Fear Not, Follow God!

April 18, 2024

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Peter and I received emails from some of you, our dear Family members, wondering why we didn’t take a stance regarding COVID vaccines.

We understand that you felt the need for more specific answers. One of you mentioned how David would have said that we should follow God; but at the same time, he would have given us some clear counsel one way or the other. I agree. David probably would have tipped the scales in a certain direction. However, it has been over 25 years since David’s passing, and at this stage in our lives and personal relationships with Jesus, I believe that God wants each person to pray and make decisions according to their own faith. Most members are mature Christians with decades of experience following God.

The Lord has told us that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all position for this topic. He has also made it clear that we shouldn’t allow fear to be the determining factor in our lives and the decisions we make. As David would often quote, “The safest place for a Christian is in the center of God’s will.”

Whatever happens to us, whatever circumstances we are in, no matter how difficult or confusing they are, God can bring us through them as we look to Him for the answers. He may help us to work through the situation through whatever means He has already provided, or He may deliver us miraculously, or He may show us a different plan that will bring the victory in an unexpected way.

There is a story in the Bible about David asking the Lord if he should go up directly against the army of their enemies. The Lord responded affirmatively, and they won the battle. Soon afterwards, an almost identical scenario came up with the same enemies. But in this case when David prayed, the Lord told David to go around to another side of the army and wait for God’s signal to attack from that other direction. The victory was won once again because David was willing to follow God and do the unexpected when God showed him to. (See 2 Samuel 5:19–25.)

The same principle of following God still applies today. God doesn’t like to be put in a box, and He doesn’t want us to be put in a box either. He may surprise us with a plan of action that is different than we expected.

There is one thing that we can always be sure of and that we can tell you without hesitation: God always has an answer for you; and that answer is to follow Him. Another thing we can tell you with certainty is that He can always bring good out of every situation, as we place our trust in what He shows us to do.

God works with each person or couple or family in a unique way, and there’s no way that Peter or I can tell you what decisions to make. You each have unique situations that will influence your decisions.

Can you trust Jesus that, as you follow Him, whatever God allows in your life is going to work together for your good? Can you trust Him?

It’s sometimes not easy to follow God, but it is important that we keep growing in this area so that we will be prepared to make the best choices in even bigger challenges that may come.

As a child of God, your life is in His hands, and you have free will to make your own choices. As Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.”

When you feel unsure of what to do or what option to choose, turn your attention to Jesus and seek His counsel for you. Then follow Him. This applies to every aspect of our lives. We need to put into practice all that we have been taught for many years. Our legacy is a strong walk of faith in Jesus, so we know that He will give each of us the answers we need.

If you are struggling with fear, work that out with the Lord, and tell Him that you know He can help you to overcome your fear. Fear is not of God and should not be the basis of our decisions.

We are praying for you as you make decisions for yourself and your family. It’s often not easy, because every decision has pros and cons. Jesus will place that quiet conviction in your heart that isn’t affected by all the contradictory voices and confusion of opinions. You can carry with you the promise that “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally and upbraids not, and it shall be given him” (James 1:5).

We can trust that God is going to keep us and further our witness as we follow what He shows us to do.

Originally published July 2021. Adapted and republished April 2024. Read by Carol Andrews.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Jesus’ Antidote to Your Stress

April 17, 2024

By Rick Warren

I once took my family on a vacation to Lake Tahoe. I hooked up a rather large trailer to my car, and we headed north. Unfortunately, I didn’t stop to think how that large load would affect how many miles I would get per gallon.

As I drove through the mountains, I noticed the gas tank was half full. No problem, I thought. My car had a big tank. But suddenly, we hit a strong headwind, and I watched my gas gauge drop even further. I then realized we wouldn’t make it to our destination. We eventually ran out of gas, and I had to hitchhike back to a gas station.

The point of my story is this: The heavier the load you carry, the faster you’ll run out of gas. …

(Read the article here.)

https://blog.pastors.com/articles/jesus-antidote-to-your-stress/

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Not My Will Be Done

April 16, 2024

A compilation

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Among the olive trees, Jesus was praying. Many times he had prayed in “desolate places” (Luke 5:16). Yet never had he known desolation like this. In this familiar garden of prayer, Jesus looked deeply into the Father’s Cup he was about to drink and was terrified. Everything in his human flesh wanted to flee the impending physical torture of crucifixion. And his Holy Spirit groaned with ineffable dread at the far greater impending spiritual torture of being forsaken by his Father.

Such was his distress over this “baptism” (Luke 12:50), the very thing he had come into the world to accomplish (John 12:27), that Jesus cried out, “Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will” (Mark 14:36).

Yet not what I will, but what you will. Nine words. Nine unfathomable words.

God [the Son], having longed, and even pled, to be delivered from God’s will, expressed in these nine simple words a humble faith in and submission to God’s will that was more beautiful than all the glory in the created heavens and earth combined. … Never has another human felt such an intense desire to be spared the will of God. And never has any human exercised such humble, obedient faith in the Father’s will. “And being made perfect”—having exercised perfectly obedient trust in his Father in all possible dimensions—“he became the source of eternal salvation to all who obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). …

No one understands better than God how difficult it can be for a human to embrace the will of God. And no human has suffered more in embracing the will of God the Father than God the Son. When Jesus calls us to follow him, whatever the cost, he is not calling us to do something he is either unwilling to do or has never done himself.

That is why we look to Jesus as the “author and perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2). He is our great high priest who understands, far better than we do, what it’s like to willingly and faithfully endure the sometimes excruciating, momentarily painful will of God for the sake of the eternal joy set before us (Hebrews 4:15; 12:2). And now he always lives to intercede for us so that we will make it through the pain to the eternal joy (Hebrews 7:25). …

If we find that, in body and soul, we wish God’s will for us could be done in a way different from what God’s will appears to be, we may wholeheartedly pray with Jesus, “Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me.” But only if we will also pray with Jesus these nine gloriously humble words, “Yet not what I will, but what you will.”

Because God’s will for us, however painful now, will result in joy inexpressible and full of glory and the salvation of our souls (1 Peter 1:8).—Jon Bloom¹

Surrendering our will

I think we often overlook the significance of what happened in Gethsemane, but as it relates to our redemption, nothing could be more important. If Calvary is the door to salvation, Gethsemane was the hinge. It was here in this garden where the eternal future of humanity hung in the balance. It was here that our fate was decided. All of history was depending on this moment.

Where Adam failed in the Garden of Eden, Jesus prevailed in the Garden of Gethsemane. And the key to Christ’s victory here was the secret of His whole life, embodied in those seven immortal words, “Not my will, but thine, be done.”

The Roman soldiers seized Jesus and crucified Him, but they could not take His life, for He had already laid it down in Gethsemane. “No one takes My life from Me,” was Jesus’s confession, “but I lay it down of Myself.” You cannot kill a man who is already dead! It is here that we find the next great secret for discovering God’s will for our lives—the secret of the surrendered will.

We must begin by recognising something so simple yet so significant: there may be a difference between what we want and what God wants. With this awareness we must constantly make sure our will is surrendered to His. Many times, people embark on the journey to discover God’s will having already made up their minds about what they think God wants them to do. And often what they are actually seeking is divine validation of what they desire.

If you truly want God’s will for your life, you cannot simply pray “Your will be done.” You must include “Not my will.”—Daniel Kolenda²

His ways are better

Have you ever felt the agony that comes when you know God is calling you to do something you don’t want to do? The reality is most of the Bible calls us to stuff we don’t want to do, but we know God’s ways are better, so we trust him. If you’ve felt this, you are not alone. There are many people in the Bible that felt the tension of trusting God. Chief among them is Jesus.

Before going to the cross to die for the sins of the world (including yours and mine), Jesus went to one of his frequent prayer spots in the Garden of Gethsemane, across from the brook of Kidron. It was during this prayer session where we read that Jesus prayed, “My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as you will” (Matthew 26:39). But let us not miss something significant. Jesus was in agony over what was coming and what he had to do…

Matthew 26:37 says he was “sorrowful and troubled.” Mark 14:33 says Jesus was “greatly distressed and troubled.” And Luke records that an angel appeared to comfort Jesus; and he was in agony, so much so that his sweat was dripping like blood. (However, some manuscripts do not contain Luke 22:43–44.) The point is that Jesus was very uncomfortable, and he even asked God if there was any other way.

Nevertheless, Jesus was committed to doing the will of the Father, no matter what. … And the will of the Father was that Jesus would die under the crushing weight of the world’s sin so God and man could be reconciled.

At times we feel agony and anguish over doing the will of the Father. We worry and fret. We balk. But in the end, we must say, “Not my will, but the will of God.” …

You may be struggling in the tension of trusting that Jesus’ ways are better than the world’s ways… Don’t be in agony, but if you are, trust God. His ways are better.—Bryan Catherman³

Feeling “inspired” to do God’s will

We all have certain responsibilities and duties that the Lord expects us to fulfill, whether we feel inspired to do so or not. Even prayer—our communion with the Lord—is something the Lord expects us to do and that we know we need to do. Witnessing and being a representative of the Lord’s love to others is another important duty and responsibility.

We don’t always feel inspired and enthusiastic to witness or minister to others, or to take time with the Lord, or even to pray. But we can’t wait until we feel inspired about doing whatever it is we’re supposed to do. We just can’t go by our feelings or live by our feelings—God’s will has to be our guide.

Feeling inspired is a motivation that comes and goes. The motivation that we need to hang on to are the facts, not the feelings—the fact that God’s Word tells us to do certain things that will help us in our spiritual walk with the Lord or that will help others. If anything is going to truly and consistently motivate us, the facts in God’s Word that spell out His will for us will. When you know something is God’s will for you, whether you feel inspired about it or not, if you just obey Him and do it by faith, as unto the Lord, He will bless you for it.

If the great men of God in the Bible had only obeyed God’s will when they felt inspired, they would have never accomplished anything for Him. Moses certainly didn’t feel like presenting his case to Pharaoh and leading the Jewish people out of Egypt. Nor did the prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, or Daniel feel like doing the difficult and dangerous things that God commanded them to do. In fact, most of them argued with the Lord that He had the wrong guy and that He should get someone else to do the job!

We know that Jesus didn’t feel inspired about dying on the cross for the sins of the world, and even pleaded with His Father that “If it be possible, let this cup pass from Me.” But the bottom line was His declaration “Nevertheless, not My will, but Thine be done.”

When we know the Lord wants us to do something, whether we particularly feel like it or not, we should just go ahead and do it by faith, trusting in Him. He suffered and died to redeem us; thus we are indebted to Him. We are His servants, whom He purchased with His blood.

“For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And it was not paid with mere gold or silver, which lose their value. It was the precious blood of Christ” (1 Peter 1:18–19).—Maria Fontaine

Published on Anchor April 2024. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/not-my-will-be-done

² https://cfan.org.uk/connect/bible-studies/not-my-will-thine-be-done

³ https://www.redeeminglifeutah.org/news/2017/4/3/not-my-will

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

The Law and the Prophets—Part 1

April 15, 2024

By Peter Amsterdam

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In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus devoted a significant portion of the sermon to addressing the Law and the Prophets, meaning the Hebrew Scriptures—what Christians refer to as the Old Testament.

The Hebrew Scriptures, commonly known to the Jewish people as Tanakh, contain all of the same books as the Christian Old Testament, though they are divided somewhat differently and placed in a different order. When Jesus speaks of “the Law and the Prophets,” it is generally understood that this is a shorthand way of referring to all of the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament).

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives a new outlook and understanding of Scripture, as well as what His relationship is to Scripture:

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished.

Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 5:17–20).

The fact that Jesus opens by saying that His listeners should not think He came to abolish (destroy in some translations) the Law or the Prophets is an indication that some people thought, or said, that this was in fact what He was doing, seeing as His approach to the Law was different from traditional thinking.¹ However, He unequivocally states that He has not come to abolish or destroy them, but rather to fulfill them.

Jesus goes on, using His authoritative saying of “truly I say to you,” to state that until heaven and earth pass away, not one iota, not one dot of the Law will be invalidated. When hearing Jesus refer to heaven and earth (all of creation) passing away before the Law, His listeners would have understood Him to be saying that God’s Word will never go unfulfilled. All of it will be accomplished.

What does it mean that He came to fulfill the Law and the Prophets—the full range of Scripture? The answer can be found throughout Matthew’s Gospel, where multiple times he speaks of Jesus fulfilling Old Testament scriptures. A few examples are:

This was to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet Isaiah: “Behold, my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved with whom my soul is well pleased. I will put my Spirit upon him, and he will proclaim justice to the Gentiles” (Matthew 12:17–18).

This took place to fulfill what was spoken by the prophet, saying, “Say to the daughter of Zion, ‘Behold, your king is coming to you, humble, and mounted on a donkey, and on a colt, the foal of a beast of burden’’” (Matthew 21:4–5).

According to Jesus, the role of Old Testament Scripture wasn’t abolished, but it changed. Since what they had pointed to—the Messiah—had come, the Scripture now was to be understood and practiced in light of Jesus’ teachings.

We see in Matthew 5:21–48 that Jesus gives examples of the deeper understanding of the teachings of Torah (Law) when He says: You have heard that it was said … but I say to you … From that point forward, the authoritative teaching of Jesus is what governs His disciples’ understanding and practical application of the Law. It is no longer a literal observance of rules, but a deeper understanding of the moral principles that underpin those rules.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus lays out a standard which moves beyond the outward application of the Law and focuses not on a set of rules but on a response from within the heart. He shows that literally obeying the Law is inadequate. That was the kind of obedience the scribes and Pharisees had, yet He stated that “unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20).

In Jesus’ time, the scribes were people who professionally taught, expounded on, and interpreted the Laws of Moses. The scribes and Pharisees were meticulous about obeying the Torah (Law). If righteousness was understood as literal obedience to the Law, then there was no one more righteous than the scribes and Pharisees. For anyone to exceed their keeping of the Law was virtually impossible. However, the righteousness Jesus was speaking about wasn’t literal Law-keeping.

Jesus goes on to say: “Whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:19). It’s helpful to remember that when referring to the kingdom of heaven He is speaking of the basileia, God’s reign in our lives, and not heaven in the afterlife. Being great or small in the kingdom isn’t speaking of one’s standing in the afterlife, but rather of whether one is a poor or good representative of those who live their life with God as King.

In fulfilling the Law and Prophets, Jesus was ushering in a new era for humankind that went beyond keeping the letter of the Law to discerning and applying the underlying principles of the Law. This new way of applying the Law so that it no longer acts as a rule of conduct but as a pointer to a “greater righteousness” is what Jesus brought into being, and it supersedes the old type of Law-keeping.²

Jesus didn’t abolish the Old Testament. How could He, since it pointed to Him, and He fulfilled it? As we will see in the next verses of Matthew chapter 5, He moves beyond the concept that strict obedience to the Law brings righteousness, as He introduces a deeper understanding and application of the principles which stand behind the Law. In doing so, He reveals the inner attitude of spirit, which coincides with the Beatitudes, that brings forth the righteousness that surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees.

Jesus gave six examples in the Sermon on the Mount which are presented as contrasts between what “was said” in Scripture and Jesus’ fuller and more expanded explanation of what these scriptures mean to those who follow Him. The form Jesus used to express what He was teaching was “you have heard that it was said … but I say unto you …”

In the first instance, He states: “You have heard that it was said to those of old …” In four of the next five examples, the phrase is shortened, but the meaning is the same. Jesus was conveying that while the Law made a statement, such as “you should not murder,” He was now giving it a more comprehensive meaning. Each of the six examples Jesus cited is based on a passage or theme in the Mosaic Law. The six examples include murder, adultery, divorce, the swearing of oaths, retributive punishment, and love of neighbors. When speaking about each of these, Jesus brings out general principles regarding living His teachings.

The first principle is that it is the spirit of the Law that matters, not the letter only. For example, looking at the commandment “You shall not murder” (Exodus 20:13), Jesus goes beyond the outward action of murder and addresses the inward core of our deeds—our attitudes, our motives, and the thoughts and intentions of our heart. God is concerned with the inner source that leads to the action as well as the action itself. To fulfill the intent of the Law is not only refraining from murder; it’s refraining from having contempt and hatred for others, and having an attitude toward others which is positive and loving.

Another principle Jesus brings out is that the Law should not only be conceived of as a list of all the things that we shouldn’t do, with all the “thou shalt nots” at the forefront. Our focus is meant rather to be on living in a manner which is pleasing to God and glorifies Him. Jesus gave a new outlook and understanding that is meant to move us beyond following set regulations, the “don’t do this or that” mentality, and toward living according to the principles that underpin the Law as set out in His teachings.

The true goal is to be in relationship with Him, to live for His glory. The question isn’t whether we’re mechanically following a specific set of rules, but whether we are being Christlike and whether our inner life is synchronized with what He has taught. We may not have committed murder, but have our hearts and thoughts been full of anger and contempt? If they are, then we are sinning.

Jesus sought to help His followers move beyond Law-keeping and have a deeper understanding of the principles behind the original Law. He was creating a new people of God, those who would live within the kingdom or reign of God, who would go beyond finding righteousness in obedience to a set of rules and would focus on aligning themselves with the spirit and intent of God’s Law.

Originally published October 2015. Adapted and republished April 2024. Read by Jon Marc.

¹ John R. W.  Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 70. Darrell L. Bock, Jesus According to Scripture (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2002), 131.

² R. T. France, The Gospel of Matthew (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2007), 186.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

You Will Know the Truth

A compilation

2015-02-03

You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.—John 8:32¹

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For the Christian, the ultimate expression of truth is found in the Bible, in Jesus, who said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”² Of course, most philosophers and skeptics will dismiss His claim, but for the Christian, He is the mainstay of hope, security, and guidance. Jesus, who walked on water, claimed to be divine, rose from the dead, and said that He was the truth and the originator of truth. If Jesus is wrong, then we should ignore Him. But, if He is right, then it is true that we should listen to Him. The eyewitnesses wrote what they saw. They were with Him. They watched Him perform many miracles, heal the sick, calm a storm with a command, and even rise from the dead.—Matt Slick

What is truth?

Almost 2,000 years ago, a Roman governor chose to ask a profound question of a man who was about to be executed.

“What is truth?” he asked.

Most people ponder that question at some time in their lives, especially at critical points when they are struggling with the question of the meaning of life. After all, the need for meaning is a basic human need, and there can be no meaning without some ultimate truth. We seem to know instinctively that ultimate truth is somehow related to the existence of God. In fact, it is interesting that those who deny the existence of God are the same ones who say there is no absolute truth and that everything is relative. But something deep within us says this is not so—something tells us that God exists and that He holds the key to truth. …

Pontius Pilate was the Roman governor who, almost 2,000 years ago, looked into the eyes of Jesus and asked, “What is truth?”

Pilate was talking to the Truth. He was talking to God in the flesh—the One through whom the worlds were created.

“You will know the truth and the truth will set you free,” Jesus had proclaimed. But the truth was not setting Pilate free that day, because he didn’t honestly want to know it. So there in his governor’s palace, while history held its breath, with Truth standing right in front of him, Pilate still had to ask, perhaps flippantly or perhaps sadly, “What is truth?”

He never knew. The human heart unwilling to submit to the truth will never know the truth.

Jesus didn’t just talk about being the Messiah, He demonstrated the power of God—His power—through many “signs and wonders.” He revealed His authority over creation by turning water into wine, and by commanding storms to cease—and cease they did. He revealed His compassion for people by healing multitudes, restoring sight to the blind, hearing to the deaf, and health to the sick. He raised people from the dead. Finally, after Jesus was crucified and buried, He physically arose from the dead and appeared afterward to more than 500 people. In every phase of His life—from His conception to His resurrection—Jesus fulfilled prophecies made hundreds of years beforehand, convincing those around Him who knew and believed the Scriptures that He was the Messiah.—Author unknown³

*

Christ became human flesh and lived among us. We saw His shining-greatness. This greatness is given only to a much-loved Son from His Father. He was full of loving-favor and truth.—John 1:14⁴

True for you but not for me…

Christian philosopher J. P. Moreland has written about an illuminating encounter with a student at the University of Vermont. Moreland was speaking in a dorm, and a relativistic student who lived there told him, “Whatever is true for you is true for you and whatever is true for me is true for me. If something works for you because you believe it, that’s great. But no one should force his or her views on other people since everything is relative.”

As Moreland left, he unplugged the student’s stereo and started out the door with it. The student protested: “Hey, what are you doing? … You can’t do that.” Moreland replied, “You’re not going to force on me the belief that it is wrong to steal your stereo, are you?” He then went on to point out to the student that, when it’s convenient, people say they don’t care about sexual morality or cheating on exams. But they become moral absolutists in a hurry when someone steals their things or violates their rights. That is, they are selective moral relativists.

Interestingly, a few weeks later this student became a follower of Christ because he recognized the connection between God and human dignity and rights—that God made us in His image. I like to tell churches that this could be a great new evangelistic method, called “Stealing Stereos for Jesus.”—Paul Copan

*

See to it that no one takes you captive by philosophy and empty deceit, according to human tradition, according to the elemental spirits of the world, and not according to Christ.—Colossians 2:8⁵

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True for you, but not true for me is a self-defeating and therefore false statement. You can prove this one conclusively to yourself today. Just drive 90 in a 55 lane, and when the cop stops you for speeding just say, “That’s true for you, but not for me,” and speed off. Since it’s not true for you, he can’t give you a ticket, right?—Frank Turek

*

Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.—C. S. Lewis

The Bible tells me so

Our convictions as Christians include that God exists, that this is His world, and that man is made in His image. If we are right, then reality turns out to be structured in a very specific way, and no skeptic can escape it. That’s the rest of the story. Unless a person is truly pathological, his language and his behavior will always betray his deepest beliefs about the world. Sure, emotions, prejudice, and bull-headedness may cause him to deny what would otherwise be obvious except when he is defending his ideological turf. But when his guard is down, every person understands that the basic structure of the world is the way the Bible says it is, at least in the broad strokes. Simply put, reason and rationality still matter, even to the postmodernist, regardless of his claims to the contrary.—Greg Koukl

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From a Christian worldview, God doesn’t simply tell us what is righteous; He is righteous. Goodness and righteousness are attributes of His innate character. While it’s tempting to think there isn’t anything God couldn’t do, this is not the case. God cannot act or command outside of His character. He is innately logical and moral; it is impossible for Him to create square circles or married bachelors, just as it is impossible for Him to sin. Objective moral truths are simply a reflection of God’s eternal being. They are not rules or laws God has created (and could therefore alter recklessly), but are instead immutable, dependable qualities of His nature reflected in our universe. They exist because God exists (not because God created them or recognized them later). The Bible describes God as omnipotent and capable of doing anything He sets out to do. God’s choices, however, are always consistent with His moral and logical nature; He never sets out to do something contrary to who He is as God.—J. Warner Wallace

*

Knowledge has a unique and irreplaceable function in human life. Unlike any other human capacity, it authorizes individuals to act, to direct, and to teach, and the lack thereof disqualifies one in those same respects…. Knowledge therefore lays the foundation for confident and successful dealings with reality and, as such, is one of the most precious things one can acquire. People “perish for lack of knowledge,”⁶ as the Bible tells us, precisely because, without it, disastrous encounters, or lack of encounters, with reality are certain to occur; most importantly, they occur with reference to God, God’s Kingdom, and any possibilities for an eternal kind of living.—Dallas Willard

There are absolutes

In every field of science, math, art, music, history, philosophy, and religion, they have tried to destroy confidence and faith in the absolute to try to shake your faith that there is anything sure, anything that is necessarily so or true or right. The whole theme song is: “It ain’t necessarily so. The things that you read in that Bible, they ain’t necessarily so. Beginning with the Bible, that ain’t necessarily so; and history, it ain’t necessarily so; religion, it ain’t necessarily so; and philosophy ain’t necessarily so.” They’ve gone right on down the line through everything—“creation ain’t necessarily so; music, art, none of them are necessarily so, because there ain’t no so. There’s nothing that’s true, so there is no truth,” in other words.

Pilate asked Jesus, “What is truth?” Jesus answered him and said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”⁷ So if nothing is so, then nothing is true, then there is no truth and no Christ! So to disprove the existence of God, they had to disprove the existence of truth and rhyme and reason, order, plan, laws, rules, etc. …

A revolutionary education today would be back-to-God education, and that’s really revolutionary in this modern day and age! Back to God in creation. Back to real faith in religion, back to creation in science, back to a plan in history, beauty in art, harmony in music, laws in learning to read, right and wrong in behavior, and order in government and God in everything—the Creator of all things, the designer of everything, the planner—so that life again means something. …

Back to reasoning, back to a pattern for existence made by a divine designer who makes the plans according to rules, brings about order, and who gives meaning to the universe and purpose to the planets, and love to our hearts and peace to our minds, and health to our bodies and rest to our spirits, and happiness to our lives and joy to our souls, and the wisdom to know that “the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom,”⁸ and that mere knowledge is not enough, but how to use it is more important for the glory of God.

We must see God in everything to give it meaning, reason, purpose, plan, design, and a goal, and peace and order and a design for living given us by the great designer in His rules and laws, rights and wrongs and absolutes, without which there can be no peace and no order and no happiness.

Thank God for the absolutes and the rules of the Ruler, that we may know the difference between right and wrong and therefore find happiness through His love and His loving laws and reasonable rules. May God help you to “know Him, whom to know is life eternal.”⁹ And absolute!—David Brandt Berg

Published on Anchor February 2015. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ ESV.

² John 14:6.

³ From cbn.com.

⁴ NLV.

⁵ ESV.

⁶ Hosea 4:6.

⁷ John 14:6.

⁸ Proverbs 9:10.

⁹ John 17:3.

01 – Introduction

Divine Healing

Peter Amsterdam12-02-28

Chapter 1

Throughout the past year, Maria and I have received numerous letters from TFI members on the topic of healing. Some TFI members have been incorporating the gifts^[1] of healing into their witnessing and have written us, telling us what they have learned on the topic and sharing their experiences. Others have written with questions about healing, including wondering if something is wrong if someone who is prayed for isn’t healed immediately, or if the person being prayed for is to blame if they aren’t healed. Some have said they are confused about whether everyone who gets prayed for is supposed to get healed or not. Others have experienced deep discouragement when their loved ones don’t get healed after prayer. Some have received notes and messages from members telling them that they lack faith and therefore they are to blame for their loved one not getting healed.

During my travels in 2011, I met and conversed with some of those who had written to us regarding the healing ministry—both those who use it in their outreach and those who have questions about it.

So as to be better able to answer these questions, Maria spent a lot of time gathering and reading material regarding healing, faith healers, and the differing points of view regarding supernatural healing. I spent time reading about the differing theological stances on healing as one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. I listened to two sets of audio and video classes given by Curry Blake, a healing evangelist whose teaching a number of TFI members have embraced and recommended to us. I also read a few books by other healing evangelists who have successful healing ministries, and whose teachings differ in various aspects from Curry Blake’s, as well as from one another. I reread some of David’s and Maria’s teaching on the subject as well.

Maria and I want to share with you some of what we have learned about divine healing through reading and studying the writings of those who use it in their ministries and who teach their methods to others. Our purpose in writing is twofold: first, to inform and encourage you regarding the gifts of healing that are among the gifts of the Holy Spirit and are therefore available to Christians; and second, to show that while there are differing and sometimes conflicting stances regarding healing, that God, in His love and compassion for the sick, chooses to use a variety of methods to heal those in need. My hope is that reading what some healing evangelists have to say will encourage your faith to pray for people in need of healing. I also hope that hearing of the diversity within the healing ministry will help to answer the questions and clear up some of the confusion that several of you have written us about.

Healing isn’t a new doctrine within TFI. From the very beginning, David wrote about it. His mother, Virginia Brandt Berg, had a miraculous healing testimony which was widely read within TFI. Divine healing has been contained within our Statement of Faith for decades.

Members have faithfully prayed for one another when a member was sick, as well as prayed for the healing of those they’ve spiritually ministered to. While healing hasn’t generally been used as a major evangelizing method throughout TFI, members have experience in praying for the sick.

However, because of the many questions that have been raised, Maria and I wanted to address the matter of healing. Because we aren’t experts in the field of healing, we have researched material by several authors who are experienced in using healing as part of their evangelism, and will be sharing a summary of our findings with you. A number of you recommended that we listen to Curry Blake’s course on healing, which we have done, going through two different versions of it, and drawing material from it that we’ll present in this series of articles. We also read and are using quotes from John and Sonja Decker’s book, Doing What Jesus Did, as well as from Don Dunkerley’s book, Healing Evangelism. All of these authors are healing evangelists, so healing and evangelizing are their 100 percent. They are passionate about it, they are experienced in it, and they have strong beliefs concerning healing. I believe we can learn something from what they teach.

I believe these healing evangelists whose material I am including excerpts of in this series give a good representation of the spectrum of healing ministries in today’s Christianity. John and Sonja Decker are very strong on healing through revelation, in that they emphasize getting leadings from the Holy Spirit through the gifts of the Spirit such as a word of knowledge. Don Dunkerley is more conservative, doesn’t emphasize revelation, leans more to praying for all and expecting that the Lord will do miracles within God’s sovereign will. Curry Blake comes from the position that God will heal everyone you pray for, and that there’s no need for revelation or leading of the Spirit; rather, that God promised to heal and He will do so no matter what, that it’s done because God has said so.

Neither Maria nor I have outstanding gifts of healing, nor have we practiced healing as a ministry, so we aren’t writing from personal experience. We of course do pray for people to be healed, as our founder David taught, and have seen our prayers answered, like many of you have, but we are not experts when it comes to using the gifts of healing as a ministry, especially in evangelization. We have been inspired by reading and listening to the healing evangelists mentioned above. We’ve been moved by their faith and dedication, and have benefited from their knowledge gained from experience. Studying the material on healing during the past months has given us a burden to grow in the use of these gifts of the Spirit as a tool in our witnessing.

Following are the titles of the seven articles in this series:

1. Introduction (this article)
2. Cornerstones of Healing
3. Healing Is for Evangelism
4. Healing Is in the Atonement
5. Process of Healing
6. Where Healing Evangelists Disagree
7. In Conclusion

This series of seven articles is by no means a comprehensive study of divine healing. We can’t possibly cover every question about it, much less give every answer. Those of you with healing ministries, or who are curious about specific facets of healing evangelism, might wonder why we didn’t cover some aspects. You may even feel we skipped over some major topics. We know we haven’t covered all there is to say about healing, and doing so wasn’t our goal. What I hope to do here is give an overview of the major foundational aspects. For those wanting to learn more about the ministry of healing or using healing as part of their witnessing, we are including the names of some books, and links to other material, that give a more in-depth look into the nuts and bolts of the healing ministry.

The healing evangelists whose material we’ve listened to and read all seem to have successful ministries. They regularly pray for others to be healed, and people get healed. It’s interesting to see how their methods and even some of their beliefs regarding healing differ in some aspects, yet they all pray for people and see results. (Throughout these articles, when I refer to “healing evangelists” I’m referring to those I listed above, unless otherwise noted.)

Like other aspects within the Christian faith, different denominations or general categories of Christians interpret certain scriptures differently, and even within denominations and churches, individual members hold different beliefs on some aspects. While Christians generally agree on core doctrines of the faith, we often hold differing views on some of the less important points. These differing viewpoints regarding issues that are not core principles don’t make one person more of a Christian than someone else, or a better Christian; they are just different outlooks, interpretations, or applications of the faith. There seems to be a similar situation within the healing evangelism community.

While the healing evangelists we’ve read and heard differ from one another in methods and even some beliefs, they all hold in common a number of basic beliefs which are core to the understanding of and belief in divine healing. These common beliefs are much of what we will explain with this series.

Of course, not all Christians believe that divine healing is available today. Some denominations don’t believe that healing miracles happen today. Many of these believe that the day of miracles is past. (More on this below.)

Some healing evangelists tend to be critical of others who use different methodology than they do or hold different views. Other healing evangelists seem to be tolerant, and thankful that there are healers who are using the gift and teaching others to do so, even if what is being taught is different from how they teach and do it.

In writing about this topic, we will do our best to present the things which are held by those with healing ministries as fundamental to healing, as well as point out some differences that they have. We’ve included numerous quotations from these healing evangelists, as we felt it would be good that you hear both the common beliefs and differing viewpoints directly from those who have decades of experience in healing.

It is our hope that sharing this information with you will help you have a better understanding of using the gifts of healing in your witness. Healing is a gift of the Spirit which you can pray for and use to be a help to others.

Lastly, Maria and I are not endorsing the teachings of the healing evangelists we are quoting. We don’t necessarily agree with everything they say, nor with everything we’ve quoted in these articles. While we agree with much of it, there are some things that we don’t agree with and which in our opinion are too extreme. I’ve found it necessary to include these quotations in order to show what the healing evangelists hold in common, and what they don’t.

Does God Miraculously Heal Today?

The simple answer to this question is yes, divine healing does occur today. However, as I will explain, not all Christians agree on this matter.

Healing is one of the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in 1 Corinthians 12:

Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone.

To each is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good. For to one is given through the Spirit the utterance of wisdom, and to another the utterance of knowledge according to the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by the one Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the ability to distinguish between spirits, to another various kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. All these are empowered by one and the same Spirit, who apportions to each one individually as He wills.^[2]

In general terms, within Christianity there are two differing points of view concerning the gifts of the Spirit. There are those who believe that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are active today, and there are those who believe that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit—namely prophecy, tongues and interpretation, miracles, and healing—are no longer active.

The belief that the miraculous gifts have continued on throughout the history of Christianity and are present today is known as continuationism. The belief that the miraculous gifts are no longer available to believers is known as cessationism. In brief, cessationists believe that the miraculous gifts were only available during the apostolic age, the time when the apostles were alive. They believe that such miraculous gifts were given in order to authenticate the apostles’ preaching of the Gospel—that when people saw the apostles perform miracles, they would believe the message the apostles were preaching, but that once the apostles died, these gifts ceased because they were no longer needed. Cessationists also present the case that the gift of prophecy is no longer available, since once the book of Revelation—the last book in the Bible—was written, there are no further words from God needed, because all revelation was completed and fully contained within the Bible.

While there are lengthy explanations for what the cessationists believe, as well as lengthy explanations for the continuationism position, I will briefly discuss only one of the main arguments, which is based on 1 Corinthians 13:8–12. The chapter before this, 1 Corinthians 12, speaks about the gifts of the Spirit, then 1 Corinthians 13 expresses that no matter how many gifts one has, love is a more excellent way.^[3]

1 Corinthians 13:8–10 says:

Love never ends. As for prophecies, they will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.

One of the key cessationist points of view rests on the statement “but when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away.” They argue that the “perfect” has already come, that it came when the canon of Scripture—which writings would be included in the New Testament—was determined, and therefore there is no further need for the imperfect means of finding God’s will, such as the gifts of prophecy, knowledge, etc.

Therefore, the cessationists conclude that the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit, including healing, miracles, prophecy, gifts of knowledge and words of wisdom, have all ceased—either because that which is perfect has come (the New Testament) or because miracles are no longer needed to affirm the message of Christianity; that this need came to an end once the apostles died.

Continuationists believe that the miraculous gifts of the Spirit will continue until the Lord’s return. They interpret “when the perfect comes, the partial will pass away” as being when Jesus returns at His second coming; and that at that time the present gifts, which are imperfect, will no longer be needed, but until that time they are still available to Christians.

The core beliefs of TFI fall within the continuationist interpretation of Scripture.^[4] (See TFI’s Statement of Faith.) This is also true of charismatic churches and believers—those who believe in the baptism of the Holy Spirit, and that miracles, including healing, happen today. Throughout TFI’s history, divine healing has been a part of our beliefs—that healing is one of the gifts of the Spirit, and that healing is available to those who are prayed for. Since in the past healing hasn’t traditionally been used as an evangelistic ministry within TFI, not much emphasis was previously put on the details of healing as a ministry or for evangelism. Those quoted throughout these articles give insight into the hands-on aspect of healing, which you may want to incorporate into your witnessing.

Maria and I believe that all the gifts of the Holy Spirit are active today. When it comes to healing, we believe that regardless of one’s personal position as to the methods which should be employed when ministering healing to others, God heals today and uses Christians as a conduit for that healing.

(Next in this series: Cornerstones of Healing)

Note

The main sources quoted within the articles in this series are:

• Doing What Jesus Did, by John and Sonja Decker, published by Foursquare Media, Los Angeles, 2007.
• Healing Evangelism, by Don Dunkerley, published by Chosen Books, Grand Rapids, 1995.
• Divine Healing Technician training manual, by Curry Blake, no copyright.
• Curry Blake Divine Healing Technician video course given in Australia, 14 videos.
• Curry Blake Divine Healing Technician audio course given in Duluth, Minnesota, 19 audios.

When these works are quoted, I will use the following abbreviations to show where the quotes are from:

• DWJD followed by the chapter number: Doing What Jesus Did
• HE followed by the page number: Healing Evangelism
• DHT Manual followed by the chapter number: Divine Healing Technician training manual
• DHT Audio followed by the audio number: Divine Healing Technician audio course
• DHT Video followed by the video number: Divine Healing Technician video course

^[1] I’m using “gifts of healing” instead of “gift of healing” because all of the major English translations use the plural “gifts” instead of the singular “gift.”

To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:9 KJV).

Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? (1 Corinthians 12:30 KJV).

^[2] 1 Corinthians 12:4–11 ESV.

^[3] But earnestly desire the higher gifts. And I will show you a still more excellent way (1 Corinthians 12:31 ESV).

^[4] We believe that any believer can receive the infilling of the Holy Spirit, simply by asking God for it. The Holy Spirit’s presence may be manifested in believers’ lives through different spiritual gifts, which include wisdom, knowledge, faith, healing, miracles, and prophecy (1 Corinthians 12:4–11). (TFI’s Statement of Faith. Section: The Holy Spirit.)

While Jesus was on Earth, He not only expressed His love to humanity through healing people’s hearts and spirits, but He also performed miracles to feed the hungry and to heal people’s diseased and crippled bodies. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8), and we therefore believe that He still performs miracles today. (TFI’s Statement of Faith. Section: Divine Intervention.)

Copyright © 2012 The Family International.

Immortal Till His Work Was Done

April 12, 2024

By John Piper

When John and Margaret Paton landed on the New Hebrides island of Aniwa in November 1866, they saw the destitution of the islanders. The native people were cannibals and occasionally ate the flesh of their defeated foes. They practiced infanticide and widow sacrifice, killing the widows of deceased men so they could serve their husbands in the next world. “Their whole worship was one of slavish fear,” Paton wrote. “So far as ever I could learn, they had no idea of a God of mercy or grace.”

In the next fifteen years, the Patons saw the entire island of Aniwa turn to Christ. Years later, Paton would write, “I claimed Aniwa for Jesus, and by the grace of God Aniwa now worships at the Savior’s feet.”

(Read the article here.)

https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/immortal-till-his-work-was-done

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Treasures

Audio length: 16:53

Download Audio (15.4MB)

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed.—Romans 12:2

When reading about the great people and prophets of God throughout the Bible, it would be natural to assume that they were all respected in their society and upstanding citizens in their community. However, if we take a close look at the Bible’s accounts of some of its famous characters, we see that the lives of the great “saints” were often unconventional. They were ordinary flawed people of faith who simply believed God, followed His leadings, and obeyed His commandments, even when they had no idea why God was asking them to do certain things.

At times, God required them to do things contrary to their own natural expectations and reasoning. They were people who “walked by faith and not by sight” (2 Corinthians 5:7), who obeyed by faith just because God said so. Sometimes they even argued with God that surely there must be a better way. But when they finally let God work and obeyed by faith, they discovered that God had a plan and His way was the right way for His will to be fulfilled.

A poem by William Cowper (1731–1800) says, “God works in mysterious ways His wonders to perform,” and a study of the lives of the famous Bible characters God used certainly proves this to be true. God’s miraculous intervention in human history shows that it’s God’s work and not man’s, and therefore He receives all the glory for His mighty works and His excellent greatness (Psalm 150:2).

The Lord says, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways! For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts higher than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9). Throughout the Bible, God often worked in unexpected ways—even unconventional and unorthodox ways, contrary to people’s natural expectations.

The Bible says, “You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” (1 Peter 2:9). Those who truly love and follow the Lord will always be different from the vast majority of an unbelieving world—a people who have chosen the ways of God over the ways of the world.

The ways of the world are often very different from the way that God looks at things. “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned” (1 Corinthians 2:14). Jesus even said that the things that are highly valued in the world are an abomination in the sight of God (Luke 16:15).

Imagine how the world of his day must have viewed Noah, when he suddenly began building a gigantic ship on dry land! Day after day he toiled away for 120 years until finally the great ocean vessel was complete. It was totally unimaginable and ridiculous, so completely unreasonable that people surely must have thought that Noah had lost his mind. No one had ever tried to do anything like that before, nor would there be any apparent purpose to do so!

But Noah and his sons obeyed God and built that boat anyway, faithfully warning an unbelieving world of the impending judgments of God. And though he was laughed at and mocked, the flood came just like God said it would, and the very waters that drowned the world of his day due to its evil and sin literally saved Noah and his family by lifting the ark high above the earth below. (See Genesis, chapters 6–8.)

Another unconventional character in the Old Testament was David, Israel’s greatest king. When the prophet Samuel went to Bethlehem to anoint one of the sons of Jesse to be the next king, he met the eldest son, Eliab, and thought, “Surely this one is the Lord’s anointed” (1 Samuel 16:6). But the Lord told Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I do not look at things as man looks at things; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7).

After meeting and prayerfully considering Jesse’s six other sons, Samuel said, “The Lord has not chosen any of these. Are these all the sons you have, Jesse?” To which Jesse replied, “Well, there is still the youngest, but he is out tending the sheep.” Samuel sent for him, and as soon as David entered the room—the one who his own father did not even consider could be chosen—the Lord told Samuel, “Arise and anoint him, this is the one I have chosen to be king” (1 Samuel 16:12).

A short time later, David’s famous confrontation with Goliath took place. King Saul initially refused to let David go meet the giant in battle, realizing that this young shepherd boy was no match for the mighty man of war. But when Saul saw that David would not be deterred, he insisted that David wear his royal armor and take his sword. David declined, however, and went to battle armed with his wooden shepherd’s staff, a sling, and a few stones.

The great Goliath was so insulted to see such a weak-looking opponent coming to meet him that he roared with contempt, “Am I a dog that you send a boy to fight me with sticks?” (1 Samuel 17:43). But David shouted back, “You come to me with a sword, spear, and shield, but I come to you in the name of the Lord of hosts, whom you have defied! And the Lord will deliver you into my hand, and everyone present will know that the Lord is not dependent on a sword or spear: For the battle is the Lord’s and He will deliver you into my hand!” (1 Samuel 17:45–47).

David then loaded his sling, ran toward Goliath, and cut loose with just one honest bit of rock, and the Philistine bit the dust! And the Lord won a great victory, in a way completely contrary to anything that the seasoned generals and advisors of Israel’s army had ever imagined or considered possible.

Another example may be found in the story of Gideon. Gideon was the simple son of a farmer, but the Lord was with him, and he found himself commanding an army of 32,000 soldiers of Israel. Before engaging the vastly superior forces of the enemy, “the Midianites, the Amalekites, and all the children of the east, who lay along in the valley like grasshoppers for multitude, without number” (Judges 7:12), the Lord surprised Gideon by telling him, “The people with you are too many for Me to deliver the Midianites into their hands, lest Israel exalt themselves against Me and say, ‘My own hand has saved me’” (Judges 7:2).

The Lord told Gideon to send 31,700 men home, leaving him with a tiny band of only 300 soldiers! Then the Lord told Gideon to divide his 300 men into three bands, and Gideon armed each man with a trumpet and a clay pitcher with a lamp burning inside of it. They then crept up to the sprawling camp of their enemies by night, surrounding it from all sides. When Gideon gave the signal, his men began shouting, blowing their trumpets, and breaking their pitchers.

The Midianites were so startled and terrified by the horrible crash and clatter of 300 pieces of pottery breaking at once and the sudden flood of light from 300 brightly burning fires surrounding them on all sides, combined with the tremendous racket of Gideon’s orchestra of 300 trumpeters, that they panicked and in confusion literally began slaying each other! And all the host ran and cried and fled, and the Lord set their own swords against each other, and the entire army fled before Gideon (Judges 7:15–22).

What an unconventional and inglorious way to win a battle! But God is the one who worked through Gideon’s band to conquer their enemy, and Gideon and Israel could only thank Him for the victory. The part they had played was seemingly absurd: breaking pitchers, waving torches, tooting trumpets, and shouting with all their might. Who else could possibly get the credit for the battle won except the Lord? Gideon’s role was nonetheless a central one—he had to believe God and follow His leading.

The greatest example of God’s unorthodox ways of working that defy convention may be found in the birth, life, and death of His own Son, Jesus. Think how much more respectable and acceptable it would have been if the King of kings had been born in a palace with illustrious members of the court in attendance, and all the honor and praise of Rome! But instead, God chose to have His Son come into this world in a stable with cows and donkeys, wrapped in rags and laid to rest in an animal feed trough, with a motley crew of poor little shepherd boys kneeling on the floor to worship Him.

Common sense tells us that Jesus could have gotten off to a better start if He’d had the approval and recognition of the world of His day. But instead of having a prominent man of influence and power for an earthly father, God chose Joseph the carpenter, a humble hewer of wood. Instead of being received and reverenced by the world, Mary and Joseph were forced to become fugitives from injustice, fleeing for their lives with baby Jesus into a foreign country.

Consider also the men Jesus chose for His disciples: Instead of selecting scholars from the Sanhedrin—the Jewish religious court where the doctors of the law and the nation’s religious leaders were trained—He chose common fishermen and a despised tax collector to be His closest followers. Instead of working with and securing the blessing of the powerful religious system and its hierarchy, He continually challenged the religious leaders of His day and defied their conventions and traditions.

The Bible tells us that Jesus made a whip and stormed the temple grounds, lashing the money changers for commercializing the temple, busting up the furniture and spilling their money (John 2:14–16). Jesus even prophesied that the great temple at Jerusalem, the symbol of their religion, was going to be destroyed (Matthew 24:1–2). No wonder they accused Him of sacrilege and blasphemy! Jesus knew that such actions would have consequences and result in persecution and retaliation from the religious leaders, and they did. He was whipped and publicly executed, crucified cruelly on a cross between two thieves.

After His resurrection, the Lord picked Paul, himself a religionist, to be one of His leading apostles. Surely Jesus knew that the Jewish religious leaders would not respond well to one of their own becoming a radical Christian! Even the Christian believers found it hard to believe that their worst persecutor could suddenly be converted.

Paul once wrote to some rather well-to-do Christians in Corinth, “We apostles are a spectacle unto the world. We are fools for Christ, but you are wise. We are weak, but you are strong. You are honored, but we are despised. To this very hour we go hungry, thirsty, and are poorly dressed, persecuted, and have no certain dwelling place. We are as the scum of the earth, the refuse of this world” (1 Corinthians 4:9–13). Paul went on to suffer persecution, imprisonment, beatings, and many things for his faith, while bringing the message of salvation to the world of his day.

Time and space would fail to consider all the unconventional ways God worked through people throughout the Bible, such as Abraham, who left his home country by faith in obedience to God’s promise of an inheritance, “not knowing where he was going” (Hebrews 11:8). Or Moses, who forsook Egypt and all the wealth and power that would be his, to follow God and become a shepherd in the wilderness, only to return to Egypt 40 years later to defy Pharaoh and to free his people (Hebrews 11:23–28). Or Peter, Andrew, James, and John, who immediately left their families’ fishing business to follow Jesus when He called out to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men!” (Matthew 4:18–21).

God often works through ordinary, everyday people to fulfill His purpose and will. The Bible says that “not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God has chosen what is foolish in this world to confound the wise, and God has chosen what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even the things that are nothing to bring to nothing the things that are something, so that no human being might boast in His presence” (1 Corinthians 1:26–29).

The Lord chooses and uses such people because they know that their own ideas, strength, and wisdom are not enough, and therefore they put their trust in Him and follow His leadings. They are willing to go God’s way rather than the ways and conventions of the world. As Christians, we are called to follow God and His will and His Word—not the world’s way but God’s way.

If you are willing to go God’s way, sharing the good news about Jesus with others, He will bless you and be with you. God will not only bless you in this life, but He will welcome you home one day, when you will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant! Enter into the joy of your Lord” (Matthew 25:23).

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished April 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

147 – Jesus—His Life and Message: The Coming of the Son of Man (Part 1)

Jesus—His Life and Message

Peter Amsterdam

2021-03-09

(You can read about the intent for and overview of this series in this introductory article.)

The previous article, the last of the series about the Jewish temple, ended with Jesus telling the people of Judea that tribulation would come upon them when the Romans would destroy the temple and the city of Jerusalem. He said:

Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.¹

Jesus continued by saying,

“Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”²

Jesus warned that during the coming trouble, some would take advantage of the situation by claiming that they were the Messiah. Some would even falsely appear to do miracles and prophesy. Earlier in this chapter, Jesus had warned of such people:

“Many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”³

“And many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”⁴

The Jewish historian Josephus wrote about a number of Jewish nationalist leaders who, in the time before the siege of Jerusalem, manifested such signs and wonders. Of course, the New Testament gives examples of Jesus’ disciples performing “signs and wonders” as they went about doing God’s work.

Awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles.⁵

Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon’s Portico.⁶

In the book of Acts, as well as in some of the Epistles of Paul and in Revelation, there are references to nonbelievers who performed magic and displayed signs and wonders, as well as references to those who would do so in the future.

There was a man named Simon, who had previously practiced magic in the city and amazed the people of Samaria, saying that he himself was somebody great.⁷

Then the lawless one will be revealed. … The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders.⁸

Then I saw another beast rising out of the earth. It had two horns like a lamb and it spoke like a dragon. … It performs great signs, even making fire come down from heaven to earth in front of people.⁹

Jesus also pointed out that due to the signs and wonders, it is possible that even some believers could be led astray by the false christs and false prophets.

“See, I have told you beforehand. So, if they say to you, ‘Look, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out. If they say, ‘Look, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it.”¹⁰

Having warned that false prophets would perform signs and wonders, Jesus gave further instructions to help believers not be led astray during the time leading up to the destruction of Jerusalem. One author explains:

These trying to lead them astray will be claiming that they have special knowledge; whereas ordinary people do not know where the Messiah is, they do. If people will only trust them, they will lead them to him. Jesus says definitely, “do not believe it.” His followers must not be led astray in this way.¹¹

Jesus’ Future Return

As the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.¹²

This verse draws a sharp distinction between the events during the siege of Jerusalem and the still future return of Christ. The Greek word used for Jesus’ return or second coming is parousia. He made the point that His parousia would not be a secret event; rather, the coming of the Son of Man will be as clear as a flash of lighting which lights up the sky. When Jesus returns, everyone will see it, as He will make clear later in this chapter. Jesus was setting His return and the end of the age apart from the coming destruction of the temple.

Wherever the corpse is, there the vultures will gather.¹³

Bible commentators have a wide range of interpretations for this verse. It seems likely that the meaning is that the parousia, the return of the Son of Man, will be as obvious as the presence of a carcass upon which vultures descend.

Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.¹⁴

Jesus’ words are closely modeled on two Old Testament passages.

Behold, the day of the LORD comes, cruel, with wrath and fierce anger, to make the land a desolation and to destroy its sinners from it. For the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light; the sun will be dark at its rising, and the moon will not shed its light.¹⁵

All the host of heaven shall rot away, and the skies roll up like a scroll. All their host shall fall, as leaves fall from the vine, like leaves falling from the fig tree.¹⁶

Throughout the Old Testament there is similar imagery proclaimed by prophets. (See Ezekiel 32:7–8; Amos 8:9; Joel 2:10, 30–31; 3:15.)

Then will appear in heaven the sign of the Son of Man, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.¹⁷

This Gospel speaks of the sign of the Son of Man appearing in heaven. In the Gospels of Mark and Luke we read “they will see the Son of Man,” with no mention of the sign. This Gospel also mentions the effect that the Son of Man’s coming will have on the people of the earth—they will mourn. His return will not be met with joy by all. People will recognize that Jesus’ return changes everything and will put an end to life as they have known it.

Jesus clearly stated that He will return to earth. However, His return will be different from the first time, when He was born as a child. This time, He will come with power and great glory, a phrase which refers to the majestic appearance of a king. Clouds are often associated with the presence of the divine, which is the meaning here.

He will send out his angels with a loud trumpet call, and they will gather his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.¹⁸

The appearance of the King brings about the gathering together of those who are His, those who have received Him and believed in Him. The sending of His angels with a loud trumpet is also mentioned by the apostle Paul.

Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed.¹⁹

The gathering of his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other, makes the point that no believer will be left behind, none will be missing.

From the fig tree learn its lesson: as soon as its branch becomes tender and puts out its leaves, you know that summer is near. So also, when you see all these things, you know that he is near, at the very gates.²⁰

Fig trees are abundant in Palestine, and those to whom Jesus was speaking were familiar with how and when figs grow. As the appearance of the fig tree’s new shoots is indicative of the coming of summer, in like manner, when believers see the events Jesus has spoken of make their appearance, such as those described in verse 29, they are to understand that His return is near.

Truly, I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.²¹

While a variety of interpretations have been made by Bible commentators as to who “this generation” is, it is clear that Jesus is referring here to the generation that will be alive at the time of His return.

Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away.²²

Jesus followed up by stating the certainty that what He has said will happen. While heaven and earth have lasted through the lifetimes of generation after generation, they will eventually pass away; but, in contrast, Jesus’ words will last forever. What He has said will be fulfilled.

(To be continued.)

Note

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

 

¹ Matthew 24:21–22.

² Matthew 24:23–24.

³ Matthew 24:5.

⁴ Matthew 24:11.

⁵ Acts 2:43.

⁶ Acts 5:12. See also Acts 4:16, 29–30.

⁷ Acts 8:9.

⁸ 2 Thessalonians 2:8–9.

⁹ Revelation 13:11, 13. See also Revelation 16:13–14.

¹⁰ Matthew 24:25–26.

¹¹ Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, 607.

¹² Matthew 24:27.

¹³ Matthew 24:28.

¹⁴ Matthew 24:29.

¹⁵ Isaiah 13:9–10.

¹⁶ Isaiah 34:4.

¹⁷ Matthew 24:30.

¹⁸ Matthew 24:31.

¹⁹ 1 Corinthians 15:51–52.

²⁰ Matthew 24:32–33.

²¹ Matthew 24:34.

²² Matthew 24:35.

Copyright © 2021 The Family International.

146 – Jesus—His Life and Message: Prediction About the Temple (Part 3)

Jesus—His Life and Message

Peter Amsterdam

2021-03-02

Note: When I originally started writing about the predictions regarding the temple in Jerusalem, I used the account in the Gospel of Mark. I have since received some questions regarding the parallel account in the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 24. Because many are more familiar with the account in Matthew, and because that account is more detailed and comprehensive as to predictions regarding the fate of the temple as well as endtime events, the focus from this point on will be on Matthew chapter 24.

While some Bible commentators consider Matthew 24 to be referring only to endtime events, many others understand the first part of the chapter to be referring to events which happened in history. Since many are not familiar with the historical view, I thought it would be helpful to present that view when covering this topic.

(You can read about the intent for and overview of this series in this introductory article.)

Like Mark chapter 13, Matthew chapter 24 begins with Jesus predicting the destruction of the Jewish temple.

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple. But he answered them, “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.”¹

This prediction came true in less than 40 years, when the Jewish temple was destroyed by the Romans in AD 70.

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?”² 

Jesus’ disciples asked Him three questions: When will these things be, what will be the sign of His coming, and what will be the sign of the close of the age?

Jesus warned them,

“See that no one leads you astray. For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”³

Jesus warned against those who would falsely claim to be the Messiah, the liberator of the Jewish people. (See examples in part one of this series.)

“You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places. All these are but the beginning of the birth pains.”⁴

Jesus made reference to upcoming wars. Historically, there were a variety of wars in the ancient world and throughout the Roman Empire during the time between AD 30–70, including the civil war in Rome in AD 68–69. Jesus pointed out that wars and natural disasters would be part of humanity’s experience throughout history, and that they should not be interpreted as signs of the end. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.⁵ Jesus’ reference to the beginning of the birth pains or labor pain implies that the events He is speaking about were not imminent.

“Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for my name’s sake. And then many will fall away and betray one another and hate one another.”⁶ 

While it’s not specifically stated who “they” are that will deliver the believers up to tribulation and death, it is understood that Jesus was speaking of people in places of authority, people who could take action against believers. Along with that, there would be believers who fall away from the faith. He wasn’t referring to those who would have a temporary setback in their beliefs, but those who would abandon their faith and betray their fellow disciples.

“Many false prophets will arise and lead many astray.”⁷

In the early church, prophets were ranked second in the hierarchy Paul outlined:

God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles.⁸

In the New Testament, some prophets are named.

In these days prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and foretold by the Spirit that there would be a great famine over all the world (this took place in the days of Claudius).⁹

Judas and Silas, who were themselves prophets, encouraged and strengthened the brothers with many words.¹⁰

We departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied.¹¹ 

Because of the role of prophets in the early church, those who were false prophets at the time of the destruction of Jerusalem were able to damage believers’ faith as they led them astray.

“Because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold.”¹²

The use of lawlessness here does not refer only to criminal activity, but to living a life which is outside the law of God. Elsewhere, Jesus spoke of the lawlessness of the scribes and Pharisees: [You] outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.¹³ One author explains: If “love” (for God and for other people) is the key principle of living as the people of God (Matthew 22:37–40), and so the opposite to “lawlessness,” the “cooling” of love marks the end of effective discipleship.¹⁴

“But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”¹⁵

In light of what has been said about “the end” in this chapter—You will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet;¹⁶ This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come¹⁷—the “end” in the context of these verses probably refers to the destruction of the temple, which is the subject of the disciples’ question.

In what way did the gospel of the kingdom get proclaimed throughout the whole world before the destruction of the temple? One author explains:

The “world” here is the “inhabited world,” the world of people, which at that time meant primarily the area surrounding the Mediterranean and the lesser known areas to the east, around which stretched mysterious regions beyond the fringes of civilization. More narrowly it was sometimes used for the area covered by the Roman Empire. The same phrase is used to describe the extent of the famine in Acts 11:28 and the extent of Artemis worship in Acts 19:27. Such uses suggest caution in interpreting it too literally, even in terms of the then known world. The point is that the gospel will go far outside Judea, as indeed it certainly did in the decades following Jesus’ resurrection.¹⁸

Throughout the New Testament, we find references made to the gospel being preached throughout the (known) world. We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, which has come to you, as indeed in the whole world it is bearing fruit and growing—as it also does among you.¹⁹ So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. But I ask, have they not heard? Indeed they have, for “Their voice has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.”²⁰

“So when you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains.”²¹

One sign that the end is near in Jerusalem would be the abomination of desolation placed in the temple. In the book of Daniel, the abomination of desolation refers to a terrible sacrilege, which was to be brought about by the “king of the north” when he would abolish the regular sacrifices in the temple in Jerusalem.²² The event Daniel was predicting was when the Seleucid king Antiochus Epiphanies conquered Jerusalem in 167 BC and prohibited Jewish sacrifices. He set up an altar for pagan sacrifices on the altar of burnt offering in the temple. It remained there for three years, until the Maccabean revolt when the Jewish people regained control of Jerusalem and purified the temple. Jesus pointed out that in a similar fashion, the Jerusalem temple would again be desecrated, which it was when the conquering Romans entered the temple and eventually destroyed it. Jesus stated that those in Judea should flee when the Roman armies besieged Jerusalem. The Gospel of Luke states: Then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains, and let those who are inside the city depart, and let not those who are out in the country enter it, for these are days of vengeance, to fulfill all that is written.²³

Let the one who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house, and let the one who is in the field not turn back to take his cloak. And alas for women who are pregnant and for those who are nursing infants in those days! Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a Sabbath.²⁴

Jesus made the point that no towns or villages within Judea would be safe, and therefore the inhabitants of the area needed to seek refuge in the hills. The examples that Jesus used expressed the urgency of the situation. One who is on the roof of their house should not even take the time to go indoors to pack a bag for travel. The field worker who had taken off their outer garment while working should not take the time to go and fetch it before fleeing. He also pointed out that it would be especially difficult for women who were pregnant or had newborn infants to make a speedy getaway, and that bad winter weather would make it worse. It can be quite cold in the hills of Judea in the winter, and heavy rain can cause flooding, which makes traveling very difficult.

The prayer that their flight wouldn’t occur on the Sabbath had to do with the Jewish law restricting how far one could travel on the Sabbath. One was only allowed to walk 2,000 cubits (roughly two-thirds of a mile, or 914 meters) on the Sabbath. As such, if one had to flee, but was bound by the Sabbath rules, they basically wouldn’t be able to. Another possible reason would be that on the Sabbath, shops would not be open and services would not be available, which could make unexpected travel even more difficult.

“Then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. And if those days had not been cut short, no human being would be saved. But for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short.”²⁵

The Jewish historian Josephus, who was a priest, scholar, and historian, and who lived through the destruction of Jerusalem, wrote about the horrors of the siege of Jerusalem. One author writes: The horror was in fact “cut short” by the Roman capture of the city after five months, bringing physical relief to those who had survived the famine in the city.²⁶

The elect, God’s chosen people, who are referred to here will be mentioned again later in this chapter. They are those who belong to the Son of Man. The concept of God’s chosen people, which previously had referred to the Jewish people, is here being applied to Jewish believers in Christ, along with all who believe in Him from the ends of the earth.

(To be continued.)

Note

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

¹ Matthew 24:1–2.

² Matthew 24:3.

³ Matthew 24:4–5.

⁴ Matthew 24:6–8.

⁵ Matthew 24:6.

⁶ Matthew 24:9–10.

⁷ Matthew 24:11.

⁸ 1 Corinthians 12:28.

⁹ Acts 11:27–28.

¹⁰ Acts 15:32.

¹¹ Acts 21:8–9.

¹² Matthew 24:12.

¹³ Matthew 23:28.

¹⁴ France, The Gospel of Matthew, 907.

¹⁵ Matthew 24:13.

¹⁶ Matthew 24:6.

¹⁷ Matthew 24:14.

¹⁸ France, The Gospel of Matthew, 909.

¹⁹ Colossians 1:3–6.

²⁰ Romans 10:17–18.

²¹ Matthew 24:15–16.

²² Daniel 8:13, 9:27, 11:31, 12:11.

²³ Luke 21:21–22.

²⁴ Matthew 24:17–20.

²⁵ Matthew 24:21–22.

²⁶ France, The Gospel of Matthew, 915.

Copyright © 2021 The Family International.

 

Start the New Year with Renewed Purpose

April 5, 2024

By Francis Chan

Francis Chan sits down with Sheila Walsh on TBN’s Praise to encourage us to seek after God in the new year, and to find a renewed purpose through a deep relationship with Jesus.

Run time for this video is 54 minutes.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR_uKKkalb4

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Grace for Times of Affliction

April 4, 2024

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 12:28

Download Audio (11.4MB)

For this light momentary affliction is preparing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison, as we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen.—2 Corinthians 4:17–18

Many are the afflictions of the righteous (Psalm 34:19). Afflictions, no matter how small or how big, can result in My blessings in your life in some way as you commit them into My hands and trust in My promise to deliver you out of them all.

Afflictions can be times of testing and times of drawing you closer to Me, times of distancing yourself from the cares and burdens of life as you rest in Me. They are times of strengthening your connection with Me, as you seek Me for healing, and rest in My Word and hold on to it for your encouragement. When you look to Me, like a little child looks to her father for help, I draw close to you and comfort you.

So do not fret about this light affliction in your life, but look to the eternal weight of glory it is preparing you for, and be thankful for how it draws you closer to Me and helps you to walk in humility. Trust that I will use even this time of affliction to restore you, to renew your spark of inspiration, to refresh your appreciation for the good health that you have, and to bless you with a grateful heart.

Grace for aging

We do not give up. Our physical body is becoming older and weaker, but our spirit inside us is made new every day.—2 Corinthians 4:16

It’s a challenge when you face times of affliction as you grow older, because you know that your body is weaker, and it can take much longer to heal, and sometimes you’re not as strong afterward. It’s a test of your faith and trust in Me that, no matter what your age, I will still protect and keep you, and that one day I will deliver you from all your afflictions—whether in this life or the next—as I have promised.

I know you can be tempted to worry or fear as you age when it comes to changes in your body, afflictions, or any sign of unusual things happening. You know that your body is wearing out and is more susceptible to health problems, ailments, and even life-threatening conditions. But when you face these times of worry or fear, come to Me and cast all your anxieties and concerns on Me and trust in My care for you (1 Peter 5:7).

When you are tempted to worry about your health or your aging body, or you fret over something that might go wrong, trust in Me and remind yourself that you are in My hands. Trust in Me and My Word, knowing that My power to keep and protect and deliver you is the same today as always.

