A Moment of Hope

Begin your day with a "Moment of Hope." This podcast is a compliment to David and Marilynn's weekday devotional - providing deeper insights and encouragement. Featuring Jenn Houston.

Five Minutes After You Die: A Sober Warning 08/14/2026

Five Minutes After You Die: A Sober Warning by David Chadwick What will happen five minutes after you die? Today’s topic is truly a sober warning. While there will be many wonderful things that take place after death for those who follow Jesus. There is also a sober reality of what death looks like for those who are far from God and have not put their trust in the grace and mercy of Jesus Christ. Solid, biblical preaching must always include a warning. A “woe,” as it is sometimes called in the Bible. The prophets practiced it. As did Jesus. Jesus made it very clear in John 14:6 and other places that he is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through him, and outside of his grace, there is an eternal separation from God. When you awaken from death, it will be in heaven, where you will stand before the judgment seat of God (Romans 14:10). Please note this: for those who love Jesus, they will never experience the judgment of this dreadful seat, for our judgment has already been made secure through Jesus. Upon receiving Jesus as Lord, we are declared “not guilty” from all our sins. Christians please “Jesus” before the Father and are welcomed into heaven. But for those who have rejected Jesus or have been faux followers of him, pretending to be “religious” without a true, living, dynamic relationship with Jesus, these people will spend eternity in hell. The measure to which you do or do not embrace the fullness of the message of Jesus’s grace will determine your eternal destiny. Look forward to heaven, believer in Jesus! But take seriously the call to warn those around you of what may be awaiting them. For those of us who have placed our trust in Jesus, the first five minutes after death will be glorious, beyond all description in beauty and splendor. But for those who don’t accept his gift of salvation, may today serve as a loving but sober warning for you to get right with God. Please run to Jesus. Receive his forgiveness. Develop a personal relationship with him. If you do, you will never fear death again! Death becomes the entrance into Jesus’s glorious presence and into eternal life with him and our loved ones who have gone to him before us. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42280610

Five Minutes After You Die: It Was Worth It 08/13/2026

Five Minutes After You Die: It Was Worth It by David Chadwick What happens five minutes after you die? You will have an immediate awareness of your surroundings. You will see Jesus face to face. You will experience eternal, perfect peace. It will be like awakening from a deep, restful sleep. What else? You realize it was worth it. What was worth it, you might ask? All that you walked through in this life! How? You will see the providence of God working in your life. You will find out why he let certain things happen to you. You will see the full picture. You will no longer see in part and know in part. You will fully understand and fully know the fullness of God and the glorious presence of fellowship with Jesus! This is so hard to comprehend on this side of eternity while we are still living in the midst of so much pain, uncertainty, hurt, and brokenness. When we are experiencing so much chaos, it’s hard to even comprehend that it has a purpose. But the Bible says that God is working all things together for our good (Romans 8:28). I have often joked that I think the most often spoken word in heaven is “Oh!” as God reveals to each of us how he was working out his purposes in our lives for his glory. That is what Romans 8:18-24 means when Paul says that everything here that is groaning in pain will have it all alleviated in heaven. That our current sufferings pale in comparison to the glory that is coming. It’s what Paul meant in 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 when he said our present difficulties are “light and momentary” in comparison to the eternal glory of heaven. Think about it: our pain has tremendous purpose in light of God’s eternal plan. God always has purpose in the pain. In the victories. In the trials. In the successes. In the tragedies. All things are working for our good and his glory in this world. In the first five minutes in heaven, we will say, “Oh! It was worth it! It was ALL worth it!” /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42280600

Five Minutes After You Die: There Will Be Perfect Peace 08/12/2026

Five Minutes After You Die: There Will Be Perfect Peace by David Chadwick Peace is such a powerful word. It’s not just the absence of chaos. It’s wholeness in the midst of a storm. It’s rest. Quietness. Tranquility. In fact, one of the biblical definitions for one of the Greek words for “peace” implies being exempt from the rage and havoc of war. What is something else that happens five minutes after you die? You will be in perfect peace! The Bible is very clear that in this world, we will have trouble (John 16:33). But in the same verse, he promises us peace. He promises undisturbed wholeness in the midst of the burdens, afflictions, tribulations, and anguish of this world. Our world throws us empty promises on a regular basis. Promises of temporary “peace” and comfort through carnal solutions. Take this medication. Eat this food. Buy this drink. Watch this tv show. Date this person. Land this business deal. Fill your immediate desires. But the peace that Jesus gives us is a very different peace than the world offers (John 14:27). The peace of Jesus exists outside of our earthly circumstances. It is untethered to this carnal world. It shines in the face of destruction. Jesus’s peace is untouchable to the enemy’s schemes. Someone once described it as, “joy in chaos. Peace that makes no sense.” The peace that Jesus offers in this broken world is leading us to the ultimate, eternal peace we will find in heaven. That’s what Revelation 21:4 clearly states when it says, “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more.” In an instant, all fear, heartbreak, and grief will melt away. They simply won’t exist anymore. From the reality of perfect peace, I think we will move toward worship. Profound, unabashed, relentless worship. Did you know that right now, thousands upon thousands of angels are presently worshipping God? They cry out, “Holy, holy, holy” and “Worthy is the Lamb seated on the throne.” As are the saints who have gone before us. We will join in on that chorus! Our worship will create extraordinary, eternal joy in our hearts. There will be no religion in heaven, just an eternal relationship with the King of kings and the Lord of lords, which will motivate more and more worship for all eternity. Heaven will resound with perfect peace. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42280585

