Shine.FM

Some people watch a movie to the very end of the credits and squeeze a bottle down to the very last drop. I personally scrape every last morsel of peanut butter out of every jar.

Some things are worth it through and through, straight down to the core and down to the very last ounce. In a way, that’s a description of how devoted I want to be to God.

All that I am and have comes from Him. Paul preaches in Acts 17, “For ‘In Him we live and move and have our being’; as even some of your own poets have said, ‘For we are indeed His offspring’” (28).

Isn’t it fitting, then, that every fiber of my being live for Him? I think that’s what David is saying in Psalm 103:1. “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless His holy name!”

God made human beings for Him, and from the beginning, we can see a beautiful relationship of dependence and adoration. In fact, the greatest commandment still stands: “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Jesus seconded that in Matthew 22:37. “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

That sounds like an all-in approach. There should be nothing for me to hide and nothing for me to fear. If my heart beats, lungs breath, brain thinks, hands work, and feet move, then all of it should be done for the glory and good pleasure of my Maker.

“And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him … Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men.” – Colossians 3:17, 23

“For it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:13

I was recently reading in Exodus, when God gave instructions for the tabernacle, a holy place where He would dwell among His people in the wilderness. He appointed certain men “to devise artistic designs, to work in gold, silver, and bronze, in cutting stones for setting, and in carving wood, to work in every craft” because He had filled them “with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship” (31:3-5). Human skill, among all other things, is a gift from God intended to glorify God.

The truth is, I owe my Redeemer my whole life. Even if I owned heaven and earth and offered it all to God as a love offering, it would still not be enough to honor His greatness. So I live each day out of gratitude and praise, because all things in heaven and on earth are subject to the King of kings and Lord of lords.

A vacation experience, your favorite recipe, the sweetness of a friendship … some of life’s treasures feel unmatched. There’s just nothing like the comfort of your couch, the smell of fresh bread, or the joy of children’s laughter.

All these gifts come from the very One who is Himself matchless. The great and awesome God, who has existed forever, never has had nor ever will have rival or equal. He alone is Sovereign.

“‘I am the Alpha and the Omega,’ says the Lord God, ‘who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.’” – Revelation 1:8

“There is none like You, O Lord, and there is no God besides You.” – 1 Chronicles 17:20

“There is none like You, O Lord; You are great, and Your name is great in might.” – Jeremiah 10:6

His love is like nothing ever known. His power is like nothing ever experienced. His glory is like nothing ever beheld.

“Who is a God like You, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of His inheritance? He does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in steadfast love.” – Micah 7:18

“O Lord God, You have only begun to show Your servant Your greatness and Your mighty hand. For what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as Yours?” – Deuteronomy 3:24

“There is none holy like the Lord: for there is none besides You; there is no rock like our God.” – 1 Samuel 2:2

God alone brought about everything that is, by the breath and word of His mouth.

“In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” – Genesis 1:1

“Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it.” – Deuteronomy 10:14

“All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” – John 1:3

“For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory forever. Amen.” – Romans 11:36

Humanity’s prime and most robust vocabulary falls drastically short in capturing the character of God.

“Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.” – Psalm 147:5

“Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways!” – Romans 11:33

This is the very God who dwelt among men as a human being and now resides among His people in Spirit. Again He shall return to claim His bride and forever reign over all.

“Of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over His kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore.” – Isaiah 9:7

“Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, the scepter of uprightness is the scepter of Your kingdom.” – Hebrews 1:8

There is no one like our God, none at all.

Throughout life, a typical family cherishes keepsakes, acquires possessions, and accrues wealth, compiling over time that family’s best. Eventually, children and grandchildren down the line receive a well-planned, well-preserved inheritance.

Legally speaking, assets are transferred from their original owner to any number of appointed heirs. Laws determine rights and obligations in the process, the heart of which is legacy. Each family builds its own history of exchanged stories and collected memories, infused into belongings and fortunes.

Inheritance has long been a social practice, for the Bible speaks extensively on the matter. Jacob, the father of the nation Israel, blessed his twelve sons with their respective portions. God through Moses instituted laws for allotment for each of the twelve tribes. In Jesus’ teaching as well, a prodigal son demanded his share early and squandered it in reckless living. God’s design includes this built-in measure of provision for His people and the generations after them.

Proverbs 13:22 even says, “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children.”

Money, property, and other resources, however, are temporary. They will be used up, worn out, and eventually handed over to another. Thus God preserves an infinitely more glorious inheritance for His children.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places … In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight … In Him we have obtained an inheritance … In Him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in Him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of His glory.” – Ephesians 1:3, 7-8, 11, 13-14

Earthly treasures cannot compare with the immeasurable riches stored up for the saints of God and servants of Christ! Wealth or prestige may be lacking on earth, but nothing is lacking in heavenly reserves!

