Where Are We to Find Grace?

A compilation

Audio length: 8:54
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God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.—Ephesians 2:4–51

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What makes Christianity different from all the other religions of the world? Years ago that very question was discussed at a conference. Some of the participants argued that Christianity is unique in teaching that God became man. But someone objected, saying that other religions teach similar doctrines. What about the resurrection? No, it was argued, other faiths believe that the dead rise again. The discussion grew heated.

C. S. Lewis, a strong defender of Christianity, came in late, sat down, and asked, “What’s the rumpus about?” When he learned that it was a debate about the uniqueness of Christianity, he immediately commented, “Oh, that’s easy. It’s grace.”

How right he was! The very heart of the gospel is the supreme truth that God accepts us with no conditions whatever when we put our trust in the atoning sacrifice of His incarnate Son. Although we are helplessly sinful, God in grace forgives us completely. It’s by His infinite grace that we are saved, not by moral character, works of righteousness, commandment-keeping, or churchgoing. When we do nothing else but accept God’s total pardon, we receive the guarantee of eternal life.2

Good news indeed. What a gospel! What a Savior!—Author unknown

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Erma Bombeck commented:

“In church the other Sunday I was intent on a small child who was turning around smiling at everyone. He wasn’t gurgling, spitting, humming, kicking, tearing the hymnals, or rummaging through his mother’s handbag. He was just smiling. Finally, his mother jerked him about and in a stage whisper that could be heard in a little theater off Broadway said, ‘Stop that grinning! You’re in church!’ With that, she gave him a belt, and as the tears rolled down his cheeks added, ‘That’s better,’ and returned to her prayers....

“Suddenly I was angry. It occurred to me the whole entire world is in tears, and if you’re not, then you’d better get with it. I wanted to grab this child with the tear-stained face close to me and tell him about my God. The happy God. The smiling God. The God who had to have a sense of humor to have created the likes of us. … By tradition, one wears faith with the solemnity of a mourner, the gravity of a mask for tragedy, and the dedication of a Rotary badge.

“What a fool, I thought. Here was a woman sitting next to the only light left in our civilization—the only hope, our only miracle—our only promise of infinity. If he couldn’t smile in church, where was there left to go?”

These characterizations of Christians are surely incomplete, for I know many Christians who embody grace. Yet somehow throughout history the church has managed to gain a reputation for its ungrace. As the little English girl prayed, “O God, make the bad people good, and the good people nice.”—Philip Yancey3

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When you start putting more emphasis on damning the sin than loving the sinner, that’s not a good sign. God does everything possible to love us into His kingdom first. What won you to Jesus? Was it seeing your sins exposed one by one and being told you were “a filthy rotten sinner”? Were you belittled and criticized and condemned for all the wrong you had done? Or were you told it didn’t matter what you had done; there was a wonderful, loving Father who loved you so much that He was willing to pay any price—the greatest price of all—to make a place by His side for you in heaven, where you could be forever happy and at peace with Him. “God commendeth (demonstrates) His love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”4

If people have to be free of their sins before we can love them, who will there be to love? If we start judging people on the basis of their sins, who is going to stand? “If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?”5 We’re all hopeless without God’s love and grace, and that’s the only thing that can save us.—Maria Fontaine

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Longing to leave her poor Brazilian neighborhood, Christina wanted to see the world. Discontent with a home having only a pallet on the floor, a washbasin, and a wood-burning stove, she dreamed of a better life in the city. One morning she slipped away, breaking her mother’s heart.

Knowing what life on the streets would be like for her young, attractive daughter, Maria hurriedly packed to go find her. On her way to the bus stop she entered a drugstore to get one last thing. Photos. She sat in the photograph booth, closed the curtain, and spent all she could on pictures of herself. With her purse full of small black-and-white photos, she boarded the next bus to Rio de Janeiro.

Maria knew Christina had no way of earning money. She also knew that her daughter was too stubborn to give up. When pride meets hunger, a human will do things that were before unthinkable. Knowing this, Maria began her search. Bars, hotels, nightclubs, any place with the reputation for street walkers or prostitutes. She went to them all. And at each place she left her picture taped on a bathroom mirror, tacked to a hotel bulletin board, fastened to a corner phone booth. And on the back of each photo she wrote a note.

