A Moment of Hope

by Marilynn Chadwick Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters (Colossians 3:23). When our kids were younger, I made up a song based on Colossians 3:23 to help them remember this truth. We would sing it together all of the time. It was not just to remind them of these truths, but to remind me. I've had to learn some parenting lessons the hard way. I am not a naturally self-disciplined person. But I discovered early on that it was nearly impossible for me to take the kids beyond where I had gone myself. If I was undisciplined, it was hard to discipline them. If my schedule was inconsistent, it was hard to help them follow a schedule. If I quit before I reached the finish line, it was hard to teach them to persevere. When an airplane loses cabin pressure, we're told to administer oxygen to ourselves before we give it to our child. There are some lessons we have to "administer to ourselves" before we can teach them to our children. Hard work is one of those. We always encouraged our children to see all work as honorable—whether it was waiting on tables, doing weekly chores, or even folding laundry. Sometimes I would point out those who appeared to be "working with all their heart," like the guy who loaded up our groceries with an especially cheerful attitude. Hard work is vastly underrated in today's culture. We live in a culture that is easily distracted and chooses the path of least resistance more often than not. If you know me, you know how vital I think it is to talk about the importance of big dreams. But without plenty of hard work, they remain just dreams. What are some small habits that you can build into your everyday life that will be passed on to your children? Morning worship time? An afternoon walk? A time each day to practice gratitude? Daily time in your Bible? Ask God to show you small steps you can take to instill discipline into your life and watch as your kids learn the same. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Blessed are those who fear the Lord…Their children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed (Psalm 112:1-2 NIV). Since they were born, I've prayed our children would be "mighty in the land." I believe God created us to dream and placed the seeds of those dreams in our hearts—even as children. Our children are who they are, in large part, because they followed the path of their dreams. I noticed over the years that around age ten, somewhat of a lifelong dream began to emerge. Other parents have told me they noticed the same thing with their children. So we took those childhood dreams seriously. David and I tried to identify, invest in, and protect those early dreams. We believed their dreams could be the pathway to God's destiny. After all, He's the one who gave them the gifts and talents to reach their dreams. One of the greatest gifts you can give your children is to believe in their dreams and invest in whatever you can in the development of those dreams. Dreaming is as natural as breathing for children. What's not so natural is the self-discipline it takes to reach their dreams. David and I helped our kids experiment until they found something they loved and were good at. Then we'd provide structure and discipline to help them stick with it for a mutually agreed upon length of time. At least until their efforts brought some measure of success. For example, all of our children loved sports. But at different times, each would have chosen to skip out on practice, especially those grueling early morning workouts. That's when our role was to provide that little extra push. As they got older and developed a passion for their dreams, their own self-discipline kicked in with a fierce determination. Dreams energize effort. And over time, we saw how small but faithful habits helped our children accomplish those dreams. Maybe you need to sit down with your kids and revisit some of their dreams. Ask them questions like, "What do you love to do?" "When do you feel most alive?" "What brings you joy?" You might even need to sit down with a journal and ask yourself some of those same questions. We all need to dream. Whether we are 9 or 99, we must always find ways to dream! This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Train up a child in the way he should go [and in keeping with his individual gift or bent], and when he is old he will not depart from it (Proverbs 22:6 AMPC). Education should be a delight, not drudgery. It's the same with spiritual training. Every child learns differently. Research has shown that some of what were previously thought to be learning disabilities are often just different ways of processing information. The God of the Universe seems never to tire of creating unique humans. At birth, every person is "wired" differently from the over eight billion people on the planet—and from every other person who has ever lived! Astounding, isn't it? So as parents, it makes sense that in addition to discovering our child's unique beauty, we should experiment to see how they best learn. What makes them tick? The kindest way to raise our children is "in keeping with their gift or bent." Our best clues come simply from watching what they naturally love to do. Our three now grown children were all very different. Bethany was multitalented and loved to learn. She played volleyball and basketball, but she was also passionate about languages. In third grade, she chose to attend a French Immersion Magnet School where English wasn't even spoken. She learned everything from grammar to long division in French. It's easy to see why she now loves educating her children at home. David, our older son, was shooting wads of trash through lampshades at age two. It's no surprise basketball grabbed his heart at an early age. Basketball scholarships completely paid for both his undergraduate and master's degrees in college. We've watched basketball, along with his good math mind and strategic business acumen, open up doors to his career path in the sports world. Our youngest, Michael, was talented in a variety of sports, but gravitated to swimming. He carved his own unique trail as a standout collegiate swimmer and eventually, a professional swimmer and world record holder. Our determined Michael used to say, "Swimming found me!" His athletic gifts and work ethic, combined with his high "EQ," or emotional intelligence, have made him an effective leader who now expresses his gifts through a ministry calling. David and I tried to "grow" our three children "with their grain." By God's grace, as they've gotten older, they've not left the foundation of that training. More importantly, they've held tightly to their faith in Jesus. I pray each person reading this will discover your natural bent and help others do the same. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden for three months by his parents, because they saw that the child was beautiful, and they were not afraid of the king's edict (Hebrews 11:23). Seeing our child's beauty takes spiritual insight. The Bible tells us Moses' parents saw he was a "beautiful child." The word translated as "beautiful" in Hebrews 11:23 is used only one time in the entire New Testament. It means: "urbane, refined, and a city dweller." His mother and father risked their lives to hide Moses from the king's genocidal plot for three months. In that short time, they observed his unique design. Perhaps they sensed that he would be well-suited to be educated in the sophistication of Pharaoh's courts. It wasn't by accident that Moses's mother—a courageous woman of faith—placed him in a basket on the riverbank where she knew Pharaoh's daughter would find him. Moses would go on to lead God's people out of captivity in Egypt. God's dreams for your children often unfold as you learn to see their beauty. This reminds us of the importance of studying our children. And of the need to pray for insight into their talents, gifts, and character. God gives parents that special gift to serve as advocates for their children. I chose to be home with our children when they were young. Not because I was afraid they couldn't make it without me, but because my goal was to raise world changers. Discovering the beauty in our children was, for me, the most intriguing aspect of parenting. But it took time and energy… and lots of watching. I wanted to be the one to help launch their dreams. A well-known Christian psychologist once emphasized the importance of helping our children develop a gift or a talent. We should also help our children look attractive, he said. Sound superficial? Think again. Reasonably stylish haircuts and clothing are not a waste, he argued. Having a talent along with an attractive appearance strengthens our children's self-esteem. They may be rejected for their Christian faith, he acknowledged, but not because they're simply out of step with the world. I enjoyed looking for the potential in each of our children. God has given mothers and fathers special insight into their children's character and calling so that we can help them find their way in the world. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Our children used to have a running joke. When watching a lousy performer on American Idol—the ones eliminated at the first cut—they would say, "Where was his mother?" Their point being that any good mom should never let a child go out into the world without a grasp of who they are and who they're not. What they're good at—and what they're not. It's our job as mothers to teach, nurture, and correct our kids. To tell them the truth about themselves and the world around them. I've said raising our children was my master passion, and it's true. Nothing has ever given me as much joy, as many tears, or greater triumphs than the development of these three young people. Nothing I've accomplished compares with the exhilaration of pouring life into my kids and watching them flourish. But being a mother has also been challenging. Even gut-wrenching at times. I once commented to an older, wiser friend who had raised five great kids that I wished I was a little more relaxed as a mom. She shot back, "Are you kidding? Motherhood is not a relaxing job!" And she's right. But with creativity, patience, a supportive community, and persistent prayer, it can work. I often say prayer is vital to a good marriage. And praying for my children has been my "go to" method of mothering. Pure and simple. This is more than just lip service, coming from a mom who knows she has plenty of flaws. I have often poured over God's Word to see what he had to say. So, when the Bible promised, "Your children will be mighty in the land" (Psalm 112:2), I figured I was on solid ground in praying they would have an impact on the world. Surrender them to Christ, I learned early on. Fight for them. Develop their gifts and talents. Over the next several days, we'll explore several ways to help our children reach their dreams. But at the heart of it all is prayer. This Daily Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick (...Continued from yesterday) What about you—have you ever seen a sign or wonder? If you start paying attention, you might be surprised like I was when I started to find all those pennies! I continued to save these little reminders—pennies from heaven—I called them. Over the next months, pennies continued to appear. One day, I shared my "penny story" with my friend Kenna. I told her how these crazy pennies kept showing up. Pretty soon, she began finding her own pennies. A few days later in my morning quiet time, I was reading in John's Gospel about the man we know as "Doubting Thomas." Jesus's disciples suffered terribly after the death of their beloved savior. But miracle of miracles—he appeared to them—alive! All the disciples saw him. Except for Thomas, that is. Thomas had wandered away and missed the first showing when Jesus appeared to the others. I could imagine how his face fell as the disciples excitedly told him, "We have seen the Lord!" Sullen and discouraged, Thomas vowed, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were…I will not believe." Still, Thomas continued to hang around the others, hoping Jesus had not forgotten him. I felt for Thomas. For I, too, sometimes struggled with doubt. Jesus appeared again eight days later. This time, he singled Thomas out. But instead of scolding him, Jesus spoke to Thomas's deepest longing for proof that he was really alive. "Put your finger here," he told Thomas. "See my hands," he said. "Reach out your hand and put it into my side. Stop doubting and believe." Thomas gasped and cried out, "My Lord and my God!" (John 20:27-28 NIV). Something about those verses got me thinking. Could it be that God cares enough to encourage sincere doubters like Thomas, or even like me? If so, maybe all those pennies I'd been finding were truly God's way of speaking to me. Lord, I prayed silently, I do believe you're sending those pennies to strengthen my faith. But I need more. Then, as an afterthought, I added, Lord, you showed your nail-scarred hands to Thomas. I want to see your nail marks, too! I never told anyone about my prayer to see a nail mark. How could God answer such an impossible request? A few days later, I received a card in the mail from Kenna. "Dear Marilynn," she wrote, "I found this penny in my dryer and I thought of you. Perhaps the Lord sent this penny as an encouragement to us both." I caught my breath. Taped to her card was an ordinary penny. But as I looked closer, I saw something that stunned me. Right through the center of the penny was a nail hole! I sat transfixed. And suddenly I knew. God had sent me my own nail mark, just as I'd prayed. For a moment, as I touched that penny, I felt like Thomas touching the nail hole in Jesus's hand. What could I say but "My Lord and My God!" Suddenly, it all became clear. My God is awesome and powerful enough to rule the universe. But he's also personal and tender enough to send a nail-pierced penny to another "Doubting Thomas" like me, in need of encouragement. I want to close this week with five reasons why I believe that giving thanks matters: Giving thanks to God is a good way to counter-attack discontent. It's easier to replace grumbling or complaining with thanksgiving than to simply try to "not gripe." Gratitude feeds my faith. I discovered that thanksgiving can stand up under a fiery trial. Giving thanks also seemed to use less energy than praying for a specific end—a good thing when you're in a hard place. Giving thanks is an effective way to roll my burdens into God's hands, which, in turn, calms my anxious heart. Having a thankful heart makes me more aware of my surroundings and more in tune with God's blessings. So I find myself more expectant—watching for him to show up. For some reason, giving thanks makes me more sensitive to the needs of others—opening the door to holy conversations—a blessing in themselves. I don't have to understand all the reasons why giving thanks is a good thing in order to experience its benefits. Forming a habit of giving thanks changes my attitude and my actions. I discovered that giving thanks is a form of worship. It connects me to the Lord and places my focus on him. And when I focus on Jesus, it changes everything. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick I wanted to find a practical way to remember the amazing things God has done in my life. So I began to save my spiritual souvenirs, my "Ebenezers'' in a special box I call my "Ebenezer Box." Not much bigger than a shoebox, it looks like one of my grandmother's old hat boxes. What about you—have you ever seen a sign or wonder? If you start paying attention, you might be surprised like I was when I started to find all those pennies! My granddaughter Anna Grace was intrigued by the stories in my box. I gave her one of her own so she can collect her Ebenezers. Why not start your own Ebenezer Box? My Ebenezer Box holds treasured reminders that God is still in the miracle business. Some of my spiritual victories have been dramatic, such as the medically validated miracle that allowed us to have our three children. Those moments were like a roar. God was using his outside voice! Miracles like that get our attention. But I've learned that God's wonders are often much quieter—more like a whisper—especially when he's working in the everyday details of my daily life. And if I'm not watching, I just might miss him! A penny taped to a greeting card in my Ebenezer Box reminds me of one of those times. After all, what could be more ordinary than a penny? Who would think that a penny might be a whisper from God? A little penny may seem commonplace. But it tells of the time God answered my prayer in a way that was unmistakably him—and left me speechless with awe. I don't remember the first penny that caught my eye. For months I had been noticing pennies in the strangest places. Sometimes I would discover one at my feet—just as I was praying about something. Funny, I thought. It's almost as though God wants to let me know that he hears my prayers. I sure hoped so. I was going through a spiritually dry season in my life. I can't remember all the details. What I do remember is that I desperately wanted to believe God was still at work and that he cared about me. I was a young mom with two small children. David and I had worked hard together for over ten years of ministry building our church. Sometimes, the sheer load of caring about so many people became exhausting. Could these pennies really be little messages of encouragement from God? I wondered. Perhaps it was wishful thinking. After all, the world groans with the weight of earthquakes, injustice, and war. God has better things to do than send me pennies. Still, I hoped. And there it was. Another penny. This one in the heel of my shoe, just as I was preparing to put it on! The last penny had been under a glass on the kitchen shelf. The one before that, right in the middle of my bed! (To be continued tomorrow...) If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the Lord has helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12 NIV). The Bible tells how the Children of Israel came back to God after many years of wandering. They began to copy the evil behavior of the pagan people around them and even started to worship the demon gods of their enemies—sometimes sacrificing their own babies! Finally, they'd had enough. They were sick and tired of the consequences of their rebellion. Sick and tired of fear and failure. Sick and tired of feeling like they were under a curse. They had forgotten how to pray so they asked their leader Samuel to pray for them. Samuel called them together to confess their sins. Then, he challenged them to commit to following God with their whole heart. Above all, he warned, they must stop their wicked worship of pagan idols. While Samuel was still praying, their mortal enemy, the Philistines, launched a surprise attack. But instead of fighting back, the people pleaded with Samuel to keep praying. I can imagine how they all began to cry out with the prayer that gets God's attention. "Help!" The Lord rushed to their rescue and brought fierce thunder and lightning from heaven that day. The entire Philistine army was terrified and thrown into such confusion that the Israelites defeated them and won a thrilling victory. Samuel took a large stone and placed it as a monument in their town. He named it Ebenezer (which means "the stone of help"). "This marks the place where the Lord has helped us!" He wanted them to always remember how God gave them victory and to never drift from Him again (1 Samuel 7:12, MSG). The word Ebenezer comes from two Hebrew words. Eben, which means "stone or rock" and ezer, which means "help or support." That's why an Ebenezer is a "stone of help." Even to this day, people sometimes use the word Ebenezer to commemorate an important victory. I don't know about you, but my faith grows when I hear stories of God's power. And when I personally experience a miracle, my faith seems to soar! Over the years, I've collected spiritual mementos of my own victories—my Ebenezer Stones. Photos, small artifacts, scraps of paper, pages of my journal, little bits of "this and that" point me back to times when God showed himself strong or interrupted the ordinary flow of daily life with a miracle. When that happened, it seemed important to pause and thank God. Then, to preserve the evidence. These little reminders help me hold onto my faith when answers to my prayers are slow in coming or when life gets really messy. My "Ebenezer Stones" remind me that nothing is impossible with God. You see, it's not enough to simply witness God's miracles. We also have to remember them. No wonder the word remember occurs about 400 times in the Bible! If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV). The Bible actually speaks more about praise than it does prayer. I call it the "protein of prayer." Protein comes from a Greek word meaning "of first importance." And to me, thanksgiving is like "praise in detail." I am more of a pragmatist than mystic. I can't tell you why praise lifts my spirits and sometimes turns situations around faster than endless amounts of asking. It just does. Praise is like a one-two punch to the solar plexus of the enemy. Praise prompts breakthroughs in my prayers. Willie Myrick is one of my heroes. Nearly a decade ago, the then ten-year-old boy was the victim of a crime that became international news. Willie was kidnapped from his home in Atlanta by a knife-wielding assailant. His kidnapper placed a ten-dollar bill as "bait" at the foot of a tree near Willie's driveway. When the curious youngster reached down to pick it up, the man came from behind the tree, forced Willie into the car and began to drive. Speeding across town with the little boy in the back seat, the man spewed profanity and threats. The frightened ten-year-old decided to sing. And not just any song--Willie began to sing his favorite worship song, "Every Praise." When Willie was later asked why he sang this particular song, he answered, "Well, because I knew that Jesus was gonna be with me and he was gonna take me through the steps of getting out!" Willie continued to sing—for three hours! Finally, his kidnapper stopped the car, still cursing and shouting threats, and shoved Willie out unharmed. Just imagine the faith of this young boy. Instead of dissolving into tears or panic, he praised and worshiped God! I'm inspired by Willie's story. When faced with the worries or fears of daily life, I'm trying to respond with praise. To use annoyances as a trigger to praise God instead of complaining. It's amazing how quickly my mental climate changes when I begin giving thanks. And when it doesn't lift right away, I remind myself that Willie kept singing his simple praise song for three hours! "Rejoice always," the Bible tells us. "Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). I want to refresh the habit of being thankful. I invite you to join me as we devote the next few days to thanking God in all circumstances. Thanksgiving is so powerful. Let's take a lesson from a brave ten-year-old and become people of praise. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch (Psalm 5:3 NASB 1995). "Mom, you seem to see God work in the craziest ways," my daughter Bethany laughed after hearing about my latest answered prayer. My now-grown daughter, who was fifteen at the time, was used to hearing my "God stories." After all, she herself was the product of a miracle. Bethany had grown up hearing the story of how I had experienced a dramatic healing that enabled us to finally have her after many years of waiting and praying. Her two younger brothers were also the result of God's mysterious healing hand. Our ten grandchildren share in the legacy of this healing miracle as well. I've often thought back to Bethany's comment. Why do I seem to see God work in such "crazy ways?" Being the wife of a minister in no way guarantees that I get to see God more clearly. Maybe it's simply because I'm always watching. I have come to believe that God is involved in even the tiniest details of my life. I suppose I'm a bit like the character in a now-classic movie, Fools Rush In, who said, "Signs are everywhere. You just have to watch for them." And because I am usually watching, I often see God at work in the big moments and the small. Maybe you're like me—always on the lookout for God. The Bible talks a lot about "signs and wonders." I think they are kind of like God's fingerprints. I personally believe that when we see a sign from God, we should wonder, "What is he trying to say to me?" Looking back over my life, I can point to times when God showed up big and did something only he could do. Heal a sick body, rescue someone from danger, send an angel, or answer a prayer. I've seen miracles up close and personal—in my own family, my neighborhood, and in faraway places. David and I have served God in the same city for over forty years, but our ministry has taken us to six continents. But no matter where I go, I find men and women, boys and girls, who have discovered the amazing grace of Jesus. Many have shared their own stories of how God showed up with a miracle when they cried out for his help. And just like I did, they have seen him move in mighty ways when they reached the end of their rope. That's why I like to say that the prayer that most often gets God's attention is simply: "Help!" Watching for signs is crucial to seeing God at work. But so is desperation. Praying to him like you really mean it. Even in our modern world, God still speaks through signs and wonders. I've had mysterious encounters that convince me that angels are real. That prayer works. That some stories can only be described as miracles. Over the next few days, I hope you'll join us as we take time to remember our miracles. May we all pray more, watch more, and especially thank God more—especially during this Thanksgiving season. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick The sign in front of a small country church caught my eye: "It's not happy people who are the most thankful. Rather it's thankful people who are the most happy." The power of giving thanks to transform any situation is still something of a mystery. When someone gave thanks in the Bible, a miracle often followed. Jesus gave thanks before he broke the five loaves and two fish to feed the five thousand (Matthew 14:19-21). He lifted his eyes to heaven and gave thanks to his Father before calling the four-day-dead Lazarus to come forth from his tomb (John 11:38-44). But gratitude doesn't always come naturally. Just ask any parent. We have to teach our children to be thankful. In much the same way, God trains his children. We see in the Old Testament that he created rituals and celebrations to teach thankfulness. When we give thanks to God, we experience something even more powerful—his grace. Our word "grateful" comes from an old English word "grate," which means "thanks." "Grateful" is also related to the word grace. The Greek word commonly translated "grace" in the Bible is charis. Grace describes God's unmerited favor to us through Jesus Christ. Charis, or grace, can also mean gratitude. "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly…with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude [charis] in your hearts" (Colossians 3:16 NIV). Charis is the very substance of our salvation. "For it is by grace [charis] you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God..." (Ephesians 2:8 AMP). How exciting to think that as we practice gratitude, we breathe new life into our understanding of God's amazing grace! However, it requires somewhat of a fight to remain thankful when life is hard. To walk in God's grace in our broken and sometimes hostile world. Peter reminded a church that was being heavily persecuted to hold onto "the true grace of God" and "to stand firm" in this wonderful, gratitude-infused grace (1 Peter 5:12). I believe that as we become more and more thankful, we just might discover that we're also becoming happier! We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Can practicing thankfulness actually improve your health? Some seem to think so. I read about a study in which participants were asked to list the things for which they were thankful. They were instructed to time the writing of their gratitude list and sustain this exercise for exactly five minutes. Sounds a little like weightlifting, doesn't it? The results of the study showed that those who practiced sustained gratitude for just five minutes experienced a sharp rise in their disease fighting antibodies. These antibodies remained elevated for several hours! Being thankful can improve our mental health as well. The Bible teaches us that a thankful heart is also a joyful heart. Joy comes when we spend time with Jesus: "You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence" (Acts 2:28 NIV). The Greek word for "joy" in this particular verse, euphrosune, comes from two words that mean "good" and "mind." In other words, a sound mind. Joy springs from a healthy mind when we're connected to Jesus. Just spending time in his presence can be healing. Such good news! When we practice being thankful, we also become more aware of Jesus and all his blessings. This naturally (and supernaturally) increases our joy. And who doesn't want more joy? It's a language anyone can understand. The story is told of missionaries who went to a tiny village in a faraway place. Even before they became fluent in their native language, some villagers approached them wanting to hear more about "this Jesus" after hearing the sounds of joyful laughter coming from the missionaries' tent. So today, let's exercise our "thank you muscles." This, in turn, will help us be filled with joy. Let's pray now that thirsty people—especially those who may not even know what they're thirsty for—will be drawn to our joy. Above all, let's pray they are drawn to our Jesus who gives us this joy! We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick I remember an old Tarzan movie in which the famed ape man was peering at a droplet of water through a microscope. Tarzan was shocked to see the water was teeming with microorganisms invisible to the naked eye. What if we could peer into the spiritual world? Like Tarzan, I imagine we'd be shocked to see the real source of our battles. The Bible tells of an atmosphere filled with invisible enemies. "For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood…but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places" (Ephesians 6:12 NLT). Scripture doesn't describe this realm in great detail. It does, however, tell us how to fight. We're told to put on our "spiritual armor" (Ephesians 6:10-20). To "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7 NIV). Giving thanks can be a strategic weapon in our spiritual battles. We see Paul and Silas singing and praising God in a Philippian jail after being severely beaten and chained. Their chains fell off, the jailer accepted Jesus, and his whole family became believers! (Acts 16:19-24). The children of Israel sang praises right in the middle of a huge battle: "Give thanks to the Lord; His faithful love endures forever!" The Lord caused the enemy to fight among themselves and God's people won an astounding victory! (2 Chronicles 20:21-22). Perhaps you're facing a spiritual battle today. You've resisted, prayed, and fought the good fight. But you're weary. Maybe this is your strategic moment to thank God. Let God fight this battle for you. Rest in his power. Remember, the devil and his minions hate childlike trust. If you stand firm in your faith and continue to thank God, the devil will eventually have to flee. After all, he is allergic to praise. We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Thankful. One simple word—thankful, emblazoned across the front of a woman's t-shirt, caught my eye. There was a period at the end of what wasn't even a sentence. Thankful. So, I guess you could read it this way: "Thankful, period." I would like that to describe me. I'm thankful. Period. But I have to confess. Sometimes I'm less than thankful. Maybe I am not paying enough attention to my blessings or perhaps I'm taking God's benefits for granted. David and I have a dear friend from Africa, one of the most joyful believers I've ever known. He once spoke words that jolted me out of my spiritual lethargy. A survivor of Rwanda's genocide, he had seen more death and destruction than I could possibly imagine. "Do you have all your arms and legs—your limbs?" he asked us. "Then you are blessed!" "Do you have your eyes, your sense of hearing, your ability to speak? Then praise God and give him thanks. Rejoice and count your amazing blessings!" he exclaimed. From his perspective, it was incredible simply to be alive. Healthy. Not maimed by war. What a reason to rejoice! Stop for a minute and reflect on the many benefits you enjoy simply because you don't live in an area ravaged by war. Do you have all your limbs? Can you walk? Are you able to see and hear and talk? Then, as our friend would say, "Rejoice at your great blessings!" His words challenged me to become more intentional about giving thanks to the Lord for my blessings. And to resist complaining about petty annoyances. Next time you're tempted to grumble, pause. Take a look at your hands and feet—and be thankful. Reflect upon the ability to walk and see and hear. Count the ways God has poured his grace upon you. Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits (Psalm 103:2 ESV). We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick One day I was outside on my deck enjoying the quiet when suddenly, two fighter jets flew overhead at a very low altitude. Their roar was deafening. Everything around me shook violently. Now I surmised the two massive military jets were part of the game opener at a nearby football stadium, so I wasn't overly alarmed. Even so, I was overwhelmed by their sound and speed. By their sheer power! Suddenly, tears welled up in my eyes and I got a lump in my throat. Now, I admit to having a soft spot for our military, but this went far deeper. It was as if God himself whispered to me, "You need not fear anything, for I AM far stronger than these mighty, fighter jets." This verse suddenly came to mind: "Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh. Is there anything too hard for Me?" (Jeremiah 32:27 NKJV). The word behold means "to see or to gaze upon." It dawned on me that beholding is connected to thankfulness. If I want to develop a thankful heart, I need to spend time "beholding" God. Simply put, I need to "gaze upon Him." Those fighter jets were so close I could easily behold their power. In much the same way, the closer I get to God, the better I can behold his awesomeness. Friend, are you awestruck by God? By His Word? As my prayer partner often reminds me, we should "glance at our problems, but gaze on God's promises." We need to draw near to God each day. Reflect on the many promises in his Word. When we truly behold his glory, we will find that fear, discouragement, and hopelessness flee. Then our hearts will swell with thankfulness to our glorious Lord! We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick It's hard to be thankful for something you think you deserve. The world is full of people who believe their parents, their schools, or society owe them something. Such was not the case with my friend Becky. She was born with a birth defect that left her just under 4 feet tall. But I forgot about her disability the minute I met her. Becky's face was beautiful—but it was her regal grace, her cheerfulness, and her thankful spirit that I most remember. I have only a dim recollection of her hunched back and deformed legs. Becky's inner strength and trust in the Lord left me wanting to know her secret. I was in my early twenties and a young bride when we first met. Becky was married and well into her forties. She had a thorough knowledge of Scripture and was one of the best Bible teachers I have ever known. As I got to know her better, I learned that Becky's joyful spirit was at least partially due to how her wise parents had raised their disabled daughter. "If my mother and father noticed I didn't seem grateful, or if my attitude became selfish, they'd tell me that I must have too many blessings," she said with a chuckle. "So they'd cut back on gifts and privileges for a while until I showed a little more gratitude for what I had." Becky's words have remained with me all these years later—I can almost hear her gently warning me not to take the blessings of this life for granted. I sometimes wonder if God is anything like Becky's wise and loving parents who refused to encourage self-pity in their disabled daughter? Let's remind ourselves of this powerful encouragement to remain thankful, straight from God's Word. No matter what difficult trials we may be going through, giving thanks honors God and puts us more in touch with His presence. "Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV). We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick By prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God (Philippians 4:6b NIV). How often do you approach your prayer time with a thankful heart? If I'm honest with myself, I often lead with my list of needs without taking time to reflect on the many prayers God has already answered. Paul reminds us that our "prayers and petitions" go hand in hand with a thankful heart. Life without gratitude is barren and thirsty. One way to have a thankful heart is to lower my expectations. This may sound like I'm dialing down my hopes and dreams—but I'm not. I'm simply trying to focus first on God's breathtaking blessings. I want to approach God with a sense of humility rather than entitlement. One Christian author said it well: "You're never thankful for that which you think you deserve." If I think God owes me something, I'll live in a constant state of discontentment. There's a quaint old saying that was often used to express joyful surprise. You may remember it. "Lo and behold!" A person might say, "Lo and behold! There's my cousin Sarah. I haven't seen her in years!" A woman once shared with me how her grandmother helped her understand the meaning of "Lo and behold." I want to share it with you. She said, "Grandma told me that 'Lo and behold' means your expectations are 'low' that what you pray for will actually come true. Then, 'Behold!' it actually happens! All you can do is thank God!" I like her grandma's folksy wisdom. So, I'll continue to dream big and trust God with my fervent prayers and heart's desires. But I will try to keep my expectations "low." And I'll look forward to "beholding" what God will do. The Bible teaches He's a God of wonder and majesty. He is also full of surprises. Beholding his goodness never fails to fill my heart with thankfulness. We are excited to share some of our favorite Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Willie Myrick is one of my heroes. When he was just ten, Willie was kidnapped by a knife-wielding assailant. The curious youngster had reached down to pick up a ten-dollar bill the kidnapper left as "bait," when suddenly, the man jumped from behind a tree and forced Willie into the car. Speeding across town, the man spewed profanity and threats. The frightened ten-year-old decided to sing his favorite worship song, "Every Praise." When Willie was later asked why he sang this particular song, he answered, "Well, because I knew that Jesus was gonna be with me and he was gonna get me out!" During that ordeal, thanksgiving and praise became Willie's spiritual weapons. Willie continued to sing—for three hours! Finally, the man stopped the car and shoved him out unharmed. Just imagine the faith of this young boy. Instead of dissolving into tears or panic, he worshiped and praised God! Willie's victory over the darkness inspired me to make every effort to respond to worry with praise and thanksgiving. Soon after I read Willie's story, a very troubling situation in our family tempted me to fall into intense fear. Suddenly, an old hymn came to mind. The words to "A Mighty Fortress is Our God" poured forth like a warrior's march. I began to thank God for His power. Sure enough, my fear was broken. What's more, the situation that had worried me so much actually resolved itself. Now when a problem stubbornly persists, I remind myself that young Willie kept singing for three hours before he was released! "Rejoice always," the Bible reminds us. "Pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 NIV). Let's dare to form a new habit—thanking God right in the midst of our trials. Praise helps us stand our ground in the face of the enemy. Why not take a lesson from a brave ten-year-old and become people of praise! Adapted from: Woman of Valor: Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You, Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). We are excited to share some of our favorite Daily Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful (Colossians 4:2 NIV). Sometimes we move so fast, it's easy to blow past the ordinary blessings God sends each day. Who has time to drink in the magic of the blue sky? Or be thankful for the beauty all around us? And when was the last time you took an extra minute to look into the eyes of your spouse, or children, or friends? The Greek word in the New Testament for thankful, eulogeo, can also be translated "blessing." Eulogeo comes from eu, which means "good," and logeo, which means "to speak." Eulogeo literally means "to speak that which is good." So, a eulogy is how we honor someone with good words of gratitude. When we say a blessing before our meal, it is another way to express thankfulness. I am trying to become more thankful for the ordinary things in life. That's why I'm always on the lookout for practical tips to become more watchful and grateful. Here are some small ways I've discovered to increase my gratitude and reinforce what I refer to as my "thank you habit." On your drive to school or work (or wherever it is that you go each day), why not take the scenic route? Refresh your soul as you give thanks for God's natural beauty. I often travel by way of the lovely tree-lined hill leading to the back roads of our neighborhood instead of the crowded main roads. Find ways to enjoy little breaks throughout your day. Experts recommend about a half hour of sunshine daily to keep up our vitamin D supply. Why not pick a pretty spot and take a book? Or your Bible. Or go for a walk. A friend of mine carves out what she calls "Sabbath moments" every day, usually outdoors. She returns to her work more rested, alert, and thankful. Maintain a daily quitting time. Plan to do something fun with family or friends. Read a good book by an open fire. Take a bubble bath. Stop your work and savor some down time. Remember, rest is God's idea so choose to rest and give Him thanks. Stop multitasking. That was the best piece of advice a counselor gave to my stressed out friend who was seeking help. Easier said than done—especially for busy parents. Try to focus on each person or task with your whole attention, the counselor urged. Then you can take time to truly enjoy every blessing and practice thankfulness. Besides, research shows the value of multi-tasking is an illusion—it's far less efficient than we think. Finally, keep a thank-you journal. List your blessings at the end of each day. Be on the lookout for answers to your prayers and thank God when they happen. How many little blessings do you simply miss because you are speeding through life? We are excited to share some of our favorite Daily Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick I've learned that God often shows up strongest when I am weak or afraid. But if I will trust him and step out in faith, I'm likely to discover a new dimension of his goodness. Or as a friend of mine once said, we experience God's power when we step beyond our capacity and into our calling. On my first mission trip to Africa, God reminded me that he can be trusted to lead and guide us. This is a story that happened many years ago and tells of an opportunity I almost refused. And no wonder. It was the early 1990s. Ethiopia had just gone through a bloody civil war in which revolutionary freedom fighters had finally overthrown the Communist government. Christians had been cruelly persecuted during their seventeen-year regime. The country was still not considered safe for travelers. David and I had friends who served as missionaries in Ethiopia. We were invited by SIM, their missions organization, to speak at the first Christian gathering since the Communist takeover of Ethiopia in 1974. Many missionaries vividly remembered the last gathering where local leaders had been arrested by the Soviet-backed forces. They were imprisoned and tortured for their faith. At last, after decades of oppression, Ethiopia was finally free! During our time there, one missionary and I became immediate friends. I'll call her "Gloria." Gloria was fun, stylish, and always joyful. She often laughed even when she was talking. Gloria and her husband had raised their four amazing, now adult, children in Ethiopia. This was decades before cell phones or the internet allowed families to communicate with one another when separated by distance. Missionary children often attended boarding schools several hours away. Gloria had endured hard places, but through God's grace, she and her family had flourished in this far away land. Gloria confided with me how once, in the early years of their assignment, she nearly hit rock bottom. The heat, the isolation and loneliness, the pests (including snakes), the scant medical care, along with worries about her children, came crashing over her. Discouragement threatened to overwhelm Gloria when one day, she happened to notice a framed needlepoint picture in a fellow missionary's home. On it were three simple words: "Try Giving Thanks." Try giving thanks. It became Gloria's "nuclear" weapon when she faced her most intense battles. She shared story after story of how God had miraculously come through during her toughest trials. I was inspired by Gloria to make giving thanks my "go to" strategy when facing my own stubborn problems. Time and again, I have discovered the power of that simple yet powerful prescription to drive away the darkness. Try. Giving. Thanks. Our most powerful faith lessons often come through struggles. Trials challenge us to trust God more. To remain open to His plans—even if those plans look scary or out of our control. Over the next several days, we'll look at the remarkable power of thankfulness to alter any situation and turn even our darkest trials into opportunities to trust God. To thank Him. In this way, our problems become the fuel for praise. We are excited to share some of our favorite Daily Moments of Hope from the past as we approach the Thanksgiving holiday. If you enjoyed this rebroadcast, please forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive A Moment of Hope every day.