Five Minutes After You Die: See Jesus Face to Face 08/11/2026

Five Minutes After You Die: See Jesus Face to Face by David Chadwick What happens five minutes after you die? You will have immediate awareness of your surroundings. Eternity is real. Both heaven and hell are real. The Gospel of Jesus is real! And because of that, do you know what else will happen? You will see Jesus face to face! When Stephen was being stoned in Acts 7:55-56, he looked into heaven and saw Jesus standing before the throne. It says that Stephen, “full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God.” Pause for a moment and imagine how powerful this vision must have been. I find Stephen’s vision to be fascinating. It is almost as if Jesus were giving this faithful steward of the gospel a standing ovation for his courage and boldness during his final breaths. Let’s look at some other Bible verses that also stir up a great anticipation of seeing Jesus face to face one day. 1 John 3:2 says, “Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is.” Or how about 1 Corinthians 13:12? It says, “For now we see in a mirror dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I have been fully known.” Now try to imagine, as best you can, Jesus’s face. Full of love. Tenderness. Mercy. Kindness. Compassion. His eyes locked in with yours. A gaze of tremendous intentionality. His smiling face. Arms reached out. You finally realize you are surrounded by perfect grace. The face of Jesus that greets us in eternity will be a face that shouts, “Welcome home!” And maybe a standing ovation like Stephen received? Dear friends, this world is not our home. Heaven is. 2 Corinthians 5:1 clearly states, “For we know that if the tent that is our earthly home is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.” May we all eagerly await the day when we see Jesus face-to-face and that becomes fully realized. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42280570

Five Minutes After You Die: Immediate Awareness 08/10/2026

Five Minutes After You Die: Immediate Awareness by David Chadwick Death is often people’s greatest fear. But as followers of Jesus, who carry the hope of heaven, we need not fear death. 1 Corinthians 15:55 says, “O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” Over the next couple of weeks, we are going to take some time to look at what happens five minutes after you die. People all over seem to be fascinated with near-death experiences and life after death, so let’s take a look at this topic together. Each day, we will study one specific reality of what will happen after we die. Join me on this journey. Five minutes after you die, you will have immediate awareness of your surroundings. Please note here that this is assuming you are a believer in Jesus. In John 11:25-26, Jesus said that he is the resurrection and the life and that those who believe in him, though they die in the physical, they will never die. Never means never! This must mean that believers in Jesus will have some sort of immediate awareness of heaven and its surroundings. In Luke 16:19-30, Jesus talks about a rich man and a poor man named Lazarus. The rich man cared about nothing other than himself, even though the poor man resided outside his gates every day. Both men died. The poor man was taken to Abraham’s bosom, also known as paradise, but the rich man went to Hades. “Being in torment, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham far off and Lazarus at his side” (Luke 16:23). Verse 26 describes a great chasm fixed between the two men. This passage clearly shows that both men, upon death, were immediately aware of their surroundings. With the thief on the cross, Jesus said that “today” he would be with him in paradise. This, once again, shows an immediate presence with Jesus forever in the glory of heaven. When our eyes close for the final moment here on earth and we breathe our last breath, it will be more like falling into a deep sleep and then awakening in heaven’s glory. You will be beautifully aware of all that’s going on around you. This is why, as followers of Jesus, death should not be feared! It’s more like going to sleep and then awakening soon thereafter, with an immediate awareness of our Creator God! Please make sure you will awaken in Abraham’s bosom, heaven, and not in Hades like the Rich Man! /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42280560

The Hope of Heaven: Purposeful and Meaningful Work 08/07/2026

The Hope of Heaven: Purposeful and Meaningful Work by David Chadwick Today, we conclude our two-week study on heaven. The hope and majesty of this eternal reality is made known to anyone who puts his or her faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Work is important to the Lord. Colossians 3:23 says, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” 2 Thessalonians 3:10b says, “If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” From the beginning of time, and even after the Fall, God has designed his children to work hard. Work here on earth can certainly be wonderful. It feels good to accomplish a task. Whereas Satan has taken God’s intention for labor and made it arduous, exhausting, and destructive, God’s original design was for work to be a good gift. Did you know that there will also be purposeful and meaningful work in heaven for us all? Isaiah 65 talks about how in the new heavens and the new earth, joy and gladness will be everywhere. Verse 21 says, “They shall build houses and inhabit them; they shall plant vineyards and eat their fruit.” Clearly work will continue in heaven. The difference between work in heaven and work on earth will be the absence of thorns and thistles that make work toilsome and hard. What came as a curse to make work hard here simply won’t exist in heaven. As Jesus walked this earth, he implied that those who do a good job overseeing his possessions here will be given an even larger responsibility in heaven. He even suggested in Luke 19 that we will help oversee cities in heaven! Isn’t that interesting to think that there will be cities in heaven, stretched throughout his universe? There will be continued creativity, hard work, and a sense of lasting accomplishment as we joyfully serve and worship the Lord and sit under his eternal oversight. All that we enjoy here will be eternally enjoyed in heaven. Cling to the hope of heaven! Jesus is coming back soon! /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42270950

The Hope of Heaven: Eternal Relationships and Friendships 08/06/2026

The Hope of Heaven: A New Heaven and a New Earth 08/05/2026

The Hope of Heaven: A New Heaven and a New Earth by David Chadwick There will be a new heaven and a new earth. God’s Word promises it. God says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind” (Isaiah 65:17). Revelation 21:1 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” Why is this interesting and important? Because it implies that our eternal home will be much like it is now, but all things will be new. There will be no hint of Satan’s presence. None of his accusations that he has long whispered over our lives. Satan will have no power to rule, reign, or wreak havoc on us ever again. No sin embedded in the crevices of creation. Do you think the new heaven will be more expansive than it is now? Perhaps. And think about the new earth. Perhaps it, too, may be more expansive. Full of awe, wonder, and endless beauty. The earth will no longer have the curse of sin staining it. No more thistles and thorns. No more tornadoes or hurricanes. No volcanoes or tsunamis. Everything will operate perfectly. All will be restored. I looked up “all” in the dictionary. It means “all!” And here is another thing: The earth will be even more beautiful and glorious than it is now. Will there be new stars and galaxies more spectacular than those presently created? Do you think we will be able to move between these two dimensions whenever we want? Will we have a home in heaven (John 14:2) and here on earth? Will we be able to do things without any hindrance that our present bodies don’t allow us to do? I can’t speak for you, but I love new adventures, and this sounds like an extraordinarily wonderful adventure. I can’t wait to experience the hope of heaven with my wife, children, grandchildren, family, and close friends. Heaven should be the most expectant part of our lives! /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42270925

