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Trust issues. Lots and lots of people have trust issues. Someone has hurt you in the past. Maybe it’s been multiple times. This world can be a painful place. But stop and think about how much your damaged trust affects your relationships now. Is there a way out of this long, dark tunnel? John 14:6 says, “Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” People who hurt others tend to continue their hurtful ways. Bottom line: that person might not stop targeting you. Why not rely on Jesus to be your shield? He promises us so much more than protection in this life, though He does that, too. But in putting your trust in Him, you’ll begin to shift your thinking to the long view that Jesus will keep you safe from the effects of sin, forever. If you find yourself in the difficult position of being a target of a bad person, tell all that to Jesus. Tell Him you need His help. He’ll provide it and soothe your stress. In Him, you will find the One person you can trust anytime, all the time. He doesn’t take days off. And He doesn’t take His eyes off you. Give Him your situation. Rest in the assurance His Word gives you, that everything will end up alright. Let’s pray.  Lord, thank you for never letting us down, and never letting evil overcome us. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

When the last artillery rounds were heard on the Western Front and World War I ended, good men of conscience tried to create a global body that would bring lasting peace to the earth. Their hearts were in the right place. History teaches us, though, that real peace is elusive and rare.  John 14:27 says, “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” We see in Christ that there is no fixing the human heart without Him. He is our peace. When the kids are driving you bonkers, Jesus is your peace. If your finances have collapsed, Jesus is your peace. If you are anxious or frustrated or depressed about anything, Jesus is your peace. And because the Bible tells us that He is truth, we can rely on Jesus’ promise to give us peace. Tell Him today that you need His peace. He hasn’t left you.  Let’s pray.  Lord, life can be stressful. It’s just part of the experience. Thank you that you are literally our peace, and that we can come to you at any time, night or day. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

There are several stories in the Bible that tell us when God’s people obey Him, they are in better physical and emotional shape. Remember, Daniel and his friends refuse to eat the rich food sent by the king. After several weeks of their own diet, they emerged healthier than other young men in the Babylonian kingdom. So, too, do we learn that an attitude of forgiveness leads to peace.  In Matthew 18:21–22, we read, “‘Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you, not seven times, but 77 times.’” When Peter asked this, Jesus was thinking not only of the person who was to be forgiven, but also about the well-being of Peter. We know from Scripture that the hot-tempered Peter learned to temper his temper over time. Notice that the exchange between Peter and Jesus about forgiveness is an ongoing process. It isn’t a one-time deal. Being intentional about the art of practicing forgiveness ensures that we don’t fall back into bad habits.  A Journal of Behavioral Medicine study tells us that forgiving someone can reduce feelings of tension, anger, depression, and fatigue. This leads to much better sleep patterns. Another study provides evidence that forgiveness can lower blood pressure significantly, especially among spouses. An article in the Journal of Health Psychology provides a link between much lower stress levels and people who forgive. God knows us in every way. He created us. In Philippians 4:7 we read, “And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” This comes in the form of a person who is willing to make a conscious choice to forgive, and let grudges go.  The enemy of our souls wants us to hang on to bitterness. The God who created us and loves us wants to see us well, along with those who have hurt us. Healing replicates itself, and it starts with us.  Let’s pray.  Father, it’s painful to watch someone who’s locked down by unforgiveness. Help us model what it looks like to be healthy and whole when we forgive. In Jesus’ name. Amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Emily Dickinson, one of the greatest of American poets, attended seminary for a while, and then she went back home to Amherst. And for the rest of her life, she lived mostly in seclusion. That’s kind of weird, right? Maybe not.  You see, God made each of us with a distinct personality. Sometimes it’s actually unhealthy to try and fit a square peg into a round hole. It hurts. We get more stressed out. Emily Dickinson lived a full life. Her relationships were in correspondence, a whole lot of letters. And guess what? She wasn’t unhappy.  If your aloneness has gotten under your skin, don’t stress about it. If you’re fulfilled with limited relationships, that’s okay. Figure out what works for you. And remember, what the Bible says in Proverbs 18:24, “There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.”  Let’s pray. Lord, you made us to have relationships with you first. So, if we’re not the outgoing type, help us rest in that. Help us enjoy the life we have and be fulfilled by having right relationship with you as our priority. Thank you for never leaving us, and for giving us the very best companionship. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Dr. James Dobson has decades of experience coaching people to overcome fear and doubt and put their trust in Christ. He relates a fascinating experience he once had when he learned that sometimes our fear is all in our head. It seems that he was preparing to graduate from Southern Cal with a PhD in psychology, and as he got ready at home that day, anticipating the happy drive with his family, a cold fear just came over him. He says now that he felt a growing dread, seemingly out of nowhere, that he would be killed in a car accident on the way. Honestly, this sounds crazy, and it kind of is. Even Dobson admits that. He says today that he realized this fear of death and tragedy that gripped him was obviously not from God, and the obvious source is that of our enemy. In some weird way, he can influence our thoughts. Maybe this happens when we’re exhausted or distracted. Maybe these thoughts of failure and terror come from stress. Whatever the circumstances though, they’re evil. They have no place in our hearts and minds. James Dobson said that day, he simply got in his car, and he led his family to the USC campus where he received his hard-earned degree. Afterward, they had a lovely lunch, and the day remains a great memory for the Dobson family. Mark 5:36 says, “Jesus told him, ‘Don’t be afraid. Just believe.’”  For Dr. Dobson, this also remains a powerful lesson that oftentimes our greatest fears are not even real. They don’t even come to pass. Learn to recognize the real from the imagined. And of course, there are times where our fears are very real. Maybe it’s a scary diagnosis from a doctor, or a wayward child just digs himself deeper holes in life. In those times, remembering the source of our fears is really important. When real dangers do crop up, literally speak to the Lord and tell Him you are giving Him this giant problem. Tell Him you can’t solve it, but you know He can. Another thing to remember if you determine your fear is legitimate, is seek the care of a good friend. Likewise, if you see someone weighed down with fear, you be that shoulder to lean on. We can determine to help each other.  Proverbs 12:25 tells us, “An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up.” One day God will permanently remove our fears. And until then, learn to recognize the difference in real and imagined problems in your life. Let’s pray. Father God, your Word tells us that in this world we will have trouble. Problems will challenge us, but you have overcome the world, and that is our ultimate safety net, where evil can’t hurt us. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

You’ve probably heard of the Ingalls family, or even met some of the clan through the Little House on the Prairie television series, or the beloved children’s books about pioneer life in the 1860s by author Laura Ingalls Wilder. The story of the Ingalls family is inspiring, whether you watch it or read it. The fun and camaraderie shared by Charles, Caroline, Mary, Laura, and little Carrie is heartwarming and makes many of us yearn for simpler times, before technology and the hurried expectations of modern life. In reality, the story portrayed in both the novels and television show isn’t the whole story. The conditions of pioneer life were often harsh, and the situations families faced were dangerous. Starvation, violence, and death were all part of the history of the pioneers as well, and the darker themes of the Ingalls’ life on the prairie were left out of the telling, in part to protect the children the books were intended for, and in part to preserve the memory of Laura Ingalls Wilder’s parents, in whose memory she lovingly wrote her books. James 1:2–4 says, “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” What sustained the Ingalls family in books and television, and in life, was their shared faith in God. The legacy of Little House on the Prairie shows us when we invest our hope in the Lord, no floods or winds, grasshoppers or blizzards, poverty, or scorching prairie fires can knock us from the path, or separate us from His love. Let’s pray. Lord, thank you for believers who came before us. Help us to place our faith firmly in you, and to find strength and courage there. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were three young men from Judah who found themselves in a heated situation. They were brought into the court of King Nebuchadnezzar II and ordered to bow before the king’s golden image. The alternative was a one-way ticket to the fiery furnace. The king’s command would have been easy for these guys to follow, but their own King of Kings had already commanded them to place no other gods before Him and to stay away from the evil of graven images. They may have been wary of the king’s wrath, but their faith in God was stronger. They replied in Daniel 3:16–18, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to answer you in this matter...Our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us from your hand, O king. But if not, let it be known to you, O king, that we do not serve your gods, nor will we worship the gold image which you have set up.” Rather than violate their commitment to obey God, these men put their lives in