A Moment of Hope

by David Chadwick After the encounter with the angel Gabriel and being rendered mute by the Lord, what did Zechariah do next? Luke 1:23 says this of Zechariah: "And when his time of service was ended, he went to his home." To Elizabeth and to his safe place of love and care. I can only imagine how he felt as he pondered all he had just seen and heard, probably praying in his spirit to the Lord about John. And have you ever thought about how he told Elizabeth about his experience with the angel Gabriel? Hand gestures? A game of charade? Writing it out? Surely he found a way to tell her. What a special moment that must have been! A few days later, Zechariah's wife Elizabeth conceived. The Bible says that "for five months she kept herself hidden' (Luke 1:23)." Can you imagine what she felt? The joy. The anticipation. The excitement. But given the fact that she went silent for five months, she probably also felt the extreme holiness of this moment. Can you believe Elizabeth kept this pregnancy a secret for five months! When someone becomes pregnant after a long wait, they often rush to tell everyone and anyone who will listen! The excitement overwhelms them, making it hard to keep a secret. But Elizabeth, a good and Godly woman, went silent. Why? Most likely to pray and to ponder God's goodness. To reflect on the other childless women in the Old Testament like Sarah and Hannah who waited many long years for a child and finally saw God answer their cries as well. I can only imagine the tenderness she felt as she watched her belly swell day by day, week by week, probably rubbing her belly with great joy! Then, after five months, when Elizabeth began to show her child, she began to say all around her, "Thus the Lord has done this for me in the days when he looked on me, to take away my reproach among the people" (Luke 1:25). During that time, barrenness was considered a curse. Upon seeing a barren woman, people would ask, "What is her sin that has brought this curse upon her?" Now, in a single moment, with an angel's word of promise, all of the shame and chatter was taken away. Done. Forever removed. Elizabeth's mountain was moved and her breakthrough occurred. If God can do it for Elizabeth, he can do it for you! Keep praying. Keep believing. And make your request known to God. And know that it's in his hands to do it 1) his way and 2) in his time.

by David Chadwick In Luke 1:18-22, the angel identified himself as Gabriel. Gabriel also appears in the book of Daniel in chapters 8 and 9. In the Bible, whenever Gabriel came on the scene, he was addressing prophecy about the Messiah. The same holds true in this story with Zechariah. Gabriel came to Zechariah from the presence of God and told him that he was sent by God to share this wonderful, good news of a coming child. After all this information from Gabriel had been given to Zechariah, Zechariah asked the question, "How shall I know this? For I am an old man, and my wife is advanced in years." God calls all people to a life of faith. He is constantly urging his people to not be afraid, to be bold, to be strong and courageous, to not be terrified. Zechariah's question was shrouded with doubt and unbelief. Because of his disobedience and doubt, God made Zechariah mute, unable to speak a word. But how could this be? Gabriel had just released a word and said what WILL take place "in their time," in accordance to God's perfect plan and timing. So why would God silence Zechariah? I think it's because God wanted to highlight the power of words. Over the unborn life of someone whose mouthpiece would pave the way for the soon and coming King, I think God placed a hedge of protective and holy quietness over this child's life, where the only words John the Baptist would hear would come from his perfect heavenly Father or his believing mom. No doubt. Not questions. No lack of faith. Only words of life and blessing were to be spoken over this child during those nine months. This story also speaks powerfully to the fact that babies can hear in the womb. Parents should always be very careful about their words when the mother is pregnant. Avoid arguing and avoid words of unbelief! Pray over the baby in utero and play songs of praise with the baby in utero. As Zechariah left his temple service, he could not say a word. Completely mute and speechless. The people who saw his face as he walked out concluded he had seen a vision, which he had! I can only imagine inwardly how much Zechariah was praising God with great joy for what he had seen and heard, and, yes, even for the silencing of his words after his expressed unbelief. I believe Zechariah somehow knew that God had a reason and would work it all together for good (Romans 8:28).

by David Chadwick John was the long awaited son to Zechariah and Elizabeth. His birth paved the way for Jesus's birth. His voice prepared the way of the Lord. His life pointed to the soon and coming King. Luke 1:16-17 says this of John: "And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a prepared people." The personal calling of John's life in God's story grabs my heart every time. Turning many hearts to God. Going before the Messiah. Carrying the same spirit and power of Elijah, perhaps the greatest of all Old Testament prophets. God entrusted so much to John's hands. Pause for a moment and consider the magnitude of John's call and what Zechariah must have felt as he anticipated the coming of his long-awaited son. Now pause and consider the swell of anticipation that Israel would have with the coming of their long-awaited Messiah. Zechariah's story is full of wonder! Both personally and for God's people. A deeply personal and a deeply corporate groan were being answered all at once! John would fulfill Malachi 4:5, the prophecy that told of one preceding the Messiah who would turn hearts of fathers back to children and the disobedient back to the wisdom of the Lord. John would call the world to repentance and to ready their hearts for Jesus's entrance. As you may know, this John is John the Baptist. 6 months older than Jesus, he preached a message of repentance in the wilderness. Many followed him. But he kept pointing all of his followers to Jesus saying, "I must decrease and he (Jesus) must increase" (John 3:30). May we all have John's courage in spirit and an unwavering desire to point people to Jesus and never to ourselves. For Jesus alone is worthy to be praised!

by David Chadwick The story of Zechariah continues in Luke 1:8-15, which we will look at today. While serving as priest, he was chosen by lot to enter the temple during a high holy feast. Take note that even the drawing of straws is under the sovereign hand of Almighty God according to Proverbs 16:33. We serve a mighty God who has a timing and purpose for everything! Undoubtedly, while serving in the temple, Zechariah prayed for Israel, as all priests regularly did. However, I would suppose he also prayed fervently for a child, and probably more specifically a son, as sons were considered a special gift from God in those days as they served as a continuation of the family name. While Zechariah was serving in the temple, an angel, who later in the story self-identifies as Gabriel, appeared to him. 400 years of silence from God is now broken. He said to Zechariah, "Your prayers have been heard." Could there be a more perfect and wonderful message to receive from an angelic visitation than this? God heard Zechariah's prayers, which were probably offered many times throughout the years, both for Israel and for a child. After Gabriel's encounter with Zechariah, Zechariah was filled with fear, which is a common emotion when anyone in the Bible experienced a divine revelation. Can you even imagine a perfect angel appearing to you as a sinful human? I can only imagine the fear of the Lord that would come upon me if that happened to me. The angel went on to tell Zechariah that he would have a son and he was to be named John, which means "God is gracious." And God certainly is gracious. He gave this man a son in his old age by grace, through faith. He told Zechariah that he and his wife would be filled with joy because of this baby. John would be great before the Lord, not given to strong drink or wine, and with a heart totally devoted to the Lord, filled with the Spirit from the womb. As a side note, what a miraculous demonstration of that fact that life begins at conception and that God can encounter and give promises to children in the womb! No matter what you're going through, especially if you want a child, keep praying in faith! God hears your prayers! Nothing brings greater joy than answered prayers.

by David Chadwick This week, we begin our series called "Characters at the Cradle." Join me as we explore the major characters whose lives intersected with Jesus's life as he entered into this world through a cradle in a manger. Zechariah is our first character. We will spend an entire week looking at his life and exploring why he is so important to the incarnation of Jesus. Luke was very careful to tell his readers exactly what was going on when Zechariah entered the story. Luke 1:5-7 begins by giving us several important insights into Zechariah's life. He came on the scene during the reign of King Herod. At this point in biblical history, there had been 400 years of silence since a prophetic word from the Lord had come through Malachi. Can you imagine how much anticipation there was for God's people to hear from the Lord? After four centuries, God finally spoke! There were 24 divisions of priests who were regularly called upon for temple duties at the high holy times of the calendar and this was one of those times. A priest named Zechariah was called to his duty. Zechariah and his wife, Elizabeth, who you will learn about in a couple of weeks, were both childless. But the Bible makes it very clear that their barrenness was not because of sin. They were both described as righteous and blameless before the Lord in verse 6. Not sinless by any means, for only Jesus is sinless, but Zechariah and Elizabeth were devoted to obeying God's Law, the Torah. Zechariah and Elizabeth were also advanced in years and fervently desired a child, probably praying regularly to the Lord for this gift. My wife, Marilynn, and I can relate to this fervent desire for a child. We were married for 8 years before God gave us our first child. A long, awaited journey to have children drives you to prayer like nothing else ever could. Much like Marilynn's and my story, Zechariah and Elizabeth's desire for a child seemed hopeless…until God intervened. I believe that the children born from barrenness often are God's greatest servants because of the number of prayers offered to God on their behalf. Keep following this story with me tomorrow…for nothing is impossible with God!

by David Chadwick Luke wanted Theophilus, and any future readers, to know the certainty of things taught (Luke 1:4). How were truths passed on during these biblical times? First, through oral tradition. Never underestimate the ability of people to remember what has been taught to them verbally. For some in Luke's day, this was the only way to transmit truths to future generations. Therefore, people repeated truths through families, in public arenas, and within gatherings in order to both learn and pass on information. Without oral tradition, truths and generational realities were lost. Secondly, through written tradition. As societies became more advanced, written transmission of information became more doable. There were scrolls, parchments, ink, pens, and other means of writing available to authors. Luke took advantage of means and made sure that the gospel truths were not just passed down orally, but through written word. He wanted writings to be available to other people to grow in personal discipleship and to pass down these truths to future generations. The Gospel of Luke did this. Luke carefully, painstakingly, and proudly wrote down everything he saw and heard. He provided great certainty through eyewitnesses and gave intricate details that only a doctor would seek to find. I would surmise that Luke recorded with divinely inspired certainty, yes, for Theophilus, but also for his good friend Paul, and with future generations, including you and me, in mind! Aren't you grateful for Luke? I sure am! I am so glad that God called this amazing man and physician to give us this beautiful Gospel that we will study together over the coming months. This book of the Bible makes me love my Lord and my Savior, Jesus, with greater fervor. I pray it does the same for you! Now that we understand the author named Luke, join me next week as we take a look at our first character at the cradle, Zechariah.