The Hope of Heaven: No Pain or Suffering 08/04/2026

The Hope of Heaven: No Pain or Suffering by David Chadwick Revelation 21:4 says that one day, in heaven, God will wipe every tear from our eyes, “and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.” Once and for all, pain and suffering go away! No more crying, mourning, physical pain, suffering, or death. No regrets about the past. No fears about the future. In fact, no fears or anxieties at all! We will live in the perfect presence and care of our Creator forever. Fully healed. Fully present with the Father. Fully aware of the victory of Jesus. Fully alive! Studies show that death is the number one fear that people experience and that all other fears come from this fear of death. But for people who have surrendered their lives to Jesus, death becomes powerless. Think about this for a moment: If, because of Jesus, there is no more death, then fear of death holds no power in a Christian’s life. If the greatest fear is eradicated because of the Gospel, then all other fears can evaporate as well! Imagine living every day without fear of bodily deterioration and pain. Imagine living in eternity, where we remain the same age forever. Imagine being around our loved ones forever. Imagine a reality where you live forever and never die. That is heaven! Many ask what age we will be in heaven. No one really knows. Some have hypothesized that it will be around 33 years of age, for that is the age Jesus was when he died. Physiologically, this is also the age of peak performance for most athletes. From there on, their careers generally go down. We really don’t know! But what we do know is that we will live in a perfect body in a perfect environment where there is no more pain and suffering. Praise God! Because of his great love for the world, he sent Jesus to die for all of our sins and to offer us eternal life, the hope of heaven! /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42270915

The Hope of Heaven: No Sun or Moon 08/03/2026

The Hope of Heaven: No Sun or Moon by David Chadwick In heaven, there will be no need for the sun or the moon. But why? Revelation 21:23 says, “And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” The glory of the Lord will give us all the light we need! “And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever” (Revelation 22:5). Psalm 27:1 says that the Lord is our light and our salvation. And Jesus said that he was the light of the world in John 8:12. Of course, this means that he guides us and our paths in this world. But could he have also been alluding to the light he will bring for all of eternity? According to these verses in Revelation, describing the Lord and Jesus as our light seems like it is not just a figurative description but a real one! He truly is a light! This begs the question: Will there be sleep in heaven? If there’s no darkness, why will there be a need for sleep? This will be fun to find out in heaven. In heaven, there is no need for any natural light, electricity, light bulbs, or flashlights. No one will need anything else but Jesus. He will be our light for all eternity. Living in his presence will give us enough light for every second of every moment for all eternity. There will be a tree of life in the middle of New Jerusalem. When we eat from this tree, it will nourish our new bodies forever. It is hard to even comprehend with our finite minds how wonderful this will be. In Isaiah 55:9, God says, “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” God has a perspective that goes so beyond anything we could understand, especially when it comes to eternity. This very idea of God being our light in eternity should cause all of us to pause and try to imagine the glory of heaven. Yearn to be there! Imagine its glory! Allow your childlike imagination to run wild as you await in full assurance the day when it will become your reality. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42270895

The Hope of Heaven: Unimaginable Beauty 07/31/2026

The Hope of Heaven: Unimaginable Beauty by David Chadwick There will be unimaginable beauty in heaven. Inextricable joy. Eternal wonder. The New Jerusalem is described as a magnificent and glorious city. Revelation 21:2 says that this new city will come “prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.” One day it will come down from heaven and be established on the new earth at the end of the millennial kingdom. What will New Jerusalem look like? The walls are jasper, the streets are gold, and the gates are made of pearls. I wonder if what we describe on earth as “precious metals” are simply common sources of construction in heaven. Here on earth we search far and wide to find gold, silver, pearls, and precious stones like jasper and emeralds. They are precious and valuable because they are scarce. But in heaven, they are used in every basic part of the construction of the holy city! It reminds me of the joke of the man who decided to hide gold in his death suit, thinking that perhaps he could smuggle it into heaven and have some resources available to him in eternity. Upon arrival, St. Peter purportedly examined him and found the gold. He then jokingly asked the man, “Why in the world are you trying to smuggle street pavement into heaven?” What is valuable here will be common there. The beautiful things we cherish on earth will surround us in heaven. It will be splendorous. Beautiful. Unimaginably glorious. The reality of heaven should cause all of us who follow Jesus to exclaim, “I can’t wait!” Are you one of his followers? Do you feel the anticipation swelling in your heart to go home one day? This should drive you to worship Jesus more and share him with others. When you are faced with the brokenness of this world, whisper to yourself, “I can’t wait!” When discouragement settles in because the world is not yet restored, proclaim, “I can’t wait!” And as you do, little by little, let hope arise in your heart for the most glorious reunion with your soon-coming King. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42131595

The Hope of Heaven: Our Mansions 07/30/2026

The Hope of Heaven: Our Mansions by David Chadwick Proverbs 13:12 says, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” The hope of heaven is the ultimate fulfilled desire for followers of Jesus. John 14:2 says, “In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you.” Jesus went to heaven before us to build a place for us. This will be the place where you and I, his bride, his church will live forever. The earliest biblical translations have “mansions” to describe what Jesus will prepare for us. And the later translations have “dwelling places.” No one is completely certain what a dwelling place is. Some have suggested it may be like an apartment. We really do not know for sure. But if you don’t mind, I’m going to stick with the older translations of “mansions,” as I’d like to think that my loving heavenly Father has prepared a magnificent dwelling place for me in which I’ll live forever that closely resembles a mansion here. This is not to say that it has to be luxurious or lavish, but it will be marked with excellence and perfection. A permanent home where we all dwell together. A smaller dwelling place or a huge estate? Or something in between? None of us will know until we get there. All I know is that it will be wonderful. Magnificent. Glorious. And I think it will be something close to all my loved ones and friends. A place to spend time together. My Jesus is gracious and good. He is kind and generous. He loves to give good gifts to his children. That’s why I lean toward a mansion. Either way, it’ll be beyond anything we can imagine. Another reason to look forward to heaven! Just do me one favor: Make sure you belong to Jesus. Be sure that you have given your life to him and accepted his gift of salvation by his grace. And you are completely assured of this precious promise. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42131580

