A Moment of Hope

David and Marilynn Chadwick with Jenn Houston
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.

  1. 11H AGO

    Sabbath Rest: Stop Worrying

    by Marilynn Chadwick In addition to “not working” on the Sabbath, the observant Jew also practices “not worrying.” Seriously. How does one “not worry?” Is that even possible? A friend coined this snappy little acronym: W.O.R.R.Y: Worry Only Robs Rest from You It’s true. Worrying is exhausting. I realize as believers in Jesus, we’re not obligated to keep Sabbath according to any particular formula or law. But a true confession. After some honest reflection, I’ve come to realize that worry actually drains my energy and robs my inner peace way more than work does. Worry (translated as “I really, really care”) seems logical, even useful. I have plenty of excuses for why I worry: “I just have a vivid imagination.” “I have lots to do.” “There are so many people I care about.” Worry just comes with the territory, right? No. Not if we look at what the Bible says. I’ve been reflecting lately on Paul’s words about worry: “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything.” Next, he says to “tell God what you need and thank Him for what he has already done” (Phil 4:6, 7 NLT). These are training tips from a guy in prison who was always in danger of getting killed. But look at the amazing promise in verse 8: “Then God’s peace, which is greater than the human mind can understand, will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” Wow. Prayer sounds like a much better use of my energy than worrying. I wonder if turning my “cares into prayers” (in the words of Charles Spurgeon) might be one way to stop this pesky Sabbath thief at the door? Not worrying on the Sabbath—or any other day for that matter—now that’s new territory! I truly want to learn to walk more solidly in my faith and drive out worry. But old habits die hard, so I’ll have to be patient with myself. Maybe you’d like to share some useful tips for how you deal with worry. Remember, we’re all in this together. Let’s encourage each other as we learn how to rest worry free.

    5 min
  2. 1D AGO

    Sabbath Rest: Stop Working

    by Marilynn Chadwick It’s been said that Americans are the only people who worship our work, work at our play, and play at our worship. Maybe that’s why keeping Sabbath is so hard. Many of us enjoy feeling productive, and taking a day off seems to slow us down. The word Sabbath, or sabat in Hebrew, means “to cease, desist, rest.” Put another way, Sabbath simply means to stop working. The very first use of sabat, translated “rest,” in the Bible is in Genesis 2:2-3 NIV: “By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.” Sabbath can be described as taking one day each week to rest from our work. Work six days and rest one, a rhythm which follows God’s pattern as Creator. Work and rest are holy. Both are an example of what it means to be created in the image of God. So what are some practical ways to embrace rest and resist overworking? Perhaps we can learn a few tips on Sabbath-keeping from observant Jews. Worship, rest, family time, taking a walk, and reading are among the activities considered good Sabbath practices by the faithful Jew. What is not good on the Sabbath can be summed up in three words: “work, commerce [shopping and spending], and worry.” During their trek through the desert, God instructed the children of Israel to gather manna for six days and rest on the seventh, a type of training ground for later Sabbath-keeping (Exodus 16:5). Even before Moses received the Ten Commandments, God was training the Israelites in rhythms of rest. When God gave Moses the law, he reminded Moses of how he brought the Israelites out of slavery. “Slaves cannot take a day off; free people can,” writes theologian Dorothy Bass. In her book “Keeping Sabbath, Practicing Our Faith,” she sounds a wake-up call for Christians to return to the practice of Sabbath-keeping. Sabbath rest is a weekly testimony against the perpetual grind of a slave’s work, she adds. It gives us a picture of who God is and what it means to be created in his image. God’s fourth commandment, “Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy,” points us back to Creation (Exodus 20:8 NIV). More words are used to explain this one than any of the other nine, so Sabbath-keeping must be important to God. Sabbath makes space for nurturing our families, our church, and our communities. Sabbath-keeping helps us care for our souls in an age when many are desperately thirsty for inner peace. Rest from our work is also a theological theme woven throughout the Bible. It describes the liberating life of grace for the believer who has found true rest in Christ’s salvation. Perhaps St. Augustine could have been hinting at our need for Sabbath rest when he made this famous statement in his Confessions: “You have made us for yourself, O Lord, and our heart is restless until it rests in you.”

