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Lori Cline - Red-Letter Words

Jesus’ Words Turned Things Upside Down
To follow Jesus, we must seek His ways above our own.   ~~~   How does Dairy Queen serve a blizzard? The ice cream and fast food chain has served the blizzard upside down since the beginning. Why do they do this? The inspiration actually goes back to 1959 when a 14 year old boy kept asking for thicker and thicker ice cream shakes. Finally the owner, at a point of frustration, flipped a shake upside down and asked, ‘is this thick enough for you’? Yep, that inspired the DQ flip. The purpose rests in PROVING the ice cream shake is, in fact, so thick, it won’t fall out when flipped upside down. When our lives are flipped upside down, what do we prove? Do we fall apart or hold fast? That may sound kind of silly, but life does get crazy doesn’t it. What we believe about God and how we respond is proven in those roller coaster moments and seasons of life. When life is not as expected, where IS our hope found? Jesus turned things upside down during His time on this earth. What was valued was devalued. What was expected was not delivered. The last became first, the poor became rich and the guttural prayers of a dirty sinner, not the calculated words of a white washed saint, moved the heart of the Father. Do you believe in Jesus? Does your life prove it? Back in the time of Christ, disciples would follow their rabbis so closely that they would be covered in his dust. "May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi" was a blessing commonly given to disciples in Jesus’ day. I love that imagery. I want to follow Jesus so closely and live my life in such a way that it PROVES I belong to Him. I want to walk like Jesus. I want to talk like Jesus. I want to be covered in HIS dust. Are you dusty with the words and ways of Jesus? All this month at Lifeword.org I’m looking at his words, the red letter ones. Often we highlight only the ones that make us feel good. While the gospel accounts of Jesus’ life and His words are recorded in Matthew, Mark, Luke and John, He is present from Genesis to Revelation. He IS the word made flesh. The ways and words of Jesus turned the world upside down. His followers hoped for a kingdom on earth that would make them free and rich. In His sermon on the mount, Matthew 5, 6 and 7, Jesus served up a kingdom flipped upside down. The poor in spirit, those who mourn, the meek, those who seek righteousness, mercy and the pure in heart, they are blessed. It’s not simply what you do, but what you think and the condition of your heart that causes you to sin. Marriage is sacred. Love your enemies. Give more than required. Seek the Father’s will over your own. Store up treasure in heaven not on earth and so much more you can read for yourself that should PROVE the ways of a follower of Christ. Jesus followers should be set apart not only by the LOVE of Jesus but also the WAYS of Jesus. He makes it so clear, but still many are missing the way. I want my life to shine a light that makes the path clear. Matthew 5:14-16 “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven. We are the light of the world. Covered in the dust of Jesus we are a city on a hill in the darkness. And our life, even when turned upside down, should prove we are His people and He is our God. That’s the truth. Go read Jesus’ sermon on the mount today. I pray you walk away from it dusty, and if you do, you’ll be blessed. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Mar 19, 2024
Lori Cline - Red-Letter Words

The Jesus You Seek
When we seek Jesus with a heart willing to surrender, that is when we truly find Him and when we do, we find peace.   ~~~   What kind of Jesus do you seek? When you even hear the name of Jesus, what are your first thoughts? What you’ve heard spoken or read about Jesus is usually what leads you to believe what you believe about Him. Or, maybe you’re thoughts on Jesus are a result of what you think about people who claim to follow Jesus. You might not like what you see so therefore you choose to not have anything to do with the Jesus they follow. That’s putting a lot of weight into human hands, opinions and worldviews when YOUR soul is on the line. You’re seeking something today. Maybe you’re even running after it. I think if you silenced all the voices in your mind and filtered through all the desires of your heart, the one thing you, or any of us, are seeking is PEACE. Peace is found only IN Jesus, but the key requirement is letting go of everything else YOU hold dear. Yep, there it is. Surrendering your will for HIS is required. Any other Jesus you or anyone else tries to put out to the world, is an ANTI Christ. Simply meaning, it is a false or counterfeit spirit that actually opposes God and leads people away from the one true Jesus with false teaching. Read more for yourself on that in 1 John 2:18-22. If you deny the one true Jesus for any other form of Jesus you seek, you are LOST and forever without peace. Jesus made it very clear in what it takes to know and follow Him. We can quickly look at a couple examples we have in scripture of interactions people had with Jesus. They wanted a Jesus that fit into their world. They wanted a Jesus they could feel good about and celebrate all while clenching with white knuckles onto what they held dear. It simply does not work that way. Jesus said it himself and we’ll look at his words about it in just a bit. First let’s look at the very rich, but left still wanting, rich young ruler. His interaction with Jesus is recounted in the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke. He desperately wanted eternal peace. He runs to Jesus, kneels before Him and wants to know what he can DO to be saved. While he claimed to be a ‘good’ man, none are righteous apart from Jesus. Still, this man wanted a Jesus that worked into HIS plan, not the other way around. Mark 10:21-22 Jesus looked at him and loved him. “One thing you lack,” he said. “Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” At this the man’s face fell. He went away sad, because he had great wealth. Jesus isn’t who YOU want Him to be and He doesn’t fit into our lives any way we want like those bendable Jesus toys you can buy online. He IS God. He is HOLY. He wants ALL of you. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, the interaction looked quite different. Matthew 4:19-20 “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once they left their nets and followed him. Drop our livelihood? Sure. Leave it all behind? Done. You want ALL of me? You got it. Now in that moment they had NO IDEA the path set before them and what it would all entail, but what they did know was the savior they were seeking, was calling them by name and that was all they needed. Later they would hear Jesus say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” They were beginning to see it more clearly every day they spent with Jesus. Less of me. More of Him. When we seek Jesus with a heart willing to surrender, that is when we truly find Him and when we do, we find the PEACE we were looking for all along. That’s the truth. The truth doesn’t bend, but the love God has for you, never ends. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Mar 14, 2024
Lori Cline - Red-Letter Words

Listen, Because This Cuts Deep
When presented with temptation, Jesus responded with Scripture.   ~~~   Can you hear me now? Good! Do you remember that? From 2002 to 2011, Verizon Wireless aired commercials which showed a test caller calling from all over the place to check for service. It was brilliant, because now over twenty years later, when a call gets glitchy, what do we say? Can you hear me now? No one likes to drop a call. We have things to say and words to hear! Listening matters. A friend of mine recently shared these words of wisdom on listening. Listen to understand, not to respond. Let that soak in. Listening to really understand requires silence on our part, not a quick response. Words are powerful. They reveal so often the depths of our heart and emotions. Sometimes words spoken reveal beauty and depth of wisdom and character, while other words reveal immaturity, foolishness and selfish motives of the heart. Out of the heart the mouth speaks. All this month I’m focusing on the words of Jesus. You know, the red letter ones. Some people like to ONLY focus on those, listen close to understand, that’s a BIG mistake. Every word, from Genesis to Revelation is God breathed and inspired. Jesus is the word made flesh and He and the Father are one, so EVERY word, is the word. Don’t be foolish and misunderstand that very important truth. While the words WE speak are powerful, THE Word of God cuts deeper than any. Hebrews 4:12 ​​For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. The word of God is what we take to battle. We are to daily put on the armor of God, we read about in Ephesians 6. The sword of the spirit, is the word of God. We speak the word of God and the Holy Spirit uses its truth to cut deep into the hearts of those who need to see their need for Jesus. Only the power of the holy spirit can convict and draw someone to repentance. That truth and power is what we take into battle. Jesus fought the devil with that sword. He used the Word of God, in the face of temptation, three times while fasting for forty days and nights in the desert. With each word, Satan was cut deep by truth and ultimately had to flee. Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” Matthew 4:7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” Matthew 4:10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Jesus was slicin’ and dicin’ on the devil right there with the word of God! At a very weak moment physically from his fast, Satan attacked. He dropped temptation bombs left and right and Jesus used countermeasures of scripture and took each one out like a ninja. Make no mistake, this was no easy battle, but Jesus was equipped with the word. He IS the word and in that battle He knew no lie or temptation of the devil could stand against it. That’s the truth. Look to the Word of God and join us this month as we lean in and listen to understand the words Jesus spoke, the power they hold and how God wants to use them in our own lives to penetrate our hearts and draw us closer to Him. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Mar 12, 2024
Lori Cline - Red-Letter Words

Jesus’ First Words To His Last
Jesus’ divine identity is apparent from His first words to His last.   ~~~   Do you remember your child’s first words? If you’re like me, at this stage it might be a bit foggy, but thankfully we have videos we can go back to. I love seeing what my girls were saying and how they were saying it when they were little. I kept a running list in my phone notes of cute things my girls would say as they were growing up. When my now 17 year old daughter was 4, she said, “every time you’re about to be lost in the forest with a mean animal, God is right beside you.” Brilliant truth right there. One of the sweetest sounds was hearing my youngest daughter call her big sister, sissy. We heard that a lot as she followed her everywhere she went and wanted to do everything her big sissy was doing. Precious memories. We treasure the words of our little ones. In this season of my life, I now treasure final words. The last conversations I had with my Dad I’m forever grateful for. I love you’s, hand squeezes, eye blinks and head kisses are now forever burned into my memory. I cherish every saved voice mail, text and written word. Words matter at any stage in life, but in some seasons, we lean in to hear them a little bit closer. All this month at Lifeword.org, I’m leaning in and looking a bit closer at the words of Jesus. Only in Luke’s gospel account are we given a brief glimpse into the childhood of Jesus with His first recorded words. We’ll also look at Luke’s account of the last words of Jesus before He ascended to Heaven. In the early chapters of Luke, we see Old Testament prophesies fulfilled with Jesus’ birth. His childhood is basically summarized in chapter 2 verse 40 in that he grew and became strong in the spirit, filled with wisdom; and the grace of God was upon Him. Fast forward to the age of 12. After celebrating the Feast of the Passover in Jerusalem, Jesus’ family is returning to Nazareth. Now this would have been a caravan of family and friends, spread out, but all together. After a days journey, they couldn’t find Jesus. Mary and Joseph returned to Jerusalem to find him. After three days, moms can you imagine, they found Jesus in the temple, sitting in the midst of teachers, both listening and asking questions. Luke 2:47-49 Everyone who heard him was amazed at his understanding and his answers. When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” “Why were you searching for me?” he asked. “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” As a mom I can almost hear him saying it like, “why are you here”? And he makes it clear, He’s in His Father’s house, about His Father’s business. These are the first words of Jesus we are given. Bottom line, from day one, He had a mission. There was a plan and He was it. Fast forward to Luke 24. Jesus, the now resurrected Christ, is about to ascend to Heaven. His disciples are hanging on His every word. Luke 24:46-49 He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” From his first recorded words in Luke at the age of 12, to His last, Jesus made clear His divine identity as the Son of God. He knew His mission. He was about His Father’s business. He prayed in the garden, Father THY will be done. He suffered, died and rose again, so that REPENTANCE and the forgiveness of sins could be offered to you and me. That’s the truth. It’s always been Jesus. He is the word made flesh and through every word he spoke and every word from Genesis to Revelation, He was and is and is to come. I’m Lori Cline.  
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Mar 07, 2024
Lori Cline - Red-Letter Words

