A Penny for Your Thoughts

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus.

– Romans 15:5

According to the CoinNews website, the United States Mint produced 4.5 billion pennies in 2023. And on each one you’ll find two brief sayings of immense importance.

First, the motto In God We Trust appears above Abe Lincoln’s profile. Now, look at the coin’s reverse side. There you’ll see the phrase E Pluribus Unum, which is Latin for Out of many, one. An early motto of the United States, it’s a reminder that our nation was born when the 13 colonies united behind the common cause of liberty. The Founding Fathers from Massachusetts often clashed politically and socially with their compatriots from Pennsylvania, Virginia, and Georgia. But they set aside their many differences to write the Declaration of Independence, win the Revolutionary War, and eventually ratify the Constitution.

Here’s where the Bible lesson comes in: The Church — meaning all the Christ-followers on Earth — is also an entity that’s marked by distinct differences. Believers come from various religious traditions and have a broad range of preferences regarding worship music and sermon style. Likewise, the Church is also a place where all races are welcome and present. It mingles the rich, the poor, and the middle class. But what unites them all — or at least should bring them together — is a common faith and focus on Jesus as Lord and Savior.

And that’s just the way God wants it. Shortly before his arrest and crucifixion, Jesus prayed to his Father about the Church — and not just his original followers, but also Believers like us in the centuries to follow: 

"I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”

Christ’s prayer for his followers’ unity links the dusty streets of 1st century Israel with the crowded superhighways of modern North America and Europe … and everywhere in between. Moreover, it’s a reminder that Believers were never meant to go through life alone. Instead, we’re to gather regularly to share our joys, troubles, triumphs — and even doubts — all to strengthen our walks of faith. And since the human experience has its share of disappointments, we’re also to encourage one another. As the apostle Paul admonished some of the earliest Christ-followers through 1 Thessalonians:

"Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing."

To Protect and to Serve

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

– Romans 12:10

To Protect and to Serve are the familiar words that once appeared on law enforcement vehicles across America. According to LAPD Online, the Los Angeles Police Department held a contest back in 1955 to suggest the police academy’s motto. The rules stipulated that entries should “in a few words … express some or all the ideals to which the Los Angeles police service is dedicated. It is possible that the winning motto might someday be adopted as the official motto of the Department." Eight years later, the credo began appearing on LA’s patrol cars next to the city seal.

Service is also integral for Christ-followers. Indeed, we’re called to serve as Jesus’ hands and feet on earth while we wait for his return — or at least until that day when he calls us back home. Until then, God wants us to help prepare his kingdom by making the most of the gifts and talents he’s given us. What’s more, we’re to serve as a beacon amidst the darkness of today’s so-called enlightened society:

“Make your light shine, so that others will see the good that you do and will praise your Father in heaven.”

That’s what Jesus tells us through Matthew’s gospel. But what sort of light does he mean?

It’s that spark that empowers every Believer to serve others at home, in the community … and throughout the world. For example, we can shine a light by running a much-needed errand for an elderly neighbor. We can help clean up a neglected school or a community park — or even work in a food pantry or visit the residents of a local assisted living community. The possibilities are endless.

Why is the principle of service so important for Christ-followers?

“In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served,” Jesus explains. “He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.”

Our Master — Jesus — focused his ministry on serving those who were helpless to help themselves. So as his modern-day disciples, we should turn our faith in him into acts of service by shining our own light of hope and truth amidst the distractions of a bleak, distorted world.

Family Feud

If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

– Romans 12:18

We probably don’t need the American Psychological Association (APA) to remind us, but the stress we tend to experience at home, in the workplace — and even on vacation or the holidays — can test our job performance, health, and personal relationships. In fact, whenever families gather, tensions can peak. Sometimes it's because of intrusions into precious personal space, like when the in-laws spend the night (or week) in a house that's already too close for comfort. There's also that outcast teenager who perceives their older relatives as judgmental, critical, or demanding. And let's not forget those pleasant Thanksgiving dinner table conversations about politics and religion.

