and Cynthia gets birthday cards and greetings from her regularly. Love works, my friends. Love will overcome, and if there are some difficult relationships where you work now, why don’t you ask God for your own Project Love idea, instead of giving up on those relationships.  
3/3/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 4

Have you shared God’s love on the job lately? Sometimes it seems like the workplace is the last place we can talk about God or share our faith. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians that they were “a letter from Christ. . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3). You can be the word of the living God, a letter of love from Jesus to the people you work with, when you take time to let God’s love shine through you. I’ve given you six ideas on how to do that already. Here are numbers 7 and 8: 7. Smile Are you aware that your body language is louder than the words you speak? It’s true, and so we can send messages of love without saying a word. Smiling is surely one of the easiest and most effective ways to do that. All of us can smile; doesn’t cost a thing; doesn’t take any time. You just have to remember to do it. Proverbs reminds us that, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. . .” (Proverbs 15:30). So, why don’t we work harder at smiling more? I’m not advocating phony, insincere smiles, but many of us just have to work at smiling more. We feel smiles on the inside, but don’t show them on our faces. That’s my problem, I know, so I really try to remember to smile more. Some of you were born with smiles on your face, so it comes easy for you. But some of us have to remember to smile, because it brings joy to the heart, and it shares a little of God’s love with others. 8. Do the “dirty work” sometimes, even if it’s not your job. There are always those things that need to be done in a workplace environment that nobody really wants to do. They aren’t in anyone’s job description. Things like cleaning the kitchen or making the coffee; cleaning up after a meeting or tidying up the general work area. In smaller workplaces, it might be things like taking out the trash or taking the mail to the post office. If you just do those things occasionally, without being asked and without grumbling, it would be a good way to show a loving, caring attitude toward the people you work with and for. Too often we think that the only way we can witness for Jesus is through the words we say—quoting Scripture or giving our testimony or explaining the four spiritual laws. And frankly, there are not many opportunities in any given day to do that. But there are countless ways to show the love of God through our actions and our attitudes. But we have to make a decision to be intentional about it.
3/2/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 4

Have you shared God’s love on the job lately? Sometimes it seems like the workplace is the last place we can talk about God or share our faith. Paul wrote to the Corinthian Christians that they were “a letter from Christ. . . written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts” (2 Corinthians 3:3). You can be the word of the living God, a letter of love from Jesus to the people you work with, when you take time to let God’s love shine through you. I’ve given you six ideas on how to do that already. Here are numbers 7 and 8: 7. Smile Are you aware that your body language is louder than the words you speak? It’s true, and so we can send messages of love without saying a word. Smiling is surely one of the easiest and most effective ways to do that. All of us can smile; doesn’t cost a thing; doesn’t take any time. You just have to remember to do it. Proverbs reminds us that, “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart. . .” (Proverbs 15:30). So, why don’t we work harder at smiling more? I’m not advocating phony, insincere smiles, but many of us just have to work at smiling more. We feel smiles on the inside, but don’t show them on our faces. That’s my problem, I know, so I really try to remember to smile more. Some of you were born with smiles on your face, so it comes easy for you. But some of us have to remember to smile, because it brings joy to the heart, and it shares a little of God’s love with others. 8. Do the “dirty work” sometimes, even if it’s not your job. There are always those things that need to be done in a workplace environment that nobody really wants to do. They aren’t in anyone’s job description. Things like cleaning the kitchen or making the coffee; cleaning up after a meeting or tidying up the general work area. In smaller workplaces, it might be things like taking out the trash or taking the mail to the post office. If you just do those things occasionally, without being asked and without grumbling, it would be a good way to show a loving, caring attitude toward the people you work with and for. Too often we think that the only way we can witness for Jesus is through the words we say—quoting Scripture or giving our testimony or explaining the four spiritual laws. And frankly, there are not many opportunities in any given day to do that. But there are countless ways to show the love of God through our actions and our attitudes. But we have to make a decision to be intentional about it.
3/2/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 3

I’m offering ten suggestions for sharing God’s love where you work. Here are suggestions five and six: 5. Help others with their workload when you can. Maybe you have an assistant who helps you, and you know she or he is just overloaded with work at the moment. If you said, “Hey, I can stay an extra hour tonight and help get that done,” don’t you think that could really be an effective way to communicate God’s love? Or maybe you know that a co-worker is struggling with a certain assignment, doesn’t know how to get started. If you’ve got some experience or expertise that would help them, just stop what you’re doing and help them out. Obviously, you have your own work to do, which cannot be neglected, but for sure there are times when stopping to help someone else is just the right, thoughtful thing to do. 6. Look for opportunities to congratulate and compliment people any time you can. Think about it: aren’t there times in the day when you think something nice about someone but you don’t express it? I try to make myself verbalize the compliments I think. For example, if I like the outfit someone is wearing, and think, “That looks nice on her,” then why not say it to her. If I think, “He did a great job on that,” why not say it. I think we would be more encouraging to others if we simply determined to verbalize the compliments we think. Also, look for ways to congratulate people on any accomplishment possible. “You lost five pounds? Wow, good job.” “I noticed you stayed late last night and finished that job. Thanks.” “Your daughter made a 3.8 on her grades this semester? Terrific!” There are so many little things we can do in any given day to show love and concern for others, to demonstrate that we are thinking about someone beside ourselves. We live in a world that is pretty self-centered, but as servants of Jesus Christ, we are called to “look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others,” as we read in Philippians 2:4. These things we can do because we have the motivation of God’s Spirit within us, and the power he imparts to us, and believe me, God’s love will be felt as we intentionally seeks ways to share God’s love on our jobs.
3/1/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 3

I’m offering ten suggestions for sharing God’s love where you work. Here are suggestions five and six: 5. Help others with their workload when you can. Maybe you have an assistant who helps you, and you know she or he is just overloaded with work at the moment. If you said, “Hey, I can stay an extra hour tonight and help get that done,” don’t you think that could really be an effective way to communicate God’s love? Or maybe you know that a co-worker is struggling with a certain assignment, doesn’t know how to get started. If you’ve got some experience or expertise that would help them, just stop what you’re doing and help them out. Obviously, you have your own work to do, which cannot be neglected, but for sure there are times when stopping to help someone else is just the right, thoughtful thing to do. 6. Look for opportunities to congratulate and compliment people any time you can. Think about it: aren’t there times in the day when you think something nice about someone but you don’t express it? I try to make myself verbalize the compliments I think. For example, if I like the outfit someone is wearing, and think, “That looks nice on her,” then why not say it to her. If I think, “He did a great job on that,” why not say it. I think we would be more encouraging to others if we simply determined to verbalize the compliments we think. Also, look for ways to congratulate people on any accomplishment possible. “You lost five pounds? Wow, good job.” “I noticed you stayed late last night and finished that job. Thanks.” “Your daughter made a 3.8 on her grades this semester? Terrific!” There are so many little things we can do in any given day to show love and concern for others, to demonstrate that we are thinking about someone beside ourselves. We live in a world that is pretty self-centered, but as servants of Jesus Christ, we are called to “look not only to your own interest, but also to the interests of others,” as we read in Philippians 2:4. These things we can do because we have the motivation of God’s Spirit within us, and the power he imparts to us, and believe me, God’s love will be felt as we intentionally seeks ways to share God’s love on our jobs.
3/1/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 2

Have you ever had an opportunity to preach the gospel where you work? If you are in a secular workplace, I seriously doubt it! So, then, how can a Christian effectively share God’s love where they work? I’m sharing ten suggestions that all of us can do as a way to become the Bible that people read, the living Word of God on our jobs. Here are suggestions three and four: 3. Go through your schedule for each day and pray for the people you know you will interact with. I know that many of you are facing added stress and pressure on your jobs these days. Seems like there’s more workload for fewer people, and I hear from many of you that you’re expected to do more than you can get done in a day’s time. This kind of environment can easily cause interpersonal problems with co-workers. So, pray in advance for the people you will interact with. Remember, no one is in your life by accident, so even that difficult co-worker can be changed by God’s love. Ask God to give you wisdom in how best to deal with the difficult people on your job. Ask him to help you see them the way he sees them, and to give you a loving attitude toward them. Remember, you don’t have to like someone to show them God’s love. You could easily do this as you commute to work. Make it a daily practice to pray through your day before it starts, and you will discover that God supplies strength and ideas and help to get you through the day with a loving and kind attitude toward the people you encounter. 4. Plan acts of kindness. In 2 Timothy 2:24 we read, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” If you are a servant of Jesus Christ, your calling is to be kind to everyone—everyone! I think we have to remember to be kind, don’t you? I mean, you can just get so busy, trying to do your job and keep all your balls in the air, that you forget to do the kind things that matter to people. Here are two easy suggestions: Send cards at appropriate times. You could find out the birth dates of your co-workers, put them on your calendar, and then simply send a birthday card, even an email card would be fine. Celebrate significant events in the lives of co-workers—like promotions, or graduations, or marriages and anniversaries. It doesn’t take much effort to bring in some goodies and have a small celebration, and it truly is meaningful. But you have to plan those acts of kindness and be intentional about them.
2/28/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work – 2

Have you ever had an opportunity to preach the gospel where you work? If you are in a secular workplace, I seriously doubt it! So, then, how can a Christian effectively share God’s love where they work? I’m sharing ten suggestions that all of us can do as a way to become the Bible that people read, the living Word of God on our jobs. Here are suggestions three and four: 3. Go through your schedule for each day and pray for the people you know you will interact with. I know that many of you are facing added stress and pressure on your jobs these days. Seems like there’s more workload for fewer people, and I hear from many of you that you’re expected to do more than you can get done in a day’s time. This kind of environment can easily cause interpersonal problems with co-workers. So, pray in advance for the people you will interact with. Remember, no one is in your life by accident, so even that difficult co-worker can be changed by God’s love. Ask God to give you wisdom in how best to deal with the difficult people on your job. Ask him to help you see them the way he sees them, and to give you a loving attitude toward them. Remember, you don’t have to like someone to show them God’s love. You could easily do this as you commute to work. Make it a daily practice to pray through your day before it starts, and you will discover that God supplies strength and ideas and help to get you through the day with a loving and kind attitude toward the people you encounter. 4. Plan acts of kindness. In 2 Timothy 2:24 we read, “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful.” If you are a servant of Jesus Christ, your calling is to be kind to everyone—everyone! I think we have to remember to be kind, don’t you? I mean, you can just get so busy, trying to do your job and keep all your balls in the air, that you forget to do the kind things that matter to people. Here are two easy suggestions: Send cards at appropriate times. You could find out the birth dates of your co-workers, put them on your calendar, and then simply send a birthday card, even an email card would be fine. Celebrate significant events in the lives of co-workers—like promotions, or graduations, or marriages and anniversaries. It doesn’t take much effort to bring in some goodies and have a small celebration, and it truly is meaningful. But you have to plan those acts of kindness and be intentional about them.
2/28/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work

If you go to a secular workplace every day, you may wonder what in the world you can do in that kind of environment to share your faith in Jesus Christ, to really have an impact for the gospel. Well, I’m going to give you ten suggestions for sharing God’s love where you work. Set aside a certain time each day or week to pray for your workplace. I have discovered that many Christians don’t really pray for their workplace. I think sometimes we separate our “secular jobs” from our spiritual life, as though the two have nothing in common. But for a Christian, everything should be sacred. We should all see ourselves in “full time Christian work,” and so our workplaces are, in effect, our mission field. What is the best way to pray for your workplace? Well, first, pray for those in authority, for your relationship with them, for wisdom as they make decisions. Then pray for the success of the business, that God will bless the efforts of those working there. Pray for the morale of the workers, that there will be good working relationships, a good team atmosphere, conducive to good work. And then pray for whatever distressing or troubling situations you are experiencing. For example, if the company is experiencing a difficult economic situation, pray for new business, for creative marketing ideas and so forth. I would encourage you to set aside a specific time to pray for your workplace, maybe on Mondays, so that you have this programmed into your schedule and you don’t overlook it. Take prayer walks through your company/organization/building. Now, this is a clandestine kind of prayer, not one you advertise or talk about. But it’s easy to do. Just take a lunch hour, say once a week, and walk through your company, up and down the various hallways and floors, inconspicuously, and quietly pray for each person and department as you walk by their office or place of work. Or if it’s a small workplace, you might walk around the building. Perhaps you might do this before work one day, when not too many people are around. This is a really effective way to remember to pray for the people in your company or department or division. So, here are two things any of us can and should do to bring God’s love to our workplace. I truly believe you will be amazed to see how prayer can change things where you work.
2/27/20233 minutes
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Sharing God’s Love at Work

If you go to a secular workplace every day, you may wonder what in the world you can do in that kind of environment to share your faith in Jesus Christ, to really have an impact for the gospel. Well, I’m going to give you ten suggestions for sharing God’s love where you work. Set aside a certain time each day or week to pray for your workplace. I have discovered that many Christians don’t really pray for their workplace. I think sometimes we separate our “secular jobs” from our spiritual life, as though the two have nothing in common. But for a Christian, everything should be sacred. We should all see ourselves in “full time Christian work,” and so our workplaces are, in effect, our mission field. What is the best way to pray for your workplace? Well, first, pray for those in authority, for your relationship with them, for wisdom as they make decisions. Then pray for the success of the business, that God will bless the efforts of those working there. Pray for the morale of the workers, that there will be good working relationships, a good team atmosphere, conducive to good work. And then pray for whatever distressing or troubling situations you are experiencing. For example, if the company is experiencing a difficult economic situation, pray for new business, for creative marketing ideas and so forth. I would encourage you to set aside a specific time to pray for your workplace, maybe on Mondays, so that you have this programmed into your schedule and you don’t overlook it. Take prayer walks through your company/organization/building. Now, this is a clandestine kind of prayer, not one you advertise or talk about. But it’s easy to do. Just take a lunch hour, say once a week, and walk through your company, up and down the various hallways and floors, inconspicuously, and quietly pray for each person and department as you walk by their office or place of work. Or if it’s a small workplace, you might walk around the building. Perhaps you might do this before work one day, when not too many people are around. This is a really effective way to remember to pray for the people in your company or department or division. So, here are two things any of us can and should do to bring God’s love to our workplace. I truly believe you will be amazed to see how prayer can change things where you work.
2/27/20233 minutes
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Dancing in the Rain

This title about dancing in the rain caught my attention when I read this: “Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” There’s a lot of truth in that statement. You know, none of us is exempt from storms; and in fact, God sends and allows storms in our lives to be used for good. In Acts 27 we read about a storm that came upon Paul as he was sailing to Rome. Paul was a prisoner; he had no authority or freedom. But there he was. And don’t miss this: He was in that storm because God was sending him where God wanted him to be—to Rome. This storm did not catch God by surprise. God didn’t look down from heaven and say, “Oh, my goodness, what is happening to Paul? How in the world did he get himself in such a mess?” No, Paul was in that storm because he was doing God’s will. He was a prisoner because he was preaching the gospel. You remember after Jesus had fed the five thousand, he told the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They did what Jesus told them to do and guess what happened: They found themselves in the midst of a storm. Another time they followed him onto a boat, and he went to sleep, but without warning a furious storm came up on the lake. A storm on the lake and Jesus was in the boat! In all of these situations, Paul and the disciples were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do, and then they found themselves in the midst of terrible storms. If anyone tries to tell you that a Christian is exempt from storms, they are not telling you the truth! Nothing in Scripture would validate that belief. In fact, just the opposite. Peter writes: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13). Your storm has not taken God by surprise. But what does it mean to “dance in the rain”? The bottom line is, it means to have a grateful and thankful heart, no matter what your circumstances. The Bible says to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And again, it tells us to “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). We are to give thanks in our storms and for our storms. That is what it means to dance in the rain. You may be thinking, “Do you really expect me to thank God for being laid off, or getting a bad report from my doctor, or losing someone close to me, or watching my grown child stray far from God?” Well, I recognize that seems difficult if not impossible, but those are not my instructions or my idea. It is the inspired Word of God to us—to give thanks in and for everything. I think of a dear friend who lost his eyesight in mid-life. He went through some tough days when he learned he would eventually go blind, but he will tell you now that it is one of the best things that ever happened to him. Not that he likes being blind, but he has become such an amazing man of God because that blindness has driven him to love and trust God more. Learning to give thanks in and for everything just comes down to simple obedience—doing what God says to do even though you don’t want to, even when your heart is not in it. Maybe that’s what it means to give a “sacrifice of praise,” to thank and praise God when it just doesn’t make sense! I know God will honor that obedience. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” That storm you’re going through, whether from God or simply used by God,
2/25/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Dancing in the Rain

This title about dancing in the rain caught my attention when I read this: “Life’s not about waiting for the storm to pass… it’s about learning to dance in the rain.” There’s a lot of truth in that statement. You know, none of us is exempt from storms; and in fact, God sends and allows storms in our lives to be used for good. In Acts 27 we read about a storm that came upon Paul as he was sailing to Rome. Paul was a prisoner; he had no authority or freedom. But there he was. And don’t miss this: He was in that storm because God was sending him where God wanted him to be—to Rome. This storm did not catch God by surprise. God didn’t look down from heaven and say, “Oh, my goodness, what is happening to Paul? How in the world did he get himself in such a mess?” No, Paul was in that storm because he was doing God’s will. He was a prisoner because he was preaching the gospel. You remember after Jesus had fed the five thousand, he told the disciples to get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side of the Sea of Galilee. They did what Jesus told them to do and guess what happened: They found themselves in the midst of a storm. Another time they followed him onto a boat, and he went to sleep, but without warning a furious storm came up on the lake. A storm on the lake and Jesus was in the boat! In all of these situations, Paul and the disciples were doing exactly what Jesus told them to do, and then they found themselves in the midst of terrible storms. If anyone tries to tell you that a Christian is exempt from storms, they are not telling you the truth! Nothing in Scripture would validate that belief. In fact, just the opposite. Peter writes: Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed (1 Peter 4:12-13). Your storm has not taken God by surprise. But what does it mean to “dance in the rain”? The bottom line is, it means to have a grateful and thankful heart, no matter what your circumstances. The Bible says to “give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:18). And again, it tells us to “always give thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Ephesians 5:20). We are to give thanks in our storms and for our storms. That is what it means to dance in the rain. You may be thinking, “Do you really expect me to thank God for being laid off, or getting a bad report from my doctor, or losing someone close to me, or watching my grown child stray far from God?” Well, I recognize that seems difficult if not impossible, but those are not my instructions or my idea. It is the inspired Word of God to us—to give thanks in and for everything. I think of a dear friend who lost his eyesight in mid-life. He went through some tough days when he learned he would eventually go blind, but he will tell you now that it is one of the best things that ever happened to him. Not that he likes being blind, but he has become such an amazing man of God because that blindness has driven him to love and trust God more. Learning to give thanks in and for everything just comes down to simple obedience—doing what God says to do even though you don’t want to, even when your heart is not in it. Maybe that’s what it means to give a “sacrifice of praise,” to thank and praise God when it just doesn’t make sense! I know God will honor that obedience. James 1:2-4 says, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” That storm you’re going through, whether from God or simply used by God,
2/25/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) The Apostle Paul penned in Philippians this about contentment: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). To achieve contentment Paul knew he needed the strength of Christ. To achieve contentment, you and I need the strength of Christ. But our natural inclination is often not to make Jesus our go to. In our humanness we forget we have God’s strength and the power of his Holy Spirit to help us. We neglect to delight ourselves in the Lord. The concept of delighting in God is closely connected with intimacy with God. A desire for more of his presence. A depth of relationship where we want to know Jesus more, experience him more, worship him more, converse with him more, and find growing freedom in him. This requires making time to be with God. Daily being in his Word, in prayer and simply being still and delighting in his presence. This also reminds me of John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Remain in God. Abide in Jesus. And in every situation believe and remember that your secret to contentment is calling on Jesus who gives you the strength to be content and to be truly satisfied in him. This side of heaven you will battle with discontentment. It will never go away, and you will never be fully satisfied until you are in heaven with Jesus. But it is possible and a necessity that you pursue contentment in Jesus while on earth. There is great satisfaction to be found in Christ. God wants you to experience joy, gratitude and inner peace in the here and now. Just remember, it will take an earnest attempt on your part, and intention to delight yourself in him.  
2/24/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) The Apostle Paul penned in Philippians this about contentment: “I can do all things through him who gives me strength” (Philippians 4:13). To achieve contentment Paul knew he needed the strength of Christ. To achieve contentment, you and I need the strength of Christ. But our natural inclination is often not to make Jesus our go to. In our humanness we forget we have God’s strength and the power of his Holy Spirit to help us. We neglect to delight ourselves in the Lord. The concept of delighting in God is closely connected with intimacy with God. A desire for more of his presence. A depth of relationship where we want to know Jesus more, experience him more, worship him more, converse with him more, and find growing freedom in him. This requires making time to be with God. Daily being in his Word, in prayer and simply being still and delighting in his presence. This also reminds me of John 15:5, “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” Remain in God. Abide in Jesus. And in every situation believe and remember that your secret to contentment is calling on Jesus who gives you the strength to be content and to be truly satisfied in him. This side of heaven you will battle with discontentment. It will never go away, and you will never be fully satisfied until you are in heaven with Jesus. But it is possible and a necessity that you pursue contentment in Jesus while on earth. There is great satisfaction to be found in Christ. God wants you to experience joy, gratitude and inner peace in the here and now. Just remember, it will take an earnest attempt on your part, and intention to delight yourself in him.  
2/24/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do when life is not going the way you planned? When you feel disappointed, uncertain, or unsettled? We are taking a deep dive into contentment and how you can have more of it in your life, no matter your circumstances. If I have learned anything about contentment, cultivating it takes effort and it is something that you learn by intentionally pursuing it, consistently over time. It’s an inward state of satisfaction that comes from trusting God with your life even when circumstances look dim. If I am not careful, I can quickly find myself in a state of discontentment when my life is not going the way I envisioned. When a prayer I feel like I have prayed for years still goes unanswered. When I am uncertain, fearful and anxious about what the future holds, my emotions can be easily swayed to dissatisfaction and can drive me to seek fulfillment in ways that are not healthy or helpful. Where are you finding it difficult to be content? Think about it. What area of your life has not gone the way that you dreamed? When you come face to face with life’s disappointments, detours, or delays, where or what do you turn to? We can be tempted to try and numb ourselves and dull the discontent. You may turn to food, busyness, binging on Netflix. Maybe you turn to sex, pornography, alcohol or marijuana and other drugs. In an effort to dismiss the ache of an unmet longing we turn to idols to give us comfort even though we know that our idols never satisfy. Yet in the long moments of our lack of contentment, our flesh, our compulsion leads us to chase after worthless things. In Psalm 119:37, David knew his tendency to let his flesh rule in challenging circumstances. And when tempted and pressed in on every side, he cries out to the Lord, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” The Passion Translation says, “Help me turn my eyes away from illusions.” Idols are illusions. The things you turn to in your impatience or frustration may give a sense of temporary relief but will ultimately wreck you. When you are tempted to seek idols for comfort, turn. Turn your eyes away from the idol and towards God and ask him to help you. You need to override your desire to self-medicate and turn your eyes to Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. Ditch your idols, make a habit of turning to God, and contentment will be produced in you.
2/23/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do when life is not going the way you planned? When you feel disappointed, uncertain, or unsettled? We are taking a deep dive into contentment and how you can have more of it in your life, no matter your circumstances. If I have learned anything about contentment, cultivating it takes effort and it is something that you learn by intentionally pursuing it, consistently over time. It’s an inward state of satisfaction that comes from trusting God with your life even when circumstances look dim. If I am not careful, I can quickly find myself in a state of discontentment when my life is not going the way I envisioned. When a prayer I feel like I have prayed for years still goes unanswered. When I am uncertain, fearful and anxious about what the future holds, my emotions can be easily swayed to dissatisfaction and can drive me to seek fulfillment in ways that are not healthy or helpful. Where are you finding it difficult to be content? Think about it. What area of your life has not gone the way that you dreamed? When you come face to face with life’s disappointments, detours, or delays, where or what do you turn to? We can be tempted to try and numb ourselves and dull the discontent. You may turn to food, busyness, binging on Netflix. Maybe you turn to sex, pornography, alcohol or marijuana and other drugs. In an effort to dismiss the ache of an unmet longing we turn to idols to give us comfort even though we know that our idols never satisfy. Yet in the long moments of our lack of contentment, our flesh, our compulsion leads us to chase after worthless things. In Psalm 119:37, David knew his tendency to let his flesh rule in challenging circumstances. And when tempted and pressed in on every side, he cries out to the Lord, “Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word.” The Passion Translation says, “Help me turn my eyes away from illusions.” Idols are illusions. The things you turn to in your impatience or frustration may give a sense of temporary relief but will ultimately wreck you. When you are tempted to seek idols for comfort, turn. Turn your eyes away from the idol and towards God and ask him to help you. You need to override your desire to self-medicate and turn your eyes to Jesus, the author and perfecter of your faith. Ditch your idols, make a habit of turning to God, and contentment will be produced in you.
2/23/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Would you say you gravitate towards grumbling or gratitude? We don’t have to read very far in the Bible to see numerous examples in the Old Testament where grumbling was rampant, and gratitude was severely lacking. The Israelites rarely seemed to be content and when they were it lasted a hot minute before they were back to their complaining ways. They give examples of what it looks like and sounds like to forget God’s faithfulness. To fail to remember all of the ways he has, is and will provide for your daily needs. All too often it’s easy to be tempted to measure your gratitude against the backdrop of what you want rather than trusting God sees the bigger picture and will never deny you of what you actually need. In Exodus 16 we see the Israelites are in their sixth week of wandering in the wilderness after the Lord has just delivered them from over 400 years of slavery. As they enter the wilderness it also begins a cycle of crisis, grumbling, God’s provision, gratitude. Now let’s be honest, I don’t know if you or I would have acted much differently with our lack of gratitude but what I don’t want us to miss is that the wilderness is a training ground to mature in Christ, to grow in our ability to see God’s provision even in hard circumstances and to learn to trust him. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death” (Exodus 16:2-3). After they complain, God responds by providing for their needs. They are grateful for a short time but quickly have gratitude amnesia and the cycle of grumbling begins again. It’s a recurring pattern not only for the Israelites, but for our spiritual lives as well. When you are facing challenging circumstances, it can be easy to focus on what you do not have and to forget what there is to be grateful for. Here’s a challenge for you. Write a list of ten things you are grateful for. Nothing is too small. Thank God for them. Learn to be content as you practice turning your grumbling into gratitude.
2/22/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Would you say you gravitate towards grumbling or gratitude? We don’t have to read very far in the Bible to see numerous examples in the Old Testament where grumbling was rampant, and gratitude was severely lacking. The Israelites rarely seemed to be content and when they were it lasted a hot minute before they were back to their complaining ways. They give examples of what it looks like and sounds like to forget God’s faithfulness. To fail to remember all of the ways he has, is and will provide for your daily needs. All too often it’s easy to be tempted to measure your gratitude against the backdrop of what you want rather than trusting God sees the bigger picture and will never deny you of what you actually need. In Exodus 16 we see the Israelites are in their sixth week of wandering in the wilderness after the Lord has just delivered them from over 400 years of slavery. As they enter the wilderness it also begins a cycle of crisis, grumbling, God’s provision, gratitude. Now let’s be honest, I don’t know if you or I would have acted much differently with our lack of gratitude but what I don’t want us to miss is that the wilderness is a training ground to mature in Christ, to grow in our ability to see God’s provision even in hard circumstances and to learn to trust him. In the desert the whole community grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The Israelites said to them, “If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death” (Exodus 16:2-3). After they complain, God responds by providing for their needs. They are grateful for a short time but quickly have gratitude amnesia and the cycle of grumbling begins again. It’s a recurring pattern not only for the Israelites, but for our spiritual lives as well. When you are facing challenging circumstances, it can be easy to focus on what you do not have and to forget what there is to be grateful for. Here’s a challenge for you. Write a list of ten things you are grateful for. Nothing is too small. Thank God for them. Learn to be content as you practice turning your grumbling into gratitude.
2/22/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Denying yourself is a gateway to a contented life. The Apostle Paul says this, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). When Paul uses the word “know” he means, “to know how, to be skilled in.” Paul had more than head knowledge of what contentment meant. He felt the pain and the reward of practicing contentment. As a reminder, Paul was writing this letter to the church while he was in prison and you can assume the circumstances were not pretty. Paul could not come and go as he pleased, order Chinese food and have it delivered through Grub Hub or get his favorite movies on demand. When Paul says he has learned contentment, in the middle of a prison cell, in the midst of lack and plenty, I think it had something to do with the discipline of denying himself. Not having what he wanted when he wanted it. If you are so accustomed to having your way you will be hard pressed to maintain inward satisfaction when your circumstances are less than desirable. I feel entitled to a comfortable life sometimes. A life free of hardship, difficult coworkers, drained finances, and messy relationships. How about you? This is where Paul’s example of knowing contentment whether in need or in plenty is so important for you to embrace in your own life and this is where denying yourself comes in. Knowing what it feels like to be in want and be okay! One way of denying yourself is through practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting. Typically, it is fasting from food for a day, or two, or three. Or, fasting from a meal on any given day. Denying ourselves of food, the source of comfort and pleasure can be the fastest way to experience self-denial. When that “hangry” state or those hunger pains kick in, we direct our attention to Jesus, the only one who satisfies and we begin to experience Paul’s teaching for ourselves. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12b). Our appetites for more are what lead to disgruntlement and dissatisfaction. Learn to discipline yourself with self-denial. Embrace your circumstances and trust God to provide in them.
2/21/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Denying yourself is a gateway to a contented life. The Apostle Paul says this, “I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12). When Paul uses the word “know” he means, “to know how, to be skilled in.” Paul had more than head knowledge of what contentment meant. He felt the pain and the reward of practicing contentment. As a reminder, Paul was writing this letter to the church while he was in prison and you can assume the circumstances were not pretty. Paul could not come and go as he pleased, order Chinese food and have it delivered through Grub Hub or get his favorite movies on demand. When Paul says he has learned contentment, in the middle of a prison cell, in the midst of lack and plenty, I think it had something to do with the discipline of denying himself. Not having what he wanted when he wanted it. If you are so accustomed to having your way you will be hard pressed to maintain inward satisfaction when your circumstances are less than desirable. I feel entitled to a comfortable life sometimes. A life free of hardship, difficult coworkers, drained finances, and messy relationships. How about you? This is where Paul’s example of knowing contentment whether in need or in plenty is so important for you to embrace in your own life and this is where denying yourself comes in. Knowing what it feels like to be in want and be okay! One way of denying yourself is through practicing the spiritual discipline of fasting. Typically, it is fasting from food for a day, or two, or three. Or, fasting from a meal on any given day. Denying ourselves of food, the source of comfort and pleasure can be the fastest way to experience self-denial. When that “hangry” state or those hunger pains kick in, we direct our attention to Jesus, the only one who satisfies and we begin to experience Paul’s teaching for ourselves. “I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want” (Philippians 4:12b). Our appetites for more are what lead to disgruntlement and dissatisfaction. Learn to discipline yourself with self-denial. Embrace your circumstances and trust God to provide in them.
2/21/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you content with your job, your relationships, your living circumstances, your life? I recently read an article in Psychology Today entitled, “The Secret to a Contented Life.”  In a nutshell it said that contentment comes from unconditional self-acceptance. As a follower of Jesus, you and I know the secret is not to “love yourself more.” We share with the Apostle Paul in having the true secret to contentment and that’s why we’ll look at what I call the four D’s of living a contented life. But before we do, let's remind ourselves of Paul’s profound words in Philippians: …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11b-13). When I studied this passage several years ago the word that stood out to me was, “learned.” Whenever you read Scripture, look for repeated words. That means the author is trying to get your attention and make a point. Here Paul uses the word “learned” two times. In the Greek it means, “to learn by use and practice, to be in the habit of, accustomed to.” I think this is where a lot of us can get tripped up and discouraged. We want contentment just to come, when in fact it is hard work and something we often have to practice over and over again and fight for. Which seems counterintuitive, but we live in a world where we are bombarded with messages that this car, that job, that outfit, that spouse will make you happy. And while we ultimately know it’s not true, we can fall into the fleeting trap of believing contentment can be found “out there somewhere.” With some particular need or desire being met, when really it is a state of mind and a state of being satisfied in Christ. Contentment is not a quick fix, it’s learned. Where are you lacking contentment?
2/20/20233 minutes
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The Five “D’s” of Contentment

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you content with your job, your relationships, your living circumstances, your life? I recently read an article in Psychology Today entitled, “The Secret to a Contented Life.”  In a nutshell it said that contentment comes from unconditional self-acceptance. As a follower of Jesus, you and I know the secret is not to “love yourself more.” We share with the Apostle Paul in having the true secret to contentment and that’s why we’ll look at what I call the four D’s of living a contented life. But before we do, let's remind ourselves of Paul’s profound words in Philippians: …I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11b-13). When I studied this passage several years ago the word that stood out to me was, “learned.” Whenever you read Scripture, look for repeated words. That means the author is trying to get your attention and make a point. Here Paul uses the word “learned” two times. In the Greek it means, “to learn by use and practice, to be in the habit of, accustomed to.” I think this is where a lot of us can get tripped up and discouraged. We want contentment just to come, when in fact it is hard work and something we often have to practice over and over again and fight for. Which seems counterintuitive, but we live in a world where we are bombarded with messages that this car, that job, that outfit, that spouse will make you happy. And while we ultimately know it’s not true, we can fall into the fleeting trap of believing contentment can be found “out there somewhere.” With some particular need or desire being met, when really it is a state of mind and a state of being satisfied in Christ. Contentment is not a quick fix, it’s learned. Where are you lacking contentment?
2/20/20233 minutes
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Be Content with Who You Are, Not Where You Are Part 2

It is a bit of a paradox, I recognize, to be both contented and not contented. Maybe it’s helpful to say we should accept who we are but never settle for where we are. Have you discovered that when you are not happy with who you are, you inflict great suffering on yourself? It causes you to be envious of others, to resent the success of others, to fight to get ahead of others, to be dependent on the approval of others. All kinds of problems arise when you cannot accept who you are. Have you come to that place yet, where you can truly say, "I like the way God has created me"? Oh, I hope so. It is not prideful to appreciate God's handiwork in you. Rather it brings glory to God, just as when you appreciate a work of art you bring honor to the artist. Today I want to point out three additional areas where we need to learn to accept but not settle. Your Gifts and Talents Have you accepted the way God has gifted you? The Bible clearly teaches us that each believer has been given definite and recognizable gifts or talents, which are resources to use in serving the Lord. First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are good chapters to study if you're not familiar with these gifts. Once you know how God has gifted you, then accept that role you've been given with great joy. The things God has gifted you to do are the things that make you the happiest and bring the most satisfaction. You'll find great joy when you're functioning the way God created you to. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, your greatest joy will be to write notes, help someone out, listen to a heartache—lots of things like that which an encourager does so well. It won't be a chore or a duty because it's your gift; it will be a delight. If your gift is administration, you'll love organizing and doing all the behind-the-scenes things that are so important. If your gift is mercy, you will naturally have a sympathetic heart toward hurting people and find yourself trying to help them. Using your God-given gifts and talents will bring you satisfaction, and you will do those things with enthusiasm and excellence. But here's the other side of the coin: Never be satisfied with your gifts the way they are. Jesus told a parable about three people who were given talents to use. One had five talents, one two talents and one had only one. When the master returned and demanded an accounting as to how each one used his talents, he gave strong approval to the first two because they multiplied their talents. But to the man with only one, he gave a grave condemnation because he hid his talent and did not multiply it. You’ll find that parable in Matthew 25. What Jesus taught us there is that when we use the gifts and talents he has given us, he will give us more. I've been amazed to see this in my own life. I'm telling you, years ago I could never have imagined being able to do some of the ministries and new ideas God has allowed me to be involved with. But God is true to his word, and when we start using the talent we have, God is faithful to give us more and increase our effectiveness. So, accept the talents and gifts God has invested in you, and then set out to grow them as much as possible. You do that by using them any way you can. Jump in the water and get wet. Often I'm asked how I began my ministry, which is now heard on over 400 radio stations internationally and reaches out in many other ways. Well, it began in my home in Chicago over thirty-five years ago as a Bible study for five or six women. That Bible study lasted several years, and to this day is one of the sweetest, best memories I have. From that I started a small ministry at my church and became involved in other ministries there, serving in various ways. And much to my amazement, the doors opened until now we have a much bigger outreach. But it all began where I was—in my home. And little by little God gave me opportunities to develop my gifts. God keeps his word,
2/18/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Be Content with Who You Are, Not Where You Are Part 2

It is a bit of a paradox, I recognize, to be both contented and not contented. Maybe it’s helpful to say we should accept who we are but never settle for where we are. Have you discovered that when you are not happy with who you are, you inflict great suffering on yourself? It causes you to be envious of others, to resent the success of others, to fight to get ahead of others, to be dependent on the approval of others. All kinds of problems arise when you cannot accept who you are. Have you come to that place yet, where you can truly say, "I like the way God has created me"? Oh, I hope so. It is not prideful to appreciate God's handiwork in you. Rather it brings glory to God, just as when you appreciate a work of art you bring honor to the artist. Today I want to point out three additional areas where we need to learn to accept but not settle. Your Gifts and Talents Have you accepted the way God has gifted you? The Bible clearly teaches us that each believer has been given definite and recognizable gifts or talents, which are resources to use in serving the Lord. First Corinthians 12 and Romans 12 are good chapters to study if you're not familiar with these gifts. Once you know how God has gifted you, then accept that role you've been given with great joy. The things God has gifted you to do are the things that make you the happiest and bring the most satisfaction. You'll find great joy when you're functioning the way God created you to. For example, if you have the gift of encouragement, your greatest joy will be to write notes, help someone out, listen to a heartache—lots of things like that which an encourager does so well. It won't be a chore or a duty because it's your gift; it will be a delight. If your gift is administration, you'll love organizing and doing all the behind-the-scenes things that are so important. If your gift is mercy, you will naturally have a sympathetic heart toward hurting people and find yourself trying to help them. Using your God-given gifts and talents will bring you satisfaction, and you will do those things with enthusiasm and excellence. But here's the other side of the coin: Never be satisfied with your gifts the way they are. Jesus told a parable about three people who were given talents to use. One had five talents, one two talents and one had only one. When the master returned and demanded an accounting as to how each one used his talents, he gave strong approval to the first two because they multiplied their talents. But to the man with only one, he gave a grave condemnation because he hid his talent and did not multiply it. You’ll find that parable in Matthew 25. What Jesus taught us there is that when we use the gifts and talents he has given us, he will give us more. I've been amazed to see this in my own life. I'm telling you, years ago I could never have imagined being able to do some of the ministries and new ideas God has allowed me to be involved with. But God is true to his word, and when we start using the talent we have, God is faithful to give us more and increase our effectiveness. So, accept the talents and gifts God has invested in you, and then set out to grow them as much as possible. You do that by using them any way you can. Jump in the water and get wet. Often I'm asked how I began my ministry, which is now heard on over 400 radio stations internationally and reaches out in many other ways. Well, it began in my home in Chicago over thirty-five years ago as a Bible study for five or six women. That Bible study lasted several years, and to this day is one of the sweetest, best memories I have. From that I started a small ministry at my church and became involved in other ministries there, serving in various ways. And much to my amazement, the doors opened until now we have a much bigger outreach. But it all began where I was—in my home. And little by little God gave me opportunities to develop my gifts. God keeps his word,
2/18/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Cure for Complaining – 5

Do you know how to be a good complainer? I want to show you how to complain. For sure, life is full of things we don’t like, things that aren’t good, and sometimes we just need to complain. Well, here’s how to do it. In Psalm 142:1-2, David said "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble." King David had some genuine complaints, but he knew where to go with them. He poured them out before the Lord. Do you take your complaints to the Lord and actually verbalize them to him? You should, because he understands you, he cares about you, he's always there to listen, and he has answers. Instead of complaining to everyone around you, why not tell the one person who invites you to bring all your cares and problems to him, because he cares for you? I notice as David spelled out his complaint to God, he heard his own words, and that led him back into right thinking. He says in verse 5 and 7a, "I cry to you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living...Set me free from my prison that I may praise your name." I find that when I pour out my complaints to God, I start to gain perspective and I realize that they're not as big as I thought they were. I also realize that I'm a captive to my own complaining spirit, and once I see that, then God can set me free from that prison of griping and complaining. Philippians 2:14 says we are to do everything without complaining or arguing. But listen to the great benefits of practicing this biblical principle: "... so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:15-16a). We will shine like stars and show others Jesus as we learn to do everything without complaining. What a great testimony Christians would have especially in the marketplace if we truly took our complaints to the Lord—to him only—and replaced our complaining spirits with his joy and peace.  
2/17/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 5

Do you know how to be a good complainer? I want to show you how to complain. For sure, life is full of things we don’t like, things that aren’t good, and sometimes we just need to complain. Well, here’s how to do it. In Psalm 142:1-2, David said "I cry aloud to the Lord; I lift up my voice to the Lord for mercy. I pour out before him my complaint; before him I tell my trouble." King David had some genuine complaints, but he knew where to go with them. He poured them out before the Lord. Do you take your complaints to the Lord and actually verbalize them to him? You should, because he understands you, he cares about you, he's always there to listen, and he has answers. Instead of complaining to everyone around you, why not tell the one person who invites you to bring all your cares and problems to him, because he cares for you? I notice as David spelled out his complaint to God, he heard his own words, and that led him back into right thinking. He says in verse 5 and 7a, "I cry to you, O Lord; I say, 'You are my refuge, my portion in the land of the living...Set me free from my prison that I may praise your name." I find that when I pour out my complaints to God, I start to gain perspective and I realize that they're not as big as I thought they were. I also realize that I'm a captive to my own complaining spirit, and once I see that, then God can set me free from that prison of griping and complaining. Philippians 2:14 says we are to do everything without complaining or arguing. But listen to the great benefits of practicing this biblical principle: "... so that you may become blameless and pure, “children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.” Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” (Philippians 2:15-16a). We will shine like stars and show others Jesus as we learn to do everything without complaining. What a great testimony Christians would have especially in the marketplace if we truly took our complaints to the Lord—to him only—and replaced our complaining spirits with his joy and peace.  
2/17/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 4

How do we get rid of the bad habit of complaining? I’ve given you four effective ways to cure the contagious disease of complaining in your life and they’re not hard to do. You just have to remember to do them; pray about them; seek God’s help to remember not to complain, and then watch the transformation in your own life when you are no longer a complainer! Let me give you one more really good cure for complaining: Learn to practice the 24-hour rule. What is the 24-hour rule, you ask?  It’s simple: When you’re starting to complain and you’re getting frustrated or impatient, ask yourself this one question: What difference will this make in 24 hours? And then, the rule is that if it doesn’t make a real difference in 24 hours, you are not allowed to complain about it. I promise you, from my own life experience, that this will go a long way toward curing the complaining disease. A great majority of what you and I complain about today won’t matter at this same time tomorrow. When I began to practice this rule, I was a complainer. I was travelling a lot and I found much to complain about with late airplanes, poor customer service, bad hotels—and so I complained, both verbally and in my own mind. Of course, my complaining didn’t change anything, it just made me a miserable person. I suffered from this disease of complaining but I also passed it on to others, I’m sure, because complaining is a very contagious disease. That’s when I got smart and began to practice this 24-hour rule—and I do so to this day. I talk to myself and make myself obey the 24-hour rule—if it doesn’t matter in 24 hours, don’t complain about it. I challenge you to try it. I think it will work for you too. These five cures for complaining that I’ve given you are biblically based principles that will truly help you to become a more joyful, pleasant person, and you will be a better representative of Jesus Christ in every area of your life—and most especially where you work.
2/16/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 4

How do we get rid of the bad habit of complaining? I’ve given you four effective ways to cure the contagious disease of complaining in your life and they’re not hard to do. You just have to remember to do them; pray about them; seek God’s help to remember not to complain, and then watch the transformation in your own life when you are no longer a complainer! Let me give you one more really good cure for complaining: Learn to practice the 24-hour rule. What is the 24-hour rule, you ask?  It’s simple: When you’re starting to complain and you’re getting frustrated or impatient, ask yourself this one question: What difference will this make in 24 hours? And then, the rule is that if it doesn’t make a real difference in 24 hours, you are not allowed to complain about it. I promise you, from my own life experience, that this will go a long way toward curing the complaining disease. A great majority of what you and I complain about today won’t matter at this same time tomorrow. When I began to practice this rule, I was a complainer. I was travelling a lot and I found much to complain about with late airplanes, poor customer service, bad hotels—and so I complained, both verbally and in my own mind. Of course, my complaining didn’t change anything, it just made me a miserable person. I suffered from this disease of complaining but I also passed it on to others, I’m sure, because complaining is a very contagious disease. That’s when I got smart and began to practice this 24-hour rule—and I do so to this day. I talk to myself and make myself obey the 24-hour rule—if it doesn’t matter in 24 hours, don’t complain about it. I challenge you to try it. I think it will work for you too. These five cures for complaining that I’ve given you are biblically based principles that will truly help you to become a more joyful, pleasant person, and you will be a better representative of Jesus Christ in every area of your life—and most especially where you work.
2/16/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 3

Can you think of someone you know who you would describe as a negative, complaining person? I’m guessing you probably can, but here’s the harder question: Would people who know you put you in that category of a habitual complainer? Well, even if you’re not totally consumed with complaining, you may have allowed a complaining spirit to creep into your mind and heart. I’m talking about how to cure the contagious disease called complaining. I gave you two important cures: Make thanksgiving a part of your everyday routine and adjust your expectations. I want to add a couple more suggestions: Stop trying to control the uncontrollable. Control freaks like me get very focused on fixing things and setting things straight. But one of the best gifts you can give yourself is to let go of that drive to control the uncontrollable. When you think about it, there’s not a whole bunch of things in life you can control except yourself, is there?  But my guess is that a lot of your complaining is probably about the uncontrollable things and people in your life. What a futile exercise that is! Here’s a good thought to keep in mind: If you will control the controllable—namely you—you will be able to cope with the uncontrollable. And you’ll stop complaining about all those things beyond your control. It will make a difference. Let go of yesterday and tomorrow. Much of the complaining you hear every day is about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. Jesus told us that we are not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. He reminded us that each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). And yesterday is past history; you can never change it, so complaining about either yesterday or tomorrow is a pointless exercise. Live in today; focus on making today as good as you can, so you won’t have anything to complain about it tomorrow! Don’t you think that we often allow ourselves to get into the complaining pit without even realizing it, and before we know it, we’ve caught that destructive disease. But there is a cure and if you and I will just change a few of our bad habits, and ask God to help us, we can be set free from complaining.
2/15/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 3

Can you think of someone you know who you would describe as a negative, complaining person? I’m guessing you probably can, but here’s the harder question: Would people who know you put you in that category of a habitual complainer? Well, even if you’re not totally consumed with complaining, you may have allowed a complaining spirit to creep into your mind and heart. I’m talking about how to cure the contagious disease called complaining. I gave you two important cures: Make thanksgiving a part of your everyday routine and adjust your expectations. I want to add a couple more suggestions: Stop trying to control the uncontrollable. Control freaks like me get very focused on fixing things and setting things straight. But one of the best gifts you can give yourself is to let go of that drive to control the uncontrollable. When you think about it, there’s not a whole bunch of things in life you can control except yourself, is there?  But my guess is that a lot of your complaining is probably about the uncontrollable things and people in your life. What a futile exercise that is! Here’s a good thought to keep in mind: If you will control the controllable—namely you—you will be able to cope with the uncontrollable. And you’ll stop complaining about all those things beyond your control. It will make a difference. Let go of yesterday and tomorrow. Much of the complaining you hear every day is about what happened yesterday or what might happen tomorrow. Jesus told us that we are not to worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. He reminded us that each day has enough trouble of its own (Matthew 6:34). And yesterday is past history; you can never change it, so complaining about either yesterday or tomorrow is a pointless exercise. Live in today; focus on making today as good as you can, so you won’t have anything to complain about it tomorrow! Don’t you think that we often allow ourselves to get into the complaining pit without even realizing it, and before we know it, we’ve caught that destructive disease. But there is a cure and if you and I will just change a few of our bad habits, and ask God to help us, we can be set free from complaining.
2/15/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 2

Would you like to stop complaining? I have a message of great hope for you. You can be set free from the curse of complaining; you don’t have to continue to suffer from this very contagious disease. In fact, if you are a Christ-follower, you have been given a clear directive to get rid of complaining in your life. Philippians 2:14 puts it very simply: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” I pointed out that complaining can be addictive, and it can cause you real mental and physical problems. There is no doubt that you would be much better off if you would get rid of complaining, and because it is a contagious disease, everyone around you would be better off as well. So, how do you cure complaining? I have five powerful cures to give you. Make thanksgiving a part of your everyday routine. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  It is God’s will that you become a thankful person; so put it on your to-do list; add it to your daily schedule. Thank God intentionally and continually throughout your day. And please make sure you begin each day with thankfulness. Make the first words out of your mouth—even the first thoughts in your head each morning—words and thoughts full of thanksgiving. You’ll probably have to train yourself to do this, if you’ve been in complaint mode very long. It is replacing bad habits with good habits, but if you are a Christ-follower, you have a mandate to give thanks in all circumstances, so I would just say, get with the program starting today. Adjust your expectations. If you’ve been expecting life to be fair and easy and you live under the assumption that everyone should march in your parade and do what you think they should do, you have unrealistic expectations. So, adjust to the fact that you don’t have a perfect job, a perfect mate, a perfect child, a perfect church. Life is just plain messy and it’s not fair. And if you’ve been thinking that life owes you a smooth journey, throw those thoughts out and determine to focus on the good things in your life instead of majoring on the negative ones. Remember, don’t complain about anything today.
2/14/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining – 2

Would you like to stop complaining? I have a message of great hope for you. You can be set free from the curse of complaining; you don’t have to continue to suffer from this very contagious disease. In fact, if you are a Christ-follower, you have been given a clear directive to get rid of complaining in your life. Philippians 2:14 puts it very simply: “Do everything without grumbling or arguing.” I pointed out that complaining can be addictive, and it can cause you real mental and physical problems. There is no doubt that you would be much better off if you would get rid of complaining, and because it is a contagious disease, everyone around you would be better off as well. So, how do you cure complaining? I have five powerful cures to give you. Make thanksgiving a part of your everyday routine. In 1 Thessalonians 5:18 we read, “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”  It is God’s will that you become a thankful person; so put it on your to-do list; add it to your daily schedule. Thank God intentionally and continually throughout your day. And please make sure you begin each day with thankfulness. Make the first words out of your mouth—even the first thoughts in your head each morning—words and thoughts full of thanksgiving. You’ll probably have to train yourself to do this, if you’ve been in complaint mode very long. It is replacing bad habits with good habits, but if you are a Christ-follower, you have a mandate to give thanks in all circumstances, so I would just say, get with the program starting today. Adjust your expectations. If you’ve been expecting life to be fair and easy and you live under the assumption that everyone should march in your parade and do what you think they should do, you have unrealistic expectations. So, adjust to the fact that you don’t have a perfect job, a perfect mate, a perfect child, a perfect church. Life is just plain messy and it’s not fair. And if you’ve been thinking that life owes you a smooth journey, throw those thoughts out and determine to focus on the good things in your life instead of majoring on the negative ones. Remember, don’t complain about anything today.
2/14/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining

Have you ever thought about the consequences of complaining? I mean, don’t most people consider complaining their right? Surely there’s something in our Constitution about free speech which says we have the right to complain about anything or anyone at any time—right?  In fact, anyone who doesn’t complain on a somewhat regular basis must not be normal! That’s how lots of people look at it. Well, I want to talk about this contagious disease called complaining, and I want to give you the antidote—the cure—for complaining. Here’s the facts about this very common and widespread disease: It affects your brain and your physical health in negative ways. When you indulge in complaining, it brings on a sense of sadness or melancholy, and causes real dissatisfaction with your life. There’s real proof that negative stress like complaining can also exacerbate chronic health problems, such as diabetes or asthma. It literally can increase your headaches, your joint pain, and be a major cause of depression. Now, I’m not talking about ignoring the negative issues of life. We don’t live in a perfect world, and we have to confront negative people and situations for the purpose of finding relief and solutions. So, I’m not suggesting that you “put on a happy face” and pretend nothing’s wrong. But I am advocating a change in your attitude toward complaining. I hope to convince you—if you are not already convinced—that complaining does you more harm than good and it is a contagious disease that causes lots of problems for lots of people. And, of course, the more important issue is that it keeps you from the joy that is yours when you are rightly related to Jesus Christ, by grace through faith, and you have chosen to follow Christ. The Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength; habitual complaining destroys your joy and saps your energy, slowing you down and keeping you from doing what God put you here to do. But the good news is, we can cure this disease of complaining when we turn to the Lord for help and follow his principles. So, would you like to be set free from complaining?  Have you allowed it to have a place in your life so long that it is now almost an addiction?  Well, there’s hope for you.
2/13/20233 minutes
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The Cure for Complaining

Have you ever thought about the consequences of complaining? I mean, don’t most people consider complaining their right? Surely there’s something in our Constitution about free speech which says we have the right to complain about anything or anyone at any time—right?  In fact, anyone who doesn’t complain on a somewhat regular basis must not be normal! That’s how lots of people look at it. Well, I want to talk about this contagious disease called complaining, and I want to give you the antidote—the cure—for complaining. Here’s the facts about this very common and widespread disease: It affects your brain and your physical health in negative ways. When you indulge in complaining, it brings on a sense of sadness or melancholy, and causes real dissatisfaction with your life. There’s real proof that negative stress like complaining can also exacerbate chronic health problems, such as diabetes or asthma. It literally can increase your headaches, your joint pain, and be a major cause of depression. Now, I’m not talking about ignoring the negative issues of life. We don’t live in a perfect world, and we have to confront negative people and situations for the purpose of finding relief and solutions. So, I’m not suggesting that you “put on a happy face” and pretend nothing’s wrong. But I am advocating a change in your attitude toward complaining. I hope to convince you—if you are not already convinced—that complaining does you more harm than good and it is a contagious disease that causes lots of problems for lots of people. And, of course, the more important issue is that it keeps you from the joy that is yours when you are rightly related to Jesus Christ, by grace through faith, and you have chosen to follow Christ. The Bible tells us that the joy of the Lord is our strength; habitual complaining destroys your joy and saps your energy, slowing you down and keeping you from doing what God put you here to do. But the good news is, we can cure this disease of complaining when we turn to the Lord for help and follow his principles. So, would you like to be set free from complaining?  Have you allowed it to have a place in your life so long that it is now almost an addiction?  Well, there’s hope for you.
2/13/20233 minutes
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Be Content with Who You Are, Not Where You Are Part 1

Do you sometimes feel like you're pulled in two directions? It’s understandable if you do, because we know from the Bible that as believers we are to accept who we in Christ and be content with the way God has designed us. We know we’re not supposed to compare ourselves to others and envy who they are or what they have. We know we are each specially created by God like no one else and we should appreciate his handiwork in us. But on the other hand, if you’re like me, you also know there are many things about yourself that you should not just accept. We all have blemishes and defects and areas of failure. We look at others who seem to have it much more together than we do and feel we should be like them. In other words, we know there is much room for improvement and needed maturity in some areas. So, our dilemma is: How do we accept who we are when who we are is not all we should be? How can you believe that you’re really special just the way you are when you know, as I do, that you’re a long way from completion? It almost seems like mission impossible. It appears to be a paradox with no solution. On the one hand we’re admonished to rejoice and celebrate who we are and on the other hand, we’re daily aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. Well, here's what I'm coming to understand: I truly must accept and be contented with who I am and rejoice in how God has created and gifted me. But I want to have a holy discontentment with where I am in my growth and maturity. Contentment and lack of contentment at the same time. Or you could say, accepting who I am but not settling for where I am. As God has given me this new understanding, it has greatly helped to clear up my misunderstandings and apprehensions. I can do both at one time—accept and appreciate who I am in Christ and continually strive to grow more and more into what I was created to be. Let's look at some specific areas where we often have difficulty accepting who we are, but where we must also never settle for less than we can be. Your Body The Bible says that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-14). God fashioned us in our mother's womb, and he knew us before we were born. So, we should accept and be contented with how God's hands made us and formed us because God doesn't make mistakes. Do you have negative eyesight? You know what I mean? When you look in the mirror, do you see only  the negatives? Do any of these kind of thoughts plague you often: Oh, this hair; if only it were shorter or longer or thicker or thinner or blonde or brunette. Oh, this face; if I just had higher cheek bones, or could get rid of this double chin, or had a smaller nose. Oh, this body; if only I had longer legs, or thinner thighs, or smaller hips, or some kind of waistline! Now, tell the truth, don't we often tend to focus on the negatives. In our society we've been led to think that the thin, shapely female body is the only acceptable one. And I don't have to tell you the damage we've done to ourselves by swallowing this line of thinking. Anorexia and bulimia are two modern-day serious problems some women have because of their obsession with trying to make their bodies perfect. I want to encourage you to be contented with the body God has given you. God has his purposes for your body just the way he created it. I think of my dear friend, Fran, who is now with Jesus. She was just barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one around. But you know, God used her size to enlarge her ministry. You see, because she was short and cute, her appearance was rarely threatening or intimidating to anyone. It made it easy for her to make friends—and she made friends with everybody. In two seconds she would have you laughing and know all about you and you would love her. Combined with her personality, that short statue was a tool in God's hands, and God used her in very special ways.
2/11/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Be Content with Who You Are, Not Where You Are Part 1

Do you sometimes feel like you're pulled in two directions? It’s understandable if you do, because we know from the Bible that as believers we are to accept who we in Christ and be content with the way God has designed us. We know we’re not supposed to compare ourselves to others and envy who they are or what they have. We know we are each specially created by God like no one else and we should appreciate his handiwork in us. But on the other hand, if you’re like me, you also know there are many things about yourself that you should not just accept. We all have blemishes and defects and areas of failure. We look at others who seem to have it much more together than we do and feel we should be like them. In other words, we know there is much room for improvement and needed maturity in some areas. So, our dilemma is: How do we accept who we are when who we are is not all we should be? How can you believe that you’re really special just the way you are when you know, as I do, that you’re a long way from completion? It almost seems like mission impossible. It appears to be a paradox with no solution. On the one hand we’re admonished to rejoice and celebrate who we are and on the other hand, we’re daily aware of our inadequacies and shortcomings. Well, here's what I'm coming to understand: I truly must accept and be contented with who I am and rejoice in how God has created and gifted me. But I want to have a holy discontentment with where I am in my growth and maturity. Contentment and lack of contentment at the same time. Or you could say, accepting who I am but not settling for where I am. As God has given me this new understanding, it has greatly helped to clear up my misunderstandings and apprehensions. I can do both at one time—accept and appreciate who I am in Christ and continually strive to grow more and more into what I was created to be. Let's look at some specific areas where we often have difficulty accepting who we are, but where we must also never settle for less than we can be. Your Body The Bible says that each of us is fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139: 13-14). God fashioned us in our mother's womb, and he knew us before we were born. So, we should accept and be contented with how God's hands made us and formed us because God doesn't make mistakes. Do you have negative eyesight? You know what I mean? When you look in the mirror, do you see only  the negatives? Do any of these kind of thoughts plague you often: Oh, this hair; if only it were shorter or longer or thicker or thinner or blonde or brunette. Oh, this face; if I just had higher cheek bones, or could get rid of this double chin, or had a smaller nose. Oh, this body; if only I had longer legs, or thinner thighs, or smaller hips, or some kind of waistline! Now, tell the truth, don't we often tend to focus on the negatives. In our society we've been led to think that the thin, shapely female body is the only acceptable one. And I don't have to tell you the damage we've done to ourselves by swallowing this line of thinking. Anorexia and bulimia are two modern-day serious problems some women have because of their obsession with trying to make their bodies perfect. I want to encourage you to be contented with the body God has given you. God has his purposes for your body just the way he created it. I think of my dear friend, Fran, who is now with Jesus. She was just barely five feet tall. All her life she was the shortest one around. But you know, God used her size to enlarge her ministry. You see, because she was short and cute, her appearance was rarely threatening or intimidating to anyone. It made it easy for her to make friends—and she made friends with everybody. In two seconds she would have you laughing and know all about you and you would love her. Combined with her personality, that short statue was a tool in God's hands, and God used her in very special ways.
2/11/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 5

I've been talking about how to be content in a job you hate. Notice I didn't say "with" a job you hate, but "in" a job you hate. I believe there are times when you should actively pursue another job or another career, when the right thing to do is find a place to work which uses your abilities better or get more education so you can advance to better jobs, or simply find a better working environment. But if you're in a job you hate, however long you are going to be in that job, as a Christian, you should learn to be content in that job. The Apostle Paul said he learned to be content in any circumstance, and he was in some very bad situations. If he can learn contentment, so can we. Let me tell you the story of a woman in Wisconsin who found herself in a job she hated. It is a manufacturing job with repetitive and boring duties. She graduated from college with very good grades but found herself in this job that was beneath her. Finally, after hearing my message on “The Freedom of a Captive Mind,” she decided to change her attitude about that job and to think of it as her mission field. She began reprogramming her mind with Scripture, memorizing verses on the job, and singing songs of praise in that factory job. Her co-workers noticed the change in her. They began to ask her to sing her songs, and many times she was able to share the Scripture she was memorizing in conversations with different individuals. She started praying for her co-workers, and they began to come to her with their needs and ask her to pray for them. She was able to lead one of her co-workers to know Jesus as her Savior and has touched the lives of all who work with her. Yes, the work is boring, but it gives her time to memorize Scripture while working and that has been a wonderful healing process in her own life. She has found contentment in a job she hated because she has seen it through the eyes of eternity, and asked God to use her there. He is. I challenge you to ask God to change your attitude and make you content right where you are, so that you are a light shining in darkness in that corner of the world. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
2/10/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 5

I've been talking about how to be content in a job you hate. Notice I didn't say "with" a job you hate, but "in" a job you hate. I believe there are times when you should actively pursue another job or another career, when the right thing to do is find a place to work which uses your abilities better or get more education so you can advance to better jobs, or simply find a better working environment. But if you're in a job you hate, however long you are going to be in that job, as a Christian, you should learn to be content in that job. The Apostle Paul said he learned to be content in any circumstance, and he was in some very bad situations. If he can learn contentment, so can we. Let me tell you the story of a woman in Wisconsin who found herself in a job she hated. It is a manufacturing job with repetitive and boring duties. She graduated from college with very good grades but found herself in this job that was beneath her. Finally, after hearing my message on “The Freedom of a Captive Mind,” she decided to change her attitude about that job and to think of it as her mission field. She began reprogramming her mind with Scripture, memorizing verses on the job, and singing songs of praise in that factory job. Her co-workers noticed the change in her. They began to ask her to sing her songs, and many times she was able to share the Scripture she was memorizing in conversations with different individuals. She started praying for her co-workers, and they began to come to her with their needs and ask her to pray for them. She was able to lead one of her co-workers to know Jesus as her Savior and has touched the lives of all who work with her. Yes, the work is boring, but it gives her time to memorize Scripture while working and that has been a wonderful healing process in her own life. She has found contentment in a job she hated because she has seen it through the eyes of eternity, and asked God to use her there. He is. I challenge you to ask God to change your attitude and make you content right where you are, so that you are a light shining in darkness in that corner of the world. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
2/10/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 4

If you find yourself in a job you don’t like, you need to know that you can learn to be content right where you are. And when you learn that, you are in a win-win situation, because you no longer allow yourself to be a victim of your job circumstances. If you want to learn to be content with that job you hate, ask God what he has to teach you through it. Have you gone to God and said, "Lord, I'm in a job I hate and I can't get out. Why am I here? What are you trying to teach me or do through me in this job?" You remember Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers and treated unfairly and cruelly by his captors, wrongly imprisoned for two years for doing the right thing. Then God delivered him from that prison and he became second in command to the Pharaoh (Genesis 37-41). Joseph said of his bad experience that his brothers meant harm to him when they sold him into slavery, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). Joseph allowed God to turn a terrible experience into a blessing. But please note that God was able to turn it into a blessing because Joseph was willing to let him. God may have you in that job you hate because he has a blessing there for you, but because of your attitude, he can't work that blessing for you yet. If Joseph had gotten bitter or remained angry or been rebellious, he would probably would have just rotted in that prison. Are you rotting in your miserable job because you haven't given God permission to use it in your life for good? Believe me, there are miracles waiting for you in that job you hate, if you will in humility make up your mind to work for God and seek his reward and look for the good that God wants to do for you and through you right where you are. You'll know contentment even in a miserable job if you have that attitude in you. It's the attitude that Jesus had when he was willing to leave heaven and come to earth to die for us. Surely it was a job he didn't relish, but he knew God would work redemption through it, and so he submitted to the good that God wanted to do by sending him to a job he did not enjoy.
2/9/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 4

If you find yourself in a job you don’t like, you need to know that you can learn to be content right where you are. And when you learn that, you are in a win-win situation, because you no longer allow yourself to be a victim of your job circumstances. If you want to learn to be content with that job you hate, ask God what he has to teach you through it. Have you gone to God and said, "Lord, I'm in a job I hate and I can't get out. Why am I here? What are you trying to teach me or do through me in this job?" You remember Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers and treated unfairly and cruelly by his captors, wrongly imprisoned for two years for doing the right thing. Then God delivered him from that prison and he became second in command to the Pharaoh (Genesis 37-41). Joseph said of his bad experience that his brothers meant harm to him when they sold him into slavery, but God meant it for good (Genesis 50:20). Joseph allowed God to turn a terrible experience into a blessing. But please note that God was able to turn it into a blessing because Joseph was willing to let him. God may have you in that job you hate because he has a blessing there for you, but because of your attitude, he can't work that blessing for you yet. If Joseph had gotten bitter or remained angry or been rebellious, he would probably would have just rotted in that prison. Are you rotting in your miserable job because you haven't given God permission to use it in your life for good? Believe me, there are miracles waiting for you in that job you hate, if you will in humility make up your mind to work for God and seek his reward and look for the good that God wants to do for you and through you right where you are. You'll know contentment even in a miserable job if you have that attitude in you. It's the attitude that Jesus had when he was willing to leave heaven and come to earth to die for us. Surely it was a job he didn't relish, but he knew God would work redemption through it, and so he submitted to the good that God wanted to do by sending him to a job he did not enjoy.
2/9/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 3

Do you have a hard time making yourself go to work each day because you hate your job? As believers in the marketplace, we need to show an attitude toward our jobs that is different from the non-believers, and whether we like our jobs or not, we should learn to be content with those jobs as long as we have them. Paul wrote to the Philippians that he had learned to be content in any circumstance, and we can learn it, too. So, if you want to enroll in Contentment 101, here's the next lesson to learn: Work for recognition and reward but not earthly recognition and reward! The reality of most work environments is that expressions of appreciation and recognition are often few and far between. So, if you hate your job because you never get the recognition or appreciation you deserve, I've got great news for you. You can be content in that job you hate because when you work for the Lord, Colossians 3:24 says that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. You see, God has a recognition and incentive program better than any employer could ever dream up, and if you perform your everyday work duties as unto him, you're going to be recognized and rewarded by the Lord, whether your employer ever appreciates you or not. So, if you feel you're not receiving the earthly rewards you deserve, rejoice to know that you can be assured of a heavenly reward. If you're doing a good job and nobody says "thank you," just remember that someday you'll get the "thank you" you deserve from a higher level of management. That is, of course, if you're working for Jesus and not for people. So, if you're in a job you hate, you can learn to be content if you will live in the knowledge that your recognition and reward are coming from God. It's a big change of attitude, but the Holy Spirit has the power to make that change inside of you if you give him that permission. I pray you will.
2/8/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 3

Do you have a hard time making yourself go to work each day because you hate your job? As believers in the marketplace, we need to show an attitude toward our jobs that is different from the non-believers, and whether we like our jobs or not, we should learn to be content with those jobs as long as we have them. Paul wrote to the Philippians that he had learned to be content in any circumstance, and we can learn it, too. So, if you want to enroll in Contentment 101, here's the next lesson to learn: Work for recognition and reward but not earthly recognition and reward! The reality of most work environments is that expressions of appreciation and recognition are often few and far between. So, if you hate your job because you never get the recognition or appreciation you deserve, I've got great news for you. You can be content in that job you hate because when you work for the Lord, Colossians 3:24 says that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. You see, God has a recognition and incentive program better than any employer could ever dream up, and if you perform your everyday work duties as unto him, you're going to be recognized and rewarded by the Lord, whether your employer ever appreciates you or not. So, if you feel you're not receiving the earthly rewards you deserve, rejoice to know that you can be assured of a heavenly reward. If you're doing a good job and nobody says "thank you," just remember that someday you'll get the "thank you" you deserve from a higher level of management. That is, of course, if you're working for Jesus and not for people. So, if you're in a job you hate, you can learn to be content if you will live in the knowledge that your recognition and reward are coming from God. It's a big change of attitude, but the Holy Spirit has the power to make that change inside of you if you give him that permission. I pray you will.
2/8/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 2

Do you hate your job? Studies show that a large percentage of workers really don’t like their jobs. Maybe you hate it because it's boring, or because the people you work with are difficult, or because you have an impossible boss. Well, if you have a job you hate, here's what you do: Change employers. That's right—just change employers right now, today. You’re probably thinking, “But I can't just change jobs like that—today.” Oh, I didn't say change jobs; I said change employers. Paul wrote to the Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Did you realize you can change employers without changing jobs? Just say out loud, "I no longer work for that company or that person; I have a new boss. I now work for the Lord.” Keep that thought in your mind all day long as you're working and keep telling yourself over and over this truth: "I report to Jesus. Therefore, I must be careful how I act and I need to watch my attitude, because I report to Jesus." I don't care how tough your job is or how much you hate it, if you work for Jesus, if you consider him your boss, if you continually remind yourself that you will give an account to him as to how you have performed in your job, and furthermore, that he will reward you if you do a good job, you can be content right there in that job you hate. Believe me, I know because I've had to practice this myself. For three years I worked in a job I hated and wanted to leave. The first year there I did everything I could to find another job, and nothing happened. Finally, I realized God had me there for some purpose, and I decided to work for God, not for that company and not for that impossible boss. As soon as I changed employers, I was content in that job. And God taught me lessons for the next two years in that job I hated which I could not have learned anywhere else. He also used me to witness to others who worked there. But nothing good happened until I changed employers. If you've been working for an earth-person, or for yourself even, you've been working for the wrong person. Make this biblical principle a reality in your life today: Don't work for people or money or a company, work for Jesus. I promise you, you can be content in a job you hate if you work for the right person.
2/7/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – 2

Do you hate your job? Studies show that a large percentage of workers really don’t like their jobs. Maybe you hate it because it's boring, or because the people you work with are difficult, or because you have an impossible boss. Well, if you have a job you hate, here's what you do: Change employers. That's right—just change employers right now, today. You’re probably thinking, “But I can't just change jobs like that—today.” Oh, I didn't say change jobs; I said change employers. Paul wrote to the Colossians: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). Did you realize you can change employers without changing jobs? Just say out loud, "I no longer work for that company or that person; I have a new boss. I now work for the Lord.” Keep that thought in your mind all day long as you're working and keep telling yourself over and over this truth: "I report to Jesus. Therefore, I must be careful how I act and I need to watch my attitude, because I report to Jesus." I don't care how tough your job is or how much you hate it, if you work for Jesus, if you consider him your boss, if you continually remind yourself that you will give an account to him as to how you have performed in your job, and furthermore, that he will reward you if you do a good job, you can be content right there in that job you hate. Believe me, I know because I've had to practice this myself. For three years I worked in a job I hated and wanted to leave. The first year there I did everything I could to find another job, and nothing happened. Finally, I realized God had me there for some purpose, and I decided to work for God, not for that company and not for that impossible boss. As soon as I changed employers, I was content in that job. And God taught me lessons for the next two years in that job I hated which I could not have learned anywhere else. He also used me to witness to others who worked there. But nothing good happened until I changed employers. If you've been working for an earth-person, or for yourself even, you've been working for the wrong person. Make this biblical principle a reality in your life today: Don't work for people or money or a company, work for Jesus. I promise you, you can be content in a job you hate if you work for the right person.
2/7/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate

It could be that you have a job you really hate. If you could, you would quit tomorrow but you feel like you're in a prison because you need a job, you’ve got time and benefits invested in this job, and yet you hate the job. I can understand your feelings because I've had a job or two like that myself. But the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians: ...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13). So, I want to talk about how to be content in a job you hate. You know, if you can learn this secret of being content, as Paul learned it, you can't lose because your fulfillment and satisfaction will not be based on circumstances—not based on whether you have a terrific job that you love or one that you really hate! Keep in mind that Paul had to learn this secret of being content, and so do you and I. So, are you willing to enroll in Contentment 101, and learn how to be content with your job? That's where it begins. If you're not willing to learn to be content, of course, you never will learn it. If you insist on saying, "I hate this job, I refuse to change my attitude toward this job, I could never be content with this job and furthermore I don't want to be content with it," then you've already prevented God from changing you and giving you a new heart and a new attitude. First of all, you have to give up your rights. Most of us think things like, "I don't deserve this job," or "I deserve to have a fulfilling job," or "It's not right that I have to work at a job that doesn't utilize my talents," or "I can't be expected to endure the kind of treatment I get on my job.” That's just our normal nature, which has been fed and fired up by our humanistic society, teaching us that we have our rights. That doesn’t mean that you’re condemned to a job you hate forever, but if you can learn to be content for as long as you are there, when you do leave—if you do leave—you will not be running away. You will leave in victory not defeat, and you will have learned how to be content even in a job that is certainly not your dream job. So, if you are willing to relinquish your “rights” to have the job you want and learn to be content where you are, you’re in for an amazing discovery. Think about that.
2/6/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate

It could be that you have a job you really hate. If you could, you would quit tomorrow but you feel like you're in a prison because you need a job, you’ve got time and benefits invested in this job, and yet you hate the job. I can understand your feelings because I've had a job or two like that myself. But the Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippians: ...I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation.... I can do everything through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13). So, I want to talk about how to be content in a job you hate. You know, if you can learn this secret of being content, as Paul learned it, you can't lose because your fulfillment and satisfaction will not be based on circumstances—not based on whether you have a terrific job that you love or one that you really hate! Keep in mind that Paul had to learn this secret of being content, and so do you and I. So, are you willing to enroll in Contentment 101, and learn how to be content with your job? That's where it begins. If you're not willing to learn to be content, of course, you never will learn it. If you insist on saying, "I hate this job, I refuse to change my attitude toward this job, I could never be content with this job and furthermore I don't want to be content with it," then you've already prevented God from changing you and giving you a new heart and a new attitude. First of all, you have to give up your rights. Most of us think things like, "I don't deserve this job," or "I deserve to have a fulfilling job," or "It's not right that I have to work at a job that doesn't utilize my talents," or "I can't be expected to endure the kind of treatment I get on my job.” That's just our normal nature, which has been fed and fired up by our humanistic society, teaching us that we have our rights. That doesn’t mean that you’re condemned to a job you hate forever, but if you can learn to be content for as long as you are there, when you do leave—if you do leave—you will not be running away. You will leave in victory not defeat, and you will have learned how to be content even in a job that is certainly not your dream job. So, if you are willing to relinquish your “rights” to have the job you want and learn to be content where you are, you’re in for an amazing discovery. Think about that.
2/6/20233 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate

Are you in or staying in a job that you don't like? Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop wrestle with what it looks like to have eyes to see what you can learn and stay well until things change.
2/4/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Being Content in a Job You Hate

Are you in or staying in a job that you don't like? Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop wrestle with what it looks like to have eyes to see what you can learn and stay well until things change.
2/4/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 5

I’ve made many decisions that were wrong, some more so than others. The worst decisions were the ones I knew were wrong when I made them. But there have been others that were not so intentional, just misguided. For example, financial decisions that were made too hastily and ended up costing me money. But I’m here to tell you that God remembers our frame and knows that we are dust, so it doesn’t surprise him to see how often we make wrong decisions. What must, however, break his heart is to see how we wallow in those wrong decisions and allow them to keep us living in guilt and despair instead of taking our medicine and going forward. What must break God’s heart is to see how we don’t learn lessons that we need to learn from our wrong decisions, and we keep making the same ones over and over. It must indeed grieve God to see that we don’t allow him to turn our deserts into gardens and our ashes into beauty. God can give you the grace to live with whatever bad or wrong decision you have made, even the ones that last for a lifetime if you will allow him to do that in your life. And you will be amazed at how you can find joy and peace and fulfillment and be used of God even though you’ve made some wrong choices and bad decisions. That’s the kind of God we serve. He has all power. He can do anything. Are you willing to let him take your wrong decision today and make something good out of it? Are you willing to stop using your bad choices as excuses for not going forward with God and being a blessing to others? Are you willing to allow him to put your past behind you so you can be all that God wants you to be? Are you willing to learn from those wrong decisions, so you don’t heap bad decisions upon bad decisions? If so, you can find a fresh start today, even though you may have to live with the consequences of your wrong decisions. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
2/3/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 5

I’ve made many decisions that were wrong, some more so than others. The worst decisions were the ones I knew were wrong when I made them. But there have been others that were not so intentional, just misguided. For example, financial decisions that were made too hastily and ended up costing me money. But I’m here to tell you that God remembers our frame and knows that we are dust, so it doesn’t surprise him to see how often we make wrong decisions. What must, however, break his heart is to see how we wallow in those wrong decisions and allow them to keep us living in guilt and despair instead of taking our medicine and going forward. What must break God’s heart is to see how we don’t learn lessons that we need to learn from our wrong decisions, and we keep making the same ones over and over. It must indeed grieve God to see that we don’t allow him to turn our deserts into gardens and our ashes into beauty. God can give you the grace to live with whatever bad or wrong decision you have made, even the ones that last for a lifetime if you will allow him to do that in your life. And you will be amazed at how you can find joy and peace and fulfillment and be used of God even though you’ve made some wrong choices and bad decisions. That’s the kind of God we serve. He has all power. He can do anything. Are you willing to let him take your wrong decision today and make something good out of it? Are you willing to stop using your bad choices as excuses for not going forward with God and being a blessing to others? Are you willing to allow him to put your past behind you so you can be all that God wants you to be? Are you willing to learn from those wrong decisions, so you don’t heap bad decisions upon bad decisions? If so, you can find a fresh start today, even though you may have to live with the consequences of your wrong decisions. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
2/3/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 4

Are you now living with the consequences of some wrong decision in your life? All of us face those consequences at times. Some of us perhaps made bad decisions out of ignorance. Obviously, if we had known where these bad decisions would lead, we wouldn’t have made them. But in most cases, it wasn’t that we didn’t know better; it was rather that we chose to ignore the potential consequences. Living with Wrong Decisions So, you’ve made some wrong decisions. What do you do now? Is life over? Is there no way back? Yes, of course—our God can give you a life of hope and ministry, if you first: 1. Own up to your wrong decisions. Don’t live in denial. Don’t keep shifting blame. Don’t try to ignore it. Don’t make up excuses. Just get it out in the open—first with God. Confess it to him. Then you may or may not need to talk about it with someone else. But call it what it is. 2. Refuse to live in despair. You serve a God of second chances—many second chances. You don’t have to live in despair, even over bad decisions that have affected your entire life. So: You married the wrong person. You had an abortion. You committed adultery or fornication. You spent money you should not have spent. You lied to your boss. You chose the wrong career. You went to the wrong school. You walked away from God and the church. You bought the wrong house. You ate the wrong food. You chose the wrong friend. You went to the wrong church. I don’t know what is on your list, but I know that God wants to make an example of how he can still be glorified, even in the midst of your wrong decisions. 3. Start where you are and go forward. Don’t wallow in the despair of your wrong decision. Here are two encouraging passages from Isaiah: Isaiah 51:3: The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 58:11: The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
2/2/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 4

Are you now living with the consequences of some wrong decision in your life? All of us face those consequences at times. Some of us perhaps made bad decisions out of ignorance. Obviously, if we had known where these bad decisions would lead, we wouldn’t have made them. But in most cases, it wasn’t that we didn’t know better; it was rather that we chose to ignore the potential consequences. Living with Wrong Decisions So, you’ve made some wrong decisions. What do you do now? Is life over? Is there no way back? Yes, of course—our God can give you a life of hope and ministry, if you first: 1. Own up to your wrong decisions. Don’t live in denial. Don’t keep shifting blame. Don’t try to ignore it. Don’t make up excuses. Just get it out in the open—first with God. Confess it to him. Then you may or may not need to talk about it with someone else. But call it what it is. 2. Refuse to live in despair. You serve a God of second chances—many second chances. You don’t have to live in despair, even over bad decisions that have affected your entire life. So: You married the wrong person. You had an abortion. You committed adultery or fornication. You spent money you should not have spent. You lied to your boss. You chose the wrong career. You went to the wrong school. You walked away from God and the church. You bought the wrong house. You ate the wrong food. You chose the wrong friend. You went to the wrong church. I don’t know what is on your list, but I know that God wants to make an example of how he can still be glorified, even in the midst of your wrong decisions. 3. Start where you are and go forward. Don’t wallow in the despair of your wrong decision. Here are two encouraging passages from Isaiah: Isaiah 51:3: The Lord will surely comfort Zion and will look with compassion on all her ruins; he will make her deserts like Eden, her wastelands like the garden of the Lord. Joy and gladness will be found in her, thanksgiving and the sound of singing. Isaiah 58:11: The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
2/2/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 3

I’ve noticed how easy it is for us women to make wrong decisions when it comes to men. Bathsheba Bathsheba’s decision to have an adulterous relationship with King David was a very wrong decision. Was she intimidated by his authority? Or could she have been immensely flattered by his attention? We need to be aware that we women are often prone to make very bad decisions when it comes to men. Our natural desire to have a husband and family can become an obsession that causes us to lower our standards, overlook obvious danger signals and end up in illegitimate relationships or wrong marriages. I remember when a friend informed me of her engagement, and I rejoiced with her. She said, “He was well worth waiting for.” She was in her early thirties and had watched friends and family members much younger than her get married. There were times of pain and loneliness, but now she is so grateful that she waited for the right man that God had for her. I urge you to be extremely cautious about relationships with men. Don’t make decisions based on your emotions or your needs. The consequences of those wrong decisions affect the rest of your life. I’ve pointed out three women in the Bible who made wrong decisions, and they had to suffer the consequences. For Eve, it was banishment from Eden and a perfect life. For Sarah, she ignited an animosity between races that still troubles our world today. And for Bathsheba, she lost her good husband Uriah, whom David had killed. Then she lost the baby she and David conceived. Decisions always bring consequences. And when we don’t make good decisions, we cannot expect to avoid the consequences.
2/1/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 3

I’ve noticed how easy it is for us women to make wrong decisions when it comes to men. Bathsheba Bathsheba’s decision to have an adulterous relationship with King David was a very wrong decision. Was she intimidated by his authority? Or could she have been immensely flattered by his attention? We need to be aware that we women are often prone to make very bad decisions when it comes to men. Our natural desire to have a husband and family can become an obsession that causes us to lower our standards, overlook obvious danger signals and end up in illegitimate relationships or wrong marriages. I remember when a friend informed me of her engagement, and I rejoiced with her. She said, “He was well worth waiting for.” She was in her early thirties and had watched friends and family members much younger than her get married. There were times of pain and loneliness, but now she is so grateful that she waited for the right man that God had for her. I urge you to be extremely cautious about relationships with men. Don’t make decisions based on your emotions or your needs. The consequences of those wrong decisions affect the rest of your life. I’ve pointed out three women in the Bible who made wrong decisions, and they had to suffer the consequences. For Eve, it was banishment from Eden and a perfect life. For Sarah, she ignited an animosity between races that still troubles our world today. And for Bathsheba, she lost her good husband Uriah, whom David had killed. Then she lost the baby she and David conceived. Decisions always bring consequences. And when we don’t make good decisions, we cannot expect to avoid the consequences.
2/1/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 2

Did you ever wonder why the Bible records all the mistakes and blunders of even the good people? It’s because God wants to teach us how to deal with the mistakes and blunders of our lives. What wrong decisions have you made? Sarah Sarah made some bad decisions. You remember how she decided to give Hagar, her maid, to her husband so she could bear a child that would become Sarah’s child and the child God had promised to Sarah and Abraham. Sarah thought that God didn’t know about her biological clock, didn’t understand that she was beyond childbearing years. So, she decided to get what she wanted her way. But then, when Hagar gave birth to a son by Abraham, Sarah didn't like the decision she had made. She became extremely jealous of Hagar and the boy, Ishmael. So, what does she do? She heaps a bad decision upon a bad decision. She has Hagar banished along with Ishmael, and that began an enmity that has caused incalculable harm and pain since then. When you've made one bad decision, don't let your emotions cause you to make an even worse one in order to try to correct the bad decision. Sometimes you have to live with your bad decisions. Sarah needed to live with Hagar and Ishmael. That might have been uncomfortable at times, but it would have been a whole lot better than what she did. When we make a decision that affects our whole life—such as a decision to marry someone—the consequences of a wrong decision are even greater. I think of a woman I know who would probably say that her decision to marry her husband was not a good decision and her marriage has not been easy. But she has not heaped another bad decision on top of that decision. She has fought for her marriage, and while it may never be all she dreamed it would be, she has a marriage that works. Even your bad decision can be used for good by our incredible God.
1/31/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions – 2

Did you ever wonder why the Bible records all the mistakes and blunders of even the good people? It’s because God wants to teach us how to deal with the mistakes and blunders of our lives. What wrong decisions have you made? Sarah Sarah made some bad decisions. You remember how she decided to give Hagar, her maid, to her husband so she could bear a child that would become Sarah’s child and the child God had promised to Sarah and Abraham. Sarah thought that God didn’t know about her biological clock, didn’t understand that she was beyond childbearing years. So, she decided to get what she wanted her way. But then, when Hagar gave birth to a son by Abraham, Sarah didn't like the decision she had made. She became extremely jealous of Hagar and the boy, Ishmael. So, what does she do? She heaps a bad decision upon a bad decision. She has Hagar banished along with Ishmael, and that began an enmity that has caused incalculable harm and pain since then. When you've made one bad decision, don't let your emotions cause you to make an even worse one in order to try to correct the bad decision. Sometimes you have to live with your bad decisions. Sarah needed to live with Hagar and Ishmael. That might have been uncomfortable at times, but it would have been a whole lot better than what she did. When we make a decision that affects our whole life—such as a decision to marry someone—the consequences of a wrong decision are even greater. I think of a woman I know who would probably say that her decision to marry her husband was not a good decision and her marriage has not been easy. But she has not heaped another bad decision on top of that decision. She has fought for her marriage, and while it may never be all she dreamed it would be, she has a marriage that works. Even your bad decision can be used for good by our incredible God.
1/31/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions

What wrong decision are you now living with? I can assure you that I have made some wrong decisions along the way. Who hasn’t? So, let’s talk about living with wrong decisions. The Bible gives us examples of people who made very wrong decisions. Eve Starting with Eve: Her wrong decision is infamous. Eve was ushered into a perfect world. No pain, no relationship problems, no hard work, no stress, no bad hair days—nothing bad, everything good. Eve belies the philosophy that if we give people the right environment, they will be good people and do the right thing. In the midst of Eden, she made a very wrong, very bad decision—to eat the forbidden fruit. Why did she do this? Because she wasn't content with what she had. You see, we often think that if our circumstances were just more favorable, we’d be content. But I want to tell you this: If you’re not content with where you are now, you’re not likely to be content even if your circumstances improve. If you’re not content as a single person, you won’t be content as a married one. If you’re not content in the house you’re in now, you won’t be content in a bigger, better house. If you’re not content with your mate the way he or she is, you won’t be content with another one. If you’re not content in the job where you are now, you probably won’t be content with a better job. Contentment is a choice we make, not a set of circumstances. The Apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances,” (Philippians 4:11b). and you can learn contentment, too. Any area of your life where you are not now contented is a potential danger area—ripe for bad decisions. With what or whom are you discontent? Your job? Your looks? Your financial situation? Your mate? Your lack of a mate? Your children or lack of children? If you don’t learn to be content, you will walk right into a danger zone and that’s when you are most likely to make bad decisions.
1/30/20233 minutes
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Living With Wrong Decisions

