April 2022
Steve Russo

Who ever thought words like war, refugees and Covid would be part of our daily dialogue. Fear and anxiety is everywhere. Life as we know it is dramatically different than it was just a few months ago. People wonder will things ever be back to normal again. Many are asking “is there any hope for the future?”  I was part of a Teen Summit recently, sponsored by the local city where I live and we have our offices. The question was asked of the students, “What causes the most anxiety in your life right now?” One of the responses I received was “the future.”

Peter, an early follower of Jesus, wrote his letter to those who were struggling with life challenges and difficult times.

“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.”
1 Peter 1:3 (NIV)

We have living hope when we become part of God’s family as a result of surrendering our lives to Jesus, and deciding to live our lives for and like him. This hope is ours because Christ shed his blood on the cross when he died for our sins and conquered death through his resurrection. Because Jesus rose from the grave on that very first Easter, we can have assurance that one day we will also have life after death. Living hope gives us confidence for the present as well as for the future. Instead of fearing the future, we can have courage to face whatever challenges we experience in our daily lives or what’s happening on the world stage.

God is sovereign and knows the future, and his plans for you are good and filled with expectation. Remember the promise we have in Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT): “For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”

Life with Christ is an endless hope. Life without him is a hopeless end.

March 2022
Steve Russo

For the first time since the end of World War II, war’s broken out in Europe. In an unprovoked attack, Russia invaded the Ukraine. It’s heartbreaking to witness this injustice and imbalance of power. In a short time, the war has reeked devastation and cost many lives. But the courage and resolve of the leaders and people of the Ukraine is amazing.

It’s a very interesting time to be alive – especially for those who’ve never experienced a war like this in their lifetime.

There’s a sense of anxiety and fear that’s coming at us from many directions – including the pandemic, out-of-control inflation and supply shortages. The news feeds are relentless and cause a sense of uncertainty. Events like this shouldn’t surprise us. But they can leave us with a loss of what we should do.

The Bible confirms that what’s happening is to be expected for those of us who follow Jesus. “And you will hear of wars and threats of wars, but don’t panic. Yes, these things must take place, but the end won’t follow immediately” Matthew 4:6 (NLT). We have no idea how long this war will last, the loss of life that will occur or when ‘the end’ will happen, but we do know who holds the future.

Where should we turn in uncertain times like these? The best place is God and his Word.

“I trust in the Lord for protection. So why do you say to me, ”Fly like a bird to the mountains for safety! The wicked are stringing their bows and fitting their arrows on bowstrings. They shoot from the shadows at those who hearts are right. The foundations of law and order have collapsed. What can the righteous do?” But the Lord is in his holy Temple; the Lord still rules from heaven. He watches everyone closely, examining every person on earth. The Lord examines both the righteous and the wicked. He hates those who love violence. He will rain down blazing coals and burning sulfur on the wicked, punishing them with scorching winds.”                                                                                                    Psalms 11:1-6 (NLT)

 

Put your trust in the God of the Bible; pray for the people of the Ukraine and ask God if there’s something specific you can do to help.

 

February 2022
Steve Russo

No matter what the pollsters claim, no one can accurately predict all that’s going to happen in the next 12 months. The best forecasts are really just educated guesses.

During the Korean War, American POWs in North Korean camps experienced a death rate of 38 percent, the highest in US history.

This death rate mystified the military because the POWs were given plenty of food, water, and shelter and weren’t physically tortured.

So, the military asked Major (Dr.) William E. Mayer to do a study of 1,000 POWs and what he discovered was surprising. He defined it as “a lack of resistance, and acute passivity.”

These POWs suffered from “mirasmus” or, as the soldiers actually called it, “give up-itis.” By encouraging suspicion and self-criticism, withholding positive letters from home, and only sharing bad news of deaths, adultery, and divorce, the North Korean captors had completely eradicated hope for the POWs, and it was literally killing them.

