A Moment of Hope

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. Children learn differently. Research has shown that some of what were previously thought to be learning disabilities are often just different ways of processing information. The Lord of the Universe seems never to tire of creating unique humans. At birth, every person is "wired" differently from the nearly 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" (Proverbs 22:6 AMPC). 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 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. Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "Who can find a woman of valor?" Proverbs 31:10a OJB A woman of valor is a warrior at heart. She fights for her faith, her family, and her community. But sometimes, her toughest battles are for her God-given dreams. I wonder if some wars are harder than others because the enemy knows the stakes are so high. I think back to our long years of infertility and my fierce fight to have a baby. I couldn't have known it at the time, but I was waging a battle not just for our firstborn daughter, but also for our next baby, a son. Then another son. And now, twelve grandchildren and counting. Our daughter once said something to me which made me pause: "Mama, you didn't know when you were going through all those years of infertility that you were also fighting for all these little people to be born," pointing to our grandchildren. Perhaps my fight was so fierce because the enemy wanted what I had—the promise of children and grandchildren who would glorify God. And ultimately, generations beyond those. But I had something else the enemy wanted. And so do you. He wanted to steal my testimony. He wanted to make it impossible for me to tell the miraculous story of God's healing that enabled me to have those babies. He wanted to rob me of the chance to encourage others who are waiting for answers to their own prayers. Quite simply, the devil wants to steal the story God is weaving through your dream. Or through this trial you're enduring so bravely. He wants to steal your testimony. In the end, he wants to steal God's glory. Dear friend, don't give up. God is faithful. One day you will have a story to tell. A story that will cause others to yearn to know this wonderful God Who is the Giver of Dreams. Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "A woman of valor, who can find? Her children rise up and call her blessed." Proverbs 31:10, 28 JPS The Proverbs 31 "woman of valor" must have had some warrior in her. After all, the Hebrew term chayil, translated "valor," is a military term. I once asked my husband how he saw me as a fighter. David thought for a minute and said: "You have fought so hard for our children's dreams." It's true. I fought harder to help our kids reach their dreams than I ever fought for my own. This quote says it best: "Reaching your own dreams is fulfilling—helping someone else reach their dreams is sublime." And when that "someone else" happens to be your own children, it's joy on steroids. I wonder if the Proverbs 31 woman of valor discovered this same joy in seeing her children succeed. We're told, "her children rise up and call her blessed," (Proverbs 31:28 ESV). The Hebrew word, qum, translated "rise up" is very strong. It means, "to accomplish, to build, to establish, to strengthen, to succeed." I'd like to think her children were now grown, happy, and fulfilled. They had reached their dreams, in part, because of their mother's impact. She had taught them. Nurtured, clothed, and cared for them. Perhaps they saw their mom in prayer, seeking the Lord and fighting for their dreams. The Proverbs 31 woman poured her life into her children, so I can imagine her satisfaction as she watched them flourish. Nothing makes me happier than when my children, and now grandchildren, "rise up" and succeed. To love our children well calls for self-sacrifice and courage. What are some ways you can encourage your children to dream big? Or is there another child, not your own, who desperately needs your encouragement? "Tread lightly around the dreams of a child," Mother Teresa once said. "You may be treading on the dreams of God." As women of valor, let's dare to fight for the dreams of the next generation. Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by Marilynn Chadwick "Who can find a woman of valor?" Proverbs 31:10 OJB I agree with Indiana Jones: "I hate snakes!' Or maybe I don't actually hate them…I'm just not thrilled about having them near our home. Some time ago, I saw a very large snake trying to get into the crawl space under our house. A short time earlier, our older son had found a copperhead while cleaning out our garage. My first thought with this snake was, "Yikes!" My next was, "Go get him!" Like any good soldier, I ran toward the danger. I went after that snake with a vengeance and sent him into the next life. Why? Because he was trying to get into my house, a threat to my home and my family! I'm scared of snakes, but my love for my family made me brave. Maybe you can relate. Is there a time when you did something that scared you to protect someone you loved? If so, you were showing valor. I'm captivated by the Hebrew word chayil, translated "valor," used to describe the Proverbs 31 woman. "Who can find a woman of valor?" (Proverbs 31:10 OJB). God created woman to be a nurturer. But he also made her brave. Simply put, valor is personal bravery in the face of danger, especially in battle. In its nearly 100 uses in the Old Testament, the word for "valor," chayil depicts warriors, like King David's "mighty men." Other times, chayil describes God as a warrior for his people. It's the same word used for heaven's angel armies. I find the term "woman of valor" both compelling and poetic. My daughter, a young wife and mother, likes this expression because it makes her think of courage and strength. Valor is courage. But the woman of valor also embodies honor, strength of character, virtue, and so much more. I believe we need to become women of valor as we face our own battles today. Unlike the woman of Proverbs 31, we enjoy breakthroughs in medicine, science, and travel. But consider the enemies we face in our world: Addiction, divorce, domestic violence, child abuse, poverty, unemployment, pornography, human trafficking, joblessness, homelessness.  Daily, we're bombarded by news of terror attacks somewhere in the world. If this isn't war, my friend, I don't know what is. The woman of valor is essentially a warrior, a fighter at heart. She fights not only for her personal world, but also for the world around her. As I listen to conversations with women of all ages, stages, and walks of life, I'm hearing a recurring theme—their heart's desire to be strong for their families and communities. In short, they long to be courageous women God can use to change their world. Is God calling you to become a woman of valor? Remember, it's love that makes you brave. -Today's Moment of Hope is adapted from Woman of Valor, Discovering the Courage and Strength God Gave You by Marilynn Chadwick. Click here to order your copy today!

by David Chadwick "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." Proverbs 17:22 What great truths are found in Proverbs 17:22! Let's take a look at them today. The first truth is that a joyful heart is good medicine. Other translations say a cheerful heart is good medicine. What is the primary lesson here? Choose joy! Seek to focus on what is positive. Raise your faith. Focus on God's goodness. Remember all God's benefits to you! Choose to believe that everything will work out for good. Colossians 3:2 says, "Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth." Philippians 4:8 says we are to fix our eyes on, to think about, and to focus on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy. There is a reason why God tells us to do these things! Because there is a clear correlation between what we focus on with our minds and how it consumes our hearts, and thus affects our entire being. The second truth is that if you have a crushed spirit, it can actually dry up the bones and cause poor health. Secular studies even show this truth. We are body, soul, and spirit. If your spirit is crushed, it can affect your physical health. If your body is struggling, your mind can be affected. And so on, and so forth. We are interdependent beings. So, how do you deal with a crushed spirit? The best way is to count your blessings. Each day. If necessary, write them down. Meditate on Psalm 103:3-5. Don't forget all of the benefits of salvation. Give thanks in all things. This helps you to choose joy and experience the good medicine that comes from it. As a result, your spirit will not just survive but thrive, and your physical health–your bones–won't ever dry up. For more encouragement, check out the song Choose Joy by Parker Robinson as mentioned in today's podcast! To listen on Spotify, click here. To listen on Apple Music, click here.

by David Chadwick "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." Proverbs 17:17 God has a high value for strong, biblical, refining relationships all throughout Scripture. Look at the many times God commands what has been referred to by many pastors as "the one anothers." James 5:16 says to confess to and pray for one another. John 13:34 says to love one another. Galatians 5:13 says to serve one another. Galatians 6:2 said we should carry one another's burdens. Ephesians 4:32 says to be kind and compassionate with another. The list goes on and on and on. The heart's cry of every person is to have good, loyal, and true friends. People with whom we can live out "the one anothers." In a world full of selfish ambition, personal agendas, and performance-based love, friendships that carry this depth of loyalty are so rare. More than loyalty, what is even rarer is a friend born for adversity. A true friend will walk with you through both joys AND trials. He or she is not just there for the good times, the chuckles, and the fun moments. While it is wonderful to share great memories, the mark of real relational depth and strength is found when life is not perfect. When sins are revealed. When you step on each other's toes. When you let each other down. When you're broken and have nothing to give. A true friend is always there, in both the good times and the bad, but especially during the fires. That friend is a forever kind of friend. It's the most wonderful gift when this person is your spouse, the one to whom you have a covenant for all your life! Also, when they are your kids who have moved from children to close friends through the years. Do you have any friends like this in your life? Those who will stand by you no matter what? Those who are there for you no matter what? If so, count your blessings and take a moment today to reach out to them and thank them for being a true friend and brother or sister. You truly have one of life's greatest joys!

