KLOVE RADIO FEATURES – JULY 2025

LOSING SIGHT OF CONSEQUENCES –
Recently, I watched a PGA golf tournament where, on the final hole of the match, the golfer in second place was behind by one stroke and had to sink a pretty long putt to tie the leader and force a playoff. Sadly, his final putt was so aggressive that it went way past the hole, leaving him a tricky putt for his next shot. Had he played it safe, he could’ve been in second place by himself, but having missed the next two shots, he was then tied for second and consequently lost $500,000 in 5-minutes. Certainly, his caddy should have said to him, “Make sure you don’t go too far past the hole,” but they had both lost sight of the consequences and therefore suffered for their blindness. That level of unnecessary consequence is a good reminder – Stay humble; don’t overshoot and keep your eye on the prize…Jesus!

HAVE HOPE, BUT DON’T PLAY GOD
All of us have hopes. Dreams that keep us awake at night and wake us in the morning. The question is, are they God-breathed or man inspired? The answer is trickier than you might expect. David had a hope of building God a magnificent temple. Moses hoped to go into the Promised Land. Solomon wanted to finish well. High hopes require unwavering obedience. David killed too many people. Moses struck the rock too many times. And Solomon followed too many wives into idolatry. So, what are you and I hoping for? I hope it’s God-intended and not me-imagined. Proverbs 19:21 affirms this reality. “Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand.” For God alone works all things according to His will. (Ephesians 1:11)

EXCHANGING GIFTS WITH MY MOTHER
My mother was a devout Catholic whose prayers were answered by God. Consequently, I received Jesus on Mother’s Day while hitchhiking as a hippie in Northern California. But even after I did and began to read the Bible, she had not yet started reading it. Likewise, there was still an area in my own life that needed to be resolved as well. So, one day, my mother and I met to exchange gifts. I gave her a new Bible, and she gave me a packet of underwear. Each of us committed to using our gifts faithfully. My mother read her Bible every day for the rest of her life, and even as I recall this divinely orchestrated exchange, I am pleased to report that I have remained faithful to my commitment as well. Is there anyone wiser than a good Mom?

THE #1 PERSON I PRAY FOR
Who is the person who has hurt you the most? For many years, I thought it was my father. But the longer I live and look back on the events that have caused the most pain in my life, it’s not. It’s me! Consequently, no one could blow up my life faster than I could. I am the most dangerous person I know. And I’m not alone. Nothing has saddened me more in the past few decades than leaders I look up to bringing a reproach to the name of Jesus, humiliating their spouses, failing their children, and stumbling other believers. It’s the most painful sentence I can even imagine, and frankly, it scares the hell out of me, literally, because I want it to. Since I am most concerned about myself, I pray mostly for me. Perhaps you agree with me. “Jesus, protect me from me.”

TRAIN YOUR SOUL TO TRUST
Have you ever been frustrated that God doesn’t seem to be responding to you? I know I have. Perhaps it’s because He doesn’t react to our dissatisfaction. After all, it’s just “unbelief.” He only responds to our being satisfied with the life He has provided for us while believing in all His promises and the great things He has in store up ahead. Another word for satisfaction is trust. Philippians 4:19 says, “…my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” But He doesn’t supply all our wants. That would spoil us and not bless us. Jesus said, “Take my yoke on you and learn from me… and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29). If we train our souls to trust God, we will experience the blessed life He longs to give us.

GOD’S PRESENCE IS OUR PRIMARY PURPOSE
Are you trying to solve a problem? That’s fine—but please don’t make it your primary focus. The purpose of our lives is far greater than simply fixing problems. We were created for God’s pleasure as eternal sons and daughters designed to live forever in His presence. Therefore, our purpose must be to build altars of relationship with Him—not to live problem-free, but passion-rich. Even before you dig a well, make an altar. Acknowledge God as the Author and Finisher of every hope you carry. Vision will come and go, but our burden must always be to follow Jesus. Only what He intended will endure and come to pass. In His presence—and His presence alone—is there joy overflowing and eternal pleasures that bring peace, not regret. (Psalm 16:11)