Mornings with Jeff & Rebecca

Special letter to mom on first day of school

Often, we can forget how God feels about us and when hearing things like "God is for you", it can be hard to believe it. The Apostle Paul gives us this amazing reminder in Romans 8:31 when he says:"What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31When God says he is for you, it means He is working on your behalf for your good. He has adopted you (Romans 8:15) and given you His Spirit (Romans 8:16-17, 26-27) and has determined to save you (Romans 8:29-30). The other part of this amazing verse is "who can be against us?" This doesn't mean we will never face opposition, but that simply put, our opposition is doomed to fail. They may be against us, but since God is for us, we have nothing to worry about. There is no one more powerful than our God. 

Yesterday, Caryn attended the funeral of a friend who had two sisters. Naturally, they were bawling their eyes out and one thing that Caryn realized after losing her dad a few years back is the importance of the ministry of presence. Romans 12:15 reminds us:"Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn." - Romans 12:15Be thoughtful. Be compassionate. Be quick to lend a helping hand or a shoulder to cry on. To weep with those who weep is part of being family in the body of Christ.

Like Jeremy, it can be hard to be optimistic about what God is doing but when it comes to Romans 8:28, we have every reason to be hopeful:"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." - Romans 8:28Even during grueling circumstances, we can find joy that God is working through our situations to make us more like Jesus. It is this very belief that should always inform the world of the hope that we have (1 Peter 3:15). 

With life as busy as it can be, we often forget what is most important. As Caryn & Jeremy were moving into their home, they began to obsess over the various changes that were going to need to take place like paint color, appliance repairs, renovations, etc. But in the midst of all of that, Caryn was reminded that God's priority for our life is to seek Him first and everything else follows that. As Matthew 6:33 says:"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." - Matthew 6:33Let us cling to the final truth in Matthew 6:34 that all we need will be added to us. Let us submit our worries unto the Lord, for the day has enough trouble as it is. Let us run to the Lord with our emotions, let us seek after His reign and rule in our lives, and let us trust that He will give us everything we need to glorify Him — for His perfect plan and will.

It's a new day, a new week, and a new month and we wanted to share an encouraging verse for you today: "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!" - 2 Corinthians 5:17In this passage, the Apostle Paul is writing that Christ's death for sin has changed the way he regards people. Instead of looking at each person as a mere human being, he must view those who are in Christ as something entirely different. Those who are "in Christ" are those who have faith in Him, credited with Christ's righteous life, and their sin forgiven by Christ's death in their place. Such people are new creatures. Those "in Christ" have become something they were not before. Their identity has changed from being the fallen version of themselves, to being associated with the righteousness of Christ. That's who we are now. It is not the old life that God reconditions or restores. We are not simply set-right, but made an entirely new person; we are born into a new creation; we are identified with Christ. Let us accept this truth in righteousness and true holiness by faith, and in everything we do, let us do all, to His praise and glory, from this day forward - even forevermore.

How does a child receive a gift? With openness, honesty, and unbridled joy. That type of happy authenticity should be a hallmark of our faith as we receive God's gift in Christ.

If you were to tell me that "your faith is a work in progress", I would agree that you have a biblical mindset. Philippians 1:6 reminds us that: "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 1:6I love the confidence that Paul is writing with to these Philippians Christians. While salvation from the penalty of sin happens at the moment a person accepts Christ, the process of becoming more like Christ is exactly that: a process. Paul is completely sure that this "sanctification" will continue in the lives of these believers. Since faith is a gift of God (Ephesians 2:8), we can rest assured that the gift of our salvation had nothing to do with us. We didn't deserve it so therefore we can't lose it. It is this realization that frees us to share about our failures and to be thankful to be a Christian. It's what allows us to accept rebukes, criticism and advice with humility. It is also what allows the church to welcome and accept all who would seek to know God, as we who were once far off have been brought near ourselves.

