"Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him." - 1 Peter 3:22 (NKJV)

There's a story about one of our presidents who would bring in future ambassadors to certain countries. He would go over to a globe and ask, "Now, where is your country?" That ambassador sometimes would point out the country he was being sent to. Each time, the president would spin the globe back around, put his finger on the United States, and say, "No, this is your country. You're being placed there on assignment, but this is your country."

Don't forget, this is your country. You're being placed there on assignment, but this is your country. In Philippians 3:20, Paul says, "For our citizenship is in heaven." Don't forget that your citizenship is in heaven. In Philippians 1:27, he says, "Only let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ." And that word "conduct" is the word from which we get "citizen". He's saying, and the New Living Translation says it this way, "Conduct yourselves as citizens of heaven." You may live here on this earth, but as Jesus would say, "You are in this world, but you're not of this world" (See John 17:16).

So where is your country? Is it where you're living physically? No. Your homeland is up in heaven. Your allegiance is to Jesus Christ, Who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, with angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

What's our purpose here? An ambassador has a mission and has been given an assignment from their home country. God has also sent us into this world to be ambassadors for Him.

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God."

We share a mission. While not everyone may understand, appreciate, or grasp our Christian beliefs, we are sent from heaven as ambassadors for Jesus Christ to faithfully represent Him to a watching world.

Some of us gave our lives to Jesus many years ago. We need to live our lives in such a way that our allegiance is clear and we're not ashamed of Him. We've stopped living for ourselves with ourselves on the throne, and we've said, "Jesus, You are on the throne of my life. I want to live for You."

Never forget Whose side you're on. Don't be ashamed of Him. Remember your public allegiance and remember that Jesus Christ leads the winning team.

Reflection Question: How does viewing yourself as an ambassador from heaven, representing Jesus, change the way you interact with people who don't share your faith or understand your Christian convictions?

Dear heavenly Father, help me remember that I am a citizen of heaven, placed here on assignment as Your ambassador. My true country is with You, where Jesus sits at Your right hand with all angels, authorities, and powers subject to Him. When I feel pressure to conform to this world's values or hide my faith, remind me of my true identity and mission. Give me wisdom to represent You well and courage to never be ashamed of You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Adapted from "Whose Side Are You On?": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/gz6wj94/18-whose-side-are-you-on-1-peter-3-18-22

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)

The prepared answer starts with allegiance to Jesus—not just as Savior, but as Lord. The word "Lord" involves Christ's ownership and being master of our lives. Romans 10:13 doesn't say "whoever calls on the name of the Savior shall be saved"—it says "whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

Jesus is called "Savior" 24 times in the New Testament, but "Lord" 433 times. He wants to be your Savior, but the agreement you must make to be a Christian is this: "I'll be your Savior if you'll make me your Lord."

After settling that allegiance, you need a prepared answer. "Always be ready to give a defense"—that word "defense" is the Greek word "apologia," meaning apologetics. We're defending our faith, telling not just what we believe but why we believe it.

If you want some good answers for the questions that a skeptical world would ask, consider authors like Norman Geisler and Frank Turek. They've written a book together called "I Don't Have Enough Faith to Be an Atheist," which gives you good answers for defending your faith.

If a skeptic were to ask you for a reason for your hope in Christ, what would you say? If a loved one was on their deathbed and asked you, "Do you have hope beyond the grave? What's going to happen when I die?" could you respond to them?

We must be ready to share with meekness (gentleness—strength under control) and fear (respect). You're not trying to win an argument; you're trying to win a person to Jesus Christ. There are times when you may win the argument, but you don't win the person to Jesus. Keep the goal of the conversation in front of you. You want them to experience the same hope you have in Jesus. We are to make ourselves available to God and be ready when those conversations arise.

Reflection Question: Have you truly made Jesus the Lord (Master) of your life, or are you trying to keep control while wanting Him as Savior only?

Lord Jesus, I don't want You to be just my Savior—I want You to be my Lord. Help me surrender control of my life to You completely. Prepare me to give answers for the hope I have in You, with gentleness and respect, always seeking to win people, not just arguments. In Your Name, amen.

Adapted from "Witnessing in the Real World": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/s2bd93j/17-witnessing-in-the-real-world-1-peter-3-13-17

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed. And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled." (1 Peter 3:14)

It's interesting that Peter himself was less than bold initially. On the night of Jesus' betrayal, when a little girl said, "Hey, that's one of His followers," Peter responded, "I don't know the man." Three times he denied knowing Christ. But something happened. Jesus died on the cross, paying for the sins of humanity, and rose from the dead. Peter repented, and Jesus restored him (John 21:15-19).

Jesus told His disciples in Luke 24:49 to "tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high." In Acts 1:8, He promised, "You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me" (Acts 1:8).

The Holy Spirit came at Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). When people couldn't understand what was happening, Peter rose with boldness and declared, "These men are not drunk, as you suppose. They are filled with the Holy Spirit" (see Acts 2:15). He preached that Jesus Christ died, was buried, and was raised from the dead as Savior of the world, and 3,000 souls gave their lives to Christ.

The infilling of the Holy Spirit transformed this cowardly witness into a strong witness for Jesus! This same Holy Spirit power is available to us today.

Now Peter was telling God's people that persecution was coming, but while it existed, they were to be witnesses for Jesus Christ. In verse 13, Peter asks, "And who is he who will harm you if you become followers of what is good?" That word "followers" really means "zealous"—passionate. If you're living for good, benefiting society, and blessing humanity, who's going to harm you? Few, if any.

But he also says, "But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you are blessed." In Greek, this is in the optative mood—it's a possibility, probably not going to happen, but it might. You may not be experiencing persecution today, but it may come tomorrow.

I think of John Bunyan, who wrote "Pilgrim's Progress" while spending years in prison simply for preaching the gospel. They told him he could get out if he agreed to stop preaching, and he responded, "If you let me out today, I will, by God's help, preach tomorrow."

Second Timothy 3:12 promises: "Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution." If you choose to live to honor Jesus Christ, your values will conflict with this world's values. Jesus said in Luke 6:26, "Woe to you when all men speak well of you, for so did their fathers to the false prophets."

If you're not experiencing some level of persecution for Christ's sake, perhaps it's because you're going in the same direction as this world.

Reflection Question: What fears keep you from being a bold witness for Christ, and how can you rely on the Holy Spirit's power to overcome them?

Heavenly Father, like Peter, I sometimes struggle with fear when it comes to witnessing for You. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit's boldness. Help me remember that even if I face opposition for righteousness' sake, I am blessed. Give me the courage to stand firm. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Witnessing in the Real World": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/s2bd93j/17-witnessing-in-the-real-world-1-peter-3-13-17

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. Having a good conscience, that when they defame you as evildoers, those who revile your good conduct in Christ may be ashamed." (1 Peter 3:15-16)

Peter emphasizes "having a good conscience", meaning your walk matches your talk, your life matches your lips. You're not talking about Jesus setting you free while living for this world. Your life is preaching all week long so that when you open your mouth, there's authenticity and integrity.

First Timothy 4:16 says, "Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you." If you take heed to your doctrine - what you believe - and take heed to yourself, your lifestyle, your conduct, you'll impact not only yourself but also those who see you and hear you.

Let me share a story that illustrates this perfectly. I was at the Southern Baptist Convention, and they were interviewing Mark Richt, who was the head coach of the Georgia Bulldogs for a long time, then became Miami Hurricanes' head coach as well, and now he's retired.

Mark Richt was an assistant coach for Florida State University under Bobby Bowden, who was a vocal Christian. Something tragic had occurred. One of the players had been tragically killed, and Bobby Bowden was talking to the rest of the team. He said, "Man, I don't know where you would be if that had happened to you, if you don't know where you will spend eternity." Then he gave them the gospel. This was in the locker room, not at church or a revival service.

He was telling them about Jesus Christ paying for their sin, coming into their life, securing their destiny in heaven. "Won't you please make the decision to get your heart right with God? Give your life to Jesus." He was telling them just like a coach would tell them to block and tackle - he was telling them to give their lives to Jesus.

Mark Richt said, "He was talking to the players, but it was convicting my heart." He went into Bobby Bowden's office the next day and said, "Coach, I don't know where I would spend eternity, and I want Jesus in my life." Bobby Bowden pulled him off to the side and said, "Right here in my office, I'll pray with you." And he prayed with him to receive Christ.

Mark Richt became a vocal Christian witness. He would use his public appearances or public statements to talk about his relationship with Christ. While he was talking about sports and his witness for Christ, one sports writer was in the audience who was there to get an interview, but instead he was hearing Mark Richt's gospel witness.

So he went in and saw Mark Richt and said, "Mark, you were talking yesterday about your Christian witness. I want Christ in my life." Mark Richt said, "Well, Bobby Bowden prayed with me in his office. I'll pray with you in my office," and led that man to Christ.

That man, Todd Unzicker, started serving in different local churches, and today is the Executive Director for North Carolina Baptists. I'm showing you this to see how Bobby Bowden's witness led Mark Richt to faith in Christ, which then led to Todd Unzicker giving his life to Christ, not to mention the countless people that those men have impacted for the gospel, witnessing in the real world.

After I shared this story in church, a woman came up to me and told me an additional story. She said there's someone she knows who knows Bobby Bowden personally, and she got permission to share this story. It was in the 1990s, and Bowden was getting an endorsement contract. Bobby Bowden would typically wear a cross on his lapel all the time while he was coaching as a Christian witness. This endorsement contract came along and said, "Well, we've got one thing that we need you to do. We need you to take that cross off and put our logo on in its place."

Bobby Bowden's response was, "Listen, you can fire me if you want to. I'm not taking the cross off my lapel." So they allowed him to keep it on. That year, he won the national championship. It was as if God was blessing him, in part, because of his own stand for Christ.

