• Let your light so shine.

  • Prayer is climbing up into the heart of God.—Martin Luther

  • Any good that I can do, let me do it now.

  • His joy. Our strength.

  • Our mission. Reaching the world.

Anchor

User-friendly devotionals with audio

  • 29 Sep

    Living a Spirit-filled Life

    A compilation

    Audio length: 11:10
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    I used to think the “safe” Christian life was the goal. You know the one—where we follow all the rules, stay comfortable in our routines, and avoid anything that might feel too risky.

    That all changed when I started reading Acts and I realized Jesus never promises this kind of safety. He promises power.

    “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

    When Jesus spoke these words to His disciples, they were probably expecting a detailed road map for ministry. Instead, He gave them something far better: a promise of supernatural power from the Holy Spirit. Not when they felt ready or had their act together but simply when the Spirit arrived.

    Then the disciples would become witnesses in Jerusalem (their hometown); Judea (familiar, surrounding areas); Samaria (uncomfortable, culturally different places); and the ends of the earth (completely unknown territories). This was a declaration of what would happen when they said “yes” to the Holy Spirit’s wild invitation.

    Here’s what gets me excited: This same promise is for us today.

    We don’t have to wait until we feel qualified. The power isn’t dependent on our perfection. It’s dependent on the Holy Spirit.

    But let’s be honest … walking with the Spirit can feel inconvenient and unpredictable. He might lead us to have difficult conversations, serve in ways that stretch us, or step into opportunities that feel way too big for our capabilities. The Spirit-filled life isn’t the “safe” life, but it’s the most worthwhile life we could ever choose.

    God is calling us to be His witnesses. Maybe it’s in our workplace, where we’ve been playing it safe instead of walking in boldness. Maybe it’s in our neighborhood, where we’ve been too busy to really connect with people. Or maybe it’s in that dream we’ve been too scared to pursue.

    The beautiful truth is that we don’t have to figure out the “how”—that’s the Spirit’s job. Our job is simply to say “yes” to the adventure. To be willing to go from our “Jerusalem” to our “ends of the earth”—wherever the Spirit leads—trusting that His power is sufficient for whatever lies ahead.

    The disciples had no idea how their “yes” would change the world. But they said it anyway, and the Spirit did what only He could do through ordinary people who were willing to be used in wild ways.

    Father, thank You that You haven’t called me to a safe, predictable life but to a powerful, Spirit-filled adventure. Help me say “yes” to Your wild invitation, even when it feels scary or uncertain. Fill me freshly with Your Holy Spirit today, and make me a bold witness wherever You lead—in the familiar places and in the territories that stretch my faith. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.—Mac Bridges1

    *

    The fruit of the Spirit of God is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control” (Galatians 5:22–23). God the Father is the gardener (John 15:1), and He desires us to be fruitful. …

    There are many ways Christians can be fruitful. True fruitfulness begins in the heart with the fruit of the Spirit. That inner fruit affects outward actions; our words and our activities will glorify the Lord, and God’s will is accomplished. God’s desire is to transform us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29) and make us as fruitful as He was. In our allegiance to Him, we want to be characterized by good works (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 2:7; Colossians 1:10), humility (Ephesians 4:2; Titus 3:2), and forgiveness (Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:13). We want to always be ready to “give an account for the hope that is within [us]” (1 Peter 3:15). … The result of spiritual fruitfulness is that God is glorified, we grow, and others come to know Christ—this is the ultimate fruitfulness for a child of God (Matthew 5:16; Acts 20:26–27; Mark 16:15).—Got Questions2

    *

    You can’t make yourself grow spiritually. It doesn’t come by self-effort. It comes by living close to Jesus, living in His Word, soaking up His love, being filled with His Spirit, and engaging in heart-to-heart communication with Him.—Activated Magazine

    *

    There is only one person just like you in the entire universe, and you are precious to Me! You are My handiwork—My masterpiece—created to do the good works that I prepared in advance for you to do (Ephesians 2:10). While this requires commitment and determination on your part, always remember that it is the power of My Spirit at work within you that will empower you to become and do all that I have planned for you.

    I have designed you to be like a lamp filled with the oil of My Spirit that radiates My light to the world around you. It is important that you tend well to your lamp and allow Me to replenish you, so that your light will shine so brightly that people will see your good works and be drawn to Me (Matthew 5:14–16).

