Lemonade Stands

It’s the middle of summer now – can you believe how time has flown? School’s been out for weeks, the sun is out, and the heat is on. Kids are starting to go stir crazy, and they’re taking their parents down with them. As I drive, I see more and more kids sitting at lemonade stands in their front yards – a great antidote to under-stimulated children and parents who are at the end of their ropes.

Lemonade stands sure have changed since I was a kid. Back then I would pick the lemons from my grandma’s tree, twist them by hand on the juicer, and go through the painstakingly sour process of figuring out the right lemon juice-to-water-to-sugar ratio. Now, kids have traded the real deal for powdered lemonade – a backwards move in my opinion. BUT they’ve added homemade cookies and cupcakes to up the ante. Kids are such entrepreneurs nowadays; it’s rare that I walk away from a lemonade stand for under $5. How sweet the taste of lemonade to quench one’s thirst on a hot summer’s afternoon!

In John 4, Jesus spoke to a Samaritan woman who had come to draw water from Jacob’s well. He said, “…Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: but whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life” (John 4:13-14).

As we just read, Jesus began this conversation with the woman by talking about ordinary water, H2O, which requires continual consumption to live. Then He claimed to be able to give her a different kind of water that eternally quenches thirst: salvation. The analogy He used is so true, isn’t it? Like the Samaritan woman, whether we know it or not, we all crave something of significance, of necessity, to our very souls. Often we learn the hard way that the satisfaction we want can’t be found in the things of this world, and wind up feeling empty and broken. But like Jesus communicated to the woman, the fulfillment found in His gift of salvation is the only lasting, meaningful satisfaction available to us, one that fills us with hope and joy.

I marvel at Jesus’ ability to turn normal conversation into one of spiritual significance so He could witness to the Samaritan woman about Himself. Christ, as God incarnate, gave us a great example of how we can implement His “Great Commission” of teaching others about Him (Matthew 28:18-20). Let’s not neglect this approach by letting it fall by the wayside, but try to make it a part of our daily lives to the glory of God.

God also has this to say about thirst:

Psalm 42:1-2 “As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the living God: when shall I come and appear before God?”

Psalm 63:1 “O God, Thou art my God; early will I seek Thee: my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee in a dry and thirsty land, where no water is…”

John 6:35 “And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.”

Are you thirsting after the things of this world? Or, even better than the sweet taste of lemonade on a summer afternoon, is your thirst being quenched by Christ, the giver of eternal life?
Psalm 34:8 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.”

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Permeating the World

I sat straight up in bed.

“Oh no!”

My husband turned over. “What’s wrong!?”

“Basher’s been sprayed by a skunk!” I lamented.

Our American Akita lay by the bed, innocently licking himself as if nothing was amiss. The smell was so strong I could taste it. My sleepy mind reeled. The dog is inside. How did he get sprayed by a skunk? Is there a skunk inside our house?

“Is the back door open?” I questioned my husband. “And how did you sleep through that smell?”

“Oh dear.” He started to get up. Basher had been on antibiotics that caused him to need the doggy potty at a moment’s notice, so our solution to save the new carpet in our rental home was to leave the sliding back door cracked open so he could exit when nature called in the middle of the night. It seemed to have misfired. Mission not quite accomplished.

We left the dog in the backyard and futilely tried to sleep. The entire house reeked. In the morning, I showered and went to work as usual. But I could still smell it on my clean clothes. I could even still taste it. My whole world had been permeated.

When a skunk sprays, it’s because it’s protecting itself. So really, the spray is beneficial. Just not for our noses. Although, there are a few oddballs who like the smell of skunk. Some companies even produce skunk-scented candles. To each his own, I suppose. But whether or not you like it has no effect on the sheer and utter permeation of the scent into everything in its proximity.

Matthew 5:13-16 says,
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Salt permeates food, giving it flavor and preserving it. Light permeates darkness, eliminating fear and doubt. Jesus calls believers to imitate these things. We are to permeate the world with our good works so God will be glorified.

Permeating the world implies engaging those who live in the world. Otherwise, no one can see or be recipients of our good works. We can participate in community events. Join a garden club.

Take an exercise class. Build relationships with the people who populate our daily lives. Let’s be around others so we have opportunities to love them to the glory of God.

As we go out, people will be watching, so let’s be careful how we represent our Lord. II Corinthians 5:20 says, “Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making His appeal through us.” Let’s put on the full armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18), and personify the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). Titus 2:7-8 says, “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity, sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.”

God, speaking through the Apostle Paul, said, “For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). We don’t need to be shy or fearful; God is with us and will give us the right words.

What are you waiting for, a skunk to motivate you? Go permeate the world with God’s love!

If you’re reading this on social media, post in the comment section how you can be a part of your community.

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Land of the Free

America. The land of the free, and the home of the brave. Many fought for the independence of this country where we enjoy the freedom to worship God at will. Not everyone in this great wide world has the opportunity to experience this privilege. Let us stand united, thanking God for the incredible blessing of religious freedom lest we take it for granted.