The Hope of Heaven: Seeing our Loved Ones 07/29/2026

The Hope of Heaven: Seeing our Loved Ones by David Chadwick Heaven brings an undeniable hope to followers of Jesus Christ. For those of us who put our faith in Jesus, we will one day, once again, see all of our loved ones who also put their faith in Jesus. For me, this will be my mom and dad, my big brother Howard, and many of my friends who have gone on before me. For some of you, it may be babies who were miscarried or died in infancy. Children or grandchildren. Aunts or uncles. All there. Reunited with Jesus and with one another. 1 Corinthians 13:12 says that right now we look through a mirror dimly. But soon we will see face to face. We will soon see both our Savior and our loved ones again—face to face! College football teams have homecoming games. Have you ever been to one? They are the highlight of the football season. Lots of gatherings. Parties. Food. Fun. Decorations. People who have not seen one another for a while come together. This is such a great picture of heaven. One grand reunion. Now imagine those times when you’ve been away from home for a while. I remember living overseas for a year, not having seen Mom or Dad for a while. Finally, it was time to return home. I remember vividly how exciting those days were leading up to my homecoming! Getting to see loved ones and friends again, getting caught up, eating scrumptious meals, and laughing in fellowship with one another. Heaven will be even better than that! After being separated from family and loved ones for a season, we will finally be reunited with them in heaven. Just imagine the joy! The hugs! The conversations that will ensue after finally being reunited. Remember this: This world, in its present broken and sinful condition, is not our eternal home. The new heaven and the new earth, remade by God to its original intent, will be our home forever. Heaven will be the ultimate homecoming! Get ready! /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42131560

The Hope of Heaven: The Throne of Jesus 07/28/2026

The Hope of Heaven: The Throne of Jesus by David Chadwick On the other side of this broken world is the hope of heaven. The throne is central in heaven. Where there is a throne, there is a king. And in heaven, it’s not just any king. It is THE King of kings. Jesus Christ, our Lord. There are so many verses in the Bible that speak of this throne. Isaiah had a vision where he saw the Lord seated on the throne. It said the train of the Lord’s robe filled the entire temple with all of his glory (Isaiah 6:1). It is hard to even comprehend this kind of majesty. I would imagine that we will always be able to see Jesus seated on his throne. Some other biblical descriptions of Jesus’s throne are found in Revelation 4 and 5, immediately following all of Jesus’s corrections of the various churches in Revelation 2 and 3. I find it even more profound to read the descriptions of heaven in Revelation 4 and 5 after reading the depth of brokenness the church has both succumbed to, endured, and tolerated due to sin: false teachers, Christians leaving their first love, perversion, and sexual immorality. But all of those who endure and who have ears to hear what the Spirit of God says will live in heaven! In direct contrast to this broken world, in heaven, all the saints and angels will regularly gather around his throne and worship the Lamb. Words seem inadequate when you read these verses. But they do give insights into just how glorious heaven will be. Now look at Revelation 22:1-3. Flowing from Jesus’s throne, a crystal-clear, wondrously cascading river will flow all throughout the New Jerusalem. One day, Jesus will rule perfectly and righteously from his throne. All of his people will willingly obey his desires and follow his will. There will be no objection to his rule from his throne. Everything and everyone will be perfect, complete, and lacking nothing. And every glance at the throne will remind us all of the One who controls everything with perfect love, mercy, and grace. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42131545

The Hope of Heaven: Glorified Bodies 07/27/2026

The Hope of Heaven: Glorified Bodies by David Chadwick Join me as we take two weeks to remind ourselves of the hope of heaven. The coming realization of our eternity. One day, every person who has put his or her trust in Jesus Christ will have glorified, perfect bodies. This is the doctrine of glorification. In the twinkling of an eye, our bodies will be changed. 1 Corinthians 15:52 says so! It will be a sudden, supernatural transformation. In that glorious moment, our aging, pain-filled bodies, which often groan for the day of redemption, will suddenly be made whole. The twinkling of an eye! That’s faster than the speed of a wink, roughly between 0.1 to 0.4 milliseconds. It’s hard to even comprehend the transformation that will take place on that day and in that moment. Right now, our bodies are perishable. You’ve heard the statistic. 1 out of 1 people will die. It is inevitable. No one escapes death. We are all born sinners, and “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). But the verse doesn’t stop there. It goes on to say the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. One day, our bodies will be perfect. Free from stain and the problems of sin. Never to die again. Free from temptation and desires to rebel against God. Only consumed with life and love. Every person in God’s kingdom will have a perfect body. Can you even begin to imagine a place where no one ever fears or experiences death, pain, or suffering again? A place where everyone is fully capable of operating in perfect love. This, my dear friends, is heaven. And one day we will fully realize the kingdom of God on earth as it perfectly exists in heaven. Isaiah 65:17 says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered, or come into mind.” I often like to say that God is an eternal amnesiac. “As far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). One day, we will fully live with him in this glorious state. No more tears, no more sorrow, no more sin. What a glorious day indeed. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42131530

Gratitude: Gratitude Transforms Circumstances 07/24/2026

Gratitude: Gratitude Transforms Circumstances by Marilynn Chadwick Just why thanksgiving has the power to transform a difficult situation is something of a mystery. When someone gives thanks in the Bible, you often find a miracle close by. Jesus gave thanks before he broke the five loaves and two fish to feed the five thousand. He lifted his eyes to heaven before he called the four-day-dead Lazarus to come forth from his tomb. Yesterday, I talked about the forty long days visiting my sister in the hospital trauma ward and how I found myself waking up each morning, wrestling for hope. Her serious head injury after a fall had resulted in emergency surgery and an uncertain prognosis. She had lost all movement, all cognition. Doctors thought she had suffered a massive stroke and may never regain consciousness. Exhausted that night, I left to go home. The next morning, I woke up, again desperate for hope. On the way to the hospital, I called to mind the promises of Philippians 4:6-7: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” When I arrived at the hospital, I pulled into the usually jam-packed parking lot. Instead of the usual long search for a spot, I noticed an empty parking space right next to the front door. The security guard greeted me with unusual kindness. Then, as I walked into my sister’s room, I learned the MRI had revealed no massive stroke as we feared the night before. What’s more, a doctor came by and administered a new medicine. Within a few seconds, there were signs of life and a brief recognition on my sister’s part. The doctor said this was a good sign. A glimmer of hope. Later that day, she regained consciousness. I can’t explain why, but gratitude also brought me an unexplainable peace, even during the uncertainties of her difficult months of rehab. My sister eventually lost her battle and went home to be with Jesus, where she is forever free from suffering. But God knows what he is doing, and his word tells me not to worry, to pray, and to give thanks. God’s peace truly passes understanding. Let’s face it. Life on planet Earth is full of dark and difficult moments when things don’t make sense. But even those places can become opportunities to take God at his Word. It’s not like Jesus didn’t warn us: “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace. In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, My victory abiding]” (John 16:33 AMP). /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42122435

