Devopreview by City on a Hill

A 40 DAY DEVOTIONAL

Bart Millard WITH ROBERT NOLAND

©2018 All rights reserved. No portion of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopy, recording, scanning, or other—except for brief quotations in critical reviews or articles, without the prior written permission of the publisher. Published by City on a Hill, 1914 Stanley Gault Pkwy, Louisville, KY 40223 Published in association with the literary agency of WTA Services, LLC, Franklin, Tennessee. Unless otherwise noted, Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan. com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.™ Scripture quotations marked MSG are from The Message. Copyright © by Eugene H. Peterson 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NLT are from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation. © 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ISBN: 978-1-939622-51-8

This is where we will put some kind of dedications.

Introduction | 8 A Personal Warning from Bart | 12 Day 1 | 15

Nothing You Can Possibly Do

Day 2 | 18

Realized I Was Incredibly Alone

Day 3 | 21

Just the Way I Am

Day 4 | 24

Breathing New Life into Me

Day 5 | 28

God, If You Are Real

Day 6 | 31

God, You Can Change Anyone

Day 7 | 34

The Monster Became My Mentor

Day 8 | 37

The Past Doesn’t Dictate Our Future

Day 9 | 40

To Be the Gospel in Our Homes

Day 10 | 44

We Need God’s Community

Day 11 | 47

Day 26 | 95

Day 12 | 50

Day 27 | 98 How Is That Fair?

Day 13 | 53

Freedom Comes from Forgiveness

Day 28 | 101 Chase My Dreams, Whatever It Takes

Day 14 | 56

Day 29 | 104

Day 15 | 60

Day 30 | 108

Day 16 | 63

Day 31 | 111

Day 17 | 67

Day 32 | 114

Day 18 | 70

Day 33 | 117

Day 19 | 73

Day 34 | 120

Day 20 | 76

Day 35 | 123

Day 21 | 79

Day 36 | 127

Day 22 | 82

Day 37 | 130

Day 23 | 85

Day 38 | 133

Day 24 | 88

Day 39 | 136

Day 25 | 91

Day 40 | 139

He Wasn’t Allowed on the List God Knows What to Do

The Final Step of Forgiving Caught Up in Being the Victim Set My Mind on Things Above To Know Nothing But Christ The Power of the Gospel Accepting the Hope of Heaven Our Obedience Impacts Everyone In the Word Every Night Losing Your Best Friend Nothing I Looked Forward to More The Godliest Man I’ve Ever Known Go the Extra Mile

The Best He Could with the Time He Had

On the Very Day His Legacy Is Still Alive I Can Only Imagine Okay, God, I Get It We All Want to Embrace Hope If You Hadn’t Played That Song

The True Heroes in This World Life Through His Lens With the Best Words He Had Heaven Has Already Begun The Kingdom of God Begins Here The Most Real Thing Ever

introduction “Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house and went off to a solitary place, where he prayed.” ( Mark 1:35)

To understand the meaning of this verse, you don’t have to study the Greek language. It means exactly what it says in whatever translation or paraphrase you read. Jesus got up early in the morning and went away alone to pray for a single, simple purpose—to spend one-on-one time with His Father. We clearly see from His example here that a dedicated daily time alone with God is one of the most life-changing spiritual disciplines we can invest in. No distractions, devices, or noise, and no one else around—just you and God. We are so glad you have chosen to spend the next forty days in I Can Only Imagine, the devotional. Here are a few points we hope will help your experience as you begin: 1. Decide to commit Plan to use this book for the next forty days, setting aside intentional and undistracted time to make a habit of engaging with God daily. If you miss a day or two, just pick back up where you left off. Please don’t give in to the temptation to feel any guilt; just get back on board. Don’t quit—commit. Your relationship with Christ is worth every moment you invest.

2. Pick a time While spending a few moments alone with God first thing in the morning can be best to set the pace for your day, choose when will be optimum for your schedule. You may need to experiment a bit, but pick a time and stick with it. We will all make time for the things that matter most to us. 3. Choose a place Just like Jesus in Mark 1:35, you need a quiet and peaceful setting. Pick the most comfortable place you can find, away from distractions. No phones. No devices. No TV and no one else around. Your environment is crucial for you to be focused as you engage with God. 4. Read Take in all the content. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t scan, as you would a text or email, but carefully read it like a love letter, especially the Bible verses. If you prefer to use your own version of Scripture each day, feel free to do so. Just look up the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s passage and read your Bible instead. 5. Journal In the movie I Can Only Imagine, my journal is a consistent part of my spiritual life from middle school into adulthood. Whether you use an actual journal or a simple spiral notebook, write out anything you hear from God or feel you need to express from each day. Allowing a few minutes to write down your thoughts and prayers is a great way to add to this experience, processing what God is saying to you. Journaling can be a powerful tool in your spiritual walk. When you complete these forty days and go back through what you wrote, you will likely be able to see your growth.

6. . Pray Allow yourself time to speak with God and tell Him everything as you would a best friend. Just talk to Him. Tell Him your heart. Be honest. Be specific. No fancy spiritual language is necessary. If you have never spent time in personal prayer, the next forty days could revolutionize your life and spiritual growth. Be mindful to keep praying as you go through your day and to maintain an ongoing dialogue with your Heavenly Father. Remember, He doesn’t stay in your prayer spot but goes with you everywhere. 7. Listen and Obey Close your time with a quiet moment to hear God speak. Be still and know He is God (Psalm 46:10). Quiet your mind and heart and pray the prayer of Samuel: “Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening” (1 Samuel 3:9). It is normal to feel a little strange at first as you sit and listen, but if you stick with this discipline, you will be amazed at what the Holy Spirit will speak to you. Then obey what you hear and live out what He tells you each day. The goal of these forty days is to allow Jesus to change your life through a personal relationship with Him.

“‘Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace.’” (Matthew 6:6 MSG)

a personal warning from Bart We all know what a warning label on an album means these days, right? Watch out! Explicit lyrics are in some or all of the songs. Well, my warning label on this devotional is simply this: Do not approach these next forty days as a spiritual to-do list. Because of the very nature of what a devotional is designed to do, my deep concern was that I did not want to create another Christian list for what to do. We have suffered over the years in Christianity from the false notion that if I just complete this author’s list of ten things to do in the Christian life, then I’ll become a godly man or woman. Or if I check off these five to-dos in my marriage, we will become a happy couple. While knowing and applying practical steps for growth is important, it should not be the focus of our faith. Rusty Kennedy, who was my youth pastor and then became a dear, close friend, would say, “Don’t ‘should’ me, just love me. Don’t tell me what to do to fix this, but let’s figure this out together.” A continual theme throughout this devotional is to avoid religion while embracing relationship. Going off alone with a to-do list might help you adjust or manage your behavior for a short time, but it will do nothing for your heart long-term. Only engaging in authentic relationships with God and close brothers and sisters will bring you lasting spiritual growth. I am a firm believer in the foundational truths of Psalm 119:11—

“I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you”—and Colossians 3:2—“Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things”—because I know in this life, the enemy of God and our souls is never going to let up. The day-by-day key to victory for us as believers is obedience to the Holy Spirit of God, and that can only be found in an intimate relationship with Christ. As you engage with each of these forty days, please hear me say from the get-go that my growth and your growth as Christians is not about adopting the right formula, but applying a real faith. My prayer is that you will simply allow God’s amazing love and grace to lead you “to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all [you] ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within [you]” (Ephesians 3:20).

There is nothing YOU CAN

POSSIBLY DO TO MAKE CHRIST LOVE YOU ANY MORE THAN HE DOES RIGHT NOW.

NOTHING YOU CAN POSSIBLY DO

Day 1 “There is nothing you can possibly do to make Christ love you any more than He does right now.”

This statement rocked my world! When a friend spoke that truth to me, the concept revolutionized my life and created a pivotal moment that changed my heart’s direction forever. He went on to ask me these questions: • What if your true identity is being a child of the risen King, and while you will still wrestle with your own flesh, winning some battles while losing others, it can never change how Christ sees you because the cross was actually enough? • What if Jesus’ acceptance of you has nothing to do with what you do, but whose you are? • What if your identity is found only in what He has already done? I grew up with the false belief that God would be okay with me if I could just “do my part.” Many years later, this friend helped me see that even on my worst possible day, my Heavenly Father is already and always pleased with me—because of Christ’s work

on the cross. I had called this message “the good news” all my life, but it didn’t actually become personally “good” to me until I started to spend my time and energy trusting God instead of trying to please Him. Once, there were two young men whose wealthy father told them to choose a trade to make a living. After careful discussion, both made the decision to become carpenters. They wanted to use the hard work of their hands to construct beautiful homes for people. The father gave each brother his own large plot of land and every available carpentry tool, as well as truckloads of the finest lumber of all kinds. He then told them he would provide anything they needed, anytime. His resources were constantly available. The first brother, always wanting desperately to prove his self-sufficiency to his father, bought every manual he could find to read on carpentry. Every day at the job site, he would go online to watch lectures and how-to videos by reputable builders. But when he picked up his tools and attempted what the experts made to look so easy, it didn’t work at all for him the way they said it should. Growing discouraged and frustrated, he started showing up late and leaving early, looking at piles of poorly cut boards, and grumbling about the mess he now blamed his dad for creating in his life. Until finally one day, he just stopped showing up. The second brother took a completely different path with the same resources. He asked his dad to send a master carpenter who was a wise and patient teacher to work alongside him. This brother knew he would learn from the best example possible. Every day, the master carpenter and his disciple would work together and, while unsure and shaky at first, over time the young man became adept with every tool and mastered the details of carpentry—never perfect, but always passionate. The two became an incredible

team. They built beautiful homes covering his land and began to expand their reach into other areas, blessing many lives. The first brother represents religion—relying on knowledge and the experience of others while depending only on self in an attempt to appease an already pleased Father. Religion is marked by strategies, striving, and strongholds. The second brother represents relationship—relying on the Master who will come alongside to teach in grace and truth, to build blessing and glory together for the Father and others. Relationship is marked by training, trust, and truth. The apostle Paul had been like the first brother in our story but then became the second brother after meeting Christ, finally understanding God’s great mercy and love. As a songwriter, I respect the poetic language Paul wrote to communicate this truth to the church at Ephesus and to us: “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge— that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Ephesians 3:16–19)

For a deeper dive into today’s topic, read Romans chapter 3.

I REALIZED I WAS INCREDIBLY ALONE

Day 2 “When my dad began to ignore me and not care anymore, as a teenager, I felt safe with the distance at first, but then I realized I was incredibly alone.”

Regardless of how healthy or horrible we feel our families were or still are, we are all raised by sinful people. Maybe you felt like your parents were amazing and created a standard you’ve felt you could never meet. Or possibly your family life was really tough and you never want to repeat their actions in your own life. Whatever the circumstances, our DNA is self-centered and self-preserving. This makes all families dysfunctional on some level. Yes, we all have our issues. As much as I dearly love my five kids and strive to be like my dad after he came to Christ, I make mistakes because I still wrestle daily with my own flesh and the power of sin. We are born with a deep desire and need to reconnect our hearts to our Creator. Feeling the void in our souls, knowing something is inherently wrong, we try countless things to find fulfillment. Having the strange and mystical sense that we are incredibly alone, we can be in a room full of people and still feel completely isolated, or at a gathering of family and friends and feel disengaged and disconnected. In our state of sin, we are spiritual

orphans who hate feeling alone in the world—the same feeling Adam and Eve experienced when they attempted to hide from God in the garden of Eden. When Jesus was readying His disciples for His crucifixion and return to the Father, He made a number of promises to them, and also to us: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.” (John 14:16–20)

The gospel of Christ communicates truths that nothing else ever has or ever will, such as: • God has not, nor will he ever, ignore you. “The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Those who know your name trust in you, for you, Lord, have never forsaken those who seek you.” (Psalm 9:9–10) • God has always cared for you. “Cast your cares on the Lord and he will sustain you; he will never let the righteous be shaken.” (Psalm 55:22) • You are spiritually safe with God.

“Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: ‘The Lord knows those who are his.’” (2 Timothy 2:19)

• God promises you will never be alone. “Because God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.’” (Hebrews 13:5–6) The same relationship my dad and I found with our Heavenly Father through His Son, Jesus Christ, is available to you. He is a Gentleman and gives you the choice, but He is ready and waiting for you to respond. For more understanding of the gospel, read Romans 1:20–21; 3:22–24; 5:8; 6:23; and 10:9–13.

JUST THE WAY I AM

Day 3 “You tell me that there is Someone who approves of me just the way I am, who died for me and had me in mind? That’s unheard of.”

What I went through as a child, because of the situation with my mom leaving and my dad’s abuse, was definitely a springboard into the beginning of my relationship with Christ. Here are the truths I came to understand that literally changed my life, truths that I want you to know as well. There is a God-shaped void or emptiness inside us all that we attempt to fill in our own way, with good and bad things. Regardless of where we look for answers, they never satisfy what God designed for us to receive only from Him. But we can’t see this truth on our own; His Spirit has to help us. The Bible defines sin as attitudes, thoughts, and actions which displease God. He is perfect and we are not. He is holy and we are not. We are all born with Adam’s nature after he, along with Eve, decided to disobey God in the garden of Eden (Genesis 3). As we are born into this flawed state, we too then choose to disobey him (Romans 7:15–20). For example, no one teaches us how to lie; we just know how, so therefore we do. These choices make us guilty

before God, so we need a power far greater than our own strength to change what we have become (Romans 8:8). Christianity invites us to follow Jesus, God’s Son in human form, who experienced life on Earth for thirty-three years (Hebrews 4:15). Romans 6:23 states that the wages—what we earn— from our sin or disobedience to God is death. His holiness demands this spiritual debt be paid for our salvation. In the Old Testament days, the high priest sacrificed a lamb or bull in place of a person that desired forgiveness for their sin. But Jesus offered Himself on the cross as the final sacrifice (Hebrews 7:27). He died so we would not have to. Christ died in my place and in your place! This is the part of the gospel that blew me away when I first heard it, and still does every day. Totally innocent of any sin, Jesus took our punishment—His trial, beating, crucifixion, separation from God, and death (Matthew 27:1–50). His greatest expression of love was giving His own life for each of us. John 15:13 states, “Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” But each person gets to choose and must decide whether or not to accept Jesus’ death as the replacement for his or her own. God, in His great love, gives you the freedom in this life to receive Him or not. In John 14:6 Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Once you have prayed and agreed He is your Savior (Romans 10:9–10), you are a new person. With your sin now forgiven and your past forgotten by God (Hebrews 8:12), you can live in His forgiveness forever (Galatians 2:20). You are saved by His grace (Ephesians 2:8–9) and freed in His eyes from past mistakes to live a life of serving Him and others in His power (Colossians 1:28–29). If you are ready to begin a relationship with Christ, talk to a pastor, priest, or a Christian family member or friend who would

want to know about your decision. They would love to answer any questions or guide you forward in your new journey. Please share your decision with someone as soon as you can. Simply expressing your heart to God is the best way to pray, because there are no magic words or special formulas for receiving Christ’s gift of salvation. Here’s a simple prayer for guidance that my friend, Pastor Greg Laurie, always offers following his messages: “Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. But I know that You’re the Savior who died on the cross for my sin and rose again from the dead. I turn from my sin. I’m sorry for my sin. I want to follow You, Jesus, from this moment forward as my Savior and Lord, as my God and my Friend. Thank You, Lord, for loving me. Thank You, Lord, for calling me. Thank You, Lord, for accepting and forgiving me. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.” Take some time to read the entire story of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, resurrection, and ascension to Heaven found in Matthew 27:1–28:20.

BREATHING NEW LIFE INTO ME

Day 4 “I was so drawn to the gospel because the first time I heard someone say, ‘Christ will never leave you,’ was like breathing new life into me.”

