The Friendship Factor

The Friendship Factor #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Friendship Factor"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity." (Proverbs 17:17)One of the most beautiful friendships in all of Scripture is the friendship between Jonathan and David. Here were two young men who should have been rivals. Jonathan was the king's son, next in line for the throne. David was the shepherd boy who had been secretly anointed as the future king. By all rights, they should have been enemies.But instead, the Bible tells us that "the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul." They made a covenant of friendship that lasted through some of the darkest days of David's life.When Saul was trying to kill David, it was Jonathan who warned him. When David was hiding in caves, it was Jonathan who encouraged him. When David felt like giving up, it was Jonathan who "strengthened his hand in God." Now that's the kind of friend we all need.I've been blessed with some Jonathan-type friends over the years. Friends who stuck with me when I made mistakes, who encouraged me when I was discouraged, who told me the truth even when it was hard to hear. These friendships didn't just happen overnight, they were built through shared experiences, through being there for each other in the good times and the bad.You know, we live in a world that's more connected than ever, but somehow we're lonelier than ever. We have hundreds of friends on social media, but we struggle to find someone we can really trust with our hearts. We've substituted likes and comments for real conversation, and emojis for genuine empathy.But God designed us for real friendship, for deep connection. He wants us to have people in our lives who know us, really know us, and love us anyway. People who will strengthen our hands in God when we're ready to give up.Maybe you're thinking, "Pastor, I don't have friends like that." Well, here's something I've learned: if you want a friend, you have to be a friend. Jonathan didn't wait for David to prove himself, he took the initiative. He saw something in David and invested in that friendship.Look around you today. Is there someone who needs encouragement? Someone who's going through a hard time? Someone who just needs to know that somebody cares? Be a Jonathan to them. Reach out, invest in that relationship, strengthen their hand in God.Because at the end of the day, it's not about how many friends you have, it's about being the kind of friend that others can count on when life gets hard.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Get A Clue #RTTBROS #Nightlight Get A ClueScripture:"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." - Proverbs 3:5-6You know, sometimes we get our English words from the most interesting places. Take the word "clue," for instance. Most folks use it every day without knowing where it came from, but it's got quite a story behind it.Way back in ancient Greek mythology, there was a young hero named Theseus who had to face the Minotaur, a monster that was half-man, half-bull, trapped in a massive, twisting labyrinth. This wasn't just any maze, mind you. Nobody who went in ever came back out. The passages twisted and turned, doubled back on themselves, and led to dead ends that would leave you wandering in circles until you died.But Theseus had something the others didn't have. A wise princess named Ariadne gave him a ball of yarn, called a "clewe" in those days. As he made his way deeper into the labyrinth, he unrolled that yarn behind him. After he defeated the monster, that simple thread became his lifeline back to safety and freedom.Over the centuries, that Greek word "clewe" became our English word "clue," meaning evidence that guides us in the right direction.Now, I've been walking with the Lord for enough years to know that life can feel like a labyrinth sometimes. We face situations where we can't see around the next corner, and we honestly don't know which way to go. Maybe it's a health scare, a broken relationship, or financial troubles that keep you awake at night.But here's the beautiful thing about following Jesus: He's given us something better than a ball of yarn. He's given us His Word, His Spirit, and His promises to guide us through every maze life throws at us. When we "trust in the Lord with all thine heart," we're not wandering around in the dark, hoping we'll stumble onto the right path.I've learned over the years that God's guidance isn't always dramatic. Sometimes it's as simple as a verse that jumps off the page at just the right moment, or a sense of peace about one decision over another. The Lord leaves us clues everywhere if we'll just pay attention.Unlike that ancient hero who had to fight alone, we don't have to face our battles by ourselves. Our God has already won the victory. He's not just giving us a thread to follow out of the maze, He's walking with us every step of the way.So when life gets confusing and you feel like you're lost in your own labyrinth, remember: God has given you every clue you need. His Word is a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your path. Trust Him with all your heart, and He'll direct your steps safely home.Prayer: Lord, when life feels like a maze and I can't see the way forward, help me to trust You completely. Give me eyes to see the clues You've placed in my path, and help me follow You faithfully through every twist and turn. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Voice In Your Head #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Voice in Your Head"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." - Philippians 4:8You know, there's a voice that talks to you more than any other voice in your life. It's not your spouse, not your boss, not even your mother-in-law. It's that voice inside your own head, the one that never seems to take a break. The question is, what is that voice saying to you?I heard about a study once where researchers found that the average person has about 12,000 to 60,000 thoughts per day. Now that's a lot of chatter going on upstairs! But here's the kicker, they discovered that about 80% of those thoughts are negative, and 95% are repetitive. That means most of us are like a broken record, playing the same discouraging tune over and over again.I think about David in the Psalms. Here was a man who knew something about battling with his own thoughts. In Psalm 42, he's having a conversation with himself, asking "Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why art thou disquieted in me?" But then he does something powerful, he preaches to himself: "Hope thou in God: for I shall yet praise him for the help of his countenance."You see, David understood that sometimes you've got to take charge of that voice in your head. Sometimes you've got to be your own preacher and remind yourself of what's true instead of what you're feeling.I learned this lesson the hard way years ago when I was going through a particularly difficult season in ministry. Every morning I'd wake up and that voice would start in on me: "You're not cut out for this. You're failing these people. You should just quit." It was like having a bully living rent-free in my brain.But then I started doing what David did. I began to talk back to those thoughts with Scripture. When the voice said "You're a failure," I'd counter with "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." When it whispered "Nobody cares about you," I'd remind myself that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son."The truth is, we all struggle with negative self-talk. Some of us are harder on ourselves than we'd ever dream of being on our worst enemy. We'd never let someone talk to our children the way we talk to ourselves. But here's what I've learned, too soon old and too late smart: you have more control over that inner voice than you think.Paul gives us the game plan in Philippians 4:8. He doesn't say "try not to think negative thoughts." Instead, he tells us what to fill our minds with: things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely, and of good report. It's like changing the radio station from a talk show full of criticism to beautiful music.Friend, that voice in your head doesn't have to be your enemy. With God's help and His Word, it can become your greatest encourager. Start today by asking yourself: what am I saying to me? Then choose to speak truth over your life, because history is just HIS story, and you're honored to be a part of it.Prayer: Father, help me to take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ. When my inner voice speaks discouragement, remind me to speak Your truth instead. Fill my mind with thoughts that honor You and build me up according to Your purposes. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Power Of One Voice #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Power of One VoiceBased on the story of Fanny Crosby"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:2)When Fanny Crosby was just six weeks old, a doctor's mistake left her permanently blind. Her grandmother could have focused on what Fanny couldn't do, but instead she taught her to see the world through other senses. By age eight, Fanny was writing poetry. By her death in 1915, she had written over 8,000 hymns, including "Blessed Assurance" and "To God Be the Glory."Here's what gets me about Fanny's story, she never saw her blindness as a limitation. She once said, "It seemed intended by the blessed providence of God that I should be blind all my life, and I thank him for the dispensation." Now that's a transformed mind right there.You know, most of us spend our time focusing on what we can't do instead of what we can do. We look at our limitations, our circumstances, our past mistakes, and we let them define us. But God wants to transform our thinking. He wants us to see our lives through His eyes, not the world's eyes.I've learned this the hard way over the years, too soon old and too late smart as they say. When I was younger in ministry, I thought I had to be perfect, had to have all the answers. But God has shown me that He often uses our weaknesses, our struggles, even our failures to reach others in ways our strengths never could.Fanny Crosby couldn't see with her physical eyes, but she saw clearly with her spiritual eyes. She saw God's goodness, His faithfulness, His love. And because of her transformed perspective, millions of people have been blessed by her hymns for over a century.What limitation in your life do you need to surrender to God today? What circumstance has you thinking you can't be used by Him? Remember, God isn't looking for perfect people, He's looking for willing people with transformed minds. He wants to take what the world sees as a disability and turn it into His ability working through you.Don't let the world tell you who you are or what you can accomplish. Let God transform your thinking, and watch what He can do through a yielded life.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

Theolology To Doxology #RTTBROS #Nightlight Theolology To Doxology #RTTBROS #Nightlight Listen to this beautiful and profound statement from Gordon Fee."The proper aim of all truth theology is doxology" It really captures something essential about the nature and purpose of theological inquiry, that all genuine study of God should ultimately lead us to worship and praise rather than mere intellectual exercise.Fee's insight reflects a deeply biblical understanding where knowledge of God isn't meant to puff up but to humble us and draw us into wonder. When we truly grasp who God is through careful theological reflection, the natural response isn't pride in our understanding but awe at God's character and works. It's the difference between studying God as an object to be mastered versus encountering God as the One who transforms us.This quote also speaks to the integration of heart and mind in faith. Theology without doxology becomes dry scholasticism, while worship without theological grounding can become shallow emotionalism. Fee suggests they belong together, . that rigorous thinking about God should fuel our praise, and our worship should be informed by truth.It reminds me of how the Psalms weave together deep theological truths with passionate worship, or how Paul's letters often break into spontaneous praise right in the middle of doctrinal exposition. The goal isn't just to know about God but to know God in a way that moves us to worship. Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Power Of Words #RTTBROS #Nightlight

