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London is a cosmopolitan city, with people from many nations living side by side. This coming together of people from around the world can bring much richness—including amazing food—but it also has its challenges. For instance, I was saddened to hear that our friends from one European country felt they were the least respected in London because their country had been admitted to the European Union more recently. They felt overlooked, blamed for problems, and resented for the jobs they secured.

Since God doesn’t show favoritism, neither should we. He desires to break down the barriers between people. We see His Spirit at work in Peter’s revelation while praying on the rooftop, and how Peter was called to minister to Cornelius, a God-fearing gentile. God helped Peter evaluate the Jewish regulations about not associating with gentiles. The apostle listened and went to Cornelius’ home to share the good news of Jesus. He said, “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts from every nation the one who fears him and does what is right” (Acts 10:34–35).

Those who follow Jesus are called to love and serve all those who are made in the image of Christ. Part of that mission is to not to show favoritism for people from certain nations or with particular skin colors. May we learn to seek justice and to defend the oppressed as God guides us (Isaiah 1:17).

The post Rev. George Francisco – Bible Fear Nots appeared first on MGO Radio/Canada's National Bible Hour.

Read: 1 Samuel 16:7; Ephesians 2:10; 1 Peter 3:3-4

Clarissa sat looking at herself in the mirror as Tara’s words spun through her head. You’re just so plain, Tara had said. I don’t think we can be friends.

Clarissa had wanted to be friends with Tara, but not anymore. She wore name-brand clothes, had hair that was—well, perfect. And her teeth—flawless! That’s what Clarissa thought anyway. She heaved a loud sigh. “Pretty plain, huh, Snowball?” she said to her kitten. Snowball meowed beside her on the bed.

“What’s up?” Mom asked as she walked into the room.

“Just talking to Snowball about how plain I am. Tara says I’m plain.”

“Who’s Tara?” Mom asked.

“Only the most popular girl in school, with the fanciest clothes, hair to die for, and perfect teeth. Everybody wants to be her friend, and I thought I wanted to be her friend too, but today she told me I was too plain.”

Mom hugged Clarissa tight. “You are my beautiful daughter—both inside and out.” She opened the Bible app on her phone. “And remember, Clarissa, in First Samuel 16:7, God says, ‘People judge by outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.’”

Clarissa thought about that as she looked at herself in the mirror again. “I want God to be pleased when he looks at me.”

“He already is, because when He looks at you, He sees Jesus. When you trusted Jesus to be your Savior, you became a child of God, and the Holy Spirit now lives inside of you. Jesus has given you a new heart, which means you can show others His love and kindness—and those traits make you a great friend to people. You are far from plain. You are God’s beloved child, and He created you just how He wanted you to be and has given you a special purpose.”

“To be a good friend to people?” Clarissa asked.

With a nod, Mom added, “And to love people the way He loves you. Why don’t we ask Him to help you remember that next time you feel insecure?”

Clarissa nodded, and she and Mom prayed together while Snowball purred.

“Thanks, Mom. I feel better now,” Clarissa said as she gave her mom a hug.

–Lisa Fuller

How about you? Do you ever compare your appearance to how others look and what they wear? In the Bible, God reminds us that He cares more about our hearts than He does about our hair or clothes. What does your heart look like? Has it been made new and beautiful by Jesus? (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?) Instead of comparing yourself to others, trust Jesus to help you love them with the beautiful heart He’s given you.

Today's Key Verse: You should clothe yourselves instead with the beauty that comes from within, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is so precious to God. 1 Peter 3:4 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Jesus makes your heart beautiful

What happens when God’s people worship other things? Find out as we continue exploring the wayward tribe of Jacob’s son Dan with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer.

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The Danites focus on God but they distort their worship of Him. By subordinating Him to other things, establishing their own version of religion, and lacking justice, they actually keep themselves from God. While their story reveals some important cautions for us today, we can also be encouraged by God’s promise to restore all things.   

Reflect 

• Read the verses connected with this episode below. As you reflect on the Scripture, what stands out to you? 
• 1 Kings 12:26-30 
• Exodus 32:4-6 
• Nehemiah 9:18 
• 1 Kings 12:31-33 
• Amos 5:18-24 
• Revelation 7:5-8 
• Acts 15:1-5 
• Acts 15:13-18 
• Jeroboam worshipped God with calf idols which subordinated God (see 1 Kings 12:26-30). Is there a way you may set out to worship God which could actually subordinate Him to other things?  
• Jeroboam divided the religion in northern Israel from the religion in southern Israel for his own purposes (see 1 Kings 12:31-33). What caution can you take away about the danger of distorting God’s ways with personalized religion? 
• The northern Israelites got some things wrong in how they worshipped God (see Amos 5:18-24). What is one way that justice can be included as you worship God? 
• God's redemption is described in both the Old Testament (from Amos 9:11-12) and the New Testament (from Acts 15:13-18). How does this give you hope in God’s restoration of all things? 