    Take time to come to Me in prayer and to study My Word, which will give you the strength to persevere and to keep your eyes on the things that truly matter. Take a moment to praise and worship Me, and let your heart overflow with My joy. As you enter into My presence with thanksgiving, I will fill you with all joy and peace so that you may overflow with hope by the power of My Spirit (Romans 15:13).—Jesus

    *

    Jesus told His disciples, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses” (Acts 1:8). We read about this power to witness in the book of Acts in the New Testament, on the Day of Pentecost when the first disciples received the Holy Spirit, and they stood up and boldly preached to the people, resulting in the salvation of 3,000 souls. (See Acts chapter 2.)

    Peter, who had been so fearful when Jesus was arrested that he denied Him three times, preached fearlessly and with boldness to the multitudes after he was filled with the Holy Spirit. This showed that whatever Peter accomplished was not of him, but of Christ that lived first with him and then in him. “For we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God, and not of us” (2 Corinthians 4:7). We all need the baptism of the Holy Spirit in order to have the love, power, and strength to be what He wants us to be.

    As is the case with salvation, we receive the Holy Spirit by faith—which means you do not always get immediate evidence of the work of the Holy Spirit in your life. The Holy Spirit will manifest Himself in your life—it may be at that very moment or it may not be until later. “Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good” (1 Corinthians 12:7).

    Once you have received the divine anointing of God’s Spirit, if you continue to abide in God’s Word in the Bible and are obedient to Jesus’ commands, you’ll be led by His Spirit. “For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God” (Romans 8:14).

    When you ask God for the Holy Spirit, you’ll know you have received the promised infilling just as you know you are saved—because the Bible says so. “For faith comes by hearing the Word of God” (Romans 10:17). Jesus said, “Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds” (Matthew 7:7–8). “If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will the heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” (Luke 11:13).

    If you haven’t yet received or been infilled with the Holy Spirit, you can do so right now by praying the following prayer:

    Dear Jesus, please fill me to overflowing with Your Holy Spirit so that I can love You more, understand Your Word in the Bible, follow You more closely, and have greater power to tell others about Your love and salvation. Amen.—Activated Magazine

    Published on Anchor September 2026. Read by Jon Marc. Music by Michael Fogarty.

    1 Mac Bridges, “A Wild Invitation With the Spirit,” Proverbs 31.org, November 24, 2025, https://proverbs31.org/read/devotions/full-post/2025/11/24/a-wild-invitation-with-the-spirit

    2 “What does it mean to be a fruitful Christian?” gotquestions.org, https://www.gotquestions.org/fruitful-Christian.html

  • Sep 25 The Man Born Blind
  • Sep 22 Don’t Be Annoyed, Be Jesus
  • Sep 21 In This Together
  • Sep 17 Christian Fellowship
  • Sep 16 The Great Riot at Ephesus
  • Sep 15 Following Our Savior
  • Sep 11 Last 9/11 Survivor Pulled from Rubble Says God Saved Her
  • Sep 10 Eternal Priorities
  • Sep 9 Carried Through Cancer: The God Who Bears Up Daily
   

Directors’ Corner

Faith-building Bible studies and articles

  • 9 Jun

    The Life of Discipleship, Part 12: Everyday Discipleship

    Audio length: 22.45

    Download Audio (20.8MB)

    (You may need to right-click the above links and select "Save Link As" or "Save Target As" to download videos and audios to your computer.)

    Discipleship is a lifelong journey that requires perseverance, determination, conviction, the love of God, and the empowerment of the Holy Spirit. The late Reverend Billy Graham once said, “The Christian’s journey through life isn’t a sprint but a marathon. … Discipleship is the commitment of a lifetime, day by day.” The process of growing in our discipleship and being transformed into Christ’s image is a lifelong task. As one person expressed it:

    We are created as rough drafts that must go through the editing process. God works to transform us step by step into a finished article that will make worthwhile reading. Our substance is reshaped repeatedly by the choices and decisions we make, the superficial and superfluous bits are purged through life’s trials, and we are fine-tuned and polished … in the hands of the Great Editor.—Scott Montrose1

    Our discipleship is meant to encompass every aspect of our lives, including our relationship with God and our daily walk with Him, and our love for others, which includes every person we encounter in our day. Our discipleship includes being an ambassador for Christ, sharing the good news with the people He places in our path, as well as being a living reflection of the love of Christ in every sphere of our lives and striving to grow in His likeness.

