Sparking Faith Podcast

The writer of Ecclesiastes was incredibly wise. He recorded a great observation in chapter 3 verses 1-2, “There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot.” (NIV 1984) Over two years ago, it was a time to start this podcast. Everyone needed encouragement. We were reeling from the pandemic, suffering through hyper-partisan news cycles and watching political leaders radicalize and divide people. I started the podcast to encourage others and spark their faith in Jesus. Today, the pandemic is over. Yes, the hyper-partisan media and radical politics remain. But it is no longer time to start. It is time for a change. After more than 800 daily episodes, it is time to pause the podcast. It is time for me to step away to evaluate, recharge and plan the future. I don't know how long the pause will be. It could be a few weeks, maybe a few months. If you'd like an email notice when the podcast resumes, go to www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback. Use the form to register for an email update. I have also included the link in the show notes. That's www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback. I really appreciate you for listening to the podcast. People in several countries have tried it. But the core of the listeners are in the heart of the United States. Thank you so much for listening. Register for an email update: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/feedback/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

An old chorus goes “I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart. Where? Down in my heart.” It's a peppy little tune. Each verse adds some words, making it fun and challenging to sing. Another verse goes “I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in the depths of my heart.” How's your joy today? Do you have it deep in your heart? Is it there to stay? Remember, Joy is not happiness. Happiness depends on circumstances. If you get a raise at work, you are happy. No raise? You're not happy. Lose your job? You are unhappy. But joy can exist through each of these circumstances. It comes from within us and doesn't depend on external things. Couldn't we each use more joy in these times? How can we find joy? Listen to Jesus' words recorded in John 15:10-12, “If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed 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.” (NIV 1984) Jesus tells us that the route to complete joy is to love others with the same type of unselfish love he expresses for us. Want some joy? Love others as Jesus has loved us. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

We live in a crazy, mixed-up, broken world. Just look at some of the things that happened in the United States this past year. Men who think they are women demand to participate in women's sports and change clothes in women's locker rooms. And they are celebrated for doing so. Schools and libraries expose children to sexualized drag shows. Teachers allow students to act as the opposite gender while keeping it secret from their parents. Doctors cut off the gender-specific body parts of boys and girls who suffer from gender dysphoria. Many people demand the right to abort a child at any point during pregnancy. OF course, these are the most extreme forms of brokenness we see. We don't even blink any more at people who insist on sexual expression outside of God's design for marriage. Or at the vitriol and hatred people spew on social media. We've even come to expect increasing crime in our streets. Would you call this world loving? Probably not. But the real question is whether we are loving. 1 Corinthians 13:6 says, “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” (NIV 1984) It is not enough for us to shun the evil in this world. True love rejoices with the truth. I like the idea of rejoicing, don't you? In the face of a broken world, love others by rejoicing in the truth. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

A couple of days ago, I contrasted the mixed martial arts bouts called Ultimate Fighting Championship with love. Both are extremes. The first seeks to defeat another through aggression and inflicting pain. But love is extreme because it seeks what is best for another, even if it requires self-sacrifice. Sometimes it is good to examine the extremes. But we also can learn more about love by contrasting it with something that is similar, yet not the same. In 2 Peter 1:7 we are told to add “to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) Brotherly kindness can also be translated brotherly love. So what is the difference between brotherly love and the word love in this passage? They are different words in the original language. Understanding the differences between them is necessary. Brotherly love is the emotional connection we feel with family or close friends. It can be a powerful emotion. The Greek word phileo describes this type of love. But it differs from the ultimate love. The Greek word agape is used in multiple commands we see to love God and each other. This love chooses to provide what is best for another, but not because the person is winsome or deserving. It is unselfish. Today, choose to do what is best for others, to provide what they need, to bless their lives, even if it requires sacrifice. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

In the business world, good communication skills are vital. CEOs of companies have to review information and reports from across the organization. Internal and external communications flood their email boxes. What every CEO needs is a way to quickly review information. So, other business leaders learn to summarize. One common form is the one-page executive summary. A business unit or person may develop a multipage report filled with text, charts and graphs, but it starts with a summary no more than one page in length. The CEO can then see the gist of the information and choose whether to read further or not. In fact, we all rely on summaries for text messages, advertising slogans and other forms of communication. Even Jesus used a summary. He once summarized the way to live with these words from Matthew 22:37-39, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.'” (NIV 1984) Love is the standard for every relationship. Husbands are to love their wives, wives their husbands, parents their children and each of us our neighbor. Multiple passages in the New Testament command us to love others as Jesus loved us. Love is so important, it summarizes our duty to God and to each other. Add love to your faith today. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

What comes to mind when you hear the word ultimate? The word means the most extreme or important version of something. Does the word remind you of the Ultimate Fighting Championship? It is an extreme form of mixed martial arts. Opponents punch, kick, wrestle and throw each other about the ring. Thy pin each other, twisting limbs and causing pain. Oh, some things are illegal, like spitting or hair pulling, or kicking someone in the head while they're lying the mat. If they are standing, kick them in the head all you want. You just can't do that while they're lying on the mat. This type of fighting is ultimate because it is extreme. An opposite to ultimate fighting is love. Love seeks what is best for the other. And love can be extreme. God is the ultimate example of love. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (NIV 1984) God sacrificed his son to pay the penalty for our sin. That's extreme love. Jesus also shows ultimate love. He had a choice. Galatians 2:20 says he loved us and gave himself up for us. God is our model for how to treat others. His example is extreme. We must show love like the ultimate example of love, God himself. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you ever stepped on a Lego® brand, plastic building block with a bare foot? They hurt! The hard little blocks have sharp edges and corners that painfully poke a foot. But that is not their intended purpose. They were made to snap together to create larger, complex objects. Each little block is attractive in its own right, often white, blue or red in color. But they are even more interesting when assembled into a car, plane, building or animal. I'm sure you have played with Lego® blocks at one time or another. A few weeks ago we started looking at 2 Peter 1:5-7. It reads, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) Did you notice the phrase “add to”? Peter tells us that developing our character starts with faith, but we add other things. It is not quite like snapping Lego® blocks together. But developing the traits Peter mentioned takes our effort and God's spirit. Character is a mosaic of different attitudes and qualities. Assemble them together and our character is more beautiful than each trait by itself. This week, we will examine the last trait Peter tells us to add, love. It is the epitome of godly character, for God is love. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

