Hope & Faith

Psalm 113:3

He always is.

A Devotional based on Acts 1-3

Two generations of comedy greats – Carol Burnett and Kristen Wiig talked about humor and legacy. The two funny ladies sat down for an interview together, where they discussed the art of comedy and expressed their admiration for each other’s body of work and comedic gifts. Watch the short but insightful clip to listen to Carol and Kristen talk about the art of comedy.

It has been said that comedy is much more challenging to do than drama. That’s because everyone has a different sense of humor. What one person finds hilarious will likely not be the same thing that makes the next guy double over in laughter. So, when someone has been able to have and sustain a long career in comedy, you know they have a ton of talent.

One woman whose comedic talent is undeniable is Carol Burnett. If there were a Mt. Rushmore for comedy, she would most certainly be on it. Her legendary show, The Carol Burnett Show, continues to make people laugh all these years later. It’s hard to keep a straight face while watching one of the show’s many classic skits.

Similarly, Kristen, best known for her years on Saturday Night Live, is also a very funny lady. In addition to her many iconic characters on the long-running sketch show, she wrote and starred in one of the funniest films of the last 10 years or so, “Bridesmaids.” In a clip posted on YouTube, the two women sat down to discuss comedy and why they admire each other so much.

Of course, whenever Kristen or the interviewer heaped any praise on Carol, she sidestepped it, deflected it and was extremely modest. Even when Kristen said that The Carol Burnett Show inspired her to get into comedy, Carol said she would have done well in comedy regardless. Talent will always win out, Carol contended.

Job 8:21 “The time will come when your mouth will be full of laughing, and cries of joy will come from your lips.”

“Malcolm in the Middle” star Frankie Muniz shared what led him to Christ. The actor discussed his faith journey and described the situation that ultimately led him to find Jesus Christ. Watch the short, yet powerful clip to hear actor Frankie Muniz discuss how he came to know Christ as his personal Lord and Savior.

None of us would have a chance if not for the love, mercy and grace of Jesus Christ. We all know what we deserve, and it’s not eternal life spent with Him in heaven. No, the Bible says that the wages of sin are death. We are all sinners, having willfully turned our backs on Him and His commands. Death and to be eternally separated from Him are what we rightfully deserve.

However, thankfully, that verse in Romans, which mentions death as the price for sin, does not end there. It goes on to say that “but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord.” He does not want to see any perish and is constantly chasing after the lost sheep. In a clip posted on YouTube, Frankie mentioned how the Lord used music and a poor connection to reach him.

“I’ll be honest with you,” the actor said. “It’s something new into my life. I found it on accident. I was driving across the country. If you had a really long time, I could tell you the whole story. But I was driving across the country, and everything that could possibly go wrong was going wrong. And, I was almost in tears, and the only station that would play was K-Love.”

Later in the video, Frankie mentions the specific songs that were playing at the time.

“The song came on, and it was Kari Jobe ‘Cover the Earth,’ and it was Big Daddy Weave ‘Overwhelmed,’ like back-to-back,” he added. “And where I was, I was somewhere in New Mexico at the time, and it was like the perfect moment, and I haven’t turned off that radio station since. And that brought me, I started going to church every Sunday, and really being involved in my faith, and definitely become a big part of my life.”

Romans 10:17 “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

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Anne Wilson shared how God spoke to her in the middle of pain and heartbreak. The Christian country musician shared what the Lord said to her during one of the darkest and most devastating situations of her life. Watch the short but powerful clip to hear what the Lord said to Anne and how her listening to his message and direction changed her entire life.

Sadly, painful, agonizing situations and circumstances are unavoidable. They have a way of finding all of us at one time or another. Whether it’s the death of a loved one, job loss or some other hardship, those dark times are real, and they hurt -  every single one of them.

But even when we are hurting and struggling, God remains faithful and loving. He can take even the most devastating tragedy and bring about something beautiful. The Bible states as much in the New Testament book of Romans: “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.”

In a clip posted on YouTube, Anne shared how she heard the voice of the Lord only moments after learning about a huge and devastating loss. She had just been informed that her brother had been killed in a car accident.