We cannot pay for our salvation. We've been saved by grace through faith. But we can show our appreciation for Jesus Christ by how we live our lives as a Christian witness and how we use our opportunities when they become available to us.

Reflection Question: Does your daily life reflect your words about Christ, and what changes might you need to make to ensure your walk matches your talk?

Father, help my life be a living testimony of Your transforming power. May my conduct be so consistent with my faith that opportunities to witness will arise that I may share the hope I have in Jesus Christ with others. Give me courage and boldness to lead others to You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Witnessing in the Real World": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/s2bd93j/17-witnessing-in-the-real-world-1-peter-3-13-17

"But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear." (1 Peter 3:15)

"The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament shows His handiwork." (Psalm 19:1)

There was a famous atheist, Anthony Flew, who wrote over 40 books on atheism, defending his belief that there was no God. Then in his eighties, he discovered information about DNA and the complexity of life, and he had made a decision early in his life for decades. He said, "I'm going to follow the evidence where it takes me. I'm going to admit it if I see that there's evidence for God."

Finally, Lee Strobel—a great apologist who has given answers for what you believe and why you should believe it—interviewed him and asked, "What happened?" Flew said, "I always said I would follow the evidence where it took me." He said, "I can no longer deny the existence of an intelligent being, a God." In particular, he saw the complexity of DNA.

The truth is, all we have to do is look around and see the evidence for God all around us, pointing to a Creator. If I walked in the woods and saw a smartphone on the ground, I wouldn't just say that it evolved. I would say somebody put it there, right? In the same way, we look all around us and see the complexity of this world. We must admit there is a God.

Romans 1-2 also says there's evidence within our own selves—the moral code that all of us have inside of us (Romans 1-2). Yes, we can silence it. Yes, we can discourage it. Yes, we can twist it as our society continues to try to do. But that moral code from the beginning knows right from wrong. It doesn't matter if you go into a Western society or a society that has never owned a Bible—there's a moral code within the heart of man and woman. What is that? It's the straight line of God saying, "This is right, this is wrong." And then we compare our own crookedness to that straight line. It's pointing to the fact that there is a God.

Perhaps you're thinking, "I don't have a PhD. I don't know how to defend my faith like this. I don't know how to rationally explain these things to someone who has questions." Everyone has the power of their own testimony.

In John chapter 9, there was a man whom Jesus healed who had been born blind (John 9:1-41). When he could now see, the religious leaders were interrogating him, demanding answers about how this miracle occurred. They peppered him with questions: "How did this happen? What did He do? Who is this man?"

Finally, the formerly blind man said with simple honesty, "Whether He is a sinner or not I do not know. One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25).

It's the persuasiveness of a personal testimony. This is what I was like before I became a Christian. This is what Jesus did in my life, and this is what I have become since becoming a Christian. He has set me free. Whether we're equipped with scholarly evidence or simple personal testimony, we always have a reason to give for the hope that is within us.

Reflection Question: How has God revealed Himself to you through creation, conscience, or personal experience that you could share with others?

Dear God, thank You for revealing Yourself through the beauty and complexity of creation and through the moral conscience You've placed within us. Help me see Your evidence all around me and be ready to share both the logical and personal reasons for my faith, especially my own testimony of how You've changed my life. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Witnessing in the Real World": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/s2bd93j/17-witnessing-in-the-real-world-1-peter-3-13-17

"I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith." - Romans 12:3 (NKJV)

When Peter calls us to be "courteous," (1 Peter 3:8), the Greek word actually means "humble-minded." It calls for an honest estimate of yourself. Humility doesn't mean thinking less of yourself - you are made in God's image, gifted by Him for service. As C.S. Lewis wisely said, humility isn't thinking less of yourself, but thinking of yourself less. It's about considering others more than you consider yourself.

Someone aptly noted: "If you see a turtle on a fence post, you know he didn't get there by himself." Similarly, any contribution we make to God's kingdom has been enabled by others and ultimately by God's grace.

F.B. Meyer once thought of God's gifts as being on shelves - the taller you grew spiritually, the higher gifts you could reach. Then he realized that God's best gifts are actually on the lower shelves, accessible only as we humble ourselves. First Peter 5:5 reminds us that "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble."

We'll never interact as the family of God as we ought, unless we first recognize our need for one another - that we're dependent on each other.

Reflection Question: In what areas of your life might pride be keeping you from God's best gifts? How can you lower yourself to reach those "lower shelf" blessings today?

Lord, help me to have an honest assessment of myself - neither thinking too highly nor too lowly, but recognizing my need for You and others. Give me the humility to receive Your grace and to serve others selflessly. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Enjoying the Good Life" (1 Peter 3:8-12): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/275rcc6/16-enjoying-the-good-life-1-peter-3-8-12

"Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;" - 1 Peter 3:8

Having compassion means sympathy - the ability to feel another's pain in your own heart. Romans 12:15 says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." When was the last time you truly wept with someone who was weeping? When did you last feel genuinely hurt when hearing of another's difficulty? Jesus, seeing the great needs of humanity, "was moved with compassion" (Matthew 9:36). This emotional engagement with others' welfare is essential to the good life.

"love as brothers..." Brotherly love (the Greek word phileo) binds us as family. If you have taken the name of Jesus Christ (in other words, you are a believer), His blood creates an unbreakable family bond between us. We're going to spend eternity together! There should be a stronger tie with God's family than with any earthly relationship.

I remember doing mission work overseas and meeting a passionate believer who spoke no English. I couldn't speak his language, and my interpreter was not around me at the time. Despite the language barrier, I could see in his eyes - and he in mine - that we were united in the family of God. The interpreter soon came, and we were able to communicate. We hadn't known one another before this mission trip, but our goals were the same. Our priorities centered on the work of the kingdom of God. We served the same Lord. We were (and are) family.

"Be tenderhearted..." Tender-heartedness goes beyond sympathy to action. It's not enough to feel sorry for someone; we must take action to help meet their needs. This compassion expresses itself practically in the family of God.

Reflection Question: Can you think of a time when someone's hurt became hurt in your own heart? How might God be calling you to move from sympathy to action in someone's life today?

Father, give me a heart that truly feels for my brothers and sisters in Christ. Help me to weep with those who weep and rejoice with those who rejoice. Show me practical ways to express Your love through my actions. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from "Enjoying the Good Life" (1 Peter 3:8-12): https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/275rcc6/16-enjoying-the-good-life-1-peter-3-8-12

"And that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:24 (NKJV)

Reproduce the character of Jesus in your life. The whole point of this extended passage in Ephesians 4 is that once you become a Christian, you will express the new life within by changing your conduct. Sometimes people push back and say, "Stop telling us the do's and don'ts of Scripture. You're just trying to tell us to be moral people." But this passage tells us that the new life within will express itself through a change in our lifestyle.

So what does that look like? Paul gives us several very practical expressions of the new life within.

Tell the Truth
Ephesians 4:25 continues, "Therefore, putting away lying, 'Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor,' for we are members of one another."

You tell the truth even in small areas. You no longer lie, even what some call "little white lies." Christians will be truthful because of the new life within.  

Manage Your Anger
Verse 26 says, “Be angry, and do not sin: do not let the sun go down on your wrath."

There was a husband and wife who went to a counselor, and the counselor told them, "Don't go to bed angry with one another. Figure it out, settle it, then go to bed." They came back a month later, and the counselor asked how it was going. The husband said, "Well, we've been following that command. We have not gone to bed angry." The counselor said, "How's that working out?" He said, "We haven't slept in three weeks."

Lydia and I have stayed up very late sometimes, but we will not go to bed angry with one another. The Bible tells us not to, and that's reason enough.

You may not know this, but Jesus was angry at times. He walked into the temple, turned over the tables of the money changers, and said, "My house will be a house of prayer. You have made it a den of thieves." He was angry, but he was angry at the right thing, at the right time, in the right way. One preacher said the best way to be angry and not sin is to be angry at nothing but sin. Jesus was angry at sin.

When we hold onto wrath and let it fester, we give place to the devil (verse 27). We unknowingly open the door for the devil to run havoc in our lives, our marriages, and our homes.

Live with Integrity
Ephesians 4:28 says, "Let him who stole steal no longer, but rather let him labor, working with his hands what is good, that he may have something to give him who has need."

Don't steal. Work hard. Do honest labor. Christians should be the most trustworthy people in the entire community. Not because everyone else is doing it, and not because the boss is watching. As Christians, we should express integrity in our work life. We are different. We should be known for it.

Watch Your Words
Ephesians 4:29 continues, "Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers."

A direct application of this verse for Christians is how we conduct ourselves online through social media. If you are being vicious online as a believer, you need to cut it out.

Another direct application is that Christians should not use cuss words or tell vulgar jokes. If cuss words are still coming out of your mouth, the Holy Spirit wants to deal with that. I understand if you're a new believer and that's all you knew growing up. But as you grow in the things of God, the Holy Spirit will convict you and tell you to clean up your mouth.

You've heard, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me." That is a lie. Words hurt. Our words should encourage people. It should not be cutting and hurtful and spiteful and "got you this time" and "said exactly what was on my mind."

Your words should reflect Jesus to the people around you. If you have a problem with your mouth, read Proverbs over and over again. It says a lot about the tongue.

Forgive Generously
Ephesians 4:31–32 (NKJV)
31 Let all bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice.
32 And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you.

"Voice of the Martyrs" once published Pastor Dmitri's story. In the eighties, he was beaten with a hammer for his faith in Christ so severely that he became a quadriplegic. He was thrown into prison, unable to move, lying in his own filth, with other prisoners doing what little they could to help. Years passed. Then a change in government came, and the prisoners were released.

One day, someone came to Pastor Dmitri's room. He recognized the man immediately. It was the officer who had held the hammer. The man got on his knees and said, "Please forgive me. I shouldn't have done it. You're not the only one I did this to. I did it to countless others. I don't even know if you can forgive me, but I'm sorry."

