Tag: Obedience

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The Good Son, A Warning

The Good SonThe good son—do you even know who I am talking about? Luke 15:11-32 is a parable Jesus taught about a lost, wayward son who finds redemption through a good father. The story is often taught in Sunday school and is the subject of many sermons and commentaries. The focus of most of these teachings is on how the prodigal son squandered his inheritance, was redeemed by a loving father, and was restored to his family. It exemplifies the act of Christ redeeming us back into His family after we have turned our backs on Him.

This is a great story in itself. But, like many of Jesus’ teachings, this one carries a warning.

The Good Son

The part of one verse that caught my attention is in verse 28: “So his father went out and pleaded with him.” This statement describes the good son, the rule follower, who is filled with righteous indignation over the lost son’s treatment. We sometimes hear or read a commentary about this son. We hear how he, like Jonah, followed all the rules, did what was right, believed he had earned God’s blessing, and did not want to see the unworthy rewarded above himself.

Jonah ran from God to try to stop God’s salvation plan for the Ninevites. The good son simply refused to join the celebration. The good son, like Jonah, felt there was an admission price tied to redemption.

But the father went out to him and pleaded with him.

Today’s Church

Galatians 2:21, “I do not nullify the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the Law, then Christ died needlessly.”

I am a visual learner. If I can see something with my eyes or imagine it in my mind, I will remember it longer. So, when I read verse 28, the image that appeared in my mind was my church—actually, any church. Jesus was at the pulpit, and the wayward sons were in the congregation. They are like the thief on the cross or the Ninevites who desperately wanted grace, but Christ had to go out into the parking lot to gather all of the good sons into the church. These are the parishioners who regularly attend church, tithe, participate in community groups and Bible studies, and pray. They are working toward crowns and jewels as a reward for their service.

The people standing outside are earning their redemption by following all the rules. They see themselves as justified because they are trying. Biblically, they understand they can’t balance the scales, but at least they are making an effort. The problem is that they love God’s stuff—redemption and grace—without truly loving God.

Romans 9:30-32, “What then shall we say? That the Gentiles who did not strive for righteousness have achieved it, that is, righteousness based on faith, but that Israel, who did strive for righteousness based on the Law, did not succeed in attaining it? Why did this happen? Because they did not pursue it by faith but on the basis of works. They tripped over the stone that causes one to stumble,”

The good son is the Pharisees of biblical times. But he is also the overly righteous of our day.

The Idea of Heaven

“The critical question for our generation—and for every generation— is this: If you could have heaven, with no sickness, and with all the friends you ever had on earth, and all the food you ever liked, and all the leisure activities you ever enjoyed, and all the natural beauties you ever saw, all the physical pleasures you ever tasted, and no human conflict or any natural disasters, could you be satisfied with heaven, if Christ were not there? ” ― John Piper, God Is the Gospel: Meditations on God’s Love as the Gift of Himself

They love the idea of heaven, the idea of not being sick, no pain, no sin, seeing loved ones again in an ideal environment, rather than spending eternity at the feet of Christ.

There is a song “What a God” that has lyrics that say:

If the highest place I reached is at your feet. Then I’ve done it all.

If the best thing that I’ve seen is your glory. Then I’ve seen it all,

If one word is the only thing you speak. Then I’ve heard it all,

If I feel your heart and never see your hand. I still have it all,

This is the definition of heaven. It’s not about inheriting streets of gold and rooms in a mansion: it’s not the result of a transactional relationship. It’s about receiving what we don’t deserve and basking in the glory of that gift.

At judgment, I don’t want to be caught standing in the parking lot. Jesus will come out and call me home, but it’s not the homecoming I want. I want to remember to love Christ for who He is, not what He offers. I want to be the person He made me to be, not as repayment, but out of genuine awe of who He is and what He has done for me.

Titus 2:11, “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”

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At Some Point, We all Need a Miracle.

At some point, everyone needs a Miracle.At some point, we all need a miracle. That isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s part of being human. Sometimes life pushes us so hard that we finally see what has always been true: we were never meant to carry everything alone.

