Broadcasts – Christian Working Woman

Have you ever asked God to give you a vision of what he wants you to do? Living without God's vision for your life is missing the abundant life Jesus came to give you. It is living in mediocrity. It is settling for so much less than God intends for you. Ephesians 2:10 says we are God's workmanship created in Christ Jesus to do good works which God prepared in advance for us to do. God has a vision for each of us who are born from above and have been made part of his family. He has prepared this vision for us—these good works he wants us to do. Here is one of the most common reasons we don't seek God's vision for our lives: We're not willing to take a risk. Ron Hutchcraft tells the story of being invited to go hiking with some friends to see a breathtaking waterfall. So, as they hiked up the mountain, they came to a large stream they needed to cross to get to the waterfall. Not seeing a bridge, he said to his companions, “How do we get across here?” “Oh,” they said, “you have to walk across the pipe there.” Ron looked at the pipe and saw it was small; it was wet; it was dangerous. And his first reaction was, “Thanks but no thanks. I’ll stay here.” But his friends urged him, “Come on. The view is on the other side. Come on; walk across the pipe.” Ron had a decision to make. Either stay where he was and miss the view or walk across the pipe. He decided to take the risky way, and he said, “I wouldn’t have missed that view for anything. But I had to walk the pipe to get there.” Is Jesus calling you to walk across a pipe, but you are afraid to take the risk? Psalm 18:36 says, You broaden the path beneath me, so that my ankles do not turn. When we start across the pipe that looks risky, as soon as you set foot on it, the pipe becomes a broad path, and your ankles don’t turn! Walk across the pipe today. Ask God for a vision. When he gives you one that looks risky, go by faith and prove he can do more than you can ask or think.

I'd like you to imagine this scene. It's time for your annual evaluation by your boss, and you're confident it will be a good result because you've met all the requirements of your job description. In addition, you've only had two sick days, and you're almost always on time. You're expecting a good evaluation and hopefully a good raise. Your boss agrees you've done an adequate job and met all the minimum requirements, and after that brief comment, he asks if you have any questions. You're puzzled; is that all he's going to say? You expected some credit for meeting the requirements. You ask if you are going to get a raise. Your boss then explains that raises are given for people who do more than the job description requires, and since you've only met the requirements, you are not qualified for a raise. Would you be shocked at that evaluation? Well, basically that's what Jesus was teaching his disciples in this parable in Luke 17: Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So, you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.' (Luke 17:7-10). Does that seem harsh to you? Jesus was trying to teach his disciples that just getting by, doing what you're supposed to do is not enough for commendation. He wants his disciples to have a passion for doing more than their mere duty. He wants his disciples to have a vision for all they could do and be because of Jesus. The Bible says without a vision, people perish. I'm not talking about some miraculous sign you receive, or an out-of-body experience or a dream. No, the vision I'm talking about is being able to see what God wants to do in and through you. And without this kind of vision, you perish, you fail to live up to your God-given potential. I want to encourage you to ask God to give you a vision, so you aren't just doing the bare minimum, but you're soaring like an eagle, way above the ordinary. That's the abundant life Jesus came to give us.

I found a brief article in a Christian professional magazine entitled “Three Marketplace Worldviews,” taken from truthnetwork.org, and I want to talk about those three marketplace worldviews. Hopefully you realize your worldview has a great influence on your life. If you view your world through an incorrect paradigm, it will cause you to make wrong decisions and poor choices and lead you down wrong paths. It is extremely important we scrutinize our own worldviews and make certain they are accurate. As Christians, our challenge is to make certain we have a biblical worldview as the foundation for our attitudes, opinions, and approach to life. That means, of course, we need to know the Word of God and continually study it so we know truth, which sets us free. Over the many years I've been broadcasting this program, it has become clear that far too many Christians do not have a biblical view of their jobs. That means they often approach their work incorrectly, for the wrong reasons and with the wrong motives. That, in turn, means a great portion of their life is spent with an unbiblical worldview, and this can only mean trouble! It interferes with their fellowship with God and with other believers. It causes a disconnect in their spirit and may cause them to lead a double life, as it were: One person on their job and another person at church and with other believers. For ten years of my career, this is exactly what I did. I was one person Monday through Friday and another one on Sunday. I had a selfish and greedy approach to my job, and soon I was swallowed up by the world's culture and found myself operating in my job like most everyone else—looking out for number one and for personal success. …the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do (James 1:6 – 8). When we, as true believers, have a conflicting worldview not in agreement with God's word, we become double-minded, tossed back and forth like waves on the sea, and unstable in all we do. Have you ever thought your instability on your job, your inability to find the right job, or your unhappiness in the job you have could be because you have become double-minded? Your lack of a biblical marketplace view could indeed be the root cause of your struggles. Let's look at these three marketplace views, and as we do, ask yourself which one most represents your own view of your job or career. These three views are categorized as secular, non-biblical, which is described as a compromised Christian view, and biblical. First, what is your view of the origin and purpose of business? In the article, the author states the secular view is “Business is something man created, to serve man, and its ultimate purpose is to serve the interest of man. If there is a God, he certainly would not have any concern with business and how it is done.” Now, admittedly, that's how most of your non-believing friends and coworkers view their jobs. They are there to make as much money as possible, achieve as much success as possible, prove their worth, and help them realize their dreams and goals, etc., etc., etc. In other words, their view of their job is it's all about them—making them successful, happy, financially secure and fulfilled. They most likely have never even thought about connecting God or his principles to their jobs. It's like separation of church and state; it's almost a constitutional divide; your job and religion are two different things. That's the secular marketplace view. What is the non-biblical compromised Christian view of the origin and purpose of business? That view says, “Work is a ‘necessary evil' and I cannot wait until retirement. Once I have enough money to retire, I will serve God ‘full time.'” In this non-biblical marketplace view, ministry is not done at work. It could be done at church or somewhere else, but not at work. This compromised Christian view intends to do things right, but if the rules must be bent once in a while, so be it. They may view their jobs as a means for them to earn money, which they can give to their church and missions—after all, those are the real ministries. If it were possible to take an accurate survey of true Christians in the secular marketplace, I wonder how many would fall into this non-biblical marketplace view. I fear it would be greater than fifty percent. Frankly, this is why I began this ministry, to challenge Christians to see their jobs as their mission fields, to see themselves as ambassadors for Christ on their jobs. And what is that view of the origin and purpose of business and work? Based on biblical truth, that view is “Work is a God-ordained activity.” Christians with this worldview agree that God has ordained them to serve him in the marketplace. The biblical marketplace view recognizes work was given to man before sin entered the world, but it became hard as a result of sin. Adam was given what we would call a secular job description by God. But it wasn't secular because God gave it to him. For a Christian there is no secular/sacred category divide. Everything in our lives is sacred and should be viewed from a biblical perspective. The Christian who has a biblical marketplace view sees every aspect of her work as an opportunity to glorify Jesus Christ. He or she actively seeks to work and live by biblical principles on the job and sees his or her work as an extension of God's work on earth. Now I ask you, if Christians who regularly go to a secular workplace did so with a biblical workplace view, would it make a difference in the way they perform? It would have to! Would it make a difference in their attitude? No question about it. Would it make a difference in how they treat people? Absolutely. On the other hand, if you view your job as simply a way to pay your bills, a necessary evil, as it were, will that not have a negative impact on your behavior and attitude? You see, what you think is what you are, as we are told in the Bible. If your thinking is wrong, your behavior and attitudes will be wrong, and they will be harmful to you and to others. Looking further into these three marketplace views, this article identified the differences in how we view the source and ownership of business and wealth. The secular marketplace view is, “Man owns what he can build, buy, or take by force. The one with the most toys at the end wins. It is the survival of the fittest.” Those with mindset see themselves as the owner of what they have earned. The non-biblical compromised Christian view is, “God owns everything, but he really doesn't care about business or how I minister in it.” This Christian makes their career plans and expects God to bless them. They haven't prayed for guidance in selecting a job or career, because they don't see this as part of their sacred life. Whatever success they achieve is viewed as their just rewards from their hard work. And because they see themselves as the owner of their finances, they may struggle with how much of it they really must give to God's work. One of the best gifts you can give yourself is to understand the truth that as a believer, you are not your own. You've been bought with a price, and everything you have is simply on loan to you from God, given for you to use in his service. Simply put, you own nothing. Richard Foster talks about being possessionless and positionless, and once we can acknowledge that we truly own nothing and everything we have is God's gift to us for temporary use in his kingdom, then it takes a huge monkey off our backs. The biblical workplace view is, “God owns my business, career, and resources.” This view causes you to pray for God's clear guidance in what job to take and how to conduct yourself there. This view recognizes you are a steward of God's blessings, and you will be held accountable for how you've used God's resources. It causes you to see how much you can give to God's work, rather than how little. What is your marketplace worldview? Is it biblical or secular or non-biblical? Search your heart and ask yourself this question: What are you typically thinking when you head out to your job each day? Are you often truly aware that you are the representative of God in your workplace, or do you subconsciously leave God out of the picture when you're at work? Now I know work is work, and there are hard things that must be done on your job. I'm not asking if you go to work singing, “Hi ho, hi ho, it's off to work I go.” But I am asking if you truly see your job as a calling—a mission. Do you pray about your testimony on your job? Do you consistently take seriously your opportunity to be an ambassador for Christ where you work? What is your view of your job—your career? Remember the three options: Secular Non-Biblical, which is described as a compromised Christian view Biblical Give it some serious thought because how you view your job really makes a difference—in your attitude, your motivation, and your contentment.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen With all this talk about how important work is to God and for the kingdom, it may feel like a heavy burden as a follower of Jesus. But you are not called to doing good works and making disciples alone! We should work, yoked with Jesus, walking with him and considering his ways. Christ gives us a clear example of how to love others well. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; steadfast love and faithfulness go before you (Psalm 89:14). Think about the people Jesus loved in the Gospels. They were never perfect, and neither are you and I! Think about how Jesus took time to see people. Whether it was Zaccheus, the tax man of small stature up in a tree, or the bleeding woman crawling down in the dirt to just touch Jesus's robe. Are there people you need to take time to see? Jesus was very good at seeing one person at a time. In the busyness of our work, it is easy to forget the people involved as we move from meeting to meeting and project to project. Just like you and me, they have feelings about work, and things happening in life we may or may not know about. Pause for a moment and think of your workplace. What would change if you thought about your boss or colleagues like Jesus would? What do you see? Righteousness, justice, steadfast love and faithfulness: while we can never measure up to the perfect Jesus Christ, we can choose to reflect his love better every day at work. Maybe this feels heavy, and you don't know where to start. Thinking about making disciples at work may be new to you and that is alright! In Matthew 11:28-29, Jesus calls us in our work to come to him when we are weary and heavy laden; he can give us rest. He tells us to take his yoke upon us and to learn from him. He is gentle and lowly in heart. In Jesus, we find rest for our souls. His yoke is easy, and his burden is light. Turn to Jesus as you consider God's plans for your work. He wants to come alongside you and guide you!

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Love your neighbor as yourself. Sometimes work is difficult. But what is our work anyways? I mean the work God has for us. If you are working today feeling like your job has no purpose for God, think again! Let us consider how to stir one another to love and good works (Hebrews 10:24). I want to stir you up to consider that God's work is multiplied though you. What are some things you can do today to bring glory to God? Does your job feel unimportant? I assure you it is not. Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ (Colossians 3:23–24). Think about working for God, and the rewards he has for you. How do you reflect the love of Jesus Christ? Do people wonder what makes you different? And what is the point anyways? Go therefore and 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 you (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus wants us to make disciples! And we can start by thinking about good works at work! An easy way to consider good works is to think about the fruit of the Spirit in Galatians 5. Perhaps you have this list memorized—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Is there a way you can display more patience with someone at work? Can you choose gentler words when delivering feedback? Perhaps you can extend kindness to a colleague by affirming their work or even encouraging them when they are overwhelmed. Do you work in an environment full of strife? How can you bring the peace? What about goodness? Do you choose to do what is right when perhaps you are faced with a scenario which may challenge your ethics? We often get caught up in thinking about our position, more than we think about the way we work. Foundationally, the way we work, as to the Lord and not to men, is what can leave people asking why we are different and ultimately make disciples!

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Sometimes the mention of work doesn't elicit happy and joyous feelings. And, knowing God created us in his image for good works which he prepared beforehand makes us sigh as we think, is my workday over yet?! All jokes about TGIF, working for the weekend, and anything else related to not being at work feels real for all of us at some point. What can we do when we don't feel like work is a gift from God? I recently had a sister in Christ tell me she was working to not curse what blesses her. This has not left my mind. Don't curse what is blessing you. In other words, when thinking about your work, think about the blessings. Think about the beautiful things that bring glory to God. All the other broken things, pray about them. Sometimes our mindset about work needs to shift. If you are alone laboring for some sort of achievement or purely from envying what someone else has, it is hard to consider that work is a gift to us from the Lord. The book of Ecclesiastes is full of examples of how working to be the greatest and have the most never yield the warm and happy feelings about work that we would expect. In fact, they yield the opposite. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun (Ecclesiastes 2:11). How can we consider the gift of work? And, what about the good works God prepared for us beforehand? For those of us who believe in Jesus Christ, we are called to the greatest commandment of love. I we are working for vain achievement, it's no wonder we will never be satisfied in our work. If you find yourself watching the hours on the clock to see when your day will end or longing for a weekend, I challenge you to start with a simple list. First, how is your job blessing you today? It may be as basic as I am receiving a paycheck to provide for my family. Perhaps you have made a friend at work. Rejoice in this blessing! Now, what do you perceive as broken? Remember, God is in the work of redeeming all things, and God calls you to be part of this by loving your neighbor as yourself. Are you in a bad culture or dealing with a difficult boss or colleague? Reframe your work with these things. How can you do good works to bring God glory today?

Presented by Lauren Stibgen God chose to create men and women in his image! God created us to work and tend all the creation he had made both before the original sin of Adam and Eve and after. You and I are living in the after, and the good work we do for the kingdom today matters for eternity and for the promise of a new heaven and new earth! Starting to view your work in this light may take some time. If you find yourself questioning your work or why God has you in a certain role or company, pause and consider this, …for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose (Philippians 2:13). He predestined us for adoption to himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of his will (Ephesians 1:5). As you consider these verses, know God has a plan for you, and it is for his will and pleasure. But what is his will and pleasure? God created, man sinned, and now, God is redeeming his kingdom! You may be wondering how God is using you to redeem his kingdom at work. God has created everything so his glory could be revealed, including you! One of the best embodiments of this is Ephesians 2:10. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus, for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (Ephesians 2:10). Take heart and consider, you are God's workmanship, his glorious creation. Pause for a moment and think about this. God's work made you! Something about this makes me feel very special. God made me to display his glory! God also made you to do good works which he prepared beforehand. As you work today, consider this. He planned this moment. God planned for you to be right where you are. Again, he did this for his glory! And this is the best part. We just need to walk in these good works. He doesn't call us to strive, stress, or fret. He calls us to walk. Somehow, everything God has set before you at work today is part of his great plan to bring glory to himself and to redeem his kingdom.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen We are made for work. Think about this: Has there ever been a day you woke up not thinking about doing something? The answer may be a quick yes! If I am honest, I have had days when I wake up dreaming of doing absolutely nothing—being idle, quiet, enjoying leisure—but this quickly fades. Even when we daydream about what we'd rather be doing than going to work, the daydream will typically result in some sort of creation! God's work started in Genesis and is still active today. And as followers of Jesus Christ, each one of us plays a part of this work. Even though God's first perfect work of creation was stained by the fall, God is working still on the redemption of everything that is his. We are often so involved with our career work we forget to think about God's big plan for his kingdom and how we are a very important part of it. Reading Genesis 1, we see God created the heavens and the earth. These creation verses are filled with action! Let there be light, let the waters under the heavens be gathered into one place and let dry land appear, let the earth sprout vegetation, let there be lights in the expanse, let the waters swarm with living creatures, let the earth bring forth living creatures. And finally, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness (Genesis 1:26). After doing a lot of work in the creation, God created man in his image. And he immediately set man to work! He put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it. God blessed them and God said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground” (Genesis 1:28). After the fall when Adam and Eve ate from the tree God told them not to, they still had to work, but God sent them outside of the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which they were taken (Genesis 3:23). Even with sin, we are still created in the image of God, a working God. No wonder we think about working so much!

