may 2008

God’s promise
for you
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 ®
May 2008

Features
6 God’s Promise to You
Many Christians work hard to earn God’s love and resist
the Devil. But the Lord has a much better plan for our lives.

12 The Good Ride

Though the prospect of parenthood frightens some people,
the natural resources we need spring to life when a baby arrives. 6

32 Early Light
Find biblical guidance with the help of these daily devotions
from Dr. Stanley’s sermons.

Departments
18 The Power of a Woman’s Words
S o l v i n g p r o b le m s 12
Words have a big impact on those around us. Children,
husbands, and friends can be hurt or helped by what is said.

22 Simplify
F a m i ly r o o m
See how five families changed their lives dramatically by
reducing their consumption habits.
26 Prince Caspian
b y fa i t h
Movie producer Mark Johnson offers an inside look at 32
the making of the next Chronicles of Narnia film. Cover photo by
Charles F. Stanley, ©2008.

28 mighty in spirit Pioneers of the First Frontier Dr. Stanley portraits

by Debbie stratton
By challenging the laws of their day, the daughters of
Zelophehad earned women access to their family inheritance.

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 A Publication of

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Dr. Charles F. Stanley

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 a word from Charles F. Stanley

mothers:
God’s blessing
d
uring the month of May, many people celebrate the contribu-
tion their mothers have made in their lives. When I think of
my own mother, I’m reminded of how she sacrificed on my
behalf every day, which demonstrated her profound love for me. She
was truly an example of God’s unconditional love for His children.
I’ll never forget the day I realized in a tangible way the depth of
my mother’s love. She was walking out the door to go to the cotton
Thank mill where she worked. I wanted her to stay home, so I said unkind
words to her as she left. When she returned, she sat me down and
your mother said, “I want to tell you something, Charles. You know I work 40
hours a week and I make nine dollars and ten cents. I try to dress
for what
you the best I can. I try to provide what you need with the little we
she’s done— have. We don’t have a lot of things. I would give you a lot more if
I could, but this is the best I can do. I love you. I would lay down
embrace her, my life for you. What you said hurt your mom deeply.”
Her words were the worst beating I ever got—and just what
listen to her, I needed. Even now, decades later, I still remember them. At that
moment, I realized how much my ingratitude hurt my mother—not
honor her.
just because she was my mom, but because she loved me so much.
I understood how much I could hurt others simply by taking their
love for granted. Surely, this must be what God feels when we turn
away from His unfailing love.
Now is a good time to reflect on the love your mother has given
you, whatever form it may take. Some moms are closely knitted to
their children, and others are aloof. But chances are, if you think
long enough, you’ll see an example of your mother’s genuine love
for you. It’s also a good time to thank her for what she’s done—
embrace her, listen to her, honor her. The Bible says, “Honor your
father and mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land
which the Lord your God gives you” (Ex. 20:12). You’ll be as
blessed as she is. That’s the way love works.
 When I received Jesus Christ as
my Savior, several well-meaning people told
me that I needed to do three things: be good,
obey God’s commandments, and live a godly
life. That was it. Their instructions were fine
for a 12-year-old boy, but it wasn’t long
before I realized the advice had many limitations
and did nothing to teach me how to live the
Christian life. There were times when I felt
powerless and wondered how I could learn to
stand firm in
my faith, trust-
ing God for the
God’s
promise
promises He
had given me

you
in His Word.

to
I also
noticed
that when I faced
temptation, I had
to fight mentally
not to yield. It wasn’t
that I was particularly sinful; little irritations
like thinking negatively and feeling frustrated
plague all of us, even those who are young.
I tried to live a good life by setting standards
based on my own ideas of what was “godly.”
It soon became obvious that I was expending
a lot of energy—resisting the Enemy in my
own strength was extremely difficult. In fact,
it was impossible.
living
6 | May 2008 In Touch
in the power of the Holy Spirit
b y C h a r l e s F . S t a n l e y
www.intouch.org
|7
 God is the only One who has the right
perspective of our lives. And He will
reveal it to us, but we must turn to Him
and listen forHis voice of instruction.
By the time I was in college, I realized
that I was not alone. Many believers were
doing the same thing: working hard at
their faith, fighting to do good, and trying
to resist the Devil. But the results were
less than satisfying and often came at the
price of mental exhaustion, along with
feelings of depression, fear, and anxiety.
Satan is a strong and unyielding
enemy, and if we do not understand the
power that our lives contain through
Jesus Christ, we can go down in defeat
very quickly. There is also the fact that
unless we are careful, our minds will be
programmed to believe the empty philos-
ophy of this godless age. Then thoughts
of inability and negativity can undermine
our position in Christ. We are joint heirs
with Him—children of the living God!
We don’t have to struggle, because He
has given us all we need to conquer the
Enemy and live victoriously.
God is the only One who has the right
perspective of our lives. And He will
reveal it to us, but we must turn to Him
and listen for His voice of instruction.
Otherwise, we can expect to be drawn off
course by falling for either Satan’s cun-
ning ways or the lies of a society that is
out of step with God’s truth. How do we
combat thoughts and feelings that are in
opposition to what we know is right? The
best way is to ask God to make us sensitive
to His Spirit and His will for our lives.
8 | May 2008 In Touch
A few months ago, while talking to a
young man, I realized that he was using
the same word over and over again.
“I’m just struggling to understand why
I feel the way I do,” he told me. A few
e
sentences later, he said, “I know life is a
struggle, but I’m doing the best I can.”
I stopped him and commented, “You
don’t have to live like that.” He looked
shocked at my statement, because he
didn’t even realize what He had said.
He’d been thinking this way for so long
that he did not even hear the personal
effort that was revealed in his words.
“God has a plan for your life,” I told
him, “and it does not include fighting
your way through every circumstance.
God has given you a promise: the
strength you need is readily available
through the Holy Spirit. And the power
to say no to frustration and sorrow is
yours, along with the ability to say yes
to joy, hope, and love.”
the need
for a Savior
Many people mistakenly believe they can
experience God’s blessings without fully
committing their lives to Him, but this
isn’t true. Church attendance alone will
not insure that you have the power of
Christ within you. Nor does it bring the
sense of peace and joy that most people
long to experience. Working hard to be
a good person does not lead to salvation,
just as saying a quick prayer before bed is
a poor substitute for a personal relation-
ship with the God of the universe. What
every one of us needs is a Savior.
The first step to living in the power
of the Holy Spirit is surrendering your
life to Jesus Christ—the one person who
knows you completely and loves you
unconditionally. If you have never asked
Him to save you from your sins and to
pour His infinite love into your heart, you
can do this right now. Surrender is not a
sign of weakness. In fact, it positions you
to be used by God in an awesome way. He
not only saves you and gives you eternal
life; He also sends His Holy Spirit to live
e
within you. And it is the role of the Spirit
to teach, guide, and empower you to live
the Christian life. This is the fulfillment of
God’s personal promise to you.
Living in the power of His Spirit is not
something you achieve on your own. It
is a gift and a privilege you are given the
moment you yield your life to Him. Jesus
made it clear: we can do nothing apart
from Him (John 15:5). If you are not
living for Him, you are living for yourself.
And if that is the case, then more than
likely, you are fighting, struggling, and
battling your way through each day.
The second step involves realizing the
infinite power that is yours as a result of
God’s awesome promise. Jesus told His
disciples, “I will ask the Father, and
He will give you another Helper, that He
may be with you forever; that is the Spirit
of truth, whom the world cannot receive,
because it does not see Him or know
Him, but you know Him because He
abides with you and will be in you”
(John 14:16-17). The Helper that God
sent was His Holy Spirit—the third person
of the Trinity and our eternal connection
with the Savior. He is the One who illu-
mines our minds with truth and empowers
us to stand against the Enemy’s advances.
When we are perplexed or troubled,
the Spirit of God provides the wisdom we
need to make right choices—ones that
include saying no to Satan’s suggestions
as well as to any and every selfish motive.
Our Helper also comforts us when we
are lonely, rejoices with us when we are
living in the light of God’s blessings, and
empowers us for every task that the Father
gives us to do (Eph. 2:10). He is always
with us. We are never alone, separated
from God, or forgotten. We can quench
His Spirit through sin and disobedience,
but we can never do anything to cause
Him to stop loving or caring for us.
The Holy Spirit’s ministry is to carry on
the Savior’s work here in the world. Who
draws unbelievers to the Lord? The Spirit.
Who reveals divine truth and enables
God’s children to advance the kingdom?
His Spirit. Who protects, comforts, and
encourages Christians to keep going, no
matter how difficult their circumstances?
God’s Spirit—the One who was with Him
from the beginning and who will be with
Him forever (Gen. 1:2; Heb. 9:14). Why
would you want to settle for trying to
live the Christian life in your own limited
power when you can enjoy the infinite
resources of God through His Spirit?
Jesus knew that His disciples would feel
abandoned following His crucifixion. But
He also knew that the Comforter would
come, bringing sustaining peace to their
hearts. The same thing is true for us today.
We do not have to struggle or battle our
way through life, because God is with us.
All we need to do is accept Him, surrender
to Him, and ask Him to teach us His ways.
When you are living in step with the Lord,
you know what is right, even before you
have a chance to debate the issue in your
mind. The Spirit teaches you right from
wrong, so in situations where your faith
could be compromised, you know how to
www.intouch.org
|9
By trusting

e
Christ as Savior,
we receive all we need to
live the Christian life.
But we each must
learn how to apply
divine truth
to our thoughts
and actions.

say no. In doing so, you gain confidence
and become aware of the power and
potential your life contains.
The third step is realizing that God
Himself has enabled you to do His will.
When Jesus was here on the earth, His
disciples had access to the wisdom and
direction they needed for every situation.
His death changed this, but only tempo-
rarily. In Luke 24, we read that the Lord
“opened their minds to understand the
Scriptures,” telling them, “I am sending
forth the promise of My Father upon
you; but you are to stay in the city until
you are clothed with power from on
high” (vv. 45, 49). Jesus was speaking
about the power of the Holy Spirit—this
is the very power of God, which is greater
than anything the world can produce.
It is like dynamite energy that is given to
us so we can carry out the Father’s work
on earth.
By trusting Christ as Savior, we receive
all we need to live the Christian life. But
we each must learn how to apply divine
truth to our thoughts and actions. Can
we gain more of His Spirit? No. God
holds nothing back—all that He has,
He gives. But to take full advantage of
this, we must make ourselves completely
available to Him. We can go through life
neglecting and ignoring the person and
work of the Holy Spirit, but we will come
away the losers. Or we can open up our
hearts to the almighty, living God. When
we do, He teaches us how to live each
day, empowered with truth, hope, mercy,
and infinite love.

Are you trying too hard?

If you’re frustrated with trying to live the Christian life in your own
strength, take heart! God intended so much more for you—and He
hasn’t left you to figure it out for yourself. Learn about His gift of
the Holy Spirit and how He can work in and through your life.