    5 min
  3. 2D AGO

    Sabbath Rest: 2000 Sabbaths

    by Marilynn Chadwick I am reminded of the time David and I were invited to teach a marriage seminar to a large gathering of young couples. Wanting to focus on real life issues, we each made a separate list of our “Top Ten Marriage Tips.” However, we decided not to reveal the results of our lists to one another until the moment we actually presented the message to our audience. It was fun to compare the different habits, practices, and insights we each felt had strengthened our marriage—right in front of our listeners. When it came time to “reveal” our top marriage tip, it turns out David and I had both chosen the same “Number One Marriage Tip.” It was simply this: Take one day off together every week. In other words, “Keep your Sabbath.” Ironically, this was the very same advice our first ministry-couple mentors had shared with us way back when we were newlyweds. We took their advice to heart and over 45 years later, we still take our day off together each week. If you factor it over our 45-plus years of marriage and ministry, that’s about 2,000 Sabbaths! Sabbath-keeping obviously looks different for our family since ministers typically work on Sunday, the day when many Christians celebrate Sabbath. Our Day Off is Friday. While we don’t adhere to a rigid set of rules, we have landed on some practices which make this day special, fun, even holy. We look forward to our weekly ritual of enjoying our favorite coffee. Parked in a quiet setting surrounded by nature, we share thoughts about our week and read through a few Bible passages. Often, we highlight and journal our specific prayer needs or play worship music. We sometimes laugh and cry about the joys and sorrows of family and ministry. Long walks are a favorite, along with Netflix and special snacks reserved just for Day Off. It’s more about the regularity of Sabbath than any specific ritual. But God seems so very present on those sacred, sanctified, set apart days. Our weekly Day Off is more than just time away from work— it is a “want to,” not a “have to.” A gift of grace. These times build fresh hope and healing. Our weekly Sabbath has provided life-giving boundaries to the rigors of ministry and gives creative space for our marriage and children to flourish. Like many today, our lives are very busy. Ministry comes with unexpected demands and emergencies. But most often, we’re able to keep our Sabbath calm and free from work. We believe our family and church have benefitted from our commitment to this God-ordained, ancient practice. What are some ways you can begin to create a rhythm of rest into your own lifestyle?

    5 min
  4. 3D AGO

    Sabbath Rest: Finding Your Rhythm of Rest

    by Marilynn Chadwick Are you feeling tired today? Maybe you worked late, slept poorly, tried to juggle too many tasks, attempted to solve too many problems, took on too much responsibility for everything and everybody around you. It seems you’re not alone. America is a nation obsessed with rest—or the lack of it. At my children’s high school one year, teachers sent home a disturbing article about sleep deprived teenagers. Researchers are telling us that people now fantasize about sleep! It seems the average person is very, very tired. You may be working harder, running faster, accomplishing more and more… but who’s watching out for your soul? “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30 NIV I’ve been drawn to Jesus’s promise of rest after observing some very “exhausted souls” lately. Exhaustion can manifest itself as anxiety, depression, illness, addiction, or even self-destructive behaviors. This has left me thinking. Why are so many people crashing and burning? What would happen if we revived the spiritual practice of Sabbath-keeping? I wonder if Sabbath—in whatever ways we choose to practice it—might help set us free from the weight of unhealthy expectations and lessen the anxieties of fast-paced living? Since the time of ancient Israel, Sabbath-keeping has been a life-giving gift of God. Sabbath was meant to refresh our relationship with God and one another. For the next several days, we’ll explore the biblical and practical foundations of Sabbath-keeping. How does this once-a-week gift of rest bring peace to those who embrace it? How is Sabbath woven into God’s covenant with Israel? What significance does it have for Christians today? We’ll also explore some practical ways we can experience the rest of Sabbath in a busy, noisy world.

    5 min
  5. 6D AGO

    The Fruit of the Spirit: A Life Under Control

    by David Chadwick Self-control. This is the ninth and final fruit of the Spirit. When you are connected to the Spirit, you have the power to discipline and crucify even the strongest lusts of the flesh (Galatians 5:17). I once heard a story of a pastor who never taught self-control to his people because he couldn’t govern his own eating habits. Shame on him! This last fruit of the Spirit should never be overlooked because of someone’s fleshly inadequacies or impulses. Someone who lacks self-control in one area inadvertently leaves the door open to lacking self-control in other areas of life. When you refuse to live a disciplined, self-controlled life, you are walking in the utmost selfishness. While you can be delivered from a demon, you can’t get delivered from your flesh. You must discipline your flesh and let it die. Only by renewing your mind can you reckon your flesh dead (Romans 12:2). The Bible says that when you put your trust and hope in Jesus, you have been crucified with Christ. You no longer live, but Christ now lives in you (Galatians 2:20). Slowly but surely, your flesh remains dead as you reckon it dead. And as you rightly see your flesh crucified with Christ, your true identity will emerge as a son or daughter of the Most High King of the Universe and the fruit of the Spirit will begin to flow through your life more and more, giving you more self-control. Because of Jesus, you can conquer your lusts, your sins, your flesh. But the key is found in abiding in Christ and remaining connected to the Spirit. We must cling to the message of abiding in John 15:7. As we remain in Christ, we will bear much fruit! Finally, notice Paul ends this list with, “And against such things there is no law” (Galatians 5:23).  What does this mean? Well, it is actually quite simple. It means that the fruit of the Holy Spirit cannot come through the Law. You can’t muster up enough obedience. You can’t try harder or work more to possess these nine fruit of the Spirit. They only and always come from abiding. Be one with Jesus. Rest and remain in him. As you do, ALL the fruit, every one of these nine, will show up in the life of a follower of Jesus. What happens when it starts to go away? Go back and check the power source. Make sure you are connected to the vine (John 15:5). These “fruit” are guaranteed to the Christ follower who abides in Jesus. Apart from him we can do nothing…but connected to him, all things are possible!