“One genuine miracle equals a thousand sermons.” — Angus Buchan

Jeremiah 29:11, “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

We all experience times of great need. Sometimes it’s our work or business that is in danger. Maybe it’s a loved one’s life that feels fragile and uncertain. Or it’s exhaustion, fear, or grief that we can’t even put into words. In those moments, we’re not asking for luxury or comfort—we’re asking to survive. We’re asking for hope. We’re asking God to step in where we cannot.

Most of us desire a “parting-the-Red-Sea” miracle: something clear, instant, and overwhelming. A solution that erases doubt, pain, and waiting all at once. And yes, those miracles do happen. But more often, God’s miracles occur quietly, gently, and cooperatively. They involve our obedience, our action, and our participation, even when we don’t realize it at the time.

Answered prayer often follows a pattern that is less dramatic but more personal. Not because God is distant, but because He is deeply involved in shaping us, not just rescuing us.

Here are six truths that appear again and again in Scripture:

First, God knew the need before we ever spoke it.

Psalm 139:4, “Even before a word is on my tongue, you know it completely.”

Your fear, exhaustion, and silent prayers—He already sees them. Delay doesn’t mean absence. Silence isn’t indifference. God’s timing isn’t about neglect; it’s about purpose. He’s never hurried, confused, or surprised.

Second, God could fix everything instantly without involving us.


He created the universe with just a word. God doesn’t need our help, but He desires our hearts. He wants a relationship—He wants us to walk with Him, not just watch Him.

Genesis 22:18 states blessing flows “because you have obeyed me.” Obedience isn’t a payment; it’s participation. God invites us into His work not because He is limited, but because love seeks closeness.

Third, God asks us to do what we can. Obedience is movement.

You can’t steer a ship that never leaves the dock. Obedience is often a small, quiet act when clarity is missing. God nudges rather than shouts. He asks for steps, not certainty.

Peter had to step out of the boat.
The servants had to fill the jars with water.
The widow had to gather containers.
The paralyzed man had to be carried by friends who believed.

None of these actions was glamorous; they were just faithful.

Four, God works with what we already possess.

This is often the first miracle we overlook: we are not empty.
The widow had oil.
The crowd had bread and fish.
The paralyzed man had friends.
The wedding had water jars.

We often focus on what we lack and overlook what God has already given us. Our resources may seem small, but they are never insignificant when placed in God’s hands.

Fifth, God does what we cannot do.

This is where grace comes in. Water becomes wine.
Oil multiplies.
Bread expands.
Broken bodies are healed. Fear turns into courage.

Our obedience forms the foundation. God brings the transformation. The miracle is not our work—it is His. But He graciously allows our small acts to play a part in something much greater.

Sixth, the harsh truth: it often takes longer, hurts more, and makes less sense than we wish.

This is the part we find most difficult. We see obedience as a transaction: “If I do what God wants, He will give me what I want.”

But love is not a contract. God sees farther than we do. He understands consequences we cannot imagine. What feels slow to us often provides protection. Pain might be refining. What feels confusing could be shaping a future we cannot yet see.

And yet, His promise remains steadfast:

Jeremiah 29:11, “Plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”

Not comfort at all costs. Not speed at any cost. Instead, hope. Healing. Purpose. Growth.

These miracles show what compassionate faith really means:

    1. Walking on Water – Matthew 14:22–33
    2. Water to Wine – John 2:1–11
    3. The Widow and the Oil – 2 Kings 4:1–7
    4. Feeding the Five Thousand – Matthew 14:13–21
    5. The Paralyzed Man – Luke 5:17–26

Each one demonstrates effort, trust, and divine intervention working together. Each one shows God meeting people where they truly are, not where they want to be.

Miracles don’t show perfection; they reveal need.
And needing God isn’t a sign of failure; it’s the start of grace.

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Part Three: Finishing Faithfully

Finishing WellIn my three-quarters of a century, I have noticed that a life that ends well rarely happens by chance. It results from thousands of small decisions made over many years.

Knowing who you are is crucial. Acting on opportunities as they come is just as vital. But there is one more trait that distinguishes people who start strong from those who finish strong.

They endure.

The Christian life was never intended to be a short sprint. It’s a long journey that demands perseverance.

Many people start with enthusiasm. They are excited about new opportunities, new ministries, and new ideas. But over time, discouragement, fatigue, and disappointment gradually diminish that initial excitement.

The challenge isn’t in starting; it’s in persistence.