Living in the Power of the Holy Spirit

Hardcover | $12.99

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10 May 2008 In Touch
 16
{life principle 16}
Whatever you acquire
outside of God’s will
eventually turns to ashes.
What is your response if God doesn’t ful-
fill a burning desire? For some people, an
unmet longing feels like the worst thing
that could happen; it makes their entire
life seem disappointing and incomplete.
So they pursue their dream themselves,
either in opposition to God’s will or in
disregard of it—
As we and end up truly
pursue our disappointed,even if they get
desire for what they think
God, He they wanted.
The situation
fulfills the reminds me of
other desires the Israelites in
He has Moses’ day, who
insisted on meat
given us. and got it: “He
gave them their
request, but sent leanness into their soul”
(Psalm 106:15 nkjv).
Author G. K. Chesterton said, “There
are two ways to get enough: One is to
accumulate more and more; the other is
to desire less.” While you can constantly
amass additional things, relationships, and
successes, there is always room for want-
ing even more. The cycle is endless. But if
you choose Chesterton’s second option
of desiring less, the likelihood of living
a fulfilling life increases. So how can we
learn to crave less? By going back to the
one desire present in every human heart:
to know God.
You may not understand this innate
longing as a desire for the Lord; you
might simply feel dissatisfaction with
your life. Perhaps you’ve attained every-
thing you ever wanted, but still go
through periods of yearning, sadness, and
emptiness. The origin of such discontent
and disappointment is a raging hunger
for what you cannot see and do not fully
know—God. Centuries ago Augustine
said to the Creator, “You made us for
Yourself, and our heart is restless until
it rests in You.”
Of course, we can never fully know and
understand God; there is always more to
be uncovered about Him. But He promises
to reveal more about His ways as we fel-
lowship with Him (Hosea 2:19-20). We
do that by talking to Him and listening for
His answers while studying Scripture.
Amazingly, as we pursue our desire
for God, He fulfills the other desires He
has given us (Psalm 37:4). And so we
learn afresh that while acquiring anything
outside of His will leaves dust in our
mouths, He longs to fill us with “plea-
sures forevermore” (Psalm 16:11).
WANT TO GO DEEPER?
Find other articles and
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broadcasts, magazine
archives, Bible studies,
and podcasts at
www.intouch.org.
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| 11
I was always one of those
women who is awkward around children.
I remember vividly the look of horror
on a friend’s face when I told her babies
were squishy and weird (I wasn’t trying
to be funny). To me, kids were slobbery,
smelly, and way too inconvenient—to
put it mildly. The idea of becoming a
life support system for a completely
dependent person dressed up in a tacky
little sailor outfit seemed crazy. I didn’t
even try to understand where people were
coming from on that one.
Then I got pregnant.
I walked out of the OB-GYN’s office
feeling strange. I knew my life was about
to change in a most fundamental way, but
I had no idea how. It was like packing your
bags for a long trip without knowing where
you’re going. I placed the mint-green
diaper bag full of formula samples and how-
to books on the kitchen table and told my
husband, “Well, we’re having a baby.”
He zoned out in front of the television:
“Not to be rude, but can I just finish
watching this game?” Aware that he was
in a mild state of shock, I did not take
offense at his response. Later he said,
the
what parenting taught me
about living the high life
“Not to be rude, but are you sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Really sure?”
“Yeah.”
“Not to be rude, but I’m not going to
really believe this till I get confirmation
from a professional.”
A couple of weeks later he went
through the same dialogue with a nurse.
She laughed at him.
Within about nine months, our little
angel came into the world, and a seismic
shift took place in me. The very day he
was born, I became a different person.
The natural resources we need to become
parents lie dormant in the seedbed of
our lives until the birthing process brings
them into full bloom. Holding his fragile
body, I realized for the first time that
someone else was more important to me
than myself. When the nurse took him
away, I longed to be with him. I lay in
my hospital bed listening to various cries
from the nursery down the hall and knew
instinctively which tiny voice was his.
When we fall in love, we experience
a degree of intense devotion that Scripture
Go
by Tonya Stoneman
oOd
RiDe
wwwwww. i.ni nt ot ou uc hc h. o. or gr g
| | 1313
calls “agape”—the stakes go up signif-
icantly, and we realize that we must
choose to become completely vulnerable
if we’re ever going to taste the fruit of
real love. We walk out on the limb and
hopefully are rewarded. But still, there
are limits to this love. There are certain
transgressions that, if committed, would
seriously compromise our devotion.
With children, it’s different. There is
nothing they can do to drive us away.
And this is where the transformation takes
place. If we can be defined by the choices
we make, the daily life of a mother is
telling. She spends the majority of her
capital on her children without thought
of compensation.
I remember shunning my own mother,
after she’d driven several hours to see me
14 | May 2008 In Touch
in a college play. I had a boyfriend and
wanted to spend time with him, so I left
her alone in my apartment all evening
while I attended cast parties. Before she
went back home, we spent just enough
time together for her to buy me a new hat
in a boutique. Then I hugged her and said
goodbye. At the time, I was vaguely aware
of my obtuse behavior, but she never said
anything about it.
My mother grew up in a boxcar.
She remembers her mother making soap
from lard and hanging newspapers on the
walls for insulation. That common woman
passed her work ethic down to my mom,
whom I regularly watched climb the long
hill to our house in knee-deep snow when
the car couldn’t make it in. I thought of
 Are we our mothers?
But being a mom
has taught me that I never
saw the whole picture
from the other side.
her as a beaten-down ox that kept going
despite the odds. She was always a resource
more than an ornament. More useful than
comely. Only after I became a mother did
my perspective deepen enough to see sub-
limity in the grace she extends to others.
What do my children see in me? Is there
a glimpse of wonder there? Do they see in
me more than the work I produce?
How many of us really ever know our
mothers? We see them standing at the
kitchen sink, unloading the groceries, and
mopping the floor. They’re “mom,” not
Alexandra or Sophia or Juliette. They’re
the women who haggle over the price of
yard sale items and nag their kids to clean
their rooms, not people who contemplate
Kierkegaard.
Yet I know in my own life, the restless
gale of desire is never quieted. After a long
day of work, traffic, soccer practice, and
dirty laundry, I fall into bed and hear the
words of songs that once inspired me. I
see the constellations of Andromeda and
Orion. And I want more than I have. When
morning comes, I go through my routine
like Walter Mitty, thinking of things that
aren’t. I don’t have the luxury of indulging
these thoughts, though, so I harness myself
to the proverbial plow and work.
I am not alone. I know a girl with two
Maybe.
babies who told me she was just too busy
to cry. Are we our mothers? Maybe. But
being a mom has taught me that I never
saw the whole picture from the other side.
Motherhood has led me to
places I’d never previously been. When
my older son was three, I tried to sing to
him. “Please stop,” he said. “You’re out
of tune.” That week I began searching
for a music teacher. I settled on the violin
since our house was too small for a piano.
Before long we were making regular trips
across the state for lessons with a genuine
Suzuki-Nazi. During one of my son’s
first days there, the instructor sent me to
the bathroom with a wooden spoon and
told me to spank him for squirming. I’m
dreadfully ashamed to say that I scolded
him. (There are so many mistakes with
the first). I’ll never forget that day—even
though he has. He finished the lesson
stoically and learned to love his teacher.
Although I became petty and resentful,
he always rose above it and focused on
the music. Now there’s nothing more I
can teach him, so I sit in the kitchen and
listen to the lilting notes of Mozart
and marvel that they’re coming from an
8-year-old’s bow. Watching him learn to
play the violin has taught me more than
www.intouch.org
| 15
I learned in four years of seminary.
The paradox of parenthood is that
we’re the ones who should be teaching
our children how to grapple with the
challenges of this world, but in reality,
it often works the other way around.
Children show us how to exalt in
monotony—how to find God in the here
and now. G. K. Chesterton observed, “It
is possible that God says every morning,
‘Do it again,’ to the sun. And every eve-
ning, ‘Do it again’ to the moon. It may
not be automatic necessity that makes all
daisies alike. It may be that God makes
all daisies separately, but has never gotten
tired of making them. It may be that He
has the eternal appetite of infancy. For
we have sinned and grown old, and our
Father is younger than we.”
At times, I’m pierced by love too
immense to suffer the confines of my
small life, and that’s hard. But the answer,
for me, is Christ—who gave His life
for mine and, in so doing, gives me the
capacity to receive all that this splendid
world can offer. I hold it in my arms each
night when I put my children to bed.
So here’s the trade-off: I get to
give up my claim to myself. And receive
love that defies logic. Yes, I’m tired and I
don’t have much time for myself anymore.
My car is a mess and I’m late a lot. The
few fashionable outfits I own have catsup
stains on them. But who wants Paris
without someone to share it with?
I’ve found that The Southern Cross is as
miraculous to my little boys as it was to me
when I first saw those stars. I’m rediscover-
ing life with them. And this time around,
it’s purer. I’m nearly 40 and I build
snowmen on my lawn before work, jump
on my bed, play with my spaghetti, eat
more frosting than cookies, and skip school
with my boys to go to matinees.
I play stare-eyes and Monopoly® and
16 | May 2008 In Touch
“oh-my-goodness, where are my boys?”
I lick snow off the hood of my car, bury
myself in the leaf pile, and climb trees.
I spend my money on Legos® and toy
soldiers and rubber duckies. I read Shel
Silverstein and Roald Dahl and Dr. Seuss.
I laugh till I cry and cry till I laugh.
I never really wanted kids. A
perception exists among many young
So here’s
the trade-off:
I get to give up
my claim to
myself. And
receive love
that defies logic.
women (like me) that motherhood is
a vocation reserved for certain types of
people. The words organized, nurturing,
crafty, and patient come to mind. But
the mystery of parenthood is far deeper
than our trifling categories.
Disorganized, anxious women who get
lost on their daily commute, drink too
much coffee, and stay up too late make
terrific moms. I know from experience.
The unexpected transformation that
takes place in a woman when she carries
a child in her womb and gives birth is an
act of both life and death.
Something in us dies—a certain sureness
and aloofness, confidence that comes from
taking care of only ourselves. In its place
real love is born—naked, weak, and true.
Last night, my oversized 5-year-old
scolded, “Mom, don’t call me your
squeaky little biscuit!” I hate to see
him grow up so fast. Maybe I’ll have
another one . . .
 {15-minute bible study}
Letting Go­
Surrendering Our Goals
and Desires to God
Have you ever heard the phrase “Let go
and let God”? This is easier said than done
when we must choose between what we
want and what we know God would rather
have us do. Surrendering personal goals to
the will of the Father is essential for healthy
spiritual growth.
Surrendering God’s Word,
personal goals prayer, and the
presence of
to the will the Holy Spirit
of the Father point us to the
truth of the
is essential Father’s ways
for healthy and desires
spiritual growth. for our lives.
Looking for
God’s direction
and acknowledging His authority takes sur-
render, obedience, and dedication.
Surrendering our goals to the Father
allows His plan for our lives to flourish
(Matt. 16:24-26).
n The disciples surrendered to Jesus’ call
while they were working and going
about their daily lives (Matt. 4:18-22;
Luke 5:27-28).
n Jesus’ example of submitting to the will 1. Do your goals line up with God’s Word
of the Father is shown most powerfully and will?
in His willingness to die for our sins
(Matt. 26:39).
Obedience is required, even when the
situation is not anticipated, expected,
or fully understood (Heb. 11:8-10).
n Abraham obeyed God when asked to
sacrifice his son Isaac (Gen. 22:1-19).
n The apostle Paul obeyed the Lord
concerning his travel destination and
ministry focus (Acts 16:6-10).
Dedication to God’s will strengthens
us and builds our faith (Heb. 12:1-2;
Rom. 12:2).
n The Father is faithful to equip us through
the Holy Spirit for the calling He’s placed
on our life (Heb. 10:23; 13:20-21).
n We have confidence and boldness as we
stand firm in what we know God has led
us to accomplish (1 Cor. 15:1, 16:13;
2 Thess. 2:13-17).
David offers believers this encouragement:
“Delight yourself in the Lord; and He
will give you the desires of your heart”
(Ps. 37:4). When we delight in the Father,
we will naturally gravitate to the actions and
attitudes that are aligned with His Word
and His will for our lives.
Questi ons f or Ref lection
2. Write a list of goals and plans. Pray over
that list, asking the Lord to reveal any
impure motives or wrong goals in your
life. Commit to following God’s priorities
and plans.
www.intouch.org
| 17
solvingproblems