by David Chadwick Luke wrote the Gospel of Luke as a letter to the "most excellent Theophilus" (verse 4). Who is Theophilus? This friend to Luke is another important piece in understanding who authored this book. Luke was a Greek, undoubtedly impassioned to reach those like himself. This should inspire each of us. We, most likely, have been given keys by God to reach others like us as well. Maybe you are a businessman. You have skills and knowledge to reach other businessmen. Maybe you are a mom. Chances are you have unique insights to reach other moms. And so on and so forth. Theophilus most certainly lived up to his description, "most excellent." In ancient times, this term was most often used for people of great importance. He was probably a person of great cultural influence and someone of high-ranking social standing. Yes, most of Jesus's followers in the early church were people of no means. Converted slaves. Common people. Fishermen. But that doesn't mean that Jesus does not love people of influence. He does! He loves all people! Joanna, wife of someone in King Herod's inner circle, chose to follow Jesus. Barnabas had great wealth and decided to follow Jesus. Jesus will use anyone, rich or poor, young or old, Jew or Gentile, to make up his team and build his kingdom! Sometimes, it's actually important for high-standing people to be converted so that they can influence those around them toward the gospel of Jesus. Luke, as an outstanding doctor, probably had the ability to speak to people with means and bring them to Jesus. Could it be that Luke was responsible for Theophilus's conversion to Jesus? Perhaps! Finally, it is important to note that some scholars don't think Theophilus was an actual person, but that he represented a general people. The name Theophilus means "lover of God" ("Theo" is God and "philus" is a form of "philea," which is a Greek term for love). Ultimately, none of us will know the full truth until heaven one day, but whether Luke was writing to an individual or to a group of people who were lovers of God, the truths of his writings are timeless and apply to all of us.

by David Chadwick The Gospel of Luke gives an account of the life of Jesus that is significant. Written by a physician with a tremendous attention to detail, Luke's perspective was heavily focused on the important reality that God took on human flesh to accomplish his mission. What else do we know about Luke? Let's keep unpacking Luke 1:1-4. Dr. Luke counted on the testimonies of actual eyewitnesses. He emphasized in verse 2 that his compilations included information delivered to him from "those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word." It seems as though these eyewitnesses must have been the 12 apostles, minus Judas and then Matthias, and Paul. Luke must have spent countless hours talking with them, verifying their stories, and ensuring their accuracy. Since there are multiple accounts of the same stories between Matthew, Mark, and Luke, one can assume they talked and compared notes. Luke had an especially close relationship with Paul. Surely, while traveling together on missionary journeys, as is outlined in Acts 16:22 and beyond, Luke must have taken copious notes from Paul about what he knew, what he had seen, and all he heard from those around him. In case you didn't know, Luke also wrote the book of Acts. Luke and Acts go together. In fact, it appears Luke wrote both as one volume. This will become evident as you read Luke 24 and then Acts 1. Between the 12 apostles, Paul, and the others, Luke received a plethora of information about Jesus in order to pen this Gospel for his primary audience, the Greek people. Trust the Gospel of Luke. It was Dr. Luke's account of Jesus's life, death, resurrection, and ascension after having spent countless hours with important eyewitnesses who saw these events. Luke desired to pass on everything he knew of the life of Jesus both to the people of that day and to us as well. His careful study of all eyewitness accounts gives credence to the gospel. Luke recounts words of people who saw and experienced Jesus. We are grateful to Luke for the number of hours he spent making the stories come alive for us.

by David Chadwick As we continue to learn more about Luke in order to further appreciate this New Testament author, let's turn our eyes back to Luke 1:1-4. What else does Scripture teach us about him? Luke was a physician. In fact, Paul called him "the beloved physician" in Colossians 4:14. Apparently, Dr. Luke joined Paul in his missionary journeys in Acts 16:10-11, and they obviously became close friends. He may have even cared for Paul physically when he was imprisoned and/or in peril. We all know that Jesus, the Great Physician, is the ultimate supernatural healer. But it is clear through the life of Luke that God also uses gifted and competent doctors to provide exceptional care. Why is knowing that Luke was a physician so important to fully comprehending his writings? Because doctors, by nature and practice, are aware of details. They see things that others may not see. They pay attention to intricacies that others may overlook. Having an understanding of the brilliance of medical professionals should remind us that Luke wrote this book with painstaking detail. Luke described this Gospel as being "a narrative of all things" and an orderly account (Luke 1:1, Luke 1:3). Then in verses 3-4, Luke wrote that his desire was "to write an orderly account" for his friend, Theophilus, so that Theophilus could have "certainty concerning the things [he had] been taught." From the beginning of Jesus's birth narrative in chapters 1-2 to Jesus's resurrection in chapter 24, Luke tried to make sure that everything he wrote was true, specific, and detailed. His writings were carefully documented, checked, and rechecked to ensure accuracy. God used all kinds of people from all different professions in order for his purposes to be accomplished on this earth. In the case of Luke, God chose a brilliant physician to document a crucial account of the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. Let's keep leaning into Dr. Luke's wisdom as his writings teach us more about Jesus!

by David Chadwick This week, throughout the Christmas season, and even into the new year, our church is going to be doing an in-depth study of the Gospel of Luke. After doing a brief overview of Luke himself, we will be looking more specifically at the characters at the cradle. Somewhere along the way, from the conception of Jesus until his birth, you will see how each of these characters had a divine intersection with the incarnation of Jesus– the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. This week, we will focus on Luke 1:1-4. Let's take a look at Dr. Luke. Who was he? To whom was he writing? What clues do these four verses give us into Luke's perspective, life, and writings? Who was the man who authored this book of the Bible? Without this piece, you will have a hard time understanding the lens with which he wrote this book. He was a physician, evangelist, apologist, and historical writer. He was so multi-gifted, you can readily see why God chose him to write this account. The name Luke means "light of the world." This book is the only one of the four Gospels that was written by a Gentile and Greek, which suggests that it was primarily also written for the Gentiles and Greeks. Luke's style presented some of the finest Greek writing in early Greek antiquity. He was obviously very intelligent and masterfully skilled in his writing craft. Luke wanted his readers to see the fully human side of Jesus, whereas John had a stronger emphasis on Jesus being fully divine. Both of these disciples' descriptions of Jesus are incredibly important in establishing a full and complete understanding of the Savior of the world! If you look at the Greek statues that were sculpted during biblical times, you will quickly see how much the Greeks loved the human body. Luke's writings, specifically in stories like The Good Samaritan, placed a strong emphasis on Jesus's desire to care for the hurting and the sick. He also emphasized the importance of women in a culture that often degraded them. Every day this week, we are going to look at some specific insights into the book of Luke, a beautiful Gospel that points to Jesus, the light of the world! Written by a man who deeply loved and respected Jesus. Join me as we learn together!

by Marilynn Chadwick Are you growing in your faith merely to become a "deeper" disciple? I call this a "so what" faith. I believe Jesus is calling us to more. God's Word urges us to grow in our faith "so that" we'll give our lives away to the least and lost. I hope our lessons from the Gospel of Luke will encourage us to reflect on the question, "Is my life a so what or a so that?" How can we make a difference in our world? Remember how Jesus always noticed the least and the lost. So often the poor are invisible to us. We may have to ask the Holy Spirit to help us regain our sight to see those who need Jesus—they are all around us. Or God may call us to speak out for someone who can't speak out for themselves. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God's people have been called to side with the poor, speak out for them, and use our time, talents, and treasure to help. Jesus affirmed the poor widow's sacrificial gift. He said, "Truly I tell you; this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:1-4). Do you see what happened here? In the race to be righteous, against all the rich leaders who wanted to appear holy, this poor widow won the prize. She won God's favor. In a desire to learn more about the widow's sacrificial gift, I called my friend Angela. Her insights proved eye opening because she had experienced both great poverty and God's great provision. She read much more into the story because of those life experiences. Angela confided, "Years ago, I gave all I had to live on. I put my last $6 into the church offering." In a very short time, provision came from an unlikely source. The Lord gave me many times what I had given." She smiled, "You can't outgive God." For Angela, like the poor widow in Luke's account, giving was an act of faith—tied to worship. This is a woman who knew Jesus as her provider, her Jehovah Jireh. She had seen God come through before and she trusted him with her life. So what does that mean for you and for me? Are we to sell all we have and follow Jesus? Some believers do. I know a pastor's family who sold everything and moved as missionaries to Thailand. The widow in Luke's story gave just two mites, the least coin. And she was the least in her community. But Jesus said she gave all. Remember, small things matter to God. Give your time, your treasure, your love. As someone wisely said, "You can't do everything, but you can do something."

by Marilynn Chadwick Luke stresses the importance of the widow's sacrificial gift. Jesus tells us the Father loves this kind of faith. We bring him glory when we trust him as our loving Provider. Such a message is vastly different from what the religious leaders were teaching. Jesus rebukes them, "What sorrow also awaits you experts in religious law! For you crush people with unbearable religious demands, and you never lift a finger to ease the burden" (Luke 11:46 NLT). Can you imagine? These teachers of the law even got mad when Jesus healed someone on the Sabbath. Luke encourages us to see God through the eyes of society's least, especially the little ones. I find myself wondering, "Why is it so hard to have simple faith like a child?" Perhaps it's because most people long to be important. Even the disciples hungered for greatness. They once came to Jesus and asked, "Who is greatest in the kingdom of heaven?" (Matthew 18:1). Jesus shocked them with his answer: He called a little child to him and placed the child among them. And he said: "Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 18:2-3). We can spend our lives searching for "greatness," only to end up self-sufficient, far from God, and just plain tired. Life wasn't meant to be this complicated. What can we learn about keeping it simple from children? We can learn to be humble: "So anyone who becomes as humble as this little child is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven" (Matthew 18:4). Spend time with children. Be teachable and learn from them. We can learn to love our neighbor. Don't look down on children or the childlike. If you're a parent or grandparent, guard little eyes. Don't push them to grow up too fast. A lost childhood is hard to regain. Cultivate a childlike faith. Remember the pathway to heaven is only by grace through faith—faith like a child. The Bible promises we will experience God's favor when we minister to those who are childlike—the least and the lost. "When you have done it to the least of these, you have done it unto me" (Matthew 25: 40). Luke's story of the widow's mite (Luke 21:1-4) is about an open door that all can enter. God is the God of Small Things. If a poor widow's small gift is accepted by Jesus, then anyone can be welcomed and loved by Jesus: Little children, babies, tax collectors, Samaritans. Even people like us.