Let's review four differences between work and jobs. First, your job may employ none of your gifts; your work employs all your gifts. Second, your job will inevitably result in income; your work may never result in income. Third, there is always someone else who can do your job; there is never anyone else who can do your work. And fourth, your job may sometimes produce frustration; your work will most often produce fruit. But now, let’s consider two other differences in your job and your work. Your job will end in retirement; your work will not end until death. Jobs come to an end. Either you retire, walk away from the job, or the job is eliminated. If your self-worth is linked to your job, then the loss or end of a job can be devastating, and it is to many people. Work, however, has no termination age. There’s no 65-year cut-off point for your work. Retirement from work is retirement from life, and it is not scheduled by men but by God. Your work may and most likely will take some turns and changes as you progress through life. But I think of elderly Christians who are no longer physically able to do many of the things they did for the Lord earlier in their lives. Their work has changed, and now they are marvelous prayer warriors, doing the most important of all work. Your work may never become your job; your job could never replace your work. Many think the ultimate in life would be to have a job that becomes our work, so what we do every day to enable us to earn a living is the same thing God has called us to do and gifted us to do for his glory. But let me tell you, that rarely happens, and that's because it doesn’t fit into God’s plan for reaching the world. He’s left us in this world to be his salt and light, and that means we need to mingle in the marketplace where the people are. That means we need jobs to get us in there, so we can do the work God has called us to do, in many cases. Most of us will find it necessary to continue committing large portions of our lives to a job that does not fully define or fulfill us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t be successful at our work. Our jobs and our work don’t have to be in competition. In fact, when we’re in right relationship with God’s plan for our lives, they will not be in competition. Now, you may be thinking, “You mean, I can’t expect to find a job I really love?” No, that’s not what I mean. If we’re smart, we’ll educate ourselves and do everything we can to match our jobs with our talents and strengths, so that they are not working against our gifts. For example, my last business job was to make training presentations. Not only do I enjoy making presentations, but in the process of doing my job, I was trained to do my work better. I enjoyed my job, though I would not have voluntarily done it if there was not a need to make money. However, that job was a tool in God’s hands to prepare me for my work and to touch other lives I would never have touched otherwise. And then the other great truth of Scripture is when we are walking with Jesus, everything we do can be done for his glory. No matter what job we have, as Christians we can do it to God’s glory, and it becomes meaningful and purposeful. I think of one of my listeners who used to work in a large bakery, doing rather repetitive work, which could be described as unchallenging and unfulfilling. But this woman viewed her place of employment as her Jerusalem where she was to take God’s good news. And God gave her incredible opportunities to witness to many people, including executives in the company. I never knew her to complain about the lack of fulfillment in her job, though I’m sure there were days she got bored with the routine. She went to work each morning to see what exciting thing God would do through her that day, and she didn’t occupy her mind with the mundaneness of the job itself. You can know fulfillment amid a routine job if you know Jesus, and you’re doing your work for his glory. We are in a win-win situation when we know Jesus. He gives us meaningful work, and then he says even our jobs, which are not our work, can be done to his glory if our attitude is right. Either way—whether you’re doing your job or your work, you are working for Jesus, and it counts for eternity. Now, if you understand the difference between your job and your work, then lots of puzzles start to clear up for you. Your ultimate objectives should be: To achieve harmony between your job and your work. That’s going to take different forms for different people. But isn’t it great and wonderful to know it doesn’t matter whether we’re gifted for some great job success. We are gifted for success in our work, and if we do the work God has called us to do, we will be successful in his eyes. To do as much work as possible while doing your job. Our challenge is to know what our work is and then prioritize our lives so we have time to do our work. And is that ever a challenge! Please keep in your mind the ever-present vision of standing before Jesus to give an account of how you’ve used your time here on earth. If you get so involved in your job or anything else so you don’t do your work, you will be very embarrassed when accounting time comes. We’re told in 1 Corinthians 3 our work will be shown for what it is at the Day of Judgment. And we will have wood, hay, or straw, or we’ll have gold, silver, and costly stones. Then the fire at the Judgment Seat will reveal the quality of our work. Now, wood, hay, and stubble take up a lot more space than gold, silver, and costly stones, right? And we get fooled sometimes by volume. If I had a million dollars I could buy a bunch of wood, hay, and straw, and it would take up space. But if I brought a million dollars of gold, silver, and costly stones, I could hold them in my hand or at most a small bag. You might not notice it, and it wouldn’t take up much room. If we don’t understand the difference, we might opt for the wood, hay, and straw because it looks bigger. But that stuff burns fast when you strike a match to it, whereas the gold, silver, and costly stones will survive any fire you put them through. Do you get the picture here? Sometimes, with poor earthly eyesight, we spend our lives doing things that burn up. They look important here because they take up space and time. But in eternity, they are worthless. It is super important to get the priorities of our lives in line with God's word and do the important things, not just the urgent ones. We must look for ways for our jobs to encompass more of our work. Recognizing we spend a large portion of our lives at our jobs, of necessity, and knowing only our work counts for eternity, we need to find ways to incorporate our work into our job. That might mean looking for another job—one that maybe doesn’t pay as much—in order to have more time for our work or to do our work with our job. Here are some good things to consider when evaluating whether you’re in the right job: A good job is one that: plays to your personal strengths. Look for a job that uses your gifts and allows you to polish and perfect your gifts. meets a legitimate need. Even though our jobs are earth-bound, there are jobs which certainly meet legitimate needs, and those are more satisfying than others. There are simply some jobs Christians should not hold, because they don’t contribute to any good in our society. doesn’t compromise your core values or biblical principles. finances your lifestyle and your work. allows you to contribute to ministry. Many people are called by God to jobs so they have money to contribute to ministry. You may have the gift of giving and therefore your job is important to your work. gives you a platform for credible witness. This is one major reason we have jobs, because it gets our feet in the doors where otherwise we would never go. provides contact with people you can impact. People are the most important thing to God. There's a song written by Steve Green, and the words are right on. He wrote, “People need the Lord, at the end of broken dreams, he's the open door. We are called to take his light to a world where wrong seems right. They must hear the words of life only we can share. People need the Lord. When will we realize that people need the Lord.” Wherever your job takes you, there are people. And since no one is in your life by accident, people are in your life to give you an opportunity in some way—brief or small as it may be—to tell them you have found what they are unconsciously looking for—Jesus. That's one way the job you have can be transformed into the work God has given you to do. Just introduce people to Jesus. I hope these thoughts on your job versus your work have been thought provoking for you. I think we could see some significant attitude changes toward our jobs if every Christian had this clear worldview.

I've been talking this week about God's promises and his faithfulness to keep his promises. A promise is only as good as the one who promised, right? We've had far too many examples of politicians who promise so much and deliver so little, so that now in general we just don't trust politicians. The Pew Research Center reports only 20% of Americans today say they can trust the government to do what is right. It may be true that because you have been sorely disappointed in what others have promised you, you have difficulty trusting God. I just want to encourage you today that, no matter how much you've been disappointed or let down by others, you can trust God, because he is trustworthy. Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22–23). Your word, Lord, is eternal; it stands firm in the heavens. Your faithfulness continues through all generations (Psalm 119:89–90). God is faithful and therefore his eternal Word is faithful. We learn to trust God by getting to know his character. And we get to know his character through his Word and through our own history of his faithfulness to us. Have you forgotten God's faithfulness to you in the past? Sometimes when you're in the midst of a troubling situation, you just forget how God has helped you in the past; how he has proved himself true. I encourage you right now to recite out loud God's faithfulness to you in the past. By remembering his past faithfulness, you will learn to trust his future faithfulness. Here is one last promise as this new year begins, from our trustworthy God. It's a go-to promise for you for the entire year, from Isaiah 41:10: So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand (Isaiah 41:10).

I can well remember as a child singing the great gospel song, “Standing on the Promises”. Maybe you sang it, too. I remember the words well: Standing on the promises of Christ my King, Through eternal ages let his praises ring; Glory in the highest, I will shout and sing, Standing on the promises of God. It's not a song we sing much anymore, but the message is still relevant. As Christ-followers, we can stand on the promises given to us through God's Word. What does that mean—to stand on the promises of God? Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful (Hebrews 10:23). Promises are as reliable as the one who makes them. God has made many promises to us, and he never forgets any of them. He is a trustworthy and faithful God. Standing on the promises of God is confident assurance in what God has promised us. That means you keep standing, even when your faith is weak. Hebrews 10:36 exhorts us to keep on patiently doing the Lord's will so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. If your faith is starting to waiver, if you haven't yet seen God's answer to your need, I encourage you to keep standing—keep on doing the Lord's will, and you will receive what he has promised. Ephesians 6:13 says after you have done everything, to stand. Just keep standing on the promises of God. Stand when you're tired; stand when you want to quit and run away; stand when your faith is weak. After you have done everything, keep standing on the promises of God, for he who promised is faithful.

As you begin this new year, are you wondering what lies ahead? Does the future seem confusing or unclear? Are you trying to determine what your next steps should be? God's Word has some great and precious promises to help you. For example, Isaiah 30:21 is a great promise: Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). God promises guidance for you. He wants you to walk in the right way and make the right decisions even more than you want to. If you have ears to hear, there will be a voice behind you, showing you the way. That “voice” can come in many different ways—through God's Word, through a trusted advisor, through some unusual circumstance. But if it's God's voice, you will know. It's that “ears to hear” thing that causes problems—right? There was a time in my life when I only wanted God to tell me what I wanted to hear, so I just didn't have ears to hear. This verse from Jeremiah 6 warns us about shutting our ears to God's voice: This is what the Lord says: “Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls. But you said, ‘We will not walk in it' (Jeremiah 6:16). If that's where you are today—standing at the crossroads—are you ready and willing to hear God's voice showing you where the good way is? Or are you saying in your heart, “My way, God, not yours”? Sometimes we mouth the words, “I want to know God's way,” but when he shows it to us, we decide it's not exactly what we had planned, so we say, in some words or other, “I will not walk in it.” But here's the good news—when you walk in God's way, you will find rest for your soul. I remember well when I finally came to the end of my way and told God I was ready to walk in his way, and my words to God were, “Please give me peace.” I desperately wanted rest for my soul, and that's when I began to walk in the good way. I'm so very thankful I did. Let me encourage you today to choose God's way—to listen to that voice behind you. You will never regret it. I promise!

This is program number 10,092 of The Christian Working Woman daily edition. That means for over 2000 weeks I have been broadcasting the good news that God's Word is relevant to our lives. For over 41 years God has sustained this ministry so we can encourage you to put God's Word into practice in your life; to live out your faith on your job and everywhere else. And we've made it all these weeks and months and years because God has kept his promise to me. When I was presented with the opportunity to enlarge our ministry from one station in Chicago, I knew this was bigger than me, and I needed assurance God would see me through. I asked God to give me a promise from his Word that I could cling to—that would assure me of his guidance. My reading that day took me to Isaiah chapter 50, and from that chapter God gave me two verses which have become my “go to” assurance verses of God's promise to me. Here is that promise: The Sovereign Lord has given me a well-instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary…Because the Sovereign LORD helps me, I will not be disgraced. Therefore, have I set my face like flint, and I know I will not be put to shame (Isaiah 50:4-7) I couldn't count the many times I've said to the Lord, “God, you promised I will not be disgraced; I will not be put to shame, and I claim your provision and your promise now today.” Another promise from Joshua 23:14 assures us not one word has failed of all the good things that the Lord your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed. I can testify that God's promises are reliable. Could it be you need a promise today? Something to help you face your future with hope and peace? There's one in the Bible just for you. Just take time to sit down with your Bible, pray for guidance, and ask God for his promise for you. It's there—I promise!

It's a new year! This is a good time to focus our minds on God's promises to us for the new year. The Bible gives us hundreds of promises, yet we often don't avail ourselves of the comfort, strength, and guidance there for us. I want to remind you of some of God's promises for you in 2026. In 2 Peter 1, we are told, His divine power has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires (2 Peter 1:3-4). Peter tells us God's promises are great and precious: Great because they are powerful, and precious because of God's great love for us. And through these promises we are encouraged and equipped to become more like Jesus, to live a life of glory to God. Here are some important promises to focus on today—this fifth day of 2026: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Is there a more important promise than this? Just to know you have forgiveness—forgiveness for all the stuff you've done, all the sin in your life, all your unrighteousness. He is faithful and just and will always forgive you when you confess. This promise is absolutely essential—because without forgiveness we have no hope of eternal life. But God has promised us eternal life when we have received his forgiveness and been made a new creation in Christ. In the same book of 1 John, we read: And this is what he promised us—eternal life (1 John 2:25). As you begin this new year, make it a regular practice to remember this promise—he has forgiven your sins and cleansed you from all unrighteousness, and he will always do so. It's a great and precious promise just for you.