The Long Road of Faithfulness

Scripture repeatedly reminds us that endurance is part of God’s design for spiritual maturity.

James wrote:

James 1:12, “Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”

The writer of Hebrews encouraged believers with these words:

Hebrews 12:1, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”

Notice that the metaphor is not a sprint but a marathon. Distance runners succeed not through short bursts of energy but through consistent persistence.

Faithfulness works the same way.

There will be times when progress seems slow. Moments will come when your efforts go unnoticed. Some of the work God asks us to do may never receive visible recognition.

But God has never measured faithfulness by applause: He measures it by endurance.

Discouragement Along the Way

One of the greatest challenges in perseverance is discouragement.

We might start a task believing it will produce quick results. When nothing happens, doubt starts to creep in. We question whether our efforts are worthwhile.

Elijah went through this after a major spiritual victory on Mount Carmel. After confronting the prophets of Baal and seeing God’s power firsthand, he soon felt discouraged and drained in the wilderness. Even God’s most faithful servants have moments when their strength runs out.

God did not rebuke Elijah for his discouragement. Instead, He restored him and sent him on his way again.

This pattern is seen throughout Scripture. Faithful individuals often go through times of exhaustion.

What distinguishes those who finish strong is not the lack of discouragement but their willingness to keep going despite it.

Quiet Faithfulness

Some of the most meaningful work in God’s kingdom happens quietly. A parent raising children with integrity. A mentor investing in younger believers. A friend who continues to care for someone who is struggling.

These actions seldom draw attention, but they influence lives in ways that resonate far beyond what we can observe.

Paul reminded the Galatians of this truth:

Galatians 6:9, “Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.”

The harvest often comes later than we expect. But it comes.

The Finish Line

At the end of his life, the apostle Paul reflected on his journey with remarkable clarity:

2 Timothy 4:7, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”

Paul did not judge his life based on comfort or recognition. Instead, he measured it by faithfulness to the calling God had given him.

That is the true measure of a life well-lived.

Not wealth, titles, or public recognition, but faithfulness.

A clear identity in Christ.

The courage to seize opportunities when God opens doors. And the perseverance to continue walking that path, year after year. Lives built on those three marks rarely make headlines.

But in eternity, they will be remembered.

And when the race is finished, the faithful servant hears the words that matter most:

“Well done, good and faithful servant.”

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Logos Hope, the true hope.

Logos Hope 2026 BermudaLogos Hope, the true hope. I just spent a week in an environment that should be impossible. Let me paint a picture. You are the head of a family of five, three children ages 18, 19, and 20. You tell the first child, you are responsible for kitchen. Buy all the food, cook all the meals, wash the dishes and mop the floor. The second child you instruct that they are responsible for the household. They clean, sweep, do laundry, and mend broken things. The third child is responsible for all things dealing with transportation, if anyone wants to go anywhere, at any time, you take them. And, this assignment lasts two years. You work five days, take one day to help your neighbors, and then you get one day of rest.

HOW LONG WOULD THIS LAST?

On Logos Hope, over twenty years. There are no passengers, only crew. They maintain everything from the engine room, galley, cabins, and all decks. They work five days, have one community day, and one day off a week. Sounds like a slave gallon of ancient Rome.

Hebrews 10:24, “And let us consider how we spur one another on toward love and good deeds.”

It’s not. It is the most amazing experience I have ever witnessed. 350 Christian adolescents from 60 different countries working together to not only keep this floating city running, but serving every community they interact with in incredible, meaningful ways. They accomplish this with extreme harmony. There will always be good days and bad days in anyone’s life, but this crew bands together in every situation to help and support each other.

STORIES

Matthew 5:14, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill can not be hidden.”

The stories are as amazing as the people themselves. A young lady from Russia had a recurring dream for several year about being on a white boat. One day someone told her about Operation Mobilization, a Christian based non- profit. She went to their website to scroll through the information. There, in full color, was her white boat. She tried to dismiss it, but the connection was too strong. Filling out the application she thought nothing would come of it. She is now 30 years old and has been volunteering on Logos Hope for five years.

Roman’s 12:4-4, “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, each member belongs to all the others”

A teenage from Moldavia had just graduated from high school with no plans, and no direction. Her plan, get a job, and then exist like everyone else. She heard of Logos. It was something outside of her comfort zone. Her church encouraged her to apply. At 18 years old she is happily part of the crew. She says her life will never be the same. It now has purpose and meaning. She can not go back to being who she was.