It wasn’t too long before both the money and the pictures ran out, and Maria had to go home. The weary mother wept as the bus began its long journey back to her small village.

It was a few weeks later that young Christina descended the hotel stairs. Her young face was tired. Her brown eyes no longer danced with youth but spoke of pain and fear. Her laughter was broken. Her dream had become a nightmare. A thousand times over she had longed to trade these countless beds for her secure pallet. Yet her little village was, in too many ways, too far away.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, her eyes noticed a familiar face. She looked again, and there on the lobby mirror was a small picture of her mother. Christina’s eyes burned and her throat tightened as she walked across the room and removed the small photo. Written on the back was this compelling invitation. “Whatever you have done, whatever you have become, it doesn’t matter. Please come home.” She did.—Max Lucado6

Published on Anchor September 20, 2016. Read by Gabriel Garcia Valdivieso.

1 ESV.

2 Titus 3:4–7.

3 Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace? (Zondervan, 1997).

4 Romans 5:8.

5 Psalm 130:3.

6 Max Lucado, No Wonder They Call Him Savior (Multnomah Press, 1986).

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Courtesy Counts

 

A compilation

Audio length: 12:33
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In Titus 3 Paul charges Titus: “Remind [the people] to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to avoid quarreling, to be gentle, and to show perfect courtesy toward all people” (verses 1–2).

God doesn’t send his church into the [world] with a strut and an open mouth but with gentleness and courtesy—with a readiness to do good, to avoid quarrels, and to speak evil of no one.

Why gentleness and courtesy? Why such an unexpected posture? Paul follows with his reason:

“For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray, slaves to various passions and pleasures, passing our days in malice and envy, hated by others and hating one another. But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (verses 3–7).

Those who have been rescued by God’s grace are to engage those who haven’t with gentleness and courtesy and a readiness to do them good and not evil. We should be quick to remember that apart from God’s saving work—and owing to no work of our own—we share in the same disobedient, enslaved foolishness.

Our posture shouldn’t be one of anger and triumphalism but compassion and humility. We remember that what saved us from our foolishness wasn’t a political debate or a ballot box but the gospel about Jesus and the sovereign working of God.

We engage as recovering fools with empathy for the foolish.—David Mathis¹

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John Boyd was a young man who had studied at a college and was confident that he would succeed in life. He believed in the importance of courtesy. In truth, courtesy was part of his personal philosophy.

He got a job as a porter in the House of Representatives in Washington.

One day a gentleman who appeared to be an important businessman approached the doorman and asked the doorman where he could locate Senator Sergeant, from California.

The doorman, who evidently did not give importance to the philosophy of courtesy, in a very pompous way made the gentleman understand that he had enough to do to follow the Senators.

Boyd heard the conversation, and it seemed to him that this attitude of the doorman was not in accordance with his principles of how to treat people, so he caught up with the gentleman and promised that he would find the Senator if he was in the building.

His gesture was greatly appreciated. Boyd found the Senator and the gentleman came to see him.

The gentleman, very grateful for Boyd’s attention, handed him his card and asked him to come and see him at his hotel in the afternoon. When Boyd looked at the card, he was surprised to discover that this unknown gentleman was none other than Collis P. Huntington, the eminent President of the Railroads. He was known as “one of the Big Four” of western railroading

When they met at the hotel, Mr. Huntington offered Boyd a position in his important company, with an excellent salary.

“But,” said the young man, “I don’t understand anything about the railroad business.”

“But you know how to be a gentleman,” replied Mr. Huntington, ”and that is what many here are ignorant of.”

John Boyd accepted the position.

After a year his salary was doubled. Later it tripled.

Is it worth being courteous? Of course, yes.

There is nothing that costs so little and is worth as much as courtesy. It is an external expression of inner goodness. It is an indication that the person has a noble heart and delights in serving.

Erastus Wiman said: “Nothing is ever lost by courtesy. It is the cheapest of pleasures, costs nothing, and conveys much.”— Jesús Salazar²

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I often feel discouraged with the state of the world. I read the newspaper and watch the evening news report and sometimes I get just plain upset! Why is there so much discord—why can’t people try to get along with each other? Yet, they say that when we point our accusing finger at others, there are three fingers of our own hand pointing back to ourselves. So then I have to ask myself—Have I done anything today to be a part of the solution, even if only in my own neighborhood? The hopeless “what’s the use?” mentality is not only defeatist, but it just isn’t a great way to live our lives!

