Author: Jon Gauger

Do you have too many clothes?

I do. Shirts, more than pants.

So, several years ago, we undertook an inventory. I yanked every T-shirt, dress shirt, work shirt (and other shirts) off the racks and shelves. We even hauled stuff down from the attic. With the help of Tim and Beth—our son and daughter-in-law—we launched a full-blown blitz.

Every shirt was scrutinized, and most were tried on. In one amazing hour, we went through everything. Rising up from the kitchen table: an impressive mountain headed for the resale store. And honestly, the process felt strangely freeing.

But if it’s healthy to take an inventory of our shirts, what about an inventory of our souls?

Working through that mound of shirts, we asked questions like

• Does it still fit?
• Is it worn out?
• Does it make me look better—or worse?

Shouldn’t we ask similar questions of our souls?

• Does this hobby or binge show of mine fit someone headed for heaven?
• Is my walk with Christ worn out in some areas?
• Do the habits I’ve taken on make Jesus look better—or worse?

There’s a lot to inventory: time, money, prayer, Bible reading, hobbies, relationships, possessions, and conversations. Trying to assess even one of those could be daunting. But avoiding the decluttering process is like avoiding the doctor, believing that will somehow keep bad news away.

I don’t know about you, but I’ve got a lot more inventorying to do. Here’s to decluttering the closets of our souls!

Search me, God, and know my heart; Put me to the test and know my anxious thoughts; And see if there is any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.

-Psalms 139:23,24

Photo by Linus Belanger on Unsplash

America has a neighbor problem.

A survey of more than 1,000 Americans uncovered:

• Nearly 40% of people aged 18-29 rarely or never interact with their neighbors.
• Only 17% of Americans trust their neighbor with a house key.

More than two-thirds of respondents report hiding from their neighbors at least once. They do this by:

• Pretending you don’t see them (37%).
• Staying inside when you’re outside (34%).
• Acting like you’re not home (26%).
• Wearing headphones while outside (21%).
• Acting like they’re on the phone (21%).

Younger generations are nearly twice as likely to avoid their neighbors as people over 60:

• 75% of 18–29-year-olds avoid their neighbors.
• 74% of 30–44-year-olds avoid their neighbors.
• 70% of 45–60-year-olds avoid their neighbors.
• 38% of 60-plus year-olds avoid their neighbors.

Ironically, people are spending more time than ever at home, but they’re not spending it interacting with their neighbors. According to the survey, 48% of people interact with their neighbors monthly or less, and nearly a third rarely interact with them at all.

Jesus commanded us, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” a directive regarded as the second greatest commandment. But how can we love our neighbors if we’ve never met them? Or maybe we’ve met them, but we’re never with them? (SOURCE: https://toprailfences.com/blog/insights/people-hiding-from-neigbors/)

In the age of FaceTime, getting actual face time with our neighbors may be difficult, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.

Wanna talk to neighbors you know—and meet ones you don’t? Get outside. Regularly. Intentionally. It’s amazing how God will time things so you just “happen” to bump into a neighbor.

Want to meet new neighbors? Don’t just stare at the buttons when you’re riding the elevator up and down at your apartment or condo. Notice the people with you—and talk to them! 

America might have a neighbor problem, but followers of Christ are the answer.

Loving our neighbors starts with meeting our neighbors. And this is God’s will for you, for me, for all of us!

“Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Mark 12:31

Photo by Nina Strehl on Unsplash

How can you resist a sale offering 90% off?

We couldn’t. So, there we were at Hobby Lobby, scanning the aisle that promised unsold Christmas ornaments, wreaths, and ribbons. But what we found were decimations rather than decorations.

There were trees missing trunks and reindeer missing limbs. We saw stars without their points, and holly without berries. A lady in the same aisle we ambled down was heard to mutter: “If it’s not broken, it’s not here!” She wasn’t wrong.