by David Chadwick How do you start your day? Do you want to glorify God as you rise each morning so that he can use you in a powerful way When you rise, pray this prayer: "Lord, thank you for this day. Use me as your servant. Show me someone who is hurting. Give me eyes to find a need. Help me to find a heart and heal it. Help me to find a need and fill it." Jesus modeled servanthood better than any person to walk the earth. He came to this world to serve, not be served (Mark 10:45). If we follow him, we should do the same. Every day, we should keep our eyes and ears open to God's voice, remaining alert so that we can hear his every instruction. Jesus's target was those in need. People with wounds, physical, spiritual and emotional. He always went after the ones that others often overlooked, everyone including little children and invalids. Jesus was precise in his mission. He knew exactly what the Father said and acted swiftly and promptly according to his will (John 14:31). Please become the hands and feet of Jesus to those around you. No matter where you are, be a servant! It is such a simple message, but profound and can be done anywhere, at any time, on any day. You will find purpose as you live like Jesus lived! Over time, as you are faithful, you will see more and more why Jesus created you to be one of his representatives on the earth. Start today. Find a hurt and heal it. Find a need and fill it. And feel God's pleasure.

by David Chadwick Sometimes life is hard and other times it's easier. But the majority of time, the hard and easy parts of life seem to coexist together like two sides of a train track. No matter what situation you are facing currently in life, here is a great motto I have taught my kids for decades now, "Do your best and give God the rest." Doing your best with God's strength actually crushes the human tendency to be self-reliant. Instead, you can make a conscientious decision to rely on God as you put your very best foot forward. Proverbs 3:5-6 says it this way, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." Do your best. Do your part. Do what you are able to do. And do it obediently, excellently, and passionately. Work at it with every part of your heart. Working for the Lord not for men (Colossians 3:23). After you do your best, trust God with the rest. The results. He can handle your looming questions, your search for answers, and your deepest fears. He is big enough to handle any and every issue you encounter. Doing your best and giving God the rest is an act of faith. And faith is pleasing to the Lord (Hebrews 11:6). A healthy life needs balance - an awareness of God's sovereignty and man's responsibility. Even man's best efforts won't ever accomplish what God's mighty hand can do! That's why we are called simply to do our best, give God the rest.

by David Chadwick How many of you want to succeed in life? Did you know that most success happens by doing the small things on a regular basis? As you do the little things well over and over again, they actually become the big things. It's the daily, faithful, one step at a time stewardship that yields such great results. Disciplining yourself in the small daily tasks will, over time, help you achieve your goals. It will also instill in you healthy habits that will end up making you a more effective ambassador for Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:20). Success takes time. It usually is not sudden. It typically doesn't come out of nowhere. Most of the time, success comes over a long time. Step by step. Day by day. Month by month. Year by year. Even decade by decade. When small steps are done faithfully over a long time, legacies are established and generations are changed. Inch by inch, life's a cinch. But don't bite off more than you can chew because yard by yard, life is hard! A dream can become daunting sometimes when you start focusing on the size of the mountain. Anxiety and overwhelm will stop success dead in its tracks. While you must keep the end in mind, gaze on what's directly in front of you. Focus on what you need to do each day to move forward, even if it's only an inch at a time. Zechariah encouraged people not to despise but to appreciate small beginnings (4:10). Learn to take in the beauty of each moment. Why? Because Inch by inch. Life is a cinch.

by David Chadwick During World War II, U.S. Army General George Patton wrote to his troops, "Fatigue makes cowards of us all. Men in condition do not fire." Vince Lombardi had a similar message when he told his players, "You've got to keep yourself in prime physical condition, because fatigue makes cowards of us all." This famous statement was also one of Winston Churchill's favorite quotes. Why is fatigue such a problem in our current society? Why does it seem that weariness seems to magnify whatever trials we are experiencing? Why does exhaustion cause people to so easily make mountains out of mole hills? The answer is actually really simple. We are made up of three parts: body, soul, and spirit. When our bodies become tired, our minds and emotions are impacted. Minds suddenly become drained and emotions get fragile. Suddenly, thinking clearly and keeping an optimistic attitude seem impossible. Our circumstances can quickly seem to be worse than they really are. How do we manage fatigue? It's quite simple, yet profoundly difficult in our busy culture. What's the answer? Rest! You must take time to rest. Psalm 46:10 says, "Be still, and know that I am God." When you know that God is in control of everything, you can lay your weary head on your pillow at night and rest. God never sleeps, so we can (Psalm 121:4). Practically, you should aim to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night. During this time, God will restore your body and mind. As you find a healthy rhythm of sleeping and waking up, you are training your body and mind to fight the good fight. You will begin to wake up invigorated and excited to tackle your day! Remember to rest. Why? Because fatigue makes cowards of us all.

by David Chadwick Everyone will fail at something at one point in their lives or another. In fact, Romans 3:23 says that we all have sinned and fall short of God's glory. If you are a human being, it's inevitable that you will mess up. The healthiest thing you can do is to come to grips with the fact that you will make many mistakes over the course of your life. So how do you handle failure? What do you do when you fall flat on your face? I would encourage you to follow these three simple steps: Admit it. Quit it. And forget it. Admit it. Own it! Be honest with yourself and other people. Don't deny a mistake that you have made. Instead, confess it and courageously bring your flaws into the light. If necessary, apologize to anyone who may have been hurt by your mistake. Quit it. Stop it! Did you know that the explanation for the word "repent" in the Bible means to stop it? Learn from your failure. Commit to not repeat the same mistake twice. Learn a lesson and do better the next time because of it. Once you admit your mistake and quit doing the thing that created the problem in the first place, forget it. Move on! Your mistake is now in the past, so you must leave it in the rearview mirror. Your past has passed. Move forward and do not let anything hinder God's purpose for your life. Every morning comes with a new opportunity to love and serve Jesus. He gives us new morning mercies each and every day (Lamentations 3:23). Deal with your sin. Admit when you are wrong. Stop behaving in a way that is contrary to God's Word. And then move on. Start off each day with a fresh slate. God wants us all to leave yesterday's failures behind! Admit it, quit it, and forget it. And start a new day! If you enjoyed today's Daily Moment of Hope and want to learn more, please visit our website by clicking here to request a free copy of It's How You Play the Game - The 12 Leadership Principles of Dean Smith by David Chadwick

by David Chadwick We have looked at some hidden heroes from the Bible this week. People who are probably not as known, but had a significant impact on the storyline of the Bible. But I want to wrap up this week with another couple of bad guys. These are two individuals who tried to thwart all of the good in God's story. Yet, in spite of their efforts, God was still able to work it out for his good. Zimri and Cozbi. Two bad guys who were enemies to God's heroes. Their story is found in Numbers 25. On the way to the Promised Land, the Midianites tried to entice the Israelites toward adultery and sexual infidelity. They began to worship the gods of Baal. Satan has known for all of time that if you can't destroy a nation from the outside, through invasion, then destroy them from within. Destroy their values. Morals. Principles. And that is exactly what the Midianite women did with the Israelite men. A man from Israel named Zimri and a woman from the Midianites named Cozbi openly flaunted their sin among the Israelites. They even went into Zimri's tent right next to the tabernacle, to sleep with one another. Phinehas, who had a zeal for God's holiness and righteousness, was so fed up with the open defilement against God's laws that he went in and killed them both. He was actually rewarded by God for his holy fervor with a perpetual priesthood because he practiced God's righteousness and holiness. I find it interesting that God openly named these two godless sinners. Don't let it shock you. All of our names are either written in God's book of life or not. Every name in the world is known by God. And those who sin without being forgiven by Jesus will have a public reading of their names one day in judgment. It's a sobering thought for all to consider! Is your name in the Lamb's book of life? Don't wait to surrender your life to Jesus. When he saves you, you become one of his favorites and as he writes your name in the Lamb's book of life, you are forever forgiven.