My friend Margaret tells the following story of an incident in her apartment building:

“In our building we have a chat group for residents. We use it for announcements, to sell things, and sometimes to vent our frustrations. A few days ago, a dozen or more people were angry about an opinion expressed in the chat. Ugly, strong, and offensive things were said.

“I was deeply saddened and upset and considered leaving the group.

“Then I had a feeling that this was the wrong reaction, and that I should share my feelings in the chat, even though I seldom participate.

“So I asked God to help me speak in love and courtesy to these people whom I don’t know and can’t identify, even though it’s possible we sometimes ride the elevator together!

“I wrote that it is sad to treat each other this way, that we need to be courteous—there is already so much violence and aggression on the street. We need to be able to return home after a long day and find a refuge of love among us. I also wrote that if we can speak courteously and kindly to each other, we will create a climate of security and protection within our building.

“I was expecting a barrage of nasty and cynical replies. But no, there was a general silence and a couple of ‘likes.’ I was thankful for the likes and took the silence as a sign of respect—the subject was now closed.

“I could feel God at work, wanting to restore our hearts. Yesterday I shared in our online group an inspirational quote and thanked everyone for being such good neighbors. This time there were more likes and a couple of people also shared their wishes that we all would enjoy a good day! This was a first!

“Though I had felt timid, I was glad I had offered an alternative to the aggressive criticisms. And once again, a little love goes a long, long way.”

Margaret’s intervention was simple, yet it took a fair amount of courage and effort to say the right words to defuse a potentially complicated situation among the residents of her apartment building. It reminds me of the Bible verse, “A gentle answer turns away wrath” (Proverbs 15:1).—Sally Garcia

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Many men fail because they do not see the importance of being kind and courteous to the men under them. Kindness to everybody always pays for itself. And, besides, it is a pleasure to be kind.—Charles M. Schwab

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One who is kind is sympathetic and gentle with others. He is considerate of others’ feelings and courteous in his behavior. He has a helpful nature. Kindness pardons others’ weaknesses and faults. Kindness is extended to all—to the aged and the young, to animals, to those low of station as well as the high.—Ezra Taft Benson

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Courtesy is as much a mark of a gentleman as courage.—Theodore Roosevelt

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The true greatness of a person, in my view, is evident in the way he or she treats those with whom courtesy and kindness are not required.—Joseph B. Wirthlin 

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All doors open to courtesy.—Thomas Fuller

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A tree is known by its fruit; a man by his deeds. A good deed is never lost; he who sows courtesy reaps friendship, and he who plants kindness gathers love.—Saint Basil

Published on Anchor May 2026. Read by Debra Lee.  Music by Michael Fogarty.

https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/courtesy-counts/?check_auth

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¹ David Mathis, “Practicing Politics as Former Fools,” Desiring God, August 29, 2008, https://www.desiringgod.org/articles/practicing-politics-as-former-fools

² Jesús Salazar, “How Showing Courtesy Can Lead to Success,” Medium, November 21, 2020,

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I’m Not Tired

Curtis Peter van Gorder

I’m not tired. Only a dead man is tired.
Give me the power to carry on your work.
Can the dead praise you?
No way; but the living soul, yes, I.
Life is too short, why should you look back?
Because if you look back, you lose track.
—Majek Fashek1

We all sometimes get tired of the fight when things get rough and tough, but how can we break out of that downward spiral, I wondered?

During a recent trip to Cappadocia, Turkey,2 a friend of mine played the song “I’m Not Tired,” which shed some light on the subject and helped me to make some connections with experiences I had while there. I was struck by the contrast between those who tend to give up easily and the resilient people that once inhabited this land.

Anyone who goes to Cappadocia will tell you what a fantastical otherworldly place it is. Volcanic formations rise in giant spires and twist into far-fetched sculptured shapes. Rivers flow through deep canyons overlooked by 400 churches chiselled out of the surrounding hills. This area has been home to various peoples for millennia, beginning with the ancient Hittites. Perhaps the most noticeable is the presence of the Christians who lived in communities there for many years.