Pastor Dmitri looked at him with tears in his eyes and said, "I wish more than anything that I could feel my arms and move them, so I could wrap them around you and tell you that I have been praying for you every single day. I forgive you, and I love you."

When you, as a Christian, hear a story like that, something should stir in you. You should say, "I want to respond like that." Why? Because you know Jesus would respond like that. So how do you become that person?

Stop living with one foot in the world and one foot in the Word. Live wholeheartedly for Jesus. Receive Him as Lord and Savior. Realize that the old "you" is gone. Renew your mind with the Word of God. Finally, begin to reproduce the character of Jesus in your life. Little by little, day by day. Pastor Dmitri did not wake up one day and decide to forgive. It was years and years of letting the life of Christ change him from the inside out. When the moment came, the natural response was to reflect the character of Jesus.

Reflection Question: Of all the areas Paul addresses in Ephesians 4, which one is hardest for you right now: telling the truth, managing your anger, living with integrity, cleaning up your words, or forgiving someone who has wronged you? What is one step you can take today to let the life that is within you begin to show on the outside?

"Dear Heavenly Father, I want to tell the truth, manage my anger in a way that honors You, keep my words full of grace, and forgive others the way You have forgiven me. I know I cannot do this on my own. I need Your Holy Spirit working in me and through me. Help my natural response to reflect the character of Jesus. In Jesus' Name, amen."

Adapted from: The Path to True Life Change (Eph. 4:17-24)

"And be renewed in the spirit of your mind." - Ephesians 4:23 (NKJV)

Ephesians 4:23 gives us the central truth of real life change. If you want to change your lifestyle, you first have to change your mind. Repentance is a Greek word that means to change your mind. But it is not just a mental shift. It is a change of mind that leads to a change of behavior. I no longer want to live for sin. I no longer want the priorities of this world. So I will put Jesus first, and my conduct will follow from that decision. But the mind has to change first.

“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” - Romans 12:2, NKJV

Conformity with the world is pressure from the outside squeezing you in. As one version says, “Don't let the world squeeze you into its mold.” Don't let the world do that to you, but the verse does not stop at the warning. It gives you the answer. Be transformed by the renewing of your mind.

That word "transformation" describes life from the inside that expresses itself on the outside. It is pressure from the inside pushing out the life of God, showing itself in everyday life. That is the transformation Jesus Christ wants from each of us as His children.

He does not just want us to imitate Him. He does not just want us to pick up a few of Jesus' mannerisms. He wants it to be natural. He wants it to be something real within that pushes itself out, so that we really and truly do reflect Jesus to our lost world, to our neighbors, to our friends, to our relatives, where we really are showing Jesus to someone else.

How? By the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

“Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.” - James 1:21, NKJV

If you just heard that, you might think it is saying that if you want to save your soul, you receive the implanted Word. But that is not what it is saying. That word “save” is the Greek word we use for restore. Maybe you have had some furniture that needed to be restored. It is the same piece, but it needs to look new. It needs to be scrubbed. It needs to be painted. It needs to be refinished.

Receive with meekness the implanted Word, which is able to restore you to the place you were supposed to be all along. It can restore your life. Then verse 22-24 says, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror, for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was."

You know how that goes. You glance in the mirror and say, “Looks pretty good.” Then you walk out the door, and sure enough, you missed the hair sticking straight up in the back of your head. You didn't pay attention. You didn't stop long enough to really look.

Renewing your mind works the same way. It does not happen because you glanced at your Bible one time. It does not happen because you quickly listened to a sermon or sat through a Sunday school class and moved on. That just makes you like the man who hears but doesn't do.

So how do you get God's Word into your heart so it renews your mind? Joshua 1:8 describes it, “But this Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.”

Everybody wants good success. The Bible promises it to the person who meditates on the Word. But what does it mean to meditate? Do you know how to worry? Yes, we all do.

Worry is meditation in reverse. Worry is meditating on your problems. Worry is meditating on the bad news of this world.

Meditation is the same process, only turned toward God. It is thinking and processing and going over and over in your mind God's power, His strength, His Word, and letting it roll through your thinking again and again.

If you have ever seen a cow chew its cud, you have seen the picture. The cow chews the grass, swallows it, brings it back up, chews it again, swallows it again, and brings it back up again. The cow does it again and again. It is getting every bit of nutritional value out of that grass. That is the picture of meditation.

So if you want to change your behavior, start by meditating on God's Word.

Meditate on God's Word about marriage. Meditate on what it looks like to put God first in your home. Think through all the verses about a husband leading his family, a wife being loving and supportive, and a mother and father raising their children to honor Christ. What does it mean to have a God-honoring, Christ-honoring marriage and family? Meditate on that, and your mind will begin to affect your actions. The next time you want to argue with your spouse, a verse of Scripture comes to mind. The next time you want to lash out at your son or daughter, a verse of Scripture comes to your mind.

Try this for the next month. Every single day, read the book of Ephesians. It is six chapters. It won't take long. Read chapters 1-6 on day one. Do it again on day two. Then day three. Keep going for the whole month. You know what you will discover? You will be meditating.

Every single thing that happens in your life, your mind will go back to a verse from Ephesians. Your mind will be trained and attuned to what God has to say about those subjects.

That is meditating in God's Word. That is renewing your mind, and it is what gives you the power to be restored and changed from the inside out.

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to change your behavior, and what does God’s Word say about that area?

Dear Heavenly Father, help me to renew my mind with Your Word. I know that if I want to change my behavior, I first have to allow You to change my thinking. Teach me to meditate on Your Word. Help me to turn Your promises over and over in my mind instead of turning my problems over and over in my mind. Help me to be faithful to Your Word every day. May Your truth rise to the surface when I need it most. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: The Path to True Life Change (Eph. 4:17-24)

"Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things." - Philippians 4:8 (NKJV)

It's easy to let fear take over your thinking. Paul's prescription in this verse isn't complicated, but it is convicting: resolve to think positively. Not just wishful thinking, but a deliberate decision to fill your mind with what is true, noble, and praiseworthy rather than with fear, speculation, and worst-case scenarios.

How much of the news are you watching? I'm not talking about staying informed. I mean continuously letting your mind absorb all the problems and fear-mongeringout there. At some point, you have to turn it off and start meditating on what is true, what is noble, what is trustworthy.

Think about it — you wake up in the morning, and the first thing you do is turn on the news. You eat your breakfast with the news. You drive to work listening to talk radio breaking down the news. You get to work, and everybody's talking about the news. You come home and turn on the news again. You go to bed with the news on. And then you wonder why you can't sleep, why you're anxious, why you feel hopeless. You have fed your mind a steady diet of fear, and you're surprised you're afraid.

I'm not saying be uninformed. I'm saying be careful how much you consume. There's a difference between checking the news and being consumed by the news. At some point, more information isn't making you better prepared — it's just making you more afraid. The reporters aren't going to give you peace. The analysts aren't going to give you hope. The commentators aren't going to give you strength. Only God can do that, and you can't hear His voice when you've got the noise turned all the way up.

Here's what I want to challenge you to do instead. Think of the praiseworthy things that are going on in our world right now — the places where God is using this situation in a positive way. No, it's not ideal. But at the same time, God is moving.

Personally, you can do the same. You can say, "God, I'm going to meditate on what You're doing in the midst of all that I'm going through right now. It's not ideal. I'm going to ask You for what I need, but I'm going to trust You. I'm going to thank You in advance. I'm going to thank You for what You're doing in my life. And then I'm going to resolve to have a positive outlook."

That's not denial. That's not pretending everything is fine. That is faith. That is choosing to put the magnifying glass on God's power rather than on the size of your problem.

The word "think" means to "meditate," which carries the idea of muttering something over and over and over again. God says in Joshua 1:8, "This book of the law shall not depart out of your mouth, but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do all that is written therein — for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."

Don't you want success? Don't you want to be prosperous? The promise in Joshua 1:8 is tied to one thing: meditating. Meditate on what? Meditate on God's Word. Not on the problem. Not on the crisis. Not on the worst-case scenario. On God's Word.

Proverbs 4:20-22 says, "My son, attend to my words, incline your ear unto my sayings. Let them not depart from your eyes. Keep them in the midst of your heart, for they are life to those that find them and medicine to all their flesh."

The Word of God is medicine to all your flesh. It heals. It restores. It brings life to what is broken.

Now, I want to make sure you understand what the writer means when he says, "My son, attend to my words." Here's an example that makes sense to me. Suppose you came up to me and said, "Pastor Josh, I need your attention." And you notice I'm walking kind of fast, moving with purpose. And I say to you, "I want to talk to you, I want to help you, but there's first something I must attend to."

Now, am I saying that what you need isn't important? No. What I'm saying is that I have something more important that I must attend to first.

That's what the writer of Proverbs is saying in Proverbs 4:20. He's not saying the other things in your life aren't important. He's saying, this is of the highest importance. My son — put My Word first. You want to experience God's peace? Put God's Word first. You want to walk through this crisis without falling apart? Put God's Word first.

Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of a good report — meditate. Think on these things.

So, decide today to have a positive outlook, not because everything is perfect, but because God can handle it. Your situation has not changed, but your perspective has.

Reflection Question: Are you meditating on your problems or on God's Word, which promises His power to help you with your problems?

Heavenly Father, I confess that I have spent too much time looking at the problem and not enough time looking at You. Help me to turn off the noise and open Your Word. Teach me to meditate on Your promises again and again until they go from my head into my heart. I choose today to look for what You are doing in the middle of what I'm going through. I thank You in advance. I trust You. And I resolve to have a positive outlook — not because of my circumstances, but because of You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: "God's Answer for Worry": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/2m83fmg/9-god-s-answer-for-worry

"Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you." - 1 Peter 5:7 (NKJV)

Somebody has described worry as sitting in a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but you don't get anywhere while you're doing it. In the same way, worry gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere. Actually, it hurts you in the long run. Anxiety has this way of consuming your thoughts, draining your energy, and stealing your peace. But here's the truth: most of what you and I worry about never even happens.