by David Chadwick "Those who justify the wicked and condemn the righteous are an abomination of the Lord." Proverbs 17:15 The standard of truth and righteousness are obvious in God's eyes. The lines are not blurred. And his ways must always be kept apart from the ways of the world. People and cultures, over time, have moved away more and more from God and his truth. This has happened throughout the ages, since the beginning of time. It will continue to happen with greater frequency and intensity until Jesus returns. Go back to the Old Testament and read what the prophets constantly warned against. Isaiah 5:20, for instance, shows us some of what was going on in those times. Isaiah said, "Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter!" Do you see the parallels from back then to today? The sin patterns in the Old Testament are the same sin patterns we are facing now. The condition of the human heart has not changed. And you can see them everywhere you turn, right before your eyes. It's an all-out war against truth, justice, and righteousness. The laws of God that he reveals in nature and the foundational truths of his Word are being jettisoned, discarded, and abandoned frivolously! We are watching wickedness be justified and righteousness be condemned. No nation can stand when it goes down this path. We must be people of prayer. We must be discerning so that we, too, don't call evil good and good evil. So that we don't mix up wickedness and righteousness. Until Jesus returns for his bride, our job is to pray earnestly and to call people to return to the Lord. 2 Chronicles 7:14 says, "If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land." One day, the healing that Jesus brings will be eternal. Until that day, may we all seek to contend for glimpses of healing and righteousness as we wait for the soon and coming victory of King Jesus!

by David Chadwick "The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out." Proverbs 17:14 Strife is powerfully destructive and like a forceful burst of water, able to bust through the strongest of dams. Like water building up behind a barrier, when strife is set free, it's awfully hard to stop it. And it's terribly destructive. Today, we will address the problem of strife that is frequently addressed in the Bible. Solomon repeatedly addresses strife throughout the Proverbs.  Strife apparently comes on the scene when jealousy, selfish ambition, and other sin patterns abound! James 3:16 says, "For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice." Strife invites things like division, resentment, retaliation, and so many other evil actions. As born-again, Bible-believing Christians, we must stop strife, and, in turn, we will stop further evil from happening. Let's take a look at James 3:13 for a New Testament perspective on this topic. "Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom." Do you see the correlation? A person of wisdom has good conduct. He or she behaves appropriately and displays meekness, which in so many ways is the opposite of strife. A gentle spirit. A calm demeanor. A resolved purity. Therefore, when it comes to strife, as my mom used to say, "Nip it in the bud." Stop it before it starts. Seek to never be a source of strife in your relationships. If it comes your way, walk the other way. Quit before the quarrel breaks out. The best way to handle strife is to never allow it in the first place! Live out Psalm 34:14 and 1 Peter 3:11. Turn from evil. Seek peace. And pursue it!

by David Chadwick "If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." Proverbs 17:13 My kids used to listen to a Scripture memory song from Romans 12:21 when they were younger that said, "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Do not be overcome by evil. With good. With good. Overcome evil with good." Hearing them singing this verse will be forever etched in my mind. Evil is everywhere. Our world is broken, and until Jesus returns, evil is an unfortunate reality we all must endure. As followers of Jesus, how should we navigate a world full of evil? Do not return evil with evil! Why not? Because when you return evil with evil, the person to whom you returned the evil will only enlarge his or her response to you. Responding to evil with evil will only escalate the evil. Proverbs 17:13 says, "If anyone returns evil for good, evil will not depart from his house." In other words, you become a house for evil when you repay someone's goodness with evil. This same command is repeated in the New Testament in Romans 12:19. "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.'" It's called "lex talionis," the law of retaliation. This Latin principle was what famously became known as "an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." The punishment must fit the crime in full! This principle was rooted in vengeance and justice. But Gandhi was correct when he said that this teaching carried out will leave the world blind and toothless. The only thing that can break this law of retaliation is grace, mercy, and forgiveness. The Bible says to forgive 70 times 7. Over and over again. Repeatedly. This is both for your benefit, for the benefit of the others, and for the health of society. The key to you being able to forgive is to know Jesus's forgiveness of you on the cross. He forgave you a $1 billion debt, one that you could never forgive. Therefore, you should easily be able to forgive the $10 debt someone may owe us. Forgiveness sets you free! It is for your benefit. It stops the endless cycle of revenge. And it's for God's glory.

by Marilynn Chadwick "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom." Proverbs 11:2 NIV Proverbs 11:2 warns us about the destructive nature of pride. The Message paraphrase provides a commonsense twist, "The stuck-up fall flat on their faces, but down-to-earth people stand firm." Let's face it. Boasting is practically a national pastime. It's as American as apple pie. Our athletes swagger. Our celebrities strut. Bumper stickers flaunt our favorite teams, our super kids, and our alma maters. Our talents, treasures, and triumphs win us bragging rights. At times, we all like to toot our own horn. I grew up in the deep South where we had an expression for the ultimate boast: "No brag. Just fact." What's so bad about a little dose of healthy pride? After all, it can be satisfying to look at our accomplishments. The dictionary defines "boast" this way: "To talk with excessive pride and self-satisfaction about one's achievements, possessions, or abilities." A healthy sense of pride is not altogether wrong. But when does pride cross into the danger zone? When does pride separate us from God? The Bible warns us we are on shaky ground when we begin to trust our human strength instead of depending on God. The antidote, according to Scripture, is to seek humility. The book of James, often called the "Proverbs of the New Testament," takes this same warning a step further. He challenges not just our pride of accomplishment, but also our presumptuous plans: "Come now, you who say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a city and spend a year there and carry on our business and make money. You ought instead to say, If the Lord is willing, we shall live and we shall do this or that [thing]. But as it is, you boast [falsely] in your presumption and your self-conceit. All such boasting is wrong." James 4:13,15-16 AMP Boasting is unbecoming for the believer in Jesus. As James reminds us, we're not in control of our lives. God is God and we are not. If we could gain control of our world for even one minute, we would be shocked at our inadequacy to "run the world." No wonder Adam and Eve hid in shame after they presumed to become "like God" (Genesis 3:7-10). We can be thankful when the Lord reminds us of our humanity. He is God, and we are not, and most trouble in life comes when we get those two things mixed up. We can rest in the promises of God's sovereign control of every aspect of our lives. So today, let's choose to "humble ourselves before the Lord." We may find in due time that he will "lift us up" (James 4:10) in his way and in his time as we trust in him and not in our own strength.

by Marilynn Chadwick "When you lie down, you will not be afraid; When you lie down, your sleep will be sweet." Proverbs 3:24 NIV I remember the time our children's school observed that a growing number of students were experiencing symptoms of sleep deprivation. They sent out an email reminding parents of the importance of ensuring our kids got enough sleep—especially those in high school. Today's world, it would seem, is suffering from a sleep crisis. We are bombarded by the number of supplements and medications promising to help us sleep. Sleepless nights often go hand in hand with the alarming increase in anxiety. This sharp rise in extreme worry, reported among all age groups, has become a mental health crisis. God's Word has much to say about the importance of sound sleep. It also exhorts us to care for our minds. When we walk in wisdom, as Proverbs teaches, we will be careful to guard our minds from anxious thinking. This, in turn, helps us sleep better. "You will rest without a worry and sleep soundly" (Proverbs 3:24b CEV). According to Proverbs, part of the secret to a good night's rest is to avoid overwork and excessive labor to gain wealth. We are warned about the dangers of relentless drudgery. "Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich; be smart enough to stop" (Proverbs 23:4 CEB). In its place, the Bible mandates a Sabbath rhythm that both respects our need for rest and honors God (Exodus 20:98-10). Rest is a vital gift for human well-being. The Bible emphasizes a beautiful balance that stresses diligence and hard work while avoiding the anxiety-producing frenzy we see all around us. "Better one handful with tranquility than two handfuls with toil and chasing after the wind" (Ecclesiastes 4:6 NIV). I like how the Message Bible's paraphrase of Proverbs 3:21 reminds us of the ways wisdom benefits our body, soul, and Spirit. And especially how trusting God is the real secret to a good night's sleep and anxiety-free living: "Dear friend, guard Clear Thinking and Common Sense with your life; don't for a minute lose sight of them. They'll keep your soul alive and well, they'll keep you fit and attractive. You'll travel safely, you'll neither tire nor trip. You'll take afternoon naps without a worry; you'll enjoy a good night's sleep. No need to panic over alarms or surprises, or predictions that doomsday's just around the corner, Because God will be right there with you; he'll keep you safe and sound" (Proverbs 3:21-26 MSG).