by Marilynn Chadwick Throughout Luke's Gospel, Jesus was always teaching. Sometimes he got his message across by preaching to a crowd, such as the Sermon on the Mount. Other times, he made a strong statement through his actions...like turning over the money-changers tables for their misuse of the temple (Luke 19). I think he got his point across, don't you? Still other times, Luke points to how Jesus performed signs, wonders, and miracles to convey his message and especially to show the love and power of God. Like raising a widow's dead son (Luke 7), calming a storm; driving out a demon (Luke 8); Or feeding the 5000 (Luke 9). Miracles got a lot of attention and Luke records more healing miracles than any other Gospel. And he includes 24 angel stories, more than any book of the New Testament, second only to Revelation, earning Luke the nickname, "The Gospel of the Angels." But Luke also shows how Jesus would often find teachable moments while doing ordinary life with his disciples. He might say something like, "don't do this but do this." "Don't be so busy and worried, Martha, but do spend time in my presence like Mary" (Luke 10). Or "Don't neglect the wounded neighbor in front of you like the religious leaders did; but do stop and care for him like the Good Samaritan [an outcast]." Jesus sounds a lot like any good coach, doesn't he? We've seen how one of Jesus's most significant teachings about money took place in the Temple. He called out a group of corrupt religious leaders and lawyers. What was it about these religious leaders? Why did Jesus warn his followers about them? "Look out!" he exhorted. "Don't listen to their teaching. Don't follow their example. And especially, don't love what they love." And just what did they love? Luke points out how "They were lovers of money" (Luke 16:14). They loved status: "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at banquets Luke 20:46). They especially loved looking good—appearances mattered. They wanted to be seen in the right places wearing the right clothes at the right time. Always with an audience. Maybe the Holy Spirit is speaking through Luke's Gospel, warning us to guard our hearts against the love of money, the love of status, and the love of looking good. Social media tempts us to compare. Appearances are deceitful. But Jesus sees our heart. As my husband David is fond of saying, "The heart of the matter is the matter of the heart."

by Marilynn Chadwick I shared yesterday how my friend Angela challenged me with her sacrificial giving and great faith. She firmly believes the poor widow in Luke's story had seen God come through for her before (Luke 21:1-4). She had faith he would care for her again. But it was Angela's final comment that brought a new dimension to the power of the widow's gift. Angela said quietly, "For this woman, her gift is her worship. This story of the poor widow is all about worship." No one else in Luke's accounts of Jesus's teachings did what the poor widow did—which was to give away "all she had to live on." The poor widow's offering, though meager, was remarkable when weighed against what she had. If her gift was truly her worship—as my friend Angela believes—then her offering to God stands as a silent but powerful rebuttal to the worship of power, prestige, and money, both then and now. Luke's account of the widow's mite challenges us even today. We've seen how Luke speaks repeatedly of the "divine reversal" and points us to another kingdom—an eternal kingdom. He reminds us to beware of the false teaching and corrupt examples of the religious leaders and their oppressive treatment of the poor. Jesus calls us as believers to refuse to follow their worship of money, status, and appearances. We're also called to "look up," as Jesus did (Luke 21:1). We are to look up and see the poor—who are often invisible to us—with new eyes. Luke won't let us forget to speak up and to give generously. God's people have an ongoing responsibility to advocate on behalf of the poor. But let's reflect further on the poor widow's example. What can we learn from her? Those who are most affluent sometimes criticize the poor for not "saving their money" or for sharing with others when they should "take care of themselves." Studies have consistently shown the poor give proportionately more of their income than the wealthy. Some believe the poor give more because they require less to be happy. "When you have just a little, you're thankful for what you have," said the pastor of a tithing, largely low-income congregation in Washington, D.C. "But with every step you take up the ladder of success, the money clouds your mind and gets you into a state of never being satisfied." Let's be inspired by my friend Angela's generosity. Challenged to give sacrificially. To explore practical, "doable" ways to engage with the poor. It's easy to speak out about the injustice we see around us—much harder to take steps of action. Dare to pray about how you can become more generous. Move beyond the tithe? Simplify your lifestyle? Share your home through hospitality? A wise person once said, "You can't do everything, but you can do something." Even the smallest gift can make a big difference when you put it in God's hands.

by Marilynn Chadwick Why does Luke choose to highlight this particular poor widow's gift in Jesus's showdown with the scribes in Luke 21:1-4? Perhaps, as discussed earlier, she is an example of Luke's theme of "divine reversal." Luke consistently honors the smallest of things—small children, outsiders, widows, and especially the poor. Or perhaps it's because her gift was the most sacrificial of all. But what if the widow's gift represents something more? I decided to look at this story through the eyes of a very generous friend who had actually experienced poverty. I find it valuable to look at stories about the poor from the perspective of those who have actually experienced poverty themselves. Angela, a deacon in her congregation, had immigrated to the US from Africa many years ago at age fifteen when she fled the horrific civil war. She landed in LaGuardia, alone and not speaking any English. Angela managed to receive an education, married, and raised a family. Now a grandmother, Angela works as a home health care assistant and makes enough to live on—barely. I asked her this question: "What do you see in the story of this widow?" Angela answered, "I see this poor widow as a woman of deep faith." She added, "She was not a victim but a survivor." Then as an afterthought, "This woman knew God as her Jehovah Jireh, her Provider. Now, this particular friend is a tither and gives sacrificially to those who are poor. She carries "care packages" in her car to share with the homeless. Sometimes she creates outdoor events to offer free food and clothing. She trusts God to provide. Angela challenges me with her lavish generosity and great faith: "I believe this poor widow had seen God come through for her before." Angela is sure the Lord didn't let the widow's sacrificial gift go unnoticed. She challenges us to see this poor widow through different eyes—as a survivor, with courage, persistence, and generosity. And more importantly, as an example of great faith. The growing numbers of poor in our city have broken Angela's heart. She waged a singlehanded effort to feed the hungry, encouraging her church friends to help her cook meals and prepare care bags for the homeless. She often gives money that she could use for herself. Her joy has inspired others to join her cause. I feel sure when Jesus looks at Angela, he and all of heaven is applauding her sacrificial gifts.

by Marilynn Chadwick We've seen how Luke compared the Temple offerings of the rich people with the sacrificial gift from the poor widow: Jesus looked up and saw rich people putting their gifts into the offering box, and he saw a poor widow put in two small copper coins. He said, "Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put in more than all of them; for all of them have contributed out of their abundance, but she out of her poverty has put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:1-4 ESV). Jesus criticized the rich, who merely gave "out of their abundance [perisseuo]" (Luke 21:4). Perisseuo can be translated excess or surplus; spare change; or even leftovers. Luke makes no mention of size, implying only that Jesus knew their gifts would not be missed. The Greek phrase used to describe the widow's gift, ek tou hysterematos, is translated "out of her poverty" (Luke 21:4). The King James version renders hysterematos as "penury," an old English term describing a destitute beggar. The widow's extreme poverty helps us understand the sacrificial nature of her gift. Jesus knew she gave everything. He honors this widow who gave "all she had to live on," while denouncing the wicked abuse of those who oversaw the Temple system and tragically neglected the poor. God's Holy Temple was to be the place to care for the poor, not crush them. In Old Testament times, the ministry of the Jewish Temple was to provide for widows and the poor. "Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation" (Psalms 68:5). This theme is also present throughout Deuteronomy (10:17-18; 24:17; 27:19). Luke emphasizes Jesus's public attack of this Temple evil. When we look at the widow's gift in Luke's Gospel, she seems to shine brightly as the most generous with her offering. Jesus recognized that this poor widow gave that which the rich young ruler had refused. And proportionately, she outgave Zacchaeus (Luke 18,19). She even bypassed the religious leaders and all the rich with her extravagant gift (21:4). Her story reminds us of the story of the poor widow of Zarephath. She, too, gave "all she had to live on." Believing the "word of the Lord" through Elijah, the widow gave her last bit of meal and oil (1 Kings 17:16-24). The poor woman's great faith resulted in supernatural provision for herself, her son, and Elijah. The poor widow's gift in Luke was a similar act of faith according to Ambrose, an Early Church Father. He wrote that Jesus honored the widow's two mites because "that precious poverty of hers was rich in the mystery of faith." May our generous giving help us understand this same mystery of faith today.

by Marilynn Chadwick Let's take a look at the poor widow's gift (Luke 21:1-4). Luke reminds us how she gave what the rich young ruler would not (Luke 18:22). And proportionately, she gave even more than Zacchaeus (Luke 19:8). All the more reason for Jesus's public affirmation of her gift in front of the corrupt teachers of the law. In addition to their worship of money, the religious leaders also worshiped status. Jesus had already reprimanded them as "those who justify yourselves in the sight of others." "But God knows your hearts;" he warned, "for what is exalted by human beings is an abomination in the sight of God" (Luke 16:15 ESV). Jesus' denouncement of the scribes sounds remarkably similar to the condemnation leveled by the Old Testament prophets. One Early Church father, Cyril of Alexandria, wrote that the scribes' behavior showed their unbelief. "Beware and don't expose yourself to their vices and disregard of God." Now, in the presence of all the people, Jesus warns his disciples to watch out for these teachers of the law. He knew they craved honor and recognition. Their teaching, or "leaven" was corrupt as shown by their status-seeking behavior. "Beware of the scribes, who like to walk around in long robes, and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces, and to have the best seats in the synagogues and places of honor at feasts" (Luke 20:46). For the religious leaders, appearance was everything. Jewish customs such as the wearing of long robes and the places of honor coveted by religious leaders are important to understand. The scribes' outer garment was a festive robe worn to celebrate status in that day. Luke would have known that in the Roman Palestine region, clothes signified a special social standing. Wealth was their ticket to status. The Temple setting is appropriate, since the scribes' status was attached to the Temple. It was the religious focal point and the center of all social activity—command central for these leaders to exercise their abusive authority. Temple offerings took place in plain sight for all to observe, adding to their "sense of show." The religious leaders were known to defraud the poor while appearing pious to the community. Jesus condemned their hypocrisy as those who "devour widows' houses and for a pretense make long prayers" (Luke 20:47). There's evidence they mismanaged property, received large sums of money for prayer, and absconded widows' houses for debts that could not be paid. Money and power corrupted religious leaders then just as it sometimes does today. It's been said that absolute power corrupts absolutely. Some things never change.

