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"Find faith that changes things" March 12, 2025 |
March 2025 Find faith when you need it
We singles have two misconceptions about faith. First, we put our confidence in our faith instead of in God, and second, we think we can increase our faith by trying harder.
I made both those mistakes for most of my life and only overcame them when I changed churches. The error in those two beliefs, if you think about it, is that it makes it all about us instead of about God. It's always about God. We need faith. There's no question about that, considering the troubles we have to deal with day after day. And what I've also learned is that we tend to focus on the size of our current problem instead of the size of our God. That changes things. We need to remind ourselves—minute by minute if necessary—that we belong to the most powerful, most intelligent, most loving Being in existence. He can squash our troubles like we squash a creepy spider. March's feature article is about how to find faith when you need it and
how to change your entire perspective on whatever is worrying you right now. Jump into it here.
It doesn't make senseWhy does He care what happens to mewhen I wander and disobey? Why does He even listen to me in the times I remember to pray? Why does He intercede in my life Why did He give up his life for me Why does He stoop to pick me up What did I do to deserve this God, It doesn't make sense at all.
~ Jack Zavada, www.inspiration-for-singles.com, 2025 ~ From the front: Getting over regrets
I feel qualified to talk to you about some things because I've been there myself. Often it's embarrassing or even humiliating for me because I didn't handle the situation very maturely.
Well, the important thing is not my pride but helping you avoid the same mistakes I made. Growing up requires making mistakes, but it's less painful when you can learn from the mistakes of others—like me. If you've been paying attention to these newsletters, you know I want single people to stop beating themselves up, and that means getting over your past regrets. We learn from them and move on, using our lessons to make wiser choices the next time. Here are the most useful lessons I learned about getting over your regrets.
Jesus Christ is not second best
For much of my life, I envied the rich, the good-looking, the successful, the healthy—and married people, especially married people—thinking if I couldn't be any of those, at least I had Jesus.
But I was wrong. Jesus is not second best. I learned he is our heart's deepest desire. I wasn't smart enough to figure that out on my own. God taught me, and He wants to teach you too. I lay out how that can happen to you in Hope for Hurting Singles You'll discover how society brainwashes us into worshiping the wrong things and why it does that. You'll understand how advertising and entertainment push our buttons. You'll learn to recognize the modern "false gods" we're warned against in the First Commandment. Hope for Hurting Singles was 45 years in the making, but you don't need to take that long to grasp the foundational truth that Jesus must be your first priority. Once you assign him his rightful place, meaning and purpose follow. If things seem off-kilter, if something is wrong but you can't put your finger on it, Hope for Hurting Singles is for you. It's $10.99 in paperback and $3.99 for the Kindle version. Get your copy today. March QOTM: Wisdom from the Man in BlackJohnny Cash was one of my favorite entertainers and favorite Christians. Back when I was writing western novels, I always listened to his album about the Old West before I started a new book, to inspire me.He made a lot of mistakes but was honest about them. Here's our March Quote of the Month: ~ Johnny Cash (1932 - 2003) ~ We're all too hard on ourselves, especially we singles. When God forgives us, we need to agree with him and forgive ourselves. The highway to heaven has a lot of detours, and as long as we get back on the Main Road to Jesus, we'll be all right. Ease up on yourself starting today. Thank God Jesus loves you so much he died for you. Keep reminding yourself of that when you feel down. 2 wisest pieces of retirement advice
When you're young, retirement seems like a long way off—so long, in fact, that you promise yourself you'll worry about it…someday.
But the years go by quickly, and as single people, we have to watch out for ourselves. We can't expect anybody else to provide for our future. In this new article, I give you the 2 wisest pieces of retirement advice I could come up with. They're short. They're simple. No complicated formulas or calculations that will bore you to tears. I hope, instead, that they'll yank you into reality so sharply you'll start planning and investing right now. Take a look at my 2 wisest pieces of retirement advice.
Jesus lives with the lonelyWhen I was young, I thought marriage cured loneliness. I have never been married, but I have known some married people who are still lonely.Loneliness is not about lack of companionship but about lack of love and understanding.
Jesus was misunderstood. People did not get his message, although he was as clear as he could be. They wanted a conquering king who would throw off the oppressive Roman rule. Instead, he was a suffering servant come to free us from the slavery of sin and damnation. The crowds who "loved" Jesus when he miraculously fed them or healed their sickness disappeared when he went to the cross. Even his heavenly Father abandoned him when he became sin for us. But it had to be that way. So Jesus understands loneliness, yours and mine. He lives with us, inside us, through his Holy Spirit. I don't know how it works, but I know it's true. He is not, as some atheists like to say, an "imaginary friend." Nothing is more real than Jesus. Talk to Jesus when you feel lonely. Talk out loud; there's no one around but him. He's listening. He cares. He lives with you and loves you in a way no human being can. Being single hurts sometimes. Jesus knows. He understands. He loves you and is there to comfort you, always. Lent as a metaphor for the Christian life
My church, Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, observes Lent, that 40-day period of waiting and watching between Ash Wednesday and Easter. Lent is a time of repentance and sadness for our sins. But now, on this side of the Cross, we look forward to celebrating the Resurrection Day that changed everything.
Our Christian life is giant version of Lent. We struggle along, day by day, wishing we could do better, discouraged by the disappointments and unmet needs in our life. But we know that Heaven awaits. Heaven isn't just Easter and the eventual Resurrection of our body. It's our true home. Heaven is where God makes everything right, where he wipes away our tears. It's a New Life where we'll never sin again. It's the love that will overwhelm every atom of our being. It will all be worth it when we see Jesus face to face. That's something to look forward to, single friend. God willing, the next Inspire-O-Gram will come out before Easter 2025, which falls on April 20. I hope you enjoyed this issue and found something helpful in it. You're always welcome to send a comment using our secure contact form. I will answer it personally. This is a one-man operation. Thanks again for letting me share some thoughts with you. I appreciate your friendship. Until next time,
Jack Zavada
PS: Not a Christian yet? Find out how to become a Christian.
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