Stigmas make us stand out. Some of them are self-inflicted. Others cling to us from birth. While stigmas may lead to opposition, rejection, or mistreatment from society, God can open doors through stigmas. The story of Jephthah, an ancient Israelite leader, tells such a story. God uses his strength and diplomacy to deliver his people who had earlier rejected him. What doors has God opened for you?

The apostle Paul knew something of God's compassion. It shaped his past, empowered his present ministry, and reached all people. When he describes God's compassion (i.e., mercy, kindness) to Paul, he assumes Timothy, too, will take it and pay it forward. And so should we.

Our struggles reveal our need for salvation. In some form or another, we all want freedom, release, salvation. While we cannot secure it for ourselves, we can turn to God, our Redeemer. The exodus story not only shows his redeeming power but establishes his people as his prized possession

The churches in Revelation dealt with timeless problems. The church of Sardis struggled with an identity crisis. God sees through their religious act; He knows their spirits need renewal. As do ours. This message encourages us to find our true name in God.

Confession feels like a dirty word. And, in a way, it is because it admits the guilt we bear for our wrongful deeds and attitudes. Ezra the priest made confession for the people who returned from exile (454 BC). He lamented the mixed marriages of his people, knowing their religious devotion would likely suffer as it had in the past. Ezra's confession teaches about God's compassion and our culpability. It encourages us to take time to lay bare our souls before God.