Bible Geeks Daily Download

What's GoodPraise God for His Incredible GoodnessRead or WatchPut your hands in the pocket of a brand-new pair of pants, and you might pull out a slip of paper that reads, "PROUDLY INSPECTED BY 9." Whoever "9" is, they want you to know that they've checked the seams, zippers, pockets, and belt loops on your new britches and want you to feel confident in the construction. Quality assurance may not be a glamorous job, but it's sure better than having a wardrobe malfunction in the middle of the grocery store!In this What's Good study, we've been inspecting the quality of our thoughts. If we're thinking about whatever is "true ... honorable ... just ... pure ... lovely" and "commendable" (Phil. 4:8), we know we're thinking long-lasting and time-tested thoughts. So, as we wrap up these conversations, let's look back at the big ideas we've tackled, praising God for his incredible goodness.God's Good GiftsWhen we don't take in the natural world, we miss a window into the wonder of God's goodness and greatness.The chance to do good work and appreciate the work of others is worth celebrating.Work is good, but God also created us to enjoy the sweetness of rest.God manifests his wisdom and glory in the diversity he has filled his good world with.Singing expresses what's inside us — what we believe, feel, and decide.It pleases and glorifies God when we gratefully enjoy his blessings together.Family bonds can give us love and acceptance that reflects our Heavenly Father's.Through consistent acts of loyal love, we stockpile trust that friends draw on for a lifetime.Praiseworthy VirtuesThough we're not perfect, we glorify God by stretching daily to be better and do better.God teaches us to appreciate kindness by pouring his unimaginable love and mercy into our lives.We love truthful words because they're the language our God uses to speak to us.When we lift ourselves above others, we forget that our King lowered himself for us.Filling our hearts and minds with goodness leaves no room for the filth of sin.How has this study changed the kinds of things you think about?Support the Show

What's GoodFill Your Heart With All the Best ThingsRead or WatchI looked out my window this fall morning, expecting to see brown. But instead, everything I saw outside my window was covered in snow. Untouched by footprints or car tracks, it seemed to have baptized the world I knew — parked cars, trees, mailboxes — under a blanket of white. When you see how clean it looks, sparkling in the sunlight, you understand the Lord's invitation: "Come now, let us reason together ... though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow." He says, "Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes.” And he wants his people to “learn to do good” and “seek justice” for the oppressed (Isa. 1:16-18). So let's complete our study with one final praiseworthy virtue, filling our hearts with "whatever is pure" (Phil. 4:8).The Big IdeaFilling our hearts and minds with goodness leaves no room for the filth of sin. After David's sin, he prayed for God to wash him "whiter than snow" (Ps. 51:7). But he didn't stop at a prayer for forgiveness. Instead, he asked God to create something new in him. "Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me" (Ps. 51:10)Rather than impure, fleshly thoughts, "those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit" (Rom. 8:5). The old you died. In baptism, you rose with Christ (Rom. 6:1-5), who reigns above. So set your mind on what's above and put to death "what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry" (Col. 3:2, 5).What do supermarket labels mean when they say, "100% Pure"? Purity is about completeness. It's "100% pure Canadian maple syrup" only if the entire product is Canadian maple. And we're "pure in heart" (Matt. 5:8) when we devote ourselves entirely to the Lord, with single-minded sincerity.Big QuestionWhat sin is it easy for you to overlook, and how can you give it more attention?Support the Show

What's GoodLower Yourself to Lift Up OthersRead or WatchWhat's the perfect foil for a Beast? How about a handsome but arrogant villain? When Gaston calls himself "a specimen," brags about cheap shots, and invites Belle to admire his trophies, he seems silly until he self-servingly commits Belle's father and incites a mob. We know a villain when we see selfish pride. It's why we loathe the Dursleys, despise Prince Humperdinck, and find satisfying justice in the demise of Esther's real-life nemesis, Haman. Because, at our core, we admire those who humbly lower themselves while lifting up others. It's another noble virtue worth celebrating.The Big IdeaWhen we lift ourselves above others, we forget that our King lowered himself for us. The Lord of Lords is "gentle and lowly in heart" (Matt. 11:29). What an unexpected path to the top Jesus illuminates! We don't climb over others; we hold them up! "If anyone would be first, he must be last of all and servant of all" (Mark 9:25).Galileo challenged the belief that the universe revolves around our world. Four hundred years later, some still think they're the center of the universe. The delusion that everyone owes you makes life a battle for what's yours. But we deserved death, Jesus paid what he didn't owe, and everything changed because of that gift (Rom. 6:23). We're happy debtors, loving others and sharing the gift (Rom. 1:15; 13:8). Narcissism stains our politics, entertainment, and interactions. Pride is fashionable, but we can still find humility. We can show our kids a first responder's selflessness or an expert who keeps listening (Prov. 1:5), staying "open to reason" (James 3:14-17).Where pride looks out for "number one." Humility looks "not only" to your "own interests but also to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:4). Seeing others as equals, we consider them significant, sharing the glory of Christ's lowliness (Phil. 2:3-11). Andrew Murray rightly calls humility "the disappearance of self in the vision that God is all."The Big QuestionWill you be a "servant of all" today?Support the Show

What's GoodFeel the Freedom of TruthfulnessRead or WatchIf there's anything we know from our modern media-fueled marketing landscape, we shouldn't trust what we see in advertisements. Commercials, billboards, and store signs usually make bold claims without the substance to back it up. The “miracle pill” turns out to be a placebo. The “world's best cup of coffee” is mediocre at best. The “get rich quick” scheme turns out pyramid-shaped. With the daily deluge of deception, it shocks our skepticism when we encounter someone honest and trustworthy. That “handshake deal” is a breath of fresh air in a world of snake oil salesmen and swindlers. So, as we continue to appreciate God's good virtues, let's feel the freedom truthfulness provides.The Big IdeaWe love truthful words because they're the language our God uses to speak to us. We have a stable foundation of truth and honesty on which we build our lives when we hear our Lord and obey (Matt. 7:24). While it's easy to imagine a stranger lying to us, it stings more when someone we love leads us astray. Because God loves us so much, it's impossible to imagine him saying anything to deceive us — God never lies (Titus 1:2)!And because God can't lie, he won't tolerate us dabbling in deception either. “Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who act faithfully are his delight” (Prov. 12:22). Rather than leaving us tangled in a web of dishonesty, the truth breaks those chains and sets us free (John 8:32)!Honesty is a rare occurrence in our world, so it's refreshing to see it on display. We acknowledge those around us who act with integrity. We take seriously the impact we have on others when we make bold claims and deliver on them. And we speak healthy and wholesome words, not to make ourselves look good, but to speak like our Father speaks — truthfully and honestly.The Big QuestionHow would it change your relationships if you were more open?Support the Show

What's GoodFill Your Heart With God's LoveRead or WatchAs our seemingly-inevitable robotic uprising inches closer and closer, some concerned engineers have started thinking about how we talk to our smart home devices. We've barked orders at Alexa for too long, expecting it to set timers, deliver the weather report, or order more toilet paper. But you'd never talk to a person like that — would you? To encourage a gentler approach to our automated assistants, did you know there's a "politeness mode"? If Alexa hears a command without a "Please" attached, you'll hear the response: "What's the magic word?" Should we really be kind to our ... technology?! Maybe that's a bit extreme, but as we continue to appreciate God's good virtues, let's see the value in constantly filling our hearts with his love in all areas of our life!The Big IdeaGod teaches us to appreciate kindness by pouring his unimaginable love and mercy into our lives. We wonder in awe at the kind of sacrificial love Christ showed, as "... he laid down his life for us," leading us to "lay down our lives for the brothers" (1 John 3:16). Though we were once enemies of God in our sins (Rom. 5:10), we marvel at Jesus' mercy and willingness to suffer even for us (Luke 6:35-36).Like a young child learns from their mom and dad's words and actions, we're educated by our Heavenly Father as his children. We follow his example and become "kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Eph. 4:32). When we see love and mercy on display in the world, we acknowledge and honor it — not just because it's polite, but because of its divine source.Who would disagree that kindness is good? We all know that warm and welcoming feeling when someone treats us well. And while not everyone's easy to be kind to, let's reflect the light of God's love throughout our lives, one "magic word" at a time.The Big QuestionIs there someone that you've struggled to be kind to?Support the Show

What's GoodPush Forward to Be More ChristlikeRead or WatchHow are you doing with your resolutions? New Year's resolution #fails have become a familiar joke every January — only 9-12% of us hang on to them as we close the year[1]. Most have a half-baked "resolve" unworthy of calling "resolution," but that doesn't diminish the value of goals, even if we never achieve all our aspirations. Sure, we could vedge our life away with cheese doodles on the couch, but God created us to strive for growth. So as we shift our focus from God's gifts to virtues, let's pursue Christlike excellence.The Big IdeaThough we're not perfect, we glorify God by stretching daily to be better and do better. Perfectionists lose their way, craving acceptance and chasing peace through flawlessness. But through Christ, we receive God's favor despite our faults (Eph. 2:4-10). We'll never reach God's perfection. But he "called us to his own glory and excellence" (2 Peter 1:3; 2:10) to imitate him (Matt. 5:48).So "press on ... straining forward" (Phil. 3:12-14), growing "to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ" (Eph. 4:13). Hone your character, sharpen yourself (Eccl. 10:10). Make your life the masterwork you never tire of crafting in Christ's image (2 Cor. 3:18). Aspire to a "life ... worthy of the gospel" (Phil. 1:27).Love is "the more excellent way" (1 Cor. 12:31ff), so may it "abound more and more ... so that you may approve what is excellent" (Phil. 1:9-10). And when you find "any excellence ... think on these things" (Phil. 4:8), noticing and appreciating it.Sometimes "Whatever!" means we don't care. But Scripture says, "whatever you do, do all to the glory of God" (1 Cor. 10:31)! If we long to hear "well done" from Christ who "has done all things well" (Mark 7:37), we'll try to "excel in everything ... in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness" (2 Cor. 8:7).The Big QuestionWhere do you need to strive for greater excellence?[1]: New Year's Resolution Statistics (2022 Updated)Support the Show

What's GoodStrengthen the Bonds of FriendshipRead or WatchYou never know where you'll find a good friend. Like classic TV's Felix and Oscar, Pixar's Woody and Buzz, or Scripture's David and Jonathan, sometimes we find ourselves in an Odd Couple, a surprising friendship that somehow works. We don't measure friendships by what we have in common but by faithfulness, fondness, and memories. Our victories mean more; our misfortunes a little less when shared (Rom. 12:15). God gives many gifts, but few more precious than the people who care about us. Those bonds are worth strengthening.The Big IdeaThrough consistent acts of loyal love, we stockpile trust that friends draw on for a lifetime. We invest in friendships like money in the bank; the currency is kindness. As Paulo Coelho said, "friendship isn't a big thing — it's a million little things." Brick by brick, we build lasting bonds by being available, discrete, and willing to listen. If you want friendship, you act like a friend. Imitate Timothy's genuine concern (Phil. 2:20-21) and Ruth's devotion (Ruth 1:5-19). "But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up" (Eccl. 4:10).Quality beats quantity every time in friendship — better one reliable friend than hundreds who disappear when you need them (Prov. 18:24). A friend "loves at all times;" they're built for "adversity" (Prov. 17:17). They know "the real you" and love you anyway. So their "earnest counsel" tastes sweeter (Prov. 27:9), and even their "wounds" are "faithful" (Prov. 27:6).You have the makings of a "soul-knit" friend (1 Sam. 18:1) when someone, like Jonathan, strengthens your hands in God (1 Sam. 23:16-17). Friends care about more than your happiness (1 Cor. 13:6)! They "pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul" (3 John 2).Jesus wants friendship with us (John 15:13-15), like God's faithful friends before us (James 2:23; Ex. 33:11; Job 29:4). So, friendship, like many of the greatest gifts, can last forever.The Big QuestionWho in your life needs encouragement and connection?Support the Show

What's GoodFeel the Fulfillment of a Fruitful FamilyRead or WatchGrandmas tend to go a bit overboard around the holidays. My wife's Grandma Dean was a prolific baker, always bringing some of the tastiest desserts to our family gatherings. But you had to be very careful when asking her to bring a dish. One time we assigned her the task of bringing a pumpkin pie to Thanksgiving, so instead of one pie, she brought nine! Of course, from then on, she was jokingly known as Grandma Nine-Pies.There's almost nothing we wouldn't do for our families — going above and beyond to express our love. So as we continue to consider God's amazing gifts, let's stop to feel the fulfillment of a fruitful family.The Big IdeaFamily bonds can give us love and acceptance that reflects our Heavenly Father's. Our earthly family prepares us to understand the love we have from our Maker. Since, as Paul said when you're "... led by the Spirit of God" you "are sons of God" and"have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, 'Abba! Father!'" (Rom. 8:14-15). What intimacy and depth we experience both at home and with God!A fruitful family comes as a gift from our Father. He blesses us with richness and fulfillment in our homes, as the psalmist sang, "Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table" (Ps. 128:3). It takes a lot of work and cultivation on our part. Still, when the home works well, it shines a light on God's perfect plan for our well-being.But our families aren't always perfect — maybe it rarely feels like a "home sweet home" — but don't forget that God's design for the bond we share extends to our "brothers" and "sisters" in the church. As we follow our Lord together, we richly bless each other in unity as if we were blood relatives.The Big QuestionWhat could you do to bring your family closer in God's love?Support the Show

What's GoodAcknowledge Life's Good Things with JoyRead or WatchI've been to plenty of parties over the years that weren't any fun. It's sad, but no one wants to throw a stinker of a celebration. With all your party planning, you want people to enjoy themselves, feel comfortable and welcomed, and focus their attention on the people and the reason for gathering. But sometimes, a party just goes stale, and people wind up wishing they'd stayed home in their pajamas.So, are followers of Christ any fun? Are we joyful people who know how to let loose and have a good time? So as we continue to think together about God's amazing gifts, let's see the blessing of joyfully celebrating life's good things!The Big IdeaIt pleases and glorifies God when we gratefully enjoy his blessings together. As with so many of the good gifts we've considered already, joyful celebration is a timeless activity we practice now, while we wait to do it for all eternity! Just imagine a scene like the one John saw in Revelation 19, where multitudes shouted praise to God as they waited for the great wedding feast of the Lamb. Also, picture the angel's celebrations when lost souls return to the Lord (Luke 15:3-10). It's safe to say that we've never been to a party like the ones in heaven!After all, God gives us laughter and meals shared with good company! We can "eat and drink and find enjoyment ... from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment" (Eccl. 2:24-25). But as with everything in life, we party sincerely, thoughtfully, and with plenty of self-control. Of course, we must "fear God and keep his commandments" (Eccl. 12:13), but also, "be joyful and ... do good ... eat and drink and take pleasure ... this is God's gift to man" (Eccl. 3:12-13).The Big QuestionHow are you expressing your joy and enthusiasm to those around you?Support the Show