As stress expert Elizabeth Scott, M.S., rightly observes: "Many a happy holiday has been found by groups of people who have decided to celebrate with friends instead of family."

If this hits close to home, you're in very good company. Jesus — the Son of God — was also often misunderstood by those closest to him. Even his own brothers didn’t believe in him at first. It’s in Mark’s gospel that we read this familiar observation from the Savior:

"A prophet is honored everywhere except in his own hometown and among his relatives
and his own family.”

Jesus understood this stress-filled facet of the human experience long before the APA released its survey. “In this world you will have trouble,” he assures us. So with this in mind, maybe we should approach the issue differently. How much better would things be if every Christ-follower adopted a humble servant’s attitude and put the interests of others, even their family members, before their own? 

Jesus answered this question through his own example. First, he willingly surrendered the royal privileges of being God’s only Son. He entered the world in the most modest of circumstances — a birth among farm animals in a filthy stable. And when he grew older, he learned to make a living with his hands as a carpenter. And finally, his ultimate act of humility was to suffer the death of a common criminal to personally pay the price for the misguided ways we’ve lived our lives and mistreated others. It was a selfless mission that our Creator had planned for him since the foundation of the world.

“For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve,” Jesus explains, “and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

As Christ-followers, we’re not exempt from conflict. But Jesus assures us that through God, all things are possible — even peaceful family get-togethers during vacations and the holidays. So, with Thanksgiving and Christmas still months away, let’s now consider the words of Psalm 122:8 with fresh eyes and a humble heart:

“For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, ‘Peace be within you.’”

Love Like Jesus

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

– 1 John 3:16

God is love.

We find this remarkable, three-word declaration in the New Testament book of 1 John. And it’s the good news that the world needs. But a quick check of the headlines reveals that society is looking for love in all the wrong places. Rather than embracing their Creator for wisdom and security, most people choose to follow the false gods of money, entertainment, materialism, and pleasure — to name just a few.

Is it any wonder that God’s response is to use Christ-followers as his hands and feet on earth? Jesus calls us the light of the world. And that means we’re to illuminate faith, hope, and action so that people see our good works and glorify God. The implications for Believers are great because we’re called to be beacons of truth amidst the bleakness of the mundane. And to succeed in this mission, we must understand and convey God’s wonderful plan for his creation. However, the world doesn’t particularly care about how much we know. It just wants to see how much we care. 

Simply put, it means we must love like Jesus. But where do we begin?

We can start by sharing God’s love through character, which means bringing hope to every interaction. Through community, we can bring unity to every relationship. And with communication (listening and speaking), we can show that we care enough to engage people where they are — and all while sharing the Good News of Christ in both word and deed.

“Little children, let us love, not in word or speech,” the apostle John explains,
“but in truth and action.”

Sunshine On the Horizon

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

It’s been about 2,000 years since Jesus’ first disciples heard these encouraging words of truth and wisdom. And aren’t they just as reassuring to his modern-day followers like you and me? Surf the web, turn on the TV, or pick up an old-school newspaper, and just try to avoid the unsettling headlines about politics, inflation, and war. There's also no shortage of news stories about natural disasters involving tornadoes, floods, blizzards, and earthquakes.

The point is that whether they’re natural or manmade, storms are all around us. And there’s no escape — even after we’ve logged off the computer, put away the smartphone, or clicked the TV remote button. For some people, their storm might be a job loss or bankruptcy. For others, it’s a chronic illness or the prospect of major surgery. Maybe your tempest involves family or relationship issues like a divorce or the loss of a loved one. It’s enough to make us wonder if God really cares if we’ll make it through life’s choppy waters.

Under such gloomy circumstances, it’s worth reminding ourselves that we worship a Creator who’s much greater than any natural disaster, economic difficulty, or personal dispute. Ours is a God who spoke the universe into creation, formed great mountain ranges with his hands, and parted the seas with a breath.

