A Moment of Hope

Faithful friends are hard to come by and the ones you find are worth keeping. Paul had a faithful friend named Epaphroditus who he describes in detail in Philippians 2:25. I pray that Paul's description helps to show you what characteristics to look for in your friendships. Epaphroditus was a brother, a fellow worker, a fellow soldier, and a messenger. And today we will look at the fifth and final characteristic where Paul calls Epaphroditus "your minister to my needs" (verse 25). Epaphroditus was a minister of the church at Philippi, sent to Paul in a Roman prison to meet his needs. Please note that Epaphroditus did not come with what he thought Paul needed. He had not made a predetermined list of what he believed Paul should have. He went to Rome in humility to find out from Paul what his actual needs were. Then he committed to try and meet them. That's what good and close friends do. They come to you and listen. They try to hear your heart and then meet your needs. They do not have an agenda for your life. They want to see you succeed and thrive. In fact, one of Paul's teachings in Ephesians 4:29 says, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs." Good friends don't come and pontificate or preach. They come to listen. Sometimes you don't even need to say anything! You listen. Then respond. This was Epaphroditus to Paul. He was a minister of Jesus who was sent by the Philippian church to care for Paul's needs. But first he understood them. He even risked his life in coming to serve Paul (verse 29). But that's how much he loved Paul. How we all need friends like this!

Faithful. This word is defined as "steadfast in affection or allegiance, loyal, constant, devoted." Paul describes his faithful friend Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25. He uses five terms to describe him. A brother. A fellow worker. A fellow soldier. And today's description: your messenger! Paul calls Epaphroditus in these verses "your messenger" (verse 25). The Philippian church sent him to encourage Paul with a gift. We don't know what the gift actually was but their message must have helped Paul feel encouraged in his prison trial. How do you strengthen a friendship? Become a messenger! Being the bearer of encouragement helps you become a faithful friend. Give someone hope. Send someone a Bible verse. Write out a prayer. Or maybe send a text of hope. Even better, a handwritten note! Send him or her a song that will be encouraging. Or maybe go out and buy a gift. Ask the Lord to show you what your friend needs. A book? A devotional? A key chain? Or get even more creative. Maybe you read an encouraging story that reminds your friend. Cut it out and send it to him or her! AND then if you really want to go the extra mile, deliver it to him or her personally! Tell your friend, "I was thinking of and praying for you and this came to mind. I pray it gives you hope." These are things that people have done for me over the years and each time it happens, it helps me! It encourages my soul just like it did for Paul! Being a messenger of hope will draw you closer and closer to your friend and encourage his or her heart. Messengers who come to us personally in times of need become great and close friends. Be that kind of friend to someone today!

Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." Do you know what I have found to create the deepest of bonds between faithful friends? Even more than being a brother or a fellow worker? Someone who is a fellow soldier! It is the third term Paul uses to describe Epaphroditus in Philippians 2:25. A faithful friend who is a fellow soldier understands that we are at war. There is a battle raging for souls until Jesus returns. A fellow soldier counts the cost of what is happening and sees the eternal victory. A fellow soldier is poised and ready for battle. A fellow soldier identifies enemies and threats and seeks to protect those around them. These traits make for a truly faithful friend. Interestingly, Epaphroditus became ill while visiting Paul in the Roman prison. We don't know exactly what the disease was, but it was serious. It almost cost Epaphroditus his life! But God had mercy on him (verse 27) and spared him. Nothing will draw you closer to another than to go through a huge crisis together. And fight together for the victory. Epaphroditus cared for Paul in prison, not knowing if he was going to die and Paul cared for Epaphroditus in a near death illness, not knowing if he was going to die. They both learned how to fight for one another and contend for a breakthrough! The fight against evil in this world is real. When you battle together with someone in spiritual warfare, fighting against the wiles of the enemy, and eventually overcome the problem, you tend to remain close to that person forever. Look at people in your church as your "fellow soldiers." Recognize that you are in a war. And as you fight and win together, you might just find another faithful friend!

Faithful friends are hard to come by! They are the rare ones who weep when you weep and rejoice when you rejoice (Romans 12:15). They bear your burdens (Galatians 6:2). They challenge you to grow out of your sin and move into righteousness (Proverbs 27:6). Paul had a faithful friend named Epaphroditus. He described him very intentionally in Philippians 2:25. First, as a brother. And secondly as "my fellow worker." What does this mean? As a fellow worker, both Paul and Ephaphroditus both shared in the common labor of loving and serving Christ. They worked together first in Philippi and then as Paul was in a prison in Rome. Colossians 3:23 says, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men." James 2:17 says, "So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead." Ephesians 2:10 says that we were "created in Christ Jesus for good works." Clearly work and actions are really important to God. And having a friend on the same page to work with and to work for the Lord makes for a special friendship! When you are working with someone on a common mission to serve Jesus, it draws you closer together. That's why sports teammates often remain friends for life. In some cases, they only play together for a few years in college (like I did with my UNC teammates), but they end up being friends forever. The common game trials and experiences draw the team together for life. Paul and Epaphroditus labored together to plant the Philippian church. To reach souls for Jesus. To serve the needy. These experiences bonded them for life. Get involved in a church. Find a project that brings people to faith in Jesus. Or serves the needs of the poor. Or cares for the sick. You will surely develop "my fellow worker" relationships, friendships that will last forever because you have labored together for the kingdom!

