Have you ever prayed for something so hard and then the answer was no?

The basis of God’s faithfulness to His people is the covenant He made with His people.   ~~~   Not only do we see God’s covenant faithfulness in the men God uses to guide us, but in the ever-present mercy God gives us. We read about this mercy in 1 Samuel 12:6-16, and it is staggering. Samuel begins by commanding the people to stand still, to stop whatever they were doing. And what were they doing, they were rejoicing (11:15). How interesting is it that Samuel interrupts the party and worship service in order to teach the people about God’s character. Why would he do this? Because the people were heading in a wrong direction with their worship and thinking. They were headed down the path of thinking that all was good in the hood, when it was not. So stand still, “that I may plead with you before the LORD concerning all the righteous deeds of the LORD that he performed with you and for your fathers.” Two phrases become immensely important here. First, Samuel does all of this “before the LORD.” In other words, I am going speak honestly with you, and if I am not honest, then God is here watching and listening and He will judge me. All that I say will be said in front of the LORD. So Samuel is quite serious at this point. Next, he says he wants to plead with the people concerning the “righteous deeds of the LORD.” That word “righteous” means “the fulfillment of just expectations between two parties. That which corresponds to being just.” What are those righteous deeds? God brought the Israelites out of the oppression of the Egyptians to dwell in the promised land. And when the people turned their backs on God, He disciplined them because he loved them. And when they cried out to Him in repentance, He rescued them…again, and again, and again. It was a cycle of rebellion, repentance, and rescue. Generation after generation. Time after time. Why? How can God say, “Do not fear,” to people who have rejected him, and not just once, but over and over again? What is the basis of God’s faithfulness to His people? Could it be that God sees something in us that we do not see in ourselves…that one day, we will finally get it right, that we will turn this thing around?…Since God knows how it all ends, does He see that we will finally come around to being completely faithful to Him on our own? No! No! No! The basis of God’s faithfulness to His people is the covenant He made with His people.When it is all said and done, and the people of God surround the throne of God, no one will be talking about how wise God was in choosing good people, smart people, wise people, strong people, from every tribe and nation and tongue. But rather, we will all be utterly astounded at the grace of God in rescuing and changing such sinners like you and me into being trophies and spoils of His Grace!

Our hope is ALIVE!

Being a stepfather can feel like bathing cats with your hair on fire—but your thoughtful navigation of the dynamics in your home can make a difference that lasts for decades. Author Gil Stuart offers tips on stepfathering thoughtfully, and shaping the kind of family you all long for.

Though the world can be exhausting, we should regularly rest in Jesus.

Every day should be lived in preparation for our eventual trip to heaven.   ~~~   What’s your process for preparing for a trip? We all have one. Women, ours is bit more extensive. I take days to prepare for a trip. My husband, he can pack in 30 minutes and he’s good to go. This past summer we had the opportunity to go to Puerto Rico to be with some missionary friends who were celebrating 19 years of ministry. We decided to make it a family trip. If you’re like me, it doesn’t matter how far away I’m going or how long I’m going to be there, the preparation is the same. We have two dogs, a rabbit and a guinea pig. When we leave town we have to have a house and pet sitter. This requires preparation. Not only for any trip do we have to get all the laundry done and pack up all we will need, we also must have our house in order a bit and have it ready for someone to stay there with our animals. Getting ready to leave takes intentional planning and time. I’ve got another trip I’m preparing for. It will be EPIC as my husband likes to say. The good news is I won’t have to pack a thing, but every single day I’m given, IS a day of preparation. 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever. As a believer in Jesus, one day, I’m gonna take a trip on that good old gospel ship, as the Imperials used to sing on their 1978 Imperials LIVE album! I’m going far beyond the sky. Jesus said it, I believe it. He’s never not kept a promise. He said in John 14 I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. I am a child of God. I believe in and have accepted God’s gift of salvation through His son Jesus. I know that trip is coming, one way or another. So how am I or can I even prepare for it? I definitely can’t take anything with me. All the stuff I hold so dear. Ecclesiastes 5:15 Everyone comes naked from their mother’s womb, and as everyone comes, so they depart. They take nothing from their toil that they can carry in their hands. So what can I do to get ready? My husband put it this way, LIVE like your leaving. I love that. I don’t have to live like I’m dying as a country artist has put it, because I know this life is not the end, it simply leads to my life eternal with Jesus. That changes everything! So how can we LIVE like we’re leaving? I thought you’d never ask! Here are a few to do’s found in scripture we can follow for each day we have up until take off. Love God with ALL your heart, soul, mind and strength and love your neighbor as yourself. Mark 12:30-31 Don’t cling to earthly treasures, but store up treasure in Heaven. Matthew 6:19-21 Be alert, SOBER and watchful, there is a deceitful enemy that wants to destroy your life. 1 Peter 5:8 Put your armor on every single day! Ephesians 6:10-18 Go and make disciples! Matthew 28:19 Throw off the sin that is holding you back and RUN your race! Hebrews 12:1-3 Watch and be ready! Titus 2:13 Those are just a few ways, to LIVE like your leaving. There are many more to do’s that lead to the most abundant life on this earth, but the point is this, we have work to do today that prepares us for our eternal tomorrow. That’s the truth. Eyes to the skies my friends, soon and very soon we’re all gonna take a trip. I pray your destination is Heaven. Settle that in your heart today. That’s the most important step of being ready. I’m Lori Cline.