What's GoodOpen Your Heart to Sing PraisesRead or WatchI like musicals, but some people really, really don't. America's founders bursting into song in a tavern? Gang members dancing through a knife fight? And let's not even start on those people dressed up like cats! It's all too much!We can debate the virtues of Broadway shows, but Scripture leaves no doubt about the value of singing. In songs of victory (Ex. 15:1-21), lament (2 Sam. 1:17-27), and praise (Ezra 3:11), the saints of old opened their hearts and participated in God's gift of singing.The Big IdeaSinging expresses what's inside us — what we believe, feel, and decide. God's grace brings out grateful praise (Col. 3:16) as we sing with our "spirit" and our "mind" (1 Cor. 14:15).Singing is a heavenly art we get to practice on earth (Rev. 5:9; 14:3; 15:3). It can make joyful worship a habit (Phil. 4:4). So God says, "Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise" (James 5:13). But our songs also express our sorrow and help us find hope in the night, like Paul and Silas singing in prison (Acts 16:25), or Jesus before heading to Gethsemane (Mark 14:26).Melody and harmony can lift or comfort us, but in Scripture, the purposes of singing come from the words. We learn them "by heart," and their messages become portable, guiding wisdom. When we sing — if we mean it — we take a stand for truths we believe in, like, "It is well with my soul." We make and renew commitments, like "I'm not ashamed to own my Lord." We can even discover deeply held longings as we sing of our hope, our need for mercy, and our desire for God's presence. But our songs also challenge, teach, and support one another.It's great to hear one person teaching, but you know what's better? Singing "together ... with one voice" (Rom. 15:6). It's a uniting bond. And when we sing together, we need to hear each other and heed the teaching (Eph. 5:19).The Big QuestionHow have psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs impacted your life?Support the Show

What's GoodAppreciate Your Unique AbilitiesRead or WatchTime for another installment of "Embarrassing Home Videos of Dad!" Our daughter loves to queue up hours of footage of our community and school talent shows from my youth. Whether I was attempting to sing a song, play an instrument, or just get a laugh, there was no shortage of my cringe-worthy teenage talents on tape. But isn't it funny how some people make their performances look effortless? So as we continue to examine God's amazing gifts, let's take some time to appreciate the unique abilities he gives to each of us.The Big IdeaGod manifests his wisdom and glory in the diversity he has filled his good world with. We see it in every aspect of his creation, from the millions of strange and wonderful animal species to the breathtaking spectacles of the cosmos. But maybe no part of God's creation displays his creative range more than the abilities he has given humanity. His image bearers reflect his creativity, order, rationality, and love. From the Mona Lisa to the Empire State Building, from mapping the human genome to walking on the moon, our achievements come from our unique abilities.And what a gracious God who gives us each something unique (Rom. 12:6-8)! Some people can brighten a day with a sentence, while others can explain the most complicated subject and make it understandable. Some people are passionate about feeding people, some love fixing cars, while others want to explore the world and climb every mountain. Our diverse abilities and interests allow humanity to rule over God's world as he created us to do. With our rich tapestry of gifts all woven together, we serve each other and reflect the way God has blessed each of us to his glory (1 Peter 4:10-11).The Big QuestionHow often do you stop and appreciate the good that God fills the world with through the incredible range of gifts he gives us?Support the Show

What's GoodStop and Enjoy RestRead or WatchWhen I ask someone, "How are you?" they often answer, "Busy!" When did that become our standard reply? We glorify long hours and exhaustion as badges of honor, as proud of our lack of sleep as our results. How bad is it? For some, it's deadly. A recent study found that overworking kills three-quarters of a million people yearly [1]. In Japan, they have a word for it — Karoshi — "death from overwork." Our last session celebrated work, but that's not all God wants for us. Sometimes we need to stop to appreciate his gifts.The Big IdeaWork is good, but God also created us to enjoy the sweetness of rest. We serve a God who rested (Gen. 2:1-3). Remember Jesus napping in the boat (Mark 4:38-40)? Or saying," 'Come away ... and rest a while.' For ... they had no leisure*" (Mark 6:31)? God valued rest so much he required work to cease one day a week (Ex. 20:8). Must have seemed shocking to a group of slaves (cf. Deut. 5:15)! We take a day of rest for granted, but it wasn't always this way.The Sabbath was "a shadow" of Christ (Col. 2:15-17; Heb. 7:12). But it reminds us God wants us to rest. "The Sabbath was made for man, not man for the Sabbath" (Mark 2:27). We're valued for more than what we produce. Our work isn't as important as we think; life goes on without us getting stuff done for a while. "It is in vain that you rise up early and go late to rest, eating the bread of anxious toil; for he gives to his beloved sleep" (Ps. 127:2). We can have "sweet" sleep (Eccl. 5:12; Prov. 3:24), trusting God to keep us (Ps. 4:8).But rest isn't just something we do; it's our security under God's rule (Deut. 25:19; 1 Kings 5:4). It's a mindset we cultivate, waiting for a greater rest (Heb. 4:9-10). Because even now, those who come to Christ rest in Him (Matt. 11:28-30).The Big QuestionWhat do you learn from God's desire to give us rest?1 - "How Overwork is Killing Us," BBCSupport the Show

What's GoodEmbrace the Opportunity to Do Good WorkRead or WatchI've never worked in a mine, but Disney's seven whistling dwarves seemed to enjoy it way more than they had any right to. How does anyone find that much joy in their work? I remember a bumper sticker that read, "I owe, I owe, so off to work I go." And it's true, we all have bills to pay, and sometimes feeding the family is all that keeps us grinding. So, is work one of God's good gifts to embrace or a curse to endure?The Big IdeaThe chance to do good work and appreciate the work of others is worth celebrating. As God the worker (John 5:17) created the universe, separating and ordering (Gen. 1:2-10), then filling it and making it useful (Gen. 1:11-31), we imitate him. Made in his image (Gen. 1:26), we subdue his good world (Gen. 1:28) with wisdom, creativity, and character that reflect his glory.After the fall, the curse brought adversity to working the ground (Gen. 3:17-19), but work wasn't a curse. Even in Eden, God gave humans a job (Gen. 2:15). And he helps us work (Ps. 127:1; Prov. 16:3; John 15:5), allowing us to make a difference in big and small ways, from fixing a faucet to teaching the gospel. "By working hard" we receive the blessing of giving more than we get (Acts 20:33-35; cf. Luke 13:6-9). So even when the company, the people, and the job frustrate us, we find satisfaction in doing our part well. Because to "enjoy life" means pouring "your might" into "whatever your hand finds to do" (Eccl. 9:9-10).So we work to fulfill our purpose; not just for a paycheck or proof of our worth. We were "created for good works" (Eph. 2:8-10), and doing good work is a good work (Eph. 6:5-9; 1 Tim. 5:8-14). All work is holy when we offer it to God — we're "serving the Lord Christ" (Col. 3:22-24) while making widgets, folding laundry, or doing math homework.The Big QuestionHow does your work change when you see it as a gift from God?Support the Show

What's GoodWonder at God's Work in NatureRead or WatchHave you heard of the Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards? Every year, judges vote on hundreds of photos of the silliest and most unexpected animal hijinks submitted by amateur and professional photographers worldwide. From laughing lions to samurai squirrels, snuggly seals to goofy grizzly bears — chances are you've never seen God's creation quite like this! But whether you're laughing at pictures of silly animals, taking a quiet evening walk in the woods with a friend, or just enjoying a breathtaking sunrise alone, it's not hard to understand why God called this world "good" in those first few days of creation (Gen. 1:4, 10, 12, 18, 21, 25)! So, as we begin to explore some good things together, starting with God's incredible gifts, what happens when we sit in wonder at God's work in nature?The Big IdeaWhen we don't take in the natural world, we miss a window into the wonder of God's goodness and greatness. It's undoubtedly important to immerse yourself in God's Word, learning more and more about him from the Bible. But don't rob yourself of the joy of glimpsing into his invisible attributes — his eternal power and divine nature — all around you (Rom. 1:19-20)! So take a walk, sit quietly in nature, and maybe watch for some wacky wildlife while you're at it. Let the time you spend enjoying God's creation reinforce how excellent and loving he is.Looking around at the complexity of this world, it's clear that only God could have made "heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them" (Acts 14:15). Only a being with unmatched power and wisdom could have made such a rich and magnificent place. And it's not just his power on display, but we're also struck by his goodness — to each one of us! Like Paul said, "He did not leave himself without witness, for he did good by giving you rains from heaven and fruitful seasons, satisfying your hearts with food and gladness" (Acts 14:17).The Big QuestionHow has God's creation impacted how you view him?Support the Show

What's GoodDwell on God's Praiseworthy Gifts and VirtuesRead or WatchWhen I go on road trips, I still like to listen to the radio. It's fun to hear the sounds change from region to region: from country music to mariachi to local, public radio. And when it goes static, or you hear some coarse language you'd rather avoid, you scan for a new station. You tune into something good.And like the racket on the radio we don't want to hear, it's easy to dwell on discouraging thoughts. But when the darkness gets noisy, we need to change the channel and tune into "whatever is true ... honorable ... just ... pure ... lovely" and "commendable." Scripture says, "if there is anything worthy of praise" to "think about these things" (Phil. 4:8).The Big IdeaThe Lord doesn't just want us to do good things (Phil. 4:9) — he also wants us to think about good things (Phil. 4:8)! Of course, tuning our thoughts isn't as easy as pushing a button on a console. It takes careful attention (Prov. 4:23; Eph. 5:14-15). But like a wild field becomes a garden when tended, we can sow "pure ... lovely ... commendable" thoughts and cultivate new thinking habits. Paul paints a portrait of a mature Christian mind throughout Philippians, culminating in Phil. 4:4-13, where he shows us how to know the "peace of God" and the "God of peace" (Phil. 4:7, 9). Our key verse (Phil. 4:8) falls between those two phrases, showing us the path to maturity and peace.So for the following thirteen lessons, we'll meditate on God's gifts and virtues. Because when we spend time thinking about and talking about the good things God has poured into his world (James 1:17), we become more grateful, committed servants. And as we meditate on his excellent virtues (2 Peter 1:3-8), we learn to treasure what he treasures.So in these conversations, we pray you'll find new hope, joy, and strength. May we recognize God's abundant grace and light through which we will overcome the darkness (2 Cor. 4:6,16).The Big QuestionHas the noise of the world drowned out the good things of God in your heart?Support the Show

Training WheelsMaintain Your Forward Progress as ParentsRead or WatchHere's the thing about riding a bike that may seem counterintuitive: the faster you go, the easier it gets to balance. You'd think the rider keeps the bike from falling over, but the bike's inertia makes a big difference too. Just send a bike speeding away without you, and you'd be surprised how far it goes. If you don't lose momentum, riding becomes a breeze. But momentum is also super important for parenting. Slow down, or stop following God's pattern, and things get a whole lot harder! So, as we wrap up our Training Wheels study, let's look back at the big ideas we've tackled, considering how they help us maintain our forward progress with our kids.Stable FoundationsOur leadership throughout our children's lives ingrains the truths, traits, and habits they'll need.The marriage covenant is God's foundation for a stable family.Worship isn't just what we do as a family, it's who we are.Integrity reinforces our kids' structural support system.When discipline demoralizes our kids, we do more harm than good.Shepherding and ShapingWe can find our way in our parenting dilemmas by looking up.Your life speaks volumes to those following behind you.Good parenting is a daily choice you make, not the result of your child's choices.The world is your child's classroom, whether you're teaching them or not.The gospel of grace gives us a new lens to see ourselves, our kids, and our parenting.You can talk at your child and make a lot of noise, or you can talk to them and get through.Sending Them OutAs we send our children into the world, we can't protect them from every danger.Our kids were created for his glory, not ours.What a gift it is to call your child a "brother" or "sister" in Christ.How has this study propelled you into better parenting?Support the Show

Training WheelsRejoice When Your Children Follow the LordRead or WatchA macaroni necklace. A glitter-bomb birthday card. A "World's Best Dad" coffee cup. If you've ever opened a present from your child, you know it's not the money they spent that makes it valuable. Instead, it's how the gift expresses their love. That's why parents can honestly say, "It's the thought that counts." But what's the greatest gift a parent could receive from their children? We've given stability and shepherding, but what do we hope we've prepared them to do? We send them out, hoping to rejoice with them when our Lord becomes their Lord.The Big IdeaWhat a gift — when a "son" or "daughter" becomes a "brother" or "sister" in Christ. Imagine the day we serve our King alongside them as adults!While hopefully, everyone loves their kids, maybe not everyone likes them. Some children grow up and become people you don't admire or enjoy being around. That's why we work every day to bring them under the shepherding and shaping influence of God. Faithful children don't happen by accident but by continually placing the Lord above all in a family's life (Titus 1:5-6).Sometimes we're the bad guy, saying "no" until they learn to say it for themselves. Rather than treating our kindergarteners like buddies, we invest in disciplining them while they're small so that eventually, we can enjoy friendship with healthy, spiritually developed adults. Don't rush the process! And so we send them out into the world — not to leave us forever, but to build their own lives and families on what we've given them. We want to share our lives with their families because that's our family.As parents, we look down the road beyond the piano recitals, report cards, and career decisions. It's fun to see our kids succeed, but life is full of hard choices. They need to know that if they lose their soul, they've lost everything (Mark 8:36). So keep the faith and remind them every day about the greatest gift ever given: salvation in Jesus!The Big QuestionWill your kids become people you enjoy being around?Support the Show

Training WheelsPrepare Your Child for a Life of Service to GodRead or WatchImagine if your job was to take care of a priceless work of art. When da Vinci painted the world's most beloved portrait, he couldn't have known that over six million people would flock to see that famous, enigmatic, Mona Lisa smile every year. Experts say it's worth over $860 million — a treasure the Louvre staff have the immense responsibility of protecting and sharing with the world. But we're called to take care of even greater masterpieces, created by an Artist beyond comparison. So before we send our children into the world, let's prepare them for a life dedicated to their Maker.The Big IdeaGod made our kids for his glory, not ours. Though we're glad they belong to us, we want them to belong to him. As Hannah said, "For this child I prayed, and the Lord has granted me my petition that I made to him. Therefore I have lent him to the Lord. As long as he lives, he is lent to the Lord" (1 Sam. 1:27-28). Hannah didn't know who Samuel would become or his significance in God's work. But she dedicated him to God and instilled a sense of identity as God's servant.God knew our kids before we did, forming them "fearfully and wonderfully" in the womb. All their days are in his book (Psalm 139:1-5, 13-15). He's the source, the vine that'll make their lives fruitful. And as they abide in him, he'll answer their prayers and keep them in his love (John 15:4-10). When they believe God works mightily in them (Eph. 3:20; Phil. 2:13), it changes how they see themselves.Devote your kids to God in your heart, training them in his way, surrendering their future to his care, and praying for his will to be done in their lives. We're stewards entrusted with these precious souls, readying them for life beyond our care. So as we receive children from the Lord, may they give themselves to him.The Big QuestionDo you see yourself as a steward, preparing your kids for life without you?Support the Show