In a world that tells us to live our way, our truth, and our life the way that we want to, we find that all this ever leads to is emptiness and a lack a fulfillment. Jesus says in John 14:6:"Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." - John 14:6So how do we follow Jesus today? The same way the disciples did long ago.They heard the words of Jesus and believed them. They took His words and obeyed them. They confessed their sins to Jesus as their Lord and God. They believed that He died to take the punishment of their sins and rose from the dead to give them new life. They followed His example and command to tell others the truth about sin, righteousness, and judgment. When we follow Him in “the way,” we can be assured of following Him all the way to heaven.

When the weight of all that is going on in the world lands on our shoulders, how should we handle it? This verse shows us how to avoid letting the water in when it comes to weight of the world:"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you." - Isaiah 26:3When situations present themselves, our thoughts always need return to Christ. When we do this, we are intentional about not letting our circumstances guide our behavior and as a result, we make choices based on our faith, our prayers, and God's guidance.A cool way to remember this is that ships don't sink because of the water around them; ships sink because of the water that gets in them. Don't let what's happening around you get inside you and weigh you down. 

When our world feels like it's being tossed and turned every single day, may we find hope in this verse:"Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will never be shaken." - Psalm 62:2We may never be delivered from our circumstances in this life, but we can know beyond a shadow of a doubt that God will be present with us the whole time. At the end of the day, we aren't stronger because of what we've been through, we're stronger because of the One who brought us through it. 

Because of His earthly walk, the Lord Jesus is able to sympathize with all our weakness, all our disappointments, all our rejections, and all our temptations. Indeed, He identified so closely with us all that He was made sin for us and paid the terrible price that we so rightly deserve."For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin." - Hebrews 4:15We truly can say that we do have a Great High Priest Who understands ALL our weaknesses, for He faced the same testing that we do, but He did not sin - and He is with us today and lives inside us as we face our own troubles and trials.

When sin entered the world and infected all mankind, God did not remove sin. Instead, God chose to allow sin and promised to send His son to defeat it. God prophesied that the Son of Man would crush Satan and his works (Genesis 3:15; 1 John 3:8). Even as Paul requests God to remove his thorn, God's response is:But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. - 2 Corinthians 12:9We can trust that if God does not remove our thorn, He has something greater in mind. God's response to Paul that His grace is sufficient meant that to remove the thorn would not be sufficient. We forget in the midst of pain that we don't need our circumstances to change. We forget what we need is God. Through Christ, we overcome suffering. "No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us" (Romans 8:37).

If you came into some unexpected cash, think of all the things you would do with it. What are some ideas that come to mind?Well, a woman named Crystal actually ran into this exact situation where she came into $100,000 that she was not expecting. Of course, she plans on buying a car and paying off some bills, but she didn't want all that money to go to waste. So she actually went to the grocery store and bought $2,000 in gift cards and then handed them out to complete strangers walking around the store. When asked why she did this, she responded with the fact that she believes in paying it forward. It's a great reminder that as we come into unexpected blessing in our lives, may we do the same and pay it forward to benefit someone else as well. 

You may not be at the beginning of a challenge and you may not be at the end of one either. In fact, you may be right in the middle of it. Can you relate to that feeling like when is this ever going to end? This reminds me of some encouragement from Romans 12:12 where it says:"Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer." - Romans 12:12What I like about this verse is it's not only that we should do those things, but that we have a hope that we can rejoice in that when there is trouble. We can find patience, and when we pray, we can rest assured that God hears us. During any time of suffering, while waiting for what we're hoping in, we should pray. Prayer brings a connection with our Father through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:26–27). He hears, understands, and helps in response to even our clumsiest attempts to communicate with Him.

Maybe you've been waiting for something God has promised & it feels like it's never going to happen. A seed doesn't become a watermelon in one day. After some time, a watermelon starts to form and eventually fully ripens. In the same way, sometimes God's plans take time and patience can be hard.

