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Our Savior accepted God's will—enduring the greatest trial but reaping the greatest reward for His obedience.

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To become a lawyer in California, Maxcy Filer had to pass the state’s grueling, three-day bar exam. So he took it not once, not twice, but forty-eight times before passing the tough test. His goal? To advocate for the underprivileged in Compton, his beloved city. Between his first and last attempts at passing the exam—across twenty-five years—Filer and his wife raised seven children, all who went to college. When Filer was sworn in, the judge said: “Three words about Maxcy Filer: perseverance, perseverance, perseverance.”  

His story prompts me to think of people in the Bible who persevered. The writer of Hebrews recognized some: Noah, who “by his faith . . . became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith” (11:7). Or Abraham, Isaac, Jacob (vv. 8-21), Moses (vv. 23-28), and others. Such examples inspire us.

The writer then exhorts believers in Christ: “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles” (12:1). We then read, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (v. 1). How will we do this? By “fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith” (v. 2). As we consider Christ’s sacrifice for us, “[we] will not grow weary and lose heart” (v. 3.)

Challenges to our faith give us opportunity to endure in His name. In His power, we persevere.

The post Hon. EC Manning – Sermons of Christ appeared first on MGO Radio/Canada's National Bible Hour.

Read: 1 Samuel 3:1-10

Konan looked at the fish lying in the bucket at Grandpa’s feet and frowned. “Why are they biting for you and not me?” he asked.

“Well, you keep pulling in your line to check the bait and moving to different sides of the boat,” Grandpa said. “If you want to catch fish, you can’t keep moving around all the time. Try sitting still.”

Konan sighed. “I don’t like to sit still.”

“I know, but you need to learn how. Otherwise you’ll miss out on even more important things than catching fish.”

“Like what?” asked Konan.

“Well, you need to sit quietly and listen to learn and do well in school. And you need to take time to sit still and listen to God so you can learn about Him and hear what He wants you to do.”

“You mean like how Samuel heard Him in the Bible?” Konan asked. “God doesn’t talk to us like that anymore, does He?”

“Maybe not,” said Grandpa. “But if you set aside time to spend with God, He may speak by bringing something to your attention.”

“I pray every night,” Konan told his grandfather.

“Good,” said Grandpa. “That’s one way to listen to God. He uses prayer to align our hearts with His and remind us to trust and depend on Him. Another way to listen to God is by reading the Bible—alone and at church with other believers. Before you read or go to church, be still for a moment and ask God to show you what He wants you to know about Him and what Jesus has done for you.” Grandpa smiled. “Now, why don’t you practice sitting still and see if you can get any fish to bite?”

“Okay.” Konan sat and quietly listened to the sounds of birds singing and water softly lapping against the boat. Thank you for all the beautiful things you created, Lord, he prayed silently.

Just then, he felt a jerk. “I’ve got a bite!” he yelled. Soon he was taking a fish off his hook. “Look at that fish!” he said, holding it up for Grandpa to see. “It paid to sit still that time, didn’t it?”

“It sure did,” said Grandpa. “And it will pay off in even better ways. Keep practicing!”

–Barbara J. Westberg

How about you? Do you take time to quietly wait for God to speak to your heart? Before you read the Bible, go to church, or say your prayers, pause and ask Him to bring something to your mind He wants you to think or pray about. Wait quietly so you can hear Him speak to you. Don’t expect to hear a voice like Samuel did, but let God bring the things He wants you to know and remember to your attention.

Today's Key Verse: Be still, and know that I am God. Psalm 46:10 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: Be still and listen to God

Come along with us as we continue tracing Jesus’ final steps in Scripture toward the crucifixion. Remember what He did for you by exploring where He stopped to speak with women and criminals, where He cared for His mother, died on the cross, and was buried. Follow our Savior’s journey to save us—and embrace how this can impact our lives today.

Receive 

Christians once retraced Jesus’ final steps, pausing at “stations” to remember His sacrifice. In “Cross Stations,” we follow that path through Scripture. In part two, linger at the cross and the tomb as we reflect on the moment Jesus’ body is taken down and laid in the darkness, and consider what His death means for your faith today. 

Reflect 

• Have you ever practiced the “Stations of the Cross”? If so, what was your experience? How do you respond now to this concept? 
• The first cross station we identify is Jesus praying alone in the garden. Read Luke 22:39–46. Notice the setting and Jesus’ experience, and then think about how His prayer struggle has impacted the intimacy you now possess with God. 
• Read Matthew 26:57–75 and 27:11–26. Where is Jesus in this cross station? What does He experience? How does His endurance affect you today? 
• Consider the torture Jesus endured as you read Matthew 27:27–31. Can you stand with Him at this cross station and receive what He has done for you? 
• Jesus carried His own cross until Simon of Cyrene was enlisted to help Him in John 19:17, Matthew 27:32–33, and Luke 23:26. How would you have responded if you were asked to help Jesus? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God)  

“Dear Lord, You have shown us through Scripture that even small faith can be used for Your glory. Reveal to me where my faith is lacking and help me to surrender my disbelief to Your perfect plan. In Jesus’ name, amen.” 

Discover more about the topics in this episode with these recommended resources

Listen: 

• It Is Finished - https://go.odb.org/it-is-finished-dtw  
• Life After Easter - https://go.odb.org/life-after-easter-dtw  
• Forgiveness, the Story of Easter - https://go.odb.org/forgiveness-the-story-of-easter-dtw  

Read: 

• The Perfect Savior - https://go.odb.org/the-perfect-savior-dtw  
• A Rumor of Hope | The Good News of Easter</

Although it was Palm Sunday, a day to celebrate the triumphal entrance of Jesus into Jerusalem, for Mary Edwar it became a time of deep pain. Leaving their church after the service, she and her husband, Kareem, were holding hands when a bomb went off. The device killed Kareem and injured Mary, causing her to miscarry.

While Mary recuperated, she felt furious while grieving for her husband and child. But somehow reading the Bible calmed “the volcano inside her.” In particular, when she struggled to comprehend why God allowed the atrocity, Isaiah 55:9 helped: “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.” As she understood that God extends grace even when He’s dishonored, she felt soothed by His Spirit.

Mary considered Isaiah’s message from God to His wayward people. While calling them back to Himself, God sought to expand their understanding of His merciful character. Even as the heavens are “higher than” the earth, so were God’s ways “higher than” theirs (v. 9). So too will God show love and grace, more than they could imagine.

While grieving deeply, Mary was stunned to receive God’s gift of peace. She welcomed Jesus’ consoling love, which He poured out in the events that we mark during Holy Week. He’s eager to give us His peace too; we need only to look to Him.

What happens when the most guarded grave in Jerusalem is suddenly vacant? Authorities demand silence. Witnesses refuse. And one young woman discovers the truth can’t be sealed in stone. Find out about that truth on the next Unshackled!

Leann Murphy is a mom who wanted to share the truth about marriage with her adult children. This wisdom became her 21-day devotionals – Becoming a Wife & Becoming a Husband. Leann shares how to “fight well,” build routines that draw you closer to Jesus, and walk through betrayal, bitterness, and resentment – all with a heart set on Jesus. Then Ollie Lia shares his story of struggling with anxiety when he started high school, and how his mom, Amber, helped him work through it. Ollie and Amber offer practical steps for parents and teens to overcome the mental health struggles so many teens are walking through.

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