I was born in Fairbanks, Alaska. During the dead of winter, there are several weeks where the sun skims the horizon for a mere four hours a day. If you move north to the Arctic Circle, there are days with no sunlight at all. Can you imagine a world without light? A world where you can’t see your hand in front of your face? A world without light is a world of terror and fear. It is a world where nothing is revealed and everything is hidden. Jesus tells us that the world was dark before he came into it. In John 8:12 he tells us that he is the light of the world. Without Jesus the world is utter blackness. And we are made to be the light. But before we can become the light, we need to have the light illuminate any darkness in us. In Luke 8, Jesus talks about the lamp that comes into our lives: “No one after lighting a lamp covers it with a jar or puts it under a bed, but puts it on a stand, so that those who enter may see the light. For nothing is hidden that will not be made manifest, nor is anything secret that will not be known and come to light.” This passage is usually misunderstood. We sing, “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine. Let it shine, let it shine, let it shine. Hide it under a bushel? No! Hide it under a bushel? No! Hide it under a bushel? No! I’m gonna let it shine, let it shine, let it shine!” This song picks up on Jesus’ words in Luke and tells us not to cover up our light. But the song misunderstands what Jesus is saying in Luke 8. Jesus is saying that he is going to shine his light on us; he is not saying that we are the light that shouldn’t be covered. It is the light of Jesus that comes into our heart that we are not to cover or shield ourselves from. Why would we hide ourselves from the light? The reality is that while we are afraid of the dark, many of us are even more afraid of the light. We are like cockroaches who scurry in fear when the rays of sun pierce our comfortable hiding spots in the dark. We want to control the light and not let the fullness of the light enter our lives. We want Jesus to come into our lives, but we only want a little light. Are you trying to get just part of the light? Don’t protect yourself from it. When I was ten, I had a friend of mine show me a Playboy. I was so guilty and ashamed that I didn’t tell anyone for a long time. The shame and guilt festered. This is why we can’t leave things in the dark. We need to have every part of our hearts exposed to the light. We need to confess to God and others and let the light of Jesus come. Satan loves the dark. He loves it when we allow him to have the dark corners of our hearts. He takes these footholds and undercuts the work of Christ in our hearts. When Moses went up to Mount Sinai and encountered God, he came down with his face shining the light of God: “Now when Moses came down from Mount Sinai with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand – when he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone while he talked with him. Exodus 34:9 When we encounter the fullness of Christ, every dark corner of our hearts are lit up. Every secret is exposed, every sin is forgiven. When God shines his light into the corners of your heart, the light of your face will shine. We radiate the light of Christ as our hearts are illuminated. In the Holy Place in the Temple there was a golden lampstand that signified the presence of God. Exodus 25 describes the care that God took to ensure that the “earthly temple” reflected His glory. At Pentecost the presence of God came out to his people: the fire rested on those outside the temple. The tongues of fire described in Acts 2 described the light that brought the brightness of God’s glory to the early church. We now have the presence of Christ, the light of Jesus shines through our face. Will you let the light of Jesus expose every dark corner of your heart? Will you let the light of Jesus shine through you? You are his light! Shine! www.thebeehive.live . Used by permission.

One critical key to overcoming depression is to process your losses. A loss can be real, threatened or imagined, which is often a negative thought or lie that is believed. Either one can precipitate a depression. How we respond to any loss or crisis will determine how fast we recover. The following steps will help you overcome your losses: 1. Identify each loss Concrete losses are easier to recognize than abstract losses. Changing jobs and moving to a new location can precipitate a depression even though it could improve your social status and financial base. The move may mean the loss of friends, community, and church. It will take some time to build new friendships and become part of a new church family. Many losses are multifaceted. For instance, the concrete loss of a job and wages may be accompanied by the abstract losses of self-respect, sense of worth, or collegial relationships. People don’t react the same to losses because they have different values, and different levels of maturity. In order to get beyond denial and into the grieving process, you must understand what it is that you are losing or have already lost. 2. Separate concrete from abstract losses Concrete losses are tangible while abstract losses relate more to personal goals, dreams and ideas. Abstract losses relate deeply to who we are, and why we are here. Many concrete losses, such as the loss of a job, are contaminated with abstract loses. You may find a new job next week, but remain depressed because you feel the pain of rejection and wrongly believe you are a failure. That is another reason why it is so important to understand who we are in Christ and find our acceptance, security, and significance in Him. 3. Separate real, imagined, and threatened losses You cannot process an imagined or threatened loss in the same way you can a real one. In a real loss you can face the truth, grieve the loss, and make the necessary changes that make it possible to go on living in a meaningful way. A lawyer heard a rumor that his firm was going to be sued for services he performed. He thought, “I’m ruined. The firm is going down and it is all my fault.” Such thinking led to a major depression and anti-depressant medications. I saw him a year later and the company wasn’t sued. It was just imagined. 