What wrong decision are you now living with? I can assure you that I have made some wrong decisions along the way. Who hasn’t? So, let’s talk about living with wrong decisions. The Bible gives us examples of people who made very wrong decisions. Eve Starting with Eve: Her wrong decision is infamous. Eve was ushered into a perfect world. No pain, no relationship problems, no hard work, no stress, no bad hair days—nothing bad, everything good. Eve belies the philosophy that if we give people the right environment, they will be good people and do the right thing. In the midst of Eden, she made a very wrong, very bad decision—to eat the forbidden fruit. Why did she do this? Because she wasn't content with what she had. You see, we often think that if our circumstances were just more favorable, we’d be content. But I want to tell you this: If you’re not content with where you are now, you’re not likely to be content even if your circumstances improve. If you’re not content as a single person, you won’t be content as a married one. If you’re not content in the house you’re in now, you won’t be content in a bigger, better house. If you’re not content with your mate the way he or she is, you won’t be content with another one. If you’re not content in the job where you are now, you probably won’t be content with a better job. Contentment is a choice we make, not a set of circumstances. The Apostle Paul wrote: “I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances,” (Philippians 4:11b). and you can learn contentment, too. Any area of your life where you are not now contented is a potential danger area—ripe for bad decisions. With what or whom are you discontent? Your job? Your looks? Your financial situation? Your mate? Your lack of a mate? Your children or lack of children? If you don’t learn to be content, you will walk right into a danger zone and that’s when you are most likely to make bad decisions.
1/30/20233 minutes
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Choices

So many choices! Some small and routine and some pretty big ones. Join Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop as they chat about choices you wish you could redo. We all have made choices in our life that didn't go well. Words we said that we can't undo, business choices that didn't go as expected, family/relationship choices that left painful memories. Mary and Lisa share some of their choices that didn't go as well as they could have and how they are growing in their choice making.
1/28/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Choices

So many choices! Some small and routine and some pretty big ones. Join Mary Lowman and Lisa Bishop as they chat about choices you wish you could redo. We all have made choices in our life that didn't go well. Words we said that we can't undo, business choices that didn't go as expected, family/relationship choices that left painful memories. Mary and Lisa share some of their choices that didn't go as well as they could have and how they are growing in their choice making.
1/28/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Power of Choice – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever felt fearful, anxious, or depressed? Overwhelmed by darkness that seems to be surrounding you on all sides? There have been times in my Christian journey that have felt dark. Stretches of days and sometimes weeks or months when weariness has weighed on me. And uncertain and painful times when I have worked hard to muster up hope while clinging to God trying to remember his faithfulness. Have you experienced that? If you have been following Jesus any amount of time, there will come seasons in your life when the darkness will try to overwhelm you. It’s in those times that choosing a new perspective will pull you through. We don’t like dark seasons. They seem unfruitful and unproductive. But if you try to see darkness with new eyes it can produce hope. It reminds me of a seed. When you are trying to grow a new plant or tomato garden, what do you do with the seeds? You bury them! The hope of producing something beautiful and fruitful begins with being buried underground and surrounded by dirt. It’s in the darkness that over time the seed sprouts in the soil and starts to rise up, breaking through the surface. What was once buried becomes flourishing and fruitful. Our seeds of faith are similar. This is when you must choose to see the darkness as a time where God is with you and providing for you in every season, even in the darkness. Because that is who God is. He is provider. So that means that even in the most difficult times there is provision, but it will require a new perspective and hope in the waiting. Romans 8:26-28 (MSG) reminds us: “The moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Just like the seed of the plant needs to be watered, nourished and exposed to sunlight, so does your faith. To fully experience the hope-filled perspective of dark seasons you will need to nourish your faith by spending time reading the Bible, receiving God’s love, rehearsing God’s truth, and praying prayers of thanksgiving. These practices will be the nourishment, protection, and provision you need for your faith to flourish. When you feel surrounded by darkness remember that Jesus is the one who is ultimately surrounding you, covering you and hemming you in on all sides. Seeds sprout in dirt. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/27/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever felt fearful, anxious, or depressed? Overwhelmed by darkness that seems to be surrounding you on all sides? There have been times in my Christian journey that have felt dark. Stretches of days and sometimes weeks or months when weariness has weighed on me. And uncertain and painful times when I have worked hard to muster up hope while clinging to God trying to remember his faithfulness. Have you experienced that? If you have been following Jesus any amount of time, there will come seasons in your life when the darkness will try to overwhelm you. It’s in those times that choosing a new perspective will pull you through. We don’t like dark seasons. They seem unfruitful and unproductive. But if you try to see darkness with new eyes it can produce hope. It reminds me of a seed. When you are trying to grow a new plant or tomato garden, what do you do with the seeds? You bury them! The hope of producing something beautiful and fruitful begins with being buried underground and surrounded by dirt. It’s in the darkness that over time the seed sprouts in the soil and starts to rise up, breaking through the surface. What was once buried becomes flourishing and fruitful. Our seeds of faith are similar. This is when you must choose to see the darkness as a time where God is with you and providing for you in every season, even in the darkness. Because that is who God is. He is provider. So that means that even in the most difficult times there is provision, but it will require a new perspective and hope in the waiting. Romans 8:26-28 (MSG) reminds us: “The moment we get tired in the waiting, God’s Spirit is right alongside helping us along. If we don’t know how or what to pray, it doesn’t matter. He does our praying in and for us, making prayer out of our wordless sighs, our aching groans. He knows us far better than we know ourselves, knows our pregnant condition, and keeps us present before God. That’s why we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good.” Just like the seed of the plant needs to be watered, nourished and exposed to sunlight, so does your faith. To fully experience the hope-filled perspective of dark seasons you will need to nourish your faith by spending time reading the Bible, receiving God’s love, rehearsing God’s truth, and praying prayers of thanksgiving. These practices will be the nourishment, protection, and provision you need for your faith to flourish. When you feel surrounded by darkness remember that Jesus is the one who is ultimately surrounding you, covering you and hemming you in on all sides. Seeds sprout in dirt. All you need is faith the size of a mustard seed. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/27/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A few years ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop and there was a pen on the table that read, “Choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret.” I think it was marketing a weight loss program but isn’t that a powerful statement that can apply to just about anything in life? The choices you make today will impact your tomorrow. And while the decisions and actions you choose today may be hard and require all of the strength, determination and willpower you can muster, they will ultimately lead to your future. Will you choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret? All too often you can sell out to the pleasure of today and be left to deal with the consequences of your choices. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Life will have its fair share of temptations. Whether it’s the temptation to lash out at your spouse, get angry in traffic, fall back on your word, or flirt with a married coworker. The temptation to fail to follow-through on a project or forgo your healthy eating and workout plan because binging on Netflix or a bag of potato chips just seems more satisfying in the moment. Now let me be clear, I have been known to binge on potato chips so you are not alone. The point is, we all have desired outcomes for our marriage, our careers, our relationships, our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Achieving the things you say you want will require sacrifice. Becoming the person God created you to be will require you to overcome temptations rather than choosing to let them overcome you. You will need to exchange the pursuit of instant gratification for the pain of discipline. Jesus will help you to master self-control rather than be mastered by lack of it. Don’t think you are going to be able to endure a temptation when you are in the heat of it without a plan of escape. Making decisions in advance of temptations is critical.  Avoid temptation when you can so you don’t get caught up in it. Don’t put yourself in situations that will lure you into compromise. And remember that when you are tempted, not if, when, God will also provide a way out. He gives you the strength and the will to choose to endure the pull of the temptation, to bear the weight of it but not be weighed down by it! Where is discipline lacking in your life? What new life-giving choices will you create in this new year? Choose the pain of discipline now over the pain of regret later.
1/26/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A few years ago, I was sitting in a coffee shop and there was a pen on the table that read, “Choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret.” I think it was marketing a weight loss program but isn’t that a powerful statement that can apply to just about anything in life? The choices you make today will impact your tomorrow. And while the decisions and actions you choose today may be hard and require all of the strength, determination and willpower you can muster, they will ultimately lead to your future. Will you choose the pain of discipline over the pain of regret? All too often you can sell out to the pleasure of today and be left to deal with the consequences of your choices. It reminds me of one of my favorite verses, 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” Life will have its fair share of temptations. Whether it’s the temptation to lash out at your spouse, get angry in traffic, fall back on your word, or flirt with a married coworker. The temptation to fail to follow-through on a project or forgo your healthy eating and workout plan because binging on Netflix or a bag of potato chips just seems more satisfying in the moment. Now let me be clear, I have been known to binge on potato chips so you are not alone. The point is, we all have desired outcomes for our marriage, our careers, our relationships, our physical, mental, and spiritual health. Achieving the things you say you want will require sacrifice. Becoming the person God created you to be will require you to overcome temptations rather than choosing to let them overcome you. You will need to exchange the pursuit of instant gratification for the pain of discipline. Jesus will help you to master self-control rather than be mastered by lack of it. Don’t think you are going to be able to endure a temptation when you are in the heat of it without a plan of escape. Making decisions in advance of temptations is critical.  Avoid temptation when you can so you don’t get caught up in it. Don’t put yourself in situations that will lure you into compromise. And remember that when you are tempted, not if, when, God will also provide a way out. He gives you the strength and the will to choose to endure the pull of the temptation, to bear the weight of it but not be weighed down by it! Where is discipline lacking in your life? What new life-giving choices will you create in this new year? Choose the pain of discipline now over the pain of regret later.
1/26/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you speaking the language of heaven or hell?  “Grumbling is the language of hell.” That statement stopped me in my tracks. It felt so poignant, so in your face, so true. And grumbling comes directly from your disposition, your attitude. Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” So what is attitude anyway? It’s the mental state or position you take as it relates to your life, and circumstances surrounding you. Your attitude is not what you think but how you think it, and your attitude frames every event in your life whether you realize it or not. Out of your attitude flows your enjoyment of life and gratitude for all your blessings or your disappointment and anger at how things have turned out. Everyday your attitude is challenged by other people and by external factors. My attitude tends to be challenged when I am driving, when a coworker is getting on my nerves, or when someone is in the self-checkout lane at the grocery store with 50 items! Your attitude might tend to go sideways in similar ways or maybe it’s the weather that you let affect your attitude or the fact that it’s Monday… again. The point is, while you cannot control everything that happens in life you can control your attitude. You can choose your disposition on a daily basis. If you were to monitor your attitude, what would you notice? Is your attitude set on positive or negative? Glass half-empty or half full? Is your disposition dialed to joyful in all circumstances, patient, forgiving, sacrificial. Or is your attitude’s automatic response set to grumpy, impatient, bitter, critical, or self-serving? When things are not going as you planned or people are not acting in the way you want, how will you react?  Will you let a negative or inconsiderate person ruin your day or tempt you to lose your cool? Or will you be in control of your own internal weather? I am not saying it is always easy, but it is possible. You are the master of your internal world and you have a Master who will help you when you ask him, Jesus. As a matter of fact, Philippians 2:5 is an imperative for every follower of Christ. The apostle Paul says, you should have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to be like Jesus. And a Christlike attitude will make a difference in you and enable you to make a difference in the world around you.
1/25/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you speaking the language of heaven or hell?  “Grumbling is the language of hell.” That statement stopped me in my tracks. It felt so poignant, so in your face, so true. And grumbling comes directly from your disposition, your attitude. Philippians 2:14-16 says, “Do everything without grumbling or arguing, so that you may become blameless and pure, ‘children of God without fault in a warped and crooked generation.’ Then you will shine among them like stars in the sky as you hold firmly to the word of life.” So what is attitude anyway? It’s the mental state or position you take as it relates to your life, and circumstances surrounding you. Your attitude is not what you think but how you think it, and your attitude frames every event in your life whether you realize it or not. Out of your attitude flows your enjoyment of life and gratitude for all your blessings or your disappointment and anger at how things have turned out. Everyday your attitude is challenged by other people and by external factors. My attitude tends to be challenged when I am driving, when a coworker is getting on my nerves, or when someone is in the self-checkout lane at the grocery store with 50 items! Your attitude might tend to go sideways in similar ways or maybe it’s the weather that you let affect your attitude or the fact that it’s Monday… again. The point is, while you cannot control everything that happens in life you can control your attitude. You can choose your disposition on a daily basis. If you were to monitor your attitude, what would you notice? Is your attitude set on positive or negative? Glass half-empty or half full? Is your disposition dialed to joyful in all circumstances, patient, forgiving, sacrificial. Or is your attitude’s automatic response set to grumpy, impatient, bitter, critical, or self-serving? When things are not going as you planned or people are not acting in the way you want, how will you react?  Will you let a negative or inconsiderate person ruin your day or tempt you to lose your cool? Or will you be in control of your own internal weather? I am not saying it is always easy, but it is possible. You are the master of your internal world and you have a Master who will help you when you ask him, Jesus. As a matter of fact, Philippians 2:5 is an imperative for every follower of Christ. The apostle Paul says, you should have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had. As ambassadors of Christ, we are called to be like Jesus. And a Christlike attitude will make a difference in you and enable you to make a difference in the world around you.
1/25/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever thought about the choices you make on a daily basis? Proverbs 18:21 says, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” (MSG). You choose. Now I know you are very aware of what it means to choose but here is a refresher. The dictionary definition of choose is, “​​To select from a number of possible alternatives; decide on and pick out. To determine.” I want to share that definition with you because I think sometimes it can be easy to forget that you have the ability to be selective about what you say. All too often you can find yourself saying everything you think before putting your words through a holy filter. Minding your words takes intention. Do your words—the things you say to yourself about yourself, the things you say to your co-worker, spouse, friend, neighbor—act as poison, bringing destruction and death to a soul? Or are your words life-giving to those who hear them? In the workplace it can be all too tempting to have loose lips that spew gossip, criticism, and complaining. When you are with your friends you can easily fall into the trap of dissing someone who is not around and talking behind their back. Don’t do that. You do not want to be the person dragging others down with their words. And if you find yourself in a group that is getting their kicks by criticizing others, run for the hills. Refuse to join in. Words are a slippery slope. In Luke 6:45, Jesus says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” The words you say in your head and out loud reflect something deeper. They flow from what’s in your heart. If there is bitterness, greed, jealousy, pride, anger, superiority, or inferiority in your heart, your words will follow suit. But when there is love, joy, gratitude, peace, trust and confidence in Jesus in your heart, your words will be like fruit. Sweet and soothing to the soul. At any given moment you have a number of possible alternatives when it comes to choosing what comes out of your mouth. Choose your words wisely and remember that today you have the power to decide if you will bring life to the people you interact with or death. Choose life.
1/24/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever thought about the choices you make on a daily basis? Proverbs 18:21 says, “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” (MSG). You choose. Now I know you are very aware of what it means to choose but here is a refresher. The dictionary definition of choose is, “​​To select from a number of possible alternatives; decide on and pick out. To determine.” I want to share that definition with you because I think sometimes it can be easy to forget that you have the ability to be selective about what you say. All too often you can find yourself saying everything you think before putting your words through a holy filter. Minding your words takes intention. Do your words—the things you say to yourself about yourself, the things you say to your co-worker, spouse, friend, neighbor—act as poison, bringing destruction and death to a soul? Or are your words life-giving to those who hear them? In the workplace it can be all too tempting to have loose lips that spew gossip, criticism, and complaining. When you are with your friends you can easily fall into the trap of dissing someone who is not around and talking behind their back. Don’t do that. You do not want to be the person dragging others down with their words. And if you find yourself in a group that is getting their kicks by criticizing others, run for the hills. Refuse to join in. Words are a slippery slope. In Luke 6:45, Jesus says, “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” The words you say in your head and out loud reflect something deeper. They flow from what’s in your heart. If there is bitterness, greed, jealousy, pride, anger, superiority, or inferiority in your heart, your words will follow suit. But when there is love, joy, gratitude, peace, trust and confidence in Jesus in your heart, your words will be like fruit. Sweet and soothing to the soul. At any given moment you have a number of possible alternatives when it comes to choosing what comes out of your mouth. Choose your words wisely and remember that today you have the power to decide if you will bring life to the people you interact with or death. Choose life.
1/24/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If I were to plug into your mind, what would I hear? What thoughts do you find yourself playing on repeat? If your thoughts were a Spotify playlist, what would the title be? Think about it. You know, it’s been said that your thoughts determine your life. In other words, where your thoughts go, your life will follow. Where are your thoughts leading you? What thoughts do you find yourself dwelling on? What words do you find yourself regularly rehearsing? Are they life-giving, producing gratitude, hope, and peace? Or do your thoughts lead to worry, anxiety, perhaps even anger, self-pity, or self-defeat? There’s a quote that says, "Each day stand guard at the door of your mind." As challenging as it is, you have the responsibility to be the curator of the information you consume and the things you dwell on. Now it’s not possible to choose every thought that enters your mind: some will slip through the cracks. But you totally have the power to pick the thoughts you will allow to penetrate your heart and mind. So, stand guard at the door! Picture yourself like a bouncer at a concert venue. Be ready to kick out any thought that is not allowed a ticket of admission! When a thought enters your mind that does not align with God’s thoughts, ask God to help you give it the boot. Thoughts like: I will never amount to anything. I am a failure. I don’t have what it takes. God doesn’t really care about me. I am not lovable. I will always be alone. I will never measure up. I will always be stuck in this addiction. My life will never change These thoughts do not deserve renting space in your head and just because you think something, it does not make it true. Choose what you will focus on. Notice I used the word choose. Oftentimes I think we take the position of being a casual bystander of our thoughts, we leave our thoughts unchecked and let them consume us and ultimately rule us. We can get captured by our thoughts rather than holding our thoughts captive to Christ. Second Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to, “…Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Subject all of your thinking to Jesus. Examine your thoughts to see if they align with God’s thoughts and choose to do something with the ones that are not well-pleasing to God before they enter your heart and become a part of you. In the next 24 hours, take inventory of your thoughts. Are they life-giving or life sucking? Are they worthy of praise or do they cause a panic? Being mindful of what you meditate on is a really important discipline as followers of Jesus.
1/23/20233 minutes
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The Power of Choice

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If I were to plug into your mind, what would I hear? What thoughts do you find yourself playing on repeat? If your thoughts were a Spotify playlist, what would the title be? Think about it. You know, it’s been said that your thoughts determine your life. In other words, where your thoughts go, your life will follow. Where are your thoughts leading you? What thoughts do you find yourself dwelling on? What words do you find yourself regularly rehearsing? Are they life-giving, producing gratitude, hope, and peace? Or do your thoughts lead to worry, anxiety, perhaps even anger, self-pity, or self-defeat? There’s a quote that says, "Each day stand guard at the door of your mind." As challenging as it is, you have the responsibility to be the curator of the information you consume and the things you dwell on. Now it’s not possible to choose every thought that enters your mind: some will slip through the cracks. But you totally have the power to pick the thoughts you will allow to penetrate your heart and mind. So, stand guard at the door! Picture yourself like a bouncer at a concert venue. Be ready to kick out any thought that is not allowed a ticket of admission! When a thought enters your mind that does not align with God’s thoughts, ask God to help you give it the boot. Thoughts like: I will never amount to anything. I am a failure. I don’t have what it takes. God doesn’t really care about me. I am not lovable. I will always be alone. I will never measure up. I will always be stuck in this addiction. My life will never change These thoughts do not deserve renting space in your head and just because you think something, it does not make it true. Choose what you will focus on. Notice I used the word choose. Oftentimes I think we take the position of being a casual bystander of our thoughts, we leave our thoughts unchecked and let them consume us and ultimately rule us. We can get captured by our thoughts rather than holding our thoughts captive to Christ. Second Corinthians 10:5 instructs us to, “…Demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” Subject all of your thinking to Jesus. Examine your thoughts to see if they align with God’s thoughts and choose to do something with the ones that are not well-pleasing to God before they enter your heart and become a part of you. In the next 24 hours, take inventory of your thoughts. Are they life-giving or life sucking? Are they worthy of praise or do they cause a panic? Being mindful of what you meditate on is a really important discipline as followers of Jesus.
1/23/20233 minutes
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Making the Choice to Trust God

Presented by Lisa Bishop When you are in a difficult season, it can be easy to let your trust waiver. It can be tempting to buy into the lie that God has forgotten about you; to think that God doesn’t really care and that the hardship, loss, or feeling of a lack of direction will never end. When fear of an unknown future causes anxiety or despair it’s a time you will find yourself at a crossroad, a point where you will need to make an important decision, a critical choice. Will you cling to God and trust him and his faithfulness? Or, will you lean on your own obstructed view, your limited understanding, and succumb to doubt and discouragement, maybe even despair? Now when I ask this question, I want to make it clear that throughout your Christian journey there will be many crossroads where your faith and trust in Jesus will be tested. Trusting Jesus in all circumstances is something we continue to grow in. It is a lifelong pursuit. In our perfectly curated social media world, we don’t talk much about the messiness of life—a failing marriage, faltering faith, being fired from a job. We see snippets of each other's lives and think that something must be wrong with ours because while we are dealing with overwhelming fears and anxieties, other people’s worlds look like the fantasy that we wish we were living. But trials and the messiness of life are part of being human. Sometimes we don’t want to be human. We want life to be perfect and it’s not. And after all, that is why we need hope and faith in Jesus, because you will have trials and the hardships of life will test you. James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (MSG). Do you consider it a sheer gift when trials and testing, when waiting and uncertainty come your way? It is so hard to trust God in times of trial. We want to wiggle out of the discomfort and get relief from the pressure. We want God to answer us now because we can’t bear the weight of the unknown. Yet these hard places are the very times that your faith matures when you make the choice to trust, to persevere when your faith is tried. When I think about choosing to trust God in the uncertainty it reminds me of the Israelites and their journey to freedom. In the book of Exodus, we read about God’s freedom mission. The book of Exodus describes a climactic moment in the life of God’s people. It tells the story of the Israelite’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt by the Lord’s mighty hand. For 400 plus years the people of God were subjected to harsh labor conditions by Pharaoh. As you read the first part of Exodus you witness Pharaoh’s relentless refusal to let God’s people go even after God demonstrates his mighty power and brings several disasters in the form of plagues to Egypt. After the tenth plague Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Israelites and so begins their journey to the Promised Land. And then this happens next in Exodus 13:17: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war they might change their minds and return to Egypt’. So God led the people around the desert road toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 17:17-18a).  Did you catch that? Here the Israelites have been in captivity for 400 plus years, they are finally getting their taste of freedom and God chooses not to lead them on the road that was shorter. He leads them around the desert towards the Red Sea. You and I have the benefit of knowing how the story ends, but the Israelites didn’t know that the reason God was taking them down a less than obvious path was because he knew what was ahead.
1/21/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Making the Choice to Trust God

Presented by Lisa Bishop When you are in a difficult season, it can be easy to let your trust waiver. It can be tempting to buy into the lie that God has forgotten about you; to think that God doesn’t really care and that the hardship, loss, or feeling of a lack of direction will never end. When fear of an unknown future causes anxiety or despair it’s a time you will find yourself at a crossroad, a point where you will need to make an important decision, a critical choice. Will you cling to God and trust him and his faithfulness? Or, will you lean on your own obstructed view, your limited understanding, and succumb to doubt and discouragement, maybe even despair? Now when I ask this question, I want to make it clear that throughout your Christian journey there will be many crossroads where your faith and trust in Jesus will be tested. Trusting Jesus in all circumstances is something we continue to grow in. It is a lifelong pursuit. In our perfectly curated social media world, we don’t talk much about the messiness of life—a failing marriage, faltering faith, being fired from a job. We see snippets of each other's lives and think that something must be wrong with ours because while we are dealing with overwhelming fears and anxieties, other people’s worlds look like the fantasy that we wish we were living. But trials and the messiness of life are part of being human. Sometimes we don’t want to be human. We want life to be perfect and it’s not. And after all, that is why we need hope and faith in Jesus, because you will have trials and the hardships of life will test you. James 1:2-4 reminds us: “Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way” (MSG). Do you consider it a sheer gift when trials and testing, when waiting and uncertainty come your way? It is so hard to trust God in times of trial. We want to wiggle out of the discomfort and get relief from the pressure. We want God to answer us now because we can’t bear the weight of the unknown. Yet these hard places are the very times that your faith matures when you make the choice to trust, to persevere when your faith is tried. When I think about choosing to trust God in the uncertainty it reminds me of the Israelites and their journey to freedom. In the book of Exodus, we read about God’s freedom mission. The book of Exodus describes a climactic moment in the life of God’s people. It tells the story of the Israelite’s deliverance from slavery in Egypt by the Lord’s mighty hand. For 400 plus years the people of God were subjected to harsh labor conditions by Pharaoh. As you read the first part of Exodus you witness Pharaoh’s relentless refusal to let God’s people go even after God demonstrates his mighty power and brings several disasters in the form of plagues to Egypt. After the tenth plague Pharaoh finally agrees to release the Israelites and so begins their journey to the Promised Land. And then this happens next in Exodus 13:17: “When Pharaoh let the people go, God did not lead them on the road through the Philistine country, though that was shorter. For God said, ‘If they face war they might change their minds and return to Egypt’. So God led the people around the desert road toward the Red Sea” (Exodus 17:17-18a).  Did you catch that? Here the Israelites have been in captivity for 400 plus years, they are finally getting their taste of freedom and God chooses not to lead them on the road that was shorter. He leads them around the desert towards the Red Sea. You and I have the benefit of knowing how the story ends, but the Israelites didn’t know that the reason God was taking them down a less than obvious path was because he knew what was ahead.
1/21/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 5

What parent hasn’t said to a small child, “Now, play well with your friends.” We try to motivate them to play with consideration, not to be selfish, to share their toys—to “play nice” as we say. Well, don’t you think we need to “work nice” with our fellow workers? Here’s one last suggestion for working well at work: Help others to find their greatness, to develop and use their talents and skills. This applies not only to those in management, but all of us can look for ways to help others grow in their job and become better at what they do. For example, if you are particularly skilled in some software program, and you recognize a coworker who is technically gifted, you could offer to coach them in that area. Not only would that benefit the new employee, but the growth of individual employees benefits the whole. The organization would be immeasurably better if we all simply helped others find their greatness, realize their potential. I think we would be shocked if we knew how much time, productivity and success is lost simply because we don’t share with each other. I remember reading an article about the terrible Columbia Space Shuttle disaster in 2003. They have determined that some of the technical issues that caused the disaster were a result of lack of proper communication between different specialties, an unwillingness to share knowledge and research. If that is true, it makes the tragedy so much worse, doesn’t it? Jesus gave us the greatest example of equipping others to succeed. He began with twelve unqualified men, he taught them, he role-modeled for them, and then after his resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell them and empower them so that they could be all he intended them to be. He equipped them—and he still equips us today. If you’re born from above, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, and he gives you the power to work well with others, to love others, to be a true friend and a peacemaker even on your job. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/20/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

Developing Good Working Relationships – 5

What parent hasn’t said to a small child, “Now, play well with your friends.” We try to motivate them to play with consideration, not to be selfish, to share their toys—to “play nice” as we say. Well, don’t you think we need to “work nice” with our fellow workers? Here’s one last suggestion for working well at work: Help others to find their greatness, to develop and use their talents and skills. This applies not only to those in management, but all of us can look for ways to help others grow in their job and become better at what they do. For example, if you are particularly skilled in some software program, and you recognize a coworker who is technically gifted, you could offer to coach them in that area. Not only would that benefit the new employee, but the growth of individual employees benefits the whole. The organization would be immeasurably better if we all simply helped others find their greatness, realize their potential. I think we would be shocked if we knew how much time, productivity and success is lost simply because we don’t share with each other. I remember reading an article about the terrible Columbia Space Shuttle disaster in 2003. They have determined that some of the technical issues that caused the disaster were a result of lack of proper communication between different specialties, an unwillingness to share knowledge and research. If that is true, it makes the tragedy so much worse, doesn’t it? Jesus gave us the greatest example of equipping others to succeed. He began with twelve unqualified men, he taught them, he role-modeled for them, and then after his resurrection, he sent the Holy Spirit to indwell them and empower them so that they could be all he intended them to be. He equipped them—and he still equips us today. If you’re born from above, you have the Holy Spirit indwelling you, and he gives you the power to work well with others, to love others, to be a true friend and a peacemaker even on your job. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/20/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 4

How often do you complete a goal or a project with no help from others? My guess is that rarely if ever do we reach our goals on our own. We receive help and cooperation, ideas and support from others, and that makes it possible for us to succeed. One of the basic things to remember is to share credit for accomplishments and ideas.  Have you ever seen someone who won a very coveted award, accomplished something truly outstanding, and as they were recognized, the first thing they said was, “I could never have done this without. . .” and then they started to name others who had contributed to their success. Well, you may never have an Academy Award moment, but there are so many other small moments in your day where you can share the credit and acknowledge the contribution that someone else has made. Do you ever thank your boss for helping you? Have you taken time to send an email to a coworker who went out of his or her way to give you some advice or share some ideas with you? I think we often just overlook these little things; we get too busy or we simply don’t realize how powerful “thank you” is. Recently I received a text from a friend saying simply, ”Mary I wouldn’t be here without you and all those years of helping to mentor me over the radio!” And she expressed her love. Those kinds of extra-mile expressions will go a long way to improving relationships. One of the things we try to do well here at The Christian Working Woman is to say “thanks.” So many people have partnered with us through the many years of this ministry, and I am very aware that we could never have made it without them—without you! I know that when people support us, they do it out of love for the Lord, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to know that we are grateful, and we appreciate their support. Proverbs 25:11 (ESV) says that “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” A fitly spoken word is “thanks” and it is beautiful. Believe me when I tell you—“thank you” is powerful and you can’t overdo it. Are you intentional about recognizing and thanking those you work with and for? It will go a long way toward improving your work relationships. Give it a try.
1/19/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 4

How often do you complete a goal or a project with no help from others? My guess is that rarely if ever do we reach our goals on our own. We receive help and cooperation, ideas and support from others, and that makes it possible for us to succeed. One of the basic things to remember is to share credit for accomplishments and ideas.  Have you ever seen someone who won a very coveted award, accomplished something truly outstanding, and as they were recognized, the first thing they said was, “I could never have done this without. . .” and then they started to name others who had contributed to their success. Well, you may never have an Academy Award moment, but there are so many other small moments in your day where you can share the credit and acknowledge the contribution that someone else has made. Do you ever thank your boss for helping you? Have you taken time to send an email to a coworker who went out of his or her way to give you some advice or share some ideas with you? I think we often just overlook these little things; we get too busy or we simply don’t realize how powerful “thank you” is. Recently I received a text from a friend saying simply, ”Mary I wouldn’t be here without you and all those years of helping to mentor me over the radio!” And she expressed her love. Those kinds of extra-mile expressions will go a long way to improving relationships. One of the things we try to do well here at The Christian Working Woman is to say “thanks.” So many people have partnered with us through the many years of this ministry, and I am very aware that we could never have made it without them—without you! I know that when people support us, they do it out of love for the Lord, but that doesn’t mean they don’t want to know that we are grateful, and we appreciate their support. Proverbs 25:11 (ESV) says that “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” A fitly spoken word is “thanks” and it is beautiful. Believe me when I tell you—“thank you” is powerful and you can’t overdo it. Are you intentional about recognizing and thanking those you work with and for? It will go a long way toward improving your work relationships. Give it a try.
1/19/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 3

Would you really like to have better relationships on your job? I’m talking about what you can do—as one person—to improve the atmosphere where you work. We hear lots of comments about how difficult workplaces are these days. You may feel as though you are trapped in a job you don’t like and you have no hope of escaping because jobs are scarce or you have too much time invested, or whatever. I want to challenge you to try to improve the place you’re in. As a Christian, a true follower of Jesus Christ, your first priority is to represent Christ well where you work, regardless of the circumstances. I’ve made two suggestions for working well with others. Here’s number three: Never ambush your coworkers or boss. For example, if you bring up a problem in a meeting and it’s the first time your boss or the people involved have heard about it, then you have blindsided them and they may well interpret that to mean you’re trying to make them look bad. Always discuss issues first with the people directly involved. Not only will that prevent you from appearing to ambush them, but you’re likely to learn something that will give you a different perspective of the situation. Proverbs 18:17 (ESV) says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” We’ve all witnessed times when someone forcefully presented their case, expressed their opinion, pointed their fingers, and then when the facts were fully revealed, they were made to look foolish. In order to have really good working relationships, your coworkers and management must trust you. Trust is built over time, and the little things you do—or don’t do—on a daily basis will create a firm belief in the minds of your coworkers as to whether or not they can trust you. Are there not some people on your job that you simply don’t trust? Well, that should never be the perception our coworkers have of us, if we are disciples of Jesus Christ. It was said of Daniel that his coworkers “could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Daniel 6:4b). A distinguishing mark of a Christian in a secular workplace should be that we never ambush others, and we are very trustworthy.
1/18/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 3

Would you really like to have better relationships on your job? I’m talking about what you can do—as one person—to improve the atmosphere where you work. We hear lots of comments about how difficult workplaces are these days. You may feel as though you are trapped in a job you don’t like and you have no hope of escaping because jobs are scarce or you have too much time invested, or whatever. I want to challenge you to try to improve the place you’re in. As a Christian, a true follower of Jesus Christ, your first priority is to represent Christ well where you work, regardless of the circumstances. I’ve made two suggestions for working well with others. Here’s number three: Never ambush your coworkers or boss. For example, if you bring up a problem in a meeting and it’s the first time your boss or the people involved have heard about it, then you have blindsided them and they may well interpret that to mean you’re trying to make them look bad. Always discuss issues first with the people directly involved. Not only will that prevent you from appearing to ambush them, but you’re likely to learn something that will give you a different perspective of the situation. Proverbs 18:17 (ESV) says, “The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him.” We’ve all witnessed times when someone forcefully presented their case, expressed their opinion, pointed their fingers, and then when the facts were fully revealed, they were made to look foolish. In order to have really good working relationships, your coworkers and management must trust you. Trust is built over time, and the little things you do—or don’t do—on a daily basis will create a firm belief in the minds of your coworkers as to whether or not they can trust you. Are there not some people on your job that you simply don’t trust? Well, that should never be the perception our coworkers have of us, if we are disciples of Jesus Christ. It was said of Daniel that his coworkers “could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Daniel 6:4b). A distinguishing mark of a Christian in a secular workplace should be that we never ambush others, and we are very trustworthy.
1/18/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 2

What can you do to make your workplace a nicer, friendlier place to work? I’m talking about working well at work—going the extra mile if necessary in order to create a better relationship with coworkers and management. I talked about the importance of not playing the blame game. Here’s suggestion number two: Always bring a solution when you present a problem. Anybody can complain and find fault, and there’s plenty of that going on in most work environments. But the person who brings a solution to a problem is very valuable. So, before you go into gripe mode, ask yourself, If I were in charge, what would I do to resolve this situation? Early in my career in sales with IBM, I remember my manager telling me, “We don’t have problems at IBM, Mary, we have opportunities.” Now, that may sound kind of corny, but truly if everyone approached a problem as an opportunity, it would eliminate most of the negative chatter and complaining that is prevalent in far-too-many workplaces. What would you identify as the number one problem where you work? What is the one thing you would really love to change, that you feel would truly make your working environment better? Maybe it would be something that would increase efficiency or productivity, or something that would eliminate a headache or a frustration. Identify that one thing, and then come up with a solution. If you can’t come up with a solution, then you certainly have no right to complain about it, do you? Maybe you’re thinking that no one would take your suggestion. But have you tried? And have you presented your idea in a constructive way? Many people predict failure before they even try, and of course, those become self-fulfilling prophecies. Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.” When you present your solution to a problem, be very discerning about how you say it and make your words pleasant. That will help the other person to hear and to give credibility to your suggestion. But please also be aware that sometimes a problem is far more involved than you may know, and there may be extenuating circumstances of which you have no knowledge.
1/17/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships – 2

What can you do to make your workplace a nicer, friendlier place to work? I’m talking about working well at work—going the extra mile if necessary in order to create a better relationship with coworkers and management. I talked about the importance of not playing the blame game. Here’s suggestion number two: Always bring a solution when you present a problem. Anybody can complain and find fault, and there’s plenty of that going on in most work environments. But the person who brings a solution to a problem is very valuable. So, before you go into gripe mode, ask yourself, If I were in charge, what would I do to resolve this situation? Early in my career in sales with IBM, I remember my manager telling me, “We don’t have problems at IBM, Mary, we have opportunities.” Now, that may sound kind of corny, but truly if everyone approached a problem as an opportunity, it would eliminate most of the negative chatter and complaining that is prevalent in far-too-many workplaces. What would you identify as the number one problem where you work? What is the one thing you would really love to change, that you feel would truly make your working environment better? Maybe it would be something that would increase efficiency or productivity, or something that would eliminate a headache or a frustration. Identify that one thing, and then come up with a solution. If you can’t come up with a solution, then you certainly have no right to complain about it, do you? Maybe you’re thinking that no one would take your suggestion. But have you tried? And have you presented your idea in a constructive way? Many people predict failure before they even try, and of course, those become self-fulfilling prophecies. Proverbs 16:21 says, “The wise in heart are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction.” When you present your solution to a problem, be very discerning about how you say it and make your words pleasant. That will help the other person to hear and to give credibility to your suggestion. But please also be aware that sometimes a problem is far more involved than you may know, and there may be extenuating circumstances of which you have no knowledge.
1/17/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships

A recent study showed that if you have a good friend at work, you are much more likely to be satisfied with your job. How would you describe your work relationships? Do you just tolerate those coworkers, or would you count at least some of them as good friends? Your answer to those questions could have a lot to do with how you feel about your job. I want to talk about what you can do to work well with others, to make those working relationships more pleasant, indeed to form some close friendships where you work. Often the workplace brings out the worst in people, but as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the workplace is our opportunity to shine as lights in a dark place, and even to change the atmosphere by learning how to work well with others. One person can make a difference, you know, so why shouldn’t that one person be you? Here is suggestion number one for working well with others at work: Don’t play the blame game. Shifting the blame for any situation is a big no-no. I’m not suggesting you take blame for something that was not your responsibility, but don’t alienate coworkers by pointing fingers, especially in a meeting or where multiple people are present. The biblical principle for solving issues between two people is very straight-forward: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:15-16). Often problems must be addressed and those responsible must be identified and corrected. But the way you go about this will make all the difference in whether or not you truly help someone to correct a problem or just make a problem worse. It’s really smart to always confront privately, one-on-one, after you have had time to think it through, form your words, control your anger, and make sure you’re speaking truth in love—meaning you’re doing this for the good of the other person, not just to ventilate your frustration. You definitely could win a person over this way. And then remember, pick your fights. There are some hills that simply aren’t worth dying on, so be willing to let some things go.
1/16/20233 minutes
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Developing Good Working Relationships

A recent study showed that if you have a good friend at work, you are much more likely to be satisfied with your job. How would you describe your work relationships? Do you just tolerate those coworkers, or would you count at least some of them as good friends? Your answer to those questions could have a lot to do with how you feel about your job. I want to talk about what you can do to work well with others, to make those working relationships more pleasant, indeed to form some close friendships where you work. Often the workplace brings out the worst in people, but as ambassadors for Jesus Christ, the workplace is our opportunity to shine as lights in a dark place, and even to change the atmosphere by learning how to work well with others. One person can make a difference, you know, so why shouldn’t that one person be you? Here is suggestion number one for working well with others at work: Don’t play the blame game. Shifting the blame for any situation is a big no-no. I’m not suggesting you take blame for something that was not your responsibility, but don’t alienate coworkers by pointing fingers, especially in a meeting or where multiple people are present. The biblical principle for solving issues between two people is very straight-forward: “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.  But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses” (Matthew 18:15-16). Often problems must be addressed and those responsible must be identified and corrected. But the way you go about this will make all the difference in whether or not you truly help someone to correct a problem or just make a problem worse. It’s really smart to always confront privately, one-on-one, after you have had time to think it through, form your words, control your anger, and make sure you’re speaking truth in love—meaning you’re doing this for the good of the other person, not just to ventilate your frustration. You definitely could win a person over this way. And then remember, pick your fights. There are some hills that simply aren’t worth dying on, so be willing to let some things go.
1/16/20233 minutes
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Destiny Decisions Part 2

We continue in the book of Ruth, where you notice that the consequences of Elimelech’s poor decision spilled over to his wife and his sons, who suffered greatly because they were in Moab instead of in Bethlehem, the Promised Land. When we decide to go out on our own and “do our own thing,” the consequences will spill over to others. You may be living with consequences of decisions made by others that spilled over to your life and caused you harm. So, what can you do to make sure that the destiny decisions you make in the future are good ones, part of God’s plan for your life? Here are some suggestions: Make good daily decisions. Don’t overlook the importance of what we might call “small choices, minor decisions.” Those choices we consider small add up, and they impact our lives more than we would think. For example, we choose each day whether we will spend quality time in God’s Word, in prayer, and in spiritual disciplines, like memorizing Scripture. If you make the wrong choice to skip that time one day, it may not have any serious short-term consequences. But if you keep making that small wrong choice day after day, it will soon add up to a choice with significant negative consequences in your life. Your everyday life is made up of little choices: Do I buy those shoes, even though they are not in my budget? Do I skip church today because I’m a little tired? Do I take time to call a friend who is hurting? Do I share my faith with a co-worker when I have an opportunity? Do I eat that chocolate cheesecake which I don’t need? Now, one day of poor choices may not take you down the wrong road, but repeated days of poor everyday choices will affect your health, your finances, your spiritual growth—you name it. Making good decisions at these daily crossroads of life requires discipline. In Proverbs 5 we see the lament of a person who refused discipline. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!” (Proverbs 5:11-12). Your everyday decisions that may look small one at a time can add up to be quite momentous. Choose carefully the people who influence your life. Proverbs 13:20: Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. You may choose to allow a relationship to begin in your life, which you know will not be good for you, but you think it’s no big deal and you can handle it. However, that small choice opens the door for that relationship to develop and it could eventually drag you down and cause you lots of heartache. Take time to “stand at the crossroads and look.” When you’re facing a destiny decision, remember this passage from Jeremiah 6:16: This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Every time you’re faced with a choice, if you could see the end from the beginning, you would make much better choices. Often the reason we miss the right way is because we don’t stand at the crossroads and look. Instead, we go with our emotions, with our feelings, with our gut, with our momentary desires. How many Christians have stood at that marriage crossroads and made a choice to marry a person who was not God’s choice? They didn’t ask what this marriage would be like down the road. I was talking recently with a young woman who married a Muslim man, even though she is a Christian. He is a good man, but she knows it was not the right choice. I asked her why she made that choice, and she said, “I was blinded by being in love.” She didn’t stand at that crossroad and look for the ancient path, the good way. You must stand at the crossroads and look and ask God for an eternal perspective—what will this look like in eternity? That will prevent you from making some of those poor choices that you would later regret.
1/14/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Destiny Decisions Part 2

We continue in the book of Ruth, where you notice that the consequences of Elimelech’s poor decision spilled over to his wife and his sons, who suffered greatly because they were in Moab instead of in Bethlehem, the Promised Land. When we decide to go out on our own and “do our own thing,” the consequences will spill over to others. You may be living with consequences of decisions made by others that spilled over to your life and caused you harm. So, what can you do to make sure that the destiny decisions you make in the future are good ones, part of God’s plan for your life? Here are some suggestions: Make good daily decisions. Don’t overlook the importance of what we might call “small choices, minor decisions.” Those choices we consider small add up, and they impact our lives more than we would think. For example, we choose each day whether we will spend quality time in God’s Word, in prayer, and in spiritual disciplines, like memorizing Scripture. If you make the wrong choice to skip that time one day, it may not have any serious short-term consequences. But if you keep making that small wrong choice day after day, it will soon add up to a choice with significant negative consequences in your life. Your everyday life is made up of little choices: Do I buy those shoes, even though they are not in my budget? Do I skip church today because I’m a little tired? Do I take time to call a friend who is hurting? Do I share my faith with a co-worker when I have an opportunity? Do I eat that chocolate cheesecake which I don’t need? Now, one day of poor choices may not take you down the wrong road, but repeated days of poor everyday choices will affect your health, your finances, your spiritual growth—you name it. Making good decisions at these daily crossroads of life requires discipline. In Proverbs 5 we see the lament of a person who refused discipline. At the end of your life you will groan, when your flesh and body are spent. You will say, “How I hated discipline! How my heart spurned correction!” (Proverbs 5:11-12). Your everyday decisions that may look small one at a time can add up to be quite momentous. Choose carefully the people who influence your life. Proverbs 13:20: Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. You may choose to allow a relationship to begin in your life, which you know will not be good for you, but you think it’s no big deal and you can handle it. However, that small choice opens the door for that relationship to develop and it could eventually drag you down and cause you lots of heartache. Take time to “stand at the crossroads and look.” When you’re facing a destiny decision, remember this passage from Jeremiah 6:16: This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.” Every time you’re faced with a choice, if you could see the end from the beginning, you would make much better choices. Often the reason we miss the right way is because we don’t stand at the crossroads and look. Instead, we go with our emotions, with our feelings, with our gut, with our momentary desires. How many Christians have stood at that marriage crossroads and made a choice to marry a person who was not God’s choice? They didn’t ask what this marriage would be like down the road. I was talking recently with a young woman who married a Muslim man, even though she is a Christian. He is a good man, but she knows it was not the right choice. I asked her why she made that choice, and she said, “I was blinded by being in love.” She didn’t stand at that crossroad and look for the ancient path, the good way. You must stand at the crossroads and look and ask God for an eternal perspective—what will this look like in eternity? That will prevent you from making some of those poor choices that you would later regret.
1/14/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Making Good Choices – 5

I’ve been focusing on the importance of the choices we make—our every day choices about small things and the larger ones that make a difference in the direction of our lives. This passage from Jeremiah gives some good advice about making choices: This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jeremiah 6:16). Jeremiah is warning us against making decisions too quickly and making them without seeking God’s guidance. He says stand and look; think of what this decision will look like down the road. Don’t be deceived by the momentary glamor or attractiveness of this choice; what is it going to look like in a week, a month, a year—eternity? Then he advises us to look for the good way, the ancient path. That means take time to pray about it, seek godly advice if needed, ask God where the good way is. Often it’s not the way you may be intending to go. Interesting that in that day the people refused to choose the good way. They just said, “Nope, not going to go that way. I’m going my own way.” I can think of choices I’ve made where, in a real sense, I said the same thing—going to do it my way. And without exception, those choices were harmful; I didn’t find rest for my soul Could that be where you are at this point in your life? You’re facing a decision—a choice—and you just want what you want and you want it now, so you’re not asking for the good way, the ancient path that will lead you to soul rest. If so, I strongly urge you to stand at this crossroad in your life—this decision you are facing—and seek God’s way and then walk in it. You’ll never regret that choice. Or maybe you’re living with the consequences of choosing your way instead of God’s way. Let me encourage you to know that God hasn’t given up on you. He always has a plan to prosper you and help you, taking you where you are, even as you are living with those consequences, and making a way for you that leads to soul rest, to a renewed relationship with God through Jesus. It’s never too late to stand at the crossroads and choose the good way, the ancient path. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/13/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 5

I’ve been focusing on the importance of the choices we make—our every day choices about small things and the larger ones that make a difference in the direction of our lives. This passage from Jeremiah gives some good advice about making choices: This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it’” (Jeremiah 6:16). Jeremiah is warning us against making decisions too quickly and making them without seeking God’s guidance. He says stand and look; think of what this decision will look like down the road. Don’t be deceived by the momentary glamor or attractiveness of this choice; what is it going to look like in a week, a month, a year—eternity? Then he advises us to look for the good way, the ancient path. That means take time to pray about it, seek godly advice if needed, ask God where the good way is. Often it’s not the way you may be intending to go. Interesting that in that day the people refused to choose the good way. They just said, “Nope, not going to go that way. I’m going my own way.” I can think of choices I’ve made where, in a real sense, I said the same thing—going to do it my way. And without exception, those choices were harmful; I didn’t find rest for my soul Could that be where you are at this point in your life? You’re facing a decision—a choice—and you just want what you want and you want it now, so you’re not asking for the good way, the ancient path that will lead you to soul rest. If so, I strongly urge you to stand at this crossroad in your life—this decision you are facing—and seek God’s way and then walk in it. You’ll never regret that choice. Or maybe you’re living with the consequences of choosing your way instead of God’s way. Let me encourage you to know that God hasn’t given up on you. He always has a plan to prosper you and help you, taking you where you are, even as you are living with those consequences, and making a way for you that leads to soul rest, to a renewed relationship with God through Jesus. It’s never too late to stand at the crossroads and choose the good way, the ancient path. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/13/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 4

Have you noticed that the Bible doesn’t spare telling us the whole story? We can learn from some of the people in the Bible who made some dreadful choices. David comes to mind, this man after God’s own heart. But his choice to call for Bathsheba, commit adultery, have her husband killed—all of those sordid details are in the Bible. I wonder how often David thought about the consequences of that terribly bad choice he made. He paid a very heavy price personally for that choice, and yet God still loved him and used him. On the other hand, think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—those three young Jewish men taken captive to Babylon. They were commanded to worship the pagan statue that King Nebuchadnezzar made or be thrown in the fiery furnace. They had a choice to make. I love how they responded to the King: “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16b-18). Just as these men chose to take that strong stand for their God, it’s possible that you will have to face some similar choices. You may be facing some fiery furnaces even now: instructions from your company that are not compatible with your faith; disrespect from family members or friends who condemn you for not going along with the culture; rejection from people who think you are weird because you stand strong for your biblical convictions. Will you choose, as these three men did, that you will not serve other gods? You will not give in to the pressure to abandon your beliefs, knowing as they did that you may indeed have to live with the consequences of your choice? Are you determined by God’s grace to take the “even if he does not” stand for Jesus?
1/12/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 4

Have you noticed that the Bible doesn’t spare telling us the whole story? We can learn from some of the people in the Bible who made some dreadful choices. David comes to mind, this man after God’s own heart. But his choice to call for Bathsheba, commit adultery, have her husband killed—all of those sordid details are in the Bible. I wonder how often David thought about the consequences of that terribly bad choice he made. He paid a very heavy price personally for that choice, and yet God still loved him and used him. On the other hand, think of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—those three young Jewish men taken captive to Babylon. They were commanded to worship the pagan statue that King Nebuchadnezzar made or be thrown in the fiery furnace. They had a choice to make. I love how they responded to the King: “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:16b-18). Just as these men chose to take that strong stand for their God, it’s possible that you will have to face some similar choices. You may be facing some fiery furnaces even now: instructions from your company that are not compatible with your faith; disrespect from family members or friends who condemn you for not going along with the culture; rejection from people who think you are weird because you stand strong for your biblical convictions. Will you choose, as these three men did, that you will not serve other gods? You will not give in to the pressure to abandon your beliefs, knowing as they did that you may indeed have to live with the consequences of your choice? Are you determined by God’s grace to take the “even if he does not” stand for Jesus?
1/12/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 3

This passage from Proverbs 8 gives some good advice about making choices: Proverbs 8:10 - 11 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Choosing the instruction of wisdom over riches is both biblical and smart. According to this proverb, nothing you desire can compare with acquiring wisdom. Are you focused and intentional about learning to be wise? And how do you choose the instruction of wisdom? Well, another proverb says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). So, you choose to closely associate with wise people; you are careful who you allow to influence you, who you listen to. As Christ-followers, we don’t isolate ourselves from the world, but it is extremely important who we “walk with,” making sure our instructors are biblically wise. Another proverb says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). And, of course, God’s wisdom—the words from his mouth—are given to us in the Scriptures and through prayer. In fact, James writes: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Have you ever taken that promise seriously? I remember some years ago when I had to make a rather quick decision about an important matter, and afterwards I remember thinking, Wow, can’t believe I made such a good decision. Then the Holy Spirit quietly reminded me that I had been consistently praying for wisdom and God answered my prayers. The Lord gave me wisdom—and continues to when I intentionally look for wisdom in his word and pray for wisdom. Becoming wise is a choice you make. It takes some discipline and effort, but it is one of the smartest disciplines you will ever incorporate into your life. Choosing wisdom keeps you from much regret and heartache.
1/11/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 3

This passage from Proverbs 8 gives some good advice about making choices: Proverbs 8:10 - 11 Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Choosing the instruction of wisdom over riches is both biblical and smart. According to this proverb, nothing you desire can compare with acquiring wisdom. Are you focused and intentional about learning to be wise? And how do you choose the instruction of wisdom? Well, another proverb says, “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20). So, you choose to closely associate with wise people; you are careful who you allow to influence you, who you listen to. As Christ-followers, we don’t isolate ourselves from the world, but it is extremely important who we “walk with,” making sure our instructors are biblically wise. Another proverb says, “For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding” (Proverbs 2:6). And, of course, God’s wisdom—the words from his mouth—are given to us in the Scriptures and through prayer. In fact, James writes: “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you” (James 1:5). Have you ever taken that promise seriously? I remember some years ago when I had to make a rather quick decision about an important matter, and afterwards I remember thinking, Wow, can’t believe I made such a good decision. Then the Holy Spirit quietly reminded me that I had been consistently praying for wisdom and God answered my prayers. The Lord gave me wisdom—and continues to when I intentionally look for wisdom in his word and pray for wisdom. Becoming wise is a choice you make. It takes some discipline and effort, but it is one of the smartest disciplines you will ever incorporate into your life. Choosing wisdom keeps you from much regret and heartache.
1/11/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 2

Can you think of some choices you’ve made—maybe even recently—that you would like to do-over? Choices have consequences, that’s for sure, so I want to remind you of some biblical principles about choices. This one from Joshua is no doubt the most important choice we make: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua puts it to the people of Israel that they have a choice as to who they will serve, the Lord God or some false pagan god. That was a default choice. If they don’t choose to serve the Lord God, they will by default serve a false god. One or the other. We have default choices, too. Failing to make one choice means you are choosing another choice by default. If you have made a choice to be a Christ-follower, to serve the Lord, then that means you are choosing not to serve other gods, gods of your own making, gods of our culture. Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve God and money—or other things that can crawl up on the throne of our heart. Joshua began by saying “if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you” because sometimes it may seem “undesirable”—not easy. For example, serving the Lord on your job could require taking a stand that isn’t politically correct, which could have unpleasant consequences for you and your career. So, you have to decide in advance that serving the Lord is desirable—is your choice. Joshua took that stand—"we will serve the Lord,” he said. In our culture today, I believe we as Christ-followers will need to decide in advance—make a determination and commitment in our minds and hearts—that we choose to serve the Lord. We choose to stand true to God’s Word. That is the most important choice you and I will ever make. Like Joshua, we should make that a firm decision in our minds, and a choice we reinforce and re-commit regularly. Can you say, “I choose to serve the Lord—no matter what”?
1/10/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices – 2

Can you think of some choices you’ve made—maybe even recently—that you would like to do-over? Choices have consequences, that’s for sure, so I want to remind you of some biblical principles about choices. This one from Joshua is no doubt the most important choice we make: “But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15). Joshua puts it to the people of Israel that they have a choice as to who they will serve, the Lord God or some false pagan god. That was a default choice. If they don’t choose to serve the Lord God, they will by default serve a false god. One or the other. We have default choices, too. Failing to make one choice means you are choosing another choice by default. If you have made a choice to be a Christ-follower, to serve the Lord, then that means you are choosing not to serve other gods, gods of your own making, gods of our culture. Jesus made it clear that we cannot serve God and money—or other things that can crawl up on the throne of our heart. Joshua began by saying “if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you” because sometimes it may seem “undesirable”—not easy. For example, serving the Lord on your job could require taking a stand that isn’t politically correct, which could have unpleasant consequences for you and your career. So, you have to decide in advance that serving the Lord is desirable—is your choice. Joshua took that stand—"we will serve the Lord,” he said. In our culture today, I believe we as Christ-followers will need to decide in advance—make a determination and commitment in our minds and hearts—that we choose to serve the Lord. We choose to stand true to God’s Word. That is the most important choice you and I will ever make. Like Joshua, we should make that a firm decision in our minds, and a choice we reinforce and re-commit regularly. Can you say, “I choose to serve the Lord—no matter what”?
1/10/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices

How many choices do you think you make in a normal day? You probably would never guess 35,000 choices a day, but various sources estimate that an adult makes 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day. This sounds a bit absurd to me and I’m guessing it does to you as well, but when you think about all the choices you consciously and subconsciously make, you realize it’s a lot more than you might guess. You have been given a free-will to make a multitude of choices in life about: what to eat what to wear what to purchase what you believe what jobs and career choices you will pursue who to spend your time with who you will date and marry what you say and how you say it Not to mention all the choices you make for others—as a parent or a manager or a spouse! The list could go on and on, and each choice carries its own consequences—some good, some bad, some neutral. This ability to choose is an incredible power that we have each been given by God and our challenge as Christ-followers is to be sure we are choosing according to biblical principles. Our choices pile up on each other over our lifetime, and if you get into the habit of making poor choices, that can take you to outcomes you really don’t want. But the good news is, you can establish good habits of making good choices and that means your life can go in a much better direction. Some things to consider about your approach to making choices: Watch out for impulsive choices. They are often based on emotions or lack of adequate information and end up not so good. Watch out for procrastination—putting off choices that need to be made now. Procrastination is a deadly bad habit that needs to be purged and forsaken. Watch out for making choices to please other people, or choices just because they are popular. Those choices are often not in agreement with biblical principles. Your approach to how you make choices—big and small—is the first important thing to consider because a good approach will lead to good outcomes. I want to point out what the Bible teaches us about making choices, and we’ll look at some people in the Bible who make really good choices and others who didn’t. It seems like a good thing to consider as we begin this New Year.
1/9/20233 minutes
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Making Good Choices

How many choices do you think you make in a normal day? You probably would never guess 35,000 choices a day, but various sources estimate that an adult makes 35,000 remotely conscious decisions each day. This sounds a bit absurd to me and I’m guessing it does to you as well, but when you think about all the choices you consciously and subconsciously make, you realize it’s a lot more than you might guess. You have been given a free-will to make a multitude of choices in life about: what to eat what to wear what to purchase what you believe what jobs and career choices you will pursue who to spend your time with who you will date and marry what you say and how you say it Not to mention all the choices you make for others—as a parent or a manager or a spouse! The list could go on and on, and each choice carries its own consequences—some good, some bad, some neutral. This ability to choose is an incredible power that we have each been given by God and our challenge as Christ-followers is to be sure we are choosing according to biblical principles. Our choices pile up on each other over our lifetime, and if you get into the habit of making poor choices, that can take you to outcomes you really don’t want. But the good news is, you can establish good habits of making good choices and that means your life can go in a much better direction. Some things to consider about your approach to making choices: Watch out for impulsive choices. They are often based on emotions or lack of adequate information and end up not so good. Watch out for procrastination—putting off choices that need to be made now. Procrastination is a deadly bad habit that needs to be purged and forsaken. Watch out for making choices to please other people, or choices just because they are popular. Those choices are often not in agreement with biblical principles. Your approach to how you make choices—big and small—is the first important thing to consider because a good approach will lead to good outcomes. I want to point out what the Bible teaches us about making choices, and we’ll look at some people in the Bible who make really good choices and others who didn’t. It seems like a good thing to consider as we begin this New Year.
1/9/20233 minutes
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Destiny Decisions Part 1

What are destiny decisions? Destiny decisions are those decisions we have made or we are yet to make which changed or will change our destinies. They are choices and decisions we make that take us to a different destiny, and most often we don’t even recognize how impactful that destiny decision was until we look back in retrospect. No doubt you can think of some “destiny decisions” you’ve made in your life that, in retrospect, you see that they changed the destiny of your life. And no doubt you’d like to do some of those decisions over! New beginnings has an appeal for us, does it not? Just the idea of starting all over again, making better choices, taking a different path, avoiding the mistakes we made, wiping out the past. It just sounds good. Or maybe we’d just like something new and exciting in our lives. Something to liven things up and put a little “jazz” in our lives. During the restless years of my life, when I was wandering far from God, I was always looking for something new to perk me up. My first choice was a man, but if no man was around, then some new clothes or a new adventure—go somewhere for fun. I changed jobs three times because I was restless and was looking for something new to make life more interesting, more exciting. I remember that Saturday nights were particularly difficult for me. I never wanted to sit home on a Saturday night. I mean, if you were sitting home alone on a Saturday night, something must be wrong with you—that’s what I thought. So I always made plans for Saturday night, looking for something or someone who would fill my life with interest or excitement. Sometimes people look for changes in their lives to get out of a bad situation. They’re in a job they don’t like, so they look for a new one. They’re married to a person who doesn’t suit them, so they have affairs or get divorced. How many people do you know who have made terrible decisions because they simply wanted to get out of a bad situation? True, sometimes we need to get out of some situations we’re in, but if we move in haste or without God’s guidance, then we can make the wrong decision and choose the wrong road. The Bible tells us of people who made poor destiny decisions. People like Eve and Esau, Sarah and Judas. Case Study: Elimelech There is another story in the Bible of a man who was looking for a change. His name was Elimelech, and he was a citizen of Bethlehem, somewhere between 1200 and 1300 B.C., in one of the most tumultuous times in Israel's long, troubled history. Ruth 1:1 – 2: In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Elimelech made a destiny decision: He took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, and moved from Israel to Moab, a neighboring nation. I'm sure he must have given it much thought and decided that a geographical change was exactly what they needed in order to survive. He had what would appear to be a good reason. There was a great famine in his land and he was having difficulty feeding his family. It would seem a good plan to human logic. Yet when Elimelech left the borders of the Promised Land, he left the protection and provision God had promised to his people. On Our Own Terms What Elimelech did is one of those things we are all sometimes inclined to do under the stress of circumstances; we are tempted to step outside of God's promise and seek solutions to our problems on our own terms. The Bible says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12). It looked right to Elimelech—going to this new place—but it brought him and his two sons actual death.
1/7/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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Destiny Decisions Part 1

What are destiny decisions? Destiny decisions are those decisions we have made or we are yet to make which changed or will change our destinies. They are choices and decisions we make that take us to a different destiny, and most often we don’t even recognize how impactful that destiny decision was until we look back in retrospect. No doubt you can think of some “destiny decisions” you’ve made in your life that, in retrospect, you see that they changed the destiny of your life. And no doubt you’d like to do some of those decisions over! New beginnings has an appeal for us, does it not? Just the idea of starting all over again, making better choices, taking a different path, avoiding the mistakes we made, wiping out the past. It just sounds good. Or maybe we’d just like something new and exciting in our lives. Something to liven things up and put a little “jazz” in our lives. During the restless years of my life, when I was wandering far from God, I was always looking for something new to perk me up. My first choice was a man, but if no man was around, then some new clothes or a new adventure—go somewhere for fun. I changed jobs three times because I was restless and was looking for something new to make life more interesting, more exciting. I remember that Saturday nights were particularly difficult for me. I never wanted to sit home on a Saturday night. I mean, if you were sitting home alone on a Saturday night, something must be wrong with you—that’s what I thought. So I always made plans for Saturday night, looking for something or someone who would fill my life with interest or excitement. Sometimes people look for changes in their lives to get out of a bad situation. They’re in a job they don’t like, so they look for a new one. They’re married to a person who doesn’t suit them, so they have affairs or get divorced. How many people do you know who have made terrible decisions because they simply wanted to get out of a bad situation? True, sometimes we need to get out of some situations we’re in, but if we move in haste or without God’s guidance, then we can make the wrong decision and choose the wrong road. The Bible tells us of people who made poor destiny decisions. People like Eve and Esau, Sarah and Judas. Case Study: Elimelech There is another story in the Bible of a man who was looking for a change. His name was Elimelech, and he was a citizen of Bethlehem, somewhere between 1200 and 1300 B.C., in one of the most tumultuous times in Israel's long, troubled history. Ruth 1:1 – 2: In the days when the judges ruled, there was a famine in the land. So a man from Bethlehem in Judah, together with his wife and two sons, went to live for a while in the country of Moab.The man’s name was Elimelek, his wife’s name was Naomi, and the names of his two sons were Mahlon and Kilion. They were Ephrathites from Bethlehem, Judah. And they went to Moab and lived there. Elimelech made a destiny decision: He took his wife, Naomi, and their two sons, and moved from Israel to Moab, a neighboring nation. I'm sure he must have given it much thought and decided that a geographical change was exactly what they needed in order to survive. He had what would appear to be a good reason. There was a great famine in his land and he was having difficulty feeding his family. It would seem a good plan to human logic. Yet when Elimelech left the borders of the Promised Land, he left the protection and provision God had promised to his people. On Our Own Terms What Elimelech did is one of those things we are all sometimes inclined to do under the stress of circumstances; we are tempted to step outside of God's promise and seek solutions to our problems on our own terms. The Bible says, "There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12). It looked right to Elimelech—going to this new place—but it brought him and his two sons actual death.
1/7/202314 minutes, 28 seconds
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 5

I complete this series on words of wisdom for the workplace with: We should always strive to bring out the best in others, not the worst. Often we can bring out the best in others by giving deserved compliments or recognition—focusing on the positive in them rather than the negative. So often others will improve their performance or their attitude if someone just gives them a little recognition or praise. You can bring out the best in others by commending them when you can. In Proverbs 15:30 we see that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. You can bring out the best in others by something as simple as a smile. Proverbs 12:18 says, “…reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” And Proverbs 15:1a tells us that, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” It's easy to see that the words we speak can either bring out the worst or the best in people. If you respond to someone with sharp and uncaring words, in a rushed or hasty manner, it can easily cause them to respond in a poor way. But by choosing your words carefully, it's amazing how you can change that other person and bring out the best in them. When you're dealing with someone who is angry or upset, your goal should be to bring out the best in that person. You can do that by being empathetic and sympathetic: "I'm so sorry you've had a problem.”   Or "I can certainly understand how you feel.” You can help to calm someone down by controlling the tone of your voice, keeping it calm and kind. You can bring out the best in an angry person sometimes by simply listening and caring about the problem. Those are little things that bring out the best in people. Don't you think we could impact our worlds for Jesus Christ if we more and more became people who bring out the best in others? Ask God to make you that kind of Christian. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/6/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 5

I complete this series on words of wisdom for the workplace with: We should always strive to bring out the best in others, not the worst. Often we can bring out the best in others by giving deserved compliments or recognition—focusing on the positive in them rather than the negative. So often others will improve their performance or their attitude if someone just gives them a little recognition or praise. You can bring out the best in others by commending them when you can. In Proverbs 15:30 we see that a cheerful look brings joy to the heart. You can bring out the best in others by something as simple as a smile. Proverbs 12:18 says, “…reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” And Proverbs 15:1a tells us that, “A gentle answer turns away wrath.” It's easy to see that the words we speak can either bring out the worst or the best in people. If you respond to someone with sharp and uncaring words, in a rushed or hasty manner, it can easily cause them to respond in a poor way. But by choosing your words carefully, it's amazing how you can change that other person and bring out the best in them. When you're dealing with someone who is angry or upset, your goal should be to bring out the best in that person. You can do that by being empathetic and sympathetic: "I'm so sorry you've had a problem.”   Or "I can certainly understand how you feel.” You can help to calm someone down by controlling the tone of your voice, keeping it calm and kind. You can bring out the best in an angry person sometimes by simply listening and caring about the problem. Those are little things that bring out the best in people. Don't you think we could impact our worlds for Jesus Christ if we more and more became people who bring out the best in others? Ask God to make you that kind of Christian. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
1/6/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 4

Change is the one thing you can always count on, they say. And yet change is one of the most difficult things for us to accept. I’ve been giving you words of wisdom for the workplace, daily nuggets from God’s Word to remind you of his principles as you face various situations at work. And one of those situations is change! A. W. Tozer wrote: "We rest in Thee without fear or doubt and face our tomorrows without anxiety.” Do you face your tomorrows without fear or anxiety? I find that the great majority of us live in fear of change: What will I do if this happens? What will happen to me if that happens? Where will I go if this doesn't work out? Who will be there for me if he or she leaves me? How can I learn to cope with these changes in my lifestyle or my job routine? One of the greatest attributes of our Mighty God is that he never changes. Change happens when things improve or when they decay. But God has no need for improvement, and he cannot be less that what he is already. Therefore, he has no need of change and he's promised us that he never will. Oh, what comfort and peace this should bring to our hearts, as we live in this world where change is the only thing you can count on. It was when I was facing a very uncertain future, with many changes ahead, that I learned the joy and comfort of trusting in a God who never changes. My first reaction was to go into panic mode, but after spending time with God, I started clinging to the promise that he will never change. As I have faced more changes in my life, I am more confident than ever before that my days are written in God's book and nothing is out of control. One thing that can never change is God's love and his presence in your life, and as long as you can be certain of that, you can accept the other changes you may face. Dear friend, if you're facing some changes today, some unknown paths ahead of you, be confident of this: Your God will never change, and he has promised never to leave you or forsake you. Constantly remind yourself that he's the same yesterday, today and forever. Whatever changes come your way, they cannot destroy you because he is your refuge and strength, and that will always be true no matter what happens.
1/5/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 4

Change is the one thing you can always count on, they say. And yet change is one of the most difficult things for us to accept. I’ve been giving you words of wisdom for the workplace, daily nuggets from God’s Word to remind you of his principles as you face various situations at work. And one of those situations is change! A. W. Tozer wrote: "We rest in Thee without fear or doubt and face our tomorrows without anxiety.” Do you face your tomorrows without fear or anxiety? I find that the great majority of us live in fear of change: What will I do if this happens? What will happen to me if that happens? Where will I go if this doesn't work out? Who will be there for me if he or she leaves me? How can I learn to cope with these changes in my lifestyle or my job routine? One of the greatest attributes of our Mighty God is that he never changes. Change happens when things improve or when they decay. But God has no need for improvement, and he cannot be less that what he is already. Therefore, he has no need of change and he's promised us that he never will. Oh, what comfort and peace this should bring to our hearts, as we live in this world where change is the only thing you can count on. It was when I was facing a very uncertain future, with many changes ahead, that I learned the joy and comfort of trusting in a God who never changes. My first reaction was to go into panic mode, but after spending time with God, I started clinging to the promise that he will never change. As I have faced more changes in my life, I am more confident than ever before that my days are written in God's book and nothing is out of control. One thing that can never change is God's love and his presence in your life, and as long as you can be certain of that, you can accept the other changes you may face. Dear friend, if you're facing some changes today, some unknown paths ahead of you, be confident of this: Your God will never change, and he has promised never to leave you or forsake you. Constantly remind yourself that he's the same yesterday, today and forever. Whatever changes come your way, they cannot destroy you because he is your refuge and strength, and that will always be true no matter what happens.
1/5/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 3

The good word for the workplace today is: Learn to stay positive even in a negative environment. You know, many times you can go to work feeling really positive and up, but you leave in a negative, complaining mood. What are the things in your working world that cause you to have a bad attitude? It can be co-workers or management who irritate you, who cause you unnecessary problems, who don't do their share of the work, or who are very negative people themselves. Most of us have some of those people in our life. Or perhaps there are times when you have an impossible amount of work to accomplish, or difficult deadlines or pressures, or unrealistic expectations, and that certainly can bring you into negative territory. Perhaps it's your environment: The temperature is not right, or it's drab and dreary, or noisy and hectic. Whatever these things are which tend to make you negative rather than positive, you need to identify them. Then, look at those things and ask yourselves three questions: Can I confront this situation and try to change it? I find that most people gripe and complain without making the first effort to find a solution. They give up without trying. I don't think you have grounds for complaint unless you've at least tried to find a solution. Is there some way I can compensate for this situation? For example, if you have a dreary office, how can you perk it up? Maybe plants and posters will help. Ask yourself what goes with your territory. Every job, every industry, every profession has certain aspects which simply go with the territory, and those you must learn to accept without allowing them to bring you down. Think about the things that make you negative and ask God to give you the grace and wisdom to rise above them and be the positive person you need to be for his glory.
1/4/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 3

The good word for the workplace today is: Learn to stay positive even in a negative environment. You know, many times you can go to work feeling really positive and up, but you leave in a negative, complaining mood. What are the things in your working world that cause you to have a bad attitude? It can be co-workers or management who irritate you, who cause you unnecessary problems, who don't do their share of the work, or who are very negative people themselves. Most of us have some of those people in our life. Or perhaps there are times when you have an impossible amount of work to accomplish, or difficult deadlines or pressures, or unrealistic expectations, and that certainly can bring you into negative territory. Perhaps it's your environment: The temperature is not right, or it's drab and dreary, or noisy and hectic. Whatever these things are which tend to make you negative rather than positive, you need to identify them. Then, look at those things and ask yourselves three questions: Can I confront this situation and try to change it? I find that most people gripe and complain without making the first effort to find a solution. They give up without trying. I don't think you have grounds for complaint unless you've at least tried to find a solution. Is there some way I can compensate for this situation? For example, if you have a dreary office, how can you perk it up? Maybe plants and posters will help. Ask yourself what goes with your territory. Every job, every industry, every profession has certain aspects which simply go with the territory, and those you must learn to accept without allowing them to bring you down. Think about the things that make you negative and ask God to give you the grace and wisdom to rise above them and be the positive person you need to be for his glory.
1/4/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 2

What’s the good word today? That’s a cliché we sometimes use. Well, I have good words for you, words of wisdom for the workplace, right from God’s Word. So, here’s our word of wisdom for today: Learn to overlook insults or hurtful words. Have you ever been insulted? It's not much fun, is it? Not too long ago, I discovered that someone had insulted me, and I struggled with it quite a bit. But God showed me some good lessons out of his Word about how to handle an insult, and I'd like to share that with you today. I was upset about that insult; it had hurt and I wanted to retaliate. I wanted to let that person know they had hurt me. I wanted to make them feel badly about it. Can you identify with those reactions? Then I read Proverbs 12:16, which says "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” I knew God wanted me to overlook that insult. But I thought, "That's not fair. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it." But I couldn’t deny the clear word from God to overlook that insult. That was the first thing I learned about handling an insult. Secondly, I had to get it out of my mind, because I found I was thinking of it continually, and it was keeping me from getting anything done, it was keeping me upset, it was doing me harm. So, I had to attack the thought patterns and bring them back in line. Then I asked God to show me what I could learn from this insult, and amazingly, there was a number of good lessons for me that God made clear through his Word. So, if you've been insulted lately, I recommend this procedure to you. Number one, overlook it. Act as though it never happened. Number two, push it out of your mind every time it starts to come back in. And number three, ask God to teach you a specific lesson from the experience. Then, the whole unpleasant episode will not have been fruitless. You will have grown and learned through it.
1/3/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace – 2

What’s the good word today? That’s a cliché we sometimes use. Well, I have good words for you, words of wisdom for the workplace, right from God’s Word. So, here’s our word of wisdom for today: Learn to overlook insults or hurtful words. Have you ever been insulted? It's not much fun, is it? Not too long ago, I discovered that someone had insulted me, and I struggled with it quite a bit. But God showed me some good lessons out of his Word about how to handle an insult, and I'd like to share that with you today. I was upset about that insult; it had hurt and I wanted to retaliate. I wanted to let that person know they had hurt me. I wanted to make them feel badly about it. Can you identify with those reactions? Then I read Proverbs 12:16, which says "Fools show their annoyance at once, but the prudent overlook an insult.” I knew God wanted me to overlook that insult. But I thought, "That's not fair. They shouldn't be allowed to get away with it." But I couldn’t deny the clear word from God to overlook that insult. That was the first thing I learned about handling an insult. Secondly, I had to get it out of my mind, because I found I was thinking of it continually, and it was keeping me from getting anything done, it was keeping me upset, it was doing me harm. So, I had to attack the thought patterns and bring them back in line. Then I asked God to show me what I could learn from this insult, and amazingly, there was a number of good lessons for me that God made clear through his Word. So, if you've been insulted lately, I recommend this procedure to you. Number one, overlook it. Act as though it never happened. Number two, push it out of your mind every time it starts to come back in. And number three, ask God to teach you a specific lesson from the experience. Then, the whole unpleasant episode will not have been fruitless. You will have grown and learned through it.
1/3/20233 minutes
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More Wisdom for the Workplace

I want to give you some words of wisdom for the workplace. First words of wisdom: Talk to yourself in encouraging words, not negative ones. In Psalm 41 and 42 you will notice this phrase is often repeated: "Why are you downcast, O my soul?   Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”   Evidently the writer was struggling with depression, with discouragement, with the blahs, just like you and I struggle from time to time. And he talked to himself as a way to speak the right words into his mind and turn around his wrong thinking. In verse 6 of Psalm 42, we read, "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you...”   Now this is a very good technique and habit for all of us to learn. When you feel down, you should then force yourself to remember and recite out loud God's goodness to you in times past. Are you having a tough time today? Then, stop right now and talk to yourself; find some place where you can say something like, "Look, Mary, what is your problem? The God of all the Universe loves you and cares for you, he has met your need time and again.” I noticed in Psalm 42 and 43 that the writer also verbalized his doubts. "Why have you forgotten me. Why have you rejected me?” He voiced those doubts and questions out loud to God, but immediately he came back to the truth of praising God and hoping in God. When I find myself doubting and questioning God, I try to voice those to him out loud. "Lord, I feel as though you're not there. BUT I know better Lord. THEREFORE, I trust you, I place my hope in you. You are my Savior and my God." So, talk to yourself. I believe it's a Scriptural principle we need to incorporate into our lives to help us find victory in those everyday ups and downs of life.
1/2/20233 minutes
Episode Artwork

More Wisdom for the Workplace

I want to give you some words of wisdom for the workplace. First words of wisdom: Talk to yourself in encouraging words, not negative ones. In Psalm 41 and 42 you will notice this phrase is often repeated: "Why are you downcast, O my soul?   Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”   Evidently the writer was struggling with depression, with discouragement, with the blahs, just like you and I struggle from time to time. And he talked to himself as a way to speak the right words into his mind and turn around his wrong thinking. In verse 6 of Psalm 42, we read, "My soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you...”   Now this is a very good technique and habit for all of us to learn. When you feel down, you should then force yourself to remember and recite out loud God's goodness to you in times past. Are you having a tough time today? Then, stop right now and talk to yourself; find some place where you can say something like, "Look, Mary, what is your problem? The God of all the Universe loves you and cares for you, he has met your need time and again.” I noticed in Psalm 42 and 43 that the writer also verbalized his doubts. "Why have you forgotten me. Why have you rejected me?” He voiced those doubts and questions out loud to God, but immediately he came back to the truth of praising God and hoping in God. When I find myself doubting and questioning God, I try to voice those to him out loud. "Lord, I feel as though you're not there. BUT I know better Lord. THEREFORE, I trust you, I place my hope in you. You are my Savior and my God." So, talk to yourself. I believe it's a Scriptural principle we need to incorporate into our lives to help us find victory in those everyday ups and downs of life.
1/2/20233 minutes
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Redeeming the Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” One translation says, “redeeming the time because the days are evil.”  So, on this last day of 2022, I want to talk about “redeeming the time.” First, I want to tell you what I am not going to talk about: New Year’s Resolutions – I promise, I will not even mention them again because we all know that generally we don’t do so good by them, do we? They come and go pretty quickly, so I won’t even talk about them. Setting New Year Goals – Not going to talk about goals for the New Year. Oh, it’s not that we don’t need goals to keep us on track, but that’s not what I’m talking about today. Going on a Diet – I promise, I won’t mention it again! Turning Over a New Leaf – not today. Won’t talk about that today. Just going to remind you that none of us has unlimited time left on this earth. Our days are numbered, only God knows the number, but there is a number and as people often say—when your number is up, your time on earth will be up. So, we need to think about what it means to redeem your time because as Christ-followers, we will be held accountable for the use of our time. Does that mean we should work all the time, chalk up lots of hours doing things, make sure we punch our imaginary time clocks and try to impress God and everyone else that we are busy? I don’t think so. But what does it mean to “redeem the time”? Well, when you redeem something, you buy it back so you regain possession of it. So, to me, redeeming time means taking stock of where I’m wasting time and getting it back. It is recognizing that you and I have been given a gift of time from God, and God wants us to live in continual awareness that our time is passing—and passing quickly—and it will be gone and wasted if we don’t redeem it—make the most of it. Jesus said this to his disciples: “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4 ESV). He certainly was aware that his time on earth was limited and he wanted to be sure that he redeemed that time by doing the works that God his Father sent him to do. He was the best at making the most of every opportunity. And you know, that meant he had to say “no” sometimes. He chose to take on human flesh and limit himself to a body like ours, so he had to make choices about the way he spent his time while here on earth. Remember the time he told a man that he could not arbitrate an argument he was having with his brother? He said he was not sent to do that, so he didn’t. That’s redeeming the time. The disciples at one time had a crowd waiting in one town, expecting him to come speak to them and heal them as he had been doing, but he simply told them that it was his job to go to other towns. He said “no.” Are you good at saying no? I must admit that I am not. And that can keep you from making the best use of your time because none of us can do everything we might like or want to do. Redeeming the time is making better and better choices of how you spend your time. Someone said that we don’t drift toward righteousness. When you drift in a boat, for example, you just let the boat go wherever the water takes it. No directing the boat in the right direction, but just letting it drift. That’s easier than rowing the boat, fighting the waves, trimming the sails, but it won’t get you anywhere. When you drift in your spiritual life, that’s when you just let life and its circumstances take you where they will. You don’t do the intentional and sometimes hard work of staying alert, being disciplined, steering your life in the direction it should go. So, you drift away from righteousness, not toward it. Sadly, I think that’s the plight of many Christ-followers. They never intended to fall away from their commitment to Christ, but they just started drifting, letting things go,
12/31/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Redeeming the Time

Ephesians 5:15-16 says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” One translation says, “redeeming the time because the days are evil.”  So, on this last day of 2022, I want to talk about “redeeming the time.” First, I want to tell you what I am not going to talk about: New Year’s Resolutions – I promise, I will not even mention them again because we all know that generally we don’t do so good by them, do we? They come and go pretty quickly, so I won’t even talk about them. Setting New Year Goals – Not going to talk about goals for the New Year. Oh, it’s not that we don’t need goals to keep us on track, but that’s not what I’m talking about today. Going on a Diet – I promise, I won’t mention it again! Turning Over a New Leaf – not today. Won’t talk about that today. Just going to remind you that none of us has unlimited time left on this earth. Our days are numbered, only God knows the number, but there is a number and as people often say—when your number is up, your time on earth will be up. So, we need to think about what it means to redeem your time because as Christ-followers, we will be held accountable for the use of our time. Does that mean we should work all the time, chalk up lots of hours doing things, make sure we punch our imaginary time clocks and try to impress God and everyone else that we are busy? I don’t think so. But what does it mean to “redeem the time”? Well, when you redeem something, you buy it back so you regain possession of it. So, to me, redeeming time means taking stock of where I’m wasting time and getting it back. It is recognizing that you and I have been given a gift of time from God, and God wants us to live in continual awareness that our time is passing—and passing quickly—and it will be gone and wasted if we don’t redeem it—make the most of it. Jesus said this to his disciples: “We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work” (John 9:4 ESV). He certainly was aware that his time on earth was limited and he wanted to be sure that he redeemed that time by doing the works that God his Father sent him to do. He was the best at making the most of every opportunity. And you know, that meant he had to say “no” sometimes. He chose to take on human flesh and limit himself to a body like ours, so he had to make choices about the way he spent his time while here on earth. Remember the time he told a man that he could not arbitrate an argument he was having with his brother? He said he was not sent to do that, so he didn’t. That’s redeeming the time. The disciples at one time had a crowd waiting in one town, expecting him to come speak to them and heal them as he had been doing, but he simply told them that it was his job to go to other towns. He said “no.” Are you good at saying no? I must admit that I am not. And that can keep you from making the best use of your time because none of us can do everything we might like or want to do. Redeeming the time is making better and better choices of how you spend your time. Someone said that we don’t drift toward righteousness. When you drift in a boat, for example, you just let the boat go wherever the water takes it. No directing the boat in the right direction, but just letting it drift. That’s easier than rowing the boat, fighting the waves, trimming the sails, but it won’t get you anywhere. When you drift in your spiritual life, that’s when you just let life and its circumstances take you where they will. You don’t do the intentional and sometimes hard work of staying alert, being disciplined, steering your life in the direction it should go. So, you drift away from righteousness, not toward it. Sadly, I think that’s the plight of many Christ-followers. They never intended to fall away from their commitment to Christ, but they just started drifting, letting things go,
12/31/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Measure Your Maturity – 5

This is program number 9205. For 9205 days, or over 1800 weeks, I’ve been broadcasting this daily edition of our program. These milestones cause me to stop and think about God’s goodness to allow me this privilege all these years. But milestones should also cause us to stop and measure our progress. I’ve been talking about measuring our spiritual maturity, and I can’t help but ask myself at this program marker, have I grown as a Christian over these many years, as I should have? Does Jesus say to me, “You’re big for your age, Mary,” meaning I’ve pressed on and learned and grown up in Christ? Or does he say, “You’re not where you should be after all these years”? Dear friends, it is so important that we regularly and sincerely take stock of our spiritual progress and make sure we’re doing the things we should be doing so that we are growing up in Christ, not remaining babies, not mired down in the past, not making the same mistakes we’ve always made. Here are some questions to ask yourself to measure your spiritual maturity, based on what we’ve talked about: Is your tongue more under control today than it was a year ago, two years ago? Do you think before you speak, choose your words carefully, and just simply stop talking so much? Are you motivated to serve Christ out of a pure heart, just to please him, or are you trying to please people and gain their approval? Do you love God’s Word more than you used to? Are you spending more time studying it? Is it more and more the true bread of your life? Do you ever memorize some of it? Are you allowing your past to keep you from growing up in Christ? Are you living in bitterness or regret, which keeps you from pressing forward for the good things God has for you? And most importantly, are you loving Jesus more and more with each passing day? Do you frequently and fervently thank him for what he has done for you? Does it break your heart to think that you have broken his heart through disobedience? I urge you to measure your maturity; ask God to show you where your growth is stunted, and then do the things you need to do to grow up in Christ. That is where the abundant life is; that is where you will regain the joy of your salvation and know the peace that passes understanding. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/30/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 5

This is program number 9205. For 9205 days, or over 1800 weeks, I’ve been broadcasting this daily edition of our program. These milestones cause me to stop and think about God’s goodness to allow me this privilege all these years. But milestones should also cause us to stop and measure our progress. I’ve been talking about measuring our spiritual maturity, and I can’t help but ask myself at this program marker, have I grown as a Christian over these many years, as I should have? Does Jesus say to me, “You’re big for your age, Mary,” meaning I’ve pressed on and learned and grown up in Christ? Or does he say, “You’re not where you should be after all these years”? Dear friends, it is so important that we regularly and sincerely take stock of our spiritual progress and make sure we’re doing the things we should be doing so that we are growing up in Christ, not remaining babies, not mired down in the past, not making the same mistakes we’ve always made. Here are some questions to ask yourself to measure your spiritual maturity, based on what we’ve talked about: Is your tongue more under control today than it was a year ago, two years ago? Do you think before you speak, choose your words carefully, and just simply stop talking so much? Are you motivated to serve Christ out of a pure heart, just to please him, or are you trying to please people and gain their approval? Do you love God’s Word more than you used to? Are you spending more time studying it? Is it more and more the true bread of your life? Do you ever memorize some of it? Are you allowing your past to keep you from growing up in Christ? Are you living in bitterness or regret, which keeps you from pressing forward for the good things God has for you? And most importantly, are you loving Jesus more and more with each passing day? Do you frequently and fervently thank him for what he has done for you? Does it break your heart to think that you have broken his heart through disobedience? I urge you to measure your maturity; ask God to show you where your growth is stunted, and then do the things you need to do to grow up in Christ. That is where the abundant life is; that is where you will regain the joy of your salvation and know the peace that passes understanding. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/30/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 4

On a scale of one to ten, how would you measure your spiritual maturity? As far as I know, there are no scales for measuring spiritual maturity, but there are biblical mile-markers that can tell us if we are growing up in Christ as we should be. In Philippians 3 Paul talks about his own growing-up process, saying “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (verse 12). Becoming mature in Christ is a process, and we must be intentional about pressing on. The Apostle then says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. . .” (3:13b-14). Notice that he keeps talking about pressing on, never giving up, always striving to be all that God has created him to be in Christ Jesus. I believe one of the sure signs of our spiritual maturity is whether or not we truly press on, to put our past behind us and to go for the goal—the good works God created us to do. The enemy of your soul would love to keep you mired down in your past. If he can saddle you with regrets, with bad memories, with bitterness, with anger—any or all of those—as you dwell on your past, then he knows you’ll never grow up. Whether your past is filled with your own wrong choices and their consequences, or with unfair treatment or abuse of some kind, living in the past will cripple you and your spiritual growth will be stunted. In Isaiah 43 the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (18-19). Dwelling in the past causes us to miss the new things God has for us, and we are then stuck in our wildernesses and wastelands, never growing into the fullness of what Jesus died to give us. If your past has you mired down, I pray that you will press on, and with God’s help, put that past behind you, so that you can perceive the way that God is making for you.
12/29/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 4

On a scale of one to ten, how would you measure your spiritual maturity? As far as I know, there are no scales for measuring spiritual maturity, but there are biblical mile-markers that can tell us if we are growing up in Christ as we should be. In Philippians 3 Paul talks about his own growing-up process, saying “Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me” (verse 12). Becoming mature in Christ is a process, and we must be intentional about pressing on. The Apostle then says, “Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me. . .” (3:13b-14). Notice that he keeps talking about pressing on, never giving up, always striving to be all that God has created him to be in Christ Jesus. I believe one of the sure signs of our spiritual maturity is whether or not we truly press on, to put our past behind us and to go for the goal—the good works God created us to do. The enemy of your soul would love to keep you mired down in your past. If he can saddle you with regrets, with bad memories, with bitterness, with anger—any or all of those—as you dwell on your past, then he knows you’ll never grow up. Whether your past is filled with your own wrong choices and their consequences, or with unfair treatment or abuse of some kind, living in the past will cripple you and your spiritual growth will be stunted. In Isaiah 43 the Lord says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” (18-19). Dwelling in the past causes us to miss the new things God has for us, and we are then stuck in our wildernesses and wastelands, never growing into the fullness of what Jesus died to give us. If your past has you mired down, I pray that you will press on, and with God’s help, put that past behind you, so that you can perceive the way that God is making for you.
12/29/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 3