The Bible tells us that spiritual freedom lies in Christ. It cannot be taken away by man or government. Romans 8:1-2 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.” Praise the Lord!

Yet if Christ frees us from sin and death, Romans 6:22-23 says that we become His servants. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” But wait – how can we simultaneously be both free and servants? Isn’t that a contradiction?

I Corinthians 7:22-24 explained it nicely for me, “For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord’s freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ’s servant. 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.” Christ purchased us by His blood, making us His servants by definition.

So our servanthood isn’t one of oppression; instead, it means we belong to God’s family. “Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world: but when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ” (Galatians 4:3-7). How wonderful to discover that being a “servant” of Christ is merely referring to our joyous task of “serving” Him out of love, as a fellow child of God.

Freedom, both political and spiritual, doesn’t come without sacrifice. Christ gave His life for us, and we may also be called on to give up our time, money, or even life for the sake of the spiritual freedom of others. Isaiah 61:1 says, “The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me; because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; He hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound…”

As we live in the Land of the Free, let’s look forward in anticipation to our heavenly Home of the Brave.

“…where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.” II Corinthians 3:17

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

The Least Of These

Poof! The potato nearly in my grasp suddenly disappeared. I looked up, dumbfounded. A group of us stood around a metal table bagging up potatoes at the food bank. My coworker had a mischievous glint in her eyes as she placed the tuber in her bag. Soon, the same thing happened again! There seemed to be a little healthy competition to see who could fill the most bags of fresh food for those in need.

Our department at Family Radio volunteered at the county food bank so those less fortunate than us could receive bags of nutritious food for their families. In so doing, we desired to live out Matthew 25:40: “And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

Throughout my life, I’ve learned there is so much more to the Bible than belief; action is involved too. James 2:14-18 gives us a clear description:

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

So much need exists in this great big world. Homeless in inner cities, child soldiers in Africa, human trafficking in Asia – those who are destitute and in want of not just basic human rights, but knowledge of God’s love for them, live all around us. In several places in the Bible, I’ve found that God adjures us to show His love to all those in need, whom He has called, “my brethren.”

But there is SO MUCH need – it’s so overwhelming! How can we possibly choose where to spend our time and resources? God has shown me through Scripture that one simple answer suffices: the leading of the Holy Spirit. “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit” (Galatians 5:25). During Paul’s ministry journeys, several times the Holy Spirit kept Paul from ministering in certain areas so he would go where God wanted instead (Acts 16:6-7). God will guide us and prepare us for the plans He has for us.

Ephesians 2:8-9 say, “For by grace are ye saved through faith…not of works, lest any man should boast.” Works do not save; instead, they are evidence of our faith, arising out of love. We love because “He first loved us” (I John 4:19).

After His resurrection, Jesus questioned Peter, “lovest thou me? …Feed my sheep” (John 21:17). This particular feeding is spiritual, and also reflects the action we are to take as a result of our faith.
Potatoes can take many shapes, sizes, and colors, as can our works. How is the Holy Spirit leading you to love the “least of these?” Post your ideas in the comments below – we’d love to hear from you!

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Open Door

“Want to come over to my house on Saturday mornings to study the Bible with me? I’ll make you breakfast!”

As a sixth grader, I didn’t have a clue why a mom in her forties would want me hanging around her house on Saturdays, but I accepted her invitation with ardor. Marsha may not have known that I would show up at her doorstep nearly every Saturday for the next seven years, but she welcomed me inside with open, loving arms every week.

I have since realized why Marsha took the time to pour into me: she was living out the Bible. II Timothy 2:2 says, “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.” Jesus modeled this, teaching twelve disciples during His three years of ministry whom He then sent out to disciple others. The Bible is full of examples of the older generation taking someone younger, whether in age or the faith, under their wings to teach and guide them.

The book of Exodus records God putting Moses in leadership over Israel. After God had rescued the Israelites from Egypt, Moses held the office of judge. His father-in-law, Jethro, came to visit and rejoiced with Moses over God’s provision and protection over Israel. He watched as the Israelites gathered around Moses all day long waiting for him to judge their disputes. Jethro advised him that he would burn out if he continued at this rate, and to delegate the task to trustworthy men who feared God. Moses took his advice, and his life returned to a bearable pace.

II Kings 12:2 says, “And Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” Jehoash was king over Judah. Through Jehoiada’s guidance, Jehoash lived a life pleasing to God. It could have been a very different story and negatively affected all of Judah had Jehoiada not been a godly influence on the king.

In the New Testament, the apostle Paul developed a discipleship relationship with Timothy. Paul taught Timothy to be faithful to the Word of God, encouraged him, held him accountable for his actions, and expected him to pass on the baton to others. Paul intentionally influenced Timothy for the sake of the kingdom of God

Last year, I invited two sixth grade girls over to my house every Sunday afternoon to study the Bible together. After the study concluded, we went to a cupcake shop to celebrate the girls’ dedication. In the parking lot, we ran into my Marsha. I was so happy to introduce her to my girls, who were part of Marsha’s legacy of faithfulness to God.

