Grace 809

We can calmly take our concerns to God because he is as near as our next breath. This was the reassuring message from the miracle of the bread and fish. In an event crafted to speak to the anxious heart, Jesus told his disciples to do the impossible: feed five thousand people.

You aren’t facing five thousand hungry bellies, but you are facing a deadline in two days, a loved one in need of a cure. On one hand you have a problem. On the other you have a limited quantity of wisdom, patience, or time.

Typically, you’d get anxious. You’d tell God, “You’ve given me too much to handle.” This time, instead of focusing on what you don’t have, start with Jesus. Start with his wealth, his resources, and his strength. Before you lash out in fear, look up in faith. Turn to your Heavenly Father for help.

Read more Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Today is Poetry Thursday. We’ll read Proverbs  29-30. We will read more contrasts between the wise and the foolish. Today we’re going to skip on this date in church history I’m calling today’s episode “Naive No More.“

Chapter 29, verse 18 said, “Where there is no understanding of the Word of the Lord, the people do whatever they want to, but happy is he who keeps the law.” The NIV renders it this way: “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.” The English Standard Version says, “18Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.” And for good measure, the King James Version translateth this verse thusly: “18Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.”

I always like to look at several translations when I do a Bible study. It helps me get a better grasp of what is being taught. And I think the different translations here help to illuminate what God is telling us in this verse. 

You might remember that when we read through the book of Judges back in October and November there were several times in Judges where the text said something like, “And there were no kings in the land.” In other words, there was no one to lead the people, with the implication being “no one with an understanding of the Word of God.” And since the people were free to do as they wanted, many terrible things happened.

And isn’t that what verse 18 here is saying? “Where there is no revelation, people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction.”

When I was young and naive, I trusted the wisdom of the people. I believed that the voting public would make right decisions in electing people for office and in voting on issues. Yes, I was very naive. I’m not naive any more, and I certainly no longer believe in the wisdom of the people. Maybe it was true in the past, when our elected leaders (at least in public) honored the Word of God. Maybe. But now that the Bible is all but banned in the halls of government and politicians care more for pleasing lobbyists and following polls, and not being cancelled, than in doing what is right and moral and best for the country, the public have cast off restraint. There is no longer an overarching God fearing

What will heaven be like? Does everyone go there? Grammy-nominated singer and beloved television host, Sheila Walsh, shares from her new book, The Hope of Heaven: How the Promise of Heaven Changes Everything. Sheila shares why what we believe about heaven shapes how you live today! If you’re looking for encouragement, or a fresh glimpse of God’s love for you and your family, Sheila shares the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ.
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Jim Daly continues his conversation with television host Sheila Walsh, sharing from her new book, The Hope of Heaven: How the Promise of Heaven Changes Everything. If you’re looking for encouragement or a fresh glimpse of God’s love for you and your family, Sheila shares the incredible hope we have in Jesus Christ.

Get your copy of Sheila Walsh's book, The Hope of Heaven, for a donation of any amount.

Just as home offers belonging, rest, and security, so does a relationship with Jesus Christ. This article explains how to join God's eternal family. 

Speak with one of our counselors

What does heaven teach us about God? In this audio collection, you’ll hear stories and biblical insights about heaven from Focus on the Family with Jim Daly, featuring guests like John Burke, Lee Strobel, Randy Alcorn, and Erwin Lutzer.

We'd love to hear your story or comments about how Focus on the Family has made a difference. Please click below to leave a message for Jim Daly. Your story might inspire others, and we appreciate your voice! 

God repeatedly pledges his presence to his people. To Abram, God said, “Do not be afraid…I am your shield, your exceedingly great reward” (Genesis 15:1 NKJV). God told Joshua, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go” (Joshua 1:9 NIV).

In the ultimate declaration of communion, God called himself Immanuel, which means, “God with us.” He became flesh. He became sin. He defeated the grave. He is still with us. In the form of his Spirit, he comforts, teaches, and convicts.

Don’t assume God is watching from a distance. Isolation creates a downward cycle of fret. Choose instead to be the person who clutches the presence of God with both hands. We can calmly take our concerns to God because he is as near as our next breath. And because the Lord is near, we can be anxious for nothing!

Read more Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Today is Psalms Wednesday and we’ll read chapter 119. Last week we read the shortest Psalm and the shortest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is the longest. Today we’re going to skip on this date in church history I’m calling today’s episode “Ode To the Owner’s Manual.“

We do not know the author of this, the longest psalm and the longest chapter in the Bible. Psalm 119 is another acrostic. There are 22 sections of 8 verses each, and each section is assigned one of the 22 Hebrew letters in succession, with each verse in each section beginning with that letter.