What Jesus Said About HIS WORD
Even as time goes on and things chance, the words of Jesus remain.   ~~~   Do you know any of the words of Jesus? Whether you believe and follow Him or not, you very well may have quoted Him. You might know Jesus said to, “love your neighbor,” but do you also know Jesus said, “love your enemy”? Yep. Wherever you stand with Jesus, the fact remains that His words always cause a stir. The Pharisees used the words of Jesus against him to have him crucified. So good reminder, just because someone uses the words of Jesus, doesn’t mean they FOLLOW the words of Jesus. Find out what Jesus said for yourself. Dig into Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. As you seek Him, you WILL find Him, from Genesis to Revelation. Some bibles have the words of Jesus in RED. I love those. These ‘red letter editions’ as they are called, highlight the words of Jesus in the color red throughout the gospel accounts. The first one was published in 1899 by Louis Klopsch. He was inspired to publish such an edition by reading what Jesus spoke in Luke 22:20 which says this… Luke 22:20 In the same way, after the supper he took the cup, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which is poured out for you.” This verse sparked the idea. Jesus’ words in red, symbolizing the new covenant Jesus sealed with His blood on the cross. It’s simply a tool we can use as we study ALL of scripture. As a red letter edition bible highlights the words of Jesus, I thought I would do the same. So join me this month at Lifeword.org as I look at some of the red letter words of Jesus. We’ll dig into truth He spoke that doesn’t get as much mainstream attention because, well, it might not be what we WANT to focus on. But you see, that’s why we should. Every word of God’s word matters. That’s the danger in thinking any part of the Bible is of more importance than the other. EVERY word is from God. Jesus Christ IS the Word (John 1:14). All of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is the Word of GOD, (2 Timothy 3:16–17) AND the word of Jesus, because He and the Father are one. (John 10:30) We are to hold dear, adhere to and follow EVERY word, because it is right and true and it will stand forever. This is what Jesus said about His words. Mark 13:31 Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. Here in Mark chapter 13, Jesus is giving his disciples a look into the future. While out on the Mount of Olives, Jesus begins to describe the coming destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem as well as a great tribulation and end to heaven and earth as we know it. There will be signs, just as buds blooming now are signs of Spring that will lead to Summer, we will see and know when the time is near. Jesus makes it clear. All things, in the heavens and on this earth, will pass away, but His WORDS will remain. That’s the truth. Jesus said it. I believe it. I stand alone on it. It’s the only thing in this life that will not fail. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Mar 05, 2024
Lori Cline

Take A Leap Of Faith
We can always have confidence in who we are in Jesus.   ~~~   Are you ready to take a leap of faith? Let’s go! And you know today happens to be a great day to do just that. It’s leap day, because it’s a leap year! Today is the extra day we get in February, which is added to the calendar every four years to keep it in alignment with the Earth's revolutions around the Sun. Whatever that means, I love it because we get one extra day and I always LOVE more time. So if you were already thinking about stepping out into something new, what better day than leap day! Say yes! Get off the couch! Do something today you’ve been putting off and let’s leap into what God has already set before us. As you think about that, where do you need to take a leap of faith? Maybe it’s not some BIG thing, but maybe it just needs to be in smaller areas of consistency. Daily leaps lead to BIG leaps and they all begin with faith walking steps. Since this is a bit of a pep talk for the day, guess where I’m headed in scripture? The hall of faith, Hebrews chapter 11! It’s my favorite. Come on let’s get fired up to take our leap of faith by remembering the faithfulness of those before us. Now I can’t read it all here today, that would make this way too long, so YOU take a leap into God’s word and dig deeper into it on your own. I’ll highlight a few things to get us started and to begin I’ll actually start with the last verse of Hebrews chapter 10. Hebrews 10:39 But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved. I could stop right there. But I won’t. We do NOT belong to those who retreat, shrink back and are destroyed. Why? Because we have Jesus! We are saved and walk by faith embracing ALL we have and are IN Christ! This is a wake up call to remember WHO you are in Christ and the resurrection power you have access to on a daily basis. Our faith IN CHRIST is what sets us apart from the world. He has overcome the world and so through Him we are overcomers and the race we are running, no matter what it looks like down here, ends in victory. Hebrews 11:1-2 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see. This is what the ancients were commended for. In Christ I am confident. When I try to walk in MY strength, I fail. That’s what fuels faith. Being confident of who you are and what God has for you to accomplish. The Apostle Paul was a man confident in Christ and he encouraged the Philippians with that confidence, reminding them then and us today that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. When you walk with confidence, by faith, you walk different don’t you. When you leap with confidence, by faith, you leap different too! The men and women that are mentioned in Hebrews chapter 11 were known for that confident faith. It’s what drove them to obedience and faithfulness in their chapters of the greater story of God’s plan. Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham and Sarah were full of confident faith. They weren’t perfect. They were flawed just as we are today, and in need of a savior, but while yes they were flawed, they followed by faith. By faith Isaac blessed his sons. By faith Joseph, in his final days, gave future vision and instruction. By faith Moses took many leaps throughout his journey. By faith the walls of Jericho fell and by faith, Rahab did not perish. There are so many more. Ordinary men and women, used by God, who simply walked by faith. As a result the gospel story advanced. Now it’s our turn to take the steps and move the gospel forward. Will you take a leap today? If you’ve lost your confidence, repent and acknowledge that your confidence hasn’t been in the Lord, because when we know who we are IN CHRIST, we are confident that nothing can stop us. That’s the truth. Take a leap of faith. I don’t know what that looks like for you, but be encouraged by those that have gone before you, paving the way for YOUR story today. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 29, 2024
Lori Cline

Drop Your Weapons
God sees whatever battle we are in and will fight for us.   ~~~   Is it time to drop your weapons? I don’t know about you, but when I’m attacked, I don’t readily want to lay my weapons down. The natural response is to weapon up like you see in the movies. You fire at me, I’ll fire back. Now I’m not talking literally, but goodness we have some sharp arrows in our proverbial arsenal we like to throw at the ready don’t we? Remember the power of your tongue and the power of your comments? I won’t dig deep into that today, but if you need Godly wisdom, there is much to read in His word about the heart and what flows out of it by way of your tongue. Dig into that and ask God to reveal and heal the roots of your words. Today I wanted to remind you of what is true if you are in a season of verbal attack, hurt or betrayal. First, remember you are never alone. God sees and He knows what you’re facing. Take your hurts to the Lord and allow His love and healing grace to meet you there. In Genesis 16 we read how the Lord met Hagar in her sorrow. “You are the God who sees me”, she prayed. He sees you today and in Him there is comfort, wisdom and peace. Second, drop your weapons. We don’t battle as the world does. 2 Corinthians 10:3-4 For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ. Paul was being slandered by the church he planted in Corinth and his authority as an apostle of Jesus was being challenged. His faithful obedience, empowered by the Holy Spirit, was all he needed to stand strong against his accusers. Like Paul, let your life be the witness to silence the words of those against you. Fight on your knees in prayer. Love your enemies and those who come against you. Your soft answer and unexpected response of grace to their anger could bring them to repentance. Third, remember the Lord is your shield. Psalm 3:3 But you, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high. When King David prayed these words he was being attacked at every turn. To make it cut a little deeper, his son Absalom was leading the attack. David prayed, ‘Lord you are a shield around me’. If you read about David, you quickly get a glimpse of the great warrior he was. No doubt he was familiar with a full body shield that shields one from the arrows AS they would MOVE forward. David’s faith, identity, character, even though all were being attacked, were shielded and protected by God. Charles Spurgeon wrote, “What a divine trio of mercies is contained in this verse! Defense for the defenseless, glory for the despised, and joy for the comfortless.” Whatever battle you may be in, remember God sees you. He IS always at work around you and the war that rages is not against flesh and blood. Don’t fight as the world does. Go to the Lord in prayer. He is your shield. He is your glory. Lift your head and remember what is true. You are never without hope, you are loved and you are never alone in the battle. That’s the truth. Let’s drop our weapons. Whatever that looks like for you today, allow God to lead you, guide you and give you strength to love, even your enemies through the battle. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 27, 2024
Lori Cline