We saw lacquer that was lacking, gold foil that had failed, and untold numbers of things unglued. To prove my lack of exaggeration, I created a grouping from just a few items at arm’s length and snagged a snapshot. So pathetic, it was almost comical.

But I found unexpected meaning in the mishmash when my eye landed upon a church ornament. White and porcelain, the bottom corner of the church was entirely missing—cracked off.

Instantly, I was reminded that in some way, this aisle was a picture of the world. We are all broken, sinful, trashed. In fact, the Bible says, “We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).

But thank God, He didn’t walk down the aisle of our brokenness, shake His head, and walk away. He sent Jesus to die in our place, pay for our sins, and make it possible to be restored to God. Broken no more.

If you have never come to God and asked Him to forgive you—and make you whole, do it now! And don’t let your personal mess keep you back, as if you are a disaster too great for Him.

Spurgeon says, “Your ruin is your argument for mercy; your poverty is your plea for heavenly alms; and your need is the motive for heavenly goodness. Go as you are and let your miseries plead for you.”

We’re all broken. But we don’t have to stay that way.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.  -1 John 1:9

I don’t know about you, but I confess to being easily shaken up. A critical email, a negative text, tension at work—it doesn’t take much, and I’m all shaken up. At times like these, many of us revert to unhelpful self-talk. Meaning, we bash ourselves.

I can read the thought bubble in your mind. You’re saying, “Yeah, I’m easily upset by people and problems that oppose me, but that’s just who I am.” Maybe. But that isn’t who you have to be.

David addresses this soul sickness when he invites us to better self-talk in Psalm 16:8. His personal testimony—his coping strategy—is this: “I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

In Bible times, the expression, “at my right hand,” spoke of favor and importance. Note that Scripture often speaks of Jesus being at the right hand of God—again, the highest place of honor and significance.

Does your Outlook calendar and your daily routine place Christ at the highest place of honor and significance? Here are three keys that will help unlock a more biblical self-talk.

Key #1—You Choose to Set Him Before You

Setting the Lord before you doesn’t happen by default or accident. It’s a choice. David said, “I have set,” not “the Lord set.” No competent bricklayer just “happened” to build a straight wall. And no one ever “happened” to become a piano virtuoso the day of their first lesson. These things begin with a decision. We set our mind and heart on a goal—and then we follow through over time.

Key #2—You Make a Daily Decision

Setting the Lord before you is not a one-time thing. It’s a daily, moment-by-moment action. Note the word “continually.” Many of us pay a whole lot of money for subscription plans: internet, phone, meal prep, music and movie streams, cloud storage, and on it goes. We set up auto-pay for our bills, autofill for our prescriptions, and even auto-order pet supplies. But there’s no “auto plan” for setting the Lord continually before you. It’s something you do every day.

Key #3—You Invite His Presence to Be with You

Setting the Lord before you continually invites the Lord’s continual presence to be in your life. David says, “Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.” I’m so glad David doesn’t say, “I’m pretty sure God will show up to protect me when I need Him most.” He reminds himself that God is—already (right now and today and tomorrow)—“at my right hand.”

Invite the Lord to help you call this verse to mind the moment that stress comes knocking. In fact, I encourage you to say Psalm 16:8 out loud the very next instant you feel tense. I promise you that trouble will loosen its grip even as you sense God tightening His grip on you. This habit, this lifestyle, is the self-talk we need!

“I have set the Lord continually before me; because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.”

—Psalm 16:8

NOTE:

You’ve just read a tiny sliver of the hope you’ll encounter in the book, “Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms.” For a free sample chapter, email me at Jon.gauger@moody.edu. “Send me the chapter!” It’s perfect for anyone who knows what it means to lie down…but not get to sleep!

It’s official.

Expedia’s latest data now reveals 2026’s most sought-after travel destinations. One can’t help but wonder if these nominations are somehow connected with the airlines whose tickets Expedia sells. But all of that aside, here’s what’s apparently in for the globe-trotting set.

