YOU Podcast Lifeway Christian Resources

The sports industry is big business. One of the most popular to watch is football. The fanbase of some of these teams is huge. I remember my husband wearing a sweatshirt of his favorite team, the Tennessee Titans. A Titans fan walked up to him and enthusiastically discussed with him their team. This person was a complete stranger. Families during Superbowl season host parties in honor of their team. During the game, you see them comforting and encouraging one another. The funniest thing is when they start encouraging the players on the screen. The players can’t even hear them, but they are supported. This proves that sports fans have an unusual brotherhood.







We must carefully shine before others that they may see God’s love, care, goodness, mercy, grace, and patience. Let us shine for Christ!”







This is the image that Christians must display before the world. When they see us; they must see a true brotherhood and sisterhood. In a world where people are constantly at odds with one another; we must be unified. There is a song that says, “the Jesus in me loves the Jesus in you. It’s so easy (x3), so easy to love.” The church should reflect Christ. We must emulate Him. The world is looking at the church and the way we interact with each other. We must carefully shine before others that they may see His love, care, goodness, mercy, grace, and patience. Let us shine for Christ!

Maranda Curtis sings a song entitled, “Nobody Like You Lord.” Some churches sing this song as part of praise and worship on Sunday mornings. In the recorded version of the song, toward the last part of the song the artist says, “Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?” These lyrics speak to the magnificence of the Lord God Almighty, particularly His works and ways. Ms. Curtis’s song highlights why Christians serve God the Father through Jesus Christ. He demonstrates that He is a healer, sustainer, and provider.







When you think about all of the tragedies that have happened in the world and how God has kept you; it’s easy to say, “Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?””







When you think about all of the tragedies that have happened in the world and how God has kept you; it’s easy to say, “Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?” He has healed many of us from illnesses that sometimes even the doctors were baffled. Their medical studies couldn’t even explain it. Even as we hear testimonies like that; we can say, “Who wouldn’t serve a God like this?” You see as we, a body of believers, come together on Sunday morning; we all have experienced the faithfulness of God. When you hear the testimonies of others and even think of how God has kept you; it is easy to say, “Who Wouldn’t Serve a God Like That?” As we are experiencing the mercies of God through the week, the momentum has built up. It evokes us to worship our King of King and Lord of Lords. How encouraging it is to corporately worship this amazing God! He is worthy to be praised!

In today’s society, there are various companies that specialize in tracing the genealogy of families. In doing so, they seek to help people discover their ancestors, traditions, culture, origins, and history. This information, in many cases, provides the individual or family, a sense of identity. For years this research was done through word of mouth, photos and family records. Through technological advancements this work is now done digitally. Ancestry.com started in 2012 and enables its subscribers to trace their family back many generations. It is safe to say that users will either be elated or disappointed in who they are related to.







As Christians, our worth is not connected to the type of genealogy that can be searched through a website. Our identity is found in Christ.”







As Christians, our worth is not connected to the type of genealogy that can be searched through a website. Our identity is found in Christ. We can boldly proclaim that Christ has given us a new identity. We are now forgiven, loved, cared for, etc., because of the Lord Jesus. Through Him, we learn we are more than the external— our career, economic status, or appearance. We know that we are chosen ones, dear children of God, His sheep, children of light, vessels of honor, and heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ (Rom 8:17). What a sense of worth we have in knowing that we have such a strong identity!

“Sharing is caring” is a popular phrase that communicates that people demonstrate that they care when they share what they have with others. We see many examples of this in our daily lives. As a teacher, I witnessed this in action when during the time of recess students would share the ball on the playing field with each other. As a parent, I saw this phrase come to life when one of my children shared with or even gave away their toys to other children.







“Sharing is caring” is a popular phrase that communicates that people demonstrate that they care when they share what they have with others.”







Shoppers who run across a great sale or a fantastic deal tend to share that information with those they know and even with complete strangers. You want them to benefit from the deal just as you have. The excitement and enthusiasm that is displayed when sharing about a clothing sale, a place to get quality merchandise for cheap, or a place to save on gas can be infectious. People tend to continue to share what they deem as good news. This is what sharing should look like in the body of Christ. Christians have the best news of all. As we enter into this lesson, let each of us make the necessary changes in our thoughts and feelings so we can share the best deal of all with the same enthusiasm as we do temporal things.

During the housing market craze many homebuyers were faced with bidding on homes that had multiple offers. In order to have an advantage and an attractive offer many bought homes without a home inspection. How sad it was when some found out that their home had foundation issues.







As a child, we sang the song, “The Wise Man Built His House Upon a Rock.” The song is based on Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 7:24-27. I didn’t understand it at the time. It basically is stating that in this world, we will encounter many challenges. Our foundation determines how we persevere during those times. Just like a house with a bad foundation; a relationship not built upon The Rock will not last. Let’s not end up like the homeowners who are faced with knowing that the foundation on which their home is built will not last.







Just like a house with a bad foundation; a relationship not built upon The Rock will not last.”







We can rest assured that if our foundation is built on the True Rock, Jesus Christ we will be able to endure. As church, it is imperative that all we do is centered around Christ. Though Satan may throw his fiery darts; as believers we can stand if our foundation is solid. The sure foundation for Christians is not just hearing the words of Christ but actually doing it. This way we know our foundation is solid.

“Sharing” has a different connotation than it did twenty years ago. In those days, “sharing” something generally required physical proximity to another. You could share a sandwich, share some news, or share a seat, but now sharing is done in different ways.







If we are enjoying a meal, we share it. If we take a good picture, we share it. If we think of something witty (or sarcastic), we share it. We accomplish this not on a one-to-one, physical proximity basis, but through Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram. In fact, you could argue that given the proliferation of “sharing,” we are better “sharers” now than at any point in history.







We are commanded and equipped to tell others about the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus.”







Interesting, in light of our abundant sharing, we don’t take the chance to share more about Jesus. But that is exactly what is required of us as His followers. We are commanded and equipped to tell others about the life, ministry, and mission of Jesus. We do this because this news is simply too big and too good to keep to ourselves.