I Dare You To Pray This
We should be willing to go to work wherever Jesus is moving.   ~~~   Have you ever been dared to pray something? Me either! But I loved it and now I’m daring you to pray it too! But, before I get to the prayer, let’s talk about mission. What is your mission? If you’re a believer in Jesus, I really hope you know the answer. If you don’t, let me give you a refresher. Matthew 28:18-20 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” What’s our mission? We are to go and tell and teach the world about Jesus. Mission is the heartbeat of God. It began with Jesus and now it is to continue through you and me. Jesus said in John 20:2, “As the Father has sent me, I am sending you.” That’s you and me! Yes, it’s also all of our missionaries we support and pray for that are all around the world, but it’s also YOU and ME, right where we are. Luke 10:2 He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. The harvest is plentiful, but the workers or laborers are few. Why are the workers few? Because our eyes are only seeing what we want to see. We’re not even seeing the harvest field around us. Where we work, where we live and where we play, that’s where the harvest is. There are people all around us that need Jesus. They need a friend to listen. They need a helping hand to help them with a meal. They need someone that won’t judge them. They need someone that can lay aside their agenda to see a divine opportunity to love. They need someone who will put their needs above their own. That’s Jesus. That’s what people need. Why do you love like that? Jesus. Why do you listen like that? Jesus. Why do you serve me like that? Jesus. Why do you care for me like that? Jesus. That’s our mission. Will you accept it? If so, I dare you to pray this prayer. Jesus, where are YOU already at work where I live, work, learn and play? Jesus, how can I join you? That’s it. That’s what I’m praying in this season. Join me. I dare you. Don’t miss where God is at work around you. There’s no better place to be! Is it uncomfortable? Yes! Will you get your hands dirty in the field? Yes! Let’s go! You can read all through scripture how God used ordinary men and women, just like you and me. Go and tell the world about Jesus. Show them His love. That’s YOUR mission. That’s the truth. May our prayer be, ‘Jesus, show me where YOU are at work’, then may we be willing to go into the field. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 22, 2024
Lori Cline

Singing In The Rain
God is able to deliver us from whatever we walk through.   ~~~   Do you ever sing in the rain? I don’t either, but I’m starting to think we should! Here’s why, I was in the car rider line to pick up my girls from school. It was pouring rain. As I get closer I’m seeing kids using umbrellas, hoodies and backpacks to try to cover their head as they make their way to their car. Then I see this boy. He is not even walking fast. He’s almost kinda struttin’ a little. Is he not getting wet? Yes, he is. Does he not care? No, apparently not! I’m having this conversation with myself, in the car of course. As he gets closer to me, I see he’s singing, in the rain! This kid was in his own little world. Earbuds in, hair dripping wet and he did not care one bit. He was walking, had a song in his ears and he was singing every word. As he walked by my car I said out loud to myself, “he’s just singing in the rain”! You know what, it made me smile! He was soaking wet, walking along, singing his song. I want to be like that kid. I want to sing in the rain and not care that I’m getting wet. You know why he didn’t care, he was way more focused on the song than the rain. Do you have a song to sing today? I don’t know if you’re walking in sunshine or a heavy downpour, but do you have the JOY of the Lord? I’m not talking about fake smiling, sweep the pain under the rug, I’m fine talk. I’m talking about peace in your heart and hope for tomorrow, even in the rain, kind of joy that only comes when you know God is WITH you. Isaiah 43:2 When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Here in Isaiah 43, God is reminding Israel, to not be afraid. He knew the journey ahead for them would be rough. They would face many obstacles along the way, but He would be with them and He would deliver them. God is still making a way for us. Through faith in Jesus we have the promise and hope of heaven. This world is not my home! So in a way, like that boy singing in the rain, I’m in my own little world a bit. I can walk out each day and no matter what comes my way or tries to bring me down, I can keep on walking with a song in my heart. That’s mountain moving kind of faith. You see a mountain and yes it’s big and yes you don’t see a way around it, but God is WITH you! Remember Daniel’s friends Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-Nego in the Old Testament? Go read Daniel chapter three. They were FULL of faith. They were ‘singing in the rain’ kinda boys. They weren’t gonna bow to the king’s idol. NO! The King asks, ‘and who is the God who will deliver you from my hands?’ “O King” they said, “we have no need to answer you in this matter. Our God is ABLE to deliver us, but even if He does not, we will not worship your God.” Yep, they were thrown into the fire. The guys that threw them in died it was so hot. But those boys, I can just imagine them walking around singing in the fire with Jesus right there beside them. Remember those words back in Isaiah? I will be with you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Those boys had faith in that promise, so they just kept on walking. That’s the truth. Trust the Lord with all you’re walking through. He will walk WITH you and he’ll even give you a song to sing. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 20, 2024
Lori Cline

My Redeeming Love Story
God will redeem what is lost and restore what is broken when we give our hearts to Him.   ~~~   Are you afraid of love? I was at one point in my life. I don’t know what chapter in your story led you to where you are today with how you feel about love, but for me it had to do with trust. I didn’t trust love. If we dig a bit deeper into the root lie I was believing, I ultimately didn’t trust God with my heart. What I’ve come to discover over the years about the lies we believe, is that the broken pieces of our story can lead to broken views of God. Broken views of God lead to lies we then believe about His LOVE for us, His character and His plan. Those lies take root deep in our heart and the fruit is unhealthy. Jesus had my life, but there were pieces of my heart I had on lock down. Only when we shine the light of God’s redeeming love and truth into those dark chapters of our story can love be trusted and have room to grow. When I went to college the last thing on my mind was marriage. I had a five year plan. Marriage was somewhere after those five years, IF it happened. Plans are great, but hold them loosely. The Lord had my path set for a different course. Something unexpected happened. I met a cute boy that didn’t get on my nerves. We actually had fun together. He became my best friend. We even went through a break up and only by the amazing grace of God were we able to see beyond ourselves to something greater God had in store for us. It was His plan, not ours. But the beautiful thing was that all the things we desired individually, God gave us together and it was better than we could have ever asked for or imagined. God has a way of working like that. When I look back over 30 years ago now to those early days of love, I see clearly why I was afraid. I didn’t want to trust God with my heart when it came to relationships. It was too scary. Love couldn’t be trusted. Here’s a light of truth. 1 John 4:18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. Jesus had my heart, but the truth is, He didn’t have all of it. The pieces I was holding on to needed to be released into His loving care. I let go and released my control of what I couldn’t even control in the first place. Freedom flooded my heart. And with every step of faith I took, what was broken was restored and redeemed by the most perfect love of all. That’s how our love story began and it is still being written today. It’s a beautiful story. It’s not perfect, but we look to the one who IS and we abide together in His perfect love. That has made all the difference. Give your heart to Jesus. If you’re afraid of love or maybe believing a lie, shine the light of truth into what you’re believing to be true about God. He’ll redeem what was lost and restore what has been broken. The redeeming love of God is deep and it’s unlike any you’ve ever known. That’s the truth. Don’t let fear hold your heart captive. Abide in the perfect love of God and He will redeem your love story. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 15, 2024
Lori Cline

This Love Looks Beautiful On You
Jesus brings joy beyond the circumstances we face.   ~~~   Do you know you are loved? Even if you don’t get chocolate, jewelry, flowers, cologne, dinner out or even a card at some point this week, YOU are deeply loved by God and He is creating something beautiful in your life. It’s true. That may be the last thing you want to hear today, but the truth is, the most beautiful gift you could receive is knowing your worth, your beauty and your purpose are found FULLY in the one who created you, loves you and knows you best. God adores you. No other love compares. Seriously. I adore my husband. I’ve loved him and he’s loved me now for well over thirty years. I’m thankful to God and blessed by that love, but God loves me more and my heart first belongs to God. The same for my husband. As our hearts have drawn closer to God over the years, our hearts have come closer to one another. It’s a beautiful design and a deep love. All the things we think we want when it comes to love, can ultimately only be found when we first know we are loved by God. Everything else flows from that love. We receive it from God and then we give our heart back to God. It’s a beautiful reaction to being loved. We love because He first loved us. (1 John 4:19) If you are in a season of waiting or maybe your heart has suffered loss or been broken, I want you to know God sees where you are and what you’re walking through. You don’t walk it alone. God is with you. He is near your hurting heart and working through your circumstance to create something beautiful. Knowing He is working FOR your good, (Romans 8:28) you can choose joy (James 1:2-4) even in the most difficult season or trial. Psalm 31:7 I will be glad and rejoice in your love, for you saw my affliction and knew the anguish of my soul. God knows the deepest desires of our heart. He also knows the idols we place above Him. When we seek Him first, the rest will fall into place in the most beautiful design. It’s difficult to imagine something beautiful in a season of trial or longing. Still, as we reflect His love through it, beauty shines for the world to see. Coming through this winter we’ve been hit with some harsh conditions. Arctic blasts brought record breaking low temperatures and lots of ice and snow. The icy cold of winter, while it can bring many challenges, also brought beauty I had never seen. Ice pillars formed in the night sky. These ice or light pillars are an atmospheric optical phenomenon which look like vertical beams of light. They’re beautiful! The effect is created by the reflection of light from tiny ice crystals suspended in the atmosphere. Ever heard of ice brellas or ice bells? Me either! Apparently these can form around trees in lakes or rivers during a hard freeze. It looks like an ice skirt around the bottom of a tree. Unexpected beauty formed in the cold of winter. Even the harshest conditions of our lives or the coldest seasons of waiting can display something beautiful when our heart reflects the love of the Lord. Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor. Jesus brings joy beyond our circumstances. Whatever conditions we face in this life, He shines something unexpected through it as we trust Him with it. We grow as a result with deep roots and our lives become a display of His splendor, even in the winters of life. That’s the truth. REST in the love of Christ. Something new and beautiful will form as a result. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 13, 2024
Lori Cline