by Marilynn Chadwick Luke's Gospel emphasizes society's outcasts—those lacking in power, prestige, and money. He tells stories of Jesus's kindness toward women, the weak, and the powerless. But he gives an especially prominent place to the poor. Luke flips society's "script" about who has value and who does not, a motif sometimes called the "divine reversal." The proper attitude toward possessions is also a major theme in Luke. He shines a glaring light on the use and abuse of money. This theme repeats itself again and again as Jesus contrasts the dangers of wealth with the virtues of generosity—and more specifically, the gifts of the rich compared to the gift of the poor widow (Luke 21:1-4). Money, for Jesus, appears to be a litmus test for one's spiritual condition. Luke presents us with several snapshots of Jesus's teaching on money. Earlier, Jesus had warned his disciples to watch out for the "leaven," or teaching, of the hypocritical Pharisees (Luke 12:1). He challenged his followers on the upside-down nature of heaven's value system, warning them not to trust in riches. "Sell your possessions and give to the poor" he encouraged them. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Luke 12:33,34 NIV). It's no secret where the Pharisees' treasure resided. Luke tells us plainly they were philargyros, or "lovers of money" (Luke 16:14). Money was at the core of their corruption. Jesus warns that those who have not been "faithful with dishonest wealth" cannot be trusted with true [eternal] riches (Luke 16:11). He warns that no one can serve both God and wealth (16:13). Other versions translate mamonas, or "wealth," as "mammon," personifying the deity-like quality of money (KJV). In short, these religious leaders worshiped money. The worship of money was a stumbling block for the rich young ruler who asked Jesus for the way to "inherit eternal life." Jesus answered him, "One thing you still lack. Sell all that you have and distribute to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me. But when he heard these things, he became very sad, for he was extremely rich" (Luke 18:22,23 ESV). In contrast, Zacchaeus was a despised tax collector and known as a great "sinner." But his heartfelt response to Jesus upon receiving salvation was to cry out, "Look, Lord! Here and now, I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount [double what the law required]" (Luke 19:8 NIV). Luke shows how true repentance dramatically impacted Zacchaeus's relationship with money. When we truly encounter Jesus, it naturally follows that we loosen our grip on this world. Think about the words of this beautiful old hymn, "Turn your eyes upon Jesus. Look full in his wonderful face. And the things of earth will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace."

by Marilynn Chadwick Most of us know Luke as the physician, but did you know he's also widely regarded as a respected historian? According to Luke's opening verses, the author himself refers to his work as an "orderly account" rather than a Gospel (Luke 1:3). The story of the poor widow's sacrificial gift (Luke 21:1-4) is one of Luke's most well-known stories about Jesus and money. It takes place near the end of Jesus's earthly ministry. Luke devotes much of his narrative to the journey of Jesus and his disciples (Luke 9-19). The action now moves quickly as Jesus approaches the cross. Jesus enters Jerusalem, weeps over the city, cleanses the temple, and responds to a series of heated arguments with the religious leaders. He condemns the scribes (Luke 20:45-47); honors the poor widow for her gift; and turns the tables on the rich (Luke 21:1-4). Jesus's confrontation with these corrupt leaders has been a continual theme throughout much of the Gospel of Luke. Luke shows us how Jesus used surprising examples for the religious leaders. His listeners would have been shocked and offended at the heroes of his stories. Some call this Luke's "divine reversal." For example, children in that day were completely powerless. "People were bringing even the infants to Jesus." (Luke 18:15 NIV). And even the disciples rebuked them. Yet, Jesus responded, "Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" (Luke 18:16). The word, brephos, is used for infants and children—born and unborn. Luke uses the same word to describe John the Baptist who "leaped" in his mother's womb (Luke 1:41). Women were also considered as second class citizens. Yet Jesus, in another example of "divine reversal," included women in his community of followers. He even entrusted the first news of his resurrection to a woman, Mary Magdalene (Luke 24:10). Finally, there's the example of Zacchaeus. Tax collectors were despised as traitors, working for the Roman Empire, not for their Jewish community. They were known to be corrupt. Luke tells the story of Zacchaeus's dramatic heart change. He gave back all he had stolen and even restored twice what was required. Throughout Luke's Gospel, Jesus is always "flipping the script," bringing surprising heroes to his stories. Perhaps this should give us hope for our stories as well.

by Marilynn Chadwick Money was Jesus's most talked-about topic. He addressed money matters in nearly a third of his parables and often referred to money in his teachings about the condition of a person's heart. Did you know the Bible mentions money, possessions, and wealth over 2,000 times? Jesus even referred to money as a rival god. "No servant can serve two masters," he warned, "for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money" (Luke 16:13 ESV). Jesus's attitude about money is clearly captured through the eyes of Luke in his Gospel account. He mentions money more than any of the Gospels and gives us a compelling picture of Jesus's warnings about the dangers of wealth and riches. The Gospel of Luke is widely regarded as some of the most beautiful writing from its era, noted for its polished literary style. Luke was a well-educated Greek physician. Even outside of religious circles, Luke's Gospel was referred to by a 19th-century French scholar as "the most beautiful book ever written." Throughout much of Luke, we see Jesus embroiled in a running conflict with corrupt religious leaders over their love of power, prestige, and money. These religious leaders, who were part of the Temple system, somehow found ways to defraud the poor while appearing pious to the community. Jesus publicly rebukes them for their mistreatment of the community's most vulnerable citizens—poor widows. "Beware of the teachers of the law. They like to walk around in flowing robes and love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and have the most important seats in the synagogues and the places of honor at banquets. They devour widows' houses and for a show make lengthy prayers. These men will be punished most severely" (Luke 20:46, 47 NIV). Jesus observed the offerings which were presented publicly at the Temple. He watched the rich putting their gifts into the Temple Treasury. Then, he noticed a poor widow put in two very small copper coins. "Truly I tell you," he said. "This poor widow has put in more than all the others. All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on" (Luke 21:1-4). In one sweeping sentence, Jesus condemned the hypocritical religious leaders and honored the poor widow's generosity. Jesus challenged them and us, not with the size of our gift, but with how much it truly costs us. Her gift cost her everything.

by David Chadwick What an exhilarating time it is to visit the mountains in the fall. Every color of the leaves shouts out that God exists! As you're visiting local mountains, let it remind you to also explore the biblical significance of mountains. Each mountain range in the Bible has some kind of spiritual truth we need to grasp. For example, we need to go to Mount Hermon. It's the mountain range King David was referring to in Psalm 133:1-3. He wrote that when brothers and sisters dwell in unity, it's like receiving the refreshing dew from Mount Hermon falling on us. Are you presently in disunity with someone? Then go to Mount Hermon. Forgive them. Love them. Seek unity with them. As much as possible, we are to seek peace with all people (Romans 12:18), trying to be of one mind and spirit as God's people (Philippians 2:2). Always remember: the Holy Spirit was only poured out in power at Pentecost when the 120 disciples were praying in unity together (Acts 1). Such was Jesus's desire for his followers to continue to dwell in unity (John 17). Refreshing blessings from God are poured out when we gather in unity with our brothers and sisters in Christ.

by David Chadwick Mountains in autumn are captivating. We can't stay away. And rightly so. The colors alone make us gasp at God's beauty. If you visit the mountains this fall, also think about the purpose of mountains in the Bible. They have a spiritual significance that is as deep and wondrous as the physical beauty. For example, go to Mount Sinai. It's the place where Moses received the 10 Commandments (Exodus 20). It's God's moral law, perfectly describing his character. These laws are not suggestions, but commands. God gave them to us for our own good. They serve as celestial guardrails to protect us from harm. From forces trying to destroy us. When you visit Mount Sinai, remember that we don't break God's laws, they break us! Do you love God's law? Is it a pleasure, even a privilege, to obey what God has clearly told us to do? How should we live? Examine each one of the Ten Commandments. How are you doing with each one? We are never closer to God than when we are obeying his law and will.

by David Chadwick Don't you love going to the mountains this time of year? The majesty and colors of the leaves often leave us breathless. When you see the beauty of the mountains, remember to also take time to visit the different mountains in the Bible - ones that hold special significance for our spiritual development. For example, make sure you visit Mount Carmel. What happened there? Elijah, the mighty prophet of God, did battle with the 450 godless prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Some call it the Super Bowl of faith. As the contest begins, Elijah confronts all the prophets and says, "If God is God, you should follow him. If Baal is god, then follow him." Then he prayed in fervent faith and God's victory over Baal was overwhelming (James 5:17). Here is the spiritual importance of visiting Mount Carmel: Who is your God? The Lord God who created the universe? Or the counterfeit gods of this world: money, sex, and power? God or Baal? How would you answer?

by David Chadwick If you're going to the mountains this fall to enjoy its splendor, do some spiritual mountain-gazing as well. How can you do so? Go to Mount Moriah. It's where God told Abraham to go and sacrifice his only beloved son, Isaac (Genesis 22). Why would God ask Abraham to do this heinous act? Abraham had waited 25 years for this promised son. He was now a teenager and the love of his life. The answer is given to us in Genesis 22:1. God was using this command to test Abraham's faith. God wanted to know if he was still the primary passion of Abraham's life. Or had Isaac replaced God's place of primacy? When you visit Mount Moriah, God tests your faith as well. Tests determine whether we know the information. And here is the one question God wants to pose: Does he possess first position in your heart? How would you answer? Is Jesus first in your life? It's a very important question we all must answer. It's a test God wants you to pass with flying colors. Will you?

by David Chadwick The fall season always offers a chance to see God's multi-colored glory like no other time during the year. How? By going to the mountains. If you do so this year, always remember that mountains in the Bible are called "the high places." They are places where you can experience God like nowhere else. This autumn, make sure you visit the biblical mountains that will enhance your life in Jesus. For example, visit Mount Ararat. As the rain ceased and the flood waters abated, the ark that carried Noah, his family, and all the animals landed on Mount Ararat (Genesis 6-9). It was from there that they descended to dry land and the human race had a new beginning. Mount Ararat can mean the same for you in your spiritual journey. In Jesus, your sins are forever forgiven and you can begin anew. Start over. Have a new beginning. The old, your past, has passed away. The new, your present and future, begins today (2 Corinthians 5:17). No sin is beyond God's grace. Nothing in your past is beyond God's goodness. Make sure you visit Mount Ararat. It's a place of new beginnings. And new hope.

