KLOVE Radio Features – February 2023
GOD’S FOOTPRINTS –
Jesus sent two of His disciples into Jerusalem to supernaturally meet a man who would take them to a room fully prepared for their Last Supper. When this happened exactly as Jesus predicted, it increased their faith for other predictions Jesus had made about His and their future. (Mark 14:13-16) This is true in our lives as well. The fact that you and I periodically see God put pieces of our Divine puzzle in our lives, is a further confirmation that He will finish the work He has begun in us, if we will just trust Him. Remember, the footprints of God in your life are milestones along the way, designed to increase your faith for the bright future He’s promised each of us if we will just trust and believe in Him.
BE QUIET!
In Mark 10, a blind man named Bartimaeus was sitting on the side of a road begging. Hearing Jesus was nearby, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many of the people nearby yelled, “Be quiet!” But he only shouted louder, “Son of David, have mercy on me!” When Jesus heard him, He stopped and said, “Tell him to come here.” So, they called to the blind man. “Cheer up,” they said. “Come on, He’s calling you!” Jesus then healed him. (Mark 10:46-52) We live in an age where more and more, our reaching out to Jesus will be vilified and mocked by those who don’t know Him or want the life He offers them. Don’t let their rejection deter you; keep crying out to Jesus with all your heart.
WHEN SALT LOSES ITS FLAVOR
Jesus said, “You are the salt of the earth. But what good is salt if it has lost its flavor? Can you make it salty again? It will be thrown out and trampled underfoot as worthless.” (Matthew 5:13) Yet it raises the question, how could you or I lose our “spiritual saltiness?” Here are some facts: natural salts can never spoil, while table salts with additives can lose their flavor and texture over time. Refined table salts contain iodine to enhance flavor and health properties and anti-caking agents that protect it from clumping. It sounds like Jesus was saying, “Don’t add anything fake or unauthentic as you represent Me. I’m the Real Deal!” So, in order to represent Jesus well, you and I must be real and authentic too.
Word Count: 126 words
OUR FAITH VS. HIS FAITHFULNESS
Am I more committed to saving my life than wading into the battle? If so, then at some point, I will back away to save my own life. Jesus said, “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24) All of Christ’s closest disciples promised they would never forsake Him. (Mark 14:50) But they all did. Promising God that we’ll do what is naturally impossible merely puts the onus on our faithfulness…what we can do. This always leads to failure. Acknowledge what you need to do in obedience but have “zero” confidence in your own ability to do it. Be completely confident in what Jesus alone can do, while connecting your microscopic faith in Him with His magnificent commitment to be faithful to you.
Word Count: 134 words
A MESS OR A MIRACLE
Are you wondering what God is doing in your life? When He’s going to show up and help you? I’m always amazed at what God is able to redeem, to buy back, to restore value to. Out of my Mess, He’s made Miracles. Only after David had committed adultery and murder, Samson had been seduced by Delilah, Pater had denied the Lord, all the first disciples had fled, and Martha had whined and complained about Mary, did God fully have their attention. Only then did they realize, without God they could do nothing. Stop trying to resolve your mess in your own strength. You’re only making matters worse. Cast your cares upon Him, upon Jesus, because He cares so much for you. (1 Peter 5:7) Either we self-perpetuate our Mess, or we allow Jesus to what He does best… Miracles.
Word Count: 139 words
LIVING A YEAST-FREE LIFE
As the captive Israelites were hastily leaving the bondage of their Egyptian oppressors, God told them emphatically, “DO NOT USE YEAST!” Yeast or Leaven is basically old, fermented dough that is placed in new dough to make it rise. The key is that you only need to add a very small amount of fermented dough to make new dough rise. We don’t have time to waste allowing our souls to be distracted and dependent upon the deceptive imaginations of Earth when the reality of Heaven is calling us. Paul described it in this way, “a little leaven leavens the whole lump.” (Galatians 5:9) Our dependency on anyone or anything but Jesus will eventually leaven our whole lives. It’s the little foxes that chew away at the vine (Song of Solomon 2:15) Little sins merely sap our strength. There are no shortcuts when it comes to obedience and blessing.
Word Count: 142 words