God uses spirit-filled leaders to guide believers in our walk with Him.   ~~~   Have you ever had to say goodbye to someone, or a group of people. Maybe it was at a retirement party, or maybe you were moving from one town to another. Perhaps it was when your child moved out of the house, to a college dorm, or to their new married life. You may not remember the exact words you said, but without a doubt, the words and the feelings/sentiments behind them were much different than just the normal words you might say to someone when you knew you would see them again on the next day, in the same place. Those farewell addresses carry weight, maybe warnings, and sometimes your deepest wishes for the people with whom you are addressing. If you have been there, then you have been in the shoes that we are seeing Samuel fill in our text today. 1 Samuel 12 is widely known as Samuel’s farewell address. From the understanding of the context, and the reading of the text, we can see that Samuel is perhaps not quite as jovial as the rest of Israel, but he does hold out hope for the Israelites. And he tells them that God’s covenant faithfulness is to fuel their faithfulness to Him. And he lays out several ways the people can see God’s covenant faithfulness. The first evidence we see of God’s covenant faithfulness is the men who guide Israel. Chapter 12 begins with Samuel detailing his resume. He tells the people that he has listened to them and to God, and Samuel has delivered unto them a king. He compels the people to bring forth any witness who could testify to any corruption, any misdealing, underhanded ways of Samuel. Samuel has been a faithful leader and judge for Israel. He has been faithful to do the hard work of ministry by telling Eli, back in chapter 3, the harsh truth about his sons. Samuel has done the laborious work of telling all of Israel the word of the Lord. Samuel has done the mediatorial work of interceding on behalf of a rebellious people. Samuel has given himself to God’s word, to God’s mission, and to God’s people. Did he do it perfectly? Of course not. He is human. But He has done the work. Samuel goes on to list other men who were appointed to the Israelites, like Moses and Aaron, and others who were sent to Israel, like Gideon, Barak, Jephthah, all men that you will find listed in Hebrews 11 as faithful men who conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the power of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, were made strong out of weakness, became mighty in war, put foreign armies to flight. They were men who constantly pointed the people back to God, and to a future hope of the Messiah to come. And the Messiah eventually showed up. And He, too, pointed people to God, but he did something drastically different than the other prophets, and priests, and kings from ages past. He pointed people to God by pointing people to Himself! “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father but by me.” “Let not your hearts be troubled. You believe in God, believe also in me.” We see that Mosaic covenant comes to an end in Christ who fulfills all the law, and becomes the perfect, atoning, complete, sufficient sacrifice for all those who believe and trust in his death and resurrection! This is why he says “This is my blood of the new covenant!” A new covenant that promises the enduring presence of God’s spirit within His people. And we see that even through this new covenant, God guides us with Spirit-filled men who point us back to the cross and resurrection, and the new life that is found in Christ. Those men are to warn us of false teachers, war with us against sin and strongholds and evil, and always walk us to Christ by means of God’s word. We call these men pastors, elders…all the more reason you need to belong to a church!

