cultivating c h a racter

Christlike

ALASKA CruiSe JuLy 9-16, 2010

What better place to get away from it all than the majesty of Alaskas Inside Passage? Dr. Stanley invites you to spend seven days aboard the MS Zaandam amidst the fjords, glaciers, and snow-capped mountains of Alaska. While on board, youll enjoy encouraging teaching from Dr. Stanley, uplifting Christian music, and the company of fellow believers. Make your reservation today!
visit www.templetontours.com, or call 800-334-2630 for more information.

on the cover

Every spring, water lily stems begin to grow upward from the pond floor, finding their way through the water and into the light. When full grown, these exquisite, fragrant flowers display their full splendor only during the day, when the landscape is illuminated by the suns rays. Likewise, as believers, we can cultivate Christlike character only when we spend time in the light of Gods love for us. That is when we grow, bloom, and truly exhibit the Christian life (2 Cor. 4:57).

features
cultivating christlike character
by C h a r L E s f. s ta n L E y

M A Y

2 0 1 0

a holy, fruitful life is unattainable in our own strength. But the lord desires nothing less of His followers.

6 12
b y

the sleeper agent

E r i n G i E s C h E n

feeling insecure? Youre not alone. Beth moore shares how a personal struggle became the basis for her new book.

let these devotions from Dr. stanleys sermons help you reflect on the wonderful gift of knowing God.

early light

32
22 Solving problemS
b y M a r y E .

18 family room
b y b E C k y

departments
Going Wireless
sometimes good parenting means letting go and trusting the father to guide teens without our help.
s t a n L E y b r o d E r s E n

Fearful? Yes. Wonderful? Im Getting There.

making peace with your appearance is one vital step toward developing true inner beauty.
d E M u t h

20 by faith
b y

28 Strong in Spirit
b y f . L .

One More Day

G i n G E r

Thorn in the Flesh

Being a christian doesnt guarantee a pain-free life. But God uses our weakness to transform us by grace.
s t o n E

eternal life is impossible to comprehend, but God bolsters our faith with occasional foretastes of heaven.

G a r r E t t

IN TOUCH MINISTRIES INC., P.O. Box 7900, Atlanta, GA 30357 IN TOUCH MINISTRIES OF CANADA, Box 4900, Markham, Ontario L3R 6G9 NEW ZEALAND OFFICE, Box 33-1260 Takapuna, Auckland 1332 0-800-446868 www.intouch.org All prices are in U.S. dollars unless otherwise noted. E-mail magazine-related comments to magazine@intouch.org. For Customer Care, call 800-789-1473 MondayFriday, 8 a.m. 8 p.m. (et). For Canadian telephone orders, call 800-323-3747.

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EV ANGELICAL
PRESS AS S OCIATION

To discontinue receiving this magazine, or to report receiving multiple issues, call 800-789-1473, or e-mail customercare@intouch.org. Please include your name and address.
In Touch magazine, May 2010, Vol. 33 No. 5. 2010; all rights reserved. No unsolicited manuscripts accepted. Printed in the USA.
In Touch magazine is neither responsible nor liable for any part of the production or distribution of international editions, whether translated or in English, unless the edition has been licensed and authorized by the governing staff of the domestic In Touch magazine. Scripture quotations, unless otherwise notated or quoted from a secondary source, are from the New American Standard Bible, 1995 Update. Lockman Foundation, 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1994. Quotations marked NIV are from the New International Version, International Bible Society 1973, 1978, 1984.

DeCisions, DeCisions, DeCisions

A Publication of

to the Glory of God

Dr. Charles F. Stanley

PresiDent/PUBlisHer

C. Phillip Bowen
eXecUtive vice PresiDent cHief oPeratinG officer

John E. Courtney, Jr.

senior Director marKetinG anD DeveloPment

Tonya Stoneman
eDitor Director of PUBlications

Linda M. Canup

beginning of a new chapter in life. And with it come many decisions often accompanied by the unsettling question, Am I on the right track? In Life Principles for the Graduate Dr. Stanley offers nine key truths for living Gods way and determining His best.
Life Principles for the Graduate uHardcover | $15 (U.S.)

Commencement marks the

assistant eDitor

Sandy Feit
senior coPY eDitor

Erin Gieschen
acqUisitions eDitor

Cameron Lawrence
coPY eDitor/Writer

Lisa Dyches
creative Director

Jeff Gregory
art Director

Have you decided to trust Jesus as your personal Savior?

Do you desire a personal relationship with the One who created you and loves you no matter what? If so, tell Him in your own words or use this simple prayer:

Joey Tindell
marKetinG Promotions Planner

Steve R. Lindsey
Director resoUrces anD fUlfillment

David Blahnik
ProDUction manaGer

Father in heaven, Until now, I have been living life my own way, but I want to start living for You. I realize Ive sinned before You, but I understand that Jesus fully paid my penalty by dying on the cross. I receive the sacrifice He made on my behalf and trust Him as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for forgiving me and making me Your child. I pray these things in Jesus name. Amen.
We will gladly send you our New Believers Kit to help you take the next step in your walk with God. Contact our customer care department at 800-789-1473, or visit www.intouch.org.

the mission of in touch ministries To lead people worldwide into a growing relationship with Jesus Christ and to strengthen the local church

t
a word from Charles F. Stanley

Will your Children inherit your Faith?

A parent who preaches the Bible but doesnt live by it teaches her children they cant trust God.

The most valuable asset we have, as believers, is our faith. In Pauls second letter to Timothy, the apostle reminds the young man that his faith was inherited from his grandmother Lois and mother Eunice (2 Timothy 1:3-7). What are you doing to pass on your faith? Children observe our faith by the lifestyle we live. We can pass on doubt, frustration, fear, and unbeliefor we can give them steadfast faith. A parent who preaches the Bible but doesnt live by it teaches her children they cant trust God. If you want to leave your family with a faith that money cant buy and death cannot take away, live by the Book! We also pass on our faith by persistence. Our sons and daughters need to see us trusting God day after day. Family prayer is essential to building solid faith into our childrens lives. As a boy, I listened to my mother pray and watched the Lord answer. If you dont pray as a family, start today. We pass on our faith by our participation in our childrens lives. They want to know that we feel what they feel. We need to take part in their hurts and failures and tell them our own stories of pain and disappointment. I recently read a survey of college students that showed the thing they dislike most about their parents is their inability to admit when they are wrong. If we want our sons and daughters to say sorry and ask for forgiveness, we must be willing to do the same. And at times we pass on our faith by refusing to bail our kids out of the messes they get into. God doesnt fix the problems we create until we get right with Him and learn the lesson He has in store for us. It is more important that your children learn to trust God than it is for you to be on friendly terms with them. My grandfather shared with me his basic principles for living, and they have governed my life. Will your faith live on when you are gone? Your children deserve a faith legacy that will endure. Start building it today!

cultivating

Ch r i

s tl ike character
Whose job is it?
B y C h A R L E S F . S T A N L E y

Is there anything in your life that would

cause an unbeliever to notice something different about you? Could someone point at you and without question say, Now there is a Christian?

When we think about our place in the world as followers

of Christ, we must never forget that there is something that separates us from unbelieverssomething that the Father bestows only upon those who call on the name of His Son Jesus Christ. What makes us different is the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit in our hearts and lives. Now, let me ask you another question. Is there a difference between having the Holy Spirit and living in the Holy Spirit? Yes. And, in fact, it is a tremendous difference. If we are living in the Spirit by growing in our Christian walk, then the Spirit within us will begin to bear spiritual fruit in our lives.
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ripe fruit

In a real sense, that fruit will be our shining testimony in a dark world: Spirit-filled, Christlike character is the difference that will set us apart from those who dont know God. This is how the world will know who we are, what we believe, and more importantly, how they, too, can come to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul identified the specific fruit of the Spirit as love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. These qualities are often downplayed in contemporary society. One reason is that they each require true biblical humility, or a sober self-realization of both our place and Gods control. These are not simple traits that we can strive for or earn. Rather, they are the result of the Spirits presence in our lives. And if such fruit is not evident in our lives, then it will be almost impossible for people to even notice our faith in God. No matter what we may say about the Lord, our actions always speak louder. Unless our works match up with our words, the things we actively do for Him can become fruitless and meaningless. Jesus knew that His disciples would not be able to live a life of faith under their own power. That is why He instructed them to delay their ministry for a little while, until they were given the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:49). What was true for the disciples then is still true for us today: Apart from the work
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May 2010 In Touch

Apart from the work of the Holy Spirit, we cannot live the life that

God has called us to live.

power from above

of the Holy Spirit, we cannot live the life that God has called us to live. Think about the apostle Peter. He walked with Christ throughout His entire three-year ministry on earth. Peter heard Jesus sermons, watched the Lord heal the sick, and enjoyed an intimate personal friendship with the Son of God. Then, when Jesus predicted His betrayal and denial by His friends, Peter exclaimed, Lord, with You I am ready to go both to prison and to death! (22:33). Peter made this profession out of his own strength. He was too proud to think that he might one day fail his Lord. However, three times that very night, Peter denied even knowing Jesus (vv. 54-62). In verse 33, Peter was relying on his own strength, and he was sure he would succeed. Yet when the time came, he found that his

strength was terribly insufficient. Certainly this must have been on Peters mind later, when Jesus instructed the disciples to hold off on ministry until they were clothed with power from on high (24:49). When that power came to them, Peter was transformed into a bolder, more dynamic man. He went from cowering in the dark to preaching a controversial, radical sermon to the leaders of Jerusalem (Acts 2:14-36). Several times throughout the gospels, Jesus demonstrates the great importance of fruit in the lives of His disciples. In His eyes, spiritual fruit isnt simply a possibility or an ideal; it is the very mark of believers.

actions and attitudes

A difficult lesson for all followers of Christ is that our spiritual fruit can come in two forms: fruit of activity and fruit of attitude. Activity, obviously, refers to the things that we do, the works we accomplish for the Lord. While these deeds can be wonderful, we cannot always trust them. Jesus Himself warned about the error of placing too much confidence in our actions (Matt. 7:21-23). The fruit of attitude, however, is a far better indication of what is happening in our spirits. You see, as the Holy Spirit works in our lives, His fruit is manifested first in our attitudes. As we come under the influence of His love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, our inward attitudes will begin to affect our outward behavior. The change comes from within as the Holy Spirit modifies our thinking (Rom. 12:2). This inner attitude transformation is squarely in line with the very definition of repentance: a change of mind that results in a change of behavior. When we give the Holy Spirit free reign in our lives and focus on our growth in Him, we will begin to notice changes in our thoughts and deeds. It is as though when we are filled with the Spirit, the fruit of the

cooperating with the spirit

Spirit is simply the natural outflow of what is happening within our hearts. Then we cant help but show the world what sets us apart as different. This does not mean that we will always succeed. Will I be able to love everyone at every moment? Will I always be joyful? No, I wont. Our momentary shortcomings do not make us spiritual failures. Remember, we are still living in a dark and sinful world, and our spirits are always engaged in battle with outside influences. However, when we begin to emphasize the work of the Holy Spirit by listening to Gods leading and applying His Word, we will begin an unprecedented time of growth and maturity that will result in a complete change of our personalities and priorities.