How many of you have a faithful friend? Someone who loves you, champions you, and desires God's best for your life. Or maybe you are blessed enough to have two, three, or even more! Faithful friends are hard to come by and can only be proven through seasons of both trials and victories. The apostle Paul had a friend like this. His name was Epaphroditus and you'll find their story in Philippians 2:25-30. Paul described him in verse 25 as his "brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need." Epaphroditus came from Philippi to bring Paul a gift of encouragement when Paul was in prison, most likely in Rome, around 62 AD. Paul genuinely loved and respected Epaphroditus. Paul used five terms to describe their friendship, the first one being "my brother" (Philippians 2:25). A faithful friend feels almost like a family member, and in some cases can even be better than a family member! Although not biologically related, upon their salvation, Epaphroditus and Paul shared the same royal blood lineage of Jesus. My family brother, Howard, was a dear friend for years until he passed away a couple of years ago. Our family connection made us naturally close. But his love for Jesus was what made our connection especially impactful. It was our royal blood connection that made our love for one another even deeper and something that will last for eternity. Paul and Epaphroditus did not have the same family, but they shared a common love and commitment to Jesus. They were members of the family of God. They both knew God as their "Daddy" in heaven. We all need an Epaphroditus! Friends in the church like he was to Paul. Brothers and sisters in Christ who can spur us on as we run this race. With God as our Daddy, Jesus as our big brother, the family of God is the most powerful agent of hope to the world! When you have a friend like Epaphroditus was to Paul, you have a friend indeed!

This week we are sharing some of your favorite Moments of Hope from 2024. Thank you for taking a moment of your day to grow in your discipleship journey with us. To explore additional resources from Moments of Hope Church, please click here to visit our website. by David Chadwick We have looked at some hidden heroes from the Bible this week. People who are probably not as known, but had a significant impact on the storyline of the Bible. But I want to wrap up this week with another couple of bad guys. These are two individuals who tried to thwart all of the good in God's story. Yet, in spite of their efforts, God was still able to work it out for his good. Zimri and Cozbi. Two bad guys who were enemies to God's heroes. Their story is found in Numbers 25. On the way to the Promised Land, the Midianites tried to entice the Israelites toward adultery and sexual infidelity. They began to worship the gods of Baal. Satan has known for all of time that if you can't destroy a nation from the outside, through invasion, then destroy them from within. Destroy their values. Morals. Principles. And that is exactly what the Midianite women did with the Israelite men. A man from Israel named Zimri and a woman from the Midianites named Cozbi openly flaunted their sin among the Israelites. They even went into Zimri's tent right next to the tabernacle, to sleep with one another. Phinehas, who had a zeal for God's holiness and righteousness, was so fed up with the open defilement against God's laws that he went in and killed them both. He was actually rewarded by God for his holy fervor with a perpetual priesthood because he practiced God's righteousness and holiness. I find it interesting that God openly named these two godless sinners. Don't let it shock you. All of our names are either written in God's book of life or not. Every name in the world is known by God. And those who sin without being forgiven by Jesus will have a public reading of their names one day in judgment. It's a sobering thought for all to consider! Is your name in the Lamb's book of life? Don't wait to surrender your life to Jesus. When he saves you, you become one of his favorites and as he writes your name in the Lamb's book of life, you are forever forgiven.

This week we are sharing some of your favorite Moments of Hope from 2024. Thank you for taking a moment of your day to grow in your discipleship journey with us. To explore additional resources from Moments of Hope Church, please click here to visit our website. by Marilynn Chadwick The "Doctrine of the Trinity" is a powerful tool to refute many heresies. Now you know why the Apostles Creed, with its strong affirmation of the Trinity, was written in the second century to combat the rise of false teaching in the early church. The scope of God's created order is a mystery too great to fathom. But in a paradoxical way, the Trinity helps us know God more intimately. In the Trinity we see the unity of the triune God—One God in Three Persons. We begin to comprehend God in relationship with the Trinity, with the world, and with us. The Trinity also helps us understand the realities behind the names of God—"God the "Father," "God the Son," and "God the Holy Spirit." The influential 13th century theologian Thomas Aquinas tells us the name "God" refers to the whole of the Trinity. Teaching the doctrine of the Trinity helps us embrace what theologians refer to as a "Trinitarian culture." The early Church developed a vibrant Trinitarian culture which influenced their reading of Scripture, their prayer life, and their worship. Simply put, the Trinity helps us understand the interplay of the Trinity. When we pray, we are praying to the Trinity. When we worship, we are worshiping the Trinity. When we witness, we are emboldened and animated by the Trinity. The Good News of the Gospel is carried forth into the world in word and deed as we learn what it means to walk in the Spirit. A Trinitarian-culture-in-action invites us to pray, study God's Word, worship, and serve God in the world. Our works should naturally flourish when this doctrine is rightly taught, contemplated, and practiced. Might we see a resurgence in the miracles of Pentecost—healings, miracles, and redeemed souls—like those which occurred in the early church and are manifested in the Global South and Far Eastern churches even today? Our cultivation of "Trinitarian wisdom" helps us better understand One God in Three Persons. A robust Trinitarian faith enlivens our understanding of God as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit through the creative and multiplying work of each—in the world, in the universe, and in our small souls. We see God is not simply a mysterious mixture of three Beings. Rather, each has a personality—separate, yet One. Prayer becomes prayer to the Trinity. We worship the Trinity. We are saved by, through, and in the Trinity. Life in the Spirit is life in the Trinity. Thoughts of a triune God slow us down. The doctrine of the Trinity prods us to humbly contemplate these matters, "too wonderful for us" (Ps 131:1; 139:6). The Trinity is a mystery, a "simple yet difficult" doctrine and one which points to realities beyond our ability to understand. We are invited to enter into the experiential knowledge of the Trinity. Aquinas called the Trinity a "gift of God" which prepares us to contemplate him in the joy of heaven. Much fruit has been born out of Trinitarian wisdom in the historical church. Might we pray for this wisdom, along with a vibrant Trinitarian culture, to become more present in ours?