by Marilynn Chadwick "The wise in heart will accept and obey commandments, but the foolish of lips will fall headlong." Proverbs 10:8 AMPC In the Hebrew language, the words "listen" and "obey" are represented by the word "shema." This means to hear, pay attention, and act upon what is heard. It embodies the concept that true listening includes obedience. In Hebrew and Greek, the original languages of the Old and New Testaments, there is no distinct word for "obey." Listening and doing are considered two sides of one action. We see this sentiment expressed in James, often called the Proverbs of the New Testament. "Do not merely listen to the word and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says" (James 1:22 NIV). Another word for translating ideas into actions is "execute." For any business, the ability to execute is critical to the bottom line. In spiritual matters, we execute when we live out the truths we've learned in Scripture—we put feet on our faith. Proverbs and James exhort believers to execute—to be doers as well as hearers of God's Word. "Faith without works is dead," James challenges (James 2:26 NKJV). God's Word calls us to dig deep. Do we really believe our beliefs, or do we merely hold an intellectual assent to the faith? "Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like (James 1:23, 24). Do we truly believe that Jesus' death and resurrection covered our sin? If so, that belief should propel us into a life of action and good deeds. Have we found practical ways to be both a hearer and a doer of God's commands and his calling? Mother eagles are known to be quite nurturing. Yet their method for teaching their young ones to fly is a swift push out of the nest. They swoop down and catch the baby eaglets as they falter, repeating the flight lesson again and again until the little ones are soaring like... well, eagles! Just like a mama eagle, God sometimes pushes us out of our cozy nest of faith with a call to action. We may hear the Holy Spirit whisper, "Go there, to that one who needs the Father's love. Serve this broken one over here. Share your living water with this thirsty one." Our heart begins to beat faster in response to the Holy Spirit's promptings. We step out...take a risk...and find that our faith takes wings. We become doers, not just hearers of the Word. Our trust grows, and before you know it, we are soaring like an eagle!

by David Chadwick "The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord." Proverbs 16:33 Traditionally, casting lots has been a way to make a decision without bias and outside influence. In biblical history, there are even some cases where the casting of lots was used to determine the Lord's will, most notably in Acts 1:26. After Judas died, Peter, under the leadership of the Holy Spirit, cast lots to determine who the twelfth disciple needed to be. And Matthias was chosen. This proverb reminds us that even the random practice of casting lots is under God's providential governance. Does this mean that we should regularly throw dice, or cast lots, to determine God's will? No! But it does mean that everything, ALL things, are under God's control when done in faith by people who really love God. Romans 8:28 says, "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." There is not one situation that he is not using for our good and his glory. We should find enormous peace in this truth as we learn to trust God in all things and in every area of our lives. Is there a tough decision you are facing right now? If so, this truth is for you. You need not fear. Psalm 46:1 says, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." Very present. Available. Aware. Accessible. All of these words describe our great God! He is not distant. And keeps all of his promises to his children. The Holy Spirit has been left as a helper to anyone who puts his or her faith in Jesus Christ. John 14:26 says that his job is to teach us and bring to our remembrance all that Jesus said to us. He guides us into all truth, which is one of his major jobs (John 16:13). There is no safer place to be than following Jesus and seeking him with our whole heart. Whatever comes your way, always remember the ultimate decision comes from the Lord!

by David Chadwick "Fear" was written down multiple times by people at our Service of Darkness this past Easter. Because of how many times it was addressed, I wanted to cover it a second time in this series. Fear. This is the foreboding feeling that something bad may happen. Did you know that God frequently tells us not to fear in the Bible? "Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows" (Matthew 10:31). "Fear not, for I am with you…" (Isaiah 43:5). "Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed…" (Joshua 1:9). "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God…" (Isaiah 41:10). So many examples in Scripture of being told not to fear. And yet this is a crippling, common emotion that too many people choose to embrace and let dictate their entire lives! It is one of the first negative emotions introduced to mankind after the Fall in Genesis 3. After sinning, Adam responded to the Lord God by saying, "I heard the sound of you in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked, and I hid myself." The building blocks of Adam's guilt created a house of shame in which fear walked right in! Stop for a moment and remember God's original intent. He originally intended for creation to be orderly and peaceful, an environment where fear could not exist. Before sin entered the world, Adam and Eve perfectly trusted God in all things and lived in shalom - perfect peace and wholeness! After eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, they essentially declared themselves to be God and fear entered the world. The antidote for fear is God's presence. His presence allows us to live both surrendered to and arrested by tremendous faith! Repeatedly in God's Word, faithful people are adjured, "Do not be afraid, for God is with you." When Jesus ascended to heaven, he promised that he would be with his children forever, until the end of the age (Matthew 28:20). This means he promised to leave his presence indwelling in the hearts of all who believe in him! The same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in the hearts of anyone who professes faith in Jesus (Romans 8:11). Fear must flee. The eternal God of this universe in Jesus faces all your problems with you. Why fear?

by Marilynn Chadwick I'm always watching for signs of God at work. Looking for insights from his Word. Watching closely for his "fingerprints." I often ask God to open my eyes so I may see him more clearly. I am convinced that abiding in Christ's Presence holds the answer to life's problems. So why do I sometimes race around looking everywhere else for solutions? My commitment to abide in Christ has been made stronger by recent conversations with friends. Each confided they were overwhelmed by the same problem. Anxiety. They were consumed with worry about frightening events in the news. Admittedly, the world can be a scary place right now. Wars and rumors of wars abound. Random acts of violence hit close to home. Persecution of Christians is at an all-time high. Some say it's the most dangerous time in history to believe in Jesus. It has always been dangerous to follow God. The Bible is full of examples of believers facing persecution. John the Baptist met a gruesome death at the hands of the evil ruler Herod. John had confronted Herod on his adulterous relationship with Herodias, his brother's wife. Herod  wanted to kill John but feared the crowd. Look at what happened next: But at Herod's birthday celebration, he got his chance. Herodias's daughter provided the entertainment, dancing for the guests. She swept Herod away. In his drunken enthusiasm, he promised her on oath anything she wanted. Already coached by her mother, she was ready: "Give me, served up on a platter, the head of John the Baptizer." That sobered the king up fast. Unwilling to lose face with his guests, he did it—ordered John's head cut off and presented to the girl on a platter. She in turn gave it to her mother (Matthew 14:6-12 MSG). Notice the reaction of Jesus to the death of his dearly loved cousin. The Bible tells us he went away by himself to be alone with God. Though he was God Incarnate, Jesus was fully human. We must assume he needed time to process the tragedy, to pour out his heart, to be healed and strengthened by his heavenly Father. But while on the way, he is intercepted by a crowd of needy and hurting people. Moved with compassion, he heals their sick and even performs a miracle of feeding the 5000. I'm sure Jesus was exhilarated. But notice: He still needed time alone with God. As soon as the meal was finished, he insisted that the disciples get in the boat and go on ahead to the other side while he dismissed the people. With the crowd dispersed, he climbed the mountain so he could be by himself and pray. He stayed there alone, late into the night. Matthew 14:22,23 MSG Jesus withdrew to pray, to heal, to grieve, to seek renewed strength. To abide. If Jesus needed to be alone with his heavenly Father when walking through a valley, how much more do we?