Let's start with some basic definitions between our job and our work: Our job is what we do day-in and day-out to bring in income. It is the duties we perform, most often for an employer, sometimes as our own employer, for which we receive money. A company’s job descriptions are written for whoever happens to have the job. Once the job description is written, the search begins to find a person who will do the job well. Our work, on the other hand, is what God has designed us to do. It is our purpose for being here, what we are uniquely created for. It is distinctly linked to the gifts, talents, passions, and assets we have been given by God. While many people may have identical jobs, no two people have the same work, because each of us has a unique plan for our lives. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). Those works God has prepared for each of us to do—that is our work. We must understand the difference. When this is not clear to us, we can encounter many difficulties. For example, one of our most common mistakes is to expect our job to fulfill us. In the past Americans seemed to have a love affair with their careers, but have you sensed how is changing now and changing rapidly? We see industries shuffling, companies downsizing, and management levels reducing in almost every company and industry. People no longer expect to work for one employer throughout their career and build a family relationship as we have in the past. This passion we’ve had for our careers is becoming more like a fatal attraction. Yet, because we’ve seen our jobs as our work, many people continue to look to the workplace to find meaning and purpose in their lives. If you don’t know the difference between your job and your work, you can see how frightening and disillusioning this could be for some people. They lose their job, and they lose their identity. Now, here we are as Christians in the workplace, and we need a biblical perspective of our jobs, don’t we? Let me ask you: As a Christian, is it essential for you to have a job which is personally fulfilling? Is that your right? Should that have a high priority in your life? I have a feeling if that is true, many of you would stand up right now and say, “My job is not fulfilling,” and we would have to conclude your life is in shambles. But the good news is, you may be able to say, “My job is not terribly fulfilling, but my life is fulfilled because I know the work God has given me to do. That fills my life with meaningful activity.” Let’s consider some significant differences in our job and our work: Your job may employ none of your gifts; your work employs all your gifts. Now, first, do you know what your gifts are? Do you know the spiritual gifts you’ve been endowed with by God? We all have at least one spiritual gift, and many times we have several. Let’s look briefly at Romans 12 to learn a bit about these gifts. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully (Romans 12:6-8). And again in 1 Corinthians 12, we read: Now to each one (that means everyone who is a believer) the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good (1 Corinthians 12:7). The manifestation of the Spirit is your gift or gifts. If you have been born from above, you have blessed with a gift, and the reason you’ve been given a gift is so you can bless others with it. The neat thing about our gifts is we love to do it, and it doesn’t come hard for us. God is an incredibly smart manager of his human resources. He knows if I love to do what I have to do, I’m going to do it much better. Therefore, not only does he give me gifts to use for the common good of the Body of Christ and to bring glory to his name, but he also gives me a love and joy in doing it. It’s a joy to exercise your gifts, isn’t it? Now that doesn’t mean you never grow tired or weary or that you don't want to run away occasionally. But I know, as you do, a few days away from doing my work, and I’m restless. I’m ready to go back. Not true with what used to be my job. I traveled around the country doing business seminars. I looked forward to the weeks I didn’t have to travel and had to do some strong positive thinking to keep from getting a little depressed when a trip was coming up. When I made the decision to give up that job so I didn't have to travel like that again, I did not shed one tear. That was my job. If you told me I could never use these gifts God has given me, I would feel empty. Life would be tasteless. My gifts are the things that bring meaning and purpose in my life, because they come from God to be used for him. Your job will inevitably result in income; your work may never result in income. We all are willing to go to our jobs each day primarily because we get a salary or compensation at regular intervals for performing that job. I traveled around doing the same seminar over and over because they sent me a check, and I needed that check to pay my bills. If they had said to me, “Mary, we’ve decided we can no longer pay you for doing these seminars, but we sure hope you’ll keep doing them. You’re good at them, and we like what you do,” I would have said, “Well, thanks, but you won’t see me around anymore. I do my job for money.” I’m not saying you can’t enjoy doing your job or there aren’t other motivational factors and rewards involved. But I’d be very surprised to find anybody who would continue going to their job each day without compensation. Your work may never pay you a dollar, but it will pay benefits that cannot be valued in earthly terms. When you are doing your work, what God has called you to do, you’re putting deposits in God’s heavenly bank, where thieves don’t break in and steal and rust cannot destroy your investment. It’s not that you are without compensation; it’s simply deposited in a different bank and held as a long-term investment. In our society where people are valued by the size of their salaries and bank accounts, this is a totally different perspective and one we adjust to. This is one of those areas where we must fight not to allow the world to shove us into its mold, into its way of thinking. You and I need to get in our minds a picture of God’s bank in heaven. Now, we are judged and valued by the size of our accounts in God’s bank. What have you been sending on ahead to deposit? Our work—doing what God has called and gifted us to do—puts money in the heavenly bank, whereas our jobs usually just put money in the earthly bank. Big difference in the two. There is always someone else who can do your job; there is no one else who can do your work. If you called your employer on Monday and said, “I’m not coming back; you won’t see me again,” guess what? They would survive. It might cause some temporary problems, but somebody soon would move into your shoes, learn your job, and do it. The world would keep on revolving with hardly a blip. We all like to think we’re indispensable, but in our jobs, we’re not. However, you are indispensable when it comes to your work. If you don’t do the work God has called you to do, it will go undone. Nobody else can do it. Now, that’s a frightening thought and quite frankly, it should frighten us to think we could miss the work God has called us to do. Your corner of the world is where you have been sent. The people you interact with every day are your special people group. If you don’t use your gifts to do God’s work for the people in your world, nobody else will fill in the gap. It will go undone. Your job may sometimes produce frustration; your work will most often produce fruit. Jobs carry no guarantee of inner tranquility or accomplishment. You can work as hard as possible and never feel like you’ve done a whole lot. You may never get appropriate recognition for the job you do, and indeed others may take credit for what you have done. You may discover the harder you work at your job, the more frustrating it is. Often our jobs bring a great deal of frustration into our lives, for all kinds of reasons. On the other hand, your work will energize you, because you know you’re doing something eternally significant. Your work will bring satisfaction. You surely can grow weary in doing your work, but you won’t grow weary of the work. You may experience some short-term frustrations associated with your work, but it always leads to something fruitful in your life.

I've been talking about the loneliness epidemic, which is growing in our culture. If you are struggling with loneliness, remember first it's part of being human. And yes, Christians are vulnerable to feelings of loneliness, and it is not necessarily a spiritual issue. Loneliness is a human condition common to everyone at some time in their life. However, if you deal with loneliness in the wrong way, it could lead you to form harmful and inappropriate relationships, to go places and do things you know are not right just to try to find companionship and stop those feelings of loneliness. We all need friends and a support system, but the wrong friends will do you far more harm than good. And keep this in mind: If you try to fill up that lonely place in your heart with people, before looking first to Jesus Christ, you are setting yourself up for further disappointment and it could simply make your loneliness worse rather than better. I had to learn this some years ago, when I had to make a choice to first seek the presence of Christ, to get to know him better, to allow his love to become more real and more powerful in my life, instead of trying to solve my loneliness by looking for a meaningful relationship. A sure-fire way to combat feelings of loneliness is to quote Scripture and fill your mind with truth that can set you free. In verse 5 of Psalm 42, we read, my soul is downcast within me; therefore I will remember you…. Now this is a very good technique and habit. When you feel lonely, you should then force yourself to remember and recite out loud God’s goodness to you in times past. Are you having a tough time today, feeling alone and lonely? Then, stop right now and talk to yourself; find some place where you can say something like, “Look, Mary, what is your problem? The God of all the Universe loves you and cares for you; he’s met your need time and again. Remember, Jesus will never leave you or forsake you, and you have a wonderful Friend in Jesus.” Just recite, out loud if possible, what you know to be true. Finding relief from loneliness is often a choice we make to replace wrong thoughts with right thoughts and decide to live in the truth of God's Word.

I’ve been sharing some thoughts on the loneliness epidemic. It’s amazing how many people are very lonely. God makes a home for the lonely; He leads out the prisoners into prosperity. Only the rebellious dwell in a parched land (Psalm 68:6). I have found this verse to be exactly true in my life. As I have allowed God to make a home for me and to accept his presence as sufficient in my life, I have been set free from the awful heaviness of loneliness. That verse says only the rebellious dwell in a parched land. When we refuse to allow God to be our cure for loneliness, when we continue to try to do it our way and fill the empty void with people and activities, we’ll continue to find loneliness our companion. Your feelings of loneliness may be because you are still rebelling against God’s answers. Maybe it's because you don’t like the idea of learning to let him fill up your empty time and change your lonely feelings. Of course, there's no doubt God created us for fellowship and companionship, and we need people in our lives. When Jesus was facing crucifixion, he took his three closest companions with him while he prayed. He needed God's presence, and he needed their presence and support. The Apostle Paul spoke of his need to be with his companions and his encouragers. If you are lonely because you don't have a good friend or friends, or they're not nearby, I would remind you that to have friends, you have to reach out to others and be a friend. Ask yourself what you could do for someone else to be their friend, to meet their need, instead of waiting for someone to be your friend. We reap what we sow—that's a biblical principle. If you want friendships, sow friendships; become a friend to others. Loneliness can be very crippling, but you can take positive steps—by God's grace—to overcome those depressing feelings of loneliness. Of course, the most important step to take is to spend time developing your relationship with Jesus through Bible study and prayer. He is a friend who sticks closer than a brother, and believe me, he can fill the lonely space inside of you.

Are you a lonely person? We’re talking about the loneliness epidemic. With the presence of Christ in our lives, we need not be lonely, no matter how alone we may be. Why, then, are so many Christians lonely? Because they don’t practice the presence of Christ in their lives. You “practice” his presence—you develop the habit of calling on him, talking to him, inviting him to be a part of your life at all times. Could it be you're not practicing his presence because there is some sin that keeps you from sweet, intimate fellowship with God? If you’re living in disobedience to God and you know it, that could be the cause of your loneliness since it’s destroying the sense of God’s presence in your life. Many Christians don’t know God’s presence because they don’t spend enough time with him. You can't practice his presence very well if you’re not saturating your life with God’s Word and prayer. Not long after I had come back to God and made him Lord of my life, I was sitting in my office one Wednesday when it occurred to me, I was facing a weekend with no plans! For singles, that can be seen as the worst of all fates, and in a slight panic I reached for my phone to start calling friends. As I started to dial, the Holy Spirit quietly said to me, “Can’t you trust me? The weekends are in my control just as much as the other days. You can make a weekend alone—with me!” My somewhat fearful response was, “Okay, Lord, I’ll prove you are God of the weekends, too.” So, I made plans to be alone with God for those two weekend evenings. There were some tense moments when I again found myself thinking, “Something must be wrong with me, or I wouldn’t be by myself on a Saturday evening.” But I took my Bible, sat down and asked God to again show me he was God, even of the weekends. I ran to God as my refuge, and I was free. Free from the need to have someone around all the time; free from those self-pitying, self-centered feelings of loneliness. Though it’s a lesson I have had to re-learn from time to time, I can tell you it became a treat to have some quiet Saturday nights by myself. It was a turning point for me, dispelling the fear of being alone. If that is more or less where you are, God wants to do the same for you.

I’m talking about loneliness. Not just missing someone you love, but the invasive sense of loneliness that controls the lives of so many people. Indeed, we find ourselves in a loneliness epidemic today, with more and more people feeling alone, left out, and isolated. It's important to understand that activity, people, marriage are not the cures for loneliness. If they are, then we are doomed to a roller-coaster life, because none of those things are guaranteed to us. Activities ebb and flow, people come in and out of our lives, the most wonderful marriage in the world can be severed through death. If you’re lonely today, are you willing to let God change your thinking about being alone? That’s where we begin. But it takes more than that. God recognized our need for companionship, our need to be loved and to feel secure. And he has provided for that need completely. Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). If you will apply this incredible promise to your life, it can be the beginning of knowing freedom from those awful feelings of loneliness. Please believe what I’m telling you. It's not a cliché; it's truth! That lonely place inside you can be filled when you learn to live in the knowledge that Jesus is the ever-present Lord. That is his gift to you when you are born from above. Let me share with you a poem by an anonymous writer which says this so well: There is a mystery in human hearts;                                 And though we be encircled by a host Of those who love us well, and are beloved, To every one of us, from time to time, There comes a sense of utter loneliness: Our dearest friend is stranger to our joy, And cannot realize our bitterness.   So when we feel this loneliness, it is The voice of Jesus saying, “Come to me”; And every time we are “not understood,” It is a call to us to come again; For Christ alone can satisfy the soul, And those who walk with him from day to day, Can never have a “solitary way.”   And would you know the reason why this is? It is because the Lord desires our love: In every heart he wishes to be first. He therefore keeps the secret key himself, To open all its chambers and to bless With perfect sympathy and holy peace, Each solitary soul that comes to him. With Christ you don’t have to feel that ever-abiding despair of being lonely. He has come to abolish it, and he is totally capable of doing just that, if you will allow him to.

Did you realize loneliness is at epidemic levels? If you google “loneliness epidemic,” you will find pages of articles on the effect of loneliness. We have more and easier ways of communicating than ever before, and yet indeed our technological advances are part of the cause for this loneliness epidemic, because we are more isolated than ever. Loneliness is that empty spot in the pit of your stomach that makes life seem meaningless and makes you feel worthless. All of us experience loneliness at times, and when it is a fleeting emotion, it doesn't usually impact your life significantly. However, persistent and pervasive feelings of loneliness are indeed harmful to your health. Normal Cousins has been attributed to saying, “All man's history is an endeavor to shatter his loneliness.” We are designed by God for fellowship, for companionship and when it is missing, it affects our motivation, our self-respect, our happiness—almost every part of our lives. However, we must recognize loneliness and aloneness are two different things. You can be lonely in a crowd or a group of friends or with a mate or friend right there with you. Or you can be all by yourself for extended periods yet not be lonely. Loneliness is a feeling, not a set of circumstances. A single woman in her late twenties shared an experience with me which points out our society’s attitude about aloneness. Since her church had no class for singles, she joined in with the young couples group. One Sunday, she didn’t make it to Sunday school, and her teacher said to her, “I’m so sorry you weren’t at Sunday school today. I was counting on you being there because I knew you’d have lots of good input for our discussion, since we were talking about loneliness today.” People automatically assume being single means you’re lonely because being alone is often seen as the worst thing in the world. This mistaken notion about aloneness causes people to do the most incredible things to avoid being by themselves. I know, because I’ve done some of them. I’ve gone to places I should never have gone to. I’ve been with people I should never have been with. I’ve spent money I never should have spent, just to avoid being alone.

