If you’re human, then you’re a sinner, and if a sinner, there are undoubtedly multiple ways in which your value system can be realigned to better fit God’s. Allow the Lord to reveal Himself to us, teaching us what we don’t know, and reaffirming what we do.

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Full Transcript Below:

How Strong Are Your Values?

By Aaron D’Anthony Brown
Bible Reading

“Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.” (Matthew 7:24-27, CSB)

Building a House

You can tell how strong a house is based on its foundation. Even if the top crumbles and the walls come down, a strong house remains where it started. Firmly planted in place. Yet, while a strong foundation is able to resist the elements, a weak foundation succumbs. The walls and the roof collapse, and the foundation, too, breaks apart. Much like a house, you can tell how strong someone’s values are based on how those values hold up under pressure.

I remember entering college as a Christian who professed faith but couldn’t explain to you why I believed. Anytime someone asked me, even gently, why I didn’t attend church or read Scripture, I scrambled. My value was really in complacency, not in a chapel or reading. There was nervousness, sweat, and plenty of avoidance. If you challenged me, which a few Christians did, I’d be offended. I wanted to do my own thing, not be admonished. And though I was not combative, I was most certainly defensive.

Today, I see similar behavior from moral relativists who struggle to explain their ever-changing positions, the perpetually single who never want to self-examine, and even the woke who want everybody to think like them. They all believe the problem is everyone else and never themselves.  

What we value and what we don’t reveal much about our hearts. In the same way, you can spot a weak value system, you can also pinpoint someone with well-thought-out beliefs. Their ideals stand up to pressure and are unwavering with time. 

As believers, we want to be able to answer, as best we can, anyone who has a question about the faith. That’s especially true if they are trying to push us to be better. When we allow ourselves to grow, not only are our values strengthened, but we become people better equipped to encourage others, and lead people to Christ.

If then, like me, you want to know and continue to strengthen your values, then today presents the perfect opportunity.

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Know God

If you want to know what you ought to value, then you have to know God. We do that through prayer and reading. Both allow the Lord to reveal Himself to us, teaching us what we don’t know, and reaffirming what we do.

Know the Word

Reading the Bible is especially relevant because it takes away the confusion we may experience through prayer. Sometimes we ask questions of God and don’t quite understand Him. However, if we read then we can potentially clear up that confusion right away.

Don’t Be Defensive

The Bible talks repeatedly about being humble. Humble people acknowledge when they don’t know when they mess up and how they can grow. If God calls on us to practice this virtue, then be open to having your values challenged. If you’re human, then you’re a sinner, and if a sinner, there are undoubtedly multiple ways in which your value system can be realigned to better fit God’s.

Keep Reading

The only way to know, without any doubt, what to value as a Christian is to read. Reading too helps you strengthen your values because you educate yourself on why you believe in the first place. Back in the day for me, reading the Bible was intimidating because I was so unfamiliar with it. I didn’t want to look dumb, but we all have to start of dumb before we become smart.

More importantly, we have to know what to value if we want to live lives centered on God. Don’t be fooled into thinking everything we value, He values too. Or that everything He values we naturally want for ourselves.

Instead, pursue God through reading and watch as your values fall into place, much like that house with a strong foundation.

Further Reading:

• 2 Timothy 3:16-17

• Matthew 4:4

• Matthew 6:33

• 1 Timothy 6:11

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Take some time to see how God works. Can you recall a time where an unanswered prayer was actually a blessing? His light shines through intentionally and His work is always good. 

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Place your identity and self worth in the one who empowers you to do the impossible. In God alone, you are loved, you have a purpose. 

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Who is really in control? Even when we think we have to get everything done, we are wrong. He is in control. Take a step back, and trust Him. He calls us to action, but also to rest, remember that today.

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Ask yourself today. When you pray, are you asking God for things according to his will or yours? It's not wrong to pour your worries and concerns before the Lord, even Jesus did that! 

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Life is pretty tough already but, is much more enjoyable when we celebrate each other! 

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You will shine like a star in the sky once you give up complaining and arguing. How can you turn your heart towards thankfulness and joy?

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How does remembering that God sees you, help you regain your identity in him and your value? In what ways can tell or show others the Lord sees them too?

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Ask God to help you spread the truth of Salvation, that it comes as a gift from God through faith and not through anything we do ourselves to attain it.

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Full Transcript Below

Remembering Reformation Day 

(700 words) 

by Lynette Kittle

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”-- Ephesians 2:8

Some may wonder what Reformation Day is all about and why it is considered such a big deal in Church history. Commemorated on the same day as Halloween, why should we as Christians take time to remember it? 

Who’s Behind the Reformation?

Born November 10, 1483, in Eisleben, Germany, Martin Luther grew up to be the catalyst for the Reformation. A thunderstorm is accredited to beginning his spiritual journey in 1505, while he was studying law at the University of Erfurt. 

