Sonkist Ministries

Years ago, my husband and I had a long list of names we’d compiled just before our first son was born. We wanted a strong name-something with meaning. Like so many parents before us, we hoped to provide our child with a title that not only fit him but also one he’d grow to live up to over time. A few years later, we went through a similar struggle searching for the ideal name to bestow on the next little boy who would join our family.

Many of you can relate to this search for the “perfect” name. Others may be years away from these concerns, but we can assure you that a similar pilgrimage will be part of your parenting journey, too.

Yes, a good name is hard to find-but what’s even more challenging is striving to make sure our lives leave a lasting legacy-especially because of the name “Christian” that we bear when we believe in Jesus. Because of Christ, each waking moment affords us the opportunity of affirming our faith and bringing glory to the One who has chosen us to be part of His forever family.

The Bible is full of verses that remind us of the relevance of a good name. Here is one of our favorites:

A good name is more desirable than great riches;
to be esteemed is better than silver or gold.

Proverbs 22:1

We only need to look back in history to realize there have been plenty of people who experienced great fame and fortune but couldn’t purchase a good name for themselves. And, sadly, many of us know individuals who claimed to be Christians-but their actions sullied rather than sanctified that name.

These thoughts should also cause us to reflect on how we are choosing to conduct ourselves each day. Is Christ’s name glorified as we walk through our world? Is our Father pleased by what we say and do, day-in and day-out? How can we improve the legacy we are leaving so that, when we’re gone, our impact for God won’t be?

You see, long before you were born, the Lord was well-aware of what you’d be called. Carry His name well, fellow Christian-and let’s make sure Jesus isn’t hard for others to find.

Thought of the Month

See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him. Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.

I John 3:1-2

The weather outside my window today looks nothing like spring, but that doesn’t deter an industrious bird from tucking twigs into a niche under the eaves. She flutters back and forth-tugging and twisting her building materials. As I curiously watch her efforts at nest construction, I am reminded of a poignant verse from the Proverbs:

“The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down.”

Proverbs 14:1

Funny thing is, I’ve never observed a bird taking apart a nest. Unlike our feathered friends, humans seem to have a capacity to damage what they’ve worked for and even destroy what they always dreamed about. The words of wisdom above provide an important warning, particularly because women have the power to build up their homes and avoid any foolishness that might undermine their efforts!

So, what does this “building” business look like? Here are a few suggestions:

For single women: The patterns you’re establishing now are laying the foundation for your future. If you want a godly family one day, then get in the Word on a regular basis. Pray about your dream for a future-family, and specifically ask God to guide you in decisions about romance, dating, and marriage. Develop “home improvement” habits that will last a lifetime.

For wives: Your marriage is an example to the world around you about what it means to be in a covenant relationship with God. Therefore, build up your spouse with your words and prayers. Be generous in your kindness. Go the extra mile, even when your husband might not be willing or able to do so. Keep developing the firm foundation of faith you’ve begun by staying in the Word each day.

For mothers and grandmothers: Whatever stage of motherhood you’re in, you will forevermore be known as “Mom.” Wear that title honorably! Make sure each child knows how much he/she is loved-by you and by God. Pray for your kids daily, and let them know you are doing just that. Build them up, even when you must discipline. And remember, being a mom is a life-long journey-your kids need you whether they are five or fifty-five!

As I wrap up these thoughts, the bird patiently continues her project. It has started to drizzle, and a strong wind is rustling at my window-but the nest she has worked so hard to construct is safe and secure. May the same be true for your home and mine.

Thought of the Month

Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

Proverbs 31:30-31

There’s nothing like loss to make you reflect on what you actually once had. I suffered a personal one recently-the kind you only speak about with close friends and loved ones. Things can be replaced, but people cannot. The pain each of us suffers when we undergo this kind of loss is real, and it’s seldom understood even by those who’ve gone through something similar. Why? Because each of us experiences grief in various ways, over varying amounts of time, and with a variety of experiences along the grieving process.

Perhaps you know exactly what I’m talking about. All of us, at one point or another, experience loss. Maybe you’ve been carrying this type of heartache for years and years. Perhaps your pain is more recent, so the wound is fresh and oh-so-sensitive.

The Lord Jesus was not immune to the sadness and suffering we feel when we lose a family member or friend. Look at these words we find in John 11 when Mary and Martha told Him about the death of their brother, Lazarus:

When Mary reached the place where Jesus was and saw him, she fell at his feet and said, “Lord, if you had been here, my brother would not have died.”