Who’s Looking Out For You?
We can rest in the knowledge that God controls the universe and loves us.   ~~~   Don’t you love when someone is looking out for you? You don’t feel so alone. You know someone has your back. They care about what is in YOUR best interest. It’s a good feeling. As a mom, I have my girls back. They know I am always looking out for them. Have you seen the image of a lion cub and it’s mom right behind it. That’s me. Nothing would even think about going after the cub because mama lion is scary and she has that baby lion’s back. She is never far away. Her eyes are always on the lookout for the sole purpose of protecting her cub. With the recent winter weather that swept across the country, I was glad someone had our back. My area of expertise is not the weather, but I am thankful we have meteorologists that are always keeping an eye out. They can forecast what’s to come with science and technology so they can let us know for the sole purpose of keeping us safe. With the snow, ice and record low temperatures we had, students were out of school for over a week. As a parent, I’ll keep it real and tell you I was ready for them to go back. I love my girls, but I also love when they are in school. The last day they were out they were planning to go initially with a delayed start time. That morning, the district made the call to keep them home one more day. You know what, I wasn’t frustrated in the least. I found myself grateful. They wanted my girls, as well as every other student, safe. Their eyes were on it. That’s a good feeling. It gives you peace knowing someone that knows MORE than you or someone that can see the BIG picture is watching out for you and helping guide your steps. In life, you may feel today like no one’s looking out for you. You may even be very self reliant because maybe those that were supposed to be looking out for you, didn’t. I want you to know this, you are deeply loved and there has never been a day God hasn’t had His eye on you. Psalm 32:8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. I love this! God wants us to KNOW Him and in knowing Him we WILL know the WAY we should go in every circumstance. How many sources do we go to for counsel? Just check your latest online searches. We have questions and we take it to google before we take it to God! God sees. God knows. God will instruct you. God will teach you and counsel you. He holds the entire world in His hand and still, his loving eye is on YOU. I can rest easy knowing that today. You can too. You don’t have to worry. Choose to trust. God sees where you’ve been. God knows the conditions of the road you’re traveling today and He wants to guide you through the storm that may be coming tomorrow. That’s the truth. It’s like the song says, His eye is on the sparrow and I know HE watches me. Go check out Psalm 121 and know His eye is on you. I’m Lori Cline.  
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 08, 2024
Lori Cline

Have You Tried This Water?
God fills us with His goodness and sustains us.   ~~~   Have you ever been excited about a lemon? Well I have and I’ll tell you why! I got one for Christmas this year. It wasn’t wrapped in a box or anything, I actually picked it off of a tree. This wasn’t just any lemon off of any lemon tree. This was a lemon that grew on a lemon tree that my parents bought and planted in a pot. My Daddy was so proud of that little lemon tree. If they got at least 2 big lemons each year they were happy, because that meant at least one or two lemon meringue pies. My Daddy met Jesus face to face this past summer. Goodness how we miss him. We’re still in the year of firsts. This first Christmas without him, our family gathered. Even though Daddy’s no longer with us, he’s still everywhere around us. So much of who he was and what he loved and lived for, remains in us and in ways, in all things he left behind. One of the things he enjoyed was that lemon tree. This Christmas, it was full of lemons. Everybody got one. Round, yellow rays of sunshine in a way from Daddy. I’ve never been more excited about a lemon. Now something else you should know about me is I LOVE lemons. I am an avid lemon water drinker. I have been for a long time. So bringing one of the lemons that my Daddy loved home with me for Christmas was just about the best gift I could have gotten. I didn’t want to cut it at first. I wanted to just keep it, but I knew it would go bad if I didn’t. It was meant to be picked, and enjoyed. So I did. I sliced it up, filled a glass of water and squeezed a big slice in and let it float to the top. Do you think I enjoyed that glass of lemon water? Listen, I drank every drop. Then I filled it up again and drank all that. That wasn’t just any lemon water. That was lemon water from a fresh lemon off of a lemon tree my Daddy loved and cared for! That just made it taste that much better. It was good. I felt close to my Daddy and I was refreshed. Isn’t that the way this life is supposed to be lived? We have a father who is good. He is a giver of good gifts. He is our good shepherd and IN Him I shall not want. He refreshes my soul and IN Him I am blessed and filled up as I taste and SEE His goodness in my life. Psalm 34:8 Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him. When you savor something good, you want more. You can’t stop talking about it. You give five star reviews because you want people to know the goodness you’ve experienced. The Lord IS good. What I have tasted and seen in my life over and over keeps me abiding IN Him. I take refuge in Him. I am connected to the vine. He IS my portion. When I am poured out He fills me up yet again. He is ALL I need in and out of every season. When I see His moving in my life and when I simply must wait, I know He is with me working it all for my good, in HIS time. Nothing else compares to the Father’s love for me. It’s so sweet. I’m not sugar coating anything here. Life IS hard and sometimes you get lemons. But then again, sometimes you get lemons! Through it all, I can be refreshed, renewed and know He is with me. That’s the truth. Have you tasted the goodness of God? It’s good water. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 06, 2024
Lori Cline

It’s Not For Me To See
Although we do not see the big picture of God’s plan, we can trust that He does.   ~~~   Are you ready to turn the page? Yep, me too. What is it about January that at times feels like it lasts forever? It’s 31 days. There are other months that have 31 days, but why does January feel like it has 47? Needless to say, with all the winter weather we’ve had, I’m ready to turn the page into February and move one day closer to Spring! Let this season pass on by, because I can’t see any growth. I need to SEE something grow! Things burst out of the ground in the Spring and I can get OUT and GO! In Winter, everything is cold and still, including me. We’re not very good at being still are we? Does it take a layer of ice and snow or an arctic blast to force us to be still? Sometimes it does. The beautiful rhythms of time and rotation of seasons is no accident. Each one fulfills a purpose. The growth we see in Spring would not come without the rest and renewal of winter. It’s easy to forget there is purpose in a bitter cold season of stillness with no visible growth. It’s a reminder we are NOT in control and it’s in that stillness and surrender we KNOW God IS. God IS always at work. Even when I don’t see it. What God is doing in a season of winter is unique and beautiful, just like each snowflake that falls to the ground. A unique design being formed AS it falls. Beauty through surrender. It’s the same in our life. Surrender, even in a cold season of NOT seeing, IS bringing forth something beautiful in a season to come. That’s the way God works. We don’t have to see it to believe it. We TRUST and KNOW He is working through all things and there IS purpose in every divine moment. I love what Jesus said to Peter when Peter didn’t want Jesus to wash his feet. John 13:7 Jesus replied, “You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand.” Peter couldn’t see the big picture. Jesus did. It wasn’t for Peter to see, he needed only to surrender, serve and follow. Today, remember you can’t see the big picture. You weren’t meant to. This season may not look the way you had hoped, it’s ok. Simply surrender, serve and follow. Trust God is in control. Trust requires letting go of wanting so desperately to SEE God move when and where and how you want Him to in your life. We can’t realize or understand what He is doing, but later maybe we will. Still we surrender, serve and follow. For now, we simply REST where we are, in THIS season. Even in the cold, even in what we can’t see. We can be still and know God IS at work and HE is the only one who brings restoration, renewal, revival and He will make all things new in the season to come. That’s the truth. Don’t question in the cold of winter, the goodness God has shown you in the Spring, Summer and Fall. His will WILL be done as we surrender, serve and follow. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Feb 01, 2024
Lori Cline

What Couldn’t Be Undone Will Be Made New
One day, God will not just renew old things, but make all things brand new.   ~~~   Do you believe that what’s been done can’t be undone? It depends doesn’t it. I can tie my shoe and then I can untie it, but I can’t go back and undo the first tie. So while I can reverse the action of tying my shoe, I can’t untie tying my shoe. Clear as mud right? To undo something you basically reverse the effect of what you did. Oh how many of us would love to reverse the effect of things we have said or done in the past. One of my favorite commands on a keyboard is UNDO! Wouldn’t that be nice to have in real life situations. What did I just do?? UNDO. UNDO. Programmers can do this when they roll back commands. It’s like they never happened. Well we can’t roll back or hit undo in life. There are consequences to our actions and our choices. We may not be able to hit the undo key, or even call for a REDO like we did when we were little, but we can try to reverse the effects or make things right. God works through us and our circumstances to redeem moments and seasons. I’m so very thankful He does. I’ve experienced that in my own life. What the enemy meant for evil or maybe something I chose to do was forgiven, grace was extended and over and over something beautiful grew as a result. What was broken was mended. What was lost was restored. God meets us in our every need, failure and fear with provision, grace and love. I love how God met Adam and Eve in the garden after they sinned. They tried to cover themselves. They tried to undo a little of their shame. God met them with tunics of animal skin to wear. Blood was shed to cover their sin. The world is still under the curse of sin, but for those IN Christ, we are now redeemed and covered by the blood of the Lamb. Jesus’ death on the cross brings us back into fellowship with the Father. What was done in the garden was undone on the cross. The good news now is that the hope we have because of Jesus, is that one day, He will come again and one day to come ALL THINGS will be made NEW. Revelation 21:1-5 Then I saw “a new heaven and a new earth, ”for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” This is not describing a fixer upper heaven and earth, this is a MADE NEW heaven and earth. A new Jerusalem, a new earth, no longer plagued by the powers of evil, sin and death. The presence of God will very much be WITH us and every tear will be wiped from our eyes. Can you even imagine no more death, sorrow, crying or pain? What a day that will be. That’s what all things made NEW looks like. It’s not an UNDO it’s a made new. John got a glimpse of it for us in Revelation and I’m so glad he did. Praise God for His word, because it is in fact, worthy and true. That’s the truth! If you missed any of this months broadcasts where I’ve been digging deeper into scripture around the word NEW for this NEW year, you can find them all at lifeword.org. God wants to do something new in your life! Don’t take my word for it, get into His word every day and discover the NEW He has for you. I’m Lori Cline.  
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 30, 2024
Lori Cline