Take the time to rest in Me, hear My words of comfort and encouragement to you, and renew your faith. Your greatest strength will come through faith to trust in My wisdom and My will for your life. Remember My promise to be with you always and to walk with you through everything you face in life. Do not let your heart be troubled or afraid, but dwell in My peace (John 14:27).

Patience in affliction

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.—Romans 12:12

Faith is the victory that overcomes—faith in Me, faith in My Word, and faith in My promises, no matter how you feel or the circumstances or your afflictions. Have faith in Me and believe, for I will see you through. I have promised to care for My own, and you are one of My precious ones for whom I gave My life. I will work through this time of affliction to strengthen your faith, and I will see you through. Simply believe and receive and have faith in My love and My care for you.

Every experience, no matter how difficult, can bring a gift and a strengthen­ing to your life in some area when you look to Me. Looking to Me means seeking Me, looking for the good in the situation, and trusting that I love you and will bring about that which is best for you. Even if your affliction is not a serious one, you can gain precious things from My Spirit as you take the time to seek Me and rest in Me.

Your temporary afflictions are producing a glory in you that will vastly outweigh them and that will last forever (2 Corinthians 4:17)! Your afflictions help you to grow in your faith and trust in Me as you look to Me, and this will strengthen your spirit and give you compassion for others.

I love you and am always with you. Even if you walk through the fire, you will not be burned, for I will cover you with My presence, and protect you from harm (Isaiah 43:2).

A weightless trifle

Your light and momentary troubles are achieving for you an eternal Glory that far outweighs them all. The Greek word the apostle Paul used for light means “a weightless trifle.” Yet he had endured tremendous affliction: He had been imprisoned, beaten, and stoned—received thirty-nine lashes five times, was beaten with rods three times. He had been shipwrecked three times and spent a day and a night adrift at sea. He had often been hungry, thirsty, and cold. Yet Paul considered his massive troubles a weightless trifle because he was comparing them with eternal Glory. I am training you to view your problems this way too—from an eternal perspective.

I don’t waste anything in your life, including your suffering. I use it to teach you important lessons here and now. But there is more. Your troubles are also accomplishing something in heavenly realms. They are achieving eternal Glory—contributing to the reward you will receive in heaven.

However, for that to happen, you need to handle well the adversity in your life, trusting Me no matter what. When troubles are weighing you down, try to view them as momentary, weightless trifles that are producing endless Glory!¹

Jesus understands

For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin.—Hebrews 4:15

I was in all points tempted and tested just as you are. When I walked the earth, people had to endure a lot more than you do today. There were no aspirins and painkillers; there were no antibiotics or sunscreen lotions. There were no heaters when it was cold at night.

There were no refrigerators to keep food from spoiling. There was no purified water or many other conveniences. There were no anti­septics or running water. Everything took much longer. We lived as the poor do in many countries around the world today, surviving the heat in the summer and the cold in the winter the best we could with what we had available to us.

As I traveled to spread My Father’s mess­age, the accommodations were often very simple or even nonexistent. My disciples and I often camped in fields or slept in simple huts and barns. It was said that the foxes had their holes and the birds of the air their nests, but the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head (Matthew 8:20). I was very grateful for My cloak, which I wrapped around Myself to stay warm.

I understand what it’s like to be sick—the hardships and the suffering. I empathize with you and care about your pain and suffering.

Having suffered on the cross, I understand what it’s like to endure physical affliction. In some of the last words I spoke to My disciples, I asked them to remember Me through the communion ceremony, with the wine representing My blood and the bread representing My body that was broken for you (Luke 22:19–20).

Whenever you’re sick, come to Me, and know that I will always understand. Trust in Me for healing and ask Me to work through this time of affliction to produce an eternal weight of glory in your life.

You can also use this time to pray for others, for their physical and spiritual healing, so that they can come to know Me and know that I love and care for them. I’m concerned about your family, friends, and loved ones, and I want to be their Savior. I understand their suffering, pain, and sicknesses. I went through the same things, and I want to bring them eternal healing and hope.

Come unto Me, all who are weary and afflicted, and carrying heavy burdens. Take My yoke upon you and you will find lasting rest for your soul (Matthew 11:28–29).

Originally published March 2001. Adapted and republished April 2024. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ Sarah Young, Jesus Today (Thomas Nelson, 2012).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Getting Outdoors for Exercise

David Brandt Berg

1979-07-01

Some people actually develop asthma, tuberculosis, and other lung diseases because of their overdevotion to their daily work and their failure to take proper daily exercise in the sunshine and fresh air. These people often hover over a desk all day—and cramp their lungs, not breathing well, and as a result develop all sorts of illnesses and diseases.

They would probably protest they are too tired and haven’t got enough energy to get outdoors for a daily walk. But that’s why they are tired. It will probably be hard for them at first because they are not used to it, but I can almost guarantee that exercise is the cure—exercise in the fresh air and sunshine. It’s been proven time and time again.

A lot of times we are very tired and don’t feel like going, but we know we have to. Whether we want to or not, we go out and walk, rain or shine. Doctors say if you even get 15 minutes of vigorous exercise every day, it will probably keep you in fair health.

There have been quite a few well-known tuberculars in history—I think Robert Louis Stevenson was one—some of whom went to the mountains or the lakes or the woods or the South Sea Islands to die, after they were given up by the doctors as hopeless cases. I remember seeing a famous movie about a young English nobleman given up to die as a tubercular. Since he had always wanted to see the world and especially Canada, he decided that would be a good place to die, camping and fishing in the woods and the lakes and streams of Canada; in other words, on a permanent vacation to die.

Instead of that, he fully recovered and became of robust health from all that fresh air and exercise and sunshine and camping and fishing! That’s what he needed: to get away from the tension and worry and strain of business and all its complications and indoor confinement. He went to Canada intending to die, and instead got to enjoying the rigorous exercise of camping and fishing and hunting and hiking so much that it brought him back to health. Camping can be wonderfully healthful.

You have got to set aside a certain time every day to get outdoors, an hour or two of fresh air and vigorous exercise, and sunshine if possible. You’ve just got to do it, that’s all, whether you like it or not, whether you think you have time for it or not, and no matter how much work you’ve got. There’s another thing that’s important to your health: water and liquids really keep your circulation going, washing out the poisons, purifying your system, and keeping you in good shape.

Nearly all types of pulmonary diseases, lung troubles, asthma, tuberculosis, and others, are aggravated, if not caused, by inactivity, lack of exercise, lack of fresh air, lack of sunshine, and being cooped up inside a house all day because you think you can’t do it and then can’t get out of it. Then you’re too sick and too weak; no, you can’t take an hour’s walk, an hour’s exercise, because you haven’t got the strength.

Of course, you will never have the strength if you don’t go out and do it. I have nearly killed myself walking up and down our nearby hill sometimes, but I knew I had to do it to keep up my strength and my heart. After you have done it for a certain period of time, then it becomes easier because you’ve built up your strength and your muscles, and your whole body feels better. You’re made to move.

Your body was built for activity; it wasn’t built just to sit or lie around all day. It was built for vigorous activity, and some of the people who live the longest are those in a little mountain valley somewhere out in Asia or Russia, who live to be over a hundred. They live regular lives, operate by regular schedules, eat normal, healthy, natural food, and work hard all day. Most of them, clear up to and over 100, still work hard all day long at their usual jobs, plowing fields, sowing and reaping, or making things, working hard all day long, with regular vigorous physical exercise—maybe not too strenuous—fresh air, sunshine, good wholesome natural food, regularity and freedom from tension and excitement. They live about the same every day and there’s not much excitement or tension.

Not getting outdoors every day for some vigorous exercise in the fresh air and sunshine, or rain shine or whatever, is abusing your body. Even when it’s cloudy, you still get the benefit of the sun’s rays through the clouds. Plants in Ireland grow beautifully; the Emerald Isle, it’s called, green as it can be, and the cattle grow like mad because they are out in the nice fresh air, exercising and getting the kind of food they need and getting lots of fresh air, even if they never get any sunshine.

You just can’t abuse your body and not get any exercise or any fresh air or any vigorous regular activity every day, to exercise your muscles and heart and circulate your blood and flush out your lungs and your bloodstream and keep all your bodily functions in repair. If you abuse your body and don’t care for it properly every day, you’re soon going to feel it; you’re going to suffer for it.

The recipe is the same as it always was: good rest, good exercise, good food, and good living. If you violate these rules, then you’re likely to have bad health and bad living and quick dying.

It’s like Paderewski, the world’s most famous pianist, said about his playing: that if he missed practice one day, he knew it. If he missed practicing the piano two days, his friends knew it. If he missed three day’s practice, the whole world knew it.

You have to realize that you are not your own; you’re bought with a price (1 Corinthians 6:19–20), and you can’t do as you please. You just can’t sit around doing the work you love to do all day long and all night and all week long, and never get out and take care of your body and get any exercise or fresh air.

Whether you like it or not, whether it pleases you or not, you don’t belong to yourselves. You belong to the Lord, to God’s work, and you’ve got to get outdoors and exercise. If you are going to preserve your health and your bodies and your lives, you’ve got to get an hour or two of good, strong physical exercise every day in the fresh air, whether it’s sunshine or rain shine!

Nobody ever really feels like it after a long day’s sedentary drudgery over a typewriter or a desk or a printing press or in a photo lab. You’re tired and you don’t necessarily feel like getting out and getting some vigorous exercise on top of it all, but that’s what you need. That’s what it takes to keep you in health.

When I first went to New York, it nearly knocked me out for a while. I hadn’t been used to doing so much walking. Those New Yorkers really get a lot of exercise and do a lot of walking. They may not get much fresh air, but at least it’s air. It’s better than no air at all.

There comes a time of day that you have just got to drop everything and knock off. You don’t have to have direct sunlight to stay healthy; too much direct sunlight isn’t even good for you. Lots of plants grow healthy and strong just as long as they get daylight. There’s something about the daylight that does it. It doesn’t have to be direct sunlight, as long as it is light.

People hovering over a desk working by electric light, 50 to 60 cycles going off and on that many times a second, they don’t notice the effect on their eyes. But it does affect them, and you are not really getting nice clear daylight that is good for your eyes and good for your skin and good for your soul, working in that kind of light. No matter how good the electric light is, it is not daylight. You’re far better off working with a window and daylight if you can and not with just an electric light, because daylight was made and designed by God for your eyes and it is good for them. Electric light is a substitute which we often have to work by when it’s not daylight.

If you can’t get sunshine, at least you can get daylight, which does something for you. If you can possibly walk where there are woods or trees or grass—plants that God made to give off oxygen in the daytime—you’ll get nice pure fresh air that’s full of oxygen. Of course, if you live in the heart of a stinking city, you don’t have much chance, but even the New Yorkers survive by all that running around they do.

They say bad air is better than no air at all; bad breath is better than no breath at all. Good breath is a whole lot better, and if you get outdoors and get some fresh air and daylight and exercise, you’ll be a lot healthier and stay healthy. But you’ve got to do it every day, every day, every day, and live regularly, and have good diet, good exercise, good hard work, good rest, good elimination, lots of liquids and water, keep the juices flowing, and keep going for God.

Copyright © July 1979 by The Family International

Living by Faith

April 2, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 11:01

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If we were to construct a top ten list of the most misunderstood words in the Christian vocabulary, I would nominate the word “faith” for the number one spot. It is a word which introduces us to a key factor in Christian living, designed to bring freedom, liberty, and power into our experience. Yet, like no other word, it has brought frustration, discouragement, and even a sense of condemnation to people.

It is by faith that truth becomes experience, and without it truth remains elusive, impractical, and theoretical. The writer of the book of Hebrews, comparing Israel in the Old Testament to his readers, states, “For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard it did not combine it with faith” (Hebrews 4:2). Two groups of people heard the same truth. To the one, it was of immense value, but to the other, it was of no value at all. The reason? One group combined what they knew with faith, and the other did not. It was the combination of truth with faith that made the truth work and become effective in their lives.

One thing we cannot escape as we read the Bible is that faith is an indispensable part of the Christian experience. The Scripture tells us that we are cleansed by faith, that we are saved by faith, that we are justified by faith, and that we have access to God by faith. However, having been saved by faith, we also discover that we are to live by faith, to walk by faith, and in so doing we discover we are to fight the good fight of faith, to take the shield of faith, and to overcome the world by faith.

We then discover that without faith, it is impossible to please Him, and that whatever is not of faith is sin. Furthermore, if we have difficulty living the Christian life, in all probability our difficulty will be related to our exercise of faith or our lack of it. …

In the Christian life, the object of our faith is the Lord Jesus Christ. The exercise of faith is an attitude of trust toward Him, which enables Him to be what He is and to do what He does within our own experience. When Scripture states that we are “saved by faith,” it means that we recognize our utter inability to save ourselves, and in dependence upon Christ we say something like, “Lord Jesus, I cannot save myself, but You can save me. I trust You to do so.” The result of our faith in Him is that God is able to work for us, in us, and through us. …

The Christian life is not something we live for God, but something God lives in us. From start to finish, it is a life of faith in God’s ability to work.—Charles Price¹

A living faith

With His Word for the foundation of our faith, God has given us the power to live by faith to fulfill His purpose for our lives and to be a living testament of His love to the world. We are privileged to know His love, to be loved by Him personally, and to be empowered by His Spirit. He has entrusted us with the task and calling of reaching the world with His love and truth. He has provided the blueprint for living a godly life in His Word.

Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the importance of God’s Word to the walk of faith is paramount. Jesus, quoting the Scripture, said that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God” (Matthew 4:4).

His Word provides a foundation for our faith, as well as guidance, instruction, counsel, encourage­ment, motivation, enlightenment, education, and power. His Word provides the strength to do His will and it helps us to continue growing spiritually. May we each continue to ground our faith in His Word, so that our lives will continue to be filled with His Spirit. Our faith is built on reverence for the Word, cultivating a personal relationship with the Lord, and obedience to the Lord and His Word.

As we seek to give our lives, hearts, and minds to the Lord, we can trust Him to guide us every day in our walk with Him. We can be confident that He will continue to perform the good work He began in our lives until its completion (Philippians 1:6). The Lord has promised that His Word will be a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path, leading us along His path that shines ever brighter unto the perfect day (Psalm 119:105; Proverbs 4:18).—Maria Fontaine

A life of trust

Whenever someone believes the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–5), that person is identified with Christ in the past (being positionally declared righteous), present (growing into righteousness), and future (being presented as perfectly righteous). Both the past and present aspects are seen in Galatians 2:20: “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.” …

The idea that we live by faith focuses on the present aspect of the Christian’s identity in Christ. In Galatians 2:20, Paul utilizes the phrase “in the body,” pointing specifically to the physical life of the Christian, as lived “now.” Living by faith is an act that takes place while the Christian is alive on the earth. This idea of presently being “in Christ” is critical to living by faith. …

To live by faith is to live trusting Jesus, who loved us to the point of dying in our place (John 3:16), purchasing our salvation. This trust should be a constant throughout the life of the believer.—GotQuestions.org²

The just will live by faith

It’s a bold statement, the sort of thing the apostles of old might have emblazoned on a T-shirt had that been an option 2,000 years ago: the just shall live by faith. … The original verse comes from Habakkuk 2:4, which is an Old Testament prophetic book written by the prophet Habakkuk to the people of Judah around 600 BC. …

In addition to “just,” other Bible translations use phrases like “the righteous,” “those who are good,” “those who are right with God,” “the person of integrity,” or “the person who is godly.” These are people who walk with the Lord, who are not perfect, but who strive to follow His ways and don’t stray from His teachings or commands.

Even when things are dark and gloomy and all hope seems lost, these just and righteous ones put their trust in God and hold fast to their faith. They know that God’s glory will prevail no matter what. They know God is the Almighty, the one and only true and perfect God, and they don’t bow to idols or false gods.

The phrase “live by faith” means the manner in which one lives—a conscious choice to follow God and not the ways of the surrounding culture, whether that’s worshipping false gods or other evil actions. But it also means that the just and righteous will live because of this. That is, because they choose to trust God and live in alignment with Him, they will be saved.

Paul quoted Habakkuk 2:4 a few times in his epistles to the early church. In Romans, Paul writes, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile. For in the gospel the righteousness of God is revealed—a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: ‘The righteous will live by faith’” (Romans 1:16–17). …

The point the Lord made back in days of old was the same point made in Jesus: the righteous and just are to walk by faith and to trust that all will be well in the Lord. When life is hard and suffering is heavy, it can be extremely difficult to live by faith. But trusting in our sovereign God is exactly what we must do.—Jessica Brodie³

Published on Anchor April 2024. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ Charles Price, Christ for Real: How to Grow into God’s Likeness (Marshalls, 1985).

² https://www.gotquestions.org/live-by-faith.html

³ https://www.christianity.com/wiki/christian-life/what-does-it-mean-that-the-just-shall-live-by-faith.html

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Jesus’ Request—Reversing the Downward Spiral

April 1, 2024

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 11:03

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A woman posed a question to me not too long ago. She is a very faithful, dedicated disciple, a missionary with a sincere heart for the lost, which has been manifested in numerous successful missionary projects.

She was facing a dilemma: In one place where she spends a part of her time, people in general are so hungry for the truth that they seem to draw out the Lord’s Spirit from her. However, in the other place where she spends part of her time, the people have grown resistant to the gospel or almost anything that has to do with God.

This hardness she was seeing was more than just a governmental resistance; it seemed to permeate most of their society and culture. She wanted to try to break through the walls that people seemed to have, but was also concerned that if she pushed too strongly, it might harden their hearts even more. She wondered if it would be better to wait until people’s hearts were hungry for more before trying to feed their spirits.

The Bible says, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). So, are there times when we really should wait for the Lord to work in someone’s life if they don’t show any outward hunger for the truth? Will continuing to try to break through those barriers only harden people more? Or is there always a need to be a witness? The Lord always wants us to preach the gospel, but are there perhaps different ways to “preach”?

As I was praying about these questions, the Lord gave me some thoughts to reflect on. He said:

Your response of acting in love toward those I place in your path who seem hardened can have a powerful impact. The truth in what you say, backed up by your example of genuine, sacrificial, caring love, creates contrast between your words and actions and their hardened hearts—a contrast that both they and others can see.

Being a witness of who I am by living the truth in all that you do can sometimes reach a person’s heart in ways that words can’t. The contrast of your example next to theirs can sometimes create in them a desire to change when no words alone could get past their minds and reach their heart.

It’s important to remember that acting in love, patience, and mercy is not pacifism or being wishy-washy or avoiding the truth they need out of fear of their response. It is going on the offensive in the Spirit with loving actions that back up your words. It’s demonstrating, by example, something of great worth.

When in response to their hardness you show them patience, compassion, and concern, the light of My love stands in stark contrast to the emptiness of their own lives. My love through you shines the light. Those whose hearts are searching for the light will recognize it, even if it takes a while for them to respond.

(Maria:) In many cases, it’s hard to see past the fronts of people when they appear to be hard, cold, or unreceptive. And let’s face it, we’ve all been guilty of putting up fronts or walls of one kind or another. Why do we do that? Why do we shut ourselves behind walls?

It often can be humbling to show compassion to those who seem to reject our efforts. To do so can take overcoming our own prejudices and asking the Lord to help us to understand what it must be like to walk in the shoes of someone else. It takes time and effort to consider that how they appear is probably not the full picture of who they are inside.

Most of us have lived much of our lives immersed in God’s love, mercy, forgiveness, and the knowledge that He is going to cause the things we experience to work together for good for us.

Imagine how much more difficult it would be for someone to face the troubles of life without having experienced Jesus’ unconditional love or without having experienced the joy of forgiveness. Imagine what it must be like to be ignorant of the existence of a God who sacrificed His only Son because He cares so much for you. Imagine having to make it through life without His supernatural love to help you find comfort and solutions when you feel overwhelmed with fear or pain or some unbearable suffering.

Some people have no hope for relief from what they suffer, so they try to protect themselves the best they can. Sadly, therefore, they often harden their hearts to everything, maybe hoping that will somehow lessen the sorrow and pain that surrounds them.

Many times, their fear of suffering is so strong that they might even react aggressively toward others. It’s as if they’re sitting in total darkness; they can’t see what might be coming at them. Spiritually, it’s as though they are curled up in a ball, trying to protect themselves from whatever might come to hurt them.

They may even strike out at whatever comes near, out of fear. Their first reaction may be to push you away. But if your “sermon” is in the form of patient, loving actions, repeated as often as needed, they may gradually begin to realize that something about you is different.

There may be times when witnessing to those who seem hard won’t be easy or even seem fair. You’re just trying to help them, but they may react with rejection for a time. They’ve grown suspicious of everything, and it will take time for them to learn to hope again. It’s worth it to continue, though, if in the end they are set free to live in God’s light!

It takes perseverance and faith to love those who are so difficult to reach. It takes God’s love to see them as Jesus sees them, because He knows their heart and innermost suffering, which we often cannot see. His plan is to bring the light of His truth to everyone so that they can eventually have the privilege of making a fully informed choice whether to receive the truth.

If we remain silent in the face of the hardness that we might encounter, we have no chance of helping people to turn that downward spiral around. We need to be a voice for the truth and an example of God’s love. We can’t fix their problems for them, but by bringing them an example of hope, we can help break that downward spiral. And eventually, Jesus can bring the upward, heaven-bound spiral into their lives.

By acknowledging that the Lord alone knows each heart and that He will guide us as we look to Him, we can find the seeds of compassion that we need. When blended with faith, those seeds can stir us to go to great lengths to reflect the love of God wherever He shows us to do so. As we trust Him and do what we can, He will do what we can’t.

Jesus asks us to face the resistance of others with patience, longsuffering, kindness, caring, and genuine love. He asks us to respond to others’ hardness with His love that penetrates the darkness.

Someone has to begin the upward spiral by countering the negative with God’s Spirit. It takes faith and trust in the One—Jesus—who first set the precedent Himself of giving to the maximum when He laid down His life for all mankind.

Along these lines, Jesus said:

It is My request that you follow in My footsteps to the best of your ability. No matter how hard someone’s front may seem to you, I know their heart, and I am working to offer them My love through you.

I know what has brought them to the state they are in. I want them to be set free, which is why I put them in your path. Even when they seem to reject the truth, what you offer them will always have an impact. (See Isaiah 55:11.)

How far will My love go to reach the lost? In spite of what the Roman soldiers had inflicted on Me during My crucifixion, with My last breaths, I called on the Father and asked Him to forgive them. Even after having committed such an unthinkable wrong against the Son of God, there was still a path to the Father for those men. I was still determined to provide a way to bring them to Myself.

My love is the same yesterday, today, and forever. It stirs your heart, causing you to want to obliterate the darkness as you love the people that I place in your path who are lost in that darkness. Refraining from offering others the truth, because there is a chance that it would be rejected, would deny them the opportunity for My light to permeate their darkness.

Wherever there is darkness, the light of My Spirit can penetrate and shine to reach out and rescue those who are trapped. (See Matthew 4:16.) Will you be My messenger?

Originally published March 2021. Adapted and republished April 2024. Read by Debra Lee.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Who Was Mary Magdalene?

A compilation

2018-03-06

When Jesus first met Mary Magdalene, she was afflicted with seven demons. Jesus cast them out of her, and she went on to become one of the most prominent female disciples of the early church. Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name as having stayed by Jesus through His crucifixion, while most of His other disciples fled.¹ She helped to bury Him and went to the tomb the following Sunday, finding the stone rolled away and angels declaring that He had risen.² She was also the first recorded person to see Jesus after His resurrection.³ In addition, Jesus and His disciples likely needed places to stay at times, as well as food to eat, and Mary Magdalene supported their mission by providing these things.⁴—R. A. Watterson

Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?

When novelists and screenwriters try to insert something salacious into the life of Jesus, they focus on one woman: Mary from Magdala. Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute?

Only in the Gospel according to Luke is there even the slightest implication that she might have had a past life that could raise eyebrows and the question: Was Mary Magdalene a prostitute? Luke 8 names her among other female followers and financial supporters and says that she had been released from the power of seven demons.

Theologians in later centuries consciously tried to downplay her role as an influential follower of Jesus. She became identified with the “sinful woman” in Luke 7 whom Jesus forgives as she anoints his feet, as well as the woman “taken in adultery” whom Jesus saved from stoning. In the sixth century Pope Gregory preached of her being a model penitent.

Only the Western church has said that Mary Magdalene was a prostitute. The Eastern church has always honored her as an apostle, noting her as the “apostle to the apostles,” based on the account of the Gospel of John which has Jesus calling her by name and telling her to give the news of his resurrection to the other disciples.—From biblicalarchaeology.org⁵

From saint to sinner

Yet, the New Testament says no such thing. Rather, in three of the four canonical Gospels, Mary Magdalene is mentioned by name only in connection with the death and resurrection of Jesus. She is a witness to his crucifixion⁶ and burial.⁷ She is one of the first (the first, according to John) to arrive at the empty tomb.⁸ And she is one of the first (again, the first, according to John) to witness the risen Christ.⁹

Only the Gospel of Luke names Mary Magdalene in connection with Jesus’ daily life and public ministry. There, Mary is listed as someone who followed Jesus as he went from village to village, bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. “And the twelve were with him, and also some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Joanna, the wife of Chuza, Herod’s steward, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their means.”¹⁰—Birger A. Pearson

Primary witness to the resurrection

It all comes down to the Resurrection. Twenty centuries of Christianity—and the faith of billions—rest on this singular event. And who is the primary witness to this momentous miracle, the first person to whom Jesus revealed himself? It would seem that fact would be such an essential element of the faith that all Christians should be able to respond without even thinking—as they do to similar questions, like “Who is Jesus’ mother?” or “Which apostle betrayed Jesus?”

But the first witness to the Resurrection—as all four gospel writers agree—was a woman whose name and reputation have become so misunderstood, misinterpreted, and misconstrued over the centuries that she is more commonly, though erroneously, remembered as a prostitute than as the faithful first bearer of the Good News.

That woman is Mary of Magdala and, finally, her centuries-old case of mistaken identity is being rectified.

Now that scripture scholars have debunked the myth that she and the infamous repentant sinner who wiped Jesus’ feet with her tears are one and the same woman, word is trickling down that Mary Magdalene’s penitent prostitute label was a misnomer. Instead, her true biblical portrait is being resurrected, and this “apostle to the apostles” is finally taking her rightful place in history as a beloved disciple of Jesus and a prominent early church leader….

She is mentioned 12 times in the New Testament—making her the second most-mentioned woman, after the Virgin Mary. Most references are found in the Crucifixion and empty tomb narratives, where she is portrayed as a loyal disciple at the foot of the cross and as one of the first witnesses to the Resurrection.

Unlike other women in the Bible, Mary of Magdala is not identified in relation to another person; she is not anyone’s mother, wife, or sister. Instead, she is called Mary of Magdala, a title that implies some prominence in the city, a center of commercial fishing on the northwest bank of the Sea of Galilee. She left her home to follow Jesus, and it is believed she was among several well-off, independent women who financially supported Jesus’ ministry.

These female followers of Jesus—disciples, really—became central when everything started to fall apart. While others fled, the women were faithful, and they were led by Mary of Magdala.

Details differ in the four gospel accounts of the Resurrection as to the number of heavenly visitors at the tomb, which women accompany Mary Magdalene to anoint the body, and whether or not the women are believed when they run to tell the news of Christ’s Resurrection. But on this all four gospels agree: Mary Magdalene was faithful until the end, and her faithfulness was rewarded with an appearance by the risen Lord.—Heidi Schlumpf ¹¹

Published on Anchor March 2018. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

¹ Matthew 27:56; Mark 15:40; John 19:25.

² Matthew 28:1–10; Mark 16:1–11.

³ John 20:11–18.

⁴ Luke 8:1–3.

⁵ http://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/people-cultures-in-the-bible/people-in-the-bible/was-mary-magdalene-wife-of-jesus-was-mary-magdalene-a-prostitute.

⁶ Matthew 27:55–56; Mark 15:40–41; John 19:25.

⁷ Matthew 27:61; Mark 15:47.

⁸ Matthew 28:1–8; Mark 16:1–8; Luke 24:1–12; John 20:1–10.

⁹ Matthew 28:9; John 20:14–18.

¹⁰ Luke 8:1–3.

¹¹ http://www.uscatholic.org/articles/200806/who-framed-mary-magdalene-27585.

Why the Scars?

Reflections 259

2004-04-03

One detail in the Easter story has always intrigued me: Why did Jesus keep the scars from His crucifixion? Presumably He could have had any resurrected body He wanted, and yet He chose one identifiable mainly by scars that could be seen and touched. Why?

I believe the story of Easter would be incomplete without those scars on the hands, the feet, and the side of Jesus. When human beings fantasize, we dream of straight pearly teeth, wrinkle-free skin, and attractive ideal shapes. We dream of an unnatural state: the perfect body. But for Jesus, being confined in a skeleton and human skin was the unnatural state. The scars are, to Him, an emblem of life on our planet, a permanent reminder of those days of confinement and suffering.

I take hope in Jesus’ scars. From the perspective of Heaven, they represent the most horrible event that has ever happened in the history of the universe. Despite that event, though, Easter turned into a joyful memory.

Because of Easter, I can hope that the tears we shed, the blows we receive, the emotional pain, the heartache over lost friends and loved ones, all these will become memories instead of hurts, like Jesus’ scars.

Scars never completely go away, but neither do they hurt any longer. We will have re-created bodies, a re-created Heaven and Earth. We will have a new start, an Easter start.

Easter, the celebration of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, is the event that separates the Christian faith from all other religion and gives to it its power.—Phillip Yancey, “The Jesus I Never Knew”

Put yourself in the disciples’ place…

Jesus’ disciples had seen Him suffer and die. They were confused and heartbroken. What about His promises of eternal life? What about His work—healing the sick, comforting the brokenhearted, loving the loveless? How could they go on if their Master was dead?

But imagine their joy when they found that, just as He had promised, after three days He had risen from the grave. He was alive, and soon He was walking with them, preparing food for them, talking with them, urging them to share His message of love. He had not failed them, and He does not fail us today.—Chloe West

Jesus has left the cross!

Let’s not only remember Jesus’ death on the cross. Let’s not always be seeing a Christ on the cross and the sense of suffering and death and fear that image sometimes generates. We don’t have a Jesus on the cross; He’s left the cross! We have an empty cross. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55 KJV). We don’t have a Christ in the grave. We have a live Jesus living in our hearts.

He rose in victory, joy, liberty, and freedom, never to die again, so that He could redeem us as well and prevent our having to go through the agony of death of spirit. What a day of rejoicing that must have been when He rose and realized it was all over. He had won the victory; the world was saved!—David Brandt Berg

R259—April 2004
Topics: Easter, hope, new life, Jesus, joy.
David Brandt Berg (1919-1994) was founder of The Family International.
Chloe West is a full-time volunteer with The Family International.
Reflections © 2004 The Family International.
Visit our website at www.thefamilyinternational.org.

The Empty Tomb

March 29, 2024

By Tim Keller

All four of the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) tell us that the women followers of Jesus on Easter Sunday morning found the tomb empty and heard a message from the angel.

Of those four accounts, Mark’s is the shortest. In two wonderful verses, we have the entirety of the life-changing message of the resurrection, of Easter.

There are three aspects to this message: (1) there is a word of challenge to change your mind, (2) there is a word of grace to change your heart, and (3) there is a word of mission to change the whole course and shape of your life in the world.

Run time for the audio sermon is 31 minutes.

https://podcast.gospelinlife.com/e/the-empty-tomb

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Celebrating Communion

March 28, 2024

Treasures

Audio length: 11:14

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The Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way also he took the cup, after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me.” For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes.—1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Communion is a simple illustration of the Lord’s last supper with His disciples. It is the only religious ceremony that Jesus Himself instituted and commanded His followers to continue to observe until He comes again. It is meant to be a ceremony of remembrance and thanksgiving, and a witness.

Communion is a remembrance of Jesus and His death for us—the sacrifice of His life for our salvation, the breaking of His body for us. It is a thanksgiving celebration of His gift of eternal salvation. It is a witness and testimony to others that Jesus died for us, to proclaim His death until He comes. It is also a time for believers to come together in unity, showing that we believe as one. It is a time to renew fellowship, confess sins, make things right, thank Jesus for His salvation, and witness to His goodness.

Each year at Easter, hundreds of millions of professing Christians around the globe—be they Catholic, Protestant, or nondenominational—celebrate the last day of Christ’s life on earth before His death, as well as the Last Supper that He celebrated with His disciples at the Passover. The Feast of the Passover was a celebration in which the Jews commemorated their deliverance from slavery and exodus out of Egypt with joy and thanksgiving.

This particular Passover would be sad for the disciples, who were sharing the Lord’s Last Supper. Jesus Himself had found them a place to have their Passover meal by a miracle (Luke 22:9–13). Then they celebrated what has come to be known as Communion or Eucharist.

After they partook of their Passover meal, the Lord told His disciples about His coming suffering and death, and solemnly led them in a ceremony, one of the few that He commended His followers to observe to commemorate His death. “As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of Me.” Paul said that in so doing, “You proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Corinthians 11:25–26).

The Gospel of Luke tells us: “And he took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to them, saying, ‘This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me’” (Luke 22:19). Jesus was illustrating for His disciples what He was about to do. That night His body was going to be broken, pierced, lacerated, abused, His blood shed, and finally His life given. His body was going to be broken for you and me.

He suffered pain and agony of the physical body by His death on the cross, and the shedding of His blood for our salvation and our healing. God’s Word says, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed” (1 Peter 2:24).

“Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you. For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins’” (Matthew 26:27–28). If you have received Jesus as your Lord and Savior, you have already partaken of His blood for salvation, which the wine symbolizes. As you partake of the wine, you are testifying of having received the blood of Christ for your spiritual salvation. As you partake of the bread, you are testifying that you are receiving the body of Christ which was broken for you.

“As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of Me.” Communion is a manifestation of your love for Him and appreciation of the sacrifice He made for your redemption. Jesus didn’t say how often we should celebrate Communion, but to do so in remembrance of Him and as a witness for Him.

Partaking of the Communion wine does not save you, because you have already received His salvation by faith. But this ceremony should encourage and affirm your faith, and it is your witness that you have received the blood of Christ for your atonement, His sacrifice for your sins.

What can wash away my sins?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
What can make me whole again?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.

O, precious is the flow
That makes me white as snow;
No other fount I know,
Nothing but the blood of Jesus.
—Robert Lowry, 1876

We should never forget the resurrection when speaking of Jesus’ death. If it hadn’t been for His resurrection, His life and death would have meant nothing. “If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins. If in Christ we have hope in this life only, we are of all people most to be pitied” (1 Corinthians 15:17–19). But thank God He is risen!

Let’s not just remember the death of the cross or just picture a Christ on the cross, the suffering and the death. Jesus is no longer on the cross. We don’t have a Christ in the grave—He is risen! “O death, where is your sting? O grave, where is your victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55).

We don’t have a dead Christ hanging on a crucifix; we have a live Jesus living in our hearts!

Up from the grave He arose,
With a mighty triumph o’er His foes,
He arose a victor o’er the dark domain,
And He lives forever with His saints to reign.
He arose! He arose! Hallelujah! Christ arose!
—Robert Lowry, 1874

The passage in 1 Corinthians on Communion goes on to provide a sober warning: “Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty concerning the body and blood of the Lord” (1 Corinthians 11:27). What does it mean to partake of Communion in an unworthy manner? If it was meant in the sense of undeserving, nobody could ever be worthy or deserving of the death of Christ. You can’t earn it or work for it and deserve it by your own merit, your own goodness, or your own righteousness. You can’t deserve His death, His body, or His blood shed for you.

None of us are worthy of salvation, but there is one thing we are required to do, and that is accept Jesus’ sacrifice, and proclaim Him our Lord and Savior. “For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). The only way to be worthy of partaking of Communion is through having experienced salvation yourself.

Jesus has done all the rest. He did the suffering, dying, and the shedding of blood. Now we are called to proclaim His death until He comes. What is the duty of every Christian? To witness to others, to be a testimony of their faith. And you are only able to do this through His worthiness, His salvation.

“Let a person examine himself, then, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup” (1 Corinthians 11:28). We can know we are taking Communion worthily through Christ’s worth because we know we are saved and have spiritually drunk of the blood of Jesus and eaten of the body of Christ in salvation.

Paul again warns, however, that “anyone who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment on himself” (1 Corinthians 11:29). If the unsaved partake of the holy Eucharist without being saved, they are drinking judgment to themselves. The celebration of Communion is reserved for those who have received salvation in Jesus.

Jesus, thank You for Your sacrifice, Your blood shed for the remission of our sins, the new testament in Your blood that we commemorate every time we partake of Communion. We do this in remembrance of You—of Your suffering, Your love, that You died for us in our place, that You took upon Yourself the punishment for our sins, and that You rose from the dead.

We now attest and witness our faith in You and Your death for us and Your sacrifice of Your blood for our salvation to wash away our sins. Thank You for Your precious gift of salvation, eternal life, and that we can partake of everlasting communion with You.

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished March 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Easter: Why We Celebrate the New Covenant

March 27, 2024

By Andrew Heart

We celebrate Christmas and the birth of Christ, and so we should. But if our Lord had only lived here with us on the earth, but had not died for our sins as the sacrificial “Lamb of God” and risen from the grave, He would not have defeated death (Romans 6:10; 2 Timothy 1:10), and we would not be redeemed. Jesus introduced His new covenant “in His blood” to His disciples during the Last Supper. But what did that mean? His Jewish disciples would have been well acquainted with the covenant God made with Moses on Mount Sinai. But what was this new covenant all about?

Simply put, a “covenant” is a contract or an agreement. Under the “old” agreement, the Mosaic covenant, Israel was called to obey God and keep the Law, and in return, God would protect and bless them. The “new” agreement was between God and all mankind, with Jesus as the mediator (1 Timothy 2:5; Hebrews 7:22).

Whereas under the old covenant the shedding of blood of a sacrificial animal was repeatedly required for the atonement of sin (Hebrews 10:1–4), the new covenant was written with the blood of Jesus, who was “the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). His blood was shed “once, for all” on the cross, as He “died to sin,” and “we know that Christ, being raised from the dead, will never die again; death no longer has dominion over him” (Romans 6:9–10).

If the “new covenant” is genuinely new, that must of necessity make the “old covenant” old. And if it is old, is it then still valid and in enforcement? Can the old and the new coexist? Or with the introduction of the new, is the old then set to “vanish away,” as Paul explains in Hebrews 8:13?

We know that “All scripture is given by inspiration of God” (2 Timothy 3:16), and that of course includes the Old Testament. But the Old Testament must be interpreted in light of the New Testament, not the other way around.

The book of Hebrews is extremely important to this understanding and was written to explain to the Jews, who up until that point had only known the Law, that a new and better covenant had now come (Jeremiah 31:31–34; Hebrews 8:6–8). The entire book of Hebrews is about Jesus and how He is the guarantor of the new and better covenant. This is essential for every Christian to understand. Paul explains that many of the forms and rituals of the Old Testament were types and shadows of the better things to come (Colossians 2:16–17; Hebrews 8:5, 10:1).

When Jesus presented Himself to His disciples after His death, the disciples asked Him if He would now restore the kingdom to Israel (Acts 1:6). The Greek word for “restore again” in Strong’s Bible Dictionary is “apokathistemi”—to reconstitute, restore. Up until that time, the disciples could not envision any other sort of kingdom than a physical kingdom restored to Israel.

He answered their first question by telling them it was not for them to know about times and seasons, but that they would receive power by the Holy Spirit to be witnesses, first locally, and then to the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:7–8). He then answered their second question regarding a restored physical kingdom by rising up into the heavens to sit on the right hand of the Father (Acts 1:9). And it was from that vantage point, sitting on that throne, that He would rule, not on an earthly throne in a physical temple on earth. Christ’s ascension confirmed the new covenant.

When Jesus was comparing “new wine” to “old” in Luke 5:36–39, He said, “No one after drinking old wine desires new, for he says, ‘The old is good.’” In this parable the Lord was explaining how the old guard (the scribes, Pharisees, and Jewish religious leaders) longed to cling to the “old way” (or covenant) rather than receive the “new wine” that He was pouring out. That’s why the new wine had to be poured into new bottles that could receive it (Matthew 9:16–17). This was shown clearly in how the Jewish religious leaders responded to the man in John 9 who had been born blind but had been healed by Jesus: “They reviled him, saying, ‘You are his disciple, but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God has spoken to Moses, but as for this man, we do not know where he comes from” (John 9:28–29).

In conclusion, the new covenant was initiated at the Last Supper and confirmed through Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension into glory. The reason Paul spent so much time focusing on it was because it represented a monumental change for his Jewish audience, and it was difficult to understand—much less accept.

The study of Scripture is important to understand why we celebrate Easter and the ushering in of the new covenant. The disciples in Berea received the word with eagerness and searched the Scriptures daily to see if what Paul and Silas were teaching was the truth (Acts 17:10–11).

With so many voices and so much deception in the world today, it’s more important than ever to be anchored in the truth of God’s Word, and not tossed about by every “wind of doctrine” (Ephesians 4:14). “Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (Ephesians 3:20–21).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Incomparable Love

March 26, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 13:18

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God’s love is unchangeable; He knows exactly what we are and loves us anyway. In fact, He created us because He wanted other creatures in His image upon whom He could pour out His love and who would love Him in return. He also wanted that love to be voluntary, not forced, so He gave us freedom of choice, the ability to say yes or no in our relationship to Him. God does not want mechanized love, the kind that says we must love God because it’s what our parents demand or our church preaches. Only voluntary love satisfies the heart of God. …

God is a God of love, and He is not blind to man’s plight. He doesn’t stand on a mountaintop, viewing the wrecks in our lives, without shouting a warning. Since man caused his own crash by his rebellion against the Creator, God could have allowed him to plunge into destruction.

From the very beginning of man’s journey, God had a plan for man’s deliverance. In fact, the plan is so fantastic that it ultimately lifts each man who will accept His plan far above even the angels. God’s all-consuming love for mankind was decisively demonstrated at the cross, where His compassion was embodied in His Son, Jesus Christ. The word compassion comes from two Latin words meaning “to suffer with.”

God was willing to suffer with man. In His thirty-three years on earth, Jesus suffered with man; on the cross He suffered for man. “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:19). An important verse to memorize is “God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).

God’s love did not begin at the cross. It began in eternity before the world was established, before the time clock of civilization began to move. The concept stretches our minds to their utmost limits.

Can you imagine what God was planning when the earth was “without form and void”? There was only a deep, silent darkness of outer space that formed a vast gulf before the brilliance of God’s throne. God was designing the mountains and the seas, the flowers and the animals. He was planning the bodies of His children and all their complex parts. How could creation be by chance?

Even before the first dawn, He knew all that would happen. In His mysterious love He allowed it. The Bible tells us about the “Lamb that was slain from the creation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). God foresaw what His Son was to suffer. It has been said there was a cross in the heart of God long before the cross was erected at Calvary. As we think about it, we will be overwhelmed at the wonder and greatness of His love for us.—Billy Graham¹

Incomparable love and incomparable death

Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.—Romans 5:7–8

To what can you compare the death of Jesus Christ? Paul’s words leave us completely tongue-tied to answer; we are speechless! Christ’s death is beyond compare because it is based on God’s love beyond compare. Already in human terms and experience, Christ’s death was unlike any other death. Verse 7 says, “Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die.” What does Paul mean by this? …

The apostle constructs a hypothetical situation, a scenario for the sake of discussion. There is a righteous man. … He is honest in his business practices. He is respectful toward others. He is a model citizen. It would be rare, Paul says, for someone to die for him. It might happen, but only because of the character of the righteous man. At least he might be worth dying for. But only a few would offer to die for such a person.

Paul goes on to say that perhaps for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. This good man is different from the righteous man. Righteous men are a dime a dozen; you find them all over. They are both unbelievers and believers. They do what they are obligated to do. But there is something different about the good man. He goes over and above what the laws of the land require. He gives more than just respect to his fellow man, he does what he can to promote the character and honour of his fellow man! … Someone might be willing, because of their love for this man, to give their life for him. But even that takes great courage.

Paul’s point? You’ll be hard-pressed to find this kind of self-sacrificing love among people. It is extremely difficult and very rare for anyone to reach within himself and produce this kind of love for someone else. No one easily gives up his life.

For us, we may not consider ourselves as either good or righteous. We were so far off the mark; we had forsaken fellowship with our God. … Yet this is where the love of Christ becomes manifest: While we were still sinners, Christ gave himself up for us. He died to set us free. What amazing love!

Christ came into this world to bring not the righteous, but sinners to repentance. He came not to seek the good, he came for the lost. Christ died for the powerless and ungodly. Our only hope for salvation is in the love of God, shown in the incomparable death of Jesus Christ. … What a death! What a love! What a God and Saviour!—Ryan Kampen²

Blessed above all people

Sometimes our struggles can seem so difficult, so monumental. In fact, sometimes they are difficult and monumental. Life is certainly not easy for any of us! But the thing to remember is that when compared with the heartbreaks, devastating loneliness, frustration, hopelessness, and lack of love and purpose that many people who do not know the Lord face, without the promise of an eternity with God, our problems seem less significant.

As God’s children, we’re blessed with the constant companionship of His Spirit, and fellowship with our friends and loved ones who share our faith. We have confidence in the Lord’s unconditional love, and we know that even though we make a lot of mistakes, His forgiveness is readily available to us if we will just come to Him and ask for it.

Many of us haven’t yet learned to not succumb to guilt, remorse, and condemnation despite our knowledge of the Lord’s unconditional love and forgiveness, but we’re learning, and we know by faith that we don’t have to be weighed down by regrets, bitterness, guilt, and condemnation. We have God’s Word to claim, that “there is therefore 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).

So if you’re weary with the trials and tribulations of life on earth, remind yourself that compared to the lost people of the world who don’t know the Lord, and sometimes don’t even have anything to eat or a place to live—as His children, we are blessed! Jesus died to save us so that we could help Him to save others.

As His disciples, we are called to go out into the sea of humankind, seeking those who are lost, sinking, and drowning, to offer them life, hope, and truth. We have the vastness of God’s riches to share with a lost and dying world—His love, His Word, and our knowledge of the wonderful future He has promised for all His children. We are called to share what we have received with the dying and desperate of this world who have lost hope of any comfort or who lack the knowledge of God who loves them or the heaven that awaits them. They desperately need God’s love and truth, these who die a thousand deaths before their physical body is laid to rest in the grave. Won’t you do everything possible to share with them the lasting joy and peace of mind and eternal life that you have in Jesus?

What if you had no purpose in life, no hope for the future, no one to go to when you were fearful, no one to comfort you when you were sad, no one to help you when you were confused, no way to get rid of your burdens of condemnation, no way to deal with the death of loved ones, no way of knowing where they had gone or if you would ever see them again, no way of dealing with loss or injury or illness or catastrophe, no one to help you when you are lonely?

If someone helped each of us to know Jesus and His salvation, how can we fail to do the same for others? If Jesus loved you so much that He died for you, He also loved them so much that He died for them. Someone made it possible for each of us to know Jesus, and it’s now our responsibility to pass the message on! The Lord wants us to have great concern for others, realizing that they live in turmoil and confusion and lack of love, and we have the truth and answers in Him and His Word that they need.

The Lord promises great returns if we’ll give unto others. “Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ” (Colossians 3:24). What a marvelous cycle! As we give His love and truth to others, the Lord promises to give to us in turn—His strength, faith, and joy. As a result, others will see us and they’ll know we’ve been with Jesus, and they’ll want to know Him too.—Maria Fontaine

Published on Anchor March 2024. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by John Listen.

¹ Billy Graham, Hope for the Troubled Heart: Finding God in the Midst of Pain (National Geographic Books, Aug 1, 1993).

² https://www.christianstudylibrary.org/article/romans-57-8-incomparable-love-and-incomparable-death

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Christ Before Pilate

March 25, 2024

By John Lincoln Brandt

Audio length: 11:35

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“Pilate said to them, ‘What then shall I do with Jesus, who is called Christ?’” (Matthew 27:22.) This is the question that Governor Pilate asked the high priests about King Jesus. Have you studied the celebrated painting, “Christ Before Pilate,” by Munkacsy? The artist has given a vivid conception of the scene. It occurs in the open court before the palace.

At one end, sitting on a raised bench, dressed in the customary white Roman toga, is the Governor, his smoothly shaven face, closely cut hair, and stout form all characteristic of the Roman commander. He looks out from under his heavy brow, casting furtive glances as if to notice every movement that will enable him to render a decision that will make him most popular.

At his right, with his back against the wall, is a scribe with countenance expressive of contempt. In front are some Pharisees, to urge the death of Jesus, looking as if to say, “I thank God that I am not as this man is.” Caiaphas is there, with his priestly robes, ready to accuse Christ.

Standing around is a brutal mob, ready to cry out, “Away with him, and crucify him!” A stalwart Roman soldier stands with his back to the spectator, barricading the people with a spear which he holds horizontally. Another fellow is gesticulating wildly and crying out, as if he was expressing the sentiment of the multitude, to condemn and crucify Christ.

To the right, standing against a pillar, is the face of a gentle woman, with an infant in her arms, as if to represent the daughters of Jerusalem who followed Jesus to Calvary, or to represent the gentleness of woman in the coming Kingdom of heaven.

But all the figures seem to pale before the eyes for the look at Christ, who stands in the foreground, with a seamless white robe, with wrists firmly bound, with the composure of one who is able at any time to summon to his aid twelve legions of angels, with submissive yet manly courage, with countenance full of serenity, peace and love, as if to say, “Father, forgive them: they know not what they do”; with a majestic silence and kingly serenity that reveals the might and power of the Savior of men, who is able to decide the fate of nations, change the course of history, to lift himself above the scorn and bitterness of his enemies.

Pilate, on the judgment seat, with inward hatred of the priests who have accused Christ, but yet with a desire not to offend them, is greatly perplexed and disturbed over the kind of verdict to render and sentence to pronounce upon the head of the celebrated prisoner. After repeated efforts to release him, he asks the most important question that has ever been asked by man: “What shall I do with Jesus which is called Christ?”

It was the preeminent question for both Pilate and the Jews, and it has been the preeminent question during the centuries that have passed away since the famous trial, and it is preeminently the question of the present age. All the great questions of our times—social, political, and theological—lead to this question and find their solution in the answer to the inquiry, “What shall I do with Jesus?” …

There are great questions for every nation and every individual, but the Governor’s question is the greatest question for nations and individuals to decide. It is the question that is commanding more thought, moving more pens, exciting more interest than all the other great questions in the world.

This Christ stands as the preeminent figure in history, in art, in literature, in religion. It is the preeminent question because it involves the pardon of sins, and the preparation for eternal life.

It is an imperative question. Something must be done with Christ. There is no neutral ground. Pilate endeavored to occupy a neutral position. He tried to take no part one way or the other. He tried to assume a position neither against the accused nor the accusers. He tried at the same time to satisfy his conscience and his honor. He tried to satisfy both the priests and the Christ, but did he occupy neutral ground? Jesus was at the bar of Governor Pilate; later on, Pilate stood at the bar of King Jesus. …

[T]here is no neutral ground. It is imperative that the body be fed or it will die, and it is just as imperative that the soul feed upon Christ, or it will meet with eternal death. The taxes must be paid or the property be sold to pay them. The price of redemption must be paid in the Gospel of Jesus as the Savior, or it will cost the loss of the soul.

Today with Christ; eternity with Christ. Today without Christ; eternity without Christ.

Jesus Christ is here. He knocks at the door and asks to be admitted. He claims to be the Savior of man, and asks us to accept him. He claims to be our king, and asks the right to rule over us, and each one of us must answer the question, “What shall I do with him?”

It is a troublesome question. It gave so much trouble to the High Priests that they assembled in their highest tribunal to discuss it and to receive suggestions as to how to dispose of Jesus. It troubled the Roman Governor. He tried hard to dodge the issue, and to evade answering the question. Said Pilate: “Take him, and judge him according to your law” (John 18:31). But Pilate must give them a hearing and give the accused a hearing, and pass judgment.

Hear him say, “I find in him no fault at all” (John 18:38). The sentence displeased them, and they were the more fierce, saying, “He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee to this place” (Luke 23:5–7). When Pilate learned he was a Galilean, he sent him to Herod, the ruler of Galilee, who was then in Jerusalem. Herod was unable to decide the troublesome question, so he returned him to Pilate. Pilate is the more troubled, and seeks another excuse. “You have a custom that I release one prisoner to you at the Passover. Whom will you that I release: Barabbas, the robber, or Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:15–17).

His heart was the more troubled on receiving a letter from his wife, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just man, for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him” (Matthew 27:19). And the multitude, being persuaded by the chief priests and leaders, asked for the release of Barabbas. Pilate, more deeply troubled, unwilling to decide the question, submits it to their decision by saying, “What shall I do then with Jesus, which is called Christ?” They at once demanded his crucifixion.

The Governor, seeing he could prevail nothing, washed his hands in the presence of the multitude, declaring he was innocent of the blood of the just man, thinking by such an act he would be neither guilty of shedding the blood of Jesus nor having part in it, as if the outward washing of the hands could clear the inner guilt of cooperating in such a dark deed of injustice and dishonor.

Severe must have been Pilate’s condemnation because he went against his better feelings, willing the death of him whom he knew to be innocent. It is a more troublesome question for us today than it was for Pilate. We have to answer in full view of what Jesus was and did. We have to answer in the light of the centuries that have been beaming down from the divine face. We have to answer in the light of the accumulated history and experience that testify in favor of Christ. This troublesome question may stir up a frenzied mob of passions, impulses and sins that clamor to give him up for some other idol, and yet the question remains, “What shall I do then with Jesus?”

Look for a moment at Jesus, who claims such important consideration. Examine his credentials. The prophets bore him testimony. God gave them power to behold in the distance the coming of Jesus, the Christ, to be the Savior of the world, to bind up the brokenhearted and to proclaim liberty to the captives. Angels bore testimony to Christ. They announced he should be great and should be called the Son of the Highest; that he should be born in the City of David, and be called the Savior, and Christ the Lord.

God bore him testimony when he spoke from the heavens at the baptism of Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). John the Baptist bore him testimony, “Behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world” (John 1:29). Peter gave his testimony in the great confession, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). Paul gave his testimony when he declared that he was willing to count all things but loss for the sake of winning Christ (Philippians 3:7–8).

He claims to be the Son of God and the Light of the world. He claims to be the one of whom the prophets spoke, that would be wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, and upon whom the chastisement of our peace would be laid. He claims to be the one Mediator between God and man, and the Judge of the quick and the dead. Possessing such important credentials and making such important claims adds weight to the question and behooves us to give immediate and serious consideration to its answer.

“What shall I do then with Jesus” is the question we drive home today. I appeal to you, listen to the words of Jesus: “He that cometh unto me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). “Whoever will confess me before men, him will I confess before my Father and the holy angels” (Matthew 10:32). He comes in all his love and compassion to have pardon and pity. He comes with all his promises and hope to inspire and love you. If you will listen to his voice, you will accept him as your Savior.

John Lincoln Brandt (1860–1946) was the father of Virginia Brandt Berg. Excerpted from Soul Saving Revival Sermons. Published on Anchor March 2024. Read by Jerry Paladino.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Why Heaven?

David Brandt Berg

1983-06-01

I think I could say with David Livingstone that we’ve never really made a sacrifice. The Lord has always more than repaid anything we’ve given to Him. He said, “Whatsoever thou spendest, I will repay when I come again” (Luke 10:35). He’s repaid me a lot already right here just in knowing you and your salvation and life and labor for the Lord. That’s a big payoff in itself; that’s almost reward enough without anything else.

We have all this already and heaven too! I often feel like the old lady who, when they were trying to tell her there wasn’t any heaven, said, “Well, at least I’ve had a mighty good time getting this far!” And we’ve sure had a good time getting this far, haven’t we? We’ve got a lot farther to go and more to do yet, here and there, so it’s only the beginning, as they used to say at the circus, at the “greatest show on earth,” as they used to advertise them. We really are characters in the greatest show on earth, and it is only the beginning! When we die and go to be with the Lord, we’re just getting started.

So why do I want to talk about heaven? There are quite a few of my loved ones already there, and I expect to be there not very long from now!  Besides, we’re going to spend eternity there.

You’ve been laying up a lot of treasures in heaven, rewards that you haven’t yet received here that you’ll receive over there. And frankly, the more I think about heaven, the more thrilled I am and the more excited I get about what the Lord has stored up for us there, “more than eye hath seen or ear heard, or hath even entered into the heart of man,” except that the Holy Spirit has showed it to us, thank the Lord (1 Corinthians 2:9–10).

I’m excited about heaven like I used to be as a little boy about Christmas, aren’t you? Didn’t you get awful excited when December rolled around? From the very first of the month you began thinking about Christmas and Christmas presents and doing a little Christmas shopping yourself. I remember my mother used to give me $5 to go out and buy Christmas presents for about 25 people, which meant I could only spend about 20 to 25 cents on each one—including her and my dad and brother and sister and all of our helpers which lived with us in our home.

The more I’ve been reading about heaven and thinking about heaven, the more excited I get about how wonderful and beautiful it is and what a thrilling place it’s going to be and already is for those who are there. Don’t be sorry for those who die in the Lord. “They shall see His face,” God’s Word tells us in Revelation 22, verse 4.

Heaven is something to get excited about and thrilled about and look forward to, like Christmas, only it’ll be the greatest Christmas you ever had! It’ll be the greatest family reunion you’ve ever known, with all your loved ones and relatives and children and parents and ancestors and descendants and ascendants in one place at the same time, rejoicing and praising the Lord together in one great grand heavenly fellowship meeting. All together at last!

I think that’s something to get excited about and thrilled about and look forward to. I love to think about heaven. It doesn’t scare me. I don’t fear death, because sudden death for us is sudden glory, and we go straight to be with the Lord, or very shortly.

So don’t feel sorry for us who go on, or for those who’ve already gone. I know we do feel a little sorry for ourselves sometimes because we have lost them from this life and we miss their fellowship and love. But surely you wouldn’t feel so sorry for yourself that you’d want them to have to come back to this old world and all of its troubles and sorrows and hardships and hard work just to please you and cheer you up a bit.

I know in those “life after life” experiences recounted by Dr. Raymond Moody in his book, most of the people were sorry to have to leave heaven. Those who came back to this earth dreaded leaving or were hesitant to leave. They were sorry to leave, but felt that they had some unfinished business or work to do that they had to come back for, and they would prefer to return to do a better job for the Lord and their loved ones. So it’s the kind of place you’d like to go to, and the kind of place you’d be very sorry to have to leave. And of course most people who get there never do leave and never will. Only a few have been allowed to come back to do a better job here and be better witnesses for the Lord, more loving and kind, faithful and helpful to their loved ones and others.

So why talk about heaven? I think it’s a wonderful place to talk about. It’s sure a heaven of a lot more inspiring than talking about earth and all its problems. Thank God for the heaven we have in our hearts with the love of Jesus, His Spirit, and the heaven we have in our love and service for Him. It’s a little bit of heaven right here and right now.

As the old song goes:

Heaven is here, is here right now.
Heaven is here, and I’ll tell you how:
Jesus to know is heaven below,
Heaven is here, is here and now.
—Author unknown

Those of us who know and love the Lord and have His Spirit, and have heaven in our hearts, we have heaven on earth already. We can have a little bit of heaven already—heavenly hearts, heavenly homes, heavenly loved ones, heavenly work to do for the Lord, bringing the heaven of His love to others. But this is only a small sample of what’s coming. God’s Word tells us that this is just the earnest of our salvation (Ephesians 1:14). This is just a little sample, just a little bit of heaven here to have His love and His Spirit and each other and His wonderful work. So if this is a sample, think of what the whole thing is going to be like!

Since they say that anticipation is 50 percent of enjoyment, you can enjoy half of heaven right now. We’re halfway to heaven here in spirit, and we can get half of the enjoyment ahead of time just thinking about it, praising the Lord for it, thanking the Lord for it, reading about it, dreaming about it, looking forward to it, and anticipating it. After all, that’s where we’re going to spend eternity, so it’s a pretty important place. It’s our eternal home, the place Jesus has gone to prepare for us forever.

I like to talk about heaven to inspire you and encourage you and thrill you with the knowledge of our heavenly home, as something very marvelous and wonderful and exciting to look forward to, to give you all the more determination to get there, and all the more determination to get as many other people there as you possibly can.

That is going to be one of the greatest thrills you’re going to have in heaven, to see all those souls that you preached the Gospel to and led to the Lord, all the folks that got there because of your witness.—All those friends and loved ones and people that you witnessed to, many of whom you didn’t even know got saved until after you had sowed the seed. That’s going to be one of the greatest thrills of getting to heaven: seeing all the folks that we helped get there, receiving all their smiles and thanks, and thrilling to their rejoicing that they made it too! That’s going to be one of the greatest blessings in heaven besides being with the Lord and being with all our loved ones—being with those whom we were responsible for getting there, by preaching them the Gospel so they could be saved and be members of His kingdom.

Heaven is a great place to be and a great place to look forward to. I hope you get thrilled and excited and look forward to it, as it will help you bear some of these burdens and trials that you’re going through now when you realize these are only just for a moment. “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18).

When you think about that, it helps you bear some of the things you have to go through now. This is one reason Moses could do it, because he had “respect unto the recompense of the reward. He endured as seeing Him who is invisible” (Hebrews 11:26–27). He looked past all the troubles he had in Egypt, as if seeing the Lord and seeing His reward in the future. He could put up with the present by foreseeing the future. And all of those heroes who passed on there in God’s Hall of Fame in Hebrews 11, all of them counted themselves as pilgrims and strangers here because they were looking for a city whose builder and maker is God, which hath foundations, and a country that belongs to them. They were able to endure all kinds of tribulation on this earth and suffering and hard work and even torture and death because they looked forward to that City (Hebrews 11:10,13,14,16).

So it pays to think about heaven and talk about heaven to visualize what you have to look forward to.—Knowing that the suffering of this present time is nothing compared to the glories that we are going to share in the near future.

Copyright © June 1983 by The Family International

The Case  Heaven

Mach 22, 2024

By Lee Strobel

This video is devoted to the hope of heaven, including a presentation by Lee Strobel with the Southeast Christian Church where he shares about the research and stories he collected for his book, The Case for Heaven.

Run time for this video is 1 hour and 28 minutes. The video starts with an interview with Lee Strobel that lasts for 15 minutes, which is followed by a worship session which runs until 34 minutes. This is followed by the introduction of Lee Strobel and his presentation. The sermon starts at the 45:05 minute mark.

https://www.youtube.com/live/dAGW9C_n2ak?si=0S3LkClltiyEn9N5

 

Love Your Enemies

March 21, 2024

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 11:14

Download Audio (10.2MB)

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus not only taught that members of the kingdom of God should not retaliate and resist when wronged by others, but He taught that we are to love our enemies:

You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.

For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same? You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect (Matthew 5:43–48).

Jesus paraphrased Leviticus 19:18, you shall love your neighbor, and then added the phrase and hate your enemy, which most likely summarized the way many in His day interpreted Scripture. There is no Scripture which specifically says to hate your enemy, though it can be inferred by Old Testament verses such as “Do I not hate those who hate you, O LORD? And do I not loathe those who rise up against you? I hate them with complete hatred; I count them my enemies” (Psalm 139:21–22).

There are Old Testament passages that speak of showing kindness and goodwill toward one’s enemies: “If your enemy is hungry, give him bread to eat, and if he is thirsty, give him water to drink” (Proverbs 25:21). “Do not rejoice when your enemy falls, and let not your heart be glad when he stumbles” (Proverbs 24:17).

Author D. A. Carson commented: “Some Jews took the word ‘neighbor’ to be exclusive: we are to love only our neighbor, they thought, and therefore we are to hate our enemies. This was actually taught in some circles.”¹

The key lies in the matter of defining who is a neighbor. The word “neighbor” in the Old Testament is used generally as a term for a member of the Jewish people. All throughout the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy, the word “neighbor” generally refers to fellow Jews. The full sentence Jesus paraphrased said: “You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against the sons of your own people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself” (Leviticus 19:18).

The general Jewish thinking at the time left “non-neighbors,” basically non-Jews, outside the command to love. However, Jesus greatly expanded the understanding of who is a neighbor to include strangers and even enemies. This is made clear both in this portion of the Sermon on the Mount as well as in the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:29–37).

John Stott explains that according to Jesus, our neighbor is “not necessarily a member of our own race, rank or religion. … Our ‘neighbor’ in the vocabulary of God includes our enemy. What constitutes him our neighbor is simply that he is a fellow human being in need, whose need we know and are in a position in some measure to relieve.”²

We are to love even our enemies, to do good to those who hate us, bless those who curse us, pray for those who abuse us (Luke 6:27–28). Why? Because we are God’s children, and this is how God treats people.

Speaking of humanity in general, the apostle Paul made the point that corporately, through Adam’s sin (and individually through our own sins), humanity rejected God and thus were considered His enemy, yet Scripture tells us that “while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son” (Romans 5:10). From the very beginning, God loved humanity; even though humanity was in rebellion against Him due to our sins, He loved us. As His children we should do as He does, by loving our enemies.