We often measure our growth in many areas of our lives, such as skills we’ve acquired, experience we’ve gained, education we’ve acquired, and we’re quick to update our resumes, so to speak, and let the world know how we have grown. But how often do we take time to measure our spiritual maturity and growth? The writer to the Hebrews is warning them about falling away from the faith, and he writes: “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (5:11-14). This is a real measure of spiritual maturity—whether or not we are eating solid food or we’re still living on milk. What does that mean? It means that if you’re living on milk, you’re still a baby Christian and you’re not growing in your knowledge of God’s Word. Obviously, this is directed to those who have been Christians for a while, who ought now to be ready to teach others, but instead still need to learn the elementary truths of God’s Word. You can measure your spiritual maturity by how much you really desire to get into the Word of God, to know it at deeper and deeper levels. I think of a friend in my class at church who is so thrilled because she has the opportunity to take some college-level Bible classes and learn more. She just beams as she tells me how much she loves these classes and how she is learning so much. I have watched her grow up to maturity in Christ because she has an insatiable desire to know God’s Word, and she makes it a high priority. If your Bible is hardly ever open from one Sunday to another, if you’re not regularly involved in a Bible study of some kind, if you are still in “elementary school” when you ought to be in “college,” then you’re still a baby in Christ, and you need to grow up. As I look back over my life, the years I lived in disobedience to God’s principles were the years I almost never opened my Bible. The Bible will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from the Bible. So, how do you measure up?
12/28/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 3

We often measure our growth in many areas of our lives, such as skills we’ve acquired, experience we’ve gained, education we’ve acquired, and we’re quick to update our resumes, so to speak, and let the world know how we have grown. But how often do we take time to measure our spiritual maturity and growth? The writer to the Hebrews is warning them about falling away from the faith, and he writes: “We have much to say about this, but it is hard to make it clear to you because you no longer try to understand. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil” (5:11-14). This is a real measure of spiritual maturity—whether or not we are eating solid food or we’re still living on milk. What does that mean? It means that if you’re living on milk, you’re still a baby Christian and you’re not growing in your knowledge of God’s Word. Obviously, this is directed to those who have been Christians for a while, who ought now to be ready to teach others, but instead still need to learn the elementary truths of God’s Word. You can measure your spiritual maturity by how much you really desire to get into the Word of God, to know it at deeper and deeper levels. I think of a friend in my class at church who is so thrilled because she has the opportunity to take some college-level Bible classes and learn more. She just beams as she tells me how much she loves these classes and how she is learning so much. I have watched her grow up to maturity in Christ because she has an insatiable desire to know God’s Word, and she makes it a high priority. If your Bible is hardly ever open from one Sunday to another, if you’re not regularly involved in a Bible study of some kind, if you are still in “elementary school” when you ought to be in “college,” then you’re still a baby in Christ, and you need to grow up. As I look back over my life, the years I lived in disobedience to God’s principles were the years I almost never opened my Bible. The Bible will keep you from sin, and sin will keep you from the Bible. So, how do you measure up?
12/28/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 2

Have you ever said to someone, “Oh, grow up!”? Surely there are times when we want to take someone by the shoulder and say, “Oh, grow up!” I’m just wondering if God ever wants to say those words to me—or you. I’m talking about how we can measure our spiritual maturity. Are we growing up in Christ? The Apostle Paul addressed this issue of maturity as he wrote to various churches. In Ephesians 4 he wrote that we should all “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants. . . instead. . . we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (4:13 – 15). What are some measures of our maturity? I first pointed out that our words reveal our maturity. A mature Christian is one who controls her tongue. Another measure is our motivation. What is it that motivates you to serve Christ? King David gave a strong exhortation to his son, Solomon, who would take the throne after him. We read in 1 Chronicles 28: And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought (verse 9a). We can put on a good front and fool others, but we can never fool God. He knows our thoughts and our motives. This is an area that I often think and pray about, because I am well aware that I rarely, if ever, have totally pure motives. I want to, but tucked way underneath, in my heart of hearts, I often have to admit to pride, wanting the praise of people, doing what I do because it makes me feel good. I have finally come to the conclusion, that this side of heaven I’m not likely to ever have completely pure motivation, but as long as I’m aware of it, praying about it, and desiring to serve God out of a pure heart, he will know and understand. And he will reveal my wrong motives and help me to grow up in this area. So, another strong measure of our spiritual maturity is our motivation—why we do what we do. Check it out.
12/27/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity – 2

Have you ever said to someone, “Oh, grow up!”? Surely there are times when we want to take someone by the shoulder and say, “Oh, grow up!” I’m just wondering if God ever wants to say those words to me—or you. I’m talking about how we can measure our spiritual maturity. Are we growing up in Christ? The Apostle Paul addressed this issue of maturity as he wrote to various churches. In Ephesians 4 he wrote that we should all “reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. Then we will no longer be infants. . . instead. . . we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ” (4:13 – 15). What are some measures of our maturity? I first pointed out that our words reveal our maturity. A mature Christian is one who controls her tongue. Another measure is our motivation. What is it that motivates you to serve Christ? King David gave a strong exhortation to his son, Solomon, who would take the throne after him. We read in 1 Chronicles 28: And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every desire and every thought (verse 9a). We can put on a good front and fool others, but we can never fool God. He knows our thoughts and our motives. This is an area that I often think and pray about, because I am well aware that I rarely, if ever, have totally pure motives. I want to, but tucked way underneath, in my heart of hearts, I often have to admit to pride, wanting the praise of people, doing what I do because it makes me feel good. I have finally come to the conclusion, that this side of heaven I’m not likely to ever have completely pure motivation, but as long as I’m aware of it, praying about it, and desiring to serve God out of a pure heart, he will know and understand. And he will reveal my wrong motives and help me to grow up in this area. So, another strong measure of our spiritual maturity is our motivation—why we do what we do. Check it out.
12/27/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity

As we close out this year of 2022, it might be helpful if we measured our faith to see how mature it is. So, I want to suggest some biblical ways you can measure your maturity and find out if you’re growing up in Christ as you’d like to be. Our bodies mature on us, whether we like it or not, but spiritual maturity is not something that just happens. We have to be intentional about growing more mature spiritually. So, if we could measure spiritual maturity, how would you measure up? We sometimes say of children “he’s big for his age,” meaning his physical statue is larger than most boys his age. Could anyone say that about your spiritual statue? Are you big for your spiritual age? Or is your growth stunted? When we recognize that our child is not as mature as he or she should be in some area, we go to a specialist and try to figure out why our child is smaller than she should be, or slower, or less active. Don’t you think we should be equally sensitive to our own spiritual maturity, and recognize areas where we need to “grow up”? One way to find out how much you’ve grown in your faith walk is to pay attention to what comes out of your mouth—to measure your words. The book of Proverbs has lots of good advice about controlling our tongues, and in chapter 17 it gives us a clear measure of our maturity: The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues (17:27-28). Measure your maturity by whether or not you are restrained in what you say. That simply means you think before you speak; you ask yourself, “How would I feel if someone said that to me?” You consider whether you need to say it or not. You remember Ephesians 4:29, which says to let nothing unwholesome come out of your mouth, and therefore you use words with restraint. This is one of the most important measures of maturity, because until we learn to control our tongues, we remain in that immature stage, we’re not where we should be, and we need to start growing up. Make it a matter of prayer and ask God to help you control your tongue.
12/26/20223 minutes
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Measure Your Maturity

As we close out this year of 2022, it might be helpful if we measured our faith to see how mature it is. So, I want to suggest some biblical ways you can measure your maturity and find out if you’re growing up in Christ as you’d like to be. Our bodies mature on us, whether we like it or not, but spiritual maturity is not something that just happens. We have to be intentional about growing more mature spiritually. So, if we could measure spiritual maturity, how would you measure up? We sometimes say of children “he’s big for his age,” meaning his physical statue is larger than most boys his age. Could anyone say that about your spiritual statue? Are you big for your spiritual age? Or is your growth stunted? When we recognize that our child is not as mature as he or she should be in some area, we go to a specialist and try to figure out why our child is smaller than she should be, or slower, or less active. Don’t you think we should be equally sensitive to our own spiritual maturity, and recognize areas where we need to “grow up”? One way to find out how much you’ve grown in your faith walk is to pay attention to what comes out of your mouth—to measure your words. The book of Proverbs has lots of good advice about controlling our tongues, and in chapter 17 it gives us a clear measure of our maturity: The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered. Even fools are thought wise if they keep silent, and discerning if they hold their tongues (17:27-28). Measure your maturity by whether or not you are restrained in what you say. That simply means you think before you speak; you ask yourself, “How would I feel if someone said that to me?” You consider whether you need to say it or not. You remember Ephesians 4:29, which says to let nothing unwholesome come out of your mouth, and therefore you use words with restraint. This is one of the most important measures of maturity, because until we learn to control our tongues, we remain in that immature stage, we’re not where we should be, and we need to start growing up. Make it a matter of prayer and ask God to help you control your tongue.
12/26/20223 minutes
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Generosity

Mary Lowman, Lisa Bishop and Julie Busteed talk about what it is to be generous.
12/24/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Generosity

Mary Lowman, Lisa Bishop and Julie Busteed talk about what it is to be generous.
12/24/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you a generous person? Proverbs 11:24-25 tells us, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Be generous, your world expands. Be stingy, your world shrinks. Bless others and be blessed, help others and receive help.” It’s the concept of reaping and sowing. God challenges us to be generous because he wants us to receive the blessing that comes from it. We are generous because God is generous. Generosity is really a mindset. It’s an attitude of heart, a way of being, a lifestyle from which your thoughts, words and your actions flow. In Luke 6:38 Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When you are generous it flows from a faith and trust in God’s provision and his generosity towards you. When you are being generous you push past the barriers of your comfort zone and go above and beyond, whether you are giving of your time, your service, your hospitality, your financial resources. You don’t live from fear of not having enough. Our culture today feeds our individualistic and consumer mindset and tries to get us to believe that we always need more, we will never have enough; and that can keep us gripping tightly to what we do have. As followers of Jesus, we live in light of biblical principles and God’s economy and from the truth that we have a generous God who calls us to imitate him. Where have you been stingy? How have you been holding back? How is God calling you to live a lifestyle of generosity? What are the serving needs in your church and how can you be generous with your time? How can you generously give of your financial resources to support ministries in and outside of the church? Who is a friend, family member, or neighbor that has a need you can graciously meet? Remember that God will supply all of your needs and that you get to be the hands and feet of Jesus by supplying the needs of others. So, let’s be like Jesus and live generously. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/23/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you a generous person? Proverbs 11:24-25 tells us, “One person gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed. Be generous, your world expands. Be stingy, your world shrinks. Bless others and be blessed, help others and receive help.” It’s the concept of reaping and sowing. God challenges us to be generous because he wants us to receive the blessing that comes from it. We are generous because God is generous. Generosity is really a mindset. It’s an attitude of heart, a way of being, a lifestyle from which your thoughts, words and your actions flow. In Luke 6:38 Jesus said, “Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.” When you are generous it flows from a faith and trust in God’s provision and his generosity towards you. When you are being generous you push past the barriers of your comfort zone and go above and beyond, whether you are giving of your time, your service, your hospitality, your financial resources. You don’t live from fear of not having enough. Our culture today feeds our individualistic and consumer mindset and tries to get us to believe that we always need more, we will never have enough; and that can keep us gripping tightly to what we do have. As followers of Jesus, we live in light of biblical principles and God’s economy and from the truth that we have a generous God who calls us to imitate him. Where have you been stingy? How have you been holding back? How is God calling you to live a lifestyle of generosity? What are the serving needs in your church and how can you be generous with your time? How can you generously give of your financial resources to support ministries in and outside of the church? Who is a friend, family member, or neighbor that has a need you can graciously meet? Remember that God will supply all of your needs and that you get to be the hands and feet of Jesus by supplying the needs of others. So, let’s be like Jesus and live generously. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/23/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When was the last time you encouraged someone? I mean, more than a “good job,” or a pat on the back. Not to say those are not meaningful. But when was the last time you told someone what you valued about them and showed them genuine appreciation? Not too long ago I was feeling a bit discouraged in my ministry. I was really questioning if my life and my work in that season was making an impact. Have you ever wondered if what you are doing is making a difference, adding value for others? As those questions were stirring in my head I just so happened to head to the mailbox, and to my surprise there was an envelope addressed to me. I eagerly opened it to find a handwritten note from a woman specifically sharing how her life had been impacted by my ministry. Now I am not saying this to boast about myself. I am sharing this as a reminder that we all need a boost of encouragement from time to time. First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing.” The definition of encourage is, to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence. Paul is talking about encouraging one another in our faith yet this idea of encouragement can be applied to various people and various circumstances in life. When I was asking God about my ministry and questioning if I was in the right place, I felt like that handwritten note was an answered prayer and a reminder that God sees me. The reality is, God uses people. He uses you to encourage others and spur them on. As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege and the responsibility to build each other up. Who can you share an encouraging word with? Maybe it’s a co-worker and you can point out what you value about working with her. One interesting statistic is that 75% of employees who quit their jobs cite lack of appreciation as a key factor in their leaving. So maybe it’s encouraging a co-worker. Or, maybe it’s your spouse. Perhaps you have been taking what they do for granted and you want to share what you appreciate. It can be a friend, a parent, a neighbor, or pastor. To whom will you take the time to write a handwritten note, stop by the office or make a phone call to encourage? I have a plant on a shelf in my living room that I often forget to water. Sometimes it can look a little wilted but when I water it, it perks right up. Consider that your encouragement is like that watering can. A bit of encouragement poured out can nourish a soul.
12/22/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When was the last time you encouraged someone? I mean, more than a “good job,” or a pat on the back. Not to say those are not meaningful. But when was the last time you told someone what you valued about them and showed them genuine appreciation? Not too long ago I was feeling a bit discouraged in my ministry. I was really questioning if my life and my work in that season was making an impact. Have you ever wondered if what you are doing is making a difference, adding value for others? As those questions were stirring in my head I just so happened to head to the mailbox, and to my surprise there was an envelope addressed to me. I eagerly opened it to find a handwritten note from a woman specifically sharing how her life had been impacted by my ministry. Now I am not saying this to boast about myself. I am sharing this as a reminder that we all need a boost of encouragement from time to time. First Thessalonians 5:11 says, “Encourage one another and build one another up, just as in fact you are doing.” The definition of encourage is, to inspire with hope, courage, or confidence. Paul is talking about encouraging one another in our faith yet this idea of encouragement can be applied to various people and various circumstances in life. When I was asking God about my ministry and questioning if I was in the right place, I felt like that handwritten note was an answered prayer and a reminder that God sees me. The reality is, God uses people. He uses you to encourage others and spur them on. As followers of Jesus, we have the privilege and the responsibility to build each other up. Who can you share an encouraging word with? Maybe it’s a co-worker and you can point out what you value about working with her. One interesting statistic is that 75% of employees who quit their jobs cite lack of appreciation as a key factor in their leaving. So maybe it’s encouraging a co-worker. Or, maybe it’s your spouse. Perhaps you have been taking what they do for granted and you want to share what you appreciate. It can be a friend, a parent, a neighbor, or pastor. To whom will you take the time to write a handwritten note, stop by the office or make a phone call to encourage? I have a plant on a shelf in my living room that I often forget to water. Sometimes it can look a little wilted but when I water it, it perks right up. Consider that your encouragement is like that watering can. A bit of encouragement poured out can nourish a soul.
12/22/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If you were to take inventory of your words over the past 24 hours, would they fall into the “generous” category? The dictionary definition of generous is, “Free from meanness or smallness of mind or character. Abundant. Characterized by a noble or kindly spirit.” If you were to monitor your words, are they mean or kind? Are they generous? Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Do your words bring health to others? Are they sweet to people’s souls? Are the words you speak to yourself about yourself sweet and kind? I was having dinner with a dear friend the other day. She was sharing all of the negative thoughts about herself that she has been ruminating on, the condemning and critical words about herself that are on repeat in her head. She made an interesting connection to the lies she believes about herself and how that impacts her words and actions towards others. It's so true when you think about it. If you have negative self-talk, it will impact the way you show up with and behave towards others. You may come across insecure, impatient, unforgiving and judgmental. What you say about yourself to yourself impacts the way you are with others. What are the unkind words you believe about yourself and speak to yourself? What mean words do you find yourself thinking about or saying to others? Proverbs 18:21 is a familiar verse. I think it is one most of us can rehearse yet are we heeding these words of wisdom? Are you practicing these truths daily? “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” (Proverbs 18:21, MSG). Your self talk will either lead to you poisoning yourself or believing truth about who you are and bring you life. Your speech towards others will either kill them and cut them down to size, or give life to those in your midst. Do people experience God’s grace because you avoid being harsh with your words? Do people experience God’s kindness because of the tone of your voice? Your words and the way you communicate them is important. You get to choose your words. Choose wisely. Be generous with your words and bring health and life to those around you.
12/21/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) If you were to take inventory of your words over the past 24 hours, would they fall into the “generous” category? The dictionary definition of generous is, “Free from meanness or smallness of mind or character. Abundant. Characterized by a noble or kindly spirit.” If you were to monitor your words, are they mean or kind? Are they generous? Proverbs 16:24 says, “Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.” Do your words bring health to others? Are they sweet to people’s souls? Are the words you speak to yourself about yourself sweet and kind? I was having dinner with a dear friend the other day. She was sharing all of the negative thoughts about herself that she has been ruminating on, the condemning and critical words about herself that are on repeat in her head. She made an interesting connection to the lies she believes about herself and how that impacts her words and actions towards others. It's so true when you think about it. If you have negative self-talk, it will impact the way you show up with and behave towards others. You may come across insecure, impatient, unforgiving and judgmental. What you say about yourself to yourself impacts the way you are with others. What are the unkind words you believe about yourself and speak to yourself? What mean words do you find yourself thinking about or saying to others? Proverbs 18:21 is a familiar verse. I think it is one most of us can rehearse yet are we heeding these words of wisdom? Are you practicing these truths daily? “Words kill, words give life; they’re either poison or fruit—you choose” (Proverbs 18:21, MSG). Your self talk will either lead to you poisoning yourself or believing truth about who you are and bring you life. Your speech towards others will either kill them and cut them down to size, or give life to those in your midst. Do people experience God’s grace because you avoid being harsh with your words? Do people experience God’s kindness because of the tone of your voice? Your words and the way you communicate them is important. You get to choose your words. Choose wisely. Be generous with your words and bring health and life to those around you.
12/21/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) In Ephesians 3 Paul prayed the following prayer over Christ followers. These are familiar verses in the Bible but take these truths in and let Paul’s prayer sink into your heart and soul. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (Ephesians 3:16-19, NLT). Do you know how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you? Paul goes to great measures to attempt to capture the vastness of Jesus’s affection for his sons and daughters, for you. He wants your roots to grow down into God’s love, to experience the magnitude of Christ’s love so that you will take hold of the fullness of life and the power of God at work in you. I don’t want to live thinking that God’s love for me is lukewarm, or that in some way I am unlovable. Do you? If you live from a place of being unlovable, if you buy into the lie that God does not really love you or that there is some way you have to earn his love, you are giving the enemy a foothold, a strategic position from which he can advance and multiply his lies. Satan’s greatest attempt is to convince you that you aren’t loveable. This leads to isolation, fear, anxiety, and addiction. When you are not fully convinced of God’s love for you, you will go looking for love in all the wrong places. When you feel unlovable, stand firm in truth. Remind yourself of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. And, recite these words to yourself, “I am convinced that Jesus’s love for me is gigantic and generous. I trust in God’s love for me and my roots are deeply grounded in his love. The love of Jesus gives me strength. My heart trusts in him.” Let this be a reminder to you to trust God’s generous love for you.
12/20/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) In Ephesians 3 Paul prayed the following prayer over Christ followers. These are familiar verses in the Bible but take these truths in and let Paul’s prayer sink into your heart and soul. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God (Ephesians 3:16-19, NLT). Do you know how wide, long, high, and deep God’s love is for you? Paul goes to great measures to attempt to capture the vastness of Jesus’s affection for his sons and daughters, for you. He wants your roots to grow down into God’s love, to experience the magnitude of Christ’s love so that you will take hold of the fullness of life and the power of God at work in you. I don’t want to live thinking that God’s love for me is lukewarm, or that in some way I am unlovable. Do you? If you live from a place of being unlovable, if you buy into the lie that God does not really love you or that there is some way you have to earn his love, you are giving the enemy a foothold, a strategic position from which he can advance and multiply his lies. Satan’s greatest attempt is to convince you that you aren’t loveable. This leads to isolation, fear, anxiety, and addiction. When you are not fully convinced of God’s love for you, you will go looking for love in all the wrong places. When you feel unlovable, stand firm in truth. Remind yourself of Paul's prayer in Ephesians 3. And, recite these words to yourself, “I am convinced that Jesus’s love for me is gigantic and generous. I trust in God’s love for me and my roots are deeply grounded in his love. The love of Jesus gives me strength. My heart trusts in him.” Let this be a reminder to you to trust God’s generous love for you.
12/20/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When you hear the word generosity, what comes to mind? We tend to think of generosity in terms of money or giving of our material blessings. And while that is true and as followers of Jesus, we are called to be generous with our finances, generosity has far greater meaning than money. Consider this: Generosity is a mindset. Being generous is an attitude of heart. It’s a way of being, a lifestyle from which your thoughts, words and your actions flow. Are you living with a mind and heart set on being generous? Are you living a lifestyle of generosity? It will be difficult to live a lifestyle of generosity if you have a scarcity mindset. When you don’t think you have enough of something, the tendency will be to hold what you do have with a tight grip. I have often found myself living from scarcity rather than living from the truth that God is generous. He does not withhold anything good from me. He does not withhold anything good from you. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (ESV). I love the reminder of the truth that God is a generous God. We see more evidence in Philippians 4:19 which says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV). Notice the apostle Paul’s words “my God will supply every need.” I know sometimes it doesn’t feel like God is supplying your every need. You ask for things and pray for things that do not get answered in the way you want or the timing you anticipate and then you decide that God withholds good things. But God doesn’t withhold. He cannot go against his nature. You have to train your mind and heart to look for his provision in every circumstance and realize while it may be packaged differently than you would have imagined, God is always providing. He is always supplying for your every need because that is who he is. Is there an area of your life that you feel God is withholding something good from you? Take time to talk to Jesus. Share your disappointment. Rehearse what is true, that God doesn’t withhold from you. Ask him to help you see and experience his generosity and all of the ways he is providing for you in this season.
12/19/20223 minutes
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Five Biblical Truths on Generosity

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When you hear the word generosity, what comes to mind? We tend to think of generosity in terms of money or giving of our material blessings. And while that is true and as followers of Jesus, we are called to be generous with our finances, generosity has far greater meaning than money. Consider this: Generosity is a mindset. Being generous is an attitude of heart. It’s a way of being, a lifestyle from which your thoughts, words and your actions flow. Are you living with a mind and heart set on being generous? Are you living a lifestyle of generosity? It will be difficult to live a lifestyle of generosity if you have a scarcity mindset. When you don’t think you have enough of something, the tendency will be to hold what you do have with a tight grip. I have often found myself living from scarcity rather than living from the truth that God is generous. He does not withhold anything good from me. He does not withhold anything good from you. Psalm 84:11 says, “For the Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord bestows favor and honor. No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly” (ESV). I love the reminder of the truth that God is a generous God. We see more evidence in Philippians 4:19 which says, “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (ESV). Notice the apostle Paul’s words “my God will supply every need.” I know sometimes it doesn’t feel like God is supplying your every need. You ask for things and pray for things that do not get answered in the way you want or the timing you anticipate and then you decide that God withholds good things. But God doesn’t withhold. He cannot go against his nature. You have to train your mind and heart to look for his provision in every circumstance and realize while it may be packaged differently than you would have imagined, God is always providing. He is always supplying for your every need because that is who he is. Is there an area of your life that you feel God is withholding something good from you? Take time to talk to Jesus. Share your disappointment. Rehearse what is true, that God doesn’t withhold from you. Ask him to help you see and experience his generosity and all of the ways he is providing for you in this season.
12/19/20223 minutes
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Great Gift Ideas

My first great gift idea is the gift of a listening ear. Do you know how many people there are in this world—in your life—that would love to have a listening ear for Christmas? Someone who simply will give them time and let them talk about whatever is on their heart. I often think of elderly people who we sometimes overlook in our busy lives. Does an elderly person you know come to your mind right now? What about making an opportunity to sit down with them, have a cup of coffee, and just listen. Even if you don’t personally know someone like that, you could visit a nursing home and make yourself available to someone there. Often those in nursing homes have few if any people in their lives who visit them. Can you imagine how thrilled they would be for you to simply say, “How’re you doing? Tell me about yourself.”  It would be the best gift you could give them. And you’d be surprised how interesting and entertaining their stories can be. Maybe there are some children or teenagers in your life that would love to have someone to talk to. Why not give them a listening ear for Christmas? If you know someone who has experienced a significant loss lately, they would usually love a listening ear. You might feel like you don’t know what to say to them, but the thing is, you don’t have to say much of anything. Just listen. It won’t be hard for you to find someone who needs a listening ear; why don’t you give it to them? It will make Christmas for them. James 1 tells us we are to be quick to listen and slow to speak. So, great gift idea number 1 is “Give a listening ear.” Here’s idea number 2: Give a helping hand. Jesus said that whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant (Mark 10:43). We are called as Christ-followers to serve as he did. So, what acts of service could you do this Christmas for some unexpecting person? Just one intentional act of offering a helping hand could absolutely make someone’s Christmas the best ever. It might be something you do for a sick or disabled person you know. It might be doing some shopping for or with a widow or widower you know. Or just someone who is lonely. You could design a card that said something like: “My gift to you this year is to do something that would be helpful to you.”  You might even give them a list to choose from, such as cleaning their house, cooking a meal, taking them shopping, washing their car—and any number of other acts of service from which they could choose. In Acts 9:36 we read: “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.”  Always doing good and helping poor people! What a reputation to have! There are lots of ways to help poor people these days. You could serve a meal at a shelter, or volunteer at a charity. How about babysitting for an exhausted single mom so she can have a night or day to herself? Many cannot afford babysitters, and that would be a very helpful gift. There are so many creative ways to give a helping hand, and so many needy people. I have no doubt that you can come up with the perfect gift for someone you know. All it takes is a little time and a caring heart. Here’s suggestion number 3: How about giving forgiveness? Are you harboring something in your heart against someone? Have you allowed a root of bitterness to grow in the soil of your soul because someone has hurt you? Don’t you think it would be a great Christmas if you decided to give up that resentment and offer forgiveness? Perhaps they have never asked you to forgive them. That does indeed require a very special gift of forgiveness from you. But here’s the thing—withholding forgiveness causes you far more harm than it does the other person.  It’s like taking rat poison and expecting the rat to die. So, in effect, giving forgiveness to someone else is a very wonderful gift that you give yourself. You know, it may just be a very small thing—something your mate or s...
12/17/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Great Gift Ideas

My first great gift idea is the gift of a listening ear. Do you know how many people there are in this world—in your life—that would love to have a listening ear for Christmas? Someone who simply will give them time and let them talk about whatever is on their heart. I often think of elderly people who we sometimes overlook in our busy lives. Does an elderly person you know come to your mind right now? What about making an opportunity to sit down with them, have a cup of coffee, and just listen. Even if you don’t personally know someone like that, you could visit a nursing home and make yourself available to someone there. Often those in nursing homes have few if any people in their lives who visit them. Can you imagine how thrilled they would be for you to simply say, “How’re you doing? Tell me about yourself.”  It would be the best gift you could give them. And you’d be surprised how interesting and entertaining their stories can be. Maybe there are some children or teenagers in your life that would love to have someone to talk to. Why not give them a listening ear for Christmas? If you know someone who has experienced a significant loss lately, they would usually love a listening ear. You might feel like you don’t know what to say to them, but the thing is, you don’t have to say much of anything. Just listen. It won’t be hard for you to find someone who needs a listening ear; why don’t you give it to them? It will make Christmas for them. James 1 tells us we are to be quick to listen and slow to speak. So, great gift idea number 1 is “Give a listening ear.” Here’s idea number 2: Give a helping hand. Jesus said that whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant (Mark 10:43). We are called as Christ-followers to serve as he did. So, what acts of service could you do this Christmas for some unexpecting person? Just one intentional act of offering a helping hand could absolutely make someone’s Christmas the best ever. It might be something you do for a sick or disabled person you know. It might be doing some shopping for or with a widow or widower you know. Or just someone who is lonely. You could design a card that said something like: “My gift to you this year is to do something that would be helpful to you.”  You might even give them a list to choose from, such as cleaning their house, cooking a meal, taking them shopping, washing their car—and any number of other acts of service from which they could choose. In Acts 9:36 we read: “In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (in Greek her name is Dorcas); she was always doing good and helping the poor.”  Always doing good and helping poor people! What a reputation to have! There are lots of ways to help poor people these days. You could serve a meal at a shelter, or volunteer at a charity. How about babysitting for an exhausted single mom so she can have a night or day to herself? Many cannot afford babysitters, and that would be a very helpful gift. There are so many creative ways to give a helping hand, and so many needy people. I have no doubt that you can come up with the perfect gift for someone you know. All it takes is a little time and a caring heart. Here’s suggestion number 3: How about giving forgiveness? Are you harboring something in your heart against someone? Have you allowed a root of bitterness to grow in the soil of your soul because someone has hurt you? Don’t you think it would be a great Christmas if you decided to give up that resentment and offer forgiveness? Perhaps they have never asked you to forgive them. That does indeed require a very special gift of forgiveness from you. But here’s the thing—withholding forgiveness causes you far more harm than it does the other person.  It’s like taking rat poison and expecting the rat to die. So, in effect, giving forgiveness to someone else is a very wonderful gift that you give yourself. You know, it may just be a very small thing—something your mate or s...
12/17/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 5

Leave it better than you found it. That’s a Boy Scout slogan. I’ve never been a Boy Scout, but I’m sure I could benefit from making that a personal goal—to leave everything better than I found it— a personal goal. I’ve talked about a leaving our jobs better than we found them, leaving our relationships and environments better than we found them and leaving our churches better than we found them. I want to tell you about my friend, Cynthia, who definitely left a situation at her work so much better than she found it. Some years ago, she worked in a department where one coworker made it very clear that she and Cynthia could never be friends because Cynthia was African-American. It’s hard to believe that someone would actually say that, but this person said those very words to Cynthia. Thankfully, Cynthia was able to get beyond her hurt feelings and respond appropriately to this situation. She prayed about it, and got the idea to start what she called “Project Love.” Now, she didn’t announce to her coworkers that she was starting “Project Love,” she just decided to do it. Besides being kind and considerate on a daily basis, she decided to invite each person in her department to have lunch with her as her guest. So once a week she would deliver a written invitation to a coworker, including this woman who said they could never be friends. Well, who can refuse such an invitation? So, the two of them went to lunch, they began to get to know each other, this woman saw how wrong her attitude was and what a good friend Cynthia would be, and before long they became friends. Now this woman openly and proudly claims Cynthia as a friend, and though they no longer work together, they keep in touch. Cynthia left that place and that relationship so much better than she found it. She could have responded with anger and bitterness, but she chose to respond in love. That’s the power that we have as believers because we have the Holy Spirit within us to enable us to do what otherwise we would find impossible to do. I hope you’ll remember this simple slogan: Leave it better than you found it. It’s one way to show God’s love to others. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/16/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 5

Leave it better than you found it. That’s a Boy Scout slogan. I’ve never been a Boy Scout, but I’m sure I could benefit from making that a personal goal—to leave everything better than I found it— a personal goal. I’ve talked about a leaving our jobs better than we found them, leaving our relationships and environments better than we found them and leaving our churches better than we found them. I want to tell you about my friend, Cynthia, who definitely left a situation at her work so much better than she found it. Some years ago, she worked in a department where one coworker made it very clear that she and Cynthia could never be friends because Cynthia was African-American. It’s hard to believe that someone would actually say that, but this person said those very words to Cynthia. Thankfully, Cynthia was able to get beyond her hurt feelings and respond appropriately to this situation. She prayed about it, and got the idea to start what she called “Project Love.” Now, she didn’t announce to her coworkers that she was starting “Project Love,” she just decided to do it. Besides being kind and considerate on a daily basis, she decided to invite each person in her department to have lunch with her as her guest. So once a week she would deliver a written invitation to a coworker, including this woman who said they could never be friends. Well, who can refuse such an invitation? So, the two of them went to lunch, they began to get to know each other, this woman saw how wrong her attitude was and what a good friend Cynthia would be, and before long they became friends. Now this woman openly and proudly claims Cynthia as a friend, and though they no longer work together, they keep in touch. Cynthia left that place and that relationship so much better than she found it. She could have responded with anger and bitterness, but she chose to respond in love. That’s the power that we have as believers because we have the Holy Spirit within us to enable us to do what otherwise we would find impossible to do. I hope you’ll remember this simple slogan: Leave it better than you found it. It’s one way to show God’s love to others. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/16/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 4

How’s your church doing? Since I’ve been on staff at my church, I’m well aware that churches that thrive and do well are those who have lots of involvement from the congregation. I’m proposing that we adopt the Boy Scout mantra to leave things better than we found them, and I was thinking how much better our churches would be doing if every church member took that seriously. You know, it’s not difficult to find things wrong with your church. It’s full of people—people who make mistakes, people who don’t have it all together, many are new believers with lots to learn. So, you won’t have trouble finding something about your church that you don’t like so much. But if it’s a Bible preaching church, under godly leadership, and that’s where God has put you, then you have to ask yourself what you’re doing to make it a better church. I think of a woman who was in our church until God called her home—we called her Miss Shirley. Miss Shirley never held an office in our church, but few people have benefited the church like she did. For years she made it her job to greet someone new every Sunday, invite someone new to sit with her, get to know them, and just share God’s love with them. One of my friends tells how when she started coming to our church, she was very wounded and was trying to just isolate herself from everyone, but Miss Shirley found her, sat with her, invited her to a Sunday class, and eventually helped her get involved and find healing. Miss Shirley definitely left our church better than she found it. Just ask yourself: If you dropped out of your church today, would it leave a hole? Would your service to the church be missed? God created us for community; we are one body in Christ, and we need each other for fellowship, for healing, for growth, for accountability. I hope you are very much committed to your church and you can say for sure that you are leaving it better than you found it.
12/15/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 4

How’s your church doing? Since I’ve been on staff at my church, I’m well aware that churches that thrive and do well are those who have lots of involvement from the congregation. I’m proposing that we adopt the Boy Scout mantra to leave things better than we found them, and I was thinking how much better our churches would be doing if every church member took that seriously. You know, it’s not difficult to find things wrong with your church. It’s full of people—people who make mistakes, people who don’t have it all together, many are new believers with lots to learn. So, you won’t have trouble finding something about your church that you don’t like so much. But if it’s a Bible preaching church, under godly leadership, and that’s where God has put you, then you have to ask yourself what you’re doing to make it a better church. I think of a woman who was in our church until God called her home—we called her Miss Shirley. Miss Shirley never held an office in our church, but few people have benefited the church like she did. For years she made it her job to greet someone new every Sunday, invite someone new to sit with her, get to know them, and just share God’s love with them. One of my friends tells how when she started coming to our church, she was very wounded and was trying to just isolate herself from everyone, but Miss Shirley found her, sat with her, invited her to a Sunday class, and eventually helped her get involved and find healing. Miss Shirley definitely left our church better than she found it. Just ask yourself: If you dropped out of your church today, would it leave a hole? Would your service to the church be missed? God created us for community; we are one body in Christ, and we need each other for fellowship, for healing, for growth, for accountability. I hope you are very much committed to your church and you can say for sure that you are leaving it better than you found it.
12/15/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 3

The Christian Working Woman, began in 1984 to challenge workplace Christians to see their jobs as assignments from God, not just a place to earn a living. And the way we live on those jobs has a greater impact for the Gospel than anything else. I’m taking a phrase from the Boy Scouts and applying it to our lives. It is: Leave it better than you found it. I’ve talked about leaving our jobs better than we found them and leaving our relationships better than we found them. Now let’s think about leaving our environment better than we found it. There’s a lot of concern about what’s happening to our environment, and we should be good stewards of God’s universe, that’s for sure. Which means we recycle as much as possible and do whatever we can to make our physical world better than we found it. Then there’s our more personal environment: our living space and our working space. I have a friend who decided she could do something for the environment. She got tired of how messy and unclean public washrooms tend to be. So, she decided that she would try to leave any washroom she used better than she found it. When she told me what she was doing, I realized I had never even thought of taking that kind of responsibility—to leave a public space better than I found it. But if we all did that, we’d live in cleaner, nicer environments, wouldn’t we? Our streets and roadways wouldn’t be cluttered with trash. Someone has said that cleanliness is next to godliness, and while I’m not sure that can be supported biblically, there’s no doubt that we should care about cleanliness for ourselves and for others. So, why don’t we just decide to leave our environments—wherever they may be—better than we found them.
12/14/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 3

The Christian Working Woman, began in 1984 to challenge workplace Christians to see their jobs as assignments from God, not just a place to earn a living. And the way we live on those jobs has a greater impact for the Gospel than anything else. I’m taking a phrase from the Boy Scouts and applying it to our lives. It is: Leave it better than you found it. I’ve talked about leaving our jobs better than we found them and leaving our relationships better than we found them. Now let’s think about leaving our environment better than we found it. There’s a lot of concern about what’s happening to our environment, and we should be good stewards of God’s universe, that’s for sure. Which means we recycle as much as possible and do whatever we can to make our physical world better than we found it. Then there’s our more personal environment: our living space and our working space. I have a friend who decided she could do something for the environment. She got tired of how messy and unclean public washrooms tend to be. So, she decided that she would try to leave any washroom she used better than she found it. When she told me what she was doing, I realized I had never even thought of taking that kind of responsibility—to leave a public space better than I found it. But if we all did that, we’d live in cleaner, nicer environments, wouldn’t we? Our streets and roadways wouldn’t be cluttered with trash. Someone has said that cleanliness is next to godliness, and while I’m not sure that can be supported biblically, there’s no doubt that we should care about cleanliness for ourselves and for others. So, why don’t we just decide to leave our environments—wherever they may be—better than we found them.
12/14/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 2

Leave it better than you found it! What a good idea. I’m taking a look at how we, as Christians, can leave things better than we found them. I talked about how to leave your job better than you found it and now I encourage you to consider how to leave your relationships better than you found them. Relationships are the sandpaper of life, are they not? We all need to live in relationship with others, and yet getting along with the people in our lives can be the toughest assignment we have. So, how can we leave our relationships better than we found them? Let’s start with what we call the Golden Rule, which Jesus gave us when he said, “Treat other people exactly as you would like to be treated by them—this is the essence of all true religion” (Matthew 7:12 Phillips). Jesus says that we should take the initiative to improve the relationships of our lives, not wait on the other person to do it. Has someone treated you ill lately? If so, are you willing to put this Golden Rule into practice and respond to them the way you wish they would respond to you? If so, you will definitely improve that relationship. Here’s another relationship principle from the Bible that will definitely leave a relationship better than you found it. From Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Putting others first is a sure winner when it comes to improving relationships. I remember when I read that passage and just shook my head because I couldn’t figure how in the world I could ever live up to it. Consider others better than me? That doesn’t come naturally for me, how about you? So, I just began to pray and ask God to show me how to put this into practice. God showed me that it begins with an attitude of the heart—consider others better than yourself, think of others in that way. I find that if I change my thought life and truly remind myself that others are just important as I am and what they’re doing is just as important as what I’m doing, then I can start to truly look to their interests, and not just my own. Well, if we practiced these two principles in our relationships, there is no doubt we’d see great improvement, and we’d leave them better than we found them.
12/13/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It – 2

Leave it better than you found it! What a good idea. I’m taking a look at how we, as Christians, can leave things better than we found them. I talked about how to leave your job better than you found it and now I encourage you to consider how to leave your relationships better than you found them. Relationships are the sandpaper of life, are they not? We all need to live in relationship with others, and yet getting along with the people in our lives can be the toughest assignment we have. So, how can we leave our relationships better than we found them? Let’s start with what we call the Golden Rule, which Jesus gave us when he said, “Treat other people exactly as you would like to be treated by them—this is the essence of all true religion” (Matthew 7:12 Phillips). Jesus says that we should take the initiative to improve the relationships of our lives, not wait on the other person to do it. Has someone treated you ill lately? If so, are you willing to put this Golden Rule into practice and respond to them the way you wish they would respond to you? If so, you will definitely improve that relationship. Here’s another relationship principle from the Bible that will definitely leave a relationship better than you found it. From Philippians 2:3-4: Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Putting others first is a sure winner when it comes to improving relationships. I remember when I read that passage and just shook my head because I couldn’t figure how in the world I could ever live up to it. Consider others better than me? That doesn’t come naturally for me, how about you? So, I just began to pray and ask God to show me how to put this into practice. God showed me that it begins with an attitude of the heart—consider others better than yourself, think of others in that way. I find that if I change my thought life and truly remind myself that others are just important as I am and what they’re doing is just as important as what I’m doing, then I can start to truly look to their interests, and not just my own. Well, if we practiced these two principles in our relationships, there is no doubt we’d see great improvement, and we’d leave them better than we found them.
12/13/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It

There’s a slogan from the Boy Scouts that I like a lot: Leave it better than you found it. It’s good for Boy Scouts, but don’t you think that Christians should have that same kind of attitude? I’m going to talk about what we should leave better than we found it. We should leave our jobs better than we found them. I’m not suggesting you literally leave your job, but rather that because you are doing your job, things should be better where you work. Your presence in that job should be a positive thing, so that if you did leave the job, it would be better than you found it. Another way to put that is to ask, If everyone in your organization worked like you do, would the organization be better off? For example, If everyone worked as hard as you do—put in the same number of hours really working—would productivity go up or down? If everyone arrived at work the same time you do, would everyone be on time or late? If everyone were as creative as you are, finding new and better ways to do things, would there be new initiatives and new ideas happening—or not? If everyone were as willing to go the extra mile like you do, would there be more people exceeding requirements—or less? If everyone were as positive and upbeat as you are, would there be a better morale where you work, or would it be worse? If everyone were as neat and tidy as you are and cleaned up after themselves like you do, would the work environment be nicer or messier? If everyone talked about others in the organization the way you do, would there be lots of positive confirmation going around, or lots of gossip? You get the idea. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment” (1 Corinthians 11:31). It’s just smart to check up on ourselves—to judge ourselves—and avoid coming under judgment by others, so ask yourself if you are leaving your job better than you found it!
12/12/20223 minutes
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Leave It Better Than You Found It

There’s a slogan from the Boy Scouts that I like a lot: Leave it better than you found it. It’s good for Boy Scouts, but don’t you think that Christians should have that same kind of attitude? I’m going to talk about what we should leave better than we found it. We should leave our jobs better than we found them. I’m not suggesting you literally leave your job, but rather that because you are doing your job, things should be better where you work. Your presence in that job should be a positive thing, so that if you did leave the job, it would be better than you found it. Another way to put that is to ask, If everyone in your organization worked like you do, would the organization be better off? For example, If everyone worked as hard as you do—put in the same number of hours really working—would productivity go up or down? If everyone arrived at work the same time you do, would everyone be on time or late? If everyone were as creative as you are, finding new and better ways to do things, would there be new initiatives and new ideas happening—or not? If everyone were as willing to go the extra mile like you do, would there be more people exceeding requirements—or less? If everyone were as positive and upbeat as you are, would there be a better morale where you work, or would it be worse? If everyone were as neat and tidy as you are and cleaned up after themselves like you do, would the work environment be nicer or messier? If everyone talked about others in the organization the way you do, would there be lots of positive confirmation going around, or lots of gossip? You get the idea. Paul wrote to the Corinthians that “if we were more discerning with regard to ourselves, we would not come under such judgment” (1 Corinthians 11:31). It’s just smart to check up on ourselves—to judge ourselves—and avoid coming under judgment by others, so ask yourself if you are leaving your job better than you found it!
12/12/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Christmas – Part 2

As our story began last week, Fran was asked by her manager to be on a committee to plan the company Christmas party. She really didn't want to do that, because the party is notorious for its drinking and bawdy atmosphere. Certainly, she does not want to be associated with anything like that, but she felt trapped. However, Jesus encouraged her to be an assertive member of that committee and work to get the party changed this year to a more family-oriented affair. So, at his urging, Fran volunteers to head up the committee and suggests they change the format to a party for the children, with gifts and games and prizes and no alcoholic beverages. Bill, who headed up the party for the last few years, was indignant at the suggestion, and eventually stomped out of the committee meeting, claiming no more association with the party and Fran's “Sunday school ideas.”  We left the story at this point last week. As Bill left, the room was quiet and the other committee members seemed nervous. Fran knew it was her move, but she wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to railroad her idea through; yet she believed the others felt the same way she did but were reluctant to stick their necks out. Finally, Fran says to the group, "I'm sorry about Bill leaving, and I'm going to try to get him to rejoin the group. But I still believe we ought to have a different kind of party this year and just see how everyone likes it. We'll never know until we try. But I need to know how the rest of you think about this." Elizabeth says, "Well, I don't want to spoil everybody's party. I mean, if the employees really want the same kind of party we've had in years past, I guess that's the easy way.... I don't know." Fran is disappointed in Elizabeth because she had been in favor of the family party idea. "Well," Fran says to the group, "the question is, do you think most of the employees want the same kind of party we had before, with lots of drinking and stuff like that? You know the people you work with; what have they said to you?" John finally pipes in and says, "Well, I know three people in my department who said they're not coming to the party this year because things got so noisy and rough last year." "Yeah," Virginia suddenly finds her voice, "I just told my husband that last week. I think there are several people in my department that would prefer a family party." And with their comments, the others seem to be in agreement that it would be a good idea to have a family-oriented party this year. Fran is encouraged, and they set out to make the necessary plans, assigning jobs and duties for the various things that must be done. By the time the meeting is over, there is enthusiasm in the room and they leave in a spirit of unity and excitement about the party. "Wow," Fran thinks as she walks back to her office, "that seemed to turn around pretty good. I think we'll have a terrific party and it will go over a lot better than the out-of-control events they've had before." Fran shakes her head in amazement at what she's learning about being a Christian in the marketplace. It's really different than she would have imagined, much harder in some ways, but with many opportunities she had not dreamed of. When she gets back to her office, the phone rings. It's Marilyn, her boss. "Fran, Bill just stopped into my office hopping mad because—to quote him—"you took over the committee meeting and forced your Sunday school ideas on the group.”  What happened?" she asks. For the next ten minutes Fran explains what happened. Marilyn says, "Well, okay, but don't be surprised if Bill causes a stink over this. He was pretty heated." When Fran hangs us, she prays, “Lord, what can I do about Bill? He could sabotage the whole thing if he gets to the right people and they believe his story."  She thinks quietly about the situation and refuses to allow the panic feelings to take over. "Lord, I know I did what you wanted me to do,
12/10/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Christmas – Part 2

As our story began last week, Fran was asked by her manager to be on a committee to plan the company Christmas party. She really didn't want to do that, because the party is notorious for its drinking and bawdy atmosphere. Certainly, she does not want to be associated with anything like that, but she felt trapped. However, Jesus encouraged her to be an assertive member of that committee and work to get the party changed this year to a more family-oriented affair. So, at his urging, Fran volunteers to head up the committee and suggests they change the format to a party for the children, with gifts and games and prizes and no alcoholic beverages. Bill, who headed up the party for the last few years, was indignant at the suggestion, and eventually stomped out of the committee meeting, claiming no more association with the party and Fran's “Sunday school ideas.”  We left the story at this point last week. As Bill left, the room was quiet and the other committee members seemed nervous. Fran knew it was her move, but she wasn't sure what to say. She didn't want to railroad her idea through; yet she believed the others felt the same way she did but were reluctant to stick their necks out. Finally, Fran says to the group, "I'm sorry about Bill leaving, and I'm going to try to get him to rejoin the group. But I still believe we ought to have a different kind of party this year and just see how everyone likes it. We'll never know until we try. But I need to know how the rest of you think about this." Elizabeth says, "Well, I don't want to spoil everybody's party. I mean, if the employees really want the same kind of party we've had in years past, I guess that's the easy way.... I don't know." Fran is disappointed in Elizabeth because she had been in favor of the family party idea. "Well," Fran says to the group, "the question is, do you think most of the employees want the same kind of party we had before, with lots of drinking and stuff like that? You know the people you work with; what have they said to you?" John finally pipes in and says, "Well, I know three people in my department who said they're not coming to the party this year because things got so noisy and rough last year." "Yeah," Virginia suddenly finds her voice, "I just told my husband that last week. I think there are several people in my department that would prefer a family party." And with their comments, the others seem to be in agreement that it would be a good idea to have a family-oriented party this year. Fran is encouraged, and they set out to make the necessary plans, assigning jobs and duties for the various things that must be done. By the time the meeting is over, there is enthusiasm in the room and they leave in a spirit of unity and excitement about the party. "Wow," Fran thinks as she walks back to her office, "that seemed to turn around pretty good. I think we'll have a terrific party and it will go over a lot better than the out-of-control events they've had before." Fran shakes her head in amazement at what she's learning about being a Christian in the marketplace. It's really different than she would have imagined, much harder in some ways, but with many opportunities she had not dreamed of. When she gets back to her office, the phone rings. It's Marilyn, her boss. "Fran, Bill just stopped into my office hopping mad because—to quote him—"you took over the committee meeting and forced your Sunday school ideas on the group.”  What happened?" she asks. For the next ten minutes Fran explains what happened. Marilyn says, "Well, okay, but don't be surprised if Bill causes a stink over this. He was pretty heated." When Fran hangs us, she prays, “Lord, what can I do about Bill? He could sabotage the whole thing if he gets to the right people and they believe his story."  She thinks quietly about the situation and refuses to allow the panic feelings to take over. "Lord, I know I did what you wanted me to do,
12/10/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Joy of Generosity – 5

I’ve been talking about generosity this week—the joy of being a truly generous person. I want to remind you that God gave first. You know the verse, John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. That is the ultimate example of generosity. Jesus condescended to earth, leaving the glory of heaven, sacrificing all that was rightfully his, to provide eternal life for us. So, when we choose to be generous, even sacrificially generous, we are following Jesus for sure, showing the same attitude he had, learning the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. And after all, everything we think we own is just on loan to us. God owns it all and we are simply stewards—caretakers. Psalm 24:1 says that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, which includes everything you have! So when you decide to give some money—to be generous—you’re really giving away someone else’s money, right? And that is truly fun. As Christ-followers, when we come to the place where we truly believe that we are possessionless, we don’t own anything, everything we have is given to us both to meet our needs and then to share with others, we are moving into new growth in God’s grace and new joy as we obey God’s Word. To make the point that we are on this earth for a very short time compared to eternity, Randy Alcorn gives the illustration of drawing a line across a piece of paper, then go back and make a dot with the tip of your pen just above the beginning of line. The dot represents your time here on earth—whether that’s a hundred years or less. And as you’re in those years, it seems like a long time. But compare the long line representing eternity to the dot you made. It’s like a nanosecond. Randy says, “Live for the line, not for the dot.” So, I close with this reminder from the Apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. If that were all the Bible told us about being generous, it should be enough, don’t you think? God loves a cheerful giver, and a cheerful giver is cheerful because she or he has learned that there is great joy in being generous—there is great joy in taking God at his word and obeying him. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/9/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 5

I’ve been talking about generosity this week—the joy of being a truly generous person. I want to remind you that God gave first. You know the verse, John 3:16: For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. That is the ultimate example of generosity. Jesus condescended to earth, leaving the glory of heaven, sacrificing all that was rightfully his, to provide eternal life for us. So, when we choose to be generous, even sacrificially generous, we are following Jesus for sure, showing the same attitude he had, learning the truth that it is more blessed to give than to receive. And after all, everything we think we own is just on loan to us. God owns it all and we are simply stewards—caretakers. Psalm 24:1 says that the earth is the Lord’s and everything in it, which includes everything you have! So when you decide to give some money—to be generous—you’re really giving away someone else’s money, right? And that is truly fun. As Christ-followers, when we come to the place where we truly believe that we are possessionless, we don’t own anything, everything we have is given to us both to meet our needs and then to share with others, we are moving into new growth in God’s grace and new joy as we obey God’s Word. To make the point that we are on this earth for a very short time compared to eternity, Randy Alcorn gives the illustration of drawing a line across a piece of paper, then go back and make a dot with the tip of your pen just above the beginning of line. The dot represents your time here on earth—whether that’s a hundred years or less. And as you’re in those years, it seems like a long time. But compare the long line representing eternity to the dot you made. It’s like a nanosecond. Randy says, “Live for the line, not for the dot.” So, I close with this reminder from the Apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 9:7: Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. If that were all the Bible told us about being generous, it should be enough, don’t you think? God loves a cheerful giver, and a cheerful giver is cheerful because she or he has learned that there is great joy in being generous—there is great joy in taking God at his word and obeying him. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/9/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 4

If you want to be a generous person, how much of your income should you give? Often Christians say 10% - a tithe— is what we should give, and that’s a good place to start. But a study shows that only about 25% of Christians in the United States give that much. This is what C. S. Lewis had to say about how much we should give: I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say it is too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our commitment to giving excludes them. I don’t know about you, but that convicts me. How often have I denied myself something in order to give to others? Probably not often. But I think we should give this careful thought and prayer. Lewis points out that there’s no one answer for everyone, but the standard should be: Give more than you think you can. When you decide that you want a different attitude toward generosity and in obedience to Christ you want to take it to the next level, you are in for unexpected joys. Even if you approach this new attitude with some caution, maybe even some fear you might overdo it, I am confident you will never regret the new adventure of deciding to give, even to the point of giving sacrificially. I challenge you, as I do myself, to make a decision to give more than you’re giving now. Discover this true joy of generosity. Maybe you can deny yourself that expensive coffee you buy everyday, and give that money to the Lord. Or shop a little more carefully at the grocery store or deny yourself that new outfit. I simply remind you of what Jesus said, you will be blessed more than you can imagine when you tune your heart to be generous.
12/8/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 4

If you want to be a generous person, how much of your income should you give? Often Christians say 10% - a tithe— is what we should give, and that’s a good place to start. But a study shows that only about 25% of Christians in the United States give that much. This is what C. S. Lewis had to say about how much we should give: I do not believe one can settle how much we ought to give. I am afraid the only safe rule is to give more than we can spare. In other words, if our expenditure on comforts, luxuries, amusement, etc., is up to the standard common among those with the same income as our own, we are probably giving away too little. If our giving does not at all pinch or hamper us, I should say it is too small. There ought to be things we should like to do and cannot because our commitment to giving excludes them. I don’t know about you, but that convicts me. How often have I denied myself something in order to give to others? Probably not often. But I think we should give this careful thought and prayer. Lewis points out that there’s no one answer for everyone, but the standard should be: Give more than you think you can. When you decide that you want a different attitude toward generosity and in obedience to Christ you want to take it to the next level, you are in for unexpected joys. Even if you approach this new attitude with some caution, maybe even some fear you might overdo it, I am confident you will never regret the new adventure of deciding to give, even to the point of giving sacrificially. I challenge you, as I do myself, to make a decision to give more than you’re giving now. Discover this true joy of generosity. Maybe you can deny yourself that expensive coffee you buy everyday, and give that money to the Lord. Or shop a little more carefully at the grocery store or deny yourself that new outfit. I simply remind you of what Jesus said, you will be blessed more than you can imagine when you tune your heart to be generous.
12/8/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 3

I’m addressing our “culture of more” that gets stronger all the time—the belief that contentment and fulfillment and happiness are for those who have a lot of money and “stuff.”  But the Bible’s principle of generosity is exactly the opposite. Remember the parable Jesus taught about the rich man who had an abundant harvest and decided to build bigger barns so he could store his surplus grain. He said to himself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” And Jesus gave this warning, This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God (Luke 12:19-21). Jesus is telling us that earthly success can cause great spiritual failure. If you’ve been thinking that more money would solve all your problems, think again. There are many stories of people who won a big jackpot and it ruined their lives. So, be careful what you wish for, as they say, and hold your money loosely. Be generous whether you have a lot of money or not so much. If you were to come into a lot of money, you have no idea how much that could change your life for the worse. Think of this: how long did the “happiness” last after you bought that new thing you wanted so much? That car, or that house, or that new outfit, or that expensive vacation. Didn’t last as long as you thought it would, I imagine. But in contrast, the joy that you experience when you meet someone’s need, when you support your church, when you give to a worthy charity doesn’t go away. The “thank yous” and difference you can make in someone’s life are priceless and lasting. The Apostle Paul told the believers in Corinth: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6). Generosity should be a trademark of all of us who are Christ-followers.
12/7/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 3

I’m addressing our “culture of more” that gets stronger all the time—the belief that contentment and fulfillment and happiness are for those who have a lot of money and “stuff.”  But the Bible’s principle of generosity is exactly the opposite. Remember the parable Jesus taught about the rich man who had an abundant harvest and decided to build bigger barns so he could store his surplus grain. He said to himself, You have plenty of grain laid up for many years. Take life easy; eat, drink and be merry” But God said to him, “You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?” And Jesus gave this warning, This is how it will be with whoever stores up things for themselves but is not rich toward God (Luke 12:19-21). Jesus is telling us that earthly success can cause great spiritual failure. If you’ve been thinking that more money would solve all your problems, think again. There are many stories of people who won a big jackpot and it ruined their lives. So, be careful what you wish for, as they say, and hold your money loosely. Be generous whether you have a lot of money or not so much. If you were to come into a lot of money, you have no idea how much that could change your life for the worse. Think of this: how long did the “happiness” last after you bought that new thing you wanted so much? That car, or that house, or that new outfit, or that expensive vacation. Didn’t last as long as you thought it would, I imagine. But in contrast, the joy that you experience when you meet someone’s need, when you support your church, when you give to a worthy charity doesn’t go away. The “thank yous” and difference you can make in someone’s life are priceless and lasting. The Apostle Paul told the believers in Corinth: Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously (2 Corinthians 9:6). Generosity should be a trademark of all of us who are Christ-followers.
12/7/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 2

Our Lord said that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). That word translated “blessed” is more accurately translated “happy.” It is more happy to give than to receive. Generosity—having a giving heart and attitude—is the pathway to real joy, just plain fun! When was the last time you gave something away—money or some possession—and it just made you so happy? Have you ever met an unhappy generous person? We talked about the truth that where we put our treasure is a good indication of the condition of our heart. But here’s the truth we often overlook: Being a generous person doesn’t take anything out of your life; it gives joy and fun that is far greater than the joy of receiving something as a gift. Jesus said he came to give us abundant life and one of the most important ingredients of this abundant life is generosity—looking for ways to share your money and your time, your talents. It happens when you go from “I ought to give” to “I get to give.”  When instead of trying to figure how much you can afford to give, you start asking how much do you really need to keep. Maybe you’re thinking that you would be generous if you had more money. You really want to give to others but with inflation and high prices, right now you’re just trying to get by and you don’t have anything left over to give to others. I understand that, but here’s the thing: the biblical principle is true whether you have a little or a lot—it is still more fun, more blessed to give than to receive, so if you want a blessing, determine that you’ll give, even if you think it is small. There are so many benefits promised for those who are generous. Jesus said, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). Generosity will bring you joy and be a lot of fun, and Jesus said it will come back to you. My Daddy use to say, “Honey, you can’t outgive God,” and that is so true. I don’t know how it will come back to you or when, but Jesus said it will be poured into your lap. But note that it makes a difference whether you give with a teaspoon or with a shovel. Can I challenge you to ask God today: What do you want me to give to someone today, this week? I think he’ll put someone on your mind and then if you will obey, it will make your day! That I can promise you.
12/6/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity – 2

Our Lord said that “It is more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35). That word translated “blessed” is more accurately translated “happy.” It is more happy to give than to receive. Generosity—having a giving heart and attitude—is the pathway to real joy, just plain fun! When was the last time you gave something away—money or some possession—and it just made you so happy? Have you ever met an unhappy generous person? We talked about the truth that where we put our treasure is a good indication of the condition of our heart. But here’s the truth we often overlook: Being a generous person doesn’t take anything out of your life; it gives joy and fun that is far greater than the joy of receiving something as a gift. Jesus said he came to give us abundant life and one of the most important ingredients of this abundant life is generosity—looking for ways to share your money and your time, your talents. It happens when you go from “I ought to give” to “I get to give.”  When instead of trying to figure how much you can afford to give, you start asking how much do you really need to keep. Maybe you’re thinking that you would be generous if you had more money. You really want to give to others but with inflation and high prices, right now you’re just trying to get by and you don’t have anything left over to give to others. I understand that, but here’s the thing: the biblical principle is true whether you have a little or a lot—it is still more fun, more blessed to give than to receive, so if you want a blessing, determine that you’ll give, even if you think it is small. There are so many benefits promised for those who are generous. Jesus said, Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you (Luke 6:38). Generosity will bring you joy and be a lot of fun, and Jesus said it will come back to you. My Daddy use to say, “Honey, you can’t outgive God,” and that is so true. I don’t know how it will come back to you or when, but Jesus said it will be poured into your lap. But note that it makes a difference whether you give with a teaspoon or with a shovel. Can I challenge you to ask God today: What do you want me to give to someone today, this week? I think he’ll put someone on your mind and then if you will obey, it will make your day! That I can promise you.
12/6/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity

I want to talk about the “culture of more” in which we live. Let’s face it—everywhere we turn these days the message we hear is more stuff, more money, more things will make you happy. Advertising and marketing are all about making you dissatisfied with what you have, with who you are, with where you are, and convincing you that if you had more, you’d really be happy. This is a subtle influence in our culture that creeps into our thinking and our decisions far more than we realize. Not only is it subtle and insidious, it is relentless. Why do we so easily buy in to this culture of more? Because the enemy of our soul wants to entrap us into this false narrative that bigger, better and faster will make us happy—and he has a lot of help! Your smart phone and computer quickly figure out how to target you with stuff that is specifically directed to your desires. Did you know that there are more than 2300 verses in the Bible about money? In fact, Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic. That may surprise you, but it’s true that there’s more written in the Bible about money than about prayer and faith combined. So, what does that tell you? It says that our attitudes about money and what it can buy, our stewardship of the money we have, is a key part of our spiritual health and our spiritual growth. So, we really need to pay attention to what the Bible tells us, right? And let’s start with what Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).  Randy Alcorn writes, “If you want a heart for something, invest in it.” A simple statement but profound in its impact in our lives. If you invest in, let’s say, a particular company in the stock market, you follow that company, you care whether it goes up or down, that investment has a part of your heart—right? Well, here’s the thing: If you invest your time and money in giving to others, helping others, supporting the things of the kingdom, your heart will grow for others, for God’s work. There’s a ministry in Kenya that we support here at The Christian Working Woman, providing scholarships for nursing students and things like that, and so we really care about that program, we care about our fellow Christians in Kenya.   Our heart is there, we pray for them, because we are invested there. So, I would encourage you today to take stock of where you’re investing your treasure, whether you’re financially well off or struggling to pay your bills. Ask God to help you be more intentional about investing in God’s kingdom, because that will lead you to increased spiritual growth and vitality.
12/5/20223 minutes
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The Joy of Generosity

I want to talk about the “culture of more” in which we live. Let’s face it—everywhere we turn these days the message we hear is more stuff, more money, more things will make you happy. Advertising and marketing are all about making you dissatisfied with what you have, with who you are, with where you are, and convincing you that if you had more, you’d really be happy. This is a subtle influence in our culture that creeps into our thinking and our decisions far more than we realize. Not only is it subtle and insidious, it is relentless. Why do we so easily buy in to this culture of more? Because the enemy of our soul wants to entrap us into this false narrative that bigger, better and faster will make us happy—and he has a lot of help! Your smart phone and computer quickly figure out how to target you with stuff that is specifically directed to your desires. Did you know that there are more than 2300 verses in the Bible about money? In fact, Jesus spoke more about money than any other topic. That may surprise you, but it’s true that there’s more written in the Bible about money than about prayer and faith combined. So, what does that tell you? It says that our attitudes about money and what it can buy, our stewardship of the money we have, is a key part of our spiritual health and our spiritual growth. So, we really need to pay attention to what the Bible tells us, right? And let’s start with what Jesus said, For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:21).  Randy Alcorn writes, “If you want a heart for something, invest in it.” A simple statement but profound in its impact in our lives. If you invest in, let’s say, a particular company in the stock market, you follow that company, you care whether it goes up or down, that investment has a part of your heart—right? Well, here’s the thing: If you invest your time and money in giving to others, helping others, supporting the things of the kingdom, your heart will grow for others, for God’s work. There’s a ministry in Kenya that we support here at The Christian Working Woman, providing scholarships for nursing students and things like that, and so we really care about that program, we care about our fellow Christians in Kenya.   Our heart is there, we pray for them, because we are invested there. So, I would encourage you today to take stock of where you’re investing your treasure, whether you’re financially well off or struggling to pay your bills. Ask God to help you be more intentional about investing in God’s kingdom, because that will lead you to increased spiritual growth and vitality.
12/5/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Christmas – Part I

These Fran and Jesus stories have caught on; it seems we learn best from stories, and so that's why I continue to use this story-form method. These are fictitious stories, but they are based on my experience and knowledge of the workplace through many years and because I'm in contact with so many of you. In this episode Fran has to face a touchy situation. She arrives at work on a cool November morning, and as she gets settled in for her work, Marilyn, her boss, walks in. "Fran, Human Resources is planning the Christmas Party for the office and they asked me to send a representative from our department. I'd like you to go to this meeting today and put your two-cents in for us, okay?" Marilyn says to Fran. "Well..." Fran's head is swimming as she tries to respond to Marilyn. She remembers the party from last year. She left after being there less than an hour, even before dinner was served, because the drinking and noise and conversation were just not acceptable to her. She certainly doesn't want to be involved in that kind of activity, but Marilyn seems to be telling, rather than asking. Fran stammers a bit and says, "Well, I've got a very heavy workload right now, Marilyn, are you sure...." "Yeah, I know, we're all busy, but somebody has to do it and I think you'll do a good job. So, show up today at 1:00 in the conference room.” And with that Marilyn walks out. "Oh," Fran says with weariness, "what am I going to do about this? I remember the awful party they had last year at Christmas? It was the next thing to X-rated! What am I going to do?" Fran has learned at moments like this to simply stop and pray about her dilemmas. “Lord,” she says, “I need wisdom and insight to know how to handle this assignment. I didn’t ask for it; I don’t want it; but it appears I have it. So, please, let me know how you think about this issue.” Fran begins to think about last year’s party. Why was it such an awful party? “Well, it was because Bill from accounting was in charge of it, and he's a real party animal," Fran thinks to herself. “Maybe if someone else was in charge of it, it could take a different turn.” “But not me, Lord,” Fran thinks. “Not me. I don’t need this . . . I’ve got plenty to do. Not me, please, Lord.” But she can’t ignore that tug she feels inside of her head, and she can’t get the idea out of her head. "Lord, are you suggesting I should get involved with planning this party?” Fran asks. "Lord, I'll have to compromise my standards and beliefs if I do that." Then, as so often happens with Fran when she seeks the Lord for wisdom, he seems to plant questions and ideas in her mind. She has a question and answer period with herself: "What standards would you have to compromise, Fran?" she asks herself. "Well, for example, serving drinks. That's the major thing they do at these parties—drink. And I don't want to be associated with anything that promotes this kind of excessive drinking," Fran answers. "Have you ever thought that maybe you could influence them not to serve alcoholic beverages?" she asks herself again. "Not serve alcoholic beverages at the Christmas party?" Fran responds with a laugh. "Jesus, you just don't understand these parties. They would laugh me out of the room if I suggested that." "Of course,” Fran says with a laugh, “you do understand the parties because you understand everything." Fran stops and thinks about what she has said. Again, God’s Spirit in her has reminded her that Jesus is all-knowing. Occasionally she gets caught in the trap of thinking that there are some parts of life that are unfamiliar to Jesus or out of his control. She is stunned for a moment as she digests the knowledge that Jesus knows about Christmas parties! "I'm sorry, Lord," she says quietly. "I didn't mean you don't understand, it's just that these people equate Christmas parties with drinking.... but I guess you know that, too, huh?" "Yes,
12/3/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Christmas – Part I

These Fran and Jesus stories have caught on; it seems we learn best from stories, and so that's why I continue to use this story-form method. These are fictitious stories, but they are based on my experience and knowledge of the workplace through many years and because I'm in contact with so many of you. In this episode Fran has to face a touchy situation. She arrives at work on a cool November morning, and as she gets settled in for her work, Marilyn, her boss, walks in. "Fran, Human Resources is planning the Christmas Party for the office and they asked me to send a representative from our department. I'd like you to go to this meeting today and put your two-cents in for us, okay?" Marilyn says to Fran. "Well..." Fran's head is swimming as she tries to respond to Marilyn. She remembers the party from last year. She left after being there less than an hour, even before dinner was served, because the drinking and noise and conversation were just not acceptable to her. She certainly doesn't want to be involved in that kind of activity, but Marilyn seems to be telling, rather than asking. Fran stammers a bit and says, "Well, I've got a very heavy workload right now, Marilyn, are you sure...." "Yeah, I know, we're all busy, but somebody has to do it and I think you'll do a good job. So, show up today at 1:00 in the conference room.” And with that Marilyn walks out. "Oh," Fran says with weariness, "what am I going to do about this? I remember the awful party they had last year at Christmas? It was the next thing to X-rated! What am I going to do?" Fran has learned at moments like this to simply stop and pray about her dilemmas. “Lord,” she says, “I need wisdom and insight to know how to handle this assignment. I didn’t ask for it; I don’t want it; but it appears I have it. So, please, let me know how you think about this issue.” Fran begins to think about last year’s party. Why was it such an awful party? “Well, it was because Bill from accounting was in charge of it, and he's a real party animal," Fran thinks to herself. “Maybe if someone else was in charge of it, it could take a different turn.” “But not me, Lord,” Fran thinks. “Not me. I don’t need this . . . I’ve got plenty to do. Not me, please, Lord.” But she can’t ignore that tug she feels inside of her head, and she can’t get the idea out of her head. "Lord, are you suggesting I should get involved with planning this party?” Fran asks. "Lord, I'll have to compromise my standards and beliefs if I do that." Then, as so often happens with Fran when she seeks the Lord for wisdom, he seems to plant questions and ideas in her mind. She has a question and answer period with herself: "What standards would you have to compromise, Fran?" she asks herself. "Well, for example, serving drinks. That's the major thing they do at these parties—drink. And I don't want to be associated with anything that promotes this kind of excessive drinking," Fran answers. "Have you ever thought that maybe you could influence them not to serve alcoholic beverages?" she asks herself again. "Not serve alcoholic beverages at the Christmas party?" Fran responds with a laugh. "Jesus, you just don't understand these parties. They would laugh me out of the room if I suggested that." "Of course,” Fran says with a laugh, “you do understand the parties because you understand everything." Fran stops and thinks about what she has said. Again, God’s Spirit in her has reminded her that Jesus is all-knowing. Occasionally she gets caught in the trap of thinking that there are some parts of life that are unfamiliar to Jesus or out of his control. She is stunned for a moment as she digests the knowledge that Jesus knows about Christmas parties! "I'm sorry, Lord," she says quietly. "I didn't mean you don't understand, it's just that these people equate Christmas parties with drinking.... but I guess you know that, too, huh?" "Yes,
12/3/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 5

Fran thinks a moment then says to her, “Please, Cynthia, don’t let anything cause you to commit another sin on top of the adultery. You would be killing your child if you have an abortion,” Fran pleads. “Well, not everyone believes. . .” Cynthia tries to justify herself. But she can’t keep it up. “Oh, Fran, I know that, don’t you think I know that. But what am I going to do with his baby?” “Cynthia, let’s take it one step at a time. First, break the relationship, find out if you are pregnant, and then after you’ve crossed that bridge, we’ll consider your options if you are pregnant,” Fran says. They talk for a couple of hours, missing lunch, but Fran gets Cynthia to agree to breaking off the relationship, blocking his phone calls, and refusing to speak with this man. Fran says, “When you’re feeling weak, like you can’t stand not to talk to him or see him, please call me, any time of the day or night. Call me first. I’ll help you; I’ll pray with you,” Fran assures her. So they establish an accountability plan. Cynthia promises to take a pregnancy test first thing when she gets back home and let Fran know the results. “Oh, I hope I’m not pregnant,” she cries. “If you are, Cynthia, you will have to live with the consequences of your wrong choices and your sin, but God can turn this into something good,” Fran assures her. “There’s a woman at church who has a grown son now, born out of wedlock, but she raised him to become a strong Christian and he is a blessing in our church. Whether you choose to raise your child or let some couple adopt that child, you can be a part of that wonderful miracle of producing a life that God can use.” Cynthia has some very difficult days ahead of her, but if she will follow Fran’s advice and make herself accountable, if she will begin a daily diet of Bible study and prayer and get back in close relationship to the Lord, she can watch a miracle in her own life as God again does what he is so good at doing—turning our deserts into gardens and our ashes into beauty. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/2/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 5

Fran thinks a moment then says to her, “Please, Cynthia, don’t let anything cause you to commit another sin on top of the adultery. You would be killing your child if you have an abortion,” Fran pleads. “Well, not everyone believes. . .” Cynthia tries to justify herself. But she can’t keep it up. “Oh, Fran, I know that, don’t you think I know that. But what am I going to do with his baby?” “Cynthia, let’s take it one step at a time. First, break the relationship, find out if you are pregnant, and then after you’ve crossed that bridge, we’ll consider your options if you are pregnant,” Fran says. They talk for a couple of hours, missing lunch, but Fran gets Cynthia to agree to breaking off the relationship, blocking his phone calls, and refusing to speak with this man. Fran says, “When you’re feeling weak, like you can’t stand not to talk to him or see him, please call me, any time of the day or night. Call me first. I’ll help you; I’ll pray with you,” Fran assures her. So they establish an accountability plan. Cynthia promises to take a pregnancy test first thing when she gets back home and let Fran know the results. “Oh, I hope I’m not pregnant,” she cries. “If you are, Cynthia, you will have to live with the consequences of your wrong choices and your sin, but God can turn this into something good,” Fran assures her. “There’s a woman at church who has a grown son now, born out of wedlock, but she raised him to become a strong Christian and he is a blessing in our church. Whether you choose to raise your child or let some couple adopt that child, you can be a part of that wonderful miracle of producing a life that God can use.” Cynthia has some very difficult days ahead of her, but if she will follow Fran’s advice and make herself accountable, if she will begin a daily diet of Bible study and prayer and get back in close relationship to the Lord, she can watch a miracle in her own life as God again does what he is so good at doing—turning our deserts into gardens and our ashes into beauty. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
12/2/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 4

How do you help someone who has messed up her life and can’t see her way out? That’s the dilemma that Fran finds herself in as we continue the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. After Fran strongly advises her to sever the relationship with this man, Cynthia says to her, “But I’ve tried many times to stop seeing him, and I just can’t. I mean, I really love him and he really loves me.” “You’re telling yourself some lies there Cynthia, and you need to know that” Fran says. “First, you can stop seeing him. You can block his phone calls and texts, move if you have to, go to another church if you have to, and simply say NO. So, don’t keep telling yourself that you can’t stop seeing him. Of course you can,” Fran continues. “And it really doesn’t matter whatsoever whether you think he loves you or you love him. This relationship is wrong, it is sinful, and you have no right to steal this man’s affection from his wife.” “I didn’t steal him,” Cynthia starts to object. “He called me.” “And you could have hung up the first time he called and you’d never be in this predicament,” Fran says. “I don’t mean to be tough on you, Cynthia, but until you are willing to accept the responsibility that is yours and call this what it is—a sin against God—you’ll just continue to mire in this mess and make matters worse.” Cynthia begins to sob. Fran feels like she has upset her with her tough talk, but Jesus says, “Fran, the truth often hurts. Let Cynthia hear what you’ve said.” So, they sit in silence for a few minutes. “I suppose I could get an abortion,” Cynthia whispers. “Then it would be easier to break up with him.” “Oh, Cynthia, no, no,” Fran begs. “Don’t even once let that thought enter your mind. If you are pregnant, that child is a life inside of you. You cannot take that life. No, Cynthia, no. You will never forgive yourself.” “But Fran, that’s easy for you to say. You’re not in my shoes,” Cynthia looks at Fran. Fran doesn’t know how to respond. It’s true, she’s never had to make that decision, but does that mean she can’t advise Cynthia to make the right choice?  What do you think?
12/1/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 4

How do you help someone who has messed up her life and can’t see her way out? That’s the dilemma that Fran finds herself in as we continue the story of Fran and Jesus on the Job. After Fran strongly advises her to sever the relationship with this man, Cynthia says to her, “But I’ve tried many times to stop seeing him, and I just can’t. I mean, I really love him and he really loves me.” “You’re telling yourself some lies there Cynthia, and you need to know that” Fran says. “First, you can stop seeing him. You can block his phone calls and texts, move if you have to, go to another church if you have to, and simply say NO. So, don’t keep telling yourself that you can’t stop seeing him. Of course you can,” Fran continues. “And it really doesn’t matter whatsoever whether you think he loves you or you love him. This relationship is wrong, it is sinful, and you have no right to steal this man’s affection from his wife.” “I didn’t steal him,” Cynthia starts to object. “He called me.” “And you could have hung up the first time he called and you’d never be in this predicament,” Fran says. “I don’t mean to be tough on you, Cynthia, but until you are willing to accept the responsibility that is yours and call this what it is—a sin against God—you’ll just continue to mire in this mess and make matters worse.” Cynthia begins to sob. Fran feels like she has upset her with her tough talk, but Jesus says, “Fran, the truth often hurts. Let Cynthia hear what you’ve said.” So, they sit in silence for a few minutes. “I suppose I could get an abortion,” Cynthia whispers. “Then it would be easier to break up with him.” “Oh, Cynthia, no, no,” Fran begs. “Don’t even once let that thought enter your mind. If you are pregnant, that child is a life inside of you. You cannot take that life. No, Cynthia, no. You will never forgive yourself.” “But Fran, that’s easy for you to say. You’re not in my shoes,” Cynthia looks at Fran. Fran doesn’t know how to respond. It’s true, she’s never had to make that decision, but does that mean she can’t advise Cynthia to make the right choice?  What do you think?
12/1/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 3

The Bible teaches us to speak the truth in love, but that’s not always easy to do, is it? Fran finds herself counseling a woman she has just met at their church’s women’s retreat. This woman, Cynthia, seemed very troubled, and as Fran talked privately with her, she confessed that she has been having an affair with a married man. Finally Cynthia looks at Fran and says, “But I think I may be pregnant with his baby.” It feels as though the floor has dropped out from under her as Fran thinks how to respond. “Keep sticking with the truth, Fran,” Jesus whispers to her. “This doesn’t change the advice you gave her.” Fran puts her arm around Cynthia and holds her for a minute. Then she says, “Cynthia, this may seem cruel, but the fact that you may be pregnant doesn’t change your course of action. He is a married man and there is no possibility that he will marry you, so you must break this relationship once and for all.” “But,” Cynthia says, “I think if he knows I’m pregnant, he might divorce his wife and marry me.” “Cynthia, that would be heaping one bad decision on top of another,” Fran says with emphasis. “Do he and his wife have children?” “Yes, two boys,” Cynthia adds, “but they don’t have a good marriage.” “Oh, Cynthia, you can’t go there. Even suggesting that he break up another marriage to marry you—that is wrong and you’ll never forgive yourself if you do that,” Fran advises. “But it’s his baby and he got me pregnant. . . if I am pregnant,” Cynthia adds. “Wait a minute Cynthia, what about the role you played in this affair?” Fran asks. “Did he rape you?” “No,” Cynthia replies quietly. “You were a willing participant, Cynthia. You’ve got to take responsibility and refuse to make more wrong decisions and choices,” Fran tells her. “It’s time you did the right thing and make the best you can out of this mess. Besides, you don’t even know for sure that you’re pregnant.” “No, I’m afraid to find out,” Cynthia says. “What will I do with a baby?” “There are several good alternatives, and I promise we’ll help you, if you’ll just do the right thing,” Fran says. Do you think Fran is giving Cynthia good advice?
11/30/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 3

The Bible teaches us to speak the truth in love, but that’s not always easy to do, is it? Fran finds herself counseling a woman she has just met at their church’s women’s retreat. This woman, Cynthia, seemed very troubled, and as Fran talked privately with her, she confessed that she has been having an affair with a married man. Finally Cynthia looks at Fran and says, “But I think I may be pregnant with his baby.” It feels as though the floor has dropped out from under her as Fran thinks how to respond. “Keep sticking with the truth, Fran,” Jesus whispers to her. “This doesn’t change the advice you gave her.” Fran puts her arm around Cynthia and holds her for a minute. Then she says, “Cynthia, this may seem cruel, but the fact that you may be pregnant doesn’t change your course of action. He is a married man and there is no possibility that he will marry you, so you must break this relationship once and for all.” “But,” Cynthia says, “I think if he knows I’m pregnant, he might divorce his wife and marry me.” “Cynthia, that would be heaping one bad decision on top of another,” Fran says with emphasis. “Do he and his wife have children?” “Yes, two boys,” Cynthia adds, “but they don’t have a good marriage.” “Oh, Cynthia, you can’t go there. Even suggesting that he break up another marriage to marry you—that is wrong and you’ll never forgive yourself if you do that,” Fran advises. “But it’s his baby and he got me pregnant. . . if I am pregnant,” Cynthia adds. “Wait a minute Cynthia, what about the role you played in this affair?” Fran asks. “Did he rape you?” “No,” Cynthia replies quietly. “You were a willing participant, Cynthia. You’ve got to take responsibility and refuse to make more wrong decisions and choices,” Fran tells her. “It’s time you did the right thing and make the best you can out of this mess. Besides, you don’t even know for sure that you’re pregnant.” “No, I’m afraid to find out,” Cynthia says. “What will I do with a baby?” “There are several good alternatives, and I promise we’ll help you, if you’ll just do the right thing,” Fran says. Do you think Fran is giving Cynthia good advice?
11/30/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 2

Have you ever felt like God led you to someone just at a moment when they had a great need for a friend and a counselor? “How did you know something was wrong?” Cynthia asks Fran through her sobs. “Just the look on your face, I guess, Cynthia,” Fran replies. “Do you want to talk about it?” “No, I don’t want to but. . .” Cynthia hesitates. “I think I’m going to burst if I don’t talk to somebody.” “Well, I promise you I will keep this conversation confidential, if that helps,” Fran says. “Yes, well, it does. It just seems funny talking about this to a complete stranger,” Cynthia says. “But you know,” Fran assures her, “I don’t think it was an accident that God put it in my heart to talk to you.” “Yeah, I guess so. And in some ways it’s easier to talk to a stranger about it. You see, I. . . I. . .I’ve been having an affair with a married man. . .” Cynthia’s words come out slowly with great pain. “Umm, I see,” Fran replies, without alarm. “Are you continuing that affair now?” she asks. “Well, I keep telling him that I’m not going to see him anymore, but as soon as he calls, I give in,” Cynthia answers. “You see, my husband left me with two kids five years ago and I guess I’m just so lonely. . .” “Cynthia, do you want me to talk with you straight?” Fran asks. “Yes,” Cynthia says, “I guess I need some straight talk.” “Well, then, the first thing you have to do is absolutely sever this relationship, immediately, finally, forever, with no further contact of any kind. Whatever it takes to keep him from contacting you, that is what you have to do,” Fran advises. “Are you willing to do that?” Cynthia is silent. Fran wonders if she was too strong, too hard on her. But she hears the voice of Jesus: “Don’t say anything, Fran. You’ve given her biblical advice that is right, so let her think about it. Don’t back off.”
11/29/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel – 2

Have you ever felt like God led you to someone just at a moment when they had a great need for a friend and a counselor? “How did you know something was wrong?” Cynthia asks Fran through her sobs. “Just the look on your face, I guess, Cynthia,” Fran replies. “Do you want to talk about it?” “No, I don’t want to but. . .” Cynthia hesitates. “I think I’m going to burst if I don’t talk to somebody.” “Well, I promise you I will keep this conversation confidential, if that helps,” Fran says. “Yes, well, it does. It just seems funny talking about this to a complete stranger,” Cynthia says. “But you know,” Fran assures her, “I don’t think it was an accident that God put it in my heart to talk to you.” “Yeah, I guess so. And in some ways it’s easier to talk to a stranger about it. You see, I. . . I. . .I’ve been having an affair with a married man. . .” Cynthia’s words come out slowly with great pain. “Umm, I see,” Fran replies, without alarm. “Are you continuing that affair now?” she asks. “Well, I keep telling him that I’m not going to see him anymore, but as soon as he calls, I give in,” Cynthia answers. “You see, my husband left me with two kids five years ago and I guess I’m just so lonely. . .” “Cynthia, do you want me to talk with you straight?” Fran asks. “Yes,” Cynthia says, “I guess I need some straight talk.” “Well, then, the first thing you have to do is absolutely sever this relationship, immediately, finally, forever, with no further contact of any kind. Whatever it takes to keep him from contacting you, that is what you have to do,” Fran advises. “Are you willing to do that?” Cynthia is silent. Fran wonders if she was too strong, too hard on her. But she hears the voice of Jesus: “Don’t say anything, Fran. You’ve given her biblical advice that is right, so let her think about it. Don’t back off.”
11/29/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel

For many years now I’ve been telling this story of a workplace woman named Fran, who is forced back into the job market when her husband is suddenly killed. With two young children, Fran has faced many struggles as a single working mom, but through it all she is learning to practice the presence of Jesus. And that is the purpose of these stories—to encourage all of us to be continually aware of the presence of our Lord, because when we’re born from above, he is with us always. This is a busy week for Fran because her church is sponsoring a weekend retreat for the women, and she’s in charge of registration. Drew and Alice are staying with her folks while she is away, and on Friday afternoon she leaves work a little early to take the kids over and get them settled. Then she meets some friends at the church, where they carpool to the camp grounds, about 30 miles out of the city. Friday evening is a fun time, and Fran is well prepared to welcome the women and help them get settled. Over 150 have registered to come, and the fellowship is really wonderful. Saturday morning they have a general session with great music and a wonderful speaker who talks about putting our past behind us. Afterwards they form small groups to discuss the topic. Fran begins the discussion by saying, “You know, even though it’s been six years since Jim was killed, I still find myself living in the past and dreaming of the way my life used to be.” Her friend, Andrea, joins in. “I know; it just seems so hard sometimes to let go of the past, whether it’s the good past or the bad past.” The conversation continues, but Fran notices that one woman in the group is very quiet. Her name is Cynthia; she’s new to Fran, and she just seems to be miserable. As the group breaks up, Fran makes a point to walk with Cynthia and start a conversation. “We’re so glad you joined us for our retreat. Is this your first time?” Fran asks. “Yes,” replies Cynthia, but says nothing more. Not knowing what to say, Fran finally asks, “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to help you?” At this, Cynthia covers her face with her hands and tries to control her sobs. Fran guides her to a secluded place where they can talk privately. Somehow Fran senses that God has ordained this meeting, but she wonders what in the world could be upsetting Cynthia so much.
11/28/20223 minutes
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Fran and Jesus on the Job – Tough Counsel

For many years now I’ve been telling this story of a workplace woman named Fran, who is forced back into the job market when her husband is suddenly killed. With two young children, Fran has faced many struggles as a single working mom, but through it all she is learning to practice the presence of Jesus. And that is the purpose of these stories—to encourage all of us to be continually aware of the presence of our Lord, because when we’re born from above, he is with us always. This is a busy week for Fran because her church is sponsoring a weekend retreat for the women, and she’s in charge of registration. Drew and Alice are staying with her folks while she is away, and on Friday afternoon she leaves work a little early to take the kids over and get them settled. Then she meets some friends at the church, where they carpool to the camp grounds, about 30 miles out of the city. Friday evening is a fun time, and Fran is well prepared to welcome the women and help them get settled. Over 150 have registered to come, and the fellowship is really wonderful. Saturday morning they have a general session with great music and a wonderful speaker who talks about putting our past behind us. Afterwards they form small groups to discuss the topic. Fran begins the discussion by saying, “You know, even though it’s been six years since Jim was killed, I still find myself living in the past and dreaming of the way my life used to be.” Her friend, Andrea, joins in. “I know; it just seems so hard sometimes to let go of the past, whether it’s the good past or the bad past.” The conversation continues, but Fran notices that one woman in the group is very quiet. Her name is Cynthia; she’s new to Fran, and she just seems to be miserable. As the group breaks up, Fran makes a point to walk with Cynthia and start a conversation. “We’re so glad you joined us for our retreat. Is this your first time?” Fran asks. “Yes,” replies Cynthia, but says nothing more. Not knowing what to say, Fran finally asks, “Are you okay? Is there anything I can do to help you?” At this, Cynthia covers her face with her hands and tries to control her sobs. Fran guides her to a secluded place where they can talk privately. Somehow Fran senses that God has ordained this meeting, but she wonders what in the world could be upsetting Cynthia so much.
11/28/20223 minutes
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Don’t Do Something; Just Stand There!