Mary had an accepting heart, one that remained simple and uncomplicated. And she had a trusting heart, because she had obviously been well trained in the Word of God and knew its promises and prophecies. When this incredible message came to her from Gabriel that she would bear this miracle baby, she was prepared to trust because she knew God’s Word. Let’s look further at this story to get a better understanding of the heart of Mary. When the angel left her, she went to the one person with whom she could share the news, the one person she knew would understand, her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was bearing a miracle baby, too—a child given to her in old age, beyond child-bearing years. It’s interesting to note how Zacharias, Elizabeth’s husband, reacted when the angel told him that his wife would have a special baby. He said: “How shall I know this for certain?” He focused on the facts as he saw them: his body was old, his wife’s body was old, and they could not have children. He doubted the angel’s message and asked for a further sign. Because of his lack of faith, he became speechless and remained that way until his son was born. I’m afraid Zacharias’ reaction is more like what mine would have been, how about you? He considers the circumstances and loses sight of the power of God to change circumstances, and he does a foolish thing—he fails to trust God. Let’s learn a lesson from Zacharias and set our hearts to trust God no matter what. Don’t look at the circumstances when God gives you a promise. God is never limited by any physical circumstances. Gabriel said it to Mary, very succinctly: For nothing will be impossible with God (Luke 1:37). When Mary comes into Elizabeth’s presence, Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit and immediately recognized Mary’s news even before Mary could tell her. She calls Mary blessed, and Mary answers with one of the most beautiful passages in all of Scripture. It is commonly called The Magnificat, and I encourage you to read it anew this Christmas season, as found in Luke 1:46-55. It is beautiful poetry, but far beyond its literary beauty is its content. Remember, Mary was a young girl, with probably no formal education. But she had obviously been taught the Scriptures, for as she recites her praise to God, she draws from several Old Testament sources. Again, we get a look at the heart of Mary. It is an accepting heart, a trusting heart, and it is a heart of praise. Many women would have focused on the negatives of this situation. Many would have run into Elizabeth and said: “Oh, Elizabeth, what am I going to do? What will I tell people? Will you shelter me? What will Joseph say?  Help me, please Elizabeth.” But Mary had an eternal point of view and a total trust in God, so that she was able to see the real importance of her position and was able to thank and praise God for his eternal purposes, though her life on earth was very difficult. What a wonderful role model this simple lady is for us today. Do you have a heart of praise? That’s what you need to find favor with God, as Mary did. How much time do you spend each day simply praising him for who he is and what he has done for you? Have you ever analyzed your prayer time? How much is just sheer praising the Lord? Notice that Mary used Scripture to recite back to the Lord in praise. That’s a wonderful way to praise God, by reciting Scripture. You could use this wonderful Magnificat for your own personal praise time. I think we also have to take a look at Joseph. I’m sure he was chosen of God for his part in this, as much as Mary was. He could have easily refused to marry Mary. Most men would have done that, under the circumstances. By agreeing to marry her and support her through this birth, he took on a heavy responsibility. Can you picture that trip to Bethlehem? It's almost a hundred miles, so it took days. It must have been a tiring trip for a pregnant woman. We aren't told what manner of transportation they had—perhaps a donkey or a cart or they just walked. But any way you look at it, it's not a trip a very pregnant woman would want to take in those days. But Mary did it and Joseph gently and carefully took care of her. Joseph must have felt great frustration when he realized Mary was going to deliver there, away from home and friends and people to help with Mary and the baby. No doubt God provided for their needs, but it was a very humble birthplace—especially for the one and only one born as a King. But with Mary in hard labor, he finds a place where she can deliver. Of course, life doesn’t get any easier for Joseph. Soon he has to take his wife and this child and flee his country. He has to leave his home and his business and take her to Egypt. Never could he have thought that this would be required of him. But when the angel gives him these instructions, he obeys. Joseph had a very obedient heart and a non-complaining spirit. His love for the Lord and for Mary must have been enormous. And having delivered this little miracle baby, I’m sure he felt a very real sense of responsibility as well as privilege to be able to take care of this God-child for a few years. Mary must have thanked God for Joseph time and again. If you knew, as Mary did, that you were bearing the Son of God, how would you feel when you realized that your delivery room was to be so dismal? After all, Mary knew this child within her was of the Holy Spirit. Everyone else had to take it by faith, but Mary knew that she had never known a man, and yet here she was ready to give birth to a child. How could God allow his Son to be born in such a degrading manner? She must have been puzzled. And then, almost adding insult to injury, while they’re still in this terrible situation, just having given birth, in come these lowly shepherds to find this baby. We don’t know how many there were, but they invade Mary’s delivery room, and come in upon a weary mother and child. Not exactly what you would plan for the reception committee of the King of kings and Lord or lords, right? But Mary allows them in, and we are told she “pondered all these things in her heart.” Instead of questioning or rebelling, instead of being discouraged or disheartened, Mary pondered on everything that had happened, and treasured it up in her heart. In addition to an accepting heart and a praising heart, Mary had a meditative heart. She thought a lot more than she spoke. She remembered what God had said and what he had done, and she stored up the truths and treasures. We need to have hearts that treasure up God’s goodness and God’s promises to us, and hearts that meditate on those things. Then the day came when Jesus left his home and his mother to pursue the ministry God had planned for him, a brief ministry, ending in a crucifixion. He leaves her to become the Savior of the world, and indeed to become her Savior as well, for she was in need of redemption like everyone else. She watched him suffer and die. I can imagine that Mary must have found it difficult to believe at this point that she was “blessed above all women.” Here she is, probably a widow with her beloved Joseph gone, and her precious treasure, her miracle baby, gone as well. Crucified, of all things. If you ever think you’ve got it tough, think about Mary. How could she hold up under this incredible load of suffering and confusion and emotional pressures she endured? She was chosen for this because her heart was right: She had an accepting heart. She kept things very simple and didn’t ask “why’s” and “how’s.” She accepted and she trusted. She had a praising heart, that saw the positive and not the negative. And she praised God from a heart that had been filled with the Word of God. And she had a meditative heart, that treasured up God’s goodness and God’s promises. As we close our thoughts about Mary, the Mother of Jesus, I want to share a chapter from Max Lucado’s book God Came Near. Max does an incredible job of helping us see the incarnation of God becoming Man in new and marvelous ways. This chapter is entitled “Twenty-five Questions for Mary.” Imagine sitting with Mary and asking her: “What was it like watching him pray? How did he respond when he saw other kids giggling during the service at the synagogue? When he saw a rainbow, did he ever mention a flood? Did you ever feel awkward teaching him how he created the world? When he saw a lamb being led to the slaughter, did he act differently? Did you ever see him with a distant look on his face as if he were listening to someone you couldn’t hear? “How did he act at funerals? Did the thought ever occur to you that the God to whom you were praying was asleep under your own roof? Did you ever try to count the stars with him. . . and succeed? Did he ever come home with a black eye? How did he act when he got his first haircut? Did he have any friends by the name of Judas? “Did he do well in school? Did you ever scold him? Did he ever have to ask a question about Scripture? What do you think he thought when he saw a prostitute offering to the highest bidder the body he made? “Did he ever get angry when someone was dishonest with him? Did you ever catch him pensively looking at the flesh on his own arm while holding a clod of dirt? Did he ever wake up afraid? When someone referred to Satan, how did he act? “Who was his best friend? Did you ever accidentally call him Father? What did he and his cousin John talk about as kids? Did his other brothers and sisters understand what was happening? Did you ever think, ‘That’s God eating my soup’?” It is an incredible truth God became flesh and dwelt among us, and for his earthly mother, we can only imagine the joy and the amazement she knew as she watched this miracle baby grow, and the pain she knew because of his sufferings. It will be good in heaven someday to hear her answer some of these questions.

I hope your celebration of Christmas yesterday was full of joy with friends and family. This week I've been focusing on all the blessings we have because of that first Christmas. I want to quote today from the Advent book, Joy to the World, by John Piper. He writes: My favorite Christmas text centers on humility. . . Though he was in the form of God, [Jesus] did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross (Philippians 2:6-8). Jesus' humility was a conscious act of putting himself in a lowly, servant role for the good of others. His humility did not arise from being finite or fallible or sinful…Jesus' humility did not arise from any sense of defect in himself, but from a sense of fullness in himself put at the disposal of others for their good. It was a voluntary lowering of himself to make the height of his glory available for sinners to enjoy.[1] Did you ever think about the fact that Jesus humbled himself? But he wasn't humble for the same reasons we are—or should be. He was willing to take on human flesh, leave his glory in Heaven with the Father, and endure the humiliation of death on a cross. “The way that Jesus accomplished our gracious salvation was through voluntary, conscious self-lowering in servant-like obedience to the point of death (Piper, 2018).” All for you and me! I close this Christmas week with a verse from the carol “Once in David's Royal City:” And our eyes at last shall see him, through his own redeeming love; For that child so dear and gentle, is our Lord in heaven above, And he leads his children on, to the place where he is gone. — [1] Piper, J. (2018). Joy to the World.

Merry Christmas! I pray your celebration of Christmas today will be blessed. What part of the Christmas story is your favorite? Is it the incredible birth of Jesus to a young virgin girl? Her role in life was anything but easy, but Scripture says she was blessed among women. Or you could choose the story of the angels appearing to the shepherds. What a sight that must have been! I keep imagining how frightened those shepherds were at first. And we know after they saw the baby Jesus, they told everyone all about it. I wonder if their friends and family believed them? I wonder if it just seemed like a foolish tale to those who heard it? But have you ever thought about the mothers of the baby boys who were slaughtered by Herod because of his paranoia? When he heard from the wise men that a king of the Jews was born, he wanted to make sure no one would ever threaten his reign as King of Judea, and so he insanely ordered all baby boys under two years old in the Bethlehem region to be slaughtered. What about the mother who gets a loud knock on her door—or her door busted down—as Roman soldiers come in and snatch her baby boy from her? Maybe he was just beginning to walk; maybe it was her first child; maybe she had been barren for a long time and finally this baby was born to her. And now, she watches helplessly as he is ruthlessly taken from her and slaughtered. Why? Because there was some remote chance he might be the king Herod heard about. Was she given any explanation? I doubt it. Had she even heard the Christ-child had been born in Bethlehem? Probably not. What reason was there to kill her baby because of this unknown king baby? All she is left with are questions and grief and empty arms. The prophet Jeremiah predicted it: A voice was heard in Ramah, weeping and loud lamentation, Rachel weeping for her children; she refused to be comforted, because they are no more (Matthew 2:18). It was a high price paid by many mothers that first Christmas. Yet the baby Jesus was born to die and his mother watched him die about 34 years later, perishing on a cross, paying the debt for your sins and mine. Think anew this Christmas about all that took place that first Christmas, so that you and I could have forgiveness and peace through the death, burial, and resurrection of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Did you ever wonder what happened to all the gold, frankincense, and myrrh the wisemen gave to baby Jesus? I'm looking at some unusual things about the Christmas story you may never have thought of before. We don't know how many wisemen followed the star to Jesus or how long it took them, but we know they somehow heard about it, for they asked, “Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.” I'm wondering how they knew a baby was to be born king of the Jews, when it seems the Jewish people themselves had no idea their Messiah was born that night in Bethlehem. And furthermore, they came this long distance from a foreign land to worship him. It took weeks, probably months, to get there. What about those gifts? No doubt they were worth more money than Joseph or Mary had ever seen at one time in their life. What did they do with those riches? Well, we know soon after the wise men left, Herod determined to kill all the baby boys two years and under in Bethlehem because he wanted no rival king in his kingdom. That's when an angel told Joseph to take Mary and the baby and get out of Bethlehem. Go to Egypt to save Jesus from being killed. For an extended time, they lived in Egypt, a foreign land, with no relatives and no job. What did they live on? Gold, frankincense, and myrrh, don't you think? God no doubt sent those wise men with those expensive gifts to find Jesus and provide for the support of this young family while they were in exile. The story of the wise men is fascinating in many respects. They were not Jewish, yet they came to worship a Jewish king. They recognized him as the king of the Jews, yet John 1 tells us Jesus came unto his own and his own received him not. Thankfully, it doesn't stop there, for then John says, Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12). That would include the wisemen, right? And it includes you and me as well—those who have received the one born to die for us and rise again to conquer death. When you personally know Jesus as your Savior by grace through faith, then every day is a celebration—right? Christmas 2025 gives us many reasons to be joyful and celebrate.

Christmas 2025 is almost here. Let's use this as a time to focus on the Christmas account of the birth of the Christ-child and discover unique facts about Christmas we may not have ever considered. For example, how about those shepherds living out in the fields nearby, keeping watch over their flocks at night (Luke 2:8). Who were these guys anyway? All we know about them is they were shepherds in Bethlehem. This means most likely the sheep they were watching that first Christmas night were sheep destined to become sacrificial lambs at the Temple in Jerusalem. Bethlehem is close to Jerusalem. If you travel it today, it takes less than half an hour—about 5 and 1/2 miles. In that day, a little longer of course, but certainly doable in a few hours. These shepherds in that field that night were raising sacrificial lambs for the Temple, and then suddenly, the visit of the angels tells them the Lamb of God has been born in Bethlehem. Once they recover from the fright of this visitation, they decide to go see the Lamb of God, born to take away the sin of the world. Leaving their sheep behind—which was very unusual for shepherds to do—they travel to find the baby with Mary and Joseph, and they worship him. Then they spread the word, telling everyone what they had seen and who they had seen! Reminds me of a wonderful verse from the wonderful song, A Cradle in the Shadow of the Cross. Talking about the shepherds looking at Baby Jesus—listen to this verse: The shepherd lads were bending the knee, and how the little lambs were all trying to see, the Passover Lamb, born in a manager, just to give his life for lost sheep like me. A baby born to be a lamb—the Lamb of God for you and me. We have much to celebrate this Christmas! Jesus was born in a manger to become a man—the God-Man, the only qualified Savior who gave his life for lost sheep like me and you. Think about that today; it's a great way to prepare your heart for Christmas day.

It's Christmas week—a week filled with meaning for those of us who follow Christ. Each day during this special week, I'll focus on one part of the Christmas story—perhaps a part you've never paused to consider before. My hope is we will spend this week centered on the true person of Christmas, Jesus Christ, and celebrate him with joy. Think about Mary's remarkable journey with Joseph from Nazareth to Bethlehem. It was no short stroll or comfortable trip—roughly 90 miles over rugged terrain. In that day this certainly wasn't a one-day journey. Scripture doesn't tell us how long the trip took, but here's something we often overlook: Mary wasn't required to go. The census required men to return to their birth town to register, but the women were not obligated to accompany them. Yet, Mary goes with Joseph. Why? We're not told. But it's easy to imagine Joseph wanting to protect and care for her. A young woman—unmarried at the time she became pregnant—would likely have faced social rejection, suspicion, and perhaps even disbelief within her own family. We don't know whether her own family believed her story of the Holy Spirit's miraculous work. This young girl traveled miles from home under difficult circumstances, and while in Bethlehem, she gave birth—exactly fulfilling the ancient prophecy of Micah 5:2. But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times (Micah 5:2). I often wonder if Mary knew this prophecy—that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem. From what is referred to as Mary's Magnificat in Luke 1, we see she had a strong grasp of Scripture, likely more than most women of her day. Today, reflect on Mary—her long journey, her courage, and her quiet, trusting submission to God's will. It was not easy for her to respond to Gabriel's message with such faith. Yet she said: I am the Lord's servant. May your word to me be fulfilled (Luke 1:38). Those are good words for us to say as well.