It’s Time For A New Song
When we walk in joy celebrating God, it becomes contagious.   ~~~   Have you ever had an ear worm? And no I’m not talking about an actual worm. Ew. No I’m talking about what happens when you get a song stuck in your head! We have a friend who would intentionally hum or whisper the Kenny Rogers song, ‘lady’ in our ear just for the purpose of waiting to see if we would start humming it or singing it at some point. We usually would. It was so funny and frustrating at the same time. Isn’t there some song that if you hear it, it will be in your head for days? There’s a reason for that. It was played A LOT at radio. Some of these songs fall into the most annoying category, which makes it even worse. One such song is ‘We Built This City’ by Starship. It debuted in 1985 and was a HUGE hit. The band used a lot of synthesizer and a lot of hair spray. You gotta love the eighties. Unfortunately they wanted us to know so badly that they built this city on rock and roll that they repeated that line over and over in the song at least 15 times. Over the years the song came to be, what we call in radio, a high burn. It’s fried and crispy. Please don’t ever play it again. We’re full force into a new year. Are you already a little fried and crispy, tired of singing the same old song? I don’t know what you’ve walked through or what you may be walking through right now, but often don’t we settle into the circumstance and get oh so weary feeling like we’re never going to sing anything new. The same routine. The same song, maybe a different verse. You’re not alone. Look up. God is with you even now and has a new song for you to sing, not just this new year, but this new day. Psalm 40:1-3 ​​I waited patiently for the Lord; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the Lord and put their trust in him. God hears your cry today. He’s listening and He is oh so near. No matter what this life brings, when our feet are firm on the rock of Jesus, we can sing for joy and give thanks to the Lord in ALL things for He IS good. He is at work in your life and IN whatever you are facing. His love for you never ends. We see new songs rise throughout scripture from hearts that have experienced God’s goodness. God has a new song for you to sing as well. The old is gone and a new melody is being written even now in your story. Shout for joy and sing a new song for what God is doing and will do as you trust Him. When we begin singing a new song it becomes contagious in a good way. You might even find someone else getting hooked on the rhythm of joy and hope your walking in step with. A really good song has a way of doing that. While a new song rises in the here and now, one day to come there will be a new song like no other, sung throughout the heavens. You can read more about it in Revelation 5 starting with verse 8. Creatures and elders begin the first verse then angels, too many to count, join in for the second. It’s too great to not sing along so every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea will join in for the last verse. Blessing and honor and glory and power be to Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, forever and ever! It will be an eternal praise, a song we will never tire of hearing or singing. That’s the truth. Look to Jesus for a new song. He has one for you today. And I promise you this, once you start singing it, you won’t be able to stop. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 25, 2024
Lori Cline

The NEW That Never Wears Out
Jesus didn’t die just to patch us up, but to make us totally new.   ~~~   ​Don’t you wish things would last forever? I want things to stay new and never wear out. Including me! Wouldn’t that be nice? Unfortunately, that’s not how it works anymore. Things break and wear out and when they do, we want them quickly fixed or replaced as soon as possible. If my heat goes out in winter, I want it fixed yesterday. Apparently I’m losing collagen in my face, so how quickly can I fix that and get rid of these lines and wrinkles? What’s the new drink I can drink that will shrink my belly by tomorrow? My cookware says it will last forever, but I doubt it will. If something breaks, fix it quick or get something new! It’s a never ending cycle of trying new things that promise to keep things new. It’s insanity in a way because nothing stays NEW forever. It all wears out. We can do all we can to upgrade, refurbish, tighten and lift, but all things ARE wasting away. Jesus told it like it is in Matthew 6:19 when he talked about where our treasure is. Store up things in Heaven, not down here on earth where moth and rust destroy it all. Paul puts it this way in Romans 7:24 when he asks, ‘who will deliver me from this body of death’? It’s easy to want to lose heart when everything around us that once was new all eventually wastes away. But don’t lose heart just yet, there’s good news. 2 Corinthians 4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. There is something NEW happening IN us every day, when we are IN Christ. What does that mean exactly? Dr David Jeremiah puts it this way, “temporary things help people appreciate eternal things. When believers are outwardly perishing and in pain, the gleam of this life gives way to the glories of the next.” The Apostle Paul was very acquainted with suffering. He kept it all in perspective as he kept his eye on the prize set before him. He knew what was to come, and all that we try so desperately to keep shiny and new, pales in comparison to what waits at the finish line of life for the believer in Christ. That should give us hope today. Yes things wear out and these bodies are wearing out, but our spirit is being renewed everyday! This world is not the end. One day all things will be made new. And oh what a day that will be. Until then, as we are being renewed everyday, we walk in the newness of life we have because of Jesus. Living that life is one that shines the light and love of Jesus to a dark and dying world. Our light should shine brighter and brighter the closer we get to home. 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! Jesus didn’t die to patch you up, he died and rose again to make you BRAND new. That’s a new that never wears out. That’s the truth. Set your eyes on things above this new year. As you do, all that is wasting away around you will dim in the light of what’s to come. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 23, 2024
Lori Cline

A New Day, A New Way
When the way God is calling us is unfamiliar, He will be with us.   ~~~   Have you ever taken the road less traveled? I hope you have at some point along your journey in life. In eighth grade I memorized the poem, ‘the road not taken’, by Robert Frost. In the poem, the road NOT taken was the one that was familiar. It was the path that had more wear. The road less traveled was the one he took and in the end, that made all the difference. In life when we step out in faith and go a new way, often there is adventure waiting and more to discover. I love how Jesus describes the narrow way in Matthew 7:14. Many will go down the wide way to destruction, but narrow and difficult is the way which leads to life. He goes on to say, few will find it. The road we choose in life matters. Be sure you’re headed in the right direction! It’s a perfect time to think about the road less traveled as we are well on our way into a new year. Is there a road God is leading you down, but fear is holding you back because you don’t see the path clearly? Maybe more people are going the other way. That doesn’t mean it’s where God wants YOU. Be sure you’re listening to His voice above any other. That’s the first step on the journey. God is all about doing something new. All throughout scripture God moves, speaks and works in new ways bringing about His redemption plan for us through Jesus. So many moments were ‘road less traveled’ type moments for men and women in the Bible. It took faith and action to MOVE where God was leading. With the start of this new year, I’m looking all this month at what we can discover in scripture when it comes to something NEW. You can find them all at Lifeword.org. Is God leading you to a road less traveled? When I think of this new day, in this new year, I wonder is God leading us some way we’ve never been before? He’s done it before. Joshua 3:2-4 After three days the officers went throughout the camp, giving orders to the people: “When you see the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, and the Levitical priests carrying it, you are to move out from your positions and follow it. Then you will know which way to go, since you have never been this way before. But keep a distance of about two thousand cubits between you and the ark; do not go near it.” This is one of my all time favorite road less traveled moments in Joshua 3. The people of Israel needed God’s direction. They were headed into new territory. The path was new and unfamiliar. The ark of the covenant, where God’s presence and power resided, is what they were to follow. When they saw the Jordan before them in their path did they stop and have a meeting about all the risks of walking through the Jordan? No. They put their feet in the water and walked on. That’s when we see miracles. That’s when we see things we’ve never seen before. When God is leading the way, the road less traveled is always the way that WILL make all the difference. Today, the presence and power of Christ, through the Holy Spirit, is WITH us, leading us as we go. We can trust his leading just as the children of Israel trusted and followed the ark. God was WITH them then, taking them a way they had never been before, and God is WITH us now leading us and wanting us at times to blaze new trails for the sake of spreading the gospel! We are commissioned to go into all the world and tell people about Jesus, yet we get all nervous and full of fear when it’s across the street. Friends, God IS with us. It’s a new day and He is calling us to new ways to reach the lost. When the way we are called to go is new and unfamiliar, that may be the very sign that we’re headed in the right direction. That’s when we know it’s not us, it’s God leading us and giving us peace for the journey. That’s the truth! Today is a new day. What new way is God calling you to go? Listen to His voice and walk on. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 18, 2024
Lori Cline

A NEW Way To Love My Neighbor
To truly show great love, we must sacrifice.   ~~~   It just doesn’t get any better than this! Have you ever said that? I think about moments in my life when my heart was so full. How could anything compare to THIS? Falling in love, the birth of a baby or sitting on the beach watching the sun go down are all moments I’ve thought, it really can’t get any better than this! Then it does. A new moment. A new memory. A new blessing. What about when it comes to things that changed the world? We love the history channel and it’s fascinating to watch innovation, products and ideas that have changed our lives for the better. I’m sure there were times way back then people thought, ‘wow this couldn’t get any better!’ Then along came the wheel, indoor plumbing, the printing press, penicillin, the lightbulb, concrete, the telephone, McDonalds and so much more that did in fact make things better! Something new can be a really good thing, unless it’s NEW coke. That was a huge sugary flop back in 1985. It goes down as an epic FAIL of trying to improve something already great. In the moment, when something is already a good thing, it’s tough to imagine how it could be made better. Nothing is better than the original. But when it actually IS, our minds are blown and we think, how did we ever manage before? It can’t get any better than this. Then, our eyes are opened to a NEW way. When you think about LOVE, could love ever get any better? Could we love more? Could there be even deeper ways to show someone we love them? God commanded His people to ‘love your neighbor as yourself’ all the way back in Leviticus 19:18. The command was not to view the world as us and them, but God required love for all. Fast forward to Jesus’ ministry and the command from Leviticus had been tweaked just a bit by the religious elite over the years. Yes, love your neighbor as yourself, but hate your enemy. They don’t deserve your love. Jesus corrected that and turned it all upside down in his sermon on the mount. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Do good to those who hate you and pray for those who use you and persecute you. Love the undeserving, because aren’t we all in fact, undeserving? When asked what is the greatest command in Matthew 22, Jesus said, “love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul and mind and then love your neighbor as yourself.” Again, he is pointing us to be fully devoted to God and then be a conduit of God’s love to others. Is it possible to love someone even more than that? Jesus takes it even deeper. John 13:34-35 “A new command I give you: Love one another as I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” Love one other, we get it? But what’s NEW about it? How was Jesus improving on how to love our neighbor? Jesus said, “love one another as I have loved you.” How has Jesus loved me? He died for me. He loved me MORE than He loved himself. That’s the NEW part. He put my need above his own. It’s a selfless, sacrificial love. That’s how we are to love one another. How can I put you ABOVE me? Do you love your neighbor like that? That’s how Jesus loves. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) There is no greater love. And it really doesn’t get any better than that. That’s the truth. So when we talk about love, remember it requires sacrifice. Love your enemies. Lay your life down for one another. It’s no longer about me. That’s how Jesus loves and that kind of love is what changes the world. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 16, 2024
Lori Cline