4. Convert imagined and threatened losses to real losses Imagined loses are distortions of reality. They are based on suspicions or lies that we have believed, or presumptions that we have made. The mind doesn’t like vacuums and will make assumptions when we don’t know the facts. Seldom does the mind assume the best. We don’t always act upon our assumptions, but if we do we shall be counted among the fools, because through presumption comes nothing but strife (Proverbs 13:10). People ruminate various possibilities and consequences in their minds until they are depressed. The answer is to verify these assumptions and then follow Peter’s advice, “Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in your faith” (1 Peter 5:7,8). Threatened losses have the potential for being real losses. They include such things as the possibility of a lay off at work, or a spouse who threatens to leave you. Such threats can precipitate a depression. I find it helpful to think what the worst-case scenario may be and then ask myself the question, “Can I live with it?” The answer is always, “Yes.” Essentially you are processing the threat in your mind as a real loss. The threat no longer has any power over you, and in that way you are not letting any person or event determine who you are, or keep you from being the person God created you to be. So when someone threatens you, respond the way Peter advises (1 Pet. 3:13-17): Who is eager to harm you if you are eager to do good? But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear; do not be frightened. But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give a reason for the hope that you have. But do this in gentleness and respect, keeping a clear conscience, so that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their slander. It is better, if it is God’s will, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil. These are growth issues, not terminal issues if you understand life from an eternal perspective. Buzz Aldrin, the second man to walk on the moon, said, “My depression forced me, at the age of forty-five to stop and, for the first time in my life, examine my life.” 5. Facilitate the grieving process The natural response to any crisis is to first deny that it is really happening, then get angry that it did happen, then try to alter the situation by bargaining with God or others. When that doesn’t work you feel depressed. You cannot bypass the grieving process, but you can shorten it by allowing yourself to feel the full force of the loss. The fact that certain losses are depressing is reality. It hurts to lose something that has value to you. Your cannot fully process your loss until you feel its full force. That is probably what Jesus had in mind when He said, “Blessed are those who mourn: for they will be comforted” (Matthew 5:4). 6. Face the reality of the loss Only after you have faced its full impact are you ready to deal with the reality of the loss. This is the critical juncture. Are we going to resign from life, succumb to the depression and drop out, or are we going to accept what we cannot change and let go of the loss? We can feel sorry for ourselves for the rest of our lives, or we can decide to live with our losses and learn how to go on in a meaningful way. A prolonged depression signifies an over-attachment to people, places and things that we had no right or ability to control. 7. Develop a biblical perspective on the loss The trials and tribulations of life are intended to produce proven character. We suffer for the sake of righteousness. We can potentially come through any crisis a better person than the one we were before. Losses are inevitable and they are not intended to destroy us, but they will reveal who we are. People have discovered or deepened the awareness of who they are in Christ as a direct result of losses. Each subsequent loss only deepens that reality, perfects our character, and prepares us for an even greater ministry. We are all going to be victimized by losses and abuses. We can drown in our own pity, blame others, claim that life isn’t fair, and stay depressed the rest of our lives. Whether we remain a victim is our choice. “For we who live are constantly being delivered over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh” (2 Corinthians 4:11). www.ficm.org . Used by permission.

God wants you to know which one is more important, the traditions of men, or the truth of God. And it’s about time for some of us to decide, are we going to spend this whole year living out of tradition, or living according to truth? I challenge you to flip it. It is so easy to live with an invisible belief system, that regulates your responses in situations, and even your ideas of what is possible in your life. An unquestioned belief system is a dangerous thing. The phrases are significant, because the Pharisees are talking about the traditions of the elders. And Jesus is talking about the command of God. One is tradition. One is truth. And a lot of times we don’t know the difference, because for some.

God is the One who entrusted children to us in the first place: God, our Heavenly Father. And thankfully, He has a lot to say in His Word about His standards for good parents. Curious about them? Here are 12 self-assessment questions to consider from the Bible. 12 Self-Assessment Questions for Christian Parents 1. Is the Christian faith a regular part of our daily conversation? “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.” (Deuteronomy 6:5-7) 2. Do I offer regular opportunities for my children to worship God? “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; bring an offering and come before him! Worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.” (1 Chronicles 16:29) 3. Does my speech serve the purpose of building up my children? “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.” (Ephesians 4:29) 4. Am I teaching obedience by modeling it and requiring it? “Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.” (Ephesians 6:1) 5. Do I demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit in my life, and in my parenting? “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.” (Galatians 5:22-23) 6. Do I avoid exasperating my children with standards that are too high? “Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged.” (Colossians 3:21) 7. Does my conduct towards my kids reflect love? “Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth. Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) 8. Do I pray for my children and trust God with them, enabling me to live free of worry about them? “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:6-7) 9. Have I put away anger? “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.” (Ephesians 4:31) 10. Is my discipline corrective, instead of punitive? “For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.” (Hebrews 12:11) 11. Do I point my children toward the gospel when they sin? “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9) 12. Do I view my children as blessings from God? “Behold, children are a heritage from the Lord, the fruit of the womb a reward.” (Psalm 127:3) Do you fall short in some of these areas? Great! That means you’re 100% human and 100% eligible to be a recipient of God’s grace in your parenting. Here are some action steps to get you started: A Plan for Growth in Grace 1. Focus on YOUR relationship with God. These Scriptures aren’t meant to be a battering ram that drives us to despair. They’re meant to guide us toward godly parenting while at the same time reminding us that we’re utterly incapable of it on our own. If we want to model our parenting after our Heavenly Father, our first priority must be intimacy with Him . 