by David Chadwick The final characteristic of false teachers is found in Jude 1:12,13, which says they are "hidden reefs at your love feasts, as they feast with you without fear; shepherds feeding themselves; waterless clouds, swept along by winds; fruitless trees in late autumn, twice dead, uprooted; wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of utter darkness has been reserved forever." These are serious warnings. False teachers don't feed God's sheep. They fleece God's sheep for their own benefit. They are "waterless clouds." Have you ever seen a cloud that looks like rain, but never rains? So is a false teacher. Promising rain that never comes. Promising things that never happen. It could look something like this, "If you give to me financially, you will get rich." This is a false teaching! You lose your hard-earned money and they get rich! They are "wild waves of the sea, casting up the foam of their own shame." If you have ever been at the beach after a wild storm, you have most likely seen the debris, logs, seaweed, and yucky foam that gets left on the shore. So it is with false teachers. They leave a mess in the aftermath of their leadership and shepherding. Their falsehoods destroy people and divide churches. They are "wandering stars." But you're probably thinking, stars shouldn't wander! You're right! They are supposed to be fixed in orbit. Not false teachers! They make a huge splash like a meteor or comet, but then go dark. They don't last over the long haul. Not to mention, they don't point people to Jesus, the only North Star of objective truth! He is the only truth and the only way for people to follow. Jesus and his fixed truths will bring us home to the Father. A true shepherd will always point to Jesus and Jesus alone! I pray that the church at large will grow in our ability to rightly discern truth from error and that we will know how to correctly spot a false teacher in an upside down world where truth is harder and harder to find.

by David Chadwick Wheat and tares are growing up side by side and will continue to do so until Jesus's return (see Matthew 13). It is not our job to determine who is wheat and who is a tare regarding the eternal destiny of people's souls. However, we are called to examine fruit. We are to be shrewd as serpents, while remaining innocent as doves. The fourth characteristic of a false teacher is that they emulate characteristics of biblical figures who walked in extreme error. Jude 1:11 describes false teachers by saying they "walked in the way of Cain and abandoned themselves for the sake of gain to Balaam's error and perished in Korah's rebellion." What does this mean exactly? Let's briefly take a look at each story. God made it very clear that forgiveness only came through the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22). Abel obeyed and came with a shed blood sacrifice from his herd, but Cain offered a sacrifice by his works from the ground and God did not accept it. False teachers preach a false gospel that we are saved by works. They deny the sufficiency of the cross and preach a message that should be accursed according to Galatians 1:8. Balaam, in Numbers 22-25 and Numbers 31, was encouraging the corruption of the Israelites into all sorts of evil practices for his own profit. The love of money and sin of covetousness overtook him and caused him to do wicked things. False teachers get wealthy by asking people to give them money and promising financial blessings in return. They are motivated by personal prestige, privilege, and personal gain. False teachers want to fleece God's sheep, not feed them. Finally, in Numbers 16, Korah led a rebellion against Moses and Aaron because of personal selfish ambition (James 3:16). This is another characteristic of a false teacher. This is an individual who intentionally comes in to lure the people unto himself with evil, selfish ambition and vain conceit. He wants to build his own personal platform at the expense of the one leading, often creating factions and divisions. In conclusion, preaching salvation through works, preaching because of a love of money, and preaching with personal ambition intended to divide are earmarks of false teachers. Be alert and aware!

by David Chadwick Wisdom, knowledge, and discernment are widely underused and undertaught attributes of a Christian. In my humble opinion, these are pillars of maturity. Without them, you will remain tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine and deceitful scheme (Ephesians 4:14). The next sign of a false teacher is found in Jude verse 4. They "deny our only Master and Lord Jesus Christ." They do not uphold the truth of the biblical doctrine of the Incarnation. False teachers openly deny the divinity of Jesus that Scripture clearly teachers. They also fudge on the importance of Jesus being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born to the virgin Mary. To even hint that Jesus is a created being rather than God goes against one of the key tenants of the faith: Jesus is God! John 1 says that Jesus, the Word, was in the beginning, with God, and was God. Philippians 2:5-11 says that while Jesus was in the form of God, he took on the form of a servant. He came to earth in human form, bearing the likeness of man, to stand in our place where we could not live perfectly. These truths are incredibly important to the Christian faith. False teachers also deny the Trinity. They fail to recognize the one true God in three Persons. Yes, this concept is certainly a mystery, but it is clearly seen throughout the Bible. One example you can go read is in Matthew 3:16-17 during the baptism of Jesus. The Father says Jesus is his only Son and then the Holy Spirit descends on him. Jesus is absolutely God! Only God can forgive our sins and Jesus offered forgiveness for sins on several occasions. Look at the story with the paralytic on the roof (Matthew 9:2). Read about his resurrection to his disciples (John 20:22-23). He received Thomas's words when he called Jesus "my Lord and my God." Throughout the centuries, there is no new heresy under the sun. So, learn to discern them correctly. And let me say it again in case you haven't heard: Jesus is God. The Incarnation of Jesus is an absolute for Christian theology. The Trinity is essential to Christian doctrine. If you hear someone saying that either thing is not important, red flag! It is a false teacher!

by David Chadwick There has never been a more important time to discern correctly about false teaching. Our world is rampant with deception, often within the church. I have heard countless stories over the years of pastors, Bible study teachers, even small group leaders saying truly bizarre things to the people of God. It is no small thing to play a role in stewarding the heart of another person on their faith journey. Therefore, let's look at the second sign of a false teacher according to the book of Jude: They have open boundaries on sensuality and human sexuality. Jude 1:4 says that they "pervert the grace of our God into sensuality…" One specific example of something like this would be a pastor who tells a young woman that he sees himself marrying her when he is already married. Or targets a woman for sexual infidelity. How horrific! God's boundaries for sexual morality are explicitly clear in his Word. It is solely to be between a man and a woman within the boundaries of a committed, heterosexual, monogamous relationship (Genesis 2:24). It's something Jesus affirmed (Matthew 19:4-6). Sexual purity is God's will for your life (1 Thessalonians 4:3). False teachers intentionally push these boundaries. They will not speak to fornication before marriage or adultery outside of marriage from the pulpit. Or multiple partners in marriage. They avoid talking about the sinful reality of same-sex relationships. They dance around the tragedy and irreversible harm of gender transition and dysphoria. The Bible is clear on all of these subjects. God's people and especially his teachers are called to be faithful to the text. If the person speaking into your spiritual life or shepherding your heart is not doing this, he or she could be a false teacher. Be alert! Woe to anyone who has sought to rewrite the Bible to accommodate his or her own personal desires. God cannot and will not bless a church that carries these wrong views. You must be vigilant to not dance in the deception. Guard your heart from perversion. For from your heart flows the wellspring of your life (Proverbs 4:23).

by David Chadwick Our church has been doing a verse by verse study through the book of Jude. The book of Jude is all about contending for the "faith that was once for all delivered to the saints" (Jude 1:3). It also gives the church very serious warnings of the dangers of false teaching. Over the next week, I want to lay out five warning signs of false teachers. More specifically, I want to help you learn to rightly discern false teachers from pure ministers of the gospel. I hope these specific indicators will help you grow in wisdom and discernment. Every book in the New Testament, except Philemon, warns of false teachers. It must be very important to God or he would not have persistently warned us of their danger. The first warning sign of a false teacher is this: they creep into your church unnoticed (Jude 1:4). They are like hidden reefs that live underwater in the unseen ocean, but end up sinking countless ships (Jude 1:12). They come in with bells and whistles and are often very attractive to the body with their speech and demeanor, but they have an agenda. After drawing men and women unto themselves, they begin to teach wrong things. Every church, leadership and members alike, should be aware of the wicked agenda of false teachers. In order to do so, it is imperative to have a right understanding of the Bible and sound doctrine. With that said, don't be quick to throw stones and deem other ministers of the gospel as false teachers unless it is overtly and inextricably understood to what has been clearly outlined through the Bible and throughout church history. We must be so careful that we do not hastily call all disagreements about the non-essential tensions of the Christian faith as being heretical. There are mysteries in the Christian faith that must be humbly wrestled out until Jesus's return, believing that love and unity are God's greatest desire for the children of God. However, in the essentials of the faith, there is no wiggle room for error. Whether it is with a congregant or a pastor in the pulpit, there are some things where right is right and wrong is wrong! Don't let false teaching get a foothold in your church. It can be both divisive, dangerous, and destructive.

by David Chadwick This week, as we wrap up our mini English lesson of pondering prepositions, I hope that you will never look at these small words the same way. I pray that they have shaped your prayer life and will continue to shape your view of God as you abide in him. Let's finish with this final preposition: AROUND. God's presence is all around us. Psalm 139 says he is everywhere and we cannot hide or flee from his presence. Not only that, but Hebrews 12:1-2 says there is a cloud of witnesses around us. Who is in this "cloud of witnesses?" These are the faithful believers who have gone before us to eternity. For me, this would include my mom and dad, my big brother Howard and other loved ones. Who would this be from your life? According to the Bible, they are now cheering us on as we finish our race. They could also be the saints listed in Hebrews 11, those in the Old Testament who walked by faith and anticipated one day the coming of the Chosen One of God, Jesus. That would mean that such saints as Abraham, Enoch, Daniel, and other giants of the faith are in our cloud of witnesses cheering us on to life's finish line. Additionally, Hebrews 1:14 says that angels are "ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation." Their job is to worship and serve God and to care for his elect, his kids, while we are on earth. Are they also in our cloud of witnesses? I think so. So, biblically speaking, we are surrounded by God's presence, by a cloud of witnesses which includes our loved ones, Old Testament saints, and ministering angels. Wow! There is a thin veil that separates this visible, physical, temporal world and the invisible, spiritual, eternal world. Sometimes I can almost feel my dad's presence cheering me on to the finish line. Could it be that God graciously allows him to be one of the ones cheering me on in times of need? I sure like to think that could be the case! How would your day change if you pondered the AROUND preposition all day long? If you really knew there were angels, loved ones and biblical saints surrounding you? If you really knew there were people cheering you on to your life's finish line? I think it would make this race called life both more joyful and peaceful. More relaxing and eventful. Take heart, dear friends. Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33).