    We live our discipleship in our homes, the workplace, in schools, and in the community. We incorporate discipleship principles into our parenting, our relationships, and the investment of our time, skills, and resources. We strive to be a living example of our faith to our families, friends, and neighbors, and the people we interact with throughout our day and in our online communications.

    The call to be a disciple of Jesus is a call to a whole way of life. It’s a call to rearrange our priorities so that God has first place in our lives. This doesn’t mean that we won’t have other priorities in life, but our allegiance is to God first—above our own desires and will, our loved ones, our possessions, and even our own lives. Christian discipleship is not easy to live out—in fact, Jesus said “the way is hard,” but it is the path “that leads to life” (Matthew 7:13–14). It requires commitment, dedication, and placing God at the center of our lives, our decisions, and our relationships.

    In the Gospels, Jesus challenged His followers to lay down their lives for His sake and to follow Him. In Matthew’s Gospel, He said, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:24–25).

    Denying ourselves can be understood to mean setting aside our personal desires, ambitions, and goals, and choosing to seek God for His direction in our lives and pursue His will over our own. This doesn’t mean that the Lord will never lead us to work toward our personal ambitions and goals. If we are seeking God’s will and our desire is to please Him, it’s very likely that His will and our desires will be in alignment (Psalm 37:4). However, if God’s direction doesn’t align with the direction we were leaning toward, as His disciples, we will be willing to “deny ourselves” in order to follow Him.

    Jesus gave us the key to being able to live our commitment to discipleship, starting with our spiritual rebirth through salvation. “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me” (2 Corinthians 5:17; Galatians 2:20).

    The ability and grace to live the discipleship life come not only from our desire to obey God’s commandments and our efforts to live in a godly way, but from the power of God through “Christ in us” (Colossians 1:27) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15–17). “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10).

    Christ in Us

    Every new morning we can anticipate that the Lord Jesus Christ will express Himself through us that day and accomplish some aspect of His work, whether we can identify what He has done or not. This is our privilege, and this is our responsibility.

    For Christ to be in us gives us power. We can live effectively in no other strength than that which derives from the life of Jesus Christ, for He said, “Apart from me you can do nothing” (John 15:5). And for us to be in Christ gives us purpose. It is not a power that enables us to live for ourselves, but it equips us to fulfill the plans of Christ...

    For Christ to be in us gives us resources. Everything we possibly need is ours in the Lord Jesus Christ. And for us to be in Christ gives us responsibilities. As part of His body, the most important issue I have to face is, “What [does He] want me to do?”

    For Christ to be in us is dynamic. And for us to be in Christ is demanding. If He has something to do, He has the right to use us as the means of doing it. If there is an “Ethiopian eunuch” on the desert road, He has the right to tell you to leave your Samaria and go to meet him (Acts 8:26–40). But for every demand He makes, He provides the dynamic of His Spirit within to accomplish it.

    This is the Christian life. Having faced our failure to express His likeness and image in the world, we come to the Cross for forgiveness, are indwelt by the Holy Spirit, and become incorporated into Christ, to become vehicles for the expression of His life and purpose. The world desperately needs to know this but will have no grounds on which to believe it until they see the life and character of Jesus Christ lived out in your life and mine. This is God's purpose for you!—Charles Price2

    Joining His Kingdom Mission

    God has invited you to join him in changing the world. God has a dream for this world that Jesus called the kingdom of God. God created you to play an important role in his kingdom vision. You will never find your deepest purpose in life until you find your place in building God’s kingdom.

    You don’t have to be brilliant to change the world—or wealthy or influential or a spiritual giant. But you do have to say yes to the invitation. You do have to be available and willing to be used, and you may have to pay the price that comes with following Jesus, because changing the world and following Jesus isn’t easy, and it doesn’t come cheap. There will be some sacrifice involved—there always is.