2. Confess sin to God, AND to your children, when appropriate. It’s easy to find justification for our sins. We whitewash them by calling them struggles or weaknesses or difficulties, and we find plenty of support for that in our culture and even among well-meaning loved ones who can relate. But freedom from sin begins with agreeing with God that it is, in fact, sin, and then asking forgiveness from Him and from those impacted by our sin (which is often our kids). 3. Receive God’s forgiveness. Did you know that you don’t have to forgive yourself for your sinful patterns in parenting? Believe it or not, you won’t find that concept in the Bible. Instead, you need only to believe that God meant what He said in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” If you’ve confessed your sins, then claim His promised forgiveness and cleansing, and move forward. 4. Go to God daily (and sometimes hourly!) for grace and wisdom. Trying to do this parenting thing on our own is nothing short of pride. Not only does it destine us to failure, it actually puts us in a position of opposition against God. There’s nothing more powerful than taking our burdens to God and asking for His provision and help. 5. Focus on one area of growth at a time. We shared twelve assessment questions because we wanted this to be thorough and helpful, but it’s typically not very productive to change multiple habits at one time. Consider which area would make the most difference in your life and in the life of your family. Which sin is most burdensome? Which one is the most problematic for your spouse and children? Tackle that one area for a few months, then move on to the one that will have the next-highest impact. 6. Memorize Scripture. When you’ve chosen one area to target, select several portions of Scripture that address the sin in question. Choose some that discuss the vice, and some that discuss the corresponding virtue. For example, if you’re focusing on anger, you’ll want to find some verses that talk about anger or wrath, and some others that talk about patience or gentleness. Don’t skimp on this: the Word of God is living and powerful, and it will change your heart when you persevere in applying it. (Psalm 119:11) 7. Enlist the help of others. Share your goals with your spouse and your children. It takes a hefty dose of humility , but it will set a powerful example for your children about the importance of community when it comes to Christian living. Ask them to remind you if they observe you getting off track and to encourage you when they notice improvement. It may also be helpful to seek advice and/or accountability from a Christian friend or church leader depending on the nature and extent of your sinful pattern. Few things in life reveal our need for God’s grace the way parenting does. Thankfully, He promises that His grace will always be enough, and that His strength is actually made perfect in our weakness (especially if it’s not Instagram worthy). Written by Luke and Trisha Gilkerson, www.intoxicatedonlife.com.

Ever had God blow your socks off? Shock you with His goodness? Leave you speechless with His plan? This weekend I was reading the new book by Richard Preston. He wrote the Hot Zone years ago about the Ebola virus breakout outside of Washington DC. His newest covers the Ebola crisis in West Africa four years ago. (I know, I know, why on earth am I fascinated by deadly viruses and germs?) Anyway, the ending of the book described the two American medical personnel from Samaritan’s Purse who caught Ebola while serving in Liberia. Then I began to read about the missions agency who raised $1.5 million in 48 hours to outfit a plane with a bio containment unit, bring a lifesaving experimental drug to Liberia, and evacuate Kent and Nancy to a hospital in Atlanta. I started crying as I remembered…I had the privilege of helping to strategize raising those funds, writing the fundraising copy, and praying nearly round the clock as God prompted His people to give. I stood with my team as we watched the plane arrive, where Kent Brantly walked, yes walked, across the tarmac, when he had been at death’s door when he was carried onto the plane in Liberia. All through the Old Testament, God told His people to build monuments to remember when they experienced miracles. Think Joshua’s army winning an impossible battle at Jericho…Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea…moments when God revealed His power in unmistakable ways. Sometimes I forget why I work so hard to raise funds for my clients. When I struggle to write the words, I worry that my inadequacy will keep them from doing everything they’re called to do. I wonder if the hours I spend sitting all alone in my living room, staring at a laptop, really matter at all. In my weakest moments, God sends a reminder…encouragement that He is using me to make a difference. God is using YOU to make a difference, right where you are today. When you get a glimpse of His handiwork, do what Mary did, and “cherish these things in your heart.” And when you wonder if you matter, take time to remember.

Ever had God blow your socks off? Shock you with His goodness? Leave you speechless with His plan? This weekend I was reading the new book by Richard Preston. He wrote the Hot Zone years ago about the Ebola virus breakout outside of Washington DC. His newest covers the Ebola crisis in West Africa four years ago. (I know, I know, why on earth am I fascinated by deadly viruses and germs?) Anyway, the ending of the book described the two American medical personnel from Samaritan’s Purse who caught Ebola while serving in Liberia. Then I began to read about the missions agency who raised $1.5 million in 48 hours to outfit a plane with a bio containment unit, bring a lifesaving experimental drug to Liberia, and evacuate Kent and Nancy to a hospital in Atlanta. I started crying as I remembered…I had the privilege of helping to strategize raising those funds, writing the fundraising copy, and praying nearly round the clock as God prompted His people to give. I stood with my team as we watched the plane arrive, where Kent Brantly walked, yes walked, across the tarmac, when he had been at death’s door when he was carried onto the plane in Liberia. All through the Old Testament, God told His people to build monuments to remember when they experienced miracles. Think Joshua’s army winning an impossible battle at Jericho…Moses and the Israelites crossing the Red Sea…moments when God revealed His power in unmistakable ways. Sometimes I forget why I work so hard to raise funds for my clients. When I struggle to write the words, I worry that my inadequacy will keep them from doing everything they’re called to do. I wonder if the hours I spend sitting all alone in my living room, staring at a laptop, really matter at all. In my weakest moments, God sends a reminder…encouragement that He is using me to make a difference. God is using YOU to make a difference, right where you are today. When you get a glimpse of His handiwork, do what Mary did, and “cherish these things in your heart.” And when you wonder if you matter, take time to remember.