by David Chadwick This week, we are looking at how something as simple as an English preposition is a powerful tool when it comes to explaining the nature and character of God. These tiny little worlds that we use so often can also give us strategies for how to pray. Here is the next preposition to ponder: over. The sovereign Almighty God of the universe is watching OVER us. In some translations of Psalm 121:5, God's Word says that the Lord watches OVER us. Psalm 121:8 goes on to say, "The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." God never slumbers and sleeps. Isn't that great news? The eternal God of the universe never sleeps so that we can sleep in perfect peace! In fact, Isaiah 26:3 says, "You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you." Do any of you struggle with sleepless nights? Or maybe you or someone in your family has night terrors? Is your sleep restless? If so, I want to pray that you will be set free from this torment in Jesus's name. If God truly is in control and has all authority and dominion OVER his creation, that means he can set you free. He is in heaven, watching OVER you and me, sitting on his throne, ruling the universe with his perfect grace and truth (John 1:14). He is the peace bringer and the peace giver! No matter what we may face in our day to day lives, the sovereign Lord who lives in us is in control. He knows what he is doing. We need to fear nothing and can fully trust him with everything. God is in control. His children will never be forsaken. We know that his kingdom is unshakeable. If this is true, why fear? Pray confidently knowing that he is IN you and WITH you. He goes BEFORE you and BEHIND you. He is ON your side and working FOR you. And he is OVER everything! No matter what we may face today or forever.

by David Chadwick This week, for some of you, probably feels like a flashback to elementary English lessons. My hope is to use practical teachings to motivate you in the spiritual practices. Some of the prepositions in the English language are both powerful descriptors of God's presence and great prompts for how to pray. Today's prepositions to ponder: "on" and "for." What comes to your mind when you hear these two words? For me, I immediately think about the glorious truth from Psalm 118:6 that God is ON our side. And then in Romans 8:31 which says, "If God is FOR us, who can be against us?" Think about that for a moment. If you have placed your trust in Jesus, you are on team Jesus and a part of the kingdom of light. This team that you are now on is fighting against team Satan and the kingdom of darkness. If you were to really pause and consider this call to a spiritual battle, how would your days look differently? Would you be more alert? Would you forgive quicker? Would you repent more often? Trust with greater depth? The Holy God of the universe is actually on your side! He is FOR you in every situation you face. Your closest friend is also a warrior King named Jesus who will fight for you at every turn. These truths should bring radical transformation and endless hope to our lives. Like many truths in Scripture, this is another mind-boggling truth to grasp and comprehend. Let me say it again. Jesus is on your side. He is for you. He is giving you the strength for whatever you may face. As these truths permeate our hearts, our prayer lives should increase. Our prayers should be victorious. We should expect to win the battles we face. We should pray for anything and everything knowing that God is ON our side and FOR us.

by David Chadwick Jesus Christ, the hope of glory, is IN you. He is also WITH you. While God is a very present help in times of trouble (Psalm 46:1), he is also omnipresent, meaning his very nature and character is everywhere. He is eternal and exists outside of time. Because of this, he goes before us and behind us. Our next prepositions to ponder are "before" and "behind." Jesus Christ goes before you every single day. Deuteronomy 31:8 says, "It is the Lord who goes before you. He will be with you; he will not leave you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed." He fights our battles for us (Exodus 14:14). This means that before we ever arrive on the scene of a battle, God has already confronted our enemies and has defeated them. The God of all creation knows our tomorrows, the weeks ahead, the years to come, and the time he will call us home. This is the blessed assurance about which the old hymn speaks and it should prompt us to praise our Savior forevermore! God is also behind us. He knows the enemy, the devil, loves to catch us off guard. To attack when we aren't looking. To blindside us when we aren't expecting it. But God is behind us. God is our blindside! He protects us from the things we can't see. Lions always attack the stragglers in the herd of the wildebeests. The assurance of our salvation and of God's omnipresence should prompt us to fully yield and fully surrender to his plan! When you pray, pray with confidence. Pray with assurance. Pray with conviction. You are partnering with heaven to see God's kingdom come to earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). God has already gone before you. He has cleared the path and made a way where there was no way. He is always working even when we cannot see it. He is behind you, overseeing you against all the enemy's wiles to attack when you least expect it. The God of the universe is also a deeply personal God. He is both all powerful and all personal!

by David Chadwick Every good English teacher knows and teaches the importance of prepositions. Do you remember learning them as a child? They are the connecting words that describe the relationship between a noun or pronoun and the other words in a sentence. Over the next week, I want us to ponder five-plus prepositions that will strengthen how we pray and also ponder Jesus's love for us. Today's prepositions are the words "in" and "with." John 15:7 says, "If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you." Friends, as we abide in Jesus and his Word abides in us, we can ask him anything. Peace in the midst of a storm. Hope in the midst of despair. Courage in the midst of fire. If you are a Christian, Jesus Christ is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27). Not only is he in you, he is also with you. In Matthew 28:20, Jesus says that he will be with us always, to the end of the age. As you face today, remember that the Lord of the universe is in you and with you. His power is your power. His strength is your strength. His presence is your protection. He stands in you and with you no matter what you face. Whether there is a Goliath you are facing, a mountain (Mark 11:22-25), or a mulberry bush that needs to be uprooted and thrown into the heart of the sea (Luke 17:5-6), all you need is a mustard seed of faith. Plant that seed of faith in your heart and watch it grow. Jesus lives IN you and is WITH you. This truth should strengthen your prayer life and prompt you to pray with confidence and assurance. Because of Jesus, and the truth of these simple words of "in" and "with" you, you have all the power and authority you will ever need to face anything and everything!

by David Chadwick Ephesians 2:10 says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them." Pause for a moment and think about this. BEFORE the world was ever created, God had a design with you in mind. What an amazing thought! This truth comes after Ephesians 2:8-9, which says that it is by grace we have saved, not a result of works. Paul goes on to say that each of us who has received the gift of eternal life by grace through faith is seen as God's trophy! You are his child. He looks at you as his pride and joy. He has placed on you his celestial mantle to be lovingly gazed upon by him at regular intervals. According to Paul, God has certain works that are uniquely assigned to us. Think about that throughout your day. That truth should really make you feel special. Now, think of how that can be lived out in your family, with your friends, in your neighborhood, in your city, and throughout the world. You live where you live by God's sovereign design. There are certain tasks that God has designed for you to accomplish in your unique location for the glory of God. Here is one final thought: these works God has designed solely for you to do were chosen by God for you to do in eternity, not just before the world was ever created, but before you were even created. You are so special to the Lord. He loves you so much. Pray. Seek the Lord. Ask him for greater insight into who you are and how he has made you. As my father used to say, "Son, what do you love to do? And what does the world need most? At the intersection of those two things lies your calling." I pray that each one of you will recognize what God has called you to and walk in it!

by David Chadwick There is a place for works in the life of a believer. We have been saved by grace through faith, but because of that salvation, we have now been called to good works. Even the smallest acts of kindness and the tiniest displays of obedience are noticed by Jesus and will be rewarded in heaven one day. Jesus clearly taught this in Matthew 10:42. He said, "And whoever gives one of these littles ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward." Take note of Jesus's heart for "the little ones." He certainly had such a heart for those young in their faith, but especially loved the young children! To put it even more bluntly, he was really ticked off at his disciples for trying to prevent kids from getting to him because the kingdom of heaven belonged to them (Matthew 19:14). In Jesus's economy, the smallest act of kindness - something as simple as a cup of cold water - yields an eternal reward. Always remember that Jesus sees everything we do. Even small acts of kindness are seen, noted, and will eventually be rewarded in heaven. The rewards will come at the bema seat in heaven after we die. The bema seat is also referred to as the judgement seat. Knowing that we will give an account for our works should motivate all of us to do more good works. As you hear me say so often, "Be the church! Just go!" It doesn't have to be complicated. Just do something! The message of Jesus certainly is rooted in grace. But the Bible says that faith without works is dead (James 2:26). So as you lean on the grace and mercy of Jesus, cultivate the fear of the Lord as well. None of us should want to sit at the bema judgment seat one day without any rewards, even small ones. Today, look for ways throughout your day to give a moment of hope to someone. Maybe it's with your words, or a kind gesture, or just a simple smile. Each time, remember that there is a place for works and that one day you will be rewarded.

by David Chadwick There is a place for good works in the life of a Christ follower. But only if it is laid on the foundation of grace. Grace is the bedrock of our salvation. However, works must follow in the life of a Christian. But what kind of works should we do? Take a moment and look at Matthew 25:31-45, the parable of the sheep and the goats. It is an end times parable that suggests some different acts of kindness that Jesus wants us to be about as we await his return. First, notice that these acts that are done to "the least of these my brethren" are also done to Jesus (Matthew 25:40). This seems to imply that Jesus desires for us to be especially kind to our fellow Christians who may be hurting. Galatians 6:10 appears to suggest the same principle. It says, "So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith." Our good works aren't just acts of kindness, they are opportunities to display the gospel. As you see, while doing good to everyone is important, Christians are adjured to prioritize and show particular care for fellow Christians within "the household of faith." Perhaps this reflects Jesus's words in John 13:34 that the world will know that Christians truly belong to him by the way we love one another. If we are not walking in unity, the lost world remains confused by what they see. More specifically, Matthew 25 lays out some more specific ways for Christians to show good works: feed the hungry, give water to the thirsty, clothe the naked, and visit the prisoners in prison. If you are looking for simple ideas, here is a great place to start. Someone once said that the proof is in the pudding. That's what Jesus is saying here. The proof that you really love him and really are one of his sheep comes by doing these good works. The proof that you are a goat comes by NOT doing these things. Your good works will follow your faith. They must if you truly love Jesus!

by David Chadwick If we are solely saved by grace through faith, where then do works fit into the life of a follower of Christ? The message of Jesus is different from every other world religion in that it is a message of undeserving, radical, powerful grace. James clearly states that faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 26). Is this a refutation of Paul's teaching? Absolutely not! The Bible cannot contradict itself. Let's take a moment to unpack this. We are not saved by our works, but according to Scripture, our salvation is proved through our works. Works are the evidence that salvation has really and readily taken place in our hearts. Or said another way, we are not saved by good works, but we are saved for good works. If someone truly has Jesus ruling and reigning over his or her life, Jesus will be conforming him or her more and more into the image and likeness of himself (Romans 8:29). As this happens, we become more and more like the man we follow. He changes us from the inside out. As we become more like him, we desire to live for him and yearn to see his life reflected in our life. In addition to looking, acting, and speaking like Jesus, we will go around sharing the gospel with others just like he did. We will both declare and demonstrate his message. We will speak the hope to the hopeless. We will share the way to be saved. We will care for the needy. Be generous to those who do not have as much as we do. We will pray for the sick. Like Jesus, we will work hard in all we do to bring people into heaven. Our aim will be to see his will be done. His kingdom come. We do all of this because we know the gracious gift of salvation that we have received and we want others to see that we belong to Jesus and live for his glory alone.