What does a person filled with brotherly kindness look like? When you think of brotherly kindness, do you picture someone who is loving? Do you see a smile, a gentle manner, someone who is always supportive? Is brotherly kindness displayed by always agreeing with you, or always making you feel good? If this is your picture of brotherly kindness, it is incomplete. Listen to this passage which translates the word for brotherly kindness as “love.” Revelation 3:19-20 says, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.” (NIV 1984) Jesus is the perfect example of brotherly kindness or brotherly love. But he doesn't always make us feel good. Those whom he loves, he rebukes and disciplines. Does he do this gently? Of course, but he is firm in calling us to do what is right. Remember the times he told someone to “go and sin no more”? This week, we've learned that developing brotherly kindness involves deepening relationships with others. Weeping with them, rejoicing with them, working and enduring together, as well as greeting each other warmly. But we also need the willingness to correct each other when we stray from the path of righteousness. Add to your faith brotherly kindness. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Funerals are strange events for children. I remember attending a few funerals as a child and trying to understand it all. As a teen, I disliked the grief and sorrow of funerals. Unless it was family, I tried to avoid going with my parents to a funeral. Nobody really likes a funeral. But we go. As an adult, I've attended the funerals of family and friends. I've also attend the funerals of people I had never met. I went not because I like funerals, but because someone I knew was mourning the passing of a loved one. A funeral is a time to show respect and honor for the deceased. But more importantly, it is a time to show love and support for those grieving. Sometimes the best thing about the funeral is greeting each other, hugging family and talking together after the service. Grieving together is a display of love. An example of this is Jesus.  Jesus missed the funeral of a dear friend named Lazarus. But he visited the tomb a couple of days later. As everyone else wept, Jesus wept with them. John 11:36 says, ‘Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!”' (NVI 1984) This reminds me of Romans 12:15, “Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn.” (NIV 1984) This verse gives us a great, short-hand description of brotherly love. We encourage each other in good times as well as in bad. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you ever been squeamish? When I've traveled to foreign countries, I've been reluctant to eat everything the locals eat. Sometimes, it was the sea food. I just didn't recognize what it was. It didn't look like fish or shrimp. At other times, I recognized things all too well, like chicken heads and feet cooked with all the other meat. Social customs different from mine also make me squeamish. I grew up in the Great Plains section of the United States. People tend to be stoic. So when I hear some bible verses, I get squeamish. One such verse is 1 Peter 5:14 “Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.” (NIV 1984) Did you know that five times in the New Testament we are told to greet each other with a holy kiss? Does that make you reluctant? Well, relax. Here's what I've learned. In the culture of that day, men greeted male relatives or friends with a kiss on one or both cheeks. Women greeted women in the same way. It was the socially acceptable way to show affection for family and friends. Today we shake hands and hug. So, why all this focus on the holy kiss? If we are going to develop brotherly kindness, we need to learn to greet each other with warmth and affection. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

I used to love watching the winter Olympics as a youth. One event that fascinated me was downhill skiing. Men and women raced down the mountain tucked tight over their skies. They flew airborne off bumps and careened through sweeping curves, their skies bouncing on the ruts. The speeds were incredible. So were the crashes. If a skier made a mistake, he or she would spin across the snow, arms and legs akimbo until a safety fence caught them. Broken bones and other serious injury could occur. After a crash, the commentators would often replay the run and use slow motion to point out where the skier made the mistake. Sometimes, a negative example is helpful. If we are going to develop brotherly kindness, as 1 Peter urges us, we should listen to warnings about mistakes to avoid.  One warning is in Matthew 10:37, “Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” (NIV 1984) The word love is the one related to brotherly love or kindness. This verse tells us that our affection and devotion for others, even for family, cannot be greater than our affection and devotion for Jesus. As 1 Corinthians 16:22 tells us, “If anyone does not love the Lord–a curse be on him. Come, O Lord!” (NIV 1984) How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you ever wanted to take a skill to the next level? Maybe you want to improve your golf swing or pickle ball serve. Maybe you write, paint or pound out computer code. Sometimes people want to improve a skill related to work. At others,  people want to improve a hobby or pastime. Regardless of the skill, one way to improve it is to imitate someone who has mastered the skill. The same is true in our Christian growth. If we want to improve our brotherly kindness or love, we can imitate God. John 5:20 says, “For the Father loves the Son and shows him all he does. Yes, to your amazement he will show him even greater things than these.” (NIV 1984) The fascinating thing about this passage is the word love. It is not the usual word to describe God's love, which is agape. No, it is the word phileo which means to love as a brother or as a family member.  The Father loves the Son. The word describes affection, emotion. A related word in the original language means to kiss on the cheek. Notice also the close relationship described in the passage between God the Father and Jesus. The Father shows him all he does. If we want to develop brotherly love, we also need to spend time together with each other, modeling how to pray, witness and live a life of faith. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you ever learned something by example? I'll bet every one of us has learned how to do something on our cell phones by watching someone else demonstrate it. And whether on a phone or game console, children, teens, even adults will watch each other play video games to pick up techniques and secrets to scoring well. If we are going to develop brotherly love, maybe we need an example. Listen to 1 Thessalonians 4:9, “Now about brotherly love we do not need to write to you, for you yourselves have been taught by God to love each other.” (NIV 1984) The Thessalonians were good at brotherly love. If we look through the first seven verses of the book, we see Paul describe them with the following phrases:” work produced by faith”, “labor prompted by love,” “endurance inspired by hope,” “imitators of us and of the Lord,” and “in spite of severe suffering, you welcomed the message with joy.”  This is how they “became a model to all the believers.” The result is the feelings described by Paul in 1 Thessalonians 3:6, “You always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.” (NIV 1984) Longing to see someone is a sign of brotherly love. To develop it, do what the Thessalonians did. Work together, endure together, listen to God's message together, and imitate the Lord. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is known as the “City of Brotherly Love.” The name Philadelphia is taken from an ancient Greek word meaning “brotherly love” or “brotherly kindness.” It is a great name for a city. But I wonder what the Philly football fans think about the slogan. They are reputed to be the worst fans in the National Football League, not loving or kind. The word philadelphia also appears in 2 Peter 1:5-7, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) In fact, this word is interesting because it is a compound of two words. The first means to love as a brother or family member. It describes affection. That word is never used in the Bible as a command for how we should love God. A different word for love is used. The second word in the compound means “brotherhood.” Together, they carry the idea of loving the brothers like a brother. Hence translations use the phrase “brotherly kindness,” or “brotherly affection.” If we are going to develop maturity in Christ, we must make the effort to develop kindness and affection for each other. We can't be emotionally cold to one another. After all, we are in the same spiritual family. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Several years ago I entered the church auditorium one Sunday morning and received a small envelope about the size of a business card. Everyone who entered received one. We were told not to open them until prompted to do so during the sermon. The speaker talked about the priorities of life and how priorities often change when people have a terminal illness. He challenged us to examine our priorities if we knew we would only live the amount of time on the card in the envelope. I opened mine and it said “one year.” Some people's cards read “one day,” others “one week” and some “one month.” His point was this: we all will die, we just don't know when. So, change your priorities now. The card really made me think. This is a similar point to the one made in 2 Peter 3:10-12, “But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming.” (NIV 1984) Don't waste any more time chasing after things that will burn at the Lord's return. Pursue godliness today. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Electronic communication and entertainment have changed our lives, though not all the changes are good. Several decades ago, people realized that television provided an excellent medium to spread the message about Jesus. Billy Graham and others spoke to large crowds and also broadcast their events. Eventually, preachers developed regular religious programs and a new word entered the vocabulary, televangelist. There have been may famous televangelists over the years. Some have been honorable. Others fell in scandal. Some preached about following Jesus and doing good, but others emphasized the Christian life as a means to financial wealth. How do we sort through all these messages? We should remember the words of 1 Timothy 6:3-5, “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.” (NIV 1984) Paul goes on to tell us that godliness is a means to gain, when it is accompanied by contentment. We should pursue a godly life, not in an attempt to become rich. No, the gain of godliness is knowing God and pleasing him. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