For those of us who are personally acquainted with the Savior who was born that first Christmas day, Christmas holds particular significance. However, we’ve romanticized the story of Christmas to the place that the manger scene and the people involved seem like actors in a play. We rarely stop to think that they were real people, in anything but a romantic setting. That's why I’d like to bring a little reality to the Christmas story. I want to talk about the most blessed woman who ever lived. And I want to focus on the heart of Mary. What was it about this lady that qualified her for this incredible privilege of bearing the Savior of the world? What was in her heart? Let me begin by pointing out that nowhere in Scripture are we given any indication that Mary is to be worshipped. If she were here, I think Mary would be the first to tell us that she was just a woman, a very simple young lady, chosen by God for a special purpose. But like all of the rest of mankind, she was born of Adam’s race—born according to man—and she inherited the same sin nature that all of us have. When I speak of Mary’s heart, I’m not elevating her to some divine place of sinless perfection. We'd have a hard time relating to her if that were true. But in fact, it is because Mary was just like us—a  regular lady—that we can look at her heart and can identify with her and learn from her. Try to erase all those images of Mary with a halo over her head, and see instead a lady with a wash bucket and children, a small, poor home, with few luxuries or conveniences, and a very special heart. Though Mary came from the line of David, she was a humble lady from a very small, insignificant town, Nazareth. We don’t know anything about her parents, except that they must have been godly people because Mary had a very good knowledge of Old Testament Scripture. We begin to get an idea of the heart of Mary when we think about Gabriel’s announcement to her that she had been chosen to bear the Messiah. Let’s look at that passage in Luke 1:28-38: Gabriel said to Mary: “Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb, and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus. He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give him the throne of his father David; and he will reign over the house of Jacob forever, and his kingdom will have no end.” And Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I am a virgin?” And the angel answered and said to her, “The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy offspring shall be called the Son of God. And behold, even your relative Elizabeth has also conceived a son in her old age; and she who was called barren is now in her sixth month. For nothing will be impossible with God.” And Mary said, “Behold the bondslave of the Lord; be it done to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her (Luke 1:28-38). Certainly, Scripture makes it clear time and again that Mary was then a virgin and remained a virgin until after the birth of Jesus. Not many people who will be celebrating Christmas this year really believe that Jesus was born of a virgin. Why is it so terribly important that we believe and accept that Mary was indeed a virgin until after Jesus’ birth? Because we know from Scripture that sin entered the world through the seed of man. Had Jesus been conceived through an earthly man’s seed, he could not have escaped the sin nature that is born into all of us. And if Jesus were not sinless, he could never become the sacrifice demanded by God’s righteousness. The virgin birth is not an optional theology. Your whole destiny—and mine—depends upon whether or not it is true. We are acceptable to God when we accept the redemption and forgiveness of our sins made possible because the perfect sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ, paid the debt for our sins. And Jesus Christ was perfect because there was no sin in him passed on to him by the seed of man. He was born of a virgin; the only man who has ever been born of the seed of a woman. That is critical. Can you imagine what Gabriel’s words meant to a little Jewish girl, probably only 15 or 16 years old, of the humblest means, who has heard all her life about David, his kingdom, his reign as King of Israel? And now, she is told her son is going to take David’s place and reign forever. I’m sure Mary had often heard the prophecies of the coming Messiah. But surely she never seriously thought she would be selected as his mother. Can you put yourselves in her shoes, and think of how you might have reacted? It was an incredible declaration requiring enormous faith on Mary’s part. Would you have accepted such a statement face value? How does Mary react? She asks a very simple question, not a question of doubt, not a challenge to the truth of the angel’s statement, but a question of curiosity and logic. To paraphrase she asked: “How can I have a baby, when I’ve never known a man? If you’re not going to use an earthly man for this, how are you going to do it?” To a simple, honest question, Gabriel gives a simple answer: The Holy Spirit will cause this child to be impregnated in your womb, Mary. Therefore, he will be the Son of God (Luke 1:35). Mary’s acceptance of this announcement is absolutely remarkable. Once Gabriel answers her simple question, in the same simple faith and openness, she accepts. Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Luke 1:38). Instead of plying Gabriel with hundreds of questions, instead of giving place to all the doubts and fears and insecurities that she must have felt at that time, Mary accepts. Let’s think of some of the normal, natural questions and objections that Mary could have legitimately raised at that point. She could have said: What will I tell my friends and relatives? No one will believe that I have not slept with some man. What will happen to my reputation? What will I tell Joseph? He probably won’t want to marry me now. And if Joseph doesn’t marry me, what will I do to support myself and this baby? I will be an outcast. Worse still, Gabriel, if Joseph so desires he could divorce me or he could have me stoned to death for adultery. Why don’t you, Gabriel, tell everyone else what you have told me? I would appreciate you doing that. Then maybe they will believe me. At least tell everyone in Nazareth, please. Wouldn’t you have asked some of these questions or made some other requests of Gabriel? I’m sure I would have. But not this Mary. Her immediate, unquestioning response is be it done to me according to your word. Now we’re beginning to see the heart of this special lady. An accepting heart. What is required of us in order to have an accepting heart? First, we must stay very simple, and by that I mean uncomplicated. Mary didn’t try to see exactly how everything was going to work out before she accepted. She didn’t let her imagination run wild with all the “what if’s” or “why’s”, as many of us tend to do. She kept it very simple. She accepted from God’s hand what he had asked of her. Do you keep your heart simple? Or do you waste emotions and time and effort in complicating issues? When you know what God wants you to do, do you get all tied up in knots, trying to see every possibility and make sure you know every step of the way before you do anything? You’ll save yourself a lot of grief if you can ask God to give you a simple heart, to help you learn how to un-complicate decisions and situations by simply accepting. Another thing required for an accepting heart is trust. Mary believed with unwavering faith. Can you appreciate the enormity of what she was asked to accept by faith? She was asked to believe that she would become pregnant without ever having relations with any man. And Mary believed. Why do you think Mary so readily believed what Gabriel told her? Do you think it’s possible to just have that kind of trust and faith without any preparation? Was she just born that way? I don’t think so. We know faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. We know from what Mary says later to Elizabeth, her cousin, that Mary knew the Word of God. She had established her faith in God’s Word, so when Gabriel brought this further Word of God to her, she was accustomed to trusting it, and it wasn’t difficult for her to trust it once more. May I say again what I know I’ve said time and again: You’re never going to be able to trust God until you spend consistent, quality and quantity time in his Word. If some great thing comes on you which requires a lot of trust and faith on your part, and you are unprepared because you don’t consistently saturate yourself with God’s Word, don’t be surprised to discover that your faith falters, and you fail the test. You won’t be able to muster up tons of faith on the spur of the moment if you don’t make trusting God a part of your everyday life. And that comes by knowing him through his Word. Are you in the midst of some testing now? Are you under some stress or pressure that requires faith on your part? I hope you’ve been staying in the Word of God, because that’s where that instant faith comes from at those unexpected times when you need it. You need to know the Word of God to have the kind of trust that Mary had. How marvelous it is that, as Paul says in Galatians 4:4: But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law. I pray that you have become a child of God through placing your trust in his Son, the One who was willing to come and be born of a woman so that you and I could be redeemed from the curse of the law and sin. If not, you can have that right now by confessing your sin and allowing that One born in a manger to cleanse you and give to you the full rights as his child. Until you have done that, you can never really understand what Christmas is all about.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen We have been exploring fasting from things that keep us from the abundance we can have in a close relationship with Jesus! I am asking you to deeply consider how certain habits can take you farther from this abundance than you realize. Earlier this week we talked about social media specifically, but what about devices in general? From your phone to laptops and TVs, there are so many different devices that occupy your time. I checked my screen time just now on my phone. I have picked it up 56 times today. Let that sink in. Since rising this morning until just after lunch, I have touched my phone to look at it 56 times. This time included a face-to-face meeting with a colleague, which means I surely picked up my phone while we were together. Being completely honest with you, I don't even recall why. We take work everywhere these days. Not only on our phones but on laptops. How easily do we open up work when we are with our family on the weekend or in the evenings? This was not always the case. These days, we need to be intentional about not using all the digital tools we have available that may be breaking our connections. God created you to be in a relationship with him and to be in relationship with others. If your face is always looking at a screen, how can you build a deeper and more abundant relationship with Jesus and others around you? My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:12). God never takes his eyes from you. In fact, God knew you before you were born! You were fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14). He knows you so well he keeps track of how many hairs are on your head (Matthew 10:29-30). Fellow believer, he knows you by name (Exodus 33:12). God knows your heart and your thoughts (Matthew 5:8, 2 Corinthians 10:5). If God knows your thoughts, he also knows your worries (Matthew 6:24-25). He even knows your actions, and words and weaknesses (Ecclesiastes 12:14, Matthew 12:36, Proverbs 16:9). Jesus loves you so much and is commanding you to love others as he has loved you! If you are constantly taking your eyes off those around you, this becomes significantly less possible. How can you fast from this digital world and keep your eyes on loving others well? This includes being at work. Taking time to set boundaries can help you spend more time in gratitude for the love God has for you and help you love others.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble (Proverbs 21:23). This short verse is a good summary of why I want you to consider true fasting from both gossip and complaining! Neither of these habits are very lifegiving, and complaining can become very prevalent in our lives when we don't feel like we have abundance in one area or another. Considering your tongue, more specifically what you are saying, can be a good start not to only “fasting” from gossip and complaining but eliminating this from your life completely as a follower of Jesus Christ. Neither bear fruit, and gossip and complaining grieve the Holy Spirit! Both gossip and complaining are common when it comes to the workplace, and it is easy to get “sucked in” to both patterns depending on your office culture. Draw a line and truly fast from these behaviors until they disappear! First gossip. Exodus 23:1 begins by reminding us to not spread false reports. While not all gossip is false information, it is easy to perpetuate a rumor, especially about someone else. You know how this happens at work. It can be something related to another person's work quality or something very personal. I can hear it now. Did you know so and so failed to meet their quota? Did you hear she is filing for divorce? Any form of information coming to you about someone else in the form of a question should be examined. Is the discussion necessary to do your job? With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape (Proverbs 11:9). What about complaining? Philippians 2:14 tells us to do all things without grumbling or disputing that we may be blameless and innocent. What are you prone to grumble about at work? Is it a specific task? Another person? Do you often complain about your job? I had a sweet sister in Christ tell me she was trying not to curse what blesses her. Boy did that sit heavy on my heart. How can you “fast” from gossip and complaining? Take a minute to pause before you speak or respond to anything coming your way. If someone tries to engage you in gossip, redirect the conversation. I always like to ask another question in return. Are you sure? Have you talked to so and so directly about that? Or a statement like, we really shouldn't be talking about so and so's job performance. If you find yourself wanting to complain, pray! Pray for God to change your heart or view of the situation. I tried to keep a little log for a week. I would place a mark each time I complained or engaged in gossip. Seeing this really challenged me to quit these two bad habits and repent to God when I find myself slipping back into them.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Let's think about how to find our true inner abundance in Jesus and consider how fasting from common worldly things we seek can help us draw closer to our relationship with him. As we consider fasting, one of the most common things to fast from is food. Our health crazed society has given us many takes on fasting from food from a water fast to intermittent fasting based on your body type, but all of this has more to do with your physical body. Biblical fasting from food, certain foods or drinks is focused on drawing the believer closer in their relationship to God to discern guidance or even expressing repentance or humility before God. Abundance in the form of food is a local and global subject. It is political and economic. And it is all wrapped in an inner feeling of abundance. If you have never been in a position where you don't know where your next meal is coming from, you already have abundance. However, with prices rising, perhaps you do feel less abundant in what foods you are able to put on the table these days. Food not only nourishes our bodies, but sharing meals with others can be a big social focus, especially during holidays and special occasions. Food can present a struggle for some in the form of an idol. Whether it is overeating or not eating enough, thinking about food can be a big part of our lives, and we don't even realize it. If you do struggle with food, I suggest seeking professional medical guidance before starting a fast. Fasting from food can sharpen our focus on Jesus as the Bread of Life. Jesus answered, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God'” (Matthew 4:4). In God's word, we learn abundance in the form of food is something we should care about as followers of Jesus Christ. Simply, we are called to give to the poor and needy. For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink (Matthew 25:35). Jesus tells his disciples whatever was done for the least of these was done, in turn, to him. Fasting from food, or certain foods can help bring your focus to discerning God's will. I recently had someone tell me to try a Daniel fast. Basically, only eating as Daniel did in the Bible for a period in obedience to the Lord. You can read about this in Daniel, Chapters 1 and 10. If you decide to fast from food, it can be a wonderful time to reflect on God's goodness and abundant provision in your life in the form of food and a time to repent of any unhealthy habits you may have with food. You should also reflect on what God cares about in giving to those less fortunate.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Abundance. A state of more than enough of something. I would argue our access to viewing social media can lead us to very distorted views of what abundance truly is! In fact, social media has proven to foster a constant state of social comparison. Likes, comments, and shares are a proven dopamine-driven reward system. What do I mean? Your brain gets sucked into a pattern of needing to see all this online! It really doesn't matter what platform we spend time on. Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and even LinkedIn can fuel these feelings of comparison. Inner peace and gratitude fly out the window as we look at the personal and professional lives of others online. And these can be both people we know or people we don't! Are you thinking about how you can acquire something someone else has? Maybe it is something simple like clothing or décor in their home, but maybe it isn't simple. Perhaps it is a new car, or a bigger house. If you are spending time on LinkedIn, is it a new job title or someone's new business? Maybe you aren't comparing yourself to what someone has, but you feel pressure to post on platforms yourself! When you start to aspire to be like someone online and lose focus, feelings of abundance start to fade. And this can show up in how you “show-up” at work! Is social media taking time away from your day job? As followers of Jesus Christ, we should focus on our abundance in relationship to him! If you are finding yourself with these feelings from social media, I would recommend a scheduled fast from the platforms you use the most. Breaking free from the instant gratification of a like, comment, or from simply seeing the things you may not have will allow you more time to seek Jesus. Only you can decide what this “fast” looks like. Do you need to institute daily time limits for each platform? Perhaps you need to delete the social media applications from your device all together for a period. During this fast, I would recommend digging into your identity in Jesus Christ. What does Jesus say about you? As a follower of Jesus, what should your “social identity” look like and how can you show up with this identity to work? I would challenge you to check your phone for the amount of time you spend on social media applications and replace this with time in God's word. Write down some key verses during this time that can help you stay rooted in your abundant identity in Jesus!

Presented by Lauren Stibgen How do you define abundance? A quick search will tell you abundance in life is experiencing a state of more than enough in all aspects which includes but is not limited to wealth, relationships, health, joy, and fulfillment. Further defined as a mindset, abundance in living focuses on feelings of inner peace and gratitude regardless of external circumstances. Now, this is an AI overview based on a basic google search, and I would argue this isn't a far-off definition from what we are to expect from an abundant life through our salvation in Jesus Christ. True abundance isn't external at all. It is an inner feeling. Paul knew this feeling well. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength (Philippians 4:11-13). In these verses, Paul points to this inner abundance that isn't reliant on a state of experiencing more than enough. His secret? Paul's deep abiding and faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, later in Philippians 4, Paul states, And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus (Philippians 4:19). Jesus himself gave us many examples of how abundance in the world meant much less than a relationship with him. If we consider the betrayal of Jesus by Judas, we can see how Judas's worldly seeking never led to abundance at all. In John 12:1- 8, we read the account of Mary taking expensive ointment and anointing Jesus' feet, wiping his feet with her hair. Judas confronted Jesus and asked why the ointment had been wasted and not sold to give money to the poor. He said this not because he cared for the poor, but because he was a thief, and having charge of the moneybag he used to help himself to whatever was put in it (John 12:6). Knowing Judas' heart, Jesus tells him to leave Mary alone since he will not always be with them. We all know Judas then betrays Jesus for a bag of 30 pieces of silver that he later tries to give back realizing what he had done. He ultimately takes his own life. This need for monetary abundance cost Judas his life.