This week we are sharing some of your favorite Moments of Hope from 2024. Thank you for taking a moment of your day to grow in your discipleship journey with us. To explore additional resources from Moments of Hope Church, please click here to visit our website. by David Chadwick How to wait well. It's something we all must learn when Jesus becomes the Lord of our lives. I believe as we cultivate strength in our ability to wait well, we are developing eternal qualities as we await our soon and coming Savior. Today, I want to urge you to learn to wait excitedly and expectantly! These are two adverbs that should describe our attitudes toward Jesus's Second Coming. Jesus is coming back! We must all turn our gaze toward heaven and prioritize the skill of learning how to wait well for our soon and coming King. Be excited! Why? Because when Jesus returns, he will usher in a brand new kingdom. His kingdom is unshakeable (Hebrews 12:28). It will be a place where all things will be made new. All means all! Every part of this broken, selfish, polluted world will be made new. We will live in a sinless world! And live forever. "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore…" (Revelation 21:4). No more enemies! No more death! No more pain! No more heartbreak! No more betrayal! Doesn't that excite you? Be excited. But also be expectant. Jesus's return could happen any day now. Any moment. The early church theologians called it the doctrine of immanence. It will happen in the twinkling of an eye (1 Corinthians 15:52). We should say every day, "Yes, Lord, I'm ready. If you come today, I'm ready." And I believe with all my heart that Jesus will be excited and expectant to meet you as well! His bride. The one he loves with all of his heart. The object of his affection. The reason he endured death on a cross (Philippians 2:8). As he greets you, I'm sure he will say to those who have placed their trust in him, "Well done!"

This week we are sharing some of your favorite Moments of Hope from 2024. Thank you for taking a moment of your day to grow in your discipleship journey with us. To explore additional resources from Moments of Hope Church, please click here to visit our website. by David Chadwick This week, I will give you five final key doctrines of the Christian faith. These truths are foundational to our faith. They are essentials. We cannot add to them or take away from them. Today we focus on glorification – the final step in our redemption after justification and sanctification (Romans 8:29-30). It's when we all receive our eternal, material, perfected, glorified bodies. They will be like ours here, but without sin, flaws, disease, and imperfections. What a glorious day that will be! The Bible says that we move from glory to glory as we are transformed to live and look more and more like Jesus (2 Corinthians 3:18). Ultimately, we will appear with Christ in glory one day (Colossians 3:4). As God's children, we have not yet seen what will be, but when he appears again we shall be like him (1 John 3:2). Jesus was given his glorified resurrection body after he died on the cross, was resurrected, and ascended to heaven. He was given an eternal, material, flesh and blood body. How do we know this? Because the disciples saw him after this happened. When he came to the disciples after being raised from the dead, Jesus offered Thomas the opportunity to touch his nail scarred wrists and feet. This implies he both had an eternal body and that body had scars! Could it be that one day at the wedding feast of the Lamb, Jesus will serve us with those visible scars? And we will see these scars on his body forever? Always reminding us of his grace and the price he paid for us? How special would that be! Our glorified bodies will be perfect in every way. Free from sin, decay, disease, hurt, pain, shame. Stop and imagine that for a moment! And let it prompt you to worship our risen Lord Jesus!