I remember at youth camp and Vacation Bible School, I’d go down front to trust Christ every opportunity I could, just because I was so desperate to receive this truth. Even though I was drawn to His grace, my belief was if I did not please God with my behavior, He would walk out on me. Of course, this was just me superimposing my dad onto God, which was not at all true, but it was all I knew. So after a while I started to think, Wait, God is not really that much different than my dad. Up until just a few years ago, my life was based on what I could “do for God” so that surely now He would be okay with me. All this “work” should count. It certainly seemed to be good to everyone else so why not Him, right? For years, I would rather stand in front of a crowd of ten thousand people than deal with anyone one-on-one, because the one is going to talk back to me. I had no problem telling everybody how much God adores them, but I struggled to apply His grace to my own life. It was so easy for me to tell people how much God loved them to keep the focus off me and avoid the issues I dealt with daily.

But knowing the truth and living out the truth are very different things. Even the apostle Paul was deadly honest about his own struggle: “So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; but I see another law at work in me, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within me. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body that is subject to death? Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:21–25)

The idea of performing for God to gain His approval manifests itself in two ways. The first is in salvation. There are countless people who interpret the Scriptures and live their lives as if they can gain and lose salvation based on their behavior of the day. They believe if sin is committed, then salvation is lost and must be regained once again, as if Jesus enters and exits our hearts like through a revolving door. The second way is, once we are in a relationship with Christ, while we may not think we lose our salvation, we believe we gain and lose God’s favor based on our level of activity and ministry. There are many in the church today who believe the more they volunteer and serve, the more God loves them. We think being busy for Him is some sort of proof of holiness. Both of these performance problems make the Christian life about us when the focus is Christ. Both also diminish His work on the cross because we feel we must add our own work to be saved, remain saved, and stay in His good graces. These also place religion above relationship—trying to reach out to God when He already has us securely in His hands.

In my case, during my many years on stage, I was literally performing by singing songs and communicating messages for people to enjoy and gain encouragement. Today, while you might see no difference in what I do standing behind a microphone, there is a vast change—in my own heart! I finally realized, just as I’m encouraging you today, that the only rescue available for this “wretched man” that is “subject to death” is the only One who can deliver us—Jesus Christ. Not our pastor, not our grandma who loves God, and not ourselves. Our only true hope is Christ. If you relate to my story, to the burden of “feeling saved” and then not or wearing yourself out to show God how much you can do for Him in ministry, the great news is you can let go and watch God work in you. Hand over your burdens and fears to Him and trust He is indeed enough. To understand the broader scope of today’s subject, read all of Romans 7.

Christ

will never

leave

you

GOD, IF YOU ARE REAL

Day 5 “I think there has to be a moment when you just choose to believe and say, ‘God, if you’re real, I want to become a part of Your story.’ Even if you don’t get the words right, God sees your heart.”

Throughout the history of the church and the rise of so many different denominations, the language of salvation has always been hotly debated, creating divisions among God’s people. The words in prayers to request salvation have been scrutinized by countless theologians for a myriad of religious reasons. The thought is that somehow saying the wrong thing might not result in salvation. Yet I believe the God I know wouldn’t turn down a repentant heart crying out to Him, no matter how that person asks. There is an amazing story in Scripture that is possibly the best real-life example of what God will receive as a prayer for His help. Christ is on the cross, hanging between two thieves. He is innocent of all wrongdoing, while the two men beside him are guilty of all charges. Read the fascinating exchange between the three while suffering horrific deaths: “The soldiers also came up and mocked him. They offered him

wine vinegar and said, ‘If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.’ There was a written notice above him, which read: this is the king of the jews. One of the criminals who hung there hurled insults at him: ‘Aren’t you the Messiah? Save yourself and us!’ But the other criminal rebuked him. ‘Don’t you fear God,’ he said, ‘since you are under the same sentence? We are punished justly, for we are getting what our deeds deserve. But this man has done nothing wrong.’ Then he said, ‘Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.’ Jesus answered him, ‘Truly I tell you, today you will be with me in paradise.’” (Luke 23:36–43)

In this passage, we read the two opposing responses that mankind has always made throughout history regarding Jesus. Against versus accept. Reject versus receive. Self-centered versus God-focused. But Christ, hanging on the cross in between the two extremes, died for both, making the choice available to all sinners. The first man was full of anger and bitterness. His words were threatening and packed with mocking disbelief. We hear this same voice screaming throughout our culture today, as loud as ever. The second man was remorseful and repentant. The most amazing thing about what he said was his defense of Jesus and His innocence. But the second criminal’s final words are some of the most humble and intriguing in all of Scripture. He called Jesus by name, expressing great faith by stating He knew Christ would be returning to Heaven. But the thief didn’t actually ask for salvation. He didn’t say, “Save me,” but “Remember me.” As is the case when we open our hearts to God, Jesus took the request to another level and said not only would He remember him, but this day he would be with Him. Wow! Imagine for a moment suffering a terrifying and painful death, gasping to take another breath, and hearing the Son of God tell you that very day

you will be in paradise. The lost was forever found in a simple, single sentence. Jesus never responded to the first thiefâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s scornful insults. He only responded to the one expressing faith. Even dying on the cross, Jesus allowed the freedom to choose Him or not. The bottom line is without surrender, like the first criminal on the cross, salvation will not occur. We see the intent of the heart is more important than the choice of words. The proper phrase does not saveâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;Jesus does! There is no magic formula, but a merciful Father. Every day I believe I am a part of something bigger in this life, knowing it is worthwhile to get out of bed in the morning because I can tell people about the gospel that assures criminals of the cross, just like me, of Heaven. I love having such a living hope alive in me. I also love embracing the fact that I will see my dad again in paradise with Jesus. On the days when your doubts about your own faith are overwhelming you and Heaven feels very far away, remember the thief who humbly asked for Jesus to remember him. These verses are such an amazing comfort. Read another encounter where Christ assures a woman with a bad reputation of salvation in Luke 7:36â&#x20AC;&#x201C;50.

GOD, YOU CAN CHANGE ANYONE

Day 6 “God, if You can change my dad, You can change anyone.”

When I realized my dad had come to Christ and his life was starting to change right before me, I had so many mixed emotions. On one hand, I was screaming, “Wait a minute, God! He can’t get off this easy after all he has done to me.” On the other hand, my faith was shouting, “If You can change my dad, You can change anyone! I know You are calling me to forgive and start fresh with him, just as You did with me years ago.” Forgiveness can be an incredible but also a tricky life dynamic to navigate. But as the weeks and months passed, Arthur Millard Jr. proved to be a man transforming. So that meant everything—and I mean everything—in my life started changing too. The abuse was gone. The meanness was history. I stopped walking on eggshells. Cold silence was now replaced with words of encouragement. Ignoring me turned to engaging in deep conversations. My dad had spent so many years trying to drag me down into his world of depression and bitterness, but now he was coming my way—embracing the Way, as in the John 14:6 Way. His world was starting to merge with mine. He wanted to go to church with me. He began bringing up discussions about Scripture. And the

biggest change of all, my dad was trying to truly love his son for the first time, because, for the first time, he was allowing himself to be loved as a son by his Heavenly Father. In the film I Can Only Imagine, there’s a scene that shows me resisting my dad’s first attempts to express his change about God, and for me. The realization of what Jesus was doing in his life, while fighting my own heart in the reality of what I had lived out for so many years, reminds me of a story in the New Testament. “In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, ‘Ananias!’ ‘Yes, Lord,’ he answered. The Lord told him, ‘Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.’ ‘Lord,’ Ananias answered, ‘I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your holy people in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name.’ But the Lord said to Ananias, ‘Go! This man is my chosen instrument to proclaim my name to the Gentiles and their kings and to the people of Israel.’” (Acts 9:10–15)

Can you imagine the emotions and thoughts that must have swept over Ananias when God told him to go and pray for Saul of Tarsus? He knew exactly who the guy was. The religious leader who had been in charge of imprisoning and killing followers of Christ—just like Ananias. What God was asking him to do must have seemed unbelievable in that moment. But … • Ananias trusted the words of God over the words he had heard about Saul.

• Ananias chose obedience over his own bias. • Ananias decided the potential reward for the kingdom was greater than the perceived risk for his life. In those early days of my dad’s transformation, I had to constantly trust what God was saying to me. I had to choose obedience over the bias I had built up over many years. And just look at the impact God has made over these past twenty-plus years using the song “I Can Only Imagine” in countless lives for the sake of the kingdom. Have you had an “Ananias moment”? God uses difficult circumstances to grow us in ways we might not choose otherwise, accelerating our maturity through obedience. When we see God begin to move in the life of someone close to us, no matter how certain or shaky the relationship, we must do the right thing for the person, which can also sometimes be the hard thing for us. Trust the One who changes the Arthurs and Sauls, as well as the Barts and Ananiases, into new creations so we can become what verse 15 states: chosen instruments to proclaim God’s name to people. For what happened after Ananias found Saul, read Acts 9:17–31.

THE MONSTER BECAME MY MENTOR

Day 7 “What my dad did to me seemed insurmountable, seemed out of control. But it’s not just that it stopped, but that the monster became my mentor. That’s why it’s a huge part of my faith today and who I am.”

There is an account in the Bible of a demon-possessed man that, if it were made into a movie today, would be an extremely intense horror film. But as with so many of the stories in the New Testament, the terror and mayhem ends soon after Jesus enters the scene. Jesus and His disciples were in a boat going across the lake. This is the same lake where a huge storm threatened them, and Jesus rebuked the wind and the waves by saying, “Peace, be still” (Mark 4:38 NKJV). But on the other side, as they got out of the boat, another type of storm met them. A man had been living in the tombs. The local villagers, fearing for their lives from this demon-possessed monster, had attempted to chain him up by both his hands and his feet. But the man’s strength was supernatural, and he would always break free from their shackles. No one was able to overpower this guy because of the number of demons he had inside. We may think cutting

oneself is a modern-day self-harming activity, but as with most things in this world, it is not at all new. This man would sit among the graves and cry out and wail in anguish while cutting himself with stones. Sounds like a horror movie to me. This inflicted man was isolated and alone, feared and shunned by his family and friends, hurting deeply, and trying anything to free himself from the torment of the demonic forces that controlled him. But an incredible and intriguing thing happened. From a distance, he was able to see Jesus walking up on the shoreline. Somehow knowing who He was, and using sheer will to go the opposite direction of the way the demons would have wanted to go, he ran to Jesus. Reminiscent of the lyrics in “I Can Only Imagine,” the man ran and fell down on his knees before Christ. But although he was able to make his body cooperate, the voices that came out were not his. These voices immediately started questioning, begging, and negotiating with Jesus. They asked Him not to send them away but instead to go into a herd of nearby pigs. Christ agreed but demanded they leave the man. And so they did. Some poor pig farmer lost his entire herd that day as they stampeded into the lake and drowned. News traveled fast back to the locals, and they all came running to see what had happened to their local monster: “When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid. … As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not let him, but said, ‘Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.’ So the man went away and began to tell in

the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed” (Mark 5:15, 18–20).

Years before I was born, my dad had suffered a head injury that greatly altered his behavior and was thought to be the catalyst for his temper and rage. After Dad came to salvation, regardless of the cause for his anger, Jesus put him back “in his right mind.” Dad also spent the rest of his days telling everyone how much Jesus had done for him. And like many people were amazed, I certainly was! No matter how deeply we are lost, when we encounter Jesus, hit our knees in submission, and cry out to Him, life is going to radically change. For any of us, the story of this man in today’s Bible passage is also our story. Lost with no hope, now saved and made right, our past no longer matters; only the future Jesus assures us we have matters. That part of our story should never stop amazing us. I have always been a huge fan of Christian music and its history. Years ago, singer/songwriter Bob Bennett wrote and recorded a song called “Man of the Tombs” about today’s Bible passage. Check it out on YouTube.

THE PAST DOESN’T DICTATE OUR FUTURE

Day 8 “We all carry tragedies from the past, but they don’t have to dictate our future.”

Being a third grader and having your mom leave is really tough to overcome. I’ll never forget watching her drive away from our home in Greenville, Texas, leaving for San Antonio with her new husband. And to make matters worse, she left me to live with a dad who made it clear, almost daily, that he really didn’t want me around. From verbal and physical cruelty as a child to being ignored and neglected as a teenager, my life was marked with deep pain from abandonment and abuse. But after my dad trusted Christ and our relationship began to change, redemption and healing started through God’s grace and forgiveness. Of course, hurts take time to heal and trust comes slowly, but our past does not have to dictate our future. No one in Scripture displays this truth quite like Joseph. As the youngest and favored child of a large family, he was despised by his older brothers. One day, far away from the protection of home, his brothers cooked up a plan to sell him to a caravan of traders headed to Egypt and then tell their father all that was left of him from an animal attack was his prized coat of many colors,

a cherished gift from his dad. A dark family secret began much like the pattern of abuse in my own home. Imagine Joseph, being pulled down the road by the rope that bound his hands, looking back in shock and disbelief through his tears as his brothers stood laughing and taunting, then slowly disappeared into the distance. Upon arrival in Egypt, a powerful leader named Potiphar bought Joseph as a slave. But once his potential was realized, Joseph was placed in charge of the entire household. Things went well until Potiphar’s wife tried to seduce him. When out of his integrity and purity he refused her, she accused him of attempted rape. Off to prison Joseph went. While in prison, Joseph’s ability to interpret dreams eventually got the attention of Pharaoh. Pharaoh realized the wisdom and skills Joseph had, and he placed him second-in-command over the entire nation. No one except Pharaoh had more power. After Joseph had spent years preparing Egypt for a time of great famine, people everywhere were coming to the capital to purchase grain. Eventually, Joseph’s brothers showed up to buy food. Now the tables were turned completely in his favor. However, we see these words written throughout Joseph’s story: “The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did” (Genesis 39:23). Because of God’s presence in his life, Joseph was not interested in rage and revenge, but redemption and restoration. “‘What if Joseph holds a grudge against us and pays us back for all the wrongs we did to him?’ So they sent word to Joseph, saying, ‘… “I ask you to forgive your brothers the sins and the wrongs they committed in treating you so badly.”’ … When their message came to him, Joseph wept. His brothers then came and threw themselves down before him. ‘We are your slaves,’ they said. But Joseph said

to them, ‘Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children.’ And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them.” (Genesis 50:15–21)

There was a day during my abuse if my dad had died, I might have said, “Good riddance.” But Christ’s work in my dad, then on my own heart, did exactly the same thing as with Joseph and his brothers—turned what was meant for evil and destruction around to be the best for everyone, to the point of complete restoration. I have no idea what you may have gone through, what you are dealing with today, or how deep your pain may be, but I do know God can give you a supernatural strength to turn your struggle around. He can give you His power and perspective to find a new day of healing and hope. He did for Joseph. He did for my dad. He did for me. He can for you too. I have found professional Christian counseling to be so helpful in my own healing. If you have something you just can’t seem to get past, you can ask your church staff to recommend someone.

TO BE THE GOSPEL IN OUR HOMES

Day 9 “The hardest place to be the gospel is in our homes, more than any other place in the world, because our families see the good, the bad, and the ugly—everything.”

For a traveling musician like myself who has a wife and five children, life on the road can actually be far easier than being in my own home. On a tour, every meal is catered, the daily schedule is set and displayed on the tour bus door, our favorite snacks are in the greenroom, and everyone is happy to see me, take pictures, and tell us all how wonderful we are. What’s not to love about that, right? However, at home, there are bills, messes, constant carpools, and the day-to-day drama a large family is going to generate. While I have always sensed a calling from God to MercyMe, especially in the past few years as I have dealt with my past, I have come to see how important it is for me to be fully present and as healthy as I can possibly be for the people who will always mean the most to me—Shannon, Sam, Gracie, Charlie, Sophie, and Miles. One particular story drives home the sharp contrast between the fame of the stage and the reality of being a husband and father. MercyMe was in Los Angeles at the American Music Awards, where we had been nominated for Favorite Contemporary Inspirational

Artist. The moment at the event arrived, and Sheryl Crow, the presenter, announced our name as the winners. Due to the time difference between California and home, I didn’t call Shannon until early the next morning at the airport. As I was trying to tell her about our win, she broke in to tell me that our son Sam, who was just a toddler, was going to need to go to the hospital as soon as I got home. When I arrived, we drove to the hospital right away and tests revealed that Sam had juvenile diabetes. My American Music Award was now sitting ignored on the floorboard of the car. Life can change in a heartbeat, and that’s when our faith in Christ is so crucial—not on the stage, in the sales presentation, or at the corner office, but at home in our living room. Several years ago, I had the privilege to meet Billy Graham as he offered to pray for my family and MercyMe at one of his crusades where we played. He often spoke about the importance of living out your faith in your home. In one article he wrote, “Living creatively for Christ in the home is the acid test for any Christian man or woman. It is far easier to live an excellent life among your friends, when you are putting your best foot forward and are conscious of public opinion, than it is to live for Christ in your home. Your own family circle knows whether Christ lives in you and through you.” “‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.’” (Matthew 10:37–38)

While at first glance this might seem like an odd Scripture to connect to today’s topic, this passage is so often misinterpreted.

