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Two things make Achan’s story especially sad. First, it occurred so suddenly on the heels of an incredible victory—the miraculous invasion of Jericho. And second, it resulted in a devastating toll on so many others. One man—a single, isolated individual—deliberately chose to disobey, yet numerous innocent victims fell in the wake of his sin, bringing calamity to a nation.

From the Series: Fascinating Stories of Forgotten Lives: Rediscovering Some Old Testament Characters

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It's amazing what a difference two words can make. For example if you're a teenager, your life can change dramatically when you hear just two words, "You're grounded!" Or if you're working, "You're fired." Or those two words that changed my life forever. You know what those two words were? "I do." It's amazing what two words can do.

Now, if you're in a down time right now, there are two words that can make all the difference to you. And then there are two words you may not feel like saying at all.

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Two Words That Lighten the Load."

Our word for today from the Word of God, 1 Thessalonians 5:18. For those of us who are wondering what God's will is right now, here it is. "Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." Paul says here that the giving of thanks in all circumstances is really tied to our destiny in being in the center of God's will. I think that the suggestion here is that two of the most powerful words we can speak are "Thank you." Or more precisely, "Thank God."

We all know that we like to be thanked, and we all know how it feels to do a lot for someone and never get a thank you. Right? Of course God is an expert in that field. But when you say, "Thank God," that's when I think it does more for you than it does for Him, especially if you're in a time in your life when you don't feel like saying thanks, because the specific present circumstances aren't very pleasant.

There are a few benefits, I think, that come from saying those two powerful words, "Thank God!" First of all - contentment. Even in the midst of an ugly situation like Paul being in prison, you can find contentment by saying the words, "Thank you." Paul certainly knew about that when he wrote the book of Philippians 4.

Remember what he said? "The peace of God that passes all understanding will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus." He had experience to write that. And then he says in verse 6, "In everything by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." Say, "Thank God" and a marvelous sense of contentment will come over you, even in one of life's prisons. The secret of contentment in a crummy situation - a terrible situation - is to focus on the Lord - the good things that He has been doing in the middle of the bad. It means focusing on what you have, not what you don't have. Thank God!

The second thing that it does is you don't need to be noticed. See, pride gets stamped out at the gate when you give credit where credit is due and is properly given to God right away. "God, I know this was You. Thank You." When you start to take the glory for what God has done, stop. Send it up to God, "Thank God." Don't let your ego start to inflate.

The third benefit of thanking God is confidence. Because, you see, the same God who blessed your life in the past, who brought you through other things in the past, is going to meet you today. Look at His track record. Look at His history. The same God who I just thanked for moving a mountain yesterday, He is going to move mountains again for you. He'll do it all again! He's done it all these years for all His people. He's the same yesterday. He's the same today. He's the same forever. He's going to meet your needs today.

Rejoicing is really the habit of looking for God at work and acknowledging it when you see it. Thanking God is sort of like putting sweetener in a bitter drink. Negative thoughts are just going to make the drink that much more bitter. A thankful heart, a joyful heart, a heart that believes that God has said, "I know the plans I have for you. They are for good and not for evil; to give you a future and a hope."

In the midst of this small dot in your life, look at the big picture and say, "Thank You,

Read: Psalm 18:31-36

“I knew I’d win a prize. I just knew it!” Jack stroked the shiny blue ribbon he was holding and grinned, remembering how quickly his horse had stood straight and still, with ears flicked forward. “Blaze was the best because he had the best trainer—me!”

“You did a good job training your horse,” Dad said. “But remember, you didn’t train him alone.”

“Yes, I did,” said Jack. “No one helped me—at least not much. I don’t need help. I know everything about…” He paused as Dad suddenly slowed down and stopped at the side of the road.

“Aha!” Dad said. “I thought I saw something odd.”

“What?” asked Jack, peering out the window.

“Come and see.”

Jack got out and followed Dad to a fence that ran beside the road. “Look.” Dad stopped beside one of the thick, round fence posts. A big turtle sat on top of it, sleeping in the sun.

Jack was flabbergasted. “How did he climb up there?”

“Well, I’d say someone must have put him there,” said Dad. “But he probably never even saw the hands that picked him up!” He lifted the turtle and set him on the ground. “Or the hands that put him down. When he sees his friends again, maybe he’ll tell them—in turtle language, of course—that he got up on that post and back down again all by himself.” Jack had a feeling Dad was talking about more than just the turtle. “Invisible hands,” said Dad softly. “I’d say that’s the help you had in training Blaze—God’s invisible hands.”

“You mean God helped me?” asked Jack. “God helped me train a horse?”

Dad nodded. “God gave you a brain and arms and legs and the ability to learn how to train Blaze—and people who taught you how to do it. Right?”

“Well, yeah,” Jack said thoughtfully. “So…”

“So maybe He deserves some credit?” suggested Dad. “After all, if Jesus hadn’t died and rose again to save us, none of our accomplishments would mean a thing. But He did save us, and He’s given us the abilities we have so we can use them to point to Him and everything He’s done for us.”

Jack sighed. “You’re right, Dad. I owe Him everything. He deserves the credit, not me.”

–Jane K. Chase

How about you? Do you give God the credit for your accomplishments, like getting good grades or winning at sports? Or do you let others think it’s all you? It’s okay to feel good about things you do well, but don’t forget to thank God for each success—after all, He’s the one who created you, saved you from sin, and blessed you with everything you have and are able to do. Nothing you do compares to what He’s done, so give Him the credit He deserves.