His hands. They didn’t know whether God would intervene to save them. They knew God could, but they didn't know that He would. Regardless of the outcome, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego chose to live for the Lord, and if necessary, they were willing to die in obedience to the Lord. Romans 14:8 says, “If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord.” As an example of His power, God intervened to spare their lives. Even though He allowed them to be tied up and thrown into the furnace, the blazing heat didn't affect them at all. They walked out unharmed. In the midst of our own challenges, we know God can and does show up for us. He asks us to trust Him with the obstacles we face every day, and with our very lives. Let’s pray. Jesus, it’s unlikely anyone will threaten to throw us into a fiery furnace, but it sure feels like our feet are put to the fire at times. Remind us to trust you...with every dilemma, every shortcoming, and every situation. We give you our challenges and our lives. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Are you a person that has walked away from your faith? Maybe you believed once, very much, but it faded over time. Maybe you accepted the promises of God for a little while, but then something else caught your eye. That’s not uncommon. Starting out on fire for God and then becoming weary is something many of us have dealt with. To use a flying analogy for our talk today, sometimes your flight of faith becomes grounded. Isaiah 40:31 says, “Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” This famous verse, now on millions of framed prints, coffee mugs, and yes, T-shirts(!) has given hope to countless people. There are critics of the Bible, or those who claim not to believe in God, but too many people have taken it to heart and found out that the words are true. God does lift us up from our burdens and puts us to flight. Just like a bird leaving the safe hands of its master. If you are tired today, tell God. If you’re hiding it from family and friends, don’t try to hide it from the Lord. He knows already, anyway. If you trust Him, freedom will follow. Let’s pray.  Lord, your mercies endure forever. Help us be ready to tell others about you. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Did you know God’s Word is indestructible? Many ancient books have been lost to history. Others sit still buried under the sands of the Middle East. But after thousands of years, the Bible is more widely read than ever. Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” There’s an interesting story in the Old Testament book of Jeremiah. We are told that the wicked king of Judah didn’t like the Word given by God to the prophet, so he threw it in the fire! But God simply had Jeremiah do it again, and today we have the story recorded in our Bibles. Whenever men decide they want to get rid of the Bible, whether in Nazi Germany or today in countries where dictators hurt their own people, God’s Word survives and finds its way into the hands of more people. A God who can do that is the true God, and the only One worthy of worship! Let’s pray. Lord, your Word is something we can’t get away from, even when we are rebellious. Thank you for preserving your Word so that we all have access to it. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Have you ever had the pleasure of waking up in a cozy cabin…after you’ve let the fire go out from the night before? If you don’t get out of bed and put more wood in that furnace, the squirrels or raccoons aren’t going to do it for you! Much more serious is the tendency to get lazy about the fire inside us to share the love of Christ. After so many years of being a Christian—especially living in a free country—sharing the Gospel can be put on the back burner. Romans 12:11–12 says, “Never let the fire in your heart go out. Keep it alive. Serve the Lord. When you hope, be joyful. When you suffer, be patient. When you pray, be faithful.” Do you see what God is urging us to do in Scripture? He says to never let the fire go out! Never doesn’t mean sometimes, when we’re tired or annoyed about something. This is too important to mess up. Remember that Jesus saved you. And more than likely, through someone keeping their own inner fire going, they saw you through the eyes of compassion. Let’s pray. Lord, give us a passion for the souls of all people, at all times. And help us to be ready to share Christ with them. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

If you’re working your way toward belief and away from doubt, by now you must assume that God exists. Second Peter 3:9 says, “The Lord does not delay and is not tardy or slow about what he promises, according to some people’s conception of slowness, but he is long suffering or extraordinarily patient toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance.”  A cornerstone of the Christian faith is a belief that Scripture is God’s word. Psalm 138:2 tells us that God has elevated the Word above His own name. So, we have the opportunity to tell God that we accept His promises. Luke 1:77 tells us that He has raised up Jesus to give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins. At some point, faith is just believing God. Some critics will say that this is making an idol out of the Bible. It’s called bibliolatry, but in fact, we learn who Jesus is and what He has done for us in Scripture. It is a conscious decision to embrace what God has told us. Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” It really requires you to at least open your mind to the possibility that it’s true. God’s plan to reconcile people to himself after sin entered the world is a start. Decide to be bold. Lay aside your fears and doubts and find that rest you’ve been looking for. Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” One of the great metaphors of the Bible is the strong hand or the strong arm of God that rescues us from danger. John 10:28 says, “I give them eternal life. They'll never be lost, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” No one is saying that you will never have a shred of doubt again, but what we can know is that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God as outlined in the book of Romans. Jesus Christ is waiting for you, and you can be sure of that.  Let’s pray.  Father, there are so many lonely people in the world, and they want to believe. You’ve put that in our hearts, God. Help them and help us by your Spirit know that they are loved and that they can have an encounter with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

A political science major at a major university was having coffee with a campus pastor. The pastor knew that the student was wrestling with doubt about the existence of God, and said to him, “John, you know, all of us wonder at some point if it’s all real or not. For example, there are quite a few stories in the Bible that are just hard to believe. Jonah and the whale and all that.” John smiled and said, “No, that’s not my problem. What I wonder about is how God could care about me. I’ve done some really bad things, and have had some really bad things done to me. I just can’t understand the concept of forgiveness.” There you have it. Doubts about the faith come from all directions. While one person cannot bring herself to believe in miracles, another cannot forgive himself for the wrong things he’s done and can’t fathom how God could. Thomas Jefferson actually cut out the miraculous sections of the Bible. He couldn’t believe in what some would call the God of the Bible. Francis Crick, the co-discoverer of DNA, thought that Christianity was just a collection of mythical stories. And what about those who want to see the proof? They lack evidence and feel a need to make an intellectual case for our faith. The New Testament writer, Luke, was like that. He wrote in Acts and the Gospel of Luke about the importance of eyewitness sightings of Jesus and His miracles. Lots of people debate whether evolution and religion are compatible or not, and this is a big stumbling block to belief for many. We all believe something, but our minds can struggle at times to grasp the big stuff—the infinite universe. While for others who doubt, the struggle was more internal: they’re so grieved by their own sin, they can’t accept that God could love them.  Maybe the most famous verse in the Bible is John 3:16, which says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” However, few quote the next verse which says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him.” It isn’t God’s wish to condemn you. Instead, He loves you and wants to give you assurance that life is more than struggle and molecules. Whether you’re looking for evidence to believe the Bible, or you just need to know that God loves you, try not to focus too much on your objections, own them, but just tell God as a child would that you’re struggling to understand it all. Will you pray with me?  Father, your grace saves us from a life of struggle with sin, and we are accepted by you. Thank you for putting up with our up-and-down faith. In Jesus’ name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Because there’s so much easy access to information and ideas today, we can take in a huge amount of stuff. The downside is that much of it is just noise, and a lot of it simply isn’t true. What we hear, even if it sounds good, is not always good for us, especially when we’re talking about spiritual doubt.  There are many opinions floating around out there on the subject. For instance, some will say that doubt is really something to wrestle with continually, never finding a satisfying answer. While at the other end of the spectrum, some will say that if you doubt, you are permanently cut off from God. Both of those extremes are not helpful at all. The Bible is clear that God gives us a choice whether to believe in him or not. John 1:12 says, “Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.” Within each person is a longing to understand our place in the world and to know if there is something or someone beyond this life.  The Bible says that He has set eternity in our hearts, that curiosity is in all of us. And if you’re wondering about God, then your curiosity is a good starting point. A bedrock truth for Christians is that God sent Jesus in human form to atone for the sins of mankind. This is not an easy concept to grasp, honestly, but it’s what is known as the gospel, the foundation of our faith. Christianity’s exclusive claims are too much for some seekers. In Mark chapter 10, the Bible describes a wealthy young man who asked Jesus what he had to do to be saved, and Jesus replied that besides following the 10 commandments, he should give his money to the poor, and the story ends with that man sadly walking away. It’s likely that Jesus was helping him to see that his heart was not yet ready to receive anything that would require any sacrifice on his part. In Luke 9:23, Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow me.” Believing in the true God is not a bed of roses. But if you can make the search for God your starting point, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for.  