Some may call his experience a crisis of faith, where a bolt of lightning striking near him, terrified him to the point of making a deal with God for divine protection by promising St. Anne he would become a monk if she would graciously spare his life.

Even though Luther’s father, a hard working miner, strongly disapproved, Luther diligently pursued becoming a monk. Intense in his pursuit of holiness, Luther whipped himself raw in an attempt to appease the wrath of a holy God and feel worthy and deserving enough to go to heaven. As well, he regularly confessed his sins for up to six hours a day. 

During Luther’s zealous studying of the Scriptures, the Holy Spirit revealed to him that the just shall live by faith and that none of his self-afflictions would justify him before God but only come through faith in Jesus Christ.

How Did the Reformation Begin?

With Luther’s revelation concerning Salvation, came his disillusionment with the errors in the Church’s teaching and practices, involving selling indulgences to raise money and convincing individuals that their giving of money for their deceased relatives could release them from purgatory.

With hopes of sparking an academic debate and reform, on October 31, 1517, Luther wrote 95 theses against this revenue-generating scheme, along with other abuses he discovered within the Church, nailing his document on the Wittenberg, Germany, Cathedral door for all to see, a common practice at the time.

But the Church didn’t approve of Luther spreading his findings via the newly invented printing press and wasn’t open to his corrections. Still his ideas spread throughout Germany, stirring up much controversy, which led to the Church Council in 1521 demanding Luther recant his thesis. 

Luther Ushers in the Reformation

However, Luther refused to recant his thesis, writing, “Unless I am convinced by the testimony of the Holy Scriptures or by evident reason—for I can believe neither pope nor councils alone, as it is clear that they have erred repeatedly and contradicted themselves—I consider myself convicted by the testimony of Holy Scripture, which is my bases: my conscience is captive to the Word of God. Thus, I cannot and will not recant, because acting against one’s conscience is neither safe nor sound. God help me. Amen.”

Luther’s refusal to recant cost him dearly, leading to his being excommunicated from the Catholic Church in 1521 by Pope Leo X. His unwavering stand led him to be declared an outlaw and heretic, causing him to run for his life and find refuge with Fredrick the Wise at Wartburg Castle under an assumed name and disguise. 

During his time there, Luther translated the Bible into German, which helped him to put the written word of God into the hands of the common people. His actions ushered in a new era referred to as the Reformation, of placing God’s Word in the hands of individuals and giving birth to the Protestant Churches.

Luther’s efforts gave individuals the opportunity to read the Bible for themselves, leading to many lives being transformed by the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He understood how people need to read and study God’s Word on their own, believing wholeheartedly what 2 Timothy 3:16, teaches: “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness.”

Intersecting Faith & Life: Ask God to help you spread the truth of Salvation, that it comes as a gift from God through faith and not through anything we do ourselves to attain it.

Further Reading: 6 Reasons Christians Should Celebrate Reformation Day

https://www.crosswalk.com/slideshows/reasons-christians-should-celebrate-reformation-day.html

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We can find hope in the promises of the Lord. He will reign as King over the earth, and we will never have to be afraid or worried again. Jesus is our faithful leader and we can look to Him with hope forevermore. 

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Our Future Hope in the Lord

By Vivian Bricker

Bible Reading

“He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace.” - Micah 5:4-5a

Prior to my mom passing away, she used to be very much into palm reading. I'm not sure how she got into this occultish practice, but she tended to read my sister and I’s palms at least once every few years. She would tell us our “lifeline” and our “heart line.” I remember my older sister having “several people” cross her heartline and my mom saying she would marry multiple people. Her lifeline was “very long,” according to my mom, and she would succeed in life. 

This bothered my sister, and she never bought into it, and thankfully so. In the same way, my mom used to read my palm and say there was “not a heart line,” and my lifeline was “extremely short.” I do not believe in palm reading or anything concerning the occult because it goes against God, but what I have learned is that many things in the occult, including palm reading, are trying to “see the future” or trying to manipulate it in our favor. This is dangerous and something that Christians should not play a part in. 

Trying to seek out our future through occultish means will get us nowhere. This is why all of us do not need to rely on the evil practices of the world when it comes to the future. While it is true we may feel stressed about the future, we can find lasting hope in the Lord. He is the One who holds the future in His hands. 

Nonetheless, we cannot run from the fact that the future can be scary for many of us.

Present life worries have a way of getting us down. Never-ending bills, home-life stressors, and complex relationships can leave us feeling doubtful of the future. Rather than having hope for the future, we feel crushed, hopeless, and uncertain. This is understandable since we cannot know the future plans for our lives. However, as mentioned, we can know what the Bible says about the future. 

Prior to going to Bible college, I knew nothing about the Bible and I certainly didn't know anything about eschatology. Eschatology is the study of the end times. Once I learned about eschatology, it made me more hopeful for the future. Although we cannot know our future day by day, we can learn God’s ultimate plan for humankind through studying the Bible. 