by Marilynn Chadwick Consider the miracle of speech. Our voice sets us apart from the animals. It allows us to communicate with each other. It connects us to God. A voice is a powerful tool. I believe our most important task is to train ourselves to hear God's voice. Jesus gives us a beautiful description of his role as the "good shepherd." He proves his love by "laying down his life for his sheep" (John 10:11). What a stark contrast with the "hired hand." This false shepherd cares only for himself—when he sees a wolf coming, he cuts and runs to save himself leaving the sheep defenseless. Whose voice is most familiar to you? I can easily recognize my husband David's voice. When he calls, he doesn't have to identify himself. My sensitivity to his voice comes from our relationship. So it is with Jesus. If we are one of his followers, we recognize his voice. "My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me" (John 10:27 NIV). Listening to the right voice can be the difference between life and death. Ponder God's sober warning to the children of Israel: "This day I call the heavens and the earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings, and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him..." (Deuteronomy 30:19-20 NIV). So many voices compete for our attention. We can tune our hearts to hear God's voice by spending time in his Word (Romans 10:17). Here are a few tips on how I sharpen my hearing: I carve out time in the morning for God's Word and prayer. It's my priority. I call this my "morning launch." I also have a favorite spot for my quiet time. I often use a Bible reading plan along with my Study Bible, journal, and prayer list. I try to pray "without ceasing," sometimes while folding clothes, driving across town, or on an afternoon walk. Praying throughout the day keeps my connection with God flowing and sharpens my hearing. It also helps me keep watch for answers! I hope you, too, will learn to sharpen your hearing of God's voice. Learn about his nature and character. Train yourself to get close enough to him to understand how he would lead you.

by Marilynn Chadwick Have you discovered that every voice in your head is not from God? The enemy of our soul often tries to sneak in his lies, sometimes disguised as our own voice. So how do we recognize when it's really God speaking to us? Jesus tells us, "My sheep listen to my voice. I know them and they follow me" (John 10:27). Your most important job is to train your heart to hear God's voice. Get to know him. Spend time with him. When David calls, I easily recognize his voice—because I spend a lot of time with him. God has given us the Holy Spirit to help us discern truth from lies. Among other descriptions of the Holy Spirit, he is called the "Spirit of truth." It's worth repeating. Not all voices are from God and not all spirits are the Holy Spirit. That's why we need a "Spiritual Spam Filter." God has provided us with several guardrails to bring clarity to our hearing: The Word of God; the inner witness of the Holy Spirit; the character of God as revealed in Scripture; the testimonies of other believers, both now and throughout the ages. Before Jesus went to the cross, he encouraged his disciples to eagerly anticipate the "Spirit of truth" that would soon come their way (John 16:13). "Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you" (John 16:7). This same Helper, Jesus promised, was "the Spirit of truth" who would guide them (and us) into "all truth" (John 16:13). "The Helper (Comforter, Advocate, Intercessor—Counselor, Strengthener, Standby), the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name [in My place, to represent Me and act on My behalf], He will teach you all things. And He will help you remember everything that I have told you" (John 14:26 AMP). Did you catch that? Jesus said the Holy Spirit will even help us remember what he has spoken to us. Good news as we are learning to discern the voice of God!

by Marilynn Chadwick "What do I do when God seems silent?" The question came from a good friend and a sincere follower of Jesus. We were on a weekend retreat where I had just delivered a message about learning to hear God's voice. Her question hit a chord. How do we handle those times when we have prayed and prayed? Perhaps we have even sensed God's promise to fulfill a hope or dream. But the answer is so slow in coming. I thought back to my own time of what I call "wait training." In our early years of marriage, David and I had looked forward to the day we'd have children. Imagine our dismay when hopes for a baby stretched into six months, a year, two years, and eventually four years—forty-eight straight months—of drugs, surgeries, tests, and more tests. And still no baby. We eventually had our daughter and two sons. But the years of waiting proved to be a good time to seek God and to wait on him. Strength came as I rested in the Lord, studied his Word, held fast to his promises...day after day after day. I learned what Jesus meant when he encouraged believers to "abide" in him (John 15:5). I also found surprising comfort as I stepped out of my own pain to serve others. I discovered that if I would give my life away to help someone who was hurting worse than I was, a mysterious joy would spring forth. By seeking God and serving him wholeheartedly, I learned that times of waiting can give birth to a larger purpose. Turns out not getting what we want when we want it may be one of the best tools to sharpen our hearing of God's voice. We may also discover that our seasons of waiting—those times we thought were barren—can become our most fruitful.

by Marilynn Chadwick God is always speaking. The question is, "Will you listen?" It's a question I ask myself every day. Will I take the time to listen in our busy, noisy world? I have discovered that if you truly commit to listening to God, amazing things can happen. David and I have shared over four decades of marriage and ministry (I once vowed that I'd never become a Christian, and most definitely, I would never marry a minister. Funny how things turn out, isn't it?). Along the way, we have discovered that listening to God is not just about hearing his voice. It's also about doing his will. My life, I realized one day, was either a "so what?" or a "so that!" If listening to God took me no further than my own little world, then so what? The point of hearing his voice is so that I'll do his will. So, I told God that I would give my whole heart to listening to him. And I committed to pray, starting with my own family right at home, but with an eye for the needs of God's larger world. What happens when you begin to take seriously the call to listen to God's voice? That's when the adventure begins! You could end up traveling to genocide torn regions in Africa as David and I did. Or you might come face to face with the needs of your neighbor next door. You just might meet people and go to places you never knew existed—starting within your own community. Everyone's journey will look different. You can read more about my experiences in Sometimes He Whispers, Sometimes He Roars: Learning to Hear the Voice of God. The book started out as simply a memoir of my own adventures in prayer. But friends kept urging me to add some practical content to this journey—some footsteps— so others could follow along. I firmly believe that if you will listen to God daily and watch for him at work right where you are, your ordinary days will no longer feel ordinary.

by Marilynn Chadwick All three of our now grown children especially looked forward to the end of our Day Off, which they referred to as "Family Home Night." These were weekly times of shared togetherness at the close of Sabbath and included special movies, family prayers, Bible stories, and make-your-own-pizzas. The movies we selected didn't always have a spiritual message, but they helped reinforce a value or character quality such as perseverance, compassion, kindness, or courage. Our family movies often launched spontaneous times of talking, sharing, laughing, and dreaming. The kids seemed to take this time to heart. Early on, we decided Family Home Night was not a "friend-sleepover night," but no one seemed to mind. They grew to eagerly anticipate the much-needed space set aside for rest and time with just our family. They felt renewed by the safe haven of home. Refreshed, they were ready to reenter the fray. I have found that Sabbath and giving space to share stories seem to go together. This was especially evident during our mission trips to other cultures. There, life moves at a slower pace. There, we forget our to-do list and welcome the unexpected. This is often the case in places where war or suffering have torn the people and their land. I remember the young Rwandan mother, a survivor of the horrific genocide. She shared her story of pain after our worship service together. I was amazed by her courage and strength. She said, "It is good to know you have not forgotten us." We kept in touch for years, but it was Sabbath-keeping that opened the door for our shared stories and friendship. Sabbath goes against the grain of a world that is too busy to care. Sabbath is life in slower motion. For this reason, Sabbath lends itself to sharing our stories, fears, burdens, testimonies, hopes and dreams. We were not created to experience Sabbath in isolation. I wonder if biblical Sabbath-keeping could become a powerful counter-cultural strategy in a world which thirsts for freedom from overwork, idolatry, and isolation. In a world that desperately needs shalom. A few questions to get you thinking. You may want to experiment until you find the rhythm of rest that works best for you or your family. How often does your family take a day off where you don't do work, housework, or yard work? Describe the perfect day off. Where would you go and with whom? Is there a nearby park or hiking trail you enjoy? What activities do you and your family enjoy at home together? What activities do you enjoy doing alone? Would you invite a friend to join you in the activity? What are some good movies or books you could reserve for your weekly "Day Off?" Are there special treats you could plan ahead? Ideas: Make your own pizza; popcorn with sea salt and coconut oil, drizzled with dark chocolate. Think of fun snacks that don't require much preparation. Are you one who enjoys cooking or is "Door Dash" your new best friend? How can you plan a special meal ahead of time that you or your family would enjoy on your day off? What gets in the way of taking a day off each week? Conflicting job schedules, family members with different routines, kids' sports? Are there changes that would help? What are creative ways you or your family could read the Bible and pray together on your day off—maybe over a cup of specialty coffee in a nearby park or quiet setting? What is your most significant "takeaway" from the teachings on Sabbath? Is there one change you can make today to begin to enjoy God's gift of rest?

