God Holds Us Together - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 21

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God Holds Us Together 
By Alexis A. Goring 

Bible Reading:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” -  Colossians 1:15-17 NIV

There is a song by a Christian music band called Fee that really resonates with me. 

Everything Falls” is the title of the song. The lyrics start with a Biblical reminder: God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). The message then speaks to our world today, describing it as shaky and filled with trouble that burdens your soul. But then the singer reminds us to remember what God has told us: When everything falls apart, God still holds you together. Faith in God’s sovereignty and His love for humankind brings hope to our hurting hearts. Even when our strength is gone, God remains strong and mighty. He is not a frail deity. He is a warrior who always existed and will never die! And He is passionate about rescuing His children (humankind) and saving our souls (John 3:16-17).

This song encourages us to remember our mighty God when we are surrounded by darkness and devastated by tragedy. God remains faithful to us through it all. We are advised by this song to hold onto hope and remember that Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). 

Now for a fact that will astound you: Did you know that there is a cell adhesion molecule inside every human body that is shaped like a cross and literally holds us together? The word for it is laminin. There is a whole story behind how I first learned about this. I watched a short talk by Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, on YouTube. Here is a brief summary of that video, including how Giglio first learned about laminin:

Giglio was on tour for his ministry in Texas. As they were wrapping up, a man from the audience introduced himself to Giglio and asked him what’s next for his ministry. Giglio said he would be preaching for his pastor in Atlanta. The man asked him what he would preach on. When Giglio said the series is on the glory of God and the human body, the man responded by saying that it was “really amazing” and stated that he was a molecular biologist at a local university. He asked Giglio to give him the talk. After hearing his talk, the biologist asked Giglio what’s his “big left hook” for finishing his speech. When Giglio said he didn’t have one yet, the biologist replied, “Your left hook is laminin!” Giglio drew a blank face. The biologist explained that laminin is a cell adhesion molecule, a protein molecule. He then talked about the purpose of laminin—it literally holds us together every day we’re alive. He called it “the glue of the human body” and urged Giglio to tell his audience about laminin. He convinced Giglio to go to his computer and do a Google search for the word laminin. When Giglio did this and saw that laminin is shaped like a cross, he contacted the biologist who then asked him if he wanted to see an actual laminin molecule. When Giglio replied yes, the biologist sent an electron microscope image of laminin and Giglio was amazed at how it resembled a cross like the one Jesus Christ died on at Calvary.

Isn’t it astounding—and comforting—that the very thing that’s holding our bodies together and keeping us alive, is in the shape of a cross that represents our Savior? It’s not a coincidence that God created laminin in the shape of a cross, which is a symbol of Christianity. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, an architect, said, “God is in the details.” I believe that the existence of laminin inside of every human body is evidence that God wants us to always remember our Savior, who holds us together not only physically but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally every day of our life here on Earth.

In closing, I’d like for you to listen to the song “Hold Us Together” by H.E.R. and Tauren Wells. May the lyrics and melody remind you how much God loves you and how you can trust His Son (Jesus Christ) to hold you together no matter how much life around you or inside of you may feel like it’s falling apart. May we always remember the hope and safety we have when we trust in Him. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:

How does knowing that Jesus Christ holds you together, breathe hope into your soul? Next time you feel like everything is falling apart, will you turn to God?

Further Reading:
1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:19
Romans 8:28
Jeremiah 29:11

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Seven Stock Studio 

Alexis A. GoringAlexis A. Goring is an author, blogger, editor, photographer, trained journalist, and total foodie. She specializes in Contemporary Christian Romance (fiction) and devotionals (nonfiction). Her first devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, was published in April 2020. Alexis hopes that her life’s work will lead people to Jesus Christ and teach them about the God who loves humankind with all of His heart. When she’s not sharing words that inspire and encourage the heart, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up something tasty, or in a café or restaurant, either dining solo or sharing a meal with loved ones. Connect with Alexis online via her website (https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com), Twitter (@pennedbyalex) and Instagram (@capturing_the_idea).

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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Salem Radio Network Speakers

Larry Elder is an American lawyer, writer, and radio and television personality who calls himself the "Sage of South Central" a district of Los Angeles, Larry says his philosophy is to entertain, inform, provoke and to hopefully uplift. His calling card is "we have a country to save" and to him this means returning to the bedrock Constitutional principles of limited government and maximum personal responsibility. Elder's iconoclastic wit and intellectual agility makes him a particularly attractive voice in a nation that seems weary of traditional racial dialogue.” – Los Angeles Times.

