KLOVE RADIO FEATURES – JUNE 2024
THE “DREAM” RELATIONSHIP –
Are you looking for a committed relationship with someone incredible who will be utterly faithful to you all the days of your life? Sounds fantastic. You could call it “The Dream Relationship of All Time?” It’s not a pipe dream. God wants a relationship with you infinitely more than you want a relationship with Him. Everything He does is designed to bring us into a relationship with Him. Even when we mess up, He tries to win us back. There’s nothing we could ever do to make God love us more. But there’s also nothing we could ever do to make Him love us less. The loving, faithful relationship we seek is with our gracious Creator. When I opened my heart to Jesus, I began the most meaningful relationship I’ve ever had.
OFFENSIVELY SMALL WINS
All of us would like to experience great victories in our lives–– the home run, slam dunk, and touchdown. Yet, if we can’t embrace significant setbacks and not belittle small wins, we’ll never be around for the big wins perseverance guarantees. The Bible says, “Do not despise these small beginnings…” (Zech. 4:10) Small wins can even seem offensive–– beneath us. If there is anyone who knows the secret to experiencing big wins, it would be Jesus. He said, “If you are faithful in little things, you will be faithful in large ones. But if you are dishonest in little things, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” (Luke 16:10, NLT) He goes on to say our faithfulness doesn’t have to be with things that we own. “And if you are not faithful with other people’s things, why should you be trusted with things of your own?” (Luke 16:12, NLT)
SMOOTH STONES
Each of us who have fully surrendered our lives to Jesus want to be more like Him. That’s our greatest passion and God’s absolute intent when He created us in His image and likeness. Consequently, the rough edges in our lives that misrepresent who God is must be removed. So, how does God do that? The same way you polish gemstones. Rock tumblers polish agates and other precious stones, not with body lotion, but with wet sand that rubs against the gems to smooth them out. David used a smooth stone to slay Goliath, not a jagged rock. It allowed him to hit the target and kill the giant in his life. Likewise, we should allow God to use a humble response to the rough experiences in life to shape our character and make our lives fully blessed.
WHEN THINGS SEEM TO GO WRONG
One of the most complex experiences to process in life is when things seem to go wrong, and yet you believe you did what God asked you to do. It happened to many Bible heroes. Joseph was sold into slavery, but God used it for good. The Israelites spent 400 years in slavery, yet God demonstrated His power and faithfulness with miraculous signs and wonders. Jesus Christ’s brutal crucifixion led to a resurrection and salvation for all who will receive it. Paul’s lengthy imprisonment led to him writing much of the New Testament while in jail. And lastly, Job’s tragic loss of his family and all that he owned led to God giving him a double portion at the end of his life. Each individual reminds us that what seems wrong maybe God’s brilliant intention and will.
HALF-TRUTHS
Our age is the most deceptive in history. It reminds me of Winston Churchill’s statement, “A lie gets halfway around the world before the truth has a chance to get its pants on.” It’s why half-truths are more dangerous than total lies. They waltz in, wrapped in a measure of truth, and then steal hearts and minds with stealth lies. The Bible says, “Guard your heart with all diligence for out of it spring the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23) and “Be transformed by renewing your mind.” (Romans 12:2). Here are some hints for discerning a truth or a lie: the crowd is usually wrong, and if it sounds too good to be true, it usually is. And the last word goes to the eternal Word, “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” (1 Peter 5:8)
OUR ABSOLUTE NECESSITY
Each of us would love to solve the dilemma of how to live a fulfilled life. It’s a universal desire. Though you might think it’s overstated, there’s one sure-fire way for this to happen and one absolute way it won’t. Unless we are fully persuaded that the life God created for each of us is a perfect script explicitly designed to bring us into a relationship with Him and establish His character in our lives, we will chase after what God never intended and live unfulfilled lives. Trying to persuade an all-wise, all-powerful, loving God that you have a better plan for your life than He does would have to be the most futile goal imaginable. If you trust the Person who loves you most, He will do for you more than you deserve or can imagine.