We must realize Jesus was simply using bold language to communicate that to truly follow Him, our relationship with Him must come first, and then all others fall behind in priority. The irony is when we make our love for Christ our first choice, then we can be the healthiest husbands, wives, parents, children, or siblings we can possibly be. Loving Him first strengthens all other loves and gives us the grace and selflessness needed to be both the support and witness we should be for our families. Read 1 Timothy 3:1â&#x20AC;&#x201C;13. While offering instructions about church leadership, this passage actually shows us how important healthy family relationships are to God. Throughout it, we see more words about family than the church.

our homes

T H E HA R D EST P LAC E TO B E THE G O S PEL IS IN

WE NEED GOD’S COMMUNITY

Day 10 “The enemy loves for us to stay in isolation, so we need God’s community.”

We’ve all seen the TV shows filmed in Africa where a young wildebeest wanders away from the safety of the herd while a pride of lions waits in the grass. We have also seen clips of desperately hungry jungle cats trying to cut an animal out of the herd. What we quickly recognize is that it takes far more work to separate a young one from the protection of the herd than to just take it down while alone. The isolated animal is doomed, but the one in the herd has a strong chance of survival. While we understand this scenario and can even become frustrated at an animal’s apparent ignorance of impending danger, we can also fall for this same strategy as the enemy waits for us to wander away from God and those in the community of faith. Our tendency to pull away and isolate ourselves started with Adam and Eve in the garden after sin originated. Throughout history, we have continued the same pattern. Today, there are four major factors that lead us into isolation:

1. Out-of-control busyness Schedules and demands, coupled with the acquired inability to say no, certainly create a flurry of activity but ironically often make us run the race alone in different lanes from our key relationships. 2. Increasing dependence on technology Constantly staring at a screen keeps us from actual relationships that God wants to use in our lives. While human interaction continues to decrease, as Christians we must stay focused on His desire for us to pour compassion, care, and concern into real people, not just social media “friends” or “followers.” 3. Addiction to routine We can get into the groove of getting up, going about life, coming home, eating, sleeping, and repeat, never venturing outside the hamster wheel that we can easily create for ourselves. God is most certainly present in our routines, but He is also active outside our comfort zones. We need to be aware of His work everywhere in all aspects of life. 4. Living on the surface Even though we may be constantly around people, we can stay on the surface of our relationships, never delving into spiritual and emotional issues with anyone. Even the most extraverted person can actually be very isolated from the world, if they never truly let anyone in.

“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help

the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9–12)

I now greatly rely on community because isolation has been, and can be, such a struggle for me. Ironically, being in the spotlight on a stage can be the loneliest place, out of the reach of people. That is why being able to confess my own issues to dear friends, to some godly men, to allow healing to take place is so important. If I ever stop voicing the things I’m struggling with, I’m in trouble because I have been alone before on too many occasions. The Christian life comes down to understanding who we are as individuals in Christ and not trying to live up to an often self-imposed standard. I have seen firsthand the importance of honesty and accountability. Nowadays accountability often has a negative connotation, but in reality it is not about constantly calling each other out or waiting for one of us to mess up, but rather loving one another in grace and truth. Accountability is simply giving someone you trust the permission to pick you up when you fall down or mess up. And if two people are there to help you, even better, as you return the same connection and protection to them. Helping one another is not about a hand slap in condemnation, but a hand out in love from a brother or sister in Christ. This topic is so important to me because I have found how much I need this type of relationship. And so do you. The early church is our best example of authentic Christlike community, found in Acts 2:42–47 and 4:32–35.

HE WASN’T ALLOWED ON THE LIST

Day 11 “I could forgive everybody but my dad. He wasn’t allowed to be on the list.”

By now you likely know my story, so you know I did eventually forgive my dad. But the key and operative word is eventually. I first had to deal with my anger and sense of injustice. But over time I saw my dad’s change was real, and God dealt with the state of my own heart. I thank God that complete forgiveness came to our relationship well before he died. But here’s a truth I have to consider and wrestle with: What if my dad had died of cancer without changing at all? What if he hadn’t come to Christ and we hadn’t restored our relationship? The reality is that—here’s that word again—eventually I would have had to forgive him so that I could be the man God intended for me to be. On December 20, 1974 in Coral Gables, Florida, a ten-year-old boy named Chris Carrier was abducted by a man who was angry with Chris’s father for firing him from a job. The man stabbed Chris with an ice pick, shot him in the head, and dumped him out in the Everglades. But what the man didn’t realize was that Chris was not dead. Six days later, a farmer found him with a bloodied

head, two black eyes, multiple stab wounds, and cigarette burns on his body. Following his recovery, the only long-term consequence was he was blind in his left eye. In 1996, after Chris was grown, married, and had his own children, he learned from a detective that a frail and blind seventy-seven-year-old man named David McAllister in a Miami Beach nursing home had confessed to the crime. The first time Chris walked into his room, the man began to cry. Carrier shared, “He said he was sorry, and I told him I forgave him and that from now on there would be nothing like anger or revenge between us, nothing except a new friendship.” How could Chris Carrier respond to such evil in this way? Carrier had become a Christian early in life and had even served as a youth pastor at a church for a time. For the next three weeks, Chris made trips to the nursing home to visit after discovering that McAllister had no one left in his life. Then, soon after one of their visits, the man died. According to Chris, “I’m glad he was able to put the past behind him. I tried to let him know he had a friend.” It would be really easy after people heard the story of my childhood for anyone to understand if I decided to not forgive my dad. It would also be a no-brainer for people to give Chris Carrier a pass on his anger, bitterness, or even revenge toward McAllister. But this is where the forgiveness of Christ in our lives makes all the difference. “‘Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive them, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins.’” (Mark 11:24–25)

Isn’t it interesting that, in verse 24, Jesus said that we can ask and receive anything from Him but the very next verse brings a stipulation first—forgiveness to those who have offended us? Christ actually taught this truth several times, so we must assume, by that fact and the strong nature of His words, that He takes the decision to not forgive very seriously. Letting go of the hurts that people inflict upon us, regardless of the reason, is such a difficult thing to do. We have all seen real footage of a courtroom victim’s speech where someone angrily tells a convicted criminal that they will never be forgiven. The pain and anguish on the victim’s face tells us that much suffering has taken place and unless something miraculous occurs, it will continue. Notice what Chris Carrier said about David McAllister before he died: “I’m glad he was able to put the past behind him.” Chris had already forgiven McAllister and let go of his past wounds, so he was glad that he could help McAllister find closure too. Experiencing the love and grace of Christ in our hearts is the only way that any of us can possibly find the kind of freedom Chris Carrier found. Think about the emphasis on forgiveness as you read the Lord’s Prayer, found in Luke 11:2–4.

GOD KNOWS WHAT TO DO

Day 12 “At first, I didn’t want grace to be for my dad because I didn’t trust him. But God knows what to do with our human feelings and struggles if we honestly give them to Him.”

The early church was full of biases, differences, and divisions, just as the church is today. A major cultural distinction that existed was between Jews and gentiles. Some Jewish Christians did not want the gospel to spread anywhere else. The same dynamic exists today across religious and denominational lines. A major shift in this cultural division came when God sent visions to two men. Peter, a Jewish disciple of Jesus and leader of the church, saw a sheet coming down from Heaven that had many animals on it. A voice Peter recognized as Jesus told him, essentially, that these animals were okay for him to eat. This practice was completely against common Jewish law, so Peter reminded Jesus of that fact. The voice then told Peter to not call impure what God called pure. Cornelius, a Roman centurion who loved God, saw an angel who told him to send his men to get Peter and bring him back to Cornelius’s home. The soldier obeyed these Heavenly orders. Peter

received the men into his home and then the next day traveled to Cornelius’s house where he had gathered his entire family to hear Peter tell about Jesus. After Cornelius shared his vision, Peter began to tell the good news of the gospel to everyone gathered there. He knew full well he was going against Jewish law by even being in a gentile’s home, much less sharing a meal and fellowship. Everyone in the house received Christ and was baptized. Upon Peter’s return, word had traveled fast of what had occurred. The believers here all reminded Peter why his decision had been a bold but bad move. He then shared the entire story with them, ending with the words we find in Acts 11:17–18: “‘So if God gave them the same gift he gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to think that I could stand in God’s way?’ When they heard this, they had no further objections and praised God, saying, ‘So then, even to Gentiles God has granted repentance that leads to life.’”

This event began the movement of God using His leaders to start breaking down the barriers that man had built through sin, and carrying out what Jesus had already clearly stated to be true in John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (emphasis added). In Romans 1:14, 16, we find Paul addressing this same issue when he clearly shared his intentions regarding any barriers to the gospel with the church in Rome: “I am obligated both to Greeks and non-Greeks, both to the wise and the foolish. … For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.”

Our own biases, differences, divisions, and personal judgments come to us in two forms: learned and adopted. From an early age, we pick up on how to separate ourselves from those who are different from us. When we are young, we act upon those biases simply by being culturally and socially educated in our environment. Later, as we start to form our own independence, we choose what we let go of and what we adopt as our own. This is exactly why you might see a young person become very different from their upbringing while another takes a belief or mind-set to an entirely different level—good or bad, righteous or evil. Like in my own story with my dad, it is likely that you struggle with someone or maybe some group of people because of circumstances that have occurred in your life. But just as I did for a while, we can hang on to something simply because we want someone to blame for our pain and injustice. We must respond to our feelings and failings by saying, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes.” The key word is everyone, not just whom we think should be eligible. For more in-depth understanding, read the fascinating full story of Peter and Cornelius found in Acts 10:1–11:18, which was so crucial to the explosion of growth in the early church.

FREEDOM COMES FROM FORGIVENESS

Day 13 “To not forgive someone is just as damaging to ourselves as to anyone else. Freedom comes from true forgiveness and letting go of those who have hurt us.”

Here’s a very common scenario: Someone offends us in some way. Their words and/or actions hurt us. We decide to hold on to our pain and choose not to forgive. We feel like by hanging on to what the person did to us, we can somehow make sure we protect ourselves. We feel as though keeping our anger inside will bring some sort of justice for us. After all, if we let it go, we believe we are somehow justifying the person’s actions. In our hearts, we take that person, tie them to a chair, put duct tape over their mouth, and lock them away like a hostage. But the majority of the time, the person who offended us just goes about their life, never thinking about us, and is completely unaffected by what we think or feel. Our offender is out walking freely on the streets, enjoying life. So that begs these questions: Who exactly is the hostage in this situation? Who is actually held captive by the offense? “Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and

slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” (Ephesians 4:31–32)

The phrase “get rid of” that Paul uses means to leave no trace of what was once there. The idea is to not just cut off the top of the plant but to pull it up by the roots. Interesting that we often use the word root in connection to bitterness. Paul is saying that in the Christian’s life, there is no room for bitterness, rage, and anger. But as the apostle so often did, he told us what to get rid of or stop but then he also told us what to be or do in its place. He often contrasted the works of the flesh with the fruit of the Spirit, as Galatians 5 teaches. Let’s compare some of Paul’s words in these verses. He says to get rid of bitterness and be kind. Bitterness shows on our faces, in our words, and through our actions. But so does kindness. In a very real way, these are opposites. Here are some contrasting qualities: Bitterness/Rage/Anger Kindness/Compassion Motivated by hatred Motivated by love Holds on to hurts Lets go of hurts Ignores resolve Works toward resolve Harsh words and attitude Gentle words and attitude Focused on self Focused on others Desire to blame others Desire to bless others Are there any other contrasts you can think of between these two behaviors? Feel free to write any that come to mind in the margin next to those above. The key to growing in kindness and compassion, while avoiding bitterness, rage, and anger, is to forgive when we are offended. No

one ever said choosing to forgive and letting go was easy. There are times when this choice is very challenging. I know in those first days when my dad began to change and talk to me about his desire to be forgiven, I really struggled. Forgiveness on this level was a process that took time and took me letting go of the hurts of the past and accepting how Christ was transforming him. Anger and bitterness left on their own to grow in our hearts will attract more unforgiveness, thereby just making it easier for more negative and hurtful feelings to grow. Proactively keeping a clean slate with others attracts kindness and compassion in the same way. However, it is important to address the fact that very often the hardest person in the world to forgive is oneself. There are times when our actions have been so hurtful to those we love or shameful for us that the pain we have caused leaves us feeling like we do not deserve, or are unworthy, to be forgiven. This feeling is so poisonous for us to take on. We cannot escape ourselves, and our minds can replay what happened over and over and over, making something that is years old feel like it happened yesterday. Ephesians 4:32 states that Christ has forgiven you. If, in His holiness, He can forgive all we have done our entire lives, then we must also walk in complete forgiveness of ourselves as well as others. For more of Jesusâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; teaching about forgiveness, read Matthew 18:21â&#x20AC;&#x201C;35.

THE FINAL STEP OF FORGIVING

Day 14 “The final step of forgiving my dad happened years after he died, when, as a husband and father, I realized the effects were still eating me alive. I had to forgive my dad of things that I thought were buried with him.”

Honestly dealing with anger, grudges, bitterness, rage, and hatred to get them out of our lives for good is one of the toughest struggles we ever deal with. These five closely connected words can cripple us for a season or for life. As Christians, allowing and trusting the Holy Spirit to lead us through addressing past issues and taking us to new freedom is a “hard but good” process. Finally facing our past and our pain is so hard, yet it is so good when we begin to see life on the other side of letting go. Forgiving our fathers, mothers, siblings, spouses, ex-spouses, extended family, children, bosses, ministers, friends, neighbors, and so on, breaks the bondage that bitterness brings. Quite often as we walk through the process of final forgiveness, we may find that we not only have unresolved issues with the offender but also with ourselves. We can realize that we blame ourselves for allowing something to go on, for not taking more action than we in hindsight think we should have, or for second-guessing

many of our responses and actions toward the offender. There are also times guilt and shame are connected to the circumstances; even if we had no control over the event and shouldn’t feel that way, we realize that we do. Emotions from pain do not have to be rational to be very real to us. Letting go of the past, getting rid of regrets, and stopping the bleeding can feel overwhelming and impossible to do. We may have escaped the circumstances, or in my case the offender passed away, but we can never walk away from ourselves. No matter where I go, I am there and so are the painful memories. Let’s look at three practical aids for forgiveness: 1. Accountability and Encouragement Whether you talk to a spouse, friend, minister, or counselor, you need to talk out your story. Get out any feelings toward the person and yourself. Confess how you have struggled. Speaking these struggles and feelings out loud, getting them outside your mind and heart, is so important. If the person can pray for you and be available when you struggle on an ongoing basis, that is best. If you have someone to talk to and receive encouragement from when you struggle, healing can come. The principle of James 5:16 works both for our sins and the sins of others who have hurt us: “Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.” 2. Truth of Scripture Nothing ushers out the works of the enemy like the Word of God. Find verses or passages that speak to you on forgiveness, receiving grace, and accepting freedom from guilt, shame, and the past. Write them down and display

them somewhere you can frequently see them or put them in your phone. Replace all the negative and damaging thoughts with God’s truth to transform your mind toward freedom. Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”

3. A Final Goodbye For finality of the offense, as well as any struggles you have with yourself, consider having a funeral to say goodbye to all that has plagued you. Write down whatever you feel is necessary to communicate the issue, go somewhere private where you can speak out loud, and either bury or burn the page. Invite someone you trust to go with you for support. Offer forgiveness, receive grace, and place the entire situation under the blood of Christ one final time. You can choose for this to be the last time you will be burdened by the situation. When you leave, walk away from the death of the circumstance and into new life of forgiveness and freedom. “Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

The understanding of freedom in the biblical sense is quite different from what we talk about nowadays. Consider doing a word study on freedom in Paul’s letters in the New Testament to better grasp what Christ has made available to you.

