CIAM Radio

Read: Revelation 1:4-8

“A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z.” Hailey looked at her three-year-old brother. “Okay, Liam, now you try.”

Liam looked like he was thinking intensely. “A!” he suddenly shouted, and then, after a pause, “Z!”

“Ugh!” Hailey clapped a hand to her forehead in frustration.

Dad, who was watching the whole thing, began to laugh.

“I’m glad you think this is funny,” Hailey said. “I’ve been working with him for an hour, and he’s just not getting it.”

“Why is it so important that he know the alphabet right now anyway?” asked Dad.

“Jenny and I are having a race. If I can teach Liam the alphabet before she teaches her dog to sit and roll over, I get to pick the movie we watch this weekend.”

Dad chuckled and shook his head. “You guys are silly.”

Hailey laughed. “Yeah, I guess.” She sighed. “Yesterday Jenny asked me a question that made me feel really silly. She asked me how old God is. I didn’t know what to say.”

Liam walked over to where Dad was sitting, and Dad picked him up and put him in his lap. “Well, Liam just told you the answer.”

Hailey gave her dad a confused look. “But all he said was, ‘A, Z.’ That’s not a number.”

“In the Bible, Jesus says He’s the Alpha and Omega—the beginning and end. Alpha and omega are the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, like our A and Z. God is A to Z, just like Liam said. He always was, is, and will be. He doesn’t have an age.”

“So God has no beginning or end?” Hailey asked.

“That’s right.” Dad’s eyes twinkled. “And yet, He was born—and also died.”

“But wait, you just said…” It took Hailey a moment to realize what Dad meant. “Oh, I get it—you’re talking about Jesus! He was born as a baby and died on the cross for us, and then He came back to life.”

Dad nodded. “Jesus is God, who is eternal with no beginning or end, but He was willing to become human and die for us so we could have eternal life with Him.”

–Melissa Yeagle

How about you? Have you ever wondered how old God is? Unlike humans and everything else, God doesn’t have an age—there was never a time when He didn’t exist! But even though He has no beginning or end, Jesus still chose to be born on earth and die on the cross so we could be saved. When you trust in Him, He gives you a new life that will never end. (To learn more, go to Have You Heard the Good News?)

Today's Key Verse: “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8 (NKJV)

Today's Key Thought: God has no beginning or end

Motivation is the driving force within us. It’s the difference between simply living and living an abundant life. But what is it that motivates the people of God? Dr. Stanley prompts our thinking about what drives us to fulfill the commitments we made to God by sharing the story of Daniel.

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Jason and Pierre had worked together for a decade putting siding on houses. They were good friends, but neither was talkative. As they worked, they said hardly a word. Yet they knew each other so well that this was seldom a problem. The two could rely on the mere nod of a head or glance of the eyes to communicate. Small gestures spoke volumes. 

Psalm 32 evokes this level of familiarity between God and the psalmist. One version renders verse 8 this way: “I will guide you with my eye” (nkjv). God isn’t looking from afar; He’s a loving Father working in partnership with His child. While the psalm begins with confession of sin (vv. 1-5), the focus is not on punishment but on loving redirection as God teaches His child the right path.

The other option is to be like the horse or the mule, which “must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you” (v. 9). The picture is of willful defiance and ignorance of God’s way. As believers in Jesus, we are to develop a deep intimacy with God so we’re in tune with His gentle gestures. One way we develop this intimacy is through reading the Scriptures. This helps us “keep in step with the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25) so we’ll love what God loves. Then we can “rejoice in the Lord and be glad” (Psalm 32:11).

Read: 1 Samuel 23:14-18

“I’m quitting basketball,” Tyler announced flatly as his dad entered the room.

“Quitting?” asked Dad. “But you could hardly wait to join the team!”

Tyler frowned. “I’m just a benchwarmer. Coach Adams hardly ever lets me play.”

“Well, no, he hasn’t yet, but he told me you have great potential.”

“If I’m so great, why doesn’t he let me play more?” asked Tyler.

“Because the older players have more experience, and Coach Adams is naturally going to use his best players when it’s necessary for a win.”

“I can play as well as they can,” Tyler said. “At least, I could if I got to play in more games. Basketball is almost over for the year!”

“Just be patient,” said Dad. “We all need to wait patiently sometimes.”

Tyler crossed his arms. “I’ve waited long enough!”

Dad scratched his chin. “Do you remember King David in the Bible? He was a benchwarmer too.”

Tyler rolled his eyes. “Dad, King David never played basketball! It didn’t exist back then.”