Weve seen that the mere presence of the Holy Spirit brings about changes in our actions and attitudes. Now, lets go a little deeper and examine the greater growth that takes place when we actively cooperate with Him. By cooperating with the Spirit, I simply mean that we trust and rely upon Gods Holy Spirit to work in and through us. We cannot produce spiritual fruit without the work of the Spirit, and it is certainly Gods will for us to be fruitful. In John 15:1, Jesus describes the Father as a vinedresser. Why would a vinedresser plant a vineyard if he were not expecting a crop of grapes? Clearly, by Jesus own illustration, we can trust that fruitfulness is Gods goal for us.

pruning the branches

Verses 2 and 8 of this passage expand on this idea even further. According to verse 2, God will take away any branch that is not producing fruit; He will also prune every branch that is producing, so that even more fruit can grow. Verse 8 shows us the result
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of this fruitful way of life: We bring glory to the Lord by showing proof that we are His children. Gods act of pruning alarms many believers. Does the illustration mean that He will bring in some trial or test, even when we are being obedient and faithful to Him? Yes, that is exactly what this passage means. You see, sometimes, especially when we are experiencing success in our Christian lives, we become complacent. In those times, it often takes a shock or a hardship to get our attention and move us into an even more fruitful and productive season. When God prunes us, He takes out His knife and begins to cut things away. Now, this may hurt a bit, but we have to carefully understand what He is up to. He isnt killing the vine. Instead, He is actually removing those things that weaken or limit the production of fruit. When the pruning season ends, the outcome will be a healthier, richer crop of fruit. This results in bringing glory to Godand in producing a dynamic testimony that catches the attention of those around us.

life on the vine

If spiritual fruit is Gods goal for us, how do we go about attaining it? Realize that when we received Jesus into our hearts, we were forever bound to Him. We become fruitful when we submit ourselves totally to the will of the Holy Spirit and allow Jesus to live the Christian life in and through us. John 15:4-7 makes this point abundantly clear. We can find success and growth in our Christian walk only when we make it our ambition to abideor remainfirmly planted in Christ Jesus. Think about the illustration Jesus makes in this passage. He says that He is the vine and we are the branches. In a vineyard, the branches and the vine exist in perfect harmony. The sapthe very life of the treeflows freely through the vine and
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into the branch. The result of this process is the production of ripe fruit. When a branch is severed from the vine, the result is death. The branch cannot exist, let alone thrive, when separated from the vine. In the same way, a believer cannot produce spiritual fruit when separated from the very source of lifeJesus Christ. I cannot stress this point enough: The Christians very life is the life of the Lord Jesus Christ through the presence of the Holy Spirit. So, you see, it is impossible for any of us to live out the Christian life on our own, in our own strength. Those who try to do so apart from Christ have nothing to uphold them when they experience disappointment, tragedy, or even death. This is certainly not Gods will and purpose for His children (John 10:10). The Lord wants us to be fruitfulto grow more and more in His power, His presence, and His purpose. As we grow, well surely produce a rich crop of spiritual fruit that will bring honor to Him and draw others to Jesus. But this is possible only when we abide in the vine and allow the Holy Spirit to enter into our hearts, change us from the inside out, and thereby reproduce Christlike character within us.
What kind of fruit grows on your tree? This six-CD series teaches how the holy Spirit works in and through you, developing spiritual maturity so your conduct will reflect love, joy, peace, faithfulness, self-control, and other godly qualities. The Holy Spirit u6-CD Set | $20 (U.S.) See order form or visit www.intouch.org.

a
15-minute Bible study
...self-sufficiency leads to relational poverty.

A Friend in Need is a Friend indeed

>> Created for Relationships

PhILIPPIANS 2:1-4

As far back as creation, God declared that it is not good for man to be alone (Gen. 2:18). We were created for relationship with the Lord and each other. Although the rugged individualist has been promoted as an American hero, such self-sufficiency leads to relational poverty. Scripture offers insightful glimpses into the benefits of having a faithful friend in a time of need. Examples of Rich Friendships: u Despite threats by his own fatherKing SaulJonathan remained a loyal friend to David (1 Sam. 18:1-4; 19:1-7; 20:1-42). uNathan was willing to deliver a difficult reproof to David when he needed correction (2 Sam. 12:1-13). uDaniel and his three friends came together in a time of danger to seek Gods deliverance (Dan. 2:12-19). uThe paralytics friends carried him and persevered in bringing him to Jesus for help (Luke 5:17-20). u Pauls friends sought to protect him from Questions for reflection harm and cared for him when he was imprisoned (Acts 19:31; 24:23; 27:3). 1. Do you value independence more than interdependence? consider Because the church has been called ways that self-sufficiency hinders the to interdependence, being a friend in development of close relationships. the time of a persons need is exactly How can turning to others in times what Christians are commanded to do. of need enrich your life? Consider the similarities between these Old Testament descriptions of a faithful 2. Becoming a faithful friend involves friend and the New Testaments instrucmaking others a top priority. What tions for believers. activities compete for your time characteristics of a Good Friend: and hinder you from being a friend u Loves at all times (Prov. 17:17; to someone in need? 1 Cor. 13:4-8) u Sticks closer than a brother (Prov. 18:24; Eph. 4:1-3) u Shows compassion in times of suffering (Ps. 35:13-14; Rom. 12:15) u Offers wise counsel (Prov. 27:9; Col. 3:16) u Does not slander or tear down but speaks gracious words that edify (Ps.15:3; Eph. 4:29) u Shows kindness that encourages faithfulness to God (Job 6:14; Col. 3:12-14) u Intercedes in prayer (Job 42:10; Eph. 6:18) u Can be trusted, even when speaking hard truths (Prov. 27:6; Gal. 6:1-2)

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slee
the

per agent
B y E R I N G I E S C h E N

Beth Moore exposes the covert enemy that can undercut everything good in life.

Beth Moore sat at her computer and typed out a promise: If this lished. But if I find out along the way that [my readers] have the

Before writing her latest book, So Long, Insecurity,

turns out to have been just about me, I will never let this get pubsame problem I do, then Im going to see it all the way to the finish. Beth is known best for her in-depth Bible studies, which millions of women from every denomination and corner of the globe have experienced. So when she decided to write about the problem of chronic insecuritya deeply personal subjectsome eyebrows were raised. But she felt she had to tackle the topic, to the same degree that she felt compelled by God to write her acclaimed Bible studies on Daniel, Isaiah, or Esther. What she found was that this double-crossing enemylike a

quietly planted sleeper agentwas, indeed, invading the lives of

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women all around her. When Beth began to throw out some questions on her high-traffic blog, the response was overwhelming. She dove into research, surveying more than 900 women of all ages, and facilitated focus group discussions. She also followed up with a survey for men on their views of womens insecurity as well as their own. In Touch recently had a conversation with Beth about why this is an issue that Christians need to explore further and discuss in a new way. ITM: Youve said that this is a very personal topic for you. What kind of role has insecurity played in your life, from childhood till the present? BM: Insecurity is something Ive struggled with all my life, yet people think I cant possibly [have this problem]. If theres anything weve got to do, its blow the stereotypes we have about others sky-high. You cant tell anything about peoples security from the outsideor from whether or not you think theyre successful. I dont care how put-together anyone might think I am; I do not feel I have it all together. When I was growing up, every area of defeat in my life sprang from the common denominator of insecurity. I was scared of my own shadow as a child and fraught with a prevailing sense of inferiority. Like many people, I was sensitive by nature, but early childhood victimization on top of it nearly put me over the edge. And, as ridiculous as this sounds in comparison, having pigeon toes and the worst buckteeth known to man during elementary school didnt help matters. The interesting twist is that I grew up to be sanguine and outgoing and learned how to keep most of my insecurity well hidden. While it wreaked havoc on the inside, it didnt keep me from some measurable successes as a student and as a participant in lots of activities and organizations. Self-doubt is a very powerful motivator.
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May 2010 In Touch

I didnt always let my insecurity make my decisions for me, but I always let it bother and taunt me, even when Id made the right choice. It didnt always steal my victories, but it kept me from feeling them. I made a lot of decisions based on nothing but chronic insecurityand paid dearly for them later. The year before I wrote this book, God allowed a series of circumstances in my life that seemed to touch off every single one of my insecurities. Id come to such a wonderful season, yet my enjoyment of it was suddenly being drained by all sorts of fresh fears. I looked back over the course of my life and saw how almost every wonderful circumstance or opportunity was somehow tainted by self-doubt or even self-torment. Id seen so much victory and been freed from bondage to so many things, and I thought, Why are you still dealing with this? Did Christ come to set you free or not? Is this the one exception? And, of course, it isnt. Ive become increasingly convinced that our gender has no greater issue dogging us than insecurity. Insecurity can keep us from the full enjoyment and embodiment of the satisfying, productive, liberated life Christ offers. It can dog us in our relationships and haunt us at work. It can undercut our decisions and undermine our ability and freedom to do the will of God. ITM: It seems that we women are getting the same kind of pep talks on confidence from both the world and the church basically, This is how you should think. But we dont, and we dont know why. So we get better at pretending were confident and just hope it will stick and eventually become true. But then sooner or later we get tired of pretending, or something bursts the bubble, and we just go crashing in to a whole new level of insecurity. What do you think is really going on there, below the surface? BM: Thats the problemwere not get-

got to figure out practical ways of handling that moment when were approaching a situation of personal weakness. We all have our Achilles heel. ITM: So is the first step having an awareness of what that vulnerability is? BM: Yes, and then to begin silently saying in that moment, You know what, you cant have my security. Im not giving it up for this. We women [tend to] take our reaction to something thats hurtful or scary or fearful to us in some way, and piggyback insecurity on top of it every time. Say somebody hurts my feelingsbut I cant just have hurt feelings; Im also going to have insecurity. Let me give you another example. In this economy, many people have gotten pay cuts, demotions, or lost jobs altogether. Its bad enough that there was the job loss, but now were going to add the loss of our security. Our distorted math tells us that two plus two doesnt make four; it makes 19. In other words, the job loss means Im of no great value and make no contribution to the world; Im a failure and an idiot. We have to speak to our hearts in that moment and say, God gave me my security, and nobody can take it from me. Only I can give it up. No oneno matter how special they are to us, no matter what powerful place they have in our lives has the right to take our security from us. ITM: Our hyper-visual culture bombards us with the supposedly ideal female image. So these days, women constantly feel the pressure to live up to that unattainable ideal. Yet even throughout the Bible, women were dealing with the same insecurity which can make us feel that in order to have worth, we need a man to pay attention to us. What do you think is the root of that insecurity? BM: Of course, this goes back all the way to the Garden. Insecurity is as old as mankind, no doubt about it. Its just more pronounced
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Insecurity can keep us from the full enjoyment and embodiment of the satisfying, productive, liberated life
ting below the surface. I think youre right: if were talking about insecurity at all, were usually just talking and dont actually believe what were saying. Many people dont even know they struggle with this issue, or have no idea what to do about it. We have to address this problem at a deeper level in our belief system, down in the marrow of our bone. Weve got to become really proactive and practical in our approach. After 25 years in discipleship ministry, Ive learned that people are told volumes about what they need to do, but theyre desperate to know how. This really is our pitfall when it comes to teaching within Christian circles: were taught something that somehow doesnt make it to the hot pavement when we go back to real life. We may have been inspired by a great conference, but how in the world does that translate to everyday life? Weve

Christ offers.