Stepdad: It can be a role full of landmines--and at the same time, a role vital and unsung. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson and Ron Deal host author Gil Stuart, who offers ideas to do it wholeheartedly and all-in within the complexities of your blended family.

We get to have peace with God. We get to be holy in his eyes. Because of what Jesus did for us on that cross.

We should memorize Bible verses that are impactful in our lives.

Christian, remind yourself of the power within. God has not left us without His power.

If you’re starting to talk to your kids about God’s design for marriage when they’re preteens or teens—you might be too late. On FamilyLife Today with Dave & Ann Wilson, Author and pastor Sam Allberry knows parents need key discussions with kids about the ways God’s ideas for marriage get it right.

Jesus modeled servanthood for us.   ~~~   Welcome to another episode of Storybook Homes. Today, you are getting to witness one of the least glamorous parts of my job - trash pick up. I know, I know, not very exciting- but don’t tune me out just yet. This is a side of construction you might never see on popular channels, but it’s both necessary for a safe workspace and, for me, it’s a key component of my leadership strategy. As the General Contractor and Project Manager, my job is to oversee the skilled tradesmen and women I hire to implement the design of the project. I hire most jobs out because quite frankly I do not have the skillset to do it myself. I mean, I wouldn’t even know where to begin to rewire or plumb a house. But, one thing I am fully capable of doing is clean up. Now, I don’t always do the cleaning up myself, but when I have the time I like to do it as a way of showing my team that I am not going to ask them to do anything I’m not willing to do myself. I’m not above getting my hands dirty to get the job done. I also hope that when my sub-contractors see me cleaning up, they will recognize that a clean job site is important to me and they will then be more likely to clean up after themselves. This leadership style was taught and modeled by Jesus during his short earthly ministry. During Jesus’ days, it was customary for the priest to be treated like royalty, waited on hand and foot, and given the best seat in the house. Jesus turned that thinking upside down when he taught his disciples to lead by being servants. In Matthew 20 vs 25- 28 he teaches his disciples: 25 But Jesus called them together and said, “You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. 26 But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, 27 and whoever wants to be first among you must become your slave. 28 For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.” Jesus did not just command his followers to practice servanthood, he modeled it. Perhaps the greatest example of this was when we see Jesus washing his disciples’ feet. In John 13 After washing their feet, he put on his robe again and sat down and asked, “Do you understand what I was doing? 13 You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and you are right, because that’s what I am. 14 And since I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you ought to wash each other’s feet. 15 I have given you an example to follow. Do as I have done to you. 16 I tell you the truth, slaves are not greater than their master. Nor is the messenger more important than the one who sends the message. 17 Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them. Don't you think this image of the Son of God humbling himself to serve them came to mind anytime the disciples were faced with an unpleasant task in their future ministries? What action can you take to model humility and servanthood to those you have been tasked to lead? Let’s follow Jesus’ example and seek ways to put this reminder into practice. Thanks for joining me for another chapter of Storybook Homes.

In the face of constant attacks against the church, we must be uncompromising and rely on the Holy Spirit.   ~~~   We all have a part to play in warring for each other’s deliverance. Saul sent out the message for all the fighters to join him for the sake of this people in Jabesh-Gilead. And you know from our study in 1 Corinthians that every believer that belongs to this church has been given a gift, or maybe better fitting terminology for our purposes today is a weapon to fight the enemy and encourage and build up the church, which, when used consistently makes the people say, “We are glad!” Attacks upon the church are constant, whether they come from within or without. Compromise is not an option. Compromise to the attacks only makes us weaker. We must pursue and depend upon the Spirit of God together. Our posture is never one of comfort or ease in this world. Our posture, although one of being joyful and abiding, is at the same time a posture of warfare. Do we think of ourselves as people who are going to battle together? With one another instead of against one another? Are we going to battle depending upon the Spirit to deliver those who are under attack? Of those who feel helpless, of those who are not sure if there is anyone in their corner who will fight for them, of the hurting, the threatened. Listen, when one among our flock is attacked, we are all attacked. We are family in that sense.  

In the wake of porn addiction, where you do turn? How do you rebuild trust after such intimate, searing betrayal? On FamilyLife Today with Dave & Ann Wilson, Authors Bob and Dannah Gresh share the pervasive realities of their own heartache—and their own rocky path toward healing.