Hope matters. It encourages and motivates. And the Bible reminds us that hope is available to us no matter what circumstances we face.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.”                                    Jeremiah 29:11 (NLT)

Do you suffer from “give up-itis?” Are you depressed, weary or heartbroken over a loss? Are you struggling with fear and anxiety? Do you ever feel like you just can’t go on? Let’s be real. Life isn’t always easy, but there is hope – a hope that heals, restores, gives you power and peace.

When you place your cares on Jesus and look to Him as the source and sustainer of your life, you’ll find confident, everlasting hope. Remember – Jesus will not abandon you! He is the cure for “give up-it is.” Check out this promise Paul wrote in Romans 15:13 (NLT).

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”

A good way to beat “give up-itis” is to set aside time to consistently read God’s Word and lean on Jesus. You can give him everything you’re concerned and worried about; and He will give you help and strength to keep moving forward.

January 2022
Steve Russo

No matter what the pollsters claim, no one can accurately predict all that’s going to happen in the next 12 months. The best forecasts are really just educated guesses.

Changes in our society and world have not only increased in speed and intensity, but also in their unpredictability. Consider how the pandemic has totally changed the way we live. How can anyone succeed in life when the future seems to be so uncertain?

Begin by involving God in all your plans. It’s craziness to make plans without consulting Him first. He’s the only one who really does know the future. So, we should trust him. But sometimes it’s easier to say it than to do it. Letting go and relying on God can be tough.

Proverbs 16:1 reminds us, “We make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer” (NLT). This verse doesn’t mean that we should not make plans – just because God has the final outcome in his hands. Instead, we should look at it as a unique partnership between our efforts and God’s sovereign design. We need to use our minds, our creativity and seek out good advice from others as we plan. But ultimately, the results are going to be up to Him. In the planning process we should ask for God’s guidance and then take action on our plan as we listen to and depend on Him.

While you can plan for tomorrow, you can’t live it until it actually arrives. Lots of people spend so much time worrying about the future they’ve got no time to enjoy the moment! Planning for tomorrow is wise use of your time – but worrying about it is not. When planning is done well – including seeking God’s advice – it can help eliminate worry. But if you’re consumed with anxiety, it’s difficult to trust God.

Jesus said, “So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today” (Matthew 6:34 NLT). God will take care of your today and your tomorrow if you trust him. Look toward the future by living a day at a time.

December 2021
Steve Russo

So, the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.

That’s John 1:14. Isn’t it amazing to think that this verse was fulfilled two thousand years ago on the very first Christmas when Jesus – the Word – became flesh and lived among us, full of hope and unfailing love.

Think about it. The Son of God voluntarily assumed a human body and nature – all without ceasing to be fully God – and came to this planet we call home. However, he did limit his power and knowledge by submitting to the Father’s will.

When Jesus was born, God became visible and tangible. He is the perfect expression of God in human form. Jesus showed us everything possible about God’s character that could be communicated in human terms that we could grasp.

He is the perfect example in every way – a model of what we are supposed to be like. Through his life Jesus showed us how God thinks and as a result how we should think as well. Jesus also demonstrates how we should live and treat others.

He shows us not only how to live but also gives us the power to live in that way. The same power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to you and me to enable us to face the day-to-day struggles of living this side of heaven. It’s this same power that will also enable us to experience life the way we were designed to from the beginning. Because the living God is our source for this power, it’s unlimited and will never run out.

Ultimately, Jesus became the perfect sacrifice for the sin of the entire human race. He was born to die for our sins so that we could live – abundantly and eternally. This is the priceless ‘gift of Christmas’ that God gives to each one of us to enjoy and to share.

Talk about “Good News” – that’s what Christmas is all about!

November 2021
Steve Russo

We are a generation of consumers. Our culture has created a sense of discontentment inside of us when it comes to material things and as well as our situation in life. Advertisers bombard us with seductive images of new cars, new clothes, new smart phones, and iPads – all kinds of technology designed to supposedly make our lives more satisfying. Social media pushes the need for more followers. Our appetites are enticed with digital pictures of the good life and lots of ways that we can have it all.

