YOU Podcast

There is an interdependence that exists in our world that we cannot ignore. We know from history that our choices affect others.

During the Civil Rights era, countless leaders sacrificed comfortable, simple lives for the benefit of others. Harriet Tubman risked her freedom to go back into slave territory and deliver others to freedom. During the Montgomery Bus Boycott, a community of African Americans inconvenienced themselves by refusing to ride buses seeking change. Where would we be if these individuals chose to look out for themselves and their own comfort?

During the Civil Rights era, countless leaders sacrificed comfortable, simple lives for the benefit of others… Where would we be if these individuals chose to look out for themselves and their own comfort?

When we consider the needs of others, we will live in ways that make an eternal difference. By living out the gospel for others to see, we show God’s love and draw them closer to a relationship with God. The apostle Paul spoke about how we can live lives that make an eternal difference. This is indeed a better way to live, and it will lead us to support others and honor Christ.

In the world of film and music, award shows happen every year. During the Grammy Awards, individuals and groups are honored for contributing to their field. When someone wins an award like Best Artist of the Year, often the winner takes the time to thank a few people that made the award possible. The artist knows that without those individuals, he or she would not have achieved excellence.

We cannot live this Christian life in the flesh.

As Christians, we find ourselves in situations that are beyond our abilities. Whether it is forgiving an enemy or praying for someone who has persecuted you, doing what is right is impossible without help. The Apostle Paul cried out over this exact problem testifying that even when he wants to do what is right evil is present with him (Rom. 7:15-18). Yet, as Paul eventually concluded, we cannot live this Christian life in the flesh. We need help and God has provided it through the His Spirit. As we study Paul’s instructions to the church of Ephesus, we will learn that help is available. We can walk in God’s light and walk in His wisdom.

As a kid, my father told me that married people wore wedding rings. A wedding ring is a sign that a man and a woman are in covenant with one another. The ring is circular, represents an endless bond that would only be broken by an outside force. It is made from gold, a valuable substance that speaks to the preciousness of the union. Placing the rings on their fingers signifies that each spouse was selected and special. The ceremony for the exchanging of the rings speaks to the sacredness of the union.

As a Christian, you may not have a necklace that has a cross on it, yet those around you should know that you are saved.

Presently, I do not have a wedding ring. Although, I have been married for more than twenty-eight years, I believe there are and ought to be other indicators that testify to my endless love. Could the way I treat her alert those around us that an outward physical sign is not required. Likewise, as a Christian, you may not have a necklace that has a cross on it, yet those around you should know that you are saved. How? The presence and power of the Holy Spirit abiding in you should demonstrate to others that you have been changed.

“Where do babies come from?” the child asked as Joslyn visited her best friend who recently had a newborn baby. This question is one that young children ask their parents. When asked, some parents answer with tales of storks flying with babies in baskets, dropping them off with parents who desire a child. I would not advise this approach because it is not the truth. In contrast, some parents act as if they are clueless or look for ways to change the subject. Last are the brave, straightforward, no nonsense type of parents who get right to the point and tell the child the truth.

When Nicodemus approached Jesus to ask a tough question, Jesus did not give him a fairy tale. He tackled the question head on before Nicodemus got the chance to even present it..

Likewise, I’m glad that when it comes to the tough questions, Jesus does not make up something. This is precisely the case with the Pharisee named Nicodemus. As a Pharisee, he was familiar with Old Testament prophecy, and the promises made about a new life. So, when Nicodemus approached Jesus to ask a tough question, Jesus did not give him a fairy tale. He tackled the question head on before Nicodemus got the chance to even present it.

In 2002, a biographical film premiered that told the story of a young seaman named Antwone Fisher with a troublesome past and a violent present. His outbursts of anger and the rapid speed in which he would lose his temper had posed him for a quick exit from the Navy.

In an effort to help the volatile sailor, he was sent to a naval psychiatrist, Jerome Davenport, for help. Antwone rejected Jerome’s help at first and refused to share the source of his pain. Eventually, the young man softened and revealed a horrific childhood. Through Jerome’s counsel Antwone dealt with His past and forged ahead toward a new beginning.

We have not been left to handle our heartache alone.

Just like Antwone Fisher, our past may be filled with an album of hurtful memories. You may have been or may be feeling lost and alone. Yet, there is good news! We have not been left to handle our heartache alone. Christ promised that He would send another Counselor, the Spirit of Truth, who would guide us into all truth. He promised that He would send the Holy Spirit and that His disciples would never be alone.