Shiny And New Doesn’t Make It Good
Blessings come in the midst of burdens.   ~~~   Have you ever bought a lemon? And I’m not talking about the fruit. Usually when people say, ‘they bought a lemon’, they are referring to a vehicle purchase that didn’t turn out like they thought. You get a lemon when you think you’re getting something of value that will be a good investment, only to discover what you purchased was in fact worthless, unsatisfactory and in great need of repair. Lemon laws, as they are called, were set into place as a result of consumers being deceived by companies trying to sell something that looked shiny and new, but was in fact not. The lemon law protects customers in that no matter what they are buying, if something is a dud, or a lemon, the seller must fix, repair or replace the product. It can be difficult to know if you’re getting a lemon. Shiny, new and pleasing to the eye doesn’t always mean it’s a good choice! Just ask Eve. All this month, since it’s a NEW year, I’m digging through scripture that uses the word NEW and seeing what NEW thing God may want us to discover through it. Today I’m looking at a new king I read about in Exodus. We don’t know much about him, but what we do know is that even though he may have been shiny and new in his leadership role, he was in fact a big old lemon! Sadly he couldn’t be fixed or sent back. But God was still on the throne. Exodus 1:8-12 Then a new king, to whom Joseph meant nothing, came to power in Egypt. “Look,” he said to his people, “the Israelites have become far too numerous for us. Come, we must deal shrewdly with them or they will become even more numerous and, if war breaks out, will join our enemies, fight against us and leave the country.” So they put slave masters over them to oppress them with forced labor, and they built Pithom and Rameses as store cities for Pharaoh. But the more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread; so the Egyptians came to dread the Israelites. What we see in these few verses is nearly 400 years of history unfolding. If we go back just a bit, we see Joseph, his father Jacob, and all of his family in Egypt. Remember, how they got there? It’s a crazy story, one meant for evil, but God used it for good. You can read more on that in Genesis. Bottom line, the children of Israel were saved and given a new home in Egypt. Fast forward a bit. Then a new king, who knew nothing of Joseph, came to power in Egypt. Shiny and new doesn’t make it good. The season that once was, was no more. This dud of a king, and the ones that followed, no longer honored the memory of Joseph. All they saw was a people greater in number and strength than their own. We have the advantage in scripture of knowing how the story ends, but for the children of Israel, they faced a very long season of struggle, oppression and slavery. But God… He had a way of turning what was meant for evil for good when his people first came into Egypt and in THIS turn of history, He still had a plan to work it all for their good that would ultimately bring them OUT of Egypt. It was a long road. Sometimes it is in life isn’t it. This was out of their control, but God was always IN control. Remember verse twelve? The more they were oppressed, the more they multiplied and spread. God’s people will rise. Blessings come in the midst of the burdens. Praise will rise in the midst of persecution. What God had started, He would finish. And nothing, not even a lemon of a king, and all his evil ways, could stop God’s plan for His people. That’s the truth! Remember, shiny and new isn’t always good. Don’t be deceived. Keep your eyes on Jesus. Trust Him on the mountain and when you walk through the valley. What was meant for evil, He is working for your good. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 11, 2024
Lori Cline

Why You Won’t Find Something New In Last Year
Jesus wants to do something new, but we must step forward to allow Him to work.   ~~~   Are you still living in last year? It’s a new year! Aren’t you ready to step into something new? No not really. I’m good. Have you ever felt that way? You’re not alone. Something new doesn’t always feel good at first does it? This new month of the new year I’m focusing on the word NEW throughout scripture at lifeword.org. Today I’m looking deeper at the way we often want to hang on to what is old. The problem with that is we find ourselves trying to control the NEW thing God is doing or wants to do IN and through us. Why in the world would we want to control what God is doing? Usually because it requires us to throw off the old and familiar. Sometimes we get stuck don’t we? I’m not ready for something new. I’m not ready to move on. I’m not ready to take down my Christmas tree and twinkle lights. I want it to still be Christmas where we’re all in PJ’s eating way too much and watching movies. Let’s just stay a bit longer in last year. Last year is comfortable. I’m familiar with it. It’s worn in like a good pair of vintage jeans, and those are hard to come by so let’s just leave it be for a while ok? The struggle is real. Jesus ushered in something new. While God’s people had longed for the awaited Messiah, they weren’t ready for the WAY He came to save the world. It didn’t look like they wanted it to look. How in the world could GRACE be enough? People wanted to control the gospel then and many still do today. But when we add to it or take away from it, it never ends well. It’s a rebellious and disobedient spirit. The old way and the new way never fit together. Matthew 9:16-17 ​​“No one sews a patch of unshrunk cloth on an old garment, for the patch will pull away from the garment, making the tear worse. Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.” Here in chapter nine of Matthew, there is a conversation happening about fasting. The law only required one fast a year. The Pharisees had added to that to require twice weekly fasts, because they thought they knew better. Remember the control part? Jesus and his disciples didn’t follow that. Some wanted to know why. He uses a metaphor, which I love. You don’t sew unshrunk cloth on an old garment. When you wash it, the patch will shrink and tear away. The new doesn’t work on the old. You also can’t pour new wine into old wineskins, they’ll burst during the fermentation process. The new doesn’t work IN the old. Here’s the truth he wanted them to see. Jesus ushered in a NEW covenant of saving grace through faith. This covenant wasn’t anything to add to the law, HE was fulfilling the law and bringing something new. Salvation is a NEW nature. The holy spirit reNEWS us to walk in the spirit, in a NEW way, not in the old ways of the flesh. Ephesians 4:22 tells us we are to throw off our old sinful nature and our old way of life. When we do that, the spirit then can renew our thoughts and attitudes. We put on a NEW self, a new nature, that should be evident in how we live each day. You don’t meet Jesus and then walk away the same. No. You walk away changed and NEW. Jesus wants to do something new in your life, but to step into it, you’ve got to stop looking back and take a step forward. Let go! It’s a new year and a new day. Give thanks for what was and move into what Jesus has for you today. Yes it may be uncomfortable, but water walking wasn’t meant to be. That’s the truth! Today, move and follow Jesus into something new this year! A great adventure awaits. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 09, 2024
Lori Cline

The Only Thing New Under The Sun
We can’t find satisfaction in worldly things, but we can with God.   ~~~   What’s new? Have you seen any new movies lately? Read any new books? Been to any new restaurants? What’s the latest news? We crave the NEW don’t we? We love NEW cars, new shoes, new recipes, new information and new ideas. Christmas is still in the rearview mirror. I still have my tree up. We all unwrapped a bunch of new stuff. We should be good for a while right? Nope. We want more. A new ad comes across our screen and we want that new thing too. WOW, that’s new. I’ve never seen that before. I need that. It would make my life so much easier and so much better. It slices, dices, folds the laundry and mops the floor. SOLD! I need that in my life. See! We are never fully satisfied. Have you started something NEW this new year? Working toward a new you? Maybe a new diet or a new work out plan at your new gym membership, combined with new supplements and super foods mixed into your new smoothie maker? I think you get the idea. It gets to be a bit much! But it’s how we are living our life if we don’t wake up to the insanity of it all. Is it ever enough? While there is nothing wrong with new things, there IS something deeper to consider when it comes to what we desire and WHY we desire it. Could it be we’re searching for meaning in it all? I’m looking all this month at the word NEW and truths we find in scripture surrounding it. One of the first thoughts that came to my mind was, there is NOTHING new under the sun. In a world FULL of new things, how can it be true that there is nothing new under the sun? Let’s look at a bit more context of who said those words and what led him to say it. Ecclesiastes 1:8-11 All things are wearisome, more than one can say. The eye never has enough of seeing, nor the ear its fill of hearing. What has been will be again, what has been done will be done again; there is nothing new under the sun. Is there anything of which one can say, “Look! This is something new”? It was here already, long ago; it was here before our time. No one remembers the former generations, and even those yet to come will not be remembered by those who follow them. If we know anything about King Solomon, we know, from what we read in scripture, that when it came to seeking out new things and wanting to have every new thing and pleasure under the sun, he did not deny himself much. He had everything, so why did he search for more? We can read why in 1 Kings 11. He had many wives. Solomon’s lust turned his heart from the Lord and idolatry followed. Pursuing all we want and desire in this life apart from God’s leading and way is a slippery slope that will lead to justifying sin and walking in disobedience to God. That’s where Solomon found himself. He was a failure and a disgrace trying to find meaning and purpose, he once found in God alone, in worldly pleasures and false beliefs. Doesn’t sound too far from where our world finds itself today, pursuing lusts and believing lies that have led once faithful servants of God down a road of self satisfying theology. If you walk too far down that road it’ll lead you to discover what Solomon did in his old age. There is nothing new under the sun and apart from God’s hand, everything is meaningless. That’s the truth. King Solomon concluded his very full life and all his wisdom with these final words in Ecclesiastes, “Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 04, 2024
Lori Cline