Proverbs 2:11: “Discretion will watch over you, understanding and discernment will guard you.” Lysa Terkeurst gives ten simple guidelines to help you navigate your decisions wisely: Personal 1. While my heart wants to say yes, yes, yes, the reality of my time makes this a no. 2. I am honored by your request but I’m in a season of refocusing my priorities and have committed not to add anything new right now. 3. After living at an unhealthy breakneck pace for too long, I’m learning to realistically assess my capacity. Though I would love to say yes, the reality of my limitations means I must say no this time. 4. I so appreciate you asking me, but I must be brave and decline this opportunity. Saying no is hard for me but necessary in this season. Thank you for understanding. Professional 5. I’ve promised my family not to add any new commitments to my schedule right now. Thank you for our friendship that allows me to be honest with my realities. 6. Thank you for thinking of me. Your project sounds wonderful. However, as much as I would love to be involved, I can’t give your project the attention it deserves right now. 7. While I would love to connect about your new project, I’ve discovered this is one of those activities I must give up while trying to ____________________ (write my book, start my business, stick to my project, etc.) Saying yes would just enable my unhealthy habit of procrastination. Thank you for understanding and helping me push through to the finish line. 8. There is nothing I love more than helping others in my field get started. Unfortunately, I get so many requests for help that I’m no longer able to meet in person. So, I’ve created this attached document with my best advice. 9. While I don’t have time for a lunch appointment, I’d love to connect for a few minutes over the phone. I can talk from 8-8:30am. 10. Thank you so much for caring enough about me to want my involvement. Unfortunately, I’m not able to participate this time. But I’m certainly cheering for your continued success. www.lysaterkeurst.com .

Why don’t we talk about death? Why are we silent about the inevitable? Randy Alcorn shares his thoughts: “There’s an old story of a slave who travels with his master to Baghdad. Early one morning, milling through the marketplace, the slave sees Death in human form. Death gives him a threatening look, and the slave recoils in terror, convinced Death intends to take him that day. The slave runs to his master and says, “Help me! I’ve seen Death, and his threatening look tells me he intends to take my life this very day. I must escape him. Please let me leave now and flee on my camel so tonight I can reach Samarra, where Death cannot find me.” His master agrees, and the terrified servant takes off on the fifteen-hour journey to Samarra. A few hours later, the master himself sees Death among the throngs in Baghdad. He boldly approaches Death and asks him, “Why did you give my servant a threatening look?” “That was not a threatening look,” Death replies. “That was a look of surprise. You see, I was amazed to see your servant today inBaghdad, for I have an appointment with him tonight in Samarra.” While the imagery is pagan, the central moral of the story is biblical. “No man has power over the wind to contain it; so no one has power over the day of his death” (Ecclesiastes 8:8). The time of our death is unknown to us. But the fact of our death is inescapable. We may spend our lives running from death and denying death, but that won’t stop death from coming at its appointed time. As human beings, we have a terminal disease called mortality. The current death rate is 100 percent. Unless Christ returns soon, we’re all going to die. We don’t like to think about death; yet, worldwide, 3 people die every second, 180 every minute, and nearly 11,000 every hour. If the Bible is right about what happens to us after death, it means that more than 250,000 people every day go either to Heaven or Hell. In his book Remember Death: The Surprising Path to Living Hope , Matthew McCullough writes this about the taboo of death in our culture: When is the last time you heard a sermon about death, or heard the subject raised in a small group or a Sunday school class? We don’t talk about death anymore. Why not? Geoffrey Gorer, an English sociologist, was among the first to examine this roping off of death from polite conversation. In a groundbreaking essay called “The Pornography of Death,” Gorer draws a telling analogy between the place of sex in the nineteenth century and the place of death in the twentieth century. Even as the prominence of sex has broadened—in conversation, in a mainstream television, in what kids are allowed to see and know—death has been shoved out of sight and out of mind. In the 1870s, when death was everywhere, it would have been embarrassing to bring up sex at a dinner party. It would have been shameful to admit you think much about sex. It would have been irresponsible to talk to your kids about sex. But by the late 1950s, when Gorer wrote, the taboo had shifted. Death had already become in the twentieth century what sex has been to the nineteenth century. In the nineteenth century adults told children that babies came when storks dropped them at the front door. Those same children stood bedside as their loved ones died. Now kids learn that grandpa’s death means he’s gone to a place where he can play golf or go fishing all day. Meanwhile, kids have 24/7 access to sexual content in their Instagram feeds. How about you? Have you and your family talked about the certainty of your deaths, and how that should impact your lives now? Not talking about death won’t postpone it a moment. Talking about death won’t bring it a moment sooner. But it will give us opportunity to be better prepared when it comes. David said, “Show me, O Lord, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath” (Psalm 39:4-5). Picture a single breath escaping your mouth on a cold day and dissipating into the air. Such is the brevity of life here. The wise will consider what awaits us on the other side of this life that so quickly ends. Since life’s greatest certainty is death, it only makes sense to prepare for what lies beyond this life. Any life that leaves us unprepared for death is a foolish life. Matthew Henry put it this way: “It ought to be the business of every day to prepare for our last day.” For more on the subject of death and eternity, see Randy’s books In Light of Eternity and Heaven. For inspiring quotations about death and resurrection and Heaven, see Eternal Perspectives.