Listen.
Do you hear them? Open your
front door and step out into the world.
They swarm around and surround us on every side.
Small ones with tremendous impact. Large ones looming and misunder-
stood. Swirling. Churning. Spinning. Burning. Listen—do you hear them? One
of the mightiest forces in all creation: words.
When God created the world and everything in it, He did so with words. He
said, “Let there be,” and there was. Amazingly, when God created man in His
own image, He also gave us the powerful tool of language. With a simple word,
we can create a smile on a discouraged child’s face or lighten the heart of a
husband weighed down with burdens. Our words can fan into flame the dying
embers of a friend’s smoldering dreams, cheer brothers and sisters in Christ
to run the race with endurance, and bring Jesus’ message of hope and heal-
ing to a wounded world. Words are one of the most powerful forces in
the universe. And remarkably, God has entrusted them to you and me.
How will we use this priceless gift? The Bible tells us, “Death and life
are in the power of the tongue” (Prov. 18:21), and we don’t have to
go any farther than our front door to see the difference our words can
make. Let’s look at two areas where we have incredible impact.

Words Have Big Impact on Little People

The boys lined up on the starting line, waiting for the gun to begin the
3.1-mile race on a path through the woods. Parents and fans stood on the
sidelines ready to burst into cheers as the herd of young men prepared
themselves for the state championship cross country meet. My
nephew Stu was among the runners that day.
As soon as Stu’s foot left the starting position,
his mother Pat picked up her brightly painted
36-inch megaphone and began to yell. “GO,
STU!” she cheered, not once but at ten-second
intervals. When he was out of sight, she ran
18 | May 2008 In Touch
to another
strategic spot along the winding
trail where the runners would eventually
pass by. And even though the boys were
nowhere in sight, Pat continued to cheer,
“GO, STU!”
At one point she yelled, “GO,
STU!” and a man from across the park
yelled, “HE CAN’T HEEEAAARRR
YOOOUUU!”
“I don’t know if he can hear me or
not,” Pat murmured. “But if there’s
a chance he can, I want him to hear
my voice cheering him on.” So for 16
minutes, this little dynamo of a woman
continued to pump confidence and
courage into her son’s heart.
After the race, I asked Stu, “When you’re
running on that trail in the woods, can you
hear your mother cheering for you?”
“Oh yes,” he answered with a grin. “I
can hear her the whole way.”
“And what does that do for you?”
I asked.
“It makes me
not want to quit,” he
replied. “When my legs and lungs
ache, when I feel as if I’m going to get
sick, I hear my mom’s voice cheering for
me. And it makes me not want to quit.”
That is the power of a woman’s words
to her children as they embark on the
great race of life, and it is a picture I
have carried with me through the years.
I wonder how many children walk away
from their dreams because no one was
there to cheer them on. I wonder how
many children never even attempt to
reach for their dreams because someone
they trusted along the way told them
they couldn’t do it.
From the time a child emerges from
the safety of the womb, he or she is
shaped and molded by the power of a
www.intouch.org
| 19

mother’s words. With her eyes locked on
her little bundle of squirming love, she
coos, comforts, and coaxes that miracu-
lous gift from God—and she becomes the
mirror in which the child sees himself. For a
very short, very fleeting period of time, we
have the privilege of shaping and molding
an eternal soul. And one of the primary
ways we do this is by the words we speak.
Whether we have children of our own
or the privilege of other people’s children
in our lives, we have the potential to make
an everlasting impact for good or bad.
Words Can Make
or Break a Man
Just as we have the capacity to encourage
or dishearten a child, we have the power
to build up or tear down a husband. A
close friend witnessed both the destruc-
tive and constructive power of her words.
Don and Jona were a striking couple
with everything going for them. By the
time they celebrated their first wedding
anniversary, they had promising careers
and a new home and were well on their
way to the American Dream. But over
the next three years, Don started a new
business, and with a dwindling bank
account, they faced a second mortgage.
Jona sank into a depression and began
using her words as weapons to punish
Don for their failing finances. “You’re
20 | May 2008 In Touch
so stupid,” she’d say. “What’s wrong
with you? You can’t do anything right.”
Word by word, Jona destroyed her
marriage and her man. Because he was
a Christian, she thought he would never
leave. But she was wrong—one day,
Don walked out. The following year, the
divorce was final.
“Shortly after Don left, I woke up to
God’s still small voice,” Jona explained.
“He seemed to say, ‘Is this what you
wanted? Did you want a divorce? Do you
want to be alone?’ ‘Oh God,’ I cried,
‘What have I done?’”
While Don and Jona were officially
divorced, God began to work on Jona’s
heart. She saw what her words had
done, and with God’s help, she began
to change. She vowed never to use her
words to show disrespect again. From
then on, she determined to use her words
not to hurt, but to heal.
Jona’s heart longed to be reunited with
Don, but her ultimate goal was to become
the woman God wanted her to be. As
she immersed herself in Bible study and
prayer, she began to see Don through
God’s eyes—and to use her words for
building up rather than tearing down. At
first Don was skeptical, but eventually he
fell in love with Jona all over again. They
were remarried on a beautiful August day.
Don later told me, “I don’t think any
single thing diminishes a man’s resolve

more than the loss of respect. Don’t
dwell on his weaknesses; dwell on the
positives. We men are in the fight for our
lives. We are at war mentally. We’re out
there trying to conquer the world. A man
needs to know that home is a safe place
instead of feeling as if he’s leaving one
battle for another.”
In a survey, I asked hundreds of men
what they longed for in the woman
of their dreams. One man responded,
“I’ve been shut up, shut down, shot
down, ridiculed, disregarded, overlooked,
overbooked, and overwhelmed . . . I
know I was made for a reason. I know
that in God’s eyes, I count. So I simply
want someone who believes in me.”
Where will your man turn for encour-
aging words? Where will he go to find
that someone who is cheering for him
and believes in him? I hope it’s home.
The Power and
Potential of Change
Aren’t you glad that God is all about
transformation? So be encouraged, my
friend—if you are willing to use your
words as an instrument of beauty, God
is more than able to supply the power
to make it happen. All that’s required is
prayer and practice.
Sift your words through the filter of
Philippians 4:8 (niv). Ask yourself, “Is
what I am about to say true, noble, right,
pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, or
praiseworthy? Will the words I’m about
to speak build up or tear down, encour-
age or discourage, empower or devour,
heal or hurt?”
One day, I had been praying about my
words to my then-11-year-old son. I had
taken him to an amusement park and
was feeling quite the martyr for doing
so. As we were about to careen down the
track on a rickety roller coaster, I leaned
forward to remind him of what a great
mom he had —just in case he’d forgotten.
I started to say, “You are so lucky to have
a mom like me to bring you to a place
like this.” But before the words escaped
my lips, the Holy Spirit stopped me and
asked, Is that what you want to say? Will
he feel lucky?
So I changed my words and said to my
precious son, “Steven, I’m so lucky to have
a son like you that I can bring to a place
like this.” A smile spread across his dim-
pled cheeks, and tears trickled down mine
as I thanked God for the power to change.
Listen. Do you hear them? Small ones
with tremendous impact. Large ones
looming and misunderstood. Swirling.
Churning. Spinning. Burning. Listen—
do you hear them? One of the mightiest
forces in all creation: words.
In The Power of a Woman’s Words,
Sharon Jaynes shows how to instill hope
and confidence in others.
Softcover | $12.99
Workbook | $7.99
See order form or visit www.intouch.org.
www.intouch.org
| 21
 familyroom