Today's Key Verse: If anyone wants to be proud, he should be proud of what the Lord has done. 2 Corinthians 10:17 (NLV)

Today's Key Thought: Give God credit for everything

Would you say that most of your days are filled with contentment or anxiety? Dr. Stanley teaches that anxiety is not something God gives but something we bring upon ourselves. Learn how you can overcome obstacles to peace.

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Recently, my mom gave me a play-by-play of a surprising confrontation she saw on a live webcam feed from a watering hole in Africa. The Gemsbok, a large antelope found in Namibia’s Namib Desert, has horns that can be more than two feet long making it a formidable animal that doesn’t seem to scare easily. That is unless it comes across a group of brave and rowdy ostriches.

The lead ostrich, which was taller than its foes, shook its large feathers, roared, and stomped toward three Gemsbok, causing them to flee.

“I guess they didn’t realize how powerful their horns are,” I said to my mom.

Believers in Jesus can forget the power we have when faced with attacks from our spiritual enemy, Satan.  We have the Holy Spirit who lives inside us (Romans 8:11) and the armor of God to help us:  “Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes” (Ephesians 6:11). Satan wants to challenge our belief in God’s Word, question our identity in Christ and tempt us to sin.

But we can stand strong because God’s armor includes: “the belt of truth, . . . the breastplate of righteousness, . . . the shield of faith, . . . the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God (vv. 14-17).

When the enemy attacks us with feelings of fear, condemnation, or despair, let’s remember we are God’s children. He has given us His armor of truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation, His Word, and prayer to stand strong when we face spiritual battles.

Wise counsel is a gift—especially when it helps us steward money with clarity and purpose. In Scripture, we learn that safety and wisdom are found not in going it alone, but in listening well. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Sharon Epps explain how to discern the right voices and what it looks like to seek help with humility and faith. Then, it’s on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live—where biblical wisdom meets today’s financial decisions—weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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It’s Witness Wednesday! Questions of deep theology and practical application are addressed in a must-hear question and answer segment during Todd’s recent trip to Oklahoma State University. If you want to see the Christian worldview brought to bear in real-time on real-world questions, you’ve come to the right place.

Segment 1

• Bishop Tom Brown questions the trend of evangelical deconstruction, and asks if there can be a positive element to it.

• Todd explains that most who deconstruct are not interested in putting the pieces back together again.

• A young man in the audience asks how we can feel RIGHTLY – how we can balance our emotions without denying them totally.

Segment 2

• Laney asks Todd how we can reach the portion of society that isn’t interested in actually finding the truth – and may not think it exists at all.

• A young man asks how husbands should rightly lead their families in the era of post-modernity and radical subjectivity that we live in.

• Ben asks how to reach the agnostics in society who don’t care what Christianity has to say.

Segment 3

• Student Brennan asks about the weighty question of God’s sovereignty and goodness when considered against the pain and suffering that is allowed in this world.

• Todd goes in depth showing how the existence of evil in this world, far from disproving God, actually necessitates God’s existence.

• Alec asks: how can we dispel the notion in the minds of unbelievers that Christianity is just a bunch of stuff we have to do to get on the “nice list”?

Segment 4

• Todd continues his answer to the last question, showing how Christianity is not burdensome but, rather, the most liberating thing for God’s creatures.

• Todd is asked a heavy philosophical question about the metaphysical presuppositions of the ancient world, and how Christ shows us truth in every area – even philosophy.

• As helpful as apologetics can be in certain circumstances, Todd shows us the primacy of Christ and sharing the gospel in attempting to win souls – not arguments.

___

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Welcome to episode #255! ️ Pure Victory Podcast: Karissa's Story (Part 2): From Confession to Courage
In Part 2 of this powerful conversation, we return to Karissa’s story and step deeper into the healing side of freedom. Karissa shares how shame and isolation kept her stuck, how confession broke addiction’s grip, and why community, support, and a renewed relationship with God were essential to staying free. This episode offers hope—especially for women who feel alone in their struggle—and paints a clear picture of what life can look like on the other side of secrecy and shame.

This is a raw, grace-filled conversation about courage, identity, forgiveness (including forgiving yourself), and discovering that God is not distant in our struggles—He’s deeply present.

Key Takeaways

• Confession is the starting line, not the finish line. Freedom grows when confession is paired with ongoing support and community.
• Shame thrives in secrecy—but loses its power when brought into the light.
• True healing goes beneath behavior to address identity, unmet desires, and underlying wounds.
• Forgiving yourself is often a missing piece of freedom. God’s grace must be received personally, not just intellectually.
• Intimacy with God changes desires. As love for Him grows, old patterns lose their appeal.
• Freedom in one area often unlocks freedom in others. Healing leads to courage, growth, and forward movement in life.

Scriptural Highlight

This verse marked a turning point for Karissa, reminding us that freedom isn’t achieved through willpower—but through God’s Spirit at work in us.

️ Action Items

• Break the silence: Share your struggle with one safe, trusted person—even if you’re still in it.
• Seek support: Consider a godly counselor, coach, or recovery group to walk alongside you.
• Spend intentional time with God: Read Scripture, pray honestly, and practice listening—especially around identity and forgiveness.
• Write down what you need to forgive yourself for and surrender it to God in prayer.
• Take the next courageous step: Don’t wait to feel “ready.” God meets us as we move forward.

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You are not alone—and freedom is possible.

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