Gratitude: Gratitude Softens Suffering 07/23/2026

Gratitude: Gratitude Softens Suffering by Marilynn Chadwick “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33 NKJV Giving thanks to God can diffuse even life’s most difficult circumstances. Gratitude has a healing power all its own. I have seen this over and over in our decades of ministry as we have come alongside people during their times of trial. I’ve watched praise and thanksgiving rise up from those walking through the worst of tragedies—clear evidence that God is providing supernatural strength and comfort. Several years ago, I personally learned anew the value of giving thanks—this time in the trauma ward of our local hospital. I was not there as a caregiver but as a family member. My younger sister had sustained a traumatic brain injury in a fall and was fighting for her life. Some of you have walked through a similar journey. There’s lots of watching, waiting, and praying at a time like this. During those nightmarish 40 days visiting the trauma unit, I decided to begin each difficult morning thanking God for what he was doing in this situation. I also began watching for evidence of his work, jotting down each little sign of hope—however tiny—in my journal. There were many. Like the kind custodian who assured me that “God was in control." Looking over at my comatose sister, he added, with conviction, “She’s going to be all right.” Or the beautiful chaplain with a Middle Eastern background who talked about how her family had smuggled Bibles into her closed country. What a special time of prayer we had together right there in my sister’s hospital room. Or the beautiful garden I discovered behind the hospital—a nice spot to have lunch in the bright October sunshine. Then, there was the beautiful walking trail just outside the hospital; the friends who dropped by at just the right moment to pray for my sister. The list goes on. To the surprise of the medical team, my sister regained consciousness. She also retained much of her cognitive ability, though there were some physical limitations. We had a long road ahead of us. Over the next twenty-nine months, there were ups and downs, hard moments and bright moments before my sister eventually went home to heaven. But during that time, there were many reasons to have hope. Above all, I finally became assured she had accepted Jesus. And I was truly thankful. Gratitude had surely softened the suffering. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42122425

Gratitude: Praise Breaks Chains 07/22/2026

Gratitude: Praise Breaks Chains by Marilynn Chadwick “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 6:12 NLT I once saw an old Tarzan movie in which the famed ape man was peering at a droplet of water through a microscope. The instrument had been brought to Africa by Jane’s father, Professor Porter. Tarzan was quite shaken to see that the water he drank daily was teeming with all kinds of organisms, invisible to the naked eye. Similarly, the Bible reveals that our spiritual atmosphere is filled with unseen enemies—the real source of our spiritual battles. “For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). I wonder how we’d react if we could catch a glimpse into the invisible heavenly places. Like Tarzan, I imagine we’d be shocked by the creatures we saw. The Bible doesn’t spend a lot of time describing this spiritual realm. It does, however, give us instructions on how to do battle. We’re given a detailed list of spiritual armor in Ephesians 6:10-20. Similarly, James 4:2 encourages us to “submit to God, resist the devil and he will flee.” One of the most powerful weapons against the powers of darkness is the weapon of praise. Giving thanks helps us fight our spiritual foes. The New Testament is filled with examples of the power of thanksgiving. We see Paul and Silas singing and praising God in a Philippian jail—their chains fell off, the jailer accepted Jesus, and his whole family became believers! The Old Testament, too, tells stories of the power of praise: “After consulting the people, the king appointed singers to walk ahead of the army, singing to the Lord and praising him for his holy splendor. This is what they sang: ‘Give thanks to the Lord; his faithful love endures forever!’ At the very moment they began to sing and give praise, the Lord caused the armies of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir to start fighting among themselves” (2 Chronicles 20:21-22). Perhaps you’re facing your own spiritual battle today. You’ve resisted, and prayed, and fought the good fight. But you’re weary. This may be your strategic moment to simply thank God and praise him for his goodness. Let him fight this battle for you. Rest in his power—even if you don’t fully understand how he works. Just remember: the devil and his minions hate praise. So, if you can stand firm and continue to thank God, I believe you will notice that the devil flees. After all, he is allergic to praise. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42122415

Gratitude: Practice the Habit 07/21/2026

Gratitude: Practice the Habit by Marilynn Chadwick “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 ESV I’m learning to become more intentional about being thankful. But sometimes I find myself drifting back into an attitude of discontent. So I find I must regularly renew my resolve to give thanks in everything. To make a thankful heart a permanent habit. I’m curious. Do you experience God in a fresh way when you practice gratitude? I think we’d agree that giving thanks to God is a discipline we should do every day. In that respect, it’s different from the spiritual discipline of fasting. When a person comes off a fast, they gradually start eating food again. So, should we gradually allow ourselves to become grumpy again? Of course not. The Bible teaches us that giving thanks is to be a continuous mindset—much like prayer. So it makes sense that right after the Bible teaches us “to pray without ceasing,” it reminds us to “give thanks in all circumstances” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). To form any habit, we must become fully persuaded of its value. Here are a few reasons why giving thanks is worth our best effort: Giving thanks to God is a powerful counterattack to discontent. It’s easier to replace grumbling or complaining with thanksgiving than to simply try to “not gripe.” Gratitude feeds our faith. I discovered that thanksgiving can stand up under a fiery trial. Giving thanks seemed to use less energy than praying for a specific end—this can be a good thing when you’re going through a hard place. Giving thanks helps us roll our burdens into God’s hands, which, in turn, calms our anxious heart. Having a thankful heart makes us more aware of our surroundings and more in tune with God’s blessings. We become more expectant, watching for him to show up. Giving thanks can also make us more sensitive to the needs of others—opening the door to holy conversations—a blessing in themselves. We don’t have to understand all the reasons why giving thanks is a good thing in order to experience its benefits. Forming a habit of giving thanks can change both our attitude and our actions. We may discover that giving thanks is a form of worship. It connects us to the Lord and places our focus squarely upon him. And when we focus on Jesus, it changes everything. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42122395