    5 min
  6. JUL 3

    The Fruit of the Spirit: Gentle and Strong

    by David Chadwick Gentleness is the eighth fruit of the Holy Spirit. The Greek word for gentleness is praus. It’s the only adjective Jesus ever uses to describe himself (Matthew 11:30). The word literally means “bridled power.” Picture a fierce, strong stallion who is bridled by a rider. It is able to run and jump over high walls, but because of the bridle in its mouth is able to correctly direct the powerful force within. This is true gentleness. Philippians 4:5 says, “Let your reasonableness be known to everyone.” Other translations say to let your gentleness be evident to all. Surely there is an aspect of gentleness that is steady, reasonable, certain. A sure-footed and secure disposition. Gentleness also implies great humility, which shows us why Jesus used it to describe himself. Jesus was the ultimate display of humility and used his supernatural strength to give his life away as a ransom for many (Mark 10:45). We see another example of the Father’s heart of gentleness in Isaiah 40:11, “He will tend his flock like a shepherd; he will gather the lambs in his arms; he will carry them in his bosom, and gently lead those that are with young.” When gentleness is evident in the life of a believer, humility permeates everything! Tenderness will shine through your interactions. You will know that all of your gifts and talents are bridled by the Holy Spirit, controlled by him, and are to be used for his glory. A gentle life seeks the will of the Spirit, knowing that all glory belongs to God and every good and perfect gift comes from him (James 1:17). As you operate more and more in humility, you will learn to reflect Jesus more and more. A life controlled by the Holy Spirit will reflect submission to the Father, even in the midst of your humanity. Tough and tender. Strong and loving. This is gentleness. Let’s all be more and more connected to the Spirit and pray he will give us more gentleness.

    5 min
  7. JUL 2

    The Fruit of the Spirit: Full of Faith

    by David Chadwick The seventh fruit of the Spirit is faithfulness. One element of faithfulness is seeking to cultivate a life full of faith. Pursuing faith. Questing after it. Asking God for more and more faith. Constantly living in a way that says to our Father, “I believe but help my unbelief” (Mark 9:24). After all, without faith, it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). Take a moment and read through Hebrews 11. Many scholars refer to this chapter as the “Hall of Faith” because it highlights the faith that is woven throughout all of Scripture in different characters. Hebrews 11:1-3 says, “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things that are visible.” When faithfulness is evident in your life, it does not just mean that you cultivate a life of faith, but it also means that you become more faithful. You become a person of your word. More loyal. More stable. You do what you say you’ll do. You let your yes be yes and your no be no (Matthew 5:37, James 5:12). You fight against thinking too highly of yourself, against vanity and selfish ambition (Philippians 2:3). You refrain from flattering yourself and self-congratulation. A faithful and faith-filled life does what the Master Jesus tells you to do. A person of faithfulness has the greatest desire to hear, “Well done, my good and faithful servant” at the end of life (Matthew 25:21). Today, pray for God to grow faith inside of you, but also pray that God’s faithfulness will increase inside of you in every area of your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to be faithful to complete the work that Jesus has begun inside of you (Philippians 1:6).

    5 min
  8. JUL 1

    The Fruit of the Spirit: Do Good to Everyone

    by David Chadwick Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness…then the sixth fruit of the Spirit is goodness. Galatians 6:10 says we are to “do good to everyone.” God is good and his mercies endure forever (Psalm 100:5). There is nothing evil in him. He cannot coexist with evil because he is good and there can be no evil in him. Because God is good, his actions toward us are always good. Even in the midst of pain and confusion, his goodness reigns. As followers of Jesus, we can remain confident that he will work all things together for our good according to his purpose (Romans 8:28). This reality and promise should leave us with immense peace. Because of the love of Jesus, we are now able to display the goodness we have received from him to those around us. The bride of Christ should be the biggest display of goodness that the world has ever seen. Goodness is another fruit that is outward in focus. When you are connected to the Spirit, goodness will flow through you and you will be a strong reflection of the Father’s goodness. The church should be on a constant lookout for how to do good in this world. Why? So that we can reflect the goodness of God to others. In Galatians 6:10, Paul shares how the Galatian Christians should be good toward one another. He says, “So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of the household of faith.” I pray today for God’s goodness to increase in your life by the power of the Spirit. Then, ask him how you can show his goodness in your world. Maybe it’s through an encouraging word? Giving someone a gift? Writing someone a letter? Sending someone some money? Pray and ask him to show you a good act that will reflect God’s goodness in and through you to someone else.

    5 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

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.

You Might Also Like

To listen to explicit episodes, sign in.

Stay up to date with this show

Sign in or sign up to follow shows, save episodes, and get the latest updates.

Select a country or region

Africa, Middle East, and India

Asia Pacific

Europe

Latin America and the Caribbean

The United States and Canada