We visited one of the largest of the 40 underground cities there, which was used by the early Christians of the first three centuries to escape Roman persecution and later Arab raiders. It housed 10,000 people at times. This city is a feat of engineering—eight levels with communal kitchens, meeting rooms, ventilation shafts, wells, granaries, bedrooms, wineries, and even stables for horses.



Watchers on surrounding hills could warn of invaders by flashing the sunlight off of mirrors to send a message on to the next post. In underground tunnels, huge circular stone slabs could be rolled and locked into place to protect them from invaders. Holes were strategically placed to drop boiling oil or arrows on attackers. This was a hard-working cooperative community with a vibrant faith life—they had to be to survive.



Besides being a place of wonder, it is also a place for reflection. It is a prime example of showing an indomitable spirit in the face of persecution. The early Christians were not ones to give up because they were hunted and jailed, tried and executed. It would have been easy for them to just surrender and say, “We’re tired of fleeing the wrath of Rome. We’ll just blend back into society and give up our faith. It’s too hard to carry on.” Instead, many of them fled to this area in Cappadocia, where they not only survived but prospered. They even started a missionary school that sent teachers to many far-flung fields.

One of the leaders there, Basil, had this to say: “Troubles are usually brooms and shovels that smooth the road to a good man’s fortune; and many a man curses the rain that falls upon his head, and knows not that it brings abundance to drive away hunger.” Basil and this community knew about hunger and famine as well. They survived by helping each other in time of need. I read his advice on one of the plaques: “If there is a famine, give half of your piece of bread and trust the Lord for the rest—both for you and them.”

The legacy of these early Christians still lives on. We saw thousands of tourists from many lands viewing the churches and learning how the Christians lived and worshipped, each of them with tour guides giving a narration in their native tongue. There were portions of murals painted on the walls with various Bible stories. It reminded me of the verses in Acts chapter 2 where those from “every nation under heaven” heard the “wonderful works of God” in their own tongue, (Acts 2:5, 11). Sometimes God speaks through the universal language of art and place. I saw a lady from Japan, a land that also once violently persecuted Christians, stop to pray in one of the churches that we visited.

As we sat in a small church with stone-carved seats, with a mural of Christ at the resurrection, we enjoyed the great acoustics and sang hymns and quoted verses we had memorized from the book of John chapter 1. “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God,” (John 1:1 NKJV). Those who once worshipped here probably quoted the same verses two thousand years ago, which brought me to think that each generation has to have its faith renewed. Faith cannot be contained or perfectly preserved in churches carved in stone or murals painted on walls, which are bound to deteriorate. It must be vibrant and growing in our hearts today. Jesus reminded us that “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will by no means pass away,” (Luke 21:33). He told the woman at the well that it was not the place of worship that was important but the way in which we worship Him—in spirit and truth, (John 4:23–24).

It’s easy to want to give up the struggle and stop swimming when the waters rise about us. I have read stories of those who were near drowning, who heard an audible voice tempting them to stop struggling and just let the water in, right before they were rescued. If they had yielded to the “easy way out,” they wouldn’t have survived. Instead they resisted and fought on and lived to tell the tale and strengthen others’ faith as well.

Perhaps this would be a good place to end with a prayer: “Lord, I don’t want to be tired, retire, or fall into the mire of lethargy that will take me nowhere fast. Give me the strength and inspiration to keep fighting to keep my faith alive. As You said, ‘If we have faith as a grain of mustard seed, we can move a mountain’ (Matthew 17:20)—or live in it, if we have to. Please, give us that faith as well as our daily bread. Forgive us our mistakes, as we forgive others, and lead us away from the temptation to give up. You are all that matters, for Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever.”

Forever is a long time, but it begins today by not giving up and by leaning on His strength to make it. “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me,” (Philippians 4:13). “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart,” (Galatians 6:9).

1 From reggae song “I’m Not Tired” by Majek Fashek.

2 Cappadocia is a historical region in Central Anatolia, in Turkey. The name was traditionally used in Christian sources throughout history and is still widely used as an international tourism concept to define a region of exceptional natural wonders, in particular characterized by fairy chimneys and a unique historical and cultural heritage. (Excerpted from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cappadocia)

Originally published November, 13, 2013 from Anchor @ tfionline.com

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The Three Looks of Redemption

 

By Virginia Brandt Berg

Audio length: 06:29
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In Isaiah 50:10 we find this simple admonition: “Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.” Oh, that’s a wonderful verse for times like these when there’s so much darkness and the world’s skies are so overcast!

