CLA+

Thousands of people around the world prayed for Sethie’s three-year-old son, who’d been hospitalized for months. When doctors said Shiloh had “no meaningful brain activity,” Sethie called me. “Sometimes, I’m scared I’m not living with full faith,” she said. “I know God can heal Shiloh and let him come home with us. I’m also at peace if God heals him by taking him to heaven.” Assuring her that God understands like no one else can, I said, “You’ve surrendered to God. That is full faith!” A few days later, God took her precious son to heaven. Though struggling with the grief of losing him, Sethie thanked God and the many people who prayed. She said, “I believe God is still good and still God.”

In this world, until Jesus comes again, we’ll “suffer grief in all kinds of trials” (1 Peter 1:6). We’ll need to process real emotions caused by real pain. However, everyone who experiences “new birth” in Christ (v. 3) can be anchored in life by love for Christ and be “filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy” (v. 8). The end result of our faith in Jesus is this: “the salvation of [our] souls” (v. 9).

The Holy Spirit empowers us to have full faith—living with our prayers and our situations confidently surrendered to Christ.

Sermon Overview

Scripture Passage: Exodus 20:12

One of the most basic, fundamental commandments we are to follow is to honor our fathers and mothers.

Exodus 20:12 says, “Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be long upon the land which the Lord your God is giving you.”

Our parents are the first people we meet in this world; if we do not love and respect them, how can we expect to love and respect others?

Adrian Rogers says, “The religion that does not begin at home does not begin.”

We first honor our parents by obeying them when we are young.

Disobedience is not a weakness; it is a wickedness. Disobedience invites the sure judgment of God. On the contrary, obedience invites the blessings of God. The first secret to a long life and prosperity is learning to honor our fathers and mothers. Through obedience, we learn character and self-control; we receive God’s blessing and protection.

Second, we should care for our parents when they are old.

In our society, people sometimes fail to care for their older parents. We must remember that our parents loved us in spite of our faults; we must love them in spite of their faults.

Third, we should honor our parents at all times.

We do that first by showing respect, no matter what. We also show honor when we express gratitude. Gratefulness blesses our parents more than we could ever know. We honor them when we listen to their counsel. Our parents have the advantage of being further down the road of life. How wise we would be to listen to the ones who love us and have our best interest in mind. We can live noble lives that bring honor to them. Children are an extension of their parents; when they see their children doing things that are godly and worthy, it gives them joy.

Last of all, we must show our parents love, remembering what we owe them; they gave us life, their blood flows through our veins.

Adrian Rogers says, “The love of your parents for you is the closest thing to the love of God known on this Earth.”

Apply it to your life

Do you obey and honor our Heavenly Father, showing respect, gratitude, and love?

We would love to hear from you! Please send us your comments here.

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Do you see yourself the way God sees you?  We’re unpacking this important question this Mother’s Day, especially for daughters, here on today’s BOLD STEPS with Pastor Mark Jobe. Last time, he began exploring how our relationship with our earthly father profoundly shapes our understanding of our Heavenly Father.  For many listening today, this subject touches some very tender places in the heart.  Whether you experienced abandonment, neglect, or even abuse from your father figure … or perhaps never knew your father at all … these wounds can create significant barriers in fully experiencing God’s love.  In today’s message, Mark addresses these “father wounds” by showing how healing in this area is essential for embracing who God has called you to be and loving others as He’s called you to love.

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Living with a verbal abuser can be devastating. Can an abuser change? Yes, but the abuser must be willing to change. If they don't, separation might be the loving action you'll need to take to motivate them to change.

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Ephesians 1 says that God has always had a plan for us. Before

the world began, He chose us to be part of His family through

Jesus. Paul writes about how amazing it is that we’re forgiven and

have the Holy Spirit in us.

On today’s program, Milestone Church in North Texas announced this week it is expanding its campuses by absorbing Cross Timbers Church in nearby Argyle. Cross Timbers has faced a series of challenges in the past year, including the forced resignation of its senior pastor. We’ll have details.

Plus, prominent evangelical leaders petition President Trump to allow Afghan refugees to remain in the U.S. Refugees face arrest, torture, and possibly death by the Taliban if deported back to Afghanistan. We’ll take a look.

A new survey shows the number of donors continued to drop in 2024…but revenue from overall donations rose.

But first, Ethnos 360—one of the largest missionary agencies in the country—has been sued by a child of missionaries who says she was abused while her parents served in Indonesia.

The producer for today’s program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today’s program include Kim Roberts, Tony Mator, Bob Smietana, Paul Colliery, Brittany Smith and Warren Smith.

A special thanks to The NonProfit Times for contributing material for this week’s podcast.

Until next time, may God bless you.