Training WheelsGuide Your Kids Through Life's DifficultiesRead or WatchAlmost everything seems life-threatening to a newborn baby, especially when you're a first-time parent. A loose blanket in their crib, a small toy, stairs, pets, coffee table corners, and especially the dreaded electrical outlets all seem to pose a mortal danger to small children. You might wrap your child in bubble wrap if it wasn't such a potential choking hazard! But it doesn't get easier as our kids grow up. There's always danger lurking around the next corner. Though "helicopter parenting" is tempting, someday they'll need to face difficulties without you. So, as we prepare to send our kids out into the world, how do we empower them and guide them through life's obstacles?The Big IdeaAs we send our children into the world, we can't protect them from every danger. Our kids, like all of us, may travel "through the valley of the shadow of death" someday (Ps. 23:4). We may grieve over the life they've chosen, as David did with Absalom (2 Sam. 19:4). Maybe we'll mourn for the treatment they've unfairly endured, like Mary at her son's crucifixion (John 19:26). With storms on the horizon, let's build our homes on solid ground now, shepherding and shaping them according to the Lord's pattern.Be there for them, always available to step in and help when they're ready for our support. Our kids should know that we'll always love them, no matter the mistakes they've made or the situation in which they've found themselves. Remember how the prodigal son's "father saw him and felt compassion, and ran and embraced him and kissed him" (Luke 15:20)?But here's some good news: we have a helper who cares about them even more than we do. So get on your knees every day, pleading for his protection over them, as Job did for his children (Job 1:5). When we feel powerless to step in and rescue them, call on the Almighty Father to "keep them from the evil one" (John 17:15).The Big QuestionHow will you respond when your child fails their tests?Support the Show

Training WheelsBe Purposeful With Your CommunicationRead or WatchTheir eyes glaze over. They stare off into the distance. Your words wash over them in waves of nonsensical noise. Like Charlie Brown's teacher, have you ever felt like your eloquent orations to your kids sound more like, "Wah wah woh wah wah" in their ears? Have we lost the ability to speak our child's language somewhere along the way? Is it even possible to communicate clearly with your kids? So as we shepherd and shape them, let's be more purposeful with what we say and how we say it.The Big IdeaYou can talk at your child and make a lot of noise, or you can talk to them and get through. Following Christ's example, our kids should know our voice (John 10:3-4). But it's more than recognizing the sound of someone's voice — it's about connecting with the meaning of the message. If our message isn't received, we're not communicating. Are we being understood? Or are we just spraying them with a sea of senseless sounds?Communication isn't a one-way activity but a two-way dialogue. Listen to them — getting to know their voice — and consider how best to respond. It takes knowing yourself and your child to have a successful conversation. As we invest in becoming their sounding-board, we'd do well to be "quick to hear, slow to speak," controlling our tongues (James 1:19, 26). We communicate better when we commit to knowing our kids' world, where they're coming from, and what they're trying to tell us. Are you an effective listener or always doing the talking?Season your words with grace (Col. 4:5-6), mindful of your headspace and attitude. Are you under control or losing your cool? A small child understands tone even when they don't grasp all the words. Whatever your child's age, how you say things can matter just as much as what you say. And remember that they will mirror what you talk about and how you say it.The Big QuestionAre you invested in hearing your kids and helping them to hear you?Support the Show

Training WheelsReflect God's Grace in Your ParentingRead or Watch"You must be kind, you must be witty," goes an old Disney song, as children recite a recipe for their perfect nanny. But when Marry Poppins arrived, maybe you found yourself resentful of her sugary tactics as she tackled every problem gracefully. Unlike her, most of us can't do chores with a "snap" or blow away on an umbrella after a season. Instead, those who aren't "practically perfect in every way" must rely on God's grace. So, as we shape our children, how do we embrace God's favor and reflect it into our children's lives?The Big IdeaThe gospel of grace gives us a new lens through which we see ourselves, our kids, and our parenting. God gives us strength in our weakness, help in our struggles, and mercy when we fail. We don't earn his forgiveness, and we shouldn't require that from our children. We've all "sinned ... and are justified by his grace as a gift" (Rom. 3:23-24). And we forgive because of who we are, not because others have earned it.So there's no "perfect parent" award or "parenting police." Christ commands whole-life devotion — to "be perfect" or complete "as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matt. 5:44). But Jesus says that starts by seeing our need for grace before God (Matt. 5:3). Don't miss how owning and admitting our mistakes eases the burden of "perfection" on our children. Make space for them to drop their guard and open up to you. Extend them the same graciousness God gives us (Titus 2:11-14).While losing our temper at our kids is wrong, choosing not to repair and apologize creates a bigger issue. Remember, God forgives those who forgive others (Matt. 6:15). And forgiveness goes both ways! If we expect our kids to say, "Sorry," when they're wrong, are we willing to model that for them? When we admit our mistakes and ask for forgiveness, we show them our priority is repairing the relationship.The Big QuestionDo you need to rely more on God's grace in your parenting?Support the Show

Training WheelsSeize Each Day's Teaching MomentsRead or Watch"It's time to go to bed," says the parent. "Why?" "Because it's nighttime." "Why?" "Because the sun went down." "Why?" "Because of the rotation of the earth ..." Well, you get the point. Our kids constantly ask questions as their minds collect data at a breakneck speed. A parent can spend a whole day going from "Why are the dinosaurs gone?" to "Why is the sky blue?" to "Why do kids have to obey their parents?" The questions can be as challenging as plentiful. But as parents trying to shape our kids, they also provide something we need to recognize and seize: teachable moments.The Big IdeaThe world is your child's classroom, whether you're teaching them or not. They're learning machines, developing their understanding of the world each day. And we're their teachers, helping them get the best information and training. A lot of their education comes from reinforcing and repeating. But we can also meet them in those moments when they're ready to learn — if we pay attention. When their curiosity is piqued, stop and talk through the big questions. When an experience leaves them open to growth, those conversations are worth the time.The Lord told parents to speak about his instruction all the time. Start by loving the Lord with all of yourself, placing his commandments on your heart (Deut. 6:5-6). Only after you "teach yourself" (Rom. 2:21) can you "teach them diligently to your children, and ... talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise" (Deut. 6:7). Whether we're on the go or taking a break, getting ready for breakfast, or getting ready for bed, the things of the Lord fill our hearts, our conversations, and our actions. And when we instill the word in their hearts, we equip them to answer life's "Why" questions with a ready "it is written" (Luke 4:1-13).The Big QuestionWhat are your kids ready to learn, and are you taking the time to engage in those discussions?Support the Show

Training WheelsTake Responsibility for What You Can ControlRead or WatchLittle kids don't usually have a filter for their words. Sometimes they surprise us with unexpected wisdom beyond their pint-sized proportions. And other times — most other times — they say things in public that make you want to crawl in a hole from embarrassment. If you don't have a budding young philosopher in the house, maybe "Out of the mouth of babes" sounds more like a punchline than a blessing. So how much control do we really have over what our kids say or do despite our best efforts? As we shepherd and shape our children, it's important to accept our limitations and take responsibility for what we control.The Big IdeaGood parenting is a daily choice you make, not the result of your child's choices. Your success or failure as a parent doesn't depend on your kid's response. Imagine if we judged God, the Perfect Father, by the same criteria. If the majority walk the broad road to destruction (Matt. 7:13-14), does that mean God is a failure (Isaiah 1:2)? Of course not! People make their own decisions and are responsible for their actions (Ezek. 18:4) — and that includes our children.So, what's your goal as a parent? We need to get clear on that before we start evaluating ourselves. For example, we aim to pass our faith to our kids, like Timothy's grandmother and mother did (2 Tim. 1:3-7). That's the right goal, as long as we take responsibility for the part we control. So do your part every day, planting and watering your child's heart (1 Cor. 3:6), and leave the growth to God.Parents aren't all-knowing masters or experts. We just have twenty or thirty more years of experience. That's not nothing, but don't overestimate it either. Don't feel pressure to be "The Father" or "The Mother" with all the answers. Instead, stay humble, offering wisdom, love, and discipline as you guide them, support them, and correct them.The Big QuestionHow will you know if you've done a good job as a parent?Support the Show

Training WheelsShow Your Children What Life Is All AboutRead or WatchEver heard about Jesus' twelve kids? No, he never married or had children, but he wasn't a typical bachelor either. From the beginning of his ministry, he "adopted" a dozen men from various backgrounds into his inner circle. They followed him around, listened to his teaching, and watched him work. They asked a ton of questions, like most children do, and were usually confused by his answers. He gave instructions and watched as they obeyed or failed. Jesus wasn't a parent, but in a way, he was the perfect example of practical parenting. So, let's look to the Good Shepherd to show us how to shepherd our children well.The Big IdeaYour life speaks volumes to those following behind you. Our kids need someone to show the way. So, we take a cue from Jesus' playbook and invite them to "Follow" (John 1:35-51). Or as Paul said, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). We're not perfect, but they're watching whether we realize it or not. Some people are sent to foreign soil to bring the gospel. You're sent to disciple your kids, "teaching them to observe" Christ's commands (Matt. 28:19). Like disciples spent every day with the Master, learning to "follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21), our kids spend their formative years right next to us. But, as they study you, what do they learn? Do they see consistent joy, gratitude, and prayer (1 Thess. 5:16-18)? Are they learning to see people with generosity and patience (1 Cor. 13:4-7)? What will they learn about work, friendship, money, and the opposite sex? And will they come to love Jesus and the story of salvation?Shepherding isn't glamorous; it's messy, costly, and exhausting. But in his limitless love, Christ committed himself to the gritty, sacrificial work of leading his sheep (John 10:11). And as we spend ourselves in the thankless job of parenting, may our kids see Christ in us!The Big QuestionAre you comfortable telling your children to walk like you?Support the Show

Training WheelsParent Like Your Heavenly FatherRead or WatchBefore we had kids, we were all perfect parents ... at least in our minds! We'd read the books and we'd studied the parents around us — we were experts in child-rearing, with all the answers on "What to Expect When You're Expecting" and beyond! Everything made sense until we walked out of the hospital with our newborn in our arms and realized we didn't know what we were doing! And it wouldn't get any easier as they grew up. So, where do we turn when the strategies don't work, and everyone has a different opinion? It's easy to forget you have the best parenting example ever available to you. His book isn't in the parenting section, but our heavenly Father is the only perfect parent. So as we try to give our kids a stable foundation and shape them into the people we hope they'll become, what can we learn from God about parenting?The Big IdeaWe can find our way in our parenting dilemmas by looking up. Maybe you had fantastic parents, or maybe not. But your primary model can't come from them or any earthly source. When you need illumination, consider how the "Father of lights" (James 1:17) deals with his children.Despite our failures, God constantly shows us his love (Eph. 1:3-14; Matt. 7:11). Do our kids see our love for them as clearly? He fights for us (Neh. 4:20), protects us (2 Thess. 3:3), and provides for us (Matt. 6:26-33). He leads and patiently corrects us (Joel 2:12-13). He gives us room to choose wrong but never gives up on us (Hosea 11:1-9).The Father doesn't foster our sense of entitlement by indulging our every desire, but he does give us what we need (James 4:2-3). Sometimes, what we need is discipline (Heb. 12:8-9). And sometimes, it's grace (Eph. 2:4-10). God does the difficult work of shepherding and shaping us. May we all develop as parents in his image.The Big QuestionWhat do you still have to learn from God about parenting?Support the Show

Training WheelsTrain With Wisdom, Patience, and LoveRead or WatchImagine a few hundred thousand people crammed shoulder to shoulder on the Golden Gate Bridge. Their immense weight slowly flattens the gently curved roadway. Will it buckle from the pressure? Well, that's what happened on its 50th anniversary, when the iconic bridge welcomed 300,000 pedestrians to cross. Fortunately, the bridge was built to bend. And that same "bend but don't break" approach can help us lay a stable foundation for our kids. Rather than pushing them past their breaking point, the Lord teaches us to train them with wisdom, patience, and love.The Big IdeaWhen discipline demoralizes our kids, we do more harm than good. Scripture commands, "do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged" (Col. 3:21). Other translations say not to, "antagonize" (NASB), "embitter" (NIV), or "aggravate your children" (NLT). Our decisions, words, and approval bear so much weight with them, and we have to carry that influence responsibly. If we aim to "bring them up in the discipline and instruction of the Lord" (Eph. 6:4), we won't compromise on God's standards. But his compassion needs to lead us just as much as his justice.We all need room to fail and still find love and support. The purpose of discipline is training, not punishment, so our discipline needs to prioritize our child's growth and wellbeing. If we humiliate them, don't be surprised if they stop learning whatever we intended to teach them.Christ gives his disciples a challenging way to respond when we feel angry (Matt. 5:21-26) or attacked (Matt. 5:38-42). We don't get a pass on a Christlike response just because they're our kids. Parenting can get overwhelming. We're so invested in our aspirations for our kids, wanting them to have impeccable character. But if we expect perfection, we hold them to unreasonable standards we can't live up to ourselves. That's a lot of pressure! Let's aim to offer our kids the same grace, patience, and gentleness God offers to us.The Big QuestionDoes your love for your child show even in discipline?Support the Show

Training WheelsReflect God's Discipline and Consistency at HomeRead or WatchThe New Yorker called it "The Fifty-Nine-Story Crisis." In June of 1978, a college student called renowned structural engineer William LeMessurier to say a massive skyscraper he designed wasn't sound. His building, the Citigroup Center, was the world's seventh-tallest at the time. At first, he blew it off, but upon inspection, he realized that someone switched the welded joints to cheaper bolts during construction. It was such a small change, but it would've spelled disaster in a strong wind. And Midtown Manhattan isn't the only place where a lack of structural integrity can bring down the house. As we lay the foundation for our children, how do we stay true to God's original design for the home, giving their lives the stability they need?The Big IdeaIntegrity reinforces our kids' structural support system. It's not enough to keep the big promises — you've got to keep the little ones too. Jesus reminds us that "one who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much" (Luke 16:10). Every time you make good on a promise, it's like you're using God's original — trustworthy — building material. But if you start to break your word, it won't take long before their trust in you comes tumbling down.Whatever we say, we do. We're trustworthy and reliable — a good quality to have as a parent and in all other relationships. As James said, "let your 'yes' be yes and your 'no' be no" (James 5:12). Developing integrity isn't always fun or convenient, but through repetition and followthrough we strengthen our kid's trust in us.Set clear boundaries and expectations ahead of time so they know the consequences before they act. No waffling or excuses, we view discipline as an act of love — just like God does! "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord … For the Lord disciplines the one he loves …" (Heb. 12:5-6).The Big QuestionDo your kids see you as someone who always keeps your commitments?Support the Show

Training WheelsDeepen Your Devotion to God as a FamilyRead or WatchMost kids don't like watching anything black-and-white. When a film from the '90s is an "old movie," the family of the '50s seems almost ancient. What'd they do with their free time without the internet? As outdated as it may sound, many families invested in quality time, eating meals together, going to church every week, and studying the Bible regularly. No, life wasn't perfect. But are these "old-fashioned" priorities a thing of the past? Maybe with all our distractions, the foundation of our families has weakened. Adrift in a sea of activities, perhaps we've lost touch with the value of deep devotion to God together.The Big IdeaWorship isn't just what we do as a family — it's who we are. The "Lord builds the house" (Ps. 127:1) when he's the heart of the home.Jesus grew up in a home where honoring God was the norm. The family "went to Jerusalem every year at the Feast of the Passover" (Luke 2:41) — it wasn't a question; it was just what they did. They were poor, but they sacrificed what little they had to God, as he commanded (Luke 2:22-24). Before Mary and Joseph ever had kids, they were worshipers at their core. Listen to the beautiful words of devotion Mary spoke before Jesus' birth — "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior ... for he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name" (Luke 1:46-49). It's only fitting that when Jesus was twelve, he continued the legacy, planting himself in the temple to discuss God's word (Luke 2:49).So make devotion the core of your marriage from the earliest moments, before the kids come. Lay those habits and commitments deep, like concrete footers beneath your house. Serve, pray, and consistently assemble with the church, never too busy to show up for the One who showed up for us. Just imagine what might happen if more families took the "old fashioned" approach of Jesus' upbringing.The Big QuestionIs glorifying God the soul of your family?Support the Show