But times of darkness come also to dedicated disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ. Though you may be walking in utter obedience to the will of the Lord and faithful in His service, there are times when you may be perplexed and confused, times when you don’t know what to do or which way to turn. It may feel as though you are groping in the dark, wondering which way you should look and what you should do to have the light of heaven break through the darkness and show you the way.

If you look within, you will find only discouragement and despair. If you look at others, you find only doubt and disappointment.

But we must remember that there are three great aspects of redemption, namely atonement, advent, and advocacy. And there are three looks that correspond to these.

There is the backward look. Not the backward look that some people take in their misery, looking back at their own past with frustrating regret and bitterly wishing they had done better. That isn’t the backward look that God’s Word points us to. Fastening the mind on mistakes of the past brings only discouragement and makes the darkness deepen. The apostle Paul said, “Forgetting the things which are behind, … I press on toward the goal of the high calling” (Philippians 3:13–14).

There is only one backward look that can ever help when the darkness comes, and that is the look back at the cross of Calvary, to Christ’s atonement, where God’s forgiveness and mercy is displayed through the sacrificial love of Christ’s finished work there. Isaiah 45:22 says, “Look unto me and be ye saved, all ye ends of the earth.” Look to Jesus. Just keep on looking until you look way back to the old rugged cross, where there is forgiveness and cleansing for all your past. Look back that far.

And there is also the forward look. I don’t mean looking forward like some do when in a hard place and with a “Pollyanna” optimism hoping for better days, and they say, “Well, I’ll only think of the better days and not worry about the darkness. If I only believe it and say it over and over, it will break through to light.” That’s of little comfort when the darkness is so great that you can’t see one step ahead and you are groping your way all alone.

But there is a forward look that brings joy and peace to the true follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, the wonderful expectations spoken of in Titus 2:13, “Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ.”—The blessed onward look.

What a glorious expectation that is: the advent, the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ! All the events of today, the things you read about and hear in the news, they’re pointing toward His coming.

Wonderful expectation! He is coming, dearly beloved, to receive His own. Christ is coming. These wonderful events should strike no fear to your heart and bring no doubts. The Lord Jesus Christ knew the dangers and difficulties and all the things that we would encounter in times like these. He knew that very dark days were coming. He never hid from His followers the fact they would have tribulation, but He urged us to be of good cheer, that He had already overcome the world and therefore our victory would be assured (John 16:33).

He pointed us to the upward look, where He is in the place of advocacy. Isn’t that wonderful? He is our advocate before the Father. He is no longer in the place of atonement but in the presence of God interceding for us. He is our high priest, our advocate, pleading our cause in the courts of heaven.

This is the upward look: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is now set down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2). Look up, dear one, look up! If you are weary and discouraged, there is life, there’s hope. Christ has triumphed over all your foes—the world of flesh and the Devil.

You will never get the victory or overcome the darkness by struggling or by vain resolutions, but by realizing that Jesus Christ has already conquered death and that He gives His victory to you if you will accept it. That’s the victory of Calvary: All things are yours through Christ Jesus (1 Corinthians 3:21–23).

You can have His grace for every time of darkness in times like these, for we are more than conquerors through Him who gave Himself for us (Romans 8:37)!

From a transcript of a Meditation Moments broadcast. Published on Anchor April 2026. Read by Debra Lee. https://anchor.tfionline.com/post/the-three-looks-of-redemption/?check_auth=

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Why Thoughts Matter

 

April 7, 2026

A compilation

Audio length: 11:34
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Sometimes we don’t even realize the influence our thoughts have on us, nor do we realize how much our thoughts matter. The truth is our thoughts hold great power over us emotionally, spiritually, and behaviorally. The things we dwell on and ruminate on are like the rudder of a ship; they steer and guide our emotions and affections. …

As believers, what we think matters. Because Jesus bought and redeemed us from sin, we are new creations. We have died to our former selves (Romans 6:6). This includes our thought life. …

Because we are new creations in Christ, Scripture charges us to be on guard in our thinking. The Apostle Paul wrote that he took every thought captive and made it obedient to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5). This is strong military language. We need to be aggressive and forceful, intentionally searching out disobedient thoughts. That’s because we are in the midst of a spiritual battle, and in wartime, we cannot be passive (see Ephesians 6:10–18).