Gratitude: How Not to Say Thank You 07/20/2026

Gratitude: How Not to Say Thank You by Marilynn Chadwick Is it possible to offend God with the way we thank him? Apparently so—if our “thank you” comes from a self-righteous heart. Jesus told this story to a group of religious leaders who were confident in their own “goodness” and scorned everyone else: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get. “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’ “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted” (Luke 18:10-13). The two men couldn’t have been more different. The Pharisee was well-bred, well-educated, and well-off. He had an impressive religious pedigree. He had arrived. The tax collector, on the other hand, was a loser. To the Jews, he was an object of scorn—a pagan Gentile. A sinner, and easy to despise. He had no social standing, no prestige, and probably not many friends. Then as now—nobody much liked a tax collector. At first glance, it looks like the Pharisee is thanking God for his many blessings. But a closer look lets us in on the real truth. His “prayer of thanks” was just a way to boast that he wasn't like those "evildoers." He probably spoke loudly enough for the tax collector to hear him. That means his thanks to God was just an announcement of his own righteousness—a reminder to everyone in his hearing that he fasted and tithed. The Greek translation of this passage sheds even more light on the true nature of this man's prayer: “The Pharisee stood and prayed like this to himself” (Luke 18:11 MOUNCE). To himself. Did you catch that? The Pharisee’s prayer went no further than himself. But the tax collector was stricken by his own sinfulness. He stood at a distance—not even daring to look to heaven as he uttered, “God have mercy on me, a sinner” (v. 13). Jesus spelled it out plainly: The tax collector, not the Pharisee, went home justified—righteous before God. His prayers were heard. A few reminders as we develop a thankful heart: First, true thankfulness is always accompanied by humility. Next, none of our acts of righteousness will ever make us righteous in God’s sight—we all need grace and mercy, just like the tax collector. And finally, the ground at the foot of the cross is level. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/42122390

Gratitude: Grumbling or Grateful? 07/17/2026

Gratitude: Grumbling or Grateful? by Marilynn Chadwick Bless the Lord O my soul and forget not all his benefits.” Psalm 103:2 ESV Thankful. Just one little word was printed in small letters across the front of the woman’s t-shirt. But for some reason, it caught my attention. I think it was the period at the end of what wasn’t even a sentence. Thankful. I guess you could read it this way: “Thankful, period.” I would like that to be me. I’m thankful. Period. But I have to confess. Sometimes I am less than thankful. Perhaps it’s because I’m not paying attention to all the blessings in my path. Or maybe I sometimes take God’s benefits for granted. I was jolted out of this spiritual lethargy by something a minister from Africa once said when speaking to a church gathering. He was a genocide survivor from Burundi and had seen more death and destruction than I could comprehend. “Do you have all your arms and legs—your limbs?” he asked us. “Then you are blessed!” “Do you have your eyes, your sense of hearing, your ability to speak?” “Then praise God and give him thanks. Rejoice and count your amazing blessings!” he exclaimed. From his perspective, it was an incredible blessing simply to be alive. Healthy. Not maimed by war. Reasons to rejoice! Stop and think for a minute. Reflect on the many benefits you enjoy simply because you don’t live in an area ravaged by war. Do you have all your limbs? Can you walk? Are you able to see and hear and talk? Then, as the African minister would say, “Rejoice at your great blessings!” Our congregation was deeply moved by the man’s words and came alongside his organization to explore ways we could help rebuild their war-torn country. But there was a powerful, personal takeaway for me. His words made me want to become more intentional about being thankful to God each day for my many blessings. To resist complaining about petty annoyances. Next time we are tempted to grumble, let’s pause and take a look at our hands and feet… and be thankful. Savor the ability to walk and see and hear. Let’s be intentional to count the ways God has poured his grace upon us and “forget not all his benefits.” /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957145

Gratitude: Remember Past Victories 07/16/2026

Gratitude: Remember Past Victories by Marilynn Chadwick “Be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live.” Deuteronomy 4:9a NIV Did you know the word “remember” is found in the Bible over 200 times? Failing to remember, or forgetfulness, quenches gratitude. Forgetting to be thankful also empties prayer of its power. It’s easy to get caught up in the flurry of day-to-day life. We miss opportunities to pray and forget to notice answers when they do come. The Lord knows we drift to forgetfulness, so the Bible is brimming with reminders: “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful” (Colossians 4:2). There is more about praise in the Bible than prayer. Ancient Israel repeats the vicious cycle of worshiping God, followed by falling away whenever they forget his mighty miracles. God places blame squarely on Israel. He admonishes parents to teach their children to remember him—and his miracles. “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them” (Deuteronomy 4:9). Why not think of ways to refresh your own memory? Try giving thanks throughout the day. You might notice a lifting of your mood. Apparently, these “feel good” responses have a physiological basis. Researchers found subjects who practiced sustained gratitude for just five minutes experienced a rise in the level of disease-fighting antibodies, lasting for over five hours! My friend’s daughter Molly began writing in her “thank you book” each day. Finding only a few things at first, her daily list eventually numbered in the hundreds. Her family watched her change from a somewhat depressed teen to one whose faith and positive attitude inspired those who knew her. It helps to spend time remembering places where God has answered your prayers. Reminisce with family or friends about past victories. Better yet, start your own thank-you book. In Prince Caspian, book 2 of C.S. Lewis’s Chronicles of Narnia, the children are a dangerous and grueling uphill climb. They’re exhausted and ready to give up when they come to a cliff. They look down on a little town where they had once won a decisive victory. “By jove,” said Edmund, “we fought the Battle of Beruna just where that town is!” This cheered the children more than anything.” He adds, “You can’t help feeling stronger when you look at a place where you won a glorious victory.” /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957140