We’re told to pray for those who persecute and abuse us. We are to pray for them as Jesus prayed after being severely beaten and nailed to the cross: “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34). We are children of our Father, and therefore should imitate His love. He doesn’t discriminate. He gives the blessings of sunshine and rain not only to the just, but also to the unjust. God is inclusive when it comes to His love, and as disciples, our attitudes toward others should reflect His.

Earlier in the Sermon Jesus taught His followers to go the extra mile, to refrain from slapping back in retaliation, to give not just our tunic but our cloak when someone sues us; and here He goes a step further, saying we are to love these people, to love even our enemies, to be positive in our attitude toward them. The love He speaks of isn’t referring to a natural affection or feelings of love, but rather the type of love which stems from the will and chooses to love the undeserving. It’s a love that is shown in action, compassion, and kindness.

Jesus next puts forth two hypothetical cases: “For if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same? And if you greet only your brothers, what more are you doing than others? Do not even the Gentiles do the same?” (Matthew 5:46–47).

Loving those who love you is nothing special. Even those who were considered the lowest of the low in Jesus’ milieu, the hated tax collectors, loved their family and friends. Jesus makes the point that there is no reward for doing what is naturally commonplace. He then pointed out that if you greet only those of your own people (in this case, fellow Jews), you are only doing what everyone does, including the Gentiles—the people who were looked down upon and considered idolaters. There is nothing exceptional about warmly greeting your own people. The implication is that more is expected of believers.

Earlier on in the Sermon, Jesus said: “For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). As members of the kingdom, we are to do more than what is naturally done, to go beyond the norm. We are to imitate God by manifesting His love to everyone, including those who hate us and persecute us.

Jesus then ended with: “You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). The meaning of “perfect” as used here isn’t moral perfection. John Stott explains:

Both the hunger for righteousness and the prayer for forgiveness, being continuous, are clear indications that Jesus did not expect his followers to become morally perfect in this life. The context shows the ‘perfection’ he means relates to love, that perfect love of God which is shown even to those who do not return it. Indeed, the scholars tell us that the Aramaic word which Jesus may well have used meant ‘all-embracing.’³

The direction to “be perfect as your heavenly Father is perfect” picks up on the earlier point of imitating God. A believer’s lifestyle, along with the principles behind it, is meant to be different from the norm. It derives its direction and inspiration from the character of God rather than from the social norms of society. Jesus teaches that we are to look beyond simple obedience to the rules and restrictions of the Law to reflect God’s character as best we can. It echoes the repeated direction given in the Old Testament: “You shall be holy, for I the LORD your God am holy” (Leviticus 19:2).

Like the Father, our treatment of others shouldn’t be determined by who they are or their treatment of us. God loves all people and bestows His love on them even if they don’t believe in Him—even if they hate Him. He doesn’t respond in kind. Instead, He loves them because He is love. We too are called to move beyond reacting to others based on our personal feelings about them or how they treat us or what they say. Instead we are to be governed by God’s love, to love as He does. When we do, we reflect His love toward them.

It is clear throughout Scripture that in the life to come, those who have been evil and have rejected the gift of a personal relationship with God made possible through the sacrifice of His Son will face judgment (John 3:36; John 5:28–29). God hates their evil (and ours as well), but He loves them as individuals. Thus, while we should love the individuals as God loves them, it doesn’t mean we accept or embrace what they do and who they become, or that we never speak against or take a stance against their wrongdoing or ungodly actions.

Paul says to “hate what is evil, cling to what is good” (Romans 12:9), and there is such a thing as righteous anger against evil. But such anger is hatred for the evil deeds; it’s hating what God hates. It’s not a personal hatred; it has no personal malice, vindictiveness, or spite.

God loves every human being, even though they sin against Him. He offers them the means of salvation from His wrath against their sin. When we are called to love our enemies, it’s a call to love them as God loves them, to desire good for them, to pray that they will come to know Him so they can spend eternity with Him.

Jesus’ call to love our enemies is His call for us to live as members of His kingdom by letting our light shine before others, doing our best to reflect the nature and character of God, our Father in heaven.

Originally published May 2016. Adapted and republished March 2024. Read by Jon Marc.

¹ D. A. Carson, Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount and His Confrontation with the World (Grand Rapids: Baker Books, 1987), 55–56.

² John R. W. Stott, The Message of the Sermon on the Mount (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 1978), 118.

³ Stott, Message of the Sermon on the Mount, 122.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Easter Icebergs

March 20, 2024

By Curtis Peter van Gorder

My brother sent me some astounding photos of icebergs that were floating near his home off the coast of Newfoundland, Canada, which is on Iceberg Alley. Every spring a procession of between 400 and 800 icebergs begins to drift slowly southward.

As it will soon be Easter, I began to think of how Christ’s life, passion, and resurrection relate to icebergs. During His brief earthly life, Jesus likened Himself to many things: the bread of life, the door to salvation, living water, and the light of the world. Perhaps, if He were talking to Newfoundlanders, He would say: “I am the iceberg of life.” How so?

One outstanding thing about icebergs is that only about 10% of the total iceberg is seen above water.

We only know a bit about the many things Jesus did from the gospel. John said that “were every one of them to be written, I suppose that the world itself could not contain the books that would be written” (John 21:25). We also just see glimpses now of the glories of our eternal heavenly home, which He is preparing for us—we see it in a bright flower, the smile on a young child, a stunning sunset, or even an iceberg—we see things imperfectly (1 Corinthians 13:12). Yet, from what we do know about Jesus, and what we have experienced, it is enough to tell us what the other 90% is like. “He is the exact living image [the essential manifestation] of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible], the firstborn [the preeminent one, the sovereign, and the originator] of all creation” (Colossians 1:15).

Icebergs can be as large as the island of Sicily or only a few meters in size. They come in many colors, striations, and sculpted shapes.

Jesus came for the poor and the rich, the high and the lowly. He came for the tax collectors, for the drunks and harlots, for the learned Nicodemus, and for the unlearned and ignorant fishermen of Galilee. His message of redemption was for “every creature” in “all the world” (Mark 16:15). Thankfully, that includes you and me!

As the iceberg melts, it disperses fresh water that is rich in minerals from the algae that grows on its bottom and from the earth it scrapes away on its glacier base. These nutrients protect and sustain a whole ecosystem. At its base are a rich multitude of zooplankton and phytoplankton, which in turn are food for seals, whales, and a host of other animals. The fact that life thrives in such a hostile frozen environment is truly amazing!

In like manner, when we are nourished from Christ, we in turn can nourish others even in the midst of a cold and barren world.

An iceberg is trapped fresh frozen water that is thousands of years old. Likewise, the truth and prophecies of the Old Testament written many years before Christ were fulfilled in His birth, life, death, and resurrection.

Some might be sad that the iceberg eventually melts away into the sea. Likewise, a flower has to die to bring forth the seeds, and the outside of the seed dies to bring forth the life within, and so Christ gave all that He had that we might live forever.

I asked my brother if he had any insights after viewing these friendly floating giants. He responded: “I think the creative perspective I could offer is how silent they are. They just present themselves without asking anything, but then have a strong powerful pull or impression.”

Many ships have been sunk because they didn’t realize the danger of ignoring icebergs. Many souls have been lost because they didn’t heed the warnings of God’s Word and His messengers.

Soon after the Titanic hit an ignored iceberg and sank, an institute was set up to monitor the position of all icebergs to prevent ships from striking one. It reminds us that we ignore Christ at our own peril.

It may seem like icebergs are silent, but in reality, they make a lot of noise.

Sometimes, the Lord might seem like He’s not talking to us, but in reality, His Spirit is ever with us and leading and guiding us with those still small whispers, and sometimes in explosive power.

When an iceberg scrapes against the ocean floor or another iceberg, it starts vibrating—sometimes for a long time. One oceanologist described it: “It’s an eerie ringing, soul-chilling sound that could have come from the soundtrack of an alien encounter. It’s a kind of a sad mournful sound that’s very distinct, and it’s very easy to tell, okay, this is an iceberg.”

The sound an iceberg makes in Antarctica can be picked up in the Northern Hemisphere. It is far-reaching, and so is God’s Easter message for us wherever we may be around the globe.

Air that has been trapped inside an iceberg can escape and make a popping sound as well, or an iceberg calving from its glacier can roll over and explode with the force of an atom bomb, creating tidal waves and seismic shocks felt on the other side of the earth.

In like manner, Christ’s resurrection from death on the cross caused an explosion in His day that reverberates to this day as we celebrate Easter.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Don’t Worry, Be Happy!

March 19, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 14:21

Download Audio (13.1MB)

There are some things I’m good at: I can clean, organize, delegate, and plan like a boss. I can cook well enough to get paid to do it, and I can write pretty well. But I have one skill that I haven’t yet figured out how to market, and when I do, I’m fairly certain it will make me rich. I can worry with such skill and creativity that I’m convinced it’s gotta be worth something!

Do you know anyone who is interested in adding a professional “worrier” to their team? I can imagine all the possible worst-case scenarios and outcomes for companies and individuals. I can worry about things that are actual possibilities, and also about things that are so far-fetched they haven’t even made movies about them yet. I would love to put this skill to work, because at the moment it’s really more of a liability—something that robs me of peace and tranquility and wastes a lot of my time and energy.

God’s Word says, “Do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself” (Matthew 6:34). Another passage says, “Do not be anxious for anything” (Philippians 4:6). These instructions really conflict with my worrying. So how can I comfortably worry about things when the Bible tells me so clearly not to worry?

If I’m really honest, there are times—lots of times—when my worrying steals all the joy out of my life. I have cried over tragedies that never happened. I have raged over difficulties that never materialized. I have stressed over problems that never came to pass. I’m sure I will be able to say with Mark Twain, “I’m old and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened.”

I’m not sharing all this with you with the sole intention of convincing you that I’m nuts. I’m actually telling you this so that you can learn from my foolishness. Heck, I’m learning from my foolishness! Sometimes I feel foolish when, after a sleepless night spent crying, worrying, and stressing, I wake up in the morning to a tragedy-free life!

The good news is that I’ve been through this cycle enough times that I’m starting to realize the futility and uselessness of it. I can’t say that I’ve come close to breaking the worry habit yet, but I’m starting to think that maybe I should … stop!

But the fact is that it’s really hard not to worry. Life is pretty messy and unpredictable. Wouldn’t you agree? With all of life’s looming woes, how can anyone not worry?

There’s this little poem I once read (actually I read it so many times that I have memorized it):

I have nothing to do with tomorrow,
My Savior will make that His care.
Should it [be filled] with trouble and sorrow,
He’ll help me to suffer and bear.

I have nothing to do with tomorrow
Its burden then why should I share?
Its grace and its strength I can’t borrow,
So why should I borrow its care?¹

Isn’t that great advice? My worrying, your worrying—does nothing for our futures. I’ve never worried my way out of a problem. The only thing my worrying has accomplished was to sap my strength for the present. I’m guessing that that’s all you’ve managed to do with your worrying as well.

I can’t tell you that I’ve harnessed any amazing meditation techniques that have eliminated my worrying. I don’t know that there’s any one thing that takes away the urge to worry and stress about things. But here are a couple of things that I picked up from Dale Carnegie² that are helping me:

Ask yourself what’s the worst that can happen and make peace with it.

Now that might seem a little scary to do, but it’s one of the best ways I’ve found to let go of worry. In the words of Dale, “Once you accept the worst that can happen, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s the beginning of freedom.” This technique has helped me greatly, as I can pray for grace and trust that God has never failed me, and He won’t fail me ever … not even if the “worst” were to happen!

Set about doing the things that actually can be done to improve the situation.

Sometimes there is something that I can do, like make a phone call, send an email, write down what I need to remember or take care of, and especially commit my cares to the Lord in prayer.

I worry the most at night. Sometimes getting up and doing something makes things easier than just lying there. (It’s easier to deal with worry during the day, as I keep pretty busy.)

When I apply these steps I am amazingly able to let go of my worries, or at least keep them at bay.

My worries are likely different from your worries. But regardless of the issues, worrying is just as much a waste of time for you as it is for me. It’s something I want out of my life, and something you probably want out of your life, too. Why should we worry and stress when we can actually trust the Lord and be happy?

No matter how bad or difficult things get, there is always something to be grateful for and something that makes life worth living. I firmly believe that is a truth that will never change.

If you can eliminate the habit of worrying, you will save so much time and energy. And that’s time and energy that you can use toward building your future or working on the things that really matter.

And I’ll end this with the words of a well-known song by Bobby McFerrin: Don’t worry; be happy.³—Mara Hodler⁴

*

Matthew 6:31–32 says, “So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them.”

A lot of our workaholism is rooted in worry. You have to put your security in something that can’t be taken from you. Trust that God knows your needs and can provide for you.

A Christian man, after struggling for years, finally said, “God, I’m going to give you my business. You’re the CEO now. You’re in charge of my career—the profits, payoffs, promotions. It’s your business now and you run it.”

The next day his business warehouse burned to the ground. He was seen standing outside the warehouse with a smile on his face. He said, “Last night I gave my business to God. If he wants to burn it down, it’s his business.”

He had a new perspective: “God will handle it! As quickly as he burned the thing down, he can raise it up again.” That’s called trust.

Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, 30: “Come to me, all of you who are tired from carrying heavy loads, and I will give you rest. … The yoke I will give you is easy, and the load I will put on you is light.”

Jesus came to give you a lifestyle that is easy and light. If you’re carrying a load that is heavy and overbearing, then it’s not from God.

Perhaps you have been in this lifestyle so long, you don’t know any other way. You’re dead tired, but you can’t seem to stop. God has a word for you: “Trust me. I’ll take care of you. Exchange your pressure [worry] for my peace.”—Rick Warren⁵

*

Worry is largely a matter of thinking about things at the wrong time. I have built into your brain the amazing capacity to observe your own thoughts. So it is possible to monitor your thoughts and make choices about them.

To avoid wasting mental and emotional energy, timing is very important. If you think about certain things at the wrong time—for example, when you’re lying in bed—it’s all too easy to start worrying about them. This is why it’s so helpful to monitor your thinking. Instead of waiting until you’re deep in worry, you can interrupt anxious, negative thoughts and change the subject.

I want you to discipline your mind to minimize worry and maximize worship. This will require much ongoing effort, but you will find that it is a path to freedom. When you realize you’re thinking about something at the wrong time—a worrisome, negative thought at a time when you can do nothing about it—take swift action. Tell yourself, “Not now!” and direct your mind elsewhere. The best direction for your thinking is toward Me. Draw near Me by expressing your trust in Me, your love for Me. This is worship.

Strive to live more fully in the present, refusing to worry about tomorrow. Striving involves devoting serious effort and energy to something; it usually includes struggle. You must exert continual effort if you want to live present-tense in My Presence. I urge you to make Me the major pursuit of your everyday life.

It’s essential to resist the temptation to worry. You live in a fallen world, full of sin and struggles—you will never run short of things that can provoke anxiety. However, remember that each day has enough trouble of its own. I carefully calibrate the amount of difficulty you will encounter on a given day. I know exactly how much you can handle with My help. And I am always near—ready to strengthen, encourage, and comfort you.

Pursuing a close walk with Me is the best way to live in the present. Keep bringing your thoughts back to Me whenever they wander. Return to Me joyfully, beloved. I will take great delight in you and rejoice over you with singing.—Jesus⁶

Published on Anchor March 2024. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ “Tomorrow,” by Major D. W. Whittle.

² https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Carnegie

³ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rjOKm28hUXk

⁴ Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

⁵ https://pastors.com/5-ways-to-relax-when-youre-overworked

⁶ Sarah Young, Jesus Today (Thomas Nelson, 2012).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Days of Preparation

March 18, 2024

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 9:01

Download Audio (8.2MB)

What a priceless privilege to have God’s Word, and the words of Jesus recorded in the Gospels, Jesus’ messages of love to us—you and me personally and everyone who has read them for the past 2,000 years! The treasures of God’s wisdom have been poured out in abundance. What love He has for His children in providing His Word and preparing us for these Last Days!

In His Word, He provides the secret for being prepared for His coming, through dedicating ourselves to Him and drawing close to Him, believing and receiving the Word and immersing ourselves in it, by sharing the good news of His truth and love, and bringing others into His kingdom, and by loving Him and others sacrificially.

The Lord calls us to redeem the time, or as one Bible version puts it, to make the most of every opportunity, “because the days are evil” (Ephesians 5:16). How we use our time shows what is in our hearts, and whether we’re placing first importance on what pleases the Lord over what pleases ourselves, and loving the Lord more than loving ourselves.

The Lord has promised that, through His Spirit, we will have the strength, wisdom, power, and wherewithal to do our part to fulfill our calling and to reach the people He has prepared in advance for us to meet. And as we do our part to accomplish the job of reaching the world and are faithful to do His will, we will experience His joy.

The only way that we can be fully used by the Lord is by operating by God’s power and within His will, doing what He is calling us to do. In order to discover His will, we need to be yielded to Him and willing to lay aside our personal desires to fulfill His will, as Jesus Himself did when He said, “Nevertheless, not My will but Your will be done” (Luke 22:42).

The Lord has given us freedom of choice as beings created in His image. We, as His children who have chosen to follow Him, also have choices we make every day to seek to please Him and to put His will above our own. The Lord has given us this freedom so that we will learn to seek Him, to commit our choices to Him in prayer, to learn through the choices we make, and to learn by our mistakes when we make wrong choices.

God’s Word and His voice speaking to our heart are such tremendous blessings and help in making decisions, giving comfort and encouragement in times of trouble, and providing direction when we need an answer, and so that we can in turn be an encouragement to others.

Our communication with God through His Word, prayer, and hearing from Him is a great treasure and gift. It’s so much greater than the Internet. Our communication with the Lord and His communication with us is far greater than any worldly means, and it has amazing power to guide us, to empower us to share the good news with the world, and to give His encouragement and love to others.

Let’s never take His Word for granted. Please see it for what it is—it’s God loving us so much that He’s speaking to us and revealing His truth and His plan for each of us personally and His plan for the world. It’s God loving us so much that He is speaking to us to counsel, teach, and guide us. Think of the millions of people in the world who go through life without understanding its meaning and purpose! But, as Christians, we are privileged to know God’s eternal plan for the world and the future.

We know the truth that can set people free. If people think the present is all that’s important, and they choose to live for the present and not worry about the future or worry about others, that’s their prerogative. But it is our responsibility to share the truth and the gospel with others and to let them know that there is much more to life than this immediate earth life.

Our time on earth, however long or short it may be, is our time of preparation for Jesus’ Second Coming and our eternal life with Him in heaven. How are we to prepare? We can prepare by:

1. Learning to hear His voice
2. Learning to follow His Spirit
3. Growing our faith through studying His Word
4. Learning to love one another
5. Being faithful to our calling
6. Being faithful to witness

In 1 Corinthians 13, Paul tells us that prophecy will cease and knowledge will pass away, but faith, hope, and love will remain. Many of the things that may seem important today will pass away, but “whatever God does, it shall be forever” (Ecclesiastes 3:14), and God’s work in and through us is a part of what will last forever. We can do our part to be useful vessels by drawing close to the Lord and laying aside any weights and the sins which so easily beset us, so we can run this race without them bogging us down (Hebrews 12:1).

We also need to be sober and vigilant and set aside the ways of the world (1 Peter 5:8). The Lord says His return to earth will come as a thief in the night for those who are not prepared (1 Thessalonians 5:2). Those who aren’t prepared for His coming are likened by Jesus to the five foolish virgins who got caught without any oil, and then they had to go find some, and when they got back, the doors were closed and it was too late for them to get in to the wedding. (See Matthew 25:1–13.) The Bible tells us that we, as His children, are not in darkness so that day would surprise us like a thief, but we are children of light and of the day (1 Thessalonians 5:4–5).

We can be prepared for whatever the Lord brings our way, and for the times He has foretold will come as the world grows darker and things “wax worse and worse” (2 Timothy 3:1–13). We prepare by following the Lord closely, living in His Word, walking by faith, and learning to be led by His Spirit. No matter how dark the world around us becomes, He has promised “I will be with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

Living for Jesus is a wonderful privilege! Not only does it “pay” here on earth in wonderful blessings, but it will richly pay above all that you can imagine in the next world. In heaven, those who have loved the Lord and served Him here on this earth, sharing His love and salvation with others, will shine like the stars forever and ever (Daniel 12:3)!

Lasting joy is found in following Jesus, dedicating yourself to Him, and seeing Him work and do miracles in your life and the lives of others who are saved and transformed! Of course, there are battles, heartaches, trials and suffering, too, but you have the Lord to turn to, and He gives the strength, power, love, and peace needed to bear every burden. He is an ever-present help in your times of trouble. He upholds you when you are cast down, and He carries your burdens for you.

He changes the darkness into light. He brings solutions to difficult problems and dilemmas. He makes the “impossible” possible. He puts light in our eyes, a smile on our lips, enthusiasm in our spirits, a spring in our steps, joy in our service, and challenge in our tasks. And even when difficulties abound, we know He’s near, holding us close, comforting and reassuring us.

We know Someone cares, Someone loves us. We never have to feel alone! No matter how bad things get, we still have Jesus! And what would life be without knowing that we can run to Him in our distress?

As God’s children, we are privileged, we are blessed, we are the richest of all people on the face of the earth! Of course we have problems, burdens, and heartaches, but we’ve got someone who walks with us and carries them for us. We’ve got someone who rewards us for enduring them! We’ve got a wonderful God who uses everything in our lives to draw us close to Him and help us grow in faith and find true joy and peace in Him. Everything that He does or allows in each of our lives is because He loves us.

God bless you with His perpetual joy and peace as you receive and drink of His Word and Spirit—as it thrills you and fills you and gives you the power and strength to live by faith and walk in His Spirit! And when He receives you into His heavenly kingdom, you will experience such joy and eternal glory that you will know that it has truly been worth it all!

Originally published November 1995. Adapted and republished March 2024. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Celebrating Easter—Why the Resurrection Makes All the Difference

Peter Amsterdam

2022-04-11

As we celebrate Easter, we are celebrating God’s way of bringing salvation to us. In His love for humanity, God made a way for us to enter into an eternal relationship with Him, and the means was through His Son coming into the world, living as a human being, and laying down His life for us. Jesus did just that. He came into this world out of love, lived as we live, and gave Himself over to be crucified. His death made it possible for us to truly know God and to live with Him forever.

Jesus was God’s Son. We know this because of the account of Him given in the Gospels, and through the rest of the Bible. He did and said numerous things which spoke to the fact that He was God’s Son. His resurrection from the dead, which we celebrate every Easter, was proof that He was all that He said He was—that He was the long-awaited Messiah, and that He was God the Son.

Jesus referred to Himself as the Son of Man over seventy times throughout the Gospels. While on occasion He stated that He was the Messiah, He generally didn’t refer to Himself as such. The title of Messiah carried with it preconceived ideas in the minds of the people of His day and expectations of a political nature. Continually claiming to be the Messiah would most likely have prematurely brought Him problems with the Jewish leaders as well as the Roman government. It would also have brought up the stereotypical ideas about the Messiah which were prominent in those days—someone who would throw off the shackles of the Roman oppressors and physically free the Jewish people.

By referring to Himself as the Son of Man, a non-messianic title from the book of Daniel that the Jews of Jesus’ day were familiar with,¹ Jesus was using a title which allowed Him to speak modestly about Himself and to include aspects of His mission such as His suffering and death, which weren’t considered part of the Messiah’s role. At the same time, in line with what is said in Daniel, it enabled Him to express His exalted role, while avoiding the messianic misconceptions of the time. In using the title Son of Man, Jesus could speak of His mission on earth—which included His suffering and death, His second coming, His role in judgment, and His glorious future—without using the politically charged title of Messiah.

Within the Gospels, Jesus was the only one who used the title Son of Man in reference to Himself. He used the title to claim the authority to do what only God could do, such as forgive sins. “But that you may know that the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—He then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.”²

He also referred to Himself this way when telling His disciples about His coming crucifixion and resurrection on the third day. He spoke about the Son of Man giving His life as a ransom, teaching that His death was a vicarious sacrifice, that He was laying down His life for the salvation of others. “As they were gathering in Galilee, Jesus said to them, ‘The Son of Man is about to be delivered into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and He will be raised on the third day.’ And they were greatly distressed.”³

Jesus foretold that as the Son of Man, He would lay down His life for us: “The Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.”⁴ And so He was crucified, died, and was buried—and then rose from the dead. Because He rose, we have affirmation that His heavenly Father set His seal upon Him, and that His sacrificial atoning death has given us eternal life.⁵

Another way in which Jesus used the phrase the Son of Man was when speaking of His second coming, when He will return to the earth to establish His rule and to pronounce judgment. The book of Daniel speaks of “one like a son of man” coming on the clouds of heaven. This reference to a human-looking figure with authority, glory, worship, and an eternal kingdom evokes an image of power normally reserved for God.

I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him. And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed.⁶

When Jesus speaks of His return, He refers to what Daniel saw in his vision. He explains that He will come “in the glory of His Father, coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, seated on a glorious throne, at the right hand of Power.”⁷

He also speaks of the time of judgment which He will preside over, as His Father has given Him the authority to execute judgment. “When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on His glorious throne. Before Him will be gathered all the nations, and He will separate people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.”⁸ These claims Jesus made about executing judgment are extraordinary—far beyond what any human could or should claim. However, Jesus, as the Son of God, has this authority, and His claims were validated by the fact that God raised Him from the dead.

Throughout the Gospels, Jesus is referred to as the Son of God, both by Himself and by others. His Sonship is woven throughout the Gospels, especially in the things He said about Himself. From the Gospels we understand that He existed eternally with the Father before the creation of the world as the Logos, the Word of God, and that He made all things. The Logos then became flesh, in the person of Jesus, who through the life He led taught us about God and His love.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made. … And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.⁹

We are told of His Sonship in the birth narratives, where His paternity comes directly from God through the conception of the Holy Spirit, and therefore He is called the Son of God.¹⁰ He was named Jesus, which means “Yahweh is salvation”—Yahweh being one of the names by which the Jewish people know God.

When Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan at the beginning of His mission, the voice of God stated that Jesus was His Son. “When Jesus was baptized, … He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and coming to rest on Him; and behold, a voice from heaven said, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased.’”¹¹ Close to the end of His mission, when He was transfigured, God once again declared that He was His Son.¹²

Jesus had a unique relationship with the Father through knowing Him as only His only begotten Son could. The Father has also “given all things into His hands.”¹³ When asked by the Jewish leadership if He was the Son of God, He answered in the affirmative: “The high priest asked Him, ‘Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?’ And Jesus said, ‘I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.’”¹⁴

The statements Jesus made about Himself and His relationship to God, claiming to be equal to God, at times accepting worship,¹⁵ and claiming to do the work of the Father were seen as outlandish and blasphemous. The Jewish religious leaders who considered Him a false messiah came to the conclusion that He needed to die so that the Romans wouldn’t destroy the nation because of Him.¹⁶ While the Jewish leaders didn’t have the authority to kill Jesus themselves, they were able to have Him crucified by the Roman authorities. The supposed false messiah who claimed to be God’s Son was crucified, and the problem was seemingly taken care of.

But then … He rose from the dead. And His resurrection proved that all He said He was, all the authority He claimed to have—the messiahship, the power and dominion, the judgment, and His Sonship—was genuine. He is who He said He was.

Had Jesus not risen, had there been no resurrection, then everything that God’s Word says about Him would be false. Our faith, as Paul said, would be worthless.¹⁷ But the resurrection proves that our faith is of inestimable worth. It proves that Jesus is God the Son.

Because of the resurrection, we are assured that through belief in Jesus we have eternal life. That’s what Easter is all about. That’s why it’s a day to praise and thank Him for His sacrifice, for laying down His life for us. That’s why it’s a day to worship God for the wonderful plan of salvation which He enacted. That’s why Easter is a wonderful day to make a personal commitment to share the good news that Jesus is risen and His free offer of salvation is available to all who will receive it. Happy Easter!

Originally published April 2014. Excerpted and republished April 2022.
Read by Jerry Paladino.

¹ Daniel 7:13–14.

² Matthew 9:6 ESV.

³ Matthew 17:22–23 ESV.

⁴ Matthew 20:28 ESV.

⁵ John 6:27.

⁶ Daniel 7:13–14 ESV.

⁷ Matthew 16:27, 24:30, 26:64.

⁸ Matthew 25:31–32.

⁹ John 1:1–3, 14 ESV.

¹⁰ Luke 1:31–32, 35.

¹¹ Matthew 3:16–17.

¹² Matthew 17:5.

¹³ John 3:35.

¹⁴ Mark 14:61–62 ESV.

¹⁵ Matthew 14:33.

¹⁶ John 11:47–50.

¹⁷ 1 Corinthians 15:14.

Pardon Granted

A compilation

2011-04-24

We don’t have a Jesus on the cross; He’s left the cross! We have an empty cross. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?”¹ We don’t have a Christ in the grave. We have a live Jesus living in our hearts.

He rose in victory, joy, liberty, and freedom, never to die again, so that He could redeem us as well and prevent our having to go through the agony of death of spirit. What a day of rejoicing that must have been when He rose and realized it was all over. He had won the victory; the world was saved!—David Brandt Berg²

*

The miracle of Easter is that because Jesus didn’t remain in the grave, we don’t have to either! We don’t have to suffer the payment for our sins in hell, or experience eternal separation from God. He took that payment for us, and then rose in new life! And His new life can be inside us, giving us hope and peace, as we are filled with His love. He arose! And we were also born anew. Hallelujah!—David Brandt Berg³

*

Because Jesus was not claimed by death, not left in hell, we also can escape the agony of death, and the awful feeling that we’ve done too many bad things, that there’s no way things can now turn out good for us. In a word, Easter gives us hope.

We can fly like a beautiful eagle or a peaceful dove, arching high over the confines of life and our own selves. We can leave behind the torture of our own failures, our own inadequacies, all that’s within us that holds us back. We can soar into the dreams of our hearts, making reality out of what some call illusion. We can aim for heaven’s goals and, with God’s help, make it to heights unknown.

Because of Easter, the hope of man is no longer limited to the realm of human possibility. Jesus died and then rose from the dead, so anything that He can do is now possible for us, too. We only have to look into His eyes and believe, and the miracle of Easter can be ours too.—Karen Bradford⁴

*

If Easter says anything to us today, it says this: You can put truth in a grave, but it won’t stay there. You can nail it to a cross, bind it tightly in sheets, and shut it up in a tomb, but it will rise!—Clarence W. Hall

*

On Easter Day the lilies bloom,
Triumphant, risen from their tomb.
Their bulbs have undergone rebirth,
Born from the silence of the earth
Symbolically, to tell all men
That Christ, the Savior, lives again.
The angels, pure and white as they,
Have come and rolled the stone away;
And with the lifting of the stone,
The shadow of the cross is gone!—June Masters Bacher

*

The great gift of Easter is hope—hope which makes us have that confidence in God, in His ultimate triumph, and in His goodness and love, which nothing can shake.—Author unknown

*

One detail in the Easter story has always intrigued me: Why did Jesus keep the scars from His crucifixion? Presumably He could have had any resurrected body He wanted, and yet He chose one identifiable mainly by scars that could be seen and touched. Why?

I believe the story of Easter would be incomplete without those scars on the hands, the feet, and the side of Jesus. When human beings fantasize, we dream of straight pearly teeth, wrinkle-free skin, and attractive ideal shapes. We dream of an unnatural state: the perfect body. But for Jesus, being confined in a skeleton and human skin was the unnatural state. The scars are, to Him, an emblem of life on our planet, a permanent reminder of those days of confinement and suffering.

I take hope in Jesus’ scars. From the perspective of heaven, they represent the most horrible event that has ever happened in the history of the universe. Despite that event, though, Easter turned into a joyful memory.

Because of Easter, I can hope that the tears we shed, the blows we receive, the emotional pain, the heartache over lost friends and loved ones, all these will become memories instead of hurts, like Jesus’ scars.

Scars never completely go away, but neither do they hurt any longer. We will have re-created bodies, a re-created heaven and earth. We will have a new start, an Easter start.—Phillip Yancey, “The Jesus I Never Knew”⁵

*

The Resurrection gives my life meaning and direction and the opportunity to start over, no matter what my circumstances.—Robert Flatt

*

Easter is the demonstration of God that life is essentially spiritual and timeless.—Charles M. Crowe

*

The simple message that changed the world forever was this one: “He is not here. He is risen.”—Linda Bowles

*

A man who was completely innocent offered himself as a sacrifice for the good of others, including his enemies, and became the ransom of the world. It was a perfect act.—Mahatma Gandhi

*

The nail-pierced hands of Jesus reveal the love-filled heart of God.—Author unknown

*

“Because I live, you shall live also.”⁶
We need these seven words above to help us to endure
The changing world around us that’s dark and insecure;
To help us view the present as a passing episode,
A troubled, brief encounter on life’s short and troubled road.
For the fact that life’s eternal because our Savior died
And arose again at Easter after He was crucified
Makes this uncertain present, in a world of sin and strife,
Nothing but a steppingstone to a new and better life!—Helen Steiner Rice

*

Jesus, how I love You! How You’ve proved to me over and over again what great love You have for me. I was nothing, yet You came and died for me so that You might always have me with You. You reached down to the depths for me, and I took hold of Your hand. You pulled me up into a glorious place, and You continue to show me wonders of Your love day after day.⁷

*

How wonderful, how marvelous, is Your love, Jesus! To think that You were willing to go through that for me!

As I think of the seemingly terrible defeat that You suffered and how it resulted in such a tremendous victory, it fills me with wonder and gives me such hope and peace. Surely You and Your love will see me through whatever troubles may come my way, from now till eternity!⁸—David Brandt Berg

Published April 2011. Read by Simon Peterson. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ 1 Corinthians 15:55.

² Originally published April 1984.

³ Originally published March 2002.

⁴ Originally published March 2002.

⁵ Originally published April 2004.

⁶ John 14:19.

⁷ Originally published November 1997.

⁸ Originally published April 1980; adapted.

I Am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life

 3/15/24 ^“Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God;^[a] believe also in me. ² In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?^[b] 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. ⁴ And you know the way to where I am going.”^[c] 5 Thomas said to him, “Lord, we do not know where you are going. How can we know the way?” ⁶ Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. ⁷ If you had known me, you would have known my Father also.^[d] From now on you do know him and have seen him.” (John 14:1-7) ESV

What We Have to Look Forward To

A compilation

2023-05-16

For Pastor Tim Keller, the resurrection of Jesus Christ is more than an abstract belief that good will triumph over evil one day. It’s a powerful, life-altering truth that gives him hope, peace, and comfort as he faces his own mortality.

(Note: Keller learned of his diagnosis of pancreatic cancer in May 2020 while writing his book, Hope in Times of Fear, which focuses on the transformative power of the resurrection.)

In April 2021, Keller told The Christian Post: “When you know you could die very, very soon, you realize that you basically live in denial of the fact of your death. When it suddenly strikes you, you have to ask, ‘Do I have the faith for this? Do I believe that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened and that if I die in faith in Jesus, I will know that resurrection too?’

“Here I am, writing a book about the resurrection, and I realized I only half-believed I was going to die. I went back and realized that in some ways, I also only half-believed in the resurrection—not intellectually so much, but all the way down deep in my heart. I realized I needed to have a greater, a deeper faith in the resurrection…” he continued.

While undergoing treatment for cancer over the next several months, Keller said he did both “intellectual and emotional work,” looking at the historical evidence for the resurrection of Jesus Christ while also immersing himself in prayer and in Scripture, asking the Holy Spirit to make it real to his heart.

“It took several months in which I had to take my abstract belief down into my heart to existentially and experientially know it and grow in assurance, and it worked,” he said. “If you are willing to embrace the truth of God’s Word and immerse yourself in it day in and day out, and then ask the Holy Spirit to make it real to your heart, He will.”

Most people, Keller contended, live in denial of death. But facing one’s own mortality and spiritual reality, he said, both changes the way we view our time on Earth and magnifies the transformative power of the resurrection.

“The things of Earth become less crucial. They’re not so important to you; you realize you don’t need them to be happy. Once I believe that, I start to enjoy them more. I don’t try to turn them into God; I don’t try to turn them into Heaven, which is the only thing that can really satisfy my heart,” he explained.

“You find that you have to really have a real spiritual experience of God’s reality so that the things of this Earth ‘grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace,’” Keller said, quoting the century-old hymn.¹

[In May 2022] The pastor told Christian Post that regardless of what happens, he was “ready for anything.”

“What the future holds, I don’t know. Pray that I would have years and not months left and that the chemotherapy would continue to be effective. But [my wife and I] are ready for whatever God decides for me. We’re spiritually ready.”

“I do know,” he added, “that the resurrection of Jesus Christ really happened. And when I die, I will know that resurrection too.”²—The Christian Post

*

Jesus’ resurrection means that death is not the end. That though my body may lie moldering in the ground, Jesus, whom the Father raised from the dead, gives me eternal life. Ultimately, we Christians believe, our bodies, too, will be raised from the dead.

And since Jesus is not dead, people can encounter Him today. You can know Him through a personal relationship. I could point to lots of people who can testify what Jesus has done in their lives to bring them from the brink of disaster to peace and meaning and joy. He changes people for good.—Ralph F. Wilson

*

The vision lasted only a few seconds, but it left a big impression. I had been talking with a friend, when suddenly I saw a glimpse into the future. We were hugging, laughing, and talking about our lives—and we were in Heaven. This has happened to me several times. Sometimes it has been with a close friend, and other times it has been with someone I had just met. In each case I was left with the profound feeling that friendships in Heaven are much deeper and more meaningful and longer lasting than the ones we enjoy in this life.

I find that thought very comforting, perhaps because I’m somewhat isolated and lonely in my present situation. I have always been gregarious and had many friends, and friendships have always been very important to me. But fibromyalgia has a way of making a hermit of even the most sociable person. The aching muscles, fatigue, and sleep problems that come with this neurological disorder leave me too sick to go out with friends or attend parties, and often too sick to even talk on the phone. What do I have to talk about anyway, when I live in such an isolated world?

And what about all of the people I met and helped in the course of my years of volunteer work before I got sick? Do they even remember me now? Are they thankful for my prayers, and have those prayers made a difference? Does my friendship still mean something to them? What’s left to show for those years? I’ve asked myself those questions while lying alone in a dark room.

But now, through this series of little visions, I understand better that this life truly is only a brief moment in time and that regardless of how things are going now, someday these friends and I will be together again in heavenly bliss. It will be like old times, except that then it will be in a perfect world where there is no more parting, pain, or sorrow.

And most wonderful of all, we’ll be face to face and heart to heart with the One who loves and understands us like no other, the One who lived and died for us and rose to life again that we might live together in His love eternally, the ultimate forever Friend, Jesus.—Misty Kay

*

“Giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”—Colossians 1:12

What is this inheritance?

It is a tearless state: God himself will wipe away all tears. Now He puts them into His bottle; then He will stop their flow.

But it is also a place. There is a heavenly “city.” This suggests the idea of locality, society, security; there will be sweet companionship.

It is a “fold” where all the sheep of the Good Shepherd will be safe: He who brought them there will guard them.

It is a “kingdom,” and there the glory of God will be revealed.

It is a “feast,” and there the bounties of the great Giver will be enjoyed.

It is a “garden,” an Eden, a paradise: and there will bloom, in immortal freshness, the most beautiful and fragrant flowers.

It is an inheritance in light.—Rev. Canon Money, adapted

*

Brief life is here our portion;
Brief sorrow, short-lived care;
The life that knows no ending,
The tearless life, is there.

There grief is turned to pleasure;
Such pleasure as below
No human voice can utter,
No human heart can know.

And after fleshly weakness,
And after this world’s night,
And after storm and whirlwind,
Are calm, and joy, and light.

And He, whom now we trust in,
Shall then be seen and known;
And they that know and see Him
Shall have Him for their own.

The morning shall awaken,
The shadows flee away,
And each true-hearted servant
Shall shine as doth the day.

There God, our King and Portion,
In fullness of His grace,
We then shall see forever,
And worship face to face.
—Bernard of Morlaix, translated by John M. Neale

*

I go and prepare a place for you, that where I am, there you may be also.—John 14:3

Published on Anchor May 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.christianpost.com/books/tim-keller-on-cancer-death-and-the-hope-of-the-resurrection.html

² https://www.christianpost.com/news/tim-keller-cancer-update-gods-given-me-more-time.html

Getting Through Tough Times—Part 4

March 14, 2024

Caring for our mental and emotional well-being

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 19:05

Download Audio (17.4MB)

In the second part of this series, I covered the topic of some of the emotional challenges of loneliness, isolation, and worry that many have experienced in recent times. Some of you have shared that you have battled depression and a sense of hopelessness.

Maybe you have been feeling like you are just going through the motions. I think it’s easy to try to ignore these feelings and just keep pushing through the days, one after another. Then everyday life starts to feel like a grind, lacking in joy and a sense of purpose and new possibilities. These emotions and feelings can come as a result of many circumstances. This can take a toll on our mental and emotional well-being and can affect how we cope with the everyday events of life.

If you have experienced this, you can be encouraged that you’re not alone; others have had similar struggles. And the good news is that there is nothing we can face in this life that is too hard for the Lord or beyond His reach or outside His care and provision for us. “I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” (Jeremiah 32:27). Thank the Lord that He has called us to hope and the riches of His glorious inheritance in His holy people (Ephesians 1:18).

It goes without saying that our first line of defense when we are battling emotional issues of any kind is seeking the Lord’s guidance and comfort in His Word, reading devotional writings that lift our spirits and give us a clearer perspective, committing all our burdens and cares to the Lord, and seeking Him for any specific guidance He may have for us.

Because of your faith, rooted in God’s Word and decades of experience in His service, you are in a good position to endure difficult circumstances with courage and resilience. But even the strongest people can burn out and be affected by discouraging circumstances that continue over long periods of time, to the point that you don’t have the same bounce in your step or hope for the future. This is not weakness or spiritual apathy or because you’ve done something wrong. These types of struggles are the result of living in a fallen world and facing the many complications and difficulties that bring about stress, sadness, and a loss of vision or hope.

I’m not an expert on the topic of mental health and emotional well-being, so I did some research online and found some helpful strategies. I’ll touch on some of the main ones. Several of these strategies are not new to us, as they are related to healthy living, which we know is an important part of living a balanced life.

Stay connected with people. As noted previously in this series, loneliness is a major factor that affects mental and emotional well-being. One article explained it as follows:

Loneliness not only negatively impacts your mental health, but it has also been linked to cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure and memory problems. It can even interfere with sleep. When it comes to mental health, loneliness feeds symptoms. Loneliness exacerbates the symptoms of illnesses like depression, social anxiety and alcoholism. As difficult as it is to do, try to take the initiative to reach out to others. If you’re feeling down, you really need to push yourself even when it’s hard. The best way to meet other people is by getting involved with something you like. … Over time, the loneliness will fade.¹

Granted, you might not always be able to do the exact same things you’ve done before, but with some ingenuity and perseverance, you can find new ways to stay connected with friends and family. While face-to-face time is preferred, and a warm hug from a friend or loved one can work wonders, if that’s not possible, seeing their face and hearing their voice on the phone or over Skype, FaceTime, or Zoom is a wonderful alternative. You can still keep each other updated, pray together, encourage one another, and share one another’s burdens.

When making an effort to connect with people, it is helpful to spend time with those who have a positive impact on you, those who appreciate and value you. Notice how someone makes you feel and continue to build bonds with those who leave you feeling positive, enriched, and challenged.

Speak encouraging words to each other. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, with no one left out, and no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it!—1 Thessalonians 5:11

Keep active. Being in nature, breathing fresh air, keeping fit, having a change of scenery, and benefiting from movement and exercise have a positive impact on your emotional health.

Walking, running, cycling, swimming, dancing and even gardening can all help reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression. Try not to think about it as exercise and think about moving instead. Start out with something small, like walking to the neighborhood coffee shop, then the next day try to go a little further. Slowly work your way up to a brisk walk every day. The combination of fresh air and movement will help your mind and body.²

Be kind to yourself. When you are experiencing times of discouragement or depression, try to be kind to yourself. Don’t beat yourself up in your thoughts. Be gentle with yourself instead of critical. Make a conscious effort to stop the negative self-talk and don’t feel guilty about taking care of yourself.

Being mindful of your positive attributes helps to develop healthy self-esteem. For example, you can remind yourself of what you’re good at. You can keep in mind the nice things that people have said about you.

Most importantly, remember that our identity as Christians, our sense of worth and self-esteem, is based on the fact that we are fearfully and wonderfully made by a God who created us specifically in love. He came to this world and gave His life for us. Not only that, but He has promised that we will live in an eternal world of beauty and joy in eternal bodies. When our view of ourselves is fully grounded in God’s unconditional love, and our identity is that of a child of God with an eternal destiny, regardless of our faults and failings, that helps to build positive feelings about your full potential when you are in sync with Him.

How the Lord sees you is expressed beautifully in the song by Lauren Daigle called “You Say.” Here are some of the words of this song:

I keep fighting voices in my mind that say I’m not enough
Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up
Am I more than just the sum of every high and every low
Remind me once again just who I am, because I need to know

You say I am loved
When I can’t feel a thing
You say I am strong
When I think I am weak
You say I am held
When I am falling short
When I don’t belong
You say I am Yours
And I believe
I believe
What You say of me
I believe.

You can find the official video of the song here on YouTube, where it’s been viewed by over 300 million people!

https://youtu.be/sIaT8Jl2zpI?si=HTexJQA1p5y1E5sh

Try something new. You might feel nervous about doing something new, especially if you are out of practice with stepping outside of your comfort zone. But if the Lord leads you to take the plunge, even if it’s scary initially, you can find renewed confidence and a greater sense of well-being and faith for the future.

This also includes learning new skills. This doesn’t have to be complicated or expensive. A sense of well-being and achievement can be gained by attempting new things, such as learning to cook a new recipe, trying a do-it-yourself (DIY) project, taking on a new hobby, or studying a new subject via online videos and tutorials. Choose something you enjoy that is free or affordable and easy to implement, and go for it!

Give to others. Acts of kindness and generosity do wonders for your mental and emotional well-being. You can give of your time by helping someone in need or by being a listening ear. You can volunteer in your community. “The generous prosper and are satisfied; those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25).

Participation in social and community life has attracted a lot of attention in the field of wellbeing research.

Individuals who report a greater interest in helping others are more likely to rate themselves as happy.

Research into actions for promoting happiness has shown that committing an act of kindness once a week over a six-week period is associated with an increase in wellbeing.³

Focus on the moment. Staying present in the moment, being conscious of others around you and your circumstances, helps to avoid your thoughts drifting to dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. We can’t change the past, and we can’t control tomorrow (James 4:13–15). Today is what we have to work with and what the Lord gives us faith for (Matthew 6:34), so let’s make the most of it by giving the demands of the day and the good things around us our full attention.

Sometimes introducing small changes into your daily routine can help your thoughts stay focused. This can be as simple as taking a new route on your walk, having your coffee iced instead of hot, greeting someone on your walk who you’ve seen but haven’t said hello to before, etc.

Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present directly enhances your well-being, and savoring “the moment” can help to reaffirm your life priorities.⁴

Take care of your body. We are all aware of the importance of our health. Self-care is not selfish. Jesus wants us to stay healthy so we can be good ambassadors for Him. We can increase our sense of well-being when we take the steps necessary to stay healthy, which includes eating nutritious food (limiting sugar and processed foods), drinking enough water, getting sufficient exercise, and having a regular schedule that allows for sufficient sleep (ideally eight hours each night).

On the topic of sleep, I found the following information to be of interest:

Sleep is one of the most important elements of self-care. It affects neurotransmitters, stress hormones, thought processes and emotional regulation. Too little can make it difficult to make decisions, solve problems and control your emotions and behavior. Simply put, everything seems worse when you don’t get enough sleep. You may feel more anxious, agitated, depressed. Whatever symptoms you typically experience are amplified. Additionally, even though you may feel like you are functioning fine with little sleep, you aren’t. Studies have found that drowsy driving can impair your functioning behind the wheel as much, if not more than, drunk driving.⁵

Learn how to deal with stress. Stress is a part of life that we have to learn to deal with so it doesn’t control us. Stress can have serious consequences for our physical and mental health, and it is important that we take steps to recognize and reduce stress in our lives.

It’s helpful to be aware of your stressors. They could include such things as work pressures, financial worries, health concerns, or your loved ones’ situations. During difficult times, I’ve found it helpful to not watch or read so much news, as so much of what is published is bad news these days.

You will probably need to experiment until you find what best helps you to cope with stress. You might consider exercising, journaling, watching a funny movie or stand-up comedian, closing your eyes and breathing deeply, stretching, getting or giving a massage, doing a crossword puzzle or Sudoku, going on a picnic, watching a sunrise or sunset, stargazing, reading a good book, playing an instrument, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, etc.

As Christians, the act of prayer and committing our cares to the Lord is a vital component in our ongoing battle against stress. The peaceful mindset we seek is a gift from God, and He promises to give us His comfort and peace to combat uncertainty and unsettledness. There are many Bible verses that I find especially helpful when facing anxiety, such as:

I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.—John 16:33

In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.—Psalm 4:8

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.—John 14:27

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.—Romans 15:13

And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.—Philippians 4:7

May mercy, peace, and love be multiplied to you.—Jude 1:2

Thankfully, we have access to an abundance of information and instruction online and in books, which can be very helpful in identifying and applying strategies that can help us when we are going through challenging times. However, it’s of utmost importance that we remember that our greatest avenue for mental and emotional well-being is living in and staying obedient to God’s Word, seeking His presence in prayer, and being filled with His Spirit. As we do so, we can trust that He will fulfill His promises to care for us and bring us through the valleys into the light of brighter days.

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.—Isaiah 40:30–31

Originally published September 2021. Adapted and republished March 2024. Read by John Laurence.

¹ Cheryl Bundy, “7 Elements of Self-Care,” Silver Hill Hospital blog, June 12, 2020, https://silverhillhospital.org/community/blog-post/7-elements-of-self-care/

² Bundy, “7 Elements of Self-Care.”

³ “Five ways to wellbeing,” Mind website (UK), https://www.mind.org.uk/workplace/mental-health-at-work/taking-care-of-yourself/five-ways-to-wellbeing/

⁴ “Five ways to wellbeing,” Mind website.

⁵ Bundy, “7 Elements of Self-Care.”

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Forgiving Your Worst Enemy

March 13, 2024

By Steve Hearts

The title of this article may have already made you cringe. Or perhaps it’s brought to mind a certain someone (or someones) who have grievously hurt or offended you in some way, or who you’d love to see pay for their words or actions toward you. The idea of forgiving them may seem unpleasant or even downright absurd. Forgiving your “worst enemy” is an important part of the forgiveness journey that must not be overlooked. Nevertheless, forgiving others is not the focus of this article.

Now, before you let out a sigh of relief, I suggest you read a little further, as you may find what I will talk about no less of a challenge to put into action. The “worst enemy” I’m referring to here is none other than our very own selves. We are often the most difficult ones to forgive.

We often beat ourselves up over things we wish we’d done differently, or we torture ourselves with remorse over things we wish we hadn’t done at all. Even though we’re aware that God has forgiven us, we ignore His forgiveness and stubbornly continue in our state of self-recrimination.

When my grandmother had a stroke a couple of years ago and returned to her home country where she could receive better care, both of my brothers visited her before she left. For various reasons, I was unable to be there. Although my family understood this, I felt terrible about it. The next time I saw my brothers, I told them how rotten I felt. They told me to stop beating myself up, assuring me that everyone understood why I couldn’t be there. My aunts and uncles had told me the same thing, so I finally forgave myself. But it took a while.

For years after my mother passed away, I consistently played the “if only” game. If only I’d tried harder despite my blindness to live a more independent life while she was alive, I could have helped her more during her illness. If only I had shown her more appreciation for the many sacrifices she had made for me. If only I’d had the guts to spend more time with her when she was the most ill, instead of turning away in denial, seeking to hide from the painful reality of her illness. And on and on it went.

In an article I wrote previously, I spoke of having been transformed and cleansed of resentment when I offered the Lord praise and thankfulness, in relation to my mother’s passing. I specifically thanked Him for seeing my mother through her illness and taking her when He did.

Here is one small but important detail that I did not share in that article. What also helped bring complete spiritual healing was thanking Him in spite of my seeming shortcomings and mistakes as her son. I say “seeming” because no one else has ever accused me of these shortcomings and failures—the only accuser was myself. I came to realize this as I praised the Lord in spite of all the blame I had placed on myself in the “if only” game I’d been playing. I found that praising the Lord propelled me along the path of self-forgiveness—causing all condemnation, remorse, and regret to dissipate.

What also encourages me to learn how to forgive myself is when I recall the many biblical examples of God’s boundless forgiveness of His people, no matter how great the offense. I can only imagine the difficulty those in Bible history must have had to receive God’s forgiveness and to forgive themselves.

Jesus’ disciples most likely felt devastated after they “forsook Him and fled” as He was taken by the Roman soldiers (Mark 14:50). Today we have great respect for the apostles, but they probably felt undignified and like traitors at Jesus’ trial and execution.

No doubt Peter felt the worst of them all. He must have felt brave for not having fled along with the rest of his buddies when the soldiers first came. But he’d stayed by Jesus’ side only to deny Him three times, just as Jesus predicted he would. So much for his initial show of bravery. The Bible tells us that when Peter recalled Jesus’ foretelling of his denial once it had already taken place, and how he had insisted that he’d die with Jesus before denying Him, “he went out and wept bitterly” (Matthew 26:75).

After that, he undoubtedly felt like an outcast from the rest of the disciples. He might have figured that even though they ran, at least they hadn’t outright denied Jesus. For this reason, once Jesus was resurrected, the angel at the tomb told Mary Magdalene and her companions, “Go, tell His disciples—and Peter—that He is going before you into Galilee; there you will see Him, as He said to you” (Mark 16:7). Jesus wanted Peter to know that he was still considered His disciple, and that he had been forgiven.

Judas, on the other hand, upon realizing he’d betrayed his own master and savior, succumbed to the guilt and hung himself. I’ve often wondered what would have happened if he’d simply repented and accepted God’s forgiveness. Who knows?

Paul the apostle is someone else who, I imagine felt quite unworthy of God’s forgiveness and willingness to use him, considering the role he’d played in persecuting and arresting Christians prior to his miraculous conversion. I have no doubt that he truly spoke from his heart when he said, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). That statement was likely based on his having experienced firsthand the amazing love of Jesus, which washes away all guilt and liberates us from condemnation. He had to have known the feeling of being haunted by the past, since he talked about “forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Philippians 3:13).

You may have heard the saying that we are our own worst enemy. In many cases, being our worst enemy is due to our refusal to accept God’s forgiveness and to forgive ourselves. Hard as this is for me to put into practice, striving to do so has worked wonders in my life—drastically changing my spiritual and physical health for the better. More recently, I’ve been doing the following exercise that the Lord suggested to me. When haunted by my past failures and shortcomings, I repeatedly tell myself, “I forgive you, Steve.” In the past, I’ve used this exercise to forgive others, and it’s worked wonders. Yet I see more wonders as I use it for myself.

I am further motivated by God’s promise, “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool” (Isaiah 1:18). If God promises to blot out our sins and remember no more our iniquities, who are we to hold on to them? God is faithful to forgive us. But it’s up to us to take the step and forgive ourselves. So what are we waiting for?

Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

Breaking Down Fear

March 12, 2024

Compilation

Audio length: 11:01

Download Audio (10MB)

There is a theory that we are born with three fears: fear of loud noises, fear of falling, and fear of abandonment. These fears, according to some psychologists, are hardwired into our nature; all others are acquired. Fear of spiders, fear of the dark, fear of dentists, and the rest of our many fears are programmed into our psyche through either firsthand experience or information we take in.

Fears generally fall into two categories: legitimate fears that warn of a genuine threat, either physical or emotional, and unfounded fears that are born of one’s imagination and have little or no basis in reality. The trouble is, our brains have difficulty telling the two apart and will often react to both in the same way: increased activity in the brain’s amygdala area¹ which activates our fight-or-flight response.

One method that therapists use to help a person overcome fear is through controlled exposure to whatever is causing the fear response. When the fear is not realized—in other words, when the feared consequence repeatedly does not take place—the mind is retrained to not react in fear when confronted by the supposed threat.

Other fears are harder to overcome because they are not tied to a physical situation. Rather, they are internal, having to do with worry and insecurity. Analyzing them to separate reality from misperception can help, but our greatest source of understanding, comfort, and relief from such fears is God Himself. When we have the assurance that He has our best interests at heart, stands with us in the present, and promises that all things will work together for good in the end for those who love God,² it helps put things in perspective and fears recede.

God has provided relief from fear through a personal connection with Him. We make that connection through prayer, and we strengthen it by reading and studying God’s Word, believing His promises to us therein, and applying them in our daily lives. The more we learn to turn to and depend on God, the more He is able to help us overcome our fears.—Roald Watterson

*

Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.—Isaiah 41:10

*

The Bible says that “love is of God” and “God is love” (1 John 4:7–8); in other words, love is a fundamental characteristic of who God is. There is a distinct word for the type of love that God displays. In the Greek, this word is agape, and it refers to a benevolent and charitable love that seeks the best for the loved one. …

“God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7). Sometimes this “spirit of fear” overcomes us, and to overcome it we need to trust in and love God more completely. … To help us be complete in love, God has liberally sprinkled encouragement against fear throughout the Bible. God tells us not to be afraid of being alone, of being too weak, of not being heard in our prayers, or of being destitute of physical necessities. These admonishments cover many different aspects of the “spirit of fear.”

The Scriptures are bursting with admonitions from God to His people to overcome fear and doubt—over 350 commands to “fear not.” As a matter of fact, the one verbal encouragement Jesus gives more than any other is a call to fearless living (e.g., Matthew 6:25; 9:2; 10:28; 10:31).

The key to overcoming fear is total and complete trust in God. Trusting God is how Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego faced the fiery furnace without fear (Daniel 3). Trusting God is how Stephen stood before his killers fearlessly (Acts 7). To trust God is to refuse to give in to fear. Even in the darkest times, we can trust in God to make things right. This trust comes from knowing God and knowing that He is good.—GotQuestions.org³

*

An angel appeared to the crowd gathered at the empty tomb of Jesus, and do you know the first thing he said?

Do not be afraid.

This is actually the most common command given throughout the Bible …  it is said 365 times.

That’s a command to be fearless for every day of the year!

Easy to say, but hard to do, as fear also shows up as anxiety, worry, and even anger!

So how can [we] be sure that [we] can live fearlessly because of the resurrection?

Because we know these five truths:

1. We know Jesus tells us the truth because he is the truth.
2. We know God loves us extravagantly.
3. We know God has a good plan for our lives.
4. We know God will take care of our needs.
5. We know that death is not the end.

But not everyone is aware of these five truths! … So spread this Good News to as many people as possible!—Rick Warren⁴

*

Some years ago I read an account that went something like this:

A group of scientists and botanists were exploring remote regions of the Alps in search of new species of flowers. One day they noticed through binoculars a flower of such rarity and beauty that its value to science was incalculable. But it lay deep in a ravine with cliffs on both sides. To get the flower, someone had to be lowered over the cliff on a rope.

A curious young boy was watching nearby, and the scientists told him they would pay him well if he would agree to be lowered over the cliff to retrieve the flower below.

The boy took one long look down the steep, dizzy depths and said, “I’ll be back in a minute.” A short time later he returned, followed by a gray-haired man. Approaching the botanist, the boy said, “I’ll go over that cliff and get that flower for you if this man holds the rope. He’s my dad.”

His whole assurance was based in the fact that his father was trustworthy. Isn’t this even more true for us as Christians?—Our Daily Bread⁵

*

Comforting God, I love to hear you whispering in my mind: “Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God.” These loving words are like a warm blanket wrapped around me—sheltering me from the coldness of fear and discouragement.

When trouble is stalking me, remind me to grip Your hand tightly and stay in communication with You. I can trust and not be afraid because You are my Strength and Song. Your powerful Presence is with me always: I face nothing alone! I am grateful that you have promised to strengthen me and help me.

Your strong hand supports me in both good and bad times. When things are going smoothly in my life, I may be less attentive to Your faithful Presence. But when I’m walking through the valley of the shadow of death, I’m profoundly aware of my need for You. At such times, holding on to Your hand keeps me standing—and enables me to put one foot in front of the other.

As I seek to endure adversity in trusting dependence on You, please bless me with Peace and Joy in Your Presence.

In Your dependable Name, Jesus, Amen.—Sarah Young⁶

Published on Anchor March 2024. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ The amygdala has been called the seat of emotion.

² See Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 8:28.

³ https://www.gotquestions.org/perfect-love-casts-out-fear.html.

⁴ Pastors.com.

⁵ https://www.sermonsearch.com/sermon-illustrations/6796/boy-trusted-his-father, https://www.sermonsearch.com/sermon-illustrations/6795/because-youre-my-dad

⁶ Sarah Young, Jesus Listens (Thomas Nelson, 2021).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Victorious Suffering

March 11, 2024

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 8:26

Download Audio (7.7MB)

Peter and I feel privileged to be able to pray for you, our wonderful loved ones of all ages and cultures. When praying for some of our older friends, and of course Peter and I fall into that “older” category too, I found myself asking the Lord why it is that many times we older folks face some of the same struggles as those who are younger, but we often have to endure the suffering with weakening bodies that have less strength to fight.

That seemed a little unfair. However, the Lord lovingly explained the situation from a little different perspective. He said:

To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven, and that is also true of the challenges people face at different times of life. Every season of life has both suffering and victory, weakness and strength, sorrow and joy. These experiences may take different forms at different ages and stages of life, but they are balanced with other gifts that enable each to bear what they have been called to face.

All can be overcomers. All face struggles that are tempered by My love and shored up by the grace and gifts that I have provided. My promises to you, in some form or another, make “a way of escape” that is for young and old. I will not allow you to face more than you can bear as you cling to Me.

What the Lord is saying here reminds me of the beloved poem, which I think we all are familiar with, written by Annie Johnson Flint, called “He Giveth More Grace.” It was written when she was still young.

He giveth more grace when the burdens grow greater,
He sendeth more strength when the labors increase;
To added afflictions, He addeth His mercy,
To multiplied trials, His multiplied peace.

When we have exhausted our store of endurance,
When our strength has failed ere the day is half done,
When we reach the end of our hoarded resources,
Our Father’s full giving is only begun.

Fear not that thy need shall exceed His provision,
Our God ever yearns His resources to share;
Lean hard on the arm everlasting, availing;
The Father both thee and thy load will upbear.

His love has no limits, His grace has no measure,
His power has no boundary known unto men;
For out of His infinite riches in Jesus
He giveth, and giveth, and giveth again.

There’s no question that the struggles are many as we grow older, but the Lord is also faithful to provide what we need in response to the challenges we face. We may not have as much to work with as far as strength, endurance, overall good health, etc., but He makes up for those lacks in other ways. Looking at this issue from this perspective helped me to understand the amazing balance that Jesus brings to our lives as we stay close to Him.

Yes, things can be difficult as we get older, but Jesus has given us the power to change our perception of the situation we are in, and that is revitalizing. One of my favorite verses, especially now in this season of life, is 2 Corinthians 4:16: “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day.” Or, in another translation: “That is why we never give up. Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.”

Some things are more difficult in old age, but overall, the experiences of a lifetime and the wisdom that often comes from experience can provide insight as to how to cope with and even to turn our challenges into something very good.

Here is another encouraging message from Jesus on this issue:

When troubles abound for My children, My grace does much more abound. In old age, smiles may often come through the tears, but those tears can bring an even deeper abiding joy, because they are sooner to be wiped away forever. The older you grow, the closer you get to your heavenly reward.

What is the hardest part of a race? Some might say it’s the final stretch before the finish line, but that is not necessarily so in many cases. The end may be the most taxing part of the race for your body, because you are feeling close to the end of your physical strength, but in some cases, the most difficult part of the race is the middle.

In the beginning you are exuberant and full of energy. Life feels fresh and clean, and the sun and air are invigorating! You feel invincible!

But by the middle of the race, you are dirty and sweaty and beginning to tire. The climb is hard and the sun is hot. The initial exuberance you felt has lost some of its sheen.

What appeared to be exciting and full of promise is becoming a lot of hard work, and it’s discouraging to face the mountains still to be crossed that seem to loom a lot larger than they did at the beginning of the race. You’ve taken a beating from the run, and you begin to wonder if this was such a great idea after all.

You’re wondering if you can endure long enough, because that finish line seems such a long way away still. In the middle of a race, you don’t have the sight of the finish line to propel you forward the way it can as you near the end. Many of your battles are ones of endurance and striving to keep your vision strong in the midst of the struggles you face.

Embracing old age is not for the faint of heart, but if you choose to see your struggles in the right perspective and you place your trust in Me the best you can, then you can face these later years with quiet confidence and peace, in spite of the difficulties.

Work with Me day by day, because you’ve learned from decades of experience that that is always the best way. Trust Me that we will overcome the difficulties together, and I will bring a deep abiding joy that isn’t built on this earthly life. It’s built solidly on what is coming, not on the past. That is how old age can become glorious in spirit.