by Marilynn Chadwick In addition to "not working" on the Sabbath, the observant Jew also practices "not worrying." Seriously. How does one "not worry?" Is that even possible? A friend coined this snappy little acronym: W.O.R.R.Y: Worry Only Robs Rest from You It's true. Worrying is exhausting. I realize as believers in Jesus, we're not obligated to keep Sabbath according to any particular formula or law. But a true confession. After some honest reflection, I've come to realize that worry actually drains my energy and robs my inner peace way more than work does. Worry (translated as "I really, really care") seems logical, even useful. I have plenty of excuses for why I worry: "I just have a vivid imagination." "I have lots to do." "There are so many people I care about." Worry just comes with the territory, right? No. Not if we look at what the Bible says. I've been reflecting lately on Paul's words about worry: "Don't worry about anything; instead, pray about everything." Next, he says to "tell God what you need and thank Him for what he has already done" (Phil 4:6, 7 NLT). These are training tips from a guy in prison who was always in danger of getting killed. But look at the amazing promise in verse 8: "Then God's peace, which is greater than the human mind can understand, will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus." Wow. Prayer sounds like a much better use of my energy than worrying. I wonder if turning my "cares into prayers" (in the words of Charles Spurgeon) might be one way to stop this pesky Sabbath thief at the door? Not worrying on the Sabbath—or any other day for that matter—now that's new territory! I truly want to learn to walk more solidly in my faith and drive out worry. But old habits die hard, so I'll have to be patient with myself. Maybe you'd like to share some useful tips for how you deal with worry. Remember, we're all in this together. Let's encourage each other as we learn how to rest worry free.

by Marilynn Chadwick It's been said that Americans are the only people who worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. Maybe that's why keeping Sabbath is so hard. Many of us enjoy feeling productive, and taking a day off seems to slow us down. The word Sabbath, or sabat in Hebrew, means "to cease, desist, rest." Put another way, Sabbath simply means to stop working. The very first use of sabat, translated "rest," in the Bible is in Genesis 2:2-3 NIV: "By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done." Sabbath can be described as taking one day each week to rest from our work. Work six days and rest one, a rhythm which follows God's pattern as Creator. Work and rest are holy. Both are an example of what it means to be created in the image of God. So what are some practical ways to embrace rest and resist overworking? Perhaps we can learn a few tips on Sabbath-keeping from observant Jews. Worship, rest, family time, taking a walk, and reading are among the activities considered good Sabbath practices by the faithful Jew. What is not good on the Sabbath can be summed up in three words: "work, commerce [shopping and spending], and worry." During their trek through the desert, God instructed the children of Israel to gather manna for six days and rest on the seventh, a type of training ground for later Sabbath-keeping (Exodus 16:5). Even before Moses received the Ten Commandments, God was training the Israelites in rhythms of rest. When God gave Moses the law, he reminded Moses of how he brought the Israelites out of slavery. "Slaves cannot take a day off; free people can," writes theologian Dorothy Bass. In her book "Keeping Sabbath, Practicing Our Faith," she sounds a wake-up call for Christians to return to the practice of Sabbath-keeping. Sabbath rest is a weekly testimony against the perpetual grind of a slave's work, she adds. It gives us a picture of who God is and what it means to be created in his image. God's fourth commandment, "Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy," points us back to Creation (Exodus 20:8 NIV). More words are used to explain this one than any of the other nine, so Sabbath-keeping must be important to God. Sabbath makes space for nurturing our families, our church, and our communities. Sabbath-keeping helps us care for our souls in an age when many are desperately thirsty for inner peace. Rest from our work is also a theological theme woven throughout the Bible. It describes the liberating life of grace for the believer who has found true rest in Christ's salvation. Perhaps St. Augustine could have been hinting at our need for Sabbath rest when he made this famous statement in his Confessions: "You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you."

by Marilynn Chadwick Are you feeling tired today? Maybe you worked late, slept poorly, tried to juggle too many tasks, attempted to solve too many problems, took on too much responsibility for everything and everybody around you. It seems you're not alone. America is a nation obsessed with rest—or the lack of it. At my children's high school one year, teachers sent home a disturbing article about sleep deprived teenagers. Researchers are telling us that people now fantasize about sleep! It seems the average person is very, very tired. You may be working harder, running faster, accomplishing more and more… but who's watching out for your soul? "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Matthew 11:28-30 NIV I've been drawn to Jesus's promise of rest after observing some very "exhausted souls" lately. Exhaustion can manifest itself as anxiety, depression, illness, addiction, or even self-destructive behaviors. This has left me thinking. Why are so many people crashing and burning? What would happen if we revived the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping? I wonder if Sabbath—in whatever ways we choose to practice it—might help set us free from the weight of unhealthy expectations and lessen the anxieties of fast-paced living? Since the time of ancient Israel, Sabbath-keeping has been a life-giving gift of God. Sabbath was meant to refresh our relationship with God and one another. For the next several days, we'll explore the biblical and practical foundations of Sabbath-keeping. How does this once-a-week gift of rest bring peace to those who embrace it? How is Sabbath woven into God's covenant with Israel? What significance does it have for Christians today? We'll also explore some practical ways we can experience the rest of Sabbath in a busy, noisy world.

by David Chadwick As we wrap up this week's focus on how to keep revival fires burning in our personal lives, remember the importance of the "daily" decisions. In a society that idolizes the big, the glamorous, the tantalizing moments, many of God's treasures lie in secret and hidden places. Think about the pearl of great price (Matthew 13:45-46). Or the parable of the hidden treasure (Matthew 13:44). Proverbs 25:2 says, "It is the glory of God to conceal things, but the glory of kings is to search things out." Learn to seek out the daily, small, quiet disciplines that allow revival to burn continually. Daily desire to hear, "Well done." At the end of our lives, we will all face Jesus. What will he say to us? Jesus promised to those who have loved and served him faithfully, we will hear, "Well done, my good and faithful servant" (Matthew 25:21). We all desire affirmation from superiors (coaches, bosses, parents, etc) for a job well done. Is this your greatest desire? To hear the Lord Jesus say this to you when you meet him one day face to face? We don't know when Jesus will return (Matthew 24:36). But when he does, we should desire to have him find us DOING what he has commanded us to do. Sharing our faith. Serving the needy. Caring for our families. The dictionary defines "revival" as "coming back to life" or "the restoration of force, validity, or effect to something." Dear friend, may I be frank with you for a moment? If you will make the daily decisions to keep the fire alive, you won't always have to search for ways to make it come back to life. If you don't let something completely lose its force, validity, or effect, you won't always have to restore it. I believe with all of my heart that God longs to see the church, the bride of Christ, not only experience revival but come out of this season with tools to maintain revival. A church who walks in conviction, power, purity, and who knows how to remain daily connected to Jesus. If the "Well done" from Jesus is your master passion, it will keep your revival fires daily glowing in your heart as you wait for his imminent return.

by David Chadwick Yesterday, we talked about how in order to keep revival fires burning, you must daily choose to hate sin. You must kill it. Crucify it. Suffocate it. But there is another important step to this process. You must daily cultivate a deep love for God. With ALL your heart, soul, mind, and might (Deuteronomy 6:5). With every ounce of your being, LOVE Jesus. Desire him and his kingdom above all else. Any desire to crucify bad behaviors must accompany a deep desire to love God or it will not last. John Wesley was right when he said, "Give me one hundred preachers who fear nothing but sin, and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on Earth." A deep love and desire for God changes everything. We love Jesus because he first loved us (1 John 4:10). He took the first step toward us. In the incarnation, he became flesh and dwelt among us (John 1:14). To know we are loved and forgiven of our sins prompts us to worship. Here is a great daily exercise. Sit down somewhere and contemplate the cross. Imagine yourself at the foot of Jesus's cross. Acknowledge that your sin put him there. You hate sin. But it didn't keep him there. His love for you and for me sent him on a rescue mission to bring back access to the eternal Father. What a great and wondrous love he has for us! Now, go spend a few moments thinking about the empty tomb. It's forever empty! And you are forever forgiven! These daily reminders of the meaning of the cross and the resurrection keep revival fires burning! Then you walk in the Spirit, a military term of daily, disciplined promenade in God's grace.  And the fruit of the Spirit is produced within you: love, joy, peace, patience, goodness, faithfulness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Crucify your sin, yes. But love God. Love him with every fiber of your being. Watch as revival fires burn brighter and brighter in the hearts of God's people, creating a unity that allows us to grow up and be a healthy and whole body, built up in love (Ephesians 4:13-16). This is the kind of revival that will change the world for Jesus.