This week we are sharing some of your favorite Moments of Hope from 2024. Thank you for taking a moment of your day to grow in your discipleship journey with us. To explore additional resources from Moments of Hope Church, please click here to visit our website. by Marilynn Chadwick In him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 (ESV) It's been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit. For me, the beginning of every new year is the perfect time to launch a new habit. Forming a habit is much like an experiment. An experiment gives me permission to try something on for size. If I'm pleased with the results, I can repeat the steps. If not, I can toss it aside. Simple as that. If you were to ask me my single most important habit, I would say, hands down, it's the daily reading of Scripture. Saints of old like Charles Spurgeon and George Mueller pointed to Scripture reading as the secret to their legendary faith. They combined Scripture reading with prayer—thereby turbo-charging their prayers. Starting today, I invite you to join me for what I like to call "The 21 Day Experiment." We'll devote just fifteen minutes each day to reading one chapter from the Gospel of John. It's a good place to start, since John has exactly twenty-one chapters. This simple experiment could change your life. I know it changed mine. Many years ago, when I was a new believer, I heard about a former atheist and newspaper reporter who told of her dramatic transformation after reading the Gospel of John—as a skeptic, not as a seeker. Her story captivated me, since just one year earlier, I had been an atheist who happened to be a journalism major in college. The reporter said her "experiment" opened her eyes to the reality of Christ. Instead of confirming her conviction that the Bible was a "dead book," she became a totally devoted follower of Jesus. What's more, she challenged fellow skeptics to set aside 21 days to read John's Gospel. Miraculously, many of those same friends were also born again. I like to conduct my own version of "The 21 Day Experiment," adding a few ground rules: Set aside 15 minutes each day to prayerfully read one chapter of John's Gospel. Ask the Holy Spirit to "highlight" a verse from your reading. I call this my "watchword." Write your "watchword" on a card (I use a 3x5 note card). Then list a few prayer needs on the back of the card. Simply pray that verse over each need. Find other times to reflect on the verse and pray. I keep my card handy for when I'm stuck in traffic, folding clothes, waiting in line, or going for a walk. During today's reading of Chapter 1, I noticed Jesus anew as the Creator. John writes: "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3 NIV). I was also struck by references to the word "life." "In him was life and that life was the light of mankind" (John 1:4 NIV). I've decided John 1:4 will be my "watchword" today. This theme of "life" has prompted me to ponder God's astounding gift. I encourage you to stick with this experiment. Don't evaluate until the END of the 21 days. You can even say to yourself, "Well, nothing seems to be happening today, but I will postpone judging its impact until after 21 days." Over the years, without fail, each time I have repeated this 21 Day Experiment, God has spoken to me in a special way. I am praying the same will be true for you. This Moment of Hope was adapted from the book Sometimes He Whispers Sometimes He Roars by Marilynn Chadwick. Please click here to order a copy of this book and find additional resources from Marilynn and David Chadwick.

by David Chadwick Jesus came for many reasons. From the cradle to the cross. To bring life. To destroy the works of the devil. To bring light. To judge. Finally, he came to preach the gospel! In Mark 1:38, Jesus said, "Let us go on to the next towns, that I may preach there also, for that is why I came out." Jesus gives us yet another reason why he "came out" of the beauty of heaven to enter the mess of this world: to preach the gospel. To preach the kingdom of God. Preaching is a valuable asset to the soul of any believer. To encourage, exhort, challenge, and strengthen. It is imperative for all who follow Jesus to find a gospel-centered and kingdom-oriented church where the preacher unabashedly preaches God's Word and truth. We are not to be ashamed of the gospel (Romans 1:16). Preaching is also one of the ways that God calls lost souls to be saved. How will people know the good news of Jesus unless there are preachers willing and able to preach? Romans 10:14-15, "And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent?" Verse 15 goes on to say how blessed are the feet of those who proclaim the good news of the gospel. How beautiful Jesus's feet must have been! And think of missionaries who go into really hard places, where the gospel has never been preached before, risking their own lives because they know the value of eternal souls for Jesus. Their feet are immeasurably beautiful as well. It's becoming increasingly difficult to find preachers who will boldly and courageously stand before a congregation and say, "Thus says the Lord." But they are there. Find one. Settle in that body. Pray for the preacher: his protection, boldness, and commitment to Christ. And stand by him as he stands for Jesus and the preaching of the gospel. And pray for places where you, too, can proclaim the gospel. Places where you can be sent to be Jesus's voice of truth. Where your feet are beautiful as well! Jesus CAME to preach the gospel. He wants you to do the same!

by David Chadwick You can't have good news without first having bad news. You can't come to bring light unless there is darkness. Jesus came to the cradle and the cross. He came to give abundant life and to destroy the works of the devil. He came to bring light. He also came to bring judgment. This reason for Jesus's coming is a bit more solemn, but nevertheless is true and needs to be noted during the Christmas season. He could never have offered mercy without first bringing judgment. Jesus told us that his message would divide people, even family members (Matthew 10:34). Among friends. Within society and culture. Think especially of the persecuted church worldwide. It has already happened. It will continue to happen. Jesus told us it would. Look at the following Bible verses. Jesus said in John 9:39, "For judgment I came into this world, that those who do not see may see, and those who see may become blind." And in Matthew 10:34, he says, "Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword." Jesus came to bring judgment upon this world so that the blind will see and those who think they see will become blind. What does this mean? It's referring to spiritual sight. Jesus came to open up people's spiritual eyes so they can walk in truth. He also came so that people who walk in darkness--evil and sin--will be judged. We live in a world where it seems that people get away with anything and everything that's sad, bad, and evil. But one day Jesus will bring perfect justice! As for division with family and friends, please know during this Christmas season that Jesus knew it would happen. It's one of the reasons that he came. One day, he will make all things new. He will overcome all evil. In heaven, there will be no division. Only perfect unity. In the first coming, he came in love, but in the second coming, he will come in judgment and justice. His love and judgment fit perfectly together. Until then, we have the church. The family of God on earth. And for those cast out by an unbelieving family, there's a new set of brothers and sisters in Jesus's church. That's the power of the Christmas story.

