CIAM Radio

Letting go is always difficult. And the closer we are to the thing (or person) being released, the more difficult it is to let go. We must hold everything loosely. Some of the most poignant examples of letting go come in the context of parent-child relationships. Upon receiving God’s command to offer his son as a sacrifice, Abraham let Isaac go and obeyed without resistance, illustrating his allegiance to God above all.

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

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Every life matters—and every child is a gift from God. When Mauricio and Christin Rosa learned their preborn son had a life-threatening diagnosis, they faced choices no parent ever wants to face. Yet, through fear and uncertainty, they chose to trust God and to choose life. Their story is one of courage, faith, and the unshakable belief that every life has purpose and value.

I got to thinking the other day about some of the close calls in my life - those moments that could have been my last, but obviously they weren't. There was the night that a drunk driver totaled our car with all of our family in it, but thank God it didn't total us. I was driving. We could have died; we didn't.

There was that night my plane was only a few feet away from landing at Newark Airport, and suddenly it revved up, and we took off again sharply, and about 15 minutes later the pilot said, "Well, we decided we wouldn't land when we saw that there was someone else on our runway." I was very glad for that decision. I thought that was a good choice! See, there's no telling what could have been that night with another plane on the runway.

I'm still here and so are you. In spite of some close calls you've had, some you knew about and I'll bet there's been some you never knew about. We have all been inches or seconds from death probably many times, but we're still here. Why?

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Knowing How Long You'll Live."

Now, I'm going to read to you today a word for you and me from the Word of God from 2 Timothy 4. It's from a man who had cheated death many times - the Apostle Paul. He says, "At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them. But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion's mouth." Now, many people think that refers to Caesar's attempt to have him killed. Many people tried to have him killed.

"The Lord will rescue me," he says, "from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom." Now, I like what he says here. "I've been delivered from the lion's mouth, and I will be rescued." For how long? "...until the Lord will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom." You want to know how long you'll live? Till your work is done.

Paul was saying, "My work's not done. When God says it is, that's when I'll go home." Here's an exciting principle to remember: a person is immortal until his work is done. Now, some people's work for the Lord is done when they're five, some when they're 15, some 45, some not till they're 95. I think there are some people who think their work is done, but God doesn't think so. They're still here. And then there are some who think that their work isn't done, and God thinks it is.

You won't be left here one extra day. But every day you are here, go for it - live out your life mission. See, this principle has two important implications: one, your safety does not depend on your surroundings. I guess you could be in a hail of bullets (now, I don't recommend you go looking for a place like that), and if your work isn't done, you're going to be okay. But if your work is done, you can be in your living room on the couch and God will take you home. You're immortal until your work is done. Psalm 139 says, "All the days ordained for me were written in God's book before one of them came to be."

Secondly, God's got work for you to do. The fact that you woke up this morning means that God has a destiny for you for this day. He's delivered you from every lion in your life so you could finish what He's put you on earth to do. What a way to live: fearlessly, confident, significantly! The Lord will rescue you from every attack except one. And that will be when He takes you safely to His heavenly kingdom.

Read: Proverbs 22:1; Isaiah 56:5; 1 John 3:1

Alexis rushed into the house. “Mom! Bree’s mom and new baby sister are home now! She’s so cute, and her name is Arabella. I love that name! How do people decide what to name their babies?”

“Well, some are named after a family member or a person the parents admire, and sometimes parents choose a name for its meaning.”

Alexis was surprised. “Names have meanings?”

“Most do,” said Mom. “For instance, Alexis means ‘helper’ or ‘defender.’ I can show you a website where you can search for names and their meanings if you want.”

“Oh, yes please!” So Alexis and Mom looked up several names together. Bree meant “strength,” and Arabella meant “yielding to prayer.” They even looked up Dad’s name—Matthew—which meant “gift of God.”

“Did you know the Bible says it’s better to choose a good name than to choose great wealth?” Mom asked as they got up from the computer.

“But we don’t choose our own names,” said Alexis. “Parents give them to us.”

“You’re right. You didn’t choose the name Dad and I gave you—you received it when you were born into our family. And there’s another name you’ve received that’s even more important.”

“There is?” asked Alexis. “What’s that?”

“When you trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, you became part of His family and received His name—Christian, which means ‘little Christ.’ That name means He’s made you a new person and that you have His righteousness, or goodness. Your new name means you belong to Him.”

“Really?” Alexis smiled. “I didn’t realize that’s what Christian meant.”

Mom nodded. “In the Bible, God even renamed some people when He called them to follow Him. Abram became Abraham, Sarai became Sarah, and Simon became Peter. Their new names had special meanings that told others God had made them new people and was using them to show others who He was.” Mom smiled at Alexis. “He’s doing the same with us as Christians, shaping us to be like Jesus so we can point others toward Him. When we trust Him to help us speak and act in ways that show others who He is, we’re choosing to let people know us by the good name He’s given us.”

–Agnes Livezey

How about you? Do you know where your name comes from? Were you named after a special person or given your name because of what it means? We can’t choose our names at birth, but the best name of all is one anyone can have by trusting in Jesus and becoming part of God’s family. The name Christian means that Jesus has saved you and made you a new person. Let others know your new name by showing God’s love in all you say and do.

Today's Key Verse: A good name is to be chosen over great wealth; favor is better than silver and gold.

Today's Key Thought: Choose to have a good name

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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Long-term care is becoming one of the biggest pressures families face. Rising costs, limited coverage, and an aging population represent challenges for which few retirees are prepared. On the next Faith & Finance Live, Rob West and Harlan Accola explain how home equity can help meet long-term care costs. Then, it’s onto your calls and questions. 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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We live in a world where the internet forgets nothing—every photo, post, and blog entry is seemingly stored forever. One major search engine, however, introduced a privacy feature allowing users to request the removal of personal data like phone numbers, home addresses, and more. While this doesn’t erase the data from the internet entirely, it significantly reduces its visibility, giving people a sense of control over their digital footprints.

This idea of “scrubbing” the past echoes the prophet’s words in Isaiah 43:18-19. God said, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing.” These verses were spoken to Israel during their exile in Babylon—a period of deep despair and longing for restoration. God commanded His people to not fixate on their past failures or the pain of captivity but to look forward to the new work He was about to do—a new and more significant exodus—their deliverance from Babylon and return to their homeland. He wasn’t just erasing the past but “making a way” (v. 19) to a future filled with hope and purpose.

Instead of dwelling on failures or regrets, let’s trust that God has “scrubbed” our past sins, regrets, and shame and—though Jesus’ sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10)—“remembers [our] sins no more” (Isaiah 43:25). God propels us toward the future He’s preparing.

Segment 1

• When can we address an event without it being gossip?

• As we get older, the temptations and challenges that we face change too.

• We’re not gossiping about anyone – but these are warnings that apply to everyone.

Segment 2

• A respected Christian author admits to an 8-year affair. How did this happen?

• As we get older, we can get bogged down with fatigue and complacency.

• If we grow soft and lethargic, our theology leans that way too.

Segment 3

• Older Christians don’t automatically become wiser.

• When leaders aren’t held accountable, they can drift in silence for years.

• Isolation makes us vulnerable. If no one can speak truth and accountability into your life, you’re in danger.

Segment 4

• We will not be free of temptation and sin until this life is over.

• Don’t wait until it’s too late – be on the lookout for signs of “softening”.

• 5 warning signs: Bible boredom, church indifference, gospel apathy, worldly comfort, and minimized sin.

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