Simplify
Families
who
want
less
 by Mimi Knight
When Christian author
Paul Meier was 30 years old, he had a
brand-new psychology degree and job
offers for more money than he ever
dreamed of making. As he contemplated
which position to accept, he came across
a statistic stating that 85 percent of all
counseling is done by priests, rabbis, and
pastors. “It made sense to me that this
was where God wanted me,” he relates.
“So I turned down the high-paying gigs
and went to work teaching pastors how
to be counselors.”
The next thing Paul knew, he was To Jean
waking at 5 a.m. for private devotions,
teaching all day, taking seminary courses
and counseling students at night, writing
his first book, volunteering in the inner
city on Saturdays, and traveling to speak
at churches on Sunday. “I was physically
and mentally exhausted. I had no time for
my own wife and kids. How could I, when
God had so much work for me to do?”
One morning during his quiet time,
Paul stumbled upon Matthew 11:30,
where Jesus promises, “My yoke is easy
and My burden light.” He found himself
crying out to God, “How can You say this
is easy when it’s killing me?”
It was then that Paul realized he was
exhausting himself and alienating his
family trying to do for God, when all God
wanted from him was obedience.” That
night he sat down with his wife, and they
reprioritized their life like this:
1) God
2) Marriage
3) Children
4) Using gifts to help the cause
of Christ
5) Careers
6) Hobbies and other relationships.
Since then, Paul’s mission has been to
help others find the balance between work
and family, while always keeping God at
the forefront. This is a primary theme in
his counseling practice as well as the focus
of his books Compelled to Achieve and The
Workaholic and His Family.
If Paul’s story sounds familiar, it might
be time for some reprioritizing in your
own life. See how four other families felt
the call to scale back and then found ways
to make it happen.
and Marjorie
L’Esperance of Fort Wayne, Indiana,
it was important for one parent to stay
home full-time with their children Adrian,
Steven, and Crista. That parent was Jean.
He explains, “As parents, we have eternal
messages we want to impart to our kids—
messages they’ll accept only from parents
they know and trust, parents who have
invested time and love in them. For us,
that spelled me staying home, where I
could be available to do things like sell
Girl Scout cookies door to door, attend
track meets, be there when someone was
sick, coach soccer, discuss questionable
school materials with teachers, attend
field trips, organize family devotions, and
ultimately decide to homeschool.
“There are things we’ve done without
in order for me to stay home. By most
standards, we have a small house and
inexpensive cars. For vacation, we camp
in a pop-up trailer and enjoy inexpensive
activities like swimming and hiking. We
use tons of coupons and try to find neces-
sities on sale. Our rewards have been far
greater than our sacrifices: we have three
well-balanced kids who have a daily quiet
time, take an active role in church and
society, maintain good grades, respect
others, and stand up for what they believe.
www.intouch.org
| 23
 Marjorie and I have time to pray together
and lead accountability groups. Nothing
can replace the emotional and spiritual
impact that [comes from spending] time
with your kids. Nothing can replace the
time you invest in your marriage and in
daily time with God. I thank Him for
showing us how to find that time.”
Wes and
Unlike a lot of couples,
Michael and Nancy Twiggs of Knoxville,
Tennessee, didn’t scale back because they
started a family. They scaled back and
then became a family. “I had a stress-
intensive job with a printing company,”
Nancy relates. “No matter how hard
I worked—days, nights, weekends—I
always felt as if I wasn’t doing enough.
Michael’s job was less stressful, but he
dealt with a lot of backbiting and never
felt he got the recognition he deserved.
We came home stressed and exhausted
and took it out on each other.
“Then through a series of seemingly
unfortunate events, we both ended up
unemployed. Michael and a friend started a
consulting firm, and I jumped in wherever
they needed me. But God had something
else in store for me, and next thing I knew,
I was a busy writer and speaker.”
Three years later God had an even bigger
surprise for the Twiggs when Lydia Grace
was born. “The biggest and best joys have
come because we’ve been able to be home
and co-op our time with Lydia,” Nancy
reports. “Michael is as much a part of her
life as I am. Not many fathers can say that.”
Because of their flexible schedules, the
Twiggs have also been able to devote
more time to their church. “Anyone who’s
self-employed will tell you it’s sometimes
scary,” says Michael. “We sit down from
time to time and reevaluate our decisions
but always come to the same conclusion.
Though there are times when money is
tight and inconsistent, working the way we
24 | May 2008 In Touch
do causes us to trust in God’s provision. It
gives us time to take an active role in our
church and time to devote to our marriage,
our walk with the Lord, and shepherding
Lydia in hers.”
Allyson Cole
of Covington, Louisiana, were married
seven years before becoming parents.
“They were great years when we focused
on our education and careers,” Allyson
relates. “Then I got pregnant and
thought, No problem. I’ll just take the
baby along.
“Although I was on the road 75 percent
of the time—much of it internationally—
I assumed I could have a baby and keep
going at the same pace. And for a while
I did.
“But God has a sense of humor. The
precious child He sent us isn’t one you
can just shoehorn into your schedule. To
call Declan ‘high maintenance’ would be
an understatement. Declan kept me up all
night. I was dashing out of meetings to
pump breast milk. My clothes were splat-
tered with spit-up. I felt as if I was falling
apart at the seams. Hardest of all, though,
I couldn’t tear my heart away from
Declan the way I thought I could. I was
so sure I’d fit him into my lifestyle, but
instead, he was calling all the shots. It was
obvious that something had to change.
“I wouldn’t exactly say Wes and I went
gracefully into our scaled-back lifestyle. But
it’s amazing how God used this colicky,
demanding little baby to show us it wasn’t
about us any more. In fact, it never had
been. While I’d always said I trusted God,
I now came to realize I trusted my own
ability more—I would pray for God’s help
with something but then start thinking of
ways I could make it happen. With moth-
erhood, God put me in a position where
I had little or no control. It forced me to
begin learning to really depend on Him.
 “I left my job, and Wes and I started
our own business. We fit work around
time with Declan and our second child
Emma Grace, our marriage, and our
relationship with God, not the other way
around. Looking back, it’s hard to believe
the things we thought were important.
We’re living on a fraction of what we used
to, yet we’re happier and richer people.
“My relationship with God has gone from
a superficial one to a daily, intimate walk,”
Allyson says. “Before, my sense of self came
from accomplishment. Now it comes from
who I am in the Lord’s eyes. I thank Him
for sending this amazing little boy to slow
me down and show me what really matters
in life.”
Lisa Eversole of Redmond,
Washington, was a stay-at-home mom. So
you might think life at her house was pretty
laid back. “Guess again,” Lisa says. “There
were so many worthwhile activities I’d
convinced myself Austin, Joshua, Nathan,
and Emma just had to do that we were
never home. I was always yelling at the kids
to hurry up and get in the van. I stayed so
busy dashing here and there with them
that my husband Adam and I had no time
for each other. My stress level was through
Before, my sense
of self came from
accomplishment.
Now it comes from
who I am in the
Lord’s eyes.
the roof. I went to bed most nights feeling
guilty for yelling at everyone.
“When Emma started talking, her first
words after ‘Mama’ and ‘Dada’ were
‘Hurry! Hurry! Hurry!’ That’s when I
started to realize what I was doing. By
then we had so many activities scheduled
into our days that I wasn’t sure it was
possible to slow down.
“I decided the thing to do was begin
‘scheduling in’ some family time. Instead
of paying for swimming lessons, I planned
a weekly family swim time. Instead of
signing the boys up for baseball, Adam
and I started taking them to a local park
with a soccer field and basketball court so
we could play ball together as a family.
“At first I had moments of panic. I
worried the kids would miss that time
with their peers and coaches. Then a
funny thing happened. Our older kids
started taking the younger ones in hand
and teaching them how to shoot a basket
or swim a certain stroke. We saw their
relationships really blossom in a way they
didn’t have time to before. Since we now
had time for family devotions, we watched
them grow closer to God as well. And
Adam and I had a chance to remember
why we’d fallen in love.”
www.intouch.org
| 25
 byfaith

Producer Mark Johnson gives

an inside look at the next
The image of medieval chil- Chronicles of Narnia film
dren standing in a grassy Czechoslovakian field By Linda Canup
while listening to Bob Dylan songs is a striking
memory in producer Mark Johnson’s mind. When the young actor playing Edmund
(Skandar Keynes) blasted the legendary folk tunes from his iPod over the set of Prince
Caspian, the Old World and the New converged.
The scene was oddly appropriate: those ethereal fields play host to the screen
version of the fantastical Narnia, a place where the “real world” kids—Peter, Susan,
Edmund, and Lucy—collide with the “old world” lands of castles, kingdoms, and
articulate beasts.
Mark’s not in the habit of producing sequels, so the fact that he even created one
speaks volumes about the success of the first Narnia film. When The Lion, the Witch,
and the Wardrobe (2005) pulled in nearly $750 million, all eyes turned to him and
director Andrew Adamson, expecting a follow-up. Everyone seemed to say, “Well,
what have you been doing? Where’s the next one?”
While Mark and Andrew had been confident that the first movie would be a
success, they had no idea what kind of attention and expectancy was in store. “We
didn’t have any contingency plans. We didn’t have a script,” Mark confesses.
“[We] hadn’t—other than in a very broad sense—talked about what we would do
next if there was another one.”
26 | May 2008 In Touch
 Even though they’d just recovered bug bites in New Zealand), some aspects
from long hours in post-production with of filming proved easier this time around.
the first Narnia movie, Mark and Andrew For instance, they already had four great
quickly signed up for Prince Caspian and young actors and actresses to play the
hit the ground running. Pevensie siblings.
Ground, it turns out, was one of the Mark reflects proudly on their skills
most difficult challenges of their new and enthusiasm: “They loved doing their
production. Location Manager James own stunts and did really crazy things on
Crowley traveled to Europe, China, South horses and [with] sword fights.” He says,
America, and Australia scouting out the “All of them are wonderful actors. It was
right setting. “On Lion we found our surprising how natural they were and how
locations pretty early on,” says Mark. adept they became. It was very exciting.”
“In this one, it just took forever.” Truth be told, though, they did
“Part of it was what we were looking encounter one problem with a Pevensie
for,” he continues, “and the other part child: the youngest girl, Georgie, kept
is that Andrew Adamson is a very precise losing teeth. She had fake ones to wear
director.” In the movie, the Pevensie kids in their place, but on occasion, she’d
attempt to cross a river, but they realize, forget to use them. Inevitably, a camera
to their dismay, that it has turned into operator would notice, and a stage hand
a gorge over the would be sent scram-
past 1,300 Narnian Everyone seemed to say, bling to recover her
years. Finding this “Well, what have you dental props.
gorge proved most In addition to
troublesome. been doing? Where’s that sharp-eyed
“Many countries the next one?” cameraman—and the
and states have their other talented crew
own film commissions, and you can look members and actors—Mark has one more
things up,” Mark explains. “But when person he’d like to thank: C.S. Lewis, for
you’re this specific, they really don’t [have creating seven unique yet related books.
a database].” Thankfully, they found a Despite sharing characters and themes,
suitable gorge in Poland at the last minute. each book tells a new story. He says this
Another down-to-the-wire find was reduces the risk of making a sequel that’s
actor Ben Barnes, who plays the title role “more of the same.” Having such varied
of Prince Caspian. “We saw him about material gives him one less thing to worry
a month before we started shooting— about with the next Narnia film. The
which is very, very tight,” Mark says. Voyage of the Dawn Treader is already
Meeting with Barnes was tricky, due in the works. “As long as the audience
to his on-stage performance schedule in keeps supporting us, we’re gonna keep
London. The Caspian crew interviewed making [the movies],” Mark says, “I
him in California on a Sunday afternoon would love to make all seven.”
and had him back in London by Monday
afternoon. “Nobody knew that he had Prince Caspian opens in theaters
May 16.
gone to Los Angeles, let alone landed a
starring role in a major film,” says Mark. The Chronicles of Narnia
While the crew faced their share of Softcover | $21.99 (includes all seven books)
See order form or visit www.intouch.org.
challenges (including some interesting
www.intouch.org
| 27
 mightyinspirit