Presented by Lauren Stibgen Abundance means having a very large quantity or supply of something, more than enough, or overflowing fullness. Let's make this tangible. How many times have you turned this definition into something you wanted more of? Or maybe you perceived if you had more of a thing your life would be better? Have you ever caught yourself thinking if I only had X amount more money, I could do Y with it? Or I wish I had a new car! A bigger house. Or maybe you really want to go on that great vacation or buy a new handbag. Social media has really fueled this culture of comparison making things seem like needs as opposed to wants. We live in a world that largely spends more than it makes. According to debt.org, 90% of American households hold debt that totals the staggering amount of $18.2 trillion dollars. And, statistically, the more education someone has directly correlates with the amount of debt they hold. The average debt for someone with a high school diploma is $50,401 verses someone with an undergraduate degree at $115,456. Most of the debt is a mortgage, followed by auto loans, school debt, and credit cards. Roughly 44-57% of working Americans earning greater than $60,000 annually hold credit card debt. With delinquencies in all categories rising, 39% of women say their debt is unmanageable. But how did we get here? While economic implications are surely a factor in our borrow-now-pay-later society, we need to look at the heart implications of our increasing need for more. Whoever loves money never has enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with their income. This too is meaningless (Ecclesiastes 5:10). We possess what we think we need and then simply want more. Are you jealous of something someone else has? Are you coveting a relationship? Maybe you feel like having something will earn you status or entry into another social group. You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's (Exodus 20:17). Coveting is to desire something belonging to someone else—something you are craving that is not yours. This can be a possession or even a relationship. When did this start for you? Far before I knew Jesus, I certainly knew what Air Jordan shoes were. Growing up in an affluent area, I was the kid who took the city bus and had clothes from a big box store. We certainly could not afford those shoes. Feelings of shame and embarrassment were common as I could not keep up with other kids because of how I was dressed. What did my parents do for Christmas? They borrowed. They bought me a few pieces they shouldn't have. I not only coveted what the other kids had but wanted the relationships too. My relationship with borrowing started before I could do it myself and then came college and credit cards. Borrowing to get ahead. Some of the borrowing like school loans propelled me forward, but some of the credit for things I coveted put me in debt. Have you ever heard someone say everyone has a God-sized hole in their heart? That is because all the money, possessions, and friendships we want more of can never give us more abundance than the love of our Lord through his son Jesus Christ. Those clothes may have made me more popular and gained me a few friends, but they never filled this hole. The only thing that can give us true abundance is Jesus. As we talk about this holy abundance, let's consider the pitfalls of seeking worldly abundance. I want to stress I am not suggesting a life of poverty, but when is enough, enough? Having an abundance of worldly things makes it difficult to experience the filling of that God-sized hole in your heart through Jesus. God's Word is clear. The Lord sends poverty and wealth; he humbles and he exalts (1 Samuel 2:7). If you think wealth equals abundance, remember, wealth comes from God, and it's so much more than money. The Bible is clear about wealth, and the sooner we orient ourselves to this view on abundance, the closer we can get to true abundant living with Jesus! We already talked about coveting, but what about greed? Jesus warns, Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions (Luke 12:15). Greed is an intense, selfish desire for something, especially wealth, power, or food. Jesus warns of this and tells us our life is not tied to these possessions. Greed for power we believe can lead to wealth can certainly show up at work. Are you seeking that next promotion? This alone is not a bad thing! But checking your heart and intentions about the “why” is critical. Are there feelings of coveting or an intensity to feel worldly gain? Remember that God-sized hole? This underlying feeling will not fill it. God's word teaches us to hold loosely to our abundance, which is quite the opposite of greed. If anyone is poor among your fellow Israelites in any of the towns of the land the Lord your God is giving you, do not be hardhearted or tightfisted toward them (Deuteronomy 15:7). Being tightfisted is another reference to greed. Are you holding on too tightly to anything? Clearly, God wants us to give to those in need. Not only does God want us to give to the poor, he wants us to return to him in praise. Honor the Lord with your possessions and with the first produce of your entire harvest (Proverbs 3:9). What about all the borrowing I mentioned as we started our time together today? What does God have to say about this? Clearly, wealth and possessions come from the Lord, and he wants us to honor him and give to others. The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none (Deuteronomy 28:12). Lend, but don't borrow. Considering 90% of all Americans have debt, we can assume Christ-followers are included in this statistic! Aside from traditional lending, loans, and credit cards, what about when you lend money to family? God does not want us to charge interest. If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest (Exodus 22:25). God's Word has a lot to say about money! It isn't all doom and gloom if we keep a right mind about it. What is a right mind about money you ask? Considering what we just talked about a simple summary is: Acknowledge that everything comes from the Lord. All wealth. All possessions. Hold these things loosely. Don't be greedy or covet what others have. Honor the Lord with our first fruits. Lend but don't borrow. Give to the poor. These verses from 1 Timothy sum it up well, Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life (1 Timothy 6:17-19). Our abundance is from the Lord—everything we have! What happens when we don't keep a right mind about money? Those who trust in their riches will fall, but the righteous will thrive like a green leaf (Proverbs 11:28). Better a little with righteousness than great income with injustice (Proverbs 16:8). Trusting in our worldly wealth and not handling it with care has consequences! Trust in wealth and you will fall! No one can serve two masters, since either he will hate one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money (Matthew 6:24). Simply, the more you are focused on money, the more your mind will be far from God. Does this unhealthy view on money and wealth as abundance keep you far from a relationship with Jesus Christ? What worldly possessions are you thinking about right now? Think about things that God cares about that cost you little to nothing? Remember the greatest commandment is to love God and to love our neighbors as ourselves. How can you do this today? Perhaps you can shift your mindset from striving for wealth to striving for time with loved ones and friends! Perhaps you can take time to serve with a local charity. Stop to pray for a friend. Take a walk in nature and meditate on God's word. Sing a song of praise and thanksgiving to our Lord. Write a note or letter to someone who could use some encouragement. Don't store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don't break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also (Matthew 6:19-21). Are you treasuring the things God cares about and views as abundant, or are you fixated on what the world says abundance is? Do you worry more about how someone feels when they are with you or what they think of what you are wearing or what your house looks like? God cares that you are living abundantly from the inside out! If you are ready today and find yourself a little too focused on worldly abundance or maybe you are among the 90% of people in America who hold debt, have hope and run to Jesus! Remember why we need him. All of us sin and fall short of the glory of God. God knows we are not perfect like Jesus, and he lavished us with his mercy that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. I don't know about you, but this feels beyond abundant! Breaking free from habits of seeking worldly abundance starts with repenting if you aren't walking in a right-minded way about money as we read about in 1 Timothy 6. Do you covet? Are you greedy? Do you withhold from giving to those in need? Perhaps you are in debt. Bring all of this to the feet of Jesus in prayer and talk to someone who can hold you accountable to changing your ways. There are many programs that can help you find a right relationship with money, keeping you in order of serving God first! Turn your eyes from social media and from looking at what everyone else has! Keep your life free from the love of money. Be satisfied with what you have, for he himself has said, I will never leave you or abandon you (Hebrews 13:5). God will never leave you or abandon you! He is the only one who can fill the space in your heart like nothing in this world can.

Presented by Julie Busteed I've been reflecting on John 15—on what Jesus told his disciples during his final moments with them before everything in their world changed. Before the crucifixion. Before the resurrection. They had walked with him for three years, watching his ministry unfold. It must have been an intense, exciting, and bewildering time for them. They believed he was the Messiah, yet so much was happening in ways they did not expect. Jesus understood this. And in these last hours, he offered them words of encouragement and life—words meant for us as well. He spoke about abiding in him, remaining with him through every up and down, through every season. Relationship with him isn't passive; like any meaningful relationship, it requires time, attention, and intention. But it is also our source of life, and he promises so much to those who stay close to him. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you (John 15:9–12). To abide is to remain in his love. Jesus followed his Father's will—even to the cross—and he invites us to follow him by obeying his commandments: to love God with all our heart, mind, and strength, and to love others as he has loved us. When we live in that kind of love, our desires become aligned with his, and Scripture says we can ask for anything, and it will be done. I love the way St. Augustine puts it: “Love God and do whatever you please.”[1] When we truly love God, obedience flows naturally and our hearts become aligned with his. December is here, and the holiday hustle is already competing for our time and attention. My prayer is that during this busy season, you and I will still find ways to make our relationship with Christ our highest priority. It's so easy to be pulled in a hundred directions—gifts, food, shopping, gatherings, events—all good things. But the best thing we can do is spend time with the one who laid down his life for us, the one who humbled himself and came as a baby so he could bring us salvation. As you reflect on this truth, may your love for him deepen and your heart overflow—so much so that your family, friends, and coworkers experience his love through you. — [1] “What is the scriptural basis for ‘Love God and do whatever you please'?” Christianity StackExchange, 2013, https://christianity.stackexchange.com/questions/15242/what-is-the-scriptural-basis-for-love-god-and-do-whatever-you-please.

Presented by Julie Busteed The topic has been abiding—remaining in Christ—and why it's important and what the blessings and consequences are for us. How do you continue to remain in Christ? Gem Fadling shared a beautiful picture in one of our Zoom gatherings about what it means to remain—or abide—in Christ. She said to imagine a teacup or mug, and then a pitcher. And the pitcher is over the teacup pouring into the cup continuously. You and I are the teacup. Jesus—through the Holy Spirit—is the pitcher. When we are abiding in Jesus, his Spirit is continually pouring into us and filling us. But the way I often operate is this: once I feel “full”—after spending time reading Scripture, praying, studying, or memorizing—I go about my day and pour myself out into my work, church, and family. Before long, I find myself exhausted and empty again. Then I rush back to reset and refill from his Word. But that's not what abiding is meant to look like. The teacup isn't supposed to move away from the pitcher and come back only when it runs dry. It needs to stay under the steady pour—remaining, receiving, staying connected. When we live that way, we don't pour out from our limited strength. Instead, our cup overflows with Christ's love, and that overflow is what pours into our work and relationships. Abiding is not about exhausting ourselves or trying to do everything on our own. Jesus said, “Apart from me you can do nothing.” We need to stay connected—letting God's Word, his love, and communion with him continually pour into us. When we remain in him, we are filled, strengthened, and able to bear much fruit without becoming depleted. We abide. We remain. And he fills. Don't forget to keep your cup positioned under the pitcher. When you remain filled, it's the overflow that naturally blesses others.

Presented by Julie Busteed Do you like to work in the garden? I love to see the results of all the work—planting, watering, weeding and pruning. In John 15, Jesus teaches the Father is the gardener who lovingly tends the vine. Part of that tending is pruning. Pruning is essential to the life of a vine, and Scripture uses that imagery to help us understand our own life with Christ. In a vineyard, pruning renews the vine and shapes it. Without pruning, a vine grows wild. It will produce many shoots and leaves but far fewer grapes. The gardener cuts back healthy branches—not to harm the vine, but to help it focus its energy so it can thrive. Pruning makes room for new growth and greater fruitfulness. Pruning happens when the vine is dormant, after the harvest season. Even in dormancy, the vine is still alive and still supplying what the branches need. This resting period isn't wasted time; it's preparation. The vine is strengthening its core, preserving its energy, and getting ready for the next season of growth and fruitfulness. In the same way, God prunes us. Seasons of pruning might feel like cutting back, slowing down, or letting go. God may remove distractions, attitudes, habits, or commitments that keep us from bearing fruit. Sometimes he even prunes good things so better things can grow. These seasons can feel quiet—almost dormant—but God is still at work, nourishing, shaping, and preparing us. Pruning is so important because it leads to even greater fruit. Jesus says, every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit (John 15:2). Pruning isn't punishment—it’s intentional care from a Father who wants our lives to flourish. When we remain connected to Christ, the true Vine, we can trust his pruning is purposeful. It clears away what hinders us, renews us, and positions us for greater growth in the seasons to come. For the Christian, pruning is a mark of God's love and his desire to make our lives fruitful, meaningful, and deeply rooted in him. When we stay connected to Christ, every season—even the dormant ones—becomes part of his transforming work in us. Joseph's life in the Old Testament is a powerful picture of pruning before fruitfulness. He endured deep hardship—sold into slavery by his own brothers, then falsely accused and imprisoned. Yet through every season of suffering, God was shaping his character and preparing him for a greater purpose. In time, Joseph was elevated to second-in-command under Pharaoh, where he used his God-given wisdom to save Egypt and ultimately rescue the very family who had betrayed him. His story reminds us seasons of pruning often precede seasons of remarkable fruit. May you and I remain faithful—connected to the true Vine—even during the dormant times. Even when we are being pruned. Because God is a loving Gardner and is doing this for even greater fruit in our lives.

Presented by Julie Busteed Abiding in Jesus—remaining with him—is an active daily practice. The Apostle John writes: By this we know we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked (1 John 2:5b-6). How do you and I walk the way Jesus walked? Reading the Gospels, we see how often he withdrew to spend time alone with the Father—on a mountain, in a quiet place, away from the crowds—to pray, listen, and discern God's will. We are called to do the same. Staying connected to the vine is essential for our life. Just as branches receive a continuous flow of nutrients from the vine, we receive strength, wisdom, love, and joy from Christ. The connection is vital: severed from the vine, branches wither and cannot bear fruit. Likewise, apart from Jesus, we cannot thrive or produce lasting fruit. Jesus promises those who remain in him will bear much fruit. This fruit shows up in our character—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. It shows up in our relationships, in our work, in our ability to forgive, in our desire to serve, and in the joy and strength we receive from Christ himself. Abiding produces a life that reflects Jesus. Jesus also promises joy. Not a surface happiness that depends on circumstances, but his own joy, placed within us—a steady, settled gladness that cannot be shaken by what happens around us. But Jesus also speaks honestly about the consequences of not remaining in him. He says if anyone does not abide in him, that person is thrown away like a branch and withers; and the branches are gathered, thrown into the fire, and burned (John 15:6). Branches disconnected from the vine cannot produce fruit. They wither. They dry up. They lose the life and nourishment that comes only from staying connected to the vine. Jesus isn't threatening his disciples; he's warning them with love. He knows the pressures they will face. He knows how easy it is to drift, to try to live the Christian life in our own strength, to rely on our own wisdom, or to become spiritually stagnant. Apart from him, he says, you can do nothing. This is not meant to discourage us—but to draw us nearer to the source of life. Jesus wants his disciples, and us today, to understand that staying close to him is not optional for a fruitful life; it is essential.

Presented by Julie Busteed We don't use the word abide very often today. Yet Jesus uses it eleven times in John 15. The scene is the Last Supper. He has just washed his disciples' feet, and now he is teaching and praying for them—sharing his final words with them before the crucifixion. Because Jesus emphasizes this word so strongly, it's worth pausing to understand what he meant. He says: Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing (John 15:4–5, ESV). The Greek word menō, translated “abide,” means to remain, stay, or dwell. It's an active word—not passive—implying an ongoing, intentional relationship. Some Bible translations even use the word remain. Matthew Henry, in his commentary, highlights the context well: Jesus was about to leave his disciples after being with them for three years. The disciples would soon face the temptation to drift from him, from each other, and from his teaching—perhaps even to return to the old patterns of the law. Jesus impresses on them the urgent importance of remaining in him and in community with one another. And he assures them that the helper, the Holy Spirit, would come to strengthen and sustain them.[1] In this passage, Jesus uses the image of the vine and the branches. Believers in Christ are the branches; he is the vine. A life of fruitfulness depends on staying connected to him. To abide in Christ starts with a relationship. The first step is to come to him as Lord and Savior, recognizing your need for forgiveness and grace. But that's only the beginning. As you follow him, the relationship grows deeper. You learn who he is, what he teaches, and how he calls each of us to live in obedience to him. To love God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. And love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39). Abiding is a lifelong journey of growing, obeying, and staying connected. — [1] Matthew Henry, “John 15,” Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible, BibleGateway, n.d., https://www.biblegateway.com/.