One study in the medical community asked, "What are people afraid of?" And they found that, when they really got down to it, 40% of the things you and I fear will never happen. We're afraid of things that will never happen. 30% of the things that we're afraid of are actually things about our past. And guess what? We can't change our past. So you've got the things that will never happen. You've got things about our past. That totals 70% of our worry, focused on either imaginary scenarios or things we can never undo.

But it doesn't stop there. Another 12% of what we fear is others' criticism. What you and I have discovered is that you can't change someone's opinion of you or stop them from criticizing you; and worrying about it isn’t worth it anyway. That means 82% of our fears are either unchangeable or irrational.

And then you had about 10% of our fears, and our worries had to do with our health. And you know what you find out? Your health actually is worse when you worry. Your health actually declines in the midst of the fear and the anxiety that you're experiencing. Your fearfulness is actually hurting your health. And medical professionals know this. One doctor actually shared how 90% of headaches are a result of tension and stress, and we can probably attest to that. Worry doesn't just harm your peace. It's harming your health too.

So where does that leave us? That is 92% of our fears need to be simply given to God. Only 8% of our fears need to be faced directly. We are losing our peace because we are living our lives full of worry!

It leaves us with a choice. Instead of letting anxiety take root, we can transform our worries into prayers. Prayer isn’t just talking about our problems; it’s actively transferring our burdens to the One who can handle them. It’s like having a direct line to the Creator of the universe, and He’s waiting to hear from us.

In Philippians 4:6, Paul writes, "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God." When concerns arise, we can either let them circle endlessly in our minds or intentionally bring them to God. Prayer becomes the bridge from worry to peace, because when we bring our burdens to Him, we remember: He cares for us.

Reflection Question: What specific worries can you turn into prayers right now, and how might that change your perspective on those concerns?

Father, I bring my worries to You right now. Help me release them into Your capable hands and trust in Your care. Thank You for always listening, always loving, and always providing peace when I surrender my burdens to You. In Jesus' name, amen.

Adapted from: "God's Answer for Worry": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/2m83fmg/9-god-s-answer-for-worry

"Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand." - Isaiah 41:10 (NKJV)

Paul reminds us in Philippians 4:5 that "the Lord is at hand." This simple truth—that God is near—has the power to calm our souls in the midst of life’s turbulence.

I remember a recent flying experience where I was sleeping on the flight, but we ran into some turbulence, and it startled me awake. I was a little nervous about this turbulence because it was unexpected and unsettling. But then I looked over at a stewardess who was seated nearby. Her face told a completely different story than my anxious heart.

The stewardess was calm. She was yawning, scrolling on her phone, and completely unbothered by the turbulence. Her demeanor reassured me: if she, someone who flies every day, wasn’t worried, why should I be? If she was calm, I could be calm. So I closed my eyes and went back to sleep.

The same is true with God. When we realize that He is near, holding us by the hand, our fear begins to fade. Isaiah 41:10 reminds us that God strengthens, helps, and upholds us. He doesn’t always take away the turbulence, but He gives us peace in the midst of it. His presence becomes our shelter in the storm.

And here’s the amazing part: the Lord isn’t just near; He’s in us. "Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world" (1 John 4:4). Knowing that the Creator of the universe is not only present but dwelling inside of you should fill you with confidence. Rest in that truth today.

Reflection Question: How does knowing that God is with you change the way you face life’s storms?

Father, thank You for being near to me. When life feels turbulent and I’m overwhelmed by fear, help me to rest in Your presence. Remind me that You are my shelter, my strength, and my peace in every trial. Teach me to trust You fully, knowing that You are holding me by the hand. In Jesus’ Name, amen.

Adapted from: "God's Answer for Worry": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/2m83fmg/9-god-s-answer-for-worry

"that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts," - Ephesians 4:22 (NKJV)

"Likewise, you also, reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord." - Romans 6:11 (NKJV)

In Ephesians 4:22, Paul writes, "That you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man." In the New King James Version, this verse looks like a command, as though he is telling us to do something right now. But in the original Greek, it is not a command at all. It is describing something that has already been done, once and for all. You have already put off the old man. Kenneth Wuest, a Greek scholar, translates this, "that you have put off once for all with reference to your former manner of life the old self who is being corrupted according to the passionate desires of deceit..."

So, why are you still living like the old man - like you did before you became a Christian? Why are you still living like the lost people around you? You asked Jesus to come into your life, and He did. Now, since you have said "no" to that former lifestyle, why are you still living unchanged? You were dead, and now you are alive in Christ! It's as if you are walking around in grave clothes. You are alive, but you are acting like you are still dead.

The picture I want you to hold in your mind is Lazarus in John 11. He is dead. His sisters are grieving. Jesus arrives days after the death and says, "Roll away the stone." Martha objects. Lord, he has been dead four days. Surely he stinks. Jesus says, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, yet shall he live." (John 11:25) The stone rolls away. He calls out in verse 43, "Lazarus, come forth." And the dead man walks out of the tomb.

Then Jesus says in John 11:44, "Loose that man and let him go." Lazarus is alive, but he is still wrapped in his grave clothes, still dressed for the tomb. Jesus is saying he is no longer dead. Take those grave clothes off of him.

That is what has happened to each one of us. Ephesians 2:1-3 describes how spiritually dead we really were without God, completely blind to how we are supposed to live, walking the same direction as everyone around us in their lost condition. Then Jesus came into our lives and resurrected us. But some of us are still walking around in our grave clothes. And Jesus is saying, "Loose that man and let him go." Why do you still have grave clothes? You are alive!

Romans 6:6 confirms it: "Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin."

You have already been made dead to sin. You have already been crucified with Christ. That old man is gone. You are now alive to God! You have experienced the new birth, with Christ's life inside of you! So don't pick up those grave clothes again. Don't live like the old person you once were, with the same priorities and the same values of this world. You have received the new life of Jesus. Those grave clothes were part of your old identity. You are now alive to God! Why are you walking around with those grave clothes still on?

Reflection Question: Since you are spiritually alive in Christ, what "grave clothes" can you take off? How is your life different today from when you were not a Christian?

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for what You have already done. Thank You that I am no longer dead in my sins, but I am spiritually alive! Help me to stop living like someone who is still dead in my sins. I am not that person anymore. Help me to walk like it today. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: The Path to True Life Change (Eph. 4:17-24)

"But you have not so learned Christ, if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus." - Ephesians 4:20–21 (NKJV)

No true life change happens without Jesus Christ. Paul says in Ephesians 4:20, “You have not so learned Christ.” Notice he does not say you have learned about Christ. He says you have learned Christ. You received Him. You heard Him. You were taught by Him, as the truth is in Jesus.

The only way to experience real life change is to receive Jesus Christ, so that the power of Christ comes inside of you in the Person of the Holy Spirit.

Galatians 5 talks about the fruit of the Spirit. That fruit is the outgrowth of something already alive inside the believer. 2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature. Old things have passed away. All things have become new. Something on the inside is genuinely different.

You can take a person who has never received Jesus Christ, and they can read passages in the Bible that talk about life change and decide, "I am going to be a better man. I am going to stop lying. I am going to stop stealing. I am going to stop holding onto bitterness. I am going to forgive people and do what is right." But they cannot keep it up.

D.L. Moody once said "You could see without eyes and hear without ears just as easily as you could live the Christian life without the Holy Spirit." The Christian life is not "hard" or "difficult". It is impossible. So what is the answer? Receive the Lord Jesus Christ.

Romans 13:14 says, “Put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh to fulfill its lusts.”

Put on Jesus. Receive Him into your heart. That is where the life and the power comes from to live the way He has called you to live.

It is not about doing more for Him. It is about bowing your knee and saying, "Jesus, don’t just be my Savior. Be my Lord. Be the One in charge." And He promises to come into that person's life and plant the seed of His Holy Spirit on the inside. Little by little, over the years, you realize something is happening.

I remember a little chorus that we used to sing in church:

"I've got something on the inside, working on the outside, Oh what a change in my life." 

An Eskimo had two dogs, one white and one black. He would bring them down from the mountain, set them to fighting, and let the villagers gamble on which one would win. One weekend the black dog would win and the next the white dog would win. No one could figure out the pattern. The only one who walked away with the money every single weekend was the Eskimo himself.

Finally, someone pulled him aside and demanded to know his secret. He said, “That is easy. The week before a fight, I feed one dog very well all week long, and I starve the other. The dog that is starved is always defeated. Whichever one I feed is the one who wins.”

You and I are trying to live the Christian life in our own power. If we have never received the life of God on the inside, it is impossible.

I will never express the patience of Jesus until I first have Jesus inside of me.

I will never express His love, His forgiveness, His gentleness if I do not first receive Him.

The Christian life is not about trying harder. It is about receiving Jesus Christ, and allowing Him to live His life through me.

Reflection Question: What are you trying to produce in your life through your own strength that only Jesus can produce through the power of the Holy Spirit?

Dear Heavenly Father, I know that I cannot live the Christian life in my own strength. I cannot manufacture Your love, Your patience, Your forgiveness, or Your gentleness by simply trying harder. Jesus, I need You. I want You to be more than my Savior. I want You to be my Lord. I want You to be the One in charge of every area of my life. I want to receive You and allow Your life to be lived through me. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: The Path to True Life Change (Eph. 4:17-24)

"Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!" — Philippians 4:4

At the turn of the 20th century, around 1905, a woman and her husband, an evangelist, traveled to New York. During their visit, they met an older couple, Mr. and Mrs. Doolittle, who left an impact on them.

The Doolittles had their share of struggles and ailments, yet they radiated cheerfulness and joy. Curious, the evangelist and his wife asked, "How is it that you can be so cheerful despite your troubles?"

Mrs. Doolittle's response was simple but thought-provoking: "Because I know His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He's watching me."

