KLOVE RADIO FEATURES – JANUARY 2025
GROWING YOUR FAITH –
Everything God asks us to do will require great faith; not foolish but stretching. In the counter-intuitive spiritual realm, as faith pleases God the most, it’s no surprise that our Heavenly Father wants to grow that muscle the most. Additionally, as the Word say, “Let the peace of God rule (umpire, direct) in your heart,” there is never a tension between faith and peace. Have no preference in the decision-making process. Be intentionally neutral, seeing the possibility of each option, and not enamored by any. If we are, it usually means we’re inadvertently playing God. Finally, if I desperately want the will of God more than anything else, it is impossible to miss it. God’s a protective Dad, and if allowed, will always guide His sons and daughters to His best.
TRIALS INTO TRIUMPHS –
One of the great surprises that have taken place in our lives if we are followers of Jesus, is that our biggest trials became some of our greatest successes. Since everything in our lives is God allowed, and even God intended, all we could ever experience can work for our good if we follow the conditional warranty found in Romans 8:28: “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” What is God promising? That He will turn our trials into triumphs if in the middle of our struggles we are steadfast in our love for God and remain committed to His will and purpose for our lives. Trials to Triumphs! It’s always been God’s plan for every difficulty in our lives.
COMMITTED TO SLAVERY –
Do you remember the day you signed up to be a slave? Probably not. But I do. I remember the times I gave into pornography. I became a slave to sin. Then there was the time I spent days wallowing in fear and unbelief. I was a slave. 2 Peter 2:19 says, “…you are a slave to whatever controls you.” All have sinned and come short. All of us at times have been a slave to something. Paul wrote, “…you have been called to live in freedom, my brothers and sisters. But don’t use your freedom to satisfy your sinful nature. Instead, use your freedom to serve one another in love.” (Galatians 5:13) Though none of us like to think about when we were slaves, even for a moment, only by acknowledging when we gave into sin can the conviction of the Holy Spirit have its intended affect: complete forgiveness.
NOT TO DIGNIFIED TO MAGNIFY –
I’ve never been a fan of religion. Frankly, as a teenager, the disingenuousness of religious leaders was a significant part of driving me to atheism for seven years. So, it made me feel better when I found out that Jesus had the most trouble with religious leaders as well – the Scribes and Pharisees. He said they were “…beautiful on the outside but filled on the inside with dead people’s bones and all sorts of impurity.” (Matthew 23:27). They were dignified, yet deceitful, distinguished, and dishonest. After being criticized for dancing before the Lord, King David said, “I will be even more undignified than this and will be humble in my own sight.” He’s saying, “I’m not too dignified not to magnify.” Jesus did the same. On the night He was betrayed, He washed the disciple’s feet. I never, ever want to be too dignified to magnify the Lord.
MOTIVES FOR MIRACLES –
At times, we all need a miracle, and there’s nothing wrong with asking God for one. Yet, our motive for asking may very well determine if we receive it or not. In Matthew 12 the religious leaders said, “Teacher, we want you to show us a miraculous sign to prove your authority.” It’s evident, asking Jesus for a miracle can be birthed in faith or unbelief. Since God knows our needs before we ask, trusting Him completely is the greatest act of faith we can ever demonstrate. The Bible says, “This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us—whatever we ask—we know that we have what we asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15, NIV) Ask, but want God’s will more than having your prayer answered.
GOD’S GREATEST TEST –
The most significant test God will give us is whether we love Him more than anything else. It will repeated, consistently, at strategic times, throughout our lives. That’s why the first commandment is by far the greatest. Exodus 20:3 says, “You shall have no other gods before Me.” This reality is affirmed by the fact that sacrifice is the number 1 verification of someone’s commitment to God over anything else. It is God’s greatest test for all of us. Are we willing to sacrifice what is most important to us: the firstborn, the first fruits, the best of the best? That’s why Father God sent His Son to die for the world. The death of Jesus would cost the Father the most. God responds to sacrifice! That’s why it is still our greatest test: Is Jesus number one in our lives?
A DEAD DOG & A FLEA –
Feeling worthless doesn’t disqualify you and me from receiving the promises of God for our lives. In 1 Samuel 24:14, David said he was as worthless as a dead dog or a flea. That’s pretty worthless! And yet he went on to be a man after God’s heart and one of the Greatest Men of God of All Time! God loves to use people who feel worthless because they have the best chance of looking to Him alone for their value. For many years, my “Life” expression has been, “The more I know me, the less impressed I am!” Because that proclamation makes room for, “The more I know Jesus, the more impressed I am!” God meets us at our lowest moments because He knows exactly how we feel.
DOING WHAT IS HARD & RIGHT –
Have you ever insisted on doing something even though you knew it was wrong and would turn out badly in the long run? I know I have. From two aborted children while in college, to, at times succumbing to temptations that I knew were dead ends and would lead to horrible consequences. No one has hurt me more than me. In a similar way, in 1 Samuel chapter 8, the nation of Israel was told by the prophet Samuel that if they chose to have a king instead of following God alone, the king would require more of them than they would ever want to do. Sadly, the Israelites responded, “Even so, we want a king anyway.“ (1 Samuel 8:19) My prayer every day is, “God, keep me from doing what is easy, but wrong. Help me do what is hard and right for my good, and Your glory. ”
KEEPING COMMITMENTS –
All of us who wholeheartedly follow Jesus have, at some point, proclaimed our commitment to do His will, whatever the cost. In Joshua 24:21, the Israelites promised never to forsake the Lord, as did Peter on the night he would betray Jesus. The irony is that both the Israelites and Peter reneged on their promise in a short time. Their failures prove this. There is no power in merely saying we will do or not do something. It’s all about the follow-through. There is, however, great power in believing that Jesus ever lives to make intercession for us. We can partner with Him in prayer by developing an intimate, committed relationship with Jesus so that we may truly live a life of integrity and faithfulness, both now and forever.
NEVER STOP PRAYING FOR LOVED ONES –
Do you have loved ones who have walked away from following Jesus? Many of us do. It hurts and is bewildering. Yet, irrespective of their poor decisions, we should never stop praying for them and offering wisdom if they are open to receiving it. When I was an atheist for seven years, from 15 to 22, my mother continued to pray for me, even when I laughed aloud at her as she prayed over her food. She had the last laugh, and I received Jesus on Mother’s Day. Even after the Israelites rebelled in first Samuel 12, the prophet Samuel continued to pray for them and teach them. He said, “Moreover, as for me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you; but I will teach you the good and the right way.” (1 Samuel 12:23, NKJV)
PRAYING IN SELFLESS FAITH –
Do you feel like your prayers aren’t being answered? Not all prayers are created equal. Prayers based on fear are lifeless. None of us have a valid reason for not trusting God. Romans one, verse 20, says the magnificence of the visible creation eliminates any excuse for not believing in the perfection of the invisible God. The creation screams, “Hope in God!” What if our attachment to answered prayer was more connected to us trying to play God than allowing Him to have His way? Discouragement is self-inflicted. It comes when our prayers resemble selfish idolatry more than selfless faith. “Why am I discouraged? Why is my heart so sad? I will put my hope in God! I will praise him again— my Savior and my God!” (Psalm 42:11)