by David Chadwick "I came." This statement sets Jesus apart from all of the other religions in the world. He came and was born into a cradle so that he could reclaim victory through the cross. He came to give us life and to destroy the works of the devil. And according to John 12:46, he came into the world as light, so that whoever believes in him could come out of darkness and into his marvelous light. Jesus does not want us to walk in darkness. He wants us to walk in the light as he is in the light. Ephesians 5:8 describes those who put their faith in Jesus, "for at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord." Jesus says in John 8:12, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Without Jesus's light in us, we are walking in utter darkness. Prone to sin, the lusts of our flesh drive us to pursue the stuff of this world that will never last nor satisfy. When Jesus invades our lives, our purpose becomes to glorify him every day. He gives us power to be his witnesses (Acts 1:8). That power allows us to be strengthened by him for whatever we may face (Phil. 4:13). Because of his light, we can now live our lives in extended worship, praising him at all times, and knowing that praise should continually be in our mouths (Psalm 42:1). Jesus came so that we would walk in light. Not wandering in darkness, wondering the purpose of life. Not stepping in Satan's traps to kill, steal and destroy us. We now walk in hope for we know that every day of our lives belongs to him. And his light will one day lead us home to heaven. That's another reason why HE CAME from heaven to earth. Jesus Christ. The light of the world. Merry Christmas to all!

by David Chadwick Emmanual. God with us. The hope of glory. Jesus came to us when we couldn't come to him. Through Adam and Eve's rebellion, sin entered the world and separated us from God, but he came to rescue us! In John 10:10, Jesus says, "The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." Another powerful "I came" statement made by our Savior and King. Why Jesus left heaven to come to earth. In this verse, Jesus tells us why he chose to leave the splendor of heaven to enter the squalor of this world. He wanted to give us abundant life. And, according to 1 John 3:8b, "The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil." By conquering the enemy, he could offer his children abundant life. On the cross, Jesus reigned victorious over sin and death. For those of us who love Jesus, the devil has lost his power over us. The blood-bought believer stands blameless and pure, unable to be accused by the wiles of the enemy. Satan, the liar, comes to steal, kill, and destroy. But we now have eternal life! Where Satan steals, Jesus is the restorer of what's been stolen. Where Satan kills, Jesus gives life. Where Satan destroys, Jesus is the rebuilder of the broken walls and restores what's been destroyed. Jesus came to give us LIFE and to give it to us ABUNDANTLY. True life. In the Spirit. Joy. Peace. Purpose. Like never before. Beyond anything we could ever imagine. When you abide in Jesus, his new life flows in and through you. That's Jesus's greatest Christmas gift to all who believe in him. It's another major reason HE CAME…

by David Chadwick "I came." It's the phrase that makes the Gospel of Jesus Christ unlike any other of the world's religions. The name Emmanuel. God with us. He came. He left the splendor of heaven and chose to willingly live in the squalor, sin, and brokenness of this world. Through his life, death and resurrection, we can be forgiven of our sins and have eternal life (John 3:16). Luke 19:10 says, "For the Son of Man came to seek and save the lost." Jesus is the only God figure who can look at humanity and say, "I came." Let's start by going back to look at the importance of the Trinity, three distinct persons in the Godhead, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Without it, the Incarnation makes no sense. Because our God is Triune, the Father sent his Son into the world, empowered with the Holy Spirit. This is an essential tenet of the Christian faith. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, humanity as a whole became lost. When they willingly chose to eat of the fruit of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, sin corrupted mankind for generations to come. All people for all times. We ALL have sinned and fall short of God's glory (Romans 3:23). We were conceived in sin (Psalm 51:5). At the moment of conception, we have a bent toward the same rebellion and sin that tempted Adam and Eve. Like him, we are lost in our sin and headed to hell. But God. The Father, who is just and holy, knew our condemnation. But also being rich in perfect love, chose to send his Son, Jesus into the world. The Savior of the world. The perfect and righteous Lamb of God came to seek the lost and to die on a cross to save us from our sin. Even in our sin, his great love chases us down! The cross and cradle both show us how Jesus came. Jesus first came as a baby in a manger to die on a cross, the lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world. The shadow of the cross will forever mark the manger. One day, he will come as a lion and his return will restore all of creation. Don't forget this Christmas why Jesus came. That he came. When realized, Christmas becomes even more beautiful and meaningful.

by David Chadwick Anna the prophetess is today's hidden hero. She is one of my favorite heroes in the Christmas story. Like Simeon, Anna's story is also found in Luke 2, starting in verse 36. I love that God chose to give such a significant role of prophetess to a woman like Anna. She is another devout character in the Christmas story who heard from the Lord and spoke truth in the temple area. Anna was the daughter of Phanuel. He must have been a Godly man to produce such a wonderful woman like Anna. The Bible describes her as being "advanced in years." She married as a virgin and lived with her husband for seven years until he died. She then spent the rest of her life as a widow until the age of 84. After her husband died, Anna spent all of her time in the temple, "worshiping with fasting and prayer night and day" (Luke 2:37). Anna was in the temple when Simeon blessed Jesus. Upon hearing of the Messiah's birth, Anna "began to give thanks to God and to speak of him to all who were waiting for the redemption of Jerusalem" (Luke 2:38). She, like Simeon, began to give thanks to God. Anna must have known in her spirit that the Messiah had arrived! Anna was thrilled to speak about Jesus to all who would listen to her that this baby Jesus was the one who would bring redemption to Jerusalem. The hidden heroes of the Christmas story make the story come more alive for me. None of them knew what a significant role they would play in the coming of Jesus. They weren't seeking the spotlight. In fact, some of them, like Adam, really messed up. But the grace of God's story is evident in them all. None of these characters were perfect, but they made themselves available to God to be used by him. As for Anna, she was humble and servant-hearted. Kind and gentle. And God used her mightily to advance his kingdom. Like all of these hidden heroes, God used each of them so powerfully to help tell the greatest story ever told. A story we all get to be a part of even today!