Let's look at some passages from the Bible that give specific and clear instruction about many tough decisions. I want to begin with: Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness (2 Corinthians 6:14)? If you're facing a decision about a relationship—it could be marriage, a business partnership, or an organization you're considering—this verse will give you guidance. If there is a yoke involved in that relationship, it should only be with a fellow believer. A yoke is a wooden crosspiece fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart they pull. It binds them together to do a job. The yoke Paul is talking about is any kind of covenant, contract, or even unwritten commitment that would bind you with someone for a certain purpose. Of course, that applies to marriage. Are you facing a critical decision about whether to begin a new relationship that could lead to marriage? If so, this is wisdom you need before you begin: Are you both truly committed to Jesus Christ, do you hold the same doctrinal beliefs, and are you both involved in serving the Lord in some way? How many people do I know—men and women—who chose to ignore this biblical principle in choosing their mate! And in every case, they lived to regret it. What you want in a good marriage is close fellowship, two people joined together as one, and how can light and darkness be joined together? This is an unequivocal principle from God's Word; there's no way to read it any other way. It may be a difficult decision, especially if your feelings are already engaged, but choosing not to be yoked unequally will prove the best for you in the long run. This applies not only to marriage but to other types of partnerships as well, where you are legally or verbally committed to a project or business. This verse is clear guidance, and to overlook it is to invite disaster into your life. Here's another clear directive: The rich rule over the poor, and the borrower is slave to the lender (Proverbs 22:7). Are you facing a financial decision? This passage warns against unwise debt. The person who borrows too much and has excessive debt is indeed slave to that debt. Credit card companies are making a lot of money because so many people are trapped in perpetual debt. Honestly, they don't want you to pay off your card and be debt free, because they are charging huge interest rates. If you'll just pay the minimum, they're more than happy to keep you in debt. Our culture has become a slave to materialism, and we are bombarded with all kinds of advertising that entices us to spend more, own more, have more—as though it will make us happy. Who of us hasn't fallen prey to their enticements and gone in debt for stuff we didn't really need. One of the greatest gifts you can give yourself is to set a goal to be debt free as soon as you possibly can. There is helpful material available to help you set up a budget and become debt free, and the wise person will follow it. Think more than twice about taking on new debt. It will enslave you faster than you can imagine. Here is a passage that gives us a general directive to guide specific decisions: So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). You can take this quite literally and make sure you're making wise decisions about what you are eating and drinking. Those decisions may seem small at the time, but they truly have a huge impact on your future health, energy, and ability to function. God will hold you accountable as to the stewardship of your body and your health. Some things are out of your control, but many problems can be avoided by paying attention to what you take into your body. Every decision needs to be put under this spotlight, as we ask ourselves, will this bring glory to God? For example, you may be deciding whether to take a new job or not. That's a momentous decision. You need to carefully evaluate the impact this new job will have on your life. Will you have less time for your family or church? Will you have to compromise your Christian testimony to do this job? Is the product or service offered by this job one you can be proud to be associated with? I have a friend who was faced with a decision of whether to keep the job she had—a good paying job with good benefits—but the product was anything but wholesome and helpful. Her dilemma was to decide if as a Christian she should be associated with such an organization. This verse governed her decision; there was no way she could justify remaining with the company because it promoted anything but a pure and helpful lifestyle. At some financial loss to herself, she resigned. I can tell you she has no regrets about that now, and she went from that job to working for a church where she was able to encourage and help many people. One more passage which gives some specific guidelines when you're facing a tough decision is: Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things (Philippians 4:8). You could make a list of the characteristics in this verse to help guide any decision you face: Is it true? Would this decision be based on truth or would it cause some kind of deception or lie? Is it noble? Noble means it would show fine personal qualities or high moral principles and ideals. Is it right? Would anyone be treated unfairly because of this decision? Is there another decision you could make that would clearly be more fair and just? Is it pure? A pure decision is one that isn't tainted with wrong motives or impurity or lack of integrity. Is it lovely? Would this decision show love in some way or could it be a means to destroy love. Is it admirable and excellent and praiseworthy? Would people you trust approve and confirm it is a good decision? Think about your decision in these terms. If it checks all these boxes, it's a good sign this could be a good decision. But if it misses on some of them, it should give you pause to think further about it. Once you've sought God's wisdom for your tough decision, then move forward with God's timing and his courage to do what you know is right. Expect God to work in your life through your decision but also know even the right and best decision can cause difficulties. Proverbs 22:3 says the prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty. It's good to count the cost in advance and be prepared for the consequences of your decision. Some tough decisions are indeed loaded with potential negative consequences, and so there could be bumpy roads ahead. In addition, you and I can make mistakes even as we try to do it right. Ecclesiastes 11:4 says whoever watches the wind will not plant; whoever looks at the clouds will not reap. That just means if you're waiting for totally perfect conditions before you make a decision, you will never get anything done. There are times when faced with a tough decision, you do your best to seek God's wisdom, and then you move ahead with courage despite your fears and doubts. But you're never alone in this process. As a believer in Jesus Christ, he is there with you, as he has promised, and his Holy Spirit is your constant companion to give you God's thoughts, and heavenly wisdom. It's one of the greatest benefits we have as children of God—to have his personal guidance on a daily basis through his Word and his Spirit within us. We are not lone rangers having to do it all by ourselves. What good news that is.

Don’t do something; just stand there! Am I advocating idleness and laziness? Not for a minute. We are to be busy about the Lord’s work, doing everything we do with excellence and making certain we are good stewards of our time and energy. But we must also learn this important biblical principle of standing still. Samuel put it so well in his farewell speech when he said, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes. Not only is it important we stand still and stop trying to do God’s job, but also that we focus our eyes in expectancy on the Lord. Where is your gaze focused today? On your problems? On the enemies you see all around you? On the tragedies and horrors you are imagining in your mind? If you keep your eyes focused on those things, you won’t be able to stand still. Remember, God is working while you’re standing still, even if you can’t see what he’s doing, and you usually can’t. Get your mind focused on the Lord, praise him ahead of time for what he’s going to do in your situation, and affirm to him again you trust him enough to stand still. Are you allowing your thoughts to go haywire on you, thinking things that are not allowed? Remember Philippians 4:8: we are allowed to think about things that are true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and of a good report. When I start thinking about bad reports or unlovely things, then I want to go into action right away and solve the problem. Of course, the problem is I can’t solve the problem, and when I jump in ahead of God, I just make things so much worse. Stand still, and while you’re standing still, keep your thoughts focused on the Lord, and expect him to do something great for you. Tell people you expect something great to happen. Be joyful and offer sacrifices of praise—praising God when you don’t see any reason to at the moment. If you will look for God’s response and get out of the way, he will do some great thing for you. It may not come in the package you’ve asked for, but believe me, it will come. Faith pleases God, so when we by faith stand still and expect him to work on our behalf, we please him so much. Don’t do something; just stand there. Let God fight your battles for you. Yes, you must show up on the battlefield, but you don’t have to fight. He is your armor; he is your strong deliverer; he is your protection; he is your victory. Stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes. Claim 1 Samuel 12:16 as your own today and learn how to trust him while you’re standing still.

Don’t just stand there; do something! How many times have you said that? We live in a world that honors activity, rewards busyness, and respects perpetual motion. Yet amid this performance-driven society, God often tells us to stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes (1 Samuel 12:16). I’ve been talking about how difficult it is for me to learn to stand still, to take my hands off, and to trust God. I have a feeling I’m not the only one with this problem! Standing still wouldn’t be so hard if I could see what God is doing while I’m standing still—if I could just stand on the sidelines and cheer while God is taking some action. Or if he would send me an email to update me daily on the progress he’s making on my behalf. It seems like as soon as I get still, he does, too, and I can’t see anything happening. Wow, that’s hard! Asaph seemed to have that same problem, as we read in his Psalm 83: O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish (Psalm 83:1-3). Asaph is wondering if God has gone to sleep or forgotten him or been distracted. Or perhaps God can’t see what Asaph can see—all those enemies getting ready to attack. Don’t you sometimes wonder if God sees the whole picture? Why is he standing still with those enemies all around? It just doesn’t make sense to us. What we must learn is what Asaph learned—just because you can’t see God working doesn’t mean he isn’t doing something. When you’re standing still, you can trust he is working behind the scenes, usually out of your view, and often in ways you would never imagine. But you can believe his ways are perfect, and he has a good plan for you. Abraham had to stand still and see how God would make him a great nation when he was childless. Moses had to stand still and see how God was going to get them across the Red Sea. Joshua had to stand still and see how those walls were going to come down around Jericho. Esther had to stand still and see if she perished when she asked that her countrymen be spared. But God was working while they were standing still, and you can trust him to work for you, too—even while you’re standing still! Remember sometimes the rules change; it’s not “Don’t just stand there; do something.” But rather, “Don’t do something; just stand there!”

Has God ever told you to take your hands off, to quit trying to make it happen, to stand still? My biggest struggle in my Christian walk is to let God have control and do nothing but trust. Samuel gave a wonderful farewell speech toward the end of his life, and in 1 Samuel 12:16 we read he said: stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes. Standing still seems to be required in several key areas: In relationships I think of so many women I know who must stand still and see what God is going to do with and for their husbands. Some of them are married to non-believers or men who are not walking with the Lord. Most of them tell me how they tried for so long to change their husbands, but what they’ve finally come to accept is they can’t change them; only God can. They’re in the “standing still” department now, waiting to see the great thing the Lord is going to do. Maybe you’re having to stand still when it comes to your children. Most of us parents go through that at various stages, when we simply must take our hands off and let them learn their lessons the hard way, as we say. Single people often do their share of standing still when it comes to relationships—waiting for the right person or waiting for the right person to make a move. In jobs Most of us go through some tough “standing still” times on our jobs, when we’re ready for a promotion, but the promotion doesn’t come. When we’re expecting or hoping for a raise, we must wait. When we’re dealing with a difficult coworker or boss or work environment about which we can do very little if anything, so it’s stand still time. Or when we're out of a job and waiting for a new one. With our health When you've had health problems in your family, it truly teaches you how helpless you are. Even our medical community, with all their techniques and skills, are limited in their ability to solve our health problems. We are faced again with the need to stand still and see what God is going to do. What areas you know you should stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes? I encourage you not to lose heart and to keep your eyes open so you won’t miss what God is about to do for you. Don’t do something; just stand there!

Why is it so difficult to do nothing? I’m considering the admonition given by Samuel in his farewell speech when he said, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes (1 Samuel 12:16). I like the last part of that verse: see this great thing the Lord is about to do. But I’m not real wild about the standing still part, how about you? I have trouble standing still because I prefer doing something, and I prefer being in control. Another reason standing still is hard for me is I’m just not a patient person. I want things to happen now. I hate waiting. My mind tells me, “If you’re standing still, nothing is happening.” But God’s Word says, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes. I think one reason I am not a patient person is because I hate loose ends. I want to complete the loop and make sure every package has a neat bow on it before moving on. But so often life is full of loose ends, and we must stand still and let them be. Paul wrote patience is one of the fruits of the Spirit of God, one of the evidences God’s Spirit is in control of your life. I can sure tell you when I am patient, it is not me. It is God’s Spirit in me, because I’m not good at being patient. But I’ve been praying about being patient, and believe it or not, I am more patient today than I used to be. God is helping me learn how to stand still and let him do it! Here are some little secrets helping me learn how to stand still. When you are emotional about any situation, it is not the time to act. Stand still until your emotions have calmed down and you can be certain you’re thinking straight. Often, we really want to do something when we’re upset or angry, because our emotions are at such a high. But you'll probably regret whatever you do or say at that moment. Stand still when you’re emotional and wait until those emotions are under control. I’ve learned to discipline myself to sleep on it. Whatever you think you must do, get at least one good night’s sleep before you do it. How different things can look the next day. One woman told me when she’s upset, she writes it on a piece of paper and puts it aside for two days. After two days she takes it out and decides if it’s still important. If so, she does something. If not, she tears up the note and puts it behind her. That’s a good discipline to help you learn to stand still. Remember, sometimes we must say to ourselves: Don't do something; just stand there!

Do you know what is probably the most difficult command for me to obey? It’s stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes (1 Samuel 12:16). Come on, Lord; why stand still? Why not get busy and do this and that and then you’ll see the great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes? That would be so much easier for me. I don’t like standing still. I hate standing still. I love movement. I love busyness. I love activity. I love to-do lists. Let’s go. You can do it. Keep on keepin’ on. Those words are music to my ears but not stand still. Why is it so hard for us to take our hands off and let God run the show? It’s hard for me to stand still because I'm a controller. I want to be in charge. That's my personality, and I'm much more comfortable when I'm running things than when I have to take orders. My guess is some of you are the same way. I'd rather drive than be a passenger; I'd rather give a presentation than listen to one; I'd rather lead than follow. I constantly struggle to take control of any situation I'm in. Therefore, stand still and see this great thing the Lord is about to do before your eyes is hard for me to do. At one point in my life when I was going through a particularly difficult period of standing still, I would get frustrated and start to act. And each time, as I would take the controls back in my own hands, I would hear the quiet voice of God in my mind saying to me, quite simply, “Can’t you trust me?” That’s what it takes to stand still—trust. And when you and I are willing to take our hands off, give up the control, and stand still, we are saying to Jesus, “I trust you. You’re smarter than I am. You can run this show better than I can.” And when we stand still and demonstrate our faith in him, he is pleased. Want to please Jesus today? Stand still, give up the control, and show him you trust him. Don’t do something; just stand there!

Most of us would consider it a dream come true if every time we faced a tough decision, a hand from heaven would come and write on our wall, pointing us to the right choice. But frankly, that wouldn't work too well when you think about it. If God gave us a decision we didn't like, then we'd be faced with whether we would choose to follow God's choice. The first question I have to ask you is this: If God would come down in some miraculous way and give you clear directions when you're facing a tough decision, would you unquestionably and immediately be willing to do what he told you? Have you finally come to understand God's ways are better than your ways—that his thoughts are above your thoughts—that he has good plans for you and his directions are the very best for you? Until you really want above everything else to know and do God's will—until you are passionately desirous of pleasing God in all your ways, God could write on your walls and you wouldn't be happy if it wasn't exactly what you wanted. Many times, we just want God to bless our decisions, not redirect us. I know this from experience in my own life. For ten long years I said I wanted God's will for my life, but the truth was, I only wanted it if his plan was my plan! Therefore, many times I made very bad decisions because I was convinced my way was best. The first and most important issue you and I face, as Christ-followers, when it comes to the tough decisions of our lives, is to determine in advance if we truly want to know what God would have us do and if we are totally committed to following his guidance. Let me assure you God never plays hide and seek with those who are seeking his guidance. He's not trying to make it difficult for you to know what to do in puzzling and tough situations. He wants you to know his will more than you want to know it! Search your heart and make sure you truly want heavenly guidance. That's the starting place. When you follow biblical truth, you can't go wrong. Having faith to trust in God’s wisdom is the key to making right decisions. You may want handwriting on your walls, but the good news is, you have something far better to guide you, and that is the inspired Word of God, the Bible. Romans 15:4 says everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. There is hope for you whenever you're facing a tough decision, and it is at your fingertips, in the written word of God. And on top of having our Bibles, we have our own personal teacher, the Holy Spirit. Jesus told his disciples when he left them God the Father would send his Spirit to guide them. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you (John 14:26). The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes (Psalm 19:8). It's a very wonderful and special experience when you go to God's Word and look for his guidance. That word becomes personal and special to you—as though it was put there just for you for whatever you're facing. It really is an “ah-ha” moment as you realize God has taken his Word and spoken to you personally through it. I want to point out four specific Scripture passages that tell us how to approach a tough decision. There are many others, but these will get you started on the right path. And here's the first verse we need to heed: If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you (James 1:5). This is where you begin every time you face a tough decision. You ask God to give you wisdom. Let me ask you: Do you often pray for wisdom? Why wouldn't you take advantage of this wonderful provision God offers to us—wisdom given generously? That's what you need when you're trying to make a good decision, right? You need wisdom. Wisdom has been promised to you. Just take God at his word and pray for wisdom. I've been praying this verse for years, recognizing how desperately I need wisdom all the time. I tend to make fast decisions, and sometimes they're not the best because I haven't sought God's wisdom. You can save yourself a lot of grief and regret by praying for wisdom on a regular basis so you're ready to face whatever tough decision comes up. I remember not long after I began seriously praying for wisdom, when I was faced with a difficult decision on short notice, and I had to respond rather quickly. I made a decision that turned out to be right on—a very good decision that brought good results. Afterwards, I realized God had just answered my prayer. I was given wisdom to make a good decision, and I knew it was from God. It was not my usual knee-jerk response but was a wise and good decision. God says he will give us wisdom and when we pray for it, he answers our prayer. It's just that simple, yet many times we don't take God at his word, and we try to do it in our own wisdom, which can be pretty risky. Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; do not fret when people succeed in their ways, when they carry out their wicked schemes (Psalm 37:7). Sometimes when we are pressed to make tough decisions, there's the temptation to be quick and presumptuous instead of waiting on God. That certainly has been my way of operating far too often. Being still before God means we will have periods of time when it seems like nothing is happening. This can be the toughest spot for us—waiting on God to give us guidance. Sometimes it's a timing issue; we want to move now but God knows it's better to wait. You may not think anything is happening, but God is working behind-the-scenes for you. Pray for wisdom and then be still and wait before the Lord for his timing. Remember that waiting before the Lord means exactly that—spending time in his presence, in his Word, in prayer, and in finding strength and courage because you've spent time with God. Don't skip this step. It's important when you're facing tough decisions. Listen to advice and accept instruction, and at the end you will be counted among the wise (Proverbs 19:20). If you start asking everyone or anyone for advice, you're likely to get all kinds of wrong guidance. But Scripture teaches us to seek help when we're facing tough decisions. However, it's important to screen out the voices and hear from those who walk closely with God. Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20). Another proverb tells us to make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance (Proverbs 20:18). Again, you need to seek advice from the right people—godly people who have a track record of walking with God, and who lean heavily on God's truth in offering advice or help. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6). Do your homework—your due diligence, as we say. Seek wisdom from God and advice from trusted people. But in the end, trust in the Lord and lean not on your own understanding. God's wisdom is often so different from ours because he knows everything; he sees the end from the beginning. Make sure you submit all your ways to the Lord. That simply means you live in obedience to the principles of Scripture; there is no known area of willful sin or disobedience in your life—no rebellion. That's important when we're seeking God's wisdom and guidance. He has promised to make your path straight—to show you the right way and guide you where you should go. But the condition to that promise is you submit all your ways to him. The tough decisions of life are testing points. Do you really trust God or not? Are you open to his way, which may be out of your comfort zone? Whenever we let go of our will and make ourselves open to God's will, we make a way for God to work a miracle. Whether you're facing a tough decision right now, there will be some soon enough. Establishing some disciplines to guide your decision-making process in advance is wise. The consequences of our tough decisions are often life-changing, so it's important that you and I are prepared to face those choices with biblical guidance. I encourage you to use the Scripture I've given you today—as well as many others you will find on your own—to help you take the fear and worry out of those tough decisions. As you acknowledge the Lord in all your ways, he will direct your path, and it will be for your good.