Do you know what is probably the most difficult command of God's for me to obey? It's "Stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Samuel 12:16). Come on, Lord; why "stand still"?   Why not "Get busy and do this and that and then you'll see the great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes"? That would be so much easier for me. As I mentioned, I don't like standing still. I hate standing still. I love movement. I love busyness. I love activity. I love to-do lists. Let's go; let's do; let's make things happen. You can do it. Just keep trying. Keep on keepin' on. Those words are music to my ears, but not "stand still.” Why is it so hard for us to take our hands off and let God run the show? Well, to answer that question for myself, I would say it's hard for me to stand still because I'm a controller. I want to be in charge. That's my personality and I'm much more comfortable when I'm running things than when I'm having to take orders. My guess is you may be the same way. I'd rather drive than be a passenger; I'd rather give a presentation than listen to one; I'd rather lead than follow. So, I constantly struggle to take control of any situation I'm in. Therefore, "stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes" is hard for me to do. When you dig a little deeper under that personality trait, you discover that the need to control indicates you think you can do it better than anybody else and you don't trust others as much as you do yourself. Ouch! There's a lot of pride and sinfulness tucked in that controlling spirit, isn't there? That's hard to take, but it's part of the truth we have to face about ourselves. At one point in my life when I was going through a particularly difficult period of "standing still," I would get frustrated and start to take action. And each time, as I would start taking the controls back in my own hands, I would hear the quiet voice of God in my mind saying to me, quite simply, "Can't you trust me?” That's what it takes to stand still—it takes trust. And when you and I are willing to take our hands off, give up the control, and stand still, we are saying to Jesus, "I trust you. You're smarter than me. You can run this show better than I can.”  And when we stand still and demonstrate our faith in him, he is pleased. Another reason standing still is hard for me is that I'm just not a patient person. I want things to happen now. I hate waiting. My mind tells me, "If you're standing still, nothing is happening.” But God's Word says, "Stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.” I think one reason I am not a patient person is because I hate loose ends. I want to complete the loop and make sure every package has a neat bow on it before moving on. But so often life is full of loose ends, and we have to stand still and let them be. Paul wrote that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, one of the evidences that God's Spirit is in control of your life. Well, I can sure tell you that when I am patient, it is not me, it is God's Spirit in me, because I'm no good at being patient. But I’ve learned to pray a lot about being patient, and believe it or not, I am more patient today than I used to be. God is helping me learn how to stand still and let him do it! Here are some little secrets that are helping me learn how to stand still. When you are emotional about any situation, it is not the time to act. Stand still until your emotions have calmed down and you can be certain that you're thinking straight. Just today I dashed off an email to tell someone how to do something more effectively—or so I thought—but thankfully before I hit the send button, God’s Spirit just urged me not to send it. So, for once I didn’t let the emotional reaction of the moment cause me to do something without thought or prayer. Often we really want to do something when we're upset or angry,
11/26/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Don’t Do Something; Just Stand There!

Do you know what is probably the most difficult command of God's for me to obey? It's "Stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes!" (1 Samuel 12:16). Come on, Lord; why "stand still"?   Why not "Get busy and do this and that and then you'll see the great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes"? That would be so much easier for me. As I mentioned, I don't like standing still. I hate standing still. I love movement. I love busyness. I love activity. I love to-do lists. Let's go; let's do; let's make things happen. You can do it. Just keep trying. Keep on keepin' on. Those words are music to my ears, but not "stand still.” Why is it so hard for us to take our hands off and let God run the show? Well, to answer that question for myself, I would say it's hard for me to stand still because I'm a controller. I want to be in charge. That's my personality and I'm much more comfortable when I'm running things than when I'm having to take orders. My guess is you may be the same way. I'd rather drive than be a passenger; I'd rather give a presentation than listen to one; I'd rather lead than follow. So, I constantly struggle to take control of any situation I'm in. Therefore, "stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes" is hard for me to do. When you dig a little deeper under that personality trait, you discover that the need to control indicates you think you can do it better than anybody else and you don't trust others as much as you do yourself. Ouch! There's a lot of pride and sinfulness tucked in that controlling spirit, isn't there? That's hard to take, but it's part of the truth we have to face about ourselves. At one point in my life when I was going through a particularly difficult period of "standing still," I would get frustrated and start to take action. And each time, as I would start taking the controls back in my own hands, I would hear the quiet voice of God in my mind saying to me, quite simply, "Can't you trust me?” That's what it takes to stand still—it takes trust. And when you and I are willing to take our hands off, give up the control, and stand still, we are saying to Jesus, "I trust you. You're smarter than me. You can run this show better than I can.”  And when we stand still and demonstrate our faith in him, he is pleased. Another reason standing still is hard for me is that I'm just not a patient person. I want things to happen now. I hate waiting. My mind tells me, "If you're standing still, nothing is happening.” But God's Word says, "Stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes.” I think one reason I am not a patient person is because I hate loose ends. I want to complete the loop and make sure every package has a neat bow on it before moving on. But so often life is full of loose ends, and we have to stand still and let them be. Paul wrote that patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit, one of the evidences that God's Spirit is in control of your life. Well, I can sure tell you that when I am patient, it is not me, it is God's Spirit in me, because I'm no good at being patient. But I’ve learned to pray a lot about being patient, and believe it or not, I am more patient today than I used to be. God is helping me learn how to stand still and let him do it! Here are some little secrets that are helping me learn how to stand still. When you are emotional about any situation, it is not the time to act. Stand still until your emotions have calmed down and you can be certain that you're thinking straight. Just today I dashed off an email to tell someone how to do something more effectively—or so I thought—but thankfully before I hit the send button, God’s Spirit just urged me not to send it. So, for once I didn’t let the emotional reaction of the moment cause me to do something without thought or prayer. Often we really want to do something when we're upset or angry,
11/26/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 5

Let’s review how Christians are like pumpkins: First, God picks us from the patches of life, brings us into his family, and cleans us up. Then he digs inside of us and scoops out all the yucky stuff that is clogging us up. He gets rid of the seeds of anger and rage and malice—and all those other things which have kept us on bondage for too long. Then he puts a new look on our face, a new song in our heart, and puts his light inside us to shine through us for all the world to see. This simple presentation can be very effective for children or adults. Just get a pumpkin and as you clean it up and scoop it out and put a smiling face on it with a candle inside, you can explain how in the same way God does this for us who have become his children through faith in Jesus Christ. I have found that any kind of visual presentation along with a message increases its effectiveness many times. We remember what we see far longer than what we hear. So, I’m always looking for creative ways to make a message memorable and practical. Let me remind us once again of how God has transformed us from the dirty pumpkins we were, taken us out of our sinful pumpkin patches and made us new creations in Christ. Psalm 30:11-12 expresses this so well: You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/25/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 5

Let’s review how Christians are like pumpkins: First, God picks us from the patches of life, brings us into his family, and cleans us up. Then he digs inside of us and scoops out all the yucky stuff that is clogging us up. He gets rid of the seeds of anger and rage and malice—and all those other things which have kept us on bondage for too long. Then he puts a new look on our face, a new song in our heart, and puts his light inside us to shine through us for all the world to see. This simple presentation can be very effective for children or adults. Just get a pumpkin and as you clean it up and scoop it out and put a smiling face on it with a candle inside, you can explain how in the same way God does this for us who have become his children through faith in Jesus Christ. I have found that any kind of visual presentation along with a message increases its effectiveness many times. We remember what we see far longer than what we hear. So, I’m always looking for creative ways to make a message memorable and practical. Let me remind us once again of how God has transformed us from the dirty pumpkins we were, taken us out of our sinful pumpkin patches and made us new creations in Christ. Psalm 30:11-12 expresses this so well: You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/25/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 4

Since we’re in the season of using pumpkins for food and decorations, I thought I’d point out how we Christians are somewhat like those pumpkins. First, God has to pick us from the “pumpkin patches” of our lives, clean us up, and then scoop out all the yucky stuff inside. We covered how the seeds that grow inside of us have to be truly cleaned out. One of the favorite things to do with pumpkins at this harvest time is to make jack-o-lanterns. After scooping out all the yucky stuff from inside, then we carve a smiling face and put a candle inside to light it up. And the process is similar with how God changes us when we allow him to clean out all the yucky stuff inside. He carves a new smiling face and puts his light inside of us to shine for all the world to see. One of my favorite passages is Psalm 40:2-3: He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. With a new song to sing and a smile on your face, you truly become a light in your world, as Jesus intended when he said: You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). Proverbs 15:13 says, A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. And again in verse 30: Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Do you carry a cheerful look and a happy face into your world each day? I’m not talking about a phony smile or pretending that everything is right. But I am talking about allowing God’s light inside of you to shine through you regardless of the circumstances. Anyone can look cheerful when everything is going right, but when life is tough, that’s when the smiling face really makes a difference. Did you know that when you smile, you get those endorphins going inside you and that can actually change the way you feel. And sometimes the smile comes first and the joy comes later, so, it’s a very good discipline to just remember to smile more and let the light of Christ shine through you.
11/24/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 4

Since we’re in the season of using pumpkins for food and decorations, I thought I’d point out how we Christians are somewhat like those pumpkins. First, God has to pick us from the “pumpkin patches” of our lives, clean us up, and then scoop out all the yucky stuff inside. We covered how the seeds that grow inside of us have to be truly cleaned out. One of the favorite things to do with pumpkins at this harvest time is to make jack-o-lanterns. After scooping out all the yucky stuff from inside, then we carve a smiling face and put a candle inside to light it up. And the process is similar with how God changes us when we allow him to clean out all the yucky stuff inside. He carves a new smiling face and puts his light inside of us to shine for all the world to see. One of my favorite passages is Psalm 40:2-3: He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. With a new song to sing and a smile on your face, you truly become a light in your world, as Jesus intended when he said: You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden (Matthew 5:14). Proverbs 15:13 says, A happy heart makes the face cheerful, but heartache crushes the spirit. And again in verse 30: Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones. Do you carry a cheerful look and a happy face into your world each day? I’m not talking about a phony smile or pretending that everything is right. But I am talking about allowing God’s light inside of you to shine through you regardless of the circumstances. Anyone can look cheerful when everything is going right, but when life is tough, that’s when the smiling face really makes a difference. Did you know that when you smile, you get those endorphins going inside you and that can actually change the way you feel. And sometimes the smile comes first and the joy comes later, so, it’s a very good discipline to just remember to smile more and let the light of Christ shine through you.
11/24/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 3

Have you ever cleaned out a pumpkin? At this time of year, we enjoy pumpkin pies and muffins and other delicious pumpkin dishes. But before we can use that pumpkin, we must clean it out on the inside, right? God picks us from the patch, washes off the dirt of sin, and then he has to clean us up on the inside. He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. The Christian life is a process that begins at that moment that Jesus picks us out of the patch and cleans us up. Then begins the process of transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. This is a process that continues throughout all our earthly days. Sometimes that process can be painful, as we are confronted with the mess on the inside of us, the yucky stuff that is clogging us up. Just as there are lots of seeds inside a pumpkin that have to be removed, so in our hearts there are many seeds that need to be cleaned out. Paul wrote to the Colossians: You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:7-8). And again he wrote: Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). What seeds are still clogging up inside of you, contaminating your body and spirit? Years ago, I wrote this verse in my prayer journal, and I began to pray that God will help me clean up whatever it is that is contaminating my body and my spirit. And God has faithfully pointed many of those seeds out to me and given the grace and power to start cleaning them out. Paul named some of these seeds that have to be cleaned out: Anger and rage must be scooped out of your heart. You know, when you allow anger to remain, it will quickly turn into bitterness, which is a deadly heart contamination. It will ruin your spirit and your physical body. Malice and slander are seeds that we cannot afford to keep around. Regardless of how others treat you, you must not allow malice to reside in your heart toward them. It sours on you quickly and makes you miserable. Scooping out the yucky stuff may not be pleasant, but it produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness, and that is very worthwhile and very wonderful.
11/23/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 3

Have you ever cleaned out a pumpkin? At this time of year, we enjoy pumpkin pies and muffins and other delicious pumpkin dishes. But before we can use that pumpkin, we must clean it out on the inside, right? God picks us from the patch, washes off the dirt of sin, and then he has to clean us up on the inside. He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. The Christian life is a process that begins at that moment that Jesus picks us out of the patch and cleans us up. Then begins the process of transforming us into the likeness of Jesus. This is a process that continues throughout all our earthly days. Sometimes that process can be painful, as we are confronted with the mess on the inside of us, the yucky stuff that is clogging us up. Just as there are lots of seeds inside a pumpkin that have to be removed, so in our hearts there are many seeds that need to be cleaned out. Paul wrote to the Colossians: You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips (Colossians 3:7-8). And again he wrote: Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God (2 Corinthians 7:1). What seeds are still clogging up inside of you, contaminating your body and spirit? Years ago, I wrote this verse in my prayer journal, and I began to pray that God will help me clean up whatever it is that is contaminating my body and my spirit. And God has faithfully pointed many of those seeds out to me and given the grace and power to start cleaning them out. Paul named some of these seeds that have to be cleaned out: Anger and rage must be scooped out of your heart. You know, when you allow anger to remain, it will quickly turn into bitterness, which is a deadly heart contamination. It will ruin your spirit and your physical body. Malice and slander are seeds that we cannot afford to keep around. Regardless of how others treat you, you must not allow malice to reside in your heart toward them. It sours on you quickly and makes you miserable. Scooping out the yucky stuff may not be pleasant, but it produces the peaceable fruit of righteousness, and that is very worthwhile and very wonderful.
11/23/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 2

Christians are like pumpkins! This season when pumpkins are ripe and we use them for all kinds of delicious dishes, as well as decorations, it’s interesting to see how we are like those pumpkins. For example, pumpkins first must be picked from the patch, brought in and cleaned up. And when we are born from above and made new creations in Christ, he chooses us from our dirty pumpkin patches, and brings us into his family, and cleanses us from the sin and dirt of this world. It is true that we never want to dwell on our past and live in regret. What God has forgiven and we have forsaken should no longer keep us in bondage. But it is also true that we need to remember where we were before Christ brought us in from our pumpkin patch. A. W. Tozer has written: “The only sure defense against self-righteousness is to cultivate a quiet state of continual penitence. A sweet but sobering memory of our past guilt and a knowledge of our present imperfections are not incompatible with the joy of the Lord; and they are of inestimable aid in resisting the enemy.” Remember your pumpkin patch today—the place you were before Christ picked you up and brought you in. Remember, and give thanks that he has redeemed you from that life and given you new life and hope for a bright future. Because we’ve been given new life in Christ, our demeanor and our attitudes should be joyful, don’t you think? You may be in a place you don’t particularly want to be in, a job you’re not crazy about, dealing with people you’re not fond of. But you have a wonderful opportunity, right in that spot, to be a witness for Jesus simply by being a joyful, positive person. After all, you’ve been saved from the pumpkin patch and you have every reason to rejoice. So, today, wherever God has you now planted, make a commitment to rejoice all day long as you remember that you’ve been rescued from the pumpkin patch and made new in Christ.
11/22/20223 minutes
Episode Artwork

Christians Are Like Pumpkins – 2

Christians are like pumpkins! This season when pumpkins are ripe and we use them for all kinds of delicious dishes, as well as decorations, it’s interesting to see how we are like those pumpkins. For example, pumpkins first must be picked from the patch, brought in and cleaned up. And when we are born from above and made new creations in Christ, he chooses us from our dirty pumpkin patches, and brings us into his family, and cleanses us from the sin and dirt of this world. It is true that we never want to dwell on our past and live in regret. What God has forgiven and we have forsaken should no longer keep us in bondage. But it is also true that we need to remember where we were before Christ brought us in from our pumpkin patch. A. W. Tozer has written: “The only sure defense against self-righteousness is to cultivate a quiet state of continual penitence. A sweet but sobering memory of our past guilt and a knowledge of our present imperfections are not incompatible with the joy of the Lord; and they are of inestimable aid in resisting the enemy.” Remember your pumpkin patch today—the place you were before Christ picked you up and brought you in. Remember, and give thanks that he has redeemed you from that life and given you new life and hope for a bright future. Because we’ve been given new life in Christ, our demeanor and our attitudes should be joyful, don’t you think? You may be in a place you don’t particularly want to be in, a job you’re not crazy about, dealing with people you’re not fond of. But you have a wonderful opportunity, right in that spot, to be a witness for Jesus simply by being a joyful, positive person. After all, you’ve been saved from the pumpkin patch and you have every reason to rejoice. So, today, wherever God has you now planted, make a commitment to rejoice all day long as you remember that you’ve been rescued from the pumpkin patch and made new in Christ.
11/22/20223 minutes
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Christians Are Like Pumpkins

It’s pumpkin time again! At this time of year we see lots of those delicious pumpkins, some for eating, some for decorating. But did you ever think of this: Christians are like pumpkins! Now wait, that’s not an insult. Let me explain. First of all, we’re like pumpkins because: God picks us from the patch, brings us in, and washes all the dirt off of us. For those who have been born from above, our salvation began when God picked us out of the patch. Jesus said in John 15:16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. And Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:4: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. I never cease to be amazed at this truth, that God chose me. He picked me out of that dirty pumpkin patch of life and brought me into the fold of his care, made me his child and called me by name. But you know, a pumpkin is of little use until you get it cleaned up. I don’t know if you’ve ever picked a pumpkin or seen one right out of the pumpkin patch, but they are really dirty. They lie on the ground for many days and collect all kinds of dirt and mud, so when you bring them in, the first thing you have to do is get them cleaned up. And that’s the first thing God does for us when he chooses us from the dirty patch we were in. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:11: And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. And again in Titus 3:4-5: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. We come from different “pumpkin patches,” with different kinds of dirt on us, but all of us had to be cleaned up by Jesus, didn’t we? Think of what you were before Jesus brought you in from the patch. Think of where you would be without him.
11/21/20223 minutes
Episode Artwork

Christians Are Like Pumpkins

It’s pumpkin time again! At this time of year we see lots of those delicious pumpkins, some for eating, some for decorating. But did you ever think of this: Christians are like pumpkins! Now wait, that’s not an insult. Let me explain. First of all, we’re like pumpkins because: God picks us from the patch, brings us in, and washes all the dirt off of us. For those who have been born from above, our salvation began when God picked us out of the patch. Jesus said in John 15:16: You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. And Paul reminds us in Ephesians 1:4: For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. I never cease to be amazed at this truth, that God chose me. He picked me out of that dirty pumpkin patch of life and brought me into the fold of his care, made me his child and called me by name. But you know, a pumpkin is of little use until you get it cleaned up. I don’t know if you’ve ever picked a pumpkin or seen one right out of the pumpkin patch, but they are really dirty. They lie on the ground for many days and collect all kinds of dirt and mud, so when you bring them in, the first thing you have to do is get them cleaned up. And that’s the first thing God does for us when he chooses us from the dirty patch we were in. We read in 1 Corinthians 6:11: And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. And again in Titus 3:4-5: But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we have done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit. We come from different “pumpkin patches,” with different kinds of dirt on us, but all of us had to be cleaned up by Jesus, didn’t we? Think of what you were before Jesus brought you in from the patch. Think of where you would be without him.
11/21/20223 minutes
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Being Thankful for the Missing Pieces

I've noticed that a lot of people I meet and talk with are truly handicapped over the missing pieces in their lives. Whatever it is that is not there in their life's puzzle, they have become obsessed with it, it controls their thought life, and it keeps them from enjoying or appreciating the good things they do have. What about you? Would that be true of you? I remember talking with a friend who had been married quite a few years, and had always wanted children, but she had not been able to have her own. That's a painful missing piece, and she was sharing the pain with me. But even though she recognized that an important piece was missing, she hastened to add: "But, Mary, I have so much to be thankful for. My life is still full and meaningful," and she began to recite the good things—the pieces that are not missing from her life. I said to her, "Do you realize how unusual you are? While you acknowledge that a key piece is missing from your life, and is likely to always be missing, you are focused on what is not missing.” I can tell you that she never moaned and groaned about this missing piece. While she felt sorrow and pain over it, she accepted that no one has everything, and life is full of missing pieces. Have the missing pieces of your life become so overwhelming that you cannot see or appreciate what you do have? For ten years I allowed what I thought was a major missing piece in my life to control me. I felt that I had to be married for life to be complete, so I was consumed with pursuing and finding the right person to marry. I've shared my testimony many times before of how that obsession with finding the missing piece led me away from the Lord, away from biblical principles, into a life that was self-focused and sinful. What I've come to learn—and am still learning—is that instead of being controlled by the missing pieces, I can be thankful for them. If that sounds a little "too good to be true," let me assure you that I don't live on another planet and I have the same feelings and emotions and struggles as everyone else. And I emphasize that I am learning this principle of being thankful for the missing pieces. But as I've started to grasp this truth, I've found such freedom and contentment. I'd like to share a poem with you, which really helped me start down this road of being thankful for the missing pieces. I first read it several years ago, and I re-read it quite often; I have it written in my prayer book as a reminder of this important biblical principle, to be thankful for the missing pieces. The poem uses old-fashioned words, but the truth is still very relevant: An easy thing, O power Divine, To thank Thee for these gifts of Thine! For summer's sunshine, winter's snow, For hearts that kindle, thoughts that glow; But when shall I attain to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss?   For all young fancy's early gleams, The dreamed-of joys that still are dreams, Hopes unfulfilled, and pleasures known Through others' fortunes, not my own, And blessings seen that are not given, And ne'er will be - this side of heaven.   Had I, too, shared the joys I see, Would there have been a heaven for me? Could I have felt Thy presence near Had I possessed what I held dear? My deepest fortune, highest bliss, Have grown, perchance, from things I miss.   Sometimes there comes an hour of calm; Grief turns to blessing, pain to balm; A Power that works above my will Still leads me onward, upward still; And then my heart attains to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss. -Thomas Wentworth Higginson When I first read this poem, I began to ask myself, "Where would you be today if you had everything you wanted, if there were no missing pieces in your life?” And it was as though God drew back a curtain to let me see how having everything I wanted could have been disastrous for me. Why?
11/19/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Being Thankful for the Missing Pieces

I've noticed that a lot of people I meet and talk with are truly handicapped over the missing pieces in their lives. Whatever it is that is not there in their life's puzzle, they have become obsessed with it, it controls their thought life, and it keeps them from enjoying or appreciating the good things they do have. What about you? Would that be true of you? I remember talking with a friend who had been married quite a few years, and had always wanted children, but she had not been able to have her own. That's a painful missing piece, and she was sharing the pain with me. But even though she recognized that an important piece was missing, she hastened to add: "But, Mary, I have so much to be thankful for. My life is still full and meaningful," and she began to recite the good things—the pieces that are not missing from her life. I said to her, "Do you realize how unusual you are? While you acknowledge that a key piece is missing from your life, and is likely to always be missing, you are focused on what is not missing.” I can tell you that she never moaned and groaned about this missing piece. While she felt sorrow and pain over it, she accepted that no one has everything, and life is full of missing pieces. Have the missing pieces of your life become so overwhelming that you cannot see or appreciate what you do have? For ten years I allowed what I thought was a major missing piece in my life to control me. I felt that I had to be married for life to be complete, so I was consumed with pursuing and finding the right person to marry. I've shared my testimony many times before of how that obsession with finding the missing piece led me away from the Lord, away from biblical principles, into a life that was self-focused and sinful. What I've come to learn—and am still learning—is that instead of being controlled by the missing pieces, I can be thankful for them. If that sounds a little "too good to be true," let me assure you that I don't live on another planet and I have the same feelings and emotions and struggles as everyone else. And I emphasize that I am learning this principle of being thankful for the missing pieces. But as I've started to grasp this truth, I've found such freedom and contentment. I'd like to share a poem with you, which really helped me start down this road of being thankful for the missing pieces. I first read it several years ago, and I re-read it quite often; I have it written in my prayer book as a reminder of this important biblical principle, to be thankful for the missing pieces. The poem uses old-fashioned words, but the truth is still very relevant: An easy thing, O power Divine, To thank Thee for these gifts of Thine! For summer's sunshine, winter's snow, For hearts that kindle, thoughts that glow; But when shall I attain to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss?   For all young fancy's early gleams, The dreamed-of joys that still are dreams, Hopes unfulfilled, and pleasures known Through others' fortunes, not my own, And blessings seen that are not given, And ne'er will be - this side of heaven.   Had I, too, shared the joys I see, Would there have been a heaven for me? Could I have felt Thy presence near Had I possessed what I held dear? My deepest fortune, highest bliss, Have grown, perchance, from things I miss.   Sometimes there comes an hour of calm; Grief turns to blessing, pain to balm; A Power that works above my will Still leads me onward, upward still; And then my heart attains to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss. -Thomas Wentworth Higginson When I first read this poem, I began to ask myself, "Where would you be today if you had everything you wanted, if there were no missing pieces in your life?” And it was as though God drew back a curtain to let me see how having everything I wanted could have been disastrous for me. Why?
11/19/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 5

If I told you I was an heir of a very wealthy person—say Elon Musk, the richest man in the world—would you be impressed? That would mean I would be in line to get lots of money. Well, the truth is, I have more impressive credentials than that. When you and I are born from above through faith in Christ, our identity is truly incredible. Don’t forget that: You are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. That’s what we read in Romans 8. If you're an heir of God, that means you're in line to inherit God's riches. And if you're a co-heir with Christ, that means you'll inherit equally with Christ of the Father's great riches. When you ask yourself "Who am I?", and the answer comes back "An heir of God and co-heir with Christ," then you have to say, "I have value." If you are indeed born from above, if you and Jesus have a personal one-on-one relationship based on faith in him and repentance from you sins, then you've got the God of heaven and earth counting the hairs of your head, putting your tears in his jar, opening the door to his throne for you to enter whenever you please. Are you somebody? How much more important and significant can you be? When you focus on who you are in Christ and his power in you, then you can have victory over the old self-images and inadequacies and the way you've seen yourself all these years. You can know freedom from that. So, please, don’t forget who you are. Let go of the old self-images that have been based on wrong information. Know who you are in Christ according to the Word of God, and just keep remembering it. Tell yourself who you are in Christ. Reprogram your mind to get rid of the old tapes which are Satan’s lies, and program the truth of who you are in Christ and because of Christ. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/18/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 5

If I told you I was an heir of a very wealthy person—say Elon Musk, the richest man in the world—would you be impressed? That would mean I would be in line to get lots of money. Well, the truth is, I have more impressive credentials than that. When you and I are born from above through faith in Christ, our identity is truly incredible. Don’t forget that: You are an heir of God and co-heir with Christ. That’s what we read in Romans 8. If you're an heir of God, that means you're in line to inherit God's riches. And if you're a co-heir with Christ, that means you'll inherit equally with Christ of the Father's great riches. When you ask yourself "Who am I?", and the answer comes back "An heir of God and co-heir with Christ," then you have to say, "I have value." If you are indeed born from above, if you and Jesus have a personal one-on-one relationship based on faith in him and repentance from you sins, then you've got the God of heaven and earth counting the hairs of your head, putting your tears in his jar, opening the door to his throne for you to enter whenever you please. Are you somebody? How much more important and significant can you be? When you focus on who you are in Christ and his power in you, then you can have victory over the old self-images and inadequacies and the way you've seen yourself all these years. You can know freedom from that. So, please, don’t forget who you are. Let go of the old self-images that have been based on wrong information. Know who you are in Christ according to the Word of God, and just keep remembering it. Tell yourself who you are in Christ. Reprogram your mind to get rid of the old tapes which are Satan’s lies, and program the truth of who you are in Christ and because of Christ. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/18/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 4

If someone asks you, “Who are you?” what do you say? Your answer to that question is important, because having a firm understanding of who you are is critical to your ability to be all that God has created you to be. I’m looking to Scripture for a clear understanding of our identity when we are born from above. We are God’s intentional creation, we were created for his pleasure and his glory, and when you come to saving faith in Christ, the great news is: You are a new creation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  The day that you recognized your sinful state before God and accepted his Son as your own personal Savior, that very day you were transformed into a new creation. Now, this new person that you have become because of Jesus Christ is someone you can feel good about. This new person is righteous. Not self-righteous, because in ourselves, the Bible says, all our self-righteousness is like filthy rags to God. But Philippians 3:9 tells us that we have a righteousness now which comes through faith in Christ, not a righteousness of our own. The righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to you and God sees you wrapped up in his righteousness. And here’s more wonderful news about who you are in Christ: You are no longer under condemnation. Romans 8 tells us that the new person has been set free from the law of sin and death. It says you are no longer condemned for what that old person is or was. You're free! There's no condemnation against you! Good news! Great news! Incredible news! Feel good about yourself; you should. You know, when you intentionally remember who you are in Christ and because of Christ, it truly makes a difference in the way you face life, the way you face the day ahead. Regardless of what’s going on in your life, what other people think of you, even what you think of yourself, if you remember who you are, it will give you strength and encouragement. So don’t forget: You are a new creation in Christ and you are no longer under condemnation.
11/17/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 4

If someone asks you, “Who are you?” what do you say? Your answer to that question is important, because having a firm understanding of who you are is critical to your ability to be all that God has created you to be. I’m looking to Scripture for a clear understanding of our identity when we are born from above. We are God’s intentional creation, we were created for his pleasure and his glory, and when you come to saving faith in Christ, the great news is: You are a new creation. In 2 Corinthians 5:17 we read: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!  The day that you recognized your sinful state before God and accepted his Son as your own personal Savior, that very day you were transformed into a new creation. Now, this new person that you have become because of Jesus Christ is someone you can feel good about. This new person is righteous. Not self-righteous, because in ourselves, the Bible says, all our self-righteousness is like filthy rags to God. But Philippians 3:9 tells us that we have a righteousness now which comes through faith in Christ, not a righteousness of our own. The righteousness of Jesus Christ is credited to you and God sees you wrapped up in his righteousness. And here’s more wonderful news about who you are in Christ: You are no longer under condemnation. Romans 8 tells us that the new person has been set free from the law of sin and death. It says you are no longer condemned for what that old person is or was. You're free! There's no condemnation against you! Good news! Great news! Incredible news! Feel good about yourself; you should. You know, when you intentionally remember who you are in Christ and because of Christ, it truly makes a difference in the way you face life, the way you face the day ahead. Regardless of what’s going on in your life, what other people think of you, even what you think of yourself, if you remember who you are, it will give you strength and encouragement. So don’t forget: You are a new creation in Christ and you are no longer under condemnation.
11/17/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 3

We all recognize that a strong self-image is important to us. Knowing who we are and why we’re here is a foundation that is really necessary for living a fulfilled life. I’m pointing out from Scripture just who you are if you are connected to God through faith in Jesus Christ. We’ve seen that we are God’s intentional creation, we were created for his pleasure, and now, don’t forget that: You were created for his glory. Here are a few verses from that Isaiah 43:1-7: But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you...he who formed you...'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine...I am the Lord, your God...you are precious and honored in my sight, because  I love you...everyone who is called by my name, I created for my glory.... We admire the paintings of great artists because of their beauty and creativity. But who gets the glory for the painting? The artist, of course. We don’t give the painting credit; rather we say, "This artist is wonderful; this artist is great.” The masterpiece brings glory to the artist. That's why you and I are here—to bring glory to our Creator. Maybe you're thinking, "But Mary, there's no way that I can glorify God because my life is a mess. You just don't know all the mistakes I've made, all the things I've done wrong. My past is too awful for me to be able to bring glory to God." Ah, but don't you see, the less he has to work with, the more God gets the glory for the workmanship! And he is masterful at taking ashes and turning them into beauty. He is incredible at transforming ruined lives into testimonies of his greatness. When your life has been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ, you bring glory to God. Don’t forget, you were created for God’s glory.
11/16/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 3

We all recognize that a strong self-image is important to us. Knowing who we are and why we’re here is a foundation that is really necessary for living a fulfilled life. I’m pointing out from Scripture just who you are if you are connected to God through faith in Jesus Christ. We’ve seen that we are God’s intentional creation, we were created for his pleasure, and now, don’t forget that: You were created for his glory. Here are a few verses from that Isaiah 43:1-7: But now, this is what the Lord says - he who created you...he who formed you...'Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine...I am the Lord, your God...you are precious and honored in my sight, because  I love you...everyone who is called by my name, I created for my glory.... We admire the paintings of great artists because of their beauty and creativity. But who gets the glory for the painting? The artist, of course. We don’t give the painting credit; rather we say, "This artist is wonderful; this artist is great.” The masterpiece brings glory to the artist. That's why you and I are here—to bring glory to our Creator. Maybe you're thinking, "But Mary, there's no way that I can glorify God because my life is a mess. You just don't know all the mistakes I've made, all the things I've done wrong. My past is too awful for me to be able to bring glory to God." Ah, but don't you see, the less he has to work with, the more God gets the glory for the workmanship! And he is masterful at taking ashes and turning them into beauty. He is incredible at transforming ruined lives into testimonies of his greatness. When your life has been transformed by the power of Jesus Christ, you bring glory to God. Don’t forget, you were created for God’s glory.
11/16/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 2

As Christ-followers, those who have been born from above, our identity is found in our relationship to God the Father through Jesus Christ. We saw that we are God’s intentional creation, created by him and for him. Now, consider this: You were created for his pleasure. Remember the wonderful movie, Chariots of Fire, the story of that remarkable Olympic champion, the Scottish runner, Eric Liddle, who was a strong Christian committed to Jesus Christ. His missionary sister was concerned about his running career because she felt he was neglecting his calling and not putting God first. But Eric said to his sister, "Oh, don't you see, Jenny. God made me fast and when I run, I give God pleasure.” He got it! He understood that God took pleasure in him. I love this verse from Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Don't you love that imagery of God rejoicing over you with singing? We often rejoice and take delight in God through singing, but to think that he does the same over us. God takes pleasure in you. You should be able to verbalize how God has created you to bring him pleasure. Maybe you would say: "Because God made me a good listener, I bring God pleasure when I listen and care about others.” Or "Because God made me a good organizer, I bring God pleasure when I organize events and run them smoothly.” Or "Because God made me a speaker, I bring God pleasure when I give a good talk or make a good presentation.” It really doesn't matter how God has created you; we are all very different in our gifts and abilities. But we were all created for his pleasure. It is not pride on your part to recognize how God has created you. Eric Liddle gave God the credit for his fast body, but he also recognized that it was a gift from God to bring God pleasure. Don’t forget who you are! You were created for God’s pleasure.
11/15/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are – 2

As Christ-followers, those who have been born from above, our identity is found in our relationship to God the Father through Jesus Christ. We saw that we are God’s intentional creation, created by him and for him. Now, consider this: You were created for his pleasure. Remember the wonderful movie, Chariots of Fire, the story of that remarkable Olympic champion, the Scottish runner, Eric Liddle, who was a strong Christian committed to Jesus Christ. His missionary sister was concerned about his running career because she felt he was neglecting his calling and not putting God first. But Eric said to his sister, "Oh, don't you see, Jenny. God made me fast and when I run, I give God pleasure.” He got it! He understood that God took pleasure in him. I love this verse from Zephaniah 3:17: “The Lord your God is with you, the Mighty Warrior who saves. He will take great delight in you; in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.” Don't you love that imagery of God rejoicing over you with singing? We often rejoice and take delight in God through singing, but to think that he does the same over us. God takes pleasure in you. You should be able to verbalize how God has created you to bring him pleasure. Maybe you would say: "Because God made me a good listener, I bring God pleasure when I listen and care about others.” Or "Because God made me a good organizer, I bring God pleasure when I organize events and run them smoothly.” Or "Because God made me a speaker, I bring God pleasure when I give a good talk or make a good presentation.” It really doesn't matter how God has created you; we are all very different in our gifts and abilities. But we were all created for his pleasure. It is not pride on your part to recognize how God has created you. Eric Liddle gave God the credit for his fast body, but he also recognized that it was a gift from God to bring God pleasure. Don’t forget who you are! You were created for God’s pleasure.
11/15/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are

Who are you? This is a very important question, but often we have the wrong answers. Even those of us who are born from above, who are dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, all too often let the world shove us into its mold and we define ourselves by the wrong criteria. I did that for many years, and it led to an emotional roller coaster ride, to a self-focused life, and to a sinful lifestyle. It might be the cause of a great deal of the pain and struggle you are having in your life right now. If you're unhappy with who you are, wishing you were like other people, feeling cheated because you don't have what you want, feeling guilty because you haven't lived up to other's expectations or your own, it's highly likely you've fallen into this trap of identifying yourself incorrectly. You don't really know who you are. I want to go to Scripture to show you who you are in Christ, just in case you’ve forgotten or maybe you never knew. You are God's intentional creation. You are not an accident of nature or a mistake your parents made. In Colossians 1:16 we read: For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. You were not just created by him, but for him! The depth of this truth is life-changing. You and I were created by the Almighty God, and we were created for him—for his purposes, for his reasons. That knowledge alone brings significance into our lives. A dear friend who is now with Jesus came to saving faith as an adult, and I’ll never forget how this truth transformed her life. Her mother had told her all her life that she was accident—an unplanned birth—and her birth had complicated her mother’s life. So, coming to know Jesus meant she finally understood that she was not an accident. She was created by God for his purpose. And that’s true for you as well. So, don’t forget who you are today! You are God’s intentional creation—his handiwork.
11/14/20223 minutes
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Don’t Forget Who You Are

Who are you? This is a very important question, but often we have the wrong answers. Even those of us who are born from above, who are dedicated to the Lord Jesus Christ, all too often let the world shove us into its mold and we define ourselves by the wrong criteria. I did that for many years, and it led to an emotional roller coaster ride, to a self-focused life, and to a sinful lifestyle. It might be the cause of a great deal of the pain and struggle you are having in your life right now. If you're unhappy with who you are, wishing you were like other people, feeling cheated because you don't have what you want, feeling guilty because you haven't lived up to other's expectations or your own, it's highly likely you've fallen into this trap of identifying yourself incorrectly. You don't really know who you are. I want to go to Scripture to show you who you are in Christ, just in case you’ve forgotten or maybe you never knew. You are God's intentional creation. You are not an accident of nature or a mistake your parents made. In Colossians 1:16 we read: For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. You were not just created by him, but for him! The depth of this truth is life-changing. You and I were created by the Almighty God, and we were created for him—for his purposes, for his reasons. That knowledge alone brings significance into our lives. A dear friend who is now with Jesus came to saving faith as an adult, and I’ll never forget how this truth transformed her life. Her mother had told her all her life that she was accident—an unplanned birth—and her birth had complicated her mother’s life. So, coming to know Jesus meant she finally understood that she was not an accident. She was created by God for his purpose. And that’s true for you as well. So, don’t forget who you are today! You are God’s intentional creation—his handiwork.
11/14/20223 minutes
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How to Humble Yourself

Let me start with quoting this admonition from God’s Word: 1 Peter 5:5b-6: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Luke 14:11: For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Notice that there are promises given in these two passages for those who are willing to humble themselves. They will be lifted up and they will be exalted. No doubt the average person would not connect being humble with being lifted up and exalted, but this is the upside-down truth for us as followers of Christ. Living for Jesus is often swimming upstream as to what our culture would tell us. Frequently we are called to live counter-cultural lives but it’s not a call to a dreadful life or a weird life. It’s a call to be lifted; to find true lasting joy and even to be exalted, as Jesus told us. We typically think that God is the one who exalts or humbles us. If we’re humbled or if we’re exalted, we think it will be God who does it. But Jesus said we must humble ourselves. Have you ever intentionally tried to humble yourself? Is that something on your to-do list? “Today I will humble myself?” Very few Christians ever take this literally and seriously. But there is great benefit for those who do. In addition to being lifted up and exalted, here are some further promises for those who humble themselves: God gives you grace. James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (ESV). God guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9: He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way (ESV). God crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation (ESV). With humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom (ESV). You will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:4: Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (ESV). So, for all kinds of good reasons we should learn how to humble ourselves. But how do we do that? How do we humble ourselves when our natural instincts are to be number one? How do we humble ourselves when we fear that others will take advantage of us if we are humble? What does it mean to humble yourself and how do you do it? First, let’s consider what it does NOT mean to be humble: It does not mean that you walk around with your head hung low, looking pitiful. It does not mean that you run yourself down. It does not mean that you cannot be ambitious or successful. It does not mean that you can’t be the best at what you do. It does not mean that you can never be number one Furthermore, humility and ambition can co-exist very nicely. Look at some people in the Bible who were ambitious: Abraham was ambitious to go to a land where God was sending him, and God calls him the father of our faith. Noah was ambitious to build an ark that took over one hundred years to complete. David was ambitious to defeat Goliath. Esther was ambitious to save her people from extinction. Ruth was ambitious to save her mother-in-law and herself. Jesus was ambitious to do the Father’s will. The Apostle Paul was ambitious to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Without ambitions and goals and visions, we don’t do anything—we perish! It’s not wrong to be ambitious and want to succeed. Here are three reasons every Christian should have great ambitions: We are created by God and from the beginning God had a plan for his creation. He told Adam to “Fill the earth and subdue it.” That is definitely ambitious. Jesus told us, his followers, to go into all the world and make disciples. That is an ambition every believer should take seriously. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that we are God’s workmanship,
11/12/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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How to Humble Yourself

Let me start with quoting this admonition from God’s Word: 1 Peter 5:5b-6: God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Luke 14:11: For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted. Notice that there are promises given in these two passages for those who are willing to humble themselves. They will be lifted up and they will be exalted. No doubt the average person would not connect being humble with being lifted up and exalted, but this is the upside-down truth for us as followers of Christ. Living for Jesus is often swimming upstream as to what our culture would tell us. Frequently we are called to live counter-cultural lives but it’s not a call to a dreadful life or a weird life. It’s a call to be lifted; to find true lasting joy and even to be exalted, as Jesus told us. We typically think that God is the one who exalts or humbles us. If we’re humbled or if we’re exalted, we think it will be God who does it. But Jesus said we must humble ourselves. Have you ever intentionally tried to humble yourself? Is that something on your to-do list? “Today I will humble myself?” Very few Christians ever take this literally and seriously. But there is great benefit for those who do. In addition to being lifted up and exalted, here are some further promises for those who humble themselves: God gives you grace. James 4:6: “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (ESV). God guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:9: He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way (ESV). God crowns the humble with salvation. Psalm 149:4: For the Lord takes pleasure in his people; he adorns the humble with salvation (ESV). With humility comes wisdom. Proverbs 11:2: When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom (ESV). You will be greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven. Matthew 18:4: Whoever humbles himself like this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven (ESV). So, for all kinds of good reasons we should learn how to humble ourselves. But how do we do that? How do we humble ourselves when our natural instincts are to be number one? How do we humble ourselves when we fear that others will take advantage of us if we are humble? What does it mean to humble yourself and how do you do it? First, let’s consider what it does NOT mean to be humble: It does not mean that you walk around with your head hung low, looking pitiful. It does not mean that you run yourself down. It does not mean that you cannot be ambitious or successful. It does not mean that you can’t be the best at what you do. It does not mean that you can never be number one Furthermore, humility and ambition can co-exist very nicely. Look at some people in the Bible who were ambitious: Abraham was ambitious to go to a land where God was sending him, and God calls him the father of our faith. Noah was ambitious to build an ark that took over one hundred years to complete. David was ambitious to defeat Goliath. Esther was ambitious to save her people from extinction. Ruth was ambitious to save her mother-in-law and herself. Jesus was ambitious to do the Father’s will. The Apostle Paul was ambitious to spread the Gospel throughout the world. Without ambitions and goals and visions, we don’t do anything—we perish! It’s not wrong to be ambitious and want to succeed. Here are three reasons every Christian should have great ambitions: We are created by God and from the beginning God had a plan for his creation. He told Adam to “Fill the earth and subdue it.” That is definitely ambitious. Jesus told us, his followers, to go into all the world and make disciples. That is an ambition every believer should take seriously. Paul wrote to the Ephesians that we are God’s workmanship,
11/12/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Woman Who Fears God – 5

Trying to find the right balance as a Christian woman is certainly a major challenge for most of us. I find that I must fight not to be caught up in what others think I should be. Rather I want to focus on the characteristics of a godly woman, and as Proverbs 31:30 tells us, a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. We should not fear: What people say or think about us Frankly, that can be a hard one for us women, because our natures are often inclined to be people-pleasers, and we will do most anything to avoid rejection. So, we can easily care too much about what people say or think. Sometimes I find myself fearful of looking irrelevant because I have aspirations and beliefs that are not in sync with the norm for women today. Let's face it—we like to think of ourselves as sophisticated and “cool.”  And quite honestly, there are times when I feel like the country-bumpkin, even among some Christian women who seem to be more "in tune" than I am. But I have to keep going back to who I am—a woman who wants to please God. That means, I must fear the Lord, and not fear looking dumb or backwards. If we live godly lives in this society, we're going to look weird at times. Be prepared for it. And ask God to help you not to fear what people say or think. That also means I must not fear: What people can do to me. A boss can fire you, a boyfriend or husband can leave you, a child can disobey you, a parent can disappoint you, a friend can be disloyal to you. There are many things that people can do to you, and if you live in fear of those things, your life will be a constant emotional roller-coaster. Remember, no one can separate you from the love of Jesus, and as long as they cannot do that, then we don't have to live in fear of what people can do. "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”  Let's make that our goal in life, to be a woman who fears the Lord. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/11/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 5

Trying to find the right balance as a Christian woman is certainly a major challenge for most of us. I find that I must fight not to be caught up in what others think I should be. Rather I want to focus on the characteristics of a godly woman, and as Proverbs 31:30 tells us, a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. We should not fear: What people say or think about us Frankly, that can be a hard one for us women, because our natures are often inclined to be people-pleasers, and we will do most anything to avoid rejection. So, we can easily care too much about what people say or think. Sometimes I find myself fearful of looking irrelevant because I have aspirations and beliefs that are not in sync with the norm for women today. Let's face it—we like to think of ourselves as sophisticated and “cool.”  And quite honestly, there are times when I feel like the country-bumpkin, even among some Christian women who seem to be more "in tune" than I am. But I have to keep going back to who I am—a woman who wants to please God. That means, I must fear the Lord, and not fear looking dumb or backwards. If we live godly lives in this society, we're going to look weird at times. Be prepared for it. And ask God to help you not to fear what people say or think. That also means I must not fear: What people can do to me. A boss can fire you, a boyfriend or husband can leave you, a child can disobey you, a parent can disappoint you, a friend can be disloyal to you. There are many things that people can do to you, and if you live in fear of those things, your life will be a constant emotional roller-coaster. Remember, no one can separate you from the love of Jesus, and as long as they cannot do that, then we don't have to live in fear of what people can do. "Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.”  Let's make that our goal in life, to be a woman who fears the Lord. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/11/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 4

What are you fearful of today? Did you know that we should be women of fear? The Proverbs 31 woman is described as a "woman who feared the Lord" and she was praised. This is the most important lesson we can learn from this ideal woman. Are you a woman who fears the Lord? If so, there are some specific things you will fear, and one of those is: The fear of getting off on some issue and losing the right focus One of the things that I fear greatly is getting out of balance and becoming an issue-oriented woman instead of a God-fearing woman. It would be very easy to do in this society with my personality, believe me. And I fear it, because I know that is one way Satan gets his foot in our doors. Many women in the last couple of generations have focused their lives and energies on righting all the wrongs done to women. To be sure there have been and still are discriminatory practices in our culture—including Christian institutions—which can be criticized, which should be changed, and which are not fair. And we may have some opportunities to try to effect some of those needed changes. That's fine in its proper place. But for us to become issue-oriented on women's rights so that the issue is more important to us than anything else is to be shoved into the world's mold of fighting for your rights. I keep reminding myself that the only way I can really help any woman is to point her to Jesus, who can free her from her sins and give her peace. Then she'll be free indeed. Paul wrote to the Romans that we are all slaves either of sin or of Christ. So instead of being in bondage to some issue, or becoming obsessive about fighting for our rights, I want to encourage women—and everyone else—to become slaves of righteousness, because when we die to ourselves we find life in Christ. I could help further the cause of women's rights 'til I'm blue in the face, and any progress made would be useless if the women are still slaves to sin. I want to fear not hearing the Lord say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant," for I will stand before him someday for my life's work to be judged. I fear wasting the time and energy I have on things and issues that are not of eternal significance. That is godly fear.
11/10/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 4

What are you fearful of today? Did you know that we should be women of fear? The Proverbs 31 woman is described as a "woman who feared the Lord" and she was praised. This is the most important lesson we can learn from this ideal woman. Are you a woman who fears the Lord? If so, there are some specific things you will fear, and one of those is: The fear of getting off on some issue and losing the right focus One of the things that I fear greatly is getting out of balance and becoming an issue-oriented woman instead of a God-fearing woman. It would be very easy to do in this society with my personality, believe me. And I fear it, because I know that is one way Satan gets his foot in our doors. Many women in the last couple of generations have focused their lives and energies on righting all the wrongs done to women. To be sure there have been and still are discriminatory practices in our culture—including Christian institutions—which can be criticized, which should be changed, and which are not fair. And we may have some opportunities to try to effect some of those needed changes. That's fine in its proper place. But for us to become issue-oriented on women's rights so that the issue is more important to us than anything else is to be shoved into the world's mold of fighting for your rights. I keep reminding myself that the only way I can really help any woman is to point her to Jesus, who can free her from her sins and give her peace. Then she'll be free indeed. Paul wrote to the Romans that we are all slaves either of sin or of Christ. So instead of being in bondage to some issue, or becoming obsessive about fighting for our rights, I want to encourage women—and everyone else—to become slaves of righteousness, because when we die to ourselves we find life in Christ. I could help further the cause of women's rights 'til I'm blue in the face, and any progress made would be useless if the women are still slaves to sin. I want to fear not hearing the Lord say to me, "Well done, good and faithful servant," for I will stand before him someday for my life's work to be judged. I fear wasting the time and energy I have on things and issues that are not of eternal significance. That is godly fear.
11/10/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 3

No matter who you are, how qualified or successful you may or may not be, if you are a woman who fears the Lord, you will be praised. That was the heart of this remarkable woman—she feared the Lord, and we can do that, too. If we truly fear the Lord, we will fear bringing disgrace to his name. Another holy fear is Causing any kind of dissension or disunity in the body of Christ Paul wrote to the Romans: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Rom. 12:18). And Jesus told us to love one another as he has loved us. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Are you fearful of causing bad feelings among your friends and fellow believers? That is a godly fear, and we need to cultivate that kind of fear. That loose gossip which we tolerate in our lives, those unkind words we say to each other, that competitive spirit and malice which is evident in the way we treat each other—those are things we should fear greatly. If you have bad feelings right now toward someone, would you start praying about that and ask God what he wants you to do about it? He may want you to go to that person and ask for forgiveness and have your fellowship restored. If so, please don't put it off. The longer you wait, the heavier that burden will be. Until you make things right between you and others, you'll never be the godly woman you want to be. Is your fear of people stronger than your fear of the Lord? If you really fear the Lord, it will be more important to you to get your relationships right than it will be to save face with your friends or family. Maybe you're fearing rejection by others, and that keeps you from restoring fellowship with them. But ask God to give you a holy fear—the fear of the Lord—which will be stronger than your fear of people, so that you can do what he wants you to do. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  Keep repeating this verse over and over to yourself and ask God to make you a woman who fears the Lord.
11/9/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 3

No matter who you are, how qualified or successful you may or may not be, if you are a woman who fears the Lord, you will be praised. That was the heart of this remarkable woman—she feared the Lord, and we can do that, too. If we truly fear the Lord, we will fear bringing disgrace to his name. Another holy fear is Causing any kind of dissension or disunity in the body of Christ Paul wrote to the Romans: "If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone" (Rom. 12:18). And Jesus told us to love one another as he has loved us. "By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another" (John 13:35). Are you fearful of causing bad feelings among your friends and fellow believers? That is a godly fear, and we need to cultivate that kind of fear. That loose gossip which we tolerate in our lives, those unkind words we say to each other, that competitive spirit and malice which is evident in the way we treat each other—those are things we should fear greatly. If you have bad feelings right now toward someone, would you start praying about that and ask God what he wants you to do about it? He may want you to go to that person and ask for forgiveness and have your fellowship restored. If so, please don't put it off. The longer you wait, the heavier that burden will be. Until you make things right between you and others, you'll never be the godly woman you want to be. Is your fear of people stronger than your fear of the Lord? If you really fear the Lord, it will be more important to you to get your relationships right than it will be to save face with your friends or family. Maybe you're fearing rejection by others, and that keeps you from restoring fellowship with them. But ask God to give you a holy fear—the fear of the Lord—which will be stronger than your fear of people, so that you can do what he wants you to do. "Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.”  Keep repeating this verse over and over to yourself and ask God to make you a woman who fears the Lord.
11/9/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 2

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” You probably recognize that verse from the famous 31st chapter of Proverbs, which describes a godly woman. The one thing that made this woman significant was that she feared the Lord. I want to be a godly woman, and I'm sure you do, too. So, how do we become a woman who fears the Lord? What does that mean? This fear is reverential awe—a fear that comes from knowing enough about God to be in awe of his power, his holiness, his sovereignty. An awe that springs from love and devotion. First, let's talk about what we should fear if we fear the Lord. I should fear bringing any kind of disgrace to the name of Jesus. Psalm 69:6 is a prayer of David's which I have written in my prayer journal and I pray often: "May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, God of Israel; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.”  Do you fear doing something that will cause the name of Jesus to be dishonored? That is a godly fear; it is the fear of the Lord. We've seen many times over, both in public and private arenas, where Christians have strayed morally and ethically, and brought disgrace to the name of the Lord. I have a great fear of doing that and I hope I always will. Why am I fearful of bringing disgrace to the name of the Lord? One, because I know how weak I am and how easy it would be for me to fall. That's true of all of us. Two, because the thought of breaking his heart through a moral failure breaks my heart. And third, because I know I would lose so much; my ministry and freedom to serve the Lord would be greatly impacted if I brought disgrace to his name. When you have a holy fear of bringing disgrace to God's name, you will watch the way you live very closely. No temporary thrill can entice you to pay this awful price, when you truly fear the Lord as you should.
11/8/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God – 2

"Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” You probably recognize that verse from the famous 31st chapter of Proverbs, which describes a godly woman. The one thing that made this woman significant was that she feared the Lord. I want to be a godly woman, and I'm sure you do, too. So, how do we become a woman who fears the Lord? What does that mean? This fear is reverential awe—a fear that comes from knowing enough about God to be in awe of his power, his holiness, his sovereignty. An awe that springs from love and devotion. First, let's talk about what we should fear if we fear the Lord. I should fear bringing any kind of disgrace to the name of Jesus. Psalm 69:6 is a prayer of David's which I have written in my prayer journal and I pray often: "May those who hope in you not be disgraced because of me, God of Israel; may those who seek you not be put to shame because of me.”  Do you fear doing something that will cause the name of Jesus to be dishonored? That is a godly fear; it is the fear of the Lord. We've seen many times over, both in public and private arenas, where Christians have strayed morally and ethically, and brought disgrace to the name of the Lord. I have a great fear of doing that and I hope I always will. Why am I fearful of bringing disgrace to the name of the Lord? One, because I know how weak I am and how easy it would be for me to fall. That's true of all of us. Two, because the thought of breaking his heart through a moral failure breaks my heart. And third, because I know I would lose so much; my ministry and freedom to serve the Lord would be greatly impacted if I brought disgrace to his name. When you have a holy fear of bringing disgrace to God's name, you will watch the way you live very closely. No temporary thrill can entice you to pay this awful price, when you truly fear the Lord as you should.
11/8/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God

Have you ever read Proverbs 31 and felt like quitting? I get tired when I read about the superwoman pictured in that famous last chapter of Proverbs. What woman can live up to this ideal? Well, I'm encouraged to realize that this is most likely not the description of a specific woman, but a picture of the characteristics of a godly woman. And if you will focus on verse 30 of that chapter, you will be encouraged: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. The beauty of this Proverbs 31 woman is that she feared the Lord. Her central focus was not to please people, not to set new records, not to prove she could do anything she wanted to, not to fight for her rights, but it was to fear the Lord. If you and I want to be like this ideal woman, then what we must learn to do is fear the Lord, because then we will be women to be praised by God. Any woman can be a woman who fears the Lord if she chooses to. There may be many things you cannot do, many avenues that will never be open to you, many mountains you'll never climb, many awards you'll never win. You may think you are insignificant compared to other women and what they do. But take heart today; you can be a woman to be praised if you will fear the Lord. Throughout time women have often been characterized as deceptive and manipulative, and physical beauty has always been the world's way of measuring a woman. But when I read that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, it tells me that these shallow and non-durable characteristics—charm and beauty—are not God's criteria, and we are not bound by them. Women today are often very focused on being free from stereotypes and traditional roles. This Proverbs 31 woman found her freedom by fearing the Lord, and believe me, that's where we will find ours. Let me tell you, as one who has tried it both ways, true freedom comes when you commit yourself to be God's woman and make him the central focus of your life. What does it mean to be a woman who fears the Lord? Have you given that any thought?
11/7/20223 minutes
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The Woman Who Fears God

Have you ever read Proverbs 31 and felt like quitting? I get tired when I read about the superwoman pictured in that famous last chapter of Proverbs. What woman can live up to this ideal? Well, I'm encouraged to realize that this is most likely not the description of a specific woman, but a picture of the characteristics of a godly woman. And if you will focus on verse 30 of that chapter, you will be encouraged: Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. The beauty of this Proverbs 31 woman is that she feared the Lord. Her central focus was not to please people, not to set new records, not to prove she could do anything she wanted to, not to fight for her rights, but it was to fear the Lord. If you and I want to be like this ideal woman, then what we must learn to do is fear the Lord, because then we will be women to be praised by God. Any woman can be a woman who fears the Lord if she chooses to. There may be many things you cannot do, many avenues that will never be open to you, many mountains you'll never climb, many awards you'll never win. You may think you are insignificant compared to other women and what they do. But take heart today; you can be a woman to be praised if you will fear the Lord. Throughout time women have often been characterized as deceptive and manipulative, and physical beauty has always been the world's way of measuring a woman. But when I read that charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, it tells me that these shallow and non-durable characteristics—charm and beauty—are not God's criteria, and we are not bound by them. Women today are often very focused on being free from stereotypes and traditional roles. This Proverbs 31 woman found her freedom by fearing the Lord, and believe me, that's where we will find ours. Let me tell you, as one who has tried it both ways, true freedom comes when you commit yourself to be God's woman and make him the central focus of your life. What does it mean to be a woman who fears the Lord? Have you given that any thought?
11/7/20223 minutes
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Don’t Let the Hard Days Win

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do when the hard days come? Several years ago, a friend recommended a book to me. I was eager to get it and start reading. When I cracked the book open and turned to the first page, the first three words were, “Life is difficult.” I didn’t know whether to throw the book across the room and regret paying $14.99 or to keep reading and risk being bummed out for the remaining 243 pages. Who starts a book with “life is difficult?” But it’s the truth isn’t it? Life is difficult. You will have hard days, weeks, months…. sometimes years. Maybe you are having one now. Maybe you are in a long season of “difficult” and you see no end in sight. Maybe you are experiencing the pain and loneliness of singleness. You feel isolated and alone. Or, your kid is struggling and you don’t know what to do. Your marriage is on the rocks and it seems irreparable. Perhaps you are experiencing the repercussions of poor choices. Maybe it's job loss. Sickness. Deafening silence in a broken friendship, heartbreak or the demands of a job that are overwhelming. Financial troubles. Depression. Anxiety. Aging parents. Facing your own mortality. What do you do when life just seems hard to bear? As a friend of mine says, “Life is complex and messy, sometimes brutally so, but…… there is a way to look at the mess.” How do you live in the “but?” How do we live in the mess with the lens of heaven? It will take disciplining your thoughts. It will take trust in God, and oftentimes it takes sheer determination to remember and hold onto truth. It will take courage, the state of mind and belief that enables you to face difficulty and pain. With the shield of faith and the belief in God’s nearness and faithfulness, over the filter of fear. It will take resisting the temptation to deconstruct your faith when life is hard and take the disappointment and pain as a cue to lean into Jesus. When you are in pain or doubt, it can be tempting to run from the only source of comfort and trade God in for manmade gods. To be lured away from standing firm and lulled by things you think will bring comfort and relief but are only temporary and will never fulfill the deepest longing of your soul that only Jesus Christ can fill. Instead of lashing out and running away from God, how do we remember to cry out to Jesus and run towards him? It doesn’t take long to realize the multitude of examples of the men and women in the Bible whose stories tell us how they faced major trials in their lives, and how God proved himself faithful every single time. We need these stories as reminders because sometimes in the midst of our own pain, we forget. That is why as a follower of Jesus it is absolutely essential that you are in the Word of God, daily. God’s Word is what renews your mind and reminds you of what is true. There are so many things vying for your attention and affection on a daily basis, it can be easy to be pulled off track. It can be easy to forget God’s character. It can be all too tempting to fail to remember his faithfulness. In order to acknowledge that “life is complex and messy, sometimes brutally so, but…”. In order to live in the “but” we need to look at the Word of God. We need to remember the character of God. Because the world and your circumstances will scream loudly at you. Tempting you to turn away in defeat and forget. One story that you may be familiar with is the story of Job. Now, before you have an allergic reaction to the word Job like I have in the past, hang with me because I promise you when you read and understand Job’s story in the way God intended, you will be encouraged in the midst of whatever struggle you are facing. The story of Job seems so complex yet so poignant. The story ultimately and beautifully displays the sovereignty of God in the midst of suffering. Before we look at Job’s story there is a quote from A.W. Tozer that has always stuck with me that I want to share with you.
11/5/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Don’t Let the Hard Days Win

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) What do you do when the hard days come? Several years ago, a friend recommended a book to me. I was eager to get it and start reading. When I cracked the book open and turned to the first page, the first three words were, “Life is difficult.” I didn’t know whether to throw the book across the room and regret paying $14.99 or to keep reading and risk being bummed out for the remaining 243 pages. Who starts a book with “life is difficult?” But it’s the truth isn’t it? Life is difficult. You will have hard days, weeks, months…. sometimes years. Maybe you are having one now. Maybe you are in a long season of “difficult” and you see no end in sight. Maybe you are experiencing the pain and loneliness of singleness. You feel isolated and alone. Or, your kid is struggling and you don’t know what to do. Your marriage is on the rocks and it seems irreparable. Perhaps you are experiencing the repercussions of poor choices. Maybe it's job loss. Sickness. Deafening silence in a broken friendship, heartbreak or the demands of a job that are overwhelming. Financial troubles. Depression. Anxiety. Aging parents. Facing your own mortality. What do you do when life just seems hard to bear? As a friend of mine says, “Life is complex and messy, sometimes brutally so, but…… there is a way to look at the mess.” How do you live in the “but?” How do we live in the mess with the lens of heaven? It will take disciplining your thoughts. It will take trust in God, and oftentimes it takes sheer determination to remember and hold onto truth. It will take courage, the state of mind and belief that enables you to face difficulty and pain. With the shield of faith and the belief in God’s nearness and faithfulness, over the filter of fear. It will take resisting the temptation to deconstruct your faith when life is hard and take the disappointment and pain as a cue to lean into Jesus. When you are in pain or doubt, it can be tempting to run from the only source of comfort and trade God in for manmade gods. To be lured away from standing firm and lulled by things you think will bring comfort and relief but are only temporary and will never fulfill the deepest longing of your soul that only Jesus Christ can fill. Instead of lashing out and running away from God, how do we remember to cry out to Jesus and run towards him? It doesn’t take long to realize the multitude of examples of the men and women in the Bible whose stories tell us how they faced major trials in their lives, and how God proved himself faithful every single time. We need these stories as reminders because sometimes in the midst of our own pain, we forget. That is why as a follower of Jesus it is absolutely essential that you are in the Word of God, daily. God’s Word is what renews your mind and reminds you of what is true. There are so many things vying for your attention and affection on a daily basis, it can be easy to be pulled off track. It can be easy to forget God’s character. It can be all too tempting to fail to remember his faithfulness. In order to acknowledge that “life is complex and messy, sometimes brutally so, but…”. In order to live in the “but” we need to look at the Word of God. We need to remember the character of God. Because the world and your circumstances will scream loudly at you. Tempting you to turn away in defeat and forget. One story that you may be familiar with is the story of Job. Now, before you have an allergic reaction to the word Job like I have in the past, hang with me because I promise you when you read and understand Job’s story in the way God intended, you will be encouraged in the midst of whatever struggle you are facing. The story of Job seems so complex yet so poignant. The story ultimately and beautifully displays the sovereignty of God in the midst of suffering. Before we look at Job’s story there is a quote from A.W. Tozer that has always stuck with me that I want to share with you.
11/5/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Humility and Success – 5

What would amaze Jesus Christ? Well, there are only two occasions where we're told that Jesus was amazed. Jesus was amazed at the faith of the Roman Centurion who asked him to heal his servant. He had great faith in Jesus even though he had little teaching or knowledge of our Lord. In Mark 6 we see where Jesus was again amazed, but for different reasons. He was in his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue. But those who heard him couldn't believe that he was the Son of God because this was their home-town boy, the carpenter's son. So instead of believing in him, they took offense at him. And because of their unbelief, Jesus could not do many miracles there. And again we're told that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. Here are people who should have known who Jesus was. He was a fulfillment of all their prophecies, and he had demonstrated his power to them many times. But Jesus didn't suit their notions of what the Messiah should be like, and their stubborn, proud hearts kept them from believing what was right in front of their noses. And Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. He left there and went elsewhere. I wonder if Jesus is amazed at my faith or at yours? Is he amazed that you have faith in him, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the prospects, even without complete understanding? Do you amaze him with your consistent faith in him and what he can do? Or rather, is he amazed to see that in spite of all you know and all the experience you've had, your faith is still weak and anemic? Recently someone said, "Faith is not only believing a certain thing will happen. Faith is turning everything over to the Lord and trusting him with what happens, knowing that he will bring to pass what he knows to be best." I want to have that kind of faith that will trust to him every situation, every circumstance, unquestioningly and without hesitation. I want some amazing faith, don't you? (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/4/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 5

What would amaze Jesus Christ? Well, there are only two occasions where we're told that Jesus was amazed. Jesus was amazed at the faith of the Roman Centurion who asked him to heal his servant. He had great faith in Jesus even though he had little teaching or knowledge of our Lord. In Mark 6 we see where Jesus was again amazed, but for different reasons. He was in his hometown of Nazareth, teaching in the synagogue. But those who heard him couldn't believe that he was the Son of God because this was their home-town boy, the carpenter's son. So instead of believing in him, they took offense at him. And because of their unbelief, Jesus could not do many miracles there. And again we're told that Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. Here are people who should have known who Jesus was. He was a fulfillment of all their prophecies, and he had demonstrated his power to them many times. But Jesus didn't suit their notions of what the Messiah should be like, and their stubborn, proud hearts kept them from believing what was right in front of their noses. And Jesus was amazed at their lack of faith. He left there and went elsewhere. I wonder if Jesus is amazed at my faith or at yours? Is he amazed that you have faith in him, regardless of the circumstances, regardless of the prospects, even without complete understanding? Do you amaze him with your consistent faith in him and what he can do? Or rather, is he amazed to see that in spite of all you know and all the experience you've had, your faith is still weak and anemic? Recently someone said, "Faith is not only believing a certain thing will happen. Faith is turning everything over to the Lord and trusting him with what happens, knowing that he will bring to pass what he knows to be best." I want to have that kind of faith that will trust to him every situation, every circumstance, unquestioningly and without hesitation. I want some amazing faith, don't you? (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
11/4/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 4

Recently I realized there were only two occasions in Scripture where we're told that Jesus was amazed. Do you know what they are? The first occasion is recorded in Luke 7, which is the story of the Roman Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Roman soldiers were characteristically hard, tough men, with little compassion or concern for others, certainly not for servants. We would expect this man to be ruthless and uncaring, so we cannot help but be impressed that he would care about a servant, and that he would be willing to come to Jesus on his behalf. This man was truly humble. Also, he had been very generous with the Jewish people who were under his command, and had built them a synagogue, though he was not himself a Jew. This was indeed an unusual man. What is really amazing is his profound comprehension of who Jesus was. As Jesus was going to his home to heal his servant, the soldier sent friends to say to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6b-7). Here was a Roman soldier that somehow knew the power and authority that Jesus had. In addition, he was a truly humble man, feeling unworthy for Jesus to even enter his home. He showed great faith in Jesus, believing that he could heal his servant by just speaking a word, without even seeing the servant. And when Jesus heard this, we're told that he was amazed at him. In fact, Jesus said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, even in Israel” (Luke 7:9b). Jesus was amazed at his faith. He was amazed at the depth of his faith, and at his persistent in seeking Jesus. Surely it was not considered smart for a man in his position to believe in this itinerant, controversial Jewish preacher. Yet he unashamedly goes to Jesus for help. He had amazing faith. I would like to have that kind of faith - the kind that amazes Jesus, wouldn't you?
11/3/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 4

Recently I realized there were only two occasions in Scripture where we're told that Jesus was amazed. Do you know what they are? The first occasion is recorded in Luke 7, which is the story of the Roman Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his sick servant. Roman soldiers were characteristically hard, tough men, with little compassion or concern for others, certainly not for servants. We would expect this man to be ruthless and uncaring, so we cannot help but be impressed that he would care about a servant, and that he would be willing to come to Jesus on his behalf. This man was truly humble. Also, he had been very generous with the Jewish people who were under his command, and had built them a synagogue, though he was not himself a Jew. This was indeed an unusual man. What is really amazing is his profound comprehension of who Jesus was. As Jesus was going to his home to heal his servant, the soldier sent friends to say to him, "Lord, don't trouble yourself, for I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. That is why I did not even consider myself worthy to come to you. But say the word, and my servant will be healed” (Luke 7:6b-7). Here was a Roman soldier that somehow knew the power and authority that Jesus had. In addition, he was a truly humble man, feeling unworthy for Jesus to even enter his home. He showed great faith in Jesus, believing that he could heal his servant by just speaking a word, without even seeing the servant. And when Jesus heard this, we're told that he was amazed at him. In fact, Jesus said, "I tell you, I have not found such great faith, even in Israel” (Luke 7:9b). Jesus was amazed at his faith. He was amazed at the depth of his faith, and at his persistent in seeking Jesus. Surely it was not considered smart for a man in his position to believe in this itinerant, controversial Jewish preacher. Yet he unashamedly goes to Jesus for help. He had amazing faith. I would like to have that kind of faith - the kind that amazes Jesus, wouldn't you?
11/3/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 3

Humility and success are not exclusives. Indeed, humility can accelerate our learning curve and enhance our people skills and contribute to our success in any area of our lives. But how do we acquire true humility? We've talked about how true humility can be a great asset for us in the business world, because it causes us to be more teachable and more respectful of others. But the question I always ask is "How do I acquire true humility?" It seems very elusive for me at times. Well, in 1 Peter 5 we're told to humble ourselves. What are some specific things we can do to humble ourselves? First, we can learn to be better listeners and truly care about what other people have to say. James says to be quick to listen and slow to speak, and that would surely be a good way to learn to humble ourselves. Second, we can make a list of the areas in our lives that need some work and ask God to help us make the needed changes. I always need to be more patient, and I can learn to humble myself if I will continually concentrate on putting on patience. A third way to humble yourself is not to talk about yourself all the time, even when you have an opportunity. When we talk about ourselves a lot, we easily get into bragging and trying to make ourselves look good. Fourth, we can humble ourselves by asking others to give us any input that would help us to improve. Have you ever done that with your boss or a coworker? They may be able to offer some suggestions about your performance that could be very helpful. It takes a little courage, but it surely is one way to humble yourself. Jesus said that whoever humbles himself or herself is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and he described himself as gentle and humble in heart. Therefore, there is great gain for us in learning to humble ourselves. The most important result is that it makes our lives more pleasing to our Lord. The side benefit is that it enhances our opportunity for success in anything we undertake. I challenge you, therefore, to decide to humble yourself and discover that humility and success are very compatible attributes.
11/2/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 3

Humility and success are not exclusives. Indeed, humility can accelerate our learning curve and enhance our people skills and contribute to our success in any area of our lives. But how do we acquire true humility? We've talked about how true humility can be a great asset for us in the business world, because it causes us to be more teachable and more respectful of others. But the question I always ask is "How do I acquire true humility?" It seems very elusive for me at times. Well, in 1 Peter 5 we're told to humble ourselves. What are some specific things we can do to humble ourselves? First, we can learn to be better listeners and truly care about what other people have to say. James says to be quick to listen and slow to speak, and that would surely be a good way to learn to humble ourselves. Second, we can make a list of the areas in our lives that need some work and ask God to help us make the needed changes. I always need to be more patient, and I can learn to humble myself if I will continually concentrate on putting on patience. A third way to humble yourself is not to talk about yourself all the time, even when you have an opportunity. When we talk about ourselves a lot, we easily get into bragging and trying to make ourselves look good. Fourth, we can humble ourselves by asking others to give us any input that would help us to improve. Have you ever done that with your boss or a coworker? They may be able to offer some suggestions about your performance that could be very helpful. It takes a little courage, but it surely is one way to humble yourself. Jesus said that whoever humbles himself or herself is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven, and he described himself as gentle and humble in heart. Therefore, there is great gain for us in learning to humble ourselves. The most important result is that it makes our lives more pleasing to our Lord. The side benefit is that it enhances our opportunity for success in anything we undertake. I challenge you, therefore, to decide to humble yourself and discover that humility and success are very compatible attributes.
11/2/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 2

Are humility and success compatible? I believe they are not only compatible, but true humility can enhance our success. It may sound contradictory, but I think you'll find it's true. We talked about the fact that humility is not generally viewed as a necessary characteristic for the successful career person. But true humility is indeed very helpful. Consider the characteristics of truly humble people. First of all, they are teachable. They don't have a "know-it-all" attitude. They recognize that they can learn from others and that they don't have all the answers. They are open to suggestions and constructive criticism. Now, I can tell you that those characteristics are extremely useful in any business environment. The person who is continually looking for ways to improve and is willing to learn from others will grow and improve much faster than the ones who think they know all there is to know. The person who is truly humble is one who gives respect to other people and does not have an arrogant or condescending attitude toward others. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians to consider others better than ourselves. In other words, true humility is when we continually remind ourselves of the importance of other people, when we try to daily practice compassion and have empathy for others. Again, this attribute is very well received in business circles. How often do you hear someone say, "They have really good people skills."  Well, good people skills is another way of saying they treat people with respect and fairness, and they are considerate of their feelings and their needs. That is recognized in business today as a very desirable trait for a good manager. And true humility gives us that kind of attitude toward people. It truly helps us develop good people skills, and therefore makes us better prepared for success. Humility and success are very compatible, and as Christians in the marketplace, we'll find that striving to be truly humble will enhance our skills and our performance on the job.
11/1/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success – 2

Are humility and success compatible? I believe they are not only compatible, but true humility can enhance our success. It may sound contradictory, but I think you'll find it's true. We talked about the fact that humility is not generally viewed as a necessary characteristic for the successful career person. But true humility is indeed very helpful. Consider the characteristics of truly humble people. First of all, they are teachable. They don't have a "know-it-all" attitude. They recognize that they can learn from others and that they don't have all the answers. They are open to suggestions and constructive criticism. Now, I can tell you that those characteristics are extremely useful in any business environment. The person who is continually looking for ways to improve and is willing to learn from others will grow and improve much faster than the ones who think they know all there is to know. The person who is truly humble is one who gives respect to other people and does not have an arrogant or condescending attitude toward others. The Apostle Paul said in Philippians to consider others better than ourselves. In other words, true humility is when we continually remind ourselves of the importance of other people, when we try to daily practice compassion and have empathy for others. Again, this attribute is very well received in business circles. How often do you hear someone say, "They have really good people skills."  Well, good people skills is another way of saying they treat people with respect and fairness, and they are considerate of their feelings and their needs. That is recognized in business today as a very desirable trait for a good manager. And true humility gives us that kind of attitude toward people. It truly helps us develop good people skills, and therefore makes us better prepared for success. Humility and success are very compatible, and as Christians in the marketplace, we'll find that striving to be truly humble will enhance our skills and our performance on the job.
11/1/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success

In the Bible we're frequently told that we should be humble, but humility doesn't seem to be the way to get ahead in this world. How can a Christian be humble and still be successful If you’re looking in bookstores or online for books to help you be successful, you'll find titles like Winning Through Intimidation, but I doubt you'll find a book entitled Finding Success through Humility. That wouldn't be a best seller, because humility is viewed as a liability rather than an asset in the business-world and elsewhere. Well, where does that leave those who are Christians trying to make a living in the world's business environment? Is the Bible's challenge for us to humble ourselves, as Jesus said, or to wear humility, as we read in Colossians 3, compatible with our desires to succeed in our careers? I believe the answer to that question is yes when we understand the real meaning of humility. What most people think of when they talk about being humble is not the real meaning of the term, but rather a false humility. Have you ever met someone who acted very humble but somehow you just didn't feel it was sincere? That kind of false humility never impresses anyone and gives humility a bad name. When we try to demonstrate our humility, then it's pretty certain we don't have it! For example, refusing to accept compliments graciously is not real humility. Saying degrading things about yourself is not a sign of humility. Refusing to accept rewards or recognition for what you've accomplished is not a sign of humility. Humility is a natural outcome of learning who we are in comparison to who God is. When we are in a life-long process of constantly learning that everything we are and everything we do is because of who God is, then humility becomes a natural characteristic. But it does not make us into a door mat nor does it keep us from achieving goals and ambitions. Indeed, true humility helps us in the business world.
10/31/20223 minutes
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Humility and Success

In the Bible we're frequently told that we should be humble, but humility doesn't seem to be the way to get ahead in this world. How can a Christian be humble and still be successful If you’re looking in bookstores or online for books to help you be successful, you'll find titles like Winning Through Intimidation, but I doubt you'll find a book entitled Finding Success through Humility. That wouldn't be a best seller, because humility is viewed as a liability rather than an asset in the business-world and elsewhere. Well, where does that leave those who are Christians trying to make a living in the world's business environment? Is the Bible's challenge for us to humble ourselves, as Jesus said, or to wear humility, as we read in Colossians 3, compatible with our desires to succeed in our careers? I believe the answer to that question is yes when we understand the real meaning of humility. What most people think of when they talk about being humble is not the real meaning of the term, but rather a false humility. Have you ever met someone who acted very humble but somehow you just didn't feel it was sincere? That kind of false humility never impresses anyone and gives humility a bad name. When we try to demonstrate our humility, then it's pretty certain we don't have it! For example, refusing to accept compliments graciously is not real humility. Saying degrading things about yourself is not a sign of humility. Refusing to accept rewards or recognition for what you've accomplished is not a sign of humility. Humility is a natural outcome of learning who we are in comparison to who God is. When we are in a life-long process of constantly learning that everything we are and everything we do is because of who God is, then humility becomes a natural characteristic. But it does not make us into a door mat nor does it keep us from achieving goals and ambitions. Indeed, true humility helps us in the business world.
10/31/20223 minutes
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Claim the Name

The Bible makes it clear that the name of Jesus is to be honored and respected above all other names. In Philippians 2:9-11 we read: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The President of the United States is called President, Leader of the Free World, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Head of a Political Party—and other titles that are given to him because he was elected President. Those titles represent his authority in various areas. Similarly, but in a much more important way, Jesus has been given names by God the Father that represent his authority, and as Christ-followers, we have access to the power of his name. I want to focus on five of the many names in the Bible that describe Jesus and I want to encourage you as a Christ-follower to claim his name for whatever need you are facing—to “claim the name.” Immanuel – God with Us In Isaiah 7:14 we read that the Messiah will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This is a name of Jesus you can claim. This means that in the midst of whatever you’re facing, you stop and claim the truth that Jesus is “God with you.” You are not alone. He will never leave you or forsake you. It means that in the middle of your pity party, when you are feeling sorry for yourself because you’re facing something all alone and you feel as though nobody cares, you can claim the name of Immanuel and know that God is with you. For those times when you feel forsaken or abandoned, when all your friends seem to have vanished, when the person closest to you doesn’t seem to understand what you’re going through, learn to tap into the power in the name of Jesus Immanuel—God with you. It’s true, but you must claim it for yourself—claim the name of Jesus Immanuel today and be encouraged because God is with you. Wonderful Counselor Our lives are full of decision points, forks in the road where the choice we make will have some significant impact in our lives. How do you make good decisions? How can you be sure that you’re choosing the right path? One of the most wonderful names given to Jesus is found in Isaiah 9:6 which says, “he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In that one verse we have four of the incredible names given to our Lord, and at the top of the list is Wonderful Counselor. What is the role of a counselor? It is to give guidance and trustworthy advice, right? So, as you’re facing some important decisions today, have you gone for counsel to Jesus, or are you just trying to figure it out on your own? His name is Wonderful Counselor—the best Counselor. Have you claimed the name of Jesus for the guidance that you need? I well remember some years ago when I was facing a dilemma in my life, one that looked potentially dire and where the wrong decision could be catastrophic. I knew I needed good advice, so what did I do? I called my best friend, who just wasn’t available to me at that moment. I kept dialing and re-dialing her number to no avail, and I actually became irritated at her for not being there when I needed her. And as I paced the floor in frustration, trying to reach my friend, so clearly the Lord reminded me that Jesus is my Wonderful Counselor. He is the one I needed to turn to first and fast, because his guidance is perfect. So, I stopped and claimed the name of Jesus—Wonderful Counselor—and took the whole situation to him in prayer. He calmed my spirit and assured me that he would guide my steps through this situation and I could trust him. After all, he’s not like any other counselor—those who can be mistaken; instead he is my wonderful, perfect Counselor. I want to encourage you today, as you’re facing some decision point,
10/29/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Claim the Name

The Bible makes it clear that the name of Jesus is to be honored and respected above all other names. In Philippians 2:9-11 we read: Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. The President of the United States is called President, Leader of the Free World, Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, Head of a Political Party—and other titles that are given to him because he was elected President. Those titles represent his authority in various areas. Similarly, but in a much more important way, Jesus has been given names by God the Father that represent his authority, and as Christ-followers, we have access to the power of his name. I want to focus on five of the many names in the Bible that describe Jesus and I want to encourage you as a Christ-follower to claim his name for whatever need you are facing—to “claim the name.” Immanuel – God with Us In Isaiah 7:14 we read that the Messiah will be called Immanuel, which means “God with us.” This is a name of Jesus you can claim. This means that in the midst of whatever you’re facing, you stop and claim the truth that Jesus is “God with you.” You are not alone. He will never leave you or forsake you. It means that in the middle of your pity party, when you are feeling sorry for yourself because you’re facing something all alone and you feel as though nobody cares, you can claim the name of Immanuel and know that God is with you. For those times when you feel forsaken or abandoned, when all your friends seem to have vanished, when the person closest to you doesn’t seem to understand what you’re going through, learn to tap into the power in the name of Jesus Immanuel—God with you. It’s true, but you must claim it for yourself—claim the name of Jesus Immanuel today and be encouraged because God is with you. Wonderful Counselor Our lives are full of decision points, forks in the road where the choice we make will have some significant impact in our lives. How do you make good decisions? How can you be sure that you’re choosing the right path? One of the most wonderful names given to Jesus is found in Isaiah 9:6 which says, “he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” In that one verse we have four of the incredible names given to our Lord, and at the top of the list is Wonderful Counselor. What is the role of a counselor? It is to give guidance and trustworthy advice, right? So, as you’re facing some important decisions today, have you gone for counsel to Jesus, or are you just trying to figure it out on your own? His name is Wonderful Counselor—the best Counselor. Have you claimed the name of Jesus for the guidance that you need? I well remember some years ago when I was facing a dilemma in my life, one that looked potentially dire and where the wrong decision could be catastrophic. I knew I needed good advice, so what did I do? I called my best friend, who just wasn’t available to me at that moment. I kept dialing and re-dialing her number to no avail, and I actually became irritated at her for not being there when I needed her. And as I paced the floor in frustration, trying to reach my friend, so clearly the Lord reminded me that Jesus is my Wonderful Counselor. He is the one I needed to turn to first and fast, because his guidance is perfect. So, I stopped and claimed the name of Jesus—Wonderful Counselor—and took the whole situation to him in prayer. He calmed my spirit and assured me that he would guide my steps through this situation and I could trust him. After all, he’s not like any other counselor—those who can be mistaken; instead he is my wonderful, perfect Counselor. I want to encourage you today, as you’re facing some decision point,
10/29/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 5

As we continue looking to 2 Chronicles 20 as our guide we see the final weapon in King Jehosaphat’s battle plan: Praise and Worship. Jehosaphat has just cried out to God asking him what to do, God answers, and immediately we see that Jehosaphat and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him and the Levites stood up to praise the Lord God shouting with a loud voice. When in the midst of a battle the people put themselves in a posture of worship and praise. Sometimes the last thing we feel like doing when we are faced with a battle is to worship God. Yet this is the very thing that brought victory and the very thing that God invites you to when you are feeling the heat of pending defeat. As my friend Becky says, turn your panic into praise! 2 Chronicles 20:20-22 continues: “Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” Praise is what defeated the enemy. This reminds me of one of my favorite worship songs. “I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies. I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief. I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me. I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me. I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee. I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery. I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!” When you are facing life’s battles, your weapon is a melody. Praise God in the middle of the battle. Praise Jesus in the middle of the storm. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
10/28/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 5

As we continue looking to 2 Chronicles 20 as our guide we see the final weapon in King Jehosaphat’s battle plan: Praise and Worship. Jehosaphat has just cried out to God asking him what to do, God answers, and immediately we see that Jehosaphat and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed down before the Lord and worshiped him and the Levites stood up to praise the Lord God shouting with a loud voice. When in the midst of a battle the people put themselves in a posture of worship and praise. Sometimes the last thing we feel like doing when we are faced with a battle is to worship God. Yet this is the very thing that brought victory and the very thing that God invites you to when you are feeling the heat of pending defeat. As my friend Becky says, turn your panic into praise! 2 Chronicles 20:20-22 continues: “Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: “Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated.” Praise is what defeated the enemy. This reminds me of one of my favorite worship songs. “I raise a hallelujah, in the presence of my enemies. I raise a hallelujah, louder than the unbelief. I raise a hallelujah, my weapon is a melody. I raise a hallelujah, Heaven comes to fight for me. I raise a hallelujah, with everything inside of me. I raise a hallelujah, I will watch the darkness flee. I raise a hallelujah, in the middle of the mystery. I raise a hallelujah, fear you lost your hold on me!” When you are facing life’s battles, your weapon is a melody. Praise God in the middle of the battle. Praise Jesus in the middle of the storm. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
10/28/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 4

What do you do when you are facing a battle? When it feels like the odds are against you? When it seems like the enemy is winning? When you are in a battle it can be easy to feel alone, surrounded on all sides, not knowing what to do. This week I have been talking about steps to creating a battle plan when you are experiencing hardships in life. I want to encourage you to remember that God is with you in the battle. In 2 Chronicles 20 when in the thick of the ensuing battle against Judah King Jehoshaphat calls out to God, “We are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) Have you ever been in a situation where you had no clue what to do? Where did you turn? Who or what did you turn to? God wants you to know that when you ask him for help, when you look to him for guidance, he is with you, the Spirit of God will counsel you. When Jehosaphat looked to God, the Lord said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours but God’s….. You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord….. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out tomorrow and face them, for Yaweh is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15b-17). When you feel defenseless. When your back is against a wall, and you don’t know what to do. When fear, worry, and anxiety grip you, look to the Lord and position yourself towards God. Being aware of God’s presence is always the way to dispel fear in your life. How often do we take the battle into our own hands and try to fight back in our own strength when God says, “You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourself. Stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-18a is another reminder of how we can take our stand against the enemy’s schemes and stand firm in the battle. The apostle Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” When you are in a battle, look to God, listen, position yourself before him, and stand firm.
10/27/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 4