But this consumer mentality creates a problem of being dissatisfied with our present possessions and place in life. It’s like we never seem to have enough of anything. Solomon, one of the wisest men to ever live, realized this problem generations ago when he wrote:

Just as death and destruction are never satisfied, so human desire is never satisfied.                                                                                                                           Proverbs 27:20 (NLT)

Are you satisfied with your life?

The only way you can counter the stressful tug of discontentment is to develop a deep, intimate relationship with the living God. Paul, an early follower of Jesus, knew how to be content no matter what his circumstances. He shared his insight with other Jesus followers writing the following words from jail.

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little.                                                                                                                               Philippians 4:12 (NLT)

The secret Paul had discovered was Christ’s power at work in his life. That’s how he could write these words:

For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.

Philippians 4:13 (NLT)

We need to learn to depend on God’s promises and Christ’s power to help us experience satisfaction.

If you always seem to want more, ask God to remove that desire and teach you how to be satisfied in every situation. Take some time to reflect on all that you do have to be thankful for. God will supply all our needs but in a way that He knows is best for us. You can be content in any situation when you’re sure of God’s unending care and concern for every detail of your life.

October 2021
Steve Russo

I attended a close friend’s birthday party recently. It was a great evening with lots of good food and music. The weather was near perfect. Another guy at the party approached me. “Hey Steve – I bet you don’t realize who I know and hang out with. Let me tell you.” He proceeded to go on for several minutes bragging and name-dropping about all these rich and famous people he claimed to be tight with. Then he said, “you probably didn’t ever think I would actually know these kinds of people and hang with them.” My response was simply, “Nope. That must be cool for you.” What I really wanted to say was more like, “that don’t impress me much.” But instead, I just quietly walked away.

Humility is a character trait that’s sadly missing in our culture today. It clashes with the current valuation of self-worth, self-realization and elite mentality that’s prevalent in our world – including the church. Ego and name-dropping seem to be pretty high up on the food chain. Too many people are trying to play the elite or celebrity ‘wanna be’ card.

Psychologists have said, according to some studies, healthy doses of ego directly feed into your willpower; which means it could help you stay focused on a major project or stick to a diet. But they’ve also determined that humility is important. It helps you to have accurate self-perception, modest self-portrayal and an ‘other-oriented mindset.’ But this is opposite of pride, arrogance and an inflated sense of our importance and talents. It’s not an either-or situation. Instead, it’s about maintaining a healthy balance.

The Greek philosopher Socrates held that wisdom is – above all – knowing what we don’t know. I don’t care how much you know or who you claim to know. I want to know how much you care about me as a person.

Just look around. We could use a whole lot more humility and a lot less ego. It’s time to stop lifting ourselves up and start lifting up others. Let God take care of the rest. Jesus said,” But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” Matthew 23:12 (NLT)

September 2021
Steve Russo

I hear talk frequently about how we need to engage popular culture. But what does that really look like? Culture is made up of the customs, arts, social institutions and achievements of a particular nation, people or other social group.

Most often in the church community, I hear things like “pop culture is bad and designed to influence in a negative way what you think and feel, so we shouldn’t have anything to do with it;” or “you can’t be a Christian and be involved with pop culture” or “if it’s Christian it’s okay but if it’s mainstream it’s not.” Obviously, not everything in pop culture is good, but these narratives are not correct nor are they going to bring about the change that needs to happen.

If you’re going to engage pop culture – and make a difference – it involves observing it and reading about it in order to better understand it. Once we better comprehend pop culture then we can intelligently engage it and create positive solutions for areas of concern.

The Bible describes it this way in 1 Chronicles 12:32 (NLT). “From the tribe of Issachar, there were 200 leaders of the tribe with their relatives. All these men understood the signs of the times and knew the best course for Israel to take.”

As we become students of culture we need to pray for God’s wisdom and insight. Then He will direct us to put together a practical strategy for change. While voting is a privilege, as well as a responsibility, it’s only the beginning. We must also be actively involved in doing what we can to bring about change. Mathew 5:13-16 reminds us that we are called to be “salt and light.”