When the weather is cold, my wife and I go to a community center and walk on an indoor track. To reach the track, we cross a large room filled with weight machines, exercise bikes and elliptical trainers. Every time we go, the room holds several people puffing and sweating as they use the exercise machines. They are training hard to stay in shape. Many of these people also follow strict diets. Although I'm not a stickler about my diet, I do watch what I eat and often read nutrition labels to choose healthier options. Changes in my diet over the years has improved the results of my annual blood tests. Diet and physical exercise have several advantages. They help control weight, improve sleep and improve cardio-vascular health. If only people trained themselves to be godly with the same energy they expend on exercise or with the same discipline they have over food. 1 Timothy 4:7-8 says, “Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” (NIV 1984) Notice, godliness is not just an advantage for seeking eternal life. Godliness promises benefits for life  today. But you must train yourself to develop it. Remember, you can't gain, if you don't train. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

How would you summarize what you want most in life? Is it to get ahead, to succeed at work, to build a nest egg and retire? Do you want to send your kids to the best schools and give them the best experiences in life? Are you working hard to make ends meet only to be frustrated at the steadily increasing cost of living? Are you fed up? Does it seem like the country is falling apart? Do you roll your eyes and shake your head each time our political leaders say or do another stupid thing? The government is bad today, but it is not as bad as the Roman empire in the first century. The Roman emperor Nero used Christians as lamp posts, literally burning them at night to light the streets. He murdered his mother to gain power and probably murdered his wife to marry another.  Yet it was during Nero's reign that Paul wrote these words in 1 Timothy 2:1-2, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone– for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” (NIV 1984) Not only does this passage challenge us to pray for the people governing us, but it also indicates what we should want in life. As followers of Jesus, we must live peacefully, quietly, focused on holiness and godliness. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

So much of life is learned by example. I never read a book about how to ride a bicycle. I just watched my siblings and tried it myself. Of course, my mom was close by to tend to any scrapes and bruises. But I learned by example. I learned to use an axe the same way, watching my father. I did read a few books on how to be a good husband and father, but learned most about it again by watching my dad. Examples are important. If we are going to develop godliness, we can learn by studying the meaning of the word. But we still need to see it in action. One person described in Scripture as godly was Ananias of Damascus. He was the man who baptized Saul, who later became the apostle Paul. But at the time, he persecuted and imprisoned Christians. But God appeared to Ananias and told him to carry a message to Saul. Listen to Paul describe Ananias in Acts 22:12, “A man named Ananias came to see me. He was a devout observer of the law and highly respected by all the Jews living there.” (NIV 1984) What do we see Ananias doing? He observed the law, meaning he studied scripture and lived the way it teaches. Second, he earned the respect of others by living a moral life. Third, he obeyed God. Ananias displays the essence of godliness. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