    Our Christian faith is not just a way to find forgiveness for sin in order to enter eternal life, yet it is that. It is not just a system of right beliefs about ultimate truth and the order of things, though it is that. Nor is it just a way to find God’s comfort in times of trouble or a helpful code of conduct for how to live a good and productive life, though it is those things too. Fundamentally, the Christian faith is a call to … follow our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and join in the great mission of Christ in our world. … Only then will we become completed people—people living according to God’s deepest purpose for our lives.—Richard Stearns3

    Conclusion: The Blueprint for Life

    As we have seen throughout this series on discipleship, the Bible teaches us about the relationship God wishes to have with us and how to live in a manner that is pleasing to Him. Growing in Christlikeness and being transformed into His likeness is the foundation for living a godly and fruitful life in harmony with God and others, which produces the fruit of His Spirit in our lives and those of others (Galatians 5:22–23). It is within the Bible that we learn truths revealed by God that we can pattern our lives after.

    In God’s Word, we find the biblical principles that serve as the compass for our lives and help us to navigate the challenges of everyday life and to be an effective witness for Christ. His Word conveys principles that guide us in our interaction with others and our decision-making, helping us to discern the difference between right and wrong. These spiritual principles set the tone for our moral standard, our ethics, our attitudes about life, love, the world, the environment, and relationships. Though the Bible doesn’t specifically deal with every possible situation that we may face, it does provide the principles needed to navigate the complexities of life in a manner that is pleasing to God.

    His Word teaches us to live out our discipleship by loving and serving others. Our love for Jesus moves us to serve others on His behalf. It motivates us to be His ambassadors in whatever situation we find ourselves. It compels us to assist those in need, and to provide hope and healing to those who have none. We can be His hands to help and touch, His mouth to speak the truth of His Word and give encouragement and hope, His eyes to convey compassion, His feet to walk alongside a weary soul, and His arms to help carry their heavy burden. In so doing, our lives will glorify Him and bless others, as the following articles highlight.

    A Beautiful Life

    When the life of a follower of Jesus is lived as Jesus intended it to be, it becomes a thing of beauty. Being a Christian and having a relationship with God should be something that permeates our daily experiences, is integrated into our decisions, and brings color to our perceptions of ourselves, others, and this life. The countless expressions of God’s love shared with others in the course of a Christian’s life may at times appear to be insignificant in themselves, yet God sees them in the context of the totality of a life that glorifies Him, and He revels in their beauty.

    The more we are determined to strengthen our walk with Jesus, and the more we desire a deeper spiritual connection with Him, the more He will be able to manifest His Spirit through us. We are His handiwork. As we allow Him to blend the hues of His love and mercy and develop the beauty of form that He intended for us, we become His masterpiece that will speak to the hearts of many. Let’s eagerly embrace the priceless gift of His presence in our lives. And as we cultivate the captivating beauty of God’s love in all we do and say, others will be drawn to Him through us.—Maria Fontaine

    Christ’s Fragrance

    The Apostle Paul wrote that the Church is a fragrance of Christ to the world: “For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15). By this he meant that every believer, and every congregation of believers, establishes a presence of Christ in the world which is palpable to nonbelievers. …

    But what is that fragrance? How should we expect others to experience the presence of Jesus in us? In two ways, primarily: the truth of the Gospel and the love of Jesus Christ. God's truth speaks to every aspect of human life. By His Word of truth, in the hands of His Spirit, Christ is making all things new in our lives (Revelation 21:5). This means that, in every area of our lives—all our relationships, roles, and responsibilities—Christians exhibit a newness which conforms not to the spirit of the world but to the Holy Spirit of Christ. Our conversation will be different—not filled with carping and complaining, triteness and frivolity, criticism and mean-spiritedness; instead, our words will always be gracious and edifying, respectful of the people with whom we converse (Colossians 4:6; Ephesians 4:29).

    So also with the ways we do our work, raise our children, participate in the culture of our day, and conduct ourselves with dignity and grace. We are new creatures in Jesus Christ, and, therefore, in many ways, out of step with the surrounding culture. But by living the truth in every aspect of our lives we shine the light of Jesus and exude the fragrance of His worldview into every nook and cranny of our lives.

    Believers need to work hard at being the fragrance of Jesus. By steeping ourselves in God's Word and living in an attitude of prayer … we can begin to waft the fragrant smell of King Jesus into more of the everyday aspects and areas of our lives. Let us resolve to be that fragrance of truth and love, and we will find that the wind of God's Spirit will accompany us everywhere we go, sending the aroma of Jesus to all and everyone, as well as to God.—T. M. Moore4

    Jesus has entrusted us with the responsibility of passing on His personal, unconditional, all-encompassing love to our fellow men and women, to those who share the planet with us today. The commission He has given to His disciples is to take the gospel to all the world. Wherever the Lord has called you to is your mission field, and you are called to serve and reach the people He places in your path. Every one of us has some opportunity, some network, some realm in which we can be sharing His love and truth with others, strengthening people’s faith, hope, and hearts.