by David Chadwick Are we saved by grace through faith or by grace, faith, and works? One cannot be justified, made righteous, and forgiven before God by both. Being saved by grace and being saved by your works are two diametrically opposed concepts. In fact, if you really think about it, faith is only available to us because of grace. Grace is a free gift that can never be earned. Salvation by works, stating that we must earn our salvation by our good merit, is actually the opposite of salvation through faith. Abraham was clearly justified by faith in Genesis 15:6. Paul goes on to say in Romans 4:2 that "if Abraham had been justified by works he has something to boast about, but not before God." Now look at Ephesians 2:8,9 which says, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast." Dear friends, if we could work our way into heaven, God would never hear the end of it from us. We would boast about it forever. Why is it so important to wrestle out this tension when it comes to grace versus works? Well, it's important because to those who believe it's because of our works that we are saved, I always ask, "How good is good enough? How many good works are enough to get you into heaven? How will you ever really know?" The truth is, there is no eternal security in a belief that works will save us. This belief creates a constant, incessant worrying this side of eternity. You will live in the swirling tension of wondering if you have done enough. And ultimately that will leave you wondering if you would actually go to heaven if you died right now. It's an endless trap. The best biblical example for the fact that it is grace, not works, that saves us is the thief on the cross. Jesus guaranteed him paradise in eternity immediately after he put his trust in Jesus. Jesus says in Luke 23:43, "Today you will be with me in paradise." God's rich grace and mercy is not dependent on our works. Salvation comes solely by grace through faith. This is the marvelous news of the gospel! I beg you, come and follow Jesus! Join me this week as we explore the place of works in a Christian's life. But as we do, know that it can only have a place if laid on the foundation of Jesus's grace.

by David Chadwick Live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). Pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). Finally, grieve not the Spirit (Ephesians 4:30). Or as 1 Thessalonians 5:19 says, "Do not quench the Spirit." I find today's exhortation to be the pinnacle point of a life that is full of the Holy Spirit because it forces all of us to yield to a power bigger than ourselves. It demands that we take God out of the boxes in which we place him. In order to live a life that does not quench or grieve the Spirit, we must remain pliable, malleable, humble, open to change, willing to both repent and surrender. Without these characteristics, we risk putting ourselves in the all-knowing, all-powerful position that only God is intended to have. If the Spirit of God is living inside of our hearts and if we are one with Christ, then we must give ourselves fully to his ways. If we choose to live in a way that is contrary to his holiness and his will, he lives in us so we will automatically grieve him. The Holy Spirit is a person. He is our friend. And we can hurt his heart. Even make him cry. When you do this, if you truly follow Jesus, you will immediately sense it within. You will know his sadness, for it will become your sadness. You just know when you've disappointed him. Over time, if you continue to live in sin and quench the Spirit inside of you, his voice will become harder to hear. His power will no longer be available to you. Spend time each day seeking the Spirit's will in all areas of your life. Make your relationship with him your life's greatest desire, your most fervent want to. If there is anything in your life contrary to his will, confess it and repent of it. Breathe out all impurities every single day. Receive God's grace anew by confession (1 John 1:9). Then, reconnect the relationship! Hear and obey the Spirit in a fresh way. Know the power of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). He wants to live in and through you! FOREVER!

by David Chadwick This week, we are examining what it looks like to live a life yielded to the Silent Sovereign, also known as the Holy Spirit. Jesus calls us to live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16), be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14), and to pray in the Spirit (Ephesians 6:18). What does it mean to pray in the Spirit? Well, it's actually pretty simple. As you pray, listen to the Spirit's promptings in your heart. Take note of what comes to your mind and pray in unison with these promptings. Pray God's Word as you read it. You're never safer than when you are praying something in unison with God's Word. In order to do this, you must find times of silence during your day to hear God's voice and to know how to pray. Then, as he highlights certain things on your heart, pray without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:18). Throughout your day, remain in constant communion with the Father, sharing your heart with him and praying for the things that he puts on your heart. You may be in your car, on a football field, sitting with a child or grandchild, taking an elevator up to a meeting, or shopping in a grocery store. You can pray anywhere! Keep praying. Even when it is silent. Even when you don't know how to pray. Don't be concerned. The Bible even tells us that there will be times where we have groanings too deep for words. When that happens, the Spirit is interceding on your behalf before the Father in heaven and praying the exact words you need to pray (Romans 8:26). The bottom line is this: when the Spirit leads you to pray, pray! Continually. Repetitively. Quietly. Loudly. With words. With groanings too deep for words. But don't stop praying and believing. Your faith will grow and grow. And your life in the Spirit will become stronger and stronger. I pray that the body of Christ will be ignited in these coming years to pray. And that as we do, we will experience a unity like never before. A unity that will see answers to prayers, miracles, healings, and a love for one another that will shock the unbelieving world! To God alone be the glory.

by David Chadwick Live by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). Be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). And today: be led by the Spirit (Romans 8:14). The Spirit will speak to you in a variety of ways. But as we learned earlier this week, if you are one of God's sheep, you will hear the voice of Jesus through the Holy Spirit (John 10:27). But what does this look like? Well, you may "hear" the Holy Spirit in many different ways. First, it could be through other people's voices who you love and trust. Parents, mentors, pastors, Bible study leaders may be used by the Lord to help communicate truth to you. Secondly, it could be through a gentle nudge in your heart. You may feel a quiet prompting to pick up the phone and call someone you haven't talked to in a while. Or you may feel an unsettledness about saying "yes" to a certain job. God may highlight another country to you over and over again using repetition to cause you to take note of something you may not have otherwise noticed. Thirdly, it could be through a blatant closed door where it is obvious God is shouting "no" in your ear! You might get fired from a job or experience a terrible break up. Often extreme situations are God's way of guiding you and leading you by his Spirit. Finally, recognize that sometimes the Spirit says, "No" to something. But other times, the enemy is against you and the Spirit will lead you through the opposition. If you are being led by the Spirit, you will know the difference, much like Paul did in the book of Acts. Sometimes the Spirit opened doors for Paul and other times Satan hindered him. But because he was led by the Spirit, he never delayed and walked faithfully in his calling. And he was always victorious. The bottom line is this - when you are being led by the Holy Spirit and you know God's next step for you, OBEY! Do what he says to do. Go where he says to go. I pray that you will be led by the Spirit and stay in tune to his voice, obeying him at every turn. After all, delayed obedience is disobedience. So follow his lead!

by David Chadwick We are called to walk by the Spirit (Galatians 5:16). But we are also called to be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18). Ephesians 5:18–21 goes on to say that as we are filled with the Spirit, we are to "address one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ." When John the Baptist walked the earth, he preached that there would be someone (Jesus) who would come after him who would baptize with fire. In Matthew 3:11, John the Baptist said to his followers, "I baptize you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire." When Jesus came, his baptism provided both purity and power. He was able to offer the world both cleansing of sins and a burning passion because of the Holy Spirit. Baptism suggests total immersion. Every part of your body, soul, and spirit now covered and submitted to your Creator when you decide to follow Jesus. Being baptized means you are now consumed, overwhelmed, and under the authority of the Holy Spirit who now lives in you. You are to be fully surrendered. Not one area of your life should be outside of the control of God. Many scholars refer to the baptism of the Holy Spirit as the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at the time of salvation. But the filling of the Holy Spirit should happen continually and repetitively over the course of one's life. In fact, the verb in the Greek in the command to be filled with the Holy Spirit suggests a continual, regular, and daily infilling of God's great power in you. A Christian life, full of the Spirit, will bring increased joy, unity, thankfulness, and honor to the body of Christ. And the Holy Spirit should now control your life in obedience to your Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

by David Chadwick This week, I want us to take a look at the Holy Spirit, also known as the Silent Sovereign. Do any of you enjoy going on a long walk? Walking is a gift from God. Whether you walk to get from one location to another, to pray, to exercise, or to enjoy God's beauty or creation, walking is something that everyone does in the natural realm. But did you know that walking is also a significant part of a Spirit-led and Spirit-filled life? Galatians 5:16 says, "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh." Those of us who abide in Jesus have been given the gift of the Holy Spirit, the third person of the Godhead, to now live inside of us. The Holy Spirit speaks to us constantly and tells us how we need to walk. He guides us in the will of the Father. Jesus said in John 10:27 that his sheep listen to his voice, know him, and follow him. Listening should produce a life of obedience, something we can only do as we walk by the Spirit. Let me share a key with you in understanding how to walk by the Spirit. The Greek verb stoichomeo is a military term. It suggests soldiers walking in unity to the commands from their sovereign leader. They walk in military formation, obeying every command from their general, and taking each step in unity with the soldier next to them. The same should be true for those of us who are in the army of Christ. Walking in the Spirit means we must perfectly obey the voice inside of us. We must align our desires with the desires of our commander in chief. We must yield our will to his will. Walking in the Spirit also suggests that we must walk in unison or unity with other soldiers in the body of Christ so that we can remain unified against our common enemy. This call to a life in the Holy Spirit has both personal and corporate implications. It's a call both to personal obedience and to corporate unity. We must pursue both for the glory of God!