What do you do when you are facing a battle? When it feels like the odds are against you? When it seems like the enemy is winning? When you are in a battle it can be easy to feel alone, surrounded on all sides, not knowing what to do. This week I have been talking about steps to creating a battle plan when you are experiencing hardships in life. I want to encourage you to remember that God is with you in the battle. In 2 Chronicles 20 when in the thick of the ensuing battle against Judah King Jehoshaphat calls out to God, “We are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” (2 Chronicles 20:12) Have you ever been in a situation where you had no clue what to do? Where did you turn? Who or what did you turn to? God wants you to know that when you ask him for help, when you look to him for guidance, he is with you, the Spirit of God will counsel you. When Jehosaphat looked to God, the Lord said, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours but God’s….. You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord….. Do not be afraid or discouraged. Go out tomorrow and face them, for Yaweh is with you” (2 Chronicles 20:15b-17). When you feel defenseless. When your back is against a wall, and you don’t know what to do. When fear, worry, and anxiety grip you, look to the Lord and position yourself towards God. Being aware of God’s presence is always the way to dispel fear in your life. How often do we take the battle into our own hands and try to fight back in our own strength when God says, “You do not have to fight this battle. Position yourself. Stand firm.” Ephesians 6:11-18a is another reminder of how we can take our stand against the enemy’s schemes and stand firm in the battle. The apostle Paul says, “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.  For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.  Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” When you are in a battle, look to God, listen, position yourself before him, and stand firm.
10/27/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 3

Sometimes other people’s lives look so perfect as if they never face challenges and everything is always going right. But that is simply not true. We all face hardships in life. If you are currently in a battle, you are not alone. So the question is not if you will be in a battle the question is “when you are in a battle, what will you do?” 2 Chronicles 20 reminds us that the first thing to do is seek the Lord. The second thing to do is to acknowledge God and pray and the next thing to do is cry out to God. Verse 9 says, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” Do you know that you serve a God that listens? In Psalm 116:1-4, we hear the words of the Psalmist as he cries out to God in the midst of his own personal battle. “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” You can hear the absolute distress in the Psalmist’s voice. He is in utter despair. There is a lot of despair in the world these days. We can find ourselves in our own times of utter darkness and hopelessness. When disaster comes and it feels like life is caving in. In those moments when you are tired and weary and you feel like you are at your wits end. When you are not sure where to turn and you feel as though there is no way through your circumstances or no way out from under the weight of life, remember to cry out to God. Not too long ago I was experiencing a really big battle in my life. I felt confused, anxious, worried, and weary. I was desperately seeking to hear the Lord’s voice. Psalm 25:4-5 became a Psalm that I recited on a daily basis, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Sometimes in the battle it will feel like a fight just to cry out to God. You can be tempted to turn to other things to distract you or to numb the pain. But remember to cry out to him. As a follower of Jesus, you have the privilege of a personal relationship with God and 24/7 access to him.
10/26/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 3

Sometimes other people’s lives look so perfect as if they never face challenges and everything is always going right. But that is simply not true. We all face hardships in life. If you are currently in a battle, you are not alone. So the question is not if you will be in a battle the question is “when you are in a battle, what will you do?” 2 Chronicles 20 reminds us that the first thing to do is seek the Lord. The second thing to do is to acknowledge God and pray and the next thing to do is cry out to God. Verse 9 says, “If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.” Do you know that you serve a God that listens? In Psalm 116:1-4, we hear the words of the Psalmist as he cries out to God in the midst of his own personal battle. “I love the Lord, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came over me; I was overcome by distress and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the Lord: “Lord, save me!” You can hear the absolute distress in the Psalmist’s voice. He is in utter despair. There is a lot of despair in the world these days. We can find ourselves in our own times of utter darkness and hopelessness. When disaster comes and it feels like life is caving in. In those moments when you are tired and weary and you feel like you are at your wits end. When you are not sure where to turn and you feel as though there is no way through your circumstances or no way out from under the weight of life, remember to cry out to God. Not too long ago I was experiencing a really big battle in my life. I felt confused, anxious, worried, and weary. I was desperately seeking to hear the Lord’s voice. Psalm 25:4-5 became a Psalm that I recited on a daily basis, “Show me your ways, Lord, teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.” Sometimes in the battle it will feel like a fight just to cry out to God. You can be tempted to turn to other things to distract you or to numb the pain. But remember to cry out to him. As a follower of Jesus, you have the privilege of a personal relationship with God and 24/7 access to him.
10/26/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 2

We all face battles in our lives, situations that are seemingly impossible, challenges that seem insurmountable. Times when our limited minds see no way around the conflict in front of us, or in us. What is your battle plan when you face difficulties in life? As we seek to formulate our own battle plan for challenges in life, we are looking to 2 Chronicles 20 for cues on how King Jehosaphat led in a battle that Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, faced. The first thing Jehosaphat did when he was afraid in the battle was to seek the Lord and he also led his people to do the same. So when you are facing a battle the first part of your plan is, seek the Lord! The second step in Jehosaphat’s battle plan was to acknowledge God and pray. 2 Chronicles 20:5-7 tells us, “Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” Don’t you just feel stronger already, hearing those powerful declarations about God? In the midst of the battle, Jehosaphat acknowledges who the Lord is and with confidence and boldness declares what is true about him, his character and his promises. I have to admit that sometimes when I am in a battle, I spend more energy staring at my circumstances and welling up with fear and anxiety rather than focusing on God. When you are in a battle do you recall and declare what is true about God? Can you easily call to mind the character of God and proclaim your courage in God? Courage is the state of mind and belief that enables you to face difficulty, fear, and pain because you know who fights your battles and who fights for you—the Lord! As a follower of Jesus, who you set your mind on and who you get your courage from determines your ability to experience victory in the battles you face. What truths about God do you need to remember? What character of God do you need to recall and declare, shout at the top of your lungs with confidence and courage, knowing the battle is not yours to fight. That the Lord is with you wherever you go. Power and might are in his hand and no one can stand against him which means he fights for you and no one or nothing can stand against you. Declare his faithfulness in the battle.
10/25/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle – 2

We all face battles in our lives, situations that are seemingly impossible, challenges that seem insurmountable. Times when our limited minds see no way around the conflict in front of us, or in us. What is your battle plan when you face difficulties in life? As we seek to formulate our own battle plan for challenges in life, we are looking to 2 Chronicles 20 for cues on how King Jehosaphat led in a battle that Judah, the southern kingdom of Israel, faced. The first thing Jehosaphat did when he was afraid in the battle was to seek the Lord and he also led his people to do the same. So when you are facing a battle the first part of your plan is, seek the Lord! The second step in Jehosaphat’s battle plan was to acknowledge God and pray. 2 Chronicles 20:5-7 tells us, “Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” Don’t you just feel stronger already, hearing those powerful declarations about God? In the midst of the battle, Jehosaphat acknowledges who the Lord is and with confidence and boldness declares what is true about him, his character and his promises. I have to admit that sometimes when I am in a battle, I spend more energy staring at my circumstances and welling up with fear and anxiety rather than focusing on God. When you are in a battle do you recall and declare what is true about God? Can you easily call to mind the character of God and proclaim your courage in God? Courage is the state of mind and belief that enables you to face difficulty, fear, and pain because you know who fights your battles and who fights for you—the Lord! As a follower of Jesus, who you set your mind on and who you get your courage from determines your ability to experience victory in the battles you face. What truths about God do you need to remember? What character of God do you need to recall and declare, shout at the top of your lungs with confidence and courage, knowing the battle is not yours to fight. That the Lord is with you wherever you go. Power and might are in his hand and no one can stand against him which means he fights for you and no one or nothing can stand against you. Declare his faithfulness in the battle.
10/25/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle

What do you do when you are in the midst of a battle? We all face battles in our lives, situations that are seemingly impossible or challenges that seem insurmountable. Times when our limited minds see no way around the conflict in front of us, or in us. We face battles in our marriage, in our thought life, at work, in our friendships, with our kids, financial battles, health battles, battles with addiction, emotional and mental battles. What is your battle plan when you face difficulties in life? How do you have courage in the battle? Let’s look at 2 Chronicles 20 and a battle that the southern kingdom of Israel, led by King Jehosaphat the fourth king of Judah, was facing for some cues. For a bit of a backstory, spiritually King Jehosaphat began his reign in a positive way, seeking the Lord, and leading his people to fear and follow God. But like many of the human kings we read about in the Old Testament, Jehosaphat had his shortcomings. Despite his misgivings we see how he led God’s people to victory when a vast number of their enemies were in hot pursuit to destroy them. There are five parts of his battle plan that are important as you prepare your plan for the battles you will face in your life. When faced with what appeared to be an insurmountable battle the first thing Jehosaphat did when he was afraid was that he resolved to seek the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:3). He was determined and resolute to fix his eyes on and seek God. When you are afraid, what is your knee-jerk reaction? What or who do you give your first attention to? It can be easy to give in to fear and forget to seek God. It can be tempting to phone a friend and rely purely on human wisdom (which by the way - phoning a wise friend is a good idea). We just sometimes forget to seek the Lord and his wisdom. After all, the battle does not surprise him so you need to fix your eyes on Jesus. Jehosaphat also “proclaimed a fast for all Judah, who gathered to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps you take your eyes off the things of this world and focus completely on God. It helps gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God as you seek him for answers and direction. The next time you are facing a battle, resolve to seek the Lord first. Consider fasting as you enquire of the Lord and his wisdom for the road ahead.
10/24/20223 minutes
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Five Things to do When You’re Facing a Battle

What do you do when you are in the midst of a battle? We all face battles in our lives, situations that are seemingly impossible or challenges that seem insurmountable. Times when our limited minds see no way around the conflict in front of us, or in us. We face battles in our marriage, in our thought life, at work, in our friendships, with our kids, financial battles, health battles, battles with addiction, emotional and mental battles. What is your battle plan when you face difficulties in life? How do you have courage in the battle? Let’s look at 2 Chronicles 20 and a battle that the southern kingdom of Israel, led by King Jehosaphat the fourth king of Judah, was facing for some cues. For a bit of a backstory, spiritually King Jehosaphat began his reign in a positive way, seeking the Lord, and leading his people to fear and follow God. But like many of the human kings we read about in the Old Testament, Jehosaphat had his shortcomings. Despite his misgivings we see how he led God’s people to victory when a vast number of their enemies were in hot pursuit to destroy them. There are five parts of his battle plan that are important as you prepare your plan for the battles you will face in your life. When faced with what appeared to be an insurmountable battle the first thing Jehosaphat did when he was afraid was that he resolved to seek the Lord. (2 Chronicles 20:3). He was determined and resolute to fix his eyes on and seek God. When you are afraid, what is your knee-jerk reaction? What or who do you give your first attention to? It can be easy to give in to fear and forget to seek God. It can be tempting to phone a friend and rely purely on human wisdom (which by the way - phoning a wise friend is a good idea). We just sometimes forget to seek the Lord and his wisdom. After all, the battle does not surprise him so you need to fix your eyes on Jesus. Jehosaphat also “proclaimed a fast for all Judah, who gathered to seek the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 20:3). Fasting is a spiritual discipline that helps you take your eyes off the things of this world and focus completely on God. It helps gain a new perspective and a renewed reliance upon God as you seek him for answers and direction. The next time you are facing a battle, resolve to seek the Lord first. Consider fasting as you enquire of the Lord and his wisdom for the road ahead.
10/24/20223 minutes
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Stewarding Our Choices

I want to talk about stewardship and in particular, how we steward our choices. I want to talk about this is because I think when we think about how we steward our choices, it actually empowers us as leaders—in whatever capacity you're leading—to lead out of a God-given sense of self-worth. Now the church loves to talk about stewardship. We hear messages on how we steward our finances, how we steward our time, how we steward our resources. And these are really important things. But I can't tell you the last time, if ever, I heard a sermon on stewarding our choices. What I want to focus on is that this choice to function consistently out of a biblically defined understanding of our self-worth, particularly as it relates to our role as leaders, as women, it can have a profound impact on how we view and use our emotions; how we navigate boundaries, and it can actually enhance our ability for valuable risk-taking. But let's stop and think about this because let's be honest, choices stress us out. We face choices every day. I start off the day with “What am I going to wear?” “What am I going to look like when I head into my meetings?” And then I start thinking about “What am I going to eat for breakfast?” And some of you were probably thinking about “What am I going to feed my kids or spouse for breakfast?” And then I think about, “Okay, what tasks do I have to focus on at work today?” Because definitely there's no way I'm getting everything on my to do list done. And then I move onto, “I know we've got performance improvement plans coming up. So, do I need to let this person know what their outcome is going to be today? How is that going to make them feel? How's that going to make me feel?” I'm also a psychologist, and so I have clients that come into my office and they're wrestling with even bigger choices, things like “Should I stay in my marriage—even though my husband was selfish and cheated and doesn't act like he wants to be married anymore?” Or perhaps you're faced with a choice that says, “Do I follow this doctor's suggestion, or do I get a second opinion?” Choices are all around us. A huge part of my career is focused on helping people who get stuck in those choices. They're dealing with the consequence of perhaps past choices, or they're paralyzed with fear over future choices. And, you know, I think back to the Fall in Genesis. The Old Testament displays from the beginning of creation how God designed us to be gifted with the ability to choose. This was given to no other element of creation. And what did we do? We kind of messed it up. And the consequence is that our daily choices, the things that we have to choose, they leave us feeling pretty up in the air. We're not grounded. I think it is because just like Adam and Eve did, we're trying to build routes and choices that are pretty fleeting. Adam and Eve wanted to route themselves in the choice of knowledge instead of the truth of who they were in Christ, which was perfect image bearers of God. We miss this practice of navigating our lives from a launching point of the choice, the one choice that really, truly matters. And that's what is going to ground us in the midst of everything when everything around us feels like chaos. We have the choice to fully embrace and act out of a true definition of our self-worth. So how do you steward your choices? It's a big question. Because when we don't steward our choices, so often, we function from a place of trying to please other people to serve and to maybe sacrifice out of fear of being cast out, not included. And unfortunately, we oftentimes then find our lives in chaos. If you're in that circumstance, you might be asking yourself, “How do I remain grounded when my choices around me don't have me feeling confident?” Perhaps you are feeling uncertain, incapable, uncomfortable, and not grounded at all. But the reality is, God has given us a choice.
10/22/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Stewarding Our Choices

I want to talk about stewardship and in particular, how we steward our choices. I want to talk about this is because I think when we think about how we steward our choices, it actually empowers us as leaders—in whatever capacity you're leading—to lead out of a God-given sense of self-worth. Now the church loves to talk about stewardship. We hear messages on how we steward our finances, how we steward our time, how we steward our resources. And these are really important things. But I can't tell you the last time, if ever, I heard a sermon on stewarding our choices. What I want to focus on is that this choice to function consistently out of a biblically defined understanding of our self-worth, particularly as it relates to our role as leaders, as women, it can have a profound impact on how we view and use our emotions; how we navigate boundaries, and it can actually enhance our ability for valuable risk-taking. But let's stop and think about this because let's be honest, choices stress us out. We face choices every day. I start off the day with “What am I going to wear?” “What am I going to look like when I head into my meetings?” And then I start thinking about “What am I going to eat for breakfast?” And some of you were probably thinking about “What am I going to feed my kids or spouse for breakfast?” And then I think about, “Okay, what tasks do I have to focus on at work today?” Because definitely there's no way I'm getting everything on my to do list done. And then I move onto, “I know we've got performance improvement plans coming up. So, do I need to let this person know what their outcome is going to be today? How is that going to make them feel? How's that going to make me feel?” I'm also a psychologist, and so I have clients that come into my office and they're wrestling with even bigger choices, things like “Should I stay in my marriage—even though my husband was selfish and cheated and doesn't act like he wants to be married anymore?” Or perhaps you're faced with a choice that says, “Do I follow this doctor's suggestion, or do I get a second opinion?” Choices are all around us. A huge part of my career is focused on helping people who get stuck in those choices. They're dealing with the consequence of perhaps past choices, or they're paralyzed with fear over future choices. And, you know, I think back to the Fall in Genesis. The Old Testament displays from the beginning of creation how God designed us to be gifted with the ability to choose. This was given to no other element of creation. And what did we do? We kind of messed it up. And the consequence is that our daily choices, the things that we have to choose, they leave us feeling pretty up in the air. We're not grounded. I think it is because just like Adam and Eve did, we're trying to build routes and choices that are pretty fleeting. Adam and Eve wanted to route themselves in the choice of knowledge instead of the truth of who they were in Christ, which was perfect image bearers of God. We miss this practice of navigating our lives from a launching point of the choice, the one choice that really, truly matters. And that's what is going to ground us in the midst of everything when everything around us feels like chaos. We have the choice to fully embrace and act out of a true definition of our self-worth. So how do you steward your choices? It's a big question. Because when we don't steward our choices, so often, we function from a place of trying to please other people to serve and to maybe sacrifice out of fear of being cast out, not included. And unfortunately, we oftentimes then find our lives in chaos. If you're in that circumstance, you might be asking yourself, “How do I remain grounded when my choices around me don't have me feeling confident?” Perhaps you are feeling uncertain, incapable, uncomfortable, and not grounded at all. But the reality is, God has given us a choice.
10/22/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Prepared to Fight – 5

We have been given only one offensive weapon to use in this spiritual battle, but it is all we need. The Word of God is our sword (Ephesians 6:17). Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Remember how Jesus defeated Satan when he was tempted on the mountain. He quoted Scripture back to him, and though Satan tried three times to trick Jesus, he finally had to give up because the Word of God is far too powerful for him. Now let me ask you something. If Jesus had to use the Word of God to defeat Satan, how much more do we? You will remember also that the Word of God was in his head. He knew it and could recall it when he needed it. Does that give you some idea of how to use the Word of God as your sword? You need to know it to use it, and when you do, Satan has absolutely no defense against it. Here’s the thing: you need to wear all of this armor every day to stand against your enemy. I want to encourage you to start praying on each piece of the armor daily, before you leave home, so you're prepared for that enemy. So, pray on each day the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of God's Word. I have learned to do this, and I find that it becomes that daily reminder and awareness of the battle I face and how important this armor is to my survival as an effective witness for Jesus Christ. I trust you will get very serious about putting on the armor of God on a daily basis, so that you are able to withstand the enemy's attack and be victorious. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
10/21/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 5

We have been given only one offensive weapon to use in this spiritual battle, but it is all we need. The Word of God is our sword (Ephesians 6:17). Paul said in 2 Corinthians 10:4 that "the weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds.” Remember how Jesus defeated Satan when he was tempted on the mountain. He quoted Scripture back to him, and though Satan tried three times to trick Jesus, he finally had to give up because the Word of God is far too powerful for him. Now let me ask you something. If Jesus had to use the Word of God to defeat Satan, how much more do we? You will remember also that the Word of God was in his head. He knew it and could recall it when he needed it. Does that give you some idea of how to use the Word of God as your sword? You need to know it to use it, and when you do, Satan has absolutely no defense against it. Here’s the thing: you need to wear all of this armor every day to stand against your enemy. I want to encourage you to start praying on each piece of the armor daily, before you leave home, so you're prepared for that enemy. So, pray on each day the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, the shoes of peace, the helmet of salvation, the shield of faith and the sword of God's Word. I have learned to do this, and I find that it becomes that daily reminder and awareness of the battle I face and how important this armor is to my survival as an effective witness for Jesus Christ. I trust you will get very serious about putting on the armor of God on a daily basis, so that you are able to withstand the enemy's attack and be victorious. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
10/21/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 4

Another piece of that armor is the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). The Scripture says with this shield we can extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. All of them, not just some of them. Do you know how to use the shield of faith against Satan? Taking the shield of faith is directly related to knowing God. The more you know him, the more you will trust him, and the more you trust him, the stronger will be your shield of faith. Do you know whom you have believed? Knowing God is all important. Sadly, many of us know more about our friends than we do about God. Until you pursue a knowledge of God, your shield of faith will be weak, and will not stand up against all those flaming missiles that your enemy is constantly throwing at you. You need faith, and faith comes as you get to know God. Faith also comes through exercise. When you trust God in a certain situation, and you see how he protects you, then the next time the enemy comes at you, your shield of faith is stronger because you remember the last time when you exercised faith, and God took care of you. Faith builds faith, but it has to begin by knowing God so that you believe he is trustworthy. Our next piece of armor is the helmet of salvation, which protects our head (Ephesians 6:17). We are all aware that our minds are vital to the health of our body, both physically and emotionally. The Bible tells us that we are what we think. Before anything happens outwardly, it has its beginnings in our mind. Little wonder that Satan makes his greatest effort to control our thinking. If he can capture your mind, he can control and destroy you. Without the helmet of salvation every day as your protection, you are defenseless. Protecting your mind with the salvation which comes from Christ means that you don't allow anything into your mind that contradicts or violates or offends that salvation. If you are not willing to carefully control what goes into your mind, and to make certain that you consistently fill your mind with good things, your mind will be unprotected and provide an easy target for your great enemy, Satan. So, put good things into your mind, and keeping the wrong things out. That will win your battle with Satan.
10/20/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 4

Another piece of that armor is the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16). The Scripture says with this shield we can extinguish all the flaming missiles of the evil one. All of them, not just some of them. Do you know how to use the shield of faith against Satan? Taking the shield of faith is directly related to knowing God. The more you know him, the more you will trust him, and the more you trust him, the stronger will be your shield of faith. Do you know whom you have believed? Knowing God is all important. Sadly, many of us know more about our friends than we do about God. Until you pursue a knowledge of God, your shield of faith will be weak, and will not stand up against all those flaming missiles that your enemy is constantly throwing at you. You need faith, and faith comes as you get to know God. Faith also comes through exercise. When you trust God in a certain situation, and you see how he protects you, then the next time the enemy comes at you, your shield of faith is stronger because you remember the last time when you exercised faith, and God took care of you. Faith builds faith, but it has to begin by knowing God so that you believe he is trustworthy. Our next piece of armor is the helmet of salvation, which protects our head (Ephesians 6:17). We are all aware that our minds are vital to the health of our body, both physically and emotionally. The Bible tells us that we are what we think. Before anything happens outwardly, it has its beginnings in our mind. Little wonder that Satan makes his greatest effort to control our thinking. If he can capture your mind, he can control and destroy you. Without the helmet of salvation every day as your protection, you are defenseless. Protecting your mind with the salvation which comes from Christ means that you don't allow anything into your mind that contradicts or violates or offends that salvation. If you are not willing to carefully control what goes into your mind, and to make certain that you consistently fill your mind with good things, your mind will be unprotected and provide an easy target for your great enemy, Satan. So, put good things into your mind, and keeping the wrong things out. That will win your battle with Satan.
10/20/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 3

Do you get prepared for battle every day? Are you aware that, as a Christian, you are in a very real struggle with a most real enemy? Already we've talked about the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness, two important pieces of our armor from Ephesians 6. The next one is the gospel of peace to be worn on our feet (6:15). Did you ever wonder why peace is to be worn on your feet? Seems a little illogical, when you think about. I would have guessed that peace would be worn on our hearts. We think of having peace in our hearts. But instead we're told to put peace on our feet. Why? Well, you see, when you have peace on your feet, then nothing can stop you. Think about it: When your feet aren't properly protected or when your shoes are hurting you, it's hard to keep going, isn't it? If you're taking a hike, you don't put on shoes with three-inch heels. You wouldn't get very far in those shoes. If you are to run a race and finish it, you have to wear the right shoes. Well, peace is the boot you wear that will get you through anything. Peace on your feet protects you from the conditions of the path on which you are walking; you are no longer vulnerable to the surroundings or the environment. Doesn't matter where that road takes you—into a desert with burning sand, or through ice and snow, or in a lovely meadow with flowers and birds—if you're wearing the boots of peace you can keep going because your feet are protected. Fear debilitates us, incapacitates us, handicaps us, but peace frees us to keep on keepin' on. This is peace which passes all understanding, even your own. And Satan hates to see it in a Christian because those sandals of peace on your feet make you strong and give you endurance. Wearing peace on your feet also gives you a strong testimony in this troubled world. Have you been wearing the shoes of peace lately? You need to have them on to be prepared to fight an enemy who is out to get you. Pray on those shoes of peace; you shouldn't leave home without them.
10/19/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 3

Do you get prepared for battle every day? Are you aware that, as a Christian, you are in a very real struggle with a most real enemy? Already we've talked about the belt of truth and the breastplate of righteousness, two important pieces of our armor from Ephesians 6. The next one is the gospel of peace to be worn on our feet (6:15). Did you ever wonder why peace is to be worn on your feet? Seems a little illogical, when you think about. I would have guessed that peace would be worn on our hearts. We think of having peace in our hearts. But instead we're told to put peace on our feet. Why? Well, you see, when you have peace on your feet, then nothing can stop you. Think about it: When your feet aren't properly protected or when your shoes are hurting you, it's hard to keep going, isn't it? If you're taking a hike, you don't put on shoes with three-inch heels. You wouldn't get very far in those shoes. If you are to run a race and finish it, you have to wear the right shoes. Well, peace is the boot you wear that will get you through anything. Peace on your feet protects you from the conditions of the path on which you are walking; you are no longer vulnerable to the surroundings or the environment. Doesn't matter where that road takes you—into a desert with burning sand, or through ice and snow, or in a lovely meadow with flowers and birds—if you're wearing the boots of peace you can keep going because your feet are protected. Fear debilitates us, incapacitates us, handicaps us, but peace frees us to keep on keepin' on. This is peace which passes all understanding, even your own. And Satan hates to see it in a Christian because those sandals of peace on your feet make you strong and give you endurance. Wearing peace on your feet also gives you a strong testimony in this troubled world. Have you been wearing the shoes of peace lately? You need to have them on to be prepared to fight an enemy who is out to get you. Pray on those shoes of peace; you shouldn't leave home without them.
10/19/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 2

Did you know that Christians are supposed to be fighters? Well, the truth is—we're in a daily battle, and we have an expert opponent—Satan. In Ephesians 6 we're told to put on the armor of God, the first piece of that armor was the belt of truth. The next one is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14). This is designed to protect an area of extreme vulnerability, our hearts, our feelings and emotions. One way Satan attacks our hearts is by telling us that we are total failures, and therefore we can never be worthy or do anything for God. We know from Revelation 12:10 that Satan is our accuser, and many times he succeeds in convincing Christians that they have no value because they have no righteousness of their own. He loves to bring up your past sin and keep you mired in your past, wounded in your heart. While it's true that we are unworthy in ourselves, what Satan does not want us to discover is that we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ available to us to wear as our breastplate. That's the secret: We wear the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not our own. I'm a big believer in talking back to our enemy, to remind him and ourselves that he is truly powerless over us. If you remember, that's how Jesus defeated Satan when he was tempted (Luke 4:1-13). So, when the enemy starts to attack you, talk back and use the Word of God. Say, "Wait a minute; you must not know who you're talking to. I'm a child of God; I have the righteousness of Jesus Christ as my breastplate. Therefore, no matter what you say about me, you're wrong. I'm a new person and you can no longer defeat me. Try it. Put on the breastplate of righteousness before you leave home each day, and all through the day remember to talk back to your enemy when he tries to destroy you through accusations.
10/18/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight – 2

Did you know that Christians are supposed to be fighters? Well, the truth is—we're in a daily battle, and we have an expert opponent—Satan. In Ephesians 6 we're told to put on the armor of God, the first piece of that armor was the belt of truth. The next one is the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:14). This is designed to protect an area of extreme vulnerability, our hearts, our feelings and emotions. One way Satan attacks our hearts is by telling us that we are total failures, and therefore we can never be worthy or do anything for God. We know from Revelation 12:10 that Satan is our accuser, and many times he succeeds in convincing Christians that they have no value because they have no righteousness of their own. He loves to bring up your past sin and keep you mired in your past, wounded in your heart. While it's true that we are unworthy in ourselves, what Satan does not want us to discover is that we have the righteousness of Jesus Christ available to us to wear as our breastplate. That's the secret: We wear the righteousness of Jesus Christ, not our own. I'm a big believer in talking back to our enemy, to remind him and ourselves that he is truly powerless over us. If you remember, that's how Jesus defeated Satan when he was tempted (Luke 4:1-13). So, when the enemy starts to attack you, talk back and use the Word of God. Say, "Wait a minute; you must not know who you're talking to. I'm a child of God; I have the righteousness of Jesus Christ as my breastplate. Therefore, no matter what you say about me, you're wrong. I'm a new person and you can no longer defeat me. Try it. Put on the breastplate of righteousness before you leave home each day, and all through the day remember to talk back to your enemy when he tries to destroy you through accusations.
10/18/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight

If you're a Christian, do you realize that you are in a fight, a real war, every day of your life? Are you prepared for the fight that faces you? We know from Scripture that as Christians we have an enemy, and that enemy has one objective: to destroy us. He is ruthless and he knows how to fight and does it very well. In 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) we read: "Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” In referring to Satan, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 ESV). In the sixth chapter of Ephesians we find very explicit instructions on how to fight this enemy of ours. Paul clearly tells us that if we put on God's complete armor, we can successfully resist all the devil's methods of attack. Have you ever learned how to put on the armor of God? Do you do it on a daily basis? If you don't, you are going to war completely unprepared and headed for defeat. Let's look at each piece of this armor. The first part is a protective belt called truth (Ephesians 6:14). Since Satan is a liar and the father of lies, his favorite tactic is to lie to us, and he's very good at it. He will lie to you in your thought life, he will lie to you through what you hear and believe from other people, and through what you read and see. We must learn to detect his lies. The Word of God must become our testing station whereby we determine what is true and what is a lie from Satan. Satan loves to get us to rationalize our way into untruth. We put our human reasoning to work, coupled with our sinful nature and the lies of our culture, and the first thing you know we're justifying sinful behavior—such as lying, affairs, unethical behavior of all sorts. We justify ourselves with words like "But this is different.” Or "I really love him.” Or "I know God understands. . .” Friends, God never changes his mind and the Bible spells truth out very clearly. We have to know that truth and obey it in order to defeat our enemy. When there is any area of untruth in our lives, we are walking right into Satan's territory, and we're on our way to defeat. Have you told or done anything untruthful which needs to be set right? If so, do it today. Don't mess around in Satan's territory of lying. When you do, you cannot wear the belt of truth and without that belt, you are wide open to the enemy's lies.
10/17/20223 minutes
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Prepared to Fight

If you're a Christian, do you realize that you are in a fight, a real war, every day of your life? Are you prepared for the fight that faces you? We know from Scripture that as Christians we have an enemy, and that enemy has one objective: to destroy us. He is ruthless and he knows how to fight and does it very well. In 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV) we read: "Your adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.” In referring to Satan, Jesus said, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy” (John 10:10 ESV). In the sixth chapter of Ephesians we find very explicit instructions on how to fight this enemy of ours. Paul clearly tells us that if we put on God's complete armor, we can successfully resist all the devil's methods of attack. Have you ever learned how to put on the armor of God? Do you do it on a daily basis? If you don't, you are going to war completely unprepared and headed for defeat. Let's look at each piece of this armor. The first part is a protective belt called truth (Ephesians 6:14). Since Satan is a liar and the father of lies, his favorite tactic is to lie to us, and he's very good at it. He will lie to you in your thought life, he will lie to you through what you hear and believe from other people, and through what you read and see. We must learn to detect his lies. The Word of God must become our testing station whereby we determine what is true and what is a lie from Satan. Satan loves to get us to rationalize our way into untruth. We put our human reasoning to work, coupled with our sinful nature and the lies of our culture, and the first thing you know we're justifying sinful behavior—such as lying, affairs, unethical behavior of all sorts. We justify ourselves with words like "But this is different.” Or "I really love him.” Or "I know God understands. . .” Friends, God never changes his mind and the Bible spells truth out very clearly. We have to know that truth and obey it in order to defeat our enemy. When there is any area of untruth in our lives, we are walking right into Satan's territory, and we're on our way to defeat. Have you told or done anything untruthful which needs to be set right? If so, do it today. Don't mess around in Satan's territory of lying. When you do, you cannot wear the belt of truth and without that belt, you are wide open to the enemy's lies.
10/17/20223 minutes
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The Grasshopper Disease Part 2

This grasshopper disease came on the children of Israel when they were afraid to possess the land God had given them. They said "we look like grasshoppers" and they figured they couldn’t win the fight, so they wanted to quit and go back to Egypt. The disciples gave up on feeding the crowd of 5000 because they didn't have enough money or food. They caught the grasshopper disease, too. And you know what, you and I catch it from time to time, don’t we? But there's another servant of God who did the right thing when faced with his own crisis. We looked last week at 2 Chronicles 20 and the story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, who is facing a vast army and doomed for defeat. Instead of giving up, he called the people together and inquired of the Lord. I want to read now the prayer he prayed at that moment. It's found in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. "Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Jehoshaphat's response to his impossible situation is a sure cure for the grasshopper disease.    I want to point out seven R's that I hope you'll remember, because this is the cure for you when you’re coming down with the grasshopper disease. The first R - Recite who God is. Notice that the first thing Jehoshaphat does is to recite the characteristics and nature of God: “Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (2 Chronicles 20:6). Jehoshaphat's first move was to remind himself and his people of God and his power. And it has to be our first move, too. We must go back to the basics. We must have an in-depth knowledge of the nature of God. That means we must get to know God. Are you able to recite the nature and character of God? Is it firmly established in your heart and mind? When there are no answers, we must begin by reciting who God is. The second R - Remember God's great works. After reciting who God is, Jehoshaphat remembers what God had done: "Did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7). Isn't it amazing how your memory goes on you when you're in a crisis or when you're frightened? It takes an act of your will to remember what you should remember. But it's really important at these times that you purposely remember God's past miracles in your life, his faithfulness to you in days gone by, his deeds of old, as Jehoshaphat did. That's an important step two in curing the grasshopper disease. The third R -  Recall God's promises. Notice that next Jehoshaphat recalls God's promises to the children of Israel. He says: "If calamity comes upon us...we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will c...
10/15/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Grasshopper Disease Part 2

This grasshopper disease came on the children of Israel when they were afraid to possess the land God had given them. They said "we look like grasshoppers" and they figured they couldn’t win the fight, so they wanted to quit and go back to Egypt. The disciples gave up on feeding the crowd of 5000 because they didn't have enough money or food. They caught the grasshopper disease, too. And you know what, you and I catch it from time to time, don’t we? But there's another servant of God who did the right thing when faced with his own crisis. We looked last week at 2 Chronicles 20 and the story of Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, who is facing a vast army and doomed for defeat. Instead of giving up, he called the people together and inquired of the Lord. I want to read now the prayer he prayed at that moment. It's found in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. "Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the Lord in the front of the new courtyard and said: “Lord, the God of our ancestors, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you. Our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, ‘If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.’ “But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. Our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are on you.” Jehoshaphat's response to his impossible situation is a sure cure for the grasshopper disease.    I want to point out seven R's that I hope you'll remember, because this is the cure for you when you’re coming down with the grasshopper disease. The first R - Recite who God is. Notice that the first thing Jehoshaphat does is to recite the characteristics and nature of God: “Are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no one can withstand you.” (2 Chronicles 20:6). Jehoshaphat's first move was to remind himself and his people of God and his power. And it has to be our first move, too. We must go back to the basics. We must have an in-depth knowledge of the nature of God. That means we must get to know God. Are you able to recite the nature and character of God? Is it firmly established in your heart and mind? When there are no answers, we must begin by reciting who God is. The second R - Remember God's great works. After reciting who God is, Jehoshaphat remembers what God had done: "Did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7). Isn't it amazing how your memory goes on you when you're in a crisis or when you're frightened? It takes an act of your will to remember what you should remember. But it's really important at these times that you purposely remember God's past miracles in your life, his faithfulness to you in days gone by, his deeds of old, as Jehoshaphat did. That's an important step two in curing the grasshopper disease. The third R -  Recall God's promises. Notice that next Jehoshaphat recalls God's promises to the children of Israel. He says: "If calamity comes upon us...we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will c...
10/15/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Firmly Grounded – 5

If you haven’t read the book of Esther, I encourage you do so. Esther was faced with a challenge to go and share with the King that something was going to happen to her people. She told the King “My people are at risk. They are going to be completely taken away from the earth.  There is a death wish on my life.” Her bold and courageous actions put her in a position of risking her own life. There is a part toward the end of the book of Esther where Mordecai, her cousin, who is taking care of her, the one who has told her of the plot to kill the Jews, tells her you can choose to remain silent. Like Esther it is actually your right as well. But rest assured that God’s purpose will prevail because he has a promised plan for us. And you are able to determine, in this critical moment, how your actions, or the lack there of, will influence the course of your history or simply tuck you away in its shadows. Esther with faith, courage and conviction replies, “I will rise. I will speak out. I will respectfully push back.” I am so inspired by Esther’s response here. You know why? Because she recognized that she had something to lose, and she was willing to lose that in order to gain a partnership with God and become a liberator. So often we navigate this world only thinking about gains.  What am I going to accomplish? What am I going to get out of this? What am I going to receive in return? And yet so often we fail to consider what we could lose.  And that is equally, if not more important, than considering our gains. Esther had the very lives of her people in her hands, and she was willing to say that she was not willing to risk that loss. When you think about your day-to-day life, what are you actually losing? It may not be as significant as what Esther was about to lose, but maybe it is time with your family, or time with the Lord. Or maybe it is the opportunity to do something else. So, I would encourage you, as you face your decisions, to be bold and courageous, and don’t forget to consider the losses as well.  Maybe, just maybe, there are actually losses you are not willing to incur. (If you would like the devotional for the entire week, click here.)
10/14/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 5

If you haven’t read the book of Esther, I encourage you do so. Esther was faced with a challenge to go and share with the King that something was going to happen to her people. She told the King “My people are at risk. They are going to be completely taken away from the earth.  There is a death wish on my life.” Her bold and courageous actions put her in a position of risking her own life. There is a part toward the end of the book of Esther where Mordecai, her cousin, who is taking care of her, the one who has told her of the plot to kill the Jews, tells her you can choose to remain silent. Like Esther it is actually your right as well. But rest assured that God’s purpose will prevail because he has a promised plan for us. And you are able to determine, in this critical moment, how your actions, or the lack there of, will influence the course of your history or simply tuck you away in its shadows. Esther with faith, courage and conviction replies, “I will rise. I will speak out. I will respectfully push back.” I am so inspired by Esther’s response here. You know why? Because she recognized that she had something to lose, and she was willing to lose that in order to gain a partnership with God and become a liberator. So often we navigate this world only thinking about gains.  What am I going to accomplish? What am I going to get out of this? What am I going to receive in return? And yet so often we fail to consider what we could lose.  And that is equally, if not more important, than considering our gains. Esther had the very lives of her people in her hands, and she was willing to say that she was not willing to risk that loss. When you think about your day-to-day life, what are you actually losing? It may not be as significant as what Esther was about to lose, but maybe it is time with your family, or time with the Lord. Or maybe it is the opportunity to do something else. So, I would encourage you, as you face your decisions, to be bold and courageous, and don’t forget to consider the losses as well.  Maybe, just maybe, there are actually losses you are not willing to incur. (If you would like the devotional for the entire week, click here.)
10/14/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 4

One thing that always strikes me when reading through Jesus’ earthly ministry is how frequently and perhaps even how easily he set healthy boundaries despite the pressures of others. I don’t know about you, but I am typically the type of person that when a request is made of me, or I feel called to step into a situation, I am pretty apt to say “yes” right away. I don’t often place boundaries around my time like I would like to, or say “no” to the people around me in fear of letting them down. Yet, when I look at Jesus’ example, so often his willingness and his abilities to set boundaries was out of necessity for sustenance and a nourishment from the Father first. He stole away to quiet places to pray. The time he spent in the desert and resting and praying makes me feel uncomfortable as I face the pressures of my life. To think about taking days or weeks at a time to spend with the Lord makes me think about “all the things on my to-do list: what am I to do about all those things?” When I don’t set those healthy boundaries around my daily choices, too often I am not functioning out of God’s design for my life. I am trying to take things into my own hands. So, I want to encourage you, if you are walking in a season of challenges and difficulties, maybe you’re in a season of growth and opportunity, and you’re knowing that you are stepping into this bold and courageous place. How can you set healthy boundaries around your time, your relationships, your time with the Lord, with your family? That takes the ability to stop and ask yourself, “what is most important to me?” When I have new clients, one of the first activities we usually do is list out everything in their life that is important to them. Nothing is too significant or insignificant. We end up with a list of 25-30 things and then we go back and rank the top ten. Then I ask them to think back over the last week and over the last few days and ask, “How often have you prioritized these things?” And as you can imagine it makes them uncomfortable and it reminds me of how often I don’t prioritize my most important things. So, I encourage you, set boundaries like Jesus did. Even if you feel like you don’t have the time or space take five minutes, ten minutes, even one minute as a great starting point. Your decisions, your family, the people around you will thank you.
10/13/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 4

One thing that always strikes me when reading through Jesus’ earthly ministry is how frequently and perhaps even how easily he set healthy boundaries despite the pressures of others. I don’t know about you, but I am typically the type of person that when a request is made of me, or I feel called to step into a situation, I am pretty apt to say “yes” right away. I don’t often place boundaries around my time like I would like to, or say “no” to the people around me in fear of letting them down. Yet, when I look at Jesus’ example, so often his willingness and his abilities to set boundaries was out of necessity for sustenance and a nourishment from the Father first. He stole away to quiet places to pray. The time he spent in the desert and resting and praying makes me feel uncomfortable as I face the pressures of my life. To think about taking days or weeks at a time to spend with the Lord makes me think about “all the things on my to-do list: what am I to do about all those things?” When I don’t set those healthy boundaries around my daily choices, too often I am not functioning out of God’s design for my life. I am trying to take things into my own hands. So, I want to encourage you, if you are walking in a season of challenges and difficulties, maybe you’re in a season of growth and opportunity, and you’re knowing that you are stepping into this bold and courageous place. How can you set healthy boundaries around your time, your relationships, your time with the Lord, with your family? That takes the ability to stop and ask yourself, “what is most important to me?” When I have new clients, one of the first activities we usually do is list out everything in their life that is important to them. Nothing is too significant or insignificant. We end up with a list of 25-30 things and then we go back and rank the top ten. Then I ask them to think back over the last week and over the last few days and ask, “How often have you prioritized these things?” And as you can imagine it makes them uncomfortable and it reminds me of how often I don’t prioritize my most important things. So, I encourage you, set boundaries like Jesus did. Even if you feel like you don’t have the time or space take five minutes, ten minutes, even one minute as a great starting point. Your decisions, your family, the people around you will thank you.
10/13/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 3

Is there a season or circumstance that may be happening right now where God is calling you to step out, to say something, to be an agent of change, to support the people around you? Whatever that circumstance is for you, I want you to consider the importance of context. Context is something that we often take for granted or forget to consider, especially if our circumstance is immediate and possibly causing us a lot of pressure. We have to get this done now. We need a solution in place. And we fail to consider context. That often can cause damage to our relationships that can actually create a solution that is not long term or more damaging than we had hoped. Looking at Esther’s story, one of the things that is so important is when her cousin Mordecai first comes to her to let her know that there is someone out there who wants to obliterate their people. And when this message is sent to Esther it comes through the people around her. Mordecai doesn’t come directly to Esther, and Esther needs some clarification. Sometimes when we are faced with an obstacle or a solution one of our first responses might be to immediately go to someone—the source of the problem or the person in charge—and ask for help, support, or clarity. But what we see Esther do here is so important. When she first becomes aware of Mordecai’s distress, and he can’t come to her because under the Persian law he is in mourning, she is beside herself. She wants to know what is happening, what is going on and what is troubling Mordecai. So, she actually sends clothes for him to change so that under the law he could come to her. But he objects. When we are in those seasons when we act on a situation, especially in an emergency, and things don’t go as we had planned, we immediately push back. And yet Esther pauses. She chooses to respect Mordecai’s decision. She considers the context of the situation. You know what she does next? She flexes in her approach. So, as you are facing a difficult season or circumstance and you are being called to step out in boldness and courage, I want you to consider the context of your circumstance and be open to flexibility.
10/12/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 3

Is there a season or circumstance that may be happening right now where God is calling you to step out, to say something, to be an agent of change, to support the people around you? Whatever that circumstance is for you, I want you to consider the importance of context. Context is something that we often take for granted or forget to consider, especially if our circumstance is immediate and possibly causing us a lot of pressure. We have to get this done now. We need a solution in place. And we fail to consider context. That often can cause damage to our relationships that can actually create a solution that is not long term or more damaging than we had hoped. Looking at Esther’s story, one of the things that is so important is when her cousin Mordecai first comes to her to let her know that there is someone out there who wants to obliterate their people. And when this message is sent to Esther it comes through the people around her. Mordecai doesn’t come directly to Esther, and Esther needs some clarification. Sometimes when we are faced with an obstacle or a solution one of our first responses might be to immediately go to someone—the source of the problem or the person in charge—and ask for help, support, or clarity. But what we see Esther do here is so important. When she first becomes aware of Mordecai’s distress, and he can’t come to her because under the Persian law he is in mourning, she is beside herself. She wants to know what is happening, what is going on and what is troubling Mordecai. So, she actually sends clothes for him to change so that under the law he could come to her. But he objects. When we are in those seasons when we act on a situation, especially in an emergency, and things don’t go as we had planned, we immediately push back. And yet Esther pauses. She chooses to respect Mordecai’s decision. She considers the context of the situation. You know what she does next? She flexes in her approach. So, as you are facing a difficult season or circumstance and you are being called to step out in boldness and courage, I want you to consider the context of your circumstance and be open to flexibility.
10/12/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 2

What is radical acceptance? Esther gives us an example of what radical acceptance looks like. Esther was called to stand up and challenge the King to save her people. Esther was in a very dangerous position. Her life was on the line. As God gave her the courage and the boldness, she also had to consider her circumstances. I think a lot of times we have an idealized version of what our circumstances are going to look like when we are called to step into uncertainty—when we are called to speak up. We want to feel a certain way. We want to feel emboldened, confident; we don’t want to feel anxious. The reality of it is that most of the time those emotions of uncertainty are going to accompany us even if we know we are doing the right thing. Think about all the emotions Esther must have been feeling. She must have been feeling terrified, uncertain, and yet she showed up with faith, courage and conviction. She said, “I am going to stand up.” “I am going to speak up.” “I am going to respectfully push back.” Esther was by God to be a liberator of her people but as the Queen of Persia she was expected to be obedient to the law. She was expected to be quiet and submissive. But what she did in that moment is she chose to partner with God. She stepped into that place of uncertainty—of not knowing the outcome, probably feeling quite anxious about the outcome, and overwhelmed. But she knew her circumstances and said “Okay this is where God has placed me. I’m going to partner with God and we are going to bring about radical transformation. We are going to free the people. I am stepping out in faith.” When you find yourself facing a really difficult situation, I want you to consider how you can embrace and accept those emotions that might be holding you back. And yet still challenge yourself to step forward knowing that God will provide victory and God will carry you through.
10/11/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded – 2

What is radical acceptance? Esther gives us an example of what radical acceptance looks like. Esther was called to stand up and challenge the King to save her people. Esther was in a very dangerous position. Her life was on the line. As God gave her the courage and the boldness, she also had to consider her circumstances. I think a lot of times we have an idealized version of what our circumstances are going to look like when we are called to step into uncertainty—when we are called to speak up. We want to feel a certain way. We want to feel emboldened, confident; we don’t want to feel anxious. The reality of it is that most of the time those emotions of uncertainty are going to accompany us even if we know we are doing the right thing. Think about all the emotions Esther must have been feeling. She must have been feeling terrified, uncertain, and yet she showed up with faith, courage and conviction. She said, “I am going to stand up.” “I am going to speak up.” “I am going to respectfully push back.” Esther was by God to be a liberator of her people but as the Queen of Persia she was expected to be obedient to the law. She was expected to be quiet and submissive. But what she did in that moment is she chose to partner with God. She stepped into that place of uncertainty—of not knowing the outcome, probably feeling quite anxious about the outcome, and overwhelmed. But she knew her circumstances and said “Okay this is where God has placed me. I’m going to partner with God and we are going to bring about radical transformation. We are going to free the people. I am stepping out in faith.” When you find yourself facing a really difficult situation, I want you to consider how you can embrace and accept those emotions that might be holding you back. And yet still challenge yourself to step forward knowing that God will provide victory and God will carry you through.
10/11/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded

One of the things I hear a lot from people, especially women who are in the marketplace, is when they get into a situation that is overwhelming or they start to feel that anxiety level rise, they begin to ask, “How do I navigate this?” I think one of the most important things for us to recognize about being bold and courageous is where we are launching from. What is the ground you are standing on like? It is really hard to step out in courage when the floor beneath you is shaky. But I think we can ground ourselves more easily than we realize. I think we can be grounded right here, right now. You can be grounded whether your circumstances are overwhelming, or whether the decision you have to make is rather exhilarating but also daunting. Maybe your team or your family or whatever you are navigating is well oiled and going well or maybe it is breaking down. You can be grounded when people are with you and when people are against you. In any and every circumstance, as a Christ-follower you are grounded. The Apostle Paul tells us “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:6-7). Did you catch that? You have been firmly rooted. It is a done deal. Everything else from that point is the building up part. The building up part is hard. And that’s where our emotions can come in. But I want you to recognize that you are already there. You have been firmly rooted therefore you are grounded. So, when we hold on to that, we can keep our emotions in check. When I am feeling anxious, I can say “I am standing on solid ground.” I may feel overwhelmed but the ground beneath me is not moving. You may feel this is impossible, but God has got you. You are firmly rooted.
10/10/20223 minutes
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Firmly Grounded

One of the things I hear a lot from people, especially women who are in the marketplace, is when they get into a situation that is overwhelming or they start to feel that anxiety level rise, they begin to ask, “How do I navigate this?” I think one of the most important things for us to recognize about being bold and courageous is where we are launching from. What is the ground you are standing on like? It is really hard to step out in courage when the floor beneath you is shaky. But I think we can ground ourselves more easily than we realize. I think we can be grounded right here, right now. You can be grounded whether your circumstances are overwhelming, or whether the decision you have to make is rather exhilarating but also daunting. Maybe your team or your family or whatever you are navigating is well oiled and going well or maybe it is breaking down. You can be grounded when people are with you and when people are against you. In any and every circumstance, as a Christ-follower you are grounded. The Apostle Paul tells us “Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude” (Colossians 2:6-7). Did you catch that? You have been firmly rooted. It is a done deal. Everything else from that point is the building up part. The building up part is hard. And that’s where our emotions can come in. But I want you to recognize that you are already there. You have been firmly rooted therefore you are grounded. So, when we hold on to that, we can keep our emotions in check. When I am feeling anxious, I can say “I am standing on solid ground.” I may feel overwhelmed but the ground beneath me is not moving. You may feel this is impossible, but God has got you. You are firmly rooted.
10/10/20223 minutes
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The Grasshopper Disease Part 1

If you’re thinking I've made up this grasshopper sickness, let me remind you of the time when God's people were afflicted with it. You'll find it recorded in Numbers 13. Here are some selected verses from that chapter: "The Lord said to Moses, 'Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.'  So at the Lord's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites (13:1-3). "When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, 'See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.' (13:17-20). "So they went up and explored the land...At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land... They gave Moses this account:  'We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!  Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large... (13:21,25, 27-28). "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'  But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.'  And they spread among the Israelites a bad report             about the land they had explored. They said, 'The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.'" (13:30-33). GRASSHOPPERS! That's how they saw themselves—grasshoppers! And as a result, they wanted to give up. They lost all hope of ever entering the promised land. In the 14th chapter the story continues: "All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, 'If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?'" (Numbers 14:2-3). Oh, this grasshopper disease is really serious. Let me point out the symptoms of this sickness so you can check up and see if you've caught it lately: First, it wipes out your memory. Think of those children of Israel, poised on the borders of Canaan. How had they gotten there? God had miraculously led them out of Egypt. I mean, it's not every day you see the waters of the Red Sea parted and walk across on dry land. Miracle after miracle after miracle had happened right in front of their eyes. But they didn't even remember. So, when you catch the grasshopper disease, you remember what you should forget and forget what you should remember. Does that ever happen to you? How often have you found yourself facing what looked like an impossibility, and all you could talk about, all you could focus on was how difficult it was going to be? If that's where you are today, you may indeed be coming down with this disease. Second, you grumble and complain. If you know anything about the children of Israel, you know that griping and complaining was a common problem for them. And sure enough, as soon as they heard the bad report from the ten faithless spies, they complained and grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Notice that their complaining spirit quickly spread to everyone around them. This disease is very contagious! When was the last time you grumbled or complained? Paul wrote to the Philippians "Do everything without complaining or arguing..." (2:14). Everything! When you complain, you not only bring yourself down, but everyone around you as well! Third, you want to quit. This grasshopper disease makes you want to retreat; to forget your calling ...
10/8/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Grasshopper Disease Part 1

If you’re thinking I've made up this grasshopper sickness, let me remind you of the time when God's people were afflicted with it. You'll find it recorded in Numbers 13. Here are some selected verses from that chapter: "The Lord said to Moses, 'Send some men to explore the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites. From each ancestral tribe send one of its leaders.'  So at the Lord's command Moses sent them out from the Desert of Paran. All of them were leaders of the Israelites (13:1-3). "When Moses sent them to explore Canaan, he said, 'See what the land is like and whether the people who live there are strong or weak, few or many. What kind of towns do they live in? Are they unwalled or fortified? How is the soil? Is it fertile or poor? Are there trees on it or not? Do your best to bring back some of the fruit of the land.' (13:17-20). "So they went up and explored the land...At the end of forty days they returned from exploring the land... They gave Moses this account:  'We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey!  Here is its fruit. But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large... (13:21,25, 27-28). "Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, 'We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it.'  But the men who had gone up with him said, 'We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are.'  And they spread among the Israelites a bad report             about the land they had explored. They said, 'The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them.'" (13:30-33). GRASSHOPPERS! That's how they saw themselves—grasshoppers! And as a result, they wanted to give up. They lost all hope of ever entering the promised land. In the 14th chapter the story continues: "All the Israelites grumbled against Moses and Aaron, and the whole assembly said to them, 'If only we had died in Egypt! Or in this wilderness! Why is the Lord bringing us to this land only to let us fall by the sword? Our wives and children will be taken as plunder. Wouldn't it be better for us to go back to Egypt?'" (Numbers 14:2-3). Oh, this grasshopper disease is really serious. Let me point out the symptoms of this sickness so you can check up and see if you've caught it lately: First, it wipes out your memory. Think of those children of Israel, poised on the borders of Canaan. How had they gotten there? God had miraculously led them out of Egypt. I mean, it's not every day you see the waters of the Red Sea parted and walk across on dry land. Miracle after miracle after miracle had happened right in front of their eyes. But they didn't even remember. So, when you catch the grasshopper disease, you remember what you should forget and forget what you should remember. Does that ever happen to you? How often have you found yourself facing what looked like an impossibility, and all you could talk about, all you could focus on was how difficult it was going to be? If that's where you are today, you may indeed be coming down with this disease. Second, you grumble and complain. If you know anything about the children of Israel, you know that griping and complaining was a common problem for them. And sure enough, as soon as they heard the bad report from the ten faithless spies, they complained and grumbled against Moses and Aaron. Notice that their complaining spirit quickly spread to everyone around them. This disease is very contagious! When was the last time you grumbled or complained? Paul wrote to the Philippians "Do everything without complaining or arguing..." (2:14). Everything! When you complain, you not only bring yourself down, but everyone around you as well! Third, you want to quit. This grasshopper disease makes you want to retreat; to forget your calling ...
10/8/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Step Out of the Boat – 5

I want to encourage you to step out of the boat at the invitation of Jesus like Peter did, to do the good works he has for you to do. Could it be that you’ve been stuck in your boat and missing the joy of walking on the water with Jesus because of some fear or maybe laziness or just not wanting to rock your boat? If that’s where you are, it’s keeping you from knowing the incredible joy and fulfillment that comes when you simply obey Jesus and by trusting him, you do what God wants us to do. You see, as a Christ-follower, you were created to do certain good works, as we read in Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. That is your mission in life, as established by God, and it is only when you are doing those good works that you are living in the completeness of who you are in Christ Jesus. Maybe you haven’t stepped out of the boat because you haven’t truly asked God to show you what good works he has for you to do. That’s a good place to start—just pray for guidance, and if you’re sincere about doing it, God will put a desire in your heart to do a good work. Maybe you haven’t stepped out of the boat because you simply haven’t made time in your life to do those good works. Could it be that your life is so full of what you want to do, that you just can’t fit God’s calling into your schedule? I think of a person I knew who filled her life with lots of activity—fun things as well as career pursuits—so that there just was no time to put anything else in her life. She had just made her boat so comfortable that she didn’t want to leave it. But she missed the blessing of walking on water with Jesus. Maybe you stepped out of the boat once and then you started to sink, like Peter did, and so you just jumped back in the boat and now you’re afraid you’ll sink again. But failure is often part of our growing process, and God gives us lots of second chances. I don’t think I could count the number of times God has had to rescue me and give me another opportunity to walk on the water with him. That’s the kind of Lord we serve, and he’s waiting to take your hand and show you the incomparable fulfillment that comes when you walk by faith and not by sight. I just want to encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus and follow his invitation to step out of the boat. I know it’s scary, but you don’t want to miss the indescribable joy of walking on the water with Jesus, doing what you could never do alone, and hearing him say “Well done.” (Click here to download the devotional for this week.)
10/7/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 5

I want to encourage you to step out of the boat at the invitation of Jesus like Peter did, to do the good works he has for you to do. Could it be that you’ve been stuck in your boat and missing the joy of walking on the water with Jesus because of some fear or maybe laziness or just not wanting to rock your boat? If that’s where you are, it’s keeping you from knowing the incredible joy and fulfillment that comes when you simply obey Jesus and by trusting him, you do what God wants us to do. You see, as a Christ-follower, you were created to do certain good works, as we read in Ephesians 2:10: For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. That is your mission in life, as established by God, and it is only when you are doing those good works that you are living in the completeness of who you are in Christ Jesus. Maybe you haven’t stepped out of the boat because you haven’t truly asked God to show you what good works he has for you to do. That’s a good place to start—just pray for guidance, and if you’re sincere about doing it, God will put a desire in your heart to do a good work. Maybe you haven’t stepped out of the boat because you simply haven’t made time in your life to do those good works. Could it be that your life is so full of what you want to do, that you just can’t fit God’s calling into your schedule? I think of a person I knew who filled her life with lots of activity—fun things as well as career pursuits—so that there just was no time to put anything else in her life. She had just made her boat so comfortable that she didn’t want to leave it. But she missed the blessing of walking on water with Jesus. Maybe you stepped out of the boat once and then you started to sink, like Peter did, and so you just jumped back in the boat and now you’re afraid you’ll sink again. But failure is often part of our growing process, and God gives us lots of second chances. I don’t think I could count the number of times God has had to rescue me and give me another opportunity to walk on the water with him. That’s the kind of Lord we serve, and he’s waiting to take your hand and show you the incomparable fulfillment that comes when you walk by faith and not by sight. I just want to encourage you to keep your eyes on Jesus and follow his invitation to step out of the boat. I know it’s scary, but you don’t want to miss the indescribable joy of walking on the water with Jesus, doing what you could never do alone, and hearing him say “Well done.” (Click here to download the devotional for this week.)
10/7/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 4

Did you know that there is  no “little” with God? I’m talking this week about stepping out of the boat to do what Jesus is inviting and asking you to do. It takes courageous faith and it can be a little risky, but it is the way to the abundant life that Jesus has for us. However, I think lots of times we don’t take that step out of the boat because we keep thinking that God measures people and gifts and accomplishments like we do—by size, by quantity, by big versus small. And we decide that what we can do just doesn’t seem that big or important, compared to what others are doing. But God doesn’t use our measurement systems. You remember the parable of the talents, where three guys were given different quantities—one ten talents, one five and one only one talent. The first two servants got busy and doubled their talents, but the guy with only one talent just sat down and did nothing. No doubt he figured that he couldn’t do much with only one talent anyway, so why bother? What difference would it make? But as Jesus tells that parable, it made a huge difference, and he was severely reprimanded by the Master. He could have done something with his one talent, but he just gave up. Have you been disparaging the importance of your “one talent,” your gift, your ability, your opportunities? Have you been thinking that God is not involved in your “little” life? Can I remind you of the boy with the small lunch? Jesus multiplied it more than he could have ever dreamed. What about the widow who gave her last penny? Not small to Jesus. Jesus said she gave more than the others. And those two people have been memorialized in Scripture for centuries. You see, Jesus just measures differently than we do. If your excuse has been that you don’t have much to offer to the Lord, it simply won’t hold water. Jesus measures what you do with what you’ve been given—where you started and where you ended up—and he never compares you to anyone else. Mother Teresa used to advise, “Don’t try to do great things for God. Do small things with great love.” There’s a passage in Zechariah 4 that says “Who dares despise the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10a). Maybe you’ve been despising or discounting what you see as a small thing that God wants you to do, and that’s why you haven’t stepped out of the boat. Can I encourage you to do that small thing with great love for Jesus? To step out of your boat and experience the joy of walking on water as Jesus empowers you. You’ll never regret it.
10/6/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 4

Did you know that there is  no “little” with God? I’m talking this week about stepping out of the boat to do what Jesus is inviting and asking you to do. It takes courageous faith and it can be a little risky, but it is the way to the abundant life that Jesus has for us. However, I think lots of times we don’t take that step out of the boat because we keep thinking that God measures people and gifts and accomplishments like we do—by size, by quantity, by big versus small. And we decide that what we can do just doesn’t seem that big or important, compared to what others are doing. But God doesn’t use our measurement systems. You remember the parable of the talents, where three guys were given different quantities—one ten talents, one five and one only one talent. The first two servants got busy and doubled their talents, but the guy with only one talent just sat down and did nothing. No doubt he figured that he couldn’t do much with only one talent anyway, so why bother? What difference would it make? But as Jesus tells that parable, it made a huge difference, and he was severely reprimanded by the Master. He could have done something with his one talent, but he just gave up. Have you been disparaging the importance of your “one talent,” your gift, your ability, your opportunities? Have you been thinking that God is not involved in your “little” life? Can I remind you of the boy with the small lunch? Jesus multiplied it more than he could have ever dreamed. What about the widow who gave her last penny? Not small to Jesus. Jesus said she gave more than the others. And those two people have been memorialized in Scripture for centuries. You see, Jesus just measures differently than we do. If your excuse has been that you don’t have much to offer to the Lord, it simply won’t hold water. Jesus measures what you do with what you’ve been given—where you started and where you ended up—and he never compares you to anyone else. Mother Teresa used to advise, “Don’t try to do great things for God. Do small things with great love.” There’s a passage in Zechariah 4 that says “Who dares despise the day of small things?” (Zechariah 4:10a). Maybe you’ve been despising or discounting what you see as a small thing that God wants you to do, and that’s why you haven’t stepped out of the boat. Can I encourage you to do that small thing with great love for Jesus? To step out of your boat and experience the joy of walking on water as Jesus empowers you. You’ll never regret it.
10/6/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 3

The Bible teaches us that as Christ-followers, we have to walk by faith not by sight. That means sometimes we have to take a risk, step out of the boat like Peter did, in order to walk where Jesus invites us. I’m talking about stepping out of our boats this week, and some things I’ve learned in my years of following Christ. Think about this: Obedience is more important to God than your comfort. I believe that God sometimes withholds information from us and takes away our security blankets because he’s teaching us the simple discipline of obeying. If you’re trying to cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s before you step out of the boat, you’ll probably be sitting there a long time! Sure, we need to do our due diligence and not foolishly charge ahead without making adequate plans. But seeing every turn in the road ahead just never happens with God. He shows us enough light for the next step. The Bible says that the Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. We don’t walk blindly ahead, but we take it one step at a time, walking through the open doors even when we’re not quite sure what’s on the other side. Control freaks will have difficulty walking by faith, because it requires that you trust God all the way and relinquish the control into his hands. Psalm 91 is good for the faith walker—it says that God will cover us and his faithfulness will be our shield and defense. Quoting verse 9: “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (Psalm 91:9-10). When you step out of the boat, God has your back. And consider this: Often God’s will is for us to make some decisions. Making decisions is one way we grow and learn. So, there will be times when you simply will not have any great emotional confirmation or direction, but you will be faced with a decision that you must make, based on your knowledge of Scripture and the wisdom that God promises to give us. That means, of course, that you are taking a risk—the risk that you could make the wrong decision. You could absolutely fall on your face. In fact, if you haven’t fallen on your face once or twice, my guess is, you haven’t done much! Asking God to give us clear, unmistakable signs—like Gideon of old—is not an act of faith. It is a sign that we really don’t want to walk by faith; it is evidence that we are controlled by our fears. So, is God showing you that he wants you to step out of the boat? What’s keeping you from taking the next step?
10/5/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 3

The Bible teaches us that as Christ-followers, we have to walk by faith not by sight. That means sometimes we have to take a risk, step out of the boat like Peter did, in order to walk where Jesus invites us. I’m talking about stepping out of our boats this week, and some things I’ve learned in my years of following Christ. Think about this: Obedience is more important to God than your comfort. I believe that God sometimes withholds information from us and takes away our security blankets because he’s teaching us the simple discipline of obeying. If you’re trying to cross all your t’s and dot all your i’s before you step out of the boat, you’ll probably be sitting there a long time! Sure, we need to do our due diligence and not foolishly charge ahead without making adequate plans. But seeing every turn in the road ahead just never happens with God. He shows us enough light for the next step. The Bible says that the Word of God is a lamp for our feet and a light for our path. We don’t walk blindly ahead, but we take it one step at a time, walking through the open doors even when we’re not quite sure what’s on the other side. Control freaks will have difficulty walking by faith, because it requires that you trust God all the way and relinquish the control into his hands. Psalm 91 is good for the faith walker—it says that God will cover us and his faithfulness will be our shield and defense. Quoting verse 9: “If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,” and you make the Most High your dwelling, no harm will overtake you, no disaster will come near your tent” (Psalm 91:9-10). When you step out of the boat, God has your back. And consider this: Often God’s will is for us to make some decisions. Making decisions is one way we grow and learn. So, there will be times when you simply will not have any great emotional confirmation or direction, but you will be faced with a decision that you must make, based on your knowledge of Scripture and the wisdom that God promises to give us. That means, of course, that you are taking a risk—the risk that you could make the wrong decision. You could absolutely fall on your face. In fact, if you haven’t fallen on your face once or twice, my guess is, you haven’t done much! Asking God to give us clear, unmistakable signs—like Gideon of old—is not an act of faith. It is a sign that we really don’t want to walk by faith; it is evidence that we are controlled by our fears. So, is God showing you that he wants you to step out of the boat? What’s keeping you from taking the next step?
10/5/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 2

I wonder if you’ve ever thought about what it must have felt like to Peter when he actually walked on water at Jesus’ invitation? What an incredible experience—something no one had ever done before. But you know, he had to step out of the boat in order to do it. I’m talking this week about stepping out of our boats, taking the risk that comes when we follow Jesus to do the good works he’s called us to do. This step of faith will often take you outside your natural gifting, and you’ll have to trust God to see you through. Here’s another thing I’ve learned about stepping out of the boat: You’ll always feel inadequate, because the truth is, you’ll always be inadequate. I would remind you of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).  Recognizing your inadequacies doesn’t mean you are not called to do the job; it just means that God has chosen to use you and he will get the glory because in yourself, you can’t do it. It wasn’t long ago that I took on a new project that was totally out of my wheelhouse, as we say. On paper I was not qualified for the job, but I had no doubt that God wanted me to do it, so I just kept going, depending on him to teach me, to put people in my life who could help, etc. Stepping out of the boat usually takes you where you’ve never been before. God is always preparing us for what is ahead, even when we don’t realize it. Think of King David. Do you think that while he was tending sheep he ever thought that God had chosen him to be King of Israel? Not once, I’m sure. But that’s where he became an expert with a slingshot; that’s where he wrote music and words and learned to play an instrument. All of which God used mightily in his life then and to bless untold millions in the centuries since then. I dare say if you look back on your own history, whatever you’ve learned, whatever you’ve experienced, whatever hardships or difficulties you’ve gone through, they have prepared you for something God is doing or is going to do with you. You may have never chosen that kind of education or preparation, but God knows how to turn even what others meant for evil into good for us. Is God inviting you to step out of the boat? Don’t miss the blessing that is yours when you do. God has for you to do. Don’t miss the blessing that comes when you step out of the boat with Jesus.
10/4/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat – 2

I wonder if you’ve ever thought about what it must have felt like to Peter when he actually walked on water at Jesus’ invitation? What an incredible experience—something no one had ever done before. But you know, he had to step out of the boat in order to do it. I’m talking this week about stepping out of our boats, taking the risk that comes when we follow Jesus to do the good works he’s called us to do. This step of faith will often take you outside your natural gifting, and you’ll have to trust God to see you through. Here’s another thing I’ve learned about stepping out of the boat: You’ll always feel inadequate, because the truth is, you’ll always be inadequate. I would remind you of what Paul wrote to the Corinthians: But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:27-29).  Recognizing your inadequacies doesn’t mean you are not called to do the job; it just means that God has chosen to use you and he will get the glory because in yourself, you can’t do it. It wasn’t long ago that I took on a new project that was totally out of my wheelhouse, as we say. On paper I was not qualified for the job, but I had no doubt that God wanted me to do it, so I just kept going, depending on him to teach me, to put people in my life who could help, etc. Stepping out of the boat usually takes you where you’ve never been before. God is always preparing us for what is ahead, even when we don’t realize it. Think of King David. Do you think that while he was tending sheep he ever thought that God had chosen him to be King of Israel? Not once, I’m sure. But that’s where he became an expert with a slingshot; that’s where he wrote music and words and learned to play an instrument. All of which God used mightily in his life then and to bless untold millions in the centuries since then. I dare say if you look back on your own history, whatever you’ve learned, whatever you’ve experienced, whatever hardships or difficulties you’ve gone through, they have prepared you for something God is doing or is going to do with you. You may have never chosen that kind of education or preparation, but God knows how to turn even what others meant for evil into good for us. Is God inviting you to step out of the boat? Don’t miss the blessing that is yours when you do. God has for you to do. Don’t miss the blessing that comes when you step out of the boat with Jesus.
10/4/20223 minutes
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Step Out of the Boat

You are no doubt familiar with the time when Jesus walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee, and Peter decided he wanted to join him. So Jesus invited him to step out of the boat and when Peter did that, he actually walked on water for a few steps, until he took his eyes off of Jesus. Well, this week I want to talk about stepping out of the boat—being willing to take a step of faith in order to do what you believe God wants you to do. If you’re willing to take a risk, as it were, to experience the new thing that God has for you, you’ll have to step out of the safe boat and do something you’ve never done before, something you couldn’t possibly do unless Jesus invited you and empowered you to do it. So, the first challenge is to check it out and make sure this new idea or adventure is a God-thing. How do you know? Well, you pray about it a lot, you seek wisdom from godly people, and if it’s from God it will be something that will help and bless others, not something to promote yourself. It will be one of the good works God ordained in advance for you to do, as we read in Ephesians 2:10. Once you are fairly confident that this idea or passion is from God, here are some things to consider—things I’ve learned along the way. God often gives us assignments that are outside of our gifting. It’s true that we all have individual gifts from God and God wants us to use those gifts to serve others. But in order to do the good works which were ordained in advance for you to do, you will sometimes be out on a limb, in territory that is not only new, but territory that doesn’t fit. Let me give you one personal example: My skills as a manager of people are not naturally good. But to do the good works God has called me to do, I’ve had to manage people in one capacity or another for many years. It came with the God-given job. So, what do you do when you have to do something outside your gifting? You seek help! It took me too long to figure this out, but finally I have enlisted the help of people who are very good at this—people who have done it and who can teach me things I need to know. What a difference that has made. So, I just want you to know that the work God calls you to do will have parts that you aren’t particularly good at, and parts you don’t necessarily enjoy. Don’t let that keep you from the good works God has for you to do. Don’t miss the blessing that comes when you step out of the boat with Jesus.
10/3/20223 minutes
Episode Artwork

Step Out of the Boat

You are no doubt familiar with the time when Jesus walked on the waters of the Sea of Galilee, and Peter decided he wanted to join him. So Jesus invited him to step out of the boat and when Peter did that, he actually walked on water for a few steps, until he took his eyes off of Jesus. Well, this week I want to talk about stepping out of the boat—being willing to take a step of faith in order to do what you believe God wants you to do. If you’re willing to take a risk, as it were, to experience the new thing that God has for you, you’ll have to step out of the safe boat and do something you’ve never done before, something you couldn’t possibly do unless Jesus invited you and empowered you to do it. So, the first challenge is to check it out and make sure this new idea or adventure is a God-thing. How do you know? Well, you pray about it a lot, you seek wisdom from godly people, and if it’s from God it will be something that will help and bless others, not something to promote yourself. It will be one of the good works God ordained in advance for you to do, as we read in Ephesians 2:10. Once you are fairly confident that this idea or passion is from God, here are some things to consider—things I’ve learned along the way. God often gives us assignments that are outside of our gifting. It’s true that we all have individual gifts from God and God wants us to use those gifts to serve others. But in order to do the good works which were ordained in advance for you to do, you will sometimes be out on a limb, in territory that is not only new, but territory that doesn’t fit. Let me give you one personal example: My skills as a manager of people are not naturally good. But to do the good works God has called me to do, I’ve had to manage people in one capacity or another for many years. It came with the God-given job. So, what do you do when you have to do something outside your gifting? You seek help! It took me too long to figure this out, but finally I have enlisted the help of people who are very good at this—people who have done it and who can teach me things I need to know. What a difference that has made. So, I just want you to know that the work God calls you to do will have parts that you aren’t particularly good at, and parts you don’t necessarily enjoy. Don’t let that keep you from the good works God has for you to do. Don’t miss the blessing that comes when you step out of the boat with Jesus.
10/3/20223 minutes
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Do You Live Like You Drive?

Most of us are sufficiently informed about safe driving techniques and rules of the road, but many times we ignore them. And when we do, we can find ourselves in many difficulties. For example, do you allow your car to warm up before revving up the motor and taking off? I’m told that's bad for the car and it can damage the motor, but many times we just turn on the ignition and go because we're in a rush. The question is, do you live like that? How often do you procrastinate getting up until the last minute, so you don't have any time to quietly warm up your mind and your heart and tune it into the things of the Lord before leaving home? When you do that, you leave home undressed—you don't have the armor of God in place to protect you against your enemy. If you head into your spiritual battlefield without even thinking about putting on the armor of God, as explained in Ephesians 6, your enemy will often be able to defeat you. Not only that, but you don't have time to get your inner mind and thoughts focused on Jesus. You don't have time to pray for his guidance and his wisdom, so you face your days trying to do everything yourself and relying on yourself for needed wisdom. How foolish. And you'll find that your mind easily goes in the wrong direction all day long; you'll see how easy it is for you to be impatient and unkind and uncaring. All because you left home without warming up, just like you often do with your car. You know, you can jump in that car day after day and rush off without warming up, and you may not notice any problem, until one day the motor conks out in the middle of traffic. Bad driving habits often come home to roost later. The same is true spiritually. If you head off most days without warming up spiritually, it may not show up for awhile, but eventually spiritual failure will result. So, do you live like you drive? I hope you'll warm your car up before you leave home, but much more importantly, make that early warm-up time with Jesus an absolute necessity and discipline that you practice regularly. I guarantee you'll see remarkable improvement in your performance as a believer if you'll get in tune with Jesus early in your day. Here's another driving question: Do you abide by speed limits? Do you drive as fast as you think you can without being stopped by a cop? I know that often I find myself pushing that pedal down a little too far, thinking, "Oh, well, I can go a few miles over the limit; that's no harm.” Well, that's a bad driving habit, but it's an even worse living habit. God's speed limits in our lives are there to give us abundant life, not to rob our joy. A “road” where many people frequently speed is in their sexual practices. Even Christians who are committed to a pure lifestyle often find themselves in compromising situations because they don't abide by the speed limits. Let me tell you, this is one area where if you deviate from God's principles, you can end up in a spiritual wreck. Most people who start speeding down this road never intend to commit adultery or fornication, but they lose control of themselves, just as you lose control of a car if you drive too fast. You cannot go too slowly when it comes to dealing with your sexual drives and passions. Just as you drive very cautiously on a road covered with ice and snow, you have to be exceptionally careful about sexual temptation. Don't put any confidence in yourself when it comes to controlling those impulses. Stay off the road that leads down that path, and travel very slowly when your sexual impulses kick in. Many Christians push the speed limits in the area of what they read and listen to and view. Trashy or unedifying reading material just fills your mind up with junk, and most movies are even worse. Are you highly selective about what you allow into your mind? If you're exceeding the limits of purity in these areas, don't be surprised to discover that you'll have an accident somewhere soon,
10/1/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

Do You Live Like You Drive?