The Eight-Cow Heart #RTTBROS #NightlightThe Eight-Cow Heart #RTTBROS #Nightlight The Eight-Cow Heart: When Love Transforms Worth"We love him, because he first loved us." - 1 John 4:19 (KJV)There's an old story that has stuck with me for years, one that cuts right to the heart of what it means to truly honor the people we love. It comes from a tale called "Johnny Lingo's Eight-Cow Wife," and every time I think about it, I'm reminded of just how powerful our love can be in transforming another person's life.The story goes like this: On a small Pacific island, there lived a young man named Johnny Lingo who was known throughout the region as a shrewd trader and successful businessman. When it came time for Johnny to choose a wife, everyone expected him to marry the most beautiful woman on the island. Instead, he chose Sarita, a plain, skinny, shy girl who kept her head down and barely spoke above a whisper.Now, on this island, it was customary for a man to pay the bride's father a dowry in cows. Most wives went for two or three cows, maybe four if she was particularly attractive or came from a good family. A five-cow wife was considered exceptional. But when Johnny Lingo approached Sarita's father, he offered something that left the entire village speechless: eight cows.Eight cows! People thought Johnny had lost his mind. Why would anyone pay such an extraordinary price for such an ordinary girl?Years later, a visitor to the island met Johnny and his wife, and he couldn't believe his eyes. Sarita had been transformed into one of the most beautiful, confident, graceful women he had ever seen. Her shoulders were straight, her chin held high, and there was a sparkle in her eyes that seemed to light up the entire room. When the visitor asked Johnny about his unusual choice, Johnny smiled and said something profound: "I wanted an eight-cow wife, and when I paid eight cows for her, she became one."You see, Johnny understood something that too many of us miss in our relationships. He knew that when you treat someone as invaluable, they begin to see themselves that way. When you love someone as if they're worth eight cows, they start carrying themselves like an eight-cow person.This reminds me of how God loves us. Scripture tells us "we love him, because he first loved us." Before we were lovable, before we had anything to offer, before we even knew we needed Him, God looked at us and said, "You're worth my Son." He paid the ultimate price, not eight cows, but the life of Jesus Christ, to demonstrate our value in His eyes.And just like Sarita, when we truly understand how much God values us, it changes everything about how we see ourselves and how we move through this world.But here's where it gets personal for all of us: How many cows do the people in your life feel they're worth?When your spouse makes a mistake, do they feel like they're worth eight cows to you, or do your words and actions make them feel like damaged goods? When your children struggle or fail, do they walk away from conversations with you feeling treasured and valued, or do they feel like they need to earn your love and approval?I've been married long enough to know that it's easy to start treating the people closest to us like we got them at a discount. We get comfortable, we take them for granted, and before we know it, we're making them feel like two-cow people when God designed them to be eight-cow treasures.I think about all the times in my own life when I've been too quick with criticism and too slow with affirmation. Too focused on what needed fixing and not focused enough on what was already beautiful. I've learned, too soon old and too late smart, as they say, that people tend to become what we consistently tell them they are.If you want to see transformation in your relationships, start treating the people you love like they're worth eight cows.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

When Freedom Rings #RTTBROS #Nightlight When Freedom Rings "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1 (KJV)There's something stirring about the Fourth of July, isn't there? The smell of barbecue smoke drifting through neighborhoods, the sound of children's laughter echoing from backyards, and later tonight, those brilliant fireworks painting the sky with colors that make your heart skip a beat. It's a day when we celebrate freedom, political freedom, the kind our forefathers fought and died for.But as I was thinking about this holiday this morning, sipping my coffee welcoming the day, I couldn't help but think about a deeper kind of freedom. The kind that doesn't depend on governments or constitutions, though I'm grateful for both. The kind that can't be taken away by tyrants or lost in elections.You see, our nation was founded on some pretty radical ideas for its time. The notion that people could govern themselves, that rights come from God rather than kings, that ordinary folks could chart their own course in life. Those founding fathers, for all their flaws and struggles, understood something profound about human dignity and freedom.But here's what strikes me as I've gotten older and hopefully a little wiser, too soon old and too late smart, as they say, the external freedoms we celebrate today only work when people have internal freedom. Political liberty is wonderful, but it's hollow if we're still enslaved to fear, bitterness, addiction, or despair.Paul knew this when he wrote to the Galatians. He wasn't talking about Roman occupation or political oppression, though those were real concerns. He was talking about the yoke of bondage that weighs down the human soul. The kind of chains that no revolution can break, no declaration can dissolve.I've seen it in my years of ministry, people who live in the freest nation on earth but are imprisoned by guilt over past mistakes. Folks who have every constitutional right but feel trapped by circumstances beyond their control. Citizens who can vote and speak their minds but can't seem to break free from patterns that keep hurting them and the people they love.That's where the gospel comes in, friends. Christ offers a freedom that goes deeper than any political