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What if the security, peace, and purpose you've been searching for don't come from your circumstances, accomplishments, or the approval of others? Heather Holleman explores what it means to be chosen by God and how that truth can transform the way you face hardship, build relationships, and live out your calling. Discover the freedom that comes from knowing you are God's treasured possession.

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Heather Holleman Audio Collection -- Dive deeper with Heather Holleman through this free collection of Focus on the Family with Jim Daly episodes. Explore practical, faith-filled insights on understanding your purpose, strengthening your identity in Christ, investing in the next generation, and more.

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What is revival, and why does it matter? Discover how to identify the subtle drift from God's blessing into comfort and complacency. Through the legendary story of a young shepherd boy named David, learn what it means to face the 'Goliaths' of evil, sin, and distraction in your life with spiritual confidence and power.

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Heather Holleman sharing how God reminded her of Jesus’ loving sacrifice.

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Chosen for Christ

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Many Christians think they’re saved, hope they’re saved, but still they doubt, wondering, “Am I really saved?” Our behavior gives us reason to wonder. We’re strong one day, weak the next. Devoted one hour, flagging the next. Believing, then unbelieving.

Conventional wisdom draws a line through the middle of these fluctuations. Perform above this line, and enjoy God’s acceptance. But dip below it, and expect a pink slip from heaven. Salvation, then, becomes a matter of timing. You just hope you’ll die on an upswing.

Jesus’ language couldn’t be stronger: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never lose it or perish throughout the ages…and no one is able to snatch them out of My hand” (John 10:28 AMPC). God doesn’t let go, and he won’t let go of you.

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You know a lot of life’s disrupting sounds you can learn to ignore: sirens screaming, telephones ringing, TV blasting, trains rumbling by. It is almost impossible to ignore a baby crying. If there’s a baby in your house and he starts crying, what should you do?

You could just go, “Oh what a nuisance!” No, You could close the door and pretend it isn’t there. You could turn up the music real loud, cover it up. Or you could yell back at him like he’s yelling at you. Obviously, if you do any of those, you are showing your inexperience. That’s not going to do anything. He’s just going to keep crying.

See, behind the cry is a need, and the crying isn’t going to stop until he gets his tummy filled, or the relief that only a burp can give, or until you get him out of his mess shall we say. Of course, we don’t stop crying just because we grow up; we just find grownup ways to cry. Maybe there’s someone crying around you right now. I wonder how you’re responding.

I’m Ron Hutchcraft and I want to have A Word With You today about “Nuisance or Need.”

Our word for today from the Word of God? It’s in Luke 18. I’m going to begin reading at verse 35. “As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the road begging.” Now, we’re told in other gospels that his name was Bartimaeus. “When he heard the crowd going by he asked what was happening. They told him Jesus of Nazareth was passing by. He called out, ‘Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me.’ Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet. But he shouted all the more, ‘Son of David have mercy on me!’ Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to Him, and he came near and Jesus asked him, ‘What do you want Me to do for you?’ ‘Oh, Lord, I want to see’ he replied. Jesus said to him, ‘Receive your sight; your faith has healed you.’ Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus praising God.” Love it.

Now, it’s interesting the two different ways people looked at Bartimaeus in this story. When the people of Jericho saw Bartimaeus, they saw a nuisance. “Will you stop crying? Stop making so much noise! You’re an embarrassment.” When Jesus saw Bartimaeus, He saw a need.

Now, in your life there are probably some obnoxious people. Can you think of one or two? Some mean people; maybe folks who demand a lot of your time and attention. Maybe there’s a complainer around you. You know, in all of our lives, there are people who are for one reason or another folks you’d just like to close the door on maybe. And you will unless you see them through the eyes of Jesus, and there you’ll see the need.

Like a mother who looks past a baby’s annoying cry to find out where it hurts. People are nuisances because they have needs; needs that no one has stopped to meet. I wonder, if like Jesus, you would stop for them? Maybe they need a listener; they need someone who sees the good in them…someone who notices them; someone who affirms that they matter. Maybe they need someone to reach inside and find out what’s really making them bleed; someone who will include them in the group.

See, that crying person, they’re a wounded person. And you can be part of God’s healing in that person’s life. We’re here to do what Jesus would do if He were there in person, and that means when others see a nuisance, you will see a need and you’ll do something about it.

You read your Bible. You pray. You try harder. So why do you still feel spiritually stuck? If you’re wondering how to grow spiritually, pastor and author Dane Ortlund joins Dave and Ann Wilson on FamilyLife Today to challenge our instinct to pile on more effort. What if real change isn’t about doing more—but going deeper into what you already have in Christ?

Show Notes and Resources

• Deeper: Real Change for Real Sinners by Dane Ortlund.
• Deeper Study Guide by Dane Ortlund.

• Thanks to the Christian Standard Bible for sponsoring this episode. Learn more at CSBible.com.
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