Most of us are sufficiently informed about safe driving techniques and rules of the road, but many times we ignore them. And when we do, we can find ourselves in many difficulties. For example, do you allow your car to warm up before revving up the motor and taking off? I’m told that's bad for the car and it can damage the motor, but many times we just turn on the ignition and go because we're in a rush. The question is, do you live like that? How often do you procrastinate getting up until the last minute, so you don't have any time to quietly warm up your mind and your heart and tune it into the things of the Lord before leaving home? When you do that, you leave home undressed—you don't have the armor of God in place to protect you against your enemy. If you head into your spiritual battlefield without even thinking about putting on the armor of God, as explained in Ephesians 6, your enemy will often be able to defeat you. Not only that, but you don't have time to get your inner mind and thoughts focused on Jesus. You don't have time to pray for his guidance and his wisdom, so you face your days trying to do everything yourself and relying on yourself for needed wisdom. How foolish. And you'll find that your mind easily goes in the wrong direction all day long; you'll see how easy it is for you to be impatient and unkind and uncaring. All because you left home without warming up, just like you often do with your car. You know, you can jump in that car day after day and rush off without warming up, and you may not notice any problem, until one day the motor conks out in the middle of traffic. Bad driving habits often come home to roost later. The same is true spiritually. If you head off most days without warming up spiritually, it may not show up for awhile, but eventually spiritual failure will result. So, do you live like you drive? I hope you'll warm your car up before you leave home, but much more importantly, make that early warm-up time with Jesus an absolute necessity and discipline that you practice regularly. I guarantee you'll see remarkable improvement in your performance as a believer if you'll get in tune with Jesus early in your day. Here's another driving question: Do you abide by speed limits? Do you drive as fast as you think you can without being stopped by a cop? I know that often I find myself pushing that pedal down a little too far, thinking, "Oh, well, I can go a few miles over the limit; that's no harm.” Well, that's a bad driving habit, but it's an even worse living habit. God's speed limits in our lives are there to give us abundant life, not to rob our joy. A “road” where many people frequently speed is in their sexual practices. Even Christians who are committed to a pure lifestyle often find themselves in compromising situations because they don't abide by the speed limits. Let me tell you, this is one area where if you deviate from God's principles, you can end up in a spiritual wreck. Most people who start speeding down this road never intend to commit adultery or fornication, but they lose control of themselves, just as you lose control of a car if you drive too fast. You cannot go too slowly when it comes to dealing with your sexual drives and passions. Just as you drive very cautiously on a road covered with ice and snow, you have to be exceptionally careful about sexual temptation. Don't put any confidence in yourself when it comes to controlling those impulses. Stay off the road that leads down that path, and travel very slowly when your sexual impulses kick in. Many Christians push the speed limits in the area of what they read and listen to and view. Trashy or unedifying reading material just fills your mind up with junk, and most movies are even worse. Are you highly selective about what you allow into your mind? If you're exceeding the limits of purity in these areas, don't be surprised to discover that you'll have an accident somewhere soon,
10/1/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
Episode Artwork

The Power of A Praying Life – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you desiring transformation in your life? Spiritual renewal and growth in your walk as a follower of Jesus? This is one of my favorite prayers from Psalm 139: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). I love this prayer of David. He invites God to investigate his life, to put his life and actions to the test. He asks God to know his every thought, examining not just his outward conduct, but what he thinks about. If God were to examine your thoughts, what would he find? What passes through your mind; what occupies your imagination and memory; what thoughts do you dwell on? Anxious thoughts? Fearful thoughts? Self-defeating thoughts? Sinful thoughts? Most of us let our thoughts run wild when God tells us to hold our thoughts captive to him. Which essentially means, our thoughts should align with God’s thoughts. Philippians 4:8 gives us guidance on the thoughts to entertain: whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. The mind is super powerful. It has been said that the directions of your thoughts determine the direction of your life. And David gives God an open invitation to try his thoughts to ultimately see if they stand the godly test. David invites God to test him. You can hear the desire in David’s words. He wants his life to reflect that of a man following hard after him. To rid himself of anything that is offensive to God and walk in integrity as a man after God’s heart. And if you know the story of David you know he did not live a perfect life, and neither do we. If we are honest, there are parts of our lives that we let God into and other parts that have a “do not disturb” sign. Yet here is David, inviting God into every nook and cranny of his life because his ultimate desire was to live a life fully pleasing to God. That is the kind of life that will ultimately bring us the greatest joy and fulfillment. If you want to experience transformation in your life and a greater intimacy with God, invite the Holy Spirit to lovingly point out things in your life that are hindering you from living life to the fullest in Jesus, one that honors and pleases him. When you do you will be led not in the way of sin and evil but in the way of godliness and everlasting life in Christ. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
9/30/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you desiring transformation in your life? Spiritual renewal and growth in your walk as a follower of Jesus? This is one of my favorite prayers from Psalm 139: Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:23-24). I love this prayer of David. He invites God to investigate his life, to put his life and actions to the test. He asks God to know his every thought, examining not just his outward conduct, but what he thinks about. If God were to examine your thoughts, what would he find? What passes through your mind; what occupies your imagination and memory; what thoughts do you dwell on? Anxious thoughts? Fearful thoughts? Self-defeating thoughts? Sinful thoughts? Most of us let our thoughts run wild when God tells us to hold our thoughts captive to him. Which essentially means, our thoughts should align with God’s thoughts. Philippians 4:8 gives us guidance on the thoughts to entertain: whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise—dwell on these things. The mind is super powerful. It has been said that the directions of your thoughts determine the direction of your life. And David gives God an open invitation to try his thoughts to ultimately see if they stand the godly test. David invites God to test him. You can hear the desire in David’s words. He wants his life to reflect that of a man following hard after him. To rid himself of anything that is offensive to God and walk in integrity as a man after God’s heart. And if you know the story of David you know he did not live a perfect life, and neither do we. If we are honest, there are parts of our lives that we let God into and other parts that have a “do not disturb” sign. Yet here is David, inviting God into every nook and cranny of his life because his ultimate desire was to live a life fully pleasing to God. That is the kind of life that will ultimately bring us the greatest joy and fulfillment. If you want to experience transformation in your life and a greater intimacy with God, invite the Holy Spirit to lovingly point out things in your life that are hindering you from living life to the fullest in Jesus, one that honors and pleases him. When you do you will be led not in the way of sin and evil but in the way of godliness and everlasting life in Christ. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
9/30/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A well-known prayer from the apostle Paul is a rich example of the power of intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is the privilege of petitioning God on the behalf of others. We are not concerned with our needs but with the needs of others. I love praying for people, and when someone tells me they are praying for me I feel loved, seen, and deeply cared for. There have been seasons in my life where the burdens have felt very heavy. I have been anxious, worried, and desperately needing direction and comfort from God. In moments of hardship, inexplicably waves of peace and comfort would come over me and I would feel a sense of “groundedness.” Then I would find out that a friend was praying for me. The prayers of my friends have sustained me and encouraged me in times of difficulty. You can easily pray for the needs of others. For their health, job, financial issues, marital problems, broken relationships, dreams, desires, and unmet longings. And one of the greatest things you can pray for is their spiritual growth and an increasing love for, trust, and faith in Jesus; along with a growing knowledge of his love for them and his power at work in their lives. In Ephesians Paul prayed a powerful prayer for believers and one that we can pray as well: “I pray that out of his glorious riches Christ may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:16-21). One of the greatest gifts we can give people is the gift of praying for them. Who is someone you can intercede for in prayer? Who is someone you can go to battle for, petitioning God on their behalf? Write their name in your journal and commit to praying for them. See how God works in you and how he meets them as you are faithful in prayer.
9/29/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) A well-known prayer from the apostle Paul is a rich example of the power of intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer is the privilege of petitioning God on the behalf of others. We are not concerned with our needs but with the needs of others. I love praying for people, and when someone tells me they are praying for me I feel loved, seen, and deeply cared for. There have been seasons in my life where the burdens have felt very heavy. I have been anxious, worried, and desperately needing direction and comfort from God. In moments of hardship, inexplicably waves of peace and comfort would come over me and I would feel a sense of “groundedness.” Then I would find out that a friend was praying for me. The prayers of my friends have sustained me and encouraged me in times of difficulty. You can easily pray for the needs of others. For their health, job, financial issues, marital problems, broken relationships, dreams, desires, and unmet longings. And one of the greatest things you can pray for is their spiritual growth and an increasing love for, trust, and faith in Jesus; along with a growing knowledge of his love for them and his power at work in their lives. In Ephesians Paul prayed a powerful prayer for believers and one that we can pray as well: “I pray that out of his glorious riches Christ may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen” (Ephesians 3:16-21). One of the greatest gifts we can give people is the gift of praying for them. Who is someone you can intercede for in prayer? Who is someone you can go to battle for, petitioning God on their behalf? Write their name in your journal and commit to praying for them. See how God works in you and how he meets them as you are faithful in prayer.
9/29/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When was the last time you sat before the Lord and thanked him? Really thanked him—expressing your heartfelt gratitude to Jesus? Here is another Psalm of David. This one gives us a rich example of what it looks like to pour out our hearts in thanksgiving to God. King David had many highs and lows in his life. David experienced hardship, loss, suffering, fear, anger, worry, and despair. In the midst of being hunted down by his enemies, we see a man who passionately pursued God as his faith was being purified. Psalm 138 are the words of a man faithful to God and grateful to him in all seasons of life. Let this be your prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. I will give you thanks with all my heart; I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your constant love and truth. You have exalted your name and your promise above everything else. On the day I called, you answered me; You increased strength within me. If I walk into the thick of danger, you will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend your hand; Your right hand will save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of your hands (Psalm 138:1-8 HCSB). Prayer is an authentic outpouring of our thoughts and emotions to a holy God who hears us; a gateway to intimacy with God as we humbly come before him acknowledging his goodness and faithfulness. It can be easy to thank God when things in life are going according to your plan. But do you praise him when it feels like your life has taken a detour or dreams are delayed? Do you express gratitude in times of trouble because you know God’s character? Do you thank him that he will never leave you nor forsake you and that he is with you in the middle of life’s storms? Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” Praise is not something conditional based on our circumstances; praise exposes the condition of our hearts. How will you spend time pouring out your heart to God in gratitude this week? He is worthy of your praise.
9/28/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When was the last time you sat before the Lord and thanked him? Really thanked him—expressing your heartfelt gratitude to Jesus? Here is another Psalm of David. This one gives us a rich example of what it looks like to pour out our hearts in thanksgiving to God. King David had many highs and lows in his life. David experienced hardship, loss, suffering, fear, anger, worry, and despair. In the midst of being hunted down by his enemies, we see a man who passionately pursued God as his faith was being purified. Psalm 138 are the words of a man faithful to God and grateful to him in all seasons of life. Let this be your prayer of thanksgiving to the Lord. I will give you thanks with all my heart; I will sing your praise before the heavenly beings. I will bow down toward your holy temple and give thanks to your name for your constant love and truth. You have exalted your name and your promise above everything else. On the day I called, you answered me; You increased strength within me. If I walk into the thick of danger, you will preserve my life from the anger of my enemies. You will extend your hand; Your right hand will save me. The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me. Lord, your love is eternal; do not abandon the work of your hands (Psalm 138:1-8 HCSB). Prayer is an authentic outpouring of our thoughts and emotions to a holy God who hears us; a gateway to intimacy with God as we humbly come before him acknowledging his goodness and faithfulness. It can be easy to thank God when things in life are going according to your plan. But do you praise him when it feels like your life has taken a detour or dreams are delayed? Do you express gratitude in times of trouble because you know God’s character? Do you thank him that he will never leave you nor forsake you and that he is with you in the middle of life’s storms? Isaiah 26:3 says, “You will keep the mind that is dependent on you in perfect peace, for it is trusting in you.” Praise is not something conditional based on our circumstances; praise exposes the condition of our hearts. How will you spend time pouring out your heart to God in gratitude this week? He is worthy of your praise.
9/28/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) The book of Psalms has often been called a book of prayer and it is rich with examples of the Psalmists' communication with God. As a follower of Jesus, you have a relationship with God that enables you to have rich spiritual communication with him. You have the privilege of talking to God, of pouring out your heart to him, and also hearing and listening to him by the power of his Holy Spirit. We see this pouring out in prayer in Psalm 25, a Psalm of David. David was a king of Israel and referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Throughout Psalms we see him crying out to God as he is repeatedly pursued by his enemies, lamenting of his sin, and praying in his times of deepest struggle and need. David gives us an honest look into what it sounds like to come before God in times of trouble. In this Psalm we hear the cries of his heart as he seeks counsel from the Lord and confesses his utter dependence on him. Where do you turn when you feel desperate? Who or what do you depend on in times of trouble? Maybe you are in a tough season in your marriage, your singleness, your health, your job. Perhaps a co-worker has talked poorly about you and given you a bad reputation or you are out of work and don’t know what is next and you desperately need guidance. David reminds us where to keep our focus. “Lord, I turn to you. My God, I trust in you. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced. Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long. Remember Lord, your compassion and your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.” (Psalm 25:1-6 HCSB). You hear the longing, humility, and gratitude in David’s words. He begins this prayer by acknowledging God and declaring his trust in him and his character. God is trustworthy no matter what difficulties he is facing. He courageously asks God for what he needs. He desperately desires to hear from God, to know his ways and to be guided in truth. He waits on the Lord as long as it takes until he hears his voice and his direction. I think it can be easy to forget the goodness of God. Or to pray and get impatient in the waiting. Have you forgotten the goodness of God in your time of desperation? Are you impatient as you wait on him? Someone once said, God is never late, he is rarely early, but he is always on time. Pour your heart out to him, praise him, trust him. He knows just what you need.
9/27/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) The book of Psalms has often been called a book of prayer and it is rich with examples of the Psalmists' communication with God. As a follower of Jesus, you have a relationship with God that enables you to have rich spiritual communication with him. You have the privilege of talking to God, of pouring out your heart to him, and also hearing and listening to him by the power of his Holy Spirit. We see this pouring out in prayer in Psalm 25, a Psalm of David. David was a king of Israel and referred to as a man after God’s own heart. Throughout Psalms we see him crying out to God as he is repeatedly pursued by his enemies, lamenting of his sin, and praying in his times of deepest struggle and need. David gives us an honest look into what it sounds like to come before God in times of trouble. In this Psalm we hear the cries of his heart as he seeks counsel from the Lord and confesses his utter dependence on him. Where do you turn when you feel desperate? Who or what do you depend on in times of trouble? Maybe you are in a tough season in your marriage, your singleness, your health, your job. Perhaps a co-worker has talked poorly about you and given you a bad reputation or you are out of work and don’t know what is next and you desperately need guidance. David reminds us where to keep our focus. “Lord, I turn to you. My God, I trust in you. Do not let me be disgraced; do not let my enemies gloat over me. No one who waits for you will be disgraced; those who act treacherously without cause will be disgraced. Make your ways known to me, Lord; teach me your paths. Guide me in your truth and teach me; for you are the God of my salvation; I wait for you all day long. Remember Lord, your compassion and your faithful love, for they have existed from antiquity.” (Psalm 25:1-6 HCSB). You hear the longing, humility, and gratitude in David’s words. He begins this prayer by acknowledging God and declaring his trust in him and his character. God is trustworthy no matter what difficulties he is facing. He courageously asks God for what he needs. He desperately desires to hear from God, to know his ways and to be guided in truth. He waits on the Lord as long as it takes until he hears his voice and his direction. I think it can be easy to forget the goodness of God. Or to pray and get impatient in the waiting. Have you forgotten the goodness of God in your time of desperation? Are you impatient as you wait on him? Someone once said, God is never late, he is rarely early, but he is always on time. Pour your heart out to him, praise him, trust him. He knows just what you need.
9/27/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever longed for something—prayed fervently for something you wanted with all of your heart and soul? Maybe you are single and you have prayed for a spouse. Or you are married and have prayed for a child. Perhaps you have prayed for a specific job, a raise, or a promotion. Sometimes we see God answer our prayers in a way we desire, other times he answers in a way that we did not expect and is not in alignment with what we hoped for. Maybe you are in a period of waiting and wondering if and when God will come through. Sometimes we ask God for something and he answers with a “no,” “yes,” or a “not yet.” It is in the times of no or not yet that our faith can be stretched. And it is also in these times where it can be super easy to miss the blessing and provision that is in front of us because we are so fixed on the outcome we want. When I think of a prayer of longing, it reminds me of Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel.  Hannah was grieving over a difficult situation in her life. She desperately desired a son but was unable to bear children so she went before the Lord and poured her heart out before him. First Samuel 1:10 tells us, “Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept many tears.” Hannah declares, “I am a woman with a broken heart…. I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord… I am praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment” (1 Samuel 1:10,15-16 CSB). Hannah is honest about the pain of her unmet longing. What is a longing of your heart that has not been met in the way or in the timing that you want? It can be really hard to trust God to give us what is best when a deep desire of our heart is delayed. Hannah was in a heartbroken place and she poured her heart out to God and God heard her. We don’t like hard places, but God uses difficult places to draw you into a deeper relationship with him. He wants you to come to him with your hurts, heartache, bitterness, and resentment. God already knows what’s on your mind and heart but praying helps you to work through and process your pain when you verbalize and give words to your emotions, allowing the vulnerability and depth of your heart to cry out to him. When you are suffering from hardships, difficulties, and unmet longings, God is working in ways you cannot see. It may not turn out like you had hoped but God is at work and he will strengthen you to walk by faith and trust when you pour your heart out to him.
9/26/20223 minutes
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The Power of A Praying Life

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever longed for something—prayed fervently for something you wanted with all of your heart and soul? Maybe you are single and you have prayed for a spouse. Or you are married and have prayed for a child. Perhaps you have prayed for a specific job, a raise, or a promotion. Sometimes we see God answer our prayers in a way we desire, other times he answers in a way that we did not expect and is not in alignment with what we hoped for. Maybe you are in a period of waiting and wondering if and when God will come through. Sometimes we ask God for something and he answers with a “no,” “yes,” or a “not yet.” It is in the times of no or not yet that our faith can be stretched. And it is also in these times where it can be super easy to miss the blessing and provision that is in front of us because we are so fixed on the outcome we want. When I think of a prayer of longing, it reminds me of Hannah’s prayer in 1 Samuel.  Hannah was grieving over a difficult situation in her life. She desperately desired a son but was unable to bear children so she went before the Lord and poured her heart out before him. First Samuel 1:10 tells us, “Deeply hurt, Hannah prayed to the Lord and wept many tears.” Hannah declares, “I am a woman with a broken heart…. I’ve been pouring out my heart before the Lord… I am praying from the depth of my anguish and resentment” (1 Samuel 1:10,15-16 CSB). Hannah is honest about the pain of her unmet longing. What is a longing of your heart that has not been met in the way or in the timing that you want? It can be really hard to trust God to give us what is best when a deep desire of our heart is delayed. Hannah was in a heartbroken place and she poured her heart out to God and God heard her. We don’t like hard places, but God uses difficult places to draw you into a deeper relationship with him. He wants you to come to him with your hurts, heartache, bitterness, and resentment. God already knows what’s on your mind and heart but praying helps you to work through and process your pain when you verbalize and give words to your emotions, allowing the vulnerability and depth of your heart to cry out to him. When you are suffering from hardships, difficulties, and unmet longings, God is working in ways you cannot see. It may not turn out like you had hoped but God is at work and he will strengthen you to walk by faith and trust when you pour your heart out to him.
9/26/20223 minutes
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The Power of the Lord’s Prayer

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) I have a question for you. How are you doing? No, really, how are you doing? What are the things that are most consuming your thoughts? What is a worry, concern or uncertainty, maybe a disappointment, unmet need, longing or loss that is weighing on your mind? If you were to do a check-in with your heart and your soul, what would you notice? Are you weary, tired, stressed out, angry, or depleted? Are you feeling overwhelmed or overworked? In the busyness of life, it is important to take time to do a self-check and get a gauge on our souls. Because let’s face it, life can be hard, and it is easy to get depleted. How do you experience renewal, refreshment and supernatural strength in your life? How do you receive sustenance in difficult times and grow in your ability to experience the divine power and presence of God? I want to remind you of the power of prayer. Now before you say, “I already know about prayer,” my question is, how consistently do you practice the power of prayer? I read a quote that said, “If you want your life to experience divine power, it needs to be a praying life.” Far too often it can be easy to bypass the transformation that comes from prayer because we are prone to put it on the back burner. But we can experience the divine presence and power to greater degrees in our lives. If you think about it, what are the reasons we don’t make prayer a daily habit? Being brutally honest, we don’t really believe that prayer works. Or since God already knows what we are thinking, why do we need to pray? And all too often the old “I am too busy” can become a barrier to a praying life. If you think you are too time crunched to pray, you need only to look to Jesus who modeled prayer and whose life points to not only the necessity of prayer but the practice of prayer in the busyness and demands of life. In Luke chapter 5, we see that crowds of people came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of their sickness, and then it says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). In the midst of his ministry, healing and teaching, Jesus points us to the power of prayer. In the hustle and bustle of life it is so easy to be on autopilot, going at warp speed, that we neglect to take the time to slow down and get away from the crowds and pray. Retreating from the crowds doesn’t necessarily mean going to a mountain or rural place, although that sounds really nice. It may simply be waking up early in the morning before the demands of the day kick in. Sitting in a quiet place in your house or apartment, even if for a few minutes before you start your day, to come before the Lord and in the quietness of his presence, pray. Of course, prayer is not reserved just for morning times. There is no one right time of day to pray, it is something you can do throughout your day. When you spend time in prayer, you make space to hear from God and for the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and transform your heart. Having a vibrant prayer life is a significant spiritual practice among followers of Jesus. Prayer positions you to pour out your heart so that you can be filled up and experience deep connection with the Lord. In Psalm 116 the Psalmist says, “I love the Lord because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me I will call out to him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1-2). I love the reminder all throughout the Bible that God inclines his ear towards us. He listens intently. He delights in hearing your voice. Throughout the years I have struggled to pray. Especially in times where I felt distant from God, it was really hard for me to want to talk to him. Sometimes I didn’t even know where to begin. And then I read a book that suggested starting each day with the Lord’s prayer. In the gospel of Mathew, Jesus gave his disciples and us a model for prayer. Even if you start with 15 seconds a day,
9/24/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Power of the Lord’s Prayer

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) I have a question for you. How are you doing? No, really, how are you doing? What are the things that are most consuming your thoughts? What is a worry, concern or uncertainty, maybe a disappointment, unmet need, longing or loss that is weighing on your mind? If you were to do a check-in with your heart and your soul, what would you notice? Are you weary, tired, stressed out, angry, or depleted? Are you feeling overwhelmed or overworked? In the busyness of life, it is important to take time to do a self-check and get a gauge on our souls. Because let’s face it, life can be hard, and it is easy to get depleted. How do you experience renewal, refreshment and supernatural strength in your life? How do you receive sustenance in difficult times and grow in your ability to experience the divine power and presence of God? I want to remind you of the power of prayer. Now before you say, “I already know about prayer,” my question is, how consistently do you practice the power of prayer? I read a quote that said, “If you want your life to experience divine power, it needs to be a praying life.” Far too often it can be easy to bypass the transformation that comes from prayer because we are prone to put it on the back burner. But we can experience the divine presence and power to greater degrees in our lives. If you think about it, what are the reasons we don’t make prayer a daily habit? Being brutally honest, we don’t really believe that prayer works. Or since God already knows what we are thinking, why do we need to pray? And all too often the old “I am too busy” can become a barrier to a praying life. If you think you are too time crunched to pray, you need only to look to Jesus who modeled prayer and whose life points to not only the necessity of prayer but the practice of prayer in the busyness and demands of life. In Luke chapter 5, we see that crowds of people came to hear Jesus teach and to be healed of their sickness, and then it says, “But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed” (Luke 5:16). In the midst of his ministry, healing and teaching, Jesus points us to the power of prayer. In the hustle and bustle of life it is so easy to be on autopilot, going at warp speed, that we neglect to take the time to slow down and get away from the crowds and pray. Retreating from the crowds doesn’t necessarily mean going to a mountain or rural place, although that sounds really nice. It may simply be waking up early in the morning before the demands of the day kick in. Sitting in a quiet place in your house or apartment, even if for a few minutes before you start your day, to come before the Lord and in the quietness of his presence, pray. Of course, prayer is not reserved just for morning times. There is no one right time of day to pray, it is something you can do throughout your day. When you spend time in prayer, you make space to hear from God and for the Holy Spirit to guide your steps and transform your heart. Having a vibrant prayer life is a significant spiritual practice among followers of Jesus. Prayer positions you to pour out your heart so that you can be filled up and experience deep connection with the Lord. In Psalm 116 the Psalmist says, “I love the Lord because he has heard my appeal for mercy. Because he has turned his ear to me I will call out to him as long as I live” (Psalm 116:1-2). I love the reminder all throughout the Bible that God inclines his ear towards us. He listens intently. He delights in hearing your voice. Throughout the years I have struggled to pray. Especially in times where I felt distant from God, it was really hard for me to want to talk to him. Sometimes I didn’t even know where to begin. And then I read a book that suggested starting each day with the Lord’s prayer. In the gospel of Mathew, Jesus gave his disciples and us a model for prayer. Even if you start with 15 seconds a day,
9/24/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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No Pointless Prayers – 5

It is better to pray a bad prayer than not to pray at all, because there are no pointless prayers. But praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers—praying as Jesus taught us to pray in what we call the Lord’s Prayer—this is even more powerful praying. So, even though it is better to pray a bad prayer than not to pray at all, it is better still to pray effectively. How do we make sure our prayers are as powerful and effective as they can be? Well, Jesus gave us a format for prayer, which we call The Lord’s Prayer but it really is The Disciple’s Prayer, and if you pray like Jesus taught you to, then I believe it will be more effective and powerful. Years ago I realized that my prayer time was rather monotonous, repetitive and not very exciting. It was more of a duty than a privilege. So, I took The Lord’s Prayer as my guide and I began a prayer journal, where I organized my prayer time based on how Jesus taught us to pray. That absolutely revolutionized my prayer life. It gave structure and meaning to what had been rather generalized prayers, and I began to keep a record of answers to prayer. Now, many years later, I have pages and pages of answered prayer—many I would have forgotten had I not made a record. And I began to pray Scripture into my life. That has truly transformed my prayer time and me. For example, I pray Romans 12:1-2 regularly, committing my body to him as a living sacrifice for that day, asking that I will not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of mind, and in that way I can prove God’s will for my life for that day. I promise you, that is effective, powerful praying. (If you would like the devotional for the entire week, click here.)
9/23/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 5

It is better to pray a bad prayer than not to pray at all, because there are no pointless prayers. But praying in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers—praying as Jesus taught us to pray in what we call the Lord’s Prayer—this is even more powerful praying. So, even though it is better to pray a bad prayer than not to pray at all, it is better still to pray effectively. How do we make sure our prayers are as powerful and effective as they can be? Well, Jesus gave us a format for prayer, which we call The Lord’s Prayer but it really is The Disciple’s Prayer, and if you pray like Jesus taught you to, then I believe it will be more effective and powerful. Years ago I realized that my prayer time was rather monotonous, repetitive and not very exciting. It was more of a duty than a privilege. So, I took The Lord’s Prayer as my guide and I began a prayer journal, where I organized my prayer time based on how Jesus taught us to pray. That absolutely revolutionized my prayer life. It gave structure and meaning to what had been rather generalized prayers, and I began to keep a record of answers to prayer. Now, many years later, I have pages and pages of answered prayer—many I would have forgotten had I not made a record. And I began to pray Scripture into my life. That has truly transformed my prayer time and me. For example, I pray Romans 12:1-2 regularly, committing my body to him as a living sacrifice for that day, asking that I will not be conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of mind, and in that way I can prove God’s will for my life for that day. I promise you, that is effective, powerful praying. (If you would like the devotional for the entire week, click here.)
9/23/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 4

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we read: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is simply conversation with God, and that should be an on-going conversation, where at any time in any day you are so connected with God that you keep the conversation going. I was thinking of the ways we stay connected now with the people in our lives. Because of all the technological advances and gadgets that we have, we truly can keep a conversation going just about all the time, can’t we? Well, don’t you think we should stay connected with God throughout our entire day at least as much as we do with our loved ones and friends? I have a long-time friend who is a successful lawyer, and she incorporates prayer all through her day. I asked her how she keeps this continual conversation with God in the midst of a busy day, and how that affects her life. Here is how she replied. “I have many goals every day as I work—like providing valuable legal advice, articulately presenting a client's position, clearly and accurately drafting necessary documents—but there is no more important goal that I have in my work with clients and with co-workers than to show the love of Jesus to them in every interaction. I try to pray before every call, every meeting, and even as I am walking through the halls of my office, that I will show Jesus' love. I text my prayer partners before important calls and meetings to pray that I will show Jesus' love to everyone. It changes everything about how I see people and how I treat them. It helps me focus on the most important thing—the love of Jesus. And no matter what the outcome is of the call/meeting/interaction, whether I performed well or whether I delivered the value that I wanted to deliver to our client, if I was able to share just a tiny bit of the love that Jesus has given me, then I consider it a success and not a failure because love never fails.” I am one of her prayer partners and I love the way she brings a conversation of God into everything she does. She prays on all occasions with all kinds of prayers, and as we read in James, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b). When you have been born from above and the righteousness of Jesus has been given to you, then you can claim this promise, that your prayers are powerful and effective, because you have the righteousness of Christ. I strongly urge you to keep a conversation going with God all day long. His Spirit is totally with you and is attentive to your prayer, so pray! And remember, there are no pointless prayers!
9/22/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 4

In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 we read: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” Prayer is simply conversation with God, and that should be an on-going conversation, where at any time in any day you are so connected with God that you keep the conversation going. I was thinking of the ways we stay connected now with the people in our lives. Because of all the technological advances and gadgets that we have, we truly can keep a conversation going just about all the time, can’t we? Well, don’t you think we should stay connected with God throughout our entire day at least as much as we do with our loved ones and friends? I have a long-time friend who is a successful lawyer, and she incorporates prayer all through her day. I asked her how she keeps this continual conversation with God in the midst of a busy day, and how that affects her life. Here is how she replied. “I have many goals every day as I work—like providing valuable legal advice, articulately presenting a client's position, clearly and accurately drafting necessary documents—but there is no more important goal that I have in my work with clients and with co-workers than to show the love of Jesus to them in every interaction. I try to pray before every call, every meeting, and even as I am walking through the halls of my office, that I will show Jesus' love. I text my prayer partners before important calls and meetings to pray that I will show Jesus' love to everyone. It changes everything about how I see people and how I treat them. It helps me focus on the most important thing—the love of Jesus. And no matter what the outcome is of the call/meeting/interaction, whether I performed well or whether I delivered the value that I wanted to deliver to our client, if I was able to share just a tiny bit of the love that Jesus has given me, then I consider it a success and not a failure because love never fails.” I am one of her prayer partners and I love the way she brings a conversation of God into everything she does. She prays on all occasions with all kinds of prayers, and as we read in James, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective” (James 5:16b). When you have been born from above and the righteousness of Jesus has been given to you, then you can claim this promise, that your prayers are powerful and effective, because you have the righteousness of Christ. I strongly urge you to keep a conversation going with God all day long. His Spirit is totally with you and is attentive to your prayer, so pray! And remember, there are no pointless prayers!
9/22/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 3

Have you stopped praying because it feels like your prayers are pointless? The Bible teaches us to pray about everything, even if it seems pointless. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” What does it mean to pray On all occasions This simply means it is appropriate to pray about every occasion in our lives. From the smallest incidents to the traumatic occurrences, pray on all occasions. My friend, Fran, first taught me this truth by the way she prayed. I remember one specific time when she lost the diamond in her wedding ring. She immediately began to pray about it, and of course, she began a desperate search for her diamond. A couple of days later, she decided to search her car. Now, how likely would it be that a small diamond could be found in a car—even if indeed that was where it was? But she prayed that God would help her find that diamond, and you guessed it—tucked in one of the car seats there it was. Fran prayed on all occasions about everything, even when it seemed pointless, even when it’s not a life and death issue, even when it’s a small thing like a diamond. And then, this verse says we are to pray With all kinds of prayers and requests God invites us to petition him—to make our requests known to him. James said you have not because you ask not. Intercession is praying for others, and this is certainly one of the most important kinds of prayer we should pray. Corporate prayer is another form of prayer—praying with others. Urgent cries for help, insignificant requests for God’s favor, praying for the salvation of people who seem totally closed to the Gospel—there are many kinds of prayers and requests, and even if they seem pointless, we should pray for them because there are no pointless prayers.
9/21/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 3

Have you stopped praying because it feels like your prayers are pointless? The Bible teaches us to pray about everything, even if it seems pointless. Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests.” What does it mean to pray On all occasions This simply means it is appropriate to pray about every occasion in our lives. From the smallest incidents to the traumatic occurrences, pray on all occasions. My friend, Fran, first taught me this truth by the way she prayed. I remember one specific time when she lost the diamond in her wedding ring. She immediately began to pray about it, and of course, she began a desperate search for her diamond. A couple of days later, she decided to search her car. Now, how likely would it be that a small diamond could be found in a car—even if indeed that was where it was? But she prayed that God would help her find that diamond, and you guessed it—tucked in one of the car seats there it was. Fran prayed on all occasions about everything, even when it seemed pointless, even when it’s not a life and death issue, even when it’s a small thing like a diamond. And then, this verse says we are to pray With all kinds of prayers and requests God invites us to petition him—to make our requests known to him. James said you have not because you ask not. Intercession is praying for others, and this is certainly one of the most important kinds of prayer we should pray. Corporate prayer is another form of prayer—praying with others. Urgent cries for help, insignificant requests for God’s favor, praying for the salvation of people who seem totally closed to the Gospel—there are many kinds of prayers and requests, and even if they seem pointless, we should pray for them because there are no pointless prayers.
9/21/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 2

There are no pointless prayers! I began to mediate on this after reading an article by Marcus Warner, where he points out the story of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. They were childless and Elizabeth was long past child-bearing age. But Zechariah, who was a priest, had many times prayed for a son. No doubt it felt like a pointless prayer at this point in their lives, but as he was praying before the altar of incense, he encountered an angel who told him his prayers had been answered. And indeed in a short time Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. As Marcus writes, “Zechariah had offered many “pointless” prayers for his wife, Elizabeth. Realistically, she was never going to have a child—not now, not at her age. But it turns out, there are no throwaway prayers. God had heard them, and God was about to act.” “How about you? Have you given up praying for someone or something because the prayers have begun to feel pointless? You never know,” as Marcus says, “An angel may already be on the way.” Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” So, prayer can take many different forms and we should pray about everything—on all occasions. What does this verse teach us about praying? First, it says, Pray in the Spirit What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? It simply means that we need the Holy Spirit to help us with our prayers. Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for and it is trusting the Spirit to pray for us. When you feel like your prayers are pointless—or maybe you just don’t even know how to pray about a certain situation—just ask God’s Spirit to present your heart’s request to God. That is praying in the Spirit.
9/20/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers – 2

There are no pointless prayers! I began to mediate on this after reading an article by Marcus Warner, where he points out the story of Zechariah and his wife Elizabeth. They were childless and Elizabeth was long past child-bearing age. But Zechariah, who was a priest, had many times prayed for a son. No doubt it felt like a pointless prayer at this point in their lives, but as he was praying before the altar of incense, he encountered an angel who told him his prayers had been answered. And indeed in a short time Elizabeth gave birth to John the Baptist. As Marcus writes, “Zechariah had offered many “pointless” prayers for his wife, Elizabeth. Realistically, she was never going to have a child—not now, not at her age. But it turns out, there are no throwaway prayers. God had heard them, and God was about to act.” “How about you? Have you given up praying for someone or something because the prayers have begun to feel pointless? You never know,” as Marcus says, “An angel may already be on the way.” Ephesians 6:18 says, “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.” So, prayer can take many different forms and we should pray about everything—on all occasions. What does this verse teach us about praying? First, it says, Pray in the Spirit What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? It simply means that we need the Holy Spirit to help us with our prayers. Romans 8:26 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.” Praying in the Spirit does not refer to the words we are saying. Rather, it refers to how we are praying. Praying in the Spirit is praying according to the Spirit’s leading. It is praying for things the Spirit leads us to pray for and it is trusting the Spirit to pray for us. When you feel like your prayers are pointless—or maybe you just don’t even know how to pray about a certain situation—just ask God’s Spirit to present your heart’s request to God. That is praying in the Spirit.
9/20/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers

Do you ever think, “That is a pointless prayer. Nothing’s going to change in that situation, so why bother praying about it”? Well, if you’ve ever felt that way, I encourage you to believe that there are “No Pointless Prayers.” I can certainly relate to that feeling of praying for something or someone and afterwards feeling like it’s not going to make any difference. But recently I was sent an article by Marcus Warner of Deeper Life Ministries entitled “No Pointless Prayers,” and I eagerly read it because the title resonated with me. Is it true there are no pointless prayers? In his article, Marcus talks about a time recently when he thought of some friends—a couple—who are not yet believers and have not yet shown much inclination to learn about Christianity, and as he was reminded of them, he just said a quick prayer that they would come to saving faith. Immediately afterwards an inner voice said to him That was a pointless prayer. He recognized that this thought had come from the enemy, and later he wrote in his journal a message from God to him: “I heard your prayers. They were not pointless. The incense comes before the throne of grace—a sweet smelling, wonderful aroma of love and worship in a world that is broken and malfunctioning. There are no pointless prayers.” Marcus goes on to say, “This feels true to me. Granted, some praying is more effective than others, but it is better to pray badly than not to pray at all.” Is there something or someone you’ve been praying for a long time and it feels pointless? Don’t give up. In Luke 18 Jesus gave us the parable of the persistent widow who kept on begging the judge to grant her request, which he finally did simply because she was so persistent. Jesus said the purpose of this parable was to show his disciples that they should always pray and not give up. I want to encourage you to always pray and not give up praying for what is on your heart, even if it seems pointless to you. There are no pointless prayers.
9/19/20223 minutes
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No Pointless Prayers

Do you ever think, “That is a pointless prayer. Nothing’s going to change in that situation, so why bother praying about it”? Well, if you’ve ever felt that way, I encourage you to believe that there are “No Pointless Prayers.” I can certainly relate to that feeling of praying for something or someone and afterwards feeling like it’s not going to make any difference. But recently I was sent an article by Marcus Warner of Deeper Life Ministries entitled “No Pointless Prayers,” and I eagerly read it because the title resonated with me. Is it true there are no pointless prayers? In his article, Marcus talks about a time recently when he thought of some friends—a couple—who are not yet believers and have not yet shown much inclination to learn about Christianity, and as he was reminded of them, he just said a quick prayer that they would come to saving faith. Immediately afterwards an inner voice said to him That was a pointless prayer. He recognized that this thought had come from the enemy, and later he wrote in his journal a message from God to him: “I heard your prayers. They were not pointless. The incense comes before the throne of grace—a sweet smelling, wonderful aroma of love and worship in a world that is broken and malfunctioning. There are no pointless prayers.” Marcus goes on to say, “This feels true to me. Granted, some praying is more effective than others, but it is better to pray badly than not to pray at all.” Is there something or someone you’ve been praying for a long time and it feels pointless? Don’t give up. In Luke 18 Jesus gave us the parable of the persistent widow who kept on begging the judge to grant her request, which he finally did simply because she was so persistent. Jesus said the purpose of this parable was to show his disciples that they should always pray and not give up. I want to encourage you to always pray and not give up praying for what is on your heart, even if it seems pointless to you. There are no pointless prayers.
9/19/20223 minutes
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Praying At All Times

I want to recommend a book by Sherry Harney entitled Praying with Eyes Wide Open. I read it a few years ago and found it very helpful in tackling this issue of what it means to pray at all times, so I’ll be sharing some of Sherry’s thoughts with you—and I highly recommend her book. When you think of praying, what comes to your mind? Do you see prayer as a time when you must be quiet, either sit or kneel, close your eyes and bow your head? Does it seem almost sacrilegious to open your eyes when you are praying or when someone else is? Is prayer to be reserved for those specific times in a day—or a week—when you can get in the right position and the right frame of mind for prayer? If that’s how you see prayer, then praying at all times or praying continually will continue to be an impossibility. Did you know that the Bible gives no specific directions about your posture or the state of your eyes when you pray? You won’t find any references in the Bible demonstrating that people are praying with heads bowed and eyes closed. In fact, you’ll find many times when prayer was often given standing up, with arms outstretched toward heaven. We have passages that speak of God’s people praying in the midst of a battle, while shepherding sheep or on a journey, in public and private places. In John 17 we read that “after Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed.” We see where Solomon spread out his hands toward heaven as he prayed, and David lifted up his hands. The apostle Paul exhorted us to pray with holy hands lifted, as we read in 1 Timothy 2:8. And often the apostles laid their hands on people as they prayed for them. No doubt there are good reasons at times for us to close our eyes and bow our heads in prayer, but that is not a requirement. Therefore, praying at all times or praying continually might not truly be impossible if we can pray at any time, in any position and in any place, wouldn’t you agree? Consider this, if prayer is limited to certain postures and places, then our prayer time is very limited, is it not? But if we can pray with eyes open, silently or verbally, anywhere and anytime, then we are much more likely to expand our prayer life and spend far more time in the presence of our God. We just need to develop a new attitude toward prayer and determine to keep a conversation going with God throughout our day, as we stand, sit, drive, run, work, lie down—whatever! In her book, Sherry points out that it is not that we have to pray continually, but rather we are allowed to pray continually. God will not be disappointed with you if you don’t pray all the time. Rather, he invites you into his presence to commune with him at all times, anytime you wish. That is the wonder of our invitation to go to God, entering into the holiest place, at his throne, where he is waiting for us and wants us to be with him, and where we will find grace and mercy to help in our time of need. Here’s how it works to pray continually. You must become intentional about practicing the presence of Jesus. That means, you must determine to be aware—at all times and in all places—that because you are a Christ-follower and have been born again, you are surrounded with the presence of Jesus all day, every day, 24/7. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have him with you at all times; the problem for us is that we all-too-often don’t recognize or acknowledge his presence. For example, let’s say you have a really close friend or family member—the person on this earth closest to you. You are with them as often as possible, and when you are with them you communicate—you talk. You share the problems and issues of your life, but you also share the joys. You laugh together; you cry together; sometimes you’re just silent together, but that person’s presence is there with you. This is not a perfect analogy, but just consider that Jesus is your best friend, your closest companion, your confidant. And,
9/17/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Praying At All Times

I want to recommend a book by Sherry Harney entitled Praying with Eyes Wide Open. I read it a few years ago and found it very helpful in tackling this issue of what it means to pray at all times, so I’ll be sharing some of Sherry’s thoughts with you—and I highly recommend her book. When you think of praying, what comes to your mind? Do you see prayer as a time when you must be quiet, either sit or kneel, close your eyes and bow your head? Does it seem almost sacrilegious to open your eyes when you are praying or when someone else is? Is prayer to be reserved for those specific times in a day—or a week—when you can get in the right position and the right frame of mind for prayer? If that’s how you see prayer, then praying at all times or praying continually will continue to be an impossibility. Did you know that the Bible gives no specific directions about your posture or the state of your eyes when you pray? You won’t find any references in the Bible demonstrating that people are praying with heads bowed and eyes closed. In fact, you’ll find many times when prayer was often given standing up, with arms outstretched toward heaven. We have passages that speak of God’s people praying in the midst of a battle, while shepherding sheep or on a journey, in public and private places. In John 17 we read that “after Jesus said this, he looked toward heaven and prayed.” We see where Solomon spread out his hands toward heaven as he prayed, and David lifted up his hands. The apostle Paul exhorted us to pray with holy hands lifted, as we read in 1 Timothy 2:8. And often the apostles laid their hands on people as they prayed for them. No doubt there are good reasons at times for us to close our eyes and bow our heads in prayer, but that is not a requirement. Therefore, praying at all times or praying continually might not truly be impossible if we can pray at any time, in any position and in any place, wouldn’t you agree? Consider this, if prayer is limited to certain postures and places, then our prayer time is very limited, is it not? But if we can pray with eyes open, silently or verbally, anywhere and anytime, then we are much more likely to expand our prayer life and spend far more time in the presence of our God. We just need to develop a new attitude toward prayer and determine to keep a conversation going with God throughout our day, as we stand, sit, drive, run, work, lie down—whatever! In her book, Sherry points out that it is not that we have to pray continually, but rather we are allowed to pray continually. God will not be disappointed with you if you don’t pray all the time. Rather, he invites you into his presence to commune with him at all times, anytime you wish. That is the wonder of our invitation to go to God, entering into the holiest place, at his throne, where he is waiting for us and wants us to be with him, and where we will find grace and mercy to help in our time of need. Here’s how it works to pray continually. You must become intentional about practicing the presence of Jesus. That means, you must determine to be aware—at all times and in all places—that because you are a Christ-follower and have been born again, you are surrounded with the presence of Jesus all day, every day, 24/7. Through the power of the Holy Spirit, you have him with you at all times; the problem for us is that we all-too-often don’t recognize or acknowledge his presence. For example, let’s say you have a really close friend or family member—the person on this earth closest to you. You are with them as often as possible, and when you are with them you communicate—you talk. You share the problems and issues of your life, but you also share the joys. You laugh together; you cry together; sometimes you’re just silent together, but that person’s presence is there with you. This is not a perfect analogy, but just consider that Jesus is your best friend, your closest companion, your confidant. And,
9/17/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Blooming Where You Are Planted – 5

Have you ever had the run-away blues? The run-away blues are those days, those times in your life when you’d just love to run away. When the thought of going to the airport and catching the next flight out to anywhere else, rather than where you are, sounds like a really good idea. Run-away blues—who hasn’t had those days? David expressed it so well in Psalm 55. He was in a bad place then; his enemies were threatening him, his mind was a jumbled mess, his heart was in anguish and he was frightened. Now mind you, that was the condition of King David, a man after God’s own heart, who was chosen by God to be the King of Israel. I mean, come on, David, why would you want to run-away? But listen to what he wrote: I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm” (Psalm 55:6-8). David was doing what he was supposed to do, as God’s-appointed king, and yet he longed to fly away and be at rest. Are you right now where David was then? Well, aren’t you glad he was inspired by God to put his feelings in writing and leave them for you today? It says that you aren’t condemned for feeling like you want to run away. Even kings have those times. But you have a God who cares and who can bring release and relief for you, right there where you are. After expressing his run-away desires and fears to God, David then says: As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. . . Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55:16-17, 22). I just want to remind you of these words of hope, from a king who wanted to fly away from where God had planted him. Even in the midst of doing what God has called you to do, you can lose your bloom and the enemy can steal your joy. If that’s where you are, just call to God—cry out to him. Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will put a new bloom inside you, and your desert will become a garden where you’re blooming again, and the joy of the Lord will again be your strength. (Click here if you would like to download a copy of the devotional for this week.)
9/16/20223 minutes
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Blooming Where You Are Planted – 5

Have you ever had the run-away blues? The run-away blues are those days, those times in your life when you’d just love to run away. When the thought of going to the airport and catching the next flight out to anywhere else, rather than where you are, sounds like a really good idea. Run-away blues—who hasn’t had those days? David expressed it so well in Psalm 55. He was in a bad place then; his enemies were threatening him, his mind was a jumbled mess, his heart was in anguish and he was frightened. Now mind you, that was the condition of King David, a man after God’s own heart, who was chosen by God to be the King of Israel. I mean, come on, David, why would you want to run-away? But listen to what he wrote: I said, “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm” (Psalm 55:6-8). David was doing what he was supposed to do, as God’s-appointed king, and yet he longed to fly away and be at rest. Are you right now where David was then? Well, aren’t you glad he was inspired by God to put his feelings in writing and leave them for you today? It says that you aren’t condemned for feeling like you want to run away. Even kings have those times. But you have a God who cares and who can bring release and relief for you, right there where you are. After expressing his run-away desires and fears to God, David then says: As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. . . Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55:16-17, 22). I just want to remind you of these words of hope, from a king who wanted to fly away from where God had planted him. Even in the midst of doing what God has called you to do, you can lose your bloom and the enemy can steal your joy. If that’s where you are, just call to God—cry out to him. Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will put a new bloom inside you, and your desert will become a garden where you’re blooming again, and the joy of the Lord will again be your strength. (Click here if you would like to download a copy of the devotional for this week.)
9/16/20223 minutes
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Blooming Where You Are Planted – 4

If you want to be inspired, just Google “plants that grow in concrete” and you will see amazing pictures of all kinds of flowers and plants that are able to grow in the most difficult, unlikely places. I was totally mesmerized to see lovely flowers growing out of cracks in a sidewalk, beautiful blooms popping up from a pile of old tires—picture after picture of plants that bloomed in the most unlikely and difficult places. That’s the challenge each of us faces to make the very best of where we are, blooming where we are planted. The children of Israel were captured and taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, and through the prophet Jeremiah, God told them to bloom right there. You’ll find that story in Jeremiah 29. But in Psalm 137 we find this sad passage: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:1-4). Doesn’t sound like they were blooming there in Babylon, does it? Their joy was gone; their song was dead; they had given up because they were in Babylon and not in Jerusalem. Notice that they had the opportunity to sing the songs of Zion, the songs of the Lord. They could have shared the truth about the true God with these pagan people, but their response was, “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” Maybe that’s where you are. You’re in some place that you don’t want to be—maybe you’re just bored or tired or totally unmotivated, so you’ve hung your harp on a poplar tree, so to speak, and quit blooming. I’ve been there; I know how that feels, but I just want to encourage you to remember that there is a beautiful bloom inside of you, planted there by our God, and if you’ll open a little crack and let his sunshine in, you can bloom right there again and his love will shoot up through that crack and you’ll once again bloom where you’re planted. So, go get that harp you hung up on the poplar tree, and by faith—not necessarily by feelings—ask God to give you a song to sing right where you are, a song from the Lord even while you’re planted in that place you don’t want to be. You can turn your Babylon into a garden full of God’s love, knowing he loves you and sharing his love with everyone around you.
9/15/20223 minutes
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Blooming Where You Are Planted – 4

If you want to be inspired, just Google “plants that grow in concrete” and you will see amazing pictures of all kinds of flowers and plants that are able to grow in the most difficult, unlikely places. I was totally mesmerized to see lovely flowers growing out of cracks in a sidewalk, beautiful blooms popping up from a pile of old tires—picture after picture of plants that bloomed in the most unlikely and difficult places. That’s the challenge each of us faces to make the very best of where we are, blooming where we are planted. The children of Israel were captured and taken from Jerusalem to Babylon, and through the prophet Jeremiah, God told them to bloom right there. You’ll find that story in Jeremiah 29. But in Psalm 137 we find this sad passage: By the rivers of Babylon we sat and wept when we remembered Zion. There on the poplars we hung our harps, for there our captors asked us for songs, our tormentors demanded songs of joy; they said, “Sing us one of the songs of Zion!” How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land? (Psalm 137:1-4). Doesn’t sound like they were blooming there in Babylon, does it? Their joy was gone; their song was dead; they had given up because they were in Babylon and not in Jerusalem. Notice that they had the opportunity to sing the songs of Zion, the songs of the Lord. They could have shared the truth about the true God with these pagan people, but their response was, “How can we sing the songs of the Lord while in a foreign land?” Maybe that’s where you are. You’re in some place that you don’t want to be—maybe you’re just bored or tired or totally unmotivated, so you’ve hung your harp on a poplar tree, so to speak, and quit blooming. I’ve been there; I know how that feels, but I just want to encourage you to remember that there is a beautiful bloom inside of you, planted there by our God, and if you’ll open a little crack and let his sunshine in, you can bloom right there again and his love will shoot up through that crack and you’ll once again bloom where you’re planted. So, go get that harp you hung up on the poplar tree, and by faith—not necessarily by feelings—ask God to give you a song to sing right where you are, a song from the Lord even while you’re planted in that place you don’t want to be. You can turn your Babylon into a garden full of God’s love, knowing he loves you and sharing his love with everyone around you.
9/15/20223 minutes
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Blooming Where You Are Planted – 3

“Bloom where you are planted.” It’s not found in the Bible but it certainly is a biblical attitude. There’s a passage in Jeremiah that is a great example of what it means to “bloom where you are planted.” You’ll find it in Jeremiah 29, and it is a letter that the prophet wrote to the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Get the picture? They are God’s chosen people, now refugees who have been forcibly relocated in Babylon. And here is what Jeremiah wrote to them: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters. Increase in number there; do not decrease. Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the Lord for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper” (Jeremiah 29:4-7). Jeremiah didn’t say that they should fight to get back to Jerusalem. He didn’t say they should just get by until God provided a way of escape. He said to make the very best of the situation they were in. This was a foreign culture; there was no temple in Babylon; it was a pagan culture, worshipping many false gods. And yet this is where they found themselves—this is where they were planted. Notice that God told them that he had carried them into exile, not Nebuchadnezzar. This must have been an amazing statement to them. Their God had brought them to this terrible land? Why would God plant them there? It was hostile to their way of life, to their beliefs, to their God. And yet God made it clear that they were to bloom right there in Babylon where they were planted. I am reminded that we who are Christ-followers are called foreigners and exiles in this world. Peter writes that we should “live out our time as foreigners here in reverent fear.” We are planted here, and while we’re here we should bloom for Jesus. The exiles in Babylon were to build houses, plant gardens marry, increase in number and seek peace and prosperity for the city of Babylon. They were to bloom in Babylon, of all places. Are you blooming where you are now planted, or have you allowed the circumstances of life to destroy your will to bloom, to steal your joy? I want to encourage you to know that God can cause you to bloom in ways you’ve never imagined, if you will be willing to bloom right where you are planted.
9/14/20223 minutes
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Blooming Where You Are Planted – 2

What does it mean to “Bloom where you are planted”? You’ve no doubt heard this expression; in fact, some people think it is in the Bible. No, this saying is not found in the Bible, but the concept it teaches is very biblical. It begins with the word “bloom” which is a verb—an action word—and it implies that you have to be intentional about this. Blooming means producing something beautiful. So, the first word—bloom—is a directive, something you must do. Then it says, “where you are.” Do you often have the attitude that you would do so well if only you were in other circumstances? A different job, a better house, a more-understanding mate, better- behaved children, enough money, better health—just give you better circumstances, solve some of your problems, and then you can bloom. Instead of “bloom where you are planted,” maybe you think, “Put me in better soil and then I’ll bloom!” Some years ago a good friend was planted in a job where some of her coworkers were unfriendly and prejudicial toward her. Instead of lowering herself to their level, or being angry, or vengeful, after much prayer, God led her to begin what she called “Project Love,” intentionally inviting these coworkers to have lunch with her, and in that way breaking down the barriers between them. It wasn’t long before these same people got to know my friend, saw in her the love of Jesus, and soon came to appreciate her and that was the beginning of some long and good friendships. She bloomed where she was. And the last word in this saying is “planted.” Bloom where you are planted. When something is planted, it is placed there intentionally, right? It’s not just a wildflower springing up on a mountainside. Someone has gone to the trouble of preparing a spot, a place, where this seed can be planted. Being planted implies that something outside of itself had a purpose for putting that plant in that place. You know, where you are now is where God has planted you. Oh, there may have been all kinds of circumstances, good and bad, that have brought you to the spot where you are now planted, but God has this marvelous way of taking us where we are and preparing the soil for us even there, so that we can bloom where we are planted. Would you even today pause long enough to just thank God for where you are planted. I know, it could be a tough place, but the Bible says to be thankful in all circumstances, so by faith just thank God for where he has planted you and then ask him to help you bloom in that place.
9/13/20223 minutes
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Blooming Where You Are Planted

I wonder if you know where this is found in the Bible: Bloom where you are planted. Is it in the Psalms, or maybe Jesus said it? Do you know? Well, the truth is, you won’t find that exact phrase in the Bible, but you will find the principle it teaches very clearly given in Scripture. When the Apostle Paul said we should learn to be content no matter what our circumstances, he was saying “Bloom where you are planted.” When Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow would take care of itself, he was saying “Bloom where you are planted.” In writing to the Corinthian Christians, Paul said, “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” (1 Corinthians 7:17). He was admonishing those new believers to bloom where they were planted. Not long ago I had an opportunity to talk to a senior citizen, Betty, who is blooming where she is planted. Betty is a widow and a mom of three grown children and lots of grandchildren. She is a Jesus-lover from way back, and at this stage in her life, she is finding creative ways to reach out to others with the love of Jesus. Betty’s husband died after a very long illness where she was his main caregiver. So she spent many years simply taking care of his needs. Now that she lives alone and is still driving, she has found a way to continue to share the love of Jesus with others. She goes to the grocery store every day. She said, “That way I don’t have heavy bags to carry if I just get a few things each day. And then, I just go up and down the aisles of the store, to see who God puts in my path that day.” Betty uses her daily trips to the grocery store as a way to meet people, to offer encouragement, to pray for people, and to let them know that Jesus loves them. Almost every day she has an opportunity to speak to someone—mostly strangers—and simply offer a moment of caring and concern. She has story after story of the people she has met in this way, and how blessed she is to have this ministry. Betty didn’t complain about the effects of growing older, or the fact that she was alone now, or the aches and pains that occur as you age. She is just blooming where she is, bringing joy and a ray of hope to many people who just happen to shop for groceries where she does.
9/12/20223 minutes
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Before the Throne

Satan, our enemy, will do anything to keep us from praying. He knows that the more effectively we pray, the more power we will have over him and his demons. Therefore, it should come as no surprise to discover that it is sometimes difficult for us to pray, to believe that prayer really works, and to have any excitement and joy in our prayer life. This mini-drama I’m presenting will require you to stretch your imagination. It comes from my imagination, but it is all based solidly on Scripture. Sometimes we just need word pictures to help us see the unseen things, the things that are only seen with “forever eyes.” So that is the purpose of this drama. You must picture a room of grandeur and opulence never imagined on this earth. This room is absolutely gigantic and as you enter, your eyes just cannot begin to take it all in. Everywhere you look there are emeralds, pearls, diamonds—every jewel imaginable. And the floor is made of pure gold, gleaming and glorious. The room is so bright it almost blinds you. And all over this enormous room are angels of such beauty and magnificence that they are indescribable. These angels are huge, with wingspans beyond belief, and their garments shine with a dazzling white light. There is a chorus that sings forever in this room—songs you've never heard before, more glorious than any sound you could possibly imagine. And in the center of this huge room is a throne, which simply defies description. Nothing our human minds could imagine would ever do it justice. It is huge and impressive beyond belief. And all around this throne are myriads and untold numbers of angels praising and guarding the One who sits on the throne, God the Creator. Now, you must picture me entering this throne room. As I come into the room, my appearance is in stark contrast to all around. I look like a scruffy kid, without any glory and beauty. I'm so insignificant in comparison to everything else going on in this incredible room that I could easily get trampled on without notice. But as I start to enter, someone does notice me. It's the head angel, the one in charge of keeping everything just perfect. He walks up to me and says, Angel:  Excuse me, but who are you? I think you must be lost—surely you're not planning to enter our throne room. Mary:  Well, I know that I appear very insignificant and a bit out of place compared to everyone else, but yes, I was planning to enter. Angel:  How can you be so presumptuous? What were you going to do in the throne room? Mary:  Well, you see, I plan to go right up to the throne and talk to God. Angel:  Oh, my, that would be funny if it were not so arrogant on your part. You're planning to go directly up to the throne and talk to God? My dear, look at you. Do you think God wants to talk to you? He's very busy you know—and there are many more important things on his agenda today. Mary:  Oh, sir, I realize that and I know that it seems entirely inappropriate for me to approach his throne, but you see, he has given me a personal invitation. As a matter of fact, he has said I that may come into his presence anytime I wish, and—you really will have a hard time believing this—he said I could approach his throne with boldness. Angel:  With boldness? But look at you. You're not worthy of being in his presence. Do you see all these angels here—they wouldn't just walk up to his throne with boldness. Mary:  I know, sir, but you see, I'm not an angel, I'm his child. Angel:  His child? Mary:  Yes, isn't that incredible—I'm His child. I would have been satisfied to just be one of his worshippers from afar, but he told me that since I accepted his Son as my Savior, I'm no longer an alien, I am now his child. He has told me I can call him Father. Angel:  Father? Can this be true? You would call God, the Creator of the entire universe, whom the angels worship in fear and splendor—you would dare to call him Father?
9/10/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Prayer 101 – 5

Prayer is the linchpin of the Christian life and the more effectively you pray, the more powerful your life will be for God. Remember, there are all kinds of prayers, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians: “And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” (Ephesians 6:18). Our private prayer time will have a different nature than corporate prayer. We need to be aware of what is appropriate in a group setting versus our personal prayers. In Matthew 6:8 Jesus is again teaching on prayer and he says don’t try to impress God with many words like pagans do. God is not impressed with lengthy prayers. Lengthy prayers do not carry more weight with God just because they are long. We also need to be careful that we don’t get into “vain repetitions,” which can happen if we just repeat the same phrases and clichés in every prayer without truly thinking of what we’re saying. Phillips Brooks has written: “Prayer is not conquering God’s reluctances but taking hold of God’s willingness.” We don’t pray to try to persuade God to do what we want him to do. We pray so that we can align ourselves with his purposes in our lives and take hold of all he wants to do for us and through us. Prayer is for our benefit. God has no need-to-know. We don’t have to educate him; he knows everything before we ask him or tell him. But when we bring our needs and petitions and praise to God, we show him and remind ourselves that we are letting go of the controls of our lives and giving them to the Lord. We are presenting our cares to God, not to inform him of our need, but to demonstrate our trust in him. To show that we recognize our inability and trust his ability. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
9/9/20223 minutes
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Prayer 101 – 4

What I've learned from other godly people who seem to have power in their prayer life is that, first, they are disciplined about praying. And secondly, they have developed a structure for their prayer life that enables them to pray more effectively. Jesus taught his disciples how to pray, and we need to learn as well. So, I've been sharing some ideas that can help you pray more powerfully. Praying Scripture Have you learned the joy and effectiveness of praying Scripture? I recommend this highly because it is truly powerful praying. How do you pray Scripture, you ask? There are several ways. First, as you are reading from the Bible, stop and pray back what you read. For example, I was reading Psalm 39 and like so many of the Psalms, it is a beautiful prayer. I prayed, “Lord, show me my life’s end and the number of my days. Remind me of how brief and fleeting is my life, and therefore help me to be focused on what is eternally important and not be swallowed up with the affairs of this world.” You see how a Scripture passage can guide you to a very effective prayer. There are wonderful praise prayers in the Bible which you can use for your own. As you find them, write them in a prayer journal and use them. There are prayers for others that really improve the way you pray for friends and family. For example, pray Philippians 1:9 for people you know and love: "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.” I pray Philippians 4:8 often: "Today, Lord, help me to think only what is true, noble, right, pure, lovely and admirable.” It's very important to pray about your thought life. I pray on the armor of God as outlined in Ephesians 6. These are just examples of praying Scripture, and it will energize your prayer life immensely.
9/8/20223 minutes
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Prayer 101 – 3

Jesus taught us how to pray and we should therefore pray as he taught us. That makes sense to me, how about you? We’ve looked at the first two components of The Lord’s Prayer: Praise: "Our Father, Which art in heaven, hallowed be your name" Pledge: "Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven." Then we come to: Petition: "Give us this day our daily bread" We are told over and over again in Scripture to bring our requests to God, to cast our burdens on him, to tell him what we need, to knock, seek and ask. He is our Heavenly Father, and he loves for us to petition him. That petition time should include our own needs and those of many others. We need to spend a great deal of time in intercessory petition, praying for the needs of others. Then we need a time of penitence: Penitence: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” During confession we need to be very specific and very honest with God. You can’t hide anything from him anyway, so it is far better to get all your dirty laundry out on in the open, confess your sins, naming them one by one, and finding his wonderful forgiveness and cleansing. And as we ask for forgiveness, we have to be willing to extend forgiveness to those who have wronged us. Then Jesus closed his pattern for prayer with a: Pleading: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Surely we need to invoke and plead for God’s protection from the evil that surrounds us every day of our lives. We need to put on the armor of God so that we are able to stand against the evil one, and pray that God will help us to resist Satan and all his temptations. So, those five words describe what prayer needs to contain in order to pray the way Jesus taught us to. It should always begin with praise, then our pledge to God, then present our petitions to him, come with a penitent heart for our sins and plead for his protection. I’m not sure the sequence is essential, except beginning and ending with praise is always good. But your prayer time needs to cover these five areas because that’s how Jesus taught us to pray.
9/7/20223 minutes
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Prayer 101 – 2

The disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray, and he did. Obviously, if they needed to learn, so do we. So, I'm sharing a few thoughts on how to structure your prayer time for more effective praying. Here are my simple first-step suggestions to enroll you in Prayer 101: First, follow the model Jesus gave us for prayer. You'll find it in Matthew 6 and Luke 11. Briefly, The Lord's Prayer teaches us that prayer should contain: Praise: "Our Father, Which art in heaven, hallowed be your name" Pledge: "Your kingdom come; your will be done on earth as in heaven." Petition: "Give us this day our daily bread" Penitence: "Forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.” Pleading: “And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil." Let’s look at each of those briefly. Praise is essential to an effective prayer life. Every prayer session should begin with praise, as Jesus taught us to do. A large portion of your prayer time needs to be devoted to praise, because this is how you redirect your thoughts to God and get them off yourself. Believe me, that is a most important step in having a meaningful time of prayer. Praise God for who he is, reciting his attributes and characteristics. Praise him for what he has done, recalling his many benefits to you. Praise the Triune God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let your mind and heart dwell on the nature of God until your mind is filled up with God. Then you are prepared to pledge yourself to the God of creation and commit your life to his control. I find it very helpful to pray back Scripture verses which I’ve written in my prayer journal—verses of dedication and commitment. For example, Romans 12:1 and 2 can be prayed as a dedication of your body as a living sacrifice. It is your pledge to God that you are giving him control for the day ahead. During this pledge time, you are asking that the will of God be done in your life and giving God permission to write the agenda for your life and your day. It is a pledge between you and God
9/6/20223 minutes
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Prayer 101

How many sermons have you heard on prayer? How many books have you read on prayer? It has always been and it always will be a topic to be discussed and an activity to be inspired because prayer is the linchpin of our Christian life. Without it our spiritual wheels tend to fall off and we get nowhere. Yet, studies tell us that few Christians—I’m talking about true believers in Jesus Christ who have been born from above and found new life in Christ—few really have a significant and effective prayer life. Why? Well, there are many answers to the question of why we don’t pray more. One reason is it takes discipline and many haven’t learned to be disciplined. That means you have to designate a time for prayer each day and stick to it. Another reason is that prayer has a low priority in our schedules. We leave it for “leftover” time instead of making sure it gets done first. And then another key reason we don’t have effective prayer lives is because we haven’t learned how to pray effectively. Prayer is something to be learned. We know that because Jesus’ disciples asked him to teach them how to pray, and he did. He gave them a format for prayer which we have called the Lord’s Prayer. Do you follow that format for your own prayer life? Don’t you think that if Jesus taught us to pray in that way, we should? That doesn’t mean you quote the Lord’s Prayer every day, but you structure your prayer to have the same components as our Lord taught. Prayer is something you learn to do and get better at doing the more you practice it and learn about it. In our business lives, we wouldn't dare "wing it" with an important sales presentation, where a big order was at stake. When something is important to our lives, we plan and prepare and give it a lot of attention. Yet, many Christians approach prayer very carelessly and undisciplined, and then wonder why their prayers seem lifeless and humdrum.
9/5/20223 minutes
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Why Gratitude Matters

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Gratitude is something we hear a lot about, even in mainstream culture. As followers of Jesus, a posture of gratitude is critical as we grow in our faith and in intimacy with God. But often gratitude can be an afterthought or based on our feelings or circumstances, rather than a regular practice as a follower of Christ. I want to spend some time on the importance of gratitude and why it’s like the air we breathe, we can’t live and have a thriving faith without it. Before we dive in, I have a question for you. If you were to rate yourself on the God gratitude meter, 1 being, “I rarely express gratitude,'' to 5, “I give God thanks daily for specific things I am grateful for,” where would you rank? 1, 5, somewhere in between? When was the last time you expressed thankfulness to God? What did you specifically thank him for? In all honesty, over the years I have been hit or miss in my gratitude practice. I didn’t really have a plan or discipline in place. Now that may sound funny. Do we need a plan? A gratitude practice? Is gratitude really a spiritual discipline? I would say, yes. At the beginning of this year, I vowed to keep a daily gratitude journal. While I have done this in the past if I am honest, my daily practice of gratitude tends to peter out pretty quickly. This year has been different. I have made gratitude a spiritual discipline, taking time every morning and making a thoughtful and specific list for all of the things I am thankful for as I reflect on the previous day. Over time, with consistency and commitment, gratitude has turned into a daily habit. And it has been a game-changer in my faith life. This really shouldn’t be surprising to us because all throughout Scripture we see the call to gratitude and thankfulness and we see the impact of a lack of it. So why can we find it difficult to be grateful? I think one reason is because we often let our circumstances and not God’s faithfulness dictate our gratitude. We count on our circumstances to elicit feelings of thankfulness, and when things don’t go our way we withhold it. Or worse, we grumble. One of the many examples of the absence of gratitude and the propensity towards grumbling is found in the book of Exodus. In the book of Exodus, we learn that the Israelites had been enslaved in Egypt for 400 years. For four centuries generation after generation was subjected to hard labor, horrible oppression, and unpleasant living conditions. They lived being daily mastered and ruled by the Egyptians. I will share a few highlights from Exodus but I highly recommend reading the entire book on your own. And, even though this story may sound familiar to you, I invite you to ask God what he wants to illuminate for you. Ask Holy Spirit, “Is there an area of my life that I am forgetting to be thankful? How am I like the Israelites?” Ask, “Lord, what do you want to teach me through your Word about grumbling and gratitude?” As the story unfolds throughout Exodus we see how God goes through extreme measures to bring freedom to his people. The culmination of ten plagues appear to finally cause Pharaoh to relent and release the Israelites from slavery. And after Pharaoh lets them go, God leads the Israelites along the road to the wilderness. Exodus 13:21-22 tells us, “By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.” Don’t miss that. In the midst of their difficult circumstances God’s presence never left them. He was visibly with them guiding every step. It is the same with you. You may not get to actually see a manifestation of God’s presence but he is always by your side and leading you, even when you feel like you are being pursued by your enemies,
9/3/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Transforming Power of Gratitude – 5

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever experienced an overwhelming sense of anxiety? Anxiety has been something that has reared its unsettling head in my life for the past several years. I had never really experienced anxiety and now, it can come in long waves. Staring a major life changing decision in the face caused unrelenting anxiety and restless and sleepless nights. I would wake up feeling sweaty and heavy and my eyes had not even been open more than a second. When anxiety tries to get the best of you, go to the Word, pray, text or phone a friend to talk things through and ask for prayer. At the onset of worry and anxiety, I called my friend Lisa and shared with her that I was really struggling. She graciously created a safe space for me to share all of the thoughts that were invading my mind. Sometimes it can help to find a trustworthy friend who will just listen. When we verbalize what is causing worry and concern, sometimes it can lose a little bit of its power. She graciously listened and said “Girl, I don’t have the answer to your dilemma but have you worshiped?” With that question, she responded with humility, love, and truth. A tender reminder that in those moments of life when you feel overwhelmed—turn to worship and gratitude. In Philippians the Apostle Paul instructs us, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT). The first thing I want to point out is the fact that Paul even talks about anxiety! If he is addressing it, surely people were experiencing it. Sometimes I think we can feel as if we are alone and the only ones who experience anxiousness. Or perhaps we feel like something is wrong with us when we feel waves of anxiety coming on. But Paul reminds us that there will be times when we feel anxious, and he points us to truth and who to turn to in those moments. When you are anxious, pray. Tell God what you need. His Word says that he inclines his ear toward you. Thank him, express your gratitude for who he is and all he has done in your life. It can sound trite but it is truth. When you do, God promises you will experience peace. (Click here if you would like to print a pdf of the devotional for this week.)
9/2/20223 minutes
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Transforming Power of Gratitude – 4

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Being grateful really is an attitude of the heart and a will of the mind. It requires a deliberate effort, a commitment to focus our attention and thoughts on who God is and all of the evidence of his faithfulness throughout our lives. When we are going through a challenging or uncertain season, it is easy to forget God’s character. When we are riding high, and life feels like it is smooth sailing, we are prone to do this same. We can tend to take all of the credit and forget that it is God who has provided and not merely our own self effort. So whether your current season feels like you are in a valley or on a mountaintop, remembering God and his faithfulness is essential. In the book of Joshua we see a powerful example of remembering, and the call to gratitude. After wandering in the wilderness for 40 years Joshua is positioned to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. The Israelites endured an immense number of trials, tribulation, and trauma along the journey. Yet through it all and in the midst of their 40-year trek to freedom, God was with them every step of the way. We see that their long season of wandering comes to an end as they come to the Jordan River. God makes a way for them to pass through as he leads them to the land he promised, the land flowing with milk and honey. After the people of Israel supernaturally crossed the Jordan River to enter the Promised Land, God commanded Joshua to “choose twelve men, one from each tribe. Tell them, ‘Take twelve stones from the very place where the priests are standing in the middle of the Jordan. Carry them out and pile them up at the place where you will camp tonight’” (Joshua 4:2-3). Then Joshua (4:6-7) says, “Let this be a sign among you. When your children ask in time to come, ‘What do those stones mean to you?’ then you shall tell them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord. When it passed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. So these stones shall be to the people of Israel a memorial forever.” The stones were set up in Gilgal as a reminder to that generation and the generations to come of what the Lord had done, to trigger a memory of God’s faithfulness in the past, to reflect on him in the present, and trust him in the future, to invoke a heart of gratitude. How are you remembering Jesus and expressing gratitude for his faithfulness today? To remember, you have to intentionally look. We can get so mired and fixed on the pain, uncertainty, and current hardship or struggle that we forget to take the time to reflect and recall all of the ways that God has been faithful. It can be easy to forget. How can you create your own stone of memorial, your own reminder that God is faithful, that his promises never fail?
9/1/20223 minutes
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Transforming Power of Gratitude – 3

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) Let’s look at an extravagant response of gratitude by an unnamed woman whose story is told in the gospel of Mark. Now Jesus was in Bethany, in the home of Simon, a man Jesus had healed of leprosy.  And as he was reclining at the table, a woman came into the house, with an alabaster flask  filled with the highest quality of fragrant and expensive oil.  She came to Jesus, and with a gesture of extreme devotion, she broke the flask and poured out the precious oil over his head (Mark 14:3-9). In other words, she came to Jesus in a response and act of extreme gratitude! After this selfless display we see the disciples highly indignant, and in an uproar they question how this woman could waste such an expensive bottle of oil which would have been the equivalent to a whole year’s worth of wages. Listen to how Jesus responds: “Leave her alone! Why are you so critical of this woman? She has honored me with this beautiful act of kindness….She has done all that she could to honor me. I promise you that as this wonderful gospel spreads all over the world, the story of her lavish devotion to me will be mentioned in memory of her” (Mark 14:7, 8-9). We do not know much about this woman, what her life was like or the story of her past. But surely we can surmise that she experienced the saving power and extravagant love of Jesus. And experiencing the extravagant love of her Savior caused her to have an extravagant response towards that love. Her display of extreme devotion and thankfulness to God was so significant that nothing, not even facing the shame, scorn and ridicule of men, was going to stop her from this heartfelt act. Her act of gratitude towards Jesus was so noteworthy that it is recorded in the Bible for billions of people to read and for us to read as an example 2000 years later. And Jesus says that as the Gospel spreads, her story of lavish devotion will be told. When you know how incredibly loved you are by God, more than a head knowledge, but a deep knowing that penetrates your mind, heart, and soul—when you know this love, you can’t help but respond the same way she did. This unnamed woman’s wordless display of gratefulness, her act of worship, is an example for me and for you. How are you showing your extravagant gratitude for who Jesus is and for what he has done in your life? The unnamed woman’s act of worship was anointing Jesus’ head with oil. What will be your act of worship and gratitude?
8/31/20223 minutes
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Transforming Power of Gratitude – 2

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) I don’t know about you but I think we have a love problem. In my personal experience and as I minister to hundreds of women, there is a common theme, a common underlying question that I think we are all trying to get the answer to. Does God really love me?  Now I am not talking about being able to rehearse Bible verses about God’s love (although that is very important). What I am referring to is experiencing and receiving God’s love and affection to the degree that it seeps into the depths of your heart, soul, and mind. I am talking about being convinced to the core of your being that you are deeply loved by God. Are you absolutely convinced that God’s affections for you are great? I struggle to believe and fully receive Jesus’ steadfast love. I am guessing you do too. I was celebrating a friend’s birthday this weekend and all of the guests went around the table and shared one thing that drew us to her. That was an easy answer for me…. My friend is absolutely convinced that Jesus loves her. She has such confidence in his affection for her, it is very endearing and inspiring. And by the way she lives her life, you can tell she receives God’s love, to her very core. Why do we often fail to receive and believe in God's love? I mean, evidence of his love is all throughout the Bible. First John 3:1 says, “See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God!” As a child of God, he lavishes his love on you. And you did nothing to earn his love. God’s greatest act of love towards you was sacrificing his son. Jesus’ death on the cross was the grandest display of love the world has ever seen. And yet, we have a hard time receiving. One of my favorite prayers in the Bible is Paul’s prayer in Ephesians 3. Receive these words as a prayer over you and open yourself up to allow them to penetrate your heart. “For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:14-19). Take time to just sit and be grateful to God. Tell Jesus, “Thank you that your love for me is so extravagant, help me to fully receive your love and help me be your love to those around me.”
8/30/20223 minutes
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Transforming Power of Gratitude

(Presented by Lisa Bishop) When you are in the midst of a hard season in life, what is your reaction? When things are not going the way you had planned or when suffering comes your way, how do you respond? Does your heart grow cold to God, distanced, or weary? Or is gratitude the posture of your heart in the midst of suffering? I have been reading the book of Job, and to be reminded of the loss, suffering, and pain he experienced while all the while staying faithful to God is astounding. It is counterintuitive to praise God in the middle of our pain, but that is exactly what Job did and it floors me every time I read his story. Job chapter 1 tells us that Job was a man of perfect integrity who feared God and turned away from evil. His life was marked by his faithfulness to God. One day Satan challenges the authenticity of Job’s faith and declares that the reason he is faithful is because God has provided for him abundantly and protected him and everything he owns. Satan challenges Job’s loyalty to the Lord and tells God, “But stretch out your hand and strike everything he owns, and he will surely curse you to your face” (Job 1:11). God essentially gives Satan permission to test Job’s faith and as we read, everything that Job has is taken from him, starting with the death of his children and servants and the loss of his livestock which was his livelihood. Everything, gone. His family and everything he worked so hard for vanished. This is Job’s response: “Then Job stood up, tore his robe, and shaved his head. He fell to the ground and worshiped, saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I will leave this life. The Lord gives, and The Lord takes away. Praise the name of Yaweh” (Job 1:20-21). And as we read further, we learn that “Throughout all this Job did not sin or blame God for anything” (Job 1:22). Job’s gratitude for God transformed his response to God when his life seemed unbearable and like it was caving in. We can learn a lot about others by how they respond to God when life gets hard. We learn a lot about ourselves. Will we cling to him, show gratitude for who God is and his faithfulness during difficult times? Or will we become distant and bitter towards God? Job lost almost everything dear to him, yet he expressed trust in God even when his heart was breaking. Would you respond the same way? What difficult situation are you currently facing? How can you respond like Job, falling to the ground in worship? Praise God in the midst of your pain, and remember the character of God and refuse to forget that he is faithful. He is for you. He is with you.
8/29/20223 minutes
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Walking Bundles of Habits

I love to read old books, and I’ve recently been reading a collection of readings from some time-tested authors. One particular article recently caught my attention. You would have thought it was written yesterday, for it speaks so clearly to us today. It is entitled “How to Change One’s Habits,” and the sentence which jumped off the page to me was: “Could the young but realize how soon they will become mere walking bundles of habits, they would give more heed to their conduct while in the plastic state.” Walking bundles of habits—what a clear picture that gives us of ourselves, does it not? Obviously, those can be good habits or bad habits, or some mixture of both, but I have to acknowledge that I am to a large degree a collection of the habits that I’ve established in my life. I want to talk about our “bundle of habits” and how we can add good ones and get rid of harmful ones. You know, when you first start a habit that is harmful, you don’t intend for it to become a habit. We see how so many have become addicted to pornography, especially on the internet. This is a devastatingly bad and evil habit, but my guess is that the person who first goes to one of those pornographic internet sites tells himself or herself they are doing it simply out of curiosity—just want to see what it’s like. And then one time leads to another and another and before they know it, they’re hooked. Someone has said, “Chains of habit are too light to be felt until they are too heavy to be broken.” If we dealt with our harmful habits in the beginning stages, we could pretty easily break them. This author calls it the “plastic state”—that period of time when breaking that habit wouldn’t be too hard to do. But the longer you allow it to continue, the more likely it will become part of your bundle of habits and then it’s very difficult to overcome. Speaking of ancient authors, the Apostle Paul addressed this issue in his letter to the Romans. He said, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey—whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? . . . Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to ever-increasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness.” (Romans 6:16, 19) In other words, since we are all creatures of habit and walking bundles of habit, we need to make certain that those habits lead to holiness and righteousness. Unfortunately, many times we’re controlled by bad habits. If you truly want to break a bad habit—and you have to really want to do it—begin by specifically praying about that habit. Whether it’s what we may classify as an innocent bad habit or one that is recognized as harmful, if you are addicted to it and it’s not good for you, ask God to give you strength to overcome it. Then in order to break that habit, you need to replace it with a good habit. Habit is overcome by habit. As Paul wrote to the Romans, you and I choose whether we will be a slave to sin or a slave to righteousness—whether we will incorporate habits that are wrong or replace them with good habits. The first part is the hardest part—getting started. You have to stop talking about it and start doing it. As Jesus said, “Now that you know these things, you are blessed if you do them” (John 13:17). The blessing is in the doing. So, how do you get started when you want to break a bad habit? After praying about it, you need to determine what new habit you will use to overcome the bad habit. Remember, habit is overcome by habit. For example, if you watch too much television or see too many movies that are not good for you, what new thing will you do to replace the time you used to spend watching the wrong things? You could get some Christian movies to replace them; you could find a good book to read instead of watching a screen.
8/27/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Thankful for the Missing Pieces – 5

You know, all of us have missing pieces in our lives: those things we really desire and long for but for some reason, we just don't have them. They can be little things or big ones, but they sit there in the back of your mind, always gnawing at you a little, and you feel like something important is really missing. Now the key issue for us as believers is how do we handle these missing pieces? As I see it, you have several options open to you. You can become obsessed with what's missing and devote all your energy and time to trying to find that missing piece, trying to get what you think is essential for your happiness and fulfillment. When that happens, you become a self-focused person, and if you'll notice, people who are self-focused are usually pretty miserable. And obviously, that self-centered attitude is sinful and will be harmful to your spiritual life. You may become bitter and angry about the missing piece. Has that happened to you? Let me just briefly remind you that bitterness always backfires on you and turns you into an unlovely and unhappy person. When you start to feel that it's unfair that you don't have what others have and you've been dealt a rotten hand, then you've become bitter. Or you can learn to accept the missing piece and focus your life on what you do have and the good things God has done for you. Eventually you can even thank God for the missing piece because you realize that through it you have come to know him better. I can relate to all three reactions, because I've done them all. For ten years I was obsessed with my missing piece, and let me tell you, those were ten tough years. Often I found myself feeling bitter and angry that others, seemingly less deserving, had what I wanted so badly. But I finally turned the missing piece over to the Lord, and God gave me many other things to fill up the space, and showed me that without that missing piece, I would never have known him as I should. And knowing God better and better is the bottom-line answer to all our missing pieces. How are you dealing with the missing pieces in your life? Well, I want to encourage you to start learning to thank God for them. And I want to urge you to make getting to know God better your highest priority. (Click here if you would like to download the devotional for this week.)
8/26/20223 minutes
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Thankful for the Missing Pieces – 4

Everybody has missing pieces, don't we? For some, it's a marriage you've always wanted but don't have. Or a child that has not yet been given to you. Or a job you want, or financial security. These missing pieces are different for each of us. But we can learn to be thankful even for the missing pieces. Paul advised us to give thanks in all circumstances, and we truly need to learn to do that. But if there is some key missing piece in your life right now, you may be thinking, "I don't feel like giving thanks for this missing piece.” Well, isn't it great that Paul didn't tell us we had to feel like it! In Hebrews 13:15 we read: Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that confess his name. When we don't feel like being thankful, we can still offer a sacrifice of praise. A sacrifice of praise is, I believe, when we praise and thank God against all our feelings, in spite of our feelings. How do you do that? You speak words of thankfulness and praise. Words are the fruit of your lips, and this verse in Hebrews tells us to use that fruit as a sacrifice of praise. It's hard to do that, I know. You feel like a hypocrite when you start saying things you don't feel, I know. But you are obeying biblical principles by offering a sacrifice of praise. When I find myself in that predicament, I begin by telling the Lord that I don't feel like it. But I confirm that I am offering these words of thanksgiving in obedience to Scripture, by faith not by feelings, and then I say those words of thanksgiving, even if they come through clenched teeth! God will honor our willingness to obey him; he will see that sacrifice of praise, and he will be pleased. Interestingly, once I start to speak the words of thankfulness for the missing pieces in my life, then the feelings usually follow. It helps to think of your will as the engine on your train, and your emotions and feelings as the caboose. If the will is out in front of your emotions, you'll be okay. But if the emotions start dictating to the will, then you'll find yourself in constant turmoil. So, though you may not feel happy about those missing pieces, you still can feel thankful, knowing that the God of all the Universe is in control of your life and cares about you. And he has promised to turn your ashes into beauty.
8/25/20223 minutes
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Thankful for the Missing Pieces – 3

Do you think it's realistic for us to be able to thank God for the missing pieces of our lives? I believe not only is it realistic, it's the only way we'll know real peace and contentment in our lives. God began showing me a few years ago that the missing pieces were actually a blessing. Why? Because without them I might have been lulled into thinking I was self-sufficient and never seen my true needy state. I recognized that the missing pieces of my life had eventually driven me back to God, and as a result, God was able to take the brokenness of my life and use even me for his glory. I could see that it was because of the missing pieces that I now have the ministry I have and the joy of knowing that there is eternal purpose and meaning in my daily life. And I began, slowly, to thank God for the missing pieces. Now, let me assure you that God is not expecting us to celebrate the missing pieces, to leap for joy, to throw a party, to pretend it doesn't hurt or matter. But he is asking us to be thankful even for the missing pieces, to understand that those areas of emptiness and unfulfillment can become instruments of grace in our lives. I'm sure you've heard these verses before, but we need to be reminded of what Paul wrote us concerning thankfulness: 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18: Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 5:19-20: Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. Please remember that the man who wrote these words had many missing pieces in his life. He was persecuted severely, put in prison, unable to go where he wanted to go—there were many things in his life that were not easy to swallow or understand. Yet, he still says we should give thanks in all circumstances. I want to encourage you today, if you're struggling with the missing pieces of your life, to just thank God for them. You may not feel thankful but do it anyway as an act of obedience and love to Jesus. That's the first step you need to take in order to find fulfillment in spite of the missing pieces.
8/24/20223 minutes
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Thankful for the Missing Pieces – 2

All of us have something that's missing, don't we? What I've come to learn—and am still learning—is that instead of being controlled by the missing pieces, I can be thankful for them. I emphasize that I am learning this principle of being thankful for the missing pieces. But as I've started to grasp this truth, I've found such freedom and contentment. I'd like to share a poem with you, which really helped me start down this road of being thankful for the missing pieces. I first read it several years ago, and I re-read it quite often. The poem uses old-fashioned words, but the truth is still very relevant: An easy thing, O power Divine, To thank Thee for these gifts of Thine!  For summer's sunshine, winter's snow,  For hearts that kindle, thoughts that glow;  But when shall I attain to this:  To thank Thee for the things I miss?    For all young fancy's early gleams,  The dreamed-of joys that still are dreams,  Hopes unfulfilled, and pleasures known  Through others' fortunes, not my own,  And blessings seen that are not given,  And ne'er will be - this side of heaven.    Had I, too, shared the joys I see,  Would there have been a heaven for me?  Could I have felt Thy presence near  Had I possessed what I held dear?  My deepest fortune, highest bliss,  Have grown, perchance, from things I miss.     Sometimes there comes an hour of calm;  Grief turns to blessing, pain to balm;  A Power that works above my will Still leads me onward, upward still; And then my heart attains to this: To thank Thee for the things I miss. -Thomas Wentworth Higginson When I first read this poem, I began to ask myself, "Where would you be today if you had everything you wanted, if there were no missing pieces in your life?” And it was as though God drew back a curtain to let me see how having everything I wanted could have been disastrous for me. Did you ever think about that? Without some of those missing pieces in your life, where do you think you would be? Isn't it true that often the missing pieces are the things that draw us into a close and trusting relationship with our Heavenly Father?
8/23/20223 minutes
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Thankful for the Missing Pieces

Have you ever met anyone who truly "had it all"? I doubt it; in fact, I'm quite certain that no one has everything they want. I want to talk about the missing pieces of our lives. I have some in my life, and I'm certain you do, too. What are those missing pieces, those things you really want but you don't have? You know, I've been noticing lately that a lot of people are truly handicapped over the missing pieces in their lives. Whatever it is that is not there in their life's puzzle, they have become obsessed with it, it controls their thought life, and it keeps them from enjoying or appreciating the good things they do have. I was talking with a friend who has been married quite a few years, and has always wanted children, but she has not been able to have her own. That's a painful missing piece, and she was sharing the pain with me. But even though she recognizes that an important piece is missing, she hastened to add: "But, Mary, I have so much to be thankful for. My life is still full and meaningful," and she began to recite the good things—the pieces that are not missing from her life. I said to her, "Do you realize how unusual you are? While you acknowledge that a key piece is missing from your life, and is likely to always be missing, you are focused on what is not missing.”  In fact, in all the years I've known her, she has never allowed that missing piece to rob her of joy or to keep her from being involved in helping and doing for others. And she's even able to rejoice with her friends who do have their own children, without jealousy or envy. How about you today? Have the missing pieces of your life become so overwhelming that you cannot see or appreciate what you do have? For ten years I allowed what I thought was a major missing piece in my life to control me. I felt that I had to be married for life to be complete, so I was consumed with finding the right person to marry. My obsession with this missing piece led me away from the Lord, away from biblical principles, into a life that was self-focused and sinful. Quite frankly, when we are obsessed with what's missing, instead of being thankful for what we have, we usually do become self-focused and our fellowship with God is damaged. I can tell you from experience that being obsessed with what's missing in your life is a miserable way to live. I want to encourage you to see those missing pieces from an entirely different perspective. To even be able to thank God for the missing pieces.
8/22/20223 minutes
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Thank God It’s Monday – Part 2

The good news is that we, as believers in Jesus Christ, have been set free from the curse of sin and our attitude toward work and toward our jobs can be redeemed from that curse. Here’s how: We must work at the job God has given us and carry the Kingdom of God to our jobs every day. Let’s look at the first part: Work at the job God has given us: Work is assigned by God. In Genesis 1 and 2 we see the first work assignment given by God to Adam. Genesis 2:15 tells us "The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it." Work had a central place, even in paradise. It was intended as a gift and a blessing before sin and punishment entered the picture. And keep this in mind: Adam's job was not secular; it was a sacred trust from God, and it was meant to bring purpose and fulfillment to Adam. The same is true today. The nature of the work we do does not determine if it is sacred or not. It does not depend upon who signs our paycheck. Work is sacred when it is assigned by God. Now, I ask you to think of your own work situation, whether you're in the work force or working without a paycheck! Has your work been assigned to you by God? Are you confident that you are in the job God wants you to be in? God doesn't ask us what we want to do. He assigns us work. Ephesians 2:10 tells us: "For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” In our humanistic society we have some convoluted ideas about our rights. It is quite common for people to assume that they have a right to pursue whatever makes them happy, whatever interests them, whatever brings fulfillment into their lives, and if they think about God at all, they see him in heaven to enhance and accelerate their progress. It may come as a surprise to hear that God is not here to make you feel fulfilled in the career or work that you choose. As a believer, you are here to do the good work that he has prepared for you to do. So, when you go to God for your work assignment, you should not ask for the easy place, the nice place, the well-paying place. Rather you should ask for the job that he has chosen in advance for you to do; the place where he plans to use you in his Kingdom work. Now, keep in mind that God may have you in a job in order to do his work. The job itself may simply be the vehicle he has chosen to put you in the place to do the good works he has planned for you to do. The actual job duties may not always be the meaningful part of your work—frequently they are not. Instead, that job opens a door for you to be a part of a world where God wants to use you. God is the Universal Business Owner and Manager The authority lines are also clearly drawn in this working relationship with God. He's the boss and as his worker, you are to be submissive to his authority. He is a benevolent dictator; it's not a democracy. Democracies, in case you haven't noticed, don't work all that well. But in a working relationship with God, you don't have to worry about your authority figure. He is the perfect manager and can be totally trusted. Everything he does is for your good. You are a coworker with God. As originally intended by God, you are to be engaged in your work as a partner with him. Look again at the first work assignment as given to Adam; God never left him alone. God was always there with him. It was a partnership. God intended for us to be coworkers with him. He is a "hands-on" manager; he never leaves you or forsakes you. What a deal! He assigns you the work, works beside you all the way, and carries you through to completion. What more could you ask for in a working relationship with your Boss? Now, let’s look at the second part: We are to work at the job God has given us and carry the Kingdom of God to our jobs every day. We pray: "Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth as it is in heaven.
8/20/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Navigating Change – 5

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Having trustworthy companions is essential, and especially important when you find yourself charting change and new territory in your career, a relationship, with family, and in life. It can be so easy to pull the plug on community and to hide when life gets hard and feels uncertain. But it is ever so important to phone a friend, someone who you can confide in, count on to listen, trust to keep confidentiality, and encourage you with truth. Our minds can tend to ruminate on negative thoughts when uncertainty looms. To counter the tendency to fall down a rabbit’s hole and take a mental tailspin, it is important to stay grounded in God’s Word, be ever present in prayer and rely on your friends to help pull you up when all you can think about is worst case scenarios. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 gives us a great reminder about the importance of community: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.  These verses highlight the importance of Christian friendships. Companions that put God at the center of their lives will help you navigate life and change in a godly way, keeping you focused on truth, and that is the best and most fruitful way. When life is hard it can be so easy to forget God’s faithfulness. We need our friends as faithful guides. Who is a friend you can rely on when you feel the road ahead is a blur? Reach out to them, ask them if they will listen. Tell them you need their help to encourage you in truth and pray for you as you navigate change. And if you know someone who is currently in a tough season, who can you be a friend and encouragement to? You will have to stay flexible, faithful, and hopeful. It can be easy to get discouraged and fearful. This is the time to, as the Apostle Paul says in Romans 12:12, be faithful…be persistent in prayer. Rather than staring at your circumstances, keep your eyes fixed on Jesus. (Click here to download the message for the entire week.)
8/19/20223 minutes
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Navigating Change – 4

(presented by Lisa Bishop) For some of us change is invigorating and for others it can feel intimidating. For some change feels adventurous, and for others, well, we like what feels safe, comfortable and predictable. What is your reaction when you experience change? When I think about change, I think about the story of Moses in the book of Exodus. As a bit of a refresher, when Moses is shepherding his father-in-law’s flock in the far side of the wilderness, he comes to Horeb, the mountain of God. The angel of the Lord appears to him in a bush that is burning but not consumed by the fire. God calls out to Moses from the bush, tells him that he has observed his people enduring suffering and oppression from the Egyptians and tells Moses that he is the one God will use to free the Israelites from Egypt and bring them into the promised land. Reacting out of fear Moses says, “Who am I that I should go to Pharaoh and that I should bring the Israelites out of Egypt?” God responds, “I will certainly be with you” (Exodus 3:11-12). Needless to say, from this point on, Moses’s life is altered, the course of his life is changed forever. As the story unfolds and as Moses’s fear of future confrontations with Pharaoh builds, his faith also waivers. He mutters, “Pardon your servant, Lord. I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” God’s rebuttal is strong and he says, “Who gave human beings their mouths? Who makes them deaf or mute? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Is it not I, the Lord?  Now go; I will help you speak and will teach you what to say” (Exodus 4:10-12). Even with this strong assurance from the Lord, Moses still pleads for God to pass him over and use someone else for the challenge ahead. You may be asking, “What does this have to do with navigating change in my life?” I am glad you asked. You see, there may be times in life when you are called to make a course correction or when God calls you to make a change in life that provokes fear, a sense of inadequacy, or downright resistance. Moses’s story reminds us that in the midst of change, God is near. In fact, in the midst of Moses’s fear and flailing faith in the face of change, from shepherd to deliverer, twice God tells Moses, “I will be with you.” Is there an area of your life that you need that same reminder? That whatever you are facing, God sees you? When you face uncertainty, you can be tempted to default to fear rather than lean into faith. So let this be a reminder to you today that whatever your circumstances, whenever life throws you a curveball, God says, “I will be with you.”
8/18/20223 minutes
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Navigating Change – 3

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever heard the saying, “Change happens when the pain of staying the same is greater than the pain of change.” In other words, sometimes the pain of staying stuck in the same old place needs to be greater than the temporary suffering the change itself may induce. Maybe you have been thinking of making a career change, taking better care of yourself physically and mentally, or giving up unhealthy or ungodly habits that no longer serve you or honor God. But up until now you have not been willing to lean into what will be required to change. Because let’s face it, change, even positive change, can cause a degree of suffering, and who likes suffering? That’s something we try to avoid in life. Often with change comes suffering because it requires some type of sacrifice. We need to give something up to invite the new in. Such as giving up comfort, time, being right, being liked, a feeling of security. Change often demands reordering of priorities. And often, in order to embrace change, we also need to be willing to embrace discomfort and a letting go. When I think of life as a follower of Jesus it is a life where we are constantly growing and changing. Once we are “in Christ,” everything changes. Our ideas change. Our perspective changes. Our values and actions change to line up with God’s Word. As the Holy Spirit works within us we find, as 2 Corinthians 5:17 says, “the old has gone, the new is here!” And we are commanded to walk in the newness of life. The Christian life is an ongoing series of changes as we grow in knowledge, faith, and holiness. As we grow in Christ, growth requires change. What change have you felt a nudge towards making in your life? Where do you sense God calling you to let go of the old to walk in the new? Remember that God will never contradict his Word so whatever change you are feeling led to, know that God will not ask you to do something that goes against holiness, righteousness, and the truth and instruction of the Bible. Where is God calling you out of your comfort zone and into trusting him? What pain of change are you willing to endure to experience growth and transformation? Take some time to get quiet with God. Seek his Holy Spirit for wisdom and courage, ask Jesus to help you as you say “yes” to the change he is calling you to.
8/17/20223 minutes
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Navigating Change – 2

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Are you in a season of change? Are you embracing it or is this season inducing some anxiety or fear? We all experience change. Sometimes we initiate it and other times we find ourselves in an unwelcome and unanticipated season of uncertainty. Whether invited or unwelcomed…change can induce worry and anxiety. I don’t know about you, but I tend to be a bit of a control freak. Comfort and certainty can be idols for me, so when I am in the midst of change and I am uncertain about the future, I can often feel out of control, and I don’t like it! Instead of leaning into God I can tend to settle in to worry When we worry we feel fear and concern because something unpleasant is happening and we don’t know when or how it will end. Or we think that something bad could happen, and the “what if’s” kick in. Your mind gets into a negative spin cycle of worst-case scenarios and you try to be a predictor of the future. The thing about worry is that it is always fearing what could happen. We conjure up all of these scenarios in our minds, most of which never come true. In fact a recent study says that 91.4% of what we worry about never comes to fruition. When we worry, in some way we falsely believe that our worry can change our circumstances. We know that worry is a waste of emotional energy, yet we are all prone to it. The fact is worry cannot change outcomes. So what do we do when change induces fear, worry, and anxiety to rear their ugly heads?  We can look to the gospel of Matthew to refocus our thoughts and remember the words of Jesus.  “Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear….Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?....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 6:25, 27-28, 33-34). What is an area of your life that you are lending too much mental and emotional energy to by worrying? What current or impending change is causing concern? Bring your cares to Jesus and remember, worrying won’t add a moment to your life. When you experience concern for the future, turn it into prayer and praise that Jesus sees you and knows your needs. Discipline your mind and heart to look to Jesus where your help comes from. He is your ever-present help in times of change.
8/16/20223 minutes
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Navigating Change

(presented by Lisa Bishop) We all experience change. If we didn’t we would not be growing, life would be stagnant. When I think about change there are two categories that come to mind. Change that we initiate or change that we experience being thrust upon us that isn’t necessarily welcomed. I know quite a few people who are in the midst of a career change. Some friends have lost their jobs, while others have decided to leave their current job for something new. Change can be exciting. It can also be scary. Change can feel liberating, it can also be anxiety producing, regardless of whether or not you initiated it. In the course of life, one thing is true…change is inevitable. So, the question is, what do we do when change feels overwhelming? One thing is to follow the old saying, “Take it one day at a time.” While it is important to have vision for the future, and an overall direction for where our next phase of life or career is headed, it can oftentimes feel overwhelming when we just focus on the big picture. We can feel flustered, frustrated, and even a little bit paralyzed. As you experience life change, ask yourself, “What can I do today to move me towards my vision and goals? What action step can I take now that will propel me in the direction of what is next?” For example, if you are in the midst of a job search and find yourself panicking about the future, what are the steps you can take today? Maybe it’s getting help writing your resume or applying for five jobs online. Perhaps it’s taking a course that will help you to be marketable or reaching out to friends to help you make connections in your field of interest. Maybe it’s going to a networking function. When the future feels overwhelming, daunting, and even impossible, approach it by taking on just a little at a time. And if you are currently in a space of fear, anxiety and overwhelmed, remember to anchor yourself in Jesus. While your circumstances may be changing and uncertain, remind yourself of this truth from Hebrews 13:8: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” While the future may feel uncertain in the midst of change, Jesus never changes. He is faithful and trustworthy. He is a reliable companion in the midst of life altering change. Jesus is with you and will help you. The Holy Spirit will give you wisdom when you ask him.
8/15/20223 minutes
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Thank God It’s Monday – Part 1