Secret shopper. Anyone who has worked in retail knows those two words were the scariest words to hear. When I was in high school I worked retail and sometimes our corporate office would send a “secret shopper” to shop in our location. Our managers knew that a secret shopper was coming, but didn’t know exactly when. They would make sure we cleaned perfectly, took exact breaks, and worked by the book.

One night in our pre-shift meeting as the manager was explaining expectations in light of the secret shopper, one of my co-workers said, “What if we worked everyday like the secret shopper was coming?”

If we live daily with the anticipation and expectation of Christ’s return, His return will be something we rejoice over.

When we were hired we were expected to do a job at a standard laid out for us. The same applies to our walk with Christ. If we live daily with the anticipation and expectation of Christ’s return, His return will be something we rejoice over. We are to live our lives so that when Christ returns, we will be unashamed before Him (1John 2:28).

The clock said 13:19 in the third quarter, and the Houston Oilers were so far ahead of the Buffalo Bills (35-3) that the fans began streaming out of the stadium. It was January 3, 1993 in Buffalo, New York, so why stick around and watch your team get trounced?

But the game was not over. In less than seven minutes, the Bills had scored 27 points, coming within four points of the Oilers. But the game was still not over. A tie put them in overtime, and the Buffalo Bills ended the game winning 41-38.

“It ain’t over ‘til it’s over.” Lenny Kravtiz recorded his famous song in the early 1990’s as a cry for relationship. It ain’t over, ‘til it’s over. Anyone who has been in a relationship knows the feeling. The relationship is not over until each person throws in the towel on hope.

For followers of Christ, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over” applies to the return of Christ. We are called to serve Him and continue serving Him until He calls us home.

For followers of Christ, “It ain’t over ‘til it’s over” applies to the return of Christ. We are called to serve Him and continue serving Him until He calls us home.

On our anniversary my husband and I went to San Diego, California. When we departed from Boston it was morning and when we arrived in San Diego six hours later, it was still morning! We still had our whole day left; however, we were exhausted realizing our bodies had not adjusted to the time difference. Our sense of timing was completely off. We desired to enjoy California, but our bodies were not prepared.

Maybe that is how you feel about Christ’s return. You are excited in some ways, but in other ways you are not adjusted. There are many phenomena in our world, and it seems that Jesus should be back at any moment. Yet, Jesus has not come. Our timing is off.

How do you feel about Christ’s return? You are excited in some ways, but in other ways you are not adjusted.

History is full of many misfires about Jesus’ return. Some of these misfires are created by heretical teachers hoping to gain a following. On other occasions, a misfire occurs because well-meaning believers get caught up in their zeal about end times and misread events. What did Jesus have to say about the timing of Hisreturn? Let’s look at today’s session.

I have an awesome toddler at home, he is four-years old. When he was a baby I remember older mothers telling me that in a room full of babies, you will always know your baby’s cry. It was not until I was in the mall shopping with my husband that I experienced this. He was in a different store and I lost track of them while I was looking for some summer clothes. I heard a few babies cry, but I knew when my baby cried. I looked up and lo and behold, my husband and son were entering the store. No matter how many babies were around me, I knew my child’s voice.

Today as we continue in Matthew 24, we are going to see how Jesus continued to explain His second coming. When He comes back, the signs of His return will be clear and unmistakable. They will be obvious! While we will not be privy to any advance warning, Christ’s return will be a powerful, can’t-miss event. I’ll gladly welcome that moment to “go home” and be with Him. In Matthew 24, Jesus told us what that day will be like.

While we will not be privy to any advance warning, Christ’s return will be a powerful, can’t-miss event.

I remember vividly one day as I was on my way to pick up my child from daycare, I got caught in some heavy traffic. I began to get terribly anxious because I knew the daycare was closing soon and I had to get to my child before he worried or worse, felt forgotten. Those minutes seemed like forever as I inched through the traffic to finally arrive at the daycare. I ran inside to find my child holding back tears. As I approached him, I embraced him so tightly. I wanted him to feel secure. In that moment, he let it all out in relief knowing that I was there to pick him up and that I had not forgotten him at all.

For any child, it is a horrible feeling when they don’t know where their parents are. I was troubled to think he might have believed I had actually forgotten him.

In the same way, many of us have also felt at moments that we are forgotten by God. As we continue our study of the end times and Jesus’ return, we will see that God will never forsake us or abandon us.

Many of us have…felt at moments that we are forgotten by God…God will never forsake us or abandon us.