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today. In our human nature alone, insecurity is a tremendous challenge. But now were living in a world where its epidemic and where the temptation to give in to it is overwhelming. There are a number of roots of insecurities that can take hold even early in life: instability in the home, major losses. Even a more sensitive personal disposition can contribute. But the heart of it all is this innate fear that were never going to measure up, that were going to somehow prove stupid and foolish. Ironically, insecurity causes us to make all sorts of foolish decisions. Probably the most painful chapter in the book is based on the answers women gave me to a question I put out on my blog: How has insecurity made a fool of you? They shared one story after another. It makes you realize that you dont want to be a woman who has to text your man 25 times in one day to see what hes doing. The havoc insecurity wreaks on relationships cant be overestimated. One serious outcome is the draw to poor relationships, ranging all the way from disappointing to flat-out dangerous. Women with the most chronic cases of man-related insecurities feel whole only if they have a man, and since the right kind of man isnt always available, they often settle for the wrong kind of man. A woman can also sabotage a really good and healthy friendship, romance, or marriage. She can end up running off the kind of person she really wanted and needed because shes so desperate. A woman with man-related insecurities only feels good about herself if the key man in her life feels good about her. She constantly struggles to be noticed and feel desirable. Its not enough for a man to love her; she needs incessant proof that he does. She has an inordinate need to keep tabs on her man and obsess over whether or not he is straying. Simply put, she acts like either a victim or control freak.
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ITM: On a spiritual level, how do you think shame and insecurity are connected? BM: Its just huge. The Proverbs 31 woman is clothed in strength and dignity. But shame is what causes us to want to cover ourselves. Talk about something as old as the Garden! Instead of asking God to cover us, we attempt to cover ourselves. Thats what insecurity actually is. Its always wrapped up in some kind of inauthenticity. Not long ago, a man asked me if I was afraid that my books message of getting over insecurity might make women prideful. But weve gotten insecurity confused with humility. Theyre two very different things. In reality, pride is actually one of the major roots of insecurity, which is why the two always somehow get twisted up. When we truly begin allowing God to work soul-deep security in us, we grow in humility because we no longer have something to prove. Ive come to the conclusion that insecurity is the driving force behind much of our self-absorption. It causes us to be so easily offended or to feel overlooked or minimized, yet masquerades as a friendthe part of us thats always looking out for us in every situation. It sells us down the river over and over. If we dont get a life beyond ourselves, well be stuck in the hole of insecurity for our entire life. Weve got to realize that soul-deep security is part of our salvation. Its our right as children of God.

Read more of our interview with Beth Moore at www.intouch.org/magazine.

In her new book, Bible teacher and womens ministry leader Beth Moore tackles a topic close to homeinsecurity. So Long, Insecurity uHardcover | $13 (U.S.)
See order form or visit www.intouch.org.

building wisely

Fixed Payments for Life

>> The Charitable Gift Annuity
by WAyNE JONES, CFP

...in exchange for your gift, the foundation pays you a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

If you are retired or planning for retirement, discovering how to increase your income may be a priority. One way to generate cash flow while supporting your favorite charity is with a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA). For instance, an irrevocable contribution of $5,000 or more can establish a CGA with In Touch Foundation; in exchange for your gift, the Foundation pays you a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life. Of course, since a gift annuity is irrevocable and the principal cannot be returned, it is important that you have other savings or assets to meet emergency needs. A CGA is simple to establish, and the payments remain fixed, regardless of changes in the economy. The annuity rate is based on your age at the time of your gift. Generally, the older you are, the higher the rate. Although annuity rates themselves are subject to change, as of January 2010, they range from 5 percent for a 60-year-old individual to 9.5 percent for someone 90 or older. For example, a 75-year-old donor who contributes $10,000 for a CGA would have a rate of 6.3 percent, which is $630 each year for life. Payments can also be made for the life of two people, such as husband and wife, in which case the rates will be somewhat lower. A CGA offers tax benefits as well. The donor is entitled to an income tax charitable deduction for a portion of the contribution, to the extent allowed by law. Also, annuity payments are partially tax-free. Gift annuities make sense not only for people in their retirement years, but also for those still working. This is because payments can be deferred until later years, yet a charitable tax deduction is available In Touch Foundation to offset current income. Generally, the longer the foundation@intouch.org deferral period, the higher the annuity rate will be. or call 800-967-2200 Through an In Touch gift annuity, you can support the ministrys work in sharing the gospel while providing for your own financial security. For more information, please call us at 800-967-2200.
This article is not intended to provide specific legal, tax, or investment advice. Please consult professional advisors about your specific situation. In Touch Foundation does not offer a CGA in every state. CGA rates are for illustration purposes only. A CGA with In Touch Foundation is not insurance. All CGA contracts are subject to acceptance by In Touch Foundation.

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familyroom

going wireless
Sometimes, unplugging from your kids is the best way to let them grow.
B y B E C k y S T A N L E y B R O D E R S E N

When my oldest son started

high school, the principal told all of us parents that for the next four years, we needed to stay as connected to our teenagers as we were when they started kindergarten. My husband and I took that advice to heart and adjusted our own social life accordingly. Three teenagers later, we continue to heed his advice. So, on Saturday night we did what we often do on the weekends. We stayed home. During the toddler and grammar school years, we went out. It was a matter of mental sanity and marital survival. But now, instead of making reservations, I get out an issue of Bon Appetit and make dinner. It is really just an excuse to be
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downstairs so I can greet the teenagers who come and go throughout the evening. The aroma in the house always lures them into the kitchen, so I am careful to make enough food to share. No one lingers for long. But while I encourage them to have a bite or two of something delicious, it is long enough for me to make a quick assessment of who is hanging out with whom and what plans are in the works. Saturday night I made tilapia with a light beurre blanc sauce. My sons friends settled for pizza on the patio instead, so I finished in the kitchen earlier than usual and headed upstairs to the task Id been dreading all week. It was time for me to hook up my Mac Notebook to my new

printer. Supposedly, I was going wireless, and according to the guy at the Apple store, it was a piece of cake. I carefully loaded the instructional CD and followed the prompts, checking as I went to make sure I was doing everything correctly. Finally, it was time for me to disconnect the USB cable and place my printer in a cabinet away from my computer. Thats when the problem began. On my computer screen,

We must be discerning about what we are tempted to criticize, meddle in, or fix, lest we interrupt Gods intentional, individual pursuit of their hearts.
I could see that the printer was fully downloaded. But when I pushed print, nothing happened. I reviewed the instructions, repeated all the steps, made sure the paper was properly loaded, and tried again. Nothing. As I stared at the icon on my screen (practically willing it to connect to the printer just a few feet away), I thought of my children. It occurred to me that my computer screen represented their hearts and the icon symbolized everything my husband and I had taught them. At 16, 17, and 19, they were now all in the process of going wireless on several different levels, but most importantly in regard to their relationship with Jesus Christ. Each one is very different from the others, but they all have one thing in commonas sure as I am about the icon on my screen, I am equally sure they know this truth: that God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life (John 3:16). Im also confident they know confessing their need for a Savior and putting their trust in Christwho laid down His life for that purposeis just the beginning. As we

have discussed many times, Christianity is a lifelong relationship with a sovereign God who loves them perfectly, has forgiven them completely, and will navigate life for them if they will bend their knee to His benevolent authority. As much as my husband and I have taken them to church, sent them to Christian camps, discussed our beliefs at dinner, and observed answers to our family prayers, we know that eventually their relationship with God has to become their own, apart from ours. The truth has been downloaded, and all we can do is prayerfully wait for the wireless connection to occur. Fortunately, God knows which circumstances in our childrens lives will motivate them to make their own connection. Unfortunately, they are not always the ones I would choose. But as the Bible says, All of us like sheep have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way (Isa. 53:6). Sin and stubbornness are the reasons God sometimes has to use things like athletic disappointments, conflicts with friends, academic struggles, and outright rejection to draw our children to Himself. Petrifying? Yes. Painful? Excruciating. As their parents, we not only feel their pain; we often feel responsible. But such trauma is necessary if they are going to develop an independent trust in and walk with Christonly then will they be equipped to meet lifes challenges. So for our part, we must be discerning about what we are tempted to criticize, meddle in, or fix, lest we interrupt Gods intentional, individual pursuit of their hearts. As I considered reconnecting the USB cable to my printer one last time, I wondered about the progress God was making with my older son, now a freshman at the University of Oklahoma. Suddenly I heard a hum in the cabinet. Finally, it worked! The manual did not mention patienceobviously a key ingredient when going wireless.
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byfaith

M e t A p h o r
B y G I N G E R

o f

h e A v e n

G A R R E T T

Hes not there anymore, kids. Thats just his body. One day well see him again, and hell be healthy and strong. My children stared at the frail body in the coffin. Their grandfather, Papa Craig, had died of Lou Gehrigs disease. James, my eight-year-old son, looked at me and nodded. He believed my words, as did his sisters, seven-year-old Elise and four-yearold Laurenbut did they understand them? Could children this young really grasp the idea of heaven, the hope that one day Papa Craig would run to them, whole and healthy, and thered be no more sorrow?
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How could I help little children understand heaven when I still had questions about it? Although I make my living as a writer, words completely failed me at that moment. I felt Id failed my children too. We returned home from the funeral, and life resumed, as it always does, frantic and furious, seasons racing by in a blur of deadlines and carpools. Only sometimes, when I slept with my window open, Id awaken at night to find my bed lit by a thousand stars beyond my reachand again I would contemplate heaven and its mysteries. Only then would I return to

the heartache of believing in a heaven I couldnt fully describe to my children. Weeks later, God made a way to show them what heaven is like. Whats wrong with Grendel, Mommy? little Lauren asked. I glanced up from my computer to see our 15-year-old bearded collie stagger and fall as he approached the door. Hed never done this before. My stomach tightened and I bit my lip. I always knew Grendel wouldnt be with us forever, but I dreaded this moment. I was single when I adopted Grendel as a puppy, and hes the one who picked out a husband for me at a party: hed spied Mitch and jumped into his lap, refusing all evening to budge. I knew Mitch must be special if my dog was so crazy over him. After Mitch and I married and began our family, my son and Grendel would play, snuggle, and try to steal cookies while I typed. When my daughters came along, Grendel was often invited to tea parties, although the girls claimed he had no manners, eating too quickly and belching after sandwiches. We werent ready to lose Grendel yet, not so soon after Papa Craigs death. Im sorry, our vet Dr. Jan said over the phone. I had called, trying not to cry, detailing Grendels symptoms. It sounds like a spinal embolism. Its an event Grendel will not be able to recover from. Before hanging up, I made an appointment to bring Grendel in that afternoon for euthanasia. Once again, I found myself trying to explain heaven. Please, God, I prayed, I dont have the words my children need. Please help them understand. We drove to the vets, Grendel in my lap to feel the breeze on his face one last time. When we arrived, Mitch lifted Grendel out of the van and onto the ground. Sobbing, we all held hands and thanked God for giving us so many years with this incred-