I can tell you stories from Kyrgyzstan, Zambia, Argentina, Singapore, Malaysia, United States and many more. They are all the same. Decision to chase the uncertain that dramatically changed lives.

COMMUNITY DAYS

What are community days? Every crew member must sign up for a community day each week. A community day could be a visit to the local prison, it could be handing out fliers that describe the weekly events held on or around Logos. These events are seminars, bible studies, entertainment, painting local schools, ship tours, performing in plays. Any number of things that have been scheduled by advance teams working with the local community.

1 Peter 4:10, “Each of you should use whatever gifts you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms.“

Logos stays in each port about two weeks. It has the largest floating book store in the world, with over 5,000 titles. It has a doctor, a dentist and teachers for the volunteer’s children. At each stop crew members dramatically impact the community receiving them.

If you want an experience that will change you forever, check out Logos Hope on the Operation Mobilization website. Commitments are for three month, six months, one year, and two years. They also schedule one week “vision trips” for groups interested in knowing more.

2 Corinthians 5:20, “ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God we are making His appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: be reconciled to God.”

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God Does Not Waste Pain

Pain with PurposeGod does not waste pain, or why do good people suffer? This isn’t a question born out of curiosity. It’s asked from hospital rooms, gravesides, broken homes, and silent prayers that seem unanswered. It’s not philosophical; it’s personal.

We question it when life no longer follows our expectations, when effort no longer shields us, when obedience no longer keeps us safe, and when goodness no longer guarantees security.

We consider something bad because it goes against our expectations of fairness. It challenges our belief that virtue should be rewarded with peace. But scripture never guaranteed protection from suffering. It assured us of God’s presence.

Matthew 5:45, “He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.”

Rain doesn’t discriminate. Pain doesn’t check résumés. Suffering isn’t a judgment of character.

“God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our conscience, but shouts in our pains.” – C.S. Lewis.

Not because He enjoys our pain, but because pain is one of the few things powerful enough to break our illusion of control.

Called to Light

We are called to be light in a dark world. But light only becomes visible when darkness exists. If our lives were free of conflict, loss, or fear, our faith would be purely theoretical—polished and unrelatable.

No one looks to someone who has never suffered and asks, “How did you survive?” The credibility of hope is built in hardship. We become believable not because we avoided darkness, but because God met us there.

2 Corinthians 1:3–4, “Praise be to the God… who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble.”

Our wounds are not disqualifications; they serve as credentials.

Without challenges to face, we can’t demonstrate God’s power. You don’t grow strong by just sitting in a gym. You grow strong by pushing back against what resists you.

Strength isn’t given; it’s earned.

So, when we pray for strength and face difficulties, it doesn’t mean we are being ignored. We are being trained. When we pray for wisdom and encounter problems, it’s not punishment; it’s refinement. God is not creating a life of ease. He is shaping a soul that can endure.

James 1:2–4, “Consider it pure joy… whenever you face trials… because the testing of your faith produces perseverance.”

Pain Teaches

Sometimes suffering is straightforward; sometimes it teaches us.

We all make poor choices. A world without consequences would lack growth. If fire didn’t burn, we wouldn’t learn where danger exists. God’s commands aren’t fences to restrict us; they’re guardrails to keep us alive.

Ecclesiastes 7:20, “Surely there is not a righteous man on earth who does good and never sins.”

Correction is not cruelty. It is mercy with sharp edges.

Affects of a Broken World

And sometimes, suffering isn’t caused by our actions at all. It happens because we live in a broken world.

We are not isolated beings. We belong to a fallen creation where sin spreads outward. People hurt because they hurt themselves. Systems fail because they are built by broken hands. Even nature groans beneath the weight of what has been lost.

Jesus did not stand apart from this reality. He entered it, endured it, and took it in.

John 16:33, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”

Not to escape it, but to overcome it.

The Decision Point

Every hardship presents a decision point. Will this moment define us or refine us? Through our decision, will we become bitter or useful? Will we close ourselves off or become a refuge for others?

1 Corinthians 10:13, “No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to humanity… God is faithful.”

God doesn’t promise that we will always feel capable. He guarantees that we will never be abandoned.