    May the Lord bless your discipleship and service to Him and witness to others so that you can be the salt of the earth and the light of the world He has called us to be (Matthew 5:13–14). Jesus said, “Let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). In so doing, we will be living a life of discipleship that glorifies God (1 Corinthians 10:31).

    Thoughts to Ponder

    Discipleship isn’t a program or an event; it’s a way of life. It’s not for a limited time, but for our whole life. Discipleship … is for all believers for every day of their life.—Bill Hull

    Every believer who takes seriously their vocation as a disciple of Jesus will see themselves as a “sent one” wherever they find themselves, and will look to be mobilized into action in that place. This could take the form of being a “good witness” at work or a good neighbor to those who live nearby, or it could involve volunteering.—Michael Frost and Alan Hirsch

    Don’t allow the words of Jesus to only stay printed in your Bible. Give them wings, springing them into action. There are souls in your life who need your nurture. Consider how you might show concern for their welfare, loving and caring for them the way you already love and care for yourself. When you do, you’ll be completing the chain of love that began when God first loved you.—Karen Ehman

    What the Bible Says

    “Whoever abides in Me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing. By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples” (John 15:4–5; John 15:8 NKJV).

    “Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving” (Colossians 2:6–7).

    “But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life” (Jude 1:20–21 NIV).

    A Prayer for Everyday Discipleship

    Heavenly Father, thank you for saving me, calling me, and giving me purpose. You are so good, and your grace is sufficient for me. I ask that you cleanse my heart from sin and clear my mind of the distractions that attempt to draw me away from fellowship with you today. Help me abide in Christ, to learn from Him and lean on Him, so I can live for Him and lead others to Him. You are worthy of all of my devotion and praise. Make me a faithful and fruitful disciple who brings you glory every day. In the mighty and matchless name of Christ, my King, I pray, Amen.5

    1 Scott Montrose, “Life’s Editing,” Activated, January 2021, https://activated.org/en/life/the-whole-you/personal-growth/lifes-editing/

    2 Charles Price, Christ for Real: How to Grow into Christ’s Likeness (Kregel Publications, 2011).

    3 Richard Stearns, Unfinished: Believing Is Only the Beginning (Thomas Nelson, 2013).

    4 T. M. Moore, “The Fragrance of Truth and Love,” January 29, 2010.

    5 Annie McGuire, “What is a disciple of Christ?” Daily His Disciple, January 11, 2022, https://dailyhisdisciple.com/2022/01/11/what-is-a-disciple-of-christ/.

     

  • May 19 The Life of Discipleship, Part 11: Sharing Our Resources
  • Apr 28 The Life of Discipleship, Part 10: Our Work Life
  • Mar 17 The Life of Discipleship, Part 9: Discipling Others
  • Mar 3 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 37–58)
  • Feb 17 The Life of Discipleship, Part 8: Sharing Our Faith
  • Feb 3 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 20–36)
  • Jan 20 The Life of Discipleship, Part 7: Serving God by Serving Others
  • Dec 16 1 Corinthians: Chapter 15 (verses 1–19)
  • Dec 2 The Life of Discipleship, Part 6: Love for Others
   

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  • The primary goal of the Family International is to improve the quality of life of others by sharing the life-giving message of love, hope, and salvation found in God’s Word. We believe that God's love—applied on a practical level to our daily lives—is the key to resolving many of society's problems, even in the complex and fast-paced world of today. Through imparting the hope and guidance found in the Bible’s teachings, we believe that we can work toward building a better world—changing the world, one heart at a time.

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    We love God with our hearts, souls, minds, and strength. We seek a close personal relationship with Jesus, and to grow in emulating His attributes and living His love.

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1 and 2 Thessalonians
A study of Paul’s epistles to the Thessalonians and how these teachings apply today.
The Heart of It All: Foundations of Christian Theology
A book compiled from a series of articles covering the basics of Christian doctrine.
Living Christianity
Applying the teachings of the Bible to our daily lives and decisions.