Training WheelsSolidify Your Marital FoundationRead or WatchThere's a terrifying place in Florida called "sinkhole alley" — a three-county-wide swath of land known to swallow houses whole! Imagine enjoying a Saturday morning off, watching cartoons with your family, when suddenly the foundation beneath you erodes, leaving you fighting for your lives in your pajamas. We like to think of our home as a safe place, but what makes it safe? What's the bedrock on which a stable family is built?The Big IdeaThe marriage covenant is God's foundation for a stable family. Jesus says that in marriage, we become "no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate" (Matt. 19:6). So a rock-solid marriage begins with reverence for God and the one-ness he creates. "Because the Lord was witness between you and the wife of your youth ... your companion and your wife by covenant" (Mal. 2:14).And as the next verse highlights, our honor for our spouse affects our children. "Did he not make them one, with a portion of the Spirit in their union? And what was the one God seeking? Godly offspring. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and let none of you be faithless to the wife of your youth" (Mal. 2:15). Sometimes couples split apart; sometimes they drift apart. But non-stop fighting and unfaithfulness will weaken the foundation of your family, eroding the bedrock on which you once hoped to build.So, grow your love for your spouse, stay on the same page, and work out your differences in a way that honors Christ (Eph. 5:21). Sacrifice for each other, holding your relationship above all others — even above a relationship with your children! Mutual love and respect act as the reinforced concrete to keep that sinkhole from ever forming. As Paul said, "let each one of you love his wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband" (Eph. 5:33).The Big QuestionHow are you fostering stability in your relationship?Support the Show

Training WheelsSupport, Shepherd, and Send Out Our KidsRead or WatchWhat do people mean when they say something is "like riding a bike"? How is snowboarding or learning a language in any way "like riding a bike"? They mean it tends to stick with you once you get it — it becomes ingrained so time doesn't wipe away all your practice. In some ways, training up a child is like teaching them to ride a bike. You put on training wheels before they can balance independently. And then, eventually, you take them off and hold the back of their seat. But at some point, it's time to let go so they can ride on their own, and maybe fall a few times. So, as we begin, let's explore the great responsibility we have as parents to support, shepherd, and send our kids out into the world.The Big IdeaOur leadership throughout our children's lives ingrains the truths, traits, and habits they'll need. Scripture gives us an encouraging principle when it says, "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it" (Prov. 22:6). In other words, when we teach them to live well, they won't easily forget it.We try to provide stable foundations for our children early on. We focus on our covenant bond with our spouse. We make God the center of our home. We speak truthfully and we train them with love and care.As they grow, we shepherd and shape them, looking heavenward to God's example and urging them to follow us. We get clear about our goals, grab life's tiny teaching moments, and model God's grace in their lives. And we communicate clearly and openly with them.One day we'll send them out into the world, always there for them through troubling times, praying that we've done our best to instill a dedication to God. Imagine the blessing of calling our adult children "Brother" or "Sister" in Christ. What a gift, but what a task we have before us!The Big QuestionIn what areas of your parenting are you looking to grow?Support the Show

Watch the VideoSince 2019, we've gone Into the Book, exploring the richness of the New Testament together. And we've spent a whole year Cross Training to become better disciples of Christ, our Master Teacher. We've learned so much together through these conversations, and now, we're taking these discussions to a whole new level!If you've ever looked around for quality Bible study material to dig into on your own, you know how hard it is to get started. How about finding relevant study guides to tackle in a small group, or in a Bible class with your church? Again, not always easy! Sometimes half the battle is getting started with a personal or group study, so we're excited to launch our newest project: Bible Geeks Guided Studies — like a Choose Your Own Adventure approach to studying God's Word. Here's how it works:Throughout the year, we'll release a handful of different Guided Studies, covering a wide range of relevant topics, targeted at a wide range of people. If you're a parent or a kid, a seasoned saint or new to the faith, we've got you covered! Each Guided Study lasts either 3 sessions, 8 sessions, or 13 sessions — making it perfect for a weekly or monthly study, either on your own or in a group. Focused but flexible, each guide targets a specific spiritual aim, but allows you to study the way that fits you best.Each study has a downloadable guide, perfect to hand out to a group or use on your own. The Guided Study session begins with a short Daily Download video — also available as text — to kick off the discussion. Then, each session launches into a mapped-out conversation with readings, questions, and challenges to do together. And if you're studying on your own, or want to hear an example of each conversation, tune into our Weekly Podcast where we'll be sharing an example of each session in the study.Whether you're studying as a family, church, with a neighbor, or by yourself, we pray that these free tools will equip you to study God's Word well. This isn't another yearlong project like we've done in the past, it's a complete reboot of the Bible Geeks podcast and website.Follow along with all our Guided Studies at biblegeeks.fm/study.

Cross TrainingListen Carefully to Wise InstructionRead or WatchThis year at a teen event, we had a competition where several teams had to guide a blindfolded teammate through a maze using only their voice. It was fun but a little chaotic, as our young folks tried to make their way, discerning between different voices and instructions: "Turn left!" "No, right!" "Keep going, you're doing great!" It's a bit like the different advice we receive as we navigate our own twists and turns. Who do you listen to — or should you just shut the voices out, determined to stumble along on your own?We're Cross Training to develop our lifelong learning, the last of twelve marks of the Master we've worked on this year. Lifelong learning comes when we follow Jesus as disciples, hunger and thirst after righteousness, examine ourselves, and seek out wise counsel. So why do we need wise advisors, and how do we find them?What You Need to KnowNaturally, what makes sense to you makes sense to you! But we all need to hear other points of view. Even a fool is "right in his own eyes, but a wise man listens to advice" (Prov. 12:15). If you think going it alone — listening to no one — proves your strength, remember that the battle usually goes to those with the best counselors: "Plans are established by counsel; by wise guidance wage war" (Prov. 20:18). In fact, while you don't want to listen to just anyone, this is one area of life where more is usually better. "Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed" (Prov. 15:22).So when you come to a crossroads and face a challenging decision, look for those who can help you choose the right way. And even in your day-to-day walk, who would you love to take with you on this journey, to help you see things clearly and live well? Looking around your life, fill your cabinet of advisors asking yourself, "who do I want to have in my ear?" Prayerfully build relationships with mentors and friends who exhibit the fruit of the Spirit as those who "belong to Christ Jesus" (Gal. 5:22-24).What You Need to DoChoose your advisors carefully. Give attention to "your father's instruction" and "your mother's teaching" (Prov. 1:8). Rather than leaning toward those with whom you have the most in common, look for wisdom and the fear of the Lord (Prov. 9:10). Unlike Rehoboam, who lost part of his kingdom by choosing the advice of his young friends over older counselors (1 Kings 12), seek out mentors and thinking partners who have more experience than you (cf. Prov. 16:31). As Job said, "Wisdom is with the aged, and understanding in length of days" (Job 12:12). That doesn't mean we should "despise" the wisdom of young, faithful people (1 Tim. 4:12). To the contrary, they too can offer a unique and helpful perspective, holding to their "sincere faith" in the word they've received (2 Tim. 1:5).Humbly listen, even when it's uncomfortable to hear. Never become too proud for correction, since anyone "who hates reproof is stupid" (Prov. 12:1). Find the "sweetness of a friend" in their "earnest counsel" (Prov. 27:9), even when their "faithful ... wounds" of correction (Prov. 27:5-6) hurt all the more for their frankness and love (Lev. 19:17-18).Don't equate any human's advice with God's wisdom. To David and Absalom, "the counsel Ahithophel gave was as if one consulted the word of God" (2 Sam. 16:23). That can get dangerous even with the most sage and experienced advisor. Wisdom can come in a lot of varieties from a lot of sources, some better than others (cf. James 3:13-17). Christ's disciple will always look first to the "Wonderful Counselor" (Isa. 9:6; cf. Isa. 11:2). And so this series ends where it began — Cross Training under the instruction and example of the Master!Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Luke 2:40-52; Matt. 7:6; Psalm 1:1-6; 1 Cor. 15:33; 1 Thess. 5:6-14Reflect (Tue) — Who are my counselors now, and who should I seek to advise me?Request (Wed) — "Holy Father, fill my life with an abundance of wise counselors" (cf. Prov. 15:22).Respond (Thu) — Buy lunch for a wise, older saint, enjoying their company and taking in their insights.Reach Out (Fri) — How has wise counsel made a difference in your life?Support the Show

Cross TrainingLook Inwardly to What God SeesRead or WatchMy family — with our pasty-white complexion — has a history of skin cancer. But after skipping my dermatologist appointment for almost a decade, my doctor was shocked by the amount of work he needed to do as he checked every freckle, sun-spot, and mole. I'm reminded that it's not just the "outer self" that needs regular checkups. Maybe it's past time to schedule an appointment with the Great Physician for a spiritual examination.We're Cross Training to develop our lifelong learning, the last of twelve marks of the Master we've worked on this year. Lifelong learning comes when we follow Jesus as disciples, hunger and thirst after righteousness, examine ourselves, and seek out wise counsel. So why is self-examination so important, and why do we tend to avoid it?What You Need to KnowJesus directs our attention to ourselves during the Sermon on the Mount, when he tells us to "first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye" (Matt. 7:5). Personal change like that begins with what we "see" and "notice" (Matt. 7:3). When we hear God's word, it should lead us to take a hard look at ourselves and start the work of correcting any problems we find. Anyone who hears and doesn't do that is "like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror" and then "goes away and at once forgets what he was like" (James 1:23-24).But sometimes we get so caught up examining others, that we forget to check ourselves. Many in Corinth wanted to test Paul, but he repeatedly emphasizes the word "yourselves" to challenge them to look in the mirror. "Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!" (2 Cor. 13:5). Rather than having a distorted picture of ourselves as we help others, we need to turn our focus inward and test our own work (Gal. 6:3-4).What You Need to DoBefore you worship, take a moment to consider yourself. Do I have an issue to work out between me and my brother or sister? "So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift" (Matt. 5:23-24). Before participating in the Lord's Supper, see if you've prepared your heart to remember Christ in a worthy manner. "But a man must examine himself, and in so doing he is to eat of the bread and drink of the cup" (1 Cor. 11:28).Bring your life before God in honest prayer, inviting him to see you (warts and all) and lead you into his complete righteousness. David prayed to God, "test my heart and my mind" (Ps. 26:2). He begins another psalm acknowledging that God knows everything (Ps. 139:1-16), ending with a prayerful consideration of his own thoughts and actions, pleading, "Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any grievous way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!" (Ps. 139:23-24). When you find anything out-of-line with the Lord's goodness, acknowledge it to him and walk in the light (1 John 1:7-10).Learn from your mistakes and try to see yourself more clearly through the lens of those difficulties. Even when something challenging happens that has nothing to do with you, see if there's something you can learn from it. Remember, "It is for discipline that you have to endure. God is treating you as sons" (Heb. 12:7). Because "the Lord disciplines the one he loves" (Heb. 12:6) to improve us (Heb. 12:4-11). When Jerusalem was destroyed, Jeremiah's lament pointed the nation to a path forward through self-examination and repentance. He said, "Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the LORD!" (Lam. 3:40).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 7:1-5; Ps. 139:1-24; 1 Cor. 11:17-34; 2 Cor. 13:1-10; James 1:19-27Reflect (Tue) — What does the Lord see when he looks closely at my thoughts and behavior?Request (Wed) — "Search me, O God. Know me, and lead me in the everlasting way" (cf. Ps. 139:23-24).Respond (Thu) — Open up to a friend about an area of concern in your life, asking for their prayers.Reach Out (Fri) — How can you grow from the challenges you're experiencing?Support the Show

Cross TrainingWant God's Goodness and RighteousnessRead or WatchA man came to a great teacher, wanting to become his student. When the teacher walked away, he followed him out of town to a lake. The teacher continued walking until the water was waist-deep. Then he turned around, put his hands on the prospective student's shoulders, and shoved him underwater with all his might. The man struggled until, at last, the teacher released his grip, and he came up, gasping for air. "When you want wisdom as badly as you just wanted to breathe," the teacher said, "you'll be ready to learn, and I'll teach you."We're Cross Training to develop our lifelong learning, the last of twelve marks of the Master we've worked on this year. Lifelong learning comes when we follow Jesus as disciples, hunger and thirst after righteousness, examine ourselves, and seek out wise counsel. So what are you thirsting for, and how do your longings and desires give shape to your life?What You Need to KnowIf you've had a hungry baby in the house, you know all-too-well what Peter means when he says to "long for the pure spiritual milk" like "newborn infants" (1 Peter 2:2). I don't know if I've ever wanted anything as badly as a hungry newborn wants milk! But Peter gives two reasons to summon that kind of single-minded desire within ourselves. First, just like a baby knows they like the taste of milk, Peter says that we'll thirst for spiritual milk if we've "tasted that the Lord is good" (1 Peter 2:3). God's goodness leaves us hungry for more — everywhere that we encounter it. And second, we long to "grow up into salvation" (1 Peter 2:2).Jesus gives assurance to "those who hunger and thirst for righteousness" when he promises "they shall be satisfied" (Matt. 5:6). As we see our part in the world's brokenness, we hunger for upright hearts, integrity, love, and for godliness to characterize our every thought and deed. When we cry out to God, wanting him to reign in us, Jesus says we'll "be satisfied" (Matt. 5:6). What a comfort!Where do we get the idea that following Jesus comes easy? Jesus sure wanted us to see the opposite! Once, someone asked him, "Lord, will those who are saved be few?' And he said to them, 'Strive to enter through the narrow door. For many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able'" (Luke 13:23-24). So strive — keep "straining forward" (Phil. 3:13) like athletes giving every last ounce of effort because they want it so badly (1 Cor. 9:24-27).What You Need to DoSurround yourself with people that value the same things. Some people have a contagious passion that you can't help but catch when you spend time together. A zealous brother or sister can stoke the fire within even the strongest among us. Paul told his friend Philemon: "I have derived much joy and comfort from your love, my brother, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed through you" (Philem. 7).Feast on the word. When God called Ezekiel, the Lord gave him a scroll and told him to eat it (Ezek. 2:8-3:4). "Then I ate it," Ezekiel says, "and it was in my mouth as sweet as honey" (Ezek. 3:3; cf. Rev. 10:9-10). God wants us to take the written words into ourselves and make it a part of us. Find in God's word both bread to sustain (Matt. 4:4) and honey to enjoy (Ps. 19:10). As Jeremiah said, "Your words were found, and I ate them, and your words became to me a joy and the delight of my heart" (Jer. 15:16).Examine yourself to know what you really want (John 1:38). It's a helpful question — sometimes painful — the more we honestly search ourselves (Ps. 139:23; 2 Cor. 13:5). Why do you do the things you do? What do your choices reveal about how you've ordered your priorities? Where do you rank comfort and ease? Do you long for fellowship with the Lord? Jesus says we can change what we find by changing what we seek in our life: "seek, and you will find" (Matt. 7:7).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 5:3-12; 7:7-8; 1 Peter 2:1-3; Ps. 19:1-14; Prov. 2:1-11Reflect (Tue) — What do I really want?Request (Wed) — "O God, I thirst for you. May I look upon you" (cf. Psalm 63:1-2).Respond (Thu) — Schedule some time with someone you consider zealous for Christ.Reach Out (Fri) — What has this year left you "hungry" for?Support the Show