ibleand incredibly sillydog that we loved so much. Then as my husband carried Grendel into the clinic, my children began wailing. Just one more day, Daddy! Please! Give us one more day with Grendel! I could barely breathe, I was crying so hard. The children grew so distraught that after Mitch carried Grendel inside, he turned and took the kids home. We started this adventure together, buddy, I whispered to Grendel, and now its just us again. Dr. Jan had the room ready for us: dim lights, a quilt on the floor so I could lie down with Grendel as they gave him the injection, and his deceased pet paperwork printed. Dr. Jan came in and kneeled down to look at Grendel, ruffling his furry head. And then she gasped. Were not putting him down today! This isnt an embolism, Gingerits an ear infection! A severe middle ear infection had caused Grendel to become dizzy and lose coordination. Dr. Jan gave him a huge injection of steroids and antibiotics as I called Mitch, choking out the news. Grendel began an immediate, dramatic recovery. Ill never forget seeing my husband drive up the hill to the clinic, and my kids throw open the van doors, racing and screaming and cheeringand Grendel bounding out to meet them, grinning ear to ear under all that hair. God answered my prayers by speaking in a way that my children understood best the special language of forever love between a child and a dog. God made heaven real to them, to us all, in that moment. Earth is when we weep for the pain of death, barely able to stand our hearts breaking. And in heaven, well experience that moment when the doors are thrown open and we run, whole and healthy, screaming and laughing, wild with joy, racing straight for each others arms.
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solvingproblems

Fearful? Yes. Wonderful?

B y M A R y E . D E M U T h

Im getting there.

I will give thanks to you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are your works, and my soul knows it very well P S A l m 1 3 9 : 1 4

I resonate with fearfully when I think of my aging body, but I cant seem to shake hands with wonderfully. Every time I see a celebrity on a magazine cover, preening in airbrushed beauty, or notice how young I was in snapshots from long ago, I shake my head. Im having a hard time grappling with my bodys physical changes. How can it be wonderful? Beneath my current struggle with body image, a deeper issue lurks. Unfortunately, I grew up thinking that if I had worth, it had to do with how I looked. I wasnt a cute kidhardly one youd look at and say, Wow, shes striking. I was homely, needy, and thin. So I spent my childhood in the shadows, longing for limelight. Regardless of how I felt, sometime around puberty, attention came. I started that fatherless dance of fear, of longing for a daddy and looking for him on the face of boys my age. All I really wanted was for someone to hug me and say, Everything will be okay. I did not want to be kissed. Or looked at. Just held, my worth affirmed.
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Today I am loved deeply by a man who affirms me. I revel in his embrace, his tender words spoken over me about my beauty to him. And yet, I still mourn losing my looks to age. How uncanny is that? I should be embracing the wisdom that comes with years, the serenity of growing a more beautiful soul. But theres still that little girl inside me, equating my worth with how I look. Have you been there? In the past few months, my 16-year-old daughter Sophie has on several occasions said, Mom, youre pretty. Right around this time, the Lord saw fit to send me to a mother-daughter conference where author Vicki Courtney keynoted. She spoke about five things our daughters needed from us. Number three? Make friends with your own reflection. I realized why Sophie built me up because I wasnt happy with my own reflection. And how I view myself is caught by my daughter. She will be insecure if I am insecure. She will reflect my own paranoia.

Her attitude about how she looks will be affected by the way I feel about how I look. If Im stressing about extra pounds, chances are, shell follow. So, in a roundabout way, her compliments served as a reminder to make peace with myself. In Ephesians 4:29, Paul tells us, Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear. Many of us are guilty of disobeying that versebut our words arent critical of someone else; we speak them silently about ourselves. We must learn to make friends with our reflections. And that means denying the nagging judge in our head who mercilessly compares us to the latest beauty queen and offers the verdict that were not Angelina Jolie. We do ourselves no favors by constantly worrying about our physique. Even if we dont have daughters watching us, there are women everywhere who need to see godly women becoming comfortable with their image. We could start a positive revolution by simply embracing contentment, spending our energy on loving others, and rejoicing that our bodies enable us to give hugs, listen to hurts, bear burdens. Were all aging. So we all face these issues. Here are six ways to make peace with who we are: Embrace health. One thing thats helped me befriend my reflection is embracing a healthful lifestyle. I may not be able to control ages gravity, but I can commit to living wisely: I can eat nutritious food, wash my hands, exercise, and seek to keep short accounts with friends and family. These are things I can choose. Add to that this surprising truth: Those who love Jesus are actually Gods sacred dwelling place! Do you not know that you are a temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Cor. 3:16). Why would we spend time discrediting His
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temple? Why would we deny it nourishment (or offer it more than it needs by overeating), level scorn its way, or let it atrophy through lethargy? If God created our bodies to house His Spirit, then we can rest in knowing we are wonderfully made while we embrace the responsibility to keep it healthy. Push against culture. We must choose to push against our cultures superficial tyranny of beauty. We can defy the trend that glorifies youth and devalues anything less than perfection. Is that what Jesus would do? Would He call on only the beautiful people? Since He created us all, were all beautiful people. To place on each other this yoke of hierarchy is to discredit the Lord. Mother Teresa spoke of us finding Jesus in distressing disguise. How sad that we miss Him when we value external beauty over genuine beauty. I wonder how many times Jesus has appeared to us from the unlovely, and weve looked away. But when we embrace those whose hearts outshine their physical beauty, we become countercultural in the best possible way. Be mindful of eternity. Whenever I worry about my looks, I think of heaven and the fact that this body wont remainthat a new body will replace it. Paul describes the anticipation believers should have: We look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal (2 Cor. 4:18). Everything that I see in the mirror is temporary. It wont last. But what I choose to do in this body Gods given me is what will last. I fear that all my worrying is adding to the wood, hay, and straw Paul mentions in 1 Corinthians 3:12-13. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each mans work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each mans work.

live, not for the has been you, but for the you who lives right now. Altering the way you view now will save a lot of needless reminiscing and will help you anticipate what God has in store.
Lets be less consumed with a body that is fading and more consumed with the consuming fire of Gods testing. Lets strive to live a life worthy of Jesus words, Well done, good and faithful servant (Matt. 25:23 niv). As Christ-followers, we should value faithfulness over youthfulness, our service over our looks. Praise anothers beauty. When I find myself slipping into sadness over my appearance, one of the best ways to pull out is to look at others in a different light. I compliment a friend whos recently lost weight. I tell older women theyre beautiful. I strive to point out beauty when I see it. It helps to take our focus off ourselves. Think about the rest of the women out theremany of whom probably also suffer from body image issuesand seek to encourage them. In so doing, youll exemplify what Paul meant when he wrote, Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also the interests of others (Phil. 2:3-4). Be content in today. Learn to rejoice in who you are and how you look today. Consider this: Today is the youngest youll ever be! Live, not for the has been you, but for the you who lives right now. Altering the way you view now will save a lot of needless reminiscing and will help you anticipate what God has in store. Because my father passed away when I was young, I always thought I would die in my thirties. Well, I didnt. And Im so thankful Im alive. The key to contentment is learning to be alive in the moment, to rejoice for the breath that fills our lungs. We can smile when we look in the mirror, thankful for the years the Lord has given us thus far on earth. Strive for inside out beauty. We need to remind ourselves that God looks at the heart. So our goal in life should be pursuing the kind of beauty He rewards and developing a heart that runs quickly to Himone that is full of mercy and patience and kindness. Project yourself into the far future, when youve had a passel of grandkids and maybe even a few great-grandkids. You will be old then. Will you have smile lines? Will children want to scamper onto your lap because you exude the irresistible Jesus? Will your heart be beautiful? Whenever I despair of growing old, I remember the lined face of Mother Teresa and the love she shared freely. My husband met her in Calcutta when he worked in one of her homes for the dying. I asked him what he thought of her. She was shorter than I expected, he said. And very old. But she blessed me. My husband will never forget her touch of blessing, how worn her hands were, how light shone in her eyes. She was beautiful from the inside out. So give yourself and others around you a gift today. Rest in the wonderful body God has given you. Make peace with your reflection. Trust that the Lord will make your soul beautiful. And show the world this radical truth: Godly people are content with how they look.
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groundedingrace

M
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I wait for the Lord, my soul does wait, and in His word do I hope. P S A L M 1 3 0 : 5
May marks the end of the school year and the beginning of summer. And somehow as summer draws closer, time slows down. When youre on the cusp of adulthood and the whole world is at your fingertips, everything seems to take too long. Colleges dont respond to your applications as soon as you want them to, jobs dont come through on time, friends dont call when you expect to hear from them.
May 2010 In Touch

The excitement of taking control of your own life is tempered with the stress of not being able to fully do so. If youre like most young people, youd like to press down hard on the accelerator of life and speed things up. But very often God asks us to wait. Waiting is probably one of the most difficult things that Christians are called to do. This is especially true when something seems to be right in front of us and we think that God is about to bless us with the desires of our hearts. I remember when my daughter Becky learned this lessonshe was just 21 years old. She had become engaged to a wonderful young man, and I couldnt point out a single fault with him. On the surface, everything looked great, but deep in my spirit, I felt uneasy about them marrying. I had no legitimate explanation for my feelings, but I couldnt deny them either. My daughter was standing at a crossroads, and whatever road she took would determine the course of her life forever. It was crucial that she get it right. One evening, we were sitting around the dinner table, talking about the wedding, and I began to pray silently, asking God if I should share my concerns with Becky. I was overcome with feelings, and it was as if the Lord said to me, You must tell her what you feel, or youll live the rest of your life wishing you had.

The words spilled from my mouth: Becky, would you like me to help you call off the wedding? She was as stunned as I. Daddy! What are you talking about? she said, and then was quiet for a few heavy moments. After a while, we started talking again. I said, Becky, if you could do anything that you wanted to do at this point in your life, what would you do? She hardly hesitated. I would go to seminary, she said. Okay, thats what you should do. Thats what were going to plan on, I said. Then I reassured her, If youll wait for God, Hell bring the right person into your life. As fine as this young man is, I dont believe hes the right person for you. When we finished our meal, my faithful daughter called her fianc and told him about her new plans. He responded by demeaning her choice, saying the last thing he should have said: How long are you going to listen to your father? When she heard that, her decision was confirmed. The whole process was very difficult for both of us. It was one of those critical times in my life when I knew that I had to obey God and be totally misunderstood or be loved forever. As always, the Lord rewarded my obedience. That fall, Becky joined her brother Andy at Dallas Seminary. After a period of waiting, the Lord blessed her with a wonderful husband. They make a terrific matchand she couldnt be happier with her family. If youre at a crossroads and dont know which path to take, wait on the Lord. Wait for His confirmation in your life. Being patient is difficult, but stepping out on your own ahead of God can bring about disastrous consequences. For most young people, summer is a transitional time, and it comes with a certain degree of stress. Maybe you

havent yet found a job and dont know how youll pay for school this fall. Maybe you have a job, but havent found a car or transportation to get you to and from work. Or perhaps you havent figured out what you want to be when you grow up, and the prospect of spending the whole summer away from good friends seems lonely. This is the perfect time to learn to wait. Waiting on the Lord does not mean being stagnant. God is moving and active. He has a definite plan for your life, but He may be calling you to wait awhile, for what purpose I do not know. I pray that you can discover that for yourself, in His time.

