We all face seasons when life feels uncertain, when the people and circumstances we have depended on slip away, and the future looks daunting. In those moments, we often try to find peace by forcing things to change. But lasting peace doesn’t come from getting life under control; it comes from knowing that Jesus holds our lives securely. We can endure today’s heartaches because our future is secure and our deepest hope rests in the One who will never abandon us. Even our darkest seasons will end, and sorrow will not have the final word!

When God Loves the People We Don’t
Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 46:03 — 25.8MB) | Embed
You probably have a mental picture of what God’s blessings should look like, and who should receive them. The first century Jews were convinced that they would be the exclusive recipients of God’s grace when the Messiah arrived, and that their enemies would be excluded. But Jesus shattered their assumptions by announcing that God’s favor would flow outside their borders to the very people they despised. Upon hearing this, they were filled with rage and tried to kill Him! This ancient scene holds up a mirror to our own hearts: we readily accept God’s mercy for ourselves, yet quietly keep a list of those we consider unworthy. His love exceeds our man-made boundaries, and it always will. So, is there anyone you’re still overlooking?