Your finish line is starting to come into view, and while your pace may be slower, what awaits you can give you added determination to push on. So often your perspective can make a world of difference.

*

When Victor Hugo was more than 80 years old, he expressed his faith in this beautiful way:

Within my soul I feel the evidence of my future life. I am like a forest that has been cut down more than once, yet the new growth has more life than ever. I am always rising toward the sky, with the sun shining down on my head. The earth provides abundant sap for me, but heaven lights my way to worlds unknown.

People say the soul is nothing but the effect of our bodily powers at work. If that were true, then why is my soul becoming brighter as my body begins to fail? Winter may be filling my head, but an eternal spring rises from my heart. At this late hour of my life, I smell the fragrance of lilacs, violets, and roses, just as I did when I was twenty. And the closer I come to the end of my journey, the more clearly I hear the immortal symphonies of eternal worlds inviting me to come. It is awe-inspiring yet profoundly simple.

[You] have been sustained from the womb, carried along since birth. Even to your old age, I will be the same, and I will bear you up when you turn gray. I have made you, and I will carry you; I will sustain you and deliver you.”—Isaiah 46:3–4

Originally published May 2021. Adapted and republished March 2024. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Sanctification

David Brandt Berg

2013-03-26

The word “saint” is a noun from the same word from which we get the word “sanctify,” and that comes from a word meaning in the Greek “to be sanctified,” to be washed clean. The meaning goes even further than that; it is to be washed clean and set aside in a clean place, like you wash the dishes.

Holiness people teach that it’s a one-time thing. They go through this experience of entire sanctification. The Pentecostals call it the baptism of the Holy Spirit. Again we have the word “baptism” there, which signifies washing. Only this time by the fire of the Spirit, so to speak—purified, purged by the power of the Lord. They teach that it is once and done with forever. Baptists teach that it has to be constantly repeated, that you’ve got to keep being washed. The fact of the matter is they’re both right!

What did Jesus say to Peter when at first Peter refused to let Him wash his feet? “If I wash you not, you have no part in Me.”¹ He said, “If you don’t let Me wash your feet, you’re not one of Mine, Peter.” Peter was an extremist, so immediately he says, “Not my feet only, but my hands and my head!” First he wouldn’t even let Jesus wash his feet; next thing he wants Him to give him a full bath! He goes from one extreme to another.

Peter was a man of great force; he was impulsive, impetuous. He was quite a character. If I had a favorite disciple of all Jesus’ disciples, I think I would just about choose Peter because he was so funny, sometimes he was absolutely ridiculous. You could laugh out loud at some of his antics, and sometimes he made you want to cry, you felt so sorry for him, such as when he denied the Lord and went out and wept. But the Lord loved him.

Did you ever notice what the Lord said after He rose from the dead? He said, Go and tell the disciples and Peter.² Why did He say that? Wasn’t Peter a disciple? Had he lost his salvation through his denial of Christ? Why do you suppose He said and Peter? He probably said it to encourage him. Peter probably thought he had lost his salvation. He probably thought he’d forfeited his discipleship through his denial. The Lord wanted to let him know he was still a disciple.

The love of the Lord, the mercy of Jesus is so beautiful. My grandfather used to preach a whole sermon on that. “And Peter,” it was called, bringing out how much the Lord loved him to reassure him that when He called for His disciples to come, Peter would know that he, too, was called. They hadn’t all seen Him yet, and He wanted to see them all and manifest Himself. So He said and Peter to reassure Peter that he was forgiven.

When Peter said, “Wash me all over; wash my head too,” the Lord said, “He that is washed needeth not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit.”³ He was speaking symbolically, spiritually. He was as good as telling Peter, “I’ve already washed you entirely. Now I just need to wash your feet, that’s all.”

Jesus was carrying on a simple ceremony that had deep spiritual significance. He was telling Peter, “You’ve been washed once and for all, and really in a way forever, but I still have to keep washing you a little bit to keep you clean.” Daily. Is there ever a day that passes that we don’t sin? No, none of us are perfect. How often do we miss the mark? How often do we make a mistake? Even a mistake is a sin, in a way, missing the mark. The Lord has to constantly be cleaning us. We’re human, we’re in these vile bodies of flesh, and daily He has to cleanse us—our minds, our thoughts, our bodies, actions, words.

So sanctification is both a one-time thing and a constant process, and these schools of thought that have argued over this theological doctrine for centuries, whether it was once and for all or continuous, are both right.

There are many religions in which you have to partly save yourself and it partly depends on your own works. If it even depends on one little tiny work, then it’s a work religion. But we know that Jesus has done it and did it all, because the Bible says, “The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.”⁴ It has cleansed us from all past sin. It cleanses us from sins every day and from all future sin as well; otherwise we’d never make it. But it’s Christ’s work that’s already done, and yet it’s constantly being done by Him daily.

As Mary Baker Eddy (the founder of Christian Science) said about sin, “Every fall in a way is a fall upward.” She was trying to say that we even learn by our mistakes. So therefore we even learn by our sins, don’t we? That’s why she said every fall of a saint is a fall upward. Because even though we make a mistake, we learn by it.

That was what the Lord was trying to show Peter through that experience, that the major work had been done. He was now a saved sinner, a saint, and cleansed once and for all, past, present and future. But it was a continuing process, like a child grows day by day and learns day by day. So if you have been sanctified by the Lord and His blood and salvation, the noun for a person so sanctified is a saint.

“The blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.”

Originally published in 1980. Adapted and republished March 2013.
Read by Simon Peterson.

¹ John 13:8.

² Mark 16:7.

³ John 13:10.

⁴ 1 John 1:7.

The Passion of the Christ

Going the Distance

By David Bolick

The observation that “life is a marathon, not a sprint” has acquired cliché status for many.  It’s a wry resignation to the reality of having to tough it out when one’s golden years turn out to be not so glittering. I’d like to try to make some lemonade from that lemon.

Any marathoner will tell you that it’s those last miles that separate the men from the boys, the casual pretenders from the real pros. After running roughly three-quarters of the race, most contenders have pretty much exhausted their energy reserves and refer to that point as “hitting the wall.” It’s game over for many right there, as there’s no escaping the exponential increase in the challenge of that home stretch. Things can get downright psychological and existential, as it basically boils down to raw willpower and mind over matter to make it to the finish line, like that verse about our years being “threescore and ten” (the first three-quarters), and “if by reason of strength they be fourscore” (that last stretch to the finish line), “yet is their strength labor and sorrow” (Psalm 90:10).

Indulging my bent for hyperbole as I reflect on some of the marathons I have run, thoughts of Everest expeditions come to mind, where the higher you go, the thinner the air. There have been times when the only way to keep going was to slow the pace, grit my teeth, and cling to my willpower.

The last years of life are very much like that long home stretch in a marathon for many of us. (And I think the same can be said of the first years of a marriage or a business venture, cramming for finals, paying the month’s rent, etc.) Sometimes I think that’s what’s going on with the world at large, not just with those of us who are getting on in years. Even though the pace of everyday affairs keeps getting faster and faster, the amount of real life in those fleeting moments is less and less. Society seems to be on a starvation diet, running on fumes.

Both those going slower and those going faster are subject to the same strains, as the classic adversaries of the spiritual life—the world, the flesh, and the Devil—pull on us all in an attempt to “alienate [us] from the life of God” (Ephesians 4:18). Whatever the case, “Brethren, the time is short … for the fashion of this world passes away” (1 Corinthians 7:29, 31), and doing “the works of him that sent [us], while it is day, [before] the night cometh, when no man can work” (John 9:4), can be hard, often exhausting.

We don’t normally comprehend how weak we are until we hit that wall and realize that if we don’t experience “His strength made perfect in weakness” (2 Corinthians 12:9), we won’t get any further. It behooves us to learn to put into practice the deep truths of “In quietness and in confidence shall be your strength” (Isaiah 30:15); “The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace” (Exodus 14:14); and “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10).

I am probably overtaxing the metaphor, but I’ll continue referring to distance running, as even though every comparison falls short when we attempt to describe the indescribable, there are some helpful parallels.

Most runners depend on carbohydrates for energy, as they are broken down into glucose fairly quickly, and are generally the default fuel. But a human body can only store so much of it, and unless a marathoner can dose it out just right and restock along the way, he or she risks “running on empty” in a prolonged contest.

It is possible, however, to train the body to use fat more efficiently during exercise. This is known as “fat adaptation” or “metabolic flexibility.” By consuming a diet high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates, and by engaging in regular endurance exercise, the body can become better at using fat for energy during exercise, which can help conserve carbohydrate stores in the body and delay fatigue during long-duration exercise such as a marathon.

Just as it takes persistent sensible effort to get the body to adapt to a different fueling system, similar well-directed diligence and perseverance is needed to shift into another spiritual gear, so to speak. After years of having energy on demand, powering through obstacles and seeing fairly fast results, learning to hold one’s peace and let the Lord do the fighting is a major change. Personally, I have found that “study[ing] to be quiet” (1 Thessalonians 4:11) is every bit as challenging as the most strenuous marathon training. But as I have stuck with it, I have begun to catch a glimpse, ever so dimly, of mind-bogglingly vast reaches opening up to me. It’s as if life up to this point has indeed been a sprint, taking shape in my understanding as a mere warm-up for the marathon of the real “race set before us” (Hebrews 12:1).

*

And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.—1 Kings 19:11–12

Hast thou not known? Hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall: But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.—Isaiah 40:28–31

For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.—2 Corinthians 4:16

Poor in Spirit and Blessed

February 20, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 13:06

Download Audio (11.9MB)

Matthew 5:3 says, “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Ever wonder what that means? At first glance, it might seem to point to someone who is sad or discouraged. But when we look closer, it means so much more. I love to compare versions of the Word, and when I look at the NLT, it puts this verse in a little clearer light as it says, “God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for Him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” …

I don’t believe that He meant physically poor necessarily. Those circumstances might drive us to know our need for Him more, as we think about Paul’s “thorn in the flesh” (2 Corinthians 12) or the “woman with the issue of blood” (Luke 8:43–48). I don’t think He was solely referring to monetary limitations either, although again when we are unable to provide for physical needs, that sometimes makes us see our need for Him more clearly. But the truth is that those are too easy.

Jesus wants us to humbly accept that in and of ourselves, we are not enough. We just aren’t enough. And we try to be. We try so, so hard to be self-sufficient and independent, as we sometimes believe the lie that those things are what make us strong. But those are the ways of the world, not the Kingdom of Heaven. …

Just a few verses later, Jesus calls those who mourn and are persecuted “blessed.” Those are hard things that no one would ask for or call “blessings” in our first-world context. When Jesus told His people they would be “blessed” in the circumstances listed in the Beatitudes, it wasn’t because they would earn or be worthy of any blessing, but because in feeling and seeking and giving and working through these uncomfortable, difficult things, He would be with them. He alone is the Blessing! …

As you look at your life, think about the times that the Lord has done what He said He would do. Times that He has held you up when you couldn’t stand by yourself. Times that He provided when no one else could. Maybe even times that He didn’t do what you hoped but helped you survive, even in the midst of great sorrow. …

We are not able to make it in our own strength. We don’t have all of the answers. But He does. He goes before and behind us (Deuteronomy 31:8). He leads us like a shepherd and carries us close to His heart (Isaiah 40:11). He knows what we need more than we do (Matthew 6:8).

And more than anything, we need Him. I pray that you will join me today in telling Him you need Him, not for a minute, or an hour, but always.—Maggie Cooper¹

Blessed are the humble

Someone once asked Billy Graham what did Jesus mean by we ought to be poor in spirit, and shouldn’t we strive to be rich in spirit? Graham brilliantly responded with the following:

What did He mean? Simply this: We must be humble in our spirits. If you put the word “humble” in place of the word “poor,” you will understand what He meant. In other words, when we come to God, we must realize our own sin and our spiritual emptiness and poverty. We must not be self-satisfied or proud in our hearts, thinking we don’t really need God. If we are, God cannot bless us. The Bible says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble” (James 4:6).

Blessed in this context indicates heavenly, spiritual exaltation rather than earthly happiness or prosperity. In Hebrew, “poor” means both the materially poor and the faithful among God’s people. The poor in spirit are those who have the heart of the poor, the same attitude as the poor, and are totally dependent on God.

This is related to the words of Christ in Matthew 23:12, “And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”—Christianity.com²

Blessings of dependence

Various scenes in the Gospels give a good picture of the kind of people who impressed Jesus. A widow who placed her last two cents in the offering. A dishonest tax collector so riddled with anxiety that he climbed a tree to get a better view of Jesus. A nameless, nondescript child. A woman with a string of five unhappy marriages. A blind beggar. An adulteress. A man with leprosy. Strength, good looks, connections, and the competitive instinct may bring a person success in a society like ours, but those very qualities may block entrance to the kingdom of heaven.

Dependence, sorrow, repentance, a longing to change—these are the gates to God’s kingdom. “Blessed are the poor in spirit,” said Jesus. One commentary translates that “Blessed are the desperate.” With nowhere else to turn, the desperate just may turn to Jesus, the only one who can offer the deliverance they long for.

Jesus really believed that a person who is poor in spirit, or mourning, or persecuted, or hungry and thirsty for righteousness has a peculiar “advantage” over the rest of us. Maybe, just maybe, the desperate person will cry out to God for help. If so, that person is truly blessed. Catholic scholars coined the phrase “God’s preferential option for the poor” to describe a phenomenon they found throughout both the Old and New Testaments: God’s partiality toward the poor and the disadvantaged.

Why would God single out the poor for special attention over any other group? … Dependence, humility, simplicity, cooperation, and a sense of abandon are qualities greatly prized in the spiritual life, but extremely elusive for people who live in comfort. There may be other ways to God but, oh, they are hard—as hard as a camel squeezing through the eye of a needle. In the Great Reversal of God’s kingdom, prosperous saints are very rare. …

God’s kingdom turns the tables upside down. The poor, the hungry, the mourners, and the oppressed truly are blessed. Not because of their miserable states, of course—Jesus spent much of his life trying to remedy those miseries. Rather, they are blessed because of an innate advantage they hold over those more comfortable and self-sufficient. People who are rich, successful, and beautiful may well go through life relying on their natural gifts. People who lack such natural advantages, hence underqualified for success in the kingdom of this world, just might turn to God in their time of need. Human beings do not readily admit desperation. When they do, the kingdom of heaven draws near.—Philip Yancey³

Kingdom of God living

When Jesus sat down to talk to people, He was giving them a vision for what life was to be like in the kingdom of God. It was very different than anybody had ever thought. He took every command from the Old Testament, and He deepened it and made it about what was really going on inside you.

But it’s very interesting the way He starts: “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of Heaven,” and the word there for poor in spirit is actually a word for a beggar on the street. The sense is somebody who has nothing and knows it.

What He’s really saying there is that the way into the kingdom of Heaven is to know that you have nothing, and sadly, most of us don’t think that. Most of us think that we have something, and that is what keeps us from the kingdom of Heaven, all those things that we think that we have.

What Jesus is calling us to is something completely different. It’s not self-sufficiency, or self-reliance, or neatening ourselves up so that we can be part of the kingdom of God and that we can be a follower of Christ. It’s really saying, “I have nothing in myself to do any of these things. I can’t follow Christ on my own. I can’t love my neighbor. I can’t love my enemies. I can’t keep my word,” all those things that come in the Sermon on the Mount. The entrance is to say, “I have nothing. I need Christ for this.”—Barbara Juliani⁴

Christ-sufficiency

When you reach the end of your human ability, when you hit the wall of your own limitations and realize the full extent of your human frailty, that is when you come to the full realization that “with man it is impossible” (Matthew 19:26). But the place that seems to be the end of all that’s possible for you is the place of great beginnings. That’s the place where you end and I begin, where “if you can believe, all things are possible” (Mark 9:23).

What may seem like a place of great defeat for you is not a place of total failure or despair and hopelessness. Just the opposite is true, for the line that marks your limitations is where you reach the place where My power and glory begin. That is where you come to the holy mountain, to the house of your God, to the doorstep of the King of kings.

You have come home to your Father’s house, and He who has seen you coming from afar now runs to greet you with open arms and great joy and rejoicing. This is the place where you’ve finally come to the end of yourself, and finding yourself unable, have turned to Me, seeking My presence. In acknowledging your spiritual poverty, you partake of My kingdom in all its abundance.

When you discover it truly is not in you, and that without Me you can do nothing, you can rise above your limitations to find My sufficiency. A soul that has come to the end of itself, and its human endurance and abilities, that turns to Me will be empowered by My Spirit and My presence.—Jesus

Published on Anchor February 2024. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-does-it-mean-to-be-poor-in-spirit.html

² https://www.christianity.com/jesus/life-of-jesus/teaching-and-messages/who-are-the-poor-in-spirit.html

³ Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2008), 116–117.

⁴ https://www.crosswalk.com/video/video-q-a/what-does-blessed-are-the-poor-in-spirit-mean-matthew-5-3.html

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Words of Commendation

February 19, 2024

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 10:49

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You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.—John 15:16

I have great commendation, praise, and love for each of My faithful disciples. I chose you and called you to follow Me—and you answered the call. You didn’t just happen to be in the right place at the right time; you were chosen for the role I knew you would play in advancing My kingdom at this stage of world history.

What sets you apart as My disciple is your faith, belief, and love for Me. You haven’t let the spirit of the world dissuade you or the opinions of man daunt you. You have chosen to leave the world behind and set your eyes on the world to come. You have made the choice to follow where I was leading you, because you have tasted and seen that I am good and that I am always with you. You have endured and kept the faith through thick and thin, and your faithfulness will be rewarded in heaven.

Abraham’s faith was tested throughout his life, and his great faith set the benchmark for generations to come to follow in My ways and love and fear Me. Because of what Abraham was willing to do for Me, and because of the promises that he believed and acted on by faith, believers throughout the centuries have continued to look to him for an example and to measure their faith and obedience to Me by the standard that he set.

It will be your great joy to one day see the fulfillment of the many promises I have made to all who forsake this world and commit their lives to Me, just as it brought immeasurable joy to Abraham’s heart to see the birth of his miracle child, Isaac. But even that fulfillment was not the end of the trials he faced. Abraham’s life was filled to the end with tests of faith and the subsequent rewards of obedience. But because of it, his name was remembered, revered, and has been honored from that day forward. And not only was he honored‚ but his memory has served to inspire millions to strive to follow his example of belief, trust, and obedience.

Found faithful

When your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.—1 Peter 1:7

You have been found faithful, dear one, and you will continue to grow in faith, patience, and perseverance through the tests you will face. Remember that the trial of your faith is more precious than gold (1 Peter 1:7). Your struggles and times of trials that you have fought through are very precious to Me. Although your faith has been sorely tried and tested at times, you have persevered in the faith and not quit, even at the times you were tempted to do so.

Every person who has answered the call to follow Me is a pearl without price. Each one is a treasure of irreplaceable value in My eyes. Every one of My disciples who continues to faithfully follow Me is precious to Me, and your reward in heaven will be greater than you can imagine.

Your life of service to Me and your willingness to commit your life to Me have served as a witness to others and brought many souls into My kingdom. Continue onward, standing strong, keeping the faith, and finishing your course by faith, knowing that at the end of it all‚ you will inherit the kingdom and the reward I have promised to all who love Me.

Gifts gained through a life of faith

God will repay each person according to what they have done. To those who by persistence in doing good seek glory, honor and immortality, he will give eternal life.—Romans 2:6–7

You have grown and gained many qualities through your experience of living a life of faith. You can take courage and find joy and hope in all that you have learned over your many years of service to Me.

Your faith has been time-tested. Your faith has grown not only through the fires of testing, but through the test of time‚ which has required great patience and resulted in great faith. You have reached the point many times in your life where you realized that you could lose the whole world, yet see no loss, because you still had Me.

You have learned to value My Word above all. You have learned to surrender your will and humbly say‚ “Nevertheless‚ not my will but Thine be done.” You are experienced in the path of sacrifice, having given of yourself and your time to reach lost souls for Me.

You have experienced the beauty of mercy and grace. In knowing what a sinner you are, you have many waters of mercy, forgiveness, and understanding to pour on to others, and love that covers the multitude of sins (1 Peter 4:8).

Time, experience, and aging have helped you to realize your incredible need for Me, and to seek My strength and depend on Me. You have cultivated the qualities of endurance, determination, and fortitude in your life. You have learned what it means to fight till the finish and run the race with patience. You understand what it means to not stop paddling until you’ve crossed your Jordan. You know what it means to not stop climbing until you reach the top.

You have had your heart broken at some points in your life, and through these times of squeezing and crushing, you have been softened and touched with compassion, and now have wellsprings of comfort and courage to draw from to share with others. Through these breakings, you have learned the qualities of patient endurance, and a joy full of hope‚ love, and My tender mercies.

You have learned that “the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13)—My giving, selfless love. Love that gives sacrificially. Love that chooses to forgive even when it is hard to do so.

You have grown in prayer and the quality of bringing your needs to Me in hands of expectancy with a heart of faith. You have learned to cast all your cares on Me, trusting in My great love and care for you (1 Peter 5:7).

You have learned humility through accepting My will for your life. Although you are not great in the eyes of the world, in the eyes of heaven your faithfulness is highly esteemed. Because of your meekness and your lowliness in your own eyes, I am able to work in and through you.

You are precious to Me, and you have a special part to play in being salt and light to your part of the world. You have been willing to do the hard work, to put in the blood, sweat, and tears to further My kingdom. You are living proof and evidence that My Spirit is at work, and that My Word is alive, powerful, and able to radically change hearts and minds and lives.

You have garnered many qualities in your life of faith—from endurance, to love, to humility, to faith. I see these qualities in you that you may not see in yourself. I see you and I know you better than you know yourself, and how you have grown and are being transformed into My likeness. You are My beautiful creation and I love you. You give Me joy!

Originally published October 2005. Adapted and republished February 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Fogarty.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Contemporary Challenges to the Christian Worldview

A compilation

2018-10-30

The battles that confront the Christian faith in the modern world must also be fought in the arena of ideas.—Billy Graham

Science and God

They say: “Science has disproven God.”

You ask: “What would you say are some of the things that science can’t tell us?”

Science has limits. There are a whole range of questions it can’t answer, from philosophy to math, politics to literature to, most profoundly, what it means to be human. Science is simply one tool for investigating reality. The problem is that to a man with a hammer, everything often looks like a nail.—John Lennox

The evidence

Knowledge of God is unique in that it is conditioned by moral and spiritual factors. A spiritually indifferent person can have a profound knowledge of physics, or literature, or history, or sociology, or even of theology. But a spiritually indifferent person cannot know God. According to the Bible, the knowledge of God is promised to those who honestly seek him.

Jeremiah: “And you shall seek me and you shall find me, if you seek for me with all your heart.”

Jesus: “Seek and you will find, knock and the door shall be opened, ask and it will be given you. For he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened, and to him who asks it shall be given.”

God doesn’t force himself upon us. He has given evidence of himself which is sufficiently clear for those with an open mind and an open heart, but sufficiently vague so as to not compel those whose hearts are closed. The great French mathematical genius Blaise Pascal, who came to know God through Jesus Christ at the age of 31, put it this way:

Willing to appear openly to those who seek him with all their heart, and to be hidden from those who flee from him with all their heart, God so regulates the knowledge of himself that he has given indications of himself which are visible to those who seek him and not to those who do not seek him. There is enough light for those to see who only desire to see, and enough obscurity for those who have a contrary disposition.

In other words, the evidence is there for those who have eyes to see.—William Lane Craig

“All paths lead to God”

Shouldn’t Christians just leave people alone, letting others believe what they want? After all, if all religions feel fulfilling to those that follow them, why try to get people to change their beliefs? You may have heard people say that there are many roads up the mountain, but they all eventually lead to the same point at the top…

Religion isn’t like ice cream, where you should choose whatever “tastes best”. You need to choose what’s true. The truth is often tough, but that doesn’t mean we should just ignore it and choose what we like.

The differences between religions aren’t trivial; they are structural, foundational. When we die, we either go to heaven, are reincarnated, are absorbed into the cosmic consciousness, or rot in the ground, but we can’t do them all at the same time. Either Jesus was a prophet but not God (Islam), a wise man (Hinduism), a misguided man (atheism), or God in the flesh (Christianity), but He can’t be all of them at the same time.

Jesus himself didn’t claim Christianity is ‘true like ice cream’. He didn’t say “Come, follow me, it’ll be fun!” He in fact claimed something very specific, contradicting every single religious (or non-religious) person who lived before him. He claimed that it’s impossible to “earn” our way into heaven, and in fact we need to trust in God (who Jesus himself claimed to be in human form) instead of trusting our own failing efforts.

But isn’t that pure arrogance? Isn’t that intolerant? Doesn’t it sound presumptuous for Christians to claim they have “the truth” and all other religions are wrong? Well, only if truth is like ice cream. If someone is dying and needs medicine, you need to give them what will heal them, not what they like best. In the same way, Jesus gives us what we need, and ultimately what is best for us.

There are many different paths, but they don’t all eventually lead to the top of the same mountain. Some veer off to the left and the right; others climb entirely different mountains!—Darren Hewer

Conviction vs. arrogance

Recently I was at a barbecue where I talked with a woman who had many questions about Christianity. Like many of us, there were things she did not understand or agree with. As we were talking, the topic of Christianity’s arrogance came up. How can Christians claim that their religion is the only true one? This seems like the height of presumption considering the many religions in existence. Who is the Christian to say that he or she is right and everyone else is wrong? As a follower of Jesus, this really got me thinking. I’m used to looking at and discussing if Christianity is reliable and worthy of acceptance, but I don’t often ask myself if Christianity is arrogant.

Do I believe Christianity is arrogant? The short answer is no.

I think we’ve often mistaken conviction for arrogance. The Merriman-Webster Dictionary defines arrogance as “An attitude of superiority manifested in an overbearing manner or in presumptuous claims or assumptions.”

While there are sadly many Christians who act this way when they communicate what they believe, the Christian faith is not based upon presumptuous claims or assumptions. Rather, it’s based upon the conviction that Christianity is true. What do I mean by conviction? Again, Merriman-Webster’s definition is helpful: “A strong persuasion or belief; the state of being convinced.”

The heart of conviction is not arrogance but humility. Christianity rests upon the strong belief that the message of Jesus Christ as proclaimed in the Bible is true. It is this conviction about the Christian message, not arrogance, which motivates the Christian’s beliefs.—Sarah Abbey

Providing wise responses

As Christians, we strive to be agents of change in the lives of others, and ultimately in society. That can mean making waves or going against the flow. Not everything you do and value will be in harmony with the status quo.

Nearly a decade ago, Pope John Paul II was reported as speaking to university students about overcoming the temptation of mediocrity and conformity. He said, “Following Christ, the crucified King, believers learn that to reign is to serve, seeking the good of others, and they discover that the real meaning of love is expressed in the sincere gift of self.” He stated that when life is lived with this spirit, the Christian becomes the “salt of the earth.” He went on to say, “It is not an easy way; it is often contrary to the mentality of your contemporaries. It means, of course, to go against the current, with respect to the prevailing conduct and fashions. … The mystery of the cross teaches a way of being and acting that is not in accord with the spirit of this world.”

As Christians, we are called to spice things up with the seasoning of faith we bring. We must also realize that not everyone will like the flavor or be amenable to having the world around them seasoned with beliefs and values that are different from the ones they have been accustomed to. Some things—including challenges to our faith and opposition—are part of the Christian walk.

In Colossians, Paul said, “Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive, seasoned with salt, so that you will have the right response for everyone.”¹ This seems to present a good balance of “making the most of every opportunity” in our witness to those who are unbelievers while ensuring that our speech is both gracious and attractive, and seasoned with the salt of our faith and Christian example. That is what Paul concludes will enable us to have the right response to everyone, or as Peter said, to “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”²—Peter Amsterdam

Published on Anchor October 2018.

Four Steps and Seven Proofs of Salvation

David Brandt Berg

1976-06-01

The best way for anyone to know they’re saved is to show them in the Bible, because from one day to another they may feel different. Maybe they don’t feel so good. Maybe they’re discouraged. When you give them the Bible, it’s definite, certain, no matter how they feel. You can say, “Jesus said so.”

So you find out, “Have you asked Jesus to come in? No? Would you like for Him to come in? Yes? Well, why don’t you pray and ask Him to come in?” Tell them: “Jesus said if you open your heart’s door, if you ask Him to come in, He will come in. So all you have to do is ask Him.”

You must constantly put their faith in the Bible, in the Word. That’s how faith is born. This is how someone is saved. You’re not saved by faith in your feelings or even your experiences, or “I feel better” or “I am changed.” You might change again for the worse, who knows? But the Bible never changes. God’s Word never changes, Jesus never changes, and Jesus promised, no matter how they feel. He said if you opened the door, if you asked Him in, He came in—period. It’s a promise.

I used to teach witnessing in four simple steps—how to get saved:

First, confess your sins, that you’re a sinner. Because if they don’t know they’re a sinner, if they don’t know they’re bad, why do they need to get saved?

Second, they need to know who is the Savior, who can save them—Jesus. They need to know that Jesus is the only one who can save them from their sins.

Third, they must ask Him to come in, receive Him, and believe that He comes in. And fourth, they must confess Him to others.

It’s important on each point to give them at least one scripture, because their faith must be in the Word, not just in your word or your experience.

With most of the people that I have led to the Lord, I have started with John 3:16. I’d say, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” In other words, you’re a sinner; you’re going to die and go to hell if you don’t have Jesus. But God loved you so, He gave Jesus to die in your place, to take your punishment for you.

I often give them the little illustration that I used with my children when they were small: “God is our Father in heaven and Jesus is our big brother, God’s Son, and we are God’s children. But we’ve all been naughty at some time. You’ve been bad, right?” Everybody knows they’ve been bad sometimes. “Okay, so you deserve punishment, right? You deserve a spanking. But God loves you so much that He doesn’t want to spank you and punish you for your sins, so He lets Jesus take your punishment for you, so that all you have to do is believe in Jesus and thank Him for it. All you have to do is believe it and receive Him personally.”

I go over and over the Word with them many times, “How do you know you’re a sinner?” I have them read the verse themselves. I say, “You read it. See what the Bible says. Don’t take my word for it—see what God says about it.” You must pin their faith in the Word, because you can be here today and gone tomorrow—then what are they going to believe? They must always have the Word in their hand and know what they have faith in.

First point: How do you know you’re a sinner? What verse do you know that tells you you’re a sinner?

Romans 3:23. “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.”

How do you know it’s true?

The Bible says so.

“All right, now you know you’re a sinner, so now you know you need to be saved, right? So who’s going to save you?”

Jesus.

How do you know?

John 3:16.

What does it say?

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

I keep asking them questions. I say, “Don’t give me your answers. Read it in the Bible. How do you know God loves the world?”

The Bible tells me.

Where?

John 3:16.

What does it say?

When I’m through with them, they have read that verse so many times they know it by heart. They can never forget it. And that’s what they have to know; they must remember the verse. How can they have faith in something they don’t even remember? If I tell you “I love you,” but tomorrow you forget what I said, I must not have told you enough times or have been very convincing. But if I said it enough times with conviction, and I showed you enough, then tomorrow you’ll still know I love you.

Take each part of the verse point by point.

“For God so loved the world.” You know who God is? He’s love. What is God like? He loves. He loves the world. Are you one of the world? So,

“For God so loved you personally.” I sometimes put their name in there to show them that God loves them personally. You must bring it down to them personally, to earth.

“That He gave His only begotten Son.” Who’s that? Jesus.

“That whosoever believeth in Him.” Do you believe in Jesus? Then it says you “shall not perish,” won’t go to hell, “but have everlasting life.” Do you have everlasting life? How do you know you have everlasting life? What do you have to do? “I believe in Jesus, so I have everlasting life.” It’s so simple.

I would go over one verse, John 3:16, until they knew every word and they could say it by heart, so they would never forget it—then they would have faith. They must have faith, not just in you or what you said or what you did, but they must have faith in the Word.

How do you know God loves you? How did He prove He loved you?

He sent Jesus.

Where does it say that?

John 3:16.

They’ve got to know where so they can prove it. Maybe when they get home, somebody will say, “How do you know all that?” “Well, here it is”—and they can start their first witness; they show somebody else, they tell them how.

If you can’t get them to put their faith in the Word, you have failed. I can fail, you can fail, the whole world can fail, but God’s Word will never fail!

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but God’s Word will never pass away” (Matthew 24:35). So you must put their faith in the Word. It doesn’t matter if everybody in the whole world goes haywire, if the whole heavens and the whole earth pass away, they’ll still be saved because they have put their faith in the Word.

How did God show His love?

He gave His only begotten Son.

Why did He have to send Jesus?

Because we’re sinners.

Right, so why did He send Jesus?

To save the world.

How?

To die for us.

Because otherwise you have to die for your own sins.

But what do you have to do to be saved? You have to believe in Jesus. How do you know you have to believe in Jesus?

John 3:16.

Where does it say in this verse you must believe in Jesus?

“That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

If you believe, how do you know you’ll be saved?

John 3:16 says if you believe, you have eternal life.

Exactly—“everlasting life.” But I’ve had many people say, “Maybe when I die, then I’ll get everlasting life.” No, I say, you have it right now!

Very close to this verse is another verse to prove you have eternal life now if you believe in Jesus—John 3:36.

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth on him.”

You’re already saved—you don’t have to wait till you die to find out that you’re saved.

Now how do you know you have Jesus in your heart?

Revelation 3:20. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If any man hear My voice and open the door, I will come into him and sup with him.”

You opened your door, and He didn’t fail to come in. Jesus never fails. When you open your door to Jesus, He always comes in.

These four steps are all you really need to show people that they are saved:

1. Confess sin.
2. Believe Christ.
3. Receive Christ.
4. Confess Christ.

What is the best verse to show them they must confess Christ?

Romans 10:9–10: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, but with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

That is a very powerful passage, because those two verses say that they can even believe in their heart and God will count it for righteousness, but until they confess with their mouth, they’re not saved. So the next thing I say is, “Now you must confess Christ.”

It says if you confess Him with your mouth and believe in your heart, you’re saved. It says so right there. Does it say you’re going to be saved in the future or now? Right now.

You’ve got to keep reminding, reminding, reminding. I prefer to use just a few verses, because if you use too many verses, they can’t remember any of them. I would rather have them know four verses than not know forty.

How do you know you’re a sinner?

Romans 3:23.

How do you know you must believe in Jesus to be saved?

John 3:16.

How do you know you have to receive Jesus personally?

Revelation 3:20.

John 1:12 is also a very good one on receiving Jesus: “But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.”

How do you know you can’t be good enough to be saved?

Ephesians 2:8–9: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

It’s impossible to save yourself—it’s a gift of God! Then, because it says it’s a gift of God, you can go nicely from there to John 3:16, the gift God gave—Jesus. Then you could probably go from John 3:16 over to John 1:12, that you must not only believe but you must also receive. For the assurance that they have received, go to Revelation 3:20. With only a few good verses, if you go over and over those, they cannot forget them—they’re going to remember.

Probably the best order to use those verses in would be:

1. First of all, you’re a sinner: Romans 3:23.
2. Next, you can’t save yourself: Ephesians 2:8–9.
3. Then only believing on Jesus can save you: John 3:16.
4. On receiving Him: John 1:12.
5. And Revelation 3:20.
6. How do you know you’re saved now? John 3:36.
7. How do you know that you must confess Him? Romans 10:9–10.

We can call these the seven proofs of salvation. The whole story is in those seven references. Of course, you can express it with only John 3:16, but with all seven references, it makes it very clear, every step.

(Prayer): You said, Lord, in that verse, “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15). Peter said that we should always be ready to give an answer for the faith that’s in us, and help others to know the answers so they can give the answers too (1 Peter 3:15).

Please help Your children to help others to see all of these things, to show them all these things in Your Word so they will really know. So that even if they don’t know anything else, they’ll remember Your Word, Lord. We ask it for Your glory. Amen.

God bless and keep you—and make you a blessing.

Copyright © June 1976 by The Family International

The Book of 1 Corinthians: Introduction

By Peter Amsterdam

February 14, 2024

The city of Corinth, situated on a narrow land bridge between the Peloponnese region and mainland Greece, was a prosperous city in Paul’s time due to its location and harbors. The city of Cenchreae, about six miles to the east, was the gateway to Asia; Lechaeum, roughly two miles to the north on the Corinthian Gulf, led straight to the Roman Republic, in present-day Italy. A four-mile rock-cut track, built in 600 BC, connected the two port cities of Cenchreae and Lechaeum, which allowed cargo and even small ships to be hauled across the isthmus. Using the passage allowed ships to avoid the dangerous sea journey around the cape of the Peloponnese. Corinth was a natural crossroads for both land and sea travel.

Ancient Corinth had become the chief city of the Achaean League, a confederation of Greek city-states. It refused to submit when Rome demanded that the Achaean League be dissolved. As a result, the Roman army sacked and burned Corinth. The men of the city were killed, and the women and children were sold into slavery. The city remained desolate and uninhabited for 102 years after this defeat.

In 44 BC, Julius Caesar decided to establish a Roman colony on the site. Rome often established cities to solve the problem of overcrowding in Rome and to spread Roman civilization. The city was in a good location for commerce, and it had a natural defense in the high rocks that overlooked ancient Corinth. It also had a good water supply from springs, along with two harbors for East-West commerce. The new city was laid out on top of the former Greek city. Caesar colonized the city with members of the “freedman class.” Freedmen were slaves who had been granted freedom and were given a limited form of Roman citizenship. They were restricted from advancing in Roman society, but many of them became very wealthy and reached high status.

The city was soon transformed from a ruin and became wealthy. In Paul’s day, Corinth was known for its wealth and flamboyance. The new city had made it possible for freedmen and their heirs to acquire wealth by means of commercial ventures. These opportunities attracted settlers from all over the Roman Empire who could work their way up the social ladder.

Corinth was made up of a mixed population of Roman freedmen, Greek citizens, and immigrants who came from all over. It is likely that Jewish people from Palestine were among those who migrated there and were on good terms with the wider community. Even though Corinth had a diverse population, it was influenced by Rome, and its people considered themselves to be Roman. One author explains: When Paul visited, the city was geographically in Greece, but culturally in Rome.¹ Corinthian architecture and the design of the city imitated Rome, with the temple dedicated to the emperor being of Roman design. Many of the inscriptions which have been found in the excavation at Corinth were in Latin rather than in Greek.

Every two years, the city hosted the Isthmian Games. This brought in many people from far and wide, which increased business activity in the city. It appears that these games may have taken place while Paul was there, as he refers to a race which is run and of athletes exercising self-control. During Paul’s time, the city grew in wealth and power and was therefore an important place to establish the church. From there, others would become believers and would join the mission to take the gospel far and wide.

As a seaport town, Corinth was known for its immorality. The name of the town became a byword for sexual promiscuity, and to be a “Corinthiastes” was to be a libertine or degenerate. According to Paul’s correspondence, immorality was a serious matter in Corinth. One author writes: Sexual sin there undoubtedly was in abundance; but it would be of the same kind that one would expect in any seaport where money flowed freely and women and men were available.²

Paul’s Ministry in Corinth

Acts 18:11 reports that Paul stayed in Corinth for 18 months. He probably stayed so long because Corinth was a major destination for traders, travelers, and tourists. It was an ideal location from which to spread the message. Some of those who visited or immigrated to Corinth would be open to Paul’s teaching. While there, he was able to support himself through his tent-making. Driven by the influx of visitors during the games, tents were likely in high demand for shelter, serving additionally as awnings for retailers and providing sailcloth for merchant ships.

Because of the immigration of people, both slaves and free, the population of the city was likely more open to something new like the message of the gospel. People would be seeking new attachments, as many of them had moved from their previous cities or countries and were unknown and living anonymously in a large city.

Paul wrote four letters to the Corinthians. The first was written from Ephesus and was sent to Corinth with Apollos. This letter no longer exists, so we don’t know its contents. In AD 55 or 56, when Paul was in Ephesus, he wrote his second letter to the Corinthians (which is our 1 Corinthians). Soon after this second letter, Paul made a second visit to the city, which he called the “painful visit.”³ A few months later, he sent Titus to deliver his third letter to Corinth (which has, like the first, been lost to history). This was a letter of “many tears” in which he pleaded with the Corinthians to change their behavior.⁴ Titus reported that the congregation responded well. Paul’s fourth letter to Corinth was written approximately one year after his second letter. It is what we know as 2 Corinthians.

1 Corinthians

Paul, called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and our brother Sosthenes…⁵

Paul begins this letter by identifying himself as an apostle of Jesus Christ by the call of God. A co-writer of this letter was Sosthenes, though after the first three verses, Paul uses the first-person singular and it becomes clear that Paul is writing, or at least dictating. He describes himself as called by God to be “an apostle.”

Most of Paul’s letters (except Philippians and Philemon) open with an affirmation of his authority. Here he makes the point that he is an apostle of Christ Jesus. In the New Testament, an apostle generally refers to those who were originally chosen by Jesus as disciples and to just a few others.⁶ Apostles were eyewitnesses to the risen Christ. They were especially called by God to become official witnesses to Jesus’ resurrection and had been commissioned by Him to spread the gospel. Paul’s calling came to him through the vision of the risen Christ on the Damascus Road.⁷

Sosthenes is not called an apostle, but since he is called “brother,” he was likely known to the Corinthians. He may have been the leader of the synagogue in Corinth when Paul was preaching the gospel in the town. In Acts we read, they all seized Sosthenes, the ruler of the synagogue, and beat him in front of the tribunal.⁸ When Paul was writing this letter, Sosthenes may been working with him and may have even carried Paul’s letter to the Corinthians.

Paul’s reference to himself as one called by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus makes the claim that his calling comes from deep within the plans and purposes of God Himself. He makes it clear that he didn’t become an apostle by any of his own actions or desires. Rather he became an apostle because God willed that the message of Jesus was to be delivered through apostles. Throughout this letter, Paul returns to the topic of apostolic authority.

To the church of God that is in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints together with all those who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, both their Lord and ours:⁹

Paul identifies the recipients of the letter, and he greets them. He is writing to the church of God. Right at the beginning he reminds them that they are God’s church. The church doesn’t belong to any of its groups or leaders, but to God. Later in this letter Paul stresses the point by repeating “of God” eight times.

As Paul moves from the singular “church” to the plural, he speaks to all the people who make up the church at Corinth. The designation of God’s people as “sanctified” echoes the people of Israel who were called by God to be a “holy nation.” What happened “in Christ Jesus” results in a new community of people who are to be the “holy” people that they have been called to be.

Paul goes on to say that he writes to those who are called to be saints. Just as Paul was called to be an apostle, he now reminds the Corinthians that God has called them to a specific role in which they will reflect a holiness of life and of community. Later in this letter, he will focus further on the need for believers to behave as a holy people.

Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.¹⁰

Having identified those to whom the letter is sent, Paul greets them with “grace and peace.” This is a “wish-prayer” in which grace and peace are invoked upon those to whom he writes. The word “grace” is an important word for believers. In Paul’s writings it is often a shorthand for all of God’s care for His people and for all that believers receive from God and Christ—especially their salvation. The English word “grace” is generally understood as referring to the undeserved mercy and forgiveness of God toward sinful humanity that comes from His love.

Paul uses the word “peace” as part of the greeting in all his letters, and at the end of a number of them. Peace summarizes the blessings of becoming part of God’s people. It encapsulates the blessing of God’s covenant, and therefore this is much more than a prayer that the Corinthians should feel peaceful. It includes peace with God as a result of salvation. Paul’s wish-prayer is that the Corinthians should continue to experience Christ daily as the one who brings them to the Father.

(To be continued.)

Note

Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptures are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version, copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

¹ David E. Garland, 1 Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003), 3.

² Gordon D. Fee, The First Epistle to the Corinthians (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 2014), 3.

³ 2 Corinthians 2:1–2.

⁴ 2 Corinthians 2:3–9, 7:6–15.

⁵ 1 Corinthians 1:1.

⁶ Mark 3:14–15.

⁷ Acts 9:1–7, 1 Corinthians 9:1, Galatians 1:12.

⁸ Acts 18:17.

⁹ 1 Corinthians 1:2.

¹⁰ 1 Corinthians 1:3.

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Getting Through Tough Times—Part 3

February 15, 2024

God’s supply in times of financial challenges

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 15:18

Download Audio (14MB)

We can all recall how very challenging the time of the pandemic was regarding the impact it had on many people’s financial stability, employment, regular income, and support for mission projects. We probably all know people who lost their jobs; possibly some of you reading this were laid off from your job, or your work hours were drastically reduced. Perhaps the fundraising activities that regularly provided for you and your family on the mission field were curtailed.

It can be very stressful when you have financial commitments and you don’t know where the money will come from. In fact, you might have had increased expenses in recent years due to helping out family members, friends, and needy people in your community. And the effects of inflation have been felt worldwide. Maybe you had been trying to save money little by little, but you have had to spend from your meager savings and hence are lacking a buffer for emergencies.

For those of you who are involved in mission works with the poor and needy, you are face-to-face with hunger, extreme poverty, and have been dealing with the many difficulties of ministering to those who are in such grave predicaments. Some countries where members have fruitful mission works are experiencing unprecedented political unrest, protests, violence, and chaos. These and other factors can quickly bring about financial strain and challenges, which we all know can create a huge amount of stress and fear of the future.

There is also “vicarious stress” that you can experience when hearing about the difficulties of other people you know or even don’t know. Even just reading the headlines can affect your spirit and peace of mind.

During difficult times of trouble, we can find encouragement for the future by looking to the past, as the authors of the Bible so often did in their writings. Just as they found hope in God’s works in the past, we can encourage ourselves in the Lord by reflecting on His faithfulness in our lives in the past and reminding ourselves of how God has come through for us before.

We each have a deep and meaningful history of trusting the Lord. Through our many years of following Jesus, pioneering and living on foreign fields, winning souls and training new disciples, having and raising children, learning new languages and customs, and making ends meet in a variety of circumstances, we have each gathered a bucketload of testimonies of how God has never failed us and has come through for us every time! It has not always been an easy journey and we have all experienced times of testing, pain, and loss. But God has worked all things together for good in ways both seen and unseen, and we can look back and see His mighty hand at work over and over to provide for us.

A Family member shared with me about a new personal project she started, in which she is creating two lists. One list, called “Outstanding Miracles,” is a compilation of all the amazing things the Lord has done in her life over the years. The other list is called “Everyday Grace and Loving Kindness.” It’s a day-to-day accounting of the Lord’s touches of love, open doors, answers to prayer, etc.—the little things that show her that God is present in her life and taking care of her. She started these two lists when she was experiencing a particularly difficult time to remind herself that the Lord has never failed her! “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).

I was reminded by this of the well-known story about Corrie ten Boom.

One night, three days before Betsie died, while sleeping next to her sister in the cot they shared at Ravensbrück concentration camp, she said:

“Are you awake, Corrie?”

Corrie: “Yes, you wakened me.”

Betsie: “I had to. I need to tell you what God has said to me… Corrie, there is so much bitterness. We must tell them that the Holy Spirit will fill their hearts with God’s love … we will travel the world bringing the gospel to all—our friends as well as our enemies.”

Corrie: “To all the world? But that will take much money.”

Betsie: “Yes, but God will provide. We must do nothing else but bring the gospel, and He will take care of us. After all, He owns the cattle on a thousand hills. If we need money, we will just ask the Father to sell a few cows.”

Corrie: “What a privilege … to travel the world and be used by the Lord Jesus.”¹

Reading this story brought to mind once again the blessing of remembering God’s goodness to us in the past. I have a dear friend who frequently refers to Corrie ten Boom as she says with a twinkle in her eye, “Okay, Lord, it’s time to have a cattle sale … again!”

I’m sure you’ve had many conversations in which someone says enthusiastically, “Remember when…” and then goes on to tell an amazing testimony of the Lord’s supply, open doors, healing, or intervention. It’s good for our spirits to bring to remembrance the ways the Lord has led and guided us and how He has blessed our lives. It reminds us that what has happened before can happen again. The Lord has not changed. “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). We can count on Him and His promises to provide for us today and every day. Praise the Lord!

Of course, with each new challenge we face, we need to commit our situation to the Lord and seek Him for His solutions. As we take all our burdens and challenges to Him and lay them at His feet, we can claim His promises that He will keep us in perfect peace and give us rest, because we are trusting in Him (Isaiah 26:3; Matthew 11:28). We can trust that when we cast our burdens on the Lord, He will sustain us and will never suffer us to be moved (Psalm 55:22).

Of course, we may need to seek the Lord for ways to change our approach or consider adjustments to meet the particular circumstances of the times we are living in. Maria and I have been very encouraged to read of the different ways that many of you have adapted your ministries in light of the changing landscape of the world today in order to continue to minister to others and raise support. We are impressed by how, despite your own challenges, so many of you have continued to reach out and give to others. What a beautiful example of innovation, faith, and perseverance. God bless you!

It’s very encouraging to see how the Lord is coming through for members around the world, and if you’re currently in need, He’ll do it for you too. Pray, keep knocking on doors, try new things, and trust that He will make a way. We have His promise that “those who seek the Lord lack no good thing” (Psalm 34:10).

Maria and I also want to express how very grateful we are for how you have continued to give your tithes and offerings even during difficult times. We are so grateful, as that has made it possible for TFI Services to continue to provide inspirational posts, audios, and other tools for your ministries to others. Thank you for your generous giving! 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). We pray that as you continue to give, the Lord will give back to you abundantly!

A skill that we have all developed over the years serving the Lord is frugality. We have the advantage of knowing how to economize and be saving. Our background has taught us how to do more with less. We can adjust and acclimate faster than people who have not had as varied a life experience as we have. We have learned to “abound and abase” and to trust in the Lord for His supply in whatever circumstances we find ourselves. Many members, and even former members, have commented that they have found that this shared life experience has helped them to be more resilient.

What we have learned in challenging times, by the grace of God, will serve us well in the future. If you find yourself in a difficult position financially, make sure to share your prayer requests with others. Maria and I are keeping you in our prayers, for the Lord’s continued supply. May we all take courage in the Lord’s promises, knowing that God has always come through for us in the past, and His promise still holds true that He will “supply all our needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19).

Sometimes I like to think about the lives of Christian “greats” from times past. One person whom I draw a lot of encouragement from is George Müller, whose story is familiar to us all.²

George Müller (1805–1898) was a Christian missionary evangelist and a coordinator of orphanages in Bristol, England. Through his faith and prayers (and without asking for money), he had the privilege of helping over 120,000 orphan children. He also traveled over 200,000 miles (by ship) to preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ in 42 countries and to challenge believers about world missions and trusting God. In his journals, Müller recorded miracle after miracle of God’s provision and answered prayer.

That’s an amazing legacy! I’d like to highlight one such miracle.

One morning, all the plates and cups and bowls on the table were empty. There was no food in the larder and no money to buy food. The children were standing, waiting for their morning meal, when Müller said, “Children, you know we must be in time for school.” Then lifting up his hands he prayed, “Dear Father, we thank Thee for what Thou art going to give us to eat.”

There was a knock at the door. The baker stood there, and said, “Mr. Müller, I couldn’t sleep last night. Somehow, I felt you didn’t have bread for breakfast, and the Lord wanted me to send you some. So I got up at 2:00 a.m. and baked some fresh bread, and have brought it.”

Mr. Müller thanked the baker, and no sooner had he left when there was a second knock at the door. It was the milkman. He announced that his milk cart had broken down right in front of the orphanage, and he would like to give the children his cans of fresh milk so he could empty his wagon and repair it.³

Here is a message from George Müller’s writings that can speak to the heart of each of us:

My dear Christian reader, will you not try this way? Will you not know for yourself … the preciousness and the happiness of this way of casting all your cares and burdens and necessities upon God? This way is as open to you as to me. … Everyone is invited and commanded to trust in the Lord, to trust in Him with all his heart, and to cast his burden upon Him, and to call upon Him in the day of trouble. Will you not do this, my dear brethren in Christ? I long that you may do so. I desire that you may taste the sweetness of that state of heart, in which, while surrounded by difficulties and necessities, you can yet be at peace, because you know that the living God, your Father in heaven, cares for you.⁴

God has never failed us. We each have a rich treasure chest of memories of the innumerable times when He came through for us. Let’s not forget what God has done for us in the past and let’s allow our experience of His faithfulness to strengthen our faith for what He’s going to do in the future. God bless and keep you!

I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken or his children begging for bread.—Psalm 37:25

Since he did not spare even his own Son for us but gave him up for us all, won’t he also surely give us everything else?—Romans 8:32

Originally published September 2021. Adapted and republished February 2024. Read by John Laurence.

¹ Corrie ten Boom, Tramp for the Lord (excerpt), https://www.facebook.com/corrietenboommuseum/posts/one-night-three-days-before-betsie-died-while-sleeping-next-to-her-sister-in-the/733550346662069/

² You can read an accounting of the Lord’s miracles of supply on the George Muller.org site here: https://www.georgemuller.org/devotional/trusting-god-for-daily-supplies

³ George Muller: Trusting God for Daily Bread, https://harvestministry.org/muller

⁴ George Muller, A Narrative of Some of the Lord’s Dealings with George Müller, Vol. 2 (London, 1886), 168.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

When Will the Rapture Happen?

February 14, 2024

By Scott MacGregor

In 2011, Harold Camping, an engineer-turned-Christian radio broadcaster, had predicted that Jesus would return on May 21, 2011, at 6:00 p.m. He arrived at that date through a calculation involving various number values given in the Bible. The product of his calculations was supposed to be the number of days between the crucifixion and the second coming.

So, in early 2011, Harold Camping predicted that on May 21st all believers would be raptured to heaven. Since the Rapture did not occur on May 21st, Camping claimed that Jesus did come spiritually on May 21st, though later he would admit his error and issue an apology.

The word rapture has become popular in recent times in fiction and in movies, and it is helpful to explore what the term means. Long ago, a monk named Jerome was translating the Bible from Greek to Latin. He used the Latin word rapio to describe the way Jesus returns to bring believers to heaven. It is a term that would usually be attributed to the actions of a raider. He was implying that Jesus would swoop down and grab the loot—that is, us believers—and take us back to His home—heaven. It was from this term, rapio, that the word rapture is derived.

It is helpful when hearing predictions or reading popular fiction about the Rapture to know what the Bible actually says about it and the end of the world. Following is a quick rundown, based on the Bible, on what we know with a degree of certainty regarding the timeframe for the end time and the Rapture.

The first thing we can know for sure is that we don’t know the specific date of Jesus’ return. Jesus said clearly in Matthew 24:36, “No one knows the day or [the] hour when these things will happen, not even the angels in heaven or the Son himself. Only the Father knows.” I think we have to take that statement at face value: No one now knows the exact timing of Jesus’ return.

However, the Bible does say that there is going to be an event from which we can start to calculate when Jesus is coming back. That event is the breaking of what is mysteriously referred to as the holy covenant (or the covenant), by the banning of what is called “the sacrifice and the offering” (Daniel 9:27), and the setting up of what the Bible calls the abomination of desolation (Matthew 24:15).

We know a bit about this covenant from the book of Daniel in the Old Testament. We know that the person we popularly refer to as the Antichrist is very involved in the signing of this covenant, and then he breaks it 1,260 days (nearly three and a half years) before Jesus’ return. When that “breaking” happens—and it seems it is a public event, since it involves the banning of public religious ceremonies—then we can, with a measure of certainty, start counting down the days until Jesus’ return.

This 1,260-day period crops up in several places in the Bible, and those references have to do with the final period of this epoch of world history, the climactic period known as the great tribulation. Sometimes the number is rendered in “sevens,” other times in months, and yet other times cryptically as “times.” One thing to note is that in John’s day a year was 360 days long and a month 30 days. So 1,260 days equals three and a half years or 42 months.

Let’s first look at some verses in the book of Revelation, authored by the apostle John. John had been exiled to the island of Patmos, and during that time he saw a lengthy vision about the future. In the vision, an angel tells John, “They [apparently an invading army] will trample the holy city for 42 months” (Revelation 11:2). The angel then says, “I will grant authority to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth” (Revelation 11:3).

In the next chapter, Revelation 12, we read about a beautiful woman who is being chased by a dragon. This woman is symbolic of believers, and the dragon is the devil. Revelation 12:6 says, “The woman fled into the wilderness, where she has a place prepared by God, in which she is to be nourished for 1,260 days.”

Then it goes on to say, “But she was given two wings like those of a great eagle so she could fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness. There she would be cared for and protected from the dragon for a time, times, and half a time” (Revelation 12:14).

In Revelation 13:5 we hear more about the Antichrist, who is referred to as “the beast.” “Then the beast was allowed to speak great blasphemies against God. And he was given authority to do whatever he wanted for forty-two months.”

The book of Daniel also talks about the Antichrist’s three-and-a-half-year reign of terror: “He will defy the Most High and oppress the holy people of the Most High. He will try to change their sacred festivals and laws, and they will be placed under his control for a time, times, and half a time” (Daniel 7:25).

So, clearly it is not until after this three-and-a-half-year period that Jesus returns, as Jesus Himself stated in Matthew 24. In this chapter, Jesus answers the disciples’ question of “what will be the sign of Your coming and the end of the age” (Matthew 24:3)?

Jesus refers to the writings in the book of Daniel to respond to this question: “When you see the abomination of desolation spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place… then there will be great tribulation” (Matthew 24:15, 21). He explains that after this “abomination” is set up—which we know from the book of Daniel happens after the breaking of the covenant—there would follow a period of anguish, especially for the followers of God.

He then says, “Immediately after the anguish of those days, the sun will be darkened, the moon will give no light, the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then at last, the sign that the Son of Man is coming will appear in the heavens, and there will be deep mourning among all the peoples of the earth. And they will see the Son of Man coming [in] the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. And he will send his angels with the mighty blast of a trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from all over the world—from the farthest ends of the earth and heaven” (Matthew 24:29–31).

Jesus was making it clear to His disciples—and us—that His return and the Rapture would not happen until after this 1,260-day period of Tribulation takes place. Notice He also makes it clear that the Rapture would be a very visible and widely noticed thing—“all the peoples of the earth” will see it.

Paul taught us more about the Rapture in the First Epistle to the Thessalonians, where he wrote: “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17).

So to summarize all this:

1) No one now knows the exact day or hour that Jesus will return.

2) However, it seems that the timing of His return can be calculated in the future when events leading up to it start to take place, as His return happens 1,260 days after the “holy covenant” is broken.

3) That 1,260-day period is a time when the Antichrist will be in power, a time often referred to as the great tribulation.

4) And the good news is that immediately after this, Jesus returns and all the world will see His return, and all believers will be raptured (taken up to heaven)—both those who have already died and those who are living.

So the Bible has outlined some concrete events that have to take place before the countdown to the Rapture occurs. We don’t know when Jesus will return or whether it will occur in our lifetime, so the wisest thing to do is take to heart Jesus’ counsel at the end of Matthew 24 where He says: “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes” (Matthew 24:45–46).

In other words, the best thing we can do now is to do our best to love God and others, and be faithful to His great commission to share the good news of the gospel, make disciples, and teach people to observe Jesus’ teachings (Matthew 28:19–20).

We don’t need to worry about the end of the world. In fact, Jesus said to not even worry about tomorrow (Matthew 6:34)! There’s so much to do here and now—and a life lived for Jesus and others is the best preparation for whatever will come tomorrow. The good news is that Jesus has promised, “Behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

Adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Mercies Renewed Every Morning

February 13, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 12:24

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The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.—Lamentations 3:22–23

The book of Lamentations has five poetic laments about the destruction of Jerusalem, the destroyed temple, and the wretched condition of Judah’s people. The author calls on people to turn to God, repent, and appeal for mercy. Lamentations 3:23 is within the only section of the book that offers a glimmer of hope in the midst of despair. This passage reminds us that his faithful love is constant in the face of trials and bitter thoughts. When we want to brood in anguish and sorrow, we’re told that we can put our hope in the Lord because his mercies never end.

Psalm 4:8 tells us that we can lie down and sleep with peace, even when worries spool round and round. Another psalmist writes that sorrow might last for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Morning is a theme that runs through the Scriptures. Jesus got up in the morning to pray. Zephaniah 3:5 tells us that the Lord doesn’t fail every new day. New days are new opportunities for us to walk by faith in the truth of God’s mercies. …

Every morning presents itself to us with fresh opportunities for an outpouring of God’s love, compassion, faithfulness, and steadfast loyalty. Even when we wake up to storm clouds roiling on the horizon, the sun still rises hidden behind them. We might miss the brilliance of the sunrise, but we know it’s there. God’s mercy is always available to us. Morning, noon, and night. And God gives us opportunities to trust him to move in our lives and pour his mercy on us.

Throughout the Old and New Testament, we can see that God’s mercy flows from his forgiving nature. He reveals his mercy in how he provided the manna for the Israelites’ desert journey. We see it in his protection and deliverance of his people time after time. He shows mercy when he is slow to anger and abounding in love. Mercy is not a benefit based on our merit but is a gift from God.

In the New Testament, Jesus made mercy an essential part of his ministry. He dined with tax collectors, healed the sick, relieved hunger, calmed storms, restored sight, and raised the dead. He is the full expression of God’s mercy to us. Mercy takes action. It is God’s response to us and our expected response to others. From God’s love flows his mercy, which is his ability to bring sinful humanity back to himself. Salvation is God’s merciful act of withholding eternal punishment, and it is his grace that grants forgiveness and eternal life. The Bible is God’s revelation of his merciful heart towards us.—Jessica Van Roekel¹

Defining God’s mercy

In the New Testament the Greek word most commonly used for mercy, eleos, is defined as kindness or good will toward the miserable and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them; of God toward men: in general providence; the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by Christ. This word expresses God’s divine mercy—His mercy in bringing salvation to humanity, as well as pity and compassion—being moved with compassion toward, or having compassion on, someone.

Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, mercy, compassion, and pity are often spoken about in situations where people are in distress, misery, or need (Matthew 9:36, 20:34).

The Bible teaches that God’s mercy is abundant and endures forever: “You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You” (Psalm 86:5). “Your mercy reaches unto the heavens, and Your truth unto the clouds” (Psalm 57:10).

The greatest example of God’s mercy toward humanity is the Incarnation. Jesus coming in human flesh to die for our sins, to take our rightful punishment upon Himself, is the fullest manifestation of God’s love and mercy. In His divine love and mercy, He chose to make this sacrifice in order to reconcile us with Himself.

God, in His love and mercy, has made a way that we, who are sinners, can be redeemed. His holiness and righteousness, along with His grace and mercy—all part of God’s nature and character, part of His very being—work together in His divine love to do what is impossible for man to do: to atone for our sins, to take away the separation from God which sin brings, so that we can live eternally with Him (Ephesians 2:1–8).

Not wanting any to perish, God provided the means of salvation through Jesus, so that through faith in Him we are delivered from death, from punishment for our sin, from separation from God. This is the precious gift of our patient, gracious, and merciful God.—Peter Amsterdam

No expiration date

The dawning of every new day could be seen as a symbol of God’s light breaking through the darkness and His mercy overcoming our troubles. Every morning demonstrates God’s grace, a new beginning in which gloom must flee. We need look no further than the breath in our lungs, the sun that shines upon us, or the rain that falls to nourish the soil. The mercies of God continue to come to us via a multitude of manifestations.

There is no expiration date on God’s mercy toward us. His mercies are new every morning in that they are perpetual and always available to those in need. We have our ups and downs, and “even youths grow tired and weary” (Isaiah 40:30), but God is faithful through it all. With the dawn of each day comes a new batch of compassion made freshly available to us. God’s compassion is poured out from an infinite store; His mercies will never run out. …

In Jesus Christ we have the fullest expression of God’s mercy and compassion (see Matthew 14:14), and He is “the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8). Jesus’ mercy is indeed “new every morning.”—Gotquestions.org²

Refresh every morning

Mornings symbolize freshness, new beginnings, and hope. Just as each new morning brings a newness of day, and fresh light that drives out the darkness of night, we can refresh our souls in the same way. With every dawn, we can look for the light of God’s Word to break through the darkness in our lives and feed hope into our souls.

Each and every day we can feed on the great love, mercy, and faithfulness of God. We can do this with Scripture.

“Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I entrust my life. … Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground” (Psalm 143:8–10).

“The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in mercy. He will not always strive with us, nor will He keep His anger forever. He has not dealt with us according to our sins, nor punished us according to our iniquities. For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. As a father pities his children, so the Lord pities those who fear Him. For He knows our frame; He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:8–14). …

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 2:17 that Jesus is our great and merciful high priest. It is through him that we access the mercy of God to receive forgiveness as well as all his other blessings.

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 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 2:4–9).

“Let us then approach God’s 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).