FREEDOM COMES FROM TRUE FORGIVENESS

CAUGHT UP IN BEING THE VICTIM

Day 15 “While I had always considered myself the victim, at some point I realized that my mom and my dad were victims too.”

When my dad was working for the highway department flagging cars on the highway, a diesel truck hit him, resulting in a horrific head injury that drastically changed his behavior. He didn’t choose for that to happen to him. He was the victim of an accident. Dealing with my dad’s verbally abusive behavior and explosive anger was not something my mom ever chose for her life. She hung in there as long as she could. In fact, the greatest source of her depression after she left my dad was that she wanted her husband back—the man who went to work that day before the accident. So in reality, my mom became a victim of my dad’s accident too. As an adult trying to process my life, I realized these major influences on my family. Gaining a better understanding of all that my parents went through definitely played a part in my ability to forgive. Placing myself in their shoes, so to speak, offered new insight that opened a door for compassion to begin to replace my anger. Jesus was arrested in the garden of Gethsemane simply because

the religious leaders hated him for calling them out and showing them up. He had to endure two trials that resulted in him being beaten beyond recognition with a cat-of-nine-tails whip where broken glass and sharp rocks cut into and pulled out pieces of his flesh. He was then forced to carry the instrument of his death—the cross—along the path to Calvary in front of a mocking, hateful crowd. Once at the top of the hill, He was placed on the cross and nailed there, suspended in the air to die a slow and agonizing death of asphyxiation. I have no idea what horrific circumstances you may have gone through. Or, like myself, how many years you had to endure whatever occurred. And I have to address the fact that you might be reading this devotional and you don’t relate to me at all, but instead relate to my dad or my mom. Maybe you were the abuser or the one who left someone behind? The apostle Paul put many Christians to death prior to coming to Christ, so he had to deal with quite a bit of baggage, I’m sure. Despite any of our past or present stories, the details of what Jesus endured is the most tragic and terrifying account of mankind’s brutality—particularly in light of all Christ had done to heal the blind, sick, and demon-possessed, and teach God’s love and grace. Just as I had to stop, step outside myself, and see my parents’ situations for what they were, we all must also take a hard look at what Jesus did to gain our freedom—spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and

sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” (Hebrews 12:1–3)

Scripture clearly states that Jesus was never a victim but a willing participant in what God required to redeem us. He chose the cross. He chose death to free us. Today’s passage tells us why Jesus was a victor, not a victim. The language used here encourages us to not stay victims of anyone, but rather to throw off everything that hinders and entangles. We are to look to Jesus, not any person, so we too can endure and not grow weary and lose heart. Have you lost heart? Are you weary? Is something dragging you down? Hey, I get it. I certainly understand. But here’s the great news: Through Christ, we have the opportunity to daily choose to never be a victim but always be a victor, just as He was. Is it easy? No. Are there still really tough days? Yes. But you can run your race with perseverance by keeping your eyes on the One who chose to die in your place and be raised to new life to save you. For another passage of encouragement of where to now look in our lives, read 2 Corinthians 4:17–18.

SET MY MIND ON THINGS ABOVE

Day 16 “I’ve had to learn to just swallow my pride and realize that I was never meant to do this on my own. I’ve learned what it means to hide the Word in my heart and set my mind on things above.”

There’s a man in Nashville who is well known for helping musical artists work out their stage shows to be more entertaining and engaging. He has worked with huge acts, and his job is to improve the look and experience of an artist’s or band’s performance. He tells the story that while standing in line at a Starbucks, he realized a singer whose management had just secured his services was standing behind him. He turned around, introduced himself, and said, “Hey, I just agreed with your manager to start working with you on your live show.” The artist looked at him and responded, “Why? My live show rocks!” Here’s the truth: Because of our pride and ego, we all tend to think our “live show rocks,” don’t we? Someone sharing ways we can improve our lives just doesn’t sit well with us. Today, we love the “likes” and hate the haters. The real problem comes when God starts nudging us toward change in an area that desperately needs His help and we arrogantly look at Him and say, “No thanks, God. My show rocks!”

“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law, day and night. That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither— whatever they do prospers.” (Psalm 1:1–3)

Where I’m from in Texas, seeing cows standing around in a pasture constantly chewing is a common sight. Cattle are ruminating animals, meaning they can store food in their stomach called “cud,” which is a mixture of digested grass and water. Then whenever the cow wants sustenance, the cud is simply called up to the animal’s mouth and it begins chewing. When it is finished, the cow swallows it again. Cattle are constantly repeating this process of rumination, which is a critical part of their health and diet. The word ruminate means “to go over in the mind and often casually and slowly” and “to engage in contemplation and reflection.” This is where we get the saying, “Let me chew on it for a while before I make a decision.” Just as a cow can ruminate at any time, we can ruminate on God’s Word at any time. The meaning behind Psalm 1:2 communicates that meditating on God’s law offers a similar effect in us. Essentially, when we regularly take in God’s Word, it goes into our spirit and provides us with spiritual sustenance. Then when we are in any situation where the Word is needed, such as what to do when tempted or not being sure what to say to a friend in a crisis, our spirits will call on the Word to go from our spirits into our minds so we can then speak it into the situation. The beautiful aspect of this process is that every Scripture that goes into our spirits can be used by the Spirit to minister to ourselves and others when needed. Anytime you are silently praying for wisdom or don’t have a

clue what to say and a Scripture just “randomly pops into your mind” and you speak or act on it—that is the Psalm 1 rumination principle at work. Where the Word is at work, you will see God at work. Where God is at work, you will see the Word at work. Look at how The Message expresses Psalm 1:2: “Instead you thrill to GOD’S Word, you chew on Scripture day and night.”

The law of the Lord is essential to the Christian life, to learn what He says about life. Meditating is letting our minds “chew on” the passage until we understand what it means for our own lives. You do more than simply read or memorize the verse; instead, you let its meaning become personal, changing who you are and the way you think, to be like Christ. In today’s title quote, I made a paraphrased reference to Psalm 119:11—“hide the Word in my heart”—and Colossians 3:2—“set my mind on things above”. Take a look at those verses.

The cross can become our filter through which all of life is poured.

TO KNOW NOTHING BUT CHRIST

Day 17 “No matter what comes my way in life, I am determined to know nothing but Christ and Him crucified. The cross can become our filter through which all of life is poured.”

When I was a kid, the Christian music I listened to, from Amy Grant to Petra to U2, got me through all my tough days. The words of hope that came through the headphones of my Walkman were priceless to me. While I was dealing with the abusive presence of my dad and the hurtful absence of my mom, the lyrics of so many great artists reminded me of the constant presence of Jesus in my life and created a literal lifeline that kept me going. So once I started getting involved in the worship band in Florida with Mike and in Oklahoma with Jim, I never considered doing anything other than Christian music. I wanted to be a part of the legacy that I had listened to for all those years while also creating new lifelines for the next generation of young believers who needed the same help and hope I did. Over the twenty-plus years with MercyMe, all of us in the band have considered ourselves to be ministers first. We’re trying to reach the hurting. We’re intentional about writing and performing songs that reach all the Barts out there, people just like me

who have no idea where to go or how to deal with the impossible circumstances that are their reality. The change that Jesus made in my life was so real, so life transforming, that even if He were to go dark on me, stopped speaking, stopped blessing, even if He went silent from now on in my life, He would still be my greatest hope because of what He has already done for me on the cross. There is not a single circumstance, I pray, that can derail me from what Christ is to me and who I am because of Him. In fact, the cross is what prepares any of us to go through our own trials and to persevere. Our song “Even If” was born out of this very idea, as a reminder to people who deal with difficult situations that don’t or won’t go away. God is worthy long before any of those circumstances even showed up. The song is a declaration to God that even if He never said another word to us, He’s still worthy to be praised and our greatest hope in the midst of the trials. “And so it was with me, brothers and sisters. When I came to you, I did not come with eloquence or human wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness with great fear and trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power.” (1 Corinthians 2:1–5)

As a religious leader before Paul met Christ, he was fully dependent on his resume and knowledge. But after Christ appeared to him on the road to Damascus and he was temporarily blinded, the humility that came into his life that day never seemed to leave

him. That is exactly what makes today’s passage so powerful when he says his message is completely reliant only on a demonstration of the Spirit’s power. That same attitude is exactly MercyMe’s heart for the songs we write and the music we play to reach people. It’s not about how cool our music can be but how strong Christ is in the message. All of our lives are poured through some filter. We all have a belief system by which we live. Even an atheist banks on the belief that there is nothing past this life and no higher power to depend upon. What is your filter? What belief drives your everyday decisions? Do you rely on yourself, your knowledge, and your words? Or do you rely on your faith and the power of God? We’ve all heard the saying “We are all going into a storm, in a storm, or coming out of a storm.” As for me, the only anchor I have found to keep me secure through all of my circumstances is, as Paul stated, “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.” To go deeper with Paul, finish reading 2 Corinthians 2.

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL

Day 18 “The power of the gospel is still the only force that can radically redeem a broken life.”

If you type the phrase “the gospel according to” into a search engine, you’ll find everything from St. Matthew to The Simpsons, from Mary Magdalene to Disney, from secular to saint. You’ll quickly see that the phrase the gospel is defined in innumerable ways, from the good news of Jesus to one person or a company’s opinion of how life or art or business should be done. The gospel is often morphed into meaning “what I believe the truth to be about a particular topic.” After we come to Christ, we all begin to learn and develop our own ideas about the Christian life. Our church, sermons we hear, lessons we are taught, discussions with fellow Christians, and Bible reading and study all start to feed into what we understand and believe about God. So turn the tables here for a moment and take a look at your beliefs. Ask yourself this question: What exactly is “the gospel according to (insert your name)”? Let’s consider two areas. First, we must ask what the differences between my gospel and the gospel are. Where do I put my own spin on Jesus? Where do I apply my own ideas and thoughts to His teaching? How might

I be tagging my own opinions on to the truth of Christ? Here are a couple of stronger, deeper questions: Where do I write out what to believe for people and then sign not my name, but Christ’s? Where do I forge Jesus’ name on a tenet that He would not sign off on? Second, what gospel would the people around me say that I live “according to”? According being defined as “agree with” or “to grant.” What gospel would those around you say you agree with or grant to them? If a non-Christian friend read the Gospels, would he or she respond with, “Oh, yeah, that’s exactly what I see in your life.” The bottom line is that everyone on the planet is preaching some kind of “gospel.” Everyone is living out their chosen truth; even if it is not actually truth at all, they believe that it is. That’s why search engines are all over the map with references, and most are actually outside the evangelical realm. A healthy and humbling exercise is to ask God what gospel we may be telling the world and then to ask how He desires for us to exemplify the gospel to others. We need to honestly evaluate if non-Christians are drawn to and intrigued by what we are preaching with our lives. “As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let them be under God’s curse! Am I now trying to win the approval of human beings, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a servant of Christ. I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin. I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:9–12)

Over the many years as I have shared my heart onstage at MercyMe concerts, I believe I have always presented a simple, clear picture of the gospel. That said, I’m sure my “I have to perform and do my part” personal version likely came across as I talked with individuals at times. We can’t hide our own version of the greatest belief of our lives. In today’s passage, Paul is incredibly clear that the gospel is not an ideology or belief system that mankind created, but a lifestyle of faith that God reveals through His Spirit to the hearts of people. The work done by the gospel comes only by the hand of God, not by any man. We cannot save, but can only share the story. Only the One who created the soul can repair and redeem our brokenness. For a deeper look into Paul’s laser-focus on the gospel, read Romans 15:17–21.

ACCEPTING THE HOPE OF HEAVEN

Day 19 “My dad is now a far greater part of my future than my past. Accepting the hope of Heaven can radically change our past, present, and future.”

There is a children’s book that was later made into a movie, titled Tuck Everlasting. The story is about a family that discovered the fountain of youth. From the point when each member of the Tuck family drank the water from the spring, they were forever locked into that age and became immortal. A young lady named Winnie befriends the family and finds out their secret. Of course, she wants to drink from the water too. But the Tucks have now seen the other side of immortality on the earth, and the father cautions her, “If there’s one thing I’ve learned about people, it’s that they will do anything—anything—not to die. And they’ll do anything to keep from living their life. What we Tucks have, you can’t call it living. We just are. We’re like rocks, stuck at the side of a stream. Don’t be afraid of death, Winnie. Be afraid of the unlived life.” There are two very distinct blessings that make the Christian life so incredible. The first is how the life of Christ, placed in us upon salvation, changes our lives from that moment forward. We

are given God’s Spirit, the gifts of the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit, and access to all the Heavenly resources. In a very real way, we can say that Heaven starts upon salvation because we get to taste of many of its benefits right here. We have the unique opportunity to live in the country where we temporarily reside, but our eternal citizenship changes to the place Jesus promised in John 14, where He was going to prepare for us. The second blessing is that when this life is over, our spirits go to Heaven to live eternally in the presence of God. Death is not the end but rather a new beginning, free of sin and suffering. We won’t live forever in this broken and fallen world as the Tucks were destined to do in Tuck Everlasting, but rather go to the place that Paul talked about in today’s passage: “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.” (Philippians 3:20–21)

While there are obviously many Scripture passages that talk about Heaven, today’s verses so clearly describe our current identities as believers, as well as our future identities in the presence of God. Paul does not tell the church at Philippi that their citizenship will one day be in Heaven, but he uses current and present language: “But our citizenship is in heaven.” If you are a legal citizen of the United States and visit Canada, you do not become a citizen of Canada but stay an American in every manner; you are simply visiting a different place. If we apply this analogy to Paul’s statement, then upon salvation we become citizens of Heaven who are now simply visiting this world. But

while we are here awaiting our final transformation to Heaven, we are to do all we can to populate our new home, sharing the good news of the gospel with all who will listen. Life here on this planet takes on an entirely different perspective when someone you dearly love leaves here to live in Heaven, as my dad did. That thought is what led me to write “I Can Only Imagine.” I lived life with my dad until the day he died, but with him now on the other side with Christ, I wonder what is he experiencing, feeling, seeing, and hearing that I not yet have. The hope of Heaven becomes so radically real when your loved ones are there. My past with my dad was redeemed and restored by the Lord of Heaven. In my present, I am always mindful that this world is not my home. My future lies in knowing that my family of believers and I will one day reside forever surrounded by His glory in awe of His presence. The hope of Heaven does indeed make your future far more important than your past. For an amazing glimpse into Heaven connected to Christ’s sacrifice on the cross, read Revelation 5.

OUR OBEDIENCE IMPACTS EVERYONE

Day 20 “After Christ changed my dad, my view of God got so much bigger and so much more intimate. Our level of obedience impacts not just us, but everyone around us.”