Isaiah 43:2, “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you.”

Not if. When.

God does not waste pain. He repurposes it, transforming scars into testimony. He changes suffering into authority and brokenness into compassion.

Bad things don’t happen because God is absent; they occur where His presence becomes undeniable.

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Fear Buries Purpose not by Force, but by Permission.

Fear Buries PurposeFear buries purpose not by force, but by permission. Giving in to the fear of failure hides your ability to reach your potential. Fear is the loud giant roaring in your mind, while faith is that whisper that pushes you forward. Too many times, we listen to the roaring giant because we can’t hear the whisper. We become less than God meant us to be, a shell of who we could have become.

Rationalization of Fear

2 Timothy 1:7, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.”

Fear is not from God. If fear is driving your decisions, something other than God is shaping your future.

The sad part is that we accept outcomes as destiny. We justify results based on effort, not potential. Fear doesn’t just scare us; it rewrites our beliefs. It convinces us that safety equals wisdom, that smallness equals humility, and that resignation equals maturity. We start calling retreat “discernment” and paralysis “patience.” That’s how fear survives—by disguising itself as reason.

Psalm 56:3, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you.”

Potential is Stewardship

But potential is not a suggestion. It is stewardship.

Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”

What we often call destiny is simply the sum of our surrendered decisions. We accept outcomes as if they were set in stone, when in reality, many were negotiated away out of fear, not through rebellion, but through caution, hesitation, and waiting until we felt ready, qualified, or safe.

If you listen to your fears, you will die never knowing what a great person you might have been. ~ Robert H. Schuller

Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous… Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Fear Does Not Make Us Evil

Fear does not make us evil. It makes us incomplete.

And the tragedy isn’t failure. Failure refines, teaches, and humbles.
The real tragedy is never trying because we convince ourselves that silence is obedience.

Isaiah 41:10, “Fear not, for I am with you… I will strengthen you, I will help you.”

Faith is not loud. It seldom competes with fear in volume. It speaks through invitations: ‘Step forward.’ ‘Trust Me.’ ‘You were made for more.”

The question is not if fear will roar, because it always will.
The real question is whether we will base our lives on noise or on truth.

We are not victims of fate; we are stewards of a calling. Fear isn’t just a limit on the present—it shortens the impact of the echo that is your life.

Psalm 27:1, “The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear?”

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Why is Christ Hard to Believe In?

Christianity, living like ChristAnd why is Christ Hard to Believe In?

People are often not rejecting Christ Himself; they reject a distorted image of Him created by human failure, cultural noise, and personal wounds. Most reasons are relational and experiential, grounded in distrust, pain, disappointment, or fear rather than in logic alone.

The most significant cause of atheism today is Christians who acknowledge Jesus with their lips but deny Him by their actions. That’s what an unbelieving world can’t believe.” – Brennan Manning.

The Distorted Image of Christ

If people are rejecting a distorted image of Christ instead of Christ Himself, then the conversation is no longer about winning arguments. It becomes about clearing away the fog that hides who He really is.

Most people have never met the Christ of the Gospels.
They have met:

      • the Christ of politics
      • the Christ of shame
      • the Christ of control
      • the Christ of hypocrisy
      • the Christ of cultural religion

But those are not Him. Those are human projections laid on top of Him.

The Real Christ

Jesus did not reject broken people; He rejected the self-righteous. He did not crush doubt; He welcomed it closer. Christ did not use power; He emptied Himself of it.

When someone says they reject Christ, they usually mean:  “I reject what I’ve seen done in His name,” “I reject the version of God that was used to wound me,” and “I reject a God who looks nothing like love.”

And honestly… they should.

Because a Christ who is petty, manipulative, tribal, or cruel isn’t truly Christ at all.

It shifts responsibility to where it truly belongs. Not onto unbelievers for “not seeing,” but onto believers for “not revealing.”

We are not called to defend Christ as if He were fragile; we are called to reflect Him as if He were alive.

And when He is seen clearly, without fear, power, and ego clouding the view, He becomes surprisingly hard to reject. The most vivid image of Christ most people will ever see isn’t a sermon or a verse. It is a life quietly reflecting His character.

How to Change the World View

Be a person who:

⇒ Is safe to be around.
Christ was safe to be around. The broken were not afraid of Him. Children ran toward Him. Sinners stayed in His presence.

