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In this message, Pastor Chuck Swindoll teaches from 2 Thessalonians 2:13–17 on four principles for loving those in pain.

From the Series: Steadfast Christianity

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Friendship hasn’t always been this hard. Author Drew Hunter looks at historical friendships, and some of the ways we get it wrong.

Show Notes and Resources

• Connect with Drew Hunter and read his articles "7 Tips on being a good friend " and "4 steps on Cultivating True Friendship"
• And grab his book, "Made for Friendship" in our shop.

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There were a lot of dramatic images from the military action known as Operation Iraqi Freedom - but I think few were more dramatic than the middle-of-the-night rescue of a prisoner of war, Jessica Lynch. If you were around at the time, you probably remember it. As Coalition forces advanced quickly from the Kuwaiti border to the capital of Baghdad, Pfc. Lynch's unit of Army maintenance troops made a wrong turn, ended up in the middle of an enemy ambush, and no one knew Jessie Lynch's fate. She was listed as missing in action. But acting on the tip of Iraqi sympathizers, a Special Operations Force fought their way into the hospital where she was imprisoned, found her, and quickly carried her to a waiting helicopter. And then, they had to fight their way out, too. But Private Lynch was safe - saved by rescuers who risked it all to bring her out.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "The Day You're Rescued."

I'll never begin to know what it must have been like to be a prisoner of someone like Saddam Hussein's brutal regime. But I do know a little bit about how it feels to be rescued from a situation that I couldn't get out of, that otherwise would have been fatal. I know what it is to be rescued by someone who risked it all - actually, who gave it all, to bring me out. It's a life-saving experience shared by millions of people over 2,000 years. It's a rescue that can happen to you.

This rescue was planned in heaven and executed by no one less than the very Son of God, Jesus Christ. It's described by God Himself in Colossians 1:13-14, our word for today from the Word of God. It says of God that "He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

We don't realize it, but we are in as deadly a situation as that rescued POW was in - actually a lot more deadly, because without a rescue we will be imprisoned forever in an awful place the Bible calls hell. That's where the death penalty is carried out for a human being who has run their own life instead of letting their Creator run it. Who has dared to say, "God, you run the universe. I'll run me." Which, according to the Bible, describes all of us, no matter how religious we might be, and no matter what religion we're from. We're sinners. We are unable to get ourselves out of our own dark side, we're unable to get ourselves out of the penalty for our sin. We are trapped in what the Bible calls "the dominion of darkness."

But Jesus came, fighting his way to rescue us. Dying on a cross to pay the penalty we deserve, so we could have (as the Bible says) "the forgiveness of sins" instead of the punishment for our sins. No religion can get you out - only a rescue can. And only Jesus did what had to be done to rescue you. This very day - maybe through these very words - He is breaking into your life, offering to be your personal Rescuer from your personal sin and its eternal penalty. If you'll grab Jesus by His hand and just say, "Jesus, You're my only hope. You paid for my sins when you died on the cross. You proved you're alive by walking out of your grave. I want you to walk into my life today. Beginning today, I am Yours, Jesus."

Don't you want to know that you're right with God? Don't you want to know that eternity is settled? If you want to know you belong to this Rescuer that loves you more than anyone ever could, let this be the day you give yourself to Him.

Let this be the day that you check out a website that is all for you at a moment like this. It is literally designed for this crossroads moment in a person's life - ANewStory.com. I invite you, I urge you, I encourage you to go there as soon as you can.

Jesus paid the ultimate price; made the ultimate sacrifice to

Read: 1 Corinthians 12:12-19; 13:4

Anna came home from yet another lost softball game. As she walked past the living room cabinet, she saw her sister’s softball trophies. Macy’s team was undefeated. Anna sighed as she walked upstairs.

“Macy, have you started your math homework?” asked Anna.

“Started? I already finished. It’s easy,” said Macy.

Macy was in the advanced track at school. Anna was not. As Anna opened her binder to her math assignment, she felt a knot in her stomach. She couldn’t remember how to do the problems. She slammed her binder shut, put her head on her desk, and cried.

Anna heard a knock at her bedroom door. “Go away,” she said through tears.

Macy opened the door anyway. “What’s wrong?” she asked.