This also means we need to be intentional in the kinds of thoughts we think. We must conform our thoughts so that they obey and glorify Christ. As Paul wrote in Philippians 4:8, “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, anything worthy of praise, think about these things.” Thoughts like these are ones that we want to foster, take root, and grow. …

The true and right thoughts we are to think are found in God’s Word. There He tells us who He is and what He has done for us in Christ. We need to dwell on such truths, on God’s love for us in the gospel and what Christ accomplished for us through His life, death, and resurrection. We need to meditate on who we are in the sight of God because of Christ and what it means to be a child of the living God. We need to think these thoughts, not as part of some spiritual to-do list, or as an exercise to greater self-fulfillment, but because of who we are in Christ (Colossians 3:1–2).

Though we are prone to wander, especially in our thinking, Jesus has not left us alone. He has given us His Spirit, who convicts us of sin, reminds us of truth, and even prays on our behalf when we can’t do so for ourselves. If you struggle with wayward thoughts as I do, pray for the Spirit to prompt you when your thoughts go astray. Ask for discernment to know what is true and what is untrue. Assess your thoughts and compare them with God’s Word. Be alert, watchful, and on guard. And above all, set your mind on Christ.—Christina Fox¹

Taking on the mind of Christ

God’s Word tells us that we have been given the mind of Christ (1 Corinthians 2:16). Having the mind of Christ is a guide to all we do, and it needs to impact our thinking. It doesn’t mean our thinking will be exactly like God’s, but it does mean we can think and act more and more like Christ as our minds are renewed (Romans 12:2). …

As God’s peace guards our hearts and minds (Philippians 4:7), we will find ourselves thinking on the Lord’s promises and His provision for us. It is going to change our thought life to no longer dwell on fleshly thoughts but on ones that are spiritual and Christ-focused. We have been given whole new minds. What we choose to think on matters.

God’s Word doesn’t leave us wondering how to take every thought captive to Christ (2 Corinthians 10:5); we have a detailed list of what we are to think about as Christians laid out for us in Philippians 4:8. Scripture is our source for knowing what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, and commendable.…

Our minds are a gift from the Lord to be protected. In Christ, we are now able to choose thoughts that please the Lord and honor Him. Paul ends Philippians 4:8 with “if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things,” because we need this reminder to protect our thinking continually. We need to be proactive in the thoughts that enter our minds. Our minds are renewed thought by thought. …

When we see Jesus as the perfect picture of all that is true and lovely and pure, we will find our thought life is filtered through the lens of the gospel. As we meditate on what is true and lovely and honorable in the gospel, and as we practice these things as Paul said, the peace of God will be with us (Philippians 4:9).—Marci Ferrell²

Turning thoughts into prayers

The Bible has a lot to say about our thoughts, and it makes an interesting study. For example, it says we can hardly count the Lord’s thoughts toward us (Psalm 40:5), and He knows our every thought before we even think them (Psalm 139:1–2).

Think of all the things each of us thinks about in a day and all the thoughts that tend to run through our minds. It is helpful to weigh our thoughts from time to time and size them up, take stock, and analyze them. Are we directing our thoughts to where they can do some good and have a positive effect? Are we transforming our thoughts into prayers that will bring about some good in the lives of others?

The Bible teaches us to “set our minds on things above, not on earthly things” (Colossians 3:2). As we make a conscious effort to focus our thoughts on the things of God’s kingdom, His Spirit can speak to our hearts and guide us (John 16:13). He can also help us to filter unfruitful thoughts or thoughts that cause anxiety, despair, depression or unhappiness as we focus on the things that are good, true, lovely, and worthy of praise (Philippians 4:8).

God wants us to learn to convert our thoughts into prayer, as we grow into praying without ceasing (1 Thessalonians 5:17). Thoughts turned into prayers will result in a closer walk with God, His blessings, solutions, and intervention according to His will, and His comfort and peace for us and for those who are in need. He can help us to see situations with fresh eyes and to see the good and possibilities that we were not even aware of as we bring everything to Him in prayer (Philippians 4:6).