Extreme weather is now a daily news story. Storms are coming. The sun is searing hot. Fires are blazing. Snows will suddenly follow. Hurricanes and typhoons pummel our shores. We are experiencing the full force of weather in crisis. While it was still days away, weather predictions chilled our spines and jolted our complacency. “Disaster is not only at our doorstep, it’s coming in!” Max Lucado pens words of peace and encouragement in troubled times. As images of destruction begin to roll across our screens, we are all tempted to worry, wonder and fret. What can be done? Where is God in the midst of this disaster? Where is he in the midst of the storm that threatens your own life? May I remind us of one strong anchor that is hooked to at least four unbreakable lifelines? You see, God is a God of promises. From the first chapter of the Bible, Scripture makes a case for the dependability of God. Nine times the text reiterates “God said.” And without exception when God spoke, something happened. By divine fiat there were light, land, beaches, and creatures. We are left with one conclusion: God’s word is sure and his promises can be trusted. What he says happens. After 40 years in ministry I’ve seen a lot of storms. And I’ve learned that in turbulent times like this, there is nothing more secure than the anchor of God’s promises. “We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19). Could you use some hope in the aftermath of this storm, and in other choppy seas you may be facing? Perhaps the wind of change and challenge is blowing in your faith, your family, or finances. Anchor deep into the unshakable promises of God. And hold on tight to these four lifelines – they can withstand the waves of worry and difficulty in your life. H ang tight, God gets you! He’s been there. He’s been here – and he understands your pain. The stunning idea is simply this: God, for a time, became one of us. Does this promise matter? If you ever wonder if God listens, he does. If you ever wonder if the Uncreated Creator can, in a million years, comprehend the challenges you are facing, then ponder long and hard the promise that Jesus is “able to understand our weaknesses” (Hebrews 4:15). O vercome Despair with Prayer. When life overwhelms, pray to the one who is in charge, and know that he is praying for you. Will God do what you ask? Perhaps. Or perhaps he will do more than you imagine. Stand firmly on the promise that “when a believing person prays, great things happen” (James 5:16). And ponder this truth: Jesus, right now, at this moment, in the midst of whatever trouble you are facing, is speaking on your behalf. He is calling out to the Heavenly Father. He is advocating for a special blessing to be sent your way. You do not fight the wind and waves alone. Every day he speaks up for you. “He always lives to intercede for [us]” (Romans 8:34). P ull together when life comes apart. In times of extreme challenge we can divide or we can unite. One of the beautiful things that can emerge from times of trouble is extravagant compassion and care for our neighbors – crossing lines and building bridges. Our pain bears fruit if it reminds us that everyone has value, and we were created by God, in God’s image, for God’s glory (Genesis 1:26). E vil exists, but it does not win! Yes, we’d rather have a storm-free life, but we can count on the devil stirring up trouble and fear. Take heart, God has overcome! Satan’s days are numbered. So in those moments when all that is good appears to lose, you do not need to worry. Remind the evil one, “The God who brings peace will soon defeat Satan and give you power over him” (Romans 16:20). Hold fast to these lifelines and ask yourself this key question: Is what I’m anchored to stronger than what I’ll go through? Sometimes it may be a calamity that thousands are facing together, or it may be a personal battle that no one else even knows you are dealing with. But God knows. He knows and he cares. And he wants to buoy you in the day-to-day difficulties and guide you home to safe harbor. When the storm hits, anchor to no one but God. Storms will come, my friend. But when they do, filter them through the promises of God. And since his promises are unbreakable, your hope will be unshakable. © Max Lucado.com

ou shed crocodile tears when your little cherub bravely entered the kindergarten door, Sponge Bob backpack in tow. You watched your tyke kick his first soccer goal. You rejoiced when your teen eagerly entered the church bus on his first mission trip. Then he met a GIRL. All of a sudden, this baby became a bucket full of hormones! You had to release your panic when he stepped across the threshold of his freshman dorm room. What temptations awaited him in this world of secularism and hedonism? Would he stand strong? Thank God. He graduated without becoming a drug-addled psychopath. But did you breathe a sigh of relief? Of course not. You still saw him as the tiny toddler who struggled to stand on his own two feet. You stayed on your knees for twenty-two long years. Surely you could rest now. He’s a grown-up. God will surely protect him from every storm-tossed year of life. He will marry the right girl, procreate two perfect children and drive a Toyota minivan with leather seats. No storms ahead. Ignore the hurricane warnings and go on a cruise! Forget it. The American dream is a fantasy. Your adult kids suffer and struggle to survive. There may be moments of reprieve, but your mother-heart (or father-heart, as the case may be) must continue to persevere in prayer. Ideally, you “cast every care upon the Lord.” But who really rests in faith when it comes to those you love? A precious few… I graduated from young mother to middle-aged mom and now grandmother. It’s no picnic. My oldest daughter suffers horribly with chronic pain and basically lives with an IV in her arm. I beseech the Lord every day for her to keep her food down. My youngest has struggled with bipolar disorder since she was 13. She has her own share of serious physical and emotional challenges. One child was raped, one was beaten and shot, and my firstborn is dead. By God’s grace, I have two beautiful step-granddaughters. Neither of my girls can have children. You see, your babies are always your babies. You have a choice. There comes a time when you are too old and tired to shield them like you did when they tried to stick a bobby pin in a light socket. You don’t always live nearby. You can’t always be available at every beck and call. It hurts. Deeply. Somehow, somewhere along the way, you have to stop. As cruel and impossible as it sounds, you have to release your children and grandchildren to God. Let go of the reins. Believe that God is in control. Three Bible mothers have taught me how to trust my grown kids to God. One taught me commitment, one taught