VISIT GROUNDED. In Touchs new online community helps 18- to 25-yearolds connect with like-minded young Christians. Create your own profile, start blogs, hear podcasts, and share ideas at www.intouch.org/GROUNDED.

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stronginspirit

When God doesnt take aWay the Pain

b y F . L . s t o n e

My saving grace has always been this: not thinking about what I can no longer do. But the other night, my usual day-to-day acceptance of reality was jolted out of place by a fleeting memory of what my mind used to be like, and it shocked stinging tears into the corners of my eyes. Id forgotten how effortless it once was to do (or even think through) simple thingsso easy that I never thought about it. Blissful ignorance of an insanely amazing gift. Something of the past. My burden to bear happens to be perpetual physical pain. After ten years, Ive learned how to focus beyond it and run on a sort of forced adrenalineas long as the meds are taking the edge off. But once they start wearing down (or Ive overexerted myself), its as if a giant vise grips my body in a mind-gnawing ache I cant psych myself out of. I dont actually think I have it worse than anyone else, though. Plenty of people deal with physical afflictions I would stagger beneath. And even if you dont, you probably struggle with a burden that merely has a different shape but weighs about the same. It makes little difference; we each have a burden to bear, something the apostle Paul famously called the thorn in my flesh (2 Cor. 12:7-10).* I turn a deaf ear to all the speculations over what his thorn might actually have been; the specifics werent ever the point. I doubt Paul left out the details because he was a particularly private man or embarrassed to share either a mundane physical complaint or dire temptation. After all, he was divulging a very personal, vulnerable conversation with God in which he lays bare his agonyfrom the thorn itself and the fact that the One with the power to instantly pluck it out wasnt going to. Furthermore, Paul well knew that all of his readers would have their own private, unrelenting pain. The point was Gods answer to Pauls plea for deliverance: My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weak* All Scripture is taken from the NIV Bible.

ness (v. 9). This mysterious proclamation of hope speaks of pain in the strange way thats confounded humanity from the ancient times of Job to the present: the idea that not only can the most inexplicable pain have value, but that the very presence of God can actually come to inhabit suffering and make it into something altogether different. of course, theres no lack of maddening clichs about praising the Lord through trials or things ultimately working out for our best. Any person of faith who experiences pain on a regular basis knows how wearying the overspiritualization of pain can be. Were sick of people glibly quoting Bible verses at us about the glories of suffering. Were tired of begging God to heal us year after year and then (even as we accept that for some reason Hes chosen not to) being told by righteous believers that we must not have enough faith, or there must be unconfessed sin in our lives. But this spiritual reality of Gods power made complete in the very center of pain goes far beyond grin-and-bear-it praise-the-Lords or the bad theology of Jobs cold-comfort friends. If anything, those are underspiritualizations of pain. While the New Testament is indeed full of refrains about future glory that can come from suffering, we should keep in mind who the letters original recipients were: a harshly persecuted church dealing daily with the possibility of losing their livelihoods or even their lives, who knew what it was to be beaten or tortured or mercilessly humiliated and lied aboutonly because of their allegiance to the Way of Jesus. Truly a far cry from what we in the West, at least, claim as our own religious persecution. Yet Gods epic response wasnt about these kinds of persecution-related trials. He was speaking to those of us who have done everything we possibly can to deal with chronic depression and yet continue to have no mental energy for anything, no matter
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My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.

how well things are going. Or those of us trapped inside our bodies or minds by some disability that keeps us from interacting the way we want to with the rest of the world. Or even those of us who have tried again and again but cant get pregnant or stay pregnant when thats the one thing weve always wantedor those of us who just desperately long for our family to stay intact but know it isnt within our control. What God is saying infinitely transcends religious platitudes. Hes not commentating on the apologetics of the spiritual problem of evil or the collective metaphysical problem of human suffering. Hes speaking about personal, private pain that no one on earth can experience with you or for you or completely understand, simply because theyre not you. His power dwelling in and actually springing from your weakness isnt just about helping you hang in there and survive. Its about His grace completing its effect in your life. Not only is it enough to keep your heart beating; the nature of grace is its ability to transform. This goes deeper than the surface of sufferingits something mysterious that must be experienced to be understood. As Mrs. Charles Cowman said in her devotional classic Streams in the Desert, we dont know the true meanings of words until weve experienced them. Until weve lived in desperate need of Gods comfort and grace, we hardly know their true reality or power. This is reality: that the Creator is literally speaking His story into yoursthat He has entered into the pain you are otherwise
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alone in and has borne it for you on His own back, carrying you, as you really cant carry it alone. His words speak to an in-between time when His grace is sufficient; a time in which His sacrifice has conquered the darkness that first twisted and corrupted the world He made, but in which our free will still must play out till the end of this chapter on earth. We know the aftermath: our hope becomes sight, and we no longer see darkly through a hazy glassall is made new. This hope of what we call heaventhe place where Gods presence is total and fully seenrarely seems as real as whats right in front of us in our time-bound state. It can feel thin and vague, spoken about as a concept only and tucked into the far regions of our starved imaginations. But then, there are those rare times when it materializes as something realer than anything else, sparked into view by a transcendent momentwhether a great story or an utterly beautiful vista that moves us or, strangely, by great loss or utter desperation that breaks us. When our hearts and flesh fail us completely, and we finally cry with the psalmist, Whom have I in heaven . . . but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you (73:25-26). And its in this perfect weakness that God has chosen to make His home. This is, after all, the heart of the gospel: that the ruler of the universe stripped away His power and chose weakness as His mantle, entering our world and taking its pain into Himself for our sake. And that is truly our saving grace.

s
spotlight
by lINdA CANuP

Sara Groves

>> Music, Ministry, and Motherhood

Ladies and gentlemen, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, improducing . . . Sara Groves!

Sara Groves worries about what every mother worries about. Is this stuff that will land my kids in counseling when they grow up, or will they flourish because of it? Her career as a successful musician has meant that her husband and three children spend a lot of time on the road. They try not to focus on what theyre missing, though, and instead celebrate the great opportunity to spend time as a family. If youre at home, you can drift away and go on the computer or get pulled in different directionswatching TV or something. But on the bus, this is it. Were in here together, so we tend to play and be together more, she explains. Its a lot of fun. In fact, if they werent together so much, her oldest son Kirby wouldnt have gotten the chance to introduce his mom onstage when he was only three years old. [My husband] Trey used to give me a joke to warm up the crowd, but I was always terrible at that, the singer admits. Kirby, however, loved it. He bounded onto the stage. It was completely like Tigger leaping out to center stage, says Sara. Then he announced, Ladies and gentlemen, from Minneapolis, Minnesota, improducing . . . Sara Groves! What crowd wouldnt love her after that? Six years later, Sara, Trey, and their three kids enjoy taking part in ministry together. Last year, Kirby even traveled with Mom and Dad to Rwanda to visit a community they support through Food for the Hungry. It was a meaningful, memorable tripthey built a home for a widow, met the child they sponsor, and also saw a memorial to the Rwandan genocide. Kirbys little brother helps in ministry tooToby likes to carry a little cup that says money to free slaves. The coins he collects go to the International Justice Mission, another ministry Sara has supported in the past. Everywhere we go, she says, hell put his little cup out. Hes made quite a bit of money cause hes cute. Time together is surely a great blessing for the Groves family. But Saras got one problem: What happens Subtle yet provoking lyrics and the when the kids are too big pure voice of Sara Groves encourto elicit cute-little-kid oohs age listeners in her newest CD. and aahs? Now Fireflies and Songs you caN Back to the jokes, listeN iN our uCD | $11 (U.S.) oNliNe she laughs. bookstore!
See order form or visit www.intouch.org.
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the weekend

The Cross: Grace Displayed

read

romans 3:21-27

God, the perfect parent, always has His childrens best interest in mind. He acts in love to help each believer reach his or her full potential.

t Calvary, the Lord displayed His grace for the entire world to see. The cross represents the intersection of His holiness and His love. From there, He poured out mercy on an undeserving population: all of humanity, including you and me. Our holy God is absolutely without fault. Hes so perfectly perfect that no earthly man or woman can look upon Him and live (Ex. 33:20). The problem has to do with our sinful naturewe all have an inborn desire to rebel against His authority (Rom. 3:10). Anyone who thinks otherwise is deceiving himself (1 John 1:8). Its important to understand that God hates sin. He cannot abide evil in His presence, so He pronounced a death sentence on sinners (Rom. 6:23). But Scripture also tells us that God is love (1 John 4:8), and He created people with the intention of caring for them. Whats more, the Lord desires that all people spend eternity with Him. Yet there remains the problem of our sin and the death penalty that we owe. The Lord cannot violate His own nature. Though God loves mankind, His holiness would be compromised if He permitted the filth of sin into His presence. So the Father made a way to cleanse dirty hearts and transform wayward natures: He put the sin of all mankind on Jesus Christs shoulders.
e a r l y l i g h t

The Father sent His holy Son to be a perfect sacrifice on our behalf. Jesus Christ took our sin upon Himself and died on the cross in our place. When we trust Him as our Savior and receive His forgiveness, we are made newholy, perfect, and welcome in our Fathers presence.
One Year
the bible in

2 Kings 24-25

read

ods grace has no limits. His mercy can reach the darkest part of our hearts. Whats more, the forgiveness Jesus offered on the cross stretches back to earths first day and forward to its last. Christ not only erased our past, present, and future sin; He also paid for the wrongs of every generation. When the ancient Israelites brought a goat or a lamb to the temple for a sacrifice, they placed their hands on its head and confessed their sins. The priest then killed the animal and sprinkled some of its blood on the altar of atonement. The ritual symbolized a confessors payment for sin. But the lamb could not actually take on the sin and die in place of the Israelite (Heb. 10:4). If an animals blood could actually erase a sin-debt, wed still be offering those frequent sacrifices, and Jesus death would have been unnecessary. Yet we must remember that, though the act itself had no saving power, the ritual of sacrifice was Gods idea (Lev. 4). He established such offerings as a powerful illustration of the seriousness and penalty of sin. The practice also pointed to Christs perfect sacrificial death on our behalf and the salvation He offers. To use a modern metaphor, sacrifice can be thought of as a credit card. God accepted the lambs blood as temporary payment. When the bill came due, Jesus Christ paid the sin-debt in full.
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monday

