Equipped & Equipping

On his second missionary journey, the Apostle Paul met a young man in Lystra named Timothy. Lystra’s residents held Timothy, a believer in Christ, in high regard. Paul, also impressed by Timothy, invited him to come along on his missionary travels. As Timothy spent time with Paul and learned from him, he became Paul’s “true child in the faith” (I Timothy 1:2).

The Great Commission commands us to invest our time and energy in teaching and raising up disciples. Christ’s goal? For each of His disciples to “observe all that I commanded you” (Matthew 28:20).

FRIENDS, WE ARE FAILING AT THIS!

Of those raised in Christian homes...

•       67% do not study Scripture on their own¹

•     70% doubt the Bible’s veracity¹

•     33% believe that there are other ways to heaven¹

•     70-75% leave the faith in college²

These statistics are greatly disturbing. We are raising an entire generation of soon-to-be adults who don’t know Bible basics, are incredibly inarticulate about their faith, are ill-equipped to face their atheist college professors², and ergo won’t teach their faith to their own children or those who cross their paths. They simply do not recognize the importance of having a biblical worldview.

SO, WHAT DO WE DO?

The generation ahead always sets the pace for the generation behind. They are looking to us to see

how we live. Are we authentic? Are we genuinely living out our faith? Do we demonstrate with our actions that we truly believe what we say we believe? Fred Rogers, fellow believer and host of Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood, said, “Kids can spot a phony a mile away.” How we live today determines who they grow up to be. When they look at us, do they see people they want to imitate?

To “observe” Christ’s commands requires first knowing what they are. But how will the upcoming generation know what Christ’s commands even are if we don’t teach them? “How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher?” (Romans 10:14). In the Great Commission, Christ tells us that it’s each of our responsibility to teach them.

BUT, I’M NOT EQUIPPED!

What if we don’t feel equipped? What if we think we aren’t smart enough to teach someone else about the Bible? Or what if young adults really don’t seem to like us, and we’re not so sure we like them? THERE IS GOOD NEWS! Christ has equipped us – with the Holy Spirit. We have access to God’s power and wisdom 100% of the time. Not only that, but the Holy Spirit has given us individual gifts so we can carry out God’s will, which includes discipleship.

“And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” II Timothy 2:2

Let’s put our faith into action by following Paul’s example of discipleship. Who can you invest in on a regular, long-term basis?

Jessie Chamberlain

Family Radio Staff

1.   Nappa, Mike. “What do Christian Teens Actually Believe about Jesus?” Biola Magazine(Summer 2012). Accessed March 17, 2017.http://magazine.biola.edu/article/12summer/what-do-christian-teens-actually-believe-about-jes/
2.   Turek, Dr. Frank. “Christian Youth in America Are Leaving the Church.” CrossExamined (2014). Accessed March 17, 2017. http://crossexamined.org/youth-exodus-problem/

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Victors with Christ

CHRIST IS RISEN! During Easter, we celebrated Christ’s victory over death. Rescued from the law of sin and death, no longer do God’s children need to fear eternal separation from Him. But now that “it is finished” and our sins have been separated from us as far as the east is from the west, what comes next for believers as we go through our daily lives?

BEARING FRUIT

Even though we’re free from the law of sin and death, “Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1-2). As Christ promised before His death, the Holy Spirit came to indwell believers to help us live according to the “things of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5).

When we live by the Spirit, we bear the fruits of the Spirit: “love, joy, peace, longsuffering,

gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23). Such characteristics reflect those of our wonderful Creator!

Sin’s cage can’t hold us hostage anymore. Through the Holy Spirit, we can be “doers of the word, and not hearers only” (James 1:22). When we walk in the Spirit, the world can see Christ working in and through us. Through the Holy Spirit, we can be “doers of the word, and not hearers only.”

SHARING THE GOSPEL

Christ’s last words on earth before ascending into heaven commissioned believers to “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20). Sounds simple, right?

But the thing is, no one can be convinced to believe the Good News of the Gospel of Christ. Tom Evans, Family Radio’s president and general manager, is fond of quoting Benjamin Franklin’s famous statement: “Convince a man against his will, and he is of the same opinion still.” To nonbelievers, the Christian life lacks logic. “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (I Corinthians 1:18). So then how do we as believers fulfill Christ’s Great Commission when the world doesn’t want to hear the message?