me manipulation and one taught me perseverance. Hannah, the mother of Samuel, gave her son to God before he was born. She was barren for many years, while her husband’s second wife bore a tent full of children. Hannah was devastated. She grieved before God and tearfully begged Him to give her a son: “Hannah was in deep anguish, crying bitterly as she prayed to the Lord. And she made this vow: ‘O Lord of Heaven’s Armies, if you will look upon my sorrow and answer my prayer and give me a son, then I will give him back to you. He will be yours for his entire lifetime, and as a sign that he has been dedicated to the Lord’” (1 Samuel 1:10-12 NLT). God miraculously answered the prayer of this childless woman. Hannah never wavered. She gave her son to God. Literally. Could you drop your child on the church doorstop to be raised by an elderly pastor? But Hannah obeyed. She kept her vow. And Samuel, her son, became one of the greatest prophets in Israel’s history. While his peers drew camels with crayons and sipped on their juice boxes, little Samuel prophesied words of judgment and destruction to Eli the priest. A tough gig for a preschooler! Samuel’s life as a prophet was never easy. He had to depose Saul, the king he proudly anointed, because of Saul’s arrogance and disobedience. Heartbreaking! I’m sure Hannah wept for Samuel often, but God honored her faithfulness to “let go and let God.” On the other hand, Rebekah, Isaac’s wife, didn’t trust her sons to the will of Jehovah. Hers is a cautionary tale. First, she favored one son over the other. Jacob, the younger son, skinned sheep and swept the tent with Mommy. Esau, the older son, hunted big game with Dad. Rebekah clearly favored Jacob over Esau. Great parenting, right? She only wanted what was best for her boys (so she said). Rebekah convinced her domesticated younger son Jacob to surreptitiously steal Esau’s birthright. What’s a birthright? The firstborn son assumed the father’s authority and responsibilities, and twice the inheritance of the younger children. (In Jacob’s defense, Esau traded his birthright for bean soup two chapters earlier). Rebekah’s sneaky plan was elaborate. Isaac, her husband, grew old and blind. Esau expected his birthright and blessing from his father. But Rebekah coveted her husband’s blessings for her younger son, Jacob. This was her elaborate scheme: “Rebekah said to her son Jacob, ‘Listen. I overheard your father say to Esau, ‘Bring me some wild game and prepare me a delicious meal. Then I will bless you in the Lord’s presence before I die.’ Now, my son, listen to me. Do exactly as I tell you. Go out to the flocks, and bring me two fine young goats. I’ll use them to prepare your father’s favorite dish. Then take the food to your father so he can eat it and bless YOU before he dies’” (Genesis 27:5-10 NLT). The trap was set. Esau, the older son, went on a hunt. Rebekah cooked spicy, delicious goat chili. She coached Jacob on how to deceive her blind hubby, Isaac. Let’s just say the plan included an elaborate, hairy disguise, musky after-shave, and a voice change. Isaac blessed his younger son. Jacob stole the birthright, and the rest is history. But I’ve always wondered if Rebekah had not interfered, God might have carried out his plans for “the elder to serve the younger” in a more peaceful way. Esau and Jacob missed twenty years of family life together. How many nosy parents hinder the well being of their kid’s families? Of their son’s (and daughter’s) marriages? (Yes, I’m speaking to you, intrusive mother-in-laws)! I don’t want to be Rebekah. I want to be Mary. Mary, Jesus’s mom, is the role model that most inspires me. Mary learned of her son’s impending suffering and death at his baby dedication: “Simeon the prophet blessed them, and he said to Mary, the baby’s mother, ‘This child is destined to cause many in Israel to fall, and many others to rise. He has been sent as a sign from God, but many will oppose him. As a result, the deepest thoughts of many hearts will be revealed. And a sword will pierce your very soul’” (Luke 2:34-35 NLT). How did Mary respond Simeon’s terrifying prediction? She had heard the angel’s song, felt the Bethlehem star’s glow, and enjoyed the wise men’s gifts. This new revelation was probably shocking. Mary expected “salvation” to include kingship, not suffering and death. Twelve-year-old Jesus disappeared in Jerusalem for three days. He was supposed to be returning home in the caravan with his relatives. Jesus was nowhere to be found. Joseph and Mary frantically searched for him. They placed his photo on a goat’s milk carton. “Three days later they (Mary and Joseph) finally discovered him in the Temple, sitting among the religious teachers, listening to them and asking questions. All who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. His parents didn’t know what to think. ‘Son,’ his mother said to him, ‘why have you done this to us? Your father and I have been frantic, searching for you everywhere.’ ‘But why did you need to search?’ he asked. ‘Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?’ But they didn’t understand what he meant. Then he returned to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. And his mother stored all these things in her heart.” (Luke 2:46-51 NLT) Mary probably mused that, for a few years, Jesus would actually have a normal childhood. Instead, the young teen knew He had a heavenly Father and a Divine purpose. Mary didn’t panic. She pondered. And she prayed. Don’t get me wrong. Mary wasn’t the perfect mom. Jesus attended the wedding feast at Cana, and Mary got antsy. When would her miracle-boy start to show His Divine gifts by turning water into wine? Many hometown critics probably whispered about his dubious “virgin birth.” That stigma followed Mary her whole life. [BW3] “’If you were Abraham’s children,’ said Jesus, ‘then you would do what Abraham did. As it is, you are looking for a way to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. Abraham did not do such things. You are doing the works of your own father.’ ‘We are not illegitimate children (as you are-inferred),’ they protested. ‘The only Father we have is God himself.’” (John 8:41-42 NIV) The passage goes on to state that the Jewish leaders called Christ a Samaritan, demon-possessed, and worthy of death. He refuted their accusations by claiming to be YAHWEH, the eternal God. Then the religious leaders, hopping mad, picked up stones to kill Him for blasphemy. Mary heard the insults, the threats and the Pharisees’ plots to entrap Jesus. She had to be silent, pray and wait. I can’t imagine such faith and patience. Finally, she faced her ultimate fear. She had to watch her Son flogged, mocked and brutally murdered. His blood, mixed with her tears, drenched the scorched earth. Every mother fears losing a child. But to watch the suffering and death of a Son? Who could endure such agony? Only a mother of great faith. She trusted in God, even to raise her Son from the dead. These Bible mothers humble me! I fear I’m more like Rebekah than Mary and Hannah. So I learn to wait…hold onto God’s promises…and pray. And pray. And pray. And take a deep breath when I want to panic. God loves my kids (and grandkids) more than I. And I shall love them ‘til I die!