The professional baseball season has started. Before long, the diamonds at the park near our home will be filled with children learning the game. One of the best ways to learn something is to watch a demonstration. At the baseball field, the coach shows children how to hold the bat, field a ground ball, run the bases and many other skills. Some kids will also watch the pros on television or online and imitate them. Watching an example helps us learn. If we are to develop godliness, as the bible urges us, we should also study an example. One such example is Cornelius, described in Acts 10:1-2, “At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly.” (NIV 1984) We discover here traits of a godly  or devout person. First, he was God-fearing. These words describe someone who regularly participated in Jewish religious observances, though he was not a Jew. Second, he gave generously to the poor. Third, he prayed regularly. And fourth, all his family was devout. Let's use this list to check our godliness. Do we participate in a worship service each week?  Do we give generously to those in need? Do we have a daily prayer life? Do we encourage our family to be devout? That's what godliness looks like. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Do you enjoy meeting new people? Some people love it, but others become uneasy. One of the easiest things to understand about someone you've just met is their personality. Spend a few minute talking to them and you'll quickly know if they are shy or outgoing, serious or a jokester, a talker or a listener. What is more difficult to understand when meeting someone for the first time is their character, or lack of it. Character is the attitude we have toward others and our commitment to live in an ethical way. We often need to know someone for a while to understand their character. As followers of Jesus, Peter challenged us to develop our character. He said in 2 Peter 1:5-7, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) As the passage indicates, character has many facets. We should develop all these different traits. This week, we will look at the trait of godliness. The word's background in the ancient world described an ethical person, one who had good conduct. It included respect for God, for government and for others. Godliness includes piety, but results in far more than religious practice. Join me this week as we explore godliness. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you seen the battery commercial with the pink bunny marching about, beating a bass drum? Several of them have appeared over the years. The trademarked tagline for the commercial started as “keeps going” and later morphed into “still going.” In fact, you could use those phrases to describe the mascot, not just the batteries. The bunny has been used in ads for nearly 35 years. The company wants you to associate their batteries with long life. It's almost like the battery-powered bunny never fails. The bunny shows us one nuance of the word persevere. Listen to 1 Corinthians 13:8-9, “Love never fails. But where there are prophecies, they will cease; where there are tongues, they will be stilled; where there is knowledge, it will pass away.”  We could also translate the first phrase of this passage as “Love perseveres.” We've seen this week that the word perseverance has a geographical nuance. It can mean to stand your ground or remain in place. But it also has a temporal meaning. It refers to something that doesn't stop, that keeps going, that never fails. This is a character trait that we must develop as we mature in Christ. Our faith in Jesus must never fail. Even in the face of persecution and suffering, we must continue to trust and wait patiently for Jesus' return. Like that bunny, our faith must just keep going. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Burny Mattison was the longest-serving employee at the Walt Disney Company before he passed away in February of this year. He spent 70 years at Disney. He started working in the company mailroom when he was 18. Six months later he became an animator and worked on the film Lady and the Tramp. He worked on several other films, including, One Hundred and One Dalmatians, the Rescuers and others.* Mattison illustrates one nuance of the word persevere. The word can mean to remain, to stay in place. That meaning is used in Luke 2:43, “After the Feast was over, while his parents were returning home, the boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem, but they were unaware of it.” (NIV 1984) This root meaning of “staying behind” or staying in place colors the word in many instances. You could say Burny Mattison persevered at Disney. He stayed in place for 70 years. Are you staying in place with your faith in Jesus? 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) Hang in there. Don't surrender your faith in Jesus. Make every effort to persevere, to remain, to stand your ground, to wait patiently. *Vanessa Serna, "Disney's longest serving employee of 70 YEARS – who started out as a ‘traffic boy' for Walt Disney - dies at age 87: Animator worked on Lady and the Tramp, The Jungle Book and other classics," Daily Mail, last updated February 28, 2023, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-11800639/Disneys-longest-serving-employee-70-YEARS-dies-age-87-Animator-worked-Lady-Tramp.html How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

If the government arrived at your house today and confiscated your car, would you be happy? What about your phone? What if they hauled you to court and took your home because you were a Christian? Would you rejoice? Christians in the first century were persecuted by removal of their property. Listen to Hebrews 10:32-36, “Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” (NIV 1984) We find perseverance in two places within this passage. First, they stood their ground in the face of suffering. Then, at the end, they needed to persevere to receive God's promise. This is why we need to develop perseverance to add to our faith and self-control. We live in a world that will insult us. Christians face persecution in many forms. We must stand our ground in the face of suffering to receive what God has promised. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Do you enjoy waiting? I can't say that I do. I usually want to get on with it, whatever it is. If I'm stuck in traffic, I'm checking the map for a way around. I also pick the shortest line at the store checkout. And I dread getting boxed into a checkout lane when the person ahead buys something requiring the clerk to call for a price check. However, I can wait patiently for tomatoes to ripen on the vine. The flavor of vine-ripened tomatoes is exquisite. And I can't do anything to make them grow faster. So, I wait. Oh, I'm eager for them the ripen and I check them frequently, but I know the wait will be worth it. The same thing is true of our hope in Christ. Romans 8:24-25 says, “For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (NIV 1984) The word patiently in the passage is the same word that can be translated “perseverance.” To persevere requires us to wait on God with confident expectation. We know Christ will return and set right every broken thing in this world. We eagerly want it, but have no control over the timing. We simple continue to hold on to hope. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Spring has sprung in my neighborhood. Flowers are blooming, grass growing and leaves sprouting on the trees. I've already spent some time pulling weeds and planting things in my garden. Plants are amazing things. Cover a seed with good soil and watch it grow. Their roots run deep as the plant gains strength. Have you ever pulled up a plant and examined the network of roots that spread through and clutch the dirt? They are amazing structures that provide water and nutrients to the plant as well as anchor it against the wind. They also anchor weeds against my effort to uproot them. Roots can also be an example of perseverance. In Luke 8:15 Jesus describes the meaning of good soil in his parable. He said, “But the seed on good soil stands for those with a noble and good heart, who hear the word, retain it, and by persevering produce a crop.” (NIV 1984) The word persevere carries the nuance of holding fast to something. Plants that hold fast to the soil will produce a crop, whether they be a tomato, okra, zucchini, wheat or corn. Pull up the plant, and no crop develops. In the same way, we must hold fast to God to produce fruit for him. We must entwine our lives with Jesus and abide in him. Don't let go of your trust in God. Hold fast to Jesus. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

One of the earliest writings by a woman was penned in 203 A.D. Vibia Perpetua was a young mother living in Carthage. The Roman emperor had forbade any conversion to Christianity. But Perpetua and four others were preparing for baptism in violation of the edict. They were arrested. Perpetua started a diary describing her imprisonment, dreams while in prison and her trial. At her trial, her father pleaded with her to renounce Jesus, but she would not. On the night before her execution, Perpetua gave the diary to another who recorded her death. She bravely faced attack by wild animals in the arena and was finished off by the sword. Her diary was read each year in the churches of Carthage for hundreds of years.* Her story brings to mind Jesus' words in Matthew 10:21-22, “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death. All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” (NIV 1984) Perpetua is an example of standing firm to the end. She is a picture of perseverance. She refused to renounce her faith in Jesus, though it cost her life. We also must stand firm in our faith. As Peter reminds us, Christian character begins with faith, but continues as different traits are added. One of those traits is perseverance. *Joyce Ellen Salisbury, "Perpetua, Christian martyr," Britannica, Last Updated March 3, 2023, https://www.britannica.com/biography/Perpetua-Christian-martyr How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