“No, but you could say he was a benchwarmer for a long time. When David was just a young boy, the prophet Samuel anointed him to be king, but he had to wait about twenty years before he actually became king.”

“Yeah, but being king is an important thing, and it was something God said would happen,” Tyler said. “I don’t think God really cares if I play basketball or not.”

“I think He does,” said Dad. “He gave us our gifts, and He uses them to shape us to be more like Jesus. Learning to play basketball involves more than just dribbling and shooting. A good player also knows when it’s best to take a shot or pass the ball, and that requires skills that take time and patience to develop. I think God is using this experience to teach you to be more patient. Then you’ll be a better basketball player and a more mature Christian.”

Tyler nodded thoughtfully, then stood up. “How about a little one-on-one, Dad?”

Dad smiled. “You’re not quitting?”

“Not me,” said Tyler. “I love basketball, and I want to keep getting better.” He grinned. “I just hope it doesn’t take me twenty years to get into more games!”

–Joyce R. Lee

How about you? Do you feel like a benchwarmer? Perhaps your coach isn’t letting you play or your parents won’t let you do something you think you’re ready for. When things like that happen, remember that Jesus uses everyday experiences to shape you to be more like Him. Think about what He might be teaching you in the situation you’re dealing with. Then trust Him to give you patience as He helps you learn and grow.

Today's Key Verse: But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT)

Today's Key Thought: Learn to be patient

The 12 tribes of Israel play a crucial role in how the story of the Bible unfolds. These descendents of the sons of Jacob (renamed Israel) form the backbone of the redemption story the culminates in Jesus. In this Discover the Word study with archaeologist Dr. Jonathan Greer, the group explores a little discussed tribe of Israel that has a shady past going all the way back to the patriarch himself--Jacob's son Dan. Sometimes the stories in the Bible surprise us and make us feel uncomfortable, and leave us thinking "That's not the way it's supposed to be!" Such is the case for much of The Story of Dan. But while the tribe of Dan has a mixed legacy when it comes to worshipping God, this study reveals how God, remaining faithful to His promises to Abraham, redeems Dan and all of Israel in Jesus, who makes things the way they should be. 

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The elderly man was taking a long time looking at the children’s backpacks in the store. He told me, “It’s my granddaughter’s birthday. I hope she likes my gift.” At the check out, he clutched a pink backpack with a cartoon character design. He looked excited.

Later in a restaurant, I saw him again with a little girl and her parents. When the child opened her gift, she said, “I don’t like this character! And I hate pink!” Her parents made her apologize, but she still complained. My heart broke for her grandpa.

I was reminded of how I sometimes respond to God’s gifts. I complain because I want something different, failing to see the miracle before me—that God Himself has lovingly given something for me. The Israelites behaved similarly. God had kept His promise to them: “I will rain down bread from heaven for you” (Exodus 16:4). God’s faithful provision in the wilderness was sure: “When the dew settled on the camp at night, the manna also came down” (Numbers 11:9).

 But instead of being thankful, the Israelites complained about God’s expression of loving provision: “We never see anything but this manna!” (v. 6). Instead of humbly requesting other food from God, they wailed over His gift.

I still remember the hurt look in the grandfather’s eyes that day. It made me think of how our heavenly Father must feel when we complain. Let’s be grateful for the gifts He’s given us.

A wealthy drug dealer gave up everything he’d earned to follow the Lord. That was easy compared to the real challenge – teasing and threats from his old friends. How did he stay strong when everyone wanted him to fall? Find out in Part two of the true story of Shawn McGill, soon, on Unshackled!

Comedian John Branyan celebrates the sensibilities of those who live in the Midwest……what some people from the coasts refer to as “Flyover Country.” The “coasters” think their big cities and beaches are special, but the Midwest contains most of America’s food! After riffing on a variety of subjects, John closes with a very encouraging word picture about the value of every human life. Then Tim Shoemaker shares how he revitalized his devotional time with his sons. You’ll learn how to share important life and spiritual applications through some “kinda dangerous” object lessons. We hope all parents listening will be encouraged to pass down their faith to the next generation.

Comedy Collection

The Very Best, Hands-On, Kinda Dangerous Family Devotions

Best of 2025 Audio Collection

Family Reading of Scripture

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What’s the love language that matters most? You’ll find out on this Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman. Drs. Les and Leslie Parrott will join Gary to talk about the dialects of each love language. These are personal and powerful ways love is uniquely expressed and received. Miss them, and even the right language can fall flat. Don’t miss the practical help on Building Relationships with Dr. Gary Chapman.

Featured resource: The Love Language That Matters Most

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