A conscience is that pressing sense that unerringly guides our choices and pricks us when we don’t heed it’s prompting. It’s that mysteriously universal compass that relentlessly points true north when we don’t have any idea where true north is, or when prefer to take some other direction altogether out of a sense of convenience or selfishness or fear or just plain stupidity. A conscience won’t bend, it won’t be compromised, it’s sternly resistant to smooth talk, and it listlessly blows off the most compelling justifications as pithy nonsense. It refuses to be unsullied by selfishness, it won’t succumb to the flighty arguments of politically correct pabulum, it won’t sell itself out to the most convincing of arguments, and it can’t be bribed. If indeed our conscience does compromise itself in the face of any of these, we can be assured that it’s no longer our conscience that we’re hearing. A conscience can be very demanding. It can be life-altering if heeded and life-halting if ignored. It can generate a deep sense of well-being and rightness when we obey it. Likewise, it can infect us with a gnawing sense of uncertainty and guilt when we disregard it. It can save us if we let it, and bless us if we bend to it. More times than we can count we end up in places wondering how in the world we got there. Such a mystery is quite easily solved by simply realizing that the trajectory to this less than appealing place was determined by the degree to which we adhered to or rejected our conscience. Ignoring Our Conscience Because our conscience is immovable, our only choice to deal with it when we don’t like it is to either ignore it or aggressively edit it. Despite the priceless nature of our conscience, we can most certainly snub it. It’s rather amazing that something so precious won’t demand that we give it audience, and that it will allow us to discard it. Our conscience will not force itself upon us or demands its way with us. It graciously makes itself available to us, but it will move into the background if we deny its voice. Therein lays the terribly frightening reality of it all. If we turn a deaf ear to our conscience, its voice will become ever smaller and ever thinner. In time it can become such a whisper-thin murmuring that we can’t even make it out anymore. Constructed Conscience We have a core sense that we need to have some sort of opinion. We don’t do well simply meandering through life without some ethic or presumed sense of morality that guides us. Without an internal compass of some sort our decisions become chaotically disjointed and our direction as dictated by those decisions leads us to a life of meandering meaninglessness. Therefore, each of us has something that we would describe as our belief system or our moral guidelines that provide us that guiding function. It seems that we all have a deeply inbred conscience that is a core part of our shared humanity. Yet, too often we ignore those belief systems or morals. While our conscience is typically a highly reliable compass, it might direct us away from what we want, or direct us to what we don’t want. It might get in our way, or spoil our fun, or make us look the fool, or delay our gratification, or place us someplace other than where some politically-correct position would put us. Our conscience might set us apart from the very crowd that we so desperately want to be a part of, or call some cherished goal into question, or prompt us to repent of choices that we’d prefer to ignore. However, because we need some guiding principle, we subsequently borrow or manufacture a new set of beliefs or morals that more readily accommodates our agendas. And quite often, these are borrowed or manufactured because we didn’t like what our conscience was telling us, or it didn’t work all that well within our social group, or it didn’t support our cultural agenda, or it was just plain irritating. Borrowed Borrowing a belief system or set of morals is frightenly easy simply because there are so many of them available to choose from. The options appear utterly endless. We live in a culture that wants to press questionable agendas, or justify spurious actions, or grant permission to choices that would otherwise be less than acceptable. To circumvent any objections and release us from the irritating pangs of guilt, there are an innumerable array of entities and countless causes that have crafted their own beliefs and morals so as to grant themselves unbridled permission to proceed in whatever manner they choose. Subsequently, the selections are incredibly innumerable and at times quite tantalizing. Yet, what we’re selecting are justifications for our agendas rather than cultivating core principles by which to live our lives. Created Or we take a bit of license and we create our own beliefs and morals. We figure that we’ll take our conscience and we’ll update it just a bit. We shave off the demanding corners so that it’s a bit more palatable and a whole lot more comfortable. We edit it sufficiently so that it doesn’t interfere with our cherished agendas. We do a bit of nip and tuck it so that it gives us permission to do what it didn’t give us permission to do before we rigorously applied our justifying scalpel to it. We can become rather creative and somewhat innovative so that the finished product has a perceived sense of morality while granting us the fullest permission to function as we please. And despite our perceptions to the contrary, all we’ve done is to create justifications for our agendas rather than cultivate core principles by which to live our lives. Conscience or Convenience? And so, the main question is will we will live guided by our conscience or compelled by convenience? The trajectory of these two choices are entirely different and the destinations that they lead us to are likely to be diametrically opposed. More times than we can count we end up in places wondering how in the world we got there. Such a mystery is quite easily solved by simply realizing that the trajectory to these less than appealing places was determined by the degree to which we adhered to or rejected our conscience or opted for convenience. Since that is clearly the case, we’d be quite wise to attend to that inner voice, whether we find it appealing or whether we find it utterly irritating. For where we end up will be dictated by that incredibly important choice.