William “Bill” Borden was heir to the estate of Borden Dairy, a name-brand product for more than a century, as well as an inheritance of millions of dollars. In 1904, as a high school graduation gift, his parents sent him on a trip around the world. As he traveled through Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, he developed a growing burden for people of other nations. He wrote home telling his family of his strong desire to become a missionary. After returning home from his worldwide trip, Borden started his first semester at Yale University. He began a prayer and Bible study group on campus that, by the end of his freshman year, had 150 people involved. By the time he was a senior, there were 1,000 students, out of the 1,300 students enrolled at Yale, involved in these groups around the campus. He also founded the Yale Hope Mission, where he ministered to alcoholics, widows, orphans, and the disabled. After graduation from Yale and Princeton Seminary in New Jersey, Borden was offered high-paying positions with the family

business and other companies, but he felt it was time to pursue God’s calling to the mission field overseas. He set sail with the goal of reaching the Muslim Kansu people in China. But when he stopped in Egypt to study Arabic, he contracted spinal meningitis. Within the month, twenty-five-year-old William Borden, a multimillionaire heir, had passed away. One of the continuing themes in I Can Only Imagine is my spiritual journal where I wrote down my thoughts, prayers, struggles, fears, and statements of faith over the years. One of the intriguing parts of Bill Borden’s story for me is that he also kept a spiritual journal like I did. He also wrote notes in his Bible, just like my dad had done. When Borden’s personal effects were returned to his family, they found some very powerful phrases he had written that accurately described his young life: • No Reserves • No Retreats • No Regrets No Reserves means we hold nothing back, giving God our all. No Retreats means we always press forward, never run or quit in the face of the enemy. No Regrets means if we follow God’s will, not our own, He has grace for our mistakes and hope for our future. Bill Borden decided at a young age to give up the good life for the God life. As a result, he experienced more of Christ in his few years than many see in their entire lives. “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil

or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith— of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” (1 Peter 1:3–7)

My dad left an inheritance for my brother and me, with mine providing much-needed financial help in those early years of MercyMe. But Peter is talking about an inheritance that Christ left for us that we can then leave for all those around us, just like Bill Borden did. Our obedience to Christ in our lives can produce something far greater than gold and much more valuable than a huge bank account. Just in the few short years I had with my dad after he came to Christ, he left me a legacy that money cannot buy and one I desperately want to grow and pass on to my own children. No matter whether your family is wealthy or poor or somewhere in between, our resources in Christ have no limits and we all have the same access to Him. Use those to the fullest and live your life with no reserves, no retreats, and no regrets. For more on today’s topic, type the word inherit into Biblegateway.com. Learning to do simple word studies in Scripture can be a great tool to better understand your faith.

IN THE WORD EVERY NIGHT

Day 21 “My dad would fall asleep in the Word every night. I would hear him praying for my brother. All I could ask was, ‘What is happening?’”

I honestly never thought my dad would change. It wasn’t even on my radar as a possibility I ever imagined. Jesus was the good guy and my dad was the bad guy, so to see my dad doing things like studying the Bible and praying for me was surreal. Something was taking place that I hadn’t even prayed for because I thought it was too far outside the realm of possibility. But yet, here it was. My dad wasn’t just believing in God, he was obeying God. After Jesus ascended to Heaven and commissioned His disciples, Peter and John started preaching to the people in public. The high priests and the Sadducees, who thought they had gotten rid of Jesus completely when they crucified Him, showed up. They arrested the two disciples and put them in jail until they could figure out what to do. The next day they brought Peter and John before the entire council and asked them specifically about a healing they had heard about, “By what power or what name did you do this?” In short, Peter’s answer was, “By Jesus Christ, whom you crucified.” Peter

went on to tell them, in no uncertain terms, that their Lord was the one and only way to salvation. The next verse is one of the most encouraging and powerful in the Bible: “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13)

The council decided to tell the disciples to cease and desist their preaching and healing. But Peter and John responded in verse 20 with, “‘As for us, we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.’” So the leaders just let them go. From that point forward, the church began to explode in growth. My dad was probably a lot like Peter and John before and after they came to Christ, simply an “unschooled, ordinary” man. The word unschooled didn’t mean uneducated or ignorant during this time, but rather not theologically trained in the ways of God as the Pharisees and Sadducees were. Coupling my story of what I saw in my dad’s transformation with today’s Bible verses, let’s look at some unavoidable truths about a life surrendered to Christ. 1. Jesus changes our minds. We all know what it is like to have someone ask us, “So why did you decide to do that?” and our answer is “I just changed my mind.” Christ can literally give us different thoughts from the way we were accustomed to thinking. After my dad came to Christ, he decided to read his Bible and start praying and going to church. He changed his mind about Jesus, so Jesus changed my dad’s mind about life. The same is true with the disciples. The same guys who couldn’t stay awake and ran away when Jesus was arrested were

now telling the men responsible for Jesus’ crucifixion that they would not stop talking about Him. 2. Jesus changes our motives. A motive is the reason we take any action, the seed inside us that grows into the fruit—good or bad—that people will eventually see. When a murder is committed, detectives look for who had the motive. Before salvation, my dad’s actions were driven out of bitterness and self-hatred. But afterward, because his mind had been changed, his motives were now of love and kindness. Before, the disciples had only been concerned about which one would be seated at Jesus’ right hand in Heaven. Now they were only concerned with populating Heaven. 3. Jesus changes our mission. The mission and calling of these disciples, who had once followed Jesus and struggled to understand what He was doing, became crystal clear. Growing up, I knew my dad worked for the highway department, but I felt like his mission in life was just to make mine miserable. After he came to Christ, forgiveness and restoration were his only goals. He wanted to get to know me, not ignore me. He wanted to bless me, not abuse me. His purpose in life was radically changed. No matter where you are or what your past has been, Jesus wants to change your mind, motives, and mission. For more inspiration in your walk with Christ, read the amazing story of Stephen found in Acts 6:8–7:60.

LOSING YOUR BEST FRIEND

Day 22 “If someone had told me by the time your dad passes away, it’s going to hurt more than you’ll ever know because you’re losing your best friend, I would have said, ‘You’re crazy.’ But that’s exactly what happened.”

What we think is impossible God loves to make possible. He has a strange way of turning things around in our lives to create a path, when we once said, “No way will that ever happen.” He can also take something that we think we could never live without and change our hearts to never want it in our lives again. Scripture shows us that our God is in the business of defying what we think is possible. God told Abraham, who was one hundred years old, that his ninety-year-old wife, Sarah, would have a son. Upon hearing this news, Abraham fell face down and laughed. Yet God kept His word and the elderly couple had a son, whom they named Isaac—as in “Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,” that Isaac (Genesis 17:17–19, 21:1–3). God told Moses and Aaron to go to Pharaoh and tell him, “‘Let my people go, so that they may hold a festival to me in the wilderness.’ Pharaoh said, ‘Who is the LORD, that I should obey him and let Israel go? I do not know the Lord and I will not let Israel

go.’” Following the ten plagues, things radically changed. During the night Pharaoh summoned Moses and Aaron and said, “‘Up! Leave my people, you and the Israelites! Go, worship the Lord as you have requested.’” (Exodus 5:1–2, 12:31) When David walked out on the battlefield as the first man in Israel to show up to answer Goliath’s daily challenge, Goliath said to him, “‘Am I a dog, that you come at me with sticks?’ And the Philistine cursed David by his gods. ‘Come here,’ he said, ‘and I’ll give your flesh to the birds and the wild animals!’ Reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, [David] slung it and struck the Philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell facedown on the ground” (1 Samuel 17:43, 49). The Aramean army had Israel surrounded, and the people were starving. Elisha, God’s prophet, told the king that the very next day there would be plenty of food in the city. “The officer, on whose arm the king was leaning, said to the man of God, ‘Look, even if the Lord should open the floodgates of the heavens, could this happen?’ ‘You will see it with your own eyes,’ answered Elisha, ‘but you will not eat any of it!’” (2 Kings 7:2). The very next day God created a miracle that sent the enemy army in retreat and the people went and plundered everything they left behind. The man who disbelieved the prophet was trampled in the stampede of people. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refused to bow down to worship King Nebuchadnezzar’s golden statue. When the king found out, they told him that the God they served would save them but even if He chose not to, they would not bow. The king ordered them thrown into a blazing furnace. “He said, ‘Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.’ Nebuchadnezzar then approached

the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, ‘Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!’ So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire” (Daniel 3:25–26).

These five well-known stories in the Old Testament are just a handful of many that prove God is the God of the turn-around, the second chance, the last chance, and the oh-no-He-didn’t! In my life, I have seen Him make the impossible possible and the hopeless find hope. Is there someone in your life whom you have come to believe will never change? Is there a situation that you have decided is hopeless? Have you given up on God in some area of your life? There is a story in the New Testament that changes everything, turning the “I think you’re crazy” into the “That’s exactly what happened.” We find it in Matthew 28:6: “He is not here; he has risen, just as he said.” For a prayer of encouragement, read and pray Psalm 121.

NOTHING I LOOKED FORWARD TO MORE

Day 23 â&#x20AC;&#x153;After my dad came to Christ, there was nothing I looked forward to more than the couple of hours at night when I sat with him while I gave him his medication.â&#x20AC;?

In that last year with my dad during my senior year in high school, our middle-of-the-night talk sessions were incredible. He had to be given his medication, so I would sit there while it went through his IV. During that time, we caught up on all the lost years. We were in the fast lane, playing catch-up as we talked about past memories. He told me about meeting and dating my mom. I talked to him about dating and the girls I liked. He gave me advice. We were finally able to have a real and honest father-and-son relationship. But one of the things Dad frequently did after he came to Christ was ask me for forgiveness for the things he had done to me. The Lord softening his heart and healing him also created a horrible sense of realization and regret of his years of verbal and physical abuse. I was able to assure him many times that I had forgiven him. But the key was we eventually became two men who had forgiven the past. There was no animosity or anger in either of us anymore, which changed our relationship from one of dread to one of depth.

King David experienced the incredible thrill of victory in battle with everyone singing his praises, but also experienced feeling the lowest a human being could possibly feel. The man who God had blessed so abundantly went down a very bad road. One spring when the other kings led their armies off to war, David decided to stay home. One day, while lounging on the roof after a long nap, he was looking around the neighborhood and saw a woman bathing in her courtyard. (Evidently, being the king he had the tallest house around.) Having great power, he asked his servants to go get her and bring her to the palace. His evil intentions played out, and soon the woman, Bathsheba, told the king she was pregnant. This situation was only made more troubling and complicated by the fact that Bathsheba was the wife of one of David’s soldiers, Uriah. David sent for Uriah to give him leave, in an attempt to get him to sleep with his wife, hoping to cover the dirty deed. But Uriah wouldn’t cooperate. Being a man of high integrity and honor, he wouldn’t go enjoy his wife while his brothers-in-arms were still on the battlefield. So David sent him back with a secret message to put him on the front lines, have the army pull back, and leave him alone with the enemy. Uriah was killed, just as David planned. Interesting how simple decisions to not go where you are supposed to go and then to take a leisurely walk on the roof can change the course of your entire life. David ruined his glowing resume with adultery, deceit, lying, and murder. God’s prophet, Nathan, knew David had to get things right before God in order to return to being the man he and the Lord knew the king to be. Nathan disguised a story to David, telling him of a wealthy man who took away a poor family’s prized pet lamb to cook it for his company so he wouldn’t have to sacrifice one of his own. David boiled over in anger, saying the man who took the

lamb must die. Nathan then said four words to David that changed his life forever: “You are the man!” David knew the indictment was from God and broke down and repented. Read part of David’s prayer requesting God’s forgiveness: “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge.” (Psalm 51:1–4)

If we live on this earth long enough, we will all do very regrettable things that hurt God, ourselves, and others. David’s story of God coming after him and completely forgiving him is yet another reminder that our Heavenly Father pursues us and forgives anything we do when we repent as David did. The cross and the tomb allow us to be forgiven forever to “create a pure heart” once again. Take a few minutes to prayerfully read all of Psalm 51.

THE GODLIEST MAN I’VE EVER KNOWN

Day 24 “The reason that I say my dad was the godliest man that I’ve ever known is because I’ve seen what I would consider godly men throughout my life who were one man in public and another in private. Dad became the same in both, all the time.”

Think about these questions: • When people see you coming, what have you trained them to expect they’re going to get? • What have they come to assume about you, your communication, and your behavior? • Do they have a good idea of what you will talk about? • Yourself ? Job? Sports? Family? Hobby? Gossip? How bad things are, even when they aren’t? How great things are, even when they aren’t? • Who are you at work or school? Church? Neighborhood? With friends? And the final question: Are you a different person in different places, or do you have the same consistent identity?

Life in this crazy fast-paced digital age can tempt us into becoming actors who change roles depending on the room we are in. What often starts as an attempt for acceptance ends up being a mindless pattern that we can’t seem to shake. In some situations, we can be completely different and talk in a way we don’t anywhere else. We train ourselves how to respond, how to act, and even how to listen—or not. We are all familiar with the chameleon, the lizard that changes the color of its skin according to its background, from black to brown, from purple to pink. We can learn to change personas just as the chameleon changes colors. We alter and adjust according to the room and blend into the background. How do we fight the cultural norms and become the same person everywhere we are, with anyone we are with? “Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.” (Romans 12:2–3)

You can remember the four keys here by these R words: 1. Release the world Don’t follow the world’s familiar, unhealthy patterns. 2. Renew your mind Allow God’s total transformation of how you think.

3. Refuse your pride Don’t think too highly of yourself. Let go of the ego. 4. Redeem your self-esteem See yourself in faith as God does. Move from self-im age to God’s image. When my dad met Christ, he quickly dove deep into the Word and allowed God full access to his heart and life. By grace, his spiritual growth accelerated change in his life faster than any Christian I have ever known. His profound level of surrender made for a radical spiritual transformation. Yes, of course God did it, but Dad had to agree to be changed. Remember and be encouraged that every time you are tempted to become something you’re not, there is an equal opportunity to decide you’re going to follow Christ and be the person He made you to be, regardless of what happens or how someone responds. After all, God made you to be unique, and if it’s good enough for Him, it should be good enough for everyone else. If we truly follow Jesus and let Him lead, over time and looking to Him, we consistently transform into His image, becoming the person He created us to be. The living proof of that paradigm was Peter. Pre-Jesus, everyone knew what they were going to get when he walked in the room—gruff, impulsive, loud fisherman. Post-Jesus, everyone still knew what they were going to get, but everything had changed—Peter became a strong, loving, and confident leader. Whether you are a chameleon or Christlike today, the good news is the Creator is also the Transformer. He is the Redeemer. He is the Constant One. And His specialty is changing hearts. For more on how intimately God knows us, read Psalm 139.

GO THE EXTRA MILE

Day 25 “The one place where my dad didn’t have to go the extra mile and walk through what he did in pursuing Christ, was with me. But he did. It was real.”

In those last two years with my dad, he not only became my best friend but also my pastor. The margins in his Bible were filled with notes from his personal study. He would share with me the truths he had found in the Word. Knowing that his time with me was short and he was not physically going to be a part of my future, he would counsel me in everything he could think of, from everyday wisdom to biblical principles. He was downloading and stockpiling all the things he wanted me to know for my life to be successful. And I still use those every day to this day. There was no way, with me being right out of high school in Dad’s final days, that he or I could have had any clue what God was going to lead me into with MercyMe. Everything he poured into me during that father-son crash course was preparation for all that I would be faced with later in life. Dad’s words coupled with God’s Word built a solid foundation for me to build on in my public life, music career, and ministry calling. Paul wrote to Timothy, his adopted son in Christ, pouring

all he had into his young disciple. In today’s passage, reading the apostle’s words, I can also hear my dad saying this to me: “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14–17)

Let’s look at four Ps the Bible has available for us. The Bible contains God’s: 1. Prophecy Throughout the Old Testament, God offered connections into the future, most of which had to do with Christ coming to Earth and His mission here. Many were amazingly detailed. While some have made these verses into an obsession and a tangent, the beauty of their inclusion in Scripture is pointing to the legitimacy of Christ, connected from Genesis to Revelation. These futuristic words that came to pass, sometimes a thousand years later, support our faith with historical facts. 2. Precepts As the Creator, God knows the best way to live. His Word is filled with commands and rules to both instruct and protect us. From the Ten Commandments in Exodus to Jesus’ greatest commandment to love God, others, and ourselves in the Gospels, we are given in-

structions for life. While many may view these commandments as attempts to control us, they are actually words from a loving Heavenly Father telling us how to successfully navigate our days, just as my dad did with me. God’s precepts are all built on the foundation of His great love. 3. Principles A principle is a positive guideline by which we may live that can improve our quality of life. Because God is perfect, His laws have powerful principles that drive their meaning. God has rules for our sake—for our best and our freedom. He knows anyone or anything else we try to follow will lead us down the wrong path. We were created by Him, and for Him; therefore He is our only God. A perfect God has perfect principles—solid and wise reasons— behind every precept drawn from and based on His prophecies. This fact makes the Bible an invaluable resource for living a life surrendered to Christ. 4. Promises God’s promises exist for life here and eternal life beyond. There are literally hundreds of them throughout Scripture. From despair to deliverance, from finances to faith, from Hell to Heaven, we find what God tells us has been, is, and will be true, and will be what He will do. I have my dad’s words to recall, but every day I rely on God’s Word that transformed his life to transform my own. No matter who is available to help you spiritually, God’s Word is the greatest resource to guide you through all the seasons of life. Here is one Scripture example for each of the four Ps: Isaiah 7:14; Exodus 20:1–17; Proverbs 4:10–13; and Isaiah 40:31.