by David Chadwick Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." God loves for his children to search out the hidden treasures of his story. This week, I am sharing five of my hidden heroes from the Christmas story with you. Simeon is today's hidden hero. He was a righteous and devout man and the Bible says, "the Holy Spirit was upon him." His story is found in Luke 2:22-38. Simeon was told by the Holy Spirit that he would not see death before he met Jesus. He was earnestly "waiting for the consolation of Israel" and for the coming of the Messiah. Can you imagine the anticipation Simeon must have carried every day as he aged knowing that he would one day see the King of Kings and Lord of Lords face to face? When Mary and Joseph presented Jesus on the 8th day after his birth for circumcision, Simeon was the one who blessed Jesus. "In the Spirit," Simeon knew that Jesus was the one for whom he had long been waiting. In Luke 2:29-32, after meeting the Christ child, Simeon said, "Lord, now you are letting your servant depart in peace, accordinging to your word; for my eyes have seen your salvation that you have prepared in the presence of all peoples, a light for revelation to the Gentiles, and for glory to your people Israel." Simeon knew that he could now depart in peace and be with his Lord. The light to the Gentiles had finally come! Have you noticed that, like Simeon, all of the hidden heroes in the Christmas story are described as people of great devotion? Sovereignly chosen by God, I think, because of their Godly character and deep devotion to the heart of God. May we all long for Jesus's second advent, second coming, as Simeon did for his first! He will be the consolation of Israel…and ours as well!

by David Chadwick Zechariah was yesterday's hidden hero in the Christmas story. It only seems right to include his wife, Elizabeth. Her story is found alongside her husband's story in Luke 1:5-25. Elizabeth, like Zechariah, was very old and beyond child bearing years. She desperately desired a baby. After the angel appeared to Zechariah, he expressed doubt about this child and was silenced by the Lord. Somehow, he must have been able to tell her about the angel's message to him through writings and sign language. Being a righteous and Godly woman, Elizabeth was a daughter of a priest in the lineage of Aaron. Aware of the significance of the child she carried, she spent the remaining five months of her pregnancy quiet and hidden. While Zechariah was silenced by the Lord, Elizabeth chose hiddenness alongside her husband as they ushered this very special child named John the Baptist into the world. During these five months of hiddenness, what do you think Elizabeth did? I believe she prayed, praised, and thanked God. She whispered faith and life over him. Perhaps she even spoke words of hope over what he'd become. It is apparent God wanted a time of reflective silence surrounding the birth of this child named John the Baptist. He would not let even one word of unbelief come out of Zechariah's mouth. Only words of faith, hope, life, blessing, and belief must have flowed from the lips of his mom. John was born in Luke 1:57. When Mary went to visit Elizabeth, her cousin, to tell her of her own angelic visitation, the baby Jesus in Mary's womb caused John, at 6 months gestation, to leap inside of Elizabeth's womb. What a moment that must have been! The forerunner of Jesus's life and ministry and the Messiah himself met in their mom's wombs. By the way, did you know that the Greek term for "child" in these verses is blepos? The same word Jesus used to invite the little children/blepos to come to him. Life must begin at the moment of conception. The relationship John the Baptist and Jesus had began in the womb. The way that John was carried in Elizabeth's womb is what makes her one of my hidden heroes in the Christmas story.

by David Chadwick Hidden heroes in the Christmas story. These may be more well-known names, but their significance in the Christmas story has a hiddenness that must be sought out. Zechariah is today's hidden hero in the Christmas story. His story is-found in Luke 1:5-25. Zechariah was a righteous, blameless, and Godly person. He was a priest in the temple. As noted in Proverbs 16:33, the Jews believed that drawing straws was under the sovereign hand of Almighty God in decision-making. In the case of Zechariah, straws were drawn for him to serve in the temple. He was selected, which implied God's sovereignty. Zechariah, and his wife Elizabeth, were childless. Like many fathers do, Zechariah desperately wanted a son. He was older in years and the hopes of having a son seemed increasingly impossible. One day, in the silence of his temple service, he begged God for a child. The angel Gabriel appeared to him and told him that a child was coming. Upon hearing this news, Zechariah expressed disbelief, so the angel closed his mouth. This child who would be born to Zechariah and Elizabeth would be John the Baptist. And I am convinced that John the Baptist was SO important to both the Christmas story and God's overall narrative that God chose to silence Zechariah's mouth as the child developed in his wife's womb so that no doubting or negative words were able to be heard. As a side note, do you think babies can hear words of unbelief in the womb? Do you think they can cause negative emotions within? It is powerful to think about the importance of those months in the womb for fetal development, not just physically but emotionally and spiritually! How do you think Zechariah communicated the news to Elizabeth? Maybe he ran home with sign language and a writing tablet! But she surely understood. Zechariah didn't speak again until the birth came. He named his son John as instructed by the angel. He didn't give him a family name, which was what was most often done, but the name God wanted. John means "grace." The moment he wrote the name on a tablet, his voice returned. And he praised God. I can only imagine how wonderful of a father he must have been to John. His son became the first cousin and good friend of Jesus, and the forerunner to declaring the coming life and ministry of Jesus!