Will we really see God’s face? Pastor John MacArthur gives a powerful observation of this spiritual truth. “Yes! In heaven we will actually see the Lord face to face. This is impossible in the earthly realm. After all, God said, “No man can see Me and live!” (Ex. 33:20, NASB). John 1:18 and 1 John 4:12 both say, “No one has seen God at any time.” First Timothy 6:16 declares that God “alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see.” Indeed, God is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness” (Hab. 1:13). As long as we are tainted by sin, we cannot see God. The view of such perfect righteousness would destroy us. God is therefore inaccessible to mortal man on a face-to-face basis. This is what made Christ’s incarnation so wonderful: although no man has ever seen God at any time, “the only begotten Son, who is in the bosom of the Father, He has declared Him” (John 1:18). Christ “tabernacled among us” (John 1:14)-“and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father.” He came to our world to dwell among us, and He did it in order to redeem us and take us to heaven, where Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will dwell in our midst in perfect fellowship. What a breathtaking reality! In heaven, since we will be free from sin, we will see God’s glory unveiled in its fullness. That will be a more pleasing, spectacular sight than anything we have known or could ever imagine on earth. No mere earthly pleasure can even begin to measure up to the privilege and the ecstasy of an unhindered view of the divine glory. Matthew 5:8 says, “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” The Greek verb translated “see” (horao) is in a tense that denotes a future, continuous reality. In heaven we will continually be seeing God. Kings generally seclude themselves from direct contact with their people. It is a rare privilege to have an audience with a king. But believers in heaven will forever have perfect, unbroken fellowship with the King of Kings! This has always been the deepest longing of the redeemed soul. The psalmist said, “As the deer pants for the water brooks, so pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When shall I come and appear before God?” (Ps. 42:1-2). And Philip, speaking for all the disciples, said to Christ, “Show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us” (John 14:8). Revelation 22:3-4 seals the promise: “The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it, and His servants shall serve him. They shall see his face” (emphasis added). David wrote, “As for me, I will see Your face in righteousness; I shall be satisfied when I awake in Your likeness” (Ps. 17:15). What really satisfies you? New clothes? A new job? Promotion? A new house or car? A great meal? A fun time? A vacation? Don’t set your heart on such paltry earthly pleasures. The redeemed will be able to see God. David knew every station in life, from that of a lowly shepherd to the honor of being a great warrior to the status of being king. He tasted every earthly pleasure. And he knew ultimate satisfaction would come only when he could see the face of God and be like Him in holiness. As Christians, our highest satisfaction will come when we see our God and His Son, Jesus Christ, and when we stand before Them in perfect uprightness. Heaven will provide us with that privilege-an undiminished, unwearied sight of His infinite glory and beauty, bringing us infinite and eternal delight. We can begin to understand why Peter, after seeing only a faint glimpse of that glory, wanted to make a camp on the Mount of Transfiguration and stay there permanently! (Matt. 17:4). In “My Savior First of All,” eighteenth-century hymn writer Fanny Crosby wrote: When my life work is ended, and I cross the swelling tide, When the bright and glorious morning I shall see, I shall know my Redeemer when I reach the other side, And His smile will be the first to welcome me. Thru the gates of the city in a robe of spotless white, He will lead me where no tears will ever fall; In the glad song of ages I shall mingle with delight But I long to meet my Savior first of all. Those words have special significance–Fanny Crosby was blind. She knew the first person she would ever see would be Jesus Christ. In a way, the same thing is true of us all. Our sight here on earth is virtually like blindness compared to the clearer vision we will have in heaven (1 Cor. 13:12). We ought to be eagerly looking for that day when our vision will be enlightened by the glory of His presence. I sincerely hope that’s your deepest desire.” Adapted from John F. MacArthur, The Glory of Heaven (Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 1996), 143-46. Available online at www.gty.org.