This phrase stayed with Civilla Martin, the evangelist's wife, and inspired her to write the beloved hymn "His Eye Is on the Sparrow." The song reminds us that we can sing because we're happy, we can sing because we're free, and we can rest in the assurance that God watches over us.

As the hymn beautifully declares:
Why should I feel discouraged, why should the shadows come,
Why should my heart be lonely and long for heaven and home,
When Jesus is my portion? My constant Friend is He:
His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me.
 
I sing because I’m happy, I sing because I’m free,
For His eye is on the sparrow, And I know He watches me.

Joy isn't just an emotion; it's a deliberate choice that we make regardless of our circumstances. The Apostle Paul understood this deeply. Writing from a prison cell, he encouraged believers to "rejoice in the Lord always."

This wasn't a form of ignorant positivity or denial of the hardships he faced. Instead, it reflected the truth: joy is anchored in Who God is, not in what's happening around us.

Choosing to rejoice is like carrying an umbrella in a storm — the rain may still fall, but we are protected. Each day that we decide to focus on joy, especially in the face of trials, we build a foundation of peace and stability that anxiety cannot easily shake.

Reflection Question: What specific attributes of God can you focus on today that will help you choose joy regardless of your circumstances?

Lord, help me to find my joy in Who You are rather than in my circumstances. Teach me to rejoice even when it's difficult, knowing that You remain unchanging and faithful. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: "God's Answer for Worry": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/2m83fmg/9-god-s-answer-for-worry

"This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart." - Ephesians 4:17–18 (NKJV)

Years ago, I was eating with my seven-year-old. I looked over and said, "Son, stop smacking while you eat." He looked right back at me and said, "Daddy, don't say 'stop smacking.' Say 'chew with your mouth closed.'" He didn’t want to be told what not to do. He wanted me to be more positive. (He also didn’t see the irony in the fact that he just told me what not to do). But I thought, “This is the world in miniature.” We don't want to hear the negative. We don't want to be told what to stop doing. But Paul begins this section about the new life in Christ with a negative command. He will follow it with positive commands too, but he starts with the stop.

In Ephesians 4:17, Paul writes, "This I say, therefore, and testify in the Lord, that you should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles walk, in the futility of their mind." He's talking about people who don't know God, who have never surrendered their lives to Jesus. Don't walk the way they walk.

And how do they walk? In the futility of their mind. That doesn't mean they're not smart. They might be brilliant academically, brilliant in their field. And yet there's a futility to the mind of anyone who has not given their life to Jesus. That word “futility” means empty, useless. You can have achievement after achievement after achievement, and if it is not leading you toward a personal relationship with Jesus, it is leading to a dead end.

Paul continues in verse 18: "having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart."  A futile mind leads to a darkened understanding, which leads to a lifestyle of sin and moral compromise. It's just downward steps, one after another. They don't even think straight anymore.

The Message paraphrase puts it this way: "So I insist, and God backs me up on this, that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch, not only with God, but with reality itself." Have you spent time with a coworker, a friend, a family member where it feels like they've lost their grip on reality? They didn't start there. At first, they were just rejecting God. But they kept going down that path and eventually lost their sense of what's real, what's true, what's right.

In July of 1945, the USS Indianapolis was heading home from the Pacific after delivering a cargo of enriched uranium that contributed to the end of World War II. A Japanese attack sank the cruiser. Of the roughly 1,200 men on board, about 300 lost their lives almost immediately. The remaining 900 were stranded in open ocean with no fresh water, a blazing sun overhead, and sharks circling below. Four nights and five days later, only about 316 survived.

One of those survivors was the Chief Medical Officer, Captain Lewis Haynes. He said,

"When the hot sun came out and we were in this crystal clear water, you were so thirsty you couldn't believe it wasn't good enough to drink. I had a hard time convincing the men they should not drink it. The really young ones, you take away their hope, their water, their food, they would drink the salt water and they would go fast. I can remember striking men who were drinking the salt water just trying to stop them. They would get dehydrated and then become maniacal. They would lose their minds." [1]

He also described mass hallucinations. One man would see something, and then everyone else would see the same thing. He said even he had to fight hallucinations off and on, but something always brought him back. The salt water was right there. It looked drinkable. He had to keep convincing the men around him: don't drink that. You'd think it would satisfy you, and instead you'd just want more, which would lead to more dehydration, more hallucinations, and one step closer to death.

Meanwhile Jesus offers Himself as living water. John 7:37-38 reads, "On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'" The Bible also says that as Christians, we have Jesus inside us by the Holy Spirit. We have the living water inside of us. While He offers us the truth and the right way to live, the devil is handing out salt water. It looks like just what you need. It looks like it might satisfy. But it never does.

I remember going on a mission trip with a friend, and we were clearly told: "Don't drink the water. Your American stomachs aren't used to it." Under the blazing July sun, the man in charge of handing out water kept pouring cup after cup for everyone. He got so thirsty that, in the end, he started drinking the water himself. You can guess what happened next. He spent the rest of the week paying the price.

That is what the devil offers. "Just live for this." "Pursue this." And you know what it does? It pollutes your mind and leads to the same hallucinations. Why do people agree with so much of what this world system says? Because they've been drinking its water. It doesn't satisfy them, and it doesn't satisfy their neighbor either, all while Jesus is standing there offering living water.

Reflection Question: What "salt water" has the world been handing you lately, and in what specific area of your life do you need to stop drinking it and turn to Jesus instead?

Dear Heavenly Father, Forgive me for drinking what the world hands out and then wondering why I feel empty. Right now, I choose to stop. I choose to turn to You. You are the living water, and I need You more than anything this world can offer. Fill me, Lord. Renew my mind. Clear out every hallucination the enemy has fed me. Help me see what is real, what is true, and what is right. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: The Path to True Life Change (Eph. 4:17-24)

[1] Naval Historical Center, “Recollections of the Sinking of USS Indianapolis (CA-35) by Capt. Lewis L. Haynes,” http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq30-5.htm. As quoted by Bryan Chappell in Ephesians: Reformed Expository Commentary (P&R Publishing, 2009), 215-216.

"...that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts, and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness and holiness." - Ephesians 4:22-24 (NKJV)

Have you ever seen a T-ball game where there's that one kid who has clearly watched a lot of professional baseball? He's got the sunglasses his hero wears, the name-brand gloves the pros use, the chewing gum, even a certain kind of bat. He imitates his baseball hero right down to the way he spits into his hands before he swings. The whole thing is built on the hope that if I can do what they do, dress like they dress, carry myself the way they carry themselves, maybe I can hit the ball the way the pros hit it. And you have to smile at that.

I gave my life to Christ at 14, and I wanted to imitate the spiritual heroes around me. My dad was one of them. I would watch him pace back and forth while he prayed down in the basement, just walking and praying. So when I started learning how to pray, I paced back and forth too. I didn't know yet that you didn't have to pace. I just knew that's what my spiritual hero did.

I had a pastor who held his Bible a certain way as he walked around on Sunday mornings, and I picked up that habit. People would say, "You even look holy when you hold your Bible like that." It wasn't until I became a preacher myself that I realized why he held it that way. He was holding his place where he was going to begin. That's all it was. Well, I'm not doing it to look holy. I'm just doing it to hold my place in my Bible.

The point is, you can imitate the outward mannerisms of a godly person, but imitation doesn't transform you into the image of Christ. You won't grow into the kind of Christian your spiritual hero is unless you do what that hero did. Unless you spend time in God's Word and allow it to transform your mind. Unless you spend time in God's presence in prayer. Unless you start developing yourself from the inside out.

You see that spiritual hero, patient in the middle of trials that would make someone else completely lose their temper. You see them endure under a heavy burden that would make someone else crumble. You see them walk away from a temptation that would cause others to stumble.

There's a story about a pastor fixing something in his yard when the neighbor kid was just standing at the fence, staring at him. The pastor kept working. Then he hit his thumb with the hammer. While he was shaking it out, he looked up, and the kid was still just watching. The pastor said, "Why are you staring at me?" The kid said, "I just want to know what a preacher says when he hits his thumb."

We are all kind of like tea bags. Different kinds of teabags look the same until you put them in boiling hot water. That's when their true color emerges. Our true colors will emerge, too, when things are hard.

We look at our spiritual heroes and think, "If I just try harder, if I can will myself to be that kind of Christian, then I can get there, too." But you can wish it and will it all you want. If you have not picked up certain godly habits and put off other destructive habits, the best you can hope for is imitation.

There was a kid on a farm whose dad was sitting with the preacher one afternoon. The son came busting through the door, completely oblivious that company was there. He held a dead rat by the tail, excited to show it off. "Dad, look at this rat! I saw him behind the barn, and I hit him over the head with a two-by-four, and then I slammed him against the wall, and then I shoved him into the ground, and then..." He saw the preacher; he paused, and said piously, "And then, Preacher... the Lord called him home." He thought he needed to be pious and religious. God wants more than imitation.

We can pretend to be pious. We can try to be holy. Or we can recognize that a real path to true life change exists. God wants us to be godly and Christ-like. He wants to conform us into the image of Christ. That's more than imitation. Romans 12:2 says, "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." "Transformed" means changing from the inside out. It doesn't mean just to "look" holy, but to "be" holy.

Reflection question: Are you content just looking holy, or do you want to be holy? What needs to change?

Dear Heavenly Father, I don't want to just look the part. I want to be changed from the inside out, not just cleaned up on the outside. Forgive me for the times I've settled for imitation when You were offering transformation. Today I choose to put off what no longer belongs in my life, and I choose to put on the new man You created me to be. Renew my mind with Your Word. Shape my character and make me the kind of person who reflects You. I trust You to do in me what I cannot do on my own. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Adapted from: The Path to True Life Change (Eph. 4:17-24)

"And [Jesus] said, ‘The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground, and should sleep by night and rise by day, and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how.’" — Mark 4:26-27 (NKJV)

Have you ever felt like your efforts for God aren’t making a difference? Like no matter how hard you work, pray, or serve, the results just aren’t visible? This feeling is especially common in ministry, parenting, or any role where you’re investing in others. Yet Jesus gives us a beautiful reminder in Mark 4:26-27: the work of God’s kingdom doesn’t depend on us seeing the results—it depends on Him.