 How five sisters changed the world for women

T
by Adam Colwell

Their names are decidedly obscure.
Mahlah. Hoglah. Milcah. Noah. Tirzah.
Their action, taken eight centuries before
the founding of Rome, is largely lost in
the annals of time. But every woman
owes them a debt of gratitude. So does
every lawyer.
The names belong to the daughters
of Zelophehad—five girls who were of
appropriate age, in our modern day, to
be attending a university law school. But
in their time, in the ancient Near East,
they had few freedoms and even less say
about the course of their futures.
28 | May 2008 In Touch
Thankfully, that didn’t stop them from
challenging the statutes of their culture
while respecting the tenets of their faith.
In so doing, they won an incredible vic-
tory for women’s rights while giving us an
inspiring example of undaunted courage.
Their story is found in the book of
Numbers. Their father Zelophehad, a
Manassite, had died in the wilderness.
Since he was not in the company of
Korah, who had rebelled against Moses,
his family had a right to his inheri-
tance. There was a problem, though.
Zelophehad did not have a son to claim
that inheritance, but only daughters, who
had absolutely no property rights under
existing customs. Seeing this as unfair,
the young women teamed together and
boldly declared they were entitled to
what he had left.
This happened at a key moment in the
history of Israel. The people were getting
ready to enter the Promised Land and
therefore had commissioned a census so
that the new land could be distributed
properly before they crossed the Jordan.
The daughters of Zelophehad had been
counted among those in their tribe who
would be at least 20 years of age by the
time the land was apportioned. They
were wise enough to recognize that the
time was ripe to take a stand; otherwise,
they would risk losing any chance of
securing their father’s inheritance for
their families.
Unprecedented Blessing
The young ladies did something that
had never been tried before. They went
directly to Moses, the priest Eleazar, and
the whole congregation to state their
case publicly. “Why should the name of
our father be withdrawn from among his
family because he had no son? Give us a
possession among our father’s brothers”
(Num. 27:4). Their request was unprece-
dented, an act of great conviction and risk.
Can you imagine the scene? They
must have endured intense ridicule,
even consternation, from “old-school”
Israelites who believed that women—
especially ones so youthful—should simply
know their place and remain silent. Some
may have even interpreted their actions
as an affront to almighty God and the
laws He had so carefully established.
Moses certainly must have discerned
this, but he also knew the solution. He
took their case before the Lord, a God
of justice and right. And the ultimate
Judge quickly returned His decision:
“The daughters of Zelophehad are right
in their statements. You shall surely give
them a hereditary possession among their
father’s brothers, and you shall transfer
the inheritance of their father to them”
(Num. 27:7). God’s ruling was in favor
of the sisters. The law was rewritten, and
women gained legal property rights for
the very first time. Later, the case was
broadened to include other instances,
such as when there were no brothers or
surviving children of the deceased.
It was one of the earliest reported law-
suits on record. In modern times, it has
been used by attorneys and jurists for
opinions, and it is still accepted as the
oldest decided case cited as a legal
authority. In fact, an American Bar
Association Journal article by Henry C.
Clark, dating back to 1924, quotes this
decision, describing it as a judgment “of
tremendous significance. The judgment
or decree was applicable to all the 12
tribes. It altered their very constitution
of government. The fundamental policy of
the state was changed. Whereas women
had not before been counted, now they
could be numbered. Whereas before, in
the absence of male descendants, a family
became extinct and the daughters pen-
niless, now daughters could preserve the
family and receive the estate.” Edith Deen,
in her book All of the Women of the Bible,
summarized it this way: “Up until [then]
women had had no legal property rights.
This is one of the reasons a man always
desired a son. Now women were numbered
as human beings and legally entitled to the
same property rights as men.”
Setting a Precedent for Others
The bold action of Mahlah, Hoglah,
Milcah, Noah, and Tirzah shows the
incredible impact one instance of courage
can have not just in your life, but in their
www.intouch.org
| 29
 lives of others, even generations into the future. They
also provided a model for other women with names just
as obscure, who felt led by God to challenge the status quo
of their times—for example, in the worlds of publishing,
missions work, and prison outreach.
They In the Massachusetts Bay Colony, Anne Bradstreet lost her
home in a fire, saw a daughter die at age four, and was sepa-
rated from her husband Simon for extended periods when
also provided duty took him to England. However, these experiences, and
the faith in God they inspired, were expressed in her poems,
a model which were eventually published as The Tenth Muse. It was
the first volume of enduring English language poetry ever
produced by a woman.
for other Within the churches of the 1800s, there was intense opposi-
tion to single women who wanted to become missionaries.
Sarah Doremus began a new missions association—the
women with Women’s Union Missionary Society of America—which broke
down those barriers. In addition to raising eight children,
Sarah also led an organization to return women prisoners to
names just society; organized relief for Christian Greeks oppressed by
Muslim Turks; and cooperated with efforts to create both a
as obscure, children’s hospital and a separate women’s hospital in New
York State.
In 1896, the warden of Sing Sing Correctional Facility in
who felt led Ossining, New York, summoned Maud Booth to speak to
inmates. She boldly told them, “I do not come here to prevent
you from paying the just penalty of your crimes; take your
by God medicine like men. When you have paid the penalty, I will
help you. I will nurse you back to health. I will get you work.
to challenge Above all, I will trust you. It depends on you whether I keep
doing so or not.” Five prisoners made up their minds to fol-
low Christ that day. By year’s end, she formed the Volunteer
the status quo Prison League. As of 1923, over 100,000 prisoners had signed
up for its programs. Maud set up “Houses of Hope” around
the country to help ease ex-cons back into society. Thanks
of their times. to her efforts, Volunteers of America did as much to bring about
twentieth-century prison reform as did any other organization.
What courageous act is the Lord asking of you? It may
not be to challenge the legal mores of the day or to pioneer
a great ministry outreach. It could be as simple—and as
profound—as witnessing to a neighbor, confronting a loved
one about a relationship problem, or starting a new business.
Whatever it is, follow the bold example of the daughters of
Zelophehad and their modern-day predecessors. You’ll likely
discover that God will bless you, and others, in ways you’ll
find unprecedented.
30 | May 2008 In Touch
 {building wisely}
Estate Plans
The Wisdom of Being Prepared
B y G eorge M . H iller , JD, LLM, MBA, CFP®
While we all have earnest intentions of
planning for the future, too many of us
put it off. Consider this scenario: After
35 years of working for a small commu-
nity bank, a woman we’ll call “Carolyn”
retired so she could spend more time
with her family and get more involved
at church. She wasn’t concerned about
finances because her husband, who’d
passed away six years earlier, had built
a sizeable estate that she now managed.
Carolyn’s plan
In the absence was to bless
of an estate her family and
church with
plan, the state that estate
would now one day when
she went
determine what home to be
happened to with the Lord.
Unfortunately,
her property. Carolyn post-
poned making
an estate plan because she assumed she
had time. She was healthy and active, and
estate planning didn’t seem like a priority.
One day when Carolyn was driving
home from the grocery store, a garbage
truck ran a stop light and plowed into
the driver’s side of her car. According
to paramedics, she died instantly.
Carolyn left behind three children and
five grandchildren. She had envisioned
exactly how her holdings were to benefit
not only each relative, but also her
church. However, in the absence of
an estate plan, state law would now deter-
mine what happened to her property. Her
estate was taxed at 45 percent. That left just
a little more than half to pay obligations,
and the balance was equally distributed
between her three children.
If Carolyn had drawn up an estate
plan, she could have minimized tax liabil-
ity, which would have left more funds
available for distribution. In addition,
her wishes for her grandchildren and her
church would have been carried out.
n Have you determined the goals and
objectives for your estate?
n Have you provided guidance for
your family?
n Have you done what you can to reduce
costs and delays in settling your estate?
n Have you taken a thorough inventory
of your assets recently?
In Touch Foundation has prepared a
workbook, A Legacy of Godly Stewardship,
to help you start designing an estate plan
that reflects your goals and stewardship
plans. To receive your free workbook
without obligation, you may request a
copy by phone or e-mail:
In Touch Foundation
800-967-2200
foundation@intouch.org
In Touch Foundation helps individuals with
estate and gift planning as they support the Great
Commission. We do not provide specific legal, tax,
or accounting advice.
www.intouch.org
| 31
 1
Thursday
The Companion
of Faith
READ | James 2:14-18

