CIAM Radio

Read: Proverbs 3:5-6; Hebrews 13:20-21

“I can’t wait to taste maple syrup!” Brady said, smacking his lips.

Mom laughed. She was chaperoning his field trip to the nature center to see how maple syrup was made.

As they trudged behind their group, Brady sighed. “I wish I was invited to my teacher’s wedding.”

Mom was surprised. “Why do you want to go?”

Brady frowned. “What if I get married someday? I need to know how to do it!”

“If you do get married, it won’t be for a long time, Brady,” said Mom.

Brady bit his lip. “But what if I’m not ready when the time comes?”

The group stopped in front of a large sugar maple. They watched a man drill a hole in the tree and tap a wooden peg he called a spile into the hole. After several seconds, the sap began to drip, and the class formed a line to get a taste.

“What do you remember about the temperatures needed to collect sap?” Mom asked Brady.

“It has to be twenty degrees Fahrenheit at night and forty-five degrees during the day, in the spring.”

Mom nodded. “God cares an awful lot about the details in preparing trees for maple syrup–making, doesn’t He? But He cares about people even more than trees. He sent Jesus to save us so we could be His children, and He’ll prepare us for whatever He has planned for our lives—like getting married or having a job. We can have confidence in His timing.”

Brady caught a drop of sap on his tongue. “This isn’t very sweet.”

“They still have to boil it before it turns to syrup,” Mom explained. “Preparing maple syrup is a process—and being prepared for the things God wants for us is a process too. We don’t have to know everything right away. See that little sapling?” Mom pointed to a tree no bigger around than Brady’s thumb. “It’s got a lot more growing to do before it can give sap for syrup. And you’ve got a lot more growing to do too.”

Brady smiled as they were handed samples of sweet golden syrup. “Let’s have maple syrup for dinner!” he said after tasting it. Mom arched an eyebrow, and Brady grinned. “You know, to remind us to be confident in God’s timing.”

–Pearl Allard

How about you? Do you worry about your future? Are you afraid you won’t be ready if you ever get married, attend college, or work at a job? You can have peace knowing that God cares about you and promises to be with you through life’s every step. He will prepare you for whatever He has planned for you in the future. You can be confident in His timing.

Today's Key Verse: Trust in the Lord with all your heart…and He shall direct your paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Be confident in God’s timing

When you look at the cross, what does it represent to you?

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At a job interview, Carol was asked repeatedly, “Why did you leave your previous job?” The interviewer had an inkling of the conflict she’d had with her former employer and wanted to know what had happened.

While acknowledging “differences in working style,” Carol refused to divulge her opinion of her former boss, believing that it would be wrong to speak ill of him. Later, after she was hired, her new boss revealed that the hiring personnel liked her response: “We were impressed by your integrity. We wouldn’t want you to bad-mouth your boss—or us next time—either.”

As a new believer in Jesus, Carol had always wondered how to live in a “godly” and “right” way, practically. She realized the answer could be simple: show integrity and be honorable, honest, and ethical.

First Peter 2:12 points to the importance of honesty and integrity in everything: “Live such good lives among the pagans that . . . they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.” This includes practical things like submitting to lawful authorities (vv. 13-14); doing good (v. 15); showing an attitude of humility and service (v. 16); and respecting and loving others (v. 17). As God helps us, let’s serve Him in a way that brings honor to His name.

Is it possible to have everything—and still miss the one thing that matters most? The Bible contains powerful examples of people who looked successful by every measure yet walked away empty. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Bob Shank help us see how Jesus challenges our definition of wealth and invites us into something far greater. 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.

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Segment 1

• Todd sits down with Dr. Ted Tripp, author of “Shepherding a Child’s Heart”.

• Are parents confusing a child’s ability to use tech with actual readiness to handle it?

• Porn, smartphones, and distraction—there is a veritable minefield out there for the next generation.

Segment 2

• Why are Christian kids walking away—and is disengaged parenting the real root issue?

• Influence and intentionality in our children’s lives doesn’t just happen—it takes real effort.

• Identity crises, online affirmation, and peer pressure—are your kids being discipled more by screens than you?

Segment 3

• That our kids should own and use a cellphone shouldn’t be taken as a given.

• Influence vs. authority: which one actually keeps your teenager from rebelling?

• It may not be the case that every child has to go through a rebellious phase.

Segment 4

• It’s never too late for parents to reach their children—even those parents who feel like they’ve failed.

• Are you giving your kids behavior control… or actually shepherding their hearts?

• When everything feels lost, your hope must be not in your own parenting power—but in the power of the gospel.

___

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Why do some people secretly believe in Jesus but never act on it — and what keeps others from believing at all? In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld unpacks John 12:42–50, exploring the danger of hardening your heart against the gospel. As Jesus brings his public ministry to a close, his final appeal to the crowds carries an urgent warning: the longer we delay, the harder our hearts can become.

Passion: Easter is a pivotal time in the life of a Christian. The foundation of our faith relies on the death and more importantly, the resurrection of Jesus. This 15-message series will prepare our hearts for the Easter season as Dr. Neufeld walks us through the various aspects of the time leading up to Jesus’ death. Talking about the stories of Jesus in the week leading up to his death, also known as Passion week, ought to awaken our own passion of service, thankfulness, and worship. This is a series you won’t want to miss!

Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "The Dumbphone." Enjoy!

Lonely? There’s an app for that. AI companions promise instant connection, zero conflict, and someone who always says the right thing. No eye rolls. No baggage. No growth either. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson talk with Ron Deal about how AI companions are reshaping marriages, parenting, and emotional intimacy. Before a chatbot becomes your safest relationship, find out what’s really at stake.

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