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Read: Genesis 1:1-5; John 1:1-5

Hailey burst into applause as Liam finished saying the alphabet. “Dad, I think he’s finally got it!”

“Does this mean you win your race with Jenny?” Dad asked. Hailey was trying to teach her brother the alphabet before her friend taught her dog how to sit and roll over.

“Well, I need to prove to Jenny that Liam learned the alphabet first,” Hailey replied. “I’ll see if she can stop over.”

When Jenny arrived, Hailey brought her into the kitchen. “Okay, Liam,” she said. “Say your ABCs, just like we practiced.”

Liam took one look at Jenny, then giggled and shook his head.

“Liam, come on! Please?” But Liam giggled again and covered his eyes, trying to get Jenny to play peek-a-boo. Hailey continued to coax him, but Liam refused to say one letter of the alphabet.

“Ugh!” Hailey said after Jenny had left. “Why couldn’t Liam do what he was supposed to? Now Jenny doesn’t believe I taught him the alphabet.”

“Well, just because Jenny doesn’t believe something doesn’t mean it’s not true,” said Dad. “I heard Liam say his ABCs.”

“Yeah, but I need to prove it to Jenny to win our game.” Hailey sighed. “I wish I could prove more than that to her. As I was walking her out, I answered the question she asked me yesterday about how old God is. I told her God doesn’t have an age—that He always was, is, and will be. But Jenny said she’s not sure God even exists. I wish I could make her believe!”

“Well, you can’t make anyone believe in God just by what you say, but maybe you can help Jenny think about it another way.” Dad tickled Liam’s tummy, and Liam giggled. “Would Liam be here if I never existed?”

“Of course not. You’re his father, so without you, he wouldn’t exist either.”

Dad nodded. “Because he’s my son, Liam points to the fact that I exist. Well, God has a Son too, and He points to the existence of His Father. Jesus came to earth to show us that God is real and that He loves us. By helping Jenny understand who Jesus is, you can help her see that God exists—and that He loves her so much He sent His Son to die for her.”

–Melissa Yeagle

How about you? Do you wish you could prove God exists? Perhaps you have friends or family members who don’t believe in God—or maybe you struggle to believe yourself. God reveals Himself in many ways, but the most important way is through His Son, Jesus, who came to earth and died for us. You and others can know God exists by knowing Jesus. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. John 1:1-2 (NIV)

Today's Key Thought: God exists—and He loves you

Jonah is the perfect example of a man who knew God's calling, yet resisted it anyway. Similarly, there are some things we have no problem handing over to Christ. But when it comes to others, we can't let go. Dr. Stanley encourages us to address the areas we haven't surrendered to God.

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At our school district’s championship wrestling match, children as young as eight grappled on gym mats, deploying clever holds to wrestle down their opponents and win. An ancient sport, wrestling demands a savvy combination of takedowns, escapes, pins, and other point-winning maneuvers to come out on top. One little third-grade girl—a crowd favorite—was simply faster than all her opponents, using swift moves that seemed to trick her rivals into defeat.

Jacob used tricky moves to get the best of his twin brother Esau, “wrestling” Esau out of his birthright to their father’s inheritance (Genesis 25:33) and life blessing (27:27-40). But stealing the blessing kept Jacob on the run, forcing him to flee his father’s household, depend on his cunning father-in-law, and live in fear of his brother’s wrath.

Later, he found himself alone, wrestling all night with a Man who was God Himself. “Let me go,” the Man told Jacob, “for it is daybreak” (32:25). But Jacob replied, “I will not let you go unless you bless me” (v. 26). Finally, Jacob was seeking a blessing of his own, holding tight to God even until his name was changed to reflect his changed heart.

No tricky moves were needed to gain this rich blessing from God—only persistence. Jacob was learning to live in relationship with God. It’s a persistent and honest hold—a winning move God will reward.

Our culture is defined by more upgrades, more comfort, and more square footage. Despite all that “more,” so many of us are unsatisfied. That’s because contentment doesn’t come from what’s next—it’s shaped in the heart right where we are. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West talks about choosing contentment—not as something accidental, but as something cultivated through walking with Christ. Then, it’s on to calls. That’s Faith & Finance Live, biblical wisdom for your financial journey. That’s weekdays at 4pm Eastern/3pm Central on Moody Radio.

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Segment 1:

• Let’s talk about hell.

• The church has been debating and systematizing beliefs on hell as long as Christianity has been around.

• Certain beliefs about hell, like annihilationism and universalism, have been outside the bounds of orthodoxy for thousands of years.

Segment 2

• Many church fathers were crystal clear—hell is eternal punishment.

• Annihilationism is in the grey: not heresy, and certainly not orthodoxy.

• If hell isn’t eternal, we truly have no urgency to see people saved.

Segment 3

• Some claim Luther doubted hell—he didn’t. He affirmed eternal, conscious torment.

• Jonathan Edwards’ view? The terrible sinfulness of sin deserves equally momentous justice.

• Minimizing hell minimizes sin, and ultimately minimizes God’s justice against sin.

Segment 4

• William G.T. Shedd: early Christians didn’t even entertain annihilationism.

• The clearest voice on hell? Jesus Himself – and he makes the eternality of hell clear.

• If universalism is true, then the cross becomes unnecessary.

___

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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "Without a Lie." Enjoy!

In this episode, Dr. John Neufeld explores Isaiah 41:11-20 and the journey from victim to victor. Using the apostle Paul as an example, he examines how believers can move beyond a victim mentality to embrace confidence in God's help, promises of triumph, and provision of abundance. Dr. Neufeld reminds us that our hope isn't found in positive thinking, but in the resurrection of Jesus and God's unwavering commitment to His redeemed people. When God is for us, who can stand against us?

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.

As the Seattle Seahawks head into the NFL playoffs as the number one seed in the NFC, Leslie Frazier, Assistant Head Coach, speaks with Jim Daly about modeling a life of integrity and maturity in the NFL while pouring into men's lives. Frazier shares about the people who shaped his life as a young man, player, and coach. He also reveals a longstanding fellowship of coaches in the NFL who are "iron sharpening iron," as they study God's Word and grow spiritually.

We all love rooting for our favorite sports teams, but the stadium is only part of a larger arena in life: God’s kingdom. What does faith look like both on and off the playing field? In this special collection, you’ll hear powerful testimonies from athletes with memorable track records in sports and an even greater legacy in faith. Featuring guests like John Smoltz, Darrell Waltrip, Scott Hamilton, Benjamin Watson and more!

Buy your copy of Jim Daly’s book, ReFOCUS! He shares how believers can engage others in the culture with the love of Christ and reveal the heart of God.

Encounter with God is for Bible readers seeking to deepen their understanding of God's Word. Encounter with God leads you through the entire Bible in six years. A weekly podcast, Encounter with God Together, is available each Monday with featured guests who share their insights on upcoming passages from Encounter with God.

Tony Dungy's Family, Surviving Suicide

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