Cross TrainingKeep Following and Learning Until the EndRead or WatchThey say you can't teach an old dog new tricks. Is that really true? Maybe it's a reality for our canine companions, but doesn't it feel a bit insulting to equate our age with an inability to learn or grow? Sure, we'll probably develop habits into deep ruts over time, making it difficult to change course. Maybe our fear of venturing out of our comfort zone will take over. But no matter our age, there's always more to learn and new opportunities for growth in our walk with the Lord. So, this week as we kick off our last mark of the Master, we come full-circle back to the central idea of this whole journey: discipleship!We're Cross Training to develop our lifelong learning, the last of twelve marks of the Master we've worked on this year. Lifelong learning comes when we follow Jesus as disciples, hunger and thirst after righteousness, examine ourselves, and seek out wise counsel. So how do we maintain a learner's mind, irrespective of our age or experience level?What You Need to KnowA disciple is a learner, a student of Jesus who listens to him (Luke 9:35). We let our Lord's life and teaching remake our lives — that is the essence of discipleship (Luke 6:40). When we enroll ourselves in this training academy of Christ — so to speak — we fulfill God's promise that those in the kingdom will "be taught by God" (John 6:45; Isa. 54:13). If we don't continually place ourselves under the tutelage of Christ, submitting to his authority, why would we ever call him our master? As Jesus asked, "Why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do what I tell you?" (Luke 6:46).Before Christ ascended, he gave his disciples a mission, to go "make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded" (Matt. 28:19-20). So making disciples includes more than a baptism. It requires instruction — so that Christ can reform people as they do his commands. Our life is a race (2 Tim. 4:7), an ongoing contest which requires constant training and correction until the end (Rev. 2:26-27). So we listen to Christ's instruction every day, looking toward that finish line where we'll finally reach our goal and "attain the resurrection from the dead" (Phil. 3:10-16).What You Need to DoEmbrace correction. Think of yourself as a work-in-progress with many more challenging lessons ahead of you. Learn from the example of Peter, who — even as a respected leader of the church — needed Paul's correction when he separated himself from Gentile Christians for fear of false teachers in "the circumcision party" (Gal. 2:11-14). Paul's rebuke was just another in a long list of course corrections in Peter's journey, from confrontations (Mark 8:32, 33) and moments of doubt (Matt. 14:30-31) to hard lessons (John 21:17-23) and disorienting new truths (Acts 10:12-15). Peter's success came from his willingness to keep going and keep growing, and so will yours if you keep listening and learning.Give encouragement and wisdom to other disciples along the way. Sometimes a disciple's humility makes us so aware of our need to grow that we think we can't teach anyone else. But following Christ's example means speaking to others with the meekness of a fellow-student. Christ, who always listened to the Father, could "speak just as the Father taught" him (John 8:28). In Isaiah, the Messianic Servant says, "The Lord GOD has given me the tongue of those who are taught, that I may know how to sustain with a word him who is weary. Morning by morning he awakens; he awakens my ear to hear as those who are taught" (Isa. 50:4).Take up your cross again today. Jesus said that those who follow him would need to do it under a cross (Matt. 10:38). Or as the next verse puts it, we have to lose our life for him to save our life (Matt. 10:39). Dying to ourselves and living for him (Gal. 2:20) — easy to say, hard to consistently do — we discover the joy of service, sacrifice, and submission. Each day brings new opportunities to develop as lovers of God and others (Matt. 22:36-40). "For to me, to live is Christ" (Phil. 1:21).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 6:44-51; Luke 6:39-49; Matt. 8:19-22; 17:1-8; Eph. 4:17-24Reflect (Tue) — What doors of growth and progress are opening for me the older I get?Request (Wed) — "Oh Lord, increase my love for you as I grow older in your service" (cf. Eccl. 12:1-8).Respond (Thu) — Express your appreciation to an older believer who's been an influence on you.Reach Out (Fri) — What are you continuing to learn that you thought you already knew?Support the Show

Cross TrainingLead Like the Good ShepherdRead or WatchHave you ever thought about the difference between cowboys and shepherds? Both have a herd to move, but while cowboys "drive" cattle, shepherds "lead" their sheep. Both stay alert to dangers, but shepherds know their sheep in a way cowboys don't. The cowboy prods and hollers at cattle, while the shepherd's rod and staff bring comfort (Ps. 23:4). No wonder God describes himself as a shepherd!We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. So why is shepherding the Bible's defining picture of leadership?What You Need to KnowGod has long promised his people wise and compassionate leadership. Through Jeremiah, God said, "I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding" (Jer. 3:15). He rebuked "the shepherds who destroy and scatter the sheep of my pasture" (Jer. 23:1). He declared: "I will set shepherds over them who will care for them, and they shall fear no more, nor be dismayed, neither shall any be missing, declares the Lord" (Jer. 23:4). And his promise finds fulfillment today, first in Christ (Micah 5:4-5; Matt. 2:6), and then in the shepherds Christ gives his church (Eph. 4:11-12). These men must meet specific qualifications (1 Tim. 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9) as "shepherds" (1 Peter 5:2), also called "elders" (Acts 20:17) or "overseers" (Acts 20:28). As leaders, they keep "watch over your souls, as those who will have to give an account" (Heb. 13:17). But though you may not be a shepherd over God's church, chances are, someone in your life looks to you as a leader. And maybe shepherds have something to teach all of us about leading!What You Need to DoTake your leadership cues from Jesus — "the chief shepherd" (1 Peter 5:4), who exemplifies perfect leadership. If we want to lead well, we need to learn the attributes of "the good shepherd" (John 10:11). A shepherd must stay watchful and protect the flock (Acts 20:28). Shepherding requires both firmness and tenderness, both the rod that defends and the staff that corrects (Ps. 23:4). A good shepherd risks his life to fight off wolves (John 10:12) and to go find the wandering sheep (Matt. 18:12-14). Are you ready to serve those you lead with that kind of fierceness, gentleness, and commitment?Embrace opportunities to mentor when they present themselves. Whatever your roles and relationships, it's likely you have people looking to you for guidance. You may have a chance to provide an example, a listening ear, and a discerning counselor to co-workers at work. Parents shepherd their children into the way of the Lord, bringing his instruction into each aspect of our daily home life. Not only does God say to place his words "on your heart" (Deut. 6:6), but "you shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise" (Deut. 6:7). Older women can give younger women perspective, training, and encouragement (Titus 2:3-5). And the counsel of older men can offer invaluable insight to young men (1 Kings 12:6-19). Invest in other Christians, seeking to influence one another and grow together. "Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow*" (Eccl. 4:9-10). God wants us to support and strengthen one another, investing both our love and our wisdom. Two people of character can improve each other like "iron sharpens iron" (Prov. 27:17). God has made his people "full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able to instruct one another" (Rom. 15:14). The truth is, we all can benefit from "an abundance of counselors" (Prov. 11:14), and a wise person seeks out and "listens to advice" (Prov. 12:15). What a gift to find yourself surrounded by friends who can help make you better!Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 10:1-18; Ps. 23:1-6; 1 Peter 5:1-14; Ezek. 34:1-10; 1 Sam. 17:32-37Reflect (Tue) — Does "shepherding" describe my leadership style?Request (Wed) — "Holy Father, teach me to care for others the way you care for me" (cf. Ps. 23).Respond (Thu) — Touch base with someone who looks up to you, offering them encouragement.Reach Out (Fri) — What moments have shown you how difficult and worthwhile shepherding can be?Support the Show

Cross TrainingLet Christ Be Seen In YouRead or WatchAre you afraid of the dark? For many, the idea of entering a pitch-black room without a nightlight is terrifying to consider. What's out there? Are you going to step on or trip over something? When the lights are on, our fears subside. But without light, we're left wondering what's lurking in the shadows. It's incredible how just a little light can ease our worries and help us move forward!We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. So how can we illuminate the world around us, pointing them to Christ?What You Need to KnowJesus said, "I am the light of the world" but then he added, "Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). Isaiah spoke of the Messiah who would offer light to the nations (Isa. 42:6; 49:7). When Paul quotes that passage and applies it to spreading the gospel, he shows how we carry Christ's light to the world. "For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth'" (Acts 13:47).We see the tragic evils of a lost world all around us (Phil. 2:15). But it wasn't so long ago that you, too, "were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord" (Eph. 5:8). We have Christ's light within us, like a bright and glorious treasure shining out of a clay jar (2 Cor. 4:6-7). So God gives us the task of making his goodness visible in the world. "You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden ... let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 5:14, 16).What You Need to DoWhen your good works are on display, check your motives carefully. While Jesus calls us to shine brightly in the world (Matt. 5:14-16), he warns against showing off. He said, "Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 6:1). Point people to Jesus with your generosity, love, and selflessness, rather than boastfully pointing to yourself. As a good leader, invite people to imitate you — without making it about you at all (1 Cor. 11:1).If you want to shine brighter, stop complaining or arguing. A Christian who's never satisfied or always fighting with people is like a powerful flashlight without batteries. "Do all things without grumbling or disputing, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world ..." (Phil. 2:14-16). Remember that your contentment, gracefulness, and easy-going nature can crank up your influence to eleven!Keep courage when your differences stand out. Those differences give light to others around you and help them find their way. Standing for Christ can get lonely and disorienting (cf. 1 Kings 19:10), especially when you're young. But you're not alone (1 Peter 5:7-10). Find strength for your mission, remembering that everyone around you can find life in Christ, and his life gives light to all (John 1:4). "The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it" (John 1:5).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 5:14-16; John 8:12-18; Phil. 2:12-18; Isa. 49:1-13; 2 Cor. 4:1-7Reflect (Tue) — Do I ever hide or dim my light around others?Request (Wed) — "Lord, give me the courage and love to shine" (cf. Matt. 5:14-16).Respond (Thu) — Ask an acquaintance what you can pray about for them.Reach Out (Fri) — Is there a time you wish you had let your light be seen?Support the Show

Cross TrainingStay Moldable as Christ's DiscipleRead or WatchAbraham Lincoln's biographer, Carl Sandberg, described him as "both steel and velvet ... as hard as rock and soft as drifting fog." Lincoln's steely will held the course through an awful civil war, because he believed it necessary, and based on a just cause. Yet with the victory won, as Robert E. Lee surrendered, Lincoln brought a gentler touch to his former enemies. He chose to "to bind up the nation's wounds" — rather than to rule with an iron fist. It reminds us of a biblical virtue that leaders — and all disciples — need today.We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. But what is meekness, and how does it shape our relationship with God, others, and our circumstances?What You Need to KnowA lot of folks seem to associate meekness with weakness. We might think of a meek person as a doormat that gets walked over. But Aristotle described prautes — the Greek word behind it — as the balance "between bad temper and spineless incompetence, between extreme anger and indifference" (TDNT). As misunderstood as meekness is, it's no wonder modern translators update it to "gentleness" (e.g. Gal. 5:23) or "humility" (Zeph. 2:3). It could describe a tamed and trained animal — even a mighty warhorse — whose fierce strength stays under the control of its rider. And so, as we surrender to God's will, we live with the quiet strength-under-control the Bible calls "meekness."Jesus the "meek and lowly" gives his meekness as a reason to follow him (Matt. 11:29-30). Which makes perfect sense, since a spirit of meekness lets a king have compassion on his people, giving mercy rather than always leading with a rod (cf. 1 Cor. 4:21). He leads his disciples into the blessedness of a meek life (Matt. 5:5) and wants our relationships defined by such a gracious, meek way with one another (Eph. 4:2).We can also learn a lot from Moses, who "was very meek, more than all people who were on the face of the earth" (Num. 12:3). Moses seems hotheaded and out-of-control as a forty-year-old (Ex. 2:11-15). Then, as an eighty year old he seems so lowly he's broken down, too full of doubt to yield to God (Ex. 4:1, 10, 13). But through his continued service to God, Moses learned meekness — the humble strength to stand against Pharaoh (Ex. 5-14), and the patient gentleness to lead an obstinate people (Ex. 16).What You Need to DoKeep a meek and moldable mind when you hear God's word (James 1:19-21). Meekness epitomizes the ideal learner's attitude. Even the most mature among us can continue growing when we humbly receive instruction, yielding to its wisdom. The opposite of a meek learner is a defensive, stubborn heart — a perfect recipe for keeping you just as you are, hardening to the pain of correction, but also missing the gifts of growth.Be considerate, courteous, patient, and kind. Flying off the handle and impulsively fighting for our rights can get mistaken for strength. But that's the easy way, not the way of noble character. Meekness points to a different kind of wisdom, teaching us to empty ourselves rather than grasping at status (Phil. 2:5-7). The meek pursue harmony and prioritize people over selfish ambitions (James 3:13-18). They're "peaceable, gentle, open to reason" (James 3:17) and "look ... to the interests of others" (Phil. 2:3-4).And finally, don't kick against God's direction. While Paul resisted the will of Christ, the Lord appeared to him and said "It is hard for you to kick against the goads" (Acts 26:14). A stubborn horse might fight against the stick used to prod them on. But what does the horse really gain? A lot of pain in their backside! And what do we gain from our "self-determination," when we resist the Lord's leadership? Pain and frustration where we could have God's peace and abundant grace! Our Lord desires to lead you, to bless you, and to mold you into his image, "both to will and to work for his good pleasure" (Phil. 2:13).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 5:3-12; 11:25-30; Psalm 37:1-11; Col. 3:12-15; James 3:13-18Reflect (Tue) — Is there an area of my life where I'm fighting God rather than yielding?Request (Wed) — "Give me a heart of meekness. As I receive your implanted word, shape my life" (cf. James 1:21).Respond (Thu) — Place the words "blessed are the meek" in your pocket as a reminder today.Reach Out (Fri) — Where have you seen the beauty of meekness in others?Support the Show