Every morning we can access new mercies because it is written: “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).—Danielle Bernock³

Published on Anchor February 2024. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/how-are-gods-mercies-new-every-morning.html

² https://www.gotquestions.org/mercies-new-every-morning.html

³ https://www.christianity.com/wiki/god/how-are-gods-mercies-new-every-morning-lamentations-323.html

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

“My Sheep Hear My Voice…”

February 12, 2024

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 13:10

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This life is one grand set of experiences, designed by our Creator to help us to develop into a manifestation of His love. There is so much to learn, not just from our own experiences, but also from the lives of others, if we’re wise enough to seek out all that the Lord has to show us. That’s one reason that I love to hear testimonies that describe the varied ways He uses to bring each of us into relationship with Him.

The Lord led me to an article online from a man named Mike explaining how he found Jesus. It touched me greatly and I want to share it with you. The thing in this story that stood out to me was the part that each person played in bringing him to know the Lord.

Mike is now in his 70s. He’s been a pastor for many years. He and his wife have several websites to help people of other religions or beliefs to understand about the Lord.

Mike was not always convinced that Jesus is the way. In fact, as a young man he initially became deeply immersed in the Hindu religion.

As a child, he had been a Catholic, as were his parents, and he’d even been an altar boy. He had attended a Catholic school and respected and admired the priests and nuns for their examples of humility, commitment, sacrificial love, and kindness. The thing that was missing in his life, however, was knowing how to have a personal relationship with Jesus.

By the age of 17 he’d “had his fill of church.” Becoming a rock musician, he immersed himself in all the things that go along with that lifestyle. At the age of 18, he had a near-death experience. Realizing that his life had almost come to an end, he began seriously pondering the meaning of life, even dropping out of college to seek the truth. This was at the beginning of the Jesus People Revolution (and our own early days).

In 1969, he was introduced to an Indian guru, and soon became one of his followers. He became completely focused, almost obsessed, with learning all he could. This way of life was billed as a way to find a “conscious awareness that you are god.”

His attempts to reach this goal consumed him. He spent his days from about 3:30 in the morning until around 5:00 in the evening meditating, chanting mantras, and reading the Hindu scriptures. He even started an ashram with some others who were willing to spend all their time devoted to this religion, giving up all worldly interests and possessions.

During this period of time, he felt he was making progress in coming closer to the God-consciousness he was seeking. All the while God was working behind the scenes to orchestrate some significant events to help fulfill His promise in Jeremiah 29:13: “And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.”

Being gifted with leadership qualities, Mike was teaching yoga to several hundred students in different universities, who followed him as their guru. He believed that this was his calling, and that he was meant to not only find God for himself but to help others to do the same.

A newspaper reporter who had heard of what was happening decided to interview Mike and the young people who were flocking to his classes to “learn the path to God.” Among the many who read that article, there was a small group of very important people. These folks, members of a 24-hour prayer chain, believed in and practiced fasting and prayer. After putting the article on their bulletin board, they started to pray, knowing that God wanted to save Mike and the young people he was unintentionally leading astray.

During this time Mike received a letter from a former college friend named Larry who told him how he had been born again. This left Mike perplexed and a bit disoriented since this friend was the one who had dropped out of college with him to study yoga and Eastern religions. The concept that Larry was presenting to Mike was completely foreign to him.

In Eastern religions, in order to find God, you are supposed to look within, that the “essence of divinity” is awakened from inside of you. But Larry talked about a God who would enter those who received Him and dwell in their hearts. Larry told Mike that if he would ask Jesus to come into his heart, the Holy Spirit would enter into him, and he would be spiritually reborn; God’s Spirit would dwell in him. This was troubling for Mike, since he had devoted so much time to a completely opposite belief system.

But Mike was a truth seeker, and after spending many hours pondering his friend’s letter, he made an important decision. Though still teaching four yoga classes a week and continuing with Hindu practices, he decided to set everything else aside and devote an entire day to pray only to Jesus and to read only the Bible.

His prayer went something like this: “Jesus, today is Your day. If You really are the Savior of the world, like many people say, will You please show me a recognizable, undeniable sign that You really are the Messiah, the Savior, the Lord of all.”

This was not a prayer prayed lightly. Mike was aware that taking this step might completely upend his life and everything he believed. Nevertheless, he spent the day reading the Gospel of John and the book of Revelation from the Bible. And throughout the day, true to his commitment, he prayed only to Jesus, asking Him to show him a sign.

Afterwards, he proceeded to prepare to teach his scheduled yoga class, not yet having experienced the “sign” he had asked for.

Unbeknownst to him, on the other side of town, a young man named Kent, one of the members of the 24-hour prayer group who had been praying for Mike, was entering a laundromat to do his laundry. But Kent got the distinct, very strong impression that it was not the right time to do laundry. Instead, he felt compelled to get back into his vehicle and drive. He drove around, following leads from the Holy Spirit to “turn left,” “turn right,” etc. Suddenly he spotted someone standing by the side of the road. Normally, he was adamantly opposed to picking up hitchhikers, yet he felt the Holy Spirit telling him to pick this man up.

When Mike opened the door to Kent’s van, the first thing his eyes fell upon was a picture of Jesus taped on the inside roof of the van. This was his sign! Before that van ride ended, Mike had found his new home in heaven and a life worth living with the help of his two new friends, Kent and Jesus.

God often uses His children, as well as many seemingly random events, to create a hunger for meaning in life. He will work through every circumstance of people’s lives to help bring seekers to Him.

I love these reminders of how God often works in unexpected and mysterious ways to reach someone’s heart. He is constantly shaping our lives, setting things up that will draw us to Him and prepare us for the calling He offers us for our future.

One of the things that spoke to me from Mike’s story is that no one is so immersed in another religion or another way of thinking, no matter what it is, that Jesus can’t reach them if they desire the truth.

The Lord knows each person’s heart. He can use anything to guide people in their journey toward Him.

Think about Mike’s friend, Larry, who wrote him about the need to be born again. Perhaps that took a lot of his time and effort, and maybe the devil was giving him a lot of “valid” reasons why he shouldn’t write that letter. But because Larry heeded the voice of the Holy Spirit, it proved to be a major motivation in Mike’s life to seek the truth about Jesus.

And then the 24-hour prayer group had an important role to play in helping unshackle Mike from the chains that were keeping him bound. Those prayer warriors knew that God could break those chains and set him free.

And then God used Kent, a member of that prayer group, who had recently converted from the yoga scene. It took Kent’s continued willingness to follow up on his new convert by attending Mike’s yoga class with him to support him as he testified about what had happened. I imagine Mike felt strengthened in his conviction when he had his new friend standing beside him and giving him support in prayer as he told all his students that he had unintentionally misled them and that he had found out that there is no other way to God except by Jesus Christ. He then went on to announce that he would no longer teach the classes and that he was also closing his ashram.

The story is not over, it continues! Mike tells how his departing from the yoga lifestyle and his witnessing so publicly about his change of heart in answer to the prayer group’s petitions brought many of his students to accept Jesus too.

It won’t be until heaven that Mike will fully realize the impact that his life-changing decision had on so many. The first wave of his converted students was followed by those who they in turn led to the Lord, and on and on it expanded, powered by the force of the love of God.

Another point that stood out to me is that when Mike and his new friend Kent were beginning the salvation prayer, Mike had many questions. Kent, who was in the process of leading him in the salvation prayer, led by the Holy Spirit, told him, “Don’t worry, just take Jesus. And then you’ll understand.”

I’m not implying that the Lord will tell everyone the same thing in their witnessing. But that principle is very important, and in some cases, that will probably be just what the Lord wants us to say. We have to follow Jesus, do what He shows us to do at the time, and trust Him for the results. Then He will do what we can’t. Praise the Lord!

If you listen to Mike Shreve’s full testimony on YouTube, I think you’ll be blessed. For me it was a wonderful reminder of God’s amazing workings and the important job that He has called each one of us to.¹

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth anything, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor.—1 Corinthians 3:6–8

Originally published August 2021. Adapted and republished February 2024. Read by Debra Lee.

¹ “My Spiritual Journey,” Mike Shreve,

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xHnl7uDG3qc

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Dare to Be Different

David Brandt Berg

1973-04-01

A world-famous dropout named Jesus, while exhorting His disciples to drop out with Him, warned them that they would be as sheep in the midst of wolves (Matthew 10:16). “If ye were of the system [the world],” He said, “the system would love its own. But ye are not of the system, therefore the system hateth you” (John 15:19). Dare to be different, He was saying, venture to vary from the norm which the world has established, and they will oppose you for daring to challenge their authority to tell you what they themselves have decided is right and wrong.

Just you dare to be so bold as to think, act, live, or teach differently from the vast so-called silent majority of the supposedly average and normal, and you will soon see them not so silent, and you will hear them too, when someone dares to say and prove that their way of life is not the only way.

History has proven time and again in every age that the majority are often wrong, and that, as Jesus said, “Broad is the way and wide is the gate that leadeth unto destruction, and many there be that go in thereat: but narrow is the way and strait is the gate that leadeth unto life eternal, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13–14). But it seems, as the famous saying goes, that about the only thing we ever learn from history is that we never learn from history!^[1] Therefore these sordid chapters of history continue to repeat themselves.

When any courageous iconoclast becomes so presumptuous as to dare to smash the idols of the generally accepted and practiced behavior of this vast majority who justify themselves by comparing themselves with themselves—if some brave pioneer of the spirit or of science is so foolhardy as to even suggest that this vast and unsilent majority of accepted society could possibly be wrong on some things, he is generally hooted down, denounced, or persecuted as a departurist, and even condemned as a criminal, hanged as a heretic, or crucified as a menace to society!

Darkness cannot stand the light, and wrong cannot bear the right, and the lie cannot tolerate the truth, and those that are bound bitterly resent the freedom of the free. Because by these they are exposed for their sins of darkness, evil, deception, greed, and the enslavement of the exploited, they must, therefore, furiously endeavor to smother the light, say that wrong is right, and attempt to shout down and drown out the voice of truth. As the lawyer said to the hippie in “Easy Rider,” they can’t stand being reminded that they’re slaves of the chains of conformity forged by their own hands!

When Noah built a boat on dry land and said there was going to be a flood while it had never even rained before, he was laughed at by the vast unsilent majority who were later to drown in that very same flood, while he and his own family survived (Genesis 6–7). When childless Abraham, at the age of 100, claimed he was going to become the father of many nations and his seed as the sands of the sea, his own wife laughed him to scorn. But he was soon to laugh last, because she herself, in her nineties, bore him Isaac, the forefather of the world’s millions of Jews, and her handmaiden, Hagar, bore him Ishmael, forefather of the world’s millions of Arabs—twelve tribes of Israel and twelve nations of Arabs remaining to this day (Genesis 16–18).

When a lowly shepherd from lonely Sinai claimed he was going to deliver six million Jewish slaves single-handedly from the clutches of their all-powerful Egyptian captors, Moses’ own people made fun of him. But it was he who later had the fun as he led them miraculously through the Red Sea on dry ground (Exodus 4, 14). The people of Jericho jeered when Joshua jogged his Jews seven times around their impregnable walls, but it was really a blast on those tiny trumpets when those walls came tumbling down (Joshua 6:1–20). The Midianite army of thousands must have really cracked up when most of Gideon’s army split and he was only left with three hundred men, but it was the Midianites’ turn to split when his paltry party pelted them with pottery in the middle of the night (Judges 7).

The mighty lords of the conquering Philistines sneered when Samson, the proverbial Jewish strong man, stood blind before them as their captive, but when he pushed the pillars of their temple apart, it was his turn to snicker as he slew more of his enemies with his death than his life (Judges 16:21–30). The giant Goliath ridiculed the little lad with the slingshot, but when David cut loose with just one honest bit of rock, the Philistine phony fell flat his face and the children of God danced for joy (1 Samuel 17). The prophets who predicted the dooms of their dominant dominions of old were derided as daft and demented, but when each fell in its time according to their rhyme, they were no longer found fanatically funny!

When Jesus told the Pharisees that their proud temple would be pulled down (Matthew 24:1–2), they denounced Him in derision. But forty years later when the Romans burned it to the ground, and pulled it stone from stone to get at the melted gold in the cracks, it wasn’t so funny anymore. When the apostles prophesied the appalling fall of the Roman Empire, Nero exiled them, beheaded, crucified, burned, and fed them to the lions, but he himself died a perverted, raving maniac, and Rome burned and her empire eventually departed, and her remains were joyously taken over by the Christians themselves.

The martyrs were vilified, pilloried, tortured, torn apart and sawn asunder by the pagans who attempted to stamp out their pitiful tiny minority. But soon the heathen themselves were conquered by the truth, love, and peace of these berated bands of beautiful people. Then when Christendom itself became the next powerful system, churchianity tried to suffocate the findings of men of science and stifle the voices of freedom, but could not prevail against the new enlightenment and the dawn of the Renaissance of learning.

When the disillusioned idealistic young son of a wealthy Florentine merchant decided to forsake all, evade the draft, leave home and family, and live communally in an old deserted chapel in poverty as a beggar with his followers, he was cursed and beaten by his father, wept over by his mother, rebuked by his friends, condemned by his own church, and spurned by society. But Saint Francis of Assisi’s humble love, truth, honesty, and passion for peace, poverty, and the poor soon won his pitiful people the approval of the pope and unfolded the far-flung Franciscan Fathers of the future.

History is full of those who dared to challenge their system, dared to be different, dared to buck the tide, dared to shock their generation, or defy their science, or challenge their morals, or champion an unpopular cause, or do something beyond the call of duty: discoverers, inventors, explorers, history-makers, misfits; radical, heretical, revolutionary, above or below the norm, but certainly none of them indifferent!

All these dreamers, who envisioned doing things that nobody else had ever done before, who thought differently, acted differently, and did differently than their predecessors, were often thought to have a few screws loose, bats in the belfry, or to be just a little off their rockers, compared to the rest of the people—the silent majority, who have never made a sound in history, never made a dent in progress, never made a mark, never made any impression, so you never knew they ever existed.

Beaten paths are for beaten men! Burning the candle at both ends may look crazy, but it sure gives a better light. You may wear out fast, but you’ll sure generate a lot of heat! You live in fame, and die in flame, but nothing can stop you. They’re never able to put it out of the memory of mankind—that here was a man who stood out from the rest, outstanding for his achievement. He dared to be different, and did what they told him not to, or they said couldn’t be done, because he thought it ought to be, should be—and he could do it, no matter what anybody said—and he did it, by the grace of God—and the world heard about him. Praise God!

And when this life is over, and the angels beckon you, the world will remember you. If what you did was right, God will never forget it. You’ll shine as the stars forever (Daniel 12:3). “Well done, thou good and faithful servant—enter thou into the joy of thy Lord”—you and all the rest who dared to be “fools for Christ’s sake!”
(Matthew 25:21; 1 Corinthians 4:10).

THE TWO PATHS

O’er uncharted sea
To their hearts’ desire
Do men of faith set sail,
While the beaten men
Walk with fearful hearts
Along life’s beaten trail.

The men of faith will challenge
Both men and Satan’s wrath,
But the beaten men will compromise
And walk the beaten path.

Beaten roads are for beaten men,
As they walk with measured tread;
With tuneless souls they move along
To dwell among the dead.

But men of faith climb unscaled walls,
And sail uncharted sea.
They dare to cross convention’s bounds
To set the captives free.
—Sir Thomas Wyatt (1503–1542)

^[1] Attributed to Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel, German philosopher (1770–1831).

Copyright © 1973 The Family International.

 

Choice

David Brandt Berg

1973-05-01

It may surprise you to know that God likes you, His children, to make your own choices within His will. I know you delight yourself in the Lord most of all and want to do His will. But when we do, it is His delight to also give us the desires of our hearts, because He’s the one who puts them there when we’re pleasing Him (Psalm 37:4). If we love the Lord with all our hearts, these personal desires are usually the right ones, because we only want to please Him. So your personal desire in the matter has a great deal to do with God’s will. He gives us what we want and have faith for.

But as my mother used to say, “When in doubt, don’t!” For as His Word says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin” (Romans 14:23). However, if you’re truly convinced in your own heart that a thing is God’s will, you should do it, no matter what anybody says. But if you’re convinced in your own heart that it is not God’s will, you should not do it, no matter what anybody says. But if you’re not sure and do not know for sure, and have not yet made certain that a thing is God’s will, then the best thing to do, of course, in the case of uncertainty, is to wait on the Lord until He reveals it to you one way or the other.

In the meantime, don’t let anybody else tell you that it is of the Lord and okay to go ahead, or that it is His will that you do so, if He has not said so. Just say you’re waiting on the Lord to know His will. Anything is possible, for with God nothing is impossible, for all things are possible to him that believeth (Luke 1:37, Mark 9:23). However you must be personally sure and not merely be swayed by others. It must be your own personal desire from the Lord, in which case it would be of God. However, even if such should be the case, there could still be many obstacles yet to hurdle, as you well know.

Time is the great tester, so I’d certainly advise you to wait until you’re sure of your own mind and heart and God’s will. As Paul says in that same 14th chapter of Romans, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind” (Romans 14:5). You personally must make the choice, and the decision is up to you and you alone. No one else can make it for you, not even God.

This is one of the mysteries of God’s will and His plan: That He hath bestowed upon each of us the immortal majesty of personal choice to do either good or evil. And strange as it may seem to some, it even pleases the Lord to give us our personal choice between several alternative goods, all within His will, if it is our personal desire, even as we would our own children in letting them pick out their own personal choice of a toy, or an outing, or a pleasure, as long as it is safe and good for them. This is one thing people don’t seem to understand about God: He really likes to give us our choice, even as we do our own children, as long as it is not something bad for us, or bad for others.

If your choice has not seemed to work out well, it could be that you made a mistake at that time and let others choose for you. Don’t let that happen again. This time, make your own choice. God will give you whatever you want that’s good for you, because He loves you, and “No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly” (Psalm 84:11). If it is good for you and those involved, He will be more than glad to give it to you.—Although sometimes He gives us the desires of our heart but sends leanness to our souls just to teach us a lesson and to show us that we made a foolish choice (Psalm 106:15).

So, contrary to popular opinion, God does not usually choose for us. We have to choose for ourselves, find His will for ourselves, seek Him diligently to know His will, and to know what is best for us and others through our knowledge of His Word and personal experience. This is why He put us here, this is what we’re here to learn, and the major part of our training: how to make the right decisions through our personal contact with Him, our knowledge of His Word and His will, and our love for Him and others. We must do what we know is right, and be willing to live and to die for what we know is the truth.

But as He says, “Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.” Be sure you’re right, and you know you’re right. Then go ahead and do what you know is right, no matter what anybody says, and not because anyone has said it, but because you yourself are personally convinced it’s God’s will, have established it in the mouth of many witnesses, and confirmed it through many leadings, signs, and other fruits and evidences. Follow His guiding Word to you to help you know what’s best. He likes you to seek it out and find it, so you yourself will know it’s right when you do it without a doubt.

Think of your own children or family. Think how you love them, and how you like to make them happy, as well as keep them safe and healthy, as long as they love you and delight themselves in obedience to your word, even giving them the choice of many things that are good for them. And remember that God is like that with you. That’s what He wants you to do and to have, to give you the desires of your heart, as long as you delight yourself in Him. But they must be the desires of your heart and not merely someone else’s—your choice and not only another’s.

May God bless and keep you and continue to make you a great blessing and give you every desire of your heart as you delight yourself in Him and His love.

The door is now open. Walk in where you will, by your own free and loving choice. It is His delight to give it to you. Fear not, little one, it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom (Luke 12:32). God bless you!

Copyright © May 1973 by The Family International

February 9, 2024

Finding Joy in Christ

By Dave Jenkins

Paul’s answer to anxiety in his writings is not to offer a band-aid solution of coping mechanisms, but to reveal misplaced trust. Anxiety uncovers our fears and desperations. There is something we are terrified to lose, or something that we refuse to let go. And yet that “something” cannot bear the load that we attach to it. Even the good things of our lives, such as love, family, knowledge, and success, cannot last through thick and thin, because we are finite creatures, and God is infinite. He knows our needs and knows we need Him at all times.

Only those who trust in Christ can face every threat and every situation with hope and joy. This is because only those who belong to the Lord know that nothing in our world can take us from our Lord. As Paul says in Romans 8:35–39, absolutely nothing can “separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” By refocusing on the Lord, treasuring Him, and with His grace as your life’s foundation, you can find joy in Christ. You will also find genuine biblical gentleness through abiding in Jesus, enabling you to combat worry through praying with gratitude, focusing on the character of Christ, and growing in the grace of God.

(Read the article here.)

https://www.reformation21.org/blog/finding-joy-in-christ

Choosing God’s Way

February 8, 2024

By David Brandt Berg

Audio length: 9:48

Download Audio (8.9MB)

The Lord is able to chase all the shadows away, all the doubts and fears, and the lies of the Enemy, and bring warmth and fertility to our lives so that they may bear fruit. It is like the Lord is the sun and we’re His vineyard, and He’s able to shine on us and chase away all the shadows and doubts and fears so that we can bring forth fruit for Him.

But only God can work in people’s hearts, and they need to have the faith to believe and to know that the Lord has to do it by His Spirit. A lack of faith and power can often be the result of fear—fear of not succeeding, fear of being embarrassed, fear of being ashamed. Such fear is often the result of pride and fear of failure.

The rich and the powerful can be some of the most fearful people in the world. Solomon said that the laboring man (the poor and the humble) lies down and his sleep is sweet, but the rich (or the proud) cannot sleep for the abundance of their riches (Ecclesiastes 5:12). The rich are always worrying about their riches, and the powerful are always worrying about their power.

But there’s rest in humility, love, and faith. Pride causes fear of failure—and can actually cause failure. Fear is the opposite of faith, and without faith you can’t have true power. You have to have faith in God’s love in order to obey and strip off the outer garments of appearances, cover-ups, and false fronts. Then, if you do your part, the Lord will do His, and He will inspire you and fill you with His Spirit, so that you can bear fruit. Spirit, spire, inspire, and inspiration all come from the same root word. His Spirit gives His Bride the strength to bear fruit from the seeds of His Word. (See Matthew 13:1–19.)

But you become weakened when you try to do things in your own strength and the energy of the flesh instead of trusting God for His grace to do it. And often the reason people don’t have the faith and can’t believe God for sufficient strength is because they know they haven’t fully yielded to the Lord yet. You can’t have faith for God to bless you when you know you’re not obeying Him.

It’s like the story of the rich young ruler who came running to Jesus, and kneeling said, “Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life?” Notice how he emphasizes goodness, his own righteousness, seeking salvation by his good works and his own righteousness. You’ll find the story in Matthew 19, Mark 10, and Luke 18. But Jesus rebukes him for calling anyone good but God, a gentle chiding of his self-piety, and then tells him he must keep the commandments. Oddly enough, he asks, “Which?” Apparently he had gotten the point that he might not be so good after all, and he was hoping he had kept the right ones necessary for salvation.

So Jesus quotes only about half of them, those which forbid what most people consider the very worst sins, and which Jesus evidently already knew that this good young man would, of course, have probably kept. And the young man, with obvious relief, heartily boasts that he has kept these. But Jesus is leading him on, carefully avoiding the commandments which He apparently knows the young man has not kept quite so well, such as “Thou shalt have no other gods before Me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image. … Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them … and, Thou shalt not covet,” and the one which Jesus Himself said was the greatest of all: “Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart.”

The young man sincerely asks, “What lack I yet?” “Why am I not happy. Why am I not satisfied? Why do I feel uneasy about the future? Why don’t my possessions and position bring me contentment and rest of spirit?” Jesus had been drawing him out to reveal his greatest sin of spiritual pride. Now Jesus puts him to the test: Will he be willing to give up the things that he covets, the other gods that he worships, the images to whom he bows—his riches, his position, the opinions of men, his idolatry of covetousness?

Knowing the struggle and the sad decision His words were to bring in the young man’s heart, Jesus looks on him with compassion and love and tells him he lacks but one thing, and asks him to make the most difficult decision of his life: “Go and sell all that you have and give it to the poor, and come, take up the cross and follow Me, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven” (Matthew 19:21)! But when the young man heard this, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. So Jesus turned to His disciples and said, “How hard it is for the rich to enter into the kingdom of God! It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” (Matthew 19:23–24). This was a very small gate in the wall of Jerusalem through which camels had to crawl on their knees, pushed and shoved and pulled and dragged by their drivers, and shrieking with pain at the tops of their voices in stubborn protest. What a picture!

When His disciples heard this, they were amazed and said, “Who then can be saved?” In their day, many of the rich were the most religious and self-righteous Pharisees. So they must have figured if they would have such a hard time, what chance did the poor publicans and sinners have? And Jesus acknowledged that it was impossible for anyone to be saved without the miracle-working power of God. “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible” ⁽Matthew 19:26).

The saddest thing about this whole experience was that this young man’s riches had never brought him happiness or satisfaction, or he would not have come running to Jesus, begging for an answer. Yet when Jesus gave him the answer to life, love, and happiness in forsaking all for Jesus and others, he went away still full of the sorrows that riches bring. He still went back to his riches that had never satisfied, and rich as he was, he was still unable to pay the price of the joy of giving all.—Which, of course, shows that he loved things more than God.

We each have to make the decision to follow God. He’ll do everything else for us—give us the strength, power, wisdom, life, and love. All He asks is for us to commit ourselves. God leaves the choice to us, and He gives us the power to choose.

Some people come so near, yet so far! The rich young ruler came running to the Lord asking what he should do. He came so close. God is very patient, but there comes a time when His Spirit will no longer strive with man.

Sadly, the rich young ruler went away sorrowful. He was seeking truth and fullness of joy, but he didn’t have that unreserved commitment to the Lord that brings the fullness of His joy. “These words I speak unto you, that your joy may be full” (John 15:11). The branch must abide in the vine so that it can bring forth fruit (John 15:5–6).

The Bible says that “Jesus, looking at him [the rich young ruler], loved him” (Mark 10:21). Do you know the Lord weeps for us sometimes? He’s not a High Priest who cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities. He has compassion upon us. And that’s why we can come boldly to His throne of grace to obtain the mercy and help we need (Hebrews 4:15–16).

Whatever God does or allows in our lives, He does it in love. He can give or take away, but whichever, He always does both in love. “The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away. Blessed be the name of the Lord” (Job 1:21).

Lord, we can only find the fullness of faith in the path of obedience when we make the choice to follow You first and foremost. When we’re willing to take up our cross and deny self and yield our will and follow You, all the rest will come, because You’ll give us the power we need as we surrender ourselves to You.

Are you choosing God’s way over your own way?

Originally published February 1973. Adapted and republished February 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Ditching Comparing and a Scarcity Mindset

February 6, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 9:16

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Have you ever wondered if there’s any need for you and the dreams tucked in your heart when there are already so many successful people out there?

I totally understand.

Several years ago, I remember pouring out all the best words I had through pixelated letters-turned-pages-turned-book proposal. I tucked my heart and dreams into a purple OfficeMax binder and hoped for the best.

That summer, I gave my proposal to several acquisition editors. For months after sending out my proposal, I dreamed about the day some publishing house would say yes. …

Soon, I’d received a no from all but one publisher. And when I got that final rejection, I felt so foolish for thinking I could actually write a book. My dream was nothing but a sham. I had no writing skills. And I must have heard God all wrong.

At the same time, I had other writer friends who were getting different letters from publishers.

Amazing letters.

Dreams-come-true letters.

Letters that turned into book contracts.

In my better moments, I did the right thing and authentically celebrated with them. But behind the scenes, there were hard moments happening inside of me. …

I wrestled, and I processed.

And I decided to get still. But this stillness wasn’t passive. I actively had to make the choice to reject the fears that said I’d been left out and left behind. And I had to starve my scarcity mindset of thinking that opportunities had passed me by altogether.

Then I could see new and life-giving possibilities. Maybe I wasn’t ready yet, but that didn’t mean I wouldn’t ever be ready. Now was the time to stop looking around and start focusing on becoming the best writer I could be. And eventually, I wrote something worth publishing.

Looking back on that season, this is the nugget of wisdom that sticks with me: [Another’s] success does not threaten yours or mine. All tides rise when we see [someone else] making this world a better place with [their] gifts.

When I finally started believing this, my stillness turned into readiness. And that was over 25 published books ago.

Let Jesus’ words in Luke 10:2 sink into the deep places of your heart today: “The harvest is great, but the workers are few. So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send more workers into his fields.”

And this is where we have a choice to make.

We can look out and see the unlimited, abundant opportunities God has placed before us. To create. To write. To try. To grow. To serve. To sing. To be and become. To harvest for Him.

Or we can stare at another person’s opportunity and get entangled in the enemy’s lie that everything is scarce. Scarce thinking. Scarce supply. Scarce possibilities. And we start seeing another person’s creations as a threat to our own opportunities.

Oh, friend, there is an abundant need in this world for your contributions to the Kingdom. Know it. Believe it. Live it.—Lysa TerKeurst¹

*

I looked at the mirrored wall at the gym as I moved through the group exercise motions and had the most surprising thought. I never knew I was so beautiful.

I really was surprised with the thought.

Maybe it was looking at myself in the full-length mirrored wall from a distance. Maybe it was finally learning the slow, graceful movements. Maybe it was just removing judgment and seeing myself as others might see me.

I wasn’t trying to look beautiful. I wasn’t comparing myself to others in the room. I was just enjoying myself, enjoying the quiet music and the sway of my body, the freedom and sense of accomplishment I felt as I mastered something new. But if there was one thing I learned from the thought, it was that I wished I had allowed myself to feel this way earlier on in life. I wish I’d never compared or critiqued or judged myself. I wish I’d spent more time enjoying the music and being grateful that I had a body that could move with it. I wish I’d spent more time challenging myself to do something that made me feel beautiful.

Maybe I saw myself as God saw me in that moment, an older woman feeling youthful, a woman feeling the joy of discovery and the freedom of learning, a child of God, grateful for her life and another day to praise Him.—Joyce Suttin

*

The Bible has a great deal to say about contentment—being satisfied with what we have, who we are, and where we’re going. … The writer to the Hebrews says, “Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5). Yet people continue to seek after more of the things of this world, never contented with their lot in life. The bumper sticker that reads “He with the most toys wins!” epitomizes the world’s cravings for more and more. …

But when our hearts are filled with the Holy Spirit, the demands of our hearts can be brought under His control (Galatians 5:16–17). We recognize that God has provided all we need for our present happiness and we can, therefore, experience satisfaction. Jesus said, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10). …

Life is simplified when we recognize that our purpose is simply to reflect the glory of God in the unique ways He designed us to shine (1 Corinthians 10:31; 2 Corinthians 5:20). When we make it our goal to live for Christ, the result is a satisfaction that carries into eternity. Even when earthly needs or wants clamor for attention, our souls know this state is temporary, and our eternal satisfaction is just ahead. “You will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand” (Psalm 16:11; cf. Matthew 6:19–21).—GotQuestions.org²

*

Stop judging and evaluating yourself, for this is not your role. Above all, stop comparing yourself with other people. This produces feelings of pride or inferiority, sometimes a mixture of both. I lead each of My children along a path that is uniquely tailor-made for him or her. Comparing is not only wrong; it is also meaningless.

Don’t look for affirmation in the wrong places: your own evaluations or those of other people. The only source of real affirmation is My unconditional Love. Many believers perceive Me as an unpleasant Judge, angrily searching out their faults and failures. Nothing could be further from the truth! I died for your sin so that I might clothe you in My garments of salvation. This is how I see you: radiant in My robe of righteousness. When I discipline you, it is never in anger or disgust; it is to prepare you for face-to-face fellowship with Me throughout all eternity. Immerse yourself in My loving Presence. Be receptive to My affirmation, which flows continually from the throne of grace.—Jesus³

Published on Anchor February 2024. Read by Lenore Welsh. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2023/04/27/starving-our-scarcity-mindset

² https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-contentment.html
https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-satisfaction.html

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson, 2010).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Communication—A Key Part of Relationships

By Maria Fontaine

February 6, 2024

We as human beings need interaction with one another and with God. These interactions, or the lack of them, affect our perceptions of ourselves and the world around us, either positively or negatively. Communication is a key part of building a relationship.

All our relationships have an impact on us. Casual or long-term friends, our parents and siblings, our co-workers, and our marriage partners all have an influence on who we become. And the greatest of all relationships, our relationship with God, can help us overcome any negative impacts of circumstances and influences from our past.

Most of us have experienced how strong, positive relationships can help to carry us through difficulties, hardships, loss, or grief. Building a solid, faith-filled relationship with Jesus can turn the challenges that come into our lives into opportunities to gain compassion, wisdom, and strength of spirit.

Our relationship with the Lord grows or stagnates in a way similar to other relationships. If we choose to invest time and effort in looking to Jesus for His guidance, then that active seeking develops and strengthens our connection with Him. If we choose not to invest in communicating with Him, including studying His Word, then familiarity can start to dull our vision.

The saying “Familiarity breeds contempt” isn’t specifically expressed in the Bible, but there are numerous examples throughout the Old and New Testament of how growing familiar with the many blessings and presence of the Lord in our lives can cause us to lose the respect, reverence, and what the Bible calls our “fear of the Lord.” We can lose that awe, that wonder at His mercies, His love and care for us that motivates our hearts to desire to be as close as we can be to Him.

Familiarity with others, especially those who we have deeper relationships with, can be effected in a similar way. We may go through the motions of communicating with someone who we’ve grown familiar with, going through our day being polite, having superficial conversations, or fulfilling common social conventions, yet without genuine interaction of heart with heart. Life can become a routine of expected actions and reactions that fail to stir our hearts, and gradually this neglect can damage or destroy that relationship. It causes our perceptions and expectations of that person to become outdated because we haven’t noticed the growth and changes that are taking place in them. So without realizing it, our assumptions about them become based on the past. That can lead to wrong judgments and can do great harm to our relationship.

A valuable tool when communicating with others is to ask the Holy Spirit to use love and wisdom to filter your words. As that saying goes, “Words are real things; they lift up or tear down, they bless or they curse, they save or they damn.” Wisdom and prayerfulness are part of respecting others and looking to Jesus to know what to share. The Holy Spirit knows what each heart needs even when we don’t.

This is especially true in our interactions with people who are closest to us, because loving someone involves allowing ourselves to be vulnerable. We can’t harden ourselves and be guarded toward those we love, as that will hinder us from recognizing their deeper feelings and needs.

We all pass through times when we need to go that extra mile to help those who we have a relationship with. It’s not about fairness and expecting everything to be “equal.” Jesus never required repayment in kind for all that He gave and sacrificed for us.

The more we draw close to the Lord, the more we can recognize the unconditional and unlimited love that He has for us and others. The more we build our relationship with Him, through making His presence a part of whatever we’re doing, the more our trust and faith in Him and His love will grow.

The love of Jesus doesn’t change. He doesn’t love us more when we do the right things and withdraw His love from us when we don’t. Knowing this brings freedom from the fear of being judged and abandoned by the Lord.

“Be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you” (Ephesians 4:32 KJV). Living this verse can look daunting at times, but stepping out to do what we can goes a long way.

Some people tend to be aggressive in their approach to trying to communicate with others, which can come across as confrontational. Some distance themselves from confrontations by avoiding communicating with those who are more aggressive. They may react defensively or simply go silent and shut out someone they see as attacking them.

Neither approach promotes open communication. The aggressor might walk away feeling as if they have won, but it’s a hollow victory because it hasn’t actually changed anything, and at the end of the day they haven’t been heard.

Some may simply withdraw and silently retain their personal stand while distancing themselves from the other person, which can leave them feeling defeated or depressed and unheard, which can gradually build into resentment.

The priorities of communication should be a willingness to listen, a willingness to consider what the one you are communicating with has to say, the respect and honesty to admit that others may be right at times, and the openness to accept that even when you don’t agree on some things, that your differences of opinion shouldn’t block your love, respect, and care for one another.

Below are some short reminders of things to be aware of in our communications.

• What we say reflects what is in our heart. “Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45 ESV). Taking the time to pray and check our heart before we speak can allow the Lord to balance our emotions with His perspective.
• Unkind words or put-downs may deceive you into thinking you’re getting your way, but in the end, they may cost you what is truly valuable: the connection you have with someone you love or care about. Pressuring others to bend to yourwill can act as a poison to intimacy, trust, and honest communication. Humility, love, wisdom, and honesty are both the healing balm and the antidote.
• In any communication, it’s important to remember that it’s not just about how weinterpret the meaning of what we’re saying but how the other person interprets what we say. As we grow in our understanding of those we care about, we can learn to communicate more effectively with them.

I find the following verses especially applicable when it comes to our communications with others and the words we speak. The goal is not to say nothing, but for the love, wisdom, and guidance of the Holy Spirit to infuse all that we say.

Regarding the first verse in the list below, something interesting to remember about the word “bridle” is that when you bridle a horse, you aren’t preventing the horse from all movement; rather, you’re guiding the horse where it is best for it to go.

“If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not bridle his tongue, he deceives his heart and his religion is worthless” (James 1:26 BSB).

“He who guards his mouth protects his life, but the one who opens his lips invites his own ruin” (Proverbs 13:3 CSB).

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch at the door of my lips” (Psalm 141:3 BSB).

“He who guards his mouth and tongue keeps his soul from distress” (Proverbs 21:23 BSB).

“Let my mouth be filled with thy praise and with thy honor all the day” (Psalm 71:8 KJV).

“May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14 ESV).

“Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

“Do you not understand that whatever goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? But whatever [word] comes out of the mouth comes from the heart, and this is what defiles and dishonors the man” (Matthew 15:17–18 AMP).

“My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires” (James 1:19–20 NIV).

“When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent” (Proverbs 10:19 ESV).

“There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18 ESV).

“Gracious words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the body” (Proverbs 16:24 ESV).

As a final thought, consider what the main purpose of salt is in cooking. It brings out the good flavors of the food to improve the enjoyment of it and to increase our desire for the food. The result is that it has been one of the most valued commodities by humankind for millennia. I think that is what Paul was describing when he spoke about our communications in Colossians 4:6, “Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (ESV).

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Death? Or Eternal Life

David Brandt Berg

1994-10-18

For those who love the Lord, death is our relief, release, freedom, promotion, graduation, and passing on to a better realm, the next step, the next grade. Our spirits are immediately freed to be with the Lord, so it’s not really death for us in the same way it is for those who aren’t saved. We don’t die in the sense that they die.

That’s why I don’t even like to call it “dying” or “death.” I prefer to call it graduation, passing on, or promotion. It’s our graduation. And just as we celebrate when someone graduates from school or college, so we should rejoice when someone we love graduates from this old life. They’ve finished their schooling in this earthly grade and are passing on to the next grade—the heavenly grade!

It’s just like passing from one room to another, or simply going upstairs, and as you have read in testimonies from those who passed on and were allowed to come back, it’s a very beautiful experience for those who know and love the Lord. I don’t even like that word “die,” because He said we don’t really die. It’s not death; we don’t die. The Lord said, “Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me shall never die” (John 11:26). In other words, if you’re really alive in the Spirit, “he that liveth and believeth in Me shall never die.” And the Lord also says, “If a man keep My saying, he shall never see death” (John 8:51).

The Lord delivers us out of the very jaws of death. “O grave, where is thy victory? Death, where is thy sting?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). We pass through it, but without sting—through the grave with victory for us, not the grave. Thank You, Lord! Our death will be a victory over the grave and a victory over sin and a victory over the Devil. A glorious victory and a glorious entry into the heavenlies. Thank You, Jesus!

It’s our homegoing, our graduation day, our promotion day. It’s when the Lord releases you and relieves you of your present responsibilities, and when you go home to your reward. As my grandmother said when she died, it’s your coronation day!

She had a beautiful death. She turned to my grandfather, slipped off her rings, and put them in his hand, as though she didn’t want anything that tied her to this world anymore. Everyone around her was weeping, and she said, “Why are you crying? Don’t cry. This is my graduation day. Earth recedes, heaven opens. This is my coronation day!”

For a Christian, I believe it’s the happiest event in your whole life. The end. Finito! At last, out of this fleshly carnal body with all of its woes and aches and pains and troubles and problems and weariness and sicknesses and disease and concerns, problems, hard work and sufferings. It’s all over.

You’ve done it, you’ve made it. Thank God! It’s behind you. Never again, heaven forever. Happiness eternally. Total glory.

“O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” (1 Corinthians 15:55). Death has no sting for us. Of course, in the world they don’t even like to think about it. It’s supposed to be very sad; funerals are so sad. They sing dirges, sad songs, they cry, they weep.

When my childhood friend Lamont got killed in World War II, my mother had a dream of him walking up this long avenue of beautiful trees where he met his sister. He said, “How come everybody else is crying, and you aren’t crying?” And his sister said, “We look at things differently up here.”

When my uncle died I had a funeral such as I think Miami, Florida, had never seen. They thought I was crazy! We clapped and we sang and we practically danced and we just had a great time; we had testimonies, and everybody was happy. Afterwards the funeral director shook his head and said, “I have never in my life seen a funeral like that. Everybody happy and singing lively songs and acting like you’re happy that he’s gone.” I said, “He’s gone to heaven! All his troubles are over. ”

I think for a Christian, the time of death should be a time of rejoicing. Please, talk about the good things, and praise and thank God that those who have gone on once lived, and that they still live. Don’t feel sorry for those who go on. I know we do feel a little sorry for ourselves because we have lost them from here and we miss their smiling, shining, encouraging faces and help, fellowship, and love.

You can’t feel sorry for anybody that goes there. “We sorrow not as others who have no hope” (1 Thessalonians 4:13). Everything in heaven is as wonderful as all of our delightful experiences and fellowship and love on earth, only it’s magnified, multiplied, amplified. The life hereafter for us, God’s saved children, is like an extension or an amplification, a multiplication of the joy and the thrilling, exciting lives we lead on earth. Our present happiness is multiplied many times over. When you die, that’s the final healing. Permanent healing forever! Thank You, Jesus!

I’m looking forward to actually seeing the Lord and meeting Him visibly firsthand. I shall see Him as He is, and be like Him, face to face (1 John 3:2), experiencing the fullness of the realities of God and the world to come. Hallelujah! Although, because I’ve known Him and had His Spirit in my heart and felt His presence for all these years, I don’t think it’s going to be too different. I think I’m going to feel pretty much at home with Him when we meet, just like old friends, as we have already been friends for many years.

So keep the faith. Never stop loving Him and others, and lead as many as you can into His wonderful, glorious love, so that He will rejoice to see you when you come, and say unto you, “Well done, thou good and faithful servant. Enter thou into the joy of thy Lord” (Matthew 25:21). If you think you’ve entered into a lot of joy in the Lord down here, there’s more to come!

That’s one privilege you have on earth, and that is the wonderful, glorious, thrilling experience of witnessing the love of Jesus to others and winning their hearts to Christ for their salvation to heaven. It’s hard, it’s difficult, sometimes trying, with many tests and trials, but it’s wonderful. It’s the most wonderful work in the world, and you’ll be glad you did when you see their happy, shining faces in heaven, thanking you for loving them and winning them to Jesus, to become members of His glorious kingdom of heaven. Hallelujah!

* * *

(Words from Jesus:) For all these trying and sorrowful things will pass away and seem like a dream in the night seasons, when I have received you into the glories of the everlasting kingdom and the joys that shall be forever. I will recompense all your pain and sorrows, and the things that have been lost in the earth life will be preserved forever in the heavenly kingdom that I have laid up where you shall rejoice forever.

The former things will be no more and forgotten. The pain, the sorrow, the death, the dying, the tears will all be wiped away, and there will be no more pain nor crying nor sorrow, for all these things will be forgotten in the glories that are to come.

If you could see what is in store for you, the things I have prepared for you, if you could feel what I feel for you, the joy you will know in time to come, you would be overjoyed for that which is to come. For you will experience joys you have never known.

This will be a compensation and a recompense, and you will be rewarded. For it has not entered into your mind, neither has your eye seen, nor your ear heard, the glories that will be, that I have laid up for you, My beloved.

Copyright © October 1994 by The Family International

And Then the End Will Come

David Brandt Berg

2021-04-12

“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.”—Matthew 24:14

In Matthew 24, Jesus said that when this gospel of the kingdom shall have been preached in every nation, then shall the end come. At that point, He doesn’t say in that scripture that it will be preached in every tongue, to every tribe, which He does later in Revelation 14 when the angel preaches to everybody just before Jesus comes: “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.”¹ At that point, everybody will hear it!

Once we have preached the gospel to this world, to all nations, as Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:14, “then shall the end come.” He gave many other signs, but in verse six He said, “but the end is not yet.” There will be wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and all kinds of things, but He said, “Don’t worry, the end is not yet.”

The first sign He gave that the end was near was when “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” If there was ever a day in which it looks to me like every nation has heard the gospel, it’s today! Maybe not every tongue and tribe yet—that will come at the very end.

Now remember, “the end” is not a particular point, a certain hour or second of a certain day of a month of a certain year. In fact, what is spoken of by the prophets as the endtime or the “last days” covers the span of years between the two comings of Christ. The endtime began with the first coming of Christ. In Hebrews 1:2, Paul said that they were already living “in these last days,” which will end with His Second Coming. So the end is already here and the world has been in it for 2,000 years. Some people get all excited when I say “the Crash is here,” but my Lord, the Crash has been here ever since the first Depression!

The end is here, and it has lasted 2,000 years already, and it’s going to last some more, but it gets closer all the time. The end will progress day by day as it has and continues to do, and as you read in the news. With every day that passes, we are a day closer to the end—one more hour, day, month, year closer to the end.

The end is coming, and we can see that it’s getting closer, as the gospel is being preached to every nation like never before. We’ve done our particular job to reach our generation. And now there’s not a nation on earth that hasn’t heard the gospel through us or somebody else. God is trying to give everybody a chance to know Him.

Even if people haven’t heard specifically about God, they can just look at His creation and know that there is a God. Scientists are daily discovering marvelous things about His creation, more all the time—the marvels of His design and plan, His amazing balance of nature, and everything about the creation that couldn’t possibly have happened by accident. As Paul said, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”²

Logically and reasonably just by the world and all that He has created, it is clear that there’s a God! “Only the fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”³

This gospel of the kingdom is being preached in all the world, and in those last terrible days of the Great Tribulation, God’s even going to send the angels of God to preach it! And in the very last days just before the Lord comes, at the end of the days of the Great Tribulation when the gospel has been preached in every possible way, then the Lord will come to rapture His saints. Praise the Lord!

When they see us rising to meet Jesus in the air, in this glorious, thunderous, earthshaking, heaven-quaking event that raises the dead from the graves and the living from the ground, the whole world will know that Jesus has come to rescue and save us, just as He foretold in the Bible.

Jesus will come back with all the saints who have already gone to be with the Lord through death. They come back with Him to pick up their dead bodies, which will then be new resurrected bodies like the one He rose in; they are going to be beautiful, arrayed in white garments like a bride.⁴

It’s going to be the apocalypse for sure—the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself coming in the clouds of heaven, in great power and glory, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. Christ Himself will shout and call us from every part of the earth, and we’ll be gathered together to be with Him! “And so,” He tells us, “shall we ever be with the Lord.”⁵

We will jump for joy for Jesus and go sailing right off into the air, clear on up into the clouds to be with the Lord! It’s going to be so wonderful you’re going to forget about all the hardships and suffering that happened before.

Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.

It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.⁶

Originally published May 1980. Adapted and republished April 2021.
Read by Jon Marc.

¹ Revelation 14:6.

² Romans 1:20.

³ Psalm 14:1.

⁴ Revelation 19:8.

⁵ 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

⁶ “When We See Christ” by Esther Kerr Rusthoi.

Not Dead Yet

February 2, 2024

Fighting Nine Fears of Old Age

By John Piper

I need to join you in the fight against the fears of aging by faith in future grace. I have nine fears we will walk through together, and I’ll give you biblical antidotes for those fears.

(Read a transcript of the message here. Please note that the audio of this sermon contains a few graphic death tales and descriptions of the final days of some very elderly people. The audio has more detail than the transcript; for this reason we suggest reading the transcript rather than listening to the audio. Overall, we felt this sermon made good and helpful points, but it may not be for everyone.)

Not Dead Yet: Fighting Nine Fears of Old Age | Desiring God

https://www.desiringgod.org/messages/not-dead-yet

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Praying Like a Professional

February 1, 2024

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 10:08

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The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.—James 5:16

Be like a professional when it comes to intercessory prayer. If you were going to pitch the financing of a project, for example, to a company’s CEO and board of directors, you would come prepared with a clear proposal. You’d do your very best to show how such a project would be beneficial. You’d choose your words carefully and would strive to keep things concise and to the point, knowing that their time is precious.

What is a professional? It’s someone who is skilled at what they do. Think of prayer as a profession, and then strive to be the best you can be in the field of prayer. Any professional who is going to be effective has to put time and effort into their profession and has to work at improving their skills. Likewise, if you are going to grow in your prayer life, you have to invest the time, hone your skills, and strengthen your prayer muscles.

When it comes to intercessory prayer or requests for needs or opportunities, come to Me with thanksgiving, knowing that your every request is heard. Express your need thoroughly, be specific about what you ask for and what you have the faith for. Then wait and trust that as you commit every request to Me for My will to be done in the situation, you have done your part.

A key in prayer is trusting in Me for the outcome, and not wavering in your faith if the answer is not seen immediately. Sometimes I will bring the answer quickly and other times the answer may take longer for a variety of reasons. Sometimes the time is not right. Sometimes there are still choices that must be made on the part of the recipient of the answered prayer. And other times I answer your request, but not in the way you expected, as My ways and thoughts in the situation may not be the same as yours (Isaiah 55:8–9).

I’m the Boss, and you work for Me; but I’ve also made you a partner. With that partnership comes certain privileges. One of your highest privileges is that of sitting at the conference table of prayer with Me, knowing that you will walk away from that table after spending time in My presence a step closer to the answer and the peace of mind and confidence that I have heard your petitions and will bring about My will in the situation.

A first resort

Prayer should never be a last resort, but your first course of action, as you commit all things to Me and ask for Me to work in every situation. Prayer is not an “extra” or something you do when you have time or when the situation is dire. It is fundamental and central to your life and work, and most of all your relationship with Me, as you seek to acknowledge Me in all your ways (Proverbs 3:5).

Prayer is a central part of your life as a disciple! In fact‚ prayer is one of the most important parts of your walk with Me because it’s the part where you place things in My hands and trust in Me and My power to work according to My will. If you neglect that part‚ you miss out on entering into My peace, because without committing things to prayer, you end up carrying the weight of them on your own.

It is important to your spiritual life to take your prayer life seriously. Being professional about prayer is not being haphazard and lackadaisical; it’s being focused and giving it your full attention. It’s praying targeted and Spirit-filled prayers! Effective intercessory prayer takes focus, concentration, and desperation.

Do not belittle your ministry of prayer, as it helps to lay the foundation of your work for the rest of the day and to commit every concern to Me. As you pray for your work, your children, your friends and loved ones, the world around you, and those in power, you have done your part to seek My intervention in each situation, and for My will to be done and for My kingdom to come to earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:9–13).

Be a prayer warrior

Be a prayer warrior—one who believes that prayer is important and puts their heart into it and makes it part of their everyday life. Take the same approach to your prayer life as you would to your profession. Give it the same care, attention‚ determination and focus as you do your work life. Whether you are praying during a time dedicated to prayer or throughout your day as you commit the tasks and situations at hand to Me and ask Me to intervene in the way I know is best, come to Me and cast all your cares on Me, knowing that I care for you (1 Peter 5:7).

Prayer warriors persevere in prayer and tend to their Father’s business with careful attention and diligence. Their earnest prayers are powerful and produce great results in accordance with My will (James 5:16). They are confident that when they ask for something according to My will, they have the petitions they desire of Me (1 John 5:14–15).

Like a doctor who is called to intervene in a needy situation that requires medical assistance, a prayer warrior is always prepared to respond to a need by coming boldly to the throne of grace to obtain mercy and grace to help in times of need (Hebrews 4:16). He knows that his gift of prayer makes him a servant of others, as he can’t turn a deaf ear to a needy situation that requires prayer. He knows that when prayer is needed, he is called to intercede, and he clearly and concisely presents the needs‚ asks Me to take care of them, and trusts that I will intervene according to My will.

Earnestness in prayer is not a gift. Every believer has the ability to grow in their prayer life. You can practice your voice of faith by memorizing and claiming My promises and reminding yourself of My faithfulness. You may wish you could do more to help a problem or situation than “just praying for it.” But remember that earnest, desperate‚ faith-filled prayer is powerful and can produce wonderful results.

During the course of your busy life it’s easy to forget that prayer is an integral part of being a Christian and a disciple. Prayer can open doors that could not be opened otherwise, breaks chains that would be impossible for human strength to break, remove the most daunting obstacles, deliver the most well-guarded prisoners from Satan’s clutches, and cause miracles to occur.

Coming into My presence with thanksgiving

Trust Me by relinquishing control into My hands. Let go, and recognize that I am God. This is My world; I made it and I control it. … When you bring Me prayer requests, lay out your concerns before Me. Speak to Me candidly; pour out your heart. Then thank Me for the answers that I have set into motion long before you can discern results.

When your requests come to mind again, continue to thank Me for the answers that are on the way. If you keep on stating your concerns to Me, you will live in a state of tension. When you thank Me for how I am answering your prayers, your mindset becomes much more positive.

Thankful prayers keep your focus on My Presence and My promises. Your prayers and petitions are winged into heaven’s throne room when they are permeated with thanksgiving. “In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:18).¹

Originally published November 2007, unless otherwise indicated. Adapted and republished February 2024. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ Sarah Young, Jesus Calling (Thomas Nelson, 2010).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Why I Left Atheism for Christianity

January 31, 2024

By Jonathan Noyes

I’m often asked what led to my converting from atheism to Christianity. The answer sometimes surprises: reality. Reality is the way the world really is. It doesn’t change according to our likes and dislikes. Because of this, when you don’t live according to reality, you bump into it. As an atheist, when looking for answers to important questions, I bumped hard into reality.

(Read the article here.)

https://www.str.org/w/why-i-left-atheism-for-christianity

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

The Rich Young Ruler

January 30, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 15:01

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In looking at what Jesus said about believing and living His teachings as a disciple, it becomes evident that true belief in Him calls for modifying our priorities. Believers are called to give their primary allegiance to Him, which includes giving Him priority over our material possessions, as His encounter with a wealthy young man highlighted.

As [Jesus] was setting out on his journey, a man ran up and knelt before him and asked him, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” (Mark 10:17)

Mark tells us that this man was rich. In the Gospel of Matthew, he is described as being young, while Luke calls him a ruler (Matthew 19:20; Luke 18:18). So, traditionally he is referred to as “the rich young ruler.” It is unlikely that he was a synagogue leader, as he would have needed to be older for that, but he may have been an influential wealthy civic leader.

Knowing that the man was familiar with the Law, Jesus went on to quote from the Ten Commandments, which reflected God’s will for His people. The man replied that he had kept them since he was young. He was a Torah-observant Jew, who probably lived a good life and wanted to be certain that he would inherit eternal life.

Even though he kept the commandments, he sensed that something was missing, that just keeping the commandments hadn’t fulfilled his quest to sincerely know and serve God. He asked Jesus what that something was.

“Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, ‘You lack one thing: go, sell all that you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me’” (Mark 10:21).

The young man was challenged to realign his priorities. While he kept most of the commandments, he wasn’t willing to keep a key one: You shall have no other gods before me (Deuteronomy 5:7). He couldn’t shift his allegiance to God. His wealth on earth was more important to him than treasure in heaven. His wealth stood between him and God. Jesus’ call was to remove that obstruction.

This wasn’t a universal demand for all believers to sell everything they owned and follow Jesus, but rather served to highlight what the young man was putting before God. There were followers of Jesus who had wealth, but they had their wealth in the right priority; they put God first. This can be seen in the examples of Joseph of Arimathea, Joanna, Susanna, and others who shared their wealth with other disciples. In the book of Acts we read of faithful disciples like Barnabas, who owned property, and Lydia, who owned a business.

As Jesus stated in the Sermon on the Mount: “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money” (Matthew 6:24). This man, whom Jesus looked upon with love, was unwilling to put his love for God and his desire “to inherit eternal life” above the love of his possessions. “Disheartened by the saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions” (Mark 10:22).

We are then told that “Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, ‘How difficult it will be for those who have wealth to enter the kingdom of God!’ And the disciples were amazed at his words” (Mark 10:23–24). While Jesus said it was difficult for the wealthy to enter God’s kingdom, He didn’t say it was impossible. Nevertheless, He went on, using hyperbole: “It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Mark 10:25).

Jesus’ statement was meant to portray something which is impossible. The rich man, through his own efforts, cannot enter the kingdom of God.

“They were exceedingly astonished, and said to him, ‘Then who can be saved?’ Jesus looked at them and said, “With man it is impossible, but not with God. For all things are possible with God’” (Mark 10:26–27).

What was true of the rich young man is actually true of everyone—no one, rich or poor, can be saved through their own efforts. It’s impossible. But what is impossible for people is possible with God. Salvation requires God’s gracious action.

Jesus then assured His disciples that those who follow His call, who sacrifice the things that are important to them to follow Him, will be greatly rewarded—both in this life and eternally (Mark 10:28–30). Those who believe and follow Jesus, who put Him first, above other loves and above the riches of this world, are promised life everlasting.

The account of the rich young ruler teaches us that loyalty to other things can keep us from following Jesus. Through this encounter, Jesus showed that putting God first is a requisite for true discipleship.—Peter Amsterdam

What must I do?

Scripture tells us that this man ran to Jesus and—most probably panting for breath—knelt at Jesus’ feet and said, “Good teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”…

I can imagine that this rich religious leader was dressed “to the nines,” his clothes having come from the local Neiman Marcus. Jesus, on the other hand, looked more like He’d purchased His clothes at a local thrift store. The visual must have been something to see, especially given the fact that Jesus had just been entertained by and had blessed children. From the “least of these” to the “most highly respected.”

And yet the man called Jesus good, which is tantamount to calling Him God. Then, as a religious leader, he asked for a direct map to eternity. …

He answered the man’s question by saying that he must observe the commandments. … Jesus’ answer to the rich man went like this, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, you shall not defraud, honor your father and mother.” Nothing about God and man—this is about man and man.

We can almost hear the rich man mentally going, “Check. Check. Check,” because he quickly told Jesus that he had kept these commandments since boyhood. …

And then next comes the scripture verse that gets me every time I read it: Jesus looked at him and loved him (Mark 10:21). Do you wonder why? (I do.) We know that Jesus loves everyone, right? So, what transpired in that moment that connected these two in such a way? Could it be that Jesus, who owns the whole of the universe, whose riches go so far above and beyond anything we can possibly imagine or possess, had left all to live as a poor, traveling teacher before making His way to the cross?

Could it be that there lay within this similarity such a connection between the two? And that Jesus, knowing what His next line would be—and the rich man’s answer—brought tender heartache. Ah, because there was one thing—one more thing—that the man had to do: sell it all, leave it all behind, follow Him. And there we have those first four commandments, really. God above all. God and God alone. God, not only on the throne of Heaven, but on the throne of our hearts.

The man turned, his face downcast, and walked away. What he possessed on earth was worth more to him than eternal life.

What would you do? Would you sell it all for Him? … What if He pointed to anything in your life that you enjoy and said, “Put that down and follow me”?

What would you do? Why do you call Him good? Now it is our turn to answer.—Eva Marie Everson¹

Who then can be saved?

“Who then can be saved?” the spectators inquired. At the point when Jesus replied, he inferred that nobody can be saved by his own accomplishments, yet only God can do what man cannot do. No one can earn salvation. It is a gift from God. …

In this passage of Scripture, Jesus is speaking to a rich young man (Luke 18:18–30). … This young religious leader looked for consolation, some approach to knowing without a doubt that he had everlasting life. He needed Jesus to gauge and grade his capabilities, or to give him some errand that he could do to guarantee his own eternality. So, Jesus gave him an assignment, the one thing that the religious leader felt that he was unable to do.

“Who then can be saved?” the spectators inquired. At the point when Jesus replied, he inferred that nobody can be saved by his own accomplishments, yet only God can do what man cannot do. No one can earn salvation. It is a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8–10). …

To this man looking for confirmation of everlasting life, Jesus called attention to the fact that salvation does not come from great deeds unaccompanied by the adoration for God. The man required a different beginning stage. Rather than adding one more precept to keep or a decent deed to perform, he needed to submit unassumingly to the lordship of Christ.

This present man’s abundance smoothed his life and gave him importance and power. At the point when Jesus advised him to sell all that he possessed, he was contacting the man’s very reason for distinctiveness and refuge. The man did not comprehend that he would be significantly safer assuming he followed Jesus than he was with his riches. This showed the man’s shortcoming.

In essence, his abundance was his god. His wealth had become his graven image, and he would not surrender it. Along these lines, he abused the first and most noteworthy of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:3; Matthew 22:36–40).

Unexpectedly, the man’s demeanor made him incapable of keeping the first commandment. He was unable to meet the one prerequisite that Jesus gave, to give his entire heart and life to God. The man came to Jesus asking what it was that he could do, yet he left seeing what it was that he could not do.

Jesus does not request that all Christians sell all that they have, albeit this might be his will for certain individuals. In any case, he requests that all of us dispose of whatever has become more vital to us than God. Assuming our reason for security has moved from God to that of what we own, it would be better for us to dispose of those belongings.

Faith and confidence in God, not in self or wealth, is what counts. … As Christians, our actual award is the presence of God and the Holy Spirit’s power. Later on, during the forever, we will be compensated for our Christian service and faith.—Chris Swanson²

Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/bible-study/answering-jesus-question-why-do-you-call-me-good.html

² https://www.christianity.com/wiki/jesus-christ/why-did-jesus-ask-why-do-you-call-me-good.html

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

The Way He Sees You

January 29, 2024

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 12:36

Download Audio (11.5MB)

A friend who I’ve known for many years wrote me and asked for my help in answering a prison inmate who she was ministering to. He had written, saying:

I struggle with anxious worries about my purpose. The Bible talks of people being servants, but how can I serve anyone in this condition? I am so afraid I’m not going to be able to put my hand to the plow. What can I do?

The Bible talks about coming out from among them. I am chained with people that I can’t console in many ways. What can I do with that?

I’m in need of prayer to find the paths of life. Please pray for me.

No matter where God has placed one of His children, if they will let His light shine through them, it will bring hope to others. It doesn’t matter if it is a physical prison or the prison of fear, doubt, self-condemnation, or any others. We as fellow Christians have a responsibility to support one another in love, using His Word and the encouragement that Jesus is always ready to provide for any of His children.

Here is what the Lord inspired me to write in response to this man’s plea for prayer and help:

Hello, please know that you are in my prayers. I can imagine that your struggles must feel so overwhelming at times, beyond what words can describe. It must be very difficult being there where so many of the circumstances can work against your faith. You must have to walk by faith and not by sight a lot of the time.

Although you are facing very challenging circumstances, it might encourage you to know that you’re not alone in this fight to stand strong in the face of what can look like overwhelming troubles. Life brings many difficult, painful, or seemingly hopeless situations that challenge our faith and drive us into Jesus’ arms.

The more we practice looking to Him to show us ways, even small ones, to keep fighting the good fight of faith and to stay as close to Him as we can, the more we begin to see Jesus working in and around and through us.

It can be hard to see the purpose in our lives or how God is working when we are in the midst of difficult times. This brought to mind a message written by Pastor Rick Warren, in his book The Purpose Driven Life. I hope this will encourage you:

God has a purpose behind every problem. He uses circumstances to develop our character. Jesus warned us that we would have problems in the world. No one is immune to pain or insulated from suffering, and no one gets to skate through life problem-free. …

God uses problems to draw you closer to himself. The Bible says, “The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; he rescues those who are crushed in spirit.” Your most profound and intimate experiences with Jesus will likely be in your darkest days—when your heart is broken, when you feel abandoned, when you’re out of options, when the pain is great—and you turn to God alone. It is during suffering that we learn to pray our most authentic, heartfelt, honest-to-God prayers. …

Every problem is a character-building opportunity, and the more difficult it is, the greater the potential for building spiritual muscle and moral fiber. Paul said, “We know that these troubles produce patience. And patience produces character.” What happens outwardly in your life is not as important as what happens inside you. Your circumstances are temporary, but your character will last forever.—Rick Warren¹

Jesus promised to be with you always (Matthew 28:20), through whatever you face or have to endure, and He will help you in the toughest situations. The Bible tells us that “we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them” (Romans 8:28). That is a promise you can claim! God will work everything you face for your good because you are called according to His purpose.

You might wonder what could possibly be the purpose that you are called to in your difficult situation. First and foremost, your purpose as a follower of Jesus is to learn to look to God and trust Him in all that you face.

Also, it is helpful to remember that God’s purpose for you is not about doing something big for God in order to please Him. He asks us to do what we can right where we are, to walk according to His Word, and to share His truth and love with others, as opportunities arise.

Jesus knows your heart. “He knows what we are made of and He remembers that we are dust” (Psalm 103:14). He doesn’t ask you to be perfect. He simply wants you to do your best to follow Him and to bring your tests and trials to Him, knowing that He will be your strength and counselor in times of trouble.

Of course, He wants you to make an effort to learn of Him and to grow in your faith. But He doesn’t have a standard that you have to attain to in order to earn His love. In fact, your imperfections and struggles make a way for Him to manifest His forgiveness and show His love and mercy. Seeing God’s mercy to you can motivate others to come to Him for forgiveness, especially those who might otherwise feel they are “too bad” for God.

We aren’t instantly transformed the moment we receive Jesus—it is a lifelong process (2 Corinthians 3:18). It takes time for us to grow and learn day by day. So, do what you can to make your life an example of God’s presence in you, and you can rest assured that it will be an encouragement to others.

You’ll likely trip up and make wrong choices at times and you’ll falter and maybe fail every now and then, as we all do. But try to see these mistakes and weaknesses as opportunities to grow stronger in your convictions. Learn the lesson God has for you in each situation. Do what you can to make it right when possible if you have offended others. Then just keep going, without condemnation, as you rest in the peace of knowing that Jesus has forgiven you.

We are human. The Bible says that He remembers our frame, that we are dust. Jesus wants you to know that He loves you and has received you with open arms. As you rest in that assurance, His love and kindness will become more and more a part of your nature. Of course, it takes time for these attributes to grow; becoming a new creature in Christ is a process.

My most heartfelt prayer for you is that you can come to rest in the great love that Jesus has for you. Believe in that love. When you trip up and make mistakes, tell Him that you are sorry, but don’t get down on yourself. He loves you just as you are, and that is with all of your human frailties. He will help you improve, but He knows you’ll never be perfect. That is not the goal. We are to have Him in first place in our lives and do the best we can to obey the instruction in His Word.

Even if you find it difficult to do much that to you looks like serving the Lord and others in the environment you live in, just trust that He knows how difficult it is and He is working even these things for your good and the good of others. A witness or act of service might look small to you, but it might be the beginning of something greater than you could have imagined. Trust that Jesus knows what He’s doing and that there is a purpose in the situation you are in and there is a part for you to play in His magnificent plan.

I would imagine that at times you feel very alone. You probably feel that no one can understand what you’re going through. I think it would help to remember that His love for you is personal. He cares about you more than anyone else ever could. The bond between you and Him is a one-on-one relationship that will never end and will only grow stronger and deeper and sweeter as time passes.

I haven’t lived in your situation, so you might feel that I don’t understand. And it’s true, I don’t fully understand. But you can rest assured that Jesus does. He understands very well, and He wants you to know without a doubt that He loves you, forgives you, and cares for you. He loves you so much that He died for you. Trust Him and gain the peace that comes from believing in His great love for you.

I’ll pray that you are able to rest in His love and not worry about what you can’t do. He knows every detail about your situation, and He has a plan and purpose even in this, and part of that is to draw you closer to His heart of love. He said that His mercy is from everlasting to everlasting. His love is unconditional; it doesn’t shrink or disappear when we fail or mess up.

The Lord made a promise to you the day you chose to open your heart to Him. He said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5). No matter what happens, He’s at your side. He has your back, because He loves you. A beautiful passage to hold on to when you feel like you can’t go on and you wonder if something has separated you from Jesus is Romans 8:35–39:

Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loves us.

For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

The day He received you as His own and came into your heart, He forgave every sin you ever committed or will yet commit. He chose to pour out His love and forgiveness without measure. He gave His life for you in love. He knows everything about you—your thoughts, your dreams, your regrets, your temptations, and the desires of your heart. His love for you will never change.

May you rest in the assurance of that love, and trust that He will guide you each day and show you how to best “let His light shine” even in the darkest places. As you do, people will see in you the God who has poured out His infinite love and grace upon you.

I will close this note with two excerpts that I think you might enjoy. God bless and keep you!

Faith is trusting what the eye cannot see! Eyes see storms; faith sees Noah’s rainbow. Your eyes see your faults; your faith sees your Savior. Your eyes see your guilt; your faith sees his cleansing blood. Your eyes look in the mirror and see a sinner, a failure. But by faith you look in the mirror and see a robed prodigal bearing the ring of grace on your finger and the kiss of your Father on your face.—Max Lucado²

In his later years Beethoven spent hours playing a broken harpsichord. The instrument was worthless. Keys were missing, strings stretched. It was out of tune, harsh on the ears. Nonetheless, the great pianist would play till tears came down his cheeks. You’d think he was hearing the sublime, and he was. He was deaf. Beethoven was hearing the sound the instrument should make, not the one it did make.

Maybe you feel like Beethoven’s harpsichord. Out of tune, inadequate. Your service ill-timed, insignificant. Ever wonder what God does when the instrument is broken? How does the Master respond when the keys don’t work? Does he demand a replacement? Or does he patiently tune until he hears the song he longs to hear? I want you to know that the Master Musician fixes what we can’t and hears music when we don’t. And he loves to hear the music that comes from your life.—Max Lucado³

Originally published April 2021. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by Lenore Welsh.

¹ The Purpose Driven Life (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2002), 193, 194, 197.

² Max Lucado, Upwords devotionals, March 24, 2021: “Resurrection Power,” https://808bo.com/2021/03/24/upwords-max-lucado-resurrection-power/.

³ Max Lucado, Upwords devotionals, March 22, 2021: “The Song He Longs to Hear,” https://808bo.com/2021/03/22/upwords-max-lucado-the-song-he-longs-to-hear/.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Desperate Prayer

David Brandt Berg

1975-10-01

When do you really pray, when you really pour out your heart to the Lord and speak in tongues? There should be some time when you really get “in the Spirit.” When do you really get in the Spirit? When do you really pour out your heart to the Lord and really get through in the Spirit?

It’s very important. It’s very good for your soul. It’s good for your spirit. It’s good for your spiritual condition to know that you have really poured out your heart to the Lord with a whole soul, with all your heart, with all your might.

You ought to really get down to business with God! There should be times when you really cry out to the Lord and really pray and seek the Lord and really pray in the Spirit with strong crying and tongues and tears and really call upon the Lord with a whole heart. He says then He’ll answer you (Jeremiah 29:13).

All of our little prayers are well and good, and the Lord hears them and He knows they’re sincere and we mean them, and He answers accordingly. But there are times when you should really, really get desperate with the Lord in prayer about certain things and certain people.

When was the last time you really poured out your heart in prayer with strong crying and tongues and tears to the Lord?

Does the Lord have to allow some trouble to happen in order to get you to really pray, to get you to really get serious with Him? The Lord wants us to be happy, and we usually are. But there should be times when you are not satisfied with just the usual run of things, when you really, really seek the Lord for a needed change and really pray, pouring out your heart to the Lord. When do you do that? What’s the last time you did that? What was it about? How long’s it been since you prayed like that? Do you ever pray like that?

Well I’ll tell you, brethren, this revolution was born in prayer, crying out to God, weeping in tongues and prophecy. What’s the last time you had a prophecy? What’s the last time you had a message in tongues with interpretation? With all this praying, the Spirit ought to be answering! You ought to be getting answers in the spirit now!

When do you get really concerned and really pray?—Really concerned about your children, about your friends and contacts, and you really pray in the Spirit? The Scripture says that the Lord says, “No man moveth himself to call upon Me” (Isaiah  64:7). If you’re not really moved when you pray, I wonder sometimes how far it gets.

He says, “In the day that you call upon Me with a whole heart, I will answer thee” (Jeremiah 29:13). Our little prayers are sincere and we mean them, but we also need to really get desperate in prayer about a serious situation or anything that needs it.

I’ll tell you, wholehearted to me means getting in the spirit, speaking and praying in tongues and crying out to the Lord with strong crying and tears, and I weep and I agonize in prayer. Sometimes it costs two or three hours of sleep, but out of those sessions we have gotten some wonderful things from the Lord.

There’s no reason why you can’t be having such fellowship in the spirit and with the Lord, and getting things from the Lord. And you should! Or God may have to let something happen that will make you get desperate and really pray.

What does God have to do to make you get desperate?

Copyright © October 1975 by The Family International

Prayer Power

David Brandt Berg

2013-01-09

The Lord leaves a lot to us and our concern and prayer. If you only cry with half a heart, you only get half an answer. If you cry with your whole heart, you get a wholehearted strong answer. If you turn it on real strong, then it reflects strong. Like a beam of light focused on a mirror, prayer will reflect or be answered with the same intensity as it originates. It will bounce back with as much power as it began with.

The Lord leaves a lot up to us. If we stir ourselves, then God will stir Himself. An awful lot depends on us, our faith and our prayers and what we want done. A lot of people have a lazy attitude and seem to think the Lord will do it all, no matter what. But the truth of the matter is, a lot depends on us.

He wants us to show concern and pray and be specific. If you really believe, every prayer is heard and answered. But if you don’t pray, it is not! An awful lot depends on you. It’s like you have to visualize the people you’re praying for and pray specifically for them with that thought on your heart and ask the Lord to do this or that for them, and it is no sooner said than done. In fact, He often answers before you call—because He knows you’re going to.¹

The very intensity with which you pray and really mean it or desire it is reflected in the answer. It all depends on your prayers. The beam that hits the satellite is reflected according to the intensity of the original beam.

When you play tennis, you know that the angle the ball leaves the racket depends on the angle at which the ball strikes the racket. The power with which the racket hits the ball and where it goes depends on the force with which it hits the ground and the stroke of the player. How high it bounces has a lot to do with the way it is directed and the force with which it is directed and the place that it strikes, all of which determine where it finally winds up.

Another example is of a ball striking a bat. The way the pitcher throws the ball, the force with which he throws it, and the angle and the force with which the bat hits it, all affect where it lands. Both the pitcher and batter have a part in the outcome.

Another example is a billiard ball. Billiards is the most scientific of all sports having to do with the bouncing of balls. It’s the most amazing thing how an expert can take a billiard ball and shoot that billiard ball with a cue! The way his cue strikes the ball can even give it a twist to make it curve.

He controls the original force and direction and the power and way in which it is sent out. The spin and everything that happens is a reflection of the way he started it off. He can do it so it’ll hit a cushion and bounce back and hit another ball, and that ball will bounce in another direction and hit a third ball into the pocket. He controls the original direction and force, and if it is guided just right, the cushion and the other balls reflect his ball and they bounce it back and give it a little extra push.

The fellow who does the break shot starts off with the triangle of balls and the opening shot that scatters the balls all over the table. The second man then has to shoot to get all the balls he can into the pockets, which are the scoring shots. He is not allowed to move the balls by hand from their original positions, even his own ball, and is not allowed to adjust the positions where they have landed. The only thing he can do is try to shoot his ball in such a way that it strikes the cushions and the other balls at such an angle that it knocks one or more of them into the pockets.

God is the one who fired the break shot, and everything is out there in the position He destined it to be in. He has set the stage and the rules by which the game is played, and you’ve got to play it by His rules.

He set the stage with His creation, like the planets, the sun and the stars, etc., and they move according to His rules. In other words, He sets the original pattern and the original rules, but then we can do something with what He has set up. The original position of all these things has the major control of what happens, because of their position.

But the way in which we shoot at them is like our prayers—the force, the angle, the twist, or spin, or the “English” you put on it—the way in which you shoot is like the way a prayer is worded or expressed, or the way you ask God to answer. It may be a forceful prayer in the right direction, but how do you want God to answer? Then the position of the various people and circumstances involved and the distances and positions of all factors affected, like the billiard balls, all have something to do with the time that it takes to do the job.

How come it takes so long for some prayers to be answered? Again, the picture of the billiard table: The balls are numbered, and the players are supposed to hit a ball of a certain number in proper sequence at a certain time in the game.

But you can’t hit that ball until its number comes up. And, of course, the one who created the game numbered the balls. You don’t regulate where that ball is going to be at the timeit’s supposed to be hit. That’s all ordered by the way the balls were scattered in the first place. You have to wait until your ball and that ball are in just the right position in relation to that corner pocket to make the right shot to get the ball where you want it to go.

It’s like the lead player is God, and He is the one that made the break shot that scattered the balls originally. As you go along, He plays too and keeps changing the position of the balls by His shots. The only difference is, God is not trying to beat you. He’s actually trying to help you win if you are on His side, like playing doubles: Your partner is God, and God’s shots are made to try to make it easier for you. He tries to “set it up” for you.

The same is true in another game, croquet: God is like your partner and He tries to give you setups to make it easier for you to shoot. Of course, it doesn’t matter how good God sets things up, if you don’t shoot straight, it won’t do any good. And no matter how good your shot is, that ball, or person, has to be in a certain position for it to hit right. A lot depends on him, the recipient of your prayers, too, to get the benefit of your prayers. You’ve got to be in the right position and he has to be in the right position.

The Holy Spirit is the power of the prayer. He provides its current. The power can be there, but if your transmitter is out of whack, it won’t transmit right: If there’s sin, or you’re not tuned in right, or on the wrong channel, it won’t work.

Let’s take the radio for another example. You’re going to send a radio message across the world for someone to pick up. Your transmission won’t have any power at all unless it’s plugged in to the current, the Holy Spirit, God’s power.

Your transmitter has to be in good condition. If it’s faulty or out of tune or on the wrong channel, it won’t transmit like it ought to and won’t get the message through clear. On top of that, it’s got to be beamed in exactly the right direction at God’s satellite. God, in a sense, controls the limits of the direction of the prayer, because if you don’t beam it in the general area where He wants it to go so it hits His satellite, it will miss the point altogether. It won’t do a bit of good if you’re firing off in some other direction. You’ve got to be right on target in the direction God wants it to go, or it won’t bounce right.

But if you’re in tune, the Holy Spirit directs it. If your set is automated and the Holy Spirit is absolutely in control, then it’s automatically tuned just right—power, beam, direction, everything—by the Lord’s own computer, and it can’t miss! But if you’ve been fooling around with the dials and the settings, you can mess up the whole works by trying to do it your way.

Also, the Lord has to have the satellite of His will in just the right position to bounce it down to the receiver, and the receiver has got to be in just the right position to receive it. The satellite is on a fixed orbit that you can’t change, like God’s overall plan that is fixed. You must aim within that fixed orbit. Then, depending on your prayer and the recipient of your prayer, and providing conditions are right and you aim right in the direction that God has already sent the satellite of His will, you can hit right on target! It’s got to go according to God’s general direction if you want it to work.

So there are an awful lot of factors which affect the whole process of prayer. Which is one reason, of course, why you don’t always get the answer right away. The trouble may be with you, or it may not be God’s time, or the trouble may be at the other end.

It’s like a mathematical problem: The more complicated the problem is and the more factors involved, the more difficult the solution. The bigger the problem and the more parts there are to the problem, the harder it is to work out the answer. But for a simple little problem like two plus two, it’s easy to get a simple little answer like four.

So prayer depends on three principal factors: Your position, God’s position, and the position of the other person for whom you’re praying. In other words, it depends on the cue ball, the target ball, and the pocket—the position of all three. You don’t control it completely, they don’t control it completely, and God has specifically limited Himself not to control it completely, but to let it be affected by your position and their position.

The position of His satellite is set, but how it is used depends on you and them. In other words, He’s set the position of His overall plans, but how you fit into the plan depends on your position and their position.

So God has left a lot up to you and a lot up to them. He’ll always do His part—His orbit is set and His satellite will always be in the place it is supposed to be. The only thing that will change things is your position and their position.

You can’t rush God. You’ve got to wait till it’s God’s time. But if you wait on God’s time and you shoot straight, you’ll get the right answer!

Originally published May 1972. Adapted and republished January 2013.
Read by Peter Amsterdam.

¹ Isaiah 65:24.

What God Is Like

January 26, 2024

By Frank Turek

Guest speaker Dr. Frank Turek gives a compelling argument as to just how awesome God is. He reminds us that He is the sustainer and creator of all things while still being close and near to us as the Savior of the world.

Run time for this video is 31 minutes. We’d recommend watching the video, rather than just listening to it, since the pictures of the universe are key to the message.

https://youtu.be/BOYFVZfi5jg?si=jifAQ7JCEG-aUCA-

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Getting Through Tough Times—Part 2

January 25, 2024

Overcoming isolation and loneliness

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 12:48

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I think it’s safe to say that most of us have experienced a sense of isolation to varying degrees in recent years. Many have commented that they have had too much “alone time,” and if you happen to live alone, this feeling would probably be more prevalent. Maria and I are blessed to share companionship and conversations together, and we cherish each other’s support, including our prayer times. While I am not alone most of the time, I have talked with and heard from many people who are alone and/or who feel very lonely.

People who are not accustomed to being alone have had a hard time coping, and the result can be sadness, tears, and even depression. You might also feel the lack of physical touch and hugs and bonding with people. The sense of loneliness can be cumulative to the point that you are tempted to stop getting dressed in the morning, thinking, “What’s the point?!” Eventually, your emotional health can start to suffer.

Feeling alone can create a sense of hopelessness and despair. God created us from the very beginning of the Bible story to live in community with others. Our interactions with others, in particular with other believers, provides accountability, encouragement, appreciation, and brings joy and inspiration to our lives. It can shape and form the contours of our daily routines and add meaning to our everyday tasks.

But when that community structure falls away or is inaccessible, there can be a domino effect. As good habits and self-discipline fall to the wayside, you may not connect it to being alone. Then it’s easy to beat yourself up because you “can’t keep it together.” You think, “I’m just lazy.” In reality, as certain circumstances you depended on falter, these losses can affect your emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being.

Isolation can also result in trying to fill the void with other things such as television, food, alcohol, gaming, internet surfing, or social media. When you’re sad, alone, or bored, it’s natural to try to find comfort in distraction, to keep your mind focused on something else. It is human nature to want to forget the anxiety and to choose the momentary enjoyment of the “dopamine high.” But we all know that’s not the solution.

As Christians, we are blessed with the certainty that no matter what challenges and difficult situations we face in life, we have been given the gift of grace and the promise of hope. First Peter tells us that “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast” (1 Peter 5:10). Even during those times when it seems we can’t hold on one more minute, we have His promise that in His faithfulness, God will provide a way out so that we can endure (1 Corinthians 10:13). The author of Hebrews further encourages us to “hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful” (Hebrews 10:23). It is at times like these that we most need to run to our Rock for refuge from the storms.

Loneliness can be a silent killer. People often don’t tell you when they’re lonely. They may be embarrassed by their situation or feel that no one seems to care about them. They may have taken on a defeatist attitude that there’s nothing that can be done about the loneliness they are experiencing. I’ve come to realize how important it is to check in on people, to touch base with them and see how they’re doing.

When someone asks you, “How are you doing?” if things are not going well, it’s important to be honest enough to say, “I’m not okay” and to ask for prayer and support. It takes a lot of humility to be vulnerable, to let others know your needs. But that’s a good starting point when you’re suffering under the dark cloud of isolation and loneliness. Letting others know how you are feeling opens the door for them to offer comfort and help.

When I go out on business, I try to keep in mind that familiar adage “everyone fights their own secret war.” We don’t know what people are experiencing in their private lives, and it can be easier to not pay attention to others, to assume they’re fine, or to jump to negative conclusions, or even to judge them. Instead, we would do well to look at each person with compassion. “Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12).

A friend of mine told me about a time when she misjudged a woman who worked in a grocery store. This woman was notoriously grumpy, answered customers gruffly, and was generally unpleasant to be around. It was common knowledge that she was disliked by her coworkers and customers alike.

My friend eventually adopted a very uncomplimentary nickname for this woman, until one day she had a more in-depth conversation with her and learned about her serious health issues. This woman lives alone and was so afraid during the COVID lockdown restrictions that she voluntarily did not leave her house for five months. Imagine her fear, loneliness, and sense of hopelessness. How very sad.

Learning how this woman had suffered such extreme fear shed a new light on her situation, and my friend walked away from the conversation feeling convicted for not being more compassionate and giving this woman the benefit of the doubt. She was reminded that there is often a lot more to a person’s situation than meets the eye, so it is wise to not make snap judgments or form opinions based on outward circumstances.

This was a good reminder to me of our calling as ambassadors for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20) to always strive to reflect the Lord’s love and mercy, and make a difference in someone’s life, even if you are only in contact with that person in passing. The Lord can help our interactions with others, no matter how brief, to be a witness of His love and compassion. We can speak words of faith and hope even in a one-time meeting. These simple acts of kindness can help alleviate someone’s loneliness and help them feel that someone cares. “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32).

It’s not much of a stretch to think that that difficult woman would be fighting her own “secret war” as a result of feeling fearful, isolated, and lonely. But we should also remember that we don’t know what even a seemingly cheerful, positive person might be going through.

For example, another friend of mine told me about a cleaning lady in the building where she works who is always attentive, pleasant, and friendly. One day she casually asked this woman, “How is your family?” The woman recounted a very sad story, sharing that her cousin had recently died and her father was extremely ill. My friend stopped and talked with her for a while, and as they parted, she told the woman she would pray for her. She later followed up to see how the woman was doing. I believe this small demonstration of concern helped that woman to feel seen and heard, and to not feel so alone.

We ought not to be weary of doing little things for the love of God, who regards not the greatness of the work, but the love with which it is performed.―Brother Lawrence¹

The Lord is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion.—Psalm 116:5

We might be surprised at what an impact even small interactions can have in not only alleviating someone else’s loneliness, but also giving us a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Making contact with another person, even someone you don’t know, can enrich your life and can help both the ones we minister to as well as ourselves to feel connected and less isolated.

And there’s another important piece of the puzzle that can serve as an anchor for our faith when we are enduring a season of solitude in our lives. We are never alone! No matter what our circumstances, we are not alone. Jesus is with us constantly, every second of every day. “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:20).

We can avail ourselves of a time of solitude to become more intimate with the Lord and aware of His constant companionship as we “practice the presence of Christ,” a term attributed to Brother Lawrence, a 17th century monk in France. Brother Lawrence worked in the kitchen in a monastery, where he spent his days cooking and cleaning. As he went about his work, he determined he would maintain an ongoing conversation with God. He believed God’s presence could be enjoyed anytime and all the time.

Lawrence encourages the people of God to sustain—livingly, intentionally, and without ceasing—an attentiveness to God’s close presence. The believer understands that in this presence, and ultimately nowhere else, is fullness of joy; at God’s right hand are the deepest and most enduring pleasures of all.—Glen G. Scorgie²

He has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”—Hebrews 13:5

If you have found yourself in a season of solitude, may the Lord’s constant companionship bring you comfort, hope, and fill up the empty places. As we cultivate a deeper awareness of the presence of Christ, we will find comfort, companionship, and a sense of belonging that will never fail us, no matter what challenges might come into our lives! Praise the Lord! God bless and keep you close to Him!

Originally published August 2021. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by John Laurence.

¹ Brother Lawrence, The Practice of the Presence of God (Originally published: 1692).

² Glen G. Scorgie, ed., Dictionary of Christian Spirituality (Zondervan, 2011), 690.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Baking Prayers

January 24, 2024

By Marie Story

It seems to me that baking a loaf of bread provides a good analogy for prayer: You have to mix the ingredients, knead the dough, proof the dough, then bake the finished loaf. Let me explain my thoughts on how the steps for baking bread can be compared to our prayers.

Step one: mix the ingredients.

When baking bread, you can’t just throw a bunch of random ingredients in a bowl and expect to get a loaf of bread. If you expect to bake something even semi-edible, specific ingredients are needed.

Similarly, there are specific ingredients that go into prayer and which help to ensure “that we have the petitions that we are asking of Him” (1 John 5:4–5). Of course, God hears every prayer, and He hears us even if we don’t really know how to pray or what to pray for. But it’s helpful to know what “ingredients” to include in our prayers, because then you can have faith that you’ve done your part in prayer and the rest is up to God. Here are a few important ingredients:

Ingredient number one: Pray in Jesus’ name. In John 14:14 Jesus said, “You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.”

Ingredient number two: Be specific. Tell Jesus your needs and ask Him to supply for you. Matthew 7:7 says, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.” In order to “seek” in the right places and “knock” on the right doors, you have to be seeking God and His will first and foremost.

Ingredient number three: Claim God’s promises. When Jesus was talking to His Father, in John 17, He said, “Your Word is truth” (John 17:17). God’s words and His promises are real and authentic. When we claim His promises, we can trust that God will make good on His promises in accordance with His will for the situation.

Ingredient number four: Have faith that God will hear your prayer and answer. The Bible says, “This is the confidence we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14–15).

Ingredient number five: Surround your prayer with praise and thanksgiving. Paul wrote, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God” (Philippians 4:6).

These are some basic ingredients of prayer, just as flour, salt, water, and yeast are the base ingredients for bread. When you put your prayer ingredients together, you can be confident that God has promised to hear and answer your prayer.

Step two: kneading your dough.

Once your ingredients are mixed, then you’ve got to knead the dough. Kneading is the part that really takes work. When baking bread, you’ve got to roll your dough over and over, folding and compressing it for a good length of time.

We don’t always look at prayer as real work—it’s often the last thing we turn to after we’ve worked at a problem on our own for a while—but sometimes God expects us to keep praying until we receive the answer. Luke 18:1 says, “Men ought always to pray, and not to faint.” Jesus even told a parable to help get this point across better:

Then Jesus told his disciples a parable to show them that they should always pray and not give up.

He said: “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor cared what people thought. And there was a widow in that town who kept coming to him with the plea, ‘Grant me justice against my adversary.’

“For some time he refused. But finally he said to himself, ‘Even though I don’t fear God or care what people think, yet because this widow keeps bothering me, I will see that she gets justice, so she won’t eventually wear me out with her coming!’”

And the Lord said, ”Listen to what the unjust judge says. And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? I tell you, he will see that they get justice, and quickly” (Luke 18:2–8).

So if you don’t receive an answer after one prayer, don’t lose heart! Keep at it!

Step three: proofing the bread.

The final step in baking a loaf of bread, right before it goes into the oven, is the proving or proofing period. It’s the step where you leave the bread to rise. There’s not too much you can do at this point to make it go any faster. You just have to trust that it’s going to rise. Patience is like the “proofing” of your prayer (Hebrews 10:36).

Sometimes the dough even has to be punched down after you’ve waited a while and left to rise again. This too is often how prayer works. You’ve done your part in prayer, you’ve had faith, you’ve prayed regularly, you’ve been patient, yet along comes a blow that seems like a big “no” or a “wait” to your request.

Faith is what will empower you to keep trusting even when it seems that all the air has been knocked out of your prayers. Faith is like the yeast in your dough that will make it rise even after it’s been punched down. Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the substance”—the proof or guarantee—“of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.”

In fact, the waiting part continues when it comes to baking bread, because once you’ve put it all together, then you’ve got to put it in the oven and let it bake. This can sometimes be the hardest part of the prayer process—waiting for the answer. The delay doesn’t mean that no bread is coming; it just means you’ve got to be patient a little longer, “so that after you have done the will of God you may receive the promise” (Hebrews 10:36).

Once it’s in the oven, you have to trust that it’s going to bake. You can keep opening the oven and poking at it, but it’s not going to bake any faster. Hebrews 11:6 says that when we come to God with a request, we have to “believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” You’ve just got to leave it there and wait till God’s timer “dings.”

Remember, sometimes God’s delays are just as much a part of the answer as the actual fulfillment of your prayer. The answer is on its way—it’s “baking”—and you just have to be patient as God gets all the pieces in place to bring it to you.

You do your part and then wait on God. Put your prayer ingredients together, “prove” them with your faith, and trust God for the results.

Jesus said that if we ask for bread, He’s not going to give us a stone (Luke 11:11). If you’ve done your job of praying, you have to trust that the answer is what’s going to come out in the end. Of course, with prayer, you have to leave it up to God as to what type of bread your prayers will result in—what type of answers you’ll receive.

Unlike baking actual bread, the answer to your prayers may be different than what you expected. He may alter the answer somewhat so that it’s more suited to your needs. At other times, He may give you a completely different style, flavor, or type of answer than you were asking for, because He knows that something different is better for you and others and will bring forth the best fruit.

Are you feeling frustrated because some prayer hasn’t been answered yet? If so, remember all that goes into baking a good loaf of bread and try to apply some of those principles to prayer.

George Mueller is one of the greatest examples to me of someone who lived a life of prayer. He went so far as to never ask anyone but God for the supply of his needs, and he never failed to receive an answer. His recipe for a miracle: “More prayer, more exercise of faith, more patient waiting, and the result will be blessing, abundant blessing.”

This article was adapted from a Just1Thing podcast, a Christian character-building resource for young people.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

His Perfect Timing

January 23, 2024

A compilation

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I hate being late. When there’s an important event—church, work, or class—I like to arrive at least ten minutes early. That morning, we arrived ten minutes late. Being late makes me feel like I don’t belong in the place that I’m going, like I didn’t care enough to arrive on time and thus don’t deserve to be there. …

This vaguely reminded me of a parable Jesus told in which a landowner journeyed out to find workers for his vineyard. He began his search at 9 a.m. and found some individuals. He set off again at noon and more people agreed to come and work. The landowner continued this until he had people working from the morning until the day’s end.

When he approached his laborers with their wages, they were all surprised to receive the same amount of money. The people who showed up in the morning earned the same as those who came for the last ten minutes of the workday! The early birds felt a little peeved, to say the least.

They thought they deserved more because they had worked harder and longer. But the landowner countered by stating that he did not act unfairly, because he had the right to do what he wanted with the money.

He wished to give everyone the same reward.

After my whole morning went off track, I felt a little embarrassed to walk into church. Then, I was met with the most beautiful surprise. As my father and I ascended the stairs up to the narthex of the building, one of the greeters rested his eyes upon us, smiled wide, handed us our worship folders, and uttered the most invitational words: “Perfect timing, friends! We’ve been waiting for you …”

Having riddled myself with feelings of unworthiness, his words pierced my soul right when I needed them most. Somehow, I was welcome. At that moment, I felt the pull of Jesus inviting me into a life enveloped in His grace. …

We are all invited to do life with God, no matter what time we arrive. When we show up to life with Him, any timing is perfect, because Jesus has always been the endgame.

Sometimes, we don’t want to approach God because we don’t feel worthy. We wait to show up until we look our best with lives in perfect order. In the meantime, we inflict ourselves with feelings of inadequacy and shame. However, He accepts us no matter what condition we’re in and asks us to sit at His table.

I look forward to the day when we all—the people who have patiently waited all their lives for Jesus and the ones who have only met Him in their final breaths—become reunited in heaven to share the glory of God. I imagine Jesus Himself standing at the golden gates, ushering His children in with a welcoming smile on His face… “Perfect timing, friends. I’ve been waiting for you.”—Mikayla Briggs¹

God’s timing is perfect, and He has the final say

There are three important lessons we can learn in John 11 about how to hang on in times of crisis. Jesus gets word that His friend Lazarus is critically ill. Much to His disciples’ astonishment, Jesus doesn’t run to heal him, but stays for two days before leaving. When Jesus arrives in Bethany, at the home of Lazarus and his two sisters, He learns that Lazarus died four days earlier.

Lesson 1: God’s timing is always perfect. God’s never early, never late, but always on time. Our timing isn’t God’s timing. For us, God’s timing often feels like a long, desperate delay.

God’s perfect timing does two things: It grows our faith as we are forced to wait and trust in God, and it makes certain that He, and He alone, gets the glory and praise for pulling us through. “My times are in Your hands …” (Psalm 31:15).

At the right time, God will provide your need. At the right time, God will deliver you. At the right time, God will rescue you. …

Lesson 2: God’s ways are not our ways. “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isaiah 55:8–9).

God has eternal perspective! God is the great “I AM” (Yahweh) who knows the past, present, and future. And what do we know? Nothing really. Nothing compared to God. If I were Jesus, I would’ve healed Lazarus right away. But Jesus wanted to stretch the faith of His disciples, who after His death would be the catalysts to taking the message of Christ to the world. They knew Jesus had the power to heal people—but to raise a four-day-old corpse? Come on, that’s taking faith to a whole new level. …

Lesson 3: God always has the final say. No matter how terrible and impossible the situation appears, how awful you feel, or how there appears to be no answer, no help, no hope, God will see you through because He and He alone has the final say. …

Lazarus was dead and decaying for four days in that tomb. That’s more than a period, that’s an exclamation mark! But it wasn’t over. God put a comma in that place. And Jesus raises Lazarus from the dead, his organs functioning, the rotting skin is made new again. …

The world put a period after Jesus’s crucifixion and death. But God always has the last say. On the third day God raised Jesus from the dead, and He’s alive! “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting? … But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:55–57.)

Because of Jesus Christ, death and the grave no longer have the last say in our lives. Jesus has the last say.—William Thomas²

In the nick of time

God’s timing is amazing! Several years ago, when I was working some weekends at a hospital, I was asked to look after an elderly woman in an emergency unit, who was extremely thin and weak from advanced cancer. From the moment I entered the room, she poured out her distress. I tried to encourage her, but was met with anger, negativity, and even insults. So I decided to simply do my job, and so busied myself with various physical jobs.

While she was sleeping I sat down and read some devotional literature. One story that stood out to me was of a man who had been involved in the occult, and then came to full salvation in Christ. Because of his decision of faith, not only was he set free, but many others were as well.

I pondered what I had read and was sorry I had given up on this woman so easily. I only had half an hour before my shift ended, but I decided to give it a try.

When the woman awoke, I told her, “I don’t know why all this has happened to you, but one thing I do know is this: No matter what, Jesus loves you and wants to be your best friend. He can heal your sorrows and bitterness and restore joy in your life. He stands at the door of your heart and is just waiting for you to let Him in. Why not ask Him into your heart and life?”

To my amazement, the woman started to cry. She eagerly prayed with me to receive Jesus as her Savior, and asked for my forgiveness for having treated me so harshly. She didn’t live much longer, but when she passed away, she was a truly changed soul, ready to meet her Maker.

Another experience I had also shows God’s miraculous timing. I was in a little town in Denmark on a walking street when a teenage girl came walking my way. I offered her a Christian tract, and she stopped and received it.

I asked her if she believed in God, and she said no. I then asked if she believed in love. At that, she brightened up and said she did. I explained that God is love, and that with His help we can live lives of love and purpose. She then humbly prayed with me, excused herself, and went her way.

Two weeks later I received an envelope in my mailbox. Inside were two letters—one from this girl’s mother and one from her. Her mother wrote: “It was my daughter’s last wish for me to send this letter from her to you. My daughter is now dead, but she wanted to let you know how much meeting you had meant to her.”

In her letter, the girl wrote: “I am now entering into the darkness, but it is with the knowledge that love is real and that there is a great Light awaiting me. Before I met you I was afraid to die, but now I am at peace.”

Her note brought me to tears, as I had no idea that she was in the critical stages of an illness. I was reminded of the verse where Jesus said, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die” (John 11:25–26).—Peter Ericsson

Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by Debra Lee. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.findinggodintheordinary.com/blog/perfect-timing

² https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/carroll/opinion/ph-cc-religion-thomas-column-042217-20170420-column.html

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

The Church—The Body of Believers

January 22, 2024

Treasures

Audio length: 8:45

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It is a wonderful blessing and privilege for Christians to be able to meet regularly to worship the Lord and fellowship together. Many Christians live in countries where they are not able to openly gather together and fellowship. We should desire and seek fellowship with other Christians, because we need that time together with others who believe as we do, who love the Lord and have committed their lives to Him.

In the world today, living a Christian life is not always an easy task, so it is a blessing to get together with other Christians for fellowship, to read and study God’s Word, to sing and praise the Lord, to pray for one another and to ask for prayer. It is also a good time to celebrate Communion together.

We are told in Hebrews 10:24–25, “Let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day (of Jesus’ return) drawing near.”

The Lord knew that we needed united fellowship with other Christians for our own inspiration and for spiritual refreshing, and for being strengthened by His Word. Also, as the above verse says, meeting together is a time to encourage one another, and to stir one another up to grow in love and good works. There is also power in unity, and united prayer and fellowship bring down the Lord’s blessings. (See Acts 4:32–33.)

It’s important to bear in mind, however, that meeting together for fellowship and spiritual renewal—whether it is done in a church building, a private home, or a storefront or a tent—is not our service for the Lord. It is common in churches to call the fellowship meeting the service, and some Christians believe that going to church and giving an offering is all they are required to do to please God.

However, our actual work and service for the Lord is in our everyday living for him, in reflecting His love and truth to others, living according to His Word, and sharing the gospel with others. Meeting together for spiritual fellowship and worship is a time to be renewed, reinspired, and spiritually strengthened for the days ahead and the problems and challenges we may face.

In the Gospel of Mark, Jesus sent His disciples out to minister to the people. It was a great deal of work, and when they had finished their service, the Bible says, “Then the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus. And He said to them, ‘Come aside into a quiet place, and rest a while” (Mark 6:30–31). Likewise today, there is a difference between our service for the Lord and our “gathering ourselves together to Jesus” and “coming aside to rest” to be reinspired.

For its first 200 years of existence, Christianity had no buildings, and Christians just met wherever they could. Jesus said, “Wherever two or three are gathered together in My name, there am I in their midst” (Matthew 18:20). Apart from holding secret meetings in forests, catacombs, etc., initially the only meeting places that Christians had were their homes. The Apostle Paul refers on several occasions in his epistles to “the church that is in your house” (Romans 16:5; 1 Corinthians 16:19).

The original meaning of the word “ekklesia,” translated as “church” from Greek, the language of the New Testament, literally means “the called-out assembly” or the body of believers. God’s living church is composed of Christian believers in God who follow Jesus, the body of Christ, not a building or any particular denomination. The church is the assembly of true believers, not a lifeless building made of concrete and steel.

Sad to say, Christianity at times has become centered in the buildings, and as a result, people began to lose the vision of reaching the world with the love of Jesus. As they began to concentrate on acquiring properties and buildings, they lost sight of the church’s calling to lead the millions of lost souls who have never heard the gospel to Christ. If the church had spent that money to evangelize the world by supporting missionaries, printing gospel literature, and bringing God’s love and truth to the lost, many more people would have heard the message and the poor, oppressed, and undernourished peoples of the world would have received assistance. Our worship of God should cause us to move outside the church to reach the lost and the suffering in our world.

When Jesus was asked where people should go to worship, He answered, “Believe Me, the time is coming, and now is, when you will worship the Father neither (at the temple) on this mountain, nor in Jerusalem. For the true worshippers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth. For the Father seeks such people to worship Him” (John 4:21, 23).

Stephen, the first martyr of the early church proclaimed at his death, “The Most High God does not dwell in temples made by human hands!” (Acts 7:48). The true temple that God dwells in is the human heart—your heart, and the hearts of all those who know and love Him (1 Corinthians 3:16–17). The Scripture is clear that God seeks to live in people’s hearts.

Church buildings are certainly helpful so that Christians can have a place to regularly fellowship, where they can meet together for spiritual feeding, inspiration, and united prayer, because often individual houses are simply not large enough to accommodate everyone. A church building can be used more fully for God’s glory if it is put into use as a place where its members can gather more frequently than just the weekly meetings to study and learn the Word of God, and learn how to live a Christian life and be witnesses to others.

When Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every person” (Mark 16:15), He meant for each of His followers to do whatever they could to help spread His message. Even though they may have jobs or other responsibilities, they can still share the good news with their own families and friends, colleagues and coworkers, and people they meet throughout their day.

Most Christians understand the importance of attending church regularly, and supporting missions and the church, but it is important to also understand that every Christian is called to carry their faith outside the building to help others in need. We also should support the missionaries who are sacrificially devoting their lives to preaching the gospel to the lost and caring for the poor and the needy.

Are you letting Jesus shine through you no matter where you are so that you can be a witness of His love for others? We are each called to be a part of His living church that is reaching the world with His love and is like a city set on a hill shining forth His light to the world (Matthew 5:14). “You also, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house, … offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God” (1 Peter 2:5).

From an article in Treasures, published by the Family International in 1987. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Faith

David Brandt Berg

1971-05-01

When you ask the Lord for an answer, expect an answer, and take the first thing that comes. If you really believe and ask the Lord, and you want to hear or see, you won’t be disappointed. And that thing you see or hear with the eyes or ears of your spirit, that’s the Lord—and it will be such a comfort to you. You just have to have faith. Expect God to answer. Just open up your heart and let the sunshine in.

If you’re really desperate and crying with your whole heart and are asking Him, He’ll answer. A baby is such an illustration of this. When he’s crying for his mother, you wouldn’t think of refusing him. Hearing from the Lord is our spiritual nourishment—and you’ve got to be able to hear from the Lord.

That little baby has more faith than we do sometimes, because when he cries, he expects someone to hear him. He knows—God put it in him to know—that if he calls, you’ll answer. He expects the answer and he gets it. If he asks for milk, you’re sure not going to give him a serpent or something else. (See Luke 11:11–12.) You’re going to give him what he needs. So you must expect that what you get is from the Lord.

Shutting your eyes helps you to see in the spirit and to become unconscious of the things and people around you. Get your mind on the Lord, and your body in a relaxed position where nothing distracts you, and then expect that what you hear or see will be something from the Lord.

This is the way God tests you when you are asking Him for something. You’re crying just like a baby for the spiritual food you need to live on, to survive on. When you cry, you must expect the Lord to answer. When you pick up the child, what do you do? You have to pick him up, reveal yourself to him, and, when he’s a tiny baby, you have to bring the nourishment to him; you have to show him where it is. As he gets older, he automatically knows where to find the milk, he can reach out himself.

The longer you practice receiving nourishment from God, the more you know where to find it, and you just open your eyes and see it and reach for it. After the nipple is in the baby’s mouth, he automatically starts nursing. When you cry out to God for something, He pushes it in your mouth, but if you don’t start sucking, you’ll never get it. You have to have the faith to begin to pull. You absolutely have to draw God’s nourishment. You have to put your faith into action.

Faith is a kind of drawing power. It is your drawing power from God. It’s kind of like a bank account: the money is there, and the Father has put it there in your name in the Bank of Heaven, but you’ll never get it—not one red cent—unless you’re willing to go to the bank and sign the check by faith, and draw on it. You’ve got to draw, or you won’t get it. But you see, faith is what draws it.

What is it that brings milk out of the breast? What is the physical principle of that suction? It’s a vacuum. You create a vacuum—a space, an emptiness. When he sucks, the baby deliberately creates a vacuum inside his mouth which pulls the milk out. You have to create a vacuum inside your heart: “Lord, here is this empty space. Please fill it!”

You reduce the pressure in a certain area, forming a vacuum, And do you know what fills that vacuum? It’s not the child. All the child does is create the vacuum by reducing the pressure inside his mouth, which then becomes lower than the pressure inside the breast. And so the milk flows from the mother’s breast into the child’s mouth.

In prayer, you create a vacuum. There’s a space that needs filling—you seek the Lord’s help. You create the vacuum, and the Lord’s pressure fills it. The power comes from outside, not from inside. All you did was create the vacuum, but that vacuum drew the power. It draws, and therefore the pressure from the Lord seeks the place where there is less pressure.

There’s an old saying: Nature abhors a vacuum. But God really likes a vacuum. He likes to fill every vacuum. He likes to fill every place that’s made for Him. Every place where you open up your heart, your spirit, a low-pressure area, His Spirit will flow in, in all His power.

The Lord wants you to draw on the Word—not only the recorded Word, but the living Word. When you start sucking for dear life and desire it with all your heart, you’ll finally get it. You have to believe when you create that vacuum in your heart—you draw on the Lord—that sucking action of your faith, that the first thing that comes into your mouth is the Lord. The first thing you see, you must believe that that is from the Lord, and you must go straight on from there. You must begin to speak those words He puts in your mouth, and speak that scripture or phrase He gives you. He gives you a little, but then you’ve got to expect more.

If the baby didn’t swallow what he got, he couldn’t get any more. Your mouth can only hold so much at once. So you get a mouthful and you swallow it. Then He gives you another mouthful. In this case, by giving it out, you’re absorbing it—you’re swallowing it.

And that’s how you get revelations from the Lord. If it’s a message in tongues and prophecy, you drink it into your own mouth, and then you show your belief by giving it. But you only get one mouthful at a time. If you don’t give that mouthful, you won’t get another. When you ask the Lord for a picture and you get it, start describing it. Describe what you see, and then the Lord will keep giving you more. What do you do when you see a movie? You have to keep drinking in scene by scene by scene by scene. You couldn’t possibly get it all in one shot. You have to keep swallowing. So you have to exercise your faith. You have to create a vacuum in your spirit and then the Lord will fill it.

The radio is like a vacuum. In the air right now all around us, just like the Spirit of the Lord, there are radio waves. But until you turn on the radio, and in a sense create a vacuum in the receiver, you’re not going to get anything. You have to open a channel, an electric circuit. You have to make contact by making a vacuum.

Faithful people are people who are full of faith—full of a vacuum, and the Lord’s high pressure fills that vacuum. But you’ve got to keep swallowing. In this case, the giving out is a swallowing. The Lord’s not going to squirt milk out into the thin air where it will be lost or into some baby who won’t swallow it. He’s got to swallow it and digest it and assimilate it, or he won’t get it. You create that little spiritual vacuum, and that’s faith which draws on the Lord, and His high pressure fills it.

The power is always on. The message is always there. God’s Spirit is like a broadcasting station transmitting all the time. All you have to do is throw the switch and tune in. You have to have the vacuum and sincerely open your mouth, and He’ll fill it. That drawing draws the power of God. Then you have to describe the vision, tell the dream, give the message, interpret the tongues.

God has unlimited capacity to give, and what you get is only limited by your own capacity to receive. Pretty soon you get so full, you can’t stand it. Your vacuum is full, your tummy is satisfied, and your spirit is content. The Lord will keep on feeding you until you’re satisfied, until your spiritual vacuum is filled.

Faith is the hand of the spirit that reaches out and receives. It is the part that you do—your spiritual effort. Sometimes the prophets were actually sick afterwards, because it was so hard on their flesh. It left them absolutely exhausted. Sometimes they fell down as if dead. It took some physical strength. There is a link between the spiritual and the physical that we don’t quite understand. They are inseparable except by death, unless the Lord separates them in the spirit and takes you on a spiritual trip. The physical affects the spiritual and the spiritual affects the physical.

It’s so simple: You just have to have the faith of that little baby. And pretty soon you’ll recognize it when the Lord begins to speak. Some people get things from the Lord and don’t even know it is from the Lord. I did that for years. I’ve been getting things like this all my life, and for a long time I thought it was just me—and all the time the Lord was speaking to me.

I used to go out by myself and walk in the woods and the fields. I was scared of people and liked to be alone—but God must have made me that way so that I would stay by myself and commune with Him. The Lord showed me things about the birds and the bees, the sky and the clouds, the flowers and the trees, and the Lord showed me so many spiritual truths. “I learned alone. I learned to love. I listened to the still, small voice of God.” It just came as if it was natural. I didn’t realize what a supernatural thing it was, what a miracle. Everything is a miracle! Everything is supernatural, because God made it all.

If you’ve got an open channel and tune in, the Lord will fill you—your mind, your heart, your ears, your eyes. But if you resist the answer He gives, He shuts up, because you won’t listen.

We were always trying to get my mother to hear from the Lord. We kept saying, “Let’s have prayer; let’s have a prayer meeting.” My mother would get so mad. She’d say, “You’re just trying to have me get something from the Lord for you when you could get it yourself.”

The Lord is trying to show you that you can get it yourself. The answer’s always there if you’re willing to receive it. You have to be willing to take what He gives, and give it.

Copyright © May 1971 by The Family International

Hearing from God

David Brandt Berg

1976-12-01

(Prayer:) Thank You, Lord, for how You’ve kept us safely through another year. Praise You for all Your help, for strength and health, and provision for every need. Thank You for a beautiful day in a beautiful place with all these beautiful people, a beautiful life, Lord.

Bless us and have Thy way. Thy will be done in our little time of fellowship together, and accomplish Thy purpose, Lord—that which is important as well as the sweetness of the fellowship and the love and the renewal of love, the precious times which bind us together in Thy love.

How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word.
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled.

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, and I’ll still give thee aid;
I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand,
Upheld by My gracious, omnipotent hand.

That soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
He will not, He will not desert to his foes.
That soul though all hell should endeavor to shake
He’ll never, no never, no never forsake!
He’ll never, no never, no never forsake!^[1]

Speak to us, Lord. Have Thy way and lead us in Thy paths. You’re not dead, Lord. You’re still alive, You still speak. You’re a living God, a speaking God!—One who still loves His children, who still speaks to them. Thank You, Jesus.

His Word says, “Stir up the gift of God which is in thee” (2 Timothy 1:6), and “neglect not the gift that was given thee” (1 Timothy 4:14).

Neglect not, stir up! He can speak through you, any one of you. As Peter said on the Day of Pentecost, “In the last days I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17). Amen? Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy. Praise God.

God can speak through any one of you. In the early days of our club in California, many of the young people were anointed by the Spirit of God; many had wonderful gifts of the Spirit, “and they began to speak with other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). There were those who interpreted, and there were those who prophesied. How long has it been since you let the Lord speak through you?

Every day should be a new day, a new experience, a new listening to the voice of the Lord. Why just live on yesterday’s food; why not have something fresh every day? You can hear from God every day, and you should be hearing from Him every day. It doesn’t have to be out loud; it doesn’t have to be with an audible voice.

It can just be in that still, small voice that you feel inside of you. Sometimes it’s not even words, just an impression that you have. God doesn’t even have to communicate in words. He can just give you a feeling or a picture or an idea.

Have you heard from the Lord lately? You ought to be hearing every day. He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and they follow Me” (John 10:27). “And a stranger they will not follow” (John 10:4).

I know God has raised up some among you to be prophets. God has raised up some of us for that reason, but He wants you too to “stir up the gifts that are within you.”

How long has it been since you really prayed in the spirit? How long has it been since you prayed in another language that was not your own, which you never learned, but was a gift of the Spirit of God? How long has it been since you prayed in tongues?

How long has it been since you heard the voice of the Lord yourself, in person? How long since you have prophesied or interpreted for the benefit of His children, passed on His message to them?

Beloved, that’s how Christ’s church began on the Day of Pentecost, with a mighty outpouring of the Spirit of God in prayer (Acts 2), all with one accord in an upper chamber. Then they waited ten days before the Spirit was poured out upon them. And they all began to speak with other tongues, prophesying the wondrous works of God, so that a great multitude assembled, wondering what was going on.

It’s wonderful to hear straight from the Lord yourself. You know, we get too busy sometimes. We get so busy serving Him, we forget to love Him.

Does your household have a good little prayer meeting every morning to start the day off right? You need it, or things just won’t go right. Remember the story about how Martin Luther and Melanchthon used to pray every morning for at least two hours before they began the day’s work?

One morning Melanchthon said to Luther, “We can’t pray so long this morning; we’ve got too much to do!” Luther said, “Well, we’ve got to pray twice as much this morning because we have so much to do!” Does that get you under conviction? I hope so, in case you haven’t been doing it.

Of course it says, “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17). You can pray all the time. You can even pray while you’re washing dishes and changing diapers and sweeping the floor, and in everything you’re doing. You can pray all the time, but you need times of united fellowship and prayer devoted strictly to real fellowship and prayer.

You need a time of devotions first thing in the morning. Read a little Bible and have prayer together.

He’ll solve a lot of the problems before the day even starts if you listen to what He has to say. If you go plunging into all your problems and troubles and your work without stopping to talk to the Lord and get directions from your Commander in Chief, then you’re going to be like a soldier who’s trying to fight the war all on his own without listening to headquarters, with no organization from his Chief.

You need to have prayer and listen to the Lord. Start the day off right; hear from the Lord.

^[1] Adapted from “How Firm a Foundation,” by John Rippon, 1787.

Copyright © December 1976 by The Family International

His Steadfast Love Endures Forever

136 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
² Give thanks to the God of gods,
for his steadfast love endures forever.
³ Give thanks to the Lord of lords,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

⁴ to him who alone does great wonders,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁵ to him who by understanding made the heavens,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁶ to him who spread out the earth above the waters,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁷ to him who made the great lights,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁸ the sun to rule over the day,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
⁹ the moon and stars to rule over the night,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁰ to him who struck down the firstborn of Egypt,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹¹ and brought Israel out from among them,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹² with a strong hand and an outstretched arm,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹³ to him who divided the Red Sea in two,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁴ and made Israel pass through the midst of it,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁵ but overthrew^[a] Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁶ to him who led his people through the wilderness,
for his steadfast love endures forever;

¹⁷ to him who struck down great kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁸ and killed mighty kings,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
¹⁹ Sihon, king of the Amorites,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁰ and Og, king of Bashan,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²¹ and gave their land as a heritage,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²² a heritage to Israel his servant,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

²³ It is he who remembered us in our low estate,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁴ and rescued us from our foes,
for his steadfast love endures forever;
²⁵ he who gives food to all flesh,
for his steadfast love endures forever.

²⁶ Give thanks to the God of heaven,
for his steadfast love endures forever. (Psalms 136) ESV

*The prophet Jeremiah lived and ministered during one of the bleakest times in Israel’s history. The doomed fate of his country had been sealed. He would live to see Solomon’s temple and the great city of Jerusalem destroyed and its people killed or dragged off into captivity in Babylon. Because of their disobedience and unfaithfulness, would God reject and abandoned His people forever? The answer, God promised through Jeremiah, was a resounding “No!” In the future, the Lord would restore His people through a new covenant so that, once again, the city would be filled with His redeemed ones rejoicing and singing: “Praise the LORD of hosts, For the LORD is good, For His mercy endures forever” (Jeremiah 33:11, NKJV).

One can’t help but read this chorus and think of Psalm 136, a corporate praise hymn in which the psalmist exhorts his audience of worshippers again and again, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the God of gods! For His mercy endures forever. Oh, give thanks to the Lord of lords! For His mercy endures forever” (Psalm 136:1–3, NKJV).

The word translated “mercy” in the original language means “loyal, steadfast, enduring love.” The refrain “His mercy endures forever” (KJV and NKJV) is also translated, “His faithful love endures forever” (NLT) and “His steadfast love endures forever” (ESV). Mercy, or loyal love, is one of the most prominent attributes of God’s character. By His very nature, He shows unstoppable, limitless, everlasting mercy, even to those who don’t deserve it: “Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy” (Micah 7:18).

If ever there might have been a time for God’s mercy to reach its end, it could have been the sin-filled era in which Jeremiah lived. But, thankfully, the Lord’s faithful love does not depend on the whim of emotion or its recipient’s worthiness. God’s steadfast goodness to those He loves is inherent in who He is: “God is love” (1 John 4:8, 16). After a time of discipline, God in His everlasting mercy and love would heal His people’s wounds and, like a shepherd, He would lead them home (Jeremiah 32:36—33:26).

Often, when trials come, we feel abandoned by God. Sometimes our sinful disobedience envelops our hearts in such darkness that we believe God most certainly has rejected us forever. Like the people of Jeremiah’s day, we wonder if our troubling circumstances are evidence that God no longer loves us and His mercy toward us has run out. In times like these, we must recall God’s promise through Jeremiah and let these words comfort us, too: “For the LORD is good; his love endures forever.”

The Lord forgives those who repent and return to Him: “You, Lord, are forgiving and good, abounding in love to all who call to you” (Psalm 86:5; see also 1 John 1:9). He does not hold our sins against us. God remains faithful because He cannot deny who He is (2 Timothy 2:13). He is “compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities” (Psalm 103:8–10).

To the one who feels least deserving of His mercy, the Bible says, “The faithful love of the LORD never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23, NLT).

The new covenant God promised to Israel is ours to experience today through a living and personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Those who trust in the Lord are partakers of His love and mercy forever. Even in our darkest moments when all hope seems lost, we must remember His mercy endures forever. *(GotQuestions.com)

Sowing the Seeds and Bringing in the Sheaves

January 18, 2024

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 7:02

Download Audio (6.4MB)

Witnessing and leading others to Jesus have been at the center of our understanding of our mission and the call of discipleship, motivated by the love for lost souls. It takes love in your heart for the lost—and it is the Lord who places that love there, because He needs each of His children to be a witness. Even if that seed of love in your heart at times feels small, as you share the Lord’s love with others, the conviction and love grow.

The Lord often uses something to get us started on the path He wants us to go. Then, as we take steps forward and obey, He blesses us in ways that we didn’t expect. He uses our obedience to do wonderful things and lead us to people who will receive His message. This results in the saving of souls, and inspiring our hearts as we see that we can help to change our part of the world!

This reminds me of the verse that says, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed‚ shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Psalm 126:6). The Lord understands that sometimes it’s hard to witness. There are all kinds of reasons why, and at times you may wonder if it will make a difference, or if the person is going to be receptive, or if they’ll ask difficult questions.

Getting started is often the hardest part. And that’s what the Lord is talking about when He says that sometimes you go forth weeping, bearing precious seed. But then as you proceed anyway, by faith, you will come again with rejoicing, bringing your sheaves with you. And every time you witness to someone, whether you see immediate fruit or not, you are planting the seeds, and helping to reap the harvest and bring in the sheaves.

There are many people in the world who might not be searching for God or might not feel a need for Jesus right now, or His answers and Word. Maybe their life is going okay, and they have a lot of plans and they’re busy, and they may even seem happy. But as we all know, everyone in life will face hardship, tragedy, loss, and disappointment. In time those people who are doing okay right now won’t be doing so well, and they may stop and think about what you told them. They may dig out the literature you gave them if they still have it, or they’ll reflect on what they read before, and that seed of truth that you planted will spring to life.

That is why we plant the seeds even if we don’t personally see the fruit it bears. Even if they don’t seem like they are receptive to it today, when you give people the truth and point them to Jesus‚ you give them the opportunity to seek Him, if not today, hopefully at some point in their lives.

As witnesses, we often experience the going forth and “weeping” stage expressed in Psalm 126:6‚ and even when we can’t see the fruits of our witness, we can enter into the “rejoicing” stage, knowing that we did our part to bring in some sheaves. We can paraphrase this verse as, “He that goes out with a love for lost souls, sharing the good news of the gospel, will doubtless return rejoicing, bringing home the fruit of people reached with the gospel and souls saved for eternity.”

This brings to mind the old hymn, “Bringing in the Sheaves”:

Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Going forth with weeping, sowing for the Master,
Though the loss sustained our spirit often grieves;
When our weeping’s over, He will bid us welcome,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.

Bringing in the sheaves, bringing in the sheaves,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
—Knowles Shaw (1874)

Peter and I are so grateful for your faithfulness to witness. We rejoice with you in the victories—in each testimony we read, each report that details what you are doing to change the world. Every time you witness and share a message with others, you are making a difference, as the following prophecy highlights. So “let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not” (Galatians 6:9).

(Jesus:) My words are spirit and life (John 6:63). Each time you give a message to others, you are sharing that spirit and life, which have the power to transform people’s lives, and guide them to the truth and the opportunity to come to Me and receive salvation.

My Word never returns void, and each tract or piece of literature you give to someone will have an effect on their life, whether you see it or not. For some people, the message they read will touch their heart and prove to them that I’m real and that I love them. For others, it will guide them to seek for true purpose and meaning in life. For others, it will lift them out of the pit of depression and despair; while for some, the message you share will give them new hope‚ words that they can cling to every day, hope for the light at the end of the dark tunnel they’re walking through, and peace in the midst of life’s storms.

People have been saved from suicide, marriages have been revived‚ the love of parents for their children has been strengthened or renewed, because My witnesses have reached out to them with words of truth and life. And that’s just the effect in the lives of those your witness directly touches—that doesn’t count the lives those you reach may in turn affect. It’s like when you throw a rock into a pond—the ripples spread far from the point of impact.

You might not realize how much each person you share a witness with may go on to affect others. My Word never returns void, and the effects may keep rippling out from one person to another, day after day, month after month, because of your willingness to be a witness.

My Word doesn’t return void in your life, either. As you give, you also receive— “good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38). As you are faithful to witness to others, your faith grows and you gain a deeper love for others, and more compassion and understanding. You observe how powerful My Word is to transform lives, and the effect it has on others.

Through giving My love and Word to others, your faith is strengthened, you gain wisdom, and grow in your commitment and your love for Me and others. I have promised to reward you for your faithfulness and for everything you have forsaken in this life for My sake and for the gospel (Mark 10:29–30). Great is your reward in heaven (Matthew 5:12)!

Originally published September 2006. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

The Fellowship of His Sufferings

January 17, 2024

By David Bolick

Prayer requests come to me regularly for a variety of needs, many of them related to physical ailments, and I often turn to 2 Corinthians 4:16 for encouragement: “Though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day.” I tell myself and others that I need to focus on that second part more, especially now that aging has become the elephant in the room. I don’t need any help grasping that first part about the outward man perishing. Palpable evidence of that abounds, but I must confess I’m not always clear on that second part, about the inward man being renewed. What is the landing gear for that?

In an effort to understand it better, I expanded my viewfinder, looked at more of 2 Corinthians and other places in the Bible that talk about newness, and the results were interesting. This is just a first impression, and I won’t attempt a full-blown documentation of it here, but so far, in all the passages I’ve found about newness and renewal, references to suffering, death, or disruption are never far away.

Consider, for example, the verse just after that phrase about renewal of the inward man: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17). That sounds a lot like what Paul said to the Romans: “For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us” (Romans 8:18), followed, a few verses down, by that classic passage: “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, for thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter” (Romans 8:35–36).

It would appear that “tribulation, distress, persecution,” etc., are a sort of antechamber to that “glory which shall be revealed in us,” and that this was particularly the case for the apostles, and by extension, the same applies to those who strive to follow in their footsteps in bringing the gospel to others.¹

Anticipating persecution was part of the Lord’s instructions to His disciples² and we see them rejoicing over the fulfilment of this in the book of Acts (Acts 5:40–41). Stephen was the first of those they ordained (Acts 6:6) to actually “resist unto blood, striving against sin” (Hebrews 12:4). Paul witnessed this and then later described the general pattern as follows: “For I think that God hath set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death” (1 Corinthians 4:9); “So then death worketh in us, but life in you” (2 Corinthians 4:12). He, like Peter and the other apostles in Acts chapter 5, rejoiced in his sufferings for those he preached to. He expressed this as the “fellowship of his sufferings” (Philippians 3:10). He also listed a veritable catalog of perils as proof of his apostleship (2 Corinthians 11:23–33).

While Jesus did heal the sick, give sight to the blind and raise the dead, scoffers taunted Him with “physician, heal thyself” (Luke 4:23), and “He saved others; himself he cannot save” (Matthew 27:42). Paul, the great apostle who urged us to imitate him—“Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1)—experienced similar treatment.³

My takeaway from this is that while it’s important to pray for healing and trust that we will indeed be healed in many cases, immediate physical healing is not necessarily the only godly outcome we should expect from suffering.⁴ Suffering might be what God uses to bring about the renewal of the inner man and the “peaceable fruit of righteousness” (Hebrews 12:11) in our lives.

In zooming out some from that particular verse that refers to the “perishing of the outward man” it seems the apostle has more persecution-related afflictions in mind than the aches and pains and even serious illnesses associated with old age or the normal course of life in this fallen world. But one way or another, all physical suffering is a result of sin, as a result of humanity’s universal fall through disobedience into sin and death.

That phrase, “the fellowship of his sufferings,” is comforting to me, reminding me of that line from the beloved Psalm 23: “Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me” (verse 4), and of this one: “In all their affliction he was afflicted, and the angel of his presence saved them: in his love and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old” (Isaiah 63:9).

* * *

The surrender of our heart’s deepest longing is perhaps as close as we come to an understanding of the cross. … Our own experience of crucifixion, though immeasurably less than our Savior’s, nonetheless furnishes us with a chance to begin to know Him in the fellowship of His suffering. In every form of our own suffering, He calls us into that fellowship.—Elisabeth Elliot

No words can express how much our world “owes” to sorrow. Most of the Psalms were conceived in a wilderness. Most of the New Testament was written in a prison. The greatest words of God’s Scriptures have all passed through great trials. The greatest prophets have “learned in suffering what they wrote in their books.” So take comfort, afflicted Christian! When our God is about to make use of a person, He allows them to go through a crucible of fire.—George MacDonald

¹ See Romans 8:17; 2 Timothy 2:12.

² See Matthew 5:10–12, 10:23, 20:22–23; Luke 21:12; John 15:20, 16:2.

³ See John 15:18–20; Acts 9:15–16; 1 Corinthians 15:31.

⁴ See John 9:2–3; Hebrews 11:35–38.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

A Merry Heart Does Good

January 16, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 10:43

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According to Proverbs 17:22, a joyful, positive mindset is key to experiencing healthy relationships and a fulfilling life: “A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.”

In the original Hebrew, the word for “merry” means “joyful, happy, full of cheer.” The “heart” is a person’s inner self, thoughts, emotions, and will. … Scripture repeatedly testifies to the potent effects of the mind on the body: “A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; jealousy is like cancer in the bones,” states Proverbs 14:30. “A glad heart makes a happy face; a broken heart crushes the spirit,” declares Proverbs 15:13. …

Spending time in God’s Word, meditating on His promises, is a guaranteed way to do your heart some good. The prophet Jeremiah testified, “When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart’s delight” (Jeremiah 15:16).

Considering God’s works and His ways will also make our hearts glad. The psalmist sang, “For you make me glad by your deeds, LORD; I sing for joy at what your hands have done” (Psalm 92:4). …

Perhaps the most excellent way to cultivate a merry heart that does good, like medicine, is to spend time in God’s presence. Both King David in the Old Testament and the apostle Peter in the New Testament found their greatest joy in the presence of the Lord (Acts 2:28; Psalm 16:9–11). In God’s company, we experience the fullness of joy.—GotQuestions.org¹

*

The book of Proverbs in the Bible states that when you have a merry heart, it does good to your body and soul in the same way an effective medicine would.