Thoughts turned into prayers will draw us closer to Jesus and strengthen us spiritually. On the other hand, thoughts left idle often slip away into the gray mass of nowhere-land or into the cracks and crevices of complacency. All day long, no matter what else we’re doing, we’re thinking thoughts, but it’s how we filter and direct them that can make a difference.

What we decide to do with our thought life and where we direct our thoughts matters. As we learn to direct our thoughts, filtering them through the sieve of His Word, we will be able to set our minds on Christ and fulfill this mission of prayer.—Maria Fontaine

Praying our thoughts

Through prayer we come face-to-face with God and do a work of self-examination. In God’s presence, we look at our thoughts, look at God, and consider how God looks back at us. God transforms our thoughts as we process what we’re thinking while consciously aware of his presence.

When you pray your thoughts, how do you imagine God looks back at you? Psalm 139:23 offers us a picture. “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” As we approach God, He searches and knows our hearts, tests and knows our anxious thoughts. He sees the offensive ways that are in us, yet still he chooses to lead us in the way everlasting (Psalm 139:24). In other words, God sees our true selves and loves us anyway.

As you pray your thoughts to God, he looks at you with love, mercy, and compassion. His love does not materialize because you just had a true, honorable, praiseworthy, or pure thought. It does not disappear because you … can’t seem to escape thoughts filled with suffering. God’s love for you is present amid your unwanted thoughts. It’s not a reward for changing them.

Look at your unwanted thoughts, and you’ll likely see your suffering and sin. Look at God with faith, and you’ll see his love and acceptance. Look at how God looks at you in Christ, and you’ll see in yourself the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21). It’s when we see God accurately and see ourselves as God sees us that we find the power we need to change.

Our thoughts are transformed not through force and willpower but through relationship and connection. God’s presence is powerful because in it we encounter His character. We see who He is and what that means for our lives. ...

The stillness we find in His faithful presence calms our racing thoughts and worry. His compassion and love help us to believe the truth when it doesn’t seem to match our present reality. We leave behind thoughts of regret as we receive his forgiveness. We find help for thoughts of hopelessness as we meditate on his goodness. ... Encountering God and experiencing who He is in our lives has the power to change everything.—Esther Smith³

Published on Anchor April 2026. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Fogarty.

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¹ Christina Fox, “Our Thoughts Really Do Matter,” ibelieve.com, September 21, 2021, https://www.ibelieve.com/christian-living/our-thoughts-really-do-matter.html

² Marci Ferrell, “Six Thought Patterns of a Christian Mind (Philippians 4:8),” thankfulhomemaker.com, https://thankfulhomemaker.com/six-thought-patterns-of-a-christian-mind-philippians-48/

³ Esther Smith, “Pray Your Uncensored Thoughts,” The Gospel Coalition, August 7, 2022, https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/pray-uncensored-thoughts

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Keeping on Fighting the Good Fight

 

By M. Fontaine

Audio length: 8:44
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Dear Friends,

One of the things that my husband and I love most about you is that you’re still faithfully fighting the good fight of faith. You’re still “holding tightly to the eternal life to which God has called you, which you have declared so well before many witnesses” (1 Timothy 6:12). You have fought long and hard ever since you made your commitment to love and serve Jesus, and you’re continuing to do so.

As we know, the life of faith can be a struggle, and we face battles of all kinds throughout our lives of service to the Lord. This is not surprising, as the early believers and apostles faced the same things, as this verse expresses: “Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt compelled to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to God’s holy people” (Jude 3).

Fighting the good fight of faith is challenging, and I’d venture to say that nearly all of us have faced at least one battle that sorely tested our faith, or that made you think you just couldn’t cross that next mountain. Maybe you’ve faced severe discouragement or depression, a loss of a loved one, or ruptured relationships with family members.

Maybe you’ve grown weary with the responsibilities, sacrifices, and challenges of daily life, and this has weighed on you. Or perhaps you’ve faced some other serious problem or difficulty in your life or in the life of someone you love—such as health problems, marriage difficulties, financial struggles, legal issues, or accidents, to name a few.