Jesus compares the kingdom of God to a man scattering seed on the ground. The man does his part—planting the seed—but the growth happens in a way he doesn’t understand. While he goes about his daily life, sleeping and rising, the seed is growing in the soil. He doesn’t see the process happening, but it’s still at work. The results are in God’s hands, not the farmer’s.

Ministry can be a lonely and discouraging road. Whether you’re a pastor, a teacher, or simply trying to live faithfully, there are moments when discouragement whispers, “You’re failing.” One of the greatest pastors to have ever lived was Charles Spurgeon. However, he once wrote, "Discouragement … creeps over my heart and makes me go with heaviness to my work.… It is dreadfully weakening." [1] Satan loves to make God's workers think that they are not making a difference.

Warren Wiersbe, writing in Prokope, reminds us that pastors are not superhuman—they face the same struggles, fears, and frustrations as everyone else. Yet, for some reason, many people assume that ministers, or those who serve God, are immune to discouragement.

Wiersbe outlines four common sources of frustration for those in ministry: [2]

1. Unreachable Goals: The desire to “do it all” or see immediate results often leads to disappointment.
2. Unmanageable Schedules: The constant demands of ministry can wear down even the strongest leaders.
3. Uncomfortable Situations: Navigating difficult conversations, conflict, or criticism can be draining.
4. Unbearable Problems: The weight of bearing others’ burdens or feeling responsible for outcomes can feel overwhelming.

George Morrison wisely observed that “God rarely allows His servants to see how much good they are doing, so you will have to work by faith and leave the results to Him. We’ll get the report and the reward when we stand before Him in glory, not one minute before.”[2]
   
This means that much of what we do for God must be done in faith, trusting that He is working behind the scenes. The full impact of our work won’t be revealed until we stand before Him in glory.

"W. A. Criswell was perhaps the best-known pastor in the world during his long tenure at the First Baptist Church of Dallas, Texas. His sermons, personal efforts, and multiple books have been the means of winning untold numbers to Christ.

"But in Criswell’s biography, author Billy Keith tells an interesting story about the man who led Criswell to the Lord. It was when W. A. was ten years old, and Rev. John Hicks came to his small Texas town to conduct a revival meeting. Hicks stayed in the Criswell home during his two-week campaign. Young W. A. was greatly taken with John Hicks, and one day he asked permission to leave school to attend the 10 o’clock service at the church. Entering the chapel, he sat directly behind his mother and drank in every word that Hicks spoke. When Hicks gave the invitation, the lad went forward and, with tears, took Jesus Christ as his Savior.

"Years later, when Criswell was a world-renowned pastor, he recounted his conversion to a friend of his, Wallace Basset.

"'Would you repeat that, W. A.?' Basset asked.

"He repeated the story.

"'I just can’t imagine that,' Basset said. 'Johnny Hicks was a dear friend of mine, and he was here in Baylor Hospital in his last illness of which he died. I went often to see Johnny and one day as I sat beside him, he said, "Wallace, my life is over, my preaching days are done, and I’ve never done anything for Jesus. I’ve failed, Wallace, I’ve failed." ’ ”

"Those were the last words the old preacher ever spoke. He didn’t realize how successful he had been in just that one conversion." [3]

Hicks, in his final days, thinks to himself, “I’ve never done anything for Jesus. I’ve failed.” What he didn’t know was that one young boy in one revival meeting would grow up to become one of the most influential pastors in modern history, leading thousands to Christ. Hicks never saw the fruit of his ministry, but God had used him mightily.

This story reminds us that success in God’s eyes isn’t about numbers, recognition, or visible results. It’s about faithfulness. Sometimes, the seeds we plant won’t bear fruit until years, or even decades, later. We may never know how God has used our prayers, our conversations, or our acts of service to impact someone’s life. But we can trust Him to bring the harvest in His perfect time.

If you’ve ever felt like you’ve failed, remember this: success in ministry is not measured by the world’s standards. God calls us to obey, to abide, and to trust Him with the results.

Reflection Question: Are there areas in your life where you feel like you’ve failed? How can you trust God to bring fruit from your faithfulness, even if you don’t see it now?

Lord, I often feel like my efforts are small and insignificant. I look for results and wonder if I’ve done enough or made a difference. Help me to remember that success is not about what I see but about being faithful to Your call. Thank You for the reminder that my labor is not in vain when it is done for you. Strengthen me to keep going, even when I don’t see the fruit. Help me to trust you with the results, knowing that You are always working. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Adapted from: "God's Answer for Discouragement": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/zmvsph4/8-god-s-answer-for-discouragement

[1] Charles Haddon Spurgeon, Messages of Hope and Faith (Cleveland, Ohio: Publish House of the Evangelical Association, n.d.).
[2] Warren W. Wiersbe, “Formula for Frustration,” Prokopè, May-June 1987, 1–2.
[3] Billy Keith, W. A. Criswell (Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1973), 21, 124.

"Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go up to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there." —Psalm 139:7-8 (NIV)

Mother Theresa once said, “The world’s greatest tragedy is unwantedness; the world’s greatest disease is loneliness.”[1]

Philip Zimbardo, writing in Psychology Today, has said, “There is no more destructive influence on physical and mental health than the isolation of you from me and of us from them.” He points to studies that show loneliness as a central agent of depression, paranoia, schizophrenia, rape, suicide, mass murder, and a wide variety of diseases. We’ve all seen the polls that point to shorter life spans for lonely people.[2]

What is Loneliness?[3]
- Loneliness is Not SOLITUDE (being alone).
- You can be LONESOME, but not lonely.
- You can be lonely IN A CROWD.

David Jeremiah writes, “What is loneliness? I don’t know how to define it; all I can do is describe it. It’s an underlying anxiety at having no one close, a sharp ache in a moment of grief, and an empty feeling in the pit of the stomach when we know we have no one to whom we can turn.” [4]
 
Loneliness is not isolation. It is insulation. It is the feeling cut off. It is feeling unnoticed, unloved, uncared, unneeded, and maybe even unnecessary.
- The Old Testament Hebrew word for "lonely" is shamem, which means "to be desolate."
- The New Testament word eremos means "desert places."
- Loneliness is the state of sadness that comes from feeling alone, isolated or cut off from others.
- A person can feel a lack of connection with others even when in their presence.

Everyone has three basic psychological and spiritual needs.[5]
1) Everybody needs someone to love and to share intimately with.
2) Everybody needs someone who can understand, to know how they feel and says, "Yes, I understand, I care."
3) Everybody needs to be needed and wanted.

Loneliness isn’t just about being physically alone—it’s about feeling unseen, unneeded, and unknown. Even in a crowded room, we can feel invisible. But there’s a truth we often forget: God’s presence is never absent, even in our loneliest moments.

Psalm 139 beautifully reminds us that we are never out of God’s reach. Whether we are at the highest peak of joy or the lowest valley of despair, He is there. David, the psalmist, knew this well. He had moments of isolation, fleeing from enemies and feeling forgotten. Yet, he clung to the truth that God’s Spirit never left him.

Today, you might feel alone—perhaps in your workplace, at home, or even in your church. But remember, God is not distant. He is closer than your next breath, fully aware of your struggles, and lovingly present in your life.

Reflection Question: When have you felt alone and needed to be reminded of God’s presence?

"Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for never leaving me, even when I feel alone. Help me to recognize Your nearness in every moment, and may Your presence comfort me in my times of need. Teach me to trust that You are with me, no matter where I go or what I face. In Jesus’ Name, amen."

Adapted from "God's Answer for Loneliness": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/5md6t56/7-god-s-answer-for-loneliness

 
[1] As quoted in Tim Clinton, The Quick-Reference Guide to Biblical Counseling (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 2009), 151.
[2] Philip Zimbardo, “The Age of Indifference,” Psychology Today, 30 August 1980.
[3] Based on Adrian Rogers, Mastering Your Emotions (Nashville, TN: Broadman Press, 1988), 99-100.
[4] David Jeremiah, Overcoming Loneliness: Study Guide (Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1997), 8.
[5] Rogers, 101.

"The Lord is my light and my salvation—whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life—of whom shall I be afraid?" — Psalm 27:1 (NIV) 

Sometimes, despite our best efforts, fear doesn't completely disappear before we need to act. In these moments, we can learn from Elizabeth Elliot, whose husband, Jim, was murdered by the very people he was trying to reach with the Gospel. She shared about the four missionaries in Ecuador and how she was consumed and controlled by fear. Every time she began to step out, fear stopped her. Consumed by fear that paralyzed her from moving forward, she received life-changing advice from a friend: "Why don't you just do it afraid?" Fear wasn't completely removed from Elizabeth, but it no longer immobilized her.

Courage isn't the absence of fear but action in the presence of fear. As someone once said, "Courage is fear that has said its prayers." God doesn't always remove our fears before calling us to act. Sometimes, He wants us to exercise our faith by stepping out despite our trembling hearts. When we do, we discover His faithfulness in new ways.

When the Golden Gate Bridge was built, there were no safety nets underneath, and the construction progressed from one side to the other. The builders worked in fear, and a few unfortunately fell to their deaths in the water. This made the endeavor quite daunting, causing work to proceed slowly with many delays.

Eventually, the builders decided they needed a solution. They created a safety net underneath where the bridge was being built. As a result, work progressed at an incredible pace, and there were no further casualties. While some workers did fall, they landed safely on the net, which gave everyone confidence. They could focus on their work without the constant fear of falling.