Let’s pray.  Father, you’ve given us the knowledge of saving faith in your word. Thank you for giving us a free choice to decide our path in life. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Have you ever wondered about how convinced well-known Christians are of their faith? We all know they never doubt, right? Wrong. A well-known preacher, Charles Spurgeon, once said of doubt, “I think when a man says, ‘I never doubt,’ it is quite time for us to doubt him.” That is a fact of life for many of us, although most don’t like to admit it. In fact, doubt is mentioned often in the Bible. The Bible is full of great faith stories, but it’s interesting to notice that there are plenty of doubters, too. Sarah simply didn’t believe God’s promise that she and Abraham would have a child. Peter’s bravado evaporated when he realized it was dangerous to be known as one of Christ’s followers. Job’s wife told him he should curse God and die because of his misfortunes, and Job wished he’d never been born. Humans can be quirky. Imagine seeing Jesus with your own eyes and watching Him perform miracles. In the book of Matthew, we read about the apostles with Jesus on a mountain in Galilee after His resurrection. You can’t get more miraculous than that, but it says some still doubted. Mark 9:24 says, “Immediately, the boy's father exclaimed, ‘I do believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.’” This is the story of a father who sought Jesus to heal his son, and he seemed to believe, and to struggle with belief, at the same time. Amazing, but not so unusual. As we’re learning, doubting is not the worst thing. Keeping silent about it is worse. Seeking God and trusting a friend or friends to talk it through is healthy. God doesn’t punish us for doubting. Andrea Lucado, who has been around churches and preachers all her life, understands the struggle. She says, “Most of us at some time or another ask the question, why do I believe what I believe?” Those of us who identify as lifelong Christians sometimes have the most doubt. We’ve grown up in church, memorized scripture, and volunteered at VBS, but that thought: why do I believe what I believe, sometimes hits us in a moment we’d least expect. There are plenty of resources and plenty of believing friends who have gone through the same thing to see you through this. So, when you’re in a season of doubt, remember one thing: you’re not alone. Let’s pray.  Father, doubt comes to us all at some point, and it’s then that we need each other the most. We need your Spirit to bring us comfort and calm. We thank you. You don’t leave us in our time of doubt, but you long to help us through the valley. In Jesus’ name, amen. Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.

Some of the most important conversations we have can be the most uncomfortable. And when it comes to faith, doubt is near the top of that list.  Today, we’re launching a five-part series on the topic of doubt. Many Christians wrestle with doubt, but who wants to admit that their foundational beliefs are not so firm? Not long ago, the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, openly admitted that he’s questioned if God is real. When the head of the Church of England says something like that, it makes news. But something interesting came from Welby’s honesty. He revealed his humanity. It turns out that the archbishop lost a baby girl in a car accident many years ago. And when he was a teenager, he had to take care of his alcoholic father. He’s human, with human difficulties. We are human, and we struggle sometimes.  Can we be honest?  While a lifetime of doubt is dangerous, periods of doubt simply mark one as being human, but faith can help us overcome doubt. In the Bible, we read in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is the subject of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11 continues with many examples of faith in action. And at its core, the Christian faith means we believe God sent Jesus Christ to pay the penalty for our sins on the cross, and that God raised him from the dead. While mountaintop faith is exciting and it makes us feel good, no one experiences that all the time. Sometimes it’s difficult to believe certain things in the Bible. Sometimes we don’t feel faith in our lives. In this first part of our week-long look at doubt, it’s important to remember that simply expressing doubt can lead to healing and a more faithful future.  If you’re a struggling believer or a questioning skeptic, this subject is one of the most important you’ll ever wrestle with. Stay tuned.  Let’s pray.  Father God, often we push down thoughts that are painful or uncomfortable. We don’t have to do that with you, Lord. Even doubts about our faith, or our conversations that we can start with you, we’re grateful for that. In Jesus’ name, amen.   Change your shirt, and you can change the world! Save 15% Off your entire purchase of faith-based apparel + gifts at Kerusso.com with code KDD15.