system. It's the freedom to be forgiven, to start over, to be transformed from the inside out. It's the liberty that says your past doesn't have to define your future, that God's grace is bigger than your worst day, and that His love is stronger than whatever chains have held you down.But what I am saying is this: the freedom Christ offers makes all other freedoms possible. When people are free in their hearts, they can build free societies. When individuals know their worth comes from being children of God, they can treat others with the dignity every person deserves. When folks understand grace, they can extend mercy. When people have hope, they can work for justice.So as we celebrate this Fourth of July, let's remember both kinds of freedom. Let's thank God for this nation, with all its imperfections and possibilities. Let's honor those who've served and sacrificed for our political liberties. But let's also remember that true freedom, the kind that lasts for eternity, comes from the One who said, "If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed" (John 8:36, KJV).That's the freedom worth celebrating, today and every day. That's the liberty that no earthly power can take away, because it's rooted not in human documents but in divine love.Happy Fourth of July, friends. May you know both kinds of freedom, and may you live in the joy of both.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros

The Unsung Heroes#RTTBROS #Nightlight"And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward." Matthew 10:42I've been thinking a lot lately about heroes. Not the kind you see in movies or read about in history books, but the quiet heroes who walk among us every day. This month, I've had the privilege of celebrating the lives of three such heroes, church ladies who spent their lives serving others in ways that rarely made headlines but always made a difference.These women understood something that our culture often misses: that true greatness isn't found in the spotlight, but in the shadows. It's not measured by applause, but by the quiet satisfaction of a job well done for the glory of God. They were the ones who showed up when showing up mattered most.They were there when families faced crisis, arriving with casseroles and comfort in equal measure. They were there during church work days, with cleaning supplies and willing hearts. They were there for baby showers and bridal showers, for Sunday school parties and vacation Bible school, for committee meetings and prayer meetings. They were simply there, consistently, faithfully, lovingly.You might not have known their names if you were visiting from out of town, but you certainly felt their influence. They were the ones who made sure the church felt like home, who created an atmosphere where strangers became family and burdens became lighter simply because they were shared.Jesus spoke about the reward that comes to those who give even a cup of cold water in His name. These precious women spent their lives offering cups of cold water, literally and figuratively, to anyone who needed refreshment. They understood that ministry isn't just what happens from the pulpit on Sunday morning; it's what happens in the fellowship hall, the kitchen, the nursery, and the parking lot throughout the week.They were the unsung heroes of the faith, the ones who made it possible for pastors to pastor, for programs to run smoothly, for visitors to feel welcome, and for the church to truly be the body of Christ in action. They didn't serve for recognition or reward; they served because they loved Jesus and His people.As I stood at their gravesides this month, I couldn't help but think about the passage in Matthew where Jesus says, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord" (Matthew 25:21). If anyone deserved to hear those words, it was these faithful church ladies.Their legacy lives on in every person they served, every life they touched, every act of kindness they showed. They may have considered themselves ordinary, but in God's economy, their faithful service was extraordinary indeed.Prayer:Lord, thank You for the unsung heroes of the faith, the church ladies who served with such dedication and love. Help us to follow their example of quiet faithfulness, to serve without seeking recognition, and to love Your people with the same selfless devotion they showed. May we honor their memory by continuing their legacy of faithful service. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe—it helps get the word out.

God's Will + God's Grace = Your Peace #RTTBROS #Nightlight "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Corinthians 12:9"The will of God will never take you where the grace of God cannot keep you."These words ring with profound truth that every believer needs to hear, especially when facing uncertain paths or overwhelming circumstances. Paul's thorn in the flesh teaches us this very principle, God's grace proved sufficient even in his deepest struggle.When the Lord calls us forward, whether into ministry, difficult relationships, challenging seasons, or unfamiliar territory, we can trust that His enabling grace will meet us there. His will and His grace are perfectly aligned. He never sends us on assignments without equipping us with everything we need to walk them out.Consider the heroes of faith: Moses stammering before Pharaoh, David facing Goliath, Esther approaching the king unbidden, Mary receiving news of her miraculous pregnancy. Each faced situations that seemed beyond their natural capacity, yet God's grace proved more than adequate.The same is true for you today. That calling He's placed on your heart, that difficult conversation you need to have, that season of uncertainty you're walking through, His grace is already there waiting. Where His will leads, His grace has already prepared the way."But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble." James 4:6Prayer: Father, when I feel overwhelmed by what You're calling me to do or where You're leading me, remind me that Your grace is sufficient. Help me trust that You will never take me where Your grace cannot sustain me. In Jesus' name, Amen.Be sure to Like, Share, Follow and subscribe it helps get the word out.https://linktr.ee/rttbros