What would you do if 2,000 enemy soldiers and 40 tanks attacked you? That's where 120 Indian soldiers found themselves in December of 1971. Pakistan attacked India in a war that lasted only a couple of weeks. One focus of the attack was the outpost at Longewala. Even though the Indian soldiers stationed there only possessed one heavy weapon, they stood their ground. They battled against the Pakistani forces through the night. When the battle ended the following day, over 200 enemy soldiers were dead and nearly every tank was destroyed. The Indian force only lost two men.* Sometimes, the best thing to do when attacked is to stand your ground. This is especially true in the Christian life. 2 Peter 1:5-7 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) The word perseverance used in this passage describes someone who stands his or her ground, who hangs in there, who doesn't quit. The word describes the Indian soldiers who fought on, even when seriously outnumbered and at a disadvantage. Do you feel like the entire world is against your faith? Hang in there. Add perseverance to your faith in Jesus. *"The 6 best defensive stands in military history," We Are the Mighty, April 22, 2021, https://www.wearethemighty.com/mighty-history/the-6-best-defensive-stands/ How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

The fictional detective Sherlock Holmes once said, “When you have eliminated all which is impossible, then whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth.” This week, we have examined the scene at the empty tomb of Jesus. Only three possibilities exist. First, Jesus didn't die and escaped. The evidence refutes this theory with numerous facts. The second possibility is someone took the body from the tomb. However, the enemies of Jesus wanted the body present and placed a guard and a seal on the tomb. Jesus' disciples couldn't steal the body because of the guard. And the sealed tomb kept the guards from stealing the body. Today, we look at a final fact that refutes the theory the disciples took the body. Look at the change in their behavior. They fled at Jesus' arrest and cowered in discouragement after his death. But after Sunday, they boldly proclaimed Jesus in the face of persecution. Hauled before the authorities who forbade their preaching, Acts 5:29-30 says, ‘Peter and the other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead–whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree.' (NIV 1984) These men eventually died for their faith. Would they die for a lie? Would stealing the body cause this change in their behavior? No. We are left with only one possibility. Jesus rose from the dead. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Many plays and stories have three acts. A problem develops. The problem gets worse. And finally, the hero solves the problem. When we examine the empty tomb of Jesus, most things have two states. First, how does the item appeared at the end of the crucifixion? And second, how does it appeared three days later? However, the guards at the tomb display three stages or acts. First, they are the professional soldiers guarding the sealed tomb as Matthew 27:66 says. Then on Sunday, Matthew 28:4 tells us the guards were so afraid “they shook and became like dead men.” (NIV 1984) Finally, the guards reported to the chief priests about the events they witnessed on Sunday. Matthew 28:12-15 tells us ‘When the chief priests had met with the elders and devised a plan, they gave the soldiers a large sum of money, telling them, “You are to say, ‘His disciples came during the night and stole him away while we were asleep.' If this report gets to the governor, we will satisfy him and keep you out of trouble.” So the soldiers took the money and did as they were instructed. And this story has been widely circulated among the Jews to this very day.' (NIV 1984) What could cause Roman soldiers to go from competent, to scared stiff, to bribed liars?  Only one thing, they witnessed the resurrection of Jesus. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Where do you keep your valuables? Many people rent safe deposit boxes at a bank. The bank guards, security systems and locks make it difficult to steal items in the bank vault. Bank security reminds me of the security at the empty tomb of Jesus. Yes, Jesus' tomb had security. The Jewish leaders were afraid the disciples would steal his body. They knew Jesus promised to rise again. So, they asked Pilate for security measures. Matthew 27:66 says, “They went and made the tomb secure by putting a seal on the stone and posting the guard.” (NIV 1984) To seal the tomb the Romans stretched a cord from the closed stone to the wall of the tomb and anchored it is place with a large amount of wax or clay. A pattern representing the Roman governor was pressed into the lumps of wax. I know, it doesn't sound very secure, does it? It's certainly not the same as a vault door. But the seal prevented the guards from looting the grave or stealing the body. Breaking the seal violated Roman law. The seal provided the ability to audit the trustworthiness of the guards, as well as, defer others by declaring the tomb closed by the governor. Anyone breaking the seal faced Roman wrath. If Jesus died and no one moved his body, how do we explain the empty tomb? Well, he rose from the dead. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you ever seen the carnival game where someone uses a sledge hammer to hit a target on the ground to launch a weight up a rod in an attempt to ring a bell? It takes strength to smack the target hard enough to ring the bell. Strength is also important in our examination of the empty tomb. One detail required great strength. Matthew 27:60 says that after Joseph buried Jesus, “He rolled a big stone in front of the entrance to the tomb and went away.” (NIV 1984) Tombs often had a rolling cover, like a large stone disc set on edge. It rolled in a track that guided it over the door. The language used in Mark indicates the track led downhill, making closing the tomb easier than opening it. So Joseph's strength was enough to close the tomb. But listen to John 20:1, “Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance.” (NIV 1984) The word removed used here, and the description in Luke's account, indicate the stone wasn't simply rolled back up the track enough to open the door. The stone had been carried away, removed from the tomb. Here again, this would have been impossible for Jesus to accomplish if he'd simply fainted on the cross and revived in the tomb. The power of the resurrection moved the stone. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

In one of my favorite detective shows, the main character often notices a small detail at the crime scene. The early theories about the crime do not explain that one, nagging fact. He doesn't rest until he understands how the detail occurred, often leading him to a different suspect, the true murderer. As we examine the empty tomb of Jesus, we have to understand a nagging detail, namely, Jesus was prepared for burial. Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus took Jesus' body from the cross. John 19:40 says, “Taking Jesus' body, the two of them wrapped it, with the spices, in strips of linen. This was in accordance with Jewish burial customs.” (NIV 1984) Earlier verses tell us that they used 75 pounds of spices, not a light dusting. The strips of cloths were probably about a foot wide. They wrapped the body, placing spices between the layers of cloth. Some of the spices probably had a sticky consistency, holding the cloth to the body and each layer of wrapping to the next. Why is this fact important? It proves again that Jesus was dead. He could not have revived in the tomb and escaped the wrappings. But more importantly, all the cloth wrapping lay exactly where Jesus' body had laid, but were empty, flat. Only the face covering was in a different place. How did this happen?  Jesus rose from the dead. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