by David Chadwick In the midst of so many recent conversations about revival, my heart is to see people maintain revival. How? I believe there are daily rhythms that can help keep revival fires burning in each one of our lives. Here is another way to keep revival burning within you: Daily hate sin. This is one area where Jesus gives those who follow him permission to hate. We are to love what he loves and hate what he hates. And he hates sin. Sin is what nailed him to the cross. How do we hate sin? By crucifying the flesh. Galatians 5:19-21 lists the lusts of the flesh: "sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these." Do you find yourself in any of these? We all see something in this list that applies to us. Choose to confess your sin regularly and nail it on the cross. When prisoners in Jesus's day were nailed to the cross, they would die from asphyxiation. Daily choose to suffocate the lusts of your flesh. Refuse to let them control you. How? Hate sin. Hate what it has done to you. When you find yourself even thinking about it, feel your stomach churn in disgust. Let it make you sick. Then you won't desire it any longer. Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) teaches people how to be sober for one day. And then the next day. And the next day. And so forth. Over time, people find themselves free. But first they must hate alcohol. What it's done to them. Their family. Friendships. Then, day by day, comes freedom. Daily crucify sin in your life. Hate it. Kill it. Over time, it will lose its power over you. You will become free. Revival fires will burn daily within you. And can live in the flow of the Spirit. In the love of Jesus – which is tomorrow's "daily."

by David Chadwick Over the last couple of years, many have been discussing revival after the events that took place at Asbury University in February of 2023. Corporate revival experiences can be great, but I believe the heart of God longs to see his children maintaining revival day after day after day. I have found many of the ways to maintain revival come through daily decisions to obey and follow Jesus. How do we keep revival? Daily abide. Jesus says, "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me" (John 15:4). The word abide means "to rest or to remain in a fixed position." It implies always being connected to the power source, Jesus himself. If you want to keep revival fires burning, choose to make decisions throughout your day to abide in Christ. Remain connected to him. Stay close to the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells us that if we are his sheep, we will hear his voice (John 10:27). We will know him and follow him. Obeying what he tells us to do. Speaking words of encouragement to others when prompted to do so. Loving and serving those he tells us to love and serve. Imagine your heart being a plug and Jesus as an outlet. If the light in your lamp at home is not working, it may not be connected to the power source. Daily check the connection between you as the plug and Jesus as the outlet. Throughout your day, make sure you are always connected to him. This allows you to abide. Remaining in him. Every single second of every single day. Then watch as revival power and energy will flow in and through you each and every day to others. You will be ever ready to display to the world the reviving salvation that Jesus has placed in your heart.

by David Chadwick With our current series on revival in mind, here is one question we all must ask. How do we keep revival fires burning? Over the next week, I want to help you answer this question. I find the key to maintaining revival is in this one, simple word…"daily." A daily pursuit of habits can result in lifelong change. No one notices the significance of taking vitamins each day. In fact, it is quite a mundane task. But, over time, this simple, daily habit creates an arsenal of resistance against deficiency in the human body. And think about physical exercise and the health benefits when done daily. Think about the number of times the Bible talks about the importance of trusting God daily. For example, the manna in the wilderness for the Israelites was a daily provision that God gave his people. He supplied their needs for food daily. Jesus taught us to pray, "Give us this day, our daily bread" (Luke 11:3). There were no refrigerators in his day. People had to gather and cook enough food for just that day. Jesus said not to worry about tomorrow because tomorrow has enough worries of its own (Matthew 6:34). By inference, we are to seek first the kingdom daily and everything else will be added to us (Matthew 6:33). Jesus also said to take up our cross daily and follow him (Luke 9:23). He is stating our need to face our problems, issues, and difficulties "daily" and to depend on him each day and in every way. To crucify the lusts of the flesh daily and they will have no power over us. It is a daily discipline to keep revival fires burning. A daily endeavor. There is no substitute for the daily, disciplined pursuit of following Jesus. Quite frankly, I have seen too many people who become overly consumed with the exciting moments after a dramatic spiritual encounter, but do very little to sustain the spiritual encounter. The truth is, Jesus wants us to live each day in a constant state of revival; being daily revived, washed, and renewed by his words and reality of his eternal presence. Throughout the rest of this week, I am going to show you four ways to daily stoke revival fires. Ways to know and experience Jesus every single second of every single day! Stay tuned!

by Marilynn Chadwick A revival known as the "Children's Prayer Revival" was ignited around December 28, 1707. The location was near the border of Poland and Czechia in an area where evangelical worship had been outlawed. Boys and girls, ages 4-14, assembled in the open fields outside the town to pray. They would sing hymns, read Psalms, and close with a blessing. Church leaders were furious that prayer was taking place outside the church building, yet it was as if nothing could stop these children from assembling to pray. One father, concerned about his children defying the church and governmental authorities, tried to lock his son and daughter in their rooms. Yet when he heard that they intended to leap out their window to assemble for prayer, he conceded and permitted them to go (as recounted by various revival historians). The Children's Prayer Revival spread and before long the adults joined with the children. When adults witnessed the children singing and praying, it "melted them to tears." The children's gatherings often numbered between 300 to 1,000. A city guard was sent with a whip to disperse the children. But when he saw them praying, he was so moved by what he witnessed that he could not do it. David and I have witnessed firsthand this same boldness among children during our travels to India. Just as the Children's Prayer Revival became the catalyst for more revival, children in India today are bringing entire families to Christ and leading the way for the explosive expansion of the Gospel. As you reflect on the powerful role of children in revival, watch this short 5-minute video (scroll to "Monika's Story"): https://missionindia.org/videos/category/childrens-bible-clubs/. Mission India is one of our Moments Of Hope Church global partners. Pray for the work of Children's Bible Clubs as they spread the Gospel throughout India. Children are a vital part of our church's prayer, worship, and ministry. Let's ask God to give us the bold courage of those with childlike faith!

by Marilynn Chadwick True revival awakens a heart for the least and the lost. Historically, revivals have occurred during times of cultural darkness. England, at the beginning of the eighteenth century, had plunged into moral decadence. Drunkenness was rampant and gambling so pervasive that historians described the nation as "one vast casino." Tickets were sold to public executions as entertainment. Many children died in workhouses. Conditions were dismal all around. Amid this degradation, increasing numbers of British grew rich on the African slave trade, causing one Anglican bishop to remark that morality and religion in Britain had collapsed "to a degree that was never known in any Christian country." It was into this dark culture that John Wesley's life and ministry helped spark the Methodist movement in Great Britain, which gave rise to the Eighteenth-Century Evangelical Revival. This same movement helped ignite the Great Awakening in the thirteen colonies in the 1730s. Methodists and Baptists took the lead in using revivals to expand the spread of Christianity into the frontiers of America. Wesley's revival methods gave birth to a small group discipleship movement. These small groups of five to ten people never exceeded one percent of the total population of Great Britain.  Yet their influence swelled among the masses, eventually spilling over to the upper-crust English society. It's no surprise that this Revival had a powerful effect on social conditions in England, including child labor, prison reform, and later the abolition of slavery. Some even say the Wesley Revival movement helped England avoid the type of violent revolution which swept through France. One thing is clear. Throughout history, true revival brought societal reform wherever it spread. If God could use a small group of revived people to transform culture in one of the darkest times in history, just think of what he can do in and through you in these days.

by Marilynn Chadwick The First Great Awakening in America was ignited around 1730 by a scholarly New England minister named Jonathan Edwards. From there, a series of revivals rapidly spread, bringing about the most significant social upheaval to occur prior to the Revolutionary War. The dramatic, impassioned preaching of England's George Whitfield fueled these revival fires as he passed through the colonies. The strategic discipleship methods of John Wesley, also from England, extended the revival's power and impact in early America. The widespread salvation of unbelievers (that extended beyond the church) marked these Great Awakenings, along with renewed emphasis on holiness by believers. The "pattern" of revival often points to a period of spiritual decline and darkness in the culture. Collin Hansen and John D. Woodbridge speak to these patterns in their book A God-Sized Vision: Revival Stories that Stretch and Stir. In the midst of despair and hopelessness, someone steps forward to confess their sins and others follow their example. God often answers these humble, heartfelt, corporate cries with a sweeping move of revival. Confession of sin was also the very backbone of John Wesley's small discipleship groups and initially the vehicle for the spread of the English Evangelical Revival. This same "method" was the foundation for early Methodism in America—contributing to the spread of revival fires throughout the colonies. Wesley's foundational verse was James 5:16a emphasizing the healing that comes through confession: "Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." The Second Great Awakening in America occurred in the mid 1800s following a great spiritual decline after the Revolutionary War. Results were staggering. Revival historian Edwin Orr states that in the U.S., "a million nominal church members were reinvigorated, and more than a million converts were added to the membership of major Protestant denominations—out of a population of less than 30 million." If we want to partner with the heart of God to move in our midst, repentance is key. Take simple steps to introduce rhythms of repentance in your life. You never know. It might create revival in your personal life.