When Jesus saw her weeping, and the Jews who had come along with her also weeping, he was deeply moved in spirit and troubled. “Where have you laid him?” he asked.

“Come and see, Lord,” they replied.

Jesus wept.

Then the Jews said, “See how he loved him!” (verses 32-36)

Theologians agree that Jesus’ deep feelings of sorrow were directly related to His understanding of the loss experienced because of sickness and death. This wasn’t what His Father had ever intended at Creation! Illness, suffering, and loss were never part of God’s perfect plan for humankind.

You probably know the rest of the story well. Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave-a very real picture of the power He has over death’s stranglehold. Yet look at the dialogue He had with Martha just a few verses earlier:

Jesus said to her, “Your brother will rise again.”

Martha answered, “I know he will rise again in the resurrection at the last day.”

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. The one who believes in me will live, even though they die; and whoever lives by believing in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

“Yes, Lord,” she replied, “I believe that you are the Messiah, the Son of God, who is to come into the world.” (John 11:23-27)

In other words, Jesus was reminding Martha-and all of us today-that even though we will die physically, we can live spiritually and eternally with the Lord! And He lays out the plan of salvation so simply: believe in Him. Yes, an uncomplicated commitment of faith in Jesus, the One who died to save us from our sins, is all we need. Faith in the Father’s Son who has power over death is it-nothing else is necessary!

 

What might be lost is found through Jesus’ gift for us. Sure, our earthly bodies will wear out. Eighty, ninety, or maybe one hundred years on Planet Earth is all we can handle-but an eternity awaits us after we take our last breath!

Friends, if you’ve lost a loved one who once made this simple commitment of faith in Jesus, you will find him or her again in Heaven! If you know people now who don’t understand God’s plan for their lives yet, then pray! Share the gift of faith you’ve been given-and step out into each day moving forward with the confidence that Jesus, who came to seek the lost, will reunite us again one day in our future, forever home!

Thought of the Month

“Brothers and sisters, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope. For we believe that Jesus died and rose again, and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.”

I Thessalonians 4:13-14

I like the notion of citizenship. There is something comforting about the concept of belonging. Citizenship makes us part of a much bigger family, and there’s a safety in being part of a group-a sense of security in knowing that we’re not alone in this world.

God likes the idea of citizenship, too. In fact, the Bible tells us that He has a much bigger view of what it means to belong. The Apostle Paul, who was quite appreciative of his Roman citizenship, wrote these words:

But whatever happens to me, you must live in a manner worthy of the Good News about Christ, as citizens of heaven . . . but we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”

Philippians 1:27, 3:30

Although we can catch a glimpse of what citizenship is about while we are here on earth, it definitely has its limitations this side of Heaven. The most noticeable is the division that it can cause with people from other places. Someone who is a citizen here might not like someone else because they are a citizen there. In fact, throughout history these simple differences alone have been the only spark necessary for strife, separation, and even battles to break out.

Earthly citizenship also means I can’t have complete freedom to relate to others. There are language barriers, cultural differences, and even physical distances that cause division of peoples. Yet this is not true for those who choose to accept God’s offer to become part of His forever family. Look at this beautiful passage about the promise for those faithful followers of the Lord:

All these faithful ones . . . agreed that they were no more than foreigners and nomads here on earth. And obviously people who talk like that are looking forward to a country they can call their own. If they had meant the country they came from, they would have found a way to go back. But they were looking for a better place, a heavenly homeland. That is why God is not ashamed to be called their God. For he has prepared a heavenly city for them.

Hebrews 11:13-16

Maybe that’s why we don’t feel as comfortable here as we’d like to be. Once we decide to follow the Lord, our heart begins to long for our “heavenly homeland.” While we can and should enjoy the life God has given us here on earth (see John 10:10), we simply can’t build our permanent hopes and dreams upon terra firma. Instead, we must travel light-like vacationers on holiday who’ll soon be returning to that wonderful place called home.

Perhaps composer and music producer Albert Brumley summed up these thoughts best in his gospel song, This World is Not My Home:

This world is not my home, I’m just-a-passing through

My pleasure and my hopes are placed beyond the blue

Many friends and kindred have gone on before

And I can’t feel at home in this world anymore.

Thought of the Month

“. . . for you are a chosen people. You are a kingdom of priests, God’s holy nation, his very own possession. This is so you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of darkness into his wonderful light . . . Dear brothers and sisters, you are foreigners and aliens here.”

I Peter 2:9, 11