We share the truth of the Gospel even so, gently and lovingly. God calls us to plant and water the seeds, but it’s the Holy Spirit’s job to bring those seeds to fruition by His good plan and in His timing. The burden of responsibility falls on God’s shoulders, not ours. But does that mean our job is complete once we’ve shared the Gospel? Not a bit!

We make disciples of all nations. This second half of the Great Commission must not be neglected. We intentionally take the time out of our busy lives to raise up disciples – those indwelt with the Holy Spirit – who can give an answer to anyone who asks about their faith (I Peter 3:15). We hold them accountable to living according to the Word of God (I Thessalonians 5:12-15). We wean them off spiritual milk, and introduce them to a steady diet of spiritual meat (Hebrews 5:12-14) so they in turn can disciple others.

FIGHTING THE BATTLE

If we look at the world around us, it would be easy to get discouraged and feel like we’re fighting a

losing battle. God’s Word states, “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:12). People are not our enemies – Satan is, and God has not left us defenseless against him! We can ready ourselves for spiritual battle by putting on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-18) so Christ’s Great Commission will be achieved through perseverance and the power of prayer!

No matter what it may feel like at times, we are not losing! We are victors with Christ and because of Christ! HE IS RISEN INDEED!

O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. I Corinthians 15:55-58

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Brokenness Redeemed

We enter into contracts all the time for business, sales, or tenancy. Contracts stipulate that if we hold up our end of the deal, the other party is legally obligated to hold up their end. If a contract is broken, both parties are released from their commitments. Sometimes this happens amicably, but not always.

BROKEN FROM BETRAYAL

From Brutus to Judas, the world has seen every type of betrayal imaginable. Friend betraying friend. Child betraying parent. Spouse betraying spouse. Employee betraying employer. Citizen betraying country. Betrayal ignites distrust and division, leaving broken, damaged relationships in its fiery trail.

Jesus experienced betrayal on the deepest levels imaginable. He felt the shame of unjustly losing the respect and admiration of a group of people who previously held Him in high esteem. He felt the horror of being traded for money by a close friend. He felt the pain of one of his best friends denying knowing Him not just once, but three times for the sake of protecting his own skin. He even felt what it’s like to feel forsaken by His Father in His greatest hour of need.

THE NEW COVENANT

The difference between a contract and a covenant is when one party breaks a covenant, the other is still bound to uphold it. In the Old Testament, God made a covenant with Israel to send the Messiah to redeem them. Even though Israel broke this covenant time and time again by betraying God, when Jesus came as the Messiah “in the fullness of time” (Galatians 4:4), He didn’t view God’s covenant with Israel as a contract, void after He experienced betrayal after betrayal. Instead, in His graciousness, He fulfilled Scripture by redeeming our brokenness through His death and resurrection, establishing a new, eternal covenant of salvation.

The cross bridged the gap between God and man, allowing us direct access to our Heavenly Father. The torn curtain in the Holy of Holies demonstrated that the temple sacrifices to restore right relationship with God were no longer necessary (Matthew 27:51). Christ “bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed” (I Peter 2:24). His perfect sacrifice paid the debt for our sins, healed our brokenness, and secured eternal life with God.

Christ “bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” I Peter 2:24

REDEMPTION

What could motivate God to make such a covenant with us? What could He stand to gain through dying on the cross in our stead? God’s unconditional love for His children, given by His good will and for His pleasure, shines through Christ’s actions on the cross. He bought us at a price because His unconditional love is so wide and so deep that we cannot fully comprehend it. Instead of leaving us to our fiery trail of broken, damaged relationships caused by sin and betrayal, God chose to extend His mercy to us, redeeming us from our brokenness.

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: according as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love: having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, wherein He hath made us accepted in the beloved. in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace. Ephesians 1:3-7

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Christ is King

The Israelites prepared for Jesus to enter Jerusalem. They laid palm fronds on the ground in front of His donkey as He rode through town, shouting “Hosanna: Blessed is the King of Israel that cometh in the name of the Lord” (John 12:13). His teaching and miracles had made Him quite well-known throughout Israel. But, not even a full week later, even after conferring such honors to Him, the Israelites reneged their admiration and called out to the authorities for His crucifixion.

WHY?

What would cause people to do such a complete 180? How could someone fall from the limelight so quickly when He didn’t do anything wrong to deserve it?

Why would an entire group of people treat someone like a king on Sunday, but crucify the same Man on Friday?