by David Chadwick Balaam's donkey is today's hidden hero. Yes, my hero today is an animal. This may make you laugh at first to think of a donkey as a hero, but you'll see why as we unfold the story. You will find the story of Balaam's donkey in Numbers 22 and 23. Balaam was a mighty and wealthy prophet who could pronounce blessings or curses. God told him not to prophesy a curse against Israel. When the king of the Midianites asked him to curse Israel, he, at first, refused to do so. But as the price of payment for the curse became higher and higher, he began to compromise his conviction. In the New Testament, Balaam is talked about in the books of Revelation and Jude. Here's the bottom line of Balaam's life: he loved money. As the Midianite king began to offer more and more money, Balaam became increasingly tempted to pronounce a curse against Israel. One time, as he was moving toward Israel to speak, his donkey kept moving off the road. The donkey saw an angel that forbade it from moving forward! Finally, Balaam hit the donkey because he couldn't understand what it was doing. The donkey spoke up to Balaam! Can you imagine? A talking donkey! It asked Balaam what in the world he was trying to do? Why was he hitting him, yes, but mostly wanted to know why he was disobeying God? The donkey's unusual actions halted Balaam…for a while. But ultimately, as the NT tells us, Balaam gave into temptation. After settling down and apparently enjoying the tidy sum of money the Midianites gave him for pronouncing the curse, the Israelites eventually killed him. What's the point? God can use anyone, yes, even a donkey to speak on his behalf! And sometimes the donkeys of this world, common lovers of Jesus, are smarter than our supposed superstar prophets! Make sure you speak God's truth about anything and everything you see in this evil, dark culture. God wants to use our voices. Human voices. To speak his warnings and truth. But remember: if you don't let him use you, God will happily use a donkey if he has to!

by David Chadwick Joshua and Caleb were a significant duo in the Bible. They are definitely more well known Biblical figures, but their daddies are two of my hidden heroes. Yesterday, we learned about Nun, who was Joshua's daddy. Today's hidden hero is Caleb's daddy: Jephunneh. Found in Numbers 32:12 and Joshua 14:6, Jephunneh is referred to as a Kenizzite. We don't know much about Jephunneh, but we do know a lot about his son, Caleb. There is a very good chance that someone who turned out as powerfully as Caleb probably had a very good dad. If you remember biblical history, Caleb and Joshua were the two spies who originally went into the Promised Land. Unlike the 10 other spies, the two of them came back with a good report. They spoke to how beautiful the land was and how God was bigger than the giants, the walled cities, and the challenges before them. Joshua and Caleb sought to instill faith in the people, challenging them to look at the size of their God, rather than the size of the giants. But the people failed to heed their exhortations. 40 years later, when the Israelites finally entered the Promised Land, Joshua led the people, but Caleb, at the age of 85 or so, chose his portion of the land. He chose the portion where the giants were the biggest and the fruit is the most luscious. Caleb's life is my favorite example in all of Scripture of someone who didn't retire, but refired. What an incredible message! God can use anyone at any age for his glory. At the age of 85, Caleb was still fighting and defeating God's giants. What faith! What courage! Where did it come from? I can't help but wonder if Jephunneh had a huge impact on the characteristics we see in Caleb's life. It is highly likely that he instilled a fortitude, a stamina, and a faith in Caleb that allowed him to remain strong in the Lord and to experience the Promised Land. A true hidden hero!

by David Chadwick Most people who have been Christians for any length of time have heard of David and Goliath. You've probably heard of Adam and Eve, too. How about Daniel? But what about the less common people? Have you ever heard of Nun? He's today's hidden hero. A lesser known figure who played a significant role in God's story. There are many hidden heroes in the Bible who are either overlooked or never even noticed. I love to find the lesser known figures and extrapolate the importance of their life in the story of God. Nun was Joshua's daddy. Found in 1 Chronicles 7:26-27, he was a man from the tribe of Ephraim. We don't know much about him, but we know a great deal about his son, Joshua. Joshua became Moses's successor. He led the Israelites from the wilderness to conquer the Promised Land. Joshua had a book of the Bible named after him and is most renowned for his declaration, "But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord" (Joshua 24:15). Perhaps this generational legacy began with Nun, Joshua's daddy. While everyone knows about Joshua, I believe his father was the true hero. Joshua most certainly did not become such a mighty man in a vacuum. Nun must have been a wonderful father. And then Nun's father was named Elishama, who was probably also a God-fearing, wonderful man. Joshua's entire lineage shows the power of a family line whose men pass on their faith and unwavering commitment to the Lord from generation to generation. For those of you who are fathers, remember this: when you are raising your sons, you are probably raising your sons' sons! You are raising the generations to come! Be a great, Godly, and good dad. Who knows? Your grandson may have a significant role in God's story because of your faithfulness to your son.

by David Chadwick Hidden heroes. One of my favorite things to do is to search out people in the Bible who are less likely to be seen yet incredibly significant players in God's story. Our two hidden heroes today are Eldad and Medad. Who are they? They are found in the book of Numbers. Numbers 11:24-25 says that Moses gathered 70 elders from Israel's camp around the tent. The Lord came down and the Spirit rested on them and they received the ability to prophesy around the tabernacle. Evidently, Eldad and Medad started prophesying among the people inside the camp. Joshua spoke up and asked Moses to forbid the two of them from prophesying. It seems that Joshua wanted Moses to be the sole one who told the people the words of the Lord. But Moses responded saying that he loved to see the Spirit of the Lord resting on all his people that they might prophesy to one another. Some wonder if Eldad and Medad's prophecy was futuristic in nature, maybe a reference to a future victory that Israel would have over Gog and Magog. Could this be the Ezekiel 38-39 prophecy? Maybe so. Others believe this prophecy may have been referencing the fact that Joshua would succeed Moses. Regardless of the exactness of the prophecy, one thing is clear: Moses wanted more than just 70 elders prophesying in that camp. He clearly desired all to prophesy! I can't help but wonder, from a New Testament perspective, if this Old Testament story isn't a beautiful first glimpse at what would be one of Jesus's teachings found in John 10:27, where he taught that his sheep hear his voice, know him, and follow him. Clearly Jesus had a high value for his followers to learn to hear the voice of God. Then, in 1 Corinthians 14:5, Paul urged the New Testament church to not just hear the voice of God, but to accurately relay it to other people. To accurately discern what God may want another to hear. To give words of encouragement and life to other people through the power of his Spirit. I pray the bride of Christ learns to hear the voice of God and uses it to bless and encourage other people, whatever that looks like, for his glory alone!

by Marilynn Chadwick ...Continued from yesterday: How could I get my arms around such a huge nation as the Sudan? I decided to pray for a random man and called him "Sudan Sam." The Sudan now had a face. A door eventually opened for me to travel with a humanitarian coalition to deliver survival kits to women and children forced to flee their village near the Darfur region of Sudan. The suffering we encountered was unthinkable. Pastors told of the rape and torture of Christians; some had been crucified. Yet, for over two decades, the eyes of the world had been elsewhere. During the journey, my husband and I grew fond of our Sudanese interpreter. A survivor of the brutal war, Zaki was the son of the first Christian convert in the region. I casually mentioned I had been praying specifically for the Sudan and had even nicknamed someone "Sudan Sam." Zaki look startled and blurted, "That's me. I am Sudan Sam! My name is Zaki Samwiil" (Arabic for Samuel), he cried excitedly. "My father was also Samuel. There's a book about his life called Samwiil of Sudan!" Zaki and I practically laughed and cried. Suddenly, the earth seemed very small. How could God's love be so large as to inspire specific prayer for a specific man in such a remote region? Suddenly the practice of Christology was not just about having sound doctrine about Jesus—it meant walking as one guided by his Holy Spirit. "Zaki," I said quietly, "can you believe that halfway around the world, God alerted me to pray for you by name before we ever met?" We sensed the almost tangible presence of Christ that day, certain of God's deep love for us both. Did Jesus really make a spectacle of the defeated powers of darkness, "triumphing over them by the cross" (Colossians 2:15)? If we believe this is true, our prayers should have the winning edge. Paul exhorts us to pray in the Spirit of battle (Ephesians 6:18). A vibrant Christology empowers warrior-like prayers that move us boldly into forgotten and dangerous places. If we are listening to the Spirit of Jesus, he will invite us into the realm of missional living consistent with his own mission. "My food," he said, "is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34 NIV). "As the father has sent me, so I send you" (John 20:21 NRSV). When the doctrine of Christology is practiced rightly, our prayer and our serving become inseparable. A healthy Christology affects everything about our life of faith. We pray with the mind of Christ. The things that break his heart break ours. A robust Christology also prods us to grow in faith and gratitude. We become a living witness to others who may be searching for the Jesus they have never known. Our Christology impacts our prayer life—which then empowers our serving—which then bears fruit for eternity. Redeemed humanity. It's what Jesus told us he wanted most. It's the reason for his suffering on the Cross and for his Resurrection. Is our practice of Christology a "So what?" or a "So that!"? Could a weak Christology be partially to blame for our sometimes-anemic results in prayer? Through prayer, God draws us near as dearly loved children. We become part of the "family mission"—fearlessly treading into the darkest of places. Jesus's mission is the scandal of the cross. But earth's messiness did not stop God, nor should it stop us. A part of today's Daily Moment of Hope is adapted from Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars by Marilynn Chadwick. To request a copy of this book, please click here.

by Marilynn Chadwick When we have a strong Christology, we pray as Jesus prayed and we serve as Jesus served. Prayer opens the door for our earthly assignments to the least and the lost. If we are praying as Jesus prayed and seeing the world through his eyes, we will naturally ask God to "break our heart for the very things that break his." This means we pray with a readiness for action. A well-developed Christology compels us to walk where Jesus walked and serve as Jesus served, all the while becoming conformed to his image (Rom 8:39). Jesus becomes our example for what "Spirit filled, and Spirit empowered ministry" ought to look like. Indwelled with his Holy Spirit, we follow in Jesus's footsteps. If we are praying as Jesus prayed, then "How do I pray?" becomes "What can I give?" and ultimately, "Where do I go?" We sense Christ's burdens; we search for ways to take up his cross. We trust the Holy Spirit to guide us in specific prayer. Strategic action often follows when we listen to the voice of Christ. The doctrine of the Incarnation, God in human flesh, reminds us of God's desire for intimacy with us. We are changed as we meditate on the identity of Christ—Jesus as a real person. We see his Jewishness, his location in first-century Palestine. Sometimes referred to as the "scandal of particularity," Jesus's identity reminds us that God's love is big enough to love humanity in very specific ways. God is with us and for us, and because he "reaches into our specificity," our prayers will move us into concrete actions. We are challenged to follow Jesus in loving the vulnerable, the humble, the "least of these" (Mat 25:40). After the events of 9/11, I was struck by my own lack of awareness of believers in vulnerable areas—more specifically, in the global persecuted church. One day, I was prompted to pray for the nation of Sudan after reading an article in our city's paper. I learned that Sudanese Christians had been targeted for extermination by their own government—for decades. The genocide had slaughtered over two-million citizens and displaced more than twice that many. An excerpt from my journal dated October 11, 2001, reads: Lord, I confess I have not travailed for your persecuted people worldwide. My view has been so narrow. The great suffering in the Sudan is staggering. Show me how to pray. How could I get my arms around such a huge nation as the Sudan? I decided to pray for a random man and called him "Sudan Sam." The Sudan now had a face. A door eventually opened for me to travel with a humanitarian coalition to deliver survival kits to women and children forced to flee their village near the Darfur region of Sudan. The suffering we encountered was unthinkable. Pastors told of the rape and torture of Christians; some had been crucified. Yet, for over two decades, the eyes of the world had been elsewhere. ...to be continued

by Marilynn Chadwick The doctrine of Christology is connected to how we pray, live, and serve. Prayer is a major means of nourishing and strengthening our relationship with God. We pray like Jesus prayed. A strong Christology also invites us to share Jesus's vision for the world. We see a lost and broken humanity as Jesus sees it. The focus of our prayers then becomes restoring people to the image of God. This means we pray through the eyes of love. Jesus's vision of love becomes our vision—for all Creation. Empowered by the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are prompted to pray for people as Jesus prayed for them. Following the example of Jesus, we fix our gaze on what is hidden deep within each person. As Christ's body, we're to speak prophetically, restore, redeem, and bring justice. When we pray, we consider others in the light of eternity. For this, we need supernatural wisdom, power, and love. Like John Wesley and others, we see salvation as "the restoration of the defaced image of God." The imago dei, or image of God, is present in men and women, Jew and Greek, black and white, saint and sinner. This image is "a gift," says Augustine; something we receive from Christ. Every human being from conception to death is created in the image of God, even when marred by sin. As we devote ourselves to a proper Christology, we will look at humanity as Jesus sees it. Might we also challenge our own assumptions about who can be transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ? With Jesus's vision, we pray with expectancy, certain that "God the Holy Spirit" is working to bring comfort, hope, healing, and deliverance, even in seemingly impossible situations. Our practice of Christology challenges us to trust in God's enormous power, always on the lookout for opportunities to celebrate his manifestations. We also begin to see ourselves as Jesus sees us—as dearly loved children of God. Julia of Norwich, an influential theologian and mystic from the 14th century, is said to have challenged others to imagine the enormous love of God. Norwich grasped a vision of our redemption through "the mercy and grace of our sweet, kind, and ever-loving...Jesus, feeding us not with milk but with himself, opening his side to us and claiming all our love" (Revelations of Divine Love). Julia's portrayal of Jesus was both kind and fierce—much like a "mama-bear" caring for her cubs. Just as the mother of Moses saw that he was a "beautiful child," risking her life to save her baby by defying the king's edict (Hebrews 11:23 ESV), Jesus "sees our beauty" even before we can see it for ourselves. He gave his own life that we may live. Such a tender image should encourage us to pray with even greater faith.

by Marilynn Chadwick A solid Christology is fundamental to our relationship with the triune God. A healthy Christology influences our prayer life in several ways. First, we pray as Jesus prayed, opening the door to an intimate friendship with our heavenly father. "Jesus as God" is affirmed by his unique relationship with the Father. Next, we pray to our Father. Only through Jesus can we call God "Father" (Matthew 6:9). When Jesus referred to God as "Father," he was speaking as "God the Son." Using an even more startling term, Jesus calls God "Abba," an Aramaic expression akin to "Daddy" (Mark 14:36). Because of Jesus, we are dearly loved children and may pray to God as our Father. "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God" (John 1:12 NRSV). As we grow in our understanding of the work of Christ on the Cross, our prayers will grow in power. "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective" (James 5:16 NIV). Christ's righteousness becomes our righteousness—the only solid ground for confidence in prayer. As we walk in a close and intimate friendship with Jesus, he challenges us to broaden the scope and specificity of our prayers. "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you" (John 15:7). When Jesus prayed, things happened. Blind eyes were opened, the dead were raised, sinners were given new life. The disciples must have seen the connection because they asked Jesus to teach them how to pray (Luke 11:1). Jesus taught them to pray this way, "Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (Mat 6:10). Solid Christology should give birth to world-changing prayers. Praying like Jesus means we will pray with others. Jesus encouraged communal prayer. He taught and modeled prayer as part of the worshiping community. With a robust Christology, we'll certainly pray to God in private. But we're also compelled to pray with others in God's family—to our Father (Mat 6:7). Jesus reminds us "where two or three are gathered," he is with us (Matthew 18:19). The gathering of believers saw the power of Pentecost break through while they prayed in the Upper Room together in one accord (Acts 1:8,14). John and Charles Wesley explored the spiritual connection between God's people on earth and those in heaven, the "surrounding cloud of witnesses" in Hebrews 12:1. They imagined our communal prayer might extend to heavenly realms in prayers of agreement with the Church triumphant. Thus, Charles Wesley penned these words to "Come Let Us Join our Friends Above" (1759): Come let us join our friends above That have obtained the prize, And on the eagle-wings of love To joy celestial rise; Let all the saints terrestrial sing With those to glory gone, For all the servants of our King In earth and heaven are one.

by Marilynn Chadwick Christology is one of three studies of the persons of the Trinity, the other two being Paterology, the study of God the Father, and Pneumatology, the study of the Holy Spirit. The Apostles Creed, with its affirmation of both the doctrine of the Trinity and strong Christology, was written in the second century to combat the rise of false teaching in the early church. The Doctrine of Christology can be defined as the study of the person, nature, and work of Jesus Christ. This week, we'll explore how our Christology, what we believe about Jesus, influences how we live out our Christian faith. But first, what is "proper" Christology? Creators of creeds and heretics alike have debated Christology for centuries. Sound Christology must be anchored in Scripture. Biblical Christology is consistent with the creeds of the church. Christology also informs our view of the Trinity and, more specifically, how we experience the person and character of Jesus. We look at the person and work of Jesus Christ from his pre-Incarnation existence to his Second Coming. When it comes to Christology, prayer is referred to by some as "primary theology." What we believe about Jesus Christ informs prayer, and prayer, in turn, influences how we walk in the world. Prayer is not simply a practice born out of a saving relationship with Jesus, but rather a means of getting to know him. Some theologians believe our current age's fuzzy image of Jesus is due to a lack of strong Christology. This, in turn, impedes our developing an intimate friendship with Jesus and weakens our witness. That's why it's important to have proper Christology which grounds us solidly in the identity of Christ. This gives us more reason to study God's Word and abide in Christ daily. A healthy Christology builds balanced, mature, and fruitful believers. The Incarnation, God in human flesh in Jesus Christ, is the centerpiece of our Christology and the defining event of Christian theology. Yet, the skepticism of modern historical biblical criticism has subjected the Incarnation to denial or even disbelief. The Apostle John recognized healthy Christology as the means of discerning false teachers in the first century: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already" (1 John 4:1-3 ESV). Theologians in the early centuries of the church labored to formulate sound doctrinal statements on the person of Jesus Christ. This resulted in the creeds which affirmed Jesus as "fully God and fully man". We have these theologians and early church fathers to thank. Their work gave us the high Christology which became the foundation for orthodox theology through the centuries.

David and Marilynn Chadwick join Jenn Houston in a discussion about today's blog.

by Marilynn Chadwick We've seen how the "Doctrine of the Trinity" is a weapon against false teaching. Sound doctrine prepares believers to defend their faith. The doctrine of the Trinity is powerful and necessary because the teaching—and whatever we know of the Trinity—springs straight from God's Word. Its origins are revealed in Scripture, lived out in the Incarnate Christ, perpetuated, and poured out by the Holy Spirit into his bride, the church—you and me. We cultivate a "Trinitarian wisdom" through worship and the study of God's Word. Training believers in healthy doctrine has multiplication as its ultimate purpose. We grow stronger as we pour out to others that which we've received. A disciple is simply a "learner." The purpose of all discipleship is "to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, until all of us come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to the measure of the full stature of Christ" (Ephesians 4:12-13 NRSV). Effective discipleship is based on biblical teaching. Theology, done rightly, is a study of Scripture. Christian Theology seeks to understand the God revealed in the Bible. It's the study of God's revelation of himself. Sound doctrine creates balanced believers (Titus 2:1; Eph. 4:14). Healthy teaching helps us stand strong against the lies of the enemy and the forces of culture which are contrary to Scripture. Mature disciples are not "tossed to and fro...by every wind of doctrine" (Ephesians 4:14 ESV). Sound doctrine, or "healthy teaching," equips believers to keep a sound mind even when the world around us seems to be losing theirs. We've seen how the major creeds of our faith were based on Scripture. Each one was written to combat a particular heresy. Since that fateful day in the Garden of Eden when Adam and Eve chose to be their own gods, there seems to be no end to the way humans get off track. When we seek our own wisdom instead of relying on God's truth, we are vulnerable to the enemy's lies. No wonder Scripture points us to the fear of the Lord as "the beginning of wisdom" (Proverbs 9:10 ESV). The doctrine of the Trinity increases our wisdom as we grow in our awe of God. Spiritual insight comes when we grapple with the mystery of the triune God. The Trinity is beyond our ability to comprehend. We must contemplate with humility—the only posture with which to approach the doctrine of the Trinity. Let's face it. False teaching can distort our thinking and make us sick, fearful, or anxious. Heresies such as Antinomianism or Gnosticism, both addressed in 2 Peter and Jude, often led to extreme license on one hand or harsh legalism on the other. Heresy does not create healthy saints. Simply put, the Trinity helps us know God better. In it we see the unity of the triune God—One God in Three Persons. The doctrine of the Trinity is found at the very center of the Gospel and is the greatest of all mysteries, one which theologians throughout the centuries have called the "fountain and origin of them all."