“The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places; indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance.” – Psalm 16:6

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you.” – 1 Peter 1:3-5

This promotes holiness and godliness in the meantime.

“Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.” – Colossians 3:23-24

No moth, rust, or thief can destroy or steal what is safeguarded in heaven for you and I. This world does not satisfy, but we belong to the One who does.

The concept of pursuit can be taken two different ways. On one hand, it may elicit thoughts of a criminal chase, unwanted following, or feverish hunt. On the other, it could describe a gentle, loving persistence that seeks good and builds trust.

Qualities may be similar, but outcome is drastically different. Hectic, forceful pursuit is uninvited and anxiety-ridden; intentional, respectful pursuit is refreshing and edifying. Relentlessness can be harsh, but it can also be soft. Indeed, the greatest pursuit of all is one of love.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” – John 3:16

Love pursues. And God is love.

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued My faithfulness to you.” – Jeremiah 31:3

This isn’t merely a one-size-fits-all approach to salvation. God personally communicates His love with each of His children. He bends down, comes in, draws near.

In my own life I have seen this pursuit unfolding. God’s love seems to chase me down, find me out, and bring me back again and again. Sometimes it feels like a delicate knock on the door of my heart, other times like a piercing arrow through the channels of my soul. But it’s always the Lord, reminding me of His truth and coming (yet again) to the rescue.

David writes one of my favorite lines in Psalm 23, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever” (6).

God is determined in the most beautiful way—to restore what has been lost, renew what has been broken, revive what has been lifeless. He never ceases to stir and move and work according to His wisdom and might to bring about a new thing for my good and His glory.

“But the steadfast love of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him, and His righteousness to children’s children, to those who keep His covenant and remember to do His commandments.” – Psalm 103:17-18

God was the one who created mankind and established a relationship with him. He provided and promised through the ages, came to earth as a man, and is patiently waiting to return. God always makes the first move.

That leaves us to respond: Step toward Him, or away? Pursue Him in return, or reject His love? One day eternity will be sealed, but for now the invitation stands.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving the Lord your God, obeying His voice and holding fast to Him, for He is your life and length of days …” – Deuteronomy 20:19-20

“For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: ‘Seek Me and live.’” – Amos 5:4

“Come to Me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” – Matthew 11:28

Abby

Weather might be one of the most common topics of conversation. It surfaces in small talk, regular dialogue, and discussion about plans because it so significantly affects daily life. Men and women devote their careers to studying it and their evenings to watching it on television. 

Seasons, phenomena, and disasters seem powerful indeed. Yet I would argue they have no power at all, not on their own. 

The force behind every gust of wind, bolt of lightning, and flood of water is God. His hand controls the universe, displaying His might to the nations. 

The brutal cold has made me think more deeply about nature. It is uncontrollable. Yes, man has discovered ways to harness energy, invented ways to capture resources, and implemented ways to ease catastrophes … but no man can claim authority over the ocean’s tide, exercise influence over the star’s alignment, or prove ownership of endangered species. That right and ability belong to God alone. 

Isn’t that relieving? An evil dictator can’t annihilate a city with fire from heaven. An innocent child can’t make rainbows cover every inch of the sky. Nor can I make the weather do what I want … but I walk daily with the One who does. 

“He covers the heavens with clouds; He prepares rain for the earth; He makes grass grow on the hills.” – Psalm 147:8 

“He determines the number of the stars; He gives to all of them their names. Great is our Lord, and abundant in power; His understanding is beyond measure.” – 4-5 

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens; by His knowledge the deeps broke open, and the clouds drop down the dew.” – Proverbs 3:19-20 

The Bible is full of God’s wisdom in founding the entire created order and managing its systems. Man is clueless; only God knows how to feed wild beasts and align planets. 

His running list is long, yet He flawlessly upholds the universe by the word of His power, since the dawn of creation until now, without fail. 

He commands the morning, 

Distributes light, 

Sends forth lightnings, 

Clefts a channel for the torrents of rain and a way for the thunderbolt, 

Brings rain on the land, 

Makes the ground sprout with grass, 

Hunts and provides prey, 

Knows when His creatures give birth, 

Enters into the springs of the sea, 

Walks the recesses of the deep, 

Enters the storehouses of snow and hail, 

Scatters the east wind upon the earth, 

Numbers the clouds by wisdom. 

Just to name a few (Job 38-39). 

