Grace 809

Jason and Tori Benham provide a series of practical, Bible-based principles to help couples experience stronger, healthier, and more godly marriages. They describe better ways to handle conflict, communication, and practicing “being present” with your family – especially when it’s hard.

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Anxiety is a meteor shower of what-ifs.  The sky is falling, and it’s falling disproportionately on you.  Anxiety ain’t fun!

One would think Christians would be exempt from anxiety.  But we are not.  It’s enough to make us wonder if the apostle Paul was out of touch with reality when he wrote in Philippians 4:6, “Be anxious for nothing.”  Is that what he meant?  Not exactly.  He wrote the phrase in the present active tense—implying an ongoing state.  As if to say, “Don’t let anything in life leave you perpetually breathless and in angst.”

The presence of anxiety is unavoidable, but the prison of anxiety is optional. Could you use some calm? Of course you could.  We all could.  We all could use a word of comfort. And God is ready to give it.

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

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Since today is Wednesday, we’ll be reading from the book of Psalms, and we’ll read chapters 108-110. I’ll give you a brief introduction to each chapter, then after the reading, I’ll have some comments. After the reading, I’ll have some comments for you. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “Decide In Advance.”  

David begins this psalm with a declaration: I am determined, O God! I will sing and praise you with my whole heart.

Many years ago I read the book “Experiencing God” by Henry Blackaby. It changed my life. Truly. In this book, the author made this point: Decide in advance that no matter what God asks you to do, your answer will be YES. That’s an easy decision if you trust God and believe that He will only ask you to do something that will ultimately be good for you, and will further His kingdom. 

Another way to put it is: Be determined that whatever God asks you to do, your answer will be YES.

David, in the opening verse says: I am determined, O God! I will sing and praise you with my whole heart. I can’t think of a better way to say it. No matter what happens, Lord, I will sing and praise you with my whole heart. 

David closed the psalm with: By God’s power we will conquer; he will trample down our enemies.

When we are His, when we cling to Him, He will bring us victory. There are battles in life; no one gets through life without them. But we need not fear if God is with us. Surely, heartbreak will come our way, but we need not be defeated. Through the darkest times, we can and we must trust God, and continue to be determined to sing and praise Him with our whole heart.

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 108-109 NET; Ch. 110 NKJV

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I am determined Oh Go

David Benham addresses how 20-seconds of hugging your spouse can improve your relationship immensely.

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Jason and Tori Benham provide a series of practical, Bible-based principles to help couples experience stronger, healthier, and more godly marriages. They describe better ways to handle conflict, communication, and practicing “being present” with your family – especially when it’s hard.

Receive a copy of Marriage A to Z and an audio download of "Simple Yet Profound Ways to Transform Your Marriage" for your donation of any amount!

Get More Episode Resources 

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

The moment you sense a problem, however large or small, take it to Christ. “Max, if I take my problems to Jesus every time I have one, I’m going to be talking to Jesus all day long.” Now you’re getting the point.

An unprayed for problem is an embedded thorn. It festers and infects the finger, then the hand, then the entire arm. Best to go straight to the person who has the tweezers. We can only wonder how many disasters would be averted if we first go to Jesus. Philippians 4:6 says, “Don’t worry about anything. Instead pray about everything.” Tell God your needs and don’t forget to thank him for his answers.

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks, pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Today is HISTORY Tuesday, and we will finish 1 Chronicles with the reading of chapters 25-29. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “The Man After God’s Own Heart.”  

These chapters are the finale of David’s life. 

David wanted to build the Temple, but God told him that since he had been a man of war and had spilled blood, he would not be the one to build it. That would be for his son, Solomon. Instead of allowing David to build the Temple, God told David that He (God) would build an everlasting house for David. There would be a descendant of David on the throne forever.