So, do you think you could ever honestly say, “Thank God it’s Monday” and look forward to going to work? Maybe you’re thinking you could if only you had a better boss. If you work for someone who is difficult or demanding or unfair, going to work can seem pretty tough some days. Perhaps the thorn in your side at your job is a coworker or coworkers who are not so easy to get along with. It could be their work habits—or lack of—or their negative attitudes. Sometimes it’s their lifestyles, vulgarity, and foul mouths that make jobs unpleasant. You may have gone through downsizing and lost your job rather unfairly. That can make you pretty cynical. So, going to work just becomes a matter of putting in your time. “I owe, I owe, so it’s off to work I go!” and that’s about it. In addition to difficult bosses and coworkers and unfair treatment, how about unpleasant work environments, heavy workloads, stress, pressure, lack of appreciation, lack of success, insufficient pay—to name a few! Most jobs have enough of these to make them pretty miserable. So, how could those dwarfs sing “Hi-ho, Hi-ho, it’s off to work we go!”? How could anybody honestly say, “Thank God It’s Monday!”? Most people have the attitude that work is something we have to do whether we want to or not. Work is what we do in order to acquire all the things we want or need. Work is more often seen as a curse rather than a blessing. That’s really sad because until sin entered the picture, work and work environments were ordained by God, blessed by God, and ordered by God. In short, we were created to work. And that’s where we get our dignity as humans. Notice when you meet someone new how prone you are to ask, “What do you do?” Well, that’s because what we do is our identity to a great degree, and God so intended it. Our dignity does not come from what we have, because we don’t have anything. The Bible says, “The earth is the Lord’s and everything in it” (Psalm 24:1a). You may think you own some stuff but think again. As Paul told Timothy: “We brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it” (1 Timothy 6:7). But God intended that our work would be a part of our identity, and that’s the way it was originally. But once sin entered the picture through the disobedience of Adam and Eve, everything good that God created was corrupted, including work. The Garden of Eden, the first workplace created by God, was corrupted by sin, and your workplace has been corrupted by sin. The reason we don’t often say “Thank God It’s Monday” is because of the curse that was placed on work after sin came on the scene. You'll find that curse in Genesis 3 where God said to Adam: "Cursed is the ground because of you; through painful toil you will eat of it all the days of your life. It will produce thorns and thistles for you and you will eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your brow you will eat your food until you return to the ground. . .” (Genesis 3:17b-19a). Paraphrase: You'll have to work, like you've been doing, but now work is going to be full of difficulties. You'll earn your living, but the thorns and thistles will make it unpleasant, and it will be painfully toilsome at times. Your work will be hard and make you weary and tired. And this curse which God placed on work way back in the Garden of Eden is passed on to us today. Work is full of painful toil; you have to do things you don't like to do or want to do. You have to do work that is boring or unfulfilling. Your work may seem mundane or painfully toilsome. Work is full of thorns and thistles; things that upset you, irritate you, and make the job unnecessarily difficult. The unpleasant coworker, the impossible boss, the demanding customer. They stick you and prick you and ruin otherwise good days. Work is full of the sweat of your brow. You are physically exhausted at the end of the day. Mental exhaustion is just as difficult, and often we experience emotional exhaustion on ou...
8/13/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Your Five Greatest Dangers – 5

What are the five greatest spiritual dangers we face? I’ve offered what I see as the answer to this question.  First, there’s the danger of self-sufficiency, then self-deception, self-esteem, and self-confidence.  And today we finish with number five, Self-Satisfied I’m sure you’ve noticed the common theme in all these dangers: self.  We are our own greatest dangers in many different ways.  And here’s one that is very subtle but very dangerous: being satisfied with yourself. Are you satisfied with where you are in your walk with God?  If so, you’re not likely to grow very much.  We need a holy dissatisfaction with where we are so that we will seek and find all that God has for us. The Psalmist wrote: “As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul pants for you, O God.  My soul thirsts for God, for the living God” (Psalm 42:1-2a). Those are beautiful words that we quote and sing, but do we actually ever pant for God like a thirsty deer? Now, this doesn’t mean that we live in a state of frustration or lack of peace.  No, as A. W. Tozer writes: “O God, I have tasted Thy goodness, and it has both satisfied me and made me thirsty for more. . . I long to be filled with longing; I thirst to be made more thirsty still.” If your walk with God is at a stalemate and you’ve been satisfied to just get by, I want to tell you you’re in great danger of missing so many good things, because, dear friends, the sweetest blessings, the greatest joys are found as we get to know God better and better and pursue him as our highest ambition and greatest achievement. So, if you’re in that self-satisfied, mediocre, neither-hot-nor-cold stage, pray that God will stir up in you a hunger and thirst for righteousness so that you are not satisfied with where you are spiritually and you push on to discover all that God has for you and wants to do through you before your life is over. I hope you’ll remember these five great dangers:  Self-sufficiency, self-deception, self-esteem, self-confidence and self-satisfaction. (Click here if you would like to download the devotional message for the entire week.)
8/12/20223 minutes
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Your Five Greatest Dangers – 4

Have you ever thought about the spiritual dangers you face? I’m listing what I see as our five greatest dangers. Number one was self-sufficiency, two was self-deception, and three was self-esteem. Number four is: Self-Confidence It seems to be a universally accepted belief that we all should have self-confidence. But Paul wrote to the Philippians that we who are believers, who glory in Christ Jesus, should put no confidence in the flesh. He went on to list all the reasons he could put confidence in himself: he was from the right family, had the best education, had demonstrated great zeal and abided by the laws flawlessly. But he said, “I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them garbage, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith” (Philippians 3:8-9). Why is self-confidence a great spiritual danger? Because it erodes our faith and trust in Christ alone. Any time we start thinking that we can do something on our own or feeling as though we’ve achieved some position by our own efforts; any time we are confident about ourselves or our abilities, we are in a dangerous spot. That’s when we think we are standing firm, but instead we are most likely to fall. I’ve noticed over the years that when a big event is coming up, a speaking engagement, a retreat, or whatever, usually the week before God has a way of reminding me that if I think I can do this on my own, I’d better think again. I’ll do something really stupid, or forget some detail, or get angry at someone and say something I shouldn’t—something like that. And I’ve decided it’s God’s way of whispering in my ear, “Don’t let your self-confidence become your Achilles heel; place no confidence in yourself. Remember, I use weak and foolish things of this world.” Self-confidence is a great danger, but God-confidence is powerful. I’m confident he loves me and always will. I’m confident I can go to his throne with boldness at any time and he hears me. I’m confident that because of Jesus I have eternal life with God. And I’m confident I can do all that God wants me to do through Christ who gives me strength. That’s not self-confidence; that’s God-confidence.
8/11/20223 minutes
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Your Five Greatest Dangers – 3

Here’s a third danger that believers face in their walk with Christ. Self-Esteem That sounds very strange, doesn’t it? How could self-esteem be a danger? After all, everywhere we turn we hear that we have to have good self-esteem and feel good about ourselves in order to have a good life. Well, there are two key problems with our search for self-esteem: We’re looking for the wrong thing. We’re looking in the wrong place. Self-esteem—feeling good about yourself—is a biblical oxymoron, a self-contradiction. The Bible tells us that our own natural selves are sin-infested and capable of nothing good. We learn that even the best things we can do look like filthy rags to God. So, feeling good about something that is inherently sinful and selfish is looking for the wrong thing. For ten long years I searched for self-esteem and tried so hard to feel good about myself. I thought a successful career would do it, but I achieved that and found it empty. I thought the right relationship with a man would give me those good feelings, but relationships came and went, and none of them brought me the fulfillment I wanted. I bought homes and clothes and accumulated things and recognition, but the more I piled on what was supposed to bring me good self-esteem, the emptier I became. If you’re looking for self-esteem today, you’re in the same danger I was in. It’s a dead-end road taking you nowhere but to emptiness and disappointment. Let me encourage you to abort that fruitless search and instead, set your heart to know God. Jeremiah wrote: “’Let not the wise boast of their wisdom or the strong boast of their strength or the rich boast of their riches, but let the one who boasts boast about this: that they have the understanding to know me, that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness, justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,’ declares the Lord” (Jeremiah 9:23-24). Set out to know and understand God. The more you do, the better you will feel about yourself. I promise you—it’s true. Good self-esteem comes as a by-product of knowing God better and better and appreciating who you are in God’s eyes.
8/10/20223 minutes
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Your Five Greatest Dangers – 2

What are the greatest spiritual dangers you face? I’m pointing out what I believe are our five greatest dangers. Here’s danger number two: Self-Deception My pastor once said that the problem with deception is we don’t know we’re being deceived. Now you may think that is self-evident, but most of us don’t really think about the fact that if we are deceived, we don’t know it. For if, indeed, we knew we were deceived, we would no longer be deceived. Knowledge of the truth drives out deception. Many people are self-deceived because they want to be. They don’t want to face the music and see things as they really are, so they purposely remain in deception. For some, the refusal to know the truth is their way of trying to avoid the pain that could bring. For example, I may choose to be deceived about my inability to get along with people and tell myself that it’s not my fault, because I don’t want to face the fact that I have a problem. So, I deceive myself in order to avoid the pain of admitting I have a problem. Of course, as long as I choose to be self-deceived, the problem gets worse not better. Only truth will set me free from such a problem, but I have to face that truth and then respond appropriately. Others are self-deceived because they don’t know the truth that will prevent the deception. Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Let no one deceive you with empty words.” How do you know when you’re hearing the truth or something deceptive? You measure it by the truth standard, the Word of God. That means you have to know the Bible well or you can be easily deceived by the empty and false words of all kinds of people. Any time we live in deception, we are in great danger. I may be deceived into thinking there is water in an empty swimming pool, but upon diving in, neither the sincerity of my belief nor the innocence of my motives will prevent me from being killed by diving into an empty swimming pool. What dangers do you face today because you are deceived? Are you indulging in some self-deceptions? I encourage you to pray daily that God will reveal any deceptions in your life and show you the truth that will set you free from self-deceptions.
8/9/20223 minutes
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Your Five Greatest Dangers

I want to tell you what I believe are the five greatest dangers you and I face in our walk as believers. Self-Sufficiency If you buy into the common belief that you are all you need, you are in great danger. Yet, that is considered a very worthy and admirable attitude by many people. I well remember a conversation I had with a very successful businesswoman who had climbed the career ladder very fast and very high and earned lots of money and recognition. She said to me, “I don’t need anyone but myself. I don’t depend on anyone but myself. I have learned that you have to take care of number one and not rely on others.” Even though she doesn’t recognize it, she is in great danger because the facts are, she is not self-sufficient, regardless of her track record or accomplishments. You see, we may be able to get by with our self-sufficient attitude for some time and we may fool ourselves into believing it is true. But there will always come a time when you face the reality that you are not sufficient. Death certainly is one checkpoint that shows up the fallacy of self-sufficiency. The Bible says “Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment…” (Hebrews 9:27). This is one place for sure where we have to admit our inability to help ourselves, and instead place our trust totally in the Lord Jesus Christ. His death, burial and resurrection assure us that, through faith in him, we can face death knowing that beyond the grave is an eternity with God. But you can’t do that on your own. No one is self-sufficient when it comes to dying. We are dependent on God. The Apostle Paul had to learn that he was not self-sufficient, even though he was well educated, had the right credentials and was totally devoted to serving Christ. He faced a disability that showed him how insufficient he was. But he learned the great truth that God’s grace was sufficient for him, for God’s power is made perfect in weakness. If you want God’s power to be made perfect in your life, admit your weakness, confess that you are not self-sufficient, and know the wonderful freedom of operating in God’s grace, which will be totally sufficient for you.
8/8/20223 minutes
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A Question Generating Life

In 1 Peter 3:15 we read: 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. In this one verse we find the answer to how to share our faith at work—or anywhere else, for that matter. First, it begins with revering Christ as Lord in our hearts. It means that Christ has a very special place in our heart—a unique status, above everyone and everything else. So, revering Christ implies that we should understand and obey the commands of our Lord. It means we are not the center of our world, but Christ is. And because you revere him as Lord, you live a moral and upright life, always striving to please him as the Lord of your life. So, that’s where we begin as we think about sharing our faith at work. You have to know Jesus personally by placing your trust in him as your Savior, confessing your sins, and believing that he is the way, the truth, and the life and no one comes to God the Father except though Jesus. Have you done that? Are you certain that you have been born again, as Jesus said? Can you tell about a time when your life changed because you accepted Jesus and revered him as Lord? That’s the bottom-line issue. Then you have to be prepared to give answers for the hope you have. Well, how can you give answers if you don’t get questions? So, what could cause an unbeliever to ask you a question that would give you an opening to share your faith? Here’s how. First, you generate questions by your attitude toward your work, your company, your manager, and your coworkers. If we talked to some people who work with you, would they describe you as having a good attitude about your job? Or do you fall into complaint or critical mode too often? Do you join in with the office gossip, or have you learned to steer clear of that kind of conversation? If you want to generate questions that give you an opportunity to share your faith, you have to live in such a way that people notice the difference that Jesus makes in your life. That means you go to work each day with joy, with appreciation for your job, and with an upbeat, positive attitude toward your work. Then, you generate questions by your work habits. You may not be the smartest person on the job or the most experienced or the most educated, but you can be the hardest-working person and the one who does her job with excellence consistently. That’s a choice you make. Would that describe you? And are you dependable—arriving at work on time, fulfilling promises or commitments you’ve made, making your deadlines? Do you avoid taking advantage of your company by making sure you give a good full day’s work each day? Another way your life can generate questions is by living with total integrity on your job. Never fudging numbers, always telling the truth, taking nothing that doesn’t belong to you, abiding by company rules, honoring confidential information. You need to have a reputation of total trustworthiness and honesty. And then, the way you deal with adversity can be a strong testimony to your faith. Whether it’s personal adversity, when you’re going through some personal crisis, or adversity on the job, the way you respond to it will speak volumes about you. When your coworkers watch you handle difficult situations in a peaceful way, without panic or fear, that will often generate a question. A good friend watched a coworker handle their very chaotic work environment and lots of constant pressure in a peaceful way, and she finally asked him how he could be so peaceful and calm where they worked. That opened a door for him to share his faith and after many conversations and a challenge to read the book of John, she accepted Christ as her Savior because of the way he handled an unpleasant and difficult work environment. So, your work attitude and your work habits should be such that they stand out as different—and believe ...
8/6/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Creating A Gratitude Muscle – 5

I’ve been encouraging you to develop a gratitude muscle. I mentioned that the scientists are just now discovering that gratitude rewires your brain. But the idea of gratitude is not new; it’s not something that these scientists have just thought of. It’s been a biblical truth since time began. But does it seem particularly difficult be thankful in our world today? We hear all kinds of bad news every day, and we have struggles of our own to deal with as well. It’s easy to say that we should be grateful, but how can we do this in our upside-down world? Well, this is where we have an incredible advantage as followers of Jesus Christ. Actually trying to develop a gratitude muscle won’t work unless you have something to be thankful for—something that is not affected by the circumstances of this world or of our lives. Gratitude works when it is true response of a creature to a Creator. I have a final suggestion to help us develop this gratitude muscle. How about a gratitude journal—a place where you consistently keep a record of all you have to be thankful for. Even if you journal already, use a separate gratitude journal and on a regular, if not daily basis, write down at least one thing you are grateful for. There is great benefit in putting it in writing. Developing this gratitude muscle will be one of the most game-changing things you can do for yourself and for the glory of God. But you will have to work at it. You will need to consistently exercise this gratitude muscle, which means you’ll need daily reminders to be a thankful, grateful person. It will re-wire your brain; it will change your attitude; it will improve your health; it will improve your relationships—everything in your life will be so much better if you will make a commitment to develop and improve your gratitude muscle. I encourage you to start developing your gratitude muscle. (Click here if you would like to download a pdf of the entire message for this week.)
8/5/20223 minutes
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Creating A Gratitude Muscle – 4

Creating a gratitude muscle is an area that all of us can grow in, and it will bless you as you develop that gratitude muscle more and more. The secular world has discovered that grateful people experience more joy in life and are more fun to be around. But here’s the thing: becoming grateful is not easy because it isn’t natural. We must cultivate this gratitude muscle. You know, just saying the words “thank you” does not make you a grateful person. It may just be a polite phrase you’ve learned to say, and you can say it automatically without much thought. In fact, the world’s definition of thankfulness is feeling pleased or being conscious of a benefit you’ve received. In other words, it could be all about you. In order to develop a Christ-honoring gratitude muscle, you must express your gratitude to God for who he is, and then when you’re truly focused on how blessed you are to know God, that thankfulness should overflow from you to everyone around you. Then you’ll be blessing others as you have been blessed. So, biblical gratitude is acknowledging the giver even more than the gift. Gratitude is developed and strengthened through praise, through knowing God better and better, through many different ways. We read in Colossians 3:16: Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. Let—or allow—the message of Christ dwell among you richly. That takes effort; that takes planning; that takes time. This is what strengthens our gratitude muscle; we do it through fellowship with others, we encourage each other, we sing praise—and all of it done with gratitude in our hearts. Is that how you worship God—always mindful of how blessed you are because of Jesus? Here's my challenge to help you increase your gratitude muscle: Find a fellow believer and thank God together, or sing a song together, or in some way encourage each other to be thankful. Do it on the phone, on zoom, on Facebook – whatever is available, but give thanks to God today with at least one other person.
8/4/20223 minutes
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Creating A Gratitude Muscle – 3

It has been proven scientifically that gratitude produces very positive effects, creating a culture of gratitude which can encourage others to also be thankful. So let’s develop a gratitude muscle—putting practices in place in your life that cause you to focus on all you have to be thankful for. The Bible long ago established our need for gratitude. Do you remember that in the Old Testament the people of Israel gave thank offerings? Interestingly, the thank offering was a free will offering (Leviticus 22:19), meaning that even under the law, God did not require his people to be thankful. He always longed that thank offerings would be the spontaneous response of the hearts of his people to his goodness. Do you remember the story in the Bible when Jesus healed ten lepers? Leprosy was a horrible disease in that day, and to be cured of it was almost unheard of. So, when Jesus healed these ten lepers, you would think they would be extremely thankful. But how many of those ten lepers returned to thank Jesus? Here’s what Luke tells us: One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Luke 17:15-18) How could the other nine never even bother thanking Jesus for their freedom from leprosy? But then I ask myself, how many times have I taken the blessings of Jesus for granted and failed to give him thanks and praise for what he has done? Here’s my challenge: Think of one time when the Lord has done something wonderful for you, and even though you may have thanked him before, this time write your thanksgiving on paper. Put it in your journal, type it from your laptop—whatever works for you. But the important thing is to take time and put your words of gratitude in writing to God. Remember, gratitude rewires your brain, but more importantly, it develops your gratitude muscle.
8/3/20223 minutes
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Creating A Gratitude Muscle – 2

Someone has said that gratitude is for mental health what vegetables are for physical health. Now, hopefully you enjoy eating vegetables because you know that they are absolutely necessary if you want to have good health. Sometimes you may eat vegetables just because you know they are good for you, even if that particular veggie is not your favorite—right? Well, the same is true for your mental health, if you want to create a gratitude muscle. You learn to be thankful for everything and at all times because it’s good for you. You may not feel thankful, but you can still intentionally think about and talk about all you have to be thankful for. It’s interesting that thankfulness and its variations show up in the New Testament 71 times and it is always a directive of Scripture. For example: “Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1Thessalonians 5:18). “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). “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6). It’s not a suggestion; it is a spiritual exercise. Something you do intentionally. In the Old Testament there are about 102 times that thankfulness and its variations occur, and you are no doubt aware that the Psalms are full of thanksgiving. Just one example: Psalm 9:1-2: I will give thanks to you, Lord, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing the praises of your name, O Most High. So, here is one suggestion you can practice today in order to develop your gratitude muscle. Avoid complaining about anything today—nothing! Instead, verbalize thankfulness today out loud. Look around you—what do you see that you are thankful for? A beautiful day? Your child? A friend? Good food? Just look around you and verbalize your thankfulness for what you see. Maybe even count the number of times you say, “Thank you for. . .” whatever you see. That should keep you busy all day, and you will be strengthening your gratitude muscle.
8/2/20223 minutes
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Creating A Gratitude Muscle

It always amuses me to see how science often catches up with the Bible. Recently I read an article entitled “Gratitude Rewires Your Brain.” When I saw the title, I thought, Well, yeah—that’s been a Bible truth for ages. In 2014 a physicist wrote, “We are now entering the golden age of neuroscience. We have learned more about the thinking brain in the last ten to fifteen years than in all of previous human history.” So, in studying the brain, these scientists are discovering how God created us, and how living in harmony with his principles improves all parts of our lives, including our brains—how we think! This article goes on to say that being grateful is far more significant to our mental health and well-being than we may realize. Studies have shown that performing simple gratitude leads to better sleep, improved interpersonal relationships, less stress and even reduced physical pain. The article concludes that “the more practice you give your brain at feeling and expressing gratitude, the more it adapts to this mind-set…a sort of gratitude ‘muscle’ that can be exercised and strengthened.” I love this thought of creating a gratitude muscle. I’ve often talked about building your spiritual muscles, and you do that through God’s Word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, etc. So, I think it would be very helpful for all of us to be intentional about creating a gratitude muscle. If you want to rewire your brain with gratitude and create a gratitude muscle, there are some specific and easy things you can do to make this happen. Let’s begin with the Scripture that tells us to build this gratitude muscle: Colossians 2:6-7: So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness. Your faith will be strengthened as you grow that gratitude muscle!
8/1/20223 minutes
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Wired for Worship

(presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever felt in a slump—in a rut in life? Even in a spiritual rut? Maybe you feel rundown, depressed, or discouraged. You may even be in a long season of despair perhaps feeling hopeless or know someone close to you who does. No matter where you are in your faith, following Jesus for five days or fifteen years, you will go through seasons and a series of highs, lows, and everything in between. For some reason we don’t talk about it. It’s almost as if it is taboo to talk about being a follower of Jesus and battling with doubt or despair at times. I came to faith 23 years ago. A co-worker from my first job out of college and I became friends and as she shared her life with me, she expressed genuine interest in me. Through that relationship, I was introduced to Jesus. In over two decades of following Jesus I have had highs and lows and everything in between. And I work at a church! I think sometimes we look at pastors and church staff as if they are immune to doubt, wavering faith and feeling downright spiritually depleted. We can believe the lie that lie, “If you are holy and really a follower of Jesus, if your faith were really real you would not feel spiritually dry or despondent.” Well, that is not true. The other day I was experiencing a mild state of feeling depressed. I felt down and blue. The concerns and unknowns of life just started weighing on me. I am someone who likes control and certainty and on this day of feeling out of control and uncertain, I found myself in a slump. Sometimes in an effort to find relief from feeling out of sorts, it can be easy to binge on reruns of my favorite show, scroll through Facebook and Instagram or reach for food as comfort. But on this particular day, instead of checking out, I tuned in. I put in my earbuds and started to worship. When I worshiped, everything shifted. Did you know that you are wired for worship? God in his glory designed us so that worship literally impacts our brains and our minds—ultimately, our lives. Studies have shown that when we worship, God created us so that dopamine, oxytocin, and serotonin are released that induce happiness and joy and boost our immune system. God designed us so that when we worship him, we experience decreases in depression, anxiety, and chronic pain. We experience more joy! We often wait to worship until we feel like it but we are actually wired to worship. This is not positive thinking or a pep talk, this is a posture. God is worthy of our worship, and when we worship and praise him for his magnificence, our lives transform even if our circumstances don’t change. Worship changes us. As my friend Becky, and author of “The 30-Day Praise Challenge,” says, “Praise is your intentional offering of worship, strengthening your faith and unlocking the key to joy no matter what your life circumstance.” I want to talk about having a posture of praise and preaching the truth to yourself. Psalm 103 will be our praise guide. Psalm 103 is a Psalm of David, the second King of Israel, God’s chosen king, and known as a man after God’s own heart. Some have attributed the Psalm to being written in David’s later years because he knew the grace and deliverance of God many times throughout his life. If you have never read through the Psalms, I highly recommend it. For the past two years I have been reading and dwelling on a Psalm a day. One thing that stands out in Psalms is that the Psalmists bless God no matter their circumstance. A Psalm may begin with crying out to God in anger, frustration, fear, feelings of being forsaken by God, but the Psalmist remembers and declares truth. God, no matter what your circumstances try to tell you, is worthy of your praise. He never forsakes you. He is always faithful. Psalm 103 demonstrates David’s pure worship from beginning to end. Let’s look at David’s posture of praise as he preaches the truth to himself and let it be our guide.
7/30/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Your New Name – 5

Several years ago I wrote a book entitled Why Do I Always Feel Guilty? The reason I wrote that book was because I knew from my own experience and from ministering to women for years that we take on guilt at the drop of a hat! It doesn’t take much at all to make us feel guilty. God wants to change our names from Bitter to Joyful, from Anxious to Peaceful, from Discouraged to Delivered, from Addicted to Unshackled, and guilty is another name God wants to change. Is your name Guilty? God wants to give you a wonderful new name: Forgiven. David said that his guilt had overwhelmed him like a burden too heavy to bear. But then he acknowledged his sin and God forgave the guilt of his sin. God wants to do that for you. Colossians 1:13-14: For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Psalm 32:1: Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. And God also wants to take away that false guilt you’ve been carrying around. It could be that you are allowing yourself to feel guilty about things that either have already been forgiven and forgotten by God, or things for which you are not truly guilty. For example, if you’ve confessed your past sins, you are forgiven and you don’t need to carry guilt with you any longer. And if you’re feeling guilty for things totally beyond your control, that’s false guilt that the enemy has dumped on you. God wants you to change your name to Forgiven, and live in the joy that he remembers your sin against you no more. God knows that old name you’ve got. He knows you and he knows your name. But here’s the best news in all the world: The God who created the heavens and the earth, the only true God, loves you with a love that cannot be quenched or changed. He knows the worst about you and he loves you still. He wants you to know abundant life that is found only in Jesus Christ. Would you like to claim your new name today? You can do that; whatever it is that has you in bondage, you can leave it behind and move into the life you were meant to live. (Click here to get a copy of "Your New Name" cards.) (Click here if you would like to download a copy of the devotional for this week.)
7/29/20223 minutes
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Your New Name – 4

Did you ever think that maybe God wants to change your name? God can change our names. He did it for Abraham and Sarah and Paul, to mention a few, and their name change indicated that God was doing a new work in their lives and giving them new purpose. Honestly, I think some of us need a name change. For example, Is your name Addicted? Usually we think of addictions as limited to alcohol or drugs, but addictions come in many other less-visible ways, too. For example, there are food addictions, television addictions, sexual addictions, shopping addictions, to name a few. And I think there are others that are even more subtle, like being addicted to laziness or to negativity or to self-pity. It’s possible to be addicted to a person who is not good for you, when you feel like you can’t live without them even though they’re doing you harm. The enemy of your soul is such a thief and liar that he can get you hooked on something that seems innocent, and perhaps in moderation it is harmless, but your addiction to it keeps you in bondage and prevents you from knowing the full potential that God has for your life. If there is some area of addiction in your life, no matter how small or hidden, God wants to change your name from Addicted to Unshackled. In Luke 4:18 Jesus said: “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free….” And Paul wrote to the Galatians: It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery (Galatians 5:1). Living with addictions is letting yourself be burdened again by enslavement to that thing or that person. Would you like to be set free from that addiction in your life? Ask God today to change your name to Unshackled. You may not be able to break that bondage, but Jesus came to set you free and he can break it. (Click here to get a copy of "Your New Name" cards.)
7/28/20223 minutes
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Your New Name – 3

Sometimes we need a new name. God changed the names of some significant people in the Bible: Abram and Saul and Jacob and Simon, to name a few. He changed their names because he was setting them in a new direction, changing more than their names. He was changing their attitudes, their priorities, their characters. And you know, I think God probably wants to change our names sometimes, too. We’ve talked about changing your name from Bitter to Joyful, from Anxious to Peaceful, from Discouraged to Delivered. Here’s another name that needs to be changed: Is your name Rejected? Have people hurt you and disappointed you? So many have experienced significant rejection from parents, from siblings, from mates, from children, from friends, from employers. Sometimes those rejections are blatant, sometimes subtle, but in every case they are painful. If you’ve been living with the name of Rejected lately—or maybe for many years—God really wants you to know that you are Accepted. Your new name is Accepted. When we become new creations in Christ, we are accepted in Christ Jesus, the Beloved, and nothing can ever separate us from Jesus and his love for us. I think of a woman who experienced subtle rejection from her mother all her life, as her mother almost daily told her that she was an unplanned and unwanted child. She reminded her over and over again that her birth had greatly complicated her mother’s life and made her unhappy. It was the kind of rejection that wasn’t obvious to others, but it was there all the time. But when she came to know the love of Jesus and realized that she was truly accepted in him, it was life-changing for her. She lived her remaining years basking in the glow that Jesus loved and accepted her, and she’s with him now, no doubt still basking in that love Psalm 66:20: Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me! 1 Peter 2:4-5: As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by humans but chosen by God and precious to him—you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. If you’ve been living with the name Rejected, God wants to call you Accepted, starting now! (Click here to get a copy of "Your New Name" cards.)
7/27/20223 minutes
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Your New Name – 2

Have you ever wanted to change your name? Some people actually do change their names because they just don’t like the name they were given. Well, God changed some people’s names in the Bible, but he did it to signify a change he was making in their lives. Does God want to change your name? Is your name Anxious? Are you carrying burdens way too heavy for you? Are you living in fear and worry? You know, Jesus said we are not to carry heavy burdens; we aren’t built for heavy burdens. He carries the heavy burdens, as we exchange our heavy ones for his light burden. If your name has been Anxious lately, it’s time for a name change. 1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. Philippians 4:6-7: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. God wants to give you a new name—Peaceful. He wants you to be confident of the fact that he will never leave you or forsake you, and that you can cast all your care on him, because he cares for you. He wants you to know that peace that passes understanding which is found only in Jesus. Is your name Discouraged? Are you ready to give up, verging on depression? Has life been full of all kinds of disappointments and discouragements lately? Sometimes it seems like they gang up on you, doesn’t it? Well, if your name has been Discouraged, God wants to change it to Delivered. Deuteronomy 31:8: The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Psalm 32:7: You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 34:4: I sought the Lord, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears. God wants to change your name from Bitter to Joyful, and also from Anxious to Peaceful, and from Discouraged to Delivered. Will you let him change your name? (Click here to get a copy of "Your New Name" cards.)
7/26/20223 minutes
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Your New Name

Have you considered that you might need a new name? There were several times in the Bible where God changed someone’s name. The most familiar name changes are: Abram became Abraham Sarai became Sarah Jacob became Israel Simon became Peter Saul became Paul God had a purpose for changing their names. It wasn’t that he just didn’t like the name they chose; names held a great deal of significance in that culture, and God changed their names because God was changing them. God was giving them new purpose and meaning in life. God was bringing them from one place in life to the place he wanted them to be. God was changing their name to signify that they had been on the wrong road, and now they were going to be on the narrow road—God’s road—that leads to life. I wonder if God wants to change your name. For example: Is your name Bitter? If so, I can assure you that God wants to change it. In Hebrews 12:15 we read:  See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. Bitter roots grow in our hearts when we’ve been wronged, when our dreams are not coming true, when we’ve suffered some kind of loss, when our circumstances are difficult—it doesn’t take much for bitterness to take root in your heart. And as this verse from Hebrews tells us, when left unchecked, bitterness always grows. You cannot hold onto one little bitter twig, because it won't stay little. It always grows. And then, anytime you allow any little bitterness to take root in your heart, count on it causing you a great deal of trouble, as sure as night follows day. It will cause physical troubles—actually make you sick. It will make you ugly—truly make you look sour and unattractive. Bitterness causes emotional and mental trouble, too. It starts to take over your mind and your thoughts, and you can easily become obsessed and out of touch with reality because of bitterness. Funny thing is, when we're bitter, it affects all of our relationships, not just the one we are bitter against. As parents we can transfer that bitter spirit to our children; as managers and employees we can transfer it to our co-workers. It is a poison that affects everyone it touches. Have you stored up so much hurt and anger that it has turned into bitterness? When your name is bitter, you miss the grace of God. God wants to give you a new name. He wants you to be called Joyful, filled with the joy of your salvation and free from the pain of bitterness. (Click here to get a copy of "Your New Name" cards.)
7/25/20223 minutes
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Why Should We Praise God – Part 2

I believe this topic of praising God is vital to our spiritual, mental and emotional health. It offers the answers for many of the problems each of us faces. I feel as though I'm just beginning to learn how to be more intentional about praising God and how important that praise is in my life. But I sure want to be a fast-learner, don't you? God has asked us to praise him, not because he needs our praise, but because we need the benefits that come from praising him. Praise helps us mature spiritually, and brings healing to us emotionally, mentally and physically. Praise can really change those things about us that we know need changing—those harmful personality traits that we can't seem to get rid of. All of those are very good reasons to learn to praise God more and more. Another extremely important reason to praise God is that it defeats our enemy, Satan. It is a weapon to be used in spiritual conflict. Now, perhaps I should remind us all that we are in a spiritual battle. We have an enemy who wants to devour us, to defeat us, to rob and steal from us, to destroy us any way he can. And he has a host of helpers. This enemy is real, and we are in a daily battle with him. If you don't recognize his existence and know how to defeat him, you will be continually at his mercy, and wondering why your life never seem to be victorious as it should be. Well, praise is one weapon to use against this enemy and it is a very effective weapon. 2 Chronicles 20 is a beautiful example of how praise can be used to defeat our enemy. Just to give a brief background, war had been declared on the people of God by their enemies. Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, called the nation to repentance, fasting and prayer. And as they repented and prayed, God assured them of victory, though they were outnumbered by their enemies. Listen to what they did to win this victory:  Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the Lord your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful.” After consulting the people, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: ‘Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.’ As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated. The Ammonites and Moabites rose up against the men from Mount Seir to destroy and annihilate them. After they finished slaughtering the men from Seir, they helped to destroy one another” (2 Chronicles 2:20-23). Here we see that the people of God were victorious even though their enemy was much greater and stronger than they were. And praise was the tool they used to appropriate the victory that God had promised them. Now when did the victory come? After they began singing and praising. I sure hope you're paying close attention, because this is a very important concept that will make a difference in your life. My friends, in spiritual warfare we must learn to praise God even before we see the victory. You know, believing that God can answer prayer is not enough. But believing that he has heard and has answered—even before you see his answer—that's faith. We show that kind of faith when we praise him in advance. And when we praise, our enemy is defeated. Why? In Psalm 22:3 we are told that God inhabits the praise of his people. This means that where there is praise and adoration of him, there he identifies and openly manifests his presence. He takes up residence in the praise of his people. And his presence always makes Satan run the other way. Satan cannot abide the presence of the living God. So, praise him. He will inhabit your praise and your enemy will flee. Satan is allergic to praise. Well,
7/23/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Improving Your Relationships – 5

Loyalty is one of the most valuable of all characteristics. And it is a cornerstone in building good relationships. Did you ever have a friend or relative who was disloyal to you? If you find out that someone who you counted as a friend has said or done something disloyal, it really hurts your relationship, doesn't it? There's no question that in order to build good relationships, we need this ingredient of loyalty. Do you stand up for your friends no matter what? Proverbs 18:24 says there is "a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Again, in Proverbs 17:9 we see that "He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends." Make certain that you don't damage your relationships by lack of loyalty. Your friends and family members should know beyond a shadow of a doubt that you will be loyal to them; you will stick closer than a brother. If you hear someone talking disparagingly about a friend, don't be afraid to show your loyalty. Stick up for them. Good friends should do that. Remember, love will cover over an offense. That doesn't mean you whitewash sin, but you do everything you can to keep down the rumors, to keep from exposing your friend to others' criticism. Gossip is one of the chief causes of broken relationships. If we gossip about others, we damage the relationship we have with that person and we also damage the relationships they have with others. Someone has said, "Relationships are the sandpaper of our lives.” Well, it's true that they are not always easy, but it's also true that if we practice biblical principles in our relationships, we'll discover immense improvement. I guarantee you that as you, by God's grace, set out to be the best friend you can be, you'll discover that what you sow, you reap; and that effort will produce great joy and peace in your relationships. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
7/22/20223 minutes
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Improving Your Relationships – 4

How do you feel about someone who makes a promise to you and doesn't keep it? It doesn't generate lots of good feelings toward that person on your part, does it? Proverbs 13:12 says that "Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.” And in Ecclesiastes 5:5 we read "It is better not to vow than to make a vow and not fulfill it.” Many relationships suffer greatly because of broken promises and commitments. If you've made someone a promise, that builds hope in that person. He or she is hopeful that you will do what you've said you'd do. Now, if you fail to keep that promise without a good reason or explanation, then it does something to that person's heart—to their feelings toward you. They're disappointed, of course, but more than that, they feel betrayed because you didn't remember or care enough to keep your promise. It's a form of rejection when you think about it. Obviously, that doesn't have to happen very often in a relationship before it takes a terrible toll. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, tells us it's much better not to promise anything at all than to make a promise and not keep it. Christians should be dependable people, always diligent in following through. And remember that Jesus said if we're not faithful in the small things, we won't be faithful in the large things either. So, we need to make sure that we are faithful and dependable from the smallest to the largest things in our lives. Can your friends and family members depend on you? Do you keep your promises? If you find that you have a tendency to make commitments—even small ones—and not fulfill them, this could be one major reason for some of your relationship problems. Ask God to help you to be more careful in making those promises, and then to take them very seriously when you do. Believe me, it will make a noticeable difference in your relationships.
7/21/20223 minutes
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Improving Your Relationships – 3

Not long ago someone said to me, "You know the problem with him is he just doesn't listen.” That's a common problem lots of us have, isn't it? One of the best things we can do to improve our relationships is simply to truly listen better. James 1:19 tell us that we should be quick to listen and slow to speak. What great advice that is. Let me ask you, are you a good listener? You know, listening takes effort. You have to work at it. One of my bad habits is that my mind wanders while people are talking to me. I find myself thinking about all kinds of other things instead of listening. Do you have that problem, too? Well, one way to help you concentrate is to take notes while you're listening. You should also pray and ask God to help you remember to listen and not let your mind wander. Also, there's a big difference in listening and waiting for your turn to talk. Sometimes out of politeness we don't interrupt people while they're talking to us, but we're not really listening because we're thinking of what we're going to say as soon as we get our chance. You know, if you'll listen better, you won't jump to wrong conclusions so often, you won't say something you regret, you'll learn a lot more about those friends and truly get to know them if you'll just make yourself listen to them when they're talking to you. And while you're listening, put yourselves in their shoes and try to understand them better. James says we should be quick to listen. If a friend or family member indicates a need to talk to you, are you quick to listen? Do you readily put aside whatever else you're doing, quickly, so you can listen to them? The Bible really gets down where we live, doesn't it? And then, we're told to be slow to speak. Go easy with the words. If you talk a lot you're bound to say something you shouldn't. It's a fact that women say many more words in a given day than men do. And let's face it, we often say too much. We have a great need to communicate, but that has to be tempered with the Holy Spirit's control of our words. Becoming quick to listen and slow to speak is absolutely guaranteed to improve your relationships. Give it a try.
7/20/20223 minutes
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Improving Your Relationships – 2

The Bible has wonderful advice for us about relationships which, if applied, will make dramatic differences in our relationships with our friends, family members, coworkers—everyone. Proverbs 17:17 is one of the classic verses to help us improve our relationships. It says quite simply: "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.” At all times—we can apply that very literally. A true friend is available in the middle of the night, weekends, lunch hours, times reserved for yourself, times when you're tired, times when you feel very needy yourself. Friendship requires a time commitment of us that may be costly and sacrificial on occasion. Many friendships are simply reciprocal: the people involved give to the relationship for the purpose of receiving, and when they're not receiving what they think they should be, they stop giving. But that's not the kind of relationship that loves at all times. Jesus said anybody can love the person who loves them in return; but true love is to care for someone when they are not showing you the same care and concern. Sometimes even our closest relationships go through periods where it seems the other person is not giving to us the way he or she should. But by God's grace we can be the kind of friend who just keeps loving. Certainly during times of adversity, we should be there for our friends and family. Is someone you know going through some deep waters right now? How much have you been there for that person? You don't have to have answers; you don't need great words of wisdom. Just be there. Let her know you care in every way possible. If you truly want to improve your relationships, ask God to help you be the kind of friend who loves at all times. That's the way Jesus is with us, and through him, we can be the same way with others.
7/19/20223 minutes
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Improving Your Relationships

How are you doing in your relationships? Are they in good shape? The Bible gives us much good advice and guidance to help us with our relationships. Romans 12:15 offers some very sound counsel for us. It says: Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Think about your relationships with your family, your friends, your coworkers, even your more casual acquaintances. Do you really rejoice with them when they rejoice and cry with them when they cry? Have you ever been excited about telling a friend some good news, only to discover that they didn't seem to find it exciting at all? I remember once my company advised me that I was to go to a special conference. I was thrilled at this good news, and immediately shared it with my friend, expecting her to be happy with me. Instead, my good news put her into a terrible bad mood; she didn't speak to me for a quite awhile. You see, she wanted to go to the conference, too, so instead of rejoicing with me, she was angry at me. I remember when a close friend was sharing a disappointment with a couple of us. We both just moaned and offered sympathy. "I'm so sorry; that's really rotten. You've sure had nothing but bad news lately it seems.” Do you know how she responded? She said, "Yes, but I know the Lord has a purpose in all this and we'll be okay.” When a fellow believer has a grief or disappointment of some kind, don't give them cliches or advice. Don't even quote Romans 8:28 to them. Just mourn with them. That's what they need right then. And when you mourn with them, they can then quote Romans 8:28; they will be the one to tell you that they know God is still in control. However, if you say things like: "Now, don't let this get you down. You know that God still loves you and will take care of you," it somehow makes them want to say, "But it hurts. Don't you understand? It hurts.” A good way to improve your relationships is to just learn to rejoice at other's good news with them. Enhance their happiness by sharing their excitement. And when they're in the depths of despair, just cry with them, give them sympathy and love, without any advice. That's good biblical counsel.
7/18/20223 minutes
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Why Should We Praise God – Part 1

You surely don't have to read much in the Bible to realize that praise is a theme which runs throughout Scripture. There's no question that it is intended to be a part of every Christian's life. Here are a few verses which exhort us to praise God. Psalm 150:1: Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary. Psalm 22:23: You who fear the Lord, praise him. All you descendants of Jacob, honor him. Psalm 33:1:  Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise him. Praise is the occupation of heaven. This is what is going on now in heaven, and it's what we'll be doing when we get to heaven. Listen to these descriptions in Revelation of what heaven is like: “Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: “‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come” (Revelation 4:8). “Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders.  In a loud voice they were saying: “Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!” (Revelation 5:11-12). “Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: “Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns” (Revelation 19:6). And because God knows that praising him is so important to us, he repeatedly exhorts us to praise him. Let me point out some things that will happen when you make praise a way of life: Praise helps you mature spiritually. It is the highest function of the human spirit. You are transformed by praise. It strengthens your inner person. Praise is the spark plug of faith. It is the one thing needed to get our faith off the ground. When you start to praise God more and more, you'll have more faith and trust in the Lord. Praise brings healing. There is much mental and emotional instability that can be greatly improved through praising God. Praise makes you a positive person. So, there's no question that our lives should be filled with praise; it is a direction we see throughout Scripture. But the question is why does God wants us to praise him? We know that God is almighty and self-sufficient. Therefore, why would he want us to praise him? Could he possibly have a need for our praise? When we think of praising someone, we think of doing it for their good—right? We humans have a great need for recognition and reward. I have done a lot of management training in my career, and one of the basic principles of management which I emphasized was that in order to properly motivate people, you've got to recognize and reward them for the good things they do. I used the phrase: "Catch them doing something good and tell them.” That management technique will do more for increasing productivity and improving morale than most anything else a manager can do. Why? Because we humans really need some positive feedback and reinforcement in order for us to feel good about ourselves, to have any confidence in ourselves, and to be motivated to do things right. We need pats on the back, warm fuzzies, and “attaboys.” But does God? Could he need anything which man or any other of his creatures could supply? He who spoke the worlds into existence—why should the puny praise of people make any difference to him? Does he need positive reinforcement in order to be motivated to continue to bless us and love us? The question is ridiculous. I want you to know that God does not need our praise. He doesn't need to be told how wonderful he is. He is not ego centered as we are, and whether or not we praise him, he is God and he is complete and he does not need to be reminded nor does he need our affirmation. God has no need of anything or anyone.
7/16/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Get Over It! – 5

Did you ever work with someone or maybe live with someone who complained all the time and you just wanted to tell that person, “Get over it!” A complaining spirit is high on the list of things to get over. You can slip into complaining mode so easily and you don’t even realize it. Before you know it, you’re complaining about the weather, complaining about your job, about your boss, complaining about how much work you have to do—etc., etc., etc. Here’s my challenge to you: For one day make a commitment that you will get through that entire day without complaining about anything. Not one negative, complaining word will come out of your mouth. Pray about it early in the morning. Pray Ephesians 4:29, like this, “Lord, today I pray that no unwholesome talk will come out of my mouth, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that I may benefit those who listen.” Then notice how many times during the day you start to complain—it will probably surprise you to discover that it happens more frequently than you thought it would. I have done this myself, and I was shocked to see how often I said things like, “I don’t feel good,” or “I’ll never get this all done,” or “I wish I didn’t have to do this.” Way too much of what I thought and said was complaining. But once the Holy Spirit began to make me sensitive to my complaining tendency, then through his power I began to change. I still have to watch it, believe me, but Paul wrote to the Philippians that we are to rejoice in the Lord always, and we are to be thankful in all circumstances. Rejoicing and being thankful will keep you from complaining. So, if you tend to complain a lot—or even a little—“Get over it!” Put it behind you. Move on to the good things God has done for you. It will transform you, and those who have to work or live with you will notice the difference. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
7/15/20223 minutes
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Get Over It! – 4

I want to urge you to get over the tendency to compare yourself with others! We need to stop this comparison habit. God has created each of us with unique personalities, gifts and abilities. No two of us is alike, and God never compares us, one against the other. We learn this principle in the parable of the talents, as found in Matthew 25. In this story Jesus makes it clear that the three men were given three different resources—one received five talents, one two talents, and another received only one talent. And when the master evaluated what they did with their resources, the first two received the same reward, even though one ended up with ten talents and one with only four. But they both were very good stewards of what had been given to them. The man with only one talent did nothing with his, and the master strongly rebuked him for this. I’m sure this guy looked at the other two and figured he couldn’t do much with only one talent; if he had two or five, it would be different, but with just one to work with, he simply gave up. And his condemnation from the master, as Jesus tells the story, was very strong. The message Jesus was sending is that he never compares us with other people; rather he looks at where we started and where we ended—what we did with what we were given. And if you and I are good stewards of what we have, we will receive his commendation. Yet, we are so prone to compare ourselves to others, and that leads us either to be proud that we have more or can do more than others, or more often, it leads us to feel sorry for ourselves, get down on ourselves, or just shift the blame and give up! I really want to strongly encourage you to get over it! Stop comparing yourselves to others. Instead, appreciate how God has created you, make sure you multiply the gifts he has given you, do the very best you can with what you have, and know that God will never compare you with other people. That’s a human tendency, but it isn’t the way God works!
7/14/20223 minutes
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Get Over It! – 3

Have you had any pity parties lately? If so, I’m advising you to “get over it.” Pity parties need to be abandoned forever. Think of how the enemy uses self-pity in our lives. Almost always, pity parties cause us to waste time. Not only do pity parties waste our time, they also waste our energy. Have you noticed this? When you throw a pity party, your imagination runs wild. You start thinking about what someone has done or what has happened, and in your mind it becomes a lot worse than it really is. That, of course, causes you to over-react to it. Then what often happens is that relationships are damaged. When we're feeling sorry for ourselves, we often say and do things that hurt others, things we regret later on. But once those things are said and done, it may be too late to undo the damage. Self-pity can cause irreparable damage to relationships. Another inevitable result of self-pity is that it affects our performance. We slow down, we lose motivation, we do our work halfheartedly—or, what often happens is we quit! In our jobs we may not have the luxury of quitting, so instead our work habits deteriorate. These are just some of the common results of pity parties. Do you see why I say that we should get over pity parties? But how do we do that? Change your attitude about pity parties. Ask God to give you holy anger about pity parties, to see them as he sees them, and to get sick and tired of feeling sorry for yourself. Think about Jesus and all that he endured. Hebrews 12:2 says "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus...” By a set of your will, stop thinking about poor me, and think about Jesus - fix the eyes of your heart on him. Get busy doing something constructive. Don't just sit there; do something! This is one time you need to get involved in constructive activity that will take your mind off of your hurt feelings and shut down that pity party.
7/13/20223 minutes
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Get Over It! – 2

“Get over it!” If someone barked that to you, you might take offense at it. But there truly are things we need to “get over,” things that waste our time and energy. We need to get over our tendency to get our feelings hurt easily, and in addition, we need to get over past hurts. In Philippians 3 Paul writes, "But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13b-14). Paul is focused on one thing: winning the prize, doing what God has called him to do. When you don’t do that, the future is on hold for you because you are obsessed with the past. Paul could put his past behind him because he had a goal in front of him. You know, when you're occupied with doing something worthwhile, when you have activities that are meaningful and important, you can put the past behind you much more easily. I notice that people who are inactive are much more likely to be consumed with their past. One of the great blessings of being involved in the lives of others is that it causes you to forget yourself. Another reason Paul could put his past behind him was that he knew he was forgiven and that God remembered his past sins no more. Surely he must have struggled with the fact that he had persecuted and killed Christians in his past, but on that Damascus road he found Jesus and from that point on he was a forgiven man, and he had accepted that forgiveness. Maybe that is what is keeping you enslaved to your past—you really don't feel like God has forgiven you. Well, if you sincerely asked him to in the name of Jesus and through his shed blood, then he had to forgive you or he would be a liar—and God is not a liar. So, maybe you just don't feel forgiven. That's where you must ignore those feelings and live by faith. When the enemy comes to haunt you with those past sins, quote 1 John 1:9 over and over—out loud if possible: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
7/12/20223 minutes
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Get Over It!

In today’s jargon it’s not unusual to hear someone say, “Just get over it!” While that can sound abrupt or uncaring, there is in that hackneyed phrase some good advice. I’m going to focus on what you and I need to “get over,” what we need to put behind us, what we need to abandon in order to be effective for Jesus, as well as peaceful and happy. And the first thing we need to “get over” is hurt feelings. So much harm comes from hurt feelings, so much unnecessary pain. So, if your feelings are hurt easily, I would kindly say to you, “Get over it.” But how? Here are some suggestions. Break old habits. When your feelings are hurt, think, “Is this really about me, or could there be some other reason that this person behaved in this way?” Break that habit of taking everything personally and imagining that someone is intentionally offending you, when in reality they may be simply focused on their own problems and not thinking about you at all. Philippians 4:8 says we are to think about things that are of a good report, not a bad report. Yet we are all prone to jump to negative conclusions when someone behaves in a less-than-friendly way. Ask God to help you break those old habits. Buy time. Don’t respond to your hurt feelings quickly. Swallow those words you want to say, and simply buy yourself some time to be able to move from the emotional to the rational. Build healthy calluses. Ask God to toughen you up, so that you are not so prone to take everything personally. Seek to build a more healthy outlook so that those unintended remarks or actions that have hurt you in the past will start to bounce off. Bring it into the open. If you feel you have truly been offended, write out how you were hurt, and put it away for two days. Then read it again, and if you are still truly offended, determine how you will confront that person in a biblical, loving way. Chances are good that after two days you’ll tear up the paper and say to yourself that it’s really not that big a deal. It will take God’s power to change these long-ingrained habits of hurt feelings, but if you are born from above, you have the power of God’s Spirit to enable you to “get over it.”
7/11/20223 minutes
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Set Free From Yourself – Part 2

Jesus said we must know the truth, but don’t you find that often you don’t really want to know the truth about yourself if it hurts? It’s so easy to shift the blame, or offer excuses, or become defensive when someone brings us face to face with ourselves! But when we refuse to know the truth, then we choose to remain in bondage—to ourselves, no less! Seems to me the sensible thing to do is face the music, as much as it might hurt, and then let the truth set us free. Jesus is truth; the Word of God is truth, and those are essential in our search for truth. I want to talk about being set free from hurt feelings. Set Free from Hurt Feelings This is more a female problem than a male problem, because we women were created with more sensitive natures, and we feel things more deeply than most men do. What is the major reason we women are prone to get our feelings hurt so easily and so often? May I kindly, but clearly assert that it is because we see far too much as being all about us. Let me give you some examples: You walk into a room where you don’t know many people. You feel very conspicuous and out of place, and because no one walks up to you right away and greets you, you take it personally and figure no one wants to talk with you. Your feelings are hurt A good friend makes a comment that you interpret to be critical. Instead of talking with her about it, you retreat with hurt feelings and allow it to damage your relationship. A business associate hasn’t returned your calls. You’ve left three messages the last three days. You have always felt that this person doesn’t like you, and this just confirms it further. Your feelings are hurt. Your boss asks you to re-do a report and make some changes and corrections. She says you need to improve your writing skills and gives you some specific criticism and suggestions for improvement. You take it personally and consider it an insult to your intelligence, and your feelings are hurt. Your husband comes home from work and has very little to say. Your questions seem to irritate him rather than draw him into a conversation. You interpret it to mean that he doesn’t like to talk with you, and you wonder if he still loves you. He has hurt your feelings. You learn that a friend at church had some other friends over for coffee and you were not invited. Your feelings are hurt. Someone says, “You look nice today,” and you think, “You mean, I don’t always look nice?” and your feelings are hurt. Do any of these sound familiar? These are some everyday examples of self-inflicted pain that we can so easily heap upon ourselves when we allow our feelings to be hurt. Now, true, there are times when we can legitimately claim hurt feelings, but I wonder what percentage of the time our feelings are hurt, not because of someone’s harmful intentions or bad motives, but because we were overly sensitive. We are very prone to jump to conclusions based on the look on someone’s face, the tone in someone’s voice, their body language, their choice of words, etc., and we very often assume that they are sending us negative messages—that it’s all about us. Recently I learned about a woman whose feelings were hurt because no one sat at her table at a church function, and she assumed that no one liked her, put her coat on and was ready to go home. She remarked that it was just like high school when she was often left out. Baggage from her past still haunts her and causes her to think that it’s all about her when there was a very logical explanation as to why no one sat at her table. Another woman told me that she didn’t feel welcome in a certain group because she didn’t know the people at her table, and they didn’t talk to her. Well, if the truth were known, they were probably all sitting there thinking the same thing—“Here I am at this function and nobody will talk to me, so nobody likes me, and I just don’t fit here.” It’s all about me!
7/9/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Singleness – 5

What is it about your future that frightens you? Our friend, Fran, is struggling with her fear of being single forever. Jesus is trying to help her understand that as long as he is with her, there is no need to fear anything, including being single but that's hard for Fran to believe. As she meditates on her situation, she can almost hear Jesus talking to her, speaking truth that can set her free. "Fran, if my plan for you is to be single, I guarantee that I can make you happy and contented," Jesus says, "if you will trust me. You see, Fran, if you live in fear of what might or might not be, you'll be miserable. I would never give you a spirit of fear, and right now you're fearful of being single forever. Can you realize how that makes me feel to see that you can't trust me for your future?" "How you feel?” Fran is stunned. "You mean, it hurts you when I get upset about being single?" "It hurts me to realize you don't really trust me with all your life," Jesus responds. "Have I ever failed you?" "No, never," Fran replies. "I guess I never realized that this fear of being single is really a lack of trust in you, Lord. And I guess I never thought about how awful it is not to trust you, because you are totally trustworthy. Can you please forgive me?" "Done," Jesus says. "You know, this is the same issue you faced when Jim was alive. Remember when you were worried that Jim had found someone else?" Jesus reminds Fran of that terrible time early in their marriage. "Oh, yeah, I'd almost forgotten. Because Jim was working lots of overtime, I got to imagining he was in love with someone at work." "You lived in a lot of fear for a few weeks, remember?” Jesus says. "And what was it you finally had to learn?" "I remember you told me I wasn't trusting you. Trust is really important, isn't it, Lord?" Fran remarks. "Yes, because without faith it's impossible to please me," Jesus explains. "And it's also good for you to remember that fear of the future is not limited to single people. Single people aren't living some second-class life, Fran. And married people don't have it all easy. Don't forget that." "You're right, Lord; you always are. It's amazing how easy I forget that as much as I loved Jim and miss him, it wasn't always fun to be married," Fran replies. “You know, I'll probably have this same struggle again sometime before long." "And I'll be there to remind you that I'm trustworthy," Jesus says. And with that, Fran smiles and closes her eyes for some much needed sleep. The worst thing you and I can do is not to trust Jesus. He is God, he is all powerful, he loves us and has nothing in mind for us that isn't for our benefit. I hope, like Fran, you'll learn to trust him more and let go of your fears, whatever they are. (Click here if you would like to download the entire devotional for this week.)
7/8/20223 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Singleness – 4

Did you ever let your imagination run away with you? Our friend, Fran, is having that problem. She met a man at church who showed her some attention, and from that she's already thinking it will be the beginning of a new, good relationship. Though she waits hopefully all evening, David doesn't call, and now she's finally talking with Jesus about it. Though she doesn’t hear an audible voice, the Spirit of God residing in her imparts truth to her as though it were directly from the lips of Jesus. He reminds her that she has allowed herself to blow this whole episode up into something much more than it ever was. If you let your imagination run wild, it easily gets into untrue thinking and that kind of thinking can cause you to do things you normally wouldn't think of doing. "So, what you're telling me, Jesus, is that I'm beginning to make a fool out of myself over this man," Fran says quietly. "Well, you're not at that stage yet, but you're headed in that direction. You've let your imagination read a lot into one brief conversation with a man you really don't know, Fran," Jesus explains to her. "But it felt so good to have that male attention," Fran says, brushing away a couple of tears. "I know," Jesus responds. "I understand your need for male attention; but you can trust me to meet your needs, and even if there isn't another man in your future, I am capable of fulfilling you and making your life very meaningful. Will you trust me?" "Yes," Fran says, with the tears freely flowing now, "I will trust you, but I can't imagine living the rest of my life without a husband. I'm lonely; it's not fun being single in a married world." "Well, you don't have to live the rest of your life, Fran," Jesus says very kindly, "just today. I've gotten you through the last few years, I can get you through today." "But, Lord, I want to know: are you saying I may have to be single forever?" Fran asks, with fear in her voice. "I'm saying you can trust me, whether single or married," Jesus replies. "But, Lord, if I just knew someday I would be married, I could be happy waiting, even for lots of years—if I just knew," Fran says. "And if you knew, you would never have to walk by faith, would you Fran," Jesus says.  "Besides, you don't need to know the future; you just need to know that I'm going to be with you through all your futures, and I've promised to take care of you. Furthermore, I've told you that I have good plans for you; you can trust me." "But what if your plans are for me to be single?" Fran repeats. Her fears of singleness are showing, and she struggles to understand how to trust Jesus for her future.
7/7/20223 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Singleness – 3

Fran has just met a man at a singles dinner at her church, and because he bought her a cup of coffee and asked for her phone number, she's all excited about the potential of this relationship. She crawls into bed but can't sleep. She re-lives every minute and every word, and in her imagination, the importance of the occasion grows. The next morning, she sits down with her Bible to spend some time with Jesus, but finds her mind is totally uncontrollable. Finally, she just gives up, and rushes to get to work on time. Several times during the day she finds herself staring at some papers, while daydreaming about David. Wonder if he'll call tonight? Jesus tries to get her attention, but she doesn't notice. She's enjoying her fantasies. She leaves right at 5:00, rushing to her car, again ignoring the presence of Jesus. The kids seem more demanding than usual this evening, and she hurries them to finish their homework, do their chores, get their baths and get ready for bed. As she's putting a load of laundry in, the phone rings, and Fran's heart stops. Maybe it's David! She finds her cell phone and waits until it rings one more time. Then tries to casually answer, only to discover it's not David, it's Patsy. "Hey, Fran, I saw you leave with that new guy—what's his name?" Patsy asks. "David," Fran replies, and they chat about the past evening a few minutes. Her mother calls and wants to chat, but Fran pretends to be busy in order to get her off the phone and free it up. Finally at 11:00 she drags herself to bed, feeling disappointed. For the first time the whole evening, she's aware of Jesus beside her and begins to talk to him. "Lord, I was really hoping David would call," Fran admits. "If he really was interested, don't you think he'd call tonight?” "Fran," Jesus says, "I want you to think about what you've done since meeting David last night. What did you think about all day?" "David," Fran says rather embarrassed. "And what kind of thoughts did you have? Were they true?" Jesus asks. "What do you mean? There was nothing wrong with my thoughts, I was just kinda daydreaming, I guess. Thinking he would call, what I'd say, where we'd go, what I'd wear. Just daydreaming; no harm done," Fran answers. "That kind of daydreaming does some harm, Fran," Jesus teaches her. "You see, you were allowing yourself to imagine all kinds of things based on one very short, very casual conversation. Frankly, Fran, I wouldn't call that truthful thinking.” It's a painful lesson, but one Fran needs to learn about herself.
7/6/20223 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Singleness – 2

Our friend, Fran, is learning some valuable lessons about her singleness and her trust in the Lord. She attended a singles dinner at her church and met a nice man, David, who was at her table. After the dinner and program, David asks if Fran can have a cup of coffee with him at the coffee shop down the street. She looks at her watch and remembers that she promised the sitter to be home by 10:30—but she can't resist. "Well, sure David, I can talk for a few minutes," Fran replies, and they start the short walk to the restaurant. All the time Jesus tries to send a warning to Fran, but she’s not paying attention. She thinks: "It's a public place, and I met him at church. What harm could there be?" The next hour flies by, as Fran and David talk. She learns that he is an engineer, just transferred to the city, and is divorced. He has two sons, ages 11 and 13. He became a Christian after his divorce five years ago. Suddenly Fran looks at her watch. "Oh, my goodness, it's almost 11:00. I must go; the sitter is expecting me.” David walks her back to the church parking lot, and as she rushes to her car, he takes her hand and starts to put his arm around her. It makes Fran uncomfortable, and she pulls away. He asks if he can call her, and she gives him her number. On the way home, her heart is flying high. "He liked me; he really liked me. And he was so easy to talk to. Got a good job, obviously the divorce wasn't his fault and besides he wasn't a Christian then. Nice guy." As Fran thinks about David, she suddenly realizes that Jesus is there, as he always is, and so she says to him, "Well, there was no harm in that, Jesus, right? It felt good to have some male attention. It's been a long time." "No, nothing wrong," Jesus says. "Except you were inconsiderate of your sitter and you almost allowed a man you don't even know to kiss you.” "Oh, I don't think he was trying to kiss me, Lord, really..." Fran responds without conviction. "But don't I deserve some fun once in awhile? Good grief!" Fran expresses her frustration. "Do I have to always be the responsible mother?" She is reminded by that inner voice of God’s Spirit just how vulnerable she is right now. She’s been by herself for quite awhile and any male attention is going to start the chemistry going. She seems to hear Jesus say, “Please, don't let your need for male attention cause you to abandon all your common sense." Fran hurries in the house, apologizing to the sitter, who is obviously worried and upset. She pays her a little extra and watches as she walks home across the street, feeling guilty for being thoughtless.
7/5/20223 minutes
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Fran & Jesus on the Job – Singleness

We continue the story of Fran and Jesus, as Fran, a single woman, learns some tough lessons about relationships with men and trusting the Lord. While this episode is directed to single women, I think it will be helpful to men and marrieds as well. Fran is a young widow with two school-aged children. Since her husband's untimely death, she has struggled to earn a living and be the mother she wants to be. It takes most of her time and energy, but there are times when she feels lonely and really wishes there was a man in her life. She did have a brief relationship with a man named Barry, but that didn’t work out. As she heads to the church for a singles dinner, she says to the Lord, "You know, I never thought I'd be part of this singles' scene again, Lord. And here I am, going to a dinner for singles. I'm not real comfortable with it, but at least I don't feel like a square peg in a round hole when I'm with the singles. I just don't seem to fit in anywhere here at the church anymore." As she pulls into the parking lot, Fran's new friend, Patsy, pulls in beside her. "Hi, Fran, glad you came tonight," Patsy calls to her. "You'll meet lots of nice people here—who knows, Fran, maybe even a man." "Yeah, right, what man wants a woman with two kids to raise?" Fran asks with a laugh, but inwardly hoping that there might be some man here tonight who would find her interesting. She and Patsy decide to sit together across from a man who introduces himself as David, new to the city and the church. He looks about 37, nice looking, clean-cut, and Fran enjoys their conversation. "You know,” Fran thinks, "he really seems to be interested in talking to me. And I've already told him I have two kids. Didn't seem to scare him off.” Fran is a little excited. "Fran," Jesus seems to say to her, "you don't have to worry about your kids. They're great kids and the right man will not find them a problem." "I wonder if David might be that man." Fran thinks. Quickly she admonishes herself not to let her imagination run wild. “You've just met him,” she says to herself. “Just talk to him like any other person, be interested in him because he's a person, and don't start projecting about a possible relationship. It's much too soon.” But she can’t help thinking that he is paying a lot of attention to her.
7/4/20223 minutes
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Set Free From Yourself – Part 1

Would you agree that often the most difficult person in your life—the one who holds you back and keeps you saddled with your past; the one who gets in your way of moving forward to do great things for God; the one who floods your mind with the wrong thoughts, continually sending you wrong messages about yourself—is you? If we’re honest, I think most of us will answer, “My biggest problem is ME!” Reminds me of the old song:  Not my brother, not my sister, but it’s me, O Lord Standing in the need of prayer. (Standing in the Need of Prayer – Hymn)  At the core of most of our “issues” is our own self. We either create or exacerbate most of our troubles. Now, this really should come as good news, because we can do something about ourselves with God’s help. That means that we can be set free from ourselves if and when we decide to take God at his word and claim the victory that is ours in Christ. The Truth About Truth Jesus said, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free” (John 8:32). Truth sets you free—free from error, free from bad choices, free from the consequences of untruth. If indeed truth sets you free, then the converse is true: Error keeps you in bondage. In any area of your life where you are in bondage, it is because you are believing something that is not true or refusing to believe what is true. And yet, if you look around you, if you look in your own heart, you'll discover that frequently we don't seek after truth. In the Bible we find that people suppressed the truth, exchanged it for lies, rejected the truth, refused to love the truth, denied the truth, just to mention a few. That has been going on through all of history, and it certainly continues today. In fact, in our culture truth has become relative. Believe what you please, most people think, as long as it works for you. But that doesn’t change the truth about truth. You're entitled to your own opinion, but you're not entitled to your own truth! Satan, our enemy, is a masterful liar. He knows how dangerous truth is to him and his schemes. He can't trap you if you know and obey the truth. He can't get you off on the wrong track if you know the truth. He can't tempt you to sin if you know the truth. Truth sets you free from satan's power in your life. The last thing he wants you to know is the truth as found in Jesus and the Word of God. Therefore, he throws up every roadblock he can think of to keep you from the truth. There are three things about truth that I want you to remember: Truth hurts. When Jesus asked a crowd "If I am telling you the truth, why don't you believe me?", they got very angry with him because he had just told them the truth about themselves, which was that they were not of Abraham but of satan. He told them that truth and, as you can imagine, it hurt their feelings and enraged them, and so, as is often the case when truth hurts, they wanted to kill the messenger. Now, if they had listened and believed that truth, even though it hurt them greatly, it would also have set them free. But they were too shortsighted to realize that, and so they rejected the truth. I find that there are areas in my own life where I reject the truth because it hurts. I recall a phone call I received where someone told me some truth about myself that was painful. My first reflex was to drown it in busyness—just get busy with all I had to do and forget it. I wanted to tell myself it wasn't that important anyway. I wanted to think good things about myself and convince myself this information was not accurate. The truth hurt, and nobody likes pain. In fact, our natural reaction is to run away from pain of any sort. Finally, I talked to myself and said, "Mary, this is the truth about you, and you better face it and do something about it.” To refuse to face the truth, even though it hurts, is simply foolish, to say the least. Truth sets you free, but it can also hurt.
7/2/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Finding Balance in Your Life – 5

As we face the challenge of trying to keep our lives in a biblically balanced state, we have to be sure we’re making the right deposits into our lives and then that we’re not wasting our strength and energy by making foolish withdrawals. What is it in your life that drains your strength unnecessarily? If you could learn to plug up the energy leaks in your life, then you would have enough left to do what God has called you to do. Here are five ways you may be draining your strength unnecessarily. Your strength is wasted when you try to do more than you can do. God has not called us to be all things to all people. Have you got too many irons in the fire? Maybe you have a hard time saying "No.” Whatever it is that causes you to over-commit, you need to get this area under control. Learn to say “No.” No is not a four-letter word. Don’t let false guilt cause you to say yes when you should say no. Your strength is wasted when you have too much stuff. Did you know that the more you have, the more energy it takes out of you? You can save a lot of energy by just not accumulating so much stuff. Now you may not have to get rid of things, but just change your attitude toward them. But check it out: Are you spending a lot of your energy on things? Your strength is wasted when you allow yourself to be negative. Every time you get mired down in negative thoughts and words, you are wasting valuable energy and adding lots of stress to your life. We are to rejoice in the Lord always, and that means stay out of negative territory! Your strength is wasted when you try to control the uncontrollable. Learn to let go of that over which you have no control. I’m often amazed at how much time and energy I waste over what I cannot control! Your strength is used up when your life is not disciplined. Proverbs says that we die from lack of discipline, and I believe that many of us are drained of energy because we refuse needed discipline in our lives. That means doing things you don't want to do; it means making yourself establish good habits and schedules and sticking to them. It means denying yourself some things you really want. Discipline is never much fun, but it brings wonderful fruits. And one of those benefits is that it supplies us with energy to do important things. (Click here to download the devotional for the entire week.)
7/1/20223 minutes
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Finding Balance in Your Life – 4

Is it possible to live biblically balanced lives? I can tell you that it is possible, but it is not easy. Pleasing God or Pleasing People? If you’re ever going to get the right balance in your life—God’s balance—you’re going to have to care more about pleasing God than you do about pleasing people. You’ve got to want God’s approval more than you want the approval of people. You may find that hard to do, because our natural bent is to want the approval and acceptance of people. And we can become absolutely enslaved by a desire to receive the approval of people. Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ” (Galatians 1:10). This is a good verse to pray into your life. Ask God to develop you into the woman or man who cares more about pleasing God than pleasing people. Making Deposits Living balanced lives has to become intentional. So, to help you do this, I want you to think of yourself as a bank account, where deposits and withdrawals are made. Here are two very important deposits that you must intentionally put into your “bank accounts” if you ever hope to live biblically balanced lives: Deposit the Word of God Psalm 119:28: "My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word." I hope you are involved in some kind of Bible study program all the time. You need in-depth study of God’s Word, and you need structured reading of the Bible. His Word strengthens us. I think of a couple who lost six children in one horrible automobile accident in 1993. Janet, their mother, shared with us that the Word of God was her constant source of strength to get her through those horrible days, and even yet, through the sorrow of losing her children. When you consistently deposit God’s Word into your mind, you are adding great strength and stamina to your life. It will get you through tough days. Deposit the Joy of the Lord Nehemiah 8:10b: "Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." How do you keep joy in your life? First, you control your thinking. Negative thoughts, critical thoughts, judgmental thoughts, complaining thoughts—these will all rob you of joy. Secondly, you confess your sins immediately and keep a clean slate with the Lord.
6/30/20223 minutes
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Finding Balance in Your Life – 3

How can we find and keep a truly biblically balanced lifestyle? As Christ followers, our challenge is to get our priorities in line with God’s priorities. For example, we know from Scripture that these things are always a high biblical priority: Getting to know God Your marriage – your mate Your children Family relationships Using our gifts in the body of Christ for the good of others If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, these should be the priorities of our lives. When you allow anything to usurp these responsibilities, then your life is out of balance. Mine was for quite a few years when, in climbing the corporate ladder, I put my career ahead of my responsibility as a mother and took a job that required too much travel. Zero Budgeting Zero-budgeting is a fiscal policy which starts the budgeting process each year at zero. For example, just because you had money in the budget last year for travel, doesn't mean you'll have money in the budget this year for travel. You have to show the need for that budget money before it will be approved. Wouldn't it be good for you to sit down with the Lord for a zero-budgeting session, with no pre-planned agenda, no assumptions, and see what goes and what stays in his plans for you? Jesus was able to say at the end of his short ministry, "I have finished the work you gave me to do.” That's because his agenda was always the Father's agenda. Time and again he said, "I do what the Father tells me to do.” Zero-budgeting may lead you to some radical changes, or it may confirm that you're to stay where you are, doing what you're doing. But once you give God permission to set the agenda, then you have tremendous peace and freedom and you can say with Jesus, "I am doing what you gave me to do, Father.” It may be that this zero-budgeting process comes later in life after you’ve already done your own thing and made some messes and you’re forced to live with those consequences. God understands that. You don’t have to live in perpetual regret if that is the case. God is masterful at taking us right where we are to where he wants us to be. There is no one who hasn’t messed up at some point. But there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, and if you are now at a place where you can truthfully say that all you want is to know and do God’s will for your life and to spend the rest of your days doing the good works God wants you to do, then you’re in a good place. You’re ready to move forward and move into that biblically balanced lifestyle which he desires for each of his children.
6/29/20223 minutes
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Finding Balance in Your Life – 2

How do we find the right biblical balance in our lives, especially for us workplace women? Think about your grandmother or great-grandmother. Did she have a job outside of her home? Probably not. She probably worked harder than you do, but she had a much more limited role than you do. I seriously doubt that she ever listened to a message on balancing her life. That would have been puzzling to her. But today, we have many modern conveniences that make housework easier, things she never dreamed of, and as a result, we have accumulated many different roles and our lives are far more fragmented than hers was. For example, consider all the hats you are wearing—or trying to wear. Your hats could include wife, mother, employee, employer, care giver, church worker, house cleaner, cook, chauffeur, counselor—and the list goes on! The world approves of us based on how many hats we wear and how successfully we juggle them. Our society honors and recognizes people who are busy. We judge people's worth and value by the length of their "to do" list. Too often we brag about our long hours and wear our burnout as the badge of credibility. So, in trying to wear all these hats, you and I are challenged to make better and better decisions about our activities and how we spend our limited time. I want to get to the end of my life and hear Jesus say, "Well, done, good and faithful servant," and I'm certain you do, too. We will be good stewards of our time and our “hats” as we continually grow in our ability to make better and better choices, based on God's Word, not on our culture, not on other's expectations, not on our own mindsets and prejudices. My Mom passed away at the age of 95. She led a very simple life as a wife and mom. She was never a soccer mom, never had a career, traveled very little, spent her days in her home—and in the Word of God. At her memorial service, her children and grandchildren called her blessed because she left us such a great legacy as a godly woman who kept her simple life in balance by staying grounded in the Word of God—reading it, memorizing it, teaching it, and loving it. I know we live in a different time than our grandmothers did, but we still need to keep our lives grounded in the truth of God’s Word. I encourage you to think about what your legacy will be to your family and friends.
6/28/20223 minutes
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Finding Balance in Your Life

We hear a lot about finding balance in our lives, especially those of us who are working women. And for Christian working women, we have a completely different yardstick by which to measure the balance of our lives, because we have—or should have—an eternal perspective: What matters for eternity? Our dilemma is: How do we know what a balanced life is—and how do we find it? Which of these statements would you say are true? Your life is in balance when: ◊  You accomplish everything we plan to do each day. ◊ You are able to meet all the expectations others have of you. ◊ You never feel pressured or frazzled. ◊ You never have to say “no” to anyone. ◊ You can juggle many balls in the air at the same time. ◊ You are very good at multi-tasking. Are these the signs of a balanced life? No, not necessarily. We need a biblical perspective of what it means to live a balanced life. So, let’s begin by asking the question: Why am I here? Why Am I Here? If you are a Christ-follower, you are here to do the good works he has planned for you to do: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10). You are not to be lazy; you are not here to please yourself; you are to be about the Father’s business. God does not exist to make us happy and fulfilled and solve all our problems. We belong to him, and we are here to do what he planned for us to do. In the last decades we’ve been programmed to believe that we deserve to have what we want. Well, God’s Word certainly affirms that each individual is special to God, created in his image, and loved by him. But we are not here to be doted upon and fussed over. We are here to do good works. When you get outside of that parameter, then you’re in trouble. Here are some of the reasons you can get outside of God’s plan for your life: You start “doing your own thing.” You plan your life and ask God to bless it instead of seeking to know and do his plan. You try to do your good works and some others as well. You fail to seek God’s will. You allow others to dictate what we should do and be. If you want to live the kind of balanced life that will count for eternity, you have to be intentional about doing it.
6/27/20223 minutes
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THINK!

I remember wondering why IBM would choose such a motto for the company—just “Think”. Doesn’t everybody think?, I thought. Now I understand the importance of that simple one-word motto, because often we just don’t think enough. For example, how frequently are we engaging our mouths, saying things without thinking? And that usually ends up causing all kinds of trouble. A friend once told me that her teenage daughter and she had agreed to each wear a bracelet that says “Think”, as a way to remind them to think before they speak. Well, I got to thinking about that, and decided that was a good idea. Just to remind myself to think about what I’m going to say before I say it. Don’t you think this could have dramatic positive results for all of us—if we just took time to think more? Psalm 141:3 says, “Set a guard over my mouth, O Lord; keep watch over the door of my lips.” Perhaps wearing a bracelet that says “Think” will help us to set guards over our mouths so that we think about what we say before we say it. Today I want to give you an acrostic of the word “think,” to help you determine whether you should say what you are starting to say or not. T is true: Is it true? Do you know for certain that what you are just about to say is true? If not, don’t say it. If you think before you speak and determine that you’re not sure what you’re about to say is true, this will eliminate most gossip. Gossip is usually something we’ve heard but don’t really know for sure, but we freely pass it on. After all, it’s juicy and we just want to tell somebody that juicy tidbit. But if we start to think before we speak, and ask ourselves, “Is this true?”, we’ll go a long way to eliminating gossipy talk—and that’s a very good thing. Also, it will keep you from imagining bad things that could happen, like “They’ll probably lay off a lot of us,” or “I’m sure he’ll give me a bad review.” You don’t know those imagined bad things to be true, so don’t say them to yourself or anyone else. H is helpful. Are the words you’re just getting ready to say going to help anyone? If not, don’t say them. Ephesians 4:29 is one of the most powerful verses in the Bible, in my opinion, and if we practiced it, we would think before we speak. It says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Some years ago I began praying this verse into my life, and I encourage you to do the same. Then I noticed that when I would start to say something, I would often hear that inaudible voice of God’s Spirit saying, “Is this going to help anyone else; will it benefit those who listen?” That has caused me to stop in the middle of lots of sentences, as I realized that I didn’t need to say what I was planning to say because it wasn’t helpful to anyone else. Can you even imagine the wonderful changes that would take place on our jobs, in our churches, and in our homes if we determined not to speak any words that were unwholesome, that did not benefit others? That would eliminate griping and complaining; it would keep us from nagging people; it would cause us to stop passing on gossip. My goodness, it would make a difference in the way we live. So, today, think about what you’re going to say before you say it. It’s so much easier to swallow those unhelpful words than it is to try to recover from them once they are said. If it’s not helpful, just don’t say it. I stands for inspiring. Will your words inspire the person who hears them in some way, even if it’s very small? If not, maybe you don’t need to say them. Now I need to make it clear that I’m talking about inspiring someone for good purposes, because it’s possible to inspire someone to do something wrong. But how wonderful it is when someone speaks inspiring words to us. I remember a day when I particularly needed some encouragement,
6/25/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Running Your Race – 5

I've been focusing on our race—the race that God has set before each of his children. I've pointed out that we each have our own unique race, and you don't have to run mine and I don't have to run yours. And unlike earthly races, all of us who run can win if we run with perseverance the race marked out for us, and get rid of all the stuff that entangles and hinders us. But the last part of that passage in Hebrews 12:1-2 is probably the most important: Let us fix out eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Any successful runner knows one critical rule of running: Stay focused on the finish line. Winning athletes are those who can keep focused no matter what's going on around them. The longer I run the race that God has marked out for me, the more I realize that if I stay focused on Jesus, if I never lose the wonder of his love for me, if I talk about him and think about him and read about him, if I stay in first love with Jesus, I can run with perseverance. But when I take my eyes off Jesus, I become disappointed, discouraged, and ready to quit. Have you taken your eyes off Jesus lately? Oh, when you do, that's when you start to get entangled and that's when sin moves in. When you take your eyes off Jesus, you're a sitting duck for all of Satan's flaming arrows that are headed your way to keep you from winning this race. People will fail you. Churches will fail you. Dreams will be shattered. Hopes will be dashed. And if you start looking at those things, instead of Jesus, the race becomes drudgery and dismal. I think of many people I know who started running their races with enthusiasm and commitment, but they took their eyes off Jesus and became disillusioned. Let me assure of this: Jesus will never fail you. Please, stay fixed on Jesus. The Christian race comes down to this simple—not necessarily easy—but simple priority and that is, fixed on Jesus. We want to be able to say with the Apostle Paul: "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).   Therefore: Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. (Click here to read the entire devotional for this week.)
6/24/20223 minutes
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Running Your Race – 4

Are you training to run in the Olympics or maybe run a marathon? Not many of us can qualify to run in these difficult races. But we're all qualified to run in the race that God has marked out for each of us. And it's much more important to run in that race than in the Olympics. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). Can you imagine a runner at the Olympics or in a marathon coming on the track with a coat on and a backpack and a purse? No way! They get rid of anything that will slow them down even a millisecond. In the same way, if you're going to run your race effectively, you must throw off everything that hinders you. What is hindering you? Maybe it's laziness and lack of discipline. You just haven't yet disciplined yourself to study God's Word and pray like you know you should. Oh, you keep intending to and you really want to. But somehow, when the alarm goes off, it's just too easy to roll over and go back to sleep or just put it off. Without the Word of God firmly entrenched in your mind and heart, you're never going to run the race to win. Are you hindered by the cares of this world? Do you let money or people or jobs or other circumstances get you down all the time? If you worry and fret a lot, you can't run the race very well. Don't you hear all those people in the stands encouraging you: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God" (Philippians 4:6). Could it be that you're hindered by busyness? Maybe your life is full of all kinds of things and activities. Not necessarily bad things, but they crowd your life so much that there is no room left for the things of God. Or perhaps you're entangled with your past, or your low self-esteem, or your failures. Can't you hear Rahab calling to you now. She's saying, "Forget what is behind and strain toward what is ahead." What sin is entangling you? Could it be lack of sexual purity? Is it an unforgiving spirit? Have you been dishonest or deceptive? Is it a tongue that is out of control, complaining, criticizing, judging? Can't you hear the Apostle Paul saying to you: "You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth?” (Galatians 5:7). We're surrounded with the saints of old, watching us run our race, because they know the joy that is set before us, and they know we're going to miss the prize if we keep trying to run with all that stuff holding us back.
6/23/20223 minutes
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Running Your Race – 3

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1). As you run your race, all around you are witnesses to cheer you on and encourage you. Who's watching you? Well, Noah is. Noah understands what it's like to be ridiculed while you're running the race. When he set out to do what God told him to do, he looked entirely foolish. "You're building a boat for what—a flood?” Can't you hear their friends and neighbors laughing at him, calling him a fool. Been ridiculed lately? Maybe your family has no appreciation for this race you're running. Perhaps your coworkers think you're nuts for running this Christian race. Remember, Noah is watching you from the grandstands in the clouds. And he's cheering you on. So is Abraham, that great man of faith. God sent him to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, even though he did not know where he was going. Do you feel like that's where God has you—going some place but he hasn't yet told you where? Abraham kept running that race in spite of his lack of understanding. You see, Abraham knew how to run by faith, not by sight. And he's up there now in those grandstands, just yelling his lungs out to encourage you to keep on running, even though you don't know exactly where God's taking you, but you know he has good plans for you. Moses is right there on the front row in those heavenly grandstands. Moses understands the fear of the Red Sea that's in front of you right now—that impossibility that appears to be more than you can handle, and it looks like your enemy is going to get to you soon and destroy you. Moses has been there; so he's up there telling you to: "Keep looking at the invisible God. Don't give up.” Rahab's watching you run your race. Rahab understands rejection. She knows what it's like to be from the wrong side of the tracks, to have a sordid past. But Rahab found forgiveness, and she got right in the race, a transformed woman, and she won big time. Rahab's pulling for you. She's saying, "If I can make it, you can make it! Don't quit!" For many of you, there's your grandmother, your grandfather, your aunt or uncle, maybe even your mother or father or other loved ones. They're watching you from the heavenly grandstands. Their race is finished; they've won the prize. And they don't want anything less for you. Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let's run our races to win!
6/22/20223 minutes
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Running Your Race – 2

Are you a good runner? I've never gotten into running for exercise. But there's one race I want to win, and that's the race that God has set out for me. As believers we're all in a race, and as we saw yesterday from 1 Corinthians 9, we should be in that race to win. Hebrews 12:1-2 gives us some further good information about running our race: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. The good news is that we each have our own race to run; we're not competing with each other. We are told to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. God has a race planned for me and it's different from the one he has planned for you. But it is marked out; and each of us has one. So, I don't have to run your race, and you don't have to run mine. But each of us needs to know the race marked out for us, and then run it to win. Do you know what race God has marked out for you? He's not trying to hide it from you; it's there. But first you've got to get on the running field and start moving. You won't find the race marked out for you sitting on the sidelines. Maybe you've been trying to run somebody else's race—trying to be like someone else or wishing you could do what he or she does, instead of accepting the race God has for you. Every race is important; one is no more important than another. But it's foolish to try to run someone else's race. Run the race marked out for you. And the writer to the Hebrews says to run it with perseverance. Marathon runners go through what they call "hitting the wall," that place in the race where they feel as though they cannot possibly continue. Everything in them wants to quit, but they've learned through training and experience that if they'll keep going, they can run through that wall, find their second breath and finish the race. Have you hit the wall in your spiritual race lately? Ready to quit? It happens to all of us, but don't give up! Run with perseverance the race set out for you. Keep running through the wall. Your faith is being tested, your endurance is being strengthened; God is working on your behalf, but you've got to run with perseverance.
6/21/20223 minutes
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Running Your Race

I'm sure we're all familiar with the Olympic games and enjoy watching the many different races they have. It is amazing to see how hard and long those athletes work to qualify for the Olympics. There’s a race that you and I are in, and it's a lot more important than the Olympic races. It's described in 1 Corinthians 9:24-26: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 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. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly;  Paul gives us three important guidelines here about running our race. First, he says to run in such a way as to get the prize. Lately I've heard lots of reports of how some schools are trying to eliminate any system that has winners and losers, so that nobody's self-esteem will be wounded by not winning. Well, let me tell you, that's not the way we are exhorted to run our race for God. We're out there to win. Just participating and making a show isn't enough. Second, we have to go into strict training. I think this is the part where many of us lose our races; we haven't yet gone into strict training. What does that mean in our Christian race? It means purity of life; it means building our spiritual muscle and endurance through Bible study, prayer, fellowship. It means imposing on ourselves the sacrifices and disciplines that will make us strong. Third, we are not to run aimlessly. We should have purpose, goals, and a strong commitment to get to the finish line. We can't flit from one thing to another; we must stay focused and run with a purpose. All of our hearts stop beating when we see the Olympic ceremonies where those medals are awarded and the national anthems are played. When you're in the winners' circle, all the hard work and discipline are worth it. I think if we could really get a vision of the prize that awaits us—that eternal prize—we'd get more serious about running our races. Can you imagine standing in God's winners' circle, hearing him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant," and winning a crown that you can then cast at the feet of Jesus? That scene makes the Olympics look like kid's play. Don't you want to be in that winners' circle? If so, you have to run to win, you have to go into strict training, and you have to run with a purpose.
6/20/20223 minutes
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Are You Satisfied with Your Job?