“Is anything too hard for the Lord?” asks the writer of Genesis, the first book of the Bible.

Let’s take God at his word that it’s through life’s turmoil that he works for the good of those who love him and have been called according to his purpose. And let’s also remember that we’re not exempt from challenges and tragedies just because we put our faith in Jesus. However, once we've taken that eternity-changing step, we gain access to a Power who helps us endure any difficulty — great or small. What’s more, we become beneficiaries of an eternal inheritance that will make our current troubles fade into oblivion.

The storms of life that seem so great today will become laughably insignificant tomorrow. And we can rest assured that even amidst the darkness, blue skies and sunshine are on the horizon.

Phoning It In

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

— Philippians 4:6

Christ-followers enjoy a very special privilege: the ability to speak with God through prayer about their blessings, troubles, concerns … and everything else that’s going on in their lives. And it’s all possible through their faith in his Son, Jesus.

But there are times when even the most-seasoned Believer feels like their prayers go no higher than the bedroom ceiling. Instead of praying continually to their Creator with gratitude, they fall into a spiritual rut and simply phone it in. Indeed, prayer is a bit like a phone call. Sometimes the signal comes in loud and clear. But other times there’s just static … or the call doesn’t go through at all.

What’s the cause of these so-called dropped calls to God? 

First, we must ensure that the line is clear by dealing with any unconfessed sin in our lives. Likewise, if we’re carrying a grudge against someone, like a spouse or co-worker, it must be ironed out before we can expect God to listen to us. And our faith also plays a large role. If we pray but don’t think God has the power or desire to deal with our problems, why even ask in the first place?

But what happens when we pray sincerely and with good intentions, but our prayers still go unanswered? 

The fact is that God answers every prayer. It’s just that sometimes the answer is “no” or “not now.” As the Creator of all things past, present, and future, He knows the big picture — the perspective on the people, places, and circumstances that make all the difference to our situation. God also has a much better plan for us. And while it might not be what we think we want, it’s guaranteed to be what we need … and it’s always what we should be grateful for. As the apostle Paul reminds us in Colossians 3:16:

Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts.

The Elephant in the Room

With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.

– Isaiah 12:3

There's a famous story about three blindfolded men who were asked to touch and identify an undisclosed object. And that object happened to be a live African elephant ... but no one told them!

The first man touched the elephant's muscular trunk. The second man grasped the pachyderm's boney tale. And the third man — moving his hands across the beast's rugged hide — marveled at its rough exterior. Needless to say, their perspectives were way off the mark. A 10,000-pound elephant was right in front of them, and they failed to see the big picture.

Many people also miss the big picture when it comes to gratitude. As Christ-followers, we can be grateful that our relationship with Jesus grants us access to our Creator — a loving Father who hears our prayers and looks for ways to bless us. So, no matter how dire the headlines, we already know that the story will end on a positive note. The experiences of the apostle Paul illustrate this principle:  

“Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea,” he wrote in 2 Corinthians. “I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers.

Now, fast-forward about 2,000 years, and there’s still plenty of danger and negativity to go around. So, what’s the secret for achieving a joy-filled, Christ-centered life? The Bible tells us to blend thanksgiving for our blessings and authentic, regular prayer with discernment — those ongoing, intentional functions of living, thinking, and acting positively. Looking for the good and dwelling on the positive should therefore become second nature.

When our lives are filled with gratitude and joy, even the most unpleasant of circumstances can’t bring us down. Paul spent years in prison chained to his guards while under the constant threat of death. But he always prayed thankfully and joyously. And instead of feeling sorry for himself, he used his situation to change the lives of fellow prisoners and jailers alike — and all while writing much of what we today know as the New Testament. 

Yes, times are tough these days and the news is bleak. But Paul’s advice to today’s weary Christ-followers is still timely, profound, and relevant:

“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!”