We lack understanding. As humans, we are fickle and fallen. Many times throughout the Gospels, Jesus quoted Isaiah’s prophecy that “...they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand” (Matthew 13:13). The Israelites who chanted, “Crucify Him!” in Mark 15:13 represent the rest of us who weren’t present in that time and place. We also would have turned on Christ ourselves, and in fact do every time that we choose to sin. Even Christ’s disciples didn’t understand all that was happening at that time (John 12:16).

God had a plan. He’s had the same plan of salvation from the foundation of the earth. Everything that happened the week before Passover unfolded because of that plan. “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28). Nothing took God by surprise; He orchestrated this for our benefit.

Satan used his influence. Let’s not forget to give credit where credit is due. Luke 22:3-4 tells us, “Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve. And he went his way, and communed with the chief priests and captains, how he might betray Him unto them.” Satan used this time in history to wield his influence over mankind in his best attempt to date to turn them away from God Almighty. But Christ, the King of creation, won the battle, defeating death and bridging the gap between man and God for eternity! Christ, the King of creation, won the battle, defeating death and bridging the gap between man and God for eternity!

THE SUFFERING SERVANT

While the Israelites expected the Messiah to come as King to free them from the chains of the Roman Empire, He came in a much humbler form by far: a baby born in a stable to a carpenter and his wife. Way back in the Garden of Eden, the sin introduced to the world by Adam and Eve caused a spiritual death that could only be remedied through perfect sacrifice. Our sinful state left us deserving death, but Christ came to be that perfect, sinless sacrifice in our place.

In anguish the night before His crucifixion, He sweat blood, praying for a different way to enact God’s plan (Luke 22:41-44). “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5). God’s most faithful Servant chose to give Himself over to suffering on our behalf, taking a crown of thorns over a crown fit for a king.

CHRIST THE KING

Thanks to Christ’s payment for our sins, believers can enjoy eternal life with God. “Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. Brethren, let every man, wherein he is called, therein abide with God” (I Corinthians 7:23-24). Christ came to reign not as king of a nation, but to be the King of our hearts. “Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in. Who is this King of glory? The Lord of hosts, He is the King of glory.” Psalm 24:7-10

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Row of Ducks

It’s Saturday. I stretch out on a lounge chair and read a book. The sun warms the air around me. An ice-cold Dr. Pepper fizzes in my cup. My husband sits next to me, holding my hand. The laundry is folded. The dishes are washed. The house is clean. The bills are paid. The pets are fed. The fridge is full. Emails are answered. Family and friends are happy and healthy. All is right in my world. I am content.
In my dreams!

REALITY CHECK

My instinct is to put “all my ducks in a row,” and when the line is perfectly straight, I can sit back and

enjoy life. But have you ever tried to put real, live ducks in a row? Not having attempted it myself, my guess is that they wouldn’t stay there for long, if at all. I’m not sure why anyone would even bother trying. Ducks will only fall naturally into an imperfect row when following their mama.

If I was waiting for when I could get my “ducks” to align simultaneously, I’d be waiting until I meet Jesus face-to-face to be satisfied with my life. But – whoops! That means I’d spend my entire life feeling discontent! Contentment isn’t a result of perfect circumstances, it’s an inner peace in spite of circumstances. We live in an imperfect, fallen world. Life is never going to be perfect.
Contentment is an inner peace in spite of circumstances.

WHAT’S THE SECRET?

Contentment comes from God. “And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones: and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.” Isaiah 58:11

Contentment is learned. “Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11

Contentment results from thankfulness. “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” I Thessalonians 5:18

Contentment can’t coexist with worry. “Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.” Matthew 6:34

WHAT’S IT ALL ABOUT?

Life isn’t about to-do lists. It’s about glorifying God through loving Him and loving our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). John Piper, author and theologian, states that, “God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him.” Instead of concerning ourselves with aligning our row of ducks, let’s focus on following our Father, in whom we can find perfect contentment under any circumstance.

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.” I Timothy 6:6-7

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Keeping Your Word

March 20, 2017

“I get so frustrated by your culture! Please don’t tell me ‘Let’s get together sometime,’ if you aren’t going to follow up on it! Just keep your word – act like a Christian!” This opening to my Intercultural Communication class in college was unanticipated and uncomfortable, at the least. While my Korean professor didn’t direct her morning diatribe toward me or anyone else in the class, I will never forget it. Her swift motions as she prepared her desk for teaching class that day conveyed the sense that a recent conversation, in addition to an accumulated mountain of similar irritations, served as the catalyst for her eruption. Were her feelings unfounded? Maybe not. Our society has gotten into the habit of saying we’ll do things without any real intention of following through. If it happens, great! If not, no sweat.