“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones” (Proverbs 17:22). Having a merry heart will affect your mind, your emotions, and your physical body.

So, how do we have a merry heart? Is having a merry heart something we can choose to do and be intentional about? Yes! We can choose to cultivate a merry heart in every season of life.

Having a merry heart comes from what you choose to focus on and what you believe. In order to have a merry heart, you must focus your attention and your belief on good things. …

God is a really, really good God who only wants the best for you, all the time.

His Word will bring life, peace, and goodness to every area of your life.

When you spend time in His Word, God will give you insight into the way things are designed and meant to function. He knows how everything is created to exist and function at its best.

From God’s Word comes revelation of His love for you, and what He has accomplished for you through the death and resurrection of His Son.

This is the best news you will ever receive and will produce a merry heart within you! …

“All the days of the afflicted are evil, but he who is of a merry heart has a continual feast” (Proverbs 15:15). When you have a merry heart, you will always be in a place of abundance which comes from within. …

A merry heart is one who is always rejoicing in the Lord. No matter what is going on around us, we can choose to rejoice in the Lord—in His goodness, in His faithfulness, in His love.

To have a merry heart, meditate on the Word of God. What we feed ourselves continually through our ears, eyes, and thoughts is what becomes planted in our hearts.

Always plant what you want in your heart by feeding it the Word of God. …

To have a merry heart, focus on the good. Focusing on the good in every situation can become natural to you, but it takes a diligent effort to train yourself to focus on the things that are good instead of the bad.

In every circumstance, you can look at the good or at the bad. It’s a matter of training yourself what to look for. What you look for is what you will find.

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things” (Philippians 4:8).

To have a merry heart, develop gratitude. Another way to focus on things that are merry is to become a person who is always thanking God and meditating on what you are thankful for.

This mindset can be intentionally developed. Maintaining a grateful heart will naturally produce a joyful, merry heart. …

To have a merry heart, surround yourself with joyful people. … We cannot constantly surround ourselves with people who have a negative outlook on life and expect to have a merry heart.

The people that you spend the most time with should be people who are focused on the right things.

If you want to have a merry heart, hang around those with merry hearts! They will encourage your thankful and joyful mindset. …

To have a merry heart, speak merry things. The power of life and death is in our tongue (Proverb 18:21). You can release joy and peace into your heart through the words you continually say.

Become a person who only speaks in agreement with the Word of God.

It will take some practice, but as you do this, you will see your whole world transformed! …

Begin to speak over yourself, “I have a merry heart. I rejoice in the Lord all the time. I focus on things that are lovely and worthy of praise. No matter what, I focus on the good in every situation.”

This is how you train yourself to focus on the good. In every situation, ask yourself, “What is worthy of praise in this situation?” and then focus your thoughts on that.

As you continue to do this, you will see your mindset change and truly become someone with a merry heart.—walkwiththewise.org²

*

“A cheerful heart is good medicine” (Proverbs 17:22). Laughter is the shock absorber of life. It’s God’s antidote for anger and frustration. It’ll lighten your load and make your frustrations more palatable. You can’t laugh at a frustration and blow up at the same time. The Bible says, “The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10). Do you want strength to handle the frustrations you’re dealing with? God’s joy will provide it.—Rick Warren³

*

You need to have some time that you can relax, have a good laugh, and enjoy life a little. Life for Me shouldn’t only be serious—a never-laugh, never-have-fun, day-after-day grind. I know that the battles can be intense, but even so, that shouldn’t take My joy, happiness, and laughter out of your life.

“A merry heart doeth good like medicine” (Proverbs 17:22), and is not just good for your spiritual uplift. It’s also good for your physical body, and can help to pull you out of the dumps or heaviness of heart, if you stop and have a good laugh. You should have some avenue of outlet that will let you laugh and just enjoy life as I intended for you to do. You would be surprised at how powerful a hearty laugh or comic relief is, and how much good it does for you. It feels good, and does a lot of good for your body and spirit.

Keep My joy in your heart, and don’t let life get you down. Rise above it with a smile and a laugh!—Jesus

Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Fogarty.

¹ https://www.gotquestions.org/merry-heart-does-good.html

² https://walkwiththewise.org/how-to-have-a-merry-heart

³ https://pastors.com/overcoming-those-little-frustrations

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

He Satisfies Completely

January 15, 2024

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 10:31

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I chose John 16:32 for our meditation today. It’s Jesus speaking. He says, “Ye shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.”

I believe every single Christian can say, “You can leave me alone, others can leave me alone, and yet I’m not alone, for the Father is with me.”

I mentioned some years ago how many letters we receive from people who are lonely. There are two burdens expressed in these letters, more than any other kind of distress or burden, and that’s sickness and loneliness. Our verse today deals with the latter.

There are people who may have an abundance of everything and have folks all around them, and yet they are living in utter loneliness. I told you some time ago the story about a young man in a hotel in Los Angeles who was planning to take his life. He was going to leap from the hotel window, but as he stepped up on the table, he knocked the Gideon’s Bible off. That happened as he was moving toward his objective of jumping out the window. When the Bible fell, it opened; and curious to see just where it had opened, he read this same verse. “Ye shall leave me alone: yet I am not alone, for the Father is with me.”

His wife had left him and his friends had forsaken him, and that verse seemed like a direct message from Jesus to him. He sat down then, holding the Bible, and he read those words over and over, “I am not alone, for the Father is with me.” Then he turned to the back of the Bible and looked up other passages about the Father. Well, the story ends beautifully, because both his life and his soul were miraculously saved!

In thinking about this, a poem comes to mind:

Is the midnight closing round you?
Are the shadows dark and long?
Ask Jesus to come close beside you,
And He’ll give you a new, sweet song.

And He’ll give it and sing it with you;
And when weakness lets it down,
He’ll take up the broken cadence
And blend it with His own.
—Author unknown

I like the part that says, “He’ll give it and sing it with you … and blend it with His own.” The Lord Jesus Christ will be present in every avenue of your life. This is His promise. He’ll guide you, and He’ll live His life through you. He’ll blend it with His own. Isn’t it wonderful? Today’s verse, John 16:32, is true, and we can claim it for ourselves.

This story about this young man leads me to think of something that happened in my life some time ago. I had lost my loved one. I was very lonely at first, but never the kind of loneliness that the world talks about. Ours was a long companionship of 54 years, and then suddenly the ties were broken and that partnership was there no longer.

But the kind of loneliness the world experiences, I’ve never known since the Lord Jesus Christ came into my heart, because He is always there. And I always feel His presence.

That’s one kind of loneliness—when loved ones are taken away and the heart and the home seem somewhat empty, but there’s also the loneliness of old age.

I don’t think there’s necessarily more loneliness in old age than at any other time, because after all, young people away from home and among strangers get mighty lonely and homesick; they can get so homesick that sometimes they’re ill. But it is hard when your life companion is gone and old friends have passed away.

One day in the launderette when I was trying to write a letter, a very talkative elderly lady was pouring out her heart and her life story to a woman by her side. Later I said to this listening friend, “Your friend surely enjoyed talking to you.” And she answered, “Well, she’s so lonely and she has no one to talk to. I thought I could do just a little good by being a good listener until she emptied out her heart. She was so lonely.” Sometimes it’s a wonderful thing just to be a good listener for some lonely heart.

There is also the loneliness of leadership. There are leaders who, because of being true to their convictions, are being rejected and ridiculed. Jesus knew this rejection, for John 6:66 tells us: “Many of his disciples went back and walked with him no more.” That’s the loneliness of being misunderstood.

Then there’s the loneliness of defeat, like Elijah under the juniper tree, when he wished he could die. He was certainly lonely. He was being pursued and rejected. (See 1 Kings 19:3–4.) There are many other kinds of loneliness; it can happen to almost anyone.

There’s such a deep longing in every heart to be understood, and to have someone share your interests and help solve your problems and sympathize with you; someone who can enter into your joys and triumphs, your sorrows and defeats.

Perhaps you wonder why there is this deep craving, this intense longing to have someone who fully understands you. Perhaps you might question why no human being can ever fully understand you; no living mortal seems to be able to enter into the deepest recesses of your mind, heart, and soul. There always seems to be a locked door where no one can ever enter but yourself.

If this is true, it’s because God has made us that way. He made us a living soul that only He can fully understand, and only He can enter into that closest companionship.

We’re His masterpieces, and do you think He would leave us with some void in our makeup that can’t be filled? No, He’s made provision for that hunger also. He’s given provision for all the hungers in our life: bread for the body, knowledge for the mind, love for the heart. Is the soul to be unsatisfied? Think about it a moment. Would God leave the soul of man to be unsatisfied? Ah, no!

This longing for true understanding is to be fulfilled, and that’s one of the biggest parts of God’s plan. He knew that when man would find human love and sympathy so lacking, then he’d turn to divine love and sympathy for fulfillment when he could find fulfillment nowhere else. It’s God Himself who is the answer; He’s the only true fulfillment. He feels the longing, and He’ll fully satisfy, if you’ll give Him a chance!

God made you for Himself, and not until He fills your life will you be free from loneliness. When He fills your life, you’ll never have the same kind of loneliness again. He knew that this sense of isolation, of not being understood, would drive you to Himself. Only God Himself can ever fill your soul. God’s Word says, “Christ is your satisfying portion” (Lamentations 3:24). God made you that way, so that only He could fill your soul. He will satisfy every longing of your heart. Oh, this is true! It’s real!

Millions are testifying that they never found satisfaction until they found Jesus Christ. God is great enough and big enough to fill any soul, and give complete companionship and ideal, perfect friendship. He is God, and the lack that you feel, this incompleteness, is the cry of your soul for Him.

To the Christian I would say that God’s Word stands true, and if you’re lonely, draw closer to the Satisfying Portion. “Christ, your satisfying portion.” You have wonderful promises in God’s Word, with God Himself backing them up with His power, His truth, and His love.

I would say to the one who doesn’t know Him, let Him come into your lonely heart. Then you can say, as Jesus said, “I’m not alone; the Father is with me” (John 16:32). He’s your Father, your heavenly Father. Why not turn your lonely heart to Him?

This is His way of drawing you to Him. It’s a manifestation of His love and His longing for you. He’s yearning, in deep sympathy and understanding, for your companionship. If you make friends with the Lord Jesus Christ now, you’ll never have the same desperate loneliness again!

Give Him a chance! Let Him come into your heart, and you will share the wonderful companionship that He offers to you. Open your heart and turn your whole life over to Him, so He can come in and utterly fill any emptiness there.

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast, adapted. Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by Debra Lee.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Bible Chronology—From Creation to New Heaven and New Earth

David Brandt Berg

1980-03-04

If you don’t understand Bible history, you’ll never be able to understand Bible prophecy. If you don’t understand the dates and the times, you won’t know what time the prophet was talking about, whether he was talking about something that already happened, something that is ancient history way back when he was alive, or something that’s happening right now or hasn’t happened yet.

These are not exact dates that I’m going to give you, but dates in round figures in 500-year periods. It would take you a long time to memorize the exact dates, and then you probably wouldn’t remember them at that. But if you just leap in 500-year periods, it can be pretty easy to remember.

An important date was the birth of Abraham about 2000 B.C. The time of Moses was about 1500 B.C., which was about the time of the Exodus. Another important date about 500 years later was the era of David and the kings, around 1000 B.C.

Then there was the fall of Jerusalem in 586 B.C. It’s very important because it had to do with the coming of Christ. It was prophesied that after Jerusalem fell, the Jews would be in captivity exactly 70 years, which takes you from 586 to 516 BC.

Artaxerxes of Persia issued his commandment to rebuild Jerusalem in 454 B.C. (Daniel 9:25). That’s important because the Lord prophesied through Daniel that Christ, the Messiah, would be born exactly 69 “weeks” of years later There were to be 70 “weeks” total, but 69 from the going forth of the edict to build Jerusalem to the coming of the Messiah. That’s 483 years. Subtract 454 B.C. from 483 years and you have 29 years left. But you see, Jesus was born in 4 B.C. according to the Roman calendar, and He died at 33. So according to the Roman calendar He died in A.D. 29. Exactly the number of years that Daniel prophesied that the Messiah would come after the proclamation to rebuild Jerusalem!

The first assignment I always gave my students for Bible knowledge was to memorize the books of the Bible and be able to write them down in order. Otherwise, how are you ever going to find anything if you always have to look in the table of contents and find what page it’s on?

The first five books in the Bible are called the Pentateuch. The Greek word “Pentateuch” means five books. The name the Jews give them is the Torah, or commonly called the Books of the Law. They are also therefore the Books of Moses.

The Jews talk a lot more about the Talmud. That’s a commentary on the Bible. Right in the middle of this big page, there are one or two verses out of the Bible, and all the rest is footnotes. Headnotes, side notes and footnotes about one scripture.

Another date you should also know is the date of the fall of Samaria in northern Israel in 722 B.C. The ten tribes were taken into captivity by Assyria. They actually had a lot of conquests and they’d come back and conquer cities and they’d take more and more, but that was the finish when they captured the capital city of northern Israel, Samaria. It fell and the Assyrians carried away most of the population. That was the end of Israel, 722 B.C.

There were four major prophets: Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel. Daniel is a short book, only 12 chapters. The others are long books, so how come Daniel was considered a major prophet? In that case they judged by the importance of the prophet and what he predicted, and there are more specific and amazing prophecies about the future in Daniel than there are in the other major prophets.

Isaiah was the Messianic prophet, because he prophesied mostly about Jesus, both about His first and second coming. And there are more prophecies about the Millennium in Isaiah than anywhere else in the Bible, beautiful prophecies.

Jeremiah was concerned mostly about the Jews—their history, their fall, and their future, and even about the restoration and about the Jews going back to Israel.

Isaiah prophesied mostly about Jesus. Jeremiah prophesied about the Jews. Ezekiel also prophesied mostly about the Jews, the fall of the Jews, but he had many more prophecies regarding the distant future, particularly about the Antichrist and Armageddon, even clear up to the Holy City.

Daniel was a prophet of the endtime. They all prophesied about the endtime, but he especially prophesied about the distant future. He was told to shut up the book and seal it till the time of the end (Daniel 12:4).

The death of Paul the apostle sort of ends the apostolic era. He was one of the last ones to be martyred. The time of the Roman persecution and the death of Paul was in 66 A.D. The next major event was the destruction of Jerusalem by the Romans in 70 A.D. One hundred thousand Jews were crucified on the hills around Jerusalem, and one million were crucified throughout Israel.

The next major date in Christian history is the death of John the Beloved, or John the Revelator as he’s called, the man who wrote the Gospel of John, the Epistles of John, and the book of Revelation, or Apocalypse as the Catholics call it. He’s the fellow they tried to boil in oil, and he wouldn’t boil.

It was a miracle! They dropped him in this boiling oil and he wouldn’t boil. He was the only apostle who didn’t die a martyr’s death. He wasn’t even hurt; he wasn’t even burned. He wasn’t even scorched or blistered. Since he was virtually indestructible, they sent him to the isle of Patmos, which is a tiny island just off the western shore of Turkey. John died about 90 A.D. He lived a long time and he died a natural death on Patmos.

Another date you ought to remember is the date of the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi. In round numbers it was about 300 years before Jesus. There had been prophets every few years, but then all of a sudden God didn’t say another word for 300 years, at least not that’s recorded. Because they didn’t listen, and they wouldn’t obey, He just quit talking. There were no prophets or prophecies for 300 years, from about 300 B.C. until Jesus came.

We could go into Christian history a little bit to bring us up to modern times. About 500 A.D. the church split into the Eastern and Western Roman Empire—the Orthodox and the Catholic.

1000 A.D. to 1100 is considered the middle of the Dark Ages. The Renaissance brought us out of the Dark Ages in the 1400s, and the Reformation followed the Renaissance in the 1500s.

The date of the King James Version of the Bible is 1611. As I recall, the death of Shakespeare was in 1616. Someone has said that if there were not a Bible in the whole world, you could recapture a lot of it just out of the writings of Shakespeare. He was apparently an avid reader of the Bible and quoted it again and again. Someone has also said that you could recapture most of the Bible from the writings of most great men who quoted it.

The next major date in history will be the coming of the Lord. A thousand years later will be the end of the Millennium. At the end of the Millennium there’s another big event, called the Battle of Gog and Magog.

They haven’t gotten rid of the Devil yet, even after a thousand years. Just think, he’s around at the invasion of Israel and the conquest of all that, but 1,000 years later he revives again. There’s the Battle of Gog and Magog, and then the forces of the Devil are destroyed. There’s no Antichrist then; the Devil himself leads the forces, and they’re all destroyed with fire. That’s when fire burns up the earth and the atmospheric heavens. All the heavens and the earth are destroyed. The surface of the earth, that is; the ball is still here, because we’re going to reinhabit it. And the Lord recreates it, completely reconstitutes the surface of the earth into a beautiful new earth and lovely new heavens wherein dwelleth righteousness (2 Peter 3:13).

The heavenly city will then come down from God out of heaven (Revelation 21:2). And God is going to dwell with us on earth in the heavenly city (Revelation 21:3). We’re not going to have to go to heaven; heaven’s going to come to us. We will go to heaven for a little while in the Rapture, but then we come back to earth again for the Millennium. Then we go back to heaven again for the Battle of Gog and Magog, and we come back to earth and the heavenly city.

 

Summary of Bible time periods and important dates

About 2000 B.C.	Abraham
About 1500 B.C.	Moses
About 1000 B.C.	David and the Kings
722 B.C.	Fall of Samaria
586 B.C.	Fall of Jerusalem
4 B.C.	Birth of Jesus
29 A.D.	Death of Jesus
66 A.D.	Death of Paul the Apostle
70 A.D.	Romans destroy Jerusalem
90 A.D.	Death of John the Revelator
About 500 A.D.	Church Splits into Western and Eastern Roman Empires
About 1000 A.D.	Dark Ages
About 1500 A.D.	Reformation
1611 A.D.	King James Version

Copyright © March 1980 by The Family International

The Bread of Life

Peter Amsterdam

2020-12-03

In John chapter 6, we read of Jesus feeding five thousand people with bread and fish. After that, He withdrew to a mountain by Himself, while His disciples got in a boat and started off to Capernaum. After rowing three or four miles, it was dark, and the lake became rough due to the wind, which made it difficult to make headway. Then the disciples saw Jesus walking on water and coming near the boat. They took Him into the boat, and immediately the boat reached land.

The next day, when some of the people who had partaken of the loaves and fishes saw that Jesus wasn’t there, they themselves got into the boats and went to Capernaum, seeking Jesus. When they found him on the other side of the sea, they said to him, “Rabbi, when did you come here?” Jesus answered them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves.”¹

Considering that the crowd had wanted to make Jesus king after having eaten the bread He had provided, it’s not surprising that they sought Him out the next day. Jesus didn’t respond to their question, but instead exposed their motives. They weren’t interested in the meaning of the miracle He had performed or who He was; they were focused on the fact that He had provided them with bread. This is similar to how people responded to Roman emperors in Jesus’ day. Roman emperors and other politicians kept the Roman people pacified with free food. Like Roman clients, the crowds joined Jesus’ “entourage” just for “a handout of food.”²

Jesus went on to say: Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal.³ Seals were used in various ways in antiquity, and rulers sometimes gave a seal to those who were commissioned to act on their behalf. This passage seems to convey that the Father had verified Jesus through the signs and miracles which Jesus did. As an alternate interpretation, some Bibles translate this phrase as: “On Him God the Father has placed His seal of approval.”

Then they asked him, “What must we do to do the works God requires?” Jesus answered, “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.”⁴ As Jesus had told them to labor—or work—for food that endures to eternal life, they wanted to know how Jesus defined work. Jewish tradition didn’t isolate works from faith, as faith was often one “work” among many. Whereas here, Jesus defined faith differently—He stated that the work that was necessary for eternal life was belief in Him.

So they said to him, “Then what sign do you do, that we may see and believe you? What work do you perform? Our fathers ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written, ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat.’”⁵

It seems rather odd that they would refer to the sign of manna which God gave the Hebrews in the desert, when just the day before, Jesus had multiplied five loaves of bread to feed five thousand. Their asking for a sign so they could believe showed that they didn’t really want to see and believe, but rather were interested in receiving more free food.

Jesus then said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you the bread from heaven, but my Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”⁶ Jesus reminded them that the manna in the wilderness was not from Moses, but from God. Manna was not “the true bread” from heaven, but rather an earthly, material type of that bread. It gave life to the people of God for forty years, and also served as a foreshadowing of the “bread of God” which gives “life to the world.”

They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.” Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life; whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst.”⁷

Those listening understood that the bread was a metaphor for a divine gift. They began to recognize that in some way Jesus was offering them “life,” even eternal life, as He had earlier told them not to work for the food that perishes but for the food that endures to eternal life. Having told them that they were to labor for the food that endures to eternal life, He is now telling them that He is the way to that life, He is this bread, He is the one who gives this life. This in a sense changes the focus from what Jesus does to who Jesus is.

However, once Jesus said that He was the bread, some clearly did not believe.⁸ The people had asked for a sign, and Jesus replied that He was the sign. He explicitly stated that He came down from heaven, and that His purpose was to do His Father’s will.

The Jews grumbled about him, because he said, “I am the bread that came down from heaven.” They said, “Is not this Jesus, the son of Joseph, whose father and mother we know? How does he now say, ‘I have come down from heaven’?”⁹

The people began to grumble among themselves, probably confused and/or disagreeing with one another as to what He meant. Knowing who His parents were made it difficult for them to accept the concept that He came down from heaven.

Jesus answered them, “Do not grumble among yourselves. No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. And I will raise him up on the last day.”¹⁰

Earlier He said, All that the Father gives me will come to me,¹¹ and here He makes the same point in a stronger fashion—no one can come to Him without the Father drawing them. A person is “drawn” to Jesus by being taught by God, by hearing and responding to God’s call.

Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. I am the bread of life.¹² This is the third “truly, truly” statement in this chapter. He is making a solemn vow that whoever believes has eternal life because He is the bread of life.

Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.¹³

Earlier, the crowd spoke about manna and indicated that they would like a similar miracle. It was because of this that Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” Having said this, He then spoke of manna’s limitations. While it was food from God, it had to be eaten the day it was gathered, and whatever was left over was rotten the next day. It sustained the people, but they still died in due course. However, those who eat of the bread Jesus was speaking about will not die. The Greek verb tense used for eat in the phrase so that one may eat of it and not die indicates a once-and-for-all action, so that when anyone partakes of this bread once, they will never die.

Since this is no ordinary food, how then is it eaten? The answer of course is to believe, as Jesus stated earlier: Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. The concept of belief or faith as eating gives some insight to what it means to believe. We partake of and absorb what we believe in a manner similar to eating food, so that it becomes part of who we are. Those who partake of Jesus will never die.

Jesus’ definition of the bread as His flesh, His body, was a startling statement, but it became even more so when He stated that He would give Himself, His own body, His own flesh “for the life of the world.” Those listening to Jesus didn’t know that Jesus was speaking of His death for the salvation of the world.

This is the bread that came down from heaven, not like the bread the fathers ate and died. Whoever feeds on this bread will live forever.¹⁴

The “bread of life” which comes “down from heaven” is different from any earthly bread. Those who eat this bread, who take Jesus into their lives, while they will experience physical death, won’t experience spiritual death. As Jesus said earlier in this chapter:

This is the will of him who sent me, that I should lose nothing of all that he has given me, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.¹⁵

May all of us who have eaten the bread of eternal life be faithful to share this bread with others.

Originally published January 2018. Excerpted and republished December 2020.
Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

¹ John 6:24–26.

² Craig Keener, The Gospel of John, A Commentary, Volume 1 (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2003), 676.

³ John 6:27.

⁴ John 6:28–29 NIV.

⁵ John 6:30–31.

⁶ John 6:32–33.

⁷ John 6:34–35.

⁸ John 6:36–40.

⁹ John 6:41–42.

¹⁰ John 6:43–44.

¹¹ John 6:37.

¹² John 6:47–48.

¹³ John 6:49–51.

¹⁴ John 6:58.

¹⁵ John 6:39–40.

He Did Not Revile in Return

January 12, 2024

—Following Jesus in an Age of Anger

By David Mathis

Few saw as much as Peter did.

One of the first disciples, and chief among them, he heard Jesus’s public teaching, and his private explanations. He saw Jesus heal, raise the dead, and feed thousands with a few loaves and fish. He walked Galilee with Jesus, on land and sea.

Along with James and John, Peter witnessed the transfiguration, and accompanied Jesus deep into Gethsemane to pray on the night before he died. Then, watching from a distance on Good Friday, Peter saw what Jesus did, and did not do. Jesus’s enemies mocked him, slandered him, insulted him, maligned him, reviled him—as verbal thrusts of contempt conspired with nails and spear.

How Jesus handled it left an indelible stamp on Peter. And it came to mark his letter to insulted, maligned Christians, tempted to respond in kind to their revilers. In short, “When [Jesus] was reviled, he did not revile in return” (1 Peter 2:23).

(Read the article or listen to the audio here. Run time for the audio is 13 minutes.)

He Did Not Revile in Return: Following Jesus in an Age of Anger | Desiring God

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Building a Strong Marriage

January 11, 2024

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 12:17

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It’s a spiritual law that when your priorities are right—that is, when you’re putting your relationship with Me first above all other people and things—everything else falls into place. It’s the number-one requirement in your marriage, because all the other efforts you might make at improving your marriage will come to naught if you don’t have things sorted out in your heart and in your priorities. This also means putting Me first as husband and wife, acknowledging Me and spending time seeking Me and growing spiritually together.

Another important quality for a strong marriage is putting your spouse first, before yourself. Selfishness is one of the leading causes of marriage problems. You also need a willingness to address problems. To build a strong marriage, you have to learn to face the problems head-on and take active steps to unite and overcome them, which requires a willingness to communicate.

You also need to cultivate forgiveness. Just as I taught you to pray, “Forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us” (Matthew 6:12), forgiveness is a key to a happy, secure marriage. Never let the sun go down on your anger (Ephesians 4:26). Make a point to apologize for any hurtful words or actions you may have directed at your spouse that day.

It’s also important to show consideration for your significant other. Try to put yourself in your husband or wife’s shoes before you say or do something that might hurt them. Since marriage is the most intimate relationship you can have with another human being, as you share your life, your thoughts, your bed, your children, it can be easy to get familiar with each other, which will eventually be manifested in your words and actions.

Respect your spouse’s feelings, opinions, and decisions. Show them respect by not interrupting when they’re speaking. Express your admiration for your partner. Remind yourself of all the qualities in your spouse that you were drawn to, and grow your appreciation of the wonderful person you have the privilege of sharing your life with.

Sincere admiration for a person does wonders for their whole attitude and mindset. To know that there is someone who overlooks your many faults and still loves you and sees your good qualities gives you hope and the incentive to be a better person, worthy of the love and admiration you so appreciate.

Cultivate a sense of humor in your marriage. Your lives are so busy, and with the little emergencies and the little frustrations and tensions that arise in the course of a day, you can save the day by trying to see the funny side of a difficult situation. When you get in each other’s hair, do the humble thing and laugh at your own silly mistakes and idiosyncrasies. Lighten up on yourself and your spouse, and you will find that the little annoyances and inconveniences of daily life that loomed so large will shrink, as you remind yourself of what’s important in life and laugh at what’s not.

Exercise optimism. Develop a habit of being optimistic when you talk together. You have to be realistic and honest when discussing problems and making decisions, but remember that I am bigger than all your problems and challenges. As you bring every problem to Me, I will guide you to My solutions.

The highest priority

The difference between how man judges and how I judge is summarized in the simple verse, “Man looks on the outward appearance, but I look on the heart” (1 Samuel 16:7). The reason so many people have expectations about marriage that differ from My plans and ways is that they are looking on the outward appearance, the temporal moment, whereas I am looking at the heart and the long-term goal—the complete picture.

You could define the ideal marriage one way in your mind, but I may look at it very differently. The crux of the matter is this: To be in My will is the ideal for you. Throughout life you will be faced with opportunities that I know will bring growth and fulfillment, as well as lessons learned and rewards for eternity. But, because an opportunity is not what you had in mind, you might be tempted to push it away.

Often what I want to give you requires some sacrifice, some forsaking of your own plans or ideas, and this can be hard. You might be tempted to walk away and not even try. When you do so, you can miss an opportunity that I have set up for you, simply because it did not resemble your ideal plans.

This is a lesson for My children, as they learn to understand My ways and My workings, which often involve taking the way of love and sacrifice. This is not to say that My plans for you bring sadness, as I have promised you that My joy and peace will remain in you. But My plans for you often require a forsaking and giving of yourself, and dying to your own ideas or plans, so that Mine can become a reality in your life.

Many people have certain plans about their spouse, or the number of children they would like to have, or what their marriage will be like. Often those plans are different from My plan for them, but if they can learn to yield to Me, they will experience the fruit of trusting Me with their lives and marriages.

In your search for happiness in your marriage, seek Me first and foremost. When you seek Me above all, then you can trust that I am at work in everything around you. You can find true contentment no matter what your circumstances or situation.

The most important prerequisite for a strong marriage is to be in My will, for then everything else will fall into place. As you love Me above all, and you love your husband or wife as yourself, you are fulfilling the greatest commandments and requirements for your marriage. Other things will come and go—looks fade, expectations may change, and even your personality and your spouse’s personality might change with time—but I never change. And if I am the foundation stone, then you will be secure and fruitful in your life, in your marriage, and in your relationship with Me.

Differences between men and women

Male and female—I created each gender to be different and unique, so that they could complement, balance, and be a strength to the other. One of the keys to love is understanding that I made men and women the way they are and accepting and celebrating the differences.

Gender differences help you stretch in the area of tolerance and putting yourself in someone else’s shoes. It is sometimes easier to understand the actions of those of your own sex, but to understand the opposite sex takes humility, love, and a desire to relate.

When it comes to marriage, it is important to grasp gender differences and not just hope that you can make do without attempting to work with those differences in some way. It is helpful to keep in mind that neither gender is wrong for being the way it is. The differences are meant to produce balance.

This is why it’s important that men and women work together in life, so that they can balance each other out, and as a result, make wise, level-headed, loving decisions. If either side is too predominant, the results can be off-balance and not well-rounded.

It helps to remember that I made each person a unique individual; no two people are alike. And while there are general similarities in both genders, understanding that there are inherent differences between genders can help you to be more understanding and to tailor your expectations of members of the opposite sex, in particular with your spouse. It takes love and a sincere desire to understand and accommodate your spouse if you hope to bridge the gender divide.

Originally published April 1998. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Dooley.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

When a Hobby Brings New Hope

January 10, 2024

By Sandi Swiridoff

Who would have thought that posting fun, silly photos on Instagram could benefit children in the foster care system? Not me. But it has … in a big way.

It all started with sharing photos of my ridiculously cute Labradoodle and my darling, bespectacled foster-grandson. Watching them together warmed my heart and made me smile. I wanted to show the strong bond they’d developed, so I started dressing them alike, taking photos and posting them on Instagram. The “pawsitive” responses I received made me realize mine was not the only heart warmed by this adorable duo.

As my Instagram account, Reagandoodle, gained popularity, I prayed God would use it to glorify Himself and benefit children in foster care. God answered that prayer by turning Reagandoodle into something much more than I ever dreamed, drawing people to Him and shining a light on His kids. People reach out to me every day, sharing their stories of foster care and adoption and expressing the joy the photos bring to their day.

(Continue reading here. You may want to consider reading some of the comments after the article for additional inspiration.)

When a Hobby Brings New Hope (proverbs31.org)

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Responding with Graciousness

January 9, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 11:21

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Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.—Colossians 4:6–7

*

Paul came to Athens after fleeing persecution by the Thessalonians in Berea (Acts 17:13–15). His witness at Athens is the most detailed account in Acts of a Christian teacher challenging non-Jewish thinkers. Athens in Paul’s day was not at the height of its intellectual, cultural or military influence, but it was still a cultural powerhouse. … Yet Paul was “greatly distressed” because the city was full of idols (Acts 17:16). But instead of unleashing a thundering condemnation on the Athenians, Paul began to reason with the Jews in the synagogue and with the God-fearing Greeks day by day, as was his custom.

There was “a group of Epicurean and Stoic philosophers” in Athens who “began to debate” with Paul (Acts 17:18). Although they wrongly accused him of being a “babbler” (or intellectual plagiarist) who advocated “foreign gods,” they nevertheless invited him to speak to the Areopagus (Acts 17:18–19). …

Paul found common ground by noting that they were “very religious,” given their many “objects of worship” (Acts 17:22–23). Paul knew this was idolatry, but he used a neutral description in order to build a bridge instead of erecting a wall. We too should be distressed by the emblems of unbelief in our midst, yet we should try to discern and capitalize on points of contact with these other worldviews.

Paul then reports that he had found an altar to “an unknown God” (Acts 17:23). But what they took to be unknown, Paul now declares to them. His declaration (Acts 17:24–31) is a masterpiece of Christian persuasion, the beauty of which cannot be captured in a short space. Knowing the perspective of the philosophers he was facing, Paul begins not with the message of Jesus but the biblical doctrine of creation. …

Paul affirms that a personal and transcendent God created the entire universe, which depends on him for its continued existence. “He himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else” (Acts 17:24–25; see also Hebrews 1:3). This sets up a sharp antithesis between Christianity and both philosophical camps. The Stoics believed in an impersonal “world soul”—something like today’s New Age spiritual principle or “the Force” in the Star Wars movies—while the Epicureans believed in several deities who had no interest in humanity.

This Creator, Paul declares, is also closely involved with humanity. He created all people from one man and established the conditions in which they live. He did this so that people “would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us” (Acts 17:27). …

Paul presents a God who is personal, transcendent, immanent and relational. He conveys all this before uttering a word about Christ. Paul should be our apologetic model here as well. Unless we establish a biblical view of God, people will likely place Jesus in the wrong worldview, taking him to be merely a guru or swami or prophet rather than Lord, God and Savior (Philippians 3:20; Colossians 2:9).—Doug Groothius¹

Seasoned with salt

A believer’s words are to be seasoned with salt so that we can “know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6). Sharing the gospel includes knowing it, sharing it accurately, and doing so with a humble and gracious attitude—in a palatable way. Believers are called to “always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Having an unwholesome, distasteful attitude is not becoming to the gospel of Christ; unsavory motives and attitudes do not produce words “seasoned with salt.”

While not every conversation must specifically be about God, every conversation should be seasoned with salt. We should always be ready to answer others’ questions about our faith, and our words should always reflect Christ, bringing a different “flavor” to what might otherwise be an unsavory conversation. What a Christian says and how he says it ought to add value to a conversation just as salt does for food. … Just as salt has healing properties, our words should bring healing and goodness, encouraging its hearers and pointing them to the One who is vital for life.—Gotquestions.org²

Salt and light

Passing the hope that is in us along to others is one of our greatest gifts and joys in life. Lifting downcast spirits through our love, joy, and confidence in God’s Word is a key to what makes us who we are. When people see the hope that is in you, they are drawn to it as one is to light in a dark place. Jesus compared that special spark of life that sets us apart from the children of this world to salt. He said, “You are the salt of the earth.”—Maria Fontaine

*

Pope John Paul II was reported as speaking to university students about overcoming the temptation of mediocrity and conformity. He said, “Following Christ, the crucified King, believers learn that to reign is to serve, seeking the good of others, and they discover that the real meaning of love is expressed in the sincere gift of self.” He stated that when life is lived with this spirit, the Christian becomes the “salt of the earth.” He went on to say, “It is not an easy way; it is often contrary to the mentality of your contemporaries. It means, of course, to go against the current, with respect to the prevailing conduct and fashions. … The mystery of the cross teaches a way of being and acting that is not in accord with the spirit of this world.”³

As Christians, we are called to spice things up with the seasoning of faith we bring. We must also realize that not everyone will like the flavor or be amenable to having the world around them seasoned with beliefs and values that are different from the ones they have been accustomed to. Some things—including challenges to our faith and opposition—are part of the Christian walk.

In Colossians, Paul said, “Live wisely among those who are not believers and make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be gracious and attractive, seasoned with salt, so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:5–6). This seems to present a good balance of “making the most of every opportunity” in our witness to those who are unbelievers while ensuring that our speech is both gracious and attractive, and seasoned with the salt of our faith and Christian example. That is what Paul concludes will enable us to have the right response to everyone, or as Peter said, to “be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have” (1 Peter 3:15).

It has been said that “God scattered [the early Christians] throughout the world to salt the whole earth and enlighten all mankind.” Ultimately, salt is embraced by many people as a needed ingredient that will bring out the best in food. When Jesus compared His followers to salt and light, it seems a reasonable assumption that He expected Christians to be embraced by many and for the Christian faith to become as essential as salt and light to many people’s lives. That’s quite a commission and quite a privilege that He empowers us to have an impact on others and be a force for good in their lives.

It’s up to each of us to carry those qualities of salt within us, so that we can season the world around us with His flavoring. The goal of manifesting a Christian example and following Jesus’ teachings has always been to be able to be “the salt of the earth,” part of “the light of the world, a city set on a hill,” that attracts others to the Lord, so that they too can come to know and love Him, and, if they’re willing, to help others to do the same (Matthew 5:13–14).

May the Lord bless your life and strengthen your witness and works so that they can serve as the salt of the earth and a lamp to light the paths of many.—Peter Amsterdam

Grace-filled speech

You’ve probably heard familiar sayings about our speech. There are many! “Don’t put your foot in your mouth”; “God gave us two ears and one mouth”; “Loose lips sink ships”; and so on. A multitude of phrases and proverbs like this exist because all of us have regrets about times we’ve spoken carelessly or hurtfully.

Solomon wrote that “Words from a wise man’s mouth are gracious” (Ecclesiastes 10:12). The Apostle Paul tells us that our conversation is to be always full of grace, carrying on each word the lovingkindness of God. Our speech must be seasoned with salt—flavorful, purifying, and healing where necessary. When these thoughts govern our speaking, we will know how to answer everyone without having deep regrets later.

Our world seems to go for sarcastic speech, harsh comebacks, and combative talk. Choose instead to be gracious and courteous with your words. Others may find it so pleasant and attractive that they will want to know more about Jesus. The words you use can bring hope and meaning into someone’s life.—Haventoday.org⁴

Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by Jon Marc.

¹ Doug Groothius, Christian Apologetics: A Comprehensive Case for Biblical Faith (IVP, 2012).

² https://www.gotquestions.org/let-your-words-be-seasoned-with-salt.html

³ Address to UNIV 2002 Congress in Rome, as reported by Zenit news service, March 25, 2002.

⁴ https://haventoday.org/anchor/seasoned-language

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Getting Through Tough Times—Part 1

January 8, 2024

Introduction

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 11:40

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Our world turned upside down in many ways in early 2020. The pandemic presented circumstances and challenges that tested our faith in new ways and often brought to the fore emotions that we likely were not used to dealing with for such extended periods of time.

Some of the factors that we each faced to some degree or another were:

• A loss of control. You might have felt like the rug had been pulled out from under you. The situation was unexpected, and there was little that you could do to prepare.
• The circumstances were a shock. The restrictions were widespread and far-reaching, and they were outside your personal control.
• Fear of the unknown. You may have experienced fear of contracting the illness or losing a loved one. And there were constant reminders of the threat with daily unrelenting news and the required social distancing and use of masks.
• Plans were thwarted. Everything seemed to come to a standstill for lengthy periods of time, which affected travel, moves, advances of your mission projects, plans to visit your families or start new careers, etc.
• Businesses closed and many never reopened. Millions of people lost their jobs and consequently their means of providing for their families. While many businesses have reopened and jobs are reappearing in some business sectors, in others they have not rebounded.
• Children and teens suffered loss as schools were closed and studies were conducted largely online. Children were isolated from their friends and could not participate in activities and sports, and parents often had to try to balance working from home with caring for and schooling their children full-time at home.
• Many people were gravely ill, and many died. Some of you contracted the virus and were very sick, even hospitalized and in the ICU. Some experienced loved ones being hospitalized, and you were not able to visit them. Others experienced the death of a loved one and you were not able to see them, pray with them, or say goodbye. That was truly heartbreaking. Memorial services couldn’t be planned due to restrictions for social gatherings.
• The sense of uncertainty was very stressful, due to not knowing how long the restrictions would last.

While praying and asking the Lord about what we experienced, I thought it would be helpful to explore what we could learn from this experience and the unique challenges it brought to our lives. I felt that the Lord must have much that we could glean from this time, in fulfillment of His beautiful promise that “all things work together for good to those who love the Lord and are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Of course, that is not at all to say that the pandemic or the difficulties and tragedies it resulted in were good in and of themselves. But the tests, trials, and losses we endured can work together for good for us as we place our trust in the Lord, follow Him, and allow the Holy Spirit to work in our lives to bring about His plan.

As I prayed about this, I came to the conclusion that no matter what we endured, no matter how difficult it was, no matter how much we suffered or lost, by His grace, we can continue to trust the Lord! We can trust in Him with all our hearts, and not lean on our own understanding. We can acknowledge Him and submit to Him in all our ways, knowing that He will continue to direct our steps (Proverbs 3:5–6).

I have to admit, it’s a whole lot easier to trust the Lord when things are going well—when we’re in good health, we have what we need, and we and our loved ones are safe and secure. But when things are not going well, it can be a whole lot harder to trust the Lord, as the story of Job attests to. The temptation is to worry, stress, complain, work harder, and try to “fix” the problems in any way we can. But we all know that’s not the solution.

During such times when our faith is being sorely tested, like Job, it comes down to placing our lives, our loved ones, our health, and livelihood in God’s hands, and trusting in Him to care for us. Even when the Lord appears to be silent and the trials seem to be endless, or the losses we suffer are major, Job’s story reminds us that God is merciful and faithful, and He will never leave us nor forsake us.

Here is some poignant advice on this topic from the late Reverend Billy Graham:

It’s easy to believe that God loves us and cares about us when things are going well, but when life turns against us, it becomes much harder to believe He cares.

Why should we keep trusting in God, even when nothing seems to change, and it looks like He isn’t even listening? One reason is because no matter how many changes have taken place in our lives, God has not changed. The Bible’s statement is true: “I the Lord do not change” (Malachi 3:6).

And if God doesn’t change, then that means His promises don’t change, either. He promised to be with you in the past—and He still is. He promised to guide you in the past—and He still will. Know His promises… study His promises… believe His promises… and trust His promises. In the Bible “he has given us his very great and precious promises” (2 Peter 1:4). …

Don’t let your faith be overcome by your circumstances, but let your circumstances be overcome by your faith.¹

We can also take a lesson from the prophet Habakkuk. There was a lot of evil going on in his time, and the future did not look bright. In fact, the situation for Habakkuk looked pretty grim. He had no figs, no grapes, no olives, no crops from the fields, no sheep, and no cattle! But in spite of these trying circumstances, he proclaimed his trust in God. He was not only trusting God, he was rejoicing and being joyful.

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. The Sovereign Lord is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.—Habakkuk 3:17–19

This is such an amazing declaration of faith. Let’s take a closer look and see what we can learn about trusting God from Habakkuk.

First, Habakkuk commits to praising God regardless of external circumstances. The opening of his hymn delineates a catastrophe. … After this doleful description, the prophet says, “Yet I will rejoice in the Lord.”

Habakkuk’s joy was not dependent on physical blessings. Even if Habakkuk suffered extreme loss, he was determined to praise God. Habakkuk remembered God’s goodness in times past and concluded God was worthy of praise. The prophet might lack olives and grapes [basic food needs], but he would never be without God.

Second, Habakkuk praises God specifically for salvation: “I will take joy in the God of my salvation.” God not only could save; God is salvation…

Third, Habakkuk recognizes the Lord as His strength: “GOD, the Lord, is my strength.” … The truth of God’s present strength caused Habakkuk to trust God even during the most difficult times. Like Habakkuk, we can choose to praise God even in the face of desolation. Like Habakkuk, we can praise God for the salvation He provides in Jesus Christ. And, by seeing God as our source of strength, we, like Habakkuk, can trust God’s promises.²

It is so encouraging to consider that even when our most elemental needs, such as food and shelter, are threatened, we still have God. He will never leave us or desert us! We can trust Him even in the bleakest situations.

I know things have been very challenging for many of you. And I want to assure you that Maria and I pray fervently for you, and we are confident that, as you trust in the Lord and wait patiently for Him, He will strengthen you, bless you, provide for you, and lead you in His will.

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.—Deuteronomy 31:8

Originally published August 2021. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by John Laurence.

¹ Billy Graham, “Don’t let your faith be overcome by your circumstances,” Gaston Gazette, October 12, 2012.

² “How can we learn to trust God like the prophet Habakkuk (Habakkuk 3:17–19)?” https://www.gotquestions.org/Habakkuk-trust-God.html.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

More on the Rapture

David Brandt Berg

1981-03-23

Jesus said, “When ye see these things come to pass, know ye that the kingdom of God is nigh at hand” (Luke 21:31). The generation that sees all these signs coming to pass that we’ve been studying and have spoken of—this generation shall not pass away until all these things shall be fulfilled (Luke 21:32). They have begun to be fulfilled now in our day, in our generation, these endtime events.

The curtain has been drawn aside on the last scene of the earth’s great drama, and the act has begun and it cannot stop now. It will keep right on going, fulfilling these promises of the Word of God until all these things shall be fulfilled. The generation that sees all these signs shall not pass away until all these things shall be fulfilled.

“But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night” (1 Thessalonians 5:1–2). He says, “You don’t have to be told the times and seasons; you already know these things. You know He’s going to come like a thief in the night—to others, but not to you, because you will know and recognize His coming when He comes.”

“For when they shall say, peace and safety: then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape” (v. 3). Every time I hear people preaching peace, that the world’s now going to have peace and peace has come, I’m reminded that they were preaching a lot of that peace after World War I, and then came World War II!

When the Antichrist takes over the world and establishes his worldwide kingdom, his anti-God government, he says, “Peace and safety! Everything’s going to be peaceful and safe now. No more wars. Everything’s going to be secure. Prosperity on earth. Everybody’s going to have plenty, and my kingdom’s going to be a kingdom of heaven on earth, peace and safety.” Watch out, for then will come sudden destruction! It’s going to begin right in the middle of his reign, at the end of the first three and a half years. The peace pact is going to be broken, and there will be nothing but trouble and war and rebellion and riot and revolution and tribulation from that time on.

“But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief” (v. 4). You should never be surprised at these sudden destructions or sudden judgments of God. “Ye are all the children of light and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness. Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober” (v. 5–6). He says, “You’re not children of the night. You’re not supposed to be asleep when it happens. You’re children of day, children of light.” You’re supposed to be wide awake.

You’re supposed to know what’s happening and when it’s going to happen. You’re not children of darkness; you’re not in the dark about all these Bible prophecies and the things that are going to happen. You won’t be surprised when the Antichrist arises and reveals himself. You won’t be surprised when he proclaims a worldwide government of peace and signs a seven-year peace pact among the religions, a Covenant that he proclaims to be holy, inviolate. You won’t be surprised when it happens.

And neither will you be surprised when he breaks the peace pact right in the middle of it. From then on, there’s nothing but trouble and war. It won’t take you by surprise. You don’t have to be surprised and you don’t have to be mystified by it or in any way astonished. You’re expecting it!

It won’t catch His people by surprise like a thief in the night as it will the rest of the world. They won’t be expecting it. They’ll be surprised—especially when Jesus comes. They will really be shocked then when they see the graves open and the bodies of the dead rise in the Resurrection. And all His children who they’ve been persecuting and trying to kill and imprison and trying to make take their Mark of the Beast and worship his image, suddenly will rise right out of their hands and sail up into the sky!

Thank You, Lord, for Your wonderful Word about the marvelous events to come, which Your children will understand and recognize and know when these things happen, as they happen.

Are you ready? He said to be prepared! He says to watch! “Let us not sleep, as do others, but let us watch and be sober.” Are you watching?

Copyright © March 1981 by The Family International

Prayer for Love and Mercy

David Brandt Berg

2011-03-01

Introduction by Peter Amsterdam

“Prayer for Love and Mercy” is in my opinion one of David’s classic writings. It had a profound impact on my life, on my interactions with others, and on my leadership. It’s a Letter for everyone, as it’s so full of guidance regarding our relations with others, about not getting under so much pressure that we treat others harshly, about patience and love, about being merciful, kind, and understanding.

This Letter showed me David’s heart. Sometimes he was impatient, and sometimes he yelled. I believe that when he prayed this prayer, he did so from a deeply broken heart, as he had reprimanded some of those working with him, and had done so more strongly than necessary. His desperation in prayer, the way he expresses how leaders should treat others, is deeply inspired by the Spirit. It shows the spirit of true leadership, that of serving others, of esteeming others greater than yourself.

This Letter applies to leaders, bosses, parents, teachers, youth counselors, athletic coaches—anyone who is responsible for others. In fact, there’s advice for everyone, as we all interact with others. We can all be impatient; we can become angry at the mistakes of others and be tempted to respond in anger.

The description of how Jesus conducted Himself with such love sets an example of how to treat others. David’s warning not to become so overburdened that we become frustrated and harden our hearts toward others is very applicable in this busy world. His advice to let the Lord carry the burdens and not try to bear them ourselves is healthy advice for those who are stressed and under pressure. All so applicable.

I love this Letter. I love its depth, its heartcry, its humility. It’s a prayer, not just to listen to or to read, but to make our own. I can only echo David’s words, “Help us to be like You, gentle lamb of God.”

*

Prayer for Love and Mercy

You’ll never be a truly great leader or shepherd until you learn to have compassion—until you learn to have great love and great mercy.

Sometimes we feel we can’t stand it or we’ll weep. We feel we can’t be so tenderhearted, so we feel we have to harden our hearts in order to bear it. That’s not the solution. Rather, “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee!”¹

Getting hard and tyrannical is a fleshly compensation. It’s not the Lord’s solution. For God’s sake, we’re soul doctors! Don’t allow yourself to become callous and uncaring, just because you can’t stand to see pain and problems. You’re going to have to ask God to give you a tender heart.

Jesus, Jesus! We need You, Jesus! Gentle, loving Jesus, who wept for the multitude. You were so weary, and yet You looked upon the multitude and had compassion on them and healed them. As exhausted as You were, You didn’t harden Your heart!

You had compassion on the multitude. You stayed tender, quiet, and humble. You wept over them time and again. You wept over the hardness of their hearts. What grieved You more than anything else was their hard hearts—even those whom You would have gathered unto You. You didn’t want to see them suffer and You wept for them.

Help us not to get hard. We’re so used to seeing problems and difficulties. Because we’re in a hurry, the quick way is to harden our heart. We don’t take the time to soften and melt and love and care for others. We want to delve in with surgery and fix the problem, instead of being like the osteopath, who looks for the root of the problem and tries to find natural means to cure the patient. Help us, O God, not to get hard!

You had so much to say against the hardness of hearts.² Help us not to judge others with harshness, Lord. I make so many mistakes and don’t want to be judged harshly, so it’s not hard for me to have mercy. You’re so good to me, Lord, when I’ve been so sinful and such a failure. So I understand how You can help me to be merciful, patient, long-suffering, and kind.

All these things take time. Chopping off an arm is a sudden operation that doesn’t take time, and it sometimes kills the patient! But natural ways take time: a change of diet, a change of scenery, the encouragement to exercise. Such gentle leading, such tender understanding—these things take such time! We should put our arms around others and encourage them and inspire and show we have faith in them.

We’re in too big a hurry sometimes. It’s like getting impatient with a little baby. How many years it takes to grow up and for parents to teach and to train them to feed themselves and to go to the bathroom—years of love and patience. Yet parents don’t give up and get angry and throw them out just because the children can’t do everything themselves.

Help us to have patience. Help us to have love. Help us to be willing to take time. Being in a hurry is a lack of faith—thinking something has to be done right now or it won’t be done. We’re trying to do it in our own strength.

If anything’s to be done, You have to do it, Lord! We have to wait on You, and know You’re the one! Not by power, nor by might, but by Your Spirit!³ Help us to have the patience to take time with You and with those we’re responsible to care for. We ask that You will teach us patience and faith, which takes time.

Teach us never to get in a hurry, not to push ourselves so hard, as though we have to do it in our own strength. Help us to learn how to lean on You, and to know that You’re going to take care of situations and problems somehow. Help us to trust You! Carrying these burdens ourselves would just drive us insane.

A lack of mercy comes from getting our eyes off of You. You said You would “keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee!”⁴ Forgive me, Lord, for the times I’ve become impatient because I didn’t keep my eyes on You.

Thank You, Lord, for all of Your patience, and for showing us that the best healing takes time. It can’t be done overnight. It takes love and probing and massaging and gentle feeling, which takes hands of love, hands of mercy, and hands of gentleness.

The only way we can be patient with someone is to know what a hopeless case we are. You’ve been so gentle with us, Jesus, not rewarding us according to our iniquities.⁵ You’ve been so patient and loving.

If there’s anything we show those we care for, help it to be tenderness and gentleness. You have gone so far out of Your way—Your hands are torn by the rocks and thistles in rescuing Your lost lambs. Help us to take them back in our arms when they need us, and hold them close and nurse them back to strength and health and wholeness. Help us, Jesus!

Lord, if You’re anything, You’re the picture of patience, calmness, love, and gentleness, long-suffering. You’re the picture of tenderness, gently wooing like a dove, cooing like a dove, and easily frightened away if met with hardness and resistance. You don’t try to force anybody, Lord. Your Holy Spirit gently descends, and can easily be shooed away. It doesn’t land where it’s not wanted. Help us to be like the gentle dove of Your Spirit!

Lord, You’re pictured as a little lamb. You’re a gentle, tender lamb, not a beast of prey or a ravenous, merciless, cruel monster, but a gentle, harmless lamb, that allows itself to be eaten to bring life and strength, that allows itself to be devoured to bring life and nourishment to others, that lays itself on the altar of sacrifice and allows itself to die that others may live. Help us to be like You, gentle lamb of God. Give us Your wisdom, Your patience, Your mercy.

The Holy Spirit is like a mother, tender and gentle with the little baby. Not even the father has so much patience. You are like a mother, hovering over the child, waiting, comforting, nursing, nurturing.

If there’s anything we should be known for, it’s love. We’re called to heal the brokenhearted, bind up the wounds, and set the captives free—not with violence, but with gentleness. Our aim is to win the world with love! If You could only teach us this lesson of love—it’s greater than faith. Though we have faith and wisdom, tongues and interpretation, though we have a sacrificial spirit, our service is nothing without our love!⁶

You said, “I will have mercy, and not sacrifice.”⁷ We must spend time alone with You to learn what this means.

The greatest guide is the one who shows the way. We’re examples to others. Help us to be like You, Lord Jesus. Help us not to be like the Enemy—the accuser of the saints, the harsh, the cruel, the devourer—but like the little gentle lamb of God. Sometimes we’ve been too harsh. We haven’t had the patience that we should have. Help us to be forgiving and patient and to have mercy towards others as we want mercy, and to treat them in their errors as we want You to treat us in ours.

Take not Your Spirit from us. Cast us not off. In Your tender loving kindness, have mercy. Deliver us by Your mercy. Not that we deserve it, but because You’re so gentle and tender and loving and patient—so faithful!

He that would be greatest among you must be servant of all.⁸ The Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister—to be a servant.⁹ Help us to minister, not expect to be ministered unto. We have to be a servant to others.

What a surprise we’re going to get when the Lord hands out the rewards in heaven, when we see who was really greatest! Many whom we have sometimes trampled on in our damnable hastiness are going to be so rewarded and shine so brightly with the purity of their humility. We’ll be ashamed; they will outshine us, Lord!

They’re greater than we are. They have more faith, more humility, more courage, more long-suffering, more faithfulness. We’re the least among many brethren. We don’t know how You could even use us, Lord. Every one is greater than we are. Their saintliness amazes us. Their humility dumbfounds us. Their sacrifice astounds us. We are but their servants—unworthy servants doing only that which is our duty to do.

We’re nothing, Lord. If there’s anything good about us, it’s only You, nothing of ourselves. Our only hope is You in us, Lord.¹⁰ Help us not to be as the Scribes and the Pharisees, who laid upon others burdens more than they were able to bear.¹¹ Help us not to be as they were, who said, but did not.

Help us not to be lifted up in pride about what we accomplish. It’s just that You put us somewhere at the right time and the right place! No credit to us. You want others to see an example of love and humility. “Nothing in our hands we bring! Simply to Your cross we cling!” We are absolutely nothing!

They are the diamonds of dust. They float upon Your air. They are the ones who catch Your sunlight. They are the ones who shine. We are like the dirt on the floor that will catch them, and on which they can rest until Your breath catches them and they float again into the sunlight. We are the carpet on the floor from which You lift them to shine!

Help us not to fail them. Help us to be there for them to rest upon. But help us to stand back and let them shine, let them turn and twist and tumble in that utmost yieldedness to the breath of Your Spirit, just floating on Your air—tumbling, rolling, scintillating, shining—so beautiful! Help us to be there to catch them when they fall, just to be there to give them a place to land.

They’re Your stars—they’re the ones that are shining! They’re the ones You’re using! We are just lumpy clods of clay, but we have to be here to give them a place to rest, to hold them until You’re ready to use them again. Help us just to be there, Lord.—To be their servants, to be where You want us to be.

They’re Your children, Your exalted ones. We’re their servants, their slaves, their handmaidens, to wait upon them and serve them. They’re Your stars. They are the stars of Your show. We just provide the crash pads. You use us so mundanely. Thank You for using us, Lord, for helping us to be willing to receive them—not to exalt ourselves, not to try to jump up and leap into the light ourselves, but to let them shine.

If we only knew how nothing we are. He that thinketh he is something is nothing at all. If any man thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall.¹² He that “shall exalt himself shall be abased,” for the “first shall be last, and the last first”!¹³

We are to be the servants of others. Help us to wait upon them. What is a mother but a slave to the child? What is a spouse but a helpmeet to their partner? What is a shepherd but a servant to his flock?

A teacher is the servant of the class. A leader is the servant of the follower! May we be servants of others, Lord, in honor preferring one another.¹⁴ You are our servant, waiting upon us all, ministering rather than being ministered unto. You are the greatest of all examples of humility and mercy.

Help me to have more concern and love and thoughtfulness. Help me not to add to others’ burdens, but to share and bear their burdens. Jesus, we need You so much! Help me to be more loving, more kind, more merciful, more patient. Keep me humble and broken and dependent upon You, Lord!

You are the Great Shepherd. Help us not to be hard, but tender and gentle, like You, precious Lord! Give us strength, wisdom, and love—so that others may feel Your love, that it may lift up their heads and make them happy and give them joy and inspiration and strength! In Your precious name I pray. Amen.

Originally published May 1971. Adapted and republished March 2011.
Read by Peter Amsterdam.

¹ Psalm 55:22.

² Matthew 7:1–5; Romans 2:1–6.

³ Zechariah 4:6.

⁴ Isaiah 26:3.

⁵ Psalm 103:10.

⁶ 1 Corinthians 13.

⁷ Matthew 9:13.

⁸ Matthew 23:11.

⁹ Matthew 20:28.

¹⁰ Colossians 1:27b.

¹¹ Matthew 23:2–4.

¹² 1 Corinthians 10:12.

¹³ Matthew 23:12; Mark 10:31.

¹⁴ Romans 12:10.

Tony Evans’ Moving Memorial Tribute Sermon

January 5, 2024

Reflecting on the life of his wife, Lois Irene Evans

By Tony Evans

Pastor Tony Evans delivers a moving tribute sermon for his beloved wife, Lois Irene Evans, with reflections on her life that we can all learn from.

He delivered this message just two days after her death. It focuses on 2 Timothy 4:6–8: 

For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

Run time for this video is 38 minutes.

https://youtu.be/Qa0quYA9pNU?si=Mk5ggc8izzHY-EY_

 

Your Past Does Not Define Your Future

January 4, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 13:29

Download Audio (12.3MB)

One evening after dinner, I broke down … exhausted, alone and in tears. … I’d been let go from a church that had promised me a promotion and raise a few months earlier. Countless nights had been spent shuffling through divorce papers because I couldn’t afford a lawyer. Looking at my finances and the bills I would now be carrying as a single mom, I didn’t see a way out of this valley of complete darkness. …

Here I was in a valley, thinking that my brokenness discounted me. And yet there are stories all throughout the Bible showing broken people, including broken women, whom God rescues and welcomes.

There’s a hard but beautiful story in the Bible that shows a picture of Jesus’ desire to choose those of us who struggle to see our value. The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman who was caught in adultery to the temple courts where Jesus was. Could you imagine being caught in the very act of some of your biggest mistakes, arrested on the spot, and dragged to a public setting to be killed?

When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, “Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” Again, he stooped down and wrote on the ground.

At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there. Jesus straightened up and asked her, “Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?”

“No one, sir,” she said.

“Then neither do I condemn you,” Jesus declared. “Go now and leave your life of sin”
(John 8:7–11).

You see what just happened? He flipped the script.

Not only did Jesus create accountability for the public shaming, but He also chose to show love to a woman who, to her community, was blemished and worthy of death. Her brokenness didn’t discount her access to, and love from, the Savior of the universe.

When you decide to bring your hurts into the light, hope and healing can be yours. Through this act of choosing the woman in John 8, Jesus is showing us today that He chooses you and me as well. Jesus is choosing you right now. The question is: Will you be brave enough to fight for your greatest hope by fighting through your greatest hurt?

We all have things that have deeply hurt us, things we need to heal from. We need restoration and true freedom. Our childhood wounds can be transformed into adult scars that are healed and sealed.

You can absolutely look at all your past mistakes, your past pain, the parts of your story that you just want to forget, and declare that they don’t get to have the final say in your life. That’s exactly what Jesus did when He died for you—declaring that those things don’t get the final say, but God does. And, friend, He’s not done with you yet.

Dear God, You know what I’ve been through. Thank You for never giving up on me. Please bring me to a place of healing that allows me to share my story and the good news that hope is available to us all. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Toni Collier¹

*

Our future isn’t limited by our past. No matter what decisions we have made, and no matter what point we are at now, the future is still as bright as God’s promises. If you’re not where you want to be, there is time to change that. Where there is life, there is hope.

It’s human nature to look back and have regrets about some of the things we did, or to wish we’d done them differently. God understands that and sympathizes. But let’s not overlook the good that also came from those experiences—the wisdom, maturity, and other lessons learned, which have helped to shape our character and prepare us for better things to come.

When you look back on the past, remember also those “true, noble, just, pure, and lovely” things that also make up the story of your life. (See Philippians 4:8.) Thank God for the good decisions you made in the past, as well as those that He’s going to help you make in the future.—Maria Fontaine

*

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14.)

When Paul said he was “forgetting those things which are behind,” he referred to not looking back at past relationships, memories, failures, temptations, or anything that might distract from a single-minded focus on “the upward call of God in Christ.” To inspire his audience, Paul drew on the image of an athlete running a race with uncompromising determination to reach the finish line and win the prize. …

To win the race, a runner must dismiss every distraction from his mind. He must not rehash every early misstep or dwell on the mistakes along his course. “Forgetting what is behind” is Paul’s way of saying, “Don’t look back! Stop dwelling on the past. Don’t let anything behind you interfere with your present progress or future efforts.” …

When it comes to forward motion, our bodies tend to move automatically toward the place where our eyes are directed. A runner who keeps turning back to see what is behind him will lose his race. …

Holding on to emotions like bitterness and unforgiveness can slow us down and even keep us locked in the past. Rehearsing conflicts and rehashing hurtful episodes will only open old wounds. … Guilt and despair over past sins may also keep us chained to the past. But God does not hold our past sins against us, and neither should we (1 John 1:7–9). …

The Christian life is lived with our eyes facing forward on Jesus Christ. He is the ultimate priority that makes our lives worth living.—GotQuestions.Org²

*

Don’t let mistakes of the past blur your vision for the future. Focus on the good to come. Faith gives us courage to face the present with confidence and the future with expectancy. Commit your life, your plans, your hopes, your dreams, and your fears to God through prayer every day. In return you will have peace in your life.—Mottos for Success

*

The world is a book and every step turns a new page.—Alphonse de Lamartine

*

Let us write upon each day’s page things that at the end of the year we will look upon with rejoicing rather than regret.—Mottos for Success

*

“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

*

I can fit everything into My majestic plan for your good, including the things you wish were different. How you long to see that all-embracing pattern—though you wouldn’t understand it even if I showed you!

I urge you not to indulge in obsessing about what you could have done differently, for that is an exercise in unreality: The past cannot be different from what has actually occurred. I want to help you to make a new beginning instead, starting right where you are.

Now is the only place to begin anew: It’s the unique intersection of time and space you currently inhabit, and it’s the space-time location where I intend for you to live. Some things—many things—may be beyond you, but you are capable of living joyfully in the present. After all, you are communicating with Me, your Savior and Lord, this very moment. You can also handle the next moment as it comes—and the next.