Best Laid Plans

We are ruined by our own stupidity, though we blame the Lord.

– Proverbs 19:3

“The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray,” wrote poet Robert Burns. And no matter how well we prepare, stuff happens. When it does, it can lead to disappointment — or much worse. Just ask the Coca-Cola executives about their disastrous product known as New Coke.

Back in the 1970s and 80s, Coca-Cola and Pepsi were engaged in an intense conflict to win the hearts, minds, and tastebuds of American consumers. The press dubbed the companies’ marketing efforts The Cola Wars.

The Pepsi Challenge is probably the best-known battle of the conflict. It was a series of TV commercials depicting head-to-head taste test comparisons between the two colas. Time after time, Pepsi was the people’s choice. And within a few years, Pepsi’s sales overtook Coke’s, which led to one of the greatest marketing blunders of all time: the reformulation of tried-and-true Coca-Cola into New Coke.

Consumers didn’t like it. And after plummeting sales and more than 400,000 letters of complaint, Coke’s executives admitted their mistake, reintroduced the beverage’s original formula (called Coca-Cola Classic), and eventually won back their audience. Now fast-forward nearly 40 years, and Coca-Cola remains America’s leading carbonated soft drink company with a volume share of 46.3%. Pepsi ranks second at 24.7%.

We all make plans that result in varying degrees of success or failure. And we’ve also felt from time to time like our circumstances have gotten out of hand. Maybe you feel like that today — and for good reason. But believe it or not, God is in control of the situation.  

This is a fundamental truth that every Christ-follower should embrace. But one reason that we don't feel his control is because we can't see the big picture. We don’t know the life-changing people and situations that he’ll introduce to the mix. We also don’t have his vantage point of knowing what’s around the corner and miles up the road. Moreover, it’s hard for us to see a greater purpose in our lives when we're going through the pain of unemployment, lingering illness, family problems, or even death. But God IS in control. And for those who trust and follow him, he offers this assurance:

"Before I made you in your mother's womb, I chose you,” says our Creator. “Before you were born, I set you apart for a special work. I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

Have your best-laid plans led to frustration and depression? Don’t lose hope. God knows what we need — and he knows it long before we ask him for help. And when our plans align with his purpose, success is on the horizon … even if it's not how we envisioned it. 

Liberty or Death

Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible.

– 1 Corinthians 9:19

What better symbolizes America and its ideals of justice and freedom than the Statue of Liberty? 

Constructed in France, disassembled, and then shipped to New York in 214 crates, “Lady Liberty” was re-assembled and later officially dedicated in October 1886. Since then, the iconic statue has inspired millions around the world to experience freedom by immigrating to the United States and escaping the hardships or persecutions they faced in their mother countries. 

Today, Americans enjoy countless rights and privileges protected through federal, state, and local laws. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution even guarantees our freedom to worship God as we see fit. But if we look at things through the upside-down way of Jesus, no one (of any nationality) has any real freedom. The truth is that we’re all slaves!

Regardless of what’s written in our Bill of Rights or the Declaration of Independence, everyone without exception is a slave to someone or something. They might not have literal chains around their wrists and ankles. But they still lack God’s perspective of true freedom. As Jesus put it so bluntly:

“I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”

This sin represents bondage to the world’s values, and it comes in many forms. It might be slavery to money and possessions, pleasures, fame, a career — or even religion. But however it appears, sin boils down to substituting false, man-made gods for the one and only True Creator.

Christ-followers are also slaves. But the big difference is that they willingly choose to give up the temporary things of this world for the true freedom gained from an eternal relationship with Jesus.

“Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey,” asked the apostle Paul, “whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?

Paul’s question reveals that our choice is one of liberty or death: following Jesus or following sin.

Is this a difficult decision? Let’s remember that our earthly possessions aren’t really our own, and we certainly can't expect them to last. We can lose our jobs unexpectedly through layoffs or downsizing, and our homes and property can be ruined through a natural or man-made disaster. Serious health issues can arise at any time. And let’s face it, the mortality rate for everyone is 100%. 