Gratitude: Weapon Against Worry 07/15/2026

Gratitude: Weapon Against Worry by Marilynn Chadwick “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done.” Philippians 4:6 NLT A friend once confided she had to go into counseling because she was so worried about the escalating war in the Middle East. She lived in daily fear of terrorist attacks on US soil. She is an affluent, well-educated, suburban woman, far from any real conflict. But anxiety over the world situation overwhelmed her heart. That’s the goal of terror. We’ve been talking about the power of gratitude this week. I'd like to suggest that giving thanks may be one of our best secret weapons against worry. I talked with a friend who actually lives and serves on the front line of war, providing relief to refugees. I asked him if he was afraid of terror attacks, which frequently happen in his area. The childlike simplicity of his answer startled me: "We've just learned to trust God for our protection." He said these words as calmly as I would have said, "I've learned to buckle my seat belt when driving to the grocery store." But it was his next comment that held the key: “God is doing amazing work among these refugees," he said with excitement. "Many are accepting Jesus. I praise God and give thanks as I see the refugee children reciting Bible verses and taking a bold stand for the Gospel." There wasn’t a trace of worry in his voice—only gratitude. And joy. Most of us don't face daily threats from war. But fear and worry can still attack us right where we live. Perhaps we can take a lesson from my friend and simply trust God for his protection. Moreover, we can follow his example in our own neighborhoods as we step out boldly to share God's love with the broken around us. And as we see God at work, let's remember to pray and give thanks—then watch fear and worry flee. “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:6-7 NLT). /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957125

Gratitude: The Power of One 07/14/2026

Gratitude: The Power of One by Marilynn Chadwick “He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done.” Luke 17:16 NLT We can learn some lessons from a leper about being thankful. Let’s look at the story of Jesus healing ten lepers. Only one came back to thank him. But there is much more to the story. Take a few minutes to reflect on this passage: As Jesus continued on toward Jerusalem, he reached the border between Galilee and Samaria. As he entered a village there, ten lepers stood at a distance crying out, “Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!” He looked at them and said, “Go show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed of their leprosy. One of them, when he saw that he was healed, came back to Jesus, shouting, “Praise God!” He fell to the ground at Jesus’ feet, thanking him for what he had done. This man was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Didn’t I heal ten men? Where are the other nine? Has no one returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” And Jesus said to the man, “Stand up and go. Your faith has healed you” (Luke 17:11-19 NLT). Jesus instructed the ten men to visit the priest. According to Jewish law, a priest must perform the religious ritual for lepers to be pronounced cleansed. Miraculously, all ten lepers were healed—even before they got to the priest. But only one of them thanked Jesus. When the leper saw he was healed, he ran back to Jesus. He praised God and fell to the ground at Jesus's feet, lavishing him with thanksgiving. Jesus wonders that none of the others came back to thank him. Only one out of the ten. Only one gives glory to God. "Stand up… and go," Jesus tells the Samaritan leper. "Your faith has healed you." The word translated "healed" is “sozo,” which can also mean "saved." It seems the man was also spiritually saved and acknowledged Jesus as Lord. This man was not only a leper but a despised Samaritan. A pagan, according to the Jews. Yet he was the only one out of ten. The one who gave God glory. Do you want to be the one? The one to notice when Jesus blesses you abundantly. To go back to Jesus and thank him—to give him glory. I want to be that one. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957120

Gratitude: The Habit of Gratitude 07/13/2026

Gratitude: The Habit of Gratitude by Marilynn Chadwick “Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV I'd like to become more thankful for the small things in life. Easy to say—harder to do. That’s why I’m focusing on being grateful for the everyday answers to prayer. It's easy to blow right past the ordinary blessings God sends each day. We move so fast. Who has time to drink in the magic of the blue sky? And when was the last time you took an extra minute to look into the eyes of your husband, or children, or friends? Get creative. Find ways to focus on being thankful. Here are a few practical tips: On your drive to school or work (or wherever it is that you go each day), find the most scenic route. Refresh your soul with a glimpse of beauty. I choose to travel up a tree-lined hill in our neighborhood and through back roads instead of getting on the main highway. It only adds about three minutes to my trip. Enjoy little breaks throughout the day. Studies recommend thirty minutes of sunshine daily to keep up our vitamin D supply. Why not pick a pretty spot? Take a book. Or go for a walk. Have a definite "quitting time" each day. I was always a big fan of early bedtimes when the kids were small. Make a date to watch Netflix or something fun with your spouse or a friend. Stop the work and savor some down time. Remember, rest is God’s idea. Stop multi-tasking for just one day. A friend shared how a mentor helped her calm down her highly stressed life. Her best piece of advice, according to my busy friend, was simple. When working, learn to focus on each person or task with your whole attention. Research shows that the value of multi-tasking is an illusion—it’s far less efficient than we think. Keep a thank-you book. List a few blessings at the end of your day. How many little blessings do you miss because you are sleepwalking, or worse, racing through life? Above all, when those tiny blessings come your way, pause and give thanks to the Lord. You’ll find yourself becoming more watchful and even more thankful. And before you know it, you will have developed the habit of gratitude. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957110

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:22 07/10/2026

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:22 by David Chadwick “Do not say, ‘I will repay evil’; wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you.” Proverbs 20:22 Today is the last day of our long journey through many of our favorite proverbs. We have learned so much! Proverbs 20:22 says, "Do not say, 'I will repay evil;" Wait for the Lord, and he will deliver you." What a way to end our time in Proverbs! Because we have all experienced something evil! When we are hurt by someone, everything within our human nature wants to retaliate with equal and greater pain. In the Old Testament, it's called “lex talionis,” the law of retaliation, which is where we get the idea of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” Gandhi once said that if everyone lived by this maxim, the entire world would be sightless and toothless! The problem with retaliation is that no one retaliates with equal force. The person offended always retaliates with greater force, which only causes even greater escalation when that other person retaliates again. An often overlooked fact is that when God instructed “an eye for an eye,” he was actually trying to limit the escalation. One eye for one eye. One tooth for one tooth. No more and no less. But in this proverb, and in the teachings of Jesus, we are instructed not to retaliate at all (Matthew 5:38-42). Do not take vengeance in your own hands. Do not repay evil with evil. And then do what? Give it to the Lord. Trust him with the repayment. Operate in forgiveness and grace, in the same way that God has dealt with you (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32). It's Paul's profound teaching in Romans 12:19. Let God handle the vengeance. He does it better than we do. And the promise is secure: God will repay. It may not be on our timetable or our way. That's why we need to "wait on the Lord." But he will deliver us. He will carry out justice because he is a just God. That's his nature. He promises to not let anyone get away with anything. Following God’s ways of justice means the world will keep a lot more eyes and teeth! It will have less destruction and more love. Thank you for sticking with me as we have studied through the book of Proverbs together. I believe the practical wisdom in this book will continue to serve you well in every area of life! /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957080