by Marilynn Chadwick Fervent, persistent prayer always precedes revival. Revival historians consistently point to what is sometimes called extraordinary prayer. This is united, persistent, and frequent prayer…often for extended periods of time. The Moravian Revival of 1727 started as a 24/7 prayer meeting that lasted for over 100 years. A group of humble, simple servants who were hungry to see God move. This same Revival gave birth to the most wide-reaching global missionary movement in history. The Moravians' fervent prayer deeply affected the personal faith of John Wesley, who said his heart was "strangely warmed" while attending a Moravian Prayer Meeting in London in 1738. It was there he came to understand the true nature of salvation by grace alone and moved from what he called the "faith of a slave" to the "faith of a son." Historically, revivals were always sparked by prayer. A British pamphlet on Revival, dated 1859, states, "True revival breathed life into every sphere of society. The Church, the family, personal devotion, witnessed its intense ardor. Fervent, persevering, believing prayer marked these movements." Prayer meetings were reported as springing up everywhere from ships at sea to warehouses, marketplaces to workplaces. What is now being called a revival on the campus of Asbury University in February of 2023 bears some characteristics of historic revivals. Sparked by the reported confession of sin by one student, the prayer gathering eventually lasted over two weeks. News of the revival largely spread on social media, attended by about 15,000 people each day. By its end, the revival brought 50,000-70,000 visitors to Wilmore, Kentucky, representing more than 200 academic institutions and multiple countries. As with any revival movement, only time will tell the full story of Asbury. One thing is for sure. Revival always begins with prayer.