“What’s wrong is that no matter how hard I try, you’re always there being a know-it-all!” yelled Anna.

“I’m not a know-it-all!” Macy yelled back and slammed the door.

“Who slammed that door?” Mom asked.

“I did,” said Macy, “because Anna called me a know-it-all.”

“Girls, come out here, please,” said Mom. Anna and Macy stepped out of their rooms.

“I have an idea,” Mom said. “Let’s play softball in the backyard.”

“But we don’t have any infielders,” said Macy.

“Or enough people for the basemen,” added Anna.

“We need people with different strengths to make a whole team, don’t we?” said Mom. “That’s true for more than just sports. As Christians, God has given each of us different strengths so we can work together to spread the good news of Jesus and show others His love. He made each of you girls to be smart and talented in your own way, and He loves you so much that Jesus died for you. Math might be harder for you, Anna, but Dad and I are so proud of you for winning your school’s essay contest.”

“I know.” Anna sighed. “I’m sorry for calling you a know-it-all, Macy.”

“I forgive you,” Macy said. “Would you like me to help you with your math homework?”

Anna smiled. “I’ll trade you homework help for the painting I made today.”

“Deal,” said Macy.

–Alexa Fetterly

How about you? Have you ever felt jealous of someone else? It’s easy to compare ourselves to friends and siblings, but God created each of us with unique gifts so we can show His love to others in our own special way. Jesus thought that you, in all your uniqueness, were worth dying for—that’s how much He loves you! Let Him replace your jealousy with love so you can use your gifts alongside other Christians to point people to Him.

Today's Key verse: Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 1 Peter 4:10 (NIV)

Today's Key thought: God made you unique for a purpose

Be reminded that God's grace has been bought and paid for with the life of our Savior.

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Acts 6:5 – “They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit…”

Today’s devotion reminds us that our character is shaped by the Spirit, not the world.

Tap Follow so you don’t miss tomorrow’s devotion — and share this with someone who needs encouragement.

When I visited Ecuador’s Amazon region with my father many years ago, we took a fun speed boat ride to a small village to take in the sights and learn about the local tribes. My dear dad bought me handmade jewelry, including a set of earrings. I only wore those earrings on special occasions, including when I went to visit my sister for my birthday. When I came back from my trip, I was horrified to discover I’d lost one of my earrings. I looked everywhere.

It was just an earring, but I’d have to travel all the way back to the Amazon jungle to replace it. Amazingly, when my sister returned to the restaurant we had visited for my birthday, she spotted my missing earring in their lost and found. I was overjoyed!

Jesus told a parable about a woman who’d lost her silver coin. She wouldn’t rest while her valuable coin was missing. “Doesn’t she light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?” Jesus asked (Luke 15:8). And when she found her coin, she greatly rejoiced (v. 9).

Jesus told this story to demonstrate how precious we are to God. He “came to seek and to save” those who are lost (19:10). Although we were once lost, heaven rejoiced when we were found.

What if investing isn’t just about returns—but about redemption? For many, investing can feel impersonal—something tied to markets and retirement, rather than spiritual formation. In Scripture, however, we are called to something deeper—using what we have to serve others and reflect God’s purposes. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West explores how investing can become an act of worship. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith and Finance Live . . . biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

Faith & Finance Live is a listener supported program on Moody Radio.  To join our team of supporters, click here.

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To learn more about Rob West, click here.

To learn more about Faith & Finance Live, click here.

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Segment 1

• The SBC can’t seem to find their way past one particular issue.

• Dr. Albert Mohler pushes for clarity.

• What actually determines the outcome of the SBC vote—and what’s happening behind the scenes?

Segment 2

• Three cheers for Tennessee and what they’re deciding to reject.

• If we want to change the course of our country, scripture says the strategy is completely different than politics-first.

• What if the real “formula” for cultural change is slower—but far more effective?

Segment 3

• How did Christianity go from fringe sect to dominating an empire without protests or political power?

• Critics mocked believers for our secret weapon – and it’s been the same thing all along.

• What uncomfortable calling did early Christians embrace that modern believers often avoid?

Segment 4

• What happens when half the population no longer thinks sin exists?

• So many of our fellow countrymen think that the right laws and the right politicians could fix or save our country.

• If you want real moral change, it comes down to one thing.

___

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