Psalm 119 is written to glorify God and His Word. Nearly every verse mentions Scripture in one way or another. The most common word used is Law, or in Hebrew, torah. It appears 25 times. The Hebrew word dabar, which is translated as “word” in English, appears 24 times. Judgements, or mispatim (Hebrew) is used 23 times. Testimonies (edut/edot Hebrew) is also used 23 times. Commandments (miswah/miswot) shows up 22 times. Statutes (huqqim), 21 times. Precepts (piqqudim) 21 times. Word (imrah) 19 times.

It is important to note that without exception, every mention of the Scripture is tied to its author…God. This psalm is not a celebration simply of Scripture, but of Him, the giver of Scripture.

“This wonderful psalm, from its great length, helps us to wonder at the immensity of Scripture. From its keeping to one subject it helps us to adore the unity of Scripture; for it is but one. Yet, from the many turns it gives to the same thought, it helps you to see the variety of Scripture…. Some have said that in it there is an absence of variety, but that is merely the observation of those who have not studied it. I have weighed each word, and looked at each syllable with lengthened meditation; and I bear witness that this sacred song has no tautology in it, but is charmingly varied from beginning to end. Its variety is that of a kaleidoscope: from a few objects a boundless variation is produced. In the kaleidoscope you look once, and there is a strangely beautiful form. You shift the glass a very little, and another shape, equally delicate and beautiful, is before your eyes. So it is here.” (Charles Spurgeon)

“Luther professed that he prized this Psalm so highly, that he would not take the whole world in exchange for one leaf of it.” (Charles Bridges)

As I said in the Introduction, the word for Scripture that is used most in this psal

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How many disasters have been averted because one person refused to buckle under the strain? It’s this kind of composure Paul is summoning when he says, “Let your gentleness be evident to all.  The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything” (Philippians 4:5-6 NIV).

The Greek word translated here as “gentleness” describes a temperament that’s seasoned and mature.  It envisions an attitude fitting to the occasion, levelheaded and tempered. This gentleness is “evident to all.” Family members take note. Your friends sense a difference. Coworkers benefit from it.  The gentle person is sober minded and clear thinking. The contagiously calm person is the one who reminds others God is in control.

Pursue this gentleness. The Lord is near. You are not alone. You may feel alone. You may think you’re alone. But there is never a moment in which you face life without help. God is near—be anxious for nothing!

Read more Anxious for Nothing: Finding Calm in a Chaotic World

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Today is History Tuesday 2 Chronicles 16-20. After the reading I have some comments for you, I have an on this date in church history for you. I’m calling today’s episode “How Does God See You?”  

King Jehoshaphat really got off on a good foot when he began his reign as king of Judah. Chapter 17:3-6 tells us, “The Lord was with Jehoshaphat because he followed the ways of his father David before him. 

(Meaning, David his ancestor). 

He did not consult the Baals but sought the God of his father and followed his commands rather than the practices of Israel. 

(Unlike some of the other kings, and unlike the culture of the time.)

The Lord established the kingdom under his control; and all Judah brought gifts to Jehoshaphat, so that he had great wealth and honor. His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord; furthermore, he removed the high places and the Asherah poles from Judah.”

(In removing these things, he demonstrated that he truly wanted to do what was right before the Lord. In taking down these places, he would have made many people angry. But he cared more about pleasing God than in pleasing people.)

 In addition, Jehoshaphat sent men throughout the kingdom to teach the people the Law of God (2 Chronicles 17:7–9).

(The people had to be taught God’s Law. Many had forgotten it, or never been taught. This is one of the reasons that they had Asherah poles and high places. They didn’t know any better.)

Jehoshaphat was serious, and he sent a delegation of at least 16 highly qualified men around the county to do the teaching. And commentator Adam Clarke wrote of this, “Thus the nation became thoroughly instructed in their duty to God, to the king, and to each other. They became, therefore, as one man; and against a people thus united, on such principles, no enemy could be successful.” And according to verse 10 of chapter 17, “The fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands surrounding Judah, so that they did not go to war against Jehoshaphat.”

They became as one man. They were united. And they were seen as unbeatable.

Of course, as we read, Jehoshaphat was not a perfect king. But God is merciful, and in chapter 20 verse 32, we read, “He followed the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” His father Asa was not perfect either, nor was King David. But all three of these men put their faith in God. And despite their failings, God says of them “They did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.”

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