Occupying the number one Expedia destination spot is Big Sky, Montana, which features an “artsy vibe and frontier spirit.” Not to mention some awesome scenery.

The second-place award goes to Okinawa, Japan, offering “an archipelago of semi-tropical islands.” You can almost see yourself immersed in the turquoise water.

In third place is Sardinia, Italy, the “understated gem of Italy.” Pass the risotto alla Milanese, please.

Phu Quoc, Vietnam, is an up-and-coming destination for travelers in search of “tropical serenity with a splash of adventure.”

Number five on the list is Savole, France, which looks like the most magical winter postcard you’ve ever laid eyes on.

https://www.expedia.com/unpack26/destinations-of-the-year

Any one of the five nominations sounds nice, right? But as idyllic as they might be, they wither in comparison to the destination soon to be enjoyed by every follower of Christ. Ponder the wonder of heaven!

Startlingly Beautiful. Imagine streets of gold…a crystal-clear river of life…twelve city gates each made from a single pearl…a city foundation of precious stones. And that’s just for starters!

Supremely Secure. Nothing unholy will ever enter heaven. There will be no “serpent-in-the-garden-version-2.0” to tempt us. No robbers, no impostors. No possibility that you and I will ever sin again.

Sublimely Satisfying. No selfishness, sickness, sorrow, or suffering. No more broken legs. Or broken marriages. Never an unkind word or even the hint of a scowl. Farewell to funerals—all of them! And hello to Jesus—all of Him!

Imagine: unbroken, unstoppable, unending, unashamed life lived every spectacular second in the shadow of our Triune God—who Himself will be our light!

The new year is upon us, statistically guaranteeing we are closer to the wonder we call heaven. That said, shouldn’t we resolve this year to make more of heaven?

Other things—lesser things—will vie and cry for our attention. After all, life here on earth must go on. Somebody has to pay the bills, clean the toilets, and go buy groceries. But surely, we can and must keep heaven front and center.

So, for 2026, let’s…

• Think about heaven
• Speak about heaven
• Dream about heaven
• Live for heaven
• Long for heaven
• Invest in heaven
• Anticipate heaven
• Urge others to join us in heaven!

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.”-1 Corinthians 2:9

What would have happened if Jesus never came?

What if there had been no announcement of “Joy to the world,” no “Angels from the realms of glory,” and no occasion for a “Silent night”?

Here are ten ways life would be different if Christ never came:

• No potential for a truly abundant life. We’d have to settle for mere existence. In John 10:10, Jesus declared, “I came so that they would have life, and have it abundantly.”  But without Jesus, there’s no such thing.

• No access to God in prayer. In John 14:13, Jesus declared, “And whatever you ask in My name, this I will do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” We would never have this promise—because we couldn’t ask in Jesus’ name—if He hadn’t come.

• No hope for supernatural peace. We’d have only the flimsy veneer offered by our shallow culture. But in John 14:27, Jesus assured us, “Peace I leave you, My peace I give you; not as the world gives, do I give to you.”

• No possibility of forgiveness. Ephesians 1:7 points out, “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our wrongdoings, according to the riches of His grace.” Unless Christ had come, we could kiss all that goodbye.

• No chance to become righteous. 2 Corinthians 5:21 says of Jesus, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin in our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.”

• No one to rescue us from what Paul called, “the body of this death” (Romans 7:24). Jesus said of Himself, “For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Apart from Christ, we would still be lost. All of us.  

• No reason for hope. 1 Peter 1:3, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” But if Jesus never came, there’d be no hope for hope.

• No spiritual armor. We couldn’t put on the belt of truth or the helmet of salvation—Nor would we have the breastplate of righteousness (Ephesians 6:17). In fact, if Jesus had not come, we would have no armor of any kind.

• No “Great Commission.” In fact, we’d be OUT of commission. We would have no calling, no gospel, no possibility to make disciples—because we ourselves wouldn’t be disciples!

