CHURCHILL: A VOICE OF HOPE
I want to be open to recognize examples of hope, and I find them in various situations and places. I didn’t expect to find hope in a tiny magazine ad and certainly not an ad for help with speech impediments, but I did.
The ad was only about 2″ x 5″, but its photo of Winston Churchill caught my attention. I admire Churchill as a WWII hero and a great historical figure. I took a minute to read the ad and found hope.
I think too few today appreciate the greatness of people like Churchill and their tremendous contribution to the cause for freedom in the WWII-era world. However my intention today is not to share hope of the Greatest Generation and an Allied victory but to focus on this particular ad.
According to the ad, Winston Churchill stuttered. Yet he became the voice that inspired his British countrymen during dark days of war. It is remarkable that he overcame stuttering to deliver some of the most influential speeches in 20th century world history.
Whether or not your personal challenge is stuttering, each of us had, has, or will have obstacles to overcome. I find hope when someone clearly accomplishes success and sometimes even greatness despite the struggle.
Let’s be on the lookout for hope. It may be nearer than we think and often where we least expect it.
“I can do all things through Christ Who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)
ZACH WILLIAMS: HOPE IN THE CHAIN BREAKER
Zach Williams was a rock musician bound by chains of alcohol and drugs. He is now free of those chains, but his freedom didn’t happen in his strength. His new freedom — and a better life — happened by the power of Jesus Christ, THE Chain Breaker.
The song he co-wrote, “He’s A Chain Breaker,” reveals Williams’ personal experience. Real change and new freedom is visible in the transformed Zach Williams, who is now a Christian musician.
See if you can relate to the words of the song below. If you can, then consider accepting a better life in Christ free from chains.
HE’S A CHAIN BREAKER:
“If you’ve been walking the same old road for miles and miles;
If you’ve been hearing the same old voice tell the same old lies;
If you’re trying to fill the same old holes inside;
There’s a better life,
There’s a better life.
If you’ve got pain,
He’s a pain taker.
If you feel lost,
He’s a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.
We’ve all searched for the light of day in the dead of night;
We’ve all found ourselves worn out from the same old fight;
We’ve all run to things we know just ain’t right;
And there’s a better life,
There’s a better life.
If you’ve got pain,
He’s a pain taker.
If you feel lost,
He’s a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.
If you believe it;
If you receive it;
If you can feel it;
Somebody testify….
If you’ve got pain,
He’s a pain taker.
If you feel lost,
He’s a way maker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.
If you need freedom or saving,
He’s a prison-shaking Savior.
If you’ve got chains,
He’s a chain breaker.”
(Songwriters: Jonathan Lindley Smith, Mia Fieldes, & Zach Williams)
“Out of my distress I called upon the Lord.” (Psalm 118:5)
“For the law of the Spirit of Life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death.” (Romans 8:2)
“So if the Son makes you free you will be free indeed.” (John 8:36)
CHUCK COLSON: FREEDOM, MEANING, and HOPE
I remember 1973 when Watergate was a daily news topic. It proved to be an interesting time to be a college student in Dr. Robert McChesney’s political science class.
Fast forward 20 years to 1993 in Pittsburgh at a Billy Graham Crusade. Chuck Colson was invited to share his testimony 20 yrs after Watergate and more importantly 20 years after his surrendering his life to Jesus Christ.
Chuck Colson had been heavily involved with illegal Watergate thefts and had fallen from high political power and influence to a low of incarceration in prison.
Colson’s words brought hope then and still do now. His message: “I thank God for Watergate, and I thank God for prison, because through that experience I came to know what it is to have a day-in and day-out relationship with the Living God, Jesus Christ. And I’ve discovered, over these last 20 years as I reflect back on it, the three most important things have come from it: Freedom, Meaning, and Hope.“
Colson explained those three lessons. Freedom from guilt and sin was more important than freedom from prison. Meaning is not what you do but what Sovereign God chooses to do through you that matters in life. Real hope is not in government but in the power of God working in the hearts of people.
He related, ” I wouldn’t trade the worst day of the last 20 years for the best day of the 40 years preceding it, because I know Jesus Christ is true.”
According to this former marine, fallen top White House aide, ex-felon, best-selling author, founder of Prison Fellowship Ministries, and hopeful born-again Christian, you, too, can experience freedom from guilt and sin, meaning when you surrender yourself to God, and “hope in One Who was raised from the dead and Who lives today, the Hope of Glory, Jesus Christ.” (CC)
(Visit prisonfellowship.org for info about Prison Fellowship Ministries, which now serves in 117 countries. To learn more about Chuck Colson’s life and beliefs, read BORN AGAIN or any of his many books.)
DENNIS JERNIGAN: A STORY of HOPE
In countless churches and worship gatherings across the planet you are likely to hear the song, “You Are My All In All” and other songs by Dennis Jernigan. He is a song writer, an author, a worship leader, a husband for more than 30 years, a father to 9 children, and a grandfather.