Psalm 46:1, “God is our place of safety. He gives us strength. He is always there to help us in times of trouble.”

⇒ Listens more than they speak.
Jesus asked questions that let people reveal themselves. Listening is not passive; it is a form of love. When someone feels heard, defenses soften.

1 John 5:14, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us.”

⇒ Refuse to weaponize truth.
Truth without grace feels like condemnation. Grace without truth feels like indifference. Christ carried both without crushing either.

John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

⇒ Let repentance be visible.
Nothing dismantles a distorted image of Christ faster than a believer who can say, “I was wrong.” Pride hardens. Humility disarms.

Matthew 3:8, “Produce fruit in keeping with repentance.”

⇒ Loves without an agenda.
Christ loved first and let transformation follow. Love that expects nothing in return looks divine.

Lamentations 3:22-23, “The Lord loves us very much. So we haven’t been destroyed. His loving concern never fails. His great love is new every morning. Lord, how faithful you are!”

⇒ Lives mercifully in small places.
Kindness in traffic. Patience in frustration. Integrity when no one sees. These are the pixels that form the picture of Christ.

Ephesians 2:4-5, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ.”

Conclusion

You don’t “fix” the world’s image of Christ. You become one clear window.

One honest reflection. One life that quietly says, “He is better than what you were shown.”

James 3:17, “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is pure. That’s the most important thing about it. And that’s not all. It also loves peace, considers others, obeys, and is full of mercy and good fruit. It is fair, not pretending to be what it is not.”

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Happy New Year from the God of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

The God of the past, present and futureHappy New Year from the God of Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow. As we step into the new year, we naturally reflect on the past and make plans for the future. Often, the past has too much influence on shaping what lies ahead. The closer we get to Christ, the more we see our future as being shaped by the sins of our past.

Security for Yesterday

Isaiah 43:25, “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”

One of the biggest challenges for Christ followers raised in modern culture is understanding God’s forgiveness. We are naturally inclined toward a quid pro quo view of transactions. Surely God must demand payment for His gift. I can’t possibly repay Him fully, but I feel I should at least try to repay Him partially.

God desires to have a relationship with you. He created you for that reason. When we couldn’t bridge the gap between us, He took on the task of reconciliation.

Ephesians 1:7, “In Him, we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace.”

That is not to say that we might experience the natural by-product of our sin while here on earth. However, that is not Him punishing us for our actions; it is we who face the natural consequences of that sin. God, through Christ’s resurrection, has bridged the great distance between our past and His future.

Psalm 103:12, “As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.”

We have to accept that forgiveness. It feels unnatural for us as humans to believe it’s fair to receive such a gift without strings attached.

Through Christ, the line of communication between God and man is always open unless broken by man himself. We are, as it were, always in the presence of our Father in Heaven. Through His Holy Spirit, God is with us always and everywhere. – John Andreas Widtsoe

Security for Today

Matthew 28:20, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

The starting point is today, this very moment. God is the God of moments. Every time you feel that you might be backsliding, remember God is the God of moments. Reset, and start again. Ask for strength and forgiveness to live this moment for Him. If we live each moment, the future will take care of itself.

Exodus 14:14, “The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

We shouldn’t pray for a lighter load to carry but a stronger back to endure! Then the world will see that God is with us, empowering us to live in a way that reflects his love and power. –Brother Yun

The small choices you make today influence the options available for the major decisions you’ll encounter later. Almost every future event in your life can be linked to the small choices you’ve made in the past.

Security for Tomorrow

Joshua 1:9, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

You were made for great things. God has woven into every part of you to fulfill His purpose in your life. Your role is to obey His will in achieving that purpose.

As you approach 2026, your goal should be to seek and pursue God’s will in your life. It’s easy to assume that God desires what you want, but that is only true if your priority is serving Him. God’s measure of success isn’t based on worldly achievements or wealth, but instead on peace, obedience, faithfulness, and being aligned with Him. These qualities are eternal.

If your plan is His plan, then success is assured.

Deuteronomy 31:8, “The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

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Greatness: The Journey from Potential to Purpose

Not the Dreamers, but the doersGreatness. One of the images that haunts me every day of my life is that of the relentless, voracious doer of the impossible. My mind envisions the shadow of greatness; it longs to be in the presence of the world changers. I cannot fully describe the exhilaration of knowing that God has created creatures who have the potential to not only uplift those around them but also, from that nucleus, transform the world. Warriors— that word is not significant enough to define them.