by Marilynn Chadwick Dream big together! It's the next tip for learning to honor our husbands. I honor my husband when I share his dreams. When I work to help him accomplish his dreams, my dreams are also fulfilled. Not too long into our marriage, I realized that God's economy is different from mine. When doing things God's way, I often get back the very thing I give away. I help David reach his goals and dreams. Then he helps me reach mine. A wonderful rhythm develops. A mutuality. Together, we've also learned that when we give our life away, especially to the lost and broken of this world, God pours grace and honor back into our own lives. As you dream big and pursue adventure together, you often find heroes in the most unlikely places. Ordinary people living quiet, faithful lives—in my book, these are the real heroes. A while back, David and I adventured to our nation's capital. We met with influential men and women faithfully serving our country. We took tours of the capitol, awed by the courageous faith of our Founding Fathers. Their names are written in history—their impact will last for generations. But for me, the real hero showed up—of all places—in a taxi cab. Our driver was a gentle, friendly man with an east African accent. I noticed the prominent cross on his dashboard. He talked about his 33 years driving a cab. His three kids had all graduated from fine colleges, he boasted, with that dad-kind-of-pride. All had prestigious jobs working in DC. "You must have done some pretty good parenting," I commented. "What's your secret?" "My secret," he laughed, "is America." "In America, if you're willing to work hard, you can reach your dream." "There are some who might disagree," I replied. "Hmmm," he paused, "then they have never lived in another country." See, he had fled the severe persecution of Christians in Eritrea. He went on to say quietly, "People here don't know what it's like to not have freedom." When he was a much younger man, he had been educated as an accountant back in Eritrea. But since coming to America, he has worked as a cab driver. Day after day. Month after month. Year after year. He was well past his prime. As David and I were on our own adventure as a result of dreaming big together, I knew we'd been with a true hero that day. Someone who dreamed big and provided freedom for his family. And a man of honor. _____________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by Marilynn Chadwick Peace is a priority in our home. A peaceful home refreshes and blesses the family. Today's world is busy and noisy. How can I lighten my husband's load and his heart? Help him have fun? I've learned that simple habits, like taking a day off together each week, honor him by allowing him to be refreshed. We're also intentional about family vacations. Doing so has allowed us to sustain our busy schedules. We find we can then return to the fray strengthened and with renewed enthusiasm. But sometimes, peace doesn't come without a fight. If I'm serious about "waging peace," it helps to know my enemy. You know what I have found is the quickest way to rob peace in the home? Worry. Anxiety can drain my energy and quench calm faster than just about anything. What's more, it's contagious. When the kids were small, if I became worried, they seemed to absorb my anxiety and become fretful. Worry is also exhausting. I agree with a friend who coined this acronym for W-O-R-R-Y: Worry Only Robs Rest from You. Worry says loud and clear that I don't trust God. But when I refuse to be anxious, when I trust God and remain peaceful, I create a climate of peace. I have to confess I grew up as a world-class worrier. There were times early in our marriage when fear held me in its grip. Fear of storms, fear of intruders, fear of illness, fear of flying. You name it—I probably wrestled with it. But I've learned to be ruthless. Through the promises in God's Word, lots of prayer, and putting my faith into action, I have wrestled most of my fears to the ground. I'm not completely worry-free, but I can tell you I no longer feel like a prisoner to fear. These twin invaders, fear and anxiety, can wreak havoc on a home and a marriage. God doesn't treat fear and worry as small things. He tells us to cast all your anxiety on him "because he cares for you" (1 Peter 5:7). He commands us to "have no fear." To "be anxious for nothing" (Philippians 4:6 NKJV).  As with any stubborn problem, the first step is to confront anxiety head-on and call it out for the enemy that it is. We may find that our repentance is soon followed by times of refreshing and revival.  And a peace that passes all understanding! Wage peace in the home! Don't worry! Or as I would tell my daughter Bethany as she was growing up, "It'd be better to be dead than to live in dread." I think this fight for peace honors our husbands, and makes life more fun in the process. ___________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by Marilynn Chadwick Deep within the heart of every good woman lives a warrior. Her fierce love can make even the most timid woman do courageous things. Watch out for a woman who is fighting for someone she loves. I have discovered that honoring my husband in today's culture requires me to fight for him. We have an enemy. Not just of our soul, but also of our marriage. In addition to waging a war with the devil, our battle for a strong marriage is also against our own selfish tendencies. Sometimes the best way to fight to honor our husbands is by going against the grain of our flesh. As I do this, I resist a worldly mindset that degrades and disrespects marriage. My friend Ange is from Rwanda. Gentle and soft-spoken, Ange is a shining example of a woman who honored her husband by fighting for him. Ange was in high school when the horrific Rwandan genocide broke out in 1994. She and Emanuel fled on foot. Soldiers attacked their refugee camp. Ange and Emanuel got separated as they ran for their lives. She searched frantically for him, hiding in the forest with no clean water, food, or shelter. Ange made her way to Kenya. She looked everywhere for Emanuel. Eventually she enrolled in Bible college while she continued her search. For eight years! Even her closest friends tried to persuade Ange to accept that Emanuel was dead—and to remarry. But Ange sensed the Holy Spirit was whispering to keep on fighting and to believe that Emanuel was still alive. Her lifeline became, "We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame" (Romans 5:3-5). While listening to a radio program which helped find missing family members after the war, she heard the amazing news that Emanuel was alive. "It was like a dream!" she exclaimed. "I stayed up all night praising and thanking God!" After eight long years, Ange and Emanuel were finally reunited—all because of a wife who kept fighting for her husband. I can best fight for my husband and honor our marriage most powerfully by fighting my flesh and by interceding for him in prayer. Choose to do the same. The fight is worth it! ____________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by Marilynn Chadwick Honor may be best expressed through word and deed, but it begins in my mind. What I think about my husband determines whether my words and actions will honor him. In fact, what we believe about our husbands can make or break our marriages. We must believe the best. For me, this means that as a wife, I value and respect David, believing in him even more than he believes in himself. I can choose how I think about my husband. Either with a lens of criticism and cynicism or with a lens of respect and honor. Do I respect him? Appreciate him? Do I focus on his strengths and downplay his weaknesses? Do I take time to reflect on the many ways he sacrifices for our family? Am I there for him to support and strengthen him, especially when he feels weak? In short, am I thankful for him? Over the years, I've noticed a common theme in the marriages I've grown to admire. The spouses seem to be intentional about interpreting each other in a positive light. The wives speak about their husbands with respect. The husbands find ways to honor their wives. It's clear they treasure and appreciate their partner. In short, they believe the best about each other, and it shows. Turns out there's some research to back up this observation. Author and longtime Gallup poll associate Marcus Buckingham surveyed thousands of married couples to discover the traits at the core of good marriages. He found something intriguing. The common thread running through happy marriages was this: In the most successful marriages, each partner rated the other person higher than that person rated him or herself. Choose to honor. Make the intentional decision to be transformed by renewing your mind (Romans 12:2). Take every thought captive and make it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). Believe the best about your husband and watch as honor increases in your marriage. ___________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by Marilynn Chadwick What is honor and why is it important? To honor someone is to treat them with admiration or respect. Honor conveys dignity, honesty, and integrity. Several years ago my husband's beloved college basketball coach, North Carolina's legendary Dean Smith, passed away. Next to his own father, David says Coach Smith was the most significant man in his life. Even superstar Michael Jordan called Coach Smith his "second father." Why? Because along with great basketball, Coach Smith taught his players about life.   When I first met my basketball player-turned-preacher husband, I was a University of Georgia girl and a die-hard football fan. Basketball, not so much. But I loved David, and I grew to love basketball. Soon after we got married, Coach Smith sent me a handwritten note welcoming me to the "Carolina Family." He always remembered my alma mater and my college major. He knew our children by name. Seriously. Who does that? After Coach Smith's passing, I was able to write an editorial honoring my husband's legendary basketball coach. Responses to my article, some from well-known leaders in our community, caused me to wonder if our culture is thirsty for honor. Public reaction to Dean Smith's passing seemed to convey a nostalgic yearning for role models, for dads, for men of honor. In fact, a prominent defense attorney in our community sent me a handwritten note sharing how his own dad had been such an honorable man. A federal judge and a bank president both weighed in on the subject of honor. Young moms wrote to tell me about their "amazing husbands" and vowed to be more intentional to honor them. Had I touched a nerve?   Maybe it's because honor is lacking in our homes. Families today are in trouble. Studies show that 70% of divorces are now initiated by women. Honor was God's idea in the first place—especially in marriage. No wonder we're thirsty for this sometimes-forgotten virtue. What would happen if we sparked a movement of honor in our homes, our communities, and our world? Over the next two weeks, we will explore honor from a biblical point of view; specifically addressing wives. I want to give every wife 8 practical tips on how you can begin to honor your husband and create a culture of honor in your home. My dream is that together, we really could see a movement of honor that would spill over into a hurting and broken world. ____________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Husband by Marilynn Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by David Chadwick We are taking two weeks to look at 8 great ways that husbands can honor their wives. When honor is in the foundation of a marriage, God is honored. Both people thrive. And the family gets healthier. In God's original intent for marriage, a husband and wife become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). A reflection of his nature and character occurs. A demonstration of the love Jesus has for the church - his bride. Because a husband and wife are one flesh, God often uses a wife to speak into his will for the husband. A wife's insights are to be heard and cherished. The tool for today: respect her opinion. Wives need to be heard, honored, and respected. A wife's voice should be valued and prized.  She, too, is made in the image of God and carries perspectives of his heart. You, as a husband, are called in Ephesians 5:25-27 to love your wife. To give yourself up for her. To cleanse her by giving her a consistent depiction of Jesus. I once told my wife Marilynn, "I'd be wiling to die for you."  She quickly responded, "That's great! Just make sure you also are willing to live for me as well." Great point! Husbands should listen to what their wives have to say and consider their suggestions. This will help her feel loved. There are many different ways to say, "I love you" to your wife with more than mere words. Sometimes it's through loving touch. Other times by listening to her heart and dreams. It's by building memories and having fun together. And, at times, it's by respecting her opinion. Choose to seek out her opinion and respect it. Value it. Cherish it. Ask her for it. On matters great and small. If what she is suggesting aligns with what is the obvious right thing to do, do it. This is a great way to increase closeness, intimacy and oneness. _______________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by David Chadwick I want to see biblical manhood reflected in the church. I want husbands to know how to honor their wives, creating strong marriages. I want to see strong, healthy families who love the Lord with all their hearts, souls, minds, and strength. I believe a strong family starts with a strong marriage. And a strong marriage starts with humble men who know how to honor their wives. We are looking at 8 great ways for husbands to develop a culture of honor with their wives. Here is the next tool: encourage her gifts! Your wife has a call from God that he has given her to accomplish (Ephesians 2:10). There is a call from God inside of her that only she can do. It is different from yours. Help her find out what that work is. Then, help her do it. Study her. Watch what she loves to do. Ask her what she loves to do. Maybe start with some simple questions like, "What brings you life?" or "What sucks the life out of you?" Then take some time to dream with her. See what God has put inside of her. And then help her accomplish it. For example, my wife Marilynn loves to learn. I have always known that. So, when she approaches me with opportunities for further learning and study, I want to do whatever I can to support her in making that happen! In the 1980s, I watched her earn a Masters in Counseling from a local university. Within the last year, she received a Master's in Christian Practice from Duke University – and, yes, summa cum laude in both degrees (I'm bragging, but so proud!). I have also loved seeing her use these gifts in teaching, which is her primary passion. Husbands, as you set your wife up to win and encourage the flourishing of her gifts, it helps you become closer and closer. And yet another tool to foster honor and for two to become one! _____________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by David Chadwick A toolbox packed full of different tools gives someone the confidence to step into a variety of situations and bring a solution. If you only have a "hammer" and you find a situation that needs a "screwdriver," you will not get very far. Over the next two weeks, we are exploring 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife. I want to give you, husbands, tools to strengthen your marriage. My prayer is that God strengthens your marriage as you put these "8 Greats" into practice in your home. Today's tool: be a man of God! This is an absolute must for all husbands. You are to be an earthly example of Jesus to your bride. True biblical manhood is a blend of tough and tender. In the Bible, David is referred to as a man after God's own heart. A humble worshiper and a valiant warrior. A beloved shepherd and a giant slayer. As you strengthen your relationship with Jesus, growing in your biblical manhood, your wife will trust you more and more. Your daily pursuit of God will bring honor to her. She will want to honor you as you honor Jesus. In turn, your marriage will bring honor to the Lord. When a husband's faith is lived out in the home as a humble worshiper, a forgiven forgiver, and a strong leader with bridled power (Galatians 5:25), the wife will experience the blessing of his pursuit of Jesus. A wife can easily appreciate and honor a husband who lives under the control of the Holy Spirit, who crucifies the lusts of the flesh, who is self-controlled, and who lives a disciplined life. This is also so important in seeing a man and a woman become one. ____________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

by David Chadwick I want to teach you principles for developing biblical love and honor within a marriage. I love pithy statements that help to easily remember things. Marilynn and I have found the term "8 Great" to be a very easy way to remember Godly principles for different areas of life. Over the next two weeks, I want to share 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife. Each day, I am going to give you, husbands, a new tool that you can put in your tool belt. Different situations require different tools and my prayer is that you will become more equipped to lead and love your wife with HONOR. Here is the first tool: trust her gut! It's almost as if wives have been given an early warning radar system by God. They can sense danger for their husbands from a mile away. Genesis 2:24 says, "Therefore a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh." As two become one, a wife's heart increasingly feels for her husband's heart. And wants his heart to be completely protected. I have so many examples of times I can look back on and see that Marilynn was exactly correct in her intuitions about certain situations and people. If I had listened to her more carefully, I could have avoided some pain. My Marilynn's prayer walk is deep and rich. I can trust she is hearing God's voice (John 10:27). And like God, I know she is FOR me (Romans 8:31). Husbands, listen to your wife. Honor her warnings. It will greatly aid in you both becoming one. __________________ This series is adapted from the book, 8 Great Ways to Honor Your Wife by David Chadwick. To download your free PDF copy of this book, please visit our website by clicking here!

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!

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.