“The earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for He has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers.” – Psalm 24:1-2 

“All things were made through Him, and without Him was not any thing made that was made.” – John 1:3 

The ground might freeze, the earth might quake, but I will not fear, because I belong to the One who made it all. 

If you look around, you’ll probably see a lot of activity in a lot of places. People have lives, agendas, and dreams, and it’s every man for himself in pursuit of them. Whether families, careers, sports, or followings, it seems like everyone is chasing something.

But how many are arriving? Pleasures and possessions only go so far. Before long, empty eyes reflect empty souls living empty lives.

“All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun.” – Ecclesiastes 1:8-9

Is there an end to the madness? Indeed, there is.

God looked upon a world chasing its tail, a people floundering in failure, and poured out His love for His creation. He sent His one and only beloved and begotten Son to deny the pleasures the rest of us craved and pay the price for our foolishness. Every sin was laid upon that man nailed to that cross.

And now, for the one who believes, the only worthy pursuit is one of God—reckless abandon for the Savior who unashamedly loved us to death.

I wish I could say I wholeheartedly, unwaveringly pursue God. But the truth is, I am in constant need of God’s strength and grace to help me desire Him.

“Teach me Your way, O Lord, that I may walk in Your truth; unite my heart to fear Your name.” – Psalm 86:11

The world is a distracting place, and my heart is easily distractable—obviously a dangerous combination. So I am constantly coming back to my source of help.

“Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.” – Hebrews 4:16

The Christian life is one of rigorous effort and strict discipline, which humanly speaking, is difficult to sustain. But God gave the gift of Himself to assist every step of the way.

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” – John 14:26

Only God can effect within man the desire to please Him.

“And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh.” – Ezekiel 36:26

“I will put my law within them, and I will write it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” – Jeremiah 31:33

“And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.” – Hebrews 11:6

And so the pursuit goes on.

Abby

The world is in a rush. People dash frantically in and out of stores, drive feverishly down the roads, and pass quickly through drive-thru lines. Internet speeds, wait times, and package deliveries are constantly competing for the quickest rates and highest customers.

At least for me, it takes a concerted effort to resist the urge to hurry along with society and instead pause to smell the roses. A strange self-reproach and disquiet accompany my lack of activity, but nevertheless, I’m convinced this is not the way God intended my soul to live.

I recently heard a pastor declare,  

“You can’t develop an intimate relationship with God if you’re in a hurry.”

That cut straight to my heart, because I often find myself in haste, and most times I’m rushing around for no good reason. I treat life like a to-go order and miss the experience of sitting down in the restaurant for a leisurely meal.

When I look at Jesus’ time on earth, I never see Him breezing past people or bumping into those who got in His way. He took time for them and often retreated to be in private with His Father.

Perhaps a bit like David wrote centuries earlier in the Psalms.

“O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me.”

– 131:1-2

There is something about stillness and quiet that is very biblical.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters.”

– 23:1-2

“Be still, and know that I am God.”

– 46:10

“ … lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.”

– 1 Timothy 2:2

While I know this to be true and fight for my quiet time with Jesus, uninterrupted tranquility is difficult to attain. I know God understands my chaos, meets me in my schedule, and works through the goings-on of my life … but I also know He “delight[s] in truth in the inward being, and teach[es] me wisdom in the secret heart” (Psalm 51:6).

If I cram every waking moment of my life with conversations and tasks and activities, how can I expect to hear God’s voice and observe His hand and feel His presence? How often I do, and yet He is persistent even then to reach me and draw me again into His hiding place (Psalm 32:7).

God’s Provision:

“Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you.”

– James 4:8

Word of the Week: Silence. Anti-everything-I-know-and-experience-in-this-world.

“For God alone, O my soul, wait in silence,for my hope is from Him.”

– Psalm 62:5

Abby

A mid-morning grumble has you reaching for the cupboard before lunchtime. The food on the counter is calling your name throughout the day. And why does one always feel like munching at nighttime?

You are not alone in your snacking habits and poorly-timed cravings! Food is both a gift to enjoy and a necessity to sustain in life. But every meal will inevitably leave its guests hungry … again.

The satisfaction and benefit of food are temporary—the very reason we come back for more. However, it’s not just stomachs that are ravenous; the human soul is famished. I shouldn’t be surprised, then, that the Bible speaks of food so much.

The first mention is Genesis 1:29, where Creator God gave the first man and woman “every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the earth, and every tree with seed in its fruit” for sustenance. He designed the human body to eat.

God knew Eve would chose the forbidden tree, sin would taint mankind’s experience with food, and ultimately a permanent source of life would be required.