But God did allow David to make the preparations to build it, and this David did with all of his heart. He gathered gold, silver, bronze, wood, onyx and a variety of other stones, and marble. And he arranged for all the craftsmen that would do the work In addition, David gave the plans for building the Temple to Solomon. So in today’s parlance, you might say that David was a sort of General Contractor. Not exactly, but you get the idea. The point is, God allowed David to do everything but actually be involved in the actual construction. And David put his all into the preparation.

In these final two chapters, David called together all of Israel’s leaders and told them that they should be careful to seek out all the commandments of the Lord their God so that they would possess this good land and leave it as an inheritance for their children and children’s children forever. And he had words of advice for Solomon, his son. He said, “…know the God of your father, and serve Him with a loyal heart and with a willing mind; for the Lord searches all hearts and understands all the intent of the thoughts.” And he said, ““Be strong and of good courage, and do it; do not fear nor be dismayed, for the Lord God—my God—will be with you.” This is good advice for any parent to pass to their children, don’t you think?

And then David offered praise to God in the manner that you would expect the one who wrote most of the Psalms would do. 

Then Solomon took the throne, and he was anointed king. And the Lord exalted Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed on him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in I

 Raising a daughter today isn’t easy. Between social pressure, cultural expectations, and questions about identity and self-worth, many parents wonder if they’re doing enough. Dannah Gresh explores how moms can connect deeply with their daughters, guide them with grace, and help them grow strong in their faith and confidence in who God created them to be. 

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James 1:17 says, “Every good and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.”

Take this simple pocket prayer for you today: Dear Father, teach me to accept what you’ve given. I may not always understand the circumstances, but show me how they are blessings and give me gratitude for all your gifts. Rain your blessings on my friends and family today. Give them hope whatever they face. Thank you that your blessings never end. In Jesus name, amen.

Here’s my challenge for you: every day for four weeks pray four minutes. Then get ready to connect with God like never before.

Read more Before Amen: The Power of a Simple Prayer

For more inspirational messages please visit Max Lucado.

Transcript

Lawful Monday, and we are reading from Numbers, one of the books of the Law. Next up are chapter 17-20. And of course I’ll have an “On This Date In Church History” segment for you, too. I’m calling today’s episode “Excuse Me?”  

Once again the people were complaining. The older generation that had been forbidden from entering the Promised Land was beginning to die off, but now this newer generation was acting much like them. Yes they needed water, but instead of merely asking Moses what they were going to do, they sounded just like their parents: “We wish we had died when our people fell dead in front of the Lord. 4Why did you bring the Lord’s people into this desert? We and our livestock will die here. 5Why did you bring us up out of Egypt? Why did you bring us to this terrible place? It doesn’t have any grain or figs. It doesn’t have any grapes or pomegranates. There isn’t even any water for us to drink!” Waah, waah, waah!”

So when Moses and Aaron went to the Lord, He told Moses, 8 “Get your walking stick. You and your brother Aaron gather the people together. Then speak to that rock while everyone is watching. It will pour out its water. You will bring water out of the rock for the community. Then they and their livestock can drink it.”

So let’s look carefully at what God said:

1-“Get your walking stick.” Moses did that. By the way, do you remember what the walking stick (or rod, as other translations have it) was for? It was the symbol of the authority God had given Moses. 

And do you also remember another time that water came from a rock? In Exodus 17:6 God told Moses to strike the rock with the rod, and water came out. But here in Numbers 20, God to him only to speak to the rock.

2-“You and Aaron gather the people together.” They did that. So far, so good.

3- “Speak to the rock while everyone is watching.” Fail. Instead of speaking to the rock, Moses got snarky with the people. He said, “Listen, you who refuse to obey! Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?”

God did not tell Moses to chastise the people. Actually, God had a very specific plan for what was supposed to happen, and it most certainly did not involve scolding them.

And what did Moses say? “Do we have to bring water out of this rock for you?” Excuse me? Did Moses really say “we”? As if he could bring water out of the rock? As if God can’t do it by Himself? 

So now he’s made two blunders. He’s lectured the people, and he’s gotten prideful. How could things possibly get worse?

Moses strikes the