Cross TrainingGet Behind Jesus on Life's RoadRead or WatchNewborn puppies are just the cutest! But as much as you might want to take one of these tiny bundles of fur home right away, they really should stay with their mother and littermates for a while. A dog who hasn't spent the first months of its life learning the "pecking order" of the pack becomes an unsocialized, over-excited, nervous wreck of a dog later in life. At one point in their puppyhood, even older pack leaders were a bottom-of-the-totem-pole pack member, obediently — and adorably — learning the ropes. But learning to be a follower isn't just for the dogs. It's also a requirement for all who want to serve in Christ's kingdom today.We're Cross Training to develop our leadership, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Leadership comes when we follow Jesus, live with meekness, let our lights shine, and shepherd those around us. So how can we become great leaders by first becoming obedient followers?What You Need to KnowThe four gospels repeatedly capture moments when Jesus called people to follow him. Walking up to Matthew at a tax booth (Mark 2:13-17), summoning four fishermen on the shoreline (Mark 1:16-20), or telling a rich, young man to sell his possessions and follow (Mark 10:17-27). Why emphasize these invitations? Maybe because the essence of discipleship lies in accepting that call and following Christ. Where he went, they went. They lived as his constant students, imitators, and apprentices. And if we follow Christ today, we must commit to walking with him, too. When young people reach adulthood, sometimes they feel compelled to make their own way in the world, to forge their own path. But as disciples of Christ, we follow his path, walking "in step with the Spirit" (Gal. 5:25) and never running ahead of Jesus or his instruction. "Everyone who goes on ahead and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God. Whoever abides in the teaching has both the Father and the Son" (2 John 9).Let's acknowledge some words that have never sounded fun and these days seem outright antiquated: submission (James 4:7). Obedience (1 Peter 1:2). Subjection (Heb. 12:9). Why would any intelligent, competent human willingly yield their own rights and choices in deference to another? Even more strange: why surrender your will to someone you can't even see? For Christians who have come to know a Savior they trust implicitly, Peter summarizes our answer well:"Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls" (1 Peter 1:8-9).What You Need to DoReplace what you want with what Christ wants. A positive commitment to Christ has more inherent power than a negative commitment NOT to do evil because we find our strength in him (Eph. 6:10; Phil. 4:13). When we empty our house of unhealthy desires and habits, we need to fill it up with the good stuff, or it can all come back (cf. Matt. 12:43-45; Eph. 4:22-32). Rather, turn your attention to all that is "true ... honorable ... just ... pure ... lovely ... commendable ... anything worthy of praise" (Phil. 4:8). Focus your attention on Jesus in everything you think, say, or do. His life serves as our perfect example as he leads us through this life. Study and imitate how Christ lived, but most importantly, why he lived that way. He is your cornerstone (Eph. 2:20-21), your leader (Heb. 2:10; 12:1-2), "Christ who is your life" (Col. 3:4). With equal parts humility and conviction, we declare our aspiration and commitment: "It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me" (Gal. 2:20).Walk away from anything weighing you down in your walk with Christ (Heb. 12:1-2). Jesus invites us into his rest, his light and easy burden (Matt. 11:30). He invites us to yoke ourselves to him, walking side by side with him and learning from him (Matt. 11:29). And when we love and trust him, we, at last, find peace under the yoke of his leadership. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3). Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 21:15-22; Mark 1:16-20; Matt. 9:9-13; 19:16-30; Luke 9:23-62Reflect (Tue) — Have I given Christ full control over my life's direction?Request (Wed) — "Lord, lead me and help me to always walk with you, and never turn back" (cf. John 6:66).Respond (Thu) — Share with someone what your life might have been like if you hadn't answered Christ's call.Reach Out (Fri) — Why did you first decide to follow Jesus and why do you still follow him?Support the Show

Cross TrainingCarry Life's Heavy LoadRead or WatchEvery soldier knows that their gear is their responsibility. It's hard to imagine a Marine telling their brothers in arms to carry their pack on the battlefield or even in basic training just because they're tired and don't want to do it anymore. After all, the warrior next to them already has just as much of their own gear to carry. And yet, if a soldier gets wounded in battle, others will do whatever they must to take his load, even hoisting him on their back if needed to get him to safety. In the same way, when Paul says that each of us must "bear his own load" (Gal. 6:5) right after commanding us to "bear one another's burdens" (Gal. 6:2), it helps to keep those two scenarios in mind. Because as we each take responsibility for ourselves, we also look out for fellow soldiers in need. We're Cross Training to develop our endurance, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Endurance comes when we look to faithful witnesses in God's word, grow stronger in suffering, remain consistent, and bear each other's burdens. So how do we bear each other's burdens, and why is it so crucial?What You Need to KnowWhen Scripture says to "bear one another's burdens" (Gal. 6:2), the word translated "burdens" (baros) describes a weight — often signifying a heavy, oppressive hardship. Jesus used it to describe the workload of laborers who bore the "burden of the day and the scorching heat" (Matt. 20:12). In context, this burden we help bear might come as a "transgression" or temptation someone needs help overcoming (Gal. 6:1). But it could also come as a financial or physical need (cf. Gal. 6:6-10). Burden bearing goes both ways. You may need help tomorrow from the brother or sister you help today. And that goes for even the strongest among us (cf. Ex. 18:22; Num. 11:11, 17). So, Paul emphasizes the mutuality — the one-another-ness — of the command. He says, "if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ" (Gal. 6:1-2). As the old Bill Withers song goes, "sometimes in our lives we all have pain, we all have sorrow ... we all need somebody to lean on."What You Need to DoFirst, carry your own load. You are responsible for you. "But let each one test his own work, and then his reason to boast will be in himself alone and not in his neighbor. For each will have to bear his own load" (Gal. 6:5). We can make a huge difference in people's lives (James 5:19-20), but we can't control anyone else's choices (cf. Josh. 24:15; Mark 8:34). We must recognize our limitations and place boundaries when someone expects us to carry what God wants to belong only to them. We can grow stronger and wiser through practice (Heb. 5:13-14). Still, we can also fatigue those load-bearing muscles if we overdo it. So to sustainably serve others well, we'll need both mercy and discernment.Quietly get involved and get to work. If we want to really support one another, we can't get scared off by the messiness we'll find in each other's lives. Keep yourself grounded, and don't look down on anyone who happens to need your help at the moment. "For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself" (Gal. 6:3). Our brothers and sisters aren't broken-down equipment for us to fix, yet sometimes a person's failures and hardships define how we see them. We're "one body in Christ, and individually members one of another" (Rom. 12:5). May we "have the same care for one another" since, as "one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together" (1 Cor. 12:25-26).And when you grow weary carrying your load and another's burden, remember you have a Friend with an endless capacity for burden-bearing. Our Shepherd finds the lost lamb and "lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing" as he carries it home (Luke 15:5). Unlike governments (1 Sam. 8:11-18; Ex. 1:11-14) and religious leaders (Matt. 23:4) that ride on people's shoulders, breaking their backs, our King bears his kingdom on his own shoulder. "For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace" (Isa. 9:6). So we resolutely trust in our Lord whose burden is light (Matt. 11:28-30), for "even to your old age" he promises, "I am he, and to gray hairs I will carry you. I have made, and I will bear; I will carry and will save" (Isa. 46:4).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Luke 15:4-7; Matt. 25:31-46; Isa. 53:1-13; Rom. 15:1-7; Gal. 6:1-10Reflect (Tue) — How invested am I in others' problems and struggles?Request (Wed) — "Give me the strength and compassion to see the burdens of others and act in mercy" (cf. Luke 10:33-37).Respond (Thu) — Review your prayer list and find a way to aid a brother or sister.Reach Out (Fri) — Is it ever difficult for you to maintain perspective and healthy boundaries as you support others? Why or why not?Support the Show

Cross TrainingLive with Steadiness Before the LordRead or WatchChange is hard, and consistently making different decisions is even more challenging. Alcoholics Anonymous started in 1935 when Bill Wilson, then 6 months sober, reached out to help a friend. Members earn chips for reaching benchmarks in their recovery — one year sober, for example — to celebrate that string of consistent sobriety. One AA slogan of encouragement is "Keep coming back. It works if you work it!" In other words, stick with the program! Attending a single meeting can only help so much; the goal is to make the hard choices that help you stay sober day after day after day.We're Cross Training to develop our endurance, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Endurance comes when we look to faithful witnesses in God's word, grow stronger in suffering, remain consistent, and bear each other's burdens. So how can we do the hard daily work to stay on track?What You Need to KnowAn afflicted, anonymous psalmist wrote that the strength within us might fail (Psalm 102:23-24) and the world around us will perish (Psalm 102:25-26), "but you are the same, and your years have no end" (Psalm 102:27). Our Lord is consistent — "Jesus Christ ... the same yesterday and today and forever" — and he calls us to be as well (Heb. 13:8-9). Jesus said his disciple must "take up his cross" — not occasionally — but "daily" if we want to follow him (Matt. 16:24). The book of Hebrews serves as a warning about the dangers of inconsistent Christianity. It encourages us to think about older saints who taught us and remember how they lived: "Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith" (Heb. 13:7). We won't drift if Christ is our "sure and steadfast anchor of the soul" (Heb. 6:19). It's easy to fall out of the habit of gathering with the church, considering assembling over-rated or unimportant. But Hebrews says, "to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near" (Heb. 10:24-25).Steadiness is a mark of maturity. It takes time and effort to stabilize our way of life rather than getting "tossed to and fro by the waves" — "no longer ... children" but attaining "mature manhood" (Eph. 4:13-14). As disciples, we embrace childlike innocence, but we need to grow beyond immature inconsistency. As Paul warns, "Brothers, do not be children in your thinking. Be infants in evil, but in your thinking be mature" (1 Cor. 14:20).What You Need to DoChoose your "ruts" and dig them deep through deliberate repetition. Sometimes we get into discouraging or destructive patterns, like the wagon wheel ruts that stagecoach drivers couldn't easily escape. But as a friend used to say, "a good rut is just as hard to get out of as a bad one." For example, suppose we ingrain habits like gratitude, service, and assembling with believers. In that case, the inertia of good things can take us a long way, carrying us through moments when our willpower grows weak and our motivation drops to all-time lows. Build your life around times of prayer. Talk to the Lord in the morning, the night, and throughout your day at both designated and improvised times. Jesus taught his disciples that they "ought always to pray and not lose heart" (Luke 18:1). In a trio of commandments, the Bible urges consistency in joy, prayer, and gratitude, regardless of our situation (1 Thess. 5:16-18). If we let circumstances dictate who we'll be, how we'll think or act, we'll lose ourselves and drift away from our identity in Christ. Like the prophet Daniel, we have to resolve in our heart (Dan. 1:8) and hold to the practices that keep us focused on the Lord — like Daniel's daily prayers (Dan. 6:10). Most of us will face seasons when our consistency will falter, and we wander from those godly patterns. That's when we most need to remember what our life is all about. "For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God" (1 Tim. 4:10). If we can think like a farmer, rising each day to work for a future yield, keeping our eyes focused and our hand on the plow (Luke 9:62), we'll steady ourselves and never "grow weary of doing good" (Gal. 6:9). May we look back someday on a life of consistent service and say, "the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith ... there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing" (2 Tim. 4:6-8).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 8:28-29; Luke 18:1-8; Acts 11:19-26; Psalm 119:31-33; Phil. 2:12-30Reflect (Tue) — What consistent traits do I want to build my life around?Request (Wed) — "May my heart be steadfast, O Lord" (cf. Psalm 57:7).Respond (Thu) — Start your day by honoring God (e.g., prayer, Bible, etc.) and do it for the whole week.Reach Out (Fri) — What attribute do you hope people can reliably see in you?Support the Show

Cross TrainingStand Strong in Times of TrialRead or WatchIt seems like more and more people are heading up to space — from a host of billionaire CEOs to Captain Kirk himself. But it's incredible how much planning it takes to send humans into such a harsh environment. Threats are never far — between extreme temperature swings, dangerous radiation, and debris traveling up to 17,500 mph. So engineers and astronauts obsess over every detail, making sure to harden their equipment to withstand the deadly conditions beyond the atmosphere. But it's not just astronauts who need to plan for potential dangers.We're Cross Training to develop our endurance, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Endurance comes when we look to faithful witnesses in God's word, grow stronger in suffering, remain consistent, and bear each other's burdens. So as Christ's disciples on earth, how can we strengthen our hearts to hold up in an often inhospitable environment?What You Need to KnowWe find resilience in hardship when we trust the Lord. "Nothing is too hard" for God who "made the heavens and the earth" by his incredible strength (Jer. 32:17). And God's power (Isa. 40:25-28) becomes an unending source of strength for those who wait on him."He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint … but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint" (Isa. 40:29-31).A Christian's power comes from a surprising place: recognizing our weakness and fully accepting that Christ's grace is enough to see us through. Listen to these words Jesus said to Paul: "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness" (2 Cor. 12:9). And Paul responded, "Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me" (2 Cor. 12:10). He places his "weaknesses" right alongside the rough stuff of life he faces like "insults" and "calamities," while finding contentment in "hardships" because "when I am weak, then I am strong" (2 Cor. 12:11).Remember that God's Son suffered in the flesh, showing how frailty is no cause for shame, shrinking, doubt, or fear. And just like Jesus "was crucified in weakness, but lives by the power of God ... we also are weak in him, but ... will live with him by the power of God" (2 Cor. 13:4).What You Need to DoTrust in God, not your "stuff." Those who trust in their resources will fail, "Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the Lord our God. They collapse and fall, but we rise and stand upright" (Ps. 20:7-8). As we trust him, we "wait for him," finding encouragement in his mercy even when our soul feels doubled over in grief (Lam. 3:20-26).Hard as it sounds, embrace your trials as training in righteousness. Look for the fruit God creates from it all, even finding joy in it, "knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope" (Rom. 5:3-4). To consider trials "all joy" (James 1:2) doesn't mean they're fun. But we can find a fullness heart and a lightness of spirit in the midst of the worst of it when we see the Lord at work (cf. Heb. 12:5-11, Rom. 8:28-39). Most of us don't wake up excited to be tested. But "the testing of your faith produces steadfastness" — and as we remain steady, we move closer each day to becoming "perfect and complete, lacking in nothing" (James 1:3-4).So wait on God, confident in the future resolution that He'll bring someday. Then, with hope, compare your struggles with the blessings of Heaven. As Paul said, "For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Rom. 8:18). When you feel overwhelmed in despair, hang onto his promises tighter than ever. "He will wipe away every tear from (your) eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore ..." (Rev. 21:4).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 15:18-16:3; 2 Cor. 12:1-10; James 1:2-12; Lam. 3:19-27; Isa. 40:25-31Reflect (Tue) — What good has come from the hardships in my life?Request (Wed) — "Oh Lord, deliver me from all my many trials" (cf. Ps. 34:19).Respond (Thu) — Offer God thanks and praise for something (or someone) difficult in your life right now.Reach Out (Fri) — What trials have you gone through that changed you?Support the Show