THE POWER OF THE GOSPEL IS STILL THE ONLY FORCE THAT CAN RADICALLY

redeem

A BROKEN LIFE.

THE BEST HE COULD WITH THE TIME HE HAD

Day 26 “I’ve been around long enough to see people who go through change but there’s an agenda there. Maybe I can sell more records or write more books or whatever. But my dad had nothing to gain. His change didn’t have an angle. He just tried to love me the best he could with the time he had left.”

We’re living in a precarious day where the difference between pedestals and platforms is becoming increasingly unclear, from the Christian community to the mainstream media, from politicians to public figures, from sports stars to Instagram influencers. But what’s the difference between these two concepts? A pedestal is where you display something that you want to be seen and admired. It’s all about the object on display. Pedestals are intended to be in a fixed place for people to come see and express their awe. A platform is simply a place from where an announcement is broadcast. It’s all about the message being given. Platforms are to be placed where the crowd will gather so the communication can best be heard. Regardless of the size of the audience—two or two million—we

either have a pedestal or a platform. We are sitting proudly, displaying what we want people to see, and trying to get them to come to approve and appease us. Or we are standing on a platform, speaking the message we have been given, inviting the people who need to hear. Pedestals create language like promotion, demotion, titles, step up, and step down. Platforms convey language such as serve, lead, create, team, and synergy. • Pedestals come out of the search for identity. Platforms flow from identity. • Pedestals can be set up in a matter of minutes. Platforms take years to build. • Pedestals are knocked down by the masses. Platforms are set up for the people. • Man creates pedestals. God gives platforms. • Pharaoh had a pedestal. Moses had a platform. • Saul had a platform that turned into a pedestal. David had a pedestal that turned into a platform. • The Pharisees had a pedestal. Jesus had a platform. For the years my dad was abusive, everything was all about him. He had definitely created a pedestal that, though inside he actually hated, I tried to look up to and live up to. But I never could. But once he came to Christ, that pedestal was destroyed. God gave him a platform that everyone around him clearly saw and heard. But the one audience he cared about hearing his new life’s message of love, grace, acceptance, and forgiveness the most was me. My dad’s platform built my platform, and Almighty God was the construction company for both. The great news is, if at any point we realize we have created a pedestal, God allows us to tear it down while we await the platform

only He can give. “Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: ‘The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses’ seat. So you must be careful to do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach. …Everything they do is done for people to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long; they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues; they love to be greeted with respect in the marketplaces and to be called “Rabbi” by others. … The greatest among you will be your servant. For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.’” (Matthew 23:1–3, 5–7, 11–12)

In verses 1–3 and 5–7, Jesus was cautioning His followers about the pedestal of the Pharisees. The stinging part of this passage is where we get our sarcastic sayings “He doesn’t practice what he preaches” and “Don’t do as I do, but do as I say.” Verses 11–12 flip the pedestal on its head to create a platform of humility and service. Even in our Christian circles today, we have no shortage of agendas and angles to try to get what we want. We are all sinners and that is our inherited nature. But that’s exactly what makes a sold-out Christian servant stand out and appear so attractive today, because, try as they might, people cannot find an ill motive behind the message of the platform. And that, my friends, is exactly when they will come to believe in the gift we are extending to them. We must simply love people where they are, as they are, and for who they are, just as Jesus did. For more encouragement on the love that

HOW IS THAT FAIR?

Day 27 â&#x20AC;&#x153;The dad I always wanted is about to leave me. How is that fair?â&#x20AC;?

Because of the aggressiveness of his cancer, my dad was in and out of consciousness the last couple months of his life. The only time he would wake up was when they tried to move him to change the sheets, fix the bed, and then reposition him. When a nurse would try to start that process, Dad would always call out for me. He had lost so much weight by that point that I could easily pick him up and hold him while they changed the bed. With me holding him, Dad felt secure while they did their job. There was one particular time when he called for me and I had picked him up, when out of the corner of my eye, I saw something that captured my attention. I looked over at the full-length mirror across the room. There I was, holding my dad. He had both arms around my neck, holding onto dear life like a child. As they changed his bed, he fell back asleep in my arms. Looking at our image in the reflection, I became overwhelmed with emotion that while I had finally gotten the dad I had always wanted, now there was not much time left. If there is one thing we figure out quickly, even as children, it

is that life is not fair. Almost daily, we see this fatal truth lived out in our own lives and those around us. This great imbalance of life is yet another casualty in the fall of mankind due to sin. Take a moment to think about the most unfair thing going on in your life right now. What is it that makes this circumstance unfair? Is there any way the situation could be redeemed or made right? Take a very close look at today’s verse. Read the words carefully: “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God” (2 Corinthians 5:21).

While this has to be one of the most unfair sentences in the Bible, the reality of this statement communicates the most unfair act ever done to any human being. Jesus lived here for thirty-three years and never once made an evil choice. In fact, not only did He completely abstain from giving in to any temptation, but He also constantly created good everywhere He went. But on the cross, to seal our redemption, Christ took the weight of all of humanity’s sin upon Him. The phrase “to be sin for us” means He literally became sin to save us. In Revelation 1:18, Jesus said, “I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.” Christ won the final victory over sin, death, and Hell. The very reason that my dad and I could restore our relationship and I could forgive him was because the most unfair act in the history of the world happened to the only perfect One to ever set foot on the planet. He allowed Dad and I both to “become the righteousness of God.” Life is not fair, and life certainly was unfair to Jesus, but He knew this was exactly what He had agreed to do when He came to our world. His mission was fully accomplished.

The reflection I saw of me carrying my dad in the mirror was the visible evidence of how Christ had carried us to the place where we had finally connected together as father and son. The cancer that eventually took his life was the very catalyst that brought him to recognize that he needed a Savior. God has the most amazing ways to redeem the very worst of unfair circumstances. Thinking back to your own situation, how might Christ’s choice on the cross give you a fresh perspective? How can His redemption turn the outcome around for you? While your unfair circumstance may never be fair, what can you ask God to do in your life to help and heal you to become His righteousness, just like He did in mine? For a deeper look into Christ’s work on the cross, read Hebrews 4:14–5:10.

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CHASE MY DREAMS, WHATEVER IT TAKES

Day 28 “I’ll never forget the night that Dad told me that all the things he had said to me before about my future were wrong. He told me to chase my dreams and not let anybody stop me, that whatever it takes, I had to try.”

To have my dad tell me that he believed I should go after the dream in my heart was one of the most incredible moments of my life. Especially since I had never heard that come out of his mouth before. The reality of someone telling you to pursue your dreams, to go after what God has placed in your hands and on your heart, is something we all need to hear. We can think about it all the time, but there is just something about someone else telling us, giving us permission, that is empowering. When MercyMe is going down the road in our bus, driving on highways and interstates, we encounter roadblocks where access to lanes, exits, or turn-offs is denied by a large wood or metal structure, or those familiar orange cones. Anytime I see a lane blocked off, especially on a busy interstate, I am reminded of my dad’s work for the highway department, where he had to risk his life to step out and begin the process of stopping traffic and blocking access. This action always involved high caution and risk for him as drivers sped by.

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As we fly through life in our busy existence, we come upon three types of roadblocks. They aren’t physical like on the highway, but mental, emotional, spiritual (or sometimes a combination of these three). I have no idea what your place or position in life is. Maybe you are on top of the world right now or you feel like you are at the bottom just trying to look up. Regardless, I want to point three things out and ask you some important questions. 1. We have to identify the roadblocks that we have put up to stop our own progress, to impede our own momentum. These can be low self-esteem, fear, habitual sin, bad attitudes, negative mind-sets, or a lack of faith. You may have a roadblock in a certain area that, when encountered, you are immediately reminded that you can’t get traction and move forward. • What is your biggest personal roadblock right now? • How can you remove it? • What would re-engage or begin in your life if you did? 2. There are roadblocks that others have put up to stop us. A parent, spouse, child, boss, coworker, relative, friend, or someone else may have put up a barrier for you, maybe many years ago or recently. Chances are good that you have said about a certain topic with a specific person, “Oh, we just don’t go there,” meaning you avoid even bringing up a subject to avoid conflict. • Is someone else stopping you from being your very best? Why? • Is anyone keeping you from God’s best? Why? This point is not about playing the blame game but admitting

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you have allowed someone to put up a roadblock in your life and realizing it is time for you to remove it. Talk it out, ask for or receive forgiveness, and take action to get momentum back in that relationship or that specific place. 3. There are roadblocks that we put up for other people. We hinder the progress of our spouse, child, family member, friend, company we work for, or church we go to, because of fear, pride, laziness, apathy, or even frantic busyness. • Are you keeping someone in your life from succeeding, moving forward, or being their best? • Are you hindering someone’s pursuit of God, simply because you have that path blocked off to protect or help yourself ? “For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you.” (Proverbs 2:6–11)

The life of a truly godly person is often much like that of a good traffic cop—keeping order and safety, directing navigation for the best momentum for everyone, while also keeping things moving in the right direction. Don’t create roadblocks for others or for yourself but be a catalyst for forward motion. Check out and memorize Proverbs 3:5–6 for when you need a reminder to trust God on your path. 103

ON THE VERY DAY

Day 29 “After ten years, on the very day that my dad’s last pension check of $600 came, I found out that ‘I Can Only Imagine’ had gone to number one.”

When my dad was in his final days, he told me how he had set up his pension and life insurance to come to my brother and me, each in $600-a-month checks for ten years. He said he wanted me to use mine to help finance my shot at a music career. In the early days of MercyMe, that money allowed me to work full-time booking events with churches and managing the day-to-day details that came with a band and ministry. But then many years later, the day finally came when the final check arrived and my first son, Arthur Millard Jr.’s grandson Sam, was only a few days old. But here’s the really incredible part of what happened that day. While I was on hold waiting for an on-air interview with a radio DJ, holding my newborn son, my wife, Shannon, walked in with the check and told me it was the last one. There were several minutes between her report of the final check and the DJ getting back on the phone. In that short time, I was freaking out. The thoughts racing through my mind were, The last check? How am I going to replace $600 a month? We just had a baby and expenses are

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only going to be higher now. What am I going to do? God, help me! As my fearful thoughts kept going ninety miles an hour, the radio DJ came back on the phone. He made a comment about how excited I must be and, knowing my story, what my dad would think now. Confused, I asked him what he was talking about. Surprised that I didn’t know yet, he told me on-air, “Bart, congratulations, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ hit number one today. You have the number-one Christian song in the country!” I immediately started weeping. Trying to compose myself, I was finally able to tell the DJ that at the end of my dad telling me about the $600 a month for ten years, he had said, kind of jokingly like he often did, “And I’ll figure out some way to keep taking care of you when the ten years are up.” The song I had written about my dad and for my dad would be the provision for my family long after the checks stopped coming. While of course Dad could never have known that, God certainly did, and He orchestrated the entire miracle to happen within minutes during one single morning, right at the perfect time. But not before making me sweat a little. Now there have been plenty of times in my life and in the early days of MercyMe when provision didn’t come quite that quickly. Things certainly haven’t always worked out perfectly that way. But I have to say God has always taken care of me, my family, and the band, as we have committed our lives to His service all these years. He is my Provider, whether it comes within minutes or weeks later; it is always in His perfect timing to accomplish what He wills to do. There is a passage in Isaiah, where God is speaking to Israel, that has some amazing imagery included to describe God’s provision for His people:

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“‘Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.’” (Isaiah 43:18–19)

I shared this very personal story with you today to encourage you that whether your greatest need right now is financial, emotional, physical, or spiritual, God can work in unbelievable ways to provide for you. He had been working for years in my life to lead up to that one day of miraculous provision. He can and will do the same for you. He is the God that “springs up a new thing” and “makes a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” Today, give Him your desert and your wilderness. Ask Him to help you “forget the former things” and no longer be “dwelling on the past.” (And believe me, I know how hard that can be.) Invite Him to do a new work in your life that has no explanation other than His blessing. For more on God’s favor and blessing, read Isaiah 61.

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past, present, and future.

ACCEPTING THE HOPE OF HEAVEN CAN RADICALLY CHANGE OUR

HIS LEGACY IS STILL ALIVE

Day 30 “My dad thought people would forget about him quickly after he was gone, and here we are, twenty-plus years later, and his legacy is still very much alive in our story through ‘I Can Only Imagine.’”

A very sobering question for any room is to ask if anyone can name at least one of their great-great-grandparents. Most people, unless they have recently done a genealogy project or paid to have a service provide a report of their family tree, cannot give you an answer. The younger the age of the crowd, the more likely it is that no one can even name their great-grandparents. This is not an indictment to say that people don’t care about their families, but simply a very real fact that most of us will be forgotten within two generations. While this knowledge could be somewhat depressing, for the Christian it is hope-filled inspiration that Christ can change everything about what we leave behind in this life. If we choose to believe God’s plan for our lives and we offer Him our obedience, this decision can lead to a life that not only makes a difference now, but also makes a difference in Heaven one day in the lives of others. Even long after we are gone, people’s testimonies can include us as someone who came along and changed

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the very course of their lives by connecting them to Christ forever. We have an opportunity to be a history-maker, not in making ourselves famous, but by impacting the legacy of entire families, possibly even generations, simply by being obedient to God. Think about this: Being responsible for leading someone to Christ could potentially impact the entire family tree from that point forward, with everyone becoming Christians for generations. The reason this can be said is because it has actually happened. This is one of the very reasons that genealogies are included in the Bible. Your high school or college likely has a trophy case. While everyone in the school wanted to do something spectacular to be recognized by what was on display in that case, rarely will you find anyone standing around and reading the names on those trophies or the accomplishments listed on the plaques. Most trophy cases just become a place to store old awards, and the older they get, the less anyone cares. Once again, trophies are cool, but they are further proof that our worldly accomplishments fade quickly. As Christians, we are given opportunities to create rewards in the kingdom of Heaven that will never lose their meaning or importance. We can be world-changers in so many ways: witnessing, making disciples, supporting missions, reaching our neighbors, going overseas, following the calling to daily walk with Jesus, and doing what He tells us to do. Hebrews 11 is often called “God’s Hall of Fame.” Imagine having your name on that list! The chapter begins with a simple but powerful verse: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see” (Hebrews 11:1).

You can’t see what the future holds, but placing your life in

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the hands of almighty God makes the possibilities and potential literally limitless. Getting accolades and applause for what you do can be a really exciting experience, but trust me, it wears off quickly. The acknowledgment of our Heavenly Father one day saying, â&#x20AC;&#x153;Well done, good and faithful servant,â&#x20AC;? is really what I have been after ever since those middle-of-the-night meetings with my earthly dad. My prayer is that these words would inspire you to go after a legacy that is immersed only in Christ, to do what only He can accomplish in your life. God is writing your story right now. Yesterday is gone forever and tomorrow never comes, so today we can be history-makers and world-changers for Christ. May you allow God to write your life into His story! For further reading, finish Hebrews 11, paying particular attention to verse 40, which mentions you.

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I CAN ONLY IMAGINE

Day 31 “As we were driving away from my dad’s gravesite, Mammaw Millard was staring out the car window and said, ‘I can only imagine what Bub must be seeing right now.’”