We must recognize that we have a safety net too; His name is Jesus. For those of us who have placed our faith in Him, our eternal destiny is secured in heaven. So, what’s the worst that can happen when God asks us to take a step forward? We should be bold and take action.

Today, is there something God is calling you to do that frightens you? Instead of waiting for the fear to disappear completely, consider taking a step forward while still feeling afraid. Trust that God will be with you, providing the strength and courage you need in the moment. You don't have to wait until you feel brave. You just need to trust the God who is with you. Hebrews 13:5 says, "...For God has said, 'I will never leave you, and I will never forsake you.'"

Remember that we have the ultimate safety net in Christ. For believers, our eternal destiny is secure. As Billy Graham often said, "God and me are a majority." With God on our side, what do we truly have to fear?

Reflection Question: What is God calling you to do that you've been postponing until you "feel ready" or "aren't afraid anymore"?

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your promise to never leave or forsake me. Give me the courage to step out in faith even when I still feel afraid. Help me trust Your presence more than my feelings. Use my obedience, even when it's trembling obedience, to accomplish Your purposes. In Jesus' name, amen.

From "God's Answer for Fear": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/cr3n4pv/6-god-s-answer-for-fear

"The fear of man brings a snare, But whoever trusts in the LORD shall be safe." - Proverbs 29:25

One of the most common fears that holds believers back is the fear of what others will think or do. This fear of man can prevent us from following God's direction, speaking truth, or stepping out in faith. Proverbs directly addresses this, warning that the fear of man is a snare - a trap that catches us and restricts our movement. When we're more concerned about human approval than God's approval, we've fallen into this trap. If we are afraid of people's approval, God's word says, that's a snare. We won't move when God tells us to move. We won't do what God tells us to do.

Joshua faced this challenge when following the legendary Moses. God said in Joshua 1:2, “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give them – to the Israelites.” Moses had led the people of Israel for forty years. An entire generation of Israelites had died in the wilderness. The present group had known no other leader than Moses. The fear of comparison, of not measuring up, could have paralyzed him.

The antidote to the fear of man (or any other fear) is to trust in the Lord. God said in Joshua 1:5, “No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.” (see also Hebrews 13:5-6; Isaiah 41:10, 13) God reassured Joshua that he was God's chosen leader to lead the people in this next season.

We have to trust in God's promises. When we truly believe that God is our Helper and Protector, the opinions and actions of others lose their power over us. This doesn't mean we become insensitive to others, but rather that we prioritize God's perspective above all else.

Joshua focused on God's promise: "I will never leave you nor forsake you." This enabled him to lead with courage despite what others might think.

Today, identify one area where the fear of man might be holding you back. Is there something God is calling you to do, but you're hesitating because of what others might think? Remember that God also says to you today, "I will never leave you nor forsake you."

Reflection Question: In what specific situation are you allowing the fear of others' opinions prevent you from following God's leading?

Lord, forgive me for the times I've been more concerned about pleasing people than pleasing You. Free me from the snare of fearing what others think or might do. Help me trust in Your protection and approval above all else. Give me courage to follow You even when it might invite criticism. In Jesus' name, amen.

From "God's Answer for Fear": https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/cr3n4pv/6-god-s-answer-for-fear

Ephesians 4:13–15 (NKJV)
13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ;
14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.

Some of you have young children at home. Maybe you have a measuring place somewhere in a closet where you're tracking the height of your children, and the older child is a little taller than the younger one, and they're competing with each other, which is a fun little game until mom or dad shows up. Compared to the adult, the children are so short, so small.

When we compare ourselves to one another, we say, "Well, I'm more spiritual than that person," or "I'm closer to Jesus than that person." Yeah, but are you as tall as Jesus? He says to the full stature of Christ, the stature of the fullness of Christ.

Christians should never be content with their spiritual growth until they are on the level of Jesus, which they will never attain in this life. Philippians 1:6 says "being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ." His work is not going to stop until you look like Jesus. Romans 8:29 says, "For those whom He did foreknow, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son." Every person who has given their life to Christ: the purpose of your life is to look more and more like Jesus Christ.

Sometimes we think the more spiritual person is the one who is more gifted. But here Paul is connecting spiritual growth not to spiritual gifts. He's just saying we are all to grow so that we can stop being children tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine.

Think about the cults, groups like Mormonism and the Jehovah's Witnesses. They use terms similar to our Christian faith, but all they're doing is siphoning Christians away from real, authentic, orthodox Christianity. They're deceiving people who do not know the Bible. They're adding to the Scriptures. They come knocking on someone's door, using Christian terms like "Jehovah" or "Elohim", but they have altered the Bible and are not representing Jesus, God, or the Bible rightly. The person who has not taken time to learn what the Bible actually teaches can be taken captive by these deceitful groups.

Remember, the way to spot a counterfeit dollar bill is not by studying all the counterfeits. All you have to do is study the real, and then all the counterfeits will reveal themselves. We ground ourselves in good, sound, Biblical doctrine, and then when somebody comes knocking on our door, we recognize the counterfeit right away: "No, that's not the teaching of the Bible. That's an error." But you have to grow up spiritually to get there, so that you're not tossed to and fro by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting described in verse 14.

Another evidence of this maturity is "speaking the truth in love" (verse 15). Children, and maybe even some teenagers, might know the truth but communicate it harshly to others. But spiritual maturity means speaking the truth in love. Jesus came full of truth, but He also came full of grace. Look at the woman caught in adultery in the Gospel of John. The religious leaders say to Jesus, "She's caught in adultery. Our law says she's supposed to be stoned to death." And Jesus says, "He who is without sin, cast the first stone." One by one, they drop their stones and walk away. Jesus looks at the woman and says, "Where are your accusers?" They're gone. "Neither do I condemn you."

You might say, "That's full of grace. That's what we should do." But don't stop there. He finishes by saying, "Neither do I condemn you. Go and sin no more." He calls what she did sin. That is speaking the truth in love. Sometimes the most loving thing you can do is share the truth with an individual in the right spirit and with a loving disposition.

Finally, we mature by growing in our dependence on one another. Paul describes us as a whole body in Ephesians 4:16, "joined and knit together by what every joint supplies." There is an interdependence in the body of Christ that we should grow to appreciate. When you're an infant, you are totally dependent on someone else. The adults have everything you need, and they have to take care of you. Then you enter that time period of teenage life, maybe early twenties, and what do you get? Independence. You think, "I don't need anybody. I can make something happen all on my own." But then as you mature into adulthood, you realize it's not total dependency, and it's not total independence. It's interdependency. We do need one another. I'm strong when you're weak. You're strong when I'm weak. We lean on one another, and we become the body of Christ that Jesus wants us to be.

So, are you as tall as Jesus? How content are you in your spiritual walk? Are you maturing as a child of God? Do you look more like Jesus this year than you did last year? Are you more patient? More faithful? Can you be counted on more for the cause of Christ this year than last year? These are the evidences of spiritual growth.

Dear Heavenly Father, I confess that I have been too easily satisfied with where I am spiritually. Forgive me for comparing myself to others instead of measuring myself against the stature of Christ. Ground me in Your Word so that I am not deceived or shaken. Teach me to speak the truth in love, the way Jesus did. And help me to embrace the people You have placed around me, knowing I need them, and they need me. Thank You for conforming me into the image of Christ, day by day. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Check out the sermon "Our Part in God's Plan" (Ephesians 4:7-16):  https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/fpz7c66/15-our-part-in-god-s-plan-eph-4-7-16

"And He [Jesus] Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Ephesians 4:11-12

Christians are not just forgiven, not just set free, not just heaven-bound, praise the Lord. The Bible also describes that we have been given a gift. Jesus gave gifts to men and women. If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, the promise of the Bible is that you have a gift. You say, "I'm not gifted." Yes, you are. This passage lists five gifts: apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher. But it's not a complete list of the spiritual gifts, the charismata, that God has given. Romans 12:3-8, 1 Corinthians 12:8-10, 1 Corinthians 12:28-31, 1 Peter 4:11, 1 Corinthians 7:7, Ephesians 4:11 — all of these passages together give us around 21 different gifts when you total them all up. And even then, none of those lists are exhaustive. God gives gifts to His children, and there is a purpose for those gifts.

Ephesians 4:12 describes the purposes of the apostle, prophet, evangelist, pastor, and teacher: to equip the saints for the work of ministry and the edifying of the body of Christ. All of us have a part to play. Every single one of us should have in our heart this desire to serve, this desire to minister to one another, to recognize that we have a gift and we need to use it for the glory of God. Just looking at this list of five, two gifts are clearly seen in today's church. We see pastors and teachers in today's church. They are easily understood and visible. However, the other three need explanation.

Now, some people say, "The gift of the apostles is no longer valid today - that was only for biblical times," and they are right that there will never be an apostle today like there was in the New Testament. There were twelve apostles, the disciples. You also have Paul described as an apostle, and Matthias described as an apostle to replace Judas. After the first century, no one has been an apostle like them. That gift was given for the establishment of the early church.

However, I believe there is an expression of that gift seen today. The word apostle means "one sent on a mission." That describes the work of a missionary. The missionary is someone who plows new territory, new ground where the gospel is not known. None of the gift lists use the word "missionary," but in the apostle, you see someone with this heartbeat to go and pioneer something that doesn't already exist. They are not in the category of the original apostles, but it is still a gift that today's church is benefiting from.

What about the word prophet? There is no prophet today in the same sense as in biblical days. But the word prophet or prophecy just means "to speak for God". Prophecy in the Bible related both to "foretelling future events" and "forthtelling a message from God." While I do not see the first area expressed today, I do see this prophetic gift evident today in people speaking a message from God - "forthtelling". This is to a lesser degree than what is in biblical days and is anchored to God's Written Word, but it is still "speaking for God." [See the book "The Gift of Prophecy" by theologian Dr. Wayne Grudem for a thorough explanation.]