by Marilynn Chadwick God's work of salvation requires the interplay of all three Persons of the Trinity. The doctrine of the Trinity calls to mind the staggering wonders of our Creator. Through the lenses of the Trinity, we learn of God as Father. He is the Providential Creator and Savior in the Old Testament, as well as the Father of Jesus in the New Testament. Creation itself bears witness to the majesty of God as "Father and Origin" of our world and all worlds. The Trinity invites us to contemplate the magnitude of God's handiwork in the universe. For an example into the majesty of God as Creator, click here to view a stunning glimpse into space from NASA's Astronomy Picture of the Day. "For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse" (Romans 1:20 NIV). The Trinity also compels us to reflect upon the second Person, Jesus Christ. When Jesus referred to God as his "Father," he was speaking as "God the Son." In the Cross, we see God's enormous love—God on a cross—astounding! We must humbly contemplate the cost of God emptying himself. Jesus, "God the Son," assumed humanity's garb to suffer and die for our sins, making himself "nothing" and taking on the "nature of a servant, being made in human likeness...and obedient to death on a cross!" (Philippians 2:5-8). By calling him "Father," we see Jesus's relationship with God. He uses a startling term, calling God "Abba," an Aramaic expression akin to "Daddy" (Mark 14:36). It is only through Jesus that we can call God our Father. The Trinity refutes the argument that Jesus was simply the firstborn of equals. Jesus was the first of all who are raised from the dead, never to die again. But the Sonship of Jesus is superior to those who come after him because he is their Source. "But to all who received him, who believed in his name, he gave power to become children of God" (John 1:12 NRSV). Finally, the doctrine of the Trinity turns our attention to God the Holy Spirit—God at work in us, among us, around us, and through us. Walking in the Spirit means walking in the Trinity. The work the Holy Spirit accomplishes—the work of God—defines him as God. The principal work of the Holy Spirit is the confession of Jesus and to provide the way for a saving relationship with God. Our newly born relationship with God as our Father is made possible only because he gave his Son (John 3:16) and sent the Holy Spirit into our hearts (Galatians 4:6). Paul referred to this relationship as the "Spirit of adoption" (Romans 8:15). Perhaps this explains John Wesley's Aldersgate experience, after which he is said to have gone from "the faith of a slave to faith of a son." Those who accept Jesus as Savior are immediately brought into this same wondrous intimacy with the triune Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

by Marilynn Chadwick Many religious groups, including Jehovah's witnesses, Jews, Mormons, Unitarians, and others deny the existence of the Trinity. A dear friend used to be a devout Muslim. She tells the story of how she finally gave her life to Christ after wrestling with the reality of the Trinity. She knew in her heart it had to be true. Another friend, now a Messianic Jew, was astounded to realize when she accepted Jesus that he lived "in her" in the form of the Holy Spirit, something she had never experienced as a Jew. The term "trinity" does not appear in Scripture, but the three persons of the Godhead are woven throughout the Bible. When he gave the Great Commission, Jesus made reference to the triune nature of God when he said to his disciples, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..." (Matthew 28:18-20 ESV). A heresy can be defined as a departure from the teachings of Jesus and the core Christian doctrines as revealed in Scripture. We've seen how Paul warned about false teachers who crept into the early church (Acts 20:28-31). Peter and Jude also sound the alarm on false teachers who "secretly slipped in" and introduced "destructive heresies" (2 Peter 2:1-3; Jude 1:4). The historic creeds were written in response to heresies. A creed generally emphasized the beliefs which refuted the most dangerous errors at the time. For example, the Nicene Creed in the fourth century is emphatic in affirming the Deity of Christ, since it was directed against the Arians who denied that Christ was fully God. The Apostles' Creed, drawn up in the second century, emphasized the true humanity, including the material body, of Jesus, since that is the point the heretics of the time (Gnostics, Marcionites and others) denied. Gnostics thought orthodox Christians were wrong in their belief that God had taken human nature or a human body in the form of Jesus Christ. Like the Nicene Creed, the Apostles' Creed strongly affirms the doctrine of the Trinity. Thus, the Apostles' Creed is as follows: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord; Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit; Born of the Virgin Mary; Suffered under Pontius Pilate; Was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into Hell; The third day He rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven; And sitteth at the right hand of God the Father Almighty; From there He shall come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit; The Holy Christian Church, the Communion of Saints; The Forgiveness of sins; The Resurrection of the body; And the life everlasting. Amen. Some say "there are no new heresies under the sun." Early Christians wrestled with false teaching and the rise of heresies. The same creeds which have equipped believers throughout the centuries with sound doctrine can help us stand strong against the lies of the enemy today.

by Marilynn Chadwick We live in an age where false teaching is rampant. Cults, counterfeit religions, and even Satanism are on the rise. You might be surprised to learn that the early church also battled false teachers and heresies. Then, as now, sound doctrine is a powerful weapon against the lies of the enemy. Throughout Scripture, spiritual leaders are exhorted to "teach what accords with sound doctrine" (Titus 2:1 ESV). More than ever, believers need to know how to defend their faith. I used to think the term "sound doctrine" sounded rather uninteresting. That is, until I explored the original Greek words for the term. Sound is hygiene, or "healthy." Doctrine is didaskia, or "teaching." Healthy teaching leads to a healthy mind. And who doesn't want a healthy mind? Moreover, sound doctrine equips believers for ministry and brings us to maturity. Sound doctrine, or "healthy teaching," also gives us the essential guardrails "so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes" (Ephesians 4:14). Our age is dark and getting darker. Many call this the "age of anxiety." It's marked by confusion about everything from truth to identity. No longer is our culture defined by a commonly accepted moral framework. Rebellion is rampant, giving rise to tremendous spiritual warfare. This provides fertile ground for heresy, or denial of the core doctrines of biblical Christianity. Paul issued this sober warning about false teachers to spiritual leaders in the New Testament church at Ephesus: "Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears" (Acts 20:28-31 NIV). Throughout Scripture, sound doctrine prepares believers for spiritual warfare. As my WWII submarine veteran daddy likes to say, "The best way to avoid a war is to prepare for it." One important weapon of combat to prepare us for war is the "Doctrine of the Trinity." Simply put, the Trinity helps us know God better. In it we see the unity of the triune God—One God in Three Persons. The Trinity also helps us understand realities behind the name of God—"God the Father," "God the Son," and "God the Holy Spirit." Famous 13th century theologian, Thomas Aquinas, believed the name "God" referred to the whole of the Trinity. So, when we pray, we are praying to the Trinity. When we worship, we are worshiping the Trinity. When we witness, we are animated by the Trinity. Our major creeds were written to refute heresy. All affirm the Trinity. Tomorrow, we'll learn about a second century creed written to combat false teaching in the early church.

by David Chadwick Jesus's return is imminent. Therefore, we must "be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might" (Ephesians 6:10). As we learn to wait well for our soon and coming King, we must pray and praise, love our neighbors, be self-controlled and sober-minded, live excitedly and expectantly. And finally, today's tip, we must share Jesus! We must never be ashamed of sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16). It is the power of God for complete and total life transformation. The hope of the world is not found in a political party or candidate, but only in a relationship with Jesus. The message we carry as followers of Jesus is the hope of the world! Yes, the gospel is about knowing our utter depravity and sinfulness (Romans 3:23). And our eternal destination is eternal separation from God if we don't receive forgiveness. But it is also about knowing Jesus's enormous grace and forgiveness that gives us the gift of eternal life (Romans 6:23). We share this gospel with others knowing that we are in sales and God is in management. It's not optional but a command from the one who died for us (Matthew 28:19). As we respond in obedience to make disciples of Jesus, he promises we will receive power through the Holy Spirit to be his witnesses to the end of the earth (Acts 1:8). Sharing Jesus is not as complicated as some people have made it out to be. It's really about sharing your story. How Jesus changed you. People can try to argue the gospel, but they can't argue your life change. Read the story of the blind man in John 9. He could easily conclude that Jesus was the Messiah because of his own story. He was blind, but now could see! And that's what he shared with others. When Jesus returns, let him find you sharing the gospel with someone who doesn't know him. It's a command, not optional. Then watch his smile increase as he says to you, "Well done!"

by David Chadwick How to wait well. It's something we all must learn when Jesus becomes the Lord of our lives. I believe as we cultivate strength in our ability to wait well, we are developing eternal qualities as we await our soon and coming Savior. Today, I want to urge you to learn to wait excitedly and expectantly! These are two adverbs that should describe our attitudes toward Jesus's Second Coming. Jesus is coming back! We must all turn our gaze toward heaven and prioritize the skill of learning how to wait well for our soon and coming King. Be excited! Why? Because when Jesus returns, he will usher in a brand new kingdom. His kingdom is unshakeable (Hebrews 12:28). It will be a place where all things will be made new. All means all! Every part of this broken, selfish, polluted world will be made new. We will live in a sinless world! And live forever. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore…" (Revelation 21:4). No more enemies! No more death! No more pain! No more heartbreak! No more betrayal! Doesn't that excite you? Be excited. But also be expectant. Jesus's return could happen any day now. Any moment. The early church theologians called it the doctrine of immanence. It will happen in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). We should say every day, "Yes, Lord, I'm ready. If you come today, I'm ready." And I believe with all my heart that Jesus will be excited and expectant to meet you as well! His bride. The one he loves with all of his heart. The object of his affection. The reason he endured death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). As he greets you, I'm sure he will say to those who have placed their trust in him, "Well done!"

by David Chadwick In order to wait well, we must practice. We must strengthen the muscles that our flesh would tend to let atrophy—especially our minds. As we crucify our flesh and feed our spirits, we will become stronger and stronger. Here is today's tip for how to wait well: Be self-controlled and sober-minded. This is a clear command from God's Word, found in 1 Peter 4:7. It starts off by saying, "The end of all things is at hand…" Then comes this command, "Therefore be self-controlled and sober-minded for the sake of your prayers." I would say that's a pretty strong warning for the end of the age. The definition of these two terms, self-controlled and sober-minded, are obvious, but let us look a bit deeper beyond what is seen at first glance. Self-controlled. Self! Controlled. You control yourself. Your decisions. Your choices. You are not under the authority of anyone or anything other than the Holy Spirit. You are able to guard your tongue, guard your eyes, discern correctly, and live righteously. Sober-minded. A sober mind. You aren't under the influence of any drug or alcohol. You guard your mind. You are free from addiction altogether. No pornography. No substance. No power can cause your mind to become intoxicated toward Satan's wiles. In the name of Jesus, I am here to remind you today that any addiction that has bound you and placed you in prison has no power over you. YOU ARE FREE! The enemy doesn't control you. Nor do the lusts of your flesh. If you are in Christ you are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17) and it is now the Spirit who guides you to make right decisions under his power. But we must choose to live this way. After all, we are the sum of all our life choices. Did you notice, too, how whatever is chosen is directly connected with our prayer life? May Jesus find you under his control and power when he returns. "Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh" (Galatians 5:16). Then you will surely hear him say, "Well done!"

by David Chadwick Such a simple concept that requires tremendous patience. Loving your neighbor is a skill that, if developed, will strengthen your ability to wait well. It helps you to become long-suffering. Many don't realize that this is an Old Testament command from Leviticus 19:18. God instructed his people to live as a different kind of people in his Promised Land. He urged his people toward loving one another. Jesus seized further upon this idea in Mark 12:30-31, where he urged his followers to love God first and then to love our neighbor. Did you know that one of the greatest ways we can show love for our God is to love those whom he loves the most? He created mankind in his image and in spite of the flaws of humanity, God still loves us (John 3:16). My dad was once asked by a friend how he could best thank my dad for doing all that he had done to help this man know Jesus. My dad simply responded, "Express love to one of my kids." This man did---to me! He gifted me with a new suit that I was able to take to college! How grateful I was for the kind gift he bestowed upon me. He showed love to my dad by showing love to his son. Who is your neighbor? When asked this question, Jesus essentially said, "Yes!" The entire world is desperately in need of encountering the true love of the Father. So, as you love the person next door by making a visit or fixing a meal, when you send a financial gift to help alleviate suffering worldwide, as you display an act of love to someone, guess what? You are loving your neighbor! When Jesus returns, let him find you fully surrendered to him and wholeheartedly loving someone. Your neighbor. Your spouse. Your child. Your friend. Find someone to love and you will surely hear his, "Well done, good and faithful servant."