The fact is that one day we WILL lose it all in one way or another. And unfortunately, most people will choose to do it through their slavery to sin. But there’s a far better and more satisfying choice: becoming a lifelong slave of a very kind master by accepting Jesus’ generous offer of salvation.

"Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever," Christ assures us. "So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed."

We can take it or leave it, and the choice is ours: Liberty or Death.

The Promise

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

– 2 Peter 3:9

Thanks to the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation), the money you deposit at a member bank — up to at least $250,000 — is protected if that bank fails. But it wasn’t always that way. 

During the Great Depression, thousands of banks failed after anxious depositors tried to withdraw their funds en masse, and the life savings of millions of Americans was wiped out in the process. The FDIC’s launch in 1933 helped restore confidence in the nation’s banking system. So, for over 90 years, depositors have trusted the federal government’s promise that they won’t lose a penny in their FDIC-insured accounts.

This ironclad guarantee continues to stabilize our nation because citizens know they can literally bank on it. There’s no need for accountholders to panic or lose sleep, regardless of the headlines. And that’s a comforting thought in these tough economic times. But perhaps we should find much greater solace in the motto that’s printed on every dollar bill:

In God We Trust

It’s in the Bible that we find thousands of reasons why. For example, the Lord assured the Israelites who had escaped Egypt that he would drive out the nations before them and give them the Promised Land. God also promised to one day re-gather his scattered people (the Jews) from around the globe. About 2,500 years later in 1948, he did just that through the emergence of the State of Israel. And no doubt our Creator kept his greatest promise through the birth of the world’s Savior (Jesus) in an obscure outpost of the Roman Empire.

Why does this matter?

Jesus’ death and resurrection defeated the power of sin and death, and they also gave Believers the power to live victorious, Spirit-filled lives. In these uncertain times, it’s nice to have something worthwhile that we can take to the bank. And the best example is the promise of everlasting life through our faith in Jesus:

"I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish,” we read in John 10:28. “No one will snatch them out of my hand."

The Bible is full of promises made … and promises kept. And unlike those thousands of unstable Depression-era banks, every one of them is rock-solid and utterly reliable.

Storm Warning

He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.”

– Matthew 16:2-3

It’s considered one of the worst natural disasters in United States history, leaving up to 12,000 people dead in its wake. And if not for the repeated warnings of one brave civil servant, the toll could have been even higher.

The infamous Hurricane of 1900 struck Galveston, TX, on September 8,

with estimated wind speeds approaching 140 mph. Dr. Isaac Cline, Galveston’s weather bureau manager, knew that the tempest had crossed Cuba. Moreover, storm warnings were already issued for several Southeastern states. And while Dr. Cline lacked satellite imagery and other modern forecasting tools, he grew suspicious of the signs that he saw in the sky and the waters. A day before the hurricane’s arrival, he raised the official storm warning flags over Galveston’s Weather Bureau building. And for the next several hours, he personally warned those on the beach to seek higher ground. Dr. Cline’s last telegraphed message to reach the outside world was:

"Gulf rising rapidly; half the city now under water."

There’s no way to know how many Galveston residents survived because they heeded Dr. Cline’s warnings. But we can see in hindsight that the signs of pending disaster were there. And that’s often the case with history-changing events like hurricanes, floods, wars, and even political campaigns. But what about the warning signs for events that strike much closer to home? Is God trying to alert you to a storm on your personal horizon?

Maybe it involves your marriage, your kids, your job — or even that risky investment you’ve been considering. Whatever it is, it’s likely that his warnings aren’t a complete surprise. But the problem is that we prefer to put off the unpleasantries until the last minute or until it’s too late. And by then, the damage is done and irreparable.