What You Need To Step Into Something NEW
The best new thing we can find is a restored relationship with Jesus.   ~~~   Are you ready for something new? It’s here! Happy New year! This month, it’s all NEW! Join me at lifeword.org as I look deeper at scripture around the word NEW. God always has something new for us to discover. Let’s discover it together and get this NEW year started off right, because ready or not, a bright and shiny NEW year is at our door. I even wore sequins for the occasion. Do you find yourself looking back at all this past year held? It was a doozy for me and one that will be marked forever by the loss of my Dad. In one way I kind of wanted time to stand still a bit. I wasn’t ready to move on. You know what I mean? But it doesn’t work that way does it? No matter what may come in life, time keeps on ticking away and we must put one foot in front of the other. So here we are. Even if you’re like me and your heart is still trying to catch up, don’t we long for something new? We may feel like we’re headed into uncharted waters on a foggy night, but shouldn’t we have an anticipation of what lies in store? Yes we should. I do! Today IS a new day. This IS a new year. New possibilities and bright hope lie ahead even if I can’t see it or feel it. I believe it. THAT is the one thing you need to step into something new this year! If you’re ready for new possibilities, a new start, a new mindset and HOPE for something new IN your life, you must FIRST believe. Isaiah 43:18-19 ​​“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. What you can believe today is this, God is always doing something new! Through the prophet Isaiah, he is encouraging His people to have HOPE! Don’t look back. Don’t look to what you think you know, or how you think I will work on YOUR behalf, because I am doing something new! Look ahead with HOPE because I am at work and I will make a way! God fulfilled that promise of something new with the birth of his son Jesus. He will once again fulfill His promise of something new with His return. When you believe God IS who He says He is and He will do what He says He will do, you’re always stepping into something new. Each day your eyes are open to see His goodness all around you and the possibilities that ONLY He can bring. When you believe there is more to this life than your circumstance, you HOPE for something new. When you believe you are not defined by anything in your past but you are accepted, loved and forgiven by grace through faith in Jesus, you are MADE into something new. When you believe God holds all things, is in all things and has your every step ordered, you then can boldly step out of the boat INTO something new because you trust HE is with you and He is already there. It doesn’t even have to be a new year! You simply believe HE is ABLE to do what He said He would do, something new in and through you, that is for your good and His glory. Aren’t you ready for something new? Stop looking in all the wrong places for it. In these early days of this new year, the world will try to sell you all sorts of ways to make yourself new! A new you. A new body. A new look. A new start. A new attitude! And while yes, this new year holds lots of possibilities that require you to take steps to achieve, Jesus simply stands at the door of your heart knocking. He wants you to come as you are. He’ll do the rest. That’s the truth! If you’ve tried everything else, try Jesus. He’ll do a new thing in your heart and life like you’ve never seen. It’s the BEST way to start this new year. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Jan 02, 2024
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of What's To Come
One day believers will experience an eternity without pain or grief.   ~~~   Can you see what’s up ahead? Of course not. As much as we try, we can’t. Only God holds our tomorrow and as we trust Him with it we can rest and know He’s already there! What a gift as we close out this year and step into a new one. Speaking of gifts, we are “wrapping up” this month’s focus on unwrapping all the gifts God has for us every day. Fullness of life, grace, peace, joy, wonder, hope and God with us are all amazing gifts we can walk in and know as we trust Him. You can find all of those and so much more at Lifeword.org. Now, going back to tomorrow and what we cannot see, how is that a gift? Well my first thought is this, I don’t have to plan or prepare one thing! Jesus is doing that for me! John 14:3-4 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” I know the way! Jesus IS the way. He always was and He always will be the way. Heaven came to earth when Jesus was born. Through His death and resurrection, those who believe in Him, one day will leave this earth and be with Him in Heaven. He’s preparing the place! I don’t have to worry. I don’t have to think about it. I don’t have to clean my house or pack. I simply need to live each day like it’s my last and follow Him faithfully in obedience, loving Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength, encouraging others to do the same and loving anybody He sends across my path. Unwrapping the gift of what’s to come, is different than any other gift. We can’t experience it now like we can all the other gifts. We can only look to it and press on toward it like Paul talked about in Philippians 3:14. What’s to come is the prize and guess what, it’s not here in this broken and fallen world. If we are IN Christ, our citizenship is in heaven, we are NOT of this world. Because there is more to come! That truth should light a big old fire in our belly to live for Jesus and not be consumed by all the cares of this world. We live each day to redeem it in Jesus’ name as children of God, but ultimately my destination is on the other side of Jordan. Are you following me? I mean that in more than one way. I’ll use the words of Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:1, “Follow me as I follow Jesus.” I’m not perfect in any way, but I’ll point you to Jesus all day long. The gift God has for us to come, is eternity with Him. Revelation 1:8 ​​“I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Freedom is found when you let go. God has always been and will always be. We can’t figure it all out and that is the beauty of finally coming to a place where you stop trying. That’s faith. Trusting in something you can’t see, but you believe and know it to be true. I believe and because I do I am met with gifts every single day. My life is full and overflowing with the love of God. I am met with grace in every moment I have need. I have peace even as the storm rages around me. I have joy, unspeakable and at times unexplainable. I am in awe and wonder every single day at God’s creation around me, God’s love for me and His blessings in my life. I have hope, bright blessed hope for tomorrow, no matter what today may bring. I am never alone, because God is WITH me in every moment of my life here and to come. Revelation 21:4 ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” I don’t know about you, but I start this new year full of joy, yes, but also with a heart filled with grief because my Dad is in heaven. So when I think about the gift of what is to come, i can’t help but smile. No more tears. No more death. No more mourning, crying or pain. This old order WILL pass away. What a gift to come. That’s the truth! I’m ready. Are you? God is a giver of good gifts and He has these I’ve walked through this month and so many more ready for you to unwrap this new year. I pray you will. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 28, 2023
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of Emmanuel
Because God is with us through Jesus, we never have to be afraid.   ~~~   Are you still unwrapping gifts? I hope so! I hope you got what you wanted. Mom’s I’m sure you did because you probably bought it, wrapped it and put it under the tree! You know it’s true. I hope you are in that place where you aren’t really sure what day it is, you’re still in PJ’s and you may need to wash your hair. Those days are the best! We are still unwrapping gifts here at Lifeword. But really, we unwrap gifts every single day. You see, God is a giver of good gifts. One of the most memorized verses of scripture, John 3:16, tells us God loved us so much, He GAVE. Because God gave the precious gift of His son Jesus, we can open new life, grace, peace, joy, wonder and hope each and every day! That’s my focus this month at Lifeword.org. Today, we’re unwrapping the gift of Emmanuel. Matthew 1:23 “The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel” (which means “God with us”). The beautiful gift is ‘God with us’. God came TO us through Jesus. Heaven came down to earth, and made a way for us. What a gift! God is no longer far away, He is WITH me. I gave my life to Jesus when I was eight years old. I honestly don’t remember what it was like to not have Jesus with me. I’m so thankful for that gift of His grace. As I’ve grown up over the years I lean into His presence more and more. Just as God walked with Adam and Eve in the garden, God walks with me. Just as God was with Abraham when he didn’t know where he was going, God leads me. Just as God was with Joseph through abandonment and slavery all the way to the throne, God has been with me through every valley and mountaintop. I could go on and on. I don’t take one breath without feeling God’s presence in my life. He has carried me through every season and I know He will carry me through to the end. With each way He meets me with His loving grace, I know Him and feel Him with me even more. Think about this, there is not one struggle, pain, temptation or emotion that Jesus did not walk through. Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. Jesus knows our every weakness and struggle. He is WITH us through it. And if you’re hurting today, if your heart is broken and full of sorrow, he knows that too. Isaiah 53:3 He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. This is the gift, Jesus knows your pain and He doesn’t run from it, He sits right beside you IN it and He walks with you through it as you trust Him with it. That’s the truth. That’s emmanuel, God WITH us. And because He is, I don’t have to ever be afraid. He is with me now and He will be with me for all eternity. That’s a gift and a promise. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 26, 2023
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of Hope
Jesus was the hope for the world when He was born and He remains our hope today.   ~~~   Where would we be without hope? I don’t want to even imagine a world without hope. Though the days can get pretty dark and situations can feel hopeLESS, we always have HOPE. Hope rises, like beauty from the ash. We keep going. We get back up again. We take a step forward. We redeem this day. We believe there IS something more! Did you know, hope is directly linked to our faith or what we believe? You can’t have faith without hope, because faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1) It’s all connected. I can’t help but think of this old hymn, “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus blood and righteousness, I dare not trust the sweetest frame, but wholly lean on Jesus' name. On Christ the solid rock I stand, all other ground is sinking sand; all other ground is sinking sand.” The hope I have for this day, tomorrow or any day is because I have faith IN and trust the one who holds it! It’s a fact Jack, as my Daddy would say. Jesus IS my hope. God loves me and His promises are true and He will keep every single one. That’s my hope. It’s what Christmas is all about. A promise fulfilled. A bright hope for tomorrow. Do you have hope today? I HOPE you do. God offers it as a gift for you to unwrap right now. You don’t even have to wait till Christmas. You may feel like giving up, but hold on, God is right there in the middle of your circumstance, wanting to make a way, wanting to give you peace and wanting to show you what true love really looks like. It’s God’s only son, given for you. 1 Peter 1:3-5 ​​Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. You can put your hope in a lot of things, but every single one will fade or fail, apart from Christ. Jesus never fails. IN Christ, you have a hope and a future that IS secure. Think about that for a minute. You are secure in Christ. He holds you. Nothing can separate you from His love and even death has lost its grip on you. When you believe that truth, you walk differently! You live differently! You are not your own. You are bought and paid for, forgiven and set free, made new, have a new purpose and no matter what may come, you stand FIRM on the solid rock of Jesus. My hope is IN the God of hope, who made a way for me. Romans 15:12-13 And again, Isaiah says, “The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope.” May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. He was the long awaited Messiah at His birth and today he is our blessed hope we joyfully watch and wait for to return. Jesus Christ IS my living hope. That’s the truth. Unwrap the gift of HOPE. It’s a gift that keeps on giving, because as you trust Him, you’ll have hope for each new day and joy and peace will follow. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 21, 2023
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of Wonder
The wondrous works of God through history are too many to name.   ~~~   Are you heading into this Christmas full of awe and wonder? I hope you are, but if we’re honest, doesn’t our awe and wonder get easily replaced with anxiety and weariness? Those aren’t the gifts God has for us. Those need to be returned. Remember the awe and wonder of Christmas you had as a child? What if I told you God wants you to live each day with that same awe and wonder? Oh Lori, that’s not possible. I’ve put away childish things and I live in the real world now of obligations, stress, and seriousness and my face must show it. Listen, if that’s how you feel and sadly if that’s how you life your life, you’re missing out on one of the greatest things about God. He IS a God of wonders. Psalm 77:14 You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. Exodus 15:11 ​​Who among the gods is like you, Lord? Who is like you— majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? The wonders of God, the things we can’t explain or even understand, are what lead us to be in AWE of God. He spoke this amazing world and all creation into being. He spoke the stars into place. He knew you before you were born. All the days of your life have been determined. The wind and waves obey Him. Waters parted, fire sent down from heaven, the mouths of lions closed and centuries old prophesies fulfilled. The root of Jesse foretold. An angel’s birth announcement, a virgin birth, and every miracle, sign and wonder throughout scripture and the redeeming, miracle working power of God in my own life, all point to the omnipotent WONDER of God. Today, maybe you need to unwrap and receive the gift of WONDER. The eyes of a child on Christmas morning are full of joy, excitement and wonder of it all. They aren’t trying to figure it all out. We lose that innocence as we grow up. We think we have to have it all figured out and as a result, we miss the moments of wonder God still has for us to discover. It’s IN those moments we discover MORE of who HE is. His never ending love for us. His new morning mercy waiting for us. We feel His JOY and PEACE within us as we walk through the valleys and storms. We find REST when the world around us is in chaos. OH THE amazing WONDER of it all. The miracle of God WITH us should bring us to our knees in awe and wonder of His amazing love every day. Turn you eyes back to the God of wonder and follow Him. Two thousand years ago, a star of wonder led the wise men to Jesus. They couldn’t quite figure it out, but they knew they HAD to follow it! It was bigger than they were. The wonder of it and the miracle of it and the prophesy foretold in Numbers 24:17 could not be overlooked. “A Star shall come out of Jacob;”.They were watching for what could not be explained, but for what they believed. Their eyes were open to the wonder and miracles unfolding. They didn’t want to miss it. Messiah had come. Psalm 40:5 Many, Lord my God, are the wonders you have done, the things you planned for us. None can compare with you; were I to speak and tell of your deeds, they would be too many to declare. The wondrous works of God throughout history and throughout this day, are too many to declare. If you’ve lost sight of them, take a fresh look. The wonders and mysteries of God are not to be figured out, they’re simply there to be received. That’s the truth. Open the gift of wonder. As you do, your eyes will begin to see beyond the circumstances of this day and you’ll experience the wonder and love of God through it. It’s a beautiful gift. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 19, 2023
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of Joy
Our joy is most complete when we remain obediently in the Father’s love. ~~~ What’s the best gift you’ve ever unwrapped on Christmas? For me, I immediately go back to Christmas Day of 1983. There was one toy that year causing madness and riots in stores across America. While this one particular toy was the desire of my heart that Christmas, I remember being told they were in high demand and limited supply. It wasn’t a guarantee to be under the tree. When Christmas morning arrived, there it was. A big wrapped box that hadn’t been there before. I unwrapped the most beautiful, brown hair, blue eyed cabbage patch doll I had ever seen! My mom can tell you, it was in fact, a Christmas miracle! When you think back on a moment like that, it’s full of joy. I unwrapped joy. That doll has since been in a box for years and the joy it once brought me has faded. Those moments are fleeting. The things, the stuff and all the trending desires of our heart can only bring so much joy. We grow up. We grow out of playing with dolls. What was once shiny and new becomes old and faded. But, with God, there is a deeper JOY that never fades or grows old. God wants to give us that kind of joy every single day. Like that cabbage patch doll, the gift of JOY, is one of my favorite gifts He gives me. I like to say laughter is my love language and if you make me laugh, we’ll be friends forever. But the thing about joy is it’s an even deeper condition of the heart that can ONLY be experienced when the heart is FREE from worry, comparison, fear and doubt. JOY is a free gift, ready to be unwrapped, but you must exchange all the cares of this life for it. Sounds easy enough doesn’t it, I mean who wouldn’t WANT to do that? But, when we look closer at our own life and heart, we find we hang on to SO MANY things that rob us of the joy God longs to give. If you find yourself tired and worn out today, this truth is for you. Your strength for this day and everyday is FOUND in the JOY of the Lord! Nehemiah 8:10 Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.” To give a little context, the children of Israel had returned to Jerusalem from Babylonian captivity. Their city was in ruins, still they gathered to worship and hear the reading of God’s word. Their lives were far from where they needed to be and their hearts were troubled as they were reminded of what was true. Instead of rebuke and shame, they were met with commands to feast and rejoice. Oh how amazing is the grace of God which calls us out of our bondage and out of the ashes of life to trade our sorrows in for JOY and our mourning for dancing! Joy comes every morning as we trade in our sorrow, guilt and shame for the righteousness and grace of God we receive through faith in Jesus. I am NOT who I was. I am made right with God and that is worth celebrating! But we must daily CHOOSE to walk IN the joy of the Lord. How do we do that? JOY is a by product of obedience. John 15:10-11 If you keep my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. Fullness of joy in this life can only be found through obedience to the Father. That’s when my joy is complete and so much more than a feeling or a passing trend. It’s joy rooted deep in the love of Jesus and my desire to follow His way and live the best life I could possibly live. I know I’m not alone. I know I have a purpose. I know I am loved. When I remain in that love, no matter what trials or suffering may come, I can count it all JOY. That’s the truth. Unwrap the gift of joy that never fades and gives you strength for today and HOPE for tomorrow, no matter what you may be facing. It’s a joy that’s found only IN Jesus. I’m Lori Cline.  
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 14, 2023
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of Peace
Jesus can calm our hearts and give us peace in the storm. ~~~ What do you hope to unwrap this Christmas? Isn’t that the question of the day? What do you WANT for Christmas? While I’m sure every single one of us has something we’d like to unwrap or find under the tree, if we look deeper into our heart, I would say the one thing we all want this Christmas is peace. When you think of peace, what do you see? I quickly go to places in my mind and moments where I’ve felt and experienced peace. Sipping coffee in the mountains or walking by the ocean picking up seashells are perfect settings for my heart and mind to find peace. But remember the only time in scripture we are told Jesus was sleeping peacefully? It was in the middle of a raging storm out at sea. He spoke the words, ‘peace be still’. The winds and waves obeyed. Peace, then isn’t a matter of surrounding or circumstance is it? God offers it as a gift for us each and every day. The question is, will we receive it? This month we’re unwrapping the gifts God longs to give us. The very life we live is a gift and if we in turn give it back to God, we receive an abundant life here on earth as well as eternal life to come. The gift of God’s grace meets me with strength when I am weak and makes something beautiful out of my mess. Today we unwrap the gift of peace. The Prophet Isaiah foretold the promised one would be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Jesus, made a way for us to have peace with God through His death on the cross. That’s where this gift of peace begins. When you put your faith IN the prince of peace, your heart will for the first time fully KNOW peace. From that point on the war for your heart and soul has been won and then you walk in that peace trusting that not only is God at work in and through ALL things, He is in CONTROL of all things. That removes the doubt, the fear, the worries and ALL the many cares of this world because we live for something greater than anything this world has to offer. Listen to these words of Jesus spoken to his disciples not long before he was crucified. John 14:27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid. The storm was coming. Jesus knew his time was short and these are the words he spoke over his friends. PEACE. My peace I GIVE you. NOTHING the world gives or can offer you will compare to it. Don’t LET your hearts be troubled. Do NOT be afraid. I can’t help but wonder if the thought of that day out at sea crossed their minds. When we choose to not trust, our heart will be troubled. When we choose to embrace worry and think we are in control, we will be afraid. Once again, the disciples were afraid. The storm looked a little different. They were all huddled up in a locked room wondering, what now? A resurrected Jesus shows up and reminds them once again, peace be with you. Peace was WITH them, He was standing in the room! The prince of peace was WITH them then and He is with us today. That’s the truth. Storms are still coming. The waves and winds are blowing even now during this most wonderful time of the year. Let not your heart be troubled. Jesus has peace to give to you. Let this be the Christmas you unwrap it. It goes beyond anything you could ever even understand and it will protect your heart and mind from any storm that may come. I’m Lori Cline.
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 12, 2023
Lori Cline - Unwrapping The Gift Of...