Even though the act of praying can be easy at times, knowing the right words to pray is difficult. Especially in moments of great pain or sorrow, sometimes we don't have the words to pray and it's comforting to read this in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount:“This, then, is how you should pray: “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.' - Matthew 6:9-13It's also really helpful to remember that even when we don't know what to pray, the Spirit of God that indwells us prays on our behalf according to God's will (Romans 8:26-27). We can rest assured that when it comes to the power of our prayers, it lies in the one hearing it, not in the one praying it. 

Israel Lemus, a Texas man with a brain tumor had only two months to live but miracles do happen when you believe in God, as he's still living after six years from the day that doctors said he only had two months to live. Even though he is not in remission and doctors can still see the tumor, they are stunned at how he continues to survive and live way longer than they have projected.Here is Israel's response when asked about this: “To me, it's 100% God. Honestly, I'm thankful to God for every day. The first thing I do when I wake up and the last thing I do before going to sleep is thank God for that day.”This story is a humble reminder that just as Matthew 19:26 says:"Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” - Matthew 19:26

Recently, Caryn & Jeremy were at a funeral and what was said of their friend was that they never read the Bible or prayed to try to be the perfect Christian, but so they could grow closer to God. That reminded Caryn of this verse:"Come near to God and he will come near to you." - James 4:8aIt really makes us stop and ask ourselves about our motives. Are we trying to be the perfect Christian or are we trying to grow closer to God in relationship? God doesn't want us to try and be perfect Christians. God wants us to grow our relationship with Him and give our heart to Him.

Recently, Caryn came across a verse by not one, but two people within the same day. It was Psalm 56:3 which says:"When I am afraid, I put my trust in you." - Psalm 56:3It's a short but profound verse. Especially for Caryn who gets a lot of anxiety while driving, she felt that God was telling her to trust in Him in this area of her life, despite the fear that she has. When we're afraid it can literally consume us by the thought of the worst thing happening. However, when we put our trust in the Lord, He gives us the peace and comfort that we need to keep to get rid of that fear and accomplish the things we are called to do.

In a world that is constantly surrounded by bad news, what is one therapist's advice? Just keep scrolling. You see, our thinking is a lot like an ad we find on social media. A negative thought can pop up and we are given two options, we can either explore the ad, click on the link, and learn all about it or we can keep scrolling for the positive. Philippians 4:8 says:"Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable—if there is any moral excellence and if there is anything praiseworthy—dwell on these things." - Philippians 4:8So today, let's choose to focus on the good. Let's choose to focus on things that are good, lovely, admirable, excellent and praiseworthy. Let's choose to focus on things that inspire gratitude, joy and peace, not things that evoke worry, anxiety and stress. Let's choose to focus on things that lift us up, not things that drag us down. Let's choose to focus on the goodness in our lives and in the lives of others.

Caryn & Jeremy recently have lost some friends and co-workers over the last year and at a Celebration of Life ceremony for one of them, TobyMac was sharing from his experience of losing his son. As the family mourned the loss of their husband and father, Toby specifically encouraged the children who had just lost their father to press into God and know that He is still good.It reminded me of this passage:"The Lord is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made." - Psalm 145:9Even when we don't understand what God is doing, we can always trust His heart and know that His purposes for us are good (Romans 8:28).

As Jeremy was going to bed last night, he thought about the fact that he was setting his alarm clock to wake up at a certain time tomorrow. Now typically, this is a normal task that most people do as they go to bed but have you ever thought about the fact that setting your alarm clock in a step of faith believing that you'll live to see the next day? It reminded him of this verse:"Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing." - 1 Timothy 2:8May we too approach prayer with that same level of confidence knowing that as we pour out our needs, wants, and gratitude to our God in Heaven; ultimately we know that He is listening and working for our good. 

It's helpful advice to know that we can't unsay a cruel word. While what we say can always be forgiven, it can never be forgotten. That's why Paul reminds us in Colossians 4:5-6:"Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone." - Colossians 4:5-6Back in those days, salt was valuable enough to be used as money, and was treasured for its ability to preserve and flavor foods. In the same way, a Christian's speech should be helpful and valuable, ''flavored'' differently from the speech of non-believers, and preserving the message of Christ.You never know what people are going through and somebody you encounter today may need those graceful words. With God's grace flowing through us, our words can be tools of grace God uses to build up, encourage, and edify.