O ur faith is the most important aspect of

our Christian walk. Without it, we can’t
receive Jesus as Savior, trust God to supply
our needs, or develop the spiritual fruit that
is so important to our growth.
However, there’s an important “compan-
ion” of faith that Christians often overlook.
By that, I simply mean something that should
Jesus had to diean be a natural outgrowth of what we believe—
Developing
something that comes alongside an active and
because God accepts
unwavering faith mature commitment to God. That companion
is the key to
only a perfect sacrifice is works.
living abundantly
as payment for sin. Today’s passage makes this point crystal
and becoming clear. While maintaining the central impor-
Havea you received
powerful tance of faith, James challenges us to notice
Himwitness
as yourfor
Savior?
the how our beliefs play out in action. It isn’t
Lord Jesus Christ. enough just to pray for a hungry or hurting
. person if we have the means to take care of
his immediate physical needs. The actions
we take reveal the substance of our faith.
Isn’t this the example Jesus Himself set for
us? In the book of Acts, Peter describes how
the Lord “went about doing good” (10:38).
And the apostle Paul makes this idea even
more personal in his letter to the believers
in Ephesus: “For we are His workmanship,
created in Christ Jesus for good works, which
God prepared beforehand so that we would
walk in them” (Eph. 2:10). The point here is
simply this: We were made to be like Christ,
and He was constantly doing good works.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | What do your actions
reveal about your faith? You certainly can’t
work your way into heaven. However, if you
believe in Jesus, you have a responsibility to
be His hands in a hurting world.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 1-3
ONE YEAR
 2
Friday
The Rewards
of Patience
READ | Hebrews 6:13-15
P atience is a hard lesson for us to learn.
We don’t like patience. We don’t have
time for patience! Life is fast, time’s running
out, and we’ve got to get this show on the
road, right?
This is clearly how most of us act, even if we
don’t express it. Perhaps that’s why Scripture
includes so many examples of godly patience
and reward. Over and over, we see the Father
making promises to His children, only to have
them wait years—sometimes decades—for
the promise to be fulfilled. But the result of
that patience is always blessing.
Consider Abraham. At age 75, he was given
God’s promise of a son; 10 years later, he was
still waiting. Fifteen years passed, then 20,
and still no son. Finally, when Abraham was
100—a quarter-century after God had made
the promise—baby Isaac was born. Surely
Abraham had times of doubt during those 25
years, yet he continued to trust God and kept
watching for the fulfillment of His promise.
There are plenty of other examples. As a
young man, Jacob met the girl of his dreams,
but he worked many years before making
her his bride. Joseph had a God-given vision
of blessing at age 17 but languished 13 years
in slavery and prison before receiving the
reward. David was anointed King of Israel as
a teenager but spent the next 14 years or so
running for his life before taking the throne.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Shortcuts never lead to
where God wants us to be. The long road,
however, is filled with faithful servants. Are
you waiting on the Lord today? Be encour-
aged—you’re in good company.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 4-6
ONE YEAR
The Weekend
The Alternatives
to Patience
READ | Galatians 6:7-9
H ave you ever felt the Lord calling you
to something really big—maybe some
task that seems impossible or a goal that
would take years to achieve? Most likely,
some aspiration or God-given promise just
came to mind. As you think about it, let’s
consider three common courses of action.
First, we can take a shortcut. After all,
if God makes a promise or gives us a goal,
wouldn’t He want us to attain it as quickly
as possible? The answer is, “Not necessar-
ily.” God often gives a pledge years before He
brings it to pass. When we try to manipulate
circumstances and “help” the Lord fulfill His
promise, we’ll surely get in the way of the
good things He has in mind for us. We should
remember that part of the blessing will be
the trust and wisdom gained while waiting.
Second, we can simply quit. Who wants
to wait ten years for something? So, we just
walk away, forget it, and try not to think
about it any more. Just imagine hearing
God’s promise and then saying, “No, that
would take too long. I’d rather move on to
something else.” What a tragedy!
Third, we can wait patiently and trust
God for the blessing. This is clearly the best
option, but sadly the one we often avoid.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | If someone were to say
to you, “Ten years from today, I’m going to
give you $10 million,” what would you say?
Most likely, you would not respond, “No,
thanks. I want it now or not at all.” Why
then, do we say that to God? He has tremen-
dous blessings in store for you—if you’re
willing to wait.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 7-11
ONE YEAR
www.intouch.org
| 33
 5 6
Monday
Our Bridge to God
READ | John 14:1-6
I n John 14:6, the Lord makes a powerful,
unequivocal statement. Jesus clearly says,
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no
one comes to the Father but through Me.”
People have fought that statement for
2,000 years. Some say the Lord didn’t mean
for it to be taken literally. Others categori-
cally reject His authority to make the claim
at all. However, as believers in the lordship
of Jesus Christ, we must take what He says
as truth. So let’s think for a moment about
the word picture in that verse.
When Jesus calls Himself “the way,” many
people imagine a one-way street. They take
this to mean that there are lots of roads, but
He is the only one that leads to the Father.
That’s a good image, but I think we can do
even better.
I like to think of Jesus not as a road, but
as a bridge—our bridge to God. Consider the
apostle Paul’s warning in Romans 3:23: “For
all have sinned and fall short of the glory of
God” (emphasis added). The picture here is
of a great chasm between us and God, and
we cannot make it across. Unable to bridge
the gap, we fall.
So, what is the only way across a chasm?
A bridge, of course. And that’s what Jesus is
for us. He stands in the gap, providing safe
passage across the void and into the loving
arms of the Father.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Meditate on this mental
image. When we imagine ourselves helpless
and lost—with heaven across a great divide,
just out of reach—we can truly appreciate the
power of the cross.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 12-15
ONE YEAR
34 | May 2008 In Touch
Tuesday
The Great Divide
READ | Isaiah 55:8-9
W hen we picture Jesus as our “bridge
to God,” it is natural to think about
the things that separate us from the Father.
Therefore, let’s examine three metaphors
that describe the barriers between us and
almighty God.
First, we are separated by height. Scripture
calls God the “Most High” and describes Him
as “high and lifted up.” He is above creation
and unconstrained by gravity, time, or space.
Furthermore, He declares, “For as the heav-
ens are higher than the earth, so are My ways
higher than your ways” (Isa. 55:9). Without
question, God is above man.
Next, we are separated by distance. Moses
experienced God through the burning bush,
but even in that holy moment, the Lord
warned him not to come too close (Ex. 3:5).
Later, when the people of Israel built the
temple and tabernacle, God warned them not
to enter the Holy of Holies except for a single
specific time each year, when only one person
was allowed to enter under strict conditions.
There is a distance between man and God
that cannot be breached.
Third, we are separated by light and fire.
We know that staring into a giant spotlight
can cause blindness and standing near a
flame can burn our skin. In a similar way,
if we were to stand in the presence of holy
God, we would be consumed (Deut. 4:24).
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Why did Jesus come to
us? It is because only the perfect, sinless Son
of God could reach the Father, come close
to Him, and stand in His presence. And, in
Christ, we can share in that intimacy.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 16-18
ONE YEAR
 7 8
Wednesday
When We Feel
Helpless
READ | 2 Chronicles 20:1-4
H ave you ever felt totally helpless? Can
you remember facing a situation or
emergency in which you were completely
powerless? It’s a sobering experience for
anyone. Even people who claim to be wholly
dependent on God still like to feel as if they
have some control over their circumstances.
Jehoshaphat faced a moment like that. In
today’s verses, the good king was confronted
with dangerous news: three different armies
had joined forces to destroy Israel. As he
listened to the report, “a great multitude” of
attackers were already on their way (v. 2).
What was the king’s response? Verse 3
tells us he was “afraid.” That makes perfect
sense—he no doubt felt utterly powerless.
However, even in that moment of helpless-
ness, he knew exactly what to do. Scripture
doesn’t say, “Jehoshaphat was afraid and ran
away” or “Jehoshaphat was afraid but charged
headlong into battle.” No, the Bible tells us
that “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his
attention to seek the Lord” (emphasis added).
That was the perfect response to a help-
less situation. The king knew that this was
not the time to give up, nor was it the time
to take action motivated by fear. Instead, he
did the only wise thing he could: he prayed.
More than that, he called on others to pray.
And suddenly, the entire situation changed,
because God had been brought into a hope-
less situation.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | When we feel helpless,
the first word out of our mouth should be
“Father.” From then on, helplessness isn’t an
issue, because God will provide what we need.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 19-21
ONE YEAR
Thursday
Your Hope Journal
READ | 2 Chronicles 20:5-12
Y esterday, we saw what King Jehoshaphat
did in a seemingly hopeless situation.
Today, let’s extract another principle from that
story as we learn how to handle helplessness.
In verses 5-12, Jehoshaphat is still focused
on the Lord, which should also be our first
response to fear. Yet notice what he does in
this prayer. He is not looking forward, stating
his fears of what might happen. Instead, he is
remembering the past, recounting the times
in Israel’s history when God brought them
through similar “helpless” situations.
How often has the Lord done a mighty work
on your behalf when all seemed lost? He is
actively involved in our lives today. Sadly, we
frequently thank Him in the moment but then
forget what He’s done for us. Later, when we
are fearful again, it’s hard to remember how
He has already proven Himself in our lives.
This is why every believer should keep a
journal—a written record of the Lord’s faith-
fulness. During times of helplessness, we want
encouragement not just about how God has
worked in history or in the world, but about
how He’s worked in our own lives.
It may take some time to establish the
discipline of journaling, but the rewards are
tremendous. You may say, “Well, I don’t have
time for that.” What? You don’t have time to
write down examples of God’s goodness in
your life? Friend, you need to make the time.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | When you record bless-
ings, you begin to view God’s work from a
new perspective. You’ll start to see how He’s
weaving the individual “threads” of your life
to create a beautiful tapestry—for His glory.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 22-25
ONE YEAR
www.intouch.org
| 35
 9
Friday The Weekend
How to Honor
Your Mother
READ | Leviticus 19:3
T he Bible says that everyone is to honor
his or her mother, and God is pleased
when we take practical measures to fulfill
this command. Children of all ages should . . .
Love Mother unconditionally. We are to
care for Mom no matter how she carries out
her maternal responsibilities. Some women
will do better than others at living up to their
God-given role. But all children are called to
love their mother simply because the Lord has
placed her in their lives.
Be attentive to Mom’s needs. Starting
in infancy, kids are accustomed to taking
from their parents. So it can be easy to forget
that Mom and Dad have needs too. Stop and
consider what Mother might appreciate. For
example, household help offered cheerfully is
usually welcome. As Mom grows older, she
may need assistance for her physical or emo-
tional well-being. Some women desire only
that their children express gratitude or care.
Live righteously. The greatest gift we can
give a godly mother is to surrender our life to
Jesus Christ (Pro. 23:24-25). Even a mom who
isn’t a Christian will no doubt take pride in a
believing child whose life is filled with love,
kindness, and charity.
Pray for Mom. Nothing is more practi-
cal than prayer. Talking with the Lord about
Mother, both privately and in her presence,
reminds her that she is important and loved.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | The specific ways you
cherish your mother will depend upon her
personality and yours. But Mother’s Day isn’t
the only time to show her your love and grati-
tude. Honor her every day.
THE BIBLE IN
1 Chronicles 26-29
ONE YEAR
36 | May 2008 In Touch
The Command
to Honor
READ | Ephesians 6:1-3
G od’s commandment to honor parents
included a promise. He told the Israelites
to treat parents with respect so their “days
may be long upon the land” that He was
giving them (Ex. 20:12; Deut. 5:16 nkjv). This
did not guarantee that respecting authority
would necessarily mean survival till old age;
the words “days” and “long” seem to imply
productivity, strength, and satisfaction rather
than a certain number of years.
That divine promise still applies. Sadly,
our chaotic world prizes independence over
obedience and youthful opinion over the
wisdom that comes with maturity. In today’s
anti-God climate, we see children of all ages
rebelling—but they often seem to escape
discipline. This has led to two dangerous
attitudes: one says that people need not accept
responsibility for their actions, and the other
permits neglecting the greater good in favor
of personal goals. To find an example, simply
look at our roads, where it’s not hard to find
someone ignoring the posted speed limit.
To build a Christ-honoring community
within the worldly culture, believers should
instruct children to honor parents, and then
discipline any failure to show respect. One
important way to teach this lesson is by mod-
eling honor—our families should see us treat
our own parents with care and consideration.
EARLY LIGHT | Honoring Mom and
Dad is not a suggestion. The Lord has placed