Throughout the generations, God provided flaky, bread-like manna for His people in the wilderness (Exodus 16:14-15). He dispatched ravens to deliver food to His prophet Elijah (1 Kings 17:6). He multiplied five loaves and two fish into a feast for thousands (Matthew 14:17-21).

The entire time, a loving Father was feeding His children. And then He sent His very Son.

“My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world … I am the bread of life; whoever comes to Me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in Me shall never thirst.”

– John 6:32-33, 35

The promised Savior explains further.

“Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is My flesh.”

– 49-51

God’s Provision: Jesus Christ sacrificed Himself to satisfy our eternal hunger for Him and pay our eternal debt of sin against Him. I’m still trying to wrap my mind around that beautiful truth!

Word of the Week: Satisfied. Finally. Forever. In Christ.

“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.”

– Matthew 5:6

Abby 

You may remember stashing your valuables as a child—cash in your piggy bank, a favorite Christmas gift in the dresser drawer, a notebook in a shoebox. Those days may be gone, but the habits aren’t!
 
We still hide away for safekeeping—a family heirloom to pass down, market investments for retirement, collector’s items for pleasure—often doing so with the future in mind.
 
Setting prized possessions or valuable resources aside for later can be difficult. In a society of instant gratification and immediate satisfaction, we’re trained to expect speedy return on investment. But we know with careful planning and diligent living, we can have something greater to look forward to.
 
I believe that’s the concept behind one of Jesus’ teachings.
 
“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
– Matthew 6:19-21
 
I’ve always pondered this mystery. Heavenly treasures are like spiritual riches gained by eternal investments.
 
Some investments are short-term and short-lived, like a Whopper meal from Burger King. Others are long-term and long-lasting, like a friendship or ministry. From the words we speak to the money we spend, there’s deeper meaning behind and lasting impact ahead.
 
What if heavenly treasures are collections of heartfelt smiles, godly words, and selfless acts? Maybe every effort to encourage, moment spent studying, and humble prayer are multiplying results and reaping dividends … yet unseen.
 
Perhaps someone has informed you of your impact on their life. Teachers receive notes from students; police officers are honored at retirement parties. The stories are endless, and so are the possibilities. One can never be sure of God’s ways … how He uses gymnastics practices and chocolate shakes and rainy days.
 
Jesus urges,
 
“Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
– Matthew 5:16
 
Belonging to God sets us apart. We are enlisted and empowered to embody the qualities of Christ in every area of our lives.
 
One of the imageries in the book of Revelation represents “the righteous deeds of the saints” (19:8). What a powerful call to amass heavenly treasure instead of wasting my time with earthly fortune!
 
God’s Provision: Although not the motivation, some actions do reap reward. Hebrews 11:6 says, “Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him.”
 
We might not comprehend here on earth, but I have an inkling we’ll realize one day in Heaven. Only God knows all the people touched and things done for His Kingdom.
 
Word of the Week: Deferral. In a way, the result is delayed as treasure is accumulated over time and preserved for eternity.

Abby

“I’m torn!” rings the desperate cry of one vacillating between possibilities. Two equally appealing options, or equally awful scenarios, seem to make for equally torturous decision-making. From which job offer to accept, to which friend to let down, the choice is hardly ever easy.
 
In his letter to the Philippian church, the devoted apostle Paul expressed anguish over a situation of this sort. He thought it agreeable to remain on earth with his brothers and sisters, who had toiled alongside him in the work of the gospel. But at the same time, he wholeheartedly longed for the glory of heaven and the joy of being with Christ.
 
“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account.”
– Philippians 1:21-24
 
He ultimately concludes that the decision isn’t his to pronounce after all, and it was clear he would be of earthly service for a while longer (25).
 
I thank God for this tidbit of Scripture, because I think every Christian lives in this beautiful tension. We hope for heaven, yet enjoy earth. We look forward to coming glories, yet tend to daily duties. We can’t wait to go to our eternal home, yet can’t imagine leaving the one we’ve made here.
 
God’s Provision: From the very start, though, God has etched a timeline. This life is a temporary sojourn, preparing us for a permanent rest. All those who’ve come and gone before lay another brick on the foundation of faith, with Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20).
 
“These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. For people who speak thus make it clear that they are seeking a homeland. If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared for them a city.”
– Hebrews 11:13-16
 
We are useful on earth for as long as God allows. Of course, we serve with heavenly-minded thoughts and eternity-driven motives that cause us to hold loosely to the world and cling tightly to God (Colossians 3:2).
 
Word of the Week: Transient. Our earthly era is impermanent and passing, but the heavenly Kingdom is established and enduring.
 
“We look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.”
– 2 Corinthians 4:18

Abby