A common plot device in mysteries is the impossible crime. One of the most used devices is the murder inside a locked room. The detective has to determine how the murderer entered the room and then left it locked, if it can only be locked from the inside. These puzzles stump the detective until he or she has the “aha moment.” When we look at the death and resurrection of Jesus, we must examine the tomb. Luke 23:53 tells us that Joseph of Arimathea took the body of Jesus and “wrapped it in linen cloth and placed it in a tomb cut in the rock, one in which no one had yet been laid.” (NIV 1984) The tombs of Jesus' day had a low doorway that entered a tiny room. The body would be placed on a shelf, often carved from the rock on one side. After the body decayed, the bones would be place into boxes or in niches in the back or sides of the tomb. Why is the tomb important? Because it is further evidence that Jesus was dead. He would not have been placed in the tomb otherwise. Also, tombs only had one entrance. The body of Jesus could only leave the same way it entered. In fact, when news came to the disciples that Jesus was alive, where did they run? To the tomb. They found it empty, evidence of his resurrection. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Do you like who-done-it stories? I enjoy watching mysteries and police shows. When the detectives arrive at the scene of the crime, they examine the scene for evidence, trying to understand what happened. The forensic team members examine everything in the greatest detail and the coroner examines the body. This week, the podcast will do something similar. We will examine the scene of the resurrection of Jesus. Many doubt it occurred. But what does the evidence say? Is there reason to believe Jesus rose? In order to do this, we must examine seven things as they appeared at the end of the crucifixion, as well as how they changed just a couple of days later. The first item we'll examine is the body of Jesus. It was lowered from the cross and judged dead by his executioners. He had been tortured by scourging, carried the cross, then nailed to it for hours. He even hung an extended time after he stopped breathing. The soldiers rammed a spear into his chest cavity to ensure his death. These facts are known. What must be determined is why did his body disappear. Rather than solving a crime, we need to determine if a miracle occurred. After the cross, we have the dead body of Jesus. But on Sunday, his body is missing from the tomb and people claim he has appeared to them alive. Their witness is the first reason to believe in the resurrection. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Do you find yourself shaking your head when you encounter the news? Whether reading, listening or watching, it can be hard to know if you receive the true account of events or some narrative spun to distort or hide the facts. Today, things people decried in the past few years as conspiracy theories have been proven true. Yet, I'm sure that today's news cycle will include more spin and narrative than actual facts. When we try to understand who Jesus is, we can also encounter narratives. One such narrative is that Jesus' followers elevated his status following his death. Over time, they developed the idea he was God. This idea ignores the fact that Jesus' followers used divine titles for him and worshipped him. It also ignores the fact that Jesus claimed the name of God in John 8:58-59, ‘“I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “before Abraham was born, I am!” At this, they picked up stones to stone him, but Jesus hid himself, slipping away from the temple grounds.' (NIV 1984) When God called Moses to serve Him, He gave His name as “I am who I am.” Jesus claimed this name. The Jews clearly understood this, because they picked up stones to kill him. Don't believe the narrative that Jesus never claimed to be God, that his followers invented the idea. Jesus claimed to be the Son of God, accepted worship and claimed the name of God. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

“The proof is in the pudding.” Have you heard that saying? It is a shortened version of the saying “The proof of the pudding is in the eating.” Centuries ago, a pudding was a sausage-like dish of chopped meat, fat, spice and cereal. The only way to know if it was good or spoiled was to eat it. So the saying came to mean you only know something is good when you experience it. To understand what the people who experienced Jesus's teaching and ministry thought of him, we can look at their words and actions. One example is the man born blind who Jesus healed. After healing him, Jesus meets him again in John 9:35-38, ‘Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”“Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.' (NIV 1984) Jesus claimed to be the Son of Man. Scripture tells us the Son of Man would come from heaven and return, would heal people and have authority to judge. The man was so convinced Jesus was the Son of Man, he worshipped Jesus. The title and the man's worship point us to the deity of Jesus. That is his identity. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

I have a passport issued by the government of the United States of America. It is proof of my identity. But it is useless if I never use it. I must make a claim to my identity and then show the passport as proof of my claim. It is not the only way I can assert a claim to my identity. I can also use my driver's license or birth certificate. When accessing secure websites, I can provide a username as my claimed identity. The password, and any multifactor identification steps are proof of the claim. In ancient Judea, passports, births certificates, usernames and passwords were not issued. But people still made claims about their identity. So when we seek to understand who Jesus truly is, we should look at the claims he made. One such claim is in John 4:25-26, ‘The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I who speak to you am he.”' (NIV 1984) The woman at the well was looking for the Messiah. The word in Greek is “Christ.” It refers to the prophesied king of the Jews who would restore their relationship to God and established an everlasting kingdom. Notice Jesus claimed this title. His preaching also proclaimed the coming kingdom of God. Make no mistake, Jesus clearly claimed to be the Messiah. That is part of his identity. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Prove it. Did you ever hear those words issued as a challenge? Prove it. Or, as they say in Missouri, show me. If you make claims about your toughness or ability on the playground, someone will challenge you to prove it, to put your money where your mouth is, to back it up with action. I remember guys in high school bragging about how fast their cars were. Eventually, someone would challenge them and they would line up on the black top road north of town and hold a drag race. Revving engines, squealing tires and the fastest car through the quarter mile proved which claim was true. What about the claims that Jesus is God's Son? Dare we say “prove it”? We really don't need to. Listen to John 3:1-2, ‘Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. He came to Jesus at night and said, “Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him.”' (NIV 1984) Nicodemus didn't ask Jesus to prove who he was. He said that God had already proven who Jesus was. The miracles performed by Jesus proved he came from God. God claimed Jesus was his Son, and he proved it with miracle after miracle. God, backed up his words with action. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