these important people in our life. Whether
or not we feel they have served well in that
capacity, we’re to obey God by offering them
care and respect.
THE BIBLE IN
2 Chronicles 1-4
ONE YEAR
12
Monday
When Our
Faith Wavers
READ | James 1:1-8
T he Bible warns against “wavering faith.”
This is the attitude of someone who goes
from feeling certain that God will answer
a prayer to merely hoping that He might
(or becoming convinced that He won’t). Of
course, since we’re human, we all experience
periods of doubt. But what Scripture warns
against is a lifestyle of spiritual vacillation.
Wavering can have many causes. For
instance, one might fail to see God at work
in a situation. Or he might worry that trust-
ing Jesus in that predicament conflicts with
human reasoning. Another believer, focusing
on circumstances rather than the Lord, may
allow feelings to overcome faith.
A person who is “driven and tossed by the
wind” may lose confidence in God and find
his spiritual growth stunted (James 1:6). He
can become a “double-minded man” (v. 8)
because even as he prays, he tends to jump
ahead of the Lord’s timing to manipulate a
situation for his own desired outcome. When
a Christian pays attention to his doubts in
this way, he’ll often make wrong decisions
that are costly. After all the maneuvering, he
will frequently end up dissatisfied with the
results and bothered by his lack of peace.
Even worse, his faith may diminish.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Wavering is dangerous,
so believers must develop confidence in the
Lord. In Mark 11:24, Jesus says, “All things
for which you pray and ask, believe that you
have received them, and they will be granted
you.” The closest we get to perfect faith while
on earth is the ability to trust that what we
ask in God’s will is as good as done.
THE BIBLE IN
2 Chronicles 5-8
ONE YEAR
13
Tuesday
Eliminating Doubt
READ | Matthew 21:20-22
A s we mature spiritually, we become
more solidly rooted in the confidence
that God is faithful. But sometimes doubt
will creep in and wither our trust. In order
not to lose ground, we must act decisively
to reduce misgivings. Here are three steps
we should take:
1) Recall God’s past faithfulness, and
remember His promises. When we devote
time to thanking Him for His intervention
in prior situations, we are reminded of His
love and provision. Meditating on promises
from Scripture also reassures us that He will
continue to meet every need. For example,
Psalm 41:12 says that the Father is always
present with His children, and His Holy Spirit
was given to us for strength and direction
(John 16:13; Eph. 3:16).
2) Water your growing faith with God’s
Word. When you ask for scriptural guid-
ance, the Lord will direct you to passages
that relate to your situation and offer needed
emotional and spiritual assurance. Spend
time meditating on those verses, prayerfully
considering how to apply the message to
your circumstances.
3) Choose to believe God and His prom-
ises. He has proven Himself faithful from the
first moment of creation to the present. We
are wise to place our confidence in Him.
EARLY LIGHT | Developing a sturdy,
well-rooted faith requires that we cooperate
with the Lord. Our human nature complicates
matters by making us vulnerable to doubt.
But when we choose to trust God, uncertainty
cannot shrink our faith.
THE BIBLE IN
2 Chronicles 9-12
ONE YEAR
www.intouch.org
| 37
14
Wednesday
Strength Beyond Self The Nature
READ | 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
“I nto every life a little rain must fall.” So goes
the familiar saying about the inevitability
of hardship. But what if the rain turns into a
torrential downpour—a life challenge that
requires strength beyond what is humanly
possible? The apostle Paul describes such a
situation in his letter to the Corinthians. He
wrote of an affliction that weighed so heavily
on his heart and body that he didn’t expect
to survive.
Paul’s approach to his problem still works
today: “We would not trust in ourselves,
but in God who raises the dead . . . and will
deliver us” (2 Cor. 1:9-10). The strength that
we need during trials is available through
Jesus Christ, whose supernatural energy
flows through every believer’s mind, body,
and spirit.
How does this happen? When someone
receives Jesus as Savior, His Spirit comes to
live inside the new believer (John 14:17). As
a result of this “indwelling,” the power that
Christ demonstrated while on earth prevails
in those who now call upon Him for aid.
However, for us to access His supernatural
strength, we must trust His promise to supply
what we need when we need it (Phil. 4:19).
As long as we attempt to muddle through
using our own abilities, we will prevent His
Spirit from unleashing divine help.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Jesus Christ’s power is
unleashed in our life when we acknowledge
our helplessness. The effect is immediate. As
soon as we surrender to the Lord, His might
is working inside us so we can endure hard-
ship while maintaining our joy and peace.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 13-16
38 | May 2008 In Touch
15
Thursday
of Strength
READ | Ephesians 6:10-13
T he moment a person receives Christ as
Savior, he or she enters a battle. The
Enemy is determined to destroy believers’
testimonies. But God has supplied a mighty
weapon to those who serve Him—His Son’s
strength flowing through their life.
Christ’s power is supreme. Satan, with all
his demonic force, can’t throw anything our
way to match Jesus’ supernatural strength.
Even so, temptations and trials expose weak-
nesses when most would prefer to appear
strong. That is one reason human nature
rebels against hardship and tries to avoid it.
God wants Christian soldiers to be armed
with the Savior’s might so they can confront
life’s difficulties. He promises us strength
only when we set down pride and accept that
we are too weak for battle (2 Cor. 12:9). And
Jesus’ power is available to every believer right
now—a gift from the Commander so that His
followers can endure conflicts victoriously.
The world encourages keeping up the
appearance of handling one’s own prob-
lems. So Christian soldiers’ marching orders
probably seem quite strange to onlookers.
However, arrogance does not bring blessing;
rather, it causes confusion, distance from
the Lord, and ultimately failure. If we want
to be victorious, then we must not follow the
worldly strategy of facing the Enemy alone.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Until our life is over or
Jesus Christ returns, we are locked in a battle
with Satan. But God has given us a power-
ful weapon. When we are totally dependent
upon the Lord for His strength, we are filled
with supernatural energy and endurance.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 17-19
16
Friday
Those Who Have
Never Heard
READ | Romans 1:18-25
I n many countries, the gospel cannot be
shared freely. Repressive governments and
religions stop Christians from telling others
about Jesus. However, God is mightier than
oppression. Where human messengers can’t
carry the good news, the Lord is revealing
Himself to those whose hearts are open.
God wants everyone to come to a saving
knowledge of Him (1 Tim. 2:4). But because
He is holy and just, He can’t overlook man’s
sinful condition, which renders all guilty and
without excuse (Rom. 1:18). That is, He will
not admit people into heaven unless they
have acknowledged their need for a Savior
(Rom. 3:22-23). However, our Father is also
fair and merciful. He makes His presence
known to every person so that each one may
choose to recognize His sovereignty.
The Lord does this by revealing Himself
to all mankind in two ways: through con-
science and creation. First, He has imbedded
His basic moral guidelines in the human
conscience (Rom. 1:19). In other words, at
some point in life, every sane person has an
innate sense that certain actions are right
and others are wrong. Second, the Creator
displays His power and divine nature through
what He has made (v. 20). The complexity,
variety, order, and beauty of the world all
point to an intelligent Designer. has been exposed; how many opportunities
E A R L Y   L I G H T | We can’t pinpoint every
method the Lord uses to reveal Himself. Yet
we can be sure nothing will stop Him from
reaching out to people who follow conscience
and creation to the logical conclusion—the
existence of a loving, sovereign God. those who have never heard of Jesus?”
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 20-22
The Weekend
The Justice of
Divine Judgment
READ | Revelation 20:11-15
E very person will face God on judgment
day. Whenever that topic comes up,
I am usually asked something like, “What
about remote African tribes that will never
hear about Jesus?” The concerned questioner
is really wondering, How could a loving Lord
send an ignorant person to hell? In other
words, How can it be fair to condemn those
who have never heard the gospel?
To understand how God judges, we should
recognize two truths about Him. First, He
is not limited. While whole people groups
still have no Scripture in their language, God
always reaches individuals whose hearts are
open to knowing Him. Men like Abraham and
Moses had no spiritual training or Scriptures,
and yet the Lord spoke to them.
Second, God reveals Himself to all people,
whether or not they have access to the Bible.
As we saw yesterday, He not only demon-
strates His power and attributes through
creation; He also programs our conscience
to understand the basic distinctions between
right and wrong. For those who are blessed
to hear the gospel at some point, Jesus Christ
is the greatest revelation of God in their life.
EARLY LIGHT | When people stand
before the Father, He will judge them on three
criteria: the amount of truth to which each
there were to accept the truth and share it
with others; and what was done with those
opportunities. The believer’s responsibility,
then, is to reach as many as possible with the
gospel so that no one need ask, “What about
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 23-26
www.intouch.org
| 39
19
Monday
Saving Troubled
Friendships
READ | Matthew 5:23-24
W hen we develop friendships, we intend
for them to last. But since two fallen
human beings are involved, occasional hurt
feelings and unmet expectations are likely. If
one or both people simply ignore the affront,
the relationship can be damaged. Repairing
a troubled friendship requires humility to
admit our faults, effort to fix the problem, and
time. But the reward is a renewed connection
with a valued companion.
The process of saving a friendship begins
when you acknowledge that damage exists.
This takes place the moment you say, “I feel
something isn’t right in our relationship. I’d
like for us to find and fix the problem.” It
is helpful to work together to assess how the
trouble began—perhaps it resulted from a
misunderstanding, an unresolved conflict,
one person’s busyness, etc.
After recognizing the problem, apologize
for your part in it. Taking responsibility and
saying “I’m sorry” shows your love and com-
mitment to the friendship. Remember that
an essential aspect of apologizing is refusing
to justify wrong actions or blame others.
An apology must be followed up with
amends. Ask your friend what specific action
you both can take to rebuild the relationship.
Then commit to follow his or her suggestion
while occasionally asking, “How am I doing?”
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Rather than waiting
until their relationship is in trouble, wise
friends will go through these steps as soon
as they are aware of having hurt a loved one.
Preventative care can soothe minor scrapes
before they become serious wounds.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 27-29
40 | May 2008 In Touch
20
Tuesday
Building Solid
Friendships
READ | Ephesians 6:7-8
F riendships are among our most valuable
assets. Acquiring quality companions—
who laugh with us in good times and stand
by us during trials—requires shared commit-
ment and an investment of time and energy.
Transparency. We must be honest with
friends and encourage them to be truthful
in return. To preserve a healthy bond, we
can’t hide hurts or feelings of rejection they
may have caused. Transparency that is tied
to accountability can also help make each
individual a better person. A solid relationship
allows each party to gently point out errors in
the other’s life and offer loving correction.
Time and Talk. Genuine friendship takes
time to develop. We must be willing to put
aside other obligations and give priority to
moments spent together. A generous portion
of our time with each other should be spent
talking—speaking about our thoughts and
desires and also asking questions to prompt
our companion to open up. This type of
conversation allows a glimpse into the other
person’s heart and mind.
Thanks. Everyone likes to feel appreciated.
Expressing thanks when friends are helpful
will remind them that we’re grateful to have
them in our life. Moreover, we affirm our love
when we communicate how much we enjoy a
certain aspect of their personality or remem-
ber an occasion that is special to them.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Being a good friend is
a way to serve the Lord. He designed us to
be in relationship with others, so we should
give our best to every companion God places
in our life.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 30-32
21
Wednesday
When We Are Lonely
READ | Hebrews 4:14-16
D espite the fact that technology enables
us to stay connected, we haven’t solved
the loneliness problem. Many people still feel
cut off from those around them. The real
solution for healing the deep ache of isolation
is an intimate relationship with God.
As He was about to create Adam, God said,
“Let Us make man in Our image, according to
Our likeness” (Gen. 1:26). One point of resem-
blance to the Lord is our desire and ability to
share intimacy with others. Moreover, we’re
created to commune with God. answer (Ps. 91:15). I often tell God that I
Adam and Eve had a close bond with the
Lord, who spent time with them in the Garden
of Eden. However, the couple’s disobedience
caused a rift in the relationship—since God
is holy, He can’t allow anything unrighteous
into His presence. Once sin entered the world
through the first couple, every person born
would be tainted with it and, consequently,
separated from God. Yet because of His love,
the Lord planned a way to bridge the gap
between Himself and mankind.
Jesus Christ took our transgressions upon
Himself and died on the cross, wiping away
the stain of sin. Whoever trusts in His sac-
rifice for the forgiveness of sins goes over
the “bridge” formed by the cross. Each new
believer is reconciled—that is, immediately
restored to a right relationship with God.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Reconciliation with the
heavenly Father means that we are never
alone (Heb. 13:5). We may still feel lonely on
occasion, but we have a constant companion