I've been sharing some thoughts about getting out of the boxes we put ourselves in. Boxes that keep us from the abundant life Jesus came to give us. Boxes that keep us from doing the good works he put us here to do. I've urged you to ask God to give you a vision of what he wants you to do and then stop making excuses. Break out of your boxes! I want to share some of the things I've learned and am learning along the way as I've stepped out of my box to follow God's leading in my life. Not all my bright ideas are God's passion for me. Some passions have a waiting period while God prepares me. Not everyone will share my passion, and some people will discount it or try to discourage me. Perseverance is a large part of pursuing my passion. Passions take lots of hard work and there are some days when I wish I'd never had a passion. (But not many!) Passions sometimes have a lifespan—a beginning and an ending—and I must be sensitive to know when it's time to move on. When one passion dies, another comes along. A God-given passion is always a joy; it is fulfilling; it is rewarding. Remember this when it comes to pursuing your passion and getting out of your box: If you don't go for it, it will fade, and you'll miss the blessing. Use it or lose it. If you don't pursue it, not only will you miss the blessing in this life, but you'll also miss the reward in eternity. And the more you pursue your passion, the more ability and gifts you will have to accomplish it. God is not going to waste talents on you if you're not going to use them. He's waiting to see if you are serious about pursuing the passion he has put inside you. For the sake of the Kingdom of Christ and the glory due to Jesus Christ, stop putting yourself in a box which prevents you from the good works God has planned for you to do. When you get out of that box, you will move into the abundant life Jesus promised for those who love him.

Have you ever had a passion to do something for God that was so big, the very thought of it just overwhelmed you? I'm talking about breaking out of our boxes. I believe far too many of us Christ-followers miss the good things God has for us to do because we see ourselves as unqualified and inadequate for the job. Here's the amazing, good news: You are unqualified to do what God wants you to do. The Apostle Paul told us why this is true: But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are, so that no one may boast before him (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). Your recognition of your inadequacy is a good thing, because it will force you to depend on God, to be humble, to be teachable, and you will always know it was all about God. Earlier this week I told you how God opened doors for me to begin this radio ministry, even though I had no experience with radio, no mentor to help me, no book telling me how to do it. I was totally not qualified to start a radio program, but it was God's vision for me, so I just kept walking through the doors he opened, and now for many years I've been privileged to be a part of what he is doing through this ministry. Some of you have similar stories, and you're in that good place of doing what God put you here to do. But here's what I'm discovering: There's more. I can't be satisfied with where I am; God keeps pushing me out of my box. For example, I played a part in starting a ministry for sexually trafficked women, and that vision overwhelmed me. I had to break out again and pursue a vision that moved me way beyond my abilities and giftedness. God chooses to use unqualified people who are willing to break out of their boxes, trust God, and move forward. Let me hasten to say breaking out of your box certainly does not mean you can make foolish or quick decisions. You must do the homework and due diligence required. But I pray you'll stop telling God all the reasons you can't do it and ask him what the next step is. I hope you'll stop making excuses and ask God to help you break out of your box!

Would you like to break out of your box? I'm encouraging—yes, even urging you—to break free from whatever boxes you've built around yourself or whatever boxes you've allowed someone else to put you in and move into the freedom of doing what God has planned for you to do. Once you break out of the boxes keeping you from moving forward with God, it begs the question: How do you know if your passion or vision is a God-thing or not? Here are six signs that will help you: Sign Number 1 – It won't go away. If God has a plan that will take you out of your comfort zone—out of some box you're in—it will not go away. And as you pray about it (that must be step number one), it will get stronger not weaker. Sign Number 2 – Your motivation will be to serve God and others. God doesn't give us passions or visions just to make us feel good about ourselves or help us achieve our personal goals. If it's from God you will be motivated out of a love for God and for people, and it will be all about serving. Sign Number 3 – There will be a need for it. If God is leading you out of your box, it's because someone needs you out of that box, doing what God has for you to do. It won't be because you just want to do something creative or different. It will be to meet a need. Sign Number 4 – God will open doors for you and confirm it through his Word. If this vision is a God-thing, you won't have to push and shove and beg and plead. You will have to be persistent, but God will open some doors for you and confirm in some ways that this is of him. Sign Number 5 – Your spiritual leader(s) will counsel and/or encourage you. Sign Number 6 – God will give you the right people to help you.

Are you in a box? I'm talking about breaking out of our boxes so we can be all God created us to be. This is from my book Get Over It: Letting Go and Moving Forward with God. In the parable of the talents Jesus taught us if we don't use what he gives us, not only will he not give us more, we will lose what we have! (See Matthew 25:14-30.) As I look back on how God led me to this ministry, I realize it began with a passion to minister to women like me—women who went into the workplace regularly. I started where I was, with a Monday night Bible study in my home. Then God put a vision in my mind of how good it would be to have a radio program directed to women like me, and though I had no connection with anyone in radio and no experience or credentials, I prayed about starting a radio program. After spending about 18 months praying about it, I decided it was time to put feet to my prayers, and I decided to find out how to start a radio program. On that very day, God miraculously put me in touch with a radio station who offered to put my program idea on their station, and within a few months, we were on the air. I believe God placed a passion in my heart and since it would not go away, even though it took me way out of my box, the passion became a vision, God opened some doors, the vision became this radio ministry, and God has kept us going for more than forty years. Your experience will be different from mine, but if God has given you a vision and you're willing to step out of whatever box you are in, God will guide you step by step and will lead you to new avenues of service that shatter all the stereotypes and boxes you or anyone else has tried to impose upon you. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). God won't give you a vision or a passion and then mock you or frustrate you. If it is of God, you can be confident he began it, and he will carry it on to completion.

What boxes have you put yourself in? I want to talk about our tendency to limit what God wants to do through us and for us because we put ourselves in boxes. I've been involved in ministry to women for many years, and I'm a woman myself, and I've seen too many of us build boxes around ourselves and draw lines in the sand that keep us from being all God designed us to be, and keep us from doing some of the good works he put us here to do. Ask yourself what box or boxes you have put yourself in or you've allowed someone else to put you in. Here are some common ones: I'm too old to do that—or too young. I don't have the right education. I don't have the right experience. I don't have enough money. I can't carry a tune. I'm not good at math. I'm not good with people. I'm too shy to do that. I'll never be able to learn all this. I don't have the right looks. I'm too big—or I'm too small! That's not my gift. You may be in your own unique box. Think about it: what have you been telling yourself you cannot do for some reason like this? It's time to break out! For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do (Ephesians 2:10). I'm convinced many of us are missing out on the good works God prepared for us to do because we've allowed others to put us in a box, or more likely, we've put ourselves in some boxes. We just can't believe God wants us out of the box and will equip us to do what he intended from the beginning of time for us to do. Where there is no vision, the people perish (Proverbs 29:18 KJV). Has God given you a vision of what you could do? Have you ever asked him for a vision of what he wanted you to do? If you've never aspired to something so big that it scared you, then you may be perishing spiritually.

When I think of a very self-confident person, I think of the Apostle Peter. He was confident in himself. He was the only disciple who was confident he could walk on water. He was confident in his fishing abilities and knowledge. He was confident Jesus was wrong to say he was going to die and rebuked him for it. He was totally confident that he, Peter, would never deny Jesus, even if everyone else did. Even when Jesus predicted otherwise, Peter was super-confident he would never disown Jesus even if he had to die with him. Peter did not lack self-confidence. However, all that self-confidence failed him at the critical moments of his life. He began to walk on water but very soon started sinking. Self-confidence didn’t keep him up. Self-confidence didn’t fill his empty nets with fish after a long night of fishing and catching nothing. Only when he followed Jesus’ instructions was he able to catch fish. Though he was very confident in rebuking Jesus, Jesus not only did not take his counsel, but he also considered it to be satanically inspired. And within hours of his most confident assertion, he would never deny Jesus, he did so three times with cursing. Peter’s example tends to give self-confidence a black eye. We’ve been led to believe self-confidence is the key to success, the one essential you must have to get ahead, to be assertive, to be a leader. But Peter’s experiences could cause one to lose confidence in self-confidence. It didn’t seem to help Peter much when he needed it. But thank God, that’s not the end of Peter’s story. We see a transformed Peter in the book of Acts. He was still extremely confident, still assertive, still a leader, but the results were very different. You remember the story of Peter and John encountering a lame beggar at the temple. Peter looked at the lame man and said in his most confident manner, “ In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk” (Acts 3:6). And guess what—the man went into the temple walking, leaping, and praising God. When questioned by the religious leaders as to how he had done this, Peter gave a most confident response: …then know this, you and all the people of Israel: It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed (Acts 4:10). Peter, who had failed miserably at every turn when he relied on self-confidence and who had cowardly denied Jesus three times, now stood tall among people who were seeking to harm him and proclaimed to them the gospel of Jesus Christ. When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus. But since they could see the man who had been healed standing there with them, there was nothing they could say (Acts 4:13-14). Peter’s confidence amazed them but notice it was not self-confidence. They knew Peter was not able to heal this man or speak as he did because of his own education or training. Peter was no longer operating on self-confidence. That had been totally shattered. But his confidence and trust in Jesus Christ the Nazarene gave him a boldness and power he had never known before. The lame man was healed, he was able to persuade thousands of converts, and he led the early church as they changed the course of history. What happened to the Apostle Peter in the few intervening days between the sad scene at Jesus’ trial and this victorious display of confidence and success? In the first instance, though totally self-confident, he had failed miserably. In the second, he displayed a confident approach, yet the results were quite different. What happened was Peter lost all his self-confidence and gained in its place God-confidence. After he healed the lame man, he said to the amazed people who were watching, Men of Israel, why do you marvel at this, or why do you gaze at us, as if by our own power or piety we had made him walk? The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus…And on the basis of faith in his name, it is the name of Jesus which has strengthened this man whom you see and know (Acts 3:12-13, 16). When Peter spoke now, he was filled with the Holy Spirit. No more shooting off his mouth as before when he operated out of self-confidence. With the Holy Spirit controlling him, Peter spoke with great power and was successful in his service for Jesus. Notice, however, the loss of self-confidence didn’t turn Peter into a sniveling, cowardly wimp. He didn’t walk around with his head hanging down, quite the opposite. He was bolder than ever before because God controlled him, and his confidence was in someone much more capable and powerful than he was. My dear friends, self-confidence is a deceptive allurement fostered by this world. Like Peter, many Christians go from one sad experience to another, as their self-confidence fails them. And even when self-confidence brings some temporary achievements, it is so fragile and so easily intimidated it falls apart at the first adverse wind that comes along. I know because I’ve been there. I spent ten years building my life on self-confidence and my own achievements. I could list the successes I had in the business world during those ten years, and you might think I had done pretty well. I had self-confidence, but it kept falling apart on me all the time. I could put on a good face, but underneath, in those quiet moments of aloneness, I was anything but confident, and I knew I wasn’t doing very well on my own. I thank God my self-confidence was shattered many years ago because then I finally turned to my Savior and said, “I just can’t do it anymore. I’m a failure. I can’t cope. I’m an emotional yo-yo. I’m just a mess.” Despite the success I had stacked up in the business world, I was at the end of my self-confident rope. Once that self-confidence was shattered, I turned back to God. And that's when the God-confidence began, and each day is another opportunity to grow in my trust of God and to operate now in his power instead of my own. But it began when my own self-confidence was destroyed. Paul wrote to the Philippians: We are, remember, truly circumcised when we worship God by the Spirit, when we find our joy in Jesus Christ and put no confidence in what we are in the flesh (Philippians 3:3). He was reminding his Jewish brothers and sisters that outward rituals and signs are not the evidence of our relationship to God, but we are truly rightly related to God when we are Spirit-controlled, when we find our joy in Jesus Christ, and when we have no confidence in our flesh, in ourselves. Have you been on a misguided search for self-confidence? It could be even though you know God through Jesus Christ, you've been running your life by the world’s principles, as I did for so long. Paul wrote to the Galatians: Formerly, when you did not know God, you were slaves to those who by nature are not gods. But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable principles? Do you wish to be enslaved by them all over again (Galatians 4:8-9)? Why would we want to run on self-confidence when God-confidence is available to us? Can we doubt God-confidence has much more to offer? Can we deny self-confidence fails us frequently? Then why do we run back to the world’s weak and miserable principles? May I suggest it is because the philosophy of self-confidence looks good, and it appears to work for some people. We swallow the bait and are deceived again by the master-liar, the father of lies—Satan. What’s the answer? There’s only one: The shattering of our self-confidence and a decision on our part to replace it with God-confidence. If you’re still running on self-confidence, you can either make a choice to abandon it, or you can keep on until it runs out of gas on its own, which it will do eventually. It is self-destructive and will, sooner or later, collapse. Maybe that’s happened to you already, and you’re now wallowing in the shambles of that failed self-confidence. Either way, if you choose God-confidence, it can be yours. To have God-confidence, you must first have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, which requires repentance and a turning away from your sins. If you don’t have that assurance, it is the essential first step. Then, you must pursue knowing God as your highest priority. You must be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to control your life, and that is your choice. Remember Peter gained God-confidence as he was filled with God’s Holy Spirit. That is available to every Christian. When you are born from above, you receive the Holy Spirit, but it is your choice whether you will allow the Spirit to control your life or not. If you do, changes will take place in your everyday routine. Priorities will undoubtedly shift. Some good things you’ve been doing may have to go to make room for the time you need with God. That will not happen by accident; it will happen as you purpose in your heart to know God. I can assure you of this, the more you know him, the more confidence you have in him. The more his Word is the central focus of your existence, the more confident you will be. God-confidence may look the same as self-confidence in some respects, but the big difference is it is humble confidence. Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom (James 3:13). Humility that comes from wisdom—in other words, it is wise to be humble because you recognize your own weaknesses. And this wise humility will give you a confidence much stronger, much less dependent on you and your performance, and totally confident on God in you—the Holy Spirit. God-confidence is there even when you fail; even when you are fearful of failing. God-confidence does not rely on your abilities but relies on the truth of God's Word. Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus (Philippians 1:6). You can be totally confident of this—God has begun a good work in you, and he will not let you go; he will not fail you; he will never leave you or forsake you. That, my friend, is God-confidence.