Mammaw’s words that day became a comfort for me; there was just something about what she said that allowed me to focus on what my dad must be experiencing in Heaven, instead of missing him being here so badly. For the Christian, that thought really does help us realize that wanting someone to still be on the earth is selfish when the person is enjoying their new home in Paradise with Jesus. Following Dad’s funeral, whenever I was on hold on the phone, waiting on anything, or had writer’s block while working on a song, I would doodle the words I Can Only Imagine. I became obsessed with this investment I now felt like I had in Heaven. My dad being there was a part of my future that I could look forward to. One of the first verses we often learn in the Christian life is John 14:6: “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” But what makes this verse even more powerful is when we understand the previous verses that lead up to it:

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“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. You know the way to the place where I am going.” (John 14:1–4)

In verse 5, Thomas, like most of us, was puzzled by Jesus’ last statement: “You know the way.” We all think of a way as a physical path. But Jesus was saying this way was a Person, as in “You know me, Thomas, so you know the way to Heaven.” In the past few years, apologetics have made a strong comeback due to our post-modern and then post-Christian culture. Apologetics is simply a way to offer evidence and defense of faith in Christ. There is a popular apologetic argument known as “Pascal’s Wager.” Blaise Pascal was an inventor, mathematician, physicist, and theological writer in the 1600s who wrote a collective work known as Pensees. The bottom line of this work had to do with how humans gamble with the concept of eternity. Below are Pascal’s words: “God is, or He is not.” But to which side shall we incline? Reason can decide nothing here. There is an infinite chaos, which separated us. A game is being played at the extremity of this infinite distance where heads or tails will turn up. … Which will you choose then? … You have two things to lose, the true and the good; and two things to stake, your reason and your will, your knowledge and your happiness; and your nature has two things to shun, error and misery. Your reason is no more shock-ed in choosing

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one rather than the other, since you must of necessity choose. â&#x20AC;Ś But your happiness? Let us weigh the gain and the loss in wagering that God is. â&#x20AC;Ś If you gain, you gain all; if you lose, you lose nothing. Wager, then, without hesitation that He is.

While the last century has often pitted science and faith against one another, the two can also work closely together as companions. Pascal believed in a God who claims that an eternity is available for us, which to him became more logical than not believing. He also makes it clear that each person must make this wager and come to his or her own decision. As Christians, while we will all struggle with doubts and fears at times, we have made our choice in this eternal wager. We believe Jesus has gone ahead of us to prepare a place. Now our lives, between salvation and Heaven, are committed to giving others the evidence to make their decision as to where they will spend eternity. When Jesus returns, there will be nothing more important than what we did with what we can now only imagine. For an amazing description of Heaven, read Revelation 21.

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OKAY, GOD, I GET IT

Day 32 “Needing to write lyrics for the last song on our new album, I realized almost every page in my journal had ‘I Can Only Imagine’ written on it. In that moment, I said, ‘Okay, God, I get it.’”

There are so many “Okay, God, I get it” moments in the Christian life. There are some times when I see what God is saying fairly quickly, but then there are many others when He has to drop His will right in front of me over and over before I see what He is doing. Those four words just kept coming to me and finally appeared in so many places where I had subconsciously written them, that I could no longer ignore them. Late that night, God made it abundantly clear what He wanted me to write, after He had been telling me for quite a while. While there are a lot of men in the Bible to whom I can relate in their struggle between humanity and God’s will, one man I closely connect with is Gideon. Due to God’s discipline of Israel, for seven years He had allowed the Midianites to wreak havoc on the lives of the Israelites. Around harvest time, this enemy would show up and destroy or steal everything. As was so often the case, the people cried out to God for His help.

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Gideon was just a simple farmer who was threshing wheat in a winepress, trying to hide his crop from the Midianites. An angel (who some believe was Jesus) appeared to him and said, “The LORD is with you, mighty warrior” (Judges 6:12). You can imagine Gideon looking around and having a “Who? Me?” moment. Mighty warrior? Seriously? You got the wrong guy, sir. But then Gideon processed the angel’s statement and basically asked, “So if the Lord is with us, what’s with all this trouble? Where are the miracles? Why have we been abandoned?” The angel answered, “I’m sending you just as you are to save Israel.” Insert another “Who? Me?” moment from Gideon. He replies with an amazing comment, stating that his family is the weakest and then he is the least of them all. As we read so often in Scripture, this seems to be exactly what God likes to do—send the least-likely to do the biggest job. Remember David? The youngest, little-shepherd brother who everyone forgot to even call to come to Samuel’s auditions to be king? But who got picked and crowned? The Almighty tends to tip the scales in the little guy’s favor. Finally, the angel tells Gideon to go wipe out the opposing army with God’s help. Here’s where the “Okay, God, I get it” moment comes in for this farmer-turned-fighter: “Gideon said to God, ‘If you will save Israel by my hand as you have promised—look, I will place a wool fleece on the threshing floor. If there is dew only on the fleece and all the ground is dry, then I will know that you will save Israel by my hand, as you said.’ And that is what happened. Gideon rose early the next day; he squeezed the fleece and wrung out the dew—a bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, ‘Do not be angry with me. Let me make just one more request. Allow me one more test with the fleece, but this time make the fleece dry and let the ground be

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covered with dew.’ That night God did so. Only the fleece was dry; all the ground was covered with dew.” (Judges 6:36–40)

I can so relate to Gideon’s dilemma of wanting to be absolutely certain he was doing God’s will. When most of us pray our “fleece prayers,” it’s not so much because we question God but because we doubt our own ability to hear Him. If we live the Christian life for very long, we will all find ourselves praying like Gideon, “Okay, God, don’t get mad at me, but could you please give me some kind of sign that I’m following You in this situation?” But God does not get angry at us and He does often comply with our requests because two of His amazing qualities are His patience and grace, particularly when we consider His holiness having to deal with our sinfulness. An old-school word for patience is longsuffering, meaning to suffer for a long time waiting on someone to respond. Grace means favor that we do not deserve. Sometimes I wonder how many times God was going to speak “I Can Only Imagine” to my heart, following the hundreds of times He did, trying to prompt me to listen for the words He had for me to write. And all this from a worship band that had been turned down by every record label in Nashville! But thank God for His patient grace that kept giving me opportunity after opportunity to get it, just like Gideon. Today, be encouraged that God uses the least-likely to do the biggest jobs and has patient grace until we arrive at our own “Okay, God, I get it” moments. For the rest of Gideon’s story, continue reading in Judges 7.

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WE ALL WANT TO EMBRACE HOPE

Day 33 “When people ask me why I think ‘I Can Only Imagine’ has reached so many people, I think it’s because we all want to embrace and experience hope.”

Many people are deathly afraid of air travel. The idea of getting on a plane flying thirty thousand feet in the air at several hundred miles per hour is terrifying to them. The sense of being completely out of control and placing their lives in the hands of two unseen total strangers known as pilots is just too much to trust. Another major part of the fear for many people is envisioning horrific turbulence followed by a crash. (Sorry if I’ve made you afraid to fly now.) But an interesting dynamic occurs for some of those fearof-flying folks when a grandbaby is born several states away or a son’s or daughter’s wedding is going to take place far away from home. Suddenly, when air travel becomes the best or only option to get to the location of the loved one, everything changes. A paradigm shift occurs out of necessity. Faith in the airlines has to overpower the fear of flying. Why? What would drive this major change of mind and heart? The reason is the deep desire to reach the loved one who lies on the other end of the journey. The hope of

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experiencing the relationship on the other side drives the faith to fly. This analogy connects the deeply interwoven and inescapable biblical relationship between faith and hope. Have you ever wondered what makes us wake up one day and feel as though everything is great and we can experience incredible peace, but then the very next day we are met with a sense of doom and dread? Usually the underlying factor is the level of hope experienced from one day to the next. Although we live the same life that we did yesterday, our sense of hope affects everything about us in the moment—motives, attitudes, words, and actions. If I were to ask if you could grow in your love for others, what might you say? What about growing in the level of peace or joy you experience—how would you answer? The Bible tells us in Galatians 5 that we can grow in the nine fruits of the Spirit—love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. But what about hope? Can you grow in hope? If we can come to believe in the hope of Heaven one day, then can we not grow in our hope for today before we reach eternity? Going back to our airplane analogy, what if the fearful flyer meets a veteran pilot, gets to know him well and a deep relationship grows, and then he finds out upon boarding the plane that this friend is the pilot on that dreaded flight? Does the experience of the relationship change the experience of flying? Does the acquired trust already built in the one piloting the plane minimize, if not completely alleviate, the fear? Does the flyer have more faith in the safety of the flight simply by knowing who is in charge? Absolutely. The deeper you grow in your relationship with Christ, the more you will grow in hope. The more you grow in hope, the more real Heaven can be now. More trust in Christ brings more hope in Christ. In Romans 15:13, Paul refers to the hope available to us through

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Christ every day: “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” As you trust Christ, He fills you with joy and peace. The Spirit’s power creates an overflow of hope in your life each day as a result. But hope also refers to our home to come in Heaven. “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.” (Titus 3:5–7)

Let me ask you: Do you just wish for hope or do you have hope? Have you exhausted all hope or are you experiencing hope? The answers lie in your relationship with the One that “I Can Only Imagine” is all about: Jesus Christ. Search for the word hope in your Bible app or concordance and read some of the verses listed to better understand this important biblical concept.

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IF YOU HADN’T PLAYED THAT SONG

Day 34 “If you hadn’t played that song, I wouldn’t be here.”

After “I Can Only Imagine” had a great run on Christian radio and was starting to drop off the charts, a mainstream radio station in Dallas that did a truth-or-dare type segment on their show had a caller dare them to play the song. After saying no for a while, the audience pressured them and they finally agreed. The calls and emails started coming in, and they kept playing it. The song went to number one on that mainstream station. One day while that Dallas station was playing the song, a woman had decided to commit suicide by running her car off a bridge. She “just so happened” to be listening to that mainstream station where she could have heard the latest dance song or some tune about lost love. But they played “I Can Only Imagine.” As she listened to the words, driving to her planned destruction, she got incredibly angry at the message of the song. How dare her station of choice play a song like that! She then decided to delay her suicide in order to call the station to give them a piece of her mind, but the phone lines were all busy from people calling in about the song. While she continued

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to get the busy signal, she saw a billboard for the major Christian radio station in Dallas. She decided that they should be able to tell her why the other station had chosen to play the song that was messing up her mind-set for her plans. She reached someone at the Christian station, and through her venting, the person at that station started to put together what her original intentions for that evening entailed. After more discussion, the radio employee explained the gospel that the song is about and the woman prayed over the phone to receive Christ. She then drove to the mainstream station, went in and thanked them for playing the song, and told them her story. She said, “If you hadn’t played that song, I wouldn’t be here.” What began as a final drive to her death ended as a journey into her new life. God has a unique way of orchestrating divine detours to alter the course of our lives; sometimes for a season, sometimes forever. We have focused several days of this devotional on different aspects of the life of Paul and the change Christ made in him. He wasn’t traveling on the road to Damascus to commit suicide, but rather the murder of Christians. But Paul experienced one of the most incredible life interruptions found in Scripture. “As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’ ‘Who are you, Lord?’ Saul asked. ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,’ he replied. ‘Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.’ The men traveling with Saul stood there speechless; they heard the sound but did not see anyone. Saul got up from the ground, but when he opened his eyes he could see nothing. So they led him by the hand into Damascus.” (Acts 9:3–8)

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Paul knew the laws of God backward and forward, but he did not know the God of the law. He was zealous to protect the faith, but he didn’t know the One who the faith is placed in. Paul believed that God was his purpose, but he discovered, on the road that day, he did not yet know the Person behind the purpose. One of the most intriguing aspects of this story is when Jesus asked, “Why are you persecuting Me?” He did not say “the church” or “My disciples,” but rather referred to Himself personally. Salvation is not about following a plan or joining a program, but entering into a very personal relationship. Because Christ literally makes His home within us upon salvation, our relationship with Him is the most intimate one we can ever have. The woman who called the radio station had no idea God was stopping her on her road to destruction with an invitation to life. Paul had no idea God would stop him on his road to religious fame with an invitation to His most precious relationship. But that is exactly what God does. He interrupts our lives with the most amazing events that we will ever experience. Watch for your own interruptions, because I promise you, they will most certainly come. For some of the greatest life interruptions the world has ever experienced, read Matthew 4:18–22. These are still impacting us, even today.

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THE TRUE HEROES IN THIS WORLD

Day 35 “We told him, ‘No, you’re the real hero. You soldiers are the true heroes in this world.’” MercyMe had the privilege of playing at Fort Hood in Texas for the soldiers stationed there who had returned home from the war in Iraq. After the concert, one man came up to us and began to weep as he told us the story of how his entire company had been wiped out in the battle. Everyone was gone but him. As the only man left alive, his grief and confusion, coupled with survivor’s guilt, overwhelmed him. He shared how he spent that entire night on the battlefield holding a loaded gun and contemplating suicide. But he also had a Walkman and a copy of “I Can Only Imagine.” As he sat there with the pistol, he listened to the song over and over and over. The message about Heaven gave him the hope and the strength to choose life over death, and he was able to make it back to his base and then return home. He ended his story by telling us that, because of the song’s impact on him, we were the biggest heroes of his life. But we kept assuring him that we were not at all, but rather men and women like him are the real heroes in this broken world, people who volunteer to put their lives on the line for our freedom.

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Jesus also had interactions with the soldiers of his day—Roman centurions. They were military officers who commanded groups of one hundred men, some of the most well-known soldiers in history because of Rome’s long-held military domination. One of the biggest compliments we see given in Scripture happens between Christ and a Roman soldier. Just after Jesus came into Capernaum, a Roman centurion walked up to Him. “Lord,” he began, “my servant is paralyzed and suffering.” There are two interesting points to notice here: first, he calls Jesus Lord, and second, he states the problem without even being asked his request. Christ immediately responded with, “Shall I come and heal him?” Jesus didn’t tell the centurion what He would do but asked him instead, obviously being intentional. The soldier told Jesus that he didn’t deserve to have Him in his house. Showing deep respect for Christ, his amazing statement of faith then came: “You can just speak the words from right here and my servant will be healed.” This officer then launched into a military explanation of how and why he believed this to be possible. He told Jesus that when he commanded men to go here and there, they did, and to do this and do that, they did, so certainly Jesus could do the same in healing. Now just imagine for a moment all the unbelief and questioning that Jesus had already dealt with, especially from the religious leaders. I’d like to think that Jesus was smiling or maybe even laughing a bit when He began His response to those who had gathered to witness the exchange. “When Jesus heard this, he was amazed and said to those following him, ‘Truly I tell you, I have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith. I say to you that many will come from the east and the west and will take their places

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at the feast with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven. But the subjects of the kingdom will be thrown outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’ Then Jesus said to the centurion, ‘Go! Let it be done just as you believed it would.’ And his servant was healed at that moment.” (Matthew 8:10–13)

God used the unlikely connection of the Roman centurion to his servant to receive Jesus’ healing and do an even greater work by showing everyone involved the reality of Christ’s divinity. We can make the safe assumption that this miracle changed the lives of everyone in the soldier’s household, as they would have witnessed the sudden healing lined up with the exact timing of the centurion’s request. God also used an unlikely connection of “I Can Only Imagine” in the Fort Hood soldier’s life to bring him back from the brink of death and return him to the service of his country. Everyone who now hears his testimony, including all five us in the band, is amazed at the miracle of how God touched his life in such a horrible situation. No matter what you have gone through or what you are experiencing right now, God is near to you. He is not “somewhere up there” or far away, but available to you right now. Read and consider memorizing Psalm 34:18.

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If a part of Heaven is that there is no from Christ,

then in a very real way, Heaven has already begun.