A new poll has revealed that we insult ourselves more than 1,000 times a year. Of course, it's often said that we are our own worst critic, but is this healthy to think this way? Psalm 139:14 says:"I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well." - Psalm 139:14It's easy for us to read this verse and apply it to other people, but how often do we believe this about ourselves? Whether we insult ourselves out loud or we just think it, remember that you are fearfully and wonderfully made. Be nice to yourself! After all, you're speaking to a child of God. 

We find comfort knowing that everyone who asks of God receives an answer. Everyone who seeks Him finds Him. The door is opened to everyone who knocks. By including everyone, Jesus shows that God's responsiveness to prayer is not based on the goodness of the one who prays, but on the goodness of God.

Today is Global Forgiveness Day and forgiveness is a big word. It should be because it is a hard thing to do. A lot of times we want people to deserve forgiveness and many times we find ourselves in a position where we don't feel like they deserve. Especially if they haven't apologized.But Matthew 6:14 says:"For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you." - Matthew 6:14Forgiveness is a part of God's plan for us and it's a part of His plan for us to offer. I once heard a pastor say this: "Forgiveness is not a feeling. It's a decision we make because we want to do what's right before God."

Jesus was the epitome of loving others well despite whether they loved Him back or not. It really showcases that as His followers, we are called to do the same in a world that very well may not love us back. Be encouraged by what 1 Peter 3:9 says:"Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing." - 1 Peter 3:9

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Many of us believe that in order to get something done, we need to be motivated first. But according to Brad Stulberg, an expert in human behavior, motivation follows action. Not the other way around. You don't need to feel good to get going; you need to get going to give yourself a chance at feeling good.

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

A pastor named Dave had been fighting Acute Myeloid Leukemia for a while and all signs were pointing up that he was going to beat this but then something tragic happened. His appendix ended up rupturing and because of that, he was in some real trouble. The cancer had destroyed all of his white blood cells which prevented him from fighting off any sort of infection.But just as the doctors and members of his church were losing hope of him beating this, one lady at his church said something that stuck with him. 

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

When you are feeling unworthy of God's love, it's important to remember that God looks past the lies of the enemy to tell you who you really are. That is that you are loved beyond comprehension and that you are His. 

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

Recently on social media, Caryn came across a graphic that really caught her attention when it comes to rest. For so many of us, we see rest as a reward for a job well done or whenever we've finished work for the day, but that idea falls short in a lot of ways. Here is what the graphic said:Rest is not a reward. You don't have to earn rest, you need rest. You deserve rest. You are worthy of rest simply because you are living. Don't ever feel guilty for taking time to rest.I don't know who needs to hear that today but if you are somebody who struggles with rest like I do, that is a liberating and encouraging thought. 

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!

This week, the staff of KCBI got to participate in a team building event where we all attended a Texas Rangers game where they played the Houston Astros. It really was a fun event to be a part of as the staff got to bond like never before. Especially with the new stadium, many of us had never had a chance to see the new Globe Life Field so it was a great opportunity for all of us. Not to mention, the indoor A/C of the baseball game was incredibly nice considering how hot it would've been at the old stadium.One element of a major league baseball game that often excites fans has to be the jumbotron. Being on the giant screen is the desire for so many in the stadium who want to make a small appearance on it for just a few seconds in front of thousands of people. In light of people's excitement over this, Caryn was actually reminded of Psalm 139 as she thought about our base desire to be seen.

Caryn & Jeremy join you each morning beginning at 5:30am, to keep you company, bring a smile or a laugh, and grow deeper in faith together. They've been married to each other for seven years, and can't wait to walk out life, relationships, parenting and faith alongside you! Make sure to listen either on 90.9 KCBI or wherever you go with the free KCBI app!