I’m not just picking these examples out of a hat. These are real life challenges that many of us have faced or are currently experiencing. But you know what? We shouldn’t be surprised or shocked at this. The Bible warns us that we will all face the struggles and temptations and trials of this life: “No testing has overtaken you that is not common to everyone. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tested beyond your strength, but with the testing he will also provide the way out so that you may be able to endure it” (1 Corinthians 10:13).

The Apostle Paul clearly understood what it meant to face the challenges of life, as he encouraged the early followers to “not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” He then goes on to rally the believers to continue forging ahead by saying, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone” (Galatians 6:9–10).

So don’t be discouraged by the struggles or feel bad about them. If you’re going through battles of some kind, trust that the Lord has a good reason for allowing them and will use them to strengthen you and enrich your life and spirit as you continue to hold on and be faithful.

We’re all in this together, and we need to support each other through prayer. If you’re struggling, ask for prayer and reach out to others for support. We can all make a commitment to pray for each other and to continue to fight the good fight of faith together.

When you feel discouraged or disheartened, remember the Lord’s promises. Remind yourself of who you are fighting for—Jesus, who loved us so much that He died for our sins and the salvation of souls. We certainly know what we’re fighting for, and we all desire the end result—the gospel being preached in all the world so that the Lord will return, and “the kingdom of the world [will] become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign forever and ever” (Revelation 11:15). We can hold that glorious result in front of us and let it spur us on in the good fight.

We can continue to remain focused on our witness and being faithful to fulfill the Great Commission—bringing as many people to Jesus as we can and helping them to grow in their faith. We can remind ourselves that the Lord is with us through everything we face in life, as the following message from Jesus points out.

(Jesus:) If everything was smooth sailing, that would be peacetime—but you’re engaged in the spiritual warfare for eternal souls, and war means battles. But My promises are sure and My plan will not fail, no matter what the circumstances are in the world around you or in your personal situation, no matter how you feel, and no matter how many problems you face.

There will be problems, failures, setbacks, and trials. But there will also be solutions, victories, and lives changed. The problems result in prayers that lead to answers. The failures result in lessons learned and beauty from ashes. The battles pave the way for My miracles and victories and spiritual growth in your life.

Let the problems and challenges always remind you that I’m at the helm, leading and guiding you. When you feel overwhelmed, when there’s more to do than you can ever do, when the problems and situations seem too complex to figure out—much less fix—come to Me with all your burdens and trust in Me to work on your behalf.

Faith isn’t perseverance when there are no problems or obstacles. Faith is fighting on in spite of the problems, obstacles, and battles. Faith knows that My promises will be fulfilled, and My Word will give you the faith to keep trusting in My great plan. The final outcome is assured: My kingdom come and My will done on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).

(Prayer:) Dear Jesus, I pray for each of our Christian community, that You will give them strength and Your Spirit will empower them to continue to fight the good fight of faith and to be Your faithful servants in whatever ways You have called them. Each one is needed in Your mission of reaching the world.

Thank You for their faithfulness over many decades in helping the gospel to be preached in every nation, in many languages and to many people. Help each one to continue to be Your shining light in the midst of the growing spiritual darkness in this world.

You said in Your Word that You will bless those who patiently endure testing and temptation, and they will receive the crown of life promised to all those who love You (James 1:12). Thank You for continuing to teach us humility, dependence on You, greater faith, and for helping us to have the willingness to fight on through everything we face.

Please help those who are passing through a time of testing and help their faith not to fail (Luke 22:32). Shield them and protect them and surround them with Your presence. Endow them with perseverance and faith and determination. Some of them may not feel like fighting right now, some are facing diminishing physical strength or health battles or other struggles due to circumstances beyond their control. Jesus, these dear ones need Your strength and Holy Spirit power to persevere and to keep fighting the good fight even when they don’t feel like it.

Help each one to feel Your presence, and surround them with Your love, care, and peace. We know that battles and tests are part of our lives for You, but You have promised to meet all our needs according to Your riches in glory (Philippians 4:19). I pray that You will provide the strength and faith for each of these dear ones, so that they’ll be able to fight on and stay the course You have set for them. You never fail in all of Your good promises, and we place all our hope and trust in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Originally published September 2008. Adapted and republished February 2026. Read by Lenore Welsh.

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