Mike Gallagher Mike Gallagher began his broadcasting career in 1978 in Dayton, Ohio. Today, he is one of the most listened-to talk radio show hosts in America, recently having been ranked in the Talkers Magazine “Heavy Hundred” list – the 100 most important talk radio hosts in America. Prior to being launched into national syndication in 1998, Mike hosted the morning show on WABC-AM in New York City. Today, Talkers Magazine reports that his show is heard by over 3.75 million weekly listeners. Besides his radio work, Mike is seen on Fox News Channel as an on-air contributor, frequently appearing on the cable news giant.

Hugh Hewitt is one of the nation’s leading bloggers and a genuine media revolutionary. He brings that expertise, his wit and what The New Yorker magazine calls his “amiable but relentless manner” to his nationally syndicated show each day.

When Dr. Sebastian Gorka was growing up, he listened to talk radio under his pillow with a transistor radio, dreaming that one day he would be behind the microphone. Beginning New Year’s Day 2019, he got his wish. Gorka now hosts America First every weekday afternoon 3 to 6pm ET. Gorka’s unique story works well on the radio. He is national security analyst for the Fox News Channel and author of two books: "Why We Fight" and "Defeating Jihad." His latest book releasing this fall is “War For America’s Soul.” He is uniquely qualified to fight the culture war and stand up for what is great about America, his adopted home country.

Broadcasting from his home station of KRLA in Los Angeles, the Dennis Prager Show is heard across the country. Everything in life – from politics to religion to relationships – is grist for Dennis’ mill. If it’s interesting, if it affects your life, then Dennis will be talking about it – with passion, humor, insight and wisdom.

Sean Hannity is a conservative radio and television host, and one of the original primetime hosts on the Fox News Channel, where he has appeared since 1996. Sean Hannity began his radio career at a college station in California, before moving on to markets in the Southeast and New York. Today, he’s one of the most listened to on-air voices. Hannity’s radio program went into national syndication on September 10, 2001, and airs on more than 500 stations. Talkers Magazine estimates Hannity’s weekly radio audience at 13.5 million. In 1996 he was hired as one of the original hosts on Fox News Channel. As host of several popular Fox programs, Hannity has become the highest-paid news anchor on television.

Michelle Malkin is a mother, wife, blogger, conservative syndicated columnist, longtime cable TV news commentator, and best-selling author of six books. She started her newspaper journalism career at the Los Angeles Daily News in 1992, moved to the Seattle Times in 1995, and has been penning nationally syndicated newspaper columns for Creators Syndicate since 1999. She is founder of conservative Internet start-ups Hot Air and Twitchy.com. Malkin has received numerous awards for her investigative journalism, including the Council on Governmental Ethics Laws (COGEL) national award for outstanding service for the cause of governmental ethics and leadership (1998), the Reed Irvine Accuracy in Media Award for Investigative Journalism (2006), the Heritage Foundation and Franklin Center for Government & Public Integrity's Breitbart Award for Excellence in Journalism (2013), the Center for Immigration Studies' Eugene Katz Award for Excellence in the Coverage of Immigration Award (2016), and the Manhattan Film Festival's Film Heals Award (2018). Married for 26 years and the mother of two teenage children, she lives with her family in Colorado. Follow her at michellemalkin.com. (Photo reprinted with kind permission from Peter Duke Photography.)

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God Holds Us Together - The Crosswalk Devotional - February 21

Carbonatix Pre-Player Loader

Audio By Carbonatix

The Crosswalk Devotional updated banner logo

God Holds Us Together 
By Alexis A. Goring 

Bible Reading:
“The Son is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. For in him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through him and for him. He is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” -  Colossians 1:15-17 NIV

There is a song by a Christian music band called Fee that really resonates with me. 

Everything Falls” is the title of the song. The lyrics start with a Biblical reminder: God will never leave you nor forsake you (Hebrews 13:5). The message then speaks to our world today, describing it as shaky and filled with trouble that burdens your soul. But then the singer reminds us to remember what God has told us: When everything falls apart, God still holds you together. Faith in God’s sovereignty and His love for humankind brings hope to our hurting hearts. Even when our strength is gone, God remains strong and mighty. He is not a frail deity. He is a warrior who always existed and will never die! And He is passionate about rescuing His children (humankind) and saving our souls (John 3:16-17).