The Sacrificial Lamb

hebrews 10:1-14

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enesis 1:27 teaches that God created usmale and femalein His image. As a result of Adams rebellion, however, sin entered the hearts of his descendants and separated all of us from our Creator. With that act of disobedience, human nature became self-centered instead of focused on the Lord. The desire to spend time with God was replaced by a bent away from Him. Knowing our dilemmathat we are enslaved by our flesh and unable to pay the penalty we owethe heavenly Father sent His Son Jesus to stand in as our substitute. Because He is perfectly holy, innocent, and undefiled (Heb. 7:26), Christ alone qualified to carry our sins to the cross and pay our outstanding debt. When we receive Jesus finished work on our behalf, we are acknowledging His Lordship over our lives. Then we are adopted into Gods family and have fellowship with Him (1 Cor. 1:9). Take a moment to reflect on Christs rescue mission. Jesus, the One without sin, chose to take on mankinds sinspast, present, and futureto save us from eternal separation from the Father. He willingly gave His life so we might be reconciled to God and live with Him forever. As we ponder this amazing demonstration of grace and love, our response should be a strong desire to fellowship with Him.
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tuesday

Communion with Our Lord

1 John 1:1-3

Modern believers practice certain biblical rituals too. But we are not pardoned through prayer, Bible reading, or even the act of confession. Like the Israelites, we must also look to a lambthe Lamb of God. When we receive Jesus sacrifice for our sins, we are forgiven forever.
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Child of God, you were designed to have sweet communion with your heavenly Father. Jesus died so that you and I might become part of His family. How strong is your need for fellowship with Him? Does it override the clamor of the days events or get lost in the demands of daily living?
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wo sisters, Mary and Martha, were busy preparing for Jesus visit. Upon His arrival, the first sister turned her attention to Him while the second was distracted by the preparations (v. 40). She became agitated that Mary was no longer helping. We may be thinking Martha is rightif there is still work to be done, her sister should not be sitting down. Then we hear Jesus perspective. Observing that Martha was worried and upset about many things when only one thing was needed, He said Mary had chosen what was better (v. 42). There are some important lessons to be learned from this story. First, to have fellowship with Jesus, we may have to leave some things undone. Jesus knew how hard the women had been working and how much Martha longed to finish the tasks. But their greatest need was to spend time with Him. Their focus was to be on listening, learning, and interacting with Him. The second lesson is that our choice to forgo an activity may be misunderstood. Martha certainly didnt comprehend her sisters decision. Whats more, if we fail to take time with Him, there may be unpleasant consequences. Marthas distraction led to worry and agitation. Jesus invited her to choose the better way namely, to be with Him.
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5
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wednesday

Fellowship with Jesus

luKe 10:38-42

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raw near to God and He will draw near to you. That is an amazing promise! As we open ourselves up to the Lord, He opens up to us. If we come to Him in submission, repentance, and brokenness, He rushes in with forgiveness, love, and faithfulness. There is no room for self-sufficiency or self-protection in this interaction. Only in the humility of helplessness will we discover the sufficiency of His presence. At first glance, we may seem to be the ones who begin this open relationship, but in reality, it is God who has taken the initiative; we are merely responding to His overture (John 6:44). Many times He uses situations and difficulties to get our attention and stimulate our thirst for Him. What appears to us to be a painful or desperate situation is His invitation to draw near. Even our greatest failures and sins can lead us to Christ, as we seek forgiveness from the Father. With an attitude of humble repentance, we can enter into a more intimate relationship with God. However, if you and I continue living in rebellion and are unwilling to confess and repent, He will not open up and reveal more of Himself to us. Sin always blocks our ability to know the Lord.
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thursday

Draw Near to God

James 4:6-10

Establishing a habit of communing with the Lord is essential to our spiritual health. Connecting with Him regularly will sharpen our focus on what is most important and help us separate what is good from Gods best. Even in our daily work, we can learn how to maintain an awareness of Him.
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Have you let adversity or failure pull you away from God instead of toward Him? To put distance between you and Jesus, Satan will misuse the very situations that the Lord can utilize to draw you to Himself. Dont let the Enemy win the battle. Resist the devil and he will flee from you (James 4:7).
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n todays passage, the prophet Samuel describes his godly parents and the difficult time they had before he was born. From looking at the life of his mother Hannah, we can learn some important principles by which to live. Though her situation involved motherhood, the lessons apply to both men and women. Staying committed to family. One of the women in Hannahs life tormented her unmercifully. While she wasnt in any physical danger, her emotions were in constant turmoil because she could not avoid this person. How tempting it must have been to try and find a way out. And yet Hannah stayed in the home, prayed to the Lord, and did her best to cope. She demonstrated a commitment to family that overrode her need for relief. communicating love and acceptance. Hannah considered her son Samuel a gift from the Lord (v. 20). I picture her telling him day after day, God gave you to me. I love you and look forward to what He has planned for you. We have the power to build up our children and our spousesor tear them down. Through our words of affirmation, prayers, and parental hugs and kisses, we show how much we value them. Demonstrating godly love strengthens the people who are most precious to us.
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the weekend

Hannahs Example
1 samuel 1:1-20 read

A Praying Mom

1 samuel 2:1-10

annah experienced great sorrow prior to the birth of her son Samuel. Through that difficult time, however, she demonstrated a strong love for God and a dependence on Him through prayer. Samuel had a mother who loved the Lord deeply. In fact, Hannah saw herself as Gods handmaiden, whose life was in service to Him (1 Sam. 1:11). Even when her misery was overwhelming, she acknowledged how important He was to her, and she modeled a godly lifestyle. We are commanded to love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mark 12:30) and to give Him first place in our lives (Deut. 5:7). If we love God, we will make sure our children know about Him and understand the importance of a relationship with Him through Christ. Our lives, though flawed, will reveal the transforming power of the Holy Spirit. Samuel was blessed because Hannah was a woman of prayer. Her first recorded petition stemmed from misery, while the second came from a heart rejoicing over the Lords answer to her cries. A praying mother gives high priority to bringing family concerns before God. I remember my mom kneeling with me by my bed to pray. I can still recall the phrases she used and the things she talked over with Him.
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Some of us live with people who make life difficult. At times we are negatively impacted by the choices they make. God understands your situation just as He was fully aware of Hannahs. Draw close to Him and experience His love and commitment to you. Then express the same to others.
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Children need committed parents who 1) demonstrate love toward both the family and God, and 2) help them experience the power and joy of prayer (James 5:16 niv). Even one parent can make a powerful difference when Christ is the center of the home. I know my mom did.
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s a young child, Samuel lived in the temple with his mentor, Eli the priest. One night, the boy heard his name called, so he ran to ask Eli what he wanted. The priest, however, hadnt spoken, so he sent the child back to bed. This happened two more times before Eli realized that the Lord was the one calling the boy. Then he instructed Samuel to respond by asking the Lord what He wanted. Almighty God still speaks to us today. The first time we hear Him is when He calls us to salvation. The Holy Spirit makes us aware that something is missing in our life, and then He points us to Jesus Christ as the answer. Without the Savior, we are lost and hopeless. Everyone is born with a sinful nature thats bent away from God. The Father, whos holy and perfect, cannot be in the presence of unholiness. Therefore, the penalty for sin is deatheternal separation from Him. But God loves us, so to correct that situation, Jesus came to earth, lived the perfect life, and died as a substitute for mankind. He took the penalty for our wrong. Salvation is the greatest gift. To receive it, all we have to do is trust in Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Then, He abides with us and continues to speak, guiding gently and encouraging us toward righteousness.
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monday

The Call of God

1 samuel 3:2-18

read

ears ago, God temporarily allowed me to have such physical ailments that I could do nothing but lie in bed. At first, this felt frustrating, but eventually I began to realize His plan for this trial. Life had become too busy for me to hear something the Lord needed to tell me. He certainly managed to get my attention by stilling my physical body! After leading us to salvation, God still has work to do in our lives. If we listen carefully, well be able to hear our Father directing us in three ways. First, the Lord calls us to sanctification, which means being set apart by Him and for Him. Through His Spirit, He continually reminds us to use His power and resources so we can obey and live righteously. Second, He calls us to service. God has planned good works for us to accomplish (Eph. 2:10); He gives us abilities, time, and resources for that purpose. Third, He calls us to accountability. Romans 14:12 teaches that one day we all will give an account of how we used the resources God placed at our disposal. This report will be based on two factors: the truth weve heard and the opportunities that were available. So we should be sure to listen daily as our heavenly Father reminds us to utilize everything we have for His glory.
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tuesday

The Call for a Believer

2 timothy 2:20-21

Have you felt God speaking to you? If so, dont delay. Ask Him to forgive your sin; then accept Christs substitutionary sacrifice on your behalf, and choose to follow Him. Share your decision with a pastor or trusted Christian friend so that you can have guidance on this beautiful new journey.
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Has life become so hectic that Gods voice is inaudible? Foster your own ability to listen by spending time in the Word and by waiting for answers when you pray. And teach your children to tune in so they can hear Him too. What a waste it would be to tackle life without guidance from above.
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evelation may be the most ignored book of the New Testament simply because it can be difficult to understand. But to avoid the treasures found within this book is to miss some of the richest descriptions of our Lord that Scripture offers. We love seeing Him as the baby in the manger, and we recognize the importance of His death and resurrection, but the story doesnt end there. John was given a dramatic vision of the exalted Lord as He is now in heaven. Even though the apostle had shared an intimate friendship with Christ on earth, the sight of His Lord in this glorified state caused him to pass out in fear (v. 17). In the heavenly scene, Jesus is portrayed as the Lord of His church, in the midst of the lampstands. He watches over them, preserving, protecting, and admonishing when necessary. A few chapters later, in Revelation 5:1-14, Jesus is shown to be the Lamb of God, who, as our High Priest, sacrificed Himself on our behalf. His blood purchased redemption for people from every place and time, so that they could become citizens of His kingdom. All heaven erupts into praise and worship when Christ is found to be the only one worthy to end this age and set up His righteous kingdom (v. 13).
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wednesday

The Exalted Lord of the Revelation

revelation 1:9-20

read

n todays passage from Revelation 19, we see Jesus exalted as the King of Kings. He is shown returning to earth to rescue His people, judge the wicked, and set up His kingdom. As heaven opens, Christ rides out on a white horse in power and great glory. This appearance is nothing like His quiet arrival in Bethlehem as a helpless baby. This time, every eye will see Him (Rev. 1:7), as He comes to bring inescapable judgment. The exalted King is not coming alone. The armies of heavenwho are clothed in the white linen of the bride of Christ (vv. 7-8)are following Him on white horses. If you are a Christian, you will be in this army of saints and angels. This describes the fulfillment of the promise that says believers are going to rule and reign with Him (Rev. 5:10). One day, Jesus will literally reign on this earth as King. But even before that time, He comes to rule in the heart of every believer. Sometimes Christians try to keep Him in the role of Savior, but salvation is just the beginning of all the blessings that the Lord has in store for us. Only in submission and obedience to Christs authority will we be transformed into His image and live a life worthy of His rewards (22:12).
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thursday