Our excuses are remarkably consistent. We’re either too busy or we don’t think the issue is a big deal. We also like to play God by pretending that we can handle the situation, such as with drug use, drinking, or gambling. But your family, friends — and most importantly, God — know otherwise.

How should we respond when God sends us a warning? The best answer is the simplest one: Face up to the situation NOW and take appropriate measures while there’s still time.

The residents of Galveston learned this the hard way. After suffering damages exceeding $700 million in today’s money, they began to plan for future hurricanes by constructing a massive seawall and raising the grade of their entire island by several feet. Likewise, we should also prepare for the storms of life by looking and listening for God’s warning signs, and then responding to them. 

A little discomfort and inconvenience today can save us from a disastrous lifetime of hurt tomorrow.   

Just What the Doctor Ordered

Everyone on earth has a body like the body of the one who was made from the dust of the earth. And everyone in heaven has a body like the body of the one who came from heaven.

– 1 Corinthians 15:45

The Garden of Eden must have been quite a place.

And indeed it was. We read in Genesis — the first book of the Bible — that it was a paradise filled with beautiful trees, gardens, rivers, and animals. God created Adam (the first man) to care for it, and later brought forth Eve, his wife, to complete the equation. There was no crime, violence, unemployment, or any of the other unpleasant realities of our modern existence. And the pair communed with their Creator in a place free of pain, sickness … and even death. From the very beginning God created the world with one purpose in mind: to share his glory in covenantal relationship with humanity.

But soon everything changed. Adam and Eve’s disobedience through eating from the garden’s forbidden tree led to their permanent eviction from Eden. And ever since, human existence has involved toil, conflict, illness, and mortality. It’s a price we’re still paying to this day.

Just how far has Adam and Eve’s sin taken us from that place of perfect health? 

Recent data reveals that the United States is a world-leader in health care costs. In 2022, spending reached $4.5 trillion, an average of about $13,500 per person. And with millions of Baby Boomers each year reaching retirement age, America’s need for medical services will only grow.

It’s obvious that our nation — as well as the rest of the world — is in desperate need of healing. That’s why it’s a good thing that God sent us a Great Physician in the form of his own Son, Jesus Christ.

We read in the New Testament how Jesus, with only a touch or even a word, healed lepers, the blind, and the paralyzed. He even resurrected a man and young child from death: all incredible miracles that proved him to be God among us. 

But Christ’s healings were much more than physical. They had (and still have) eternal, spiritual significance. In our 21st century culture that worships vitality and outward appearance, Christ sees our real condition like an X-ray of our souls. And truth be told, he knows that we all hurt in one way or another through the wounds and fractures suffered amidst everyday life. 

Christ-followers aren’t exempt from physical illness and death because that wonderous reality disappeared with Adam and Eve. However, we do have the promise of perfect health and happiness once we reach our eternal home with the Father. And it all starts with believing in Jesus and asking for a change of heart, mind, and soul. The prescription for true health is our simple faith in Him. 

“Daughter, your faith has healed you,” Jesus told one hope-filled woman. “Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.”

It’s just what the Doctor ordered.

Love In Action

Little children, let us love, not in word or speech, but in truth and action.

– 1 John 3:18

When asked by one of the Pharisees — a strict religious sect — to name the greatest of God’s laws, Jesus astounded his audience by the simplicity and clarity of his response:

“Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment,” Jesus said. “And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments."

In just a few brief sentences, our Savior summarized a key biblical principle: That God’s love, translated into beneficial motivations and actions through our faith in Jesus Christ, is indeed an unstoppable, world-changing force.

It’s also a reminder that love is an action word. But that's a difficult concept for many because they equate it with that squishy term linked with weddings, chocolates, and Valentine’s Day. But Jesus wasn’t talking about some fleeting, awkward emotion. Instead, he's calling us to walk in step with him by putting our love into sincere, tangible action. And that can come in a wide variety of forms — everything from helping an elderly neighbor with their groceries to revealing God’s light to strangers through a prison ministry. It could also translate into changing a co-worker’s life by showing them how Jesus changed our own. The possibilities and potential are endless.