Everyone has the ability to be a godly influence in another’s life. For whom will you open your doors and thereby continue the legacy of discipleship?

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

This week’s blog was inspired by June 25th’s reading from Through the Bible in a Year, a Bible reading guide offered free of charge by Family Radio.

Fisher Of Men

Rippling waves gently lapped against the boat. The low hum of the trawling motor drew my attention away from my book as Dad maneuvered the boat along the shore. I squinted through the bright sunlight and watched as he cast his fishing line into the water. He slowly reeled it back in, luring the hungry bass with his bait. Sometimes he met with success, but mostly it was a waiting game.

When Jesus chose His twelve disciples, He began at the Sea of Galilee. Peter and his brother Andrew, both fishermen by trade, were casting nets into the water. Jesus called out to them, saying, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). Through following Jesus during His ministry, these two disciples learned to lure men to God with the “bait” of the Gospel.

While my dad loves to fish in his free time, he is also one of the hardest-working people I know (Colossians 3:23). Every weekday of my childhood, he rose early in the morning to beat the San Francisco Bay Area traffic to the jobsite so he could provide for our family. When he got home and on Saturdays, he took care of chores around the house to be a good steward of God’s blessings to him and to establish a comfortable home for us (Matthew 25:21). Sundays were the Lord’s Day. Dad made sure we kids had a good night’s sleep beforehand (no Saturday night slumber parties for us) so we would be wide awake for Sunday worship in the morning (Exodus 20:8). A plaque that hung next to the entryway of our house displayed his goal for our family. It read: “…as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).

After he retired, I watched how Dad handled the shift in his life. He used his newly-found free time to serve others, whether that meant doing yardwork for a neighbor or helping a friend with a project. He devoted himself to reading and understanding God’s Word. He joined a discipleship group and studied how to disciple other men in the faith. To this day, he fills his days with learning and ministry. He has grown from a sport fisherman to a “fisher of men,” just like Jesus called Peter and Andrew (Matthew 4:19).

I’m blessed to have been raised by such a man of God. Not everyone is so fortunate. Praise the Lord that He is our Abba Father. He is the matchless Comforter (II Corinthians 1:3-5), the ultimate Protector (II Samuel 22:3), and the perfect Provider (Philippians 4:19). Father God is capable of filling every void in our lives.

Romans 8:14-17 – “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also glorified together.”

Happy Father’s Day!

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff

Firm Foundation

To the High School Graduate

Graduation. It’s time for parties, presents, and funny-looking hats. But after you hang up that cap and gown in the back of your closet, what comes next? Maybe you’re going to college. Maybe you have to start “adulting” and find a job. Maybe you have absolutely no idea what you are going to do and are praying for a miracle. No matter which situation you find yourself in, God is there with you, to guide and strengthen you. Psalm 31:3 says, “For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.”

Transitions can be both exciting and scary. It’s SO MUCH fun to gain independence and have new experiences! Tough times will come though, whether in the form of a professor who hates Christianity, friends who decide they don’t believe in God after all, or just not understanding what God is doing in your life. If the foundation of your faith isn’t sturdy, it will crumble just like the man who built his house on the sand (Matthew 7:24-27).

As you find your new rhythm, make your foundation firm. Prioritize spending time with God. Stay rooted in His Word; it’s the only absolute truth you can trust – remember that. Look for answers in scripture when challenges come. Colossians 2:6-7 says, “As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him: rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.” God wants to be present to help you through all of your decisions and trials; all you have to do is ask Him.

To the Graduate’s Parents
Phew! You made it. Wipe the sweat off your brow, dye those gray hairs, and pat yourself on the back. Your child is now an adult, for better or for worse, and not your responsibility anymore. It’s time to celebrate!

Perhaps this is your first high school graduate; you’re facing all new territory and the terrain looks rocky. God be with you. Or maybe your baby just graduated and you’re counting down the hours until you and your spouse board that plane to Maui to enjoy your first real alone time in over 18 years. Hallelujah! Either way, it’s transition time for you, too.

As you watch out for those bumps and bends, keep in mind Psalm 28:7: “The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in him, and I am helped: therefore my heart greatly rejoiceth; and with my song will I praise him.”

Whether your little bird is staying in the nest for a bit longer or flying the coop, make sure they aren’t weighted down by apron strings. Let them stretch their wings. Trust that you’ve done your job well and that God will protect them. Isaiah 54:13 says, “And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children.” When troubles come, they will fly home. Always, always welcome them back to the nest so you can remind them of their firm foundation in the Lord.
And never, ever forget the incredible power of a care package.

Jessie Chamberlain
Family Radio Staff