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!”