Cross TrainingFind Encouragement in the Stories of FaithRead or WatchTraining for half marathons, I realized I'm not a huge fan of running as a recreational activity. But race day is a different story! If every training run had that same sense of excitement and camaraderie with thousands of other runners, it'd be different. Running Phoenix's Rock 'n' Roll marathon, you have rock bands playing every couple miles, people giving you high-fives, and plenty of encouragement. And the difference between training and race day highlights the importance of keeping our eyes on all the faithful witnesses that went before us. We're Cross Training to develop our endurance, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Endurance comes when we look to faithful witnesses in God's word, grow stronger in suffering, remain consistent, and bear each other's burdens. So how do the faithful figures found in Scripture stir us to endure and keep going?What You Need to KnowWhen we read about David taking his stand against Goliath (1 Sam. 17) or Esther courageously outwitting Haman (Est. 8), we find the strength to face our own Goliaths and Hamans. When Job refuses to give up, we want to see how his epic story ends (Job 42) because in his struggles, we see a little bit of our own. And when Elijah feels all the world is out to get him, and no one's on his side, we lean in to hear "the sound of a low whisper" (1 Kings 19:12) and long to know what God will speak to his lonely soul. In all these accounts about people "of whom the world was not worthy" (Heb. 11:38), we find both encouragement and a challenge to continue living by faith as they did. Because by faith, "the people of old received their commendation" (Heb. 11:2). God could've filled the Scriptures with anything, but he chose to give us a vast collection of stories about devoted people. Why has so much been written about these forerunners of faith? "For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope" (Rom. 15:4).What You Need to DoApproach your spiritual life like a marathon, not a sprint. Taking to heart the examples that went before you (good and bad!), eliminate anything that slows you down. As the conclusion of Scripture's "Hall of Faith" coaches us mid-run:"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us" (Heb. 12:1). Don't gloss over the sins of your heroes. After all, the Bible doesn't! Recognize the weaknesses and missteps in Noah (Gen. 9:21-23), Abraham (Gen. 20), Moses (Num. 20), David (2 Sam. 11), and the rest of the "witnesses" that surround us (Heb. 12:1). When you see your own faults, take heart, knowing that God can forgive our sins (1 John 2:2) and perfect his power in our weaknesses (2 Cor. 12:9). Though we're all like jars of clay — fragile and unimpressive — he places within us a treasure that shines brighter than the sun (2 Cor. 4:6-7). So we take the baton to run the next leg of the race — joining the long line of imperfect servants giving their all to glorify a perfect God.And finally, never, ever take your eyes of our perfect forerunner, the one whose name is "Faithful and True" (Rev. 19:11). When the path is hard to see and it seems the uphill climb will never end, remember that Jesus found a way to stand in every kind of trial (Heb. 4:15) so that we can take his route and "follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21). Just keep running, "looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God" (Heb. 12:2). Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 5:11-12; Acts 7:2-60; Rom. 15:4-5; 1 Cor. 10:1-13; Heb. 11:1-40Reflect (Tue) — What do I need to learn from the saints of old?Request (Wed) — "Father, help us imitate faithful examples, as they imitate Christ" (cf. 1 Cor. 11:1). Respond (Thu) — Look for an opportunity to share a meaningful Bible story with someone.Reach Out (Fri) — Of all God's people in the Bible, whose story comes to mind as a major influence on your life?Support the Show

Cross TrainingManage God's Blessings WellRead or WatchI have some friends who run a supermarket in the Seattle area, and the care they put into managing their company has taught me a lot about work and life. Why do they bring such love and thought to each aspect of their business? Well, they call it stewardship. It's a family business that they hope will thrive many generations into the future. They aren't permanent owners, just caretakers of their grandchildren's heritage. And when we open the Scriptures, we discover that we're all just caretakers of God's blessings.We're Cross Training to develop our fruitfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Fruitfulness comes when we're accountable, full of zeal, diligent workers, and good stewards of our blessings. So when we accept our role as stewards, how does that change our relationships?What You Need to KnowTo steward is to manage something that doesn't belong to you faithfully. As Jesus asks, "Who then is the faithful and wise manager (KJV: "steward"), whom his master will set over his household, to give them their portion of food at the proper time?" (Luke 12:42). The steward must answer for his choices, for "it is required of stewards that they be found faithful" (1 Cor. 4:2). Humans were given dominion over the world to enjoy and subdue (Gen. 1:26-28). When God placed Adam in the garden of Eden in Genesis 2, he assigned him "to work it and to keep it" (Gen. 2:15). Even paradise was a blessing to steward. All that we have is a stewardship, since "the earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof" (1 Cor. 10:26). We even steward our bodies: "You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body" (1 Cor. 6:19-20). And when we realize none of it belongs to us, it changes how we live. What You Need to DoAim to give more than you get, to produce meaningful fruit from all the rich resources the Lord pours into your life. In Jesus' parable about the fruitless fig tree, the landowner asks, "Why should it use up the ground?*" (Luke 13:7). The vinedresser, though, requests permission to give it more resources. He says, "let it alone this year ... until I dig around it and put on manure. Then if it should bear fruit next year, well and good; but if not, you can cut it down" (Luke 13:8-9). In other words, as the Lord pours blessings down, we have a purpose beyond merely enjoying them. He wants us to use them, doing good works (Eph. 2:10) and sharing with others (1 Tim. 6:17-19). Steward your energy, your money, your relationships, and your time (Eph. 5:16-17). How can you produce the most fruit for the kingdom?Make financial choices as a money manager for the Lord. God wants us to enjoy his blessings (Eccl. 3:12-13; 1 Tim. 4:3-5). And what you have is yours in that you have the authority right now over how to use it (Acts 5:4). Yet ultimately, everything is the Lord's, who loves us and provides for us (Deut. 10:14). Stewarding money doesn't mean "making lots of money for myself." It means making sound investments for the master and his kingdom. You could be a pro at money management — living within your means and growing your portfolio — and yet a terrible steward. Like the rich man in Jesus' story that God called a "fool" at his death, we may have stored up lots of money, but are we "rich toward God" (Luke 12:16-21)?Look around your relationships and see at gifts you've been entrusted with, faithfully tending to them as stewardships. The friend who trusts you with their secret wounds (Prov. 17:9, 17), the husband or wife that you uniquely get to call "yours" (Song 2:16), and the children God fills your quiver with so you can aim to send them into the world straight and true (Psalm 127:1-5). Those we love are not ours to own, but they pass through our lives as both a gift and an opportunity to bless them on their way, directing them to the true lover of their soul (John 15:13). Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Luke 19:11-27; Gen. 1:26-31; Matt. 24:44-51; 1 Peter 4:9-11; Luke 16:1-13Reflect (Tue) — Do I consider myself the owner or the servant manager of "my possessions"?Request (Wed) — "Lord, give me wisdom for the care of all you entrust to me" (cf. Matt. 24:45). Respond (Thu) — Devote a few extra dollars and a few extra minutes growing "kingdom" fruit in someone today. Reach Out (Fri) — What does fruitfulness look like to you, in real, everyday life?Support the Show

Cross TrainingWork Hard for the LordRead or WatchIf you've ever asked your kid to clean their room, only to have them return a few minutes later claiming the job has been completed, you probably know a thing or two about diligence. "Is that your best work?" we'll ask our daughter. And usually, we know that the answer is, "No." Though we're not expecting perfection, if an important task is rushed or tackled half-heartedly, what's the point in doing it at all? But it's not just our little ones who struggle with putting in less than our best.We're Cross Training to develop our fruitfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Fruitfulness comes when we're accountable, full of zeal, diligent workers, and good stewards of our blessings. So how do we take on God's great work today, giving it everything we've got?What You Need to KnowDiligence means putting in our best effort. The Greek word translated "diligent" (2 Peter 1:10; 3:14), is also translated "endeavored" (1 Thess. 2:17), "strive" (Heb. 4:11), making "every effort" (2 Peter 3:15), and being "eager" (Gal. 2:10; Eph. 4:3). And four times, it's translated "do your best" (2 Tim. 2:15; 4:9, 21; Titus 3:12). It means to work hard, bringing intense effort and motivation (Louw-Nida). The Book of Proverbs invites us to learn diligence by watching how ants work, toiling to prepare for the future, needing no boss watching over their shoulder to motivate them (Prov. 6:6-11). Proverbs says that a half-hearted job can wreck an endeavor (Prov. 18:9). So plan your work, laying the proper foundation before diving in (Prov. 24:27). And then work your plan, confident that success often follows "the plans of the diligent" (Prov. 21:5). By faith, we hold to our confidence that God rewards those who diligently seek him (Heb. 11:6). We "make every effort" to mature and develop in virtue, "all the more diligent" as we recognize the confidence we can have as we grow (2 Peter 1:5-10). There's no coasting to eternal life; we have to "strive to enter that rest" ahead of us (Heb. 4:11). Though we don't earn our salvation by our good deeds (Eph. 2:8-9), this journey will require a wholehearted pursuit of the Lord and his holiness (Matt. 6:33; Heb. 12:14).What You Need to DoBring sincere effort to all your tasks, big or small. As we look to identify jobs worthy of our heartiest commitment, both the Old and New Testaments use the word "whatever" (Eccl. 9:10; Col. 3:23-24). Ecclesiastes considers life's brevity and exhorts us not to waste a minute of it with half-hearted effort. "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might, for there is no work or thought or knowledge or wisdom in Sheol, to which you are going" (Eccl. 9:10). Paul adds that our reverence for Christ motivates a different kind of work, "not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men ..." (Col. 3:22-23). So whether it's a humble assignment at work or a major company initiative, whether a spiritual pursuit or a relationship, strive to do it well.Diligently apply yourself to faithfully interpreting the Bible. "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth" (2 Tim. 2:15). God's Word deserves more than just casual reading. May we follow the example of Ezra, who "set his heart to study the Law of the LORD, and to do it and to teach" (Ezra 7:10). To "study" like Ezra means we "seek, inquire, consult ... learn information not previously known" (Swanson), and then we live it.When your diligence wanes, remember why you work — and why your work matters. Indeed, it's interesting that the English word "diligence" comes from a Latin word (diligo), which means to love. That connection — now often forgotten — between love and work helps us see why Jacob's seven years of labor for Rachel felt like a few days (Gen. 29:20). Perhaps even the Greatest Commandment's emphasis on loving the Lord "with all your might" (Deut. 6:5) points to the effort and commitment we give when led by love. Ultimately, all labor has lasting meaning through Christ's resurrection (1 Cor. 15:54, 58). Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 9:35-38; Gal. 6:6-10; 2 Peter 1:3-11; 3:11-14; 2 Tim. 2:14-19Reflect (Tue) — How much of my time and attention are devoted to working for God?Request (Wed) — "Lord, May I never grow weary of doing good" (cf. Gal. 6:9).Respond (Thu) — Say "no" to something today so you're able to say "yes" to something spiritually productive.Reach Out (Fri) — How have you overcome the temptation to "phone it in"?Support the Show

Cross TrainingFan the Flame of Your FaithRead or WatchOne of the highlights of fall is the chance to gather around the fireplace. I'm good enough at starting the fire, but usually, the fire eventually dies down under my watch. My wife is the real fire expert, tending it and keeping it going (we jokingly call her the family "pyro," she loves it so much). And really, isn't it the same with our zeal? For many of us, it's easier to ignite a short-lived passion than to sustain the fire within us. We're Cross Training to develop our fruitfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Fruitfulness comes when we're accountable, full of zeal, diligent workers, and good stewards of our blessings. So how do we kindle a lasting fire for the Lord in our hearts?What You Need to KnowZeal is the great antidote to laziness, apathy, and our sad tendency to drift and coast. Listen to the way these three commands fit together: "Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord" (Rom. 12:11). To be "fervent" is to "to be stirred up emotionally, be enthusiastic/excited/on fire" (Arndt, Danker, Bauer, Gingrich). And a fervent spirit leads to zealous diligence in our service. Like with all fires, we can either stoke the flame or extinguish it. Paul once encouraged the young evangelist Timothy to "fan into flame the gift of God" he had within him (2 Tim. 1:5-6). The more we stay "hot" for the Lord, the less likely we'll become "lukewarm" or even "cold" (Rev. 3:15-16). But renewing our zeal isn't enough — we have to pair our zeal with knowledge (Rom. 10:2). Apollos was a gifted, zealous teacher, but he needed to learn "the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:24-28). Misguided zeal can become out-of-control fanaticism. Pre-conversion Saul described himself as zealous while persecuting Christians (Acts 22:3-5; Gal. 1:14). And pre-conversion "Simon the zealot" belonged to an ultranationalist Jewish patriot group known for their violence against Rome (Luke 6:15). But in Christ, their zeal found a proper focus, and their service to God became fruitful. What You Need to DoContinually remind yourself why you love the Lord. Jesus said the Ephesian Christians didn't tolerate evil or false teachers. They even endured persecution patiently, and yet they had "abandoned the love" they had "at first" (Rev. 2:2-4). They needed to "remember" (Rev. 2:5) — or literally, to "keep on remembering." It's not enough to do right things out of habit or even out of duty. We need to "keep on remembering" his grace, the works we did at first, and the reason we came to him in the first place. You'll find renewed zeal when you "remember that at one time you … were … separated from Christ … having no hope and without God in the world. But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ" (Eph. 2:11-13). Get curious. When I feel like there's nothing more to learn, the Bible begins to lose its appeal. Stay curious about God's Word, like those Bereans who searched the Scriptures every day (Acts 17:10-11). Plant yourself beside the waters and soak your heart daily in the life-giving stream of truth (Psalm 1:2-3). May we discover and re-discover the passion of those two men who walked with the resurrected Christ as he explained the Bible. "They said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us while he talked to us on the road, while he opened to us the Scriptures?'" (Luke 24:32). Get connected. When we pull away and isolate ourselves, our fire quickly extinguishes. But Jesus draws all people to himself (John 12:32). There's not a person you've ever met who Jesus hasn't died for, in his church and throughout the world. We welcome each other as Christ welcomed us and draw closer together in harmony (Rom. 15:1-7). We connect with each other, share our lives with each other, and bear each other's burdens as a family (Eph. 4:32).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 2:13-17; Psalm 119:137-144; Rom. 12:7-13; 2 Cor. 7:10-16; Rev. 3:15-16Reflect (Tue) — Do I talk about the Lord as if he's the most important part of my life?Request (Wed) — "Oh God, ignite within me a fervent spirit of service" (cf. Rom. 12:11).Respond (Thu) — Think of something you love to do for the Lord, and go do it today.Reach Out (Fri) — What has helped you sustain your zeal?Support the Show

Cross TrainingAccept Responsibility to Bear FruitRead or WatchWith football seasons upon us, maybe it's helpful to remember the sage words of Harry Truman, who said, "It's easy enough for a Monday morning quarterback to say what the coach should have done after the game's over. But when the decision is up before you — and on my desk I have a motto which says 'The Buck Stops Here!' — the decision has to be made." Though you can't control anyone else — a coach, a politician, a spouse, or even your children — you're always accountable for your decisions in life.We're Cross Training to develop our fruitfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Fruitfulness comes when we're accountable, full of zeal, diligent workers, and good stewards of our blessings. So how do we take responsibility, owning the daily decisions we make?What You Need to KnowRemember when Jesus went to a fig tree and cursed it after seeing it had no fruit (Mark 11:12-14)? What was that all about? The prophets often compared Israel to fig trees (Jer. 8:13; Mic. 7:1) or vineyards, which God expected to bear fruit (Isa. 5:1-7; 27:2-5). And here, in between the triumphal entry and the cleansing of the temple, Jesus makes a prophetic declaration against Israel. So what does that have to do with us? Well, we are now his field (1 Cor. 3:7-9), saved to bear fruit to God (Rom. 7:4).In Luke, Jesus tells a story about a tree that won't bear fruit (Luke 13:6-9). Finally, after three years of waiting, the vineyard owner is ready to cut it down, though his patient vinedresser wants to give it one more year. The parable shows how the Lord offers second chances — praise God! — but there's also a final chance when the consequences for not bearing fruit will come to bear in judgment.And when the Master returns in judgment, we won't be able to blame anyone else for our unfruitfulness. "For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil" (2 Cor. 5:10). As stewards of the Lord's blessings, someday we'll answer for how productive we've been — no excuses and no deflection (Matt. 25:14-30). Will we hear, "Well done, good and faithful servant" or, "You wicked and slothful servant!" (Matt. 25:23, 26)?What You Need to DoSound a mental alarm when you begin to play the blame game. Maybe "passing the buck" sounds like, "But he said ...," or, "Everyone else was doing it," or even, "She started it!". While it's easy to absolve ourselves of wrongdoing by spinning a spectacular tale, God always knows better (1 Sam. 15:10-16). So catch your mistakes early by listening carefully before you start believing the stories you tell yourself.Be good to everyone you meet (Gal. 6:9-10), treating each interaction as though you're planting a seed in the ground. As Paul said, "... whatever one sows, that will he also reap. For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life" (Gal. 6:7-8). So what kind of plant will your good deeds grow into?Consider installing a "mouthguard" (Prov. 13:3) to protect against thoughtless words (James 3:5). As Jesus warns, "I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned" (Matt. 12:36-37).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 12:33-37; John 15:1-8; 2 Cor. 5:6-10; Gal. 6:1-5; Ezek. 18:1-20Reflect (Tue) — Have I buried my "talent" in the ground?Request (Wed) — "O LORD, be gracious to me and heal me as I acknowledge my sins against you!" (cf. Ps. 41:4).Respond (Thu) — Do a "secret" good work no one will know about but the Lord.Reach Out (Fri) — How has taking ownership for your decisions changed how you relate to other people?Support the Show

