Special Features 2023 Archives

For over 30 years, Heartlight has shared articles to help people live for Jesus in everyday life. While we are no longer publishing new articles, this enduring collection features relevant pieces throughout the year to encourage faith, offer biblical perspective, and speak to real-world joys and struggles.

Looking for Jesus at Christmas

by Rick Brown · Matthew 2:1-2 · Christmas

Rick Brown talks about Jesus not just missing from the nativity, but also from Christmas and from our lives and yet we can use this time to restore him to his rightful place in our lives.

Whatever happened to the reason for the season?

When Endings Are Complicated, God Is Still Gracious

by Ron Rose · Nehemiah 6:16 · Providence

Ron Rose reminds us that not all faith stories have happy endings and that sometimes we have to wade on through tragedy with faith.

What do you do when the endings are not always happy ones?

Communion: Passion, Pain, and Promise

by Max Lucado · Matthew 26:18 · Communion

Max Lucado tells about sharing communion as a boy and what it means to us now -- more than symbol, it's sacrament, a holy time of anticipation.

Communion was intended to be an I-can't-believe-it's-me-pinch-me-I'm-dreaming invitation to sit at God's table and be served by the King himself.

In His Image

by Ron Rose · Ephesians 4:30-5:2

Ron Rose shares a heart-wrenching story of a lost friend and a forgiving friend who lost friends because she dared to love as God loves.

My friend Kathy introduced us, and from that point on, I was dazzled.

The Hand of Hope

by Max Lucado · Romans 15:13 · Presence

Max Lucado reminds us that God's grace shows up for us daily in the nail-scarred hands that Jesus uses to rescue us and work with us through his presence in our lives.

To see the despair without the grace is suicidal. To see the grace without the despair is upper room futility But to see them both is conversion.

Chasing Rabbits

by Ron Rose · 2 Corinthians 3:17-18 · Journey

Ron Rose shares how God has taught him that the real answers are not in the smooth, seamless, well-thought-out passages, but in the journey chasing His rabbits!

Instead of responding to my requests, Abba whispers, 'Let's chase rabbits!'

Geshem: The Water of Heaven

by Lois Tverberg · Deuteronomy 11:11-12 · Wealth · Water

Dr. Lois Tverberg talks about 'geshem' or water, and how God set up Israel to need God to supply their water and make them strong, not their location or their efforts or their wisdom!

When God chose a land for his people, he didn't choose a place where they could have security because of their own efforts, he chose a land where they would be far more dependent on him!

The Narrow Way Is Not About Narrow Thinking!

by Ron Rose · Mark 10:46-52 · Thinking · The Way

Ron Rose is back at Black Rifle Coffee, and God is in the room inviting people to walk with Jesus in the narrows!

These followers are not what they used to be and not yet what they are going to be... they are learners.

Eternity: Beyond Separation to Hope

by Gene Vance · 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 · Grief · Death

Gene Vance shares insights from his book, 'Transition to Eternity' to help us find great hope and anticipation of Eternity with Jesus!

When this life-altering grief and separation invade our worlds, we are left with many challenges, some seem insurmountable.

The Secrets God Keeps

by Lois Tverberg · Genesis 1:1

Lois Tverberg reminds us how the Bible begins and that in Hebrew, this very first sentence of the Scriptures reminds us that mysteries will remain for us about God, the One Who Is more.

The biblical account is unique among the creation stories of its time. Spare in detail, Genesis speaks with understated elegance and lofty grandeur.

Seasons

by Bill Sherrill · Ecclesiastes 3:1-11 · Aging

The seasons, in life and in nature, are reminders of God's power to bring life and warmth out of death and decay.

What season do you find yourself in today?

The Pentecost Challenge

by Ron Rose · Ephesians 4:29-32 · Fellowship

Ron Rose is back at Black Rifle Coffee Company and visiting with friends about Pentecost Sunday and knowing each other's names.

We long for the day when we know fully, even as we are fully known!

Wake-Up Call

by Russ Lawson · Romans 13:11 · Wedding · Awaken

Russ Lawson talks about events that shocked us and awakened us from our lethargy, but reminds us that we often just sink back into our old habits.

Are we awake or have we chosen to fall asleep?

Help Is Here!

by Max Lucado · Romans 8:9,14,32-39 · Holy Spirit

Max Lucado's reminder, and new book, that because of God, and the work of the HOly Spirit, we are not alone and our help is here!

No more carrying weight you were not intended to bear.

I'm a Watcher

by Ron Rose · James 1:19 · Wealth · Watch

Ron Rose is back with his Beyond Black coffee collecting stories and meeting new people who introduce him to new things.

I may not say much, but I see everything.

Questions

by Ron Rose · Job 38:1-7 · Questions

Ron Rose wants us all to ask ourselves some important questions at this stage in our lives to be ready to instruct those who are younger and also ourselves.

What big things — have you learned in life? How do you know that the big things are big things?

A Special Corsage for Easter

by Ron Rose · Hebrews 13:7

Ron Rose reminds us that the resurrection happens again and again when we let precious memories bubble to the service and rejoice in God's tender power and grace.

Betty was sent by God, whether she realized it or not, to encourage a young mother struggling to be the best she could be.

Don't Settle for a Small Destiny

by Max Lucado · Romans 11:29 · Called

Max Lucado from his book "You'll Get Through This" encourages us to not let our disappointments define us but instead let God's destiny for us define us.

What do we let define us, call or catastrophe?

Trust God in Your Struggle!

by Max Lucado · 1 Peter 1:6 · Transformation

Max Lucado reminds us that we can get through whatever we are facing right now because God is at work in us and will be with us until we are fashioned into a person of character.

Let God train you. He watches the way we handle the little jobs.

Raindrops and Crucibles

by Ron Rose · Isaiah 45:8 · Rain

Ron Rose is back with his coffee, friends, and insights into life, faith, crucibles, and raindrops.

In every crucible, God longs for us to see Him, to trust Him, to lean in on Him.

The Spirit Opens Our Eyes to Truth

by Ron Rose · John 16:12 · Holy Spirit

Ron Rose reminds us that without the Holy Spirit alive in us, we have no guide to help us understand the Scriptures, much less God or Jesus or the holy plans and promises for us!

"I remember when that knowledge really hit me for the first time... that to get the whole truth, you have to have the Holy Spirit.'

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