by David Chadwick Hidden heroes. It's a topic that has become near and dear to my heart. To find the people of the BIble who may be lesser known and dig out the treasures of their story. We are jumping back into some more of the Bible's hidden heroes. This time, we will look at heroes specifically tethered to the wonder of the Christmas story. In these cases, these are heroes who may be more well known, but I am referring to them as hidden heroes because they have significant, but more hidden roles in the Christmas story. Adam. Today's hidden hero. The genealogy of Jesus found in Luke 3:23-37 traces Jesus back through Joseph, all the way to Adam. Adam, alongside Eve, was the one of the two who ate the fruit of rebellion in Genesis 3 and corrupted the world. Eve was offered the fruit by Satan and chose to partake, and Adam did not stop her. Some would say he was passive and silent in the face of temptation. He was not a vigilant steward of God's instructions nor was he a protector of Eve in the face of Satan's luring and cunning behavior. Some have suggested that Adam will not be in heaven because he's not listed in the Hebrews 11 Hall of Fame of Faith. His name is not listed among other Old Testament heroes who looked forward to the day of Jesus. Only God truly knows. Why is Adam a hidden hero in the Christmas story? Let's take a look at Romans 5:12-19. Paul bookends the story of salvation in this passage of Scripture. Sin came into the world through Adam. "Death reigned from Adam to Moses" (Romans 5:14). The free gift of grace through Jesus brought justification for many. Through Adam's disobedience, many were made sinners, but through Jesus's obedience, many would be made righteous (Romans 5:18). Where Adam disobeyed and the world fell into corruption, Jesus, the second Adam, perfectly obeyed the will of God and brought redemption to the world. Where the first Adam failed, the second Adam succeeded. Everyone in the world is either in Adam or in Christ. The way of Adam leads to eternal death. But the way of Jesus leads to eternal life. Jesus came as the second Adam to save us and give us the gift of eternal life (Luke 19:10). Understanding the first Adam's role in the Bible should give a whole new meaning to him being one of my hidden heroes in the Christmas story. And Adam gives us the reason Jesus had to come into this world in Bethlehem.

