John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The phrase, believes in him, doesn’t digest well in our day of self-sufficient spiritual food. Believe in yourself is the common menu selection of our day. Try harder. Work longer. Dig deeper. Self-reliance is our goal. In him smacks of exclusion. Salvation comes in many forms, right? No. Salvation is found, not in self or in them, but in him! Romans 4:5 says, “To the one who does not work, but believes in Him who justifies the ungodly, … Listen Now

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Some of us have written our own Bible verse from Popular Opinion 1:1: “God helps those who help themselves.” We’ll fix ourselves, thank you. We’ll make up for our mistakes with contributions, our guilt with busyness. We’ll overcome our failures with hard work. We’ll find salvation the old-fashioned way…we’ll earn it! Christ, in contrast, says to us; your role is to trust. Trust me to do what you can’t. By the way, you take similar steps of trust daily. You believe the chair will support you, so you set your weight on it. You trust the work of the light switch, so you flip it. You daily trust power you cannot … Listen Now

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Whoever—God’s wonderful word of welcome! We lose much in life—jobs and chances, and we lose at love. We lose youth and idealism. We lose much, but we never lose our place on God’s whoever list. I love to hear my wife say “whoever.” Sometimes it’s my favorite fragrance wafting from the kitchen…strawberry cake! I follow the smell like a bird dog follows a trail. Yet I’ve learned to still my fork until Denalyn gives clearance. “Who is it for?” I ask. She might say, “It’s for a friend. Max don’t touch it.” Or she might throw open the door of delight and say, “Whoever!” And since I qualify as … Listen Now

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Do a simple exercise with me. Measure your life against just these four standards from the Ten Commandments: You must not steal. Have you ever stolen anything? A paper clip? A parking space? …you, thief. You must not lie. Those who say they haven’t– just did. You must not commit adultery. Jesus said, “If you look at a woman with lust, you’ve committed adultery in your heart” (Matthew 5:28). You must not murder. Before you claim innocence, Jesus said “Anyone who is so much as angry with a brother or sister is guilty of murder” (Matthew 5:22). Jesus made his position clear: “Anyone whose life … Listen Now

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Jesus invites, “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carry heavy burdens, and I will give you rest… let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls” (Matthew 11:28-29). Do yourself a favor. Underscore, underline, and accept this invitation. Jesus says, Let me teach you. . .  how to handle long Mondays, and cranky in-laws. Let me teach you why people fight, and death comes, and forgiveness counts. We need answers. Jesus offers them. But can we trust him? There’s only one way to know. Seek him out. Lift up … Listen Now

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