with whom we can talk. And He will provide
comfort to our heart.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
2 Chronicles 33-36
22
Thursday
Dealing With
Loneliness
READ | Psalm 102:1-7
L oneliness can be a lifelong challenge or
a short-term event. The length of the
experience is often determined by how we
deal with it. Turning to the Lord can help us
find our way through the fog of isolation.
Admit lonely feelings. Being a Christian
doesn’t disqualify us from sometimes having
a sense of seclusion. In fact, many of David’s
psalms speak of his longing for compan-
ionship. When we express our feelings to
the Father and cry out for His touch, He will
need Him to wrap His arms around me. His
response is just as real as if a human being
walked in and hugged me.
Develop godly relationships. We should
pray for friends who will point us toward the
Lord whether we are in good times or bad.
These are the loved ones who see our faults
and like us anyway. For example, one of my
dear friends often jokes about me, “He was
never meant to be understood—just loved.”
Be anchored in Scripture. When we cling
to the Word during a lonely time, we will
end up with a richer understanding of the
Lord. Before I preached my first sermon, my
mother gave me Joshua 1:9 as an anchor
verse. She knew it would help me remember
to be strong and courageous because God is
with me always. That is still the verse I turn
to when I need comfort.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Occasionally we all will
walk through the fog of loneliness. But God
is the Light guiding us out again. If you are
struggling with feelings of isolation, cry out
to Him for help.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Ezra 1-4
www.intouch.org
| 41
23
Friday
The Character
of Gossip
READ | Romans 1:28-31
G od hates gossip. He wants our speech to
be pleasing to Him—and He certainly
does not consider idle talk or mean-spirited
words pleasant (Col. 3:8). Sadly, gossip is
practiced so freely that even some believers
participate and try to justify their chatter.
But hearsay has no place in a Christian’s life.
Romans 1 contains one of the Bible’s longest
lists of sins. The book’s author—the apostle
Paul—is reminding believers that God has
revealed Himself to all mankind. Those who
reject Him and chase after idols are turned
over to their evil worship and the immoral
practices that go with serving self (v. 24).
Gossip appears in the middle of the list; God
despises it because malicious talk destroys
lives whether the stories are true or false. The
person who is targeted by the rumor often
loses the respect of those who listen to it. Hurt
feelings may not be the only negative effect;
a job or relationship could be lost as well.
Those spreading tales also face destructive
consequences. People who refuse to control
the tongue reveal evil motives or, at the very
least, lack of discipline. As a result, believers
and unbelievers alike will often avoid such
untrustworthy individuals. For a Christian
who spreads rumors, there’s potential for
even worse damage, in that such actions can
harm fellowship with the Lord—animosity
toward another person and intimacy with
God can’t coexist in the same heart.
EARLY LIGHT | Gossip achieves no
good in anyone’s life, which is why the Lord
warns against it. Instead, our words should
build up, comfort, and encourage others.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Ezra 5-7
42 | May 2008 In Touch
The Weekend
Ending Gossip
in Our Life
READ | Ephesians 4:29-32
S preading rumors about other people
exposes little about their true nature but
reveals quite a lot about the speaker’s own
character. Such behavior shows a willingness
to sin against the Lord by causing harm to
someone else. Until a gossiping believer
confronts his sin, he can’t progress toward
becoming the person God wants him to be.
Confession is the first step in dealing with
sinful speech. This should be followed by
repentance—the pledge to turn away from
opportunities to talk about others. A useful
scripture for a redeemed gossip to pray daily
is Psalm 141:3: “Set a guard, O Lord, over my
mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips.”
Second, be on guard against temptation.
Believers have a responsibility to set them-
selves apart from gossip in order to keep
thoughts and words pleasing to God. Being
in the presence of one who spreads stories
can tempt even a believer to participate. In a
situation where rumors are being shared, the
best course of action is to speak out against
the practice and then leave.
Finally, instead of talking about someone,
it’s wise to pray for that person. Getting into
this habit will help train the mind to replace
sinful patterns with God-pleasing ways. The
Bible teaches us to encourage and comfort
each other, and prayer is a good way to obey
that instruction (1 Thess. 4:18; 5:11).
E A R L Y   L I G H T | A gossiping Christian
dishonors God’s name—and his own.
Instead of using words that disparage and
injure, choose to speak well of everyone. In
so doing, you will bring glory to the Lord.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Ezra 8-10
26
Monday
Waiting for God
READ | Psalm 27:14
O ur culture is an “instant” society. Because
of inventions like the computer and the
microwave, we’re used to quick results. A
fast pace isn’t necessarily bad, but we should
guard against becoming so set on immediate
fulfillment that we can’t wait for God’s timing.
This problem existed long before the com-
puter age. In Genesis 15:4-5, God revealed to
Abraham that though he and his wife Sarah
were too old to have children, a great nation
would come from him. Abraham believed God
but soon decided to handle matters himself.
He took Sarah’s servant Hagar as his wife so
that she could bear the promised son.
Abraham probably rationalized his deci-
sion, figuring that the Lord wanted him to
have a son—and since it seemed impossible
any other way, surely this must be what God
wanted him to do! But it wasn’t. Abraham
had to deal with the consequences of his
actions, including jealousy and resentment
between Sarah and Hagar. These problems
in turn created further difficulties, both in
the short term and throughout history.
The Lord was faithful, though—14 years
later, Sarah gave birth to Isaac. Yet the con-
sequences of Abraham’s decision to step out
of God’s plan are still with us. The two boys
grew to become the fathers of nations which
are in conflict to this very day.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Like Abraham, we might
believe God’s promises but prefer immediate
results. Or we may just want things done our
way. Instead, ask the Lord to lead you. Then
wait for Him. His way may not be what you
think you want, but it is always best.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Nehemiah 1-4
27
Tuesday
Worth the Wait
READ | Isaiah 57:10
Y esterday, we saw that Abraham didn’t
wait for the Lord to provide him a
son; he took matters into his own hands.
His decision not to wait for God’s time and
method revealed several things about him.
First, he was impatient. Second, he doubted.
Though he believed that God would give
him a son, as time passed, he sensed that he
was losing the opportunity. Third, he was
prideful. Abraham wanted it done according
to his own schedule and assumed that his
way should be good enough. Finally, he was
selfish. By acting without the Lord’s leading,
Abraham showed that he expected God’s
will to revolve around him. In reality, he was
stepping out of the Father’s plan.
When we choose to manipulate circum-
stances or timing, these same things are
revealed about us. Instead, we should wait
for God’s plan and path, both of which flow
from His love and wisdom. He is certain of
what is best for us; our role is to seek His
guidance and depend on Him.
Sometimes we know what God is going to
do but are unclear about when He will act.
Other times, we’re unsure of the outcome.
Regardless, we can be confident that God
loves us and that He’s all-powerful. If we
truly understand who He is, we will be able
to trust Him. And when we are trusting Him,
we’ll be able to wait for His perfect timing.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | God makes a promise,
faith believes it, hope anticipates it, and
patience waits quietly for it. Do you trust the
Lord enough to be patient for His way and
His time?
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Nehemiah 5-8
www.intouch.org
| 43
28
Wednesday
Understanding
Anxiety
READ | 2 Timothy 1:7
T hroughout Scripture, the Lord gives us
evidence that many people deal with
anxiety—even those considered pillars of
faith. For example, we can deduce that the
apostle Paul must have felt fear, since God
instructed Him not to be afraid “any longer”
(Acts 18:9).
The fact that fear is common, however,
does not mean it is from God (2 Tim. 1:7).
Of course, certain situations—like hearing a
loud noise when we are alone—will trigger
a frightened response. But the Lord doesn’t
want us to live with ongoing anxiety.
Common worries include the fear of death,
poverty, illness, old age, criticism, and the
loss of a loved one or something cherished.
Why do we find it so hard to let go of our
concerns, even when the Lord clearly states,
“Do not fear . . .” (Luke 12:7)? Because worry
can be deeply ingrained in the way we think.
Sometimes we have unhealthy thought pat-
terns that stem from feelings of inadequacy, a
sense of guilt, or a mistaken view of God. It’s
not uncommon for insecurity in childhood
to develop into a lack of confidence later on.
Life experiences can be another factor. For
instance, a person who has lost a parent
suddenly in a car accident is likely to struggle
with worry. you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Regardless of the cause,
anxiety will take our eyes off our omnipotent,
loving heavenly Father and focus our atten-
tion on our circumstances. No wonder God
repeatedly reminds us not to fear—He wants
His children to feel secure in His capability
and trustworthiness.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Nehemiah 9-10
44 | May 2008 In Touch
29
Thursday
Dealing With Fear
READ | Philippians 4:6
N ot only is anxiety an uncomfortable
feeling; it also leads to negative conse-
quences. For example, reasoning becomes
cloudy when permeated with worry. So an
anxious person will have trouble making
wise decisions. Fear of failure may also lead
to procrastination or a lack of productivity.
Apprehensions can devastate personal and
spiritual growth, relationships, and work.
So conquering fear is important.
Four steps can help:
1. Identify the fear. Ask yourself, What are
the circumstances surrounding my feelings?
What triggered them? What message am I
telling myself?
2. Turn to the Lord. Remember that God
loves you and desires an intimate relation-
ship with you. He is in sovereign control of
your situation, so bring your fear to Him.
3. Rebuke the fear before God. You have the
authority and power in Jesus’ name to reject
what isn’t from Him. Meditate on passages
such as Matthew 10:31 and Proverbs 1:33.
Let God’s truth replace any wrong thinking.
4. Cling to your heavenly Father. Take your
focus off your circumstances, and look to the
One who promises His help. Scripture gives
this assurance: “Do not fear, for I am with
am your God. I will strengthen you, surely
I will help you. Surely I will uphold you with
My righteous right hand” (Isaiah 41:10).
EARLY LIGHT | Circumstances are
external and often beyond your control. But
your response originates within. It’s amazing
how fears diminish in the Father’s presence.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Nehemiah 11-13
30
Friday
How to Love Others
READ | Matthew 22:35-40
J esus told his disciples, “In everything . . .
treat people the same way you want them
to treat you” (Matt. 7:12). Most of us refer to
this code of conduct as the “Golden Rule.”
In theory, we’d probably agree that this is a
good foundation for a healthy relationship. Yet
it’s tough to live up to such a standard. If we
made a list of the ways we hope to be treated
and compared it with our own behavior, we’d
likely fall short.
And of course, it’s easy to love when others
are treating us well. But how do we respond
when their behavior is hurtful or unpleasant?
The truth is, Jesus meant for us to love others
all the time, not just when they are lovable.
Regardless of their attitude toward us, we
are to think about the relationship qualities
we value—like loyalty, trust, encouragement,
forgiveness, acceptance, and protection—and
let these flow from us in their direction.
Unfortunately, our society breeds selfish-
ness, greed, and pride, which are enemies of
the love Jesus commanded. But when we care
for others in the way the Lord prescribes,
relationships can deepen and thrive.
Treating others with this kind of love isn’t
natural or easy, especially when people are
unkind. In fact, loving as Jesus commanded is
impossible—on our own. But when we trust
Christ as Savior, the Holy Spirit empowers us
and lives His life through us (Gal. 2:20).
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Take time to list the
ways you hope others will treat you. Now
ask, Is that how I treat people? Pray for God
to reveal one area where He will help you
apply the Golden Rule.
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Esther 1-5
The Weekend
The Blessing of
Loving Others
READ | 1 Peter 1:22
I f we responded simply out of our natural
impulses, we would probably be nice when
people were kind. At other times, though, we
would likely be vengeful, angry, or hurtful.
Yet Jesus clearly teaches us to love even
when those around us seem unlovable. And
He lived out what He taught: Christ loved us
enough to die for us while we were still sin-
ners (Rom. 5:8). Surely, out of gratitude for
what He did and with His strength, we—His
followers—can love others (1 John 3:14).
While it’s hard to respond to unkindness
with love, such godly behavior can lead to
great blessing. First, the Father is pleased;
this realization should bring His children
joy, peace, and a sense of accomplishment.
Next, believers ought to feel excitement and
anticipation to watch how God will move
in the relationship. Finally, there will be an
awareness that the Holy Spirit is working
from within, enabling divine love to flow
through yielded human lives.
John 13:35 tells of an important benefit:
Jesus said, “By this all men will know that
you are My disciples, if you have love for one
another.” Since unconditional godly love is
uncommon in our world, people will notice.
E A R L Y   L I G H T | Treating others as we
want to be treated is what builds the deep,
satisfying connections that all people desire.
Without significant relationships, life lacks
meaning—regardless of how many posses-
sions or acquaintances we have. So think
about the people you come in contact with
throughout the week. Are you treating them
the way that Jesus modeled?
THE BIBLE IN
ONE YEAR
Esther 6-10
www.intouch.org
| 45
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