Through studying eschatology, I learned about God’s plan for the future. For us as Christians, this plan is only for our good. We will be taken to be with the Lord in the rapture, spared from the seven year tribulation, receive our glorified bodies, enter the Millennial Kingdom, and spend eternity with the Lord in the New Heaven and New Earth. By knowing this knowledge, it gives us hope for the future. 

Intersecting Faith & Life:

Our Bible passage today also focuses on this hope. Micah 5:4-5a says, “He will stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord, in the majesty of the name of the Lord his God. And they will live securely, for then his greatness will reach to the ends of the earth. And he will be our peace.” This passage refers to the return of the Lord and when He will finally reign over the world.

As the prophet Micah says, Jesus will shepherd his flock in the majesty of His Name. His greatness will reach to the ends of the earth and He will be our peace. Whenever we are worried or scared about the future, we can find hope in the promises of the Lord. He will reign as King over the earth, and we will never have to be afraid or worried again. Jesus is our faithful leader and we can look to Him with hope forevermore. 

“Dear Lord, my hope is found in You. Help me to focus on You rather than my fears of the future. I know You have great plans for me, and I trust in You. Thank You, Lord. Amen.”

Challenge Questions:

• Do you have any fears of the future? How can you give these fears over to the Lord today? 
• Have you ever consulted anything or anyone to try to know the future? How has this proved to be futile?
• Jesus is our peace and our good Shepherd. How does this bring your heart peace today?

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As you face new fearful challenges, recall his goodness, love, and faithfulness. Take time to grab his hand and walk forward with his peace. 

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Perfect Love 

By: Amanda Idleman

1 John 4:18

There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Have you experienced God’s perfect love in your life? 

What did it feel like? 

How did it change your situation or perspective? 

God’s love is the one and only force powerful enough to truly change us. To redeem us. To rescue us from our own sin, fear, and confusion. His love makes us perfect. 

The primary quality of perfect love is that with this kind of love present fear is banished. When fear enters a situation, that means we aren’t walking in God’s perfect love. With that in mind, it’s clear that we are not living in the full reality of God’s love so much of the time. 

I know that I, for one, live with fear and anxiety as my default approach more often than not. When an unexpected expense pops up my gut reaction is anxiety over how the extra bill will be paid rather than a peace that the God who knows every hair on my head will provide exactly what I need. If my child is struggling I immediately hop into Mom action mode trying to control the situation for their benefit rather than pausing to pray for wisdom. If I experience conflict in my marriage or with others I love, I fret endlessly over how things played out, instead of going to God in repentance and seeking His gracious understanding. 

I live with fear and anxiety because I live by my strength not by his grace. 

That’s why we need to be reminded that this Christian life we have been gifted is not one about rules or measurements. It’s a grand love story. When we are tempted to fear we are invited to recall our first love and all the ways God has so graciously provided for us. 

Remember how the last time you felt a financial pinch, God provided! How he has held your marriage together despite both of your imperfections. How he gifted you that child and loves them even more than you do. His love is deep, wide, and relentlessly pursuing us. 

When we grab onto that perfect love the voice of fear grows quieter and quieter until it is silenced because God’s love casts out all fear. FEar and love cannot coexist. 

This week I was convicted to practice what I preach. I felt anxiety well up in me as a child we know is at risk and I am not sure if or how I could be the one to help care for them. I am afraid of how my lack of action would impact the child and how my potential actions would impact my family. It feels like either way I’d be letting someone down or putting someone at risk. I am afraid. 

Then I was reminded of this verse and how God loves this child that is being knit together in a womb and my first job is to pray for this child. His love and provision is big enough to give me wisdom and this child a hope and a future. I have to hold onto God's hand and rely on his peaceful guidance rather than fretting over the many unknowns that could unfold in this wild situation. 

It amazes me that no matter how many times I have witnessed God’s miracle working power in my life I still so quickly forget and doubt his loving sovereign work in my life. I am like the Isrealites, wandering and so quickly looking to my own self-made gods to solve the problems of my own wilderness journey, rather than looking to the one that promises to deliver me to the promise of Heaven. Thankfully God’s love is patient and kind. He allows us to repent, to learn, and to return to Him over and over as we journey through life. For that amazing grace I am so thankful. 

Intersecting Faith and Life

Have you truly experienced God’s life changing, fear banishing love? If not, take time to pray and ask God to show you how to fall in love with him. If you have, reflect on what God has done for you. As you face new fearful challenges, recall his goodness, love, and faithfulness. Take time to grab his hand and walk forward with his peace. 

Listen to Do It Again by Elevation Worship this week as a way to remind your spirit that the God who did will for you will do it over and over again! 

Further Reading 

3 Dangers of Having a Controlling Spirit 

Bible Verses about God's Love
How to Understand and Internalize God’s Deep Love for Us

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