by David Chadwick In order to develop muscles in the gym, people have to weight train. The same holds true for our spiritual walks. We must spend time in the "wait" room in order to learn to wait well. Waiting is a discipline that every follower of Jesus must learn to cultivate, especially as it pertains to us waiting for Jesus's return. I want to give you some tips as to how you can "wait train" and become stronger in the Lord as you develop eternal attributes. Until the day when we will see Jesus's glorious return, we are to wait with great faith, hope, joy, and peace. Pray and praise. That is today's focus. 1 Thessalonians 5:17 says that we should pray without ceasing. Because the Holy Spirit lives in us, allowing us to be connected to God, we can pray all the time. As we drive. While we work. At the park with our kids. On a walk in the neighborhood. Because of Jesus, if you choose to follow him, you can constantly lift up your needs and other people's needs. It's a continual conversation, day by day, minute by minute. Jesus taught his disciples to pray because he knew it would forge muscles in their inner selves that would allow them to stand in the hardest of situations. We, too, must learn to pray in the same way that he taught his disciples to pray. Philippians 4:4 says to praise, "Rejoice in the Lord ALWAYS!" In fact, Paul wanted to make sure that we really understood the power of praise so much that he said it a second time in the same verse, "Again I will say, rejoice." We thank God in and for all circumstances for he is working in them for our good and for his glory (1 Thessalonians 4:18). It's God's providence. He oversees all in this world. Combine prayer and praise throughout your day. If Jesus were to return right now, let him find you in prayer, praising him for all he has done and is doing. Jesus delights in having his kids partake in union life with him.

by Marilynn Chadwick Look Up! The personalized license plate on the car in front of me caught my eye. Look up! Two simple words, right out of Luke's Gospel. Jesus was reminding his followers to pay close attention to the signs of the times. "So when all these things begin to happen," he explained, "stand and look up, for your salvation is near!" (Luke 21:28 NLT). Believers all over the world celebrate a risen Savior. But there's more to the story. He is coming back. As Christians, we are encouraged to continually watch for signs of God through his Word and his work all around us. To be alert to his imprint on world events—God's big picture. But Jesus also wants us to be watching for his return. It's vitally important that we be alert. But we should never become so fascinated with the "end times" that we simply cling to our sanity while waiting for Jesus to rescue us from this messy world. Surely, we were made for more. What does it look like to be ready for Jesus's return? Let's consider the instructions to the church in 1 Peter. These believers were fiercely persecuted. They were always in danger of getting killed so they had plenty to worry about. These early Christians lived in what theologians refer to as "imminence." They lived in a continual readiness for Jesus's soon return. Peter reminds them to live with the end in mind. But he doesn't tell them to become obsessed with predictions, retreat to a survivalist community, stockpile their goods, or take up arms. He simply tells them to be ready for Jesus's return by living as faithful believers: "The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms" (1 Peter 4:7-10 NIV). Dear friends, while we wait for the return of our soon coming king, we are instructed to remain alert and watchful so we can pray. Prayer helps us stay connected to God. We're to love each other, forgiving one another and inviting others into our homes. We're to serve others and administer God's grace using the spiritual gifts and resources he's given to us. We're to share his Good News with the least and the lost at home and around the world. How should we keep watch for Jesus's return? By being faithful. We remain ready and stay steady by doing the same things we should be doing every day. We keep watch by doing God's will. Then when Jesus comes, he'll find us ready for his return. Come soon, Lord Jesus. Strengthen us so we may remain alert and watchful. And while we wait, may we be faithful to answer your call to a hurting and broken world.

by Marilynn Chadwick I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day (2 Timothy 1:12 NKJV). When our children were small, I taught them a practical lesson in prayer using what I called the "Secret Mailbox Club." I made a mailbox out of construction paper and encouraged the children to write out their secret prayers on a piece of paper. We sealed them in an envelope, put the prayer requests in the mailbox, and raised the flag. "Now let's go about our day, trusting God to answer our prayers in his time." The children would be surprised to discover later that some of their prayers had been answered while they weren't looking. I explained that our little mailbox game was similar to mailing a real letter. "When I put a letter in our mailbox, I've done my part, right?" "I have to trust the United States Postal Service to deliver my mail to the right place. So I raise the flag and walk away." I added, "Wouldn't it be silly for me to camp beside the mailbox anxiously waiting for the response to my letter?" When we pray to God, we've done our part by giving him our request. The Bible says it this way: "Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him and he will do this" (Psalm 37:5 NIV). "Genuine faith hands its circumstances over to God, allowing him to work. He will never work until we commit" (from Streams in the Desert). There are times when genuine faith means we pray and walk away. I have learned that sometimes, when I am gripped by a really big problem, the best way I can show God I trust him is to pray and walk away from the problem. I'm talking about those painful and stubborn problems which, short of a miracle, are not going away. I battled with infertility for many years before God answered our prayers for children. Perhaps you're wrestling with a debilitating disease, a rocky marriage, an unpleasant job situation, financial hardship, or a wayward child. We may have confidence that God is working in these troublesome situations. But if we watch too closely, we can get discouraged by the sheer magnitude of the problem and the slowness of the answer. That's when it helps to put that prayer in the "Secret Mailbox" and walk away. I discovered there are lots of ways to find joy while our prayers are in the "Secret Mailbox" awaiting God's perfect timing: Learn something new or start a hobby. Grow in your knowledge of God's Word. Experience a mission trip. Further your education. Work on your eating or exercise habits. Clean out the clutter in your home and give things away. Explore your life's calling. Take time for fun and laughter. Serve those who are hurting worse than you are. Over the years, I've found that some of the largest prayers, my "big asks," have been answered in the most surprising ways while I was not watching!

by Marilynn Chadwick Don't worry about anything. Instead, pray about everything (Philippians 4:6 NLT). How many times on any given day are you tempted to lose your patience? If you're like me, the answer is plenty. Next time a petty problem causes you to unravel, I challenge you to pause. Try to wait for three minutes before you allow yourself to become anxious. Time yourself, if necessary, but stay calm. Just for three minutes. Then see what happens. I'm amazed at how many of life's little whirlwinds clear up in three minutes! My kids used to call this "Mom's three-minute rule." It's the minor irritations that quickly steal our joy. It's the "little foxes," marriage counselors will tell you, that nibble away at our marriages. And it's the trifling annoyances that rob our daily calm. What if we stood up to the enemy and said, "No! I will not surrender my peace of mind." I may not be able to keep my cool forever, but surely, I can wait for three minutes! Especially if I remember to turn the matter over to God through prayer. "Cast all your anxieties on him because he cares for you," we're reminded in 1 Peter 5:7. But casting your anxieties, I've learned, takes a bit of spiritual muscle. Daily life gives me plenty of chances to practice. That incredibly long line at the register. The traffic light that takes forever to change when I am already late for an appointment. Lost keys. Or my irresistible urge to snap at my husband or kids. Could I wait just three minutes before I react? And breathe a quick prayer for God's peace? So much the better. Those we love are watching to see how we navigate life's inevitable anxieties. I was reminded of this many years ago when driving one of our children across town to a birthday party. We were running late. Of course I hit every stop light. Then, just as things were looking up, I got stuck at a railroad crossing. I was exasperated by this ridiculously long train. My impatience showed. "Hey mom," quipped my son. "What happened to your three-minute rule?" I stopped. Took a deep breath and said, "OK, let's time this train, (Mr. Smarty Pants)." So, we did. And you know what? The train took forever, or so it seemed. But just as the caboose whooshed by, the three-minute mark passed on my dashboard clock. Exactly. Three minutes. To the second. Next time you feel your blood boil, take a deep breath. Think. Pray. Respond, don't react. And wait three minutes. Guard your heart...and your peace. And save all that energy for the really big battles in life.

by Marilynn Chadwick While waiting for answers to my prayers for a baby, I found that simple daily disciplines were somehow connected to hope. Small habits often lead to big dreams. And big dreams can have a wider reach than we can possibly imagine. Navy Admiral and former SEAL William H. McRaven challenged graduates at the University of Texas to realize how simple, daily habits can have world changing impact. "Changing the world can happen anywhere and anyone can do it," he said. "But change starts with small actions. Every morning, we were required to make our bed to perfection. It seemed a little ridiculous at the time, particularly in light of the fact that we were aspiring to be real warriors, tough battle-hardened SEALS—but the wisdom of this simple act has been proven to me many times over. If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed. Making your bed will also reinforce the fact that little things in life matter." His advice to the graduates? "If you want to change the world, start off by making your bed." During my years of infertility, I grappled with the long time spent "waiting." I wonder how I would have responded if I could have fast-forwarded my life's video for a glimpse of my three wonderful now-grown children? And ten grandchildren. If I had known the outcome in advance, I might never have learned to draw meaning from the ordinary moments along the way. And I might have missed the life lessons and little habits I learned during my season of waiting. Today, I have practically forgotten the pain of wondering if I'd ever be a mom. I walk around every day like these amazing miracles are, well, ordinary. And in his kindness, I think this is just how God intended it. The miracles are awesome, wonderful, corroborated by medical science. But they seem comfortable. The daily adventure of taking my worries to God and watching for the answers has given a touch of wonder to my days. Ordinary? Yes, but with a bit of bling. I've come to believe seasons of waiting are not wasted. These and other lessons are still part of my days even now. I wait differently because I really do believe in miracles. "Wait training" has taught me that hope counts. Faith works, and with love, anything is possible. Miracles are for real. And I really do believe I can change the world. But first, I think I'll go make up my bed.

by Marilynn Chadwick During my hardest days of waiting for a baby, there were certain friends who breathed fresh faith into my soul just when I wanted to quit. It's humbling to realize how much you depend on others. I've never liked being the needy one, much preferring to be the rock that others lean on. A Marine friend is one of those strong types. He saw lots of combat duty in Iraq and shared a lesson I'll never forget. "When danger hits," he explained, "I'm trained to run toward the danger. But my second response is to look around for my men." "So that you can protect them?" I asked. "No," he said firmly. "I look around for my men because I know I cannot do this mission by myself." Suffering humbled me. And so I let myself lean on and even into the strength of friends. They listened, cried, prayed, and waited with hope, daring to believe with me that God was greater than my prognosis. I knew I couldn't do this by myself. Marriages can dry up during a long trial like ours. Somehow, ours grew stronger. David and I learned the delicate dance of knowing when to be strong for the other and when it was ok to fall apart. Sometimes, falling apart together was all we could muster. I'm sure it was in those moments we forged our strongest bonds. Months became years, and by the end of the fourth year, waiting had become a way of life. I hovered between my dream and the dailiness of living well in the moment. I wanted my life to count. While working on my master's in counseling, I spent time in vulnerable communities. My practical work and internship were mostly among the poor. Serving those hurting worse than I was turned out to be a surprising form of "self-help." I spent months working with young women caught in crisis pregnancies. An infertile woman desperate for a baby working with women who didn't want to be pregnant? An odd assignment, but it was strangely healing. I used to joke that I was like a recovering alcoholic serving drinks at a bar. I was surrounded by that which I could not have. Some say we should live to give. I discovered that I could give to live. And the mysterious alchemy of serving always worked its magic on my soul. Again and again, I would say to God, "I'm entrusting my 'business' into your hands while I put my hands to work on your business." Fighting forward turned out to be the healing, comforting "drug of choice" that brought relief, filling my empty places while I waited for my own dream.