Cross TrainingDevelop Discernment and Skillful LivingRead or WatchAre you ready for some football? After months of intense training and preparation, it's time once again for eleven players to take the field. After that first coin-toss, there's no more time for team-building activities, footwork drills, or agility exercises. When kickoff comes, as they say, "you revert to your training" and "play how you practice." But skill-development and preparation aren't just foundational in football — it's also core to our spiritual lives.We're Cross Training to develop our watchfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Watchfulness comes when we're spiritually aware, living with readiness, resisting the devil, and full of wisdom. So, how do we develop the skills to tackle life's biggest obstacles?What You Need to KnowThe Hebrew word for "wisdom" is also translated as "skill" throughout Scripture. For example, as God directed the Tabernacle's construction, he gave specific craftspeople the skill (or wisdom) to do the intricate artistic work (Ex. 36:1). He filled people with the Spirit of skill to make the priestly robes (Ex. 28:3), to design in metalwork, stone, wood, embroidery, and weaving (Ex. 35:30-35; 31:2-6), to spin the ornate fabric (Ex. 35:25-26), and to make all the hanging curtains (Ex. 36:8).And Paul seems to draw on this passage in Ephesians, when he pairs wisdom with being filled with the Spirit (Eph. 5:15-18). Only, instead of skillfully building God's house out of gold, wood, and linen, Christians — even us today — are led by the Lord to build his house with our lives (Eph. 2:20-22). We expertly mold and shape our hearts, minds, and relationships into the masterpieces God directs us to create.Another great wisdom book in Scripture is Ecclesiastes. We learn to carefully consider life's seasons and how the present moment is best spent (Eccl. 3:1-8). And the preacher teaches us to live with joy, giving our all to each task we take on (Eccl. 3:12). Wisdom comes when we sharpen our skills, taking the time to improve ourselves (Eccl. 10:10). What You Need to DoPursue wisdom as a way of life. In addition to fearing God (Prov. 9:10), Proverbs says, "the beginning of wisdom is this: get wisdom" (Prov. 4:7). We have to chase it, train for it, and care deeply about living wisely each day. Solomon became wise — not by osmosis or happenstance — but by asking God for wisdom (1 Kings 3:9-12). And we can obtain wisdom in the same way (James 1:5-6). Let wisdom take root in your heart (Prov. 14:33). Recalling the Bible's great wisdom book, we keep our "heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23). We're on the lookout for opportunities to improve ourselves, starting from the inside out (Matt. 12:35).Wisdom takes practice, especially in your words. "Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time." Make sure your words are always "gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person" (Col. 4:5-6). You're not trying to force people to do what you want, but you are skillfully speaking in a persuasive and influential way (2 Cor. 5:11). Open your ears, engage your brain, and choose your words carefully (James 1:19; Prov. 17:27).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Mark 11:27-33; Luke 11:29-32; Prov. 1:20-33; 4:1-9; Eph. 5:6-21 Reflect (Tue) — What areas of my life could use some sharpening?Request (Wed) — "Oh God, give your servant an understanding mind to discern between good and evil" (cf. 1 Kings 3:9).Respond (Thu) — Read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 and identify your current season. What is it time for now?Reach Out (Fri) — What have you learned when you've failed to make wise choices?Support the Show

Cross TrainingPush Back Against Satan's SchemesRead or WatchAny loyal Star Trek fan knows the terror of the Borg. As they bring their unstoppable and overwhelming technological advantages against the rest of the universe, they announce the foolishness of fighting for freedom, repeating with emotionless certainty: "Resistance is futile." We're in a fight of our own against an enemy that — at times — can seem just as overwhelming. Is it futile to resist evil?We're Cross Training to develop our watchfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Watchfulness comes when we're spiritually aware, living with readiness, resisting the devil, and full of wisdom. So, what does the Lord want us to know and do to overcome the evil one?What You Need to KnowNear the beginning of the Bible, we're introduced to a "crafty" figure called "the serpent" (Gen. 3:1) who cunningly converses with Eve, blurring lines and twisting the truth. That conversation led to humanity's banishment from Eden and a lasting enmity between the woman and the Serpent (Gen. 3:15,23-24). Toward the end of the Bible, John identified the serpent with several of his other aliases: "the great dragon ... that ancient serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, the deceiver of the whole world" (Rev. 12:9).After his baptism, Jesus faced the devil's temptations for forty days in the wilderness (Luke 4:1-2). Unlike humanity's first meeting with Satan, Jesus met each of the devil's crafty challenges with an accurate word from Scripture (Luke 4:4, 8, 12). And then, "when the devil had ended every temptation, he departed from him until an opportune time" (Luke 4:13).Today, Christ's followers still face this ancient enemy, who wants to enslave us in fear and darkness (Heb. 2:14-15). Using the language of warfare, James tells us to "submit" or surrender to God, and to "resist the devil" — to stand against him in fierce opposition (James 4:7). With our dangerous adversary on the prowl, Christians have to stay clear-headed and alert (1 Peter 5:8), resisting with a firm faith and the recognition that we aren't alone in this fight — other believers the world over are standing with us through similar attacks (1 Peter 5:9). We need to understand Satan's tactics so that we won't be "outwitted" through our ignorance of his designs (2 Cor. 2:11). Satan slanders and accuses us (1 Tim. 5:14; Rev. 12:10), brings hardship in times of testing (Rev. 2:10), and snatches up the word before it can take root in the heart (Mark 4:15). Ultimately, he wants to deceptively lead us from our sincere devotion to Christ (2 Cor. 11:2-3). What You Need to DoTake bold, decisive action to thwart each attempt of Satan to worm his evil plans into your life. If we aren't vigilant, we can let dangerous habits and influences into our fortified walls like a Trojan Horse. So "make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires" (Rom. 13:14). Cut out any danger you can avoid (Matt. 5:29-30). We can take away some of Satan's power when we forgive others (2 Cor. 2:10-11) and deal with anger and conflict before the devil can seize it as an opportunity (Eph. 4:26-27). We can steal some of his thunder by confessing our sins to each other and keep them from festering in the dark (James 5:16). Meet temptation with prayer and Scripture (Eph. 6:17-18; Matt. 4:1-11). We need to recognize the limits of our enemy's power, but also recognize our own limitations. We can't naively take this struggle lightly or expect to "foil the tempter's power" (as the hymn says) by ourselves, with our own willpower and wisdom alone (cf. 1 Cor. 10:12). Yet the devil has already been defeated (Heb. 2:14) along with his horde of other evil spiritual powers (Col. 2:15). Those who stand with the Lord are already victors with no need to live afraid (Rom. 8:31-37). And we can stand in temptation when we arm ourselves with hope and faith in his ability to save, with his mighty word as our sword, and with righteousness covering our heart (Eph. 6:13-18). Remember that you stand, not by your own strength, but by his (Eph. 6:10). Look for the way out of the temptation to sin, confident that it is there, even if it's not immediately clear (1 Cor. 10:13). Sin can have a destructive inertia, so whatever it takes, you have to find the way out. As the Lord told Cain, "if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is contrary to you, but you must rule over it" (Gen. 4:6-7). Resistance can be hard, especially when sinful habits have become ingrained, but it is not futile. Hold onto the Lord, and truly, you are "able to stand against the schemes of the devil" (Eph. 6:11).Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Matt. 4:1-11; Gen. 3:1-15; Eph. 6:10-18; James 4:4-10; Rev. 12:1-17Reflect (Tue) — How has Satan tried to attack me lately?Request (Wed) — "Lord, may I stand in the strength of your might today" (cf. Eph. 6:10). Respond (Thu) — Ask a friend if you can pray for each other to have strength in trial today.Reach Out (Fri) — What has helped you overcome temptation?Support the Show

Cross TrainingBe Ready to Stand FirmRead or WatchWeather permitting, I love riding my electric scooter to work. The commute is usually uneventful, but sometimes — out of nowhere — things can get interesting. There's always the possibility of cars veering into the bike lane, dogs lunging at the ends of their leashes, or smartphone-transfixed pedestrians wandering in front of me. At any moment a quiet morning ride can turn into an adrenaline-fueled fight for my life! So I keep my head on a swivel, watchful of my surroundings, and ready for whatever today's ride has in store. We're Cross Training to develop our watchfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Watchfulness comes when we're spiritually aware, living with readiness, resisting the devil, and full of wisdom. So how do we keep our spiritual head on a swivel, ready for whatever life throws at us?What You Need to KnowWatchfulness is an essential part of wisdom. We can't live skillfully if we don't keep our eyes open, paying attention to what's happening in our lives. When we wake up to see what's happening (Eph. 5:13-14), it changes our choices, how we spend our time and use our resources. "Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil" (Eph. 5:15-16). Peter's first letter encourages readiness for service, persecution, defending the faith, meeting temptation, and meeting Christ at his return (1 Peter 1:13-14; 3:14-16; 4:1-7,12-14; 5:8-9). "Do not be surprised" when fiery trials test you, Peter said (1 Peter 4:12). Rather, with clear-eyed, alert, readiness, "preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you" (1 Peter 1:13; 5:8). And be ready for unbelievers' questions, with a heart honoring "Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you" (1 Peter 3:15). And when we take each day with the awareness that the master might come at any time, it adds another layer of readiness. "Therefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming. But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into. Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect" (Matt. 24:42-44). What You Need to Do"Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life" (Prov. 4:23). When we weaken spiritually, it's because we have let ourselves get lulled to sleep, not giving our full attention to the things that matter most. We need to "wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die" (Rev. 3:2). Combine watchfulness with prayer (Eph. 5:18) to avoid falling to temptation (Matt. 26:41). Pride is the antithesis of readiness, so don't get cocky "lest you fall" (1 Cor. 10:12-13). Stay "watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love" (1 Cor. 16:13-14). Watch out for dangers, like false teachers (Matt. 7:15), forgetfulness (Deut. 4:9), and loose speaking (Ps. 141:3).But also, watch for the Lord! Watch for his guiding, delivering hand (Ps. 59:9). Our watchfulness pairs — not only with our prayer — but also with our thankfulness (Col. 4:2). If we don't pay attention, we'll miss all that the Lord has done and is doing, and forget to live in gratitude toward him.Through the WeekRead (Mon) — Luke 12:35-48; Mark 13:32-37; Matt. 24:36-25:13; Eph. 5:7-21; 1 Peter 4:1-14Reflect (Tue) — When do I tend to let my guard down?Request (Wed) — "Lord, help me stay dressed for action" (cf. Luke 12:35).Respond (Thu) — Write down three things you want to be on the lookout for today.Reach Out (Fri) — What sources of spiritual distraction have you regulated or eliminated from your life?Support the Show

Cross TrainingSee the Spiritual Forces at WorkRead or WatchPaul Harvey was a master storyteller known for giving his radio audience a peek behind the scenes at the "mysteries of history." For over half a century, his even-toned, folksy voice revealed the lesser-known side of famous people and important events. Mr. Harvey closed each broadcast with the words, "And now you know ... the rest of the story." But Scripture tells us about another side of history, too — a spiritual realm we can only see through the eyes of faith.We're Cross Training to develop our watchfulness, one of twelve marks of the Master we're working on this year. Watchfulness comes when we're spiritually aware, living with readiness, resisting the devil, and full of wisdom. So, what do we need to know about the spiritual realities that define the rest of our story?What You Need to KnowElisha's servant, Gehazi, got up early one morning, went outside, and discovered an army of horses and chariots surrounding the city, bent on seizing Elisha. Terrified, he asked his master what they should do, and Elisha told him not to fear, "for those who are with us are more than those who are with them" (2 Kings 6:16). Then Elisha prayed for him, "O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see" and suddenly he saw a mountain "full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha" (2 Kings 6:17). When we walk by faith and not by sight (2 Cor. 5:7), we live with an awareness of things we can't easily see. We can pull back the curtain and see the true power of light and the real face of darkness. We aren't ignorant of the schemes of our adversary (2 Cor. 2:11; 1 Peter 5:8), realizing that the battle isn't "against flesh and blood, but against … the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places" (Eph. 6:12). We know that God's angels are "ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation" (Heb. 1:14). And that our Lord Jesus is with us always (Matt. 28:20; Heb. 13:5-8). Even when you can't see his hand, God is present in your life, working all things together for good to those who love him (Rom. 8:28). Remember Joseph's words as he looked back on his life's struggles? Others may have meant it for evil, but God had his purposes (Gen. 50:20). He worked through their choices, placing Joseph in a position to save multitudes. Like Joseph, we'll never have all the answers, but faith helps us see that there are answers because there is — without a doubt — someone working our story towards a good end. What You Need to DoLook beneath the surface. Sometimes there's more at work than what seems immediately apparent. The hand of God, the devil's schemes, and the things that matter most aren't the things most people spend their days thinking about. But everything is exposed to the light for the believer — so wake up, and let us walk circumspectly, for the days are evil (Eph. 5:13-17).Remind others of the spiritual realities that we all so easily forget. Try to give perspective and encouragement when others get weighed down, distracted, or lost in the "cares of the world" (Mark 4:19). Be patient with those who can't yet see, understanding "the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:4). Christians trained to see the spiritual wounds beneath a troubled person's attitude can better meet their actual needs.Build spiritual "reality checks" into your day. For example, when hiking, it's helpful to check your map occasionally, and climb up to a higher vista when you can, so that you can see where you are and where you're going. We need those check-ins every day, the spiritual vistas that let us see the big picture beyond our bills, to-do lists, and the daily drama of life. We can find that perspective in prayer (Eph. 6:18), in meditation on God's Word (Psalm 1), in conversation and worship with other believers (Acts 2:42-47), and in acts of service to others that we offer to God as a sacrifice of praise (Heb. 13:16). Through the WeekRead (Mon) — John 18:33-40; 1 Thess. 5:4-11; Eph. 1:15-23; 5:6-17; Rev. 1:4-21 Reflect (Tue) — What can I see happening in my life, through the eyes of faith?Request (Wed) — "O Father of Glory, enlighten the eyes of my heart" (cf. Eph. 1:17-19). Respond (Thu) — Listen for spiritual needs in your interactions, remembering the eternal spirit in each person. Reach Out (Fri) — Is there an event in your life you saw one way at the moment but later saw more of the story?Support the Show