by Marilynn Chadwick I wonder why we keep buying the same old lies. If someone else treated a woman as badly as she sometimes treats herself—overwork, eating disorders, addiction, lack of rest—they'd be convicted of abuse. The real war on women may require that we take an honest look in the mirror. And stand up to the devil who planted those lies in the first place. If we truly want to understand what it means to be a Proverbs 31 woman of valor, if we want to lead with kindness—perhaps we should begin by learning how to be kind to ourselves. It's been said that a woman never knows how much work she can do until she sees how much has to be done. This may be true. But it would appear that many women today lack the internal boundaries to see how much work is too much until it's too late. I wonder if the problem runs deeper than just exhaustion. Deeper than image, or people pleasing, or the desire to measure up, or to be thin, or beautiful, or rich, or fill in the blank. Because at their very core, I believe women are wrestling with a spiritual problem. This takes us back to the most important task we have on earth—learning to abide in Christ (John 15:7). Let's not lose sight of the fact that it was her "fear of the Lord" that was central to the character of our Proverbs 31 woman. Her deep faith in the Lord energized her life (Proverbs 31:30). That's why our foundation must be built on the solid rock of our relationship with Jesus Christ. Wherever Jesus is preached, the status of women goes up. It was Jesus who brought true freedom in a culture that regarded women as inferior. He entrusted the message of his resurrection to a woman, appearing first to Mary Magdalene "from whom he had driven out seven demons" (Mark 16:9). Years ago, I got to see firsthand how Jesus transformed the lives of women in a remote village in Ethiopia. Our missionary friends had shared the gospel with this group of people a decade earlier. When the villagers accepted Jesus, our friends immediately noticed two things: Men stopped beating their wives. And women planted flowers outside their huts. They also became more tender mothers to their children. Things like better education, hygiene, and health care soon followed. It's vital that women learn to balance our nurturer and warrior roles. When we do that, the people around us flourish. If the warrior side, or the "fight," is taken out of a woman, those in her care are left vulnerable. But equally damaging results occur when a woman's nurturer side is stifled. God longs to meet the deepest needs of our heart. His grace is sufficient—if only we'll regularly spend time in his Presence. Sometimes victory comes when you learn to rest in Christ. "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls" (Matthew 11:28,29 ESV). Our Kindness Under Fire series is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here for more inspiration or to order a copy of Woman of Valor.

by Marilynn Chadwick To nurture someone is another way to be kind. Especially when it comes to little children. The words nurture and nourish come from the Latin word meaning "to nurse." To nurture someone is to help them grow, develop, or succeed. I think back to the days of nursing our three children and I'm still awed that I was able to provide practically all the nourishment needed by those babies for their first year of life. To me, breastfeeding was nurturing and nourishment all rolled up into one. I've enjoyed traveling in what some call "developing" nations and feel a kindred spirit with the common-sense mamas who live in these countries. They nurse their babies, wear them attached in a sling while they work, and view children as their greatest source of wealth. Over the years, I've met all kinds of women who care for their families in all types of households all over the world. But the word nurture most comes alive for me when I think back to a little tent home in a slum in India—and the unlikely woman of valor who nurtured her family inside. Men, women, and children of all ages squeezed into the patchwork tent that was both home and church for Pastor Raju. He was a ragpicker by trade. Daily, he sifted through the garbage dump to find rags, plastic, bits of this-and-that to sell. Raju was a member of the Untouchable Caste. Courageous pastors like Raju were why the gospel was spreading rapidly in this heavily persecuted region of India. Raju was small and wiry with a firm grip and a wide grin. He was fiery and passionate that morning as he reminded his congregation that they were the "head and not the tail" in God's eyes. Warmth and singing filled the tent. We were welcomed as the "honored guests" and David was to preach the message that morning. Raju preached the Gospel with courage and boldness. But it was Raju's wife who captured my heart. She had turned their tent into an inviting home. Her kitchen was just a shelf and a one-burner hot plate in the room that was also bedroom, living room, and church. After the service, she prepared tea along with a single roll of Ritz crackers, served to us by their children. Raju beamed as he introduced his family. A handful of boys and girls greeted us with shining faces and firm handshakes. They had been well-nurtured there in that little one-room tent beside the garbage dump. How was this possible? This tiny woman of valor had found a way to nurture these smiling children. She and her husband had given them physical, emotional, and spiritual nourishment. Looking into their faces, I sensed they would somehow find their way in this harsh and difficult environment. Raju's wife was both nurturer and warrior for her little family, living proof that a woman of valor can live in a tent as well as a palace. Her children were a testimony that it doesn't take money or education to nurture a child—just love. This was the legacy of the ragpicker's wife. This was her kingdom. And her husband and children were her crown. Our Kindness Under Fire series is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here for more inspiration or to order a copy of Woman of Valor.

by Marilynn Chadwick Religion has not always been kind to women. But women also seem bent on exhausting themselves. Today's woman seems restless. I think St. Augustine could easily have been talking to us when he made this famous statement in his Confessions: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you." Religion may not have been easy on women. But Jesus has been supremely kind. That's why I keep pointing out our enemy, the devil, as the real perpetrator of the war on women. Hurting women has been his game plan from the start. Jesus made a spectacle out of our foe and all his minions (Colossians 2:15). That's why abiding in Christ—drawing our strength from him—must be our passion. Through Jesus, we can stand firm as women of valor, balancing the nurturer and warrior roles that make us strong and kind. It's also vitally important that we understand God's true character. That He is our all-powerful warrior, protector, and defender. That he is infinitely kind, chesed. Teaching others about God's kindness begins with teaching ourselves. I have a friend who once took the time to spell out for me, in detail, how she had learned to take a really good nap. Over the years, she has fine-tuned her art of nap-taking, so I laughingly call her the "connoisseur of the perfect nap." Whenever I talk about my friend's nap method, people always seem eager for details. Now, this particular friend was a hard worker and very productive—a high-capacity leader and well-respected author. So I found myself eager to know her secret. Here's what she told me: First, set your alarm for one hour. Your shoes and socks must be off. Then you need to get all the way under your sheets—yes even if you made your bed perfectly that morning. Finally, get a good book. Start reading and let yourself fall asleep naturally. The alarm will awaken you, so you don't have to worry about oversleeping. Voila! And there you have it. The perfect nap! Taking a nap might seem trivial. But staying well-rested is not. I hope you see by now that adequate rest is a necessity, not a luxury. God did not create us to be machines, built to work seven days a week. Without rest, our mental and physical health will suffer. Without rest, our relationships suffer. And sometimes even our ability to love can grow cold. Think about whether you are kind to yourself. Is it hard for you to receive God's love? Are you exhausted? If so, Jesus wants you to find your rest in him. I encourage you to explore practical ways to rest your mind, your soul, and your body. This may mean spending more quiet time with him, reclaiming your Sabbath, or being intentional about your weekly day off. And sometimes it may be as simple as learning how to take a really good nap.

by Marilynn Chadwick I'm one of those people that gets misty-eyed over our men and women in uniform. My dad is a World War II era submarine veteran. Our family tree is dotted with soldiers back to the Revolutionary War, when our ancestor, Captain Simon Hunt, was one of the 80 minutemen who led the charge against the British with the "shot heard round the world." Soldiers fight for our freedom. They display courage and discipline. But for me, war is all about heart. A woman of valor is ready to fight the fight of faith and to fight for those she loves because she has heart. The word heart is used in the Bible over 700 times. The heart is viewed as the seat of the will, the emotions, and even the entire personality. Heart can go hand in hand with kindness—as we see in the word kindhearted. The heart is also connected to courage. A woman of valor is one who has courage in the face of danger. In the Bible, the words heart and courage are sometimes used interchangeably. For example, Jesus said, "I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Instead of "take heart," several translations tell us to "take courage." Deborah was a great leader who had heart. An Old Testament judge and prophet, she was part nurturer and part warrior. Deborah leaves us with a wonderful picture of what it means to lead with kindness. Widely honored for her wisdom, Deborah was the first judge to be called a prophet. She spoke God's words to his people. She called them to obedience, convicted them of sin, and pointed them to God. We can be certain that Deborah had trained her heart to hear the voice of God. In Deborah's day, Israel was in great trouble. They had strayed from the Lord and followed idols, so he sold the people into the hands of their enemies. For twenty years, they had been cruelly oppressed by the Canaanites and their 900 iron chariots. As a result, they had fallen into great despair. Even their roads were unsafe, so people left their villages and retreated to the walled cities, where they hid in fear. There was not even an army of fighting warriors to protect Israel. That is, until Deborah stepped on the scene. She told how "villagers in Israel would not fight…until I, Deborah arose, until I arose, a mother in Israel" (Judges 5:7 NIV). Notice Deborah didn't refer to herself as a prophet or a judge, but as "a mother in Israel." A mother with a heart for her people. A mother ready to spring into action. Deborah was a nurturing leader. And she sounds like a good mother to me. In the end, after Israel's overwhelming victory, the final line of her story tells us "The land had peace forty years" (Judges 5:31). I wonder if God is calling forth today's women to lead with strength and kindness. Women who nurture and nourish their own children. Who rise up and see potential in broken-down communities. Who call warriors to courage. Who give visions of victory. Who spell out sin and call for repentance. Women like Deborah, who "mother" others to greatness. Is God calling you to be one of those women?

by Marilynn Chadwick Kindness actually makes people happier. Such were the findings of a Stanford University study. Subjects who did five kind actions each week were happier than those who did not. And those who performed five acts every day were the happiest of all. The study found that happiness is greater when the acts of kindness are directed toward those we know as opposed to strangers. I guess you could say kindness, like charity, begins at home. The Proverbs 31 woman of valor instructed others. I like the way the International Children's Bible puts it: "She teaches others to be kind" (Prov. 31:26 ICB). I would like to think her teaching about kindness started at home by teaching her own children to be kind. I believe kindness is the solution to bullying and other aggressive behaviors. Children, and even adults, may not see clearly the dangers of bullying. Some don't even understand its definition. With our own children, I found it helped to explain bullying to them. I think we should protect all children of all ages from bullying. Bullies don't fight fair. In my mind, two against one is bullying. Older against younger is bullying—especially if that older one is an adult. And an adult can sometimes bully a child. If a more powerful person is picking on a weaker one, it's always bullying. I wanted our children to learn how to fight their own battles—especially when evenly matched. But I encouraged them to tell us if they were bullied. And if I ever caught them bullying someone else—well, let's just say they caught the wrath of mom! The Bible tells us to defend the weak (Psalm 82:3,4). So we can teach kindness to our children by exploring ways they can come to their aid when someone younger, or weaker, or outnumbered is being bullied. I'm reminded of some Texas school children who discovered that by forming a "swarm" around the child being bullied, they could get the bully to leave. Teaching our kids about kindness helps bully-proof them. We want to stop them from bullying or being bullied. And by encouraging them to stand up for those who can't stand up for themselves, we are creating a kinder culture.