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One of my daughter’s most vivid childhood memories is the day her dad taught her to ride a bike without training wheels. At one point in their outing, my husband balanced his feet on the hubs of her rear wheel (while she kept hers on the pedals and they shared the handlebars) so they could coast down a small, gently sloping section together. She remembers her dad laughing with joy—a sharp contrast to her own fearful experience of the moment. The ride was so short that the entire episode happened too quickly for him to stop and empathize with her. As they reminisce about the incident today, my husband’s gentle response to her recollection is to reassure her that he knew everything would be okay.

Their story is an apt metaphor for the moments when we too experience fear in life. The “hills” might look big and scary from our vantage point and the risk of being hurt can seem very real. Yet Scripture assures us that because “the Lord is with [us],” we don’t need to “be afraid” (Psalm 118:6). Though human help may fail us, He’s a trustworthy refuge when we feel overwhelmed by our struggles (vv. 8-9).

God is our “helper” (v. 7), which means we can trust Him to care for us during life’s most trying and fearful moments. Despite any falls, scars, and pain we might endure, His saving presence is our “strength” and “defense” (v. 14).  

It’s Witness Wednesday!

In today’s episode, Todd Friel engages in meaningful conversations with several university students. First up is Cole, a pro-lifer who isn’t a believer. Later, Todd speaks with agnostic Moira, discussing God’s existence and Moira’s personal experiences with Christianity. Todd continually points the students back to the ultimate hope that we are called to share – the gospel of grace through God’s Son.

Segment 1

• Cole intrigued by Christianity but skeptical of its claims.

• Todd shifts focus from crusades to Cole’s personal sin problem.

• God’s holiness vs. human sinfulness is the real crisis.

Segment 2 – Cole (part 2)

• Cole wrestles with the Trinity and Jesus’ dual nature.

• Todd explains how only God-in-flesh could be a worthy substitute.

• Salvation is central—Father sends, Son saves, Spirit convicts.

Segment 3

• Agnostic Moira shares what she knows about Easter.

• She only believes what she can see, and doesn’t personally see the importance of faith.

• Moira has been put off from Christianity by bad personal experiences.

Segment 4

• Todd holds Moira to account against God’s commandments.

• She admits guilt when confronted with God’s commands.

• Todd explains Easter: Jesus’ death and resurrection solves our sin and shame problem.

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Thanks for listening!

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Listen to today's Laugh Again with Phil Callaway, "30 Things That Make Me Smile." Enjoy!

Staying faithful to Christ until death requires intentional effort. Dr. John identifies two essential means of grace God provides: remembering faithful Christian leaders who have passed away and studying their examples for inspiration; and resolutely rejecting false teaching by clinging to unchangeable biblical truths. He shows how Christians must return to bedrock doctrines when faced with deceptive teachings that would lead them away from Christ.

The Jesus Effect: Faith in Jesus ought to make a difference in our lives. The good news is not simply a message of comfort or hope; the Gospel is a message of transformation! In this 10 message series, Dr. John teaches about the changes Jesus makes in our worship, conduct, and relationships. Listen to these messages and get ready to be changed.

With every pleasure are hidden responsibilities. And sometimes with great pleasures, like being a mother, the responsibilities are also greater.

Regret can be a crushing burden that keeps you tethered to our past. Maybe you’re still dealing with the consequences of mistakes made by you or others in your life. Even though the past is irreversible, Christ offers you healing from your hurt and shame! Dr. Erwin Lutzer shares how to confront your past, discard the weight of any false or real guilt, and move forward in God’s grace and forgiveness.

Further explore sin and the law from Romans 7 with Pastor Chuck Swindoll. Discover why Christians still battle sin after trusting in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour.

From the Series: Romans: The Christian’s Constitution

read more

Some longtime friends dropped by for a visit and they told us a moving story of what had happened to their son. Tom had been a missionary pilot in Mexico - one of those spiritual heroes, I think, who take the Gospel and God's help to places where it could otherwise never go, including a mountain village in Mexico where the pilots have been God's instruments to launch a mighty work for Christ. And then came the crash. With three missionary pilots and several passengers aboard, a defect in their plane's almost new engine caused a terrible crash. Tom was one of those who survived that crash that could very well have killed everyone. The villagers who loved them actually traveled hours to reach them and rescue them. Tom's body was really badly shattered, and his recovery was long, grueling. But then he was flown back to the area where he ministered. His parents really choked up, and so did we, when they told us what happened as he got off the plane. There to greet him was a crowd of cheering Mexican friends. And they were holding a banner that simply said "Welcome home, Captain Tom!"

I'm Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about "Your 'Welcome Home.'"

I'm hoping you and I can get a "welcome home" like that in heaven someday. It all depends on what we live for in the years until we get home.

In our word for today from the Word of God, Paul clearly lays out what matters most to him about the legacy of his life. In 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20, he writes these words to the people that he's invested his life in spiritually: "What is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when He comes? Is it not you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy." Paul is looking forward to getting to heaven and seeing a lot of people that he touched for eternity. That's the welcoming party he's looking for.

Basically, Paul says there are two things that matter in life: the Savior you serve and the lives you touch. That's your reward for the years you spend on this planet, that's your legacy, that's your joy. Well, at least it's supposed to be.

It's possible that your life's priorities have gotten a little inverted by the pressures and the people and the problems that tend to fill up your life. You've been taken over by a truckload of earth-stuff. One friend of mine summed it up pretty well the other day. When someone asked him if he's ever played Trivial Pursuit, he said, "Every day." He wasn't talking about the game. He's talking about his life.

Just hearing about Pilot Tom's "welcome home" was an important values-clarification reminder. If you've become consumed and sidetracked with a lot of stuff that's non-eternal, maybe it's time to get with Jesus and replace your agenda with His agenda to "seek first His kingdom" (Matthew 6:33).

And if you're a little weary or discouraged in your faithful service for Jesus, I hope you'll be encouraged by the thought of the reward you're building, the legacy you're developing and the lives that have been touched by your sacrifices who will be thanking you forever. The people you've risked to take to heaven with you will be there, humanly speaking, because you cared. The lives that have been touched by the ministries you've given to will, in the Bible's words, be "credited to your account" (Philippians 4:17).

All that really matters is what's going to meet you when you get to heaven. First, your Savior who will welcome you with the words you have lived for, "Well done, good and faithful servant." And the people your life in Christ has touched for eternity. Who knows, maybe they'll be holding a banner with your name on it that says, "Welcome home!"