by Marilynn Chadwick Children are generally asking two questions: "Do you love me?" and "Can I have my own way?" They seem to thrive on love and limits. So, David and I would regularly say, "Yes, I love you" and "no you can't always have your own way." Focused attention, eye contact, lots of snuggles, a listening ear. There are many ways to say I love you. Limits are important too. Here's a little secret: If it's necessary to correct your children, give them consequences that are actually beneficial to them. For example, early bedtime; cleaning the bathroom; finishing a book instead of watching television; doing 50 jumping jacks to get the wiggles out. You get the point. I also learned as the kids reached middle school to go easier with eye contact. Chill out. Don't bear down too hard in serious conversations. That's probably why our best talks—especially the hard ones—happened while driving in the car. They'd tell me most anything I wanted to know if I didn't intrude. Conversations in the van seemed to turn into spiritual lessons—I dubbed our drive time "e-van-gelism." Faith is both caught and taught. I encouraged our kids to be on the lookout for signs of God at work—in big ways and small ones. We dared our kids to dream big and trust God with the results. But mostly, I wanted them to be able to hear God for themselves—to discern His voice from all the others.They didn't know it, but I continually watched to see if they were shaping their views according to what they were learning at home or what the world was telling them. We also tried to help our kids experience the laboratory of answered prayer. We included them in our faith journeys. When we were hoping for a third baby, we encouraged the older two to join us in prayer. It took years of waiting, but they prayed relentlessly. I finally told God I was going to be "really upset if you let these little kids down." And they were thrilled when their persistent prayers were answered with the arrival of their little brother! It really doesn't matter where I travel. It's the same in any culture—rich or poor. We can never underestimate the power of a strong and loving home. Home is where humans thrive and grow best. It's where children should be nurtured. Instructed. Protected. It's where they catch the faith. And where they're free to dream. Especially when the home is built on the solid rock of faith in Jesus Christ. When a woman is both warrior and nurturer to her household, when she seeks the Lord with all her heart, when honor and respect are present, a home can produce children who are likely to change the world. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us (Hebrews 12:1b NIV). I want to take a minute to encourage you as a parent to take care of yourself. This goes back to our earlier discussion about building your spiritual house. Your relationship with Jesus is the foundation. Your marriage is next. Children love knowing their parents have a healthy marriage. And that they are strong as individuals. Your strength in the home will set a climate that somehow encourages your children to dream big. I remember one time our daughter asked me, "Mom, do you enjoy us?" Wow. I had to pause and reflect. In that moment, I knew I had gotten to a fragile point where I was not creating habits to help me sustain the joy of motherhood. I became more mindful to enjoy my children, and our family, rather than just "enduring them." A thankful heart is a happy heart and makes for a happy home where children, and their dreams, can grow tall. Remember, mothering is a marathon, not a mile run. So pace yourself. Are you taking care of your "temple"? Getting enough exercise, good food, and pure water? Do you have good friendships? Prayer partners? Now I sound like a mother, don't I? But it really is so important for us, as moms, to guard our mental and emotional health. Malachi 2 warns us to "guard ourselves in the spirit" as a protection against so many things, including divorce. So, be alert and watchful for the purpose of prayer (1 Peter 4:7). Then "throw off what hinders and the sin that entangles us," as Hebrews 12:1 encourages. Watch as God strengthens you and sustains you again and again. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me (John 10:27 NIV). Train your children to hear God's voice. Find creative ways to teach them God's Word. Songs and memory verses are great. But they also need to learn how to apply biblical principles to the problems they encounter in the world. Toss out opportunities for them to think biblically. This will also help them listen for God's calling on their life—their dreams. A very astute older friend whose children were grown once gave me some advice I have always taken to heart. "I helped my kindergartners deal with the problems they faced on a kindergarten level. Then, each successive year, I taught them to learn to look at life from a biblical worldview for that age level. So by the time they were in high school, they were well-practiced at confronting a secular world view." And, I would add, our children learned to see the people around them who did not believe in Jesus as friends to be won for Christ. Not enemies to be avoided. Regardless of the educational direction your children take, whether secular school, Christian school or homeschool, they need to hear God's voice. They need regular, ongoing, consistent communication about Jesus and God's Word. I felt comfortable with our children being out in the world once I sensed that they had learned to hear God's voice for themselves. They accepted Jesus at an early age and were learning how to apply God's truth. I was always involved in their schools and their friendships, and set clear boundaries. At times, our rules were stricter than those of their friends—and that was okay. As I mentioned earlier, we included our children in our own faith walk. We encouraged them to pray for some of the issues we faced as a family. Children are realists. They pray in specifics and notice when prayers are answered. They're also honest about the pain of unanswered prayers. Jesus loves children for lots of reasons, including their unfiltered honesty. As our oldest grandchild Anna Grace once reminded me, "Jesus loves children because we are so fun to play with!" This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick If you spend yourselves in behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday (Isaiah 58:10 NIV). Whenever possible, David and I included our children in serving others. In fact, some of our most fond memories as a family were going to our sister church in uptown Charlotte and volunteering with their ministry. We would regularly feed the homeless and worship with their congregation. They became like family to us. It was one of the highlights of our kids' childhood. When Michael was around eight, I took him with me to work with some moms and children from a different fragile community in the Charlotte area where I volunteered. One little boy, also named Michael, happened to have a handicap. He couldn't walk on his own and had to be carried around by an adult. Our Michael wondered how he could help. The program director told Michael the little boy simply needed a special kind of orthopedic crutches in order to walk on his own. Michael persisted until I called our orthopedic doctor friend, who just "happened" to have some of those very crutches available. Michael made sure the other little Michael received those crutches. I told him the little boy's mom had been praying for some crutches for her son. To which Michael replied, "Cool…I answered a prayer." I agreed. It is very cool to find ways that we can actually be the answer to someone else's prayer. I know I keep saying the same thing again and again, but with good reason. We find life as we give it away to others. From my experience, this is one of the greatest gifts we can give our children. Find ways to serve with your kids. Teach them to give their lives away to others. Watch as God develops eternal fruit in their hearts by cultivating a life that is "others focused." This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

by Marilynn Chadwick Let us consider [thoughtfully] how we may encourage one another to love and to do good deeds (Hebrews 10:24 AMP). We are in a two week series of how to raise great kids. Even if you are not a parent, there is a good chance that you play a role in someone else's life who is younger than you. I pray these parenting tips will give you tools to lead the next generation. Every dreamer needs a team. Build a strong team around your child who will inspire them. Bring grandparents, coaches, friends, teachers and church leaders into your circle of friends. They can be some of your biggest allies in helping your children reach their dreams. Prayer partners are also key, along with the parents of your children's friends. It really does take a village. I supported our children's teachers and coaches and volunteered whenever possible. Coming from a family of educators, I deeply admired the many adults who poured their lives into our children. I prayed for them, encouraged them, even befriended them. But there were also times when I had to go to bat for our children. On a couple of occasions, I asked a teacher or coach to consider giving a second chance or a harder challenge to one of our children. In each case, I knew the child was ready. And in each case, the teacher or coach agreed, so I was glad I spoke up. I want to add a brief word here about what I call "dream killers." David and I were more intentional about protecting our children against dream killers than we were against drugs. Children usually recognize the stupidity of drugs. But they may not always see the subtlety of a dream killer. Dream killers can come in the form of peers or even adults at times. This is sometimes called "the crab-pot syndrome." When one crab tries to crawl out of a pot, the others will pull him back down. Not everyone will see your child's dream as clearly as you can. Again, that's why David and I prayed fervently for God to guard our children's dreams. To use those dreams to draw our children close to him, and then to open doors for their calling to make an impact for Christ on this broken and hurting world. This Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor by Marilynn Chadwick (Eugene: Harvest House, 2017). Click here to download a free PDF copy of Woman of Valor. If you enjoyed today's Moment of Hope feel free to forward this email or share this link with a friend so they can sign up to receive a Moment of Hope every day.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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