The jury in a trial hears witnesses testify about the facts of a case. The jury must judge whether the witnesses are credible or not. Having served on a jury, I can tell you the credibility and possible incentives for the witnesses are important to consider. So, when we come to claims about who Jesus is, who should we believe? Many declare Jesus to be the Son of God. Others say he was only a good rabbi. Who do you believe? Today, let's consider the witness of God himself about who Jesus is. Matthew 3:13-17 records these words, ‘Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, “I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?” Jesus replied, “Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness.” Then John consented. As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and lighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”' (NIV 1984) This voice from heaven was heard by several and mentioned in all of the gospels. God bore direct testimony about the identity of Jesus. He is the Son of God. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Have you ever doubted the claims of someone? Maybe it was the new kid in school bragging about how popular they were in their old school. Or bragging about their athletic abilities. Maybe someone told you an outlandish tale and you doubted whether it really happened. When I've doubted the claims of others, I have sometimes been right. At other times, what I doubted actually happened. I'm sure you have experienced the same thing. At the beginning of Jesus' ministry, multiple people witnessed an event. Listen to John 1:29-33, ‘The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! This is the one I meant when I said, ‘A man who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.' I myself did not know him, but the reason I came baptizing with water was that he might be revealed to Israel. Then John gave this testimony: “I saw the Spirit come down from heaven as a dove and remain on him. I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, ‘The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'”' (NIV 1984) John the Baptist testified that Jesus was sent from God like a lamb for sacrifice. Don't doubt his word. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Parades stick in our memories, don't they? My earliest memory of a parade is of elephants and clowns walking the streets of Moore, Oklahoma when I was in early elementary school. The circus came to town. I remember the parade and visiting the tent pitched on a vacant lot to enjoy the three-ring show. I remember other parades as well, marching in a band, riding a float or just sitting on the side of the street and enjoying the entertainment passing in front of me. Today, we remember an even older parade, the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. John 12:12-13 describes it this way: ‘The next day the great crowd that had come for the Feast heard that Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem. They took palm branches and went out to meet him, shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Blessed is the King of Israel!”' (NIV 1984) Notice the crowd hailed Jesus as king. He accepted their cheers and rode a young donkey. In their history, their most powerful king, Solomon rode into Jerusalem in the same way when he was crowned. Jesus' act affirmed he was their king. This week, we will look at who Jesus claimed to be and what others thought of him. We'll look primarily in the book of John. Today, we see that Jesus clearly accepted adoration as the king. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

John Wooden was the legendary coach of the UCLA men's basketball team in the 1960's. In a twelve year period, beginning in 1964, Wooden's teams won the NCAA national championship ten times, including seven wins in a row.* Coach Wooden taught his teams many things about basketball and life, including the importance of self-control. He said, “If you lose self-control everything will fall.” Self-control means mastery over our desires. If you want an example of self-control, just look at Jesus. Matthew 4 tells us that Jesus fasted and Satan tempted him for 40 days. We are told of three temptations. The first temptation was to fulfill his physical hunger by turning rocks into bread. Jesus resisted. The second temptation offered Jesus the world unopposed, as long as Jesus worshipped Satan. Again, Jesus resisted. The third time, Satan tempted Jesus to prove he was the Son of God with an inappropriate miracle. Jesus resisted. In every temptation, Satan used a legitimate desire of Jesus. The temptation was to fulfill the desire in the wrong way. Jesus had mastery of his desires, allowing him to resist the temptations. As we mature in faith, we also need mastery over our desires, controlling our actions to act in the way that pleases God. As 2 Peter 1:5-6 reminds us, add self-control to your faith. 233-------------------------------- *"John Wooden," Wikipedia, last updated March 7, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Wooden How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Hunter Biden is probably a name you wish you'd never heard. Hunter, the son our current President, has a very checkered history. The allegations include cavorting with strippers, getting one pregnant, and abusing crack cocaine. Allegations of corrupt influence-peddling also exist, including dealings with the Chinese and a Ukrainian energy company called Burisma. Of course, much of this was fueled by his leaving a laptop loaded with scandalous photos and content at a computer repair shop and forgetting about it. In today's destructive political environment, Hunter's lack of discipline has been used against his father. Things aren't much better on the other side of the aisle. Although the allegations against Donald Trump are not as scurrilous, many of his political problems stem from his lack of discipline as well. Trump can't resist tweeting mocking criticism of his opponents, even in his own party. His pugnacious attitude has been used to bait him into political mistakes. Hunter Biden and former President Trump illustrate how a lack of self-control provides an avenue of attack in the world of politics. 2 Peter 1:5-6 tells us to “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control.” (NIV 1984) Self-control, though a fruit of God's Spirit in our lives, still requires our effort. We must discipline ourselves like an elite athlete to make sure no area of our life provides an avenue for spiritual attack and defeat. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

You've heard of running a marathon, right? It is a race of over 26 miles. Many are famous, such as the Boston Marathon. But these are not the longest races run. Did you know there are races of 100 miles in length? And many of these races are not on a paved, city street. They are run over trails, often in rugged terrain. The Hardrock 100 starts in Silverton, Colorado and makes a loop through the mountains. The average elevation of the race is 11,000 feet, twice the elevation of Denver. During the 102 miles of the race, runners will change elevation, going both uphill and down. The total elevation change over the course is over 66 thousand feet as they cross several mountains. Last year, Kilian Jornet won the race in a time of 21:36:24, just behind his record set the previous year. Yes, racers run through the night. Many require 40 hours to complete the course.* How do you train for such a race? You spend a lot of time in the mountains running to build endurance. 2 Peter 1:5-6 tells us to “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control.” (NIV 1984) The word translated “self-control” can also be translated “endurance.” Life is more than a marathon. It is an ultra-race through life's highs and lows. I Add to your faith in Jesus endurance. *"Course Description," Hardrock 100, https://www.hardrock100.com/hardrock-course.php How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Who is the greatest golfer of all time? Most people would say Jack Nicklaus, who won 15 major tournaments and finished among the top five and top ten places more times than any other golfer. But things might have been different if Tiger Woods possessed more self-control. Tiger was a phenomenon on pace to overtake Nicklaus. He burst on the scene as a young player and racked up victories. He won 14 major tournaments in eleven years beginning in 1997. But things changed drastically on Thanksgiving Day in 2009. On that day, Woods' wife found romantic texts on his phone and called the number, discovering Woods' lover. Woods left their home shortly after in their Cadillac SUV and hit a fire hydrant and tree. A media scandal erupted. Woods' play deteriorated as other affairs became known. He and his wife divorced the following year.* Woods would not win another major golf tournament until nearly ten years later, to date, his last. Without self-control, his life crashed. Self-control is needed in every aspect of life. 2 Peter 1:5-6 tells us to “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control.” (NIV 1984) We need self-control in the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual realms of our lives. We find it as God's Spirit changes our hearts. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. Follow his leading. *Jim Peltz, "Tiger Woods hurt in car accident in front of his Florida home," Los Angeles Times, November 28, 2009, https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2009-nov-28-la-sp-tiger-woods28-2009nov28-story.html How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