• No possibility of reaching heaven. We simply would not have a way to get there. The Jesus who did come said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except by me” (John 14:6). Without Jesus, though, there’s literally no way.

Without Jesus, nothing would resemble anything of the faith that is everything.

Thank you, Lord, that Jesus did come, that we can sing joy to the world, that sin and sorrow no longer reign—all because Christ came “to make His blessings flow far as the curse is found.”

That’s what I call a Merry Christmas!

He was a fugitive on the run, desperate for a place to hide.

The 38-year-old man had escaped a prison sentence for aggravated assault and resisting a public official. Fresh out of options, he noticed a life-sized nativity set and seized on a moment of inspiration.

When no one was looking, he stepped right into that nativity scene posing as someone adoring the Christ child. That’s when an onlooker of no less stature than the town’s mayor walked by.

At first, he was impressed by how “lifelike” the figure was. But then the mayor realized it was all a fake and asked the man to step away from the nativity scene.

The man refused, claiming that the nativity was his home.

That’s when the mayor contacted the local police, who quickly identified the guy as a wanted fugitive and hauled him away. It all happened just last weekend.

Oddly, this story is hardly an isolated incident. The world is full of folks pretending like they fit in with Jesus.

For thousands of years, people have shown up in churches where Jesus is worshipped. They’ve sung songs about Jesus, heard sermons about Jesus, maybe even bowed their head as people prayed in Jesus’ name.

But they don’t actually know Jesus as the leader of their life, the forgiver of their wrongdoing (sin). Apart from that kind of connection with Jesus, they are—spiritually speaking—fugitives!

Is that you, by any chance, faking your friends and family into thinking you and Jesus are okay? Well, Jesus isn’t fooled. Nor is He okay with that.

The Bible says of Jesus in 1 John 5:12, “Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.”

There’s no use hiding or pretending with Jesus. Stop trying to fool yourself and others. Instead, receive the gift of God, eternal life, through Jesus Christ.

If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

-Romans 10:9

SOURCE: https://www.euronews.com

Unlikely. Unexpected.

That was my reaction to the announcement that ABC would be airing a Kevin Costner TV special exploring the birth of Jesus Christ, “like you’ve never seen it before.” So, we watched it—every minute of it.

Part drama and part documentary, the program, between scenes, offered viewpoints from an array of sympathetic experts, including Francis Chan.

The dramatic portrayal of the aged Simeon chuckling as he lays eyes on the infant Jesus is pure delight. Yet when he turns to Mary with the prophetic utterance, “a sword will pierce even your own soul,” we shudder at her agony and can almost taste the salt of her tears.

The two-hour production isn’t perfect, of course. Though Costner does a credible job hosting, at one point, he offers the possibility of some entirely unbiblical reasons for the coming of Christ. And though Costner is bold enough to connect the crucifixion of Christ with His birth, the word sin is never mentioned as the reason for it all.

Still, the production is well done and largely (refreshingly) biblical. More than that, it is reverent. Jesus is frequently referred to as the Messiah or Son of God. And the producers go out of their way to emphasize that Jesus came for all people—Jews and Gentiles. Regarding the death of Jesus, Costner states that there are many— “myself among them”—who believe that Jesus didn’t stay dead.

When you consider the extreme polarization of our culture, the vitriol dominating so much of public discourse, the “Christmas wars” that have been waged against any mention of the name of Jesus, Kevin Costner’s production is an extraordinary thing. Nor should we treat lightly the fact that ABC gave two full hours to platform the biblical account of Christmas.

We Christians are quick to criticize, quick to complain, quick to see ourselves as victims. But this is a moment to savor and celebrate. Thank you, ABC. Thank you, Kevin Costner!

“She will give birth to a Son; and you shall name Him Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”

–Matthew 1:21

I will bless the LORD at all times;

His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

 Psalm 34:1

This verse makes perfect sense on a Sunday morning. But what about when life stinks?