Unwrapping The Gift Of Grace
Even in hard times, we can rejoice in the grace of God. ~~~ Have you ever felt like Charlie Brown? In the animated classic, A Charlie Brown Christmas, there’s a scene where Charlie Brown takes his little tree and he’s going to try to decorate it. He puts one red ornament on it and the whole thing droops to the ground. He says these words, “I’ve killed it. Everything I touch gets ruined.” With his head hanging low, he walks away in defeat. This is what I relate to. The spirit of defeat. I start the day determined to walk in the spirit, choose joy, see the glass half full and make something beautiful of each new day, no matter what may come, only then at some point to be derailed and disappointed. I messed it up. I didn’t get it all done. I dropped a ball. The plates that were spinning so great, all fell to the ground and shattered. If you’re feeling a little like Charlie Brown today, like everything around you is falling apart and your head is hanging low in defeat, I’ve got a gift you need to unwrap. It’s the gift of grace. God offers it to us every single day, but sadly it gets pushed aside and forgotten or not even opened at all. When we unwrap and receive the gift of grace, all the mess ups, defeats and what seem to be ruined and shattered places of our life, are met with undeserved favor and mercy. The result is something new. IN Christ, old things are passed away and all things are made new. (2 Corinthians 5:17) This gift of grace begins with faith in Jesus. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. You don’t do one thing to save yourself. Salvation and forgiveness of sin comes through faith in Jesus and THAT is only by HIS grace. This gift of grace is what brings rest to my weary and defeated soul because I know the BEST I can do when it comes to this life will ALWAYS fall short. (Romans 3:23) That’s why we need Jesus. He did what we could not do. (Romans 8:3) He lived a perfect, sinless life and then gave his life for yours and mine. (1 John 3:16) God’s grace is a gift that keeps on giving. His mercy and faithfulness to us is new every morning. (Lamentations 2:22-23) I can trust that whatever this day holds, God is with me. Where I am weak, His grace and strength will meet me in that place and will be SUFFICIENT for me. (2 Corinthians 12:9) I’ve been on the receiving end of this grace for years, but this year, after losing my Dad, I’ve experienced it on an even deeper level. That’s the thing about grace, it carries you even when you don’t even realize you’re being carried. It’s God’s love for me, not only meeting me in every moment of my need, but strengthening me as well for the journey. This is why a weary world can rejoice! My weary heart that is heavy from falling short and at times like Charlie Brown, feeling like everything I touch gets ruined, can find REST in the arms of my savior. That’s the truth. Unwrap the gift of grace. It’s the good news of Jesus meeting us right where we are and it really IS what Christmas is all about. I’m Lori Cline.  
By: Lori Cline
(Lifeword)
Aired on Dec 07, 2023