How does God put his love into action?

There’s the famous Bible story of the Prodigal Son, where the loving father welcomes back his wayward — and totally undeserving — child with open arms. And what about Jesus’ parable of the shepherd, who searched tirelessly for a single missing sheep? When he finally found it, he returned it triumphantly to the flock. Christ also told his disciples about a man who sold all his possessions to buy a field. But it wasn’t just any plot of land. Instead, it was one that held buried treasure. And while the cost to buy the field was staggering, the man did whatever it took to gain the precious prize.

Those are just a few illustrations of how God loves you and me. In fact, he’ll go to any length to bring us into his family. John 3:16, which is perhaps the most familiar passage in the Bible, tells us that God loves the world so much that he gave his only Son (Jesus) so that those who believe in him will have eternal life. God willingly let Christ suffer and die in our place to pay for our wrongdoings — past, present, and future. And while we deserve death because of how we’ve broken our Creator's laws, God’s love offers us his peace and joy. All that’s required is our faith in Jesus.

The limits of human vocabulary prevent us from fully conveying how God loves and cherishes his children. But perhaps it’s not that difficult. After all, it takes just three short words from 1 John to sum it up: God is Love.

Hope for the Best

No one who hopes in you will ever be put to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.

– Psalm 25:3

These days, anyone with a smartphone has easy access to websites full of offbeat news stories, celebrity gossip, and believe-it-or-not photos. But before the days of the internet, the infamous checkout line newspaper — The National Enquirer — was for millions of readers the go-to resource for such need-to-know content. And to close out each year, the tabloid published a special issue featuring predictions for the coming year as prophesied by America’s leading psychics.

Why was this annual issue always such a fan favorite? Let’s consider some of The Enquirer’s can’t-miss predictions from years past:

• Nuclear missiles will be used to break up a giant asteroid found to be hurtling toward Earth.
• O.J. Simpson will become a minister after confessing during testimony in a civil suit that he killed Nicole Brown Simpson and Ronald Goldman.
• The King of Pop — Michael Jackson — will be trampled by an elephant and injured seriously while making a TV plug for an animal-protection organization.

NOTE: One Enquirer soothsayer did foresee a romance between Jackson and Elvis Presley’s daughter, Lisa Marie. The couple married in 1994 and divorced two years later!

The National Enquirer’s predictions were fun to read, but their accuracy was almost always off the mark. On the other hand, the prophecies found throughout the Bible are remarkably precise. For example, God promised in the Old Testament’s Book of Amos that the Lebanese city of Tyre would be destroyed due to its harsh treatment of Israel. This seemed unlikely because of Tyre’s impregnable fortifications. However, the armies of Alexander the Great succeeded in leveling the city. God also promised to one day gather his scattered chosen people (the Jews) from around the globe. For centuries this made no sense because Israel had long been erased from the map. But in a miraculous series of events, the State of Israel was proclaimed shortly after World War II. And thousands of Jews soon ventured there from distant nations to claim citizenship from their ancestral homeland. 

J. Barton Payne’s Encyclopedia of Biblical Prophecy also lists more than 1,800 other promises from God through Scripture. No doubt the Creator’s greatest was fulfilled — again, as predicted centuries before the fact — through the birth of the world’s Savior in an obscure outpost of the Roman Empire. It was then that God came to Earth in the flesh to live among us in the person of Jesus. And the Bible’s prophecies don’t end there. It’s in the Old Testament’s Book of Daniel and the New Testament’s Book of Revelation that we can read about international events that are unfolding today before our eyes. 

In all fairness to The National Enquirer, some of their legitimate cover stories have scooped the so-called Mainstream Media. But its record is still dismal when compared with Scripture, which was inspired by our Creator, who — unlike the celebrity psychics — knows the future. 