On FamilyLife Today with Dave & Ann Wilson, Bob and Dannah Gresh’s marriage has traveled dark roads of addiction. But they decided to participate in God’s redemption story. Together, they discovered something better than romance: a love that endures, and happily even after.

You’ve found the success you were shooting for. Why does it feel so…disappointing? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson host Bryan Carter, author of Made to Last, and his wife Stephanie. The Carters share their own story of success, emptiness, and seeking true significance.

You’ve found the success you were shooting for. Why does it feel so…disappointing? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson host Bryan Carter, author of Made to Last, and his wife Stephanie. The Carters share their own story of success, emptiness, and seeking true significance.

On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson host authors Howard and Danielle Taylor, who intentionally invested in each other, founded a marriage ministry—and then tragedy dealt a gut-wrenching blow. They reveal how their marriage survived, and how a relationship can pull through the worst of times.

Long-lasting relationships don't happen by accident. On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson host Bryan Carter, author of Made to Last, and his wife Stephanie. The Carters share their own story—and how it’s helped them build a stronger forever.

Authors Howard and Danielle Taylor didn’t start out thinking they’d run a marriage ministry. They just longed for an intentional, intimate relationship that would go the distance. Hear how their own challenges galvanized a purposeful, more weatherproof marriage.

No human leader was meant to be our ultimate Savior.   ~~~   The power for the church is not if she has a dynamic pastor, but if the power of the Spirit has a hold on the pastor and church. 1 Samuel 11:5 “Now behold, Saul was coming from the field behind the oxen. And Saul said, ‘What is worn with the people, that they are weeping?’ So they told him the news of the men of Jabesh. And the Spirit of God rushed upon Saul when he heard these words, and his anger was greatly kindled.”   The same Spirit that rushed on the anointed one, Saul, in all of his weakness to give deliverance to Israel, is the same Spirit that resided on Jesus Christ, the perfect and all powerful King. You see, Saul, with all of his faults and shortcomings, helps us to see that no mere man can deliver people from their own calamities and distresses. We need God. We need a Savior. Jesus is that Savior. The Spirit of God led the perfect and willing Son of God to attack the greatest threat to mankind, and that is man’s own sin and the punishment that comes along with it. Jesus was despised and rejected like Saul was. But Saul would ultimately rebel against God. As would all the other kings that would come along, in some way. They were not made to be ultimate kings or saviors. But they made us long for one. And Jesus is that one. He is the one who truly delivers us from our sin, and it is in His Spirit that our strength as churches is found.  

We should live out our love for Jesus by giving Him everything we have.   ~~~   You know what one of my favorite features is of social media? The memories. I love when random memories pop up for me to see. For nearly two decades now we’ve been posting status updates, photos and selfies! With ALL of those posts, pictures, stories and moments in time captured and put out for the world to see, we have LOTS of memories. Aren’t you thankful for the memories? I love seeing my girls when they were little or times I was with dear friends and family. You see, I take A LOT of pictures. Like… A LOT. I love being in the moment and I guess deep down I want to capture it and make it last forever, or at least be able to look back and remember it. I find myself, now that my Dad has gone to be with Jesus, clinging to the memories. As I dig back through photos or as a family we’re going through things, I hold it all so dear. It keeps him close in a way I guess. We tell stories and the moments of his life and legacy live on. We remember. I want my girls to remember. I want them to tell stories of their Pop to their children. I love how Paul said in Philippians 1:3, “I thank my God upon every remembrance of you.” I as well thank God for the moments and the memories. They can shape who we are and how we live our life. In ancient times they did not have camera phones or social media, but they told stories and passed those stories and memories down for generations to come. The Bible, being one complete story of God’s redeeming love for us, from Genesis to Revelation, is made up of 66 books filled with 236 stories. Out of them ALL, there is one in particular that Jesus said would not only be remembered, but would be told anywhere the gospel is preached in the world. Do you know what story it is? It caused a bit of a fuss, but to this day, we’re still talking about it. Mark 14:3-9 While he was in Bethany, reclining at the table in the home of Simon the Leper, a woman came with an alabaster jar of very expensive perfume, made of pure nard. She broke the jar and poured the perfume on his head. Some of those present were saying indignantly to one another, “Why this waste of perfume? It could have been sold for more than a year’s wages and the money given to the poor.” And they rebuked her harshly. “Leave her alone,” said Jesus. “Why are you bothering her? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, and you can help them any time you want. But you will not always have me. She did what she could. She poured perfume on my body beforehand to prepare for my burial. Truly I tell you, wherever the gospel is preached throughout the world, what she has done will also be told, in memory of her.” Jesus was about to be betrayed. He was spending precious time with his disciples and dear friends. And this woman, who we read in John 12 is Mary, the sister of Lazarus, knowing what Jesus had told them about his death, did what she could. She took what she had, in the moment she was given with her savior, and she didn’t hold back one ounce. She took this costly, aromatic essential oil and poured it freely on Jesus’ head and feet. The smell filled the room. There is much we could unpack in this story, but here’s what I want you to know today, she gave her ALL to Jesus. And even in the presence of critical disciples, she was only focused on Jesus and this moment of lavish worship. I can’t help but think that maybe as the crown of thorns were being put on Jesus’ head and the nail was being pounded through his feet that maybe, just maybe, the aroma of that oil still remained on his skin. Could it be the memory of that moment brought some comfort in the midst of his pain. I don’t know, but what I do know is her act of pouring out her love for Jesus in this way is not only one Jesus wants us to remember, it’s also her example he wants us to follow. That’s the truth. Dig deeper into this story and don’t only remember it, live it out today as you follow and give your all to Jesus. I'm Lori Cline.

You hope to be grandparenting teens for an impact that lasts. But does it look like what you’d think? On FamilyLife Today, Dave and Ann Wilson host authors Mark Gregston and Larry Fowler, who weigh in on pursuing your grandkids in tough years—in ways that work.

We are constantly surrounded by enemies who want to prey on God’s people.   ~~~   As we finish up reading about the growing animosity from the worthless fellows from within, we are introduced to a new character named Nahash the Ammonite. Nahash brings threats of shame and slavery upon Jabesh-Gilead.. Nahash tells them that he will strike a treaty with them, but part of the treaty will be to gouge out the right eye of each man. This will accomplish two goals. First, it will just bring pure and utter humiliation upon that tribe. It will be a mark that they will have to bear for a generation or two, and will always be known in that way. The second goal that would be accomplished by the gouging out of the right eyes is that it would not afford them to fight in battle. The customary way to hold a shield was to protect one eye or side of your face, while using your other eye to peek around the shield. This could not be done, so it would reduce the men of the tribe to servanthood or slavery. So you have the threat of shame and slavery. And Nahash is so confident in his power and in the men of Jabesh’s, and perhaps surrounding Israel’s weakness, that he allows the men of Jabesh to try and hunt up an army for the next seven days. Can I tell you that we are surrounded by Nahash’s at every turn—people who want to prey on the perceived weakness of the people of God. They want to make a mockery of us as the church of God. They want us to live in fear and guilt and shame. They want to kill, steal and destroy because they act just like their father. The enemy, Satan, wants to silence the church, to render us ineffective. But this is where the story gets good. Now I want you to notice something…there is a tension that has been building since the middle of chapter 10. Samuel said in verse 19—“You have rejected your God who saves you from all your calamities and distresses.” What was the question the worthless men asked about Saul—“How can this man save us?” And what is the request of men of Jabesh to Nahash in verse 3?—“Give us seven days that we may send messengers through all the territory of Israel. Then, if there is no one to save us, we will give ourselves up to you.” In 11:9 “Thus shall you say to the men of Jabesh-Gilead: ‘Tomorrow, by the time the sun is hot, you shall have deliverance (salvation).” The question hanging in the air is, “Who will save Israel? Can Saul really save Israel? Can Saul bring peace to the threats from within and vanquish the threats on the outside?” That question is one you should ask? Who can save you? Deliver you day by day? Who can rescue you from the threats of the enemies that surround the church? To find out what happens, join us for another episode of Day by Day tomorrow.  

Those who follow Christ won't truly be home until we are with Him.

Do you ever think about the future and get scared?

Could we trust that God's plan really is better even tho it may require pain and isn’t the easy road?

We stand next to Jesus one guilty and the other innocent and the innocent sacrificed himself for our sins.

Are you in a chapter of your walk where you're not feeling God's presence?