When you hear the term virtuoso musician, do you think of someone like pianists Chopin or Rachmaninov? Or perhaps the violinist Perlman or cellist Rostropovich? They are all known as virtuosos, meaning they mastered their instrument to the highest level of talent and technical skill. Another virtuoso is the guitarist Doc Watson. He was born in 1923 in Deep Gap, North Carolina. An eye infection left him blind before he reached age two. But that didn't stop him. One day his father told him and his brother that if they chopped down a bunch of small chestnut trees, he'd let them keep the money from selling them. They did, and Watson bought his first guitar. He spent hours practicing and, over time, developed a technique called flat picking, where the musician holds a pick to strike the strings. The technique influenced many folk musicians. Watson also mastered the finger-picking style.* I encourage you to search the internet and listen to a recording of Doc Watson playing “Tickling the Strings.” 2 Peter 1:5-6 tells us to “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control.” (NIV 1984) That word self-control refers to mastering something. Doc Watson mastered the guitar. We are to work along with God's spirit to master ourselves, to learn how to live, to be a virtuoso in the Christian life. *"Doc Watson," Wikipedia, last updated February 24, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doc_Watson How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Elvis Presley was known as the “King of Rock and Roll.” Born in Tupelo, Mississippi, he rose to music stardom from Memphis, Tennessee, beginning in 1954. He is the best-selling solo music artist of all time. He sold over half a billion records. But his story is more than a rags-to-riches tale. It also holds tragedy. During his rise to fame, Elvis was deeply opposed to recreational drug use. He also avoided alcohol, since many in his family had been alcoholics. He even talked to President Nixon about reaching out to the hippies to combat their acceptance of drugs. But he had a problem. He abused prescription drugs and had other unhealthy habits. Once he spent three days in a coma from a drug overdose.  In his final concerts, he was so drugged that he struggled to remember the lyrics to his songs. He collapsed and died at the age of 42 at his estate in Memphis.* Elvis is an example of the lack of self-control. Although he avoided illegal drugs and alcohol, he abused prescription medication. The lack of self-control is not only a threat to our physical health, it can also damage us spiritually. 2 Peter 1:5-6 says, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control.” (NIV 1984) Don't let even one area of your life escape the discipline and training needed to live for Jesus. *"Elvis Presley," Wikipedia, last updated March 7, 2023, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elvis_Presley How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Would you run eight 400-meter sprints at 1 o'clock in the morning? Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce did that once when he traveled to Paris. It was the only time he could train after a very busy and long day.  Kelce takes training his body seriously. Besides running, he performs squats, lunges and rows, as well as several other exercises. He seeks to develop all the muscles in his body to give him explosive performance and to protect him in the brutal sport of NFL football. He has been one of the most durable tight ends in the last few years.* This week we will focus on the third thing we should add to faith, namely, self-control. Listen for it in 2 Peter 1:5-8, “For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.” (NIV 1984) The word in this passage translated “self-control” was used in the ancient world to describe mastery of your desires, self-restraint and discipline. One use described the athlete in training. I'm sure Travis Kelce needed some self-discipline to run sprints in the middle of the night after a long day. We also need self-control to pursue God's will in a world that tempts our every desire. *Anna Katherine Clemmons, "How to Build Explosiveness Like NFL Star Travis Kelce," Men's Health, September 19, 2021, https://www.menshealth.com/fitness/a37331144/travis-kelce-workout/ How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

Animals can do some gross things.  In fact, 2 Peter 2:20-22 uses the behavior of a couple of animals to make a point. It talks about people and says, ‘If they have escaped the corruption of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and are again entangled in it and overcome, they are worse off at the end than they were at the beginning. It would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than to have known it and then to turn their backs on the sacred command that was passed on to them. Of them the proverbs are true: “A dog returns to its vomit,” and, “A sow that is washed goes back to her wallowing in the mud.”' (NIV 1984) When I was growing up, we had both dogs and hogs. I don't remember if any of our dogs lapped up their own vomit, but the pigs loved to wallow in the mud. But this passage is not about the animals. It talks about our accountability for knowledge. Those who come to know Jesus, then return to the corruption of the world are worse off than if they had never known Jesus. When we add knowledge to our faith and virtue, as 2 Peter 1:5 says, we must follow it. Insight into God's will is dangerous if we don't also obey it. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.

We live in a technologically advanced age. For instance, several technologies are used to search for oil, gas and hot water reservoirs buried deep in the earth. Sound waves are transmitted into the ground. These may be generated on land with explosives. In water, guns that fire air are dragged near the bottom. The sound waves generated bounce around and travel through the layers of rock deep underground. Huge volumes of this seismic data are collected. But the data must be studied and analyzed to provide insight into the structures within the earth. Machine-learning computer algorithms process the data and provide maps of the structures deep underground. It is amazing. Did you notice that gathering and studying the data was not the end result of the process? The end result was insight into what the data revealed. The same is true in our study of God's word. 2 Peter 1:5 commands us to “make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge.” (NIV 1984) Knowledge is not simply knowing facts from the bible. It involves using our minds to process the biblical teachings so we have insight into God's will. That insight tells us who God is, what is good versus what is evil and what God wills for our lives. Yes, we need knowledge of the bible. Yes, we need to study what it teaches. But the goal is not knowing the bible. The goal is knowing God. How to leave a review: https://www.sparkingfaith.com/rate-and-review/ Visit Elmer Fuller's author website at: https://www.elmerfuller.com/ Bumper music “Landing Place” performed by Mark July, used under license from Shutterstock.