The King of Kings

revelation 19:11-16

If you are a believer in Christ, you are reading about your future. Picture yourself in the scene, seeing Jesus as the exalted Lord and Lamb of God. The praises described in Revelation 5:9-14 are coming from your mouth! Let this glimpse of the future shape your worship and focus this week.
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In all practicality, who is the king of your life? Who guides your decisions and directs your path? The Creator has a plan and purpose for you, which can be discovered only by living under Christs authority. May His kingdom come, and His will be done on earth and in your heart.
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friday

the weekend

The Transforming Grace of God

romans 8:28-30 read

The Attitude of a Saint

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1 Corinthians 15:9-11

od has predestined every believer to be conformed to the likeness of His Son Jesus Christ. The process begins at salvation and continues until we join Him in heaven. The apostle Paul is a good example of the Lords power to transform an unrighteous man into an image-bearer of Jesus. God changed a sinner into a saint. Paul was deeply religious before his conversion, but he relied on good works and a pious nature to gain divine acceptance. When he met the Lord on the road to Damascus, the future apostle learned that all of his religious zeal meant nothing. The only way for people to be acceptable before God is to receive the saving grace of ChristHe replaces our sin nature with a righteous spirit. And even though saints will sometimes falter and make mistakes, our heavenly Father remains patient and loving toward His children. He uses our failures to teach us more about Himself and His ways. God changed a servant of sin into a servant of the Lord (Rom. 6:16). Paul was welcomed into the kingdom in spite of his hostility toward the church. Hed promoted blasphemy, punished believers, and cast his vote against those being put to death (Acts 26:10-11). The lesson here is that no one can sin beyond the Lords capacity to forgive.
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he apostle Paul had a certain mindset that Christians are wise to emulate (1 Cor. 11:1). His attitude included: 1. Humility. Pride cannot hide in the heart of a believer who understands divine mercy. Paul spread the gospel because he believed that the grace which was sufficient to save a sinner like him was adequate for anyone. 2. A sense of obligation. The apostle never lost sight of how far Gods grace had brought him. He frequently reminded followers of his role in persecuting the church (1 Tim. 1:13). Pauls gratitude for salvation from that former life never waned. The book of Acts records the almost constant turmoil and heartache of his travels, and yet he kept praising the Lord for the privilege of serving. 3. A sense of dependence. To describe the source of his strength, Paul used these words: By the grace of God I am what I am (1 Cor. 15:10). He knew what it was like to depend upon ones own goodness and work to be religiousand he wanted no part of it. Paul desired more of Jesus and none of himself (Phil 3:8). 4. A spirit of absolute confidence. At the end of his life, Paul was as certain as ever that God was real, in charge, and worthy of all honor, glory, and praise (2 Tim. 4:6-8).
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The Father shapes and chisels His children until they mirror His Son. He turned one of the early churchs enemies into a wise and repentant leader. Commit to obey the Lord, and see what He will do in your life. He is faithful to complete the good work He has begun in you (Phil. 1:6).
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Do you see these attitudes in yourself? If not, borrow a page from the apostle Pauls playbook. Praise the Lord for all that He has done for you, and then get busy working for His kingdom. Do not allow His grace to be poured out on your life in vain (1 Cor. 15:10).
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monday

The Affliction of Paul

2 Corinthians 1:8-11

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ts easy to assume that problems in biblical days looked totally different from those facing us today. So you might wonder what a first-century missionary can teach us about triumphing over adversity. Though Pauls culture was quite different from ours, some things remain the same like temptation, hardship, persecution, and sin. Satan never changes either. Therefore, when the apostle wrote of being burdened beyond his strength, he had experience to back up his words. Paul despaired of life, but he trusted in a God who raises the dead. In other words, he believed the Lord would sustain him during that season of conflict. How could he be certain? Paul learned to trust the Lord during affliction in the same way that we do: he was thrown into high-pressure situations with impossible odds and yet saw God triumph. We understand divine power when we reach the limits of our own strength and feel Gods supernatural energy kick in. Divine strength is more than adequate to overcome worldly hardships, satanic temptations, and consequences of sin. That isnt to say believers can avoid all sorrow and pain. Rather, we have the promise that God will meet our needs in every heartache and trial (Phil. 4:19). Our faith grows stronger when we trust Him in times of affliction.
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aced with his nations certain demise, King Jehoshaphat responded with worship. Read his prayer in todays passage, and you may find it difficult to separate the petition from the praise. Going deeper than familiar expressions like hallelujah and praise the Lord, his prayer celebrates Gods personhood and extols His virtues. Furthermore, the king led the nation in glorifying God for His past redemption. As the Israelites focused on the Lord (and away from the incoming armies), the people recalled anew how He had intervened, sometimes dramatically. This was exactly what God had told the Israelites to doto instruct their children about His ways so they could honor Him every day (Deut. 6:7). This builds courage and strengthens faith. The peoples praise paved the way for their complete dependence upon Him. The odds of the small Israelite army beating the united force of three enemies were slim. However, in the peoples worshipful state of mind, they could admit their weakness and await divine intervention. God gave them an outrageous solution to the problem: to do nothing. Even so, Israel was spiritually prepared to go against human reason and obey. God loves it when we throw ourselves upon His mercy, because then His power can be released in its fullness.
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tuesday

Praise in Troubled Times

2 ChroniCles 20:1-25

Gods strength is available to all believers who confess their weakness and inadequacy. Sometimes a troubled soul has only enough stamina left to admit, Father, I absolutely cannot. If You dont, it is simply not going to happen. In effect, we throw ourselves upon God and wait for Him to keep His promise.
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God is also willing to lead you to victory in troubled times. The Israelites story is recorded in His Word so that all believers may apply its principles. Bend your heart and mind toward the Lord, and He will enlarge your vision of who He is and what He can do on your behalf.
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2 C h ro n i C les 1 7 - 2 0

2 ChroniCles 21-25
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wednesday

a hymn of

Troubled? Try Praise!

deuteronomy 20:1-4

lot of negative emotions accompany hardship: frustration, despair, fear, and doubt. People ruled by those feelings often make poor choices. This is why I recommend that you decide now to respond to troubled times the way the Israelites did: with praise. Even in the darkest hours, worshipping God fills the heart with joy and the mind with peace. A believer who is filled in this way can wisely keep a commitment to obey the Lord no matter what. Worshipping the Lord enlarges our vision. By doing so, we begin to see how He is at work in the world, perhaps in ways and places we never noticed before. More particularly, we see what God is doing in our situation and notice areas where He requires our obedience. Our human tendency is to plot a course through a situation toward the easiest solution. But believers who strike out on their own do not mature in faith. Moreover, they miss out on the blessings of following the Lords plan. Stopping to praise can divert us from the easy way out and direct us to the right pathnamely, the way of Gods will. Taking a step forward in faith can be frightening. However, believers are completely safe risking their whole future on the Lords faithfulness. He has never disappointed anyone!
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Praise Him! Praise Him!

Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Sing, O Earth, His wonderful love proclaim! Hail Him! hail Him! highest archangels in glory; Strength and honor give to His holy Name! Like a shepherd, Jesus will guard His children, In His arms He carries them all day long.
Chorus:

Praise

Praise Him! praise Him! tell of His excellent greatness; Praise Him! praise Him! ever in joyful song! Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! For our sins He suffered, and bled and died. He our Rock, our hope of eternal salvation, Hail Him! hail Him! Jesus the Crucified. Sound His praises! Jesus who bore our sorrows; Love unbounded, wonderful, deep and strong. Praise Him! praise Him! Jesus, our blessed Redeemer! Heavnly portals loud with hosannas ring! Jesus, Savior, reigneth forever and ever; Crown Him! crown Him! Prophet and Priest and King! Christ is coming! over the world victorious, Powr and glory unto the Lord belong. Fanny Crosby, 1869

Its hard to despair while honoring the Lord for His love and strength. We can dispel doubt by recalling His past faithfulnessand ease frustration by committing our future plans to Him. Praise is not the obvious reaction to hardship, but it is the wisest response.
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thursday

Strength for

recommend that believers underline Isaiah 41 in their Bibles and meditate on it often. When one of Gods people is seeking an anchor in turbulent times, this is the right passage for the job. Here, Isaiah writes about the source of Christians strength. In verse 10 alone, the Lord promises strength, help, and protection. Moreover, He gives two commands: do not fear and do not anxiously look about you. Among Satans subtle and successful traps is the art of distraction. The Evil One knows that fear can choke faith. He works hard to make unsettling circumstances a persons sole focus. Once a believers attention is diverted from God, natural human tendencies take over. In the absence of prayer and worship, anxiety and doubt grow unobstructed. Staying focused on God can be hard. The flesh prefers to seek security by thinking through all possible angles: our tendency is to weigh what we think could happen against what experts say will happen, and then to evaluate possible ways of preventing our worst fears from coming true. Instead of becoming more confident, we begin to realize how powerless we are. Thankfully, we serve an almighty God who says, Surely I will help you (v. 10). You can count on Him.
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isaiah 41:9-13

21
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friday

The Hidden Causes of Anxiety

Psalm 94:19-22

xperiences affect how people think about themselves and what they choose to believe. Sometimes negative events create a hurtful thought pattern that can play in a persons brain like a continuous tape loop. When that tape gets switched on, it triggers anxiety in the heart of the listener. Shutting it off permanently requires faith in the Lord. Let me give you an example of what I mean. Suppose that little Tinas efforts to do well were often rejected by her parents. She heard, You can do better than that or Your sister did much better at your age. Tina rarely received praise for a job well done. Now an adult, she refuses to apply for a job promotion, even though her boss is encouraging her to do so. Why? Because she fears being found inadequate. Tina may not be able to name her fear, but it certainly holds her back. There are several other potential root causes of anxiety. An exhaustive list would not fit here, but the following are a few of the more common ones: A belief that one cant reach a set standard Guilt over past sin An erroneous idea of God as a punisher Attitudes instilled during childhood Even if one or more sounds familiar, dont despair. These roots can be yanked out.
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When we focus on our circumstances, were actually choosing to feel anxiety and doubt. But these emotions dont belong in a believers daily life. Instead, lets decide to trust in the promises God has given us. Hes filled His Word with scriptural anchors to keep His children steady in the faith.
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When feeling anxious, ask yourself what produced the uneasiness. Knowing which incidents nurture fear can point you to the underlying cause. Let God help you reject the unhealthy thought pattern and replace it with assurance that those who listen to Him live free from the dread of evil (Prov. 1:33).
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2 C h ro n i C les 3 0 - 3 2

2 ChroniCles 33-36
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Unshakable Faith
read

| daniel 1:1-20

aniel had unshakable faith. His belief in the Lord sustained him when he was uprooted from his home, taken into captivity, and sent to a foreign country. It strengthened him as he served under four different kings and faced many challenges. Knowing God and trusting Him are the two key elements of deep faith. Daniel, who was part of the Israelite nobility, apparently learned about the Lord from a young age. While he was in captivity, his words and actions demonstrated that he knew the Scriptures and wanted to obey God. When offered a meal that had been sacrificed to idols, he took a great risk by requesting other food. God caused the official to show favor to him (Dan. 1:5-9). Like Daniel, we are to spend our lives learning and carrying out what pleases our heavenly Father (Col. 1:10). Not only did this young man know what the Scriptures said, but he also trusted God to do as He had promised. Every time Daniel took a stand for godliness, he was demonstrating his confidence in the Father. And his friendsShadrach, Meshach, and Abednegohad unwavering belief as well. They did not know for sure that the Lord would rescue them from the fiery furnace, but they trusted that He would do what was right (Dan. 3:16-18).
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monday