SO WHAT?

Just because something is culturally acceptable doesn’t mean that it’s biblical. It’s our responsibility to test and discern what glorifies God best through reading His Word – the lens of absolute truth through which we view and interpret the goings-on in the world. So, then, what does the Bible say about keeping our word? •  “But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.” James 5:12 •  “Lying lips are abomination to the Lord: but they that deal truly are His delight.” Proverbs 12:22 •  “The integrity of the upright shall guide them: but the perverseness of transgressors shall destroy them.” Proverbs 11:3 The Bible uses some pretty strong language to emphasize the importance of keeping our commitments. It also doesn’t mention keeping our word only when it’s convenient or when we feel like it. But it does promise blessing to those who choose integrity. The Bible promises blessing to those who choose integrity.

LET’S BE HONEST

When we say we’re going to do something, we are giving our word. The words “I promise” or “I swear” shouldn’t have to be present for a statement to mean anything of significance. In fact, the Bible even encourages us not to use such vernacular (Matthew 5:33-37).

God doesn’t call us to meet the status quo. We are called to stand out, to be in the world but not of it. Romans 12:2 says, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” If we live like the world does, we are unrecognizable as followers of Christ. Not only that, but the world is watching us to see if we live according to the standard we claim. Mahatma Gandhi said, “I like your Christ, but I do not like your Christians. Your Christians are so unlike your Christ.” OUCH! The world can see when we are hypocritical and judges us for it. Instead, God desires our conversations to be “...honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation” (I Peter 2:12).

LIVING IT OUT

I find that we are tempted to break commitments if a better or more convenient opportunity comes along. I Corinthians 10:23 says, “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” Edification is all about setting ourselves – our needs and desires – aside for the purpose of building up others. My Intercultural Communication professor saw a direct link between following through on our words and acting like a Christian. Let’s test our actions to see if they represent Christ well to the glory of God, and make changes if necessary. Our God is full of mercy and grace! “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.” I Peter 3:15-16
Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Life of Purpose

Haman rose to power as the king’s right hand man over the Persian Empire. Mordecai, a servant at the king’s gate and a follower of God, refused to bow down and pay Haman respect like the other servants so he wouldn’t dishonor God. Haman grew angry at this perceived disrespect – so angry that he obtained the king’s permission to destroy not only Mordecai, but his entire people – the Jews. Haman cast lots, or purim, to choose the date this atrocity would occur.

IMPENDING DESTRUCTION.

Mordecai sought the help of his cousin, Esther, who just happened to be queen over the empire. He suggested she use her position as queen to implore the king’s prevention of this atrocity – but approaching the king without first being summoned by him was punishable by death. Would she risk her own life to save others? Mordecai reasoned with Esther, “For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father’s house shall be destroyed: and [tweet_box design="box_05" float="none"]who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?[/tweet_box]” (Esther 4:14). He saw that God had placed her in her position of importance for a purpose. Esther followed Mordecai’s advice, and through her brave actions, God saved both her and the Jews from annihilation.

TRADITION!

On March 9, the Jewish nation will celebrate God’s deliverance of His people from the Persians during the festival of Purim, named after the lots Haman used. Purim is celebrated by reading the book of Esther aloud. It’s traditional for those listening to make a commotion every time Haman’s name is mentioned – a total of 56 times!

Purim is also marked by donating to charity in honor of Esther 9:22, “...the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.” But what fun would a festival be without good food? The day ends with a delicious dinner and a special dessert called “Haman’s Ears” – a jam-filled, three-cornered pastry – because Haman received his “just dessert.”

A PURPOSE AND A PLAN.

Like Esther, God has a purpose for each of His children. Psalm 119:12, 16 says, “For Thou hast possessed my reins: Thou hast covered me in my mother’s womb...Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect; and in Thy book all my members were written, which in continuance were fashioned, when as yet there was none of them.” We can take comfort that God didn’t just know we were going to be born, but intended each of our days to have purpose before the foundation of the earth was even laid.

While Haman left the date of the Jew’s destruction up to chance by casting lots, God doesn’t gamble with our lives. He has specific reasons for having each of us in a particular place at a particular time. II Timothy 1:9 says, “God; who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.” There are lessons we can learn, people we can bless, and opportunities for our faith to grow, living a life of purpose to God’s glory and because of His deliverance, as the Jewish nation so aptly celebrates this time of year.

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” Ecclesiastes 12:13

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff