Grace 809

Jodi Jackson Tucker, Lisa C. Qualls, and Betsy Kylstra share their stories as an adoptive mother, adopted child, and birth parent to equip those affected by adoption to experience healing from the wounds caused by broken families. Hear about God’s redemptive and transformative work through adoption.

Receive a copy of "Healing for Every Heart in Adoption" and an audio download of "Healing Wounded Hearts After Adoption" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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Lisa Qualls encourages you to reach out to foster parents through simple service.

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Consider Elijah’s pronouncement of judgment on Ahab: “[God] says, ‘I am going to bring disaster on you. I will wipe out your descendants…because you have aroused my anger and have caused Israel to sin’” (1 Kings 21:21-22 NIV).

This solemn prophecy shook Ahab. “He tore his clothes, put on sackcloth, and fasted” (1 Kings 21:27). God responded to this gesture of humility by postponing the penalty of killing all Ahab’s sons.

Years later the seventy remaining descendants of Ahab died by the sword of King Jehu. God sends them message after message, prophet after prophet, yet they slay the innocent and take what is not theirs to take. They forget what sustains them, and in the end they perish at their own folly.

Read more Unbreakable Courage

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Today is Psalms Wednesday, and we’ll read chapters 140-142. I’m calling today’s episode “The Matter of the Heart.”  

There were times in David’s life when he was pursued by men that literally wanted to kill him. He was slandered. He was hunted. This is a Psalm that was written during one of those times. 

Do you ever think of the power of your words when you go to the Lord in prayer? David asked God not only for deliverance from evil men who would do him harm, but he also asked for their destruction. Listen again: “As for the head of those who surround me, let the mischief of their lips overwhelm them! Let burning coals fall upon them! Let them be cast into fire, into miry pits, no more to rise!”

I had a conversation with a man recently who had been the victim of slander. Another person was literally trying to destroy this man’s reputation and business. The attacks got so bad that this man, for whom I have tremendous respect, prayed this Psalm asking God to deal with his attacker. And the response from God was so powerful that he told me he would never pray this way again. He told me that this person’s life was utterly destroyed. He didn’t tell me any details, but based on our relationship I believe him. 

If we are truly being attacked by genuinely evil people, God, our Heavenly Father, has it in His power to come to our rescue. His plan for our life will not be foiled by anyone or anything. If the plans of our enemies would keep us from fulfilling God’s plan, I believe He *will* intervene on our behalf. 

I love the way David closed this Psalm: “I know that the Lord will maintain the cause of the afflicted, and will execute justice for the needy. Surely the righteous shall give thanks to your name; the upright shall dwell in your presence.”

In our translation today, David prayed in verse 4, “Take away my desire to do evil or to join others in doing wrong.” But in the original Hebrew, instead of the word “desire”, David said “heart”. I like how the NASB renders this verse, “Do not let my heart be drawn to what is evil so that I take part in wicked deeds along with those who are evildoers…”

I think the distinction between desire and heart is important. At least it is for me. And maybe I’m the only one, but to me, desire resides in the mind. The more we think about the thing, the more we desire it. So if I can just force my mind to think of something else, the desire lessens. I have *some* control

Jodi Jackson Tucker, Lisa C. Qualls, and Betsy Kylstra share their stories as an adoptive mother, adopted child, and birth parent to equip those affected by adoption to experience healing from the wounds caused by broken families. Hear about God’s redemptive and transformative work through adoption.

Receive a copy of "Healing for Every Heart in Adoption" and an audio download of "Healing Wounded Hearts After Adoption" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

Get More Episode Resources 

Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

If you enjoyed listening to Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, please give us your feedback.

Betsy Kylstra offers some encouragement to parents who’ve chosen adoption.

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Get today's featured resource "Healing for Every Heart in Adoption"

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Elijah was depressed. Among God’s word to him were these: “Go back the way you came through the desert to Damascus. When you get there anoint Hazael…Then anoint Jehu…Finally, anoint Elisha…to succeed you as prophet” (1 Kings 19:15-17 MSG).

These assignments add up to one point: Get moving. God’s message to the prophet was “I still have work for you to do. You may think you’re alone; you’re not. Thousands will stand with you. It’s time for you to get back in the game.”

God’s message to you is this: You are more than the sum of your dark days. I bought you, and I have a destiny for you. Now, with my help, let’s get back in the game.

Read more Unbreakable Courage

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

This is History Tuesday. and we’ll read Nehemiah 5-9, and  I’m calling today’s episode “Is This Okay?”

In the New Living Translation, this is how verse 19 reads: “Remember, O my God, all that I have done for these people, and bless me for it.”

When I read “…and bless me for it” I raised my eyebrows just a bit. That seems a bit presumptuous, don’t you think?

But then I thought of the prayer of Jabez in 1 Chronicles 4:10: “He was the one who prayed to the God of Israel, “Oh, that you would bless me and expand my territory! Please be with me in all that I do, and keep me from all trouble and pain!” And God granted him his request.”

God granted Jabez’s request, which tells us that God did not think Jabez’s prayer was out of line. Jabez asked God to give him more, and God did it. Why? We don’t have a lot to go on, except for the verse previous to what we just read. Verse 9 says: “There was a man named Jabez who was more honorable than any of his brothers. His mother named him Jabez because his birth had been so painful.” So now we know that Jabez was an honorable man.

And so was Nehemiah. This we know because everything we read of him here in the book that bears his name testifies to that fact. He did not take on this task of rebuilding the walls for personal gain. He did it to honor God and to help the people. 

God knows our heart, beloved. You cannot fool Him. And if our heart is pure, if our motivations are right and honorable, we can come to God in confidence and humbly ask Him to bless us. 

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 5-6 NLT; Ch 7-8 NIRV; Ch. 9 NCV

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I kind of raised my eyebrows just a bit.

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The goal of parenting isn’t perfect behavior—it’s shaping your child’s heart! Juan and Jeanine Sanchez offer some tools to equip you to raise your children in the truth of God’s Word and to apply biblical principles in ways that are practical, grace-filled, and real. Parenting is a battle for the heart… and none of us can fight it alone.

Receive a copy of "Reaching Your Child's Heart" and an audio download of "Parenting Your Child's Heart, Not Just Behavior" for your donation of any amount! Plus, receive member-exclusive benefits when you make a recurring gift today. Your monthly support helps families thrive.

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Do you have a story or comment on how Focus on the Family impacted you or your family? Leave a message for Jim Daly!

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Juan Sanchez explains why your child doesn’t need a perfect parent.

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