How to Have a Daniel-like Faith

hebrews 11:1-31

he apostle James challenges us to understand the connection between faith and obedience. In James 2:17, he writes that faith without works is dead. In other words, we cannot have unshakable beliefs without obeying. Developing steadfast trust takes time. We are born spiritually through simple, childlike faith that receives Jesus as Savior. Convictions are nourished by a growing knowledge of God and a deepening confidence in Him. Experiencing His protection, provision, and power in moments of testing strengthens our beliefs. Each time Daniels loyalty was tested, he chose to depend on God. Sometimes the circumstances were thrust upon himsuch as whether to eat food sacrificed to idols. At other times, he voluntarily initiated a difficult situation in order to help (Dan. 2:24). In each case, he followed Gods leading. Hebrews 11 shows that obedience is critical to steadfast faith. Noah, when warned about things not seen, obeyed God and built the ark. At the Lords direction, Abraham left home to go to a place not yet known to him. The apostle Paul was planning to arrest Christians when he encountered the Savior. He did a complete turnarounddespite threats, beatings, and shipwrecks, he obeyed the Lord and preached the gospel.
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Barriers to unshakable faith include pride (I wont admit I need Gods help), arrogance (I know a better wayI dont have to ask God), and self-sufficiency (I can do it myself without His help). Which of these is keeping you from becoming a person of strong faith? Confess it and turn toward the Lord.
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Knowing and trusting God through His Son, experiencing His presence, and living obediently are the elements needed to develop an unshakable faith. Jesus Himself said that our work is to believe in Him (John 6:29). With the Holy Spirits help and our cooperation, each of us can have a Daniel-like faith.
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e z ra 1 - 3
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tuesday

When We Are Lonely

od created humanity for companionship with Himself and each other. He doesnt want people to suffer the emotional turmoil of loneliness. Thats why His Word contains pledges of His constant presence as well as instructions to prevent loneliness among church members. The Lord stressed His constant presence because He knows our need for assurance, especially when we feel deserted or isolated. His vow never to forsake believers is found throughout the Bible: He spoke this comforting word to Joshua, the Israelites, and the disciples who were about to witness Jesus ascension (Josh. 1:5; Matt. 28:20). Some biblical saints picked up the theme in their writing as well. David often sought Gods solace (Ps. 25:16). And Paul preached that nothing compared to drawing close to Christ (Phil. 3:8). God wants every believer to implicitly trust that He is near. The church is designed to meet our need for person-to-person intimacy. A spiritual body works much like a human bodyparts are both independent and interdependent, each needing others in order to function well. We require support from our brothers and sisters in Christ. Knowing this, Paul admonished people to accept one another (Rom. 15:7), bear each others burdens (Gal. 6:2), and avoid judging (Rom. 14:13).
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hebrews 13:1-5

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wednesday

Conquering Loneliness

Psalm 25:15-22

know the pain of loneliness. I was the only child of a single mother who had to work long hours to support us. My adult life has been marked by periods of emotional isolation as well. However, God has never abandoned me to these feelings. The Lord desires that all people feel connected to Him and to each other. And in fact, we can be quickly comforted when we respond wisely to loneliness. The first step is to enter into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Believing He exists is not enough. The Lord created mankind for fellowship, which is why a relationship with Him gives people a sense of oneness. The love of Christ squeezes loneliness out of the lives of Gods children. Second, we must admit that were lonely. Some Christians incorrectly think they shouldnt be susceptible to normal human feelings. But nothing in the Bible says we wont endure emotional isolation. Not only men like David and Paul, but even the Lord Himself knew the ache of feeling deserted (Ps. 25:16, 2 Tim. 4:16; Matt. 26:40; 27:46). Finally, we ought to develop godly friends. These are the Christian brothers and sisters who will laugh, cry, and empathize with us. Above all, believers need friends who will continually point them to God and pray over them.
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Loneliness can cripple a person emotionally and spiritually. Human beings are not designed to walk through this world alone. We are made for relationship, which God gladly supplies. Lest we forget that the Lord is near, He gave the Bible this consistent theme: I love you and I am with you always.
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We cant deny feelings of loneliness, nor can we run from them. A person who seeks ways to escape those feelings only broadens the gap between the Lord and himself. There is just one way to close the chasm and conquer lonelinessby drawing near to the Lord.
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thursday

Our God of Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:3-4

ods care for us extends to the details of our lives. He knows when His children hurt and longs to offer comfort (Isa. 49:13). The Lords compassion is personal, continuous, and always available. We receive His comfort through the Holy Spirit, who lives within us. There is no situation or time when He is inaccessible to the believerwe can be consoled and reassured at any time, day or night. Consider how the compassion of God was demonstrated through Jesus life. He interacted even with the untouchables people whose bodies were infected with a contagious disease (Luke 17:11-14). And no sickness of ours will prevent Him from caring for us. Jesus had compassion on people with medical conditions (Matt. 14:14). He not only healed them physically but also gave an even greater comfortnew life through the forgiveness of sins. And while our infirmities may remain, the Lord lovingly strengthens us to persevere (2 Cor. 12:7-9). And what about the messes we get into? Peters betrayal of Christ was met with forgiveness (John 21:15-17). Thomass doubts were answered by Jesus Himself (John 20:27). Our mistakes wont stop Him from loving us. Even to His enemies, Jesus left the way open for repentance.
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2 8
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friday

HeavenOur Eternal Home

John 14:1-4

esus warned the disciples that He was going away. However, the Lord also promised to return and take them to a home He had prepared (John 14:3). This verse confirms that heaven is a real place. According to the Bible, Christians have a citizenship in paradise (Phil. 3:20), our treasure is stored there (Matt. 6:20), and it will be our eternal home (1 Thess. 4:17). God is not describing a celestial dream world. Rather, all believers will be gathered to a tangible dwelling place. Every believers spirit enters Gods presence immediately after physical death (2 Cor. 5:6). Once the Lords timing is fulfilled for the worlds tribulation and judgment, He will renew all things. First, our bodies will be resurrected as immortal, pain-free, and vigorous sheaths for our spirits (1 Cor. 15:42). Later, earth will be transformed into an uncorrupted paradise, and we will also have access to a heavenly citythe new Jerusalem (Rev. 21:10-27). In these two spheres of heaven, Gods children will spend eternity serving and worshipping Him. Despite misconceptions about reclining on clouds and playing harps, we wont be sitting and doing nothing! We will rest, but this holy respite is from all the things that make life on earth so wearying temptation, trials, heartache, and pain.
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Gods comfort and care are adequate for anything we face, whether its declining health, insufficient finances, or family trouble. Then, once weve experienced His consolation, we are to become bearers of comfort to others (2 Cor. 1:4). People everywhere are in great need of His compassion.
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Paradise is beyond our imagination, but we do know that the believers life goes on in heaven. As citizens of that realm, we will take up the work of serving and praising God. Moreover, we will enjoy unlimited energy and perfect harmony between the Lord, ourselves, and other saints.
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the weekend

Jesus: The Only Way to Heaven

read

hile there are many religions, there is only one way to heaven. Jesus clearly states that no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6). He used several picturesque descriptions to emphasize this pointHe called Himself the way (14:6), the door (10:9), the living bread (6:51), and the good shepherd (10:11). God does not expect people to follow a ritual to make Jesus Lord of their lives you can use any words youd like. However, some biblical elements are essential when beginning a relationship with Him: 1) Confess your sin and admit your need for a Savior (1 John 1:9). 2) Place your trust in Jesus Christ as the only possible Savior, acknowledging that He died for your sins, was buried, and rose again (John 3:16; 1 Cor. 15:3-4). 3) Believe that your sins are forgiven and your name is written in the Lambs book of life (1 John 5:11-13). Every person has a choice to make. Death is inevitable, but we can decide whether, on exiting this world, we will enter Gods presence or eternal torment. Let me make this very clear: What a person believes about heaven and hell wont influence God in the slightest. People will be judged not by their attitudes but by the truth of His Word.
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John 10:1-11

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monday

Remembering Gods Priority

numbers 15:37-41

At times, people will say, Ive made Jesus a part of my life. But this statement reveals that they have missed the point. The truth is, Jesus can never be simply a part of life; at salvation, Jesus becomes our lifeeverything revolves around Him, because He is the central focus. For the believer, the essence of living is to walk in childlike obedience to Christ. That means we express His righteous life simply by faith; to do this, we depend on the power of the Holy Spirit for enablement and divine grace for forgiveness when we stumble. And stumbling will occur because we live amidst two kingdoms that are in constant conflict. On the one hand, theres the pull of the world, and on the other, the pull of God. In other words, Satan throws temptations our way, but from our Father comes the appeal of holiness, peace, and joy in Christ. Thats why Jesus taught, But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. The way to do this is by opening Gods Word daily and letting Him use Scripture to flush from our minds anything that doesnt fit with His priority (Rom. 12:2). We are also to remind ourselves frequently of His commands and His greatness (Ps. 105:4-5; Num. 15:37-41).
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The Bible declares that faith in Jesus Christ is the only way to heaven. His gospel is a straight path from the pit of sin to the glory of heavenwith the promise of an abundant life in between. What we must do is go through the Door and follow the Way; then the Living Bread will sustain us.
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The battle is ongoing. And it rages not just in the realms of education, science, politics, and finances but also within every human heart. Since theres no way to make it in life without Christ, its critical that we keep Gods priority as our own and make continual course corrections to stay on track.
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Live by Principle
In the Bible, God has given us the promises and precepts we need to become mature followers of Jesus Christ. In these volumes, Dr. Stanley provides in-depth teaching on the 30 key biblical principles that have shaped his life and ministry.
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True Faith Is Worth Passing On

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Godly Mothers Are Priceless

There is no way to measure the value of a mom; she is like the anchor in a family. In this message, Dr. Stanley talks about the godly impact of his own mother and teaches biblical principles to guide women raising children today.
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Luck Has Nothing to Do with It

In life, there is no such thing as luck, coincidence, or good fortune. God is sovereign, and He has a plan for every Christian. Learn to discern when the Lord opens and closes doors of opportunity and how to live each day with hope.
God Has a Plan for Your Life uSoftcover | $7 (U.S.)

Move Out of the Valley

The mountaintop experiences of other Christ-followers can offer insight into our own personal journey of faith. This devotional contains a years worth of spiritual exploration to deepen your intimacy with God.
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There Are Lots of Choices; Choose Wisely

Young men and women with a new diploma are often bombarded with decisions. Life Principles for the Graduate helps them to know when God says Yes, No, or Wait.
Life Principles for the Graduate uHardcover | $15 (U.S.)

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