What you find most difficult to accept is the way the future looks to you: basing your predictions on current circumstances. But the future is one of those secret things beyond your domain. Release it to Me, the rightful owner. Refuse to worry about the future, and you will find your resources for today quite sufficient. Remember that I am part of those resources and nothing is impossible with Me!—Jesus³

Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by John Laurence. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2023/01/25/broken-crayons-still-color

² https://www.gotquestions.org/forgetting-those-things-which-are-behind.html

³ Sarah Young, Jesus Lives (Thomas Nelson, 2009).

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

The Impossible Made Possible

January 3, 2024

By Iris Richard

For over 25 years we’ve been involved in full-time service with a poor community in Africa. Kenya has become our home. We have experienced ups and downs, faced challenges and setbacks, and enjoyed countless victories and much progress during our time of aid work.

Nevertheless, when COVID entered our world, there was another level of extreme circumstances, especially in the marginalized communities, which is where we work.

We regularly pray for supply of the abundant needs we encounter, but during this time, the dwindling economic situation all around the world, and especially in our region, brought us to our knees. With poverty on a steep incline, our workload took on a new dimension.

And as the number of people contracting the virus steadily increased, I found myself caught up in a flurry of worries, wondering how we’d make it through this crisis. Not only did our work depend on the support of well-wishers, but the many restrictions put in place in the wake of the pandemic brought countless new challenges for our small team. Our aid work and outreach programs with informal schools ground to a halt when all learning institutions closed indefinitely. We had no idea how we were going to continue our projects, or how we would find support in the weakening economy.

Our faith was being thoroughly tested, so we decided to meet each morning for desperate prayer. Claiming promises from God’s Word took on greater significance as we put our faith in the following verses:

“If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you” (John 15:7).

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him” (1 John 5:14–15).

Then it was time for action. We shared impressions and testimonies online of the increasing struggle the marginalized were facing for their daily survival, hoping that this plea would motivate some kindhearted folks to step up and help during these tough times.

Aware that the financial pinch affected not only the poor, but also most businesses, especially in our African country, we were doubtful that our seemingly weak attempt at creating awareness would bring many positive results. However, knowing that God often uses our difficulties to strengthen our faith, we had the assurance that things would work out.

After a number of “I’m sorry, I can’t help you” replies, just before we almost gave up, the near impossible happened. We received a call from an acquaintance we had almost forgotten. He explained that he desired to help the poor and had been praying about who to contact. He said that God had shown him that we were the right people to make the best use of the donations he would like to contribute.

Because one man, in the midst of the pandemic, heeded the call for help, a new ministry was born! We have since been able to provide weekly food rations for hundreds of needy families. A team of young volunteers helps us distribute sizable care packages to elderly, disabled, and bedridden folks, as well as patients with cancer, TB, and AIDS each week.

After this man’s example of giving, others stepped forward, offering to help in various ways. As a result, empty baskets were filled, lives were touched, and faith in God’s goodness was rekindled.

Here are some jewels we gleaned from this “impossible” situation:

• This desperate situation showed us the importance of listening to the guidance of God’s still small voice.
• This time of hardship increased our faith, as we saw God’s love for the poor manifested.
• We need to be ready for change, as new doors and ways of going about things open up.
• When we need our faith to grow, it helps to look back at other troubled times when God brought us through.
• Prayers bring answers, but not always in the way we expect. We need to be open for a change in direction.
• When we reach out to others, goodwill comes back to us in unexpected ways.
• God may lead us into troubled waters to deepen our trust in Him.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

Running the Race

January 2, 2024

Words from Jesus

Audio length: 9:03

Download Audio (8.2MB)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us.—Hebrews 12:1

If two people line up to run a race and one has prepared and practiced and built up his muscles while the other has not, when they are at the starting line and the gun is fired, the one that is prepared will run the race with greater confidence, speed, strength, and energy.

If you are to run the race that is set before you, it takes daily strengthening, exercising, and living the lifestyle of a runner. It takes laying aside every weight, and the sin which clings so closely, and setting your affections on things above and not on things of this earth (Colossians 3:2). As you pattern your life according to My Word, and walk in My love, your spiritual muscles are strengthened, and you are able to continue running the race that is set before you with the endurance that you need for the days ahead and with joy, knowing the future that awaits you.

Your time on earth is your preparation for your eternal future which is ahead. I give you what you need for your race, as you do your part to take upon you the whole armor of God. Your preparedness depends upon your willingness to follow Me and forsake the things of this world in your pursuit of the things of My Spirit.

Redeem the time so you can learn to follow Me closely and listen to My voice. Learn to walk in My Spirit and to live according to My Word. Strive to let all your things be done in love and learn to work in harmony with others. Draw nigh to Me, so that I will draw nigh to you. Purify your hearts, strive to be single-minded. Be sober, be vigilant. Set aside the ways of the world and always be prepared for My coming. For this day shall come as a thief in the night to those who are not prepared. But you are not in darkness for that day to surprise you like a thief—you are My children of light and of the day (1 Thessalonians 5:4–5).

You who are prepared are not as the brides without oil, as one who falls asleep in the time of peace. You are not as those who are not discerning the signs of the time and not prepared for My coming. You are as the wise virgins who have diligently sought Me, sought to be led by My Spirit, and looked to Me in all their ways, who have separated themselves from the ways of the world and sought to pattern your lives according to My Word.

My commission

And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.—Matthew 24:14

These are the days of preparation for that which is to come. For the stage is beginning to be set slowly but surely, and there are signs of the times around you, including technological signs and advancements that will make possible the events revealed to My servant John. When these things were recorded by John, they were mysterious, even incomprehensible, but now you can begin to see how such things are possible and can come to pass.

These are also your days of preparation, as you do your part to bring the kingdom of God to others. This is a time like never before for preaching My gospel to all the world through the many new means that were not available before. Now it is possible for My disciples to go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature—whether by traveling in person or through utilizing modern technology.

The world will be saturated with the witness and the gospel like never before, reaching people of every nation and tribe in their own languages. For now is the hour for the gospel to be proclaimed throughout the whole world!

Be faithful to do your part to reach the lost, to preach the gospel, to share My love and truth with those you encounter. And as you do so, trust that you will have the strength, wisdom, and power to preach My gospel and to reach those who hunger and thirst for truth and who will receive Me.

Your best preparation for the future and the days to come is to be true to your calling, be faithful to share the gospel with others, to feed the hungry and share My love with others. So redeem the time by plowing the field, sowing the seed, watering that which has been planted, nurturing it and helping it to grow and be fruitful in the days to come.

Shine My light in the darkness

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who dwelt in the land of the shadow of death, upon them a light has shined.—Isaiah 9:2

They who walk in darkness will see a great light. I have said in My Word that where sin abounds, My grace will much more abound (Romans 5:20). I send forth My children as beacons of light into the darkness of the world. I said in My Word that when I was lifted up from the earth, I would draw all men to Me (John 12:32). If you will go forth in My name, many will be drawn to Me.

I have given you so much, you are so rich in so many ways compared to the lost and wandering souls around you! As you go forth in My name, My presence will go with you, My Spirit and power will work through you to bring My light to their darkness.

There are multitudes in the valley of decision (Joel 3:14). There are multitudes searching for truth. I have called you to reach those that you can while you can so that they may have the opportunity to come to Me—the source of truth.

Do not be distressed by the numbers of unbelievers or hold back due to the magnitude of the task. Simply be faithful and I will use you, and your efforts will be multiplied through the power of My Spirit beyond that which you can do or accomplish. As you follow the leading of My Spirit, you will find My strength welling up in you to share My Word and truth with the lost.

When I sent out My disciples to share the good news that the kingdom of God was near, they returned rejoicing (Luke 10:1–17)! They found that their joy overflowed and flowed onto others, and many were reached with the gospel.

Originally published November 1995. Adapted and republished January 2024. Read by Reuben Ruchevsky. Music by Michael Fogarty.

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Prayers for the New Year

January 1, 2024

A compilation

Audio length: 13:32

Download Audio (12.3MB)

There’s something special about the beginning of a new year. Even though January 1st follows December 31st the same as any day follows the previous one, to many of us, entering a new year brings with it the feeling of a new beginning, a fresh start. Last year is now behind us, and there are new horizons ahead.

At the beginning of any new endeavor, it’s wise to ask God for His direction, guidance, and blessing. This is equally true as we face the adventures that the next year will bring. There will no doubt be challenges, victories, wins, and losses. And we will need God’s presence, help, and comfort through it all.

In pondering about the year ahead, I compiled the following prayer list and Bible verses for the New Year, which I hope will inspire you as it has me.

To know God and His will.
“I pray for you constantly, asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God” (Ephesians 1:16–17).

“We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Colossians 1:9).

To read and pattern our lives according to God’s Word.
“Blessed are all who hear the word of God and put it into practice” (Luke 11:28).

“Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock” (Matthew 7:24).

To bear fruit.
“The way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better” (Colossians 1:10).

“You give glory to my Father when you produce a lot of fruit and therefore show that you are my disciples” (John 15:8).

For patience, strength, and joy.
“We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy” (Colossians 1:11).

To be generous.
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38).

For our witness to others.
“Pray that the Lord’s message will spread rapidly and be honored wherever it goes” (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

“Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone” (Colossians 4:6).

For God’s protection.
“The Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you” (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up” (Isaiah 41:10). 

For those who are mourning.
Many grieve the death of someone they were close to. Those whose lives are touched by tragedy and are filled with grief, who face the loneliness of bereavement, are in need of prayer.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever” (Revelation 21:4).

For our families and loved ones.
Asking God to protect our loved ones and help them make wise choices is a way to show them love and better their lives. Even if there is conflict within the family, we can pray for the healing of misunderstandings and hurt.

“I urge you, first of all, to pray for all people. Ask God to help them; intercede on their behalf, and give thanks for them” (1 Timothy 2:1).

For those who don’t know Jesus.
That they will “open their eyes, so they may turn from darkness to light. … Then they will receive forgiveness for their sins and be given a place among God’s people” (Acts 26:18).

“God wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4). 

I pray that your year ahead will be filled with God’s love, joy, and peace, and that His blessings will be abundantly poured upon you and your loved ones in this new year.—Peter Amsterdam

Entering the New Year

God of all time,
help us enter the New Year quietly,
thoughtful of who we are to ourselves and to others,
mindful that our steps make an impact
and our words carry power.

May we walk gently.
May we speak only after we have listened well.

Creator of all life,
help us enter the New Year reverently,
aware that you have endowed
every creature and plant, every person and habitat
with beauty and purpose.

May we regard the world with tenderness.
May we honor rather than destroy.

Lover of all souls,
help us enter the New Year joyfully,
willing to laugh and dance and dream,
remembering our many gifts with thanks
and looking forward to blessings yet to come.

May we welcome your lavish love …
May the grace and peace of Christ bless us now and in the days ahead.—Vinita Hampton Wright 

The most we can do

In my turn-of-the-year cleanup, I found an old yearbook. I smiled as I read down the very long list of my resolutions for that year. I guess I had high expectations of myself!

This past year, I decided to make only three resolutions: Be more loving and encouraging, finish a major writing project I was working on and start a new one, and keep a prayer list.

To be loving and to finish projects are ongoing goals to strive for, but the decision to keep a prayer list has been a milestone. The first day I wrote all the things that were weighing on my heart. The next morning, I realized I had forgotten to include several of my relatives, and the following day, I remembered some other situations that needed prayer.

Following through with this resolution hasn’t turned out to be as difficult as I anticipated. As soon as I wake up, I pick up my list and pray a few words for each point. I write new ones that come to mind and cross out the ones that have been answered. It takes less than ten minutes.

It reminds me of a poster I gave to a friend with the words “Prayer is not the least we can do, but the most.” She tacked it to the clipboard just outside her office. Every time I visit her, there it is, speaking to me.

I have always been an active person, and prayer has never been one of my strong points, but as time passes, I realize more than ever how powerful it is. When we pray, rather than putting unrealistic expectations on ourselves, we’re drawing from the greatest power there is, one that can transform lives, solve problems, and help us see things in a new light.—Rosane Pereira

Three New Year’s Eve prayers

Dear Heavenly Father, I pray as we are moments away from the new year. No matter what your plans are for me in the next 365 days, I ask that you deliver me from any temptation or sin that may still be lurking in my life. Search me and show me in which areas I lack, so that I may become more like you this year. Help me to forgive others who have wronged me in this past year. Let me forgive them as you have forgiven me. So they may know they too can have second chances, like the one you have given me. Amen.

*

Jesus, remind me of your strength and power as I enter the new year. This past year I found myself in want of food or at times worried about finances and how I would pay the bills for the week or month. Please help me to recall all the ways you have come through in my past and give me comfort in the fact that we experience many seasons. Not every season ends in a harvest, but you provide for us during times of drought, famine, and need. I ask that you give me and my family our daily bread. And help to open my eyes to others who are in need of help. Allow me to be the hands and feet of Jesus this year and to aid the least of these. So that they may see you and glorify you, our Father in heaven. Amen.

*

Lord, I want to dedicate this next year to you. I know it hasn’t begun yet, but I want it to have a wonderful start. Let your will be done, not mine. I would be lying if I said I haven’t already paved some plans for myself this next year. But if they do not align with your will, I ask that you do not allow them to happen. You know what is best for me. You know me far better than I know even myself. I ask that this be your year. I surrender myself as an empty vessel. Fill me with your joy and love, so that I may pour it out onto others. Amen.—Hope Bolinger¹

Prayer for New Year blessings

Father, I abandon myself into your hands.
Do with me whatever you will.
Whatever you may do, I thank you.
I am ready for all, I accept all.
Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
Into your hands I commend my spirit.
I offer it to you with all the love that is in my heart.
For I love you, Lord, and so want to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,
without reserve and with boundless confidence,
for you are my Father. Amen.—Charles de Foucauld, 1858–1916

Published on Anchor January 2024. Read by Jon Marc. Music by John Listen.

¹ https://www.crosswalk.com/faith/prayer/hopeful-new-years-eve-prayers.html

Copyright © 2024 The Family International

 

Zechariah 14, Part 1

David Brandt Berg

1985-03-05

Zechariah is almost the last book in the Old Testament, and we’re studying chapter 14—the last chapter of one of the last books of the Old Testament. The tenth chapter is sort of an introduction. It tells about the return of the Jews, the fact that some of them are going to be saved, and the Battle of Armageddon. I call it an introduction to the subject of Armageddon. These last five chapters revolve around this central theme of the Battle of Armageddon, and in the 14th chapter we’re going to prove it’s the Battle of Armageddon.

Chapters 10 and 11 are largely introductory, with different themes about different aspects of the coming great event and what’s going to happen before it happens, the regathering of the Jews to Israel. Then the 12th chapter says He’s going to make Jerusalem the center of the scene: “Make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people” (Zechariah 12:3).

He’s already starting to talk about the horrors of the wars in that 12th chapter, but He’s also giving a quick preview of how He’s going to finally save them, some encouragement in spite of all these terrible things that are going to happen. So even the 12th chapter doesn’t get too specific, except giving a glimpse of the past and a glimpse of the future. A lot of Bible prophecy is that way.

The 13th chapter is largely about how He’s going to finally save Israel and the terrible tribulation he’s going to take them through, both the tribulation and salvation of some Jews at the very end. Finally, we come to the 14th chapter.

(Verse 1:) “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh.” There you have the subject right off the bat. Throughout the Bible, “the day of the Lord” doesn’t mean just one single day. God is talking here about a certain time or period. Generally speaking, “the day of the Lord” is almost always spoken of in connection with the day of God’s final judgments, the last event of the Wrath of God. So if He’s talking about the day of judgment, it is the time of God’s judgments, His final judgments on the wicked of that day.

“Behold, the day of the Lord cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.” He’s talking about how Jerusalem is going to be attacked and conquered and spoiled. That’s what happens when Gog brings Magog’s forces down there and invades Israel time and again.

(Verse 2:) “For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle.” We know this has to be in the future, because that’s never happened yet. “And the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, and the women ravished. And half of the city shall go forth into captivity, and the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.” He’s describing how half of them are going to be taken as slaves and the rest of them will be left there. Remember, God looks back at this period of these invasions, the days of the Antichrist, the Tribulation, as a succession of events that cover years.

(Verse 3:) “Then shall the Lord go forth, and fight against those nations”—all these nations in verse 2 that have come against Jerusalem—“as when He fought in the day of battle.” All through the Bible you read about battles where God fought for His people and helped them to win the battle. So this is another day of battle for the Lord. It’s the world’s next-to-the-last battle, because we know the last one is the Battle of Gog and Magog at the end of the Millennium. But this is the last battle of this dispensation, this time, the last battle of the day of God’s Wrath, that ends the battle of all battles.

If you want to give this chapter a title, you might call it “The Third Coming of the Lord.”

The Rapture, at the end of the Tribulation, is called the Second Coming. Christmas was the first coming of the Lord, and all the time He was here. Then He was crucified, buried, raised again, and associated with the disciples till He took them to the top of the Mount of Olives. And there He told them goodbye, and God’s Word tells us He was taken up into the clouds. God’s Word also tells us that He’s going to come back in the clouds (Acts 1:11; Matthew 24:30).

Some Bible teachers call this “the Revelation.” It means the revealing of the mighty power of Christ, revealing who He really is and how powerful He is. This is why when the Antichrist declares himself to be God, that is what’s called the revelation of the Antichrist. When Jesus comes down from the heavens with a mighty army on horseback and declares Himself that He is the true God and shows His power and proves He’s God, that’s also called the Revelation—the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

The revelation of the Antichrist is in the middle of the last seven years. His true nature won’t be revealed to the whole world until he takes absolute power and demands worship as God. That is going to expose him for what he really is, and a lot of people are going to wake up and turn away from him then, if they hadn’t already.

When Jesus comes back—not as a helpless little baby, knocked around and chased around and buffeted and finally killed by His enemies—but when He comes back as the great King of kings and Lord of the earth and God, that is going to be the Revelation of Jesus Christ, and that’s what this Third Coming is called.

He is going to land right where He took off, on top of the same mountain where He left this world and this life, the Mount of Olives. He’s going to come back in the clouds in the Rapture, but He’s not going to come down to earth. He goes in clouds, He comes back in clouds in the Second Coming, and He comes back in clouds in the Third Coming as well, clouds of horsemen! Billions of Christian saints riding powerful horses.

Jesus is going to land on the Mount of Olives. This mountain must be so sacred and precious to Him, because it was the last place that He fellowshipped with His disciples. It must hold very sweet memories for the Lord, so He wants to come back to the very place where He left. It proves that it’s the same Jesus. It’ll show the world that it’s the same Jesus, because the whole world knows that’s where He took off.

(Verse 4:) “And His feet shall stand in that day upon the Mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east.” The Mount of Olives is still there. It’s still covered with olive trees and gardens and parks and churches. There’s a church on the top, supposed to be the exact spot from which Jesus ascended. It has a steeple about five stories high pointing to the sky like a finger, showing that this is where Jesus went up.

“And the Mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof.” When Jesus lands there, it shall cleave. That means it shall part; the Mount of Olives shall break in two.

“It shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west.” The cleavage will be toward the east and the west. “And half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.” There’s probably going to be an earthquake and a roar, and that mountain is going to crack wide open, and there’s going to be a very great valley in the middle, right where Jesus lands. This miracle is going to occur to demonstrate His power and who He is.

He’s going to prove to them that He’s the Messiah as He comes down, not only riding out of the sky on a great white charger, a war horse, but landing on the top of this mountain, and the mountain is going to crack up. Maybe it’s going to crack with a great and mighty laugh. God laughs last. God’s Word says, “He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh” over the fate of His enemies (Psalm 2:4). “You thought you killed Him. You thought you had gotten rid of Him, but He’s here and He’s my King, and I’m going to split my sides wide open laughing!”

(Verse 5:) “And ye shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as ye fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah King of Judah: And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee.” He’s talking to God there.

The prophet is going back a little bit before the arrival of Jesus, saying that before Jesus comes they’re going to flee to the mountains. Isn’t that what Jesus told them to do, flee to the mountains? (Matthew 24:16). And He says something very specific in this passage about a place called the “valley of the mountains.” The interpretation that some Bible authorities make is that He is talking about a valley in the middle of some surrounding mountains. There was a special place in southern Israel that was alternately known as the valley of the mountains, in Edom. It’s surrounded by tall cliffs, and the only way to get in and out is through a small passageway, just a narrow tunnel. A small group of people could defend themselves there from a whole army, and it was called Petra.

“And the Lord my God shall come, and all the saints with Thee.” This is a prediction of the Third Coming, when we descend from heaven with a shout and on horseback, and we invade Israel. The kingdom of God is going to triumph. The truth goes marching on in spite of all the Devil’s forces, and it’s going to win and be victorious in the end. Praise the Lord!

Copyright © March 1985 by The Family International

The Seven Years of Antichrist Reign

David Brandt Berg

1981-03-05

12/30/23 The Antichrist is going to rule for seven years according to Daniel 9:27. During the first three and a half years, he’s going to settle the problems and wars and enforce peace. People will think he’s wonderful because he stopped all the wars, restored the economy, and solved the problem of Jerusalem by internationalizing the city and making it his capital. And it looks like everything is going to be fine.

Except many are still questioning his rule and reign, and they’re still arguing about Jerusalem and about religion. At the end of the first three and a half years, he breaks the covenant and sets up the Abomination of Desolation. The Bible says it is an image of the Beast (Revelation 13:14–15). And who is the Beast? The Antichrist. So the Abomination of Desolation is going to be an image of the Beast!

He sets it up in the holy place, somewhere around or near the rebuilt temple in Jerusalem (Matthew 24:15). When the Antichrist makes his compromise and internationalizes the city and allows freedom of worship of all three great religions, they’re probably going to have to compromise and settle for building their temple somewhere near the same spot. But this is the most holy place on earth to the Jewish people, it’s the second most holy place on earth to the Muslims, and it’s one of the holiest places on earth to Christians.

When the Antichrist sets up his Abomination of Desolation, an image of himself for everybody to worship, he sets it up in the holiest place in the world to the world’s three greatest religions, on top of Mount Moriah in front of the Mosque of Omar and the rebuilt temple of the Jewish people.  It’s going to be able to move and speak and even command that everybody should receive the Mark of the Beast, 666, in their forehead or their hand, and without it, you can’t buy or sell. And everybody that refuses to worship it must be killed (Revelation 13:15–18).

Since the Antichrist is the Devil incarnate—like Jesus was God in person—and has always wanted to be the god of this world and to be worshipped, of course he would say, “Worship me, I’m God!” Second Thessalonians 2 tells us that he will sit in the temple of God, as God, saying that he is God. He’s not only going to set up an idol of himself and command the world to worship him, but he’s going to sit in the very temple of God that the Jewish people have rebuilt on that holiest of all holy places and proclaim that he is God!

Everybody who has rejected the truth, the Bible, is going to believe that and worship him and accept his mark. All those who have resisted the truth, He said, will be sent strong delusion that they might believe a lie, that they might be damned (2 Thessalonians 2:10–12).

The first half of the Antichrist’s reign is going to be like world peace and plenty, economic reconstruction. And the last half is going to be the Great Tribulation, such as was not since the world began, no, nor ever shall be. We’re going to know when that first half of the seven years comes to an end and the second half begins, the Great Tribulation. We’re going to know exactly when that happens because Jesus Himself told us what to look for: the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, standing in the holy place.

According to what Jesus said, by the time the Tribulation begins and you have seen the image of the Beast set up in the holy place, you are going to know virtually to the very day the time of the coming of Jesus Christ. You’ll know that it begins the period of three and a half years of Tribulation till Jesus comes. He’s made it so specific. He has not only said three and a half years, but a time, times, and a half a time, 1260 days and 42 months. The Scripture makes that very clear in both Old and New Testaments.

Why do you suppose the Lord wanted to make that so clear and so exact? When you’re in the middle of the Great Tribulation, you’re going to be counting the days and thanking God: “Thank God, we’re a day closer to the coming of Jesus!”

But you might say, “Jesus said no man knoweth the day or the hour, not even the angels, only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). Jesus was saying nearly 2,000 years ago, “No man right now knows that day and hour!” No man knows. That’s present tense. But He didn’t say that we wouldn’t know when the time came. They didn’t have to know! They weren’t going through the Great Tribulation. Jesus wasn’t about to come back. He hadn’t even gone yet. Nobody knew then.

When these terrible things begin to happen, you’re going to need to know, and you are going to know because God promised it in His Word in the 15th verse of Matthew 24: “When ye therefore shall see the Abomination of Desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place,” then it tells you: “Don’t even go back in the house and get your clothes—run! Head for the hills!” Because, verse 21: “Then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.”

As Jesus pointed out, from that point onward, from the setting up of that image it’s exactly three and a half years of Tribulation to the end of his reign and the coming of Jesus. Jesus will come with all His holy angels to rescue us out of this horrible mess (Matthew 24:29–31). In 1st Thessalonians 4 you’ll find a picture of the coming of the Lord. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep.” In other words, those who have died in the Lord. Their bodies are sleeping; their souls are quite awake and with Jesus. He says, “For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with Him” (1 Thessalonians 4:13–14).

The Lord is going to bring with Him all those who’ve already gone to be with the Lord when He comes, the dead in Christ, coming back for their new bodies. He says, “The dead in Christ shall rise first” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Their spirits are with the Lord, and He’s going to bring them back with Him and they’re going to pick up their dead bodies—only they’re going to be glorified new bodies then. Then we which are alive and remain shall rise up together with them to meet the Lord in the air.

It says, “For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep”— they’re going to go before us. “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God.” Three big noises, beloved! No secret coming. No silent, quiet, sneaking out on the world; it’s going to be very noisy, and everybody’s going to know it. Every eye shall see! (Revelation 1:7) No secret rapture.

“And the dead in Christ shall rise first”—because all these spirits of the beloved departed have come back with Him to pick up their bodies, and they are going to rise first. Why the Lord gives them that particular honor, I don’t know, unless it’s because they lived their lives and died for the Lord. “And we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds”—we who are still alive at the end of the Tribulation will see Jesus come. And there will no doubt be thousands, maybe millions of us!

The Devil can’t get us all! The Antichrist can’t possibly wipe us all out, because there are millions of real genuine saved believers in the world. I believe there are going to be millions of us still alive to see the Lord come! Let me tell you, when these prophecies begin to be fulfilled and people see the Antichrist is revealed, this dictator who establishes world peace, takes over Israel and Jerusalem, and makes a covenant, some of these people we’ve been witnessing to are going to begin to believe. At least many will.

Jesus called two of His own disciples fools and slow of heart to believe (Luke 24:25). A lot of people are pretty slow—slow of heart to believe, slow to perceive, slow to understand. But then they’ll begin to believe because they’ll see it happen before their very eyes.

The vast part of the world is going to believe in the Antichrist, that he’s the messiah, and they’re going to worship him and accept his mark in their foreheads and in the palm of their hands and be doomed to die and go to hell, because they refused to believe in the true Messiah.

“Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord!” Hallelujah! “Wherefore comfort one another with these words” (1 Thessalonians 4:17–18). When you’re in the midst of the Great Tribulation and you’re having a tough time finding something to eat, you can’t buy or sell because you don’t have the credit card that belongs to the Beast, you don’t have the mark, and you’re having a tough time staying alive, these scriptures are going to be a great comfort to you, to know it’s not many more days.

To witness in that day is going to be dangerous. Jesus prayed, “Let this cup pass from Me; but if not, Thy will be done” (Matthew 26:39). He made His choice then and there to die for us. He said in another place, “No man taketh My life from Me, I give it up of Myself” (John 10:18). He made a choice that He knew was going to kill Him and bring about His own death. Nobody took His life from Him. He said, “You couldn’t even touch Me if God didn’t let you! All I’ve got to do is raise My little finger and He would send legions of angels to rescue Me” (Matthew 26:53). He chose to die; He decided to die because it was the will of God to save you and me. He chose death. And He Himself said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13).

You’re going to be able to choose. You can head for the hills and try to manage to exist and stay alive until Jesus comes, and I believe millions will, especially in parts of the world far from the Antichrist and his hordes. There are going to be all kinds of rebellions against him; he’s going to have a lot of problems and troubles and wars during that last three and a half years with people who don’t like him.

He’s not going to have absolute control. There are going to be all kinds of people who finally rise up and realize he’s the worst thing that ever happened to the world, and they’re going to rebel and refuse to follow his orders. A lot of people are going to refuse to accept his mark and refuse to follow him and obey him, and though he may order them to be killed, he’s going to have a hell of a time trying to do it, because many people are going to be in rebellion against him.

He’s only going to rule the world for a little while, then Jesus is going to come and we’re going to rule the world with the Lord. Amen? Thank You, Jesus! Praise the Lord! Lord, help us to be faithful witnesses to the end, and tell everybody we can about You before all this happens, Lord—now.

Copyright © March 1981 by The Family International

Believe God for the Impossible

December 29, 2023

—Step Out in Faith

Published by Above Inspiration

There are times when we feel the situation is impossible, but we serve the God of the impossible. God can do the impossible. We just have to be bold enough to believe!

Run time for this video is 23:30 minutes.

https://youtu.be/xOI4LEgsZ30?si=ArpFZz3GpxisSg83

Good News for the New Year

December 28, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 11:12

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Scripture about new beginnings is always encouraging, as it gives you a fresh perspective as you enter a new phase in your life. God’s everlasting love and protection will follow you every year, and these Bible verses will only serve as further reminders of this fact. … The New Year brings a new chapter in your life—but know that God will always be a main character in the book.

2 Corinthians 4:17–18: “Our temporary minor problems are producing an eternal stockpile of glory for us that is beyond all comparison. We don’t focus on the things that can be seen but on the things that can’t be seen. The things that can be seen don’t last, but the things that can’t be seen are eternal.”

The Good News: Bad times always pass, and what awaits us in the future will always be more glorious than what we can imagine.

1 Peter 1:3: “May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! On account of his vast mercy, he has given us new birth. You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.”

The Good News: Thanks to Christ’s sacrifice, we have the power to always start fresh without the burdens of our past to weigh us down. …

Lamentations 3:22–23: “Certainly the faithful love of the Lord hasn’t ended; certainly God’s compassion isn’t through! They are renewed every morning. Great is your faithfulness.”

The Good News: God’s love towards us is as certain as the arrival of a new day, and because He is unwavering even in the face of change, we can always rely on His mercy.—Jackie Frere and Corinne Sullivan¹

Flowers, projects, and goals for the New Year

I love tending my garden, but I have a problem sometimes with flowers. I love to buy a few each spring and enjoy them through the long summer days, tending them and watering them and admiring their beauty. I just have a hard time letting go of them as they begin to turn yellow and die.

When I see the devastation of my plants at the end of the season, I almost feel like giving up on my garden altogether, but I’m always amazed by spring. I see the first tiny new sprouts shoot up from the ground and realize that life is still there. The germ of the seed is still there. I just need to be patient. I need to trust in the seeds. All they need is to be allowed to do their thing and be born into a glorious new plant.

This brings to mind that timeless promise in the book of Lamentations in the Bible: “The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning” (Lamentations 3:22–23).

This is like my ideas, dreams, and goals for each new year: sometimes I just need to let them go or put them on hold for a time. I need to trust that when the time is right, all those thoughts will begin to germinate again and I will have a project. Then if I tenderly and diligently care for the project, it will come to life.

So this year I’m going to stop mourning dead plants and projects. I’m going to let them be and give them time. Then when the moment is right, when the sun shines bright and the gentle rains begin to come again, I will have the blessing of seeing the beginning of something new and beautiful.—Joyce Suttin

Cracked!

My new year literally started with a bang! On December 31st, my phone leaped out of my hand in an apparent dive of depression. I picked it up immediately, not really expecting anything to be wrong. It had fallen on a carpeted floor, and I’d dropped it several times before without damage.

As soon as I turned it face-up and saw the Spiderman-strand cracks across the whole screen, my heart sank. It still works, but in a rather unusable way. And out of warranty by far.

This accident actually taught me something, and right on time for the new year. First of all, don’t rely on yesterday’s plans or experiences too much. Today, things might just be different, and in fact probably will be. We need to go along day by day, being open to the new things God might bring into our lives, or we could find ourselves surprised and unprepared.

Second, this taught me that in life, stuff happens. Life is by definition a continuous process of motion and change. Maybe our Father allows these things because, in His wisdom, He knows they will make us better. We must never get discouraged when rough stuff is thrust into our face. Maybe we’ll overcome it in a glorious victory and see just how amazing our God is. Or maybe we’ll get hit hard by it, barely able to get up, feeling like we must have handled it wrong, and still see just how amazing our God is! Our future is sure and our help is constant.

I don’t know all that you’re going through. It could be one massive problem, 1,000 little ones, or anything in between. Maybe you even feel a little “cracked” yourself. That’s where Jesus comes in. He knows every individual repair need and technique, and He’ll restore us as He knows best. His guarantee is “forever” and He has promised to be “with you always” (Matthew 28:20).

So even if I’m seeing through a “glass unclearly” right now, I know for sure that, as the old hymn says, “it will all be right at last” (1 Corinthians 13:12).—Chris Mizrany

‘Twill all be right at last

Pray on, pray on, O weary not,
Tho’ great thy conflict be;
Look bravely up, and trust in Him
Whose love abides with thee.
Remember how He led thee forth,
Thro’ toil and dangers past;
Tho’ yet unanswered is thy prayer,
’Twill all be right at last.

Pray on, pray on, with steadfast hope,
For thou shalt yet prevail;
Ask what thou wilt, it shall be done,
The promise cannot fail.
Cling firmly to the solid rock,
And hold the anchor fast;
The clouds will break, the light will come
’Twill all be right at last.
—Fanny Crosby, 1892

Strawberries, candles, and resolutions

It was a bright sunny day in South Africa, and the old year was coming to a close. Thoughts had turned from Christmas celebrations to New Year’s resolutions.

The farmhouse door clanged behind me as I went into the kitchen. My mother followed my gaze to a heaping bowl of strawberries on the table. “Yvonna brought those over,” she said. “A gift from her family.”

Yvonna was a teenager who lived two houses down. Like most families in the village, hers had tended the strawberry fields behind their house for months. Every harvest, our neighbors came to our door with their arms full of strawberries.

Yvonna had been asking for Bible studies for some time, but we had been genuinely busy and kept putting it off. I sighed and resolved to get Yvonna started on those classes soon.

New Year’s Day dawned bright and full of promise. But Yvonna was not there to see it. She had been killed in an auto accident shortly after midnight.

Everyone was deeply affected by the loss of our friend. In the months that followed we found ways to comfort Yvonna’s family, and the community was brought closer together. Many young people came to us with questions about life, death, and God, which we were happy to answer. Yvonna believed in Jesus, which brought great comfort as we knew that she was safe in the arms of Jesus.

For my part, each New Year’s Day since, as the fireworks dissolve in the early morning sky, I have thought about Yvonna and renewed my resolution to not wait for the “perfect” time to do the things that really matter.—Saskia Smith

Published on Anchor December 2023. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso. Music by Michael Dooley.

¹ https://www.womansday.com/life/g30127990/new-year-bible-verses

Copyright © 2023 The Family International

 

The Race That Is Set Before Us

December 27, 2023

By William B. McGrath

In Hebrews 12:1 we read that we are to “run with patience the race that is set before us.” This refers to the race of life set before us by our Creator; it is each individual’s “high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:14).

By choosing the race God would have me to run, I can experience His presence inspiring me, coaching me, and helping me to become a winner in my race toward lasting, eternal goals. It is the most fulfilling of any race that I could occupy myself with. It is a race that He has tailored, custom fit, and created for me.

This race includes the seemingly small things of everyday life and habits of thought and action that cultivate godliness. In the verse that follows, Hebrews 12:2, we read that as we run this race, we are to be “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross.” So, I like to look to Jesus to see how He ran His race, and follow His example the best I can. I ask for His help to pick up my own cross daily (Matthew 16:24), through life’s little irritations, because there is an eternal reward set before me (John 14:3).

The hardships I pass through can be difficult to understand, but I know that my High Priest in heaven understands, and intercedes for me (Hebrews 4:15). He sees the end results of the hardships that He allows me to endure, He is “refining” me, He’s on my side. My “light afflictions” in this life work for me “a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory” (2 Corinthians 4:17).

As I abide in Jesus, through His Word, I am learning to cooperate with His Spirit’s promptings, letting go of my own will and following the direction His race is taking me. He gives me His strength to resist temptation and helps me to develop the fruits of His Spirit—love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance (Galatians 5:22–23). I know that the best choice I ever made was to run His race throughout my life. I see more and more that it will turn out to be, by far, the most rewarding and enriching lifelong race that I could have ever imagined.

A race implies resistance, training, and other runners. I believe the main resistance that I face is that of my old earthbound nature. This race is a marathon, not a sprint. It takes persistence and patience on my part to dominate my old nature, which would tempt me to accept the common excuses for being lukewarm. I know I need God’s Spirit to wash and renew me and give me the strength to stay on course.

The world says: “Be a somebody. Climb the ladder of economic success, power, control, position! Have it all, now!” But Christ’s nature within us grants us things that money can’t buy—real peace, eternal life, and a part to play in drawing His suffering children on earth home to His love for them.

The Bible also compares our running in this race to the fight of a soldier (2 Timothy 2:3) and to the training of an athlete (1 Corinthians 9:24). It is not always easy, and personally I know that the greatest part of my struggle has been in my own mind, learning to consistently keep my pride in check. As the saying goes: “You are your own worst enemy.” I know that even as I run His race, there exists this desire to prove that I can do things, that I am knowledgeable, that I deserve esteem, etc. But throughout Christ’s ministry, it is clear that He demonstrated high regard for the commonplace and the common people—the humble, the poor, the beaten down, the stranger, etc. The twelve apostles He chose were common men, not the elite of society.

I would like to close with a couple of passages that express what it means to me to be running in this race that God has set before me.

“Christ in you, the hope of glory” (Colossians 1:27). The greatest thing that any of us can do is not to live for Christ but to live Christ. What is holy living? It is Christ-life. It is not to be Christians, but Christ-ones. It is not to try to do or be some great thing but simply to have Him and let Him live His own life in us; abiding in Him and He in us, and letting Him reflect His own graces, His own faith, His own consecration, His own love, His own patience, His own gentleness, His own words in us. … This is at once the sublimest and the simplest life that it is possible to live. It is a higher standard than human perfection, and yet it is possible for a poor, sinful, imperfect man to realize it through the perfect Christ who comes to live within us. God help us so to live, and thus to make real to those around us the simplicity, the beauty, the glory and the power of the Christ life.—Charles E. Cowman¹

For most of us, there is a trivial round every day. The morning bell calls us to do the same routine of the commonplace, and there seems no chance for doing anything really heroic or worth having lived for. I wonder when we’ll ever learn the lesson that it’s doing some little duties of life faithfully, punctually, thoroughly, reverently, not for the praise of men, but for the “well done” of Jesus Christ, not for the payment to be received, but because God has given us a little place of work to do in His great world. Not because we must, but because we choose, not as slaves of circumstances, but doing it with the Lord in mind, doing it “as to the Lord and not unto men,” doing it as Christ’s freed ones (Colossians 3:23). Then far down beneath the surge of common life, the foundations of a character are laid. … We ought therefore to be very careful how we complain about the common tasks of daily life. … It’s a greater thing to do an unimportant thing with a great motive for God and for truth and for others than to do a great, important thing and do it with such a complaining spirit. It’s greater to suffer patiently each day a thousand stings than to die once as a martyr at the stake. An obscure life really offers more opportunities for the nurture of a loftier type of character, the growth of Christian graces, more opportunities than any greatness, such as men call greatness.—Virginia Brandt Berg²

¹ Mrs. Charles E. Cowman, Springs in the Valley, August 3.

² Virginia Brandt Berg, “The Commonplace.”

Copyright © 2023 The Family International

 

The Wonderful Love of Jesus

December 26, 2023

By Maria Fontaine

Audio length: 6:49

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Thank You, Lord, for communion, a time we consecrate in commemoration of You and Your death on the cross, and Your resurrection. Thank You for Your great love which constrained You to come to Earth and to live and to die when Your plan was fulfilled, and to rise again.

Even though You were here on this Earth in human flesh, even though You had human feelings and were in all things tempted just like we are, You had to be willing to give Your life for all mankind. You were here on Earth like us and You were having to make the greatest sacrifice ever asked of someone in human flesh, yet You were willing. You said yes. So no matter how big a sacrifice You require of us, it’s nothing compared to what You did for us. If God gave You the grace to suffer and die for us, then there’s nothing that You can ask of us that we can’t have the grace for, because You’ve promised to give it to us.

Thank You for going before us and paving the way and setting an example that we should follow. You told us that as Your Father had sent You, so You send us (John 20:21).—To preach the good news, to set the captives free, to give our lives for those who You came to deliver.

***

Praise the Lord for His unfailing goodness! We need the Lord so much to become more like Him and to grow in His love. The words of the song, “I Want to Be More Like You, Jesus,” express it so well:

Take these things that hinder me,
Take my pride and vanity.
Help me to understand You,
Teach me how to love You,
Won’t You help me to be more like You, Lord.

Take my heartache and emptiness,
Deliver me from all worldliness,
Take the chains that bind me,
Put Your arms around me,
And please help me to be more like You, Lord.

That’s our prayer and our heartcry, to be more like You, Jesus, to know how to love You more.

Jesus, O Jesus, My Light and My Guide,
Help me to follow close by Thy side.
Be Thou my anchor, my rock and my shield,
Help me to love Thee, help me to yield.

Out of the darkness of sin I have fled,
Radiant sunlight awaits me instead.
Wonderful Counselor, rest to my soul,
Jesus, O Jesus, Thy love makes me whole.

Jesus, even as Your Father sent You, so have You sent us. Your life was all about submission to Your Father and obedience to His will. Help us to do Your will and to be the instruments that You want us to be. Thank You for Your wonderful love that made it all possible, so that we could love You and love others and bring others into the kingdom through Your love. Amen.

***

You probably have experienced in your own life that when you step out by faith to do something that is difficult for you, once you’ve done it, it’s easier the next time. That surrender, that moment of yielding to the Lord, does wonderful things in any area of our lives, in whatever the Lord asks us to do. When we struggle against change that the Lord is bringing into our lives, then everything looks difficult, and everything is a problem and a burden. But once we yield in something, we usually think, “Why did I have a problem with that in the first place?”

When we yield to the things the Lord asks us to do, we often discover new opportunities or ways to move forward and make progress that we would otherwise have missed. Submission is having the faith to accept whatever the Lord has for us; it’s a general acceptance of His sovereignty in our life. It is saying, “Whatever You want, I will do,” or as Jesus prayed, “Not My will but Yours be done” (Luke 22:42). It takes faith to submit to whatever the Lord asks us to do and to trust in His plan and His will, even if we don’t understand how it will work out at the time.

The Lord is so wonderful that no matter how big our mistakes, missteps, or failures may be, He’s much more interested in helping us to learn and grow through everything we face in life, so that we are “being transformed into His image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord” (2 Corinthians 3:18). When we make mistakes or when we fail—and even when they’re not mistakes, but they’re deliberate wrongs—if we repent and ask the Lord to forgive us, He “is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

Of course, if disciplining us will help us do better and that’s the only way that He can help us to change and grow, then maybe He’s going to have to do so. But whatever the Lord does or allows in our lives, He does in love and to help us to grow, just as a parent does with their child. “And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said, ‘My child, don’t make light of the Lord’s discipline, and don’t give up when he corrects you. For the Lord disciplines those he loves” (Hebrews 12:5–6).

The love of the Lord is so wonderful! He loves us so much and He wants His Spirit to fill every area of our life, in every aspect. The pure, unconditional love that comes from the Lord is greater than anything we can even imagine, as that beautiful poem expresses:

Oh, wonderful story of deathless love;
Each child is dear to that heart above.
He fights for me when I cannot fight,
He comforts me in the gloom of night.
He lifts the burden, for He is strong,
He stills the sigh and awakens the song;
The sorrow that bows me down, He bears,
And loves and pardons, because He cares!
—Marianne Farningham

Thank You, Jesus, for Your amazing love for each one of us. Thank You for the wonderful riches and the spiritual treasures that You give us, the precious anointing of Your love. Thank You for the great things You have in store for each one of Your children. Thank You that You deigned to stoop to come to earth and take on human form because of Your great love for us. Amen.

Originally published February 1995. Adapted and republished December 2023. Read by Lenore Welsh.

Copyright © 2023 The Family International

Christmas Promises

December 25, 2023

By Peter Amsterdam

Audio length: 9:29

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Each Christmas, as we commemorate Jesus’ birth, we are looking back to the fulfillment of the Old Testament promises in which God vowed to send a savior into the world. As we mark this glorious event, we rejoice at the miracle of His conception, the circumstances of His birth, and are filled with wonderment that the Son of God entered into our world, taking on human form. We rejoice that God sent His Son, the Savior, to come and change our lives forever.

While we look back to the coming of the Savior, Old Testament believers looked forward in anticipation to the time when the Promised One would arrive. Let’s review those promises which pointed to the Savior’s coming.

The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you, from your brothers—it is to him you shall listen (Deuteronomy 18:15).

The Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel (Isaiah 7:14).

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 increase of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom (Isaiah 9:6–7).

I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a scepter shall rise out of Israel (Numbers 24:17).

“I have set my King on Zion, my holy hill.” I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to me, “You are my Son; today I have begotten you. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession” (Psalm 2:6–8).

A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from his roots a Branch will bear fruit. The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of power, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD—and he will delight in the fear of the LORD. He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes, or decide by what he hears with his ears; but with righteousness he will judge the needy, with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth (Isaiah 11:1–4).

You, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (Micah 5:2).

God’s people in the Old Testament looked forward to the fulfillment of God’s promises. Even though they didn’t see those promises fulfilled, they believed that God would do all that He had pledged to do.

We who live today are able to look back and celebrate the fulfillment of God’s promises. Jesus, the Son of God, the promised Messiah, who was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, came into our world as our Savior and reconciled us to the Father by taking our sins upon Himself.

Jesus’ birth was the beginning of that process, and His death, resurrection, and ascension to heaven brought it to fruition. As we celebrate His birth as a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes and lying in a manger, since there were no rooms available in Bethlehem on the night of His birth, we rejoice knowing that He left the splendor of His Father’s side to change not just our lives but our eternity. His was a life of sacrifice, being away from His Father, becoming human, suffering crucifixion and death, all for our sakes.

As we celebrate the joy of His birth, let us also reflect on who He is and the effect He has had on our lives, and those of countless others. And let us rejoice and be grateful for His love and willingness to leave the splendor of heaven for our sake.

You know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, so that you by his poverty might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9).

The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1 Timothy 1:15).

Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory (1 Timothy 3:16).

Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death—that is, the devil—and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death. … For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people (Hebrews 2:14–15, 17).

Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:5–8).

When the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:4–6).

Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. 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 4:14–16).

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together. And he is the head of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent. For in him all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross (Colossians 1:15–20).

May we all have a blessed Christmas as we celebrate the birth of the One who gave His life so that we may live in God’s presence forever. And may we each share the love and truth He bestowed on us with others, so that they too will come to know Him and the power of His saving grace.

Originally published December 2019. Republished on Anchor December 2023. Read by Jerry Paladino. Music from the Christmas Moments album, used by permission.

Copyright © 2023 The Family International

12/24/23
Losing Sight Of God’s ULTIMATE Gift & How Jesus DIFFERS From World Religion | Eric Metaxas on TBN

The Messages of the Three Angels

12/23/23 Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people. 7 And he said with a loud voice, “Fear God and give him glory, because the hour of his judgment has come, and worship him who made heaven and earth, the sea and the springs of water.” (Revelation 14:6-7) ESV
And Then the End Will Come
David Brandt Berg
2021-04-12
“And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations, and then shall the end come.”—Matthew 24:14
In Matthew 24, Jesus said that when this gospel of the kingdom shall have been preached in every nation, then shall the end come. At that point, He doesn’t say in that scripture that it will be preached in every tongue, to every tribe, which He does later in Revelation 14 when the angel preaches to everybody just before Jesus comes: “Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.”1 At that point, everybody will hear it!
Once we have preached the gospel to this world, to all nations, as Jesus Himself said in Matthew 24:14, “then shall the end come.” He gave many other signs, but in verse six He said, “but the end is not yet.” There will be wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes, famines, pestilences, and all kinds of things, but He said, “Don’t worry, the end is not yet.”
The first sign He gave that the end was near was when “this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations.” If there was ever a day in which it looks to me like every nation has heard the gospel, it’s today! Maybe not every tongue and tribe yet—that will come at the very end.
Now remember, “the end” is not a particular point, a certain hour or second of a certain day of a month of a certain year. In fact, what is spoken of by the prophets as the endtime or the “last days” covers the span of years between the two comings of Christ. The endtime began with the first coming of Christ. In Hebrews 1:2, Paul said that they were already living “in these last days,” which will end with His Second Coming. So the end is already here and the world has been in it for 2,000 years. Some people get all excited when I say “the Crash is here,” but my Lord, the Crash has been here ever since the first Depression!
The end is here, and it has lasted 2,000 years already, and it’s going to last some more, but it gets closer all the time. The end will progress day by day as it has and continues to do, and as you read in the news. With every day that passes, we are a day closer to the end—one more hour, day, month, year closer to the end.
The end is coming, and we can see that it’s getting closer, as the gospel is being preached to every nation like never before. We’ve done our particular job to reach our generation. And now there’s not a nation on earth that hasn’t heard the gospel through us or somebody else. God is trying to give everybody a chance to know Him.
Even if people haven’t heard specifically about God, they can just look at His creation and know that there is a God. Scientists are daily discovering marvelous things about His creation, more all the time—the marvels of His design and plan, His amazing balance of nature, and everything about the creation that couldn’t possibly have happened by accident. As Paul said, “For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made.”2
Logically and reasonably just by the world and all that He has created, it is clear that there’s a God! “Only the fool has said in his heart, ‘There is no God.’”3
This gospel of the kingdom is being preached in all the world, and in those last terrible days of the Great Tribulation, God’s even going to send the angels of God to preach it! And in the very last days just before the Lord comes, at the end of the days of the Great Tribulation when the gospel has been preached in every possible way, then the Lord will come to rapture His saints. Praise the Lord!
When they see us rising to meet Jesus in the air, in this glorious, thunderous, earthshaking, heaven-quaking event that raises the dead from the graves and the living from the ground, the whole world will know that Jesus has come to rescue and save us, just as He foretold in the Bible.
Jesus will come back with all the saints who have already gone to be with the Lord through death. They come back with Him to pick up their dead bodies, which will then be new resurrected bodies like the one He rose in; they are going to be beautiful, arrayed in white garments like a bride.4
It’s going to be the apocalypse for sure—the revelation of Jesus Christ Himself coming in the clouds of heaven, in great power and glory, with the voice of the archangel and the trump of God. Christ Himself will shout and call us from every part of the earth, and we’ll be gathered together to be with Him! “And so,” He tells us, “shall we ever be with the Lord.”5
We will jump for joy for Jesus and go sailing right off into the air, clear on up into the clouds to be with the Lord! It’s going to be so wonderful you’re going to forget about all the hardships and suffering that happened before.
Oft times the day seems long, our trials hard to bear,
We’re tempted to complain, to murmur and despair;
But Christ will soon appear to catch His bride away,
All tears forever over in God’s eternal day.
It will be worth it all when we see Jesus,
Life’s trials will seem so small, when we see Christ;
One glimpse of His dear face, all sorrow will erase,
So bravely run the race till we see Christ.6
Originally published May 1980. Adapted and republished April 2021.
Read by Jon Marc.
________________________________________
1 Revelation 14:6.
2 Romans 1:20.
3 Psalm 14:1.
4 Revelation 19:8.
5 1 Thessalonians 4:17.
6 “When We See Christ” by
Esther Kerr Rusthoi – Wikipedia

From Here to Eternity
David Brandt Berg
2015-06-22
12/23/23 The Bible and the words of God’s prophets are actually the only real newspapers or news books. Newspapers tell you what already happened yesterday, so they’re not really newspapers; they’re history papers. But the Bible tells us what is going to happen in the future. It is full of detailed prophecies describing specific people, places, times, situations and events thousands of years before they came into being.
Many of these prophecies are about the final period of world history, just before Jesus returns to set up His kingdom of love and peace on earth. These latter days of man’s kingdoms on earth are known in the Bible as the “time of the end,” the “latter days,” the “last days”—the time in which you and I are now living.1
When Jesus’ disciples wanted to know the future and asked Him, “What shall be the sign of thy coming and of the end of the world?” He didn’t reply with only one sign, but with dozens. In fact, the Bible gives hundreds of “signs of the times,” signs and signals that we are to look out for so that we can know how close to the very end we are.2
These signs include “famines, pestilences and earthquakes in diverse places,”3 “the gospel being preached in all the world for a witness to all nations,”4 a drastic increase in international travel, with “many running to and fro, wandering from sea to sea, as knowledge is increased.”5 A great “falling away”6 from the faith as “evil men and seducers grow worse and worse, deceiving many”7; “the love of many growing cold,”8 resulting in “distress of nations upon the earth and men’s hearts failing them for fear.”9 We are seeing the fulfillment of many of these signs today more than ever before.
One of the most important and final signs of the very end that the prophets predicted is the rise of a totally godless anti-Christ world government led by a dictator who will be possessed by Satan himself. He will come on the scene with a seven-year agreement or covenant in which he will promise the world peace and religious freedom, and he will somehow settle the current crisis in the Middle East.10
During the first half of the Antichrist’s seven-year covenant, people are going to think that he is wonderful, as he will have brought peace, restored the world’s economy, solved the Middle East crisis, etc. But suddenly, halfway through his seven-year reign, he will break the covenant, invade Israel from the north, and will forbid and abolish all traditional religious worship, declaring that he is God and demanding that all the world worship him.11
At this time he will place an idol, an image of himself, in the Jewish temple area, an “abomination of desolation” which may be some kind of a computerized robot, as it will speak and somehow even cause those who refuse to worship it to be killed. Jesus Himself said that when you see this idol, this abomination of desolation, standing there, then would begin the last three and a half years of man’s rule on earth, a time of “Great Tribulation.”12
During this three-and-a-half-year period people won’t use paper money anymore, because the Antichrist government is going to set up a one-world credit system, and all members of the system who worship this Antichrist will be permanently branded with a credit number in their hands or foreheads. The Antichrist government will use this new credit system to try to force everybody to either worship the Antichrist or starve to death, because no one will be able to buy or sell without this number or “Mark of the Beast.” But God’s children will refuse to worship him or receive his mark, and the Lord will take care of them, even if He has to drop manna from heaven to feed them.13
During this Tribulation period, ten “kings” will join the Antichrist and together they will destroy and “devour with fire Babylon, the great whore.”—A final judgment which, according to many scriptures, sounds like a nuclear first strike that will destroy this modern Babylon in one hour.14
This great atomic war, along with the Antichrist’s worldwide suppression and persecution of all who refuse to worship him, will make this Great Tribulation period a time of trouble such as the world has never known! That’s why God, in His Word, repeatedly tells us how long this period of Great Tribulation will last—exactly three and one half years, or 42 months, or 1260 days from the time that the Antichrist sets up his image in the temple—to encourage His followers to hang on and keep going for Him.15
Because at the end of that last three and a half years, just when the fiendish Antichrist thinks he has the world in his grasp, suddenly like a bolt from the blue, Jesus will return and snatch all of His children out of this world! Just after that darkest night in world history, we are going to have the brightest dawn. Jesus is going to come back and rescue His own, His church, His people, everyone who loves Him and knows Him and has received Him in their hearts.16
All of the Christians who have already died and gone on to be with Jesus will come back with Him to pick up their new resurrection bodies. And “the earth shall cast out her dead.”17 Then those who are alive and remain, having miraculously survived throughout the Antichrist’s reign of terror, will instantly be changed, transformed, and receive new, miraculous, supernatural, resurrection bodies—just like Jesus’ body after He was resurrected! And up we’ll sail toward the sky, “to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.”18
All of the Antichrist’s people will be shocked as they see the Lord coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory, lighting up the whole sky like permanent lightning! The powers of the heavens are shaken as the Lord descends with a great shout. A terrific blast sounds on the trumpet of God, and the graves of the saints burst open as the dead are raised! All of God’s children who are still alive will be transformed before their eyes, flying upward to meet Jesus. “Every eye shall see Him, and all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him.”19
Jesus will come back to catch His bride, His church, out of the evil clutches of the enemy and then whisk them away to the grandest, most glorious and thrilling wedding party that’s ever been held, the Marriage Supper of the Lamb in heaven. Then, right after the Lord rescues and raptures His bride to be with Him, the seven vials of the wrath of God are going to be poured out upon the Antichrist and his followers in terrible plagues such as the world has never known.20
God will pour out His judgments and wrath upon the Antichrist and his forces until the final wrath of all, when the wicked gather together at Armageddon in Israel to try to fight the very forces of God. Then Jesus Himself, along with His resurrected, glorified, heavenly forces, will return to earth on majestic white chargers out of heaven to utterly defeat and destroy the Antichrist and his forces in the supernatural, catastrophic Battle of Armageddon.21
Then the saints of God, along with our king Jesus Christ, will take over the world and organize it and rule it and run it the way it should have been run if man had yielded to God. We’re going to set up the kingdom of God on earth and restore the earth to the beauty of the Garden of Eden again! This amazing period will last for one thousand years, and therefore it is known as the Millennium.22
The Devil will be bound and cast as a prisoner into the bottomless pit for this thousand-year period, and God is going to be supreme and Jesus will reign from shore to shore, and His saints will rule and reign with Him. Then and only then, under the supreme and powerful rule and reign of Christ and God’s children, will all wars finally cease and the world will at last be governed fairly and well with true justice, liberty, peace, plenty, and happiness for all.23
During the Millennium, all the born-again, resurrected saints will be in new supernatural bodies, with miraculous powers such as indestructibility, no pain, sickness, or death. The rest of the people, those who have been spared and blessed enough to survive into the Millennium, are going to still be in their old natural bodies. Everyone on earth will see God’s glorious power and kingdom and everybody will believe then. So there won’t be any unbelievers, but I’m afraid there will still be some unreceivers who won’t yield and won’t obey and will still be stubborn, rebellious, and defiant.24
Therefore, as a final test and a final sifting, at the end of the Millennium Satan is going to be released from his prison in the heart of the earth for a “little season,” just long enough to deceive the unconverted wicked. These rebels will again follow him to the full, in open rebellion against the Lord and His government, resulting in the catastrophic Battle of Gog and Magog in which God sends down fire out of heaven to devour them completely.25
In fact, He will cause such a fire to come down that it will completely wipe out the entire surface of the earth, and the heavens shall be rolled back like a scroll and depart with a great noise! It’s all going to explode and be burned up, and the entire surface of the ball is going to be completely purged, cleansed, burned up, and re-created into a beautiful new earth.26
After this climactic battle of Gog and Magog, the unsaved of all ages will be raised to stand before God Himself in the final judgment in which “the books are opened,” and they will all be given their final sentences according to their works and will be assigned to their final places in the hereafter.27
God’s great heavenly city will then descend from above to the beautiful, re-created, Garden-of-Eden-like new earth. And God Himself will dwell with us right here on earth. It will be like God taking over the world by invading it from outer space, bringing down His heavenly city and restoring Himself as the King of kings forever!
It will be a better world then with better people, who will have learned their lessons of the law of the love of God and will be happier than ever before, because at last they will be purged and purified of their sins of rebellion against Him and healed by the leaves of the trees of life, which we shall minister to them from where they grow by the river of life within the City.28
If you truly want to know the things that will come to pass and if you hunger for the righteousness of God and thirst for His living waters that bring eternal life through His love and the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, you can find the truth in the Bible.29
Prepare for the future today by receiving Jesus now! Simply pray, “Lord Jesus, please come into my heart and forgive me for all my sins. Help me to love and live for You, to hunger for Your truth, to learn Your Word, and to tell others about Your love. In Jesus’ name, amen.” God bless you!
Compiled from the writings of David Brandt Berg, originally published November 1983. Adapted and republished June 2015.
Read by Simon Peterson.
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1 Daniel 2:28; 8:23; 12:4.
2 See Matthew 24.
3 Matthew 24:7.
4 Matthew 24:14.
5 Daniel 12:4; Amos 8:11–12.
6 2 Thessalonians 2:3.
7 2 Timothy 3:13.
8 Matthew 24:12.
9 Luke 21:25–26.
10 Daniel 8:23–25; 2 Thessalonians 2:1–4; Daniel 9:27.
11 Daniel 9:27; 8:9–12; 11:21–24, 28–31, 36; 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4, 8–9.
12 Daniel 11:31; 12:11; Matthew 24:15–21; Revelation 13:14–15.
13 Revelation 13:16–18; 12:6, 14.
14 Revelation 17:12, 16–17; 18:1–10, 17–19.
15 Matthew 24:21–22; Daniel 7:25; 9:27; 12:7; Revelation 11:2–3; 12:6, 14; 13:5.
16 Matthew 24:29–31.
17 Isaiah 26:19.
18 1 Thessalonians 4:14–17; 1 Corinthians 15:51–57; Philippians 3:21.
19 Matthew 24:27–31; Revelation 1:7 NKJV.
20 Revelation 19:6–9; 14:14–20; 16:11–21.
21 Revelation 19:11–21; 17:14; 16:12–21.
22 Daniel 2:44; 7:18, 26–27; Revelation 20:4.
23 Revelation 20:1–3; Isaiah 2:2–4; Psalm 22:27–28.
24 Habakkuk 2:14; Isaiah 25:7; 29:18–19; 32:1; 40:5.
25 Isaiah 26:9–11; Revelation 20:7–10.
26 2 Peter 3:10–13.
27 Revelation 20:11–15.
28 Revelation 22:1–2.
29 John 5:29; Acts 17:11; Matthew 5:6.

The 3 Wise Women of Christmas

December 22, 2023
By Rick Warren
You’ve probably heard of the three wise men—but have you heard of the three wise women of Christmas? Elizabeth, Mary, and Anna had different life circumstances, but during the first Christmas, all three of them overcame a specific hurt by making wise choices.
Run time for this video is 43 minutes.

Copyright © 2023 The Family International

The Wonder of Christmas

December 21, 2023

A compilation

Audio length: 13:19

Download Audio (12.2MB)

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; and the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.—Isaiah 9:6

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Jesus Christ was born in the meanest of circumstances, but the air above was filled with the hallelujahs of the heavenly hosts. His lodging was a cattle pen, but a star drew distinguished visitants from afar to pay Him homage.

His birth was contrary to the laws of life. His death was contrary to the laws of death.

He had no wheat fields or fisheries, but He could feed 5,000 people and have bread and fish to spare. He walked on no beautiful carpets, but He walked on water. Yet no miracle He performed is so wonderful or inexplicable as His love for you and me.—Activated

Something wonderful

Every year I look forward to Christmas. I love how pine boughs and red ribbon transform the drab corners of a home into a cozy wonderland. Christmas music carries me to happy memories of Christmases past and fills me with anticipation for the season. Each year, as I decorate and put up our tree, I am amazed at all that has passed in the days since I last decorated. No matter where the year has taken me, it culminates in this familiar season of joy and sharing.

Growing up, our Christmases were not traditional. We didn’t have the expectation of gifts or the demand for a specific menu. We didn’t expect snow or a white Christmas. We weren’t stuck on which language we would sing our favorite Christmas carols in. We didn’t know who we would share Christmas with. Some years we had a tree; some years we did not. I have spent Christmas in more than a dozen countries: Portugal, Canada, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, China, Italy, Greece, Hungary, Poland, the US, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, and Mexico.

Some of these countries have a rich history of Christmas traditions, and some of them have the dire absence of any sort of Christmas at all. Some countries celebrated Christmas in ways that were familiar to me, and some were totally new and unfamiliar.

All through my life, Christmas had only one common ingredient: the celebration of Jesus’ birth. It was a time to remind ourselves of the great joy that came to mankind when God sent His Son to bridge the gap between us sinful humans and God’s perfection. It was the first time that the human race did not need to fear death anymore. Salvation had come! We always celebrated His birthday by trying to bring salvation to as many as we could.

Some of my happiest memories are the personal exchanges that I had with some of the people we met over Christmas, the times I saw the impact God’s love can make on a heart that is lonely and aching.

There was a time when I wished our family had developed more Christmas traditions. I wanted Christmas to conjure up a cozy familiar feeling associated with meaningful rituals, events, and foods our family enjoyed. I wanted traditions we could pass on to our children. But I see it differently now. I don’t want Christmas to come in boxes of decorations we unpack each year, accompanied by a predetermined set of events, exchanges, and foods. I don’t want a Christmas of expectations, but rather one of expectancy.

Jesus’ birth was full of the unexpected: journeys, shepherds, angels, soldiers. His life defied tradition and expectation as well, not the least of which was rising from the dead. Each year when His birthday rolls around, rather than trying to create a Christmas of traditions, we can open ourselves up to how God wants to work through us.

Maybe you’ll find someone new to share Christmas with. Maybe God will lead you to someone whom you can share s