What about the evangelist? Sometimes you hear people say, "There's no real gift of evangelism," or "Everybody's supposed to evangelize." Of course everybody IS supposed to evangelize. Yet here you have this gift of the evangelist listed. There is something special about it, a level of evangelizing above what all of us are required to do.

Who can deny the evangelistic impact of a Billy Graham or D. L. Moody? And there are others who are lesser known, but very effective in leading people to Christ. It is a vital gift.

Evangelism is the responsibility of all, but there is also a gift of the evangelist. This works the same way with the "gift of giving" in Romans 12:3-8. Some people have that special gift, but all of us are supposed to give. There is the "gift of service", but all of us are supposed to serve. There is a "gift of mercy", and you might say, "I just don't have the gift of mercy." That doesn't give you a right not to be merciful. All of us should be expressing mercy, and yet some people have a special gift. A strong church will have all of this diversity in spiritual gifts in its fellowship.

So what is YOUR contribution?

In Luke 5:1-11, Jesus is teaching a crowd, and He asks Peter, who doesn't know Him very well at this point, if He can use his boat to drift off a little so He can speak to the crowd better. Peter allows it. Afterward, Jesus tells Peter to throw down his nets. Peter obeys. Think specifically about the symbolism of this event in Peter's life:

• Jesus is not asking Peter to do what he cannot do. He is asking Peter to do what he can do. 
• He's not borrowing somebody else's boat. He says, "Peter, let Me use your boat." 
• He's not telling Peter to throw down twenty nets. Peter doesn't have twenty nets. He says, "Peter, throw down your nets."

And sometimes we get nervous and say, "What am I supposed to do? What does God want me to do?" The point is that God is asking you to do what you can do. You are a steward of your gift, not a steward of someone else's gift. You don't have to stress over all the gifts mentioned. Serve in your giftedness and rejoice in the diversity of the other gifts evident within the local church. Cheer each other on in their gifts.

I have taken mission trips regularly throughout my adult life and ministry. I see those trips as a stewardship of my gift. I feel I uniquely have something to offer in those settings, whether it is training pastors and church leaders or encouraging persecuted believers in difficult contexts. There's this feeling of responsibility that God has given me something that I've got to give, that I've got to share, and that I've got to serve with. In every Christian's heart and in your mind, there should be that same desire to serve with the gifts God has given you.

Hebrews 12:1-3 tells us to lay aside the weights that so easily beset us and run the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith. Run your race. Don't run someone else's race. Throw down YOUR nets. Say, "Jesus, You can use MY boat."

What's our response to God's generosity to us? It's to say, "All that I have belongs to You. How can I minister with the gift that You gave me? You gave it to me, and because of that, I'm a steward of it."

You cannot earn your salvation, but you can show how grateful you are for your salvation by how you minister to one another with your gifts. Has He given you the gift of teaching? The gift of mercy? The gift of giving? The gift of evangelism? The gift of service? There is something you can do to expand His kingdom.

Dear Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have sat on the sidelines, convinced that I have nothing to offer. Help me not to covet the gifts of others, but to be faithful with what You have placed in my hands. You can use my boat. I will throw down my nets. I will use my gift to expand Your kingdom and build Your church. Thank You for the gifts You have entrusted to me. I pray You always find me faithful. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Check out the sermon "Our Part in God's Plan" (Ephesians 4:7-16):  https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/fpz7c66/15-our-part-in-god-s-plan-eph-4-7-16

In Ephesians 4:8, Paul quotes from the Psalms: "When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men." Then he adds this question: if He ascended, what does that imply? That He first descended. He descended into the lower parts of the earth. He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.

This is the God who came down. In Philippians 2:5-8, Paul describes it from a different angle: "Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross."

Let this mindset be in you. Think of others more than you think of yourself. If you read Philippians 2:1-4, Paul is saying, do not live for yourself; live for others, the way Jesus lived for someone other than Himself.

He is God, and yet He came down. He did not have to, but He chose to. We magnify a God who came down. Sometimes you will hear someone say, "If God would just show Himself to me. If He would just appear, if He would come down and make Himself known." God DID do that! Jesus Christ came down. We needed Him, and He came down. He could have stayed in heaven, but we needed a Savior.

Let this mindset be in you. Think of others more than you think of yourself. Paul is saying, "Do not live for yourself. Live for others, the way Jesus lived for someone other than Himself."

No human person could save anyone else from their sin, because our sins were not against one another. Our sins were against the God of the universe. We sin because we want to, and we sin because we have to, because of the sin nature that has been birthed inside each one of us. That sin carries a punishment that no human being could pay for. There is one God and one mediator between God and man, the man Christ Jesus (see 1 Timothy 2:5).

Jesus did not look at our plight from a distance and say, "Look at what they've done with themselves. I didn't design them to live this way, and here they are, continuing to stumble, continuing to sin." No. He came down. As Jesus said in John 15:13, "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends." No one took Jesus's life. He laid it down. He died a sinner's death. He was punished as a sinner.

He who knew no sin was made to be sin on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:21). Jesus was made sin on the cross. He experienced total separation from His heavenly Father. He was bearing the full weight of our sin. Then, at the end, He says, "It is finished." The debt has been paid. Jesus was that sacrifice. He died for our sins on the cross.

So why do we sing about Jesus? Because He came down. Why do we worship Him on Resurrection Sunday? Because He came down. But He did not remain down. He descended, and then He ascended. Hallelujah!

Reflection Question: How does remembering that Jesus came down and laid down His life change the way you live for others?

Dear Heavenly Father, help me remember that Jesus came down because I needed a Savior, and teach me to live for others as He did. Thank You for seeing my greatest need and showing up to meet that need. I needed salvation, and You provided a way for me to be forgiven. I love You. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Check out the sermon "Our Part in God's Plan" (Ephesians 4:7-16):  https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/fpz7c66/15-our-part-in-god-s-plan-eph-4-7-16

But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, And gave gifts to men.” (Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also first descended into the lower parts of the earth? He who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) - Ephesians 4:7-10 (NKJV)

God's plan, orchestrated from eternity past, was this. He knew our sinful condition. He knew we were human. He knew we would stumble, we would fall, we would live bound and held captive in our sin. And in His plan He would send His only Son to die for our sins, to rescue us, to reclaim us, to transfer us from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of His dear Son, so that we would experience the new life of Christ within us. So where do you find yourself in that plan?

Over the course of the first three chapters of Ephesians, you see that God has a plan. God has a purpose. God has a design. Everything is moving toward accomplishing that plan. But now we want to ask a specific question: where do we fit? What does He have in store for you and me?

Steven Spielberg directed a film a while back called Saving Private Ryan. Some men who have actually been on the battlefield have said that Spielberg somehow captured what combat is really like. The movie is not perfect, of course, but it is a powerful and fairly honest portrayal of the chaos, fear, and cost of war.

In the movie, there are four brothers in the Ryan family. Three of them have already been killed in the war. And when the army realizes that their mother is about to receive the news that three of her sons are dead, a decision is made that she is not going to lose the fourth one too.

So orders are given. A captain named John Miller is told to take a small group of men - about seven of them - and go find Private James Ryan, who is somewhere behind enemy lines. Their mission is to find him and bring him home safely, so that at least one of those four brothers can live.

The film opens with an older man standing in the American cemetery at Normandy, overcome with emotion. He is looking at a grave, and as he stands there, the movie takes us back into the story of what happened.

Then, near the end of the film, after almost everyone on that rescue team has been killed trying to save this one young private, Captain Miller is lying there with barely enough breath left in his lungs. Private Ryan comes close to hear him. And Miller looks at him and says two words: “Earn this.”

It is a moving scene, because that really is the whole movie in a nutshell. Here is a man who has been rescued from the battlefield by people who paid with their lives, multiplied lives, and what is asked of him is simply: earn this.

The other moving part is when Private Ryan, now an old man, is standing at that grave reflecting on everything that was sacrificed to rescue him. He is overcome. He hears those words ringing in his mind. His wife comes up and asks if he is okay, and he turns to her and says, "Tell me I'm a good man. Tell me I've lived a good life." What he means is: have I been worthy of the sacrifice others made for me? Have I lived in a way that reflects what they gave? Did I earn it?

This loosely connects to Ephesians 4:7-10, where Jesus' sacrifice purchased our salvation and "He gave gifts to men," but it pictures a couple of things. We too have been rescued from a battlefield. We too have been rescued from our life of sin. We too have had Someone lay down His life for us. We cannot earn our salvation - that is what Jesus did on the cross. He died so that we do not have to. He paid for our sins so that we do not have to pay for them. He was punished for our sins so that we would not have to be punished.

But maybe we can hear those words just a little differently. Maybe instead of the captain looking at the private and saying, "Earn this," we hear Jesus saying: "Live in such a way that shows you are grateful for the sacrifice." 

Have you reflected on what Jesus did? The great depths He went to in order to rescue you from your life of sin? And the question I keep coming back to is this: what is my response?

Maybe you recognize the sacrifice He made, but you have not stopped to really think about what He did on the cross. Maybe you have experienced His salvation, and you have said, "Thank you, Lord," but you have not taken it to the next level and started living in a way that reflects what He did for you. We cannot pay for our salvation, but we can show our gratitude, and Ephesians 4:7-16 overall points us to two ways of doing that: 1) We help build His kingdom, and 2) We grow our own lives as children of God.

We cannot pay for our salvation, but we can live in a way that reflects our gratitude for what He did for us.

Reflection Question: Have you stopped to think about what Jesus did for you, and is your life showing gratitude for His sacrifice?

Dear Heavenly Father, help me reflect on what Jesus did for me and live in a way that shows my gratitude for His sacrifice. Help me find my place in Your plan, building Your kingdom and growing as a child of God. In Jesus' Name, amen.

Check out the sermon "Our Part in God's Plan" (Ephesians 4:7-16):  https://www.joshfranklin.org/media/fpz7c66/15-our-part-in-god-s-plan-eph-4-7-16