KLOVE RADIO FEATURES – NOVEMBER 2024
FAITH’S SHELF LIFE –
All faith on Earth has a shelf life. At one point, all two million of the children of Israel had faith to walk through a parted Red Sea. Giant walls of water surrounded them. A vengeful Egyptian army followed hard behind. It was a good day for BIG faith. But over time, their fearless faith faded. They’d just witnessed one of the greatest miracles of all time, but it wasn’t enough to keep them living by faith. It’s sad to say and even harder to imagine. But that’s exactly what happened. I don’t want to live on the fumes of MY ONE-TIME FAITH. I don’t want to be ready one day, and incapable the next. I want to cast my bread upon the water, in Jesus’ name, until my final breath. Eternal faith has no shelf-life. I resolved to walk by that eternal faith fifty years ago and I refuse to draw back.
WHY DO YOU KEEP IT?
Pastor John Wimber told the story of a missionary in a very remote tribe that he had, for years, tried to reach for Jesus. On one occasion, the chief of the tribe asked for a private meeting, which was in itself unusual. When the missionary showed up, the chief asked, “Why do you keep it?” The missionary had no idea what he was referring to, and so answered, “Keep what?” The chief raised a small cloth next to him and said, “You know when you sneeze, why do you keep it?” It’s a funny story but always makes me think about the words that ruminate in my head that need to be discarded and not allowed to obsess my thinking. The Bible says, “Whatsoever things are true and just and pure, think on these things…” (Philippians 4:8)
WANTING TO BE A BIRD
Have you ever wanted to be a bird? Perhaps not. But I guarantee, there are situations where we all would wish to be a bird. Recently, I watched a video of the giant earthquake in Nepal a few years back, and as they showed cities and hundreds of people being overwhelmed by the quake, and running for their lives, every bird in sight took flight and flew away. They were the only ones who could. It reminded me that in my own life when there are significant shakings, I have to live ready to fly above the carnage and chaos to be safe mentally, emotionally and spiritually. “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” (Isaiah 40:31)
WHY PEOPLE GIVE UP ON LIFE
At 22, I spent six months contemplating killing myself every day. By the grace of God, I didn’t. So, when considering the reasons people take their lives, you realize for every bad option they chose, others embraced the opposite. When overwhelmed by pain and suffering, many turned to God for comfort and lived. When fatalistic about their future, they trusted that Jesus held their future in His hands. When a doctor told someone an Illness was terminal, the Word of God offered them healing and everlasting life instead. While severe depression overwhelmed one, another was led to the Rock that was higher than the pit they were in. And lastly, when the quality of someone’s life was diminished and they gave up on life, another surrendered to the Author of life, Jesus Christ.
FEAR OF PERSECUTION
Are you afraid of being persecuted because you love Jesus? It’s understandable. Why would someone not battle fear when faced with that option? Yet, despite any trepidation you and I might have about the struggles ahead, the Bible says unequivocally, “…everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.” (2 Timothy 3:12) When some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, “Get away from here, for Herod wants to kill you.” Jesus freaked out and went into hiding. Right? Wrong! He responded, “Tell that fox…” (Luke 13:31-32) and then Jesus fearlessly proclaimed that only God could determine when His life would be taken, not Herod. Bold as a Lion! Just like we need to be. “The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.” (Proverbs 28:1)
BEING DIMINISHED BY OTHERS
Insecurity and insignificance had its beginning with a couple in a garden. Yep, that couple. And everyone born after them has struggled with it. So, even though it’s a universal issue, don’t let how others view you diminish you… Someone really famous was once mocked and critiqued, “’Isn’t this the carpenter? Isn’t this Mary’s son and the brother of James, Joseph, Judas and Simon? Aren’t His sisters here with us?’ And they took offense at Him.” (Mark 6:3) What a miss: to consider the most significant Person of all time “insignificant.” And if they could say that about Jesus, what could others think and say about any of us? Proving this principle: whatever you don’t recognize, you can’t celebrate. Don’t let how others see you keep you from celebrating the marvelous person God created you to be!