Just a couple of years into his marriage, my friend Rick noticed his wife exhibiting signs of mental struggles. But she was too young for anything serious, right?

Walking alongside Rick the mile-and-a-half commute from Moody to the train station, he shared often. About how his wife's condition grew so bad that she had to be hospitalized and then institutionalized.

Rick went on to live most of his life as a single dad, though he was still married. He did not enjoy dinner conversations or quiet walks with the woman he loved. He did not take romantic vacations with her or explore fun new places to dine together. Anniversary celebrations meant nothing

Remarkably, as Rick and I shared that walk over the years, he had nothing but kind words and gratitude for his wife. He spoke glowingly of her as if she were a combination of supermom and supermodel. He praised God and was genuinely thankful for her, always believing she might improve.

What a picture of Psalm 34:1, “I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” What a contrast to the negative self-talk we often “sing.” Our complaining chorus resounds with lyrics like “Life stinks. I’ve been ripped off. I don’t feel like praising God.”

If that's the wrong self-talk, what's the correct version? It goes like this: "I can choose to praise God even when life around me is falling apart." Just like Rick. Now, there might be some sour notes along the way (I'm sure Rick had his darker moments), but if you stay at it, you can make new habits of praise to God.

 

How to Make This Self-Talk YOUR Self-Talk

First, choose to believe this lifestyle of constant praise is normal and doable. Stop telling yourself it isn’t.

Second, tell God you want to live this way. Ask Him for His help.

Third, the very next time something rotten happens to you, quote this verse out loud. It has often put me in a much better mood—immediately!

Fourth, do this again and again. Let it become a lifestyle.

 

Pray It

O Lord, You know my tendency to whine. But I want to learn to “bless the Lord at all times.” I want Your praise to “continually be in my mouth.” Would You help me replace whining with praising? I believe You will make sweet music out of my life as I learn to praise You—no matter what. Amen.

 

You’ve just read an excerpt from Jon’s new book, Powerful Self-Talk from the Psalms (releasing December 6). If you’re tired of all the negative messages trashing your personal peace, this is for you!

https://www.amazon.com/Powerful-Self-Talk-Psalms-Biblical-Mindset/

Praising God, giving Him glory—it’s optional, right?

It's something we do on Sunday mornings or when we hike up mountains or saunter down a beach at sunset. Praise is the thing you do when you feel especially close to God or grateful for something He's done— like a Thanksgiving family gathering, right?

Yes, but…

Psalm 29:2 says we are to “Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name.” Nothing was mentioned there about our mood or happiness quotient. Nothing to suggest that giving God glory is contingent upon our satisfaction with our circumstances, the weather, or the Almighty Himself. It just says, "Ascribe to the LORD the glory due His name."

Truthfully, many of us have assumed an “optionality” to praise. We do it when we feel like it. And pat ourselves on the back for having done so.

But consider…

• When the library book is due, you'd better bring it back.
• When the rent payment is due, you'd better deliver!
• Term paper due? Best get it done before your grade takes a hit. 

If you've ever forgotten to pay your utility bill or missed a mortgage installment, you know what happens. Your obligation becomes "past due"—and often there's a penalty!

How much more, then, is it incumbent upon us to give God the glory due His name? Come to think of it, how much glory do you suppose is due His name?

• Glory for illuminating our Milky Way galaxy with a hundred billion stars…
• Glory for creating massive mammals (blue whales grow longer than 100 feet and weigh 200 tons!) as well as infinitesimal insects like mites, aphids, and fairy wasps
• Glory for creating human babies who start walking and talking in merely one year
• Glory for sending Jesus, the perfect Son, who lived a perfect life only to die so we could be perfectly forgiven

There is more glory due His name than there are pages to assemble a list.

Glory is due. In fact, I dare say, it’s past due! So, I ask again. Are we giving God that glory—the glory due His name?

What’s keeping us from starting?