1 Peter 2:9, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

The fantastic part is that each of us was created with that potential. Each of us can burst into the night sky with meaning and purpose, a purpose that drives us to chase dreams beyond our wildest hopes. God made each one of us incredible.

Jeremiah 17:7-8, “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear the heat; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

The Definition of Greatness

But we allow the world to redefine us. The world isn’t able to accept who we truly are. It wants to shrink us, mold us into something less. Greatness in others can be intimidating because it reveals raw power. We fear others will use it against us instead of for us.

In each of us, there is that still, small divine voice that pleads with us to unlock the power of our greatness. We can listen to the world and become swallowed up by its petty nature. Living a life of merely existing, never reaching our full potential. Or, we can seek the divine, step outside our comfort zone, and become who we were meant to be.

“Good is the enemy of great, and that is one of the key reasons why we have so little that becomes great.” – Jim Collins, Good to Great.

Isaiah 58:11, “The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.”

The Path to Greatness

Everyone desires greatness until they face the cost. Greatness involves sacrifices: time, rejection, sleep, doubt, anxiety, and pride. To reach true greatness, we must reject society’s narrow view of success, which often centers on money, power, position, or influence. Genuine greatness is characterized by humility, service, and sacrifice. It stems from our God-given passions. Stop depending on worldly success standards and look inward. Are you willing to risk everything for the fire in your soul, the idea you can no longer think about? Always choose the freedom given by Christ over mediocracy. Do what God has put inside you that brings you immense joy. What could you do that you might someday regret leaving behind? You could pursue this forever and still feel fulfilled.

James 2:17, “In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

Don’t Just Be Great, Be a Legend

Do you want to become a legend, not just in name but in impact? It’s not vital that they remember your name, but that they remember who you were. They not only aspire to be like you, but they also want to pass on what you were to the next generation. God has given all of this. It’s yours to accept, not create. But it costs. The return on that investment is eternal presence in the perfection of God.

Don’t just be great—live a legacy. Let your greatness echo through eternity.

 

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Crushed but Not Broken

Shattered not brokenHave you ever felt like your plans were crushed, only to realize they weren’t broken but simply redirected for God’s purpose? Sometimes, God uses minor setbacks to teach us. This is a story of one such experience. Traveling internationally is always challenging. It’s not just about different languages and cultures; it’s also about everyday things like water and electricity. I was telling a friend the other day that I’ve never felt more entitled than when I stepped outside my environment into someone else’s.

Romans 8:28, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

This story illustrates how God uses a big problem for one person, and the solution then benefits someone else who wasn’t even involved at first.

Disaster in the Air

A laptop was crushed during transit—nothing serious, just an accident that happened at the worst possible moment. All of the documents and information needed to complete the mission were intact but unavailable. Work stopped. Plans were delayed. But God often hides His provision within our problems.

That same week, two young interpreters — twin sisters who were second-year college students — were busy helping the mission with translation and support. Both were intelligent, dedicated, and persistent, but neither had a computer, so using a borrowed computer wasn’t an option. They completed every school task and assignment on their cell phones. One was studying law, while the other was studying psychology. Their determination was inspiring, but their resources were limited.

Psalm 34:10, “The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

Disaster Opens Opportunity

Replacing the broken laptop opened a new opportunity. When shopping for a functional laptop to finish the mission, it was surprising to discover how affordable they were in this country. This realization would never have happened if the need for a laptop hadn’t been essential. It also brought to light the students’ needs.  What seemed like a problem turned into a chance to address a larger need. Losing one computer created space for two others to be used, allowing them to make a difference. What appeared to be a setback became an opportunity for growth.

Genesis 50:20, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good, to accomplish what is now being done…”

Opportunity Guides Solutions

One laptop was purchased to complete the mission and then given to one of the twins, while the second laptop was bought simply because God made the need clear. Now, both twins had an essential tool that made graduating from college easier. The lesson wasn’t about losing or giving up—it was about trusting. The tool was temporary; the impact was eternal. God turns inconvenience into influence and frustration into fruitfulness when we let Him write the story.

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