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:17 07/09/2026

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:17 by David Chadwick “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.” Proverbs 20:17 Today’s proverb is also out of Proverbs 20, verse 17, which says, “Bread gained by deceit is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be full of gravel.” Here is another powerful verse about the terror of deception. Titus 1:2 says that God does not lie. Truth is his nature and character. Deceit brings such pain. It is a tactic that leaves a wake of destruction. 1 Peter 2:1 says that we should rid ourselves of all malice and deceit. Leviticus 19:11 says not to lie or deceive one another. Even Jesus, in John 8:44, addressed those who opposed his message and described them in this way: “You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” What a profound verse! Satan’s native language is deceit, which means that if we lie, we are speaking the language of the devil, the diabolos, the divider. Imagine putting a bite of hot bread into your mouth, fresh out of the oven. Warm. Delicious. Mouth-watering. For the moment, it’s worth having! Now imagine you got this bread in a dishonest way. Maybe you stole it and held a baker at gunpoint to get it. You swallow the bread and all of a sudden, your mouth feels like it’s full of rocks. What a difference that would be! Both startling and gross. Here’s the truth of this proverb. When bread is gotten by dishonesty, it may taste good for the moment, but later the mouth will be full of gravel. Really think about that picture! Gravel in your mouth. Yuck! What a terrible taste and sensation that would be. God knows that a person who gets something by dishonest gain, though it may taste good for the moment, will eventually be destroyed. Eventually judgment will come, and that person will reap what he or she has sown. God is the ultimate judge. He is a God of justice. Eventually he will judge all ill-gain, even though it may momentarily be delicious and satisfying. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957065

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:16 07/08/2026

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:16 by David Chadwick “Take a man's garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.” Proverbs 20:16 There is a vast array of wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. Immense knowledge offered on a multitude of topics. Everything from family to money to interpersonal relationships to personal success. God clearly places a high value on practical wisdom and the importance of living responsibly. Today, we are going to look at another verse from Proverbs 20. Verse 16 is today’s proverb: “Take a man’s garment when he has put up security for a stranger, and hold it in pledge when he puts up security for foreigners.” What is this saying? This verse is speaking to the importance of financial stewardship. Specifically times where you may be asked to put up a deposit or a pledge for another person’s debt. You may ask to give “security,” or “collateral,” for another person’s transaction, which means that if that person can’t pay the debt, you must. This proverb is giving a very strong warning: “Don’t do this!” If you put up security for a foreigner, especially someone you don’t really know, you are inviting many potential problems into your own life. The message is clear: manage your finances well. Be smart about your pledges and investments. Know the people you are investing in. Don’t become the security for someone who could end up leaving you in a heap of financial duress. This is wisdom. It should be embraced, desired, and applied to your life. Over time, you will find that your wise investments will yield a security of blessings for yourself and your family. Much like the miracle of compound interest—every seven years in the stock market, your investments most often double—the same holds true here. If you make wise investments, avoid taking on others’ debts, and make good choices, over time, your future is blessed. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957045

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:14 07/07/2026

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:14 by David Chadwick “‘Bad, bad,’ says the buyer, but when he goes away, then he boasts.” Proverbs 20:14 Today’s proverb addresses a financial exchange. A buyer of certain goods desires the purchase, but when bargaining for it, he derides the purchase and says that it is worth very little to drive the price down. Let’s read it again together. “Bad, bad,” says the buyer; but when he goes away, then he boasts” (Proverbs 20:14). The buyer starts off ridiculing the purchase. He scoffs at the cost and implies it is not valuable. After the purchase, however, the buyer’s words change. He begins to boast about its value and brag to others about how he fooled the buyer and stole the deal. Subtly threaded through this verse is an insinuation of deception and hypocrisy. This buyer seemingly is handling his deal in a deceptive way and acting one way to the seller’s face and another way behind his back. But what is interesting to me is that this proverb doesn’t condemn the behavior; it just notes that it happens, often as part of business endeavors. But the warning is clear: Beware of people’s words—especially when they want something you have. They may lie. They may twist your words. They may say one thing to your face and another behind your back. An old 1970’s song by a band called The O’Jays says it well in their song “Back Stabbers.” Take a look at these lyrics: “They smilin’ in your face; all the time they want to take your place, the back stabbers.” This perfectly explains the people who smile to your face to get what they want and then stab you in the back. What does all of this mean for us? How do we take the truths of today’s proverb and apply them to our lives? We should seek to be people of integrity who are the same publicly and privately. We must be honest in our dealings and seek transparency. We should also make sure we carefully examine everyone’s words to explore true motives, which will train us to make wise decisions. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957040

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:13 07/06/2026

Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:13 by David Chadwick “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.” Proverbs 20:13 This is our final week of study through some of our favorite proverbs in the Bible. I pray that our time studying these verses has helped you gain practical wisdom for how to grow and thrive in every area of your life. Proverbs 20:13 says, “Love not sleep, lest you come to poverty; open your eyes, and you will have plenty of bread.” Before we unpack today’s verse, let me start by saying clearly that our culture is suffering from sleep deprivation. More and more studies are suggesting that we all need at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep daily for good health and to be able to function at peak capacity. As we age, this number jumps to 8 to 9 hours of sleep. Our culture does not value wholeness, and it is becoming increasingly evident. Nervous system dysregulation is rampant. We are pushing ourselves to work, work, work, with little to no rest. It is healthy and necessary to make sure you get enough sleep! But this proverb is addressing the fact that the more you sleep, the less time you have to work; and this attitude of laziness leads to poverty. A love for sleep rooted in health and wholeness is wonderful. A love for sleep because of laziness is sinful. As I so often say, “The heart of the matter is a matter of the heart.” As followers of Jesus, we need to open our eyes to see opportunities to work hard. They are all around us. Then we must commit ourselves to hard work. As we do, God will reward our work. We “will have plenty of bread,” as stated in today’s proverb. In fact, Paul said to the Thessalonian church, as they waited for Jesus’s return and did not work, that if they didn’t work, they wouldn't eat. Hunger is the best motivator for working hard to provide for human needs. Let me sum it up simply. Work is good. Laziness is bad. Don’t lazily sleep your way to poverty! And hard work rightly done most often leads to blessings. /episode/index/show/a852a973-4adc-4299-bb53-caff7cbf2ba5/id/41957035

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