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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

Dr. Stanley talks about the four types of calls that God issues to His people: salvation, sanctification, service, and accountability. The question isn’t, "Is God calling me?" It’s, "Am I listening?"

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In ad 155, the early church father Polycarp was threatened with death by fire for his faith in Christ. He replied, “For eighty and six years I have been his servant, and he has done me no wrong. And how can I now blaspheme my king who saved me?” Polycarp’s response can be an inspiration for us when we face extreme trial because of our faith in Jesus, our King.

Just hours before Jesus’ death, Peter boldly pledged His allegiance to Christ: “I will lay down my life for you” (John 13:37). Jesus, who knew Peter better than Peter knew himself, replied, “Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!” (v. 38). However, after Jesus’ resurrection, the same one who’d denied Him began to serve Him courageously and would eventually glorify Him through his own death (see 21:16–19).

Are you a Polycarp or a Peter? Most of us, if we’re honest, are more of a Peter with a “courage outage”—a failure to speak or act honorably as a believer in Jesus. Such occasions—whether in a classroom, boardroom, or breakroom—needn’t indelibly define us. When those failures occur, we must prayerfully dust ourselves off and turn to Jesus, the One who died for us and lives for us. He’ll help us to be faithful to Him and courageously live for Him daily in difficult places.  

Segment 1

• Not a question, but wanted to share with you guys, as a long time listener, that I’ve finally joined a Bible-teaching church. Thanks for all you’ve done! – Gabe

• How can I discern when it’s time for me to stop serving in a particular area of ministry? – Anonymous

Segment 2

• My friend, who is also a believer, is going to join a church that has a “husband and wife pastor team”. How strongly should I warn him against this? – Vinnie

• Is self-awareness in regard to humility a biblical teaching? -Anonymous

Segment 3

• Is it wrong for me to limit my time with a family member because they mistreat me? – Murphy

• How strictly should we follow speed-limits? – Anonymous

Segment 4

• The degree I am pursuing has bought into the “gender-affirming”/preferred pronoun stuff. Should I push back against this? – Ben

• How can I best share the gospel with Mormons that come knocking on my door? – Jonathan

• Is “ask Jesus into your heart” a valid evangelistic approach? – Brent

___

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Proverbs 21:20 states, “Precious treasure and oil are in a wise man's dwelling, but a foolish man devours it.” God's Word is clear on the need to live below one's means and to be able to save for the future. To do that, you need a budget—a way to steward every dollar with wisdom and intention. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Chad Clark share some interesting facts about budgeting. Then, it's on to your calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live, biblical wisdom for your financial decisions. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Stormie Omartian - Into the Future." Enjoy!

If God is for us, who can be against us? Dr. John Neufeld explores Isaiah 43:1-7, where God speaks tenderly to His rebellious people: "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; you are mine." Despite Israel's blindness and coming judgment, God promises they will not drown in the waters or be consumed by fire—He would even exchange nations as ransom for His chosen people. This unbreakable covenant love extends beyond Israel to all who are called by His name through the Messiah, gathered from the ends of the earth for His glory.

God and the World's Idols: What are you really worshipping? In this series through Isaiah 40–44, Dr. John Neufeld explores one of Scripture's most powerful confrontations between the living God and the idols humanity creates. Writing to a nation facing exile and questioning whether their God has abandoned them, Isaiah paints a stunning portrait of who God truly is — His wisdom that needs no counsel, His power that never grows weary, His sovereignty over history itself.

What do we say to the woman who has already gotten an abortion? How can we help the person who advised a friend or relative to abort her child? This is the flip side of a crucial issue and cannot be ignored.

From the Series: The Sanctity of Life...The Inescapable Issue

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At times we all find the route God has chosen for us doesn’t make a lot of sense. Especially when life takes a turn we don’t expect. But as Chuck Swindoll says, “Welcome to God’s World.”