This song encourages us to remember our mighty God when we are surrounded by darkness and devastated by tragedy. God remains faithful to us through it all. We are advised by this song to hold onto hope and remember that Jesus Christ has overcome the world (John 16:33). 

Now for a fact that will astound you: Did you know that there is a cell adhesion molecule inside every human body that is shaped like a cross and literally holds us together? The word for it is laminin. There is a whole story behind how I first learned about this. I watched a short talk by Louie Giglio, pastor of Passion City Church, on YouTube. Here is a brief summary of that video, including how Giglio first learned about laminin:

Giglio was on tour for his ministry in Texas. As they were wrapping up, a man from the audience introduced himself to Giglio and asked him what’s next for his ministry. Giglio said he would be preaching for his pastor in Atlanta. The man asked him what he would preach on. When Giglio said the series is on the glory of God and the human body, the man responded by saying that it was “really amazing” and stated that he was a molecular biologist at a local university. He asked Giglio to give him the talk. After hearing his talk, the biologist asked Giglio what’s his “big left hook” for finishing his speech. When Giglio said he didn’t have one yet, the biologist replied, “Your left hook is laminin!” Giglio drew a blank face. The biologist explained that laminin is a cell adhesion molecule, a protein molecule. He then talked about the purpose of laminin—it literally holds us together every day we’re alive. He called it “the glue of the human body” and urged Giglio to tell his audience about laminin. He convinced Giglio to go to his computer and do a Google search for the word laminin. When Giglio did this and saw that laminin is shaped like a cross, he contacted the biologist who then asked him if he wanted to see an actual laminin molecule. When Giglio replied yes, the biologist sent an electron microscope image of laminin and Giglio was amazed at how it resembled a cross like the one Jesus Christ died on at Calvary.

Isn’t it astounding—and comforting—that the very thing that’s holding our bodies together and keeping us alive, is in the shape of a cross that represents our Savior? It’s not a coincidence that God created laminin in the shape of a cross, which is a symbol of Christianity. Ludwig Mies van der Rohe, an architect, said, “God is in the details.” I believe that the existence of laminin inside of every human body is evidence that God wants us to always remember our Savior, who holds us together not only physically but spiritually, mentally, and emotionally every day of our life here on Earth.

In closing, I’d like for you to listen to the song “Hold Us Together” by H.E.R. and Tauren Wells. May the lyrics and melody remind you how much God loves you and how you can trust His Son (Jesus Christ) to hold you together no matter how much life around you or inside of you may feel like it’s falling apart. May we always remember the hope and safety we have when we trust in Him. 

Intersecting Faith and Life:

How does knowing that Jesus Christ holds you together, breathe hope into your soul? Next time you feel like everything is falling apart, will you turn to God?

Further Reading:
1 Peter 5:7
Isaiah 41:10
Philippians 4:19
Romans 8:28
Jeremiah 29:11

Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Seven Stock Studio 

Alexis A. GoringAlexis A. Goring is an author, blogger, editor, photographer, trained journalist, and total foodie. She specializes in Contemporary Christian Romance (fiction) and devotionals (nonfiction). Her first devotional book, Stories and Songs of Faith: My Journey with God, was published in April 2020. Alexis hopes that her life’s work will lead people to Jesus Christ and teach them about the God who loves humankind with all of His heart. When she’s not sharing words that inspire and encourage the heart, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up something tasty, or in a café or restaurant, either dining solo or sharing a meal with loved ones. Connect with Alexis online via her website (https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com), Twitter (@pennedbyalex) and Instagram (@capturing_the_idea).

Check out fantastic resources on Faith, Family, and Fun at Crosswalk.com

Listen to the Jesus Calling Podcast!

Welcome to this special bonus episode of the Jesus Calling Podcast, inspired by the topical themes from Sarah Young’s seasonal prayer devotional Jesus Listens: Prayers for Every Season. Today, we are featuring guests who speak to themes that all of us might be experiencing in this season of winter. As the days grow shorter and the night longer, we are offered a rare gift: permission to stop. This season can be a challenging time for many, and if you are struggling with low spirits, please know you are not alone, and help is available. This episode is an opportunity to honor your weariness, to resist the urge to rush, and to discover the profound healing that happens when we simply let ourselves rest in the stillness. If you like what you hear, be sure to follow Jesus Calling on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an episode!

 

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