“So, I walked in, and the first thing I knew to ask was, ‘Dad, is he dead?’ she said. “And he looked up at me with tears in his eyes, and he said, ‘Yeah, Anne, Jacob’s dead.’ I turned around, and I faced these doors in this living room, and they were these glass doors. And I remember seeing myself in the reflection of these glass doors. I heard the voice of the Lord for the first time in my life, and I’ll never forget. He said to me, clear as day, ‘Anne, are you going to trust me or are you not?’”

Immediately after hearing that question, Anne decided to rely on and trust the Lord as she and her family navigated this horrific and devastating tragedy.

“I remember saying, ‘Jesus, I trust you,’” she said. “And in that exact same moment, I felt this peace that I have never experienced since then – the Lord’s presence, of like, I just knew I was going to get through it. I didn’t know what it was going to look like.”

It was at her brother’s funeral, while performing for the first time, that the Lord revealed His plans for her life to her. He was calling her to create music to bring praise, glory and honor to His name.

Psalm 23:4 “Yes, though I go through the valley of deep shade, I will have no fear of evil; for you are with me, your rod and your support are my comfort.”

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“The Middle” actor Atticus Shaffer delivered a powerful Christmas message. His moving words get to the heart of what the Christmas celebration is all about. Watch the short yet touching clip to hear his heartwarming words about Christmas and Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world.

Without Jesus Christ, none of us would have a chance. We’d all still be lost, living in sin and shame and looking toward an eternity separated from Him, one filled with much weeping and gnashing of teeth. Because we are a fallen and sinful bunch, that is the fate that human beings rightly deserve.

However, that no longer has to be our future, our eternity. Only because of the love, grace and mercy of Jesus Christ can we be forgiven and experience eternal life with Him. We can have a future and a hope because Christ willingly went to the cross, where He suffered and died. But that wasn’t the end of the story. He rose again days later, forever winning the victory over sin, death and the grave.

In a clip posted on YouTube, Atticus, best known for playing Brick Heck on the beloved television series “The Middle,” reads the account of Jesus’ birth from the Gospel of Luke. Following the reading from the New Testament book, Atticus passionately talked about Christ’s birth and the forgiveness, hope and victory found in Him.

“My dear friends, this is incredible,” he says. “This is an event that has occurred in the world’s history that completely changed the course of human history. We are able now, through the finished work of the cross, through God’s grace and mercy, to no longer be divided from Him because of the chasm of sin. But instead, be grafted into the family of Christ, through the blood of Christ. And we are His and His alone eternally.”

Later in the clip, the actor addresses specifically those who do not know Christ, informing them of what they can do and how to accept His gift of forgiveness.

“And if any of you out there have not done so already, you can pray a simple prayer right now, repenting of your sins and making Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life,” he added. “And your ultimate destination would change from hell to heaven.”

1 John 1:9 “If we say openly that we have done wrong, he is upright and true to his word, giving us forgiveness of sins and making us clean from all evil.”

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CeCe Winans shared a powerful message that everyone needs to hear. The incredibly talented and popular Christian music singer posted some words of encouragement and a much-needed reminder. Watch the short but powerful clip to listen to what CeCe Winans said that will encourage and uplift you.

We live in a broken, fallen and lost world. This place is full of hurting and struggling people who are looking for something, anything, to alleviate their pain and heartache. They are searching everywhere, seeking a solution, even if it’s only temporary.

Even though there may be widespread hurt, heartache and pain in this fallen and broken world, there is a permanent solution. Jesus Christ went to the cross, where He suffered and died, who later rose again. That’s how much He loves you and me. He went through all of that for us. He became the fix, the answer that many are searching for and seeking. He can take away the hurt, the pain, the addictions and the heartache.

In a clip posted on YouTube, CeCe reminds us of Christ’s unfailing and unending love. No matter what we may be going through, while the world may be broken, chaotic and hectic, we can rest assured and place our faith in Christ’s love and faithfulness.

“I wanted to encourage you by reminding you that Jesus loves you, yeah,” she said. “There’s a lot going on, I know. But I want you to hold onto your peace, and you have to remember the word of God is true, right? Psalm 46 and 1 reminds us that God is our refuge and our strength and a very present help in times of trouble.”

Later in the video, she adds that these are words, a promise to hold onto whenever we face difficulties and challenges.

“So, whatever you’re facing today, remember that Jesus loves you, and that He’s with you and that God has all power,” she added. “He is your hiding place. He is your refuge.”

Psalm 46:1 “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Inner Peace

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