Recently a friend said to me that she finds herself just restless with what she is doing. She said it was just an uneasiness in her spirit, wondering if she’s where she supposed to be. I imagine there are others in that same place, so I thought it would be helpful to talk about that. I’ll give you ten very practical common sense questions you can use to see if you’re really satisfied with your job. I think it will be a good exercise for all of us to evaluate our own job satisfaction. Question 1: Are you sticking with your job simply because you’re afraid you can’t find another one? Whenever fear is part of your motivation, you have to think twice because fear is never of God. Fear is an absence of faith, and it can cause you to make very poor choices. Obviously, you should not hastily decide to leave a job just because everything’s not going your way. But if fear of not finding another job is the only reason you’re hanging onto the job you have, it is likely that you’re simply not trusting God in this matter like you should. We are told that it is much easier to find another job while you’re still employed, so if you think you’re staying in a job for the wrong reasons, it might be a wise move to quietly begin a job search and see what possibilities are out there. Question 2: Did you start your career because you were genuinely interested in it, or only because you needed the money or someone coerced you into it? Have you ever looked back at a career or job decision you made and wonder whatever caused you to go in that direction? It has happened to me. You know, that can simply be a function of lack of maturity or lack of good counsel or just moving too quickly. But if you’re in a job or career for which you have no real interest, no passion, or no particular giftedness, it’s going to be difficult to be satisfied with that job. In fact, you will become more dissatisfied as the weeks and months roll along. It is not unusual to recognize a wrong job decision at some point in your career. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck there forever. If you know the job is not right for you, then it’s time to start planning your next move. Plan carefully so as not to make another mistake but move ahead. Don’t let that rut keep you from reaching out to something new that God may have for you. Question 3: Do you feel healthy at work or do you regularly worry or feel sick about going in the next day? If going in to work “turns your stomach,” creating physical problems, then it’s pretty certain that something is wrong. Maybe it’s not the job itself which is the problem, but a particular person that you work with or for. It’s helpful to separate the actual job from other things about the job that may be difficult for you. Then you would want to ask yourself if you want to give up a job that suits you, one where you truly enjoy the work, just because of a personality clash or heavy workload or some other circumstance. Or it could be that you simply allow yourself to worry way too much about little things, and that is creating the health issues for you. Jesus told us not to worry, because our heavenly Father is watching over us. If you carry around a load of worry all the time, as though by worrying you can solve the problem, remember that has never worked! God may have you in your job to teach you to trust him and to let go of the little stuff—to cast all your care on him because he cares for you. Question 4: Do you feel as though your rate of pay is fair? Who of us would ever say we couldn’t use a little more money? But the question is: Do you feel you are being paid fairly, competitively, according to the work you do? Now, you may find it difficult to be objective about this question, so a good suggestion is to do some research and find out what the rate of pay is for your type of job in your geographical area. You might find that you are doing quite well, or maybe not,
6/18/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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I Know Where You Live – 5

In Romans 12:1-2 we are admonished not to be "conformed to this world.” Since we are living in a world foreign to God and his principles, it is terribly important that we do not allow the world to shove us into its mold. The church Pergamum lived right where Satan had his throne. Yet they remained true to the name of Jesus (Revelation 2). Could that be said of you and me? Living in this alien world, are we still living lives true to Jesus and his gospel? Our society, for example, is addicted to self and everybody's out for themselves. Self-glory and self-satisfaction are the chief aim of most of the people where you live. I don't know about you, but I'm at the point that if I hear "self-esteem" one more time, I'm going to explode. Aren't you sick of hearing how everything wrong with anybody is because they have "low self-esteem"? We were singing the hymn May the Mind of Christ My Savior in church recently which has this verse: May the love of Jesus fill me, as the waters fill the sea Him exalting, self abasing; this is victory. As I sang that verse, I thought, self abasing? Do we know what we're singing? That means, putting self down in a world that says you have to feel good about yourself. In a world that insists you cannot be a healthy person if you don't have very high self-esteem. Self abasing? That's pretty radical stuff! My friends, "Him exalting, self abasing; this is victory" is the truth of Scripture. When we exalt Jesus and die to our own selves, we are victorious. We'll feel good, but not about ourselves. We'll be fulfilled, but not self-fulfilled. When we fill up with self, we ask for depression, for discouragement, for defeat, because self is our problem, not our solution. In the midst of a world gone crazy for self, will you live a life that says "Him exalting, self abasing; this is victory"? The more you think about yourself, the more miserable you'll be. The more you exalt Jesus Christ, the more you are filled with his love, the more you'll know what your mission in life is. You don't need to work at having good self-esteem; you need to know Jesus in depth and from that comes a right and balanced view of who you are in Christ. "I know where you live" Jesus says to us. And I want you to be true to my name right there in the midst of that self-centered society. This is victory. (Click here to download the message for the entire week.)
6/17/20223 minutes
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I Know Where You Live – 4

Have you ever suffered prejudicial treatment? It comes in all forms, and it seems this world is full of it. I'm quite certain that all of you know what it's like to live in a world full of prejudice and hatred, where people are maligned and mistreated because of the color of their skin or their cultural heritage. We live in a world that is full of injustice, where fairness and fair play are rare commodities. John wrote to the church in Pergamum in Revelation 2:13a: "I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name.” We are living in Satan's territory, and one of his most effective tricks is to prejudice people against each other. As believers, we must search our hearts and attitudes and make certain that we do not harbor any kind of prejudice that would cause us to treat people in unfair and hurtful ways. It could be that your parents taught you to be prejudiced, and you need to clean out that wrong teaching. Or maybe you have developed your own prejudice toward certain people or certain types. There should be no trace of any kind of racial prejudice among Christians. We should be color-blind. Do you have friends of a different race? Do you fellowship with believers from another culture? If not, you are missing some enriching and wonderful blessings in your life. You know, these prejudicial attitudes can be very subtle. For example, even though we know that homosexuality is a sin, we still should not have prejudicial attitudes toward people who are homosexual. They are people, created by God, loved by God, and we should not shun them because of their lifestyle. Many Christians have failed to understand that you can hate the sin but love the sinner. Thank goodness that is true, because we're all sinners and yet God loves us. Do you tend to treat people better or worse based on how they're dressed, or how smart they are, or whether they're important people or not?  That is prejudicial treatment, and it is unbiblical. It's hard to live in this world and not be caught up in prejudice of some kind or another because it's all around us. But like the church at Pergamum, Jesus knows where we live and he wants us to stay true to his name, to his standards, to his way right in the midst of all that prejudice. We can do it, because we have his power to do it in us. Remember, he knows where you live.
6/16/20223 minutes
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I Know Where You Live – 3

I want you to know that Jesus knows where you live. And he understands that as a Christ-follower, you are not living in friendly territory, but he wants you and me to remain true to his name, even in the midst of this foreign land. For example, Jesus knows that we live in a world that believes owning and having are the trademarks of success. Where money is power and influence is bought and sold. Where your value and your worth are often based on your bank account. It is not easy to live in this foreign land and not be bitten by the money bug. Jesus told us we cannot serve God and Money, with a capital "M", because he wants us to understand that money has spiritual power. That means it can exert an incredibly strong influence over us and cause us to do things we would never dream of otherwise. We've seen many people who've been caught doing all kinds of wrong things for money. And we may think that we would never do that. But don't be so sure. Money corrupts quickly and we are all susceptible to its power. What can we do, living in this world where money is king, to keep from being caught in this web of greed? First, we must constantly pray about the power of money in our lives. I often pray, "Lord, make me positionless and possessionless," and by that I mean, "Make me aware that I own nothing; everything I have is a gift from you and your name is on the title. And any position I have is an opportunity for me to serve you and others. So help me to remember that I am positionless and possessionless.” Do you own things or do your things own you? One thing that will free you up from the power of money is to simplify your life and get rid of some stuff. Do you find this as hard to do as I do? All you have to do is walk through any mall or browse through Amazon, and you can see a dozen things you think you can't live without, and the power of those things starts to take over. Maybe we need to stop shopping; just stop looking so we are not tempted. If we want to remain true to the name of Jesus, we must put disciplines into our lives that free us from the power of money and greed. Jesus knows where we live, and he knows that everyone around us is money hungry. But he can give us the power to live free of this greed if we will let him.
6/15/20223 minutes
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I Know Where You Live – 2

In Revelation 2, we see what Jesus says to the church in Pergamum, "I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name” (Revelation 2:13a). I can relate to that church, can't you? We live in a foreign land where temporarily Satan is in charge. And sometimes it feels like we're aliens from Mars or something, because we are often out of place in this satanically-controlled world. But Jesus says to us what he said to the church in Pergamum: I know where you live—in the midst of a society that laughs at God's principles of sexual purity. Dear friends, we must not let this world system shove us into its mold when it comes to sexual principles and standards. I remember when thousands of young people in Florida made a pledge to live celibate, pure lives, and not have sex until married. The media hardly covered the story, and when they did, it was as though these were just a small group of weird young people making this ridiculous pledge to live a pure sexual life. The world actually believes it's not only ridiculous, but impossible to live by Christian principles regarding sex. When we suggest that teaching abstinence before marriage is the best way to be healthy and contented, they react with condescension and disbelief. You can't expect people to abstain from sex, they say, just because they're not married. May I say something very clear and plain: It is certainly possible for unmarried people to live celibate lives. That is not mission impossible, and it is not weird. Oh, it will take discipline and self-control, but anything worthwhile requires discipline and self-control. Don't be deceived by the messages you hear all around you, either for yourself or your children. It is possible to live pure lives even in this world. Remember, Jesus knows where we live. He knows we are bombarded with illicit sex all the time; he knows how the standards have been lowered in our society with the sexual revolution. But he also knows that if we lower our standards, we will pay a terrible price, just as many have already. Don't lower your standards; don't be intimidated by the people around you who talk as though free sex is normal and natural. It is not free; it is very costly, and you will pay a high price if you don't live a pure life. Jesus knows where you live, and he wants you to remain true to his name right there where you are. He'll give you the power to do it, so don't give up.
6/14/20223 minutes
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I Know Where You Live

Do you sometimes feel like nobody really understands what you have to put up with? Nobody really knows what it's like to live in your shoes—in your world? In writing to the church in Pergamum, the Lord Jesus said through John, "I know where you live—where Satan has his throne. Yet you remain true to my name" (Revelation 2:13a). Jesus understands where you live, and he knows you and I are living our lives where Satan has his throne. Satan is temporarily in power, and we live and work right in the middle of his territory. It's analogous to living in a foreign land, where you speak a different language, have a totally different culture, and a completely alien set of values to everyone else. But Jesus says, I know where you live—and where you work. Right in the midst of people who care nothing about spiritual things. They don't want to talk about Jesus, and what you find exciting and encouraging would bore many of them to death, because they're spiritually blind. How do we manage in that kind of world? Well, Jesus says we are to be in this world but not of it. So, we are not to allow the people of this world to pull us down to their level. Yet we are to be available and open to be their friends, to help them when we can, to spend time with them for edifying and harmless reasons. Each of us has to pray a lot and ask God how we draw these lines in our own lives. For example, if the conversation among your coworkers is almost always crude, immoral, degrading or negative, you probably don't want to voluntarily put yourself into those group gatherings. Admittedly, that could make you appear to be a loner, but if you have a loving attitude toward these people, you can still have an impact on some of them. Usually we exert influence in one-on-one situations rather than group settings. So, look for ways to develop relationships with individuals and spend time getting to know them. People are more willing to be open one-on-one than in a group, so that may be one way to deal with this problem. Since you live in enemy territory, don't be surprised to discover that those around you see life totally different because they don't have God's viewpoint. They are spiritually blind. But you must remain true to the name of Jesus. That's more important than anything else. Remember Jesus knows where you live and he will be with you in your difficult work environment. So take heart, because he has overcome the world.
6/13/20223 minutes
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Bloom Where You Are Planted – Part 2

If you want to be inspired, just google “plants that grow in concrete” and you will see amazing pictures of all kinds of flowers and plants that are able to grow in the most difficult, unlikely places. I was totally mesmerized to see lovely flowers growing out of cracks in a sidewalk, beautiful blooms popping up from a pile of old tires—picture after picture of plants that bloomed in the most unlikely and difficult places. That’s what I’m talking about—the challenge each of us faces to make the very best of where we are, blooming where we are planted. Have you ever had the run-away blues? The run-away blues are those days, those times in your life when you’d just love to run away. When the thought of going to the airport and catching the next flight out to anywhere else, rather than where you are, sounds like a really good idea. Run-away blues—who hasn’t had those days? David expressed it so well in Psalm 55. He was in a bad place then; his enemies were threatening him, his mind was a jumbled mess, his heart was in anguish and he was frightened. Now mind you, that was the condition of King David, a man after God’s own heart, who was chosen by God to be the King of Israel. I mean, come on, David, why would you want to run-away? But listen to what he wrote: “Oh, that I had the wings of a dove! I would fly away and be at rest. I would flee far away and stay in the desert; I would hurry to my place of shelter, far from the tempest and storm” (Psalm 55:6-8). David was doing what he was supposed to do, as God’s appointed king, and yet he longed to fly away and be at rest. Are you right now where David was then? Well, aren’t you glad he was inspired by God to put his feelings in writing and leave them for you today? It says that you aren’t condemned for feeling like you want to run away. Even kings have those times. But you have a God who cares and who can bring release and relief for you, right there where you are. After expressing his run-away desires and fears to God, David then says: As for me, I call to God, and the Lord saves me. Evening, morning and noon I cry out in distress, and he hears my voice. . . Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken (Psalm 55: 16, 22). I  wanted to remind you of these words of hope, from a king who wanted to fly away from where God had planted him. Even in the midst of doing what God has called you to do, you can lose your bloom and the enemy can steal your joy. If that’s where you are, just call to God—cry out to him. Cast your cares on the Lord, and he will put a new bloom inside you, and your desert will become a garden where you’re blooming again and the joy of the Lord will again be your strength. There’s a passage in Jeremiah that is a great example of what it means to “bloom where you are planted.” You’ll find it in Jeremiah 29, and it is a letter that the prophet wrote to the people whom Nebuchadnezzar had carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon. Get the picture? They are God’s chosen people, now refugees who have been forcibly relocated in Babylon. This was a foreign culture; there was no temple in Babylon; it was a pagan culture, worshipping many false gods. They did not want to be in Babylon. This was not the way they had planned their lives. This went against everything they thought life would be. Surely God did not want them to be in Babylon! Surely this was the worst place in the world for these Israelites to have to live. And yet this is where they found themselves—this is where they were planted. And here is what Jeremiah wrote to them: This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says to all those I carried into exile from Jerusalem to Babylon: “Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce. Marry and have sons and daughters; find wives for your sons and give your daughters in marriage, so that they too may have sons and daughters.
6/11/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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In A Little While – 5

A few years ago I was talking with a friend who has a painful past to deal with. There was some mental and physical abuse in her childhood, and of course she has struggled with the after-effects. But she was sharing with me how God is healing her and giving her freedom from this painful past. She said, "Mary, I finally came to the conclusion that I could either magnify my past or magnify my Lord. If I magnify the past, I'll be defeated and depressed forever. So I've chosen to magnify the Lord in my life." What are you magnifying in your life today? Are you so focused on the here and now that you can’t see much of anything else? That was the problem for the disciples when Jesus told them that he would be leaving them and they would see him no more—but then he promised that “in a little while” he would return and they would again rejoice. A saint of old, Amos Wells, wrote: “Heal me of my blindness that blots out eternity with this bit of mortal life close pressed.” I wrote his prayer in my journal several years ago and have often repeated it to the Lord. You and I often need to be healed of the blindness that prevents us from seeing the unseen, from looking with forever eyes. What “bit of mortal life” is closing in around you so much that it is blotting out your view of eternity? What “little while” is stealing your joy and your strength? The Psalmist said, “O, magnify the Lord with me and let us exalt his name together” (Psalm 34:3 KJV). If you choose to set your sites on the wrong things, and they get magnified, then you’ll find yourself in lots of mental and emotional upheaval. Our challenge, therefore, is to keep our eyes on the Lord. Will you make a commitment to magnify the Lord? When you do that, it will start to crowd out all the other negative things of this “little while,” and you'll discover that life is sweeter, Jesus is nearer, and you have a little taste of what it's going to be like in heaven when we'll be right up front and see Jesus face to face. (Click here to download the entire message for this week.)
6/10/20223 minutes
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In A Little While – 4

Like many of you, I have experienced that stage in life when my parents were aging and my brothers and I took on the responsibility of caring for them—role reversal, if you will. My Mom’s life did not end the way I had planned. Instead of living with me after Daddy died, and traveling with me, and doing fun things together in her last years, as I had imagined, she was confined to a wheelchair with dementia, in a home where she received 24/7 care. And I simply didn’t like it. My prayer for months was, “Lord, her quality of life is so poor; her memory doesn’t work well; just take her on home to Heaven with you.” And then, God rather abruptly reminded me that I wasn’t in charge of the number of her days; he was. I was not the one to judge her quality of life; he was. I was not the one to determine whether her latter days were worthwhile and useful; he was. We are living in that “just a little while” that Jesus referred to in John 16—that little while between his first coming and his second. And what sometimes seems long and intolerable to us takes on a different perspective when we live in light of eternity instead of constantly focusing on the “little whiles” of our present lives. David wrote in Psalm in Psalm 39:4: Show me, O Lord, my life's end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. And Moses prayed: Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom (Psalm 90:12). When Mom passed, God pulled back the curtains of Heaven and gave me a glimpse of how her life had been a blessing in that place where I thought her life had lost meaning. So many people told my brothers and me stories of how Mom had blessed them, just by being who she was right there in that place. The “little while” which seemed so long to me was part of God’s plan for using my Mom in a different place and a different way than I had planned. Whatever your “little while” is looking like right now—for you or for someone you love—I want to encourage you to not to lose sight of the end of the story. “Little whiles” really don’t last forever and as Jesus told his disciples, “Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.”
6/9/20223 minutes
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In A Little While – 3

Do you have forever eyes? Forever eyes give us the ability to look beyond what’s happening all around us and see what the future looks like. I think one reason people have always been fascinated with fortune-tellers is because we have a natural curiosity about what’s in store for us. We want to know what the future holds. Well, if you are a Christ-follower, if you’ve been born from above through faith in Jesus Christ, you certainly don’t need a fortune-teller to advise you of what’s in store for you, because Jesus has left us with very clear information. In John 16 Jesus explained to his disciples that he would be leaving them soon, after his death, burial and resurrection, but in just a little while their grief at his departure would turn to joy because he promised to come back. In John 14 he gives them words of comfort, as he encouraged them not to let their hearts be troubled. He said he was going to prepare a place for them, “And,” he said, “if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am” (John 14:3). That was his promise to them and it is his promise to us. In a little while, as measured by eternal standards, Jesus is coming back to take us to be with him. We just have to learn how to navigate this “little while” in between. I admit, it’s not easy to look through forever eyes some days. I mean, life just swallows you up at times, and the cares and concerns of everyday life seem to come over you like waves from a tsunami, don’t they? I know—I’ve been there often, but lately I’ve been focusing my mind on the fact that Jesus says “in a little while” my joy will be complete because I’ll be with him. You probably know the familiar old song we’ve sung for years: “Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, and the things of earth will grow strangely dim, In the light of his glory and grace.” It’s truly a simple thing to do—not always easy, but simple. Just turn your eyes on Jesus. Think about his love for you; think about what he’s done for you. Remember that someday you will see him face to face and your faith will turn to sight! Hang in there, because in just a little while your joy will be full again. Jesus endured the cross and its shame for you and me; let’s be faithful to endure this “little while” in victory and peace as good soldiers of Jesus.
6/8/20223 minutes
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In A Little While – 2

How many times as parents have we said to our children, “In just a little while”? They want something now and we keep advising them that they’ll have to wait “a little while,” and of course that never seems to satisfy them. “In a little while” sounds like forever to them. Jesus gave us an admonition also. In one of his last conversations with his disciples, which we find recorded in John 16, Jesus said, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” This totally confused the disciples, and they questioned among themselves what Jesus meant. Knowing their confusion, Jesus went on to say to them: “A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born, she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy” (John 16:21-23). We are living today in this “little while” that Jesus referred to. It’s the time between when Jesus first came to earth and then after his death, burial and resurrection, returned to the Father, and the time he has promised to come again and we will join him in his righteous kingdom. And this “little while” is exactly that in light of eternity. It’s a blink of the eye compared to endless time when we will be with Jesus. But oh my, it seems long to us sometimes, doesn’t it? What is burdening you down right now? What is sapping your joy and your strength? What is giving you that run-away feeling, causing you discouragement and grief? I want to remind you that in just a little while this little time will end and if you are a Christ-follower and you’ve been born into God’s family by faith in Jesus Christ, you will again rejoice and no one can take away that joy—in just a little while. So, focus your eyes on eternity, don’t let the enemy of your soul beat you down, because it’s just a little while until we will see Jesus and we will rejoice again.
6/7/20223 minutes
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In A Little While

Does life seem just too hard to endure sometimes? Let’s face it, we live in a sin-cursed world and both in our personal lives and in our society, we see trouble of all kinds. I find myself sometimes just sighing and shaking my head and wondering what’s going to happen next. Can it possibly get worse? Life is just hard for so many people. But I’m encouraged by what Jesus told his disciples on the night before he died. Things looked pretty bad to them, too, you know. The man they had committed their lives to was not bringing about the political change that they expected. They thought he would overthrow Rome, they would have their country back to themselves, Jesus would be King and of course, they would be his right-hand men. Listen to what Jesus told them, from John 16:16-19: Jesus went on to say, “In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me.” At this, some of his disciples said to one another, “What does he mean by saying, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me,’ and ‘Because I am going to the Father’?” They kept asking, “What does he mean by ‘a little while’? We don’t understand what he is saying.” Jesus saw that they wanted to ask him about this, so he said to them, “Are you asking one another what I meant when I said, ‘In a little while you will see me no more, and then after a little while you will see me’? Well, they just didn’t get it. They wanted Jesus to move on their timetable, which was NOW, and Jesus was saying “in a little while.” To them, that was not acceptable. As I thought about this, I realized how much I am like those disciples. I so often just don’t get it! Why are things going from bad to worse? Why are so many people I know going through such deep waters? Why—no doubt the most frequent question that bombards Heaven. But Jesus said, “In a little while.” To us, “not now” seems like eternity. But God does not measure time as we do, and in the light of eternity, we are living in “a little while,” and it won’t last forever. This phrase—in a little while—has been resonating in my head for days, and it so encourages me.
6/6/20223 minutes
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Bloom Where You Are Planted – Part 1

The Bible often reinforces this idea that we are to bloom where we are planted. When the Apostle Paul said we should learn to be content no matter what our circumstances (Philippians 4:11), he was saying “Bloom where you are planted.” When Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow would take care of itself (Matthew 6:34), he was saying “Bloom where you are planted.” In writing to the Corinthian Christians, Paul said, “Nevertheless, each person should live as a believer in whatever situation the Lord has assigned to them, just as God has called them” (1 Corinthians 7:17). He was admonishing those new believers to bloom where they were planted. Recently I had an opportunity to talk to a senior citizen, Betty, in her late 80’s, who is blooming where she is planted. Betty is a widow and a mom of three grown children and lots of grandchildren. She is a Jesus-lover from way back, and at this stage in her life, she is finding creative ways to reach out to others with the love of Jesus. Betty’s husband died after a very long illness where she was his main caregiver. So she spent many years simply taking care of his needs. Now that she lives alone and is still driving, she has found a way to continue to share the love of Jesus with others. She goes to the grocery store every day. She said, “That way I don’t have heavy bags to carry if I just get a few things each day. And then, I just go up and down the aisles of the store, to see who God puts in my path that day.” Betty uses her daily trips to the grocery store as a way to meet people, to offer encouragement, to pray for people, and to let them know that Jesus loves them. Almost every day she has an opportunity to speak to someone—mostly strangers—and simply offer a moment of caring and concern. She has story after story of the people she has met in this way, and how blessed she is to have this ministry. Betty didn’t complain about the effects of growing older, or the fact that she was alone now, or the aches and pains that occur as you age. She is just blooming where she is, bringing joy and a ray of hope to many people who just happen to shop for groceries where she does. What does it mean to “bloom where you are planted”? Let’s just break that down word by word. It begins with the word “bloom” which is a verb—an action word—and it implies that you have to be intentional about this. Blooming means producing something beautiful. So, the first word—bloom—is a directive, something you must do. For those of us who are Christ-followers, the Bible says we are in the process of being conformed to the image of Jesus Christ. In other words, if you have made that decision to put your trust in Christ and have been born from above through the forgiveness of your sins and the acceptance of his free gift of righteousness, you have the privilege to become more and more like Jesus. To think like him, talk like him, act like him, have his attitudes, his compassion, his love. And this transformation is possible because we have the Spirit of Christ living within us—that’s how we know we have been born from above. So, we are empowered to bloom because of the Holy Spirit within us, but the truth is, we must cooperate with the Spirit. We must be intentional about “blooming.” Throughout the New Testament, believers are admonished to do their part in this blooming process—in this transformation that should be taking place within us. For instance, Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received” (Ephesians 4:1). And to the Christians in Colossae he said, “So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him” (Colossians 2:6). You and I must be willing to bloom and that means we must nourish our lives with the bread of life, with God’s Word, with fellowship and Bible teaching—all the things that will feed the soil of our souls so that we are able to bloom. Blooms don’t just happen,
6/4/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do – 5

What is your impossibility? What are you up against that has you totally defeated? The story about Jehoshaphat, the king of Judah, found in 2 Chronicles 20, is wonderful because it gives some important principles to follow when we don’t know what to do. Do you really want to let God take control? If so, follow Jehoshaphat's plan and begin by: Reciting out loud who God is. Remembering what he has done for you. Recalling his promises to you. Restating the problem, spelling it out. Releasing it to God's solution. Rejoicing that he has already heard and answered. The seventh R - Rest Now, there's one more R that is the result of following this formula. "And the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God had given him rest on every side." (2 Chronicles 20:30). Are you in need of some rest? Are you tired of trying to fight your own battles? Are you weary of losing them? Maybe it's time you followed Jehoshaphat's example and release the problem to God and let him fight the battle for you. You do have to show up; you do have to obey; you do have to march to the battlefield. But you don't have to fight. It's God's fight, not yours. But first you must let go and give him control. I want you to know that I practice these seven R's frequently, and when I do, I always find it gives me guidance and strength. It's a great way to endure in the midst of a difficult situation. But mostly, it's a great way to show God that you trust him. (Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.) (Click here to download the message for the entire week.)
6/3/20223 minutes
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What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do – 4

If you’re up against a brick wall right now, there are some important principles from 2 Chronicles 20 to give you direction. We’re looking at seven R’s from Jehoshaphat’s prayer. The first was recite who God is, then, remember what he has done, third, recall his promise, then fourth, restate the problem to God. The fifth R - Release the problem to God. As soon as Jehoshaphat lays out the problem to the Lord, he releases it to him. "We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you” (2 Chronicles 20:12b). He admits his total inability to solve the problem. He doesn't pretend to have any answers. But he simply says, "Lord, here it is. It's your problem, not mine." That's what Jesus meant when he invited us to exchange our heavy burden for his light burden. Just dump them at his feet in recognition of our own inability to do anything about them. That is releasing the problem to God's care. It is evidence that we trust him. The sixth R - Rejoice in God's salvation. After his prayer, a prophet rose up and said, "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's... Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you" (2 Chronicles 20:13b-17). That word of encouragement did not come until Jehoshaphat had released the problem to God. When you and I keep holding on, complaining and worrying and trying to fix things ourselves, we hold back God's plan of deliverance. He's waiting to see your act of faith, which must come before the deliverance. The next day, as they sat out to face this impossible enemy, Jehoshaphat appointed men to sing to the Lord and to praise him for the splendor of his holiness as they went out at the head of the army, saying: "Give thanks to the Lord, for his love endures forever.” They were praising God for the victory even before it was accomplished. And when they reached the battlefield, all they found were dead bodies lying on the ground; the enemies became confused and killed each other. Jehoshaphat’s army didn't even have to fight. They had to show up; they had to obey God; they had to face the enemy; they had to claim the victory in advance. But once they got there, the fight was over. (Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)
6/2/20223 minutes
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What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do – 3

The third R -  Recall God's promises. Notice that next Jehoshaphat recalls God's promises to the children of Israel. He says: "If calamity comes upon us...we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us" (2 Chronicles 20:9). The Bible has promises there just for you, did you know that? Have you learned to turn to God's Word and ask for a promise when you face an impossible situation? I remember when I first started this ministry on one station in the Chicago area in 1984. As it began to grow, I was frightened; I knew how inadequate and inexperienced I was. And I really wanted to back out. But I couldn't deny that God had opened the doors in a miraculous way. So, I sat down with my Bible and asked God to confirm his calling with a promise. From Isaiah 50 God gave me this promise: "The Sovereign Lord has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. . .  Because the Sovereign Lord helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame" (Isaiah 50: 4a, 7b). Many times, I've gone back to that promise and it has sustained me and strengthened me time and time again. Do you need a promise from God right now? You’ll find it in his Word. The fourth R – Re-state the problem to God. Now, Jehoshaphat restates his problem. He prays: "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us" (2 Chronicles 20:10-12a). The sequence is extremely important. You restate the problem after you have recited who God is, remembered what he has done and recalled his promises to you. Then you're ready to focus on the problem because you're then God-centered instead of self-centered. (Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)
6/1/20223 minutes
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What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do – 2

What do you do when you don’t know what to do? In 2 Chronicles 20 where Jehoshaphat, king of Judah, had to fight a vast enemy army and from all outward appearances, his army was going to be soundly defeated. When Jehoshaphat realized he didn’t know what to do, he called all the people together and prayed for God’s help. From his prayer I want to point out seven R's that I hope you'll remember, because this shows you what to do when you don’t know what to do. The first R - Recite who God is Jehoshaphat prayed: "You are the God who is in heaven. You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand and no one can withstand you” (2 Chronicles 20:6). Jehoshaphat's first move was to remind himself and his people of God and his power. And it has to be our first move, too. We must have an in-depth knowledge of the nature of God. That means we must get to know God. Are you able to recite the nature and character of God? Is it firmly established in your heart and mind? When there are no answers, you must begin by reciting who God is. The second R - Remember God's great works Jehoshaphat’s prayer continues: "Did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it forever to the descendants of Abraham your friend?” (2 Chronicles 20:7). Isn't it amazing how your memory goes on you when you're in a crisis or when you're discouraged? It takes an act of your will to remember what you should remember. But it's important at these times that you purposely remember God's past miracles in your life, his faithfulness to you in days gone by, his deeds of old, as Jehoshaphat did. That's important to remember when you don’t know what to do. (Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)
5/31/20223 minutes
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What To Do When You Don’t Know What To Do

I want to show you from God’s Word what to do when you don’t know what to do. We all have those times in our lives when we’re up against that brick wall and we have no idea how to deal with it. Well, those are the times we need to know what to do, when we don’t know what to do! Do you recall the story found in 2 Chronicles 20, where Jehoshaphat was facing war with a bunch of enemies who could undoubtedly wipe him off the map? He was a godly king of Judah, and when he realized this vast army was marching his way, he was alarmed—frightened, worried! Who wouldn't be? But as soon as he saw his predicament, he "resolved to inquire of the Lord and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah.” Notice how he responded to a crisis—he resolved to inquire of the Lord. What is the first thing you do when facing an overwhelming enemy of some sort? It could be a relationship enemy or a financial enemy or a jobless enemy or a health enemy; they come in all types and sizes. Your first emotional reaction most likely is alarm; that's to be expected. But what does that alarm cause you to do? Often the first thing I do is to plan my fight. Whatever the problem is, I start figuring how I can win this battle. I can do this or that; I can talk to this person or that one; I can pull this string or another one. Surely there is something I can do to fix this situation and fix it fast! So I start drawing up my battle plan. Jehoshaphat knew better. He remembered to first "inquire of the Lord.” What is your mission impossible today, your impossible person, your mountain too high to climb? Have you inquired of the Lord yet for his guidance? Or are you struggling and working and fretting to come up with your own battle plan so you can solve that problem? Just stop right where you are and inquire of the Lord. That means to tell him that you trust him, you believe he is smarter than you are, and you admit that your ideas usually make matters worse rather than solve anything. So, instead of fighting your battle, you're going to inquire of the Lord as to what to do. That's the first important step. (Click here to download the Seven R's reminder card.)
5/30/20223 minutes
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Break Out of Your Box – Part 2

We need a vision of what God wants to do through us, and that vision should be the motivation that helps us break out of our boxes and accomplish our dreams. But the first question we need to confront is whether or not our vision, our passion, is from God or not. Is It of God? Here are seven signs that I believe will help you answer that question: Sign Number 1 – It won’t go away. If God has a plan that will take you out of your comfort zone—out of some box you’re in—it will not go away. And as you pray about it (and that must be step number one!), it will get stronger not weaker. Believe me, I’ve had lots of other “passions” and ideas that I thought at first were something God wanted me to pursue, but it didn’t take long for those things to fade. If you have to keep pushing the doors open and there is resistance on every hand, most of the time it’s because God is saying either “No, not that” or “No, not now.” Of course, we have to be persistent and not give up at the first obstacle, but if it’s of God, it won’t go away in your heart. Instead, it will grow and even though it looks impossible, you just won’t be able to get away from it. Sign Number 2 – Your motivation will be to serve God and others. God doesn’t give us passions or visions just to make us feel good about ourselves or help us achieve our personal goals. If it’s from God you will be motivated out of a love for God and for people, and it will be all about serving. Remember what Jesus told us in Mark 9:35: “He said, ‘Anyone who wants to be first must be the very last, and the servant of all.’” God’s vision for your life will lead you to become a servant, in one way or another. Are you ready for that? Sign Number 3 – There will be a need for it. God is not inefficient and he does things “in a fitting and orderly way” (1 Corinthians 14:40). If God is leading you out of your box, it’s because someone needs you out of that box, doing what God has for you to do. It won’t be a whimsical flight of your imagination. It won’t be because you just want to do something creative or different. It will be to meet a need. Sign Number 4 – God will open doors for you and confirm it through his Word. If this vision is a God-thing, you won’t have to push and shove and beg and plead. You will have to be persistent, but God will open some doors for you and confirm that this is of him. You will see some small and/or large miracles as God opens these doors. You will be amazed, frightened, awestruck, and excited. I remember when I began to see that my radio ministry was not just for one station in Chicago. I had been mentored and encouraged to enlarge my vision and take the program to other Christian stations. I don’t frighten easily, but as I began to think about growing this radio ministry, I was scared. This was way bigger than anything I had ever thought it would be and I would need resources that I didn’t have. So I said, “Lord, I need confirmation from your Word that this is of you, or I’m not going to do it. Give me clear guidance, please.” My reading that day was in Isaiah 50. Verses four and seven simply hit me between the eyes that day: “The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue to know the Word that sustains the weary….Because the Sovereign Lord helps me I will not be disgraced. Therefore have I set my face like flint and I know I will not be put to shame.” There was no doubt in my mind that these two verses were God’s voice to me, his promise to me, and his green light to enlarge my ministry. I can’t tell you how many times in the past years I’ve gone back to that passage. When you get out of your comfortable box and start pursuing the passion God has given you, you need a promise from his Word to hang on to. Ask God for it. Sign Number 5 – Your spiritual leader(s) will counsel and/or encourage you. All of us need and should have those people in our lives who are our spiritual leaders,
5/28/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Sal de tu caja – Parte 1

¿Qué quieres ser cuando seas grande? Esa es una pregunta familiar que se le hace a la mayoría de los niños pequeños en varias etapas y edades, y escucharás respuestas como un médico, bombero, maestro, astronauta, ¡lo que sea! Pero, ¿cuántos de nosotros estamos ahora haciendo lo que dijimos que queríamos ser cuando fuéramos grandes? Los niños pueden soñar grandes sueños; aún no han adquirido el mal hábito de ponerse en cajas. Puede ser que nunca hayas alcanzado tu potencial y hecho las cosas buenas que Dios ha planeado que hagas porque permitiste que alguien o algo te convenciera de que no puedes hacerlo o que no eres el indicado para hacerlo. Tal vez sea hora de tener el coraje de volverse como un niño, como dijo Jesús que debemos hacer, y soñar algunos sueños y abrazar algunas visiones de lo que Dios quiere que hagas. Cuando yo era una joven profesional, el mundo apenas comenzaba a abrirse a las mujeres para que siguieran cualquier carrera o trabajo para el que estuvieran calificadas. Las puertas ya no estaban cerradas para nosotras; se volvió ilegal prohibir a una mujer un trabajo, solo por fuera mujer. Tuve opciones que no estaban disponibles para las mujeres en generaciones anteriores. Las cajas en las que nos habían guardado durante años se limitaban bastante a: Ser esposa y madre Profesora secretaria enfermera Obviamente, hubo algunas mujeres que salieron de estas cajas en ese entonces, pero definitivamente eran una minoría. Tenías que encajar en una de esas cajas o no se te consideraba tan femenina como deberías ser, solo un poco rara. Hoy sería difícil encontrar un trabajo u ocupación en la que las mujeres no participen y, en la mayoría de los casos, prosperen. ¡Mi primer trabajo en ventas había estado cerrado para las mujeres anteriormente con el pretexto de que las mujeres no podían cargar el pesado equipo! Bueno, no solo podríamos hacer eso, sino que podríamos llevar grandes cuotas de ventas y sobresalir en esa posición. Las mujeres no solo tuvimos el beneficio de esas nuevas carreras, sino que las empresas que nos contrataron se beneficiaron mucho de tenernos a bordo. Pero todavía tenemos cajas hoy, cajas de nuestra propia imaginación; cajas que hemos construido para nosotros mismos o nos hemos metido en alguna caja que alguien más construyó para nosotros. Pregúntate en qué caja o cajas te has metido. Estas son algunas de las más comunes: Soy demasiado viejo para hacer eso, o demasiado joven. No tengo la educación adecuada. No tengo la experiencia adecuada. No tengo suficiente dinero. No tengo tiempo. No soy bueno con la gente. Soy demasiado tímido para hacer eso. Nunca podré aprenderlo. No tengo el aspecto adecuado. ¡Soy demasiado grande o demasiado pequeño! Ese no es mi don. Esta lista es virtualmente interminable. Tu puedes estar en tu propia caja única. Piénsalo: ¿qué te has estado diciendo a tí mismo que no puedes hacer por alguna razón? ¡Es hora de superarlo! Efesios 2:10 dice: “Pues somos la obra maestra de Dios. Él nos creó de nuevo en Cristo Jesús, a fin de que hagamos las cosas buenas que preparó para nosotros tiempo atrás.”. ¿Podrías estar perdiéndote de las buenas obras que Dios preparó para ti porque permitiste que otros te pusieran en una caja, o más probablemente, te pusiste a ti mismo en algunas cajas y simplemente no puedes creer que Dios te quiere fuera de eso y te equipará para hacer lo que él pretendía que hicieras desde el principio de los tiempos?. Proverbios 29:18 dice: “Donde no hay visión el pueblo se desenfrena”. La visión nos da esperanza y propósito y la capacidad de perseverar y resistir. Si nunca tuviste una visión de lo que podrías hacer, si nunca aspiraste a algo tan grande que te asustó, entonces puedes estar pereciendo en la vid. En la parábola de los talentos, Jesús nos enseñó el principio de que, si no usamos lo que él nos da, ¡no solo no nos dará más,
5/28/202212 minutes, 25 seconds
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Acts of Courage – 5

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) When is a time where you felt fear and didn’t let it stop you? A time you chose to obey and trust God despite being afraid? Trusting God is an act of courage. In Daniel 6 we see a well-known story of trust and courage: the story of Daniel in the Lion’s den. To refresh our memories, Darius, King of Babylon was appointing men to high positions of leadership in the kingdom. Daniel, known as the servant of the living God, was one of the appointed leaders and had so distinguished himself as a man with an extraordinary spirit that the king decided to put him in charge of the whole kingdom. The other men were jealous and did anything they could to discredit Daniel. “But, they could find no charge for corruption, for Daniel was trustworthy, and no negligence of corruption was found in him.” So the men set a trap for Daniel, knowing that he was a man of God, and got the king to issue a decree that anyone worshiping any god or man besides the king would be put to death. This is where Daniel’s stellar track record of courage and faithfulness to God is displayed. Despite the decree forbidding worship and the threat of death, Daniel still was unwavering in his faith. He got down on his knees three times a day, prayed and gave thanks to God. In the face of fear for his life, Daniel, had courage to be obedient and faithful in worship and prayer. And his allegiance to God and not man landed him face to face with death in the den of lions. After being holed up in a den of not so friendly felines for a night, the king opens the door to the den the next morning only to find Daniel unharmed. We read that Daniel was taken out of the den uninjured for he trusted God. It takes faith to trust God. It takes obedience to trust God. It takes courage to trust him especially in the face of uncertainty. And while our physical lives may not be threatened like Daniel’s and so many of our Christian brothers and sisters across the world, there may be times where we will be ridiculed, mocked, canceled or shunned for our faith in Jesus. It can be tempting to be a covert Christian, especially at our workplace, for fear of what people might think. Yet will we still remain true to God? There are people he has put in your path that need the love and hope of Jesus. Instead of bowing down to a culture which is anti-God, will you be courageous to live set apart? To be seen as one trustworthy, with an extraordinary spirit, being faithful in prayer and diligent in worship as you love and follow Jesus? What is one way you can be courageous in trusting God? (Click here to download the entire message for this week.)
5/27/20223 minutes
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Acts of Courage – 4

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) Setting yourself apart from the crowd is an act of courage. Not too long ago I worked with a woman who loved to gossip. Even in casual catch-up conversations you could just tell she was itching to share some story from the workplace tabloids. I would ask her how she is doing, or, what’s new, and she would give me that look. The one where she was about to tell me something she knew she shouldn’t. You know the look. Maybe you have even given it at some point. When a co-worker or friend is trying to suck you down a rabbit hole of dishing about another person, it takes courage to set yourself apart and not indulge. We get tempted with juicy information and it can be alluring to jump on the gossip bandwagon but resist the urge. Gossip kills cultures. Gossip undermines trust. The thing about gossip is this: if a person is sharing information about someone that is not theirs to share, you can be certain they will turn around and do the same thing to you. And you undermine your integrity if you are the one with loose lips. Be trustworthy. Have integrity. Set yourself apart. Don’t gossip. Gossip is after all a false sense of connection. You might think you have a close friendship with someone but is it anchored in talking about other people? If so, it is a friendship built on sinking sand. Other ways we can set ourselves apart at work are by being honest and not telling lies or bending the truth. By avoiding talking poorly about your boss and engaging in that meeting after the meeting conversation where you tear him or her down. Set yourself apart by refraining from boasting or taking credit for something. Instead, give someone else on your team the shout out due them, lift them up and let them shine. First John 2:15 instructs us, “Do not love the world or the things in the world.“ Not loving the world means we do not reflect the world’s ways. And, it takes courage to go against the grain. As a follower of Jesus, you already have been set apart. Might people look at you weird or not include you because you don’t play by their rules? Maybe. But remain humble and gracious. There will be people who see you living differently. And when they ask you why, you have an opening for a spiritual conversation. You can share how your faith in Jesus causes you to live and love like him.
5/26/20223 minutes
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Acts of Courage – 3

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) What is your relationship with conflict? Do you love a good conflict or do you run from it and try to avoid it? Addressing conflict is another act of courage. Conflict. Just the word can make the hair go up on the back of your neck, your body tense, your heart race, or send that warm nervous sensation throughout your body. I think we have all seen or experienced all too often times where conflict has gone wrong, and we don’t know how to properly lean into hard situations so we try to avoid them, or so we think. The truth is, we can really never avoid conflict. Avoidance does not make a difficult situation go away. Just the other day I needed to address a concern with a coworker. She had dropped the ball on something and it reflected poorly on our team. It took courage to initiate the conversation rather than just stew on it or tell others about my frustration. Instead of going in with guns blazing or with an accusatory or critical spirit, I approached the situation with kindness, humility, and curiosity. I told her what I observed and how that impacted the team. She graciously owned her mistake and then we talked about how to mitigate the same mistake moving forward. I then asked her how I could be of help and support her. I wanted her to know that I was for her. She actually ended up thanking me for the conversation. Now I realize that not everyone will react the way my co-worker did; some will act defensively. But I am, you are, ultimately, responsible for how you approach and respond in situations. We cannot be responsible for other’s responses. When we approach conflict with biblical wisdom and a Christ-like attitude of heart, leaning into a tough situation can actually be an opportunity to strengthen and deepen relationships. Proverbs 3:3 says “Do not let kindness and truth leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.  So you will find favor and good repute in the sight of God and man.” Both kindness and truth are important. Proverbs 15:1 says “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” A gentle answer, a kind approach, is one that shows respect and comes from a humble heart. Speak gently instead of coming out with a critical spirit and biting word. Keep your voice calm, your words sweet, and your attitude humble. Get your heart right before the Lord and ask him to give you courage and a kind spirit in conflict.
5/25/20223 minutes
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Acts of Courage – 2

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) Another act of courage is letting go of an offense. Choosing to forgive when you have been hurt. Think of the last time someone said or did something that hurt or offended you. Just a few days ago a close friend of mine sent an email that had my heart racing and my blood boiling. I felt the email was hurtful and insensitive. If I am honest, I ruminated on and rehearsed the offense which only led to greater dis-ease in my body and not so kind and loving thoughts flowing through my mind. As I got a grip on my emotions and brought them to the Lord, he graciously helped me calm down and bring my hurt and concerns to him. At first he showed me how in the past I have done the very same thing that my friend did to me. There have been times when I have said things that, while not intended to cause hurt, have certainly been hurtful and offensive to others. There have been emails I have sent that had a not so gracious and loving tone to them. It was the ole “look at the log in your eye first Lisa!” Now this is not to discount that I felt hurt, but rather than continuing to brew on the offense, I took it to God. Has a co-worker said or done something that offended you? Is there a friendship that has become distant because of a relational hurt? It takes courage to extend forgiveness. It takes moral strength to obey God’s instructions when it comes to letting go of an offense. And God’s Word has a lot to say about forgiveness: “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32). “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you” (Colossians 3:13). “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice, forgiving one another, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:30). “Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother or sister who sins against me? Up to seven times?" Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:21-22). Now that is a tall order but with God, it is possible. Bring the offense to God and ask him to give you courage to overlook it.
5/24/20223 minutes
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Acts of Courage

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) What comes to mind when you think about courage? You have probably heard it said that courage is not the absence of fear but feeling fear and choosing to act. I will be reviewing five acts of courage, and the first act of courage is taking responsibility. Admitting when you are wrong. Have you ever found yourself in a situation where something went awry? A conversation turns into conflict, a misstep turns into a mess, a project at work takes a turn for the worst…. And if you are honest, it was your fault but you didn’t want to take the fall for your poor choices so you placed the blame on someone else? Eve and Adam did that in the garden of Eden. In Genesis God had given them access to every tree in the garden pleasing in appearance and good for food except for the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. One tree was off limits when the rest of the garden was free reign. The serpent tempted Eve and at that moment of temptation she started doubting the goodness of God. She eats off the forbidden tree and Adam who was with her follows suit. What happens next is blame. When God calls out to them and questions their actions, we see that Adam’s response is, “The woman you gave to be with me, she gave me some fruit from the tree so I ate.” Then God asks Eve what she has done and she follows along with the game of blame and says, “It was the serpent, he deceived me, and I ate.” (Genesis 3:10-13) The blame game. It started in the garden and has a grip on us to this day. I wonder what would have happened if Eve would have taken responsibility for her actions rather than pinning it on the serpent? If Adam would have owned up to his error, how could that have positively impacted his relationship with Eve, with God? We see blame happening all around us. We are a culture of blame. We lack the guts to admit we are wrong. We more easily point the finger and make it someone else’s fault. Admitting we  are wrong takes humility. It takes risk. It takes integrity. It takes courage. If you want to live a life set apart, admit when you are wrong. Take ownership. Admit how you played a part in a breakdown, miscommunication or mishap. Is there a situation or relationship that is out of sorts in your life? Maybe your part in the breakdown is obvious. Maybe it’s not. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the part you played. Then be courageous. Have a conversation with the people your choices impacted. Admit your mistake to your co-worker or boss. Take responsibility for your choices and actions that led to a friendship or relationship breakdown. Choose courage over blame.
5/23/20223 minutes
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Break Out of Your Box – Part 1

What do you want to be when you grow up? That’s a familiar question that most young children are asked at various stages and ages, and you’ll hear answers like a doctor, a fireman, a teacher, an astronaut—whatever! But how many of us are now doing what we said we wanted to do when we grew up? Children are able to dream big dreams; they haven’t yet formed the bad habit of putting themselves in boxes. It may be that you have never reached your potential and done the good things God has planned for you to do because you’ve allowed someone or something to convince you that it can’t be done or you’re not the one to do it. Maybe it’s time to have the courage to become like a child, as Jesus said we should, and dream some dreams and embrace some visions of what God wants you to do. When I was a young career woman, the world was just beginning to open to women to pursue any career or job for which they were qualified. No longer were doors closed to us; it became illegal to prohibit a woman from a job just because she was a woman. I had choices that were not available to women in former generations. The boxes that we had been kept in for years were pretty much limited to: Wife and Mother Teacher Secretary Nurse Obviously, there were some women who broke out of these boxes back then, but they were definitely a minority. You had to fit into one of those boxes or you were considered just not quite as feminine as you should be, just a little weird. Today you would be hard pressed to find any job or occupation where women are not involved and in most cases flourishing. My first job in sales had been closed to women previously under the pretense that women could not carry the heavy equipment! Well, not only could we do that, we could carry heavy sales quotas and excel in that position. Not only did we women then have the benefit of those new careers, but the companies that hired us profited very nicely from having us on board. But we still have boxes today—boxes of our own imagination; boxes that we have built for ourselves or we’ve crawled into some box that someone else built for us. Ask yourself what box or boxes you have put yourself in. Here are some common ones: I’m too old to do that—or too young. I don’t have the right education. I don’t have the right experience. I don’t have enough money. I don’t have time. I’m not good with people. I’m too shy to do that. I’ll never be able to learn it. I don’t have the right looks. I’m too big—or I’m too small! That’s not my gift. This list is virtually endless. You may be in your own unique box. Think about it: what have you been telling yourself you cannot do for some reason? It’s time to get over it! Ephesians 2:10 says: “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” Could you be missing out on the good works God prepared for you to do because you’ve allowed others to put you in a box, or more likely, you’ve put yourself in some boxes, and you just can’t believe that God wants you out of the box and will equip you to do what he intended from the beginning of time for you to do. Proverbs 29:18 (KJV) says: “Where there is no vision, the people perish.” Vision gives us hope and purpose and the ability to persevere and endure. If you’ve never had a vision of what you could do, if you’ve never aspired to something so big that it scared you, then you may be perishing on the vine. In the parable of the talents Jesus taught us the principle that if we don’t use what he gives us, not only will he not give us more, we will lose what we have! (See Matthew 25:14-30.)  Without a vision we begin to shrivel up and settle for mediocrity. That inward deterioration occurs subtly and could go unnoticed, even by yourself, but eventually it catches up with you when you begin to see your life as hum-drum or boring or meaningless.
5/21/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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The Gift of Letting Go – 5

I want to encourage you to let go of your past. I know—it’s not easy to do that. But like everything else in the Christian journey, it’s something you learn to do by faith, not necessarily by feelings. The passage in Scripture which speaks to this so clearly is from Philippians 3:13-14, where the Apostle Paul writes: “Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” Paul says that he’s not all the way there—he doesn’t have everything figured out. But he knows that in order to go forward, he has to forget what is behind. That doesn’t mean you can literally erase your memory, but rather that you refuse to re-live the past, to dwell in the past. It’s gone and there’s nothing you can do to change it. You must stop telling yourself that you are a victim or you aren’t qualified or you’ve messed up so much that there’s no hope. You can’t undo the past, but you can make today and all your tomorrows promising and good through the power of Jesus Christ. There’s a prize ahead for you, if you are a follower of Jesus Christ. There’s a reason to be hopeful and joyful because of Jesus who has called you to be in heaven with him. Dwelling on your past keeps you mired in hopelessness, self-pity, anger, or depression. God has good days ahead for you. Can you, by faith and through his power, let go of your past? Just pray right now that God will make that a reality in your life and keep praying it as often as you need to. You’ll discover that what you can’t do on your own—let go of your past—God can do for you. (Click here to download the entire message for this week.)
5/20/20223 minutes
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The Gift of Letting Go – 4

Learning to let go is a gift you can give yourself, a very valuable gift. I’m often amazed at how people get so bent-out-of-shape over the small stuff. You know—like yelling at an airline employee because a flight is late, screaming at the driver in front who stopped on a green light, fussing at your kids or mate because they left socks on the floor, losing sleep because your next-door neighbor’s dog irritates you. Small stuff. And then I have to recognize that I let small stuff upset my days far too often as well. Years ago I began to see that this was a problem for me. I was really bad at letting the small stuff ruin my days. So, I started praying about it, for one thing; and then I learned a simple technique which has served me well. When I’m starting to get upset, I ask myself, “What difference will this make in twenty-four hours?” And I’ve set a rule for myself that if it won’t matter this time tomorrow, I simply am not allowed to spend any energy on it. I can’t get angry; I can’t get frustrated; I can’t get my feelings hurt; I can’t complain about it—because it won’t make one bit of difference this time tomorrow. I highly recommend that you learn to ask yourself this simple question—what difference will this make in twenty-four hours—because I can testify that it is life-changing. You will learn to let go of the small stuff, and you’ll discover that probably about 90 percent of what is bugging you today is small stuff that won’t matter in twenty-four hours. Just think of how much stress this will take out of your life. Jesus said, “Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own” (Matthew 6:34).
5/19/20223 minutes
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The Gift of Letting Go – 3

Is there someone in your life right now that has done you wrong? Someone who deserves to be punished and suffer for the wrong they’ve done you? Are you willing to let go of your right for revenge? This is one area where lots of us find it very difficult to let go. If you’ve been truly hurt by someone—especially someone who has never apologized or tried to make it right or even acknowledged that they hurt you—no doubt your natural reaction is to get back at them. How can they get off scot free while you are left hurting, even devastated? It just eats at your sense of fair play—it’s just not fair. So, how in the world can you let go of this deep desire to see them punished for what they’ve done to you? I’ve met people who have become so fixated on the hurt done to them, so determined that the other person suffer, that they have become obsessed with revenge. It’s understandable how a person could get to this place. Your mind dwells on the injustice, and the more you think about it, the more you cannot let go of the anger. Then that anger turns into bitterness and you inflict even more pain and hurt on yourself. The Bible says that vengeance belongs to the Lord and he will repay. If you’re hanging on to a desire for revenge, this is one truth you need to learn and accept. God is the avenger; he knows who deserves punishment; he knows about wrongs that have never been set right. And unless a person repents and truly forsakes their ways, God is going to have the last word. Those wrongs will not always go unavenged. So, if you can let go of your desire to get your pound of flesh; if you can take them off your hook and put them on God’s hook, you will free yourself from the terrible pain of that hurt. The more you refuse to let go, the more you increase the pain. And the more you suffer for it. One of the best gifts you can ever give yourself is to let go of your right for revenge. Trust the God who sees and knows all, and who will someday settle every score—his way.
5/18/20223 minutes
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The Gift of Letting Go – 2

Have you ever heard of the gift of letting go? Well, this gift of letting go isn’t found in the Bible per se, but certainly the Bible is full of admonitions to let go. I want to talk about letting go of the controls of your life—and this applies to all of us control-freaks! Proverbs 3:5-6 makes it very clear that we are to turn over the controls to the Lord: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.” And again in Isaiah 48:17: “This is what the Lord says— your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel: ‘I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.’” It’s easy to quote these verses, but when it comes to giving up your plans and asking God to direct you in the way you should go, well, that’s not quite so easy, is it? Maybe you do what I’ve often done—you come up with your plans and then you ask God to bless them. Lord, here is what I want to do; it’s a really good plan; I’ve thought it through very carefully and I’m sure you agree that this is the way I should go. So, please bless my plans. Are you guilty of that kind of control tendency, as I often am? When will we learn that God’s ways are best? As we just read from Isaiah, God teaches us what is best for us. He’s not trying to make your way hard; he’s not trying to steal your joy. He simply knows what is best for you. He is far better at controlling your life than you are! So, please give him the blank piece of paper and ask him to write the plan. And here’s the thing: this gift of letting go of the controls of your life and giving God permission to run your show is not a once and for all thing. It’s pretty much a daily attitude, an on-going commitment, an intentional decision you will have to make on a regular basis. Your days need to begin with relinquishing the controls of your life to God for that day, admitting your inadequacy to control your own lives, and once again acknowledging that you belong to God and he is in control. I urge you to let go of the controls of your life—give them over to God. And then do it again tomorrow and tomorrow—and all the tomorrows of your life. You’ll never regret it.
5/17/20223 minutes
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The Gift of Letting Go

A friend once said to me that she was learning about the gift of letting go, and I immediately related to what she was saying. There are several gifts of the Spirit listed in Scripture, but you won’t find the “gift of letting go” there. So, it’s not a gift that some people have and others don’t. Rather it is a gift we give ourselves, and we are the only ones who can do that—and everyone desperately needs this gift. I began to make a list of what we often need to let go of, and I was thinking that maybe this list would be helpful to you as well. Letting Go of Our Dreams We all need goals and visions and missions that we aspire to and work toward. So, I’m not talking about letting go of God-given dreams and ambitions. I’m talking about letting go of your daydreams, for one thing. If you’re not careful, you can find yourself living in a world of daydreams. I think this is often a result of missing pieces in our lives, and we start to build a fictional world in our minds around that missing piece. For example, if you want to be married and that piece is missing in your life right now, you can start daydreaming about how wonderful married life would be. Even if there is no potential mate in sight, you can imagine the perfect mate who would fulfill all your dreams and make that make-believe world a reality. That may seem harmless—and small amounts of very occasional daydreaming are—but when it becomes mind-consuming, you are setting yourself up for discouragement, depression, disappointment and disillusionment. And another thing—living in that make-believe world consumes time and energy and keeps you from productive activities. Then sometimes you need to let go of a life-long dream and trust God for your future. If you’re dealing with a broken dream—one that seemed like a dream-come-true but instead has turned into a nightmare—you may be at that point where you need to let it go. Believe me, I know that seems like mission impossible, but it’s not as hard as you think it will be, and if it’s time to let go, God will reward you with a peace that will amaze you. I’ve been there, and I remember when I finally let go of my broken dream, peace swept over me like I never imagined and I realized how much of my pain was self-inflicted.
5/16/20223 minutes
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Why Your Mindset Matters

(Presented By Lisa Bishop) When it comes to your thoughts, which ones do you find yourself dwelling on? What fears, failings, unproductive patterns of thinking get recycled in your mind? What words do you find yourself regularly rehearsing that lead to worry, anxiety, perhaps even anger or self-defeat? It has been said that our thoughts determine our life. Where our thoughts go, our lives will follow. What we believe determines how we live. A really important part of our faith as followers of Jesus is our thought life and being mindful of what we meditate on. If you were to take an inventory of your thoughts over the last 24 hours, what were some that were on repeat? Were they life giving and encouraging thoughts or did they lead you to be anxious, worried, or drive you into a pit of despair? Are your predominant thoughts lovely or life sucking? Are they worthy of praise or do they cause a panic? “I will never amount to anything.” “I am a failure.” “I don’t have what it takes.” “God doesn’t really care about me.” “I am not lovable.” “I will always be alone.” “I will never measure up.” “I will never get out of debt.” “I will always be stuck in this addiction.” “My life will never change.” Hopefully I didn’t just depress you with that list but if we are honest, how often do our thoughts sound strikingly similar? The power of our thoughts shapes us. What we choose to focus, dwell and ruminate on influences our lives and affects our peace. Notice I said the word choose. Oftentimes we take the position of being a casual bystander of our thoughts, we leave our thoughts unchecked and let them consume us and ultimately rule us. We can get captured by our thoughts rather than holding our thoughts captive to Christ. Second Corinthians 10:5 gives us instruction when it comes to our thinking: “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” What Paul is referencing are ungodly philosophies, untrue thoughts about God and false religions. But Paul’s principle has a much broader application. We have the ability to boss our thoughts around. We are not helpless victims or recipients of our thoughts. We can choose to interrupt our thoughts and bring every one of them into captivity to the obedience of Christ—thoughts of lust, thoughts of anger, thoughts of fear, thoughts of greed, bitter thoughts, worrisome thoughts, angry thoughts, thoughts of envy and comparison. Holding our thoughts captive is a very active and intentional action and process. And when Paul is telling us to hold our thoughts captive that word in the Greek means to lead away, to bring under control. As followers of Jesus we are instructed to bring our thoughts in alignment with truth, with God’s thoughts. Notice Paul says every thought. That encompasses thoughts about God, ourselves, our circumstances, and others, our future and our past. So what do we do when we recognize that our mind has wandered and started to entertain thinking that is not in line with what God thinks? We reign our thoughts in! It reminds me of a time my girlfriends and I spent a week at a ranch in Colorado. One day when we were trail riding we came across a wide opening in the field where the ranchers were wrangling cattle. It reminded me of those old western movies where they would swing the lassos above their heads and cast it out to capture a runaway cow. That is what we want to do with our thoughts. Picture your thoughts like a cow. When you sense one running rampant, lasso it in! Bring it into the fold of God’s thinking. And in order to think like God you must be in the Word of God. I love the reminder in Psalm 1, blessed is the one “who meditates on his law day and night, That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither (Psalm 1: 2b-3) Do you see the promise in those verse...
5/14/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Women Who Broke the Mold – 5

There are some unusual examples of women in Scripture who broke the molds of their day, were mightily blessed, and used by God, and fulfilled God's purpose in their lives by breaking out of traditional roles. This is a topic we struggle with in many Christian circles today, and you'll find a different viewpoint for almost every person you talk with. As a woman who has personally struggled with the boxes others have built for me, I've really tried to get a biblical perspective. Admittedly, that's not easy to do, because all of us face these questions with our personal biases and mindsets. But I've concluded that God, in his infinite creativity, has cast some women into positions and roles that are different, just as he has done with some men. For years as a young woman I felt that God must have made a mistake to give me the kind of personality and qualities that I possess. From my experience in Christian circles, it seemed that I would have been better off with a different personality, one less assertive, without leadership tendencies; that quiet and meek spirit which Peter talks about and I interpreted as meaning you kept your mouth shut at all times. Without expressing it, I simply felt like a square peg in a round hole very often. I felt I had to suppress the natural tendencies I had and constantly try to be like other women who seemed to fit better into the expectations of what a Christian woman should be. That was a mistaken understanding on my part. I now realize that God knew exactly what he was doing when he made me the way I am, and if it doesn't fit some man-made boxes, that simply is not my concern. My mind is to be set on following Jesus, without any thought about whether that takes me in traditional or non-traditional paths. He has called me to be a disciple, I am responsible for fulfilling the great commission in my own life, and I must faithfully focus on what God wants me to do. The Bible gives me guidelines, but I am not bound to the traditions and biases of others. Neither am I called to be a troublemaker; to prove that women are qualified; to change the mind of those who disagree. That is God's business, not mine. If you find yourself struggling with your non-traditional role, I want to encourage you to make sure your motivation and your commitment are single-focused on Jesus, and then follow him, wherever that takes you. God will continue to call some women to be mold-breakers, as he has throughout the history of the Church. As long as we keep our eyes fixed on following Jesus, wherever it leads, we're free from the boxes and expectations of others; free to be a slave of Jesus Christ. (Click here to download the message for the entire week.)
5/13/20223 minutes
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Women Who Broke the Mold – 4

There is a woman in the Old Testament whose leadership and accomplishments would be outstanding today. In her day they had to be incredible. Deborah was one of the judges of Israel, the top authority in the country at that time. She had men working for her; she even led the army into a battle and won it. That certainly was not a customary role for women in her time. She must have felt like a fifth wheel at times. She was different from all the other women in her day! It must have been a lonely spot. Undoubtedly there were times when she grew weary of the responsibilities and pressures on her. But she was a woman of great faith in God, and her dedication to her calling was unwavering, whatever personal desires she may have had to forego. We know that she was married; we don't know if she had any children. But this was a woman in a traditional role yet called by God to a job that was very untraditional. She had a position of higher authority than her husband—than any other man in the country. Why do you think Deborah accepted the job of judge? I don't think she was trying to prove anything. There was no election campaign, where she stumped the trail proclaiming that women had a right to be a judge. Her career ambition was not to be the first woman judge in Israel. That was never an issue with Deborah. Deborah was a judge because God called her to be one. Why do you think God asked Deborah to be a judge for those many years? Because he had gifted her for the job and that was his plan for her. Why would he ask her to do something so different from a traditional woman's role? Because God is sovereign, and he uses many different kinds of people in different situations as he sees fit. God still calls some women to break old molds and do things not often done by women. He has a right to do so now, just as he did with Deborah. But the women God calls are not marching for women's rights. They are marching in the Lord's army, followers of Jesus Christ, committed to his service, regardless of the role they are asked to fill. If God has called you to be a mold-breaker, count it a privilege. Keep in mind, I'm not talking about departing from biblical principles or standards, but rather about man-made traditions and roles. Sometimes God uses mold-breakers in very effective ways.
5/12/20223 minutes
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Women Who Broke the Mold – 3

We see in Luke 8 that Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna and many other women broke the molds of their day in order to follow Jesus Christ, support him and testify to his power in their lives. Yes, these women pushed the limits, they exceeded the boundaries, they ignored tradition. Undoubtedly they must have gotten lots of funny looks and perhaps some strong lectures from other people who thought they had overstepped their boundaries as they traveled all over following Jesus and supporting his ministry. But I don't think they cared what people thought. You see, they were breaking the mold but not for the sake of saying they had broken the mold. They weren't trying to blaze new paths for women, nor were they rebelling against unfair treatment. They were women who were driven but not by a desire to show people what women could do. They were driven by a fierce love and commitment to the Man who had changed their lives—the Messiah who had come to deliver them from their bondage. And they just couldn't let traditional molds keep them from sharing that truth. I believe this example left to us by these most unusual women gives us a guideline to follow as women in today's world. Can we—should we—be mold-breakers? The guiding principle is that when a tradition or a mold inhibits our ability to share Jesus Christ, to follow him in new and effective ways, then breaking the mold is the right thing to do. Now, understand that I'm not talking about breaking scriptural principles, but I am talking about the boxes that people sometimes would put us into because we're women, the limitations we place on ourselves because of traditional female roles. We sometimes use our female roles as an excuse for not going into our worlds with the Gospel. They become the skirts we hide behind, our rationalizations for not sticking our necks out to serve the Lord in new and meaningful ways. How about you? Ready to break some molds. Look at these women in Luke 8 and ask God to give you the wisdom and courage to know when to break away from what is "acceptable behavior" into new territory to follow him more perfectly.
5/11/20223 minutes
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Women Who Broke the Mold – 2

We see in Luke 8 that there was a group of women who followed and supported Jesus and his disciples as they travelled. Unusual women—breaking out of traditional roles to follow Jesus. What can we learn from their example? I have to believe that the disciples had some difficulty getting used to having women following them. But notice that Jesus allowed them to come along. We see no indication that he urged them to return or refused to accept their support. No, in fact he had cured many of these women of evil spirits and diseases. And I believe he was delighted to have them come along and testify to what he had done for them. I can just see Mary Magdalene, as they enter a town, standing in the midst of a group of strangers who are listening with intensity as she tells them how Jesus delivered her from seven evil spirits. What a testimony she must have had, and I can imagine that many others were delivered by Jesus because of her witness. We see another woman, Joanna, who had been healed by Jesus. She was the wife of a prominent man in Herod's government. It had to be most unusual for a woman in her position to decide to follow this itinerant preacher around, to support him and his team. I wonder if that was even a consideration with Joanna. Don't you imagine she was so grateful to Jesus for what he had done in her life, that she simply was compelled to follow him? She was married, and she must have had her husband's consent to leave her home in order to follow Jesus. But she didn't let anything stop her, not even traditions of her day. Evidently these were women of means, because they supported Jesus and the disciples out of their own pockets. Imagine that; these women picked up the tab. That had to be more unusual then than it is even now. It might have been a little hard at first for the disciples to take money from the women. But they learned the wonderful lesson that we are one in Christ and we share the ministry of the gospel equally. I'm reminded of Paul's words which tell us that in Christ "There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). These women and men did not allow tradition to keep them from working together as one body, with one mission, to tell the world about Jesus Christ. We need to rethink our roles and traditions and see if they are inhibiting us and keeping us from being everything God wants us to be.
5/10/20223 minutes
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Women Who Broke the Mold

With female roles changing rapidly in our society, we've seen a lot of molds broken by women. Have you been puzzled about whether Christian women should or should not be mold-breakers? I'm going to talk about some women in Scripture who broke the molds of their day. We women are doing things never dreamed of by our grandmothers, and our lifestyles are changing in many respects. We can applaud some of these opportunities we have been given—and indeed have insisted on having—in the last five or six decades. But we can also see how we've thrown the baby out with the water all too often as we've pushed forward to plow new ground. But mold-breaking, in and of itself, is not wrong. In fact, if we as Christians are not willing to break out of the "this is the way we've always done it" syndrome, we'll lose our effectiveness as witnesses to a dying world. We need some mold-breaking Christians—yes, women—who are willing to be different in order to be what God wants them to be. I want to briefly look at some women in the Bible who broke the molds in their days. In Luke 8 we see a group of them, who traveled with Jesus and the disciples from one town and village to another, proclaiming the good news. There was Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna, and many others. These women were helping to support Jesus and the disciples out of their own means. Here are some most unusual women. When travel was very difficult and dangerous and when women were expected to stay home, these women were traveling, following behind and supporting a group of men. Can you picture this group walking down the dirt road, Jesus and 12 men, followed by a large number of women? Not exactly traditional roles for women of their day. Why did they do this? Were they trying to prove something, trying to enlarge their boundaries? What caused them to take these kinds of risks and play a different role than was expected of women in their day? I want to look at these women and see if we, as Christian women today, can learn something from them.
5/9/20223 minutes
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Ruthless Priorities

Did you make any New Year’s resolutions at the beginning of the year? It’s May now and I wonder if you did make any resolutions, do you even remember them? And if you remember them, did you keep them? I wouldn’t want to know how many resolutions I’ve made that just petered out after awhile. I really meant to keep them; I started off with a strong commitment and a big push, but somehow the passion just faded with time. You too? Recently a friend gave me a book by a business woman named Patty Azzarello. The book is called Rise, and she says it gives three practical steps for advancing your career, standing out as a leader, and liking your life. Well, that’s a pretty tall order for a book to deliver, but even though it’s not written from a biblical perspective, some of her thoughts are helpful. So, today I want to talk about Ruthless Priorities, which she defines as overachieving where it counts. Years ago God taught me that I can’t do everything; I can’t even do everything I’m capable of doing or would like to do. I have to make choices and those choices determine whether what I do counts in the Kingdom or not. Truly, in order to do God’s will, we need ruthless priorities; priorities that are clearly established in our minds and to which we ruthlessly hold. Otherwise, we will be pulled in a hundred different directions, and accomplish very little that truly counts for eternity. Without some ruthless priorities in our lives, we’ll continue to make sincere resolutions that don’t last very long! One of the chapters in this book is entitled “Be Less Busy,” which doesn’t sound like the way to advance your career, does it? But truthfully, we have to begin by getting rid of our preconceived idea that busyness means productivity. When I first began my career years ago, I noticed that many people in the company worked very long hours and took great pride in it. They seemed to think that putting in lots of extra hours meant they were demonstrating a higher commitment to the job; they were doing a better job than the rest of us. Patty says in her book, “Many people feel that if they are not fully consumed with work and always appearing to be super busy, people will question their commitment and their value.” (p.15) I truly believe in working hard, but equally important is working smart. Getting great results with less work is the sign of a very smart person. As Patty puts it, “Just because you can work tirelessly doesn’t mean you should.” (p.17) Do you have a ruthless priority for your life that you will slow down; that you will truly “be still and know that God is God”? There’s an African proverb that says, “Hurry, hurry has no blessing,” and truly it doesn’t. Slowing down so we have time to know God has to be our highest priority, and when it is, you’ll get more done in less time, and you won’t be so frayed around the edges. I certainly agree that we should overachieve in some areas; we should go extra miles and do more than we have to do. But are we overachieving where it counts? Maybe, like me, you have a “to do” list that you use to make sure you do what you need to do. But perhaps we need a “not to do” list as well, to remind us that we cannot be all things to all people, we are not super-people, God has not called us to burn out, and therefore some things will have to be left undone if we have ruthless priorities. The dictionary says that ruthless means without pity or compassion; merciless; heartless. Well, we certainly don’t want to be ruthless people, but we need to establish ruthless priorities for our lives. That means that we are merciless about saying no to the truly unimportant things which clamor for our time and attention. We are determined not to be sidetracked by the tyranny of the urgent which keeps us from overachieving where it counts. Think of it this way: What do you want to be said about you after you’re gone? What do you want to be remembered for?
5/7/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Annoying Habits of Coworkers – 5

Do you remember the famous quote from Charlie Brown? “I love mankind; it’s people I can’t stand.” Well, sometimes life seems that way, doesn’t it? As Christians we are to love the world, and we do things to help mankind all over the world. But what about the people, the individuals, you have to work with everyday? They can be a lot more difficult to love. That’s because we all have annoying habits that can start to grate on people’s nerves, and we’ve been looking at some of the annoying bad habits of coworkers this week. For example, suppose you work with someone who is always in crisis mode and frequently asks you to “do them a favor” and bail them out. But the reason they’re in crisis mode so often is because they procrastinate and put everything off until crunch time. Are you supposed to continue to go the extra mile and “do them a favor,” as they ask? In Matthew 5 Jesus exhorts us to turn the other cheek and go the extra-mile. There’s no question that Christians are supposed to do more than they have to do. So, on occasion when your coworker needs an extra pair of hands to get a job done, you should be willing to do that. But I don’t believe Jesus intended for us to go extra mile after extra mile. That would lead us to becoming enablers, making it possible for others to shirk their own responsibilities, and that is neither right for us nor for the other person. So, with that crisis-mode coworker, you might say, “I’ll help you this time, but in the future, you can avoid this last-minute crunch by . . .” and then explain how it can be avoided, making it clear that you won’t be available to help with every crisis they have. Again, these words need to be spoken in love, from an attitude of helpfulness, not annoyance. You know, so often it’s the way you say things that makes all the difference, and you could help this person break a bad habit of procrastination by combining a willingness to help with a little softly-given advice. Who knows; they might even listen and learn. Remember, no one is in your life by accident, not even the annoying coworker. And we are called not only to love mankind, but to love the individual who can be annoying! (Please click here if you would like to download the entire devotional for this week.)
5/6/20223 minutes
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Annoying Habits of Coworkers – 4

What is the most annoying habit of a coworker that you’ve had to deal with on your job? Well, that’s the way life is sometimes, right? So how should a Christian respond to these annoyances? We’ve looked at several annoying habits already. Now, here’s another one: It’s the coworker who interrupts you continually, sometimes for work-related issues, sometimes not. But the interruptions are often unnecessary, and they definitely impact your productivity—as well as annoy you. There’s no doubt that one of our major time wasters is interruptions. Every time we start and stop what we’re doing, we lose time. So, you need to think of creative ways to eliminate these unnecessary interruptions. First, determine if you’re doing something to encourage the interruptions. For example, when they walk by your desk or office, don’t look up and give eye contact, which can invite a trivial interruption. And if that candy dish on your desk is too inviting, you may need to remove it. Secondly, for necessary interruptions with work-related questions, it might be helpful to establish a daily time for interaction. You might suggest that the two of you get together first thing each morning to go over the day’s agenda. Frankly, managers can be the worst interrupters, and you could even suggest to your manager that an established daily meeting could save both of you lots of time—just to set the agenda and go over questions for the day. Or you may have to become a bit more assertive, and simply say to the habitual interrupter, “You know, I just don’t have time to chat right now. Can we talk later?” That’s much nicer than showing annoyance through body language or harsh words. Obviously, this is not a major issue. It’s just an annoyance. But these little things can start to add up and before you know it, you have a major issue on your hands. So, think of a positive, pleasant approach to try to change that annoying habit, but don’t let it cause you to respond poorly. Paul wrote to the Colossians: “Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). In responding to annoying people, we want to make this our objective—to be gracious and kind.
5/5/20223 minutes
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Annoying Habits of Coworkers – 3

Annoying bad habits of coworkers can start to drive you crazy! I’m sure you know what I’m talking about. These are not major issues—just little things that can become real stumbling blocks to good working relationships. We need to know the best way to respond to a coworker with an annoying habit, and more importantly, make certain we get rid of any of our own annoying habits. So, here’s the third annoying habit: The coworker who tends to gripe and complain a great deal. This can be terribly annoying and if you’re not careful, they can bring you right down to their level and you’ll find yourself griping and complaining more than you should. One negative person can poison the atmosphere where you work. It only takes one. If you happen to work with that one person, you must first learn how to tune them out and not allow their negative talk to infiltrate your own mind. Then remember that a person’s attitude is always their choice, and we don’t have the power to change anyone else’s attitude. So, if your coworker chooses to gripe and complain a great deal, your best way to deal with it is to respond in positive ways. Do it nicely, kindly, but firmly—don’t be afraid to be positive in the presence of a person who is negative. And of course, pray for that person. Underneath that negative exterior is something else that is causing the problem. You may never know exactly what that is; it could be baggage from childhood. But you can still pray that God will help you to respond in kindness, to have sympathy for that person, to show them mercy and grace even when you don’t want to. It is in these small issues of life that we have the greatest opportunity to demonstrate God’s love. Maybe not in words or by quoting scripture, but simply by remaining joyful and peaceful even when dealing with an annoying negative coworker. Have you ever thought about your own tendency to be negative? Years ago I finally began to pay attention to my own negative attitude, and realized I was far more negative than I thought I was. I heard myself saying lots of negative junk in any given day, and I began to monitor my own attitude. It’s a very good habit to form—to just make sure you haven’t caught the negative disease yourself.
5/4/20223 minutes
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Annoying Habits of Coworkers – 2

Do you work with someone who just can’t ever seem to get to work on time? Someone who is habitually late is not committing a great offense. This is simply an annoying bad habit. But then, that’s what we’re talking about this week, annoying bad habits of coworkers and how we should respond to them. I find that many who are guilty of habitual lateness frequently want to justify it by saying that they work late to make up for it, or they have a very long commute, and that may be true. But the facts are, if your company has a certain start time, everyone should be there on time consistently. Why? Because it’s the right thing to do. This is a management issue. If it’s important for people to be on time, management must set the priorities, communicate them clearly, and hold people accountable. There would have to be some kind of negative consequence for the person who will not change that annoying habit. However, if you’re not this person’s manager, there’s not a whole lot you can do about this annoying habit. One thing you don’t want to do is make snide remarks about it or communicate your annoyance with body language or harsh words. Unfortunately, that happens too often where people don’t confront the real issue and instead display their displeasure in other ineffective and unkind ways. If a coworker’s habitual lateness is having a direct negative impact on your ability to get your job done, that might be an indication that it needs to be addressed. First, try to kindly explain to the coworker the need you have for them to be on time, and see if that might work. But remember, unless you’re the manager, you don’t have the authority to demand anything from that person. Isn’t it interesting how something so small as this annoying habit can so easily turn into a real issue between two people and eventually lead to other, more major problems. That’s because we dwell on these little things, allow them to occupy too much thought time, and develop an attitude pretty quickly. If you are powerless to either change or address this annoying habit of a coworker, then it’s time to let it go. Colossians 3:13 tells us to “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”  Just let it go—it won’t kill you!
5/3/20223 minutes
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Annoying Habits of Coworkers

No doubt you have worked with or for someone who had some annoying habits. I thought it would be a good idea to look at some of these, ask how we should respond to such a coworker, and most importantly, make certain we are not guilty of annoying habits ourselves. So, let’s consider annoying habit number one: You work with a person who makes daily calls to their mate or partner, and since you work in an open setting, you can’t help but hear the conversation. Depending on how they are getting along on any particular day, you may hear a nasty conversation with anger and accusations, or you may hear what sounds like sweet murmurings or baby talk. Obviously, if you hold a supervisory position over this person, it should be addressed directly with clear instructions that those kinds of conversations should be on personal time and equipment, not on company time. However, if you are not this person’s manager or supervisor, you may be able to bring this to your coworker’s attention in such a way that they will see the benefit of changing that annoying habit. Proverbs 17:27 says, “The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.” Your words would need to be carefully chosen, delivered kindly, and done with the right motivation. For example, you might find the right moment—a private moment—to say something like, “You probably are not aware that your conversations with your mate can be heard by other people. I thought I’d let you know, because I know if it were me, I wouldn’t want others to listen in to my daily personal conversations. You might want to reserve those calls for times when you’re alone.” There’s a lesson for all of us to learn in this, and that is, to use our working time to work, not to rob our employer of the time when we are paid to work with elongated personal conversations, whether they’re overheard by others or not. As Christians in the workplace, these little annoying habits can do damage to our testimony for Jesus Christ, so we should make sure we’re not guilty of these.
5/2/20223 minutes
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Being Content in a Job You Hate – Part 2

Let’s briefly review the first three biblical principles to help us deal with a job we hate: First, we must give up our "rights" to have a job we love and give God permission to keep us in that job if he has good purposes for us there. Second, we must change employers and start working for Jesus, not for people. And that includes to stop working just for our own selfish reasons, such as money, advancement or power. Third, we need an eternal perspective to remember that God will reward us for work well done if we do it as unto him. Even that hum-drum job, when done to please the Lord, will be recognized and rewarded by our heavenly Father. So, we need to work for God's rewards, not for the recognition of people. Then, step four in being content in a job you hate is to ask God what he has to teach you through this job. Have you gone to God and said, "Lord, I'm in a job I hate and I can't get out, at least not right now. Why am I here? What are you trying to teach me or do through me in this job?" You remember Joseph, sold into slavery in Egypt by his brothers and treated unfairly and cruelly by his captors, wrongly imprisoned for two years for doing the right thing. Then God delivered him from that prison and he became second in command to the Pharaoh. Joseph said of his bad experience that his brothers meant harm to him when they sold him into slavery, but God meant it for good. Joseph allowed God to turn a terrible experience into a blessing. But please note that God was able to turn it into a blessing because Joseph was willing to let him. God may have you in that job you hate because he has a blessing there for you, but because of your attitude, he can't work that blessing for you yet. If Joseph had gotten bitter or remained angry or been rebellious, he would not have been able to interpret the Pharaoh's dream and he would have just rotted in that prison. I spent three years in a miserable job at one point, and for the first year I rebelled and complained and felt sorry for myself. With that attitude, God couldn't do anything for me. When I finally realized that God had me there for a purpose and I wasn't going to get out of it until I learned those lessons, then so many good things started to happen. First, the difficult job became much easier to handle when I abandoned my self-focused attitude and asked God to work his purpose for me in that job I hated. Going to work wasn't nearly as difficult after that. Then, God began to use me in the lives of some of my coworkers, and I was able to be a witness for the Lord there, even to that difficult boss. And I gained some business experience, which eventually became very instrumental in my ability to go out on my own and become self-employed. And that allowed me to start this radio ministry many years ago. So, God had great purposes for me in that job which I couldn't even imagine at the time, but now I can see how he was working good for me right in that job I hated. Are you rotting in your miserable job because you haven't given God permission to use it in your life for good? Believe me, there are miracles waiting for you in that job you hate, if you will in humility make up your mind to work for God and seek his reward, and look for the good that God wants to do for you and through you right where you are. You'll know contentment even in a miserable job if you have that attitude. It's the attitude that Jesus had when he was willing to leave heaven and come to earth to die for us. Surely it was a job he didn't relish, but he knew God would work redemption through it, and so he submitted to the good that God wanted to do by sending him to a job he did not enjoy. Let this same mind be in you which was in Christ Jesus, Paul wrote, and if you have his mind, you will be content wherever you are, even in a job you hate, as long as God has you there for his purposes. Notice I didn't say "with" a job you hate, but "in" a job you hate.
4/30/202214 minutes, 28 seconds
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Misplaced Confidence – 5

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) If you want unwavering confidence in life, it matters who and what you place your confidence in. As a follower of Jesus, we need to take inventory of the ways we pursue assurance, and how we misplace our confidence in things other than him. What is a fail proof method to grow in unwavering confidence? Immersing yourself in the Word of God so that you are reminded of the character of God and his promises to you. When you remember who God is, your confidence will increase. I know it can be hard to remain steadfast in our confidence in the Lord. Life circumstances come, we are caught off guard and our confidence can be like a teeter totter. One minute it is high, the next minute it is low. But as we mature in our faith, we level out and we learn that no matter our circumstances, God can be trusted. “In the fear of the Lord there is strong confidence, and his children will have refuge” (Proverbs 14:26, ESV). When we are instructed to fear the Lord the word fear means to show honor, reverence, and a sense of awe towards God. And in Proverbs 14:26 the fear of the Lord, means an awe of God that moves us from self-confidence and towards strong confidence in his love and greatness. As his child, God will always provide himself as a refuge for you. This means when life is hard and you are tempted to despair, be discouraged or doubt God, he is, as the Psalmist says in Psalm 46:1, your refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. While life may throw you curveballs and loss and chaos may ensue at the most surprising times, you serve a God who is the same yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He is not surprised by the things that life throws your way, He sees you. He knows, he cares, he is with you. “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you” (Hebrews 13:5b, NLT). What is one step you will take in building your unwavering confidence in God? Maybe it is journaling so that you can reflect back on the ways that you saw God working in your life. Maybe it is reciting the names and attributes of God so that you remember his character. As the Psalmist says in Psalm 62:8, “Trust [confidently] in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.” (Click here to download the message for the entire week.)
4/29/20223 minutes
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Misplaced Confidence – 4

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) In Psalm 16:7-9 the Psalmist declares: “I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I will not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure.” You can hear the Psalmist’s unwavering confidence in receiving the counsel and instruction of the Lord. He knows God will guide him! And notice the reason that the Psalmist is so confident in receiving godly wisdom, why he is not shaken and his flesh dwells secure. The reason he does not waver is because he has set the Lord always before him. And when he sets the Lord before him, when he puts God first and seeks him first, the Psalmist’s heart is glad and his whole being rejoices. I love how God is so straight forward. How he makes his promises so clear in his Word and the benefits when we obey. James 1:5 instructs us when it says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you.” Where are you relying on your own wisdom when God is inviting you to ask for godly counsel? Where are you putting your confidence in human instruction and not divine guidance? Maybe you are in the midst of a career transition and up until now you have tried to figure out the next steps on your own. Perhaps you are in a financial crisis or your marriage is in ruin and you are seeking the counsel of friends before putting God first and asking him to instruct you. If you are a follower of Jesus that means that you received the Holy Spirit the moment you put your confidence in and received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. And Jesus says that his Holy Spirit is your counselor, your guide, your helper, your wisdom. Bring your current circumstance before the Lord, put him first. Resist seeking human advice before seeking the counsel of God. Watch out for ways you misplace your confidence and redirect your trust to Jesus. Ask him to help you. He is waiting to give to you generously.
4/28/20223 minutes
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Misplaced Confidence – 3

(as presented by Lisa Bishop) Have you ever tried to figure something out, relying on your own knowledge and perception only to be frustrated and maybe a little discouraged? A very dear friend of mine, Mercy, lives in Zambia. She and I met five years ago when she was in the United States. We quickly became friends even though we are separated by over 8300 miles. Thanks to technology we keep in touch. Last year when I spent time in Zambia I was able to see a project that Mercy is working on. After being in an abusive marriage and losing a niece to suicide because of spousal abuse, the Lord gave her a vision to build a safehouse for abused women and children. Mercy was pastoring full time when the Lord instructed her to quit her job and sell everything. As Mercy tells the story, it did not make sense to her so she delayed two years until finally she could no longer ignore God’s call. Mercy said yes when the Lord gave her this incredible God-sized vision. She had no clue how the funds would be raised to buy a plot of land in the bush and to build and staff the safehouse, but Mercy stepped out in faith. Her confidence in God propelled her forward. It is quite amazing to witness. Being the planner that I am and wanting to feel some measure of control, I marvel at how Mercy has completely surrendered and trusted the Lord to provide what she needs to fulfill God’s vision. Just the other day I asked her how things are going with the safehouse. She said, “I just take each day and trust. The Lord started it and he will finish it. I am trusting him to finish and accomplish what he began.” If that isn’t unwavering confidence in the Lord I don’t know what is! Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.“ Jeremiah 17:7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.” Where is your confidence and trust? Are you in the midst of a circumstance where you are relying on your own understanding to reach a solution? Maybe a relational breakdown, work conflict or a job loss? Are you in a situation where you are trying to lean on your own understanding? Ask God what he wants you to do at this moment. Ask Jesus to help you put your confidence in him and to submit your ways to him…and he will make your paths straight.
4/27/20223 minutes