Respond 

(Use this prayer to start a conversation with God) 

“Jesus, help me to worship You above everything else and prevent me from subordinating You to anything else. Help me to focus on Your ways and prevent me from distorting Your ways with my own ways. Help me see opportunities to include justice as I worship You. And fill me with assurance that you are restoring all things.”  

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

Mentioned in this episode: 

• The Holy Land: Connecting the Land with Its Stories   

Listen: 

• My Three Sons   
• Am I That Hard to Love?  

Read: 

Driven by powerful winds, the fire raged for days. The historian Tacitus describes a chaotic scene filled with screams and citizens running for their lives. In the end, nearly two-thirds of Rome had been destroyed by the ad 64 blaze. The Roman emperor Nero falsely accused believers in Jesus of starting the fire. He hated Christians and selected them to be the scapegoat for the disaster—one that was rumored to have been ordered by Nero himself!

Nehemiah also faced the blistering heat of false accusation. He’d been a servant to the king of Persia but was allowed to return to Jerusalem with other Israelites to repair its walls (Nehemiah 2:1-10). When the wall was repaired, however, enemies accused the Israelites of “planning to rebel” and making Nehemiah “their king” (6:6 nlt). How did they respond to false accusations? By declaring and living out their innocence (v. 8), courageously standing in God’s power (v. 11), and praying fervently to God (v. 14). Their enemies were ultimately “frightened and humiliated” as they “realized [the wall reconstruction] had been done with the help of . . . God” (v. 16).

At times, we’ll be falsely accused by others in this life. But as God provides the strength we need, we can forgive our accusers and “live such good lives” that, though “they accuse [us] of doing wrong, they may see [our] good deeds and glorify God” (1 Peter 2:12).

Ben Budde dreams of becoming a rock star, and when he joins a band, he quickly falls into a lifestyle full of temptations. What will save him from his depression and addiction? Find out the answer on the next Unshackled!  

Author and Christian financial advisor Russ Crosson has spent more than 45 years guiding individuals and couples in everyday financial situations. Discussing his book, Your Money Made Simple, he offers practical advice for mastering your finances biblically. Then, for years, Christy Osborne turned to wine to manage grief, a struggling marriage, and the pressures of motherhood, only to feel trapped in her habits. In desperation, she cried out to Jesus—and through His grace, began a journey of healing, finding new strength in Scripture and healthier ways to face life’s challenges. She shares her story as a testimony of God’s peace, redemption, and the lasting hope found in Him.

Your Money Made Simple

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Counseling Consultation and Referrals

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On this Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman, you’ll meet a woman named Ruth who struck up a friendship with one of the most remarkable people on the planet. Joni Eareckson Tada shared personal and spiritual conversations—from everyday chaos to the big God questions. Hear Ruth’s recollections of her Sunday Evenings with Joni, on Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman.

Featured resource: Sunday Evenings with Joni

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Editor’s note: This story’s subject matter may not be suitable for young children.

Read: Deuteronomy 18:10-12

Mom had tears in her eyes as she put down her phone. “Maria, Daniel, I’m so sorry, but Jalen died this morning.”

Daniel tried to comfort his younger sister as she began to cry. Jalen was their friend and next-door neighbor, and he had been sick for a long time. “At least he became a Christian at camp last summer,” Daniel said. “That means he’s with Jesus now.”

Several weeks later, Maria and Daniel walked home from school with Jalen’s sister, Audra. “Did you know that people who die can still talk to you?” she asked excitedly. “It’s true!” she insisted when she saw Maria frown. “Tomorrow my parents and I are going to a séance. That’s a meeting where there’s a medium—a person who contacts spirits of people who have died. The medium said she might be able to contact Jalen’s spirit so we can talk to him!”

Daniel and Maria gave each other worried looks as Audra waved goodbye and walked to her house. When they got home, they told Mom what Audra had said.

“I can only imagine the pain she and her parents must be feeling right now,” said Mom. “But the Bible says trying to contact people who have died is wrong. Only God has power over the dead; going to a medium who claims to be able to communicate with people’s spirits is an attempt to take that power for ourselves. The Bible tells us to have nothing to do with those kinds of things. Instead, we need to bring our pain and sadness to Jesus and trust Him to comfort us and give us peace.”

“But Audra and her parents aren’t Christians,” said Maria. “They don’t know Jesus or trust in Him.”

Mom nodded sadly. “For people who don’t know Jesus, death is a very scary thing. But as Christians, we don’t have to be afraid of death because Jesus freed us from sin and death when he died for us and rose again. When someone we love dies, we need to remember that only Jesus holds power over death and trust Him to be with us in our sadness.”

“It does make me feel better to know Jalen is with Jesus now,” Daniel said. “Let’s pray that we can help Audra and her parents know that too.”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Has anyone ever tried to get you to do something they say will allow you to communicate with someone who’s died? Don’t believe it. Only God has power over people who have died, and He forbids trying to communicate with them. Instead, tell Jesus what you’re feeling and depend on Him to help you through your pain and sadness. He saved you by defeating death on the cross. Trust only Him.

Today's Key Verse: I [Jesus] am the living one. I died, but look—I am alive forever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and the grave. Revelation 1:18 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Only God holds power over death