We should be actively involved in influencing culture instead of just pointing out all the problems without offering any solutions. As followers of Christ, we are not to retreat or isolate ourselves. It’s not enough to engage popular culture from a distance. Instead, we should strive to be changemakers by being actively involved as we see life through the lens of a Biblical Worldview.

Ask God where you can actively be “salt and light” to more effectively engage and influence what’s happening in pop culture.

August 2021
Steve Russo

I received a text from a friend letting me know he was going to be in town from the east coast and wanted to meet up. “Sure! Sounds great. When and where?”

I showed up at the agreed upon place and time on Melrose Avenue in Santa Monica. We grabbed a table in the back of this unique café and placed our order. We hadn’t been there 5 minutes when his phone rang. “Hey, excuse me Russo. I need to take this call.” For the next two hours my buddy kept taking calls. We hardly spoke because he was so digitally distracted.

How do you respond when this happens? For me, it’s a mixture of disappointment and frustration. Unfortunately, digital distraction is all too common today.

Have you noticed the family sitting around a table in a restaurant that’s all on their phones? Maybe you’ve seen a group of students hanging out together and they’re all on their phones? There’s a good chance they’re texting each other!

Or how about in church? I visited one in my community on a Sunday and in every direction I looked, people were on their phones – and they weren’t using a Bible app. Some were shopping for shoes; others were catching up on social media or texting; while still others were ordering food for lunch after the service. What made things worse was the low-level lights in the building made it much easier to see the light of screens. It was distracting for the people on their phones and for those sitting in close proximity to them.

My friend from the east coast was not “living in the moment” and was rude to me. The people in the church were also not “living in the moment” and disrespectful to God.

Digital distractions will invade our lives every day unless we get them under control. A first step is to consider how valuable the gift of time really is that God has given us.

Live life, then, with a due sense of responsibility, not as men who do not know the meaning and purpose of life but as those who do. Make the best use of your time, despite all the difficulties of these days.           Ephesians 5:15-16 (Phillips)

June 2021
Steve Russo

When you Google “The Terminator,” Arnold Schwarzenegger’s picture comes up. When you Google “The Italian Stallion,” Sly Stallone’s – aka Rocky’s – picture comes up.

When you Google “The Encourager,” my buddy Buzz Jensen’s picture comes up. He was a modern-day Barnabas. Buzz was always encouraging and helping to build up others. He embodied what it meant to be an encourager. It’s an unusual gift that not many people have.

Buzz had a genuine heart for people. He loved offering support and confidence to others.

He had an empathetic ear and listened carefully to what others said. Buzz had an unusual eye for potential and worked to inspire others to achieve it.

He was a consistent source of hope – no matter how dark the storm clouds were in your life. Buzz also set a positive and inspiring example for others to follow.

Buzz epitomizes the expressions of Solomon in Proverbs 16:24 (NLT).

Kind words are like honey – sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.

Unfortunately, my buddy Buzz lost his life in a tragic car crash recently. It was unexpected and devastated his family and friends. There’s no doubt that Buzz now resides in heaven, but it’s still difficult for all of us to except that he’s gone. So, his family and friends cling to memories of him.

I still have text messages of encouragement from Buzz in my iPhone that I value.

I’ll always remember the last time I saw him. I had an appointment to get my hair cut at a place about half way between my house and his. His wife Vicki also had an appointment in that same general area at a similar time. We decided to meet for lunch. Chick-Fil-A was take-out only because of the pandemic. So, we drove across the street to a relatively empty parking lot. Buzz had brought along three folding chairs and two tables so we didn’t have to sit in the car. We had a great time chatting at our parking lot picnic!

Are you an encourager? Our world is filled with people who need support, confidence, hope, an empathetic ear and someone to recognize their potential. We need lots more people like Buzz. What do you think – will you “Be a Buzz?”     #beabuzz