What lies ahead for us in these uncertain times? We won’t find the answer in any tabloid newspaper. Instead, our ever-faithful source of hope is as close as the Bible.

Changed

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

– Galatians 2:20

The newfound faith of Jesus’ early disciples had transformed their lives for all to see. This odd group of people from all walks of life — rich and poor, male and female, slave and free — was quite unlike the rest of society. They somehow had grown more caring and generous toward both neighbors and strangers alike, and they willingly sacrificed their time and resources to ease pain and correct injustice. Ultimately, they had abandoned their old, selfish tendencies in favor of something much better.

In a word, these so-called Little Christs were changed. And soon, thousands of men and women would follow their example, believe in the Lord, and be added to their number. 

That says much about their faith in an obscure rabbi from a distant corner of the Roman Empire, who just happened to be God’s only Son. Few recognized it at the time. But because some did and believed in him, millions today lead changed lives to serve as his hands and feet across the globe.

Like their predecessors 2,000 years ago, modern-day Believers must forego their selfish deeds and desires in favor of following Christ’s example of righteousness. Moreover, they should recognize that Jesus the leader was also Jesus the follower. He spoke constantly with his Father (God) in prayer … and always sought his guidance:

“I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself; he can do only what he sees his Father doing,” explains our Savior, “because whatever the Father does the Son also does.”

It’s a radical notion that’s just as life-changing today as it was back then. Likewise, it’s a concept that calls for personal action, commitment, and sacrifice. So, whether you’ve put your faith in Jesus for five years or 55, grasp every opportunity to become more like him, walk in his ways, and see the world through his eyes. What’s more, ask God to work through you with the Holy Spirit — that personal, loving Power, who makes it possible to leave your old self behind and become a new creation.

It’s change that makes a difference. And eventually, through the trials of life and the whispers of his leadings, we’ll become the people of faith that our Creator always dreamed we could be.

Saying Yes to God

“Don't be afraid!" Moses replied. "God has come only to test you, so that by obeying him you won't sin."

– Exodus 20:20

It’s said that the admonition “Fear not” appears in the Bible 365 times — one for each day of the year. However, it’s safe to say that most Believers are still afraid of one thing or another. And for many of them, it’s the prospect of saying yes to God.

One reason is that we too often think of the Lord as a friendly cosmic consultant rather than the all-knowing Creator who made us and wants only the best for us. Moreover, saying no to God is perhaps the most basic definition of sin. And mankind has been doing that since the very earliest days of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden.

We know in our head and heart that God loves us. In fact, he loves us so much that he sent his only Son to die on the cross to pay for our many wrongdoings and failures. So, considering such an immense sacrifice on our behalf, why would anyone be afraid to say yes to Him?

One explanation is our innate tendency to play it safe. Fleeing from danger (real or perceived) is completely logical considering our drive for self-preservation. Likewise, we also might refuse God when he calls us to do something that’s uncomfortable or inconvenient. And that’s so often the case. Maybe it involves helping a neighbor who’s between jobs, driving a shut-in to the grocery store, or talking with a co-worker who’s approaching a spiritual crossroads. Taking that first step can be awkward, difficult — and sometimes scary.

But perhaps selfishness is the primary reason so many people are afraid to say yes to God. After all, agreeing with Him often means saying no to us. But be forewarned: When we turn our back to God, we should prepare for spiritual storminess and turmoil. Our Creator knows what he wants and how he wants to do it. Therefore, we shouldn’t be surprised if we find ourselves in a much worse situation following our refusal. As the saying goes, we sometimes must feel the heat before we can see the light.

Are you afraid to answer God’s call? If so, you’re not alone … and he’d like to discuss it with you.

“But be sure to fear the LORD and serve him faithfully with all your heart,” we read in the Old Testament book of 1 Samuel. “Consider what great things he has done for you.”

2024 has just begun. Let’s make the most of the year’s opportunities by stepping out in faith and saying yes to God.