LIFE THROUGH HIS LENS

Day 36 “When we know there’s something after this world, then a day without faith feels like a wasted day. God gives us the daily choice to see life through His lens or ours.” Throughout all the many years that MercyMe has had to be involved in photo shoots for album covers, magazine articles, tour posters, etc., we have been privileged to work with some incredible high-end photographers. Every time, they have had bags full of various lenses and filters to change out to achieve specific shots and produce customized looks according to the needs of the project. The great photographers know how to capture just the right moment. And getting the perfect shot while trying to get five guys to all look at the camera together without blinking, moving, cutting up, laughing, or sporting some goofy look is a major accomplishment in itself. Each day that we live and interact with others, we often function much like a photographer in our communication. Over time, we can gather a huge array of “filters and lenses” that we apply to our personalities, attitudes, and opinions, depending on the person, circumstance, and even our own attitude toward the situation at the time. We want to control how we are viewed, heard, and judged,

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so we work hard to create the perception we hope to portray. If you evaluate your communication with the people with whom you regularly interact, you will likely see this practice at play. For one person, you may put on a skeptical, cautious filter. For another, a bright, positive lens is applied to see everything through. For someone else, you use a wide-angle lens to keep some distance and watch your back. In the moment, you size up the situation and decide if you will be serious, funny, angry, apathetic, quiet, careful, or thousands of other options you can call upon. This is true of us all, whether we realize it or not. There are also plenty of times when we mistakenly keep a lens on from one situation when we walk into another, creating a conflict. We forget to remove the work lens when we come home and talk to our family like they’re our employees. Or we apply our church filter with the people at work and the intent backfires. Or we get the lenses mixed up between two friends who require different approaches and we offend someone. But being honest, attaching and detaching filters and lenses on our communication and personalities can be exhausting. So what can we do when we realize we have collected a wide assortment of gear with which we feel we must use to both speak and listen to people? When we look throughout the Gospels at the life of Christ, we see an amazing consistency in His behavior, communication, attitude, and approach. While He certainly displayed normal emotions like anger, sadness, and excitement, everyone always knew exactly what they were going to get with Jesus. This is because He operated His entire life with a single “filter and lens.” In every situation, Jesus relied solely on the Holy Spirit to know exactly what to say, what not to say, what to do, and what not to do. He never sinned and always did the will of the Father

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because of this moment-by-moment reliance. That is why it is so incredible that He promised us this same access and privilege to God: “But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you” (John 14:26). The way we can make each day count for Heaven, waste nothing, and see life and people through the same lens as Christ is to rely fully on the Holy Spirit as He did. The Spirit is able to adjust to every person, conversation, and setting to get exactly the right angle, perspective, and look needed to deal with any circumstance and every person in our lives. Like the world’s most amazing photographer, God’s Spirit can properly capture every single moment. For another promise to you about the Holy Spirit’s work in your life, read Luke 12:12.

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WITH THE BEST WORDS WE HAD

Day 37 “Whatever John was seeing of Heaven that he described in Revelation, the streets of gold and all, I think he was describing the most precious things with the best words he had.” “At once I was in the Spirit, and there before me was a throne in heaven with someone sitting on it. And the one who sat there had the appearance of jasper and ruby. A rainbow that shone like an emerald encircled the throne. Surrounding the throne were twenty-four other thrones, and seated on them were twenty-four elders. They were dressed in white and had crowns of gold on their heads. From the throne came flashes of lightning, rumblings and peals of thunder. In front of the throne, seven lamps were blazing. These are the seven spirits of God. Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.” (Revelation 4:2–6)

I have often heard it said that God gives all ministers of the gospel one message, and then we spend the rest of our lives finding different ways to communicate that same message to everyone we can. As a songwriter, I sit alone or in a room with my bandmates

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and try to hammer out yet another unique way to convey God’s love and grace. One idea might come from a Bible verse I read that morning, another from a sermon I heard or perhaps a circumstance I observed in life that I feel people can relate to. There are so many ways God has inspired me to write His truths into song, but the reality is all those ideas are poured through the same funnel of the gospel for the people who end up hearing them. “I Can Only Imagine” may reach someone, while “Even If” will touch someone else. As a band, we utilize the limitation of the English language to the best of our ability to create as many messages about the unlimited and infinite love of God as we possibly can. But then MercyMe takes all our songs out on the road to present a full experience for someone, allowing them to sit and take in all those messages within an hour and a half, along with a few stories and encouragements I offer between songs. While we want our audience to have fun and enjoy themselves, there is always the bigger picture of hoping that by the end of the night, people leave understanding that God loves them and His grace is available right now and for eternity. Every song in each show has a distinct and targeted purpose to communicate the gospel in a unique way. Maybe someone who won’t walk into a church will come to hear us and understand the same message the church offers. People who will never listen to a pastor will go to hear a band with a friend or family member. Over the past several years, in all Christian media, from pastors’ messages to manuscripts to movies, there has been a strong resurgence of fascination and intrigue about Heaven. Children and adults who claim to have had near-death experiences have come back to life to write best-selling books that have been made into popular films. People, regardless of their religion, seem to be

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more enamored than ever about the afterlife. Our crazy culture is making everyone think more about “what’s next?” all the more. A great deal of our curiosity about eternity comes from all our varied ideas of what Heaven looks like. We question what is actually there, and debate on what we will see, hear, and experience. We wonder what we will do for eternity as if boredom might be a valid concern. With all our crazy notions and questions, there is one central truth on which we must focus—wherever Jesus is, there is Heaven. Wherever Heaven is, there is Jesus. That truth brings us back to the importance of communicating the gospel to as many people as possible. The truth of Christ is what makes Heaven a reality in our lives. We want people to come to know Jesus so that no matter what the streets in Heaven are made of or what activities we will take part in there, we will be with Him and that is the ultimate end of life. For now, we can only imagine that great day as we follow Him today. For the full context of John’s vision of Heaven, read all of Revelation 4.

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HEAVEN HAS ALREADY BEGUN

Day 38 “If a part of Heaven is that there is no separation from Christ,then in a very real way, Heaven has already begun.”

In his book The Great Divorce, C. S. Lewis wrote, “The Blessed will say, ‘We have never lived anywhere except Heaven.’ The Lost will say, ‘We were always in Hell.’ And both will speak truly.” This profound and sobering thought simply means that our choice and our experience for eternity are going to begin here in this life. Once we die, the opportunity to choose ends. The door closes forever. This quite temporary life is the opportunity for eternity. While deathbed conversions certainly occur, our lives here should constantly reflect our spiritual decision and direction. As Christians we still have pain and struggles in our lives just as everyone does; the vast difference for us is that we experience God’s work in and around us on a daily basis. If Heaven is being in His full and complete presence, then what we see, hear, and feel of Christ here and now is but a mere preview of what is to come. When we encounter God here on Earth, we taste a piece of Heaven as well.

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On the other side of this concept, we all know people who have refused to believe in Christ, and, often over time, we watch the consequences of that chosen separation impact their life in devastating ways. That is exactly what Lewis was saying in the quote above. There is always the other side of every coin. The effects of both Heaven and Hell are felt here by the choices made for or against Christ. Jesus made a statement about this difference in Matthew 7:16: “By their fruit you will recognize them.” In this generation, the movie trailer has become a huge part of the entertainment experience in the release of a movie. What began as simply short advertisements in movie theaters for upcoming films has morphed into major media events. Some anticipated blockbusters’ trailer releases are played off as huge as some movie premieres. Many films now release multiple trailers almost a year in advance. Millions of people all over the world watch these mini-films online for months before a movie is actually released, building anticipation and excitement. I remember when the first I Can Only Imagine movie trailer came out and we began seeing the shares take off on social media. The response was incredible, and it was wild to watch the viral spread of everyone’s hard work. But in a trailer, while we are seeing a montage of various scenes, we are not experiencing the full and complete story. We are only given a glimpse into the final encounter. We can watch on our various digital devices what we can only truly experience one day in the future, when we go see the movie played out in its entirety. In our day-to-day lives, we have the privilege of watching previews of Heaven—trailers, if you will—getting us excited for the full experience of one day being in the actual place to witness the real thing. Paul wrote about this very idea in his first letter to the Corinthian church:

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“For now we see only a reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known” (1 Corinthians 13:12).

In this life, we see reflections of Jesus everywhere, every day, but one day after we pass from this place, the relationship will be face-to-face. The veil will be lifted. Temptation, sin, brokenness, pain, and all the countless barriers of our humanity will be gone forever. Heaven will be our home. Paul expressed this so well in Philippians 3:20 when he told us, “But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” For the full context of Paul’s Heavenly encouragement, read all of 1 Corinthians 13.

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THE KINGDOM OF GOD BEGINS HERE

Day 39 “The kingdom of God begins here, and our responsibility is to share Christ with the time we have left.”

“All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:18–21)

Once we say yes to Christ, we receive a new purpose. We are given a new job description for our lives. Sure, we will have to do whatever we need to do to make a living; I travel, sing, and write songs to take care of my family. But my true 24/7/365 role, as well as yours, is to be and do exactly what Paul describes in today’s passage: we are Christ’s ambassadors. Not one day when we think

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we are ready; we are today. Isn’t it interesting that God decided to give the very people who brought sin into the world in the first place the responsibility to spread the news of the solution? You would think He might not trust mankind with such an amazing miracle. But who better to spread the cure than those who have been healed? An ambassador is a person who travels to other nations or lives in a foreign country to speak and act on behalf of their own country’s leader. The ambassador does not sit down with dignitaries and say whatever they think or want, but serves only as the leader’s communicator. An ambassador is a messenger who has a relationship with the leader and is entrusted with the primary objective to be a presence and a voice on the leader’s behalf. In verse 20 of our passage, Paul says that God is “making his appeal through us” to a lost world. This statement brings an amazing purpose for our lives in all that we do, what we say, and whom we influence. That thought should give us all a fresh perspective on why we are here on Earth today. The God of the universe wants you and me to represent Him! I want to stop and cover a base here. You might be thinking, Okay, Bart, you get to travel all over the world to sing in front of thousands and give a testimony about Christ, but I don’t have that opportunity. Here’s the beauty of God’s plan: There are people in your life who I could never reach with the gospel, people who will never come to see MercyMe or even listen to Christian music. God has placed you strategically around the people who you are because He wants you to be His ambassador right where you are. You don’t have to go on a mission trip; your life is a mission trip! No one can reach those folks quite like you can and God knows that. I hope this truth sinks down deep in your heart for you to accept the privilege and responsibility He is giving you.

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At this point, it is time for you to ask a very important and very personal question: If God is making his appeal through me, then what is my life saying about Him to those around me? This question is not asked for any intention of guilt or to create any other negative feeling, but simply to inspire you to honestly evaluate how seriously you are taking the privilege that God has placed in your life for the time you have left on this planet. An ambassador is provided with the opportunity to influence because of the authority and position the leader has given. If you are a Christ follower, God has already given you His authority and position as His adopted child and heir for the purpose of using every opportunity to be His influence within your relationships. That influence will be by Him, from Him, and through Him. He’s got you and you’ve got this! While this can sometimes be hard for us to believe and accept, we are the best representatives of Christ available to the people, places, and positions in the circles God has us. For a broader picture of today’s topic, read 2 Corinthians 5:11–6:2.

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THE MOST REAL THING EVER

Day 40 “You can argue the semantics of faith and if God exists, but the one thing that cannot be debated is what He has done in my life. It’s the most real thing I have ever experienced.”

Of the many thousands of Christians I have met over all the years of traveling with MercyMe, I don’t believe I have ever encountered a single person who said they got debated or argued into the kingdom of God. The majority of the testimonies I have heard involved someone reaching out through an authentic relationship of love in the name of Christ. Then at some point in that relationship, the truth of the gospel was shared and accepted. There will always be the haters and debaters who wish to discredit, disprove, and discard the reality of Jesus Christ. But the one thing no one can dispute is a life He has forever changed. Living proof is just really hard to explain away. There would have been lots of very intelligent people who could have outdone my dad in a spiritual debate, but no one could discount his incredible transformation. I might be able to hold my own for a while in a debate with an atheist expert, but no one can take away my experience

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of the forgiveness God brought between my dad and me. The reality is that all of our lives are telling a story about Jesus all the time. If we claim that He is our Lord and Savior, then we are telling the world about Him somehow. “For, ‘Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans 10:13–15)

Who can call on the Lord and be saved? Everyone. Always remember that. The gospel has no qualifiers for acceptance. No one is exempt. Breathing is the only requirement prior to receiving Jesus. Telling someone about Christ is simply a matter of sharing your story of how He saved you. You don’t have to say everything perfectly or have all the answers, just tell how Jesus changed you. Sticking to what God has done in your life is always the best approach. There are many people in the world today who don’t know Jesus simply because no one has told them, just as Paul stated in today’s passage. Even the most trained and knowledgeable pastor might know what to say to lead a person to Christ, but never open their mouth to share. So the real key isn’t knowledge, but obedience. Leading people to Christ is not about ability, but availability. I want to walk you through a very simple way that you can share your story about Jesus. On a separate piece of paper or in your journal, write down these four steps and then complete them with just a few short sentences. When you are done, you will have a simple and concise version of your testimony.

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Step 1—Before I began a relationship with Christ, my life was … (Briefly describe why you knew you needed a Savior.) Step 2—I came to know Jesus through … (What were the circumstances around your salvation, includi ng any key relationships that helped you?) Step 3—Since I came to Christ, God has … (How has your life changed or transformed?) Step 4—Today, God is at work in my life through … (What is He doing in you, teaching you, or showing you right now?) Including your current testimony at the end of your story shows that your relationship with God is an ongoing and active part of your life—not just an experience that happened in the past but a powerful present-day relationship. When sharing your story with someone and answering their questions, always speak honestly from your heart about your own experience. If you don’t know the answer to a question, tell the person that you will find out or lead them to someone who can help. But be sure you follow up. If the person asks how they can come to know Christ, you can lead them through a prayer just as you normally pray or you can ask them to meet with you and a pastor or other Christian leader you trust. Again, just be honest. One day in Heaven, you will be so grateful for every opportunity you took to share Christ in any way with anyone. And so will those who made it home because of you! Be sure you take the time to write out your testimony using the format given to you today. Then go share your story! 141

Congratulations on

completing forty days! I want to encourage you to continue your new habit of spending time with God daily—reading his Word, praying, listening, journaling, applying what you hear, and growing in your faith. Then take all He gives you and reach your world for Christ. I pray you take in all of Jesus and live out your faith daily. While devotional books like this are great to use, I want to challenge and encourage you to get to the point where you sit down daily with just God’s Word to read, pray, and obey. The Bible is the greatest Book ever written, and God has something new to say to you every day by His Spirit. Your Heavenly Father is inviting you to join Him in His work, so walk with Him and be His ambassador in your world. Let’s close with the very first Bible verse you read in Day 1 as a prayer for your life. “I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you

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will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen.â&#x20AC;? (Ephesians 3:16â&#x20AC;&#x201C;21 NLT)

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NOTES Day 9 To Be the Gospel in Our Homes 1. Billy Graham, “Live Creatively for Christ,” Billy Graham Evangelism Association, accessed February 14, 2018, https://billygraham. org/devotion/may-14-live-creatively-for-christ/. Day 11 He Wasn’t Allowed on the List 1. “Forgiven and Befriended by Victim, Attacker Dies,” New York Times, October 6, 1996, accessed February 25, 2018, http://www. nytimes.com/1996/10/06/us/forgiven-and-befriended-by-victim-attacker-dies.html. Day 16 Set My Mind on Things Above 1. Merriam-Webster Dictionary, s.v. “ruminate,” accessed April 12, 2018, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ruminate. Day 19 Accepting the Hope of Heaven 1. “Tuck Everlasting Quotes,” International Movie Database, 2002, accessed February 26, 2018, http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0283084/quotes. Day 20 Our Obedience Impacts Everyone 1. Howard Culbertson, “No Reserves, No Retreats, No Regrets,” Southern Nazarene University, accessed February 2, 2018, https:// home.snu.edu/~hculbert/regret.htm. Day 31 I Can Only Imagine 1. Joshua Kelly, “A new Wager in response to Pascal’s,” Patheos, July 24, 2015, accessed April 12, 2018, http://www.patheos.com/blogs/ danthropology/2015/07/a-new-wager-in-response-to-pascals/# Day 38 Heaven Has Already Begun 1. C. S. Lewis, The Complete C. S. Lewis Signature Classics (New York: HarperOne, 2002), 503.

HEADLINE 1. CUM SOCIIS NATOQUE PENATIBUS ET MAGNIS DIS PARTURIENT MONTES, NASCETUR RIDICULUS MUS.

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